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Why Big Tech should be on the hook for closing the digital divide
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    Microsoft unveils MSN makeover, rebranded apps

    The new site promises news and other content from around the world and a simple way to personalize what you want to see.

    Lance Whitney Contributing Writer
    Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer and a former IT professional. He's written for Time, CNET, PCMag, and several other publications. He's the author of two tech books--one on Windows and another on LinkedIn.
    Lance Whitney
    3 min read

    Microsoft's new MSN website. Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET

    Microsoft has given its MSN website a major face-lift, with the revamp currently rolling out to all users of the site.

    As of Monday, the new site has started appearing for more than the 425 million people worldwide that visit it each month, according to Microsoft. With the new site in preview mode over the past few weeks, Microsoft said it listened to the feedback from the almost 10 million people who checked it out in order to implement the current changes.

    Born in 1995, MSN, short for Microsoft Network, started as an online service for Windows 95. Over the years the site has transformed into a portal to various Microsoft services as well as a way to deliver the latest news in the worlds of entertainment, sports, health and fitness, and travel.

    The new MSN site offers you an easier way to access all of your Microsoft services. The top of the homepage provides links to Outlook.com, Office Online, OneNote, OneDrive, Maps, Xbox Music and Skype. Microsoft also included links to such popular third-party sites as Facebook and Twitter.

    Simply log into the MSN site with your Microsoft account, and you can quickly access your various accounts and services. For example, hover over the Office link, and you'll see your most recent Office documents. Hover over the OneDrive link, and up pops the folders for your OneDrive account. Click on the link itself, and Microsoft whisks you away to that specific service. The access is quite convenient for anyone heavily tied into Microsoft's different services, such as Outlook and OneDrive.

    Links near the top of the homepage take you to the latest stories on general news, entertainment, sports and other topics. Below that are headlines to the top news stories as they occur. In a blog posted Monday announcing the changes, Microsoft touted the news content available on the new page:

    With the new MSN, we focused on bringing the best-in-class content from the leaders in both content and data from around the world. In the U.S., some of our premier partners include The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, CNN, AOL (including TechCrunch and Huffington Post) and Condé Nast (including Vanity Fair, Epicurious, Bon Appétit).

    Worldwide, we're excited to showcase The Yomiuri Shimbun and The Asahi Shimbun in Japan; Sky News, The Guardian and the Telegraph in the United Kingdom, NDTV and Hindustan Times in India, Le Figaro and Le Monde in France, and many more.

    Scroll further down the homepage, and you'll see the different sections for news, sports, money and other categories. You can easily customize the homepage and the content you see by adding or removing the sections for any category. You can then then move a certain section up or down in the page depending on your preferred order. You can also set the MSN page as your browser's homepage.

    The MSN name and the new experience extends to many of the built-in apps in Windows Phone 8.1, Microsoft's mobile operating system, including those now dubbed MSN Money, MSN Weather, MSN Sports and MSN News. The experience itself also touches many of the same apps in Windows 8.1, though Microsoft decided to keep the Bing name alive in its desktop OS. Microsoft is also promising complementary MSN apps for people using Apple's iOS and Google's Android operating systems in the coming months.

    "With today's release, we now have one unified, consistent Azure-powered experience that spans the apps on your Windows 8.1 device to MSN in the cloud," Microsoft explained. "While Bing will continue to provide search and intelligent experiences, now the apps will be branded to reflect their alignment with MSN as a premium experience for content, combined with personal productivity features. Aside from Bing Finance, which will now be MSN Money, all of the apps retain their existing names."

    Microsoft is also playing up the new MSN experience as geared toward a "cloud-first, mobile-first world." As such, you'll be able to customize certain content and preferences not just on the Web or in Windows but across other platforms and devices.

    CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

    Our expert deal-hunting staff showcases the best price drops and discounts from reputable sellers daily. If you make a purchase using our links, CNET may earn a commission.

    Amazon Prime Day Deals Under $25: Save Smart on Everyday Essentials, Gifts and Tech at Big Discounts

    Grab budget-friendly Amazon Prime Day deals for less than $25.

    Adam Oram Senior Editor
    Adam Oram is a Senior Editor at CNET. He studied Media at Newcastle University and has been writing about technology since 2013. He previously worked as a Senior Writer at iMore, Deals Editor at Thrifter, and as an Apple Genius. His spare time is spent watching football (both kinds), playing Pokémon games, and eating vegan food.
    Expertise Deals | Apple
    Ingrid Cruz Contributor
    Adam Oram
    3 min read
    $18 at Amazon
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    Amazon Fire TV Stick HD: $18
    Save $22
    $14 at Amazon
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    Eulnars 8 Pack Swedish dishcloths: $14
    Save $3
    $12 at Amazon
    box of pens with orange sticker against lavender background
    144 Bic Round Stic Xtra Life ballpoints: $12
    Save $8
    $18 at Amazon
    Treatlife smart outdoor plug
    Treatlife smart outdoor plug: $18
    Save $18 including coupon
    $20 at Amazon
    black slow cooker with metal top against green and blue gradient
    Aroma Housewares rice cooker: $20
    Save $5
    $25 at Amazon
    Tosy flying disc: $25
    Save $10
    $22 at Amazon
    Gillette Labs razor bundle: $22
    Save $5 with on-page coupon
    Zooey Liao/CNET

    With Amazon's Prime Day sale only three days away, early discounts have started to trickle in, offering some of the best prices on products for your home, office and health to name a few. You can currently grab sales in just about every possible category, and we've collected some of the most cost-efficient ones below. 

    We'll be pruning the list as deals go away and adding more deals as we unearth them, so keep checking back for the latest info. And if you're looking for something else, we're keeping track of all upcoming Amazon Prime Day announcements and will update you on all upcoming offers as they arrive. Remember, Prime Day is on July 16 and 17 this year, and there are already many early deals for bigger purchases.

    Now Playing: Amazon Prime Day 2024: Shopping Tips and Special Deals

    Early Amazon Prime deals under $25 on tech

    The Amazon Fire Stick is one of the easiest ways to access your favorite streaming and online content. This version supports Full HD and is compatible with Alexa, so you can use voice controls to make your selections. Plus, it's only $18 right now with Prime.

    Details

    Early Prime Day deals under $25 on everyday essentials

    These reusable dishcloths are not only on sale, but they'll help you save up over time. This 8-pack is biodegradable and dishwasher-friendly. They're also $3 off right now at Amazon.

    Details

    You can never seem to find a pen when you need one, but buying a pack of 144 of them will probably improve your chances.

    Details

    Impulse Buys Under $25 That Actually Make Great Gifts

    See all photos

    Early Prime Day deals under $25 on home and garden

    Outdoor smart lighting can cost significantly more than its non-smart counterparts. A more cost-effective way to make your outdoor lights smart is by adding a smart plug to the system. The plug can be turned on and off via Alexa or Google and can even be used as a dimmer to set the right mood in your backyard.

    Details
    Save $18 including coupon

    This rice cooker has one-touch operation and simultaneous steaming capabilities in a compact 6-cup capacity.

    Early Prime Day deals under $25 on health and fitness

    If you're looking to get outdoors and work out in a different way then this flying disc with its absurd RGB lights is a surefire way to do so. Kids and adults will love it, and even the nighttime can't stop you from playing somewhere safe. 

    Details

    Early Prime Day deals under $25 on beauty

    This Gillette Labs razor is the exfoliating Black and Gold Edition and comes with three cartridges, a stand and even a travel case.

    Details
    Save $5 with on-page coupon

    What is Amazon Prime Day?

    Amazon Prime Day is a series of week-long deals in July. For the nine years before this one, it has usually appeared a week or so after the July 4th sales. It's no different on Year 10.

    Amazon Prime Day gives Amazon Prime subscribers a taste of Black Friday-type sales during the summer. You'll find deeply discounted items scattered throughout the sale that you won't want to wait on, because these types of big savings only happen a couple of times a year outside of this event.

    When is the best time to buy deals right now?

    Deals will show up all throughout Prime Day week. The main focus days are July 16 and 17Watch our live blog to see the updates for the hottest deals of those two days. We'll give you the heads up on items from laptops to gaming deals and tons more.

    Boost Prime Day Savings with These Smart Amazon Shopping Tips

    See all photos
    CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

    Our expert deal-hunting staff showcases the best price drops and discounts from reputable sellers daily. If you make a purchase using our links, CNET may earn a commission.

    Amazon Prime Day Deals Under $25: Save Smart on Everyday Essentials, Gifts and Tech at Big Discounts

    Grab budget-friendly Amazon Prime Day deals for less than $25.

    Adam Oram Senior Editor
    Adam Oram is a Senior Editor at CNET. He studied Media at Newcastle University and has been writing about technology since 2013. He previously worked as a Senior Writer at iMore, Deals Editor at Thrifter, and as an Apple Genius. His spare time is spent watching football (both kinds), playing Pokémon games, and eating vegan food.
    Expertise Deals | Apple
    Ingrid Cruz Contributor
    Adam Oram
    3 min read
    $18 at Amazon
    black streaming stick against yellow background
    Amazon Fire TV Stick HD: $18
    Save $22
    $14 at Amazon
    dishcloths with avocado, lemon, peaches and cherries against lavender background
    Eulnars 8 Pack Swedish dishcloths: $14
    Save $3
    $12 at Amazon
    box of pens with orange sticker against lavender background
    144 Bic Round Stic Xtra Life ballpoints: $12
    Save $8
    $18 at Amazon
    Treatlife smart outdoor plug
    Treatlife smart outdoor plug: $18
    Save $18 including coupon
    $20 at Amazon
    black slow cooker with metal top against green and blue gradient
    Aroma Housewares rice cooker: $20
    Save $5
    $25 at Amazon
    Tosy flying disc: $25
    Save $10
    $22 at Amazon
    Gillette Labs razor bundle: $22
    Save $5 with on-page coupon
    Zooey Liao/CNET

    With Amazon's Prime Day sale only three days away, early discounts have started to trickle in, offering some of the best prices on products for your home, office and health to name a few. You can currently grab sales in just about every possible category, and we've collected some of the most cost-efficient ones below. 

    We'll be pruning the list as deals go away and adding more deals as we unearth them, so keep checking back for the latest info. And if you're looking for something else, we're keeping track of all upcoming Amazon Prime Day announcements and will update you on all upcoming offers as they arrive. Remember, Prime Day is on July 16 and 17 this year, and there are already many early deals for bigger purchases.

    Now Playing: Amazon Prime Day 2024: Shopping Tips and Special Deals

    Early Amazon Prime deals under $25 on tech

    The Amazon Fire Stick is one of the easiest ways to access your favorite streaming and online content. This version supports Full HD and is compatible with Alexa, so you can use voice controls to make your selections. Plus, it's only $18 right now with Prime.

    Details

    Early Prime Day deals under $25 on everyday essentials

    These reusable dishcloths are not only on sale, but they'll help you save up over time. This 8-pack is biodegradable and dishwasher-friendly. They're also $3 off right now at Amazon.

    Details

    You can never seem to find a pen when you need one, but buying a pack of 144 of them will probably improve your chances.

    Details

    Impulse Buys Under $25 That Actually Make Great Gifts

    See all photos

    Early Prime Day deals under $25 on home and garden

    Outdoor smart lighting can cost significantly more than its non-smart counterparts. A more cost-effective way to make your outdoor lights smart is by adding a smart plug to the system. The plug can be turned on and off via Alexa or Google and can even be used as a dimmer to set the right mood in your backyard.

    Details
    Save $18 including coupon

    This rice cooker has one-touch operation and simultaneous steaming capabilities in a compact 6-cup capacity.

    Early Prime Day deals under $25 on health and fitness

    If you're looking to get outdoors and work out in a different way then this flying disc with its absurd RGB lights is a surefire way to do so. Kids and adults will love it, and even the nighttime can't stop you from playing somewhere safe. 

    Details

    Early Prime Day deals under $25 on beauty

    This Gillette Labs razor is the exfoliating Black and Gold Edition and comes with three cartridges, a stand and even a travel case.

    Details
    Save $5 with on-page coupon

    What is Amazon Prime Day?

    Amazon Prime Day is a series of week-long deals in July. For the nine years before this one, it has usually appeared a week or so after the July 4th sales. It's no different on Year 10.

    Amazon Prime Day gives Amazon Prime subscribers a taste of Black Friday-type sales during the summer. You'll find deeply discounted items scattered throughout the sale that you won't want to wait on, because these types of big savings only happen a couple of times a year outside of this event.

    When is the best time to buy deals right now?

    Deals will show up all throughout Prime Day week. The main focus days are July 16 and 17Watch our live blog to see the updates for the hottest deals of those two days. We'll give you the heads up on items from laptops to gaming deals and tons more.

    Boost Prime Day Savings with These Smart Amazon Shopping Tips

    See all photos

    Article updated on July 13, 2024 at 8:00 PM PDT

    Amazon Prime Day Live Blog: The Top 111 Deals We've Discovered So Far

    There are still three days left until Prime Day kicks off, but Amazon couldn't wait (and neither could we) to share these impressive, already-live deals.

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    With Amazon Prime Day set for July 16 and 17, there are only a few more sleeps until the main shopping event begins, but that hasn't stopped the retail giant from dropping prices across the board. There are dozens of early Prime Day sales, with new deals constantly being added. And of course other retail giants can't be left out. Competitors like Target and Walmart are slashing prices on many of their items as well. With so many deals to be had, it can get confusing as to who's offering what. Lucky for you, our team of shopping experts is ready to use their skills around the clock to help you find the best deals without all the scrolling and guesswork. 

    There are major savings on everything from smart home tech and everyday essentials to headphones and so many other items. And for the budget-conscious, we've organized a lot of our findings so you can shop for goodies under $100 and even as low as $10 or less. The best place to find the real Prime Day deals is right here. We'll constantly update this collection with great products that are actually on sale and not just cleverly marked up and back down. So stick with CNET and make the most of this shopping event. 

    Our absolute favorite Prime Day deals

    2024-07-14T02:52:41.193Z

    When it comes to wallet-friendly earbud options, AirPods are our favorite to recommend. The audio quality is solid, but the real fun is all the features. These will seamlessly pair to all of your Apple gadgets, and the touch controls on each Pod make them super convenient to use anywhere. And for only $80, these second-gen AirPods are available at a staggering 47% off until they sell out. 

    Details

    Read our Apple AirPods 2019 review.

    Amazon's own Echo Pop is a great, small smart speaker with Amazon Alexa built in so you can stream music, catch the news or weather and control your smart home. And this free bulb is a great way to kick off smart lighting or expand an existing Matter system. This deal is exclusive to Amazon Prime members.

    Details

    This handheld massager uses percussion to target pain and offer relief to sore muscles. And right now its at the lowest price we've ever seen.

    Amazon's Kindle Scribe currently sits on our list of best e-readers, and you can get it for less during the Prime Day event. "It's the best jumbo e-reader you can draw on," according to CNET's David Carnoy.

    Details
    Save $110

    The soon-to-be-released Galaxy Z Flip 6 can be preordered now with a $320 discount, just keep in mind you won't receive the phone until after the July 24 release date. Not only do you get the unlocked model at a discount, you'll also get a $200 Amazon gift card. 

    You can learn more about this latest design in our comparison of specs between the new Z Flip 6 and the Galaxy Z Fold 6

    Details

    Prime Day headphone deals

    2024-07-14T01:54:21.002Z
    Apple/CNET

    If it's personal audio that you're interested in and you'd like to save some money on your new headphones or earbuds, these are the deals for you. These discounts aren't likely to hang around for long though. But if you want a comprehensive list of our favorite Prime Day headphone deals, we're working hard around the clock to round those up too.

    Prime Day tech deals

    2024-07-14T02:24:07.791Z
    Samsung/CNET

    Whether it's a new tablet or a way to smarten up that old TV, Amazon Prime Day is always a good bet for those who want to get some new tech. The deals are already flowing and these are some of the best we've found to date. If you want more Prime Day tech finds, check our our hubs on the best Apple, gaming, and monitor deals.

    Prime Day TV deals

    2024-07-14T01:18:26.338Z
    Amazon/CNET

    Amazon Prime Day could be the perfect time to ditch that old and busted TV and upgrade to something a little more befitting the latest must-binge TV show. If none of these are working for you, check out our full list on the best Prime Day TV deals

    Prime Day laptop deals

    2024-07-14T01:14:35.215Z
    Apple/CNET

    There are so many great laptops available today that it's very difficult to buy a bad one, but it never hurts when you also manage to pick one up at a discount as well. For more amazing savings on laptops, take a look at our hub of the hottest Prime Day laptop deals live now.

    Prime Day smart home deals

    2024-07-14T00:42:27.406Z
    CNET/Amazon

    Smart lights, security cameras and so much more makes the world of smart home and technology more exciting than ever. Setting up a smart home can be costly, but these deals certainly help lighten the load. If you want to make your home the smartest one on the block. check out more Prime Day Amazon device deals to see what else you can add to your home. 

    Prime Day home and kitchen deals

    2024-07-14T00:50:58.831Z
    Ninja/CNET

    Whether you're looking to replace your old kitchen blender or upgrade your cleaning tools in your home there are many deivces, and more importantly deals, that can help you out. If none of these speak to you, check out the whole list we created of the best Prime Day deals under $100, which we will obviously keep updated regularly. 

    When is Amazon Prime Day?

    Just about ever year, Prime Day happens mid-July. The tradition is continuing this year as well. The official Prime Day deals begin on July 16 and continue through July 17. This year is 10th anniversary of the Prime Day sale. We still have a few days to go until the sale officially kicks off but the deals are already coming in super hot. 

    What is Amazon Prime Day?

    Prime Day is Amazon's annual shopping event that has exclusive deals for Prime members. If you're not a Prime member there still may be a few deals for you, but members get the best of the best deals on this day. If you're not a member yet don't worry, there's still time to sign up, possibly even for free. There will be deals in just about every category possible. This includes tech, home, kitchen, toys and more. Your favorite brands love to celebrate this unofficial holiday such as Apple, Roku, and more. 

    How do I find the best deals during Prime Day?

    With so many deals coming out left and right in honor of Prime Day, it can get difficult trying to chose which deals to run for and which ones to pass on. A few things to remember are to keep an open mind, grab what you want before it sells out, and don't be scared to branch out to other retailers. Competitors such as Best Buy and Walmart are trying to keep up with Amazon and are dropping some pretty great discounts as well. 

    And most importantly, keep tabs on us. We have many different hubs for different types of deals. We update all of these hubs regularly, saving you the time and effort of digging through thousands of deals. Some of our hubs include the best Prime Day deals on headphones, TVs, Amazon devices, laptops, and even graphics cards. Plus so much more. And for the budget-savvy shopper, we have hubs for Prime Day deals under $50, under $25, and even under $10, helping you save some really big coin. Check out all of our Prime Day content so you don't miss anything.