Services and Software

All the news and tips you need to get the most out of the services, apps and software you use every day.

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2 new Google Maps features and where to find them

We'll also tell you five other useful Google Maps tips you can start using.

by Clifford Colby

Get Microsoft Office with Word, Excel and PowerPoint for free. Yep, that's $0

Get Microsoft Office with Word, Excel and PowerPoint for free. Yep, that's $0

We'll show you how to get access to every tool in Microsoft 365 without spending a dime, but there are some caveats.

by Alison DeNisco Rayome

Windows 11: Here's how to download Microsoft's latest OS on your device

Whether you just bought a new laptop or you want to update an older device, the Windows 11 Installation Assistant can help you skip the line for Microsoft's new operating system.

Gift card scams are growing, and we're all paying the price

Every year, scammers trick Americans into handing over millions of dollars in gift card payments. Retailers aren't doing much about it.

Screenshots in Windows 10 and Windows 11: 7 easy tricks

You only need a few keystrokes to take screen captures in Windows 10 or 11. Here are several ways to do it.

Our Top Picks

Best VPN service of 2021

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Best antivirus software for 2021

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Best live TV streaming service for cord-cutters

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Best dating sites for 2021

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Best password manager to use for 2021

by Clifford Colby

Best music streaming service for 2021

Spotify, Apple Music and more: What's the best music app for you?

by Ty Pendlebury

Best streaming service of 2021: Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max, Hulu, ESPN Plus and more

by Alison DeNisco Rayome

Best website builder for 2021

by Joe Van Brussel

3 great VPNs for Xbox in 2021

by Rae Hodge

Best VPS hosting for 2021

by Alison DeNisco Rayome

Best photo books to give as gifts this holiday season

by Shelby Brown

Best resume writing service for 2021

by Alison DeNisco Rayome

Best Android VPN 2021

by Rae Hodge

Best iPhone VPN of 2021

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Best VPN for Windows

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Latest

2 new Google Maps features and where to find them

We'll also tell you five other useful Google Maps tips you can start using.

by Clifford Colby

Headspace: Get tools for mindfulness, meditation and more for just $5 a month

Invest in your mental well-being without breaking the bank. Headspace is offering monthly or annual subscription plans for up to 60% off for a very limited time.

by Adrian Marlow

9 great reads from CNET this week: Tech fails, NFTs, Marvel and more

Check out our chronicle of the weirdness and whoopsies that descended upon us in 2021, along with excursions into collectible NFTs, car safety, Marvel's TV shows and then some.

by Jon Skillings

Windows 11: Here's how to download Microsoft's latest OS on your device

Whether you just bought a new laptop or you want to update an older device, the Windows 11 Installation Assistant can help you skip the line for Microsoft's new operating system.

by Alison DeNisco Rayome

Make your own bot for tracking holiday gift restocks this year (it works anywhere)

Uptime Robot is meant to send alerts about site outages, but with a little effort, it's a stock checker on steroids -- and it works so well.

by Jason Cipriani

Netflix's most popular shows and movies, ranked (according to Netflix)

Red Notice just eclipsed 2018's Bird Box as Netflix's most watched film yet. See Netflix's rankings of its most watched shows and movies.

by Joan E. Solsman

Disney Plus: What to know about Encanto, Eternals, Hawkeye and everything else

Disney Plus is packed with movies, shows and originals, like Hawkeye. Here's everything to know.

by Joan E. Solsman

HBO Max: Movies, shows and what happened to its free trial

HBO Max streams some movies the same day they hit theaters, plus originals and a big library of other shows and movies. Here's everything to know.

by Joan E. Solsman

Encanto isn't streaming on Disney Plus yet, sorry -- but it will soon

Encanto, Disney's latest animated musical, will start streaming on Disney Plus in time for Christmas.

by Joan E. Solsman

A small iPhone settings tweak made me like my selfies better

We'll show you how to mirror your iPhone's front camera to make your selfies look more familiar.

by Alison DeNisco Rayome

3 great VPNs for Xbox in 2021

Gamers can have a little privacy -- as a treat.

by Rae Hodge

iPhone productivity tip: How to use the camera to copy text from a photo

Digitize a recipe, handwritten notes and more, just by taking a photo with your iPhone.

by Sareena Dayaram

Best VPN for Chrome

Google Chrome's flexibility makes it easy to find a solid virtual private network designed for the world's most popular browser.

by Rae Hodge

We wanted more from Windows 11

Microsoft's new operating system offers several improvements, but there are eight features still missing.

by Alison DeNisco Rayome

Stop using your VPN if it doesn't have these 3 features

Only VPNs that meet these requirements will be worth your time.

by Rae Hodge

PlayStation plans to launch new subscription game service, report says

The new service will reportedly merge Sony's existing subscriptions, PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now.

by Carrie Mihalcik

Best VPN service of 2021

All you need to know to find the best VPN for your online privacy needs.

by Rae Hodge

Best Mac VPN 2021

These VPN services are flexible, fast and secure for use with Apple's MacOS.

by Rae Hodge

Cord-cutter comparison: How 100 live TV channels stack up

We compare the channel packages of DirecTV Stream, Hulu Live, YouTube TV, Sling TV and more.

by David Katzmaier

14 streaming services that make great gifts (especially during a supply chain slowdown)

A streaming service subscription is always in stock.

by Shelby Brown