Catégorie : Tech News

Google’s latest push into extended reality is taking shape. While the company isn’t entirely ready to show off any products just yet, it has laid out a vision for a unified Android XR ecosystem that will span a range of devices — such as virtual reality headsets and mixed reality glasses — in partnership with Samsung and Qualcomm.

This is evidently Alphabet’s latest attempt to compete with the likes of Meta and Apple on the extended reality front. The company has dabbled in this arena in the past with the likes of Google Glass, Daydream and Google Cardboard, programs that have found their way to the Google Graveyard. Android XR seems much more ambitious, and having some big-name partners on board from the jump indicates that Alphabet is much more serious about extended reality this time around.

Google has been beavering away on XR behind the scenes despite shutting down some of its higher-profile projects in that realm. « Google is not a stranger to this category, » Sameer Samat, president of Android Ecosystem at Google, told reporters ahead of the announcement. « We, like many others, have made some attempts here before. I think the vision was correct, but the technology wasn’t quite ready. »

One area where Google thinks that technology has advanced to the point where it’s ready to try again with XR is artificial intelligence. Gemini will be deeply integrated into Android XR. By tapping into the power of the chatbot and having a user interface based around voice and natural conversation, Google and its partners are aiming to deliver experiences that aren’t exactly possible to pull off using gestures and controllers.

« We are fully in what we refer to as the Gemini Era, and the breakthroughs in AI with muti-modal models are giving all of us totally new ways of interacting with computers, » Samat said. « We believe a digital assistant integrated with your XR experience is the killer app for the form factor, like what email or texting was for the smartphone. »

Google believes that smart glasses and headsets are a more natural form factor to explore this tech with, rather than holding up your smartphone to something in the world that you want Gemini to take a look at. To that end, the wide array of XR devices that are popping up, such as VR headsets with passthrough (the ability to see the outside world while wearing one) is another factor in Google’s push into that space.

We’ll get our first real look at Android XR products next year, including one that Google is developing in partnership with Samsung. The first headset, currently dubbed Project Moohan (which means « infinity » in Korean), will feature « state-of-the-art displays, » passthrough and natural multi-modal input, according to Samsung. It’s slated to be a lightweight headset that’s ergonomically designed to maximize comfort.

Renderings of the Moohan prototype (pictured above) suggest the headset will look a little like the Apple Vision Pro, perhaps with a glass visor on the front. Along with the headset, Samsung is working on Google XR glasses, with more details to come soon.

But nailing the hardware won’t matter much if you can’t do anything interesting with it. As such, Google is now looking to bring developers into the fold to create apps and products for Android XR. The company is offering developers APIs, an emulator and hardware development kits to help them build out XR experiences.

On its side of things, Google is promising an « infinite desktop » for those using the platform for productivity. Its core apps are being reimagined for extended reality as well. Those include Chrome, Photos, Meet, Maps (with an immersive view of landmarks) and Google Play. On top of that, mobile and tablet apps from Google Play are said to work out of the box.

On YouTube, it looks like you’ll be able to easily transition from augmented reality into a VR experience. And in Google TV, you’ll be able to switch from an AR view to a virtual home movie theater when you start a film.

A demo video showed a headset wearer using a combination of their voice and a physical keyboard and mouse to navigate a series of Chrome windows. Circle to Search will be one of the many features. After you’ve used the tool to look up something, you can use a Gemini command to refine the results. It’ll be possible to pull 3D image renderings from image search results and manipulate them with gestures.

As for AR glasses — essentially next-gen Google Glass — it seems that you’ll be able to use those to translate signage and speech, then ask Gemini questions about the details of, say, a restaurant menu. Other use cases include advice on how to position shelves on a wall (and perhaps asking Gemini to help you find a tool you put down somewhere), getting directions to a store and summarizing group chats while you’re on the go.

Thanks to advances in technology, AR glasses look much like regular spectacles these days, as we’ve seen from the likes of Meta and Snap. That should help Google avoid the whole « Glass-holes » discourse this time around given that there shouldn’t be an obscenely obvious camera attached to the front. But the advancements might give cause for concern when it comes to privacy and letting those caught in the camera’s cone of vision know that they’re perhaps being filmed.

Privacy is an important consideration for Android XR. Google says it’s building new privacy controls for Gemini on the platform. More details about those will be revealed next year.

Meanwhile, games could play a major factor in the success of Android XR. They’re a focus for Meta’s Quest headsets, of course. On the heels of its various missteps with Stadia, Google is hoping to make it as easy as possible for developers to port their games to its ecosystem.

Not only that, Unity is one of the companies that’s supporting Android XR. Developers will be able to create experiences for it using the engine. Unity says it will offer full support for Android XR, including documentation and optimizations to help devs get started. They can do that now in public experimental versions of Unity 6.

Resolution Games (Demeo) and Google’s own Owlchemy Labs (Job Simulator) are among the studios that plan to bring titles built in Unity to Android XR. The process is said to be straightforward. « This is as simple a port as you’re ever going to encounter, » Owlchemy Labs CEO Andrew Eiche said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Unity has teamed up with Google and film director Doug Liman’s studio 30 Ninjas to make a « new and innovative immersive film app that will combine AI and XR to redefine the cinematic experience. »

Since gaming is set to play a sizable role in Android XR, it stands to reason that physical controllers will still be a part of the ecosystem. Not many people are going to want to play games using their voice.

But that’s the key: Android XR is shaping up to be a broad ecosystem of devices, not just one. This strategy has paid dividends for Google, given the spectrum of phones, tablets, cars and TVs that variants of Android are available on. It will be hoping to replicate that success with Android XR.

Want to maximize your returns with a certificate of deposit? Now’s the time to act.

You can earn up to 4.70% annual percentage yield, or APY, with today’s top CDs. APYs have been falling since the Federal Reserve cut interest rates at its last two meetings, and another cut is possible when the Fed meets next week. The sooner you open a CD, the higher the APY you may be able to lock in.

Here are some of the highest CD rates right now, based on banks we track at CNET, and how much you could earn by depositing $5,000.

Today’s best CD rates

Term	Highest APY*	Bank	Estimated earnings
6 months	4.70%	Rising Bank	$117.50
1 year	4.47%	NexBank	$223.50
3 years	4.15%	America First Credit Union	$648.69
5 years	4.25%	America First Credit Union	$1,156.73

Experts recommend comparing rates before opening a CD account to get the best APY possible. Enter your information below to get CNET’s partners’ best rate for your area.

What’s in store for CD rates?

The Fed doesn’t directly set CD rates, but it does control the federal funds rate. The federal funds rate is the overnight lending rate banks charge one another to borrow funds. When the federal funds rate goes down, rates on consumer products like CDs and savings accounts tend to follow. 

Following the Fed’s post-pandemic rate hikes, CD rates soared above 5% APY for six- to 18-month terms we track at CNET. But since the beginning of this year, CD and savings rates have been slowly decreasing. 

The Fed cut rates in September, its first rate cut since March 2020. Since then, CD and savings rates have fallen faster. At the start of 2024, the average APY on a six-month CD was 4.92%, but following September’s rate cut, it was down to 4.38%. This week, it’s 4.14%. 

Here’s where CD rates stood at the start of this week compared to the start of last week:

How CD rates have changed in the last week

Term	Last week’s CNET average APY	This week’s CNET average APY**	Weekly change***
6 months	4.15%	4.14%	-0.24%
1 year	4.07%	4.07%	No change
3 years	3.53%	3.52%	-0.28%
5 years	3.46%	3.46%	No change

CD rates could drop further if the Fed makes another rate cut on Dec. 18. Right now, experts say it’s likely that the Fed will cut rates again this month despite the latest Consumer Price Index report showing inflation is still rising.

Why now is still a great time to open a CD

If you’re working on growing your savings, there’s still time to earn an attractive APY. If you already have money saved that you won’t need to dip into for a few years, you can lock in a high, guaranteed return with a CD now. 

« CDs are a good, steady way to get a predictable return while controlling the amount of time you don’t have access to your money, » said Bobbi Rebell, Certified Financial Planner® and Personal Finance Expert with BadCredit.org. « Rates are still high on a historical basis. »

If you need ready access to your money, you can also earn a competitive rate with a high-yield savings account. HYSAs are better suited for things like your emergency fund because you can take out cash at any time without penalty.

What to look for in a CD

A competitive APY is important when comparing CD accounts, but it’s not the only thing you should look at. To find the right account for you, consider these things, too:

• When you’ll need your money: Early withdrawal penalties can eat into your interest earnings. So be sure to choose a term that fits your savings timeline. Alternatively, you can select a no-penalty CD, although the APY may not be as high as you’d get with a traditional CD of the same term.
• Minimum deposit requirement: Some CDs require a minimum amount to open an account — typically, $500 to $1,000. Others do not. How much money you have to set aside can help you narrow your options.
• Fees: Maintenance and other fees can eat into your earnings. Many online banks don’t charge fees because they have lower overhead costs than banks with physical branches. Still, read the fine print for any account you’re evaluating.
• Federal deposit insurance: Make sure any bank or credit union you’re considering is an FDIC or NCUA member so your money is protected if the bank fails.
• Customer ratings and reviews: Visit sites like Trustpilot to see what customers are saying about the bank. You want a bank that’s responsive, professional and easy to work with.

Methodology

CNET reviews CD rates based on the latest APY information from issuer websites. We evaluated CD rates from more than 50 banks, credit unions and financial companies. We evaluate CDs based on APYs, product offerings, accessibility and customer service.

The current banks included in CNET’s weekly CD averages include Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, American Express National Bank, Barclays, Bask Bank, Bread Savings, Capital One, CFG Bank, CIT, Fulbright, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, MYSB Direct, Quontic, Rising Bank, Synchrony, EverBank, Popular Bank, First Internet Bank of Indiana, America First Federal Credit Union, CommunityWide Federal Credit Union, Discover, Bethpage, BMO Alto, Limelight Bank, First National Bank of America and Connexus Credit Union.

*APYs as of Dec. 12, 2024, based on the banks we track at CNET. Earnings are based on APYs and assume interest is compounded annually.

**Weekly percentage increase/decrease from Dec. 2, 2024, to Dec. 9, 2024.

More on CDs

Features

For businesses, Proton VPN offers dedicated IP addresses and dedicated servers, which ensures better performance and security for employees accessing corporate networks. This is especially valuable for organizations that need consistent access to resources or want to ensure secure remote work. The VPN also integrates seamlessly with a variety of third-party tools and applications, providing flexibility in how you manage your team’s connectivity; which can assist in obtaining security certifications such as ISO 27001, SOC2, etc. There is no need for specialized hardware, so deployment is fast, and for business users there is dedicated 24/7 support.

Its Secure Core architecture adds an extra layer of protection by routing traffic through multiple servers in privacy-friendly countries, safeguarding your data even if a VPN endpoint is compromised. When you connect through Proton VPN’s Secure Core servers, your VPN connection takes two hops for added security. It first routes from your device to the Secure Core servers and then proceeds to the VPN server you’ve selected. Proton VPN emphasizes that its Secure Core servers are located in countries with strong privacy laws and are directly owned by Proton. These servers are housed in secure, high-security facilities, such as old military bases, ensuring that your data is protected from potential threats and unauthorized access. This of course is not the fastest way to surf the web, but is potentially one of the safest options. The auto re-connection option comes as standard across all pricing plans, which is a nice to have feature in a modern VPN solution.

Another noteworthy feature is NetShield, an advanced ad blocker that protects against malware, trackers, and ads. In short, it checks DNS requests more thoroughly and relies on a list of blocked sites and domains to avoid phishing and malware. Similarly, it blocks trackers and most of the ads you see on websites. While watching YouTube though, you will get ads served inside of videos unless you have YouTube Premium. Finally, the number of blocked ads and trackers we could not verify, but since we did not see ads that were otherwise served to us, we have to say that it works.

Pricing & Plans

If you’re looking to test drive Proton as a single user, we recommend you do so using the free version. It is understandably very limited in its functionality and does not offer the real taste of features that you will need as a business user. For business users of Proton Business VPN, there are three pricing plans, VPN Essentials, VPN Professional, and VPN Enterprise. If you’re looking for monthly payments, then the plans cost €8.99 per user and €11.99 per user, respectively. For the Enterprise plan, you need to get in touch with the sales team.

Additionally, if you’re looking to save some money, opting for 1-year pricing, you get a 22% and 17% discount, respectively. And for 2-year pricing, the discounts rise to 33% and 25% for the initial two plans. A dedicated server and IP will cost you an additional €35.99/month.

Performance

All VPNs will inevitably slow down the speed of your internet since you’re routing traffic through a server. This is also true for Proton VPN, however, the speed loss is negligible (depending on which server you’re using). You’re given the choice of using WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN (TCP or UDP), and Stealth tunneling protocols to establish your connection. Thanks to its large network of international servers (over 4800 across 110 countries), you will have ample choices to protect your connection or avoid geo-restrictions.

If you’re using Chromium-based browsers or Firefox-based ones, you can use Proton’s browser extension which lets you browse or stream securely. The best part is that the extensions are available even for the free plan. We did not notice slowdowns in browsers (Chrome and Firefox) nor was there an additional slowdown in speeds when using the extensions. As with all Proton VPN products, the browser extension is open source, allowing anyone to inspect and verify its code for transparency and security. This extension makes it even easier for users to experience the benefits of Proton VPN’s no-logs policy, which is backed by Switzerland’s strong privacy laws.

Last but not least, if you plan on using Secure Core services for browsing, be ready to suffer a hefty speed penalty, since multi-hop connections do eat into speed; but for the most paranoid amongst us, speed is usually not priority number one.

Privacy & Security

Proton VPN’s privacy policy clearly states that it does not log any user activity or IP addresses, maintaining a strict no-logs policy. In the past, Proton VPN used to store timestamps of the last login, but this practice has since been discontinued. The fact that the VPN is based in Switzerland – a country with one of the strongest privacy laws in the world – will ensure that you are protected from government surveillance and third-party requests. In addition, a separate third-party audit confirmed that the provider has no significant flaws in their privacy policy.

Thanks to the DNS leak protection and kill switch features, your connection will remain secure even if the VPN drops for any reason. Furthermore, AES-265 encryption, coupled with multi-factor authentication, adds an extra layer of security. As a business user, you’re given the option to configure your gateways, segment your network, and isolate devices or resources easily.

Proton VPN apps include built-in defenses against man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, particularly when operating over unsecured or potentially hostile networks. If such an attack attempt is detected, the app alerts the user and blocks connections to any suspicious servers, providing an added layer of security against malicious threats.

Alternatives

NordLayer jumps out as a strong alternative to Proton VPN, of course, it also commands premium pricing but does stand out when it comes to speed. Similar to Proton, NordLayer offers a rich feature set, with complex security features that complement any business looking to stay on the safer side of the internet. Browser extensions and mobile apps are easy to use, offer granular configuration, and thanks to its Firewall as a service option, it ticks all of the checkboxes for a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution.

Twingate is another alternative that, like Proton, offers fast, scalable, and seamless deployment of services. Additionally, it offers flexible access policy configurations and comprehensive activity logging, focusing on businesses in regulated industries. Like NordLayer the focus was placed on the UX and UI part of the apps they offer, which are top-notch and very intuitive. In terms of pricing it beats out both Proton and NordLayer, but does come with different sets of features and options. Therefore, the best option is to initially figure out your needs, compare the offerings and then look at pricing to get the best feel for which VPN solution is right for your business.

Final Verdict

Proton Business VPN is a powerful business VPN solution that places a strong emphasis on being open source, highly regulated, and Swiss-based to ensure the highest level of privacy and security for its users. Over 5,000 business users trust Proton with their data, which is not a number to sneeze at.

Complex security features that extend from encryption, and log-in protection all the way to man-in-the-middle attack prevention speak to the level of detail Proton placed on security. Thanks to its Secure Core and NetShield features, businesses can ensure that phishing and malware are reduced to a minimum. Of course, there are some drawbacks in terms of speed if you simply decide to turn all of the advanced features on. However, if you focus on dedicated IP addresses and dedicated servers, and reserve the advanced features for remote workers coming from higher security risk areas, Proton can be an ideal companion. All in all, Proton makes a strong case for being one of the best solutions in the business VPN market.

This week’s episode of Skeleton Crew began to peel back the layers around the mystery of At Attin—the world our young heroes hail from, and are (mostly) eager to get back to. But in doing so, it made some pretty intriguing connections to wider Star Wars lore… ones that could have some very interesting ramifications for the show’s place in the galaxy far, far away.

In episode three of the series, the kids and the audience alike learn from the avian astronavigation expert Kh’ymm that At Attin is the sole surviving world in a group known as the “Jewels of the Old Republic”: a series of at least nine worlds that were placed under Republic protection to be kept hidden in some form or another to safeguard some wondrous feature about them, either ecological or, as “Jod” believes, some grand treasure waiting to be plundered. All but At Attin have been destroyed outright since the establishment of the project, but while trying to figure out defining features of the world to narrow Kh’ymm’s searches down, Neel makes mention that no one on the planet is meant to leave the protection of a barrier of nebulae gasses, as part of what At Attin’s government refers to as “the Great Work.”

It’s not the first time in Skeleton Crew we’ve heard that phrase invoked. Fern’s mother, Fara, tells Wim and Neel’s class that their aptitude tests are designed to help children find their career path as part of that “Great Work,” in so much as serving the planet of At Attin at large. But this is the first time that someone makes an explicit connection between the term and the intent behind the Jewels—and in doing so invokes a particularly intriguing concept from long ago in Star Wars‘ chronology, but a little more recently in our own.

What Is a ‘Great Work’?

The act of describing a governmental project as one of the Republic’s “Great Works” became a prominent part of the worldbuilding for the High Republic publishing initiative depicting the golden age of the Galactic Republic, approximately 200 years before the events of the Star Wars prequel trilogy. There, the “Great Works” were a pet project of the then-current Supreme Chancellor, Lina Soh, and a term designated to particularly grand projects undertaken by the Republic to advance its expansionary goals and elevate its status as the de facto state of power in the galaxy.

What a “Great Work” could be varied—the construction of interstellar comms relays or the Starlight Beacon (a massive space station on the edge of Republic space in collaboration with the Jedi Order); the discovery of effective cultivation of Bacta as a medical aid; brokering a peace treaty between the Quarren and Mon Calamari; and even, perhaps most interestingly in connection to the Jewels, environmental restoration of worlds on the brink of climate-change-induced disaster. While all these projects were largely benevolent ones, the branding of them as Soh’s “Great Works” drew some ire within the Republic senate and among her allies in the Jedi, blunting their diplomatic intent into a self-serving vision of Soh’s own importance.

It has real-world parallels befitting an expansionary colonial endeavor like the Republic was meant to be at the time, too—one particularly disastrous “Great Work” was Soh’s Republic Fair, held on the planet Valo and ultimately assaulted by the piratical forces of the Nihil in 231BBY. Originally intended before its targeting to be a show of unity and a promotional celebration of the Republic as a federal entity and hub for technological advancement, it draws parallels to real-world colonial exhibitions such as World’s Fairs, or Great Britain’s Festival of Empire, masquerading Imperialist propaganda as a force for advanced civilization.

Are the High Republic’s Great Works and At Attin Connected?

There’s definitely a case to be made that the Jewels fit into something akin to the “Great Works” we saw in the High Republic material. But the jury is still out on whether or not that means that At Attin’s secrecy was something established during that time period, or if the world’s isolation has been for even longer than that.

It’s very intriguing at the least that while evoking the term feels like a deliberate nod to the High Republic, the term “High Republic” has yet to be used in relation to it on Skeleton Crew. So far in the show people have only ever described At Attin as being more broadly connected to the “old Republic,” rather than specifically the High Republic, and even that‘s vague. What is “old,” in this context? We know at the very least that At Attin’s populace (if not its government, so far) is unaware of the events of the Galactic Civil War. But is “old” the roughly 240 years or so since the golden age of the High Republic? Is it even older than that, perhaps into a time period the wider chronology that is referred to as the Old Republic, both in the expanded universe and current continuity? Has At Attin been hidden for hundreds of years, or perhaps thousands, predating the concept of the “Great Works” to even well before Supreme Chancellor Soh?

We’re not exactly sure yet—no doubt Skeleton Crew will begin narrowing it down for us as we progress closer and closer to finding out what At Attin is safeguarding from the rest of the galaxy.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

BeReal, the in the moment social media platform, is far from its 2022 heyday, but that hasn’t stopped one organization from going after it. Austrian advocacy group Noyb has filed a complaint surrounding the platform’s data consent banner practices. The organization claims that the banner disappears if users accept that their personal data can inform advertising practices, but if they click reject then the banner appears daily. Noyb filed its complaint with the French data protection authority (CNIL) as Voodoo, a French company, bought BeReal in June — the practice in question started in July.

« BeReal’s daily attempt to pressure its users into accepting the tracking for personalised advertising has a significant impact on user behaviour. Consent given under these circumstances is not freely given, which means it doesn’t meet the requirements established in Article 4(11) GDPR, » Noyb argued in its complaint. It asked the CNIL to fine BeReal and force it to be compliant.

Noyb also pointed to guidelines the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) adopted in early 2023 around such a technique. « The continuous prompting deceptive design pattern occurs when users are pushed to provide more personal data than necessary for the purposes of processing or to agree with another use of their data, by being repeatedly asked to provide additional data or to consent to a purpose of processing, » the EDPB stated. « Such repetitive prompts can happen through one or several devices. Users are likely to end up giving in, as they are wearied from having to refuse the request each time they use the platform. « 

What is the best internet provider in Aurora?

Aurora residents have plenty of options when it comes to internet service. If you’re in the market for a fresh broadband connection. Xfinity is the top internet service provider in Aurora, Colorado, according to our CNET experts. Xfinity earns the top spot thanks to its fast speeds and affordable prices — making it a great choice for households. Plans start at just $20 monthly for 150Mbps speeds and go all the way way to high-speed 1200Mbps connectivity for $85 monthly.

If Xfinity doesn’t service your neighborhood, you should look for Quantum Fiber or CenturyLink as backup options. Quantum’s fiber service is limited to just two plans but offers blistering fast speeds on both.

Additionally, Aurora is home to multiple fixed wireless internet providers. Verizon 5G Home Internet offers the fastest speeds for the money, but T-Mobile Home Internet is also a practical option, particularly in rural areas to the east. Remember — availability, pricing and overall value from other fixed wireless providers, including Starry Internet, Aerux Broadband and Rise Broadband, will vary by location.

Best internet in Aurora, Colorado

Aurora internet providers compared

Provider	Internet technology	Monthly price range	Speed range	Monthly equipment costs	Data cap	Contract	CNET review score
Aerux Broadband	Fixed wireless	$99-$169	20-50Mbps	$8 (does not include router)	None	None	N/A
CenturyLink Read full review	DSL	$55	20-100Mbps	$15 (optional)	None	None	6.7
Quantum Fiber	Fiber	$50-$75	500-940Mbps	None	None	None	6.7
Rise Broadband Read full review	Fixed wireless	$30-$40	25-50Mbps	$10	250GB or unlimited	None	6.2
Starry Internet Read full review	Fixed wireless	$30-55	100-500Mbps	None	None	None	7
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review	Fixed wireless	$50-$70 ($40-$50 with eligible mobile plans)	72-245Mbps	None	None	None	7.4
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review	Fixed wireless	$50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers)	50-1,000Mbps	None	None	None	7.2
Xfinity Read full review	Cable	$20-$85	1500-1,200Mbps	$15 (optional, included in most plans)	1.2TB or unlimited	None required	7

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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Cheap internet options in Aurora

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Shop providers at my address

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in Aurora

The best internet deals and top promotions in Aurora depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers. 

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Aurora internet providers, such as Xfinity, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including Quantum Fiber, CenturyLink and Rise Broadband, run the same standard pricing year-round. 

For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

Fastest internet plans in Aurora

Plan	Starting price	Max download speed	Max upload speed	Data cap	Connection type
Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read full review	$85	1,200Mbps	35Mbps	1.2TB or unlimited	Cable
Xfinity Gigabit Read full review	$70	1,000Mbps	20Mbps	1.2TB or unlimited	Cable
Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read full review	$70 ($45 with eligible mobile plans)	85-1,000Mbps	50-75Mbps	None	Fixed wireless
Starry Internet Gig Read full review	$75	1,000Mbps	50Mbps	None	Fixed wireless
Quantum Fiber	$75	940Mbps	940Mbps	None	Fiber

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Shop providers at my address

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What’s a good internet speed?

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate video conferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

• 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
• 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and video conferencing.
• 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming. 
• 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like video conferencing, streaming and online gaming. 
• 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Aurora

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

1. Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
2. Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
3. Are customers happy with their service?

The answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and also take into account real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

Internet providers in Aurora FAQs

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• It looks like MacBook Air models with M4 chips are coming soon
• Latest leak seems to come from Apple itself
• References spotted in macOS update are to blame

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A new leak concerning the rumored MacBook Air with M4 chip has hit the internet – and Apple only has itself to blame.

As MacRumors reports, it looks like Apple has spoiled its own surprise, with the macOS Sequoia 15.2 update apparently coming with references to the « ‌MacBook Air‌ (13-inch, M4, 2025) » and the « ‌MacBook Air‌ (15-inch, M4, 2025) ». What’s more, the update is seemingly being made available for Mac16,12 and Mac16,13 devices – which currently don’t exist but are considered to be the two upcoming MacBook Airs.

Apple’s popularity means that there’s always going to be huge amounts of interest in the products it’s currently working on, and the company is fighting an ongoing war to stop leaks like this appearing. So, it’s rather ironic that the leak appears to have come from Apple itself this time.

A non-surprising surprise

While the source of this leak is surprising, the fact that Apple is seemingly working on MacBook Airs with its latest M4 chip isn’t shocking at all.

Apple has released versions of the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac and even the iPad Pro with the M4 chip, and with M3-equipped MacBook Airs launching earlier this year, the smart money is on Apple announcing M4 MacBook Airs in both 13-inch and 15-inch configurations around the same time in 2025.

While nothing is official until Apple releases a statement, this is yet another reason to look forward to early 2025. The M3 MacBook Air is one of the best laptops in the world, and Apple’s thin and light laptop getting the power of the M4 chip is an exciting prospect, and one – regardless of leaks – that I think we’ll officially see sooner rather than later.

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