Eliana Willis

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETLenovo unveiled an unexpected new laptop alongside its fleet of new devices at CES 2025: a 14-inch laptop with a “rollable” display that extends upwards over 16 inches, and it works better than I initially assumed. The ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 looks like a normal 14-inch device on the surface but hit a button on the keyboard, and the display starts growing upward. Once it’s fully extended, the screen measures 16.7 inches, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but Lenovo says you gain about 50% screen real estate. Also: CES 2025: The 12 most impressive products so farIt’s definitely comparable to working on an external monitor, as I was able to fit two browser windows of equal size on top of one another just fine when I demoed it. Working on a portrait-oriented monitor is not everyone’s preference (as opposed to a landscape orientation) but plenty of users prefer it, especially coders and writers who work with long, vertical text windows.  More

ZDNETSome Linux distributions ship with plenty of pre-installed apps, whereas others tend to be a bit leaner. Even those distributions that include a host of applications don’t always get the collection of pre-installed apps quite right.From my experience, there are certain apps that should be considered “must haves” for every new user, and it often confuses me why they aren’t included in many of the major distributions.Also: How to create system restore points on Linux with Timeshift – and why you shouldThe good news is that there are plenty of apps to easily install, most of which are found in the standard repositories.What is my list of “must haves” for Linux? Let’s find out.1. LibreOfficeStandard office suiteLibreOffice More

AntonioSolano/Getty Images I wanna start by saying I’m not anti-AI. Far from it, actually. 😤 I think AI is amazing, and nothing will come between my ChatGPT subscription and me. So, if you’re an AI superfan…  RELAX 🫷🥺🫸 and stay out of my DMs.  I’m not beefing with you, not today, at least. (I might […] More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETA robot vacuum is one of the best investments you can make in a smart home to delegate cleaning tasks. Like the Jetsons’ Rosie the Robot, these devices require care to extend their lives and boost efficiency, so you should protect their batteries and practice good maintenance habits.Also: The best robot vacuums for 2025: Expert tested and reviewedFirst, you should understand the underlying tech: lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which are widely used in consumer electronics, including smartphones, laptops, and, you guessed it, robot vacuums. These rechargeable batteries have a long life cycle, making them ideal for devices that require frequent charging. They can also store significant energy relative to size and weight, making them perfect for portable devices. Proper care is essential to ensure Li-ion batteries perform at their best. Factors such as charging and discharging habits, the storage environment, handling, and temperature can impact a Li-ion battery’s performance and lifespan. Here are some tips for keeping your robot vacuum’s battery and performance in shape. More

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images The US government has been toying with a possible ban on Chinese-owned social video platform TikTok for years, citing national security, data privacy, and propaganda concerns. After the issue heated up this spring, the app’s fate may soon be determined. Here’s the latest. For context: In April, President Joe Biden signed […] More

The problem with Apple products — including MacBooks, iPads, and Apple Watches — is that they usually carry a hefty price tag and are rarely on sale. And with Black Friday and holiday sales in the rearview, you may be thinking you’ve missed out on a chance to save. But there are always deals and discounts, even outside of sales events, if you know where to look. Apple frequently refreshes its product ranges — one of the latest being the iPad lineup — and this can open the path to discounts in the form of new, promotional deals for the latest gadgets alongside price reductions for older designs as retailers seek to move old stock. Typically, third-party retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy, Newegg, B&H Photo, and Amazon are the best places to find a discount on many Apple products. Also: The best phones you can buy (and how the OnePlus 13 stacks up)Below, you’ll find the best sales and discounts on several Apple products, including MacBooks, Apple Watch, AirPods, and more for the month of January.Best Apple deals of January 2025  More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETWhat’s the deal? The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro More

Lemon8 and TikTok are two very different apps that serve different audiences. TikTok is a short-form video platform first, and its algorithm is great at showing users the content they want to see.Lemon8, on the other hand, is a photo-first platform. Additionally, the app heavily focuses on aesthetically pleasing lifestyle content, like fashion, makeup, skincare, and travel. In my experience using both apps, TikTok appeals to a more general audience — anyone can go on TikTok and find creators and content they’re interested in, even if it’s a niche topic. Also: The one feature Bluesky really needsLemon8’s user base consists mostly of young women who use the app as a visual blog. You won’t find content about sports, history, current events, or anything else. I kept Lemon8 downloaded on my phone for about a week before I realized the app wasn’t for me.Of course, every app has its pitfalls in the beginning. When it was first created, TikTok was an app for lip-syncing and dancing, but over the years, it’s become a completely different platform. If TikTok goes under, a similar transformation could happen on Lemon8 — if it doesn’t get banned first. More