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    This budget soundbar sounds just as good as higher-end picks from Bose and Hisense

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Vizio 5.1 Soundbar SE system is sold for $250. It has immersive surround sound at an affordable price thanks to customizable EQ settings and sound modes. The Bluetooth connection can sometimes be spotty, and be prepared to hide lots of wires. more buying choices One of the easiest ways to […] More

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    ChatGPT’s Windows app is now available to free-tier users – here’s what it can do

    Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNETOpenAI has expanded the reach of its ChatGPT Windows app. Launched a month ago just for subscribers, the app is now freely available to anyone with a ChatGPT account. That means you no longer have to head to the website to chat with your favorite AI.Also: OpenAI is working on a AI agent that can do tasks for youThe free app is compatible with Windows 10 and 11. To grab it, browse OpenAI’s Download page and click the link for the Windows version under Desktop applications. That takes you to the Microsoft Store to download the program.Run the downloaded ChatGPT Installer.exe file. After the installation, you’ll be prompted to sign up or log in with a ChatGPT account. I tried it once with my subscriber account and again with a free-tier account, and the program launched just fine both ways.What will you find in the Windows app? It’s similar to the website. You can ask questions, submit requests, and generate content. You’re able to ask the AI to create images, analyze uploaded files, summarize text, access custom GPTs, and much more.Also: I’m a ChatGPT power user – and this is still my favorite productivity feature a month laterPaid subscribers can use voice mode to carry on a natural, back-and-forth conversation with ChatGPT. As an introductory bonus though, free users can tap into voice mode for a short period of time each month. The app also syncs with your overall ChatGPT activity, so you can continue a conversation or view a past chat from the desktop app, mobile app, or website. More

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    5 ways to catch AI in its lies and fact-check its outputs for your research

    filo/Getty Images Sometimes, I think AI chatbots are modeled after teenagers. They can be very, very good. But other times, they tell lies. They make stuff up. They confabulate. They confidently give answers based on the assumption that they know everything there is to know, but they’re woefully wrong. See what I mean? You can’t […] More

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    Bluesky’s stormy day: How its explosive growth led to inevitable outages

    Jason Hosking/Getty Images As an active user of Bluesky, I’ve witnessed the platform’s remarkable growth firsthand. In recent weeks, my follower count has surged alongside the influx of many new users joining the network, reflecting a genuine demand for a fresh social media experience. However, with such rapid growth come some challenges. Today, Bluesky experienced […] More

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    I spent the weekend reading on Amazon’s newest Kindle – and it’s more capable than it looks

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Amazon’s base model Kindle retails for $110 and promises quicker page-turning, a brighter display, and a fun matcha green colorway (alongside the classic black). The e-reader is more reactive and vivid, and reading anything on the lightweight, portable device is convenient. This model has the shortest battery life out of the […] More