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3D-Print Your Face on Star Wars and Disney Action Figures

3D-Print Your Face on Star Wars and Disney Action Figures

What's happening

You'll be able to see your own face on Hasbro action figures based on characters from megahit movies like Star Wars, Disney and Marvel titles.

Why it matters

3D printing is adding new customization abilities to manufacturing, including products tailored for a single individual.

Toys are getting personal.

On Tuesday, famous toymaker Hasbro and 3D-printer company Formlabs unveiled the Selfie Series of action figures, which can be customized with your own face. The series includes characters from Marvel, Disney, Star Wars, Ghostbusters, Power Rangers and GI Joe flicks and toy lines.

Using the Hasbro Pulse smartphone app, customers will be able to scan their faces. The app converts the data into a 3D model and uploads it to Hasbro, which prints it out as part of a personalized action figure. Hasbro expects to begin selling the $60 figures this fall.

"Some of the biggest opportunities in 3D printing are these personalized, customized goods," said Max Lobovsky, the chief executive and co-founder of Formlabs.

The Selfie Series is a vivid example of the customization possible with 3D printing, a form of manufacturing that lays materials down layer by layer. Such individualized details are impractical with conventional processes, such as injection-molded plastic or machined metal, where customized designs are too expensive and some shapes are simply impossible to make.

3D printing's customizability has been used to make teeth straighteners, hearing aids, football helmets and surgical implants, each tailored for a single person.

The 3D-printing process is spreading to other domains, including aerospace and automotive, in which manufacturers are looking to build parts that are difficult or impossible to make using conventional methods. For example, a brake pedal with hollow voids or fuel nozzles with fewer parts are significantly lighter than conventionally manufactured parts they replace.

3D printers are also popular with hobbyists in the maker movement, who like to do things themselves. Because 3D models can be readily shared, you can download 3D-printer designs for toys like fidget spinners, marble tracks, octopuses, gliders, axolotls and more.

IDTechX, a research firm, forecasts 3D-printer sales will reach $10 billion later this decade, with 3D-printing materials sales reaching $30 billion by 2032.

Hasbro and Formlabs had worked together before embarking on the Selfie Series project, with the toymaker using the 3D printers to create prototypes. For the Selfie Series, Formlabs offered 3D-printing technology that builds smooth, detailed elements and a resin formula that's durable enough to withstand the abuse plastic action figures often have to endure.

Hasbro keeps the 3D face scan data for 60 days after the product ships, in case a replacement action figure is needed. It doesn't use the data for any other purpose and deletes it after the 60-day period ends, the company said.

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Take Control of Your Data: How to Manage Android App Permissions

Take Control of Your Data: How to Manage Android App Permissions

Mobile apps are notorious for asking for permissions they have no business asking for. You've probably noticed some of your Android apps asking for permissions that are excessive and completely unrelated to the app's actual utility -- like if a flashlight app requests access to your camera, microphone or location. When an app asks for permissions beyond what it needs to function, it's usually so the company behind the app can collect as much of your data as possible and sell it off to third parties like advertisers and data brokers. 

Look out for permissions like access to your location, camera, microphone, contacts, browsing history and photo library. These can be particularly invasive if not explicitly required for an app to function. An app can collect a lot of extremely sensitive personal information from these permissions, which can pose a major risk to your privacy if that data is mishandled or exposed in a breach. This is why it's important to manage app permissions on your Android devices. 

Always make sure to keep app permissions to a minimum. Give your apps permission to access only what they need to access on your device to provide the functionality you require from them. For example, a weather app or navigation app will naturally need access to your location to function properly, but there's no reason it would need access to your camera or your contacts. And in some cases, you might not even need to give a weather app your location data if you can manually enter your ZIP code or city. 

Fortunately, it's easy to change app permissions on your Android device -- and you can choose whether you want to manage permissions by app or by permission type. 

Note that the steps outlined below apply to devices running Android 11 and up. Here's how to manage app permissions on your Android device. 

How to manage Android app permissions by app

If you're concerned about the permissions granted to a certain app on your Android device, you can manage permissions on a per-app basis. Here's what to do:

1. Tap Settings.

2. Tap Apps.

3. Scroll down and tap on the app in question (or you can search for the app by tapping the magnifying glass icon).

4. Tap Permissions.

5. Tap on a permission to allow or not allow.

You can also access the Permissions menu from any app by tapping and holding the app's icon on your phone's screen. Tap the Info icon in the top right corner of the window that pops up to access the App info menu and tap Permissions from there.

From the App info menu, you can also enable the Remove permissions if app is unused feature, which removes permissions for the app if you haven't used it for three months.

How to manage Android app permissions by permission type

If you'd like to see which apps you've denied or allowed access to a certain permission -- like your microphone or location -- you can manage your app permissions by permission type. Here's how:

1. Tap Settings.

2. Tap Privacy.

3. Tap Permission manager.

4. Tap the permission type to see which apps allow the selected permission.

5. Tap on an app and select Allow or Don't allow.

How to universally manage camera and microphone access for all apps

You can even universally deny all apps from accessing your camera and/or microphone with a single toggle switch if you want to take a hard line with those two permissions. Here's how you can toggle camera and microphone permissions across all apps on your Android device:

1. Tap Settings.

2. Tap Privacy.

3. Toggle Camera access and Microphone access on or off.

Going this route can be a great way to guarantee that no app has access to your camera or microphone. However, keep in mind that video communication apps like Zoom or Skype, which rely on your camera and microphone to operate will not work properly if you have these permissions set to the "off" position.

For more advice, check out five tips to make your Android phone feel like new again, how to erase your Android device's cookies and cache and get rid of excess junk files and how to disinfect and remove fingerprints from your filthy phone screen. 

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India's Ratan Tata takes slice of phone maker Xiaomi

India's Ratan Tata takes slice of phone maker Xiaomi

Xiaomi CEO says the investment from Ratan Tata (above) "is an affirmation of the strategy we have undertaken in India so far." Harold Cunningham/Getty Images

One of the most prominent businesspeople in India now owns a small stake in one of the hottest smartphone makers in the world.

Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, the holding company for India-based conglomerate Tata Group, has made an investment in Xiaomi, the China-based handset maker announced Monday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Xiaomi closed a $1.1 billion funding round in December at a $45 billion valuation. Given the valuation, it's unlikely that Tata's investment was sizable enough to give him a large equity stake in the company.

"Xiaomi is one of the fastest-growing companies in the world," Ratan Tata said in a statement. "It has brought its innovative business model and high-quality products to India with huge success."

His investment could be more important from a public relations perspective than from a cash perspective. Indeed, Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun eschewed all mention of what the company would do with the cash, saying instead that Tata's investment "is an affirmation of the strategy we have undertaken in India so far."

Last week, Xiaomi unveiled a flagship smartphone for India, called the Mi 4i. The device, which comes with a 5-inch screen and octa-core processor, is widely viewed as a key first step in Xiaomi's self-professed plan to become the most dominant smartphone maker in the emerging India market. At the end of the fourth quarter, Xiaomi was ranked the fifth-largest smartphone maker in India. Samsung was tops.

The Tata name carries significant weight in India, and having Ratan Tata on Xiaomi's side could help the company and its smartphone gain more traction in the country.

Tata Group, which had $103.3 billion in revenue last year, is a massive conglomerate. The company, which has over 581,000 employees, competes in a range of industries, including communications, technology, engineering, steel and chemicals. It's one of the most well-known companies in India and a prominent player in several industries globally.

India is a crucial country for nearly all handset makers. It has a fast-growing middle class and is adopting technology at a rapid rate. With the potential to target hundreds of millions of people, India represents a massive opportunity for all companies, including those like Xiaomi that have been successful in emerging markets where there is an appetite for higher-end devices priced at a level that budget-conscious shoppers would find appealing.

Even before the Tata announcement was made, Xiaomi attracted customers to its Mi 4i. Xiaomi said in a statement Monday that over 225,000 India customers have registered to buy the Mi 4i. The device launched last week, but due to excessive demand for its products, Xiaomi often uses a registration model to provide customers products on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Whatever the company is doing, it's working. Xiaomi said in January that its pre-tax sales in 2014 topped 74.3 billion yuan ($12.1 billion), up 135 percent from 2013. Xiaomi sold 61 million handsets in 2014, an increase of 227 percent compared to the prior year. Xiaomi is now the third-largest smartphone maker in the world behind Apple and Samsung, despite only selling to a relatively small number of markets, including China, Indonesia and India.

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Home Equity Loan Rates for September 2022

Home Equity Loan Rates for September 2022

With record-breaking home appreciation seen throughout the pandemic, most homeowners have more equity in their homes now compared to two years ago. If you need access to funds for a renovation project, education expenses or even debt consolidation, tapping into your home's equity could provide you with a lower-rate financing option. A home equity loan, which lets you borrow money against the equity you've built in your home, provides you with a lump sum of cash at a fixed interest rate. 

Home equity loans may be particularly appealing in the current economic climate. Mortgage rates overall have gone up more than 2% since the beginning of the year. Even though rates recently dipped as the Federal Reserve increased its benchmark interest rate for the fourth time this year in an attempt to combat rising inflation, home equity loans still tend to offer lower interest rates than other types of loans. That's a significant benefit for anyone looking for financing at a time when it's uncertain how much rates will fluctuate moving forward. 

This type of financing may make sense if you own a home and have at least 15% to 20% of equity built up in your home. Unlike a home equity line of credit, or HELOC, you'll receive the sum of the loan upfront in one lump payment if you're approved.

A home equity loan is a lower interest rate financing option, but it's not without risk. When you secure a home equity loan, your home acts as collateral, which means you could lose your home if you're unable to repay what you borrowed. It's important to carefully consider whether a home equity loan is right for you before applying for financing.

Here's everything you should know about home equity loans, how they work, who they're best for and how they compare to other loan options.

What is a home equity loan?

A home equity loan offers you a lump sum of cash you borrow against the equity built in your house. Tapping into your home's equity means you are borrowing against the mortgage payments you've already made -- it won't replace your existing mortgage payment -- it's a new loan that you'll repay monthly, along with your existing home loan.

Most lenders require you to have 15% to 20% of equity in your home to secure a home equity loan. To figure out how much equity you have, subtract your remaining mortgage balance from the value of your home. For example, if you have a $500,000 mortgage and you owe $350,000 on it, you have $150,000 in equity. To figure out the percentage, divide this number ($150,000) by your home's value ($500,000) and you'll see you have 30% equity available in your home. Lenders will typically let you borrow around 80% to 85% of your home's equity for a home equity loan. So, in this case, you could borrow up to $120,000 to $127,500. 

A standard repayment period for a home equity loan is between five to 30 years for a home equity loan. You make fixed-rate payments that never change, which means even if interest rates go up, your loan rate is locked in. 

Current home equity loan rate trends

One of the benefits of home equity loans is that they typically have lower interest rates than personal loans or credit cards. Right now, borrowers with good credit and sufficient equity can secure home equity loans with interest rates as low as 3%, according to Bankrate, which is owned by the same parent company as CNET.

One potential downside of a home equity loan is that if your property value goes down for any reason, you could end up underwater on your loan. This happens when the balance of your loan becomes higher than the value of your home. That's what happened to millions of Americans during the 2008 financial crisis. Right now, there's less risk of your home's value decreasing below your home equity loan amount, though. Home prices have appreciated as much as 20% in some metro areas across the US over the last two years, and it seems unlikely that they will go down in a significant way anytime soon.

Pros of a home equity loan 

• Fixed-rate payments: Your monthly payment will never change even if interest rates rise.
• One lump sum of cash: You receive the entire loan upfront in one disbursement.
• Low interest rates: It has a lower interest rate than other types of personal loans or credit cards. 
• Tax deductible interest: If you use it for home renovations, you can deduct the interest from your taxes. 
  

 Cons of a home equity loan 

• Using your home as collateral: If you fail to make your payments or default on your loan, your lender can foreclose and take ownership of your house.
• Can take longer to receive the funds: It can take more time to receive a home equity loan than a personal loan, for example. 
• Closing costs are expensive: Closing costs can range anywhere from 2% to 5% of the loan. 
• Your home's value could decrease after receiving your loan: Although home values are not expected to decrease significantly any time soon, if your home's value were to drop below your home equity loan amount, you would have what is known as negative equity. Negative equity means you owe more than your home is worth. So, if you were to sell your home, you likely would not receive enough money from a seller to pay off your loan balance.

Home equity loans vs. HELOC

Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs, are similar, but have a few key distinctions. Both let you draw on your home's equity and require you to use your home as collateral to secure your loan. The two major differences between a home equity loan and a HELOC are the way you receive the money and how you pay it back. 

A home equity loan gives you the money all at once as a lump sum, whereas a HELOC lets you take money out in installments over a long period of time, typically ten years. Home equity loans have fixed-rate payments that will never go up, but most HELOCs have variable interest rates that rise and fall with the economy and overall interest-rate trends. 

A home equity loan is better if:

• You want a fixed-rate payment: Your monthly payment will never change even if interest rates rise.
• You want one lump sum of money: You receive the entire loan upfront with a home equity loan.
• You know the exact amount of money you need: If you know the amount you need and don't expect it to change, a home equity loan likely makes more sense than a HELOC.

A HELOC is better if:

• You need money over a long period of time: You can take the money as you need it and only pay interest on the amounts you withdraw, not the full loan amount, as is the case with a home equity loan.
• You want a low introductory interest rate: Although HELOC rates may increase over time, they also typically offer lower introductory interest rates than home equity loans. So, you could save money on interest charges.

Home equity loans vs. cash-out refinances

A cash-out refinance is when you replace your existing mortgage with a new mortgage, typically to secure a lower interest rate and more favorable terms. Unlike a traditional refinance, though, you take out a new mortgage for the home's entire value -- not just the amount you owe on your mortgage. You then receive the equity you've already paid off in your home as a cash payout. 

For example, if your home is worth $450,000 and you owe $250,000 on your loan, you would refinance for the entire $450,000, rather than the amount you owe on your mortgage. Your new cash-out refinance home loan would replace your existing mortgage, and then offer you a portion of the equity you built (in this case $200,000) as a cash payout. 

Both a cash-out refi and a home equity loan will provide you with a lump sum of cash that you'll repay in fixed amounts over a specific time period, but they have some important differences. A cash-out refinance replaces your current mortgage payment. When you receive a lump sum of cash from a cash-out refi, it is added back onto the balance of your new mortgage, usually causing your monthly payment to increase. A home equity loan is different -- it does not replace your existing mortgage and instead adds an additional monthly payment to your expenses. 

A home equity loan is better if:

• You do not want to pay private mortgage insurance: Some cash-out refinances require PMI, which can add hundreds of dollars to your payments, but home equity loans do not.
• You can't complete a refinance: With rates rising, it's possible that your mortgage rate is lower than current refinance rates. If that's the case, it likely won't make financial sense for you to refinance. Instead, you can use a home equity loan to only take out the money you need, rather than replacing your entire mortgage with a higher interest rate loan.  

A cash-out refinance is better if:

• Refinance rates are lower than your current mortgage rate: If you can secure a lower interest rate by refinancing, this could save you money in interest, while providing access to a lump sum of cash. 
• You only want one monthly payment: The amount you borrow gets added back to the balance of your mortgage so you only make one payment to your lender every month.
• Less stringent eligibility requirements: If you don't have great credit or you have a high debt-to-income ratio, you may have an easier time qualifying for a cash-out refi compared to a home equity loan. 
• Lower interest rates: Cash-out refinances sometimes offer more favorable interest rates than home equity loans.

FAQs

What is a good home equity loan rate?

Right now, lenders are offering rates that start as low as around 3% for borrowers with good credit, but rates vary depending on your personal financial situation. A lender will base your interest rate on how much equity you have in your home, your credit score, income level and other aspects of your financial life such as your debt-to-income ratio, which is calculated by dividing your monthly debts by your gross monthly income. 

How do I qualify for a home equity loan?

You are typically required to have at least 15% to 20% equity built up in your home to qualify for a home equity loan. You must also have enough income and a low-enough debt-to-income ratio to qualify -- lenders usually want to see a DTI of 43% or below. Lenders also like to see a minimum credit score of at least 620. Generally speaking, if your credit score is below 700 there is a possibility that a lender will deny you for a home equity loan. The better your credit, the better your chances of being approved for a loan with a low interest rate. 

What can I use a home equity loan for?

Home equity loans can be used for anything you choose to spend the money on. Typical life expenses that people usually take out home equity loans to cover are expenditures like home renovations, higher education costs like tuition or to pay off high-interest debt like credit card debt. There's a bonus for home improvements: If you use a home equity loan for renovations, the interest is tax deductible.

You can also use a home equity loan in an emergency situation or for life events like weddings. But keep in mind that whatever you chose to use a loan for, taking out a large sum of money that accrues interest is an expensive choice you should always carefully consider – especially since you're using your home as collateral to secure the loan. If you can't pay it back, the lender could seize your home to repay your debt.

How do I apply for a home equity loan?

Applying for a home equity loan is similar to applying for a mortgage. You need to qualify with a lender or bank who is willing to lend you the money. First, the lender will first want to make sure you have at least 15% to 20% equity in your home. If you do, the lender will take into account your credit score (lenders usually like to see a minimum score of 620), your income and your current debt-to-income ratio to determine whether you qualify and what your interest rate will be. You should be prepared to have financial documents like pay stubs and W2s in order, as well as proof of ownership and proof of the appraised value of your home. It's important to interview multiple lenders to determine which lender can offer you the lowest rates and fees.

More mortgage tools and resources

You can use CNET's mortgage calculator to help you determine how much house you can afford. The CNET mortgage calculator factors in variables such as the size of your down payment, home price and interest rate to help you understand how much of a difference even a slight increase in rates can make in the amount of interest you'll pay over the lifetime of your loan.

More mortgage rates:

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Twitter Expands Beta for Safety Mode Autoblocking Feature

Twitter Expands Beta for Safety Mode Autoblocking Feature

Twitter is greatly expanding the size of the beta for its Safety Mode feature, which aims to limit "unwelcome interactions" in your feed.

Previously available only to a small feedback group, the feature will now be available to about 50% of users in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, Twitter said Tuesday. The feature, which launched in limited beta in September, imposes a seven-day block on accounts that use what Twitter calls potentially harmful language, including insults or repeated replies and mentions.

The beta's expansion is intended to help "collect more insights on how Safety Mode is working and explore ways to incorporate additional improvements," Twitter said.

Twitter, which has about 217 million active daily users, has long been under pressure to do more to combat harassment. The social media platform has been criticized for being a "toxic place," especially for women. A study by Amnesty International and Element AI in 2018 found that female journalists and politicians received "abusive" or "problematic" tweets every 30 seconds on average. 

Twitter also said it's introducing a companion feature called Proactive Safety Mode prompts that it says will help reduce the burden on users in identifying harmful interactions.

"Since the initial rollout of the Safety Mode beta in September, we've learned that some people want help identifying unwelcome interactions," Twitter said. "For this reason, our technology will now proactively identify potentially harmful or uninvited replies and prompt people in the beta to consider enabling Safety Mode."

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Xiaomi Mi Band review: Ultracheap fitness band gets the job done

Xiaomi Mi Band review: Ultracheap fitness band gets the job done

Though still not a household name outside of Asia, China's Xiaomi is gaining in global market share for smartphones , and it's not stopping there. Like so many of its rivals, it's also breaking into wearables, with its debut device being the Mi Band fitness tracker.

Perfect for anyone who wants to try out a fitness tracker, the Mi Band's minor flaws are easily ignored, especially when you consider its exceptionally low price. On sale in China at 79RMB (which converts to around $13, £7.50, AU$13.50), it undercuts other basic models like the Misfit Flash and the Fitbit Zip that retail at around $50 (roughly £3o or AU$60) while still delivering the same features.

Good luck getting one, however. There are no plans yet to release the bracelet for other markets, so you'll have to either get it through an online reseller (and pay a little premium), or hope you manage to snag one while in China at the Xiaomi online store.

The Mi Band is actually a dongle on a bracelet. Aloysius Low/CNET

Design

Xiaomi keeps the design simple for the Mi Band. There are no buttons you need to press and the Mi Band comes in two parts -- a rubber strap and the fitness module. Once on the wrist, the 13g Mi Band doesn't stay in your mind.

As it's water-resistant -- the Mi Band has a IP67 rating -- you can bring the Mi Band with you in the shower, though the rubber strap is uncomfortable when it's wet. The strap is adjustable, so you can either wear it loose or tight depending on your preference.

The Mi Band lacks a screen. Instead, it has three indicator lights that flash when you do a "look at your watch" gesture. However, the Mi Band is really picky about when it lights up; you'll have to actually have your arm fully extended at your side, then raise it up like you're looking at a watch before it works.

This shows I'm two-thirds of my way through my daily target of 8,000 steps. Aloysius Low/CNET

The three lights show your walking progress for the day, so if you set the target to, say, 8,000 steps, when you hit around 5,000 the second light will be fully lit. When you hit your target, the Mi Band will vibrate to alert you while the lights will blink for a few seconds.

You'll need to take out the dongle for charging, but you'll really only need to do this once every 30 days or so. The Mi Band comes with a custom USB cable that attaches to the dongle, and you can plug that into a PC or a USB charger.

Mi Band app

Unlike the more fully featured app that comes with the higher-end Jawbone Up24 , the Mi Band app is clean and simple and supports both English and Chinese. There's no option to measure your caloric intake -- instead, the app just shows the steps you've taken and your sleep patterns, such as when you fell into deep sleep.

You can also set an alarm to wake up to, and the Mi Band will buzz at the appropriate time. An early bird alarm is also available and will wake you 30 minutes before your preset time if the band detects that it's the best time to wake you up.

Screenshot by Aloysius Low/CNET

Apart from the two functions mentioned above, the Mi Band app also adds a sit-up and jump rope tracker. You'll need to manually activate this, though, as the Mi Band itself only works for your steps and sleep. There's also an option in the settings menu to let you vote for other sports such as cycling in future updates.

One feature that's limited to only Xiaomi's phones is a proximity unlocker. If you're holding the phone in the same hand that's wearing the band, you won't need to enter a passcode or perform a pattern unlock.

Currently, the Mi Band only works with Android 4.4 devices, and there aren't any third-party apps available that support this. It's also unknown if Xiaomi will ever add iOS support, though there are pictures on Weibo from Xiaomi developers showing the app running on an iPhone 6 .

Battery life

As mentioned, the Mi Band claims a 30-day battery life, and two weeks with the Mi Band have shown me that this looks to be true. The fitness band still had 75 percent left, meaning it could last as long as 2 months instead of the promised 1. This is pretty impressive, given that the more expensive Jawbone Up24 is only rated for a week. However, the Mi Band's rechargeable battery can't compare to the six-month battery life of the Misfit Flash or the Fitbit Zip.

Charging the Mi Band is quite easy to do. Aloysius Low/CNET

Conclusion

Given the Mi Band's absurdly low price, it's impressive and gets a free pass for its minor flaws. The rubber material used in the band takes a while to get used to, but it's light and not at all unpleasant to wear most of the time.

It's really hard to see how other screenless fitness bands can now justify their exorbitant prices, especially when the Mi Band does the exact same thing but is a lot more affordable. Of course, these fitness trackers do have options such as keeping track of your caloric intake, but these are software-based, via an app, so it's possible Xiaomi may be able to add these in as well in a future update.

Lastly, getting your hands on the Mi Band can be challenging since it's limited to China for now, and until the company starts making it globally available, people in other countries will likely will have to pay a lot more for the current fitness bands. With that in mind, I still heartily recommend the Mi Band, even if you have to get it at a premium from an online reseller. You'll still save quite a bit compared with other brands, and the Mi Band makes for a great entry-level fitness band to try out.

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Want to download Windows 11? You need to do these two things first

Want to download Windows 11? You need to do these two things first

Windows 11  began rolling out in October and brings a new, more streamlined design and updated features, including support for Android apps, easy toggling between multiple virtual desktops and better multitasking. Microsoft included a few Mac-like features and the ability to run Android apps on Windows 11. 

But there are a few catches to downloading the new operating system. For starters, Microsoft is using a phased rollout for Windows 11. And before you download, you'll need a Wi-Fi connection and a Windows 11 Home account. However, Windows 10 users can upgrade for free (here's how to get Windows 10 first so you can download Windows 11). But if you're setting up a Windows 11 Home account -- which most people using it on a personal device will be -- there are a few extra steps you'll have to take before accessing the new features.

Read more: Windows 11 review: Familiar but fresh

We'll break down everything you need to know before downloading Windows 11, including how to check if your computer is compatible to make sure you meet the new requirements. And here's what to know if you're thinking of upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 Home. This story was recently updated. 

Create a Microsoft account (or sign in to yours)

You'll need to create a free Microsoft account before you download Windows 11. 

Microsoft

To set up Windows 11 Home, you'll need a Microsoft account, which gives you access to Microsoft products and services. Don't worry -- it's free to create one. 

In the past, it was possible to opt out of creating a Microsoft account and use a local one instead (though the process wasn't intuitive). It appears that with Windows 11, you will need to create a Microsoft account to get started. After that point, you can delete your Microsoft account and sign in with a local account if you'd like, and this won't impact how you use the OS -- but you won't be able to sync content across multiple devices. A Microsoft account also allows easier transferring from your old PC to a new one, and more options for signing in. 

Windows 11 Pro and the version built for enterprise use will not require people to sign in to Microsoft accounts.

Here's how to create a free Microsoft account as Windows 11 rolls out:

1. Go to account.microsoft.com, and click Sign in.

2. Tap Create one to make a new account. (If you already have an account, you can sign in here.)

3. Enter your email address. Or, if you'd rather create a new email address through Microsoft (which will appear as @outlook.com), click Get a new email address, enter what you'd like, and click Next. 

4. Create a password, and click Next.

5. Enter your country/region and date of birth, and click Next. 

6. Check your email for a verification code, and click Next.

Connect to the internet 

You need to have an internet connection to set up Windows 11.

Sarah Tew/CNET

To download Windows 11 Home (and to create a Microsoft account), you'll also need to be connected to the internet. The reason for this is that Windows 11 will primarily be delivered as a Windows Update, much like newer versions of Windows 10 have been.

You'll also need the internet to perform future updates and to take advantage of some of the new Windows 11 features, according to Microsoft. 

This requirement may pose a problem for those who lack easy internet access. However, after you connect for the initial setup, you don't have to connect again if you don't want to (though you should to get important security updates that prevent vulnerabilities). 

If you're downloading Windows 11 on your current computer, just make sure you're connected to the internet before you start the process. If you buy a new Windows 11 computer after the OS is generally released, you should be prompted to connect to the internet when you're setting it up.

For more, check out how Windows 11 compares with Windows 10, everything to know about making the upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and all the Windows 11 features we wanted but didn't get. 

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Elon Musk Says Sending Starship to Orbit Is Still One of His 'Main Goals' For 2022

Elon Musk Says Sending Starship to Orbit Is Still One of His 'Main Goals' For 2022

Launching his moon and Mars rocket to space for the first time has long been on Elon Musk's to-do list, and the world's richest man confirmed Monday that it remains priority one for this year. 

In a tweet, Musk called "Starship to orbit" one of "two main goals this year." The other is the wide release of "full self-driving" for Tesla vehicles, a long-awaited feature for the fleet of electric cars that doesn't yet have approval from regulators. 

When Musk first introduced his ambition to build a huge spacecraft capable of taking humans to Mars at a conference back in 2016, he hoped to send the first interplanetary explorers to the Red Planet in 2022. Things have clearly fallen behind schedule, but Musk has always been the first to admit that his timelines can tend toward the overly optimistic. 

Starship last flew on May 5, 2021, over 15 months ago. Specifically, the SN15 prototype made a high-altitude flight and came back in to nail the landing without exploding like its predecessors. Initially, there was talk of re-launching SN15 for further testing, but that never happened as SpaceX moved to focus instead on conducting its first orbital demonstration flight. 

An orbital flight requires launching Starship atop a Super Heavy booster for the first time, which also required a prolonged environmental review process. That process set back the orbital mission several months until the Federal Aviation Administration gave a conditional approval to SpaceX in June that's dependent on making 75 changes to the proposed mission plan. 

The FAA hasn't yet issued a launch license, which will essentially be the final green light SpaceX needs to send Starship to space. However, there was a sign that things are moving forward in July when the Federal Communications Commission granted the company an authorization for radio communications for the mission. 

Notably the radio license indicates that it goes into effect on Sept. 1, so we know when the earliest possible date that Starship will fly again could be. Now it all comes down to the FAA and SpaceX's testing protocol. 

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Even Kia Is Building an Electric Pickup Truck

Even Kia Is Building an Electric Pickup Truck

Electric pickup trucks are slowly gaining ground as one of the most hotly anticipated new segments to spawn from the industry's push toward full electrification. Some of these will come from automakers with decades of truck-building experience, but others will come from unlikely sources.

Kia this week unveiled its roadmap to 2030, an ambitious plan for electrifying its fleet through the end of the decade. This plan includes building 14 different battery-electric vehicles by 2027, including an entry-level EV as well as two different electric pickup trucks -- one mainstream model and a "strategic model for emerging markets," according to Kia's press release.

Kia has already released the EV6 crossover in the US to rave reviews. It will follow that up with the larger EV9 SUV, which is slated to launch in 2023. Kia promises it will accelerate to 62 mph in about 5 seconds and should boast a range around 335 miles. It will offer over-the-air updates and feature an on-demand service that will let buyers tack on software upgrades after purchase. It will also come equipped with AutoMode, which is Kia's "autonomous driving technology," although it's unclear what level of autonomy it will actually offer. (A quick reminder: There are no self-driving cars on sale right now.)

As part of its roadmap to 2030, Kia also plans to adjust how its global presence will suit each market where it sells cars. Each region will focus on its strengths, with Europe building small and medium EVs starting in 2025, while US factories will shift toward midsize SUVs and pickups as early as 2024.

Performance models are also in the cards. Kia said that it will start putting more effort into high-performance variants starting with the EV6 GT. After that, it will expand the GT badge to all its battery-electric vehicles.  

All these moves are part of a combined effort to boost Kia's overall sales, as well as the share of eco-friendlier vehicles. Kia hopes to boost its annual sales some 27% by 2030 to approximately 4 million units sold globally per year. Its electrified vehicles currently comprise 17% of the automaker's global sales, a figure it wants to boost to 52% by 2030 -- or 78% in markets with strong environmental regulations, like the US and Europe.

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Use your GoPro as a webcam for your Zoom meetings

Use your GoPro as a webcam for your Zoom meetings

It's been almost two years since so many of us started working and socializing from home. And while coronavirus vaccines are now being distributed, chances are that not much is going to change for a while in terms of how often we use video chat apps and services -- so it may be time to upgrade your webcam to make sure you look your best as you virtually meet with coworkers and friends (changing your Zoom background and turning on the beauty filter can only do so much). 

If you have a GoPro camera, this handy software upgrade will turn it into a webcam compatible with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and virtually every other major video chat service you can think of. (And if you don't have a GoPro, you can also turn your phone camera into a webcam.) 

Here's exactly how to do it. 

Read more: Ultimate webcam tips: How to look and sound great online

Turn your GoPro into a webcam: What you'll need

You'll need a GoPro Hero8 camera or a GoPro Hero9 camera -- the latest versions of the popular sturdy camera, which came out in 2019 and 2020, respectively. You can pick up the Hero8 on Amazon for $300. You'll also need a USB-C cord (there's one that comes with the camera that will work) to plug the camera into your computer. 

For the initial setup, you'll need a microSD card and card reader to update your camera. If your computer doesn't have a built-in USB port, you'll need a dongle, too. 

This trick only works for Mac users right now, though a Windows version is in development. 

Finally, you'll need something to mount your GoPro on to use it as a webcam. You've got a lot of options here that you can purchase from GoPro, like the JawsFlex Clamp ($49.99), the Magnetic Swivel Clip ($24.99) or the Suction Cup ($39.99).

It's not required, but this handy Ulanzi G8-7 Battery Cove ($19.95 on Amazon) lets you access the camera's USB port while covering the battery and SD card, so you don't have to worry about anything falling out while you're in webcam mode. 

Read more: Best gear for video chats from home: Webcams, lights, mics and more

How to turn your GoPro into a webcam

Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to update your Hero8 camera into a webcam, according to GoPro.

Step 1: Update your camera

1. Download the GoPro Webcam Beta Firmware to your computer. (This download contains the update folder that will update your camera to support the webcam feature.)

2. Insert your camera's microSD card into your computer using a microSD card adapter or USB reader.

3. Transfer the update file to your microSD card. To do this, open a new Finder window and select Downloads on the left to find the UPDATE.zip file. Double-click the UPDATE.zip file, which will create an UPDATE folder.

4. In the Devices section of the sidebar, look for your microSD card, which will be listed as Untitled. Drag the UPDATE folder to your microSD card.

5. Eject your microSD card by selecting the eject icon.

6. Update your camera: Make sure your camera is turned off. Insert your microSD card, and turn it on. The camera will automatically start updating, and will beep and turn itself off several times. When it's done, you'll see a check mark on the front screen. (If you get a message saying that the update failed, remove and reinsert the battery, and start the update again from the beginning.) 

Step 2: Install the GoPro Webcam app and connect your camera

1. Download GoPro Webcam Desktop Utility, and install the software on your computer. In the Status bar, you'll see a GoPro icon.

2. Power on your camera, and connect it to your computer with the USB cable. In the Status bar, you'll see the GoPro icon display a blue dot, which means you've successfully connected. You'll also see the camera go into USB mode, with a red light and an image of a USB cable appearing on its screen. 

Step 3: Preview your webcam

To get a preview of what your webcam setup will look like, click on the GoPro icon in the Status bar, and click Show Preview. This will help you make sure your shot looks good before you start webcamming. You can also switch between mirror mode and flip mode, depending on which you like better. 

Step 4: Launch your GoPro Webcam

Open the video chat service you want to use. GoPro's webcam software is compatible with Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Twitch, BlueJeans, GoTo Meeting, Snap Camera and Facebook Rooms. It's also compatible with YouTube Live and Webex if you're using a Google Chrome browser. 

When you open your video chat service, select GoPro as your preferred camera. That may be an option when you first log in, or you might have to go to Settings to do so. For example, in Zoom, go to the Start Video icon at the bottom of the screen, click the up arrow, and select GoPro Camera. If you don't see the GoPro camera option right away, you may need to exit and restart the video chat app. 

Once the webcam is running, in the Status bar, the GoPro icon will show a red dot to indicate that it's on. 

Step 5: Perfect your webcam setup

Now that your webcam is up and running, you can make adjustments. 

Resolution: To change the resolution, click on the GoPro icon in the Status bar, and select Preferences. You can change from 1080p (the default) to 720p if you want to.

Field of view: To adjust your field of view, you can change to different digital lenses. Click the GoPro icon in the Status bar, and select Digital Lens. Choose from wide, narrow or linear lenses. 

There are lots of other ways to repurpose the equipment you already have, like your old phone and old laptop. Once you get your setup going, you can also check out the online classes and equipment you need to become a YouTuber, or just pick up the best gear for online meetings. 

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Magic 3 is Honor's first post-Huawei flagship launch

Magic 3 is Honor's first post-Huawei flagship launch

After being sold off by Huawei, Honor is back in the limelight with its new flagship Magic 3 series. It's the company's first global flagship launch since Huawei sold Honor to a consortium of buyers. And unlike Huawei devices, the Magic 3 lineup, will run Google's popular software and apps in their full capacity -- features it lost access to when it was owned by Huawei due to US sanctions. 

The Magic 3 series, which consists of the Magic 3, Magic 3 Pro, and Magic 3 Pro Plus, will start at 899 euros (which converts to roughly $1,055, £760 or AU$1,430) for the base version, then step up to 1,099 euros (about $1,290) and max out at 1,499 euros (about $1,760). All three devices have a gently curved screen on the front (89 degrees) and feature between three and four rear camera lenses placed in concentric circles to form an eye-catching camera bump. 

The Magic 3 series will also have access to Google Mobile Services, as well as popular Google apps including the Google Play Store and Gmail. Before Huawei sold the brand to "ensure its own survival," Honor was banned from buying American technology just like its former owner -- a consequence of sanctions levelled by the Trump administration. This marks a major victory for Honor, which along with Huawei, saw the market share of its consumer business erode partly due to absence of Google's wildly popular software and services.

The eye-catching Magic 3 camera bump.

Honor/Screenshot by CNET's Sareena Dayaram

Speaking of software, each Magic 3 phone will also get just one major software update, including a security update, putting Honor's premium phone line a step behind Samsung and Apple, which have committed to multi-year updates for their flagship phones. 

There are differences between the three phones too. Some of those differences are found in the processor, display camera module, and the water resistance rating, for instance. The base Magic 3 runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888, while the Pro models rely on the Snapdragon 888 Plus. Honor said this chipset is backed up by a flash memory fusion technology, which apparently gives an 8GB RAM phone performance that is similar to a 10GB device. 

Some of the biggest differences are in the camera set up. Pro models boast a 64-megapixel periscope-style telephoto camera with 3.5x optical zoom and 100x zoom. That surpasses the zoom capabilities of the iPhone 12 lineup, at least on paper, and it's on par with the digital zoom on Samsung's Galaxy Ultra. On the pro models, the telephoto camera is accompanied by wide, ultra-wide and monochrome lenses. The telephoto lens, typically a more high-end feature, is absent on the base Magic 3. Camera sensor sizes vary across each model too. The Pro Plus for instance, has a larger sensor for the main 50-megapixel (1/1.28-inch) camera.

Key specs

Display: 6.76-inch AMOLED, 120Hz,  2,772x1,334 pixels
Processor: Snapdragon 888 (Magic 3); Snapdragon 888 Plus (Magic 3 Pro, 3 Pro Plus)
Battery and charger: 4,600 mAh; 66-watt wired charger; 50-watt wireless (Pro versions)
Water-resistance: IP68 (Magic 3 Pro, Pro Plus); IP53 (Magic 3)
Weight: 202 grams (Magic 3); 212 grams (Magic 3 Pro Plus)

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Take Care of a Precocious Cat in My Talking Tom on Apple Arcade

Take Care of a Precocious Cat in My Talking Tom on Apple Arcade

Apple Arcade added virtual pet game My Talking Tom to its catalog of titles on Friday. In the game, you adopt a cat, give it a name and take care of it. Make sure Tom's needs are met and that he's happy, fed and well-rested. 

Taking care of Tom is a far cry from what you'd experience with a real cat. Tom stands on his hind legs, snoozes in his own human bed and grins sheepishly while using a real toilet -- this animation, particularly, verges on being too realistic.

My Talking Tom also includes mini games like bubble shooter, 2048 and Flappy Tom, as well as memory and matching activities. The more you play, the more in-game coins, diamonds and keys you earn to unlock prizes and accessories for Tom.  

The game asks for access to your device's microphone early on in the game. This is so Tom can actually "talk" to you and repeat words you say. You can choose to leave the microphone off and still enjoy other aspects on the game. 

My Talking Tom is also available in the App Store for players who aren't subscribed to Apple Arcade, but you'll encounter ads and in-app purchases. Outfit7, the studio behind the game, also has multiple apps featuring Tom and other talking animals. 

Apple Arcade adds new games and content updates every week. If you're interested in trying Apple Arcade, you can get a three-month free trial with the purchase of a new device, or one month for free if you're signing up for the first time. Open the App Store and tap the joystick icon at the bottom of the screen to launch the service. 

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