More stories

  • in

    Is a refurbished MacBook worth it? I did the math, and here’s my buying advice

    Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETI remember when people used to scoff at refurbished tech. Buying a used phone or computer was like rolling the dice: you never knew exactly what you were getting. Well, the times certainly have changed. And, in this economy, the prices on refurbished tech are looking more and more tempting. Consumers are challenging this idea that we’re all supposed to buy brand new phones and laptops every few years, and in the process, the market for refurbished tech has blown up. Also: Should you buy a refurbished iPad? I tried one from Back Market and here’s my verdictHaving never purchased a refurbished product myself, I was very curious as to how the experience would go with a new (used) laptop. So, I connected with the folks at Back Market and acquired a $950 MacBook Pro M1 More

  • in

    I tested Dell’s XPS successor, and it made my $3,000 Windows laptop look bad

    Dell Premium 16 <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Dell Premium 16 starts at $1,800. This is a premium laptop capable of handling heavy workloads, especially graphic design, thanks to its top-notch hardware. However, it does share some of the same issues as its predecessor, like its tendency to run warm and power-hungry battery. –> I’ve […] More

  • in

    Watch AI models compete right now in Google’s new Game Arena

    Google ZDNET’s key takeaways: Google’s new Game Arena will allow models to compete in games head-to-head. You can tune in to the Game Arena at 12:30 p.m. ET Tuesday.  The effort could open the door to new business applications. As artificial intelligence evolves, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to accurately measure the performance of individual models.  To that […] More

  • in

    ChatGPT can no longer tell you to break up with your boyfriend

    Elyse Betters Picaro/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysOpenAI adds reminders to take a break. ChatGPT will also have improved functions for mental health support.The company is working with experts, including physicians and researchers. As OpenAI prepares to drop one of the biggest ChatGPT launches of the year, the company is also taking steps to make the chatbot safer and more reliable with its latest update. Also: Could Apple create an AI search engine to rival Gemini and ChatGPT? Here’s how it could succeedOn Monday, OpenAI published a blog post outlining how the company has updated or is updating the chatbot to be more helpful, providing you with better responses in times when you need support, or encouraging a break when you use it too much:We build ChatGPT to help you thrive in the ways you choose — not to hold your attention, but to help you use it well. We’re improving support for tough moments, have rolled out break reminders, and are developing better life advice, all guided by expert input.…— OpenAI (@OpenAI) August 4, 2025

    New get off ChatGPT nudge If you have ever tinkered with ChatGPT, you are likely familiar with the feeling of getting lost in the conversation. Its responses are so amusing and conversational that it is easy to keep the back-and-forth volley going. This is especially true for fun tasks, such as creating an image and then modifying it to generate different renditions that meet your exact needs.  More

  • in

    Got a new PC? 5 apps to install first (and how they’ll improve your workflow)

    Windows 11 comes with its own screen capture app, the Snipping Tool. It’s perfectly serviceable for its purpose, but ShareX is better in just about every way.Like the Snipping Tool, ShareX supports various image capture methods. You can capture the entire screen, a specific window, or a certain region among other areas, as well as record videos. But what makes ShareX so much better is its powerful editing tools. With this set, the app is almost like having a mini-Photoshop at your disposal.Download: ShareXYou can add shapes, text, crop areas, slap on emoji stickers, and blur or pixelate key areas of a screenshot. Once you’ve finished, you can upload your finished content onto a variety of third-party platforms, like Google Drive and Imgur, directly. I remember using ShareX for the first time back in 2021, and it vastly improved my workflow.  More

  • in

    You can use T-Mobile’s Starlink service to send images, audio, and video now – here’s how

    T-Mobile / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysT-Satellite now supports MMS on select Android devices.Send images, voice notes, and short videos via satellite.Satellite data support for optimized apps is coming October 2025.T-Mobile’s satellite service, T-Satellite, has quietly upgraded into a more capable off-grid communication tool. Originally meant to handle basic SMS, the service now supports full MMS messaging on select Android devices. Send images, voice notes, and video Your phone should automatically switch to the satellite link when it loses cell service. You’ll see the T-Mobile and SpaceX logo, which indicate a solid connection, and from there you can start texting, sending images, and recording voice notes. Our Ziff Davis sister site PCMag put MMS over T-Satellite to the test and reported that you need a clear view of the sky and shouldn’t expect tower-like speeds. Still, you can send images, audio, and even short video files in a couple of minutes. Also: How to use your iPhone’s emergency satellite features if you lose cell coverageThe new capability apparently works on compatible Samsung and Motorola handsets to start — just open your default Messages app on a supported phone, choose attach picture or attach file, and then send your JPG, GIF, voice clip, or video. Longer videos can take upward of 20 minutes to transmit, but the battery impact on your device appears modest. Satellite data for apps is coming Beyond MMS, T-Mobile has teased a broader “satellite data” feature for optimized apps. Coming in October 2025, third-party apps such as WhatsApp, AccuWeather, and X will reportedly be able to send data over Starlink. Also: T-Mobile will give you a free Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus when you trade in almost any phone – here’s how”We are also rolling out picture and voice messaging to select devices and will continue adding more in the coming months,” T-Mobile’s website reads. “Next up, we’ll deliver satellite data for optimized apps, and will continue to add more features.” More