Latest news with #MikeSorrentino
CNET
16-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
What Tariffs? Smartphone Market Grows 1% as More Phones Fold In AI
Looks like curiosity about AI may be boosting smartphone sales. Shipments of smartphones increased 1% year over year in the second quarter of 2025, despite tariff volatility and worldwide economic instability, according to new data released from the International Data Corporation. Much of the increase in sales is attributed to midrange devices like Samsung's Galaxy A36 and other smartphones that have started incorporating AI. The report blamed a drop in demand for lower-end devices, including those built around Android OS, for weighing down the smartphone market. However, devices that incorporate AI-enabled features have sparked a curiosity that's lured customers back -- for the right price. "Samsung was able to consolidate its market leadership and outperform the overall market achieving strong growth in the quarter driven by the sales of its new Galaxy A36 and A56 products," Francisco Jeronimo, vice president for client devices at IDC, said in a statement. "These new products introduce AI-enabled features to mid-range devices, which has been effectively used in retail stores to drive sales." Starting at $400, the Galaxy A36 potentially offers a more affordable entry into AI for many people, including AI-powered photo editing tools and Google's Circle to Search. Overall, says CNET mobile expert Mike Sorrentino, Samsung's Galaxy A line, especially its even cheaper $200 model, has been successful at eating into a US phone market that's otherwise dominated by Apple. "Samsung as well as its rival Motorola, with its Moto G series, have put a particular focus on getting the features people are looking for into lower-cost devices," Sorrentino said. "Those devices are often further subsidized by wireless carriers, making them particularly accessible albeit with a two- or three-year commitment to a carrier." A recent CNET survey found that just 11% of people upgrade their phone for AI features. However, the survey also found that price is the biggest driver (62%), meaning a midrange phone with new features could prove to be alluring enough to make the leap.
CNET
09-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
Amazon Prime Day Deals Drop the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G to the Lowest We've Seen All Year
While pricing around new technology is increasing, Amazon Prime deals are still here to bring you a few sales on phones -- even those that are already at fair prices. Take this Samsung Galaxy A16 for example. The Samsung Galaxy A series are some of our favorite phones for people on a budget, and while it doesn't have everything the new Samsung Galaxy S25 series offers, it's still a solid device. Best of all, Amazon Prime sales just dropped the phone to a new record low of $142. That's a nice $58 saving for a 2025 model that has 5G built-in; and its the lowest price we have seen all year. The Samsung Galaxy A-series phones are built to last and are our favorite options for those who want an affordable model that will remain viable for years. Realistically, the new 2025 Galaxy A16 won't exactly keep up with the latest and greatest models from Apple and Google -- or the foldable Samsung devices being announced today at Galaxy Unpacked -- but it still boasts some decent specs for the price. The Samsung Galaxy A15 won the best ultracheap phone on our Best Samsung Phone of 2025 round-up. Our CNET tech experts called it "an easy choice for someone looking to buy a phone that will last for years." They added in the review, "Samsung provides [the Galaxy A15] with four years of software updates and five years of security support, which in this price range is unparalleled." So, the Samsung Galaxy A16 is one step up. Mike Sorrentino, senior tech editor, says that the "Galaxy A16 [is] one of the lowest-cost phones to get a software and security update commitment [for] longer than five years, which could be a benefit for someone looking to buy a simple phone that will be updated." The A16 has an Exynos 1330 processor, a 6.7-inch AMOLED display and an impressive 50-megapixel rear camera. It also has 4GB of RAM and 128GB of built-in storage that can be expanded using a microSD card. Other features include a tap-to-pay function, an IP54 weather-resistance rating and 25-watt fast-charging support. Best July Prime Day Deals 2025 CNET's team of shopping experts have explored thousands of deals on everything from TVs and outdoor furniture to phone accessories and everyday essentials so you can shop the best Prime Day deals in one place. See Now Why this deal matters We recommend the Samsung Galaxy A series phones as an excellent budget option, which means they're already great value at full price. This deal marks the best discounts we've seen on this new 2025 model, beating out the last record-low price of $175 (now, it's $33 cheaper than that). Plus, this offer is for an unlocked model, giving you the flexibility to activate it with whatever carrier you prefer or use it exclusively over Wi-Fi. Want to check out the competition? We've rounded up the best phone deals from around the web, including Apple, Samsung, Motorola and more.
CNET
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
This Light-Pulsing Rubik's Cube Is a Dazzling Way to Play in the Dark
This plain-looking reflective cube lights up into a challenging Rubik's Cube game that's best played in the dark. The Rubik's Pulse Cube, announced by toy maker Spin Master on Tuesday for $20, looks like a grayish mirror when inside of its box. When turned off, the cube has a more reflective surface. You can somewhat see my skewed reflection in this photo. Mike Sorrentino/CNET Then when tapping its pressable center-square, the cube begins to illuminate the colors on the cube. Adding to the challenge if you play in the dark, the cube blinks faster and faster as it counts down a 60-second timer. If you don't solve it in time (and during my brief play session I certainly did not), the cube will go dark again. You can press the button again to light up the cubes for another 60 seconds of light pulsing. The Rubik's Pulse Cube on a well-lit desk. Mike Sorrentino/CNET The colors of the cube are slightly visible if you are playing in a brighter location, such as near a window, but in most environments the squares will appear more gray when it's not turned on. It otherwise turns and twists smoothly, and is powered by three coin cell batteries that are replaceable. While it's a fun trick, I would say the pulsing adds a challenging element to the cube, since it adds a speed element since the squares are easiest to see while its lit up. But for someone looking to mix up their puzzle solving by playing in the dark, it's a neat way to create a mini light show. The Rubik's Pulse Cube goes on sale at Amazon starting Tuesday, arrives to Target later in July and Walmart in October.
CNET
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
This How to Train Your Dragon Toothless Is a Hangry Animatronic Toy
How to Train Your Dragon's Toothless is a hungry dragon, and the new Tame and Train Interactive Toothless announced by toy maker Spin Master on Tuesday is no different. You'll earn its trust partly by letting him have his munchies. The $50 animatronic is based on how Toothless looks in the live action film that came out this year. Once you've unboxed and powered him on, the dragon will constantly growl while showing red eyes. As you play with Toothless -- petting the toy's head, holding his stomach and flying him around in the air or feeding him his fish using the IR sensors by his "nose" -- Toothless's eyes will start glowing green to show he likes you. These interactions trigger based on sensors throughout the toy, and Toothless will also make various growls and roars. Feeding this dragon is a two-step process: You first bring the fish to his nose, so he sniffs, and then you need to quickly put the fish in mouth before it closes up. When I didn't get the fish inside, the dragon's eyes turned red (I imagine he's hungry and angry that I "teased" him). When I got it inside, the eyes turned green, Toothless made a chewing sound and then burped the fish out. Toothless will initially have his wings folded up. He'll unfold them like this when he "trusts" you. Mike Sorrentino/CNET You'll know Toothless has really grown to like you when his wings unfold. This happened to take place during my colleague Tara Brown's unboxing of the Tame and Train Toothless, right as she was preparing to have the toy "fly" around our studio. It doesn't take too much playtime to get Toothless to trust you. A Spin Master rep said that you can reset the dragon if you want to relive that moment. The Tame and Train Interactive Toothless goes on sale Tuesday at Amazon, and will come to other retailers like Target and Walmart on Aug. 1.
Fox News
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Pills Found Near Anne Burrell At Time Of Death
Food Network star Anne Burrell was found unresponsive in her Brooklyn home, with pills nearby and cardiac arrest initially suspected. JoJo Siwa says she's already thinking about marriage with boyfriend Chris Hughes and isn't fazed by critics. Plus, Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino is launching a new TV show with his wife focused on addiction recovery and mental health support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
