Technologies

Your Computer Mouse’s Scroll Wheel Can Improve Your Internet Browsing

This secret power is a real time-saver if you open a ton of browser tabs.

I’m still discovering new productivity tricks and hidden features, even though I’ve been using a desktop computer for decades. There are so many ways to save a keystroke here and a mouse click there. Those few milliseconds can actually add up to big-time savings (or at least less annoyance) over the course of a week, especially if your job is primarily done online.

It isn’t just your operating system’s infinite settings menus that can improve your workday, though both MacOS and Windows 11 have some great features to try. Your computer’s mouse and keyboard are also packed full of features that can help you perform tasks faster and easier. Whether it’s reopening a closed tab or permanently deleting a file without ever hitting the recycle bin, there are plenty of tricks to help you be a little more efficient on your computer.

But in my personal experience, the one computer trick people are most consistently surprised about is an action you can do with your scroll wheel.

The scroll wheel’s hidden function

The internet is a great place to collect random tidbits of information, but sometimes you see something you want to investigate later. You don’t want to click on the link and have to go back to the previous page, because it would interrupt your current read. But you want to keep the trail open for later.

What do you do? You have a variety of options here, but this is the slickest and most efficient: If you’re using a mouse, just use your scroll wheel to click on the link. It’s not the most intuitive motion, but if you push your scroll wheel down while hovering over the link, you’ll automatically open that link in a new tab.

This little trick is great for when you’re reading something that links out to other interesting stories — just scroll-wheel click to open new tabs and check them out after you finish reading the current story.

If you want other ways of opening new tabs, we’ll walk you through it. We also have tips on keyboard shortcuts, like Ctrl + Shift + T, and taking Windows screenshots (which you can open in new tabs with a scroll-wheel click).

How to open links in new tabs

Opening pages in new tabs is a convenient browsing technique, and there are a few different ways of doing it.

Click with your scroll wheel to automatically open the link in a new tab.
Or right-click a link and choose «open in new tab.»
You can also hold down Ctrl (or command on Mac) when you click the link and it will open in a new tab.

Opening things in a new tab means you don’t have to interrupt your current read, and you don’t have to wait for pages to load as you bounce back and forth. I use it all the time for comparison shopping — just pull up the things I’m considering in a few different tabs and quickly compare by tabbing through my browser. It’s also good for when you’re reading a story that references another story that you want to check out without interrupting your current read. Just click the link with your scroll wheel and check it out when you’re done with this story.

Bonus tip: You can use Ctrl + Tab to move forward and Ctrl + Shift + Tab to move backward through your open tabs.

For more computer tips, check out how to factory reset a laptop before gifting it, and essential settings for your MacBook.

Technologies

WWDC 2025 Set for June 9. What to Expect From iOS 19 and How to Watch

The tech giant has published the lineup for its summer software event, including details of how to stream the keynote.

Apple has revealed the lineup for this year’s WWDC, its annual developer conference, which is scheduled to take place from June 9 to June 13, with a mix of online and in-person sessions. The company has scheduled a special event for the first day at Apple Park, where it will stream its keynote and platforms state of the union address.

The June 9 keynote is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. PT, and will detail «groundbreaking updates coming to Apple platforms,» according to a press release. During the keynote, we expect to see the company announce its plans for iOS 19 and other software updates across iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV.

The platforms state of the union will take place on the same day at 1 p.m. PT, offering «a deeper dive into the new tools that will further empower Apple developers, including advances across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS.»

You can watch both events online via apple.com, the Apple TV app, and the Apple YouTube channel.

As always, iOS 19 likely won’t arrive later in the year (probably after the annual September iPhone event), but WWDC will provide us with our first glimpse of Apple’s plans for our devices. In the meantime, check out our iOS 19 wish list of features that CNET staff hope will be coming with this next big software update.

What is WWDC?

WWDC is a conference for the developers who create the apps we use across our Apple devices, from our iPhones to our MacBooks, to learn about new tools and features they can take advantage of that year. However, the event also garners significant attention from beyond the developer community, since it tells us all we need to know about what to expect from the next generation of software updates that will come to our devices.

The online event is free to attend for all developers, and anyone who is curious can tune into Apple’s keynote. But those who want to attend the June 9 event at Apple Park in person need to apply online. In the days following, students and developers will attend sessions where they can engage more deeply with the changes to Apple’s platforms, which will allow them to ensure their apps are fully compatible with and that they take advantage of those changes.

«We’re excited to mark another incredible year of WWDC with our global developer community,» said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of worldwide developer relations. «We can’t wait to share the latest tools and technologies that will empower developers and help them continue to innovate.»

What to Expect at WWDC 2025

If rumors are to be believed, Apple’s operating systems are set for a dramatic design overhaul this year. According to Bloomberg, iOS 19, iPadOS 19 and MacOS 16 will all feature new icons and menus, which will also change how our devices and controlled and navigated. The aim is reportedly to create a more cohesive style across platforms that will be reminiscent of VisionOS, the operating system designed for the company’s mixed-reality headset.

But that’s not all — Apple will likely use WWDC to outline the progress its made in the field of AI. «I’m looking forward to seeing more details about Apple Intelligence and the new features that will become available,» said Francisco Jeronimo, VP of devices at IDC. «This is critical for Apple, as Google Gemini and the Android vendors have taken significant steps forward with their AI offerings.»

Last year at WWDC 2024, Apple announced iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence — as well as updates to Siri that have yet to materialize.

Technologies

This Belkin Wireless Phone Charger Is Just $15, but Time’s Running Out to Get Yours

Wireless chargers are handy to have around. This one is now 67% off at Woot.

Sure, you can plug your phone into a cable when it comes time to top it off, but that’s so boring and kind of old school. Instead, why not treat yourself to a new wireless charger and power that phone in style? You might be surprised how inexpensive the switch to wireless charging is, especially if you take advantage of this deal. Right now, Woot will sell you a Belkin Qi-certified charger for just $15, and you’ll even get a power adapter in the box. That’s more than you can say about your phone these days.

This wireless charger comes in a stand form so you can use your phone’s screen and watch content even while it’s charging. It has a stylish black finish, so it’ll look right at home whether on your desk or table beside your bed.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

In terms of specs, the charger is Qi-certified, so it is rated for 15 watts of charging power, while the adapter is rated for 24 watts. That means that you’ll charge at the maximum speed allowed by the Qi standard when using a compatible phone.

It’s worth keeping in mind that this deal isn’t going to hang around for long, though. Woot says it will end in just a few days, and it could end sooner if stocks run dry.

Why this deal matters

Wireless chargers are a quick and easy way to get some juice into your phone while still having access to its display. But the best part is the fact that you won’t have to go fishing for your cable down the back of the nearest piece of furniture anymore. Can you really put a price on that?

If you could, we reckon it’d be much more than the $15 needed to get one of these wireless chargers, that’s for sure.