Eliana Willis

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The LG S95TR soundbar with wireless subwoofer is optimized for the company’s OLED TVs with immersive audio features. The LGS95TR may be expensive, but the high-quality audio is easily worth the price. The soundbar has many features, but some of the best ones require a newer LG TV model. more buying […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Razer’s Laptop Cooling Pad is on sale for $150 on the brand’s digital storefront. It takes the average cooling pad to newer heights by delivering powerful cooling, customizable buttons, and ergonomic design. Although, it is rather expensive and demands a lot of space. more buying choices Laptop cooling pads are functionally […] More

Adam Breeden/ZDNETThe HDMI Forum, responsible for developing HDMI technology standards, has announced plans to reveal the new HDMI 2.2 specification at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Jan. 6.According to the press release, the forthcoming specification will likely be called “HDMI 2.2” and feature new display transfer wizardry that should provide higher bandwidth and a “wide range of higher resolutions and refresh rates.” Also: The best HDMI splitters of 2024: Expert recommendedDebuting back in 2002, HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface, in case you ever wondered) has been steadily improving for decades. The current standard, HDMI 2.1b, already supports up to 10K resolution, 120Hz refresh rates, dynamic HDR, and up to 48 Gbps of data transfer bandwidth — and those specs are about to take another great leap forward.Here’s where I’d love to tell you precisely what the upgraded specs will include, but we’ll have to wait until January to delve into that. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Ohsnap’s new Snap Grip Wallet combines style and function, and is available now for $80. It comes in five colors, can store up to eight cards, and doubles as a phone stand. If the price turns you off, you’re better off with a more affordable MagSafe cardholder. –> One of the […] More

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