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    I tested an ink pen that records your handwriting and makes a digital copy. Spoiler: It works

    Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETSome of the most interesting products we saw this year and last take an analog product and digitize it: the ReMarkable Paper Pro, which is as close to a perfect copy of pen and paper as I’ve seen, or Amazon’s new Kindle Scribe, which aims to duplicate the simple process of reading a book and scribbling notes in the margins.Also: CES 2025: The most impressive products you don’t want to missBut taking this to the next level is the Nuwa Pen, an actual ink pen equipped with three tiny cameras that capture what you write (on actual paper) and save it in a digital library in the accompanying app. You can then search your scribbles by content: names, numbers, and keywords, as well as interact with the app’s built-in large language model to ask questions about what you’ve written. This last part interested me the most, as it’s necessary to make this product truly useful.  More

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    This new mechanical keyboard for writers could be your productivity secret weapon

    Astrohaus Mechanical keyboards are largely associated with gaming, but a new one from Astrohaus has another demographic in mind. The Astrohaus company, which has refused to let the typewriter die, has gained a reputation in the world of writing for its distraction-free devices — small keyboards with displays that let you write without apps, notifications, or […] More

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    The best smart air purifiers of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

    An important consideration for air purifiers is filter replacement. Some models require regular replacements of expensive filters, which could end up costing you hundreds of dollars per year. Before you purchase a model, look into what type of replacement filters you’ll need, how much they cost, and if you can afford to replace them as required. Otherwise, choosing not to replace filters as recommended could reduce the air purifier’s efficiency. After all, they are capturing and trapping harmful particles, such as mold spores and bacteria. Some air purifiers feature washable filters, which make maintenance easier. However, the most effective air purifiers include HEPA filtration and carbon filters, which need to be replaced. You can find the manufacturer’s requirements in the manual.Some modern purifiers have an indicator light that warns you when it’s time to replace the filters. As a rule of thumb, plan on replacing carbon air filters every three months, and other filters every six months.  More

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    I tried Hypershell’s X-series exoskeleton at CES, and it was a fascinating experience

    Hypershell PRO X exoskeleton Ant Pruitt / ZDNETI’m a content creator first, but I do enjoy the world of consumer technology. Especially when I see tech that moves from the B2B world down to B2C for everyone to enjoy, such as the 2025 CES Innovation winner Hypershell X-series exoskeleton. What a fascinating piece of tech.Also: CES 2025: The 22 most impressive products you don’t want to missLike many in the media, prior to CES, I was flooded with thousands of emails from various vendors asking me to check out their products. I recall seeing an email from Hypershell and laughing briefly. “Exoskeleton? C’mon, man,” I thought. I visualized the contraptions we’ve seen over the last few decades that, although they help many people become more mobile, still make them look like a sidekick to Marvel’s Iron Man. Upon opening the email, I saw that this wasn’t the case. Not only was the exoskeleton streamlined, but it also had great tech specs and pricing, making it available for more people. More

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    The best web hosting services of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

    If you need to build a website, there are dozens of web hosting providers you can turn to, but working out what service is right for you can be challenging. At the most basic level, you’ll need a domain name that pairs with a reliable host. Your web host must be able to securely store your content, manage your data, and provide a backend file management system or FTP access. Preferably, there will be inbuilt security update functions.Also: The best VPNsMany web providers offer far more than just hosting. You can also opt for a content management system (CMS), SEO assistance, website templates, AI assistants for chat or even website building, security add-ons, and much more. These features often make web hosts stand out from their competition, and even if you don’t need it now, it also helps if their services are scalable.Below, you will find our top recommendations for web hosting services, ranging from providers that give you a quick and easy way to build your website all the way up to companies that provide full data center infrastructure capabilities as a service.What is the best web hosting service right now?ZDNET has conducted extensive research and hands-on testing with many of the top web hosting services. Our pick for the best web hosting service overall is Hostinger More

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    Using a VPN is no longer enough. Protect your entire network with WireGuard – here’s how

    Alexander Sikov/Getty Images Virtual private networks are no longer just for tech enthusiasts and privacy buffs — they’ve become an essential tool for navigating a more restricted internet. VPNs offer a lifeline to digital freedom and security, from bypassing censorship to securing data from prying eyes.   In the US, legislation in several states has […] More

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    These ear-cleaning headphones I saw at CES 2025 sound weird – but make so much sense

    Jada Jones/ZDNETWhile walking through the evening shows at CES 2025, I was on the hunt for the latest audio products. So when I walked by the Bebird booth, I thought I spotted a new pair of over-ear headphones. To my surprise, they were actually advanced ear cleaners. They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but this takes it to another level.The Bebird EarSight Flow ear cleaner uses small pods of water placed in one ear cup to supply water to a small spout in the other cup that gently shoots water into your ears to clean them. The spout includes a camera, and users can download the companion app to watch the EarSight Flow clean their ears in real time.Also: CES 2025: The 22 most impressive products you don’t want to missAccording to Bebird, the camera is a specialized optical lens with an adjustable ball axis to adjust the viewing angle in their ears during the cleaning. Additionally, there are over one million pixels to contribute to the high-resolution picture.After the water is streamed into the ear to clean it, the same spout employs a drying cycle to decrease the remaining moisture inside the ear. The device also includes an intelligent warming system that automatically adjusts the temperature of the liquid to ensure it’s not too hot or cold for the sensitive parts of the ear. More