Eliana Willis

In my experience with power stations, I can see three groups of people buying these devices.First, you have those who want backup power in case the lights go out, the sort of system that will last a few hours or days (depending on how common power outages are). This could be something small that slides under the bed or lives in a cupboard or something big that takes up some serious space.Then there are those who want to save money and gain a degree of off-grid capability by harvesting the power of the sun using one or more solar panels and then using that power to power the home or EV. I’ve seen increasing numbers of people putting systems like this in place, and while the cash savings are far from immediate, buying a good system ensures a long life for the system.Finally, there are those who want to take power with them when out and about, either camping or working, or in an RV. The flexibility of being able to charge the unit from solar panels, a car’s electrical system, and from any free AC outlet is a significant advantage. These can be used to power home appliances, laptops, drones, cameras, and also medical devices such as CPAP systems.Power stations are the modern, updated version of the gasoline generator, and they have a lot of benefits. They are smaller and quieter, don’t stink of gasoline or fumes, and can be run in confined spaces. However, there are downsides, and one of the biggest is that unless you have access to ample sunlight to recharge the power stations, off-grid life becomes trickier. Because it’s a lot easier to stockpile gasoline than it is to stockpile sunlight, there are times when, despite the smelly fumes, need for regular maintenance, and risk of dying in a gasoline fireball or carbon monoxide suffocation, the good old gasoline generator is king. More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETI’m going to preface this piece by saying the choice of widgets is personal, and what might be useful to me might not be useful to you. Even so, there’s a widget for everyone, and depending on the apps you have installed on your Android device, you’ll more than likely find one or two in this article that help make your day a bit more efficient.Also: This might be the end of ChromeOS, but what’s next could be betterSo, what are widgets? Simply put, they are additions to your Android home screen that allow quick access to information from apps, the apps themselves, or services you depend on. With the right collection of widgets, you could create an at-a-glance home screen that keeps you up to date without opening a single app.I’ve searched through the widgets for phones and tablets, and I’m sharing those that I think will make your devices more useful.Before we get to the list, let’s explore how to get started with widgets. More

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETWe test dozens of laptops every year here at ZDNET, and our testing process employs a dual approach. On one hand, we run a series of benchmarking programs to gather important system data and metrics. On the other hand, we approach laptops the way any normal consumer would, considering ease of use, form factor, durability, and battery life. Also: The best laptops: Expert tested and reviewedOur core testing philosophy is simple: while it’s imperative to gather data, numbers aren’t the whole story. Laptops can be very personal, and as such, there’s an intuitive, human element that can’t be ignored, and we take that into account while writing our reviews.How we test laptops in 2025 More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETSamsung will almost certainly be revealing its Galaxy S25 lineup in less than a month. While the company’s latest phone will reportedly bring a new design, an upgraded camera, and more, it might also bring a surprise perk — a free Gemini Advanced subscription. While running an APK teardown of the latest version of the Google app, a process that involves diving deep into code to predict upcoming features, Android Authority noticed several indications that Galaxy S25 might include a free subscription to the paid version of Google’s AI.  Also: T-Mobile users can try Starlink’s satellite service for free – here’s how”Your device gives you access to a {one}-year subscription to Gemini Advanced,” the code read, “with access to our most capable AI models, at no cost.” There were also lines of code for nine-month, six-month, and three-month subscriptions. At least for the year-long trial, that’s a value of more than $200.  More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The LG G4 OLED is on sale at Amazon and Best Buy for $2,796. LG has made great strides with its OLED picture quality, and this model is truly exceptional However, the regular price might be a turn-off since you can buy great TVs for half the price. more buying choices […] More

The Blackview MP60 mini PC. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETWhy this deal is ZDNET-recommendedBlackview, a company best known for its rugged Android smartphones with built-in thermal cameras More

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETI handle and review a bewildering array of gadgets throughout the year, from cables to satellite communicators. However, I feel that the real test for any product is whether it can make the shift from something I reviewed into something that I use long-term.This list represents gadgets that transitioned from mere review assignments to become essential parts of my kit. These are the things that live in my pocket or laptop bag or accompany me on my travels, both on-grid and completely off-grid.Also: Why Oura Ring 4 is ZDNET’s product of the year – besting Samsung, Apple, and others in 2024One caveat here is that I’ve deliberately left out any and all Apple gadgets for the simple reason that my top slots would consist of my iPhone, Apple Watch, MacBook Pro, AirPods Pro, and all the AirTags that prevent me from losing my belongings. I want this list to move beyond Apple!So, without any further ado, and in no particular order, here are my top 7 gadgets of 2024, along with a bonus “gadget” that is constantly in flux but also irreplaceable.1. Klarus K5 waterproof power bank   More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro MKII headphones are available now on Amzon for $599 These headphones deliver mind-blowing accuracy and detail The price might be a turn-off to some but they are worth every penny. –> In a world of cheap, overly-processed sound, any opportunity to hear music as its creators intended […] More