Of all the news trickling out of Mobile World Congress this year, the most interesting products were either foldables or rollables. It’s a showcase of a lot of eye-catching phones and devices that often don’t make it to America, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look on in envy or use this as a possible preview of the technology that will shape future phones in the US.

One of the first foldables we saw out of MWC was Oppo’s Find N2 Flip. This thing is basically the Chinese company’s version of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4, except its external screen is in portrait instead of landscape orientation. It’s currently the largest cover screen on a flip-style foldable, at 3.26 inches. This makes the Find N2 Flip easier to use when framing up selfies with the device closed and, thanks to its size, allows for more lines of messages to be read.

Oddly, though, the home screen here doesn’t take advantage of the larger canvas and its clock widget actually uses a smaller font than the Galaxy Z Flip 4. The company did take pains to emphasize that the crease on the Find N2 Flip’s screen is 65 percent less visible than the last generation. According to Engadget UK Bureau Chief Mat Smith, though, you can still see the little wrinkle, so … [[shrug]]

For those of us in the US, this comparison is more of a theoretical exercise since the Oppo phone won’t be available stateside, retailing only in Europe and China. If you still want more details on this device, make sure to check out Mat’s hands-on.

This week, we also learned that Honor’s Magic VS is coming to more parts of the world. Specifically, it’ll be coming to Europe for 1,599 Euros, or about $1,690. This is the first time since we saw a prototype in December that the company is sharing availability info outside of China.

The Magic VS is similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4, which is to say that it is a regular-sized smartphone that opens up to become a roughly 8-inch tablet. It’s not a brand new product at MWC, but it’s nice to see more information about more foldable phones giving Samsung some competition in the space.

It’s not just Oppo and Honor ramping up the competition, either. Relatively lesser known phone maker Tecno showed up at MWC with the Phantom V Fold — a more affordable foldable with fairly impressive specs. The Phantom V Fold has a 7.85-inch screen on the inside with the company touting a “virtually crease-free” display like Oppo did. 

Senior editor Richard Lai said that at the right angle, the wrinkle is certainly not obvious and it’s better than Samsung’s, but he added that it’s still not as subtle as the Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold 2. On the outside, the Phantom has a 6.42-inch Full HD panel, as well as a round camera hump housing a triple-sensor imaging system. The main and telephoto cameras are 50-megapixels, while the ultra-wide setup is 13MP. There’s also a pair of punch-hole cameras on the two screens.

Richard Lai/Engadget

The Phantom V Fold is powered by the same MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ processor as the one in the Oppo Find N2 Flip, and for the base model that comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, the company is charging $1,099. Compared to the Samsung and Oppo versions of tablet-sized foldables, that’s hundreds of dollars less. But again, as with so many products that were announced at MWC this year, the Phantom V Fold will not be coming to the US. It’ll be available to those in India, Latin America and parts of Africa where Tecno is typically active.

The fact that we’re reaching a point where foldables are starting to get relatively affordable means, unfortunately, that they’re about to become common. And therefore, they’re going to be passe. So 2022. In 2023, the hot buzzword is rollables. At least, based on the concept devices Lenovo and Motorola brought to MWC.

Lenovo showed off a laptop with a screen that extends upwards and away from the keyboard, and the prototype itself appeared impressively thin and sturdy. Meanwhile, Motorola brought back its Rizr concept device and this second version has a 5-inch display that rolls out to hit 6.5 inches when you need a larger canvas for video or a long Best of Redditor Updates post. The device that was shown off in Barcelona appeared to work, but multiple outlets like ArsTechnica and Techcrunch expressed reservations about build quality so… Don’t be surprised if this format never comes to market.

It’s not like Motorola and Lenovo are the first companies to try rolling screens, by the way. Far from it. LG and TCL have made various prototypes showcasing different form factors with flexible, sliding and rolling screens. In fact, LG’s first rolling screens prototypes showed up as far back as CES 2014. It’s clear manufacturers know smartphones have gotten good enough that people don’t want to buy a new one every year or two, and are trying to find a new shape that will entice shoppers this decade. The current camera and software race between Apple, Google and Samsung is starting to induce yawns, and the new features they are adding aren’t particularly exciting.

Xiaomi

Other phone makers have spent the last few years focusing on battery and charging tech, and we saw some of that at MWC this year too. Xiaomi showed off a demo of 300-watt charging that could fully charge a device in just 5 minutes. Meanwhile, Realme shared global release information about its GT3, which is compatible with 240W charging and can get completely juiced in just under 10 minutes. OnePlus also showcased a concept phone with a liquid cooling system that would allow improved performance and charging times. With the drops in temperature that this should bring, OnePlus could deliver boosts to games by three to four frames per second, as well as saving 30 to 45 seconds of charging time.

Besides new formats and battery tech, we also saw companies focus on sustainability and repairability. The Nokia G22, for example, is the result of a collaboration between parent company HMD and iFixit, and follows in the footsteps of Apple, Google and Samsung in offering official repair guides and parts. As Right to Repair bills and laws get passed in multiple states in the US and elsewhere in the world, this looks to be a growing trend in mobile phones that can help us be more environmentally conscious.

There was plenty of other news out of the show, including Xiaomi’s new concept AR glasses, and you can get all the details here.

A wireless charging stand or pad makes life a little easier. You don’t have to fumble with a cable at the end of a long day, and you’re less likely to trip over wires. But finding a truly good charger isn’t as simple as looking for the model with the best spec sheet. We’ll let you know what to look for when shopping for a single-device charger, and recommend some good models that are worth your attention.

What to look for in a wireless charger

It’s tempting to buy a wireless charging pad optimized for the size and features of the phone you have right now. Resist that urge — this is an accessory you’ll probably have for years, and you don’t want to replace it every time you buy a new handset. Instead, think about the phones you’re likely to use down the road. If you’re sure you’ll use iPhones for a long time, a MagSafe charger will be faster and more convenient. If you use Android or think you might switch sides, however, you’ll want a more universal design.

You’ll also want something that accepts a variety of device sizes. Certain wireless charging stands don’t work well with the iPhone 13 mini or other particularly small phones, for instance. If you think you may change phone sizes at some point, a pad charger is a wiser choice. With that said, you’ll still want to pay attention to any potentially limiting design features, such as prominent cradles and lips.

Also, consider wireless chargers with modular components. While you’ll have to invest exclusively in one company’s ecosystem, this gives you room to grow as your device needs change. You can add a charger for a second phone or smartwatch, and some systems even offer modular batteries to supply power on the go. Just be sure to look at a multi-device charger if there’s a very good chance you’ll expand your setup in the future.

Where and how will you use your charger?

Pontus Wellgraf on Unsplash

Odds are that you have a specific use case in mind for your charger. You may want it by your bedside for quick access in the morning, or on your desk for at-a-glance notifications. You might even keep it in your bag for convenient travel charging. If you intend to place your charger on a nightstand, you’ll usually want a pad. With a stand, even a dim always-on display can prove distracting when you’re trying to sleep. You may also want a wireless charging pad if your phone will sit on a low table, as it might be easier to grab in a rush. Look at compact models if space is tight.

On your desk, you may prefer a stand to quickly glance at alerts or make video calls. Want something more travel-friendly? A puck or similarly minimalist design is typically best. You may also want a charger with a battery (either modular or built-in) for camping or whenever an outlet isn’t nearby.

Performance matters, to a point

Although wireless charging is usually slower than its wired equivalent, speed is still an important consideration. A fast charger can supply enough power for a long night out in the time it takes to change outfits.

In general, a 15W charger is more than quick enough for most situations, and you’ll need a MagSafe charger to extract that level of performance from an iPhone. With that said, even the slower 7.5W and 10W chargers are fast enough for an overnight power-up. If anything, you’ll want to worry more about support for cases. While many models can deliver power through a reasonably thick case (typically 3mm to 5mm), you’ll occasionally run into examples that only work with naked phones.

There are some proprietary chargers that smash the 15W barrier if you have the right phone. Google’s second-generation Pixel Stand, for example, delivers up to 23W for a Pixel 6 Pro or Pixel 7 Pro. Optimized designs like this can make sense if you’re loyal to one brand. Be sure to get a charger that still works well with other manufacturers’ phones, though, as you don’t want to replace your accessory (or endure sluggish speeds) if you switch brands.

Quality, box contents and the little details

Michael Soledad on Unsplash

Once you’ve chosen the form factor and performance levels that meet your needs, you’ll want to consider the fit and finish. You’re likely going to use your wireless charger every day, so even small differences in quality could make the difference between joy and frustration.

If your charger doesn’t use MagSafe, textured surfaces like fabric or rubberized plastic are more likely to keep your phone in place. The base should be grippy or weighty enough that the charger won’t slide around. If you’re buying a stand, check that it won’t tip over or wobble.

Pay attention to what’s included in the box. Some models don’t include power adapters, and may even ask you to reuse your phone’s USB cable. What may seem to be a bargain may prove expensive if you have to buy extras just to use it. Also, some cables and chargers are better than others. A USB-C charger is more future-proof, while braided cables may be less likely to break or tangle.

You’ll also want to think about the minor conveniences. Status lights are useful for indicating correct phone placement, but an overly bright light can be distracting. Ideally, the light dims or shuts off after a certain period of time. And while we caution against lips and trays that limit compatibility, you may still want some barriers to prevent your device falling off its perch.

By now, you should know what to look for. While it would be impossible for us to test every charger, we’ve tried numerous models and have some favorites.

Best overall wireless charging pad: Otterbox OtterSpot Wireless Charging System

There’s no shortage of portable wireless chargers, but it’s rare that you can find one which is as well-suited to your desk as it is your bag. The Otterbox OtterSpot system is our top pick precisely because it’s so versatile. The base unit is stable, includes a power adapter and accommodates a wide range of phone sizes. But it really shines when you want to leave home. You can buy as many as three 5,000mAh portable batteries that optionally stack on top of the base to recharge, and serve as completely wireless chargers on the go. Those batteries can power wired devices through USB-C, too.

This isn’t the fastest charger given its 10W output, and the base alone is normally expensive at $55 (though it’s down to $38 as we write this). If you want a station you really can use everywhere, though, the OtterSpot is an obvious choice that can grow along with your needs.

Runner up wireless charging pad: Belkin BoostCharge Pro Portable Wireless Charger Pad

It’s easy to find wireless charging pucks that are fast or portable, but rarely both — and certainly not as well-considered as Belkin’s BoostCharge Pro Portable Wireless Charger Pad. Its extremely compact design not only offers 15W MagSafe charging (plus Qi charging when flat), but includes a kickstand that lets you watch videos while you power up. Add a long 6.6ft braided cable and this is an ideal charger whether you’re traveling or catching up on TV shows.

The emphasis on MagSafe may make the BoostCharge less appealing if you’re an Android user. It’s a definite step up from Apple’s more affordable but simpler MagSafe Charger, however. And importantly, you have the choice of buying Belkin’s accessory with ($80) or without ($60) a power adapter.

Best budget wireless charging pad: Anker 315 Wireless Charger

If you just need the basics, Anker’s 315 Wireless Charger offers significant value from a well-known name. It tops out at 10W (7.5W for iPhones), doesn’t include a power adapter and relies on a microUSB cable, but it also costs only $15. Even if you have to buy an adapter, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better deal.

Best overall wireless charging stand: Belkin BoostCharge 15W Wireless Charging Stand

There’s fierce competition in the wireless charging stand space, and it’s easy to get a good 15W charger if you’re willing to pay. Belkin, however, is one of the few that promises truly solid value. Its $45 BoostCharge 15W Wireless Charging Stand costs less than some alternatives while including a power adapter in the box. The lip at the bottom will keep your phone stable, and dual coils let you charge while watching a video in landscape mode.

There’s no MagSafe or other device-specific charging optimizations on this one. And like many wireless charging stands, this doesn’t officially support the iPhone 13 mini and similarly small handsets. But there’s otherwise little to complain about here — this is a no-nonsense power solution at a good price.

Runner-up wireless charging stand: Spigen ArcField PF2102

There aren’t many great options for wireless chargers that use Samsung’s fast power delivery technology, particularly if you want a stand. Thankfully, Spigen’s ArcField PF2102 is up to the job. It delivers 15W to all Galaxy phones that support Super Fast Wireless Charging, and it’s a well-made (if unspectacular) perch that prevents your device from sliding around. The universal form factor works with other phone brands, too.

You’ll want to shop carefully. Some versions don’t include a power adapter, and some stores sell for less than the official $80. If you can score a good deal, though, this is an ideal way to charge your Galaxy device while providing a clear view of the always-on display.

Best budget wireless charging stand: Anker 313 Wireless Charger

Anker’s strong value in pad chargers also applies to stands. The 313 Wireless Charger tops out at 10W (5W for iPhones), doesn’t include a power brick and uses a microUSB cable, but it’s also $20. You can buy an adapter and still undercut the price of some equally competent alternatives. It can charge while your phone is in landscape orientation, too. You might want to look at competing products if they cost under $40 with an adapter included, but the 313 is otherwise difficult to top.

Apple is keeping up its recent tradition of adding new iPhone colors in the spring. The company has introduced yellow versions of the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus — sorry, no Pro equivalent this year. They're identical in functionality and price to other hues, of course ($799 and $899 respectively), but don't be surprised if you start humming tunes about yellow submarines or bananaphones.

Customers in over 60 countries (including the US, UK and Canada) can pre-order the yellow iPhone 14 family starting on March 10th at 8AM Eastern. The new versions will be available on March 14th alongside new silicone case colors that include a canary yellow.

This certainly isn't the first time Apple has offered the iPhone in this color. The iPhone 5c had a particularly bright yellow option, and you could buy the iPhone 11 in a paler shade. However, the modern iPhone design hasn't been available in that color at all until now — you've had to be content with mostly subdued tones outside of Product Red models.

The strategy behind this isn't surprising. A new color theoretically boosts iPhone sales in the middle of the product cycle. It also gives the company an excuse to update Apple Watch bands for the spring. Still, you might not mind if you're in the market for a phone and want something livelier than the monochromatic options that define the landscape.

Amazon has kicked off another round of discounts for its Fire tablet lineup, with both standard and Kids models on sale. The highlight of the bunch is a deal that brings the latest Fire HD 8 down to $60. That's $5 more than the all-time low we saw over the holiday season, but still about $25 off the eight-inch tablet's typical street price since it arrived last September and $40 off Amazon's MSRP. 

Fire tablets as a whole have had the same drawbacks for many years now: They don't come with access to the Google Play Store or official Google apps by default, their hardware is neither as fast nor as nice-feeling as a good iPad, and the non-Kids models come with lock screen ads unless you pay extra. They make up for that, however, by being extremely affordable, and offering just enough performance to get by if all you need is a larger screen for reading, streaming video and casually browsing the web.

The Fire HD 8 is likely the cheapest acceptable tablet for most people. It's made of plastic, and its 1,280 x 800 resolution display isn't as sharp as a full 1080p screen. Still, it's durable, its battery should last more than 10 hours on a charge, it charges over USB-C and you can expand its 32GB of storage up to 1TB with a microSD card. While it won't feel fast, it's serviceable if you stick to the basics, and its display gets bright enough. As with all Fire tablets, you'll get more out of it if you already subscribe to Amazon Prime and use services like Prime Video, Audible or the Kindle app. It's not a great value at full price, but its shortcomings should be easier to accept at this deal price.

Elsewhere in the sale, the Kids and Kids Pro versions of the Fire HD 8 are each down to $100. That's $20 more than their all-time lows but still roughly $30 off their average street price. These get you the same hardware as the standard model, but with a large protective case (the Pro's is a bit slimmer), a more kid-friendly UI activated by default, a two-year warranty and a one-year subscription to Amazon's Kids+ content service. Several Fire HD 10 tablets are also discounted, with the base model down to $120. That's not a great deal — we've seen the device fall under $100 many times before — but the slate itself is faster and offers a bigger 10.1-inch display with a sharper 1,920 x 1,200 resolution.

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Anker's charging accessories are of higher quality than most third-party products, but they also tend to be more costly. Now, you can now grab a number of Anker chargers, cables and more at Amazon with discounts up to 48 percent. Some of the more interesting deals include the 24,000 mAh capacity 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K) priced at $100 (33 percent off), the 47W Nano 3 charger at $30 (25 percent off), the 20,000mAh PowerCore Essential 20K PD battery charger for $48 (20 percent off) and MFi certified USB-C to Lightning cables at a 39 percent discount. 

The Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K) offers a lot of battery power for $100. With 24,000mAh of capacity and 140W of output, it can juice up an iPhone 14 almost 5 times or a 2021 iPad Pro 12.9" 1.3 times. At the same time, it comes with a digital display that shows the output and input power and estimated time for the portable charger to fully recharge. And you can connect multiple devices at once, as it has a pair of USB-C ports along with a USB-A input.

If you don't need that much power, Anker's 525 Power Bank (PowerCore Essential 20K PD) comes with 20,000mAh of capacity and 20W of output, enough to get an iPhone 12 to 50 percent in just a half hour. Plus, it has a second 18W port for another device. In terms of capacity, you can charge an iPhone 13 up to five times and an iPad Mini 2.5 times. 

If it's a small but powerful charger you need, Anker's compact 47W 523 Nano 3 smartphone/tablet charger is on sale for $30 (25 percent off), giving you a quick charger at an excellent price. And if you need a new cable to connect your iPhone, the company's 6-foot Powerline+ MFi certified charging cord is available at just $20 in a two-pack, netting you 39 percent in savings. A number of other products are on sale too, so check them all out here. 

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Somehow, it's Friday again (I'm pretty sure someone added an extra Monday to this week) and Friday means it's time for our weekly roundup of the best tech deals we could find. Apple discounts were the most abundant, with sales on the second-gen Apple Pencil, Apple Watch 8 and Apple Watch Ultra, iPad mini, and the MagSafe power bank. All have dropped down to or near their all-time lows. If you're an Android user and considering the latest flagship from Samsung, you may want to check out Amazon's gift card bundle with Galaxy S23 smartphones. Anyone who could use a little help keeping their floors clean might want to take a look at iRobot's Roomba 694. It's our pick for the most affordable ways to enter the robo-vac market and it back down to its lowest price. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today.

iRobot Roomba 694

We've tested quite a few robot vacuums over the years and our current favorite budget pick is iRobot's Roomba 694. This week, it dropped back to its all-time low price of $179, which is $95 off and a great price for a solidly performing vac that will do a good job of keeping your floors clean without much effort on your part. It's part of a wider sale on Roombas both at Amazon and on iRobot's site, with discounts of up to 35 percent. Also part of the sale is the best premium robot vacuum we've tested, the self-emptying Roomba s9+. Usually $999, the sale knocks $200 off, making it a little more affordable. We also tried and liked the Roomba Combo j7+ which combines mop and vacuum functions. The sale brings that one down to $849, which isn't cheap, but considerably better than its $1,099 list price.

Samsung S23 Ultra and Amazon gift card

Amazon is offering a $100 gift card for those who buy an unlocked Galaxy S23, S23+ or S23 Ultra on their site. It's not the $140 discount we saw last week, but $100 might make a difference to someone who's still on the fence about picking up one of Samsung's latest flagships. We gave the S23 Ultra a review score of 89 and liked the bright display, powerful performance from the custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip that makes everything smooth and speedy. The massive 200MP sensor camera Samsung added was the big news upon the phone's debut, though it takes some tinkering to get the most out of those extra pixels. The battery lasted an impressive 19 hours and 26 minutes and it's got a great build. One caveat we mention is the high price tag. But perhaps Amazon's gift card offer will ease up on that drawback a little. 

Eargo 7 Micro Hearing Aid

If you're looking for FDA-approved, self-fitting hearing aids that are pretty close to invisible, you may like this deal on the new Eargo 7 hearing aid. They're on sale for $360 off the usual price, bringing the $2,950 devices down to $2,590. When we wrote about Eargo last year, we said the brand acts "more like a technology company instead of a stuffy medical-device provider" and that's partly due to its annual release cycle — like you get with Samsung or Apple — that continually improves upon the technology with each new version of a product. This week, our editor James Trew checked out the latest release from Eargo and called the Eargo 7 the best model to date.

Apart from a few set-up snags within the app and the fact that the case deep sleeps when it needs a charge (even if the hearing aids are full), the experience with the devices was smooth sailing. These are CIC or in-canal hearing aids, which tend to be fairly unobvious when you wear them and they're even rated to handle sweat from workouts or minor splashes in the shower. Trew likes how they adequately amplify sound but don't emphasize sharp noises like keys. The battery lasts all day and the customer service is pretty great — important for a medical device that you buy direct from a company, instead of going through an audiologist.

Apple M2 Mac mini

This week, Apple's new M2 Mac mini dropped to its lowest price since its debut earlier this year with the entry level models for $50 off the list price. B&H Photo is applying the discount to the 256GB mini M2 and the 512GB mini M2, both with 8GB of RAM, bringing the tiny but mighty computers down to $549 and $749, respectively. If you'd rather pick them up from Amazon, both the 256GB model and the larger 512GB configuration are $50 off there too. The Mac minis with the M2 Pro chip aren't seeing the same discount, though Amazon is listing those $10 below Apple's suggested price.

The new Mac mini packs Apple's new M2 chip, which you'll also find in iPad Pros and the latest MacBook Pros. Both discounted models have eight CPU cores, 10 graphics cores, 8GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage. As for ports, you get two Thunderbolt 4 UCB-C ports, an HDMI port with 4K output at 240Hz and 8K at 60Hz, two USB-A ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a gigabit Ethernet port.

Apple iPad Mini

The iPad mini is super portable, and now it's a little more affordable with a 20 percent discount on the 64GB model. That brings it down to $400 instead of its usual $499 and matches the lowest price the diminutive slab has ever gone for. If you want the higher capacity 256GB model, that's getting a 15 percent discount, bringing it down to $550, which is also $99 off. The deals apply to the gray, starlight and purple colors, though it looks like pink is only available on the 64GB configuration. We gave the mini an 89 in our review, noting that it received a significant redesign over its predecessors, adding iPad Air-style features like a Liquid Retina all-screen design, USB-C charging, a Touch-ID button and support for the new Apple Pencil. 

Apple Watch Series 8

We think the Apple Watch Series 8 is the best overall smartwatch and right now you can snag the 41mm Product Red version for just $329, which is $70 off the usual price. If you don't mind the color red, you're set. If the hue's not your speed, keep in mind that the bands are swappable, though they're not particularly cheap and the case will remain red. It's still a great watch with excellent health and fitness features, including EKG tests and crash detection. It also has solid GPS tracking and great integration with iPhone apps. Yes, it's only for those who carry iPhones. If you're an Android user, we recommend Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5. The Bluetooth 40mm model is still on sale from last week, down to $220 instead of its usual $280, which is an all-time low for the wearable.  

Apple Watch Ultra

Apple's burliest smartwatch dropped to $749 a couple weeks ago, and now the Apple Watch Ultra is $50 off once again at Amazon. We gave it an 85 on our review, praising the bright screen, extra long, three-day battery life and the impressive array of health tracking, fitness and GPS functions. Even with a $50 discount, it's not a cheap watch, and probably best suited to die-hard adventurers and athletes. 

Apple Pencil (2nd generation)

The second generation Apple Pencil had returned to the all-time low it hit during the shopping holidays at the end of last year. Usually $129, a 31 percent discount brings the stylus down to just $89. It's one of our favorite accessories for iPads and comes with a number of improvements over the first generation, including wireless charging that magnetically attaches to your compatible iPad. The second-gen Pencil only works with newer versions of iPad Air, iPad mini, or iPad Pro — the standard iPad still supports the first-gen stylus. If that's the iPad you have, you can grab the first-gen Pencil from Amazon for a $20 discount today. 

Apple MagSafe Battery Pack

Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack is currently 20 percent off at Amazon, bringing the charge-anywhere power bank down to $79. That's not the lowest it's ever gone, but it's only $8 higher that its all-time low of $71. The power bank is small and compact, firmly attaching to the back of your iPhone (model 12 and newer) as long as your case isn't too thick. In our tests, it delivered a 43 percent charge to an iPhone 14 Plus — you'll get a smaller or larger charge depending on the model and size of your phone. While it didn't win as the best MagSafe charger, it is well designed and remarkably compact. Our top pick for a MagSafe battery pack, Spigen's ArcHybrid goes for $60, but right now Amazon is offering a coupon for 35 percent off. Just check the box on the product page to apply the discount. 

If you want to wirelessly charge your iPhone at your desk or bedside table, you may want the wired, Apple-made MagSafe charger. It's on sale for $31 or 21 percent off.   

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Apple’s MagSafe battery pack is a handy way to keep your iPhone topped up while you're on the go, and you can now pick one up on sale. The device has dropped to $79 at Amazon. It's not the lowest price we’ve seen for the battery pack — it briefly dipped to $71 at one point. Still, at 20 percent off, that's a solid deal given that it typically sells for between $85 and $91.

The MagSafe battery pack works with the iPhone 12 lineup as well as more recent handsets. It attaches magnetically to your phone for wireless charging, though you'll have to check whether it's compatible with your case if you use one. Once you attach the battery pack, it will automatically charge your iPhone. You'll be able to see the charge level on your lock screen. Depending on your iPhone model, Apple says the battery pack can boost the battery life by up to 70 percent.

For those willing to consider other options, it’s worth taking a peek at the ArcHybrid Mag from Spiegen. It's our pick for the best MagSafe-compatible power bank charger and it has the same 5000mAh capacity. However, it costs $60, making it significantly less expensive than Apple's own model. We found in our testing that the ArcHybrid Mag can charge an iPhone more quickly too.

Meanwhile, Apple's MagSafe wireless charger is also on sale. At $31, it's 21 percent off the usual price of $39. It's worth noting that this is a Qi-certified charger, so if you have an iPhone 8 or later, you can use it to recharge your device.

This is a good time to get an Apple Pencil if you plan to use your iPad for art or note-taking. Amazon is once more selling the second-generation Pencil for a record-low $89, or $40 off. That makes it an easy choice if you have a compatible tablet (more on that in a moment) and want a high-end stylus, even if you're considering potentially cheaper third-party alternatives.

The second-gen Pencil offers the most creative flexibility you'll find in an iPad pen, with low lag, double-tap tool controls and low lag. And importantly, it's one of the most convenient options. You'll need a relatively recent iPad Air, iPad mini or iPad Pro, but the magnetic charger on the side of those tablets gives you an easy way to stow your stylus while powering it. You don't have to think about cables, or buy a case with a pen slot.

Don't worry if you have the latest base iPad or an earlier model that doesn't support the second-gen Apple Pencil. Amazon is also selling the first-gen Pencil at an all-time low of $79, or $20 off. It's not as easy to charge (a USB-C adapter is included for the new iPad) and doesn't offer tap control, but it's still one of the best options for drawing and handwriting on supported tablets.

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If you're looking to buy a small tablet you can carry with you everywhere, the 64GB Apple iPad Mini is back to its all-time low price of $400 at Amazon. That's $99, or 20 percent, less than what you'd pay if you buy directly from Apple and $69 lower than its list price at Amazon over the past few days. The pink, purple and space gray variants are all discounted at the moment, so you have quite a few options to choose from. And if you need more storage, you can also get the 256GB iPad Mini for $550. While that's not quite the lowest price we've seen for the model on the website, that's still $99 less than its retail price. 

In our review, we said the tablet was really more of an iPad Air Mini, because Apple gave it an "all-screen" Liquid Retina design, a TouchID-capable top button, a USB-C port for charging and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil. It was a significant redesign for the tablet, which stayed mostly the same its previous iterations. The fact that it has USB-C for charging and that it works with the second-gen Apple Pencil also means you can use your accessories with it if you have already another iPad that supports them. 

In addition, we praised the iPad Mini for having a 12-megapixel ultra wide front camera with Center Stage. That allows the camera to automatically zoom and pan to follow you around during video calls, so the person on the other end can still see you while you're moving. Overall, we found the device's performance to be solid and even called it the best small tablet available when it was released in 2021. It's been a while since then, but the device remains a great option even if it's not as powerful as the iPad Air and the iPad Pro.

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LastPass posted an update on its investigation regarding a couple of security incidents last year, and they sound worse than we thought. The hackers infiltrated a company DevOps engineer's home computer by exploiting a third-party media software package. They implanted a keylogger into the software and captured the engineer's master password for an account with access to the LastPass corporate vault. After they got in, they exported the vault's entries and shared folders with decryption keys. The company insisted all sensitive customer vault data, aside from some exceptions, "can only be decrypted with a unique encryption key derived from each user's master password." The company added it doesn't store users' master passwords.

– Mat Smith

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Samsung Galaxy S23+ review

A solid phone that’s probably not worth the upgrade.

We’ve already reviewed the Galaxy S23 Ultra which, thanks to a large screen, onboard S-Pen and 200-megapixel camera, is aggressively targeted at power users. For everyone else looking to get a new Android phone, there’s the Galaxy S23+ or the S23. We tested the plus model and were impressed by the battery life, screen and, well, all the areas Samsung typically delivers on. But with few meaningful changes, the S23+ isn’t a hugely worthy upgrade if you’re using an S22 or S21.

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Bing AI is coming to the Windows 11 taskbar, of course

That didn't take long.

Three weeks after introducing the new AI-infused Bing, Microsoft is ready to shove it into a Windows 11 update today. If you're in the Bing AI preview, you'll be able to access all of its new features from the search box in the Windows 11 taskbar. Just imagine a slightly more streamlined version of what we saw with the Bing AI on Edge: In addition to general web searching, you can ask Bing natural language queries, and its intelligent chatbot will reply conversationally.

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Xiaomi's 300W demo fully charges a phone in 5 minutes

It's with a slightly smaller battery, but impressive nonetheless.

Realme’s 240W phone charging tech was big news last month. Given it's MWC week, today Xiaomi has swiftly responded with a whopping 300W demo, which brought the charging time down to a little under five minutes. The charger is the same size as the 200W equivalent. The phone reached 20 percent in a little over one minute and hit 50 percent in two minutes 12 seconds.

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OnePlus will launch its first foldable smartphone later this year

It promises to release more details in the coming months.

As well as revealing its latest experimental phone, which it envisions to have liquid cooling capabilities, OnePlus announced it’ll launch its first foldable smartphone in the second half of 2023. In the background at the OnePlus 11 event earlier this month, the company teased a mysterious Q3 2023 launch with what seemed to be silhouettes of devices that fold, but it fell short of saying what exactly they would be.

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FTX co-founder Nishad Singh pleads guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges

Singh has agreed to cooperate with the case against Sam Bankman-Fried.

Nishad Singh, a co-founder of collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, has pleaded guilty to US federal fraud and conspiracy charges. Singh, who was FTX's director of engineering, is the third member of Sam Bankman-Fried's inner circle to agree to cooperate with prosecutors in the case against him. Singh admitted to making illegal donations to political candidates and PACs under his name using funds from Alameda Research (FTX's sibling hedge fund and crypto trading firm).

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Elden Ring's first expansion is called Shadow of the Erdtree

FromSoftware says it's already in the works.

FromSoftware

Developer FromSoftware has confirmed the rumors circulating since earlier this year: Elden Ring is getting a big chunk of DLC. In an announcement posted on the game's Twitter account, the Japanese developer said an upcoming expansion entitled Shadow of the Erdtree is currently in development.

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