Eliana Willis

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETIn a recent ZDNET article, my friend and colleague David Gewirtz explained why he considers the upcoming iPhone 16, with its focus on iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence, an essential upgrade. While I value David’s perspective, I have a different take.Also: The iOS 18 public beta is available for iPhone right now. How to download itDavid argues that the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) in iOS 18 makes the iPhone 16 a necessary upgrade, emphasizing the potential of Apple Intelligence to revolutionize our interaction with devices. While I agree that Apple Intelligence has long-term potential, I’m not convinced that its first iteration will deliver the game-changing usability that many anticipate.If anything, the latest iOS 18.1 betas with Apple Intelligence features have been underwhelming at best.The annual upgrade ritualEvery year, my wife and I eagerly await the release of the new iPhones. Being part of Apple’s Upgrade Program More

Cerebras demonstrated how its AI inference can be 10 to 20 times faster than conventional cloud AI inference services. Cerebras Systems The market for serving up predictions from generative artificial intelligence, what’s known as inference, is big business, with OpenAI reportedly on course to collect $3.4 billion in revenue this year serving up predictions by […] More

ZDNETAccessible through the Wallet app, the Apple Cash feature on your iPhone lets you exchange money with another person. I’ve used it several times when I needed to reimburse someone or request money from a friend or family member.Also: Why the NSA advises you to turn off your phone once a weekIn the past, you’d have to send a text message to transfer cash to a fellow iPhone user. But with iOS 18, there’s another option that works as long as the other person is with you. Thanks to the new Tap to Cash method, simply bring your iPhone next to the iPhone of the other person, and the money is sent.Both phones must be running iOS 18. You also need to have enabled Apple Cash on both devices. Once set up, the process is quick and simple, at least most of the time. Here’s how it works.How to use Tap to Cash to send money in iOS 18 More

Jason Hiner/ZDNETIf you’re looking to invest in a television that can withstand years of usage, tune into this new announcement from Samsung.Speaking to The Korea Economic Daily, Samsung president Yoon Seok-woo said that to “widen the gap in market share with Chinese companies,” Samsung would begin offering seven years of free Tizen OS upgrades to its AI-powered TVs. Earlier this year, Samsung made the same offer to cell phone customers.Also: Samsung’s new projectors bring a 130-inch display into your home – no big TV neededThe upgrades will apply to Samsung’s 2024 TVs and a few 2023 TVs. The company hasn’t said exactly what the seven years of upgrades might include, but hopefully, it will bring new features to older sets. 2024 saw the addition of some pretty useful AI-powered features like Real Depth Enhancer, Now+, and Active Voice Amplifier Pro, so this could be an intriguing offer. More

Jake Wyman/Getty Images The global pandemic has had a lasting impact on the workplace, making remote work a common practice. Added convenience and better flexibility have made hybrid workstyles a mainstay, but their effects on the workplace are still being analyzed.  On Monday, Zoom published a whitepaper with Reworked Insights titled “Navigating the Future of […] More

Stack Social If you live near a BJ’s Wholesale Club and have been thinking about buying a membership, now is a great time: New members can buy an annual membership for just $20 (reg. $55) through this Stack Social deal — saving you 63%.  BJ’s is similar to Costco and Sam’s Club (both of which […] More

Jaque Silva/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images If you use Gmail on Android to send email messages, a new feature has dropped that will help you save time. Also: This easy email trick will make your inbox clutter vanish An official Google blog post details how, before, your only options for writing a response to a Gmail […] 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 $50 — that’s 88% 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