More stories

  • in

    This portable battery station can power your home for two weeks – and it’s $1,400 off

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus expands up to 24,000 Wh, powering a home for two weeks. Built-in wheels and handle make the Explorer 2000 Plus easy to move. The Explorer 2000 Plus delivers 3,000W power, fast charging, and rugged durability. more buying choices For a limited time, Amazon has the Jackery […] More

  • in

    ChatGPT’s GPT-4 model retires soon – some users can continue to access it

    Maria Diaz/ZDNETWhen ChatGPT first gained popularity in 2022, GPT-3.5 was the default model. In March 2023, the more advanced GPT-4 replaced it. Since then, both models have been lapped by a much more capable GPT-4o, which will soon replace GPT-4.Also: ChatGPT will remember everything you tell it now – like a real personal assistantOn Thursday, OpenAI updated its ChatGPT release notes to announce that GPT-4 was being retired from ChatGPT and fully replaced by GPT-4o starting April 30. In the changelog, OpenAI said that GPT-4o consistently outperformed its predecessor in writing, coding, and STEM in head-to-head evaluations. Retiring this model won’t be much of a loss, as GPT-4o’s release in May 2024 was a major upgrade. The “o” in GPT-4o stands for Omni and refers to the model’s multimodal features. These features allow it to understand text, audio, image, and video inputs and output text, audio, and images, greatly expanding upon what GPT-4 could do.  More

  • in

    The next big tech showdown is happening on your wrist – and you shouldn’t sleep on it

    Jason Hiner/ZDNETWant to catch up on the latest health and wearable tech news? As ZDNET’s editor of health and wearable technology, I keep up with the daily rumors and news of new tech, so you don’t have to. I’ve rounded up some of the week’s most memorable stories on smartwatches and fitness trackers. Keep reading to learn about the latest features landing around your wrist. From condition detection to condition management Samsung is seeking an upgrade on its FDA-cleared obstructive sleep apnea detection feature, thanks to a collaboration with Stanford Medicine. The tech brand is working with Stanford to leverage AI and turn your Galaxy Watch into a sleep apnea management device instead of simply a sleep apnea detection device. Also: The best smartwatches of 2025: Expert tested and reviewedCondition detection has been a key feature in these new-age wearable devices. Tech brands like Samsung, Google, and Apple have rolled out several features in their wearables that detect conditions like atrial fibrillation, sleep apnea, and hearing loss. The question is: Will people continue using the product once they’ve received a diagnosis? Tech brands seem to be exploring what’s next following detection to encourage continued use. This explains the introduction of management features and personal AI health assistants in everything from the Oura Ring to Polar watches. Speaking of Polar smartwatches, Polar unveiled its Fitness Program plan on Thursday. This paid subscription plan gives Polar watch wearers their own personal fitness assistant. The Fitness Program creates “science-backed” cardio fitness plans catering to users’ fitness goals and routines. OnePlus Watch 3 sees a price hike The OnePlus Watch 3 just got a price hike, which we can only assume is partly due to the trade war between China and the US. Originally set for $330, the OnePlus Watch 3 now retails for $500, a $170 increase. If trade tensions between the countries continue, we’ll likely see more price hikes on tech soon. New features roll out on Pixel Watches Google rolled out its Scam Detection feature, which uses AI to scan calls and detect suspicious activity, on its second- and third-generation Pixel Watches. Pixel Watch 3 users also got a lifesaving feature upgrade in the Loss of Pulse Detection feature, which is rolling out now through the end of the month. The feature, which is opt-in-only, checks your pulse and calls emergency services if it has been lost.  More

  • in

    Why I recommend this HP laptop to traveling business professionals and creatives

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The HP EliteBook Ultra G1i is on sale for $2,199 I highly recommend it to people looking for a laptop with top-performing hardware, a vibrant screen, and a high-quality webcam However, because of its limited port selection, some might find its usability limited without supplementary accessories. –> Work laptops don’t have […] More

  • in

    Microsoft is pushing its controversial Recall feature to Windows Insiders

    Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETFollowing a series of delays and pauses, Microsoft is giving its problematic Recall feature another shot. It was tested last fall in the Dev Channel as an early, experimental feature, but it is now gradually rolling out in the Release Preview Channel.Now available in previewIn a blog post published Thursday, the company announced that Recall is now available in preview mode for Windows Insiders running Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.3902. Available only on Copilot+ PCs, this is the first preview of the May 2025 update. Assuming Recall doesn’t trigger any further issues or concerns, you can expect the feature to go live next month. Also: Microsoft overhauls the dreaded Blue Screen of Death – here’s what’s newInitially announced in May 2024, the AI-powered Recall has been touted by Microsoft as photographic memory for your computer. By taking a series of snapshots of your activity in Windows, the feature acts as an advanced search tool that lets you quickly find things you’ve done and seen. On the surface, that sounds like a great way to help you find files, apps, settings, and other content. Also: Windows 11 PC won’t boot? Microsoft’s new tool tries to fix it before you even panic – here’s howBut any feature that takes snapshots of everything you see and do in Windows also sounds like a privacy risk. After learning how Recall works, Windows users expressed concerns, while some security experts called it a “privacy nightmare.” More

  • in

    The best earbuds under $50 in 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

    Earbuds have come a long way over the last decade. The tiny — increasingly wireless — gadgets can seamlessly swap from playing music to answering a phone call with just a tap. With Bluetooth technology, they’re also compatible with smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, as well as laptops and desktop computers. Earbuds can cost hundreds of dollars, but you don’t have to break the bank to get a quality, everyday-use product. Our ZDNET experts have been testing wired and unwired headphones for a long time, analyzing features like spatial audio, sound quality, battery life, and noise cancelation. We’ve got you covered with this list of our favorite earbuds for under $50.What are the best earbuds under $50 right now?The best earbuds under $50 are the JLab JBuds ANC 3 More

  • in

    My iPhone’s battery is fading faster than Apple promised, despite my best efforts

    Jason Hiner/ZDNETApple claims that the batteries shipped inside the iPhone 15 and later models are designed to retain 80% of their original capacity after 1,000 complete charge cycles “under ideal conditions.”When I acquired my iPhone 15 Pro Max, I decided to put this claim to the test. This smartphone was first used in March 2024 and has been my daily driver ever since. I have taken every possible measure to care for the battery: I have permanently set the charging limit to 80% (Settings > Battery > Charging), avoided keeping the handset on charge for excessively long periods, and ensured it remains away from extreme temperatures. How has it been performing?Not great. Also: iOS 18.4 update draining your iPhone’s battery? Try these 6 fixesIn a little over 12 months and 355 recharge cycles — approximately once a day, which is quite a high amount of usage — the maximum capacity has dropped to 91%. More