Technologies

The Apple Watch SE 3 May Be the Biggest Underdog of Apple’s Entire Fall Lineup

Commentary: There’s a clear standout among the new crop of Apple Watch models, and it’s not the one you expect.

Apple debuted a new lineup of iPhones, Apple Watches, AirPods Pros and even a brand new thinner-than-ever iPhone Air. But the real headliner (at least in this frugal girl’s book), was the one I least expected: the Apple Watch SE 3.

I usually overlook Apple’s SE model because it lacks many of the powerhouse features of the flagship and Ultra editions, like an always-on display or temperature tracking. But this year, the underdog Apple Watch SE 3 is closing the gap, and at $249 for the base model, it may be the best value of the bunch. For the first time, I’m considering recommending it as the watch for most people (at least on paper).

The second-generation SE hadn’t been refreshed since 2022, so this update was long overdue, and it didn’t disappoint. Apple’s not gatekeeping this year, because the SE 3 now has many of the features that were once reserved for the more expensive Series and Ultra models, like a powerful S10 chip (the same one found on the Series 11 and Ultra 3), new 5G connectivity, and an always-on display. It’s also adding temperature tracking, sleep apnea alerts, sleep score, one-handed gesture control, and fast charging. You’ll even be able to play music through the speaker now, just like on the higher-end watches.

The addition of an always-on display feels like a turning point. To me, that was always the biggest drawback of the SE. Not only is it helpful for workouts, but you can also disable it to extend battery life when necessary.

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

FOMO time

There are still some drawbacks to picking the more affordable SE 3, but not as many. It’s missing some of the advanced health features that rely on upgraded sensors, like the new hypertension notifications and ECG.

Battery life hasn’t changed either; Apple still claims 18 hours for the SE 3. Compare that with the Series 11 and Ultra 3, which Apple says will get 24 and 42 hours, respectively. But charging time has made a giant leap forward from the previous model. The SE 3 now supports the ultra-fast charging that debuted on the Series 10, so you can top it up quickly and get up to 8 hours of juice in just 15 minutes on the charger.

The biggest aesthetic difference is size: the SE 3 comes in 40mm and 44mm options compared to the 42mm and 44mm options for the Series 11 and the 49mm for the Ultra 3. The SE has slightly wider bezels, which makes the actual screen look smaller. It’s also missing some niche features like the depth gauge and water temperature sensor.

I’m one to root for the underdog, and this year feels like the SE’s turn to shine. Whether you’re a first-time Apple Watch owner, buying it for a child or family member or upgrading from a Series 5 or older, the SE 3 offers standout value.

It’s available for preorder now and will be available in stores on Sept. 19. The 40mm Wi-Fi model costs $249, while the cellular model costs $299.

Technologies

Tinder Users Must Start Logging In With Their Faces, Starting Nationwide

The social app now has new US requirements including face identification to help quell longstanding problems with catfishing and more.

US Tinder users will find a new feature when they open up the dating app starting Wednesday: A mandatory Face Check on their phones will be required before they can log into their profiles.

The Face Check step will begin with a new request to record a video of your face, a more casual version of setting up Apple’s Face ID login. Tinder will then run checks comparing your face data to your current profile pics and automatically create a small face badge for your profile. We already know how it works, because Tinder has already launched the feature in Canada and California before the full US rollout.

The technology, powered by FaceTec, will keep biometric data of the user’s face in encrypted form but discard the scanning video for privacy. Tinder will be able to use the face data to detect duplicate accounts, in an effort to cut down on fake profiles and identity theft.

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

Tinder’s facial recognition rollout is also made to prevent catfishing, or people pretending to be someone else on Tinder to scam or blackmail them. But that also points to a deeper problem on the rise in dating apps — a growing number of bots, many controlled by AI, are designed to glean personal information or fool users into scammy subscriptions, among other problems.

Tinder’s working against these bots on several fronts, including this Face Check push as well as ID Check, which requires a government-issued ID and other types of photo verification.

The dating app also recently released a feature in June to enable double-dating with your friends, which Tinder reports is especially popular with Gen Z users. If you’re worried about the latest hazards on Tinder, we have guide to safety practices.

A representative for Tinder did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, Oct. 23

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 23.

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.

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: Like some weather, memories and I.P.A.s
Answer: HAZY

5A clue: Statement that’s self-evidently true
Answer: AXIOM

7A clue: Civic automaker
Answer: HONDA

8A clue: What fear leads to, as Yoda told a young Anakin
Answer: ANGER

9A clue: Foxlike
Answer: SLY

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Verbal «lol»
Answer: HAHA

2D clue: Brain signal transmitter
Answer: AXON

3D clue: Hits with a witty comeback
Answer: ZINGS

4D clue: Sing at the top of a mountain, maybe
Answer: YODEL

6D clue: Name of the famous «Queen of Scots»
Answer: MARY

Technologies

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Oct. 23 #599

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for Oct. 23, No. 599.

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 might be Halloween-themed, as the answers are all rather dangerous. Some of them are a bit tough to unscramble, so 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: Please don’t eat me!

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Remember Mr. Yuk?

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:

POND, NOON, NODE, BALE, SOCK, LOVE, LOCK, MOCK, LEER, REEL, GLOVE, DAIS, LEAN, LEAD, REEL

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: