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    Why I recommend this tablet for kids over the iPad – especially at this price

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet is available for $190. Designed for older children aged six to 12, this kids’ tablet features a slimmer design, better performance, strong parental controls, and a free screen repair or replacement within two years of purchase. While it’s better than other Amazon Fire Kids […] More

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    Finally, an Android smartwatch with extensive health tracking (and doesn’t break the bank)

    Amazfit BIP 5 <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Amazfit BIP 5 is typically sold on Amazon for $89. It’s a solid budget smartwatch that integrates with the Zepp app, providing a breadth of health and fitness data. It’s not the most precise health tracker on the market, and its competitive price is most evident in […] More

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    Every Mac model that upgrades to MacOS 26 Tahoe (and which aren’t compatible)

    Kerry Wan/ZDNETLast month at WWDC, Apple announced its upcoming update for MacOS 26, dubbed “Tahoe,” which includes several app additions, a supercharged Spotlight feature, and a host of new design customizations anchored around Apple’s “Liquid Glass” UI aesthetic we’re seeing across its devices. Also: Your old MacBook’s days are numbered, as Apple confirms end of supportBut baked into all the updates, Apple quietly dropped the news that MacOS 26 will be the last operating system supported by Intel-based Macs. After this update, Apple will stop supporting these older devices with new updates and access to the latest operating systems. Along those lines, not every Mac will support MacOS 26, as some of the pre-2020 MacBooks with Intel chips are not compatible. This news didn’t come as a major shock for most — Windows is dropping support for a wide swath of PCs later this year — but it’s still not what a lot of MacBook owners want to hear. If you have a Mac and aren’t sure whether your device will support the new operating system, we’ve got the full list to make sense of the updates. Which Mac models will get MacOS 26 Tahoe? The following Macs will be able to support MacOS 26 when it releases this fall: MacBook Pro M1 or laterMacBook Pro 16-inch (Intel) 2019MacBook Pro 13-inch (Intel) 2020 with four Thunderbolt 3 portsMacBook Air M1 or laterMac Studio 2022 and laterMac Pro 2019 or laterMac mini 2020 or lateriMac 2020 or laterAs Apple said, it will be the last operating system Intel-based devices will support, so if you have one of those on this list, you’ll probably want to upgrade and stay on Tahoe for the remainder of the device’s lifecycle.Also: Every iPhone model that can be updated to Apple’s iOS 26 (and which ones can’t)MacOS 26 Tahoe won’t be fully released to the public until September of this year, but if you’re itching for a sneak peek, you can participate in the beta test, which kicked off earlier this week. How can I identify my Mac model? This is the easy part. Just navigate to the Apple icon in the top left corner of the menu bar and click “About this Mac.” You’ll be able to see your model’s full name there. Which Mac models will no longer be supported? If you have a MacBook from before 2020 with an Intel chip, it likely won’t be supported (unless it’s one of the models listed above). This includes the MacBook Air from 2020 and the two-port MacBook Pro 13-inch, both with Intel processors. Anything from 2018 or earlier is also not supported. Also: The best MacOS 26 features that Windows PC users have been enjoying for yearsIf you have one of these Macs, your device will still work, but you’ll need to remain on MacOS 15 Sequoia for the remainder of its lifecycle. MacOS 26 public beta vs full release: What’s the difference? The MacOS 26 beta version is different than the general release because it’s still in development during the beta. During the initial period, developers and testers can evaluate the software and optimize their apps and services for better launch stability. Now that the public beta is out, a good portion of the newly announced features are available, though they may not be optimized, may be buggy, or may not be fully complete. Also: How to install MacOS 26 on your MacBook (and which models support it)After months of beta testing, the general release should launch in tandem with Apple’s fall products, including the latest iPhone model. It is then that MacOS 26 will likely see a mass rollout, prompting all eligible Mac users to download the software. While the full release typically doesn’t include as many bugs and glitches as the beta, users may experience some issues during the first few weeks and months. Regardless, you’ll want to look through the update logs as you’re downloading the software to fully understand the features and benefits you’re getting. More

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    How to install the iPadOS 26 public beta (and which iPad models support it)

    When will iPadOS 26 be released?Apple released the developer beta of iPadOS 26 for registered developers during WWDC in June. The public beta is available now, giving anyone early access to test it. The final general release is slated for this fall, most likely in September.Also: Apple just gave me a compelling reason to ditch my MacBook for an iPad. Here’s whyHow do I install the iPadOS 26 developer beta?You can navigate to your settings to install the iPadOS 26 developer beta if your device runs iPadOS 16.4 and is used with an Apple ID enrolled in the Apple Developer Program:Go to your iPad Settings.Tap General.Select Software Update.Go to Beta Updates.Choose the iPadOS 26 Developer Beta.If you can’t see this option, go to Settings, select Privacy & Security, and enable Developer Mode. Which iPads are compatible with iPadOS 26? You’ll need an iPad with iPadOS 16.4 or later, which means one of these models: iPad Pro (M4)iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation or later)iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)iPad Air (M3)iPad Air (M2)iPad Air (3rd generation and later)iPad (A16)iPad (8th generation and later)iPad Mini (A17 Pro)iPad Mini (5th generation and later)Also: Every iPad model that supports iPadOS 26 (and which ones won’t be compatible) What to do before installing the iPadOS 26 developer beta? You can always join the Apple Beta program to get the latest beta versions of iPadOS. Before you download a beta version of an operating system, keep these housekeeping items in mind: Back up your device and personal information.Don’t download beta software, which will likely have bugs and glitches, on your everyday iPad.Beta versions are released so you can test new features and share feedback to improve iPadOS.How to submit beta feedback to AppleBy the time the public beta is released, Apple will have two beta versions of iPadOS: iPadOS 26 public beta and iPadOS 26 developer beta. Both come with a built-in Feedback Assistant app, which can be opened from the Home screen on your iPad. When you experience an issue or something does not work as expected, send your feedback directly to Apple with Feedback Assistant.Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter. More

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    GitHub’s AI-powered Spark lets you build apps using natural language – here’s how to access it

    Bloomberg / Contributor/Getty Software development company GitHub’s AI-powered app-building platform Spark is now available for public preview to Copilot+ Pro subscribers, the company said Wednesday. First unveiled at GitHub’s annual Universe conference in October, Spark allows users to design and launch “micro apps,” or “sparks,” through natural language prompts. For example, a developer might instruct the system […] More

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    The iOS 26 public beta is out now – How to install (and which iPhones support it)

    When will iOS 26 be released?The iOS 26 public beta is available now. The developer beta was released during WWDC in June 2025. If Apple follows its usual cadence, the final, general release of iOS 26 should arrive in September 2025.How to download the iOS 26 developer beta?To download the iOS 26 developer beta version, navigate to your settings to install the iOS 26 developer beta if your device runs iOS 16.5 and is used with an Apple ID enrolled in the Apple Developer Program:Go to your iPhone SettingsTap on GeneralSelect Software UpdateGo to Beta UpdatesChoose the iOS 26 Developer BetaIf you can’t see this option, go to your Settings, select Privacy & Security, and enable Developer Mode.If you aren’t already a member of the Apple Developer Program, you can sign up to become one in the app. An annual membership costs $99, but you don’t need one to try the developer beta.Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 26?Apple removed the iPhone XR and XS from its list of supported devices with iOS 26, so any iPhone 11 or newer is compatible with the new operating system, including the iPhone SE. Also: Every iPhone model that can be updated to iOS 26 (and which ones don’t support it) What to do before installing the iOS 26 public beta? You can always join the Apple Beta program to get the latest beta versions of iOS. Before you download a beta version of an operating system, keep these housekeeping items in mind: Back up your device and personal information.Don’t download beta software, which will likely have bugs and glitches, on your everyday iPhone.Beta versions are released so you can test new features and share feedback to improve iOS.How to submit beta feedback to AppleThe iOS 26 public beta comes with its own built-in Feedback Assistant app, which you can open from the Home screen. If you encounter something that doesn’t work, or you have feedback on any part of the new OS, you can communicate directly with Apple via that app.   Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter. More