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    Lenovo’s new $749 ThinkBook may be the best-value Windows laptop of 2024. Here’s why

    Lenovo/ZDNETLike Acer and Asus, Lenovo is making a big splash at IFA 2024, revealing multiple new Copilot+ PCs. However, the brand is taking a different direction than its contemporaries by focusing more on affordability. There are two that caught our eye: the seventh-generation ThinkBook 16 and the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1.Also: 5 most interesting Copilot+ laptops revealed at IFA 2024 (including one for gaming)Beginning with the former, the upcoming ThinkBook is aimed primarily at enterprise users. It houses Qualcomm’s new lightweight Snapdragon X Plus 8-core processor. The CPU is paired up with its own dedicated NPU enhancing the computer’s performance and enabling its AI features. Lenovo claims the chipset will allow users to enjoy “multi-day battery life,” though the company doesn’t mention the average runtime. They do, however, point out that the model possesses a large 84Whr battery, which is larger than most. More

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    AI is hot in the workplace: ChatGPT now has more than 1 million business users

    kampee patisena/Getty Images ChatGPT has found a niche not just among individuals but among organizations. The business and educational flavors of OpenAI’s chatbot have officially snagged more than 1 million paying business users, a company spokesperson told ZDNET. That number is a hefty gain from the 600,000 recorded this past April. The amount represents the […] More

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    Lose your chargers much? Twelve South’s new ‘PlugBugs’ have Find My built in

    Twelve South Tired of losing your charger? Apple accessory company Twelve South might just have an answer.  In what it’s calling a world-first, the company debuted its PlugBug<!–> today – a USB-C wall charger with Find My built-in.  If your PlugBug goes missing, you’ll be able to use the Find My app on your iPhone […] More

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    The new Soundcore Space One Pro are smaller and mightier in all the right ways

    Soundcore/ZDNETAudio brand Soundcore just released a direct follow-up to its fantastic Space One headphones, the aptly named Space One Pro, and the upgrades are impressive.Also: The best over-ear headphones you can buyThe ear cups on the older headphones possess a unique structure for blocking outside noise. On the Pro version, the company expanded this design to consist of four stages working together to enhance active noise canceling (ANC). First, exterior microphones detect sound coming from the outside. The cup covers then act as barriers, preventing noise from coming in.A chip inside the Space One Pro takes the mic input and actively cancels out disturbances in real time. The final stage sees the triple-composite drivers block out the last bit of noise. Soundcore says these speakers were specially made “for perfect audio balance” so users can enjoy “distortion-free sound.” This output can be tweaked in two different ways. The HearID 2.0 test can create a sound profile tailored to your specifications. If you want further customization options, the headphones support multiple equalizer settings. Both of these tools can be found on the official Soundcore app.Also: These $40 headphones have no business sounding this good (and they look great, too)The company also updated the headphones’ design. It’s just as ergonomic as before; however, the Pro model has a “FlexiCurve Structure,” reducing the device’s size by about 50% compared to the older model. What’s more, the headband is now collapsible for easier carrying. Soundcore claims that, when folded up, the Space One Pro is about the size of a donut. More

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    Grab a Microsoft Office for Windows license for $40. Here’s how

    Download a lifetime license to Microsoft Office at a deep discount with this deal. Stack Social If you need access to Microsoft Office but don’t want to pay the yearly fee to access Office 365, you’re in luck: Stack Social is offering a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows or Mac, starting […] More

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    I changed these 5 TV settings to instantly improve the picture quality – and you can too

    Adam Breeden/ZDNETWhether you’re considering buying a new TV or your old flat panel seems to be doing fine, there are still ways to optimize your viewing experience, and it all begins with your television’s settings. Let’s explore some of the key factors determining how your TV performs and what you can do to make it look even better.1. Turn down the sharpnessThe sharper the picture, the better. Right? Not necessarily.Contrary to popular belief, the “sharpness” setting on your TV doesn’t affect the actual sharpness of the displayed image. True sharpness is determined by factors such as screen resolution, source material resolution, and contrast. Instead, the sharpness setting alters the artificial edge enhancement — a processor-driven adjustment that can introduce unwanted noise and, ironically, distort details in the image.Also: TV running slow? I changed these 6 settings to instantly speed up the performanceEdge enhancement is designed to make onscreen objects more distinct by emphasizing the boundaries between them, theoretically creating a more lifelike image. However, this feature acts like a universal Instagram filter, potentially leading to an unnatural appearance in some media. More

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    Learn a new language with a lifetime Babbel subscription for 76% off

    Get a Babbel lifetime language subscription at a big discount right now.  StackSocial Learning a new language can be daunting. But right now, you can buy a lifetime subscription to Babbel Language Learning from Stack Social that lets you choose from 14 languages and access more than 10,000 hours of online language education for just $140 — […] More

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    Shark’s new vacuums promise the most hands-free cleaning experience yet

    Shark The IFA trade show is taking place now in Berlin, unveiling many new devices to explore, especially in the smart home category. SharkNinja is one of the brands showcasing new tech at IFA, with two new vacuums that tout a nearly hands-free cleaning experience for the consumer. The announcement includes the Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch […] More