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    Have storage problems? This handy phone accessory can save 4K videos on a small 2TB SSD

    SanDisk Smartphones have proven invaluable tools for making videos, music, or other forms of content. They’re widely available and possess the necessary hardware and features to help people succeed in various pursuits. These devices are also cheaper than studio-grade tech, but they have a flaw — storage. Also: CES 2025 ICYMI: The 6 most impressive products […] More

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    Acer’s refreshed laptops may be the most versatile devices I’ve seen at CES 2025

    Swift Go 16 AI Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETToday at CES, Acer announced a handful of updated laptops across its flagship Swift, Swift Go, and Vero lines, including new all-in-one desktop computers and additional Copilot+ PCs.Also: This Thunderbolt 4 cable alternative offers the same speed and longer sizes for 40% lessIt’s broadening its offering of Copilot+ PCs, introducing an Intel device (the Acer Aspire 14 AI) and an AMD device (the Acer Swift Go 16 and 14 AI). Both feature updated external designs and come with sleeker, more lightweight form factors and additional OLED display options — all in the mid-range price point to round out Acer’s accessible product portfolio. Along with the laptops, it also announced a few connectivity accessories, including a dongle that lets older devices connect to Wi-Fi 7, and a portable 5G hotspot that you can bring with you anywhere and use as a connection for your laptop. Here’s a summary of what was announced. Acer Swift Go 14 and 16 The Swift Go 14- and 16-inch with Intel’s Series 2 Core Ultra 9 processor brings a new level of performance to the lineup, matched with an Intel Arc GPU and the improved battery performance we’ve seen from the processor family. Additionally, Acer upped the ante with 3K OLED displays and support for Wi-Fi 7. More

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    This smart ring maker may have just solved one of the wearable’s biggest pain points

    Circular/ZDNETFrench tech brand Circular is stepping up its smart ring game with the unveiling of its Circular Ring 2, the brand announced on Sunday at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.Also: CES 2025 ICYMI: The 6 most impressive products so farThe second-generation smart ring is all-in on heart health monitoring and upgrades many of its features to keep up with the industry competition. There’s an FDA-cleared Atrial Fibrillation detection algorithm to monitor arrhythmia included within the ECG capability for “real-time heart health insights,” according to the press release, and improved sensors that reportedly boost the accuracy of data captured. More

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    The next big HDMI leap has arrived – what the 2.2 standard means for you

    Getty Images/Stefano Madrigali The HDMI Forum, responsible for developing HDMI technology standards, has officially revealed its new HDMI 2.2 specification at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The new specification will feature new display transfer wizardry that should provide higher bandwidth and a wide range of higher resolutions and refresh rates. For example, […] More

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    United’s free in-flight Starlink Wi-Fi is now launching even earlier than we expected

    ZDNETIn September 2024, United Airlines announced its partnership with SpaceX to offer faster, more reliable, and free access to Wi-Fi for all MileagePlus members sometime this year. Now, it appears the airline is fast-tracking its program, targeting the second quarter of 2025 to mark its debut for customers.Testing begins next monthIn fact, United plans to begin testing the service next month, with the first commercial flight on an Embraer E-175 expected sometime between March and June. By the end of the year, the airline aims to equip its entire regional fleet with Starlink technology. Regional flights typically seat fewer than 100 passengers and have inferior amenities compared to “mainline” aircraft, which carry more than 100 people and have longer-haul flights between major cities and international destinations.Also: I just experienced actual high-speed internet on a plane – for free, thanks to StarlinkUnited claims at least one mainline aircraft will also offer the new service within the same timeframe. The goal is to eventually equip all of United Airlines’ more than 1,000 aircraft with Starlink. Currently, United’s Wi-Fi service varies by aircraft and is not free. This new partnership will standardize the service across the fleet, offering a breakthrough upgrade for many flyers.’Living room in the sky’Grant Milstead, United VP of Digital Technology, described Starlink’s capabilities as enabling a “living room in the sky” experience. The service will allow passengers to perform tasks like accessing work documents, checking home security cameras, and playing games with low latency, marking a substantial improvement over its current capabilities. United promises to roll out seatback screens across all its mainline aircraft, which will, of course, be integrated into the new Wi-Fi system. More

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    TCL won the opening of CES 2025 with a great new TV you can actually pre-order

    TCL QM6K TV at CES 2025 Kerry Wan/ZDNETToday at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, TCL unveiled its latest QM6K series of TVs. The most important thing to know here is that TCL is bringing it’s high-end Mini LED technology to it’s entry-level product line at very aggressive prices. And for the first we can ever remember at CES, the QM6K TV is immediately available to pre-order More

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    An easier way to read Linux manual pages

    Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNETA man page is a manual page dedicated to a specific command and every Linux distribution includes them. Say, for example, you wanted to learn about the chmod command. You could either run a Google search or read the man page. Man pages are set up the same way, so once you get used to the layout, you’ll have no trouble. Also: 5 ways to get the best Linux support, no matter your skill levelBut there’s always a way to make things a bit easier. With a nod to irony, some users would prefer to use a GUI to read about commands they’ll have to work with from within a terminal window. There were once some decent GUI apps for man pages (such as xman). Many of those GUIs have vanished from sight, but there are still tools that make it possible to view man pages within a GUI. Although the layout of the man pages doesn’t change within a GUI app, these apps make it possible to search through a man page for a string, so you don’t have to scroll to find what you’re looking for.Also: This Linux distro could let your old laptop ‘shine on’ after Windows 10’s sunsetI want to introduce you to two tools that could help you read man pages more easily: one for GNOME and one for Plasma Desktop. Each app is installed by default, so you can jump right into using them on your respective desktop.Let’s get into it. More

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    This MagSafe accessory transforms your iPhone into a point-and-shoot camera (sort of)

    A Belkin Stage PowerGrip prototype attached to an iPhone at CES 2025.  Jada Jones/ZDNETConsumer electronics brand Belkin unveiled and upgraded several products across its audio and mobile portfolio this Sunday at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.  Also: CES 2025: What is it, what to expect, and how to tune inThe standout of Belkin’s CES 2025 lineup could well be its Stage PowerGrip. Belkin’s new PowerGrip is a MagSafe phone accessory designed to incorporate both MagSafe wireless and wired charging, fun colors, and a nostalgic point-and-shoot design that echoes the iconic picture tools of the past (the Nikon Coolpix, the Fujifilm Instax, the forever-loveable disposable camera, and more). Say cheese! The PowerGrip, which resembles other products like ShiftCam’s SnapGrip and SnapGrip Pro, features a 10,000 mAh battery capacity, 7.5W magnetic wireless charging, USB-C output ports, a retractable USB-C charging cable, and an LED screen to show battery percentage. It comes in five colors — powder blue, sandbox, fresh yellow, pepper, and lavender — and attaches with MagSafe via a magnetic ring on iPhone 12 models or newer. [embedded content]Not only does it feature wireless and wired charging, but the PowerGrip can be used as a phone stand or a stabilizer grip for shooting content. Fully embracing nostalgia, it features a shutter button when paired with the iPhone,The Belkin Stage PowerGrip won’t be available until May 2025 for a price yet to be determined; however, this tech-loving Gen-Z is certain the accessory will make waves this summer — as it looks to be a promising travel companion (perfect for #EuroGirlSummer). More