MirageC/Getty Images Earlier this month, Google’s quantum computing scientists demonstrated a breakthrough that indicates quantum computing is for real — and will be able to find its place among other kinds of computers as a valuable resource. But much remains to be done. Google’s latest quantum chip, which is called Willow and fabricated in the company’s […] More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Asus ProArt P16 is available now, starting at $1,900. It pairs powerful hardware with a suite of customizable options designed for creatives. The deep personalization requires engagement from the user, the huge trackpad won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, and the ultra-glossy display tends to glare. –> Asus’ ProArt series […] More
ZDNETAlt text has been around for a long, long time. If you’ve never heard of it, the explanation is simple: Hover your cursor over an image. Essentially, alt text is what appears on a web page if an image fails to load.With well-crafted alt text, even those with vision impairments will have the necessary context for the images. This is an important feature that everyone should be using. It’s simple, doesn’t add much time to posting, and makes a vast difference for those who require such features.Also: 7 things to know about Bluesky before you join – and why you shouldSocial media sites haven’t been all that big on alt text. Facebook and X allow you to add alt text, but it’s kind of cumbersome, and most people neglect to do so. Bluesky, on the other hand, makes it very easy to add alt text, and I’ve found that more people use the feature than both Facebook and X combined. Bluesky even informs you why alt text is important. When you upload an image, you’ll see a bit of information that reads: “Alt text describes images for blind and low-vision users, and helps give context to everyone.”Also: How to delete your X/Twitter account for good (and protect your data)Let me show you how easy it is to add alt text to your Bluesky images so you can be certain those users with vision impairments know the contents of your image.How to add alt text to an image in BlueskyWhat you’ll need: To make this work, you’ll need a valid Bluesky account and an image to post. I’ll demonstrate this process on the web version of Bluesky. Fortunately, the process is the same on the mobile app. More
For most people, everyday essentials include a phone, keys, wallet, and a reliable pair of headphones. Whether you’re studying for a test, running errands, or powering through a workout, a quality pair of over-ear headphones can help you stay focused by blocking out distractions.Premium headphones can come with a hefty price tag, often exceeding $600. However, with the new year approaching, post-holiday sales offer a great opportunity to grab deals on top brands — like Beats, Sennheiser, and Sony — that usually retail for over $330. Despite the gap in sound quality, build, and noise cancellation between budget headphones and premium models, midrange options like the ones featured here can deliver exceptional value and longevity starting at $100. That’s why I’ve tested a variety of headphones for $200 or less to help you find top-notch options that are budget-friendly and deliver great sound. Keep reading to see my top picks.What are the best cheap headphones right now?My top pick for affordable headphones are the Monoprice BT-600ANC More
ZDNETChrome OS was a novelty when it first arrived on the scene. Most pundits claimed it was nothing more than a browser, and it took Google plenty of time to prove them wrong. At this point, Chrome OS is much more than a browser, but it still seems slightly limited, and removing those limitations can take a bit of know-how.Google understands this and hopes to simplify life for everyone involved — including itself — by migrating to Android as the operating system for Chromebooks.Also: The best Chromebooks you can buyIt makes sense. After all, why develop and maintain two operating systems when one will suffice?I would posit, however, that moving to Android is a lateral move, and although the move will appease Google, it’ll only marginally improve the Chromebook experience.That’s one of the reasons I believe Google should consider adopting Linux for Chromebooks.Let me explain.1. It’s all been doneLinux on Chromebooks already works wellFirst off, installing Linux on a Chromebook has already been done. If you run a DuckDuckGo or Google search, you’ll find plenty of how-tos on installing Linux on your Chromebook. In some cases, there’s a physical switch you must access inside the laptop. You can also use Crouton to install Linux alongside Chrome OS. Either way, you can get Linux running on your Chromebook, and it runs quite well.That being the case, why would Google want to throw an OS onto the hardware that would only marginally improve the experience? Since Linux on Chromebooks has already been implemented (and has proved to be very effective), why bother with Android?2. True multitaskingLinux provides a more flexible workspaceMultitasking on mobile devices is not true multitasking. Sure, I can open an app, switch to another app, go back to the first app, and keep bouncing around, but if I want two apps open side by side, it can be a challenge on the small screen. With Android on a Chromebook, it would at least be possible to have multiple windows open on a single screen — without having to use a magnifying glass to view the content or move a document around to see the entire thing. With Linux on a Chromebook, you get true multitasking, and that would be a real boon for Chromebook users. Yes, you can multitask on Chrome OS, but clearly, Google is ready to walk away from that platform.3. Better appsLinux has a wealth of applicationsI don’t know about you, but if given the choice between a mobile and a desktop app, I’ll take the latter every time. Generally, I advise Android users to only install the applications they absolutely need because of security. There’s a deeper truth there, as most mobile apps aren’t really worth installing. Yes, there are some good mobile apps available, but if you doom scroll through the Google Play Store, you’ll find a good percentage of those apps that aren’t worth the time it takes to install them. Also: How to enable Linux on your Chromebook (and why you should)If Google were to move to Linux, it would open users up to a wealth of applications — even Windows apps, if you’re willing to install Wine. On top of that, Google could also enable either Snap or Flatpak support for an even larger field of applications.4. Better securityLinux could offer community-driven app vettingBoth major mobile operating systems are regularly targeted by hackers. With Android being the most-used OS on the planet, you can bet it’s ripe for picking off, and we’ve seen a number of instances where apps with malicious code have found their way into the Google Play Store. Also: 5 ChromeOS settings you should change for a more secure ChromebookShould Google switch to Linux, those apps could be vetted by a vast network of developers simply because the applications are open source. On top of that, Linux has proved itself highly secure. And although attacks on Linux are rising, I’d still place my faith in the open-source OS well over that of Windows or MacOS. You’d also get the power of the Linux firewall and either SELinux or AppArmor (depending on which distribution Google chose). If Google wants to take Chromebook security seriously, it should consider a migration to Linux and not Android.5. More flexibilityLinux provides unmatched control and customization optionsAndroid is far more flexible than iOS but far less flexible than Linux. With Linux, there’s no end to what I can do on the desktop. Imagine if you, a Chromebook user, had that same level of flexibility. If you didn’t like how Google shipped Linux on your Chromebook, you could change it. If you don’t like the desktop environment, install a different one. Couple that with having a very powerful command-line tool, and even power users would be satisfied.6. Better peripheral supportLinux could significantly improve compatibilityYou might think this ironic, but if Google migrated to Linux instead of Android, Chromebooks would enjoy much better peripheral support. Have you ever tried printing from your Android phone? It’s possible, as long as you can find the right app to work with your printer. I’ve done it, and it works, but it’s also inconsistent. Some days it’ll print, and some days it won’t. Although that can be attributed to the finicky nature of printers, some of that blame lands squarely on the shoulders of Android. I cannot imagine how solid peripheral support would be with a Chromebook running Android.Also: How to connect your Chromebook to a network printerI seriously doubt that Google would even consider adopting Linux as the Chromebook OS. The company has already invested in Android for years and clearly has a vision for what the Chromebook/Android phone landscape will look like in the future. I would at least hope that when Google finally pulls off this feat, Android phone and Chromebook integration will be seamless; otherwise… what’s the point? More
ZDNETIncreasingly, we hear about AI agents being the new “digital workers” — a concept that arose before agentic or generative AI hit the mainstream in areas such as robotic process automation. Digital workers are designed to serve the discipline and obedience, but just like human workers, they, too, have their quirks.Also: 15 ways AI saved me time at work in 2024 – and how I plan to use it in 2025The movement toward a digital workforce has been taking big leaps lately, marked recently by Salesforce’s unveiling of Agentforce 2.0, a digital labor platform for enterprises. The platform enables “a limitless workforce through AI agents for any department, assembled using a new library of pre-built skills, and that can take action across any system or workflow.” The platform also takes steps well beyond RPA, featuring “enhanced reasoning and data retrieval to deliver precise answers and orchestrate actions in response to complex, multi-step questions,” according to a statement from Salesforce. The agents even interact in Slack.Augmenting teams with digital laborMajor organizations are leveraging the platform to augment their teams with digital labor, the vendor added.Talent is scarce and expensive to train, so organizations are turning to AI to help with customer interactions and deal with workflow backlogs, but can no longer afford “inadequate solutions that provide generic responses,” Salesforce stated. “Existing solutions such as copilots struggle to provide accurate, trusted responses to complex requests — such as personalized guidance on a job application. They cannot take action on their own — like nurturing a lead with product recommendations.”Autonomous digital workers can now perform such work at many levels, industry leaders agree. “The convergence of skilled innovators, rapidly-deployable cloud tools, customer awareness and executive support has created an ideal environment for agentic AI to thrive in 2025,” Chris Bennett, director of AI transparency and education at Motorola Solutions, told ZDNET. More
While they’re not bendable, LG has been refining its curved monitors for moments like CES 2025. Kerry Wan/ZDNETIf you’ve ever wished your computer monitor could be a little flexible — going from flat for work to curved for gaming — and have a top-of-the-line resolution, LG has an answer.In a press release today, LG announced several additions to its UltraGear gaming line, including the world’s first bendable gaming monitor with 5K2K resolution.Also: The next big HDMI leap is coming next month – what the 2.2 standard means for youThe GX9 series includes three new models, but the most eye-catching is the bendable 990A — winner of three CES 2025 Innovation Awards, including “Best of Innovation.” This isn’t the first bendable gaming monitor to exist — Corsair debuted the Xeneon Flex in 2022 — but it is the first with a 5120 x 2160 resolution. More
Cesar Cadenas/ZDNETWhat’s the deal?The 2K display model is no longer available for sale, but that’s okay because the 3K OLED version is available at Best Buy. The laptop housing a Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card currently costs a discounted $1,200 More
