Technologies
How CNET Tests Monitors
The method behind our monitor-review madness.

Monitor testing and evaluation consists of formal and subjective quality tests and hands-on assessment of the display’s design and features — connection selection and location, menus and options and overall behavior. As part of the process we use the monitor for tasks specific to its mission, such as everyday productivity, video streaming, image and video editing or different types of gaming (such as FPS or RPG). Note that we only report a fraction of our results, usually what’s necessary to adequately convey a monitor’s strengths and weaknesses for particular uses.
The process begins with unboxing and setup; it’s connected to our Windows-based desktop testbed (or a relatively high-end Mac in cases that require it) equipped with a current-generation Intel Core i9 and high-end Nvidia GeForce graphics card. Both the computer and monitor are plugged directly into a wall outlet to prevent any power issues that might impact performance.
We generally prefer to use our cables rather than the manufacturer-supplied ones since they’re a known quantity and tend to be higher quality; if we run into any issues, we double check using the manufacturer’s cables. DisplayPort is our primary connection for testing. If the monitor specifies any console-specific capabilities, we connect it to the relevant console(s), Xbox Series X and/or PS5 via HDMI.
Before any testing begins, we photograph the default settings and all menu options for reference and to determine the complete set of tests we’ll need to run on that particular monitor given its specific capabilities; how extensively we test depends on the capabilities of the monitor, the screen and backlight technology used, and the judgment of the reviewer. We disable power-saving measures where relevant, which can affect brightness and related measures (the option is mandatory per California law). We use a subset of these tests to evaluation laptop displays and run them both plugged into a wall outlet and on battery using the default profile but with screen timeouts disabled.
We also record any relevant information about the panel — manufacturer specs for resolution, color gamut and profiles, refresh rates and so on — that may impact our evaluation against manufacturer’s claims. While we review a display with the company’s publicly expressed target market in mind, we also consider the monitor’s suitability for other uses that might apply.Wherever possible, we download drivers and color profiles specific to the monitor.
What we measure
All measurements are performed using the most recent version of Portrait Display’s Calman Ultimate software using an X-Rite i1Display Pro Plus (rebranded as Calibrite ColorChecker Display Plus) and a variety of included patch sets, with additional HDR testing using a Murideo Six-G pattern generator and or the Client3 HDR patterns within Calman. We periodically spot check the colorimeter’s accuracy against the Konica Minolta CS-2000 spectroradiometer used for our TV testing.
Our test lab is equipped with blackout curtains to fully block ambient light, though complete darkness isn’t essential since the colorimeter sits directly on the screen and isn’t affected by dim lighting. The room has natural light and various artificial sources for normal usage evaluation.
Color accuracy results are reported in units of Delta E 2000. We perform most of the tests (where we know results vary) at both 100% and default hardware brightness levels.
Core tests — those we run on every display, regardless of intent or price — include:
- White point, brightness (peak and minimum), contrast and gamma for sRGB and the native color space measured across 21 gray patches (0-100%), reported rounded down to the nearest 50K as long as there are no big variations. A variation of plus or minus 200K around the target color temperature is considered acceptable for all but the most color-critical displays.
- Color gamut coverage and accuracy for sRGB and the native color space using Calman’s standard Pantone patch set plus grayscale and skin tone patches.
- We add Blur Busters‘ motion tests for gaming monitors to judge motion artifacts (such as ghosting) or refresh rate-related problems.
If a monitor has menu options beyond the basics, we run the same core tests for the following settings when available:
- All color presets
- All gaming presets (such as FPS). We also test brightness for pixel overdrive and motion-blur reduction modes (which tend to lower brightness considerably).
- Gamma for at least 1.8, 2.2 and 2.6
- Color temperatures for at least 5000K, 6300K, 6500K and 9300K
For HDR, we add testing for HDR-specific presets (such as Game HDR or Cinema HDR) and brightness for window sizes of 1%, 5%, 10% and 100% of the screen.
Finally, there are tests we only run when needed to understand the measurements we’ve gotten or to confirm that artifacts we’re seeing — notably nonuniformity — aren’t imaginary.
Technologies
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Display Can Be Folded 500,000 Times, According to Testing
The display can be folded more than double the number of times as the previous iteration before it will break.

Fold, fold and fold again. It doesn’t matter how many times you open and close the Galaxy Z Fold 7 phone — it’s highly unlikely to give out on you. Samsung Display (SDC) announced Tuesday that its latest foldable OLED panel «remained fully functional after a 500,000-fold durability test,» more than doubling its previous benchmark of 200,000 folds.
Bureau Veritas, a French leader in testing, inspection and certification, tested the screen with 500,000 folds over a 13-day period at a temperature of 25°C (77°F).
For those of you trying to wrap your head around the math, half a million folds translates to the average user folding their phone 100 times a day for 10 years, or prolific users doing 200 folds a day for 6 years. Samsung Display — a separate company from Samsung — says the durability results prove that «durability is no longer a limiting factor in the lifespan of foldable smartphones.»
«As foldable OLED enters its seventh year of commercialization, we’ve achieved another meaningful breakthrough in both durability and design,» Hojung Lee, EVP at Samsung Display, said in a press release. «This new panel … builds consumer confidence in foldable OLED durability.»
Bulletproof glass technology has helped Samsung Display develop its creaseless screens. SDC borrowed from the concept and increased the thickness of its Ultra Thin Glass, the outermost glass on the screen, by 50%. SDC also added high-elastic adhesive to each screen layer, thereby enhancing fold recovery performance by four times the previous design.
CNET reported last week that Apple has tapped Samsung Display to manufacture screens for Apple’s first foldable iPhone, set to launch in summer 2026.
Despite the hype around foldable phones, a CNET survey published on Tuesday showed 64% of people have no interest in buying one of these smartphones in the next year. 20% weren’t sure if they want one, 13% say they do want one and just 3% said they already own one.
Technologies
Microsoft Will Wipe Out Your Passwords on Aug. 1. What to Do Now
The clock’s ticking to find a new password manager other than Microsoft Authenticator.

Microsoft is getting rid of passwords in less than two weeks.
On Aug. 1, the Microsoft Authenticator app will no longer store or manage passwords, which could be a problem for a lot of users. Microsoft Authenticator has been one of the best password managers for years. You were able to save passwords, enable two-factor authentication and auto-fill. This change means that if you’re using the Authenticator app as a password manager, you’ll need to look for another option soon.
At the same time, Microsoft will move to passkeys instead.
Using a passkey as a login means you’ll use PINs, fingerprint scans, facial recognition or a pattern on a device’s lock screen. It’s a safer option compared to the risky password habits. A CNET survey found that 49% of US adults have bad password habits. Having an insecure password can put you at risk of having your information exposed.
If you’ve been using Microsoft Authenticator, now’s the time to start making changes. Here’s what to know about the switch and the best password managers CNET recommends.
When will Microsoft Authenticator stop supporting passwords?
Microsoft Authenticator houses your passwords and lets you sign into all your Microsoft accounts using a PIN, facial recognition like Windows Hello, or other biometric data like a fingerprint. Authenticator can be used in other ways, such as verifying you’re logging in if you forgot your password, or using two-factor authentication as an extra layer of security for your accounts. In June, the company stopped letting users add passwords to Authenticator.
Starting this month, you won’t be able to use the autofill password function. And next month, you’ll no longer be able to use saved passwords.
If you still want to use passwords instead of passkeys, you can store them in Microsoft Edge. However, CNET experts recommend adopting passkeys during this transition. «Passkeys use public key cryptography to authenticate users, rather than relying on users themselves creating their own (often weak or reused) passwords to access their online accounts,» Tomaschek said.
Why are passkeys a better alternative to passwords?
So what exactly is a passkey? It’s a credential created by the Fast Identity Online Alliance that uses biometric data or a PIN to verify your identity and access your account. Think about using your fingerprint or Face ID to log into your account. That’s generally safer than using a password that is easy to guess or susceptible to a phishing attack.
«Passwords can be cracked, whereas passkeys need both the public and the locally stored private key to authenticate users, which can help mitigate risks like falling victim to phishing and brute-force or credential-stuffing attacks,» said Attila Tomaschek, CNET’s software senior writer and digital security expert.
Passkeys aren’t stored on servers like passwords. Instead, they’re stored only on your personal device. More conveniently, this takes the guesswork out of remembering your passwords and the need for a password manager.
How to set up a passkey in Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft said in a May 1 blog post that it will automatically detect the best passkey to set up and make that your default sign-in option. «If you have a password and ‘one-time code’ set up on your account, we’ll prompt you to sign in with your one-time code instead of your password. After you’re signed in, you’ll be prompted to enroll a passkey. Then the next time you sign in, you’ll be prompted to sign in with your passkey,» according to the blog post.
To set up a new passkey, open your Authenticator app on your phone. Tap on your account and select «Set up a passkey.» You’ll be prompted to log in with your existing credentials. After you’re logged in, you can set up the passkey.
Other password manager alternatives
Since Microsoft will get rid of all of your passwords in two weeks, you’ll need a new place to store your passwords safely. Tomaschek has a few of the best password manager recommendations after testing and reviewing several.
The top recommendation is Bitwarden for its transparency. It’s open-source and audited annually. From a price perspective, the free plan lets you store infinite passwords across unlimited devices. The free plan also includes features most password managers would charge for, including password sharing and a username and password generator.
Bitwarden’s upgraded plans have other upgraded features that could be worth the cost, too.
Personally, Tomaschek has been using 1Password for a while, and he likes the interface and family plan. Even though it’s second on the list, Tomaschek says it’s just as good as Bitwarden.
Technologies
This New Free Mobile Pokemon Puzzle Game Lets You Weave Digital Plushes
Here’s how to get started in Pokemon Friends.
The Pokemon Company unveiled a host of Pokemon content at its Pokemon Presents event on Tuesday. We saw a new trailer for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, a release date for the second season of the Netflix series Pokemon Concierge and a free, new mobile game you can play now, called Pokemon Friends.
The latest Pokemon mobile game is a puzzle game where you untangle threads of yarn in order to weave Pokemon plushes for your in-game collection. You can play it now on iOS and Android devices for free, or you can buy it for $10 on the Nintendo eShop.
Here’s what you should know to get started with Pokemon Friends.
Puzzles, yarn and Pokemon
To earn yarn, you have to solve puzzles in the game. To get to these puzzles, tap the Psyduck tile with the word Untangle near the bottom of the screen in the main room of the game — poor Psyduck is always tied up in knots. Some of the puzzles include connecting a string of lightbulbs using only one line and rotating a box in order to free Pokemon, like Slowpoke, from the box.
After solving the series of puzzles, you are rewarded with a certain number of inches of yarn. Your reward depends on how quickly you solve the puzzles, so if you want the most yarn to make more Pokemon plushes, you have to be faster than an Electrode.
Once you have your yarn, you’ll stamp your calendar, which shows all the days you’ve solved puzzles for. You can use your calendar to keep track of what days you’ve solved puzzles, and you can use it to go back to older puzzles and try to beat your high score.
When you have your yarn, tap the Plush-O-Matic — the machine that looks like a giant Pokeball — and you’ll be able to make plushes with your yarn. Then tap Make and you can choose which yarn to create a Pokemon plush with. Certain yarns are used to make a handful of Pokemon, but it only took one bundle of yarn to make my first few Pokemon.
However, I can’t see a way to make one particular Pokemon. For example, when you select Fiery Yarn, you can tap Plush Rates in the bottom right corner of your screen to see what Pokemon that yarn can create. I found that my Fiery Yarn could create a Charmander, Charizard, Scorbunny or Fuecoco plush, but I had a 25% chance to make any of those Pokemon — I got a Scorbunny!
After tapping the Plush-O-Matic, you can also tap Catalog to see details of which plushes you’ve created, like their size, how many of them you own and what yarn it takes to create them.
Decorate with your new Pokemon friend
After you’ve woven your Pokemon plush, it’s time to decorate. From the main room of the game, tap the tile in the bottom left corner of your screen that has a Scorbunny on it — it was like that before I got my own Scorbunny. This will take you to your own room, which you can decorate with your plushes.
Once in the room, tap the tile with the Pawmi and Buneary in the left corner of your screen to pull up all the plushes. Tap the plush you want to decorate with and then you can drag and place it anywhere in the room.
You can also tap the green chair under the Pawmi and Buneary tile to add or change furniture in the room. Beneath that tile is an hourglass icon. Tap and hold the hourglass to rewind your room, kind of like an Undo button.
And in the bottom left corner of your screen is a toy chest with Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly Pokemon. This is the Tidy Up button. Tap this and then tap Pokemon plushes or furniture around the room to remove them from the room. And if you accidentally remove something, no worries, tap and hold the hourglass to undo the change.
After decorating, tap the green door in the top right corner of your screen to go back to the main room.
The mobile version is free but…
The mobile version of Pokemon Friends is free up to a point. I could only solve the second series of puzzles the first time I played the game, but that might be different for you.
After you solve your daily puzzles, Pokemon Friends says you can buy DLC to keep playing. To do so, tap Shop in the top left corner of your screen and you can buy different bundles.
The Basic Pack ($10) lets you play puzzles as often as you like. Other packs include new puzzles, wallpapers for your plush room and more, and those packs start at $15.
It’s unclear if you can solve a limited number of puzzles every day without issue, or if you’ll have to buy the Basic Pack at some point to continue playing.
The Pokemon Company did not immediately respond to my request for comment.
For more on the July Pokemon Presents, here’s all the free stuff you can get from the event.
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