The second generation of Lenovo's Smart Clock display is even smarter than the first. Along with some other new features like a built-in nightlight, the latest model also adds a wireless charging dock, making it the perfect companion for your nightstand. And right now, you can pick one up at a bargain. Today only, Best Buy has the 2nd-gen Lenovo Smart Clock on sale for $30 off, dropping the price down to just $60. This deal is only available until 9:59 p.m. PT (12:59 a.m. ET) tonight.

With its compact design and smaller-than-average 4-inch display, the Lenovo Smart Clock is designed to fit comfortably on smaller nightstands and bedside tables. And the new wireless charging dock, which delivers 10 watts of power and has a USB-A port on the back to charge a second device, can help eliminate some of those tangled charging cables cluttering your nightstand as well. If you don't use wireless charging, the clock can be used without the charging dock as well.

The Lenovo Smart Clock is powered by Google Assistant, so it can be used to control other Assistant-enabled smart devices in your house, as well as any smart devices from Arlo, Nest, Wink and Hue. You can also use it to check the weather, get updates on the news and review your schedule for the day, as well as set morning and nightly routines. And you can personalize the clock face using your Google Photos albums.

CNET reviewer Molly Price preferred the 2nd-gen Google Nest Hub at full price, though this simpler Lenovo Smart Clock makes a much more compelling case at this discounted price, especially if you need a wireless charger, which the Nest doesn't have. It's also worth noting that the 2nd-gen Nest Hub is on sale for $45 as well right now. Either way you'll be getting a great smart display at a solid price.

This story is part of CES, where CNET covers the latest news on the most incredible tech coming soon.

Lenovo's premium ThinkPad X1 laptops have been a highlight of its CES announcements for years now and it continues with CES 2021 despite being virtual. The PC maker is rolling out two new models and two updates to its ThinkPad X1 lineup, joining the X1 Fold and X1 Nano released late last year, which is the lightest ThinkPad at the moment at 1.99 pounds (907 grams). 

The main attraction for this year's announcements is the ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga, which Lenovo says is its thinnest ThinkPad ever at just over 11mm (0.4 inch). It also weighs just 2.5 pounds (1.2 kg). The convertible two-in-one has a 13.5-inch 2K 450-nit display with a 3:2 aspect ratio (something I'm seeing a lot more of on business laptops, along with 16:10 displays). 

Aside from its slender build and being covered in titanium material, the two-in-one has an IR camera for touchless sign-ins as well as a fingerprint reader and is 5G ready. It's expected to be available to order later this month starting at $1,899, which roughly converts to AU$2,460 and £1,400. 

Joining the X1 Titanium is the all-new ThinkPad X12 Detachable, a 12.3-inch tablet with a detachable backlit keyboard. It, too, has a 3:2 aspect ratio and it's designed to survive extreme heat and cold, dust, drops, spills and impacts. It's also 5G-ready, which makes this sound like a pretty good option for commercial field use. 

Lenovo also updated its ThinkPad X1 Carbon and X1 Yoga, moving them both to 16:10-aspect-ratio displays with low blue light and integrated fingerprint readers on the power buttons (something I hope shows up on the next Yoga 9 models). And, like the others, there's optional 5G wireless. 

All of these are running on 11th-gen Intel processors and are part of the chipmaker's Evo platform, which lets you know you're going to get a laptop that meets real-world mobile performance goals like long battery life, great wireless and an instant-on work experience. 

You could argue that Halo, the new Paramount Plus TV show based on the popular video game, is arriving 15 years too late. 

Despite coming in the wake of Halo Infinite, arguably the best Halo video game in well over a decade, the cultural cachet of the franchise has been dipping since 2007, when Halo 3 was released and a generation of gamers sat transfixed in front of their consoles to "Finish The Fight."

Since then, we've finished that fight. We've finished a few more fights in the years following. In fact most of us, even the most diehard fans of the Halo series, are a little over finishing fights.

The original Halo game, released in 2001, was a vaguely jingoistic, post-9/11 tale of heroic UNSC soldiers battling against a hyperreligious (read: Muslim) alien race known as the Covenant. A race hellbent on activating a universe-destroying ring world -- aka the titular Halo. 

Even nongamers will recognize the "Halo," an enormous, ancient weapon designed to make all sentient beings extinct. The game was a pretty straightforward, well-executed "good versus evil" story designed to efficiently get players to the good part: lobbing grenades and firing guns at an endless onslaught of aliens intent on murdering you and the entire human race. 

But in 2022, in the wake of prestige TV, a pandemic and a society far less trusting of authority, that story doesn't exactly pass the vibe check. Particularly the jingoism and the mild space racism. It's for this reason that the Halo TV show, starring Pablo Schreiber as the protagonist Master Chief, with Natascha McElhone as his creator Dr. Catherine Elizabeth Halsey, wisely deviates from the video games in a number of smart ways. 

In the TV show, Halo's soldiers are far from the good guys. Instead they're part of a fascist army hellbent on suppressing human colonies off-world. The Master Chief is their wrecking ball: an overwhelming one-man army capable of killing aliens and his fellow humans without mercy at the behest of his superiors. 

But after touching an alien artifact that unlocks long suppressed memories, the Master Chief begins to slowly discover his humanity -- pitting him against not just the Covenant aliens, but the army that helped create him. 

Despite tropes and some clunky expository dialogue, Halo is perfectly serviceable science fiction that borrows liberally from other influential shows. Its off-world rebel groups resemble the "Belters" from The Expanse, while its central emotional core, the burgeoning relationship between the Master Chief and Kwan Ha -- the sole human survivor from the show's opening battle -- borrows beats from The Mandalorian. 

This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Halo is compelling and barrels along at a friendly pace, clearly wrestling with its source material in fundamental ways, trying to make video game elements work in a new format. Not everyone will enjoy the choices made. After the release of the show's last trailer, fans went ballistic upon discovering that Cortana -- an AI character from the video games -- wasn't blue and transparent like she is in the original. 

If that upsets you, then brace yourself. Wait till Master Chief removes his helmet -- probably the best example of the show literally and figuratively breaking free from the shackles of the video game.   

But the show is faithful where it makes sense. Its action sequences are kinetic and incredibly visceral -- ultra violent even. Legs are blown off, bodies are ripped in half. Early in the first episode an alien mercilessly murders a group of small children cowering in a hidden bunker. Fans of the game may remember that Neil Blomkamp was slated to direct a Halo movie back in the mid-2000s. District 9 was born of the bones of that failed project and, ironically, the Halo TV show feels very influenced by Blomkamp and his work. 

In the show, Covenant forces are utterly terrifying and completely indestructible until the Master Chief and his band of Spartans arrive. These encounters do a tremendous job of communicating what makes the game special. Fans complaining that Cortana is the wrong color will forgive it all when they see Master Chief hiding behind cover waiting for his shields to recharge. 

But ultimately, whether fans like it or not, Halo is at its best when it pushes back. Dedicated fans may resent some of its braver choices, but it's undoubtedly for the best. Dialogue clunkers aside, Halo is a well-produced TV show with solid performances and brilliantly executed set pieces. Given the history of video game adaptations, I'm taking that as a win. 

Halo might be 15 years too late, but better late than never. 

When buying a home, mortgage underwriters evaluate your risk level to help a lender decide if your application should be approved. The mortgage underwriting process happens behind the scenes after you submit a mortgage application. The underwriting decision will ultimately determine if you qualify for a home loan, so it's helpful to understand the process, how to prepare and mistakes to avoid. 

What is mortgage underwriting?

Mortgage underwriting is the part of the homebuying process when a bank assesses your delinquency risk -- that is, how likely you are to be unable to repay a home loan. During the underwriting process, you'll provide financial documents, including pay stubs, bank statements, W-9s, tax returns and profit/loss statements (for self-employed applicants) -- which will help a lender determine your creditworthiness along with your mortgage application. The more favorable your credit profile, the more likely you are to be approved -- and qualify for a lower interest rate.

What is an underwriter? What do they do? 

Underwriters determine an applicant's creditworthiness and ability to pay back the mortgage over a loan's lifetime.

There are two types of underwriters: manual, handled by a real person, and automatic, which is managed by software. In both cases, your delinquency risk is assessed by reviewing your financial information and credit history. Automatic underwriting uses an artificial intelligence-driven computer program to determine your delinquency risk. 

Although automated underwriting is faster, it's less flexible than manual underwriting. A manual underwriter can better account for inconsistent income or an error on a credit report. Some lenders use a combination of manual and automated underwriting to streamline this process.

Who pays for underwriting varies among lenders, but in most cases, the borrower (home buyer) is responsible for paying the underwriting costs during the closing process.

Five steps in the mortgage underwriting process

Step 1: Get prequalified

Before you start looking for a house, you can get prequalified to find out how much of a mortgage you're likely to be approved for. To prequalify you for a home, the lender will run a preliminary review of your financial information to determine if you can get approved for a mortgage. Be prepared to provide the following paperwork for prequalification:

• Government-issued ID
• Bank statements
• Pay stubs
• Prior two years W2s
• Prior two years tax returns
• Social security card

Once you're prequalified, it doesn't necessarily guarantee that you'll be approved for a home loan when you apply. Instead, it allows you to shop for a home within a set budget.

Step 2: Complete your mortgage application

Next, it's time to fill out a mortgage application and get preapproved for your home loan. During this step, you'll need all of the financial documents you provided when getting prequalified. The underwriter will perform a hard credit check and validate the financial information you've provided as part of the mortgage verification process.

Once verification is complete, the lender will issue a preapproval decision. If you're found to be a qualified applicant, your lender will issue a preapproval letter. Mortgage preapproval goes a step further than prequalification. When you're preapproved for a mortgage, the lender approves you for a specific loan amount, as long as your financial picture doesn't change.

Step 3: Make an offer on a home

With your preapproval letter in hand, you're ready to shop until you find the right house for your budget and lifestyle. When you do find the right home, you'll make an offer for the sellers to review. Having a preapproval letter can increase your chances of getting an offer approved quickly. It makes you stand out as a serious buyer since you're more likely to lock in financing.

Step 4: Wait for the appraisal and title search

If your offer is accepted, the lender will order an appraisal of the property. The appraisal helps determine the fair market value of a home and ensures the mortgage amount does not exceed the home's value. It's designed primarily to protect the lender, but it can also protect you from overspending on a house.

If the appraisal comes in for less than the asking price, you may need to search for an alternative property. Typically, the lender will not approve a home loan that exceeds the appraisal value. If the home has an asking price of $300,000, for instance, and appraises for $270,000, you would be responsible for making up the $30,000 difference. Sometimes, if a home appraisal comes in low, the seller will lower the asking price. Just be aware that you may have to walk away from a home that doesn't appraise as expected.

If the appraisal is in line with your offer and the loan amount, the lender will authorize a title search. The title company researches the property's history and ensures no claims exist on the property, such as a current mortgage or lien, pending legal action, restrictions or unpaid taxes. After the search, the title company issues a title insurance policy guaranteeing the search accuracy. Two title policies may be issued: one to protect the lender and sometimes, a separate policy to protect the buyer.

Step 5: The underwriting decision

Once all of the above steps are complete and your application is thoroughly reviewed, the underwriter will issue a judgment. Here are the most common underwriting decisions:

• Approved: You provided all documentation, there are no title issues, and you are approved to receive financing for the mortgage. The next step is to set a settlement or closing date to sign all paperwork and receive the keys to your new home.
• Approved with conditions: The loan is approved, but more documentation is needed. The required documentation could be a gift letter from funds received as down payment, proof of employment verification, letter of explanation or a completed and signed sales contract.
• Denied: The underwriter determined it is too risky to lend to you. This might mean your credit history has negative marks, your income is too low to qualify for the loan amount or your debt-to-income ratio is too high to qualify. Your lender should provide you with the reason for your denial, so you can work on improving any factors that impacted their decision.
• Suspended: The application has been put on hold because more documentation is needed. Once you supply the requested documents, the underwriting process can resume for a final decision.

How long does the underwriting process take? 

The typical underwriting process ranges from a couple of days to several weeks-- though the entire closing process usually takes 45 days. To make sure the process goes smoothly and quickly, respond promptly to any lender requests for information and give a heads up to any references you list (such as an employer) so they will be prepared. Many lenders allow you to check the status of the underwriting process online, so you can be proactive if any documentation is missing.

Mistakes to avoid during the underwriting process:

• Applying for new credit accounts. New credit applications and approvals can affect your DTI and change your credit score, which can impact your mortgage application. 

• Leaving a job. It could make things more complicated if you lose your job (or get a new one) during the homebuying process. If possible, wait until the mortgage process is complete before making any career changes.

• Hiding financial information. If the lender finds significant financial information you've hidden or failed to disclose, it can delay the underwriting process or cause a denial. 

Tips to streamline the mortgage underwriting process:

• Review your credit report: Before you start the mortgage underwriting process, check your credit report to make sure it's accurate and correct any information that is not right. The minimum credit score you'll need varies by the loan type and lender, but generally, you'll need a score of 620 or above to secure financing. A score of 760 or better will help you lock in the best interest rates. Be sure you review the credit requirements for your loan type before applying.
• Have your financial documents ready: Gather all the documents needed and submit them with the application. Check the underwriting status frequently so you can provide additional documents requested by the underwriter.
• Respond to lender inquiries promptly: If the lender or underwriter reaches out, respond quickly and provide any requested information as soon as possible.

Make a larger down payment: The larger your down payment, the better your chances of getting approved for a mortgage loan. A large down payment increases the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, making you a less risky applicant from an underwriting standpoint.

Stellantis, the global automaking conglomerate that was once known as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, hasn't exactly been at the forefront of the battery-electric zeitgeist in the US. That said, the company has been rolling out plug-in hybrids aplenty, and with a number of EVs just over the horizon, it'll need a lot of batteries. So, now it'll build those, too.

Stellantis and Samsung SDI on Tuesday announced a $2.5 billion investment in a joint venture that will see the two companies combining forces to build electric-vehicle batteries. The plant will be located in Kokomo, Indiana. It's not just for that sweet Beach Boys song, either; Stellantis already has engine, transmission and casting facilities there, so it makes good sense to add battery manufacturing to that portfolio.

The plant is estimated to begin producing EV batteries in 2025, and it should create approximately 1,400 new jobs in the process. Stellantis and Samsung SDI are targeting a 23-gigawatt-hour capacity to begin, with an eventual expansion to 33 gWh. The scope of the investment has the possibility to grow over time, as well, with both companies saying there's room to increase the overall financing to $3.1 billion.

For context, Ford and SK Innovation are hoping to produce 43 gWh at one of their new joint-venture facilities outside Memphis, Tennessee, so Stellantis is definitely keeping up with the Joneses. But Ford and Stellantis are hardly the only automakers dipping their feet into US battery manufacturing. Mercedes-Benz's Alabama plant recently had its grand opening, and it will supply the EVs the company will build not too far down the road. Two years ago, Volkswagen also broke ground on a battery plant, located near its other facilities in Tennessee.

Stellantis might be behind when it comes to BEVs in the US, but it's working to shore up that gap across its many domestic brands. Jeep will launch its first electric SUV next year, and it looks pretty sharp, but the company is already producing plug-in hybrid variants of its popular models, the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee. Dodge has a PHEV in the works, and we'll see its take on an electric muscle car in the near future, as well. And don't forget about Ram, which is set to enter the electric-pickup arena in 2024.