<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Arctis Gamebuds are available now on Amazon for $159. Once you get the EQ just right, these earbuds are a great option for gamers that switch between their phone and a console. It would be nice if it had a custom EQ option on the mobile app and didn’t require […] More
Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysDell’s XPS 13 Copilot+ PC More
MirageC/Getty Images Chinese startup DeepSeek AI and its open-source language models took over the news cycle this week. Besides being comparable to models like Anthropic’s Claude and OpenAI’s o1, the models have raised several concerns about data privacy, security, and Chinese-government-enforced censorship within their training. AI search platform Perplexity and AI assistant You.com have found […] More
Perhaps the most well-known tablet for reading is Amazon’s Kindle devices, and the new Kindle Paperwhite released this fall is our favorite. It has all the familiar features of a Kindle (300 ppi e-ink screen, long battery life, and adjustable warm light), along with noticeably faster performance — Amazon said it features 25% faster page turns and 20% of an overall faster experience, whether you’re browsing book titles or downloading an audiobook. But aside from speed, the Paperwhite gets up to 12 weeks of battery life (compared to 10 weeks from the previous Paperwhite generation. Staff writer Maria Diaz tested the Kindle for two weeks and never had to charge it. “After two weeks of daily reading on a single charge, some days for up to three hours a day, my Kindle Paperwhite’s battery is still at 32%,” she wrote in her review. Review: One of the best E Ink readers I’ve tested isn’t made by Boox or KoboThe new Paperwhite also has a larger, 7-inch display (the previous generation was 6.8 inches), and it’s thinner as well, making it even more comfortable to hold while reading for hours. It’s also waterproof (how many tablets can say that?), so you can read by the pool or in the bath without worrying about stray splashes.There is still a Signature Edition to the Paperwhite as before, and for $40 more, you get wireless charging, 32GB of storage instead of 16GB, and an auto-adjusting front light sensor. Of course, this is definitely more of an e-reader than a tablet, and you can’t really browse the web and there is no stylus compatible with it. Still, if your primary use of a tablet will be for reading, the Paperwhite is a great option. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite tech specs: Display: 7-inch 300 ppi e-ink screen | Storage: 16 GB | Colors: Black, raspberry, jade | Weight: 7.4 ounces | Dimensions: 7 x 5 x .30 inches | Connections: USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Battery life: Up to 12 weeks More
The 2nd-gen Pebble smartwatch. Jason Cipriani/ZDNETIn 2012, a few of us at ZDNET backed the Pebble Kickstarter project, which became one of the most successfully funded projects at the time, with nearly 70,000 backers pledging more than $10 million. The monochrome e-paper smartwatch started shipping in 2013, a couple of years before Apple launched its Watch.Also: The best smartwatches you can buy: Expert testedThe Pebble smartwatch stood out with its low $115 price, ability to work with iOS and Android, and an open ecosystem, with enthusiasts continuing to develop and release apps for those of us who still have a few Pebble watches in working condition. In 2016, Fitbit purchased Pebble’s software assets and rolled many of the great features from Pebble into the Fitbit OS, while staff from Pebble helped develop the Fitbit Ionic smartwatch.TechCrunch reported that Pebble founder and CEO Eric Migicovsky plans to bring back Pebble. After Fitbit acquired Pebble, Fitbit itself was purchased by Google. Eric stated that Google plans to open-source the Pebble software stack, and he is ready to bring back Pebble. The article stated that Mr. Migicovsky still wears a Pebble smartwatch. More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Torras PolarCircle has an active cooler that’s more effective than a standard fan. The best part is that it’s almost silent when operating. Naturally, the accessory consumes more power than most. –> I’ve become a fan of wireless charging because it’s quick, easy, and far more convenient to place my […] More
gremlin/Getty Images Businesses are seeing greater adoption of agentic AI, enhancing their ability to deliver greater value at the speed of need by leveraging digital labor across all lines of business. According to the 2025 Connectivity Benchmark Report by MuleSoft and Deloitte Digital, 93% of IT leaders report intentions to introduce autonomous AI agents within the next two years, […] More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The SwitchBot Air Purifier table is available for $258. This large-capacity air purifier has a washable prefilter, a color-changing night light, a wireless charger, and acts a table. While the air purifier works as intended, the table is small, and the smart capabilities are incompatible with Apple Home. –> I’ve tested […] More
