I switched to a solid-state portable battery for a week - now lithium-ion feels outdated

The BMX SolidSafe 5K wireless power bank ditches lithium-ion batteries for solid-state batteries, and it's good to know why.

X outage reports spiked Friday morning - what we know

The social media site was down today. What we know so far.

I've been wearing this $170 Android watch for three weeks - and it still has battery left

Amazfit's Active Max is an impressive addition to its lineup, with a gorgeous AMOLED display and multi-week battery.

6 ways to stop cleaning up after AI - and keep your productivity gains

It's the ultimate AI paradox, but it doesn't have to be that way.

I let Anthropic's Claude Cowork loose on my files, and it was both brilliant and scary

Let's just say backups and restraint are nonnegotiable.

Google confirms Android 17 features that should make every fan excited - but I'd love to see these, too

Android 17, aka 'Cinnamon Bun,' is on the horizon, and there's already a lot of speculation about what it includes. Here's what I want with the next OS.

The enterprise lawn: Why data is the nutrient for autonomous business growth

Becoming an autonomous business requires the construction, maintenance and optimization of a playing field that is the ecosystem of customer engagement.

I found a Linux distro that pairs a clean, Mac-like UI with a 'trade-free' philosophy - and it's super fast

This Linux distribution can compete with any lightweight OS on the market.

This automatic espresso machine is like having my own barista, and it's not by De'Longhi or Breville

The Meraki espresso machine helped me ditch my Dunkin' habit... well, almost.

I tried this Reddit alternative that's friendlier and paywall-free - it's exactly what I've been waiting for

This week's public beta for Digg opens signups to everyone while removing paywalls.

Still on Windows 10? I installed 0patch on my old PC, and it's easily the best defense in the 'End of Support' era

0patch provides crucial security updates to Windows 10 and fills the support gap left behind by Microsoft.

What the nation's strongest AI regulations change in 2026, according to legal experts

A lawyer and safety researcher tell us what to expect from the US's most binding AI legislation to date.

Can a newbie really vibe code an app? I tried Cursor and Replit to find out

I'm not a programmer, but I tried four vibe coding tools to see if I could build anything at all on my own. Here's what I did and did not accomplish.

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 17 Pro: I didn't expect one camera spec to make such a big difference

Between two of the best iPhones on the market right now, it all comes down to perspective.

The latest EndeavorOS release just solved one of my biggest frustrations with Arch Linux

Ganymede is fast, beautiful, stable, and relatively simple to use.

Check your earbuds ASAP for this flaw that lets attackers spy on you - here's how

Google Fast Pair makes pairing easy, but a flawed implementation has created a serious security risk.

Your Raspberry Pi 5 just got a major functionality upgrade - and it looks very promising

The new $130 AI HAT+ 2 unlocks generative AI for the Raspberry Pi 5.

I've tested dozens of cheap power banks from Amazon - this $17 one is my favorite

The Cuktech 10,000mAh wireless charger is a true bang for your buck. Here's why.

Worried AI will take your remote job? You're safe for now, this study shows

Researchers tested AI on remote freelance projects across fields like game development, data analysis, and video animation. It didn't go well.

Want a Google Translate alternative? Try ChatGPT's new AI tool - it's free and has a twist

ChatGPT Translate is a separate tool. It's not multimodal yet, but it does let you refine clarity, tone, and intent. Here's how.

I compared phone plans: T-Mobile saves $1,000 over AT&T and Verizon, but there's a catch

T-Mobile's Better Value plan starts at $140 a month for three lines, with a five-year price guarantee. Here's the fine print.

How we test phones at ZDNET in 2026

From battery tests to capturing photos in various lighting conditions, here's how ZDNET's mobile team evaluates the latest handsets before they're recommended to you.

Spotify is raising prices again - but I found a cheaper way to pay for it (and other alternatives)

Premium, Student, Duo, and Family users are about to pay more. Fortunately, you have other options.

At 25, Wikipedia faces its biggest threat yet: AI

Wikipedia, a triumph of the open web, helped build the modern internet. Now, its future looks uncertain.

Best Buy is selling Apple AirPods Max for $100 off in every color

Snag the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) for $450 for a limited time.

Opera just gave me 5 compelling reasons to ditch Chrome and Safari for good

Existing (and new) users will be thrilled to know that Opera One is about to unleash some features that help you be more organized and focused.

I was skeptical of a luxury smart ice maker, but the results won me over

The newest nugget ice maker by GoveeLife comes in a flashy package and delivers on its promises.

How to turn your Roku TV into a Frame-like TV today - for free

Love the look of Samsung's Frame TV? You can easily recreate that art gallery effect on your Roku TV. Here's how.

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.

Here's what caused Verizon's massive outage on Wednesday (and how to get your free $20 credit)

According to the carrier, the root cause of this week's networking issues had less to do with cyberattacks and more to do with software.

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 can look through your emails and photos to 'help' you now - but should you let it?

With Personal Intelligence, Gemini can tap into your Gmail, Photos, and YouTube. In short, you're giving it more of your data.

How this one-click Copilot attack bypassed security controls - and what Microsoft did about it

Reprompt let attackers control Copilot and pull your data, even after you closed 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 replaced my Meta Ray-Bans with smart glasses that truly lasted all day - but there's a catch

The Solos AirGo A5 smart glasses sacrifice camera support and rich audio for more battery life compared to their competitors. Was it worth it?

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.

Why I recommend these $50 headphones to most people (when I usually don't at that 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 several new channels (including sports and games) - free of charge

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 accessory makes charging cables and cords a thing of the past

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.