Eliana Willis

Kerry Wan/ZDNETThe Google Pixel 9a might be the best-value phone of 2025, especially now that it brings flagship-level AI tools, a bright 120Hz display, and a massive battery into a more affordable price tier. But, just like any Pixel phone, the best features often aren’t enabled by default. Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025These tips are based on a Pixel 9a running Android 15. Depending on which Pixel model and Android version you’re using, the exact menu locations may vary slightly, but the settings themselves are widely available across recent Pixel generations. 1. Enable Smooth Display More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETSamsung’s Frame TV lineup is popular for a reason; It’s unique, makes practical use of all the idle space a TV typically leaves behind, and looks great doing so. And right now, on Samsung’s website, you can save nearly $2,000 on the flagship TV ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Also: Samsung Frame TV 2024 vs. 2023: Comparing the key differencesThe smallest 32-inch display More

Joan Cros/NurPhoto via Getty Images Michael Dell is pitching a “decentralized” future for artificial intelligence that his company’s devices will make possible.    “The future of AI will be decentralized, low-latency, and hyper-efficient,” predicted the Dell Technologies founder, chairman, and CEO in his Dell World keynote, which you can watch on YouTube. “AI will follow the […] More

Current price: $200Original price: $250The nice thing about buying one of Oura’s earlier model smart rings is you’ll get the same app and software experience — just a different form factor and one less day of battery life. If prospective Oura Ring buyers don’t mind this, they should opt for the Oura Ring 3, which has reduced its price by around 20% since the Oura Ring 4’s debut.The Oura Ring tracks your daily sleep, stress, activity, and readiness to deliver scores, insights, and recommendations. It’s a great health tracker for people looking to optimize their sleep and activity routine, but who want gentle recommendations and encouragements that won’t make them feel bad about a poor night of sleep or a day of low activity. It’s constantly innovating with new features, like a Cardiovascular Age feature that tells you if your physiological age is ahead, behind, or at your chronological age. Plus, it partners with other health brands, like Dexcom, so you can keep track of your glucose levels on the Oura app if you use its Stelo continuous glucose monitor. The smart ring is compatible with Android and iOS phones, so everybody can use it to capture data. The only downside of an Oura Ring is its $70 annual subscription (which is not on sale) to unlock all that data it collects and displays. The Ring Gen 3 is also an sale in select finishes and sizes at Oura.  More

Nina Raemont/ZDNETOura might be a stellar sleep tracker, but it hasn’t always been a reliable activity tracker. Reddit users under the r/ouraring subreddit regularly lament this situation, saying the Oura Ring miscounts steps during activities and workout sessions. One recent Reddit post called the step tracker “wildly inaccurate.” Also: I took these sleep trackers to bed to find out which is bestOura has seemingly listened to these complaints. The company has announced it is upgrading the smart ring’s step-tracking feature. That’s right: activity enhancements and upgrades are coming to the app, including new trends for viewing your active time, integrations from partners like Apple and Android for heart rate data, and more accurate calorie- and step-counting mechanisms. Let’s run through some of the activity upgrade highlights.  Improved accuracy for calorie and step counting The new step-counting algorithm functions like a pedometer to track movements and interpret steps. The algorithm should improve average daily step count errors; Oura said it cuts that metric by 61%. Additionally, users can expect to see 20% fewer steps logged with this updated algorithm.  Also: Oura Ring 3 vs Oura Ring 4: Opt for the older, discounted smart ring or the newest?Calorie tracking now considers movement intensity (heart rate zones). This update should allow the ring to accurately track calories burned during exercise, slashing median active calorie error by 53%, according to Oura. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Beats’ latest Pill speaker is available for $150 in five colorways: Statement Red, Matte Black, Champagne Gold, Navy Blue, and Blush Pink. An impressive battery life and a subtle, clean design set the Beats Pill apart from its competitors. However, Beats’ overemphasized, bass-forward sound can mask the other aspects of a […] More

As a dog owner, I must vacuum twice daily to keep up with the amount of loose pet hair on my floors. I often can’t make time for that, but my floors stay clean, thanks to my favorite life hack: a robot vacuum. My Roborock is reliable, efficient, and doubles as a mop. As someone who tests robot vacuums daily, I can tell you that a robot vacuum and mop can help ease your mind and save time.Roborock introduced me to robot vacuum and mop combinations over six years ago when few companies offered 2-in-1 robots. Since then, robot vacuum and mop combinations have boomed, taking what started as a dripping microfiber pad dragged along your floors and evolving into efficient self-washing rotating mop pads, self-washing mop rollers, and self-emptying robots. What is the best Roborock robot vacuum right now? I’ve tested multiple Roborock robot vacuums and robot vacuum mops over the last few years, and they’ve mostly been outstanding machines. My pick for the best Roborock robot vacuum overall is the Roborock Saros 10R More