<!–> 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
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETAndroid 16 is coming, and with it, we’ll see a considerable refresh on the UI front. It’s been four years since Material You was first released, and the latest iteration (version 3) looks to include some features and improvements that many have been hoping for.Also: 6 rumored Android 16 features that are making this loyal Pixel user ecstaticFrom animations to notifications, everything in the Android UI looks like it will see serious improvement. Here’s what’s coming to this refreshed UI.1. Animations with a little more pepFrom the demos I’ve seen, animations (across the board) are springier and more responsive. What’s really nice about this change is that it almost feels more organic. For example, when you drag an animation, the adjoining animations subtly react to the movement. This will also help make Android components more responsive, at least visually so.2. Blurs and shading More
Google / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETThat smartphone in your pocket is home to your favorite apps, personal accounts, and sensitive data. That means your device should have the strongest security protection available to prevent the wrong people from stealing your money or information.Also: Your Android phone is getting a new security secret weapon – and it’s a big dealFor Android users, Google offers a variety of tools and technologies to defend you against scammers, malware, and other threats to your security and privacy. In a blog post published Tuesday, the company spotlights the protections now available or coming soon and how they aim to keep you safe from the latest dangers. 1. Protection against scam calls More
ZDNETHere we go again. A zombie news story that should have been laid to rest last January has risen from the grave and is walking among us again.The original storyIn case you missed the original story, here’s a recap: Last January, dozens of tech-focused news sites reported that the free upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 was “for a limited time only.” In a quote from the same source, they warned that Microsoft had decreed you would need to upgrade to Windows 11 to continue using Microsoft 365 apps on your PC after the Oct. 14, 2025, end-of-support deadline for Windows 10. Also: How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 – 2 free optionsThe problem with all those reports is they were based on an article by a very junior Microsoft employee posted on an obscure blog for Microsoft nonprofit customers. It wasn’t an official announcement, and the post was deleted that same day. A Microsoft spokesperson told ZDNET’s sister publication PCMag that the blog post “contained inaccurate information and a misleading headline.” Microsoft’s official support document, “What Windows end of support means for Office and Microsoft 365,” had been published a month earlier and was much less alarming. It begins: “Microsoft 365 apps will no longer be supported on Windows 10 after it reaches end of support on October 14, 2025.” That statement is repeated in bold later in the document: Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. After that date, if you’re running Microsoft 365 Apps on a Windows 10 device, the applications will continue to function as before. However, we strongly recommend upgrading to Windows 11 to avoid performance and reliability issues over time. Back in the newsSo why did this zombie story start appearing in my news feeds today? I blame Forbes.They’re the ones standing there, shovel in hand, shouting about “Microsoft’s surprise deadline u-turn” while continuing to quote from the inaccurate, long-since-deleted zombie blog post. Also: Is your Microsoft account passwordless yet? Why it (probably) should be and how to do it rightToday’s fuss is based on a newly published page at Microsoft’s product documentation site, Microsoft Learn: “Windows 10 end of support and Microsoft 365 Apps,” which contains this note: To help maintain security while you transition to Windows 11, Microsoft will continue providing security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 for three years after Windows 10 reaches end of support. These updates will be delivered through the standard update channels, ending on October 10, 2028. That shouldn’t be a surprise. The three-year continuation in security updates for Microsoft 365 matches the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates available to Microsoft’s enterprise customers. It would be a nightmare to rebuild the Microsoft 365 update servers so they delivered updates only to PCs running Windows 10 with an ESU subscription while blocking other Windows 10 devices. So everyone gets those updates. More
oxygen/Getty Images Getting a new product out the door is just the beginning. Companies that want long-term success must refine their services in response to new business and customer requirements. So, how can your organization ensure it delivers continuous improvements to its products and services? Six business leaders share their top tips. 1. Show people […] More
Maria Diaz/ZDNETYour Roku TV is getting a slew of updates to make finding something to watch easier — including one for your favorite purple city.Also: Should you buy a Roku streaming stick in 2025? Here’s my buying advice after testing oneAt an event in New York City last month, Roku introduced its new TVs and streaming devices, smart home products, and TVs, but it also announced some new additions that will be coming to all existing Roku TVs.Here’s what’s on the way.What’s coming to all Roku TVsRoku understands the struggle of finding something to watch, it says, so it’s rolling out several ways to make content more personal. These include: “Coming Soon to Theaters,” a row that shows you what’s currently in theaters. If you’d rather wait until you can watch it at home, you can add a movie to your saved list and Roku will alert you when it’s available.Short-form content rows are headed to the All Things Food and All Things Home tabs, letting you browse videos like recipes, home cleaning hacks, and more one after the other (essentially TikTok or Reels for your TV). A personalized highlight row in the Sports Zone lets you follow the latest action from your favorite teams and players. You can also get notifications when it’s gametime for your favorite teams.If you want to see the best of the best, watch for Roku’s new badges that will identify award-winning films.Missing your favorite purple-hued cityscape? Instead of having to wait for your set to go idle to visit, you can now head to Roku City with one click with a dedicated tile. This fake city, complete with its own mass transit, homes, restaurants, and even a city hall, has become a fan-favorite over the past few years, and now it’s even easier to pay a visit.Hardware updates On the hardware side, new versions of the Roku Streaming Stick and Roku Streaming Stick Plus are on the way. The new models are so power-efficient, Roku says, that they are powered directly by your TV — meaning no more hanging cables. The new sticks are also getting a sleek redesign that ensures they don’t block neighboring HDMI ports. The classic Roku Streaming Stick is also getting a voice remote. More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Suunto Run is available now for $249 This new sports watch is very light at 36 grams with the strap, lasts for a week, has a bright AMOLED display, and provides accurate location tracking SuuntoPlus apps are not supported and music storage doesn’t support subscription services. –> I was reintroduced […] More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni is available on Amazon for $1,499. The X9 Pro Omni has some of the best performance I’ve seen on soft floors, while still mopping well on hard floors Though it vacuums and mops very well, the X9 Pro Omni did sometimes get its brush roller […] More
