Tech is getting smarter and with everyone seemingly having such busy schedules these days, upgrading can help simplify your daily routine. Trying to replace your whole home with smart devices can get costly, but you don’t have to overhaul your entire space at once. And with markdowns and discounts, you can often score top options at a more affordable price.
We’ve rounded up some of the best deals currently available on must-have smart tech that you can control via an app or through hands-free voice commands. Whatever you need, from dynamic smart plugs to smart lighting, smart speakers and more, we’ve collected our favorite offers from top brands and have highlighted them below to save you the hassle of exhaustive scrolling and help you keep more cash in your pocket.
Best smart plug deals
Smart plugs are useful for a variety of tasks, including automating lights and small appliances.
TP-Link/CNET
These smart plugs have multi-admin capability, so anyone in the home can share management permissions through Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Samsung SmartThings. You can also set schedules and timers. Be sure to clip the on-page coupon for the full discount.
Kasa/CNET
If you think you’d benefit from multiple smart plugs, snag this Kasa four-pack at a discount. Each smart plug has two outlets that you can control independently using Bluetooth or a smart speaker with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. You can also set up a custom schedule to help automate your morning or nighttime routines. Click the on-page coupon for this deal.
Kasa/CNET
If you have a lot of devices, you likely need a surge protector or power strip. Why not pay a little extra for one that has some intelligent features built right in? This Kasa model has six AC outlets and three USB-A ports. It also lets you control multiple devices from your phone or use your voice with a compatible Alexa or Google Assistant smart speaker.
Read our Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip review.
Kasa/CNET
You can’t just use any smart plug outside — you need to buy one specifically designed to be used outdoors. This smart plug from Kasa is rated IP64 for weather resistance and has a single outlet that can be controlled individually. It has a built-in cord to make it easier to plug into outdoor receptacles and works with Alexa, IFTTT and Google Assistant. Clip the on-page coupon for the full discount.
Best smart light deals
Smart bulbs offer a unique way to bring some color to your spaces without having to repaint. You can also get standard white versions, and they come in different sizes for your lamps and light fixtures.
Kasa/CNET
Smart bulbs are a great way to change the look of a room by adding a splash of color. You can set times for the lights to go on and off and adjust brightness, too. You don’t need to add a hub to use these, but they work with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands.
Daybetter/CNET
If you need to set up a lot of bulbs, then going with this Daybetter 10-pack will get you a lot of smart bulbs at a budget price. They are 9-watt bulbs, which is quite bright, and you have all the controls you’d expect, from syncing to scheduling. Right now you can get the 10-pack for $20 off with the on-page coupon.
Best smart appliance deals
There are so many smart appliances these days: You can use your voice to preheat the oven, adjust your home’s temperature remotely, control your garage door with your phone and much more.
Thermopro/CNET
This ThermoPro smart meat thermometer has an impressive 500-foot Bluetooth range that lets you remotely monitor the internal temperature of your steaks, ribs or other meats, as well as the ambient temperature of your grill or smoker. It will even help you estimate cooking times to take the guesswork out of barbecuing. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
Meross/CNET
This Meross smart garage remote lets you open or close your garage from anywhere using the companion app on your phone or tablet. It’s also compatible with Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant, so you can control it with your voice through other smart devices. You can set a schedule so it closes at a preset time or after being open for an extended period. Be sure to clip the on-page coupon to get all the savings.
Right now it’s discounted on Amazon bringing the total down to just $40.
The Nest Learning Thermostat can control your home’s temperature from anywhere via the Nest app on your smartphone, tablet or laptop. Within a week of setup, the thermostat starts adjusting itself to your preferred temperatures. Away mode automatically switches to an energy-efficient temperature when you’re not home.
You can save $50 via rebates when you buy your thermostat from Google directly. Google also has an additional offer for savings on professional installation if you install more than one.
Strands doesn’t get as much attention as its New York Times game siblings Wordle and Connections, but it can be just as challenging and entertaining. Strands just moved out of beta, so it’s now in the New York Times’ official Games app, which might bring it more fans. I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.
Need more answers? Here’s the answer for today’s Wordle, and here are the answers for today’s Connections. And do you solve the NYT Mini Crossword? Here’s today’s answer for that.
Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far
Hint for today’s Strands puzzle
Today’s Strands theme is: Go for the gold.
If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Time to medal.
Clue words to unlock in-game hints
Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints, but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:
These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you’ve got all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:
Today’s Strands spangram is OLYMPICS. To find it, count down to the O that’s six letters down on the far left, and wind up and over.
And to watch the Paris Summer Olympics, which begin today, check out our story on which channels you need.
New York Times Strands completed puzzle for July 26, 2024.
Screenshot by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper/CNET
How to play NYT Strands
1. Use today’s theme to look for words relating to that topic. See one? Drag or click the letters in order. Click on the last letter twice to submit your guess. If you’ve found a theme word, it’ll light up in blue and stay that way.
2. Other words you find are considered hint words that give you clues to the theme words. Find three hint words (they must have at least four letters each), and the game will reward you by showing you a theme word. But if you can’t unscramble it, find three more hint words and the game will highlight the theme word’s letters in order.
3. Hunt for the spangram, a special theme word that spans the entire puzzle, though it could flow across or top to bottom. It summarizes the puzzle theme.
4. When you’re done, you’ll have used every letter on the board in either a theme word or spangram. Theme words fill the entire board and do not overlap.
CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.
The design, weight and shape of the bike all play a role in your exercise bike’s safety, ease of use and durability.
A good exercise bike should be compatible with some type of cycling app even if it doesn’t come with its own display.
An exercise bike is a beginner-friendly way to add some home exercise equipment to your gym. This saves you the time it would take to get to the gym or a spin studio to get your workout in, a stationary bike is a great way to get an intense cardio workout at home, and getting a quality spin bike doesn’t have to be overly expensive. While fan bikes have been popular for a while, a quality spin bike is a more prominent option lately.
We’ve listed tons of different options to choose from, including smart exercise bikes that allow you to participate in live classes or access on-demand workouts and other upright exercise bikes. If you’re short on space, we’ve got folding exercise bikes that are easy to stash when not in use.
We tested the top exercise bikes on the market to find the best options for you. Whether you’re looking for an advanced indoor cycling bike that you can use to attend virtual spin classes, or you want to explore affordable exercise bike options to start your home gym, we’ve found options to fit every workout style and budget.
What is the best exercise bike overall?
I have more than five years of experience testing indoor exercise bikes, and not just because I moved to a place where it gets too cold to enjoy my road bike all year long. Exercise bikes have many benefits, no matter what your skill level is as a cyclist. Right now the best overall fitness bike is the BowFlex Velocore series. It’s easily one of the most versatile exercise bikes that doesn’t take up a massive amount of space, the included display offers a massive amount of training and entertainment options, and it comes in a budget-friendly version with a smaller display.
Editor’s note, June 10: BowFlex filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year and the brand is now owned by Johnson Health Tech, which also owns Horizon Fitness and Matrix. You can still buy BowFlex products through its website and via retailers such as Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Best exercise bikes of 2024
BowFlex has worked hard to make its Velocore series something anyone can enjoy. The upright exercise bike is surprisingly modular, and its magnetic resistance system allows you to get a whole-body workout without making excessive noise. The big front wheels make it easy to move around offering a smooth ride, and while you can use the big speakers on the front of the display, it also works great with headphones over Bluetooth. The truly unique part of this design is the ability to lean into your rides, thanks to a locked hinge offering a core workout while you ride.
What makes this exercise bike stand out is its extremely flexible software. If you want a growing set of classes to give you a clear set of instructions for working out, BowFlex has quite a bit to offer through its subscription service. If that’s not your thing, there are loads of other options, including watching Netflix, Hulu or even Max while you ride. Very few other bikes do this unless you bring your own screen, and BowFlex does it with ease.
If you’ve been looking to buy an exercise bike, you’ve heard of Peloton. It has a reputation for higher-than-average build quality, a large, crisp display and slick branding. Peloton bikes are frequently compared to Apple products when it comes to look and feel, and it’s not hard to see why. The frame can be easily adjusted to suit a variety of body types, with a frame that’s easier for many kinds of cyclists to use.
The Peloton experience is most known for its classes. It offers a wide variety of highly interactive experiences that allow you to see your performance in real-time compared to others who have taken that same class, and each is recorded in actual Peloton studios with expert instructors. You can even take part in live classes, where you could get a shout-out from an instructor as though you were right there in the room.
Myx bikes have always been aimed at hardcore fitness fans, but when it merged with the folks at BeachBody an already great experience expanded to way more people as it released the Myx II Plus. This is a great bike for a variety of different body types and offers the ability to adjust your screen in just about every direction. Unlike many of its competitors, Myx II Plus makes it very easy to share the bike with up to five other people without needing multiple subscriptions. Where most exercise bikes offer the ability to do a variety of workouts while on the bike, Myx II Plus offers a ton of things to do off the bike as well. The included software offers everything from yoga to kettlebell classes with everything in between, in addition to an array of spin class-style workouts and even live classes you can join throughout the week. It’s one of the few exercise bikes in this price range to truly deliver a full-body workout solution.
Don’t let the Peloton folks hear this, but not everyone wants or needs a big screen on your bike with a class instructor shouting at you. For some folks, an inexpensive tablet sitting on a simpler bike playing this week’s episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds to help get you through an hour of exercise is enough. If that sounds good to you, the BowFlex C6 may be exactly what you’re looking for. The frame adjusts for all sorts of body types and riding positions, so anyone from novice to century riders can climb on and get a decent workout with minimal effort.
With its simple display to show you your distance traveled and heart rate if you connect the included armband monitor, you can get plenty of information from your workout on this comparatively simple yet effective exercise bike. A Bluetooth connection to the bike will allow you to use just about any cycling app, but performance-focused cyclists will find the speed and cadence data it pushes to apps like Zwift isn’t as accurate as other bikes.
The Wahoo Kickr is the closest thing you’ll get to an outdoor road bike, right down to the customizable gearing and simulated shifting. The aggressive seating position is designed to mimic a racing road bike and the resistance you feel when riding matches the software you’re using. That means when your virtual ride in Zwift or other apps starts to go uphill, the bike adjusts your resistance automatically to give you the most realistic feeling possible as you ride. This is the only exercise bike capable of making you feel like you’re riding where the virtual ride shows you on the screen, and it’s incredible.
If you’re a serious cyclist looking to improve your performance when it gets cold and dark outside, and you’re unwilling to sacrifice that real bike feeling to get it, the Wahoo Kickr bike is your best option. Like everything designed for hyper-accuracy in the cycling world, you’ll pay for the experience. If you go this route and add in the real-feel wind fans and a big enough screen, you might forget for a moment that you’re riding indoors.
Instead of buying a separate exercise bike to ride when you can’t ride outside, you can instead use a Direct Drive Trainer. If you’re going to go this route, you want to make sure it’s smart enough to intelligently adjust alongside your favorite workout apps.
Swap out your rear wheel for the Saris H3 and you now have a balanced surface with built-in cadence, speed and power sensors to give you the data you need to measure performance. These sensors communicate with everything from Zwift, BKool and TrainerRoad to the included one-month access to Rouvy to offer an interactive experience like mountain bike rides. Magnetic resistance changes based on what you see in your app of choice, and since you’re using your real bike, your power and shifting will reflect that same real-world feel.
Indoor trainers can also be used, but if you’re looking for a combination of smart feedback, performance monitoring and price, this is the way to go.
Included in this article are loads of different options to suit the needs of just about every kind of cyclist. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a small apartment, a hardcore cyclist who already has a great outdoor bike, or someone who needs that class environment to feel motivated. I’ve done a ton of testing to help you pick the right option for you, but getting there means understanding what you need.
Build quality and size
Not all exercise bikes are built the same, and I’m not just talking about the metals and plastics used in their construction. If a frame is too narrow and the weight is not evenly distributed, it may be prone to tipping. If an exercise bike uses friction to add resistance rather than a magnetic drive, it can in many places either be louder or wear out faster. No matter what the bike is made of, being able to move an exercise bike around easily is a big deal if you’re limited on space in your home.
Workout quality
Cycling is way more than just moving your legs. Many exercise bikes include the ability to clip your shoes to the pedals, which allows you to train a totally different set of leg muscles. In addition, exercise bikes are frequently paired with weights or core leans to offer a full-body workout. Depending on what kind of workout you want to do, the accessories surrounding your exercise bike can make a huge difference.
Software and features
Not every bike comes with a screen, but every good bike should come with the ability to work with the many phone and tablet apps available for cyclists. Whether you’re bringing your own screen and racing friends in Zwift or you’re binging The Witcher to keep yourself on the bike longer on a large, mounted display, the quality of the experience makes a huge difference in your workout.
Like so many other things at CNET, we test exercise bikes as thoroughly as possible through rigorous examination and comparison. Each exercise bike in our list has been through at least 100 miles of riding, using as many of the built-in features as possible. Every exercise bike is judged against the following metrics:
Exercise bike volume
Every workout makes some noise, but a quieter bike typically means greater build quality. At the same time, if an exercise bike has a built-in display with speakers it’s important to know it’s possible to clearly hear the class instructor or your favorite TV show over the sound of you working out.
Riding position flexibility
It’s important to be able to set your exercise bike to the riding position that works best for you and be able to ride in that position for extended periods. All of the bikes in this list are tested in cruiser, neutral and competition riding positions to ensure comfort for as many body types as possible.
Software compatibility
Even if your bike doesn’t have a display, it likely has a way to connect to your phone or tablet to access performance apps. That testing doesn’t end at the ability to connect to a phone; the accuracy of the information sent from the bike to your phone makes a big difference — especially if you’re counting calories or you want to use a competitive racing app to ride with friends. Making sure the power you push into your exercise bike is accurately reflected in the information sent to apps makes a big difference.
Absolutely. Exercise bikes are a great way for almost every body type to lose weight, due in large part to the constant movement and low impact on joints. Even when an exercise bike is set to comparatively low levels of resistance, constantly moving your legs keeps your heart rate elevated. Moderate levels of riding for 30 minutes can burn more than 250 calories, and that increases dramatically as you become more comfortable with increasing resistance and riding for longer periods.
While it’s possible to get a great workout from a treadmill, using an exercise bike dramatically reduces strain on knees and ankles which allows you to work out for longer without soreness. It is true that treadmill workouts on average burn more calories than the same amount of effort on an exercise bike, but it’s possible to work out for longer on a bike, which can yield better long-term results.
Not all exercise bikes are created equally, but most can support riders up to 350 pounds. There are a couple of exercise bikes designed to support riders up to 400 pounds, but very few support more than that. On the other end of the spectrum, most exercise bikes aimed at performance-focused cyclists typically only support up to 250-pound riders. Be sure to confirm that the bike you are looking at can support your body type before buying.
This is a big season for Rein mains. Shortly after getting an Optimus Prime skin, the tank hero is getting the game’s first mythic weapon, which adds special effects to every attack and elimination.
Overwatch 2 season 11 started June 20, following the Mirrorwatch theme of season 10 with an action-packed Sentai-inspired battle pass theme. As usual with Blizzard’s multiplayer online shooter, we’ve got a new battle pass, a new balance patch and a new season of ranked play to start grinding. There’s no new hero this season, but we did get another Push map, which brings the total up to four.
Season 11 also brings new hero mastery courses, a new mythic skin and a new Kiriko shop skin. Here’s what to know about the latest Overwatch 2 season.
New mythic weapons
Now you can spend your mythic prisms on an all-new type of item: mythic weapons. Everyone’s favorite Crusader is getting the first mythic weapon, called Bound Demon — an ax-like hammer that glows like lava and has special fiery effects for earning final blows. The base mythic skin costs 50 prisms, which you can unlock in the premium battle pass or purchase in the shop. Reinhardt is also getting a mythic weapon bundle in the shop, which unlocks the base weapon skin and tosses in 2,000 coins and 20-tier skips in the battle pass. This is the first mythic weapon skin, but Blizzard has said to expect new ones every season.
Transformers event
Overwatch, roll out? The game added several Autobots and one Decepticon to the game in the form of skins for Reinhardt (Optimus Prime), Bastion (Bumblebee), Illari (Arcee) and Ramattra (Megatron). The new skins were available in the shop, and other cosmetics were available as rewards.
We couldn’t have a Transformers event without a skin for Bastion.
Blizzard
Overwatch season 11 battle pass
If you saw the Super Sentai Genji skin and wished everyone could get that treatment, season 11 was made just for you. The new season is themed around Ultrawatch — the game’s colorful take on Power Rangers — with Genji, Cassidy, Sojourn, Ana and Wrecking Ball getting themed skins. There’s also a lifeguard theme in the battle pass, including skins for Junkrat and Lucio, and other skins available in the shop.
Sojourn is ready to face off against the forces of evil in her Ultrawatch form.
Blizzard
New mythic skin
The heroes of Ultrawatch aren’t just fighting against any old villain — they’re facing off against Mythic Calamity Empress Ashe. The leader of the Deadlock Gang trades in her cowgirl hat for a very Rita Repulsa headdress and some dark magic. As a reminder, mythic skins have been taken off the battle pass and now exist exclusively in shops where you can spend mythic prisms, which you can earn in the premium battle pass or buy directly from the shop.
Ashe is my main damage character, so I’ve got high expectations for her mythic skin.
Blizzard
New map: Runasapi
We got a fourth Push map this season, and this one shows off Illari’s home in Peru. The season 11 blog post says we’ll get to see the Inti Warrior Historical Museum and Monument, which pays tribute to the group that trained Illari before she became the sole survivor.
This Runasapi area shows off a tragic piece of Illari lore.
Blizzard
The Pink Mercy skin supports cancer research
One of the most coveted skins in Overwatch has been the Pink Mercy skin — a limited-time cosmetic from 2018 that supported breast cancer research. After years of fans begging Blizzard to bring back the skin, the cosmetic finally returned in season 11, although it left the shop after July 7.
The new Rose Gold Mercy skin gives the hero a shiny, strawberry-blonde look.
Blizzard
Other new stuff
There are a few other changes happening in season 11:
The game added new hero mastery courses for Kiriko and Soldier:76.
Our cries have finally been heard: The glass is gone from Colosseo.
Weekly challenges are easier, and you can catch up if you miss a week.
The devs adjusted matchmaking to better handle narrow and wide groups.
Fine, take my money.
Blizzard
For more game coverage, check out how to get started with Valorant’s console beta and find the best online games to play with friends.
The New York Times Crossword Puzzle is legendary. But if you don’t have that much time, the Mini Crossword is an entertaining substitute. The Mini Crossword is much easier than the old-school NYT Crossword, and you probably can complete it in a couple of minutes. But if you’re stuck, we’ve got the answers.
The Mini Crossword is far from alone in the Times’ stable of games. Our home page also always has the answers for Wordle, Connections and Strands.
Let’s get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers.
NYT Mini Crossword Puzzle completed for July 23, 2024.
Screenshot by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper/CNET
Mini across clues and answers
1A clue: Food that fills both blanks of “___ce of ___” Answer: PIE
1D clue: Game show contestant’s hope/ Answer: PRIZE
2D clue: “Othello” villain. Answer: IAGO
3D clue: They’re never open 24/7. Answer: EYES
4D clue: “Mamma Mia!” group. Answer: ABBA
5D clue: Film spool Answer: REEL
How to play more Mini Crosswords
The New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day’s Mini Crossword for free, but you’ll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.
CNET’s experts consider the Apple HomePod Mini to be one of the best smart speakers you can buy, especially if HomeKit is your preferred smart home platform. The HomePod Mini has strong audio features and comes in fun colors to choose from. If you want to get everyone out on the dance floor, the larger HomePod is a better option. Both smart speakers are solid buys; it just depends on what your needs are. However, they can be a little expensive — after all, they are Apple products. Thanks to Best Buy’s Great Summer Sale, you can get some decent discounts on both the Mini and the second-generation HomePod of up to $30 off. Both speakers also come with three free months of Apple Music, Apple Fitness and Apple TV, plus four free months of Apple Arcade.
Best Buy’s sale covers both of Apple’s smart speakers, with the HomePod Mini available in white for just $80 right now. The speaker still manages to fill a room with 360-degree audio despite its diminutive size, while you can pair a couple of them with an Apple TV for some high-quality stereo audio. AirPlay support also makes them great for playing audio from an iPhone, iPad or Mac as well. Each HomePod Mini has built-in microphones for making Siri requests and more, too.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
Prefer your HomePod to have a little more oomph? The larger HomePod is where it’s at, and now you can get one for $270 as part of this sale, a $30 savings. It comes in either white or midnight, and you’ll get all of the same features as the smaller model but with the addition of even better sound. The larger size allows for improved acoustics and deep, thumping bass.
For good measure, Best Buy is throwing in three free months of Apple Music with HomePod purchases (for new or returning subscribers) so you’ll have endless music to stream. And don’t forget it’s also bundling in three free months of Apple TV Plus and Apple Fitness Plus, as well as four free months of Apple Arcade.
CNET is always covering a wide array of deals on tech products and much more. Start with the hottest sales and discounts on the CNET Deals page, and sign up for the CNET Deals Text to get daily deals sent straight to your phone. Add the free CNET Shopping extension to your browser for real-time price comparisons and cash-back offers. And peruse our gift guide, which includes a full range of ideas for birthdays, anniversaries and more.
Meal kits or prepared meals? It’s the first decision you’ll have to make. Some services offer both, however.
David Watsky/CNET
The first big decision you’ll make is whether you want meal kits, which require some prep and cooking, or a prepared meal service that sends fully cooked meals that are ready to heat and eat. Meal kits will demand more of your time and energy but they’ll also cost a little less per serving. Prepared meals require almost no time and energy, other than what it takes to actually eat the food, but typically run a few bucks more per serving.
Cost
If you opt for a cheaper meal kit service, you might not get as many steak and seafood options.
David Watsky/CNET
After you’ve picked between meal kits or meal delivery, you’ll want to find a service within your budget. There are meal kits with recipes for as cheap as $5 a serving with basic menus and no-frills recipes. More expensive services include recipes with more exotic ingredients, high-end cuts of meat and organic produce but can cost as much as $15 or $20 a serving. Here I’ve outlined all the best cheap meal delivery services for 2024.
Healthiness
Daily Harvest is one of the healthiest meal delivery services we tried.
David Watsky/CNET
While most meal delivery services have healthy options, some are much healthier than others. If you’re keen on eating low-calorie, low-carb, plant-based or pescatarian food, certain meal kits and meal delivery services will be better than others. Our list of the healthiest meal delivery services for 2024 is a good place to find all the most nutritious options.
Number of meals per week
With most services, the more meals you choose per week, the cheaper the price per meal.
Fresh n’ Lean
Lastly, you’ll want to hone in on exactly how much food you’ll want sent to you per week. If you can’t imagine yourself cooking more than twice per week, don’t order more than two meal kits because they typically won’t last more than a week in the fridge.
Most prepared meals either arrive frozen or can be frozen after unboxing. That means it’s less of an issue if you order too many meals on your first go around. Most services allow you to change the number of meals or servings in your plan even after you’ve started.
With nearly every service, the more meals your order per delivery, the cheaper it is per meal.
A Microsoft outage starting Thursday evening crippled airlines and financial, health-care and energy companies across the world, resulting for many in a “blue screen of death” on their work computers. In response, Microsoft on Saturday released a recovery tool to help repair Windows machines affected by the bug, a day after CrowdStrike provided instructions for how to fix a crashed PC.
CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm whose software protects small businesses and large companies from cyberattacks and other online threats, said it caused the outage when it sent out a software update with a glitch, crashing Windows computers running the company’s software. The bug does not affect Mac and Linux computers. “We understand the gravity of this situation and are deeply sorry for the inconvenience and disruption,” the company said in a statement.
The fallout has been massive. Airport travelers have been stranded. Hospital appointments have been delayed or canceled. And employees have been unable to work, all because of this software update, which has caused the infamous blue screen of death on Windows PCs with the CrowdStrike glitch.
Now, while most people simply have to wait for the issue to be solved, if you’re on the other side of the problem, and you’re the one dealing with the blue screen of death on your PC, there is a fix, which CrowdStrike itself has posted on its website.
If you see this, it means your system crashed.
Getty Images
How to fix your Microsoft Windows PC impacted by the CrowdStrike bug
Microsoft on Saturday released on its Microsoft Download Center a USB tool that it said can help IT administrators with the repair process. The tool requires you to have administrative privileges and a BitLocker recovery key for each Windows PC. Microsoft also posted recovery steps to fix PCs continually restarting because of the faulty CrowdStrike update.
On Friday, CrowdStrike said it has identified the issue and has sent out a fix. “We refer customers to the support portal for the latest updates and will continue to provide complete and continuous updates on our website.”
The first thing you should try to solve the blue screen of death is to restart your Windows computer until CrowdStrike’s fix comes through. CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz on Friday appeared on NBC’s “Today” show and said “Many of the customers are rebooting the system and it’s coming up operational because we fixed it on our end.”
This has in fact worked for many people. This user on X had success after rebooting their computers several times. Microsoft has also said that they’ve received feedback that several reboots (as many as 15) has been effective.
However, if you’re still having issues even after rebooting, CrowdStrike recommends booting up into safe mode and then deleting the corrupted file. This is what the company details on the CrowdStrike website:
Boot your Windows computer into Safe Mode or the Windows Recovery Environment.
Navigate to the %WINDIR%System32driversCrowdStrike directory.
Locate the file matching “C-00000291*.sys” and delete it.
Boot the host normally.
Note: Bitlocker-encrypted hosts may require a recovery key.
If you’re dealing with a public cloud or another virtual environment, there’s a different fix for you that CrowdStrike recommends, which you can check out over at its website.
The New York Times Crossword Puzzle is legendary. But if you don’t have that much time, the Mini Crossword is an entertaining substitute. The Mini Crossword is much easier than the old-school NYT Crossword, and you probably can complete it in a couple of minutes. But if you’re stuck, we’ve got the answers.
The Mini Crossword is far from alone in the Times’ stable of games. Our home page also always has the answers for Wordle, Connections and Strands.
Let’s get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers.
NYT Mini Crossword completed puzzle for July 21, 2024.
Screenshot by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper/CNET
Mini across clues and answers
1A clue: Space between two teeth. Answer: GAP
4A clue: Rural waterway … which sounds like a haunted house noise? Answer: CREEK
6A clue: Wind-___ (carried by the wind). Answer: BORNE
7A clue: Golf lesson topic. Answer: SWING
8A clue: French word before a maiden name. Answer: NEE
Mini down clues and answers
1D clue: Fully adult … which sounds like a haunted house noise? Answer: GROWN
2D clue: Lingerie and loungewear brand from American Eagle. Answer: AERIE
3D clue: Slender pasta tubes Answer: PENNE
4D clue: Network with an eye logo. Answer: CBS
5D clue: The beer is here Answer: KEG
How to play more Mini Crosswords
The New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day’s Mini Crossword for free, but you’ll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.
Since Prime Day has now come to an end, many retailers have stopped offering any deals for the time being. Not StackSocial, though. The retailer has continued to challenge Amazon with quite a few tasty offers, one of which reduces the asking price of a Babbel lifetime subscription by a massive $469, making it up for grabs for only $130. The only catch for obtaining the language learning software at such a low rate is that this price is only available for the next 48 hours.
This story is part of Amazon Prime Day, CNET’s guide to everything you need to know and how to find the best deals.
Babbel is one of our favorite language-learning apps, offering an online school-type experience. It’s easy to use, and its design helps you stick to your learning goals. At $130, this offer even beats the current discount you can get from Babbel by over 50%. This one-time payment gives you permanent access to Babbel’s language courses, which you can tackle at your own pace without worrying about recurring fees.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
Babbel’s extensive language software includes Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Swedish, Indonesian, Portuguese and more. The lessons are short and to the point, allowing you to practice in 10- to 15-minute intervals that can fit into any schedule. Real-life topics include travel, family, business, food and others. A variety of skill levels are available, ranging from beginner to advanced, so the program can grow with you as you improve.
Babbel
The speech-recognition technology will give you immediate feedback on pronunciation, so you don’t just learn to read and write but how to listen and speak as well. You’ll also get personalized review sessions to reinforce what you’ve learned. The program works across desktop and mobile devices.
Although the internet is required most of the time, there is also an offline mode available where you can access courses, lessons and reviews without Wi-Fi, so long as you download them beforehand. Babbel also syncs your progress across your devices so that you can jump in from wherever is most convenient.
Becoming fluent in a new language is a great way to stay engaged in learning, and the transferable skills you gain can open doors for leisure, work and beyond. Note that while you can access this program on as many devices as you want, this subscription offer is available only for new users.
Babbel is a great value when compared with other online courses, especially with this current discount. So whether you’re a lifelong learner or just want to pick up some basics for your globe-trotting adventures, this is a solid deal.
If you’re looking for a new laptop to learn these languages on, make sure to read up on our roundup of the best Prime Day laptop deals still available.
Read more:11 Items to Add to Your Travel Checklist for a Smooth Trip
Need the answers for the New York Times Connections puzzle? To me, Wordle is more of a vocabulary test, but Connections is more of a brainteaser. You’re given 16 words and asked to put them into four groups that are somehow connected. Sometimes they’re obvious, but game editor Wyna Liu knows how to trick you by using words that can fit into more than one group. Read on for today’s Connections hints and answers.
Want more game answers? Here’s the Wordle answer for today, and here’s the answer for Strands. And do you solve the NYT Mini Crossword? Here’s today’s answer for that.
Read more: NYT Connections Could Be the New Wordle: Our Hints and Tips
Hints for today’s Connections groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Easy, trouble-free movement.
Green group hint: Hard labor.
Blue group hint: Needed when your phone is on 1%.
Purple group hint: Coke and Pepsi, in the Upper Midwest and other regions.
Answers for today’s Connections groups
Yellow group: Effortless.
Green group: Exertion.
Blue group: Energy for an electronic device.
Purple group: What “pop” might mean.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections answers?
NYT Connections completed puzzle for July 20, 2024.
Screenshot by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper/CNET
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is effortless. The four answers are fluid, graceful, natural and smooth.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is exertion. The four answers are effort, labor, sweat and work.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is energy for an electronic device. The four answers are battery, charge, juice and power.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is what “pop” might mean. The four answers are burst, dad, mainstream and soda.
How to play Connections
Playing is easy. Winning is hard. Look at the 16 words and mentally assign them to related groups of four. Click on the four words you think go together. The groups are coded by color, though you don’t know what goes where until you see the answers. The yellow group is the easiest, then green, then blue, and purple is the toughest. Look at the words carefully and think about related terms. Sometimes the connection has to do with just a part of the word. Once, four words were grouped because each started with the name of a rock band, including “Rushmore” and “Journeyman.”
It’s not easy to choose the right TV. Getting the size right is crucial. Ideally, you want a screen that is big enough that you can see it clearly but not so big that you’ll have to stretch your neck to watch it. A 55-inch TV is a sweet spot for smaller rooms.
A 55-inch television is a mainstream choice: You can get pretty much any TV feature you’d want in this size. They come loaded with smart TV features, which include the ability to stream your favorite shows and films on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, Disney Plus and more. If you’re looking for more advanced features, you can get those too, including full-array local dimming, OLED screens, 120Hz refresh rate, 4K UHD resolution, high dynamic range and a bunch of HDMI ports.
As such, to help you pick the best one for you, we’ve put together the best 55-inch TVs of 2024 below. Now is also a great time to get 2023 TVs on sale.
At CNET, I review TVs side by side in a state-of-the-art testing lab, taking hundreds of measurements with specialized equipment, comparing gaming, home theater and bright-room image quality. My 20 years of experience as a TV reviewer helps me determine not just the best 55-inch TV overall but also the best 55-inch TV in your price range.
What is the best 55-inch TV right now?
The Hisense U8 Series appears on our list of best TVs for a number of reasons. It offers superb picture quality and an affordable price, plus gaming features like 4K/120Hz input and variable refresh rate that can get the most out of consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X. When friends ask me what TV to buy at 55 inches, and money is still an object, I tell them to get the Hisense U8K.
There are plenty of other excellent choices, so although the Hisense U8K is my current favorite for most people, it might not be right for your preferences or budget.
Read more:Do This to Your TV Now: 9 Crucial Settings to Improve the Picture
Best 55-inch TVs in 2024
If you’re looking for the best TV for the money and the TCL QM8 is just too big, the Hisense U8K should be your go-to. I compared the two TVs side-by-side, and while I liked the QM8 just a bit better, the U8K has one medium-size advantage: a 55-inch screen option. If 65 is too large for your room, your budget or your tastes, the choice between the two is simple: Get the 55-inch Hisense UK8.
Both offer excellent image quality and affordable prices thanks to mini-LED backlights and full-array local dimming, as well as similar gaming features and the Google TV operating system. Both cost hundreds less than you’d have to pay to get similar image quality from a better-known brand.
Note that while I tested the 65-inch size in the U8K series, the prices shown here are for the 55-inch size.
The C3 represents better picture quality than any non-OLED TV on this list at a higher price but is still not outrageously expensive. Its perfect black levels, unbeatable contrast and superb off-angle viewing kept it a notch above the mini-LED models in my comparison tests, and while its overall brightness isn’t quite as impressive, it’s still an incredible performer in all kinds of room lighting.
In 2023 we awarded the G3 the title of the best TV for picture quality, and this year’s version, the G4, is even better. In our side-by-side comparisons it beat its predecessor in brightness and overall image quality with the kind of jaw-dropping images you can only get from a topflight OLED TV.
In a bright room, the G4 fell short of the performance of its direct competitor, the Samsung S95D, which is the best TV for picture quality that we’ve seen this year. The Samsung uses an all-new matte screen finish, which in our tests did a better job fighting reflections than the more typical glossy screen of the LG. The S95D’s matte finish has its downside, namely a reduction in contrast, but overall we preferred its bright-room image quality over the G4’s.
The major caveat here is that both TVs performed well (and practically identically) in a dark room. So unless you routinely have a bright viewing environment, the G4 performs just as well as the S95D. The G4 also comes in significantly more sizes than the S95D, making it a more versatile option.
Glare-free or not, here’s where we mention that most TV viewers will be perfectly satisfied with something less expensive but still excellent, like the step-down LG C4 or a mini-LED model. The G4 is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a high-performance television and is willing to pay for it.
The Samsung S95D’s matte finish does more than reduce reflections, it nearly eliminates them, improving image quality in bright rooms more than any OLED TV we’ve tested. Some non-OLED models have matte screens, but this is the first time they’ve been available in an OLED TV, a display technology that has always delivered the best picture available. That matte finish really works, reducing windows and other glare to dimmer blobs instead of super-bright, mirror-like distractions. The S95D also has an external box, allowing for a cleaner look with the option to store HDMI connections and the power cord out of sight.
Between its versatile matte screen and awesome picture overall, the Samsung S95D delivers the best image quality of any TV we’ve tested, beating both the G4 and last year’s winner, the G3, as well as any other non-OLED TV. It also costs a ton, and most people — even those with bright rooms — will be perfectly happy with a less expensive TV.
The price shown below is for the 55-inch TV.
When we compared the best budget TVs side-by-side, the picture quality of Vizio’s V-Series clearly emerged as the leader of the pack. The Vizio offered the most balanced and accurate picture during our comparisons, and it comes with some useful extras such as Dolby Vision support, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth compatibility and a variable refresh rate for potentially smoother gaming. The biggest downside of the Vizio is its smart TV platform, Vizio SmartCast. It’s crowded, slow and littered with ads for platforms such as Tubi and Kidoodle TV. Even when you factor in the cost of adding a new streaming device, the V-Series remains the best overall entry-level TV that we tested.
Vizio didn’t launch a 2023 version of the V-Series, but we may see a refresh in 2024.
The picture quality of the TCL 4-Series Roku TV was a step behind the Vizio V-Series (see below) in our budget TV test, but the differences between the two are slight enough that you’d really have to have them set up side by side to notice anything at all. The 4-Series lacks Dolby Vision, Bluetooth connectivity and AMD FreeSync with a variable refresh rate, all of which the Vizio offers.
The 4-Series’ advantage over the Vizio is that it comes with the excellent Roku Smart TV system built in. That makes it a great choice for those looking for a one-stop smart TV solution, without having to add an external streaming device.
Note that TCL has been selling the 4-Series for the last few years with little to no change in image quality or features in our tests, although it has recently added some larger screen sizes, including an 85-inch option.
Samsung is the brand that sells more TVs than anyone and one of its most popular is the Q60 series. Its sleek QLED screen design stands out compared with the other TVs on this list — even though the ultrathin OLED models are sleeker — and it offers better features, image quality and more sizes than models like the TCL 4-Series and Sony X80K. The TVs listed in this article are all superior values, but if you want a Samsung TV and can’t afford the QN90B, this is a great choice.
This is a 2022 model, but the 2023 version, the Q60C, looks largely similar in terms of features, design and price. We haven’t reviewed it, but we expect it to have similar image quality.
Competition among TVs in the middle pricing band is heating up and the Plus Series is the latest entrant, which came out in 2023. It adds a couple of step-up extras, including QLED and full-array local dimming, which help deliver a better picture than the TCL 4-Series, for example. It’s not as impressive as the Vizio MQX, since it lacks 120Hz for gaming and has worse picture quality overall. If you value those extras, the Vizio is worth saving for, but if not the Roku Plus Series is a very good value.
This is the first TV Roku has produced under its own brand, as opposed to partnering with a brand like TCL, Sharp, Pioneer or Hisense. The company also released a version with fewer features and no local dimming, called the Roku Select Series.
With all the TVs available today, and all the technical terms and jargon associated with television technology, it can be tough to figure out what’s important. Here’s a quick guide to help you cut through the confusion.
Price: TVs range in price from $100 to more than $2,000. Smaller screens are cheaper, well-known brands are more expensive and spending more money can also get you better image quality. Most entry-level TVs have a good enough picture for most people, but TVs last a long time, so it might be worth spending more to get a better picture. It’s also best to shop for a TV in the fall when prices are lower.
Screen size: Bigger is better in our book. We recommend a size of at least 43 inches for a bedroom TV and at least 55 inches for a living room or main TV — and 65 inches or larger is best. More than any other “feature,” stepping up in TV screen size is the best use of your money. One of the most common post-TV-purchase complaints we’ve heard is from people who didn’t go big enough. We almost never hear people complain that their TV is too large.
Capability: Among entry-level TVs the most important feature is what kind of smart TV system the TV uses. Among midrange models, look for a feature including full-array local dimming, mini-LED and 120Hz refresh rate, which (unlike some other extras) do help improve the picture, in our experience. Among high-end TVs, OLED technology is your best bet.
For more TV buying advice check out How to Buy a TV.
Our TV reviews follow a rigorous, unbiased evaluation process honed over nearly two decades of TV reviews. Our primary TV test lab has specialized equipment for measuring light and color, including a Konica Minolta CS-2000 spectroradiometer, a Murideo Sig-G 4K HDR signal generator and an AVPro Connect 8×8 4K HDR distribution matrix. We use Portrait Displays CalMan Ultimate software to evaluate each TV we review. In every CNET TV review, three or more similar TVs are compared side by side in various lighting conditions playing different media, including movies, TV shows and games, across a variety of test categories, from color to video processing to gaming to HDR. Our reviews also account for design, features, smart TV performance, HDMI input and gaming compatibility and other factors.
One important aspect of image quality we test is overall brightness. Here’s how it compares in nits across select TVs listed above.
Check out How We Test TVs for more details.
Is a 55-inch TV big enough?
It depends on your room size, seating distance and personal taste. For a standard master bedroom or smaller living room, a 55-inch TV is fine, but for bigger rooms, we recommend a larger TV, say a 65- or even 75-inch model, if you can afford it. If you sit closer to the screen, you don’t need as large a TV for the best experience. For maximum theatrical impact, according to THX and SMPTE, you should be between 5.5 and 7 feet from a 55-inch screen, which is relatively close. Nearly every 55-inch TV has 4K resolution, and if you have 20/20 vision you can sit as close as about 4 feet and still not discern individual pixels.
Most 55-inch TVs measure between 48 and 49 inches wide. Because the frames around newer TV screens are typically quite narrow, 55-inch TV widths don’t vary much. Models with very slim frames are on the lower end — the 55-inch LG C2 measures 48.1 inches wide for example, while the slightly thicker-framed 55-inch TCL 4-Series is 48.7 inches wide. If you’re not planning to wall-mount the TV, you generally want the piece of furniture supporting the TV to measure at least as wide as the TV itself, and preferably a few inches wider. Refer to the manufacturer’s website for the exact dimensions of a particular 55-inch TV.
A 55-inch TV weighs between 25 and 50 pounds with its stand, but this varies significantly depending on the type of TV. Removing the stand — which often consists of a pair of little legs under the panel — allows you to wall-mount the TV and reduces its weight slightly (stands weigh between 1 and 8 pounds). Shipping weight (box, accessories, etc.) of 55-inch TVs ranges from 35 to 63 pounds. Refer to the manufacturer’s website for the exact weights of a particular 55-inch TV.
Although we’ve officially said goodbye to Amazon Prime Day the discounts on popular products at Amazon aren’t all gone. Our team of shopping experts is keeping up with any remaining deals still happening, along with continued deals on headphones, laptops, monitors, TVs, and home and kitchen appliances.
We are also continuing to scour thousands of Amazon and anti-Prime Day sales so you don’t have to, finding you the best products for the best prices, including deals that are under $100 and even $10 or less.
And CNET shopping experts are taking care to update the list of Prime deals with in-stock products that weren’t simply marked up and then back down again but are actually on sale right now, like the Neakasa M1 self-cleaning cat litter box, which is 33% off for $400 as of 12:30 a.m. ET. Keep checking the latest CNET deals to make the most of what’s left of Amazon’s Prime Day event.
Best Prime Day deals
Skip the line at Starbucks and have your espresso, cappuccinos and lattes in the comfort of your own kitchen. And yes, this model has a built-in grinder for even more convenience.
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Read our Breville Barista Express review.
It’s hard to beat the sturdy design of a Yeti tumbler. This stainless steel vacuum-insulated Rambler comes with a MagSlider lid and holds up to 20 ounces of hot or cold liquid — and right now it’s discounted by 30%.
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Apple’s premium AirPods Pro 2 support spatial audio and feature advanced active noise cancellation and earned an Editors’ Choice Award as well as spot as one of our favorite wireless earbuds of 2024. Right now they are a whopping $80 less — that’s the lowest price we’ve seen.
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Meal prep can be a lot of work. Cut the effort in half with this incredible deal on an excellent vegetable chopper. Be sure to clip the on-page coupon to score the savings.
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Our favorite robot vacuum of 2024 is marked down by $140 right now, making it a great time to snag one for yourself. It has a self-empty base that holds up to 45 days worth of debris and with 4,000Pa suction power, you’ll be able to let this vacuum take on the daily cleaning for you. *editor’s top pick!
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While a 32-inch screen may not be the right size for your entertainment space, it’s an excellent choice for kids, your bedroom or even your office. At just $75, this deal can’t be beat. It even comes with an Alexa Voice Remote for easy searching.
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Never lose your keys again! These nifty item trackers will help you keep up with your bag, wallet and much more, so that you can always find your essentials. And right now they’re just $75 — that’s under $19 each!
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This floor lamp instantly adds ambiance to your space with RGBIC colors. It has a mode to sync with your music, works with Alexa and can be customized via the Govee Home app — and it’s just $70 right now when you click the on-page coupon.
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Prime Day TV deals from TCL, Samsung, Fire TV, LG and more
Josh Goldman/CNET
Amazon Prime Day is one of the perfect times to ditch that old and busted TV and upgrade to something a little more befitting the latest must-binge TV show. Here are some of the deals that are still available. If none of these are working for you, check out our full list on the best Prime Day TV deals.
Samsung 55-inch class S95C OLED smart TV: $1,498 (save $700). With its $700 discount, this OLED smart TV is more affordable than ever. This current discount — while not the highest we’ve seen — is hard to pass up if you’re in the market for a high-end TV.
LG G4 65-inch OLED TV: $2,797 (save $603). Light up your world with brightness-boosting technology and a screen so flat it leaves virtually no gap between the TV and the wall.
Sony 65-inch OLED 4K Bravia 8 smart Google TV: $2,298 (save $202). This smart TV just dropped another $100 and now includes a free Bravia cam, so you can enjoy exclusive PlayStation 5 features like auto HDR tone mapping, genre picture mode for even less and use your TV to connect with your faraway family.
TCL 65-inch QM85 4K Google TV: $998 (save $400). TCL packed this TV with some great features, including QLED technology, Dolby IQ HDR, Dolby Atmos, and more. It also features Google TV built-in. *editor’s top pick!
TCL 85-inch Q65 QLED TV: $1,000 (save $600). This massive 85-inch screen creates a true theater experience in your own home, with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos and a price point that can’t be argued with.
LG 42-inch bendable Flex TV: $1,997 (save $503). This TV doubles as a regular set and a curved monitor, changing between these two functions with one push. It has a 120Hz refresh rate, 4K resolution, HDR and many other premium features.
Roku Express: $17 (save $13). Access Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video and over 400 free live TV channels with this HD streaming device.
Aentgiu heavy-duty studless 32-75-inch TV wall mount: $30 (save $11). Sometimes, a wall stud isn’t available where you want to mount your TV. This mount solves that issue. Compatible with up to 600x400mm VESA mounts and up to 100 pounds, you can keep the tools put away and hang your TV where you want. Use this mount for smaller TVs.
Prime day headphone deals on Beats, Airpods, Bose QuietComfort and more
Beats/CNET
If you’d like to save some money on a set of new headphones or earbuds, these are the deals for you. We’ve gathered our favorite Prime Day headphone deals here, but like most Prime Day deals, while they’re still available they likely won’t hang around for long.
Prime Day tech deals on smartwatches, power banks and more
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Samsung/CNET
Whether it’s a new phone or a way to smarten up that old TV, Amazon Prime Day is always a good bet for those who want to get some new tech. The deals have been flowing for almost an entire week now, but with the event having passed, this is likely to slow down. If you’re planning to make a purchase, here are the deals that are still available. And if you want a view into more Prime Day tech deal finds — that are still available — check out our hubs on the best Apple, gaming, and monitor deals.
Baseus Blade 2 Ultra Slim 65W power bank: $72 (save $28 with on-page coupon). The standout feature of this 12,000mAh, 65W battery bank is the super slim form factor. At only 7.3mm thick, it is perfect for slipping into a bag without adding bulk. The LED display helps you see the battery status and the power coming in and out.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: $1,900 (save $420). Preorder the newest Samsung Galaxy Fold 512 GB ahead of the July 24 release date and get a nice discount plus a $300 Amazon gift card to boot.
TP-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi extender: $27 (save $23). Boost your internet up to 1500 square feet and connect up to 30 devices with this affordable extender from TP-Link. *editor’s top pick
Tile Mate 2-pack: $33 (save $15). This two-pack of Bluetooth trackers will help you locate your keys, bags and more and they are compatible with Android or iOS devices.
Anker Zolo 30W Power Bank with Built-in USB-C cable: $18 (save $8). Anker is known for making some of the best power banks available, and the Anker Zolo keeps that alive with 30W of power from the 10,000 mAh battery. It even has a built-in USB-C cable for ultra-portability.
Treblab HD-Max Bluetooth Speaker: $140 (save $60). This booming speaker from Treblab not only sounds great but does so at high volumes with 60W of power. It has an IPX7 water resistance rating, 20 hours of playback, dual subwoofers, and RGB lights to amp up the party.
Apantimx Hidden Camera Detectors D11 Pro: $51 (save $39). Cameras and other eavesdropping devices are getting smaller, and that means easier to hide. This device makes it easy to spot those hidden cameras with multiple detection modes to keep you safe.
DenGaWa 250Wh portable power station: $160 (save $40 with on-page coupon). With 250Wh of power capacity and, 250W of output power, 500W surge, this highly portable power station is great for keeping small essential devices powered up, on road trips, camping, or just working outside for a change.
Kodak Printomatic Instant Camera Starter Bundle: $100 (save $30). Digital cameras are great, but sometimes, especially when out with friends, a physical copy of a photo is even better. This bundle from Kodak includes everything you need to instantly print 2×3-inch photos using inkless technology from the 5MP wide-angle lens.
GoPro Hero 11 bundle: $250 (save $130). Start capturing all of the action with this hands-free video camera bundle that includes a strap, clip and battery.
Prime Day laptop deals for MacBooks, Acer, Lenovo and more
Apple/CNET
There are so many great laptops available these days that it’s very difficult to buy a bad one, but it never hurts when you also manage to pick one up at a discount as well. Bellow is a roundup of the lingering laptop deals from this Prime Day. If you want to look beyond these options for more amazing savings on laptops, take a look at our hub of the hottest Prime Day laptop deals that are still available.
Apple M2 MacBook Air: $799 (save $200). This previous-gen model is a great option for budget-conscious buyers. Plus, Apple’s M2 chip is still plenty powerful for most users.
Acer Chromebook Plus 514: $300 (save $80). Chromebooks are great for students or to use if you have a desktop PC but want something affordable and portable for those times when you embrace your digital nomad lifestyle.
Prime Day tablet deals for Kindle, Samsung Galaxy, iPads and more
Apple/CNET
Looking for something more portable? You can get a solid tablet for a lot less right now, whether you’re a fan of Apple or Android.
Prime Day smart home deals on Blink, Ring, Echo and more
Amazon/CNET
Smart lights, security cameras and so much more make the world of smart home and technology more exciting than ever. Setting up a smart home can be costly, but these deals certainly help lighten the load. If you want to make your home the smartest one on the block, check out more Prime Day Amazon device deals that are still available to see what else you can add to your home.
Aqara Smart Lock U100: $190 (save $40). The Aqara Smart Lock U100 is one of our favorite smart locks on the market, and right now, it’s heavily discounted. *editor’s top pick!
Govee 6 smart humidifier: $60 (save $50). This app-controlled smart humidifier has a night light and essential oil diffuser built-in so it keeps you hydrated and refreshed through the night.
iRobot Roomba j7 Plus robot vacuum: $400 (save $400). This self-emptying robot vacuum takes the hassle out of keeping your floors clean. The 50% price cut takes the sting out of your wallet. *editor’s top pick!
Eufy Fingerprint smart lock C33: $100 (save $60). Door keys are so last decade thanks to devices like this IP53 water-resistant smart lock from Eufy and its biometric technology. You’ll also get Wi-Fi to manage the lock when away from home, and with 12 months of battery life, you can skip the power worries.
Prime Day home and kitchen deals from KitchenAid, Ninja, Shark and more
Ninja/CNET
Whether you’re looking to replace your old kitchen blender or upgrade your cleaning tools in your home there are many devices, and more importantly, deals — that are still available — that can help you out. If none of these speak to you, check out the whole list we created of the best Prime Day deals under $100, which we are updating regularly.
Ninja Foodi 13-in-one smart air fryer: $180 (save $150). This versatile and compact appliance can fry, sear, bake, toast, dehydrate and more without cranking out the heat of a traditional oven, so it makes a great countertop addition for cooking in hot summer months.
KitchenAid 9-speed hand mixer: $80 (save $30). Combine ingredients with ease using this nine-speed hand mixer directly in your favorite mixing bowl and you’ll be that much closer to cake.
KitchenAid soft silicone oven mitt: $17 (save $18). Not all potholders are equal and these silicone mitts from KitchenAid prove it. Avoid burning your digits with these durable, heat-resistant oven mitts.
LivTee Car Seat Headrest Hook: $6 (save $5). This car seat rest hook will let you hang anything from purses to coats and even grocery bags with ease for a level of organization you may not have known was possible until now.
Wool Dryer Balls XL: $12 (save $8). Prevent wrinkles, cut back on fabric softener and dryer sheet consumption and reduce your drying time with a set of wool dryer balls.
Thermopro TempSpike Plus: $90 (save $40). If you do any cooking, you know how important temperature is, and the Thermopro TempSpike Plus is an ace at ensuring your food is cooked perfectly. It has a significant wireless range, a display showing ambient and internal temps, and an app for temperature suggestions.
iRobot Braava Jet M6: $280 (save $220). Carpets aren’t the only thing that need robot companions. Hard floors can benefit with the use of this Alexa-compatible smart mop.
Yankee 22-ounce single wick candle: $17 (save $14). These large candles will burn for over 110 hours, filling your space with scents of French vanilla, spiced pumpkin, cupcake or whatever your heart desires.
Lego Ideas Tree House: $218 (save $32). This LEGO set available at a steep discount gives you your own desktop treehouse and features intricate details like a buildable bed.
Cosori 6-quart 9-in-1 air fryer: $85 (save $35). Air fryers seem as common as microwaves now, and Cosori makes some of the best air fryers on the market. This six-quart, 9-in-1 cooker here can reach up to 450˚F to get extra crispy food without using unhealthy oils.
Hoto electric screwdriver: $40 (save $30). This cordless electric screwdriver comes with 12 bits and has a built-in LED light to help you tackle projects and repairs around your home.
Prime Day health and fitness deals from Apple, Fitbit, TheraGun and more
Apple/CNET
Keep track of your health and wellness journey or grab great tools to stay healthy all at a great price.
Apherma massage gun: $25 (save $15 with on-page coupon). Alleviate sore muscles with this rechargeable massager that offers 30 different speed levels and nine attachments to help you get just the relief you need with up to eight hours of run time.
Apple Watch SE: $170 (save $80). The Apple Watch SE is a great option for kids, aging parents or anyone who wants a budget-friendly smartwatch.
Fitbit Charge 6: $120 (save $160). With built-in GPS and ample fitness tracking modes, the Charge 6 is the perfect workout companion for most.
Ghost Whey Protein Powder: $34 (save $11). This whey protein powder from Ghost packs 25g of protein in every serving and blends silky smooth. With ten different delicious flavors to choose from, including Oreo, Chips Ahoy, Cinnabon, Coffee Ice Cream and more, you can’t go wrong with this deal. You can also browse Ghost’s vegan options.
Bottle Joy 48-ounce water bottle: $23 (save $24). Get a massive 48-ounce, double-insulated, stainless steel water bottle with a leakproof lid and a strap so that you can stay hydrated on hikes and beyond.
Whatafit resistance bands: $22 (save $18 with on-page coupon). Resistance bands are great for exercising almost anywhere. Thanks to the compact nature of these stretchy bands, you can travel with them, use them at home or anywhere the mood to exercise strikes. With up to 150 pounds of resistance available from the five bands, you can get a great workout anywhere.
Prime Day beauty deals from Skimi, Revlon, Braun and more
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We know quality beauty products and gadgets can be expensive, which is why we’ve gathered all the best Prime Day beauty deals still available right now. Whether you’re looking for a brighter smile or a fancy styling tool, we’ve got you covered.
Amazon/ Zooey Liao/ CNET
What is Amazon Prime Day?
Prime Day is Amazon’s annual shopping event that has exclusive deals for Prime members. If you’re not a Prime member there still may be a few deals for you, but members get the best of the best deals on this day. If you’re not a member there are ways to sign up, possibly even for free. This year there were deals in just about every category possible, including tech, home, kitchen, toys and more. Your favorite brands love to celebrate this unofficial holiday such as Apple, Roku and more, so we saw plenty of discounts there as well — and some are sticking around, for now.
Do you need to be an Amazon Prime member to shop Prime Day deals?
Yes, Amazon’s Prime Day deals require a Prime subscription if you want to nab any of the Prime-exclusive deals. You don’t have to be a paying subscriber, as long as the event falls within your Prime trial period. That means you can start your monthlong trial just before the event and get in on the savings for free. For more info on that, check out our guide to getting Amazon Prime perks without paying for a subscription.
How does Prime Day work?
The idea behind Prime Day is pretty simple: Subscribers to Amazon’s Prime service can get exclusive discounts on thousands of products and services across the site during a limited period. The products, while still available to non-Prime members, have extra savings for members, with many prices dropping down to new all-time lows.
When you’re logged in to your Prime account and looking at a product landing page, you’ll see the discounted price if it’s on sale. You don’t need any special coupon codes, nor is there a need to use a specific payment method to get the discounts. If you spend your money wisely each year, you can easily make back your Prime membership cost in savings during the event.
What products go on sale for Prime Day?
Since Amazon sells pretty much everything, its Prime Day bonanza features deals on pretty much everything too. Whether you’re shopping for tech, kitchen gear, outdoor furniture or everyday essentials, Prime Day will always offer something in the way of savings for you.
In past sale events, some of the best savings have been on Amazon devices. This includes Kindle readers, Echo speakers, Fire TVs and more. It’s not just Amazon’s own brands that see steep discounts. There were great deals across a variety of big-name brands this year, including significant savings on items like laptops, TVs and fitness gear, to name a few.
Are Amazon Prime Day deals worth buying?
In short, yes. Some of the deals have hit all-time low prices, and there is no telling how much inventory is available or how long the price cuts will last. It’s possible that some items could see further reductions, but the prices you see on the deals now will likely be the best price, especially if they have dropped to a new low or match the lowest price we’ve seen. As the event has ended, prices may start to tick back up, but we’re keeping an eye on deals and updating this page as deals expire.
How do I find the best deals during Prime Day?
With so many deals coming out left and right in honor of Prime Day, it can get difficult trying to choose which deals to run for and which ones to pass on. A few things to remember when shopping any major event, especially Prime Day, is to keep an open mind, grab what you want before it sells out and don’t be scared to branch out to other retailers. Competitors such as Best Buy and Walmart launch competing sales to keep up with Amazon and some of the great discounts have hung around a little past the event.
And most importantly, continue to keep tabs on us. We have many different hubs for different types of deals. We have updated all of these hubs regularly and are continuing to do so, saving you the time and effort of digging through thousands of deals. Some of our hubs include the best Prime Day deals on headphones, TVs, Amazon devices, laptops, and even graphics cards. Plus so much more. And for the budget-savvy shopper, we have hubs for Prime Day deals under $100, under $50, under $25, and even under $10, helping you save some really big coin. Check out all of our Prime Day content so you don’t miss any of the post-event bargains.
When do Prime Day deals end?
Prime Day generally lasts for two days. It usually kicks off at midnight Pacific and ends 48 hours later.
Amazon’s Prime Day and Prime Day-like events haven’t been single-day affairs since 2016, spanning two days for the first time in 2017 and continuing to be 48-hour bonanzas since then. Many of the deals launching at the sale’s opening time remain available throughout the event, supplies permitting, with other, more limited-time Lightning deals launching and expiring within two days. Generally speaking, the deals ended at midnight on July 17 this time around. You will find a few still lingering for a limited time.
Will there be a second Prime Day event in 2024?
As of now, Amazon has announced only one Prime Day sale event for 2024, which took place July 16 and 17. There is no official word yet on whether there will be another event later this year, although we wouldn’t expect to hear about it until nearer the time. Looking at past years, there has been a second Prime Day-style sale in October for the past two years now. It started in 2022 as the Prime Day Early Access sale. In 2023, the trend continued with the Prime Big Deal Days sale, so we anticipate Amazon will once again utilize this spot on the calendar for a sale.
Where can you find deals right now?
The CNET Deals team covers all of the best price drops, discounts and deals daily from all the top retailers. Whether it’s a one-day promo at Woot, a weekend sale at Best Buy or a coupon code for a product at Amazon, if it’s a great deal, we’ll be covering it.
Be sure to check out all of the great deals each day at CNET.com/deals and sign up for our CNET Cheapskate newsletter for a daily digest of deals delivered to your inbox. You can also sign up for CNET Deals text alerts for curated deals during major events, and install our CNET Shopping browser extension to help ensure that purchases you make all year round will be at the lowest price available.
If you’re a fan of the Halo and Portal games, you may already know about Splitgate, a free-to-play, multiplayer, first-person-shooter game that combines elements of those two hits. And now Splitgate 2 is on the way. On Thursday, Ian Proulx, CEO of 1047 Games, Splitgate’s creator, posted on the PlayStation blog that the sequel is coming in 2025. It’ll be available for PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Epic Games Store and Steam.
“We had to start fresh, in some ways,” Proulx wrote. “That meant building from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5, with completely new character models, new maps, new weapons, and even new portal walls and portals.”
A new two-minute trailer revealed some footage from the upcoming game.
“One of the reasons we wanted to make Splitgate 2 in Unreal Engine 5 is to make sure we have some seriously sick character skins and weapons,” Proulx wrote. “That goes for the free base skins and weapons too, which I made certain to look better than anything in our first game.”
More information on the sequel will come in August, Proulx said.
The original Splitgate features futuristic, Halo-inspired combat, and players can travel or fire weapons through portals that have been compared to those from the Portal series.
If you’ve been trying to decide whether dropping $45 on a Stanley cup is worth it, there’s good reason to take the plunge. Since I’ve been looking at Stanley cups, I’ve never seen them drop in price, so sales are likely few and far between. While the 40-ounce mugs are $45, there are smaller options for cheaper. Several of the 14-ounce mugs are discounted by 20% for Prime Day’s final day.
This story is part of Amazon Prime Day, CNET’s guide to everything you need to know and how to find the best deals.
Right now, you can get the 14-ounce tumbler in the black, cream, frost, lilac, pomelo and rose quartz colors for $20, thanks to a modest $5 discount.
Here’s what my experience has been with the Stanley cups. Are you looking for a nice koozie for the summer? This Brumate Hopsulator Trio is my favorite, and it keeps drinks ice cold for hours.
My favorite size Stanley cup
Over the years, I’ve tried multiple trendy water bottles to encourage myself to drink more water. I tried an hourly motivational bottle, which got me to drink more water for maybe three days, and I’ve tried using only disposable water bottles to better keep count (I know, bad for the environment). Nothing ever sticks, and I’m back to chugging water at night to catch up. The cup that I’ve stuck with because it makes it easy to gulp water on the go, is the 30-ounce Stanley tumbler.
Here’s what I thought about each size of Stanley cups
I bought three different sizes of Stanley tumblers to try from Amazon — the 14-ounce in stone ($20), 30-ounce in cream ($35) and 40-ounce in lilac ($45) — and there’s a clear winner. Though the 40-ounce would probably be my cup of choice, I regularly have to lug around my 23-pound, energetic toddler, which means I need something lighter to put my water in. That same child is always following me around, so constantly refilling the 14-ounce tumbler is also out of the question — plus it doesn’t have a handle, which is inconvenient. The handle is definitely a game-changer.
That leaves the Goldilocks of the group: the 30-ounce Stanley tumbler. It’s light, fits in my car’s cup holder and is insulated with stainless steel, so I can use it to keep my water cold or my coffee hot. I once left my Stanley tumbler, filled with ice water, in the car during an 89-degree day, and the water was still cold when I got back hours later.
Watch this: Amazon Prime Day 2024: Shopping Tips and Special Deals
What I don’t like about the Stanley tumblers
The only downside I’ve found is that when the straw is in the cup, there’s no way to make it leak-proof. So when my 1-year-old gets ahold of my cup, he spills water all over himself. The straw is removable, but I prefer to use it because it makes drinking water easier (in my opinion).
For more, check out my favorite espresso machine that keeps me out of coffee shops and CNET’s Cliff Colby’s favorite $20 knife.
Prime Day is still in full force, and retailers are continuing to have sales to compete. Amazon has tons of products on sale, and other retailers have come out with their own deals, including Best Buy. If you’re looking to grab high-quality running earbuds, now is the time to make your move. The Shokz OpenRun Pro bone-conduction headphones are still available for just $100 at Best Buy, which is $80 off its original price.
Bone-conduction headphones are fascinating because they allow you to hear your music incredibly clearly even without anything in or over your ears. Instead, the sound waves hit your temples and transfer to your ear drum. It means they’re more comfortable, and can help you stay more aware of your surroundings too.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
Shokz makes some of the best bone-conduction headphones around, and these particular ones have incredible sound quality, and up to 10 hours of battery life. They also have remarkably quick charge, which means you can charge them for 5 minutes to get up to 90 minutes of battery life, which is great for last-minute runs or gym sessions. They’re also light and comfortable, so they can basically do it all.
However, if this pair doesn’t quite meet your needs, you can check out our roundup of other Prime Day headphones deals happening now for more options that can save you some cash.
CNET is always covering a wide array of deals on tech products and much more. Start with the hottest sales and discounts on the CNET Deals page, and sign up for the CNET Deals Text to get daily deals sent straight to your phone. Add the free CNET Shopping extension to your browser for real-time price comparisons and cash-back offers. And peruse our gift guide, which includes a full range of ideas for birthdays, anniversaries and more.
The first day of Amazon’s epic sale event, Amazon Prime Day, is winding down but the deals keep coming. The two-day event kicked off yesterday, Tuesday, July 16, and will continue today, Wednesday, July 17, with Amazon slashing prices across the board. There are thousands of sizzling deals still up for grabs and more going live tomorrow. So far, we’ve been seeing some significant savings on tech gear, including popular headphones. There are also some great laptop deals floating around. And if you’ve been wanting to upgrade your entertainment setup, there are deals on TVs of all sizes and for every budget.
We know it can be overwhelming to keep track of all the deals out there, but our team of shopping experts is on hand to simplify the process for you. Explore dozens of Prime Day sales — and for the budget-conscious, we’ve organized a lot of our findings so you can shop for goodies under $100 and even as low as $10 or less.
There are major savings on everything from smart home tech and everyday essentials to headphones and so many other items. The best place to find the real Prime Day deals is right here. You’ll also find that competitors like Best Buy, Target and Walmart are doling out significant discounts on a wide range of items you can grab right now. We’re working around the clock and will update this collection regularly with great products that are actually on sale and not just cleverly marked up and back down. So stick with CNET and make the most of this shopping event.
Our absolute favorite Prime Day deals
Sony makes some of our favorite headphones right now. The WH-CH520 is budget-friendly and has excellent battery life, lasting up to 50 hours on a charge. It even has multi-point connectivity to connect to two devices simultaneously. And now you can snag a sweet deal on the headphones for just $35; that’s a 55% saving over the $80 list price.
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The Sonos Ray is one of the easiest way to enter the Sonos ecosystem. And now you can grab the soundbar for almost 30% off slashing down the price from $279 to just $199 this Prime Day.
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Amazon’s own Echo Pop is a great, small smart speaker with Amazon Alexa built in so you can stream music, catch the news or weather and control your smart home. And this free bulb is a great way to kick off smart lighting or expand an existing Matter system. This deal is exclusive to Amazon Prime members.
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The Echo Buds offer solid all-around performance and compatibility with all major smart assistants. The earphones output crisp and balanced sound that can be tuned to your preference with an equalizer setting. Use the built-in Alexa support to initiate podcasts or stream music using just your voice. There’s multi-point support too to connect to two devices simultaneously. Finally, enjoy long hours of music listening with five hours of playback on a single charge and fifteen hours using the case.
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It’s hard to beat the sturdy design of a Yeti tumbler. This stainless steel vacuum-insulated Rambler comes with a MagSlider lid and holds up to 20 ounces of hot or cold liquid — and right now it’s discounted by 30%.
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Roku’s 4K streaming stick is an affordable way to add streaming smarts to any television. Down to just $29 from its usual $49 list price, that’s an impressive 42% off deal.
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Turn any plug smart with this Amazon smart plug. It’s got effortless Alexa integration making it easy to turn everything from your kettle to a table lamp into a voice-enabled smart gadget.
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This floor lamp instantly adds ambiance to your space with RGBIC colors. It has a mode to sync with your music, works with Alexa and can be customized via the Govee Home app — and it’s just $60 for Prime Day.
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Prime Day TV deals from TCL, Samsung, Fire TV, LG and more
Amazon/CNET
Amazon Prime Day could be the perfect time to ditch that old and busted TV and upgrade to something a little more befitting the latest must-binge TV show. If none of these are working for you, check out our full list on the best Prime Day TV deals.
LG G4 65-inch OLED TV: $2,797 (save $603). Light up your world with brightness-boosting technology and a screen so flat it leaves virtually no gap between the TV and the wall.
TCL 85-inch Q65 QLED TV: $900 (save $700). This massive 85-inch screen creates a true theater experience in your own home, with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos and a price point that can’t be argued with.
Prime day headphone deals on Beats, Airpods, Bose QuietComfort and more
Apple/CNET
If you’d like to save some money on a set of new headphones or earbuds, these are the deals for you. We’ve gathered our favorite Prime Day headphone deals here, but like most Prime Day deals, these discounts likely won’t hang around for long.
Prime Day tech deals on smartwatches, power banks and more
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Samsung/CNET
Whether it’s a new phone or a way to smarten up that old TV, Amazon Prime Day is always a good bet for those who want to get some new tech. The deals are already flowing and these are some of the best we’ve found to date. If you want more Prime Day tech finds, check our our hubs on the best Apple, gaming, and monitor deals.
Apple AirTag (4-pack): $89 (save $10). Apple’s nifty AirTags will help you keep track of all your important items like keys, luggage and even your pets.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: $1,900 (save $420).. Preorder the newest Samsung Galaxy Fold 512 GB ahead of the July 24 release date and get a nice discount plus a $300 Amazon gift card to boot.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: $160 (save $140). The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 has been announced, but this previous-gen model is still packed with features and at a hefty discount, too.
Echo Show 5: $50 (save $40). Stream, video call, display photos, control compatible devices and more with the 3rd generation of Amazon’s advanced Echo device.
TheraGun Relief: $126 (save $23). This handled percussion massage gun can help provide pain relief for sore muscles and it’s small enough to take to the gym or on your travels.
Apple Watch Series 9: $280 (save $119). Nab Apple’s latest iteration of its signature smartwatch for a nice discount. Note that many — but not all — configurations and colors are available.
Apple Watch SE: $169 (save $80). The Apple Watch SE is a great option for kids, aging parents or anyone who wants a budget-friendly smartwatch.
Tile Mate 2-pack: $33 (save $15). This two-pack of Bluetooth trackers will help you locate your keys, bags and more and they are compatible with Android or iOS devices.
Prime Day laptop deals for MacBooks, Acer, Lenovo and more
Apple/CNET
There are so many great laptops available today that it’s very difficult to buy a bad one, but it never hurts when you also manage to pick one up at a discount as well. For more amazing savings on laptops, take a look at our hub of the hottest Prime Day laptop deals live now.
Prime Day tablet deals for Kindle, Samsung Galaxy, iPads and more
Samsung/CNET
Looking for something more portable? You can get a solid tablet for a lot less right now, whether you’re a fan of Apple or Android.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: $600 (save $200). This is a solid tablet for Android fans. It has a gorgeous display, 128GB of storage, good battery life and you’ll get the S Pen stylus.
Apple iPad (10th gen): $299 (save $50). Scroll, play games or stream with this iPad. This model has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, 64GB of storage space for photos, videos and everything else, along with Touch ID.
Apple iPad Mini (6th gen): $380 (save $119). The iPad mini is everything we love about Apple’s iPads in a compact design. It has an 8.3-inch display but don’t let its size fool you, it’s still plenty powerful.
Apple iPad Air 11-inch M2: $559 (save $40). The iPad Air is Apple’s thinnest iPad ever and it’s currently on sale. If you need the most lightweight iPad available, this is for you.
Prime Day smart home deals on Blink, Ring, Echo and more
CNET/Amazon
Smart lights, security cameras and so much more make the world of smart home and technology more exciting than ever. Setting up a smart home can be costly, but these deals certainly help lighten the load. If you want to make your home the smartest one on the block. check out more Prime Day Amazon device deals to see what else you can add to your home.
Prime Day home and kitchen deals from KitchenAid, Yeti, Shark and more
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Whether you’re looking to replace your old kitchen blender or upgrade your cleaning tools in your home there are many devices, and more importantly, deals, that can help you out. If none of these speak to you, check out the whole list we created of the best Prime Day deals under $100, which we will obviously keep updated regularly.
Just about every year, Prime Day happens mid-July. The tradition is continuing this year as well. The official Prime Day deals begin on July 16 and continue through July 17. This year is 10th anniversary of the Prime Day sale, and plenty of super hot deals are up for grabs right now.
What is Amazon Prime Day?
Prime Day is Amazon’s annual shopping event that has exclusive deals for Prime members. If you’re not a Prime member there still may be a few deals for you, but members get the best of the best deals on this day. If you’re not a member yet don’t worry, there’s still time to sign up, possibly even for free. There will be deals in just about every category possible. This includes tech, home, kitchen, toys and more. Your favorite brands love to celebrate this unofficial holiday such as Apple, Roku and more.
How do I find the best deals during Prime Day?
With so many deals coming out left and right in honor of Prime Day, it can get difficult trying to chose which deals to run for and which ones to pass on. A few things to remember are to keep an open mind, grab what you want before it sells out, and don’t be scared to branch out to other retailers. Competitors such as Best Buy and Walmart are trying to keep up with Amazon and are dropping some pretty great discounts as well.
And most importantly, keep tabs on us. We have many different hubs for different types of deals. We update all of these hubs regularly, saving you the time and effort of digging through thousands of deals. Some of our hubs include the best Prime Day deals on headphones, TVs, Amazon devices, laptops, and even graphics cards. Plus so much more. And for the budget-savvy shopper, we have hubs for Prime Day deals under $50, under $25, and even under $10, helping you save some really big coin. Check out all of our Prime Day content so you don’t miss anything.
Not everyone has the luxury of a big space to build their home gym. They require a lot of space, time and money. From actually having the room to store equipment to being able to afford the equipment itself, for some people, it’s only feasible to invest in one item. Adjustable dumbbells are the perfect space-saving solution. They offer a wide weight range, while barely taking up more space than one pair of traditional dumbbells. We found the best adjustable dumbbells to help you save space for at-home workouts.
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Traditional dumbbells come in different weights that need to be bought separately and take up a ton of space. Adjustable dumbbells are a great alternative since they let you change the weight plates, making them perfect for home gyms of any size, saving you space and money. Popular brands like BowFlex and NordicTrack have deals throughout the year, so you can save even more on your purchase if you shop at the right time.
I have years of experience testing home fitness equipment, and I’ve reviewed and tested various popular adjustable dumbbell brands. I’ve put together this guide with the best adjustable dumbbells on the market so you can pick the best one for you. Before you shop, take a look at our top picks and buying advice to understand the types of adjustable dumbbells that are out there and which are best for your home gym.
What are the best adjustable dumbbells overall?
The BowFlex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells stand out as the best overall choice in our roundup. The dial system lets users easily select their preferred weight, from 5 to a maximum weight of 52.5 pounds. The great quality of the construction makes these a fine choice for intense home workouts, while the compact design makes them suitable for small spaces. If the BowFlex dumbbells are not quite your style (or go out of stock — see note below), other solid choices I enjoyed were the Core Adjustable Dumbbells and Ativafit 71.5 Adjustable Dumbbell Set. You have a good selection to pick from based on your needs and taste. Take a look at our top picks below.
Editor’s note, June 10: BowFlex filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year and the brand is now owned by Johnson Health Tech, which also owns Horizon Fitness and Matrix. You can still buy BowFlex products through its website and via retailers such as Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Best adjustable dumbbells for 2024
These BowFlex dumbbells are a fan favorite that was hard to come by during the peak of the pandemic. After finally getting my hands on a set, I understood why. They were packed well and easy to set up compared to the others that I had to unbox. Not only were the dumbbells properly secured to the rack with straps, but I found it easy to slide them out onto the floor in my living room. BowFlex offers the option to purchase a dumbbell stand and a bench separately, but I decided against it because of the lack of space in my home.
The BowFlex dumbbells are a standard round shape and have a sleek black and red design. They’re made up of steel, nylon, ABS plastic (commonly used in 3D printing) and thermoplastic rubber. These dumbbells replace 15 sets of weights and range from 5 to 52.5 pounds. There are dials on opposite sides of the individual dumbbell, which you have to twist one at a time to change to your desired weight. Logically, I wouldn’t expect to have to turn the dial in two different places (or directions) on a single dumbbell, but the design makes it a seamless process without any of the weight getting snagged.
I liked that these dumbbells have a rubber grip on the steel handle, which made them comfortable to hold for long periods. One complaint I’ve heard about the BowFlex adjustable dumbbells is that they’re bulky, making it hard to do certain exercises such as deadlifts and overhead presses. I did find the dumbbells to be oversized, but I noticed that was the pattern with most adjustable dumbbell designs. I didn’t love how bulky it felt to have the weights overhead or for deadlifts, but I didn’t mind them when I did chest presses, bicep curls, lunges or squats.
A yearlong JRNY membership is also included with your purchase if you’d like to take on-demand strength classes to get the most out of your dumbbells. If you’re looking for a reliable, tried-and-true set of adjustable dumbbells, then you’ll like the BowFlex’s style.
After the BowFlex, the Core adjustable dumbbells had my second favorite packaging. It made sense to me that, upon unboxing these dumbbells, the rack was at the very top. This made it easy to not have to lift the heavy weights first before locating the rack. I also liked that the weight plates are magnetic and can be easily separated before the dumbbell is placed on the rack. These were also the only ones that came with a loose handle that latched onto the base and then the weight plates.
Core’s dumbbells range from 5 to 50 pounds, and you can change the weight in 5-pound increments. They’re easy to use since you can change the weight with just a twist of the handle, and they have the fastest weight transition for an adjustable dumbbell with a manual design.
Although these dumbbells are round, I liked the sleek design and found them to be the least bulky of all the adjustable dumbbells I tried. I liked the contoured and soft grip handle which made the dumbbell comfortable to hold and molded perfectly into my hand. I also noticed they didn’t roll around when I placed them on the floor, which made them feel extra secure and was a bonus since I live on the top floor and didn’t want to disturb my downstairs neighbors.
One thing I didn’t like about these dumbbells was that I would have to hold the rack down when I changed it to a heavier weight. This was because the weights felt stiff and would get stuck as you pulled them out of the rack. This could’ve easily been my own user error, but Core also offers an optional stand for purchase. Based on customer reviews, the stand is sturdy and eliminates the issues I experienced compared to just having the rack alone. Another solution I figured out was to place the rack on a rubber mat; it provided a better grip and made it easier to slide out the dumbbell.
The MX55 adjustable dumbbells didn’t take long to put together, but the hexagon shape of the plates took me a moment to figure out how to set it up in the rack. This is because they each have indented slots that they slide into to keep them aligned. Also, the MX55 racks come assembled, but users have to attach protective rubber feet (that come in the packaging) to the bottom of the cradles first.
These dumbbells replace 10 sets of dumbbells, ranging from 10 to 55 pounds. They have a small dial on top of each side of the handle, as well as a button beneath them. To change the weight, you have to press the button underneath first, which prompts the dial to pop up. From there you can turn the dial, select the weight and press the dial back down to lock the weight into place.
These adjustable dumbbells are ideal for doing offset exercises since each of the weight plates weighs only 2.5 pounds. The weight legend on the rack gives a guide on the proper offset settings based on how much weight you want to lift. For example, if you are doing an offset squat that’s 17.5 pounds, all you have to do is adjust one side of the dials to 15 pounds (setting 2) and the other to 20 pounds (setting 3). Keep in mind the purpose of offset exercises is to intentionally load one side more than the other, which will make the dumbbells feel imbalanced.
I liked that even while holding a dumbbell that was uneven in weight, it was still comfortable to grip and didn’t dig into my palm. If you’re into experimenting with offset exercises or want to focus on strengthening your muscle imbalances, the MX55 adjustable dumbbells are the right match for you.
The Flybird 55 LB adjustable dumbbells are made up of cast iron weight plates and a black plastic-coated handle. They range from 11 to 55 pounds and go up or down in 11-pound increments. I prefer my weights to have 5-pound increments and found that doubling the weight each time was a bit much.
The dial on these dumbbells was easy to use and just required a single twist to lock in the weight. Unlike the other adjustable dumbbells I tested, you don’t have the option to choose an in-between weight. I also found 11 pounds as the lightest weight option to be on the heavy side, specifically for newer lifters.
I’d recommend these if you’re an experienced lifter and know you can handle double the weight each time. The round design is similar to other adjustable dumbbells and passed the roll test when I placed it on the ground. In other words, it stayed put and didn’t seem at risk of rolling around. The dumbbells were the right challenge for me when I was doing heavier lifts such as squats and deadlifts. The handle design was my least favorite because I found the plastic to be tough on the hands and think it would have benefited more from a protective rubber covering.
The Ativafit 71.5 adjustable dumbbells were my runner-up for a couple of other categories, but ultimately I found them to be the most foolproof to use. The dumbbells range from 5 to 71.5 pounds and replace 12 sets of dumbbells. The plastic rack has grooves that latch onto the dumbbells, keeping them secure when not in use. By looking at these, you can tell these are high-quality dumbbells because of the sturdy iron plates that make up the weights. It also has a nonslip handle with rubber, which helped with my grip when upping the weight.
My favorite part about these dumbbells is how easy it is to change the weights with just a press of the red button on top of the dumbbell and a twist of the dial. This is also the heaviest adjustable dumbbell on the list, making it a good option for heavy lifters and those who have never owned an adjustable dumbbell before.
Smrtft Nuobell 80: In a previous adjustable dumbbell roundup, CNET writer Lindsey Boyers named the Smrtft Nuobell 80 the adjustable dumbbell with the best design. I couldn’t get my hands on these dumbbells, but based on the review, they could potentially tie in with the Core Adjustable Dumbbells given their sleek look and favorable design.
Powerblock Pro 32: Although I didn’t get to try these Powerblock sets, I’m familiar with Powerblock and consider them a classic. In CNET’s previous best list, the Pro 32 was named the best adjustable dumbbell for beginners, and I would’ve probably chosen it as well if I’d gotten to formally test it. These are easy to hold thanks to the rubberized ergonomic grip handle, and the pin-lock system may be easier for newbies to manage compared to dials on other adjustable dumbbells.
We took a multifaceted approach to ensure a comprehensive assessment of performance for diverse needs and preferences. Here are the metrics we considered.
Ease of use: This is an essential factor when selecting adjustable dumbbells. We looked for intuitive adjustment mechanisms and considered how quickly users can switch between weights.
Weight adjustment increments: We checked out how much flexibility the adjustable dumbbells allow for weight increments.
Design and comfort: The design of the adjustable dumbbells played a big role in our evaluation. We considered things like ergonomics, comfort and compact storage.
Load versatility: We assessed the range of weight options and the ease of transitioning between them during a workout.
Adjustable dumbbells can range anywhere from about $200 to $500 or more depending on the weight range and brand. You can sometimes find budget adjustable dumbbells for less if you only lift lighter weights, but most adjustable dumbbells offering solid quality and a wide weight range will be a bit pricey.
Weights on an adjustable dumbbell can range from 5 to 50 pounds (sometimes more). Some might go by kilograms and require you to do a little extra math (multiply by 2.2 to convert to pounds).
Adjustable dumbbells have a manual dial that turns and latches on to the selected weight. Some companies experimenting with more advanced technology may use digital dials or voice control, such as NordicTrack.
What to look for when buying adjustable dumbbells?
The right set of adjustable dumbbells for you will be ones that fall in the range of weights you prefer. Be sure to check the minimum and maximum weight while shopping for a set. Also consider handling, comfort, design and cost.
In a first for Samsung, its new earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, have stems just like Apple’s AirPods. The new buds skew more premium, but their “blade” designs give them a more generic look than previous Galaxy Buds models. Both are available now for preorder and will ship on or after July 24. If you preorder them before July 23, you get a free case. If you shop on Amazon, you can score yourself a pretty good Prime Day deal. Both models are now $30 off with the open-style Buds 3 priced at $180 and the Buds 3 Pro going for $250. Both models come with a clip case as well so you can take them with you anywhere.
This story is part of Samsung Event, CNET’s collection of news, tips and advice around Samsung’s most popular products.
I’ve had some limited hands-on time with the buds, but I haven’t had a chance to properly evaluate them yet, so this isn’t a full review. I do have some early impressions on their design and lots of features and specs to talk about.
Read more: Everything Announced At Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked Event
Galaxy Buds 3, successor to the Galaxy Buds Live
Available in white or silver, the Galaxy Buds 3 are open earbuds like the standard AirPods. Like Samsung’s earlier open earbuds, the Galaxy Buds Live (aka The Beans), the Buds 3 have some active noise canceling, according to Samsung. I don’t expect it to be all that effective because ANC typically doesn’t work well with open buds. I’ll be able to comment more on that once I fully test the buds.
The Galaxy Buds 3 feature an open design and look pretty similar to Apple’s AirPods 3.
David Carnoy/CNET
Similar to the AirPods, these are designed for people who don’t like having ear tips jammed in their ears and prefer to hear the outside world. They’re lightweight and comfortable and fit my ears a little more securely than the AirPods 3. Both the Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro feature pinch controls like the latest AirPods (I liked their pinch controls) along with swipe controls to adjust volume levels. Both models also have ear-detection sensors that pause your audio when you take a bud out of your ear and resume playback when you put the bud back in. Finally, you can issue voice commands to control music playback without touching the buds.
As open earbuds allow ambient sound to leak into your ears and don’t offer a tight seal, bass performance can be an issue. The Galaxy Buds 3 has a single 11mm dynamic driver. Their sound quality won’t be as good as the Buds 3 Pro’s, but it will hopefully measure up well compared to what you get with other premium open earbuds.
The buds’ charging case has a translucent top.
David Carnoy/CNET
The Buds 3 are rated for up to 6 hours of battery life with ANC off and 5 hours with it on (the charging case charges wirelessly and has a dedicated Bluetooth button). Both new earbuds are equipped with Bluetooth 5.4, are IP57 water and dust-resistant and support LE audio along with the new Auracast feature (Samsung’s 360 audio feature is also on board). An IP57 rating means the buds aren’t fully waterproof but they can withstand a sustained spray of water.
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, the new flagship
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are Samsung’s new flagship earbuds and are also available in white and silver. They have a few key differences from the Galaxy Buds 3. First and foremost, they’re noise-isolating buds and include a set of small, medium and large ear tips to choose from (it is critical to get a tight seal to get optimal sound quality).
They also have both active noise canceling and a transparency mode. The ANC is the adaptive variety and seems quite good — at least based on the very limited time I had the buds in my ears. Samsung says, “the microphones in the Buds 3 series analyze both internal and external sound in real time to enhance sound and active noise cancellation quality through adaptive EQ and adaptive ANC.”
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro has a noise-isolating design. Both new earbuds have pinch controls and you can swipe up and down on the edge of their stems to adjust volume levels.
David Carnoy/CNET
Additionally, the Buds 3 Pro, “constantly collect and identify surrounding sound and automatically adjust the optimal level of noise and sound without manual adjustment through Adaptive Noise Control, Siren Detect and Voice Detect.” This sounds similar to the AirPods Pro 2’s Adaptive Audio features, but Buds 3 Pro doesn’t have a Conversation Awareness mode.
While the Galaxy Buds 3 has a single dynamic driver, the Buds 3 Pro has a 10mm dynamic driver along with a separate planar tweeter, which should help deliver clearer-sounding highs. Samsung also says the Buds 3 Pro has dual amps, which helps reduce wireless hiccups.
In my early listening tests, I found the buds did sound better than the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. The Buds 2 Pro sound good but the Buds 3 Pro’s treble clarity and bass definition is superior and they sound cleaner and more accurate overall.
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro in their case.
David Carnoy/CNET
Another extra feature the Buds 3 Pro has are lights in their stems or “blades,” as Samsung calls them. They let you know when the buds are in pairing mode and they flash when you use the Find My feature as the buds make a chirping noise (this would make them easier to find in a dark room). You can also just activate the lights by pinching and holding each bud for a few seconds and wear the buds around with the lights on if that’s your thing.
The Buds 3 Pro also has an IP57 rating for dust and water resistance. Battery life for the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is rated at up to 7 hours with noise canceling off and 6 hours with it on. Its charging case features wireless charging as well as a dedicated button for Bluetooth pairing so you can pair the buds more easily with a variety of Bluetooth audio devices.
Enhanced voice-calling
Samsung has mostly done a good job with voice-calling performance in its Galaxy Buds models, and these new Series 3 models deliver excellent voice-calling performance with top-notch noise reduction. They have three microphones in each bud along with a voice pickup unit. Earbuds with a stem design do get the microphones a little closer to your mouth, so that should also help with voice calling. In my calls using the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro in the noisy streets of New York (with some wind), callers said they could barely hear any background noise and that my voice was mostly clear with limited warbling. They were impressed.
Samsung says that; “with a pre-trained model based on machine learning, the Buds 3 series is now able to restore the original voice of the speaker in various noise environments while also providing a rich and natural call — similar to the high-quality calls of smartphones — with the Super-Wideband Call feature.” That allows the buds to transmit voice up to 16kHz instead of up to 8kHz, according to Samsung.
Case closed.
David Carnoy/CNET
Galaxy Buds 3 and 3 Pro special features for Galaxy users
As noted, the buds share many of the same features. The Buds 3 are missing the dual amps, lighting in their stems, a transparency mode (they’re open earbuds, so you don’t need it), Adaptive Noise Control and the Voice Detect/Siren Detect feature. Plus, the Buds 3 Pro has dual drivers.
As far as other special features for Galaxy smartphone users go, they have automatic pairing and audio switching with Galaxy devices, including Galaxy PCs. That’s another way of saying they have multipoint Bluetooth pairing for Galaxy devices.
Both buds also support the Samsung Seamless Codec that Samsung says is now capable of delivering 24bit/96khz high-resolution streams with an HD music streaming service like Qobuz or Tidal. That codec is only available with certain Galaxy devices, but the buds’ default audio codec is AAC, which tends to sound just fine (iPhones and other Android devices would use AAC.)
The last Galaxy-exclusive feature that Samsung highlights is its Interpreter feature that’s part of Galaxy AI. “If you’re attending a class in a foreign language, you can turn on Interpreterin Listening mode on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 or Flip 6 with Buds 3 series plugged into your ears,” Samsung says, citing one example of how to use the feature. “This will allow you to hear the lecture translated directly through your Buds, removing language barriers that may exist in your studies.”
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro final first impressions
As I said, this is just a quick first look at the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro and I’ll have lots more to talk about in my upcoming full reviews, including sound quality and performance comparisons to the AirPods 3, AirPods Pro 2 and other top true-wireless earbuds.
Some of you might be a little disappointed that Samsung gave in a bit and followed Apple’s design. I personally prefer earbuds with stems and I do think it makes some sense to move to this design, even if it does seem like a cop-out to go with the herd, so to speak.
From what Samsung has told me they simply found from their testing that the “blade” design worked the best for the most people. A lot of folks had fit issues with Galaxy Buds Live and the Galaxy Buds Pro 2 (I had to use my own larger ear tips with them). At least from my initial wear tests, my impression is these new models will be a better fit for more people.
The only problem is that their designs are a tad generic and arguably lack a bit of wow factor for their relatively high prices. The AirPods Pro 2, like the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, retail for $250 but typically sell for less than $200 on Amazon and are $190 right now thanks to Prime Day sales, which are bringing headphone deals across the board, including on the Galaxy Buds 3. It’s therefore key that the buds offer standout performance. After some initial tests, I’ve been fairly impressed, but I’ll have more to talk about in my full hands-on reviews, which I’ll post in the coming days.
Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro spec comparison.
If you’re in the market for a new laptop, now is the time to say goodbye to your old, slow laptop and finally make the upgrade. Prime Day is almost here, and a lot of the early deals have already dropped on Amazon. Whether you’re looking to level up from your old machine, upgrade to a gaming laptop for faster performance or need something to handle your college workload, you can find the laptop you need at a significant discount.
Prime Day Live Blog
Don’t miss our live coverage of the Best Prime Day Deals curated by CNET Deals experts.
Prime Day Live Blog
There are plenty of Apple MacBooks on sale along with other brands to choose from. Even if you’re not a Prime subscriber, you can still get in on the savings with other retailers like Best Buy and Walmart running their own sales. If you’re considering making a purchase, don’t wait too long, as these deals tend to run out fast. Remember, some of these prices at Amazon are exclusive to Prime members, so make sure you’re signed in to view those discounts.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
Watch this: Amazon Prime Day 2024: Shopping Tips and Special Deals
Best Prime Day laptop deals
This 13-inch MacBook Air has the M3 chip, 8GB of memory and a 256 solid-state drive. It is currently listed on Amazon for $999, a $100 discount. Multiple colors are available at this price.
Details
If you’re looking for a budget gaming laptop, this 15.6-inch Asus TUF Gaming F15 laptop is down to a pretty compelling price. It’s thin and light and features Windows 11, an Nvidia graphics card and an SSD slot that lets you increase its memory. It’s also been drop-tested and withstands the harsh demands of enthusiastic gaming sessions.
Details
With the crazy fast M3 chip and Liquid Retina XDR display, an HD camera and a battery life of up to 18 hours, this is a top-tier laptop that is mercifully discounted by $300 right now if you opt for the silver variant.
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Although not the most recent model, this 2022 version still has a powerful M2 chip and gives you many of the great specs the M3 has at a lower price.
Details
More Prime Day laptop deals:
What is Prime Day?
Amazon Prime Day is a two-day sale that happens every summer for Amazon Prime members. This year, Prime Day will take place on July 16 and 17. It’s like Black Friday in the summer, as subscribers will be able to score deeply discounted items throughout the week. Some items may not be on sale for very long, so make sure you pick them up before they’re gone.
Is Prime Day the best time to shop for a laptop?
Although Prime Day offers a huge array of products on sale, the deals are quite limited for laptops ahead of the event. We anticipate there being more deals as we get closer to the date. Frequently, outlets like Best Buy will offer incredibly competitive pricing during Prime Day. We also see Walmart doing the same. If you’re shopping for back-to-school season, Prime Day is a great time to grab a laptop at a discount, although Black Friday tends to offer the very lowest prices if you can hold out until the fall.
What else should I buy during Prime Day?
Amazon will offer discounts on just about all of its categories. Big savings typically can be seen with Amazon smart home devices, tablets and TVs as well as with everyday items, fashion, fitness, home goods, kitchen gadgets and more.
With Amazon Prime Day a day away, deals are flowing in quick. Ahead of the main event on July 16th and July 17th, the retail giant is dropping prices across the board. There are dozens of early Prime Day sales, with new deals constantly being added. And of course, other retail giants can’t be left out. Competitors like Target and Walmart are slashing prices on many of their items as well.
It can be overwhelming to keep track of all the deals out there, but our team of shopping experts is on hand to simplify the process for you. They’re working around the clock to find the best deals, so you don’t have to.
There are major savings on everything from smart home tech and everyday essentials to headphones and so many other items. And for the budget-conscious, we’ve organized a lot of our findings so you can shop for goodies under $100 and even as low as $10 or less. The best place to find the real Prime Day deals is right here. We’ll constantly update this collection with great products that are actually on sale and not just cleverly marked up and back down. So stick with CNET and make the most of this shopping event.
Our absolute favorite Prime Day deals
Sony makes some of our favorite headphones right now. The WH-CH520 is budget-friendly and has excellent battery life, lasting up to 50 hours on a charge. It even has multi-point connectivity to connect to two devices simultaneously. And now you can snag a sweet deal on the headphones for just $35; that’s a 55% saving over the $80 list price.
Details
The Echo Buds offer solid all-around performance and compatibility with all major smart assistants. The earphones output crisp and balanced sound that can be tuned to your preference with an equalizer setting. Use the built-in Alexa support to initiate podcasts or stream music using just your voice. There’s multi-point support too to connect to two devices simultaneously. Finally, enjoy long hours of music listening with five hours of playback on a single charge and fifteen hours using the case.
Details
When it comes to wallet-friendly earbud options, AirPods are our favorite to recommend. The audio quality is solid, but the real fun is all the features. These will seamlessly pair to all of your Apple gadgets, and the touch controls on each Pod make them super convenient to use anywhere. And for only $80, these second-gen AirPods are available at a staggering 47% off until they sell out.
Details
Read our Apple AirPods 2019 review.
The Ninja Foodi 13-in-one smart air fryer packs versatility into a compact space. Capable of temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, it can fry, sear, bake, toast and help you cook the best of dishes. Using up to 75% less fat, air frying is a healthy option and the Ninja Foodi’s XL-sized capacity makes it a great investment for family-sized cooking. Available for a steep $150 discount off its usual $329 list price, the Ninja Foodi smart air fry oven is an excellent deal for just $179.
Details
Amazon’s own Echo Pop is a great, small smart speaker with Amazon Alexa built in so you can stream music, catch the news or weather and control your smart home. And this free bulb is a great way to kick off smart lighting or expand an existing Matter system. This deal is exclusive to Amazon Prime members.
Details
This handheld massager uses percussion to target pain and offer relief to sore muscles. And right now its at the lowest price we’ve ever seen.
Details
Amazon’s Kindle Scribe currently sits on our list of best e-readers, and you can get it for less during the Prime Day event. “It’s the best jumbo e-reader you can draw on,” according to CNET’s David Carnoy.
Details
The soon-to-be-released Galaxy Z Flip 6 can be preordered now with a $320 discount, just keep in mind you won’t receive the phone until after the July 24 release date. Not only do you get the unlocked model at a discount, you’ll also get a $200 Amazon gift card.
If it’s personal audio that you’re interested in and you’d like to save some money on your new headphones or earbuds, these are the deals for you. These discounts aren’t likely to hang around for long though. But if you want a comprehensive list of our favorite Prime Day headphone deals, we’re working hard around the clock to round those up too.
Prime Day tech deals
Samsung/CNET
Whether it’s a new tablet or a way to smarten up that old TV, Amazon Prime Day is always a good bet for those who want to get some new tech. The deals are already flowing and these are some of the best we’ve found to date. If you want more Prime Day tech finds, check our our hubs on the best Apple, gaming, and monitor deals.
Amazon Prime Day could be the perfect time to ditch that old and busted TV and upgrade to something a little more befitting the latest must-binge TV show. If none of these are working for you, check out our full list on the best Prime Day TV deals.
Sony 43-inch 4K TV: $348 (save $80). If Sony is your preferred brand but you want a smaller TV, this 43-inch model should be perfect for most bedrooms or for the kids.
There are so many great laptops available today that it’s very difficult to buy a bad one, but it never hurts when you also manage to pick one up at a discount as well. For more amazing savings on laptops, take a look at our hub of the hottest Prime Day laptop deals live now.
Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet: $70 (save $95). The lowest price we’ve seen for the 2021 tablet, which comes with a 12-hour battery life, 32GB storage and a bright 1080p full HD display.
Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet: $160 (save $120). An 11-inch screen capable of 2.4 million pixels, an octa-core processor, 14 hour battery and an aluminum design makes up this tablet.
Smart lights, security cameras and so much more makes the world of smart home and technology more exciting than ever. Setting up a smart home can be costly, but these deals certainly help lighten the load. If you want to make your home the smartest one on the block. check out more Prime Day Amazon device deals to see what else you can add to your home.
Prime Day home and kitchen deals
Ninja/CNET
Whether you’re looking to replace your old kitchen blender or upgrade your cleaning tools in your home there are many devices, and more importantly, deals, that can help you out. If none of these speak to you, check out the whole list we created of the best Prime Day deals under $100, which we will obviously keep updated regularly.
When is Amazon Prime Day?
Just about ever year, Prime Day happens mid-July. The tradition is continuing this year as well. The official Prime Day deals begin on July 16 and continue through July 17. This year is 10th anniversary of the Prime Day sale. We still have a few days to go until the sale officially kicks off but the deals are already coming in super hot.
What is Amazon Prime Day?
Prime Day is Amazon’s annual shopping event that has exclusive deals for Prime members. If you’re not a Prime member there still may be a few deals for you, but members get the best of the best deals on this day. If you’re not a member yet don’t worry, there’s still time to sign up, possibly even for free. There will be deals in just about every category possible. This includes tech, home, kitchen, toys and more. Your favorite brands love to celebrate this unofficial holiday such as Apple, Roku, and more.
How do I find the best deals during Prime Day?
With so many deals coming out left and right in honor of Prime Day, it can get difficult trying to chose which deals to run for and which ones to pass on. A few things to remember are to keep an open mind, grab what you want before it sells out, and don’t be scared to branch out to other retailers. Competitors such as Best Buy and Walmart are trying to keep up with Amazon and are dropping some pretty great discounts as well.
And most importantly, keep tabs on us. We have many different hubs for different types of deals. We update all of these hubs regularly, saving you the time and effort of digging through thousands of deals. Some of our hubs include the best Prime Day deals on headphones, TVs, Amazon devices, laptops, and even graphics cards. Plus so much more. And for the budget-savvy shopper, we have hubs for Prime Day deals under $50, under $25, and even under $10, helping you save some really big coin. Check out all of our Prime Day content so you don’t miss anything.
With Amazon Prime Day set for July 16 and 17, there are only a few more sleeps until the main shopping event begins, but that hasn’t stopped the retail giant from dropping prices across the board. There are dozens of early Prime Day sales, with new deals constantly being added. And of course other retail giants can’t be left out. Competitors like Target and Walmart are slashing prices on many of their items as well. With so many deals to be had, it can get confusing as to who’s offering what. Lucky for you, our team of shopping experts is ready to use their skills around the clock to help you find the best deals without all the scrolling and guesswork.
There are major savings on everything from smart home tech and everyday essentials to headphones and so many other items. And for the budget-conscious, we’ve organized a lot of our findings so you can shop for goodies under $100 and even as low as $10 or less. The best place to find the real Prime Day deals is right here. We’ll constantly update this collection with great products that are actually on sale and not just cleverly marked up and back down. So stick with CNET and make the most of this shopping event.
Our absolute favorite Prime Day deals
When it comes to wallet-friendly earbud options, AirPods are our favorite to recommend. The audio quality is solid, but the real fun is all the features. These will seamlessly pair to all of your Apple gadgets, and the touch controls on each Pod make them super convenient to use anywhere. And for only $80, these second-gen AirPods are available at a staggering 47% off until they sell out.
Details
Read our Apple AirPods 2019 review.
Amazon’s own Echo Pop is a great, small smart speaker with Amazon Alexa built in so you can stream music, catch the news or weather and control your smart home. And this free bulb is a great way to kick off smart lighting or expand an existing Matter system. This deal is exclusive to Amazon Prime members.
Details
This handheld massager uses percussion to target pain and offer relief to sore muscles. And right now its at the lowest price we’ve ever seen.
Details
Amazon’s Kindle Scribe currently sits on our list of best e-readers, and you can get it for less during the Prime Day event. “It’s the best jumbo e-reader you can draw on,” according to CNET’s David Carnoy.
Details
The soon-to-be-released Galaxy Z Flip 6 can be preordered now with a $320 discount, just keep in mind you won’t receive the phone until after the July 24 release date. Not only do you get the unlocked model at a discount, you’ll also get a $200 Amazon gift card.
If it’s personal audio that you’re interested in and you’d like to save some money on your new headphones or earbuds, these are the deals for you. These discounts aren’t likely to hang around for long though. But if you want a comprehensive list of our favorite Prime Day headphone deals, we’re working hard around the clock to round those up too.
Prime Day tech deals
Samsung/CNET
Whether it’s a new tablet or a way to smarten up that old TV, Amazon Prime Day is always a good bet for those who want to get some new tech. The deals are already flowing and these are some of the best we’ve found to date. If you want more Prime Day tech finds, check our our hubs on the best Apple, gaming, and monitor deals.
Amazon Prime Day could be the perfect time to ditch that old and busted TV and upgrade to something a little more befitting the latest must-binge TV show. If none of these are working for you, check out our full list on the best Prime Day TV deals.
Sony 43-inch 4K TV: $348 (save $80). If Sony is your preferred brand but you want a smaller TV, this 43-inch model should be perfect for most bedrooms or for the kids.
There are so many great laptops available today that it’s very difficult to buy a bad one, but it never hurts when you also manage to pick one up at a discount as well. For more amazing savings on laptops, take a look at our hub of the hottest Prime Day laptop deals live now.
Smart lights, security cameras and so much more makes the world of smart home and technology more exciting than ever. Setting up a smart home can be costly, but these deals certainly help lighten the load. If you want to make your home the smartest one on the block. check out more Prime Day Amazon device deals to see what else you can add to your home.
Prime Day home and kitchen deals
Ninja/CNET
Whether you’re looking to replace your old kitchen blender or upgrade your cleaning tools in your home there are many deivces, and more importantly deals, that can help you out. If none of these speak to you, check out the whole list we created of the best Prime Day deals under $100, which we will obviously keep updated regularly.
Just about ever year, Prime Day happens mid-July. The tradition is continuing this year as well. The official Prime Day deals begin on July 16 and continue through July 17. This year is 10th anniversary of the Prime Day sale. We still have a few days to go until the sale officially kicks off but the deals are already coming in super hot.
What is Amazon Prime Day?
Prime Day is Amazon’s annual shopping event that has exclusive deals for Prime members. If you’re not a Prime member there still may be a few deals for you, but members get the best of the best deals on this day. If you’re not a member yet don’t worry, there’s still time to sign up, possibly even for free. There will be deals in just about every category possible. This includes tech, home, kitchen, toys and more. Your favorite brands love to celebrate this unofficial holiday such as Apple, Roku, and more.
How do I find the best deals during Prime Day?
With so many deals coming out left and right in honor of Prime Day, it can get difficult trying to chose which deals to run for and which ones to pass on. A few things to remember are to keep an open mind, grab what you want before it sells out, and don’t be scared to branch out to other retailers. Competitors such as Best Buy and Walmart are trying to keep up with Amazon and are dropping some pretty great discounts as well.
And most importantly, keep tabs on us. We have many different hubs for different types of deals. We update all of these hubs regularly, saving you the time and effort of digging through thousands of deals. Some of our hubs include the best Prime Day deals on headphones, TVs, Amazon devices, laptops, and even graphics cards. Plus so much more. And for the budget-savvy shopper, we have hubs for Prime Day deals under $50, under $25, and even under $10, helping you save some really big coin. Check out all of our Prime Day content so you don’t miss anything.
Move over, November. July is fastly becoming the month for deals with the Fourth of July sale kicking off the month before then going into Amazon Prime Day midway. Oh and in between all of this, there’s Target Circle Week, the retailer’s own week-long sale full of tempting deals and discounts. There’s not long left either with the sale set to end on July 13 so save your time reading this and head down to the deals below before they expire.
This story is part of Amazon Prime Day, CNET’s guide to everything you need to know and how to find the best deals.
Okay if you want to know more, expect deals on everyday staples, back-to-school essentials, device upgrades and more. Plus, right now any qualifying purchase of $100 or more earns $15 in Target Circle Rewards. We’ve highlighted the best Target Circle Week deals below to make it easy for you to snag the most worthwhile bargains. We’ll keep this page updated as more offers arrive, so keep checking back for the latest deals.
Best Target Circle Week deals
Apple/CNET
As a lovely smaller tablet, the Apple iPad mini is a great choice for portability, those with smaller hands or even for younger people. It still has a 12-megapixel camera, decent sound and a lovely screen as well.
Acer/CNET
The Acer Aspire 3 has 16GB of RAM, a 5112GB SSD and an AMD Ryzen 5 7520U which is all to say it has the specs you need to cover all kinds of work, streaming and even some gaming too.
Apple/CNET
Apple AirPods 2 are some of the best earbuds around, but they shine especially bright if you’re an iPhone owner. They’ve got great sound quality, plenty of useful features like noise cancelation and a solid battery life, and they’re pretty comfortable as well.
Echelon/CNET
This might end up being one of the best deals from Target Circle Week overall, as it knocks a huge 66% off of this amazing exercise bike. This bike comes with a free 30-day subscription to Premier Echelon, which can help you figure out workouts, gives loads of data so you can see how you’re doing and has a massive 32 levels of resistance.
Lenovo/CNET
A top gaming laptop with an Intel i9 processor, RTX 4070 graphics card, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Windows 11 and 16-inch QHD screen. Play the latest games with lightning-fast responsiveness and smooth visuals.
LG/CNET
If you’re looking for a new TV this week, then being able to get this 55-inch set from LG for under $400 is a good time all around. This 4K TV enjoys a lot of benefits from its smart TV functionality, including being compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant and having access to a huge number of streaming services and apps.
Apple/CNET
This smartwatch comes with a sport band, can track just about every aspect of your health you could ever want it to and can still deliver phone notifications and more. It’s also comfortable and it looks good too. Various sizes and configurations are $100 off.
Beats/CNET
Beats headphones are some of the best available, especially for Android users. Aside from the style factor, they also boast some impressive sound quality, a great battery life and impressive noise cancelling as well.
Roborock/CNET
Doing your own vacuuming can be a thing of the past with this Roborock robot vacuum. This particular one is both self-washing and self-drying, can empty its own dust box and refill the water tank for mopping, has impressive suction and can clean all kinds of floors with ease.
The Target Circle Week sale is set to run from July 7 through July 13, meaning there’s not long left to grab these offers. There are thousands of deals available, including some one-day deals so don’t hang about and take advantage while they’re still around.
Do I need a membership to shop Target’s Circle Week sale?
Yes. This is a members-only shopping event. But the good news is that it is free to join. In addition to access to exclusive sales like this one, there are a ton of other Target Circle perks, like 1% cash back when you shop, which you can use on a future Target purchase, and you’ll get 5% off a single purchase for your birthday.
What products are discounted during Circle Week at Target?
There are a ton of products included in Target’s Circle Week sale, including discounts on popular tech items like TVs, vacuums and headphones, as well as deals on apparel, home goods and other everyday essentials.
Broadcasting the All Blacks vs. England live in New Zealand
After a thrilling first encounter last weekend, New Zealand and England go into battle once more on Saturday in this second Summer International Test in Auckland.
Last week’s tense first meeting in Dunedin saw the All Blacks edge past England 16-15 to give new coach Scott Robertson a winning start to his tenure.
The hosts are unbeaten in 48 games at Eden Park, and England’s task won’t be helped by the loss of the injured Joe Marler and George Furbank, with Harlequins prop Fin Baxter and Freddie Steward set to be drafted into the starting lineup for the visitors as replacements.
Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch New Zealand vs. England live wherever you are in the world.
Damian McKenzie kicked two second-half penalties to give the All Blacks a hard-fought win in last weekend’s first test against England.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
New Zealand vs. England: Where and when?
The second Summer International Test between New Zealand and England takes place on Saturday, July 13, at Eden Park in Auckland. Kick-off is set for at 7:05 p.m. NZST local time in New Zealand. That’s 3:05 a.m. ET or 12:05 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, 8:05 a.m. BST in the UK and Ireland, and 5:05 p.m. AEST in Australia.
How to watch New Zealand vs. England online from anywhere using a VPN
If you find yourself unable to view this match locally, you may need a different way to watch this rugby international — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.
With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.
Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Australia, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.
Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.
James Martin/CNET
Latest Tests DNS leaks detected, 25% speed loss in 2024 testsNetwork 3,000 plus servers in 105 countriesJurisdiction British Virgin Islands
ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It’s normally $13 a month, but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100 you’ll get three months free and save 49%. That’s the equivalent of $6.67 a month with code SPECIALDEAL, which should be automatically applied.
Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Livestream New Zealand vs. England in the US
Dedicated rugby streaming network FloRugby has live broadcast rights in the US for this international.
FloSPorts
A monthly subscription to FloRugby currently costs costs $30, with an annual subscription costing $150 (effectively $12.50 per month).
A subscription also gives you access to the entire FloSports network, which includes coverage of cycling and motorsport. The service has dedicated apps for Android and Apple devices.
Livestream New Zealand vs. England in the UK
Saturday’s rugby international test is being shown live in the UK by Sky and its Sky Sports Main Event and Action channels. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the match via the Sky Go app, but cord-cutters will want to get set up with a Now account and a Now Sports membership to stream the match.
Sky subsidiary Now (formerly Now TV) offers streaming access to Sky Sports channels with a Now Sports membership. You can get a day of access for £12, or sign up to a monthly plan from £25 a month right now.
Stream New Zealand vs. England in Australia
Pay-TV service Stan Sport will be livestreaming this rugby international Down Under.
Stan Sport will set you back AU$10 a month (on top of a AU$10 Stan subscription), but the streaming service is currently offering a seven-day free trial.
A subscription will also give you access to UEFA soccer action, as well as tennis and Formula E.
Stream the All Blacks vs. England in New Zealand
Pay TV broadcaster Sky Sport has broadcast rights to show this game live in New Zealand.
Pay-TV broadcaster Sky Sport will be showing Summer International rugby Tests in New Zealand. That also means you can also watch every game online using the network’s Sky Go streaming service.
A Sky Sport Now subscription costs NZ$20 per week or NZ$40 per month. The monthly option comes with a seven-day free trial.
Can I stream New Zealand vs. England in Canada?
No broadcaster has the rights to show this game live in Canada, which also means that if you’re in the region traveling for pleasure or for work, you’re unlikely to be able to watch the game like you normally would at home, thanks to geo-blocking.
There is one option to get around this, however. By using a VPN, as explained above, you can set your location to a country where the match is being broadcast and go from there.
Quick tips for streaming New Zealand vs. England using a VPN
With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming the rugby action live 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 getting the game 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 into 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 of 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 using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.
Subscribe to Sling and get one free month of DVR and pay as low as $20 a month. Sling is also offering a free month of Premium Pass, which saves you $32 and gives you access to Paramount Plus with Showtime, AMC Plus, MGM Plus and STARZ.
You can also score Paramount Plis with Showtime for only $5 on your first month, which saves you 50%. If you prefer STARZ or AMC Plus only, you can also score these for only $5 your first month and save $4.
There are plenty of other online word games now, but I still play the New York Times Wordle game every day. These days, it’s not only an old friend, it’s also a nice warm-up for Connections, Strands and the rest. Usually, I can get the Wordle answer in five tries, but sometimes I get stuck and worry that I might lose my streak. If you ever find yourself stumped, check CNET. Our home page always has the answers for Wordle, Connections and Strands.
Here’s the Connections answer for today, and here’s the answer for Strands.
Also, we’ve ranked all the letters in the alphabet by popularity if you want to use this list to decide on your best start words.
Today’s Wordle hints
Before we show you today’s Wordle answer, we’ll give you some hints. If you don’t want a spoiler, look away now.
Wordle hint No. 1: Repeats
Today’s Wordle answer has one repeated letter.
Wordle hint No. 2: Vowels
There is one vowel and one “sometimes vowel” in today’s Wordle answer.
Wordle hint No. 3: Start letter
Today’s Wordle answer starts with the letter J.
Wordle hint No. 4: Meaning
Today’s Wordle answer is also the name of a company that produces baking mix, such as corn-muffin mix. It’s also used in the name of an oil-change chain.
Wordle hint No. 5: Second meaning
Today’s Wordle answer can also refer to a very short period of time.
TODAY’S WORDLE ANSWER
Here comes the spoiler: Today’s Wordle answer is JIFFY, as in Jiffy mixes and Jiffy Lube, among other meanings.
Yesterday’s Wordle answer
Yesterday’s Wordle answer, July 11, No. 1118, was CAMEO.
Past Wordle answers
July 7, No. 1114: CANON
July 8, No. 1115: SHAPE
July 9, No. 1116: BLARE
July 10, No. 1117: GAUNT
Everyday Wordle tips
I’ve written a lot about Wordle — from covering its 1,000th word to my list of the best starter words to a helpful two-step strategy to news about controversial word changes. I’ve even rounded up what I learned playing the hit online word puzzle for a full year. So if you’re rethinking your need for the actual answer, you might try tips from one of those stories.
Still need a starter word? One person told me they just look around and choose a five-letter object that they’ve spotted to use as their starter word — such as COUCH or CHAIR. I tend to stick to starter words that have the most popular letters used in English words. I like TRAIN as a starter, though I have a friend who uses TRAIL. I’ve read that people use the financial term ROATE, but I like to use words I actually know.
What is Wordle?
If you read this far, you know how to play. You have six chances to guess a five-letter word, and the game gives you feedback as to whether the letters you’ve guessed are in the puzzle or not, and if they’re in the same spot where you guessed they are. The New York Times bought the game from creator Josh Wardle for seven figures in 2022. Wardle famously created the game for his partner, and let her narrow down the 12,000 five-letter words in the English language to just 2,500, creating the database of answers. It was convenient, too, that he has a name that plays off “word.”
A Times spokesperson told me it lists the very first Wordle as appearing on June 19, 2021, and the paper celebrated the game’s 1,000th word on March 15. Spoiler: That 1,000th word was ERUPT. As in, “Dad will erupt if the Wordle is so tough he loses his streak.”
Finding the best smart speaker can be daunting; there are many things to consider, such as the best-sounding, easiest to set up or the most affordable speakers. Smart speakers are a fun and convenient aspect of having a smart home, whether you’re using these tiny hubs to set timers, make lists or control other aspects of your home, such as lights or other routines.
This guide was put together to help you through the sea of options when it comes to finding the best smart speaker. It’s important to consider the multitude of key smart device features, including the ease of installing multiple speakers as well as sound quality. This guide is backed by CNET’s years of research and testing of voice control devices and smart speakers, starting back when they first hit the scene. Read on to see our favorite smart speakers, and snag some sweet savings with Fourth of July sales. We’ve also put together a list of the best Fourth of July smart home deals to shop right now if you want to add other gadgets to your home setup.
What’s the best smart speaker?
Julie Snyder
Amazon Echo speakers are among the most affordable and easy-to-set-up smart speakers out there. That’s why the fourth-generation Amazon Echo is our pick for the top smart speaker overall. It’s likely to best meet the needs of most households. Although it’s a few years old, the device features improved sound quality over the previous generation is compatible with an assortment of smart devices and goes for the relatively affordable price of $100 (although it can often be found on sale for $80 or less).
The fourth-generation Echo might not be the best pick for your particular home. Almost every smart speaker allows you to control the lights, play music, ask questions, set reminders and much more with simple voice commands. The decision may simply come down to which brand you’re already invested in. If you have an affinity for a particular company’s products, whether you’re devoted to Amazon, Apple or Google, picking a speaker is easy.
For platform-neutral folks (or those looking to switch things up), our top picks aside from the fourth-gen Amazon Echo, are the second-gen Google Nest Mini, the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen), the Apple HomePod Mini and the new Sonos Era 100. Find out why below.
Best smart speakers of 2024
Chris Monroe/CNET
We give the smart home edge in the best smart speaker category to Amazon, thanks to Alexa and the $100, fourth-generation Amazon Echo.
The latest Echo (not to be confused with the fifth-gen Echo Dot or Echo Pop) combines the usual Alexa smarts with a speaker that sounds great and has a built-in Zigbee radio. That’s a nice inclusion that’ll let you connect Zigbee lights, locks, sensors and other devices to your setup without the need for a separate hub device.
The Echo is even useful while you’re away, as Alexa can send alerts if your smart speaker’s microphones detect the sound of glass breaking or a smoke alarm.
What helps the Echo clinch first place is its sound quality: This speaker offers loud, room-filling sound with plenty of clarity and bass control. While there are even better-sounding speakers, such as the Sonos Era 100 and the Echo Studio, neither can beat the price of the Echo.
Read our Amazon Echo (4th gen) review.
If you’re in the market for a budget smart speaker, they don’t come any more feature-packed than the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen). It offers a wealth of capabilities including a temperature sensor, an Eero mesh extender and the ability to tap it like an alarm clock.
The Echo Dot (5th Gen) also sounds better than other speakers at the price, including the Echo Pop and Google’s Nest Mini, with plenty of vocal clarity and decent bass weight. Its microphones are sensitive enough to hear you from across the room, even with another speaker playing.
While Google’s Nest Mini is a little more sophisticated in terms of its responses, the Amazon Echo Dot is better in every other respect and is the best smart speaker for under $50.
James Martin/CNET
Google has done an admirable job of catching up to Amazon in the smart speaker race. At this point, picking between the lowest-price smart speaker devices from the two companies comes down to splitting hairs.
Google Assistant now has almost as many capabilities as Alexa, making the $50 Google Nest Mini a solid alternative to the Amazon Echo Dot if Google Assistant is your preference. Plus, per our tests, Google Assistant is slightly smarter than Alexa.
It responds more flexibly to voice commands if you can’t remember the exact name of your smart home devices, and Google’s grouped commands, called routines, work with more types of smart devices than Amazon’s similar routines.
Google Assistant can recognize multiple voices, so it’ll give you and your spouse different answers if you each ask about your calendars, (although Alexa can do this now, too).
Overall, Google still has the intelligence edge, and the Google Nest Mini is a great, low-cost way to take advantage of those smarts.
Read our Google Nest Mini review.
Apple
Apple’s small, Siri-enabled smart speaker bridges a strange gap between its competitors with a $100 price tag like Google’s Nest Audio and the Amazon Echo, and cheaper speakers that come in small packages like the Nest Mini and Echo Dot.
Features like intercom, audio handoff and stereo pairing make this little smart speaker quite practical. It looks good and sounds great.
When it comes to the smart home, Siri and HomePod Mini are limited to devices that work with Apple’s smart home platform, HomeKit.
Fewer HomeKit-compatible devices are available than are devices that work with Alexa or Google Assistant.
If you like Apple (and if Siri is your smart assistant of choice), or if HomeKit is your preferred smart home platform, you’re going to love Apple’s smart speaker.
For those who already use an iPhone, Apple TV or original HomePod, adding this smart speaker to the collection just makes sense.
Read our Apple HomePod Mini review.
It was going to be a tough job replacing the Sonos One, but the company has managed to not only make the Era 100 sound better but give it a bit more functionality as well.
In addition to Apple AirPlay 2 and Sonos’ own multiroom system, the Era 100 now features Bluetooth, and this brings it in line with the Roam and Move portable speakers.
The Era 100’s only drawback is that the speaker no longer offers a choice between Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. While adding a Nest Mini might seem to defeat the purpose of a speaker like this, it should solve this problem for people who are in the Google ecosystem. The issue is reportedly with a change to Google’s rules, so maybe there’s hope the Assistant can be added in the future.
Either way, the Era 100 sounds great and Alexa fans in particular should love it.
Read our Sonos Era 100 review.
Other smart speaker options
The smart speakers above are our current favorites, but you still have lots of other options if you’re looking for something specific in audio performance. Read our breakdown of Alexa versus Google Assistant versus Siri if you’d like to learn the pros and cons of each and decide on a smart home device based on its platform.
In the past year or so, we have seen several new smart speakers (namely the Apple HomePod, Amazon Echo Pop, the Sonos Era 100 and the Era 300), but most of the models out there have been available for much longer. The Era 100 is the pick of these new speakers, and although the $40 Pop is interesting in its way, the Dot (5th Gen) offers more features for only $10 more.
If you like the idea of ready-to-listen tech but want something more visual, check out our list of the best smart displays. Smart displays essentially combine a smart speaker with a touchscreen so you can watch videos on YouTube, make video calls, scroll through pictures and control your smart home gadgets with a touch. Amazon and Google both have several options worth considering in the category.
Read more: Best Smart Displays for 2024
Figure out what platform or features you’d like, and you should be able to quickly narrow down your options and find the best smart speaker for you and your family.
Smart speaker FAQs
Are there any stereo smart speakers?
Yes; nearly every Amazon Echo smart speaker can stereo pair with another Echo speaker. The list is quite long, so take a look at Amazon’s stereo device compatibility page. You’ll find a list of which speakers can pair with each other for stereo sound.
All of Google’s smart speakers can be stereo-paired, as long as they’re identical models. Google’s Nest Audio speaker is the best bet for stereo pairing, and a two-pack of these speakers often provides a discount off the $99-per-speaker MSRP.
You’ll be able to set up the speakers in your Google Home app and tell Google which speaker is right and which is left. Bass and treble settings are also adjustable from the Home app.
Apple’s HomePod and HomePod Mini can be paired with identical speakers for left and right-channel stereo listening. You can also pair your HomePods with your Apple TV for surround sound theater. The smaller speakers won’t blow you away, but it’s a nice extra feature.
If theater surround sound for your TV is your biggest smart speaker priority, Sonos offers the best audio quality, in our opinion. Two Sonos speakers (of the same model) can be stereo-paired, or you could trade up for its excellent selection of smart soundbars (Beam or Arc).
What is the smartest voice assistant?
Today, the race is extremely close between Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa. Apple’s Siri is on the board but in a solid third place when it comes to reliability, knowledge and comprehension of human requests.
Overall, we give the edge to Google Assistant for its superior cadence, naturalistic tone and ability to understand (and answer) questions and follow-up queries consistently.
It’s close enough that you can safely invest in either Google Assistant or Alexa based on other preferences like speaker style, devices and compatibility with other popular smart home products.
Alexa is nearly as good as Google Assistant, so you really can’t go wrong no matter which assistant you choose. You’ll learn its quirks and how to interact with your assistant to coax the best responses and helpful information.
For fun, here’s our deep dive into each assistant’s “personality.”
Which smart speaker is loudest?
In our testing of Apple, Amazon and Google smart speakers, we think the Amazon Echo Studio offers the most when it comes to sheer volume. The Sonos Era 100 is close behind with powerful sound, and it’s also our current pick for best sound quality. Especially if you’re considering using your speaker in a stereo pair or as a theater system for watching TV.
Which smart speaker is best for free music?
Amazon smart speakers can play music from free or paid subscription tiers on Pandora, Spotify and other popular music streaming platforms. In addition, if you have an Amazon Prime account, you can play music from the vast Prime Music catalog.
Google smart speakers have similar music streaming options, but while Amazon requires a paid Prime subscription for ad-free listening via Prime Music, Google includes a cut-down YouTube Music subscription for free with its smart speakers.
There are plenty of other online word games now, but I still play the New York Times Wordle game every day. These days, it’s not only an old friend, it’s also a nice warm-up for Connections, Strands and the rest. Usually, I can get the Wordle answer in five tries, but sometimes I get stuck and worry that I might lose my streak. If you ever find yourself stumped, check CNET. Our home page always has the answers for Wordle, Connections and Strands..
Here’s the Connections answer for today, and here’s the answer for Strands.
Also, we’ve ranked all the letters in the alphabet by popularity if you want to use this list to decide on your best start words.
Today’s Wordle hints
Before we show you today’s Wordle answer, we’ll give you some hints. If you don’t want a spoiler, look away now.
Wordle hint No. 1: Repeats
Today’s Wordle answer has no repeated letters.
Wordle hint No. 2: Vowels
There are three vowels in today’s Wordle answer.
Wordle hint No. 3: Start letter
Today’s Wordle answer starts with the letter C.
Wordle hint No. 4: Meaning
The answer can reference a small part in a play or movie, played by a celebrity
Wordle hint No. 5: Second meaning
Today’s Wordle answer can also refer to a piece of jewelry that shows a portrait in profile.
TODAY’S WORDLE ANSWER
Here comes the spoiler: Today’s Wordle answer is CAMEO. Alfred Hitchcock was famous for making them in the movies he directed.
Yesterday’s Wordle answer
Yesterday’s Wordle answer, July 10, No. 1117, was GAUNT
Past Wordle answers
July 6, No. 1113: SCOFF
July 7, No. 1114: CANON
July 8, No. 1115: SHAPE
July 9, No. 1116: BLARE
Everyday Wordle tips
I’ve written a lot about Wordle — from covering its 1,000th word to my list of the best starter words to a helpful two-step strategy to news about controversial word changes. I’ve even rounded up what I learned playing the hit online word puzzle for a full year. So if you’re rethinking your need for the actual answer, you might try tips from one of those stories.
Still need a starter word? One person told me they just look around and choose a five-letter object that they’ve spotted to use as their starter word — such as COUCH or CHAIR. I tend to stick to starter words that have the most popular letters used in English words. I like TRAIN as a starter, though I have a friend who uses TRAIL. I’ve read that people use the financial term ROATE, but I like to use words I actually know.
What is Wordle?
If you read this far, you know how to play. You have six chances to guess a five-letter word, and the game gives you feedback as to whether the letters you’ve guessed are in the puzzle or not, and if they’re in the same spot where you guessed they are. The New York Times bought the game from creator Josh Wardle for seven figures in 2022. Wardle famously created the game for his partner, and let her narrow down the 12,000 five-letter words in the English language to just 2,500, creating the database of answers. It was convenient, too, that he has a name that plays off “word.”
A Times spokesperson told me it lists the very first Wordle as appearing on June 19, 2021, and the paper celebrated the game’s 1,000th word on March 15. Spoiler: That 1,000th word was ERUPT. As in, “Dad will erupt if the Wordle is so tough he loses his streak.”
Save up to $1,100 (free storage upgrade + trade-in savings)
The first of Samsung’s Z Flip lineup launched in 2020, but the latest Unpacked event just unveiled the latest iterations of these nifty foldables. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is still one of our favorite models right now, and we anticipate price cuts as the new flagship rolls out. But if you want first dibs on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, you can preorder yours now.
More from Samsung Unpacked
There are plenty of reasons to consider an upgrade. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 has a fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, along with a 6.7-inch AMOLED main screen and a 3.4-inch AMOLED cover screen. And for photos and videos, the Z Flip 6 has a 10-megapixel front camera and a rear dual camera setup with a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera. The phones come with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage.
This story is part of Samsung Event, CNET’s collection of news, tips and advice around Samsung’s most popular products.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
According to Samsung, with wired charging you should be able to get the 4,000mAh battery up to a 50% charge in about half an hour. And it comes equipped with the latest version of the company’s software, known as One UI 6.
Read more: Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked Live Blog: Galaxy Ring, Z Flip 6, Z Fold 6 Reveals
Samsung/CNET
What colors does the Galaxy Z Flip 6 come in?
You can select from a number of colors, however some options are only available directly from Samsung. Variants you can find at multiple retailers include Silver Shadow, Yellow, Blue and Mint. Crafted Black, White and Peach are Samsung exclusives.
How much does the Galaxy Z Flip 6 cost?
The starting prices for the Galaxy Z Flip 6 in the US, before any trade-ins or discounts, are as follows:
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 (256GB): $1,100
Samsung Galaxy Z Fiip 6 (512GB): $1,220
Read more: Considering a Foldable Phone? How to Decide If One Is Right for You
Best Galaxy Z Flip 6 deals
If you preorder your Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 from directly from Samsung, you can get a free storage upgrade. That means you’ll pay just $1,100 for the 512GB model. And if you have an eligible phone to trade in you can get up to $650 in trade-in value, which brings the price of that same model to as low as $450.
Additionally, you can save 25% off a pair of Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, the Galaxy Watch Ultra or the Galaxy Watch 7 with your purchase of the Z Flip 6.
Like at Samsung, Amazon is doubling the storage for free, meaning you can preorder the 512GB Galaxy Z Flip 6 for just $1,100. Plus, Amazon is sweetening the deal with a bonus $200 gift card thrown in with your purchase, essentially netting you a savings value of $320.
If you’re also wanting to grab the Galaxy Buds 3, there is a bundle with all three items available for $1,350.
Best Buy is also matching Samsung’s preorder deal, doubling the storage for free. You’ll also receive a $200 Best Buy gift card with your purchase and a one-month Xbox Game Pass membership.
And if you trade in an eligible phone you can receive up to $750 in trade-in credit.
AT&T is doubling the storage on your Z Flip 6 when you preorder. Plus, the carrier is offering up to $1,1000 off with an eligible trade-in, which nets you this phone for free.
You need to pick or upgrade to an unlimited plan. As for the trade-in offer, the requirements are pretty generous. You can trade in any Galaxy S, Note or Z Series smartphone from any year, in any condition or an eligible smartphone with trade-in value of $35 or higher. Just note that the savings will be paid out over 36 months via monthly credit installments.
T-Mobile is also getting in on the free storage upgrade. You can preorder your Z Flip 6 at T-Mobile and get $1,100 back via 24 monthly bill credits when you add a new line on a Go5G Plus or Go5G Next plan. Already a T-Mobile customer? You can also score these same savings if you trade in an eligible device on those same two plans. That gets you this phone for free.
Eligible devices include Samsung Galaxy S9 and newer, Note 9 and newer and any of the Z series lineup, as well as Apple iPhone 11 and newer, One Plus 9 Pro 5G and newer, Google Pixel 6 and newer and Motorola Razr Plus 2023. Some older models may be eligible to receive up to $550 off.
If you’re not on those plans, there are also trade in deals available that can get you up to $500 off.
Need the answers for the New York Times Connections puzzle? To me, Wordle is more of a vocabulary test, but Connections is more of a brainteaser. You’re given 16 words and asked to put them into four groups that are somehow connected. Sometimes they’re obvious, but game editor Wyna Liu knows how to trick you by using words that can fit into more than one group.
And do you also play Wordle? We’ve got today’s Wordle answer and hints too.
We’ve also got today’s answer and some general tips for Strands, a new game from the Times that’s just moved out of beta and into the NYT’s Games app.
Read more: NYT Connections Could Be the New Wordle: Our Hints and Tips
Hints for today’s Connections groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Might happen.
Green group hint: Don’t be fresh.
Blue group hint: Finned critters.
Purple group hint: Spectacle sections.
Answers for today’s Connections groups
Yellow group: Future likelihood.
Green group: Back talk.
Blue group: Fish.
Purple group: Components of eyeglasses.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is future likelihood. The four answers are chance, forecast, outlook and prospect.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is back talk. The four answers are attitude, cheek, lip and sass.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is fish. The four answers are bass, fluke, perch and pike.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is components of eyeglasses. The four answers are bridge, lens, rim and temple.
How to play Connections
Playing is easy. Winning is hard. Look at the 16 words and mentally assign them to related groups of four. Click on the four words you think go together. The groups are coded by color, though you don’t know what goes where until you see the answers. The yellow group is the easiest, then green, then blue, and purple is the toughest. Look at the words carefully, and think about related terms. Sometimes the connection has to do with just a part of the word. Once, four words were grouped because each started with the name of a rock band, including “Rushmore” and “Journeyman.”
Today’s average mortgage rates on Jul. 09, 2024, compared with one week ago. We use rate data collected by Bankrate as reported by lenders across the US.
Mortgage rates constantly change, but there’s a good chance they’ll fall this year. To get the lowest rate, shop around and compare offers from different lenders. Enter your information below to get a custom quote from one of CNET’s partner lenders.
About these rates: Like CNET, Bankrate is owned by Red Ventures. This tool features partner rates from lenders that you can use when comparing multiple mortgage rates.
Current refinance rate trends
When mortgage rates hit historic lows during the pandemic, there was a refinancing boom, as homeowners were able to nab lower interest rates. But with current average mortgage rates around 7%, getting a new home loan isn’t as financially viable.
Early in the year, hopes were high for a summer rate cut from the Fed. But over the past few months, inflation has remained high and the labor market strong, making it clear to investors that the Fed will take longer than expected to lower rates.
Higher mortgage rates make refinancing less attractive to homeowners, making them more likely to hold onto their existing mortgages.
Where refinance rates are headed in 2024
“The odds are good that rates will end 2024 lower than they are now,” said Keith Gumbinger, vice president of mortgage site, HSH.com. But predicting exactly where mortgage rates will end up is difficult because it hinges on economic data we don’t yet have.
If inflation continues to improve and the Fed is able to cut rates, mortgage refinance rates could end the year between 6% and 6.5%.
But data showing higher inflation could cause investors to reconsider the likelihood of Fed rate cuts and send mortgage rates higher, according to Orphe Divounguy, senior economist at Zillow Home Loans.
If you’re considering a refinance, remember that you can’t time the economy: Interest rates fluctuate on an hourly, daily and weekly basis, and are influenced by an array of factors. Your best move is to keep an eye on day-to-day rate changes and have a game plan on how to capitalize on a big enough percentage drop, said Matt Graham of Mortgage News Daily.
What does it mean to refinance?
When you refinance your mortgage, you take out another home loan that pays off your initial mortgage. With a traditional refinance, your new home loan will have a different term and/or interest rate. With a cash-out refinance, you’ll tap into your equity with a new loan that’s bigger than your existing mortgage balance, allowing you to pocket the difference in cash.
Refinancing can be a great financial move if you score a low rate or can pay off your home loan in less time, but consider whether it’s the right choice for you. Reducing your interest rate by 1% or more is an incentive to refinance, allowing you to cut your monthly payment significantly.
How to choose the right refinance type and term
The rates advertised online often require specific conditions for eligibility. Your personal interest rate will be influenced by market conditions as well as your specific credit history, financial profile and application. Having a high credit score, a low credit utilization ratio and a history of consistent and on-time payments will generally help you get the best interest rates.
30-year fixed-rate refinance
The average 30-year fixed refinance rate right now is 7.03%, a decrease of 2 basis points over this time last week. (A basis point is equivalent to 0.01%.) A 30-year fixed refinance will typically have lower monthly payments than a 15-year or 10-year refinance, but it will take you longer to pay off and typically cost you more in interest over the long term.
15-year fixed-rate refinance
The current average interest rate for 15-year refinances is 6.59%, a decrease of 7 basis points from what we saw the previous week. Though a 15-year fixed refinance will most likely raise your monthly payment compared to a 30-year loan, you’ll save more money over time because you’re paying off your loan quicker. Also, 15-year refinance rates are typically lower than 30-year refinance rates, which will help you save more in the long run.
10-year fixed-rate refinance
The current average interest rate for a 10-year refinance is 6.43%, a decrease of 25 basis points over last week. A 10-year refinance typically has the lowest interest rate but the highest monthly payment of all refinance terms. A 10-year refinance can help you pay off your house much quicker and save on interest, but make sure you can afford the steeper monthly payment.
To get the best refinance rates, make your application as strong as possible by getting your finances in order, using credit responsibly and monitoring your credit regularly. And don’t forget to speak with multiple lenders and shop around.
When to consider a mortgage refinance
Homeowners usually refinance to save money, but there are other reasons to do so. Here are the most common reasons homeowners refinance:
To get a lower interest rate: If you can secure a rate that’s at least 1% lower than the one on your current mortgage, it could make sense to refinance.
To switch the type of mortgage: If you have an adjustable-rate mortgage and want greater security, you could refinance to a fixed-rate mortgage.
To eliminate mortgage insurance: If you have an FHA loan that requires mortgage insurance, you can refinance to a conventional loan once you have 20% equity.
To change the length of a loan term: Refinancing to a longer loan term could lower your monthly payment. Refinancing to a shorter term will save you interest in the long run.
To tap into your equity through a cash-out refinance: If you replace your mortgage with a larger loan, you can receive the difference in cash to cover a large expense.
To take someone off the mortgage: In case of divorce, you can apply for a new home loan in just your name and use the funds to pay off your existing mortgage.
Did you make a recent Amazon purchase that didn’t quite meet expectations? If you want to return it, you might be surprised to learn that the online retailer now charges a $1 fee for returning some packages to UPS. Luckily, Amazon still offers plenty of ways to return items for free.
For the most part, the process is super simple. All you need to do is grab the Amazon products you want to send back, then head to the nearest drop-off location. Don’t fret if you don’t have the box your items came in: You can still bring your items to one of these locations to be packed up and shipped for free.
If you have all the shipping supplies you need but want the convenience of having your package picked up, you can do that, too. Here are all the ways you can return your unwanted Amazon purchases. For more, here are four ways to ship your packages from home.
Read more: Amazon Revamped Two of Its Best Credit Cards
Return your package to Kohl’s or Staples
If you live near a Kohl’s or Staples store, Amazon returns are simple. When you start the return process with Amazon, select Kohl’s Dropoff or Staples Dropoff as your preferred option. Amazon will send you a QR code that you’ll need to bring when you head to the store (you can also show a picture of the QR code on your phone).
Once you give the Kohl’s or Staples employee your return and show them the QR code, they’ll pack, label and ship your items for free. Even better? Sometimes the store will give you coupons when you make your returns there.
Whole Foods Market also accepts Amazon returns
You can also select Whole Foods Market as the drop-off location for your Amazon return. Note that if your preferred store isn’t listed, your item or location may not be eligible. Also, only select stores offer no-box returns.
Once you’ve made your selection, Amazon will email you a QR code for a Whole Foods employee to scan. Grab that and the items you need to return, and head to either the Whole Foods customer service desk or return kiosk. An employee will take it from there and send off your package.
Head to a Whole Foods Market to drop off your Amazon package.
Jessica Dolcourt/CNET
Drop your items at The UPS Store
You can also take your returns to The UPS Store. When selecting the method for returning your Amazon purchase, choose The UPS Store Dropoff. You don’t need to have your items boxed or labeled. Instead, The UPS Store will pack, label and ship your return for free. UPS will email you a return shipping code ahead of time that you’ll need to show to an employee. Just note that Amazon may charge a $1 fee if you choose UPS but another drop-off location is closer.
Have UPS pick up your package
If your items are eligible for UPS pickup, you won’t even have to leave your house. When you start the return process on Amazon, follow the return prompts and select UPS Pick-up.
In this case, you’ll need to package the items you’re returning. However, UPS will provide the return label. UPS will pick up your package on the next business day, but you or another adult must be present. Note that Amazon may charge you for this return option.
An adult needs to be present when UPS picks up your package.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Head to a physical Amazon store
If you live near an Amazon store — Amazon Fresh or Amazon Go — you can drop off your return there. (Note that with Amazon closing some of its physical stores, finding a location may be more challenging.) On Amazon, select Amazon Store Dropoff. If the item can’t be returned to an Amazon store, you’ll get other return options.
Amazon will send you a QR code to show to an employee at the Amazon store. You’ll need to bring the items in their original manufacturer’s packaging. And if you return items to Amazon Fresh Pickup or an Amazon Hub Locker location, you’ll need to bring them in a box or box them up using the materials provided.
What about DoorDash?
DoorDash is testing a feature that will let you request a Dasher who can pick up your items and drop them off at a UPS, FedEx or USPS location. However, your items must already be packaged and sealed with the prepaid return label attached. The packages must be under 30 pounds each and worth less than $500. The company hasn’t said when this option will be widely available; right now, it’s only available in select areas.
With the Summer Olympics set to start in Paris, France on July 26, 2024, many soon-to-be visitors are scrambling to piece together last-minute travel plans.
If you’re heading to Paris this summer, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, comes with on-site perks that can elevate your trip to the next level.
You can enjoy lounging along the Seine River, meeting former Olympic stars and get access to some of the most coveted dining spots in Paris.
If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you’re already eligible for these benefits. If you don’t, there’s still time to apply for the card in time for the Summer Olympics.
Some of the Paris Olympics perks you get with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® are offered free of charge, whereas others get your foot in the door at exclusive restaurants and spaces.
Lounge access
Traveling to the Olympics is a once-in-a-lifetime event for many, and this Chase perk alone could make your experience even more unforgettable. Reserve cardholders will have access to a dedicated Visa Lounge at the Paris Olympics. This lounge will reportedly be located along the Seine River and will offer meet and greets with Olympic legends.
The lounge will also offer dining options, snacks, drinks and more, similar to the offerings available at Chase Sapphire airport lounges. You don’t need to make reservations for the lounge, but you will need your card to enter. Visa Lounge hours for Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders will be July 27 to Aug. 11, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time. You’ll also be allowed to bring one guest.
Exclusive dining reservations
You can also use your Chase Sapphire Reserve® to lock in lunch or dinner reservations at one of the most iconic restaurants in Paris, complete with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
Located near the Parvis des Droits de l’Homme in Paris, the Chase Sapphire pop-up dining venue will feature an a la carte menu created by New York Chef Ignacio Mattos and Chef Charles Ducrocq.
Reserve cardholders can visit Chase Dining or log in here to make lunch or dinner reservations at the venue, which will be open to guests from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for lunch and 7 p.m. to midnight for dinner on select dates.
There’s also an exclusive Olympics kickoff event for cardholders, but as of this writing, it’s already sold out.
Should you get the Chase Sapphire Reserve® for your Olympics trip to Paris?
While the Olympics perks are appealing, it’s important to think beyond one-time benefits. But as one of the most popular travel credit cards on the market, it’s hard to go wrong with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
You can earn 60,000 bonus points worth $900 in travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠ after you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months of opening your account.
Beyond that, this card earns one of the most competitive rates on travel, airfare and dining purchases. You’ll earn 10x points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel℠, 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel and on Lyft rides (through March 2025), 3x points on dining worldwide and travel and 1x points on all other purchases.
If you travel frequently, this top-tier travel card’s additional perks might catch your eye. You’ll get:
A $300 annual travel credit
Priority Pass airport lounge membership
A credit toward Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck membership
50% more value for your rewards when you book travel through Chase Travel℠
The Sapphire Reserve also boasts the broadest selection of travel insurance protections of any travel credit card, including trip cancellation and interruption coverage, emergency evacuation coverage, lost luggage reimbursement, insurance for delayed baggage and more. As we’d expect from a card at this price point, it also has no foreign transaction fees, which is standard across the best travel credit cards.
When you add up the first-year benefits alone, this card more than justifies its $550 annual fee. With up to $900 in travel from the welcome bonus, Priority Pass Select membership (worth $469) and the annual $300 travel credit, you’re at $1,669 worth of value.
But you can get even more value for your rewards when you transfer them to Chase airline and hotel partners. Chase partners with 14 different airline and hotel loyalty programs, including Southwest Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt. All partners let you transfer rewards at a 1:1 ratio.
How to get the most from the Reserve card
If you’re considering the Sapphire Reserve to access new summer Olympics perks in Paris this year, here are a few tips to help you maximize the card’s value.
Use the annual travel credit. The good news about the $300 annual travel credit on the Sapphire Reserve is that it’s applied automatically. So as you make eligible travel purchases with your card, the statement credit will be automatically deducted from your account balance over time. The card’s annual travel credit also applies to nearly any type of travel purchase you make, including hotels, airfare, car rentals and cruises.
Take advantage of airport lounges. Whether you’re flying to the Paris Olympics, or you’re looking for more luxury on other trips, activate and use the Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership. This membership gets you entry into more than 1,500 airport lounges around the world, where you can enjoy free Wi-Fi, find a relaxing place to sit and take advantage of free drinks and food.
Use your card for regular purchases to earn more rewards. Use this card for dining and travel purchases, especially ones you can make through Chase. Unless you have another card that earns better rewards in other categories, you can use it for all purchases to boost your travel rewards balance.
Pay your credit card balance in full each month. Finally, remember that rewards are never worth it if you’re paying credit card interest. Pay your full statement balance on the card every month and you’ll never have to.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.
Strands doesn’t get as much attention as its New York Times game siblings Wordle and Connections, but it can be just as challenging and entertaining. Strands just moved out of beta, so it’s now in the New York Times’ official Games app, which might bring it more fans. I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.
If you’re reading this, you probably need some help with the Strands puzzle, so here we go. Warning: Scroll down too far and too fast and you’ll see spoilers.
Need more answers? Here’s the answer for today’s Wordle, and here are the answers for today’s Connections.
Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far
Hint for today’s Strands puzzle
Today’s Strands theme is: Rise and shine.
But if that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Up and at ’em.
Clue words to unlock in-game hints
Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints, but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:
These are the answers that tie in to the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you’ve got all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:
SNOOZE, WAKE, SHOWER, DRESS, BREAKFAST, WORK.
Today’s Strands spangram
Today’s Strands spangram is MORNING ROUTINE. To spell it out, start with the M that’s three letters in on the top row, and wind your way down.
Set your alarm.
Screenshot by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper/CNET
How to play NYT Strands
1. Use today’s theme to look for words relating to that topic. See one? Drag or click the letters in order. Click on the last letter twice to submit your guess. If you’ve found a theme word, it’ll light up in blue and stay that way.
2. Other words you find are considered hint words that give you clues to the theme words. Find three hint words (they must have at least four letters each), and the game will reward you by showing you a theme word. But if you can’t unscramble it, find three more hint words and the game will highlight the theme word’s letters in order.
3. Hunt for the spangram, a special theme word that spans the entire puzzle, though it could flow across, or top to bottom. It summarizes the puzzle theme.
4. When you’re done, you’ll have used every letter on the board in either a theme word or spangram. Theme words fill the entire board and do not overlap.
If you’re looking for a new mattress to help keep the hot summer night scaries away, try sleeping cooler with Purple. Our CNET sleep experts have been testing, reviewing and recommending Purple mattresses for quite some time. Senior producer and sleep writer Owen Poole even slept on one for five years.
When you think of a bed-in-the-box brand, Purple likely comes to mind. OG fans may even recall the iconic 2018 Purple Boys ad for Ideal Sleep Solutions and Zonk Strategies, a quirky YouTube video commercial we occasionally reference to this day.
Not only does Purple implement unique marketing strategies, but it also has something no other bedmaker on the market does: a patented hyper-elastic polymer GelFlex Grid. This gel-like material is cushioning yet supportive, cradling your pressure points while keeping your spine and neck aligned.
A closer look at the hyper-elastic polymer grid that gives the Purple its distinctly squishy feel.
My Slumber Yard
This GelFlex Grid doesn’t trap body heat like foam and other materials commonly used in mattresses. Although we wouldn’t consider it overtly actively cooling, its air channels make the bed more breathable and keep you temperature-regulated throughout the night.
Learn more: I’ve Tested Every Purple Mattress. Here Are My Thoughts
From Cooling Sleep Masks to Pillows to Sunrise Alarm Clocks: All of CNET’s Favorite Sleep Essentials
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Purple’s July 4th deals
Purple offers three mattress collections: Essential, Restore Hybrid and Rejuvenate Luxe. This Fourth of July, the brand is offering up to $800 off a mattress and base, depending on the bed you buy. The more expensive the mattress, the bigger the discount. It’s also offering 10% off pillows, sheets and bedding.
Essential Collection: Up to $400 off mattresses
You can take $100 off the flagship Purple Mattress in its Essential Collection, bringing the price for a queen down to $1,399. You’ll also save $200 if it’s paired with Purple’s Premium Smart Base, a customizable bedframe that costs $1,095 this Independence Day.
Restore Hybrid Collection: Up to $400 off mattresses
The next collection includes the Restore Hybrid mattresses, which frequently appear on our best lists. Right now, you can get a queen-size Purple Restore Hybrid Mattress for $300 off, bringing the price down to $2,099. This bed comes in two firmness options: soft for side and combination sleepers and firm for back and stomach sleepers.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
Rejuvenate Luxe Collection: Up to $500 mattresses
You can save $500 on any mattress in the Rejuvenate Luxe Collection, Purple’s highest-tiered beds. That brings the price of a luxurious queen-size Purple Rejuvenate from $5,495 down to $4,995. If you’re looking to invest in Purple’s most expensive and premium mattress, the Purple Rejuvenate Premier, you can save up to $800 when paired with a smart base. That brings the bundle total down from $9,390 to $8,590.
You can order Purple’s GelFlex Grid sample if you aren’t sure about the feel of it.
Purple
Due to the cooling quilted comfort cover and dual foam layers above the GelFlex Grid in the Rejuvenate Luxe mattresses, the squishy feel of the Purple Grid isn’t as noticeable compared with the mattresses in the other two collections, which could be a good or bad thing depending on your personal preferences. If you’re unsure about the Purple Grid, you can order a small sample of The Purple Squishy for $3 to get a feel for it.
Purple mattress sale pricing
Mattress
MSRP (queen)
Sale price (queen)
PurpleFlex
$1,299
$999
Purple Original
$1,499
$1,399
Purple Plus
$1,899
$1,599
Purple Restore Hybrid
$2,399
$2,099
Restore Plus Hybrid
$2,999
$2,699
Restore Premier Hybrid
$3,699
$3,299
Purple Rejuvenate
$5,495
$4,995
Rejuvenate Plus
$6,495
$5,995
Rejuvenate Premier
$7,495
$6,995
Looking for more sales this Independence Day? Check out the Best Fourth of July Mattress Deals
We put together some performance charts to make it easier to see exactly how each unit held up to our testing. In the graphic below, you’ll see different charts for larger and smaller units.
The Keystone unit came in first for the larger units, maintaining a set point of 68 F for 54.3% of its run time, followed by the Toshiba unit with 35.1% and finally Frigidaire unit with 26.5%.
The GE Profile AHTT08BC dominated this test, coming in first among the smaller units with an impressive 94.7%, while the other GE unit maintained 68 degrees F for 32.5% of its run time. We aren’t directly comparing the performance of the larger and smaller units, but it’s worth noting that the AHTT08BC came in first overall, blowing away all of the other units with its ability to maintain a set temperature of 68 F.
In the second test — how well each unit maintained its lowest temperature — the results were much closer together. Among the larger units, the Frigidaire came in first with 58.9%, followed by the Keystone with 54.3% and the Toshiba with 43.7%.
The GE Profile AHTT08BC maintained its lowest temperature 61.6% of the time, while the GE AHEC05AC maintained its lowest temperature 53.6% of its runtime.
For the next set of charts, we looked at each unit’s temperature changes over time.
Among the larger units, the Frigidaire, Toshiba and Keystone units followed very similar patterns as they worked toward the 68-degree set temperature.
The chart of the smaller units is more interesting, showing the GE Profile AHTT08BC getting cooler much more quickly than the AHEC05AC. The AHTT08BC got cooler faster, but it had more dramatic temperature changes. The AHEC05AC cooled more slowly but showed less overall variation.
Our expert deal-hunting staff showcases the best price drops and discounts from reputable sellers daily. If you make a purchase using our links, CNET may earn a commission.
It’s well understood that sleep is crucial to overall health. Now that the big Fourth of July sales have arrived, it’s the perfect time to upgrade your mattress. Tons of deals from the likes of DreamCloud, Nectar, Purple and many more are receiving huge discounts that shouldn’t be missed.
Our sleep experts at CNET have spent years testing and reviewing mattresses, so we know a solid deal when we see one. We’ve rounded up 25 sizzling mattress deals that will save you a boatload of money and get you better sleep. Many brands are also throwing in free bedding and bundles such as pillows, sheets, bases and foundations when you buy a new mattress.
From Cooling Sleep Masks to Pillows to Sunrise Alarm Clocks: All of CNET’s Favorite Sleep Essentials
See all photos
July 4th mattress deals from top brands
CNET’s sleep experts are here to help you get the best rest possible, and that starts with choosing the right mattress. Here are the best deals on new beds and bedding you can get this Fourth of July.
Jon Gomez/CNET
Offering up to 50% off on mattresses, DreamCloud’s Fourth of July sale deserves 50 stars. You can snag a queen-size DreamCloud Hybrid for $665. Low prices like these are rarely seen for premium and comfortable beds like these. Elevate your sleep at half the price with a 13-inch DreamCloud Premier Hybrid for $949 or the 14-inch DreamCloud Premier Rest Hybrid for $1,299.
Typically costing over $4,000, DreamCloud’s bestselling bundle with an adjustable bed frame is available for $1,414. Read more in our DreamCloud mattress review.
Jon Gomez/CNET
Save a whopping 40% on a new mattress and 50% on bundles at Nectar — one of the best deals happening this Independence Day. That means you can get Nectar’s queen-size flagship mattress for $649 and its hybrid model for $799.
If you love the cradling feel of dense memory foam, a new mattress from Nectar could be right for you. Be sure to check out Nectar’s bundles, which include a mattress, adjustable bed frame and six-piece bedding set for half off. Learn more about these beds in our Nectar mattress review.
Jonathan Gomez/CNET
Lull crafts premium memory foam mattresses with an accommodating firmness profile and a mixed or neutral foam feel that most people enjoy. This Fourth of July, Lull is offering up to 50% off its mattresses, though offers may vary from one model to another. Some of the best deals you can get include a queen-size Original Lull for $659 (usually $1,119) or the Luxe Hybrid for $1,259 (usually $2,299).
Lull also offers some of the best policies in the mattress game, such as free shipping, a 365-night trial period and a lifetime warranty. Learn more about the Lull Original Premium mattress.
Jonathan Gomez/CNET
Casper, one of the original bed-in-a-box companies, is offering up to 35% off on all new mattresses. Typically priced at $1,245 for Casper’s premium foam mattress, you can snag The One for $870. If you’re a hot or heavy sleeper, consider Casper’s Snow Max, its cooling hybrid mattress, currently on sale for $2,430.
Casper bundles are 35% off, and its pillows are 10% off, while bedding is up to 75% off. Learn more about The One in our Casper mattress review.
Jon Gomez/CNET
Nolah offers a lineup of accommodating beds with various constructions, firmness and height options. Right now, you can get the Nolah Original 10-inch mattress for $942, the Natural 11-inch for $1,364, the Signature 12-inch for $1,169 and the Evolution 15-inch for $1,624. For heavier individuals and couples, consider Nolah’s Evolution Comfort Plus for enhanced support and durability.
You’ll also receive two complimentary Nolah Fluffy Pillows with select mattress purchases. Read more in our Nolah mattress review.
Jon Gomez/CNET
Leesa makes comfortable and accommodating hybrid and memory foam beds for all sleeping positions and body types. Right now, you can save hundreds and get a queen-size Leesa Original mattress for $929. The popular Sapira Hybrid, which typically retails for $1,999, is now $1,399. If you sleep hot, cool down with one of Leesa’s cooling mattresses, such as the Studio Chill, for $839.
With the purchase of a new Leesa mattress, you’ll also receive a free sleep bundle with two pillows and a microfiber sheet set.
Jonathan Gomez/CNET
Sonu Sleep is changing the game with its unusual design for side sleepers, which features a cut-out “comfort channel” for your shoulders and arms. Whether you want to relieve shoulder pain or comfortably cuddle with your partner, this unique bed allows for that. It also comes in various firmness options, from plush to firm.
With the code FREEPILLOWS, you can take home a Sonu mattress for $700 less than its usual price, bringing the cost of a queen down from $3,499 to $2,799. You’ll also receive free pillowcases and sheets with your purchase. Learn more about the Sonu Sleep System in our full review.
Jon Gomez/CNET
Big Fig mattresses are specifically designed for bigger bodies. The heavy-duty foam layers and individually wrapped coil system support up to 1,100 pounds without sagging. This Independence Day, Big Fig is taking $500 off its mattresses, meaning a queen is now $1,399 rather than the normal retail price of $1,899.
Built to last, the Big Fig hybrid mattress should support you for up to 20 years. Learn more in our Big Fig mattress review.
My Slumber Yard
Bear is offering 40% off mattresses with the code 4DJULY, which you can apply at checkout. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly quality bed, check out the Bear Original. It’s one of the most affordable queen mattresses available online this Fourth of July. For a more luxurious option, check out Bear’s Elite Hybrid, offered at lower price rather than $2,305.
With your mattress purchase, you’ll also receive a free $320 Bear Sleep Bundle with two pillows, a sheet set and a mattress protector. Read more in our Bear Original mattress review.
Jon Gomez/CNET
Thanks to its high-quality beds at affordable prices, Brooklyn Bedding’s mattresses regularly top our best lists at CNET. From now until July Fourth, Brooklyn Bedding is running a 30% off sitewide sale, meaning the Signature Hybrid mattress is $932. For all you hot sleepers, check out the $1,585 Aurora Luxe, a premium bed with advanced cooling technology.
Brooklyn Bedding’s mattresses also come in various firmness options. We recommend taking its mattress quiz to find the perfect fit for your sleeping preferences, then use the promo code JULY30 for 30% off your purchase.
Stearns & Foster
This Fourth of July, Stearns & Foster is offering up to $400 off select mattresses, such as the Lux Estate, Reserve and Lux Hybrid. With a medium firmness profile and multiple pillow top softness options, the Lux Estate is a quality and accommodating mattress that you can now take home for $2,599 rather than $2,999.
Learn about Stearns & Foster’s mattress lineup in our full review.
Jon Gomez/CNET
Saatva’s early Fourth of July sale will save you up to $600 on mattresses, depending on the bed you buy (the more you spend, the bigger the discount). Typically retailing for $2,095, you can save $300 and bring home a queen-size luxury innerspring Saatva Classic for $1,795 — plus, get an extra $100 off an adjustable base or foundation.
Saatva crafts some of the highest-end luxury mattresses on the market, which means they’re pricier. If you’ve been eyeing a new Saatva mattress, we recommend taking advantage of this sale. Learn more about the Saatva Classic.
Jon Gomez/CNET
Helix is another high-quality, affordable mattress brand frequently appearing on our best lists. Helix offers three different mattress collections: Core, Luxe and Elite. Right now, you can get 25% off sitewide and 30% off beds in its Luxe and Elite collections. With a nice variety of feels and firmness levels, there’s a Helix bed for all sleepers — and a mattress quiz to help you compare and find the right one.
The Helix Sunset is now $999 instead of $1,332. The Helix Plus is an excellent option for heavier people, currently selling for $1,124. Use the code JULY30 at checkout for 30% off and get two free Dream Pillows. Learn more about the Helix Plus mattress in our full review.
My Slumber Yard
Birch by Helix is a popular eco-friendly brand that uses natural and certified organic materials in its mattresses. Using code JULY25, you can save 25% and get a queen Birch Natural for $1,405 instead of $1,874 — one of the best deals we’ve seen for this bed. For a more premium and luxurious option, check out the Birch Luxe Natural mattress on sale for $1,968.
You can also save a few hundred bucks on the Birch Kids Natural, a flippable mattress available in twin and full sizes. With your purchase at Birch, you’ll receive two free Eco-Rest pillows.
Titan offers what heavier sleepers need: a durable and supportive mattress. Using the code JULY30, you can get 30% off and snag a firm queen-size Titan Plus for $874 or the medium to medium-firm Titan Plus Luxe for $1,119.
With contouring steel coils and high-quality foam, these long-lasting beds have impressive edge support and minimal motion transfer. Titan’s adjustable powerbases and frames are also on sale. Learn more about the Titan Plus. Sale ends on July Fourth.
Dillon Lopez/CNET
Looking for a firm bed? Consider Plank. Plank offers firm mattresses that the American Chiropractic Association endorses for alleviating back pain and are ideal for back and stomach sleepers. Taking 30% off during its Fourth of July sale, a queen-size Plank Firm is $932 and the Plank Firm Luxe is $1,072. Use code JULY30 before the sale ends on July 4. Read our full Plank Firm mattress review.
Jonathan Gomez/CNET
Using code JULY30, you can save 30% on a new mattress from Dreamfoam, a brand that already offers budget-friendly beds. The Dreamfoam Doze is the most affordable online bed-in-a-box we’ve ever tested, and right now, it’s $168 for a queen. Rather than $799, the Dreamfoam Hybrid is $559.
You can also save 30% on bedding accessories such as pillows, sheets, blankets, foundations and bases. Learn more about the Dreamfoam Doze.
Jonathan Gomez/CNET
If you’re a hot sleeper looking for a mattress to help beat the heat this summer, check out Purple. Purple uses a one-of-a-kind GelFlex Grid that keeps its mattresses cool (and more expensive).
This Fourth of July, Purple is offering up to $800 off a mattress and base, depending on your spending. You can save $100 on the Purple mattress and $200 if you pair it with the adjustable base. For the higher-tier beds, such as the Purple Rejuvenate, you can save $500 and get a queen-size for $4,995. Learn more about these beds in our Purple mattress review.
Tuft & Needle
This Fourth of July, Tuft & Needle’s mattresses are 20% off, and select bedding and accessories are 15% off with code MATTRESS15. The medium-firm Essential T&N Original mattress is $716 instead of $895 for a queen. The T&N Mint Hybrid, which has a soft, neutral foam feel, is now $1,596 rather than $1,995.
My Slumber Yard
A little birdie told us that Nest Bedding is offering up to 50% off its eco-friendly and organic mattresses and bedding, such as sheets and duvet sets. You can save a couple hundred bucks on its most popular pillow-top bed, the Sparrow Signature Hybrid, which is now $1,599 and includes a free mattress protector and a lifetime renewal exchange.
The Raven, Nest Bedding’s flippable hybrid bed, is on sale for half off. A queen costs $934, which we think is a great deal considering its high quality, natural materials and two-in-one firmness options.
Jonathan Gomez/CNET
Avocado is an eco-friendly mattress brand boasting an impressive list of certifications and sustainability initiatives. Depending on the mattress, you can enjoy up to 20% off during its Fourth of July sale. For example, Avocado’s certified organic Green and Vegan mattresses are 15% off, bringing the price for a queen down to $1,699. At 20% off, Avocado’s Luxury Organic mattress is $3,679, down from the usual price of $4,599 for a queen-size.
You can also take 10% off Avocado’s pillows and pillowcases and 50% off its hemp bedding and loungewear. Learn more about the Avocado Green mattress.
Jon Gomez/CNET
If you’re looking for a smart bed, look no further. Sleep Number has marked down select smart beds this Fourth of July, ranging from 10% to 30% off. That means a queen-size Sleep Number Classic smart bed is now $999, and the top-of-the-line Sleep Number Climate360 smart bed is $1,000 off its typical hefty price of $9,999.
Sleep Number’s smart beds have sleep-tracking technology and adjustable settings for firmness, support and temperature. Learn more about the Climate360 in our full review.
Dillon Payne/CNET
Amerisleep makes responsive memory foam mattresses that most people enjoy the feel of, even if you aren’t a huge fan of memory foam. Using the code JULY500, you can save $500 on any mattress. The medium-firm AS2, an excellent selection for sleepers with back pain, is $1,049 rather than $1,549. Amerisleep’s bases and bedding are also on sale.
Leesa: 30% off mattresses, plus a free sleep bundle
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
With Fourth of July sales in full swing, is there any better time to protect your ice-cold beverages from rising outdoor temperatures by investing in a good cooler? If you’re looking to stay frosty even when it’s sweltering outside, then grabbing this Anker Everfrost Cooler while it’s just $499 for at Amazon — although only for Amazon Prime members — is an excellent choice.
The Anker EverFrost 30 can keep your items cool for up to 42 hours when fully charged. It has space for 43 liters worth of drinks and snacks, has a suitcase design so you can move it around easily and an input for a 100-watt solar panel so you can charge it on the go. It also has two USB-A inputs and one USB-C input, so you can charge your devices as you keep your drinks chilled.
The AnkerEverFrost 30 is also available at Wellbots for only $499 as well — that deal matches Amazon’s offer without needing any kind of membership, which gives you options for where to snag this deal.
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In addition to this, the Anker EverFrost 50, an even larger model, can be picked up at Wellbots for $150 off its asking price. Usually costing $949, it can be claimed today for $799. It has all the same features but a bigger capacity (capable of storing 62 330-milliliter bottles) as well as dual cooling zones so you can keep some items chilled while others stay frozen. Either one will do you right this summer season.
If you’re looking for more great finds ahead of Prime Day, check out our roundup of the best Amazon Fourth of July deals.
Up to 40% off mattresses and up to 25% off select sleep accessories
If sleeping through the night feels like a thing of the past for you, dimming the lights and putting on a white noise machine might not be enough. It could be time to upgrade your mattress. Most mattresses last an average of six to 10 years, according to sleep experts. However, many people wait longer than that before replacing their mattresses because of the price of these big-ticket items. That’s where we come in. With some brands already starting early Fourth of July sales, we’ve compiled a list of the best Fourth of July mattress deals at our favorite, top-rated mattress brands to help get you a better sleep at a lower price.
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From Cooling Sleep Masks to Pillows to Sunrise Alarm Clocks: All of CNET’s Favorite Sleep Essentials
See all photos
If you need help choosing the best mattress for you, look through our comprehensive guide explaining how to buy a mattress online, as well as our lists of the best mattresses you can buy online and the best affordable mattresses. If you’re in the market for a pillow or new sheets, we’ve got recommendations for those essential items, too. Keep reading to find the best mattress deals available right now, and check back often because we keep this article up to date with the latest sales events, deals and perks.
Best mattress on sale overall
Our top pick for the best mattress of the year, the Signature Hybrid mattress from Brooklyn Bedding is a steal for the current discount of $400 off. Available in soft, medium and firm options, this bed is sure to be a crowd pleaser, whether you just want a cheap, comfortable bed or are a couple with differing ideas of comfort.
Best mattress on sale for side sleepers
Side sleepers may need a little more pressure relief, and this dual-sided hybrid mattress from Layla offers an airy, cooling foam mattress with two firmness levels — all you have to do is flip the bed over. While Layla’s Hybrid Mattress isn’t the most affordable option at its MSRP of almost $1,700 for a queen size, the brand’s July Fourth sale brings the price down to a more feasible $1,499.
Best cooling mattress on sale
As the summer weather hits, hot sleepers can find a much-needed reprieve with Brooklyn Bedding’s Aurora Luxe Cooling mattress, one of the best mattresses you can buy. With three firmness levels and a pillowtop option, you don’t have to trade comfort for cooling. And the brand’s current sitewide sale will earn you up to $680 off this model.
Best firm mattress on sale
For those who prefer more firm support throughout the night, you can snag the Saatva Classic for $300 less right now. While expensive, the mattress comes with white glove delivery, a durable dual-coil design and a plush resort-quality pillow top.
Best July 4th mattress deals
Nectar, the maker of the best memory foam mattress, is offering up to 40% off mattresses in an early July Fourth sale. This means you can save a whopping $450 on the brand’s flagship mattress. Plus you can save up to 50% off bundles. Read more about its mattresses in our Nectar mattress review and Nectar Premier review.
Helix is having a huge early Fourth of July sale where you can get 25% off sitewide or 30% off Luxe and Elite models, plus two free pillows with any mattress purchase, with the offer code JULY30 at checkout. This brings the price of the editor-favorite Sunset Luxe Mattress down by almost $600.
Read more about its beds in our Helix mattress review.
Brooklyn Bedding’s current sale can save you 30% off everything it sells, including the best overall mattress, the Signature Hybrid, and our favorite cooling mattress, the Aurora Luxe — both of which are hundreds of dollars off. Use code JULY30 through July 10 to save.
The more you spend, the more you save at Saatva’s Fourth of July sale. For example, our favorite firm mattress, the Saatva Classic is $300 off, knocking the price down from $2,095 to $1,795. The pricier Saatva Rx, which is great for those who experience back pain, is priced at up to $400 off.
DreamCloud has an early July 4th sale with mattresses marked down by 50%, dropping prices to as low as $349. Just note that this offer is available only to new customers. Read more about the DreamCloud bed, which is just $665 right now, in our full DreamCloud mattress review.
Tuft & Needle has early Fourth of July sales, including 20% off mattresses and 15% off select bedding and accessories. With the discount, prices for the Essential T&N Original start at just $516.
With Layla’s current sale, you can save $200 on hybrid mattresses and $150 on memory foam mattresses plus you’ll get two free pillows. This includes the best mattress for side sleepers, the Layla Hybrid Mattress, at $200 off.
See more info about the Original bed in our Layla mattress review.
Bear Mattress is currently offering an early July Fourth sale of 40% off any mattress, with offer code 4DJULY at checkout. The Bear Original (aka the best all-foam mattress) is only $649 down from $998.
Amerisleep is offering $500 off any mattress with offer code JULY500 for its Fourth of July sale, meaning you’ll see prices starting at just $799. Learn more about Amerisleep mattresses in our Amerisleep mattress review.
Avocado is hosting a major sales event where you can save up to $400 on its Green mattress and up to $170 off its eco-organic mattress. Plus you can save 10% on pillows and furniture.
Learn more about the Avocado Green mattress in our Avocado mattress review.
Awara’s current sale is offering up to 50% off mattresses, with prices starting at $649 during the company’s early Fourth of July sale.
Big Fig is offering an early access July Fourth sale with $500 off mattresses, knocking the price of the Big Fig Mattress down from $1,899 to $1,399.
Birch Living is offering 25% off sitewide. Plus, you’ll get two free Eco-Rest pillows when you buy a mattress. The brand makes our favorite organic, hybrid mattress, which you can have for up to $562 off. Make sure you use the code JULY25 to get the deal.
Casper is currently offering 35% off on all mattresses and accessories, plus up to 35% off of bundles. Even one of the brand’s more expensive beds, the Casper Snow Max, is a whopping $1,300 off.
Check out our review of the Casper mattress.
At Brentwood Home, you can currently save up to 10% off on mattresses, even the brand’s kids mattress which starts at about $400 with the discount.
Save with Cocoon by Sealy’s current mattress deals, featuring 35% off all mattresses, plus a free sleep bundle (up to a $199 value). This includes our favorite affordable cooling mattress, the Cocoon Chill Mattress, for almost $400 off.
Leesa’s sale is currently offering 30% off mattresses, and you’ll get a free sleep bundle with purchase, a $299 value. This includes two free pillows and a microfiber sheet set. While you’re perusing the sale, check out our favorite cooling mattress for couples that’s up to $990 off.
Read more in our full Leesa mattress review.
Emma’s sleep sale knocks as much as 50% off all mattresses, pillows and bedding. Prices start at just $409 for the Emma Hybrid Comfort.
Lull is currently offering an up to 45% discount on all mattresses. For example, the brand’s original mattress is up to $680 off.
Plus, get an additional 10% off (for a total of 55% off) on a second mattress when you buy two or more. Use discount code DBLCXKP to get the extra savings.
For a limited time, Nolah is offering 35% off select mattresses and two free pillows as well. If you’re on the lookout for an organic mattress, Nolah’s 11-inch Natural mattress is a whopping $735 off.
Even before Fourth of July weekend starts, Puffy is offering hundreds of dollars in savings with code JULY4THSALE. Each mattress purchase includes a free gift of two pillows, a mattress protector and a sheet set. The brand’s Puffy Cloud mattress is a good place to start, at up to $1,350 off.
Purple is offering savings up to $400 off Essential and Restore mattresses and up to $500 off Rejuvenate mattresses. You can also get 10% off bedding accessories like sheets and pillows. If you want to bundle a mattress and base, you can get up to $800 off the two.
Read more about Purple’s beds in our Purple mattress review and our Purple Hybrid mattress review.
Stearns & Foster is currently offering $400 off the Lux Estate, Reserve and Lux Hybrid mattresses. Plus, you can save an instant $200 if you buy an Ease Power Base as well as a mattress, using the code 200GIFT at checkout.
SweetNight is celebrating July Fourth by offering up to 70% off sitewide and an additional 10% off when buying two items. The brand’s Twighlight Hybrid Mattress is up to $680 off.
Titan is offering 30% off sitewide during its summer sale. Use offer code JULY30 to get the savings. The Titan Plus, usually priced at about $1,250, is only $874 during the sale.
You can save $300 on any Vaya mattress right now when you use the promo code VAYA300 at checkout. The brand’s namesake mattress starts at just $449, thanks to the sale.
Right now at Zoma you can take 25% off on any mattress and get free shipping with the coupon code SLEEP25, which should be automatically applied at checkout. Hot sleepers should try out the Zoma Boost, which is more than $400 off.
Shoppers can get 50% or up to $750 off on Molecules’s hybrid mattress and the Molecule 2 AirTEC Mattress during the brand’s July Fourth sale. A couple other select mattresses are 40% off in addition to a comforter, percale sheets, pillowcases and more. You can even score 30% off pet beds to pamper your pup.
Zinus is currently offering up to 40% off of their mattresses, featuring $200 off our favorite cheap mattress for side sleepers, the Zinus Green Tea Mattress. In addition, select items like bases, pet steps and more are discounted as much as 25%.
Just in time for summer heat, Tempur-Pedic is offering $500 off its Tempur-Breeze mattresses. You can also get 40% off the Tempur-Cloud mattress topper, pillow bundles of two for $69 and more.
If you buy a qualifying mattress and add a base to your cart, you will get an automatic discount of $300.
Sealy is now offering up to $200 off the Posturepedic Plus mattresses, plus a free sleep bundle. Or opt for 35% off any Cocoon by Sealy mattresses.
Sleep Number’s early Fourth of July sale brings discounts on mattresses, bedding, bed frames and more. Two of the brand’s smart beds, the C2 and C4 Smart Beds, are $200 and $400 off respectively.
Nest Bedding is offering as much as 50% off its mattresses and bundles. For example, one of our favorite mattresses, the Sparrow Signature Hybrid, is marked down from $2,132 to $1,599 in the queen size.
July 4th mattress sales compared
Mattress
Sale
Original price
Sale price
Nectar Mattress
Up to 40% off
$1,099
$649
Helix Midnight
30% off + two free pillows
$1,332
$999
Brooklyn Bedding Signature
30% off sitewide
$1,332
$932
Saatva Classic
Up to $600 off orders starting at $1,000
$2,095
$1,795
DreamCloud
Up to 50% off
$1,332
$665
Layla Memory Foam
Up to $200 off + two free pillows
$1,099
$949
Bear Original
Up to 40% off mattresses
$998
$649
Casper One
35% off sitewide
$1,245
$870
Purple
Save up to $800 on mattresses + base
$1,499
$1,399
How we test mattresses
Our CNET sleep team has been testing mattresses for years. With over 200 mattresses collectively under our belts, we’ve established testing methods we put each bed through to assess key performance factors like firmness, motion isolation, edge support and construction.
We use the data we gather to recommend the best mattress for different body types, sleeper styles and health considerations.
With our extensive testing experience and mattress knowledge, we can also tell the difference between a good mattress sale and one you can skip.
Factors to consider when choosing a mattress
With sales like these, spring is always a good time to think about upgrading to a new mattress. Some of the best mattress brands like Brooklyn Bedding and Leesa offer big discounts on popular beds. When everything is on sale, it’s easy to go with the best mattress deal, but that might not be the right bed for you. Yes, you should consider sales, but there are a few other key factors to consider when shopping for your next mattress.
Firmness
One of the most important things to think about is the firmness you need for comfortable sleep.
Side sleepers need a soft to medium mattress that will provide plenty of cushion along the pressure points of the shoulders, hips and knees.
Back and stomach sleepers generally want a medium to firm mattress that promotes natural spinal alignment. You don’t have to get the firmest mattress, but you want to ensure you have the support you need.
Combination sleepers have the most flexibility in what they choose. It’s a good idea to choose a firmness based on the position you spend the most time in.
Body type
Your body type will help you decide what bed type and firmness to choose. Generally, we recommend that people over 230 pounds skip all-foam options and choose a hybrid mattress with a supportive steel coil base.
Petite body types will put the least pressure on the mattress, meaning a bed will feel firmer to them than the average person. People over 230 pounds will experience the opposite: Beds will feel softer.
Budget
The average online mattress will cost between $800 and $1,200, although prices can go as low as $200 and well over $3,000. With so many mattresses out there, defining your budget will go a long way in narrowing your options.
When should I upgrade my mattress?
If you can’t recall how long you’ve had your mattress, then it’s probably time for an upgrade. Experts recommend you replace your mattress roughly every six to 10 years for the best results and not just flip your mattress. Whether you’re looking for a mattress deal on a pressure-relieving memory foam model, an all-natural hypoallergenic latex model, a super comfy hybrid mattress or a customizable adjustable mattress set, the above roundup has got you covered.
If you’re ready to take advantage of the tons of amazing mattress deals currently available but aren’t sure which mattress type is right for you, most online mattress companies offer an at-home sleep trial lasting from a few months up to a full year. If you’re unhappy with your purchase, you can get a full refund and have the company collect the mattress from your home. You can’t go wrong, and hopefully, you get a much better night’s sleep.
CNET is always covering a wide array of deals on tech products and much more. Start with the hottest sales and discounts on the CNET Deals page, and sign up for the CNET Deals Text to get daily deals sent straight to your phone. Add the free CNET Shopping extension to your browser for real-time price comparisons and cash-back offers. And peruse our gift guide, which includes a full range of ideas for birthdays, anniversaries and more.
The plush feeling of memory foam mattresses has become an increasingly popular choice. Since they were first developed, many types of memory foam mattresses have been created, like hybrid mattresses. If you want a more dense memory foam mattress you can find one. Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve put a bunch to the test to help you narrow it down, considering firmness, composition and the cost.
Here at CNET, we’ve likely tested over 50 memory foam mattresses so far. Our list includes a variety of categories, including the top memory foam mattress for side sleepers, back or stomach sleepers and budget shoppers, as well as the best one overall. Read on to find the one that meets your particular needs.
What’s the best memory foam mattress overall?
A look at the Nectar Premier in our test facility.
Jonathan Gomez/CNET
All the memory foam beds on our list are good picks, but the Nectar Premier mattress wins the title of overall best memory foam mattress. It’s a comfortable memory foam mattress that feels similar to the popular Tempur-Pedic mattress, but it’s a lot more affordable. It has a slow-rising feel that gives your curves and joints a little hug, and extra features that help it regulate temperature better than regular memory foam beds.
On this list, you’ll find the memory foam mattresses that stood out to me as the most comfortable, most supportive, most accommodating or the most affordable. Here are my picks for the best memory foam mattress options that you can purchase online.
Video: Best memory foam mattress of 2024
Watch CNET video producer and certified sleep science coach Owen Poole review the best memory foam mattresses.
Best memory foam mattresses of 2024
4th of July Deal
Our take – The Nectar Premier made my list of the best memory foam mattresses because it reminds me of a foam TempurPedic mattress; it has that signature memory foam feel, but you won’t have to fork out nearly as much cash for it. It has a dense, slow, sink-in memory foam feel that takes a few seconds to activate. Once it does, the gel-infused memory foam starts to hug your body and offers a relieving feel around pressure points like your hips and shoulders.
Read full review
Type
memory foam mattress
Warranty
forever warranty
4th of July Deal
Our take – It seems the mattress company paid a lot of attention to detail when it came to designing the flippable mattress. If you find you don’t think one side fits your sleeping style, all you have to do is flip it around to get a softer or firmer mattress feel. The soft side feels plush and pressure-relieving, so it’s great if you’re a side sleeper. The flip side doesn’t have a true firm profile, but it does keep my back and spine supported when I sleep on my stomach and back. I’d say it’s a hair firmer than a medium.
Read full review
Type
flippable memory foam mattress
Firmness
firm: medium to medium-firm or 6 | soft: 3 or medium-soft
Warranty
lifetime warranty
4th of July Deal
Our take – I was surprised to find out how affordable the Bear Original Mattress was when I first tested it out. It reminded me of the more popular bed-in-a-box mattresses like the Puffy mattress, but it retails for several hundred dollars less. It works great when I’m on my back and stomach, and it’s pretty comfy when I’m on my side. If you’re a strict side sleeper under 150 pounds, it may be a little too firm.
Read full review
Type
memory foam mattress
Firmness
Medium to medium firm: (6)
Warranty
lifetime warranty
4th of July Deal
Our take – The AS2 memory foam mattress is the best memory foam mattress for most back and stomach sleepers as it has ratings that do best for these sleep styles such as firmness, support and comfort. The brand’s plant-based Bio-Pur foam makes it more breathable and eco-friendly than other memory foam mattresses. As an added plus, the fibers in its Refresh Cover draw heat away from your skin to help keep your body temperature cooler throughout the night.
Read full review
Type
responsive memory foam
Firmness
medium-firm or 6 to 7
Warranty
20-year warranty
4th of July Deal
Our take – Some people just want the best memory foam mattress to keep feeling comfy throughout the night. Others want the same mattress they tried that one time on vacation at the Four Seasons. If you’re the latter, the Saatva Loom & Leaf mattress looks like those in a five-star hotel. It doesn’t just look the part; it’s also really comfortable and won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Our take – If you’re a hot sleeper, you know the struggle of trying to stay cool or at least temperature-neutral at night. The Leesa Legend Chill is the best memory foam mattress for those who need a truly cool-to-the-touch mattress that utilizes cooling fibers in the cover. Under the cover are five other layers, including a quilt foam gel layer, a layer of micro-springs, a comfort foam layer, a zoned support layer of up to 1,032 individually wrapped coils and a final layer of high-density foam.
Our take – The majority of individuals who sleep on their side are coziest on a soft, plush mattress. One of my favorite soft memory foam mattresses is the 12-inch Puffy Lux, which gives off a light and fluffy vibe just by looking at it. Not only is it big and white like a cloud, but there are quite literally little clouds printed along the machine-washable cover, which is a great added touch.
Read full review
Firmness
4 or medium to medium-soft
Warranty
lifetime warranty
4th of July Deal
Our take – DreamCloud is known for its high-end beds you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for. The DreamCloud Hybrid mattress is its entry-level model, but the bed doesn’t skip out on luxurious features. This mattress is a thick hybrid bed made with pocketed coils over eight inches tall and reinforced sides for stronger edge support. Stacked on top are layers of comfortable foam, including gel memory foam for temperature regulation.
Firmness
Medium to medium firm: (6)
Warranty
lifetime warranty
There are hundreds of mattresses to choose from, but luckily our CNET Sleep editors have been around the bedding block. They have collectively tested over 100 beds, from the most popular to lesser-known models, and have the knowledge to help you pick the best fit for you. The mattresses above are great options, but there are a few more beds we’ve tested that could have easily made this list.
Lucid 10-inch Memory Foam mattress: Budget shoppers can look into the Lucid Gel Memory foam mattress, a bed sold through Amazon with thousands of positive ratings from users. It’s one of the most affordable bed-in-a-box beds I’ve ever tested, and it’s still comfy enough to give you a good night’s sleep. You have three firmness options to choose from and six heights.
TempurPedic mattress: You’ve likely heard about this brand before, as TempurPedic made its name in the mattress industry long before beds ever came to the internet. They offer several mattresses from entry-level to luxury. They also have many cooling memory foam options. They’re expensive beds, but you’re paying for the trusted brand name and traditional memory foam feel that the brand is known for.
CNET editors choose the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
When testing, we sleep on beds, trying out all three different sleeping positions: side, back, stomach and combination. We also test for motion isolation, edge support, temperature, comfort and more. We have even cut open a few mattresses to see what the construction is like on the inside.
The best memory foam mattresses are comfortable to switch positions in, offer a pressure-relieving feel, isolate motion and are very accommodating for different sleeping positions. We also take durability into account, considering whether or not it will be long-lasting enough for every body type.
Firmness: This should be a main consideration, regardless of the kind of mattress you’re buying. Different firmness levels accommodate different sleeping positions. If you’re a side sleeper, the best memory foam mattress will feel soft and plush. For stomach and back sleepers, the best memory foam bed is a more firm memory foam mattress.
Feel: As I mentioned earlier in this roundup, not every memory foam mattress is built alike. Some memory foam beds feel light and airy, while others feel dense and slow to respond. If you’re a combination sleeper, I recommend you go with a light memory foam so it’s easy to switch positions. If you like to get really nestled and cozy while you sleep, you may like a dense memory foam mattress better.
Temperature regulation: One complaint against memory foam is that it retains heat, making sleepers feel hot and uncomfortable while they sleep. Part of it is because of memory foam’s dense cell structure and warm air getting trapped inside, as well as the fact that you sleep within the memory foam rather than on top. Look for memory foam with different temperature regulating techniques, such as infused gel, gel beads, infused copper, infused graphite, phase change materials and proprietary technology.
Price: Memory foam ranges in price, from very cheap (there are cheap memory foam mattress options out there that cost as little as $200) to premium and top-tier (Tempur-Pedic mattresses can cost more than $2,000). That means almost anyone can find a memory foam mattress within their budget.
Not all memory foam materials are alike. Some are more airy while others are very dense. Some are infused with gel or copper for temperature regulation while others are more traditional.
Traditional: Traditional memory foam is found in older beds like the OG TempurPedic mattresses from the 90s or very cheap memory foam. While it’s great and provides pressure relief, it also gets hot because the dense foam traps your body heat inside. If you’re a hot sleeper, this is something to consider.
Gel-infused: Don’t worry, it’s not literal gel you’re sleeping on. Gel-infused memory foam often has little blue or green dots infiltrated throughout the foam to help regulate temperature. The gel works to draw heat away from you and more evenly disperse it throughout the bed for a cooling memory foam feel.
Copper-infused: Beds like the Layla mattress are infused with copper gel to work the same way regular gel-infused mattresses do. Copper is a conductor that can absorb heat from your body and distribute it away from your body.
Plant-based: There aren’t many plant-based memory foam mattresses on the market. People like Amerisleep use plant-based materials as a substitute for petroleum and manufacture it using a zero-emissions process. This way, the memory foam is more environmentally friendly than most other memory or poly foams.
Proprietary: You will find a ton of different brands using a specific name for their memory foam, such as Puffy’s Cloud-Air foam for example. This means the brand put a specific twist on the memory foam to make it more comfortable or more accommodating. The most common types of proprietary memory foams are open-celled for more airflow or gel-infused for cooling abilities.
The best qualities of memory foam are that it’s pressure-relieving, stops movement across a mattress and offers a comforting hugging feel. People who will like memory foam beds the most include those who suffer from joint pain, back, side and combination sleepers, couples who share a bed and people who generally like a nestling mattress feel. Side sleepers may also love soft memory foam because of how well it cradles the shoulder and hip joints.
Memory foam mattresses can sometimes turn people off for several reasons. You shouldn’t get a memory foam mattress if you change positions often as the foam can provide some resistance as it’s slow to bounce back to shape. It’s also not ideal for hot sleepers. Memory foam is a dense material that traps heat more than other foam beds. Gel memory foam and other tech help it sleep cooler, but people who sleep warm may want to consider a latex foam mattress because they’re so breathable.
There are many different memory foam mattresses on the market, but some of the best include Layla, Puffy, Loom & Leaf, Bear, Amerisleep, GhostBed and Nectar.
If your memory foam mattress is only made out of foam, it will probably last you around seven years. If it’s made with inner springs or coils in the bottom layer, it will last you around 10 years or more. Just make sure you’re taking proper care of your mattress, such as rotating it every six months and keeping your bedding clean.
Nine to 10 inches is an ideal thickness for a memory foam mattress that offers ample support, but you can also go even thicker if you’re looking for maximum durability and support. Thin memory foam mattresses are OK for the short-term, but may not last as long as you would hope. They tend to be more susceptible to wear and tear, sags and imprints.
Memory foam mattresses are great at providing pressure relief to your joints because the material gently hugs your curves, but some memory foam beds can give you a sinking feeling that causes resistance when you try to switch positions. If you’re a combination sleeper in the market for a memory foam bed, try to find one that’s more light and airy so it responds to pressure more quickly.
Memory foam mattresses trap heat, making hot sleepers even hotter. They also sometimes provide resistance to combination sleepers when they switch positions.
Welcome to AI Atlas, CNET’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence
The rise of generative AI is this generation’s iPhone moment. In response, we’re unveiling AI Atlas, a brand-new compendium of advice, reviews, news and views on artificial intelligence.
Welcome to AI Atlas, CNET’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence
The rise of generative AI is this generation’s iPhone moment. In response, we’re unveiling AI Atlas, a brand-new compendium of advice, reviews, news and views on artificial intelligence.
The Apple Watch might be the smartwatch that gets all the attention, but if you’re looking for the best Android smartwatch the Galaxy Watch 6 is well worth checking out. It has all the features we’ve come to expect from these wearable computers and right now you can slap one on your wrist while saving up to $103, too. Amazon’s offering a Fourth of July sale that you won’t want to miss with some of Samsung’s watches available with deep discounts and prices starting at just $197.
Best 4th of July Sales
Don’t miss our coverage of the best 4th of July Sales and where to find them.
Best 4th of July Sales
This isn’t a deal that requires you to enter any codes or clip any coupons, but you should be aware that it’s a limited-time discount that might not last for long. It’s also important to note that the discounts do vary depending on the model and color that you choose so be sure to check the price of your chosen configuration before placing your order.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
Of course, no matter which you choose you’ll get all of the same features including a smartwatch with support for fitness tracking capabilities and sleep tracking. There’s a heart rate monitor included so you can collect information about how your body is responding to factors including exercise and sleep. The watch itself comes with a large, circular display and a number of apps included for tracking your workouts and more.
Buyers can look forward to adding extra bands to their collection and swapping them out to suit the occasion while Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity ensure that you can sync data with a phone, send and receive messages and more. Just make sure to order your new smartwatch now before these special prices come to an end.
AT&T is the best internet service provider in Kansas, for more reasons than one. It offers broad connectivity with its copper-based plan, and it serves up top-end speeds with its fiber network, going all the way to 5,000 megabits per second. Between those two services, it’s a solid choice for broadband in rural or suburban areas.
AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber offer the fastest internet speeds in Kansas, with symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 5,000Mbps (5 gigabits per second). AT&T Fiber’s 5 gig plan is more widely available throughout Kansas, but Google Fiber’s plan is considerably cheaper, starting at $125 compared with $245.
If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, Mediacom offers the cheapest internet plan in Kansas, with speeds up to 250Mbps starting at $20 per month, followed by Vyve Broadband and its $20 monthly 200Mbps plan. Availability for both internet service providers is highly limited in Kansas, however. Nearly all other major ISPs have a starting price of around $50 per month, including Cox, Kansas’ largest cable internet provider.
Best internet providers in Kansas
Kansas internet providers compared
Provider
Internet technology
Monthly price range
Speed range
Monthly equipment costs
Data cap
Contract
CNET review score
AT&T Read full review
DSL, fiber
$55 DSL, $55-$245 fiber
10-100Mbps DSL, 300-5,000Mbps fiber
None
None
None
7.4
Brightspeed
DSL, fiber
$50-$99
20-100Mbps DSL, up to 2000Mbps fiber
None
None
None
N/A
Cox Read full review
Cable
$50-$110
100-1,000Mbps
$13 (optional)
1.25TB
None
6.2
Google Fiber Read full review
Fiber
$70-$150
1,000-8,000Mbps
None
None
None
7.5
Kwikom
Fiber
$55-$105
100-2,000Mbps
None
None
None
N/A
Mediacom Read full review
Cable
$20-$65
250-1,000Mbps
$14
400-2,000GB (None for 1000Mbps)
None
6.4
Mercury Broadband
Fixed wireless
$50-$100
30-150Mbps
None (Mesh Wi-Fi $10)
None
1 year (optional)
N/A
Nextlink
Fixed wireless
$45-$65
25-100Mbps
$9
None
1-2 years
N/A
Rise Broadband Read full review
Fixed wireless
$30-$40
25-50Mbps
None
250GB, unlimited optional
None
6.2
Spectrum Read full review
Cable
$40-$60
300-1,000Mbps
$7 (optional)
None
None
7.2
Starlink Read full review
Low orbit satellite
$120
20-220Mbps
$499 purchase fee
None
None
N/A
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review
Fixed wireless
$50 ($40 with eligible mobile plans)
72-245Mbps
None
None
None
7.4
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review
Fixed wireless
$50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers)
100-300Mbps
None
None
None
7.2
Viasat Read full review
Satellite
$99
12-100Mbps
$15 monthly or $299 upfront
Varies, 40-300GB
2 years
6.1
Vyve Broadband
Cable
$20-$60
200-960Mbps
None
None
None
N/A
Show more (11 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other available internet providers in Kansas
Brightspeed: CenturyLink’s parent company, Lumen, sold its operations in a number of states, including Kansas. Areas in the state where CenturyLink was once available, mostly in eastern Kansas, are now serviceable for Brightspeed. Its DSL service starts at $50 per month for the best speeds available (up to 100Mbps), while fiber service offers speeds up to 2 gigabit for $99 per month.
Google Fiber: It’s available only in the greater Kansas City area, but Google Fiber is a premier gig service provider. Speeds of 1, 2 and 5 gigs are available starting at $70, $100 and $125 per month, respectively, with no equipment fees, data caps or contracts.
Kwikom: Local fiber provider Kwikom is available in Fredonia, Iola, Garnett, Osawatomie and a few other Kansas towns. Speeds range from 100 to 2,000Mbps, starting at $55 to $105 per month. There are no equipment fees, data caps or contracts.
Mercury Broadband: Extending fixed wireless service to much of the northeast part of the state, Mercury Broadband isn’t the fastest ISP with max speeds of 150Mbps, but it may be the best option outside of satellite internet in rural areas.
Nextlink: Similar to Mercury Broadband, Nextlink is a fixed wireless provider and covers much of the central part of the state. Potential speeds are higher than Mercury Broadband, with 500Mbps available in select areas.
Rise Broadband: Fixed wireless internet from Rise Broadband is available just north of Wichita from Newton, north to McPherson and east to Marion. Speeds of 25 and 50Mbps with prices starting at $30 to $40 per month.
Spectrum: A top pick for cable internet, Spectrum is unfortunately available only in the greater Kansas City area. Plans range from 300Mbps to 1,000Mbps, for $40 to $60 per month with no data caps or contracts required.
Verizon 5G Home Internet: Faster than T-Mobile Home Internet but less widely available in Kansas, Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network serves much of Wichita and Topeka along with the greater Kansas City area and other random regions throughout the state. Two plans — $50 per month for a speed range of 50Mbps to 300Mbps and $70 for a speed range of 85Mbps to 1,000Mbps — are available with no equipment fees, data caps or contracts. Verizon mobile customers may qualify for a discount on home internet.
Vyve Broadband: Local cable (and sometimes fiber) provider Vyve Broadband serves Abilene, Russell, Goodland, Ottawa and other select Kansas towns. Speeds and pricing may vary from one market to the next, but most customers can expect speeds of 200 to 960Mbps starting at $20 to $80 per month.
Satellite internet: When no other internet options are available, there’s satellite. Hughesnet and Viasat are available so long as you have a clear view of the southern sky. Hughesnet is likely to be the cheaper option, but Viasat may come with faster speeds and more data. Starlink is also worth considering, as its fleet of low-orbiting satellites can deliver faster speeds, lower latency and more data (unlimited) than either Hughesnet or Viasat.
Kansas internet options by city
It’s hard to cover the internet options of an entire state while giving individual cities the in-depth attention they deserve. That’s why we’ve also put together lists of the best internet providers in cities across the US, including those in Kansas. If you don’t find your hometown below, check back later. We’re working to add more every day.
Getty Images
Cheap internet options in Kansas
Mediacom has the cheapest plan in Kansas at $20 per month for speeds up to 250Mbps, but again, availability is limited. The same goes for Vyve Broadband, whose cheapest plan comes with max speeds of 200Mbps starting at $20 per month.
How many members of your household use the internet?
Rise Broadband has the next cheapest plan, but with max speeds of only 25Mbps, it would be worth paying a bit extra for faster speeds from another provider, if available.
Most Kansas residents can anticipate home internet rates starting at $50 or higher, plus equipment costs when applicable.
Cheapest internet plans in Kansas
Provider
Starting price
Max download speed
Monthly equipment fee
Mediacom Xtream Read full review
$20
200Mbps
$14 modem rental, free router
Vyve 200
$20
200Mbps
None
Rise Broadband 25 Read full review
$30
25Mbps
$10
Spectrum Internet Read full review
$40
300Mbps
$7 (optional)
Cox Internet 250 Read full review
$50
250Mbps
$15 (optional)
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review
$50 ($40 with eligible mobile plans)
245Mbps
None
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review
$60 ($50 with Auto Pay, $35 with eligible mobile plans)
300Mbps
None
Mercury Foundation
$50
30Mbps
None (Mesh Wi-Fi $10)
Nextlink 25
$45
25Mbps
$9
AT&T Fiber Read full review
$55
300Mbps
None
AT&T Internet Read full review
$55
10-100Mbps
None
Show more (7 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Kansas
The best internet deals and top promotions in Kansas depend on what discounts are available during any given period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Kansas internet providers, such as Mediacom, may offer lower introductory pricing or special offers for a limited time. Many, however, including AT&T, Cox and Spectrum, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
How fast is Kansas broadband?
In Ookla speed test data from the third quarter of 2023, Kansas had a median download speed of 210Mbps. That’s around 10Mbps lower than the national average but good enough to rank 20th among all US states and Washington, DC.
Ookla lists Google Fiber as the fastest provider in the state, with average speeds of 287Mbps, but it’s worth noting that test results for AT&T combine its DSL and fiber services, bringing down average AT&T speeds.
Wichita was the fastest city in the state and 11th in the nation, with a median download speed of 266.92. AT&T was the fastest ISP in Wichita, with average speeds around 300Mbps.
Fastest internet plans in Kansas
Provider
Starting price
Max download speed
Max upload speed
Data cap
Connection type
Google Fiber 5 Gig Read full review
$125
5,000Mbps
5,000Mbps
None
Fiber
AT&T Fiber 5000 Read full review
$245
5,000Mbps
5,000Mbps
None
Fiber
Kwikom Ultra
$105
2,000Mbps
2,000Mbps
None
Fiber
Mediacom Xtream 1 Gig Read full review
$65
1,000Mbps
50Mbps
None
Cable
Spectrum Gig Read full review
$60
1,000Mbps
35Mbps
None
Cable
Cox Gigablast Read full review
$70
1,000Mbps
35Mbps
1.25TB
Cable
Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read full review
$80 ($70 with Auto Pay, $45 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans)
1,000Mbps
75Mbps
None
Fixed wireless
Vyve Gig
$60
960Mbps
50Mbps
None
Cable
Brightspeed Fiber
$75
940Mbps
940Mbps
None
Fiber
Show more (5 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines — and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics — browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Kansas
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
Are customers happy with their service?
While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
What’s the final word on internet providers in Kansas?
AT&T is the largest wired internet provider in Kansas, thanks to its combination of fiber and copper networks. Fiber is the preferable service by far, but AT&T Internet, the copper-based service, may be suitable for broadband in suburban and rural parts of Kansas.
Mediacom and Vyve Broadband are the only Kansas internet providers to offer service at or below $30 per month, but service from either is limited to select areas. Fellow cable ISP Cox is much more widely available in Kansas and is the best bet for gigabit service in Kansas outside of AT&T Fiber.
Excluding the greater Kansas City area where Spectrum and Google Fiber are available, AT&T, Cox and possibly Mediacom or Vyve Broadband are the primary wired internet providers. Locations where these providers are unavailable may have to rely on fixed wireless internet. While wired connections are generally better for speed and reliability, fixed wireless isn’t a bad option, particularly if T-Mobile Home Internet is available.
Internet providers in Kansas FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Kansas?
AT&T has the greatest broadband coverage of any wired provider in Kansas. The speeds that come with AT&T Fiber, plus the perks across both fiber and copper services — free equipment, no contracts, no set price increases after 12 months — make AT&T a top choice for internet in Kansas.
Is fiber internet available in Kansas?
According to the FCC, around 47% of Kansas households are wired for fiber internet service. AT&T Fiber is the largest fiber internet provider in the state, but fiber internet service may be available from Kwikom, Google Fiber or others, depending on where you live in Kansas.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Kansas?
Mediacom has the cheapest internet plan in Kansas, offering speeds up to 250Mbps starting at $20 per month. Vyve Broadband is the next cheapest provider at $20 monthly for speeds up to 200Mbps.
Besides Rise Broadband, which has a $30 per month plan for speeds up to 25Mbps, most Kansas internet providers charge at least $50 per month or more for home internet service.
Which internet provider in Kansas offers the fastest plan?
AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber share the title of fastest internet provider in Kansas with max upload and download speeds of 5,000Mbps. Google Fiber’s plan is considerably cheaper at $125 per month versus $245 with AT&T Fiber, but AT&T’s 5 gig plan is available to more people in Kansas.
GCI is the best internet provider in Juneau. The service offers speeds up to 2,500Mbps with prices starting at $85 per month. It’s the only wired connection in the city, making it less susceptible to weather outages than other providers’ services, but you’ll have to deal with data caps on most plans.
If you want lower prices (and higher data caps), the cheapest internet in Juneau is SnowCloud, which offers plans starting at $65 per month for 100Mbps speeds. Satellite internet from Starlink is another decent option, but you’ll have to buy the equipment up front for a hefty $599 fee.
Best internet in Juneau, Alaska
Juneau internet providers compared
Provider
Internet technology
Monthly price range
Speed range
Monthly equipment costs
Data cap
Contract
CNET review score
Alaska Communications
DSL
$85-$100
10-75Mbps
None
None
None
NA
GCI
Cable
$85-$185
250-2,500Mbps
None
250GB-Unlimited
None
NA
HughesNet Read full review
Satellite
$50-$150
15-50Mbps
$14 per month
15-200GB
Two years
5.7
SnowCloud
Fixed wireless
$65-$95
100Mbps
None
500-2,000GB
None
NA
Starlink Read full review
Satellite
$90
25-220Mbps
$599 upfront
None
None
NA
Show more (1 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Other available internet providers in Juneau
Alaska Communications: While it technically offers fiber service at a handful of addresses in Juneau, Alaska Communications is primarily a DSL provider. Speeds depend on your specific address, but the highest I saw was 75Mbps for $100 a month. In most areas, you’ll be looking at 15-30Mbps for $95 — an extremely high price for such low speeds. That said, Alaska Communications is one of the few ISPs in Juneau that includes unlimited data with all its plans, so it’s worth a look.
HughesNet: Along with Starlink, HughesNet is your other option for satellite internet in Juneau. You won’t have to pay a huge upfront equipment cost — HughesNet charges $14 monthly for equipment — but it’s significantly worse in every other area. Speeds range from 15Mbps to 50Mbps, but the more concerning issue for most people is the data caps. Prices start at $50 for 15GB and go all the way up to $150 for 200GB. After you hit these limits, HughesNet slows your speed to 1 to 3Mbps for the remainder of the month, making things like streaming TV or videoconferencing unfeasible.
Malorny / Getty Images
Cheap internet options in Juneau
There aren’t many truly “cheap” internet options in Juneau. The lowest starting price comes from HughesNet, which offers two plans for $50 a month (in the first year, at least), but adds an extra $14 for equipment. SnowCloud is the cheaper all-in provider, with plans starting at $65 for 100Mbps speeds and no equipment fees.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Juneau?
Provider
Starting price
Max download speed
Monthly equipment fee
HughesNet 15 GB Read full review
$50
15Mbps
$14
HughesNet 50 GB Read full review
$50 ($75 after one year)
25Mbps
$14
SnowCloud
$65
100Mbps
None
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
How to find internet deals and promotions in Juneau
The best internet deals and the top promotions in Juneau depend on what discounts are available during that time period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
How many members of your household use the internet?
Juneau internet providers such as GCI may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, however, including SnowCloud, Starlink and Alaska Communications, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of deals, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
How fast is Juneau broadband?
Internet in Juneau is extremely slow compared to cities in the lower 48, but it stacks up well compared to other cities in Alaska. 97% of Juneau residents have access to 250/25Mbps speeds, compared to just 64% statewide. That’s entirely thanks to GCI; it’s the fastest provider in the state, and it’s available virtually everywhere in Juneau.
Fastest internet plans in Juneau
Provider
Starting price
Max download speed
Max upload speed
Data cap
Connection type
GCI red Unlimited
$185
2,500Mbps
75Mbps
Unlimited
Cable
GCI Fastest
$160
1,000Mbps
40Mbps
1,000GB
Cable
GCI Faster
$110
500Mbps
20Mbps
600GB
Cable
GCI Fast
$85
250Mbps
10Mbps
250GB
Cable
Starlink Read full review
$90
220Mbps
20Mbps
Unlimited
Satellite
Show more (1 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines — and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need
0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics — browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming. simultaneously.
500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming simultaneously.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Juneau
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
Are customers happy with their service?
While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds, and also take into account real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
What’s the final word on internet providers in Juneau?
Compared to the country as a whole, the internet landscape in Juneau leaves a lot to be desired. But that’s apples to oranges — by Alaska’s standards, Juneau fares pretty well. The best internet provider for most people is GCI, which is the only wired connection in the city. It’s the fastest internet in Juneau by far, but it’s on the expensive side, and you’ll have to deal with data caps on most plans. If you’re looking for cheap internet in Juneau, SnowCloud is your best bet, with plans starting at just $65. Satellite internet from Starlink is another option for reasonably fast speeds, but it requires a $599 equipment purchase upfront.
Internet providers in Juneau FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Juneau?
GCI is the best internet service provider in Juneau, with plans starting at $85 per month for 250Mbps speeds. With the exception of the $185 plan, all GCI plans come with a monthly data cap.
Is fiber internet available in Juneau?
Fiber internet is available to less than 1% of Juneau, according to FCC data. This is offered through Alaska Communications, which has introduced fiber service to a handful of streets in the city.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Juneau?
SnowCloud is the cheapest internet provider in Juneau, with plans starting at $65 per month for 100Mbps speeds. HughesNet also offers satellite service starting at $50 per month for 15Mbps, but equipment costs an extra $14 monthly, and it requires a two-year commitment.
Which internet provider in Juneau offers the fastest plan?
GCI offers the fastest internet plan in Juneau, with 2,500Mbps speeds available for $185 per month.
Consolidating federal student loans that aren’t currently eligible for forgiveness programs could help you qualify for debt relief.
You must apply to consolidate by end of day on June 30 to be eligible for this one-time benefit.
You can consolidate your loans online. The process takes about 30 minutes.
If you have federal student loans that aren’t eligible for debt relief programs, today’s your last chance at increasing your forgiveness amount.
The Department of Education is reviewing past student loan payment counts as part of a one-time adjustment. This adjustment could increase your payment counts to make you eligible for forgiveness sooner under a qualifying income-based repayment plan or another program, like Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Consolidating before June 30 can help apply these benefits to federal loans that were previously ineligible for student forgiveness programs.
There’s a lot of confusion around student loans in the news right now. With parts of the Biden administration’s SAVE repayment plan on hold, you may be wondering if it’s still worth consolidating your student loans.
Experts say yes.
“The consolidation deadline for the one-time IDR adjustment is not impacted by the court decision,” said Elaine Rubin, a higher education finance and policy expert and director of corporate communications for Edvisors. “The US Department of Education will still be counting eligible payments to qualify borrowers.”
Although consolidation will benefit most borrowers, it’s not the right move for everyone. Here’s how to know if this one-time consolidation option could maximize your debt relief and if you should consider it.
Student loan debt consolidation is similar to refinancing — it lets you combine your existing federal student loans into a new loan with a fixed interest rate.
Why would you want to do this? If you hold FFELP, Perkins and other nondirect federal student loans, they may not be eligible for forgiveness programs. By consolidating them into a new Direct Loan and enrolling in an income-driven repayment plan, you may be eligible for automatic loan cancellation, interest forgiveness or other debt relief benefits.
“Consolidation increases the number of payments that count toward forgiveness and synchronizes your forgiveness date.”
If you qualify for an IDR plan and have been making payments for 20-25 years, your entire balance could be forgiven automatically.
And there are other benefits to loan consolidation. Having one student loan to keep track of, rather than many, can also make it easier to manage payments. Depending on the payment plan you choose, a consolidation loan could lower your monthly payments but also extend your repayment period. But if you’re eligible for forgiveness after consolidating, this might not be much of a concern.
Even if you already have Direct Loans, you might benefit from consolidating if you have more than one with different repayment start dates, said Mark Kantrowitz, a financial aid expert and member of CNET Money’s Expert Review Board.
Private student loan companies also offer debt consolidation for student loans. Even if these programs offer lower interest rates or other perks, converting your federal student loan into a private loan rarely makes sense. Private student loans are not eligible for federal income-driven repayment programs or federal debt relief.
Will my interest rate go up if I consolidate my student loans?
If you currently have low interest rates on your federal student loans, you won’t have to worry about your new consolidated rate spiking — in most cases.
Your new Direct Consolidation Loan’s interest rate will be based on a weighted average of the loans you consolidate and it will be rounded up to the next 1/8th of 1%, according to Federal Student Aid, the Department of Education’s official student loan website.
There’s one exception, though. If you have a FFELP loan, you might lose some benefits when consolidating. “The main issue is borrowers who have a big interest rate reduction from the FFELP lender,” said Kantrowitz. “These discounts are provided by the lender and will disappear if you consolidate the loans.”
You don’t have to consolidate all of your loans, so you might exclude your FFELP loans if you want to keep your current discount. You’ll need to weigh whether you qualify for forgiveness and how consolidating might affect your monthly student loan payment to decide if consolidating is right for you.
If you have unpaid interest on a student loan, it will be capitalized when you consolidate the loan and could increase your principal balance. Factor that in when deciding how much your new monthly payment would be and how much you may qualify for in forgiveness.
I don’t know if I’m eligible for student loan forgiveness. Should I still consolidate my loans?
For many borrowers, consolidating your federal student loans will help lower your monthly payment and could maximize your potential debt relief. If you currently hold federal student loans that are not Direct Loans, it can be particularly beneficial. Consolidating can also help you lock in a fixed interest rate if any of your federal student loans have a variable rate.
The latest student loan forgiveness program takes into account the date of your first student loan payment. Consolidating your loans helps ensure you get credit for your new Direct Loan starting with your earlier loan payment date.
So, let’s say you graduated from college and made your first federal student loan payment in 2004. Later, you went back to school for a second degree and started paying those loans in 2010. Under an income-driven repayment plan with a 20-year path to forgiveness, you might be eligible to have your loans from 2004 forgiven this year. But by consolidating your more recent loans with your older ones into one new Direct Loan, your entire balance could be wiped out this year.
Even if you graduated more recently, consolidating your federal loans and enrolling in an IDR can help you get access to forgiveness sooner. And if you only have one student loan, if it’s not a Direct Loan, you may also benefit from consolidating.
But if you don’t qualify for debt relief, it may not make sense to go through this step. “If you are not currently pursuing any kind of forgiveness (e.g., not even IDR forgiveness) and expect to never pursue forgiveness, then you don’t need to do it, ” said Kantrowitz.
Will the June 30 deadline be extended?
Although the Department of Education extended the loan consolidation deadline from April 30 to June 30 this spring, experts don’t anticipate it will be pushed back again.
“The extension for consolidation has not changed, and it’s not anticipated it will change or be extended any further,” said Rubin. If you can benefit from consolidation your loans, you’ll want to apply soon.
How to consolidate your student loans
You can consolidate your federal student loans online at StudentAid.gov. You’ll need to submit your application before midnight local time on June 30 to meet the deadline. You can consolidate after this date, but would miss out on some benefits.
To fill out the application, you’ll need your Federal Student Aid ID, some personal information, financial information and loan information to fill out the application. The FSA website says it takes approximately 30 minutes to complete the application for consolidating your loans.
Once you apply, it can take up to 60 days to process your consolidation, said Kantrowitz. In the meantime, you might see your student loan payment count drop to zero. Don’t panic if this happens. It just means your adjustment count is being worked on.
What happens if you miss the deadline?
If you consolidate your loans after the June 30 deadline, you can still get credit for past payments made on direct loans. But you might not get as much credit. Instead, your payment count would be based on a weighted average or may reset to zero. But, you could still gain access to a debt relief program.
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Summer is an ideal time to take a road trip, go camping and spend time outdoors. Taking a power station with you is a smart way to make sure your devices never run out of juice. Right now the Vtoman FlashSpeed 1000 portable power station is $540 off at Amazon. That makes this handy gadget only $460. Amazon deals like this one tend to fluctuate in price quickly, so keep that in mind.
This power station features 14 ports, including USB-A, USB-C, DC, electrical outlets, a car slot and a jumper cable slot. It has a capacity of 828 to 1,000 watts. The estimated charging time is roughly 70 minutes. You can also expand the capacity by attaching the power station to another Vtoman and increasing output power.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
The power station was designed to last up to 3,000 life cycles, and it includes its own storage compartment so you can keep your charging cables organized. You can also add a solar panel, but you’ll have to buy that separately. If you’re interested in more power, the Vtoman FlashSpeed 2,376-watt battery two-pack and 110-watt solar panel are now available in a bundle for $400 off at Amazon and will cost you only $1,200 when you use the on-page coupon.
If you’re looking for ways to keep your devices charged, we have a list of the best solar panels and an explainer on portable power stations and home batteries. We’re also keeping track of Fourth of July sales and helping you take advantage of upcoming Amazon Prime Day sales.
What is the best internet provider in Hayward, California?
AT&T Fiber is the best internet provider in Hayward, offering the fastest internet speeds and best value. AT&T Fiber doesn’t have equipment fees or data caps, and your price won’t automatically go up after a promotional period ends. That’s why the internet provider has the best customer satisfaction scores in the country.
If you’re looking for the cheapest internet plans, Xfinity is the cheapest internet service provider in Hayward. You’d be hard-pressed to find internet plans cheaper than Xfinity’s $20 monthly plan for 150 megabits per second. That said, Xfinity increases prices on all of its plans after one or two years (or both).
Another good option in Hayward is wireless internet. T-Mobile and Verizon offer wireless home internet service in the city, and you can get significant discounts by bundling with one of their cell phone plans.
Best internet in Hayward, California
Hayward internet providers compared
Provider
Internet technology
Monthly price range
Speed range
Monthly equipment costs
Data cap
Contract
CNET review score
AT&T Fiber Read full review
Fiber
$55-$245
300-5,000Mbps
None
None
None
7.4
AT&T Internet Read full review
DSL
$55
Up to 140Mbps
None
1.5TB on some plans
None
7.4
RobinsonHSS
Fixed wireless
$25-$55
10-100Mbps
None
None
None
N/A
Starlink Read full review
Satellite
$120
25-220Mbps
$499 upfront
None
None
6.5
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review
Fixed wireless
$50-$70 ($40-$50 with mobile plans)
72-245Mbps
None
None
None
7.4
Tekify
Fixed wireless
$65
100-400Mbps
None
None
One year
N/A
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review
Fixed wireless
$50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers)
100-300Mbps
None
None
None
7.2
Xfinity Read full review
Cable
$20-$120
150-2,000Mbps
$15 (included in most plans)
1.2TB (unlimited in most plans)
Optional
7
Show more (4 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Hayward?
Provider
Starting price
Max download speed
Monthly equipment fee
RobinsonHSS Basic
$25
10Mbps
None
Xfinity Connect Read full review
$20
150Mbps
$15 (optional)
Xfinity Connect More Read full review
$30
300Mbps
None
RobinsonHSS Medium
$40
20Mbps
None
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans)
100Mbps
None
T-Mobile Home Internet Unlimited Read full review
$50 ($40 with eligible mobile plans)
245Mbps
None
Show more (2 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Sundry Photography / Getty Images
How to find internet deals and promotions in Hayward
The best internet deals and top promotions in Hayward depend on what discounts are available during a given time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
How many members of your household use the internet?
Hayward internet providers, such as Xfinity and Verizon 5G Home Internet, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, however, including AT&T Fiber, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Fastest internet plans in Hayward
Provider
Starting price
Max download speed
Max upload speed
Data cap
Connection type
AT&T Internet 5000 Read full review
$245
5,000Mbps
5,000Mbps
None
Fiber
AT&T Internet 2000 Read full review
$145
2,000Mbps
2,000Mbps
None
Fiber
Xfinity Gigabit X2 Read full review
$120
2,000Mbps
200Mbps
1.2TB
Cable
Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read full review
$80
1,200Mbps
200Mbps
None
Cable
Xfinity Gigabit Read full review
$75
1,000Mbps
100Mbps
None
Cable
Show more (1 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines — and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics — browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
40 to 100Mbps should give one person sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
100 to 500Mbps allows one to two people to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more people to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Hayward
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
Are customers happy with their service?
While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Internet providers in Hayward FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Hayward?
AT&T Fiber is the best internet service provider in Hayward, offering the fastest speeds by far. You’ll also get unlimited data and no equipment fees.
Is fiber internet available in Hayward?
Yes, fiber internet is available to 35% of Hayward households, according to FCC data. AT&T Fiber is the only fiber provider in the city.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Hayward?
Xfinity is the cheapest internet provider in Hayward, offering plans that start at just $20 a month for 150Mbps download speeds.
Which internet provider in Hayward offers the fastest plan?
AT&T Fiber offers the fastest internet plan in Hayward, with upload and download speeds up to 5,000Mbps.
A Quiet Place: Day One’s noise-targeting monsters are starring in a spin-off prequel set in New York City. Before you head to the theater (preferably side-stepping your squeaky tennis shoes), you may want to revisit the first two films in the suspenseful horror franchise.
The prior Quiet Place movies, 2018’s A Quiet Place and 2020’s sequel, Part II, follow the Abbott family as they try to survive in a world crawling with aliens that hunt by sound. The new installment, Day One, introduces new characters to tell a terrifying about “the day the world went quiet.”
2020’s A Quiet Place: Part II continued the Abbott family saga.
Paramount Pictures
Day One’s cast includes Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff and a (hopefully silent) cat named Frodo. Additionally, Djimon Hounsou is returning to his Part II role. You may want to rewatch that film for a refresh on his character listed in the credits as “Man on Island.”
Unlike the first movies, Day One is directed by Michael Sarnoski (2021’s Pig) rather than John Krasinski. The story is by Sarnoski and Krasinski. You can find tickets to Day One in theaters here, but if past entries in the franchise are what you’re after, you can view streaming methods below.
How to watch A Quiet Place and the Sequel
Interested in streaming A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place Part II? Paramount Plus carries both of the post-apocalyptic horror films. If you have Hulu, you’re partially in luck, as the streamer offers Part II.
Outside of those streaming services, the initial A Quiet Place movies are available to rent digitally for around four bucks each at Amazon and Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu).
James Martin/CNET
Paramount Plus just announced a price increase kicking in later this summer, but you can currently get the ad-supported version of the service for $6 a month or $60 a year. Paramount Plus’ mostly ad-free plan with Showtime programming costs $12 a month or $120 a year. The streamer offers free trials for new customers.
On top of offering A Quiet Place and Part II, Paramount Plus will get A Quiet Place: Day One after its theatrical run.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Hulu may not have A Quiet Place, but it does have the nail-biting follow-up to that flick: A Quiet Place: Part II. The ad-supported version of the streamer costs $8 a month or $80 a year, and the ad-less version runs $18 a month with no annual payment option. Eligible subscribers can take advantage of a free trial.
Toys “R” Us released a video made with a new artificial intelligence tool at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday, but not everyone wants to be a Toys “R” Us-AI kid. The toy retailer said in a statement that this was the first brand video created using Sora, which is a text-to-video tool from ChatGPT creator OpenAI. Sora isn’t yet available publicly, but the company was given special early access.
The 1-minute AI-generated video shows a young boy representing Charles Lazarus, the late founder of Toys “R” Us. He falls asleep and wakes in a dream world filled with toys of all types, including an animated version of store mascot Geoffrey the Giraffe. A wistful version of the store’s I Wanna Be a Toys ‘R’ Us Kid jingle plays, and a photograph of the real Lazarus posing with a costume version of Geoffrey is shown.
A teaser was released on YouTube, but you need to go to the Toys “R” Us Studios site to watch the full video.
Toys “R” Us closed its last US stores in 2021 but later opened toy departments inside of Macy’s department stores, keeping the nostalgic name alive.
But some now-grown Toys “R” Us kids weren’t comfortable with their childhood icon diving into the world of artificial intelligence.
More than 9,500 people liked a tweet on X from writer and comedian Mike Drucker, who wrote, “Love (that) this commercial is like, ‘Toys R Us started with the dream of a little boy who wanted to share his imagination with the world.’ And to show how, we fired our artists and dried Lake Superior using a server farm to generate what that would look like in Stephen King’s nightmares.”
Videos, music and dialogue using AI continue to stir controversy in the entertainment world, with concerns ranging from fears of AI replacing human workers to how easy it is to pass off AI images or sounds as real. Sometimes the reaction to AI is positive, as in 2023, when former Beatle Paul McCartney said an AI program was used to pull the late John Lennon’s voice off an old tape to make what’s been called the final Beatles song.
But last month, Sony Music Group and its affiliates spoke out against the use of music from its artists to train AI systems. A song that used AI to mimic singers Drake and The Weeknd was submitted for two Grammy Awards in 2023, forcing the musical academy to hastily set rules regarding AI and its awards. And singer Taylor Swift and President Joe Biden are among those who’ve had their voices imitated by people trying to scam others. Every new venture into the world of AI brings more questions, it seems, and with a brand name as well-known as Toys “R” Us, backlash seemed inevitable.
‘We weren’t going to hire a giraffe’
When asked by NBC News about criticisms about the potential of AI to replace human workers, Toys “R” Us Studios President Kim Miller Olko said there was a lot of “fear out there” about AI. Miller Olko said about a dozen humans worked on the video over three months, the same amount of people that would work on a non-AI job.
“Geoffrey is an animation. He’s a cartoon,” Miller Olko told NBC. “We weren’t going to hire a giraffe, you know what I mean? This was an animation.”
Representatives for Toys “R” Us and OpenAI didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
What is Sora?
“Sora” means sky in Japanese, and as CNET’s Connie Guglielmo wrote in February, the AI tool has earned attention for the photorealistic videos it can create.
“Sora is able to generate complex scenes with multiple characters, specific types of motion, and accurate details of the subject and background,” the company says on its site. “The model understands not only what the user has asked for in the prompt, but also how those things exist in the physical world.”
Open AI also says on its site that the company is building tools to help detect misleading content, such as a detection classifier that can tell when a video was generated by Sora, and plans to include C2PA metadata to indicate that Sora was used in an OpenAI product.
For more news, tips and reviews on artificial intelligence, check out CNET’s AI Atlas hub.
Steam is one of the most popular PC gaming platforms, selling more than 400 million total games in 2023, according to Statista. The digital PC gaming service boasts a massive catalog of over 76,000 titles. I first discovered Steam in college — until then, I’d never had my own computer, so the lure of PC gaming proved attractive. What began as a humble dozen games (like Team Fortress 2 and Half-Life) blossomed into a collection of over 220 titles, thanks mainly to Steam sales. (Please don’t ask me how many items from my library I’ve actually played.)
Whether you’re trying to save a few bucks on one of the latest big-name AAA games, want to add more indie games to your digital shelf or need to fill up your Steam Deck hard drive, here’s everything you need to know about Steam sales, including the Steam Summer Sale that started on June 27 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time (1 p.m. Eastern Time).
When are the next Steam sales?
There are four main Steam seasonal sales. The next Steam Sale — the Steam Summer Sale — runs June 27 through July 11, kicking off at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET) as revealed by a Tweet from Steam. Typically, the Steam Winter and Summer Sales last about two weeks, whereas the Spring and Autumn Sales last for one week, give or take.
Steam Summer Sale (June 27 to July 11, 2024)
Steam Autumn Sale (Nov. 27 to Dec. 4, 2024)
Steam Winter Sale (Dec. 19, 2024 to Jan. 2, 2025)
Steam Spring Sale (was March 14-21, 2024)
How often are Steam sales?
Steam Sales are pretty frequent, with at least one per month. While the big seasonal sales are quarterly — winter, fall, spring and summer — there are dozens of smaller sales or fests. Typically, these Steam discount days revolve around a particular theme, with lowered prices on titles within a certain genre, like fighting games or roleplaying games.
Here’s how I save money with Steam sales (and you can, too)
Take advantage of your wish list
Adding games to your Steam wish list is a great way to find out when they’re on sale.
Screenshot by Moe Long/CNET
Adding games to your Steam wish list simplifies figuring out what to snag — or skip — during a sale. You can sort your wish list by discount, so finding the biggest savings is a breeze. Add a game to your wish list whenever you see one you like the look of but don’t immediately want to play. Then, during a Steam sale, pop in, sort by discount and see which prices have plummeted the most. Or, you can arrange your wish list in order of your most wanted titles, then choose what to buy that way during one of the upcoming Steam sales.
Use SteamDB to find the largest discounts
You can sort discounted titles from the Steam store front in SteamDB for quick perusal.
Screenshot by Moe Long/CNET
SteamDB is an excellent source for uncovering deals. Its many filters let you sort attributes, including discount percentage, rating, price or reviews, making it a helpful Steam sales tracker. You can even narrow down a list based on platform — Windows, Linux or MacOS — and features like controller support. I’ve even used SteamDB to nab free games, like a no-cost copy of Tell Me Why. I typically hop into SteamDB during a Steam sale to look for hefty discounts on highly rated games. It’s worth checking SteamDB even outside of seasonal sales and fests if you want to expand your Steam collection.
Shop for older titles, indie games, DLC and complete catalogs
Often, newer AAA games get heavy markdowns — but because of their usually high price tags, even the discounted cost isn’t cheap. However, you can find wallet-friendly older games, indies or downloadable content. For instance, I picked up a copy of The Sum of All Fears for just $2, which wasn’t even during a Steam sale.
Complete publisher catalogs or franchise bundles save you a ton of money. I’ve seen the Activision Collection bundle — typically $900 — for as low as $355. While over $350 might not be pocket change, the per-title breakdown is pretty cost-effective when you’re getting 53 games. Similarly, I’ve seen the Call of Duty Franchise bundle for $443, a steep drop from its usual $1,010. You can often get DLC packs pretty cheap during Steam sales, which provides more in-game content to enjoy. On the other hand, these comprehensive bundles might lead you to overspend if you’re not actually planning on playing, say, every single Call of Duty game under the sun.
Check your other game libraries to make sure you’re not double-dipping
Although Steam is incredibly popular, it’s not the only source for digital game purchases. Check your other libraries on GOG, Epic, EA Origin and Xbox Game Pass, for instance, to ensure you’re not double-dipping. While you could buy Cyberpunk 2077 on Steam and GOG, you probably don’t need two copies.
Cross-shop deals on other platforms
While Steam is extremely popular, you can also find loads of competitive discounts at other outlets. IsThereAnyDeal lets you easily cross-shop.
Screenshot by Moe Long/CNET
With many Steam alternatives, including GOG, Epic, Origin and Fanatical, you can find sweet discounts from several outlets. While you can — and should — check those individual storefronts, IsThereAnyDeal is a comprehensive source for savings. So you might notice a great deal on Skyrim from Steam, but it might be available at an even lower price at Epic at the same time.
Set a budget
Adding a bunch of games to your cart can be tempting, especially with prices slashed by 75% or more. However, lots of cheap games can still add up. I typically set a budget — whether it’s monetary or a limit on the number of games — and stick to that.
Don’t feel compelled to buy anything
The best way to save money is by not spending it in the first place. I know, it’s tempting to load up your cart with $5 or $10 games, which is nearly as gratifying as an in-game loot grab. But only buy what you’ll play now or soon after purchasing. While there are rare instances where games get delisted on Steam, chances are if you pass up on a sweet deal, it’ll still be available during the next Steam sale.
A complete list of Steam sale dates
Outside of Steam’s seasonal sales, there are different genre-themed sales or fests. Steam fests revolve around a genre or game theme. Here are the upcoming Steam fests for this year, along with examples of Steam games on sale you might find:
Fighting Games Fest (July 15-22): Punch down the prices on games that could include games like Street Fighter V and Dead Or Alive 6.
Tower Defense Fest (July 29-Aug. 5): Protect your territory — and wallet — by copping tower defense titles (think Ratropolis and Orcs Must Die 2) at lower-than-normal prices.
Rhythm Fest (Aug. 19-26): Games such as Beat Saber and Hi-Fi Rush will drop prices like they’re hot.
Space Exploration Fest (Sept. 2-9): Enjoy out-of-this-world savings games that blast you into outer space — maybe you can find Starfield and Mass Effect on sale.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles Fest (Sept. 16-23): Shift into low prices on games. Discounted titles could include Train Sim World 4 or Forza Horizon 5.
Turn-based RPG Fest (Sept. 30-Oct. 7): Turn down the costs for turn-based roleplaying games — Wildermyth or King Arthur: Knight’s Tale might be priced lower than normal.
Next Fest: October Edition (Oct. 14-21): Demos, developer chats and livestreams.
Halloween Sale (Oct. 28-Nov. 4): Score scary good deals. While horror games — think Amnesia: The Dark Descent or Resident Evil 4 — are the primary slashing “victims,” you can find deals on all genres.
Cooking Fest (Nov. 11-18): Sizzling savings on food-related games. Cheaper-than-normal titles may include Overcooked or Papa’s Freezeria.
Here are the past Steam sales from 2024:
Capitalism and Economy Fest (was Jan. 8-15)
Pirates vs. Ninjas Fest (was Jan. 22-29)
Next Fest (was Feb. 5-12)
Remote Play Together Fest (was Feb. 12-19)
Dinos vs. Robots Fest (was Feb. 26-March 4)
Deckbuilders Fest (was March 25-April 1)
FPS Fest (was April 15-22)
Farming Fest (April 29-May 6)
Endless Replayability Fest (was May 13-20)
Open World Survival Crafting Fest (was May 27-June 3)
Next Fest (was June 10-17)
When is the next Steam Next Fest?
There’s an upcoming Steam Next Fest running Oct. 28-21. The Steam Next Fest highlights upcoming game releases, featuring developer chats, free playable game demos and livestreams. Some of the most played demos from the June 2024 Steam Next Fest include Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, Once Human and Level Zero: Extraction.
How to get the most out of Steam once you’ve ravaged your wallet during a Steam sale
Once you’ve drained your bank account dry on games you’ll likely never play, there’s a lot more you can do with Steam, like sharing your library with friends or family, using Remote Play Together and adding non-Steam games. I suggest installing the Steam Link app on your phone, tablet or streaming device for playing your games away from your PC. You can also game on the go with the Steam Deck or another handheld gaming console like the Asus ROG Ally.
CNET recommends Spectrum as McKinney’s best internet service provider. In addition to providing service to almost 88% of the city’s population, according to the FCC, Spectrum offers some of the cheapest and fastest plans residents can find. However, if Spectrum isn’t an option at your address, AT&T Fiber and T-Mobile Home Internet are worth checking out for broadband.
We’ve also compared providers based on speed and cost in McKinney. If you’re shopping for the fastest service, AT&T Fiber’s 5-gigabit plan costs $225 monthly and includes unlimited data.
Providers like T-Mobile and Verizon will be your best bet if you want to pay the lowest amount possible for home internet. While those fixed wireless ISPs offer base plans at $50, similar to Spectrum and AT&T Fiber, eligible T-Mobile and Verizon mobile customers can receive a $15 to $20 monthly discount.
Best internet in McKinney, Texas, in 2024
McKinney internet providers compared
Provider
Internet technology
Monthly price range
Speed range
Monthly equipment costs
Data cap
Contract
CNET review score
AT&T Home Internet Read full review
DSL
$55
10-100Mbps
None
1.5TB
None
7.4
AT&T Fiber Read full review
Fiber
$55-$225
300-5,000Mbps
None
None
None
7.4
Rise Broadband Read full review
Fixed wireless
$55-$75
25-100Mbps
$10 modem; $5-$15 router (optional)
250GB or unlimited
None, but required for some promotions
6.2
Spectrum Read full review
Cable
$30-$70
300-1,000Mbps
Free modem; $5 router (optional)
None
None
7.2
Speed of Light
Fixed wireless
$50-$130
10-50Mbps
Varies
None
Varies
N/A
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review
Fixed wireless
$50 ($30 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers)
72-245Mbps
None
None
None
7.4
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review
Fixed wireless
$50-$70 ($35-$45 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans)
50-1,000Mbps
None
None
None
7.2
Show more (3 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in McKinney?
Provider
Starting monthly price
Max download speed
Monthly equipment fee
Spectrum Internet Read full review
$30
100Mbps
$5 (optional)
Speed of Light
$50
10Mbps
Varies
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review
$50 ($30 with eligible mobile plan)
245Mbps
None
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plan)
300Mbps
None
AT&T Home Internet Read full review
$55
100Mbps
None
AT&T Fiber 300 Read full review
$55
300Mbps
None
Rise Broadband 50Mbps Read full review
$55
50Mbps
$5-$15 (optional)
Show more (3 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in McKinney
The best internet deals and top promotions in McKinney depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
How many members of your household use the internet?
McKinney internet providers such as Spectrum may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, however, including AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Photo by Mint Images/Getty Images
Fastest internet plans in McKinney
Provider
Starting price
Max download speed
Max upload speed
Data cap
Connection type
AT&T Fiber 5000 Read full review
$225
5,000Mbps
5,000Mbps
None
Fiber
AT&T Fiber 2000 Read full review
$125
2,000Mbps
2,000Mbps
None
Fiber
AT&T Fiber 1000 Read full review
$80
1,000Mbps
1,000Mbps
None
Fiber
Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review
$70
1,000Mbps
35Mbps
None
Cable
Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read full review
$70 ($45 with eligible mobile plan)
1,000Mbps
75Mbps
None
Fixed wireless
Show more (1 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines — and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities such as videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in McKinney
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
Are customers happy with their service?
While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things such as price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and also consider real-world speed data from sources such as Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Internet providers in McKinney FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in McKinney?
Spectrum’s wide coverage map, reasonable prices and speedy plans make it McKinney’s best internet provider. This cable ISP also ranks as CNET’s best cable provider for 2024, so it’s a reliable option for McKinney residents.
Is fiber internet available in McKinney?
AT&T Fiber is McKinney’s largest fiber provider, but select households may be able to access fiber connectivity through Point Broadband.
What is the cheapest internet provider in McKinney?
Spectrum offers the lowest cost plan at $30 for 100 Mbps. Four providers tie for the second cheapest service in McKinney: Spectrum, Speed of Light, T-Mobile and Verizon all offer base plans costing $50. However, eligible T-Mobile and Verizon mobile customers can receive a $15-$20 discount, meaning their internet may only cost $30-$35 monthly.
Which internet provider in McKinney offers the fastest plan?
McKinney’s fastest internet provider is AT&T Fiber, which offers 2,000Mbps and 5,000Mbps plans for $125 and $225 per month, respectively.
Need a new mattress this summer? You are in luck. Fourth of July sales offer some great discounts on mattresses, and this year’s deals are no exception. Leesa, a popular online mattress brand, makes quality beds for both hot and temperature-neutral sleepers. I’ve had the pleasure of testing all the Leesa mattresses, and here’s why you should take advantage of one of my favorite cooling mattresses being 30% off right now.
In addition to its popular foam mattress, the Leesa Original, Leesa has two main lines of beds. Its Chill line of cool-to-the-touch mattresses includes the Studio Chill, Oasis Chill, Sapira Chill and Legend Chill. Its hybrid innerspring line includes the Original Hybrid, Sapira Hybrid, Reserve Hybrid, Legend Hybrid, Plus Hybrid and Natural Hybrid.
The Leesa Sapira Chill stands out to me because it’s a pillowtop mattress that’s not too dense. By this, I mean that the pillowtop is fluffy and comfortable, and I don’t feel it pushing up against me. Instead, I like that I sink into it a little bit, but not so much that I feel stuck. It’s both supportive and pressure-relieving. This is the perfect balance for me as a combination sleeper. When I flip from my side to my stomach, I don’t feel much resistance from the mattress. As someone who often sleeps hot, the cooling cover is also a great touch.
I find the Sapira Chill so comfortable because it has four layers of foam on top of the Zoned Support Layer of coils. This is one more layer of foam than the Oasis Chill, another popular bed in the chill lineup. The Sapira is the only bed from Leesa to come in three firmness options: Plush, Medium-Firm and Firm. I think the Sapira will appeal to most, especially hot sleepers.
If you buy a Leesa mattress during this Fourth of July sale and then decide it isn’t right for you, don’t worry. Each Leesa mattress comes with a 100-night risk-free trial. There’s also free, no-contact shipping and a 10-year warranty.
Need the answers for the June 26 New York Times Connections puzzle? To me, Wordle is more of a vocabulary test, but Connections is more of a brainteaser. You’re given 16 words and asked to put them into four groups that are somehow connected. Sometimes they’re obvious, but game editor Wyna Liu knows how to trick you by using words that can fit into more than one group.
And do you also play Wordle? We’ve got today’s Wordle answer and hints too.
We’ve also got today’s answer and some general tips for Strands, a new game from the Times that’s still in beta.
Read more: NYT Connections Could Be the New Wordle: Our Hints and Tips
Hints for today’s Connections groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Time to salute.
Green group hint: Charge it.
Blue group hint: Customers want it.
Purple group hint: Don Draper’s passion.
Answers for today’s Connections groups
Yellow group: Army ranks.
Green group: Place to plug something in.
Blue group: Consumer desire, collectively.
Purple group: ____ ad.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is army ranks. The four answers are captain, general, major and private.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is place to plug something in. The four answers are jack, outlet, port and socket.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is consumer desire, collectively. The four answers are appetite, audience, demand and market.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is ____ ad. The four answers are attack, personal, pop-up and want.
How to play Connections
Playing is easy. Winning is hard. Look at the 16 words and mentally assign them to related groups of four. Click on the four words you think go together. The groups are coded by color, though you don’t know what goes where until you see the answers. The yellow group is the easiest, then green, then blue, and purple is the toughest. Look at the words carefully, and think about related terms. Sometimes the connection has to do with just a part of the word. Once, four words were grouped because each started with the name of a rock band, including “Rushmore” and “Journeyman.”
Overwatch has brought back its most in-demand cosmetic, and it’s helping charity at the same time. That’s right, Pink Mercy is back — and there’s a new skin with a gilded twist.
Overwatch 2 season 11 started June 20, following the Mirrorwatch theme of season 10 with an action-packed Sentai-inspired battle pass theme. As usual with Blizzard’s multiplayer online shooter, we’ve got a new battle pass, a new balance patch and a new season of ranked play to start grinding. There’s no new hero this season, but we are getting another Push map, which brings the total up to four.
Season 11 also brings new hero mastery courses, mythic store options and a new Kiriko shop skin. Here’s what to know about the latest Overwatch 2 season.
The new Rose Gold Mercy skin gives the hero a shiny, strawberry blonde look.
Blizzard
Get the Pink Mercy skin, support cancer research
One of the most coveted skins in Overwatch has been the Pink Mercy skin — a limited-time cosmetic from 2018 that supported breast cancer research. After years of fans begging Blizzard to bring back the skin, the cosmetic is finally back in the shop.
You can buy the old Pink ($15) and new Rose Gold ($20) skins, and 100% of the proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. It’s a good look for the game, and I hope it’s the start of more charity items in Overwatch 2. Note that you can’t use coins — you have to buy the skins directly, and you’ll have through July 7 to get them.
Overwatch season 11 battle pass
If you saw the Super Sentai Genji skin and wished everyone could get that treatment, season 11 was made just for you. The new season is themed around Ultrawatch — the game’s colorful take on Power Rangers — with Genji, Cassidy, Sojourn, Ana and Wrecking Ball getting themed skins. There’s also be a lifeguard theme in the battle pass, including skins for Junkrat and Lucio, and other skins available in the shop.
Sojourn is ready to face off against the forces of evil in her Ultrawatch form.
Blizzard
New mythic skin
The heroes of Ultrawatch aren’t just fighting against any old villain — they’re facing off against Mythic Calamity Empress Ashe. The leader of the Deadlock Gang trades in her cowgirl hat for a very Rita Repulsa headdress and some dark magic. As a reminder, mythic skins have been taken off the battle pass and now exist exclusively in shops where you can spend mythic prisms, which you can earn in the premium battle pass or buy directly from the shop.
Ashe is my main damage character, so I’ve got high expectations for her mythic skin.
Blizzard
New mythic weapons
Not interested in the Mythic Ashe? Hold onto your mythic prisms until midseason and spend them on an all-new type of item: mythic weapons. Everyone’s favorite Crusader is getting the first mythic weapon, called Bound Demon — an axe-like hammer that glows like lava and has special fiery effects for earning final blows.
Vanquish your foes with the first mythic weapon.
Blizzard
New map: Runasapi
We got a fourth Push map this season, and this one shows off Illari’s home in Peru. The season 11 blog post says we’ll get to see the Inti Warrior Historical Museum and Monument, which pays tribute to the group that trained Illari before she became the sole survivor.
This Runasapi area shows off a tragic piece of Illari lore.
Blizzard
Other new stuff
There are a few other changes happening in season 11:
The game added new hero mastery courses for Kiriko and Soldier:76.
Our cries have finally been heard: The glass is gone from Colosseo.
Weekly challenges are easier, and you can catch up if you miss a week.
The devs adjusted matchmaking to better handle narrow and wide groups.
Fine, take my money.
Blizzard
For more games coverage, check out how to get started with Valorant’s console beta and find the best online games to play with friends.
Look out, Wordle and Connections, here comes Strands. Like those two games, Strands is a New York Times online word game. Right now, Strands is only in beta, so it doesn’t yet show up in The New York Times’ Games app. You need to go directly to the game. And because it’s in beta, meaning it’s still being tested, it might be improved before it’s fully released. I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.
Strands reminds me of those old-fashioned Word Find books they used to sell in every grocery-store checkout lane. You’re given a grid of letters, but unlike the Word Find books, no list of words. That’s what makes the game fun — and frustrating.
And if you’re reading this, you probably need some help with the June 25 Strands puzzle, so here we go. Warning: Scroll down too far and too fast and you’ll see spoilers.
Need more answers? Here’s the answer for today’s Wordle, and here are the answers for today’s Connections.
Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far
Hint for today’s Strands puzzle
Today’s Strands theme is: Frame game.
But if that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Lebowski’s sport.
Clue words to unlock in-game hints
Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints, but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:
These are the answers that tie in to the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you’ve got all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the non-spangram answers:
Today’s Strands spangram is BOWLING. To spell it out, start with the B that’s three letters down on the far left.
Steeeeee-rike!
Screenshot by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper/CNET
How to play NYT Strands
1. Use today’s theme to look for words relating to that topic. See one? Drag or click the letters in order. Click on the last letter twice to submit your guess. If you’ve found a theme word, it’ll light up in blue and stay that way.
2. Other words you find are considered hint words that give you clues to the theme words. Find three hint words (they must have at least four letters each), and the game will reward you by showing you a theme word. But if you can’t unscramble it, find three more hint words, and the game will highlight the theme word’s letters in order.
3. Hunt for the spangram, a special theme word that spans the entire puzzle, though it could flow across, or top to bottom. It summarizes the puzzle theme.
4. When you’re done, you’ll have used every letter on the board in either a theme word or spangram. Theme words fill the entire board and do not overlap.
What is the best internet provider in North Las Vegas?
Cox is the best internet provider overall for most households in North Las Vegas, thanks to its widespread availability in nearly every part of town. That said, there are a few other options in North Las Vegas, depending on your location. Quantum Fiber, Verizon 5G Home Internet or T-Mobile Home Internet are also solid picks, if available. Plus, if you’re an existing Verizon or T-Mobile customer, you can score some deep discounts on internet plans.
We’ve also found the top options if you’re hunting for the lowest prices or fastest speeds. The cheapest internet in North Las Vegas is Cox’s 100Mbps plan for $50 per month or Quantum Fiber’s 500Mbps plan, also $50 monthly. The fastest internet in North Las Vegas comes from Cox’s cable or fiber plans. The ISP offers 2,000 megabits per second in many neighborhoods across the city.
Best internet in North Las Vegas, Nevada
North Las Vegas internet providers compared
undefined
Provider
Internet technology
Monthly price range
Speed range
Monthly equipment costs
Data cap
Contract
CNET review score
CenturyLink Read full review
DSL
$55
10-100Mbps
$15 (optional)
None
None
6.7
Cox Read full review
Cable/fiber
$50-$150
100-2,000Mbps
$15 (optional)
1.25TB (may be waived for fiber)
None
6.2
ISP.Net
Fixed wireless
$65-$150
25-90Mbps
$20 (optional)
None
1 year
N/A
Quantum Fiber
Fiber
$50-$75
500-940Mbps
None
None
None
6.7
Rise Broadband Read full review
Fixed wireless
$55-$65
25-100Mbps
$10 modem
None
None
6.2
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review
Fixed wireless
$60 ($30 with eligible mobile plans)
72-245Mbps
None
None
None
7.4
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review
Fixed wireless
$60-$80 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers)
50-1,000Mbps
None
None
None
7.2
Show more (3 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other available internet providers in North Las Vegas
CenturyLink: CenturyLink’s legacy DSL network covers most of North Las Vegas. There’s a $55-per-month charge for whichever speed level you qualify for. That may be a pokey 10Mbps, or it may be 100Mbps, depending on your location. There’s an optional $15-per-month equipment charge. DSL is an outdated technology, so look to Cox, Quantum Fiber or 5G home internet options before you turn to CenturyLink home internet.
ISP.Net: ISP.Net’s fixed wireless service reaches most of North Las Vegas, but it comes with a premium price tag for the speeds you can get. The 25Mbps tier costs $65 per month. The fastest 90Mbps tier costs $150 per month. There’s a $25 setup fee with a one-year contract. Consider this a fallback if you are in an unusual location or a rural area that can’t get cable, fiber or 5G home internet.
Rise Broadband: Rise specializes in rural fixed wireless internet for homes not covered by cable or fiber networks. If that sounds like you, you can check Rise’s plans. Speeds vary by location, but you’ll likely find a 25Mbps plan with unlimited data for $55 per month around North Las Vegas.
Satellite internet: If you live outside of North Las Vegas in a rural area, you may find it more challenging to get fast home internet. If cable, fiber and fixed wireless won’t work, satellite internet is your next option. Check in with Starlink, Viasat or HughesNet. Speeds and prices vary, but it may be the only way to get online if you’re living in a remote spot.
Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon has wide 5G coverage across North Las Vegas, but open slots for the home internet service may be limited. The ISP offers speeds up to a gig in parts of Las Vegas, but you’re most likely to find a top speed of 300Mbps in North Las Vegas. Plans start at $60 per month for speeds up to 100Mbps or 300Mbps, depending on what’s available at your address. There are no contracts, equipment fees or data caps.
WeLink: WeLink advertises symmetrical gigabit speeds and unlimited data for its residential wireless service in the broader Las Vegas area. The ISP doesn’t share pricing online and asks prospective customers to sign up on a waitlist.
Cheap internet options in North Las Vegas
North Las Vegas isn’t a hotspot for home internet bargains. Expect starting prices around $50 per month, on par with what you’ll find in neighboring Las Vegas. Cox is the dominant ISP, and its cable and fiber plans start at $50 for 100Mbps. For the best value, look to Quantum Fiber’s 500Mbps plan for $50 per month if you can get it at your address.
One way to save money is to sign up with Verizon or T-Mobile’s 5G home internet service and bundle it with an eligible mobile plan. That can drop your home internet price as low as $30 per month with T-Mobile or $35 per month with Verizon.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in North Las Vegas?
undefined
Provider
Starting price
Max download speed
Monthly equipment fee
Cox Read full review
$50
100Mbps
None
Quantum Fiber
$50
500Mbps
None
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review
$60 ($30 with eligible mobile plans)
245Mbps
None
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review
$60 ($35 with eligible mobile plans)
300Mbps
None
CenturyLink Read full review
$55
100mbps
$15 (optional)
Rise Broadband Read full review
$55
25Mbps
$10 modem
Show more (2 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How many members of your household use the internet?
How to find internet deals and promotions in North Las Vegas
The best internet deals and promotions in North Las Vegas depend on the discounts available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
North Las Vegas internet providers, such as Cox, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, however, including CenturyLink, Quantum Fiber and Rise Broadband, tend to run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
How fast is North Las Vegas broadband?
The wide availability of Cox’s gigabit and multigigabit speeds across North Las Vegas helped the city perform well in a recent Ookla speed test report. Ookla tracked a median fixed internet download speed of 262Mbps. Compare that to Las Vegas with 237Mbps. Both cities clock in above the US average of around 220Mbps. While Cox’s 2,000Mbps plan is the fastest around, consider Quantum Fiber’s 940Mbps plan for speedy uploads at a reasonable price.
Fastest internet plans in North Las Vegas
undefined
Provider
Starting price
Max download speed
Max upload speed
Data cap
Connection
Cox Fiber 2 Gig Read full review
$150
2,000Mbps
1,000Mbps
1.25TB (may be waived for fiber)
Fiber
Cox 2 Gig Read full review
$150
2,000Mbps
100Mbps
1.25TB
Cable
Cox Fiber 1 Gig Read full review
$65
1,000Mbps
1,000Mbps
1.25TB (may be waived for fiber)
Fiber
Cox 1 Gig Read full review
$110
1,000Mbps
100Mbps
1.25TB
Cable
Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read full review
$80 ($45 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans)
1,000Mbps
75Mbps
None
Fixed wireless
Quantum Fiber
$75
940Mbps
940Mbps
None
Fiber
Show more (2 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines — and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics — browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in North Las Vegas
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. So what’s our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary database of pricing, availability and speed information that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
Are customers happy with their service?
While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
What’s the final word on internet providers in North Las Vegas?
Most households in North Las Vegas will opt for Cox’s cable internet due to availability. Verizon or T-Mobile 5G home internet can be a serviceable alternative if you want to avoid Cox and can pull down decent speeds at your location. If fiber is available to you — especially Quantum Fiber’s affordable 500Mbps plan — go that route. Cox’s fiber options are preferable to its cable offerings, but the fiber network doesn’t reach nearly as many homes in North Las Vegas.
Internet providers in North Las Vegas FAQs
Who is the cheapest internet provider in North Las Vegas?
North Las Vegas doesn’t have a lot of internet service provider competition, and prices reflect that situation. Most ISPs in the area offer plans starting at $50 or $55 per month. Cox has the widest wired internet coverage in the area, primarily through its cable network. That $50 price tag will get you a 100Mbps plan. Consider bundling home internet and a mobile line to get discounts through Verizon or T-Mobile.
Which internet provider in North Las Vegas offers the fastest plan?
Cox is king when it comes to top speeds in North Las Vegas. The ISP offers two 2,000Mbps plans in different parts of the city. Mostly, you’ll find cable, but some neighborhoods have fiber as an option. That’s nice if you can get it. The gig and multigig fiber plans have upload speeds of up to 1,000Mbps.
Is fiber internet available in North Las Vegas?
North Las Vegas is mostly a cable town, but there are scattered pockets of fiber from Cox and Quantum Fiber, primarily on the northern side of the city.
What internet provider has the best coverage in North Las Vegas?
Cox has the widest coverage of any wired provider in North Las Vegas. It reaches over 91% of homes. The next-closest competitor is CenturyLink, but its coverage is mainly through an outdated DSL network.
AT&T Fiber is the best internet service provider in Cary. While not the fastest or the cheapest ISP in Cary, AT&T Fiber offers a selection of plans suitable for nearly any home, each of which include equipment rental and unlimited data at no extra cost. AT&T Fiber earned the top spot for customer satisfaction in 2023 from the American Customer Satisfaction Index.
Google Fiber is another top contender for high-speed internet in Cary, offering speeds from 1,000 megabits per second to 8,000Mbps, the fastest in the area. The provider is also a leader in customer satisfaction as J.D. Power recently ranked Google Fiber first in the South region. Not everyone needs gigabit internet, however, and cheaper yet still speedy plans are available from other Cary internet providers.
Spectrum offers the cheapest internet plan in Cary, starting at $30 per month for download speeds up to 100Mbps. Verizon 5G Home Internet offers similar max speeds for $50 monthly, though eligible Verizon mobile customers can get $15 off the cost of home internet. T-Mobile Home Internet also offers fixed wireless internet in Cary, but max speeds are lower and pricing is higher than Verizon.
Best internet in Cary, North Carolina
Cary, North Carolina internet providers compared
Provider
Internet technology
Monthly price range
Speed range
Monthly equipment costs
Data cap
Contract
CNET review score
AT&T Fiber Read full review
Fiber
$55-$245
300-5,000Mbps
None
None
None
7.4
Google Fiber Read full review
Fiber
$70-$150
1,000-8,000Mbps
None
None
None
7.5
Spectrum Read full review
Cable
$30-$60
100-1,000Mbps
$7 (optional)
None
None
7.2
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review
Fixed wireless
$50-$70 ($40-$50 with eligible mobile plans)
72-245Mbps
None
None
None
7.4
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review
Fixed wireless
$50-$70 ($35-$45 with eligible mobile plans)
50-1,000Mbps
None
None
None
7.2
Show more (1 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Cary?
Show more (2 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Cary
The best internet deals and the top promotions in Cary depend on what discounts are available during that time period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
How many members of your household use the internet?
Cary internet providers, such as Spectrum, may offer lower introductory pricing or other incentives for a limited time. Many, however, including AT&T Fiber, Google Fiber and Verizon 5G Home Internet, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of deals, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Fastest internet plans in Cary
Plan
Starting price
Max download speed
Max upload speed
Data cap
Connection type
Google Fiber 8 Gig Read full review
$150
8,000Mbps
8,000Mbps
None
Fiber
AT&T Internet 5000 Read full review
$245
5,000Mbps
5,000Mbps
None
Fiber
Google Fiber 5 Gig Read full review
$125
5,000Mbps
5,000Mbps
None
Fiber
AT&T Internet 2000 Read full review
$145
2,000Mbps
2,000Mbps
None
Fiber
Google Fiber 2 Gig Read full review
$100
2,000Mbps
1,000Mbps
None
Fiber
AT&T Internet 1000 Read full review
$80
1,000Mbps
1,000Mbps
None
Fiber
Google Fiber Gig Read full review
$70
1,000Mbps
1,000Mbps
None
Fiber
Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review
$60
1,000Mbps
35Mbps
None
Cable
Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read full review
$70 ($45 with eligible mobile plans)
85-250Mbps
50-75Mbps
None
Fixed wireless
Show more (5 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines — and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics — browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Cary, North Carolina
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
Are customers happy with their service?
While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds, and also take into account real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Internet providers in Cary, North Carolina, FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Cary?
AT&T Fiber is the best internet service provider in Cary due to its broad fiber coverage, plan variety, favorable service terms and high customer satisfaction. Google Fiber is another top choice for internet in Cary, but the starting price may be higher than some would like to pay for home internet.
Is fiber internet available in Cary?
According to recent FCC data, nearly four in five Cary households are serviceable for fiber internet. AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber are the primary fiber internet providers in Cary.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Cary?
Spectrum is the cheapest internet provider in Cary, offering download speeds up to 100Mbps starting at $30 per month. Spectrum pricing is also lower on comparable download speeds from AT&T Fiber. Spectrum’s 500Mbps and gig plan start at $50 and $60 per month whereas AT&T Fiber charges $65 and $80, respectively, for the same download speed potential.
Which internet provider in Cary offers the fastest plan?
Google Fiber offers the fastest internet plan in Cary with symmetrical upload and download speeds up to 8,000Mbps starting at $150 per month. The provider offers a $125 5,000Mbps plan as well. AT&T Fiber offers a 5,000Mbps plan of its own in Cary, but at a higher monthly price of $245.
Full-size gas and electric ovens, are really good at heating up the kitchen and often entire house depending on how large your space is. Turning the large oven even for 10 minutes during a heat wave can take things from bad to worse. Cooking outside with a grill, smoker or pizza oven is a little better, but standing outside in 90-plus degree temperatures over a hot grill is still treacherous.
A heat wave requires creative thinking to keep the home cool and an air fryer is my ticket to getting through those sweltering summer spells without starving. The best, part? A quality air fryer can be had for as little as $50.
An air fryer cooks fast and emits less energy than an oven or grill. I’ve found that cooking with an air fryer doesn’t cause the temperature in my house to rise much, whereas turning on the oven — even just to preheat — can cause a noticeable increase.
Trendy air fryers are all they’re cracked up to be, especially when it’s hot out.
David Watsky/CNET
So much so that I’ve all but abandoned the oven and even my grill during steamy summer days and gone full air fryer. My sanity and monthly energy bill are both better for it.
To see if air fryers really are the ultimate heat wave cooking device, I compared the amount cooking with an air fryer would raise the temperature in my kitchen versus using a full-sized wall oven.
How I tested the heat output of an air fryer vs. a wall oven
The air fryer turns out juicy chicken thighs in under 20 minutes.
David Watsky/CNET
To find real-world differences, I roasted chicken thighs in my KitchenAid wall oven (less than 10 years old) and a 4-quart Dreo air fryer, according to two popular recipes from a well-known cooking site. I tested the temperature before, during and after to see how much of a difference each machine makes.
My Brooklyn apartment kitchen is on the small side, but it’s not enclosed and opens up to the rest of the apartment. I kept the windows closed for the test, although it’s worth noting that recent studies show cooking with natural gas in an enclosed kitchen can be a health risk.
I’m finding fewer and fewer reasons to turn on the big oven these days.
David Watsky/CNET
The standard oven recipe called for the chicken to be roasted at 375 degrees for 30 minutes in the oven. Because of its smaller chamber, the air fryer recipe only required 20 minutes of cooking at the same temperature. The air fryer requires only about a minute to come to temperature, while the oven takes more than five.
An ambient thermometer is all I needed to test how much hotter a gas oven can make the kitchen.
David Watsky/CNET
I placed a standard ambient thermometer in the middle of the kitchen — about 5 feet from the stove — at counter height. I took a reading before the oven or air fryer was turned on. I took another reading halfway through the cooking time and the last one at the end of the cooking time. Between the two sessions, I waited for the kitchen to return to a resting temperature before starting the next one.
The big oven made my kitchen 12 degrees hotter than the air fryer
Ovens have more capacity than air fryers but it’s still rarely worth it to heat the house up during summer.
KitchenAid
As I suspected, my oven heated the kitchen far more than the air fryer. Midway through the recipes (15 minutes), the oven raised the temperature of my kitchen by 15 degrees from 71 F to too-hot 88 F.
After 10 minutes of cooking with the air fryer on 375 F, the temperature in my kitchen had gone up only 5 degrees F, from 72 F to a pleasant 77 F. While you can feel the emanating from the air fryer if you stand close enough, it’s not enough to significantly change the temperature of the kitchen.
Read more:Here’s How to Keep Your Kitchen Cool (and Lower Your Energy Bill) During a Heat Wave
Not only did the air fryer cause less of a temperature spike, but I only needed to have it running for roughly 20 minutes with one minute of preheat time. The oven took 30 minutes to cook the chicken and 6 minutes to preheat.
Using the air fryer will cut down on energy bills
Even modern ovens use significantly more energy than an air fryer.
Mary King/CNET
During a heat wave, your air conditioner is already working hard. Heating the kitchen up with your oven will only require them to work harder, using more energy to bring the room back down to your desired temperature. For the AC to make up the difference for one 20- or 30-minute cooking session with an oven, it may not be a total budget-buster. But spread that out over time or for longer cooking sessions and using the oven during hot months can have real fiscal ramifications. For more on this, read my breakdown of exactly how much more an oven costs to run than an air fryer.
What can you make in an air fryer?
Roasted chicken in the air fryer is dynamite and takes less time than in the large oven.
David Watsky/CNET
An air fryer can do almost any cooking job that an oven can, although air fryers are typically smaller than wall ovens so you can’t cook as much in one go.
I’ve been tinkering with the air fryer a lot this year. I discovered the joy of cooking whole chickens in the air fryer, filets of salmon and even bacon cheeseburgers. The air fryer goes well beyond its reputation for cooking crispy wings and french fries. You can make dinner party-level recipes in the air fryer without breaking a sweat, literally.
Here are seven foods that I only make in the air fryer now not just because they keep my kitchen cooler but because the results are as good or better than other methods. And here’s our complete guide to air fryers, everyone’s favorite new kitchen appliance.
Looking for the answers to the June 23 New York Times Connections puzzle? To me, Wordle is more of a vocabulary test, but Connections is more of a brainteaser. You’re given 16 words and asked to put them into four groups that are somehow connected. Sometimes they’re obvious, but the game editor knows how to trick you by using words that can fit in more than one group.
And do you also play Wordle? We’ve got today’s Wordle answer and hints, too.
We’ve also got today’s answer for Strands, a new game from the Times that’s still in beta, and some tips on how to play.
Hints for today’s Connections groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Calm yourself.
Green group hint: Little illnesses.
Blue group hint: Thar she blows!
Purple group hint: Seattle is Emerald, New Orleans is Crescent.
Answers for today’s Connections groups
Yellow group: Settle down!
Green group: Minor ailments.
Blue group: What humpback whales do.
Purple group: ____ city nicknames.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: The Entire Alphabet Ranked by Letter Popularity
What are today’s Connections answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is settle down! The four answers are easy, enough, relax and quiet.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is minor ailments. The four answers are bug, chill, cold and cough.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is what humpback whales do. The four answers are breach, dive, sing and spout.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is ____ city nicknames. The four answers are magic, motor, sin and windy.
How to play Connections
Playing is easy. Winning is hard. Look at the 16 words and mentally assign them to related groups of four. Click on the four words you think go together. The groups are coded by color, though you don’t know what goes where until you see the answers. The yellow group is the easiest, then green, then blue, and purple is the toughest. Look at the words carefully, and think about related terms. Sometimes the connection has to do with just a part of the word. Once, four words were grouped because each started with the name of a rock band, including “Rushmore” and “Journeyman.”
Whether you want to tune out the world with music, take a work call, or add some rhythm to your exercise routine without inconveniencing others, a reliable pair of earbuds can be a game changer. Earbuds can be costly, and with so many brands out there, it’s hard to decide which one might be best for you. However, if you’re a fan of the Apple ecosystem, you can score a pair of Apple AirPods (second generation) earbuds for only $190 during Walmart Plus Week sales. These deals end tomorrow, June 23, so act fast if you’re interested in these ‘buds.
The AirPods Pro (second gen) are a major improvement over the first iteration. They include an H2 chip for speedy performance and better sound quality. These earbuds have three sound settings you can use to customize your audio experience: active noise cancelation (ANC), adaptive audio, and transparency. These AirPods Pro also let you use touch control and Siri for more ways to toggle calls and adjust audio settings and volume.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
These earbuds have a battery life of up to six hours, but you can use them for as long as 30 hours with the included MagSafe charging case. Four pairs of silicone tips are included so you can make sure these earbuds fit you correctly. Though you don’t need to be integrated into the Apple ecosystem to pair these with devices, you’ll unlock most of their potential if you are.
If you’ve been looking for a pair of earbuds but aren’t sure these are for you, we have a list of the best wireless earbuds you can find on the internet. We’re also keeping track of Walmart Plus Week sales.
The Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, has been publicly released. For its $40 price, players get to jump into a whole new area with more weapons, bosses and secrets to uncover. But it’s a little complicated to get into the DLC once you’re in the game, so here’s how to start Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.
First, you’ll need to purchase Shadow of the Erdtree for your platform (PC, XBox Series X/S, PS5) and install it, of course. But you don’t access the DLC through the main menu — instead, you’ll need to reach a specific area and defeat two optional bosses to earn the right to get into the DLC.
We’ll explain in detail below, but the TL;DR to access the DLC is: defeat Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood, then in the Mohgwyn Palace arena where you’ve defeated the latter, touch the withered arm hanging out of the egg. Boom, you’ve made it to the DLC.
But before you jump into Shadow of the Erdtree, make sure you’re prepared. Early reviews of the DLC have noted its difficulty, even above the base game — which is great for players eager for a challenge, but you’ll want to be prepared.
First, FromSoftware recommends players have their characters reach level 120-150 before attempting the DLC. During our preview, we were given pre-made level 150 characters with fully-upgraded weapons, and we were still challenged.
Read more: Elden Ring Creator Hidetaka Miyazaki Talks Shadow of the Erdtree, New Weapons and More
Speaking of weapon upgrades, you’ll want to boost your best weapons as high as they can go before delving into the Land of Shadow in the DLC. To do that, you’ll need regular and somber smithing stones — make sure to get or buy enough by securing all the miner’s bell bearings that allow you to buy smithing and somber stones around Elden Ring. It’s a good idea to stock up on smithing stones, since you’ll want to upgrade some of the over 100 new weapons you’ll find in the DLC.
And if it’s been awhile since you’ve put down Elden Ring, you might want to re-familiarize yourself with the game’s combat, weapons, items, talismans, armor and builds. Assuming you’re totally ready, here’s how to get to the DLC.
Read more: Elden Ring’s Best Rune Farm Is en Route to Shadow of the Erdtree
FromSoftware
How to access the Elden Ring DLC
As mentioned above, you can’t just access the DLC from the menu — you’ll need to find it within the game. Before you do that, you’ll need to defeat two bosses: Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood.
Starscourge Radahn can be found earlier in the game in the area of Caelid, just east of the starting zone of Limgrave. You’ll need to travel to the southeast edge of Caelid and move through Redmane Castle. You’ll need to activate any Altus Plateau site of grace or progress Ranni’s questline far enough to chat with its relevant non-player characters, according to Fextralife, to ensure that the castle is throwing its Radahn Festival inviting fighters to challenge Radahn — including you, Tarnished. Head past the gathered NPCs and talk to Jerren, then go up the chapel and take the lift down to the waygate teleporter.
Read more: Elden Ring: How to Defeat Starscourge Radahn
Mohg, Lord of Blood is trickier to find, and is located much farther into the game. The easiest way to get to Mohgwyn Palace, where Mohg resides, is to follow the NPC White Mask Varre‘s sidequest, which involves either participating in player-versus-player combat and invading several other players’ games or defeating an NPC. Finishing the quest gives you an item, the Pureblood Knight’s Medal, which you can use to be taken to Mohgwyn Palace.
If you’re PvP-averse, the other way to Mohgwyn Palace is a waygate teleporter in the Consecrated Snowfields area, which itself is located far into the game after you’ve located both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion and presented it at the Grand Lift of Rold. The teleporter to Mohgwyn palace is located on the western edge of the Consecrated Snowfields area. Look around for Lesser Runebears and, once you reach the place where you’re invaded by a Sanguine Noble NPC, head west and down from there.
Once you reach Mohgwyn’s palace, you’ll need to make your way around the swamps, dodging some nasty summoned giant skeletons, and up the mausoleum. You’ll have to defeat or dash through a horde of slow zombies that die with a blood explosion, then navigate a dark tunnel with more nasty Sanguine Noble enemies appearing. Finally, you’ll reach a lift that takes you to Mohg’s boss arena. Defeat him and approach the cocoon with the drooping arm, which belongs to the body of Miquella, who left his flesh behind when traveling to the Land of Shadow. Touch the arm and you’re off to the DLC.
Watch this: Elden Ring DLC Preview: Tough Bosses, New Weapons and More Mystery
Now that summer is officially here, it’s time to start caring for your lawn — and to do so, you will need a top electric lawn mower. Hassle-free, quieter and with less need for regular maintenance, there are oodles of perks for opting for this type of mower. Yes, a riding lawn mower is better for covering larger yards, but for most people, an electric mower will do the job supremely well.
Whether you’re switching from gas or need a new mower, we’ve scoured the internet to find the best deals for your buck. We’ll keep this list updated regularly, so you never have to pay full price.
Best electric lawn mower deals available right now
Greenworks / CNET
This lawn mower has a 21-inch wide cutting path and a convenient push-button start. It’s also self-propelled. This mower adds even more versatility by offering rear bagging and mulching capability, too.
Ryobi / CNET
Though it didn’t make the top spot, our team of reviewers found this to be a decent model and one of our contributors has this one at home. She reports it’s easy to use, ultraquiet and simple to change the batteries. The battery lasts right around 45 minutes, which covers a quarter of an acre, similar to what the manufacturer claims. It may be worth buying a second battery to keep charged if you need to mow more than that.
PowerSmart / CNET
Reduced at Walmart, the PowerSmart 80-volt 21-inch self-propelled walk-behind mower is reduced by well over $100. It has a 50-minute runtime on a single charge, five-speed height adjustment, no cord and is known for its quiet cutting power.
Makita / CNET
A 36% discount takes this Makita walk-behind lawn mower down to under $500. With four LXT 5.0-Ah batteries, it offers up to 55 minutes of run time along with a motor capable of 3,100 rpm for faster cutting.
Greenworks / CNET
A limited-time deal as part of Walmart Plus Week that gets you the Greenworks 80-volt 21-inch lawn mower, a 13-inch string trimmer and 730 leaf blower with a 4-Ah battery and charger. Together that nets you a saving of $400. Better move fast with this offer expiring on June 23.
Who is an electric lawn mower suitable for?
There are various pros and cons of electric mowers, so you’ll want to assess your needs before ditching gas for batteries.
The biggest downside to battery-powered electric mowers is usually the power. Gas mowers have more power for tackling hilly terrain or larger yards where an electric mower’s torque and battery life may let you down.
The average household could get along just fine with an electric mower, and easy-to-replace rechargeable batteries can be used to extend the range affordably. Electric mowers are also preferable for those who want a quieter operation or need easier maneuverability since they’re usually lighter than their gas-powered counterparts, not to mention the environmental benefits.
Look out, Wordle and Connections, here comes Strands. Like those two games, Strands is a New York Times online word game. Right now Strands is only in beta, so it doesn’t yet show up in The New York Times’ Games app. You need to go directly to the game. And because it’s in beta, meaning it’s still being tested, it might be improved before it’s fully released. I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.
Strands reminds me of those old-fashioned Word Find books they used to sell in every grocery-store checkout lane. You’re given a grid of letters, but unlike the Word Find books, no list of words. That’s what makes the game fun — and frustrating.
And if you’re reading this, you probably need some help with the June 20 Strands puzzle, so here we go. Warning: Scroll down too far and too fast and you’ll see spoilers.
Need more answers? Here is the answer for today’s Wordle, and here are the answers for today’s Connections.
Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far
Hint for today’s Strands puzzle
Today’s Strands theme is: They’re good for a laugh.
But if that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: The Brady Bunch is one.
Clue words to unlock in-game hints
Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints, but any words of four or more letters that you find will work.
These are the answers that tie in to the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you’ve got all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the non-spangram answers.
Today’s Strands spangram is SITCOMS. To spell it out, start with the S that’s three rows down on the far left, and wind your way across the puzzle.
Is that a laugh track I hear?
Screenshot by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper/CNET
How to play NYT Strands
1. Use today’s theme to look for words relating to that topic. See one? Drag or click the letters in order. Click on the last letter twice to submit your guess. If you’ve found a theme word, it’ll light up in blue and stay that way.
2. Other words you find are considered hint words that give you clues to the theme words. Find three hint words (they must have at least four letters each), and the game will reward you by showing you a theme word. But if you can’t unscramble it, find three more hint words, and the game will highlight the theme word’s letters in order.
3. Hunt for the spangram, a special theme word that spans the entire puzzle, though it could flow across, or top to bottom. It summarizes the puzzle theme.
4. When you’re done, you’ll have used every letter on the board in either a theme word or spangram. Theme words fill the entire board and do not overlap.
No matter what you need, there’s a good chance QVC has it. From electronics to kitchen items to children’s toys, QVC has everything. Originally a TV shopping channel, QVC has tons of deals on its website as well. Right now, you can save even more with this discount for new customers. The company is offering $30 off any purchase valued at $60 or more when you use the coupon code HELLO30. This deal is available now through June 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Here are examples of some of QVC’s current offerings and what they would cost with this $30 discount.
Philips/CNET
These Philips on-ear sports headphones are great for active people who prefer the all-encompassing feeling of snug earcups. They’re also water-resistant, which is great when you want to work out with a bit of drizzle or know you’ll work up a sweat. You can also use these for work thanks to the included mic and volume controls. With QVC’s coupon code, you can score these for only $40.
Mackenzie/CNET
If you enjoy a nice cup of tea that serves as standout décor, then this 2-quart tea kettle is a great deal. It’s imported, perfect for entertaining guests and is hand-painted. With this discount, you can score this tea kettle for $119 instead of its asking price of $149. If black and white isn’t your jam, right now QVC has a few other color combos and patterns at this same price.
Dukap/CNET
This sturdy 20-inch luggage fits in overhead bins and is great for weekend trips and protecting your most important essentials. It also has spinning wheels and an ergonomic handle that lets you get to your destination quickly and comfortably. Score it for only $58 with QVC’s coupon if it’s your first purchase.
QVC will honor this coupon code when you purchase any merchandise. Its current coupon code can’t be used for gift cards or other e-gifts. It can only be used once and is strictly for people buying from QVC for the first time.
You can also use this coupon code for items that are currently on sale or clearance, like this Bissell Little Green deep cleaner. It’s already discounted to $99 from $165, but this deal would drop that price to just $69. Keep in mind that some of these items are final sale, which means they might not be eligible for returns.
If you’ve been looking for more home and travel goods, we also have lists of travel bags and kitchen tools we enjoy to help you find exactly what you need.
AT&T Fiber is the best internet service provider in El Paso, offering the fastest speeds and most favorable terms of any provider in the area. Its rates aren’t exactly cheap, but you’ll get more for the price than almost any other ISP in the country.
If you want to pay the lowest price possible, Spectrum and T-Mobile offer the cheapest internet plans in El Paso, starting at just $50 a month for around 300Mbps speeds. T-Mobile Home Internet has slower speeds than AT&T Fiber and Spectrum, but it offers something unique in the internet world: a price-lock guarantee. Your monthly bill will never budge from the $50 you start at. Additionally, T-Mobile’s customers have largely been happy with the product; it had the highest approval rating of any non-fiber ISP in the American Customer Satisfaction Index survey.
Best internet in El Paso, Texas
El Paso internet providers compared
Provider
Internet technology
Monthly price range
Speed range
Monthly equipment costs
Data cap
Contract
CNET review score
AT&T Fiber Read full review
Fiber
$55-$250
300-5,000Mbps
None
None
None
7.4
AT&T Internet Read full review
DSL
$55
Up to 140Mbps
None
1.5TB on some plans
None
7.4
Spectrum Read full review
Cable
$50-$80
300-1,000Mbps
$7 (optional)
None
None
7.2
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review
Fixed wireless
$50-$70 ($40-$50 with eligible mobile plans)
72-245Mbps
None
None
None
7.4
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review
Fixed wireless
$50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers)
50-1,000Mbps
None
None
None
7.2
Show more (1 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other available internet providers in El Paso
Satellite internet: HughesNet and Viasat are available at 100% of El Paso addresses, but they’re only worth considering in rural areas where you have no other options. Both providers are extremely expensive, and you’ll have to deal with slower speeds and restrictive data caps. Starlink uses low-orbit satellites, which can provide faster speeds and lower latency, but you’ll have to buy its satellite dish for $599 upfront, and it’s still on the pricey side at $120 a month.
Verizon 5G Home Internet: Like T-Mobile, Verizon offers fixed wireless home internet, but it’s not as widely available in El Paso. Speeds can reach 1,000Mbps at some addresses, and you can pay as low as $35 a month if you bundle with an eligible Verizon cellphone plan.
Cheap internet options in El Paso
There aren’t an abundance of cheap internet plans in El Paso. Spectrum, Verizon and T-Mobile all have plans starting at $50, but both Verizon and T-Mobile customers can bundle their phone plans to save on internet. Plus, both providers don’t have equipment fees or a steep price hike after the first year.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in El Paso?
Provider
Starting price
Max download speed
Monthly equipment fee
Spectrum Internet 300 Read full review
$50
300Mbps
$7 (optional)
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review
$50 ($40 with eligible mobile plans)
245Mbps
None
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans)
300Mbps
None
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in El Paso
The best internet deals and the top promotions in El Paso depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
How many members of your household use the internet?
El Paso internet providers, such as Spectrum, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including AT&T Fiber and T-Mobile Home Internet, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
How fast is El Paso broadband?
El Paso has the thirteenth fastest internet speeds of any city in the country, according to Ookla speed test data. Residents receive median download speeds of 265Mbps and upload speeds of 21Mbps. That’s slightly below Corpus Christi (ranked third), Austin (5th) and San Antonio (6th), but ahead of Dallas (98th).
Fastest internet plans in El Paso
Provider
Starting price
Max download speed
Max upload speed
Data cap
Connection type
AT&T Internet 5000 Read full review
$245
5,000Mbps
5,000Mbps
None
Fiber
AT&T Internet 2000 Read full review
$145
2,000Mbps
2,000Mbps
None
Fiber
AT&T Internet 1000 Read full review
$80
1,000Mbps
1,000Mbps
None
Fiber
Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review
$80
1,000Mbps
40Mbps
None
Cable
Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read full review
$70 ($45 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans)
1,000Mbps
75Mbps
None
Fixed wireless
Show more (1 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
40 to 100Mbps should give one person sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
100 to 500Mbps allows one to two people to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more people to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
Sean Pavone / Getty Images
How CNET chose the best internet providers in El Paso
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. What’s our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary pricing, availability and speed database that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
This guide uses an in-house artificial intelligence tool called RAMP, which is trained on our own writing and uses our database to generate content about specific internet service providers that our writers can use in determining and presenting our picks for a given guide. Check CNET’s AI policy for more information about how our teams use (and don’t use) AI tools.
Because our database is not exhaustive, we go to the FCC’s website to check the primary data for ourselves and make sure we’re considering every ISP that provides service in an area. Plans and prices also vary by location, so we input local addresses on provider websites to find the specific options available to residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of our pre-publication fact-check.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
Are customers happy with their service?
The answer to those questions is often layered and complex, but the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, you can visit our how we test ISPs page.
What’s the final word on internet providers in El Paso?
With the sixth-fastest speeds in the country and 100/20Mbps speeds available at every address in the city, El Paso is an extraordinarily well-connected city. If you can get it, AT&T Fiber is an easy choice. At reasonable rates, it has the fastest speeds in the city, and you won’t have to worry about your bill automatically going up after a promotional period ends. Spectrum and T-Mobile Home Internet are solid backup options if AT&T Fiber is unavailable at your address, but both come with some drawbacks.
Internet providers in El Paso FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in El Paso?
AT&T Fiber is the best internet service provider in El Paso, with fast, symmetrical upload and download speeds, competitive prices and the highest customer satisfaction scores in the industry.
Is fiber internet available in El Paso?
Yes, fiber internet is available to 38% of El Paso, according to FCC data. AT&T Fiber is the only fiber internet provider in the area.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in El Paso?
T-Mobile, Spectrum and Verizon are the cheapest internet providers in El Paso, with prices starting at $50 a month for around 300Mbps speeds.
Which internet provider in El Paso offers the fastest plan?
AT&T Fiber offers the fastest internet plan in El Paso, with upload and download speeds up to 5,000Mbps for $245 a month.
Today’s Wordle answer shouldn’t be too tough, but if you need help, read on. We’ve ranked all the letters in the alphabet by popularity if you want to use this list to decide on your best start words.
Every day, we’ll post hints and then the answer for the current day’s Wordle, just in case you need it.
And do you play the NYT Connections game? We’ve got today’s Connections answer too.
We’ve also got today’s answer for Strands, a new game from the Times that’s still in beta, and some tips for how to play that game.
Today’s Wordle hints
Warning: If you keep reading, you’ll see the Wordle answer for Tuesday, June 18, puzzle No. 1095. That could be a devastating spoiler for some players. But if you just need the answer — maybe you’re on your last guess and just don’t want to see a 900-game streak go poof — keep reading.
Wordle hint No. 1: Repeats
Today’s Wordle answer has no repeated letters.
Wordle hint No. 2: Vowels
There are two vowels in today’s Wordle answer.
Wordle hint No. 3: Start letter
Today’s Wordle answer starts with the letter C.
Wordle hint No. 4: First meaning
Today’s Wordle answer can describe the front of a book.
Wordle hint No. 5: Second meaning
Today’s Wordle answer can also refer to the act of putting something over something else.
TODAY’S WORDLE ANSWER
Here comes the spoiler: Today’s Wordle answer is COVER.
Yesterday’s Wordle answer
Yesterday’s Wordle answer, June 17, No. 1094, was PRIOR.
Past Wordle answers
June 13, No. 1090: ANGST
June 14, No. 1091: VAULT
June 15, No. 1092: PROUD
June 16, No. 1093: GRIND
Everyday Wordle tips
I’ve written a lot about Wordle — from covering its 1,000th word to my list of the best starter words to a helpful two-step strategy to news about controversial word changes. I’ve even rounded up what I learned playing the hit online word puzzle for a full year. So if you’re rethinking your need for the actual answer, you might try tips from one of those stories.
Still need a starter word? One person told me they just look around and choose a five-letter object that they’ve spotted to use as their starter word — such as COUCH or CHAIR. I tend to stick to starter words that have the most popular letters used in English words. I like TRAIN as a starter, though I have a friend who uses TRAIL. I’ve read that people use the financial term ROATE, but I like to use words I actually know.
What is Wordle?
If you read this far, you know how to play. You have six chances to guess a five-letter word, and the game gives you feedback as to whether the letters you’ve guessed are in the puzzle or not, and if they’re in the same spot where you guessed they are. The New York Times bought the game from creator Josh Wardle for seven figures in 2022. Wardle famously created the game for his partner, and let her narrow down the 12,000 five-letter words in the English language to just 2,500, creating the database of answers. It was convenient, too, that he has a name that plays off “word.”
A Times spokesperson told me it lists the very first Wordle as appearing on June 19, 2021, and the paper celebrated the game’s 1,000th word on March 15. Spoiler: That 1,000th word was ERUPT. As in, “Dad will erupt if the Wordle is so tough he loses his streak.”
There are other fun games in the Times Games stable. My latest addiction is Connections, which I think is trickier than Wordle. This is the game where you look at a grid of 16 words and try to put them into four groups of related words. Sometimes the relationships between the words are pretty out there — like the time when it was four words that all began with rock bands, such as “Rushmore” and “journeyman.” (Connections got a little sassy on April Fools’ Day with an all-emoji puzzle. Some gamers did NOT find that funny.)
Read more: Today’s NYT Connections answer and hints
Spelling Bee is a popular Times game too. And there’s a new game that’s still in beta, Strands, which I’m trying to master.
The Google Pixel 7 series incudes some powerful phones that ranked among the best Android phones when they were released. They still have a lot to offer, even with the release of the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro last October. However, with the newer models now fully coming into their own, the Pixel 7 series is getting harder to find and so are deals on them. That hasn’t stopped us from finding what savings there are, though.
The Pixel 7 series offers some serious improvements over the 2021 Pixel 6 phones. Both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro come with the second-gen Tensor chip, so you get a lot more power and efficiency, with battery life remaining relatively the same, even though you’re getting more performance out of the phones.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
They both also come with improved cameras and have some changes to screen size, with the Pixel 7 going for the smaller 6.3-inch display rather than the 6.4-inch display of the Pixel 6. As for the Pixel 7 Pro, it continues to have a large 6.7-inch display, which is perfect for those who prefer larger screens. Note that there’s also the more recently released Pixel 7A on the market from $499. And the Pixel Fold might also be something you’d be interested in, especially if you’ve been eyeing the foldables market for a while.
What colors do the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro come in?
Google/CNET
The Pixel 7 comes in three colors: 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 has the same prices that the departing Pixel 6 series held, starting at $599. 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
While there aren’t straightforward discounts on the Google Pixel 7 or 7 Pro through Google right now, you can trade in your old phone for up to $450 off in trade-in credit. Trade in the latest models from Google, Apple and Samsung for the biggest discount.
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.
Best Buy doesn’t have any direct discounts right now, but you can get up to a few hundred dollars back with trade-in credit, depending on the condition, make and model of your current phone. New subscribers will also get three free months of YouTube Premium and a Google One 100GB subscription.
AT&T doesn’t have any special offers on the Pixel 7 series at the moment, but it does have a trade-in program where you can save up to $465 with an eligible trade-in. The latest iPhones will net you the biggest discount, and you’ll receive your credit in the form of an AT&T promotional card that can be used toward future purchases or bill payments.
Though the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro aren’t discounted, you can save on service with Mint Mobile’s buy six months, get six months free offer on wireless service.
In the world of Westeros, the Targaryen name has historically carried a ton of weight and power throughout the realm. Though the family is in shambles when House of the Dragon returned on Sunday night, its debut episode, A Son for a Son, reminds us some oaths will be kept — no matter what.
HBO rolled out a mega campaign to fuel the upcoming war between Team Green and Team Black, signifying that the prequel series will set TV screens ablaze with tension, monstrous acts of violence and of course, dragons. As we revisit King’s Landing and Dragonstone, prepare to meet a lineup of new characters who will play pivotal roles in “Dance of the Dragons,” and the battle for the Iron Throne.
Step into the family feud with our recap of season 2’s premiere episode below, and don’t forget to read our refresher on season 1. Be warned: Spoilers ahead, and it may be a little too early to choose sides in this drama.
Read more: Snag a Week of Max for Free to Stream House of the Dragon and Much More
Getty Image/Zooey Liao
Winter is coming in the North
An overhead shot of a bird soaring from the woods over coastlines, mountains, knolls, and to a stone stronghold lands in the North. A narrator explains the meaning of duty and sacrifice, and how the North owed a great duty to the Seven Kingdoms — since the days of the first men. Since the days of old, “We have stood as guardians against the cold and dark.” It’s the Night’s Watch. Under his ancestor, King Torrhen Stark, one in 10 men was to be chosen to fortify the watch. It’s an honor and duty for those who serve the North. The North must stand ready, as winter is coming, he warns.
Cregan Stark, Lord of Winterfell, speaks with Jacaerys Velaryon.
Ollie Upton/HBO
We meet Cregan Stark who’s explaining their ancestral duty to Jacaerys. The prince brings up the oath made to King Viserys and how unity in the kingdom is under threat. Cregan says his duty’s torn between North and South. He’s worried about guarding the wall — especially in the winter. Even dragons refused to cross the wall, and Cregan asks Jacaerys, “Do you think my ancestors built the wall to keep out snow and savages?” and the prince soon learns it keeps out death.
Cregan offers his graybeard force. As they chat, Cregan is handed a message from the queen, and he looks at Jacaerys. Clearly, it’s news about Lucerys’ death.
Grief and anger at Dragonstone
Jacaerys is away, but things are happening back at home. A dragon lands at Dragonstone; it’s Rhaena.
Daemon is ready to kill Vhagar and tries to convince Rhaena to double-team with him. “A son for a son,” he says. Rhaena advises him not to act on vengeful impulse. Daemon retorts that if she’d acted on impulse, she would’ve ended Aegon and his line, referring to the season 1 finale moment when she and her dragon burst through the floor during his coronation and refused to roast them all.
For a moment, we see Queen Rhaenrya, who’s looking out to sea from a cliff. Her face is rife with anger, sorrow and guilt.
Corlys is shown walking to the docks — using a cane. He sees ships getting cleaned up and readied, and another new character is introduced: Allyn Hull. Allyn briefs him on the ships’ status, but their conversation is awkward. This guy is who dragged Corlys out the sea, bringing him to safety when he was sick in season 1. He says he’s indebted to Allyn.
Meet Allyn, a seafarer in House of the Dragon, season 2.
Ollie Upton/HBO
Fear at King’s Landing
Things cut to King’s Landing with Vhagar soaring in for a landing. The army is told to stand down, demonstrating they’re ready for an attack from Team Black at any given moment. Inside the castle, Aegon is in his chambers looking for his heir to give him “king” lessons. His sister-wife Helaena says she’s afraid — not of the army, but of the rats. It’s not obvious what she means by that, yet.
Elsewhere in the palace, Alicent and Criston are being extremely intimate before they go meet with the council. They get dressed and scurry to the meeting where her dad, Otto Hightower, says letters to the North are unanswered. However, Prince Aemond’s pact with the Baratheons in the Storm Lands should solidify their allegiance. There’s a problem though, as Rhaenyra’s blocked the Gullet with Corlys’ sea fleet. The council is also figuring out that “Princess Rhaenyra” doesn’t want to negotiate.
Because her blockade is affecting how things roll in King’s Landing, they need help from the Lannisters and Hightowers to break it. They need the River Lands help as well, and Aegon says he’ll just use Vhagar to burn everyone who doesn’t side with him. Alicent tries to deter that, and with a glare toward Aemond, says Vhagar must stay at King’s Landing to prevent Rhaenyra’s retribution for her son’s death.
After the meeting, Larys Strong, the sneaky manipulator, shares with Alicent that he’s killed her old staff and handpicked new people for her. He’s the original Littlefinger in every way.
There’s no reason to like this Larys Strong guy.
Ollie Upton/HBO
Lucerys is honored and revenge is afoot
Rhaenyra and Syrax land on a beach where people found a dragon wing. In a tragic scene, she finds Lucerys’ clothing is wrapped up the net and wails — as does Syrax. Her pain is palpable.
At King’s Landing, inexperienced King Aegon struts into the throne room where he begins to hear the townspeople’s petitions. The first bemoans his flock being taken ahead of winter, and the king wants to return the man’s sheep but Otto advises against it. He said people should tithe livestock to feed dragons for war. Aegon protests but Otto — ever controlling — says no.
Next is Hugh, a blacksmith who asks for an advance so they can buy iron to make weapons. “Our victory depends on the efforts of the small folk,” says Aegon and grants the man’s petition. Otto doesn’t like it. Clubfoot (Larys Strong) pulls Aegon to the side to plant doubt in his ear about Otto. They both want to control Aegon but he’s convincing the kid that his grandfather is a bad idea, and he should be “The Hand” instead.
Alicent, who’s also under Clubfoot’s influence, argues with her father about him undermining her during council meetings. She also justifies Aemond’s psychopathic behavior by saying Luke was never punished for slashing his eye. Bah.
Plotting ratchets up at Dragonstone when a crew finds Mysaria, the White Worm, stowing away on a ship. Daemon confronts his former lover about selling secrets to Otto. She says she goes with the highest bidder and is sent to the dungeon. He then confronts Ser Erryk about working for Otto. Erryk once again pledges his loyalty to Rhaenyra and admits that the Hightowers turned he and his twin brother against each other. Daemon walks out and heads to the war room.
Rhaenyra enters the room where everyone’s gathered around the Painted Table. They all give updates, and the only thing she says is “I want Aemond Targaryen.” Understood.
Daemon visits White Worm in the dungeon and she doesn’t budge. He then makes an offer for her knowledge in exchange for her freedom. We find out later that she accepts.
Jacaerys approaches his mom in her private chambers, giving her a report about who’s helping, including Lord Cregan who’s pledged 2,000 men. He can barely get through it and starts sobbing as talks to his queen/mother. The family will lay Lucerys to rest.
Back at King’s Landing, Alicent lights a candle at an altar, and hesitates to say Lucerys’ name. At the same time, Rhaneyra and the family light the pyre for her son. She tosses in what she found on the beach — Lucerys’ cloak — but the young Joffrey has small a toy which he throws in the fire to honor his big brother.
Rhaenrya, Jacaerys and Joffrey mourn Lucerys at a funeral pyre.
Theo Whitman/HBO
Blood and Cheese enter the fray
At dawn, Daemon arrives on the shores of King’s Landing in a disguise. He bribes a guard who hates the Hightowers to take him inside. He speaks with the castle’s rat catcher, and attempts to hire him as a hitman for Aemond. We already know this won’t work out how everyone thinks it will, but he accepts the gig.
Aemond and Criston are in the prince’s room talking about war strategy, and Aemond complains that his mother and grandsire are being too cautious. He wants to be more aggressive, but Criston says his mom has a soft spot for Rhaenyra.
Criston departs as Otto walks in, and grandpa already knows how Aemond feels. He tells him Vhagar and Aemond are a powerful team, but he needs to chill because other factors are at play. To nail that point home, he tells him his brother doesn’t know how to keep his impulses in check.
Two peas in a pod: Prince Aemond and Ser Criston.
Ollie Upton/HBO
A tense scene unfolds as we follow the rat catcher who’s in the tunnels with a dog and another guy he’s hired out to do the job. In A Song of Ice and Fire books, this pair is known as Blood and Cheese, two unscrupulous assassins. They climb into the castle and end up in the throne room where they overhear Aegon and his friends talking smack and brainstorming. The king is obviously distracted. After a squabble about not being allowed upstairs where the royals are, the two hitmen creep up into Aemond’s quarters.
With the prince nowhere to be found, they lurk. But they can’t find any royals except the sister-queen and Aegon’s kids. The rat catchers put a knife to her throat and debate over killing her kids. They force her to point out which one is the male heir, and she tells the truth. In a horrifying turn, they cut the child’s head off.
Helaena runs out the room traumatized and heads to her mother’s quarters where she’s having relations with Criston. Though it’s not Aemond, a son for a son is what is delivered.
England resume their quest to end their 58-year trophy drought on Sunday as they take on Serbia in their opening fixture at Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate’s side were beaten finalists to Italy last time out, and with a side blessed with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Harry Kane are many pundits’ favorites to log one better this time and finally lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy in Germany for what would be the very first time.
This year’s tournament marks the first time Serbia have qualified for the Euros as an independent nation, and will likely fancy their chances of making a big impact here. Their squad boasts an array of talent, including striker Dusan Vlahovic, Ajax’s Dusan Tadic and Al-Hilal duo Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live, wherever you are in the world.
Fresh from winning the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid, young England midfielder Jude Bellingham is predicted to be one of the stars of Euro 2024.
Boris Streubel/UEFA/Getty Images
Serbia vs. England: When and where?
Serbia take on England on Sunday, June 16, at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Kick-off is set for 9 p.m. CET local time in Germany, making it a 8 p.m. BST start in the UK. In the US and Canada it’s a 3 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. PT start, while the game gets underway at 4 a.m. AEST in Australia on Monday morning.
How to watch every Euro 2024 game online from anywhere using a VPN
If you find yourself unable to view Euro 2024 matches locally, you may need a different way to watch the tournament — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.
With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.
Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.
Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.
Sarah Tew/CNET
ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It’s normally $13 a month, but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100 you’ll get three months free and save 49% — the equivalent of $6.67 a month with code SPECIALDEAL, which should be automatically applied.
Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Livestream Serbia vs. England in the US
This match is set to be shown live on Fox in the US. The majority of Euro 2024 games will be shown on either Fox or FS1, but there are a handful of group stage matches that will be shown exclusively on Fubo.
A Fubo Pro Plan will give you access to those five group stage matches, as well as all of Fox and FS1’s coverage.
Fubo
Fubo’s Pro Plan costs $80 per month and gives you 121 channels, including FOX and FS1, awhile also offering you access to the five Euro 2024 group-stage games exclusively streaming on the service.
If you don’t have Fox and FS1 as part of your cable lineup, both can be streamed via Sling TV.
Sling TV’s Blue plan includes Fox and FS1, making it a great option for those wanting to watch international soccer action. It’s $40 a month ($45 in some places) and includes over 40 channels, including other sports channels like ESPN.
Livestream Serbia vs. England for free in the UK
The great news for footy fans in the UK is that free-to-air broadcasters the BBC and ITV are sharing live duties for Euro 2024.
This match is set to be broadcast on BBC1.
BBC
With matches being broadcast on BBC1, that means you’ll be able to watch games online for free via the network’s on-demand streaming service, BBC iPlayer.
With an app that’s available for Android and Apple mobile devices, as well as a vast array of smart TVs and streaming boxes, all you need is a valid UK TV license to stream the game.
Livestream Serbia vs. England in Canada
Canadian soccer fans can watch the tournament via TSN and its streaming service TSN Plus. Existing TSN cable subscribers can watch at no extra charge using the details of their TV provider.
TSN
TSN Plus is a direct-streaming service that costs CA$8 a month and also offers coverage of PGA Tour Live golf, NFL games, F1, Nascar and the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments.
Livestream Serbia vs. England in Australia
Football fans Down Under can also watch all the action from Germany on streaming service Optus Sport.
With exclusive rights to screen every English Premier League match live, as well as German Bundesliga and Spanish La Liga games and international fixtures, streaming service Optus Sport is a particularly big draw for Aussie soccer fans.
If you’re already an Optus network customer you can bag Optus Sport for a reduced price, with discounts bringing the price down to as low as AU$7 per month. If you’re not, a standalone monthly subscription to the service starts at AU$25.
Quick tips for streaming Serbia vs. England using a VPN
With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming European Championship matches 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 getting the game 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 into 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 of 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 using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.
Looking for the answers to the June 16 New York Times Connections puzzle? To me, Wordle is more of a vocabulary test, but Connections is more of a brainteaser. You’re given 16 words and asked to put them into four groups that are somehow connected. Sometimes they’re obvious, but the game editor knows how to trick you by using words that can fit in more than one group.
And do you also play Wordle? We’ve got today’s Wordle answer and hints, too.
We’ve also got today’s answer for Strands, a new game from the Times that’s still in beta, and some tips for how to play that game.
Hints for today’s Connections groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: The way it is now.
Green group hint: Out in the boonies.
Blue group hint: Statuettes on grass.
Purple group hint: Certain kind of story.
Answers for today’s Connections groups
Answer for today’s Connections groups.
Yellow group: Current situation.
Green group: Remote rural area.
Blue group: Classic lawn ornaments.
Purple group: ____ tale.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: The Entire Alphabet Ranked by Letter Popularity
What are today’s Connections answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is current situation. The four answers are condition, form, shape and state.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is remote rural area. The four answers are bush, country, sticks and woods.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is classic law ornaments. The four answers are flamingo, fountain, gnome and pinwheel.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is ____ tale. The four answers are fairy, fish, folk and tall.
How to play Connections
Playing is easy. Winning is hard. Look at the 16 words and mentally assign them to related groups of four. Click on the four words you think go together. The groups are coded by color, though you don’t know what goes where until you see the answers. The yellow group is the easiest, then green, then blue, and purple is the toughest. Look at the words carefully, and think about related terms. Sometimes the connection has to do with just a part of the word. Once, four words were grouped because each started with the name of a rock band, including “Rushmore” and “Journeyman.”
Italy begin the defense of the title with an opening Group B Euro 2024 encounter against Albania on Saturday.
The Azzurri come into this match looking to become only the second side to win back-to-back Euros alongside Spain.
They face an Albanian side making only their second appearance in this tournament, but likely with a spring in their step after comfortable warmup victories against Liechtenstein and then Azerbaijan.
Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live, wherever you are in the world.
Atalanta striker Gianluca Scamacca looks set to lead the line up front for Italy in today’s game.
Image Photo Agency/Getty Images
Italy vs. Albania: When and where?
Italy take on Albania on Saturday, June 15, at Signal-Iduna-Park in Dortmund. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. CET local time in Germany, making it a 8 p.m. BST start in the UK. In the US and Canada it’s a 3 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. PT start, while the game gets underway at 5 a.m. AEST in Australia early on Sunday morning.
How to watch every Euro 2024 game online from anywhere using a VPN
If you find yourself unable to view Euro 2024 matches locally, you may need a different way to watch the tournament — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.
With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.
Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.
Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.
Sarah Tew/CNET
ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It’s normally $13 a month, but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100 you’ll get three months free and save 49% — the equivalent of $6.67 a month with code SPECIALDEAL, which should be automatically applied.
Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Livestream Italy vs. Albania in the US
This match is set to be shown live on Fox in the US. The majority of Euro 2024 games will be shown on either Fox or FS1, but there are a handful of group stage matches that will be shown exclusively on Fubo.
A Fubo Pro Plan will give you access to those five group stage matches, as well as all of Fox and FS1’s coverage.
Fubo
Fubo’s Pro Plan costs $80 per month and gives you 121 channels, including FOX and FS1, awhile also offering you access to the five Euro 2024 group-stage games exclusively streaming on the service.
If you don’t have Fox and FS1 as part of your cable lineup, both can be streamed via Sling TV.
Sling TV’s Blue plan includes Fox and FS1, making it a great option for those wanting to watch international soccer action. It’s $40 a month ($45 in some places) and includes over 40 channels, including other sports channels like ESPN.
Livestream Italy vs. Albania for free in the UK
The great news for footy fans in the UK is that free-to-air broadcasters the BBC and ITV are sharing live duties for Euro 2024.
This match is set to be broadcast on BBC1.
BBC
With matches being broadcast on BBC1, that means you’ll be able to watch games online for free via the network’s on-demand streaming service, BBC iPlayer.
With an app that’s available for Android and Apple mobile devices, as well as a vast array of smart TVs and streaming boxes, all you need is a valid UK TV license to stream the game.
Livestream Italy vs. Albania in Canada
Canadian soccer fans can watch the tournament via TSN and its streaming service TSN Plus. Existing TSN cable subscribers can watch at no extra charge using the details of their TV provider.
TSN
TSN Plus is a direct-streaming service that costs CA$8 a month and also offers coverage of PGA Tour Live golf, NFL games, F1, Nascar and the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments.
Livestream Italy vs. Albania in Australia
Football fans Down Under can also watch all the action from Germany on streaming service Optus Sport.
With exclusive rights to screen every English Premier League match live, as well as German Bundesliga and Spanish La Liga games and international fixtures, streaming service Optus Sport is a particularly big draw for Aussie soccer fans.
If you’re already an Optus network customer you can bag Optus Sport for a reduced price, with discounts bringing the price down to as low as AU$7 per month. If you’re not, a standalone monthly subscription to the service starts at AU$25.
Quick tips for streaming Italy vs. Albania using a VPN
With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming European Championship matches 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 getting the game 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 into 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 of 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 using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.
Looking for the answers to the June 15 New York Times Connections puzzle? To me, Wordle is more of a vocabulary test and Connections is more of a brainteaser. You’re given 16 words and asked to put them into four groups that are somehow connected. Sometimes they’re obvious, but the game editor knows how to trick you by using words that can fit in more than one group.
And do you also play Wordle? We’ve got today’s Wordle answer and hints too.
We’ve also got today’s answer for Strands, a new game from the Times that’s still in beta, and some tips for how to play that game.
Hints for today’s Connections groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Scoring attempt.
Green group hint: Swimming critters.
Blue group hint: Words in shampoo ads.
Purple group hint: Words preceding a word for kid.
Answers for today’s Connections groups
Yellow group: Basketball shots.
Green group: Fish.
Blue group: Qualities of thick hair.
Purple group: ____ child.
What are today’s Connections answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is basketball shots. The four answers are dunk, floater, layup and three.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is fish. The four answers are perch, pike, skate and sole.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is qualities of thick hair. The four answers are body, bounce, lift and volume.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is ____ child. The four answers are flower, only, poster and problem.
How to play Connections
Playing is easy. Winning is hard. Look at the 16 words and mentally assign them to related groups of four. Click on the four words you think go together. The groups are coded by color, though you don’t know what goes where until you see the answers. The yellow group is the easiest, then green, then blue, and purple is the toughest. Look at the words carefully, and think about related terms. Sometimes the connection has to do with just a part of the word. Once, four words were grouped because each started with the name of a rock band, including “Rushmore” and “Journeyman.”
Looking for the answers to the June 1 New York Times Connections puzzle? To me, Wordle is more of a vocabulary test and Connections is more of a brainteaser. You’re given 16 words and asked to put them into four groups that are somehow connected. Sometimes they’re obvious, but the game editor knows how to trick you by using words that can fit in more than one group.
And do you also play Wordle? We’ve got today’s Wordle answer and hints too.
We’ve also got some tips for Strands, a new game from the Times that’s still in beta.
Hints for today’s Connections groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Do it fast.
Green group hint: Related to the sea.
Blue group hint: Weightlifting words.
Purple group hint: Sound-alike names for famous thinkers.
Answers for today’s Connections groups
Yellow group: Don’t delay.
Green group: Ocean phenomena.
Blue group: Dumbbell exercises.
Purple group: Philosopher homophones.
What are today’s Connections answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is don’t delay. The four words are hurry, now, pronto and stat.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is ocean phenomena. The four words are current, drift, tide and wave.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is dumbbell exercises. The four words are curl, fly, press and row.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is philosopher homophones. The four words are lock, marks, pane and rustle. (John Locke, Karl Marx, Thomas Paine and Bertrand Russell.)
How to play Connections
Playing is easy. Winning is hard. Look at the 16 words and mentally assign them to related groups of four. Click on the four words you think go together. The groups are coded by color, though you don’t know what goes where until you see the answers. The yellow group is the easiest, then green, then blue, and purple is the toughest. Look at the words carefully, and think about related terms. Sometimes the connection has to do with just a part of the word. Once, four words were grouped because each started with the name of a rock band, including “Rushmore” and “Journeyman.”
There are still plenty of post-Memorial Day deals available, from major discounts on mattresses to more budget-friendly finds, but they won’t be around much longer. If you’ve still got a little room left in the budget, there are plenty of affordable deals to shop. From video games and Bluetooth speakers to everyday essentials, we’re still rounding up the best Memorial Day deals under $25 from Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and more that are still going strong.
Steal these deals now — come tomorrow, they might be gone.
Memorial Day deals under $25 on everyday essentials
Memorial Day deals under $25 on home and kitchen
Sam’s Club
You can save on everyday essentials and bulk buys with a Sam’s Club membership — and save on the membership itself with this 50% off deal at StackSocial.
Memorial Day deals under $25 on health and fitness
Calia/CNET
This flexibility band set comes with three types of bands: extra light, light and medium. They are made for full-body exercise, ensuring you get a complete workout without a ton of bulky equipment. You can also combine the bands to make a total of seven resistance levels.
Memorial Day deals under $25 on toys and games
Bethesda Softworks/CNET
If you’re a fan of the Fallout TV series or have been wanting to check the game out for a while, this deal is going to be hard to pass up on.
What are the best Memorial Day deals under $25?
You can still find so many great savings on various items for under $25 for Memorial Day. Snag great finds on kitchen and home essentials, video games and even tech devices like speakers and streaming sticks. Whichever categories you’re looking in, you are sure to find great deals under $25.
What else is on sale for Memorial Day?
Tons of retailers were having sales on TVs, furniture and even major appliances for Memorial Day. Some of those retailers include Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco. While the best deals are phasing out, there are still plenty of things that you can shop either online or in-store to score savings on appliances, TVs and more. Here is a roundup of the best Memorial Day deals happening right now.
How we choose the best Memorial Day deals under $25
Many of us here at CNET have covered shopping events for several years, including Black Friday, Prime Day, Memorial Day and countless other shopping events. We’ve gotten good at weeding out scams and superficial deals so you see only the best offers from all over.
We look for real discounts, quality reviews and remaining sale time when choosing deals to show you. We have a team of experts who have tested countless products to make sure we’re only sharing the best budget-friendly options.
Real discounts mean exactly that. We look at the price history for that product to make sure no brands are inflating prices to make the discount seem more substantial than it is.
Quality reviews and testing are important for any product. If you’re unhappy the first time you use it, the discount wasn’t worthwhile.
Remaining sale time is a huge part of our vetting process. If a deal seems like it will be around for only a short while or will be available for only the remaining stock, we’ll let you know upfront so you don’t come back to the deal later only to be disappointed.
Memorial Day deals are still going strong, and we’ve spotted savings on a wide variety of products. But one deal that you shouldn’t overlook is Woot’s Nintendo Switch sale. The retailer is offering significant discounts on several different Switch systems, starting from just $161. These prices will only be available until the end of the month, so if you’re thinking of making a purchase, keep that in mind.
As mentioned, there are a few Nintendo Switch deals here starting with the Timmy & Tommy’s Aloha Edition Switch Lite. It’s a refurbished product with no noticeable damage, and you’ll get all the original accessories — but note that there’s no game included here. Still, at just $161 it’s a great way to get started with Nintendo Switch gaming. There’s also a refurbished Switch Lite in a pink color for a few dollars more at $165, too.
At the opposite end of the price scale, we have the v2 Nintendo Switch with gray joy-cons. It’s a brand new unit but it’ll come repackaged in a brown box. You’ll still get all the usual accessories though and right now you’ll pay just $260.
Finally, a refurbished Nintendo Switch with red and blue joy-cons can be yours for $240 as well. With all of these options available, all you need to do is pick the right one for you. And remember that while the Nintendo Switch is a great way to play games on the go, you can hook it up to a TV, too. Be sure to check out our list of the best Memorial Day TV deals if it’s time to upgrade your old model.
You don’t always need to spend a lot to get great products, especially not today. It’s Memorial Day, meaning today is the day to get big discounts, even on items that already cost very little. With deals on everything from booming portable speakers to critically acclaimed video games, you never know what you’ll find on sale. To help you out, we’ve put together this list of the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and other retailers you can score for under $25.
Shop now and shop quickly, because these deals likely won’t last after Memorial Day. So if you see something you like, today is your chance to snatch these deals.
Anker/CNET
Take your music anywhere you go for just $20 with this portable Bluetooth speaker by Anker, now discounted on Amazon. The Soundcore speaker is waterproof and has a 24-hour battery life, so you can take it on just about any day adventure. Make sure to clip the on-page coupon to receive the full discount.
Memorial Day deals under $25 on everyday essentials
HydroFlask/CNET
The 28-ounce All Around travel tumbler from Hydro Flask is now 25% off. This tumbler comes with a straw and fits in a standard cup holder, so you can bring it with you in your car for easy sipping all day long.
Memorial Day deals under $25 on home and kitchen
Magic Bullet/CNET
This 14-ounce mini blender is perfect for personal use, allowing you to chop, blend, mix and pulse fruits, nuts and veggies in single-serve portions. Its compact size makes it ideal for tucking away in small spaces, like an office cubicle or a dorm room.
Memorial Day deals under $25 on health and fitness
Calia/CNET
This flexibility band set comes with three types of bands: extra light, light and medium. They are made for full-body exercise, ensuring you get a complete workout without a ton of bulky equipment. You can also combine the bands to make a total of seven resistance levels.
Memorial Day deals under $25 on toys and games
EA / CNET
The 2023 remake of the beloved 2008 game, Dead Space was rebuilt from the ground up for modern consoles, with a fantastic single-player survival horror adventure that has stood the test of time. Playing as ship systems engineer Isaac Clarke, you navigate the character around a mining spaceship overrun by the monstrous Necromorphs while also dealing with psychosis. Now down to just under $25, this is a great price for an even better game.
What are the best Memorial Day deals under $25?
You can find so many great savings on various items for under $25 this Memorial Day. Snag great finds on kitchen and home essentials, video games and even tech devices like speakers and streaming sticks. Whichever categories you’re looking in, you are sure to find great deals under $25.
What else is on sale for Memorial Day?
Tons of retailers are having sales on TVs, furniture and even major appliances for Memorial Day. Some of those retailers include Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco. You can shop most of these sales either online or in-store to score savings on appliances, TVs and more. Here is a roundup of the best Memorial Day deals happening right now.
How we choose the best Memorial Day deals under $25
Many of us here at CNET have covered shopping events for several years, including Black Friday, Prime Day, Memorial Day and countless other shopping events. We’ve gotten good at weeding out scams and superficial deals so you see only the best offers from all over.
We look for real discounts, quality reviews and remaining sale time when choosing deals to show you. We have a team of experts who have tested countless products to make sure we’re only sharing the best budget-friendly options.
Real discounts mean exactly that. We look at the price history for that product to make sure no brands are inflating prices to make the discount seem more substantial than it is.
Quality reviews and testing are important for any product. If you’re unhappy the first time you use it, the discount wasn’t worthwhile.
Remaining sale time is a huge part of our vetting process. If a deal seems like it will be around for only a short while or will be available for only the remaining stock, we’ll let you know upfront so you don’t come back to the deal later only to be disappointed.
You don’t always need to spend exorbitant amounts of money to get great products. This Memorial Day weekend, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to walk away with some useful purchases, from booming portable speakers to critically acclaimed video games. You never know quite what you’ll find on sale, so we’ve done the hard work for you by rounding up the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and other retailers you can score for under $25.
Shop now and shop quickly, because these deals are only valid for a limited time. If you see something you like, be sure to snatch it up before it’s gone.
Anker/CNET
Take your music anywhere you go for just $20 with this portable Bluetooth speaker by Anker, now discounted on Amazon. The Soundcore speaker is waterproof and has a 24-hour battery life, so you can take it on just about any adventure. Make sure to clip the on-page coupon to receive the full discount.
Memorial Day deals under $25 on everyday essentials
HydroFlask/CNET
The 28-ounce All Around travel tumbler from Hydro Flask is now 25% off. This tumbler comes with a straw and fits in a standard cup holder, so you can bring it with you in your car for easy sipping all day long.
Memorial Day deals under $25 on home and kitchen
Magic Bullet/CNET
This 14-ounce mini blender is perfect for personal use, allowing you to chop, blend, mix and pulse fruits, nuts and veggies in single-serve portions. Its compact size makes it ideal for tucking away in small spaces, like an office cubicle or a dorm room.
Memorial Day deals under $25 on health and fitness
Calia/CNET
This flexibility band set comes with three types of bands: extra light, light and medium. They are made for full-body exercise, ensuring you get a complete workout without a ton of bulky equipment. You can also combine the bands to make a total of seven different resistance levels.
Memorial Day deals under $25 on toys and games
EA / CNET
The 2023 remake of the beloved 2008 game, Dead Space was rebuilt from the ground up for modern consoles with a fantastic single-player survival horror adventure that has stood the test of time. Playing as Isaac Clarke, it’s up to the player to navigate the engineer around a mining spaceship overrun by the monstrous Necromorphs while also dealing with psychosis. Now down to just under $25, this is a great price for an even better game.
What are the best Memorial Day deals under $25?
There are so many great savings on various items for under $25 this Memorial Day weekend. You can snag great finds on kitchen and home essentials, video games and even tech devices like speakers and streaming sticks. Whichever categories you’re looking in, there are sure to be great deals under $25.
What else is on sale for Memorial Day?
Tons of retailers are having sales on TVs, furniture and even major appliances for Memorial Day. Some of those retailers include Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco. You can shop most of these sales either online or in-store to score savings on appliances, TVs and more. Here is a roundup of the best Memorial Day deals happening right now.
How we choose the best Memorial Day deals under $25
Many of us here at CNET have covered shopping events for over five years, including Black Friday, Prime Day, Memorial Day and countless other shopping events. We’ve gotten good at weeding out scams and superficial deals so you see only the best offers from all over.
We look for real discounts, quality reviews and remaining sale time when choosing deals to show you. We have a team of experts who have tested countless products to make sure we’re only sharing the best budget-friendly options.
Real discounts mean exactly that. We look at the price history for that product to make sure no brands are inflating prices to make the discount seem more substantial than it is.
Quality reviews and testing are important for any product. If you’re unhappy the first time you use it, the discount wasn’t worthwhile.
Remaining sale time is a huge part of our vetting process. If a deal seems like it will only be around for a short while or will only be available for the remaining stock, we’ll let you know upfront so you don’t come back to the deal later only to be disappointed.
Friday morning ushered in a post-apocalyptic phase for Epic Games’ megahit Fortnite. Fortnite: Chapter 5 Season 3 has launched and it includes a crossover with Fallout, the Bethesda game franchise and Amazon Prime TV series.
The new season was partially revealed Thursday with the release of key art for the update. That art included X-Men character Magneto and some Brotherhood of Steel mech suits from Fallout set against a desert car battle that wouldn’t be out of place in the new Mad Max: Furiosa movie. (Sadly, that’s not one of the crossovers in this update.)
A trailer released overnight revealed more: A sandstorm takes over the Fortnite island, bringing with it a new biome to the south called “the Wasteland.” The trailer included the Metallica track Fuel, and shows some of the game’s new characters, including Megalo Don, the Machinist, Brite Raider and Peabody, who looks like an actual peapod. A Wastelander Magneto outfit will be released in July.
Read more: In 2018, I Hated Fortnite: I Was Wrong
Other game updates include Nitro boosts for vehicles, the return of vehicle mods such as grenade launcher turrets and cow catchers (which boost your ramming power); new areas such as Redline Rig, Nitrodome and Brutal Beachhead; and a new crossbow called the Boom Bolt that shoots explosives. Slurp Cactus is available to heal characters, as is Fallout-inspired Nuka-Cola. The update requires the purchase of a season battle pass, which costs about $7.50, or 950 V-Bucks, Fornite’s in-game currency. The battle pass lasts until Aug. 16.
As we get closer to the big weekend, the Memorial Day deals are starting to really heat up. We’ve seen deep discounts on a whole range of items, but one that you can’t afford to ignore is Woot’s Nintendo Switch sale. The retailer is offering deep discounts on a number of different Switch systems with prices starting from just $161 currently. These prices are only going to last until the end of the month though, so keep that in mind when planning any purchase.
As mentioned, there are a few Nintendo Switch deals here starting with the Timmy & Tommy’s Aloha Edition Switch Lite. It’s a refurbished product with no noticeable damage, and you’ll get all the original accessories, including — just note that there’s no game included here. But at just $161 it’s a great way to get started with Nintendo Switch gaming. There’s also a refurbished Switch Lite in a pink color for a few dollars more at $165, too.
At the opposite end of the price scale, we have the v2 Nintendo Switch with gray joy-cons. It’s a brand new unit but it’ll come repackaged in a brown box. You’ll still get all the usual accessories though and right now you’ll pay just $260.
Finally, a refurbished Nintendo Switch with red and blue joy-cons can be yours for $240 as well. With all of these options available, all you need to do is pick the right one for you. And remember that while the Nintendo Switch is a great way to play games on the go, you can hook it up to a TV, too. Be sure to check out our list of the best Memorial Day TV deals if it’s time to upgrade your old model.
The faces of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln on Mount Rushmore get covered with black blindfolds that collectively read “The Truth Lies” in a teaser video for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, a new game announced Thursday by publisher Activision.
A video called “wake up (rushmore) #thetruthlies” was released showing a squad vandalizing Mount Rushmore at night with the blindfolds. The blindfold over Lincoln’s face includes a three-headed wolf emblem, which was part of the newspaper ad and which appeared in the franchise’s last game, Modern Warfare 3, according to IGN. IGN also shared an X post from an eagle-eyed fan suggesting the game will take place during the Gulf War conflict.
No release date, information on different editions of the game or pricing has been released yet for what the publisher is calling a “dark new chapter” in the franchise.
Activision promised to reveal more at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET) on June 9 as part of an online Xbox Games Showcase, followed by a Black Ops 6 Direct broadcast.
While the main story in the last Black Ops game was set in the early 1980s and was a direct sequel to the first game in the series, Call of Duty: Black Ops. Like other Call of Duty games, its multiplayer included a Zombies mode as well as a free-to-play battle royale game called Warzone.
The game is developed by Treyarch Studios and Raven Software.
The faces of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln on Mount Rushmore get covered with black blindfolds that collectively read “The Truth Lies” in a teaser video for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, a new game announced Thursday by publisher Activision.
A video called “wake up (rushmore) #thetruthlies” was released showing a squad vandalizing Mount Rushmore at night with the blindfolds. The blindfold over Lincoln’s face includes a three-headed wolf emblem, which was part of the newspaper ad and which appeared in the franchise’s last game, Modern Warfare 3, according to IGN. IGN also shared an X post from an eagle-eyed fan suggesting the game will take place during the Gulf War conflict.
No release date, information on different editions of the game or pricing has been released yet for what the publisher is calling a “dark new chapter” in the franchise.
Activision promised to reveal more at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET) on June 9 as part of an online Xbox Games Showcase, followed by a Black Ops 6 Direct broadcast.
While the main story in the last Black Ops game was set in the early 1980s and was a direct sequel to the first game in the series, Call of Duty: Black Ops. Like other Call of Duty games, its multiplayer included a Zombies mode as well as a free-to-play battle royale game called Warzone.
FromSoftware has dropped a new story trailer for The Shadow of the Erdtree, the upcoming downloadable content for the blockbuster video game Elden Ring. Arriving a month ahead of the June 21 release date for the DLC, the clip teases what’s awaiting players in the big adventure that expands on one of the best games of 2022.
The trailer shows the Land of Shadow that the main character of the Erdtree DLC, Miquella, traveled to after leaving the areas depicted in Elden Ring. A city that sits in the titular shadow of the massive, bright Erdtree is shown engulfed in flames from a dire battle.
As is fitting for the cryptically hidden story in Elden Ring, the DLC story trailer reveals only scraps of lore, all of which is wrapped in the original game’s backstory of a semi-divine family of powerful beings, like Marika, Malenia, Godwyn and others. In the lore, Miquella couldn’t rid his sister Malenia of the Scarlet Rot and left his flesh behind to travel to the Land of Shadow, where it’s unclear if he’ll help or harm the Tarnished player.
The trailer does feature glimpses of another character who seems to play a central role in Shadow of the Erdtree: Messmer the Impaler. He prominently appears amid the army burning the city below the Erdtree and makes short work of an enemy closing in on him. His position and disposition to Miquella and the player are unclear, however.
The story trailer will give fans plenty to chew on during the month till the game publicly launches, but it doesn’t offer anything extra about the gameplay or areas to be explored in the DLC. The February gameplay trailer remains the only inside look at the new enemies, bosses, weapons, skills and spells that await players in the Land of Shadow.
Read more: Elden Ring Smithing Stones: How to Find Every Bell Bearing
Watch this: PlayStation 5 Pro Leaked: Everything We Know
The first Taliman board game was originally released all the way back in 1983 and It’s been a favorite of dungeon-crawler lovers ever since. Made by Avalon Hill Games, in conjunction with Game Workshop, Talisman takes you and up to five friends on an adventure to defeat the dragon using, you guessed it, Talismans. There have been four editions since the release all those years ago — the last one being released in 2008 — and now the fifth edition is available to preorder, with all new graphics as well as some gameplay tweaks.
The game has 12 playable characters, each with a newly redesigned miniature. Its gameplay style mixes traditional board games with dungeon crawling, card collecting and, if your gaming group wants to, some fun roleplay thrown in for good measure. It’s a game that directly influenced a huge amount of modern board games, but definitely needed a refresh. After 16 years of the fourth edition, this new update is a welcome addition.
Avalon Hill
“In the game, players set forth on an epic adventure, racing to be the first to obtain a Talisman, reach the Crown of Command in the center of the board, and defeat the elder dragon to win,” Avalon Hill said in a statement. “With a diverse range of characters to choose from and a vast world of possible scenarios plus an easy to use, revised 5th Edition Rulebook, this strategy game offers limitless adventures!”
Talisman: Fifth Edition is available to preorder on Amazon for $60 and will be released on Aug. 1. While you’re here, we have a list of some of the best strategy board games around if you want to build up your collection.
Minecraft, one of the bestselling games of all time, is teaming up with the world’s biggest search engine to celebrate its 15th anniversary. Now, when you type “Minecraft” into Google, an interactive game option appears, where you can “mine” the world behind the search results.
The search experience works with other Google search terms too, like Minecraft Dungeons, or references to the game’s main character, Steve. As you mine the world behind search results, breaking through trees, dirt and stones, you sometimes get upgrades like the game’s popular pickaxe to help speed up your explorations.
Google teaming up with Minecraft is a marketing stunt, sure. But it’s also a reminder about how large some fandoms on the internet can be. The game has sold more than 300 million copies, and in 2021, Minecraft videos crossed 1 trillion views on YouTube, more than any other game on the platform. Its appeal has continued to grow, even after Microsoft bought Mojang in 2014 for $2.5 billion.
Minecraft Dungeons was an effort to crossover into another popular genre.
Dan Ackerman/CNET
Part of Minecraft’s appeal is how its blocky Lego-like art style gives players tools to build and explore their own worlds (and, not unrelated to its popularity, makes it easy to run on very limited computers). Most games by comparison are designed to depict ultrarealistic battles, deeply engrossing storylines or quirky and intricate puzzles. Though it has a story of sorts, Minecraft encourages players to create their own experiences.
Though Minecraft itself has become a cultural phenomenon, other Minecraft-related efforts haven’t been as successful. Minecraft Dungeons, an action-adventure game, received mixed reviews when it launched in 2020. Minecraft Earth, a Pokemon Go-style mobile phone game, launched just before the COVID-19 pandemic whose worldwide lockdowns hampered its play-outside dynamic.
Still, Minecraft isn’t merely sticking to its well-worn efforts. The game’s being turned into a film starring Jason Momoa and Jack Black. Black’s portrayal of the big baddie Bowser in last year’s Super Mario Bros. Movie helped that film blow past $1 billion in ticket sales. The Minecraft movie is slated to be released on April 4, 2025.
The Nintendo Switch and the upgraded OLED Switch have been Nintendo’s most cutting-edge consoles for the past few years. However, this could all change soon. Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 will be hitting the market sometime in the next year. So, if you’re looking to upgrade and you need to get rid of your current Nintendo Switch, selling it for a bit of extra money could be a good option.
No matter the reason you’re moving on from your Nintendo Switch, you always want to make sure your device has been factory reset and all your personal information has been wiped from it before you hand it off to a new owner.
Factory-resetting your console has many benefits, but the primary one is that returning your device to its original default settings protects any sensitive personal information that could be left on the system. Even though many people don’t store as much private information on their gaming consoles as they might on their phone or computer, completing a factory reset is a good practice to safeguard against potential privacy breaches.
For more, here’s what we know about the Switch 2’s rumored joycons and the best Nintendo Switch deals.
Before you reset…
Nintendo offers a couple of tips and suggestions that you should keep in mind before you reset. First, the company advises that resetting your Nintendo Switch should take about 5 minutes for consoles that are running system OS version 10.0.0 or higher.
Additionally, the company outlines what data will be lost if you factory reset your Switch. This list is pretty straightforward, and includes save data, screenshots and user information that’s been stored on the device.
If you want to erase only specific pieces of data, you can use Nintendo’s Data Management settings to pick and choose what gets deleted while not having to fully reset your device.
Note that your Switch must be connected to the internet while you’re factory-resetting or initializing your device. Your Nintendo accounts will be unlinked during the reset process.
How to reset your Switch
Resetting your Switch is simple. All you have to do is go to System Settings on the main menu, scroll down to System and select it. Then scroll down to the bottom of the menu and select Formatting Options. It’s important to note that, if you have Parental Controls active on your Switch, you’ll be prompted to enter your Parental Control PIN after selecting Formatting Options.
After you’ve entered Formatting Options, you need to select Restore Factory Settings to factory-reset your Switch. Read through the information that’s presented to you on the screen and click Next. Finally, select Restore Factory Settings to complete the process.
Need the answers for the May 6 New York Times Connections puzzle? To me, Wordle is more of a vocabulary test, but Connections is more of a brainteaser. You’re given 16 words and asked to put them into four groups that are somehow connected. Sometimes they’re obvious, but game editor Wyna Liu knows how to trick you by using words that can fit into more than one group.
How to play Connections
Playing is easy. Winning is hard. Look at the 16 words and mentally assign them to related groups of four. Click on the four words you think go together. The groups are coded by color, though you don’t know what goes where until you see the answers. The yellow group is the easiest, then green, then blue, and purple is the toughest. Look at the words carefully, and think about related terms. Sometimes the connection has to do with just a part of the word. Once, four words were grouped because each started with the name of a rock band, including “Rushmore” and “Journeyman.”
Read more: NYT Connections Could Be the New Wordle: Our Hints and Tips
Hints for today’s Connections groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Put together.
Green group hint: Annoyance.
Blue group hint: Ways to indicate amounts.
Purple group hint: Certain cards in a fortune-telling deck.
Answers for today’s Connections groups
Yellow group: Connect.
Green group: Nuisance.
Blue group: Quantity words.
Purple group: Tarot cards with the.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is connect. The four words are couple, join, link and tie.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is nuisance. The four words are bother, handful, pain and pest.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is quantity words. The four words are few, many, several and some.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is tarot cards with the. The four words are fool, lovers, magician and tower.
Support for 160MHz channel width over 5.9GHz spectrum
Multigig Ethernet jacks and USB ports on each device
Available in black or white
Don’t like
No Wi-Fi 6E support for 6GHz band
System occasionally routes connections through the extender when it shouldn’t
Eye-catching, show-offy design
Mesh routers come in all shapes and sizes. However, they all have one thing in common: neutral aesthetics designed to slot right into a wide net of living room decor. The Asus ROG Rapture GT 6 is not that kind of router. The mesh router stands out with its mean gamer aesthetic that leans towards the look and feel of a gaming PC. It even has an angular build and dot-matrix LEDs that mean business. Clearly, this is a router meant to be shown off as decor in a gaming den. But is it all bling with no zing? Let’s check out if the router’s performance matches its cutting-edge looks.
“For those who dare,” reads the all-caps relief lettering etched into the side of each unit.
Well, I dared — which is to say, I was pretty darned curious to test the thing out and see if it was any good. I’ve tested some of the best mesh routers, including those by Orbi, Deco, Eero and Nest. The Asus Rapture GT6 not only outperformed them but did so by a wide margin.
The Asus ROG Rapture GT6 gaming router looks more like a PC tower than a Wi-Fi router.
Ry Crist/CNET
How much better? Our controlled test space is a five-room setup at our product-testing lab with gigabit download speeds that max out at around 940 megabits per second. After running a multitude of speed tests in each room over the course of two days, the GT6 finished with an average download speed of 809Mbps across all distances. The next best is the TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro — another tri-band, Wi-Fi 6 mesh router — which finished with an average of 646Mbps.
It’s an impressive performance delta for the system over its competitors, and it might have something to do with its support for full-width, 160MHz channels. That’s a critical upgrade that allows the best Wi-Fi 6 routers like this one to move mass amounts of data back and forth more efficiently. Asus takes things one step further with support for recently opened UNII-4 spectra at 5.9GHz, which the GT6 uses to sneak in room for a third 160MHz-wide channel. That positions the system to do a better job of maintaining fast speeds even in large, high-traffic environments, and that’s precisely the sort of performance I saw as I tested the thing out.
Backing up the router’s high-speed wireless capabilities is a high-speed WAN port capable of accepting 2.5Gbps connections. Perfect if you have yourself a multi-gig internet plan. Additionally, the gamer-friendly features in the Asus Router app help make it one of the most impressive and complete Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers on the market. Admittedly, some might not care for the sci-fi design. But even if you’re not a gamer, the router is still worth a look for its incredible performance, and range that blankets a home as large as 5,800 square feet. All for a relatively reasonable splurge at $427.
Ry Crist/CNET
A design that dares
Built for gamers who like showing off their hardware, the Asus Rog Rapture GTX is about as flashy as mesh routers get. It isn’t the first router to combine design aesthetics from the gaming and mesh categories, but it’s still a striking departure that’ll stand out in the router aisle, not to mention a system that should fit in alongside even the fanciest gaming setups.
Ry Crist/CNET
Folks who feel like it wouldn’t blend in with their home’s decor might be inclined to keep the things out of sight, but routers perform their best when they’re placed out in the open. If you’d like a Wi-Fi 6 mesh router that’s a little less conspicuous, then you should probably opt for the minimalism of something like the Eero 6 Plus or the TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro, instead.
As for the hardware, each GT6 unit is a tri-band AX10000 device. The “AX” in that speed rating tells you that the system supports 802.11ax, or Wi-Fi 6, while the “10000” part refers to the combined top theoretical speeds of the 2.4GHz band (574Mbps) and the two 5GHz bands (4,804Mbps each). Along with the nine internal antennas, the interior houses a sturdy 1.7GHz tri-core processor with the typical 512MB of RAM and 256MB of Flash memory. Turn the GT6 around, and you’ll find a WAN port that supports incoming wired speeds up to 2.5Gbps, as well as three spare gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, a physical power switch, the A/C power jack, and a USB 3.2 port, which is rare to find on a mesh router these days. Each GT6 unit is identical, too, so any of them can connect with your modem and serve as the main device in your setup.
Screenshots by Ry Crist/CNET
You’ll set the system up using the Asus Router app on your Android or iOS device. It’s quite decent as router apps go, managing to stay simple and straightforward while offering a deeper mix of features and controls than you’ll get with most mesh competitors. I also appreciate that the interface doesn’t bombard you with splash ads for premium security services like those in Netgear’s Nighthawk and Orbi apps.
Setup only takes a matter of minutes. You’ll select the GT6 from the list of Asus routers, scan a QR code on the bottom of whatever device you’re connecting to your modem, pick a name and password for your network, and that’ll do it. From there, you’ll be able to monitor real-time upload and download traffic from the home screen, as well as CPU/RAM percentages and the number of connected devices. You can also tap on the home screen to adjust the color and style of those LED lights (or to turn them off). My only gripe: When I tried to turn the LEDs off on the extender and not the main router itself, it didn’t work. They were either both off or both on.
The home screen also offers shortcuts to two of the main gaming features: a quality of service engine (QoS) used for prioritizing different types of web traffic (favoring gaming or streaming over file transfers and other potential bandwidth hogs, for instance), and a mobile boost mode that, with the touch of a button, prioritizes gaming traffic to whatever phone or tablet you’re running the app on. Advanced users can dig through the ample settings to find extras like Open NAT port forwarding controls and other networking tricks.
It’s not all about gaming, of course — the Asus Router app also offers comprehensive and customizable parental controls, as well as automatic threat scans and VPN access. You can also download a separate Instant Guard app to tunnel your web traffic back through your home network like a VPN while you’re traveling or using public Wi-Fi networks. Best of all, none of that requires a subscription or monthly fee. All of it is free to use, which is obviously excellent.
Among all of the mesh routers I’ve tested at our lab in Louisville, the Asus Rog Rapture GT6 is the fastest. Nothing, not even fancy Wi-Fi 6E systems, have managed to average faster wireless upload or download speeds across our 1,300 square-foot test space.
Ry Crist/CNET
Performance and speed
Speaking of excellent, take a good look at the chart above, which shows the average download and upload speeds of each mesh system I’ve tested in our lab’s 1,300 sq. ft. test space, where we have a gigabit fiber connection. The Asus Rog Rapture GT6 is our new speed king in those tests, with an average wireless download speed to our Wi-Fi 6 test laptop of 809Mbps and an average wireless upload speed of 785Mbps. Both of those figures are faster than any competitor I’ve tested to date.
The GT6 was able to hit top speeds of at least 850Mbps in every room I tested, but speeds occasionally dropped in the three rooms closest to the router. That’s because in the half of my tests where I started my connection in the garage, the farthest room from the router, the system would continue to route my connection through the extender even after I had moved closer to the router. In the end, it wasn’t enough to keep the system from finishing our tests with the fastest average speeds we’ve seen to date.
Ry Crist/CNET
Taking a closer look at the test data shows that the GT6 was able to hit wireless download speeds in the 850-to-900Mbps range in each of the five rooms I ran speed tests in, which is great. However, you’ll also notice a split in the first three rooms I test in, with roughly half of the tests dipping down to the 500-to-650Mbps range. That’s because I split my speed tests into two sets: one set where I establish my laptop’s connection in the same room as the router (the lab’s “living room”) and then work my way away from it, and another set where I start my connection in the farthest room from the router (the “garage”), and then work back towards it.
In the tests where I started my connection far from the router, the system would begin by routing my traffic through the extender, which makes sense because I was starting far from the router. But then, as I worked back towards the router, the system continued routing my traffic through the extender, even after I had moved closer to the router than the extender, and even after I had returned to the very room where the router itself sits. At that point, the extender was only creating an extra, unnecessary jump for my connection, but the system continued using it anyway.
That sort of “sticky client” issue, where the system keeps using the extender after it should, is fairly common among the mesh routers I test. In some severe cases, with systems where there’s a notable dip in performance whenever traffic takes the extra step of routing through an extender, an issue like this could cause a significant drop in your overall average speeds (that’s what happened with the last-place-finishing Linksys Velop MX2000, for instance). In the case of the GT6, the system is strong enough that the split in speeds doesn’t actually add up to much of a noticeable difference — and certainly not one noticeable enough to keep the GT6 out of the top spot as far as speeds are concerned. It’s also mostly a point of concern for phones, laptops and other devices that’ll move around the house with you, and not for stationary devices like smart home gadgets or media streamers.
As for latency, our standard operating procedure is to track the ping value of each speed test we run, all of them to the same AT&T server located in St. Louis. That server is outside of our control, so I’m reluctant to make too many comparisons to systems we tested months ago. Still, compared to our most recent round of mesh tests, the GT6 was right in line, finishing with an average latency of 32ms, with spikes no higher than 56ms. Days before, I tested the Netgear Orbi 860 Series, another high-end Wi-Fi 6 mesh router. That system finished with a lower average of latency of 19ms, though it saw slightly steeper spikes as high as 64ms.
Ry Crist/CNET
The verdict
Do you dare spend over $400 on a fancy new mesh router? If it’s the Asus Rog Rapture GT6, I really couldn’t blame you. With blazing-fast speeds built for gigabit networks and beyond, plus strong ease of setup, likable, free-to-use features, and a polarizing but endearing in-your-face design, it successfully marries the best of the mesh and gaming router categories. It’s an easy Editors’ Choice pick and a justifiable splurge at $427, though your best bet would be to try to snag it for less next time there’s a big sale.
There’s one topic that’s stayed on my mind since the Game Developers Conference in March: generative AI. This year’s GDC wasn’t flooded with announcements that AI is being added to every game — unlike how the technology’s been touted in connection with phones and computers. But artificial intelligence definitely made a splash.
Enthusiasm for generative AI was uneven. Some developers were excited about its possibilities, while others were concerned over its potential for abuse in an industry with shattered morale about jobs and careers.
AI has been a common theme at GDC presentations in years past, but in 2024 it was clear that generative AI is coming for gaming, and some of the biggest companies are exploring ways to use it. With all new technologies, there’s no guarantee they’ll stick. Will generative AI flame out like blockchain and NFTs, or will it change the future of gaming?
Doubts about the new next big thing
In prior years during GDC, San Francisco’s Moscone Center convention venue has been awash in banner advertisements from game companies touting their use of the latest trendy tech: cryptocurrencies, blockchain, NFTs and Web 3.0. This year was no different, with ads from smaller companies expounding on their AI integrations.
Gaming’s biggest companies are still hesitant to commit to including AI in their plans. Nvidia and Ubisoft showed off their dynamically responding nonplayer characters at GDC 2024, but they haven’t announced grand plans to integrate them into upcoming games. Microsoft announced last November that it’s partnering with Inworld AI to develop AI game dialogue and narrative tools. (Inworld is the company Nvidia and Ubisoft teamed up with on their AI NPCs.) But the only generative AI that Microsoft is rumored to be developing is an Xbox customer-support chatbot.
Watch this: Rabbit R1: Here’s What It Can Actually Do
There’s a lot of nervousness before the storm in the games industry, said Laine Nooney, assistant professor of media and information studies at New York University, but though the companies behind generative AI make daring promises, most of those promises probably won’t pan out. Hallucinations may be acceptable in ChatGPT responses, but not for video game narratives.
“These technologies seem poised to expand gamer expectations, even as I think companies underestimate how much additional labor they would require to be functionally productive,” Nooney said.
Still, Nooney says AI will play a strong role in game development behind the scenes, citing a presentation by modl.ai that proposed how AI bots could hunt for glitches and bugs to help human-staffed quality assurance teams. Nooney recalled the modl.ai presenter offhandedly remarking that QA bots don’t need to go home to eat or sleep and can work all weekend. That’s a phenomenon that could potentially lead companies large and small to divest from human-led QA testing.
“It’s very easy to see how tools such as this might remove human-led QA testing entirely, especially from games on the lower to mid end of the cost or quality spectrum,” Nooney said. “And it encourages companies to build games of large scope that they would never be able to effectively test with human labor power — just reproducing the same draining labor dynamic.”
Indeed, in a year when game companies have fallen over themselves to lay off a historic number of employees, the Moscone Center was haunted by anxiety over AI’s impact on the gaming industry’s workforce. In a roundtable for writers and narrative designers, people expressed concern about the fragile state of employment, and that’s only been made worse by the fear of AI taking even more jobs.
At GDC 2024, Nvidia showed off in-progress tech for nonplayer characters. It’s designed to give players AI-created responses when they speak to the characters.
David Lumb/CNET
Using generative AI behind the curtain
Artificial intelligence and machine learning were the focus of numerous GDC presentations. Some of these were sponsored by companies as unsubtle boosterism of the new tech, including Nvidia’s wild and curious generative AI experiments with nonplayer characters and performance-enhancing tools.
Read more: Chatting With Nvidia’s Generative AI Characters Felt Like Next-Level D&D
There were other talks led by developers explaining how they used generative AI to help production.
These technical talks illustrated scenarios where AI could generate suggestions or solutions that could save developers time, optimizing a small slice of the game production pipeline. One presentation laid out how developers could use AI to generate dozens of maps in a game dungeon, or Mario-like platformer levels. An Electronic Arts developer explained how AI could improve the photorealism of faces on digital characters.
A talk by developers at Unity (the company behind one of the major engines used to make games), explained how the tech could be used with behavior trees. Submitting prompts to generate content could reduce the amount of tedious tasks on developer checklists, make it easier to use complex tools, and eliminate bottlenecks by letting developers iterate on gameplay without programmer support.
Automating granular tasks could speed production and free developers to spend more time creatively ideating, said Unity Senior Software Developer Pierre Dalaya and Senior Research Engineer Trevor Santarra. Future game developers could use this approach to improve their workflows, especially in areas of game design that use natural language that can be submitted as AI prompts.
Watch this: What’s the Future of Phones? Expert vs. AI
“We expect to see similar workflows used for creating new game rules and mechanics, orchestrating NPC and player interactions, as well as designing dynamical systems which bring virtual worlds to life,” Dalaya and Santarra said over email.
Leaders at Keywords Studios, a large firm that helps companies build games from concept to release marketing, spoke to a packed crowd. They presented findings on using around 400 AI tools to make their own experimental title, Project AVA, a sci-fi civilization-building game not intended for public release.
The experiment had mixed results. Rather than try out video created by generative AI, developers at Keywords used static 2D images for the visual look. They used Midjourney-like image generation tools and refined their prompts to get the Impressionist-flavored style they were looking for. Ultimately, every step required human curation, since periodic tool updates broke their prompts.
“I think generative AI can help if you really work with it,” Lionel Wood said during the presentation. Wood is art director of studio Electric Square Malta, under Keywords Studios, and helped lead Project AVA. It “still requires an artistic eye to curate and adapt generated artwork.”
Lionel Wood, art director of studio Electric Square Malta, presents on Project AVA, an experimental civilization-building game.
David Lumb/CNET
The resulting generated art satisfied and impressed Keywords, but generative AI was far less successful at fixing bugs, frequently worsening issues. Though it could produce static images, it was bad at creating layouts for user interfaces with menus and icons. With Project AVA in the rearview, Stephen Peacock, head of gaming AI at Keywords Studios, acknowledged that generative AI helped in ideation, coding and helping programmers adapt to using a new game engine.
“I think generally the perspective [after finishing Project AVA] was, if I was going to give sort of a star rating for generative AI in general: not ready,” said Peacock. “But there are definitely areas where we discovered that we did find the tools useful.”
Peacock was impressed by generative AI’s potential to help gamers create things within games, whether costumes for their player characters or custom maps to play in.
“Even five years ago inside Roblox or something, you have to dedicate time to really master these tools,” Peacock said. “And those tools are getting easier and easier to use, which allows more and more people to be creative, and that’s going to be very exciting.”
The experiment did result in some reassurance: Though Project AVA showed that generative AI tools can streamline some game development processes, Keywords concluded that they can’t replace human workers, at least not yet.
“For people who’ve been in the space for a long time, it was not a shocking result, but these tools can’t step in and replace people in the creative process,” Peacock said. And while he’s sympathetic to concerns, he feels they’re obscuring a larger potential for AI tools to assist workers, not replace them. “What I think is often missed is that these technologies are going to allow us to do so much more.”
“While it feels like the pace [of new AI tools] is definitely picking up, I don’t think that’s anything new,” Peacock added. “That’s something people need to take reassurance from — is that creating stories and experiences is fundamentally how humans connect with each other, and the technology is just there to do that better, richer and deeper.”
Bigger than efficiency debates were Keywords’ legal and ethical concerns around making a game with generative AI. Would content produced by the generative AI tools be owned by the studio using them? (That’s a pertinent worry after a judge upheld the Copyright Office’s ruling that AI-created art isn’t entitled to copyright protections.) Could it be used in a commercial product? Would Keywords’ clients accept any risk of games worked on with gen AI? Would Keywords’ own developers feel ethically averse to using these tools?
Hidden Door co-founder and CEO Hilary Mason spoke at GDC 2024 about her studio’s use of generative AI to make narrative games.
David Lumb/CNET
What does this mean for gaming?
Most of the GDC presentations covered generative AI’s use behind the scenes, but a few explained how to use the technology as part of gameplay. Hidden Door developed its own game, currently in closed alpha, that actively generates new situations and characters that players encounter, and that serve as the way to move the plot along.
Hidden Door’s game plays out like Dungeons and Dragons (or adventure video games), with players entering typed-out responses to situations. It’s similar to tabletop games in which players riff off each other and see what happens, co-founder and CEO Hilary Mason explained in the presentation.
“I think there is a whole class of experiences that become possible because of this tech, and ours is one of them,” Mason said.
Hidden Door’s game is based on standard genre stories, public domain books, or the worlds of authors who partnered with the studio. Players can start an adventure in one of them and go in any direction, touching down in the land of Oz from the Wizard of Oz, for instance, and veering off the yellow brick road if they want. Hidden Door’s generative AI tech produces text and images of characters and obstacles that the player encounters in its 2D interface and interacts with for the story to continue.
As generative AI technology advances, Hidden Door aims to refine its game system, potentially integrating things like animations and video, or switching to a visualized 2.5D or 3D interface with character models and environments. The company also has to keep refining things in regard to the biases inherent in all AI tools. During her presentation, Mason used the Dall-E 3 and Midjourney image generation tools to create a photo of what the crowd would look like at her talk. The resulting image showed an all-male crowd — which didn’t match the actual mix of people gathered in the room.
“It’s not to say we can’t use these models, but we then are responsible for mitigating that bias in our design,” Mason said.
Mason acknowledges the ethically fraught questions around the provenance of training data and explains that Hidden Door’s models are trained on data the company creates or synthesizes itself. Rather than ingesting tons of written works, it creates new works on the fly weighing different words and concepts according to the genre, so that if players are enjoying a cowboy frontier adventure, they hopefully won’t run into any rocket ships. By design, they won’t run into words and passages lifted from previously written works, either.
Regardless, the industry will have to grapple with how games use large language models, which have ingested publicly available data for decades without concern until now, Mason said. “Nobody cared because we were not training the model to compete with the people who created the original data, and now we are.”
Playable indie games on display at GDC 2024.
David Lumb/CNET
Generative AI in gaming
Despite existential and legal concerns over the presence of generative AI in games, the technology may end up being used in far more mundane ways, like other production tools, said Neil Kirby, a senior lecturer at Ohio State University’s College of Engineering who hosted a GDC AI roundtable discussion with developers. With this new tech, the gaming industry may just see a nominal productivity bump using its existing production pipeline.
“We’ve seen this before: When PCs invaded the desktop, every office worker in the world became far more efficient when the paper started going down and the electronic stuff came up,” Kirby said.
That specific transition also led to a mass reduction in the need for secretaries and personal assistants, Kirby acknowledged, and perhaps that’ll happen with generative AI as well. The changes he sees coming soon are more iterative than radical. For instance, AI tools could rapidly prototype textures and other visual elements for developers to stick in environments rather than leave them as neon surfaces (a typical early-development method before replacing them with finished work).
It isn’t just developers trying out generative AI tools; students learning the craft are using them, too. At Ohio State, Kirby has seen GitHub Copilot become ubiquitous as a helper for computer science students, adding suggestions as they code their lines. The upside is the potential for uninterrupted flow as students use the tool to suggest solutions to roadblocks rather than have to break concentration to look up answers — a version of the tried-and-tested pair programming concept for coders.
But it’s also worrisome, as young learners lean on an AI advisor rather than learn the core disciplines of programming alone, Kirby said. It also introduces the potential for AI hallucinations and other inaccuracies.
The genie is out of the bottle, though, and at least some students studying to get into the gaming industry are incorporating generative AI tools into their workflow. Throughout my time at the Moscone Center during GDC, presenters pitched their own ways that the technology could change how games are made. They’re far from reaching a consensus, though, on how AI will be a net positive for game development, given the legal murkiness and potential for inaccuracies. None of the conversations broached the enormous uptick in computation needed to use generative AI at the scale the industry would require, an uptick that would increase the industry’s already sizeable impact on climate change.
One attendee at the generative AI talks, Bryan Bylsma, of his indie studio Startale Games, has been using generative AI to make games.
David Lumb/CNET
In the crowds of people who attended these generative AI talks, I saw a glint of eagerness to use the new technology. Walking out of the Keywords Studios talk, Bryan Bylsma felt encouraged by the studio’s Project AVA proof of concept. A developer for heavy-machinery simulation software, he’d been inspired by the automation capabilities of ChatGPT to dust off his college game development skills and, with a pair of friends, start using gen AI to make a game.
“AI in general takes writing code that would traditionally take an hour and boils it down to five minutes,” Bylsma said. “It can make developing, especially on hobby projects, go super fast as long as it’s doing stuff that isn’t too complex.”
Bylsma recently put that to the test in his day job, using Unity’s Muse generative AI co-pilot tool to rewrite his workplace’s whole networking system in a week, when it otherwise would’ve taken a month. With his friends, Bylsma formed the indie studio Startale Games to make a choose-your-own-adventure game that used generative AI tools to gin up plot text, characters and images on the fly. They’re having fun and don’t plan on releasing it commercially, given the legal uncertainties around the data provenance of the tools they use.
Being at GDC has given Bylsma and friends more ideas for their next game, as well as encouragement that they’re riding a trend wave. They met other developers who were similarly inspired to start making games with generative AI in the wake of ChatGPT and could be close to releasing those games to the public.
“That’s so funny, because we started at the exact same time [as other devs]. Everyone just sees the writing on the wall of like, ‘Hey, this thing’s gonna be really big,'” Bryslma said.
Editors’ note: CNET used an AI engine to help create several dozen stories, which are labeled accordingly. The note you’re reading is attached to articles that deal substantively with the topic of AI but are created entirely by our expert editors and writers. For more, see our AI policy.
Winning Wordle is tricky but start words are key. “ADIEU” has been popular since the beginning and that makes sense, since it includes four vowels. But not everyone wants to know the vowels right away.
On the day that the wordle answer is ‘adieu’ social media will implode
Want some statistically supported help? I consulted with the people behind the Oxford English Dictionary, who shared an analysis they did showing which letters are most frequently used in English words. Here’s the entire alphabet ranked by frequent use.
Use the list, share it, bookmark it, whatever you’d like to do. It will surprise absolutely no one that A and E are the top two. But I was shocked that J was the second-lowest, right in front of Q.
Lately I’ve been starting Wordle with the one-two punch of “TRAIN” and “CLOSE.” That combo uses every single one of the top 10 letters, and it almost always leaves me with a decent group of correct guesses — though not always in the right spots. That’s what guesses three through six are for.
Check out this CNET TikTok, which recommends starting with ADIEU and then throwing in STORY. It’s a great one-two punch that covers a lot of popular letters. The first time I tried it out, I was able to use the letter info I gained from those guesses to get the word easily on my third attempt.
I asked more CNET staffers, past and present, to share their Wordle strategies and favorite starting words. Hope it gives you a BOOST or maybe a NUDGE.
Big AUDIO dynamite
AUDIO. Get 4 out of 5 vowels out of the way immediately and focus on narrowing down consonants. Don’t be afraid to deviate from your regular starter word, though — sometimes a random word that pops into your head ends up being way more intuitive than you could have ever imagined. —Ashley Esqueda
A blank STARE
My go-to is STARE. I’m inspired a little by the Wheel of Fortune move of guessing RSTLNE first, and with this, I also knock off two vowels. At the very least, this often seems to give me something on the board early. —Eli Blumenthal
Get TEARY
I cycle through TEARY, PIOUS and ADIEU as a first word, to knock out some common letters and make inroads with vowels. I then choose my next word based on the results, though sometimes I just throw up my hands and use both TEARY and PIOUS one after the other no matter what. —Amanda Kooser
MAKER’s mark
MAKER. That word puts me in the mood to ‘create’ the answer based on the data I get from knocking out the above letter combo. Then I move on to animal names like TIGER. It’s not so much tactical as it is about just having fun for five or so minutes. —Mike Sorrentino
Use weird words
You aren’t playing Wordle correctly if you use the same word to start every day. That’s my official rule and I’m flabbergasted y’all use the same word each day. What? Use weird words. Grab a dictionary, close your eyes and flick to a random page. Start with YACHT one day, try ULCER the next. Look around the room! TOAST? Why not? Just do it! Come on, people. It’s not about clearing each day in the least amount of moves, it’s about learning to love yourself. —Jackson Ryan
CHEAT, and try the NYT Spelling Bee
I’ve been playing around with using FIRST, MANIC or CHEAT to start with. I don’t know if that says more about my frame of mind than my word solving skills, but this approach has pretty much led to me solving within three words. (I got PANIC the other day in two!) But I have to say that while I enjoy Wordle, I’m still a bigger fan of the NYT’s Spelling Bee, where you’re asked to create words using seven letters, and each word has to use the letter at the center of the puzzle. I play Spelling Bee with my husband (he gets half the points to Genius; I get the other half). With Wordle, we play against each other to see who can solve faster. So Spelling Bee just seems nicer. —Connie Guglielmo
Wheel good plan
First, I make sure to do it before my morning coffee, for an added layer of difficulty. I don’t have a go-to word, since that feels sorta cheap, but I do generally aim for initial words that are high in either vowel count or the good old-fashioned Wheel of Fortune letters: RSTLNE. If it works for Pat Sajak’s crew, it’s good enough for me. —Andrew Krok
An argument for ADIEU
I’ve been using ADIEU from day one. Hilariously, I still sometimes misspell it. Sometimes to shake things up — mostly based on pressure from Jackson Ryan — I’ll try something different. But every time I stray from ADIEU, it manifests into a gigantic uphill struggle I barely recover from. Either way, I dunno what we’re all arguing about. Someone did an experiment on this. The best word is ROATE. —Mark Serrels
STORY time
I steal Mark’s word, ADIEU, and follow it up with STORY. Then it’s just a matter of putting all the letters I uncovered into the spots I think they’re in, and banging my head on the table, saying, “I’m not this stupid, am I?” until I figure it out. —Oscar Gonzalez
The first word you think of
I’m a high-risk, high-reward Wordle player. I truly pick the first word that pops into my mind, with absolutely no strategy whatsoever. Aside from this being the purest form of Wordling (as the experts say, obviously), when I’m lucky enough to accidentally guess three or four of five letters correctly, it’s immensely satisfying. —Monisha Ravisetti
Not easy being green
TREAD is a winner, but I like to mix up my first word. That said, I always have a few first-guess rules. At least two vowels. Never use an S. (That S guess will come in handy down the track when you realize you’re incredibly dim-witted and you can only think of four-letter guesses. Final rule: Your second guess should never include your greens from guess one (unless you’re on hard mode). Save those greens for later and throw five new letter guesses into the mix. If I see you post a Wordle answer on Twitter that has tall green columns of letters staying in the same place, I will judge you. —Claire Reilly
Guess it in two
My ultimate goal in Wordle is to guess the word by my second try. To that end, I use STEAR as my first word, which provides a solid set of letters in unusual positions — so I can often predict where they’ll go if they turn up yellow. From there, I make aggressive guesses, even if they’re strategically inadvisable (duplicate letters, few vowels, low-likelihood letters, etc.). Since starting this strategy, my average is about the same as ever, but now I occasionally win in two guesses. So, success? –-David Priest
Don’t fail
I don’t believe in strategies. Pick the word that speaks to you most in the morning and follow your heart. Starting with a tactically effective word makes it too easy anyway. So what if you fail? It’s just Wordle! (But I would like to make it clear that I never fail, not even when there’s an X in the word.) —Sarah McDermott
Read more: Over Wordle? Try One of These Other Puzzle Games
Need the answer for the April 29 New York Times Connections puzzle? To me, Wordle is more of a vocabulary test, but Connections is more of a brain tester. You’re given 16 words and asked to put them into four groups that are somehow connected. Sometimes they’re obvious, but game editor Wyna Liu knows how to trick you by using words that can fit into more than one group.
How to play Connections
Playing is easy, winning is hard. Look at the 16 words and mentally assign them to related groups of four. Click on the four words you think go together. The groups are coded by color, though you don’t know what goes where until you see the answers. The yellow group is the easiest, then green, then blue, and purple is the toughest. Look at the words carefully, and think about related terms. Sometimes the connection has to do with just a part of the word. Once, four words were grouped because each started with the name of a rock band — including “Rushmore” and “Journeyman.”
Read more: NYT Connections Could Be the New Wordle: Our Hints and Tips
Hint for today’s Connections groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the toughest (and sometimes bizarre), purple group.
Yellow group hint: Think about your daily workout.
Green group hint: Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
Blue group hint: Globally famous award.
Purple group hint: Don’t get stung.
Answer for today’s Connections groups
Yellow group: Exercises.
Green group: Featured in Westerns.
Blue group: Leaders who received the Nobel Peace Prize.
Purple group: ____ bee.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is exercises. The four words are bridge, crunch, dip and squat.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is things featured in Westerns. The four words are bounty, cowboy, duel and saloon.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is leaders who received the Nobel Peace Prize. The four words are Carter, Gore, King and Tutu.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is ____bee. The four words are busy, honey, queen and spelling.
My younger self won’t like that I’m saying this, but Megatron really is better than Optimus Prime — at least when it comes to the latest Flagship Transformers machine made by Robosen Robotics.
Robosen and Hasbro teamed up to release Robosen’s first Transformers robot from the villains side: Megatron, the leader of the Decepticons faction and sworn enemy to Optimus Prime. I got a chance to unbox and play with one of the first production models of this high-tech interactive collectible, and the upgrades in machinery and sensors make this baddie oh so good.
Watch this: Robosen’s Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
It can do everything a fan would hope for, including transform on its own from bipedal robot to a rolling tank via voice commands. Its cannon fires plastic darts and it reacts to your pokes with touch-sensitive panels on the front and back. It comes to life and plays out scenes with its 22 lights and 36 servo motors animating the limbs, which are in sync with villainy banter voiced by Frank Welker, the voice of Megatron from the original 1984 cartoon series.
Megatron auto-converts into a tank with the voice command, “transform.” It’s individually controlled tracked treads allow it to pivot and turn.
For people not familiar with Robosen’s product line, this isn’t a typical kids toy. With a few hours of play, I barely scratched the surface of all the things Megatron can do (you can see some of that in the video embedded above). More animations and phrases are unlocked when using the app, which I didn’t get a chance to test yet. I’ll update this post when I do.
As with Robosen’s other Transformers, the app allows users to control the robot remotely via Bluetooth and also teaches programing skills to create custom animations. Collectors who have Robosen’s Optimus Prime can use the Megatron app to have Megatron interact with his heroic archnemesis.
Not only is Megatron slightly larger than the original Flagship Optimus, which was released in 2021, but Megatron also has more-fluid animation, thanks to more-advanced motors and components. New to the lineup are touch sensors, placed in areas to surprise unsuspecting friends who get too close. Put a finger against the front plate and Megatron has a few ways of letting you know he doesn’t want to be touched. (“You fool!”) And the same goes if you pick him up and touch his backside.
Megatron’s accessories include an Energon sword and mace — but I had more fun with the simple plastic darts that shoot out via a spring release. In tank mode, you can shout, “Open fire!” and watch the shells fly.
In bipedal robot mode, Megatron’s voice command wake word is “Hey, Megatron” (“All Hail Megatron” also works), to which he crabbily replies “What’s wrong?” You’ll get a different animation and scene played out depending on what you say next — and the choices are numerous, anything from “attack” to “happy birthday” brings out a scene that got me cracking up.
Robosen has released a number of other complicated animated robots, including Grimlock, which converts from bipedal robot to chomping and walking Tyrannosaurus rex.
Although Megatron is quick to remind you that, “I belong to nobody!” the preorders are open now on Robosen’s and Hasbro’s sites to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Transformers franchise. Robosen says the price is expected to go up to $1,199 after the initial preorder window.
Xbox warned warned in September that it would delete online backups of player captures — including both video captures and screenshots — that were 90 days old or older. After months of no action, Xbox is circulating a message telling users that May 30 is the day of reckoning for their capture library.
A representative for Xbox didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Xbox has been sending warning messages about game capture deletion over the last few days.
Screenshot by Joe Hindy/CNET
The new policy went into effect with the September update for Xbox. At the time, players were told that they had 90 days to back up their content and that deletions would start in January. Xbox also rolled out a new UI for bulk backups, either through OneDrive or with an external storage drive that players could use to back up their content before it was deleted.
However, January came and went, and Xbox didn’t make any announcements about why the mass deletion was pushed back, until a warning message started appearing in people’s inboxes in late April.
Xbox has also been quiet about the reason for the change. The ability to upload game captures to the Xbox network has been around since 2013, when the company announced Game DVR. Game DVR allowed players to take captures, edit them and upload them to the network to share with friends. The name and functionality have changed over the years, but there are some gamers out there with uploaded clips that are a decade old.
Xbox stands to regain a large amount of storage on its servers once the deletions take place, which means the servers will be cheaper to manage. Regardless, players won’t be able to rely on the endless amount of free storage they’ve had for a decade and will have to look at ways to back up their content.
What content is Xbox deleting?
Xbox is deleting all game captures and screenshots that have been uploaded to the Xbox network and are 90 days old or older starting on May 30. The company has said multiple times that this affects only clips that are uploaded to the network and not clips that are locally stored on players’ machines or clips that are stored elsewhere like OneDrive or an external storage drive.
The only caveat is that players who have swapped consoles over the years may not have locally stored versions of their older captures. I have a screenshot from a video game that I played on my Xbox One X. When I upgraded to the Xbox Series X, I lost the offline version of that screenshot, which means the only version of that screenshot is now the one backed up on Xbox’s network.
A player can save all of their clips by simply migrating them to another storage platform. Flash drives are relatively inexpensive, or players can optionally spring for a OneDrive subscription and reupload their captures there to keep them safe and immediately shareable with friends.
Automatic uploads should still be available once clips start getting deleted.
Screenshot by Joe Hindy/CNET
Can I still back up captures on Xbox network?
Yes, content can still be manually or automatically uploaded to the Xbox network immediately after capture. However, as soon as you upload something, you’ll have 90 days to share it around before it gets deleted. It’s unclear if a clip can be reuploaded after it’s been deleted or if it’s a one-time thing. At this time, you can reupload clips that you’ve deleted from the Xbox network, but that may change once the forced deletions happen.
This can be controlled in your Xbox settings. On your Xbox, head to Settings > Preferences > Capture & share. Once there, find the To the Xbox network setting under the Automatic uploads section and set it to either Captures by me or Captures by me or games. Alternatively, you can set it to Don’t upload if you don’t want to use the Xbox network anymore.
Xbox gives you the option to back up to external storage or to OneDrive.
Screenshot by Joe Hindy/CNET
How to backup your Xbox captures
Backing up your Xbox captures to an external storage drive or OneDrive is a virtually identical process. The only real difference, if you have a lot of content to back up, is which progress bar you want to watch for an hour.
If you’re going with an external drive, make sure to have a storage drive connected to your Xbox and make sure it’s formatted for use with your Xbox before proceeding.
With your console on, click the Xbox button on your controller.
Navigate to the Capture & share section.
Select Recent captures and then Show all.
Select the Manage icon. It looks like a briefcase.
On the right side, use the Select all option to select all of your captures, or scroll through and select the captures you want to back up manually.
Once done, select Copy to external storage if you want to backup to a storage drive or Upload to OneDrive if you want to go the cloud storage route.
Your Xbox will perform the function you selected.
Once the files are done copying, you’re all finished. For external drives, you can view your old captures using the Xbox Media Player app. People who backed up their stuff to OneDrive can view it there.
Should I use an external storage drive or OneDrive?
External storage is the more cost-effective route since you can purchase an external storage drive and keep it on you. It’s also a one-time purchase rather than a subscription. Once you get an external storage drive — whether it’s a USB flash drive or a hard drive — you can back up your captures immediately.
The other benefit of external storage drives is cross-platform support. You can save your captures to a thumb drive, transport them to your PC and share the actual file instead of generating a share link from cloud storage. Plus, by having the actual file, you have the power to choose which cloud storage you want to use.
OneDrive isn’t a bad backup solution either. It’s integrated directly to the Xbox and you can still generate share links just like you could with Xbox network uploads. That makes it quick, easy and hands-off for people who don’t want to do extra work. You can also access OneDrive on your phone or PC to download your captures. The only downside is that you may need to purchase a subscription for extra storage if you have a lot of captures you want to save.
In short, there’s no right answer. It depends entirely on preference. You’ll be able to access your captures either way.
How to back up captures from your PC
According to Xbox, captures made with the Xbox Game Bar on PC don’t get uploaded to the Xbox network and are therefore not subject to the 90-day deletion policy. So if you use Xbox Game Bar to capture things, all of your captures are stored locally and will not be deleted at all.
To see your capture library, open Xbox Game Bar by pressing Windows Key + G > See My Captures. When the gallery window pops up, click the folder icon to open the folder on your PC that stores your captures. You can then use cloud storage or a flash drive to back them up from there if you want to.
The captures user interface on an Xbox Series X is shown.
Screenshot by Joe Hindy/CNET
How to delete old captures
Some players don’t have a lot of captures on their Xbox while others have hundreds. Often, players will accidentally hit the screenshot button during gameplay, so there are a lot of accidental screenshots out there. You may want to prune your capture collection before backing up so you don’t have to back up a lot of useless stuff. Here’s how to do it.
With your Xbox on, hit the Xbox button.
Navigate to Capture & share.
Select Show all.
Go to the capture you want to delete and hit the start button on your Xbox controller.
Select Delete.
If you want to delete multiple, hit the manage icon. It looks like a briefcase.
Select all of the captures you want to delete.
Select Delete.
Once you select delete, the selected captures will be deleted. Be careful, as they are not recoverable once you do this.
Winning Wordle is tricky but start words are key. “ADIEU” has been popular since the beginning and that makes sense, since it includes four vowels. But not everyone wants to know the vowels right away.
On the day that the wordle answer is ‘adieu’ social media will implode
Want some statistically supported help? I consulted with the people behind the Oxford English Dictionary, who shared an analysis they did showing which letters are most frequently used in English words. Here’s the entire alphabet ranked by frequent use.
Use the list, share it, bookmark it, whatever you’d like to do. It will surprise absolutely no one that A and E are the top two. But I was shocked that J was the second-lowest, right in front of Q.
Lately I’ve been starting Wordle with the one-two punch of “TRAIN” and “CLOSE.” That combo uses every single one of the top 10 letters, and it almost always leaves me with a decent group of correct guesses — though not always in the right spots. That’s what guesses three through six are for.
Check out this CNET TikTok, which recommends starting with ADIEU and then throwing in STORY. It’s a great one-two punch that covers a lot of popular letters. The first time I tried it out, I was able to use the letter info I gained from those guesses to get the word easily on my third attempt.
I asked more CNET staffers to share their Wordle strategies and favorite starting words. Hope it gives you a BOOST or maybe a NUDGE.
Big AUDIO dynamite
AUDIO. Get 4 out of 5 vowels out of the way immediately and focus on narrowing down consonants. Don’t be afraid to deviate from your regular starter word, though — sometimes a random word that pops into your head ends up being way more intuitive than you could have ever imagined. —Ashley Esqueda
A blank STARE
My go-to is STARE. I’m inspired a little by the Wheel of Fortune move of guessing RSTLNE first, and with this, I also knock off two vowels. At the very least, this often seems to give me something on the board early. —Eli Blumenthal
Get TEARY
I cycle through TEARY, PIOUS and ADIEU as a first word, to knock out some common letters and make inroads with vowels. I then choose my next word based on the results, though sometimes I just throw up my hands and use both TEARY and PIOUS one after the other no matter what. —Amanda Kooser
MAKER’s mark
MAKER. That word puts me in the mood to ‘create’ the answer based on the data I get from knocking out the above letter combo. Then I move on to animal names like TIGER. It’s not so much tactical as it is about just having fun for five or so minutes. —Mike Sorrentino
Use weird words
You aren’t playing Wordle correctly if you use the same word to start every day. That’s my official rule and I’m flabbergasted y’all use the same word each day. What? Use weird words. Grab a dictionary, close your eyes and flick to a random page. Start with YACHT one day, try ULCER the next. Look around the room! TOAST? Why not? Just do it! Come on, people. It’s not about clearing each day in the least amount of moves, it’s about learning to love yourself. —Jackson Ryan
CHEAT, and try the NYT Spelling Bee
I’ve been playing around with using FIRST, MANIC or CHEAT to start with. I don’t know if that says more about my frame of mind than my word solving skills, but this approach has pretty much led to me solving within three words. (I got PANIC the other day in two!) But I have to say that while I enjoy Wordle, I’m still a bigger fan of the NYT’s Spelling Bee, where you’re asked to create words using seven letters, and each word has to use the letter at the center of the puzzle. I play Spelling Bee with my husband (he gets half the points to Genius; I get the other half). With Wordle, we play against each other to see who can solve faster. So Spelling Bee just seems nicer. —Connie Guglielmo
Wheel good plan
First, I make sure to do it before my morning coffee, for an added layer of difficulty. I don’t have a go-to word, since that feels sorta cheap, but I do generally aim for initial words that are high in either vowel count or the good old-fashioned Wheel of Fortune letters: RSTLNE. If it works for Pat Sajak’s crew, it’s good enough for me. —Andrew Krok
An argument for ADIEU
I’ve been using ADIEU from day one. Hilariously, I still sometimes misspell it. Sometimes to shake things up — mostly based on pressure from Jackson Ryan — I’ll try something different. But every time I stray from ADIEU, it manifests into a gigantic uphill struggle I barely recover from. Either way, I dunno what we’re all arguing about. Someone did an experiment on this. The best word is ROATE. —Mark Serrels
STORY time
I steal Mark’s word, ADIEU, and follow it up with STORY. Then it’s just a matter of putting all the letters I uncovered into the spots I think they’re in, and banging my head on the table, saying, “I’m not this stupid, am I?” until I figure it out. —Oscar Gonzalez
The first word you think of
I’m a high-risk, high-reward Wordle player. I truly pick the first word that pops into my mind, with absolutely no strategy whatsoever. Aside from this being the purest form of Wordling (as the experts say, obviously), when I’m lucky enough to accidentally guess three or four of five letters correctly, it’s immensely satisfying. —Monisha Ravisetti
Not easy being green
TREAD is a winner, but I like to mix up my first word. That said, I always have a few first-guess rules. At least two vowels. Never use an S. (That S guess will come in handy down the track when you realize you’re incredibly dim-witted and you can only think of four-letter guesses. Final rule: Your second guess should never include your greens from guess one (unless you’re on hard mode). Save those greens for later and throw five new letter guesses into the mix. If I see you post a Wordle answer on Twitter that has tall green columns of letters staying in the same place, I will judge you. —Claire Reilly
Guess it in two
My ultimate goal in Wordle is to guess the word by my second try. To that end, I use STEAR as my first word, which provides a solid set of letters in unusual positions — so I can often predict where they’ll go if they turn up yellow. From there, I make aggressive guesses, even if they’re strategically inadvisable (duplicate letters, few vowels, low-likelihood letters, etc.). Since starting this strategy, my average is about the same as ever, but now I occasionally win in two guesses. So, success? –-David Priest
Don’t fail
I don’t believe in strategies. Pick the word that speaks to you most in the morning and follow your heart. Starting with a tactically effective word makes it too easy anyway. So what if you fail? It’s just Wordle! (But I would like to make it clear that I never fail, not even when there’s an X in the word.) —Sarah McDermott
Read more: Over Wordle? Try One of These Other Puzzle Games
Discord added a long-awaited feature earlier this month. Discord servers can now abandon voting bots and reaction-based voting systems in favor of polls.
Many social and messaging platforms — like Mastodon and Slack — have had polling functions for years, but this is the first time Discord has formally added the feature. Discord started as a voice chat service for gamers, so perhaps a polling function wasn’t as useful then. But now, the use of Discord has expanded beyond gaming, and servers who use the platform primarily for messaging will find a lot of value in the new feature.
Adding polls on Discord is easy. Here’s why you should consider using polls and what to know about voting using polls. And if you’re considering joining a server, here’s our complete guide to Discord and what to know about ads on Discord.
Read more: Overwatch 2 Season 10 Guide: The Game Has Never Been This Good
This is what it looks like when a Discord poll is final.
Discord
Why you should use Discord polls
Polls can be an extremely useful tool for understanding your server. Polls are a quick, clean way for you to get a quick pulse from people in your servers. Before the new polls feature was introduced, the typical workaround was a reaction-based voting system — you would react to messages with specific emojis that indicated your agreement or vote for a specific option. But with large servers, reactions can get messy quickly and it would be harder to see or understand how people were actually voting.
For example, I’m part of my local writing group’s server, and polls could be really useful for helping plan what kind of activities we want to do. Before, we would respond with a pencil emoji for in-person writing sessions and a computer for virtual writing sprints. Now we can use polls and don’t have to worry about our votes somehow getting lost or overlooked.
If you use Discord primarily for gaming, polls can still be a useful tool. You might not need them while you’re in voice chat or streaming, but they can be useful for figuring out when your squad is available or settling debates about which game to fire up.
How to use polls on Discord
You can send polls in most places on Discord. If you have the ability to send messages in a channel, you’ll be able to create polls. If you can only view channels, you can vote in polls but not create your own.
Here’s how to create and send a Discord poll.
1. Open Discord and navigate to the server you want to send the poll to. 2. Click the plus sign (+) to the left of your message bar. 3. Click Poll. 4. Enter the poll name and options. You can add emoji, too. 5. Tap the arrow next to Duration to set how long it will be available. 6. Click Post in the upper right corner.
To vote in a poll, select the option you want and click Vote. You can’t vote anonymously, but you can change your vote until the poll closes. You can add up to ten answer choices.
If you don’t see the option to create a poll, don’t worry. Discord’s help page says the feature will take a couple of days to roll out to all users.
For more on gaming, check out all the titles you can access with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and the best PS5 headsets for 2024.
A huge three-day Best Buy sale just kicked off with deals on tech and home products and thousands of dollars in savings. This sale runs through Sunday, April 21, meaning you don’t have long to secure some sweet deals, but the sale has one major restriction: the best savings are only available to My Best Buy Plus or Total subscribers.
If you’re already a subscriber or were on the fence about joining, you could easily make your back during this sale. You can spruce up your space with the latest devices at a great price on everything from smart home devices to TVs, laptops, smartwatches and plenty of other top tech at Best Buy right now. Deals on major appliances and kitchen gear are also available. There’s a lot of stuff on sale, so we’ve looked through the offers to highlight some of the best deals below. Or check the full sale by clicking the button above. Just be aware that this sale ends on Sunday night, so be sure to lock in your purchases before then.
Apple’s latest and greatest MacBook Pro M3 models are heavily discounted at Best Buy with Plus and Total members scoring the best savings. Both 14-inch and 16-inch models are featured in the sale giving you a rare chance to save across Apple’s latest lineup of pro-grade laptops.
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Up to $200 off + $100 gift card
Grab this all-in-one desktop that we love for $250 off. The Envy Move has a smart design and built in battery. It has a high resolution that’s clearer and sharper than HD. It is also easily portable with flip-out feet to make it easy to bring from place to place.
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Best Buy members can save an extra $150 on this soundbar, bringing the price down to $800. This soundbar is supported by Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and Surround Sound. It also is compatible with Google Assistant, Bixby, and Amazon Alexa.
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This KitchenAid fridge is 21.9 cubic feet big. It has French doors and comes with an ice maker as well. It also has an LED light. It’s great for someone looking for a basic fridge without all the fancy frills. It’s hugely discounted and you’ll get $200 back in the form of Best Buy credit.
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Save $1,650 + $200 gift card
Best Buy members can save an additional $10 on one of our favorite antivirus software services, dropping the price to just $20. This protection software can be used for up to five devices to protect your security, identity and privacy. This subscription is for one year.
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More great deals at Best Buy:
Many of the deals listed are either exclusive to Best Buy members or have additional savings that only members can take advantage of. If you’ve been considering signing up, now might be a great time to do so. While Plus and Total memberships are paid accounts, the money you save in exclusive discounts during this event or throughout the year can be worth it, especially if you shop at Best Buy regularly. Other perks are included, such as free two-day shipping with no minimum amount and extended return windows.
For more savings on electronics, here are the best phone deals, laptop deals and TV deals to help you keep more money in your pocket.
Borderlands 3 is a fun looter shooter. I’ve had a standing Borderlands 3 game night with a friend on and off for a few years now. Buoyed by gorgeous visuals, an expansive game world and one of the most gratifying loot experiences in any title, it’s a delightful romp with friends. In-game items are unique to each player, meaning there’s no vying for goodies — but you can still trade to a buddy in co-op mode, so it’s the best of both worlds. There’s a ton to explore on each planet, and though you can experience the entire story in single-player mode, hopping in with friends makes it much more enjoyable.
It took only about a decade, but Apple finally relaxed the App Store rules regarding retro game console emulators. Comically, the first Apple-approved emulator to launch under the relaxed rules, called iGBA, was banned by Apple just days after its launch due to copyright infringement.
The emulator, iGBA, was a knockoff of GBA4iOS, an open-source Game Boy Advance emulator for iOS that the developer created over 10 years ago. Since it was the only emulator available on the App Store during its short reign, it quickly rose to the top of the App Store charts following the news that emulators were back in town.
Representatives for Apple didn’t immediately respond for a request for comment.
GBA4iOS creator Riley Testut spotted the copy and wrote about the experience on Threads.
“So apparently Apple approved a knock-off of GBA4iOS — the predecessor to Delta I made in high school — in the App Store,” Testut wrote. “I did not give anyone permission to do this, yet it’s now sitting at the top of the charts (despite being filled with ads + tracking).”
Testut didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Testut would go on to say he was frustrated not with the developer but with Apple for allowing an obvious clone when his own Delta emulator, the successor to GBA4iOS, had been in TestFlight, Apple’s beta testing platform for iOS apps, for over a year. It also wasn’t difficult for developers to tell it was a phony. Mastodon user and iOS developer Jesús A. Álvarez showed that the code was virtually identical to GBA4iOS but with the licenses removed and advertising added, which is a violation of the GNU General Public License.
Apple confirmed that it removed iGBA from the App Store on Sunday for violating two Apple rules regarding spam (section 4.3) and intellectual property (section 5.2).
Changing time for app stores
The drama comes amid Testut’s efforts to release AltStore, a third-party iOS app store for users in the EU. His Game Boy Advance emulator, Delta, is set to be the store’s flagship app.
“I’ve been working with Apple to release AltStore as an alternative app marketplace for over a month now, and I’m disappointed to see that they’ve approved a knockoff of AltStore’s flagship app Delta in that time,” Testut told The Verge. “However, we’re still planning to launch Delta ASAP, and we’ll have more to share on that very soon.”
The developer of iGBA, La Spina, also told The Verge that it “did not think the app would have so much repercussion” and apologized to Testut.
The Apple App Store is undergoing a lot of changes lately. The EU’s Digital Markets Act is forcing Apple to allow third-party app stores, which is causing Apple to work overtime to ensure the platform remains secure. In addition, a US Department of Justice lawsuit is accusing Apple of stifling competition and violating antitrust laws in the name of security. In the lawsuit, the Justice Department alleges that Apple’s control over its platform prevents companies from doing things like launching competitor smartwatches or digital wallets on Apple’s platform.
All good things must come to an end and that includes Best Buy’s huge three-day sale. Today, Sunday, April 14, marks the third and final day of this epic sale event — which means you have just hours to secure some sweet savings. If you’ve been wanting to upgrade your home appliances, overhaul your entertainment setup or treat yourself to some new tech, this is the perfect time to do it. Best Buy is slashing prices on everything you need to start fresh for spring. Spruce up your space with the latest devices at a great price on everything from smart home devices to TVs, laptops, smartwatches and plenty of other top tech at Best Buy right now.
We’ve gone through the sale and have highlighted some of the best offers below to help you snag some good deals. You can also check the full sale by clicking the link below. Just be aware that the weekend sale ends on April 14 at 9:59 p.m. PT, so be sure to make your selection before then.
This tablet sports a massive 14.6-inch OLED display and an impressive 2,960×1,848 screen resolution so you can stay productive or entertained throughout your day. An S-pen is also included for easy notetaking and drawing capabilities. It only has 128GB of storage, but that can be expanded with a microSD if you wish.
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Nab the latest MacBook Air with a 15.3-inch screen, an M2 chip for fast processing and 1TB of storage at a $400 discount right now.
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This Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 laptop sports a large 16-inch, full HD touchscreen and runs on a 13th-gen Intel Evo i7 processor. It also comes with a generous 16GB of RAM and 1TB of solid-state storage.
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This gaming laptop sports a massive 17.3-inch screen, a 12th-gen Intel i9 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 graphics. Plus, it’s loaded with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. This is a great pick for anyone looking for a portable gaming setup.
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This outdoor TV has a 55-inch screen, 4K resolution and 500 nits of brightness. It’s a great choice for covered patios, decks or balconies as we start to prepare for warmer weather.
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More great deals at Best Buy:
Some of the items listed may have additional discounts available for My Best Buy Plus or Total members, so if you’ve been considering signing up, now might be a great time to do so. While those subscriptions are paid accounts, the money you make back in exclusive savings during this event or throughout the year can be worth it, especially if you shop at Best Buy regularly. There are some other perks too, such as free two-day shipping with no minimum amount and extended return windows.
For more device savings, we’ve rounded up the best phone deals, laptop deals and TV deals to help you keep more money in your pocket.
All good things must come to an end and that includes Best Buy’s huge three-day sale. Today, Saturday, April 13, marks the second day of the sale — which means you only have one day left to secure some sweet savings. If you’ve been wanting to upgrade your home appliances, overhaul your entertainment setup or treat yourself to some new tech, this is the perfect time to do it. Best Buy is slashing prices on everything you need to start fresh for spring. Spruce up your space with the latest devices at a great price on everything from smart home devices to TVs, laptops, smartwatches and plenty of other top tech at Best Buy right now.
We’ve gone through the sale and have highlighted some of the best offers below to help you snag some good deals. You can also check the full sale by clicking the link below. Just be aware that the weekend sale ends on April 14 at 9:59 p.m. PT, so be sure to make your selection before then.
This tablet sports a massive 14.6-inch OLED display and an impressive 2,960×1,848 screen resolution so you can stay productive or entertained throughout your day. An S-pen is also included for easy notetaking and drawing capabilities. It only has 128GB of storage, but that can be expanded with a microSD if you wish.
Details
Nab the latest MacBook Air with a 15.3-inch screen, an M2 chip for fast processing and 1TB of storage at a $400 discount right now.
Details
This Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 laptop sports a large 16-inch, full HD touchscreen and runs on a 13th-gen Intel Evo i7 processor. It also comes with a generous 16GB of RAM and 1TB of solid-state storage.
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This gaming laptop sports a massive 17.3-inch screen, a 12th-gen Intel i9 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 graphics. Plus, it’s loaded with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. This is a great pick for anyone looking for a portable gaming setup.
Details
This outdoor TV has a 55-inch screen, 4K resolution and 500 nits of brightness. It’s a great choice for covered patios, decks or balconies as we start to prepare for warmer weather.
Details
More great deals at Best Buy:
Some of the items listed may have additional discounts available for My Best Buy Plus or Total members, so if you’ve been considering signing up, now might be a great time to do so. While those subscriptions are paid accounts, the money you make back in exclusive savings during this event or throughout the year can be worth it, especially if you shop at Best Buy regularly. There are some other perks too, such as free two-day shipping with no minimum amount and extended return windows.
For more device savings, we’ve rounded up the best phone deals, laptop deals and TV deals to help you keep more money in your pocket.
If you’ve been thinking of updating your major home appliances, overhauling your entertainment and work spaces or you just want to splurge on new tech to make life a little easier, now’s the time. Best Buy has launched a three-day sale, slashing prices on everything you need to start fresh for spring. Spruce up your space with the latest devices at a great price on everything from smart home devices to TVs, laptops, smartwatches and plenty of other top tech at Best Buy right now.
We’ve gone through the sale and have highlighted some of the best offers below to help you snag some good deals. You can also check the full sale by clicking the link below. Just be aware that the weekend sale ends on April 14 at 9:59 p.m. PT, so be sure to make your selection before then.
This tablet sports a massive 14.6-inch OLED display and an impressive 2,960×1,848 screen resolution so you can stay productive or entertained throughout your day. An S-pen is also included for easy notetaking and drawing capabilities. It only has 128GB of storage, but that can be expanded with a microSD if you wish.
Details
Nab the latest MacBook Air with a 15.3-inch screen, an M2 chip for fast processing and 1TB of storage at a $400 discount right now.
Details
This Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 laptop sports a large 16-inch, full HD touchscreen and runs on a 13th-gen Intel Evo i7 processor. It also comes with a generous 16GB of RAM and 1TB of solid-state storage.
Details
This gaming laptop sports a massive 17.3-inch screen, a 12th-gen Intel i9 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 graphics. Plus, it’s loaded with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. This is a great pick for anyone looking for a portable gaming setup.
Details
This outdoor TV has a 55-inch screen, 4K resolution and 500 nits of brightness. It’s a great choice for covered patios, decks or balconies as we start to prepare for warmer weather.
Some of the items listed may have additional discounts available for My Best Buy Plus or Total members, so if you’ve been considering signing up, now might be a great time to do so. While those subscriptions are paid accounts, the money you make back in exclusive savings during this event or throughout the year can be worth it, especially if you shop at Best Buy regularly. There are some other perks too, such as free two-day shipping with no minimum amount and extended return windows.
For more device savings, we’ve rounded up the best phone deals, laptop deals and TV deals to help you keep more money in your pocket.
If your Discord server is in the midst of a heated debate now (or constantly), Discord polls are here to help.
Discord is adding polls to its messages and channels, the company announced Monday. The much-requested feature will be rolling out over the next few days.
While polls are a common feature on messaging and social media platforms, this is the first feature of its kind on Discord. In a video demo of the feature, Discord highlights how polls can give you more control than using a reaction-based voting system, which can get messy. Now, rather than flooding your message with errant emojis, you can make it easy for people to choose which options they support.
Here’s how you can use polls on Discord.
Read more: How to Download Discord and Join Servers
This is what it looks like when a Discord poll is final.
Discord
How to use polls on Discord
You can send polls in most places on Discord. If you have the ability to send messages in a channel, you’ll be able to create polls. If you can only view channels, you can vote in polls but not create your own.
Here’s how to create and send a Discord poll.
1. Open Discord and navigate to the server you want to send the poll to. 2. Click the plus sign (+) to the left of your message bar. 3. Click Poll. 4. Enter the poll name and options. You can add emoji, too. 5. Tap the arrow next to Duration to set how long it will be available. 6. Click Post in the upper right corner.
To vote in a poll, select the option you want and click Vote. You can’t vote anonymously, but you can change your vote until the poll closes.
If you don’t see the option to create a poll, don’t worry. Discord’s help page says the feature will take a couple of days to roll out to all users.
For more, check out how Discord is adding ads with a gamer twist.
Amid worrisome reports of other canceled Star Wars games, we have good news about Ubisoft’s next game slated for this year: it’s got another trailer and a release date. Star Wars Outlaws will be released on Aug. 30 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC, though folks who preorder can play it a few days early.
Unlike last year’s Star Wars: Jedi Survivor, which followed Jedi Cal Kestis in the turbulent years between the prequel and original film trilogies, Star Wars Outlaws takes place smack in the middle of the latter. As befits a story occurring between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Outlaws follows scoundrel Kay Vess as she makes her way through the galaxy and runs afoul of menacing crime lords along the way.
The new trailer sets the stakes for Kay’s adventure: She’s crossed one of the top villains of the criminal underworld, Sliro (pronounced “Sleero” — Star Wars names remain incredible), and must engage in increasingly risky heists and missions to escape the heat on her trail. To pull off the biggest job of her rough-and-tumble life, she’ll have to put together a crew. Star Wars fans who want a break from Jedi and Sith to explore the galaxy’s underbelly, your time has come.
Outlaws is an open-world game, but the trailer gameplay shows plenty of sneaking and shooting when players are tasked with breaking into places they shouldn’t be. As Kay moves through the seedier elements of a galaxy far, far away, she’ll run into some of the biggest names in crime, like the Pyke Syndicate, Hutt Cartel, Crimson Dawn and the new Ashiga Clan, which was created for the game, according to Xbox.com.
In addition to the Ashiga, Outlaws is doing its part to expand the Star Wars universe with the new savannah world Toshara, which accompanies planet locales from prior films and TV shows like Tatooine, Canto Bight (The Last Jedi), Akiva (The Clone Wars) and Kijimi (Rise of Skywalker).
Outlaws is being developed by Ubisoft’s internal studio Massive Entertainment, which most recently made the looter-shooters The Division and The Division 2, as well as the open-world Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.
Back in February, Electronic Arts, which has been releasing licensed Star Wars games for the last decade, canceled a first-person shooter Star Wars game early in development that was being made by Respawn as it went through layoffs. The publisher still plans to release the third game in its trilogy following Cal Kestis, which had previously been confirmed by EA, according to IGN.
Read more: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Hands-On: Exploring the Open World
Watch this: I Touched Disney’s HoloTile Floor: Behind the Scenes at Imagineering
When Microsoft launched the $500 Xbox Series X four years ago, it promised that the device would be able to play games from as long ago as the first Xbox launch in 2001. On Monday, the company expanded on that promise by creating a new team within its Xbox division devoted to backward compatibility, ensuring old games can still play on newer devices — like the next Xbox.
“We have formed a new team dedicated to game preservation, important to all of us at Xbox and the industry itself,” Sarah Bond, Xbox’s newly minted president, said in an email to staff that was made public Monday by Windows Central. “We are building on our strong history of delivering backwards compatibility to our players, and we remain committed to bringing forward the amazing library of Xbox games for future generations of players to enjoy.”
Microsoft is “moving full speed ahead” on its “next-generation hardware” — a likely reference to successor to the Xbox Series X — Bond, who was promoted late last year to oversee Xbox hardware and software, said in her email.
Microsoft hasn’t said much about its plans for its next major console after the Xbox Series X, but Bond wrote in her email that the team is “focused on delivering the biggest technological leap ever in a generation.”
Microsoft didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about the email, though Windows Central said the company had confirmed its authenticity.
Read more: Microsoft Is Testing an AI Chatbot for Xbox. Here’s What It Could Do
The Xbox team’s moves are the latest way the tech giant is hoping to differentiate itself against competitors including Sony, Nintendo and Valve, whose Steam Deck line of portables has helped increase popularity of gaming on PCs.
Microsoft has been marketing backward compatibility for years, offering Xbox players the ability to play hundreds of older Xbox games with either a disk or through an online purchase. As Microsoft’s Xbox division increases its emphasis on its Xbox digital storefront and Xbox Game Pass subscription service, that promise of compatibility could become even more compelling.
There’s also a planned refinement upgrade for the Xbox Series X coming, codenamed Brooklin. That device, which was leaked by Microsoft last year in a reportedly accidental legal filing, is expected to offer a new look along with better accessories connections and power management when it launches later this year.
Read more: PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: How do They Hold Up?
During March’s Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, Nvidia set up a hotel room to show off demos of its generative AI-powered technologies. Some are available to try in beta while the more complex ones aren’t ready to implement in games just yet. They all harness generative AI in different ways, ranging from dynamically creating dialogue and responses for nonplayer characters to modernizing graphics in old games. Nvidia’s experiments explore how generative AI might augment tomorrow’s gaming experiences.
Unlike generative AI tools like ChatGPT for text and Midjourney for images, Nvidia’s generative AI technologies are more experiential tools meant to expand a developer’s toolbox.
Read more: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Sets the Bar for Revisiting Old Games
Nvidia’s experiments come at a time of excitement and uncertainty for generative AI. Talk about AI’s impact on the games industry spilled out from scheduled GDC sessions to roundtable discussions to casual conversations. Developers worry about how AI will impact their labor. When I asked Nvidia whether their NPC chat generator could take away work from writers crafting dialogue, a spokesperson pointed out that writers still have to make entire backstories for the generated dialogue to draw from. Developers would have the option to install guardrails for how NPCs act.
It’s hard to predict the impact of Nvidia’s AI offerings, and that’s why the company was at GDC: to gauge developer interest. Nvidia’s experimentations offer developers a different way to build their NPCs, assuming the technology matures and works as predicted. At this point, we can only speculate which game genres would benefit most from such tech, and how it might change gameplay in the future.
Hands-on… or rather, voice-on with generative AI
When I walked into the Nvidia demo space, I saw half a dozen stations, each with a monitor and PC with separate experiences ready to test.
The first was ChatRTX, which lets users personalize a chatbot with their own content. It was revealed in January at CES 2024 and released free to the public in February. It’s only meant to canvas your own files, so an Nvidia spokesperson showed ChatRTX summoning photos of them hiking. Game developers could use it to surface files from asset libraries. Since searches are on the computer, search and document history remain private. The spokesperson suggested other potential uses for players, like generating trash talk in Rocket League on the fly while you play (he was clearly joking).
My next demo showcased NPC technology. In a sample game scenario, I played a private investigator tasked with entering the hotel room of a CEO. I walked up to the bellboy in the lobby. I didn’t enter prompts or sample dialogue. Instead, I talked to the bellboy through a microphone, asking real questions. He answered me with responses generated by Nvidia’s NPC AI tech.
It was a surreal experience, and frankly, I felt put on the spot to physically talk my way through a game. I bluntly asked for my target’s room number; no nuance, no plan. The bellboy responded stiffly, if politely, and told me to inquire with the hotel worker at the desk. When she proved equally buttoned up, I waltzed over to charm the CEO’s right-hand executive who also happened to be in the lobby.
The same Nvidia NEO NPC demo, but note the laptop on the left, which is running the background information for the character, which generative AI draws on to form his responses.
David Lumb/CNET
Since I had a short time with the demo, the Nvidia spokesperson suggested ways my private investigator could get what he needed in the game. There was a spare security badge lying around and I could use it to impersonate an employee, and there was a note written on a napkin behind the bar that could’ve gotten me in the good graces of the bellboy.
While these felt like familiar ways to bypass an objective in a Deus Ex game, I was still stonewalled from the conversations. It required a lot of improv on my part and took more effort than just picking pre-written dialogue options. I wasn’t prepared to think my way out of these situations. It was a valuable challenge to connect me more to the character I’m playing, so it’s one way to further immerse players into a game’s world, but it does take a level of effort that some gamers may not want to spend on their relaxing pastime. Process aside, the game did generate cleverly apt responses to what I said. It almost felt like the characters were listening.
After I successfully (albeit clumsily) got the CEO’s room number, the Nvidia spokesperson broke down how the AI NPCs worked. The tech behind the characters’ responses is called NEO NPC, which Nvidia created in partnership with AI engine creator InWorld and game publisher Ubisoft. They also used another Nvidia technology, called Avatar Cloud Engine to match the characters’ mouths with the generated dialogue.
InWorld created a back-end for each character that referenced an extensive background dossier. It’s the same kind of openness that Dungeons and Dragons or other tabletop RPG systems have had between players and game-running dungeon masters, but this demo showed how video games could get this functionality without needing a person supervising the experience.
Nvidia’s spokesperson, attempting to address the concern over AI in gaming, pointed to the demo as evidence that AI isn’t replacing narrative designers and writers who do different work hashing out an NPC character’s history, hopes, fears and desires that the player can discover and creatively exploit. Designers and writers can tinker with NPC conversational styles to give them guardrails and topics they’re willing to talk about.
Ubisoft’s research and development team used NEO NPC technology to experiment with emotional responses to conversations players have with NPCs.
David Lumb/CNET
More emotions in your AI NPC
The second NPC demo was hosted by Ubisoft and showed how the NEO NPC project could add emotion to characters. I played a freedom fighter-to-be, starting with a conversation opposite and a beanie-wearing grizzled-but-earnest believer vetting my commitment to the cause of overturning a corporate dystopia.
Once again, I leaned into the microphone and talked to the NPC believer who asked me if I was ready for questions. Now with more practice, I embraced the improv aspect of all this and said, “It’s cool with me, daddy-o.” To which the believer, unfazed by my lameness, responded, “Wow, you really are a cool cat. Anyways, what do you want to talk about?”
After a few interactions, I saw my relationship with the believer improve via a progress bar. Ubisoft’s technology analyzed the emotional charge of what I said. If it aligned with the believer’s values and temperament, it would add progress to the relationship bar. If I pleased my NPC friend, perhaps by bragging about my accomplishments or complimenting him, I could reach a higher level and unlock more interesting info, which in real-time conversation terms, means he’d open up about sensitive topics. Winning favor with one person might improve my standing with others in his faction.
While Ubisoft worked with InWorld’s AI models and used Nvidia’s ACE tech to match lip movements to generate audio for the demo, it was the game publisher’s research that added more emotion to NPCs.
“We have defined our own emotions, the character personalities, and we want to tweak the body language of each character so it’s a real character,” said Ubisoft senior data scientist Mélanie Lopez Malet, who led the demo.
For now, Ubisoft only takes into account what you say, not your tone. Ultimately, they don’t want to punish a shy person for not speaking more confidently, nor do they want to demand more performative energy from a player gaming at the end of a long day.
The demo, which Malet insisted was a proof of concept and not an eventual player-facing NPC AI experience, had three sections. After the first, I skipped the second scenario and jumped to the third, which saw my nascent freedom fighter planning a mission with an NPC resistance officer against a dystopian corporation. My goal was to make it past guards and cameras to extract crucial data. How I went about surmounting these obstacles was up to me.
At Malet’s suggestion, I explored the freedom fighter’s HQ to take stock of assets, which inspired me to consider new methods to start the heist. Perhaps instead of ladders to get into the window, we’d use grappling hooks. Then to deal with the guards, we could use tranquilizer darts… and so on.
There were hiccups in my conversations, as befits a proof of concept. At one point, I jumped ahead a couple of steps in the plan and had to be yanked back to finalize the method for the task at hand. The NPC resistance officer didn’t remember what solutions I’d previously pitched. Malet also recalled other demo attendees failing to convince the resistance officer to accept suggestions because their phrasing wasn’t confident or direct enough — what are called “emergent behaviors” in which the NPC interprets something differently than a human would based on subtle phrasing choices.
The left display shows Half-Life 2 running normally, while the right display shows Nvidia’s RTX Remix tech at work. Note the differences in tree branches, textures and lighting.
David Lumb/CNET
Upscaling old games with generative AI
Another generative AI application Nvidia demoed was RTX Remix, which essentially remasters a game for modern graphics using ray tracing and Nvidia’s DLSS technology.
The example Nvidia demoed was the classic game Half-Life 2, which had bleeding-edge graphics when it was released in 2004. Two decades later and the seams certainly show, with angular trees, flat objects and low-resolution textures. With Remix, the game was upscaled to look like it came out a few years ago.
Half-Life 2 with Remix won’t hold a candle to a modern ray-traced game, but it still looks leagues beyond its current resolution. What’s most fascinating is how Remix intelligently adds not just textures but light depth. A tree may have the same simple cylindrical geometry as it originally did, but the texture has added knots and bark divots that the lighting ingeniously curves around, simulating depth on a flat surface.
Likewise, brickwork gains shadows from light sources despite the texture still being flat. An Nvidia engineer even popped into the console settings and tweaked the brick wall’s mortar to appear deeper, and shadows filled the gaps between individual bricks. It was impressive to see a game I remember playing half my lifetime ago get effectively remastered before my eyes.
Nvidia’s demo space outside GDC 2024 showed half a dozen different generative AI-powered enhancements of the gaming experience.
David Lumb/CNET
So what does this promise games?
Nvidia has a few irons in the fire when it comes to using generative AI in gaming, but the most potentially revolutionary is figuring out the next generation of NPCs. Wouldn’t you want NPCs to dynamically respond to players to give them a more organic conversation? Wouldn’t that be better to give players more control over how a scene will progress?
Playing with — really, conversing with — NPCs that dynamically responded to my questions and picked up on my sass was pretty fun. In my Ubisoft demo, I was initially sympathetic to the NPC believer’s anti-corporate past and gained his favor, but then I proclaimed a love for corporations and received a frosty response. Likewise in the next heist scenario, I kept suggesting to end the careful plan by blowing up the wall and jumping out to escape on gliders. “This isn’t a video game,” the NPC resistance fighter crisply responded, and she told me to suggest something more practical.
Physically talking my way through a scene certainly took more effort than clicking dialogue options. It wasn’t just the act of speaking, but burning brainpower to figure out the best way to ask a question and craft it to fit the “role” of the character I was playing. Nvidia shrewdly compared the approach to playing tabletop RPGs, but those are typically group experiences where players get breaks between standing in the spotlight and dictating their actions and questions. Do video game players really want to have full conversations with every NPC they come across?
It’s empowering to have the freedom to needle any NPC to explore their hopes, fears and desires, but letting players dive deep in conversation with any unimportant character they meet could turn NPCs into distraction traps and occlude the game’s main storyline path. Letting players string out their interactions to eventually unearth the info they need means no control over how it’s delivered to players, as Aftermath pointed out, robbing the game of some of its crafted methods and moments, like the sort of controlled cinematic experiences that have made games like The Last of Us and Uncharted so beloved.
Those moments in award-winning older games were skilfully crafted by writers and narrative designers, and given the concern about generative AI, it’s worth being wary of how implementing that tech changes how games are written and designed. The same goes for the voice actors who provided voice samples for the NPCs in these demos to auto-generate their dialogue — Nvidia confirmed that voice actors for these demos were compensated accordingly, but it’s worth wondering how voice acting could change with this technology.
Looming over all these possibilities are the specs required to use generative AI in games. Every demo in the room was running at least an Nvidia RTX 4080 GPU, which each cost at least $999, and others were powered by the RTX 4090, one of the best consumer GPUs the company offers, which starts at $1,599. While Nvidia said that the features demoed in the room could run on the previous 3000-series of GPUs, none of the demo PCs had one to compare, and even those are still pretty pricey.
These features, even upscaling a game as old as Half-Life 2, require high performance. AI processing speed is measured in a metric called tokens, and AI models must process around 20 tokens per second to look seamless. The 4090 computes probably 100 tokens per second, an Nvidia spokesperson told me. It’s hard to imagine a 2000-series GPU or lower managing enough speed to use these features.
Most or all of the features Nvidia had in its demo room are works in progress, and they’ll likely look a lot different once they’re ready to be implemented. It’s intriguing to see what games could be capable of with generative AI, and although it’s clear that these applications won’t work for every game genre (who needs an endlessly-talking NPC in a PVP team shooter, or a puzzle game?), the more technical and back-end uses will likely give developers more tools for years to come.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Photo Mode Screenshots From the Frontier
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Editors’ note: CNET used an AI engine to help create several dozen stories, which are labeled accordingly. For more, see our AI policy.
Microsoft has been adding artificial intelligence to nearly all its products, from Bing search to PowerPoint. Now it’s testing AI for customer support on its Xbox.
“We are testing an Xbox Support Virtual Agent, an internal prototype of an animated character that can query Xbox Support topics with voice or text,” Haiyan Zhang, general manager of Gaming AI at Xbox, told CNET in an emailed statement.
The animated character would take information from existing Xbox Support pages to provide answers to questions players ask, Microsoft says.
The chatbot could also process refunds for games, according to an earlier report by The Verge.
Microsoft has eagerly adopted AI
The move marks another way Microsoft is incorporating AI into its product offerings. Building a chatbot that’s designed to do more than merely answer questions expands well past the initial Copilot generative AI technologies Microsoft added to its Bing search engine and Office products, off the back of its investment and partnership with OpenAI.
Microsoft has hinted at these types of products before, though. CEO Satya Nadella has described using a voice-enabled AI to help people fill out forms, and the company has also demonstrated technologies that quickly summarize information from press releases, financial filings or meeting transcripts.
The tech giant has made AI such a central aspect of its products that it’s added a dedicated AI Copilot button to keyboard layouts, the first change since Microsoft introduced the Windows key in 1994.
Read more: AI Chatbots Are Here to Stay. Learn How They Can Work for You
Microsoft hasn’t said when its Xbox AI will launch, though the company is planning upgrades to its video game console and services soon. The company said it unintentionally leaked a presentation describing its upcoming “Brooklin” Xbox last year. The new device, which is reportedly discless, would sport a cylindrical design rather than the boxy design of the Xbox Series X (which has been made fun of in memes as looking like a refrigerator).
AI tech may help Microsoft’s Xbox stand apart from Sony’s upcoming PlayStation 5 Pro video game console, which is rumored to be coming out sometime this year. Apple is also reportedly looking to AI and planning its own AI enhancements for the iPhone, which may be announced as early as this summer during the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference.
Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to help create some stories. For more, see this post.
Nintendo’s game catalog for the aging Nintendo Switch is a little up in the air this year: No big Zelda sequel like last year, and nothing big really that we know of for the rest of 2024. A new Nintendo Switch is expected sometime in the next year: maybe in 2024, maybe in 2025. In the meantime, Princess Peach: Showtime may be one of the biggest new games the system has this spring.
Nintendo made a Princess Peach game before, all the way back on the Nintendo DS. Super Princess Peach wasn’t particularly good, but it at least made Peach the star instead of a side player. Peach has been a playable character in Super Smash Bros, Mario Kart, and in games like Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Showtime is a full Peach adventure, with an immersive theater theme. After playing through a number of its levels, I’m not particularly in love with it…but I also think it’s fun for younger kids with a play style that reminds me of previous Switch games like Yoshi’s Crafted World, Paper Mario games, and even Kirby and the Forgotten Land.
I wasn’t sure what to make of this game at first, but it’s drawn me in the more I’ve played it. Nintendo knows how to structure a video game and thread in just the right amount of mystery challenges. Peach’s adventures all take place in the Sparkle Theater, a venue where some performance has been hijacked and gone awry. I didn’t really follow what the story was about — instead, I just followed how each theater space became its own immersive level-world with set-like 2D props and scenery. It’s a little bit like Paper Mario games in that regard.
Princess Peach has magical powers that can transform enemies or some nearby objects, and gets specific sub-identities for some levels almost like Kirby does. There’s Detective Peach (who uses a magnifying glass to find clues), Patisserie Peach (who puts cake decorations on giant pastries), Mermaid Peach (who sings to control schools of fish to solve puzzles), Mighty Peach (who looks like Metroid’s Samus, and can power-lift cars and trucks), and more. It’s fun to see these genre-themed levels take on different forms to fit Peach’s different abilities, and it makes Showtime feel unpredictable in ways that can be rare for classic Nintendo games.
The level designs have a stage-set look, which makes everything seem like moments in a magic theater show.
Nintendo
There’s some secret-hunting, too, which involves finding little sparkling crystals studded throughout each level. That type of secret-finding gameplay reminds me of the pace that Kirby and the Forgotten Land charmed me with, but Princess Peach: Showtime feels a little less complicated. For younger kids, that might be helpful. It’s great to see level concepts keep changing, something that Super Mario Wonder also played with. Bring on the unexpected!
I do like Peach as an identity-shifting superhero who jumps genres in an immersive theater universe. That concept’s instantly appealing, for sure. Yet I can’t help think of a far better game I played last year, called Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, which came out right around the same time as Princess Peach: Showtime and was also a brand-new game based on a familiar character. I’d recommend Bayonetta Origins over Princess Peach, but Peach’s target audience is no doubt younger, too.
Consider Showtime a Disney-like princess journey adventure, however, and maybe you’ll find it to be exactly what you’re looking for. Nintendo needs to dream up new ideas now and again instead of delivering ports of older games; for now, this may be the last one of those in 2024 for a while.
Even though it launched a little over a year ago, Sony’s PlayStation VR 2 feels like the forgotten child in the VR landscape. And now reports say Sony’s pausing PSVR 2 production until it can sell through its stock because of disappointing sales. Sony could fix this, if it wanted to.
The $500 VR headset accessory for the PlayStation 5 wowed me when I first reviewed it, but in the past year, I haven’t used it nearly as much as the Meta Quest 3 or even, recently, Apple’s Vision Pro.
At least part of the issue is that it’s a tethered headset that requires me to be attached to my PlayStation 5. That means it’s far less portable than Meta’s or Apple’s standalone devices, which can be used anywhere.
But that’s not the real reason I don’t use the PSVR 2 all that much. It’s more that Sony hasn’t made enough unique experiences to make me want to return to it.
It’s even weirder to me because right now, in 2024, VR is having a bit of a comeback. Meta’s headsets have continued to be popular. Apple’s Vision Pro, while way too expensive for most, is showing off new ideas for multitasking, apps and eye- and hand-tracking. Sony already built eye-tracking into the PSVR 2, along with some fantastic-feeling haptics in the controllers and headset, but these technologies still don’t feel maximized yet on Sony’s hardware.
There are a few big obvious misses Sony’s made with this headset since its launch, which I’ll expand on below, with suggestions on how Sony could make the PSVR 2 feel more essential, if Sony cared to pursue them.
Astro Bot: Rescue Mission is a true classic. It’s just one of the PSVR games that never made the leap to PSVR 2.
Sony Interactive Entertainment
PSVR 2 still has no access to Sony’s original PlayStation VR game library
Sony released the first PSVR headset all the way back in 2016 and kept feeding the PSVR with a number of unique exclusive games that helped make the accessory recommendable well after VR hardware from that same year had become obsolete. Games like Astro Bot: Rescue Mission that’s one of the best Mario-type games in VR I’ve ever played; Blood & Truth, which felt like a living movie; and Dreams was like a living laboratory for self-made creations. There were also games like Paper Beast, which was weird and wonderfully Sony, and also Star Wars: Squadrons, an excellent VR dogfighting game that was everything I wanted in a Star Wars VR experience.
The PSVR 2 did bring over some of the PSVR’s best games in ports or updates: Moss, Superhot, Tetris Effect and No Man’s Sky. The PSVR had a totally different tracking system (it needed a TV-mounted camera instead of using in-headset cameras) and different controllers (it used the ancient Move controller wands instead of Sony’s optimized Sense controllers for PSVR 2). Still, I can’t understand why some of these classic games weren’t given ports. Astro Bot, at the very least, has been a magic mascot of Sony’s exploratory tech in games for the last half-decade.
Those older games might be a bit dated, but I doubt they’d age as much as you’d think. VR games tend to have long lifespans; many of the best Quest and Steam VR games were around all the back in 2016. Sony could update the graphics some, or at least just make them playable. Nintendo has done this trick over and over again, delivering classics back to fans who adopt new hardware. Sony should and could do the same to honor its own PlayStation catalog.
Spider-Man in VR — why hasn’t this happened already?
PlayStation
More PS5 games need to be playable in VR
You can play all PlayStation games in PSVR 2 in a flat 2D-screen mode, but I’m not talking about that. I mean entering these games in full 3D modes with immersive features. Sony’s done this from time to time, teasing the possibilities. Gran Turismo 7 is still my favorite PSVR 2 game because it allows me to jump in and drive cars on all of the game’s tracks in full immersive VR. It’s an amazing feeling and makes PSVR 2 with Gran Turismo 7 the best driving simulator I have at home. It feels like I’ve entered the PlayStation completely.
That feeling is exactly what PSVR 2 should always be striving for. The PSVR 2 has its own library of games, many of them familiar ports of titles on the Quest and Steam VR. PlayStation fans want to see classic PlayStation brands hop over, though. God of War. The Last of Us. Spider-Man. Horizon got a unique VR game at the PSVR 2 launch, but what about playing the rest of the other two games in VR modes, too?
Again, I concede this isn’t easy. And yet, Capcom has consistently done it. Resident Evil 7 on PSVR and Resident Evil 4 and Village on PSVR 2 show how good immersive cross-play titles could be. I expected, back when the PSVR 2 launched last February, that Gran Turismo and Resident Evil would just be the start of a whole bunch of cross-playable games. And yet, in March 2024, no others have arrived. It’s baffling.
Sony should take a page from Apple: the Vision Pro champions living in Apple’s existing apps but with newly added immersive features. The PlayStation VR 2 needs to feel the same.
The Meta Quest 2 (left) can connect to a PC; the PSVR 2 (right) should do that, too.
Scott Stein/CNET
Add PC compatibility (and bring more PC games to PSVR 2)
In February, Sony announced it’s going to enable the PSVR 2 to work with PC games sometime in 2024. Whether that means direct connection to Windows PCs or using the PS5 to bridge to Steam, similar to what the Meta Quest does, isn’t clear. But yes, folding in PC gaming to the PSVR 2 wouldn’t hurt at all.
What I really hope is that Sony finds a way to bring more top-end SteamVR games into Sony’s ecosystem. The PS5 is already massively powered, and a possible PS5 Pro model coming by the end of the year could provide even more graphics punch. I’ve dreamed of Half-Life Alyx somehow making its way to PSVR 2 since Sony announced its new headset back in 2022, and so have many gamers.
A few unique PC games have already made the leap, like Vertigo 2, but there should be way more at this point. The PSVR 2’s unique advantage over the Quest is its much more powerful console hardware, and yet many of its games are Quest ports. Sony should reach for the stars if it wants its headset to survive and look to Steam’s library to do it.
The PSVR 2 and PS5 need to be sold together for a more affordable price.
Scott Stein/CNET
Release affordable bundles!
Buying a PS5 and PSVR 2 is a really expensive proposition. Not quite the $3,500 Apple commands for a Vision Pro, but at $1,000 (plus games) it’s a lot more than a Meta Quest 3. Sony still hasn’t released an attractive bundle of the PS5 and PSVR 2, although maybe that moment is still coming this year. If there’s a higher-end PS5 Pro, it could mean existing consoles get price cuts or bundles. Even though Sony updated its PS5 hardware last fall, the PSVR 2 wasn’t included with it in holiday packages.
It’s hard to convince anyone to buy a headset accessory for a game console that costs as much as the game console itself. Reducing the price of the PSVR 2 (a move that Sony did with the original PlayStation VR) would help a lot, too: $350 is much easier to swallow than $500.
And if Sony can reduce the price, it should do it soon. Sales reports of the PSVR 2 have already shown it massively trails other VR headsets, and it almost looks like Sony will let the hardware die before it ever gets started. That would be a huge loss because there’s so much the PSVR 2 could still do. That all depends on Sony, though, because VR and AR hardware is only as good as the unique software that’s made for it.
Helldivers 2 is this year’s surprise-hit game, packing a humorous nationalism-in-space theme and frenetic third-person shooter gameplay. Exclusive to the PlayStation 5 console and Windows PCs, the game has sold more than 8 million copies since its Feb. 8 debut. (Sorry, Xbox fans — seems like it’s not coming to your console anytime soon.)
Developed by Arrowhead Game Studios, Helldivers 2 is a cooperative third-person shooter. It’s set 100 years after the first game, and you play as an elite trooper known as a Helldiver, plummeting to planets from spaceships to fight the enemies of mankind. You’ll have to fight off alien attacks and protect outposts of Super Earth across the galaxy, which you can do alone or with up to three squad mates.
Helldivers 2 has been buoyed by its over-the-top action and gameplay — and a price point that’s considerably lower than what you see with most new titles. It’s priced at between $33 and $40. The typical charge for a big triple-A game release is $60 to $70.
But some casual gamers, who just want to jump into a silly, fast-paced action title with friends, are finding that Helldivers 2 takes a little bit of getting used to. In addition to some issues that the game’s developers have been having with cross-platform friend requests, Helldivers 2 carries over its unusual “stratagem” mechanic from the first Helldivers (essentially how you call in supplies and fire support), and it requires rethinking the usual run-and-gun strategies you might employ in other shooters.
Despite a tutorial that’s fun and satirical, you don’t get much guidance on choosing missions or upgrading your arsenal for the battlefield. Here’s some of what we’ve learned as we’ve gotten up to speed on the fight for Managed Democracy across the galaxy.
In Helldivers 2, you can launch into matches solo, but in some of the game’s challenges you benefit from the backup of one to three squad mates.
Arrowhead Game Studios
Getting started with Helldivers 2
After you’ve purchased the game, you’ll need to play it either on the Steam platform, if you’re a PC gamer, or on a PS5 with an active PlayStation Network subscription. When you start the game, you’ll have the option to link your Steam and PlayStation accounts to enable cross-play, in which PC and PS5 players can friend each other and join up on missions with up to four players.
When you launch the game, you’ll see an intro movie about the glories of Super Earth and the necessity of galactic war, followed by a tutorial which’ll show you how to move around, use guns and grenades, and launch stratagems.
Stratagems are codes you enter while on missions in order to call down supplies, ordnance attacks and other goodies from your own Star Destroyer-like orbiting ship. You enter the codes like old-school video game codes, using your controller’s directional pad or the WASD keys on your keyboard — for instance, “right, right, up” for an Orbital Precision Strike or “up, down, right, left, up” to “Reinforce,” or bring back a dead teammate with a brand-new body and gear.
One of the tricky things about the game is getting used to entering these codes even as you’re fighting with space insects and heading toward your waypoints on a map of the planet you’re on. Fortunately, the codes are always the same, so it’s helpful to memorize your most-used stratagems — including calling for reinforcements when your teammates die gruesome deaths.
You’ll land with a limited amount of ammunition, which can be replenished by finding ammo crates on the ground, typically next to buildings, or by using the supplies stratagem. You’ll want to explore random buildings anyway to find samples, which are used to buy upgrades for your ship, like shorter cooldowns for your strike stratagems. Just keep in mind that when you die, you’ll lose any samples you’ve collected — after you come back to the fight, you’ll have to pick them up off your dead body. And samples are collected for the whole team, so don’t race (or kill) your teammates to get the samples.
Speaking of killing your teammates, Helldivers 2 has friendly fire, so watch where you shoot, throw grenades, and call in airstrikes. Don’t take it personally if you’re on the wrong end of an orbital strike, and remember, you’re all on the same team — just lean in to the hilarious nature of occasionally getting blown up for the sake of Space Democracy.
It can be hard to figure out what to do when you land, so pay attention to the objective. Missions vary, but they generally follow a loop of visiting a location or two to recover data, destroy a building, or complete some other task, and then heading to an evac zone to call for a dropship to retrieve the squad. If you don’t know how a mission plays out, stick to your squad mates and watch what they do (or if you’re up for it, ask over voice chat what to do — some missions require coordinated actions). You’ll get extra experience and req credits if everyone makes it out alive, so stick to the evac zone when a dropship is called in, and get on board when it arrives — you’ll have only a short time to board before it leaves.
When you get back on board a ship after the mission, you can spend various in-game currencies to purchase upgrades. Medals will let you buy new weapons, stat-changing armor and cosmetics. Req credits can buy new stratagems, while the aforementioned samples can purchase ship upgrades. When you’ve unlocked different weapons and armor, you can switch them up in the armory — but don’t worry, the AR-23 Liberator assault rifle you start with is one of the most balanced and versatile guns in the game and can carry you far.
Teaming up and picking missions
As we mentioned earlier, some players have struggled with making cross-platform friend requests. If you’re playing alone, you can team up with random players by using Quickplay and then adding as friends people you meet along the way.
You can link up with friends on PC by using Steam’s platform menus, or by using the Helldivers 2 interface to add friends to the game from a list of your existing Steam contacts. Same goes for PlayStation 5. In settings, you must determine whether you want cross-platform gaming enabled (leave it off if you only want to play with teammates who are on the same platform) and whether you want to play in public games or friends-only games.
Note that even if you enable friends-only games, you can still join missions with strangers who are hosting public games. If you want friends to come to your ship, invite them to join you. If you want to play on someone else’s ship, you can request to join their ship.
One of the hardest things to get used to in Helldivers 2 is simply figuring out what missions you should play when you’re starting out. The difficulty ramps up really quickly, and even veteran players will get blown up repeatedly during the more difficult missions. When you’re starting out, stick to the first two or three difficulty levels (“easy” can still be very challenging for new players).
When you head to the ship’s mission selector, either seek out missions that are waiting for players (it’ll show 1/2, 2/3 or 3/4 representing each game lobby). If you have a full squad of four players already, look for missions that don’t have any players in them yet. Each helldiver must get onto a hellpod and choose their stratagems, then select Ready to launch the mission.
General gameplay tips
You’ll find plenty of advanced gameplay guides online, but the basics are:
Remember there’s friendly fire, so avoid shooting or blowing up your teammates.
Keep an eye on your ammo and remember that picking up supplies will add stacks of ammo into the weapon you have selected.
Reloading weapons like machine guns and utilizing stratagems can take a while, so try to avoid doing that in the middle of a firefight.
Communication is key: Make sure you’re on the same page as your teammates on what stratagems you’re choosing before you launch a mission, and continually communicate during the mission as to what you’re doing next and whether you need help.
Have fun! Helldivers 2 isn’t meant to be taken too seriously. And remember: You’ll die again and again and again. That’s part of the fun.
Amazingly, there has never been an official Lego set themed around D&D, until now. On Tuesday, Lego announced a set called Red Dragon’s Tale, a 3,745-piece set that includes a dragon and several minifigs specifically catering to D&D classes. There’s even a Beholder, my personal favorite monster in D&D.
The set will be released on April 4, with preorders available now. Lego is also broadcasting a one-shot D&D adventure on April 6 to coincide with the release. The adventure will be available to download shortly after the broadcast too, so you’ll be able to play with your friends and family.
Dungeons & Dragons is a massively popular game that continues to grow year over year. While there are online tools for Dungeons & Dragons in the modern era, many players still love the traditional tabletop roleplaying experience. However you play, there are plenty of D&D books, cards, kits and more that can add to your gaming experience. Many of these D&D accessories can be costly, but we’ve scoured the internet to bring you all the best deals in one place so you can stock up for less.
Below you’ll find a variety of deals on books and accessories for your Dungeons & Dragons campaign, but these offers come and go, so be sure to keep checking back for all the latest deals.
Best Dungeons & Dragons deals right now
WotC/CNET
The Player’s Handbook is our favorite starter book, because it’s essentially a one-stop shop for the basic rules, basic spells and how to start a campaign. It will guide you through character creation and it includes a section for Game Masters — and right now it’s 48% off.
PJOY
A good set of dice is an investment into your tabletop future. OK, maybe that’s not quite true, but having a lot of cool dice is awesome. These metal dice may not be for everyday use, but if you have a big boss fight coming and you want some heavy hitters, these are the dice for you.
WotC/CNET
This Core Rulebook comes with over 150 monsters that are ready for play, including goblins, dragons and other creatures. Budding and experienced Dungeon Masters alike can find over 400 stat blocks with all the information they’ll need to run encounters and make world building easier, and players can learn more about the enemies they might run into during a campaign. You can score it for under $30 right now.
WotC/CNET
Sure, you might have the Monster Manual from the sale above, but looking through every monster to find the ones you’re using in combat can be slow. These cards let you have the monsters you need laid out behind your GM screen, so you can easily track their stats, resistances and hit points.
Dungeons & Dragons/CNET
For just $35, creative gamers who want to craft a world for other players can grab this book with plenty of advice on world building, magic items, spells, balancing encounters and more.
WotC/CNET
This collection will help you run a game across the Planes, providing you with a book full of new rules and best practices, a book outlining the many creatures you’re likely to run into when you wander too far from home, and a campaign book with a compelling story to help outline this broader set of worlds to explore, as well as some tools the DM will find particularly useful.
WotC/CNET
If you’re looking for a space-based campaign, this is your go-to collection. With an adventure book, a setting book, a book of monsters, a poster map and a DM screen, this pack has everything you need to run a campaign set in the starlit realms of Wildspace and the Astral Sea, along with tools for players who want to build characters from these realms.
For building out your D&D board with miniatures and other figures, check out our our best 3D printers to keep some cash in your pocket.
As the resident “forever DM” of my social groups for the last 15 years, I’ve never had it so good.
Over the last couple of years, the world of tabletop gaming has seen an explosion of popularity. There are more options than ever before; everything from comic conventions to craft fairs sell dice and accessories; the United States Postal Service just dropped a collection of D&D-themed stamps; and streaming video services are full of people playing a massive variety of these games. At the core of this ever-expanding world of fun is Dungeons & Dragons, which is on its way to a dramatic and highly anticipated overhaul of its fifth-edition rulebook alongside its 50th anniversary. But the journey leading to that moment has been years in the making, and the game reaches 2024 in ways few could have predicted even five years ago.
It’s a full-time job, keeping up with all of the amazing things the tabletop roleplaying game community is up to on a daily basis. Amazon currently features the D&D starter kit in its Big Spring Sale. In the last week alone, I’ve been delighted by a stream showing a game where you complete a heist in the style of the popular TV series Leverage, and an escape room-style mystery in Arkham Asylum. Two dramatically different experiences using a massive set of real-world puzzles and augmented reality on your phone. At the core of these experiences are clear indications of a Dungeons & Dragons heritage. The game that spawned a nearly infinite universe of ideas still very much occupies center stage, and while the reasons for this vary depending on who you ask, all of the answers have a central theme.
If you’ve played the smash-hit video game Baldur’s Gate 3, you may have played D&D without even knowing it.
Larian Studios
If you ask D&D SVP Dan Rawson, the biggest reason this game has continued to grow is a focus on accessibility. “The first I would say is D&D and the fifth edition of D&D, which we’re in, it’s more accessible than ever. I think a lot of barriers have come down to play in the game design. We’re going to strengthen the fifth edition, that’s what the 2024 update is about, and make it even more accessible to folks,” Rawson says. “2023 has been a pretty awesome year. We had a really big movie [Honor Among Thieves, starring Chris Pine], which brought all kinds of fan attention. [Award-winning PC game] Baldur’s Gate 3 is bringing all kinds of attention. I mean, these are both fantastic expressions. Each of these help generate interest in playing D&D.”
In the last year alone, Wizards of the Coast has published five major physical releases for the game, ranging from a spectacular collection of heists you can drop in to any story to a gripping horror-style adventure to a total reboot of the extremely popular Planescape books. And while new D&D books on a regular schedule isn’t new, the pages within very much are. There’s been a dramatic shift in how these stories are told, giving players and DMs alike resources and language for adjusting games to different age groups, setting boundaries within gameplay, and offering thoroughly documented options for ramping up adventure and risk depending on who you’re playing with.
Read more: Best Books for D&D
It all comes down to more options, and better guides for different skill levels. There are better tools in place for character creation, allowing for more flexibility in the kind of story you want to be a part of. If you want a gritty, dark, classic tear through a network of caves with a big bad at the end to eliminate, you can have it. If you want a more dramatic focus on character development and smart puzzles to solve, it’s never been easier. It’s true that some of this comes from a more diverse pool of people playing and bringing new stories with new perspectives, but the D&D team listening to player feedback and actively improving the platform to support those stories makes a difference. Without really altering the format of the books themselves, new D&D material has genuinely never been easier to set up for every kind of player and story.
Being able to play wherever you are is a huge part of that accessibility as well. The web- and app-based companion service D&D Beyond, which Wizards of the Coast acquired in April of 2022 has been regularly adding features. According to Rawson, D&D Beyond crossed 15 million registered users this year, and continues to grow. But D&D Beyond is far from the only option.
Apps like Foundry Virtual Tabletop offers a more customizable experience where you can set up games from a ton of different platforms and a video chat interface to play together. You can even jump into a largely text-based D&D game using just your phone and the Dungeon Realms app. When you can play from just about anywhere, when gathering around a physical table isn’t a limitation, playing is so much easier. In the last month alone, I’ve been able to host a game for my daughter and her friends from across the country, to spectacular effect. You can play for hours and have the absolute best time.
The Legend of Vox Machina, an animated series on Amazon Prime Video, is a retelling of a deeply popular Critical Role campaign.
Amazon Studios
It’s impossible to talk about why D&D is so popular in this moment without mentioning the network of stories, podcasts and now Amazon Prime animated series from the folks at Critical Role. Show stars Marisha Ray and Sam Riegel recently shared with me that the team in the last eight years has grown from the opening mantra of every episode “a group of nerdy-ass voice actors sitting around playing Dungeons & Dragons” to a company that employs over 60 people. Critical Role books, miniatures, comics and a ton more have gone from a couple of cute things you can order from their online store to dominating entire walls of physical game stores in that time, with sold-out hours-long broadcast events at major theaters around the world. Seeing these incredibly talented people play through a unique story in a unique world has created a massive amount of opportunities for players of every skill level, but in many ways it goes deeper.
One of the most notable things to come from the cast of Critical Role being so popular is a notable increase in attention toward voice acting as a potential job. The Legend of Vox Machina, which is now a staggeringly popular Amazon Prime animated series that brings the adventures of a Critical Role season to the screen in a whole new way, was originally pitched on Kickstarter as a small animated special until the campaign ended with over $11 million. It’s now a multiseason project with Amazon, with more shows on the way in 2024.
Ray confirmed that one of the most common questions she gets from fans has rapidly become tips on how to get into voice acting. “As animation and RPGs and more cinematic games like The Last of Us have become more popular, I think all of these and our work have really helped change the perception of voiceover work, for lack of a better term, be more respected in the industry, and seen as a valued and valid career path that you can take,” Ray said. “But acting needs to be your passion first, and that’s what we tell everyone who asks.”
The Heroes’ Journal is a TTRPG-themed journaling book (or PDF) to help with planning and mental health.
Heroes’ Journal
There’s an element of parasocial relationship building in watching other people play games like D&D, especially when so many of us were stuck at home during COVID-19 lockdowns. Actual-play shows like DesiQuest, Critical Role, Dimension 20 and so many others also introduce fans to the real people playing these games and the ways their real-life struggles affect both the real world and the characters they play. When you pull from the real world to build a character and act it out, conversations about mental health aren’t just inevitable, they’re actively encouraged.
Riegel’s current character in Critical Role, a sentient machine named Fresh Cut Grass, spends a lot of time playing therapist to their companions. “I think in any friend group, whether they be fantasy heroes, or just a group of people who hang out at a trivia bar, it’s always a great idea to have somebody who is like, ‘Hey, how you doing, wanted to check in,'” Riegel says. “And that sort of therapeutic friend is something that I hope [fans] got out of this campaign and can incorporate into their own lives.”
Read more: Best D&D Accessories
These healthy conversations aren’t limited to actors around a table on the other side of the screen, there are some great tools available nowadays to help talk about these topics. You can stick to the D&D theme with The Hero’s Journal, a daily writing prompt journal with themed rewards to keep you sharing your thoughts or dive into an active group conversation while playing Stardew Valley with Hero’s Journey. Not to be confused with a one-on-one therapy session, which is sadly too expensive for many in the US, Hero Journey Club creates gaming groups with folks who have common interests and needs that are then guided by trained professionals.
In a conversation with Hero Journey Club CEO Brian Chhor, he shared the company currently sees a significant retention rate among users, nearly 70% of whom come from marginalized communities. “We set up groups of five people, they meet each week for about an hour and a half with a therapist who is credentialed either with a master’s or doctorate in counseling. And there’s a whole range of topics from addiction and grief all the way over to navigating divergence in your career identity,” says Chhor. “It’s a pretty broad range of routes, because people are so dynamic in what they’re looking for. And as we’ve seen many kinds of people look for support online, what we’ve heard is mental health care is so intimidating and so scary to get [that] it’s often avoided.”
Chef Mike Haracz and Sujata Day on the Freevee series Heroes’ Feast, a cooking show themed to Dungeons & Dragons.
Amazon Freevee
What has made Dungeons & Dragons so popular? If you ask Sujata Day and chef Mike Haracz of the new D&D-themed cooking series Heroes’ Feast, it all started with Stranger Things being so wildly popular that it helped boost all of these other things into popularity. And while it wasn’t the record-shattering blockbuster many thought it would be, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is deeply loved by those who watched it.
But when I asked lifelong D&D fan and hardcore nerd celebrity Matthew Lillard what he thought, it’s very clearly not one thing. “I think it’s been a very exciting year. You have to start with the launch of the movie and what D&D was able to accomplish worldwide. We saw with the launch of our company Beadle and Grimm’s five years ago, there’s a real appetite for people to gather around a table,” Lillard said. “At our core, people are inclined to gather and tell stories. That’s who we are as people, it’s as old as time itself. So when we decided to focus on adding value for every player at the table, it would enrich the overall experience. We’ve seen the overall popularity of tabletop gaming grow in that five years, but with the launch of the movie at Comic Con last year there was this coalescence, which has been really exciting.”
Ultimately, all of these things come together to answer the big question. People who have never played D&D before watch or listen to one of the many games out there today; apps and greatly improved storytelling from the D&D team make it easier than ever to play from anywhere if you can’t physically gather around a table; and showing off your love for the game in the real world lets others know they aren’t alone, on multiple levels. And the pace of these things aren’t slowing down. With Wizards of the Coast preparing to add even more to D&D next year with a big update to Fifth Edition, and the end to Stranger Things on the horizon, it’s clear the rise of tabletop gaming is far from its peak.
Dungeons & Dragons, known around the world as D&D, is the most well-known and loved tabletop roleplaying game available today. For nearly 50 years people have gathered around a table and woven stories of magic, monsters and daring-do, while rolling shiny math rocks (dice) to decide the fate of their adventuring party.
D&D fifth edition tells us that it can be played purely in the “theater of the mind” with only the best D&D books and some dice needed, but if you have spent any time playing the game, you’ll know that the fun of the game is enhanced by using some cool accessories. Not all of the products listed here are strictly needed to play, but in the 30 years I’ve been slinging spells I’ve found these to be the best accessories to have at hand.
What’s the best D&D accessory?
Some people think that you only need one set of dice to play Dungeons & Dragons. These people are wrong and maybe a little unhinged. You can never have too many dice and, thankfully, there are thousands of dice to choose from. Whether you are looking for your first set of polyhedral dice for less than 10 bucks, or a giant bag of dice so all your players can borrow them, dice are the best accessory for you to have at your gaming table.
The best Dungeons & Dragons accessories
Chessex has been making D&D accessories for a long time now, and the Pound ‘o’ Dice is probably its best deal. For just 20 bucks you can get 100 dice to start your collection. While these are considered to be factory seconds, and don’t come in full-color sets, they’re perfectly good dice to use in any game, especially at this price. If you are looking for something a little fancier you can always try the Wiz Dice Cup of Wonder, a 35 dice set (seven sets of five) that has a dice shaker and mimic box included.
D&D Beyond is a companion app for playing the game in the physical world and our top pick for best online D&D tools. In it, you can create up to six characters for your Fifth Edition games, and purchase digital copies of your favorite companion books. You can also access most of the basic rules and spells for free to help you get started on the game.
There are several levels of subscription too, if you want to up your game. The Master Tier — $5 a month ($30 for six months or $55 annually) allows you to share features from sourcebooks and adventure books with your entire group, rather than requiring everyone to buy their own copy and it’s the one we recommend.
If you’re the kind of D&D player who loves writing an in-depth backstory, takes careful notes during each session and enjoys a well-organized character sheet, the Field Notes 5E Journal was made specifically for you in mind. These small notebooks take everything that makes a normal Field Notes journal great, with its simple yet portable design, and they add character sheets and designated pages for inventory and notes you can keep as a single campaign journal.
As someone who plays multiple games with different groups of friends, I find these journals super helpful for keeping my character organized. There’s even a journal for Game Masters with extra details to make running the game easier as well.
Theater of the mind is a fun concept but it’s a hard sell when your spells require you to know exactly how many feet away a target is in any given direction. Having a good battle mat can make it a lot easier to imagine the course of a battle or the layout of a town. This set comes with several maps with imagery on them to better set the scene and some handy clips to stop the mat from rolling up. It also has dry-erase markers so you can sketch on top of it. There are three maps in the set, each with a scene or blank space on either side as well as a grid pattern to easily measure the 5-foot spaces between characters.
Any resin 3D printer is going to give you excellent miniatures for your D&D game. The details are fantastic and it takes very little time to print six to eight minis in one go. If you don’t know where to find models I would recommend MZ4250’s patreon page where for as little as $1 a month you can access hundreds of 3D printable mini files or, if you want something more bespoke you can try Hero Forge, an online mini generator. Hero Forge lets you buy the physical minis or have the STL to print for youself.
If you are looking to build larger set pieces then check out our best 3D printers for even more choices.
When you reach later levels of a campaign, the conditions on your characters and monsters start to stack. Sleep, blind and “on fire” are just some of the conditions that can occur regularly. These color-coded rings sit around a standard mini base and make it easy to see which condition each character is suffering from. I really like this particular set as it has blank rings and a white marker so you can create your own conditions and the box has a color key so you can see what each condition is at a glance. This is especially helpful when you’re stacking rings on top of each other.
If your games are more traditional and you don’t use D&D beyond then you might need a case to take with you to your GM’s house. This neat folio case has room for your dice, minis, a Player’s Handbook and your character sheet. The character sheet storage is especially helpful as it has a clear plastic cover you can mark with a dry-erase marker. This makes it easy to mark temporary hit point loss and other non-permanent conditions.
You have questions? We have answers.
Playing D&D can get complex and you’ll likely find yourself with a lot of books, dice and other accessories. To get started though you’ll need these six things:
With just these things, you can start playing D&D, and you’ll likely have a fun time doing it.
It doesn’t have to be. As a player, all you need is the things listed above. Or, if you’re the Game Master, you could pay $5 a month for D&D beyond and your players can share the books for free, making it an even less expensive proposition. Most of D&D occurs in the mind, with dice rolling thrown in for good measure. It can be as budget-friendly as you want it to be.
Most D&D games are broken down into two different types: campaigns and sessions. A session normally lasts anywhere from 2 to 8 hours depending on everyone’s schedule, and is the normal measure of a game. A campaign is the entirety of multiple sessions strung together. When your story reaches its conclusion a campaign ends and it is time to start a new one.
While we live in a digital age, there’s no denying the lure of a good book. Tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons tend to have a lot of books that you can physically hold in your hand as the game is played, more often than not, around a table, with a map, dice and other D&D accessories.
There are plenty of great online tools for Dungeons & Dragons and if you’re trying to play the game with friends in different time zones, digital books can be very helpful, but you miss out on some amazing art, and that very physical feeling of holding knowledge in your hands. Dungeons & Dragons books can be expensive, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for deals, and there are some great third-party books to augment your Wizards of the Coast books too. With a combined total of 54 years of D&D games under our belts, we know a little about what books are best, and we wanted to share that knowledge with you.
This article is primarily about the best Dungeons & Dragons books, but we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the D&D Starter Set. This small box contains everything you need to get started in D&D, including a compelling beginner campaign, some basic rules, dice and pregenerated characters to help you get the feel of how to play. It’s a really good place to start playing, then, when the bug really gets you, these books are the next step.
What’s the best Dungeons & Dragons book?
Whether you’re new to Dungeons & Dragons or an experienced adventurer, the Player’s Handbook — often called the PHB — should be on your gaming shelf. The entire game of D&D can be played with just the PHB, a notepad and pencil, and a set of polyhedral dice. All the other stuff is cool, but those four things are all that’s required.
Best Dungeons & Dragons books
The Player’s Handbook is specifically designed to be a one-stop shop for the basics of Dungeons & Dragons. It doesn’t contain everything, that’s why you buy other books, but it has all of the basic rules, basic spells and how to start a campaign. The most important part of the PHB is the character creation rules, as that’s where the entire game stems from and there is even a section specifically for Game Masters to help them get the party started. If you only buy one book from this list, it should probably be this one.
A random table is a wonderful thing. They’re used to create names, plot devices, treasures and just about anything else by assigning a number to a random thing and having you roll a dice to choose the number. For example, if you roll a 17-18 on a D100 at the ballads and ditties table, you’ll get a song called, “Nate the Naughty and the Trustworthy Orc.” It’s about a farmhand so ugly even the orc won’t eat him.
With the advent of digital random generators, the need for tables in a book may be waning, but for now, this is one of the funniest books to use in the middle of a campaign. With over 300 tables there’s something for everyone.
Many D&D books let you know upfront if they’re built for younger players, folks who have never played before, or a more advanced and slightly darker ride. Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk is a unique combination, taking what was originally a small story inside a D&D starter set to help new players get the hang of the game and make it spectacularly more complex. If you’ve played Lost Mine of Phandelver before, you’ll find the first 40% of this book familiar and easy to play with any age or skill level, but that story quickly turns to something a great deal scarier and more challenging as your characters grow in level. It’s a great addition to any collection, if only for its ability to be played anywhere by anyone, as well as to offer the kind of darker twist folks who discovered D&D through Stranger Things might be expecting.
Eberron is one of many alternatives to the main universe of Dungeons of Dragons. It’s a world of science and magic, where both of those words are interchangeable. Think steampunk, if the steam was made of magic. There are trains, skyscrapers and sentient robots called the Warforged who are looking to find their place in a world recovering from a giant war. It’s a different take from the low fantasy of Faerun that we’re all accustomed to when playing D&D, but familiar enough to be enjoyable by purists.
While it’s common for DMs to pull stories from published books and add them to a unique campaign, there are few books designed specifically with that idea in mind. Keys from the Golden Vault is a collection of 13 heists built for player groups ranging from level 1 to level 11, each with its own unique story and motivations for whatever alignment your group is currently playing. You certainly can play through this book as though it were a single story, but its higher purpose is to allow you to drop a heist and its associated puzzles into an existing game to offer greater depth to your story.
This book has nearly endless replay value and makes for a genuinely compelling way to either encourage players to work together or gain a little additional experience before being faced with a greater challenge. It’s never far from my table, just in case.
It may surprise you to know that D&D had a multiverse well before the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s called Planescape. This new collection of books called Adventures in the Multiverse is everything you need to run a game across the Planes. There’s a book full of new rules and best practices, a book outlining the many creatures you’re likely to run into when you wander too far from home, and a campaign book with a compelling story to help outline this broader set of worlds to explore. There’s also a special DM screen in the box, which includes quick-glance rules and charts to make running the game a little easier. This is a collection for more advanced players and DMs, but it’s the kind of thing you’ll use for years to come and makes just about any game a bit more interesting.
Just in case you want to dip your toe into a tabletop RPG that isn’t Dungeons & Dragons, we recommend the Monster of the Week playbook. MotW is powered by the Apocalypse system that uses two six-sided dice to make all of your tough decisions. This particular book gives you a game that feels like TV shows where a new monster appears each week, hence the name. Archetypes from Buffy, Angel, Supernatural and even Scooby Doo are represented and its serialized play style makes it easy to pick up and put down across different sessions.
There are always a lot of questions to ask when starting a new hobby. Hopefully we can answer some for you here.
Playing D&D can get incredibly complex and you will likely find yourself with a lot of books, dice and other accessories. To get started though you’ll need these six things:
With just those things, you can start playing D&D, and you’ll likely have a fun time doing it.
It doesn’t have to be. As a player, all you need is the things listed above. Or, if you’re the Game Master, you could pay $5 a month for D&D Beyond, and your players can share the books for free, making it an even less expensive proposition. Most of D&D occurs in the mind, with dice rolling thrown in for good measure. It can be as budget-friendly as you want it to be.
Most D&D games are broken down into two different types: campaigns and sessions. A session normally lasts anywhere from two to eight hours depending on everyone’s schedule, and is the normal measure of a game. A campaign is the entirety of multiple sessions strung together. When your story reaches its conclusion, a campaign ends, and it’s time to start a new one.
Yes! Arguably, the most popular set of D&D novels are R. A. Salvatore’s tales of Drizzt the drow ranger. Starting with the Crystal Shard in 1998, this massive collection of books showcases the adventures of a drow — normally an evil bunch, worshippers of a spider queen — who wishes to do good. Drizzt becomes a ranger, and, with his companion panther, and several awesome friends, saves the world more than once. These books are so popular they became a part of canon Dungeons & Dragons, appearing in multiple books and entrenching themselves in the lore of Faerun.
The newly-released Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second chapter in the modern retelling of the 1997 classic Final Fantasy VII, expanding the middle chunk of the original game into a new 80+ hour experience. Rebirth is a triumph and a joyful modernization that thoughtfully reimagines the original and sets the curve for video game remakes. It also proves that Final Fantasy VII is probably the only game that deserves to be remade in such a way.
No other classic game has such a following of beloved fans, or such an infamous moment that spawned decades of impassioned discourse. Spoilers for a 24-year-old game: midway through, spritely and sweet Aerith is suddenly and permanently killed by the game’s villain.
Read more: 5 things to do right away in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Aerith’s death rocked the gaming world, so much that it continues to overshadow FFVII’s other groundbreaking qualities: an iconic lineup of main characters in a plot that transitions between heartbreakingly serious and comically absurd, a successful mix of tragic backstory and goofy minigames. This was all in a game with the most advanced graphics of its day, bringing the storied Final Fantasy franchise from flat 2D sprites to dynamic 3D polygons.
2020’s Final Fantasy VII Remake, the first in Square Enix’s trilogy remaking the original game, set the style and developed the real-time combat system as it follows Cloud and company through their escape from industrial Midgar. From the first moments of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, it’s clear that the middle game is a whole new level of modernization with expansive open world areas filled with activities and sidequests, inviting players to run from lush grasslands to rocky seaside cliffs to beach paradises to arid deserts to verdant jungles and more.
Watch this: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Bringing an Old Story Into a Vast Open World
Looming over all of this gameplay grandeur is the storytelling door opened by Remake, which added a meta-level of plot awareness: characters literally fight destiny at the end of the game, and seemingly gain the power to change the course of the plot we knew from the original. Thus Rebirth opens with the daunting possibility: will Aerith die in this game, too?
Rebirth is like the conversation you’ve been having in your head for decades, and it ponders the same thing: can a story without its tragic peak be as impactful? The new game takes literally until its final moments to answer the question — spoilers for Rebirth ahead — but after a staggering 102-hour playthrough, I can confidently say that no matter the outcome, Rebirth has done something unbelievable: it’s boundless enough to make me feel like I was playing the original again.
It makes me wonder whether any other older game can — or should — get the same colossal investment to be expanded into a multi-game remake. It’s seductive to want to re-inhabit these worlds that opened our eyes in ways that appeal to modern tastes, but short of singular culture-defining works like FFVII, maybe it’s best that other remakes simply modernize the graphics and gameplay, but let our memories do the heavy lifting.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Photo Mode Screenshots From the Frontier
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Of Segways and Sephiroths: they don’t make worlds like this anymore
Rebirth is a gorgeous and expansive game, with care and thought put into the six massive regions you can visit. I frequently caught myself finding ledges overlooking vistas, pausing to admire and take screenshots. The soundtrack — including a ballad Aerith sings written by the legendary Nobuo Uematsu, who composed the original FFVII’s music — is a fantastic mix of styles with nary a miss in its extremely deep catalogue, and I struggled to find a favorite (but Gongaga’s theme is up there). Dappled light, grand cinematic views, a lush soundscape — it makes the game’s world feel richly textured.
More importantly, Rebirth masterfully adapts the tone of its source material and makes it sing. The original FFVII had spiky-haired Cloud and company pursuing the mass-murdering silver-haired villain Sephiroth between segments riding dolphins and visiting outlandish desert casinos.
Rebirth preserves that flow, with deft tonal transitions — midway through, you take a joyful minecart ride to end up at the dilapidated hometown of one of the characters, destroyed years ago by Shinra. An hour later, you’re in a hotel that looks patterned after Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, complete with costumed workers committing to the bit. It makes the world feel huge, varied and inhabited.
Square Enix
The metatextual knowledge of Aerith’s potential coming demise looms over the whole game, so it’s a relief that Rebirth finds ways to deepen your connection with characters through joyful, goofy moments. You get plenty of sad backstories, but they’re cushioned by levity and mischievous playfulness among heroes and villains alike. Yes, you’re still pursuing Sephiroth, but you gotta take a few hours to ride a segway around Costa del Sol’s beach town. When a plot moment has Cloud and company posing as Shinra soldiers, you can stumble on a secret social club patronized by the ever-serious antagonist Rude — and you’ll be nearly kicked out for not meeting the hilarious membership criteria.
I could rattle off two dozen such standout moments in the game, but I won’t for how much poorer they appear on paper. Their silliness broadens and enriches the game. I wanted to exist in the world where Cloud and company stumble into such antics on the trail of a world-threatening villain.
Some of these moments are modernized versions of the originals, but many others appear for the first time in Rebirth. With gorgeous landscapes accompanied by top-notch music, great real-time action and easily over a hundred hours of game to chew through, Rebirth feels like I’m being reintroduced to FFVII for the first time. I don’t know if any other classic game’s experience can be revived in quite the same way.
In a famous moment in the original game, Red XIII re-examines his own past tragedy.
Square Enix
Which other games deserve to be revisited like this?
After over a hundred hours of playing, I believe that Rebirth comes the closest of any remake to making me feel like I did when I first popped open an old CD jewel case and let a soon-to-be-iconic game wash over me. What’s kept and what’s changed is a lovely alchemy, showing the challenge of modernizing a bygone classic for current audiences. Which other classic title would benefit from being expanded into a three-game trilogy?
Every gamer has a pantheon of formative games, defining their taste and challenging their worldview from a young age. I struggle to think of games that achieved FFVII’s trifecta: incredible popularity, revolutionary-for-its-time gameplay and graphics and a storyline so dynamic it continues to inspire debate. The latter especially is what makes Square Enix’s Remake project so apt for revisiting, so fertile for re-examining with a modern lens, even if — at least thus far — its changes are more supplementary than serious, more philosophical than plot-diverting.
It’s hard to think of a classic game that is worth taking the time to do differently. What would be gained by changing the plot of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time? Perhaps the original Metal Gear Solid would suit an introspective remake, but is there enough fodder to expand into multiple games? Most game studios shrewdly choose retcons and reboots for their new versions of older titles, like then-Square Enix did with the 2013 Tomb Raider series, which admirably reset protagonist Lara Croft as an adventuring survivor but didn’t go much farther to re-examine tenets of the original game that may have aged poorly — like, say, raiding tombs to pillage other cultures’ artifacts.
Admittedly, not every game’s universe supports a re-examination in the middle of play as Remake and Rebirth do with their destiny-enforcing Whisper ghosts and Sephiroth’s vague mission to find a universe where he won’t lose in the end. FFVII’s mix of fantasy and science fiction in particular allows reality-altering weirdness in ways that others don’t. That would probably be tough to do with, say, the Resident Evil remakes we’ve gotten in recent years, which are more focused on revitalizing its gameplay than dramatically altering the original story.
There’s nothing wrong with just updating an old game to modern tastes, and it’s certainly less of a risk to simply reproduce an old game as players remember it rather than tease big changes this time around — and then deal with the consequences whether the plot differs or not.
Okay, but DOES Aerith live? (Spoilers)
This section will delve into spoilers. This is your last chance to leave it a mystery whether Aerith dies at the end of Rebirth.
Ready?
Yes, Aerith still dies at the end of Rebirth. In a choice that will surely divide fans as much as her first death rocked gamers’ hearts in the original, Rebirth teases that her fate lies on a knife’s edge: as Cloud fights off both Sephiroth’s influence and the literalized forces of fate (the ghost-like Whispers from Remake) bending his sword to take Aerith’s life as she prays to the planet, our hero resists and even deflects the killing blow from Sephiroth’s own sword. A few moments later, this possible future is recorrected (seemingly by Sephiroth) and Aerith falls, mortally wounded.
Square Enix
From a literal perspective, it’s a cheat for the player, who is shown saving Aerith moments before. It’s also a betrayal of sorts to the promise that the whole trilogy set up: at the end of Remake, after defeating fate and moving beyond the knowable plot, Aerith says that ahead of them lies “boundless, terrifying freedom.” For the most part, Rebirth follows the original FFVII story, beat by beat, leading up to losing Aerith — who upon returning to the planet’s Lifestream walks as a spirit around her mourning friends but only for Cloud to see, and the game ends with her waving goodbye as they continue the quest.
Doubtless, some players will revolt, teased by the possibility that things could’ve been different. Heck, there’s an entire subplot in Rebirth where side character (and Aerith’s first love) Zack Fair, who originally dies just before the events of FFVII, appears in Midgar only for his ultimate fate to boil down to surviving in an alternate universe, but not this one. That seems to be the case with Aerith as well, and the radically different Rebirth we could’ve gotten — where Aerith lives or Cloud dies or something else detours the known into the unknown — remains a dream for players.
There’s an argument that saving Aerith lowers the stakes for the third game to come, or that it would dilute the enduring impact of the character. And we’ve yet to see what happens in the third chapter, which could follow Remake and Rebirth with, say, a Reunion that reconciles the possibility of different outcomes and the sorrowful acceptance that we can’t change everything. (Or perhaps even…a Resurrection.) But whether it’s fair to players or not, even teasing a different fate gives players so much to chew on that it reinforces FFVII’s enduring appeal, which Square Enix recognizes and tinkers with right in front of players.
While Square Enix ultimately reined in Rebirth’s possibilities, it’s still more self-awareness than we’ve gotten in most media revisitations of old ideas. It’s one of a handful of recent projects that thoughtfully re-examine — and sometimes radically change — the original story. The Scott Pilgrim Takes Off anime Netflix released last year, for example, dramatically altered the plot to recenter the story on Ramona Flowers and other side characters given short shrift in the original material, which led to the introspective skewering of poorly-aged parts of the Scott Pilgrim comic and Edgar Wright film adaptation.
I’m still disappointed that Rebirth didn’t get the same radical change to its plot, but the Remake trilogy has so far done plenty of work to reimagine characters and beats in quieter moments sprinkled through the games. While Aerith doesn’t escape her fate, she’s far more self-actualized and given a real friendship with Tifa. In a side quest, Barrett wonders aloud how good of a father he’ll be to his adopted daughter Marlene. Upbeat Yuffie mourns her former partner. Barrett and Tifa get to toast their old Avalanche comrades. As an older gamer, these character moments are what draw me deeper into the games I play.
I’m reminded of another iconic nerd experience that recently got updated — the classic Lego Galaxy Explorer set got a modern re-release, keeping the old colors but with new parts so that it feels like you’re playing with the original while appealing to modern, more complex tastes. The quiet message of that is this: You can’t go back and play with the exact same toy and expect to feel the same way. Recapturing that wonder takes experimentation of what to change and what to keep.
Ultimately, veteran gamers buying Rebirth to revisit the story are chasing the high from when they popped the first disc into their PlayStation decades ago. More than other remakes, Rebirth succeeds in resurrecting that experience by challenging player feelings on how the biggest gamer event of their childhood went down, and whether it should be changed. The trick of nostalgia is that it will never hit like it did all those years ago, especially at formative ages. To paraphrase the closing lines of Stephen King’s Stand By Me, I never play games like I did when I was twelve. Man, does anyone?
You own a PlayStation Portal, and you love it. You play games on the couch, on the toilet, on your porch. But if you want to get in some late-night gaming, you may find that even the lowest volume setting is too much for your sleeping significant other.
I found myself in exactly this situation, so I did some research. If you want to alleviate the noise, here are your choices: Sony’s proprietary link technology, Bluetooth dongles and good old-fashioned wired headphones.
I’ve tried all these audio options and I deliver my verdict in the embedded video. Watch along to get a sense of which one could be best for you.
Before Mortal Kombat, there was Street Fighter, Capcom’s video game series that helped usher in a new era of fighting games. Now a cult favorite, Street Fighter has come a long way from its 8-bit origins to becoming a worldwide tournament event. This year’s Red Bull Kumite battle goes down in Brooklyn, New York.
A new Street Fighter 6 champion will be crowned from a pool of 16 players that includes last year’s victor, Adel “Big Bird” Anouche. Knockout rounds begin on Saturday, March 16 at 11 a.m. ET and last until 11:30 p.m. The final tournament matches kick off on Sunday, March 17 at 1:30 p.m. ET. Look out for the opening ceremony at 1 p.m. to see how players will be set up in the bracket — this is part of the main event and will not be seeded.
You can watch Red Bull Kumite live from anywhere by streaming it on Red Bull Gaming’s Twitch or YouTube channel. Eight players will be featured during Saturday’s seeded Play-In event, with the winner moving on to Sunday’s big face-off as the 16th addition. Tune in to see players from around the globe, such as Japan’s Gachikun, Menard from the Dominican Republic, France’s Valmaster, Oil King of Taiwan and Punk from the US.
Red Bull Gaming/Capcom
Keep up with CNET’s other gaming coverage like Apple Arcade’s upcoming releases and a test drive of the playable documentary-style Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story.
With a zap and an explosion of colored lights, I’m piloting a pixelated ship across a rocky planetary surface. I’m looking for my target. It’s approaching. It’s big. It’s… a giant camel.
If you’ve played any Jeff Minter games, this probably sparks a lovely memory. If you haven’t, let me introduce you to Jeff Minter. I didn’t even know about Minter’s games until maybe sometime in the mid-2000s when I played the PlayStation Vita and Xbox 360 games Space Giraffe and TxK. I knew about Minter’s Tempest 2000 for the Atari Jaguar system, and I’ve played his VR game, Polybius. But Minter’s catalog of indie games goes much farther back than that. And now, thankfully, there’s a way to discover them all.
Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story, a whole playable documentary-meets-game-archive created by Digital Eclipse, is a lovely tribute to the indie spirit and weird variations on arcade gaming, and it’s full of sheep, camels and llamas. Available Wednesday for around $30 on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Steam and GOG, it feels like gaming’s answer to the Criterion Collection and I highly recommend it.
Digital Eclipse started making playable documentary-style compilations with Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration, a great playable history of the storied publisher, and continued with The Making of Karateka (which I’m just starting to play). The Jeff Minter Story has 42 games, but some of them are variations or ports of the same game. This is actually fitting since much of his career is about variations on a theme or game. What I learned, watching his origins as a young programmer in the UK, inspired me. His work, which took existing games and varied them in strange new ways, then continued to play with the ideas over time, makes the titles seem to come alive as ever-evolving works in progress rather than distinct experiences.
This game also has tie-ins to an upcoming feature-length documentary about Minter called Heart of Neon, but has its own short documentary sections and documents threaded throughout.
You can learn a ton about Minter in videos and original design documents included in this compilation.
Digital Eclipse
I hadn’t played any of Minter’s early games before, but he was a legend in Europe in the early ’80s. His work appeared on the Commodore 64 and Vic 20, which I never owned, so all of this felt new to me. Yet the games echo games I’ve played before. Gridrunner, for example, is Minter’s take on Centipede, while Attack of the Mutant Camels is Minter’s variant on The Empire Strikes Back game I played as a kid on the Atari 2600. Then there’s Sheep in Space, which is like a bizarre variant of Defender; Llamatron: 2112 inspired by Robotron: 2084; and Minter also made his own version of Tempest (Tempest 2000) for the Atari Jaguar.
Minter’s latest games, like Akka Arrh (which is on the Atari 50 collection), aren’t on here, and neither are some others like TxK. Rights issues apparently prevented some from being part of the collection, but at least those recent titles are easier to find. This Minter collection has all the deeper historic rarities and variations that could be really hard to pick up otherwise.
Gridrunner, a game Minter revisits and revises many times over the years.
Digital Eclipse
The collective feeling of playing all of them is pure psychedelic weirdness: an arcade from an alternate universe, where familiar ideas reemerge in ways you didn’t expect, with added animals that just seem to be there (and maybe shoot lasers). There are also psychedelic “light synthesizers” whose purpose is to just fill screens with interactive, pulsing colored light shows.
I’m in love with this game compilation even existing, and it makes me feel the same way that a rare Criterion collection of short films from David Lynch does. Like the world has a bit more possibility, and oddness to explore. Popped into my Nintendo Switch, it’s already made my commutes stranger and better. And I’ve never been more appreciative that Jeff Minter exists.
Well, that was fast. This past Wednesday, Fortnite maker Epic Games said Apple had prevented it from releasing its game and app store in the European Union by terminating Epic’s access to develop apps for iPhones and iPads. Now Apple has restored that access and Epic says it’ll proceed with its plans.
“Apple has told us and committed to the European Commission that they will reinstate our developer account,” Epic said in a statement Friday. “This sends a strong signal to developers that the European Commission will act swiftly to enforce the Digital Markets Act and hold gatekeepers accountable. We are moving forward as planned to launch the Epic Games Store and bring Fortnite back to iOS in Europe.”
Apple confirmed the change in a statement and offered its own take on events. “Following conversations with Epic, they have committed to follow the rules, including our DMA policies,” the company said. “As a result, Epic Sweden AB has been permitted to re-sign the developer agreement and accepted into the Apple Developer Program.”
The news comes as Apple is releasing a new version of its iOS software for iPhones, designed to follow rules called the Digital Markets Act. That law, which is designed to force Big Tech companies to allow more competition, requires Apple to allow customers in the EU to install alternative app stores and separately downloaded apps onto their devices.
Things blew up in the news Wednesday after Epic published what it says was a letter from Apple, ending its access to develop apps for devices running on Apple’s iOS mobile operating system.
“Please be advised that Apple has, effective immediately, terminated the Developer Program membership of Epic Games Sweden AB,” Apple appeared to say in a March 2 letter from its lawyers posted by Epic. Apple described Epic’s plans to release software for EU customers as “part of a global effort to undermine or evade Apple’s rules.” Apple didn’t comment on whether the correspondence shared by Epic Games was authentic.
Following Epic’s publication of the letter, Apple said it was acting on its rights by terminating Epic’s account.
“Epic’s egregious breach of its contractual obligations to Apple led courts to determine that Apple has the right to terminate ‘any or all of Epic Games’ wholly owned subsidiaries, affiliates, and/or other entities under Epic Games’ control at any time and at Apple’s sole discretion,'” the company said in a statement. “In light of Epic’s past and ongoing behavior, Apple chose to exercise that right.”
Epic said Wednesday that Apple’s move to terminate its developer account undermined “our ability to be a viable competitor and they are showing other developers what happens when you try to compete with Apple or are critical of their unfair practices.” Epic also alleged that Apple’s moves violated EU antitrust laws and said it intended to “fight to get back on iOS.”
Apple’s decision to terminate Epic’s developer account, followed quickly by the reversal, marks another twist in a now-four-year-long, high-profile court battle between the two tech giants over how much power Apple exerts over its iPhones, iPads and Mac computers.
Epic had argued that Apple should allow customers to download apps and pay developers however they wish. Since launching its App Store more than 15 years ago, Apple has required that apps for its iPhones be downloaded from there. Apple also set rules that most developers must charge customers through its payment-processing service, which collects up to a 30% fee on every charge. Epic is battling Google in a similar suit over Google’s handling of the Play Store.
Apple broadly has won the argument in court, where judges have declared the iPhone maker hasn’t violated antitrust laws by forcing app developers to use its in-app payment systems.
You may think that shopping for a great toaster wouldn’t necessarily also involve buying anything with the Xbox logo on it, but you’d be wrong. You really should consider picking up this toaster that looks like an Xbox Series S. Not just because it looks cool, either. We’ll get into the features that make the Xbox Series S toaster a reasonably good toaster in a moment, but for now, all you really need to know is that you can buy one from Walmart’s website right now for just $40.
Getting back to the features, the Xbox Series S toaster has all of the basics you’d expect including a self-centering bread guide and a bagel button. The toaster can deal with anything from bread to frozen waffles to English muffins and more, and the six-setting shade selector means you’ll always get the perfect level of toastiness. There’s even an LED countdown timer so you know how long you’ll have to wait as well.
All of that pales beside the most exciting feature because your new toaster automatically emblazons the famous Xbox logo on the bread to create a work of art that you’ll almost feel bad for eating. All for just $40? You really can’t go wrong at that price. Still, as great as the toaster is it isn’t very good at playing games. For that, you’re going to want to check out our collection of the best Xbox deals including consoles, games and more.
Apple has prevented Fortnite maker Epic Games from releasing its game and app store in the European Union, escalating a years-long feud between the two tech giants. In a statement released on Wednesday, Epic published what it says was a letter from Apple, terminating its access to develop apps for iPhones and iPads.
“Please be advised that Apple has, effective immediately, terminated the Developer Program membership of Epic Games Sweden AB,” Apple appeared to say in a March 2 letter from its lawyers posted by Epic.
Apple described Epic’s plans to release software for EU customers as “part of a global effort to undermine or evade Apple’s rules.” Apple didn’t comment on whether the correspondence shared by Epic Games was authentic.
Apple said its decision to terminate Epic’s developer account applied worldwide.
“Epic’s egregious breach of its contractual obligations to Apple led courts to determine that Apple has the right to terminate ‘any or all of Epic Games’ wholly owned subsidiaries, affiliates, and/or other entities under Epic Games’ control at any time and at Apple’s sole discretion,'” the company said in a statement. “In light of Epic’s past and ongoing behavior, Apple chose to exercise that right.”
Epic alleges Apple’s moves are a violation of EU antitrust laws and said it intends to “fight to get back on iOS.”
The move comes as Apple is releasing a new version of its iOS software for iPhones, designed to follow rules called the Digital Markets Act. That law, which is designed to force Big Tech companies to allow more competition, requires Apple to allow customers in the EU to install alternative app stores and separately downloaded apps onto their devices.
Epic-Apple feud
Apple’s decision to terminate Epic’s developer account marks another twist in a now-four-year-long, high-profile court battle between the two tech giants over how much power Apple exerts over its iPhones, iPads and Mac computers.
Epic had argued that Apple should allow customers to download apps and pay developers however they wish. Since launching its App Store more than 15 years ago, Apple has required that apps for its iPhones be downloaded from there. Apple also set rules that most developers must charge customers through its payment-processing service, which collects up to a 30% fee on every charge. Epic is fighting a similar suit against Google over its handling of the Play Store.
Apple broadly has won that argument in court, where judges have declared the iPhone maker hasn’t violated antitrust laws by forcing app developers to use its in-app payment systems.
Epic has vowed to continue fighting.
On Wednesday, Epic said Apple’s move to terminate its developer account undermined “our ability to be a viable competitor and they are showing other developers what happens when you try to compete with Apple or are critical of their unfair practices.”
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a sequel to 2020’s Final Fantasy VII Remake and the second in a trilogy of games modernizing and expanding the 1997 classic Final Fantasy VII. As such, it’s a middle chapter in a series of games and has a lengthy average playtime of 70 to 80 hours — so there’s a lot that might be helpful for players to know going in.
Like the game it follows, Rebirth is an action-filled role-playing game (otherwise known as an action-RPG), with real-time combat and lots of customization in how you arrange your assortment of characters. Remake had a pretty linear story, confined to the gloomy industrial city of Midgar. Rebirth, on the other hand, has massive and beautiful open world areas, with a seemingly endless stream of side quests, minigames and areas of interest to explore.
Read more: Best Phone to Buy For 2024
I’ve played more than 85 hours of Rebirth and I still have three chapters of the game to go, so I can confidently say this game is enormous — and probably has something for everyone. On the flip side, however, there are sure to be activities and sections that won’t tickle your fancy. Just know that much of the game, including most of the open world areas, is totally optional.
That said, I’d recommend going through as many side quests as you can — each pairs Cloud with either Tifa, Aerith, Barrett or another member of the party on a little adventure that varies in tone from whimsical jaunt to tender backstory exposition. Going on these side quests raises a relationship meter for each party member as they open up to our spiky-haired protagonist.
Many of the minigames are optional, but they often have rich rewards waiting for players who beat the high score. They’re pretty transparent about what you’ll earn, so I won’t spend time on which ones are worth doing — but I will recommend completing the Segway minigame. It’s pretty easy, requiring only that you have Cloud scoot around on the dorkiest transit mode in the game for a set distance, and the prize you win is an equip-and-forget accessory that’ll set you up nicely for the late game.
For the rest of the tips, I’ll be as spoiler-free for Rebirth as possible, with light references to mundane stuff found in areas later in the game. Here are five things to know when starting Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
Recap: What happened in Final Fantasy VII Remake
Heads up: This section contains slight spoilers for Final Fantasy VII Remake. They’re slight, but if you haven’t yet played the game, I’m advising you now not to spoil it for yourself!
The first game in the trilogy set the tone for what’s to come in a series that adapts and expands the original 1997 game into a trilogy. So there are plenty of side characters and moments in Remake that weren’t in the original… or were very different.
The conceit at the center of Remake is that Cloud and company’s adventure diverts from how Final Fantasy VII originally played out — and eventually they have to directly fight the ghostly Whispers trying to keep the party on destiny’s set path. It’s a clever way for the game’s creator, Square Enix, to modernize some of the most cherished parts of the much-loved original game while giving players something new to chew on — namely, should the story they know so well be changed?
Square Enix has its own official recap of Remake, which is available in the main menu of Rebirth and on YouTube — the shorter three-minute version is above, but the five-minute version has more context. However, there are plenty of additional characters and references that will pop up in Rebirth, so I recommend a lengthier recap: this 12-minute video by Another Eden Adventures is helpfully thorough.
Because Rebirth continues Remake’s diversion from the plot of the original Final Fantasy VII (though it’s pretty faithful until the last hours of the game), you’ll get the most out of the story by having played the classic game. But it’s by no means essential: I got only halfway through the original and I’m still over the moon about Rebirth.
The game’s backgrounds beg for photos.
David Lumb/CNET
Know where to go in the game’s areas
Once you’ve fired up Rebirth and gotten through the first chapter, which serves as a prologue, the game gives you an open map and tells you to get exploring. In general, there are two types of areas: the open world regions and big towns.
Open world regions are huge swaths of land filled with points of interest in several categories, and each one needs to be interacted with to finish an area (and get experience points to spend on magic-granting materia from Chadley — more on him below). Like other open world games, there are towers to be conquered, which will put nearby points of interest on your map.
Lifestream nodes will give you backstory of the region and reveal areas you can dig up with your chocobo to develop new crafting recipes. (Yes, there’s crafting — no, it’s actually helpful.) Dangerous packs of enemies can be defeated to eventually unlock new moves in the Enemy Skill materia, and a final regional boss offers items for awesome craftable accessories. Moogle Huts offer rare items to buy with all the moogle coins you’ve been collecting (after you finish a minigame, of course). And “protorelic” hunts offer a subplot in the game that, when completed through all areas, may offer a huge reward.
Watch this: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Bringing an Old Story Into a Vast Open World
Towns, on the other hand, are where you spend your downtime. Here are the weapon shops, which will offer weapons if you miss them in the field (look for purple chests); item shops to stock up on potions, phoenix downs and card packs for the in-universe card game Queen’s Blood; and bookstores, which let you unlock more of your party member’s skills via a Sphere Grid-like board. You’ll also find Queen’s Blood players to challenge, side quests found on big community boards, and Chadley, who’ll trade open world intel (e.g. completed points of interest) for materia.
Chadley also has VR challenges, which can be completed for more magic-unlocking materia — when you start the game, you should do each character’s starting VR mission, which will walk you through their fighting style (and reward you with easy materia). Even returning characters from Remake have had their skill sets slightly changed, so it’s worth doing these to familiarize yourself and get some easy rewards.
The game has a good nose for when a silly effect will land big — like epic hero Cloud riding a segway like a dork.
David Lumb/CNET
Travel fast, save time
Though Remake was limited to a linear story through the slums and skyscrapers of Midgar, Rebirth is wide open, containing a total of six enormous regions with plenty to discover as you roam around filling in the blank edges of the map.
The first thing you’ll want to do in every region is find the chocobo ranch or stables. Not only do chocobos serve as mounts that get you around faster, you can’t fast travel without them. You’ll have to do a side quest or minigame to unlock the chocobo in every region, but they’re worth it.
Fast travel is also pretty generous in this game and essential to use to save time, which is important when you’ll be putting in hours and hours. Here’s where real-life technology rules, as the PS5 you’re playing Rebirth on has ultra-fast loading speeds thanks to its SSD. Don’t hesitate to fast travel even short distances. The catch is you’ll have to discover a point of interest before you can fast travel to it, so make that extra hike to a tower or other area so you can warp back to it later.
Several regions have other modes of transport you can use alongside or instead of chocobos in certain areas — if the game says you can’t go any farther on your chocobo, you’ll probably need a specialty vehicle.
Also, most regions have their own bonus travel gimmick for chocobos, from climbing walls to bouncing on mushrooms. Sometimes you’ll be able to tell by environmental cues, other times by holographic icons.
David Lumb/CNET
Don’t worry about hitting everything right now
Cloud and company will venture through the regions in a straightforward path from one open world area to the next, but you’ll find ways to come back to previous areas. If you’re getting tired of finishing the open world checklist where you are, move on and come back later. Most of these transit options are from one adjacent region to the next, but later in the game you’ll be able to hop back to any of them for a paltry fee.
Even late into the game — through the 70 hours I’ve played — nothing is locked out. Feel free to progress the story and leave the laundry list of open world tasks or tough minigames until later.
This also applies to annoyingly tough optional bosses. Though many of them scale to your level, like the summons you can fight through Chadley’s VR challenges, your characters will get stronger as the game progresses. Raising your weapon level and getting more-advanced armor will dramatically increase the number of materia each character can equip, while accessories only get better as the game progresses.
As cool as some side quests look, they won’t be for everyone.
David Lumb/CNET
Give up on what’s not fun
Through the scores of hours you’ll play Rebirth, you’ll inevitably find something you just don’t click with. Trust me, there’s more than enough in the game to entertain you, so feel free to leave things behind to come back to later — or never.
For the most part, the extras in this game are fun and worth experiencing, even persevering through for crucial items. But I certainly struggled with some of the minigames, forswearing the materia or accessory teasing me from the winner’s podium that I just couldn’t reach. And I’ll be the first to tell you that some side quests offer pretty lame rewards, making the time invested feel like a wash.
The in-game pastime Queen’s Blood is a card game, which doesn’t appeal to everyone. There are a handful of essential matches to play in the main story, so learning the basics would be helpful. You can also assemble preset decks to give you good hints at card strategies. But by all means, skip it if you don’t have the heart of the cards — there are other activities to enjoy.
Lastly, don’t worry too much if you skip a lot of the optional stuff to stick to the story — the game doesn’t seem to have as many tough-yet-unskippable bosses as Remake (no Hell House equivalent so far), so players shouldn’t feel the need to grind nonessential activities to keep up with story battles. Just be mindful of your materia — equip an HP Up for each character and pack a leveled-up Cleansing materia, just in case.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Photo Mode Screenshots From the Frontier
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a sequel to 2020’s Final Fantasy VII Remake and the second in a trilogy of games modernizing and expanding the 1997 classic Final Fantasy VII. As such, it’s a middle chapter in a series of games and has a lengthy average playtime of 70 to 80 hours — so there’s a lot that might be helpful for players to know going in.
Like the game it follows, Rebirth is an action-filled role-playing game (otherwise known as an action-RPG), with real-time combat and lots of customization in how you arrange your assortment of characters. Remake had a pretty linear story, confined to the gloomy industrial city of Midgar. Rebirth, on the other hand, has massive and beautiful open world areas, with a seemingly endless stream of side quests, minigames and areas of interest to explore.
Read more: Best Phone to Buy For 2024
I’ve played more than 70 hours of Rebirth and I still have three chapters of the game to go, so I can confidently say this game is enormous — and probably has something for everyone. On the flip side, however, there are sure to be activities and sections that won’t tickle your fancy. Just know that much of the game, including most of the open world areas, is totally optional.
That said, I’d recommend going through as many side quests as you can — each pairs Cloud with either Tifa, Aerith, Barrett or another member of the party on a little adventure that varies in tone from whimsical jaunt to tender backstory exposition. Going on these side quests raises a relationship meter for each party member as they open up to our spiky-haired protagonist.
Many of the minigames are optional, but they often have rich rewards waiting for players who beat the high score. They’re pretty transparent about what you’ll earn, so I won’t spend time on which ones are worth doing — but I will recommend completing the Segway minigame. It’s pretty easy, requiring only that you have Cloud scoot around on the dorkiest transit mode in the game for a set distance, and the prize you win is an equip-and-forget accessory that’ll set you up nicely for the late game.
For the rest of the tips, I’ll be as spoiler-free for Rebirth as possible, with light references to mundane stuff found in areas later in the game. Here are five things to know when starting Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
Recap: What happened in Final Fantasy VII Remake
Heads up: This section contains slight spoilers for Final Fantasy VII Remake. They’re slight, but if you haven’t yet played the game, I’m advising you now not to spoil it for yourself!
The first game in the trilogy set the tone for what’s to come in a series that adapts and expands the original 1997 game into a trilogy. So there are plenty of side characters and moments in Remake that weren’t in the original… or were very different.
The conceit at the center of Remake is that Cloud and company’s adventure diverts from how Final Fantasy VII originally played out — and eventually they have to directly fight the ghostly Whispers trying to keep the party on destiny’s set path. It’s a clever way for the game’s creator, Square Enix, to modernize some of the most cherished parts of the much-loved original game while giving players something new to chew on — namely, should the story they know so well be changed?
Square Enix has its own official recap of Remake, which is available in the main menu of Rebirth and on YouTube — the shorter three-minute version is above, but the five-minute version has more context. However, there are plenty of additional characters and references that will pop up in Rebirth, so I recommend a lengthier recap: this 12-minute video by Another Eden Adventures is helpfully thorough.
Because Rebirth continues Remake’s diversion from the plot of the original Final Fantasy VII (though it’s pretty faithful until the last hours of the game), you’ll get the most out of the story by having played the classic game. But it’s by no means essential: I got only halfway through the original and I’m still over the moon about Rebirth.
The game’s backgrounds beg for photos.
David Lumb/CNET
Know where to go in the game’s areas
Once you’ve fired up Rebirth and gotten through the first chapter, which serves as a prologue, the game gives you an open map and tells you to get exploring. In general, there are two types of areas: the open world regions and big towns.
Open world regions are huge swaths of land filled with points of interest in several categories, and each one needs to be interacted with to finish an area (and get experience points to spend on magic-granting materia from Chadley — more on him below). Like other open world games, there are towers to be conquered, which will put nearby points of interest on your map.
Lifestream nodes will give you backstory of the region and reveal areas you can dig up with your chocobo to develop new crafting recipes. (Yes, there’s crafting — no, it’s actually helpful.) Favored enemies can be defeated to eventually unlock new moves in the Enemy Skill materia, and a final regional boss offers items for awesome craftable accessories. Moogle Huts offer rare items to buy with all the moogle coins you’ve been collecting (after you finish a minigame, of course). And “protorelic” hunts offer a subplot in the game that, when completed through all areas, may offer a huge reward.
Watch this: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Bringing an Old Story Into a Vast Open World
Towns, on the other hand, are where you spend your downtime. Here are the weapon shops, which will offer weapons if you miss them in the field (look for purple chests); item shops to stock up on potions, phoenix downs and card packs for the in-universe card game Queen’s Blood; and bookstores, which let you unlock more of your party member’s skills via a Sphere Grid-like board. You’ll also find Queen’s Blood players to challenge, side quests found on big community boards, and Chadley, who’ll trade open world intel (e.g. completed points of interest) for materia.
Chadley also has VR challenges, which can be completed for more materia — when you start the game, do each character’s starting VR mission, which will walk you through their fighting style. Even returning characters from Remake have had their skill sets slightly changed, so it’s worth doing these to familiarize yourself and get some easy rewards.
The game has a good nose for when a silly effect will land big — like epic hero Cloud riding a segway like a dork.
David Lumb/CNET
Travel fast, save time
Though Remake was limited to a linear story through the slums and skyscrapers of Midgar, Rebirth is wide open, containing a total of six enormous regions with plenty to discover as you roam around filling in the blank edges of the map.
The first thing you’ll want to do in every region is find the chocobo ranch or stables. Not only do chocobos serve as mounts that get you around faster, you can’t fast travel without them. You’ll have to do a side quest or minigame to unlock the chocobo in every region, but they’re worth it.
Fast travel is also pretty generous in this game and essential to use to save time, which is important when you’ll be putting in hours and hours. Here’s where real-life technology rules, as the PS5 you’re playing Rebirth on has ultra-fast loading speeds thanks to its SSD. Don’t hesitate to fast travel even short distances. The catch is you’ll have to discover a point of interest before you can fast travel to it, so make that extra hike to a tower or other area so you can warp back to it later.
Several regions have other modes of transport you can use alongside or instead of chocobos in certain areas — if the game says you can’t go any farther on your chocobo, you’ll probably need a specialty vehicle.
Also, most regions have their own bonus travel gimmick for chocobos, from climbing walls to bouncing on mushrooms. Sometimes you’ll be able to tell by environmental cues, other times by holographic icons.
David Lumb/CNET
Don’t worry about hitting everything right now
Cloud and company will venture through the regions in a straightforward path from one open world area to the next, but you’ll find ways to come back to previous areas. If you’re getting tired of finishing the open world checklist where you are, move on and come back later. Most of these transit options are from one adjacent region to the next, but later in the game you’ll be able to hop back to any of them for a paltry fee.
Even late into the game — through the 70 hours I’ve played — nothing is locked out. Feel free to progress the story and leave the laundry list of open world tasks or tough minigames until later.
This also applies to annoyingly tough optional bosses. Though many of them scale to your level, like the summons you can fight through Chadley’s VR challenges, your characters will get stronger as the game progresses. Raising your weapon level and getting more-advanced armor will dramatically increase the number of materia each character can equip, while accessories only get better as the game progresses.
As cool as some side quests look, they won’t be for everyone.
David Lumb/CNET
Give up on what’s not fun
Through the scores of hours you’ll play Rebirth, you’ll inevitably find something you just don’t click with. Trust me, there’s more than enough in the game to entertain you, so feel free to leave things behind to come back to later — or never.
For the most part, the extras in this game are fun and worth experiencing, even persevering through for crucial items. But I certainly struggled with some of the minigames, forswearing the materia or accessory teasing me from the winner’s podium that I just couldn’t reach. And I’ll be the first to tell you that some side quests offer pretty lame rewards, making the time invested feel like a wash.
The in-game pastime Queen’s Blood is a card game, which doesn’t appeal to everyone. There are a handful of essential matches to play in the main story, so learning the basics would be helpful. You can also assemble preset decks to give you good hints at card strategies. But by all means, skip it if you don’t have the heart of the cards — there are other activities to enjoy.
Lastly, don’t worry too much if you skip a lot of the optional stuff to stick to the story — the game doesn’t seem to have as many tough-yet-unskippable bosses as Remake (no Hell House equivalent so far), so players shouldn’t feel the need to grind nonessential activities to keep up with story battles. Just be mindful of your materia — equip an HP Up for each character and pack a leveled-up Cleansing materia, just in case.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Photo Mode Screenshots From the Frontier
If you missed out on the great deals during the last Presidents Day sale, then now is the perfect time to grab a couple if you’ve been wanting something specific. There are deals on pretty much everything from Best Buy right now, whether you’re looking for a new TV, laptops, smart lighting, headphones and ton more. We’ve collected our favorites below to help you pick some good deals, so be sure to check them out. You can also check the full sale by clicking the link below. Just be aware that the weekend sale ends on March 3 at 9:59 p.m. PT, so grab whatever you want before then.
This outdoor TV has a 55-inch screen, 4K resolution and 500 nits of brightness. It’s a great choice for covered patios, decks or balconies as we start to prepare for warmer weather.
Details
This Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 laptop sports a large 16-inch, full HD touchscreen and runs on a 13th-gen Intel Evo i7 processor. It also comes with a generous 16GB of RAM and 1TB of solid-state storage.
Details
Nab the latest MacBook Air with a 15.3-inch screen and an M2 chip for fast processing for less than a grand.
Details
This three-in-one device can clean your air, cool your space or warm things up when you need it to — all with an anti-allergen HEPA filter. It tracks air quality and has smart features to prevent overheating as well. Right now, it’s only $200.
Details
Best Buy has the latest iPad Air available at all-time low pricing of just $450. That’s a $150 discount on this fifth-gen Wi-Fi model with 64GB of storage and an M1 chip.
Details
More great deals at Best Buy:
It’s worth noting that some items may have additional discounts available for My Best Buy Plus or Total members, so if you’ve been holding out on signing up, now may be the time to consider a subscription. Those are paid accounts, but you could make the money back in exclusive savings during this event or throughout the year if you shop at Best Buy regularly. There are some other perks too, like like free two-day shipping with no minimum amount and extended return windows.
For more device savings, we’ve rounded up the best phone deals, laptop deals and TV deals to help you find exactly what you want without paying full price.
There’s a huge sale on tech happening right now at Best Buy, including things like TVs, action cameras, laptops, headphones, smart lighting and a whole bunch more. This massive three-day sale wraps up tomorrow, though, so be sure to snag any last-minute deals while they last. A lot of stuff is marked down. To save you time and energy, we’ve gone through the sale and highlighted the best offers. Again, the deals end Sunday — March 3 at 9:59 p.m. PT — so make any selections before then.
This outdoor TV has a 55-inch screen, 4K resolution and 500 nits of brightness. It’s a great choice for covered patios, decks or balconies as we start to prepare for warmer weather.
Details
This Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 laptop sports a large 16-inch, full HD touchscreen and runs on a 13th-gen Intel Evo i7 processor. It also comes with a generous 16GB of RAM and 1TB of solid-state storage.
Details
Nab the latest MacBook Air with a 15.3-inch screen and an M2 chip for fast processing for less than a grand.
Details
This three-in-one device can clean your air, cool your space or warm things up when you need it to — all with an anti-allergen HEPA filter. It tracks air quality and has smart features to prevent overheating as well. Right now, it’s only $200.
Details
Best Buy has the latest iPad Air available at all-time low pricing of just $450. That’s a $150 discount on this fifth-gen Wi-Fi model with 64GB of storage and an M1 chip.
Details
More great deals at Best Buy:
It’s worth noting that some items may have additional discounts available for My Best Buy Plus or Total members, so if you’ve been holding out on signing up, now may be the time to consider a subscription. Those are paid accounts, but you could make the money back in exclusive savings during this event or throughout the year if you shop at Best Buy regularly. There are some other perks too, like like free two-day shipping with no minimum amount and extended return windows.
For more device savings, we’ve rounded up the best phone deals, laptop deals and TV deals to help you find exactly what you want without paying full price.
If you’re looking to save on new tech, you won’t want to miss the sale happening right now at Best Buy. The company just launched a massive three-day sale filled with deep discounts on TVs, headphones, laptops, tablets, action cameras, smart lighting and more. It’s a great opportunity for those that may have missed out Presidents Day sales earlier this year to score big savings.
There are a lot of items marked down, so in an effort to save you time and energy, we’ve gone through the sale and have highlighted the best offers below. Keep in mind that these offers will end Sunday, March 3, at 9:59 p.m. PT, so be sure to make your selection before that if you don’t want to miss out.
This outdoor TV has a 55-inch screen, 4K resolution and 500 nits of brightness. It’s a great choice for covered patios, decks or balconies as we start to prepare for warmer weather.
Details
This Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 laptop sports a large 16-inch full HD touchscreen display as well as a 13th-gen Intel Evo i7 processor. It also comes equipped with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of solid-state storage.
Details
Nab the latest MacBook Air with a 15.3-inch screen and an M2 chip for fast processing for less than a grand.
Details
This 3-in-1 device can clean your air, cool your space or warm things up when you need it to — all with an anti-allergen HEPA filter. It tracks air quality and has smart features to prevent overheating as well. And right now it’s only $200.
Details
Best Buy has the latest iPad Air available at all-time low pricing of just $450. That’s a $150 discount on this fifth-gen Wi-Fi model with 64GB of storage and an M1 chip.
Details
More great deals at Best Buy:
It’s worth noting that some items may have additional discounts available for My Best Buy Plus or Total members, so if you’ve been holding out on signing up, now may be the time to consider a subscription. Those are paid accounts, but you could make the money back in exclusive savings during this event or throughout the year if you shop at Best Buy regularly. There are some other perks too, like like free two-day shipping with no minimum amount and extended return windows.
For more device savings, we’ve rounded up the best phone deals, laptop deals and TV deals to help you find exactly what you want without paying full price.
When Sony released its PlayStation VR 2 headset last year, it was designed to work only with the company’s video game console, the PlayStation 5. By the end of this year, the company says it’ll work with PCs too. In a blog post Thursday, the gaming giant said it’s “currently testing” the ability for PSVR 2 players to access games on PCs.
“We hope to make this support available in 2024, so stay tuned for more updates,” the post reads.
Sony’s move to expand access to its PSVR 2 comes just days after the company told investors its 4-year-old PS5 video game console was entering the “latter stage of its life cycle,” a sign that the company’s investments might look more toward future technologies rather than further building up existing devices. VR and mixed-reality headsets have been gaining popularity, with Apple recently launching the Vision Pro following the success of Meta’s Quest headset.
A Sony spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about whether the $550 PSVR 2 will work with rival VR platforms such as Valve’s Steam store or the one operated by Quest 3 maker Meta.
The post also announced new PSVR 2 titles, including time traveling shooter game Wanderer: The Fragments of Fate, which is arriving June 27 for Sony’s console as well as the Steam store and Meta’s Quest headset.
Sony isn’t the only company looking to branch out its gaming business beyond console hardware. Over the past week, Microsoft has announced plans to start selling some of its games, such as Rare’s Sea of Thieves online pirate game and the award-winning music rhythm game Hi-Fi Rush, to rival consoles, including Sony’s PS5.
For its part, Sony has begun releasing some of its most popular games on PC too, including a remade version of its hit 2013 survival horror game The Last of Us Part 1 and the 2018 action game Marvel’s Spider-Man.
There are just a handful of hours left to shop Best Buy’s massive blowout sale for Presidents Day. The holiday has brought with it tons of deep discounts across the board on many popular items. You’ll find bargains on tablets, laptops, kitchen stuff, TVs, washing machines and a whole lot more. It’s the perfect time to grab yourself something if you missed your chance during the past few big sales, such as those tied to Black Friday and the new year. But act soon, because time is running out to scoop up the savings.
To save you some time, we’ve gone through and highlighted some of the best offers on popular items. Keep in mind that the sale ends tonight, Monday, Feb. 19, at 9:59 p.m. PT, so be sure not to wait too long if you don’t want to miss out. You can also check out CNET’s roundup of other Presidents Day sales for more bargains.
Best Buy has the latest iPad Air available at all-time low pricing of just $450. That’s a $150 discount on this fifth-gen Wi-Fi model with 64GB of storage and an M1 chip.
Details
This Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 laptop sports a large 16-inch full HD touchscreen display as well as a 13th-gen Intel Evo i7 processor. It also comes equipped with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of solid-state storage.
Details
These bone conduction open-ear sport headphones are some of the best running headphones you can buy, especially with this deal.
Details
Apple’s latest and greatest AirPods Pro are seeing a near-$60 discount right now, dropping them to within $1 of their best-ever price. With premium audio quality, excellent noise-cancellation and seamless connectivity with Apple devices, these are well worth picking up for your commute or workout regime.
Details
Presidents Day is one of the best times of year to upgrade your larger home appliances with huge sales on big-name brands. Best Buy sells everything from washers and dryers to refrigerators and ranges and you can save up to 40% across the board right now. Whether you just need to replace an aging microwave or refit your whole kitchen and utility, now’s the time to do it.
Details
More Presidents Day deals at Best Buy:
Some items may have additional discounts available for My Best Buy Plus or Total members, so you may want to consider signing up if you haven’t yet. Those are paid accounts, but you could make the money back in exclusive savings during this event or throughout the year if you shop at Best Buy regularly. There are some other perks too, like like free two-day shipping with no minimum amount and extended return windows.
And if you want even more Presidents Day deals, check out our posts on mattresses, home security devices, Amazon devices, home goods and other great items.
Best Buy’s massive blowout sale for Presidents Day is continuing through the holiday with deep discounts across the board. You’ll find bargains on tablets, laptops, kitchen stuff, TVs, washing machines and a lot more. It’s the perfect time to grab yourself something if you missed your chance during the past few big sales, such as those tied to Black Friday and and the new year.
To save you some time, we’ve gone through and highlighted some of the best offers on popular items. The sale ends tonight, Monday, Feb. 19, at 9:59 p.m. PT, so be sure not to wait too long if you don’t want to miss out. You can also check out CNET’s roundup of other Presidents Day sales for more bargains.
Best Buy has the latest iPad Air available at all-time low pricing of just $450. That’s a $150 discount on this fifth-gen Wi-Fi model with 64GB of storage and an M1 chip.
Details
This Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 laptop sports a large 16-inch full HD touchscreen display as well as a 13th-gen Intel Evo i7 processor. It also comes equipped with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of solid-state storage.
Details
These bone conduction open-ear sport headphones are some of the best running headphones you can buy, especially with this deal.
Details
Apple’s latest and greatest AirPods Pro are seeing a near-$60 discount right now, dropping them to within $1 of their best-ever price. With premium audio quality, excellent noise-cancellation and seamless connectivity with Apple devices, these are well worth picking up for your commute or workout regime.
Details
Presidents Day is one of the best times of year to upgrade your larger home appliances with huge sales on big-name brands. Best Buy sells everything from washers and dryers to refrigerators and ranges and you can save up to 40% across the board right now. Whether you just need to replace an aging microwave or refit your whole kitchen and utility, now’s the time to do it.
Details
More Presidents Day deals at Best Buy:
Some items may have additional discounts available for My Best Buy Plus or Total members, so you may want to consider signing up if you haven’t yet. Those are paid accounts, but you could make the money back in exclusive savings during this event or throughout the year if you shop at Best Buy regularly. There are some other perks too, like like free two-day shipping with no minimum amount and extended return windows.
And if you want even more Presidents Day deals, check out our posts on mattresses, home security devices, Amazon devices, home goods and other great items.
Best Buy is having a blowout sale for Presidents Day, with deep discounts across the board. You’ll find bargains on tablets, laptops, kitchen stuff, TVs, washing machines and a lot more. It’s the perfect time to grab yourself something if you missed your chance during the past few big sales, such as those tied to Black Friday and New Year’s.
To save you some time, we’ve gone through and highlighted some of the best offers on popular items. The sale ends Monday, Feb. 19, at 9:59 p.m. PT, so be sure not to wait too long if you don’t want to miss out. You can also check out CNET’s roundup of other Presidents Day sales.
Best Buy has the latest iPad Air available at all-time low pricing of just $450. That’s a $150 discount on this fifth-gen Wi-Fi model with 64GB of storage and an M1 chip.
Details
This Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 laptop sports a large 16-inch full HD touchscreen display as well as a 13th-gen Intel Evo i7 processor. It also comes equipped with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of solid-state storage.
Details
These bone conduction open-ear sport headphones are some of the best running headphones you can buy, especially with this deal.
Details
More Presidents Day deals at Best Buy:
Some items may have additional discounts available for My Best Buy Plus or Total members, so you may want to consider signing up if you haven’t yet. Those are paid accounts, but you could make the money back in exclusive savings during this event or throughout the year if you shop at Best Buy regularly. There are some other perks too, like like free two-day shipping with no minimum amount and extended return windows.
And if you want even more Presidents Day deals, check out our posts on mattresses, home security devices, Amazon devices, home goods and other great items.
Game consoles don’t last forever, but the Sony PlayStation 5 isn’t your average game console. When it was released in 2020, it saw so much demand that the Japanese gaming giant took three years to finally make enough available consoles for all the eager buyers.
But every console has a life span. On Wednesday, Sony announced that its 4-year-old PlayStation 5 was missing sales targets, and that it will likely struggle even more this year. The company saw weaker-than-expected holiday sales, and cut its PS5 sales forecast for the year ending in March to 21 million units, down from an expected 25 million. The company also said it expects a gradual decline in unit sales in the next financial year, in part because it doesn’t plan to release any of its own major franchise titles during that time.
“Looking ahead, PS5 will enter the latter stage of its life cycle,” Naomi Matsuouka, Sony senior vice president, said in a conference call, as reported earlier by Bloomberg.
Whenever any gaming executive discusses the future of consoles like the PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox Series X or Nintendo Switch, consumers take notice. These machines cost hundreds of dollars, with games running around $70. To make those purchases feel worthwhile, Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony aim to offer major console upgrades about every seven years.
Sony’s plans for the PS5
Sony’s statement didn’t define what exactly it means for the PS5 to enter “the latter stage of its life cycle,” other than to say that it will “put more emphasis on the balance between profitability and sales.” And the company didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
The good news is that broadly, Sony has offered years of support for older consoles. The PS5, for example, can play “an overwhelming majority” of PS4 games, no matter if they were bought on disc or digital. We don’t know yet if the inevitable PlayStation 6 will offer the same capabilities, but it’s likely Sony will want to keep that feature.
It’s also not clear why Sony decided to share this news with so little detail, as it certainly knows gamers will grab on to any tidbit about their console of choice.
To buy or not to buy
If you’re considering a PlayStation 5, now may be a great time to buy one, or at least consider it.
A key reason for that is if you don’t already own a PlayStation 5, you probably won’t be buying a PlayStation 6 whenever it launches. The only reason to wait at this point would be to hold out for inevitable holiday sales. Or you might want to buy a used PlayStation 5 from someone upgrading, which is a thing you can do.
If you do buy a PlayStation 5, you’ll be getting access to a wide array of well-regarded titles, including exclusives like the Spider-Man games, The Last of Us, Uncharted, God of War and Horizon, to name a few.
PlayStation 6 and other consoles to come
If the PlayStation 5 is entering the end of its life cycle, that would seem to indicate the PlayStation 6 is around the corner. There was so much concern about this that even internet fact-checking site Snopes got in on the conversation. It may seem ironic, then, that when faced with the question of whether the PS6 was imminent, the best answer Snopes could come up with was, “Probably not.”
As Snopes points out, Microsoft and Nintendo are both rumored to be releasing new gaming products this year. If those rumors are true, Sony may feel a need to try to release something in response.
Microsoft: X marks the spot
Microsoft accidentally leaked its Xbox plans in a cache of legal documents, including news of a disc-less Xbox code-named “Brooklin” that’s shaped like a cylinder (but not a trash can). It’s supposed to have more storage and use less energy.
Nintendo: Switching to the Switch 2
Nintendo, meanwhile, is riding high on its popular Switch console after selling more than 130 million units and more than 1 billion games since its launch seven years ago, (Animal Crossing: New Horizons was the sanity-saver of the 2020 pandemic for many.) Rumors have mostly revolved around the Switch 2, a beefed-up version of the current handheld console.
PlayStation 5 games for 2024
Sony also said it does not have any big games made by its internal development studios planned for this year. But let’s be clear, there are still some big games coming to the PlayStation 5. The biggest one is Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the second installment in the epic remake of one of the video game industry’s most beloved titles.
Sony is also planning to release a remaster of The Last of Us Part II, which will conveniently land ahead of the planned second season of the hit HBO show The Last of Us, starring Pedro Pascal (of The Mandalorian fame) and Bella Ramsey (a standout from Game of Thrones).
That said, it’s a slower pace than 2023, which was considered one of the best years in game release history, with hit titles like Spider-Man 2 from Sony, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom from Nintendo and Starfield from Microsoft.
If you’ve been putting off upgrades to the latest devices, new major appliances for the home or stocking up on tech accessories, now’s your chance to get everything on your wish list at a deep discount. Best Buy has launched its annual Presidents Day sale, and it’s packed full of deals on TVs, laptops, tablets, headphones, kitchen gear and much more.
To save you some time, we’ve gone through the sale and have highlighted some of the best offers on popular items like TVs, laptops, tablets, appliances, headphones, vacuums and other great deals. This Presidents Day sale ends Monday, Feb. 19, at 9:59 p.m. PT, so be sure not too wait too long to make your purchase soon if you don’t want to miss out on these deals.
Best Buy has the latest iPad Air available at all-time low pricing of just $450. That’s a $150 discount on this fifth-gen Wi-Fi model with 64GB of storage and an M1 chip.
Details
This Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 laptop sports a large 16-inch full HD touchscreen display as well as a 13th-gen Intel Evo i7 processor. It also comes equipped with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage.
Details
These bone conduction open-ear sport headphones are some of the best running headphones you can buy, especially with this deal.
Details
More Presidents Day deals at Best Buy:
Some items may have an additional discounts available for My Best Buy Plus or Total members, so you may want to consider signing up if you haven’t yet. Those are paid accounts, but you could make the money back in exclusive savings during this event or throughout the year if you shop at Best Buy regularly and there are some other perks too, like like free 2-day shipping with no minimum amount and extended return windows.
And if you want even more Presidents Day deals on mattresses, home security devices, Amazon devices, home goods and other great items.
Speaker 1: Hey guys. I’m here with the newest gaming handheld device. This is the MSI Claw. Maybe it looks familiar if you’ve seen a steam deck or a device like that. This thing is even more powerful according to specs. That’s the claim to fame here. This uses the new Meteor Lake processor from Intel to Core I seven here. This thing has a terabyte of memory for that configuration, 7 99, so right in that price range for these devices. Now I spent a little bit of time playing with, it feels pretty good in the hand. It’s a little bit heavy, 1.5 [00:00:30] pounds, so again, it might be tiring over time. We’ll see. This uses a seven inch, 120 hertz LCD display. It doesn’t have the same ole display found on, for example, the steam deck ole or the new switch ole, but still pretty nice bright display. Feels good in the hand.
Speaker 1: I really appreciated, for example, the triggers on the back felt really nice and the joysticks as well. So all told pretty easy to play this thing. Nice big screen. Again, the benefit here is that improved processor, you can output it to a tv, get the benefit of better graphics, [00:01:00] and of course it works with Windows 11. So this is a competitor. The Seam deck runs a similar set of PC based games. Take it on the go. One of the nice things about this large size is you can get better battery life. They’re saying the SI clog, it’s about two hours of battery life, so that’s pretty decent. Again, for this level of processing. That’s a quick look at one of the newest gaming handhelds. This is the Windows 11 based MSI claw.
There’s an element of predictability when it comes to what we’ll see every year at the Las Vegas tech bonanza CES. Big TVs? Tick. Home robots that never go on sale? Tick. An unnecessarily overdesigned toothbrush? Tick.
Every CES also brings its standout trends that dominate the big, flashy press conferences, the show floor and the late-night chatter at casino bars. Some of the biggest trends at this week’s CES 2024 were easy to foresee; a massive emphasis on AI, for example. Others, such as transparent screens and new solutions to take your house off the grid, were only discernible once we’d scoured the show floors of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Here are our key takeaways, distilled for you based on everything CNET’s editors have seen, tested and played with.
AI in everything
You have about as much chance of winning at the slot machines as finding a company that doesn’t boast of its AI prowess at CES 2024. This is far from the first time AI-powered products could be found amid the booths, but this is truly the year that AI is dominating the show.
Read more: The Most Captivating Tech at CES 2024
The way it’s showing up, says Forrester principal analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee, is “a layer of intelligence that sits atop a traditional product or service to enhance the customer experience.” He points to products such as bird feeders to identify birds and pillows that adjust to reduce snoring as key examples.
AI Is Everywhere at CES 2024. Here’s the Coolest Tech We’ve Seen So Far
See all photos
What we’re witnessing right now is the integration of major breakthroughs in AI that have occurred in the past year or so — such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT — into devices. “There’s no question that AI — specifically generative AI — is going to be a big driver of new products and services,” says CNET’s AI guru Connie Guglielmo.
Guglielmo highlights Microsoft’s decision to change up the Windows keyboard for the first time in nearly 30 years, adding a button that provides a direct link to launch its AI Copilot, as a key example. Another is Volkswagen adding ChatGPT as a standard feature in its vehicles later this year. “You can literally talk your car in a Knight Rider kind of way,” she says.
Watch this: Hands-On With the First ChatGPT-Enabled Electric Car
Along with the AI products we’ve experienced firsthand, companies are dropping hints left, right and center at CES about what we can expect to see from them in the year ahead. In an interview with CNET Senior Editor Lisa Eadicicco, Google’s Sameer Samat, general manager and vice president of Android, Google Play and Wear OS, said that AI will play a key role in the evolution of how we interact with our phones.
That supports Guglielmo’s take that “we’re just starting to see how this foundational tech is going to change the way we work, live and engage with the world.”
We’re already curious to see how this rapidly evolving technology will have changed the game again by the time CES 2025 rolls around.
The VW Golf will get chatbot technology from Cerence and OpenAI.
Cerence
The screen, reinvented
Screen technology is always a big deal at CES and this year is no exception, with exciting display advancements seen in everything from massive TVs to concept bendable phones. As CNET’s TV expert David Katzmaier puts it, “TVs are even bigger and brighter this year. Hisense and TCL, both made their mini-LED lineups twice as bright for the same money as last year, and both introduced huge, expensive models with eye-watering specifications at 110 and 115 inches.”
Neither model has been priced yet, but they’re expected to cost many thousands of dollars. New screen tech never comes cheap, and nowhere is that more obvious than in C Seed’s wild, folding N1, which splits its 137-inch display into five sections to neatly fold away — and which comes with an astonishing $200,000 price tag. What cost-of-living crisis?
Crazy displays for days.
David Katzmaier/CNET
“A new trend this year is transparent displays” Katzmaier says. “LG has made transparent OLED screens for the last few years for businesses, but its newest model will go on sale later this year for consumers.”
The idea behind that new model, the OLED T, is to allow a screen to blend more seamlessly into the surrounding room when it’s not in use, rather than simply being a gigantic black rectangle. When not in use, the display looks more like a window, with fish, stars or other objects dancing across the glass and a black film rising to cover the rear when you want it to function as a regular TV. As Katzmaier puts it: “It’s one of the coolest TVs I’ve ever seen.”
Not one to let LG have all the fun, Samsung showed off its own transparent display technology using micro-LEDs which look brighter and more colorful than OLED screens. While the demo was cool, it’s more likely we’ll see Samsung’s see-through screen in commercial applications in the near future, rather than for your next TV.
Watch this: I Saw C-Seed’s $200,000 Folding TV
Samsung showed off new screen tech for its phones, too. Its Flex In & Out Flip concept caught Eadicicco’s eye. “The concept is a Z Flip-style phone that can bend both ways,” she says. “With a device like this, you’d be able to use the screen whether the device is opened or closed, potentially making your phone much easier to use in one hand.”
Terrible product name aside, the Flex In & Out Flip shows that companies like Samsung — along with Motorola and its awesome rollable phone concept shown last year — aren’t ready to settle on one folding phone design just yet.
Next-gen gaming technology
Gaming tech remains a staple of the show floor at this year’s CES. New Intel 14th-gen mobile chips were found inside new laptops from Alienware, Lenovo, Asus, Razer and others along with expected updates across the board for higher performance. Many products, including HP’s new Omen, are eschewing the typical “battlestar” aesthetic of many legacy gaming machines, instead giving options for those of us wanting a “one size fits all” machine for working during the day and fragging noobs at night.
We’ve also seen new graphics cards from Nvidia, vibrating gaming seats from Razer and refreshed gaming-focused phones from Asus.
MSI’s The Claw is one of the most powerful handheld game consoles yet.
David Katzmaier/CNET
But we’ve also been treated to the first handheld PC gaming console using Intel chips. Valve’s SteamDeck gave us our first experience of playing PC games in a hand-held format when it launched back in 2022, and both Asus and Lenovo were quick to bring out their own versions. But while the models from Valve, Asus and Lenovo all use AMD processors, MSI’s new Claw handheld packs Intel Core Ultra 5 or 7 processors, which CNET Principal Writer Scott Stein reckons could make it the most powerful PC handheld around.
Windows-based PC handhelds have been generally well received, allowing keen gamers to enjoy their polygon punching from the comfort of their couches without having to always fire up a gigantic, LED-strewn gaming rig. MSI’s Intel-based model will bring a fresh injection of competition to the burgeoning category.
“What the Claw symbolizes may be even more important than what it does,” Stein says. “Intel is joining the party on new handheld-ready gaming chips, which suggests that hardware manufacturers should be even more able to create Steam Deck-like handhelds running Windows.”
Futuristic CES 2024 Tech Concepts We Can Hardly Wait For
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Energy tech evolution
At previous editions of CES, the lack of home energy tech and serious solutions to help us tackle the environmental crisis has left us a little puzzled. There’s no time like the present to right those wrongs and declare green technology a major trend of the show this year.
Over the past few years, we’ve been buffeted by cost-of-living and environmental crises, amid skyrocketing energy prices, a greater need for more sophisticated heating and cooling tech, pressure on the electrical grid and waves of power outages. Smart homeowners everywhere are more aware that they need to take their energy management into their own hands, and CES 2024 has shown us how tech companies are responding.
Products such as a portable, whole-home backup battery from EcoFlow and new solar technology in the form of electricity-generating stained glass are just some of the innovations in energy technology. Meanwhile, our road to increasing self-reliance is being paved with things like moisture-farming tech that can generate water from thin air and smart energy services that let you switch between on-grid and off-grid energy sources with a single button.
Think you know what solar panels look like? This thing is capturing the energy of light.
Jon Reed/CNET
Are the products at CES 2024 enough to make a serious statement about the tech industry’s commitment to sustainability? No. But as Forrester principal analyst Thomas Husson said ahead of the show, it’s “a small step in the right direction.”
“The next stage would be to embed sustainability and circular economy principles into the very design of new technology and product offerings,” he added.
In the meantime, the new technologies we’ve seen this year can help us imagine what a livable future looks like as the realities of climate change, particularly extreme weather, continue to set in.
Speaker 1: Today we are announcing the Super series. Let’s take a look.
Speaker 1: [00:01:00] This is the RTX 40 80 Super. For gamers, it can power fully Ray Trace games at 4K. It is 1.4 x faster than the RTX 30 80 tie without frame gen in the most graphically intensive games. With 836 [00:01:30] AI s, frame Generation delivers an extra performance boost making the 40 80 Super twice as fast as a 30 80 TI. Creators can generate video with stable video diffusion, one and a half times faster, and images with stable diffusion XL 1.7 x faster. The RTX 40 80 super features more cores and faster memory, giving it a performance edge at a great new price [00:02:00] of 9 99. The RTX 40 80 Super will be available January 31st. Next up is the RTX 40 70 tie super. We’ve added more cores and increased the frame buffer to 16 gigabytes and the memory bust to 2 56 bits. It’s the perfect GPU to max out your high refresh. 1440 P panels and even game at 4K creators will love it. For video editing and rendering large 3D scenes, it’s [00:02:30] 1.6 x faster than a 30 70 TI and two and a half times faster. With DLS S3, it’ll be available on January 24 for 7 99. We’re also introducing the RTX 40 70 super. We’ve added 20% more cores making it faster than the RTX 30 90 at a fraction of the power. And with DL SS three, it’s one and a half times faster. It’ll be available for 5 99 starting January 17th.
Speaker 2: [00:03:00] Pax Day is a social sandbox o inspired by the legends of the medieval era where myths, surreal ghosts exist and magic is unquestioned developed by mainframe industries with veterans from CCP games. Blizzard and Remedy Entertainment Day will launch an early access on PC with AI accelerated DS S3 in spring 2024. Here’s a peek at never before Seen gameplay. [00:04:00] Last summer, Diablo four launched with DLS S3 and immediately became blizzard’s fastest selling game of all time. I’m pleased to announce that Ray Tracing is coming to Diablo Ford this March. Here’s an exclusive look with RTX on
Speaker 2: [00:04:30] At the intersection of gaming and creating is NVIDIA’s modding platform TX remix. With remix Modders can remaster their favorite [00:05:00] classic games with full ray tracing and DS S3 and use generative AI tools to transform a classic games low resolution textures into 4K physically accurate materials. We are excited to announce that the RTX remix app will be releasing an open beta on January 22nd. The Community Mod Team ORBE Fold Studios is using RTX remix to reimagine one of the greatest games of all time, Half-Life. Two. Let’s check out their latest trailer for a first look at Raven Home with DS 3.5.
Speaker 1: [00:06:00] RTX is the fastest [00:06:30] growing laptop platform having grown five times in just the last four years. Over 50 million devices are enjoyed by gamers and creators across the globe. Today we are announcing a new wave of RTX laptops launching from every major M from 14 inch as slim as 16 millimeters to the most powerful 18 inch. There is a laptop for every gamer and creator. And thanks to powerful RT and tensor cores, every [00:07:00] TX laptop is AI ready for the best gaming and AI experiences. With an installed base of a hundred million GPUs and 500 TX games and apps, X is the world’s largest platform for gamers, creators, and now generative AI. For AI enthusiasts and developers, we are accelerating large language models for RTX PCs and workstations, and combined with Nvidia GPUs in the cloud, hybrid AI will [00:07:30] take experiences further. Even bringing life to game characters.
Speaker 3: Guess I’m kind of a big deal now
Speaker 1: To power these experiences. We announced our new Super GForce desktop GPUs delivering more performance and gen AI power to gamers and creators. We also announced a new wave of AI TX laptops from every major EM delivering the ultimate in mobile performance. A new era PC computing is here and it will transform [00:08:00] everything we dovid and our partners are excited for. What comes next.
I was never a big fan of Razer’s HyperSense haptics technology — the vibrations never seemed to match up with what I expected, and it was incorporated only into headsets, which didn’t make much sense to me perceptually. Now the company’s replacing it with a new generation of vibration, which it calls Sensa HD Haptics. Project Esther, an add-on gaming chair cushion unveiled at CES, is the first demonstration Razer’s held of the new technology, which comes via its acquisition of Interhaptics in 2022.
A chair cushion makes a lot more sense than a headset, though it can be integrated into multiple types of products thanks to the complete developers’ kit, which allows game creators to control directionality, mixed intensities based on locations and the ability to integrate across devices for coordinated feels. In addition to in-game support, the software can convert audio to haptics on the fly, hopefully better than HyperSense ever did.
The front and back of the cushion.
Razer/CNET
The “HD” reflects the broad frequency range it supports, which theoretically can deliver more accurate sensation. Project Esther has 16 actuators positioned around the cushion intended to provide better sensations of direction, distance and location.
This implementation seems a lot more developed and commercially viable than a lot of Razer’s previous CES concepts, at least in the absence of pricing, which is one of the big issues the company usually runs into. In this case, the cushion straps onto a chair — and not just Razer’s own chairs, which makes a big difference, and it works in conjunction with Razer’s HyperSpeed Wireless. Wired would just be… no.
The cushion attached to Razer’s Enki Pro chair.
Razerr
A lot would be riding on the materials, because durability and comfort are obviously key factors, assuming the technology works well. Because it’s still a concept, Razer hasn’t shared any pricing or availability, or even what other products Sensa HD might appear in.
Samsung Gaming Hub, a cloud gaming interface built into the Korean company’s TVs, is getting its own official video game controller courtesy of accessories manufacturer PDP, Samsung said in a press release ahead of CES 2024 on Friday.
The controller, which looks most reminiscent of an Xbox game pad, will launch later this year and cost $50. It’ll come in “Replay Midnight Blue” and will say “Designed for Samsung Gaming Hub” on the back.
This controller by PDP is the first in the Designed for Samsung Gaming Hub program, which will see more accessories release for Samsung televisions. Samsung says that the Designed for Samsung Gaming Hub designation will ensure that products have been tested for quality, compatibility and safety and will “guarantee the best possible game streaming experience.”
Samsung Gaming Hub also works with existing Xbox and PS5 controllers.
The PDP-designed controller will allow for 40 hours of playtime per charge, a 30-foot low-latency Bluetooth connection, a dedicated Samsung Gaming Hub button and TV volume controls. The controller is currently up for preorder at PDP’s website and Amazon. A Best Buy listing should be landing soon.
Samsung and PDP didn’t immediately respond to requests for further comment.
Samsung
As gaming continues to become more mainstream, TV manufacturers have been looking at ways to appeal to gamers. Samsung launched its Gaming Hub in 2022, an interface that connects to game streaming services such as Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass. LG markets its OLED TVs as ideal for gaming, with Dolby Vision support, 4K resolution, variable refresh rate up to 120Hz and low latency. Sony, too, markets its line of Bravia XR TVs as gaming televisions. Considering that gaming is a $225 billion industry, TV manufacturers want to cement themselves as the best place to play.
Watch this: Can the Samsung Gaming Hub Replace An Xbox?
Samsung Gaming Hub works like the Netflix app on your TV, but instead of streaming movies it streams video games. Like Netflix, the quality of play is dependent on your internet connection, with a slow stream leading to a lower image quality. While our Samsung Gaming Hub review noted that streaming a game won’t look as good as actually having a console under your television, it was still a solid and serviceable experience overall.
With a secondhand solar panel, a battery and a Raspberry Pi minicomputer, game developer Kara Stone got the server powering her games running for just a few hundred dollars. When people point out that cloudy days could leave the server unpowered and her games inaccessible, Stone says that’s part of the point.
“We can’t expect everything to be constantly available to us 24-7, and it’s OK that things are temporarily up and then down,” Stone said.
To further reduce its carbon impact, her next game, Known Mysteries, uses highly compressed video footage to shrink its data footprint. In stark contrast to the ultra-high-definition images found in today’s top-tier games, the visuals are as fuzzy as videos from old Encarta CD encyclopedias. Unlike modern big-budget titles, which often top 100GB, an early version of her game was just 200MB in size — intentionally constrained game design, resulting in lower impact on the climate.
Stone is one of a growing number of game developers taking climate responsibility into their own hands. The gaming industry has been slow to recognize that creating and playing video games consumes a lot of energy and produces emissions — which contributes to climate change. Advocates for more sustainable game development argue video games must reduce their impact on the planet.
And while the video game industry is paying more attention to sustainability, only a portion of gaming companies release climate impact data. Even fewer account for how much energy is used by gamers around the world.
Read more: After Climate Change, What Does a ‘Livable Future’ Look Like?
Adam Berry/Getty Images
A cruise liner sinking itself
By conservative estimates, the $184 billion video game industry consumes a similar amount of energy and produces a comparable amount of emissions as the global film industry — or that of the European country of Slovenia, says Australian academic-turned-consultant Ben Abraham. Abraham’s 2020 book, Digital Games After Climate Change, is one of the handful of thorough investigations of how the video game industry’s emissions impact the planet.
Abraham broadly estimates the gaming industry produced between 3 million and 15 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2020 to create video games. That includes energy bought from local grids and used to keep the lights on and computers powered as developers make games.
Abraham’s estimate doesn’t account for a wide range of other activities, from making consoles and computer hardware to shipping games to players (or powering servers for them to download digitally) to flying developers and executives out for business meetings and conferences.
We can get one window into the sheer scale of these emissions from one of the world’s largest game studios, Ubisoft. Of the company’s annual carbon footprint (which was 148 kilotons of carbon dioxide in 2021), only 5% to 10% is from the company’s direct operations. The remaining emissions break down to around 10% to 15% to distribute games over networks and into retail stores, 40% for producing gaming devices and 40% for player use, including the energy used to power PCs and consoles
Microsoft estimates that the average gamer with a high-performance gaming device consumes 72 kilograms of carbon dioxide annually. In the US alone, gamers generate 24 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, according to a Project Drawdown report.
Game makers aren’t ignorant of what’s happening. Some of the biggest companies have set sustainability targets. Late last year, Abraham released a report focusing on the 33 largest publishers and studios in the industry that have set net-zero emissions goals. He found that 10 have ambitious plans to reach the milestone before 2030, including tech giants like Microsoft, Apple and Google, but also Ubisoft, Tencent and Riot Games. Sony has set a net-zero goal of 2040, while Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco, Konami and Sega have set theirs for 2050 — the bare minimum, Abraham said.
“Anything less than that, you are basically committing to destroying the planet,” Abraham said.
Each of these companies has a different strategy for getting to net-zero emissions, including offsetting, or buying green energy credits to “cancel out” what’s consumed in fossil fuel energy, a tactic seen by critics as a form of greenwashing.
Read more: The Green Revolution Is Being Held Back by Red Tape
Paras Griffin/Getty Images
Righting the ship
Every year, tens of thousands of game developers converge on San Francisco to meet at the Game Developers Conference. They swap business cards and meet over potential partnerships in between panel presentations where peers share contacts and lessons learned in the brutal, competitive world of game development. At GDC in late March 2023, hidden in the packed schedule of hundreds of events were a handful dedicated to climate change.
The most high-profile event was Microsoft’s showcase for a new software toolkit. Named the Xbox Developer Sustainability Toolkit, it guided developers to clean up their games’ performance, which can result in more effective energy consumption. Microsoft has also implemented a number of updates allowing players more control over the energy consumption of their home consoles.
Given how performance and visuals tend to be fetishized by players (and games media), the competitive logic is to maximize at all costs. But shifting player attitudes in favor of climate-saving efforts has opened a door for Microsoft to find a way to reduce player-side emissions by empowering developers to improve efficiency in their games.
“It’s the first time that game developers have ever had real-time energy and emissions measurement tools in their hands,” Trista Patterson, Microsoft’s director of sustainability, told CNET. Patterson assumed the role after co-founding Playing for the Planet, an alliance of games companies that have made sustainability pledges.
The testing kit works like this: Devs can run through a game in progress, play a segment while watching the energy use and dive straight into the code from there.
Microsoft had Halo Infinite developers use the Sustainability Dev Kit to look for energy savings, and they discovered that lowering resolution and frames-per-second in areas players would least notice, like pause screens and menus, could save up to 55% of power without players noticing.
Microsoft is making the kit available to developers working on games outside PC and Xbox. When Xbox met with producers at Ubisoft to talk about the Sustainability Dev Kit, ideas were kicked around about future eco-modes in games to help lower consumers’ monthly energy bills and spotlight games’ low emissions to appeal to conservation-minded gamers, Patterson said.
Given Patterson’s experience at Playing for the Planet, it’s no surprise that she sees the possibility for the industry to unite and save itself. Gaming “is a wonderful artistic medium able to create alternative ways of looking at a problem,” Patterson said. Preserving games keeps alive a creative and joyful outlet for many, which is crucial in dark times, Patterson said.
“Play is the antidote of doom,” Patterson said.
Of the console makers, Microsoft is most focused on climate-related energy — or at least has made the most headlines doing so. As CNET Science Editor Jackson Ryan noted, giving players an optional software toggle probably won’t save much energy and seems like more of a PR stunt. Yet the company has given players options to reduce their own footprint, like with its new Xbox controllers made of recycled materials.
That’s still more deliberate action than platform holders like Sony and Nintendo. Both companies release corporate social responsibility reports that outline their respective actions toward sustainability. Nintendo, for instance, has a list of conservation regulations in countries where it operates that it complies with, but no clear overall strategy to reduce emissions.
“Reducing our environmental impact is one of our four global CSR priority areas and will continue as we work to advance these initiatives,” read an official statement provided to CNET by Nintendo.
Sony, on the other hand, has pledged to use 100% renewable energy in its internal operations by 2030. The company also aims to reach carbon neutrality across its entire operation by 2040, which includes making products and shipping them through supply chains, but it’s unclear if Sony also includes player emissions in this calculus.
Read more: How These 24-Ton Bricks Could Fix a Huge Renewable Energy Problem
Bloomberg/Getty Images
At the Games Developers Conference, conversations and community
At GDC 2023, Sam Barrett, chief of Youth and Advocacy for the UN Environment Programme, explained to a couple dozen attendees how the gaming industry crowd could be taking additional steps at their companies to combat climate change. Barrett spoke for the Playing for the Planet Alliance, a collection of 40 game studios and publishers that pledge to reduce emissions.
Barrett led the crowd, most of whom were game developers, in an exercise tracking how sustainable their workplace is via a 10-step survey (available online here). But he was careful not to shame those in the audience whose workplaces haven’t yet taken any steps.
“If we set the bar so high that people don’t feel it’s for them, it becomes an elite community,” Barrett said. “We want to create a general community where nobody feels judged for where they’re at on this journey, and people are supportive and collaborative to help them go further, faster.”
The Alliance’s impact is slow but growing. Per its 2022 annual report, 64% of its members are seeking net-zero carbon or carbon neutrality, and its sustainability-themes-in-games Green Game Jam celebrated 2.5 million trees being planted in the real world thanks to member games, as well as a climate march in Ubisoft’s Riders Republic game.
That’s too slow for some in the audience, like Patrick Prax, associate professor at Uppsala University in Sweden.
“I think the games industry maybe hasn’t understood yet how serious the situation is or how much needs to be done,” Prax said during an interview with CNET at the GDC.
The gaming industry is still ahead of others that haven’t even started to look at their contributions to climate change, Prax said, but if the United Nations’ guidance is to fundamentally rewrite how our society works to combat climate change, we won’t get there quickly enough by fixing frame rates.
Prax has a definitive list of problems that need solving.
There’s emissions, but there’s also the components required to make consoles and PCs themselves. Coltan, an ore found in smartphones and games consoles, is widely reported to be mined by child slaves in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Pushing the full responsibility on players to lower emissions won’t work — it has to come from systemic change at the source of emissions. Like every industry feeling public pressure, gaming has two options, Prax posits: come up with solutions internally or face legislated regulations.
Legislation isn’t the best solution, as it can take years to pass or be stonewalled, but there also hasn’t been much of a push for video game companies to agree on industrywide emissions rules, either voluntary or mandated.
If the gaming industry needs to shift, so too does gaming and media culture. That includes softening player standards for bleeding-edge graphics. If studios and publishers are stepping up, games journalism can too, Prax said — perhaps by mentioning the energy cost to run games in their reviews.
Players shouldn’t be left out of the equation entirely, Prax said, and it could help to make it clear how much energy they’re using in real time. Some of his students at Uppsala University pitched interface icons telling players how efficient their console or PC was while playing.
Developers shifting the industry from within
Arnaud Fayolle was a Ubisoft developer who riled up his coworkers into forming pro-climate internal company interest groups until his employer created a climate-focused advocacy job for him. At the GDC, Fayolle gave a presentation explaining how attendees can use stories or mechanics that highlight climate issues. If players grapple with dwindling resources and fossil fuel energy sources with polluting consequences in games, maybe that’ll sink into their reality too.
The video game industry can take the lead by making content that educates players; content that motivates them to take action and adopt pro-environmental behaviors, Fayolle said. “In game design terms, we call this a positive reinforcement loop.”
Despite differing opinions, Prax, Fayolle and many others attended a pair of roundtables held by the International Game Developers Association Climate Special Interest Group, a community of gaming industry professionals, academics and researchers that Fayolle helped found (Prax and Abraham are also members).
Nominally existing in an online Discord with around 800 members, the IGDA Climate SIG strategizes about how to rally the gaming industry from within and without. Gathered in person at the GDC, leaders of the SIG lined the chairs of the roundtable discussions to listen to how climate change is affecting gaming studios worldwide.
“In order for us to continue making and playing the games we love, our business operations have to evolve, the way we think about our content and our players needs to evolve and meet the needs that we need to be prepared for,” said Paula Angela Escuadra, cofounder of the IGDA Climate SIG alongside Fayolle who is also a senior user experience strategist for cloud gaming at Xbox Game Studios.
In the absence of industrywide standards and resources regarding climate change in the workplace, the members of the Climate SIG have made their own Environmental Game Design Playbook to walk developers through greening their industry. From research, they identified four ways to predict how favorable someone is to combating climate change: knowledge of climate issues, pro-environmental attitude, confidence to make change and hope. By and large, developers who join the SIG probably have the first two, but are stuck on the third, Escuadra said.
Baking climate concerns into games seems like a bummer in a hobby players turn to for escapism, but it isn’t new — games have had climate-related plots and settings since the 1980s, because games are a reflection of what we see in the world. Modern indie games like I Was A Teenage Exocolonist engage with explicit themes of capitalism-induced climate destruction, but even mainstream blockbusters like Horizon Zero Dawn and Gears of War integrate climate change-related civilization collapse in their narratives.
“The long-term vision is that sustainability becomes integrated in every aspect of game development,” Escuadra said. “How every game developer wants to define that is up to them, and we’re here just to make it a little bit easier and measurable.”
Reflecting on climate realities also keys in on something unique to games — the inspiring power of making change while we play. This is the power that game developers have, Escuadra said: to create new worlds with major existential threats and put players in positions where they can build the tools to tackle them — and then try again if they fail.
“That safety is so important, and it’s safety that we don’t have in the real world,” Escuadra said. “If we’re able to just bring a little bit of that into the real world, the amount of things that we can do without people being so afraid of failing is incredible.”
It’s no surprise that Kara Stone is a member of the IGDA Climate SIG, and her solar server project embodies its ideals. She’s one of many game developers finding her own way to lower her game’s carbon footprint and even move away from reliance on fossil fuels.
“There’s different possibilities for the aesthetics of [your game], the actual design, the production, how it’s distributed,” Stone said. “There’s so many different ways that can be done, which I think is amazing.”
If you played Dungeons & Dragons in the ’90s and early 2000s, the word Planescape likely stirs some strong memories inside you. For me, a player just barely into my teens among several much more experienced TTRPG fans, it was like a whole new game had been released inside this game I didn’t get to play nearly enough. The concept of a multiverse has existed in some form across short stories, novels, comic books, television and movies for almost a hundred years. But if you were to ask many of the creators of multiverse stories today where they found inspiration, there’s a good chance Planescape would be one of the top answers.
In its continued highly successful efforts to modernize some of what is now considered classic D&D, Wizards of the Coast has breathed new life into Planescape with a new campaign collection called Adventures in the Multiverse. After spending two weeks and one slightly rushed campaign in these new books, I feel it’s important to warn would-be owners of this collection: If you buy these books, they will consume what remains of your free time for quite a while.
Wizards of the Coast
Welcome back to the infinite and the impossible known in the D&D world as Planescape. This new campaign collection introduces new and veteran players to a modern look at this massive addition to D&D storytelling with a core book, a character and creature book, and a new adventure set in the multiverse complete with a DM screen to help you guide players through this weird and wonderful creation.
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse is a three-book collection in a box set complete with a DM screen, with a fairly standard $59 set or the $85 limited edition upgrade. Each set includes a ton of artwork by an incredible group of artists, as well as cover art by Tony DiTerlizzi, one of the original artists in the first release of Planescape.
The three books are broken out in a familiar fashion. Sigil and The Outlands explores the lore and physical spaces Planescape happens in; Morte’s Planar Parade offers in-depth looks at all of the creatures, monsters and characters you need to know; and Turn of Fortune’s Wheel is an adventure you can play within this setting. You need all three books to DM a Planescape game, but if you’re a player interested in learning or just staring at all of the very pretty pictures without story spoilers, the first two books in this series are a great read.
This casino floor plays a big part in the Planescape adventure book Turn of Fortune’s Wheel.
Wizards of the Coast
It’s important to understand Planescape is, by design, a massive addition to the core world Dungeons & Dragons is built upon. You can use these books to add a little taste of the multiverse to an existing game, or you can play entirely in this world. In very much the same way the multiverse is described in recent Marvel films as being infinitely complex with an unlimited number of possibilities, Planescape is a wildly impressive set of tools you can use to expand the way you either play or DM. If you’re not sure what that would even look like, the Turn of Fortune’s Wheel adventure is a spectacular way to wrap your head around these concepts.
Without spoiling anything in this adventure, Turn of Fortune’s Wheel quickly introduces players not only to the planar city Sigil, but a ton of the concepts that make Planescape special. This is a world where it’s not uncommon for creatures you’ve never even heard of to step through a portal and start up a friendly conversation, but it’s also possible for you to meet an alternate version of your character who maybe doesn’t agree with the way you’re doing things. This story takes players from level 3 all the way to 17, and I can honestly say I’ve never seen players react to the twists in this adventure like this in any D&D game I’ve run. It’s a blast. I honestly cannot wait to DM this adventure again.
Just because the concept of a multiverse is now a lot easier for most folks to wrap their heads around, don’t expect to play a Planescape game without doing quite a bit more work than you normally would ahead of a game. Sigil is weird, dangerous in ways a lot of players can’t imagine and sometimes kind of gross. If you’re not careful, new players could quickly become overwhelmed with how different Planescape adventures are from an average D&D story. You won’t use every single thing you read in Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse in a single campaign, or even the five after that. If you choose to add this set to your arsenal as a DM or as a player, you’re going to be finding clever ways to add these concepts to your games for a very long time to come.
From Azeroth to Pandaria, from the Dry Steppes of Sanctuary all the way to Candy Kingdom, the world of Activision Blizzard just got even bigger.
If, like me, you’ve played the classic Blizzard games endlessly on PC, Microsoft has potentially game-changing (literally) news for you: You’ll soon be able to access these classic games in more formats and places.
The biggest gaming news of the year came on Friday the 13th, when Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of gaming studio Activision Blizzard finally closed, with the mammoth gaming studio joining the Xbox team along with popular franchises Call of Duty, Overwatch and World of Warcraft.
“Today we begin a new chapter as we officially become a part of the Microsoft family, uniting with the amazing Xbox team and co-creating the future of gaming together,” Activision Blizzard wrote on Oct. 13. “To the reapers, fighters, rogues, and airstrikers, The sharpshooters, revivers, healers, and bubble bursters, Sorcerers, shamans, slayers and survivors, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for playing with us.”
It was something of an epic quest just for Microsoft to get here in the first place. The acquisition, announced in January 2022, faced resistance across the world, with regulators in the US, the EU, the UK and New Zealand concerned that it would lead to a lack of competition in the gaming sector, as it would put Microsoft into the mix of the top three video game publishers in the world along with Tencent and Sony.
There’s a lot that will happen because of this deal, both within Activision Blizzard and with the games it produces, the cloud-streaming subscription services that’ll get access to those games and whether Sony and Nintendo benefit from this. I’m here to walk you through what we know, what we don’t know yet and what we can wish for.
Ready Player One (and two) on PS5 and Nintendo
To get the acquisition through, Microsoft promised not to lock down Activision Blizzard games to its Xbox consoles. This suggestion of more cross-console compatibility also means lovers of the PC games from Blizzard may soon be able to play in other places.
While I’m hopeful that StarCraft II will be making its way to the Nintendo Switch or PlayStation 5 so I can resume losing 2v2 battles online, it’s mostly unknown exactly which games will be added to which consoles.
We can rest assured, though, that Call of Duty will be staying on the PlayStation platform under a 10-year “binding agreement” between Microsoft and Sony as confirmed by Xbox boss Phil Spencer in July. Through a cloud gaming deal with Ubisoft, Activision games could also be coming to the PS5 through the Ubisoft Plus streaming service.
Microsoft had earlier reached a 10-year deal to bring the Call of Duty series to Nintendo consoles. It’s unknown yet if any other games will be coming to the Switch.
There’s also a 10-year deal to keep Call of Duty on Valve’s Steam service, but questions remain on whether it’ll come to the Steam Deck handheld console.
Activision Blizzard games on streaming services
Another of Microsoft’s big promises when pushing through the acquisition was that it would bring the games acquired to streaming services, negating the need for you to buy physical copies of the games in favor of just downloading them right onto your PC or console. There are already multiple ways this will happen.
First, Xbox has started work on bringing Activision, Blizzard and King game franchises to Xbox Game Pass “and other platforms,” with an update on the process expected in the months ahead.
Second, Microsoft sold cloud streaming rights for Activision Blizzard games to Ubisoft in August as part of an agreement to get the acquisition approved by the UK regulatory authority, in an effort to bypass concerns over creating an anti-competitive gaming market.
The deal with Ubisoft contains “perpetual cloud streaming rights for Call of Duty and all other current Activision Blizzard games and those released over the next 15 years,” Ubisoft said on Oct.13. Ubisoft has the rights to license the games individually to third-party streaming providers as well.
Third, Microsoft made a 10-year agreement with Nvidia earlier this year to allow continued access to Xbox games on the GeForce Now cloud gaming platform and to add in Activision Blizzard games once the acquisition was approved.
Last, if you live in the European Economic Area, Microsoft is required to allow any cloud streaming service to license Activision games for free so players who own copies of those games can play for free.
Read more: Here Are the Best Game Subscription Services
A gamer’s game changer
It’s not just the Blizzard worlds and Call of Duty mega franchise. Microsoft now also owns console darling Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, the King’s Quest reboot on PC and mobile juggernaut Candy Crush Saga.
And by acquiring Activision Blizzard’s suite of PC games, Microsoft will become more competitive with the Epic Games Store and Valve’s Steam, as it will have both the Microsoft Store and Battle.net. Games like World of Warcraft have a huge, loyal customer base — the MMORPG is estimated to have 130 million subscribers and 1.2 million daily players this month — that now transfers to Microsoft.
Looking forward, as the studio no doubt has multiple games — including an unnamed Survival game — in the works, Microsoft likely has its own ideas of what it wants developed, expanded or scrapped.
IDC gaming analyst Lewis Ward told CNET he thinks it’s unlikely Microsoft will change Activision Blizzard’s roadmap right out of the gate, sticking with the studio’s plans through 2024 at least. But he believes the exit of current CEO Bobby Kotick “will help lift a cloud from the Activision Blizzard brand.”
“The acquisition could even breathe new life into smaller games and older franchises like Crash Bandicoot, Hearthstone, Spyro and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater because they may fill a hole in the Game Pass lineup,” Ward added.
From a development perspective, the acquisition has the potential to prevent indie games from being made. It’s likely Microsoft would focus its budget on pushing in-house content into its Game Pass service rather than giving smaller indie studios the budget to develop their own games for Xbox, Ward says.
Expanding Game Pass may become a primary driver for whatever Microsoft decides to do next with the newly acquired games.
“It’s likely that larger undisclosed titles, especially if they are reboots or sequels, have been in the works and will continue to receive support and prioritization under Microsoft, especially if those games will bolster player adoption of Microsoft’s Game Pass,” a board member of the International Game Developers Association, who asked that we not use their name, told CNET.
Changes to gaming culture
Stepping back from the games themselves for a moment, let’s hope that Microsoft has a positive impact across the workplace culture inside Activision Blizzard. The gaming studio has faced accusations of fostering a toxic “frat boy” atmosphere, in an ongoing lawsuit brought by the state of California (Activision has countersued). A labor union has filed a complaint over alleged intimidation.
In 2021, Activision Blizzard agreed to pay $18 million to settle a lawsuit from the US Equal Employment Opportunity over allegations of sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination and retaliation, with former CEO J. Allen Brack stepping down and more than 20 workers being fired.
Microsoft’s 2022 diversity report cites women as making up 30.7% of its workforce. Activision Blizzard’s sits at 25% as of the end of 2022. While employee numbers are an indication of diversity efforts, they don’t tell the whole story: The environment in which people work is also critical for making impactful, inclusive games in 2023 and ahead.
When announcing the acquisition in January 2022, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discussed how he had shifted Microsoft’s intensely competitive inner workings, and said Spencer would do the same within Activision Blizzard.
“The culture of our organization is my No. 1 priority,” Nadella said at the time. “We are supportive of the goals and the work Activision Blizzard is doing and we also recognize that after the close, we will have significant work to do in order to continue to build a culture where everyone can do their best work.”
Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard roster of games
For the record, here are all the Activision Blizzard gaming series now owned by Microsoft:
Microsoft’s various 10-year deals with competitors mean there will be no immediate impacts of the acquisition on Sony’s PlayStation or in the Nintendo space. But over time, it’s likely to benefit Microsoft in the console wars.
“If you think about it, Sony’s customers will now be paying Microsoft to play CoD and all those other franchises,” IDC’s Ward said. “It’s just a huge sea change in terms of the flow of money, and potentially some customer-related information, moves around the gaming ecosystem.”
Activision Blizzard’s exit from being an independent studio to become part of the Microsoft empire will have far-reaching consequences across all gaming platforms worldwide: mobile, PC, consoles and streaming.
Whether our favorite games are rebooted, scrapped or greenlit, Microsoft now wields much greater power to decide how, where and what we play.
The Nintendo Switch is a great handheld console, but it can be even better when you play on the big screen. Extended playing sessions are when the Joy-Cons can fall down, especially if you have larger hands. The PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller is one of the best Nintendo Switch controllers on the market right now, and if you’re quick you can pick one up for just $42.
That’s the price Best Buy is currently offering this controller for, making this a deal that saves you $18 off the normal $60 asking price. This is one of the best prices we’ve seen this controller sell for to date, although we have seen it cheaper. Still, if you missed that previous best price, this is a great time to make sure that you don’t miss out again. Still looking to spend a little less? A similar, but wired, version of the controller can be had for just $30, too.
Back to the main event, the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller has all of the features you’d expect from such a thing. It supports Bluetooth 5.0 for a solid connection and has motion controls and mappable gaming buttons for those who like to customize their experience. The internal and rechargeable battery lasts for around 30 hours of gameplay and the whole thing is officially licensed by Nintendo, so you know you’re getting a quality product.
Along with the controller, you’ll find a 10-foot USB-C charging cable so you can play and charge at the same time, too.
Do note that we don’t know when this price will change, so that’s something to keep in mind when planning your purchase.
Over the years, Beats, which is owned by Apple, has released its headphones and earbuds in a variety of new colors to help freshen them up over their extended product cycles. But for the first time it’s entered the video gaming world with a new partnership with EA Sports’ FC 24, this year’s game in the highly popular soccer franchise — or football as it’s known throughout most of the world — that until this year carried FIFA branding.
Beats says that users who buy and play FC 24 by Nov. 1 will earn Founder status and receive in-game rewards including a permanent Erling Haaland item in Ultimate Team, as well as a custom pair of digital Haaland-inspired Beats Studio Pro Viking headphones for your character to wear in Volta Football, the street-style mode that has players competing on small pitches. Haaland is a star striker and Beats brand ambassador who plays for Manchester City in the English Premier League. The fearsome Norwegian is on the cover of the standard edition of the game.
I can’t say I found the Viking design of the headphone all that eye-catching. It’s a black and white affair with “Viking” splayed across the headband. But perhaps in time we’ll see different versions of it with a little more color.
Beats notes that coming in December in FC 24’s Player Career mode, players will be able to purchase virtual Beats headphones with their in-game salaries to earn Personality Points that elevate their performance in-game. “Further along in their career, players can also become a Beats Ambassador for additional salary and in-game PlayStyles benefits,” Beats says, and “in Manager Career mode, players will be able to assign Beats inspired kits to their custom created clubs.”
Alas, you can’t buy a real-life physical version of the Haaland Viking Beats Studio Pro. The headphones, which launched back in July, come in brown, black, navy and sandstone. They list for $350, but were recently on sale at Amazon for October Prime day for $180 (look for the same deal as we head into Black Friday next month). Read our Beats Studio Pro review here.
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
Reviews ethics statement
Scott SteinEditor at Large
I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.
ExpertiseVR and AR, gaming, metaverse technologies, wearable tech, tabletsCredentials
Nearly 20 years writing about tech, and over a decade reviewing wearable tech, VR, and AR products and apps
Over the last few years, we’ve witnessed the revival of handheld game consoles — thanks to the convenience of on-the-go gaming and streaming technology. Additionally, there’s no doubt that the 2017 success of the Nintendo Switch also contributed to the shift. These days, there are even more options: Steam Deck, indie and retro consoles like the Panic Playdate, Analogue Pocket and Evercade EXP, and mobile streaming devices like the Razer Edge and Logitech G Cloud. Here are the best dedicated handheld game console options and why they’re worth considering.
Phones and tablets already do a fine job of playing tons of great games and streaming games from consoles or the cloud. Dedicated devices can provide unique features, exclusive games or extra power to do things your phone can’t. It almost feels like a return to the mid-2010s era of the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita.
The Nintendo Switch has been the best and most affordable portable game system for years and continues to be CNET’s clear top pick. At $300 (or $350 for our favorite model), it can play a huge variety of Nintendo games and indie games, it can dock with a TV and can even play some fitness games. But Valve’s Steam Deck offers a unique proposition for those with deeper pockets: It’s large, and it can double as a full gaming PC. A year later, it’s still great (and arguably even better than before).
For those who miss retro game handhelds like the Game Boy, you might consider putting yourself on the waiting list to order the Analogue Pocket or Panic Playdate too, but both of those systems are more niche — and more indie- or retro-targeted — than the Switch and Steam Deck.
We’ll explain below.
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The Nintendo Switch is over five years old now, but Nintendo has indicated that no true successor is coming right now. A Pro model has been rumored for a while, but in the meantime the existing Switch remains extremely capable, full of great games (including lots of indie offerings), and pretty affordable considering its handheld/TV-connected dual function. The Switch has also become a fantastic source of retro games (Game Boy, NES, SNES, Genesis, N64 and more) via the subscription-based Switch Online service.
The OLED-screened Switch, which was released in October 2021, is the best Switch and our recommended pick. The more vivid and larger display looks fantastic, its rear kickstand works better for tabletop gaming, and both of these upgrades are worth the extra $50. The original Switch (or the V2 version), at $300, works similarly and is also still fine, and occasionally comes in special editions and holiday game bundles. The smaller, handheld-only Switch Lite is a great value pick at $200 for anyone who just wants a basic portable game system, but it lacks any ability to connect to a TV, and its controllers don’t detach. This makes it less versatile for families, and means you can’t replace the controllers if they break.
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Switch Lite (left), Switch (middle), OLED Switch (right): the three Nintendo Switches available now.
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Valve’s big and powerful Steam Deck is a marvel. It can play a wide variety of PC games surprisingly well, and is the dream portable for any hardcore Steam fan, or anyone who has a big library of PC games. The Steam Deck can get expensive for the larger storage tiers, but for what it’s capable of, it’s not a bad deal. The ability to play PC games or stream cloud-based games, and to connect to a monitor, keyboard or other accessories, puts the Steam Deck in a class of its own. A year later, it’s still fantastic and worth getting right now (we don’t know when a second-gen Steam Deck will be announced, though).
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The Pocket looks like a totally remade Game Boy, and it is, in a sense. Analogue’s gorgeous handheld can play original Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges perfectly, and can even play Sega Game Gear games using an adapter (Atari Lynx, Neo Geo Pocket and Turbografx-16 adapters are supposed to be coming soon). It has a high-res color screen and USB-C charging, and there’s a separately sold dock for TV play. One of the most exciting updates to the Pocket is its support for FPGA cores that can replicate classic game hardware and play ROMs. There’s no game store for buying games: Pocket is a system to play classic cartridges or other games in amazing quality, if you want to tinker around with FPGA. There’s also a growing library of Pocket-compatible software in indie gaming channels like itch.io that can be sideloaded to a microSD card, too.
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The tiny, yellow, black-and-white-screened Panic Playdate looks like a weird Game Boy with a mechanical crank sprouting from its side. But this system, made by the indie game company that developed Untitled Goose Game, plays its own tiny season of 24 indie-developed games, which come included with the purchase and appear over time like weekly presents. The Playdate has Wi-Fi and can download games or sideload other indie-developed titles from sites like itch.io, but you’ll have to learn to love the experiences you discover. We’ve loved playing on it so far, but alas, the Playdate doesn’t have any backlighting — you’ll have to find a lamp instead. A recent update has added a new on-device app catalog where games can be purchased separately, but the price of the Playdate is also going up to $199: for the same price, you can also get a Switch Lite.
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The Evercade EXP only plays its own dedicated collection of game cartridges. The cartridges include a mix of retro console or arcade games from some niche players, such as Irem, Toaplan and Jaleco, as well as Capcom, Atari and Namco. There are even platform-focused collections like Intellivision, Commodore 64 and the Atari Lynx.
The Evercade EXP comes with Capcom games preinstalled, plus an Irem cartridge (remember R-Type?). The handheld can flip to vertical mode with a press of a button for vertical TATE arcade games, a clever touch. You can also plug this into a TV (Mini HDMI cable required) and play games on a bigger screen, too.
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The Evercade EXP plays retro arcade games, and flips into vertical TATE mode, too.
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Razer’s Android mini-tablet handheld (don’t call it a phone) has a crisp, high-res 6.8-inch AMOLED display and a Qualcomm Snapdragon G3X gaming-dedicated mobile chip, and can play a wide variety of Android games. At $400 for the Wi-Fi version, it’s less expensive than many phones and comes with its own snap-on game controller that normally costs about $100.
It can stream Xbox and PC games with Android apps, too, just like your phone can. But this handheld doesn’t do enough unique things well enough to merit a true reason to get one. A Verizon-exclusive 5G-enabled version isn’t likely worth the monthly subscription cost for cellular, either.
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For a future Razer Edge, I’d love a better controller and a screen that’s optimized to TV-like aspect ratios.
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Nintendo’s teeny-tiny Game and Watch reboots, which have either a mini compilation of Super Mario or Legend of Zelda classic games on them, are still around. At $50 (or even less), they’re considerably less expensive than other handheld options. Sure, they only play a couple of games. But they’re portable, and for kids or collectors they could be a perfect little travel toy.
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Link’s Awakening lives on (plus Zelda and Zelda II)
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Tablets and phones are extremely valid game consoles: The iPad has tons of games on the App Store, and hundreds more on Apple’s subscription-based Apple Arcade. The iPad can pair with Bluetooth game controllers, too. iPhones and Android phones have tons of games as well, obviously, and a number of great game controller cases are available, including the Backbone and the Razer Kishi.
Phones and tablets also offer other advantages, including an ability to cloud-stream games on a growing number of services including Microsoft Game Pass Ultimate and PlayStation Plus.
The handhelds listed above have other advantages: unique game libraries, a chance to connect to a TV and play with others, and the capability to play higher-end PC games or classic game cartridges.
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The Nintendo Switch Pro, a long-rumored upgrade to the Switch, could eventually offer 4K gaming and perhaps upgraded controllers, although the existence of such a device is entirely speculative. Odds are that Nintendo will instead just keep slightly improving the Switch via new models every couple of years, similar to how it kept upgrading its Nintendo DS and 3DS line over time.
The Steam Deck has been on the market for just over a year, but it’s unclear when and if Valve will ever choose to upgrade it with better processors or newer features. And right now, Microsoft and Sony have stayed out of the handheld gaming picture.
Razer’s Android-based gaming tablet, the Razer Edge, shows where a wave of new gaming tablets could emerge to become the Steam Decks of the mobile world. The Edge is more Android device with controller attached, however, and isn’t much better right now than a controller you could just buy for your phone.
Logitech’s streaming-only G Cloud handheld is a similar proposition, but with its controls attached to the device. These handhelds could be pointing to how more console/PC accessories could pop up as home handhelds to stream games away from a TV, but right now you’re probably better off using your phone or tablet and a game controller to do pretty much the same thing.
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My kids alternate between iPad gaming and the Nintendo Switch. The Switch is without a doubt the best kid console, with the most family-friendly game library and best parental control settings. Still, be prepared to get annoyed at buying multiple copies of games and trudging through the process of creating multiple Switch family accounts.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is an all-you-can-play video game subscription service with exceptional value. It has evolved far beyond its Xbox-bound origins to become a subscription that delivers something for everyone who plays games, and now encompasses console and PC game downloads, access to online multiplayer services, a deal with gaming giant EA and a cloud-based service that streams games to nearly any device. It also delivers a lot of Day 1 launch games from Microsoft’s own studios.
Finding the right version of Game Pass can be confusing. Microsoft offers several versions, but because of how the features are sliced up between them, only the $15-per-month Ultimate plan, which we’ll shorten here to XGPU, with all the benefits detailed above, really makes any sense.
It’s that collection of features, for less than the cost of a 4K Netflix subscription, which earns Game Pass Ultimate an Editors’ Choice Award, especially if you have the less expensive (and occasionally discounted) Xbox Series S version of the console.
Halo Infinite is one of many big box-office games you get on Game Pass.
Microsoft
Pick the right plan
Plain old Game Pass is $10 per month, and just includes a library of games from famous to obscure, that you can download and play on Xbox One or Xbox Series X and Series S consoles. As with all these subscriptions, games enter and leave the library regularly due to licensing deals, but Microsoft staples such as Halo and Forza are usually permanent. Even when a game leaves the library, though, you can transfer your progress to another storefront like Steam — not easily, but you can do it.
If you want to play games with online multiplayer, in most cases you’ll need a separate $10 per month Xbox Live subscription to play online against other people. That’s included in the Ultimate package, so you can already see why that’s the plan Microsoft is really pushing you toward.
Note that free-to-play games, like Fortnite, don’t require an Xbox Live subscription for multiplayer.
The $10 per month Game Pass for PC plan uses a Windows-only Xbox app to download and install a subset of games from the full Game Pass library to run locally rather than stream. As these are full PC games, you’ll need a gaming laptop or desktop with a graphics card and a powerful-enough processor, plus a lot of hard drive space, to use it. Game Pass for PC also includes EA Play, a subscription that on its own costs $5 a month or $30 a year.
But the best value lies in the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. For $15 per month, you get both the console and PC game libraries, EA Play’s perks and discounts, as well as Xbox Gold — $10 a month on its own — which focuses on online multiplayer games. To top it all off, you can play on phones, iPads or even a Mac by using Xbox Cloud Gaming. For anyone who enjoys both console and PC gaming, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better deal, especially if cloud gaming continues to become a bigger part of the mix.
Read more: Best Gaming Laptop for 2022
Game selection
Action-adventure games and shooter series like Battlefield, Destiny 2, Gears of War and Halo make up a majority of the service’s catalog of about 400 games. By our count, action/adventure games made up 30% of the titles on Game Pass, with shooters accounting for another 15%. RPGs and sports titles also had a decent showing, but horror fans and puzzle aficionados will find a smaller selection (about 5% of the library). Still, Game Pass offers access to classic platformers like Banjo Kazooie, matching and puzzle games, RPGs and unique indie games such as Twelve Minutes and Hades.
The games are sorted into categories so you can easily find games that are family-friendly, action-packed or even a last shot at games that are expiring soon from the platform. Game Pass is such a comprehensive, intuitive service — once you’ve found a title that interests you, just download the game to start playing.
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The Game Pass Ultimate difference: Breadth and depth
For its intended purpose, Microsoft has unmatched advantages over competitors for several reasons. The company has a long history in gaming — Microsoft Flight Simulator launched nearly 40 years ago and the Xbox more than 20 years ago — and it owns the DirectX graphics programming interface used by both Windows and its Xbox consoles. It has well-established game development studios and gobbles up more independent studios every year, plus it has relationships with every important game developer. And it operates a huge network of state-of-the-art data centers optimized for serving cloud applications: Xbox Cloud Gaming is as much about Azure as it is about fun.
The key here is “intended purpose,” because XGPU is only one of our two cloud-gaming Editors’ Choice Awards: The other is Nvidia GeForce Now. XGPU is great if you don’t already have a big library of games or if you want to play them on any device, making it a good choice for almost anyone. GeForce Now is great if you already have a big library of PC games and want to play them on any device at high quality and frame rates, making it a good choice for more veteran gamers.
The two complement each other more than they compete, and they require the least adaptation work for developers, ensuring fast growth in the numbers of supported games. It probably takes longer to get the licensing agreements signed than to ready a game for either service.
In contrast, most of XGPU’s competitors only address pieces of the whole picture; for instance, both Google Stadia and Amazon Luna have robust networks for streaming to multiple devices, but they have small game libraries because the games are harder to bring over.
And an annoying irony is that Sony had the biggest head start of all on cloud gaming and pretty much blew it, leaving PSNow just a nice, and relatively inexpensive, choice as a game library for the PlayStation that doesn’t even offer Sony’s newest exclusives the way XGPU does.
Xbox cloud gaming on a laptop.
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Where it falls short
As a jack-of-all-trades, XGPU doesn’t master every aspect. For instance, its cloud gaming stream is still limited to 1080p at 60fps, while Stadia can do 4K and GeForce Now 1440p at 120fps.
And there are few things more rage-inducing than settling in to play on your PC and discovering that the game won’t launch until you update Windows because the Xbox app is too enmeshed with the Microsoft Store — a major buzzkill that has frequently impelled us to move on to other, non-Game Pass games.
It offers a notable number of new games and Day 1 launches, but the library also sheds games regularly. Like many subscription services, the game (or movie or TV show) you want always seems to be on the service you don’t subscribe to.
While it’s great that EA Play is included in the subscription price for XGPU, it’s not integrated that closely. For example, on the PC you still need to install yet another launcher and family settings in XGPU don’t apply to EA Play.
The value play
When it launched, Game Pass felt a lot like Netflix in its early streaming days: an interesting idea, but a thin catalog. Now it’s the default release platform for major games from Microsoft-associated publishers such as Bethesda, and hit series like Halo and Forza.
As it evolved into the multiheaded hydra that is Game Pass Ultimate, it’s hard to rationalize even buying an Xbox without also subscribing. A 12-month subscription costs the same as three major new game releases (or even less, now that a lot of new games have jumped to $70). And more importantly, it gives gamers a chance to sample a far greater range of games from developers of all sizes, solving one of gaming’s greatest discoverability problems.
Speaker 1: Alongside the reveal and launch of the iPhone 15 lineup, apple announced that console quality games would be coming to their pro series of phones. We’re going to look at that claim and see how it compares to the options available elsewhere. Let’s boot up Resident Evil Village on an iPhone 15 Pro Max and Nintendo Switch and an Xbox and see how they compare. It was only a matter of time before phones got powerful enough to run console quality games. During Apple’s iPhone event in early September, they announced that games like Death Stranding, Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Resident Evil [00:00:30] Village, all games already out on home consoles would also run on their new pro phone models. So that’s what we’re testing out today. We’ve loaded up Capcom’s Horror Action Game Resident Evil Village on three different platforms and played through the first hour or so to see how they stack up against one another.
Speaker 1: These platforms include the newly released iPhone 15 Pro Max, an Xbox Series S and the Nintendo Switch. It’s worth noting that the switch version of the game is actually a cloud-based game. This means the game isn’t actually [00:01:00] being run locally on the hardware but streamed over the internet. In order to play Resin Evil Village on a switch, your device must be connected online at all times. Both the iPhone 15 promax and Xbox versions will be running locally. Here we have the iPhone version of the game running. You can see the game features, touch controls if you’d like, but I decided to use a controller instead. Specifically, I’m using the backbone one controller clip, which connects to an iPhone or Android phone and gives you all the controller inputs you’d expect. I [00:01:30] love this device and I’ve used one for years. I’ll leave a link in the description if you want more information.
Speaker 1: What you’re looking at here is the game running at its default display settings. What’s really great about this version of the game is that you can fine tune your graphics much like you would on a PC game on default, the iPhone does a good job of having the game run smoothly, but it actually ends up looking the worst. Compared to the other two platforms we can see the textures are less detailed in both the surroundings and in character clothing. Ground textures are noticeably worse with less density of things like foliage and texturing. [00:02:00] When we crank everything up to the max from 1280 by seven 20 up to 27 96 by 1290, you can see the visuals improve greatly, but at a large hit to performance, character movement is so slow here that it’s pretty much unplayable outside of visuals. It’s worth addressing the platform we’re using.
Speaker 1: The phone is designed to dimm and eventually lock itself when there’s no screen interaction for a set period of time. The game doesn’t stop this like when you’re watching a movie. This meant that during some of the longer cut scenes, the game would pause itself and [00:02:30] my phone would lock when playing. Last thing worth noting is that the phone ran very hot during all of this. I can only imagine how much hotter it may have gotten when pushed above default settings. Luckily, I had the controller clip, so I didn’t actually feel much of this while gaming, but I can’t imagine playing this with touch controls and having it heat up so drastically. On top of that, it’s unsurprising that the Xbox version of the game looks the best out of the three platforms on the Series S, it displays a 1440 P signal at around 45 frames per second, [00:03:00] and while this isn’t the best possible version of the game, it is clearly the best in this comparison. Textures and lighting are the most dynamic and performance is smoother. It’s the most powerful platform we have here, so of course it would end up on top.
Speaker 1: The switch version looks a lot muddier than the Xbox. Ground and foliage Textures look compressed and less detailed. There’s also noticeable leg due to the cloud nature of the game. Even though I’m running on a wifi connection of around two 50 down and a hundred up, you can see how I’m constantly [00:03:30] fighting with the camera overshooting and not tracking smoothly with my inputs. It doesn’t help that you have this signal strength icon displayed in the top right corner at all times. I guess this is kind of similar to the notch cutout you have to live with on the iPhone. Overall, not a great way to play this game, and I don’t know why anyone would choose this option. I’ll show off a few more scenes side by side for you. Now,
Speaker 2: Time it’s you, the child’s father. See back
Speaker 1: [00:04:00] Between the three platforms. The Xbox is the clear standout with the iPhone 15 Pro coming up next and the switch coming in last place. This isn’t a surprising outcome, but it was great to see how well the phone version played outside of the heating issue. This is a totally serviceable way to play through Resident Evil Village. If a console or PC isn’t an option and when compared to the next most portable device, the Nintendo Switch, [00:04:30] it absolutely blows it out of the water. I never want to touch the switch version again, and I recommend you don’t either. But what do you think of the three options and how they compare? Let me know in the comments and thanks for watching.
Black Friday is no longer a single-day or even one-week event, and there are plenty of early deals rolling in at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart. Dell is jumping in on the action, and if you’re hoping to snag a next-gen gaming console this year, it just got a lot more affordable.
This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.
It’s rare to find discounts on the Xbox Series X, but right now Dell has slashed the price by $50, bringing the cost back down to an all-time low of $450. Plus, in addition to this full-size Microsoft gaming system, you’ll also get a $75 gift card that you can use at Dell on a future purchase. With so many computer and gaming peripherals, smart home devices and other tech available, this is an excellent deal. There’s no set expiration for this offer, so we’d recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.
The Xbox Series X is the most powerful console in Microsoft’s lineup. Though similar in both name and specs to the cheaper Xbox Series S, the flagship Series X offers 4K gaming, faster performance and more built-in storage. It’s also got a disc drive, which means it’s useful for people who want to play both physical and digital versions of games or use the device to play Blu-rays.
And if you’re looking to snag some other accessories for your Xbox gaming setup, you can check out our full roundup of the best Xbox deals for great bargains on headsets, controllers, storage drives and more. And if you want access to the massive library of games that comes with a Game Pass Ultimate membership, you can check out our roundup of the best subscription deals available to help you get signed up for less.
Fighting games are all the buzz in 2023 with the release of Street Fighter 6, Mortal Kombat 1 and the upcoming Tekken 8 early next year. And just as fighting games flood the market, so do new controllers.
Unlike most other genres, fighting games have spawned a niche industry of controller-makers that produce arcade sticks reminiscent of the old-school arcades. New designs have entered the market as well, like leverless controllers, known as Hit Box-style, consisting of only buttons. Gamers looking to step up their prowess with the newest fighting games should consider the bevy of options available that may up their game. But with controllers costing anywhere from $100 to $400, it’s important to find the right box to fit your style.
What are the different fighting game controller options out there?
There are three main options available for fighting games: game pads, fight sticks and leverless controllers. The game pad is the best known of the three, and includes the standard PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X controllers, as well as the separately sold Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. These pads come with a D-pad, two analog sticks, four face buttons, two shoulder buttons and two triggers. There are also fight pads, consisting of just buttons and a D-pad.
Fight sticks will be a familiar sight for anyone who spent some time in the arcades during their heyday. These controllers typically come in a rectangular box with eight face buttons and a joystick. There are some additional buttons on the top or side of the box related to the other button found on a game pad.
Then the third and newer options are called leverless sticks, or Hit Box-style controllers. It’s named after the company Hit Box, the first to patent the design. These controllers are similar to fight sticks in button setup, but instead of a joystick, have four more buttons that correspond to the up, down, left and right directions.
While Hit Box was the originator of this style of controller back in 2010, other companies have popped up offering their own spin on the style, such as Junkfood Arcades with its thin $265 Snack Box Micro. Other Hit Box-style controllers include the $400 Victrix Pro FS and $300 Razer Kitsune. The only officially licensed Hit Box-style controllers, according to Hit Box, come from Paradise Arcade. In terms of functionality, however, all these controllers perform adequately. But in Hit Box’s telling, controllers that go through its licensing program will meet a certain level of quality.
“With licensing our IP, we are not only able to officially endorse and collaborate with other high quality manufacturers, but also to help ensure that every player’s first experience on a leverless controller is a positive one,” said Dustin Huffer, president and co-founder of Hit Box.
This is in contrast to the Razer Kitsune, a leverless controller that is officially licensed by PlayStation, but isn’t a part of the Hit Box licensing program.
“Kitsune is a wholly Razer developed and manufactured product without using any parts, materials, or ID from competitors,” said Will Powers, PR lead at Razer.
Junkfood Custom Arcade’s director of operations Greg Lancette said the Snackbox Micro is made and patented differently from the Hit Box and that it has no ties to the company Hit Box. Victrix expressed similar sentiments regarding its Pro FS-12.
“We have a portfolio of patents covering our products, some of which are applicable to the Victrix Pro FS-12,” said Trevor Lehl, director of product development at Victrix. “We analyze and scrutinize the strength of our IP in collaboration with a world renowned, industry leading legal firm, specializing in intellectual property.”
Lehl said that Victrix is well informed “on the protectability and validity of our competitor’s IP claims” and that unlike the Hit Box, the Pro FS-12 is an officially licensed PlayStation product.
And official licensing by PlayStation and Xbox might become a bigger issue in the future. Many fighting game controllers haven’t been officially licensed through PlayStation and Xbox in the past. Up until now, it hasn’t been a problem. But recently, Microsoft announced that it would be banning unauthorized third-party accessories later this month. This has led to some backlash from fighting games players and disabled gamers who may have to look towards other controllers so that they can continue to play.
Hit Box’s licensing program relates to the button layout itself. Huffer praised Hit Box’s partnership with Paradise Arcade on the Mpress Nano and says others would make great candidates for its licensing program, but didn’t answer rebuttals from other manufacturers regarding their potential IP infringement.
Sony and Microsoft didn’t immediately reply to requests for comment.
Why you should buy a fight stick controller
Arcades may be all but gone in the US, but the fight stick remains a staple in fighting games. Street Fighter 2, released in 1991, set the precedent for controls that almost every fighting game has followed with its one joystick and six-button layout.
Longtime fighting games fans laud the feel of using a fight stick. Being able to execute moves with a quick twist of the wrist is satisfying and, some argue, the most fun way to play.
To start, the joystick provides a sturdier input as you have to use your entire wrist to pull off a move. Then you have eight buttons available allowing the usage of multiple fingers at the same time, which is imperative to pull off certain moves.
Another advantage that may not be noticeable immediately is the solid base the fight sticks can provide. They can provide more space to rest your arms and add stability while playing.
Why you should choose a Hit Box-style controller
There’s nothing more frustrating than missing an input and screwing up your combo in the middle of an intense fight. Traditional fight sticks, which use an analogue joystick, allow the chance for human error. Missing the corner on an octagonal gate could mean dropping a combo and losing a fight entirely.
Hit Box-style controllers greatly reduce that chance of missing the corner by remapping the joystick as buttons. Because movement is assigned to these buttons, just like the arrow keys on your keyboard, as long as you push the buttons in the correct sequence, you’ll execute your move with greater consistency.
Junkfood Custom Arcades Snack Box Micro
CNET
One of the hardest moves to learn on a fight stick for beginners is the Z directional input. This requires shifting the joystick to the right, then to the bottom, then to the bottom-right corner, creating a Z pattern. Beginners can sometimes overextend, hitting the bottom-left corner instead of straight down, ruining their input.
A Hit Box-style controller makes this a quick three-button sequence. Right, down and right again. Try hitting the right, down and right buttons in sequence on your keyboard. Pretty easy, right?
While some in the fighting game community bemoan the increased popularity of Hit Box-style controllers, there’s no denying that it increases input consistency. That’s why legendary Street Fighter players like Daigo Umehara and Hajime “Tokido” Taniguchi have switched to the Hit Box. Even though both have been playing competitively for over two decades, mainly on a traditional stick, the advantages of Hit Box were too great to ignore. It even forced Capcom to make a rule change so that traditional stick players and Hit Box players were on a more even footing.
Why you should stick with a game pad
For console gamers, almost all of their time gaming will be with the controller they get included with their system. These bundled controllers tend to be both the best designed and highest quality game pads for their respective system. Thanks to that quality, these game pads are becoming more predominant in the fighting game scene as younger competitors who spend hardly any time in the arcades have grown accustomed to these controllers.
On paper, however, game pads don’t stack up to the fight stick or leverless stick. The smaller number of face buttons, the requirement to use the shoulder and trigger buttons that require the usage of both hands and having to use the controller D-pad for all of the movement inputs seemingly make controllers a worse option, but they do have some advantages.
There are a few move inputs that can be easier to pull off on a game pad. The main one is the 360 degrees move, which is a motion needed for certain characters such as Zangief in the Street Fighter series. Another input that works a little better on a D-pad is the double-tap forward or back because, again, it’s a bit more precise.
A surprising advantage of the game pad is its lack of buttons. For example, the Mortal Kombat series uses four attack buttons instead of six found in other fighting games. There is still a block, throw and other buttons used in the game, but having the four primary buttons easily accessible to your thumb makes it the preferred choice for Mortal Kombat tournament players.
Arguably the biggest strength of a game pad is familiarity. For some people, this is the only controller they’ve used for their whole life. Their muscle memory is ingrained in these game pads. Why bother changing to a new stick and learn a completely different way to control a game when you’re perfectly comfortable with what you already have in a controller?
For more gaming accessories deep dives, check out our picks for the best PC gaming headsets, best gaming chairs and our 2023 gaming holiday gift guide.
Speaker 1: Sony is reentering the handheld gaming space with the new PlayStation portal remote player. It’s a streaming handheld that needs to be connected to a PSS five at all times. I’ve had the portal for a couple days now, so I’m going to tell you what you need to know how to use it and see if it can fit into your gaming setup. Unlike Sony’s gaming handhelds of the past, the PlayStation Portable and the PS vta, the portal is strictly a remote play device. It acts as a second screen mirroring the output from a PlayStation five. This makes it a companion [00:00:30] or accessory to the PSS five, not a dedicated platform on its own. If you don’t have a PSS five, the portal will not work. This handheld is meant to be used when your main TV isn’t available or you want to play your PS five games in a different room like laying down in bed.
Speaker 1: As such, there is no internal storage or SD card slot like you’d find on a Nintendo Switch or Steam deck. Along the top, you’ll find a power button and two volume buttons on the opposite side. On the back you’ll find a 3.5 millimeter headphone [00:01:00] jack and A-U-S-B-C port for charging. Next to the power button is the PlayStation link button. This is used to connect the portal with Sony’s Pulse series of headphones such as the Explore earbuds. I have here. Stay tuned for my hands on video about these coming soon. The PlayStation Link technology is designed to help reduce audio latency when streaming your games to the handheld. However, it’s a bit disappointing that the portal doesn’t support any other Bluetooth headphones, especially when this feature is common among other portable game [00:01:30] consoles. The controller inputs on either side look and feel almost identical to the standard dual sense controller that comes packaged with the PS five.
Speaker 1: The only differences are that the analog sticks on the portal are slightly smaller, and the touch pad that sits in the middle of the dual sense has now been incorporated into the touch screen. When using the screen, a glowing rectangle will illuminate near where your thumbs sit so you can access any touch pad inputs from either side. The portal also features a microphone on the bottom, internal gyroscope [00:02:00] enhanced rumble, and haptic triggers all features you’d expect from the dual sense. The screen looks great, text is sharp and apart from some dips and quality when first connecting looks almost like I was playing games locally, it’s a little disappointing not to see the higher contrast ratio of an OLED panel, especially since more devices are moving towards that. The PlayStation portal has an eight inch LCD screen that can output a 10 80 P signal at 60 frames per second.
Speaker 1: The portal measures 12 inches across and is just under five inches in height [00:02:30] while weighing 529 grams. This puts it just above the Nintendo Switch, ole in both size and weight while measuring about the same size, but weighing less than a steam deck, all while having a larger screen than both of them. When using the device, you’ll wake it from sleep, then unlock it by pressing the PlayStation button near the top left corner of the screen. From there, it will automatically send out a signal. Looking for your PSS five. Your PS five will need a couple options turned on to allow remote play in settings, go to system, [00:03:00] then remote play, and then toggle on enable remote play. This will allow you to wake your console using just the portal, but remember, you’re basically controlling your PSS five from a different location, so you’ll need to still turn it off or put it back into rest mode.
Speaker 1: When you’re done, simply shutting down the portal will leave your home console turned on. Depending on how close you are to the PS five, we’ll determine how long it takes to find the console and wake it from rest mode. You can also do this from outside your home network. Here we are outside with the portal and [00:03:30] I am connected to the PSS five I have back home. It did take kind a while to connect, but once they found each other, it’s pretty stable. It’s running pretty much the same as it would if I was on the same wifi network. The portal is tethered to my phone right now and that’s how I’m connecting to my PS five and it’s running really nicely. Keep in mind, this device is not designed to be played outside. There are no cases, there are no screen protectors, so putting it in a bag, you could damage your screen.
Speaker 1: It’s really designed to [00:04:00] be at home. Also, the screen doesn’t get terribly bright, so even though I can see it fine in the shade here, it doesn’t look great when under direct sunlight. Playing games on the portal is really nice and when using an ideal connection feels just like the real thing. With the PSS five wired to my router and the network speeds I have, it just feels like using a portable PlayStation most of the time. Of course, this is going to vary depending on what internet you have access to. Even with my great internet, it wasn’t perfect and it still have leg [00:04:30] in the video and visual artifacts. On the rare occasion, this didn’t bug me when playing single-player titles like Spider-Man two, but I’d be cautious about taking this online for any multiplayer sessions where losing signal at all would be annoying. PlayStation’s website states a required broadband internet wifi with at least five megabits per second for use while recommending a connection of at least 15 megabits per second.
Speaker 1: For comparison’s sake, Xbox Game Passes Cloud streaming service recommends [00:05:00] 10 to 20 megabits per second. At any point during use, you can swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to access some quick controls. These include disconnecting from the PSS five. Remember, this won’t turn your console off A PlayStation Link panel that will show you when headphones are connected and how much battery life is left. Brightness controls a toggle for airplane mode and a settings menu. In here, you can adjust things like your network vibration intensity and more. I haven’t used the portal long enough to give a full rundown on battery life, [00:05:30] but back when I did my hands-on demo a couple months ago, the PlayStation rep said they were targeting something similar to the dual sense, which would put it around seven to nine hours from my brief time with it.
Speaker 1: That seems accurate. I can’t talk about PlayStation’s remote play without mentioning that this isn’t a new feature. Players can access this on PCs and phones and they compare a dual sense to that device to get all of the special controller features. I can see C Net’s YouTube backend, so I know you’re probably watching this on a phone [00:06:00] and since you need a PSS five to use the portal, you definitely already have a dual sense lying around somewhere. There’s also chiaki, which is an open source program for Steam Deck users to remotely play their PS fives. The one area that the portal has them beat is that since it’s a dedicated PSS five streaming device, it can connect and quickly get you remotely gaming. Other than that, the portal is very similar to using remote play on one of these other devices, which brings us to the price.
Speaker 1: The PlayStation portal is $200, which is actually cheaper than what I expected [00:06:30] from Sony. However, it’s a bit pricey considering I could already remote play using my phone or Steam deck and get most of the same experience. My favorite parts of the portal are how nice that screen looks, the excellent input latency and how every feature of the PSS Five’s controller, such as the enhanced Rumble and haptic triggers are present here. What I don’t like is that I already can get most of these features just by pairing that controller to my phone, tablet, pc, et cetera, and all of those devices can connect to any Bluetooth [00:07:00] headphones. And last but not least, it makes me wish I could take these console quality games offline, like with a Nintendo Switch or Steam deck. This would give it a very compelling push into the portable gaming space.
Speaker 1: The portal is an accessory to the PlayStation five, but it makes me dream of a future with a dedicated portable platform. If you’re someone who has to share their TV with roommates or family members, or you wish you could play games in bed easily, then you will find value in the portal. But I urge you to look into some of the other remote play options if the $200 [00:07:30] price tag is an issue, the PlayStation Portal remote player comes out on November 15th. Now I want to hear from you. Do you see a use case for this in your life? Let me know in the comments and thanks for watching.
Speaker 1: Three years after launching the PlayStation five, Sony introduces a new form factor for the home console. This is the new smaller PS five model, commonly known and how I’ll be referring to it during this video as the PSS five slim. I’m going to run you through everything you need to know about this model, all the new and different features, and we’ll figure out whether it’s worth upgrading to or if the original one is good enough. Just like how the PSS five launched, there are two versions of the slim model. [00:00:30] One with the disc drive like I have here and one without. The biggest difference is that now the disc drive can be removed or added on later. By lifting the front end of this plate, you can access the drive, then you lift from the backside to remove it entirely. If you have the disc version, there isn’t really any reason to take the drive off, especially since it doesn’t come with an extra cover plate to cover up the internals.
Speaker 1: This feature is aimed more at players who purchased the non disc version of the console once again called the digital edition. Since all the games [00:01:00] will have to be digital versions as opposed to a physical disc, if that person changes their mind, PlayStation is selling separate disc drives that you can attach for $80. It’s worth noting that the console requires an internet connection when first using it with a disc drive attached, so keep that in mind if you’re upgrading from one version to another. I’ll be comparing the two disc versions of the consoles since that’s what I have here. The original model stands 15.4 inches high, 10.2 inches deep and 4.1 inches wide. The slim [00:01:30] disc model stands 14.1 inches high, 8.5 inches deep and 3.8 inches wide. The originals weight of just under 10 pounds drops to just over seven for the slim. As someone who travels often and takes game consoles with me to play, having a smaller and lighter PSS five is fantastic since I was never going to try and fit the enormous launch model in my luggage.
Speaker 1: However, the slim model still remains the largest of the three main consoles. In fact, I still can’t fit it inside my IKEA shelving [00:02:00] unit under my tv like I do with everything else. For comparison’s sake, here’s the new PSS five Slim in a lineup with a few other consoles. The original PSS five came bundled with a stand that could position the console either vertically or horizontally, depending on your preference. Unfortunately, Sony has only packaged the Slim PSS five with these tiny feet to allow the console to sit horizontally. They’re easy to attach by just pushing them into the little slots between the panels. I think this kind of looks like a goofy tripod setup. If you want to stand [00:02:30] your PS five slim upright like I do, you’re going to need to buy the $30 vertical stand that is sold separately. The front of the console has been slightly updated to now have two USBC ports.
Speaker 1: Instead of one USBC and one standard, the eject button down below has been moved onto the disc drive itself, which makes sense since they’re now selling these separately. The power lights have been lengthened to go all the way down the front of the machine. The back is identical as far as ports, although now they’re positioned in a different order for some. One [00:03:00] of the most important points is that this isn’t an upgraded console. It’s just a new form factor. This means the slim isn’t faster, more powerful, quieter, et cetera. In fact, the only difference on the inside is that it now comes with one terabyte of storage instead of the 825 gigabytes that the launch models had. PlayStation does sell different cover plates for the original PS five. It goes without saying that those will not fit on the new console. Sony has stated IT plans to sell new versions for the slim model in early 2024.
Speaker 1: The slim comes with the exact [00:03:30] same dual sense controller as before. Now that we’ve laid out the differences, let’s talk about the price. The original PS five launched at $400 for the digital edition and $500 for the one with a disc drive. Over the years. PlayStation actually increased that default price in select markets around the world, but to keep things simple, I’ll stick to the American pricing, which did not see a change. The Slim PSS five retails for $450 for the digital edition and 500 for the disc drive option. When it comes to what I recommend, [00:04:00] if you’re in the market for the DISC version, get the new slim model. It has a bit more storage and will take up less space on your shelf, but remember, if you stand your consoles upright like I usually have to, you’ll need that $30 vertical stand when it comes to the digital edition.
Speaker 1: I’m having a hard time recommending the slim. It’s $50 more than the original version, and if you change your mind about a disc drive later, you have to put out another $80. Making it more expensive than the disc version is to begin with. This means the digital version, which used [00:04:30] to have a compelling price point reduction just doesn’t seem worth it if you’re in the market for a PSS five right now. Sony says the slim version is going to be the only option once they sell through the remaining launch model stock. I would keep an eye out for retailers trying to discount and move the older models if you’re trying to find the cheapest option out there. For those of you who already have a psss five, I would recommend holding off and crossing your fingers for a pro or more upgraded console if that ever happens. There just aren’t enough differences between the two models, especially since [00:05:00] both allow you to increase the internal storage on your own. But what do you think? If you’re shopping around for a PSS five, what model are you looking at? Let me know in the comments and thanks for watching.
With Black Friday shopping season underway, video games are seeing massive discounts across the board from multiple retailers. Now, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, which launched to rave reviews earlier this April, is on sale for low as $25, but only if you pick it up in-store.
At GameStop, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is on sale for $30 on PS5. At checkout, if you pick-up in-store, a $5 discount will be provided, bringing the total down to $25 — the lowest price we’ve seen to date, and $10 less than what Best Buy and Target are currently charging. The same deal doesn’t extend to Xbox Series X and S owners, however, as the game is currently listed for $35. While it is a higher price, the $5 in-store pickup discount probably applies as well.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a sequel to 2019’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. It takes place five years after the events of the first game in which you play as Cal Kestis, a Jedi knight taking on the Empire. Survivor expands on the combat mechanics over the first and introduces some character customization.
The game isn’t just for Star Wars fans, either. It currently sits at 84 on OpenCritic, meanings it’s just an excellent game, period. (While the original release was quite buggy, the current patch cleans things up nicely.)
With video games being a hot product this Black Friday, let’s not forget how much space games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 take up on your PS5 (235 GBs!). For gamers looking to have a wide library of titles on their PS5 without having to delete games just to download new ones, an SSD upgrade is a must.
Luckily, there’s a deal on the WD_Black SN850X 4TB NVMe SSD. The deal is available on Amazon, Best Buy, and the WD store for $230. It’s a savings of $60. Based on our research, the price of the 4TB SN850X doesn’t go lower than this. Or, at least it hasn’t yet. Do note, that it’s recommended to install a heatsink to help dissipate some heat when used on a PS5. Luckily heatsinks, like this one by QIVYNSRY are cheap, only coming in at $9.
Being able to add a whole lot of storage to your PS5 is excellent, though not cheap. Any savings you can get on Black Friday is a good saving, and if you haven’t bought the console to go with the memory yet, check out our PS5 Black Friday deals as well.
Does anyone still remember family game night? And can they please tell my teenagers about it? Ever since my kids became old enough to explore the internet and video games, getting them to sit down at the table for a board game has become much more difficult.
This story is part of Amazon Prime Day, CNET’s guide to everything you need to know and how to find the best deals.
When I’m desperate for nonscreen gaming, however, there’s one choice that almost always works. If you’re looking for an offline entertainment option for your family, consider One Night Ultimate Werewolf. Right now you can get it for just $20 on Amazon, or 20% off its $25 list price.
This social deduction game has a low barrier to entry, and players can contribute as much or as little to the gameplay as they would like. Deliberations in the game can often lead to hilarity, whether the players are 10 years old or 80.
You’ll need at least three players for One Night Ultimate Werewolf, and up to 10 can play easily, although the game works best with six or seven. At the start of the game, each player picks a card from the center and keeps it secret. There are two werewolf cards to choose from, and an assortment of villager cards with different roles like Seer, Robber and Troublemaker. All of the players with villager cards are trying to identify the werewolves, and the werewolves are trying to avoid detection.
The big twist? During the “night,” certain players can take actions that will change other players’ cards and thus roles, meaning a player who starts out as a werewolf might end up as a villager and vice versa. After the players determine their roles and place their cards face down in front of them, “night” falls, and everyone must close their eyes.
A mobile app keeps the game moving by eliminating the need for a human moderator.
Amazon
During the night, the players perform their actions according to a specific script based on which roles are being used. For example, the werewolves open their eyes first and identify each other. After they close their eyes, the Seer wakes up next and can look at one other player’s card. When the Seer’s turn is complete, the Robber opens their eyes and switches their card with another player. (Some characters, like the plain old Villagers, don’t complete any actions during the night.)
The script for each night can be read by a human player, or (of course) there’s also a mobile app that will read the script for you.
Once the players have taken all their actions, the night is over and everyone opens their eyes. Then players deliberate openly about which of the players are the werewolves. You can share as much or as little as you like about your card and the actions you took during the night. No players are required to volunteer any information at all.
At the end of deliberations (which can be as long as you like), a vote decides which of the players will be killed for being a werewolf. Each player points simultaneously to another player (or themselves), and the player who receives the most votes is killed.
If that person was a werewolf, the villagers win. If that person was a villager, the werewolves win. The shifting teams for each round and the lack of a scoring system make the game more attractive to players who don’t enjoy competition.
Bluffing is key to success for the werewolves, which can be a challenge for younger players who haven’t learned that lying is OK in some games, but trust me — they’ll catch on quickly. The thrill of fooling other players and the confusion it creates can be a powerful feeling, while often leading to very humorous discussions.
If you’re looking for a fun card game that the whole family can enjoy at any age, give One Night Ultimate Werewolf a shot.
Speaker 1: Handheld gaming is back in a big way, but especially for PC gamers right now, there were two big PC gaming handhelds on sale, the steam deck, which is a new ole display and a lot of other tweaks and the Lenovo Legion Go. Now these aren’t the first PC gaming handhelds, but it’s a trend that’s continuing and with rumors of a new Nintendo switch next year and streaming devices like the PlayStation portal, there are all sorts of options. What should you consider [00:00:30] in a PC gaming handheld, or should you wait? Well, here are my experiences after about a week playing with both. Now, I should let you know I am pretty apprehensive about PC gaming. It’s outside of my comfort zone, and that may sound a bit embarrassing, but it’s true. I’m not much of a tinkerer when it comes to PC games, and that means you might prefer one of these over another.
Speaker 1: I’ll get into that in a minute. What’s going on here is pretty different in terms of features. The steam deck is a bunch of tweaks to the existing steam deck to create a much better overall product. It has a 7.4 inch [00:01:00] HDR display that’s ole this time, and it also has better wifi and it has improved haptics and just an overall improved feel, but it’s still the same feel and size as the previous steam deck. No detachable controllers, although it can connect with monitors and keyboards. Now the Lenovo Legion Go has an 8.8 inch screen. It is 1.8 pounds, so it’s big. It runs full windows and it has a kickstand and it even has detachable controllers. And the crazy thing is that one of these controllers actually doubles as [00:01:30] a mouse. There’s an optical sensor here and you can flip it on and it comes with a base that turns this into a throttle mouse controller.
Speaker 1: You snap it in here and then you can essentially use this as a mouse for the whole oss. So I could also scroll with the scroll wheel and click on things too. I mean, while this controller mouse thing is meant to be used for games, this is where it starts to feel with Windows and a mouse [00:02:00] controller that it’s not even really a game console at all. It’s really a super portable Windows 11 device. So in terms of size, like I said, the Lenovo Legion Go is a lot bigger. I mean it’s not tremendously large, but it is much like a tablet with controllers. The 1.8 pound size and the 8.8 inch screen as big and nice as it is means that you’re going to want to lug this around in its carry case and have a big enough bag for it. The steam deck is also pretty large, but it seems more portable in comparison.
Speaker 1: [00:02:30] Not only does it have a smaller display, but it’s a lot lighter and it feels more like a super large switch to hold in the hand. Now let’s get to games because that’s what you’re doing on these things. You’re gaming with the Steam deck, the proposition is everything running through Steam. This is really a game console for Steam and Valve has optimized this wonderfully to run a ton of games, specifically using its AMD Z two processor and its Linux operating system and doing it in a way that well and performs [00:03:00] well. For those games that say that it can run on Steam Deck, that means that there are some games that don’t, and there are some games like Madden Football that need anti cheat verification that doesn’t run on the steam deck, which is frustrating and you can get the steam deck to do other types of things like game streaming, but that’s kind of going under the hub with it out of the box, it’s really meant to run everything via Steam.
Speaker 1: Now the Lenovo Legion Go is a full Windows 11 machine. This is a Windows device with controllers. Lenovo does have [00:03:30] a graphics software overlay that provides access like a little bit of a launcher to all sorts of game store environments. That means you can run Steam on this, you can run Microsoft Game Pass, you can run Epic Game Store, you could run anything. It’s a Windows machine that gives a tremendous amount of flexibility. However, the games that work for it are hit and miss. So far I’ve launched some games that have run really slowly, some games that have crashed, some games that said I needed new drivers, some games that seemed to work [00:04:00] perfectly well. Now that may require some sort of tinkering with graphic settings, with drivers, with other things. Again, getting under the hood with this device out of the box, you’re going to have to discover what games work best on this like I have now that goes down to the os, the OSS on the Lenovo Legion Go, it’s Windows 11, so there’s a lot of flexibility there and a lot of frustration.
Speaker 1: I mean there are pop-up windows. There are things telling you about security checks. There are different types of messages from different programs at the same time, which you [00:04:30] don’t always want when you’re gaming and stuff like that. And the display, while it’s big, is still small compared to a Windows laptop. So sometimes you have to hunt around and tap for things which can get annoying. Now the Steam Deck, its OSS is a custom design built on Linux, so it has a very nice console like feel. It’s very comforting it yet surprisingly, it has a lot of Under the Hood futures, a lot of ways to tweak a lot of different settings, a lot of things to satisfy somebody who wants to make their system a little more of their own. But to be clear, it really [00:05:00] does feel like a gaming console environment. You can’t easily run out of the box, all sorts of other software, although you can and you can look up all sorts of ways to do that.
Speaker 1: So there’s a lot of flexibility under the hood here, but on top feels a lot more comforting. Now let’s get down to price. Price is kind of the same in some regards in that they’re both in the over $500 range, but the Steam deck is more affordable. The Steam deck without an Oola display is only $400. And then if you want to get the one with a 512 [00:05:30] gigabytes of storage and ole display, that’s 550, go to the one terabyte, that’s 650. Now the Lenovo Legion Go has a 512 gigabyte configuration that’s $700, but the one terabyte is 750, so you’d probably go for that, but seven $50 is considerably more expensive than the $550 entry level price here. Even. There’s about $150 gap on the storage differences. That means creeping towards the thousand dollars territory, [00:06:00] even if it’s in the $700 range. These are definitely a far cry from the $300 of a Nintendo Switch.
Speaker 1: What would I do right now? Well, there are going to be a lot of Windows handhelds coming, I think not just this one, and Microsoft needs to get a lot more involved in making these easier to use and not so confusing. I think there are going to be more iterations coming. The Legion Go feels experimental. I would consider waiting and seeing what other stuff pops up. I think this is a nice first effort, but it’s a very buggy first effort, whereas the Steam deck feels very polished [00:06:30] right now. I think it’s a great product right now to get if you want to play games that are PC games. But again, will there be a Steam deck too, according to Valve, probably not for a couple of years, so I think you’re safe. It’s kind of like these switch OLED that came out a few years ago. That’s the state of handheld gaming for PCs and there are a lot more handheld game systems like the Switch two that we’re expecting next year. Good luck holiday shoppers. If you have questions and comments below, please let me know and thanks for watching.
There are a ton of great Cyber Monday deals on big-ticket items like laptops or TVs that can save you hundreds of dollars, but if you’re looking to stock up on family laughs, it’s the little deals that often make the biggest impact. For my family, that was the case with Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, an unassuming card game packed with potential hilarity.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza might be the most fun I’ve had with a card game since forever, and it made our recent vacation very memorable. And now you can pick it up for yourself at a special $8 price.
We took Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza to the poolside in Crete and everyone must have thought we had enjoyed the all-inclusive drinks a little too much. It’s impossible to play this game without shouting, laughing and sometimes even crying — again, maybe that was just me — at how much fun it can be. And the best part? It’s just so simple.
Each player puts down a card and says “Taco,” “Cat,” “Goat,” “Cheese” and “Pizza” in order. If the word matches the card, the last person to slap their hand down has to pick up all the cards — with some special cards and actions I won’t spoil for you. The person who run out of cards first wins. Simple, right? And yes, dear reader, I always finished with the most. I do indeed suck at this game.
But you know what? It doesn’t matter, because it’s so fun that I don’t care. I sincerely hope that you’re better at Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza than I am but, frankly, you won’t care if you aren’t, either.
Azul is one of those classic board games that’s all about strategy and is very similar to Five Tribes. It involves picking up tiles and placing them in a mosaic that gives you the most points. It’s not quite that simple, though, since you can end up placing too many tiles and losing points, so you have to strategically place your tiles down.
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I know that I’m supposed to say my hobby is playing board games, but that isn’t true. My real hobby is buying board games that look awesome and trying to play them with my family. That’s what makes these deals so enticing: There are so many discounts you can swell your game library for far less than normal.
There are a lot of great card games, strategy games and everything in between, but it all boils down to the fact that there’s a lot of fun to be had if you can find the bargains.
My family and I love board games, so I’m always on the lookout for the best board game deals. I’ll never be a rich man: Every board game deal I see, I end up buying for my gaming table. Now you too can enjoy the feeling of having more board games than you’ll ever need. You’re welcome. Keep scrolling to check out our roundup of the best board game bargains available, and we’ll keep updating the list as we find newer and better deals.
Board game deals
Azul is one of those classic board games that’s all about strategy and is very similar to Five Tribes. It involves picking up tiles and placing them in a mosaic that gives you the most points. It’s not quite that simple, though, since you can end up placing too many tiles and losing points, so you have to strategically place your tiles down.
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The Fox in the Forest is a simple trick-taking game with a few special cards mixed into the traditional format — but unlike almost any other trick-taking game, it’s built for two players.
In many ways, The Fox in the Forest is a fairly traditional, simple game. But it’s well-balanced and the perfect length to pick up and play for 20 or 30 minutes.
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Haunted Mansion is one of my family’s favorite Disneyland rides and movie, and now it’s one of our favorite board games too. The game itself is a card management game where you try and get as many of certain types of cards as possible while trying to avoid being haunted by the traveling ghost.
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What better way to spend the winter months than to hunker down with a great game? This is a fantastic price on one of the most popular board games out there. If you haven’t played Catan before, you’re in for a treat. And it’s incredibly easy for newbies to pick up, so it’s a great choice for group play or family game night.
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You’ve probably heard about Cards Against Humanity, a party game that’s often too rude for young kids to play. Kids Against Maturity takes the same game premise — the person who makes the judge laugh the most wins the hand — but makes it just a little naughty instead.
This is a great entry to family night and lets your kids feel like they’re getting away with something they shouldn’t be doing, but with your guidance and consent. It’s a lot of fun for everyone. Just be sure to activate the instant coupon on the product page to get the full discount.
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Splendor is known as an engine-generation game that uses gems as its currency. To that end, a large portion of the game is about making sure you’re generating more and more gems so you can afford higher-cost items that give you more points. It’s a fun and straightforward strategy game that can get pretty deep if you want it to.
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Villainous is a game about being the baddie and defeating the heroes or using the heroes to fulfill your own objectives. It’s great, and the Star Wars version is even better and has many different mechanics to spice up your game time. There are even expansions that you can add to the game to make it playable by more people.
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If you’re looking for a light-hearted game you can play with up to five friends, Camel Up has you pitted against a set of camels controlled by dice. As the dice are rolled, the camels will randomly move up and down a track, and you all bet to see who will win, so it requires some strategy. There are five rounds, after which the person with the most points gained through correct guesses wins.
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Windward is a newer and fairly lighthearted strategy game that’s earned a spot on our list of the best strategy games for 2023. Designed for up to five players, you play as the captain of a flying ship navigating the unpredictable winds of the gas planet Celus. Build your crew and compete against other captains as you attempt to outmaneuver each other and be the first to bring gas back to your city.
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Mansions of Madness is our favorite co-op mystery game on the market right now, and is a great pick if want a more complex game that’s designed for older players. This second edition of the game uses a companion app as the “keeper” so that all players (up to five) can work together as they explore the sprawling mansion, solve puzzles and battle eldritch horrors.
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Where’s the best place for board game deals?
While Amazon might be the obvious choice for board games, there are still plenty of other places you can find great deals. Target tends to have a good selection of board game deals, often giving discounts such as “buy one, get one 50% off,” though we haven’t seen any of those this holiday season.
What makes a good board game deal?
Remember, a product’s list price doesn’t always tell you the real value, especially as retailers have started offering Day 1 deals on products. Often the list price is artificially inflated to make the deal look more attractive, so you’ll want to check around and see what the true value of a product is. You might also want to install CNET’s Shopping plug-in to give you a bit of help with all of that.
If an Xbox is on your holiday wishlist or maybe it’s basically already a member of your household, it’s a great time to keep your eye on amazing Xbox deals, with savings on consoles and game passes alike. Right now StackSocial is offering one-month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $8, a discount of 46% over the usual monthly price of $15.
Ask any regular Xbox user and they’ll tell you that the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is where it’s at. You get access to over 100 games on Xbox consoles –Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S — as well as Windows PCs. The Ultimate membership includes Xbox Live Gold, Games with Gold and console multiplayer, as well as access to EA Play, which offers several dozen additional games from the Electronic Arts catalog. Other free perks include in-game content and being able to play games on your phone or tablet from the cloud (on compatible titles and devices).
Read more:Best Cloud Gaming Services: Xbox Game Pass, GeForce Now and More
Before you grab the deal, it’s worth noting that for brand new users, Xbox offers a $1, 14-day trial, which is arguably a better deal. However, the StackSocial deal works for new users as well as former subscribers whose pass has expired.The deal is not stackable and your account must new or already expired to redeem. The code must be redeemed within 30 days of use. It’s also key to note that after the one-month period, the subscription will automatically renew at the full monthly price.
Based on our years of experience in the VPN field and our understanding of what online gamers need from a VPN, these are the most important factors to consider in a VPN for gaming:
Speed
VPN speeds are the No. 1 factor to consider when choosing a VPN for gaming, because slow speeds and high latency can ruin your gaming experience. Your VPN needs to be fast enough to deliver the speeds necessary to keep you in the game, especially in competitive settings. A fast VPN can even help you potentially lower your ping, depending on the VPN server you’re connecting to and the network you’re on. And if you’re experiencing inadequate speeds for gaming, there are things you can try to speed up your VPN connection.
Privacy
A major consideration for any VPN, regardless of the activity, is privacy. It’s important to have a VPN that can provide the necessary privacy protections to ensure your activity remains hidden and you’re safe from DDoS attacks and other threats from malicious actors while gaming. Make sure the VPN you choose has strong encryption standards and essential privacy features like DNS leak protection, a kill switch and a no-logs policy.
Network
If you want to fully optimize your gaming experience, you’ll want a VPN that has servers in a wide selection of regions around the world. This will help ensure you have a speedy, stable connection regardless of where you are in the world. At the very least, you should make sure that the VPN you choose has servers located near your physical location and close to the servers of any games you play online.
Device compatibility
Of course, you want to make sure that the VPN is compatible with the platform(s) you’re gaming on. All of the VPNs we’ve listed above are compatible with and work well on all major platforms, so either one is a solid option whether you’re gaming on your PC, Mac or mobile device. If you’re a console gamer, you’ll need to make sure that your VPN works well on a router setup because gaming consoles don’t natively support VPN apps.
Help guides/customer support
If you’re having trouble with your VPN or have questions on how to optimize your VPN connection for gaming, it’s helpful to have a VPN that offers a robust help section along with accessible and knowledgeable customer support. Look for a VPN that has easy-to-follow setup guides for multiple platforms (including routers) and 24/7 customer support via live chat. Make sure that you have the appropriate help on hand when you need it, because responsive customer support and helpful guides can help ensure that your gaming session is not unnecessarily impeded upon.
In the market for a gaming upgrade? GameStop is offering you the chance to save an additional $25 when you spend $250 or more and collect in-store right now. The deal means that you can pick up a new console or a ton of games and save some cash, the only catch being you have to go collect your items in person. This deal is perfect for picking up that last-minute Christmas gift (while also grabbing a few things for yourself, no doubt).
This deal applies to items that are bought at your local GameStop, but the best way to do it is to buy online and opt to collect in-store. That way, you’ll still get the discount while making sure the store has everything you want in stock before you set off.
This deal means that you can get your hands on some of the best consoles around while saving an additional $25. That includes the popular PlayStation 5 bundle that comes with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 included, now just $475, while those who just want to get their hands on the console on its own can pay just $425 for the hardware.
Those who prefer to play their games on the go might want to look at the Nintendo Switch OLED bundle that also comes with three months of Nintendo Switch online and a code for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate included in the box. Right now, this deal means the entire bundle is available for just $325. But remember, this special offer works so long as you spend at least $250, so if you’re already set with your preferred console, you can simply stock up on games and get $25 off your order total, so long as your cart totals $250 or more.
The streaming game is competitive, and if you want to stand out from the crowd, we’ve got a deal you won’t want to miss. The Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 has 15 customizable buttons that allow you to open apps, mute your mic, activate special effects and more so your streams will look just as polished as the pros’. And right now you can snag it at a discount. Amazon currently has the white variant on sale for $120, which saves you $30 compared to the usual price. Though there’s no set expiration for this deal, so we’d recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.
This second-gen Elgato Stream Deck has 15 customizable LCD keys that can make streaming and editing smooth and effortless. Use them to launch apps or games, trigger sound effects or GIFs, control lights and much more. You can even assign multiple actions to a single key so you’re ready to stream at just the touch of button. The Stream Deck is designed to integrate seamlessly with Twitch, YouTube, Twitter and other platforms, and connects to your computer with a USB-C cable. It comes with a detachable stand, and the faceplate can be swapped out for a more personalized look. And if you need even more customization, you can snag the $250 Elgato Stream Deck XL, which has 32 customizable LCD keys.
Even if you’re not into streaming, there are many other uses for a Stream Deck like controlling smart home devices, quickly opening all of the apps and websites you need for work, or simply having a handy mute button for Zoom calls.
The Electronic Entertainment Expo, better known as E3, the long-running annual gaming show that brought together the world’s game publishers, retailers and press to Los Angeles, is dead.
“After more than two decades of serving as a central showcase for the US and global video game industry, ESA has decided to end E3,” the Electronic Software Association said in a statement on Tuesday. “ESA’s focus and priority remain advocating for ESA member companies and the industry workforce who fuel positive cultural and economic impact every day.”
Analysts who spoke with CNET cited withdrawals from major publishing partners, along with increased competition from other events, as reasons for the event’s demise.
With more companies hosting showcases outside of E3, the event’s relevance slowly diminished. Starting in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, E3 canceled or postponed in-person shows, though it did hold an online-only event in 2021. In 2022, ESA said that E3 would return the following year, but ultimately canceled this year’s show due to a lack of interest.
E3’s decline coincided with the rise of Summer Game Fest, a series of game reveal events hosted by veteran industry insider Geoff Keighley. Summer Game Fest started online, and in 2022, hosted its first in-person event in Los Angeles, conspicuously occurring during E3’s usual event window.
Read more: Game Industry Insider Geoff Keighley Lays Out His Vision for Showcase Events
A world without E3 could lead to more canned remarks
While later E3 events would open their doors to let fans experience the displays and demos on the show floor, the convention had traditionally been the launchpad for news from game companies big and small. Without an in-person industry event, gamers looking for announcements and updates on upcoming titles will have to lean more on prerecorded presentations and press releases from major companies like Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo and EA, with fewer opportunities for press interviews and off-the-cuff remarks.
“The real importance of E3 is that everyone was there all at once,” said Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Securities. Unlike the Game Developers Conference or Tokyo Game Show, E3 attracted CEOs and CFOs from across the industry, according to Pachter. This also meant that mainstream press attended the event, attracting a ton of consumer attention.
E3 began in 1995 as a trade show meant to bring in retailers to help coordinate for the holiday shopping season. The show evolved to a premiere event that attracted mainstream press from around the world with bigger and flashier press conferences. As the retail environment changed, with more games going online and major titles arriving outside of the holiday shopping season, E3’s central role waned. Having one show in the summer didn’t really work for publishers planning to release games the following March. That prompted companies to showcase titles at their own events instead. The last in-person E3 was in 2019, with the final E3 in 2021, though it was online-only.
“I notice companies being a lot less transparent and really wanting to control the message,” said David Cole, lead analyst at DFC Intelligence. With companies sticking to online presentations and not making executives and developers readily available, it’s harder for the press to ask tough questions. This is partly by design so that companies can control their own message, according to Cole. The reduced transparency makes an analyst’s job more difficult as well.
“I can’t get honest answers from these companies,” said Cole. “It makes it tough because you’re just basically going with their own hype of whatever they’re saying in public and you kind of got to go around and really dig to get the true story.”
Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.
Apart from releasing videos and sending out press releases, companies will continue to lean on online influencers to guide public opinion. While some influencers are transparent with their level of access, others may take payment from publishers to showcase games, something that trusted journalistic organizations don’t do. Cole said companies leaning on influencers has been happening for a while and it’ll take more due diligence by consumers to catch on to how online hype is potentially being manipulated by marketing teams.
“The companies that ‘pulled out’ (namely Sony) made a huge mistake and killed the show,” said Pachter. “EA was stupid moving its competing show across town on the same days and Microsoft was stupid moving to the Peacock (formerly Microsoft) theater. I am hopeful that the ESA recognizes the importance of the show and brings it back, but am not optimistic.”
Speaker 1: This is the Atari 2,600 plus a smaller updated version of the original Atari 2,600 home console. It connects to modern TVs through HDMI, making it easy to play game cartridges, old and new. If you’re a fan of retro games, you’ll definitely be interested in this.
Speaker 1: The original Atari 2,600 came out back in 1977 with many [00:00:30] games that everyone’s heard of, Pac-Man, space, invaders, asteroids, just to name a few. Now, almost 50 years later, we have an updated version of that exact console with some small but worthwhile improvements. Here I have the original console and a handful of original games. I ordered this recently on eBay when I started working on this video. You can literally see the years of dirt and dust that this thing collected while stored in some random person’s garage. Probably getting this console to connect with a TV these days is very difficult. [00:01:00] I was lucky enough that one of my coworkers found this old CRT stored under a desk for who knows how long. Even then, hooking this up to that old TV sucked. I needed to purchase a tiny adapter online so that the RCA video cable would be able to screw into the coaxial port. And even with all that, the image still looks grainy and kind of bad, but at least I can play Pac-Man,
Speaker 1: There’s a pretty low chance you have a CRT lying around somewhere and who can blame you? These things take up a lot of space and are really heavy. [00:01:30] This is where the 2,600 plus comes in. It features HDMI support so that you can use modern high def TVs to play these classic games. It’s the exact same physical design down to the iconic wood grain, but measures 20% smaller. The original 2,600 weighs 4.6 pounds and sits 3.5 inches tall, 13.6 inches wide and just over nine inches deep. The 2,600 plus weighs 1.3 pounds and sits 2.8 inches tall, 10.6 [00:02:00] inches wide and seven inches deep.
Speaker 1: This smaller size makes the device much easier to fit on a shelf or entertainment center and puts it in a similar category to the Nintendo and Super Nintendo Classic consoles that came out a while ago. Unfortunately, it is about twice as large as those devices. It would’ve been nice to see the 2,600 plus get even smaller. Considering how light this device is, I can’t imagine there’s a ton of internal tech in here. One reason for the larger size may actually be because of one of my favorite features. Unlike the classic branded [00:02:30] consoles, this one doesn’t have games stored directly on the hardware. It still requires cartridges. Atari is producing some new cartridges for the system such as Mr. Run and Jump and Berserk like I have here. In fact, they actually did some work on Berserk, for example. There’s now a bizarre voice sample that plays every time you change screens.
Speaker 1: Your purchase will also include this 10 in one game cartridge, so you’ll have games to play right out of the box. This card has four switches on the back, and by setting them to different heights, you change which game [00:03:00] is playable When plugged in. For example, if you want to play adventure, you have to leave all four switches in the up position. But if you want to play missile command, you need to set switches one and three down. Oddly enough, some of these games don’t have single player modes like maze craze or combat, and you only get one controller. So some of the games are not fun by yourself. All the games come in these nice looking sleeves if you wanted to display them on a shelf or something. The best part, however, is that the 2,600 plus can play original Atari carts as well.
Speaker 1: It features the exact same cartridge [00:03:30] slot found on the original console and can read those same games. Even though Atari is releasing new copies of some of these classic games. Although the prices are super high, if you already have a collection or find some cheap games at a secondhand store, which isn’t hard to do, you can play them more easily than before. In addition, the 2,600 plus can also run Atari 7,800 games on it, giving you access to a larger library of titles. Atari says this console can run 99% of the two platforms titles [00:04:00] and has a list online for you to check. Similarly, the 2,600 plus uses the exact same controllers as before, and just like the games, you can use the old hardware on this new device, even though there’s only one CX 40 plus joystick controller bundled in the box. If you have an old one lying around, you can now play multiplayer meaning instead of solving mazes in maze craze alone while the other character sits there motionless, you can race each other through the maze as intended.
Speaker 1: It’s really great to see Atari making new [00:04:30] joysticks since controller hardware doesn’t often last terribly long. Even modern game console controllers tend to break down. Just imagine what almost 50 years can do. They’re also selling the CX 30 plus paddle controller bundle for $40. This comes with a four-in-one game card and two paddle controllers. One of the included games is breakout, a personal favorite of mine. The paddle controllers are notorious for losing traction over the years and becoming loose, so it’s great to see these getting manufactured again. The 2,600 plus features all the same ports [00:05:00] you’d expect with some updates to things like video out and power like the original. On the front you’ll find switches for power TV type game, select and reset, and the cartridge slot. The back has the same two controller ports and difficulty switches. New to the 2,600 plus are the HDMI port the USBC port for power and a switch to change the visuals between four by three and 16 by nine.
Speaker 1: I personally kept it set to four by three when playing since stretching the game into screen just looked bad. The console comes with A-U-S-B-C [00:05:30] cable for power, but doesn’t include a power brick to plug it into the wall. Lastly, the logo on the front now lights up when powered on. One thing that you’ll quickly notice is that just like in the seventies, these controllers are not wireless. This does add to the nostalgia factor, and we saw this with the Nintendo Classic consoles as well, but personally, I don’t want to sit only a few feet from my huge tv. The controller cables are a bit longer than the original ones, but not by enough to make a difference. With all the and physical games I’ve mentioned, you’re pretty quickly going to have [00:06:00] a big mess on your hands just like the old days nostalgia. So while the 2,600 plus is a more modern step for the system, it’s definitely still rooted in the past.
Speaker 1: The 2,600 plus is out now and retails for $130. It comes with one joystick controller and the 10 in one game cartridge Overall, what I like about the Atari 2,600 plus is that you no longer have to mod your original console to work with modern TVs, so these carts are much easier to enjoy. I also like how you can use your original collection of games [00:06:30] and controls with the new hardware. Support for 7,800 games is also nice to see, and I love that Atari is manufacturing these new controllers that are notorious for breaking down. What I don’t like is that the console is still pretty large considering how empty it feels inside, and I wish these controller cables were much longer or even wireless if you’re a fan of these classic games but didn’t have an easy way to play them, the 2,600 plus helps solve that. Not having to rely on an old bulky CRT means these games look sharper and are more accessible than before. [00:07:00] And if you’re new to Atari, this is a great way to experience some of gaming’s history, especially since picking up old carts from a used game store is very inexpensive. But what do you think? Isn’t Atari something you played in the past and still have nostalgia for? Let me know in the comments and thanks for watching.