Avoiding the iOS 26 update? 4 reasons iPhone users should do it - ASAP

Many iPhone owners may be resisting iOS 26. But this latest version does carry with it important security updates that will keep your phone protected.

I tested this pair of $40 headphones and refuse to believe they sound this good

Budget-friendly headphones are a dime a dozen, so what makes the Haylou S40s worthy of buying?

How I made my pickpocket-proof tech bag even harder to steal (and a lot easier to recover)

The ideal bag tracker needs to be hard to find - and remove.

Your Roku TV just got 6 new channels for free - including these sports and game shows

The new channels join more than 300 others offered by the streaming service - and no Roku TV is required.

This USB-C cable has a magnetic charging feature that makes it irreplaceable for me

Statik's magnetic charging cable has breakaway type C, micro USB, Apple, and type A connectors in one.

This snap-on iPhone charger finally let me toss my charging cables - and it's cheap

Statik's Snap-n-Charge is a charger that connects to your phone without the need for cords or cables.

Vanilla OS vs. Bazzite: Which immutable Linux distro is right for you?

Immutable Linux distributions are all the rage, and with good reason. But which immutable distribution is the right one for you? Let's compare two of my favorites.

I tried Gmail's new Gemini AI features, and now I want to unsubscribe

In my testing, Gemini in Gmail misses key details, delivers misleading summaries, and still cannot manage message flow the way I need.

Can this $25 multimeter hold its own against my $250 unit? I put it to the test

The Neoteck 3-in-1 pen multimeter is a great choice for the DIYer and amateur tinkerer.

Why I recommend this budget Motorola phone over cheap options by Samsung and Google

The 2026 Moto G Power is the best phone of Motorola's affordable lineup, combining excellent battery life with a high-res display and solid cameras.

Want Microsoft 365? Just don't choose Premium - here's why

Deciding between Microsoft 365 Basic, Personal, Family, and Premium? Here's how to avoid overspending.

Your Slackbot just got a huge AI agent upgrade - what it can do now (starting today)

Slackbot can take action on your behalf. Here's how.

Is this tiny 'electromagnetic' car de-icing gadget legit? I took it apart to find out

Let's take a look at one of the latest scam gadgets on social media.

Verizon will give you an iPhone 17 Pro Max for free - here's how to qualify

The iPhone 17 Pro Max boasts numerous features that make it a compelling iPhone upgrade or a solid reason to switch to iOS. New Verizon customers can get one for free with this plan.

I sat down with Bluetooth reps at CES 2026 - and what they told me changed my perspective forever

It might be time to change how you think about Bluetooth.

Is AI coming for your job? Here's one labor indicator that could soothe your fears

Not quite an apocalypse: AI could replace 6% of US jobs by 2030, Forrester report finds.

Should you buy Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 in 2026? I invested in a pair, and don't regret it

After giving up on my original Pixel Buds Pro, I rolled the dice on a pair of Pro 2 earbuds. I'm shocked at how much they've improved.

Your Bose SoundTouch speaker will lose support in 2026 - but it has a lifeline now

All companies should do this.

What's the deal with Physical AI? Why the next frontier of tech is already all around you

I spoke with Qualcomm at CES to learn more about what the buzzword means, how it applies to you, and what a physical AI future might look like.

Can Google save Apple AI? Gemini to power a new, personalized Siri

A new deal between Apple and Google makes Gemini the cloud-based technology driving Apple Intelligence and Siri. Here's what that could look like.

Heading out to protest? Disable your phone's biometrics, and 6 more ways to protect your privacy

Smartphones are powerful tools for demonstrators, but bringing yours along does come with risks. Here are our top tips for staying safe.

Claude Cowork automates complex tasks for you now - at your own risk

Available first to Claude Max subscribers, the research preview empowers Anthropic's chatbot to handle complex tasks.

How we rate deals at ZDNET in 2026

Everyone likes to save, but how do you know when you're really saving? Here's how we rate the deals we share with you in 2026.

Even Linus Torvalds is vibe coding now

It was on a very silly project, but with even Linux's creator now using AI, the debate over code quality, maintainability, and developer skills is likely to intensify.

This leather valet is the premium charging accessory I never knew I needed

Twelve South's Valet features Qi2 wireless charging and genuine leather for a sophisticated design.

Your iPhone apps are quietly tracking you - 3 easy ways to stop them today

These iOS settings stop apps from watching your activity and serving up creepy, hyper-targeted ads.

Anker Solix's new whole-home backup is the power outage solution of my dreams - here's why

Can't decide between solar, battery, or generator backup? Anker Solix E10 does all three.

This clever Victrola upgrade eliminates a major headache for record players

Short on space and want an alternative to bookshelf speakers? Victrola's new Soundstage promises big vinyl sound.

5 ways to grow your business with AI - without sidelining your people

This is how to drive business growth and innovation by merging analytics and AI with human understanding and insights.

I used ChatGPT to fix a plugin bug in under an hour - no $200 plan required

I stopped paying for ChatGPT Pro and was still able to use Codex to track down and debug a real-world problem fast.

How to remove Copilot AI from Windows 11 today

You don't have to live with Microsoft Copilot in Windows 11. Here's how to get rid of it, once and for all.

Why I'm more excited about these Klipsch headphones than Sony and Bose releases in 2026

I went hands-on with Klipsch at CES, and now I'm impatient for their summer launch.

I tried the new Linux Mint 22.3 - it's a masterclass in polish and quality-of-life fixes

Linux Mint 22.3, Zena, is the latest in Mint's long line of solid releases.

Why you'll pay more for AI in 2026, and 3 money-saving tips to try

With rising DRAM costs and chattier chatbots, prices are only going higher. Frugal things you can do include being nicer to the bot.

I tried Lumus' AR waveguide prototype at CES, and saw where AR glasses go next

Lumus showed me a fragile prototype that delivered a surprisingly wide, clean view, hinting at the future of smart glasses.

Five CES 2026 products I'd buy as soon as they'd take my money

With the Las Vegas trade show coming to a close, here are the products that impressed me the most - enough to make me reach for my wallet.

These fashion-forward headphones have no business sounding this good for the price

With bold styling, innovative features, and immersive sound, Nothing's first over-ear headphones are memorable - and on sale

Is iOS 26 a flop? Why so many people are sticking with iOS 18 in 2026

iOS 26 is four months old, and most of you still haven't upgraded.

Wave Browser helps wipe out your to-do list—and toxic ocean waste

The free, Chromium-based, AppEsteem-certified web browser has partnered with 4ocean to help clean up ocean plastic and trash as you surf the web.

RingConn Gen 3 debuts at CES 2026 - with two big features Oura doesn't have

The subscription-free Oura alternative has unveiled its third-generation ring with new features, sizes, and finishes.

Forget Meta Ray-Bans: These smart glasses are customizable from the lenses to the frames

The XGIMI Memomind series comprises three smart glasses, with one of them weighing under 30 grams.

This smart home breakthrough lets you control appliances without Wi-Fi (and its security risks)

Devices equipped with Emerson's SmartVoice don't require Wi-Fi or a hub; instead, they utilize on-device voice control.

I demoed these next-level sleep earbuds at CES 2026, and they go beyond great audio

The NextSense Smartbuds, new sleep earbuds I saw at CES, use EEG to deliver more restorative sleep.

What is Wi-Fi 8? And why speed isn't your primary concern with the latest standard

The last few major Wi-Fi releases have focused on achieving the fastest possible connection. Wi-Fi 8 is designed to ensure a stable connection.

AI PCs aren't selling, and Microsoft's PC partners are scrambling

Microsoft has gone all-in with its plans to turn the Windows PC into an AI-powered 'agentic OS.' But at least one PC maker says consumers aren't buying the Copilot hype.

Finally, I found a room-filling soundbar that makes a subwoofer unnecessary for me

To fill your TV room with big, bold sound, you need a soundbar akin to the Bluesound Pulse Cinema.

This lightweight distro loaded with apps is not your father's GNU/Linux - here's why

Lightweight Linux distributions get a bad rap for shipping with minimal reinstalled software. Besgnulinux, loaded with old-school charm, is the exception.

OnePlus offers compelling free earbuds deal with its latest flagship phone - how to qualify

For folks who have been on the fence about the OnePlus 15, this Buds Pro 3 deal may get you off of it.

I have no problem ditching my AirPods for these earbuds - especially at this affordable price

The CMF Buds 2 Plus offers a secure and comfortable fit, clear audio, effective noise cancellation, and a long battery life.

Finally, a 16-inch Windows laptop that I'd actually bring for work (even though it's for gamers)

MSI's new Stealth 16 AI+ appeals to gamers, creators, and professionals with a thin design and Panther Lake CPU.

The sneaky ways AI chatbots keep you hooked - and coming back for more

The rise of social media turned human attention into a commodity. Now, the AI race is taking that to new heights.

These 8 audio products at CES 2026 were so impressive, I had to listen twice

I spent a week at CES finding the best audio products. These ones stuck out the most.

I tried on Infinix's new AI glasses at CES - 3 swappable frames offer real style options

A swappable AI compute system, plus translation and capture features are designed to keep your phone in your pocket.

This bright LED power bank turned out to be my most useful blackout gadget

A single charge of the 10000N was sufficient to run the Flash-1 mod for days, and it is compatible with other accessories.

This little-known way to power your house could come in handy during an outage

A major power resource could be sitting in your driveway.

I didn't expect a 16-inch Windows laptop to crack my top five - but this is a gem

Geekom produces some high-quality products at not-so-high-quality prices, and the Geekbook X16 is no exception.

I tried Gemini's 'scheduled actions' to automate my AI - the potential is enormous (but Google has work to do)

Here's what you can and cannot automate today via Gemini, including 15 ideas to use as starting points - and a bonus banana in a raincoat with an umbrella.

This free tool gives you one easy way to install apps on Linux and Mac - here's how

With Homebrew, you get access to even more apps - maintained by both Linux and MacOS developers.

My favorite Kindle accessory brand just released an iPad case at CES - and it's pure genius

Strapsicle's new iPad mini case transforms your Apple tablet into a better e-reader - and it's designed with accessibility in mind.

Need a new job? These AI roles are the fastest growing in the US, says LinkedIn

LinkedIn listed the top 25 jobs on the rise for 2026, and AI is a hot trend. But can you guess which role is the hottest?