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    ZDNET’s product of the year: Oura Ring 4 bested Samsung, Apple, and others in 2024

    Nina Raemont/ZDNETIn a year brimming with technological advancements, from Apple’s first-ever mixed reality headset to the modern-day space race that is artificial intelligence, one particular niche of products saw its mainstream aspirations realized: smart rings.According to IDC, global ring sales were estimated at 880,000 units in 2023. This year, the market research firm is forecasting a rise to 1.7 million units, with an even larger spike of 3.2 million units in 2025. As consumers continue to find ways to dial into their health and well-being, the burdenless form factors of smart rings are slowly but surely chipping away market share from fitness trackers, bands, and smartwatches. The uptick in new smart rings at CES 2024 was our first indication.Also: We’ve entered the era of the smart ring. Here’s why it will shake up the wearables marketWhile the smart ring category was validated by the arrival of its first major tech vendor with Samsung’s Galaxy Ring — as well as by exciting new entrants such as Ultrahuman, and the Movano Evie — the Oura Ring 4 More

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    7 Android widgets to make your phone or tablet more useful

    ZDNETI’m going to preface this piece by saying the choice of widgets is personal, and what might be useful to me might not be useful to you. Even so, there’s a widget for everyone, and depending on the apps you have installed on your Android device, you’ll more than likely find one or two in this article that help make your day a bit more efficient.So, what are widgets? Simply put, they are additions to your Android home screen that allow quick access to information from apps, the apps themselves, or services you depend on. With the right collection of widgets, you could create an at-a-glance home screen that keeps you up to date without opening a single app.Also: 5 hidden Android features that can simplify your lifeI’ve searched through the widgets for phones and tablets, and I’m sharing those that I think will make your devices more useful.Before we get to the list, let’s explore how to get started with widgets. More

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    How to delete your X/Twitter account for good (and protect your data)

    ZDNETFollowing the 2024 US presidential election, X (formerly known as Twitter) has experienced one of its largest user exoduses since Elon Musk acquired the platform two years ago. The day after the election, about 115,000 US web visitors deactivated their X accounts. Numerous celebrities, public figures, and media platforms, according to The Guardian and Prism Reports, have also announced their departures from the platform. Users seem to be flocking from X to alternative text-based social media apps, including Bluesky and Instagram’s Threads.Also: Why I don’t regret leaving X for BlueskyEven before the turmoil that has plagued X since Musk’s takeover, many users had reasons to consider leaving. From social media detoxes to the search for a new online space, platform migration happens frequently.In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to fully delete your X account and take all of your valuable data with you. We’ll also share a reliable, cost-effective solution for deleting tweets, likes, direct messages, and follows. Finally, if you choose to stay on X, we’ll show you how to opt out of Grok AI, which Musk is training on your data by default. More

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    This affordable Lenovo gaming PC is the one I recommend to most people. Here’s why

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Configurations for Lenovo’s LOQ Tower 17IRR9 start at $899. The computer is a great option for people looking for a well-performing, compact, and affordable computer. However, because of its small size, it has a limited number of available ports. more buying choices Lenovo’s Legion series is positioned as the company’s flagship gaming […] More