<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Sony’s Ult Wear headphones debut with a novel audio feature and are perfect for anyone looking for an everyday pair of headphones for $200. An enjoyable sound, all-day comfort, and premium software features and design elements set these headphones apart from others in the same price range. You can only access […] More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Phelinta three-in-one charger is available now on Amazon for $46. It charges all of your Pixel devices in one convenient place. It isn’t the fastest charger on the planet, but it does exactly what it needs to. –> To this point, I was charging my Pixel 9 Pro on an […] More
Microsoft/Ubuntu/ZDNETPowerShell is a task automation and configuration management tool, designed and released by Microsoft, that consists of a command-line shell and a powerful scripting language. A lot of intermediate and advanced Windows users depend on this application for many different reasons and are probably concerned about what they’ll do when support for Windows 10 ends next year.Also: The best Linux distribution of 2024 is MacOS-like but accessible to allFor those whose computers won’t support Windows 11, there’s good news: Linux!And for those who depend on PowerShell, there’s even better news:You can install PowerShell on Linux. Let me show you how.How to install PowerShell on Ubuntu-based distributionsWhat you’ll need: To make this work, you’ll need a running instance of a Ubuntu-based distribution and a user with sudo privileges. That’s it. Let’s make some magic. More
Maria Diaz/ZDNETExtension cords are generally a safe solution for running power to electronics that are too far from the nearest wall outlet. But the operative word here is “electronics,” which is not as all-encompassing as some people might think.Also: Bye bye, Wi-Fi: How to add a wired network to your home without running EthernetAppliances (like refrigerators and toaster ovens) are obviously electronic devices, but they’re in a different class from most electronics because of the amperage demands they need to function. Why you shouldn’t plug everything into an extension cordExtension cords are manufactured with a maximum capacity to handle electrical current, which is determined by the size or gauge of the wire used in the cord. For instance, a 16-gauge extension cord can handle a maximum of 13 amps, while a 14-gauge cord can handle up to 15 amps (or 1,800 watts), the same as a standard wall outlet in the U.S. When an appliance demands more power than the extension cord can handle, it results in an overload, which could lead to overheating. You really don’t want your cord’s insulation to melt, exposing the live wires and potentially sparking a fire.Any appliance requiring more than 1,800 watts should be on a dedicated circuit — never connected by an extension cord. And the following are seven household devices you’ll definitely want to connect directly to an outlet. More
Adam Breeden/ZDNETSay you picked up a shiny new TV this holiday season. You unbox it like a kid at Christmas and prepare yourself to binge-watch Squid Game 2. You think to yourself, “This is 2024. TV technology is sizzling, and it’s going to look amazing no matter what.” So you plug it in and don’t take one look at the default settings. Big mistake.I’ve been guilty of it. And I’m okay with that because it’s widely accepted that the majority of consumers neglect to alter the most basic settings when setting up their TVs. Even if your TV is a few years old, you may have never modified its defaults. Also: I tested Samsung’s 98-inch 4K QLED TV, and here’s why it might be worth the $13,000For Samsung TVs, in particular, you can change a few settings to improve your viewing experience and make a dystopian survival thriller look that much more appealing. Following are six tips for doing just that. More
Bold claims! Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETA power bank boasting a massive capacity of 9 million milliamp hours (mAh) that fits in the palm of your hand, all for just a little over $10, sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Well, you know what they say.A reader brought this listing to my attention, questioning the validity of such bold claims. Although I harbored significant doubts, I decided to investigate further. All in the name of science, of course. Also: The best power banks you can buy in 2024: Expert tested and reviewedFirst, let’s put that claim of 9 million mAh into perspective. The $150 Anker PowerCore 24K More
Joel Simon/Getty Images Editor’s note: This list originally included Wubuntu and LinuxFX. We no longer recommend these distributions. For more information on why, please read: Why I no longer recommend this Windows-like Linux distro. Windows 10’s end of life is coming in 2025 and that means you have to hope your machine can run Windows 11, […] More
Matthew Miller/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Garmin eTrex Solar More
