Eliana Willis

ZDNETChatGPT can now field your questions as the default search engine in mobile Safari. With the latest version of the ChatGPT app on your iPhone or iPad, any search you conduct in Safari automatically uses OpenAI’s chatbot to respond to your queries.Sorry, Google – but here’s how it worksNo dig at Google, but ChatGPT is better equipped to handle certain types of requests, especially if you just want a direct answer rather than thousands of results. That’s why this option is certainly worth trying. Here’s how to do it. Assuming you already have the ChatGPT app on your iPhone or iPad, make sure you’re running the latest version. To do this, open the App Store app, tap your profile icon in the top right, and then tap the “Update All” link to update all installed apps. Otherwise, swipe through the list and just update ChatGPT. Also: ChatGPT’s user base just doubled in 6 months – to more than 400 million weekly usersNext, go to Settings and select Apps. Swipe down the screen and select Safari. On the next screen, tap the option for Extensions. Select ChatGPT Search and turn on the switch for “Allow Extension.” Under Permissions, tap google.com and change the setting to Allow. Now, fire up Safari. Type a question or query in the address field, then submit it. In response, ChatGPT pops up to provide the answer. By default, the AI will launch without an account, but you’ll probably want to log in with your own account. You can then opt to remember the device for 30 days so you don’t have to sign in each time. More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETKicked off on Tuesday, Apple’s first public beta of iOS 18.4 enhances a host of features in clever ways. But those of you expecting another AI-powered overhaul to Siri may be disappointed. What’s inside?On the plus side, the new beta adds more in the realm of Apple Intelligence. You can now enable Priority Notifications, which prompt the built-in AI to show them at the top of your notification stack. To activate this, go to Settings, select Notifications, tap Prioritize Notifications, and then turn on the switch for Prioritize Notifications. The Image Playground now includes a third style called Sketch, joining the Animation and Illustration styles that were already available. Accessing Genmoji is easier thanks to a new button that says “Genmoji.” Also: The latest iOS 18.3 update was killing my iPhone’s battery – until I disabled this popular featurePlus, Apple Intelligence now supports French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified), as well as the localized English language in India and Singapore. Of course, you’ll need the right type of device to access Apple Intelligence. That means any iPhone 16 model, an iPhone 15 Pro, an iPhone 15 Pro Max, any iPad with an A17 Pro or M1 or later chip, or any Mac with an M1 or later chip. Yes, Apple has also released public betas for iPadOS 18.4 and macOS 15.4, which offer many of the same enhancements found in iOS 18.4. Also: Why Apple’s disabling of iCloud encryption in the UK is bad news for everyoneNext up, Apple News+ has cooked up a new Food section for subscribers seeking recipes, healthy eating tips, and other food-related information. A new Ambient Music option accessible through Control Panel lets you choose different sound categories such as Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing. Tapping one of the four then plays music in that style. The beta adds new widgets for the Podcasts app. The Library widget displays all saved episodes from your podcast library, while the Shows widget will show you all the episodes from a specific show. For CarPlay users, you’ll now see an extra row of icons on the screen, but only if your display is large enough. And for people who need to translate languages, you’re now able to set a default translation app. More

Jason Hiner/ZDNETThe Oura RIng 4 may have been ZDNET’s 2024 product of the year, but the market is full of other great fitness and wellness wearables that are perfect investments for those looking for more innovative, faster, and better ways to track their health in 2025. With plenty of options, including smartwatches for Apple and Android users and handy smart rings, you’re sure to find a suitable choice for your lifestyle — it’s just going to cost you. Also: Your next Apple Watch or smart ring could have a feature that transforms healthcareThese insightful wellness trackers are not cheap. That’s why when there’s a great deal or offer, ZDNET is here to bring it your way. Right now, you can save up to $250 off a new Samsung Galaxy Ring More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Phelinta 3-in-1 charger is available now on Amazon for $43 a pop. It charges all of your Pixel devices in one convenient place. It isn’t the fastest charger on the planet, but it does exactly what it needs to. –> What’s the deal? On Amazon, Phelinta’s 3-in-1 wireless charger has […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways TCL’s 98-inch Class S5 Series TV is one of the most accessibly-priced TVs of its size, and it’s currently on sale for $1,000 off. Watching movies and TV shows on such a big display is as close to a theatre-like experience as one can get at home. With such a large […] More

While GFCI outlets offer reliable protection compared with standard outlets, they aren’t meant for every type of electrical device. Some items should never be plugged into a GFCI, as they could malfunction or trip the circuit unnecessarily, leading to power disruptions or unsafe situations. Below is a list of devices not suited for GFCIs.1. Devices with a “high inrush” currentAppliances like refrigerators, freezers, air conditioner units, and power tools require a serious initial burst of electricity when powered on. Yes, even though refrigerators are almost always located in kitchens, the counterintuitive truth is that they can cause the GFCI to trip because of the large initial surge of current, even if there is no actual fault. This is known as “nuisance tripping,” and it is aptly named. Don’t risk spoiling a fridge full of foods by plugging it into a GFCI.2. Outdoor equipmentSimilarly, outdoor equipment such as electric lawnmowers or pressure washers should ideally be plugged into a dedicated outdoor outlet. While GFCIs are designed for outdoor use to reduce shock hazards, high-powered equipment can cause the GFCI to trip if it draws too much current at one time. Also: The best home EV chargers of 2025: Expert tested3. High-powered appliancesAppliances that use significant power, such as space heaters, microwave ovens, or vacuum cleaners, can cause a GFCI outlet to trip, especially if they are used on a circuit with high loads. These appliances could create a situation where the GFCI trips frequently (more nuisance tripping).4. Surge protectors or power stripsSome power strips and surge protectors, particularly those with multiple plugs for high-powered devices, could cause the GFCI outlet to trip due to the combined electrical load. A sudden power surge or imbalance could cause the GFCI to trip unexpectedly, defeating the GFCI outlet’s purpose and causing repeated circuit tripping.5. Sump pumpsWhile the National Electrical Code (NEC) specifically mandates that new construction includes GFCIs in basements, there is another ironic exclusion among the list: sump pumps. Sump pumps are designed to prevent flooding, but if the GFCI trips and cuts off its power, your basement might end up under several inches of water.Also: How I used this portable power station to bring electricity to a caveman6. Medical equipmentMedical equipment like CPAP machines and oxygen concentrators require continuous, uninterrupted power, so we advise plugging these vital devices into conventional outlets, not GFCIs. Some medical devices have sensitive circuitry, and the GFCI may trip unnecessarily, causing a loss of power to life-sustaining equipment. More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETAmazon has been focused on bringing generative AI to Alexa for the past few years, hitting multiple delays in launching new features that the company first announced in September 2023. The delayed Alexa 2.0 seems poised for a 2025 release, as evidenced by the surprise Devices and Services event Amazon is hosting today.Amid rumors of Alexa 2.0 shortcomings, Amazon skipped its 2024 Devices and Services event, where the company typically announces new Alexa features and hardware devices. The company is hosting an Amazon Alexa-themed event today, where it is expected to unveil the voice assistant’s generative AI features and finally put an ETA on its launch.Also: 5 ways AI can help with your taxes – and 10 major mistakes to avoidThe event will take place today, Feb. 26, in New York City and will be Panos Panay’s first since joining the Devices and Services division after his Microsoft exit. But aside from new Alexa features, Amazon could be preparing to launch other devices.What to expect from Amazon’s February 2025 event More

Clicks Keyboard on a Razr+ playing Super Mario Bros 2 Clicks If you’re unfamiliar with the gadget, the Clicks Keyboard<!–> introduces a QWERTY-style keyboard to certain iPhone models, such as the iPhone 16 Pro.  Coming to Pixel 9, Razr+, and Galaxy S25 It aims to enable fast typing via comfortable, tactile keys that sit below the […] More