<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways I tested the very popular NordVPN, and it checks all the VPN boxes of reliability, performance, and features. The NordLynx protocol has fast and secure connections worldwide, and features like specialty servers, an antivirus (offline malware scanner for PCs), and a Dark Web Monitor are welcome. There is no split tunneling […] More
Yarbo Robot Mower <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Yarbo is a modular yard care robot starting at $5,000. It does well caring for large yards with complex layouts thanks to its tracked design, and its modular features make it easy to use year-round. The Yarbo is one of the most expensive robot mowers on the […] More
Sony Bravia 5 TV (98-inch) <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Enhanced color, contrast, and clarity make this TV live up to its hype. It handily delivers upscaled HDR content and high-speed footage. A soundbar will complement its size, and its off-angle viewing can be less than perfect. more buying choices Sony recently sent us the 2025 […] More
Kerry Wan/ZDNETGoogle’s latest Android feature is focused on ensuring you have quick access to your communication history. It’s called Contact History, and it’s found within the Android Contacts app. The latest upgrade to Contacts now includes a section called “Recent activity” that lists the recent communication history with a contact.If you find an interaction (be it a phone call, text, or other form), you can tap the entry to open the associated app.Also: I changed 12 settings on my Android phone to instantly extend the battery lifeThis feature can be helpful if time has passed since you’ve communicated with a contact and you want to remember the last interaction. Open the contact, scroll down until you see the “Recent activity” entry, and you’ll see whatever communications you’ve had. You’ll also see the call time and when the call was placed. More
Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETSamsung phones are well known for One UI, one of the most functional and intuitive Android interfaces. While it’s highly customizable, these phones often come with preinstalled bloatware. Some built-in Samsung apps, such as Wearable and Wallet, are useful within the Samsung ecosystem. However, there are at least five first-party apps that even dedicated Samsung users rarely touch.The preinstalled bloatware apps can vary by device, price, and lineup, but many are common across all Galaxy phones. While you might not be able to uninstall all of them, they’re easy to disable and can be re-enabled if you ever need them.Also: I changed 10 Samsung phone settings for an instant performance boostWhile these apps aren’t necessarily useless or mindless bloatware, every user’s needs differ. If you’re not using them, it’s a good idea to uninstall or disable such Samsung apps to save memory and reduce background battery usage. More
Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETOpenSnitch is a Linux port of the popular MacOS app Little Snitch. This app is essentially an application firewall that tracks network requests from apps, so you can create rules to block or allow those requests.Why is that important?Also: 7 things every Linux beginner should know before downloading their first distroSay, for example, that you’ve installed a Linux app that shouldn’t require internet access (those do still exist). You’re using that app with OpenSnitch running, and it reports that the app has made an outgoing internet connection. What gives? That shouldn’t be the case. It’s possible the app is sending telemetry (which could include information about your activity) to some third party. You don’t want that. Also: You can try Linux without ditching Windows first – here’s howWith OpenSnitch, you’ll know when these things occur, and when they do, you can take action to block those outgoing requests. This is a great tool to help you keep your privacy and security intact. Let me show you how to install the app and how it’s used.How to install OpenSnitch What you’ll need: I’m going to demonstrate this on Ubuntu Linux 24.04. OpenSnitch can also be installed on Fedora-based distributions, and you’ll only need to modify the installation commands. So, you’ll need a running instance of an Ubuntu-based distribution and a user with sudo privileges. That’s it. Let’s make it happen. More
Dell Premium 16 <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Dell Premium 16 starts at $1,800. This is a premium laptop capable of handling heavy workloads, especially graphic design, thanks to its top-notch hardware. However, it does share some of the same issues as its predecessor, like its tendency to run warm and power-hungry battery. –> I’ve […] More
Finally, there’s something to be said for supporting the underdog.In the Windows desktop browser arena, Chrome is still the top dog by far (though some of the upcoming AI-based browsers may start nipping at its heels). Edge is in second place. That puts Firefox in third. But I think the browser should be defined by much more than its third-place status.Unlike Google and Microsoft, which are major corporate giants, the Mozilla Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a strong bent toward online privacy and transparency. That’s one reason I prefer Firefox.Also, if Firefox disappeared, we’d be left with just two major Windows desktop browsers, neither of which places extra emphasis on privacy. That’s another reason I favor Firefox.Also: This new browser won’t monetize your every move – how to try itDespite my fandom for Firefox, I’m certainly not blind to its weaknesses nor to the criticisms leveled against it. While Chrome and Edge use the Blink engine to render web pages, Firefox taps into its own Quantum/Gecko engine. This is important because some web developers make sure their sites render properly in Chrome and Edge but leave Firefox as an afterthought.Many benchmarks also peg Chrome and Edge as faster than Firefox depending on the pages you load and the tasks you run. Additionally, I’ve found that Firefox typically chews up more memory than Chrome, especially when running multiple tabs.Then there are the gripes against Mozilla itself. Back in March, Mozilla changed some of the language used in its privacy policy, triggering concerns over its continued focus on user privacy.As I mentioned, I use Chrome and Edge, so those browsers do play a role for me both personally and professionally. But among the three, I still favor Firefox. I find that most web pages work fine in Firefox, that the browser is fast enough, and that the focus on privacy is still strong, especially with the settings that you can tweak and tighten. For those reasons and more, I remain a dedicated Firefox user. More
