Eliana Willis

Firewalla ZDNET’s key takeaways The Firewalla Gold Pro<!–> is available for preorder for $838. It offers enterprise-level security with high performance, advanced features like deep packet inspection and multi-WAN support, and user-friendly configuration. It’s larger and more expensive than basic consumer firewalls, requires an external access point for Wi-Fi monitoring, and may require advanced configuration […] More

A photo of our backyard I snapped using ProShot. Jack Wallen/ZDNETMy Pixel 8 Pro takes rich, accurate photos with excellent color space and depth. With the help of AI, it does much of the heavy lifting for me, without my having to make any adjustments to the settings.Also: Why the NSA advises you to turn off your phone once a weekBut sometimes I want control over the camera settings. I might want to create something more artistic or with a specific look. For that, I need control over specific camera settings, something the default app does not offer. I want to be able to adjust ISO, white balance, shutter speed, etc. So, what do I do? I turn to a third-party app. I used to use an app called Manual Camera, but that app hasn’t seen much development over the past few years. If you take a look at the Google Play Store, you’ll find several options, some of which are free and some of which can cost nearly $20. Some of those paid apps are good, while some are prone to crashing or other issues. My favorite Android camera app One of the better apps in the Play Store costs just $6.99 and it’s a doozy of an app called ProShot. With it, you get different camera modes (Auto, Program, Manual, Custom 1, Custom 2), Drive Modes (Photo, Video, Slo-Mo, Light Painting, and Timelapse), the ability to change flash, white balance, ISO, shutter speed, and focus, options for media format, one-finger zoom, and more.Also: Use these 5 camera settings on your Android phone for better photosProShot automatically optimizes for your hardware and even has a separate Evaluator tool, so you know if the app will work with your hardware (I highly recommend using the Evaluator before purchasing ProShot). The thing about ProShot is that you really should know what you’re doing before purchasing the app. Why? Because to get the most out of the app, you need to understand concepts such as ISO, white balance, shutter speed, fps, etc. Without a solid understanding of how those things work, you’re just spending money on an app from which you will not benefit. I would go so far as to say that apps such as ProShot are geared toward photographers (or those looking to dip their toes into getting more out of their phone’s hardware). If you just want to point and shoot and allow the phone to do all the work for you, then stick with the default.Otherwise, ProShot is a brilliant choice. More

June Wan/ZDNETIf you’re anticipating the rollout of Android 15, it looks like you’ll have to wait a little longer.While most people hoped that the newest Pixel phone series, the 9, would launch with the newest software, that wasn’t the case, as the phones launched earlier than usual. Because of that, new owners have to wait a little to take advantage of their phone’s full power.Also: Why the NSA advises you to turn off your phone once a weekThe waiting isn’t over.According to a recent update from Google, the launch of its next OS version is still more than a month away.This news comes courtesy of Android Authority, who spotted the information in release notes for the Android Beta Exit update, a version of Android pushed to devices that opt out of Android’s beta program.”If you’re waiting for the Android 15 stable update,” the message reads, “please ignore this OTA till Android 15 is available in October.” Android Authority says the information it received indicates a mid-month rollout, mainly due to a lack of stability. Also: One of the best-looking Android phones I’ve tested costs only $200 (and it’s not a Samsung)Android Authority added that independent Android platform developers will get access to the source code for Android 15 next week. The source code and Pixel update typically drop on the same day. Android 12 saw 15 days between the two, but having such a long break is unusual. More

ZDNET only writes about deals we want to buy — devices and products we desire, need, or would recommend. Our experts looked for deals that were at least 20% off (or are hardly ever on sale), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops. We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we’re recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing — in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter.  More

Matthew Miller/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Getac K120 G3 More

There are plenty of options outside Apple’s iPad lineup for an affordable and functional tablet you can use for any digital task. Tablets from Samsung, Amazon, Google, and OnePlus can provide what you need for entertainment, drawing, work, and more.Also: The best cheap tabletsSamsung’s tablet lineup consists of several models with a wide range of features and price points, making them ideal for those looking for a portable computing device that could even replace a laptop or desktop computer. Similarly, Amazon’s tablets, which technically run a forked version of Android called Fire OS, are designed and sold at budget prices. What is the best Android tablet right now?I chose tablets that other ZDNET staff and I have tested that offer a reliable experience and a variety of features at a reasonable price point. Not all Android tablets are created equal, so I employed research and my experience with the products to suggest the best Android tablets below. I found that the best Android tablet overall was the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra More

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe OmniBook X 14 More

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x More