Eliana Willis

Charlie Osborne | ZDNETVirtual private networks (VPNs) are excellent tools for improving online privacy and security. However, their use goes beyond encrypting your online traffic and masking your IP address. Many VPN subscribers use these services to change their location. Your assigned IP address identifies your device, and this assignment identifies your general geographic area, including your country, state, and city of residence.Also: The best VPN servicesBy using a VPN to change your IP address, you can appear to come from somewhere else. These benefits include: Hiding your original IP address to increase your privacy and prevent websites and trackers from accessing your online activity.Prevent hackers or malicious websites from accessing your information. Enable a more secure internet connection and browsing experience while traveling. Circumvent geolocation blocks, access content typically banned (via IP address) in your home location, and potentially access regional streaming content (such as if you want to watch a show on Netflix that is only available in another country). Our guide will show you how to change your location with a VPN easily.How to change your VPN location on devices More

ZDNETMeta’s Ray-Ban glasses are getting smarter thanks to an update that’s introducing three features, including new AI functionality. In an announcement this week, Meta said the features are coming soon to its smart glasses. The first two are only available to Early Access program members (you can sign up here), but the third is available to all US and Canadian users.Also: Best smart glasses Live AI First up is live AI. Meta’s glasses already have AI capabilities, but this latest update adds video support. During a live AI session, Meta explains that your glasses can see what you’re seeing and continue a conversation more naturally than ever. Also: The 7 tech gadgets I couldn’t live without in 2024If you’re cooking, for example, you might ask, “How much salt did you say I needed for that stew recipe?” or “Do you see a substitute for butter, and how much would I need?” If you’re in a new neighborhood, you might ask, “What’s the story behind this landmark?” or “Was this landmark built at the same time as the last one?” Meta also offered the example of wearing the glasses in your garden and asking, “How often do these plants need to be watered?” or “Where’s a good place to put this plant?” You can ask questions without using the “Hey Meta” introduction each time, reference something you discussed earlier, ask a follow-up question, or even change the topic. Meta says live AI will eventually be able to offer suggestions before you even ask. More

Google/ZDNETComposing the right prompt and description to create an AI-generated image can be challenging. Often, the resulting image misses the mark, forcing you to tweak your prompt repeatedly until you get the right result. Now, a new tool from Google aims to simplify the process by allowing you to create an image based on other images.Also: The best AI image generatorsInitially available in the US, Whisk is the latest Google Labs experiment freely accessible to anyone with a Google account. It’s powered by Google’s Gemini AI and offers several ways to create an image from other images.How to use Whisk to create imagesTo get started, sign in to the Whisk home page with your Google account. Choose one of three templates for generating your image. You can select a sticker, which creates a flat image similar to those found in messaging apps. An enamel pin adds a bit more depth to the image, while a plushie results in a three-dimensional image.By default, Whisk automatically selects an image for the style based on the template you choose. Next, pick the image you want to use for the subject. You can either select one of the images provided on the page or upload your own. Gemini analyzes the images for style and subject, then combines them to generate a new image. If you don’t like the result, you can change the subject image and generate a different result.Also: I tested 9 AI content detectors – and these 2 correctly identified AI text every timeWhile this process sounds straightforward, you can get even more creative. To have more control, select the option to start from scratch. Here, you can choose images for the subject, scene, and style, either by uploading your own or by writing a traditional prompt. If you’re unsure where to start, you can ask Whisk for inspiration, and it will generate a series of images for you.Once you’re ready, tell Whisk to generate a new image based on the combined selections. In response, Whisk displays multiple images based on the mix. You can refine the results by adding or removing source images or editing the prompt.All the images you generate are automatically saved to your Whisk library. From there, you can delete any unwanted images and download the ones you like. Downloads are saved as JPG files, allowing you to use them with other apps and services. More

Panasonic/ZDNETThe younger generation is looking to the past for their technology. For example, younger millennials are migrating toward flip phones for their retro-looking designs and simpler times. Also: The best vlogging camerasIntroducing the Lumix ZS99Panasonic spotted this trend and decided it was time to release a new Lumix mirrorless camera. The camera in question is the Lumix ZS99, which includes a Leica DC Vario-Elmar 30x Zoom Lens and an impressive 30x optical zoom. The built-in lens offers a 24-720mm range, and the camera is capable of shooting 20.3-megapixel photos, 4K video up to 30 frames per second, and HD video up to 120 fps. Other features include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, 5-Axis Hybrid O.I.S., a 3.0-inch tilting 1.84m-dot touchscreen that makes self-recording much easier, ISO 6400, and up to 30 fps shooting.However, Panasonic shows it isn’t shrugging off the modern form factor by adding a new vertical video mode, which will be better suited for the likes of social media posting.Also: The 7 tech gadgets I couldn’t live without in 2024Although the older Lumix ZS80 (from 2016) has much of this same technology, the ZS99 includes USB charging to comply with the  EU’s Common Charger Directive that kicks in very soon. The USB port is also used for data transfer, so you can easily move photos and videos from the camera to your desktop or laptop.The addition of USB charging is really the only update from the earlier model, so if you have been scouring the internet to find an aging Lumix camera, you’re in luck as Panasonic’s new Lumix ZS99/TZ99 will fit that bill perfectly. More

Allison Jewell Finding a good keyboard can be essential to maximizing your workflow or gameplay, and recently, I have found that the Keychron Q1 Max<!–> is the perfect mechanical keyboard for both purposes. A mechanical keyboard can add a satisfying and aesthetic edge to your computer setup, and thanks to Keychron’s holiday sale, you can […] More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETAs a smart home reviewer, I have a healthy variety of smart plugs and outlets in my home. As you might expect, there’s also a variety of smart lights and smart light strips. But the Kasa Smart Plug Ultra Mini More

Roku/ZDNETRoku entered the smart home market a few years ago with affordable devices, including security cameras and video doorbells. Today, the streaming device manufacturer is rolling out an update to make the smart home more accessible through devices that users use daily — TVs, smartphones, and laptops.Also: Want to avoid the YouTube TV price hike? This trick worked for me (eventually)The updates include a new Camera Carousel accessible from your TV that automatically cycles through your security cameras’ live feeds to display the one camera currently capturing the action. So, if you have cameras all around the outside of your home, you’ll get a preview of each in a carousel on your TV, and your screen will switch automatically to the camera where motion was detected. Roku is also bringing more smart home notifications to its smart TV platform, enabling users to receive an alert right on their TV screen when motion is detected on a camera, for example. Currently, these notifications are limited to doorbell alerts. I love this feature with my Apple TV 4K and Apple HomeKit, as I can instantly see a tiny notification on a corner of my TV when a smart lock is unlocked or someone is at the front door.  More

elmvilla/Getty Images Windows 10’s end of life is coming in 2025 and that means you have to hope your machine can run Windows 11, buy a new computer, or try something different — like Linux. Also: Your Windows 10 PC can’t be upgraded? You have 5 options before support ends in 2025 Linux shouldn’t be […] More