Kerry Wan and Jason Hiner/ZDNETCheck out ZDNET’s list of the best smartphones, and two names usually top the list — Samsung and Apple. That’s no exception with our most recent picks, as the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max take the top two spots. That list will likely be changing soon though, as the Galaxy S25 Ultra More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Jmgo’s N1S Ultimate 4K projector is available now for $2,099 at Amazon. It features astounding color and brightness, and is particularly portable. The case won’t win any durability awards, and it needs a soundbar to really sound cinematic. more buying choices Last September, laser TV manufacturer Jmgo released its 2024 flagship […] More
Yuichiro Chino/Getty Images This week US President Donald Trump announced a joint venture between OpenAI, Japanese conglomerate SoftBank Group, and Abu Dhabi’s AI-focused sovereign wealth fund MGX, to put as much as $500 billion over multiple years into US data centers dedicated to artificial intelligence. Trump appeared at the White House with OpenAI CEO […] More
It’s high time to ditch the traditional upright vacuum, even if you have dogs, cats, or both. As a robot vacuum reviewer, pet hair is one of my pet peeves, so evaluating how a robot vacuum performs against it is one of the main characteristics I look for when testing these robots. With a very hairy dog and three young kids, the only thing that keeps my floors clean without manually vacuuming daily is a great robot vacuum that tackles the task for me.Also: The best robot vacuum mops you can buyWhen shopping for the best robot vacuum options to control the pet hair on your floors, there are quite a few features to consider. Look for robot vacuums with strong suction to pick up each strand of hair, obstacle avoidance to avoid larger items your pet may leave behind, ability to avoid hair tangles, capable navigation features you can trust, and any extra features important to you. Budget and floor types are also key factors when shopping for any robot vacuum. What is the best robot vacuum for pet hair right now?Since there are so many robot vacuums, you may wonder which is best for your home. We’ve tested dozens of robot vacuums at home and in everyday life, and our top choice to tackle pet hair is the iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max More
There is nothing more terrifying than the thought of losing track of a child, and it can be even more difficult when your child is too young for a smartphone. Thankfully, expert-tested and parent-reviewed GPS trackers can ensure you know where your child is at all times, no matter how frequently they wander off. I would balance the need for safety with respecting [my child’s] privacy and autonomy, using the tracker as a tool for peace of mind rather than for constant surveillance.”
Dr. Kaitlyn Siu, CEO of Tech Your Kids Code
Also: The best parental control apps to keep your kids safe”As a mother, ensuring the safety and well-being of my child is of utmost importance,” Dr. Kaitlyn Siu, a child neurologist and founder and CEO of Teach Your Kids Code, told ZDNET. “However, I would balance the need for safety with respecting [my child’s] privacy and autonomy, using the tracker as a tool for peace of mind rather than for constant surveillance.”What is the best GPS tracker for kids right now?ZDNET spoke to parents and professionals like Dr. Siu to determine the best GPS trackers and devices to stay aware of your child’s location. Our pick for the best GPS tracker for kids overall is the Apple AirTag More
Getty Images/yucelyilmaz Slowly but surely, Starlink is growing into a leading broadband internet alternative. Its network of low Earth orbit satellites ensures its users high-speed internet access, even in areas where traditional infrastructure such as cell towers can’t reach. Soon, that technology can provide service to your T-Mobile mobile device. Last week, several T-Mobile users […] More
The USB 2.0 data connectivity standard was introduced in April of 2000, with a data transfer rate of 480Mbps. Lightning, the connector standard used from the iPhone 5 to the iPhone 14, and the USB-C connector on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, use USB 2.0 signaling protocols and data transfer rates.The USB 3.1 data connectivity standard was introduced in July 2013, and the USB Type-C connector was finalized by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) in August 2014. USB 3.2 was introduced in September 2017, replacing, absorbing, and renaming the USB 3.1 specification.However, USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 data connectivity standards are the same, also known as SuperSpeed+, delivering 10 Gbps. Products labeled under either specification should work on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone Pro Max at native speeds, especially if they are USB-IF certified.Thunderbolt is a proprietary technology owned by Intel and co-developed with Apple. It is a hardware interface for connecting external peripherals to a computer (a PC or a Mac). Thunderbolt version 3 is the basis for the USB4 specification, supports up to 40Gbps throughput, and is backward compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 2, which the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are compatible with. USB Power Delivery (USB PD) is a fast charging standard delivered over USB-C cables, supporting up to 100W with Standard Power (SPR) and up to 240W with Extended Power (EPR) provided the cable and device support it. With USB PD, The cable “listens” to the device’s wattage needs and adjusts its energy flow accordingly. So, if you connect an 18W iPhone 15 to a cable that can support up to 240W, the charger brick and cable with USB PD support will throttle down to 18W maximum charge rate. More
A smartwatch is an excellent way to access cutting-edge technology directly at your fingertips (or about 7 inches away from your fingertips if we’re being literal). Smartwatches allow you to screen calls, check and send messages, and keep an eye on health and wellness metrics without needing to take out your phone. Unfortunately, such a versatile tool can come at a steep price. But as smartwatch tech has risen in performance, prices have dropped, meaning a smartwatch doesn’t have to cost a fortune to include excellent features. Also: The best Android smartwatches: Expert testedWhat is the best cheap smartwatch right now?We tested some of the top budget-friendly smartwatches that are still extremely high performers. Every watch in this list is a capable smartwatch that can be paired to your smartphone–and can be found for under $300. While the Apple Watch Ultra 2 More
