Eliana Willis

Adam Breeden/ZDNETAfter the initial setup, most people rarely engage directly with their smart TV. With wireless connectivity, phone apps, and remote controls, there’s little need to. Tucked next to the essential HDMI ports, a USB 2.0 port — likely sitting unnoticed on the back or side panel — offers more potential than you might expect.   Also: Don’t cancel Netflix yet: I used these secret codes to unlock the full catalog of showsUSB ports are easy to overlook, but they’re a standard feature on most TVs — and more useful than you might think. Here are five clever ways to make the most of them. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Anker Solix EverFrost 2 is available for $1,349 but currently on sale. This cooler works as a portable mini-fridge, with dual-zone cooling and the capacity to freeze or refrigerate. The Anker Solix EverFrost 2 is bulky and heavy, and it only comes with one battery so you have to purchase […] More

OnePlus Pad 3 <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The OnePlus Pad 3 starts at $699 for the 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage configuration. It’s got a larger battery and display this year, as well as an updated Qualcomm chipset. The tablet is an OLED panel, a fingerprint scanner, and a floating keyboard case away […] More

This wallet quickly shot to the top of my rotation and became a favorite in my wallet collection, so much so that it is ZDNET’s pick for best MagSafe wallet. While this wallet is very similar to others you can buy, its value is insane. You get a quality vegan leather wallet, strong magnetic hold, five card slots — including a dedicated ID pocket, notches for easy card access, and five colors to pick from — all for under $30. Also: I’ve tested dozens of MagSafe accessories, but this new wallet stand is my ideal iPhone companionWhen I tested this wallet, I was most impressed with how functional the dedicated ID slot is and how purposeful every element is. Each feature, like the notches allowing easy card access, was thoughtfully designed, implemented, and truly upgraded the accessory experience. Plus, ESR offers some of the most fun colors I have seen in a long time, including pastel pink and purple (and some universal neutrals, if that’s your preference). ESR customers on Amazon said they were pleased the Aura wallet came in vibrant colors, and liked the strong magnet, dedicated ID slot, and ample storage it provides. Some customers said that the wallet offers excellent value for the price, and it has a five-star rating on ESR’s website. More

Adam Breeden/ZDNETNetflix wasn’t the first streaming platform, but it was the first to make video-on-demand mainstream. Fourteen years ago, as it phased out its mailing service, it took a massive bite out of the global market.Also: This 30-second fix made my Roku TV run like new again (and why it works)Remember that? Physical DVDs showing up in your actual mailbox — the one at the end of your driveway (or your hallway)? To my surprise, that was still actually a thing up until late 2023. Whaaat?Streaming introduced a slew of new entertainment options and, most importantly, unparalleled convenience. These days, Netflix is one of many platforms that offer a staggering amount of titles to choose from — and yet, there is more there than meets the eye.Did you know Netflix has secret cheat codes?As it turns out, Netflix has a plethora of shows and movies available that you don’t normally see when booting up the app. Our personalized, algorithm-based menus confine us to viewing only a fraction of the entire Netflix library.Also: How to clear your TV cache (and why it makes such a big difference)You can find special cheat codes to unlock more content on resources like Netflix-Codes and the website What’s On Netflix. Either is a good place to start massively multiplying your viewing options. The categories associated with these codes range everywhere from “Deep Sea Horror Movies” (code 45028) to very specific subgenres like “Feel-good Sports Movies for Ages 8 to 10” (code 855).  More

Asus ProArt P16 <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Asus ProArt P16 is available now, starting at $1,900. It pairs powerful hardware with a suite of customizable options designed for creatives. The deep personalization requires engagement from the user, the huge trackpad won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, and the ultra-glossy display tends to glare. –> […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Shine Turbine kit is on sale for $279, while the Essentials Kit is on sale for $342. The kit includes everything you need to turn wind into electrical energy, and the turbine features a 12,000 mAh battery. There are limitations, which include the weight of the kit and the 40W […] More

HP OmniBook X Flip 16 <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways HP’s new OmniBook X Flip 16 is on sale for $900 on HP’s site. Thanks to its stylish, lightweight design and vibrant 3K OLED, this laptop is sure to turn heads. Its midrange hardware comes with limitations. more buying choices At Best Buy, the HP OmniBook […] More