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How To Watch Live As NASA's Artemis I Launches To The Moon


How to Watch Live as NASA's Artemis I Launches to the Moon


How to Watch Live as NASA's Artemis I Launches to the Moon

Very soon, NASA's ambitious, expensive and exhilarating Artemis program is poised to commence. At last, Artemis I could be heading to lunar orbit, 50 years after the agency wrapped up the Apollo missions

Initially, Artemis I's launch was planned for Monday, Aug. 29, but due to an engine issue, NASA had to scrub this attempt. The next liftoff try is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 3. No matter what happens you'll want to follow along live to see how the story unfolds -- and we have all the details (and will host a livestream!) right here. 

To be clear, this liftoff won't have astronauts onboard -- but there's a lot riding on its success, including the prospect of landing people on the moon sometime in the near future. (That's planned for 2025). Come launch day, Artemis I's 32-story, tangerine-colored rocket will blast off from Earth and propel a pointy, relatively small, white spacecraft named Orion into lunar orbit. 

Orion is filled to the brim with things like Amazon Alexa, TV character Shaun the Sheep, mannequins, miniature satellites and most importantly, tons of navigation and data collection equipment. These special instruments within Orion will track vital information about the spacecraft's trajectory, safety, radiation absorption (and much more) that'll essentially map out the routes of future missions -- missions with a human crew like Artemis II and 2025's Artemis III. Think of Artemis I as a crucial flight test and proof-of-principle mission.

A flawless launch could mark the beginning of NASA's modern moon exploration years. It's going to be a tense day with a nail-biting countdown, especially considering the first failed launch attempt, but one also shrouded in an air of wonder and excitement. In other words, it's going to be huge. 

Artemis I rocket and Orion capsule on the launchpad. In the foreground, a banner says

The "We Are Going" banner, seen near the Artemis I rocket on the launchpad, is signed by NASA workers involved in the moon mission.

NASA/Joel Kowsky

How to watch the Artemis I launch

On Saturday, NASA plans to host a live broadcast of the Artemis I event and you'll be able to watch on the NASA app, NASA website or NASA TV directly. 

The launch window itself opens at 11:17 a.m. PT / 2:17 p.m. ET, and it'll stay open for two hours. Somewhere within that range, the mega moon rocket, which NASA calls the "most powerful rocket in the world," will head toward the stars. 

Here's that window start time around the world. Get your snacks ready.

  • USA: 11:17 a.m. PT / 2:17 p.m. ET
  • Brazil: 3:17 p.m. (Federal District)
  • UK: 7:17 p.m.
  • South Africa: 8:17 p.m.
  • Russia: 9:17 p.m. (Moscow)
  • UAE: 10:17 p.m. 
  • India: 11:47 p.m.
  • China: Sunday, 2:17 a.m.
  • Japan: Sunday, 3:17 a.m.
  • Australia: Sunday, 4:17 a.m. (AEST)

You'll also find all the action live on CNET Highlights, our YouTube channel, by simply clicking play just below. It's that easy.

The road to launching Artemis I

Already, NASA has started to heighten anticipation for Artemis I's journey to space -- evident by the incredible turnout for Monday morning's attempt. Briefings were held daily until Monday's liftoff attempt, for instance, about things like the role of industry in advancing human exploration, lunar mission management, the way Artemis is poised to lead to Mars excursions and just general road-to-the-stars commentary.

A full schedule of those meetings, streamed on NASA TV, can be found here.

Against a midnight blue sky, a full moon is visible toward the top left of the image and NASA's orange Artemis I rocket and Orion spacecraft set up in the foreground.

A full Moon is in view from Launch Complex 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 14, 2022. 

NASA/Cory Huston

You might also want to prepare yourself for celebrity appearances by Jack Black, Chris Evans and Keke Palmer as well as performances of The Star-Spangled Banner by Josh Groban and Herbie Hancock and America the Beautiful by The Philadelphia Orchestra and Yo-Yo Ma, the latter conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. What. A. Party.

Artemis I's launch sequence

If you're into the technical details, here's the game plan for Artemis I. 

In a way, liftoff is the easiest part. And I'm not exaggerating. 

Team SLS is up first. 

After countdown, the SLS will ascend through Earth's atmosphere. In two minutes, all its solid propellant, located in the rocket's boosters, will be consumed and those boosters will be jettisoned. After 8 minutes, all its liquid fuel, located in the core stage, will be used and that stage will be jettisoned. Then, for about the next 18 minutes, Orion and the rocket's upper stage will take a lap around our planet all alone. Once that's complete, Orion will take about 12 minutes to deploy its solar arrays and get off battery power.

At that point, as Sarafin puts it, the rocket has done its job. Orion is en route.

This diagram shows the stages at which the SLS rocket's stages will jettison off and Orion will propel forward during ascent.

A diagram showing what Artemis I's ascent will look like. 

Screenshot by Monisha Ravisetti/NASA

Team Orion steps up to the plate. 

"There's really no time to catch our breath," Rick LaBrode, lead Artemis I flight director, said during an Aug. 5 press conference. Orion's trajectory pretty much relies of a multitude of precise maneuvering that'll take it along the complex path outlined below. 

A diagram showing how Orion will fly to the moon, around the moon and back. Several gravity assists are present during the journey and some checkpoints are outlined where translunar injections and departures will occur.

Orion's trajectory around the moon and back is outlined here. Along the way, 10 cubesats will be deployed. 

Screenshot by Monisha Ravisetti/NASA

Eventually, the craft will approach the lunar surface, getting as close as just 60 miles above ground, and conduct a bunch of science experiments to test things like lunar gravity, radiation danger, and maybe even snap a few pics like a re-creation of 1968's Earthrise. The satellites inside Orion will deploy along the way, capture some physics data, and once all is said and done, the brave little spacecraft will return to our planet and splashdown off the coast of San Diego.

Pick up Orion, extract the data and Artemis I is complete. The whole thing is expected to take six weeks.

If NASA manages to avoid any blips along the way, it won't be long before we find ourselves scouring the internet for info on how to watch the launch of Artemis II. And far into the future, perhaps we'll reflect on Monday as we sit back and watch a rocket barrel toward not just the moon, but Mars.

OK, I'm getting ahead of myself. 

For now, you can admire the Artemis I SLS rocket topped with Orion chilling on the launchpad. Here's a constant livestream of it during its final moments on Earth.


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NASA's Next Artemis I Lunar Launch Attempt: How To Watch Live


NASA's Next Artemis I Lunar Launch Attempt: How to Watch Live


NASA's Next Artemis I Lunar Launch Attempt: How to Watch Live

On Saturday, NASA's ambitious, expensive and intricate Artemis program is poised to commence. Fifty years after the agency wrapped up the Apollo missions, Artemis I could be heading to lunar orbit, at last.

It's been a bit of a bumpy road so far. 

Initially, Artemis I's launch was planned for Monday, but due to an engine issue, NASA had to scrub the attempt. Then, after some deliberation, the team decided to schedule the next attempt for Saturday. Only time will tell how this weekend goes, but no matter what happens, you'll want to follow along live to see how the story unfolds. CNET will have all the details (and will host a livestream!) right here. 

To be clear, this liftoff won't have astronauts onboard -- but there's a lot riding on its success, including the prospect of landing people on the moon sometime in the near future. (That's planned for 2025). Come launch day, Artemis I's 32-story, tangerine-colored rocket will blast off from Earth and propel a pointy, relatively small, white spacecraft named Orion into lunar orbit. 

Orion is filled to the brim with things like Amazon Alexa, TV character Shaun the Sheep, mannequins, miniature satellites and most importantly, tons of navigation and data collection equipment. These special instruments within Orion will track vital information about the spacecraft's trajectory, safety, radiation absorption (and much more) that'll essentially map out the routes of future missions -- missions with a human crew like Artemis II and 2025's Artemis III. Think of Artemis I as a crucial flight test and proof-of-principle mission.

A flawless launch could mark the beginning of NASA's modern moon exploration years. It's going to be a tense day with a nail-biting countdown, especially considering the first failed launch attempt, but one also shrouded in an air of wonder and excitement. In other words, it's going to be huge. 

Artemis I rocket and Orion capsule on the launchpad. In the foreground, a banner says

The "We Are Going" banner, seen near the Artemis I rocket on the launchpad, is signed by NASA workers involved in the moon mission.

NASA/Joel Kowsky

How to watch the Artemis I launch

On Saturday, NASA plans to host a live broadcast of the Artemis I event and you'll be able to watch on the NASA app, NASA website or NASA TV directly. 

The launch window itself opens at 11:17 a.m. PT / 2:17 p.m. ET, and it'll stay open for two hours. Somewhere within that range, the mega moon rocket, which NASA calls the "most powerful rocket in the world," will head toward the stars. 

Here's that window start time around the world. Get your snacks ready.

  • USA: 11:17 a.m. PT / 2:17 p.m. ET
  • Brazil: 3:17 p.m. (Federal District)
  • UK: 7:17 p.m.
  • South Africa: 8:17 p.m.
  • Russia: 9:17 p.m. (Moscow)
  • UAE: 10:17 p.m. 
  • India: 11:47 p.m.
  • China: Sunday, 2:17 a.m.
  • Japan: Sunday, 3:17 a.m.
  • Australia: Sunday, 4:17 a.m. (AEST)

You'll also find all the action live on CNET Highlights, our YouTube channel, by simply clicking play just below. It's that easy.

The road to launching Artemis I

Already, NASA has started to heighten anticipation for Artemis I's journey to space -- evident by the incredible turnout for Monday morning's attempt. Briefings were held daily until Monday's liftoff attempt, for instance, about things like the role of industry in advancing human exploration, lunar mission management, the way Artemis is poised to lead to Mars excursions and just general road-to-the-stars commentary.

A full schedule of those meetings, streamed on NASA TV, can be found here.

Against a midnight blue sky, a full moon is visible toward the top left of the image and NASA's orange Artemis I rocket and Orion spacecraft set up in the foreground.

A full Moon is in view from Launch Complex 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 14, 2022. 

NASA/Cory Huston

You might also want to prepare yourself for celebrity appearances by Jack Black, Chris Evans and Keke Palmer as well as performances of The Star-Spangled Banner by Josh Groban and Herbie Hancock and America the Beautiful by The Philadelphia Orchestra and Yo-Yo Ma, the latter conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. What. A. Party.

Artemis I's launch sequence

If you're into the technical details, here's the game plan for Artemis I. 

In a way, liftoff is the easiest part. And I'm not exaggerating. 

Team SLS is up first. 

After countdown, the SLS will ascend through Earth's atmosphere. In two minutes, all its solid propellant, located in the rocket's boosters, will be consumed and those boosters will be jettisoned. After 8 minutes, all its liquid fuel, located in the core stage, will be used and that stage will be jettisoned. Then, for about the next 18 minutes, Orion and the rocket's upper stage will take a lap around our planet all alone. Once that's complete, Orion will take about 12 minutes to deploy its solar arrays and get off battery power.

At that point, as Sarafin puts it, the rocket has done its job. Orion is en route.

This diagram shows the stages at which the SLS rocket's stages will jettison off and Orion will propel forward during ascent.

A diagram showing what Artemis I's ascent will look like. 

Screenshot by Monisha Ravisetti/NASA

Team Orion steps up to the plate. 

"There's really no time to catch our breath," Rick LaBrode, lead Artemis I flight director, said during an Aug. 5 press conference. Orion's trajectory pretty much relies of a multitude of precise maneuvering that'll take it along the complex path outlined below. 

A diagram showing how Orion will fly to the moon, around the moon and back. Several gravity assists are present during the journey and some checkpoints are outlined where translunar injections and departures will occur.

Orion's trajectory around the moon and back is outlined here. Along the way, 10 cubesats will be deployed. 

Screenshot by Monisha Ravisetti/NASA

Eventually, the craft will approach the lunar surface, getting as close as just 60 miles above ground, and conduct a bunch of science experiments to test things like lunar gravity, radiation danger, and maybe even snap a few pics like a re-creation of 1968's Earthrise. The satellites inside Orion will deploy along the way, capture some physics data, and once all is said and done, the brave little spacecraft will return to our planet and splashdown off the coast of San Diego.

Pick up Orion, extract the data and Artemis I is complete. The whole thing is expected to take six weeks.

If NASA manages to avoid any blips along the way, it won't be long before we find ourselves scouring the internet for info on how to watch the launch of Artemis II. And far into the future, perhaps we'll reflect on Monday as we sit back and watch a rocket barrel toward not just the moon, but Mars.

OK, I'm getting ahead of myself. 

For now, you can admire the Artemis I SLS rocket topped with Orion chilling on the launchpad. Here's a constant livestream of it during its final moments on Earth.


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Buying An IPhone 11 In 2022 Might Make Sense For You


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Buying an iPhone 11 in 2022 Might Make Sense for You


Buying an iPhone 11 in 2022 Might Make Sense for You

Since the debut of the iPhone 11 in 2019, we've since seen the debut of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12. And in a few days, we're likely to see the debut of the iPhone 14 at Apple's next event on Sept. 7. The iPhone 11 may be over two years old, but it might still be a good choice, especially since Apple discounted it to $499 last year. While we recommend that you wait for the next Apple event before buying any iPhone at all, especially since prices for current iPhone models will likely decrease afterward, the iPhone 11 does have a lot to like as a phone that's under $500.

For instance, do you mind using an iPhone that feels a bit dated? Or do you think saving several hundred dollars is more important than carrying the latest phone? What about 5G -- how important is that to you? If you're shopping on a budget, the iPhone 11 is still a great choice. Although you'll be missing out on some newer features, the iPhone 11 gives you all the basics you'd want from an iPhone, including battery life that's on par with the iPhone 12, a great dual-lens camera that includes night mode and a processor that's still fast enough for everyday tasks. 

Read more: Here's how the iPhone 11 compares to the iPhone 12 and how the iPhone 13 compares to the iPhone 12.

But if you have some wiggle room in your budget, here are some questions to ask yourself. (For the purposes of this article, I'm going to assume that you are currently using an iPhone.) And if you're still mulling over your decision after that, here's how the iPhone 13 compares to the last five years of iPhones as well as our list of the best iPhones. Plus, check out all the differences between the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max.

5G connectivity: iPhone 11 doesn't have 5G. But do you really need it right now?

One of the iPhone 11's biggest missing features compared to the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 is 5G connectivity. The iPhone 11 is an LTE-only device, and if you don't care for the next-gen wireless tech just yet (service is patchy in the US after all), then the iPhone 11 should suit you just fine. Remember that 5G debuted on the iPhone 12 lineup and getting access to faster bands of 5G depends on where you live, so going for the iPhone 12 makes your purchase more future-proof

iphone-11-iphone-12-pro-max-product-promo-hoyle-2021
Angela Lang/CNET

Display quality: You won't get a 120Hz refresh rate on an iPhone 11 (or iPhone 12)

The iPhone 11 uses a crisp LCD screen that refreshes at 60 frames per second, or 60Hz. Apple traded up in the iPhone 12, equipping it with an OLED screen, though it kept the display at 60Hz just like most phones. OLEDs are typically more vibrant than their LCD counterparts, with richer contrast and inkier blacks. If you watch a lot of videos on your iPhone and want a superior viewing experience, an OLED screen might make more sense for you. The iPhone 13 also boasts an OLED panel too, though Apple bumped up the refresh rate for the Pro models to 120Hz. The faster refresh rate will translate to smoother, snappier scrolling through apps and websites. 

apple-wallet-license-ios-15

Apple's Wallet app will be able to store driver's licenses in iOS 15. 

Screenshot by CNET

Software support: How long will the iPhone 11 get iOS software updates? 

Apple's latest operating system, iOS 15, is supported on many older iPhones, and the oldest is the 2015 iPhone 6S (Here's how to download the new OS, but you may want to wait.) Based on that and some quick mental math, we can deduce that Apple plans to provide iPhone support for up to six years from launch. As a result, with the iPhone 11, unveiled in 2019, you can rest comfortably knowing that you can expect updates through 2025. 

Read more: iOS 15's biggest new features: FaceTime, Apple Wallet and Notifications get new tricks

Durability and water resistance: How durable do you want your iPhone to be?

If you do opt for the iPhone 11, you will miss out on a few durability features that are available on the newer iPhone models. One of the iPhone 12's big improvements is the material of its display. Apple calls it "ceramic shield" glass. Made by Corning, the ceramic shield glass covering the phone's display is apparently harder than most metals. Indeed, we can confirm that the iPhone 12's ceramic shield is tough. Our iPhone 12 drop tests show it protected the hardware from drops as high as 9 feet. (CNET's iPhone 12 Mini drop tests yielded similar results.) The iPhone 13 also has the same ceramic shield glass on its display.

So if you're a big klutz and are prone to slips and drops, springing for the iPhone 13 or iPhone 12 is a wise move (or just get a really nice iPhone case). Keep in mind, the iPhone 11 isn't a delicate darling, either. It also survived CNET's drop and water tests and earned a CNET Editors' Choice Award. You can read our iPhone 11 review for more details. 

Read more: Farewell iPhone case: The case for the caseless phone

Price and budget: How much do you want to spend on an iPhone?

As I said earlier, Apple is selling the nearly two-year-old iPhone 11 for $300 less now than when it first launched, making it a great choice for those shopping on a budget. But, as also mentioned previously, the iPhone 11 could become even cheaper once Apple debuts its 2022 line of iPhone models. Also of note, the current iPhone 12 and 12 Mini might come down in price and hit that $499 level, as typically Apple lowers the price of existing iPhone models once the newest model goes on sale.

It's also worth considering carrier deals from Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T, all of which may subsidize the price of an iPhone in exchange for committing to a cellular service plan. Last year the three companies offered hundreds of dollars off with those contracts, and possibly pay off the phone entirely with a device trade-in. Just keep in mind that there are plenty of caveats to those deals, like commitments ranging from 24 to 36 months.

§

Apple's getting ready for a Sept. 7 event , which is very likely to be the moment we learn about the company's next iPhone line. 

The newest version, expected to be called the iPhone 14, is rumored to include an always-on display similar to what's on the Apple Watch now, allowing for constant glanceable information without ruining battery life.

Apple hasn't really said what it plans to announce at its event, only sending out a cryptic invitation to the press, with an Apple logo seemingly set in a night sky, suggesting potential camera improvements or last year's rumored satellite emergency calling. The image looks like something we might see from the James Webb Space Telescope, whose stunning photos have already begun changing how we view the cosmos since first being released earlier this summer. In its announcement, Apple included the teaser words "Far out." 

Read more: Apple Makes 'Far Out' iPhone Launch Event Official For Sept. 7

The iPhone 14 launch will also mark the 15th year since the original iPhone's debut, in June of 2007. Back then, the device wasn't the sure hit it is today. Many tech industry watchers were enthusiastic about Apple's prospects of course, but it hadn't proven it can build reliable phone technology before then. It was also up against massive competitors such as Microsoft, Palm and Research in Motion, whose Blackberry devices ruled the business world at the time. Within a decade though, Apple -- as well as Google's popular Android software -- had bested all three companies.

While the iPhone will be a key product we see at Apple's event this year, and likely what most people focus their attention on, the company's expected to hold other events later this year with other devices to show off. Those include new Mac computers with upgraded chips and new iPads.

Read moreEverything We Know So Far About the iPhone 14

When is the Apple event?

Apple's online-only event will be Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. PT, which is 1 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. BST and 3 a.m. AEST. (Sorry, Australia.) Here's a handy time zone converter to help find what time it'll be where you are.

Where can I watch Apple's livestream?

You'll be able to stream Apple's event straight from the company's website. Meanwhile, we'll be reporting on the event live here at CNET.

What can we expect, besides the iPhone 14 launch?

Apple's digital events are fast paced and slickly produced. And even though Apple's now trying its hand at in-person events again as coronavirus pandemic-era health concerns slowly recede, the company still seems to be applying what it's learned about how to make its events more compelling. During its last event, the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, Apple held a livestream but then offered in-person demos for the press afterward


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Apple's New 2021 IPad Pro: What To Expect From Apple's April 20 Event


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Apple's new 2021 iPad Pro: What to expect from Apple's April 20 event


Apple's new 2021 iPad Pro: What to expect from Apple's April 20 event

The 2020 iPad Pro arrived at the beginning of a year-long (and counting) pandemic, back in mid-March 2020. It's likely due for an upgrade soon, maybe at next week's Apple event. But what can it add to make a difference this year? Think processors and accessories, based on recent reports that the hardware could get a new chip and a Thunderbolt port, and possibly a display boost too. But, what will be possible in the middle of a chip and display shortage?

That 2020 model didn't have much of a processor bump, and looked nearly the same as the model from 2018. It did introduce some new tech and accessories, though: It was the first Apple product to have a depth-sensing lidar sensor, and Apple introduced a trackpad-enabled Magic Keyboard case (that costs as much as an entry-level iPad).

Apple's recent Macs got massive performance boosts from Apple's M1 processors, which already feel like advanced versions of the chips that were already in the iPad Pro. 

2021 seems like a perfect time to give the Pro line processor boosts, and that's exactly what recent reports have indicated. But it's unclear whether the iPad Pro will get the M1 that recent Macs have used, or a different custom processor, like an A14X. The next iPads could also improve how accessories connect, possibly evolving the USB-C port to add Thunderbolt speed and connectivity. Display upgrades also seem overdue, and Mini LED seems like a lock for at least the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, according to the latest report from Bloomberg... if supplies aren't limited. Here's what we expect.

A better display

The iPad Pro display is great, and its 120Hz refresh rate still isn't available on any other iPhone or iPad. But a shift to OLED (or in the meantime, Mini LED) feels overdue. Especially since the iPad Pro is aimed at graphic designers, photo editors and people looking for perfect displays.

If the iPad Pro gets a Mini LED display, which should offer deeper black levels similar to OLED, it may only arrive on the 12.9-inch model, and could be in shorter supply for a while. But, while a nicer display would be appreciated, the existing iPad Pro display is still really, really good.

ipadpro-macbookm1-3

Will the iPad Pro and the MacBook Air have the same M1 processor? If so, how similar will they become?

Scott Stein/CNET

An M1 processor (or, something nearly as good)

The A12Z processor on the 2020 iPad Pro is, to be clear, still fast. But it wasn't much faster in benchmarks than the A12X processor from 2018, which points to an overdue chip upgrade. There could be an A14Z or A14X processor, that adds extra graphics cores and other boosts over the chip on Apple's recent iPhones and iPad Air. Or, maybe, Apple uses the M1 that's already in the MacBook Air. The M1 seems like the obvious choice, but it's possible Apple will choose to customize a chip more targeted at tablets, leaving out unnecessary M1 features geared towards Macs.

All indications suggest the iPad Pro will have its own A14X chip that will effectively be as fast as the M1 on Macs.

Either way, the results could end up offering an extra boost. But for what? I'd like the already-fast iPad Pro to start being capable of more advanced multitasking. Or, maybe, true second monitor support. 

Sanho HyperDrive USB-C Hub for iPad Pro

iPad Pro USB-C hubs already exist, like Sanho's HyperDrive. Thunderbolt could expand options for accessories.

Stephen Shankland/CNET

An expanded Thunderbolt port

The USB-C port on the iPad Pro and iPad Air is a big improvement over Lightning: It works with standard USB charging adapters, and can connect to multiport adapters to get SD cards, or add a monitor or Ethernet. 

Yet there are limits to what the iPad Pro can do compared to a Mac. Thunderbolt would allow expanded and higher-speed external storage, improved monitor connection and more advanced docks.

That could suggest new Apple accessories. 

studiodock-keyboard

The Kensington StudioDock turns the iPad Pro into a desktop computer. Could Apple make its own accessory?

Scott Stein/CNET

Will there be an Apple-made dock?

Apple's transformative keyboard case for the iPad Pro took advantage of new support for trackpads in last year's iPadOS update. If the new iPads gain Thunderbolt, maybe Apple will decide to make its own iPad Pro dock. I imagined some sort of turn-your-iPad-into-a-desktop-computer accessory a few years ago. The Kensington StudioDock for iPad Pro and Air shows how the USB-C iPads can already transform into exactly that desktop device with lots of extra ports. Would Apple try its own spin, but with Thunderbolt?

5G

The iPad doesn't have 5G... yet. Since the 2020 iPhones introduced 5G, the iPad Pro would make sense as the next on deck. Apple doesn't even have LTE on any of its laptops, but iPads have had that option almost from the start. That being said, I've found my local 5G to be lacking, and mobile data is an add-on option I don't tend to use. 

A better pencil, maybe

Recent reports claimed that Apple may have a newer version of the Pencil stylus, maybe one that's more compact or have additional touch-based controls (or a new tip?). The second-gen Apple Pencil debuted back in 2018 and there's already iPad stylus fragmentation, with differing levels of support in different iPads for the first- and second-gen Pencils. 

Apple's event invite does seem very squiggly, as if drawn by a Pencil...who knows?

Could Apple shift the front camera placement? (We hope so)

The iPad isn't great for landscape-based video conferencing, because the front-facing camera ends up sitting on one side and making conversations look like I'm staring somewhere else. It would make sense for Apple to change where the front-facing camera is this year. We're all working and schooling from home more than ever, and when we do, we usually do it with the iPad held sideways. Even the Magic Keyboard assumes you're using the iPad that way.

macbookm1-ipadpro-2

The iPad Pro and Mac already feel like they're overlapping. Will this year's iPad continue to blur the lines?

Scott Stein/CNET

Why not make iPadOS even more expansive (and Mac-like)?

If Apple were to put the M1 in the iPad Pro, it also raises the question of whether Apple would unleash the iPad's software even further. Living with an M1 MacBook Air alongside an iPad Pro reminded me of the iPad's OS limitations, and how a more multitasking-focused, monitor-enabled iPad could feel even more like a full-fledged computer. Now that the iPad already supports trackpads, mice and plenty of peripherals, why not?

My biggest desire for the next wave of iPads isn't about hardware. It's about unleashing the software to make it as versatile as Macs already are. We might not get any closer to bridging iPad and Mac this spring, but I'd still like to see it happen. And we'll probably find out on April 20.


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Will Crypto Be The Super Bowl's Biggest Winner? This Week's Top Cryptocurrency News


Will crypto be the Super Bowl's biggest winner? This week's top cryptocurrency news


Will crypto be the Super Bowl's biggest winner? This week's top cryptocurrency news

Welcome to Nonfungible Tidbits, a weekly roundup of cryptocurrency, NFTs and their related realms.

Our lead story is Sunday's Super Bowl and all the crypto ads viewers will see. And, while we're on the topic of crypto and pro sports, the Washington Nationals baseball team also partnered with a decentralized autonomous organization. We'll cover the Nats' sponsorship deal and what a DAO is.

This week's roundup also features the Justice Department's biggest bust in history, as well as a new coalition of crypto companies that aims to fight market manipulation. 

In other news, the World Wildlife Fund decided to shutter its NFT project after a backlash due to the tokens' potential environmental impact. 

Here's what caught our eyes this week. Stay tuned for more next week. 


Crypto firms gear up for the big game

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Brittany Murray via Getty Images

No fewer than five crypto ads are reportedly scheduled to air at Sunday's Super Bowl, where the Los Angeles Rams face off against the Cincinnati Bengals. According to multiple media reports, FTX, Coinbase, eToro and Crypto.com are expected to have ads during the big game's US broadcast, while Toronto-based Bitbuy reportedly purchased an ad for the Canadian broadcast. 

Advertising during the Super Bowl, one of the most watched television events of the year, is eternally expensive. This year, a 30-second spot is going for about $6 million -- a new record and a small fortune for some businesses. 

Tech companies have long used the Super Bowl to enhance brand recognition. During the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s and early 2000s, a host of fledgling firms advertised during the big game. Perhaps the most memorable was a 2000 commercial by Pets.com, an early e-commerce company that went bust just a few months later.

An expected 117 million Americans will tune in to the match this Sunday. With crypto going mainstream -- 16% of Americans have invested or used cryptocurrency, according to Pew Research Center -- the Super Bowl may prove an effective way to reach an even broader audience. 


Washington Nationals team up with a DAO. What's a DAO again?

Washington Nationals
G Flume via Getty Images

It looks like baseball is trying to keep up with football's crypto enthusiasm. With spring training right around the corner, the Washington Nationals baseball team announced a partnership with Terra, a cryptocurrency enterprise. Fans will be able to use Terra's UST stablecoin at the team's ballpark, which will feature prominent Terra promotions near home plate. 

Terra is a DAO, or a decentralized autonomous organization that makes decisions via a consensus vote using digital tokens on a blockchain. The Terra DAO voted on the sponsorship, and the organization paid the Nats nearly $40 million. 

The Nats-Terra deal follows last November's deal between LA Angels star Shohei Ohtani and FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange. Ohtani, who made history last season as the first player ever selected as both an All-Star pitcher and hitter in the All-Star game, signed on to be FTX's global ambassador and took a stake in the company. 

Last year, FTX also became Major League Baseball's official cryptocurrency exchange -- the first deal of its kind between an American pro sports league and a crypto exchange.


A $3.6B bitcoin seizure is Justice Department's biggest bust ever

Department of Justice
Bill Clark

The Justice Department seized $3.6B in bitcoin from a digital wallet held by a couple living in Manhattan, the department said on Tuesday. The suspects, who allegedly were trying to launder the crypto loot, are a husband and wife team, one of whom was an aspiring rapper on YouTube. The seized bitcoin has been linked to the 2016 hack of Bitfinex, when hackers spirited almost 120,000 bitcoin from the cryptocurrency exchange. The bust is the largest in the department's history.

Read CNET's full story on it here.


Canada accounting giant buys bitcoin and ether

bitcoin getty-932730048
Mark Garlick, Science Photo Library via Getty Images

KPMG Canada, the Canadian division of the Big Four accounting firm, said Monday it had added cryptocurrency to its holdings. KPMG Canada didn't specify the amount of crypto it had purchased but said it had also bought carbon-offset credits to "maintain a net-zero carbon transaction." Carbon offsetting refers to the practice of buying credits from another company or organization that's engaged in greenhouse gas reduction, with the credits representing a kind of commoditized carbon reduction.


Crypto firms form coalition

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Getty Images

Coinbase, Circle, and 15 other crypto companies founded a new coalition, according to an announcement this week. The Crypto Market Integrity Coalition aims to address the issues raised by New York Attorney General Letitia James, SEC Chair Gary Gensler and other officials, who worry the industry is plagued by market manipulation. The coalition requires members to sign a written pledge, and according to the coalition's website, more than 350 organizations have already joined.


Thanks for reading. We'll be back with plenty more next week. In the meantime, check out this story on what quantum hackers could mean for bitcoin by CNET's Monisha Ravisetti.


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IPad Mini Review: An Excellent 2021 Upgrade, But Still A Niche Tablet


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iPad Mini review: An excellent 2021 upgrade, but still a niche tablet


iPad Mini review: An excellent 2021 upgrade, but still a niche tablet

What's the most improved product in Apple's lineup this year? It might be the sixth-gen iPad Mini. The company's smallest tablet got the makeover I thought it needed years ago: Now it has the iPad Air's better display, a USB-C port instead of Lightning, a much better processor and better cameras too. You can also magnetically snap an Apple Pencil right onto the side now. Pretty great, huh?

iPad 9th gen vs. iPad Mini 9th gen


iPad 9th gen 2021 iPad Mini 2021
Screen size 10.2 inches 8.3 inches
CPU A13 Bionic A15
Starting storage 64GB 64GB
Rear camera 8MP Wide camera 12MP Wide camera
Connector Lightening USB-C
Broadband option 4G LTE 5G
Apple Pencil support 1st gen 2nd gen
Weight 1.07 pounds 0.65 pound
Starting price $329 $499

The only problem is, the iPad Mini isn't a must-have gadget. Far from it; as much as the iPad is usually a secondary device for many people, the iPad Mini is often a second iPad. Which makes this a luxury for most. But the 8.3-inch screen, A15 Bionic processor (same as the iPhone 13) and excellent overall performance could make it a first choice for some, and the $499 (£479, AU$49) starting price, while high, isn't as absurdly high as other Apple products.

iPad Minis aren't as necessary with large phones nearby. And the Mini can't do the one thing larger iPads do very well: connect with keyboard cases easily to become sort-of laptops.

But if you think you'll want an iPad that can be an e-reader and gaming device and casual TV screen and sketch pad and notebook and smart home screen, with some email and social media stuff thrown in, this is a pretty lovely choice. If you're OK with its higher-than-basic-iPad but lower-than-iPad-Pro price, that is. 

The Mini has grown on me the more I've used it. And really, all of its features seem upgraded, making for a lovely, speedy little tablet. But I won't be doing any serious writing on it. And with iPhones, more affordable iPads and flashy but still-evolving foldable devices all doing what this Mini does (and possibly better), you have to consider this Mini an overdue revamp that's unnecessary for most. Some will absolutely love it, though.

I'm going to stop trying to type on this Mini, and go back to my laptop to continue this review.

iPad Mini and 9th Gen iPad

iPad Mini, iPad Air, iPad Pro 12.9-inch: a progression of sizes.

Scott Stein/CNET

It's really small... and growing on me

As I take the iPad Mini out of its box, I think to myself, Oh, this really is small. I'm not sure I like that. After using a larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro recently, this iPad feels extremely tiny. Too tiny. I get used to it, though.

The size of this iPad lines up much more with the folding-phone-phablet-Kindle-Switch landscape. It's more of a relaxed handheld. It feels fine held in one hand, and it's easy to carry around in a pinch. It's got a smaller footprint than the 2019 iPad Mini, in fact, but it's also a bit thicker. The Mini comes in new colors now, but they're very very subtle. Mine is purple, but the matte aluminum finish looks more like a slight variation of gray.

And while that small size could be appealing to some people as a bigger-than-a-phone-smaller-than-most-iPads thing, it also makes using it as a laptop replacement really hard.

iPad Mini and 9th Gen iPad

The iPad Mini next to the iPhone 12 Pro. The iPad Mini is definitely bigger than that.

Scott Stein/CNET

You can pair a keyboard with Bluetooth, but there's no dedicated keyboard case (maybe Logitech or others will make one). And the usable screen space gets even smaller when you use the onscreen keyboard to type.

You'll also need a brand-new cover, since no older Mini ones fit. The Mini uses magnets on the back so that a wraparound folio cover snaps right on, but like the iPad Pro and iPad Air cases, that won't provide any drop protection.

But yes, this is bigger than an iPhone. It's still significantly bigger than an iPhone 12 Pro (more than twice the size), and I have to admit, I'm carrying it around for reading and games a lot more than I was expecting. But these days, I'm still mostly carrying it around the house.

I stood it up (using the sold-separately smart cover) on my back porch table while putting together a Weber charcoal grill, and called up the instruction manual. It was better than using a phone, but I also thought… hmm, a regular-size iPad would be easier to read.

In the last few days, I've started taking it everywhere. I took it to the doctor's office even though I have a phone. Why? I like the extra screen. I guess it's why people like big folding phones, too.

iPad Mini and 9th Gen iPad

The iPad Mini's squared-off corners and USB-C port, next to the ninth-gen iPad's older Lightning port.

Scott Stein/CNET

USB-C and a new design, at last

The design of this iPad is completely revamped, much like the iPad Air last year. The flat edges, the sharper screen, the better stereo speakers, a USB-C port, a side magnetic charge strip where second-gen Pencils can snap onto and a side Touch ID home button… this is the total makeover I wanted in the 2019 iPad Mini. I love the look, and it makes me want to use the iPad, even if I'm not interested in using a Mini. It woos me. It all looks great.

But it's not perfect. The repositioned volume buttons on the top edge of the iPad feel weird, though maybe they make more sense when watching videos in landscape mode. And the bezels, while smaller, are still very noticeable to me. They become even more noticeable when using certain apps (see below).

iPad Mini and 9th Gen iPad

The iPad Mini 2019 (left) versus iPad Mini 2021: Videos look bigger with less bezel.

Scott Stein/CNET

A new aspect ratio means larger videos, but some apps don't benefit

Playing a few games from Apple Arcade, comparing side by side with the 2019 iPad Mini, I think: Wait, does this new iPad display look smaller?

The 8.3-inch, 2,266x1,488-pixel display is a longer display than the 2019 iPad Mini's. It also has slightly rounded corners like the rest of the iPad Pro and Air line. Apple says in the fine print that "actual viewable area is less" than the diagonal measurement. Also, apps that haven't been updated for this new screen size will be pillar boxed with subtle black bars, making the bezels seem bigger and the display seem effectively the same (or even slightly smaller) than the 2019 Mini's. Since this is a prerelease of the Mini, Apple Arcade games currently have black bars, for instance. Safari and Notes and other core apps don't. Some apps will autoadjust, and others will need developers to adapt them (as for previous iPads with different screen sizes).

iPad Mini and 9th Gen iPad

Documents and things like comics don't always end up looking bigger (iPad Mini 2021 on the left, iPad Mini 2019 on the right).

Scott Stein/CNET

PDFs, graphic books and digital magazines, which often have 4:3 document layouts, also don't take advantage of the larger screen area. It's just a reminder that the "bigger screen" isn't really what it seems to be here.

But it helps for videos, which play in a wider aspect ratio already. There's a bit less letterboxing, and videos fills a larger area of the screen.

A15 performance: Very good

The A15 processor in the Mini is like the one in the new iPhones. Think of it as a hybrid of older iPad Pros and more recent iPhones. The single-core Geekbench 5 benchmark score average I got was 1,598, which is similar to the iPhone 12 models' scores last year. But the multicore score is 4,548, which is close to what Apple's pre-M1 iPad Pros could handle with the more graphics-boosted A12Z chip. Like pretty much every current-gen Apple device, the 2021 iPad Mini is fast enough that you won't have to worry about taxing the system, at least with currently available apps. 

iPad Mini and 9th Gen iPad

Two apps at once can feel small sometimes, but it's almost like two phone screens glued together, too.

Scott Stein/CNET

Multitasking: Mostly works

Holding the Mini sideways with two apps open, it first feels cramped. Then I realize this is close to the two-app split view that the Microsoft Surface Duo has, or that folding phones like the Fold can do. It's kind of like two phone screens side by side, except you can't fold the Mini.

I wanted to hate how small the Mini is, but I'm starting to find multitasking on an 8-inch screen kind of addictive. It's exactly what the iPhone can't do. iPadOS 15 makes swapping apps in and out of multitasking mode a bit easier, but the tiny triple-dot icon on the top of the screen is also easy to accidentally press in some apps, since it's near a lot of top menu bars and icons.

iPad Mini and 9th Gen iPad

The iPad Mini camera with flash (middle) compared with the iPad 9th gen (left) and the lidar/dual-camera iPad Pro (right).

Scott Stein/CNET

Rear camera with flash, and digital-zoom wide-angle front camera

The Mini's cameras are good: not recent iPhone-level, but more than good enough. A rear flash and 4K video recording will make it good enough for documentation or on-the-spot videos and photos, though it doesn't have multiple rear cameras, and doesn't have lidar scanning like the iPad Pro models do. The front camera has a wider-angle mode that taps into Apple's digital-zooming Center Stage tech, which debuted on the iPad Pro in the spring. It's helpful for face-following while on video chats using FaceTime, Zoom and other supported apps, and is a feature that all Apple devices should add.

iPad Mini and 9th Gen iPad

So many devices, and the Mini feels a bit like so many of them.

Scott Stein/CNET

Game console? E-reader? Sketchpad? Sure. But… pricey

The size of this Mini sets it up as a gaming tablet, or a Kindle alternative, or a very nice superportable sketchpad. This is what Apple is clearly leaning into with the Mini. There's also a business audience for a revamped and faster mini tablet for point-of-sale or field work. 

But add up what this will cost: $499 only gets you 64GB of storage and a USB charger in the box. Buy a case, which you'll absolutely need ($60) and that nice Pencil ($130), and upgrade the storage to 256GB ($150) and you're at $840. Not cheap!

iPad Mini and 9th Gen iPad

The Microsoft Surface Duo (left) and the new iPad Mini (right). A future glimpse, perhaps, at where the iPad's size could go next...

Scott Stein/CNET

Could this be a phone? Not really

It's tempting. The new Mini has 5G (but read the fine print on that one). It's small. It's sort of lower-priced than iPhones. But there are clear downsides. It's not water-resistant or drop-resistant like an iPhone. It's large, like really large -- you'd need a big jacket pocket or a bag. It doesn't have GPS. There's no actual phone call app. And I don't know why it took me so long to realize, but iPads have no haptics, which is weird. No buzzing for silent notifications, and no subtle feedback in games and in apps. 

It really makes me think about using a 5G-enabled iPad Mini as a phone replacement. Apple has a clear gap in its product lineup. The Mini feels like the sort of device that folding phone makers are aiming toward. The Mini is the best option Apple has in that space. But a future iteration could end up being the candidate for a folding display, like the Microsoft Surface Duo or the Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 (which, by the way, both cost a lot more than an iPad Mini).

About that 5G: The Mini's flavor of 5G doesn't support the limited-availability but sometimes very fast millimeter-wave frequency like the iPhone 12 and 13 and the spring iPad Pro do. If you don't know what I'm talking about, 5G signals come in several types, and mmWave (where available) is like a very fast local hotspot. This means, effectively, that this Mini's 5G won't reach superhigh speeds. In suburban Montclair, New Jersey, my Verizon 5G test SIM speeds ranged from 270Mbps to 170Mbps, which is basically similar to LTE. The $150 cellular modem add-on plus monthly fee isn't worth it to me (but maybe your business will foot the bill?)

iPad Mini and 9th Gen iPad

Using it while putting together a charcoal grill. Second grill, second iPad.

Scott Stein/CNET

It's nice, but niche

I just bought a charcoal grill, a Weber. I already have a gas grill. Why did I do this? I wanted an affordable one that could do charcoal, too. Sometimes people buy second grills. It's a luxury, and a niche. People buy second things. Or specialized things. The Mini is a great total revision, but I wouldn't say it's a must-have… and it's far too expensive (and limited) for kids. (Or my kids, anyway.) For your family, maybe, it might be worth the upgrade if you're in love with the design and don't mind the mini size. But it's the best iPad Mini, if you ever craved one and have the cash to spend. It's a lovely little luxury.


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