Information Technology

The Amazon Echo Hub is a new smart home controller that offers a new experience for enthusiasts, especially those interested in the Alexa ecosystem. Unlike an Echo Show, the Echo Hub lets you customize your widgets and everything displayed on your device, letting you easily control your smart lights, Ring security system, smart plugs, and more. Review: Echo HubAlso, unlike the Echo Show, the Echo Hub doesn’t have a spatial audio speaker, though Alexa does respond when you ask questions. During setup, the Echo Hub plays music and audio over a preferred speaker in the Alexa app. Testing the Echo Hub for the past few weeks has proven an excellent start for a smart home panel in the Alexa ecosystem, though it does have some navigation lag and some bugs that can be worked out with software updates.Echo Hub features: Smart home control panel | 8-inch touchscreen | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Matter, Thread | Wall-mounted | Price: $180 More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETIf you’re going to watch TV, you might as well shoot for getting the most immersive viewing experience possible. In the age of 4K (and even 8K) TVs, this is becoming easier, but some sets still need a bit of fine-tuning. Also: I changed these 5 TV settings to lower my electric bill. Here’s why they workUnderstandably, most people never give a second thought to calibrating their TVs. This process — whether you do it yourself or pay for the service — can ensure that your TV displays colors accurately, provides optimal brightness and contrast, and enhances overall picture clarity. I’ve put together a guide on two approaches for calibrating your TV to get the best possible picture quality.Calibration or setup?There are two terms you should know when it comes to tweaking the colors of your TV: Calibration and setup. Calibration is the more advanced of the two, involving consulting professionals and incurring some expense. I’ll go over that in the second section of this article. An initial DIY version of calibration is really more akin to “setup,” which is free and can be done at your own comfort. Here’s how. More

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Vivobook S 15 More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Onyx Boox Palma More

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