Eliana Willis

Jason Cipriani/ZDNETAt least for one device, the battery problems that have plagued some Pixel phones may be ending – but the fix is coming at a price.According to Alex Moriconi, communications manager at Google (Pixel phones), Google will soon release an update that will purposefully limit the battery capacity of some Pixel 6a phones, hopefully also limiting issues with overheating.Also: 4 exciting features Google just announced for Android phones (and why they’re a big deal)In an emailed statement, Moriconi said, “A subset of Pixel 6A phones will require a mandatory software update to reduce the risk of potential battery overheating.” He went on to explain that the update will reduce the device’s battery capacity and charging performance after 400 charge cycles.When asked why only a “subset” of 6a devices were seemingly affected by this issue, Google didn’t offer any details. The issues weren’t rampant by any means, but I found several different reports from users saying their 6a devices caught on fire. There are almost certainly more reports than the ones publicly posted (I found plenty of reports of overheating), and given that Google is also having battery issues on other phones, it makes sense why it’s taking action. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Sabrent USB SSD 4-bay docking station is available now on Amazon for $80. This docking station makes adding external drives to your system a total plug-and-play affair. The case is plastic, so it feels a bit cheap but that doesn’t get in the way of performance. –> At Amazon, the […] More

[embedded content]Apple has established itself as a tech-giant with over 2.35 billion active devices worldwide. Much of the devices’ appeal lies in the operating systems underlying it — and that’s why Apple’s annual Worldwide Developer Conference is always one to keep up with. At this year’s WWDC, Apple unveiled a slew of new features across iOS, MacOS, WatchOS, VisionOS, and iPadOS, including the first major iOS redesign in 13 years, which will give your iPhone an entirely new feel and look based on Apple’s new “Liquid Glass” motif inherited from the Vision Pro. And this year, the same redesign will propagate across all of Apple’s operating systems, which all get a common renaming scheme based on the year (iOS 26, MacOS 26, WatchOS 26, etc.). Catering to years of user requests, Apple also released highly anticipated iPadOS features geared toward iPad power users by making the iPad more like the Mac. And of course, there were plenty of Apple Intelligence updates. Also: Apple’s de-chatbot-ification of AI is nearly completeThe AI race is in full swing, with nearly every tech company competing to build the public’s AI tool of choice, and yet, Apple has been an outlier. Apple continues to take a different approach from competitors — but not necessarily in a bad way. To get a recap of all of the best announcements across the products, and learn more about Apple’s strategy towards Apple Intelligence and beyond, you can watch us (ZDNET Editor in Chief Jason Hiner and Senior AI Editor Sabrina Ortiz) talk through what we saw live at the event. You’ll also learn the list of features we can’t wait to install on our devices.At ZDNET we attend all of the major tech events, closely track tech trends, go hands-on with the newest products, and talk to experts everyday. We now want to share these insights and experiences with you and invite you to join in on conversations we would have if we could all be together in the same space. So watch the YouTube video and jump into the comments on YouTube or here on ZDNET and let us know your thoughts on WWDC 2025.This video is the first of many. More

Tetra Images/Getty Images Update: At 5 p.m. ET, Google reported positive developments. “We have implemented mitigation for the issue in us-central1 and multi-region/us and are seeing signs of recovery. We have received confirmation from our internal monitoring and customers that the Google Cloud products are also seeing recovery in multiple regions and are also seeing […] More

Garmin/ZDNETIf you’re a fan of bold smartwatches, Garmin just unveiled its biggest watch ever. Garmin announced its newest smartwatch Thursday, the Venu X1. What’s immediately noticeable about the Venu X1 is the size. It has a large, rectangular face (Garmin said its biggest) and an extremely thin design. It’s a watch that’s easy to see, but it doesn’t look overpowering or like it’s too heavy to wear.The press release about the watch details several more design features, including the 2-inch screen, a sapphire lens (scratch-resistant for outdoor activities), a titanium caseback, and an 8mm case. Also: My new favorite Garmin watch offers flagship features at an affordable price pointThe Venu X1 will come in two colorways, black and moss, and have a built-in LED flashlight, speaker, and mic. It will have access to more than 100 sports apps, mapping, the ability to make and take calls, a sleep coach, and the wealth of fitness and health information Garmin’s devices are known for.Garmin said the watch will have up to 8 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. That will be less depending on how much you use tracking features and if you have the always-on screen enabled, but from several early online reviews I’ve seen, it still seems to be about two days.The Venu X1 has a suggested retail price of $799.99 and will be available to order More

Anker/ZDNETThe United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a new recall for the Anker PowerCore 10000 power bank, model number A1263. According to the report, the lithium-ion battery inside can overheat, causing the device to become a fire and burn hazard to consumers.”Anker has received 19 reports of fires and explosions” caused by its faulty power bank. Among those incidents, there have been “two reports of minor burn injuries” (thankfully not requiring medical attention) and 11 reports of property damage totalling over $60,700.”Also: The best power banks you can buy: Expert testedModel A1263 was sold online at Anker’s official website, Amazon, Newegg, and eBay between June 1, 2016, and December 31, 2022, where it was sold exclusively in the United States. So, if you bought it in the US, you should replace or get rid of the device immediately. What to do with your affected device: 2 optionsHowever, do not throw away the PowerCore 10000 in the trash or in a used battery recycling box. Remember: this is a fire hazard. You have two methods to get rid of your power bank.The CSPC recommends taking the power bank to your municipal household hazardous waste (HHW) collection center. If you need help finding a center, the United States EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has a website where you can find authorized recycling locations near you. More

Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 26? Apple removed the iPhone XR and XS from its list of supported devices with iOS 26, so any iPhone 11 or newer is compatible with the new operating system, including the iPhone SE. When will iOS 26 be released? Apple is releasing the iOS 26 developer beta during WWDC 2025, and the public beta version will likely be released in July. If past years are any indication, the general release of iOS 26 will take place in September. What to do before installing the iOS 26 developer beta? You can always join the Apple Beta program to get the latest beta versions of iOS. Before you download a beta version of an operating system, keep these housekeeping items in mind: Back up your device and personal information.Don’t download beta software, which will likely have bugs and glitches, on your everyday iPhone.Beta versions are released so you can test new features and share feedback to improve iOS. How do I install the iOS 26 public beta version? You’ll need an iPhone running iOS 16.5 or later. Since not all iPhones are compatible with iOS 18, you’ll also need a model newer than the iPhone 11. Go to your iPhone’s Settings and select General.Go to Software Update in Settings.Enable Beta Updates. To enable Beta Updates, go to Beta Updates and select the iOS version you’d like to access. This setting is turned off by default on iPhones.Select iOS 26 Public Beta. Then you’ll begin receiving automatic software updates to the latest beta version of iOS 26. By the time the public beta is released, Apple will have two beta versions of iOS: iOS 26 public beta and iOS 26 developer beta. Once you do this, return to the previous page. If an update is available now, your iPhone will prompt you to download and install it.Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter. More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETHealth wearables have taken the tech industry by storm. Smart rings are the newest installment in the field, allowing your tracker to be more discreet. Right now, Samsung’s Galaxy Smart Ring stacks up to the best rings in the industry and is a favorite for many Android users and rivals health features from brands like Apple, Oura, and more. Also: I tested the Samsung Galaxy Ring and it’s smarter than my Apple Watch in one big wayIf you happen to be an Android loyalist and in the market for a health wearable, the Samsung Galaxy Smart Ring More