Networking

<!–> NurPhoto/Getty Images MacOS is not my go-to platform. For that, I use Linux. However, when I need to mobilize my day (which actually means to go write in another room in the house), I turn to my MacBook Pro. Or, if I’m editing videos, I stand before my iMac and have at it. On […] More

<!–> Thomas Trutschel/Getty Images A new accessibility feature is headed to Chrome, and while it certainly will be a useful option for people with accessibility needs, it may have a broader appeal too. Google is expected to add to its desktop browser a “Read Aloud” option similar to the one offered in Microsoft Edge. With […] More

<!–> Sergey Brin and Larry Page in 2003.   JOKER/Martin Magunia/ullstein bild via Getty Images Today, few names are as ubiquitous as Google. The term “Google” isn’t just a company name; it’s a verb synonymous with web searching. Here’s how this happened. In 1995, for techies, the web had taken off. People realized that we […] More

<!–> Google If you’re a Google Chrome user, (and given that it’s the world’s most popular browser by far, odds are good that you are) you might notice things looking a little different when you fire up your browser over the coming weeks. To celebrate Chrome’s 15th birthday, Google is giving it a bit of […] More

<!–> Javier Zayas Photography/Getty Images What browser do you use? For me, it’s Chrome. A few years ago, I tried a week with Safari, but it didn’t work out. Then, last month on the advice of ZDNET’s Jack Wallen, I gave the Arc browser a run for its money. I loved its Spaces feature, but […] More

<!–> Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg made billions by collecting, sharing, and using your personal data. In turn, Meta uses your data to help create its large language model (LLM) Llama 2.  Yes, your data is the ore from which the metal of Facebook’s forthcoming AI chatbot will be forged. Not […] More

We tested and analyzed the best mobile VPNs for 2023 using the following criteria to help you make an informed decision:Performance: We tested most of the VPNs on this list to ensure robust performance in terms of connection and speed. After all, there’s no point in using a VPN if your connection continually drops or lags, making it intolerable, which is especially important when you’re on mobile.Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit how many devices you can connect to a service at the same time. If you have a phone, tablet, and laptop you want to connect to a VPN, you need a service that allows simultaneous connections.Security: There’s no point using a VPN unless their security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensured that the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements over time and patching reported bugs.Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection and is an important feature for a mobile VPN to have, as it protects you by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi connection — in comparison, for example, with your cellular connectivity — should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.Geoblocks and streaming: We know that VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you’re away from home and relying on mobile devices. We ensured that our top recommendations perform well when it comes to these factors and are unlikely to slow down your connection while you are streaming.Countries & servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether or not there are enough — at least 50 or so — to provide variety.Trial length & price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee. Most VPN providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by members of our ZDNET team. We’ve been writing about these VPNs for years, have spoken with their management and their users, and have developed a generally favorable impression.ZDNET tests VPN services from multiple locations, but we can’t test from all locations. Every home, every community, every local ISP, and every nation has a different infrastructure. It’s essential that once you choose, you test for all your likely usage profiles and only then make the decision to keep the service or request a money-back guaranteed refund.These VPNs also have solid money-back guarantees, and we would not have recommended them otherwise. More

<!–> Westend61/Getty Images After finally getting on board with 5G home internet earlier this month, AT&T announced today that it’s expanding its wireless internet service to 16 cities. At launch earlier this month, AT&T Air was only available to what the company called a “select group of customers identified as eligible to upgrade to the new service.” […] More