Score a Microsoft Office license now at a big discount. StackSocial Whether you’re setting up your new laptop or using a machine you’ve had for years, access to Microsoft Office is a necessity for many of us to get things done. Right now, you can buy a lifetime license to the 2019 version of Microsoft Office Professional […] More
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are only a few weeks away, and ZDNET’s team of tech experts are already scouting the web for the best tech deals so you don’t have to. Also: The best Black Friday deals live nowNew smart technologies continue to revolutionize the home security industry, ranging from smart locks to security cameras and whole home security systems. Some cameras on this list are indoor or outdoor, some are wireless versions powered by a battery, some are plug-in, and some make great pet camera options and baby monitors. One of the most effective and affordable security measures you can add to your home is a video doorbell, as it provides insight into who — or what — is at the front door before they ever come in. Amazon More
When you’re looking for a new virtual private network (VPN) setup, you have a choice: you can install VPN software directly on the devices you want to protect, or you can install a VPN on your router.VPNs provide encrypted tunnels that protect online communications, making it more difficult to track you or steal your information. They also allow you to mask your IP address so that it appears as if you’re in a different location.Also: The best VPN services: Expert tested Setting up a VPN environment via your router provides blanket coverage across devices connected to the router, including your smartphone, PC, and smart TV. This saves you the job of installing VPN software on each device, and the process can be far easier than you think — as long as you have compatible hardware.Some VPN providers even have routers with a VPN that is already installed and ready to go. In either case, opting for a VPN-ready router can be an excellent way to improve your home security and online privacy.What is the best VPN router right now?ZDNET has years of experience testing VPN solutions and hardware. Our team of experts has researched and performed hands-on testing for decades, and we strive to give you the best recommendations for VPNs and supporting routers based on this experience and customer feedback. Overall, our pick for the best VPN router is the ExpressVPN Aircove More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is available for $200. I’ve been testing the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, which features the fastest performance yet and up to 12 weeks of battery life; alternatively, the 16 GB Kindle Paperwhite is available for $160. Remember that Amazon’s promise of up to 12 weeks of […] More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Puts you in the pilot’s seat, with a wide field of view. Great battery life that plays well with most DJI drones. Can sometimes be disorientating, especially if you’re new. –> I’ve been flying drones for a couple of decades, and for most of that time, I’ve been looking at a […] More
Jackie Niam/Getty Images Generative AI (Gen AI) has advanced significantly since its public launch two years ago. The technology has led to transformative applications that can create text, images, and other media with impressive accuracy and creativity. Also: We have an official open-source AI definition now Open-source generative models are valuable for developers, researchers, and organizations […] More
Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNETWant to keep on top of Tuesday’s ongoing election results without constantly checking news and social media sites? Apple has one solution — at least for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch users.Starting late Tuesday, Apple News will display the election results with real-time updates on the Home Screen and Lock Screen of your device. iPhone owners will be able to view the results through the Live Activity feature in which information appears in the Dynamic Island area at the top.Also: Perplexity AI offers election results tracker and voter resource – try it hereTo activate this, just open Apple News on your device. Look for a heading under Top Stories or Special Coverage that says: “Follow the election live.” Tap the small clock icon next to that, and a message pops up telling you that you’ve scheduled Live Activity. When the event starts, you’ll then get real-time updates on your Home Screen and Lock Screen.The message doesn’t reveal the specific time that the results will start other than saying tonight. But when TV networks, news sites, and other sources begin to reveal the preliminary results, that’s likely when Apple’s coverage will kick in as well. More
Jason Hiner/ZDNETThe big ticket item for MacOS 15.1 is Apple Intelligence but I’m not interested in using AI. Even so, I did want to see what the fuss was all about but quickly discovered that, even with the 15.1 update on my MacBook Pro M1, I had to get on the Apple Intelligence waiting list before it would become available. The wait wasn’t long (maybe 24 hours), and I had Apple’s version of AI enabled.Also: How to track US election results on your iPhone, iPad or Apple WatchWith a shrug, I moved on from that to see what else MacOS 15.1 had to offer. If you’re an Android user like me, you’ll also miss out on the new iPhone mirroring drag-and-drop support (which would be really cool to have for Android as well, but I’m not holding my breath).So, what’s left to warrant the update if AI’s not your thing and you don’t use an iPhone? Here are my three favorite upgrades.1. Apple Mail summariesOkay, I’m not a big fan of taking shortcuts. Some might even say of me that if there’s a more challenging way of doing things, that’s how I’m going to do them. That being said, I am a fan of efficiency, and sometimes, I simply don’t have time to read those emails that tend to be long enough for short story consideration.Also: The 4 best MacOS text editors (and why you should be using one)For that, Apple Intelligence added a handy feature to Apple Mail: email summaries. When you open one of those lengthier emails and want a quick summary, click the Summarize button at the top right corner of the Mail window, and Apple Intelligence will work its magic. Depending on how the email was created (and if its content is more than just text), you might get a warning that Apple Intelligence wasn’t designed to summarize such content, and the results could be inaccurate. That’s an important warning to keep in mind. More
