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    This thumb-sized accessory doubled my PC storage – here’s how it works

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways PNY 1TB CS3150 M.2 storage drive, available for around $170. Overall, it’s a fast M.2 drive with active cooling to keep running temperatures below the maximum rated temperature. The heatsink makes the drive rather bulky, and you will need a 4-pin fan header on the motherboard to power the fans. –> […] More

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    Want free Starlink satellite texting? T-Mobile’s got a deal, but there’s a catch

    ZDNETSome T-Mobile customers might soon be able to claim a full year of free satellite texting.Last month, T-Mobile expanded its Starlink satellite messaging program beyond its own borders and allowed AT&T and Verizon customers to sign up for the beta test of the service. Also: T-Mobile’s most loyal customers are about to see their bills rise – here’s how muchThis meant that users of three of the biggest wireless providers in the nation had access to satellite-powered texting to send messages without a cell signal. All you have to do is…The test for AT&T and Verizon users is free until July, but those customers have a chance to take advantage of an offer for a free year of satellite texting. All you have to do is switch carriers.According to an email sent to customers, T-Mobile will offer a year of free Starlink satellite texting to any customer who is currently enrolled in the beta test and transfers their number from AT&T or Verizon to T-Mobile before the trial period ends in July.”An exclusive offer for beta registrants,” the email reads. “Switch to T‑Mobile today and you’ll receive a free year of satellite coverage for every line you register in the beta.” The offer is good for up to 12 lines and applies to any T-Mobile plan except Go5G Next. There’s no indication that existing T-Mobile customers will receive a discount. More

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    Meta’s Community Notes test begins next week – with X’s algorithm

    Meta/ZDNETMeta’s controversial “community notes” system will begin rolling out next week. It incorporates the same open-source rating algorithm that Elon Musk used to address political bias and misinformation on X.Also: How to protect your privacy from Facebook – and what doesn’t workOn Thursday, the company announced in a blog post that Meta will begin testing the new community notes system on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads with users in the US starting March 18, 2025, before expanding to other countries. Communuty Notes waitlist remains openThe company’s blog post said that 200,000 people have signed up to become Community Notes contributors, and the waitlist remains open for those who wish to participate. However, Meta will “gradually and randomly” admit contributors off the waitlist to the program and “will take time to test the writing and rating system before any notes are published publicly.” Also: Can Digg’s return fix what ails social media today? Reddit’s cofounder is betting on itMeta also revealed that it’s embracing X’s Community Notes model, which allows contributors to write and rate notes, but notes “won’t be published unless contributors with a range of viewpoints broadly agree on them,” as well as adopting X’s open-source algorithm as the basis for its rating system. It further iterates in the post that “as our own version develops, we may explore different or adjusted algorithms to support how Community Notes are ranked and rated.”In January, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that his social media platforms would abandon their current third-party fact-checking process and replace it with a system similar to the community notes model used by X, formerly Twitter. In a video explaining the decision, Zuckerberg criticized the current system and, in an effort to “restore free expression,” alluded to the fact that the social media platforms’ third-party fact-checkers have been prone to “political bias” and “too much censorship.” Also: Instagram is testing a Discord-like feature – for you and 249 friendsTo contribute to Community Notes, editors must live in the US, be over 18, have an account over 6 months old and in good standing, and have a verified phone number or two-factor authentication. Contributors won’t be able to write notes on advertisements at launch but can contribute to “almost any other forms of content.” Moreover, Community Notes will be available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and Portuguese. More

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    This solar-powered outdoor camera might be the only one you’ll ever need

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The EufyCam S3 Pro is available separately for $220 or in a two-pack with the HomeBase 3 for $550. This EufyCam is an excellent 4K outdoor security camera that delivers on its night vision promises, features no monthly fees, and has dual motion detection to reduce false alerts. The biggest downsides […] More

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    Generative AI is finally finding its sweet spot, says Databricks chief AI scientist

    Yuichiro Chino/Getty Images If you strip away all the buzzwords about enterprise artificial intelligence, such as “agentic AI,” the reality is that companies are learning what works in practice as they experiment with the technology, according to data tools giant Databricks. Also: 10 key reasons AI went mainstream overnight – and what happens next “We’re still […] More