Eliana Willis

Maria Diaz/ZDNETIf you’re choosing a VPN, you may come across two strong options in Proton VPN and IPVanish Both VPNs are secure, have reliable connectivity, and offer access to geo-restricted streaming. IPVanish will appeal to beginners and gaming enthusiasts the most. It’s also cheaper for extensive use, though the pricier one-month subscription (without a money-back guarantee) may be a dealbreaker for some.Meanwhile, Proton VPN is the more rounded service of the two, stealing the show with top speeds and robust features to safeguard privacy on desktop and mobile devices. It’s one of our best VPN contenders, offering unrivaled free tier service without bandwidth restrictions. So, when narrowing down on which one you should pick, the answer depends on where or what you intend to use the VPN for.Also: The best VPNs for streamingNote: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, ZDNET’s parent company. For more, see our Editorial Guidelines. Specifications Proton VPNIPVanishStarting price$4.49/month (for one-year plan)$3.33/month (for one-year planServers10,000+2,400+Countries117108Dedicated serversStreaming, P2P, Secure CoreDouble HopProtocolsOpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, WireGuard, Stealth (obfuscation)OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, WireGuard, SOCKS 5 proxySecurityAES 256-bit encryption, Perfect Forward Secrecy, Secure Core, kill switch, leak protection, full disk encrypted serversAES 256-bit encryption, kill switch, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, all in-house serversAd & malware blockYes (NetShield)Yes (Threat Protection)No-logs policyYes (audited)Yes (audited)JurisdictionSwitzerlandUnited States (Five Eyes member)Free / trial / money-back guaranteeFree app, 30-day refund policy30-day refund policy for 1- and 2-year plansSimultaneous connections10UnlimitedCompatible devicesWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chromebook, browsers (Chrome and Firefox), Smart TVs (Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV Stick)Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chromebook, Smart TVs (Apple TV, Fire TV), routers, Apple Vision Pro You should choose Proton VPN if… More

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETApple’s latest entry-level iPhone 16e features Apple Intelligence, an A18 chipset, a new cellular modem, a larger battery capacity, Face ID, and much more. Also: I found an Android phone that can convince iPhone users to make the switch – and it’s not a flagshipThe best part — it is all packaged into a $599 handset, sold for hundreds of dollars less than the base iPhone 16 model More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETWhether you’re considering buying a new TV or your old flat panel seems to be doing fine, there are still ways to optimize your viewing experience, and it all begins with your television’s settings. Let’s explore some of the key factors determining how your TV performs and what you can do to make it look even better.1. Turn down the sharpnessThe sharper the picture, the better. Right? Not necessarily.Contrary to popular belief, the “sharpness” setting on your TV doesn’t affect the actual sharpness of the displayed image. True sharpness is determined by factors such as screen resolution, source material resolution, and contrast. Instead, the sharpness setting alters the artificial edge enhancement — a processor-driven adjustment that can introduce unwanted noise and, ironically, distort details in the image.Also: The default TV setting you should turn off ASAP – and why experts recommend itEdge enhancement is designed to make onscreen objects more distinct by emphasizing the boundaries between them, theoretically creating a more lifelike image. However, this feature acts like a universal Instagram filter, potentially leading to an unnatural appearance in some media. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways HSFTools’ HF96V thermal camera is available now for $219, with a $50 off coupon on Amazon. It has a broad temperature range and a high level of accuracy with an eight-hour battery life. It has an IP54 rating for dust and water-resistance, but it’s not waterproof. –> Regular readers will know […] More

As stated earlier, I’ve been working from home for the past five years, and I review a lot of tech products, including but not limited to laptops, monitors, smartphones, and PC accessories. One thing I’ve learned in that time is that I’m picky. Even if I like a device, that doesn’t necessarily mean that I will buy one for myself and use it on a regular basis. I have pretty strong opinions on what makes a product worth purchasing. For example, I’ve tried several keyboards before ultimately sticking with the HyperX Alloy Origins.I am a cheap person. I don’t like spending money on random things, especially now when there is a lot of economic uncertainty. So, before I buy something, I always make sure to do my homework. I do my research, check multiple shopping platforms, and consult with other ZDNET experts who know way more than I do.For the main list, I have either tested each product personally or used it for years. I can say with total confidence that these are some of the best tech products I have ever used, and I fully endorse them. Below, I have included a couple of alternative devices. I haven’t used them myself, but they come highly recommended from my fellow colleagues here at ZDNET. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Asus ProArt P16 is available now, starting at $1,900. It pairs powerful hardware with a suite of customizable options designed for creatives. The deep personalization requires engagement from the user, the huge trackpad won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, and the ultra-glossy display tends to glare. more buying choices Asus’ […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Apple’s MacBook Air M4 (13-inch) is on sale at Amazon for $850, a competitive price for Apple’s latest ultraportable. The M4 Air supports up to two external monitors with the lid open, and scales up to 32GB of unified memory. There are still only two USB-C ports on the left side, […] More

Getty Images/400tmax As AI becomes an increasingly used tool by organizations across all industries, studies show that employees’ expectations of being knowledgeable about AI are only increasing. Now, Google is presenting business leaders with a new AI literacy opportunity.  Also: I test a lot of AI coding tools, and this stunning new OpenAI release just […] More