Eliana Willis

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETGemini is hitting the road.According to Google, there are over 250 million cars that support Android Auto today, and more than 50 car models with Google built directly into the infotainment system. Those vehicles are about to get a lot smarter, as Gemini is coming to Android Auto. Also: Finally, I found an Android Auto adapter that’s highly functional, lag-free, and priced wellGemini for Android Auto will work the same as it does everywhere else, meaning you’ll have access to conversations, insight, helpful advice, and more. Here’s a look at just a few of the unique ways you can use Gemini on the go in Android Auto.1. Find the perfect restaurantIf hunger hits while you’re driving, Gemini can help you find what you’re looking for. Just ask Gemini to “find great burger places along the way,” and you’ll get a list of restaurants that specialize in them. You can ask for insight from reviews or ask common questions like what the hours are. Once you’ve decided, Gemini can connect to Google Maps to get you there. More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETAndroid 16 is coming, and with it, we’ll see a considerable refresh on the UI front. It’s been four years since Material You was first released, and the latest iteration (version 3) looks to include some features and improvements that many have been hoping for.Also: Your Android devices are getting a major Gemini upgrade – cars and watches includedFrom animations to notifications, everything in the Android UI looks like it will see serious improvement. Here’s what’s coming to this refreshed UI.1. Animations with a little more pepFrom the demos I’ve seen, animations (across the board) are springier and more responsive. What’s really nice about this change is that it almost feels more organic. For example, when you drag an animation, the adjoining animations subtly react to the movement. This will also help make Android components more responsive, at least visually so.2. Blurs and shading More

Evgeny Ostroushko / Getty Images Will artificial intelligence (AI) help smash through the technical debt that has been growing in recent years? Or will emerging technology add a new layer of issues? Or, looking at it another way, could the overhang of technical debt slow down efforts to adopt AI? The good news is that […] More

NurPhoto / Getty Images Would you believe Microsoft has announced a new Linux distribution service for its Azure cloud service? You should.  For many years, the most popular operating system on Azure has not been Windows Server, it’s been Linux. Last time I checked, in 2024, Azure Linux Platforms Group Program Manager Jack Aboutboul told […] More

cofotoisme / Getty Images Each year, the market research firm Forrester publishes a report highlighting 10 emerging technologies poised to transform the business landscape. Unsurprisingly, agentic AI stood out in this year’s list. Also: Executives need better tech skills. Here are six ways to educate upward AI agents: The promise and risk The recent Top […] More

Piyawat Wuttichaikitcharoen / Getty Images Tech executives are moving swiftly to embrace AI agents, according to the latest Technology Pulse Poll from accounting firm Ernst & Young (EY). The poll, which surveyed more than 500 tech leaders in April, found about half (48%) of respondents have at least begun deploying agentic AI within their organizations. […] More

One question about VPNs I often encounter as a VPN reviewer is, which is the fastest VPN in the world? Though I have extensively tested, researched, and written about VPNs, there’s still no conclusive answer. A VPN can be relatively fast in one instance and slow in another, mainly influenced by factors like the encryption process, server load and distance, time of day, app configurations and settings, and more.If you’re looking for the fastest VPN for browsing, remote work, streaming, gaming, or torrenting, we’ve run the speed tests and selected the best-performing services to help you out. Also: Best free VPNs in 2025What is the fastest VPN right now?Our pick for the fastest VPN overall is NordVPN, following speed tests in many locations. It works seamlessly on commonly-used devices like laptops and phones, with a rapidly growing global server fleet that makes it easier to find reliable servers in or near any location. The app updates very frequently, which can be annoying, but this is expected of such an elite service packed with many secure features.Also: 3 things to consider when buying a new VPN
Sort by

All

Countries and servers

Usability

Speed and performance

Security

Price
Fastest VPNs of 2025 More

Going with the theme of Roku, I went with a TCL Roku TV for our guest bedroom TV, but there are other options from Toshiba, Samsung, Insignia, and more built in with streaming capabilities right off the bat–no streaming stick required. I plugged the TV in, signed directly into Roku, and it was set up in seconds. How easy is that? Most smart TVs come with Dolby Atmos support for cinema audio quality or Dolby Vision for crystal clear pictures. The other benefits of smart TVs is that aside from built-in streaming, you can set up voice controls via Alexa, Hey Google, or even Siri with an Apple HomeKit speaker to cast to the TV, control smart home devices, and more. Also: The best Roku TVs you can buy More