More stories

  • in

    These XR glasses gave me a 200-inch OLED screen to work with – and they’re priced well

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The RayNeo Air 3S is available for $269 These XR glasses provide advanced micro-OLED screens, dual speaker chamber design, and a 201-inch screen visual experience There are no light-blocking shades or electrochromic dimming capability, and productivity support is limited to native MacOS and Windows support. more buying choices Just about every […] More

  • in

    Your Slack app is getting a big upgrade – here’s how to try the new AI features

    Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETSlack users will see new features appear on the app and service, no matter which plan you use. Some of the more exciting features will be added to paid plans only, but it doesn’t matter which paid plan you choose, because there are some exciting new additions coming.Also: 6 Slack tips I swear by to turn a chaotic workspace into a well-oiled machineLet’s start with what’s coming to the free plan first. What’s new to the free plan? The big addition to the free plan is the addition of Salesforce channels. With this new feature, you’ll be able to connect with your Salesforce teams in real time for better collaboration, including customer data in Salesforce channels. This will include a full customer view. Also: AI agents win over professionals – but only to do their grunt work, Stanford study findsSlack is also enhancing security across all plans, including session duration controls and native device management with SAML-based SSO for Salesforce customers. Also, every Salesforce customer will get a Slack free plan with access to Salesforce integrations. More

  • in

    This thumb-sized accessory gave my old PC an instant speed boost (and double the storage)

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways PNY 1TB CS3150 M.2 storage drive, available for around $170. Overall, it’s a fast M.2 drive with active cooling to keep running temperatures below the maximum rated temperature. The heatsink makes the drive rather bulky, and you will need a 4-pin fan header on the motherboard to power the fans. –> […] More

  • in

    Your Verizon customer service experience is about to feel very different due to an AI overhaul

    Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETDealing with customer support at any company often feels like an exercise in frustration and futility. You often have to contact the company multiple times or talk to a host of different representatives to get the problem fixed. Now Verizon is looking to improve the support experience by using both people and AI.Also: Verizon will give you an iPhone 16 Plus (or 4) with no trade-in – here’s howOn Tuesday, the carrier revealed several changes to its support process, all designed with one goal in mind. Customers only need to contact Verizon support once, and the company will make sure the problem is resolved from there.1. AI assistantAn AI assistant will handle most common, simple support calls. If you just want to renew your service, activate a PIN, or troubleshoot a device, you can turn to the AI 24/7 instead of waiting on hold for a support rep. Of course, working with AI can be annoying if it’s unable to understand your issue. That leads us to the next change.2. Customer championFor more complex problems, a dedicated “Customer Champion” will take ownership as part of a personalized type of support. With AI-powered help from Google Gemini, that champion will update you on the status of your problem through the method of your choice–callbacks, text messages, or updates in the My Verizon app. The aim is to keep you in the loop until the problem is fully resolved.Also: Get a free pair of Meta Ray-Bans when you sign up for Verizon 5G home internetUnder a new “ValU” training program, Verizon’s champions will specialize in one product or brand instead of struggling to learn them all. Assigned to specific types of support issues, they should then have the necessary expertise to diagnose and resolve the problem more effectively. More

  • in

    The top 6 TVs our readers bought this year so far (including a surprise budget pick)

    When it comes to buying a new TV, it can feel like every brand offers the same suite of preloaded apps and smart features. But ZDNET readers have zeroed in on their favorite TV models from brands like LG, Vizio, Samsung, and Hisense, which vary from high-end OLED screens to budget-friendly TVs for secondary displays. Features like AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync VRR support for console gaming, screen sharing via AirPlay or Chromecast, and Bluetooth connectivity allow you to create a well-rounded entertainment space in your living room or dedicated home theater.Also: The best TVs to buy in 2025Our team has put together a list of the top-selling TVs for ZDNET readers from different retailers in order of units sold via links in our product reviews (note that your privacy is protected: We only have access to aggregate data from our user base, and there is no way for us to identify individual people’s purchases). Read on to find out more about ZDNET’s most popular TV models in 2025 so far. Adam Breeden/ZDNETThe 6 most popular TVs among ZDNET readers this year The G4 OLED is LG’s latest addition to its line of high-end, flagship OLED TVs, featuring an updated panel for enhanced color accuracy and contrast, a brighter picture, and support for Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound. Console gamers will love the high refresh rate and support for both AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync VRR to prevent screen tearing and stuttering. “I’m not usually a fan of LG TVs, but since testing the LG G4 OLED TV last year, I have to admit that it has the most impressive picture quality of any TV I’ve ever bought, used, or tested,” ZDNET editor-in-chief Jason Hiner writes. The LG G4 OLED is available in a variety of sizes, but ZDNET readers gravitate toward the 65- and 83-inch models.Also: The LG G4 OLED is one of my favorite TVs for picture quality
    Read More More