<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are available now for $179 They’re a reboot of the previous model with an even more comfortable, light fit, improved ANC, and booming, rich sound The app is a little clunky, the touch controls take some getting use to, and the voice commands can be finicky. more […] More
Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETIt’s been a big year for advancements in processor technology, and it’s only continuing to ramp up. Intel just announced its next generation of high-efficiency, AI-powered chips with the Core Ultra Series 2, and one of the first laptops it’s loaded on is the Asus Zenbook S 14. Last month, ZDNET’s Cesar Cadenas went hands-on with the Zenbook S 14 running the Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, praising the laptop’s performance, battery efficiency, and brilliant OLED display. The accessible hardware configuration of 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage kept the price down to an agreeable $800, while the processor’s NPU did the heavy lifting. The biggest drawback we noted was its tendency to run hot. More on that in a bit.Also: The best OLED laptops of 2024: Expert tested and reviewedNow, a month later, we have yet another configuration of the Zenbook S 14 with the just-announced Intel Core Ultra 7 200V (Series 2) processor on a 32GB, 1TB loadout. Intel’s new chip comes with an enhanced NPU 4.0 AI Engine for 47 TOPs, aiming to bridge the gap with other AI-powered processors with upgraded x86 efficiency and redesigned architecture for powering thinner, lighter devices (that endeavor to run cooler). View at Asus More
MR.Cole_Photographer/Getty Images Artificial intelligence (AI) agents are increasingly common in our day-to-day workflows, whether as copilot assistants, AI notetakers, or on the other end of customer support calls. Now, they’re becoming even more customizable. On Monday, AI notetaking platform Supernormal announced Voice Agents, a new platform through which anyone can create a custom AI voice […] More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The MW75 Neuro headphones are available to purchase for $699 They provide an interesting way for your headphones to add value to your everyday life In the technology’s early stages, there are only a few pockets of people that will find these useful. –> You’ll often hear me say that a […] More
Sony/ZDNETNow is the time to kickstart your home theater or give it a total refresh. Amazon is offering a great bundle deal where you’ll get a free Sony Bravia Bar 8 soundbar when you purchase a 55-inch Sony Bravia 7 Mini LED TV More
Cesar Cadenas/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysHP’s latest Elitebook x360 More
Jack WallenZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysNixOS is an open-source operating system that is available to install and use for free.It offers several desktop environments to choose from, is as rock-solid as any OS on the market, and performs quite well.However, there’s a fairly steep learning curve for installing non-free software.What new Linux users need to knowBefore we get into this review, I want to offer some information for users who are new to Linux. If you’re uncomfortable using the command line or diving down rabbit holes to figure out how to do something that should “just work out of the box,” then NixOS is probably not for you. Also: Fedora 41 beta is blazing fast and a great reason to try a new Linux distroHowever, that’s not to say someone with minimal familiarity with the command line would fail with this distribution. For example, if you only need open-source software, NixOS could be a viable option. If, however, you need apps like Chrome, Slack, and Spotify, you might run into some frustration that will send you packing back to Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or (ugh) Windows.With that said, let’s get to what makes this distribution great. More
Lance Whitney/ZDNETThe new iPhone 16 can be pricey. The base model starts at $799 More
