Technologies

Save 50% on Kensington iPad Pro Stands and Upgrade Your Workstation on a Budget

These StudioDock stands allow you to adjust the viewing angle, connect to other devices and more, and you can snag one on sale for $200 right now.

Apple’s latest iPad Pro tablets have gotten pretty advanced, and they’re an excellent tool for illustrators, animators and other creative professionals. And to take full advantage of these sleek tablets, and spare your neck and back from unnecessary strain, you’ll want to make you’ve got a proper stand for your workstation. Kensington makes versatile docking stations designed specifically for both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, and right now you can pick one up for $200, which is 50% off the usual price. There’s no set expiration on these deals, so we’d recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

See at Kensington (11-inch)

See at Kensington (12.9-inch)

The Kensington StudioDock is a versatile tool for all kinds of creatives, and can transform your desk or workstation. It uses a magnetic plate to keep your iPad in place, and allows you to easily rotate between portrait and landscape mode and adjust the viewing angle. But this docking station does a lot more than just hold your tablet. There’s a built-in USB-C dock that charges your iPad while you work and makes it easy to connect to other devices. The StudioDock is also equipped with three USB-A ports, a USB-C port, Gigabit ethernet port, 3.5mm headphone jack and an HDMI port that allows you to connect to another monitor or display. It even has a built-in SD card reader so you can easily upload all your photos and videos. The base of the StudioDock also doubles as a wireless charging stand, and can be used to charge your iPhone, AirPods or Apple Watch.

These stands are compatible with iPad Pro models from 2018 or later, and the 11-inch stand is also compatible with the 2020 and 2022 iPad Air models. And if you need to pick up one of these sleek Apple tablets, you can check out our roundup of all the best iPad deals available now for some discounts.

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Technologies

iPhone 17 Preorders Spike and Overall Phone Sales Aren’t Slowing Down Despite Tariffs

Global smartphone shipments saw a notable increase in the third quarter of 2025. Plus, preorders for Apple’s new iPhone 17 beat out the iPhone 16.

Despite tariffs and market uncertainty, global smartphone shipments increased 2.6% in the third quarter of 2025, compared to the same time last year, according to the International Data Corporation. Additionally, preorders for the iPhone 17, which launched last month, outpaced last year’s iPhone 16.

These increased sales include premium phones like the latest iPhones and Samsung foldables, suggesting yet again that pricier phones still sell in periods of economic strain. It’s a remarkable achievement, says IDC senior research director Nabila Popal, citing shrewd financing options as the reason people keep buying these high-end phones, which cost anywhere from $800 to nearly $2,000.

«[Phone makers] have mastered the art of innovation not only in hardware and software to entice upgrades but also in removing purchase friction. They have flawlessly combined cutting-edge devices with innovative financing models and aggressive trade-in programs that make the upgrading decision a ‘no-brainer’ for consumers,» Popal said in an IDC press release.

Apple sold 58.6 million iPhones this quarter, an increase of 2.9% over the same period in 2024, with more preorders for the iPhone 17 series than its predecessor. But Samsung wasn’t far behind, with its Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 selling better than all of the company’s prior foldables. The company still reigns atop the phone market with 61.4 million phones sold, representing 19% of the market in the third quarter of this year — an increase of 6.3% from the same period last year. Meanwhile, Apple lands slightly behind Samsung with 18.2% market share this quarter.

The other phone makers trailing Apple and Samsung are, in order: Xiaomi, with 13.5% of the market; Transsion, with 9%; and Vivo with 8.9%. The remaining companies in the phones industry, from Chinese stalwarts like Oppo and Honor to Motorola and Google, make up the remaining 31.4% of the market for the quarter. All told, 322.7 million phones were sold, up from 314.6 million in the third quarter of 2024, according to IDC.

IDC’s findings for the third quarter continue the small but steady growth of phone sales over the year, including a modest 1% increase in the preceding three months — which includes the April deadline when President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs. In the second quarter, IDC cited midrange devices like Samsung’s Galaxy A36 and other phones that started incorporating AI. But even persistent tariffs haven’t slowed down people’s appetites for pricier phones in the third quarter.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Tuesday, Oct. 14

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 14.

Looking for the most recent Mini 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, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s Mini Crossword has an odd vertical shape, with an extra Across clue, and only four Down clues. The clues are not terribly difficult, but one or two could be tricky. Read on if you need the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.