Eliana Willis

It’s easy to silkscreen 600W on the product, but can the product live up to the hype? Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETI test dozens of chargers every year. Some are excellent, while others fall short. Here on ZDNET, I only feature the cream of the crop — the best of the best. However, I occasionally receive requests from readers asking for my thoughts or opinions on specific products. Lately, one product that’s been generating a lot of buzz is this 600W GaN charger. Also: This wall charger replaced all of my Bluetooth trackers – and why I’ll never travel without itSo, I bought a couple for testing. At $99, they’re not exactly cheap, but compared to the Ugreen Nexode 300W More

Jada Jones/ZDNETYour AirPods can be your best friend, small enough to stay in your pocket or bag until you need them. But if you like to work out with your AirPods, pushing your slippery earbuds back into your ear can become a particularly intense workout. I’ve found three products to help with this problem — a few dollars spent can revitalize your AirPods experience.Also: Best AirPods 2025: I’ve tested every pair of Apple headphones and earbudsUnfortunately, some people’s ear anatomy simply isn’t compatible with certain earbuds, and the best option may be purchasing from another brand. But if you’re determined to make your AirPods stay in your ear, try these tips first.1. Detachable ear hooks More

Lance Whitney / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysWindows has a hidden backup tool in Windows 10 and 11.It can save files to discs, drives, or network locations.Deprecated by Microsoft, so expect occasional errors.Regularly backing up your files is always a good idea, just in case any important or irreplaceable ones go missing. For that, you can turn to a variety of programs. But Windows itself has a built-in backup tool that’s simple and flexible. The catch is that you probably don’t even know it exists.Named simply Windows Backup, this feature lets you choose which folders and files to back up. You can back up only select files or all your Windows folders. You’re supposed to be able to include an entire system image in the backup in case you ever need to restore Windows in full. The limitation here is that you can’t save the system image on removable media. But you can always use the system image tool to do this separately. Also: Windows has a secret recovery tool – here’s how to find it and use itFurther, you’re able to save the backup on a recordable CD or DVD, an external hard drive, or a network location. You can also set the backup to run on a regular basis. The tool works the same in Windows 10 and 11. But as always, there is a hiccup here. This version of Windows Backup has since been deprecated by Microsoft, which means it’s no longer supported or updated. As a result, you could bump into issues and errors when using the tool. In my experience, it generally works reliably. However, the last few times I tried using a network share as my backup destination, I received an error that the specified network location cannot be used. Although I confirmed that the network path, credentials, and other settings were correct, I continued to get the same error. I’ve seen posts from other Windows users complaining of the same problem. Your mileage may vary, but keep this in mind when choosing your backup destination. Also: Your Windows 11 PC has a secret emergency shutdown feature – here’s how to use itTo add to the mystery, Microsoft offers a newer tool also known as Windows Backup. (Yes, Microsoft loves to use the same names across different products to confuse people.) The newer Windows Backup is designed to back up and restore certain files and settings. The main objective is to help you move from one PC to another. In contrast, the older legacy Windows Backup that I’m covering here operates more like traditional backup software. Both tools serve their purpose. But here’s how the older, legacy Windows Backup works and how to use it to back up anything you want, to any location you want. More

Wyze ZDNET’s key takeaways Wyze just announced the launch of Duo Cam Pan<!–>. The dual camera system has 360-degree panning coverage and 180-degree tilting with indoor and outdoor capabilities. The camera system is priced at an affordable $70. Wyze is upping the home security ante with a new Duo Cam Pan, a dual smart security camera […] More

Geekom IT15 Mini PC <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Geekcom IT 15 Mini PC is available on Amazon for $1,100. This tiny form-factor PC has plenty of power to spare for everyday tasks. The only downside is that the IT15 doesn’t have a dedicated GPU. –> I’ve always enjoyed a mini PC, and any time […] More

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETZDNET’s takeawaysPebblebee announces a new safety feature for Clip trackers.Alert Live sends your real-time location to up to five contacts.The feature costs $2.99 a month or $24.99 a year.Days after announcing that its Clip would be the first tracker to be able to use both Google’s and Apple’s Find My networks, Pebblebee just revealed another major upgrade for the Clip — a potentially life-saving one.In July, Clip trackers (which made ZDNET’s list of the best Bluetooth trackers you can buy) got a new free safety feature called Alert. When you rapidly press the button on your Clip, it flashes a strobe light, emits a loud siren, and sends your location to a trusted contact.Also: The best Bluetooth trackers: Expert testedNow, an upgraded Alert Live feature sends your location to up to five contacts and shares your real-time location until you turn it off.Pebblebee says that Alert is designed for students, parents, and seniors who value independence, but it’s a useful feature for just about anyone. Unlike the basic Alert feature, Alert Live does have a cost. It’s minimal, though — $2.99 a month or $24.99 a year.In addition, Pebblebee also announced a new Silent Mode that’s available for both the Alert Free and Alert Live plans. In this mode, you can send alerts to a contact without any sound or visual cue. Pebblebee explains that this mode is “perfect for high-stress or unsafe situations where quiet communication is essential.” Also: My 5 favorite gadgets for students are all under $40 (and why they’re so useful)While Pebblebee’s previous announcement positioned the Clip as a lost-item tracker, today’s taps into the growing personal safety market (take a look at our list of the best GPS trackers for kids if you need something for a younger user). Other trackers, like the Tile, have a similar safety function, but Pebblebee’s combination is one of the few that works with both Apple and Android ecosystems.  More