Eliana Willis

Wireless earbuds are popular purchases for many, but are certainly a staple for college students. Remember when I said we’d come back to the campus never being quiet bit? Well, here we are. Not only did I attend the University of Alabama, which is full of lots of noise generated by a bustling campus, a large Greek community (the music from Fraternity Row rarely ceases), and constant traffic, but I also spent two years living next to Bryant-Denny stadium, which notably can reach volumes of over 90 dbs often. The point here is that a pair of noise-canceling earbuds is essential because, on most campuses, the noise never stops, and you’ll want a way to cut it out when you need to sleep, study, work, or relax. I upgraded to these AirPods Pro only recently this year, but I used various other noise-canceling alternatives during my four years as a student. I use my AirPods Pro to listen to music during my commute, watch videos and shows, and simply drown out the outside sound of the train and daily hustle, which makes them also perfect for dulling the noise of any busy college or university. Also: The best earbuds of 2025: Expert testedThese AirPods have two times more noise cancellation than the previous version and feature an upgraded adaptive transparency mode, which automatically lowers the volume of harmful noises above the 85dB threshold. I enjoy using all of these features and especially appreciate conversation awareness, which makes it easy to talk to friends without taking my earbuds out. Redditors said the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are the best buy out of the entire AirPods lineup currently, thanks to the upgraded features, new chip, and new USB-C charging option. One truck driver on Reddit who describes himself as an audiophile said the improvements of the 2nd Gen Pros were noticeable, to the point where he couldn’t even hear his truck’s engine running like usual. Other Redditors said these AirPods provided pretty good noise cancellation and overall value for using on airplanes and long flights  More

Dyson Dyson just announced the launch of the slimmest cordless vacuum cleaner I’ve ever seen. The new Dyson PencilVac resembles those sweep brooms you may have seen growing up, but it features the latest vacuum technology inside. The Pencilvac’s long, thin handle — it’s only 1.5 inches thick — has the vacuum’s motor, dustbin, and […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Motorola Razr (2025) is on sale for $700 and comes in four distinct colors Its OLED touchscreen, robust camera system, and flexible design combine to create one of my favorite smartphone experiences in 2025 However, the performance from the MediaTek chipset is rather lackluster more buying choices The Motorola Razr […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETFor years, Apple users juggled a collection of Lightning cables: one for the iPhone, maybe another for an older iPad, and then a USB-C for their MacBooks. Thankfully, times have changed since the release of the iPhone 15.A generation later, the iPhone 16 is now firmly in the USB-C camp. That little port at the bottom of your device is more than just a power inlet; it’s a gateway to a surprising array of functionalities that can transform how you use your phone. Also: Best iPhone 2025: I tested the top models and found your perfect fitIf you’ve only been using it to charge up, you’re missing out on a world of convenience and capability. Let’s dive into what that single port can really do. More

Google began rolling out AI Mode in Search earlier this year, and the feature will now be widely available in the US, with no Labs sign-up required. It’ll come with some new capabilities, too.Deep Search in AI Mode, for example, expands the number of background queries from tens to hundreds to put together a more robust and thought-out search response. The result is a fully cited report that Google says will take just minutes to research and create.Also: Your Google Search experience will never be the same, thanks to 8 new AI featuresFor visual assistance, the Google Search experience is also getting Project Astra’s multimodal capabilities, so users can simply point their camera at an object or setting and ask about it like they would with a Google image search. There’s also a new AI Mode shopping experience that helps you find inspirations, narrow down buying options, and see yourself in an outfit (via image generator) when you upload an image of yourself.Project Mariner’s agentic functions will also transfer to AI Mode, allowing users to prompt Google to find the best event ticket deals or book restaurant appointments. While the AI won’t complete the purchase for you, it will present multiple options, including the one that best fits your inquiry (say you searched for the cheapest option), for you to approve.Finally, Google has expanded AI Overviews to over 200 countries and territories, and more than 40 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Malay, Urdu, and more. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Oura announced an integration with Dexcom’s Stelo CGM that simplifies the glucose-monitoring and meal-logging process One month of Stelo costs $100, and an Oura Ring starts at $350 The integration is great and convenient for people looking to learn about the ways glucose impacts their energy, sleep, and more. –> Health […] More

Anker’s MagGo 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station for iPhone is still a wireless charging dream months after my initial purchase, and it’s also ZDNET’s pick for best wireless charger. This MagSafe charger features 15W charging, offers a stand component for my iPhone, charges all my Apple devices simultaneously, and folds up easily for quick transport and storage. The charger also comes with a wall adapter, which isn’t always guaranteed. Also: I found a Qi2 charging station that can do it all (and Apple users will love it)I first purchased this Anker charger after ZDNET’s Sabrina Ortiz tested it last year. I was looking for a safe and functional 3-in-1 charger to reduce the number of cords I needed to pack while traveling. This device is the solution. Unveiled at CES 2023, this 3-in-1 is worth your money if you own an Apple Watch and a pair of AirPods and want a great charger at home and on the go. I also enjoy Anker’s UFO version of this charger, but if you’re only going to purchase one 3-in-1 charging setup, it should be this one. A stand configuration is preferable for daily nightstand use, and you don’t need to buy both setups. Verified Amazon customers gave this Anker charger 4.6 out of 5 stars. They liked the compactness and convenience of the design, and the easy-to-use setup, foldability, and magnetic strength. However, some customers said the simultaneous charging wasn’t consistent. Author’s Note: The Anker MagGo 3-1 charger in white is on sale for $82 (save $27) at Amazon upon the latest publication.  More

When I’m at the pool, I’d rather spend most of my time off my mobile device. But it’s 2025, and my phone goes everywhere I do, including on the pool float with me while I soak up some sun. Now, there’s a practical reason for this, I promise. If I’m listening to music (on my JBL speaker), having my phone handy is critical to maintain the pool day vibes and change songs and playlists whenever I want, especially while my Apple Watch is off my wrist. But, alas, keeping my phone protected from water accidents is always a good idea. That’s why I pop my iPhone 14 Pro into this Case Mate IP68 waterproof pouch, which keeps it secure from splashes, drips, and most importantly, potential underwater submerges up to 3.3 feet. This pouch is affordable, comes with a lanyard in several fun colors, and is great for extra security at the pool. Plus, it’s perfect for water activities, vacations and cruises, the beach, and solo-traveling. The pouch still allows you to utilize your device, floats, and even aids in taking underwater photos. It’s an excellent $20 buy for your tech repertoire or for your accident-prone, phone-addicted kid. Amazon customers said they liked the airtight, waterproof seal on the Case Mate pouch and protecting their phone while at the beach, pool, waterpark, and more. One customer even said they used this waterproof pouch to take underwater pictures during a shark cage dive.  More