Eliana Willis

Kerry Wan/ZDNETWhen Meta teased its prototype Orion smart glasses at Meta Connect, CEO Mark Zuckerberg confidently said they were “the most advanced glasses the world has ever seen.” The prototype glasses are an attempt to bridge the gap between the popular Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses — which are lightweight and practical but limited in features — and the Meta Quest, a full-fledged VR/AR headset with an augmented reality display that’s also bulky and impractical for everyday use.Now, the Wall Street Journal reports that Meta will carry over some of Orion’s best features, such as the “small in-lens screen” and a wristband controller, to the upcoming model of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.Also: Your Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses just got a massive AI upgradeThis would introduce an AR component to the glasses with a holographic interface while capturing your surroundings with a pass-through display that may be controllable with a wristband sensor. It’s a sensible step up from the current smart glasses model, which only allows for audio-based interactions and photo and video-taking. More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETA keen eye for detail is quintessential when choosing between two of the biggest names in the VPN world. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are high-value providers, and they’re two of our favorite VPNs for their outstanding performance on benchmarks like security, streaming, and speed.Also: The best VPN services: Expert tested and reviewedBased on my hands-on experience testing both services, one may offer a slight advantage over the other, depending on what you want to achieve with a VPN. Both services offer automatic connection to optimal servers, promise a 30-day money-back guarantee, and offer no-logs policies. Here’s how to decide which VPN is best for you.SpecExpressVPNNordVPNStarting price$4.99/month More

ZDNETIn 2023, I reviewed Ultramarine Linux, which was based on Fedora 39, calling it the “desktop of the year.” Since then, the developers have released a new version based on Fedora 40 (which is one release behind the official Fedora distribution). This new release vastly improves the documentation experience, fixes numerous bugs, and polishes the distribution to a gleaming, sparkling shine.Also: Want to save your old computer? Try these 6 Linux distrosAs with my original review, I opted for the Flagship version, which uses the Budgie desktop. Out of the box, the layout looks and feels instantly familiar and defaults to a dark theme (a practice that has become quite common with many Linux distributions).When I review a Linux distribution (or even an app) that defaults to a dark theme, the first thing I do is configure it for the lighter side of things — because dark themes and my eyes do not get along well.Installer changes comingBefore I get into this, I want to point out that the developers are preparing to ditch Fedora’s Anaconda installer and go with their in-house-built Readymade. As of now, Readymade is not ready for prime time, so you won’t see it in Ultramarine 40. Hopefully, we’ll see this new installer in version 41 of the OS.Ultramarine WikiAlso, the developers have really upped their game with the documentation found in the Ultramarine Wiki, where you’ll find information about installing and using the distribution. The Wiki contains some pretty valuable information on things like installing codecs, NVIDIA drivers, and setting up backups.But what you’re really here for is to find out about the Ultramarine Linux distribution itself. Let’s dive in.Out of the boxAs I mentioned, Ultramarine opts for a dark theme out of the box, which is done quite well (if you’re a fan of dark themes). Personally, I prefer light themes, which are easier on my eyes. Since I don’t usually view the desktop at night, it makes sense for me to go the lighter route.Also: Leaving Windows 10 for Linux? 5 security differences to consider firstThe default Budgie layout is fairly straightforward: a panel, start menu, system tray, and desktop icons. It’s standard and works well for users of any skill level. However, Budgie is all about customizations, and it took me very little time to configure the desktop to my liking. All I had to do was right-click the desktop, select Budgie Desktop Settings, go to Style, and configure as needed. I also customized the Bottom Dock (switching the panel to Dock Mode) and Desktop (disabling desktop icons). More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETIf you’re in the market for a new MacBook, you may be wondering which model best suits your needs: the MacBook Pro or the MacBook Air. Apple consistently refreshes its lineup, adding new configurations every year, and with more powerful processors coming out, there have never been more factors to consider when buying a new Apple laptop.Also: M3 MacBook Air vs. M2 MacBook Air: Which Apple laptop should you buy?When buying a MacBook, you’ll want to consider the display size, storage capacity, computing power, and price. For example, the 2022 13-inch More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Blackview Tab 90 Wi-Fi is certified for streaming DRM HD content. I found the battery life of the tablet to be decent enough for content consumption. The battery charging, however, is notably slow. more buying choices It’s that time of year when I get a lot of questions about tablets. […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G is a full-color, color paper, and ink paper tablet available at Verizon for $239. It’s a great entertainment tablet for daily use that also functions very well as an e-reader. Although the screen is versatile, don’t expect the graphics to compare to those on an […] More

Kerry Wan and Jason Hiner/ZDNETWhile Google launched the Pixel 9 series during its Made by Google event back in August, it’s among the hottest Android phones going into the new year. If you’re in the market for a flagship Android, your attention should go straight to the Pixel 9 Pro XL More