The Sharpness Control Doesn't Do What You Think
The sharpness control on most modern TVs does not increase true resolution; it applies edge‑enhancement that adds a thin halo around objects. When set too high, this artificial boost masks fine textures and can introduce noise, making the picture look less natural. In practice, the optimal sharpness level is often in the bottom 20 % of the scale, sometimes even at zero, especially when using a Movie or Cinema preset. Calibration tools such as the Spears & Munsil UHD benchmark disc help users pinpoint the sweet spot for their specific set.
Should You Shut Down Your Laptop or Just Close the Lid?
Closing a laptop lid puts most modern devices into sleep mode, preserving open apps while using only a small amount of power. Sleep mode is convenient for short breaks, but it does not fully reset the system, leading to potential...
How to Turn Your iPhone Into a Dumb Phone and Reduce Your Screen Time
CNET writer Prakhar Khanna outlines how to transform an iPhone into a low‑distraction device using built‑in iOS features and the third‑party Dumb Phone app. He walks readers through Focus mode, Screen Time limits, Downtime scheduling, and Assistive Access to curb...
New to Mac? You Should Learn These Keyboard Shortcuts ASAP
The article lists essential macOS keyboard shortcuts for both new and seasoned users, covering basic editing commands, screenshot and video capture, accented character entry, and web‑browser navigation. It highlights the Command key as the primary modifier, replacing the Windows Control...
My 3 Eggcellent Smart Home Tricks to Prep for Easter Fun
Easter celebrations can be enhanced by temporarily adjusting smart‑home settings. Homeowners should disable autolocking doors and human‑detection alerts to avoid interruptions as kids dash in and out. Smart speakers can broadcast real‑time clues, turning indoor hunts into interactive experiences. Color‑changing...
How to Turn Off AI on Your Google Account
Google lets users mute its Gemini‑powered AI by disabling Workspace smart features and turning off the AI Overviews experiment in Google Labs. The toggle is accessed through Gmail settings and removes AI assistance from Gmail, Docs, Drive, Sheets, Slides, and...
7 Lesser Known iPhone Features That Can Improve Your Sleep
Apple’s iPhone bundles a suite of built‑in tools that turn the device into a comprehensive sleep aid, from health‑tracking dashboards to automated bedtime routines. The Health app consolidates data from Apple Watch and other wearables, displaying metrics such as heart...
Best Laptop for College Students: Top Laptops for School in 2026
The 2026 college‑laptop roundup highlights Apple’s MacBook Neo as the most affordable premium option, retailing at $499 with the education discount. ARM‑based devices like the Neo, HP OmniBook 5 and Asus ZenBook A14 dominate battery‑life rankings, while Windows models such as the Dell...
This Portable Streaming TV Turns My Patio Into an Entertainment Oasis, and It's $60 Off for Amazon's Spring Sale
Skyworth’s 24‑inch P100 Companion Series portable TV is on sale during Amazon’s Spring Sale, dropping from $450 to $390 with a coupon. The battery‑powered device runs Google TV, includes built‑in Chromecast, and offers up to three hours of unplugged viewing....
I Was Amazed That This Oppo Camera Slammed the iPhone 17 Pro in My Tests
CNET’s Andrew Lanxon compared Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro with Oppo’s Find X9 Pro across a series of real‑world photo missions in Edinburgh. Using each phone’s default JPEG mode, the reviewer found the Oppo often produced brighter, more vibrant images with stronger sharpening, while the...
I Tried a Scan-to-Cook Meal Delivery Service. Right Now, the Smart Oven Is Free
Tovala pairs a subscription meal service with its Smart Oven Pro, a six‑mode appliance now offered for free when users activate a meal plan with code SPRINGEATS26. Meals cost $10‑$14 each, with $11 shipping per box, and are delivered single‑serve,...
I'm Already Spending Nights Outside With Ninja's Patio Heater-Fire Pit Mashup
Ninja’s Fireside360 is a dual‑function patio heater and fire‑pit that runs on propane, delivering 80,000 BTU of heat. Weighing about 40 lb, it can be set up in under ten minutes and moved around the yard with ease. The unit offers three...
I Swear by This Travel Backpack and Can't Believe It's Down to Just $20 for Amazon's Spring Sale
The Dinictis 28‑liter travel backpack is now $20 on Amazon’s Spring Sale, a 20% discount from its regular $25 price. Weighing just 2.49 lb, it holds up to 10 kg (22 lb), meeting most low‑cost carrier carry‑on limits. Its three‑side clamshell opening, front‑mounted...
How to Buy an AV Receiver in 2026
CNET’s buying guide breaks down the essential features for a 2026 AV receiver, spotlighting the Onkyo TX‑NR6100 as the best‑value model thanks to its 8K‑ready HDMI, Dolby Atmos support, and built‑in streaming. It stresses that HDMI port count and future‑proof standards...
Monitor Your Blood Pressure With This Key Apple Watch Feature
Apple Watch cannot measure blood pressure directly, but it can sync with Bluetooth‑enabled cuffs through the Health app, letting users log readings on their wrist. Three popular monitors—Omron Evolv ($75), Withings ($130) and iHealth Feel ($50)—offer clinical‑grade data that automatically...
Anthropic's AI Piracy Settlement Is Getting Close to Final Approval
Anthropic is nearing final court approval of a landmark settlement that resolves the Bartz v. Anthropic copyright case. The company will pay $1.5 billion, distributing $3,000 to each qualifying author, after nearly 100,000 claims were filed. The agreement requires Anthropic to...
Samsung's 2026 QLED and Mini LED TVs Boast AI Soccer Mode
Samsung introduced four 2026 TV models—QLED QN80H, QN70H and Mini‑LED M80H, M70H—spanning 43‑inch to 100‑inch screens. All units, except the M70H, feature an AI‑driven Soccer Mode that automatically optimizes picture settings for live matches. The QLEDs pair mini‑LED backlighting with...
Apple Watch Series 11 Vs. Series 10: Is the New Smartwatch Worth the Upgrade?
Apple unveiled the Series 11 smartwatch, keeping the same aluminum and titanium price points as the outgoing Series 10, with base models starting at $399 and premium titanium versions at $699. While the exterior design, case dimensions and core S10 processor remain...
The 24 Essential iOS Changes That'll Make Your iPhone Feel 100 Times Smarter
CNET outlines 24 iOS tweaks that let iPhone owners boost performance, privacy, and battery longevity without buying a new device. The guide walks users through settings such as disabling precise location, enabling Back Tap shortcuts, and adjusting charge‑limit sliders on...
The 10-Second Hack to Make Your Geriatric Roku Feel Brand New Again
CNET outlines a quick, ten‑second remote shortcut and other easy steps to revive lagging Roku TVs. Users can perform a system restart via the Settings menu, use a hidden remote sequence, uninstall problematic channels, or execute a full factory reset....
The 8 Worst Blind Spots for Your Security Cameras
Home security cameras are only as effective as their placement, and common blind spots can render even high‑definition devices useless. The article outlines eight critical errors, from filming private areas and neighbors’ yards to mounting cameras behind windows, in direct...
The 9 Best Grocery Delivery Services of 2026
CNET’s 2026 roundup evaluates nine grocery‑delivery platforms, from Amazon Fresh and Walmart+ to niche players like Misfits Market and Hungryroot. Test orders measured selection breadth, pricing, delivery speed, and freshness, revealing Amazon Fresh’s extensive catalog and Prime‑free shipping, Walmart+’s rural...
The One Smart Tech Step I Always Take Before Leaving Home on Vacation
Tyler Lacoma explains that the single most reliable pre‑vacation habit for smart‑home owners is a quick walkthrough of every control app. By opening each app, checking Wi‑Fi connectivity, firmware status, and live device feeds, users can catch dropped connections or...
Your iPhone Has a Hidden Flight Tracker. Here's How to Use It
Apple’s native Messages app includes a hidden flight‑tracking feature that surfaces real‑time flight information when a correctly formatted airline and flight number appears in a text. Users must have iMessage enabled and use the “Airline FlightNumber” format (e.g., American Airlines...
Turn Your Old Tech Into Cash at the 7 Best Places to Sell It
CNET lists the seven top services for selling used electronics in 2026, highlighting Swappa as the overall leader for value and protection. The guide compares each platform’s payout methods, device eligibility, and turnaround times, from Amazon’s instant e‑gift cards to...
AI Could Change Homebuying. How Listings and Negotiations Are Already Shifting
AI-powered tools are reshaping how homebuyers visualize properties and negotiate deals. Collov AI, a new platform, provides virtual staging, 3‑D tours and interior‑design suggestions directly from listing photos, with subscription plans from $19 to $127 per month. Realtors report that...
Best Free TV Streaming Services: Roku Channel, Tubi and More
Free, ad‑supported TV streaming services are reshaping cord‑cutting, offering live news, on‑demand movies, and original content without subscription fees. Tubi emerges as the overall leader thanks to its expansive library, intuitive interface, and dedicated kids section. Pluto TV and The...
The Top 25 Best Pokemon Games of All Time, Ranked
The article ranks the top 25 Pokémon games, blending classic mainline releases with notable spin‑offs and recent mobile titles. It highlights how Nintendo Switch entries like Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee and Sword & Shield dominate the contemporary list, while mobile successes such as Pokémon Go and...