Eliana Willis

Jack Wallen/ZDNETHow many apps do you have running in memory on your Android device? There’s no shame in admitting you have several apps running in the background. Currently, I only have three apps running, including the Settings app I opened in preparation for this article.I’m one of those who regularly — and manually — close apps on my phone.Why?Resources.Although Android has become quite good at managing system resources, the more apps you have running in the background, the fewer resources will be available to use. Also: 5 hidden Android features that can simplify your lifeThen there’s the potential security and privacy risk: An app running in the background can continue using things like your phone’s camera or mic, at this could enable a rogue app to take over the camera or mic. Do understand that simply leaving an app running in the background isn’t a surefire route to this problem — but it certainly doesn’t help.Yes, Android also has become very good at letting us know when an app is using either the camera or the mic but it’s always better safe than sorry — especially when it comes to our phones. Here’s the problem: When you have an app running, and you swipe up to open the App Drawer and then open yet another app, what happens with the app you were previously using? More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETWith fall well underway and the holidays on the horizon, many retailers like Best Buy More

You might have thought that Amazon’s October Prime Big Deal Days sale was the last chance for deep discounts until Black Friday. But Best Buy More

Jack Wallen/ZDNETI’ve had my Pixel 9 Pro for a while now, and I firmly stand by my opinion that it’s the best phone Google has released to date. The phone is elegantly designed and powerful, has a great camera, and Android 15 runs smoother than any previous version.Also: What is Gemini? Everything you should know about Google’s new AI modelIf you pay attention to Google’s marketing for the Pixel 9 phones and Android 15, however, you’d think AI was not only the heart and soul of the new device, but is practically required to get the most out of the phone.That is so not the case. More

NurPhoto/Getty Images With every iOS update, people flood social media to complain about how the update has destroyed their iPhone’s battery health, with the health figure dropping precipitously immediately after installation. If you’re someone who knows, without looking, what your iPhone’s battery health is, then you need to stop obsessing over this number. Also: Your […] More

Save big on this lifetime Microsoft Office Pro 2021 and Windows 11 Pro bundle.  Kerry Wan/ZDNETIt doesn’t matter if you’re upgrading to a new laptop or just upgrading your existing system — access to Microsoft Office and Windows is a necessity for getting things done on your computer these days. And right now, you can buy a bundled lifetime license to Microsoft Office Pro 2021 and Windows 11 Pro from Stack Social for $53 — that’s 87% off. Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021 includes all of the classic and essential Microsoft offerings, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access, and Teams. If you don’t need all the bells and whistles, check out this deal for Microsoft Office 2019, which offers all the same features except for Teams. Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is an operating system perfect for working professionals or at-home users. Get an easy-to-navigate interface, biometrics login, Smart App Control, Windows Studio Effects, DirectX 12 Ultimate, and top features like snap layouts, desktops, seamless redocking, improved voice typing, and a powerful search experience. You’ll also get access to Microsoft Copilot, an AI platform designed to upgrade your workflow experience. Also: How to use Copilot (formerly known as Bing Chat)There’s one caveat, though. While Stack Social is an authorized Microsoft partner and offers “lifetime” access to Office, it is possible that Microsoft could end the license. But the site has been running these Microsoft deals for years now, and ZDNET’s Alison DeNisco Rayome can personally vouch for them — she purchased an Office license from Stack Social about two years ago, and it’s still working on her personal MacBook today. While this bundle deal offers a lot, you won’t get the benefits of the latest Microsoft Office 365 subscription, so if you’re looking for Microsoft 365, this deal may not be for you (though Stack Social does have a discount on Office 365, too.) Windows users must update their OS to Windows 10 or 11 to access these software deals. Get your lifetime license bundles for Microsoft Office Pro 2021 and Windows 11 Pro right now. More

rob dobi/Getty Images The 2024 US presidential election will redefine emerging technology. Artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving at a breakneck pace, and the next president will make critical decisions in crafting the regulatory framework that will govern one of Silicon Valley’s most transformative innovations. That regulation will have far-reaching implications for both businesses and individual […] More

SpiffyJ/Getty Images Companies will invest heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) agents as the world of work changes forever. Gartner suggests agentic AI is the most important strategic technology for 2025 and beyond. The tech analyst predicts that, by 2028, at least 15% of day-to-day work decisions will be taken autonomously through agentic AI, up from 0% in […] More