Nuki Smart Lock <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Nuki Smart Lock is now available for $159 on its own, and $229 when combined with the Keypad 2. This smart lock fits into an existing deadbolt, supports Matter for easy integrations with smart home systems, and features hands-free unlocking. Though innovative, the Nuki smart lock requires […] More
Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNETWe’ve probably all bumped into boot-up problems when Windows fails to load properly. That’s when a recovery drive can come in handy. But how many of us take the time to set one up? Well, Windows itself offers a recovery feature that you may not even realize exists.Known simply as Recovery Drive, this legacy tool lets you create a recovery environment to store on an external USB drive. If Windows ever has trouble launching, you’ll be able to boot up your PC with the recovery media. The tool works the same in both Windows 10 and 11.Also: Why you need a data backup plan for your Mac or PC – before disaster strikesThere are a couple of conditions to keep in mind. Using Recovery Drive resets Windows back to its initial factory state. Specifically, the recovery stores all built-in Windows files, any updates installed at the time you set up the drive, and any customizations from the PC maker. Your own customizations, your personal files, and any apps you’ve installed are not included, so you’ll want to be sure you have separate backups of those items. I recommend Ed Bott’s step-by-step guide to protecting yourself from data-related catastrophes. More
What about Focus Modes – do they help battery life? Yes. Focus Modes help by letting you whitelist specific apps and contacts; during “Work” or “Sleep,” only critical alerts light up your display. That means fewer wake-ups and less background processing. I already mentioned disabling notifications above, but you can take it a step further with Focus Modes. Also: The best Apple deals right now: Save on MacBooks, iPhones, and moreHow to set up a Focus Mode:Open Settings > Focus > tap + to create a profile.Under Allowed Notifications, choose People and Apps.Optionally schedule it by time, location, or app. How do I identify the biggest battery hogs on iPhone? To see what might be draining your iPhone’s battery, go to Settings > Battery. There, you’ll see usage by app and how much time each spent on screen or in background. Also: How to fix an iPhone alarm that’s not going off – and why it might be happening Can removing my case while charging help? Possibly — mainly if your device gets hot while charging. Removing the case can improve heat dissipation, which might speed up charging and protect your iPhone’s battery health. Should I try a battery pack or a power bank? Yes! I always travel with one. All the settings tweaks in the world won’t help if you’re stranded somewhere, staring at a red battery icon, far from an outlet. Here are the top picks ZDNET’s editors recommend: Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter. More
Ugreen M.2 NVMe Enclosure <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Ugreen’s M.2 NVMe Enclosure is on sale on Amazon for $75. It’s an easy to use enclosure that doesn’t rely on minute fasteners, and features USB4 speeds of up to 40Gbps. If you need a device that supports up to 80Gbps, you’ll want to upgrade. –> For […] More
JuSun/Getty ZDNET’s key takeaways Gartner has released its 2025 Hype Cycle report. AI agents and data are at their most inflated and need precise application to yield results. The report also emphasized trust and safety efforts as critical to the next five years. Research firm Gartner has released its annual Hype Cycle report, which investigates […] More
Robert Way/Getty Images ZDNET’s key takeaways Disney is combining the Hulu app and the Disney+ app next year. Most Hulu content is available on Disney+ already, but not all – you still need the Hulu app for now. You’ll still be able to subscribe to Hulu and Disney+ as standalone services. If you’re a Hulu […] More
Why we like it: If you’re willing to spend the money for the best soundbar system you can get right now, and want something that comes with a subwoofer and surrounds all ready to go, then the Samsung HW-Q990F is the way to go. The system is powerful, immersive, and incredible sounding, and while it’s far from cheap, it pushes the limits of what a soundbar can offer.Review: Samsung HQ-Q990FThe Samsung HW-Q990F is pretty bulky, and for a reason. It has a 23 drivers built straight into it, with 11.1.4 channels for Dolby Atmos support. The speakers built into the soundbar itself, combined with those built into the satellite surround speakers, create an incredibly immersive experience that will have you fully immersed in your content. The included subwoofer also delivers excellent bass response. Although it is quite compact, it still delivers deep and powerful bass. What makes it such a great option for audiophiles is the fact that it’s so detailed in the high end. The soundbar offers a relatively neutral tuning out of the box, though it’s worth noting that the EQ in the Samsung SmartThings app isn’t very precise. Still, I appreciated how it sounded, and you can make use of things like the subwoofer level to tweak the bass a little more precisely. One of the things that I most loved about this soundbar is how its surround sound setup improved stereo tracks. The system delivered an impressively wide soundstage, giving plenty of room for every instrument in a track, even without a virtualized surround algorithm. To be fair, I tested it in a small cube-shaped room, which is pretty much ideal for a system like this, but even larger living rooms should get the ultra-immersive feel. And users can turn up the volume of the surrounds to help improve that immersion.The HW-Q990F is one of the first systems to support the new Eclipsa Audio spatial audio format, though there’s almost no Eclipsa content out there right now. Who it’s for: The Samsung HW-Q990F is the system for those willing to spend the cash on something incredibly immersive and ultra-detailed. It’s great for audiophiles who simply want the best audio response. At retail price, the HW-Q990F system is $2,000. Comparably, a fully-kitted flagship Sonos system is about $700 more. This soundbar is ideal for people who want or need an advanced soundbar, thanks to its host of audio features, 4K @ 120Hz pass-through, and seven audio decoding formats (including FLAC and WAV).Who should look elsewhere: If you’re on a budget, then the Samsung HW-Q990F probably isn’t the soundbar system for you. If you have a small TV viewing area, you should pass on the HW-Q990F. It’s a hefty soundbar, and it performs best when you can turn up the volume.Samsung HW-Q990F tech specs: Dimensions: H(2.8 in), W(48.5 in), D(5.4 in) | Channels: 11.1.4 | Inputs: HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical | Voice assistants: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Bixby | Wireless streaming: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Roon, Tidal Connect | Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos, Eclipsa Audio More
Acer Swift 16 AI <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Acer Swift 16 AI is available now starting at $1,250. Its 16-inch OLED display, well-designed lightweight form, and marathon battery work together to create a laptop that feels more premium than its price would suggest. Its speakers, however, leave much to be desired, and it has […] More
