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JuSun/Getty ZDNET’s key takeaways Gartner has released its 2025 Hype Cycle report. AI agents and data are at their most inflated and need precise application to yield results. The report also emphasized trust and safety efforts as critical to the next five years. Research firm Gartner has released its annual Hype Cycle report, which investigates […] More
Robert Way/Getty Images ZDNET’s key takeaways Disney is combining the Hulu app and the Disney+ app next year. Most Hulu content is available on Disney+ already, but not all – you still need the Hulu app for now. You’ll still be able to subscribe to Hulu and Disney+ as standalone services. If you’re a Hulu […] More
Why we like it: If you’re willing to spend the money for the best soundbar system you can get right now, and want something that comes with a subwoofer and surrounds all ready to go, then the Samsung HW-Q990F is the way to go. The system is powerful, immersive, and incredible sounding, and while it’s far from cheap, it pushes the limits of what a soundbar can offer.Review: Samsung HQ-Q990FThe Samsung HW-Q990F is pretty bulky, and for a reason. It has a 23 drivers built straight into it, with 11.1.4 channels for Dolby Atmos support. The speakers built into the soundbar itself, combined with those built into the satellite surround speakers, create an incredibly immersive experience that will have you fully immersed in your content. The included subwoofer also delivers excellent bass response. Although it is quite compact, it still delivers deep and powerful bass. What makes it such a great option for audiophiles is the fact that it’s so detailed in the high end. The soundbar offers a relatively neutral tuning out of the box, though it’s worth noting that the EQ in the Samsung SmartThings app isn’t very precise. Still, I appreciated how it sounded, and you can make use of things like the subwoofer level to tweak the bass a little more precisely. One of the things that I most loved about this soundbar is how its surround sound setup improved stereo tracks. The system delivered an impressively wide soundstage, giving plenty of room for every instrument in a track, even without a virtualized surround algorithm. To be fair, I tested it in a small cube-shaped room, which is pretty much ideal for a system like this, but even larger living rooms should get the ultra-immersive feel. And users can turn up the volume of the surrounds to help improve that immersion.The HW-Q990F is one of the first systems to support the new Eclipsa Audio spatial audio format, though there’s almost no Eclipsa content out there right now. Who it’s for: The Samsung HW-Q990F is the system for those willing to spend the cash on something incredibly immersive and ultra-detailed. It’s great for audiophiles who simply want the best audio response. At retail price, the HW-Q990F system is $2,000. Comparably, a fully-kitted flagship Sonos system is about $700 more. This soundbar is ideal for people who want or need an advanced soundbar, thanks to its host of audio features, 4K @ 120Hz pass-through, and seven audio decoding formats (including FLAC and WAV).Who should look elsewhere: If you’re on a budget, then the Samsung HW-Q990F probably isn’t the soundbar system for you. If you have a small TV viewing area, you should pass on the HW-Q990F. It’s a hefty soundbar, and it performs best when you can turn up the volume.Samsung HW-Q990F tech specs: Dimensions: H(2.8 in), W(48.5 in), D(5.4 in) | Channels: 11.1.4 | Inputs: HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical | Voice assistants: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Bixby | Wireless streaming: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Roon, Tidal Connect | Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos, Eclipsa Audio More
Acer Swift 16 AI <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Acer Swift 16 AI is available now starting at $1,250. Its 16-inch OLED display, well-designed lightweight form, and marathon battery work together to create a laptop that feels more premium than its price would suggest. Its speakers, however, leave much to be desired, and it has […] More
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 is available for purchase now at a starting price of $349. It’s a capable smartwatch with all the usual health metrics, along with Samsung’s Running Coach, bedtime guidance, and recovery insights. Some features feel more experimental than scientific, like Antioxidant Index and BMI, […] More
TP-Link Calling public Wi-Fi unreliable is an understatement; we all have horror stories about dealing with networks in airports and hotel lobbies. But public Wi-Fi woes could soon be mitigated with networking brand TP-Link’s recently-launched Wi-Fi 7 travel router. Also: The best travel VPNs: These are the best VPNs, ranked, for your next trip abroad and […] More
Freewell Pro Card Reader <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways It handles every commonly used storage card currently in use It can handle data transfer speeds up to 10Gbps, so moving big files is effortless The card reader also doubles as a storage card holder, keeping cards that are not currently in use safe. –> There are […] More
Mowrator S1 <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Mowrator S1 remote-controlled lawnmower costs $3,999. This mower makes fun work of yard maintenance; perfect for someone with mobility issues, has a long-lasting battery, and fast RC response. Unfortunately, it is an expensive device, at $3,999, and it’s not meant to perform completely hands-free cleaning like a robot […] More
