Information Technology

ZDNETWith the adoption of remote and hybrid working, having a reliable internet connection at home is imperative — not just for one device, but for several. If you have a family, maybe even dozens. So what’s better, one single access point, or a mesh network spread about the home?The answer depends on how your home and office is set up, and what kind of connection you need. Wi-Fi routers are so good these days, that a single access point is often the most straightforward solution. But if you have a larger home or your office is located far away from your router, a mesh network could be a game-changer, boosting the signal no matter where you are.  Also: The best VPN routers of 2025If you’re not sure of the difference, that’s ok, too. Let’s take a look at both types of connection and break down the pros and cons for both to figure out which one is best for you. What is a traditional Wi-Fi router?A traditional router acts as a central hub for internet connectivity. The router acquires the connection from your internet service provider (ISP), and then allows other devices around the home to connect to it, either via Wi-Fi, or by simply plugging in an Ethernet cable. Typically, routers are password-protected so only your household can connect to it.  You should buy a traditional Wi-Fi router if… More

TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways TCL’s 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G is on sale on Amazon for $222. It has a unique display, and a feature set that promotes minimalism and digital well-being. I just wish the camera system and general performance were better. –> Being glued to your smartphone’s screen all […] More

Sony Get this: The beloved Sony WH-1000XM4<!–> with a 30-hour battery life and stellar sound is on sale for $198 right now at Amazon. If you’re in the market for a comfortable-fitting headset and some silence, you can’t go wrong with a pair of Sony’s noise-canceling headphones. This deal extends to all three color options: […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETAs a full-time smartphone reviewer, I spend most of my year testing Android phones.By habit, I’ve picked up several shortcuts, tips, and tricks for setting up handsets, tweaking them so that they perform as best as possible when the verdicts are due.Also: How to clear your Android phone cache (and why it’s the easiest way to speed it up)One tip I always give to family members, friends, and passersby when asked, “How can I make my phone faster?” is straightforward yet typically hidden: Adjusting the animation speed.The method of doing so is quick, simple, and absolutely free. As a bonus, you’ll feel like the “guy behind the computer” in action movies. Here are the steps. More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysResearchers demonstrated a way to hack Google Home devices via Gemini.Google put additional safeguards in place for Gemini in response.Keeping your devices up-to-date on security patches is the best protection.The idea that artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to maliciously control your home and life is one of the main reasons why many are reluctant to adopt the new technology — it’s downright scary. Almost as scary as having your smart devices hacked. What if I told you some researchers just accomplished that?Also: Why AI-powered security tools are your secret weapon against tomorrow’s attacksCybersecurity researchers from multiple institutions demonstrated a major vulnerability in Google’s popular AI model, Gemini. They launched a controlled, indirect prompt injection attack — aka promptware — to trick Gemini into controlling smart home devices, like turning on a boiler and opening shutters. This is a demonstration of an AI system causing real-world, physical actions through a digital hijack.How the attack workedA group of researchers from Tel Aviv University, Technion, and SafeBreach created a project called “Invitation is all you need.” They embedded malicious instructions into Google Calendar invites, and when users asked Gemini to “summarize my calendar,” the AI assistant triggered pre-programmed actions, including controlling smart home devices without the users’ asking.  More

MF3d/Getty Images ZDNET’s key takeaways Dashlane is discontinuing its free plan, effective Sept. 16. Current Dashlane Free subscribers get 50% off a one-year paid plan. Subscribers who don’t want to pay have one year to export their data. Dashlane, one of the world’s most popular password management solutions, is about to get a lot more […] More

Asus ProArt P16 <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Asus’ ProArt P16 is on sale for $2,500 at Best Buy. This year’s model keeps much of what made the previous generation so good, with key hardware improvements. It also means it has the same problems as before, such as running hot. –> If you’re familiar with Asus’ […] More

Jada Jones/ZDNETThe next college semester is only a few weeks away, and to help the next generation of students prepare, we’ve been scouring online retailers for great deals on audio tech. Lo and behold, we just happened to find one at Bose’s website. For a limited time, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones More