Information Technology

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Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETWelcome to ZDNET’s Innovation Index, which identifies the most innovative developments in tech from the past week and ranks the top four, based on votes from our panel of editors and experts. Our mission is to help you identify the trends that will have the biggest impact on the future.Despite being all over the map, many of this week’s trends bring open-source software to the forefront. In first place is Switzerland’s requirement that all government software must be open source. Unless restricted by security concerns, the new law requires every public sector organization to share the source code of any software developed by or for them. The mandate’s goal is to set an example for transparency and security at the government level — a priority the US hasn’t really embraced. While European nations are regularly ahead of the US in terms of software responsibility, we’ll have to see if Switzerland’s new standard impacts governments globally moving forward.  More

Just last year Apple transitioned away from its Lightning ports and went all-in on USB-C cords for everything from its iPhones and iPads to its infamous EarPods. That was a welcome change, according to ZDNET’s Kerry Wan. Priced like inflation doesn’t exist, the $19 EarPods, now with USB-C, are ideal for the latest iPhones, just about any Android phone, laptops, tablets, and more, Wan said. The EarPods don’t come with cushioning — a notable advantage and disadvantage to the earbuds. “While they won’t dig into your ear and induce pressure buildup over time, there’s a noticeable lack of audio immersion (or passive noise cancellation),” Wan said. But you’re not really buying these for the best sound performance. Instead, buy them for the ease of use, the technically long battery life, and the built-in microphone. They’re so spectacular that Wan says he uses it to record his voiceovers for nearly every video he makes for our social platforms. Apple EarPods tech specs: Battery life: N/A | Noise cancellation: No | Voice assistant: No | Build: Plastic More

Download a lifetime license to Microsoft Office at a deep discount with this deal. Stack Social If you need access to Microsoft Office but don’t want to pay the yearly fee to access Office 365, you’re in luck: Stack Social is offering a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows or Mac, starting […] More

Microsoft Another Windows update, another glitch. Rolling out this past Patch Tuesday, Microsoft’s July update has created a hiccup for some Windows users who secure their PCs through BitLocker. Affecting Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server, the bug prevents your PC from booting into Windows, instead resulting in a blue screen that asks for […] More

LG QNED80 tech specs – Screen size: 50-86 inches | Panel type: LED | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Resolution: 4K | HDR: HDR10 | Audio: Dolby Digital | Voice controls: Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Hey Google If you’re looking for a quality TV to use with your PlayStation 5, but also need to stick to a budget, the LG QNED80 is a great option. It’s available in screen sizes from as small as 50 inches to an impressive 86-inch version for dedicated gaming spaces and home theaters. And with an affordable price tag at any size, you won’t have to choose between buying a new TV and snagging a few games off your wish list. Also: The 5 best LG TVs you can buy And even at such a low price, the QNED80 still offers plenty of features that gamers have come to expect as-standard, such as: a 120Hz refresh rate, VRR support via AMD FreeSync, 4K resolution, HDR10 support, and Dolby audio. It even has a few exciting extras like Nvidia GeForce NOW support for cloud-based gaming, and a dedicated gaming dashboard for keeping tabs on refresh rates and picture settings in real-time.  ZDNET’s Artie Beaty was pleasantly surprised with the LG QNED80 when he got to test it out in person. He was impressed with the picture and sound quality for being considered an “entry-level” TV, though he did note that it only had one HDMI port that supports an ARC passthrough. So if you have multiple consoles as well as a soundbar, you’ll have to choose which console is connected to the only other HDMI 2.1 port for VRR support and higher refresh rates. Verified reviews at Amazon and Best Buy also praise the TV for its high-quality audio and picture, though a few do note that the screen has a glossy finish, which creates reflections and glare that can reduce viewing angles and visibility in bright environments. More

Get a Babbel lifetime language subscription at a big discount right now.  StackSocial Learning a new language can be daunting. But right now, you can buy a lifetime subscription to Babbel Language Learning from Stack Social that lets you choose from 14 languages and access more than 10,000 hours of online language education for just $140 […] More

Elon Musk shared this photo and wrote, “Our headquarters tonight.” Elon Musk/X Users have raised concerns over the way companies train generative AI tools using everyone’s data, often without permission. Now, you can add Elon Musk’s Grok to the list. Earlier this week, Musk proudly announced that Grok had started supercluster training, added some technobabble […] More