Information Technology

Gone are the days of huge PC towers taking up desk space to achieve powerful performance. Computers with an abundance of power can now be condensed into a slim laptop with a lower price tag than some high-end models. Many of the best laptops under $1,000 are lightweight and offer lightning-fast speeds, highly detailed graphics, and up to 1TB of storage space to meet all of your creative or professional needs.Also: The best laptops under $500What is the best laptop under $1,000 right now?My pick for the best laptop under $1,000 overall is the M2 MacBook Air More

June Wan/ZDNETIf you’re a Samsung phone user, the company is making a change you’ll need to pay attention to.For the past two years, Samsung has been phasing out its Samsung Messages app in favor of Google Messages. Samsung’s messaging app has continued to be available — since the Galaxy S22 — but Google’s app was the default option.Also: The best Samsung phones you can buy: Expert testedFirst spotted by Max Weinbach on X, it appears the transition to Google Messages is nearly complete. Starting with the Flip6 and Fold6, you won’t find Samsung Messages pre-installed on new Samsung phones. You will be able to download the Samsung Messages app to a new device, but the company notes that “some features will be excluded.” If you’re a current user, the app isn’t going anywhere and you can continue using it. If you’re a Samsung Messages user, is it time to change? There’s no pressing reason to change at this exact moment, but if you’re planning for the future, there are plenty of reasons to change.  More

Get Windows 11 Pro at a big discount right now. StackSocial Need an operating system upgrade? Windows 11 Pro puts productivity in your hands with features that make everything from hybrid work to streaming entertainment easy, and you can grab the software for a discounted price right now through StackSocial. A lifetime subscription for the […] More

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris kick off this week, and for those who have cut the cord, there are plenty of ways to catch all the action without a traditional cable or satellite TV subscription.Also: The best live TV streaming servicesWhen do the Olympics start? And where can I watch?The Olympics will officially open on July 26, 2024, at noon Eastern time with a ceremony on the River Seine. However, some events, such as handball, rugby, and soccer, will begin on July 24-25. NBC and Peacock will present live coverage of the opening ceremony on Friday, July 26. Telemundo will provide Spanish-language coverage at 1 p.m. ET. Primetime coverage will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and Peacock. The Games will feature 16 days of competition, ending on August 11, with around 10,500 athletes from over 200 nations competing. NBCUniversal More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETAre you getting a lot of spam text messages? Being interrupted by a notification on your iPhone, only to find it’s yet another junk message, is tiring. Like phishing emails, these messages are often the starting point for scammers targeting potential victims. These scammers can pose as marketers selling a product or as ordinary people trying to connect with a friend but pretending to have the wrong number.The good news is that you can stop these text messages using a feature already in iOS — it’s just a little hidden. Here’s how you can do it.Also: How to find out if an AirTag is tracking youHow to stop spam text messages on iPhoneWhat you’ll need: To follow this tutorial, you’ll need the latest version of iOS available for your device. More

Get a one-year subscription to Microsoft 365 at a big discount right now. StackSocial If you’ve recently upgraded your laptop, you may have suddenly found yourself without access to Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and the rest of Microsoft’s near-necessary software. And since Microsoft switched from the traditional Office suite to a Microsoft 365 subscription service, […] More

Jack Wallen/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Oukitel WP35 More

Get Microsoft Project 2021 Pro or Visio 2021 on sale right now.  Stack Social Project management is the bread and butter of the professional world, but actually getting things done can be a challenge. Professional software can optimize many operations to maximize efficiency and productivity when you need it most. You might want to consider […] More