Information Technology

Kerry Wan/ZDNETSamsung took the hard road when it launched the ultra-thin and lightweight Galaxy S25 Edge More

The Google Pixel Watch 4 may look fairly similar to last year’s Pixel Watch 3 (pictured). Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETGet more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source More

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETZDNET’s takeawaysPebblebee announces a new safety feature for Clip trackers.Alert Live sends your real-time location to up to five contacts.The feature costs $2.99 a month or $24.99 a year.Days after announcing that its Clip would be the first tracker to be able to use both Google’s and Apple’s Find My networks, Pebblebee just revealed More

Nina Raemont/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysBlood Oxygen is back for affected Apple Watch models.Will be reinstated with the latest iOS and WatchOS updates.Apple redesigned it to resolve an import ban over patent infringement.Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETChoosing the right laptop can feel overwhelming — even for someone like me who’s lived and breathed laptops for years. You get all these options, configurations, and feature lists that it’s impossible not to know up from down. So, to make things easier for you, I’ll be breaking down laptops and their essentials using three broad usage categories: school, work, and gaming.Also: The best laptops you can buy: Expert testedMost laptops fall into one of these buckets, and while there is some crossover regarding hardware, each type is designed with a specific purpose in mind. Below, I walk through what defines each category, highlighting key features to look out for and providing example products along the way.Keep in mind, this advice is based on my own experience and expertise. Ultimately, the best laptop is the one that fits your needs best.How to pick a laptop for school More

Adam Breeden/ZDNETAs an avid iPad user, I’m all too familiar with the internal struggles that course through me when the battery is about to die. I love using either the iPad 11 or iPad Air to write and work, but I also use it to stream content, play games, and browse the internet after work. This makes me appreciate the iPad’s long battery life, yet my anxiety grows when I start getting ‘low battery’ alerts without a charger nearby.Also: How you’re charging your tablet is slowly killing it – 3 methods to avoid (and the right way)There are many things you can do to increase your iPad’s battery life that go beyond the usual advice. You can start with the usual: lowering your screen brightness and setting the auto-lock to a shorter time, which I’ll cover here. I’ll also cover other ways to extend your battery life that have, altogether, given me a few more hours of use from my iPad.1. Lower screen brightnessThis is one of the first recommendations you’ll hear from anyone offering tips on conserving your iPad’s battery life — and it truly works. Depending on your usage, lowering your screen’s brightness settings could offer you over an hour of extra use on each charge. Also: 5 Apple products you definitely shouldn’t buy this month (and 7 to get instead)Doing so also makes it easier on your eyes, reducing the eye strain involved with staring at bright screens for too long. That’s the main reason I prefer keeping my brightness low, but the perk of a longer battery life makes it even more worthwhile. Your iPad’s screen brightness can be adjusted from the Control Center by swiping down on the top right side of your screen.2. Turn off location servicesLocation services can keep your iPad working extra, especially if you have them enabled for multiple apps. It’s a good idea to turn off location services for any apps that you don’t use often, especially those that you know you won’t be using in the next day or two. While turning off your iPad’s location services won’t double your battery life, it can add a good half hour or more of use. To check and turn off your location services, follow these stepsGo to your iPad SettingsSelect Privacy & SecurityGo to Location ServicesAlso: 8 reasons why I replaced my Kindle with an iPad Mini for reading ebooksYou can check which applications have access to your iPad’s location and decide which ones to revoke. Alternatively, you can turn off all Location Services altogether, especially if you’ll be using your tablet for work, streaming, or playing.3. Turn off wireless when idle More

OpenRock S2 <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The OpenRock S2 open-style earbuds are available on Amazon for $99. The S2 earbuds are one of the most comfortable open-air earbuds I’ve ever tested Although the S2 earbuds don’t have the punch at the low end, they make up for it in soundstage. –> I depend on earbuds […] More

The Koala cleaning kit with a pair of glasses.  Kayla Solino/ZDNETI’ve been wearing prescription glasses since I was 18 months old, so trust me when I tell you I know a lot about keeping lenses clean and protected — I’ve had over 20 years of practice. While it may seem like you can clean your sunglasses or glasses with any old “glass cleaner,” or something as simple as soap and water, I am here to tell you that it can be a huge (and costly) mistake. Most glass cleaning products (even dish soap) can be too abrasive and harsh on specialized lenses and damage protective coatings for UV, glare, blue light, and more. Of course, clean at your own risk, but I have damaged my lens coating once before from plain soap and water, and there is no fix for it besides getting brand new lenses. Also: I tested the $15 screen-cleaning solution used in Apple stores and it worked like magicAnd just like glasses, the screens on your tech products should be handled with the utmost care. Lucky for you, I’m sharing one of my best-kept secrets that can clean lenses and screens with ease without damaging either. Meet Koala cleaner More