Eliana Willis

Nina Raemont/ZDNETDuring last year’s summer edition of Samsung’s Unpacked hardware event, the company announced the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro with a new yet familiar design. Traditionally, Samsung’s premium earbuds sported a round bud design, but the third generation debuted with a bud-and-stem design.Also: This $399 Samsung Galaxy is the mid-range phone most people should buyAccording to rumors and insider sources, it appears Samsung is again shaking up its earbud form factor, this time with open-ear earbuds that use bone conduction sound technology. Open-ear earbuds have soared in popularity, with Sony, Shokz, Bose, and Nothing releasing premium versions. More

ZDNETThe smartwatch market just experienced its first-ever decline, according to a recent report by Counterpoint. The report says 7% fewer smartwatches were shipped in 2024 than in 2023, and Apple’s dwindling popularity might be to blame. Also: The Apple Watch Series 10 is on sale for its lowest price ever at every major retailerAccording to Counterpoint, tighter competition and weaker upgrade cycles fueled a 19% decline in Apple Watch’s shipment rate during that period. “Apple Watch witnessed a decline in momentum on its 10th anniversary, despite the launch of the S10 series. The biggest driver of the decline was North America, where the absence of the Ultra 3 and minimal feature upgrades in the S10 lineup led consumers to hold back purchases,” Senior Research Analyst Anshika Jain said in the Counterpoint report. Also: Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Should you upgrade to the latest model?There are several reasons why Apple’s smart wearable has seemingly lost its appeal over the past year. From a blood oxygen sensing feature that couldn’t escape patent disputes, to growing competition in the wearables space, the tech behemoth is fighting several forces that could keep its shipments lower.  More

Open AI CEO Sam Altman chats with Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott at Microsoft Build 2024. Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETSince OpenAI launched ChatGPT over two years ago, it has retained its position as one of the frontrunners in the AI race, constantly developing smarter models and spin-off products. The company has no intention of slowing down, with its ultimate goal being to achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) or AI with autonomous, human-level intelligence.  “Our mission is to ensure that AGI benefits all of humanity,” said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a blog post last month. “In some sense, AGI is just another tool in this ever-taller scaffolding of human progress we are building together.” Also: Generative AI is finally finding its sweet spot, says Databricks chief AI scientistHowever, OpenAI’s biggest strategic partner, Microsoft, has taken a different approach. In a recent interview, CEO Satya Nadella shared that the company is not working on the long-term goal of achieving AGI because it believes AGI to be overhyped. With a long-standing partnership and Microsoft investing billions in OpenAI, it raises the question: how are the two still managing to work together?In an SXSW panel titled “Building Trustworthy AI: Evolving Safety Practices for GenAI,” Microsoft CPO of Responsible AI Sarah Bird shed light on the companies’ dynamics. Despite the deviating approaches, she shared that there was no “tension.” More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Torras PolarCircle has an active cooler that’s more effective than a standard fan. The best part is that it’s almost silent when operating. Naturally, the accessory consumes more power than most. –> On Amazon, the Torras PolarCircle Qi2<!–> has received a 17% discount and currently retails for$50. I’ve become a […] More

Hill Street Studios/Getty Images It’s increasingly difficult to avoid artificial technology (AI) as it becomes more commonplace. A prime example is Google searches showcasing AI responses. AI safety is more important than ever in this age of technological ubiquity. So as an AI user, how can you safely use generative AI (Gen AI)?  Also: Here’s why […] More

Jada Jones/ZDNETBluetooth Auracast is a Bluetooth feature that allows devices like smartphones, TVs, or public announcement systems to broadcast audio to unlimited audio receivers, such as hearing aids. Also: Turn your AirPods Pro 2 into hearing aidsToday, Google announced Android support for Auracast, and users with Auracast-supported smartphones can use them to connect their compatible earbuds or hearing aids to broadcasts via Bluetooth. Android phones that support AuracastIn a press release, Google highlighted the importance of Auracast to help those who are hard of hearing better interact with the world around them, using Auracast to tune into classroom lectures, public broadcasts, or concerts. People who wear GN Hearing, Starkey, or Jabra hearing aids can access this feature, provided they have a compatible smartphone. Currently, Samsung Galaxy smartphones running UI 7 or Android 15, and Google Pixel 9 smartphones running the Android 16 beta, are Auracast-compatible. In addition to Android support for Auracast, Google included that hearing aid presets can be applied to Auracast streams, allowing users to customize their audio settings. Real-world use casesAlthough Auracast has significant assistive capabilities for those with hearing impairments, this technology has real-world use cases for everyone. Imagine you’re in a sports bar and want to tune into a muted TV playing the primetime game. Connect your Auracast-compatible smartphone and earbuds or hearing aids, then use your phone to find the TV broadcast in your Bluetooth settings. The long-term goal is eliminating the need to access your settings to tap into an Auracast broadcast. To achieve this goal, the Google Pixel 9 family will be the first smartphones to support scanning QR codes to connect to Auracast audio streams. Also: I tried smart glasses with built-in hearing aids – and they worked surprisingly wellPlenty more Auracast-compatible earbuds and Bluetooth speakers are on the market, including the Sony WF-1000XM5, Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, JBL Charge 6, and Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. More

Adam Breeden/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Formovie Cinema Edge 4K UST projector More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways PNY 1TB CS3150 M.2 storage drive, available for around $170. Overall, it’s a fast M.2 drive with active cooling to keep running temperatures below the maximum rated temperature. The heatsink makes the drive rather bulky, and you will need a 4-pin fan header on the motherboard to power the fans. –> […] More