Eliana Willis

Stack Social/ZDNETProject management is key for companies, no matter the size, but can be a challenge. Software solutions can help maximize precision and efficiency. Two popular options are Microsoft Project Professional 2024 and Microsoft Visio Professional 2024 for Windows — both of which are currently on major discount through StackSocial. Both platforms are on sale for $80, down from their usual prices of $1,130 for Project Professional and $580 for Visio Professional.Microsoft Project Professional is a user-friendly option for managing projects from start to finish, and includes pre-built templates, timesheet submissions, and visual representations of complex schedules and timelines. It syncs with Project Online and Project Service, and supports Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) and is compatible with Office LTSC and Office 2024. Microsoft Visio Professional is a diagramming software that helps visually represent complex data, processes, and workflows across different industries, including IT, engineering, business, and architecture. It offers a number of different diagram types (including flowcharts, process maps, floor plans, network diagrams, and organizational charts), templates, and real-time collaboration. A caveat: While StackSocial is an authorized Microsoft partner and offers “lifetime” access to Microsoft Project Professional and Visio Professional, it is possible that Microsoft could end the license. But the site has been running these Microsoft deals for years, and I can personally vouch for them — I purchased an Office license from StackSocial about two years ago, and it’s still working on my personal MacBook today. Save big when you buy either Microsoft Project Professional 2024 or Microsoft Visio Professional 2024 for Windows right now.  More

Both ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers can access Sora with varying limitations. With the ChatGPT Plus subscription, which costs $20 per month, users can generate up to 50 videos per month at 480p resolution or fewer videos at 720p. Also: How Apple, Google, and Microsoft can save us from AI deepfakesWith the recently unveiled Pro Plan, which costs $200 per month, users get “10x more usage, higher resolutions, and longer durations,” OpenAI said. Other paid subscribers, such as ChatGPT Enterprise, Team, and Edu users, do not have Sora access included in their plans. OpenAI shares that it is working on a tailored pricing model for different types of users, which will be available next year. The company also plans to expand access, which is available everywhere ChatGPT, with the exception of the UK, Switzerland, and the European Economic Area, in the coming months. OpenAI also shared a video on how to get started with the new model. When you go to sign in or create an account on the Sora website, the signup button may be unavailable because of the high traffic. However, Sam Altman said the signups will be disabled on and off for a while, which means you may get in if you try at multiple points throughout the day.  More

D3Damon/Getty Images If you do a lot of video and photo editing on location, you know what a hassle it is to move media files between your laptop and your desktop PC or Mac.  So, what’s the best way to transfer those files from one device to another? As with just about every tech-related question […] More

Score a Microsoft Office license now at a big discount. StackSocial Whether you’re setting up your new laptop or using a machine you’ve had for years, access to Microsoft Office is a necessity for many of us to get things done. Right now, you can buy a lifetime license to the 2019 version of Microsoft Office Professional […] More

My keychain essentials. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETI own countless multitools and other gizmos, but I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve needed something and it’s been left at home or in the car because it’s just not possible to have a toolbox dangling off my belt.Yet what I do have with me most of the time is my keychain — and, as it turns out, it’s the perfect way to EDC (Everyday Carry) useful bits and bobs. And with the holiday season finally here, several of these helpful tools are on sale!Also: I use this tablet more than my iPad Pro, and it costs a fraction of the priceMy keychain is the one bit of kit I get asked the most questions about. People are often surprised at the things I carry around. I guess most people just carry their keys on their keychains. Weird.Here’s a tour of what I carry on mine. Don’t feel like you need everything on this list. Remember, the beauty of this approach is that you can customize your EDC to suit your needs.1. KeySmart Air More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETWith all the hardware changes and camera upgrades that come with every phone launch, it’s easy to look past the more subtle but very important aspect of software update policies. To put it simply, that’s the company’s commitment to keeping its phones up to date, including annual operating system upgrades (in line with Android or iOS), security patches, and other feature drops.Also: Phone has bad battery life? I changed these 12 settings on my Android for better enduranceBecause the phone’s hardware can only hold up for so long, software updates are critical to keeping the device running smoothly and safely for an extended period of time. That’s why the latest news from Google, which comes via a change to the Pixel support page, is such a big deal. As discovered by Mishaal Rahman, Google has officially extended its software update policy for older Pixel phones, including the Pixel 6 series, Pixel 7 series, and Pixel Fold, for an additional two years. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Pininfarina Sintesi hybrid watch retails for $329, though it’s often on sale for the holidays. The watch incorporates high-quality materials, has an elegant look and feel, a sports battery life of more than a week, and has a capable smartphone app. I just wish there were more than one size, […] More

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETWhat’s the deal?Amazon is currently selling the Doogee S200 for $90 off More