Some of my fondest childhood memories are of times I went to the farmers' market with my family, when they let me bring home a bouquet of sunflowers. I've continued this tradition into adulthood by keeping fresh-cut flowers around my home -- sometimes sunflowers, but oftentimes whatever beautiful bundles the local farmers' market down the street happens to be selling.But even after years of buying flowers weekly, I still get sad when the petals start to wither and brown and drop. Whether you bought flowers for yourself at the local supermarket, or you received a special bouquet in honor of a celebration or milestone, you'll want to extend the life of those flowers for as long as possible. This story is part of Try This, CNET's collection of simple tips to improve your life, fast. I talked with two floral experts to round up tips for buying the freshest flowers and how to keep those blooms lasting longer. I'll also share common myths that horticulturists say don't work. (For more tips, here's the best location for your plants, and here's the best indoor plants for low light and clean air.) What to look for in cut flowers Upgrade your inbox Get cnet insider From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little less complicated. You're in the store, ready to purchase flowers for yourself or a special someone, but which bouquet should you pick from the dozens on the stand? Believe it or not, this decision can impact the longevity of the flowers you buy.Joe Guggia, owner of JP Designs Floral based in Santa Maria, California, has worked for over 45 years in the floral industry. He told me many floral bunches are shipped from Ecuador or California, so it's important to closely examine each stem and leaf to make sure you're not buying flowers that are older or were damaged during shipping. @cnetdotcom Do these 3 things to make your #flowers last longer. #trythis #lifehack #motherday #flowertok #flowerhacks #tipsandtricks original sound - madonna Next, once you pull the bushel from the display, check to make sure the water is clean and the leaves aren't yellow, spotted or drooping. You'll also want to be sure the stems aren't slimy or broken. Lucy Bradley, a consumer and community horticulture professor at North Carolina State University, told me you need to check for fuzzy gray mold and drooping, damaged petals."Extend the vase life by selecting flowers that are just beginning to open," Bradley said. "For roses and other single flowers, select blooms that have only one petal unfurled. For gladiolus and other spike flowers, choose stems with only the first two or three flowers open. For daisy-type flowers, like sunflowers, select flowers with centers that are still greenish." Your in-store buying decisions can impact the longevity of your bouquet. Tom Werner/Getty ImagesCut-flower tips that will actually workWhile there's a slew of myths surrounding flower care, Guggia and Bradley broke down some tricks that are guaranteed to work.Change the water -- and do it oftenAdding fresh, lukewarm water to a clean vase is a sure-fire way of keeping flowers healthy longer."That's the key for people who get vase arrangements, is to replace the water as frequently as they can," Guggia said. "If they just hold the whole bunch out, pour the water out and put fresh water in, and put the arrangement back in that'll keep them days and days and days."Why? Bradley explained that simply dumping out water will get rid of any bacteria growing in the vase water, which may clog the flower stem, preventing water uptake.Trim the endsGuggia and Bradley both agreed that recutting the stems of the bunches as soon as you bring them home is key for longevity. But don't even think about reaching for those blunt kitchen scissors!Bradley said the best practice is to grab a sharp knife or shears for trimming flowers to prevent damaging the stem and reducing its ability to take up water. Wipe the tool off with alcohol first and then carefully make fresh cuts on all stems at a 45-degree angle at least half an inch from the end of the stem.Cutting at an angle results in most of the base of the stem being off the bottom of the vase. It removes clogged tissue that no longer transports water to the flower, Bradley said. Be sure to trim the ends of the stems before putting flowers into a vase. Photo and Co/Getty ImagesAdd pennies, but take note of its ageYou've probably heard of the penny method or maybe you've already tried tossing a penny into your vase with the water and flowers. But before you go digging around in the bottom of your purse or jean pocket, you need to know that only pennies minted before 1982 will work. Those are the ones with the natural antimicrobial properties, which come from the copper."Originally pennies contained copper, which is a fungicide that prevents disease," Bradley said. "However, pennies are now made of mostly zinc, so are no longer effective."Some cut-flower tips don't really workWhen it comes to flower care, there will also be debate over which methods do and don't work. Maybe you've tried some in the past -- no judgment here! That said, the experts I spoke with broke down some of the biggest myths when it comes to keeping cut flowers fresher longer.Add sugar to the flower vase?If you paid attention through a high school science class, then you may remember flowers benefit from the sugars produced through photosynthesis. But this mostly applies when the flower or leaves are still attached to the plant, so think twice before dumping an entire Sprite into your vase water. While sugar can work to extend the life of cut flowers, those little packets of floral preservatives work much better. BloomsyBoxBradley explained that sometimes adding a teaspoon and a half of sugar per quart of water or using half water and half carbonated lemon-lime drink in the vase water can act as plant food to extend the bloom, but none are as effective as a commercial floral preservative.Floral preservatives are those little packets that often come with your floral arrangement. They often contain sucrose and a biocide -- an antibacterial agent -- that gives the flower energy, helps the stems absorb more water and prevents bacteria from growing.Does bleach help flowers stay fresher?As the saying goes, a little goes a long way when it comes to bleach. Bradley explained that a few drops of bleach (1 teaspoon per gallon of water) can help kill bacteria and fungi, but adding too much -- which is all too easy -- will also serve to kill plant cells.Can vodka, vinegar or aspirin extend the life of your blooms?There are many, many tricks on the internet about how to keep cut flowers longer involving vinegar, aspirin, vodka -- you name it. And while these methods may work on a case-by-case basis, our experts don't recommend these tricks since they're based on anecdotal evidence rather than backed by science. Clean water is key to prolonging to life of your floral arrangement. David Watsky/CNET"Truthfully, I wouldn't do any of those things because in most cases the arrangement is going to be a mixture of types of flowers, which may be susceptible to not accepting whatever that item is that you're putting in the water," Guggia said. "Keeping the water clean is the best thing."More tips for you:FAQs Why shouldn't I put vodka, aspirin, vinegar or other substances in the mixture I give to my flowers? While vodka, aspirin and vinegar might help prevent certain flowers from wilting away, many bouquets are composed of several different types of flowers. What works to keep one type of flower alive could harm or kill other flowers, so you'll either need to research the mixture's effect on each flower or keep it out of the bouquet. Should I put sugar into the vase with my fresh-cut flowers? While adding some sugar to the water you use for your plants can help promote their health and keep them alive, it doesn't do much for plants cut from the stem. You could try adding sugar to supplement the other tips -- but don't expect it to do very much for the bouquet.

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When pollen counts are high and your eyes get irritated and red, it may be tempting to wear your sunglasses all day long. However, there are other short-term solutions many people turn to. Eye-whitening drops can be purchased over the counter and help you battle red eyes caused by allergies, dryness, digital eye strain, dust and more.Many people who regularly deal with red eyes may turn to eye-whitening drops to avoid discomfort or embarrassment. But what are these eye-whitening drops actually doing, and are they safe? We spoke with two eye doctors to find out.How do eye-whitening drops work? Upgrade your inbox Get cnet insider From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little less complicated. Optometrist Dr. Meenal Agarwal says, "Eye-whitening drops work by constricting the blood vessels on the surface of the eye, reducing redness and making the eyes appear whiter." In addition to tightening blood vessels, Agarwal says that eye-whitening drops "reduce blood flow to the area," which "reduces redness and makes your eyes appear brighter."What exactly are you putting in your eyes? Dr. Ashley Hayden, board-certified eye surgeon and co-founder of GentleDrop, tells us, "The active ingredient in most eye-whitening drops is tetrahydrozoline, which tightens blood vessels for a few hours. It's similar to Afrin nasal spray."While eye-whitening drops can make your eyes white for a few hours, you should not become reliant on them. According to Dr. Laurie Barber, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, in a 2018 news article for the organization, "I would prefer that patients not use an eye-whitening drop on a regular, long-term basis A person should get evaluated for red eyes before using eye drops on a regular basis."If you do temporarily use eye-whitening drops, be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations on your specific product. If you already use prescription drops, you should talk to your doctor before introducing any new over-the-counter eye drops. Photo travelling people sports/Getty ImagesAre eye-whitening drops safe?When used as directed, eye-whitening drops are safe for most people. "These drops are safe to use infrequently to improve the appearance of a bloodshot eye," states Hayden. "However, they do not treat any problems and can cause worsening redness as the medication wears off. Regular and repeated use is discouraged."It's worth noting that the safety of eye-whitening drops may depend on your personal eye health. To that point, Agarwal warns that some people should avoid eye-whitening drops. She says the vasoconstrictors -- an agent that causes narrowing of the blood vessels, like tetrahydrozoline -- in eye-whitening drops can increase eye pressure and may not be safe for people with glaucoma.Additionally, the doctor says that patients with "chronic dry eyes, allergies or sensitivities to preservatives, high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues are advised against using these drops." She adds that pregnant people should also avoid eye-whitening drops.Do eye-whitening drops have side effects?One of the most common side effects of eye-whitening drops is "rebound redness." This phenomenon happens when your blood vessels dilate even more than usual when the eye drops start to wear off. Dr. Hayden calls this "vasodilation, or expansion of blood vessels." She says this side effect could be more long-term than the initial benefits of the drops.Another side effect of these drops is that they could mask more serious eye problems. For instance, if you have an eye infection like conjunctivitis (pink eye), eye-whitening drops may hinder you from noticing the seriousness of the issue. The drops are not medicinal and will only put a bandage on underlying eye illnesses.Agarwal advises that the side effects of eye-whitening drops can include "irritation, increased redness or reactions to preservatives in the drops." She warns that using the drops too often could mask underlying issues such as "eye strain, dryness, allergies, infections or inflammation," and states, "For these conditions, it's important to consult an eye doctor for proper treatment." BananaStock/Getty ImagesWhat about blue-tinted eye drops?Blue-tinted eye drops, sometimes simply called blue eye drops, are an alternative to regular eye-whitening drops. This type of product contains a blue dye. Agarwal explains that the dye "enhances the whites of the eyes by counteracting yellow tones, without relying on vasoconstrictors." In other words, these drops don't interact with your blood vessels.Blue-tinted drops are not generally considered as safe or effective as other eye-whitening drops.Agarwal advises, "I generally don't recommend them due to potential sensitivities to dyes. Additionally, they don't treat underlying causes of redness and overuse can lead to irritation and worsen the original issue."In addition to potentially irritating your eyes, it's worth noting that blue drops could dye the skin around your eyes. If you wear contacts, the dye could also ruin your lenses.When to see an eye doctorIt's one thing to use eye-whitening drops occasionally to counteract high pollen counts or dry outdoor conditions. It's quite another to use them as a long-term solution to red eyes. Both doctors we spoke to urge people to see a doctor if they are using these drops for anything other than an occasional solution.As for when to call your doctor, Hayden says, "If you have pain, changes in vision, light sensitivity or a watery eye that isn't improving, please see an eye doctor." She also says that any side effects from eye-whitening drops may require a visit to a physician. According to Hayden, "If the side effects last more than an hour or if you feel faint or dizzy, go see an eye doctor."Agarwal agrees that the best solution for frequent red eyes is a visit to the doctor. She explains, "Chronic redness may result from dry eyes, allergies or eye strain. Redness accompanied by pain, vision loss or light sensitivity should be evaluated by an eye doctor." PeopleImages/Getty ImagesHow to naturally make your eyes look brighter and healthyThere are a number of ways to make your eyes look brighter without turning to any over-the-counter, eye-whitening products. Agarwal recommends the following tips for naturally bright eyes:Stay hydrated: Drink enough water throughout the day. When your body is hydrated, so are your eyes.Get enough sleep: Getting the recommended seven hours of sleep can keep eyes from being dry and red in the morning.Reduce eye strain by taking computer breaks: Looking at a blue light for too long, including from a computer or mobile device, may cause pain or redness. Take hourly breaks.Wear sunglasses outdoors: In addition to wearing sunscreen to keep your skin safe, protect your eyes with proper eyewear.Practice good eyelid hygiene: Gently cleaning your eyelids with a soft washcloth can remove irritants from the area and stop them from getting into your eyes.Manage allergies: Talk to your doctor about how to keep seasonal allergies at bay to avoid redness.The doctor adds, "I always recommend my patients keep a bottle of preservative-free artificial tears by their nightstand to use morning and night. This will help keep your eyes moist and reduce dryness or redness that may develop later in the day."Hayden also recommends artificial tears. Additionally, she says that eyelid scrubs and warm compresses can help your eyes stay clear and hydrated.The bottom lineEye-whitening drops are mostly safeas long as you don't rely on them daily for a long period of time. Long-term eye redness is often indicative of an underlying issue that requires medical intervention from a doctor. If you experience any rebound redness, pain or dizziness from using these eye-whitening drops, the experts we spoke to say you should discontinue use and talk to your doctor. As for blue-tinted drops to whiten your eyes -- it's best to avoid them.

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When to watch the Miami Dolphins vs. LA Rams?Monday, Nov. 11, at 8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. PT).Where to watch:The Dolphins-Rams game will shown on ESPN. See at YouTube TV Carries ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC for $73 per month YouTube TV See at YouTube TV See more details See at Sling TV Carries ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC for $40 or $45 per month Sling TV See at Sling TV See more details See at Hulu Carries ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC for $83 per month Hulu Plus Live TV See at Hulu See more details See at DirecTV Stream Carries ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC for $87 per month DirecTV Stream See at DirecTV Stream See more details See at Fubo Carries ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC for $92 or $95 per month Fubo See at Fubo See more details The Rams have won three straight to even their record at 4-4 and get back in the NFC playoff picture. They'll look to make it four in a row tonight on Monday Night Football against the Dolphins. It's looking like a lost season for the Dolphins, who have dropped their last three games but welcomed back quarterback Tua Tagovailoa last week, who had been sidelined with yet another concussion since the second week of the season.The Dolphins and Rams kick offtonight at8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. PT) on ABC. The Manning brothers have the night off tonight; the ManningCast will return next week.If you don't have a cable or satellite TV subscription, you can watch Monday Night Football with a live TV streaming service. The good news for football fans is that ESPN are available on all five major streaming services. Matthew Stafford and the LA Rams host the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football tonight. Steph Chambers/Getty ImagesHow to watch MNF without cableThe key channel for Monday Night Football is ESPN. Nearly every Monday night game will be shown on ESPN, with seven weeks also appearing on ABC and ESPN Plus. The only time you won't be able to watch a MNF game on ESPN is the last MNF doubleheader of the season for Week 15 when one game will be on ESPN and the other will be on ABC and ESPN Plus.You can also watch Monday Night Football on ABC for most weeks left in the season; this week and week 13 will be shown on ESPN only.The ManningCast on ESPN2 is scheduled for most Monday nights during the season and one Wild Card game, with six of those regular-season Monday nights and the Wild Card game also streaming on ESPN Plus. Sarah Tew/CNET YouTube TV costs $73 a month and includes ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, which are all the channels you need for MNF and the ManningCast. Right now, the first two months are discounted to $50 a month. And there is a 21-day free trial. Plug in your ZIP code on YouTube TV's welcome page to see which local networks are available in your area. Read our YouTube TV review. See at YouTube TV Sling TV/CNET Sling TV's Sling Orange plan includes ESPN and ESPN2 but not ABC, and the Blue plan includes ABC (in only in a handful of markets) but neither ESPN channel. Each plan costs $45 a month in the areas with ABC and $40 elsewhere. The combined Orange-and-Blue plan costs $55 or $60 a month. Read our Sling TV review. See at Sling TV Hulu Plus Live TV costs $83 after a recent price hike and includes ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. On its live news page, you can enter your ZIP code under the "Can I watch local news in my area?" question at the bottom of the page to see which local channels you get. Read our Hulu with Live TV review. See at Hulu Directv stream DirecTV Stream's basic $87-a-month plan includes ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. You can use its channel lookup tool to confirm that ABC is available where you live. Read our DirecTV Stream review. See at DirecTV Stream Fubo Fubo's basic plan costs $80 a month and includes ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, but Fubo charges an RSN fee (either $12 a month if you get one RSN or $15 a month if you have two or more in your area) that raises the monthly charge to $92 or $95. Fubo is currently offering $30 off for the first month of some of its plans, which means you can get its base Pro plan for $62 or $65 to start. Click here to see which local channels you get. Read our Fubo review. See at Fubo All of the live TV streaming services above allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out ourlive TV streaming services guide.

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Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today's Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.Need the answers for theNew York Times Connections puzzle? To me,Wordle is more of a vocabulary test, but Connections is more of a brainteaser. You're given 16 words and asked to put them into four groups that are somehow connected. Sometimes they're obvious, but game editor Wyna Liu knows how to trick you by using words that can fit into more than one group. Read on for today's Connections hints and answers.There's also news in the Connections world. The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one it's had for some time for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. And players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.Read more:Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every TimeHow to play ConnectionsPlaying is easy.Winning is hard. Look at the 16 words and mentally assign them to related groups of four. Click on the four words you think go together. The groups are coded by color, though you don't know what goes where until you see the answers. The yellow group is the easiest, then green, then blue, and purple is the toughest. Look at the words carefully and think about related terms. Sometimes the connection has to do with just a part of the word. Once, four words were grouped because each started with the name of a rock band, including "Rushmore" and "Journeyman."Read more:New NYT Connections Game for Sports Fans Lets Players Swing for the FencesHints for today's Connections groupsHere are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.Yellow group hint: Snickers is one.Green group hint: Essence.Blue group hint: Strapless or underwire.Purple group hint: Larry of the NBA.Answers for today's Connections groupsYellow group: Chocolate bars.Green group: Gist.Blue group: Kinds of bras.Purple group: ____ bird.Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English WordsWhat are today's Connections answers? The completed NYT Connections puzzle for Nov. 11, 2024, #519. NYT/Screenshot by CNETThe yellow words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is chocolate bars. The four answers are Crunch, Dove, Mars and Payday.The green words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is gist. The four answers are core, meat, substance and thrust.The blue words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is kinds of bras. The four answers are demi, push-up, sports and wireless.The purple words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is ____ bird. The four answers are Big, early, Lady and Sue.

Looking for the most recentregular Connections answers? Click here for today's Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.Have you been enjoying the New York Times Connections puzzle? Now there's a new version of the game focusing on sports-related words. It's simply called Connections: Sports Edition, and we have hints and the answers.For now, the game is in beta, which means the Times is testing it out to see if it's popular before adding it to the site's Games app. You can play it daily for the next few weeks for free and then we'll have to see if it sticks around.Read more: NYT Has a Connections Game for Sports Fans. I Tried ItHow to play Connections: Sports EditionThe rules are pretty much the same as the regular game. You're given 16 words and asked to put them into four groups that are somehow connected. The main difference is that all the words and categories have some kind of sports tie-in. Sometimes the categories seem obvious, but the game attempts to trick you by using sports-related words that can fit into more than one group. And the four groups of words have different difficulty levels. Yellow is the easiest and purple the hardest, but you won't know which color group is which until you solve the puzzle.But you don't have to be a sports obsessive to solve Connections: Sports Edition, though it helps to know a little bit about a bunch of different sports and athletes. The words might include player names, team names or sport-related activities.Hints for today's Connections: Sports Edition groupsHere are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.Yellow group hint: Get your racket.Green group hint:Flips and tricks.Blue group hint: Bad luck.Purple group hint: Not Man City, but...Answers for today's Connections: Sports Edition groupsYellow group: Tennis grand slams.Green group: American gold medal-winning gymnasts.Blue group: Famous sports "curses."Purple group: ____ United.Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English WordsWhat are today's Connections: Sports Edition answers? The completed NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Nov. 11, 2024. NYT/Screenshot by CNETThe yellow words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is tennis grand slams. The four answers are Australian, French, US and Wimbledon.The green words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is American gold medalwinning gymnasts. The four answers are Biles, Douglas, Lee, Liukin.The blue words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is famous sports "curses." The four answers are Bambino, Billy Goat, Drake and SI cover.The purple words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is ____ United. The four answers are Atlanta, DC, Manchester and Newcastle.

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Despite Washington's cloudy, rainy weather, homeowners can still benefit from solar panels. Whether you're looking to save on your power bill or cash in on government incentives, we did the research for you to find the best solar panel companies in business in Washington.The state's100% clean electricity goal and the2021 Climate Commitment Act have continually increased the role of renewable and clean energy sources (including solar) in power generation. The Inflation Reduction Act's federal tax credit is also a massive boon to homeowners looking to switch to clean energy, offering a 30% tax rebate on the cost of any clean energy additions to your home.Washington state also offers net metering, which credits your household for sending excess energy produced by your solar panel system to the grid -- and allows you to pull energy from the grid when your solar panels can't produce the energy your home needs. Can solar panels save you money? Interested in understanding the impact solar can have on your home? Enter some basic information below, and well instantly provide a free estimate of your energy savings. Given the combination of state and federal solar incentives and utility rate increases, installing a solar system to ease your financial burdens and increase your energy independence might be a decision worth considering. Here's a look at some of the best solar installation companies, to help you get started.Best national solar companies in Washington EnergyPal Most versatile Read full review EnergyPal is more than just a middleman. It'll handle your solar installation from beginning to end while also allowing you to benefit from its proprietary engine and competitive bidding process. The company offers a range of hardware for panels, batteries and inverters, has plentiful financing options and offers responsive customer service support. Equipment 8.7 / 10 Warranty 6.5 / 10 Service 7 / 10 Pros and Cons Pros Certified and vetted local network of installers and partnersLots of hardware choices for panels, batteries and invertersCompetitive pricing and bidding processResponsive customer service support Cons Warranties can vary by brand or productDoesn't handle the installation itself Areas served Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin Product details EnergyPal is both a marketplace and an energy advisor. It uses its proprietary quote builder engine to customize your solar system; then it'll contract with a local company and act as your single point of contact for everything from installation to permitting. Hardware options include solar panels, batteries and inverters from QCells, REC, Silfab, Aptos, Tesla, Enphase, SolarEdge and FranklinWH. You can expect a workmanship guarantee of 5-10 years, with manufacturer warranties of up to 30 years depending on the hardware. No weatherization warranty is offered. Customers can also take advantage of third-party monitoring tools, from Enphase, SolarEdge, Tesla and others. While EnergyPal isn't rated by the BBB, it receives positive customer reviews online and scores a 4.7 on Trustpilot. Show more details Freedom Forever Best for cash customers Read full review Include Freedom Forever in your search if you want the backing of a national company that installs a wide variety of the most popular solar equipment available. Freedom Forever also extends a couple of products that take some of the pain and risk out of going solar, like a production guarantee and an escrow option with cash purchases. Online reviews say customer satisfaction has been low of late, though the company says that's changing. Equipment 9.3 / 10 Warranty 7 / 10 Service 5 / 10 Pros and Cons Pros Production guaranteePrice-match guaranteeCash escrow option Cons Customer service concernsSome warranties are longer elsewhere Areas served Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., Wisconsin Product details Freedom Forever, one of the largest American solar installers, installs some of the most popular residential equipment. It offers a production guarantee and an uncommon cash escrow option is a welcome step toward a less stressful process. Freedom Forever has had customer service issues, with complaints of paying for a nonfunctional system while dealing with poor communication and long waits. Some recent customers have had flawless experiences, but those reviews appear alongside many more negative ones. The company says things have turned around after a bad stretch, but its worth monitoring. Show more details Purelight Power Newcomer with in-house installers Read full review Purelight Power is the new kid on the block, but that doesn't mean it's second-rate. The solar company has been expanding rapidly into multiple states and has an in-house team that takes customers through every step of planning, permitting and installation. Warranty periods are fairly standard, but the company offers solar panels from companies like Silfab, SEG and Tesla Solar, battery options from Tesla Powerwall and Franklin Home Battery, and microinverters from Tesla. Equipment 9.3 / 10 Warranty 6 / 10 Service 9 / 10 Explore with Purelight Pros and Cons Pros 25-year parts and production warrantyPost-installation experienceDoesnt use subcontractors Cons No lease or PPA payment optionsDont use our top-rated solar panel brands Areas served Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Washington Product details Purelight Power was only founded in 2019, but the company has expanded rapidly and now operates in eight states. Like many other solar companies, Purelight has an in-house team that handles the solar installations and it works with credit unions and financing partners to offer a "zero down offer," which works the same as a solar loan. It doesn't offer solar leases or power purchase agreements, but you can purchase cash. Hardware offerings are strong, with tier-one solar panels from Silfab, SEG and Tesla Solar. While they aren't CNET's top-ranked panels, they're reliable and well-known brands. Battery options are stronger, with the Tesla Powerwall and Franklin Home Battery being among the best solar battery options around. Warranty periods are standard, with a 25-year production warranty for most solar panel offerings, with some longer at 30. Purelight Power offers a standard 10-year warranty for labor and weatherization. Show more details Tesla Solar Most affordable Read full review Tesla's solar branch seems to be the least loved of Elon Musk's ventures. Even Tesla's Solar Roof seems to get more love. If price is the thing you won't budge on, consider Tesla. By all accounts, Tesla installs quality panels and makes the closest thing there is to a household name in solar storage: the Powerwall. Where you might miss out is customer service. Discussion online seems to suggest Tesla's service is a bit of a gamble. Equipment 7.3 / 10 Warranty 6.5 / 10 Service 8 / 10 Pros and Cons Pros Low prices and a price-match guaranteeQuality equipmentLower-profile panels Cons Anecdotally, customer service can be poorFewer equipment options Areas served All 50 states Product details Solar panels from Tesla are likely to be the cheapest option where they are available. You can save thousands of dollars, without sacrificing on quality of equipment or the warranties that protect it. What you might sacrifice is customer service. From delays to price changes, to slow responses, to system malfunctions, social media reports of negative experiences aren't hard to find, including some who regret their choice. This is true of all solar companies, but the quantity of reports concerning Tesla is concerning. Show more details Local Washington solar installersNational solar panel installers aren't the only options you have. Here are some local companies we found that you may want to consider. A&R Solar Based in Seattle,A&R Solarinstalls solar panels,batteriesand EV chargers for residential and commercial customers. It also provides energy monitoring services. The company begins its installation with a home energy audit to assess your energy use and identify your energy-saving goals. According to A&R Solar, its in-house experts will review financing options and all incentives before installing a solar system. The company doesn't offer solar leasing or power purchase agreements. A&R Solar says you'll get 10-year performance, 10-year quality of work and 10-year free equipment replacement warranties on top of a manufacturer warranty of up to 25 years. See at A&R Solar Blossom Solar Blossom Solaris a full-service solar and battery installer based in northwestern Washington state. Before installation, Blossom Solar experts will conduct an energy audit of your home, help you design your solar system, manage all the required paperwork and local permitting, and organize the final inspection with your city officials. The company says it gives a 25-year product warranty and a 10-year quality-of-work warranty. It doesn&apos

Apple Intelligence, the name of Apple's home grown generative AI, takes another step forward with the public beta releases for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and MacOS Sequoia 15.2. This drop includes some of the most exciting Apple Intelligence features like GenMoji, Image Playground and the ChatGPT integration for Siri.The public beta release of iOS 18.2 follows the latest public release of iOS 18.1, which includes a handful of Apple Intelligence features like AI-suggested writing tools that pop up in documents or emails, photo tools including Clean Up to remove unwanted parts of an image, and a number of Siri changes. The most conspicuous changes to Siri include a new voice designed to sound more natural, the ability to understand the context of conversations, a new glowing border around the display when Siri is running, and a new double-tap gesture on the bottom of the screen to type to Siri.The iOS 18.2 developer beta has even more features includingvisual intelligence for theiPhone 16and 16 Pro, which uses the new Camera Control button to trigger a search of whatever the camera is pointed at -- similar to Google Lens.Hype for Apple's AI has been on the rise ever since Apple Intelligence stole the show during theWWDC keynoteback in June and took a step forward at theIt's Glowtime eventearlier in September that introduced the iPhone 16 lineup. While we are definitely in the first few steps of the generative AI marathon, the formal release of Apple Intelligence is proof that Apple is dedicated to the new technology and how it can improve its phones and computers.Apple Intelligence won't be limited to just the iPhone and will be added across Apple's multiple OSes.Read more:Apple iPhone 16 Pro Review: Compelling Upgrade, and My Favorite Feature in YearsWhile some of Apple's AI features sound genuinely useful, the limited rollout to only certain iPhones, iPads and Macs(iPhone 15 Pro models or later, and Macs and iPads with M-series chips) means they won't be used by everyone. We will, hopefully, begin to understand what those features will actually be capable of doing.What will Apple Intelligence do? Apple/Tharon Green/CNETApple Intelligence is billed as "AI for the rest of us." The idea is that Apple Intelligence is built into your iPhone, iPad, and Mac to help you write, get things done and express yourself. It draws on personal context across your Apple devices to make recommendations, and generates results more specific to you. Apple touts the AI feature as setting a brand-new standard for privacy in AI.CNET's Lisa Eadicicco, in her story about Apple Intelligence, says that understanding personal context when delivering answers and carrying out tasks is a big part of Apple's approach with Apple Intelligence."Apple seems to be using this tactic as a way to distinguish its own AI efforts from those previously announced by competitors," wrote Eadicicco. "As an example, the company explained how Apple Intelligence can understand multiple factors like traffic, your schedule and your contacts to help you understand whether you can make it to an event on time."Which devices will Apple Intelligence work on? James Martin/CNETAt the moment, Apple Intelligence is available in beta on the iPhone 16 series,iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, and any iPad or Mac with an M1 chip and later, with Siri and device language set to US English.This fall Apple Intelligence will get its public release as part of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and MacOS Sequoia.Here's a list of current Apple devices that will be able to run Apple Intelligence:iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro MaxiPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro MaxiPad Mini with A17 Pro chipiPad Air with an M1 or M2 chipiPad Pro with an M1, M2 or M4 chipMacBook Air with an M1, M2 or M3 chipMacBook Pro with an M1, M2 or M3 chipMac Mini with an M1 or M2 chipMac Studio with an M1 or M2 chipiMac with an M1 or M3 chipMac Pro with an M2 chipWhen is Apple Intelligence available to use?The initial set of features that make use of Apple Intelligence features will be available in October as part of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and MacOS Sequoia 15.1. Gurman posits that Apple Intelligence will drop on October 28. Additional features rolled out with the developer betas for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and MacOS Sequoia 15.2.Currently, you can use Apple Intelligence on a compatible iPhone, iPad or Mac that's running the public beta for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and MacOS Sequoia 15.1, respectively, with Siri and device language set to US English.The developer beta for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and MacOS 15.2 expands Apple Intelligence beyond the US to Apple intelligence will also be coming to localized English for five additional regions in December: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK.Where will Apple Intelligence be available?At launch, it will be available in the US. Specifically Apple says that Apple Intelligence will work on compatible iPhone, iPad or Mac models with Siri and device language set to US English. Support for additional languages will come in 2025.Is Apple Intelligence using ChatGPT? Apple/Screenshot by CNETNo. Apple Intelligence runs on-device (iPhone, iPad or Mac) and on Apple silicon-powered servers in the cloud which Apple calls Private Cloud Compute. It depends on your prompts and questions as to whether Apple Intelligence is processed on-device or in the cloud. Apple Intelligence is not ChatGPT nor does it run on OpenAI's well-known service.However, Apple Intelligence does support supplemental third-party AI services, with ChatGPT being the first one announced. ChatGPT access will be integrated into Siri and writing tools on iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and MacOS Sequoia 15.2 allowing Apple device owners to access it without jumping between tools.What tools will Apple Intelligence have? Here is the Apple Intelligence Writing Tools pop-up menu. To access it you highlight text and tap the Writing Tools button. James Martin/CNETApple Intelligence capabilities fall into one of three categories: writing, images and Siri. Writing tools will be available wherever you write. Apple Intelligence will be able to proofread your text, rewrite different versions adjusting the tone and wording, and summarize selected text with a tap.Image tools will be able to create original images based on prompts in the new Image Playground app. You'll be able to turn a rough sketch into a related image that complements your notes with the Apple Intelligence-powered Image Wand. You will also be able to generate custom and unique Genmoji with Apple Intelligence straight from your keyboard. Apple says that you'll even have the option to pick someone from your Photos library and create a Genmoji that looks like them.In the Photos app, you'll be able to make a custom memory movie based on the description you provide.Apple Intelligence will give Siri a giant overhaul. Siri will have a new design, richer language understanding and the ability to type to Siri instead of dictating. Siri's voice and response will sound more natural and conversational. Apple Intelligence gives Siri an awareness of personal context and the ability to take action in and across multiple apps, and product knowledge about your devices' features and settings. Apple says that Siri will be able to assist you like never before.How much does Apple Intelligence cost?Apple isn't charging for Apple Intelligence and hasn't announced any plans to do so. Do You Know About These 17 Hidden iOS 17 Features? See all photos

See at Sling TV Watch the Premier League on USA Network from $40 a month Sling TV See at Sling TV See more details See at ExpressVPN Best VPN for streaming ExpressVPN See at ExpressVPN See more details See at Fubo Watch the Premier League in Canada from CA$30 per month Fubo Canada See at Fubo See more details See at Optus Watch the Premier League in Australia from AU$7 a month Optus Sport See at Optus See more details Table of Contents Tottenham will look to put their midweek defeat against Galatasaray in the Europa League behind them as they return to EPL action with a home fixture against relegation-threatened Ipswich.There's plenty of incentive for Ange Postecoglou's side to claim a sixth win of the season here today, with a victory set to lift the Lillywhites into the top four.They host an Ipswich side currently second from bottom, that still remains winless, having conceded an injury time equalizer against Leicester City in their 1-1 draw last weekend.Spurs take on Ipswich Town on Sunday, Nov. 10, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. GMTlocal time, making it a 9a.m. ET or 7 a.m. PTstart in the US and Canada and a1 a.m. AEDTkickoff in Australia in the early hours of Monday morning.Below, we'll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the match as it happens, wherever you are in the world. Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna will be aiming to end a five-game run of consecutive defeats away from home against teams in London. Alex Broadway/Getty ImagesHow to watch Tottenham vs. Ipswich in the US without cableSunday's Tottenham vs. Ipswich match is streaming on USA Network, which you can access as part of your cable package or at theNBC Sports websitewith a valid login. It can also be streamed via Sling TV and other, more expensive streaming TV services. Sling TV/CNET Sling TV's Blue plan includes USA Network, making it a great option for fans wanting to watch Premier League action. It's $40 per month and features over 40 channels, including other sports channels like ESPN and FS1.Read our Sling TV review. See at Sling TV How to watch the Premier League 2024-25 season from anywhere with a VPNIf you find yourself unable to view EPL matches locally, you may need a different way to watch the games -- that's where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it's also a great idea if you're traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.With a VPN, you're able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors' Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you're streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions. James Martin/CNET 2024 Latest Tests DNS leaks detected, 25% speed loss in 2024 testsNetwork 3,000 plus servers in 105 countriesJurisdiction British Virgin Islands ExpressVPN isour current best VPN pickfor people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It's normally $13 a month, but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100 you'll get three months free and save 49%. That's the equivalent of $6.67 a month with codeSPECIALDEAL, which should be automatically applied.Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. 82% off with 24mo plan (+6 free months) See at ExpressVPN Can I livestream Tottenham vs. Ipswich in the UK?No broadcaster has selected this game for live broadcast in the UK.That also means that if you're in the UK traveling for pleasure or for work, you're unlikely to be able to watch the game like you normally would at home, thanks to geoblocking.There's one option to get around this, however. By using a VPN, as explained above, you can set your location to a country where the match is being broadcast and go from there.Livestream Tottenham vs. Ipswich in CanadaIf you want to stream this EPL game live in Canada, you'll need to subscribe to Fubo Canada. The service has exclusive rights to every Premier League fixture once again this season. Fubo Fubo is the go-to destination for Canadians looking to watch the EPL this season, with exclusive streaming rights to every match. It costs CA$30 per month, though you can save some cash by paying quarterly or annually. See at Fubo Livestream Tottenham vs. Ipswich in AustraliaFootball fans down under can watch EPL matches live on streaming service Optus Sport, which is showing every single Premier League fixture of the 2024-25 season live in Australia. Optus With exclusive rights to streamall EPL matches live this season, as well as German Bundesliga and Spanish La Liga games, streaming service Optus Sport is a particularly big draw for Aussie soccer fans.If you're already an Optus network customer, you can bag Optus Sport for a reduced price, with discounts bringing the price down to as low as AU$7 per month. If you're not, a standalone monthly subscription to the service starts at AU$25. See at Optus Quick tips for streaming the Premier League using a VPNWith four variables at play -- your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN -- your experience and success when streaming EPL matches may vary.If you don't see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the "search for city or country" option.If you're having trouble getting the game after you've turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs -- like Roku -- don't have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you'll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you're using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network's sports app, you'll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you're using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommendBrave.

See at Peacock Watch the EPL in the US from $8 a month Peacock See at Peacock See more details See at ExpressVPN Best VPN for streaming ExpressVPN See at ExpressVPN See more details See at Now Watch the Premier League in the UK from 15 with Now Now See at Now See more details See at Fubo Watch the Premier League in Canada from CA$30 per month Fubo Canada See at Fubo See more details See at Optus Watch the Premier League in Australia from AU$7 a month Optus Sport See at Optus See more details Table of Contents Premier League surprise package Nottingham Forest will look to tighten their grip on third place on Sunday as they host 12th-placed Newcastle at the City Ground.Forest are on a run of three consecutive wins, with striker Chris Wood in a rich vein of form, having scored eight times in his 10 league appearances so far this season.They face a Newcastle side today that have emerged from a sticky patch in some style, having followed up their Carabao Cup win against Chelsea with a statement win over Arsenal in the Premier League.Nottingham Forest take on Newcastle United on Sunday, Nov. 10, at the City Ground, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. GMTlocal time, making it a 9a.m. ET or 7 a.m. PTstart in the US and Canada and a1 a.m. AEDTkickoff in Australia in the early hours of Monday morning.Below, we'll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the match as it happens, wherever you are in the world. Chris Wood faces his old side today, having spent one full season at St. James' Park before joining Nottingham Forest. Michael Regan/Getty ImagesHow to watch Nottingham Forest vs. Newcastle in the US without cableSunday's Nottingham Forest vs. Newcastle match is streaming onPeacock. You'll need a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to catch the game live. CNET Peacock offers two Premium plans, and after the recent price increases, the ad-supported Premium plan costs $8 a month and the ad-free Premium Plus plan is $14 a month. See at Peacock How to watch the Premier League 2024-25 season from anywhere with a VPNIf you find yourself unable to view EPL matches locally, you may need a different way to watch the games -- that's where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it's also a great idea if you're traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.With a VPN, you're able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors' Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you're streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions. James Martin/CNET 2024 Latest Tests DNS leaks detected, 25% speed loss in 2024 testsNetwork 3,000 plus servers in 105 countriesJurisdiction British Virgin Islands ExpressVPN isour current best VPN pickfor people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It's normally $13 a month, but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100 you'll get three months free and save 49%. That's the equivalent of $6.67 a month with codeSPECIALDEAL, which should be automatically applied.Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. 82% off with 24mo plan (+6 free months) See at ExpressVPN Livestream Nottingham Forest vs. Newcastle in the UKSunday's London derby is exclusive to Sky Sports, showing on its Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and UHD channels. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the game via its Sky Go app, but cord-cutters will want to get set up with a Now account and a Now Sports membership to stream the game. Now TV Sky subsidiary Now offers streaming access to Sky Sports channels with a Now Sports membership. You can get a day of access for 15, or sign up to a monthly plan from 35 per month right now. See at Now .Livestream Nottingham Forest vs. Newcastle in CanadaIf you want to stream this EPL game live in Canada, you'll need to subscribe to Fubo Canada. The service has exclusive rights to every Premier League fixture once again this season. Fubo Fubo is the go-to destination for Canadians looking to watch the EPL this season, with exclusive streaming rights to every match. It costs CA$30 per month, though you can save some cash by paying quarterly or annually. See at Fubo Livestream Nottingham Forest vs. Newcastle in AustraliaFootball fans down under can watch EPL matches live on streaming service Optus Sport, which is showing every single Premier League fixture of the 2024-25 season live in Australia. Optus With exclusive rights to streamall EPL matches live this season, as well as German Bundesliga and Spanish La Liga games, streaming service Optus Sport is a particularly big draw for Aussie soccer fans.If you're already an Optus network customer, you can bag Optus Sport for a reduced price, with discounts bringing the price down to as low as AU$7 per month. If you're not, a standalone monthly subscription to the service starts at AU$25. See at Optus Quick tips for streaming the Premier League using a VPNWith four variables at play -- your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN -- your experience and success when streaming EPL matches may vary.If you don't see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the "search for city or country" option.If you're having trouble getting the game after you've turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs -- like Roku -- don't have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you'll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you're using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network's sports app, you'll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you're using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommendBrave.

We've barely had it for two weeks, and most of the Apple Intelligence features released so far on iOS 18 and MacOS Sequoia are focused on text -- such as generating summaries for notifications -- and email, helping to correct your writing and delivering smarter Siri responses. But one feature uses generative AI to work with images: the new Clean Up tool in the Photos app.Clean Up analyzes an image, suggests items you'd likely want removed, such as people or vehicles in the background, and then fills in the deleted area. Sometimes the fix can be invisible to most viewers -- and sometimes the results are laughably poor. After running many types of photos through the tool, I've come up with a few general guidelines to help you get the best cleaned-up images. The Clean Up tool can remove distractions. Jeff Carlson/CNETSurprisingly, Photos on the iPhone and iPad has never had a tool like Clean Up for removing small distractions. The Mac version does include a basic Retouch tool that can repair some areas, which is supplanted by Clean Up on compatible Macs.It's important to remember that Clean Up is a feature of Apple Intelligence, so you will see it only if you're running a compatible device and you've been granted access to the Apple Intelligence beta. That includes iPhones running iOS 18.1, iPads with M-series processors (and the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip) in iPadOS 18.1 and Macs with M-series processors in MacOS Sequoia 15.1.For more on Apple Intelligence, see which features I think you'll use the most and where its notifications need improvement.How is Clean Up different from other retouching tools?The repair tools in most photo editing apps work by copying nearby or similar pixels to fill in the space where you're making a fix. They're great for removing lens flares or dust spots against a sky, for example.The Clean Up tool uses generative AI, which analyzes the entire scene and makes guesses about what should fill the area you've selected. If you want to remove a dog standing in front of a tree, for example, generative AI creates a replacement based on what it knows about tree texture and foliage in the background, and also takes into account the lighting level and direction in the photo.The "generative" part of generative AI comes from the way it creates the image. The pixels that fill the area literally come from nothing: The software starts with a random pattern of dots and iterates quickly to create what it determines would appear in the same space.Keep in mind, retouching tools that use generative AI are the ultimate YMMV, or "your mileage may vary." I've gotten good results in difficult compositions and terrible results in areas I thought would be simple for the app to handle. Watch this: Apple Intelligence Impressions: Don't Expect Radical Change 09:05 How to remove distractions using Apple's Clean Up toolThe Clean Up tool takes two approaches to repairing photos. Using machine learning, it suggests items such as people or vehicles in the background as possible items to remove. Or, you can drag over what you want to remove and direct Photos to work on that area. The process breaks down like this:1. Open a photo and tap the Edit button. (On MacOS, click the button labeled Edit, or press the Return key.)2. Tap Clean Up. The first time you use the tool, Photos needs to download Clean Up resources, which will take a minute or so depending on your Internet connection. Photos analyzes the image and highlights any potential items to be removed with a translucent shimmer. Open the Photos edit interface and tap Clean Up. Photos makes suggestions about what to remove. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNET3. To remove a suggested item, tap it. Or, draw a circle around any item that isn't glowing.4. Don't be surprised if the area isn't cleaned fully on the first attempt -- you may need to draw over remaining areas to do more removal. If you're not happy with a fix, tap the Undo button. If Clean Up doesn't snag everything -- note that the person's legs in the image on the left are not highlighted -- use the tool again to keep cleaning the area. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNET5. When finished, tap Done. As with all edits in Photos, you can revert back to the original if you want to start over: Tap the More () button and choose Revert to Original.An unexpected and cool feature: Safety FilterPrimarily you'll use the Clean Up tool to get rid of distracting elements in a scene, but it has another trick available: You can hide the identity of someone in the photo.Draw a circle around their face. You don't have to fill it in -- a general swipe will do the job. Photos applies a blocky mosaic pattern in place of the person's face to obscure it. The Safety Filter is a clever use of the Clean Up tool. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETWhere you'll see the most success with Clean UpSome scenes and areas work better with Clean Up, so it's good to know where to focus your efforts.In my testing, I've found the most success in these general categories of fixes:Small distractions. Items such as litter on the ground or dust and threads on people's clothing consistently turn out well.Background textures. Areas such as tree leaves, grass or stone can be replicated well.Lens flare. As long as it's not too large, lens flare caused by light bouncing between camera lens elementsBystanders or vehicles in the background that don't occupy much area.Areas with sparse detail or background. Sometimes Clean Up works well -- originals on top, edited versions on the bottom. Jeff Carlson/CNETIn general, when dragging around an area, make sure you grab reflections or shadows cast by the item you want removed. Fortunately Photos often picks up on those and will include them in its selection. Be sure to select shadows and reflections (left). Clean Up detects what should be removed based on the broad selection (middle). A little reflection is left over (right), but that can be cleaned with one more swipe of the tool. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETAreas to avoid when trying to use Clean UpSome Clean Up targets are going to frustrate you when you try to remove them. For example:Very large areas. If it's too big, Photos balks and tells you to mark a smaller area or it makes a mess of the area. It is also inconsistent about coming up with what would plausibly appear in such a large space.Busy areas with clearly defined features. Tree leaves in the distance generally work well, but not so when there are recognizable structures or items. Removing a prominent leaf from a pile of leaves, or clearing out people from recognizable landmarks, for instance, doesn't turn out well. Removing large objects in the frame becomes a jumble of pixels. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETWhere Clean Up needs more workRemember, Clean Up and the other Apple Intelligence features are still technically in beta, even though they're available to anyone with a compatible device who signs up for the beta program. (I have some thoughts about installing beta software in general.)And while you can get some good results, there are still a few areas I'm looking forward to Apple improving in future releases. Namely, the quality of the replaced areas is spotty, sometimes looking more like non-AI repair tools. I would have expected Apple's algorithms to do a better job of determining what's in a scene and building replacement areas.In terms of the user experience, if you don't like what Clean Up offers for a removal, your only options are to undo or reset the edit. And if you undo, then try again, you get the same already-processed results. Adobe Lightroom, by contrast, offers three possibilities for every fix, with the option to generate another set if you don't like what it came up with. Lightroom (iPhone app shown here) gives you three options for a removed area. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETClean Up -- and other similar AI-based removal tools -- also suffer from their projected expectations: We've seen where it can do great things, which raises the bar for what we think every edit should do. When the tool gets confused and serves up a mess of disparate pixels, we expect it to do better. Maybe in the next releases.For more on what Apple Intelligence brings to your Apple devices, get a peek at the visual intelligence feature. Check Out the iPhone 16 Pro Max's Cameras, Display and Colors See all photos

If you recently bought aniPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro, you may have missed the newest hardware button that lies flush on the right side -- or maybe you activated the camera by accident. The Camera Control is more than just a physical shutter button for taking photos and in the upcoming iOS 18.2, now in public beta, it'll activate one of the newest Apple Intelligence features.More than just a clicky button, the Camera Control is also a touch-sensitive capacitive control surface that responds to pressure and also detects finger movement like a tiny, narrow trackpad.Using a physical button to trigger the camera shutterisn't a new concept. You can snap a photo by pressing the volume control button in the Camera app. So if the new Camera Control were simply another button -- even if better positioned when holding the phone in its wide orientation -- it would have felt like a letdown. Instead, it's a feature exclusive to theiPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Check Out the iPhone 16 Pro Max's Cameras, Display and Colors See all photos How the Camera Control button worksThe iPhone's Camera Control is a physical button that depresses when you push it, but it's also accentuated with haptic feedback like the MacBook trackpads (which feel indistinguishable from a physical mechanism even though the trackpad is just a solid piece of glass). The Camera Control sits flush on the edge of the iPhone case. Screenshot by CNETThe surface of the button is a smooth capacitive surface that responds to the motion of your fingertip. (TheMacBook Pro Touch Bartechnology lives on!)When you lightly press the button -- exerting some pressure on the surface but not enough to depress the switch -- an onscreen overlay appears. Did you notice how iOS 18 introduced a subtle user interface animation that shows a black indent where a physical button press occurs? The Camera Control button extends that area to an overlay where the Camera Control options reside. Lightly press the Camera Control to reveal an overlay. Numi Prasarn, CNETOpen the Camera app with the Camera Control buttonOne of the new standout iOS 18 features is the ability to remove the default Camera icon from the lock screen and replace it with something else. I've personally never used this shortcut, preferring to swipe from the right edge to open the app.Now, pressing the Camera Control button quickly launches the built-in Camera app, which is arguably faster because it's positioned near where your thumb or finger rests while holding the iPhone. The iPhone 16's Camera Control button lets you launch the camera without touching the screen. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETIf you find yourself accidentally launching the app when you don't mean to, you can require a double-press: Go to Settings > Camera > Camera Control and under Launch Camera select Double Click.Capture a photo or video the 'traditional' wayCamera ergonomics are often overlooked, but they can mean the difference between composing a shot comfortably and twisting your fingers into pretzels to tap the shutter button onscreen.To take a picture, press down on the Camera Control button. To start recording video, press and hold the button. (Hopefully, a future update will add a setting that lets you change the hold behavior, allowing it to capture bursts of images instead of video. You can already do that by pressing the Volume Up button, but only after enabling the option under Settings > Camera > Use Volume Up for Burst.) Take a photo the way you would press the shutter on a DSLR or mirrorless camera. Apple/Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETA light press also temporarily hides most of the interface items for a clutter-free look at your subject. If you don't mind the information, go to Settings > Camera > Camera Control and turn off Clean Preview.In iOS 18.2 -- currently in public beta and expected in December -- you will be able to lock auto exposure and auto focus (AE/AF) with a light press and hold of the button, the way you can with a half-press of the shutter button on most cameras. In the meantime, you can touch and hold on the screen where you want to focus and the app will lock focus and exposure at that point, even if you recompose the shot.Zoom and switch between the camerasPerhaps the biggest advantage of the Camera Control is having so many functions available without having to move your fingers all over the screen.To zoom in and out, you lightly press to bring up a slider and drag to adjust the focal length. Zoom in or out using the Camera Control. Apple/Screenshot by James Martin/CNETA light double-press of the Camera Control button brings up a sliding overlay of other camera options.The Cameras option -- represented by an icon that looks like a shutter -- allows you to switch between cameras and their focal lengths, such as selecting the Ultra Wide camera (0.5x zoom) or the Telephoto camera (5x zoom).Quickly adjust exposure and depthAlso included in the overlay that appears when you lightly double-press the Camera Control button are options for Exposure Compensation and Depth. The latter is the iPhone's way of changing the aperture (it even uses a icon to indicate f-stops), but because all iPhone cameras include fixed physical apertures (the opening through which light passes through the lens to the image sensor), the control adjusts the simulated depth in Portrait mode; if the camera detects a subject in the scene, it automatically saves depth information. Adjust the Depth setting for portraits and other scenes with a person or pet as the main subject. AppleChoose Photographic StylesApple has revamped its Photographic Styles feature on the new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models, replacing the stock filters and making the styles more editable. They're also selectable via the Camera Control. (The iPhone 13, 14 and 15 models still use the Photographic Styles feature introduced in 2021, which operates differently.)Double-press lightly on the control to view the capture overlay and drag to select the Photographic Styles option. Then slide your finger to preview the styles in real time and choose one. Preview Photographic Styles from the Camera Control overlay. Apple/Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETCamera Control works for capturing video, tooThese Camera Control options also apply when shooting video. In Apple's event video, a demo suggested that switching between resolutions and frame rates, such as 4K 120 FPS, is possible using the control, but that feature doesn't yet appear. You can zoom, choose cameras and adjust exposure.Apple also demonstrated how it can be applied in third-party photo and video apps by highlighting the Grid Composer feature in Lux Software's Kino video app, which cycles among types of visible guides. The video app Kino uses Camera Control to switch between types of onscreen guides. Apple/Screenshot by James Martin/CNETWhat about non-photo features of the Camera Control?The button is reserved for photographic uses, including features that third-party developers include in their photo and video capture apps. If you don't want to take pictures using the control, you can also use it like a second Action button to scan QR codes or launch the Magnifier Control Center tool. Go to Settings > Camera > Camera Control and choose Code Scanner or Magnifier in the list of apps.But Apple is also sneaking in an Apple Intelligence feature called visual intelligence that uses the camera. It's not available yet for most people, but if you install the iOS 18.2 public beta, it works like this:With the iPhone locked, press and hold the Camera Control button to bring up the camera. When you snap a picture in this mode, Apple Intelligence looks up what you're pointing at. You can then do a visual search of whatever is in front of the camera or tap an Ask button to send the query to ChatGPT. In Apple's examples, a person snapped a shot of a restaurant to get more information and check its operating hours and then looked up the breed of a passing dog. You can invoke Apple Intelligence by using the Camera Control button and, in this instance, learn more about a restaurant. Apple/Screenshot by James Martin/CNETCamera Control is exclusive to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. For more on what's new in the iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, see ourfull coverage of Apple's September event. Watch this: Review: Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Is an Impressive Upgrade 12:06

A carry-on bag is most people's security blanket, best friend and lifeline when traveling. Your carry-on often has essentials for the airplane. For me, that means snacks and entertainment, but a carry-on should also include valuable, hard-to-replace items such as passports, prescriptions, toiletries, cash and clothes in case your checked luggage gets lost. Believe me, packing a day or two extra clothes saved me when my suitcase was lost on the way to London.Following Transportation Security Administrationguidelines for each major US airline is also a must and doing a little research on the latest rules and regulations can help you ace the experience without getting held up. What TSA officials confiscate isn't in your control, but what you pack and how you pack it is in your control. Here's how to pack your carry-on bag efficiently for your next business or pleasure travel.For more travel tips, explore these travel essentials you need for every vacation and then take a look atthis travel checklist. The best carry-on travel bags Before you start packing, you'll have to find the right carry-on bag. Here are a few important things to keep in mind. What size carry-on should you get?The first and most important aspect to think about is size. Federal Aviation Administration regulations say carry-on items can't exceed dimensions of 22 by 14 by 9 inches, though you might find an inch or two of difference depending on the airline. The general rule is that it must fit under your seat or in the overhead enclosed storage compartment on the plane. Here's a quick reference for size limits for the most popular US airlines. Carry-on items by airline AirlineCabinMaximum size Air Canada All55 x 40 x 23 cm; 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inAlaska Airlines All55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 inAmerican Airlines All56 x 36 x 23 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 inBritish Airways All56 x 45 x 25 cm; 22 x 18 x 10 inDelta Air Lines All56 x 35 x 23 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 inFrontier Airlines All60.96 x 40.64 x 25.4 cm; 24 x 16 x 10 inHawaiian Airlines All55.9 x 35.5 x 22.9 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 inJetBlue Airways All55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 inSouthwest Airlines All60.9 x 40.6 x 25.4 cm; 24 x 16 x 10 inSpirit Airlines All56 x 46 x 25 cm; 22 x 18 x 10 inUnited Airlines All56 x 35 x 22 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 in Carry-ons should have an easy access tech compartmentIf you decide to bring electronics like a laptop, iPad, Kindle or other tablet on board, your carry-on should ideally have a separate, padded compartment for secure packing. Be sure these compartments are easily accessible, since at security checkpoints, the TSA will require you to remove your electronic devices and place them in the plastic X-ray tray. Make sure you're carry-on is comfortable on your back or shoulderRemember, you'll need to lug your carry-on bag or suitcase across the airport and down long corridors, and you might even need to run with it so you don't miss your connection. Consider whether you need padded handles or cushioned straps or a backpack or a rolling suitcase for ease. The general rule is that all carry-ons must fit under your seat or in the overhead enclosed storage compartment on the plane. Getty Images How to pack your carry-on the right way Though what to pack in your carry-on ultimately depends on your preferences, there are a few guidelines for the best way to pack your luggage: Pack items in layers (shoes one layer, clothes one layer, electronics one layer, etc.).Pack the things you'll use the least at the bottom of the bag.Keep most of your valuables in your carry-on luggage, and store them in side compartments or safely padded around other items.Place valuables at the bottom of your bag, away from the opening.Keep your wallet, credit cards and cash in an inner pocket so they'll be harder to steal.Pack a small, separate bag for toiletries. (Liquids, gels and aerosols packed in carry-on must follow the3-1-1 liquids rule: 3.4 ounces or less per container; all liquids must fit in one quart size, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; one bag per passenger.)Roll your clothes tightly to save space in your luggage.Sometimes you lose your luggage. It happens. Though it's frustrating, it's important to pack a spare set of clothes (including socks and underwear!) in your carry-on to hold you over until your bags are found and returned. Pack clothing that can easily be rolled up and put in the bottom of your bag. Rolled clothing can save space in your tight bag or suitcase. Getty Images Essential items for your carry-on bag There's some items that are just better in your carry-on luggage. If you do decide to check a bag, be sure to keep these items with you on the flight. Most of these carry-on essentials are items that would be hard to replace or purchase when you get to your destination. Prescriptions and medicationsContact lenses or glassesValuables like jewelry, wallets, passports, IDs and boarding passesCameras and smartphonesEntertainment like tablets, books and laptopsHeadphones to watch TV or movies if a longer flightChargers for electronicsPrinted itinerary, or hotel and flight confirmationsExplore this complete guide for essential travel items you may forget to pack. Place your larger electronics in secure yet easily accessible compartments, since you'll need to pull them out at TSA security checkpoints. Getty Images What you should never pack in your carry-on bag The TSA has specific guidelines covering which items are banned from flights and the agency takes those rules very seriously. In 2022 alone, the TSA screened nearly 761 million passengers and crew members nationwide, and it confiscated a record number of firearms (6,301) and many other items. TSA policy says that individuals carrying weapons, especially loaded firearms, can face fines or criminal penalties. These are some of the most commonly confiscated items: FirearmsFireworksBox cutters, utility knives and razorsBats, clubs and bladesSwiss Army knivesSharpIf in doubt, always refer to theTSA's guidelines on packing for flights, to ensure you have safe and easy travels. If you're planning a vacation soon and are stressed about packing or preparing, CNET has plenty of resources to help. Get ready for your next trip with these hacks and tips:

Although you have limited options, knowing which are the most affordable or the highest-speed internet plans when shopping in the Boise area is still helpful.

Our Picks How we sort our mattresses Filter by Firmness Select all Soft (1-4) Only Medium (5-8) Only Firm (9-10) Only Clear Sleep style Select all Back Only Combination Only Side Only Stomach Only Clear Mattress type Select all Hybrid Only Memory foam Only Air mattress Only Clear $1,332 at Brooklyn Bedding Best overall RV mattress Brooklyn Bedding Signature View details $1,332 at Brooklyn Bedding View details $524 at RV Mattress Best size options for RVs Dreamfoam Essential View details $524 at RV Mattress View details <del class="c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_msrpPrice">$1,484</del> $1,187 at PlushBeds Best latex RV mattress PlushBeds EcoGreen 8-inch View details View details <del class="c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_msrpPrice">$799</del> $599 at Leesa Best memory foam mattress for RVs Leesa Studio View details View details $1,332 at Helix Best hybrid mattresses for RVs Helix Core Collection View details $1,332 at Helix View details Table of Contents The key to making your RV the perfect space to have adventures is ensuring everything is comfortable for a long journey. This means loading it up with one of the best RV mattresses. When you're well-rested and comfortable, the trips will be much more enjoyable. But remember, space can be tricky when trying to fit things into an RV, so make sure to measure how much room you have before going through with your purchase.Read more: Unique Gifts for People Who Have EverythingWhat is the best overall mattress for RVs?The best overall bed for RVs is the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Mattress, and it was a pretty simple choice. Our team of mattress experts loves the Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress for its combination of near-universal comfort, hybrid design, firmness options and value price.Not only is it a great hybrid bed, but it, along with many mattresses from Brooklyn Bedding, is easily available in non-standard sizes, which we don't typically see with other brands. Odds are that there will be a size available that works for your RV, including three RV king-size mattresses, short full and Olympic queen, among others.I have actually recommended this mattress to people in my personal life, and it's always been a hit.Video: Best RV mattressBest mattresses for RVs of 2024 Brooklyn Bedding Signature Best overall RV mattress Durability 8/10

Brownsville residents have access to both cable and fixed wireless. Here are CNETs top provider picks for the area.

Switching to solar panels can significantly reduce your utility bills and shrink your carbon footprint. However, price tags in the tens of thousands of dollars can be a nonstarter for many homeowners. On the other hand, going solar could be a game changer -- especially considering the average electric bill in Illinois went up by 28% from June 2023 to June 2024. These numbers will fluctuate with the ever-changing cost of energy, but going solar can also bring some consistency when it comes to your monthly bills.In Illinois, as in the rest of the country, residents benefit from the federal tax credi established by the Inflation Reduction Act, covering up to 30% of solar installation costs come tax season. But in the Land of Lincoln, there are also state programs that offer major help.One, Illinois Shines, provides upfront funding for household solar panels through the purchase of renewable energy credits. Another, Illinois Solar for All, pays for folks who meet lower-income requirements to install solar panels with no up-front cost, according toVito Greco, director of solar programs at the clean energy advocacy group Elevate, which administers the program. Can solar panels save you money? Interested in understanding the impact solar can have on your home? Enter some basic information below, and well instantly provide a free estimate of your energy savings. Here's what you need to know about Illinois solar incentives and how to choose the best installer.Best national solar panel companies in IllinoisThere are 373 solar companies operating in Illinois, including 114 installers and developers, according todatafrom the Solar Energy Industries Association. So which one do you choose?If you're receiving state incentives, you'll need to choose one of the approved vendors ofIllinois ShinesorIllinois Solar for All, whichever program you're using. Get quotes from multiple installers, and check reviews and do other research to make sure you're getting the best deal from a reputable company. Here are a few from our research andour list of best solar companies. Palmetto Solar Best overall Read full review Solar panels are typically low maintenance equipment, but they're also unfamiliar. If you want to reap the benefits of solar but will have a bit more peace of mind if someone else is making sure it's working, Palmetto might be a good fit for you. Just remember to add the cost of Palmetto's monitoring service in to your payback period calculations. Equipment 9.3 / 10 Warranty 6 / 10 Service 10 / 10 Pros and Cons Pros Options for after-installation supportTop-of-line equipmentFinancing marketplace Cons Some warranties could be strongerNo consistent price match policy Areas served Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia Product details Palmetto Solar has more robust service for after installation than most other companies, though it might cost you a bit. All customers receive third-party monitoring and proactive communication when some part of their solar system malfunctions. Palmetto also receives an A-plus from the Better Business Bureau. Palmetto offers quality solar equipment and is one of the few companies that offers Sonnen's batteries. Palmetto's workmanship warranty is 10 years and its weatherization warranty is 5 years. Show more details Freedom Forever Best for cash customers Read full review Include Freedom Forever in your search if you want the backing of a national company that installs a wide variety of the most popular solar equipment available. Freedom Forever also extends a couple of products that take some of the pain and risk out of going solar, like a production guarantee and an escrow option with cash purchases. Online reviews say customer satisfaction has been low of late, though the company says that's changing. Equipment 9.3 / 10 Warranty 7 / 10 Service 5 / 10 Pros and Cons Pros Production guaranteePrice-match guaranteeCash escrow option Cons Customer service concernsSome warranties are longer elsewhere Areas served Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., Wisconsin Product details Freedom Forever, one of the largest American solar installers, installs some of the most popular residential equipment. It offers a production guarantee and an uncommon cash escrow option is a welcome step toward a less stressful process. Freedom Forever has had customer service issues, with complaints of paying for a nonfunctional system while dealing with poor communication and long waits. Some recent customers have had flawless experiences, but those reviews appear alongside many more negative ones. The company says things have turned around after a bad stretch, but its worth monitoring. Show more details Tesla Solar Most affordable Read full review Tesla's solar branch seems to be the least loved of Elon Musk's ventures. Even Tesla's Solar Roof seems to get more love. If price is the thing you won't budge on, consider Tesla. By all accounts, Tesla installs quality panels and makes the closest thing there is to a household name in solar storage: the Powerwall. Where you might miss out is customer service. Discussion online seems to suggest Tesla's service is a bit of a gamble. Equipment 7.3 / 10 Warranty 6.5 / 10 Service 8 / 10 Pros and Cons Pros Low prices and a price-match guaranteeQuality equipmentLower-profile panels Cons Anecdotally, customer service can be poorFewer equipment options Areas served All 50 states Product details Solar panels from Tesla are likely to be the cheapest option where they are available. You can save thousands of dollars, without sacrificing on quality of equipment or the warranties that protect it. What you might sacrifice is customer service. From delays to price changes, to slow responses, to system malfunctions, social media reports of negative experiences aren't hard to find, including some who regret their choice. This is true of all solar companies, but the quantity of reports concerning Tesla is concerning. Show more details EnergyPal Most versatile Read full review EnergyPal is more than just a middleman. It'll handle your solar installation from beginning to end while also allowing you to benefit from its proprietary engine and competitive bidding process. The company offers a range of hardware for panels, batteries and inverters, has plentiful financing options and offers responsive customer service support. Equipment 8.7 / 10 Warranty 6.5 / 10 Service 7 / 10 Pros and Cons Pros Certified and vetted local network of installers and partnersLots of hardware choices for panels, batteries and invertersCompetitive pricing and bidding processResponsive customer service support Cons Warranties can vary by brand or productDoesn't handle the installation itself Areas served Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin Product details EnergyPal is both a marketplace and an energy advisor. It uses its proprietary quote builder engine to customize your solar system; then it'll contract with a local company and act as your single point of contact for everything from installation to permitting. Hardware options include solar panels, batteries and inverters from QCells, REC, Silfab, Aptos, Tesla, Enphase, SolarEdge and FranklinWH. You can expect a workmanship guarantee of 5-10 years, with manufacturer warranties of up to 30 years depending on the hardware. No weatherization warranty is offered. Customers can also take advantage of third-party monitoring tools, from Enphase, SolarEdge, Tesla and others. While EnergyPal isn't rated by the BBB, it receives positive customer reviews online and scores a 4.7 on Trustpilot. Show more details Local solar panel companies in Illinois Nelnet Renewable Energy Nelnet Renewable Energy offers solar installations for pitched roofs, flat roofs and ground-mounted solar. It also offers Tesla Powerwall installations. The company offers financing options, as well as leasing and power purchase agreements.

Spectrum and Metronet fiber are top broadband picks in Fayetteville, but there are more options to consider. Here are the best ISPs in the area.

Although fiber is scarce in Chesapeake, you do still have high-speed internet options.

Our Experts Written by Aly Lopez Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement Why You Can Trust CNET 120130140150160170180190200210 Mattress Tests 0102030405 Testers 9509609709809901,0001,1701,2701,3701,470 Hours Tested How we test With 5+ years of mattress testing experience, we use our different sleeping position and body type perspectives to offer well-rounded, honest reviews.Table of Contents Our Picks How we sort our mattresses Filter by Firmness Select all Soft (1-4) Only Medium (5-8) Only Firm (9-10) Only Clear Sleep style Select all Back Only Combination Only Side Only Stomach Only Clear Mattress type Select all Hybrid Only Memory foam Only Air mattress Only Clear $1,699 at My Green Mattress My Green Mattress Natural Escape Best overall hypoallergenic mattress View details $1,699 at My Green Mattress View details <del class="c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_msrpPrice">$1,999</del> $1,699 at WinkBeds WinkBeds EcoCloud Best hypoallergenic mattress for side sleepers View details $300 off all mattresses View details <del class="c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_msrpPrice">$1,839</del> $1,655 at Brentwood Home Brentwood Home Oceano Best hypoallergenic mattress with a pillow top feel View details View details <del class="c-shortcodeListiclePrecapItem_msrpPrice">$1,499</del> $1,349 at Brentwood Home Brentwood Home Latex Hybrid (Update: Out of stock) Best hypoallergenic mattress for heavier sleepers View details View details $1,999 at Avocado Mattress Avocado Green Best firm hypoallergenic mattress View details 15% off $1,999 at Avocado Mattress View details $2,099 at Nolah Nolah Natural Best hypoallergenic mattress for back pain View details $2,099 at Nolah View details $1,749 at Amerisleep Amerisleep AS3 Best hypoallergenic memory foam mattress View details $1,749 at Amerisleep View details $2,132 at Nest Bedding Nest Bedding Sparrow Signature Hybrid Best hypoallergenic mattress policies View details $2,132 at Nest Bedding View details Table of Contents The current environmental conditions are far from ideal, particularly for those with allergies. The constant sneezing and watery eyes can make doing simple daily activities surprisingly difficult. While there are a number of home remedies to manage allergy symptoms, addressing the root cause is essential for long-term relief. Did you know your mattress may house up to 10 million microscopic dust mites? Dust mites are drawn to warm and humid environments; unfortunately, that includes your bed. The older your mattress and pillows are, the more creepy crawlies may be lurking beneath the covers, and just using mattress protectors won't be of much help.Additionally, if you have a furry friend, pet dander could be making your situation worse, triggering more allergic reactions.Many bed manufacturers now make mattresses using hypoallergenic materials. Most of these mattresses are made with natural latex, the material that's naturally derived from the sap of rubber trees and free of chemicals. Generally, latex foam is durable, bouncy and responsive, springing back into shape faster than traditional memory foam. And hypoallergenic mattresses tend to be more temperature-neutral than memory foam mattresses. They're great unless you are allergic to latex.As someone with allergies, having a hypoallergenic mattress has made a huge difference. We can't guarantee they'll solve all your allergy issues, but the beds listed below can help reduce your exposure to allergens, allowing for better sleep. What is the best overall hypoallergenic mattress?After testing hundreds of mattresses, my team and I narrowed down our top picks for the best hypoallergenic beds on the market. Coming in at No. 1 is the Natural Escape from My Green Mattress. This bed takes the crown for best overall hypoallergenic mattress as it was designed with allergens in mind and offers a widely accommodating firmness profile.Video: Best hypoallergenic mattress for 2024Watch me review the best hypoallergenic mattresses for 2024.Best hypoallergenic mattresses for 2024

There's so much to iOS 18, it could make your head spin.You probably already know about some of the major features, likecustomizing your home screen,formatting text messagesand improvements to Maps. There are also all theApple Intelligence features.That's not everything that iOS 18 has to offer. There are plenty of new settings that aren't publicized, so they stay under the radar, but that doesn't mean they're not important.These are all the hidden iOS 18 features you should know about.For more, here are seven iOS 18 settings you want to change right away, how to back up your iPhone the correct way and how to fix these three annoying iOS 18 settings. Grab Our Picks for the 11 Best iPhone Accessories See all photos Restart your iPhone from the new control centerYou don't have to press any physical buttons to restart your iPhone if you're running iOS 18. The redesigned control center features all the classic controls you're used to, like brightness, volume, orientation, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but there are several new controls, including one to restart your iPhone.All you need to do is swipe down from the top-right of your iPhone and press and hold down on the new power button in the top-right of the control center. You can't just tap it; you have to hold it down for a second or so, and then the slider to power off your iPhone will appear.To turn your iPhone back on, you'll still need to press and hold the physical side button. On iOS 17 and earlier, the only way to restart your iPhone is to press and hold either volume button and the side button. Nelson Aguilar/CNETUse a QR code to share your Wi-Fi passwordThere are a few ways you can share a Wi-Fi network and password with people via your iPhone, and there's a new way to do it on iOS 18. Using a QR code fills in a few gaps for ways to quickly share your Wi-Fi information:Share with several people at once. Instead of individually sending out your Wi-Fi password, you can have everyone scan the QR code from your phone.Share with someone not saved as your contact. Nearby share for Wi-Fi doesn't work unless that person is in your contacts.Share with someone who has Android. Nearby share and AirDrop don't work with Android devices. Watch this: 11 Hidden Features in iOS 18 06:44 So if you meet any of those scenarios and you don't want to text the Wi-Fi password to them, you can use the QR code. Go to the new Passwords app, go to the Wi-Fi section, tap on the network you want to share and then hit Show Network QR Code. If the other person scans the QR code with their camera, they'll be connected to the Wi-Fi network. This only works for Wi-Fi passwords, not regular passwords. Nelson Aguilar/CNETAdjust the beam width of your flashlightThe flashlight on the iPhone is getting a big upgrade. You've long been able to change the intensity of the flashlight, but on iOS 18 you can now also adjust the beam width of the light, as long as you have a compatible model. You can go wide, to cover more area with less light, or go narrow, to use more intense light over less area, and everywhere in between. It's a fun feature to play around with for lighting people for photos.To use the new feature, turn on your flashlight (use the lock screen or control center), and a new user interface will appear in the dynamic island. You can change the light intensity by swiping up and down, but to change the beam width, you'll need to swipe left and right. If you tap anywhere in the dynamic island, you can turn the flashlight off and on. A wide flashlight beam (left) and a narrow beam. Nelson Aguilar/CNETNote: This feature only works on iPhone models with the dynamic island, including the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15 series and iPhone 16 series.Transcribe Voice Memos and make them searchableThe Voice Memos app is incredibly convenient for capturing ideas or song snippets, but they've always been obfuscated. You can give them a descriptive title, but that doesn't help when you want to find that one memo you recorded that contains the word "porcupine." In iOS 18, the app can create transcriptions of your voice memos and search for words that were previously available only as audio waveforms.In the Voice Memos app, tap one of your memos to reveal its controls and then tap theEdit Recordingbutton, which looks like a waveform. Or, tap the three-dots button to the right of a memo and chooseEdit Recording.Next, tap theTranscribebutton to create the transcription (or view the text if it's already been transcribed). TapDone. Take an existing voice memo (left) and create a transcript of the recording (right). Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETNow, when you use the Search field, the app looks through the transcripts in addition to the titles for results. The text is also available throughout iOS. When you perform a search from the home screen, you'll see Voice Memos as a category with the memos that include the search term (you may need to tapShow More Resultsto reveal it). With transcripts made, voice memos are more easily searchable. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETHide app labels for a cleaner home screenIs your home screen feeling a little too cluttered? If so, this new feature could help. Now with iOS 18, you can get rid of app labels or the names of the apps that you see underneath each app icon on your home screen. If you can recognize an app from just the icon, who needs the label?On your home screen, press and hold down on any blank space, until you enter jiggle mode, and then hit Edit > Customize. A menu will appear at the bottom of the screen; choose the Large option, which will make your app icons slightly larger and remove the app labels. This will also remove the app labels from the folders in the App Library. Nelson Aguilar/CNETChange an app to a widget without leaving the home screenNot every iOS app has a widget for your home screen, but if it does, you don't need to dig through the widget edit page to find it. If you're running iOS 18, and there's an app that you want to turn into a widget, you can do so very quickly right from your home screen.On a supported app, press and hold down on the icon on your home screen to bring up the quick actions menu. If the app has a widget, you'll see an app icon next to a variety of widget icons (up to three). Tap on any of the widget icons to change the app to a widget. If you want to go back from the widget to the app, go to the quick action menu and hit the app icon on the left. This only works for apps that have widgets on iOS. Nelson Aguilar/CNETSecretly identify songs using the Action ButtonNo lie, it's satisfying when someone asks, "What song is this?" to be able to activate Music Recognition on the iPhone and get an answer quickly. But to get the answer means very noticeably asking Siri to run Shazam oractivating Music Recognition in the control center. Wouldn't it be fun to let your friends think you've been blessed with an encyclopedic knowledge of pop music?In iOS 18, you can come close using the Action Button. Go toSettings > Action Buttonand swipe through the options untilRecognize Musicis selected. Assign the Recognize Music feature to the Action Button and then identify songs by just holding the button. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETTo make it work, just press and hold the Action Button for a couple of seconds. Shazam appears in the dynamic island to listen to what's playing and identify the song. If you're sneaky about activating Shazam and peeking at your phone, no one needs to know you got some help from a supercomputer in the cloud.Find images with handwriting and illustrations in the Photos appA lot is changing in the Photos app in iOS 18, from the way things are organized to the ability to usegenerative AI to remove objectsin images. Apple has also tucked a few surprises into the app to help you sort through your library.Scroll down past the main library itself to view categories such asPeople and PetsandMemoriesuntil you reachUtilities. Tap it to view the full list -- but note that a new feature of this interface is the ability to swipe left to view additional panels. Prior to iOS 18, Utilities included options to view hidden, recently deleted and duplicate photos.Now, it includes many more options. TapHandwritingto view images with handwriting in them. Looking for images that are illustrations and not photographs? TapIllustrations(although in our testing this seems to grab a lot of screenshots too). View images that contain handwriting in your Photos library in iOS 18. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETShare a specific section of a podcastDid the hosts of your favorite podcast say something especially funny or thoughtful that you want to share with someone? In the Podcasts app in iOS 18, you can send an episode to a friend with the playback advanced to that moment -- but the capability isn't easy to find.Tap theNow Playing barin the app at the bottom of the screen to view the playback controls and pause the episode. Use the progress bar to go back to the start of the section you want to share.Next, tap theMore() button and chooseShare Episode. In the sharing options that appear, tapFrom Startbelow the episode title, and then selectFrom [the current time]. TapDone. Start by sharing the episode itself. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETLastly, choose the method of sharing, such as via Messages or Mail. When the recipient receives the shared episode and opens it in the Podcasts app, they'll see the option toPlay from [the time]. Specify that the shared episode begins at the time you chose. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNET

I consider the smaller Boom 2 the best value among current Soundcore by Anker Bluetooth speakers because it delivers very strong sound for a speaker that costs a little more than $100. But the larger and more expensive Boom 2 Plus is a better-sounding speaker that plays louder and produces a bigger sound with more bass. While it costs around $250, the key thing about it is that it competes well with boom box speakers from JBL and Sony which cost upwards of $400.This speaker has dual 50-watt woofers and dual 20-watt tweeters, Anker says, and charges via USB-C, which is nice. There is also a charge-out option to charge your devices and the Boom 2 Plus is rated for up to 20 hours of playback time at moderate volume levels. The speaker has both a handle and removable strap to make it easy to carry around and is IPX7 waterproof. It also floats should you drop it in a body of water and has a customizable light show option.

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Supplemental Security Income recipients should have already received their check this month, but another one is set to hit their bank accounts before the end of November. We'll explain why below.Supplemental Security Income is a program run by the Social Security Administration. It benefits qualifying recipients with limited income and resources and people with qualifying disabilities. Children who are blind or with disabilities may also qualify for SSI.If you just started receiving benefits, or you're about to apply to SSI, we'll break down the payment schedule for the rest of the year so you won't have to guess when to expect your next check. For more, don't miss how to apply for Social Security benefits and four ways you could actually lose your benefits.SSI payment scheduleHere's when you can expect to receive your SSI payments for the rest of the year.Friday, Nov. 1Friday, Nov. 29 (for December)For November, recipients will receive their first check on Friday, Nov. 1. Since the first day of December is a Sunday this year, that check will be paid out on Friday, Nov. 29.If I get other Social Security benefits, will I get those early too?No. For the most part, each Social Security benefit has a straightforward schedule, with only a couple of instances where it can waver from the typical timetable. For your reference, November's Social Security payment schedule is below. If you've received Social Security before May 1997 Nov. 1If your birthday falls between day 1 and 10 of the month Nov. 13If your birthday falls between day 11 and 20 of the month Nov. 20If your birthday falls between day 21 and 31 of the month Nov. 27 For more, check out the latest on the 2025 COLA announcement and how your Social Security benefits can be suspended if you do these things.

While the newSony PlayStation 5 Pro is the talk of the gaming-console town right now, there are plenty of people with the standard PS5 who don't feel the need to upgrade, despite all the Pro's new tricks. That said, it's still not uncommon to run into issues with the PS5, even in the "latter stage of its life cycle."Software glitches and storage corruption can make it a nuisance to work with or render it unusable to the point where you'll need to dive into advanced settings or reset it completely to resolve your issue. Luckily, there are a host of options at your disposal to get your PS5 back in working order. Below, we'll detail some of the ways you can fix your PS5 and reset it if you need to.Given both the standard and Pro versions of the console share very similar DNA, the steps detailed below may work for the Pro as well, but we'll need to dig into its settings a bit more first.For more, here's how to back up and restore your PS5 data. How to Reset your PS5 from Settings Menu The easiest and most common way to reset your PS5 is to do so from the console settings. From the PlayStation home screen, navigate to the Settings menu at the top right. Select System.Select System Software.Select Reset Options.Then, confirm by choosing Reset Your Console.If you don't have a controller to navigate through your PS5's system UI, you can connect peripherals like a mouse and keyboard to reset your console that way. You can even connect your mobile device to your PS5 using the Remote Play app for iOS or Android to control your console via your phone and reset it that way. If all else fails, enter PS5 Safe Mode Safe Mode gives you multiple options to take advantage of even before you need to reset your PS5. For instance, if you're having storage issues, you can repair the console's storage to try to resolve it. System UI glitches or issues? Performance drops? In safe mode, you can try the Clear Cache and Rebuild Database option to rebuild a new database of all the console's content without having to start from scratch. Or try to, at least. And if necessary, you can reset the console If your PS5 won't fully boot up, you won't be able to reset it as you normally would since you won't be able to get to the settings menu, so you'll need to boot into Safe Mode and reset the console that way. How to boot into PS5 Safe Mode and reset it Note that resetting your PS5 from Safe Mode will result in the loss of all data stored on the console, so make sure you back up everything properly before proceeding. With the PS5 turned off, press and hold the power button and release it after you hear two beeps (one beep occurs with the initial press and a second should follow 7 seconds later.)Connect your controller via USB cable and press the PS button on it. (If this doesn't boot you into Safe Mode, turn off the console and try the above steps again.)From the Safe Mode menu options select either Reset or Reset (Reinstall System Software)Reset will delete all user data and return your PS5 to its original state. Reset (Reinstall System Software) will delete all user data and, you guessed it, reinstall the system software.How to reinstall PS5 system software manuallyIf you needed to reinstall your PS5's system software and it failed, you can attempt to reinstall it manually, using a USB drive.To get started, you'll need a USB drive that has at least 1.2GB of free space on it, and it'll need to be formatted to either EXFAT or FAT32 using a PC or Mac.Create a folder within the USB drive called PS5 and another folder within that one called UPDATE.Visit the PS5 software download page and download the reinstallation file. (There are two on the page, so make sure you're choosing the reinstallation file and not the update file.)Once downloaded, save the file in the the UPDATE folder within your USB drive and rename it to, "PS5UPDATE.PUP"Now that your USB Drive is prepared, insert it into your PS5 and start the console up in Safe Mode using the steps above.Select Reset (Reinstall System Software) and the console should recognize the USB with the update file on it and install the software image from there.If for some reason this fails, attempt the same process using another USB port on the console.For more, check out Microsoft expects a new Xbox and PlayStation console by 2028.

Why You Can Trust CNET Money Money Banking Article updated on Nov 7, 2024 Best Savings Rates Today, Nov. 7, 2024: Score a High APY Before Rates Drop Further Don't wait to open one of these top accounts. APYs are likely to keep falling after today's Fed decision. Our Experts Written by Edited by Our Experts Written by Edited by Table of Contents Rmcarvalho / Getty Images

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Apple released the first public beta of iOS 18.2 on Wednesday, a little more than a week after the tech giant released iOS 18.1 to the general public. While iOS 18.1 brought a few new features and fixes to all iPhones, and a few Apple Intelligence features to others, the latest beta brings more AI features to some developers and beta testers. There are also a few new features in the beta that aren't a part of Apple Intelligence, meaning everyone can access them. Apple/Screenshot by CNETRead more: An Expert's Guide to iOS 18Since this is a beta, I recommend downloading it only on something other than your primary device. Because this isn't the final version of iOS 18.2, the update might be buggy and battery life may be short, so it's best to keep those troubles on a secondary device.Note that the beta is not the final version of iOS 18.2, so there could be more features to land on your iPhone when iOS 18.2 is released. There's no word on when Apple will release iOS 18.2 to the public yet.Here are some of the features that could land on your iPhone with iOS 18.2 soon. And just a reminder that only developers and beta testers who have an iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max or the iPhone 16 lineup can access the AI features for now. If you have any other iPhone, you won't have access to those features.GenmojiThere are over 3,000 emoji you can use, but sometimes you can't find the one you really want. Genmoji is here to help. With the Apple Intelligence Genmoji feature, you can describe the emoji you're looking for and iPhones with Apple Intelligence will attempt to generate a new emoji based on your description. Apple/Screenshot by CNETTo use Genmoji, go into a message and tap the emoji keyboard in the bottom left corner of your keyboard. Then, type the emoji you're looking for into the search bar. If there isn't an emoji that matches your description, tap Create New Emoji just below the search bar. Your iPhone will then show you a few examples of what it came up with based on your description. You can swipe through the emoji, and when you find a Genmoji you like, tap Add in the top right corner to permanently add that new emoji to your keyboard.Visual IntelligenceThis is Apple's answer to Google Lens.Visual Intelligenceis an Apple Intelligence feature that lets you point your camera at something, like a dog, and your iPhone will then use the photo to search online to help you identify it. The feature can also be used to detect phone numbers to create contacts, scan QR codes and translate languages.You can also integrate this feature with ChatGPT to help you identify items, as well as to help you better understand what's on a page or screen. It's important to note that you don't need a ChatGPT account to use the integration.This feature is also only available on the iPhone 16 lineup since it utilizes the series' new camera control side-button. If you have one of the new iPhones, long press the new side-button where the SIM card tray used to be to quickly pull up Visual Intelligence."The camera control provides instant, easy access to the camera with just a click. It allows you to adjust various camera features simply by sliding your finger," Apple said at its "Glowtime" event in September. "Its convenient design ensures it's always within reach."Image PlaygroundThis Apple Intelligence feature takes Genmoji one step further and lets you create whole images based on text prompts called Image Playground. This feature is a standalone app and it can also be found in Message by tapping the plus (+) button to the left of your text box. Apple/Screenshot by CNETImage Playground is filled with prompt suggestions, themes, places and more to get you started. You can enter multiple prompts to make the image more specific, but once I entered seven prompts a popup appeared telling me to use fewer. There's also an option to change the art style from the default cartoony 3D images to illustrations.If you want to put yourself, friends and family or your pet into one of these images, you can. Tap the plus (+) sign in the bottom right corner and then tap either Choose Photo or Take Photo. You'll still have to choose or enter a prompt in addition to the photo.The feature can create some simple images, and it can be unintentionally funny with how weird other images are. In one instance, I selected the prompts astronaut, artist and lighthouse. One of the results showed what I can only describe as a half-stronaut propped up on an easel with blank pages behind them opposite another easel with a drawing of a lighthouse on it. Stellar work.Read more:Apple Intelligence's New Notification Summary Feature Can Be Absurdly WrongGlowing Siri and ChatGPTApple announced at WWDC in May that its virtual assistant Siri was entering a "new era" soon thanks to Apple Intelligence enhancements. And with the iOS 18.2 beta, Apple is bringing most of those enhancements to some iPhones.With Apple Intelligence, instead of seeing a logo pop up on your screen when you activate Siri, you'll see a glowing light around your screen. You can use Siri like you normally would, and you can also use ChatGPT for your queries.I asked Siri to use ChatGPT to show me how to brew a cup of coffee, and it wrote out a seven-step process on how to make drip coffee in a standard brewer. The instructions were a little wonky, telling me to measure out my water and coffee grounds before grinding my coffee beans. But there is a disclaimer at the bottom of these ChatGPT requests, which reads, "Check important info for mistakes."You can also copy what Siri and ChatGPT show you by tapping a button in the top right corner of the window that shows two pieces of paper. Then, you can paste this in a message or a note if you want -- but again, you should verify the details of your request.New Mail categoriesYour Mail app also gets an upgrade in the iOS 18.2 beta. Apple announced in September that Mail would soon be able to sort emails to multiple categories to keep your important emails in one place and ads or promotions in another, like Gmail and Outlook do. The new layout keeps things mostly tidy, but Mail doesn't always get it right. For example, I found an email for digital tickets I previously ordered in the Promotions category rather than the Primary category.You don't have to use the new layout if you don't want to. To change your Mail layout back, go into Mail, tap the three dots (...) in the top right corner and tap List View.Find My UpgradesThe Find My app can be used to locate things like your AirPods and MacBook, and with the iOS 18.2 beta, Apple makes it easy to get help finding lost items. In the beta, if you go into Find My > Items and tap one of your items, you have a new option to Share Item Location. Apple/Screenshot by CNETIf you enable this option, Find My will create a link that you can share with others so they can notify you if they find your lost or missing item. However, these links expire after one week, which may not be enough time to find missing them.There's also another option near Share Item Location called Show Contact Info. If you enable this feature, others can connect to lost items so they can find ways to contact you and bring your item back to you.Those are a few of the new features public beta testers can try with this iOS 18.2 public beta. There will likely be more betas before this version of the OS is released to the public, so there's plenty of time for Apple to change these features. As of now, there's no word on when Apple will release iOS 18.2 to the general public.For more on iOS, you can check out my review of iOS 18, what to know about iOS 18.1 and our iOS 18 cheat sheet. Watch this: Apple's Monster iPhone Update: How Apple Intelligence Works on iOS 18.1 07:53

Between the aurora borealis making multiple appearances, the full solar eclipse and planet parades, there has been no shortage of skygazing spectacles. Augustfeatured the Perseids meteor shower, an annual event for skygazers all over the world. If you're still hoping to catch a shooting star, you'll have plenty of opportunities in 2024.Read more: NASA Astronaut Snaps 'Insane' Aurora Views From SpaceThere's a long list of named meteor showers left in 2024, with at least one meteor shower being active at all times. That means you have the chance of seeing a shooting star on any given night between now and the end of the year. Since most meteor showers last for weeks, many overlap, giving you increased odds on some days.Included in the list are the Geminids and Quadrantids meteor showers. They are two of the largest such events of the year, with Geminids producing upward of 150 meteors per hour and the Quadrantids producing up to 120 per hour. Despite these showers taking place during the colder months, people who bundle up and go outside will be rewarded for their efforts.There are also several smaller meteor showers like Kappa Cygnids and Alpha Aurigids where the display won't be so amazing, but they happen so consistently that you could see a meteor outside at any time. We'll go over all the meteor showers both big and small for the rest of 2024.How to view a meteor shower Upgrade your inbox Get cnet insider From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little less complicated. Meteor-shower viewing requires a little bit of work. In general, when astronomers calculate the number of meteors that you see per hour, they do so under the assumption that you are far away from the big city with no visible moon. Since the moon is almost always at least partially full, that means you likely won't see the maximum number of meteors per hour.Get outside where the sky is as dark as possible. Folks living in the big city may see a couple during the larger showers like Geminids and Quadrantids, but for the smaller showers, even people living in the suburbs may not see any. Once you're far away from the light pollution, all you have to do is look at the radiant -- or the point from which the meteor showers originate -- and wait for the meteors to show up.OrionidsWhen is it happening: Through Nov. 22Peak date: Oct. 20-21Maximum meteor rate: 10-20 meteors per hourThe Orionids are a long meteor shower and you can see meteors from it for almost two straight months. Meteors from this shower come courtesy of the famous Halley's Comet, which is the only known short-period comet in our solar system and appears in the night sky about once every 72 to 80 years. Fun fact, Halley's Comet is also responsible for the Eta Aquariid meteor shower that happens every May.To see Orionids, you'll want to direct your attention to the southwestern skies near the Orion constellation to see upwards of 20 meteors per hour. The show should last from dusk until dawn.Southern TauridsWhen is it happening: Through Dec. 8Peak date: Nov. 4-5Maximum meteor rate: 5 meteors per hourThe Southern Taurids meteor shower is one of the longest-lasting meteor showers of the year, lasting over two months. Meteors from this shower come from the Encke comet, which was discovered over 250 years ago. It peaks late in its cycle compared with some other meteor showers, so you'll be braving the November elements to see this one. Keep your eyes on the southwestern skies near Taurus.Northern TauridsWhen is it happening: Through Dec. 2Peak date: Nov. 11-12Maximum meteor rate: 5 meteors per hourThe Northern Taurids is the second meteor shower to come from the Encke comet, and it's very similar to the Southern Taurids shower. In fact, both come from nearly the same place in the sky, so if you see a shooting star from around the Taurus constellation, you likely won't be able to tell which meteor shower it came from. Northern Taurids peaks exactly one week later than the Southern Taurids in virtually the same part of the sky, so if you can find one meteor shower, you can easily find the other.LeonidsWhen is it happening: Nov. 3-Dec. 2Peak date: Nov. 17-18Maximum meteor rate: 15 meteors per hourLeonids comes to us courtesy of the Tempel-Tuttle comet and will last for about a month. This is one of the stronger meteor showers left in 2024, although it pales in comparison with the next one. This one acts a bit like Draconids, where most years it's pretty tame but has a history of going extreme. In 2001, astronomers reported thousands of meteors per hour, and the chance that we might see another storm like that makes Leonids worth watching.Leonids is also unique in that it's visible all across the night sky. The radiant is the Leo constellation, which isn't readily visible for most of the night in the northern hemisphere. However, NASA says that it's better to look farther away from Leo to see the best meteors. That means keep your eyes on the northwestern skies to see the best Leonids meteors.GeminidsWhen is it happening: Nov. 19-Dec. 24Peak date: Dec. 13-14Maximum meteor rate: 150 meteors per hourGeminids is one of the biggest meteor showers of the year and it'll take place after it gets cold outside. It's generated from the 3200 Phaethon asteroid, which is unique because its orbit brings it closer to the sun than any other named asteroid. Geminids is, on average, even more intense than the popular Perseids meteor shower, spawning anywhere from two to three times as many meteors.The radiant for Geminids is Gemini, which is under the horizon for most of the night. Fortunately, much like Leonids, the radiant isn't the best place to look for Geminids, as it'll be visible across the entire night sky during its peak.UrsidsWhen is it happening: Dec. 13-Dec. 24Peak date: Dec. 21-22Maximum meteor rate: 10 meteors per hourUrsids has the misfortune of showing up during the peak for Geminids and ending on the same day, making it difficult to determine if a meteor came from Geminids or Ursids. The only reason there's a differentiation is because the radiant is different and Ursids is fueled by the 8P/Tuttle comet. Overall, it's a smaller meteor shower that'll be overshadowed mostly by Geminids, but if you see a meteor in mid-December, it might be from Ursids.Finding Ursids is also pretty easy. It radiates out from the Little Dipper, one of the most familiar constellations in the night sky and part of the Ursa Major constellation. It'll be way up in the northern skies when Ursids peaks, making it quite easy to spot.QuadrantidsWhen is it happening: Dec. 26-Jan. 16, 2025Peak date: Jan. 2-3Maximum meteor rate: 120 meteors per hourTechnically, this meteor shower peaks after the new year but will start in 2024. It also happens to be one of the most active meteor showers during its peak. Unfortunately, its peak is usually pretty short, measured in hours instead of days. It's supplied by the 2003 EH asteroid, which is classified as a near-Earth object by NASA as its orbit passes quite close to Earth's. The Quandrantids is named for the Quadrans Muralis constellation, which was abandoned in 1922.The best time to see it will be the evening of Jan. 2 and the morning of Jan. 3. It can throw upward of over 100 meteors per hour, but it won't do so for very long. You'll want to look near the big dipper for this one, so very close to the same spot as Ursids.

It's a tale that's just about as old as the internet: An unusual and adorable animal has captured the world's heart and become a viral online star. RememberApril the giraffe, who delivered her baby on a live webcam back in 2017? (RIP, sweet mama --April passed in 2021.) This time, it's a baby pygmy hippopotamus living at a zoo in Thailand. Moo Deng has a livestream where people worldwide can watch the cheeky hippo whenever they want.Here's everything you need to know about this chubby cutie -- and check outall our favorite Moo Deng memes, too. Baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng nips its keeper's knee. Picture Alliance/Getty ImagesWho is Moo Deng, and how did she go viral? Upgrade your inbox Get cnet insider From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little less complicated. Moo Deng is a female pygmy hippo born in July at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri, Thailand. Moo Deng is the seventh baby born at the zoo to her mother, Jona, who is 25 years old, and her father, Tony, who is 24, the Independent reports. Pygmy hippos can live to be 50 but are an endangered species, with only 2,000 to 2,500 adults in existence.The Times reports that while zookeeper Atthapon Nundee began sharing Moo Deng on social media right away, the attached video now has more than 2.6 million views. Thezoo held a Facebook pollto name her. Splish-splash, Moo Deng's getting a bath. Lillian Suwanrumpha/Getty ImagesWhat does 'Moo Deng' mean?Moo Deng's popularity really took off when content creator Yammi Saracino translated the naming poll into English andshared it on social media.Moo Deng, which The New York Times says translates to "bouncy pork," easily beat out Moo Sap ("minced pork") and Moo Daeng ("red pork").The Independentsays Moo Deng is a kind of meatball, which is equally great as a name for this little meatball.Why do people love Moo Deng so much?Have you seen her? The roly-poly little viral star is just fun to look at. She's mischievous too; she's teething so she likes to nip at her keeper. She's also still a baby, which leads to fun welcome-to-the-world videos, such as one showing her learning how to walk up a slanted edge of her pool.You'll see her in plenty of memes. Just as with the dearly departed Grumpy Cat and other famed internet animals, it's easy to slap a caption on a photo of Moo Deng that depicts her dealing with life as we do. BuzzFeed even has a Moo Deng AI image generator that puts her into all kinds of situations, such as becoming president or eating a Dole Whip at Disney World. The zookeeper who cares for pygmy hippo Moo Deng in Thailand cradles the animal's head in order to take a photo. Picture Alliance/Getty ImagesHow can I watch Moo Deng living her best life?There's a 24/7 webcam in the hippopotamus section at the zoo where Moo Deng lives. (You may need to scroll down and click on the "Live Streaming" tab.) Bear time zones in mind; you may check it in the afternoon where you are and find out it's dark and quiet in Thailand, with no animals visible.If there's nothing to watch when you tune in, the zoo is also sharing recorded livestreams of Moo Deng on its YouTube channel.Plus, the Associated Press streamed an hour of Moo Deng cuteness on Sept. 19, and you can watch that on YouTube.Moo Deng merch: The face that launched 1,000 productsMoo Deng's global popularity has inspired a line of official merchandise that's being sold by Khao Kheow Open Zoo, including stylish pants and a button-down shirt, as well asT-shirts that sold out quickly.If you missed out on scoring an official piece of merch, a quick Google search shows that you can find unofficial Moo Deng shirts being sold on everything from Amazon to Etsy and everywhere in between -- though presumably waiting for the restock to buy directly from the zoo will support Moo Deng's lifestyle.You can find Moo Deng plush toys, Moo Deng T-shirts, Moo Deng costumes, Moo Deng pants, Moo Deng pajamas, Moo Deng hats, Moo Deng mugs -- and basically anything else your hippo-loving heart desires. There's even Moo Deng crypto.How to watch Pesto the penguinIf you prefer flightless aquatic birds to pygmy hippos, you can follow Pesto, the 9-month-old baby king penguin at the Sea Life Aquarium in Melbourne, Australia. At 48 pounds, Pesto is bigger than many adult penguins already and eats 25 fish a day to stay that way."Pesto is the besto!" the aquarium brags on its webpage.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today's Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.Need the answers for theNew York Times Connections puzzle? To me,Wordle is more of a vocabulary test, but Connections is more of a brainteaser. You're given 16 words and asked to put them into four groups that are somehow connected. Sometimes they're obvious, but game editor Wyna Liu knows how to trick you by using words that can fit into more than one group. Read on for today's Connections hints and answers.There's also news in the Connections world. The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one it's had for some time for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. And players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.Read more:Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every TimeHow to play ConnectionsPlaying is easy.Winning is hard. Look at the 16 words and mentally assign them to related groups of four. Click on the four words you think go together. The groups are coded by color, though you don't know what goes where until you see the answers. The yellow group is the easiest, then green, then blue, and purple is the toughest. Look at the words carefully and think about related terms. Sometimes the connection has to do with just a part of the word. Once, four words were grouped because each started with the name of a rock band, including "Rushmore" and "Journeyman."Read more:New NYT Connections Game for Sports Fans Lets Players Swing for the FencesHints for today's Connections groupsHere are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.Yellow group hint: TiVo timeGreen group hint: InnovativeBlue group hint: Jot it downPurple group hint: Not hands, but...Answers for today's Connections groupsYellow group: DVR buttonsGreen group: GroundbreakingBlue group: Communicate through writingPurple group: Things with feetRead more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English WordsWhat are today's Connections answers?The yellow words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is DVR buttons. The four answers are pause, play, record and stop.The green words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is groundbreaking. The four answers are different, new, novel and original.The blue words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is communicate through writing. The four answers are correspond, message, text and write.The purple words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is things with feet. The four answers are biped, furniture, poem and yardstick.

Looking for the most recent Wordle answer?Click here for today's Wordle hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Connections and Strands puzzles.There are plenty of otheronline word gamesnow, but I still play the New York TimesWordlegame every day. These days, it's not only an old friend, it's also a nice warm-up for Connections, Strands and the rest.Also, we'veranked all the letters in the alphabet by popularity, if you want to use this list to decide on your best start words.Everyday Wordle tipsI've written a lot about Wordle -- fromcovering its 1,000th wordto my list of thebest starter wordsto ahelpful two-step strategyto news aboutcontroversial word changes. I've even rounded upwhat I learned playing the hit online word puzzle for a full year. If you're rethinking your need for the actual answer, you might try tips from one of those stories.Still need a starter word? One person told me they just look around and choose a five-letter object they've spotted as their starter word -- such as COUCH or CHAIR. I tend to stick to starter words that have the most popular letters used in English words. I like TRAIN as a starter, though I have a friend who uses TRAIL. I've read that peopleuse the financial term ROATE, but I like to use words I actually know.What is Wordle?If you read this far, you know how to play. You have six chances to guess a five-letter word, and the game gives you feedback as to whether the letters you've guessed are in the puzzle or not, and if they're in the same spot where you guessed they are. The New York Timesbought the game from creator Josh Wardlefor seven figures in 2022. Wardle famously created the game for his partner, and let her narrow down the 12,000 five-letter words in the English language to just 2,500, creating the database of answers. It was convenient, too, that he has a name that plays off "word."A Times spokesperson told me it lists the very first Wordle as appearing on June 19, 2021, and the papercelebrated the game's 1,000th word on March 15. Spoiler: That 1,000th word was ERUPT. As in, "Dad will erupt if the Wordle is so tough he loses his streak." Today's Wordle hints Before we show you today'sWordleanswer, we'll give you some hints. If you don't want a spoiler, look away now.Wordle hint No. 1: RepeatsToday's Wordle answer has no repeated letters.Wordle hint No. 2: VowelsThere is one vowel and one sometimes vowel in today's Wordle answer.Wordle hint No. 3: First letterToday's Wordle answer begins with the letter T.Wordle hint No. 4: NameToday's Wordle answer is the first name of a character in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.Wordle hint No. 5: MeaningToday's Wordle answer can refer to something done in a truthful way.TODAY'S WORDLE ANSWERToday's Wordle answer is TRULY.Yesterday's Wordle answerYesterday's Wordle answer, Nov. 5, No. 1235, was OCTET.Recent Wordle answersNov. 1, No. 1231: SIXTHNov. 2, No. 1232: SNOOPNov. 3, No. 1233: BLAZENov. 4, No. 1234: VINYL

Looking forthe most recentMini Crossword answer?Click here for today's Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands and Connections puzzles.TheNew York Times Crossword Puzzleis legendary. But if you don't have that much time, theMini Crosswordis an entertaining substitute. The Mini Crossword is much easier than the old-school NYT Crossword, and you probably can complete it in a couple of minutes. But if you're stuck, we've got the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times' games collection. If you're looking for today's Wordle, Connections and Strands answers, you can visitCNET's NYT puzzle hints page.Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini CrosswordLet's get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers. The completed NYT Mini Crossword puzzle for Nov. 6, 2024. NYT/Screenshot by CNETMini across clues and answers1A clue: Horror franchise with an 11th film planned for 2025Answer: SAW4A clue: Airy areas, architecturallyAnswer: ATRIA6A clue: Like an oddballAnswer: WEIRD7A clue: Made less difficultAnswer: EASED8A clue: ___ school (MCAT taker's next step)Answer: MEDMini down clues and answers1D clue: What shoots out the ears of an angry cartoon characterAnswer: STEAM2D clue: Come up in conversationAnswer: ARISE3D clue: Overly caffeinated, sayAnswer: WISE4D clue: Feeling when first seeing the Alps or the Grand CanyonAnswer: AWE5D clue: Press "+"Answer: ADDHow to play more Mini CrosswordsThe New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day's Mini Crossword for free, but you'll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.

With polls closed in much of the United States, election officials and voting rights advocates say that voting related problems have so far been minimal, but federal officials still warned of the lingering dangers of foreign disinformation operations designed to undermine trust in the democratic system.Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump continued to make baseless claims that the election is rigged, saying in a Tuesday afternoon Truth Social post there was "A lot of talk about massive CHEATING in Philadelphia" and that law enforcement was on the way. But the Philadelphia Police Department told CNN they didn't know what Trump was referring to. Trump also made similar comments about Detroit, with police there also debunking claims of a heavy police response.Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, said that while there were some "minor disruptive activities" throughout Tuesday, they were largely expected and planned for. Additionally, CISA saw no evidence of malicious activity affecting the security or integrity of the election."More broadly we witnessed the resilience of our process and the preparedness of elections officials as they administered free, fair safe and secure elections," Easterly said during a conference call with reporters just before midnight on the East Coast. Read More: Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of theLawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said the parade of voters to the polls was "remarkable" given the continued swirl of disinformation and litigation designed to keep people from voting."People are voting today and that's worth noting," Hewitt said during an afternoon press briefing held by the umbrella voting rights group Election Protection. "Democracy works when you let it, and sometimes we need to give it a nudge to make sure that there are no obstacles in the way."While scattered voting precincts experienced the kind of problems you'd expect when polls open, like malfunctioning equipment and longer-than-expected lines, most of the issues were localized and easily handled at the local level.Early in the day, severalnon-credible bomb threatscaused the temporary closures of two Georgia polling places. TheFBI released a statementlater in the day saying that it was aware of multiple bomb threats across several states but none of them had been deemed credible. It added that many of them appeared to originate from Russian email domains.Hewitt emphasized that Georgia voters were safe at the polls and that the threats didn't keep people from voting, just made the process take longer. One of the polling places will stay open longer to make up for time lost due to the bomb threat evacuations, and Hewitt said his group was seeking an extension for the other.The group was also asking that some polling places in Pennsylvania, including those covering Lehigh and Villanova universities, along with Lafayette College, stay open later as a result of more than 4-hour wait times to vote at those locations.Easterly said CISA didn't track any disruptions at the national level through the day. With the election coming to a close, she urged Americans to be patient, stressing that vote totals announced on election night are not final results and that election workers need time to do their jobs.Meanwhile, CISA remains concerned that America's adversaries, particularly Russia and to a lesser extent Iran, will continue to ramp up their disinformation operations, in an effort to undermine American confidence in the legitimacy of elections and stoke violence in the coming days."We cannot, as we have said repeatedly, allow our adversaries to have a vote in our elections," Easterly said. "We all have a roll to play in protecting and preserving the democracy."