My favorite Linux desktop environment for laptops surprised even me
I tested 5 popular Linux DEs for their suitability on a laptop. My favorite delivers the best balance of power, battery life, and other necessary ingredients.
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Finally, backup power for my fridge that actually looks good in the kitchen
This 2,016Wh slim power station sits on top of your fridge or freezer and doesn’t look like it belongs in the garage.
You can change Windows settings directly from a search now – how to try it
The latest Windows 11 Insiders Preview enhances the Search feature so that you can access specific settings right from a search window.
Amazon just dropped $99 off the iPad Air ahead of Black Friday
Our reviewer calls the iPad Air M4 the “perfect middle-ground tablet,” and you can pick it up on sale now.
AMD confirms GPU driver bug is wearing out your SSD – how to stop it
AMD has admitted a bug within its External Events Utility is wearing out SSDs, and promises a fix.
Ready for a Siri AI agent? Apple under pressure to upgrade its assistant faster
Apple’s public-facing satisfaction with the Siri AI launch obscures internal pressures and tensions.
Android Auto requires Android 11 or higher now – check your compatibility
Android Auto’s minimum requirements have changed. Here’s what to know.
Android Auto requires Android 11 or higher now – check your compatibility
Android Auto’s minimum requirements have changed. Here’s what to know.
Samsung’s new SmartTag 3 debuts with next-gen Bluetooth – and one big problem
The Galaxy SmartTag 3 supports emerging Bluetooth tracking tech, but it’s not a match for Samsung’s OS exclusivity.
Our favorite JBL Bluetooth speaker is $50 off for Black Friday – an all-time low price
Amazon just knocked 25% off the JBL Charge 6, with multiple different colors to choose from.
LaCie’s 256TB DAS is a beast, but I only recommend it to one kind of user
This Thunderbolt 5 RAID DAC box is perfect for 8K video editors, but the wrong tool for almost everyone else. Here’s how to tell if it’s for you.
Samsung mulls Galaxy AI usage limits and subscription tiers – what we know
Galaxy device owners who are heavy AI users would likely start paying for some features they’ve long enjoyed for free.
This LG C5 TV comes with a soundbar, subwoofer, and speakers – and it’s $1,350 off
With this early Black Friday bargain, you can upgrade to a stunning OLED screen and an immersive speaker system for less than $2,000.
I tested OpenAI Dot and Anthropic Duet for weeks – and all I got was one helpful notification
These AI agents aren’t quite ready for prime time, but five upgrades could make them much more useful.
Best early Black Friday Costco deals: Up to 44% off TVs, headphones, gift cards, and more
Many of Costco’s holiday deals are already live, including popular items from Apple, Bose, LG, and more.
Is your backup power enough for worst-case winter storms? 4 steps to prepare your home
A record-strength El Niño could bring more storms and longer outages. Here’s how to figure out what your home needs and choose your best backup power option.
I just built my first game in Twine – no code or AI required
Twine is a free, open-source dev tool for designing interactive fiction and text-based games. Turns out it’s perfect for beginners like me.
Alpine Linux and OpenSSH patch flaw that’s as bad as it can get
This dangerous Linux security hole must be patched as soon as possible.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs. Sonos Ace Ultra: With only a $10 difference, which is better?
Sony’s and Sonos’ premium headphones cater to different users. Here’s which one is best for you.
Android is getting my favorite iOS tracking feature – what to expect
‘Notify when left behind’ is making its way to Android – but to limited devices for now.
Stop putting your phone in rice – I can confirm this Dryout bag works better
UAG’s Dryout pouch uses a silica gel lining to suck moisture out of your phone. It’s better than rice, but it can’t fix a device that’s already shorted.
Stop putting your phone in rice – I can confirm this Dryout bag works better
UAG’s Dryout pouch uses a silica gel lining to suck moisture out of your phone. It’s better than rice, but it can’t fix a device that’s already shorted.
This hidden Kindle feature fast-tracks my reading – how to use it
Change these default settings for easier reading.
Thinking Machines’ new model takes the lead in western open-weight AI
Another competitive model developed outside of China could change the open-weight landscape.
Sick of social media? MIT’s platform lets you build your own decentralized networks
AI features and privacy policies are making social platforms less fun. Decentralized alternatives give users some power back.
Best Buy’s early Black Friday sale is live: Up to 70% off TVs, Apple devices, more
Early Black Friday deals have arrived at Best Buy, from top brands like Samsung, Dell, Apple, and more.
Apple will monitor your public iCloud links now, starting with iOS 27.3
Under Apple’s new policy, the company will scan publicly shared iCloud links for harmful content – and possibly ban violators.
Huge crypto hack, DoorDash to acquire Instacart, and Apple’s new touchscreen MacBooks | Tech Today
We examine fallout from a historic crypto exploit, major food-tech consolidation, and Apple’s pivot to touch-enabled laptops.
I tried replacing Claude Code with a local AI stack that’s completely free – how it went
I used Qwen, Ollama, and OpenCode to build a screenshot renamer and a PDF organizer, all to see if free local AI could really replace Claude Code.
I tried local AI on HP’s Omnibook Ultra – it’s a private, powerful beast with zero token fees
I ran a free, open-weights AI model locally on HP’s $7,000 OmniBook Ultra and turned 20 years of my articles into a searchable archive in a day.
ChatGPT Plus vs. Google AI Pro: Two $20 plans, very different perks
I use both ChatGPT Plus and Google AI Pro. Here’s how the $20 AI plans compare on coding, automation, and more perks.
Best early Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals live now
Get a jump on your holiday gift list with these great deals on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 consoles, games, and accessories.
I tested the Firewalla Gold Plus SFP – and bridge mode is its biggest edge
The Firewalla Gold Plus SFP makes the most sense for small businesses with multi-gig fiber. The average home user? They can spend less.
How I use my Apple Watch to identify a song fast – without opening Shazam
The improved Music Recognition feature means you no longer have to tap into Shazam to recognize songs on your Apple Watch.
92% of HR say staff can train for AI jobs – but half of companies still hire outside
Most HR professionals say they believe employees can be reskilled for AI jobs, yet companies still often seek outside hires. Here’s why.
6 default Pixel 11 settings I changed that made a big difference – and why
If you’re a new Pixel 11 user, here are six things I recommend changing right away to get the most from your phone.
Claude’s new Personal Finance tool aims to help analyze your spending – read-only, of course
Anthropic has released what appears to be its answer to ChatGPT Finances.
3 ways Bluetooth 7 upgrades your devices beyond lossless audio
Bluetooth Core 7.0 could make your smart home devices easier to set up, for one. Here’s what we know about the new core specification.
Opera just hit 100 million desktop users: 4 reasons to make the switch
Opera reached a new PC milestone as a Chrome and Safari alternative packed with useful features.
MacBook Neo production to double in 2027 – and get its most-requested upgrade
The entry-level laptop’s popularity has ‘nothing to do with AI.’
The Siri AI waitlist is gone in iOS 27: How to try the beta today
The wait is over for trying Siri AI on iOS 27. Here’s what you need to know to get started.
Echo Dot (2026) review: The best compact Amazon speaker yet – but it’ll cost you
Amazon’s 6th-gen compact speaker sports an upgraded presence sensor, extra microphone, and the ability to act as a standalone smart home hub.
Alpine Linux rebuilt its GitLab server after a close call – what you should check ASAP
An attacker came close to exploiting a maximum-severity flaw. Here’s what to know.
Touchscreen MacBook Pro hands-on: A stunning OLED, even if you never touch it
The touchscreen is cool, but it isn’t the best feature on Apple’s new 16-inch MacBook Pro M5 Max.
I tried the new Cutefish Linux distro, and it might be the best MacOS clone around
If you’re a fan of the MacOS UI but prefer the Linux OS, then you need to get Cutefish in your life. Even though it’s in early development, it looks like it’s going to be something special.
Home Depot’s Black Friday sale is live now: Our favorite deals
From power tools to home appliances and more, there’s plenty you can grab at Home Depot’s Black Friday sale.
The 5 best early phone deals live now: Samsung, Google and more
Black Friday is coming, and you can already snag deals on unlocked phones from Samsung, Google, and more.
I tried LordOS expecting another MacOS clone – then I opened its network monitor
This free Linux distro impressed me with easy tools for seeing which apps are connecting, where traffic is coming from, and what to block – in one place.
Linux Mint 27 arrives next month, and I like it already: New features and other upgrades to expect
It starts with a surprise version number: Linux Mint 27 instead of 24. But the next release brings far more changes than that.
I had high hopes for Googlebooks, but the best laptop for Android users is something else
After a month of testing the Acer Googlebook 14, it’s clear we’re not quite there yet. But I’m not giving up yet.
The 10 products ZDNET readers bought most last month (including a mini LED TV)
From phone cases to TVs, these are the top tech gadgets and useful items our readers actually purchased in October.
Is Chrome’s settings menu getting a search bar? What we know
Chrome might receive a much-needed addition.
Researchers asked people to use AI chatbots for election info – results were mixed
Chatbots can skew election-related information and act as an intervening layer in a voter’s search.
Want an AI job? Deployment engineers are earning executive-level pay – up to $1.45M a year
AI has ushered in new jobs, and some of them are paying handsomely, according to a new study.
I let ChatGPT run my 7 Sonos speakers – and multi-step commands were the best part
You can control your Sonos system with an MCP-compatible LLM, but how far can it go?
HP Googlebook 14 review: A gorgeous laptop that deserves a better OS
HP’s Googlebook is a great looking laptop, but the new operating system feels unfinished.
Safari finally gets 3 popular browser features – and I can’t wait to try them
New developer beta release notes point to deeper Siri AI integration and more Safari customization.
Can Netflix’s new AI tool stop your TV-streaming doomscrolling? How to try it
Netflix is adding a new Discover feature, which recommends tailored streaming selections. Here’s how it works.
Best early Black Friday MacBook deals: 5 I’d recommend shopping now
Apple’s lineup of MacBooks are on sale ahead of Black Friday, including the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
This palm-sized power station looks like a toy, but it charges my MacBook Pro and two phones
The Jackery Explorer 100D is an ultra-compact power station that looks big but fits in the palm of your hand.
6 AI agent workflows I use to hand off everyday tasks – and how to create your own
It’s not about being lazy. It’s about being efficient. Here’s how I use AI agent workflows to simplify my day – and how you can, too.
3 handy iPhone features that make my life easier – even doing laundry
Your iPhone has nifty features you may not even know about. These are my favorites.
Your AirPods got better in iOS 27 – three new ways I’m using them
Have you poked around your new AirPods features yet? These are my top 3.
Filing bugs for open-source apps is a huge help for developers – and easier than you think
Next time something goes wrong in a open-source app, don’t just shrug it off and move on. Here’s why.
Maze Linux is the best security-focused distro I’ve ever tested
Want a Linux distro that’s all about privacy and security – without sacrificing usability? Maze is for you.
Are high-end thermal cameras worth it? I tested a $300 model with my iPhone to find out
Rision’s Magic Pro costs nearly twice as its smaller sibling. But there are times when that extra resolution pays off.
Are high-end thermal cameras worth it? I tested a $300 model with my iPhone to find out
Rision’s Magic Pro costs nearly twice as its smaller sibling. But there are times when that extra resolution pays off.
Best Buy just knocked $900 off this TCL 4K TV and soundbar bundle ahead of Black Friday
Upgrade your entertainment setup ahead of the holidays with this TCL TV and soundbar bundle for nearly 40% off at Best Buy.
The best early Black Friday TV deals are all at Best Buy
We found the top early Black Friday deals deals on premium TVs from Samsung, Sony, and more.
Want an iPhone Duo for the holidays? Apple’s latest stock update isn’t reassuring
The iPhone Duo likely won’t make it into Santa’s sleigh this year. Here’s what Apple had to say about it.
Want an iPhone Duo for the holidays? Apple’s latest stock update isn’t reassuring
The iPhone Duo likely won’t make it into Santa’s sleigh this year. Here’s what Apple had to say about it.
Best early Black Friday 2026 Samsung deals: TVs, phones, laptops, more
There are already plenty of Samsung deals on TVs, smartphones, and more live so you can get a head start on your Black Friday holiday shopping.
5 ways your iPhone’s new Suggested Actions can save you time – and how to enable them
In iOS 27.2, Suggested Actions uses Apple Intelligence to turn dinner plans in your texts into calendar events. Here’s what else it can do.
The Google Pixel 11 is $200 off in this early Black Friday deal – the lowest price yet
This top-rated Android phone is down to a record-low $699 at Amazon, Best Buy and Google, and you can save even more with a trade-in.
SUSE lays off 1 in 10 workers – citing AI and automation
Squarespace also announced layoffs this week, but explicit ties to AI remain inconsistent.
HomeView with an arm? Apple reportedly plans $1,000 swiveling smart panel
The HomeView Ultra is expected to feature a robotic arm and 9-inch display. Shades of Amazon’s discontinued Echo Show 10?
Nvidia RTX 50 GPUs hit with more price hikes – up to $500
Some GPUs will see bigger increases than others, while Intel and AMD remain mum on their pricing plans
I tried Sonos’ latest app features – these 2 small upgrades fix big annoyances
New Sonos software and firmware updates are rolling out. Here’s what you can expect.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 just hit a record-low price on Amazon ahead of Black Friday
Google, Amazon and Best Buy have all knocked these sleek Android earbuds down to a record-low price.
Your Apple Watch has 2 new controversial listening features – but you have to opt in
Siri Recap and Live Rewind are finally here, two months after Apple unveiled the always-listening Apple Watch features. Here’s how they work.
Windows 11 can run better on PCs with 8GB now, Microsoft says – here’s why
The latest updates to Windows 11 offer improvements in speed, performance, and memory management.
Roku is taking away a fan-favorite screensaver – but you have alternatives
One of Roku’s most popular screensavers is about to make its last splash. Here’s how to switch before Dec. 1.
10 open-source apps every Windows user should download in 2026 – for free
Linux has no monopoly on open source. Windows users have access to a huge selection of free applications. Here are more of my favorites.
Best early Black Friday 2026 tablet deals
We found the best early Black Friday tablet deals from Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, and more.
This clever banking scam keeps phishing by faking its own demise – how it works
You won’t see the ‘suspended’ sign because it’s not meant for you.
Best early Black Friday gaming laptop deals: Alienware, HP, and more
Find great early Black Friday markdowns of up to 50% off on gaming laptops from top brands.
Best early Black Friday membership deals: Costco, BJ’s and more
Black Friday sales have already kicked off, and these memberships just got cheaper.
Best early Black Friday Apple deals: MacBooks, AirPods, and more
The savings have already begun on top products, like the AirTag and AirPods Pro 3.
I tested the RedMagic 12 Pro – and it’s the fastest Android I’ve ever seen
If it’s possible to release a flagship phone while at the same time making it appear more like a midrange phone, Red Magic has found a way.
The most popular programming languages in 2026 – and some good news on developer job growth
Nine industry surveys and surprising job posting data offer an unexpected look at where software development is heading.
Best early Black Friday Amazon deals live now: Up to 45% off
Early Black Friday deals are already kicking off at Amazon, including on brands like Owala, Apple, Ninja, and far more.
Best early Black Friday deals: Up to 60% off deals at Amazon, Walmart, Costco, and more
Black Friday is almost here, and we found the best deals on Apple products, SSDs, smartwatches, and more.
The 6 best early Black Friday iPad deals live now
Looking to buy an iPad? The Black Friday shopping season is the best time, and we’ve already spotted some deals.
Best Sam’s Club early Black Friday deals: TVs, laptops, and more
Sam’s Club is already hosting some great deals ahead of Black Friday, coming up in a few weeks.
How to turn your old router into a Wi-Fi extender for free – and fix dead spots
Your dusty old router can save you time and money on a new hub. Here’s how.
5 gadgets that will fix your oddly-placed power outlets
Need to plug in, with seemingly no easy way to do so? I found the cheap gadgets that will help.
Want wireless HDMI? I found an adapter that actually works
I’ve tested plenty of wireless USB-C-to-HDMI kits that failed. Ugreen’s pleasantly surprised me, and there’s no app to download.
5 USB cables and dongles that can fry hardware and steal your data – or worse
I’ve set things on fire, killed hardware, and accidentally snagged login credentials. Think twice before plugging in any old cable or dongle.
5 of my favorite Linux distros for AI – and why
I’ve tested just about every Linux distro out there, and these are the best for AI.
I’ve tested every ReMarkable – Its affordable $399 E Ink tablet still offers the most value
ReMarkable’s most inexpensive writing tablet brings the brand’s fantastic writing experience to a pared-down device.