Eliana Willis

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysKensington’s new SD5000T5 EQ Docking Station goes on sale on September 21 for $400 More

Taylor Clemons/ZDNETBeyond TVs, projectors have become a go-to entertainment device for folks in smaller spaces or those who simply want a big-screen viewing experience without the bulk. Say you’ve already settled on a projector for your home, but you’re not quite satisfied with its visual output. What should you do next?Also: This tiny projector turned our movie nights into a cinematic event (and it’s $300 off)Many projectors in today’s market have autofocus and keystone correction features, but that’s not where your adjustments should end in terms of improving picture quality. For basic fine-tuning, there are other factors that can really help the images pop with vibrance and clarity. Here are the three biggest factors.View at Amazon More

Tile Imagine you’re experiencing an emergency and need help. You could grab your phone, unlock it, and dial for help. But what if you had a Tile tracker device that allowed you to push a button three times to trigger a Life360 SOS alert? That alert sends your location information to your Life360 Circle and […] More

Charlie Osborne/ZDNETAndroid Automotive OS (AAOS), a special version of Android for cars, is receiving an update that introduces several new features. Version 24Q3 affects many different aspects of the system, but we’ll cover the most impactful areas.Also: The best Android phones you can buyNew options are being added to a vehicle’s sound system to improve the overall experience. You’ll have the option to choose a specific audio configuration for “dynamic output devices”. This feature extends beyond smartphones, as Google gives users the ability to connect Bluetooth headphones to AAOS for the first time.The company states you can connect by going to the Audio Settings menu and selecting Audio Output Device. Keep in mind that “only one media or audio stream can be active over Bluetooth at a time”. More

June Wan/ZDNETI regularly need quick access to one of the Linux machines on my local area network, but sometimes I don’t have a laptop. If I have my Android phone handy, I don’t have to worry about grabbing my laptop or standing at my desk so I can run an SSH command.Also: What is SSH and how do you use it? The secure shell basics you need to knowSo, how do you connect via SSH from an Android device? Fortunately, there are a few apps in the Google Play Store that make this process easy. Each app can be installed and used for free, so you can test each one and decide which you prefer. Some apps have free and paid plans but all can be used for free (with basic features).Let’s get to the clients. More

Qi Yang/Getty Images Android is good at helping you get through your daily grind without doing everything manually. You can use Google Assistant or Gemini to set alarms, message people, create calendar events, and more.  But what if you need more automation for your Android device? Maybe you want to design custom automations for specific […] More

Juan Moyano/Getty Images One important thing you need to know about Linux and its ancestor, Unix, is Unix developer Terry Lambert’s famous quote: “It is not Unix’s job to stop you from shooting your foot. If you so choose to do so, then it is Unix’s job to deliver Mr. Bullet to Mr Foot in […] More

COSMIC desktop might look like the Pop!_OS of old but it’s a very different beast. Jack WallenZDNETAh, Linux! For the longest time, the open-source operating system was considered to be geared specifically for developers and computer scientists. Modern distributions are far more general purpose now — but that doesn’t mean there aren’t certain distros that are also ideal platforms for developers.What makes a distribution right for developers? Although I consider app compatibility, stability, and flexibility to be essential attributes for most any Linux distribution, developers also need the right tools for their jobs — such as compilers, libraries, and emulators — as well as access to custom repositories and support for specialized hardware.Also: The 5 best Linux distributions for students – from middle school to collegeFor those looking to shift their development to the open-source operating system, here’s my list of distributions that should be right up your alley.1. Pop!_OSPop!_OS is built specifically for STEM and creative professionals who use their computers as a means to discover and create. The Pop!_OS desktop — currently transitioning toward the COSMIC Desktop — has been streamlined for efficient workflow and organization.On top of that, you can customize your workflow, configuring it to be navigated primarily via the keyboard (which makes for a highly efficient interface). And with on-demand tiling, you can quickly switch between having the desktop manage window placement or doing it manually. Also: What is immutable Linux? Here’s why you’d run an immutable Linux distroAnother reason I place Pop!_OS on this list is that it comes pre-installed on System76 hardware, which helps make it run like an absolute beast for compiling your applications and testing. Pop!_OS also has access to apps for machine learning, engineering, media production, bioinformatics, and more.You can download and install Pop!_OS for free.2. DebianAlthough I was tempted to place Ubuntu on this list, I opted to go with what many consider the “mother of all Ubuntu distributions.” The reason for this title is because so many distributions are based on Debian. If you plan on developing for an Ubuntu-based distribution, why not use the original?Debian is also one of the oldest Linux distributions on the market and is often considered the most stable operating system available. On top of that, Debian boasts the largest number of repositories for open-source software, ensuring that it will have the tools you need to get the job done. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more reliable desktop OS for development with as much documentation as you’ll find in Debian. More