Should You Buy An Apple Watch Right Now? It's Complicated
Should You Buy An Apple Watch Right Now? It's Complicated
This story is part of Focal Point iPhone 2022, CNET's collection of news, tips and advice around Apple's most popular product.
Apple's September event is coming up in just a few days, which means new iPhones and Apple Watches are likely right around the corner. With that in mind, you might be wondering whether it's worth buying an Apple Watch right now. The answer is complicated, and it depends on how much you're willing to spend and what you want out of a smartwatch.
Apple is expected to release three new Apple Watch models this year: the Series 8 (the successor to the Series 7), the Apple Watch SE (a new version of Apple's $279 watch) and the Apple Watch Pro (a high-end sports watch). The Series 8 and 8 Pro are expected to include a temperature sensor that may be capable of detecting whether you have a fever, according to Bloomberg. Both watches will also likely come with a new processor, but only the Pro is expected to feature a larger display, longer battery life and a sturdier design.
The new SE, by comparison, would be a refreshed version of Apple's budget watch, meaning it might run on an older processor and could be missing certain features like ECG monitoring and an always-on display.
If you're considering the Series 7, buying one right now is potentially a wise move -- as long as you can find a deal. If you don't care about having the rumored upgrades mentioned above, this could be your last chance to snag the Series 7.
Get ready for Apple's next event
You can get the GPS-only version of the Series 7 for just $300 at Walmart, which is $100 less than Apple's usual $400 price. Amazon is also currently offering the cellular version of the Apple Watch Series 7 for $400, a notable drop from the $500 that Apple typically charges. Check out our full story on Apple Watch deals for even more discounts.
Although it'll be missing the Series 8's upgrades, the Series 7 still has a large screen with a keyboard, a recent processor, health features like ECG and blood oxygen tracking and compatibility with Apple's upcoming WatchOS 9 update.
But remember there's a chance retailers could knock down the Series 7's price following the Series 8's debut -- especially as Black Friday approaches. A second Amazon Prime Day is also rumored for October. But the Series 7 may also become more difficult to find after the Series 8 arrives, and deals may sell out quickly.
The case is a little different if you're thinking about buying the Apple Watch SE. Amazon is offering a pretty compelling deal that brings the price for the GPS-only 40-millimeter model down to about $230. That's a decent discount compared to Apple's regular $279 price, but it might be worth waiting to see what Apple has in store for the rumored second generation Apple Watch SE.
The current model is probably fine for most casual users, but it also runs on Apple's S5 processor that will likely soon be three generations old. If you're able to stretch your budget, you might be able to get a newer watch that will last longer. (Plus, I'm hoping to see some upgrades like the addition of an always-on display in the 2022 model).
So, should you buy an Apple Watch right now? If you can find a good deal on the Series 7, go for it. Buying a discounted Apple Watch SE (if you can find one) isn't a terrible idea. But you might not get as much mileage out of it since it's already running on an older processor. And don't even think about buying an Apple Watch Series 3. It runs on a much older processor, which means it will probably start to feel slow, and it isn't compatible with the latest Apple Watch software.
We'll know more about what's next for the Apple Watch when Apple holds its next event on Sept. 7.
Home security is one thing you want to be sure works before you buy it. After all, if an emergency ever does happen, you want to be confident your system will be up to the task of catching would-be burglars, scaring them off and promptly notifying you and the authorities.
Buying into one of these systems can cost a lot -- both upfront and after factoring in monthly fees -- and paying that price requires a lot of trust. We've tested every major DIY home security system and professionally installed and monitored home security service in a home setting to offer our recommendations on the best ones to buy.
Here's how we test home security systems at CNET.
Step 1: Checking the security basics
Most home security systems, DIY or professional, essentially do what they're supposed to do. If you trip an armed entry sensor, an alarm will go off and you'll get notified via phone. Ditto motion sensors, glass break sensors, leak detectors and all the other simple devices that comprise any given home security setup.
Testing the reliability of the security product
The first part of home security testing is simply confirming that each of these devices responds properly to its stimulus -- and the vast majority of the time, they all do. (It's a big red flag if they don't, considering reliability is a core selling point of any safety-related technology.) I usually do this initial set of tests when I set up the system for the first time.
Testing promised features
The second phase of testing introduces a little more complication. I check to make sure all the more complex devices (such as security cameras, video doorbells, keypads and base stations) work properly. This means laying out the list of included features (such as smart alerts and motion detection zones), then testing each of them one by one.
Cameras are a little harder to evaluate than simple entry sensors or leak detectors.
Chris Monroe/CNET
Again, I do these tests as I set up each device, and the outcomes are usually a little less clear-cut than the simple device tests: A leak sensor either detects or fails to detect water, after all. A video doorbell may sense motion reliably and identify deliveries semi-effectively, but be less consistent in labeling animals (assuming that's a feature).
I make note of all the features included on these more complex devices, as well as how they perform in an initial battery of tests. Then I move on to the next phase.
Step 2: Real world testing
I always test home security systems in a home setting, installing and using them for at least a full week. This ensures that I don't just get "lab results" that are abstracted from the real-world use case of a security system. In short, I want to see them in action, getting practical use, over the course of a week.
As I do this, the testing becomes less formal and more experiential. Do the beeps from the hub every time a door opens get annoying? If so, how simple are they to deactivate? Is the base station easy to use, or do I default to the app in most cases? Do I experience false alarms or connectivity issues? If an alarm gets set off, how quick are the notifications -- and what kind of alerts occur with professional monitoring? Can I check back through the camera feed to figure out which neighborhood critter got into our garden? If I pull up the livestream of the back door camera, can I clearly hear my kids playing in the yard or does the wind interfere with the sound quality?
We test every home security system in real homes to make sure they're genuinely useful.
Josh Goldman/CNET
There are innumerable questions here, and I try to put myself in the shoes of as many potential users as possible. How do kids or pets change the equation? How would the system work in an apartment? Which types of chimes are the video doorbells compatible with -- and can they be used wirelessly?
This section of the review is often the biggest for two reasons. First, it's the most representative of how you'll actually experience the home security system. Unexpected elements that you'd only discover if you lived with the system for a few days often emerge. It's during this phase that I've found some cameras don't have adequate dampening of environmental noise, and their sound is essentially useless on a windy back porch. Or I've found that a video doorbell with plenty of great features takes a few seconds too long to pull up its feed via app, making it impractical for intervening during a package theft.
The second reason why the section is often large is that there are so many elements to home security systems. Unlike stand-alone devices, these systems depend on integration -- their ability to work as a team. You can only get a feel for how well that coordination actually works if you test them over time in the environment they're meant to be used in.
Step 3: Measuring the value
At the same time that I test all the individual devices and make note of their extra features, I also record their prices. This gets a little tricky, because home security systems are notorious for offering huge discounts all the time. That means the MSRP might not reflect what you'll pay for the hardware, but it provides a useful starting point.
Then, while I'm performing real-world tests in the background, I spend a day or two thoroughly comparing each device to the equivalent one in each other system on the market. How do the prices match up? What about the extras? Ultimately, I'm trying to figure out how the value compares.
For simple devices, this process is often straightforward. A system that charges half the price for entry sensors -- as long as they perform well -- offers better value than its competitors. For complex devices, this can quickly become its own miniature review. Stand-alone security cameras and video doorbells can range from $20 to $300, and their features vary as widely. The same goes for cameras that integrate with home security systems.
Some home security devices, such as video doorbells, have become much more affordable in recent years. Both Amazon Blink and Wyze offer wireless video doorbells for under $100.
Chris Monroe/CNET
It's not just the hardware prices that factor into the overall value assessment, though. Most home security systems require -- or at least work best -- with monthly service fees. These fees often scale to include everything from rolling cloud video storage to full-fledged 24/7 professional monitoring.
Many of these services rely on the same underlying approach, but slight differences in price and feature offerings can make a big difference over time. Generally, I look for systems that offer a lot of possible configurations. Your home security needs are particular, so your home security coverage should be customizable for your household.
I also look at the industry norms. App support and self-monitoring are almost always free; cloud storage is almost always available for a small monthly fee; professional monitoring is almost always available for $25, give or take. If a system significantly departs from such norms, I make note of it. Sometimes, such as when Wyze Home Monitoring originally launched $5 per month professional monitoring, that departure might be a standout feature. Other times, like when companies like Cove charge monthly fees for any app access, it can be a big criticism.
A few more considerations
While I prioritize value and performance when it comes to home security systems, a few other aspects of a service are worth considering.
Reviewing the home security installation process
Professionally installed systems come with, as you may have guessed, installation. While I often write about the installation process, this typically doesn't impact the overall evaluation much since installation can vary, depending on the region and particular installer.
Reviewing the home security provider's customer service
Likewise, I always use the provider's customer service channels rather than troubleshooting with media representatives. That way I get a basic sense of the customer service. I will often make note of significant differences in these offerings but again, because of such a low sample size, I avoid generalizing my experience when it comes to scoring or the final evaluation.
Some publications look to consumer surveys or online reviews to weigh customer service. While I test it and will often touch on it in reviews, I avoid relying on third-party reports of customer service for my reviews. Ideally, a system shouldn't need customer support except in unusual circumstances, anyway. If it does, that likely indicates another problem altogether.
Putting together the score and recommendation
Different people need different home security systems. That's why I don't simply make one recommendation and call it a day. Instead, I aim to offer the best systems for everyone's needs -- whether you own or rent, whether you're looking to spend hundreds or thousands, whether you're hoping for a professionally installed and monitored system or something more DIY and self-monitored.
Regardless of what you're looking for, I always aim to find the best home security systems with reliable hardware, flexible services and unbeatable value.
Recap: Every testing step we take
Here's everything we do when we review home security systems and services:
Review setup
Review reliability
Review promised features
Review user experience over the course of a week
Review the overall value
Review installation and customer service
Each of these features come together to help us score any given product and list each product appropriately in a variety of lists, whether it's the best for everyone or for some customers in select circumstances.
If you're looking for more information, check out our recommendations for the best home security systems, the best home security systems for renters, the best security cameras and the best video doorbells.
Oppo Reno Ace is a $420 phone with a beautiful 90Hz display
Oppo Reno Ace is a $420 phone with a beautiful 90Hz display
Oppo's Reno 10x Zoom and Reno 5Gphones showed a company angling to escape from the midrange category and establish itself as a maker of ultrafast, fully featured luxury devices. Last month Oppo launched the Reno2 and Reno2 Z but, with both aimed at conscious buyers, neither was a true successor to the flagship Reno 5G. But Oppo changes that with the Reno Ace.
Here's the good news: It's got a beautiful 90Hz display, four cameras and a top-of-the-line processor. Here's the bad news: Right now, it's only available in China.
For 2,999 yuan, which is about $420 (£330, AU$629), the Oppo Reno Ace has impressive specs. The 6.5-inch phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus, an upgraded version of the processor you'll find in phones like the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 that are twice the Reno Ace's price.
There's also a quad-camera setup that combines a 48-megapixel primary camera with a 13-megapixel telephoto lens, an 8-megapixel ultrawide-angle shooter and a 2-megapixel black-and-white camera. There's a night mode, but the phone struggles to deal well with light sources like lamps. That said, the ultrawide-angle lens works well and the Reno Ace shoots fantastic photos during daytime hours.
The Reno Ace has a quad-camera setup.
Daniel Van Boom/CNET
Photos taken during the day look great, including this ultrawide-angle one, but nighttime photography is subpar.
Daniel Van Boom/CNET
The star feature may be that 90Hz display.
Most phones have a 60Hz refresh rate, meaning the image on the screen is refreshed 60 times per second. A higher refresh rate means a smoother scrolling experience, and it's something you'll notice immediately on the Reno Ace. The Google Pixel 4 also has a 90Hz refresh rate, but the phone only turns it on sporadically -- when it senses you doing heavy scrolling -- for the purpose of saving battery life.
Importing the phone from China means getting a device with no Google services. Oppo usually releases its key phones in Australia and the UK, however, so stay tuned for news on those announcements.
Impressive.
Ian Knighton/CNET
6.5-inch, 2,400x1,080-pixel AMOLED display
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus processor
90Hz display
Quad camera setup: 48-megapixel, 13-megapixel telephoto, 8-megapixel ultrawide, 2-megapixel black and white
When you think of streaming TV shows and movies, there's a good chance that Netflix is comes to mind first. Though competition from rivals like HBO Max and Disney Plus is fierce, it's still the best choice for streaming entertainment, period.
Netflix includes a wide variety of familiar network shows and more original series, films, documentaries and specials than any of its myriad competitors. Despite challenges with retaining subscribers and a price bump, the world's first major streaming service remains our favorite choice thanks to its huge library of constantly refreshed content and its easy accessibility across different devices. In 2021, Netflix won 44 Emmys, making history and racking up more than the next two media companies combined. If you're looking for something new to watch, Netflix should be your top choice.
Like
Strong recommendation engine
Easy to use across different devices
Offline downloads available
Extensive list of movies and shows
Massive selection of original programs
No commercials
Don't Like
Cost for premium plans is on the higher end
Can't watch shows as they air on other networks
Depending on the plan you choose, Netflix costs between $10 and $20 per month, which is at the higher end for a streaming service, as you can see in the chart below. Its recent price increase shook up the streaming world and moved Netflix closer to HBO Max in terms of cost. However, the pricier package lets you watch up to four screens at once, and create different user profiles, so in theory, you could split it among friends to lower the price. Thanks to its sheer variety and number of new things to watch, Netflix also gives you the most bang for your buck.
Streaming Services Compared
Netflix
Peacock
HBO Max
Disney Plus
Apple TV Plus
Amazon Prime Video
Hulu
Monthly price
Starts at $9.99
Basic free with ads, ad-free for $5
$9.99 for basic with ads, $14.99 for ad-free
$7.99
$4.99
$8.99 (or included with $140/year Prime membership)
Basic $6.99 with ads, ad-free Premium for $12.99, Live TV for $70
The Office, 30 Rock, Bel-Air, early access to Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
Game of Thrones, Dune, Euphoria, DC titles
The Mandalorian, Loki, Encanto, Obi-Wan Kenobi
Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, CODA, Severance
Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Boys, Reacher, The Wheel of Time
Handmaid's Tale, Pen15, The Great, Bob's Burgers
Mobile downloads
Yes
Yes (Premium Plus plan)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
4K HDR available
Yes (on Premium plan)
No
Yes (limited titles)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Number of streams:
1 (2 for Standard, 4 on Premium)
3
3
4
6
2
2 (Unlimited with Live TV $9.99 add-on)
How Netflix started vs. how it's going
Between 2012-2013, Netflix premiered its first original TV shows, including Lilyhammer, House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black. Today, it has a catalog of more than 1,500 original TV shows and movies, including global hits like Stranger Things, Emmy winners such as Bridgerton, The Queen's Gambit and The Crown, as well as Oscar-nominated movies such as The Power of the Dog, Tick, Tick… Boom! and The Trial of the Chicago 7.
Though the company's been known for its commercial-free streaming experience since its inception, there are plans to introduce an ad-supported tier before 2022 ends. Additionally, Netflix aims to crackdown on password sharing by charging a fee for extra users on an account. The program is still in the pilot phase, but the days of crowdfunding your Netflix subscription may soon be over.
As of 2022, Netflix has more than 220 million paid subscribers across 190 countries, after seeing a major spike in users during the pandemic. A dent in its subscriber base caused numbers to drop by 200,000, but there are still reasons to keep the service, with the main draw being its content.
What shows and movies does Netflix have?
Netflix may have had the first-to-market advantage in the world of streaming services, but it's kept its momentum with its increasing number of original shows and movies -- many of which have won critical acclaim and major awards and nominations.
Compared to other streaming platforms, you can't beat Netflix's slate of original TV shows that are now considered among the best of the modern era of television, including those mentioned above plus many more, such as Squid Game, Ozark, Never Have I Ever, Money Heist and Cobra Kai.
Read more: Netflix: The 49 Absolute Best TV Shows to Watch
Outside of TV shows, Netflix's original programs include a wide range of comedies, dramas, foreign films and shows, documentary series, anime, stand-up comedy specials and reality dating and competition shows. Not all of them are runaway hits, but many of them are, and there's enough to explore interesting shows that may not have found a home on traditional network TV. And at a time when going to the movies is more fraught than it once was, Netflix offers a place to find new films: In 2022 alone, Netflix is set to release over 100 new movies, at least one per week. The selection spans across genres and geography, and includes K-dramas, animated features, and fantasy book adaptations.
Stranger Things is one of Netflix's powerhouse originals.
Netflix
Netflix typically adds shows a full season at a time, though not while a show is airing on network TV -- so if you don't have cable or another platform like Hulu, you'll have to wait to watch for a few months to watch seasons in full.
One complaint: Netflix content sometimes can come and go without warning. The only way to tell if something is leaving the service in the next 30 days is if you happen to tap on the details page for the given show or movie -- or search online for everything coming and going in a given month.
Another potential content issue to flag: In recent years Netflix has lost some of its most popular content (such as The Office, which moved to NBC's Peacock, Daredevil, which moved to Disney Plus and Friends, which moved to HBO Max) as other networks created their own streaming services. While it started as an online video store that was trying to offer every movie and TV series online, it may be slowly becoming more akin to the old HBO -- mostly featuring its own original programming, complemented with some things it licenses from other companies.
What's it like to use Netflix?
I first subscribed to Netflix back in the first streaming days of 2007, so using the platform feels like second nature at this point. Even if you're new to it, it's pretty user-friendly: Open the app and tap on your profile (if you have one set up), and you'll see a homepage. You'll see Popular on Netflix, Continue Watching, Trending Now, Top Picks for you and a number of (sometimes oddly specific) other categories based on shows you've watched before. Mine include Critically-acclaimed Witty TV Comedies and Suburban-dysfunction TV Comedies, for example.
Netflix's design encourages scrolling -- there are so many different categories to look through, and then shows and movies within those categories to continue scrolling into. You can create a watch list to help you cut down on this, but the vast, colorful library makes it easy to spend more time looking through options than actually watching a show, so be careful.
The Netflix app operates similarly across various devices. My home page on the web browser is nearly identical to that on my Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV Stick, both in content and layout. It's more condensed on the smaller iPhone and Android phone screens, but still follows the same format, and has a clear "Downloads" tab to find content to save to watch offline on your device.
Rows and rows of content on Netflix can keep you busy.
James Martin/CNET
One difference between devices is voice commands: You might find it more or less difficult to fire up a Netflix show from your device's home screen depending on which voice-capable device you're using.
For example, when you say, "Watch Stranger Things" on the Apple TV and the iOS app on iPhone, it will first have you click which specific show (Stranger Things or Beyond Stranger Things), and then will take you to an Apple TV page for the show, and there it will give you the option to open Netflix and start episode 1. On Amazon Fire TV Stick, you can say, "Watch Stranger Things," and it will open Netflix automatically if you're logged into the app. On the Roku 4K stick, if you say, "Watch Stranger Things," it will take you right to the first episode in the app. Those are more hardware-side concerns, but interesting to note.
Once you're in the Netflix app, though, voice commands work the same across devices: Go to the Search tab, hold the microphone button to dictate, and say the name of the show you're looking for.
When you select a show or movie to watch, you have the option to fast-forward, rewind, add subtitles and change your audio settings. If you have a Premium account and a big enough 4K TV, watching in Ultra HD makes for a very cinematic experience. The show or movie you choose will also show up in your "Continue watching" section at the top of your homepage for easier access.
How much does Netflix cost?
Netflix offers three pricing plans: Basic, Standard and Premium. Here is how the costs and features break down:
Netflix plans
Basic
Standard
Premium
Monthly price
$10
$15.50
$20
Number of screens you can watch on at the same time
1
2
4
Number of phones or tablets you can have downloads on
1
2
4
HD available
No
Yes
Yes
Ultra HD available
No
No
Yes
All plans include the ability to watch on any device, and the full, unlimited collection of movies and TV shows. All allow cancellation at any time. Netflix also offers a one-month free trial.
Netflix's Basic plan costs more than Prime Video ($9 per month), more than Hulu's ad-based plan ($7 per month) but less than its more comparable no-ads plan ($13 per month). If you're on a shared Netflix account with family, chances are it's a Premium one ($20 per month) -- if you're actually splitting it between four people, that's only $5 per month each, and a strong value for all of the original content available, including some in 4K Ultra HD. Plus: No commercials on any plan.
What features do you get on Netflix?
Outside of general streaming, if you have the Standard or Premium plan, you can create different profiles for different users, and find your own list of personalized recommendations.
Netflix's recommendation game is strong, from "Because you watched" carousels that have been improved by the new "two thumbs up" feature, to the option to remove content from your home page, to its "Play Something" shuffle feature for when you're unsure what to stream.
The platform also has a particularly appealing kid's section, with a solid catalog of content including CoComelon, Pokemon: Master Journeys and Trolls: The Beat Goes On! and a much more kid-friendly user interface – including the mystery box feature added earlier this year.
If you subscribe to the Premium plan, you can watch certain shows and movies in 4K Ultra HD on 4K TVs. You'll need a steady internet connection speed of at least 25 megabits per second, and streaming quality set to Auto or High.
Netflix has more 4K content than just about any other streaming service, and a lot of its 4K shows and movies are also available in HDR. High dynamic range provides an even bigger improvement in image quality than 4K according to CNET's tests, with better contrast and color, and the difference is especially apparent on large, higher-end televisions. Netflix supports the two major HDR formats, generic HDR (aka HDR-10) as well as Dolby Vision. If you have a device that handles Dolby Vision, Netflix will play content (if available) in that format by default.
You can search for a selection of 4K TV shows and movies on the service with the Premium plan.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Data usage varies by format, ranging from about 1GB per hour for the standard-definition video to up to 7GB per hour for the highest-quality 4K streams. Downloading and streaming take up a similar amount of data, according to Netflix. If you want to avoid having Netflix eat up all of your data, you can take certain steps laid out on Netflix's website to adjust your data usage settings.
All subscribers can download TV shows and movies on the Netflix app on mobile devices for offline viewing, though certain titles aren't available to download.
Read more: 9 Handy Netflix Tricks That Can Help Make Streaming Better
Should you get it?
Netflix remains my favorite streaming platform of the increasingly large bunch. It has a huge selection of movies and TV shows old and new, tons of high-quality original programs, and an easy-to-navigate interface.
Even though it no longer offers a free trial, it's worth trying Netflix for a month if you want something new to watch.
Intel Shows Off the Chip Tech That Will Power Your PC in 2025
Intel Shows Off the Chip Tech That Will Power Your PC in 2025
Intel on Thursday showed a silicon wafer studded with chips built with a manufacturing process that's set to arrive in 2025, a signal intended to reassure customers that the company's years of chip manufacturing difficulties are behind it.
"We remain on or ahead of schedule against the timelines that we laid out," Chief Executive Pat Gelsinger said of the company's plan to improve manufacturing processes. He showed off a gleaming wafer of memory chips built with the company's upcoming Intel 18A process, which overhauls the transistors at the heart of chip circuitry and the way power is delivered to them.
Intel is trying to dramatically accelerate manufacturing progress to meet a 2025 goal of reclaiming the chip performance lead it lost to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and Samsung. If it succeeds, it'll mean PC chips progress faster after a half decade of lackluster performance improvements. And it could mean Intel becomes more relevant to your digital life by building chips inside your car, phone and gaming PC graphics card.
At the heart of the effort is moving through five new manufacturing processes in four years: Intel 7 in 2021 with the Alder Lake chips now powering PCs, Intel 4 in 2022, Intel 3 in 2023, Intel 20A in early 2024 and Intel 18A in late 2024 -- though the lag between manufacturing availability and product delivery means 18A chips won't arrive until 2025. Showing the wafer is a "proof point" that Intel is on track, Gelsinger said.
Gelsinger, a chip engineer who returned to Intel a year ago, brings tech cred to the CEO job, but it'll be tough for the company to claw its way back. Once a chip manufacturer falls behind the leading edge, as IBM and GlobalFoundries did in recent years, it's harder to justify the colossal investments needed to advance to the new technology.
Embodying Intel's difficulty is Apple's decision to eject Intel Core processors from its Macs in favor of its own M series chips built by TSMC. At the same time, AMD has been gaining market share, Nvidia has been profiting from gaming and AI, and Amazon has introduced its own server processors.
Gelsinger spoke at Intel's investor day, where he and other executives sought to convince often skeptical analysts that the company's enormous spending on new chipmaking equipment will pay off. That will come through premium products and external customers arriving to use its new foundry manufacturing capacity.
Intel 20A introduces two major changes to chip design, RibbonFET and PowerVia, and Intel 18A refines it for better performance. RibbonFET is Intel's take on a transistor technology called gate all around, in which the gate that governs whether a transistor is on or off is wrapped entirely around ribbon-like channels that carry the electrical current.
And PowerVia delivers electrical power to the underside of the transistor, freeing the top surface for more data link circuitry. Intel is playing catch-up with RibbonFET, but it's got a lead with PowerVia, which the industry calls backside power delivery.
Intel is pressing with another lead -- packaging technology that links different "chiplets" into one more powerful processor. The Sapphire Lake member of Intel's Xeon server family arriving this year employs one packaging variety, called EMIB, while the Meteor Lake PC chip arriving in 2023 employs another, called Foveros.
Intel expects to keep up with Moore's Law, which calls for a doubling in the number of transistors per processor every two years. That'll happen through smaller transistors and new packaging techniques combining multiple "chiplets" into one processor.
Intel
Intel built its first Meteor Lake prototypes in the final quarter of 2021 with the Intel 4 process and booted them up in PCs, said Ann Kelleher, the executive vice president who leads Intel's technology development division.
"This is one of the best lead product startups we have seen in the last four generations of technology," Kelleher said. "Over its lifetime, Meteor Lake will ship hundreds of millions of units, offering the clearest demonstration of leadership packaging technologies in high volume."
Packaging will play a role in future PC processors, including Arrow Lake in 2024, which will incorporate the first chiplets built with Intel 20A. After that comes Lunar Lake, which will use Intel 18A chiplets. Meteor Lake and Arrow Lake will use a new graphics chip architecture that Intel promises will be "a huge step forward," which is important given that graphics chips these days do a lot more than paint pixels on your screen -- for example AI and video image processing.
Kelleher also detailed a host of research and manufacturing changes to prevent the catastrophic problems Intel faced in recent years. For one thing, improvements are now modular, so a problem with one needn't derail others. For another, Intel is developing contingency plans for when problems do arrive. And it's paying more attention to the advice of chip equipment suppliers like ASML.
The world throws a lot at you -- work, school, family and personal responsibilities. Stress and exhaustion can debilitate your physical and mental health. Talking to a trained professional is one way of relieving your burdens.
Due to the recent pandemic, the number of adults seeking therapy has skyrocketed. According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association in November of 2020, 74% of psychologists surveyed reported seeing more patients with anxiety, and 60% are seeing more patients with depression than before the start of the pandemic.
You aren't alone, and equally, you don't have to carry this weight on your own. Here is how to find the best therapist in your area.
Read more: Best Online Therapy Services
Most common types of therapy
There are five main approaches to therapy: psychoanalysis, behavior, cognitive, humanistic and integrative. Within these five main categories, there are many specific types of therapy you might encounter. Here are the most common:
Cognitive Behavior Therapy : Therapy that identifies thought patterns that lead to negative feelings. CBT also teaches positive coping skills. It is used to treat a wide range of conditions like depression, anxiety, substance abuse and eating disorders.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy: This method focuses on regulating heavy emotions, connecting with others, finding healthy coping skills and integrating mindfulness.DBT is often used to treat borderline personality disorder in women, eating disorders and severe depression.
Client-Centered Therapy: This is a type of psychotherapy where the therapist doesn't give advice but rather offers great compassion, positivity and empathy. Through this process of talking and support, clients become self-aware. CCT is used to treat lots of conditions such as depression.
Psychodynamic Therapy: This type of talk therapy aims to find the psychological root of the problem or ailment while deeply understanding emotions. It is rooted in the idea that through talking about problems, clients can self-reflect and develop coping skills. It is often used to treat stress, anxiety and depression.
Read more: What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Finding the best therapist
Getty Images
Beginning your healing journey may seem daunting, but the hardest part is knowing where to start. You have options and plenty of resources at your fingertips.
Here are a few starting places to consider.
Word of mouth
Ask your family and friends, peers and colleagues for recommendations. Word travels fast about the best therapists in the area.
Your healthcare provider
Oftentimes, your healthcare provider will have a mental health unit. Look at the directory or ask your primary physician.
Online resources
The most common means for finding a mental health professional is a quick Google search of therapists available in your area. If those results get too overwhelming, here are some tools that break it down for you.
Specialized resources:
Local groups
You can look into local resources if you have depleted your online options. Your school, church, community or workplace might have connections to professionals in the area or in online programs (often at a discounted rate, especially if it is through your university or place of work).
Local support groups are another great way to not only connect with a trained physician but others in similar situations. You can locate local support groups through Mental Health America and Psychology Today.
Read more: Best Mental Health Apps
Narrowing the search
You have found a few individual therapists after much searching -- now what? How do you know if one is a better fit for you than another? Here are a few aspects to consider before booking the first appointment with a new therapist:
Are they well-versed in your area of concern?
Choose someone who has experience treating your condition, whether that be grief, trauma, anxiety or depression.
Do they serve your age group?
Look for their area of expertise; some therapists only take child clients.
Are they covered by insurance?
Some practitioners are covered by Medicare or Medicaid or other private insurance providers. If you are worried about paying out of pocket, find out if your insurance covers your sessions.
Do they speak your preferred language?
Your comfortability is key. The right therapist for you will speak the language you feel most at ease with.
Is your therapist right for you?
Getty Images
You finally found a therapist that you like and scheduled your first session. There is still a chance that this professional may not be the perfect fit for you. During your first or second appointment, ask yourself:
Am I comfortable sharing personal information with this person?
Do I feel truly understood and heard?
Will this person help me reach the goals I have set for myself?
Does this person validate my experiences?
Do I feel as if I am the center of our conversations?
If you answer "no" to any of these questions, chances are this therapist isn't a good fit for you. It might take a few tries to find the right one.
Remember that therapy will not always be comfortable, but you need to make sure your provider creates a space that is welcoming. There is no shame in having to tell a professional that you may not be a good match, and they should do the same for you. Repeat these steps as many times as you wish until you find the best therapist for you.
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.
