Information Technology

Apple/ZDNETThe public beta for the Apple Watch’s latest software just arrived. Apple launched the public beta for iOS 26, WatchOS 26, and more, on Thursday. The software updates don’t skimp on new WatchOS features, like an AI-powered fitness coach, Live Translation for Messages, and many more. Also: Everything announced at WWDC 2025: iOS 26, AI, MacOS, iPad OSThe new features subtly infuse AI into regularly used apps and functionalities, improve peskier features, like the Call Screener, which monitors unknown numbers for spam, or notification volume adjustments that take your ambient environment into account before sending a blaring Apple Watch ping.  If you’re interested in trying out the new software ahead of its official rollout in the fall and want to test-run the beta today, you will have to own one of the compatible Apple Watches. Plus, to update your Apple Watch to the latest software, you’ll also need to update your iPhone as well. Also: Your Apple Watch is getting an upgrade. Here are the best features coming to Watch OS 26 WatchOS 26 requires iPhone 11 or later or iPhone SE in tandem with one of the following Apple Watches. Certain Apple Intelligence-powered features, like Live Translation and Workout Buddy, require one of the following iPhone models: all iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Max with Apple Intelligence enabled. Every Apple Watch model that supports WatchOS 26Apple Watch Series 6Apple Watch Series 7Apple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 9Apple Watch Series 10Apple Watch UltraApple Watch Ultra 2Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) More

ZDNETMicrosoft has been touting its Recall feature to certain Windows users, but the screen snooper is already persona non grata with one popular browser. Starting with version 1.81, Brave for Windows will block Recall from automatically taking screenshots of your browsing activity, according to an article posted on Brave’s website.”Given Brave’s focus on privacy-maximizing defaults and what is at stake here (your entire browsing history), we have proactively disabled Recall for all Brave tabs,” Brave said in the article. “We think it’s vital that your browsing activity on Brave does not accidentally end up in a persistent database, which is especially ripe for abuse in highly highly-privacy-sensitive cases such as intimate partner violence.”Also: Microsoft’s new AI agent can change Windows settings for you – here’s howTo pull off this trick, Brave is using Microsoft’s own technology against it. In this case, Microsoft has stated that private browsing windows would not be included in Recall’s snapshots. Extending that definition, Brave will tell the operating system that every tab is private, which will automatically prevent Recall from snooping on it. Brave provided further details on this sneaky workaround via a GitHub page.Though Recall will be disabled by default, Brave users will be able to turn it on should they wish. To do that, simply head to Settings in the browser, go to the section for “Privacy and security,” and then turn off the switch to block Microsoft Recall. More

Apple / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETApple held its Worldwide Developers Conference a month ago, during which it previewed the latest operating system upgrades across all of its devices, including iOS, iPadOS, MacOS, TVOS, WatchOS, and more. These updates give Apple users, regardless of whether they have the latest hardware, the opportunity to have a device refresh — and this year, perhaps more than ever. During the event, Apple launched Liquid Glass, a new look for all of its devices that embodies a glass-inspired aesthetic and is the biggest redesign in 13 years. It also introduced a handful of exciting features, from the viral AutoMix feature for Apple Music to the Apple Shortcuts AI makeover. Also: How to clear your iPhone cache (and why it greatly improves the performance)Although the official launch of Apple’s latest operating systems won’t happen until the fall with the introduction of the latest iPhone lineup, here’s what you need to know about the public betas, which were just released and give you a preview of all of the latest features.  More

Google / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETHave you ever wished you could bring your favorite pictures to life? New AI-powered features in Google Photos will let you.Also: How to turn off Gemini in your Gmail, Docs, Photos, and more – it’s easy to opt outSix-second clipsEarlier today, Google announced several new creative tools to “help bring your memories to life” — including one that lets you take any picture saved in your gallery and turn it into a short video. You can choose to add “subtle movements” or pick “I’m feeling lucky” to animate your photo into a full six-second clip.Google added a similar photo-to-video capability to the Gemini app earlier this month (ZDNET Senior Contributing Writer Tiernan Ray said it was “disconcerting how well it works”). Also: 10 must-try Google Photos tips and tricks – including a new AI editorThere are some big differences between this and the Gemini version, though. One is that this one runs on Google’s older Veo 2 video model, while Gemini’s runs on Veo 3; the other is that you don’t get to type your own custom prompt in the Photos version. The feature is rolling out on Android and iOS. More

Jason Hiner/ZDNETYour iPhone, Apple Watch, and other Apple-owned devices are getting a big overhaul. The best part? You won’t have to pay a dime for them — all you have to do is update your software. Several new features are coming to WatchOS 26, and the public beta software is now available for interested users to try. Just remember: before updating to the public beta, it’s encouraged to backup your device. Reddit users in the r/Apple Watch subreddit are already getting into the latest update and providing commentary on their most and least favorite features. The features touch everything from Fitness to Messages, and include a major design update across Apple’s platforms for a more unified look and naming mechanisms that reflect the year the software debuts. Also: The best Apple Watch of 2025: Expert tested and reviewedIn addition to WatchOS updates, Apple also introduced AI feature developments, like Live Translation and on-screen Visual Intelligence, like Hold Assist for phone calls and Polls for Messages, and more. For those interested in trying out the beta software, WatchOS 26 is supported on the latest Apple Watches. Owners of these devices can download the OS, though it may have some bugs.Here are the features we’re most excited to try out on WatchOS 26 now that the public beta is live.  More

Amazon My older kids each have a Kindle they use to read each night before bed. Thanks to strong parental controls and an easy user interface, it’s the perfect e-reader for young readers. Now, Amazon is adding color to the Kindle Kids lineup with a new Kindle Colorsoft<!–> created exclusively for children. The first-ever color […] More

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETOver the past few decades, I’ve watched many people spend huge amounts of money keeping their computers running or up to speed with modern technology. I’ve seen friends take their computers to support specialists to rid them of malware (spending more money than they’d prefer) and, lately, been privy to countless users faced with buying new machines to replace those running Windows 10.Also: The best Linux laptopsEvery time I see or hear of such things, the first thing that comes to mind is that they could save money if they migrated to Linux. If you don’t believe me, read on, because I have a list of reasons why Linux can save you money.1. Linux costs nothingThe Linux operating system costs $0.00. Also: Slow internet speed on Linux? This 30-second fix makes all the differenceYes, there are some distributions that offer Pro versions (such as ZorinOS) and include extra features (like different desktop layouts), but the vast majority of Linux distributions cost nothing to download and install on as many machines as you like. I cannot tell you how many Linux distributions I’ve used over the years and never spent a penny on the operating system. If you need to curtail your tech spending, Linux is the perfect option. 2. Open-source software costs nothing At the same time, open-source software will not cost you a single cent. Yes, there are some applications that have an associated cost, but those are generally proprietary. If you’re talking open-source, the fees are zero. And before you think it, you’ll find Linux software to fill just about any need you have. Also: You can try Linux without ditching Windows first – here’s howI will say this, however: if you do find a Linux app that you need or want and it’s not free, consider paying for it anyway because those developers need to put food on the table as well. On top of that, it’s a good way to give back. 3. Local cloud installationsI pay $10 per month for extra space on Google Drive. I also have a Nextcloud deployment on my local LAN, which I could use to replace Google Drive. One of these days, that’s going to happen, especially as Google continues to lean more and more into artificial intelligence. I’m not totally opposed to AI, but I certainly don’t want it laying its digital hands on what I’ve written. Also: My 10 favorite Linux distributions of all time, rankedFor me, the best option for this is Nextcloud. Not only is Nextcloud easy to install, but it also has all the features you need for a local cloud storage option. More

EcoFlow EcoFlow’s newest Trail 300 portable power stations are its slimmest and lightest to date, fit to bring on your camping adventures and mobile enough to carry without being weighed down. The Trail Series is a pair of DC-only power stations, so they don’t feature a heavy AC inverter, much like the Anker Solix C300<!–>, […] More