Eliana Willis

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETMacOS might not be as efficient as most Linux desktops, but it’s still a very productive OS. However, there’s always room for improvement. One place that could use a productivity boost is Spotlight. Sure, it works well, but it’s not nearly as productive a tool as some of its competitors. Take, for instance, Raycast.Raycast is a one-stop-shop app that can help make your Mac a highly productive machine. Raycast is a single app that includes just about everything you need for app launching, clipboard history, scheduling, emoji picker, calculations, searching screenshots, window management, and more. Raycast even has plugins for Google Translate, Spotify, color picking, process killing, coding, image compression/modification, generating placeholder content, Notion/Todist integration, and even navigation with Arc Browser. Raycast even includes its own AI. Also: I ditched Spotlight on my Mac for this more powerful search tool – and it’s freeRaycast is simple to install, and during the installation you have the opportunity to add plugins, enable AI, and grant access to your calendar, contacts, files, folders, and accessibility (the accessibility feature is necessary if you want Raycast to manage windows for you). More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Petcube GPS Tracker is now available for $40. Held in a silicon case, the Petcube GPS tracker goes on your dog’s collar, lets you track your pet’s location in real-time, set safe areas through geofencing, and turn on “lost dog mode.” The tracker can only be used with a monthly […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Belkin Connect Universal Pro Dock retails for $150 This midrange docking station is an excellent accessory, adding 11 additional ports while serving as a supportive base The device sports a power cable that cannot be removed and may get in the way. more buying choices Laptop or desktop? I’m sure […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The CaseUp Combo includes ProtoArc’s wireless keyboard, mouse, and laptop stand for $99 on Amazon. The ease of use and transport make this a solid option for improving your hybrid and remote work setup. The mouse, while comfortable, might be too small for some people. –> There is no shortage of […] More

Lance Whitney / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETNotebookLM, Google’s AI-powered note-taking service, is getting an upgrade that will make sharing your research even easier.Starting today, you can now share notebooks publicly through a single link. Anyone you send this link to — classmates, coworkers, fellow teachers, students, or friends — will be able to see your notebook. People you send the link to will not be able to edit the notebook, but they will be able to ask questions and create AI-generated content from the notebook’s information. Also: How to use Google’s AI-powered NotebookLM to organize your researchIt was possible to share notebooks before, but you had to enter someone’s email address and choose whether you wanted them to have read-only or edit access. This new process makes things much easier, especially if you’re sharing with a large group where you don’t know everyone’s email address.  GoogleGoogle says it’s simple to make a notebook public. All you have to do is tap or click Share in the top-right corner of your notebook and change the access to “Anyone with a link.” If you later delete this notebook or change the privacy setting, the link will no longer work. NotebookLM uses AI to help you organize research. It’s a visual notebook of sorts that holds your text, documents, links, and research around a topic. (It will even find relevant sources about a topic for you.)  More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETiPads have become essential tools for work, productivity, school, and even business development. With rising tech costs, unexpected sales may be an ideal time to jump on a deal, especially when it offers the latest and greatest updates. Also: The best iPads of 2025Now, you can get the 11th Gen iPad More

Matthew Miller/ZDNETThe OnePlus Watch 2 More

Nexpow/ZDNETSummer is almost here, so it’s time to start planning family road trips or prepping for the drive to college for move-in day. And to help keep you safe during your travels and prepared for roadside emergencies, Amazon is offering a great deal on a Nexpow bundle More