Technologies
The Apple Watch Series 10 Is Still My Favorite Smartwatch, and It’s 30% Off for Prime Day
It’s not the newest in Apple’s lineup, but this sleek smartwatch comes with nearly all the same bells and whistles — and I love mine.
I’ve tested dozens of smartwatches over the years, and I’m always on the lookout for a hybrid watch that strikes the right balance between a traditional wristwatch and a smartwatch. Plenty of wearables I’ve tested have promised just that but failed to deliver.
The Apple Watch Series 10, however, which is a CNET Editors’ Choice Award winner, strikes the right balance. It’s not the latest wearable in Apple’s lineup (that would be the Series 11). But we did an apples-to-apples comparison, and found that the newest edition comes with very few changes over the previous model. And right now, Amazon will sell you one for just $279 during its Prime Big Deal Days event. That’s 30% off its usual $399 list price.
Whenever I’m done with a review, I like to go bare-wristed for a few days to have a bit of a reset. But after I finished my review of the Apple Watch Series 10, I found that I didn’t want to take it off. And it’s been on my wrist ever since. Apple no longer sells the Series 10, but luckily you can still find new models from some retailers like Amazon while supplies last.
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Why I like the Apple Watch Series 10
For me, the Apple Watch Series 10 is the perfect combination of functionality and looks. That’s because of the LTPO 3 technology that lets the screen refresh at 1Hz and gives the Series 10 a ticking second hand on a few watch faces, even when the display isn’t actively being used. It makes Apple’s device feel like a regular watch when I’m not actively using it, which is different from any other smartwatch I’ve tested.
I like being able to change up the look by switching between the Reflections watch face, with its sweeping «analog» second hand, and Activity Digital, with its digital seconds counter. I wish there were more watch faces that supported this ticking second hand. There is Flux, but I’ve found myself siding with Redditors who think it’s kind of goofy. (If you’ve found a color combination that makes it feel less comical, let me know!)
The ticking second hand isn’t just an aesthetic choice, or for the times when I’m anxiously checking to make sure I’m not too early for my next meeting. It’s also practical for folks in different professions, like health care workers who need to have a second hand even after the display times out.
More than the ticking second hand, it’s the display itself
I was skeptical that the Series 10’s wide-angle OLED display would make that much difference to the viewing experience. Apple says it’s up to 40% brighter than earlier watch displays when you’re looking at it off-axis. So of course I had to compare it to every other Apple Watch in my review cabinet, including the Series 9.
When using my eyes alone I’m not able to quantify how much brighter it appears as a percentage, there’s no question the Series 10 is easier to see and looks brighter than other Apple Watch models with the same watch face.
The Series 10 doesn’t have the same battery life or rugged construction, but I miss its display when I have to switch to the $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3. For more Apple deals, check out our roundup of the best deals on Apple products during Prime Day.
Apple Watch Series 10 specs
- Case sizes: 42mm, 46mm
- Battery life: Up to 18 hours
- Screen: LTPO3 OLED Always-On Retina display
- Refresh rate: 1Hz
- Brightness: Up to 2,000 nits
- Water resistance: Up to 50m
Why I never want to take it off
It’s not just the display that’s made it hard for me to remove the Series 10 from my wrist. There’s almost every health and fitness tracking feature I could want, from a range of cycling tools to sleep apnea notifications.
Then there’s WatchOS 11, which brings helpful safety tools like Check In to my wrist, so I no longer have to manually send the «I’m home!» message to friends and family. If only it worked with recipients who don’t use iMessage: I truly hope Apple will add compatibility for RCS messaging for this indispensable safety tool, just like FaceTime works on Android through a web link.
I now understand what people mean when they say they feel naked when they leave their house without their phones. Except for me, it’s a watch.
The Apple Watch Series 10 with cellular connectivity is normally listed at $499, but you can get one for $170 off right now, thanks to Walmart’s competing anti-Prime Day sale. It’s a great time to snatch one up for yourself or to give as a gift. Prices vary quite a bit depending on case size, finish and band type, so be sure to click around to see all your options, and double-check the price of your selected configuration before finalizing your purchase. If you’re looking for more gift ideas, don’t miss our favorite tech gifts under $100.
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Technologies
The Sequel to Subway Surfers Is Launching in February, and You Can Preregister Now
Subway Surfers was the most downloaded game of the 2010s, so the sequel has some big shoes to fill.
Of all the mobile games ever released, none of them is as popular as Subway Surfers. The iconic endless runner has put up 4.5 billion downloads since its initial release in 2012. After 14 years of unprecedented success, developer SYBO Games is ready to turn the page with the release of a sequel, Subway Surfers City.
SYBO says the game is set to launch on Feb. 26, and it’s available for preregistration on Google Play and iOS right now. SYBO also released a cinematic trailer showing off some new characters and environments.
The sequel features a new metropolis location with four districts to play through at launch, including The Docks, Southline, Sunrise Blvd and Delorean Park, along with four new characters. SYBO says that fresh content will be released every season, including new parts of the city to explore and a variety of cosmetic goodies to unlock.
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Based on the game’s screenshots, SYBO isn’t deviating too much from the core ideas of the original game, showing characters getting spotted, adding graffiti to a subway tunnel and mercilessly chased by The Guard and his dog until they’re caught.
Subway Surfers City will have several new mechanics that aren’t recycled from the old game, including a stomp mechanic that’ll unlock secrets and alternate paths.
The game also adds some new modes, including a finite runner mode where you can tour through the various environments to achieve specific goals, and an Events mode that will challenge you to a rotating gauntlet of missions. The Classic Endless mode makes its return to the new game, as does the ability to play the game offline, two things players loved about the original Subway Surfers.
Subway Surfers City will be free to play with in-app purchases, just like its predecessor.
Some big shoes to fill
Releasing a sequel that’s as beloved as the original will be tough, and SYBO has its work cut out for it. The original Subway Surfers was released in 2012, and while it’s not necessarily known for popularizing the genre of endless runner (that title goes to Temple Run), it quietly took over as the de facto leader in the genre.
Angry Birds was the first mobile franchise to surpass 1 billion downloads, a feat it accomplished in 2012 across its various games. Subway Surfers was the first to do it in a single game, accomplishing the feat in 2015. It later became the first game to hit 1 billion on the Google Play Store in 2018. It was likely the first game to hit 2 billion downloads, and was definitely the first to hit 3 billion and 4 billion. No other mobile game has ever reached 4 billion downloads.
According to SYBO, Subway Surfers has amassed 4.5 billion downloads as of Jan. 2026 and still boasts millions of monthly active players, despite being nearly a decade and a half old.
Its popularity has remained steady in modern times after many creators started using Subway Surfers gameplay as b-roll in their TikTok videos, a tactic that has been repeated by a professor at the University of California, San Diego during his lectures, which caused his registration rates to skyrocket. Starbucks got in on it with a game that had players collect Starbucks coffee cups for prizes.
Over two dozen companies and celebrities have done events for the game, including Demi Lovato, Walmart, the NFL Players Association and, arguably most famously, Burger King, which helped the game celebrate its 10th birthday with the Burger King Challenge. The prize for that challenge was unlocking the Burger King himself.
There aren’t many niches in gaming where Subway Surfers isn’t present. On top of its massive amount of downloads and use in social media videos, Subway Surfers is also one of the most popular games of all time for speedrunners, and by far the most popular such game for mobile.
The shoes the sequel needs to fill couldn’t be larger, but SYBO believes it’s up to the challenge.
«At its core, Subway Surfers City is the next chapter of Subway Surfers’nearly 15-year-long legacy,» said Mathias Gredal Nørvig, CEO of SYBO.»Subway Surfers City stars reimagined fan-favorite characters, whilesimultaneously introducing never-before-seen content and mechanics. It’sa balance of the classic game our players know and love, with a freshvibrancy that brings the crew’s universe to life in a whole new way.»
Technologies
Black Ops 7 Quad Feed Double XP Weekend Is Live Now
Get a head start on the latest content in Black Ops 7 Season 1 Reloaded with a healthy heaping of double XP rewards.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 developer Treyarch is showing some love to loyal players with a double XP weekend in honor of the Zombies-themed 115 Day celebration. The latest double XP weekend is live now, with all four boosts active for players to take advantage of. You’ll be able to speed through account levels, weapon attachment unlocks and battle pass tiers to chug through the latest seasonal content during this event. This double XP weekend runs from Thursday, Jan. 15, to Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Anyone playing Black Ops 7 during the event period has a universal double account XP, weapon XP, battle pass XP and GobbleGum earn rate applied to their account. If you log in now, you can hop into battle and reap the rewards of this double XP weekend right away.
This is a Quad Feed double XP weekend — a tradition started with last year’s release, Black Ops 6. That means players will be able to benefit from all four customary double XP weekend boosts at the same time. Your double XP tokens will also be locked for the duration of the event.
Here’s everything you need to know about this double XP weekend. If you’re looking for something else to play, see our recommendations for the best game subscription services.
When does the double XP weekend start in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7?
This double XP weekend kicked off Thursday at 1 p.m. ET and is currently live now.
Not sure when the double XP weekend went live for you? Here’s when the event started in your time zone:
- ET: Jan. 15 at 1 p.m.
- CT: Jan. 15 at noon.
- MT: Jan. 15 at 11 a.m.
- PT: Jan. 15 at 10 a.m.
It’s always worth starting your game ahead of your gaming session if possible. As with every Black Ops 7 patch, the update is going to require you to download new content and restart the application.
When does the double XP weekend end in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7?
Some double XP «weekends» are much longer events, lasting five to seven days. The current double XP weekend isn’t nearly that long. This double XP weekend will end on Tuesday. Your double XP tokens will once again unlock after this time.
Here’s when the double XP weekend will end in your time zone:
- ET: Jan. 20 at 1 p.m.
- CT: Jan. 20 at noon.
- MT: Jan. 20 at 11 a.m.
- PT: Jan. 20 at 10 a.m.
Does Call of Duty Warzone have double XP this weekend?
Call of Duty Warzone has a double XP weekend running in tandem with Black Ops 7. That means Warzone players will also be able to benefit from this boost by leveling up their account, weapons and battle passes at twice the normal speed.
New players have a chance to level up the weapons they unlock from the new and improved Warzone Armory, and returning players can continue unlocking new attachments for the suite of Black Ops 7 weaponry added to Warzone.
Black Ops 7 double XP FAQ
Technologies
Switching to T-Mobile’s Better Value Family Plan Could Save You Over $1,000 Per Year
With three or more lines, you get great benefits like free streaming services, satellite connectivity and more.
If you’re looking to cut down on your monthly cell bill, you may want to switch to T-Mobile. Starting at just $140 per month, its new Better Value family plan is already cheaper than some competitors. Plus, it comes with a range of free services and benefits that can save you up to $1,000 per year compared to AT&T or Verizon.
It’s important to note that you need at least three lines of service to be on this plan. If you’re switching from another carrier, you’ll need to port in at least two existing numbers. T-Mobile is also offering a five-year price guarantee, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected costs down the line.
In addition to unlimited 5G data and 250GB of hotspot data every month, the Better Value family plan comes with all kinds of other benefits. You’ll get T-Satellite for free, which uses the Starlink network for unlimited texting and data on specific apps. Other benefits include 30GB of data while abroad in over 215 countries, as well as a free Netflix and Hulu subscription.
Why this deal matters
The benefits you get with T-Mobile’s new Better Value family plan can save you more than $1,000 per year compared to AT&T and Verizon. You can only sign up for a limited time, however, so take advantage of these savings while you can.
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