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Pixel 6 Pro vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra: Which camera is better?
Pixel 6 Pro vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra: Which camera is better?
Samsung's Galaxy S21 Ultra and Google's Pixel 6 Pro were both among our top-rated phones of 2021. With their impressive performance, their glorious displays and feature-rich experiences, both phones deserve the titles of "flagship" Android handsets and are still well worth considering even as 2022's new phones begin to appear.
And they both have amazing cameras, with the S21 Ultra particularly impressive with its astonishing 10x zoom lens, while the Pixel 6 Pro manages to give the iPhone 13 Pro a run for its money.
But which camera is better? Is it still all about that zoom on the S21 Ultra? I took both phones out for a spin to see what's what.
Pixel 6 Pro.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
In this first outdoor shot using the main cameras on both phones, there's little to choose between them. The S21 Ultra's shot is perhaps a touch warmer overall, but the exposure, contrast and detail are basically identical.
Pixel 6 Pro.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
And it's the same story here: both phones have captured sharp, well-exposed images, but the S21 Ultra's image has warmer tones, which gives a nice sunset feel to the image.
Pixel 6 Pro, 4x telephoto zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x telephoto zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Switching to the maximum optical zooms of both phones from the same shooting position, it's clear the difference that the huge zoom on the S21 Ultra makes. At 10x, it's able to get much closer on the buildings, allowing for a different composition.
Pixel 6 Pro, 4x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
And it's not just for travel pictures; that zoom can be great for getting close up on the local wildlife, too. The Pixel 6 Pro's 4x zoom can take some great shots, but it just doesn't have the reach of the S21 Ultra's 10x zoom.
Pixel 6 Pro.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
A solid balance of exposure from both phones in this sunny outdoor scene. The S21 Ultra's shot has a touch more contrast, which isn't always a positive thing, but it's helped make the stark shadows on the ground more defined here.
Pixel 6 Pro.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
That additional contrast on the S21 Ultra is more pronounced here, with much deeper blues seen in the sky and its reflection in the water. For a quick snap that might be preferable, but I'd rather have a more natural-looking image straight out of the camera in order to apply more contrast -- or other effects -- later on if I choose. It's why I shoot in raw format on my DSLR and it's why I prefer the Pixel 6 Pro's shot here.
Pixel 6 Pro, super-wide lens.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Galaxy S21 Ultra, super-wide lens.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
The situation is identical when I switched to the super-wide lenses on both phones; that contrast boost from the S21 Ultra is particularly noticeable, and I'm not keen on how punchy and oversaturated the shot looks here.
Pixel 6 Pro.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
In the fading evening light, that color balance has played in the S21 Ultra's favor, with vibrant green grass visible in its shot, against the Pixel 6 Pro's more muddy, greeny-brown tones. The S21 Ultra's shot is sharper, too, with more noticeable clarity on the blades of grass.
Pixel 6 Pro, night mode.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Galaxy S21 Ultra, night mode.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Taken using night mode, both phones have done a solid job of capturing this night-time scene, with great overall brightness and contrast. I prefer the Pixel 6 Pro's shot however as its color balance is less purply and the fine details are clearer overall.
In general, it's evident that both phones can take some superb images from their cameras. Overall. I prefer the look from the Pixel 6 Pro thanks to its more natural approach to color and contrast in a scene. Samsung's phones have always had a tendency toward high contrast and saturation in images and the S21 Ultra is no exception.
However, there's no escaping that the S21 Ultra remains unrivaled when it comes to zoom skills. The 10x optical lens allows you to take shots that you simply cannot get on the Pixel 6 Pro, or from almost any of its main rivals. If zoom skills are paramount in your photography then the S21 Ultra is the phone to go for. If you're more bothered about overall image accuracy and tend to prefer wider-angle images then you'll feel right at home with the Pixel 6 Pro.
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Twitter tests new process for reporting harmful content
Twitter tests new process for reporting harmful content
Twitter has begun testing an overhauled process for users to report harmful tweets, with the goal of simplifying the process by asking users to describe what they're seeing, the social network said Tuesday.
Instead of requiring users to identify which Twitter rule a tweet violates, Twitter's new "symptoms-first" approach asks them what they felt was wrong with a tweet, relieving them of the burden of interpreting Twitter's rules. Twitter likened the new approach to an emergency room situation in which a doctor asks where the patient is feeling pain rather than asking if they have a broken leg.
"What can be frustrating and complex about reporting is that we enforce based on terms of service violations as defined by the Twitter Rules," senior Twitter UX manager Renna Al-Yassini said in a blog post. "The vast majority of what people are reporting on fall within a much larger gray spectrum that don't meet the specific criteria of Twitter violations, but they're still reporting what they are experiencing as deeply problematic and highly upsetting."
The testing, which will begin with a small group of Twitter users in the US, comes amid continuing criticism that Twitter isn't doing enough to reduce the amount of abusive or hateful content on the platform. The company said it plans to roll the testing out to a wider audience in 2022.
By refocusing the reporting process on the firsthand information people can provide, Twitter said it hopes to improve the quality of the reports it receives. Even if a specific tweet doesn't violate Twitter's rules, the company said the information it gathers could still be used to improve experiences on the platform.
The move follows an update Twitter announced in November to its private information policy that bans the sharing of photos and videos of private individuals without their consent. Content can be removed if the site determines it's been shared "to harass, intimidate, or use fear to silence them."
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Parent's Checklist: 6 Things to Look for Before Downloading Apps for Kids
Parent's Checklist: 6 Things to Look for Before Downloading Apps for Kids
Adults are likely aware of the risks associated with apps that harvest and sell your data, but kids aren't. Raising a kid in the digital age can be incredibly nerve-wracking, and as a parent it's up to you to keep your children safe online. But protecting your child's privacy can seem like an impossible task when you realize kids' apps also have an unhealthy appetite for their data.
TheToyZone, a UK-based toy review site, conducted a study in January that examined popular kids' apps and determined which were the most privacy-invasive. The group's research found that money management apps (like Greenlight Kids & Teen Banking, Till and RoosterMoney) are the most data-hungry and collect an average of 10 types of data per app. Greenlight was found to be the most invasive app by collecting 22 types of data.
Despite being designed for a younger audience, kids' apps often collect sensitive data like device location, contact info, health info, browsing history, search history, financial info and contacts. That data is extremely valuable to advertisers and even if its anonymized, it can be used to create a detailed and specific profile of your child. This can be especially dangerous if it ends up in the wrong hands, like in the event of a breach. Country-specific laws like the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act in the US may put restrictions on how companies can advertise to children online, but with parental consent, a kids' app is free to collect user data.
It's important to understand that it's not just your children's data at stake here, but yours as well. This is why it's crucial to know what apps your kids want to use before you download them and agree to any permissions or terms. Here are six things you should do before downloading an app for your kid to protect everyone's privacy.
Check what permissions the app asks for
Apps love to ask for permissions because they want to collect as much data as possible, especially if they rely heavily on advertising revenue. Some permissions are necessary for the normal functioning of an app; the Pokémon Go app will need access to location data to function properly, for instance. However, there's no reason in hell that a gaming app like Snake vs. Block, an old-school arcade-style game where you guide a snake through numbered blocks, needs to know your kid's location.
To check what permissions an app requests on Android, simply search for the app in the Google Play Store and tap About this app and then App permissions. Look out for potentially invasive permissions like access to the device's camera, microphone, contacts, location and browsing history. If any permissions look overly invasive and unnecessary for the normal functioning of the app, then you may want to find an alternative. However, if you do end up downloading the app, you can always disable any non-essential permissions in settings.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to see app permissions in Apple's App Store before downloading any iOS apps unless the developer lists them in its privacy policy. After you download an iOS app, you can check the permissions by tapping Settings and scrolling down to the app. From there, you can customize and disable what the app can access on your child's device.
Research the app and its developer
Here are five important questions to consider when researching an app you're thinking of downloading for your kid:
1. What is the app's rating in the App Store or Google Play Store?
2. What do user reviews say?
3. How many people have downloaded it?
4. Does the company behind the app have a history of shady data practices or known data breaches?
5. Does the app have a history of delivering content that may not be suitable for children?
Most of this information can be found in the app's description, but you can go a step further and run a Google search. Look up the app and the developer along with terms like "data breach," "lawsuit" or "privacy violations" and see what comes up. Read in-depth kids' app reviews from trusted sources online like Common Sense Media.
Just a few minutes of research can give you a lot of insight into whether a particular app will take your children's privacy seriously. If you come across any red flags during your research, think twice before downloading the app in question.
Check Apple's Privacy Nutrition Labels or the Google Play Data safety section
Apple started adding "nutrition labels" to app descriptions in the App Store with the release of iOS 14.3 in 2020. The app nutrition label gives you a rundown of what types of data each app collects. Google launched its own version of the feature in April. Google's "Data safety" section shows what types of data an app collects, how the data is used, whether the collection is optional, as well as whether it's shared with third parties.
If you see any kids' app collecting and/or sharing data that you're not comfortable with, then it's better to look for a different app.
Read the app's privacy policy and terms of service
An app's terms of service (ToS) will detail what you're agreeing to when you download the app and your kid uses it. The app's privacy policy explains what steps the app and developer take to protect user privacy, including what information is collected, how it's secured, and who it's shared with.
Sure, no parent has the time to sit down and read a ToS or privacy policy when so many of them are absurdly worded and novella-like in length. A simple trick to save you from having to read the whole thing is to do a search for key terms like "third party," "share," "collect," "data," and "location" in each document (Control+F on Windows, Command+F on MacOS.)
If the terms of service don't meet your expectations, don't download the app.
Understand what privacy settings and parental controls the app offers
Kids' apps typically have robust privacy settings and parental controls, but if the app's offerings are ineffective or lacking the levels of privacy and control you're comfortable with, you shouldn't download it.
How you decide to assess privacy settings and parental controls will depend on your child's age and whether the app is educational in nature, a game or a social platform. Generally, a few settings and controls you'll want to look for include the ability to:
Pre-approve friend requests
Restrict who can contact your child through the app
Remotely track and limit your child's usage of the app
Filter content to age-appropriate levels
Have a conversation with your kid about the importance of online privacy
As soon as your kid starts using connected devices and going online, it's time to start talking to them about the importance of data privacy online. Have an open, honest conversation in terms that will resonate with your child. Help them understand that online activities can have real-world consequences and that keeping private information private is critical. It can be like the digital equivalent of the age-old "never talk to strangers" conversation.
However you choose to approach it, it's important to make sure you and your child are on the same page when it comes to acceptable online behavior and being careful about what you share with others online and with the apps you interact with.
For more information, check out what you need to know about getting a debit card for your kid or teen and four reasons not to get your kid an Occulus Quest 2.
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Google to Start Sending Rapid Air Raid Alerts to Android Users in Ukraine
Google to Start Sending Rapid Air Raid Alerts to Android Users in Ukraine
This story is part of War in Ukraine, CNET's coverage of events there and of the wider effects on the world.
Google has started rolling out a rapid Air Raid Alerts system for Android users in Ukraine as the Russian invasion of the country continues.
"Tragically, millions of people in Ukraine now rely on air strike alerts to try to get to safety," Google said in a statement Thursday. "This work is supplemental to the country's existing air raid alert systems and based on alerts already being delivered by the Ukrainian government."
This announcement comes a day after Russian forces reportedly bombed a maternity and children's hospital in the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol.
Google also announced it's developing a way for hotel owners in countries around Ukraine to indicate whether they are offering free or discounted accommodations for refugees fleeing the invading forces. As of Thursday, more than 2 million refugees had escaped the country. Google last week added refugee resources for asylum seekers leaving Ukraine and added an SOS Alert on Search.
"As we compile this information over the coming weeks, we'll make it possible for people to quickly find these places on Search and Maps," Google said.
Google is also pausing the majority of its commercial activities in Russia, including new Cloud sign-ups, payments function for many Google services and monetization features for YouTube viewers in Russia. Google previously suspended its ad business in Russia and disabled live traffic data in Ukraine for safety.
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Get Months of Cheap of Meal Kits With This Easy Trick
Get Months of Cheap of Meal Kits With This Easy Trick
This story is part of Home Tips, CNET's collection of practical advice for getting the most out of your home, inside and out.
Want to sample some of the best meal kit services like Sunbasket, Blue Apron and EveryPlate for less than half the normal price? Sure you do. You can test nearly all of them and find your favorite with this semisecret hack that will afford you months, even up to a year of meal kits for more than 70% off the regular cost, and far less than it would cost to buy the groceries yourself.
Here's how to do it and a snapshot of how much you'll save. And for more money-saving tips, see how much you'll pocket buying store-brand groceries and learn how to spot a value wine at the package store.
How to get cheap meal kits for months
Nearly every meal kit I've tested (here's how CNET tests meal kits) allows you to try several weeks of meals for a super cheap promotional price, typically about 50% off the normal price. These hugely discounted sign-up offers are often as low as $5 or $7 for a full recipe that will feed two, four or even six people. That's about $2 to $5 per serving and about as cheap a meal as you're going to find during these dog days of inflation.
Snapshot of savings
Meal delivery service
Promo price per serving
Normal price per serving
EveryPlate
$1.97
$5.49
Blue Apron*
$5.74
$12
Gobble*
$6
$12
HelloFresh*
$4.69
$10
Sunbasket*
$5.66
$11.49
*Pricing for 2-person plan
These meal delivery deals will sometimes be spread out over three, four or even five deliveries. For example, Blue Apron's offer will save you $130 but you'll have to order five weeks' worth of meals. That still amounts to 13 "free" dinners, though, and you'll get to try this easy breezy meal kit service in the process. Plus, it'll give you a free $100 gift card to get you more meals.
Gobble's deal is shorter but just as tempting. That service lets you try your first six servings (three meal kits) for just $36.
And then there's the mother of all cheap meal delivery services, EveryPlate. This budget-friendly brand will send your first few boxes for a laughably low price per meal. It varies by week but right now, your first box will come in at under $2 per serving.
EveryPlate is my favorite budget meal kit. It's already pretty affordable but this is how cheap it'll be for your first few boxes.
Screenshot by David Watsky/CNET
I can attest firsthand that meal kits make meal-making a breeze since you won't have to labor over what to make, shop for ingredients or do loads of prep since many of them do the measuring and a good deal of the prep work for you.
Even without these deals, we crunched the numbers and using a convenient meal kit is just a few dollars more expensive than shopping for the same groceries. Factor in one of the offers and it'll be significantly cheaper than buying the ingredients. Plus, you won't have to take annoying trips to the store for months -- or even as long a year if you try them all.
What are the best meal kit deals?
Don't worry, I've made this easy and rounded up the best meal delivery deals here so you can make a plan to try them all for cheap. Some promotions are likely to change from month to month, so grab the ones that look best to you now and I'll be sure to update the post so you can find the best deals when it's time to try a new service.
Make sure to read each offer carefully. Often the deal is spread out over a few deliveries so you'll be committed to a few weeks of meals. You can always cancel or pause after the discount ends.
Screenshot by David Watsky/CNET
Don't forget to cancel your meal kit service after promo ends
The big catch is that if you don't cancel after the initial promotion ends, the service will almost certainly keep sending you boxes of meals but at the full price. Some will let you cancel right after you place your order while others will make you wait until the promo boxes have all been delivered. In cases where they make you wait, I'd suggest setting a reminder to cancel at the earliest possible time.
Setting reminders to cancel after the promo ends will keep this sneaky system running smoothly.
Screenshot by David Watsky/CNET
The worst-case scenario is you'll get an extra week's delivery of meals at a higher price. Certainly not the end of the world but if you're trying to try them all for those rock-bottom offers, you'll have to stay on your game.
Meal kits don't have long-term commitments
Most of these deeply discounted sign-up offers won't rope you into any long-term contracts. In fact, they make it fairly easy to pause or cancel your service, unlike those fury-inducing gyms. But for safety's sake, read the fine print for each service and for each individual promotion before you enter your credit card information.
Sunbasket is my favorite overall meal kit service. It's usually about $12 or $13 per serving but not when you take advantage of this trial offer.
Screenshot by David Watsky/CNET
Prepared meal services also have promo deals
If you don't have an interest in cooking, many of the top prepared meal delivery services have sign-up offers too. I've found that the discount, by percentage, isn't usually as good as with meal kits but there are still some cheap meals to be had. Much like meal kits, you'll be able to cancel your service after you've taken advantage of the deal -- or keep 'em coming if you like what you get.
Prepared meal services such as Freshly have sign-up offers too, although you'll typically get a bigger discount from meal kits.
Freshly
Even online butchers such as Butcherbox and grocery delivery services such as Thrive Market and Hungryroot have some hefty new customer deals. I say try them all and let everyone else pay full price.
More money-saving tips for the kitchen
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
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Lovevery Play Kits Reviewed: Are These Subscription Boxes Worth the Money?
Lovevery Play Kits Reviewed: Are These Subscription Boxes Worth the Money?
I started seeing the Lovevery Play Kit ads almost immediately after I became a mom. The ads showed colorful, aesthetically pleasing baby toys that seemed to be curated around developmental milestones.
Because my newborn was more of an inanimate blob than I'd expected (they all are, it turns out), I'd been having trouble figuring out what to do with him between nap times. Not only was it kind of boring to try to interact with an inanimate blob, but I also felt the modern parenthood anxiety of milestone-meeting, experience-fostering and lesson-learning bubbling almost from day one.
My hunch was that I could quell this anxiety by creating and executing daily activities with my baby, almost like a curriculum. That would make maternity leave a lot less boring, too. The problem -- I'm not a trained Montessori teacher or a child development expert. I was also busy nursing, changing, bathing, burping (the baby, not myself) and rocking to spend any time lesson planning for a newborn. Could the Lovevery Play Kits do the heavy lifting for me? (And the better question: Would they be worth the price?)
My colleague Alison DeNisco Rayome and I tested four Lovevery Play Kits with our real kids (The Looker for kids who are 0 to 12 weeks old, The Senser for 5- to 6-month-old kids, The Realist for kids aged 19 to 21 months and The Helper for kids who are 25 to 27 months old) to answer that question. Read on for what we thought. Plus, check out the list of hot kids' toys to buy as gifts, toys for the kid at heart, STEM toys we love and the best gifts for 2-year-olds.
Read more: Here's a toy that makes the perfect gift for any age .
What are Lovevery Play Kits?
Lovevery is a US-based toy company that sells Montessori-inspired subscription boxes focused on "stage-based play." The idea is that kids have different needs at different stages in their development, and the right toys can support those needs.
The Play Kits (Lovevery's name for its curated subscription boxes) are separated into four buckets by age: 0 to 12 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years. Each age bucket is further broken down by smaller ranges, with boxes named after their respective developmental stage (e.g. The Charmer Play Kit is for months 3 to 4, while The Observer Play Kit is for months 37, 38 and 39).
Every kit includes a few toys, a book and a parents' guide that provides ideas for using the toys inside to help your child meet their milestones. The toys are made from sustainable and baby-safe, natural materials -- and they look pretty sleek on your shelves, too.
Is Lovevery Montessori?
Yes, Lovevery is inspired by the Montessori method, which emphasizes independence, STEM skills and toys that develop skills used in real life. That also means you won't find any flashing lights or noisy toys inside your Play Kit. Instead, the toys tend to favor "open-ended play," so kids can continually invent new ways to play with them. (Read more on Lovevery's approach to the Montessori method.)
Read more: Baby Registry Checklist: 10 Baby Products I Wish I'd Asked For
A toy from The Senser, Lovevery's play kit for kids aged 5 to 6 months.
Lovevery
How much does a Lovevery Subscription cost?
When you first sign up for a Lovevery subscription, you'll enter your child's birthday (or due date or adjusted age), and Lovevery will suggest a Play Kit to get started with. You can also add a few of the earlier boxes to your initial order, because the toys inside will likely still appeal to older kids.
Boxes for kids aged 0 to 12 months cost $80 a box and ship every two months. Other ages will get a box every three months for $120 a box. You can also prepay for several boxes at a time, which lowers the cost per box down to as little as $72 for infants or $108 for older kids.
Because you can skip boxes or cancel your subscription at any time, it's easy to buy a one-off box to try it out or to give as a gift. Since the Lovevery website shows what's inside each box before you order, you don't have to buy the ones that don't look as compelling.
Read more: 9 Book Subscription Services for Kids and Young Adults
Is Lovevery an American company?
Yes, the subscription box company is based in the US. Boise, Idaho, specifically, is the city that the company calls home and it's where the toys are designed. They're manufactured, however, by a network of suppliers throughout Asia.
Testing the Play Kits (with a real baby and toddler!)
Boxes for 0 to 12 months
Cost: $80
Boxes we tested: The Looker (weeks 0 to 12) and The Senser (months 5 to 6)
The Looker box includes:
A double-sided mobile
Sensory links (soft, high-contrast toys that can hook together or on a stroller or play mat)
Two black and white card sets (one with simple patterns and one with complex patterns)
A standing cardholder (to put the cards in during tummy time)
Black and white mittens (to promote hand discovery and body control)
A wooden book with black and white animal pictures
A silicon rattle with a removable ball
The parents' play guide
What we liked:
The double-sided spiral mobile, with high-contrast black and white on one side and colorful circles on the other side, was a big hit with my newborn daughter -- she loved looking at it when we held it up or tied it to her play gym. (Lovevery suggests hanging it over the changing table as a distraction, too.) The black and white cards were a mainstay in her play gym, and the little book seemed to hold her attention more than some of her other high-contrast books did (perhaps because it's "baby's first book made with sustainably harvested wood" and she's a budding environmentalist? Who's to say).
Not listed on the website, but my kit came with a mug for a parent that reads "The Days Are Long But the Years Are Short." It's not my favorite child-rearing sentiment, though it's proven true for me, but it was nice to have a little gift included.
The real winner, though, was the parents' play guide. It's difficult to know how to engage with a newborn, but Lovevery gave some practical ideas to align with her weekly development. I found that helpful as a first-time parent who was overly stressed about being able to give her enriching playtime.
What we didn't like:
The sensory links were never a favorite, perhaps because she had several other similar clip-on toys that came with her play mat and and stroller. And while the black and white mittens were a good idea, in theory, the effort it took to get them on and off a squirmy newborn wasn't worth it for me most days.
--Alison DeNisco Rayome
The Senser is Lovevery's Play Kit for babies aged 5 to 6 months old.
Lovevery
The Senser box includes:
A spinning rainbow wheel
A magic tissue box (to pull cloth tissues out of and put back in)
Magic tissues (cloth tissues that can link together)
An organic cotton rainbow ball
Parts of Me book
A pair of play socks with bells on the toes
A tummy time wobbler
The parents' play guide
What we liked:
Once my daughter hit the 6-month mark, the way she played changed dramatically, particularly since she could stay sitting up with little assistance. The spinning rainbow wheel is one of her favorite things to play with, and it keeps her occupied longer than most other toys. Once she got the hang of the magic tissue box, she enjoyed pulling the tissues out of that as well (and using them to chew on and play peek-a-boo with). The tummy time wobbler has been another solid choice both while on her tummy and while sitting up. She still tries to eat that, too, like everything else.
I'll admit, I was a Lovevery skeptic, just given the price tag. But this box convinced me these are great toys that can give your baby plenty of entertainment, and I'm already planning to buy the next one.
What we didn't like:
The play socks seem like they might have been a bigger hit when she was younger, as she discovered her feet long ago. The rainbow ball is also pretty but only holds so much interest.
--Alison DeNisco Rayome
The Looker box from Lovevery comes with a magic tissue box.
Lovevery
Box for 1-year-olds
Cost: $120
Box we tested: The Realist (months 19, 20, 21)
The Realist box includes:
A wooden lock box with four locking mechanisms
A puzzle with shapes that nest and stack
Fabric "critters" that can be tucked into matching pockets on a quilted wall hanging
A cup and pitcher for pouring your own drinks
Bea Gets a Checkup board book
A wooden "ring chute" with rings
A flashlight that lights up
The parents' play guide
What we liked:
The lock box is my 2-year-old son's favorite toy, and the fabric critters have taken up residence inside it. Locking and unlocking each of the doors -- and putting things inside, then taking them out -- has occupied more of his time than pretty much any other toy. Unfortunately, he's now learned how to lock his own bedroom door. Thanks, Lovevery.
The flashlight is easy for a toddler to turn on and off and my son likes to use it to find toys in his bedroom when the lights are off, since he can't reach the light switch. We've also read the included board book, Bea Gets a Checkup, dozens of times and the requests keep coming.
What we didn't like:
The ring chute toy is aesthetically pleasing but it seems to only have one real use, a use my son is not very interested in. Considering how large the toy is, I'd have preferred something with a little more versatility.
--Karisa Langlo
The Helper Play Kit comes with a play sink that pumps water.
Karisa Langlo/CNET
Box for 2-year-olds
Cost: $120
Box we tested: The Helper (months 25, 26, 27)
The Helper box includes:
A play sink with a real pump, plus cups and dishes for washing up
Felt flowers in a stand that can be removed, counted and bundled
Washable tempera paint "sticks" with paper in a travel-friendly zippered pouch
Making Muffins board book
A "dot catcher," which looks like a rainbow Connect Four game
A two-sided puzzle that uses the same pieces for two separate designs
Routine cards with photos of everyday tasks for mapping out routines
The parents' play guide
What we liked:
My son couldn't get enough of the play sink. Its ingenious design lets you keep the water running without the sink ever overflowing or running out of water. Because it's not hooked up to a waterline (it just recycles the same reservoir through its pump repeatedly), you can't get any dishes clean in it, but my son loved pretending to wash dishes next to me at the real sink while I washed real dishes.
The box arrived just as we were starting to work on learning colors, and the rainbow dot catcher couldn't have been a more perfect toy. My son now knows his colors like the back of his hand, but he still likes to drop the colored wooden discs into their corresponding slots, and he gets a kick out of the quick-release lever.
What we didn't like:
The puzzle and routine cards both seemed a little too advanced for a young 2-year-old. They both also seem like toys you could make yourself, if you had the inclination for DIY.
-- Karisa Langlo
Box for 3-year-olds
Cost: $120
Box we tested: Didn't test one (yet!)
Lovevery offers four Play Kits geared toward three-year-olds, up to age four:
The Observer Play Kit: Months 37, 38, 39
The Storyteller Play Kit: Months 40, 41, 42
The Problem Solver Play Kit: Months 43, 44, 45
The Analyst Play Kit: Months 46, 47, 48
While we haven't tested one of them yet, the Lovevery Play Kits designed for 3-year-olds all include a similar mix of items as the younger boxes, with more sophisticated, preschool-age appropriate toys and books.
The Looker Play Kit from Lovevery.
Lovevery
Beyond the Play Kits: The Lovevery app and other products
The Lovevery app requires a subscription to the toy boxes to access (though you can also get the app if you received a box as a gift). Like the parent play guides, I found it to be a great resource for ideas for what to actually do with your baby all day long.
On the Activities tab, you'll see a list of toys from the age-appropriate toy box that you can tap on to get ideas for how to use by the month of your baby's age. There are also suggestions for using toys from prior boxes that are still age-appropriate in new ways. Beyond that, you'll find several other DIY activities to try (at 7 months, things like playing with paper and teaching your baby to clap), which you can check off to keep track of what you've tried.
The My Baby tab shows what motor, cognitive, communication and social/emotional skills your baby will be learning that month with a pediatrician's video. This section reminded me of a more in-depth What To Expect app. But I appreciated that it makes sure to note that all babies are different to ease the minds of worried parents. An Ask and Learn section lets parents write or search for different questions and topics that Lovevery's developmental psychologists and pediatricians answer.
If you have the toy boxes, it's worth downloading the app (if you have an iPhone -- there's no Android version) to get the most out of them.
The other Lovevery product you'll often find on baby registries is The Play Gym. As with all of its products, it's more aesthetically pleasing than many others on the market -- and more expensive, at $140. It's also a bit larger, since it's meant to be used for the baby's entire first year, with relatively tall wooden posts -- so it may not be the best choice for people in apartments or smaller spaces.
The Play Gym comes with a few toys that my baby loved, including a bell to ring and a crinkly teether. But to be honest, she seemed to get bored more easily on this mat than on the less expensive Skip Hop one I originally registered for, which is decidedly not a Montessori product. I think if I'd been invested in the ecosystem of toy boxes, it might have given us more to do there.
As with everything else with parenting, it depends on what you want: If you have the resources to invest in the Lovevery system, it's a great choice. But your child will be just fine without it, too.
--Alison DeNisco Rayome
Is the Lovevery subscription worth it?
If you're looking for a one-off, curated toy box to give as a gift, the Lovevery Play Kits are definitely worth the money. The quality of the toys individually makes the price reasonable, and you get the added bonus of knowing they've been hand-selected by experts. If you can afford it, you likely won't be disappointed. Lovevery knows what it's doing!
As a subscription box, though, the price becomes a bigger concern. Do you need to spend the equivalent of $40 a month on toys (or $36 a month, if you factor in the prepay savings)? One thing to think about: As your child ages, the mystery of how to interact with them naturally dissipates, and they'll likely begin playing with whatever you have lying around the house anyway (including the Play Kit boxes themselves). At this point, an expertly curated toy box becomes even more of a nice-to-have.
And another thing: Between birthdays, holidays and overindulgent grandparents, a lot of children are positively drowning in toys. A monthly box will only worsen the problem of clutter, which goes against the Montessori ethos. According to the Lovevery website, "parents say these are the 'only toys you'll need.'" I'm inclined to agree! But I have no idea how to keep all the other stuff out of my house.
"We did all the research so you don't have to," the company's website also declares. And for those parents who otherwise would spend hours researching developmentally appropriate kids' toys, the statement isn't wrong. But not every parent does -- or should -- fret over toy research. And even for parents experiencing anxiety around optimizing a child's playtime, there are far cheaper ways to fill a toy chest.
Correction, June 7: This story initially estimated the monthly cost of a subscription incorrectly. The box costs the equivalent of $40 a month or $36 if you pay in advance.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
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Elden Ring: 2 Secrets to Farming Runes Quickly
Elden Ring: 2 Secrets to Farming Runes Quickly
Luck, skill and runes. To make good progress in Elden Ring, you need all three of these.
Runes double as currency and experience points in Elden Ring, as they're what you'll use to buy items and upgrade your character. That applies both to leveling up weapons, which also requires Smithing Stones, and traditional character leveling, for which you'll need a vast quantity of runes.
You'll get those runes by killing foes, slaying bosses and selling items. But if you're looking to earn them quickly, there are easy ways to farm them. This article contains two rune farming methods. One is available to you early on, and the second much later in the game.
The first method I'll describe will net you about 50,000 runes in 15 minutes. The second, which is best suited for post-game rune farming, is dramatically faster. It easily gets you a million runes in 10 minutes.
The early method: 50,000 runes in 15 minutes
You want to head to the Third Church of Marika, here.
Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom
To start off, you'll need to head to the Third Church of Marika, which is encircled on the map above. If you've not already found the Site of Grace there, travel to Agheel Lake North, where you were granted Torrent by Melina. Travel on the path, running past everything, including a giant that'll be waiting near the Church. Once you've activated the Site of Grace inside, go around the back and you'll find a transporter by a little cove.
Follow the light and you'll find a transporter.
Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom
Here's where the transporter is on the map.
Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom
Once you go through the transportation portal, you'll be taken to a place called the Bestial Sanctum in a region called Dragonbarrow. Inside the Sanctum is Gurranq, a creature that rewards you for bringing it Deathroots. That's a whole other guide though: What we're interested in here is outside.
Once you look out into the fields, you'll see a giant dragon knight guarding the Sanctum. It's a boss, the Black Blade Kindred. Do not fight it. It will kill you dead.
Instead, walk to the left side of the steps you're standing on and jump into the field. The boss won't notice you unless you're directly in front of it, so just avoid that. Go into the fields, however, and you'll see a bunch of diminutive, statue-looking warriors walking about. These are what you've come for.
They're easy (by Elden Ring standards) to kill at almost any level, since they stagger from being hit. And you can sneak up behind them to perform a critical hit from behind, which will either defeat them straight up or take a chunk off their health. And best of all, killing them grants you a little over 1,000 runes each.
This is the Black Blade Kindred. Avoid the Black Blade Kindred.
Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom
These little buggers are what you've come for. Killing them gets you over 1,000 runes each.
Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom
On the left side of the balcony you jump off, all these enemies are walking around alone. The right side is more challenging, since they travel in packs of two or three. If you're a low level, I recommend hanging to the left and picking them off one by one. Either way, you can rack up lots of runes quickly by killing a set, respawning them by traveling to the Site of Grace inside the Bestium Sanctum, and doing it all over again.
End Game rune farming: 1 million in 10 minutes
As you progress through Elden Ring, 50,000 runes in 15 minutes may no longer do the trick. The best method I've found will get you that amount in under a minute, but there are a few prerequisites.
To optimize results, you'll need the Sacred Relic Sword, a weapon that you can only get by beating the final boss. You can do this method with any other weapon, it's just that the Sacred Relic Sword's special move has a huge area of effect that expedites the process. You'll also want a Golden Scarab talisman, which boosts rune acquisition by 20%.
The area in question is an optional area called Mohgwyn Palace. You can access this area in one of two ways: Go through White-Faced Varre's questline, which you can do by finding him at the Rose Church after you beat Godrick The Grafted, or by finding a portal in the west side of the Mountaintops of the Giants. If you're confused about how to access the western half of the Mountaintops, it involves collecting two halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion and presenting it at the Grand Lift of Rold.
I chose the latter method, since I had already unlocked the western side of the Mountaintops. You can find the portal and its location on the map below.
This little number will take you to Mohgwyn Palace.
Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom
Here's where you'll find the teleporter on the map.
Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom
Where the magic happens.
Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom
If you arrive via transporter, you'll find yourself in a little cave. Exit and you'll be greeted to a panoramic view of Mohgwyn Palace, as well as a Site of Grace. This Site of Grace is where you'll be farming your runes.
If you're standing at the Site of Grace and look forward, you'll see a bunch of sleeping ogre creatures. There's about a dozen of them hanging out. If you look to the left, you'll see another area separated from you by a big canyon. Wandering back and forth on the other side of the canyon is a very ugly bird.
Luckily for us, the bird is an idiot. If you shoot it with an arrow, it will become incensed and run at you. As noted, there is a giant canyon between you and the bird. The bird falls down and dies, giving you about 11,000 runes for little effort. Then, it's time to kill the ogre dudes. This is where the Sacred Relic Sword comes in. It has a special move called Wave of Gold, which will hit almost every enemy in the space. Just by targeting one ogre and hitting L2, I killed a bunch of them and got about 40,000 runes.
You'll see this bird walking back and forth in the area across the canyon. Hit it with an arrow and it will get mad, chase you, fall down the cliff and die, granting you over 10,000 runes.
Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom
Now it's time to turn your attention to these blokes. Killing them all gets you about 25,000 runes.
Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom
If you have the sword you gain access to after beating the last boss, its special move can kill all of them in one or two hits. That's 25,000 runes in about 10 seconds.
Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom
And that's it! Once everyone's dead and you've harvested those runes, go take a quick rest at the Site of Grace so the enemies repopulate the area. Then do it all over again.
Again, you don't need to use the final boss weapon. It won't take you too long to clear out all the enemies here, especially if you have another weapon with a big area of effect attack. Remember to equip your Golden Scarab talisman, which will boost your ruin acquisition by 20%. All told, you'll get about 60,000 runes per run. Once you get into a good flow, it's easy to farm a million runes in 10 minutes here.
Spend an hour on this and you'll be the richest Tarnished the Lands Between ever saw.
