Latest news with #SarahTew
CNET
5 days ago
- CNET
What's the Right Way to Clean Your TV Screen Without Damage?
CNET Your TV screen might look fine at a glance, but fingerprints, dust and smudges build up faster than you think. And if you're wiping it down with the wrong products-like paper towels or household glass cleaners-you could be doing more harm than good. Harsh chemicals and abrasive materials can damage the screen's protective coating, leave behind streaks or even affect long-term performance. To keep your screen looking crystal clear, it's important to use the right tools and techniques. A microfiber cloth, a small amount of distilled water or a screen-safe cleaner, and a light touch are all you need. Whether you're tidying up for movie night or just tackling your regular cleaning routine, here's how to safely clean your TV without risking damage. So when it's time to remove fingerprints, smudges, or other impurities from your TV, you know exactly what to do. Gently wiping with a soft, dry cloth is the best way to clean a TV screen. Sarah Tew/CNET Want the longer version? Here's what the top TV manufacturers say about cleaning their screens: LG: Cleaning your 4K, OLED, or LED TV screen with a soft, dry cloth is recommended. The goal here is to avoid scratching the screen. Gentle, circular motions tend to give better results, since the circular motion hits each area from several angles in a single swipe. Caution: Chemicals such as alcohol, thinners, or benzene should be strictly avoided, as they may damage the protective film covering the panel. Caution: Don't spray water or other liquids directly on the TV, as electric shock could occur. Samsung: Turn the TV off and let it cool down for a few minutes before unplugging it. To clean the frame and screen, gently wipe it with a microfiber cleaning cloth If you don't see results, spray distilled water onto your microfiber cleaning cloth and gently wipe the frame and screen. Let the TV dry completely before you plug the TV back in. Important: Never use any type of window cleaner, soap, scouring powder, wax, or any cleanser with solvents such as alcohol, benzene, ammonia, or acetone. Never use abrasive pads or paper towels. If you do, you can scratch the screen or strip the anti-glare coating off the screen and cause permanent damage. Never spray water directly onto the TV. Make sure to wipe the TV as gently as possible. TV screens are fragile and can be damaged when pressed too hard. Sony: Gently wipe the screen or the exterior with a dry, soft cloth, such as an eyeglass cleaner. For inks from oil markers on the screen, soak a cloth in a non-soap synthetic cleanser diluted (by less than 1% ) with water. Squeeze the cloth tightly to eliminate excess liquid, then wipe gently to remove the ink. Use non-soap cleansers cautiously because it may cause environmental problems when disposed improperly. Immediately afterwards, gently wipe the screen with a soft, dry cloth. Don't use detergent with abrasives such as a cleanser. The liquid crystal order may collapse if you apply pressure when wiping the TV screen and it may look like dirt. Turn the power off and then back on to recover from this condition. Blue gloves not included. Getty Images/brothers91 Should you use TV screen cleaners? So why not Windex? Regular Windex is formulated for glass windows, plus a few other surfaces. It contains ammonia and alcohol, not the friendliest of chemicals. S. C. Johnson doesn't explicitly say not to use Windex on TVs, but it offers Windex Electronics wipes and cleaners, so infer what you will. The better screen cleaners will clearly state that they do not contain alcohol or ammonia. At last count, I found a billion companies making TV screen cleaners. Almost all of these are something like 99 percent water, 1 percent other stuff. Years ago I tested a handful and found them, on average, to work well enough. If you don't have luck with a simple cloth and possibly distilled water, a screen cleaner is worth a try, and as a bonus you can also use it for your laptop, tablet and cell phone screens. Plus, they come with a microfiber cloth. If they don't clearly state they don't contain alcohol and ammonia, however, I would skip them. Generally speaking, though, don't use a cleaner unless you absolutely need to. Just use an ultrasoft cloth to gently wipe away any dust. Bottom line So yeah, cleaning your TV is a good idea. But just remember that they're exceptionally fragile. Why risk marring their surface by using cleaning methods the companies themselves don't advise? If you damage your screen with cleaners, you won't be able to fix it. My advice? Get a nice microfiber cloth (if your TV didn't come with one), and use that. If that doesn't fix your smudges, try a cloth moist with water. Don't press too hard. There's less than a millimeter between your finger and a broken TV. Screen cleaning kits are fine, though most people won't need them. Remember, like all TV accessories, the store is selling them because they probably make more profit on that $20 kit than on a $500 TV. Originally published in 2012. Updated with current information and links. In addition to covering audio and display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000-mile road trips and more. Also, check out Budget Travel for Dummies, his book, and his bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines. You can follow him on Instagram and YouTube. Avoid common cleaning mistakes that could harm your TV's display quality.
CNET
12-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
Don't Let These Last-Minute Prime Day Sales on Excellent SSD Storage Slip Away
Amazon Prime Day is hours from being over, but you can still take advantage of deals, and there's one collection that looks particularly cart-pleasing. SanDisk is offering a bunch of its flash storage options with discounts anywhere from 15% to 40%. You can see the full list here, but my favorite is the SanDisk Extreme Pro 2TB for $170, an upgraded model to the Extreme SSD we picked as the best external hard drive. It's down 38% today from its usual $273 list price. These SanDisk Extreme models have tough weather resistance ratings so photographers, GoPro fans and many others can take them along on adventures. When reviewing the similar Extreme model, CNET's David Carnoy said, "Sarah Tew, CNET's photographer here in New York, shoots tons of products for me. But rarely have I seen her as excited about a product as SanDisk's new Extreme Portable SSD." Carnoy praised the Extreme's IP55 rating (which this Pro model upgrades to IP65) and extra-speedy transfer speeds which he tested with his own work videos. If you're looking for something smaller and keychain-friendly for the office or study room, the Extreme Pro USB model is nearly 40% off as well, down to $90 with a chapstick design that fits easily in any pocket. Or if you were thinking more about internal storage, I've got a deal for that too: This massively powerful 8TB SanDisk WD_Black SSD is 40% off, saving you a whopping $340 on your next big PC upgrade, ideal for media centers or professionals who work with a lot of content. There are plenty other SanDisk deal too, from microSD cards to laptop plugins, all in one spot for this Prime Day Sale. SanDisk sales extend to internal upgrades, too. SanDisk Why these SanDisk deals are great SSD storage can be expensive, especially for the bigger upgrades, and it's rare to find so many discounts in one spot. There's a deal for every kind of user with SanDisk's well-known brand quality backing each of them up. Grab these deals while they are still there as the end of Amazon Prime Day counts down.
CNET
11-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
Your State May Be Sitting on a Stack of Cash That Belongs to You. Here's How To Check for Unclaimed Property
Your state may have money or unclaimed property that's yours. Sarah Tew/CNET You might have a stack of cash that your state is holding onto, waiting for you to claim it. Your closed accounts, insurance policies, refunds and more may be returned to an unused or closed account you had once before, and were eventually sent to the state for safekeeping. These types of funds are called unclaimed property, and a quick search can tell you if you have money waiting for you. According to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, the average unclaimed property is worth $1,154 and one in seven people has something waiting for them. There's a process to receive your unclaimed property, but it might not be nearly as difficult as you might think. In fact, every state has a dedicated website for you to search for unclaimed property. Below, we'll show you how to find unclaimed property that may belong to you and how to claim it. How do I search for unclaimed money or property in my state? You can learn whether a state is holding property for you using a property search tool from from National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators. Its map of the US provides links to every state's website for unclaimed property. It also includes links to property search tools for Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Washington, DC, and some Canadian provinces. Be sure to check each state, territory or district you've lived in to see if you have something to claim. And if you searched a while ago and didn't find anything, search again. "If you have searched for your name before and not found any unclaimed property, or found property in your name and claimed it, be sure to check back again as new properties are reported to the state annually," California State Controller Malia Cohen told CNET. In most cases, you'll be taken to a page where you can search directly for unclaimed property; in others, you may need to click through from a home page to the unclaimed property search page. You will usually only have to provide your last name to search for property, although adding your first name, location or address will help narrow the search. Two other free services -- and FindMyMoney -- offer built-in searches on their websites, but not for every state. lets you search 41 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Alberta, Canada, while FindMyMoney provides its own search tool for 28 states and Washington, DC. FindMyMoney links out to the state search engines for the other 23 states. Some states, such as Ohio, work with to let people search for property and file claims. Once the claim is filed with the state handles the communication, verification and eventual payment of the claim. I have unclaimed property that belongs to me. How do I claim it? There's no federal system for claiming your property -- the process will vary from state to state. And you do not need to be currently living in a state to claim your property, so check other places you've lived. Most states use a system similar to an online shopping service, where you add a property to claim, and then "check out" by providing information such as your current address and Social Security number to verify your identity and prove you're the rightful owner of the property. Once you file your claim, the state may contact you by email for any further information it needs to process the claim. Some states will allow you to provide supporting documentation online, while others require it to be filed by mail. Your state may keep a small amount -- in Kentucky, it's $1 for any property over $10 -- as a holding fee. Most states do not have a deadline for claiming property, though some may auction it off after a set period of time. If so, you will still usually have the right to claim its value from the state. How long does it take to get my money or property back? As with the process for claiming, the timing for receiving your property will vary from state to state. The California state controller, for example, says that simple claims involving cash can be resolved in 30 to 60 days. More complicated claims involving multiple heirs or businesses may take up to 180 days. Why would a state be holding onto my property anyway? After a specific "dormancy period" -- usually one to three years -- businesses will send money and property to state-run unclaimed property offices when they can't locate the owner. The state will then hold these items until their owner claims them. The property can be money in a savings or checking account, stocks, annuities, life insurance policies or the contents of safe deposit boxes, among many possible items. New York state currently has a whopping $18.4 billion in unclaimed property, and the state comptroller's office says it pays out $1.5 million per day. For more, find out why more people are applying for Social Security earlier.
CNET
09-07-2025
- CNET
Best Dyson Vacuum Cleaners of 2025: I Put the Best-Known Vacuum Brand to the Test
There are many key factors we look at when helping you decide on a Dyson vacuum. Here are some of the ones we use to weigh scoring. Sarah Tew/CNET Cordless vs. corded Cordless Dyson models (V-series, Gen5) prioritize portability for quick cleanups and multi-level homes but are limited by battery life. Generally, CNET only tests cordless vacuums in our testing lab, but that doesn't mean corded isn't the right choice. Our lab testing shows that most Dyson vacuums we recommend can last between 30-60 minutes on a single charge, depending on the mode you're using them on. In contrast, corded models like the Dyson Ball Animal 3 and Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead deliver uninterrupted, max-power cleaning for deep carpet sessions or large areas, though they sacrifice maneuverability and weigh significantly more when accounting for the canister. Cordless vacuums are a good option for apartments or spot cleaning, while corded ones are good for whole-home deep cleans. Battery life We touched on this earlier, but battery performance varies drastically by mode. Eco Mode (50–85 mins) handles light dusting on hard floors, Auto Mode (30–45 mins), available on some models, automatically adjusts suction to accommodate mixed surfaces. Boost Mode or Max Mode is the highest suction setting for major messes, but it'll drain the fastest (10-15 minutes). This makes it ideal for high-pile carpets or ground-in dirt. Models like the Gen5 Outsize include dual batteries, extending runtime to 140 minutes in Eco mode, but add significant weight at 8.6 pounds. Recharging also takes more than four hours after full depletion, so it's not the best option for a quick cleaning session. Suction Measured in Air Watts (AW) suction is a measure of how effectively the vacuum can remove dirt from various surfaces. While the Gen5 Detect's 262 AW excels on embedded carpet dirt, the V8's 115 AW suffices for small spaces or hard floors. The V11 is designed to handle pet hair without tangling. Dyson Weight Dyson's cordless range spans the lightweight V12 Detect Slim at 5.5 pounds to the middle-of-the-pack V15 Detect at 7.5 pounds. Then there's the notably heavy Gen5 Outsize at 8.6 pounds, which has dual batteries and a larger bin. Newer models also use buttons rather than the trigger found on older models, reducing finger fatigue during extended use. Attachments The latest Dyson models usually come with attachments like the Laser Fluffy head, which helps spot dust on hard flooring, and the Motorbar head, which works well on carpets. If you have pets that shed, the Hair Screw tool prevents pet-hair tangles, while the combination tool handles crevices. I have three cats, so I consider anti-tangle tech non-negotiable. The Hair Screw tool actively keeps hair off brush bars, while the Digital Motorbar uses 56 vanes to slice wrapped hair. The Groom tool captures shedding hair before it hits the floor. The Dyson's name usually gives you an idea of what tools are included. The Absolute packs both floor heads, while the Animal focuses on pet tools. Top models like the V15 Detect and Gen5 Detect include most of these tools, while the Complete should include everything. Filtration All modern Dysons feature whole-machine HEPA filtration, capturing 99.97% of particles up to 0.3 microns. Flagships like the Gen5 Detect upgrade to enhanced sealed HEPA, trapping 99.99% of particles up to 0.1 microns. Filters require monthly washing and 24 or more hours of air-drying to maintain efficacy. Dyson's dual bin system separates wet waste from dry waste, making cleaning the machine much easier. Dyson Floor types Different floor types may be better suited for certain types of Dyson vacuums Hard floors: Hard floors include hardwood, tile and vinyl. The Laser Fluffy Optic attachment used on the V15 Detect and Gen5 Detect uses green lasers to expose hidden dust, while soft rollers prevent scratching. Carpets: Carpets include low-pile, mid-pile, and high-pile carpets. We primarily test low and mid-pile. Digital Motorbar heads auto-adjust suction for deep cleaning, while models like the Gen5 Detect excel on high-pile. Mixed floors: If, like most people, you have both carpet and hard flooring in your home, options vary. The V15 Detect and Gen 5 automatically switches suction between surfaces, but just about any Dyson vacuum should be capable of handling both. Noise We don't actively test noise levels with a decibel (dB) meter (that's in our plans for the future), but Dyson does have information available on the noise its vacuums output. According to Dyson and publicly available information, the V12 Detect Slim (75 dB) is the quietest cordless model, while flagships like the Gen5 Detect peak at 85 dB at its max setting. Brian Bennett/CNET Storage Most cordless Dyson models include a mounted wall dock that lets you dock the vacuum while it charges. The floor dock comes bundled with Gen5 Detect and stores the vacuum and five additional tools. Consider third-party organizers for compact models like the V12. Space constraints matter—larger models (Gen5 Outsize) need room for wide heads and batteries. Unlike competitors like Shark and Levoit, Dyson doesn't offer self-emptying charging docks. Maintenance Filters: Rinse monthly (cool water), air dry over 24 or more hours to prevent mold/motor damage. Rinse monthly (cool water), air dry over 24 or more hours to prevent mold/motor damage. Brush Rolls: Clear wrapped hair weekly. Laser Fluffy rollers pop out easily. Clear wrapped hair weekly. Laser Fluffy rollers pop out easily. Bin Emptying: Empty as needed, rinse bin and fully dry monthly or as needed. Empty as needed, rinse bin and fully dry monthly or as needed. Clogs: Check the cleaner head airways and wand if suction drops. Warranty All Dyson cordless vacuums have a two-year limited warranty, while upright and cylinder models get five years. Competitors such as Shark offer five year warranties for their cordless lineup. Extended warranties (up to five years total) can be purchased via Dyson's site. A longer warranty period is good, because it means your vacuum is covered if a part breaks or something is defective. The Dyson V15 Detect shines a laser on the floor to reveal dust and dirt particles. Dyson Other features and technologies
CNET
02-07-2025
- CNET
Tuck an Airtag in One of These Spots on Your Next Vacation
Summer is one of the most popular times of the year for travel, and with good reason. It's the perfect time to escape to the mountains for a camping trip, or hop a flight for a week at the beach. While being on vacation might let your stress melt away, preparing can be a different matter entirely. Being able to keep track of your luggage with connecting flights, or remembering where you set up camp in an unfamiliar place can leave you feeling exhausted, when you're supposed to be relaxing. Thankfully, Apple AirTags can be used to give you peace of mind wherever you roam. These tiny gadgets are small enough to be discreet, but they're powerful enough to help you keep track of items like a bag, purse, suitcase or a set of keys. They're fairly easy to set up, and once they're connected to your phone, you don't have to do much else. Here are some ways to get the most out of AirTags. Sarah Tew/CNET How do AirTags work? Generally, you need to be within Bluetooth range to find your AirTag, but you can use Apple's Find My service to locate Apple's tiny tracker if it's farther away, as long as it's still in range of another Apple device. (Here's how the Find My network works.) To do so, just put your AirTag into Lost Mode and you'll get a notification once it's within range of the Find My network. For more details, here's how to tell if an AirTag is tracking your location on Android and a deep dive into AirTags. 5 uncommon places to put your AirTags 🏕️ Put an AirTag in your tent for camping If you're setting up camp in a location you've never visited, it could be useful to place an AirTag inside your tent so you can easily find your campsite. For instance, if you decide to hike several miles one day, you can use Find My to look up the AirTag's last location (your tent) and get directions back to the campsite. Remember, it'll need to be within range of someone else's device, so don't rely on this out in the wilderness. (This is also why Apple advises you not to use AirTags on pets.) Read more: AirTags Are Not the Best Way to Find Lost Pets 🧥 Put a tracker in your jacket pocket How often have you left your coat behind in a restaurant, bar or friend's house? Forgetting to grab your jacket when you head out is easy to do, especially if the weather is warmer than you expected or your hands are full of leftovers and to-go cups. If you know you'll be hanging your jacket on a coat rack or the back of a chair when you arrive, place an AirTag inside the pocket so you know where you left it. This can help prevent yet another favorite jacket from getting lost, and less money out of your wallet to replace it. 🧳 Stash an AirTag inside your luggage Airports can be tricky to navigate, and can be especially difficult when you're trying to find the correct luggage pickup. Sometimes you wait 30 minutes until your bags finally roll out on the conveyor belt, and sometimes they get lost. To relieve the stress of trying to locate your suitcase, you can put an AirTag tracker inside so you can track its whereabouts. This can help you find out if your bags were left on the airplane, if they're on the conveyor belt but you haven't spotted them yet or if someone mistakenly grabbed your luggage. Once you find out where your bags are, you can remedy the situation and continue on to where you're going. Don't worry, AirTags are TSA-approved so there's shouldn't be any issues with placing them in your luggage. Read more: 7 Google Maps Travel Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday Experience Place an AirTag inside your laptop bag so you stop misplacing it. Sarah Tew/CNET 🎒 Stick a tracker inside your laptop bag Laptop bags can be easily left behind at a cafe when you're picking up coffee for everyone at the office. When your hands are full and you're distracted wondering how you're going to open your car door, it's hard to remember to grab your bag from the booth you were sitting in. That's why it's a good idea to place an AirTag inside one of the pockets. You will be able to locate your expensive laptop and save any confidential company or personal information in your bag. 🚲 Hide an AirTag on your bicycle If it hasn't happened to you, you probably know someone who has had this experience. You get home from a bike ride, go inside to grab water and something to eat and completely forget about the bike you left outside. Or maybe you went to the store, didn't lock your bike up and when you came back it was gone. If you place an AirTag in a hidden place on the bike, you can easily locate it. We don't recommend tracking the bicycle down on your own. It's best to notify the police and let them retrieve your bike so you can avoid any dangerous situations. This method also works on your car if it's been stolen or towed, or if you can't remember where you parked it. If you have an iPhone and it's connected to your car via Bluetooth, your phone can locate where you last left it. Your iPhone can find your AirTag. Sarah Tew/CNET More common areas to put an AirTag AirTag is commonly used to locate these items. Your keychain. Your purse or wallet. Your phone or tablet. The remote to your TV. Anything valuable that you leave outside your home. For more Apple information, read how to make Siri glow and turn off Apple Intelligence.
