More stories

  • in

    The $200 Android vs. the $1,000 iPhone: How our digital divide keeps growing

    Cheng Xin/Getty Images Two screens. Two worlds.  On one screen, an urban professional in Oslo taps through ultra-secure banking apps, relies on an AI-powered personal assistant, and streams media seamlessly over high-speed 5G using their iPhone.  On the other screen, a farmer in Malawi scrolls through a modest Android phone — likely costing less than […] More

  • in

    This Linux distro is so Windows-like, it even comes with Microsoft apps

    Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNETOne of the many wonderful things about Linux is that you can make it look how you want. If you want to go crazy and create a desktop that looks and feels unlike any other, you can. But there are also distributions for people who’d rather have a user-friendly and instantly familiar desktop environment.Wubuntu is one such distribution, and I’m sure you can figure out what operating system it mimics. Yes, the correct response is Windows 11. Also: System76 just took everything that was good in Pop!_OS and made it even betterI’ve tested plenty of Linux distributions that attempt to copy the look and feel of Microsoft’s OS, and none of them get nearly as close as Wubuntu. Upon installing Wubuntu, I was surprised at how much it resembled Windows 11 — down to the inclusion of Microsoft’s AI, Copilot, and Microsoft Edge.The only thing Wubuntu is missing is those pesky ads in the menu.As you probably expect, Wubuntu is based on Ubuntu and uses the KDE Plasma desktop to achieve a strong appropriation of Windows 11. On the panel, you’ll find a weather app, a sidebar, a desktop menu, a run command launcher, favorites, a system tray, and Copilot. Upon first login, you’ll be greeted with the Settings window, where you can select your theme and adjust a few other aesthetics. More

  • in

    Why I pick this ultraportable Lenovo tablet over the iPad Air for entertainment – and it’s on sale

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Lenovo’s Tab Plus is a mid-range tablet currently selling for $330 on Best Buy. Contrary to its small size, the model houses a booming eight-speaker system and a long-lasting battery. The MediaTek Helio chipset and dim display won’t be winning any awards. more buying choices What’s the deal? Even though the […] More

  • in

    This Pro-level Ring Spotlight Cam is better than I expected, especially with this deal

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Battery is available for $230 but is currently on sale for $170 This Pro-level Ring camera has a removable rechargeable battery pack, top-of-the-line audio performance, and supports dual-band Wi-Fi, 2.4 and 5.0 GHz Unfortunately, the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro falls short on image quality, topping out […] More