Eliana Willis

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    in Information Technology

    How to turn off ACR on your TV (and why it make such a big difference)

    Kerry Wan/ZDNETDid you know that whenever you turn on your smart TV, you invite an unseen guest to watch it with you? These days, most popular TV models utilize automatic content recognition (ACR), a form of ad surveillance technology that gathers information about everything you watch and transmits it to a centralized database. Manufacturers then use your data to identify your viewing preferences, enabling them to deliver highly targeted ads.Also: Your TV’s USB port is seriously underutilized: 5 features you’re not taking advantage ofWhat’s the incentive behind this invasive technology? According to market research firm eMarketer, in 2022, advertisers spent an estimated $18.6 billion on smart TV ads, and those numbers are only going up.To understand how ACR works, imagine a constant, real-time Shazam-like service running in the background while your TV is on. It identifies content displayed on your screen, including programs from cable TV boxes, streaming services, or gaming consoles. ACR does this by capturing continuous screenshots and cross-referencing them with a vast database of media content and advertisements. More

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    in Information Technology

    How to turn on Android’s Private DNS mode – and why turning it off is a big mistake

    Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETNearly everything you do on your desktop, laptop, phone, and tablet begins with a Domain Name System (DNS) query. Essentially, DNS turns domain names (such as ZDNET.com) into an IP address so web browsers and apps know where to get the information you want.Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025Without DNS, you’d have to type 34.149.132.124 every time you wanted to go to ZDNET.com or 74.125.21.102 to go to Google.com. Even by simply running a Google search, DNS is at work. The problem is that standard DNS isn’t encrypted, meaning all your queries are sent over the network as plain text. Why is non-encrypted DNS a problem? Let’s say you’re on a public network — like a coffee shop — and you start searching for things on your Android device. Or maybe you have to access a CMS or another work tool, and you don’t want the public to know the address you’re typing. If someone else is on the same network and has the skills, they could intercept your non-encrypted search queries (or the URLs you visit) and know exactly what you’re looking for. That’s where Private DNS Mode comes into play. Once you enable this feature, all of your DNS queries are encrypted, so bad actors won’t be able to view them — even if they capture those packets. In other words, Private DNS Mode should be an absolute must for anyone who values their privacy and security. Also: I test dozens of Android phones every year: Here’s how the best models stack upBut how do you enable Private DNS Mode on Android? It’s actually pretty simple. Let me show you how. How to enable Private DNS mode on Android version 11 or newer If you’re using Android version 11 or newer, the old method of Private DNS no longer works. Instead of handling this process manually, you have to install an application created by Cloudflare, called 1.1.1.1 + WARP. Once you’ve installed that app, it will open, and you’ll see a slider marked Disconnected. Tap that slider, and it will enable the service. More

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    in Robotics

    Save money on your groceries with Amazon Prime – here’s how

    Andrei Stanescu/Getty Images For many, saving money is a top priority these days, especially with something as consistent and essential as groceries. And with Amazon Prime Day coming up, now might be a good time to sign up for a Prime membership<!–> (or a free trial) if you want the benefits of yes, great deals, but […] More

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    This city is dumping Microsoft Office and Windows for OnlyOffice and Linux – here’s why

    Jumping Rocks/Contributor/Getty Is it something in the water? First, it was Denmark bidding Microsoft adieu. Then it was the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Now it’s Lyon, France’s third-largest city and a leading economic hub, sweeping Microsoft Windows and Office suite away to replace them with Linux, OnlyOffice, NextCloud, and PostgreSQL.  Also: Ready to ditch Windows? ‘End […] More

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    in Robotics

    This power bank changed my mind about ‘useless’ kickstands – here’s why

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The best kickstand on a power bank that I’ve come across – it actually does the job! Clear, easy-to-read display showing battery capacity A solid, well-made power bank, exactly what I’d expect from ESR. –> It’s hard to stand out in the power bank market. After all, they’re little cubes of […] More

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    Best Prime Day Apple deals: My 15 favorite sales live now

    When is Amazon Prime Day 2025? This year, Amazon Prime Day runs from July 8-11. For the first time, the annual sale will last for four days instead of the usual two, so you’ll have more chances to save.Are Apple products really cheaper on Prime Day? Apple rarely offers major sales and discounts on its products, and considering the generally high price point, you might wait a while for a deal before upgrading your gear. Sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday are great opportunities to save — but discounts are often still low, with many deals we’ve observed offering roughly 5% to 20% off, at most. How did we choose these Prime Day deals?ZDNET only writes about deals we want to buy — devices and products we desire, need, or would recommend. Our experts looked for deals that were at least 20% off (or are hardly ever on sale, as is often the case with Apple devices), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops. We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we’re recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing — in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter.  More

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    The best free CRM software of 2025: Expert tested

    When you’re running sales at a scrappy startup, every decision matters. Do you really need more software? The answer is usually no. But before you know it, you’re drowning in spreadsheets, sticky notes, and huge gaps in memory about where you left off with a customer.Also: The best small-business CRM softwareYour growing business needs a proper CRM, or customer relationship management, system. But the budget is tight, so you’re not ready to commit to expensive monthly subscriptions. Thankfully, you’ve got a significant number of free CRM options available. And just because it’s “free,” doesn’t mean it’s low quality. Many premium CRM vendors offer limited access to their platform free of charge, as long as your needs are reasonable. So if you’re thinking about getting a CRM but don’t feel ready to pull out your credit card just yet, here are the best options for you.What is the best free CRM software right now?While there’s more than one good choice, my top pick for a free CRM has got to be HubSpot More