<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Latercase’s “impossibly thin” iPhone case retails for $59, comes in five colors, and seamlessly and stylishly covers your phone. The Latercase has built-in camera protection, a thin design, and is wireless charging compatible. Consider an alternative case if you need a more protective option or prefer one that fully encapsulates your […] More
Nina Raemont/ZDNETIn a year brimming with technological advancements, from Apple’s first-ever mixed reality headset to the modern-day space race that is artificial intelligence, one particular niche of products saw its mainstream aspirations realized: smart rings.According to IDC, global ring sales were estimated at 880,000 units in 2023. This year, the market research firm is forecasting a rise to 1.7 million units, with an even larger spike of 3.2 million units in 2025. As consumers continue to find ways to dial into their health and well-being, the burdenless form factors of smart rings are slowly but surely chipping away market share from fitness trackers, bands, and smartwatches. The uptick in new smart rings at CES 2024 was our first indication.Also: We’ve entered the era of the smart ring. Here’s why it will shake up the wearables marketWhile the smart ring category was validated by the arrival of its first major tech vendor with Samsung’s Galaxy Ring — as well as by exciting new entrants such as Ultrahuman, and the Movano Evie — the Oura Ring 4 More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The LG XBoom 360 XO2 is a great Bluetooth speaker for professional chillers, loungers, and relaxers, and it’s available for $197. Highlights include a focus on calming mood lighting and an elegant design. A below-average battery life and lack of advanced features may make this speaker too simple for some. more […] More
Amazon The holiday season is quickly approaching and the sweet deals will be wide-ranging and abundant. Also: I test wearable tech for a living. These are my favorite products of 2024 Amazon released a new shopping tool that uses generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) to help customers research products and provide recommendations when they’re browsing […] More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Roku Ultra is a streaming device available for $100. The Roku Ultra is the perfect streaming device for anyone who doesn’t want to commit to team iOS with an Apple TV 4K or team Android with a Google TV Streamer. There are a few drawbacks to getting a Roku Ultra, […] More
Nina Raemont/ZDNETIn a year brimming with technological advancements, from Apple’s first-ever mixed reality headset to the modern-day space race that is artificial intelligence, one particular niche of products saw its mainstream aspirations realized: smart rings.According to IDC, global ring sales were estimated at 880,000 units in 2023. This year, the market research firm is forecasting a rise to 1.7 million units, with an even larger spike of 3.2 million units in 2025. As consumers continue to find ways to dial into their health and well-being, the burdenless form factors of smart rings are slowly but surely chipping away market share from fitness trackers, bands, and smartwatches. The uptick in new smart rings at CES 2024 was our first indication.Also: We’ve entered the era of the smart ring. Here’s why it will shake up the wearables marketWhile the smart ring category was validated by the arrival of its first major tech vendor with Samsung’s Galaxy Ring — as well as by exciting new entrants such as Ultrahuman, and the Movano Evie — the Oura Ring 4 More
Home Assistant/ZDNETHome Assistant, a smart home automation system, is getting one of the biggest upgrades in years. The platform is getting voice control for the first time with the launch of the Home Assistant Voice Preview Edition More
ZDNETI’m going to preface this piece by saying the choice of widgets is personal, and what might be useful to me might not be useful to you. Even so, there’s a widget for everyone, and depending on the apps you have installed on your Android device, you’ll more than likely find one or two in this article that help make your day a bit more efficient.So, what are widgets? Simply put, they are additions to your Android home screen that allow quick access to information from apps, the apps themselves, or services you depend on. With the right collection of widgets, you could create an at-a-glance home screen that keeps you up to date without opening a single app.Also: 5 hidden Android features that can simplify your lifeI’ve searched through the widgets for phones and tablets, and I’m sharing those that I think will make your devices more useful.Before we get to the list, let’s explore how to get started with widgets. More
