With more and more electric vehicles coming through our test fleet -- including our long-term 2022 Mini Cooper SE -- I decided it was time to install a home charger. It's crucial for me because I live in a small desert town and the only public chargers are Level 2 units that deliver electricity at a super-slow speed of 8.3 kilowatts. The last thing I want to do is sit in the parking lot of the California Welcome Center for hours on end.

My first step was to look at my home's electrical panel and see if it could accommodate a Level 2 charger. I have a 100-amp panel and I want to charge at 50 amps, which should let me put 37 miles worth of juice back into the long-term Mini in about an hour. But I didn't want to have to upgrade my house to a 200-amp panel, which I thought I might need to do since I'd want to run things like the air conditioner at the same time.

The $699 ChargePoint Home Flex charger I bought can be set to a variety of amps, from 16 all the way up to 50. A good middle-ground charging speed is 40 amps, which puts about 30 miles of range back into the Mini each hour. Plus, by keeping the charging speed below 48 amps, I didn't need to have the charger hardwired to the house, which saved a few dollars during installation, and I didn't have to upgrade to the 200-amp panel. It's good to know that, if I'm hit with a heat wave, I can set the charger's amps lower and still crank the air conditioning.

What I like best about my ChargePoint charger is the app. I can use it to find public charging stations when I'm out and about, but I can also use it to schedule my home charging schedule, set reminders, check on charging activity and adjust the amperage remotely.

My local electrician installed the ChargePoint L2 charger for right around $2,000. That included running conduit from the panel in the back of the house under the eave of my home and into the garage, pulling wire through said conduit and then installing a junction box and wiring up the charger. My electrician also added a 240-volt box for a future welder I want to purchase, so I probably could've saved some money if I hadn't asked for that extra work.

Just as there are incentives for buying an electric vehicle, there are also incentives for installing a home charger. The ChargePoint website has a handy search function so you can find rebates in your state. Unfortunately, my utility company and my county in California don't participate. Maybe you'll have better luck.

Not everyone can install a charger at home; renters definitely don't all have this luxury. But having the home charger has improved my time with the Mini, especially since it has a tiny 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack that gets an EPA-estimated 114 miles of range. In our testing, we've been seeing anywhere between 110 and 115 miles, but for me, that's one trip into Los Angeles. Having a charger at home -- especially one with an app like ChargePoint's -- means I can plug in and charge when it's most convenient. No more waiting around in the parking lot.

Nintendo Switch's new Pokemon game, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, has received its first post-launch update.

The version 1.0.2 patch resolves a handful of gameplay bugs, including one related to Cherrim. The Pokemon would previously become uncatchable if it transformed during a battle. That issue has now been resolved, as has an exploit that let you duplicate certain Pokemon.

According to Nintendo's patch notes, the update also fixes a bug that could, under certain circumstances, cause the screen to freeze when trying to pick up a lost satchel. You can read the full patch notes below.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus launched for Nintendo Switch on Jan. 28 and is already a hit. According to Nintendo, the new title sold more than 6.5 million copies in its first week, making it the system's fastest-selling Pokemon game to date.

Everyone who purchases Pokemon Legends: Arceus before May 9 can get a few bonus items in the game, including an exclusive Hisuian Growlithe kimono set. You'll also receive other bonus items and missions if you've played other Pokemon titles on the system.

• Fixed an issue where, while offline, the screen could freeze after trying to pick up a lost satchel by throwing out a ball that contains a Pokémon.
• Fixed an issue that sometimes made it difficult to catch Cherrim.
• Fixed an issue where a certain event would not occur during a particular Mission, preventing the scenario from proceeding as intended.
• Fixed an issue where players could obtain certain Pokémon twice instead of once only as intended, prohibiting the player from obtaining other certain Pokémon. The relevant Pokémon will appear for players who were unable to catch those certain Pokémon due to this issue.

Phone fans, start your engines. We're anticipating some exciting new reveals this fall from Apple, Samsung, Google and more. Are we pumped for the iPhone 13? You bet. The Pixel 6's new design and Tensor chip? Absolutely. And Samsung may have recently Unpacked its new foldable phones (the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3), but there may be a few more devices waiting in the wings to look out for as well, like the rumored Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 FE.

Let's take a moment to round up some of the devices we're keeping a particularly close eye on, including those with rumored camera upgrades, refinements on previous devices and possible new ideas that could step up how we use our phones in the future.

Apple iPhone 13

Starting with Apple, we're expecting the iPhone 13 to make its big reveal this September as has been the traditional reveal month for the flagship line. Like the iPhone 12 series, we're expecting multiple models in the lineup, including a standard and Pro version, and hopefully a more affordable iPhone 13 Mini, too. 

We're not expecting many big physical changes, beyond a slick new sunset gold color, but we may see a shallower notch on the front as well as integrated Touch ID -- which would be a great workaround for unlocking the phone while wearing a face mask. The best current alternative requires also having an Apple Watch.

The cameras are rumored to be getting a decent boost too, particularly with better night mode on the wide-angle lens, and even a much improved zoom system. That'd be great, as even the iPhone 12 Pro Max's 2.5x zoom pales into insignificance against the Galaxy S21 Ultra's zoom skills. 

Video, always a highlight of the iPhone's camera, could be getting improvements like higher-quality ProRes recording for video, that fancy portrait mode background blur and a new set of filters designed to improve how colors look. In fact, the camera upgrades may likely be the biggest changes we see on the phone, which, as a photographer, I'm fine with.

Otherwise the iPhone 13, along with many other phones released by Apple in the last few years, will receive iOS 15 when its final edition becomes available without requiring the beta.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Samsung's Galaxy S22 series isn't expected until next year, historically around February or March. There aren't a ton of rumors about the next generation of the phone, and much of the overall Samsung rumor mill has centered on the just-confirmed Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 foldable phones. But there are at least a few renders purporting to show big changes to Samsung's high-end phone.

Like the iPhone, it seems like the S22's upgrades could be more focused around the camera, with teases from Samsung's own social accounts hinting at a whopping 200-megapixel image sensor. That'd be the biggest resolution we've seen so far on a phone and will likely go a long way in improving the quality of those huge 30x and 100x zoom images that you can take on the current Galaxy S21 Ultra. 

Speaking of zoom, the S22 Ultra is also rumored to get a continuous optical zoom, rather than static 3x or 10x optical zoom lenses to switch between. 

Beyond the camera, we're not expecting major design upgrades or feature changes. We're confident that there'll be a range of handsets in the Galaxy S22 line, but the Ultra model would be the main one to get the bigger camera upgrade.

Google Pixel 6

Google's Pixel 6 line got an early reveal this month, confirming a brand-new design that showcases a camera bar along the back. Breaking from its tradition of doing a base and XL model, the Pixel 6 will be joined by the Pixel 6 Pro -- the latter including a telephoto lens. 

The Pixel 6 has some major camera upgrades of its own, including a better image sensor that can capture 150% more light. More light often means better photos, particularly in low-light situations. The Pro model is also confirmed to include a 4x optical zoom.

But one of the biggest changes is that Google will be using its own custom-made Tensor system-on-a-chip, rather than using one from Qualcomm as it's done on previous handsets. Google presented a number of demos to members of the press to demonstrate the Tensor's prowess, which includes speech recognition, live translation and photography enhancements. Those demos include the phone making use of Live Caption and Interpreter Mode simultaneously to quickly transcribe a French presentation into English, and a photo demo that combines multiple photos together to create a clearer image of a quickly moving subject (a toddler). 

The Pixel 6 will also be among the first phones running the latest Android 12, which on Google's phones will include the option to create an entire interface theme based on the dominant colors of the image you choose for your background wallpaper. That customization will extend across a new design language in Android 12 that Google calls Material You.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

While we are certainly looking ahead to next year's Galaxy S22 line, there is still likely to be one more addition to the Galaxy S21 line to look forward to. We're expecting a sequel to the Galaxy S20 FE, the "Fan Edition" lower-priced phone that included many of the Galaxy S20's best features. That sequel, which we presume will be called the Galaxy S21 FE, could arrive this fall as a cheaper alternative to the higher-end phones expected to hit the market at the same time. 

The Galaxy S20 FE was such a great deal last year that I named it the "midrange phone to beat" and gave it a CNET Editors' Choice Award. 

Some leaked specs for the rumored sequel point toward a 6.4-inch display, a triple rear camera with an improved 32-megapixel main camera resolution, fast charging and an in-display fingerprint scanner. There are no specific rumors on the phone's price as of yet, but the Galaxy S20 FE came in at $699 in the US, a full $300 lower than the base Galaxy S20. This year's Galaxy S21 had a lower starting price of $799, but here's hoping Samsung can find a way to trim at least $100 or so for the next fan edition.

Microsoft Surface Duo 2

Microsoft's Surface Duo is a quirky dual-screen device which CNET's Scott Stein found to be a bit hit and miss. Interesting hardware, but awkward software and a lack of apps that can take advantage of two screens means it didn't exactly take the mobile world by storm after its debut last year. 

So what can we expect from its replacement? Purported Surface Duo 2 leaks point to a triple rear camera setup and more high-end internal specs, including 5G connectivity. Improved photography and data speeds could go some way toward making up for issues with that first edition of the dual screen device, but Microsoft will also need to step up the software support to take better advantage of the phone's unique design. 

Still, Microsoft's Surface Duo offers a different idea in the growing folding phone space, following Samsung's new Z Fold 3 and efforts by Motorola's Razr line. Hopefully in the coming months we can get an official look at where that line is heading.

If you dig coffee in the morning and tend to opt for sleek, modern design, GE's 12-cup classic drip coffee maker would be a natural fit on your countertop. The stylish electric coffee maker is on sale, down to $49 right now on Best Buy and Amazon. That's a cool $30 off the sticker price.

Oh, and speaking of cool, if you desire the occasional iced coffee (during these warm months, for instance) the GE has brew strength settings so you can churn out a strong cup that will maintain its flavor integrity even when a little ice melts into it. 

GE small appliances of all sorts are on sale at Amazon in case you're already set up with a coffee maker you love. A multipurpose immersion blender is down to to $49 (save $20), and GE's small-yet-mighty five-speed blender is just $79 (normally $119).

Shop the full GE small appliance sale here and snap up some new kitchen gear to start your summer off on a tasty tip.

Read more: Best Coffee Subscriptions and Clubs for 2022

Tons of teenagers are heading on theaters dressed to the nines, all to see the latest Minions flick, Rise of Gru. The Gentleminions craze -- a trend from TikTok that sees young men put on suits and sit for screenings -- has been in headlines for ushering teens into Minions screenings and for reportedly prompting disturbances at some theaters. You may have spotted the trend on social media or even crossed paths with a tie-clad moviegoer while seeing the family flick in person. Whatever brings you here, you probably have questions.

Minions: The Rise of Gru debuted on Friday after delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It had the best opening for an animated film during the pandemic, securing a four-day total of $125 million during the long holiday weekend. Here's what to know about the Gentleminions trend, including what it is, why teens are taking part in it and the controversy surrounding this dedicated swath of Minions moviegoers. 

What is the Gentleminions trend?

According to viral TikTok videos, the Gentleminions trend involves donning a nice suit, gathering with some buddies willing to do the same and striding confidently into a Rise of Gru screening. You do look dapper, after all. 

@bill.hirst 🍌#fyp#minions#banana♬ original sound - billh

It gets even more absurd. Some snuck in bushels of bananas, while others joined a circle of people bowing to a Minion mascot outside of a theater. It's hard to tell just how many people have participated in the trend, because the videos aren't grouped under one TikTok sound or hashtag. Lots of videos, like the two mentioned above, use the song Rich Minion by rapper Yeat. TikToks tagged with #Gentleminions have overall amassed 28 million views.

@adultcollegeman we actually got in bro 💀💀💀 #fyp#minions#riseofgru#banana#fypシ#minionssquad💫 @jidion @minions ♬ Rich Minion - Yeat

It isn't entirely clear why suits are the choice here. The 12-year-old version of Gru that appears in the movie is dressed in all black, but his top looks more like a more casual jacket with buttons (aka, not a suit jacket). The adult version of Gru wears a jacket with a zipper. The minions, as we all know, rock overalls. 

On July 1, Universal voiced support for the Gentleminions craze via Twitter: "To everyone showing up to @Minions in suits: we see you and we love you," the studio wrote.

A large portion of the audience for the movie during its opening weekend -- 34% -- was between the ages of 13 and 17, according to exit polling service PostTrak. The Hollywood Reporter, which reported the PostTrak stats, said the last film in the franchise, Despicable Me 3, had 8% by comparison. 

@archie.barber

the streets may of called me despicable but my money still gru 💯

♬ Rich Minion - Yeat

Why are teens taking part in the trend?

Some teens participating in the trend seem excited to see another Minions/Despicable Me film after a prolonged wait. (Despicable Me 3 premiered five years ago, in the summer of 2017). Users wrote in their videos that they "waited five years for this" and that "the five year wait is over."

One Gentleminons participant told Variety: "I'm sure a majority of people in my generation -- because we grew up with the 'Despicable Me' movies --  now have nostalgia and enough money to see it on our own." 

I'd also imagine it's also fun to participate in a meme and recruit your friends for some innocent shenanigans. At its purest level, the trend seems like an excuse to get friends together for a movie. Unfortunately, some participants appear to have taken a more disruptive route.

Has the Gentleminions trend caused issues at theaters?

Gentleminions participants are reported to have caused disturbances in at least two theaters. According to the BBC, a theater on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel canceled screenings of the film after moviegoers following the trend participated in "vandalism, throwing objects and abusing staff." The news outlet also reported that a UK cinema stopped admitting "unaccompanied children wearing suits" to Minions screenings, and cinema staff said attendees had been making loud noises during the film.

"It's been absolutely heartbreaking," the Guernsey theater's manager told the BBC. "We've had families who won't even go back into the screen when we've tried to sort it out, families leaving before the film has even started, and of course the children have been in tears."

During my social media scroll, I did come across two videos that appeared to show attendees jumping up and down during a screening and yelling loudly in a movie theater bathroom. 

What is Rise of Gru about?

According to Universal, Minions: The Rise of Gru shows how a 12-year-old Gru first met his quirky yellow henchmen. When Gru gets himself in hot water after angering a supervillian group called the Vicious 6, the minions step in to help. 

OnePlus calls its new Nord 2 the "flagship killer," and I get why. This phone has impressive specs, performs well and when paired with a reasonable starting price (£399 here in the UK), it's designed to offer everything you'd need from a phone without emptying your bank account. A powerful processor, a solid dual rear camera setup, 5G connectivity, super fast charging -- and it's not bad to look at either. The phone is now available for purchase for those living in continental Europe, the UK and India.

Read more: OnePlus Nord 2 vs. Nord vs. Nord CE vs. OnePlus 9: Comparing OnePlus' latest phones

Like the previous Nord -- and the cheaper Nord CE, launched just a few months back -- the Nord 2 will not be on sale in the US. It's destined for the UK and wider Europe, where it'll cost £399 for the version with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage or £469 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. For reference, £399 converts to about $540 or AU$740. 

But no, it doesn't really "kill" any flagships. It's not as powerful as a "true" flagship like the iPhone 12 Pro Max or S21 Ultra, nor will its camera skills attract the world's most demanding photographers. The flagship that I feel is most at risk is OnePlus' own 9 series, which shares many features with the Nord 2, yet has a much higher starting price of £629 ($729). 

I've spent a short amount of time with the Nord 2, and here are the five things I like most about it.

A powerful MediaTek processor 

OnePlus has typically used Qualcomm's Snapdragon line of processors for its phones but it went with MediaTek's Dimensity 1200-AI chip for the Nord 2. You'll notice absolutely no difference in use -- it's the same as any other Android phone -- but you will notice that it's surprisingly powerful for the price. 

While it's not up there with the iPhone 12 Pro Max in terms of benchmarks, it did beat the Pixel 5 and wasn't far below the more expensive OnePlus 9. It's certainly powerful enough for gaming, photo editing and video streaming and navigating around the Android 11 interface is smooth and stutter free.

Android 11 software

The Nord 2 runs Android 11 at its core, over which OnePlus has slapped its usual Oxygen software. I really like OnePlus's software as it's neat, easy to use and doesn't try and load the phone up with too many bundled services and bloatware. As a result, the phone remains nippy and trouble-free for longer.

It's particularly important on lower and midrange phones that might not cope as well with being bogged down by services. The result here is a phone with smooth performance that I expect to remain for some time to come. 

OnePlus says it's guaranteed to get at least two years of Android upgrades -- so an update to Android 12 this fall and Android 13 next year is a given -- with an additional year of security updates after that. 

Incredible fast charging

The Nord 2 has the same 65-watt fast charging seen on the OnePlus 9 series and it's amazing. It'll take the phone from empty to full in about 30 minutes, which makes it amazing for giving it a quick boost before you head out from home. The 4,500-mAh battery should still give you a day of use from a charge, but when you can recharge so quickly, battery life becomes somewhat less of an issue.

Even better is that a 65-watt fast charger comes in the box, so you don't need to scour Amazon for one. What the phone doesn't have is wireless charging, but I don't see that as a particular problem. 

Vibrant, sharp display

The Nord 2's display measures 6.43 inches and boasts a resolution of 2,400x1,080 pixels, which is sufficient to make tiny text look nice and sharp. It's an AMOLED panel, making it extremely vibrant too: great for videos, photos or playing whatever colorful game is currently making the rounds on the Google Play Store.

It has a 90Hz refresh rate which is a touch lower than the 120Hz of the OnePlus 9 series, but I doubt you'd be able to tell any real difference in day-to-day use. It's silky smooth when scrolling around the interface, but you can also turn it down to a more regular 60Hz, which will apparently help save battery life. 

Decent rear cameras

We haven't done our full suite of camera tests yet, but what we've seen from the cameras so far looks good. The main sensor is a 50-megapixel affair -- the same one seen in the OnePlus 9's ultrawide camera. Outdoor images look well-exposed, with plenty of detail and natural-looking colors. 

The 8-megapixel super-wide lens is noticeably less detailed, but it too seems capable of capturing good-looking outdoor images. There's an on-screen option for 2x zoom but there isn't a zoom lens, so that 2x is based on digitally cropping the shot. Results still look good, but it's worth keeping in mind that you won't get maximum quality doing this. 

There's also technically a 2-megapixel monochrome sensor, which is totally pointless in my opinion as a photographer. If you want good-looking black and white images, use the regular camera and apps like Adobe Lightroom or Snapseed to have full control over converting to mono. Frankly, I feel OnePlus could have pulled this out and lopped another 20 quid or so off the price. 

OnePlus Nord 2 specs

Display size, resolution, refresh rate	6.43-inch AMOLED, FHD+ (2,400x1,080 pixels), 90Hz
Pixel density	410ppi
Dimensions (Inches)	6.25x2.88x0.32 in.
Dimensions (Millimeters)	158.9x73.2x8.25 mm
Weight (Grams)	6.66 oz; 189g
Software	Android 11
Camera	50MP (main), 8MP (wide-angle), 2MP (mono)
Front camera	32-megapixel
Video	4K
Processor	MediaTek Dimensity 1200-AI processor
Storage	128/256GB
RAM	8/12GB RAM
Fingerprint reader	No
Battery	4,500 mAh
Price	In-display
Connector	USB-C
Headphone Jack	No
Special features	5G-enabled, 65W fast charging, 90Hz, dual stereo speaker, face unlock
Price (USD)	Approximately $540 (converted from UK price)
Price (GBP)	£399
Price (AUD)	Approximately AU$740

Apple has long been seen as a champion of security and privacy in a tech industry consumed with vacuuming up consumer data. Two recent events, however, have raised questions about whether the iPhone maker's reputation is losing its luster.

Earlier this month, Apple released an emergency patch to close holes in the operating systems powering its iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches that made them vulnerable to Pegasus spyware made by Israel's NSO Group. The patch, rolled out a week before new versions of the operating systems were to be released, created unwanted attention that detracted from the company's fall device launch.

In a separate walkback, Apple postponed an announced feature that would scan its devices for images of child exploitation. Privacy and security experts, as well as other critics, charged the approach to combating the illicit material was tantamount to creating a backdoor that could be exploited by governments intent on curbing free expression.

"How Apple handles this, and they've handled this reasonably poorly over the last few days, will affect how they're able to preserve trust with their consumers," said Richard Bird, chief customer information officer at the cybersecurity firm Ping Identity.

The Pegasus spyware discovery could constitute a "Cambridge Analytica moment," he says, referring to Facebook's headline-grabbing collection of data that was used for election campaigning.

The public criticism of Apple's security and privacy mark a crossroads for a company that has used its commitment to its user-focused stance as a way to distinguish itself from its data-hungry rivals. The company won plaudits for pushing back against the FBI, which wanted Apple to crack the iPhone 5C of a terrorist who killed 14 people in 2015. 

Apple used that steadfast position on privacy to flick its competitors. The company ran a billboard before the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show reading: "What happens on your iPhone, stays on your iPhone." 

Apple declined to comment for this story beyond its previously released statements about both issues.

Relatively virus-free

Apple has long had a reputation for being relatively free from viruses, trojans and malware, all forms of malicious software that can foul up your machine. That's largely because its Mac computers were niche machines rather than corporate workhorses, like those running Microsoft's ubiquitous Windows operating system.

Cybersecurity experts say it just wasn't worth the time and effort of cybercriminals to design malware to target them or look for vulnerabilities in their operations systems. 

But the popularity of the iPhone has fueled interest in Macs. According to the research firm IDC, sales of Apple desktop and laptop computers jumped 29% in 2020 from the year before, giving the company a 7.6% share of the market.

That's made Macs and the broader Apple ecosystem more enticing targets for the hackers who distribute malware. And the broad shift to mobile computing on phones and tablets has created a host of new targets in product classes that Apple leads. 

For example, in March, Apple pushed out an update for iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches to fix a vulnerability in WebKit, which powers Apple's Safari browser, that was discovered by security researchers at Google's Project Zero. The researchers said at the time that it was possible that the vulnerability was being actively exploited. 

And last fall, five hackers said they had discovered 55 Apple vulnerabilities, 11 of which were deemed critical, meaning that if exploited, there could be significant effects like the compromising of user data. The group found the trove of problems over a period of three months and as of October had received just under $300,000 in bug bounties from Apple for their work. 

It makes sense that cybercriminals have moved to attack mobile devices because so many businesses and consumers have shifted their work to those platforms, says J.T. Keating, senior vice president of product strategy for the mobile security company Zimperium.

"The reason that this is newsworthy is that we don't hear about these kinds of things a lot of the time," Keating said. Apple and Citizen Lab, the research group that discovered the Pegasus vulnerability, appeared to have cooperated well on the fix, he said.

Not everyone is as complimentary. Ping's Bird said Apple had failed to own up to the fact that the spyware was specifically designed to attack Apple devices. 

According to the research firm Counterpoint, Apple had a 53% share of the US smartphone market as of the second quarter of this year, about twice as much as its nearest rival Samsung.

"They need to recognize publicly that we, as customers, are a target," he said, adding that the company appeared to sweep the problem under the rug ahead of last week's product event.

Blasted from the get-go

More worrying, perhaps, is Apple's announcement last month of new technology designed to search for images of child exploitation on its users' devices.

The new feature, originally planned to be built into the iOS 15, iPad OS 15, WatchOS 8 and MacOS Monterey software updates, is designed to detect whether people have child exploitation material stored on their device.

It would do this by converting each image into hashes, or bits of code that identify files. Those hashes are then checked against a database of known child exploitation content that's managed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. If a certain number of matches are found, Apple is then alerted and may further investigate.

The move was blasted from the get-go by security experts and privacy advocates. Groups including the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Fight for the Future organized protests outside of Apple Stores and delivered petitions signed by about 60,000 people to the company.

At a media event ahead of the protests, renowned technologist Bruce Schneier, who sits on the EFF's board, said there's nothing stopping governments from forcing Apple to use that same system to look for other things. (Apple argues that client-side scanning preserves security by keeping the process on the device.)

"We cannot put this on every single Apple user's device safely, because it amounts to a surveillance system on every single Apple user's device," Schneier said. "It's not targeted, it's not proportionate and it doesn't work."

Dolly Parton just made it easier to give Fido that Nashville je ne sais quoi. The iconic singer-songwriter is out with a new line of blingy dog apparel and accessories, called Doggy Parton. 

The line includes the kind of gear Dolly herself wears around Nashville: a red, white and blue denim and gingham bandana; a pink cowgirl hat decorated with a gold tiara; and a pink collared cowgirl dress. Available toys also feature plenty of pink. There's a pink butterfly plush toy and a hot pink high-heeled shoe lined with a leather print. 

The products generally range in price from about $10 to $20 (about £8.60 and $AU15 to £17 and AU$29) and are available on DoggyParton.com and Amazon, with more retailers to be announced soon.

"'Puppy Love' was my very first record, and six decades later, my love for pets is stronger than ever," Parton said in a video on the product site. "This inspired me to start my own line of Doggy Parton apparel, accessories, toys and more with a little 'Dolly' flair." 

There's even a blond wig headpiece that may have your pup shaking its noggin at you and mumbling, "I will sometimes love you."

Parton, a longtime philanthropist, helped fund Moderna's coronavirus vaccine research and is a vocal animal supporter and parent to French bulldog Billy the Kid, who has his own Twitter account. Part of the proceeds from Doggy Parton sales will support animal rescue Willa B. Farms. 

And no, the line doesn't include a doggie coat of many colors -- yet at least. 

Whether you're looking for a small, lightweight laptop, a two-in-one made for creatives and creators, a powerful gaming laptop or a simple, streamlined Chromebook, HP makes some of the best laptops available. Many of the best HP laptops right now have features to improve remote or hybrid work or school such as improved webcams and microphones, better audio quality, longer battery lives and faster charging and the fastest Wi-Fi 6 wireless.

Like other PC makers such as Dell, Lenovo, Acer and Asus, HP is in the midst of updating the processors in its laptops and two-in-ones. That means Intel-based models are moving from 11th-gen to 12th-gen CPUs while AMD Ryzen systems are switching from 5000-series chips to 6000-series. This means it's generally a good time to look for deals on older models of the best HP laptops. However, we've also seen big performance improvements with the new processors. An updated model might cost a little more but will add to the overall longevity. 

Google removed a handful of browserextensions from its Chrome Web Store that were downloaded a combined 1.4 million times after outside cybersecurity researchers determined that the extensions were surreptitiously tracking the online activities of their users. 

In a blog post published this week, McAfee researchers singled out five extensions that allow users to do things like watch Netflix shows together, track deals on retail sites and take screenshots of websites. The problem was, in addition doing what they promised, the extensions tracked their users' browser activity.

"The users of the extensions are unaware of this functionality and the privacy risk of every site being visited being sent to the servers of the extension authors," the researchers wrote in their blog post.  

According to McAfee, every website a user visited was sent to the extension's creator so that code could be inserted into the e-commerce sites users visited, allowing the extension's authors to receive affiliate payments for any items the user bought.

A Google spokesman confirmed Wednesday that all five of the extensions pointed out in the McAfee report have been removed from the Chrome extension store.

Extensions are add-ons consumers can download and use to modify browsers like Chrome, Safari and Firefox. The bits of software can do things like block ads, integrate with password managers and find coupons as you put items into your shopping cart. One extension lets users change their mouse curser from an arrow to something more fun like a sword or a slice of pizza.

Much like the apps available for smartphones, there are well over 100,000 extensions available just for Chrome, along with more for the other browsers. While Google and the other providers say they scrutinize all of the extensions available in their stores, inevitably some malicious extensions do manage to sneak in.

Earlier this year, McAfee researchers spotted several imposter Netflix party Chrome extensions that redirected users to phishing sites and stole the personal information of users, though they appear to have only been installed a combined 100,000 times.

While an extension that's popular enough to have been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times may look legit, the McAfee researchers said their research shows that's not always the case. They said consumers should be cautious when it comes to extensions and take a good look at what kinds of data an extension is requesting to access before installing it.

Specifically, they said consumers should take extra steps to make sure an extension is authentic if it asks for permission to run on every website listed, like the recently spotted malicious extensions did.