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Gizmodo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
If Your Phone Is a Samsung, Amazon Just Crushed the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro to a New Record Low
Samsung really nailed it with the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. These wireless earbuds come packed with smart AI features and noise cancellation that actually works – no empty promises here. They even scored Gizmodo's Editors' Choice, which says a lot. If you've got a Samsung phone, these buds are like a dream come true and they leave the AirPods Pro trailing behind. Right now, Amazon has them at an all-time low of $189, which is down from $249, so this deal is definitely worth taking. See at Amazon The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro come with a package of technology that should improve your listening experience in smarter ways: To begin with, the active noise cancellation (ANC) is excellent. It not only minimizes ambient noise but it also adapts to your environment and activities so your favorite music or calls sound richer. You can switch ANC modes or ambient sound mode, which lets you stay aware of what's around you without needing to take the earbuds out. You'll also enjoy the AI-driven sound optimization: They read your ear shape and personalize the sound settings to match you to a T. The customized tuning allows the audio quality to sound like a personal prescription and every note comes through richer and more balanced. The sound itself is also balanced with deep bass, sharp highs and clear mids. Samsung redesigned the earbuds for a fit that is comfortable but not intrusive: You can wear them for long hours without discomfort which is crucial when you're using them through the day for calls. The design also helps with passive noise isolation and adds another layer of quiet to complement the ANC. And with their lightweight build, carrying these earbuds around in your pocket or bag is effortless. They also have smart features that are convenient to use on a daily basis: You can easily control with touch controls by pausing, playing, skipping tracks and turning on your voice assistant with just a touch. Samsung's AI interpreter can even translate real-time which is a welcome feature for the traveler or friends who speak in foreign languages. Battery life is good too, with many hours of playtime from one charge, along with extra juice when you charge through the case, so you can stay plugged in a lot longer than regular earbuds. For $189, the earbuds offer plenty of bang for the buck, especially when you factor that the price is usually around $249. See at Amazon
CNET
3 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Ninja's Glass-Bowl Air Fryer Won Me Over. Here Are 4 Reasons I Made the Switch
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. 9.2 / 10 SCORE Ninja Crispi $180 at Amazon $180 at Best Buy $180 at Target Pros Cook, serve, and storage capabilities Easy to clean: almost everything is dishwasher-safe Intuitive operation No concern about PFAS Ability to see cooking in progress Can buy additional glass vessels for maximum food prep Small storage footprint with nesting capabilities Portable Cons Price is on the high side for air fryers Some exposed hot elements during operation Ninja Crispi 9.2/10 CNET Score $180 at Amazon We're a little obsessed with air fryers around here. We've spent countless hours putting them through their paces -- testing everything from frozen snacks to full meals -- while also evaluating how each model performs. This past spring, a new contender stood out: an air fryer with a sleek glass cooking chambe that breaks from the usual bulky black-box design and hard-to-get-really-clean nonstick basket. After running it through our full battery of tests, it didn't just pass -- it quickly became the favorite. The result? It earned CNET's Editor's Choice award and claimed the top spot on our Best Air Fryers of 2025 list. The Ninja Crispi is our new favorite air fryer. Ninja Read more: Air Fryer Fails: 8 Foods That Just Can't Handle the Heat The Crispi is one of the more expensive air fryers we've tested at $160. But if you're hunting for an air fryer that's easy to use, easy to get clean -- like, really clean -- built to last and causes no concern about ingesting cookware chemicals, the Ninja Crispi is worth a look. Here's how it works and four reasons I switched to a glass-bowl air fryer in 2025. Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 portable glass air fryer at a glance Style : Modular air fryer with two sizes of glass cooking vessels and a separate cooking pod in three color options : Modular air fryer with two sizes of glass cooking vessels and a separate cooking pod in three color options Dimensions : 13.5 by 12 by 13.5 inches : 13.5 by 12 by 13.5 inches Power : 1,500 watts : 1,500 watts Weight : 15.74 pounds : 15.74 pounds Price $160 Ninja Crispi operation: How it's different Being able to visually track progress is one of the big draws for Ninja's new air fryer. Pamela Vachon/CNET The cooking pod itself includes crisp, bake, air fry and max crisp functions. Crisp is intended to revive leftovers, while max crisp is the ideal setting for packaged frozen foods. While it is tempting, given its baking dish look, the glass TempWare bowls are not intended to be used as the actual cooking vessels for batters in bake mode, because air still needs to circulate below the cooking vessels to be effective. (Will I try anyway? The temptation is real…) Pressing any button will indicate a digital timer to which you can add or subtract minutes. (The timer defaults to 10.) Below 1 minute, the timer changes into seconds and the device beeps to alert you when the cycle is complete. Overall, the sound level of the Ninja Crispi was similar to conventional air fryer models, with just a moderate whir when operating. 4 reasons I switched to the glass-bowl Ninja Crispi You can see what you're cooking My brussels sprouts got a good char in the Crispi. Pamela Vachon/CNET As expected, the ability to see the cooking in progress was really satisfying, both from a nerdy perspective and also to be able to look for visual cues in terms of when to flip your items or to assess doneness. Both chicken parts and Brussels sprouts were cooked evenly and efficiently with little risk of over-cooking given the 360-degree window into the proceedings. 2. Glass bowls are nontoxic and easy to get clean NInja Most air fryers use aluminum cooking baskets with a nonstick coating. Those coatings tend to chip and breakdown if you're not careful. Plenty of folks are concerned about the health ramifications for ingesting nonstick chemicals that chip of of cookware. With a glass-bowl air fryer, there's no worry. If that's not enough, glass is much easier to deep-clean than nonstick surfaces and you can use the dishwasher without issue. 3. The glass bowls double as food storage containers The cooked food is ready to be packed away or brought to a party as soon as it's done. Pamela Vachon/CNET The versatility, however, makes the Ninja Crispi tremendously interesting, especially for avid meal preppers. Full meals or individual cooked components can go right from cooking into the fridge, with the included lids for easy storage. (Although I am bound by refrigerator logistics to tell you to let it all cool first, so you don't inadvertently raise the temperature inside your fridge.) Additional cooking bowls in a variety of sizes can be purchased separately, allowing for the possibility of a multitude of individually cooked meals with no cleanup required in between use: just transfer the cooking pod from one cooking vessel to the next, assembly-line style. Sunday meal prep has never been easier, nor required fewer dishes. 4. It's easy to store The Ninja Crispi is also easy to store, with a footprint and height requirement that is far less than a lot of conventional models. It also makes for easy portability -- ideal for a potluck situation or even just a hot-meal self-care moment -- where you could even justify cooking on site. Either of the cooking bowls and the cooking pod could easily fit in a shoulder bag. If I worked in an office, it would thrill me to bring the whole thing with me to have a hot, healthful lunch without reheating. Although if you're contemplating being the person to cook fish directly at your desk -- maybe don't. Not only can the larger 4-quart bowl be used directly as a family-style serving vessel -- whose practical feet preclude the need for a trivet or pot holder -- but one could argue that the smaller 4-cup vessel can be used to eat out of directly, significantly reducing the number of dishes to wash. Speaking of washing, everything except the cooking pod itself is dishwasher-safe. Ninja Crispy setup Convenient as it, the glass cooking chamber does get hotter than your average air fryer base. Pamela Vachon/CNET Despite not looking anything like a typical air fryer, the Ninja Crispi was intuitive to set up and use. Each of the glass cooking vessels has a built-in stand with feet that keeps it off the counter surface. Side handles are also fitted on the stands of the bowls, which allow not only for easy transporting between the counter and the table (because the vessels can also be used to serve) but also make it easy to shake the contents as needed during the cooking process. The nonstick crisper plates were packaged separately and simple to place inside the bowls and to remove for cleaning. Lids for the 6-cup and 4-quart bowls were also included: a snap-on lid for the smaller and a simpler press-on lid for the larger. The cooking pod itself has an ergonomic shape for easy lifting and also has feet for safe placement on the counter when not in use. The cooking pod sits easily on top of the 6-cup bowl and a big-batch adapter frame fits the cooking pod onto the larger bowl. Between unwrapping and rinsing all of the washable parts, I was ready to go in about 2 minutes. What I didn't like about the Ninja Crispi Convenient as it, the glass cooking chamber does get hotter than your average air fryer base. Pamela Vachon/CNET As a modular device with a ton of built-in practicality and versatility, I do think the Ninja Crispi is a game-changer in the air fryer market. That said, at $160 it's on the higher side, price-wise, for an air fryer. Those with little ones in the house also may want to note: When the cooking pod is being used with the adapter for large batches, the adapter can become hot and is potentially exposed once the heating pod is removed. Never minding little ones, if you're an absent-minded cook yourself, it can be a hazard. Read more: 8 Foods That Go From Good to Great in an Air Fryer Final verdict on the Ninja Crispi If you're a disciple of air fryer cooking and, especially if you have a serious commitment to meal prepping, the Ninja Crispi is arguably one of the most versatile models on the market. It's satisfying to use and easy to store and clean. You may want to look for it on sale during Prime Days or the like, but even without a discount, its utility and the reputation of the Ninja brand merits its price tag.
CNET
5 days ago
- CNET
This Is Why Bose's SoundLink Plus Is the Goldilocks of Bose Bluetooth Speakers
8.5 / 10 SCORE Bose SoundLink Plus $269 at Bose $269 at Amazon $269 at B&H Photo-Video Pros Sleek design with integrated rope loop IP67 waterproof, dustproof and shock-resistant Impressive sound for its size with fairly robust, well-defined bass and good clarity EQ settings in Bose companion USB-C charge out allows you to power up a phone and other devices Cons While it's $130 less than the SoundLink Max, it's still pricey No built-in microphone for speakerphone capabilities No auxiliary input Bose SoundLink Plus 8.5/10 CNET Score $269 at Bose As Bose continues to expand its SoundLink portable Bluetooth speaker line, it's become harder to choose one because they're all quite good. That said, the new-for-2025 SoundLink Plus ($269), which sits between the more compact second-gen SoundLink Flex ($149) and the beefier and rather pricey SoundLink Max ($399), may just be the best of the bunch, the goldilocks of Bose Bluetooth speakers. While it can't play quite as loud or deliver as much bass as the larger Max, it costs significantly less and puts out clear, potent sound that's a big step up from the Flex's sound. It strikes the right balance of performance and price, earning a CNET Editors' Choice award in the process. Read more: Best Bluetooth speakers of 2025 Weighing 3.3 pounds and measuring 9.1 by 3.9 by 3.4 inches (WHD), it weighs more than twice as much as the Flex and is a couple of inches wider but about the same height. I thought it might also be twice the depth of the Flex, but it's not quite that (3.4 inches compared to the Flex's 2.1 inches). That said, in hand, it feels like a significantly more substantial speaker while being easier to tote around than the 4.7-pound SoundLink Max, even with that model's removable rope handle (the SoundLink Plus has a "rugged utility rope loop" sticking out from its side). Enlarge Image The SoundLink Plus comes in three color options, including this citrus yellow, which is currently only available at David Carnoy/CNET The SoundLink Plus has similar features to the SoundLink Max, offering USB-C in/out charging and up to 20 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels. The Max has an auxiliary input while the Plus doesn't. Both are IP67 dust-resistant and waterproof, as are the Flex and new $130 SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen), which is due out in late August and has been upgraded with improved sound and USB-C charging. Unlike the Flex, the SoundLink Plus doesn't have a built-in microphone, so it's missing speakerphone capabilities, which is too bad. The Bose companion app has equalizer settings that allow you to tweak the speaker's sound profile and customize the shortcut button on top of the speaker to either link to a second Bose speaker or create a quick link to Spotify, which allows you to easily resume playback from the service. The back of the speaker. The speaker charges via USB-C and can also charge devices and act as a power bank. David Carnoy/CNET Note that this is a mono speaker and that to get real stereo separation, you would have to link two SoundLink Plus speakers in left/right Stereo Mode (you can also link to other recent SoundLink speakers in Party Mode to augment the sound to cover more space). I tested Stereo Mode with two SoundLink Flex speakers, and the sound improved dramatically. But I only got one SoundLink Plus review sample, so I was unable to test Stereo Mode. However, based on what I've heard from a pair of Flex speakers, I suspect a left/right SoundLink Plus stereo combo would sound quite impressive if you can afford to buy two of these guys. Comparing the SoundLink Plus to the competition I evaluated the SoundLink Plus for a few hours on its own, and it performed well with the majority of test tracks I threw at it, though it really shined with well-recorded material and didn't seem as constrained at higher volumes as some mini Bluetooth speakers I've tested. To avoid distorting, many portable speakers' digital processing ends up clipping some frequencies, especially in the low-end. For the most part, that didn't happen here, and the speaker's sound held up nicely with minimal distortion at higher volumes. However, now and then, I'd encounter a track the speaker just didn't handle all too gracefully, reminding me that it's still pretty compact. After comparing it to the SoundLink Flex and SoundLink Max, I then pitted it against a few other top Bluetooth speakers, including the JBL Charge 6, Sony ULT 3 and ULT 5 and LG Xboom Bounce. All those speakers except the Sony ULT 5 list for a little less than this Bose (however, the ULT 5 does seem to regularly go on sale for $250). But they'd all be models I'd have on my radar if I were considering the SoundLink Plus. Comparing the SoundLink Plus to other top Bluetooth speakers from JBL, Sony and LG. David Carnoy/CNET Though the differences weren't huge -- they're all good-sounding Bluetooth speakers -- the SoundLink Plus sounds superior to all of those speakers except the ULT 5, which is significantly larger and plays a little louder and produces more bass. Compared to the JBL 6, the SoundLink Plus sounds fuller with a wider soundstage. The same goes for the Sony ULT 3, which doesn't produce as much bass as the Bose, even with its ULT bass boost fully engaged. Faced off against the LG Xboom Bounce, I felt the Bose's tonal balance was a little better, with the Bose having slightly superior treble and midrange performance. You can find better value Bluetooth speakers -- I still like Anker's Soundcore Boom 2, which costs around $120 or slightly less during flash sales -- but the Bose has a little richer, more refined sound with better clarity and a slicker design. Other cost-effective brands like Tribit also have portable speakers that deliver very good bang for the buck. But they can be a little generic looking and don't sound as good as this Bose when comparing models of a similar size. The SoundLink Plus weight 1.4 pounds less than the SoundLink Max and cost $130 less. David Carnoy/CNET Is the Bose SoundLink Plus worth it? Both the SoundLink Flex and SoundLink Max are very good Bluetooth speakers (I also like the SoundLink Home, but it isn't ruggedized and is primarily designed for indoor use). The highly portable Flex produces bigger sound and more bass than you'd expect for its compact size and is also pretty reasonably priced, particularly when it's sporadically discounted. The SoundLink Max also plays bigger than its size would indicate and competes well against significantly larger Bluetooth boombox-style speakers. On the other hand, both those models have a few strikes against them. The Flex's sound has its limitations -- the speaker can only produce so much bass and volume -- and the SoundLink Max is a little heavy and pricey. The SoundLink Plus isn't cheap at $269, but it splits the difference between the Flex and Max, giving you fuller, richer sound than the Flex while shedding 1.4 pounds from the Max (and $130 off the Max's list price). It may not be the perfect Bluetooth speaker for everybody, but it should hit the sweet spot for a lot of folks, especially when its price dips a bit during flash sales. The SoundLink Plus is IP67 waterproof and dust proof. David Carnoy/CNET Bose SoundLink Plus key specs
CNET
15-07-2025
- CNET
The Apple Watch Series 10 Is Hands-Down My Favorite Smartwatch, and It's 24% Off Right Now
I've tested dozens of smartwatches over the years, and whenever I'm done with a review, I like to go bare-wristed for a few days to give myself a break. But after wrapping up my review of the Apple Watch Series 10, I noticed something totally unexpected: For the first time ever, I didn't want to take the device off. I've always been on the lookout for a hybrid watch that strikes the right balance between a traditional wristwatch and a smartwatch. Plenty of wearables over the years have promised just that, like the Withings Scanwatch range. The Series 10, which tops our list of the best smartwatches for 2025 and is a CNET Editors' Choice Award winner, strikes the ideal balance for me because it doesn't compromise on connectivity, fitness tracking features or the overall look. That's because of the LTPO 3 technology that lets the screen refresh at 1Hz and gives the Series 10 a ticking second hand on a few watch faces, even when the display isn't actively being used. It makes Apple's device feel like a regular watch when I'm not actively using it, which is different from any other smartwatch I've tested. I like being able to change up the look by switching between the Reflections watch face, with its sweeping "analog" second hand, and Activity Digital, with its digital seconds counter. I wish there were more watch faces that supported this ticking second hand. There is Flux, but I've found myself siding with Redditors who think it's kind of goofy. (If you've found a color combination that makes it feel less comical, let me know!) The ticking second hand isn't just an aesthetic choice, or for the times when I'm anxiously checking to make sure I'm not too early for my next meeting. It's also practical for folks in different professions, like health care workers who need to have a second hand even after the display times out. More than the ticking second hand, it's the display itself I was skeptical that the Series 10's wide-angle OLED display would make that much difference to the viewing experience. Apple says it's up to 40% brighter than earlier watch displays when you're looking at it off-axis. So of course I had to compare it to every other Apple Watch in my review cabinet, including the Series 9. When using my eyes alone I'm not able to quantify how much brighter it appears as a percentage, there's no question the Series 10 is easier to see and looks brighter than other Apple Watch models with the same watch face. The Series 10 doesn't have the same battery life or rugged construction, but I miss its display when I have to switch to the $799 Apple Watch Ultra 2. Apple Watch Series 10 specs Case sizes: 42mm, 46mm 42mm, 46mm Battery life: Up to 18 hours Up to 18 hours Screen: LTPO3 OLED Always-On Retina display LTPO3 OLED Always-On Retina display Refresh rate: 1Hz 1Hz Brightness: Up to 2,000 nits Up to 2,000 nits Water resistance: Up to 50m Why I never want to take it off It's not just the display that's made it hard for me to remove the Series 10 from my wrist. There's almost every health and fitness tracking feature I could want, from a range of cycling tools to sleep apnea notifications, which is part of the reason this watch tops our list of the best smartwatches for 2025. Then there's WatchOS 11, which brings helpful safety tools like Check In to my wrist, so I no longer have to manually send the "I'm home!" message to friends and family. If only it worked with recipients who don't use iMessage: I truly hope Apple will add compatibility for RCS messaging for this indispensable safety tool, just like FaceTime works on Android through a web link. I now understand what people mean when they say they feel naked when they leave their house without their phones. Except for me, it's a watch. The Apple Watch Series 10 with cellular connectivity is normally listed at $499, but you can get one for as much as $119 off right now, so it's a great time to snatch one up for yourself or to give as a gift. Prices vary quite a big depending on case size, finish and band type, so be sure to click around to see all your options, and double-check the price of your selected configuration before finalizing your purchase. If you're looking for more gift ideas, don't miss our favorite tech gifts under $100.
CNET
15-07-2025
- CNET
I Use This Affordable 2-in-1 Laptop for Both Work and Play, and It's One of the Best Laptop Deals I've Found
I've been testing tablets and laptops here at CNET for years, which means I've tried pretty much every size, shape and style of device you can imagine. I'm always on the lookout for a model that meets all of my daily needs in one package, including when I'm traveling or commuting. My search was essentially over when I found the incredibly inexpensive Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook, a CNET Editors' Choice Award winner. I've found that I turn to this two-in-one laptop for my personal, everyday use more than any other device I own. I especially appreciate the versatility of the Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook. It has an 11-inch touchscreen paired with a detachable keyboard cover, a rear cover with a kickstand and, if you want, you can pair it with an active pen for drawing or writing on the screen. Better yet, at less than $400, it's one of the best laptop deals around. It's currently just $325 on Amazon. It's $379 at Lenovo, but if you're a first-time buyer, you can get a $100 discount with an email subscription, bringing the price down to $279. Why I like this tablet There are two main reasons this device works better for me than most standard laptops. First is its compact, lightweight size. Second is that it's multifunctional. Since I regularly commute to work by train, both of these factors make the Duet Chromebook especially convenient. On occasions when I do need a bigger screen or a wider keyboard for faster typing, I'll usually switch to my standard laptop. But the Duet 11, which functions both as a laptop and tablet, is the machine that fits my daily life the best and most often. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. On the surface, you might think it's no different than an iPad or any number of Android tablets. But the big differences are the operating system, ChromeOS, and its price. If you've never used ChromeOS, it's sort of a mix between a traditional desktop OS, such as Windows or MacOS, and a mobile OS that your phone uses, such as Android. The combination makes it easier for me to get work done with a keyboard and trackpad or mouse, but it also uses apps from the Google Play Store, so it has a mobile device feel too. The only hiccup might be if your work or school relies on software available only for MacOS or Windows. That's never been an issue for me, as there's typically a web or mobile app I can use in its place. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 specs Price $399 Display size/resolution 11-inch 1,920x1,200-pixel, LCD touchscreen CPU 2.6GHz MediaTek Kompanio 838 Memory 8GB LPDDR4X Graphics Integrated graphics Storage 128GB eMMC Networking Intel Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 Ports USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (x2), 3.5mm combo audio jack Operating system ChromeOS The Duet 11 helps me stay busy during my train commute The Duet's size is really nice for my train commute, letting me easily edit docs or respond to emails on my way to work. It has a fantastic front-facing 5-megapixel camera, too, so I can use it for a Zoom chat when necessary, and the camera has a physical privacy shutter to block it out the rest of the time. I especially like its zippy performance. It wakes as soon as I drop the keyboard open, and I can quickly tether to my Pixel phone for an instant internet connection. Battery life is strong at up to 11 hours in my use of it. Using the Duet on your lap can be a little bit of a balancing act, but it's doable. Its compact size makes it ideal for cramped coffee shop tables and other places where a full-size laptop might be awkward. It weighs only about 2 pounds with all of its accessories. Read more: Why a Chromebook Is Probably All You Need Like a lot of people, I unwind on my commute home with some entertainment, and the Duet shines for that. Pop off the magnetically attached keyboard and ChromeOS switches to a more touch-friendly experience. The tablet supports cloud gaming services such as Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now, which means that with a strong web connection, you can play all kinds of games. I love to play mobile games on it from the Play Store too. The Duet 11 also works as an e-reader In addition to being ideal for commuting and cramped spaces, the Duet is also a good e-reader. I use it for reading manga with the Viz and Shonen Jump apps, and I regularly dip into my library's collection of ebooks and magazines via the Libby app. The device is also good for streaming video and music, though I prefer Bluetooth headphones over the tablet's little speakers. While I mainly use it for travel and on my commute, the Duet is equally great around the house. I wouldn't recommend the Duet as your only laptop unless you simply don't need to do more than basic home office work and can connect to a larger display, keyboard and mouse. The 11-inch touchscreen, while great-looking, is a little too small for all-day, everyday use. But as a secondary device to a larger, more powerful desktop or laptop, it's just about perfect. If you're interested in checking out more ChromeOS devices, here are CNET's top picks for the best Chromebooks on the market. And if you're curious about what other models you can grab on the cheap right now, don't miss our roundups of the best Chromebook deals and the best laptop deals.
