Eliana Willis

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Privacy Hero 2, a $199 router available on FlashRouters, supports NordVPN and Surfshark alongside various VPN protocols. It comes with one year of access to Privacy Hero Wireguard VPN and, with a current promotion, one year of NordVPN. The company should improve the build quality and be more generous with […] More

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETYesterday, iOS 18.3.1 for iPhone dropped, and while the last few updates have been packed with new features — many related to Apple Intelligence — this one seems to be primarily a security update.Also: Just installed iOS 18.3? I’d change these 3 settings first for the best experienceAnd it’s an important one. More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETIf you’re a subscriber to the Nextdoor app, you’ve seen ample footage of prowling ne’er-do-wells caught in the eye of a video doorbell or home security camera. Hopefully, you don’t have your own first-hand experience with suspicious characters milling around your front porch, or far worse.Also: What to expect at Amazon’s February event: Alexa 2.0, new Echos, and Fire TV upgradesFor good reason, security cameras continue to grow in popularity, and we can expect them to become even more reliable and affordable in 2025. While we don’t necessarily require super high-res imagery from these discrete little devices, you can get the most out of them by being mindful of a few factors — especially where you position your camera(s). 1. Avoid obstructions (even future obstructions)Obviously, you won’t be putting a lens behind anything that blocks its view. Sometimes, though, that can include objects that change in size or shape over time, like trees and shrubs. During wintertime, a clear view of your yard may become a different story when branches bloom with new foliage in the spring.The same can apply to interior views, at least with objects that come and go. Will shutting a door somewhere within your camera’s line of sight block out a good percentage of its field of vision? Will your pet cat find a favorite spot to curl up in for hours at a time, right in front of the device? More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Jackery Explorer 100 is available from Amazon for $129 (currently there’s a $40 off coupon). Expect the very best quality, flawless performance, and a large capacity despite being compliant with air and train travel. The rather bulky design doesn’t sit well in laptop bags, and there’s no AC output. –> […] More

gremlin/Getty images Welcome to not just a world of AI agents but a multi-agent world. Yet while these functional generative AI (Gen AI) tools have great promise for personal and professional productivity, deploying them is a significant challenge for designers and developers. The authors of a recent Deloitte report suggested agents have caught people’s attention — […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Motorola’s Moto G is available from the company’s website for $200. The smartphone boasts a long-lasting battery, booming speakers, and a solid camera array. However, I wouldn’t call it a “pocket-sized theater” due to its sub-standard screen. –> In a world where flagship smartphones can cost $1,000 or more, key brands […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETPresidents’ Day is a few days away, but Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers have come out swinging with seasonal savings on coveted Apple products — most of which rarely see sales. Right now, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (which normally sells around $800) is on sale for $680. That’s a whopping $119 discount on Apple’s best smartwatch model, but the discount might not be here for long. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 was first released in September 2023, and since then, its price has dropped here and there, usually only between $50 and $100 off at most. Most recently, we’ve seen it selling for $720 when it does see a sale, so this $680 price is a rare offer you don’t want to miss. In fact, the last time we saw Amazon offer this 15% off discount was right before Black Friday 2024. Also: The best early Presidents’ Day tech deals live now: Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and moreSo if you’re not up for playing roulette and waiting any longer, you can snag $119 savings at Amazon on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 49mm GPS + Cellular Titanium Case More