Based on our years of testing and using VPNs across operating systems and browsers, these are the top factors you should consider when choosing a VPN for Chrome:
Platform compatibility
If you’re looking for a VPN for Chrome, your primary consideration will be whether the VPN offers a Chrome extension. Most of the top VPN providers offer plugins for Chrome and other browsers, but some do not. Check that the VPN you’re considering offers a Chrome extension before purchasing. Alternatively, you can use your VPN provider’s native device app for platforms like Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS/iPadOS and Linux, which works with an installed Chrome browser.
Privacy
A VPN’s Chrome extension doesn’t deliver the same level of privacy that a full VPN app does, but you’ll still get basic privacy protections through the plugin because it provides browser encryption and hides your IP address from the websites you visit. An important privacy feature to look out for in your VPN’s browser extension is WebRTC blocking, which can help prevent your IP address (and location) from leaking to the websites you’re visiting.
Speed
Because they’re lightweight versions of their respective VPN apps, VPN browser extensions can offer faster speeds than the full VPN app. If you’re streaming, video conferencing or gaming, and only need basic browser privacy, then using the browser extension can be a great way to get faster speeds.
Server network
A large network of servers can be beneficial, especially if you’re looking to unblock streaming content from around the world. Check the VPN provider’s list of servers to ensure that it offers servers in locations from which you want to stream content.
Cost
If you’re on a budget, then the price of your VPN will be an important consideration. Most VPNs cost around $10 to $14 per month, but you can enjoy greater savings and an overall better value if you opt for a yearly subscription plan. You can get a budget-friendly VPN for about $40 to $60 per year, but more expensive options can run up to $100 per year.
Customer support
Most of the best VPNs have helpful customer support options that are available around the clock. If you prefer getting answers from a real human, look for a provider that offers live chat or email support. If you prefer to find help on your own, look for a provider that has an extensive help section/knowledge base on its website that includes FAQs, troubleshooting guides and setup instructions.
Though the latest and greatest Samsung smartwatches are the Galaxy Watch 6 and 6 Classic, the rugged Galaxy Watch 5 Pro remains a great pick for most people in 2024. And right now, Amazon is offering an incredible deal that can help you get your hands on one at a serious discount. You can score up to 56% off Galaxy Watch 5 Pro models right now, which drops the price of the GPS version down to $200 and the price of the LTE model to just $250. Those are the lowest prices we’ve seen. There’s no set expiration for this deal, so we’d recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.
Though it may be an older model, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is still one of our overall favorite Android smartwatches on the market right now. It features a rugged titanium case, is waterproof up to 50 meters and has sport modes for running, swimming, cycling and more so you it can handle even your most extreme adventures. Plus, it can provide you with a detailed breakdown of your body’s composition, can monitor your sleep patterns and has built-in GPS navigation. Internally, it’s equipped with 16GB of storage and 1.5GB of RAM for smooth performance, as well as a 590-mAh battery that can last for up to 80 hours on a single charge (or 20 hours with GPS tracking enabled).
There are many ways to learn a new language, and if a classroom isn’t right for you but you struggle with finding your own resources and teaching yourself, there’s a good alternative. Language-learning apps like Babbel can help give you a more guided approach, and with 14 tongues to pick from, there’s a lot to learn. This lifetime subscription lets you learn at your own pace — you don’t have to feel pressure to take in a certain amount every 30 days to avoid wasting a monthly fee.
Though the usual lifetime subscription to Babbel is a hefty $599, StackSocial is offering a discount that knocks that way down, to $160. Just be aware that you can get the full discount only by using the code ENJOY20, so be sure to type that in when checking out.
Babbel’s extensive language software includes Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Swedish, Indonesian, Portuguese and more. The lessons are short and to the point, allowing you to practice in 10- to 15-minute intervals that can fit into any schedule. Real-life topics include travel, family, business, food and others. There are also a variety of skill levels available, ranging from beginner to advanced, so the program can grow with you as you improve.
Babbel
The speech-recognition technology will give you immediate feedback on pronunciation, so you don’t just learn to read and write but how to listen and speak, as well. You’ll also get personalized review sessions to reinforce what you’ve learned. The program works across desktop and mobile devices. And though the internet is required most of the time, there is also an offline mode available where you can access courses, lessons and reviews without Wi-Fi, so long as you download them beforehand. Babbel also syncs your progress across your devices so that you can jump in from wherever is most convenient.
Becoming fluent in a new language is a great way to stay engaged in learning, and the transferable skills you gain can open a lot of doors for leisure, work and beyond. Note that while you can access this program on as many devices as you want, this subscription offer is available only for new users.
Babbel is a great value when compared with other online courses, especially with this current discount. So whether you’re a lifelong learner or just want to pick up some basics for your globetrotting adventures, this is a solid deal.
It wasn’t just you: Meta’s Facebook, Instagram and Threads were all having issues Tuesday morning. The popular social media services all appeared to be suffering from an outage, with monitoring service Downdetector showing spikes for Facebook and Instagram.
Meta-owned WhatsApp seemed to be OK, however. As of 12:30 p.m. ET all three impacted services seemed to have returned.
In a post on X, Andy Stone, a Meta communications director, confirmed what users were experiencing. Stone later tweeted to note that the outage was caused by a “technical issue.”
Earlier today, a technical issue caused people to have difficulty accessing some of our services. We resolved the issue as quickly as possible for everyone who was impacted, and we apologize for any inconvenience. https://t.co/ybyyAZNAMn
Phones are pretty great, and they can be really useful when driving so long as you have a vehicle with support for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Regardless of which type of smartphone you own, they’re both great ways to enjoy in-car entertainment, and they’re also much safer than trying to tap your phone screen while driving. The problem? Your vehicle needs to support CarPlay or Android Auto if you want to use them, and not all cars do.
If you drive an older car that doesn’t come with support for CarPlay or Android Auto, you can add both to your vehicle for just $77. The deal at StackSocial saves you a ton of money, but you’ll need to make sure to enter the discount code ENJOY20 to get this special price. There are tons of CarPlay and Android Auto head units out there, but this approach is much cheaper and easier for anyone to install.
This unit comes with a large 6.8-inch touchscreen and supports both Android Auto and CarPlay so it doesn’t matter which phone you have. There are plenty of connectivity options as well, including Bluetooth and an aux jack, while a built-in FM transmitter is also offered.
Mounting the display is quick and easy, and support for Siri and Google Assistant for hands-free calling, navigation and music makes this a safer option than trying to stab away at your small phone screen while on the move. Keep in mind that this StackSocial deal could well end at any moment and without warning so factor that into your buying decision.
Looking for a new phone to go with this display? Be sure to check out our collection of the best iPhone deals, while our list of the best phone deals also includes some of the big-name Android models, too.
Rest is so important for your health and wellbeing, and if you’re not sleeping well, your mattress may be to blame. If it’s time to upgrade or you’re ready to find a mattress with the right support, you won’t want to miss this deal. Right now Purple is offering up to $400 off mattresses in its Essentials collection, making it more affordable to snag one for yourself. This offer is only available while supplies last, so we recommend making your purchase sooner rather than later to score the best price.
Purple mattresses don’t tend to hold heat, thanks to their gel-flex grid construction, which makes the brand a great option for those that sleep hot and want some breathability in their mattresses. Right now this sale drops the price of the queen size Purple Plus mattressdown to $1,499, a $400 savings. It has a medium-soft firmness and is very responsive, which makes it a solid choice for side sleepers.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Purple mattress is also $400 off right now, which brings the price of the queen size down to just $1,099. It’s both soft and supportive, which means this medium-firm mattress can work for most sleep types, whether you’re a side, back or stomach sleeper. And for just $999, you can score the firmer queen size PurpleFlex mattress, a $300 savings.
Some shoppers are wary of buying mattresses online, but it’s worth noting that Purple offers a 100-night trial and free returns. That gives you plenty of time to decide if you like the bed, just in case.
If you’re looking for other mattress types or just want to see what other mattress options are out there, be sure to check out our roundup of all the best mattress deals happening now.
What is the best internet provider in Jacksonville?
Broad coverage of high-speed internet makes Spectrum the best internet service provider in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The cable internet provider offers download speeds of up to 1,000 megabits per second to nearly 90% of Jacksonville households. All plans, from 100 to 1,000Mbps, include unlimited data, free modem rental and no contract requirements.
Spectrum has the lowest introductory rate for home internet in Jacksonville at $30 per month for speeds up to 100Mbps. Local fiber provider Metronet also offers a $30, 100Mbps plan, but has a higher, unavoidable equipment service fee than Spectrum. Metronet does have the fastest internet plan in Jacksonville with symmetrical upload and download speeds up to 5,000Mbps.
Brightspeed offers fiber internet in Jacksonville as well, but the majority of the provider’s coverage in the area runs on a DSL network with slower speeds than cable or fiber connections. As such, fixed wireless internet from T-Mobile Home Internet is the best alternative to Spectrum and Metronet in Jacksonville.
CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Jacksonville across a number of categories. Our evaluation includes referencing a proprietary database built over years of reviewing internet services. We validate that against provider information by spot-checking local addresses for service availability. We also do a close read of providers’ terms and conditions and, when needed, will call ISPs to verify the details.
Despite our efforts to find the most recent and accurate information, our process has some limitations you should know about. Pricing and speed data are variable: Certain addresses may qualify for different tiers of service, and monthly costs may vary, even within a city. The best way to identify your particular options is to plug your address into a provider’s website.
Also, the prices, speed and other information listed above and in the provider cards below may differ from what we found in our research. The cards display the full range of a provider’s pricing and speed across the US, according to our database of plan information provided directly by ISPs, while the text is specific to what’s available in Jacksonville. The prices referenced within this article’s text come from our research and include applicable discounts for setting up automatic payments each month — a standard industry offering. Other discounts and promotions might be available as well, for things like signing a term contract or bundling with multiple services.
To learn more about how we review internet providers, visit our full methodology page.
Best internet in Jacksonville, North Carolina
Speed range
100 – 1,000Mbps
Price range
$30- $90 per month
Our take – Spectrum has the best broadband coverage in Jacksonville, offering download speeds of 100, 300, 500 and 1,000Mbps throughout much of the area. Once one of the higher-priced providers, Spectrum recently lowered its introductory rates, although the router rental fee (optional) did increase to $7 per month.
...Or call to learn more: (877) 361-3842
Check with Spectrum
Speed range
100 – 1,000Mbps
Price range
$30- $90 per month
Speed range
100 – 3,000Mbps
Price range
$30 – $115 per month
Our take – Fiber internet is the top choice for speed and reliability, but availability is often more limited than other connection types. Roughly 20% of Jacksonville households are serviceable for Metronet. If you can get it, the speed selection (including symmetrical upload and download speeds) is the best you’ll find in Jacksonville.
...Or call to learn more: (877) 643-9162
Check with Metronet
Speed range
100 – 3,000Mbps
Price range
$30 – $115 per month
Connection
Fixed wireless
Speed range
72 – 245Mbps
Price range
$60 per month
Our take – Simple setup and customer-friendly service terms make T-Mobile Home Internet an enticing alternative to traditional cable or fiber-wired connections. There’s also a discount for qualifying mobile customers that can bring the home internet rate down to $40 or $50 per month. Just be prepared for relatively slow speeds, typically somewhere between 72 to 245Mbps.
...Or call to learn more: (877) 687-6988
Check with T-Mobile
Connection
Fixed wireless
Speed range
72 – 245Mbps
Price range
$60 per month
Jacksonville, North Carolina internet providers compared
How to find internet deals and promotions in Jacksonville
The best internet deals and the top promotions in Jacksonville depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Jacksonville internet providers such as Spectrum may offer lower introductory pricing or other incentives for a limited time. Many providers, including Metronet, Brightspeed and T-Mobile Home Internet run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of deals, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, 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.
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 videoconferencing.
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 videoconferencing, 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 Jacksonville, North Carolina
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:
Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
Are customers happy with their service?
While 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.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Internet providers in Jacksonville, North Carolina FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Jacksonville?
Spectrum is the best internet service provider in Jacksonville. Along with the best broadband coverage in the area, Spectrum offers a variety of competitively priced plans that include free modem rental, unlimited data and no contract requirements.
Is fiber internet available in Jacksonville?
According to recent FCC data as of June 2023, approximately 23% of Jacksonville residential addresses are serviceable for fiber internet. Serviceability is greatest around the Country Club Hills community, although fiber internet can be found in random neighborhoods throughout the city. Metronet is the largest fiber internet provider in Jacksonville while Brightspeed has a small fiber presence in the area, as well.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Jacksonville?
Metronet and Spectrum have the cheapest internet in Jacksonville with service starting at $30 per month for speeds up to 100Mbps. Metronet has the advantage of symmetrical upload and download speeds (compared to 10Mbps from Spectrum) while Spectrum has lower equipment fees. Although Metronet technically includes equipment at no extra cost, there is an unavoidable $12 monthly “service tech” fee. Spectrum, on the other hand, includes a free modem and router rental is only $7 per month, which customers can skip by using their own router.
Which internet provider in Jacksonville offers the fastest plan?
Metronet offers the fastest internet plan in Jacksonville with speeds up to 5,000Mbps starting at $110 per month. Considering the speeds you get for the price, that’s easily the best internet deal in Jacksonville. Metronet also offers 2,000Mbps and 1,000Mbps speed tiers starting at $100 and $60 per month, respectively. Spectrum’s fastest plan advertises maximum download speeds of 1,000Mbps (35Mbps upload) starting at $60 monthly.
The award-winning roguelike game Hades is set to join Netflix Games on March 19, the streaming company announced Tuesday. That means if you have a Netflix subscription (which starts at $7 a month) you’ll be able to play Hades before the sequel, Hades 2, is released in early access in the next few months. However, Supergiant Games’ creative director Greg Kasavin said in a news conference the title will be exclusive to iOS and iPadOS subscribers, since the studio is more familiar with these operating systems — sorry, Android fans.
Supergiant Games initially released Hades in 2018 to near-universal acclaim. The title won various awards, including Game of the Year and Action Game of the Year at the 24th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards. It also made history as the first (and so far only) game to win a Hugo Award — an accolade usually given to science fiction and fantasy literary works, but which created a special category for video games in 2021.
In Hades, you play as Zagreus, the mythological son of Hades, as he attempts to escape from the Underworld and reach Mount Olympus. And because this is a roguelike game, you’ll face a different set of challenges each time you play. This unpredictability makes roguelike games particularly difficult, but Kasavin said that’s what makes them enjoyable.
“The real pleasure of roguelike games is starting over,” Kasavin said. “If you get too angry or upset when you die … you’re missing out on what’s so special about the genre.”
As you play the game, you learn how to overcome different enemies, but you also learn more about the different characters you meet and the world. You’ll encounter mythical characters like Achilles and Patroclus — who are very much in love — and Sisyphus, who affectionately calls the boulder he’s chained to Bouldy.
Each godlike figure becomes more grounded with each interaction, ultimately exposing them as more human than they’d probably like to admit. So while the gameplay of Hades is addictive, these interactions between runs are where the title really shines.
If you watched Netflix’s mythological series Blood of Zeus and were hoping for some easter eggs in Hades, you’ll be disappointed. Kasavin said the priority for the team at Supergiant Games was to ensure the title runs well on iOS and iPadOS, not adding content beyond what was already in the game.
“With the game being as well regarded as it is, we didn’t want to mess with it too much,” Kasavin said. “The really big investment was trying to get it as performant and smooth as possible, and also making sure that the controls felt as good as possible on mobile.”
Here’s how to get Hades in Netflix Games upon release
You can pre-register for the game now, or you can follow these steps after the game is released on the service on March 19.
1. Download the Netflix app onto your iPhone or iPad. 2. Open the Netflix app and sign in to your account. 3. Tap the magnifying glass in the top right corner of your screen. 4. Type Hades into the search bar. 5. Tap Hades. 6. Tap Get Game.
An additional pop-up from Apple’s App Store opens, asking if you want to download Hades. After you’ve confirmed that action, the game starts downloading on your device, like other apps.
Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, is finally setting some ambitious timelines, saying it plans to conduct an uncrewed Moon landing in as little as a year from now, deploying a demonstration version of its Blue Moon Mark 1 (MK1) cargo lander. This ramps up the space rivalry big time, putting Bezos head-to-head with Musk in a potential lunar showdown.
China’s Plan to Land Astronauts on the Moon
John Couluris, senior vice president for lunar permanence at Blue Origin, discussed these plans during an interview on CBC’s 60 Minutes, which aired on Sunday, March 3. “We’re expecting to land on the Moon between 12 and 16 months from today,” he said. “I understand I’m saying that publicly, but that’s what our team is aiming towards.”
Couluris knows he needs to be careful with his phrasing; a Congressional memo recently accused Rocket Lab of misrepresenting the launch readiness of its upcoming Neutron rocket to “gain competitive advantage” against rival bidders for a Space Force contract. Overly optimistic wording can cost a company lucrative deals, but Blue Origin is making a concerted effort to shed its image as the company that likes to take its sweet time.
The upcoming pathfinding mission, known as MK1-SN001, is meant to showcase various capabilities of the MK1 cargo vehicle. Focusing on key tests will be crucial, including checking the BE-7 engine, cryogenic fluid power and propulsion systems, avionics, ensuring steady communication links, and achieving precise landings within 328 feet (100 meters) accuracy. After the pathfinder mission, MK1 will be offered to customers, but MK1-SN001 will also serve as a critically important test in verifying the technologies needed for Blue Origin’s Human Landing System, known as Blue Moon, which it’s building for NASA.
The newly stated timeline of just 12 to 16 months from now comes as a surprise, given that the project only officially began in May 2023, when NASA announced the $3.4 billion contract with Blue Origin to develop a second Moon lander for its Artemis missions. Blue Moon Mark 1 is included in the agreement—a lunar cargo lander meant to pave the way for the human-friendly version. NASA contracts for the first human landing system were previously awarded to SpaceX, for Artemis 3 and 4, valued at $2.89 billion and $1.15 billion, respectively.
In contrast to the single-use MK1, the 52-foot-tall (16-meter) Blue Moon is designed for repeat missions. It will transport astronauts to the lunar surface and then bring them back to lunar orbit. Significantly, Blue Origin intends to launch Blue Moons to lunar orbit, “and we’ll leave them there,” Couluris explained. “And we’ll refuel them in orbit, so that multiple astronauts can use the same vehicle back and forth.”
The company’s ambitious timeline is also surprising given that it has yet to launch its 320-foot (98-meter) New Glenn rocket—the designated launch vehicle for both MK1 and Blue Moon. That said, Blue Origin raised its rocket for the first time during recent tests at Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36 in Florida. Its inaugural launch could happen later this year. Finally.
The bold new timelines and Blue Origin’s markedly more assertive approach are not entirely unexpected. Last year, the company hired former Amazon executive David Limp as CEO, bringing him in from Amazon to accelerate development. Under previous CEO Bob Smith, who stepped down after six years of service, the company was often criticized for its ultra-cautious, snail’s pace approach to spaceflight. Blue Origin may or may not hit the timelines disclosed by Couluris, but it’s certainly wanting to give the impression that it’s trying.
Blue Origin is not going it alone, forming the National Team consisting of Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Draper, Astrobotic, and Honeybee Robotics. NASA wants the fully reusable four-person Blue Moon lander for the Artemis 5 mission, currently scheduled for 2029.
SpaceX and NASA intend to leverage Starship as the human landing system for Artemis 3 and 4, scheduled for 2026 and 2028. Artemis 3 was originally supposed to happen in 2025, but a recent report from the Government Accountability Office warned of potential delays, saying SpaceX has made limited progress in developing the technologies required to “store and transfer propellant while in orbit,” as a “critical aspect” of the company’s plan “is launching multiple tankers that will transfer propellant to a depot in space before transferring that propellant to the human landing system.” In January, NASA made it official, saying Artemis 3 won’t happen until 2026 at the earliest due to these and other delays.
It’s not entirely clear if SpaceX will meet the required timelines, as Starship remains a rocket under development, let alone a human-rated landed system; the experimental rocket has flown on two tests to date, with a third pending. Importantly, SpaceX needs to perform a demo mission to the Moon prior to Artemis 3, the timeline of which is entirely ambiguous at this point. It’s conceivable, though certainly not guaranteed, that Blue Origin’s pending MK1-SN001 mission will happen before SpaceX’s uncrewed demo on the Moon. That would be very interesting, adding more fuel to the Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos rivalry.
As far as NASA is concerned, it’s all good. Speaking to 60 Minutes during the same episode, NASA associate administrator Jim Free noted the importance of having access to multiple lunar landers. “If we have a problem with one, we’ll have another one to rely on,” he said. “If we have a dependency on a particular aspect in SpaceX or Blue Origin, and it doesn’t work out, then we have another lander that can take our crews.”
The space race between SpaceX and Blue Origin is—finally—heating up. And there’s even more to this story. As Ars Technica notes, rumors are swirling that Blue Origin is staffing up for an undisclosed project to develop a next-gen spacecraft, one that would rival SpaceX’s Crew Dragon and Sierra Space’s upcoming Dream Chaser space plane. Bring it on, I say.
For more spaceflight in your life, follow us on X and bookmark Gizmodo’s dedicated Spaceflight page.
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