Eliana Willis

Google / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETI’ve been using Android devices since 2007 and now have a rather large collection of Google devices in my home and office. The latest ecosystem updates will improve my efficiency with communications, safety, and daily commuting.Also: Your Android phone is getting a huge security upgrade for free – what’s newWhile this week’s focus has been on the release of Android 16, there are also six new features for Android that I am particularly excited about, and one of these features is compelling enough to make me want to mount the Pixel Watch 3 back on my wrist. 1. RCS group chat features I’m thankful that RCS is common across Android and iOS messaging platforms, so the news that I can now customize the icon and name for my group chats will make it easier to confirm who I am communicating with. Also: I changed 8 settings on my Pixel phone to dramatically improve the battery lifeThe new group chat features also include the ability to see who has RCS enabled, so that I can help them set that up. Notifications for specific group chats can also now be muted for a specific period of time. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Eufy Clean E20 3-in-1 robot vacuum and handheld vacuum combination costs $650. The Eufy E20 performed very well in suction testing; it offers up to 8,000Pa of suction power and thorough edge cleaning; the robot vacuum’s dustbin doubles as a handheld vacuum that includes a floor attachment and a crevice […] More

Bose/ZDNETIt’s been almost two years since Bose released the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and headphones, introduced the Ultra moniker, and declared this line of headphones and earbuds its best products. The QC Ultra Earbuds are among our favorite noise-canceling earbuds, and now, Bose has announced the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).Also: The 12 best headphones of 2025The QC Ultra Earbuds debut with a list of refinements compared to their predecessors, including an updated AI algorithm for noise cancellation and voice pickup, wireless charging, and a refreshed design.The first-gen QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have exceptional noise-canceling capabilities, thanks to four microphones in each earbud and AI-powered algorithms that analyze ambient noise and filter out unwanted sounds. According to Bose, the QC Ultra earbuds (2nd gen) have an updated algorithm that improves the earbuds’ noise-canceling performance, especially when ActiveSense is enabled.Also: Why I travel with Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra instead of the Sony XM5 headphonesThe ActiveSense feature is one of my favorites to use with my QC Ultra headphones, as it keeps you aware of your surroundings while quieting sudden loud noises in your environment. Bose says the updated algorithms make the sudden transition from transparency mode to active noise cancellation smoother, which should improve the user experience. More

Bose/ZDNETIt’s almost officially summer, which is peak Bluetooth speaker season. Sony, JBL, Marshall, and more released speakers for the summertime, and now it’s Bose’s turn. Bose is expanding its SoundLink portable speaker lineup with two new speakers: the SoundLink Plus and the SoundLink Micro (2nd gen).Also: The best Bluetooth speakers of 2025: Options for indoor and outdoor listeningBose’s SoundLink Max and SoundLink Home are among our favorite portable speakers, but the two new devices are for those who require more portability. The SoundLink Plus is Bose’s upper midrange portable speaker, introducing a new price category for the company’s Bluetooth speakers.SoundLink PlusThe SoundLink Plus lies between the SoundLink Max and the SoundLink Flex, offering more features than the Flex but less battery life and smaller internal audio components than the Max.Also: I’ve tested dozens of Bluetooth speakers – this JBL is my pick for summer travelingThe SoundLink Plus debuts with Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, a water- and dust-resistant IP67 rating, 20 hours of playtime, and reverse USB-C charging capabilities. Like the SoundLink Max and Flex, it will float in water in case you accidentally drop it. More

M1 MacBook Pro, the first of many laptops with Apple’s own silicon. Jason Cipriani/ZDNETWWDC 2025 is a big day for Apple users since it’s when the tech giant previews future updates. This year, we saw the introduction of a robust UI redesign called Liquid Glass. But sometimes the most important news comes after the keynote presentation.Also: How to install macOS 26 on your MacBook (and which models support it)During the Platforms State of the Union on Monday, Apple announced that macOS 26 Tahoe will be the final version of the operating system that will roll out to Intel-based Mac computers. This means that starting in 2026, you must own an M1 or newer MacBook to receive all the improvements and new features that macOS 27 will bring. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Lenovo Idea Tab Pro is a midrange entertainment tablet starting at $290 for the 128GB model and $400 for the 256GB option. This is one of the few midrange Android tablets that can truly work for entertainment and productivity, carefully straddling both lines. This 12.7-inch tablet comes with a stylus, […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Lenovo’s Yoga 7i 2-in-1 is on sale for $1,200 at Best Buy. Its solid performance, comfortable keyboard, and long-lasting battery make it an excellent machine for the office. Unfortunately, I’m not a fan of the display. more buying choices Over at Lenovo’s website, the 2025 Yoga 7i 2-in-1–> is on sale […] More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETLast year, Apple announced a redesigned Photos app, touting it as “the biggest-ever redesign.” Over the past year, we’ve seen users complaining about the redesign and wanting to go back to iOS 17’s Photos app. Apple seems to have listened to all the feedback and fixed its Photos app with the new iOS 26 update.Also: Everything announced at Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote: Liquid Glass, MacOS Tahoe, and more”Many of you missed using tabs in the Photos app,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, in his keynote at WWDC 2025. “Photos now features separate tabs for Library and for Collections,” he added. With the new Photos app on iOS 26, Apple is keeping the best of both iOS 17 and iOS 18. More