Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra should have been a Chromebook
Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra should have been a Chromebook
Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra looks like it's going to be amazing if your tablet is feeling a little too small these days. Announced at Samsung's Unpacked event on Wednesday with its new Galaxy S22 phones, the Tab S8 Ultra is a gigantic 14.6-inch premium tablet with a full-size detachable backlit keyboard that includes a touchpad and support for an updated S Pen stylus for improved pen-on-paper feel on the display. It also has some killer specs including dual, front-facing 12-megapixel cameras, Wi-Fi 6E and 4K video capture.
The tablet, which is available for preorder now and ships later this month, certainly looks like it'll be worthy competition for Apple's 12.9-inch iPad Pro (and it has some advantages Apple should consider adding). Both tablets are made for entertainment, creative work and productivity. The iPad Pro can do those first two things no problem, and it'll likely be the same for the Tab S8 Ultra. But iPadOS and Android are still behind when it comes to productivity.
That's why it would have made more sense to skip Android for this device and make what could've been the best Chromebook detachable two-in-one to date. Chrome OS's Play store integration combined with web apps and general flexibility for work and entertainment makes it a better choice. Here's why.
DeX is great, but still a workaround
DeX, Samsung's desktop-experience interface for its Android devices, is key to the Tab S8 Ultra's appeal as a productivity machine. It essentially gives the tablet an interface that looks more like Windows or MacOS and allows Android greater usability for work and school, including keyboard, mouse and external monitor support. And it also lets you use windowed versions of your apps for easier multitasking with them side-by-side or overlapping.
I haven't used the latest version of DeX that will be on the S8 Ultra, but I have used previous versions of it, going back to when it first arrived on a Galaxy Tab with the S4. It has always felt like a work in progress. Not all apps work in DeX mode, and even those that do aren't always supported 100%.
Chromebooks have desktop and tablet modes
It's pretty clear the Tab S8 Ultra is designed to be equal parts tablet and laptop, so why not give it an OS that can better handle switching between the two? Chromebooks can do just that. Models like Lenovo's Chromebook Duet and HP's Chromebook x2 11 have the same two-in-one detachable keyboard design as the Ultra.
Used as a laptop, these Chromebooks have a traditional desktop OS experience. But remove the keyboard and Chrome OS can switch to a more touch-friendly interface, complete with multitouch gestures to help with navigation. They're pen-enabled, too, so using Samsung's excellent S Pen for writing or drawing is still an option.
A Google Meet superstar
Samsung worked with Google to make the Tab S8 series better for video calling and live sharing using Google Duo. You'll be able to do things like co-watch videos on YouTube or collaborate using Google's whiteboard app, Jamboard. It also has two high-resolution cameras in front and software that can automatically reframe the picture to stay focused on you and others on camera.
The thing is, when it comes to videoconferencing, it's Meet, Zoom and Teams most people care about, which Chromebooks can handle no problem, all while other apps are running in the background for multitasking.
Gaming would still be great, too
The biggest appeal of the Ultra for many will be for gaming. On an OLED screen that size, the best Android games will no doubt pop, and combined with its quad speakers, it'll likely deliver an amazing, immersive experience.
However, switching to Chrome OS doesn't change any of that, since it would still have access to the Play Store for loading up Android games on this tablet. Plus, cloud gaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now, Microsoft Xbox Cloud Gaming and Google Stadia are all accessible on a Chromebook, too. And with the Tab S8's Wi-Fi 6E, it'll have plenty of wireless speed for a smooth streaming experience.
The biggest hurdle for a Tab S8 Ultra as a Chromebook would likely be the price. The Ultra starts at $1,100 and I wouldn't expect that price to come down much with a switch from Android to Chrome OS. A lot of people still think of Chromebooks as cheap with limited capabilities, and paying for a premium one is out of the question. But again, Chrome offers greater flexibility than Android with devices like this, and that's what I would certainly want at this price.
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Google Pixel 5A review: Snappy performance, familiar design
Google Pixel 5A review: Snappy performance, familiar design
Update, July 21, 2022: Google has since replaced the Pixel 5A with 5G with the Pixel 6A. You can read our full Pixel 6A review for the latest model. Last year's review of the Pixel 5A with 5G continues unchanged below.
Google's $449 Pixel 5A with 5G is the second major Pixel announcement this year, hot on the heels of the Pixel 6 teaser earlier this month. It features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor that powers a 6.34-inch OLED display. The phone also has IP67 water- and dust-resistance.
So while Google's highest-end Pixel 6 and 6 Pro phones will include the new in-house Tensor chip, the 5A (as I'll call it from now on) will have more in common with last year's Pixel 4A 5G. For Pixel fans with deeper pockets, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro's chip and redesign could be exciting, but this Pixel likely will be shooting for a more budget-conscious crowd.
For the value, it's hard to not like what Google has done with the Pixel 5A. The only real thing holding it back is Google's inability to commit to supporting upcoming 5G networks that are set to start coming online in a few months.
Like
Nice screen
Speedy performance
IP67 water-resistant
Affordable price
Don't Like
No wireless charging
5G support in the US is unclear
If you're looking for a cheaper Pixel, you won't have to wait for the Pixel 6's release date sometime this fall, as the 5A will be released on Aug. 26 and can be bought in the US carrier-unlocked directly from Google or with Google Fi. The phone will also be available in Japan. (While it's not coming to the UK or Australia, the price converts to roughly £320 or AU$630.)
I've spent the past few days with Google's new phone. While it feels like a worthy successor to the Pixel 4A 5G so far, here's what you'll want to keep in mind if you want a cheaper 5G Pixel or Android phone on a budget.
Snappy performance, familiar design
The 5A's chip is the same as the one used in last year's 4A 5G: the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor. The similarities don't end there, as both phones also have 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. They each have similar front and rear cameras with a hole punch for the front camera, and both have a fingerprint reader on the back and a 3.5mm headphone jack on top.
Sarah Tew/CNET
The camera system is nearly identical to last year's Pixel 4A with 5G (and the Pixel 5). It has the same lenses and all the same features, including a portrait mode, Night Sight and an ultrawide lens. In my week with the phone, the cameras proved versatile and more than capable of taking crisp photos during the day and at night.
For more on the Pixel's cameras, see our Pixel 5 review last year.
In daylight, the Pixel 5A does a nice job capturing details and colors.
Eli Blumenthal/CNET
Night Sight isn't the sharpest but it remains an impressive -- and capable -- feature for a $449 phone.
Eli Blumenthal/CNET
The differences begin with a larger 6.34-inch OLED display with a 20:9 aspect ratio that's similar to the Galaxy S21. That's compared to a 6.2-inch display on the 4A 5G at a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, which we've seen on devices such as the Pixel 5 and iPhone 12.
The 5A is running Android 11 in my tests, but if past Pixel trends hold true the phone will likely be among the first to get Android 12. The new OS will include the new Material You design, refreshed notifications and even more customizable options that could be exclusive to the Pixel series.
Watching videos on YouTube, Netflix or Disney Plus worked fine. Games on Stadia or Xbox Game Pass also played well, though some (particularly those on Xbox) were letterboxed and wouldn't play in full screen. I encountered a similar issue with YouTube TV (though not the regular YouTube app).
The Pixel 5A letterboxes certain apps like YouTube TV.
Eli Blumenthal/CNET
Performance, however, was solid and it was certainly playable with a good internet connection. More intensive localized games such as Call of Duty: Mobile also worked largely as expected.
The stereo speakers, however, lack clarity. While they can get loud they aren't as full or rich at maximum volume as other devices.
The phone's IP67-rated water and dust resistance should help withstand the elements and features a significantly larger battery (4,620 mAh compared to 3,800 mAh) that can be fast-charged using the included 18-watt USB-C wall charger.
The Pixel's fast charging wasn't particularly speedy in my tests, going from empty to 21% in 20 minutes and needing around 47 minutes to hit 50%. The OnePlus Nord 2 can go from zero to 70% in an hour using its 30-watt fast charger.
Getting up to a nearly full charge took around two hours on the Pixel. I do like that the battery indicator in the notification tray continues to show how much battery you have left, as opposed to a vague percentage.
Google claims the battery should be able to run a full day, and from my limited testing these few days the phone seems to hold up to that estimate even after I was taxing it with gaming, video watching, hotspotting and photo taking.
Impact of the chip shortage
The global chip shortage appears to have affected the Pixel line's tradition of offering a bounty of colors, with the 5A just coming in "mostly black" (which to me looked a little green in certain light). Brian Rakowski, vice president of product management at Google, told reporters that this was a result of "supply chain challenges."
"It's an industry-wide shortage," he said, noting that the limited chips available has also meant limiting the places Google will sell the 5A as opposed to offering a wide distribution through a variety of carriers and retailers.
Sarah Tew/CNET
"We definitely could not get as many chips as we wanted for this."
As with last year's Pixel 4A 5G, there's no wireless charging on this new model. Google also appears to have dropped the "spectral and flicker sensor," which could impact taking pictures or videos of screens or shooting under artificial lighting like fluorescent lights. (These changes may not necessarily be related to the chip shortage.)
The good news is that the 5A keeps most of Google's Pixel software features, including call screening for fighting robocalls, car crash detection and a recorder app that can transcribe in real time, as well as photography features like Night Sight for improved images in low light.
Google is promising three years of Android software and security updates in addition to the feature updates it has routinely offered for Pixel phones.
Sarah Tew/CNET
5G… with a catch
5G support is indeed part of this cheaper Pixel, but the details of that support get complicated. You should be able to connect to low-band 5G networks from T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon.
But whereas last year's Pixel 5 included support for higher-frequency millimeter-wave 5G networks, the 5A does not. This means faster speeds, from what Verizon calls Ultra Wideband and what AT&T calls 5G Plus, won't be supported. For a midrange phone this isn't a deal-breaker, but it isn't ideal.
Since Google Fi runs on T-Mobile's network, it works fine on that carrier's low-band as well as its faster midband 5G offering, which it calls Ultra Capacity 5G.
Looking into 5G's future, the 5A's support will be even more complicated. The phone's support of 5G networks running on the C-band is unclear. This is wireless spectrum that Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile spent billions on earlier this year. For Verizon and AT&T, that should provide a significant speed boost beyond just a handful of city blocks.
The first of these networks from AT&T and Verizon should arrive later this year, with Verizon stating earlier this year that this C-band network will allow it to offer peak download speeds of 1 gigabit per second. The Pixel 5, ironically, was announced as one of the first phones to support Verizon's C-band network.
On a hardware level, the 5A should support these forthcoming networks as it has the proper band support inside (what's known as band N77 or N78). The issue is that Google won't commit to updating the software on the Pixel 5A with 5G to enable it.
"The hardware is capable but there hasn't been a lot of deployment yet in the US so the software work would still need to be done," Rakowski said. "We don't have any plans to announce on that front."
When pressed, Rakowski added that Google will "stay in touch with the carriers and evaluate" future support but added that "we're not going to commit, we're not going to make a statement now about future support for what might come in an update."
We already know that more people are holding onto devices for longer, so the lack of support from Google for this upcoming network upgrade -- especially when the physical hardware supports it -- is concerning.
If you're with T-Mobile or a carrier that runs on its network (like Google Fi) you have less to worry about when it comes to accessing a speedy midband 5G network. As for prospective buyers who have AT&T or Verizon, that lack of future support could muddy what's otherwise a solid $449 phone.
Pixel 5A 5G specs
Pixel 5A 5G
Pixel 4A 5G
Pixel 3A
Display size, resolution
6.34-inch OLED, 2,400x1,080 pixels
6.2-inch OLED, 2,340x1,080 pixels
5.6-inch OLED, 2,220x1,080 pixels
Pixel density
413ppi
413ppi
441ppi
Dimensions
156x73x8.8mm
154x74x8.2mm (Sub-6 only); 154x74x8.5 mm (mmWave + Sub-6)
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The New Batteries That Will Make You an Electric Car Believer
The New Batteries That Will Make You an Electric Car Believer
This story is part of Plugged In, CNET's hub for all things EV and the future of electrified mobility. From vehicle reviews to helpful hints and the latest industry news, we've got you covered.
Longer range, faster charging, less range degradation and a lower sticker price: That's all that new battery technologies are to bring to electric cars. And while, on a practical basis, I remain more enthused about charging developments like GM's recent expansion with Pilot and EVgo or Tesla Superchargers embracing the world, here are some new battery technologies that are strong rivals for my enthusiasm.
Lithium ion is far from done
Sila Nanotechnologies is replacing the graphite anode that forms a lot of the bulk and about 15% of the weight of today's lithium-ion batteries with a form of silicon that it claims will give battery cells a 20 to 40% increase in energy density while also charging faster. That change would be roughly analogous to a Ford F-150 getting 25 MPG this year but 35 MPG next model year, an unheard of jump.
Mercedes looks like the first customer to offer the Sila tech as an elite option in the new electric EQG in 2025. Energy density is especially important in heavy vehicles like the EQG because their lardiness tends to magnify the shortcomings of current batteries that have to be large and heavy to move something large and heavy even a decent number of miles, setting up a decided unvirtuous cycle.
Sila claims traditional lithium-ion battery tech has flatlined in terms of energy density.
Sila
Group14 is another company to watch in the marriage of silicon and lithium, lining up Porsche as a lead partner. OneD is pursuing a strategy of growing silicon nanowires on the graphite anode of a lithium battery. All these approaches leverage the good performance and vast acceptance of lithium battery technologies to move to market apace.
Sodium-ion batteries
The Pacific Northwest National Lab recently announced a breakthrough in sodium-ion battery tech that promises greater immunity to the temperature-management requirements that bedevil current EV batteries, charge many times without degradation, be naturally extinguishing and less of a toxic headache. PNNL says it's found a way to tame the unstable aspects of sodium-ion technology but still needs to tackle its substantially lower energy density compared to lithium ion. As a bonus, PNNL researchers think they'll be able to reduce or remove cobalt from the formula, a contentious and toxic element in EV batteries today.
Sara Levine/Pacific Northwest National Lab
Solid-state batteries
Solid-state battery tech is aptly named: It generally refers to batteries made of tightly compressed hard materials rather than the slightly mushy, moist material that makes up a typical lithium battery.
Today's battery cells are semirigid affairs with a wet electrolyte solution inside. Solid-state batteries are physically distinct, signifying the materials that make them radically more promising.
Brian Cooley/CNET
The fact that a solid-state battery is composed of hard materials in a rigid package isn't specifically what makes it perform better, but it's a simple way to describe a construction that promises a lot of benefits:
Greater energy density: This could yield an EV with far more range from the same size battery or today's range from a much smaller, cheaper battery tomorrow. The latter is more transformational in my mind.
Faster charging: While full charges in under 30 minutes are rather elite today, solid-state batteries target that as a matter of course. Short charge times have the potential to change the entire perception of electric cars.
Longer cycle life: You may have seen my recent story on the problem of EV batteries being put out to pasture because they lose a significant portion of their capacity through charge cycling. Solid-state tech is a key part of GM's plan to produce a million-mile life battery.
Thermal stability: Solid-state designs promise little or no chance of thermal runaway, which has made current lithium batteries synonymous with fire risk. Silicon batteries like those mentioned earlier are also said to largely eliminate this problem as well.
Most of the new battery technologies under development boast of being nearly immune to thermal runaway, which has made lithium-ion batteries somewhat synonymous with fire.
Brian Cooley/CNET
Who's in line to deliver this magic?
Solid Power grabbed headlines lately when it announced it was starting small volume production with the backing of Ford and BMW. Notably, production can be done on lines that make conventional lithium-ion batteries today, a potentially huge industrial advantage. Mass production could come as soon as 2024.
Perhaps the most talked about company has been QuantumScape, with backing from VW which says the tech is no less than "the most promising approach to electromobility of the future." QuantumScape has developed a ceramic separator between anode and cathode that helps its cells charge from 10% to 80% in less than 15 minutes while allowing the battery to lose very little capacity after repeated charges.
Nikkei recently reported that Toyota is by far the world's leader in solid-state battery patents and has said it will have a limited production vehicle using the tech by 2025.
Buzzy EV newcomer Vinfast recently committed to invest in solid-state battery-maker ProLogium for batteries that could be in the Vietnamese manufacturer's electric cars by 2024.
Should you wait?
Some of the target dates I related above seem tantalizingly close, but take them with a grain of salt: Slipped mass production dates for any of these battery technologies would surprise exactly nobody. On top of that, the auto industry typically has a long lead time from a new tech being technically available to it being widely available in popularly priced cars. Add to that my general aversion to buying a new car at all and you start to get to the longer end of five to 10 years. I would analyze an EV based on today's offerings as these exciting new battery technologies are probably a full car ownership cycle away for the smart, value-savvy buyer.
That said these battery technologies will arrive early enough in the EV adoption curve to be major contributors to its tipping point.
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Netflix's 'The Sandman' Confirms Release Date in Eerie Trailer
Netflix's 'The Sandman' Confirms Release Date in Eerie Trailer
A new trailer for Netflix's adaptation of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman was released Monday. The trailer sets up Dream (Tom Sturridge) grappling with the decay that ensued after a stretch where he was absent. Now, he must repair damage to both the dreaming and waking worlds.
The trailer comes with a release date for the series: Aug. 5. It also shows glimpses of other cast members, including Jenna Coleman, David Thewlis and Patton Oswalt.
Netflix also revealed Mark Hamill will be voicing a character called Merv Pumpkinhead.
The Sandman is based on Neil Gaiman's comic book series, which ran from 1989 to 1996. It tells the story of Morpheus, the Lord of Dreams.
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Pokemon Go Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl event: Pokemon, bonuses and more
Pokemon Go Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl event: Pokemon, bonuses and more
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl launch for Nintendo Switch this Friday, and Pokemon Go is celebrating their arrival with a special event from Nov. 16 to Nov. 21. Throughout the celebration, new costumed versions of Diamond and Pearl's starter Pokemon will appear in the wild, and there will be various in-game bonuses and more. Here's everything you need to know about the Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl event.
Event-long features
The Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl event is divided up into two parts, but some bonuses, Pokemon and features will be available throughout the entire event. Eggs that are placed inside Incubators and Super Incubators during the event will hatch at half and one-third of the distance they normally require, respectively. The legendary Pokemon Cresselia -- which made its debut in the original Diamond and Pearl games -- is also appearing in five-star raids.
On top of those features, new free and paid avatar outfits have been added. Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup costumes will be available in the style shop, as will free trainer outfits based on the ones worn by the main characters in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. You can also get new stickers from PokeStops, gifts and the item shop.
Among the new avatar items you can get during the Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl event are Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup costumes.
Niantic
Collection Challenge
In addition to the above features, there is also an event-long Collection Challenge that tasks you with catching the new costumed starters. You'll need to catch the following monsters to complete the challenge:
Lucas hat Turtwig
Lucas hat Chimchar
Lucas hat Piplup
Dawn hat Turtwig
Dawn hat Chimchar
Dawn hat Piplup
If you manage to complete the Collection Challenge before the Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl event ends on Nov. 21, you'll earn the following rewards:
1,000 XP
3,000 Stardust
Froslass encounter
Brilliant Diamond event
The first part of the event runs from Nov. 16 to Nov. 18 and is themed after the Brilliant Diamond version. Throughout this portion, many Pokemon that are exclusive to Brilliant Diamond will appear in the wild more frequently, and you'll be able to encounter Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup wearing Lucas's hat. You can see the featured Pokemon below:
Wild spawns
Lucas hat Turtwig
Lucas hat Chimchar
Lucas hat Piplup
Seel
Scyther
Murkrow
Larvitar
Poochyena
Aron
Bidoof
Kricketot
Plant Cloak Burmy
Buizel
Buneary
Stunky
One-star raids
Cranidos
Drifloon
Bronzor
Gible
Three-star raids
Tyranitar
Lopunny
Drapion
Toxicroak
Gallade
Shining Pearl event
The second leg of the event runs from Nov. 18 to Nov. 21 and is themed after the Shining Pearl version. During this portion, Pokemon that are exclusive to Shining Pearl will appear in the wild more frequently, and Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup will be wearing Dawn's hat. You can see the featured Pokemon below:
Wild spawns
Dawn hat Turtwig
Dawn hat Chimchar
Dawn hat Piplup
Pinsir
Slowpoke
Misdreavus
Houndour
Spheal
Bagon
Bidoof
Kricketot
Sandy Cloak Burmy
Buizel
Buneary
Glameow
One-star raids
Three-star raids
Salamence
Lopunny
Drapion
Toxicroak
Gallade
Pokemon Go's Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl event runs until 8 p.m. local time on Nov. 21, while the Nintendo Switch games themselves launch on Nov. 19. You can catch up on everything else that's happening in Pokemon Go this month in our November events roundup.
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Learn Everything You Need to Make Music With This $43 Creator Course Bundle
Learn Everything You Need to Make Music With This $43 Creator Course Bundle
We all want to be stars, but where do you start? The 2022 Digital Music and Content Creator Bundle includes 11 online courses designed to help you through every aspect of the process. It covers audio and video production, music theory, mixing, marketing, distribution and more for just $43. This offer is available now through May 13.
With 184 lessons on the various facets of the creation game, this bundle covers just about everything you need to know at every step of the process. It even hits the essentials for using popular programs including Audacity, Adobe Premiere Rush, Ableton and more. And with lifetime access, there's no rush -- you get to learn at your own pace, whether you binge the lessons all at once or you need to fit small bits between meetings, commutes and other obligations.
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Put Down the Vinyls. CDs Are Making a Comeback After 17 Years
Put Down the Vinyls. CDs Are Making a Comeback After 17 Years
Put down your vinyls records and dust off those long-forgotten plastic binders, because CDs are making a resurgence. CD sales in the US increased in 2021 for the first time in 17 years, according to the annual sales report published by the Recording Industry Association of America. CD sales were up 21% to $584 million last year, according to the report.
While music-streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal are still the primary way people enjoy their music, physical music sales have been on the rise the last several years, reaching $1.65 billion in the US in 2021 alone.
This is due mostly to the growing interest in vinyl music. Vinyl sales revenue increased by 61% in 2021 to $1 billion -- a milestone that hadn't been reached since 1986. Sales for LP/EPs also increased 67.3 % in 2021 compared with 2020.
"No industry in history has embraced changing technologies and innovations faster than music over the last 10 years -- taking streaming from novelty to ubiquitous in the blink of an eye and now working to drive a new generation of social apps, shared immersive experiences, and blockchain/NFT opportunities going forward," Mitch Glazier, chairman and CEO of RIAA, wrote in a piece published by Music Business Worldwide.
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This Powerful Little Wi-Fi Extender Is Even Better Now That It's 50% Off for Prime Day
This Powerful Little Wi-Fi Extender Is Even Better Now That It's 50% Off for Prime 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.
No matter how strong your Wi-Fi signal is, it still might have trouble broadcasting to every corner of your home. Your average router might adequately cover an apartment or a small house, but you'll definitely encounter dead zones or limited connection if you have many devices connected to the internet, are dealing with a large home with multiple floors, or live in a home made from materials like brick, cement, metal or stone, which wireless signals have trouble passing through.
If you're in that boat, with bad signal in certain parts of your home, you've got several options: You can upgrade to a stronger router (like the TP-Link Deco W7200), use multiple routers together or simply move your router closer to wherever you need it most. But there is another option, that is both cheap and easy, for better internet connection. And thanks to Prime Day, it's way cheaper to give this option a shot.
A Wi-Fi extender, like the RE315 Wi-Fi range extender from TP-Link, works with any common router to boost your Wi-Fi signal and give you coverage through your home. Right now, you can get the RE315 Wi-Fi Extender for only $25, which is 50% off its regular price. The discount is exclusive to Amazon Prime members.
According to TP-Link, the RE315 provides Wi-FI coverage up to 1,500 square feet, and allows you to connect up to 25 devices to the network at a single time, thanks to its dual 300Mbps 2.4GHz and 867Mbps 5GHz bands. Setup is also incredibly easy -- you can manage your Wi-Fi network with the TP-Link Tether app on your iPhone or Android.
You can plug your devices directly into the RE315.
TP-Link
The RE315 can also work as an access point to create a wireless local area network, or WLAN, in your home. Typically, a WLAN connection is faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi. There is also an Ethernet port on the RE315, so that you can connect your computer or TV with a cable.
And if you own a compatible OneMesh router, like the TP-Link Deco X90, you can connect the RE315 as part of a mesh network, which is a group of devices that work as a single Wi-Fi network, to more easily connect your devices to the internet. If you connect the RE315 to an incompatible mesh router, it creates a separate Wi-Fi network, but if it's connected to a compatible mesh router, it's just one network, so you wouldn't need to switch from one network to another as you move around.
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How to Buy a Laptop to Edit Photos, Videos or for Other Creative Tasks
How to Buy a Laptop to Edit Photos, Videos or for Other Creative Tasks
Are you baffled by the multitude of laptop, desktop and tablet options being hurled at you as a generic "creative" or "creator"? Marketing materials rarely distinguish among the widely varying needs for different pursuits; marketers basically consider anything with a discrete GPU (a graphics processor that's not integrated into the CPU), no matter how low power, suitable for all sorts of creative endeavors. That can get really frustrating when you're trying to wade through a mountain of choices.
On one hand, the wealth of options means there's something for every type of work, suitable for any creative tool and at a multitude of prices. On the other, it means you run the risk of overspending for a model you don't really need. Or more likely underspending, and ending up with a system that just can't keep up, because you haven't judged the trade-offs of different components properly.
One thing hasn't changed over time: The most important components to worry about are the CPU, which generally handles most of the final quality and AI acceleration for a growing number of smart features; GPU, which determines how fluidly your screen interactions are along with some AI acceleration as well; the screen; and the amount of memory. Other considerations can be your network speed and stability, since so much is moving up and down from the cloud, and storage speed and capacity if you're dealing with large video or render files.
You still won't find anything particularly budget-worthy for a decent experience. Even a basic model worth buying will cost at least $1,000; like a gaming laptop, the extras that make it worth the name are what differentiates it from a general-purpose competitor, and those always cost at least a bit extra.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Should I get a MacBook Pro or a Windows laptop?
If what you're really wondering is whether the Mac is generally better than Windows for graphics, that hasn't been true for a while. Windows' graphics programming interface has gotten a lot better over time, which allows for broader support and better performance in the applications. But performing display calibration on both platforms can feel like walking barefoot over broken glass. Windows, because its color profile management seems like it hasn't changed since it originally launched in Windows NT, and MacOS because interface changes made in Monterey combined with ambiguity about supported calibrators, software and the new MacBook Pro screens has some folks gnashing their collective teeth.
MacBook Pros now have native M1 processor support for most of the important applications, which includes software written to use Metal (Apple's graphics application programming interface). But a lot of software still doesn't have both Windows and MacOS versions, which means you have to pick the platform that supports any critical utilities or specific software packages. If you need both and aren't seriously budget-constrained, consider buying a fully kitted-out MacBook Pro and running a Windows virtual machine on it. That's an imperfect solution, though, since VMs tend to be fairly bad ab out being able to access the full capabilities of the GPU.
Dan Ackerman/CNET
How do I know what specs are important?
The first decision you need to make is whether you'll need a workstation-class system or can get away with a normal laptop; the latter is generally cheaper. In order to use some advanced features, accelerate some operations or adhere to certain security constraints, some professional applications require workstation-class components: Nvidia A- or T-series or AMD W-series GPUs rather than their GeForce or Radeon equivalents, Intel Xeon or AMD Threadripper CPUs and ECC (error correction code) memory.
Nvidia loosened the reigns on its division between its consumer GPUs and its workstation GPUs with a middle-ground Nvidia Studio. The Studio drivers, as opposed to GeForce's Game Ready ones, add optimizations for more creation-focused applications rather than games, which means you don't necessarily have to fork over as much cash.
Companies which develop professional applications usually provide guidance on what some recommended specs are for running their software. If your budget demands that you make performance trade-offs, you need to know where to throw more money. Since every application is different, you can't generalize to the level of "video-editing uses CPU cores more than GPU acceleration" (though a big, fast SSD is almost always a good idea). The requirements for photo editing are generally lower than those for video, so those systems will probably be cheaper and more tempting. But if you spend 90% of your time editing video, it might not be worth the savings.
There are a few generalizations I can make to help narrow down your options:
More and faster CPU cores -- more P-Cores if we're talking about Intel's new 12th-gen processors -- directly translate into shorter final-quality rendering times for both video and 3D and faster ingestion and thumbnail generation of high-resolution photos and video. Intel's new P-series processors are specifically biased for creative (and other CPU-intensive) work.
More and faster GPU cores plus more graphics memory (VRAM) improves the fluidity of much real-time work, such as using the secondary display option in Lightroom, scrubbing through complex timelines for video editing, working on complex 3D models and so on.
Always get 16GB or more memory. Frankly, that's my general recommendation for Windows systems (MacOS runs better on less memory than Windows). But a lot of graphics applications will use as much memory as they can get their grubby little bits on; for instance, I've never seen Lightroom use less than all the available memory in my system (or CPU cores) when importing photos.
Stick with SSD storage and at least 1TB of it. Budget laptops may have a slow, secondary spinning disk drive to cheaply pad about the amount of storage. And while you could get away with 512GB, you'll probably find yourself having to clear files off onto external storage a little too frequently.
Get the fastest Wi-Fi possible, which at the moment is Wi-Fi 6E. Much has become split between the cloud and local storage, and even if you don't intend to use the cloud much your software may force it on you. For instance, Adobe really, really wants you to use its clouds and is moving an increasing amount of your files to cloud-only. And if you accidentally save that 256MB Photoshop file in the ether, you're in for a rude awakening when you try to open it next.
Do I need a 4K or 100% Adobe RGB screen?
Not necessarily. For highly detailed work -- think a CAD wireframe or illustration -- you might benefit from the higher pixel density of a 4K display, but for the most part, you can get away with something lower (and you'll be rewarded with slightly better battery life, too).
Color is more important, but your needs depend on what you're doing and at what level. A lot of manufacturers will cut corners with a 100% sRGB display, but it won't be able to reproduce a lot of saturated colors; it really is a least-common-denominator space, and you can always buy a cheap external monitor to preview or proof images the way they'll appear on cheaper displays.
For graphics that will only be appearing online, a screen with at least 95% P3 (aka DCI-P3) coverage is my general choice, and they're becoming quite common and less expensive than they used to be. If you're trying to match colors between print and screen, then 99% Adobe RGB makes more sense. Either one will display lovely saturated colors and the broad tonal range you might need for photo editing, but Adobe RGB skews more toward reproducing cyan and magenta, which are important for printing.
A display that supports color profiles stored in hardware, like HP's Dreamcolor, Calman Ready, Dell PremierColor and so on, will allow for more consistent color when you use multiple calibrated monitors. They also tend to be better, as calibration requires a tighter color error tolerance than typical screens. Of course, they also tend to be more expensive. And you frequently need to step up to a mobile workstation for this type of capability; you can use hardware calibrators such as the Calibrite ColorChecker Display (formerly the X-Rite i1Display Pro) to generate software profiles, but they're more difficult to work with when matching colors across multiple connected monitors.
Nfts that earn crypto how to protect your cryptocurrency what are crypto coins used for most secure crypto coin what is crypto security what is crypto prevent crypto security companies crypto security tokens
Crypto Security: Protect Your Coins and NFTs From Being Stolen
Crypto Security: Protect Your Coins and NFTs From Being Stolen
With crypto prices in free fall, crypto firms laying off thousands of workers and coins that are considered "stable" losing all their value, it's more important than ever to secure your remaining portfolio.
The current crypto crash isn't the only way people are losing their money. There have been an increasing number of scams that give thieves access to your accounts and crypto assets. Just recently in May, Seth Green had several NFTs worth over $300,000 stolen, after the actor connected his crypto wallet to a scam website pretending to be a credible NFT project.
Protecting your crypto means taking some of the same steps you'd use to safeguard your other digital accounts, such as creating and using strong passwords. However, crypto accounts have unique characteristics like seed phrases that require additional security. Also, the crypto industry still lacks the regulatory framework necessary for the retrieval of your crypto assets if they're stolen.
In this story, we'll cover several ways you can protect your cryptocurrency and NFTs from being purloined and explain why it's worth taking the time to properly secure your digital assets from being stolen. For more on crypto, learn five questions every investor should ask about cryptocurrency and the latest details on bitcoin's wild price swings.
Always follow these two basic password security rules
One of the easiest ways to protect your digital assets is with strong passwords. Ideally, you want your passwords to be at least eight characters long and include random capital letters, numbers and other special characters. If you can make your password longer, however, you should, because the longer the password, the harder it is to crack, in theory.
If you're worried about remembering all of your long, complicated and unique passwords, consider using a password manager, which makes it simple and secure to store and use your passwords from one place. We recommended choosing a password manager with encrypted storage and two-factor authentication for extra security.
Also, when creating an account, never repeat your passwords. If one of your accounts is compromised, your others will also be at risk.
A strong password is vital to keeping your digital assets secure.
James Martin/CNET
Use a hardware crypto wallet for your most treasured assets
Your crypto wallet serves as the gateway to your crypto assets. "Hot" wallets such as software or mobile apps operate online, while "cold" wallets are hardware devices that work offline. Crypto wallets don't hold the actual coins or tokens -- they store the private keys that prove you own your crypto assets and let you buy, sell or trade on blockchains.
Anytime you purchase cryptocurrency or NFTs, they must be stored somewhere. Most people keep their assets in a digital wallet or marketplace, such as Coinbase or MetaMask, because they're free and easy to use, but for your most valuable holdings, you may want to consider a physical wallet.
A hardware, or cold, wallet allows you to store cryptocurrency and NFTs on a physical drive, which you can connect to a computer to access. Hardware wallets are generally more difficult to hack into, so they're a preferred option when storing digital assets that are especially high in value.
The Trezor One hardware wallet ($48.49) works with bitcoin, ethereum, litecoin and a variety of other cryptocurrencies.
Trezor
Here's more on the different types of crypto wallets.
Keep the seed phrase for your crypto wallet secure and offline
In addition to a password, most crypto wallets use a seed phrase for additional security. This seed phrase acts like a master password and is created whenever you set up a new wallet. A seed phrase is made up of 12 or 24 words that you can use to sign in to your account on other devices, or recover your account if you forget your password.
While this seed phrase provides additional security, it also comes with risk -- anyone who learns your seed phrase could potentially steal all the crypto assets recorded in your wallet. While you might be tempted to store your seed phrase somewhere online, it's crucial to write it down -- offline -- to prevent anyone from accessing it.
Once you write down your seed phrase, store it in a safe or lockbox, so that it's not easy for anyone else to access. Specialized seed phrase hardware tools, like Cryptosteel and Crypt Keeper, can securely store your 12 or 24 words in a portable system that's protected from fire and flooding.
If your seed phrase is either lost or stolen, but you still know your password, immediately log in to your wallet and generate a brand new seed phrase.
This is an example of a randomly created 24-word seed phrase.
Nelson Aguilar/CNET
Be wary of frauds in direct messages on Discord
Discord is one of the unofficial homes of crypto and NFT communities. It's where many crypto enthusiasts go to discuss upcoming NFT projects, cryptocurrency prices, real-life events and even personal lives. Fans of NFT projects use Discord to form communities -- but it's also where hackers and thieves go to compromise accounts.
Here's how it works: A hacker may directly message you, pretending to be part of a project that you're following and interested in. The DM looks official and usually claims that you can mint an NFT that's difficult to get, at a relatively cheap price, and includes a link to follow. But when you click the link, connect your wallet and attempt to purchase the NFT, your wallet is drained of all your NFTs and crypto. And there's really no way to get it all back.
The most important research you can do to avoid falling for a fake NFT website is to use verified channels to find the correct website when attempting to mint or purchase a newly created NFT. Even if you receive a link from what seems like a credible source, use multiple online sources like Google, Twitter and Opensea to verify that you have the correct URL for the project.
An even simpler method to avoid falling into a scam is to disable DMs on Discord. On your mobile device, launch the Discord app, tap your profile picture on the bottom right, go into Privacy & Safety, and toggle off Allow Direct Messages From Server Members. You'll no longer receive direct messages on Discord.
Discord is where people go to discuss cryptocurrency and NFTs, as well as prey on potential victims.
Discord
Don't fall for support scams on Twitter
Like Discord, Twitter is a hunting ground for hackers looking to swindle unsuspecting victims into giving away their assets.
On Twitter, anytime someone mentions "stolen account," "lost password" or even "MetaMask," an army of hackers may respond, offering to help recover stolen assets or restore access into accounts. Hackers may then ask for your seed phrase via DM and use it to steal your crypto or NFTs.
If you need support, go straight to the official customer service site on Twitter. Never give anyone your seed phrase, ever, even if an account is verified -- sometimes hackers have access to verified accounts. And never share your screen.
Not even Elon Musk can stop these Twitter scammers.
James Martin/CNET
For more about cryptocurrency security, learn whether it's possible to insure bitcoin and how the Securities and Exchange Commission is taking on crypto fraud.
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Best Instant Pot deals: Be ready for game day with a $40 multicooker
Best Instant Pot deals: Be ready for game day with a $40 multicooker
This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.
If you're looking for an Instant Pot, there are serious deals on the popular multicookers today. We found Instant Pots and Instant Pot accessories that are way down from their normal sticker prices. Amazon is running a mini Instant Pot sale that not only includes the brand's signature pressure cooker and slow cooker, but also an electric Dutch ovens, air fryers and more handy kitchen gear.
If you're starting from scratch with multicookers, the Instant Pot is a popular small appliance that functions as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer and warmer, with a sauté mode so you can make tender meats like brisket, beef stew, shredded chicken and pulled pork from start to finish. An Instant Pot keeps all the food securely inside the pot with a safe-locking lid. It'll deliver easy meals that taste like they've taken hours to make -- but in reality require a fraction of the time.
Wondering how to spot a multicooker deal? Instant Pots come in more variations than laptops, it seems, and pricing is often all over the map. The main rule: $60 to $80 is the sweet spot for a standard 6-quart Instant Pot (without the air fryer attachment) and anything lower than that means we're venturing into all-time low territory. Newer models with more bells and whistles aren't likely to go that low. For instance, the souped-up Instant Pro is down to $100 today which is a full $30 off the normal price.
For a 3-quart model -- perfect for one to three people -- anything under $60 is a solid deal. Most Instant Pots come in 3-, 6- and 8-quart sizes, with the 6-quart models being the most popular for families. For a single person or even a couple, you could easily get away with a 3-quart.
We'll continue to update this post with the best Instant Pot deals for the holiday shopping season, so check back often.
Read more: Best air fryer for 2021: Ninja, Dash, Gourmia and more
Insignia
If you want a basic multicooker and aren't hung up on name brands, Insignia's version of the Instant Pot is down to a tempting $40. It has all the same functions as your basic Instant Pot but at one-third of the price. This is the popular 6-quart size which is perfect for families of three or four or those who host gatherings and might want to make easy batches of pulled pork, chicken chili, stews and more.
Instant Pot
This interesting hybrid cooker is less well known than Instant Pot's pressure cookers, but if you're in the market for either a Dutch oven or a slow cooker -- or if you need both -- this might be an ideal small appliance.
CNET has yet to test this one but it's essentially an enameled cast-iron Dutch oven (which we love) with its own heating base so you can precisely control the temperature of the food inside. Great for braising, stewing and warming food. And the Dutch oven can be removed and placed gracefully on the table for serving.
Instant Pot
We've seen this handy air fryer lid drop lower during Black Friday and other sales but this is still a nice $20 drop from the normal price. It'll turn any 6-quart Instant Pot into a powerful air fryer for making much healthier versions of your favorite fried snacks. It works great and doesn't take up much space in the cupboard either.
Instant Pot
This might be Instant Pot's sleekest model and it's $30 off right now. The jet black paint job fits a modern aesthetic, and the multicooker boasts 28 cooking programs and 10 modes: pressure cook, slow cook, sous vide, sauté, sterilizer, yogurt maker, food warmer, cake baker and steamer.
Instant Pot
If you need the whole kit and kaboodle (Instant Pot and air fryer lid) this is a solid price for the bundle. It acts as a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, steamer, sauté pan, food warmer, sous vide, roaster, broiler and dehydrator.
Wondering how the air fryer lid works? Check out the air-fried chicken I made in this exact Duo Crisp model a few weeks back. It's hard to fathom a kitchen appliance that does more than this one and you likely won't find the 6-quart version for cheaper than it is right now. For reference, the air fryer lid alone usually sells for $89.
Note, Target doesn't list this as "on sale" but it's a full $31 cheaper than you'll find it elsewhere including Amazon.
