Information Technology

Jason Hiner/ZDNETYour iPhone, Apple Watch, and other Apple-owned devices are getting a big overhaul very soon. The best part? You won’t have to pay a dime for them — all you have to do is update your software. Several new features are coming to WatchOS 26, and the seed 4 beta software is now available for developers, with a public beta rollout likely coming soon. Reddit users in the r/Apple Watch subreddit are already getting into the latest update and providing commentary on their most and least favorite features. The features touch everything from Fitness to Messages, and include a major design update across Apple’s platforms for a more unified look and naming mechanisms that reflect the year the software debuts. Also: The best Apple Watch of 2025: Expert tested and reviewedIn addition to WatchOS updates, Apple also introduced AI feature developments, like Live Translation and on-screen Visual Intelligence, like Hold Assist for phone calls and Polls for Messages, and more. For those interested in trying out the beta software, WatchOS 26 is supported on the latest Apple Watches. Owners of these devices can download the OS, though it may have some bugs.Here are the features we’re most excited to try out on WatchOS 26 once the public beta goes live.  More

David Merron Photography / Getty Images DNS stands for Domain Name System, and is like the phonebook for the internet. It translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses, so browsers know how to render a specific website. Without DNS, you’d have to remember and type IP addresses instead of URLs, and that’s not exactly practical. […] More

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETMicrosoft just announced another version of its Surface Laptop: this time, with 5G connectivity. The Surface Laptop 5G is a 13.8-inch laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) chips and an integrated 5G modem designed for business users to stay permanently connected. It comes with both NanoSIM and eSIM options, and Microsoft says it’s compatible with over 100 mobile operators worldwide. Also: This split keyboard offers deep customization – if you’re willing to go all inThe strength of this kind of laptop lies in its ability to connect via both 5G and Wi-Fi, transitioning between the two in the background as the user moves between different environments with always-on access to the cloud in the process. Perhaps even more handy, this also allows it to act as a hotspot for other devices, sharing connectivity while in the field, on a train, or that coffee shop with unreliable Wi-Fi.  More

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETWindows 11 users will find a host of new features awaiting them with a major update now being rolled out by Microsoft. Launched on Tuesday specifically for Windows 11 24H2, the optional update known as KB5062660 carries with it a cavalcade of AI-powered skills along with general enhancements and bug fixes galore.In a Tuesday blog post, Microsoft touted all the new AI tools and tricks in the update. For better or worse, most of these are geared toward Copilot+ PCs, so if you have a standard Windows 11 computer, you won’t be able to try them all. But let’s see what we’ve got.Also: How to upgrade an ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 – 2 free optionsFirst up is a new AI agent that can help you view and change settings in Windows. Now available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs in English and coming later to Intel and AMD Copilot+ devices, the agent will report for duty when you describe what you want to do via the Settings search box.In response, the agent will not only explain how to accomplish your task but will volunteer to take care of it for you. The overarching goal is to help you better deal with the sheer number and complexity of all the settings baked into Windows. More

TCL Nxtpaper 11 Plus <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The TCL Nxtpaper 11 Plus is available for $249. This tablet can switch from full color to an E Ink-like display with the press of a button, it has 256GB of storage, and an eye-catching matte display with 120Hz refresh rate. The Nxtpaper 11 Plus can get […] More

Jakemy Smart 3 Kit <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways This high-quality screwdriver kit has everything for both the budding enthusiast and professional repairer. This 180-piece kit has 160 quality screwdriver bits and a range of other useful tools, such as plastic prybars, a suction cup, and tweezers. There’s no LED light on the front of the […] More

EarFun Clip Open Ear Earbuds <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The EarFun Clip earbuds are on sale now on Amazon for $53 (normally $90). With just the right tweaking in the app, you can elevate the sound of these earbuds well above average. The app is required for these earbuds to sound their best. –> The […] More

Back in mid-June, Anker, along with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), issued a recall for the Anker A1263 PowerCore 10000 power bank because Anker had received 19 reports of fires and explosions. These reports included two for minor injuries, and 11 for property damage totaling over $60,700.This was a popular power bank, with over a million units sold between June 1, 2016, and December 31, 2022, through retailers such as Amazon, Newegg, and eBay, as well as on Anker’s own website.Then, at the end of June, Anker recalled a further five power banks — Anker Power Bank models A1257 and A1647, the Anker MagGo Power Bank model A1652, and the Anker Zolo Power Bank models A1681 and A1689 — because of faulty batteries. According to Anker, “the likelihood of malfunction is considered minimal,” but the recall was issued “out of an abundance of caution” because of a “risk of overheating, melting, smoke, or fire.”Also: Best MagSafe battery packs 2025: I tested the best options to boost your phone’s batteryIf you’ve bought an Anker power bank in the past nine years, it’s probably a good idea to check it. Details of the first recall can be found here, and the other five power banks here. If you have an affected unit, Anker says to stop using the power bank, get confirmation that it is affected, get your replacement or gift card sorted, and then get rid of the power bank — but, because of the risk of the power bank overheating or bursting into flames, not in the recycling or general trash. You need to contact your local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection center or consult this EPA web page to find out how to dispose of it.Airlines seem to be worried. Chinese aviation regulator has banned passengers from carrying the recalled power banks and those without Chinese “3C” certification marking (short for China Compulsory Certification), after power banks were blamed for a fire that broke out on an Air Busan plane in January and a Hong Kong Airlines flight that was forced to make an emergency landing in March.Airlines are also banning the use of power banks during flights. More