Eliana Willis

ChargerLAB Power-Z AK001 USB-C cable with power meter. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETIf you’re a professional repair technician, then having one or more USB power meters in your toolkit is essential. These devices are invaluable as they provide a quick and efficient means of diagnosing issues. A USB power meter can instantly read voltage and amperage, what power protocols are being used, and much more, helping technicians pinpoint power-related problems with various devices. This capability makes them an indispensable, time-saving tool in the fast-paced environment of electronic repairs.Also: I expected this cheap multitool to be a waste of money, but it’s my new a toolbox essentialBut if you’re a hobbyist, investing over $100 in a high-end, feature-packed USB power meter might not make sense. For most enthusiasts, a simpler power meter that covers the basics is more than sufficient. Such a device can provide essential readings like voltage and current, which are typically all that’s needed to carry out routine checks and minor repairs. This way, hobbyists can enjoy the practical benefits of a USB power meter without the steep cost associated with more advanced models.This is what the ChargerLAB Power-Z AK001 More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways HP’s 16-inch Envy x360 2-in-1 (2024) comes in a variety of configurations, but the version with 1TB of storage and an OLED display starts at $1,599. It sports one of the most gorgeous displays I’ve seen on a convertible laptop in this price range. It’s a little on the heavy side, […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 6 is available now starting at $901. It’s a solid budget business laptop with a wide range of configurations. The display and webcam might not be good enough for most users, and opting for higher-end hardware can nearly double the price. more buying choices On the […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETRecently, I wrote about the various uses of the USB ports that come standard on the back or side of any smart TV. In this article, I’m focusing on one particular important use: installing firmware updates using a USB device.Updates are essential because they ensure your TV has the latest software, features, and security patches. Most smart TVs are designed to automatically check for and install updates over Wi-Fi — as long as they’re connected to the internet and the automatic update feature is enabled. To confirm this, you can usually find a “Check for Updates” option in the TV’s settings menu.Also: You should probably clear your TV cache right now (and why it makes such a big difference)But if your TV has an unstable Wi-Fi connection — or you simply prefer a manual approach — the following is a walkthrough of how to use a USB drive to do the job. 1. Identify your TV’s model number Start by finding your TV’s specific model number. It’s usually on a sticker or label on the back of your set, which can often be tricky to read — especially on a wall-mounted TV. Take a flashlight with you and jot down what you see on the sticker. Better yet, turn on your phone camera (with flash) to reach behind the TV and snap a picture of the sticker so you’ll have the information forever. You should also be able to find the model number in the TV’s settings menu under the “About” or “Support” section. 2. Locate the firmware update Go online and visit the manufacturer’s official website to look for the “Support” or “Downloads” section. Use the search function on the website and enter your TV’s model number. This should bring up a list of available downloads for your specific model. Look for the latest firmware update file. Also: How we test TVs at ZDNET in 2025Be sure to pay close attention to the region and version information for the firmware update. Downloading and installing the wrong firmware can cause serious problems with your TV, potentially “bricking” it, which is the worst thing that can happen to any smart device because it renders it unusable. More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETIt was another exciting week for fitness tracker news, with Google dropping several hints about what’s coming in future smartwatch and health tracker updates. Also: Oura Ring vs. Apple Watch: Here’s which health tracker is right for youIf you want a quick roundup of some of the biggest stories of the week in the health and wearables space, I’ve kept my eyes on the news so you don’t have to. Keep reading for the latest. Goodbye, Google Assistant on Fitbit More

Motorola Solutions SVX  Motorola Motorola Solutions is bringing AI to the front lines, launching a new AI solution to help first responders make timely decisions, improve police reporting, and foster interaction with the community.  On Monday, Motorola Solutions unveiled AI Assist, which the company describes as “a new category of human-AI collaboration for public safety.” […] More

Getty These days, internet and Wi-Fi connectivity seem to be virtually ubiquitous. In America, at least, there is a societal expectation that you can connect your devices to the Web wherever you go. After all, connectivity is essential for many devices to function. But sometimes that connectivity fails — and what can you do if […] More

monsitj/Getty Images Artificial intelligence (AI) will soon be performing the essential tasks of software engineers — or so the experts say. Sarah Friar, chief financial officer for OpenAI, proclaimed AI-as-software-engineer’s emerging role at a recent Goldman Sachs conference. OpenAI’s pending AI agent, called A-SWE (Agentic Software Engineer), “is not just augmenting the current software engineers in your […] More