Microsoft Microsoft just announced its refreshed 2025 Surface Pro<!–> and Surface Laptop–>, and both have new some design elements. We’ve got new colors, a new keyboard for the Surface Pro, and refined identities as lightweight, ultraportables with long-lasting batteries. The tech giant teased the release of the new Surface devices last week on X, just […] More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus are available now for $30 and $40, respectively. Both streaming devices are more compact than ever, only slightly larger than an HDMI port; they’re also portable and can be powered by your TV These new Roku Sticks don’t feature Find My Remote or […] More
Maria Diaz/ZDNETIf you’re a Roku user and you’ve noticed that your content hasn’t looked as sharp over the past few days, you’re not alone. There’s a problem with HDR streaming content on Roku — and so far, there’s no fix. About a week ago, a user on Roku’s community support forum posted that they were having an issue with colors on Disney+ being washed out after a recent update. Several other users echoed the same issue, adding that the problem also extended to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, and more. Some even added that the problem makes content “simply unwatchable.”Also: Is the Roku streaming stick a viable option in 2025? My verdict after testing the latest modelSeveral users posted comparison shots across multiple TVs, and content on affected devices is noticeably less vibrant — almost appearing in black and white. “Unwatchable” might have seemed like a strong word at first, but after seeing the alleged issue in photos, I’d have to agree with that assessment. Users note that non-HDR content, menus, and overlays are fine. Watching HDR content through an input seems to be fine on affected devices, meaning the problem is limited to streaming. More
Maria Diaz/ZDNETSummer is just around the corner, and I have the perfect Bluetooth accessory that’s worth scooping up before you hit your next destination. Amid rumors of a new generation of the Apple AirTag, we’re seeing big discounts on the Bluetooth tracker, making this the best time to buy the current generation. The Apple AirTag 4-Pack More
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETWe goofed! Roku isn’t adding new ads after all.When several Roku users over the past few days started seeing a new style of ad while streaming content, they reported the new occurrence online. More users saw the same ads and reports spread, so many people immediately assumed that Roku was adding ads to its pause screen – regardless of where the content was coming from.Also: How this Roku streaming stick made my 15-year-old TV feel like new againDiego Phillips, Advertising Communications for Roku, told ZDNET that’s not true. More
Kerry Wan/ZDNETHealth wearables have taken the tech industry by storm. Smart rings are the newest installment in the health wearable field, allowing your tracker to be more discreet. Also: I tested the Samsung Galaxy Ring and it’s smarter than my Apple Watch in one big wayAnd if you’re an Android user, the Samsung Galaxy Smart Ring More
Why we like it: If your priority is getting the best entertainment experience, then the RayNeo Air 2s are definitely for you. The glasses deliver a bright, expansive 200-inch virtual display, the biggest on this list. A screen that size is perfect for watching movies and gaming. The Air 2s sits at the center of an immersive multimedia ecosystem populated by many companion accessories.You have the Pocket TV, a portable streaming device for Google TV, YouTube, Peacock, and others. Then there’s the JoyDock, which enables compatibility with the Nintendo Switch and gives the console a second source of power. It’s not just limited to the Switch, either. With the correct adapter, you can connect the RayNeo Air 2s to an Android device, an iPhone, a PlayStation 5, or a Steam Deck, just to name a few.I should also point out that the glasses are pretty comfortable to wear, their controls are easy to understand, and the four speakers provide “support for spatial 3D audio.” Additionally, the speakers support Whisper Mode 2.0 to provide crystal-clear sound while limiting the amount of audio leaking out.Review: RayNeo Air 2sWho it’s for: To echo what I said earlier, the RayNeo Air 2s is a good pick for people who want to use XR glasses for gaming or casual media consumption. It’s perfect for travelers who want to kick back and enjoy a movie without draining their smartphone batteries. Now is a good time to pick up a pair as they’re on sale at RayNeo’s official website for $299, a $100 discount.Who should look elsewhere: People wanting a premium experience should skip these glasses. The RayNeo Air 2s are great at what they provide, but don’t offer much else. They lack the impressive features that other models possess, like light-blocking electrochromic lenses or integrated myopia adjustment. RayNeo Air 2s specs: Weight: 76g | Dimensions: N/A | Audio: Dynamic Quad-speaker setup | Connectivity: Bluetooth, DisplayPort for Android, Lightning for iPhone | Resolution: 1080p per eye at 120Hz | Virtual screen size: 201 inches More
Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETMicrosoft is kicking off a slew of new and improved AI skills that it’s touting as a “new generation of Windows experiences.” In a blog post published Tuesday, the company described what’s in store for Copilot+ PCs and what’s heading to all Windows 11 users.For Copilot+ PCsLet’s start with the skills that require a Copilot+ PC.Change Windows settingsFirst up is an AI-powered improvement in how you can access and change common Windows settings. Sometimes modifying a key setting is quick and simple; other times, not so much. To tackle specific system tasks, Microsoft is launching an AI agent.Also: 8 ways I use Microsoft’s Copilot Vision AI to save time on my phone and PCInstead of you having to figure out how to change your mouse pointer or control Windows by voice, the agent will carry out the mission for you. You’ll be able to tell it what you want to achieve or what problem you want to resolve. In response, the agent uses on-device AI to understand your request and even handle the task itself, albeit with your permission.This new capability will initially roll out to Windows Insiders on Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs and then segue to Windows Insiders on AMD and Intel computers. As the first step, only English language requests will be supported.Click to Do and Windows searchLast month, Microsoft officially released three key features to all Copilot+ PCs: the controversial Recall, Click to Do, and a new AI-powered Windows search. Enhancements to the latter two are now in the works.With Click to Do, selecting text or an image on the screen opens a menu with various actions and commands, such as copy, save, share, and search. Soon you’ll be able to ask Copilot to perform even more tasks. For example, you could tell Copilot to generate content in Word, convert text to a table in Excel, launch a Reading Coach to read text aloud, schedule a meeting, or start a chat in Microsoft Teams. More
