Eliana Willis

If you’re a medical or legal professional needing transcripts of dictations, a journalist looking to transcribe interviews with sources, or part of a team making use of real-time meeting notes, a transcription service can translate audio and video conversations onto paper for you. The best transcription services do this with a high degree of accuracy, whether you’re relying on human transcriptionists or AI-powered features. Also: The best VPNs we’ve testedWhat is the best transcription software right now?I tested different transcription software options to determine which ones produce accurate transcripts of live and recorded audio for a variety of user needs. Based on my testing, GoTranscript More

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETAt a time when major streaming services are announcing more and more ads, two more are following suit — and they’re using AI.Also: I used Netflix’s secret codes to quintuple my viewing options – here’s howTwo major media companies, Netflix and YouTube, announced plans this week to utilize new ad formats to keep users engaged, and both are using AI. Netflix is ‘marrying’ ads with showsNetflix’s announcement came during its annual Upfront event for advertisers. Through a new in-house advertising platform, Netflix Ads Suite, the company is adding several creative ad formats. Also: Netflix’s new AI search feature makes it easier to find what to watchAmong them is an interactive ad format that uses generative AI to “instantly marry advertisers’ ads with the worlds of our shows.” From Netflix’s description, it seems like these ads will blend into whatever show you’re watching to feel less intrusive (but hopefully they appear different enough that it’s clear it’s an ad). These ads will be both midroll and on the pause screen, and will have custom overlays, second screen buttons, and more. The format will be available to advertisers by 2026. YouTube More

Piyawat Wuttichaikitcharoen / Getty Images Tech executives are moving swiftly to embrace AI agents, according to the latest Technology Pulse Poll from accounting firm Ernst & Young (EY). The poll, which surveyed more than 500 tech leaders in April, found about half (48%) of respondents have at least begun deploying agentic AI within their organizations. […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Suunto Run is available now for $249 This new sports watch is very light at 36 grams with the strap, lasts for a week, has a bright AMOLED display, and provides accurate location tracking SuuntoPlus apps are not supported and music storage doesn’t support subscription services. –> I was reintroduced […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Sony WH-1000XM6 are available in Black, Silver, and Midnight Blue for $450. These headphones provide exceptional noise cancellation, practical software features, and an enjoyable sound. A tight fit and non-adjustable noise cancellation are noticeable pitfalls for premium headphones. more buying choices –> may / 2025 It’s been three years since […] More

Acer Aspire 14 and 16 AI (2025) Kerry Wan/ZDNETAcer just announced its new lineup of 2025 laptops, and we’re seeing thin and light form factors, AI-readiness, OLED displays, and powerful hardware. In terms of hardware, Acer continues to court the field by including processors from all three major chipmakers: Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm. Also: I replaced my laptop with Microsoft’s 12-inch Surface Pro – here’s my buying advice a week laterThe new models, announced ahead of Computex 2025, also include the latest GPUs from Nvidia utilizing its Blackwell architecture, which feature significant advancements in AI capabilities as well as increased efficiency and power. There’s a focus on creator-minded machines this year, particularly when it comes to bringing powerful AI capabilities to the GPU. I recently went hands-on with all of the models alongside ZDNET’s Kerry Wan, and left with some exciting first impressions, especially with the Swift X 14 AI, the first model I’ll touch on. Let’s jump in. Swift X 14 and Swift X 14 AI  More

Pluto TV is 100% free, which is why I chose it over other streaming options. While it doesn’t necessarily have “live” TV to tune into (you won’t get regular channels like E!, TLC, ESPN, etc., or live events like award shows and sports games), it does satisfy the action of scrolling through channels to see what’s on with more than 250 channels to choose from–from reality TV and crime shows, to movies and even local news. Also: The best live TV streaming servicesDuring football season, we tried out YouTube TV as another live TV alternative, but due to its high-capacity 4K streaming, it increased our internet bill by almost $100 extra a month…so be mindful of that when choosing a streaming service–you might end up paying as much, if not more than, cable TV. CNET’s survey shows that a majority of Americans (61%) are spending subscription money on streaming services, so be mindful when choosing which service is right for you and pay attention to free ones like Pluto, Plex, and Tubi.  More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition is on sale for about $1,512. It’s a lightweight laptop with a solid battery life and vibrant OLED display that is perfect for work and entertainment. However, its lightweight nature extends to its hardware, too, since it isn’t a particularly powerful computer. more buying […] More