Your old tube sock is your new workout armband. Photo by Sharon Vaknin/CNET
As an avid gym-goer and outdoor person who's dependent on her music and fitness apps, my phone has become my best workout buddy. (After all, it never flakes on me.)
I'm not alone, and for me and the many others who rely on their phones for fitness, storing our phones while breaking a sweat isn't always a simple task. Sure, you can shove it in your sports bra, stick it in your waistband, or just hold it in your hand, but come on -- that's gross.
Web sites like Amazon are chock-full of workout armbands for almost any smartphone, but they're pricey and the comfort of any given armband is hit or miss. So before you fork over $20-30 on an overpriced accessory, grab an old tube sock and see how well it performs as your trusty workout armband.
Here's what you'll need:
A tube sock, with an 8-inch or greater "tube"
Scissors
Needle and thread (optional)
Start by cutting the sock at the end of the tube section, where the foot begins, so that you have just the tube. Then, turn the sock inside-out and insert your arm so that the top of the sock is at the middle of your upper arm.
Finally, fold up the bottom of the tube so that it's right-side-out again, and meets the top of the tube, forming a pocket. Insert your phone and voila -- you have a comfy smartphone armband.
Optional: With the needle and thread, create a vertical stitch along the back of your armband to secure the sock in a permanent "pocket" position.
Apple's Peek Performance Event: Follow Live Announcements of iPhone SE, Mac Studio, iPad Air
Apple's Peek Performance Event: Follow Live Announcements of iPhone SE, Mac Studio, iPad Air
One of the more interesting stories about Apple in the past couple of years has been about its chips. In 2010, Apple announced its first iPad was going to be powered by a chip called the A4, designed by the company's teams specifically for its devices. Back then, the iPhone was doing well, but its chip ambitions were unproven.
Fast forward to today, and not only is the iPhone one of the most popular consumer products in the world, but it's also powered by the successor A-series chip. Apple's also used that technology in its other devices, including the Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple TV and HomePod.
Over the past couple of years, Apple's also begun using a variant of its A-series chips in its computers, starting with the M1 in 2020. Apple said it would take two years to transition its product line of computers over to the M-series chips, with rumors swirling that the company will likely finish in the summer with a new Mac Pro.
During today's event, we may hear more about the M1 -- or even its higher-performance cousins the M1 Pro and M1 Max. The Mac Mini, which helped kick off the M1 transition two years ago, is now due for an upgrade. And so is the MacBook Air. Meanwhile, there's already talk about an M2 chip on the horizon.
Squid Game on SNL: Pete Davidson and Rami Malek deliver a deadly parody
Squid Game on SNL: Pete Davidson and Rami Malek deliver a deadly parody
Squid Game , the Netflix hit about a deadly tournament of kids' games, has spawned memes and Halloween costumes galore. Now it's spawned a country music video. Over the weekend, Saturday Night Live ran a scarily realistic Squid Game sketch starring host Rami Malek and Pete Davidson as rural guys who find themselves in need of cash, so they decide to sign up for the Squid Game.
All the elements from the show are there -- the green numbered track suits worn by contestants, the red guard suits with black masks, the creepy Red Light, Green Light robot, the contestant egg meal, the cookie challenge, the glass bridge. There's even a great version of Player 212 (Han Mi-nyeo), who looks just as murderous as ever.
The song may sound familiar to some. It uses the tune of Turn Up On The Weekend, by the duo Branchez & Big Wet. (Watch the real thing below.)
Will there be a second season of Squid Game? Maybe, and we have some plot and character thoughts.
In SNL's version, both Malek and Davidson sing about the realities of the tournament as they move through the familiar sets and games.
"They got symbols on their faces like the ones on PlayStations, and the mean guy looks like Dr. Doom," Davidson sings about the guards and the iconic Front Man. And in the Red Light, Green Light game, Davidson successfully hides behind cast member Chris Redd, which doesn't end well for Redd, who ends up in the organ transplant room. But as the catchy song goes, "That's what happens in the Squid Game."
WatchOS 8 is here: Best new features on the Apple Watch
WatchOS 8 is here: Best new features on the Apple Watch
Your Apple Watch is getting a big new update with WatchOS 8, adding new workout options, messaging tools and some hints of what to expect ahead of the Apple Watch Series 7. The free download is available for all Apple Watch owners using the Series 3 or later and arrived alongside iOS 15 and iPadOS 15.
To download the update, first make sure your iPhone is running iOS 15. As long as your watch has at least 50% battery, go to Settings and select Software Update. If less, leave the Apple Watch on its charger and wait for the update to download. Once you have the update, here are some of the best features to explore.
WatchOS 8 puts portrait photos on your wrist
The new Portraits watch face can use any portrait mode photo taken on the iPhone. First, open the Watch app on the iPhone and then navigate to the Face Gallery. Find the Portraits watch face and tap Add to find portrait photos you want to display on the watch.
Rather than displaying a static image, the watch uses segmentation data from the photo to separate the foreground from the background. This means the time appears just behind the head of your subject and if you raise your wrist or fidget with the Digital Crown, the subject pops in and out, too.
Lexy Savvides/CNET
I've found it works best with photos that have a lot of distance between the foreground and background, plus ample headroom above your subject so you can really see the effect. Some complications are also supported, so you can put elements like battery level or heart rate on the watch face as well.
Also new in the watch faces tab is a World Time option. You can see the time around the world across all 24 timezones straight from your wrist.
AssistiveTouch is a mind-blowing accessibility feature
Apple announced AssistiveTouch in May along with a range of accessibility features for the iPhone and iPad.
It lets people who have the use of only one arm control the Apple Watch by movement in the hand and wrist, like pinching or clenching actions. The watch detects these motions so you don't need to be able to touch the screen to interact with the watch.
Lexy Savvides/CNET
It's difficult to describe how intuitive this feels until you use it. Pinch your thumb and forefinger and the watch will move the focus to navigate through menu options. A double pinch moves back, while a clench is a tap action to select something on the screen. AssistiveTouch is also customizable, so you could set a double-clench action to answer a call or bring up the action menu. AssistiveTouch works with the Series 6 and the Apple Watch SE.
Better messaging tools
When you go to send a message, you'll now be able to use the scribble tool, the emoji selector or the dictation option all from the same screen. Plus, if you go to dictate a message but it makes an error in the transcription, you'll now be able to select the word and use the Digital Crown to make corrections. It's something I appreciate as my Australian accent often results in some pretty amusing dictation errors.
Just like on the iPhone, you can send a GIF by selecting the magnifying glass icon and either choosing from the trending list or searching for the GIF you want.
Apple Watch 7 will have a full keyboard.
Apple/Screenshot by Erin Carson/CNET
Contacts, Find My apps coming to WatchOS
The Contacts app is finally available on your wrist so you can edit, add, browse and share without pulling out your phone. Apple has also split its Find My app into two new apps: Find Items and Find Devices. They do exactly what they say on the tin and you can ping items like an AirTag or find devices signed in with your Apple ID from the Watch.
WatchOS 8 also works in conjunction with the Focus mode on the iPhone, so you can limit distractions coming through or customize modes so only notifications from certain contacts and apps break through. Once you apply the mode on the iPhone it automatically sets it on the Watch as well. It's also supposed to be smart about Focus suggestions, like prompting you to turn on the mode when you start a workout. I'll need to spend more time with the beta before it can pick up my usage patterns.
Two new workout options -- and Mindfulness
There are two new workout types you can track: Pilates and tai chi. They use customized heart rate and motion algorithms to better determine your effort than if you traced these workouts using the Other option in the workouts app. Apple's Fitness Plus also gets a picture-in-picture mode, plus additional workout filters.
Apple has also moved the Breathe app into a new Mindfulness app. In addition to animations to help guide your breathing, there's a Reflect app that gives prompts to help focus your thoughts. I really like the new animations in the Mindfulness app and in the short time I've used them, I've found they do help to focus my attention. The time you spend reflecting appears in the Health app on the iPhone (along with your heart rate) after each session.
Sleep tracking also adds respiration rate to the existing sleep metrics like heart rate and time asleep. You can also view trends over time in the Health app on the iPhone.
Apple
More flexibility for Apple Watch cyclists
Cyclists get some bonuses in WatchOS 8 like auto workout detection for bike rides, plus an auto-pause and resume option so you don't eat into your workout time when not riding. Plus fall detection now works for bike rides, so if the Apple Watch detects you taking a tumble, it can call emergency services and notify emergency contacts. Apple said fall detection for workouts will come in an update to WatchOS 8 later this year for the Series 4 and later.
Other new workout features include audible feedback cues. You'll be able to hear workout milestones -- such as when you close your activity rings -- announced through the Apple Watch speaker, or in your ear if you have Bluetooth headphones connected.
The Apple Watch Series 7.
Apple
More features to come in the Wallet app
Apple is hoping you'll ditch your physical wallet altogether and access everything from your wrist. Later in the year, iOS 15 and WatchOS 8 will be able to store a digital identity card like a driver's license in the Wallet app. Access keys for hotels and offices can also be held digitally.
You can now digitize and store your driver's license in Apple's Wallet app.
Apple
The Apple Watch Series 6 will support ultrawideband, or UWB, for car keys so you can unlock your vehicle or start it remotely, without needing to touch or tap anything on the Apple Watch. It does depend on the vehicle manufacturer and it will also roll out later in the year.
More WatchOS 8 extras
Multiple timers, with the option to label timers using Siri.
More apps support the always-on display including Maps, Timers and Phone.
The Photos app can surface your memories and featured photos. Plus you can now share photos straight from the Watch via Messages or the Mail app.
Home app lets you control accessories by room and send broadcast intercom messages from your wrist.
Origin PC Evo17-S (2022) Review: Big Gaming Performance in a Thin 17-Inch Laptop
Origin PC Evo17-S (2022) Review: Big Gaming Performance in a Thin 17-Inch Laptop
Origin PC's Evo-17-S gaming laptop puts the blazing performance of top-end components in a slim, stealthy body, assembled with the personal touch of a custom PC builder. The 17.3-inch laptop is remarkably compact and light at 4.9 pounds (2.2 kilograms) and yet churns out impressive frame rates.
The Evo17-S is compact for a 17.3-inch laptop.
Josh Goldman/CNET
Like the company's gaming desktop builds, you get more control over what goes into the Evo17-S than you would with any of the bigger-name brands. You can even choose what goes on the outside, too. And you get more personal service and support. There are a few opportunities for improvement, but overall the Evo17-S is a big-screen gaming laptop to shortlist, especially if you're after something that's more tailored to your wants.
Like
Impressive performance
Many configuration options
Stellar service, support
Don't Like
Noticeable display backlight bleed
No per-key RGB keyboard lighting
Choice is yours
For the Evo17-S, Origin offers just a few combos of a display, Intel processor and Nvidia graphics processor. The starting configuration, currently priced at $2,416 (£2,203, AU$3,823) pairs a 144Hz 17.3-inch 1080p display, an Intel Core i7-12700H and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti. For $500 more, you can bump the graphics up to an RTX 3080 Ti or, for $800 more, you get the 3080 Ti with a Core i9-12900H CPU and a 240Hz 1440p display with 100% sRGB color space.
From there you choose the RAM -- 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5 -- and up to two, 2TB PCIe NVMe solid-state drives. This is where Origin stands out from the competition. While gaming laptops from others might let you pick the amount of storage you get, they don't offer a selection of brands, sizes and speeds to meet your needs and budget. Plus, with more laptops being made with the RAM soldered onboard, it's nice to have the option to add more down the road.
This laptop is expensive, going over $4,000 fully loaded. But other gaming laptops similarly configured from Alienware and Razer are equally pricey.
Origin PC Evo17-S (2022)
Price as reviewed
$3,545
Display size/resolution
17.3-inch 2,560x1,440 240Hz display
CPU
2.9GHz Intel Core i9-12900H
Memory
32GB 4,800MHz DDR5
Graphics
16GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics
Storage
1TB NVMe PCIe Gen 4 SSD
Networking
802.11ax Wi-Fi 6, 2.5Gb Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.0
Operating system
Microsoft Windows 11 Home
Ports
USB-C Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen 1 (x3), HDMI 2.1, DC-in, audio in, mic out
Origin also provides free labor on RAM and storage upgrades if you send in the laptop. In addition to its stellar reputation for hands-on support, Origin also offers a wider array of configuration options in its system-building tool, so you should be able to hit your dream specs pretty closely from the start. This includes parts from its parent company, Corsair. Parts are covered with a one-year replacement warranty and buyers get 24/7 US-based tech support.
The Evo17-S might be thin but its performance is big.
Josh Goldman/CNET
Performance that doesn't disappoint
With a top-notch processor and high-end graphics chip, it's not a surprise the Evo17-S can hit some high frame rates even on newer demanding games. Whether you want to have a more immersive gaming experience with the 1440p-resolution display and details set to high or drop the resolution and detail settings to really use the display's 240Hz refresh rate, the component combination in my review system can handle it. (Our benchmark test results are at the end of this review.)
The one minor performance ding would be the Corsair MP600 Pro SSD that was in my system that was slightly slower than WD and Samsung drives in other gaming laptops we've tested recently. It's unlikely to be a performance difference you'd notice in use, but it might be worth paying a little extra for the Samsung 970 Evo Plus or 980 Pro SSDs if you want the best speeds.
The flat keycaps might look nice but they're not the best for gaming.
Josh Goldman/CNET
Predictably, a laptop this thin and powerful does get hot when you're gaming or doing anything else demanding. The fans do get loud but keep both the left and right sides of the laptop cool for your hands. The only place it gets hot on top is in the middle from above the keyboard down to the top of the touchpad.
Remarkably, battery life is pretty good. Gaming should still be done when it's plugged in. But if you want to kick back and stream some video or get some office work done away from an outlet, you can. On our streaming video test, it lasted 5 hours, 38 minutes. Some power management and reducing the screen brightness below 50% will stretch the battery time further.
The display is nice, too
The base model of the Evo17-S has a 144Hz 1080p display. I can't speak to the quality of that display, unfortunately, but the higher-end 1440p 240Hz screen in my review laptop was quite good. Bright with good color and contrast, the display covered 96% sRGB, 68% NTSC and 73% AdobeRGB and P3 color spaces and its brightness at 100% measured 420 nits.
At its highest brightness, though, I did notice backlight bleed at the corners in dark game scenes, especially at the bottom of the panel. This is not uncommon and not a deal-breaker for me, however, it might be for some potential buyers.
The laptop's Control Center app gives you quick access to important settings.
Josh Goldman/CNET
I have a few more minor criticisms. For instance, the lack of per-key RGB backlighting on the keyboard -- a feature you'd find on other gaming laptops at this price. The keyboard does have RGB lights, but you can only set them to solid colors or a handful of different patterns. (There's a light bar at the front edge of the laptop as well.) I'm not a fan of the flat keycaps, but that's personal preference and in general, the keyboard's feel and layout are just fine.
Also, the speakers are loud but they sound thin. There are separate audio-out and mic-in jacks on the right side, though, so get yourself some speakers or a headset to plug in instead. Similarly, the built-in webcam is 1080p, which does give you more detail than the 720p webcams that were once standard. Even in good lighting, though, there's visible image noise so you may still want to use a discrete webcam. With plenty of ports on the left, right and rear of the laptop, you can connect multiple displays and accessories.
The Evo17-S is black but you can pay for a lid treatment to add a custom look.
Josh Goldman/CNET
It's worth mentioning, too, that although the sturdy laptop comes in a stealthy black with a metal lid, soft-touch keyboard deck and a plastic bottom, you can opt to have Origin apply one of 11 prints to the lid for an additional $65. I like the all-black look, though, and makes it more office-friendly.
Regardless of what you choose, you're still getting a nice-looking thin-and-light design packed with as much performance as you want to pay for and the personal service and support of a custom PC builder.
How we test computers
The review process for laptops, desktops, tablets and other computer-like devices consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our expert reviewers. This includes evaluating a device's aesthetics, ergonomics and features. A final review verdict is a combination of both those objective and subjective judgments.
The list of benchmarking software we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. The most important core tests we're currently running on every compatible computer include: Primate Labs Geekbench 5, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10 and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra.
A more detailed description of each benchmark and how we use it can be found in our How We Test Computers page.
Geekbench 5 (multicore)
Acer Predator Triton 500 SE (2022)
Lenovo Legion 5i Pro
Razer Blade 15 (2022)
Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58
Note:
Longer bars indicate better performance
Cinebench R23 CPU (multicore)
Lenovo Legion 5i Pro
Acer Predator Triton 500 SE (2022)
Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58
Razer Blade 15 (2022)
Note:
Longer bars indicate better performance
PCMark 10 Pro Edition
Acer Predator Triton 500 SE (2022)
Razer Blade 15 (2022)
Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58
Note:
Longer bars indicate better performance
Online Streaming Battery Drain Test (in minutes)
Acer Predator Triton 500 SE (2022)
Note:
Longer bars indicate better performance
3DMark Wild Life Extreme
Lenovo Legion 5i Pro
Acer Predator Triton 500 SE (2022)
Razer Blade 15 (2022)
Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58
Note:
Longer bars indicate better performance
Guardians of the Galaxy (High @1920 x 1080)
Acer Predator Triton 500 SE (2022)
Razer Blade 15 (2022)
Note:
Longer bars indicate better performance
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Highest @ 1920 x 1080)
Acer Predator Triton 500 SE (2022)
Note:
Longer bars indicate better performance
System Configurations
Origin PC Evo17-S
Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 2.9GHz Intel Core i9-12900H; 32GB DDR5 4,800MHz; 16GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080Ti; 1TB SSD
Acer Predator Triton 500 SE (2022)
Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 2.9GHz Intel Core i9-12900H; 16GB DDR5 4,800MHz; 16GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080Ti; 1TB SSD
Razer Blade 15 (2022)
Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 2.4GHz Intel Core i7-12800H; 16GB DDR5 4,800MH; 8GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070Ti; 1TB SSD
Alienware x15 R2
Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 2.3GHz Intel Core i7-12700H; 32GB DDR5 6,400MHz; 8GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti; 512GB SSD
Lenovo Legion 5i Pro
Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 2.3GHz Intel Core i7-12700H; 16GB DDR5 6,400MHz; 8GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti; 512GB SSD
Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58
Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-12500H; 16GB DDR4 3,200MHz; 6GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060; 512GB SSD
It's never been easier to build a computer. Parts just plug right in, most drivers install themselves, and the components you need for a stellar desktop PC are cheaper than ever. Heck, you can build a killer VR gaming rig for under $1,000. (Here's how we did that.)
But it's still easy to screw it up if you're not careful. Here are five of the simplest, most boneheaded mistakes we've ever seen made -- and how to avoid them.
Rookie Mistake No. 1: Mixing up your power cables
We assume you're smart enough to plug everything in. But not all plugs are created equal -- for instance, your computer's internal power supply has two very different kinds of 8-pin power cables. One goes directly into your graphics card, the other into the motherboard near your CPU.
GIF by Sean Hollister/CNET
And even though the pins are shaped differently to dissuade people from forcing them into the wrong one...some people force them anyways. Don't be those people.
Protip: The little 6-pin and 2-pin PCIe connector is the kind that goes into your graphics card. Squeeze them together to create an 8-pin connector. Many GPUs need more than one 6-pin or 8-pin connector, so be sure to fill all the holes.
GIF by Sean Hollister/CNET
Rookie Mistake No. 2: Leaving your graphics card hanging out
If the GPU is screwed into the case and plugged into power, some people assume it's good to go. Let me say this loud and clear: Your graphics card needs to be plugged into a slot on the motherboard. There's a rubber shield you need to remove to expose the PCI-Express slot, and then the card needs to plug into a matching PCI-Express lane on the board.
Protip: Push the graphics card into the slot until the lock (at the far end of the slot) snaps into place. Then be sure to screw in your card -- don't rely on your motherboard slot to carry all that weight!
GIF by Sean Hollister/CNET
Rookie Mistake No. 3: Sticking those tiny stupid motherboard cables in the wrong way
Your computer case has a power button, a reset button, and probably some LEDs. None of them will work until you plug in some stupidly tiny cables. Problem is, it's really hard to see where you're plugging them in on the motherboard, and it's easy to plug them in the wrong way -- even if you've got one of the handy-dandy stupidly tiny cable keepers that come with many motherboards these days.
Here's the trick: On the back of each stupidly tiny cable, there's a black arrow. That goes to the positive (+) terminal on the stupidly tiny cable-keeper or the stupidly tiny pins on the motherboard. Edit: A previous version of this post suggested that you might need to flip the Power Switch cable to get it to work. Polarity doesn't matter for that cable, although it can for some other ones.
Protip: Plug in the stupidly tiny motherboard cables before you insert other components (like graphics cards) that might get in the way.
GIF by Sean Hollister/CNET
Rookie Mistake No. 4: Not pushing power cables all the way in
Let me tell you a little story. When I was building our CNET Future-Proof VR Gaming Rig, I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't boot. The motherboard seemed to be getting power, the graphics card seemed to be getting power, but the computer just wouldn't turn on.
After nearly tearing my hair out, I discovered the issue. My motherboard power cable was a fraction of a millimeter shy of being properly plugged in. It just needed a tiny little push to snap into place. It looked like it was plugged in. I could swear I plugged it in. But I didn't.
Here's another story. One day, Nvidia sent me a kickass computer filled with three prototype Titan graphics cards, probably worth $10,000 each. Their system builder hadn't plugged in one of the graphics cards all the way, and I didn't notice. When I hit the power switch, the GPU literally fried. Smoke came out.
Protip: Don't be like me.
GIF by Sean Hollister/CNET
Rookie Mistake No. 5: Squishing your drive cables
Wonder why your hard drive data and power cables don't quite fit inside your case? I did too. For years, I squished them inside just enough to close the doors of the computer.
Then one day it hit me: I was plugging in my drives the wrong way! You see, most large computer cases are designed to have the hard drive ports facing away from the motherboard -- even though they seem to fit in either direction. There's more room behind the hard drives for those cables, which means you can close the case without stuffing them in.
Protip: Use right-angle SATA drive cables -- you know, the ones that probably came with your motherboard -- to further keep your cables from bending. The straight end goes into your motherboard, and the right-angle connector goes into the drive.
No computers were (permanently) harmed in researching this story.
When you buy cryptocurrency -- whether it's ethereum, bitcoin or another digital coin -- it generally lives in a wallet. It sits idle there unless you transfer it to another account, spend it on NFTs (or other items purchasable via crypto) or convert it into government-issued currency, such as US dollars, and withdraw it to deposit it into your bank account.
However, with the growing interest in cryptocurrency in the last few years, hundreds of millions of people have crypto that they may want to spend but don't know how to. That's where crypto debit cards come in. They let you use the cryptocurrency in your digital wallet on purchases at grocery stores, gas stations and other retail outlets.
If you own cryptocurrency and want to spend it in the real world, here's what you need to know about getting your hands on a crypto debit card.
What is a crypto debit card?
A crypto debit card is much like your regular debit card, but instead of being connected to your bank account, it's tied to a digital wallet that contains your cryptocurrency. With each transaction, the cryptocurrency you own is automatically converted into whatever government-issued currency the retailer accepts, such as the US dollar, to complete the purchase.
What are the pros and cons of using crypto debit cards?
Although crypto debit cards help you spend your cryptocurrency to make purchases, keep a few things in mind before applying for one.
Pros of a crypto debit card:
It's easier to spend the cryptocurrency in your wallet.
Some cards come with cash-back rewards.
You can store and use traditional currencies, such as the dollar, to make purchases.
Cons of a crypto debit card:
You might have to pay transaction, withdrawal or exchange fees or a monthly flat fee.
You'll owe capital gains taxes on every transaction.
Cards can be limited to certain regions, restricting where you can use the card.
How do I get a crypto card?
If you're set on getting a crypto debit card, you must first create an account with a cryptocurrency exchange or a digital wallet and then either transfer cryptocurrency into your account or purchase it.
Know that there are waitlists to get a card. Once you meet the setup requirements, including verifying your identity, you can apply for the card. It can then take weeks or even months to arrive, depending on the size of the list.
Which crypto debit cards should I consider?
Choosing a cryptocurrency exchange or wallet depends on several factors, such as the type of cryptocurrency you own or cash-back rewards. Here are a few of the biggest ones:
Coinbase, one of the largest crypto exchanges in the US, offers the Coinbase Card, a Visa debit card that lets you use your crypto assets to make purchases in person and online. This card is currently available to select US customers.
Crypto.com, another cryptocurrency exchange, has a variety of debit card options offering different crypto rewards -- depending on how much you're willing to pay.
Two other crypto debit cards to consider are the Binance Visa Card and the recently announced Robinhood Cash Card.
If you're interested in earning crypto rewards, you can also explore crypto credit cards, which allow you to earn rewards back on everyday purchases in the form of cryptocurrency.
Can I use my debit card from a major bank with crypto?
Right now, debit cards from Bank of America, Chase, Citibank and Wells Fargo, for example, don't handle cryptocurrency. You can, however, use your crypto debit card at one of their ATMs, but expect to pay fees if you do.
New to cryptocurrency? Here's an explainer on buying and selling bitcoin, as well as a guide on how to keep your cryptocurrency and money safe.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.
