Is Verizon down? How to check your local area for outage problems, fixes, and more

If you're low (or completely out) of signal today, keep these pages in mind to stay up to date with the Verizon outage.

No Matter? No problem! Imagine one smart home app to control all your devices

Unveiled at CES, the new Copilot Star platform is designed to take smart device interoperability to the next level.

I tried this new 'infinitely modular' keyboard, and it could rewire productivity

Naya went to Kickstarter to fund its second product launch - a modular keyboard that connects with its module lineup.

Verizon outage affects over 2 million users: What 'SOS' means, refunds, more updates

If you see an SOS sign at the top of your phone, don't panic just yet. It's happening across the US.

7 ways health tech promises to improve your life in 2026

What's coming next from the health and wellness industry? According to these CES exhibitors, nothing short of life-transforming tech.

Forget Shure: I recommend this flexible mic for podcasts and meetings, especially at its price

If you want to get started on a podcast, or simply upgrade your audio setup, this one from Maono gets the job done.

This distro makes it easy to switch from Windows to Linux - here's how

If you're looking to migrate from Windows to Linux, you'll want a distribution with a familiar UI and a dependable base. VailuxOS easily checks both of those boxes.

Your phone is sharing data without your knowledge - how to stop it ASAP

Even when it's idle, your smartphone is transmitting certain information to the device manufacturer, says NordVPN. Here's why you might want to limit some of this data.

This $200 Android tablet is my most underrated travel gadget by far

For under $250, the Blackview Link 8 is a fantastic buy for an all-around Android tablet.

Gemini's new Personal Intelligence will look through your emails and photos - if you let it

Can the feature do what Apple Intelligence promised? Here's what it will and won't have access to, and how it'll impact privacy.

Your Copilot data can be hijacked with a single click - here's how

The Reprompt vulnerability lets attackers control Copilot and pull your data, even after you close the chat.

I put $50 into Bitcoin in 2022 and watched it crash and rally - here's its worth today

My money took a beating when Bitcoin crashed, burned, and gained. Do I wish I'd sold, or am I glad I held? Either way, it's been a wild ride.

Confused by a contract? Docusign's AI will explain it now - but don't skip the fact-check

Docusign's new AI tool can summarize and answer questions about a legal document. But can you trust AI to get the information right?

Want a Microsoft Lens alternative? 5 scanning apps you can try today

With Microsoft Lens retiring, you can still scan and save documents on your phone using one of these alternative apps.

7 deprecated Linux commands you need to stop using - and what to use instead

Certain Linux commands are no longer maintained for a number of reasons - including security vulnerabilities. Here's the list.

I'm a creator and my new favorite Linux distro is multimedia perfection - here's why

Several Linux distributions are specifically geared towards multimedia creators, but Modicia OS stands out to me for several reasons.

I tried Apple's most ambitious Vision Pro feature yet, and it let me down in the best way

All the basketball action, none of the sweat, spilled beers, and gruesome ad breaks.

I tested a pair of smart glasses that truly last all day, but the trade-offs weren't worth it

The Solos AirGo A5 smart glasses sacrifice camera support for more battery life compared to their competitors.

Deploying AI agents is not your typical software launch - 7 lessons from the trenches

Top-level actions include giving agents the right amount of freedom and rethinking traditional ROI. Industry leaders share their own experiences.

Why your next pair of headphones will look very different - and your speakers, too

It's a new year, and the biggest consumer audio trends were on full display at CES 2026. Here's what's to come.

This flexible phone accessory effectively makes rugged cases unnecessary for me

Rugged phone cases may protect your phone from falls, but this device keeps it tethered to prevent drops in the first place.

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.

This cheap pair of headphones has no business sounding this good for the price

Budget-friendly headphones are a dime a dozen, so what makes the Haylou S40s worthy of buying? Here's my verdict.

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 just got a more channels to watch for free - including a big one for sports fans

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.

This popular Bose speaker will lose software support in 2026 - but it has a lifeline now

All companies should follow Boseis lead with its SoundTouch speaker.

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 secretly tracking you - 3 easy ways to take back control now

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.

Victrola's latest speaker convinced me to take record players serious again

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.