Eliana Willis

Lance Whitney/ZDNETMany popular AIs offer a voice mode that enables you to carry on live conversations with a chatbot. Often, chatting by voice is more convenient, more natural, and more fun than trying to converse through text prompts. Plus, you can typically review a transcript of the conversation after you’re done, so you still have access to the actual text.But which AIs are the best conversationalists? I tried chatting by voice with ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, Meta AI, and Grok using their respective mobile apps. I started with the same topic to see how each one would react and where the conversation would go.Also: ElevenLabs’ new AI voice assistant can automate your favorite tasks – and you can try it for freeSpecifically, I told each one that our cat, Mr. Giggles, was acting very nervous and anxious lately and that I was worried and didn’t know what to do. This is partly true. Our cat always feels a bit traumatized after he returns home from a vet checkup. That effect goes away after a day or two, but I thought it would be a good topic of conversation.I judged the AIs’ conversational abilities not just on knowledge but on tone and personality, two factors that are important when you’re speaking with a person or a bot. Here’s how the conversations went and which AI I liked best. More

ismagilov/Getty Images Daily AI usage for desk workers has grown by 233% since the beginning of the year, according to Salesforce’s latest Slack Workforce Index based on a survey of 5,000 desk workers globally. AI now helps to create a competitive advantage by providing 64% more productivity and 81% more job satisfaction for those who […] More

When is the Fourth of July? Independence Day in the US is on Thursday, July 4, and while most of the holiday deals drop around that time, major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Target often kick things off early.How did I choose these Fourth of July Day deals? I focused on deals that not only saved you a notable amount of money (especially if it’s on a phone that typically isn’t discounted) but were on devices that I’ve personally tested and recommended. Whether it’s a non-Pro iPhone or a budget Android device, I’ve spent enough time throughout the market to know what’s truly worth investing in.What are the best 4th of July 2025 deals?ZDNET’s experts searched through July 4th deals across retailers to find the best discounts by category. These are the best deals live:What are the tariffs in the US? The recent US tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.CNET: Tariff Pricing Tracker: We’re Watching 11 Products You Might Need to BuyThe new US tariffs also hit laptops and PCs hard, with import duties potentially increasing prices by up to 35%. Many major brands still rely on Chinese and Vietnamese factories for assembly, meaning consumers could soon pay significantly more for everything from budget Chromebooks to high-end gaming rigs. These tariffs may accelerate efforts to move production to regions like Mexico or India, but shoppers can expect higher costs and fewer discounts in the short term.Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.    More

When is Amazon Prime Day 2025?This year, Amazon Prime Day is a four-day sales event for Prime members. Sales are live from Tuesday, July 8, through the end of Friday, July 11. Are Samsung devices really cheaper on Prime Day? Samsung deals often have the best discounts during sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday. That’s not to say you can’t find some excellent deals on Samsung devices throughout the year (including during Samsung’s own Discover Samsung events), but we often see discounts of flagship Samsung devices during summer Prime Day sales. How did we choose these Prime Day deals?ZDNET only recommends the devices we can stand behind, so when we say you’re getting a good deal, we want to ensure your hard-earned money goes towards an excellent value. To choose the top deals, we comb through the best sales available and make thorough price comparisons with historical data, combined with our own personal experience with these products, to determine which ones are worth buying.Our hope is to help you make the best choice to stretch your dollar — think of all the extra devices you can add to your cart with all these savings.  More

Humble Bundle/ZDNETLooking for a way to save big on indie and triple-A game titles? Are you tired of buying games through corporate storefronts like Steam and EA? Right now at Humble Bundle, you can get your first month of a Humble Choice membership More

HP Gaming desktops can get pretty expensive, but right now you can snag the HP Victus 15L<!–> direct from HP.com for 32% off with this site-exclusive sale. And just because this PC is under $550 doesn’t mean it skimps on quality components. Read more: The best early anti-Prime Day deals live now This configuration is […] More

How did I choose these July 4th deals? Not all deals are created equal. Since 4th of July is better known for lawn and garden deals, I only chose discounts on laptops myself or another ZDNET team member has tested and can vouch for. What are the best July 4th 2025 deals?ZDNET’s experts searched through July 4th deals across retailers to find the best discounts by category. These are the best deals live now:What are the tariffs in the US? The recent US tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.CNET: Tariff Pricing Tracker: We’re Watching 11 Products You Might Need to BuyLaptops and PCs are also hit hard by the new US tariffs, with import duties potentially increasing prices by up to 35%. Many major brands still rely on Chinese and Vietnamese factories for assembly, meaning consumers could soon pay significantly more for everything from budget Chromebooks to high-end gaming rigs. These tariffs may accelerate efforts to move production to regions like Mexico or India, but shoppers can expect higher costs and fewer discounts in the short term.Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.    More