Information Technology

Maria Diaz/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysUnplug at 100%, keep battery between 20% and 80%.Avoid draining to 0%; store unused tablets at 50%.Use certified chargers to prevent stress and overheating.As someone who uses a tablet daily, I’m constantly looking for ways to make its battery last longer. However, some habits you don’t think twice about could actually be hurting your battery over time. There are ways to extend your tablet’s battery life, and there are some things you should avoid that do the opposite.Also: These 7 common household items were draining power all day – until I pulled the plugMost tablets offer six to eight hours of use on a single charge, though battery life diminishes with age and continued use. While there are many things you can do to conserve battery life, here are the ones you should avoid to ensure your battery’s longevity. 1. Leaving your tablet plugged in overnight This isn’t always a problem with newer tablets, but most tablets on the market will suffer from being left plugged in overnight. Tablets typically charge to 100% and stop using electricity. However, leaving your tablet plugged in can cause it to continue trickle-charging to keep the battery full, which can stress the battery over time and diminish its lifespan. Instead, unplug your tablet when its battery reaches 100%. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to keep your battery charged between 20% and 80%. Also: Why I recommend this Samsung tablet over pricier models – especially the UltraLike all the common charging mistakes we make with our tablets, leaving it plugged in overnight once or twice won’t permanently damage it. Battery damage happens when these incorrect practices become a habit and are followed often. 2. Letting the battery drain to 0% (and forgetting it) More

timyee/Getty ZDNET’s key takeaways Seventy-four percent of households expect their electric bill to go up  Lack of backup power is the top energy frustration  Two-thirds are considering solar or storage investments Neighborhood solar panels blend into the background of the everyday commute. Home batteries might enter our minds during an outage, but then fade when […] More

Highlight streaming features Faster speeds, obfuscated servers, SmartPlay, extensive global network, Threat Protection (ad blocker)Automatic obfuscation, MediaStreamer (smart DNS), router app, Threat Manager (ad blocker)Camouflage/NoBorders modes, static IPs, unlimited connections, Cleanweb (ad blocker)Data compression for faster speeds, servers in 50 US states, dedicated IP option, MACE (ad blocker)Optimized YouTube TV servers, intuitive app interface, free trial, Content Blocker (ad blocker)Compatible platformsAndroid, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, browser extensions, Amazon Fire TV/Stick, Apple TV (tvOS), Android TV, consolesAndroid, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, routers, browser extensions, Fire TV/Stick, Apple TV, Android TV, consolesAndroid, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, browser extensions, Apple/Android smart TVs, consoles, and moreAndroid, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, browser extensions, smart TVs, and moreAndroid, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, browser extensions, smart TVs, and more More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETGoogle’s non-Pro Pixel phone has always been the “safe pick.” It’s the model I recommend to most users, so long as they can live without the Pro features — whether that’s an extra telephoto camera, more RAM, or better hardware.Also: This rumored Pixel 10 feature puts Google above Samsung and OnePlus for me – here’s whyWhile there’s little left to the imagination as far as what the upcoming Google Pixel 10 phones will look like, if the leaks and rumors are true, there will be a notable shift in dynamics this year. I’ll say it now: The Pixel 10, not the Pixel 10 Pro, will be both the safe pick and the best pick in 2025. I’m not alone in that belief, and here’s why. More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETDid you know that whenever you turn on your smart TV, you invite an unseen guest to watch it with you? These days, most popular TV models utilize automatic content recognition (ACR), a form of ad surveillance technology that gathers information about everything you watch and transmits it to a centralized database. Manufacturers then use your data to identify your viewing preferences, enabling them to deliver highly targeted ads.Also: Your TV’s USB port is seriously underutilized: 5 features you’re not taking advantage ofWhat’s the incentive behind this invasive technology? According to market research firm eMarketer, in 2022, advertisers spent an estimated $18.6 billion on smart TV ads, and those numbers are only going up.To understand how ACR works, imagine a constant, real-time Shazam-like service running in the background while your TV is on. It identifies content displayed on your screen, including programs from cable TV boxes, streaming services, or gaming consoles. ACR does this by capturing continuous screenshots and cross-referencing them with a vast database of media content and advertisements. More

The Sony WH-CH520 wireless headphones aren’t as jam-packed with cutting-edge technology as the CH720 cans but are still ideal for casual listening. They are great for everyday use, thanks to their light design and comfortable on-ear fit. Plus, they’re now down to $38, which is an unbeatable value for Sony’s sound.These are best for students who want to enjoy their music and still be aware of their surroundings. Due to their on-ear design, more ambient noise can be heard, as opposed to over-ear headphones. You’ll get up to 50 hours of battery life on a single charge, and when low on power, they can top up within five minutes for 90 minutes of playback. More

Formovie Cinema Edge 4K UST projector <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Formovie Cinema Edge 4K UST projector is available now for $1,899 at Amazon. It has a sturdy construction and sleek design. It’s great for cinematic viewing, although it could greatly benefit from having a dedicated sound system. –> The first ultra short-throw (UST) projectors […] More

Dangbei N2 Mini Projector <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Dangbei N2 Mini projector is on sale on Amazon for $189. The N2 Mini is one of the easiest projectors to setup I’ve used, and delivers crisp 1080p video without much fuss. Unfortunately, it’s limited to 1080p and does not do 4K, and you’ll want to […] More