Technologies

Anker Recalls PowerCore 10000 Power Banks for Fires and Explosions. Get a Free Replacement

More than 1.1 million Powercore units in the US are affected by the recall.

Electronics maker Anker announced an official recall of Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks with the model number A1263 on June 12. The company received 19 reports of the portable chargers catching fire and exploding.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission reports that more than 1.1 million of the products sold in the US are affected by the recall. The company plans to replace the charging devices, but customers must submit photo evidence of ownership and also prove that they’ve disposed of the PowerCore devices properly.

The PowerCore, made in China, is now one of four current power bank recalls that have been issued by Anker. The others include the 334 MagGo 10K battery, the 321 Power Bank (5K) and the 535 Power Bank (20K). Other Anker models, including two of CNET’s top picks for portable chargers — Anker 523 PowerCore Slim 10K PD and Anker PowerCore III 10K — aren’t impacted by the recall.

Airlines have taken note of portable battery hazards. Recently, Southwest Airlines changed its policy on charging devices inside of carry-on bags. Some international airlines have also begun limiting the types of lithium chargers fliers can bring on planes due to risks of overheating.

How to check if your Anker PowerCore has been recalled

Anker says the products affected are the A1263 model of the PowerCore 10000 power bank that were purchased between June 1, 2016 and Dec. 31, 2022.

Customers can verify their serial number at a webpage provided by Anker. The serial number is on the bottom of the device.

In entering the number, Anker advises, «Pay attention to the letters and numbers in the serial number: ‘1’, ‘L’, ‘I’, ‘2’ and ‘Z’. Please note that characters such as ‘0 (zero)’ and ‘O’ (o) may be entered incorrectly. Regarding the serial number of the target product, ‘O’ and ‘I’ are not used.

What to do if your Anker PowerCore has been recalled

In addition to instructing customers to stop using the chargers immediately, the CPSC and Anker posted requirements for receiving a replacement PowerCore device.

They include:

Submitting a photo of the recalled device that shows the model number, serial number, the consumer’s name, date of the photo and the word «recalled» written in permanent marker on the device. The information not on the device can be on a piece of paper next to the device in the photo.
Submitting a purchase receipt, though the CPSC says that’s not a requirement for the recall.
A confirmation of disposal of the device «in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.» Anker advises not disposing of the device until receiving confirmation that it’s eligible for the recall.
From Anker: «If the serial number is worn off or not visible, please contact Anker for guidance.»
Anker recommends contacting a local hazardous waste collection center versus disposing of it in the trash or through standard recycling services.
For additional questions Anker says customers can email support@anker.com with «Anker A1263 Recall» in the subject line or call 800-988-7973.

Why portable chargers can be a travel hazard

The same reasons that portable charging banks are so easy to carry around are also part of why they can pose a problem. Most use lithium ion technology, which can be used to make battery-based products lighter and efficient, but is also susceptible to overheating or even fires if the batteries are damaged or have degraded.

It’s not unlike reports a decade ago of cheap batteries on hoverboards spontaneously combusting. Eventually, the products were banned on planes and in some cases, from being shipped.

«These products are typically unassuming, and are not something that the average consumer thinks can be potentially dangerous,» said Don Fountain, a civil trial attorney and the author of Defect Safety, a book about consumer safety and defective products. Fountain is currently representing a case involving portable batteries that does not involve Anker.

«My firm has handled fires and explosions caused by lithium batteries in a variety of products, including power tools, e-bikes, phones, scooters, children’s toys, battery packs and others,» Fountain said. «I would caution consumers to not store or use these products in a confined or unventilated area that could cause overheating and to not leave these products plugged into home electrical systems for extended periods of periods of time, such as overnight or when on vacation.»

Fountain said combusting batteries are especially dangerous in cargo holds or in the cabins of airplanes where it may be difficult to put out a fire.

The attorney said that in the case of Anker’s recall, customers don’t always keep their proof of purchase, though it’s not required in this case. However, he said, «It is unusual that proof of disposal is required for a recall payment or reimbursement.»

«Most people that have had an overheating event or a small fire will simply throw the unit away before ever thinking about contacting the manufacturer for a recall reimbursement,» Fountain said.

Technologies

Homebuyers Are Scoring 5% Mortgage Rates With These Simple Strategies

You don’t have to settle for high rates in 2025. Here’s how to cut your mortgage rate by 1% or more.

If you’re looking to buy a home, you probably know that housing affordability is in the dumps. Record-high prices and high mortgage rates are serving a double whammy to prospective buyers everywhere.

But mortgage rates aren’t set in stone. Although current rates are hovering near 7%, more borrowers are finding creative ways to snag rates below what lenders advertise. Last year, nearly half of buyers purchased a home at a rate below 5%, according to Zillow.

«With borrowing costs elevated, buyers can take steps to reduce their housing expenses by securing a lower mortgage rate,» said Hannah Jones, senior research analyst at Realtor.com.

The market forces that influence mortgage rates are out of your control. However, if you’re financially prepared and shop around, you can save up to 1.5% on your personalized rate. Optimizing your credit score, making a larger down payment and negotiating with multiple lenders could also help you unlock homeownership in 2025.

Even a 1% difference in your rate can translate to about 10% savings on your monthly mortgage payment and tens of thousands of dollars in savings over the course of your loan.

Here are several ways to reduce your mortgage rate.

1. Improve your credit score

If your credit needs work, consider taking steps to raise your credit score before applying for a mortgage.

Lenders look at your credit score to decide whether you qualify for a home loan and what interest rate you receive. FICO credit scores range from 300 to 850, with 850 being the best score possible. Higher credit scores show you’ve managed debt responsibly in the past so it lowers your risk to a lender. This can help you secure a lower interest rate and save big.

«The best mortgage rates and products are typically reserved for those with a credit score of 740 or better,» said Sarah DeFlorio, vice president of mortgage banking at William Raveis Mortgage.

According to a 2024 Lending Tree study, when borrowers moved from the «fair» credit score range (580 to 669) to the «very good» range (740 to 799), they shaved 0.22% percentage points off their interest rate. That rate difference helped borrowers save $16,677 over the lifetime of a home loan.

2. Increase your down payment

Your down payment is the amount of money you contribute to your home purchase upfront. Each type of home loan comes with a minimum down payment, usually ranging from zero to 5%, but a higher down payment means a cheaper interest rate. That’s because the lender takes on less risk when you contribute more toward the loan.

Because a down payment lowers your mortgage rate and builds your home equity, home loan experts often recommend making a large down payment of at least 20%.

3. Take out an adjustable-rate mortgage

An adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, is a home loan with a fixed rate for a set introductory period, such as five years. Once that period ends, the interest rate can go up or down in regular intervals for the remaining term.

The big appeal of ARMs is that the introductory interest rate is often lower than the rate on traditional mortgages. In general, the average 5/1 ARM rate is about 0.5% lower for the first several years than the average rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages.

4. Negotiate your mortgage rate

When you’re applying for mortgage loans, you don’t have to go with the company that did your preapproval. In fact, research shows that getting rate quotes from multiple lenders and comparing offers can result in significant savings.

If you want to use this strategy, start by submitting a mortgage application with lenders that fit your criteria. Once you have a few loan estimates in hand, use the best one to negotiate with the lender you want to work with.

The loan officer may lower your rate, help you save on closing costs or offer other incentives to get you onboard. In a 2023 LendingTree survey, 39% of homebuyers negotiated the interest rate on their most recent home purchase. Out of that pool of buyers, 80% were able to get a better deal.

5. Choose a shorter home loan term

Nearly 90% of homebuyers choose a 30-year fixed mortgage term because it offers the most flexibility and monthly payment affordability. Payments are lower because they’re stretched over a longer timeline, but you can always put more toward the principal here and there.

But when you take out a longer-term home loan, «you’re holding up the lender’s money, and there’s an opportunity cost for the funds to be invested elsewhere,» said Nicole Rueth, SVP of the Rueth Team Powered by Movement Mortgage.

Shorter loan terms, such as 10-year and 15-year mortgages and ARMs, have lower interest rates, so you can reduce your rate now.

Choosing a shorter repayment term could help you save money because you’ll be paying less in interest over the long term. But don’t make the homebuying mistake of choosing a shorter loan term just for the lower rate. Shorter loan terms mean you’ll have less time to repay the money you borrow, resulting in higher monthly payments, so it’s important to ensure they fit within your budget.

6. Buy mortgage points

A mortgage point, also known as a mortgage discount point, is an upfront fee you can pay the lender in exchange for a lower interest rate on your home loan.

Each point costs 1% of the purchase price of a home and usually knocks the rate down by 0.25%. On a $400,000 home, you’d pay $4,000 for one discount point. The lender may even allow you to buy four mortgage points to lower the rate from 7% to 6%, although you’d have to shell out $16,000 to get there.

To check whether this strategy is worthwhile, take the total cost of the points and compare it to the overall monthly savings. In this case, when you pay $16,000 to buy four points and save $210 per month, it would take you more than six years to reach your break-even point.

Some experts encourage putting any extra money you have toward a down payment instead of buying points. That’s because if you sell the home or refinance before reaching your break-even point, you lose money. But the amount you spent on your down payment becomes part of your equity.

7. Get a temporary mortgage rate buydown

A temporary mortgage rate buydown involves paying a fee at closing to lower your interest rate for the first few years of your loan term. Because of the considerable upfront cost, this strategy only makes financial sense when someone else pays that fee. Home builders, sellers and even some lenders may offer to cover this type of buydown to boost sales, especially when market rates are elevated.

For example, a lender may offer a «3-2-1» buydown, where the interest rate is slashed by 3 percentage points in the first year, 2 percentage points in the second year and 1 percentage point in the third. Starting in the fourth year, you pay the full rate for the rest of the loan term.

Buyers often choose a temporary buydown and plan to refinance later on. Your buydown funds are refundable and you can use them toward closing costs when you refinance (if rates do drop).

What is a ‘good’ mortgage rate?

The majority of US adults would consider purchasing a home if rates were to drop to 4% or below. Yet most mortgage forecasts don’t project average rates dipping below 6.5% this year.

In a historical sense, a good mortgage rate is generally at or below the national average. Since 1971, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate has averaged 7.72%, according to Freddie Mac. In the last year, average mortgage rates have mostly fluctuated between 6% and 7%.

Affordability is relative to your overall financial situation. And because mortgage rates can change daily and even hourly, the definition of a «good» rate can change quickly.

«What matters is the rate you can get today,» said Colin Robertson, founder of The Truth About Mortgage. According to Robertson, the only way to know if you’re getting a good deal is to speak with a few different lenders and brokers and then compare their quotes against the daily or weekly averages.

Buying a home is a personal decision so it should feel right for your situation and budget. As you shop for a home, consider multiple strategies to lower your rate. A mortgage calculator can help you estimate what you’d pay each month.

Read more: Still Chasing 2% Mortgage Rates? Here’s Why It’s Time to Let Them Go

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Sunday, June 15

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for June 15.

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.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Read on. 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, 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.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Long, drawn-out story
Answer: SAGA

5A clue: With 6-Down, become hopelessly infatuated
Answer: CRUSH

7A clue: Unsettled feeling
Answer: AGITA

8A clue: Back tooth
Answer: MOLAR

9A clue: Passionate student, perhaps
Answer: NERD

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: A text saying «Congratulations! You’ve won a $1,000 gift card,» usually
Answer: SCAM

2D clue: Element between chlorine and potassium on the periodic table
Answer: ARGON

3D clue: Craftiness
Answer: GUILE

4D clue: «___ Is Born» (film)
Answer: ASTAR

6D clue: See 5-Across
Answer: HARD

Technologies

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for June 15, #469

Here are hints and answers for NYT Strands puzzle No. 469 for June 15.

Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s NYT Strands puzzle celebrates Father’s Day, but in kind of an oddball way. If you need hints and answers, read on.

I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strands theme is: Here’s to him.

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Dad food.

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

DRAW, WARD, PAIR, SPARE, PORE, PADS, CLAY, PLUS, FORE, SCORE, CORE, CRAW, CORN, PATH

Answers for today’s Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers: