Kerry Wan/ZDNETSamsung may have just dropped new phones and devices back in July, but there are some sizzling savings still live on some other models, like the Galaxy A35 smartphone — just in time for back-to-school. Also: The best Amazon deals right now: August 2024Right now, Amazon is offering a free pair of Samsung Buds FE wireless earbuds when you bundle them with a Samsung Galaxy A35 smartphone More
Stability AI This is a toolbox story. AWS Bedrock is an AI toolbox, and it’s getting loaded up with a few new power tools from Stability AI. Let’s talk about the toolbox first, and then we’ll look at the new power tools developers can reach for when building applications. Also: 6 digital twin building blocks […] More
Score a Microsoft Office license now at a big discount. StackSocial Whether you’re setting up your new laptop or using a machine you’ve had for years, access to Microsoft Office is a necessity for many of us to get things done. Right now, you can buy a lifetime license to the 2019 version of Microsoft Office Professional […] More
Maria Diaz/ZDNETX’s loss is Bluesky’s gain. In just a few short days, rival social media platform Bluesky has captured more than two million new users, a hefty increase for a social network that held only around six million members before this week. The surge comes after Elon Musk’s X was banned and blocked in Brazil over political issues, prompting many Brazilians to migrate to Bluesky.In a post on Monday, Bluesky proclaimed: “TWO MILLION new people in the last week! A very warm welcome.” To hammer home the point that a lot of the growth came from Brazil, Bluesky added: “DOIS MILHÕES de pessoas novas na última semana! uma calorosa recepção a todos!”Also: Why the NSA advises you to turn off your phone once a weekA Bluesky stats page also recorded the flood of new users, showing a total of 8,747,821 at last count. A Tuesday post from a Bluesky engineer marked the jump in not only users but also likes, follows, and reposts. More
Max Buondonno/ZDNETLast month, researchers uncovered a security flaw that affected a “very large percentage” of Pixel phones. Google’s new update, rolling out today, fixes that vulnerability.Several weeks ago, online security firm iVerify published a blog detailing how the vast majority of Pixel phones shipped since 2017 contained software called showcase.apk. The software wasn’t intended for consumers but for Verizon store employees to show off Pixel phone features.Also: Why the NSA advises you to turn off your phone once a weekThe issue was that showcase.apk has very high system privileges and can even execute code and install software remotely. In theory, someone with malicious intentions could access the Amazon Web Services domain that powers the software and place malware or spyware on an unsuspecting person’s phone.Since the app came pre-installed, users couldn’t remove it manually. More
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETStorage constraints putting a cramp on your PlayStation 5? Having to delete and redownload your games because you’re crushed in space? Adding a higher-storage SSD may be exactly what you need to squeeze in up to 150 AAA titles. My recommendation is Lexar’s Play 2280 More
Kerry Wan/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold More
Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra is no longer the latest and greatest, but it’s still, undeniably, a contender for the best stylus phone that you can buy. That’s because the company made little to no upgrades in terms of the S Pen’s feel in the hand and software features this year. That’s a win if you’re hunting for a stylus phone that no longer costs as much as it once did. Like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the S Pen on this model features 4,096 pressure levels, is filled with productivity features like off-screen memos and Smart Select, and is conveniently stored at the bottom of the handset.Review: Samsung Galaxy S23 UltraSamsung’s Notes app, which is the core of the stylus writing experience, has also improved since the early Galaxy Note days. Now, you can collaborate with other users on the same document at the same time, and it’s never been easier to just drag and drop files and images into the note-taking app.There were more subtle improvements that Samsung made with last year’s Ultra model a fantastic phone in general, like the large and less-curvy 6.8-inch display, the massive 5,000mAh battery, and a bump in base storage to 256GB, allowing you to store even more memos and files than before.Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Display: 6.8 inches, 3,200 x 1,440 pixels | RAM/Storage: 12GB with 256GB/512GB/1TB | Cameras: 200MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP with 10x optical, 10MP with 3x optical, 12MP front | Battery: 5,000mAh More
