NurPhoto/Getty Images Instagram has been launching a flurry of new features lately. Some of these mirror TikTok features, such as Edits — Instagram’s version of the CapCut video editing app. Others — like profile cards — are geared toward professionalizing the app for small businesses. Also, updated algorithms recommend more original content, a benefit to creators. Now, Meta’s […] More
Kerry Wan/ZDNETIf you put any one of today’s best TVs in front of you, you would think you’re seeing what peak display technology looks like. But when you put them side by side, the differences in brightness, color volume, contrast, and more are what separate the good from the truly exceptional.Of course, such comparisons are hard to come by in reality; even if you head to a local brick-and-mortar, the TVs will likely be separated by brand and budget. So when LG invited me to a private testing session ahead of its 2025 TV releases, including for the flagship G5 OLED, I bit. Also: Is your live TV streaming bill too high? You have other options – including cheaper onesI wanted to confirm my impressions of LG’s G5 OLED after naming it the Best TV at CES 2025 (as did my CNET and PCMag colleagues). But I also wanted to see how the TV stacks up to competing models from Samsung and Sony, which were also present at the lab. After an intimate morning with all the TVs, it’s safe to say that the performance gap might be bigger than ever this year. More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The AAWireless Two costs $65 and gives you wireless Android Auto support when plugged in. A new built-in button lets you quickly swap between paired devices. The companion app is almost too robust, but that’s not the worst thing. –> Update: The AAWireless Two adapter is back in stock on Amazon […] More
Kerry Wan/ZDNETMobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 has officially ended, putting a bow tie on one of the most eventful trade shows in recent years. Over the course of the Barcelona event, we saw ultra-slim phones, unique laptop form factors, and surprise appearances from companies like Oppo, Motorola, and Nothing. Also: This tri-foldable phone at MWC 2025 is the most bizarre thing I’ve seen yetIf you missed out on all the news and product launches that took place, here’s our roundup of the best products the ZDNET team saw at MWC, in no particular order. 1. Samsung made a Nintendo Switch that folds More
All e-commerce apps collect data when you create an account and visit the app’s home page. This data can include your precise physical location, address, and device ID, as well as your search history, payment information, and contacts.Some apps use this data to track you across apps and websites, to understand performance, and to target you with ads.Some of this data is linked to your identity, and some isn’t — the connection depends on the app you’re using. In recent years, people have been increasingly concerned about how their data is being stored and are wary specifically of data storage by Chinese-based apps.Also: Is Temu safe? Why its single-layer security should be a red flag to shoppersAccording to Temu’s privacy policy, the company does not “sell” your data — for money, at least. However, Temu does share your information with shipping affiliates, marketing providers, and consumer research companies, which generates revenue for Temu.Temu also “shares” your data with third-party advertising, marketing, and analytics companies to target you with ads. In its privacy policy, Temu acknowledges that this transfer of data can be considered “selling” your data under applicable laws.Although concerns about sharing your data with Temu might be valid, it’s important to remember that apps can and do collect and store your data with few limits. US. citizens’ user data is not federally protected under a single law, so data collection remains unregulated in most states. Because American user data remains federally unregulated, Temu might access your credit history, Walmart might collect your biometric information (fingerprints, face geometry, and retina imagery), and Amazon might collect your voice recordings More
Eugene Mymrin/Getty Images The AI transformation is gathering steam. Consultancy Carruthers and Jackson’s recently released Data Maturity Index found that just 7% of organizations don’t use any form of AI, a significant drop from 26% last year. Caroline Carruthers, CEO at Carruthers and Jackson, told ZDNET that the pace of adoption is proof that generative […] More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Asus Zenbook A14 will be available in late February, 2025. Asus’ new ultraportable is a fantastic balance of innovation and value with a brilliant OLED display, competitive hardware, and a satisfying physical form. While its use case is clearly defined, the laptop has its limits when it comes to high-end […] More
ZDNETIt’s tax season again. And that means it’s time not only to file your taxes, but also to watch out for scammers looking to con tax-paying citizens. In a new report out today, McAfee highlights the most popular tax-related scams and offers advice on how to protect yourself against them.Also: 5 ways AI can help you do your taxes – and 10 tax tasks you shouldn’t trust it withBased on a new 2025 tax season survey conducted by McAfee, about 48% of people revealed that they, or someone they know, were contacted by a person claiming to be from the IRS or a state tax agency. The scammers used a variety of methods to target potential victims, including social media posts, emails, text messages, and phone calls. People ages 18 to 24 reported the highest number of successful scams, with 40% of them saying that they, or someone they know, had been scammed. But older adults ages 65 to 74 suffered the greatest financial losses. Among the people in that group who lost money in a tax-related scam, 40% said they were out between $751 and $1,000. The highest losses were found among those in the 45 to 54 age range, with 10% reporting that they had lost more than $10,000. Today’s cybercriminals also know how to use the latest sophisticated techniques. With deepfake audios, scammers can sound like actual IRS agents. And with AI-generated phishing emails, they can duplicate actual messages from legitimate tax preparation services. Also: What is vishing? Voice phishing is surging – expert tips on how to spot it and stop itMore than half of the people surveyed said they think that tax-related scam attempts have become more realistic, with most of them worried that AI is making the scams more difficult to detect. How tax scams workIn its report, McAfee illustrated how one type of tax scam might work. You receive an urgent text or email claiming that your refund was rejected or that you owe back taxes. Looking like a real notice you might get from the IRS, the message typically includes a link for you to click or a phone number for you to call. If you take the bait, the scammer will often tell you that they need your Social Security number, bank account details, or credit card information to help you. Give them what they want, and now the criminals have easy access to your money or your identity. Also: Got a suspicious E-ZPass text? It’s a trap – how to spot the scamBased on the survey results, scammers like to try different variations on a familiar theme:Fake IRS messages – Almost half of those polled by McAfee have received messages from someone posing as an IRS official.Impersonating tax services – One-third of the respondents said that they, or someone they know, was targeted by scammers pretending to be from TurboTax, H&R Block, or another tax provider.Baiting victims with fake refunds – More than a third of those surveyed said they’ve gotten suspicious messages that promised tax refunds and included malicious links.Cryptocurrency scams – Based on the survey, men are three times more likely than women to be hit by phony cryptocurrency tax payment schemes. More
