More stories

  • in

    Why I still recommend the AirPods Pro after testing dozens of earbuds – especially at this price

    Jada Jones/ZDNETIn 2024, Apple unveiled new AirPods, and while you might be considering buying the brand’s latest earbuds, you shouldn’t forget about the sweet discounts that activate on earlier models once Apple releases new hardware — especially if you’re looking for a new pair of high-quality noise-canceling earbuds. Amazon currently has a great deal on the AirPods Pro 2 More

  • in

    I paid $20 for an AI marketing agent – and here’s what it got me

    Thanasis/Getty Images I’m not one to believe everything I see online, but I’ve been seeing a lot of chatter on Beyoncé’s internet about AI agents that claim they can run your marketing. 😒 Naturally, I had to check it out! The promise of AI running marketing campaigns that could make me a gazillionaire for just […] More

  • in

    This Ring Spotlight camera won me over in the best way (and it just hit its lowest price)

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Battery is available for $230 but is currently on sale for $160 This Pro-level Ring camera has a removable rechargeable battery pack, top-of-the-line audio performance, and supports dual-band Wi-Fi, 2.4 and 5.0 GHz Unfortunately, the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro falls short on image quality, topping out […] More

  • in

    My kid wanted a phone – here’s why I got her this smartwatch instead

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Fitbit Ace LTE is a kids’ smartwatch and fitness tracker that costs $230 (on sale for $150 right now), with a proprietary Ace Pass LTE data plan costs $10 a month or $120 annually. The Fitbit Ace LTE features a rich, kid-friendly platform that is easy to navigate, and the […] More

  • in

    This Windows mini PC gives the Mac Mini M4 serious competition – and it’s $200 off

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Minisforum’s AI X1 Pro retails for $1,129. It’s a powerful mini armed with top-tier hardware for creators, programmers, and coders looking to interface with AI at lightning-fast speeds. Don’t count on relying on the device’s built-in speakers or mic, and it’s one of the chunkier minis. –> All three configurations of […] More

  • in

    I discovered Netflix’s secret genre codes and my watchlist exploded – how they work

    Kerry Wan/ZDNETNetflix wasn’t the first streaming platform, but it was the first to make video-on-demand mainstream. Fourteen years ago, as it phased out its mailing service, it took a massive bite out of the global market.Also: How to disable ACR on your TV (and why doing it makes such a big difference for privacy)Remember that? Physical DVDs showing up in your actual mailbox — the one at the end of your driveway (or your hallway)? To my surprise, that was still actually a thing up until late 2023. Whaaat?Streaming introduced a slew of new entertainment options and, most importantly, unparalleled convenience. These days, Netflix is one of many platforms that offer a staggering amount of titles to choose from — and yet, there is more there than meets the eye.Did you know Netflix has secret cheat codes?As it turns out, Netflix has a plethora of shows and movies available that you don’t normally see when booting up the app. Our personalized, algorithm-based menus confine us to viewing only a fraction of the entire Netflix library.Also: I tried Netflix on Vision Pro again, and now it’s awesome – here’s what changedYou can find special cheat codes to unlock more content on resources like Netflix-Codes and the website What’s On Netflix. Either is a good place to start massively multiplying your viewing options. The categories associated with these codes range everywhere from “Deep Sea Horror Movies” (code 45028) to very specific subgenres like “Feel-good Sports Movies for Ages 8 to 10” (code 855).  More

  • in

    5 warning signs that your phone’s been hacked – and how to fight back

    Apple / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETYour mobile phone is a treasure trove of personal and confidential information. That’s why it’s a prime target for hackers who want to compromise or steal your data. Through malicious apps and websites, phishing attacks, and other threats, an attacker can gain control of your device through spyware. But how can you tell if your phone has been hacked or tapped?Also: Biometrics vs. passcodes: What lawyers recommend if you’re worried about warrantless phone searchesAmy Clark, managing editor of consumer reviews site Techreport, has put together a helpful guide on the threat of phone hacking. The guide shares advice on how to tell if your phone may have been hacked and how to fight back against the hacker.Warning signs of a phone hack1. Battery drains more quickly than usual. Any spyware installed on your phone is constantly running to snoop on your activity and send the data to the hacker. This means that your battery is going to drain faster than usual. Be aware of any unusual drops in your battery charge. Check your phone’s battery settings to see if the level is falling more dramatically.2. Your phone is running more slowly. Does your phone feel more sluggish than usual, or are apps crashing or freezing? Those could be signs that someone has hacked into your device. Keep track of how long it takes to launch apps or carry out other actions to gauge if the performance is lagging. More