The M1 version of Apple’s ultra-light MacBook Air. Apple As part of its new partnership with Apple, Walmart is now selling MacBook laptops directly in their stores, and to mark the occasion, offering an incredible sale on the new-in-box M1 MacBook Air<!–> for $649, just in time for back to school. This is the 2020 […] More
Adam Breeden/ZDNETOn Monday, Apple kicked off its third developer beta of iOS 18, bringing several new tricks and a host of bug fixes. Designed for iPhone users who register as developers, the latest update adds greater carrier support for RCS messaging, changes to the Photos app, tweaks to the emoji keyboard, and new visuals for the flashlight.First on the list continues to be RCS messaging, a long-awaited feature that Apple started rolling out with iOS 18 Beta 2. Thanks to RCS (Rich Communications Service) support, iPhone users can send their Android friends messages with read receipts, high-res photos and videos, audio clips, cool emojis, and more.iOS 18 Beta 2 limited carrier support for RCS to Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile in the US, but Beta 3 expands support to more providers. This includes carriers such as Videotron, Telus Mobility, and Bell in Canada, as well as Telefonica in Spain, SFR in France, and O2 in Germany, according to 9to5Mac.Also: The best iOS 18 features that will make updating your iPhone worthwhileNext on the list is the Photos app. During the iOS 18 beta period so far, the new version of the app has triggered concerns from some beta testers, who’ve given a thumbs down to the new interface. Changes in Beta 3, however, show that Apple isn’t done tweaking the app.With the latest update, the handy Select button is visible all the time, allowing you to easily run commands on multiple photos. You can also now pinch to zoom in and out of your photo views. Like other beta testers, I’ve been concerned about the new look and layout for the Photos app, so I hope Apple continues to fine-tune it.The emoji keyboard is another feature that Apple has improved in Beta 3. When choosing this keyboard from the Messages app, the emoji icons are a tad larger. For me, this is a welcome change, as I sometimes have trouble seeing the finer details on an emoji I want to use in a text. More
Samsung’s Freestyle 2 combines a projector and a gaming hub all-in-one, and the Freestyle 2 builds on its predecessor with greater functionality, a better remote, and some literally game-changing features. In fact, what’s distinctly unique about the Samsung Freestyle 2 Gaming Hub is that you don’t need a physical console to play a game, but just the Freestyle 2, internet access, and game controller.Review: Samsung Freestyle 2When ZDNET’s Allison Murray and her husband tested the Freestyle 2 in their home, they were impressed with the portable projector’s power-packed value, and the ability to play video games from the ceiling — or any room in the house with an open wall. “My husband was able to play Rocket League with a free membership to GeForce Now, and other free games like Fortnite were also available. The overall gaming experience will depend on your Wi-Fi connection, but the graphics were crystal clear, and the Freestyle 2 loaded the games fast with virtually no glitches,” Murray wrote. And the Freestyle 2’s projecting capabilities weren’t lackluster, either. “The Samsung Freestyle 2 impressed me with both image quality, the ability to autofocus — whether it was projecting onto a slanted ceiling or a projector screen — and the overall experience of setup and streaming,” Murray wrote in her review. Users on Reddit and Best Buy liked the small design and easy set up of the Freestyle 2, as well as its gaming capabilities, while others didn’t think it was bright enough or see a reason for such a portable projector. Samsung Freestyle 2 tech specs: Throw ratio: 1.2 | Brightness: 230 ANSI lumens | Resolution: 1080p | Screen size: 30 to 100 inches More
Kerry Wan/ZDNETSamsung Unpacked is one day away, and while we won’t officially learn about the company’s latest devices until then, plenty of information is already out there. Among the more notable leaks is a Dealabs report detailing the full specifications for the new Galaxy Watch 7 series. Also: What to expect from Samsung Unpacked Summer 2024: Galaxy Z Fold 6, Watch Ultra, Smart Ring, moreThe Galaxy Watch 7 will allegedly be available in two sizes, 40mm and 44mm, and three dial colorways: green, cream, and silver. The watch will purportedly have an aluminum armor casing, sapphire glass on the front, and a 3D glass dial on the back. The Watch 7 specs also show support for Bluetooth connectivity, but there should be a 4G version if you want data without using your phone’s connection.The Galaxy Watch Ultra, the company’s first premium-tier smartwatch, will allegedly be available in one size, 47mm, and three dial colors: titanium gray, titanium silver, and titanium white. It will purportedly support both 4G and Bluetooth connectivity and have the same sapphire and 3D glass as the base version, but come with titanium casing. More
Oura/Nina Raemont/ZDNETThe smart ring space is about to heat up with the likely debut of Samsung’s first-ever smart ring, the Galaxy Ring, which could be unveiled on Wednesday at the company’s latest Unpacked event. Before that happens, industry mainstay Oura continues to make a case for itself as the smart ring brand to beat.Also: What to expect from Samsung Unpacked July 2024: Galaxy Z Fold 6, Watch Ultra, Smart Ring, moreTake the most recent feature Oura unveiled, for example. It’s an AI health advisor released through Oura Labs, the brand’s in-app platform that allows Oura members to test experimental features.Think of the AI health advisor as a personal trainer of sorts. The advisor gives personalized insights, recommendations, and encouragement to get members on track to achieve their health goals. This encouragement includes customizable coaching intensity and focus areas, and a forum to chat with your coach, ask questions, share progress, and get recommendations based on your daily health data. More
Max Buondonno/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Motorola Razr (2024) More
Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNETMicrosoft’s Copilot Pro More
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNETThe Linux desktop was an exciting place in the early 2000s. Various window managers and desktop environments were inundated with special effects. These effects made Windows and Mac desktops look old and tired next to LinuxI had Linux desktops that amazed my family and friends, so much that some of them decided to switch to the open-source operating system.Also: How to install Linux on an old laptop to give it new life and purposeHowever, most Linux desktops have migrated from a fun to a serious approach during the past decade. But that switch doesn’t mean you can’t reclaim the past glories of Linux. And I’ll show you how to add a bit of panache to your desktop.Here are my top ways to add eye candy to the GNOME desktop. More
