More stories

  • in

    6 gadgets that got me through college – and why they make such a big difference

    Wireless earbuds are popular purchases for many, but are certainly a staple for college students. Remember when I said we’d come back to the campus never being quiet bit? Well, here we are. Not only did I attend the University of Alabama, which is full of lots of noise generated by a bustling campus, a large Greek community (the music from Fraternity Row rarely ceases), and constant traffic, but I also spent two years living next to Bryant-Denny stadium, which notably can reach volumes of over 90 dbs often. The point here is that a pair of noise-canceling earbuds is essential because, on most campuses, the noise never stops, and you’ll want a way to cut it out when you need to sleep, study, work, or relax. I upgraded to these AirPods Pro only recently this year, but I used various other noise-canceling alternatives during my four years as a student. I use my AirPods Pro to listen to music during my commute, watch videos and shows, and simply drown out the outside sound of the train and daily hustle, which makes them also perfect for dulling the noise of any busy college or university. Also: The best earbuds of 2025: Expert testedThese AirPods have two times more noise cancellation than the previous version and feature an upgraded adaptive transparency mode, which automatically lowers the volume of harmful noises above the 85dB threshold. I enjoy using all of these features and especially appreciate conversation awareness, which makes it easy to talk to friends without taking my earbuds out. Redditors said the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are the best buy out of the entire AirPods lineup currently, thanks to the upgraded features, new chip, and new USB-C charging option. One truck driver on Reddit who describes himself as an audiophile said the improvements of the 2nd Gen Pros were noticeable, to the point where he couldn’t even hear his truck’s engine running like usual. Other Redditors said these AirPods provided pretty good noise cancellation and overall value for using on airplanes and long flights  More

  • in

    Dyson has a new cordless stick vacuum that’s as slim as the brand’s hair dryers – and I’m nearly sold

    Dyson Dyson just announced the launch of the slimmest cordless vacuum cleaner I’ve ever seen. The new Dyson PencilVac resembles those sweep brooms you may have seen growing up, but it features the latest vacuum technology inside. The Pencilvac’s long, thin handle — it’s only 1.5 inches thick — has the vacuum’s motor, dustbin, and […] More

  • in

    This $700 Motorola flip phone is better than flagships that cost hundreds more – here’s why

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Motorola Razr (2025) is on sale for $700 and comes in four distinct colors Its OLED touchscreen, robust camera system, and flexible design combine to create one of my favorite smartphone experiences in 2025 However, the performance from the MediaTek chipset is rather lackluster more buying choices The Motorola Razr […] More

  • in

    Your iPhone’s USB port is seriously underrated: 7 uses cases to maximize its potential

    Kerry Wan/ZDNETFor years, Apple users juggled a collection of Lightning cables: one for the iPhone, maybe another for an older iPad, and then a USB-C for their MacBooks. Thankfully, times have changed since the release of the iPhone 15.A generation later, the iPhone 16 is now firmly in the USB-C camp. That little port at the bottom of your device is more than just a power inlet; it’s a gateway to a surprising array of functionalities that can transform how you use your phone. Also: Best iPhone 2025: I tested the top models and found your perfect fitIf you’ve only been using it to charge up, you’re missing out on a world of convenience and capability. Let’s dive into what that single port can really do. More

  • in

    Everything unveiled at Google I/O 2025: Smart glasses, Gemini, Search, more

    Google began rolling out AI Mode in Search earlier this year, and the feature will now be widely available in the US, with no Labs sign-up required. It’ll come with some new capabilities, too.Deep Search in AI Mode, for example, expands the number of background queries from tens to hundreds to put together a more robust and thought-out search response. The result is a fully cited report that Google says will take just minutes to research and create.Also: Your Google Search experience will never be the same, thanks to 8 new AI featuresFor visual assistance, the Google Search experience is also getting Project Astra’s multimodal capabilities, so users can simply point their camera at an object or setting and ask about it like they would with a Google image search. There’s also a new AI Mode shopping experience that helps you find inspirations, narrow down buying options, and see yourself in an outfit (via image generator) when you upload an image of yourself.Project Mariner’s agentic functions will also transfer to AI Mode, allowing users to prompt Google to find the best event ticket deals or book restaurant appointments. While the AI won’t complete the purchase for you, it will present multiple options, including the one that best fits your inquiry (say you searched for the cheapest option), for you to approve.Finally, Google has expanded AI Overviews to over 200 countries and territories, and more than 40 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Malay, Urdu, and more. More

  • in

    I tracked my glucose with Oura Ring’s new CGM integration. Here’s how it went

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Oura announced an integration with Dexcom’s Stelo CGM that simplifies the glucose-monitoring and meal-logging process One month of Stelo costs $100, and an Oura Ring starts at $350 The integration is great and convenient for people looking to learn about the ways glucose impacts their energy, sleep, and more. –> Health […] More