<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The JBL Tour Pro 3 earbuds offer clear and strong sound, powerful noise cancellation, and a battery life that will last you your entire work week. The earbuds come with many improvements, like a Smart-Charging Case compatibility that plugs into in-flight entertainment or laptops for instant Bluetooth connectivity, as well as […] More
Jack Wallen/ZDNETRecently, I set up a new Android phone to review. The process went exactly as expected, and I ended up with a phone configured with the unlock PIN I typically use for review phones. After an update, the phone required the PIN for unlocking, but no matter how many times I typed the PIN, it would not unlock. Something had gone wrong, and I needed to access the phone for the review. Fortunately, I had encountered this situation before and knew exactly what to do. My only option was to perform a factory reset, which meant I would need to set the phone up again. This wasn’t too problematic, as I hadn’t had much time to use the device yet. Had the phone been in use for months, however, it could have been a bigger issue.Also: Wiping your Android phone? Here’s the easiest way to erase all personal dataFactory resetting an Android device is not all that hard. This is especially true if you use a password manager for all your accounts, which means you do not have to worry about remembering all of those login credentials, as the app can auto-fill usernames and passwords (and do so much more securely than if you were using the built-in password manager to save passwords). The process worked, and I set up the phone and reviewed it. So, how did I perform this reset, and what can you do to avoid going through the same process? The answer is, “not much.” Android used to offer a feature where you could enter the wrong PIN or password multiple times, prompting a recovery email to the associated account. Unfortunately, Google has removed this option.Also: How to clear your Android phone’s cache and make it feel like new for 2025Now, if you forget your PIN, pattern, or password, your only option is a factory reset. If you can’t unlock your phone to access the reset options in Settings, don’t panic. I’ll show you what to do. How to factory reset your phone without unlocking it If biometrics aren’t working because you had to reboot the phone after an update or issue, and your PIN, pattern, or password isn’t working, here’s what to do. Keep in mind, this technique may vary by phone, but the process should be similar across manufacturers. More
Noam Galai/Getty Images In a recent episode of my weekly podcast DisrupTV, Constellation Research’s R “Ray” Wang and I had the privilege of hosting two remarkable visionaries who have shaped our digital landscape: Dr. Vinton G. Cerf, vice president and chief internet evangelist at Google, and Dr. David Bray, distinguished chair of the accelerator at the Henry […] More
Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNETMicrosoft wants you to upgrade to Windows 11, but the company doesn’t make it easy. The latest version of Windows imposes strict hardware and security requirements, ruling out older PCs that don’t make the grade and forcing you to buy a new system. Plus, the software giant makes it almost impossible to use a local account with a new Windows 11 installation.But with Windows 10 losing support this coming October, you’ll need to upgrade to Windows 11 if you want to retain Microsoft’s help and get the latest security patches, bug fixes, and other updates. So, what can you do if you want to move to Windows 11 but are facing Microsoft’s restrictions?Also: How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11To update my older PCs, I use Rufus, a handy and free Windows installation tool. Designed to run or install Windows from a USB drive, Rufus will help you sneak past Microsoft’s most stringent requirements. You can tell Rufus to sidestep the hardware constraints, bypass the need for a Microsoft account, and adopt a name for the local account you want to use.You’re able to skirt past the hardware restrictions whether you’re upgrading your existing Windows 10 PC or installing Windows 11 on a clean computer. The account type you use depends on whether you’re upgrading or installing Windows 11 from scratch. An upgrade to Windows 11 will preserve whatever type of account you set up in Windows 10 — local or Microsoft. With a fresh install, however, Rufus will let you choose a local account, which Microsoft doesn’t easily allow. More
DragonImages/Getty Images When I grew up, we didn’t have smart devices. TVs, bulbs, and even telephones were simple analog devices. If you’d told my grandmother that she had to update her TV or lightbulb, she’d have thought you were asking to buy a new, replacement device — not download a software update. But today, almost […] More
Meta / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETIf you’re concerned about keeping your kids safe on social media but still want to keep them connected, Meta is introducing a new type of Facebook and Messenger account just for teens under 16.Available soonThese special teen accounts, which are not available yet but will be “soon,” will have built-in protections that restrict who can contact them and what kind of content they can see, plus safeguards to make sure time is well spent. Teens are automatically enrolled at sign-up, and they need a parent’s consent to change any settings. Also: How to delete Facebook, Messenger, or Instagram – if you want Meta out of your lifeAt present, Meta requires people to be 13 years old to sign up for a Facebook or Instagram account. Meta’s announcement did not dive into specifics, but a company representative speaking to TechCrunch revealed some details. More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Belkin Connect Universal Pro Dock retails for $150, but right now it’s on sale for $130. This midrange docking station is an excellent accessory, adding 11 additional ports while serving as a supportive base. The device sports a power cable that cannot be removed and may get in the way. […] More
Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETTechnology permeates nearly every dimension of our lives. Yet, much of that tech, whether the finished product or the component parts, is made overseas and shipped to the US. This is especially true for the chips and processors powering all our devices and AI advancements. As a result, the Trump administration’s latest round of tariffs against international trade partners promises to impact the prices of your tech. Also: If you’re planning to upgrade your phone, you might want to buy one now – here’s whyIf you’re in the market for some tech products, you’re likely concerned about when the right time to buy is, when prices will increase, and how much they will increase. ZDNET scoured reporting from across the web that should help provide some clarity on your next steps. The tariff impact Because tariffs will impose higher prices on goods imported into the US, companies importing parts or devices from overseas will pay higher prices. How that trickles down to the consumer is a matter of how the company chooses to handle the additional costs. Higher costs for goods typically leave companies with several options: absorbing the cost themselves, raising the prices of the items to offset the increased costs, or some combination of both approaches. More
