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    Technology that changed us: The 2000s, from iPhone to Twitter

    Jon Furniss/Getty Images Editor’s Note: ZDNET’s “Technology that Changed Us” series was first published in 2018. We’ve updated this installment to improve its accuracy and ensure that it reflects recent technology developments. In this 50-year retrospective, we’re looking at technologies that had an impact on the world, paved the way for the future, and changed […] More

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    Microsoft Build kicks off May 19 – here’s what we know so far

    Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETEvery year, the spring season brings a series of launch events from the major tech companies, including Microsoft. The software giant just revealed the dates of its annual developer conference, Microsoft Build. Here’s everything you need to know. When is Microsoft Build?Microsoft Build will take place from May 19 to 22 in Seattle. Although a schedule is yet to be published, the event typically includes a two-hour keynote on the first day, during which the company makes its major announcements, including software and hardware reveals. If you have been keeping up with the latest generative AI offerings, you won’t want to miss the event. To make sure you don’t, you can sign up for notifications on the Microsoft Build web page. How can you watch?Because the event is still months away, Microsoft has not shared details about attending or viewing the conference. However, even though Microsoft Build takes place in Seattle, the company typically includes options for the public to livestream the keynotes and breakout sessions on the company’s website.  More

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    OpenAI eyes the wearables business: Robots, headsets, watches and a whole lot more

    Getty Images/Thinkhubstudio When you think of headphones, AR/VR headsets, and smart jewelry companies OpenAI may not come to mind. However, a new trademark filing suggests that might soon change.  OpenAI filed a trademark application on January 31 with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), spotted by TechCrunch. The application includes an extensive list of software […] More

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    Can phones replace laptops? This underrated Samsung feature settled that debate for me

    Kerry Wan/ZDNETIt’s not a stretch to say that only the most powerful of power users have heard of Samsung DeX. While full of whimsical capability, it’s one of the most undermined, poorly advertised features on modern-day Samsung phones, so much so that I only remembered it after reading a recent story from my colleague Jack Wallen.Also: I tried to replace my desktop with a phone for work – 5 frustrating lessons I learnedIn theory, Samsung DeX should be one of the most transformative features to come to smartphones. It allows users to quickly switch from their devices’ mobile interface to a more computer-like experience when hooked up to a monitor or TV. Since the feature was released in 2017, it’s received several upgrades, including wireless connectivity and enhanced multitasking.The story written by Wallen, by the way, speaks to how smartphones aren’t capable of replacing our laptops. So, I tested that theory myself, powering my workflow for a few days solely with the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Samsung DeX. Here’s how it fared as a standalone computing device and why replacing your laptop with it might not be the worst idea. More

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    I tried to replace my desktop with a phone for work – 5 frustrating lessons I learned

    ZDNETAccording to Stat Counter, mobile phones made up 63.07% of the total hardware platform market share in 2024. Simply put, more people use a phone than a desktop or laptop computer. That’s fine for many of us who use our devices mostly for messaging, social media, entertainment, and shopping.Also: Can phones replace laptops? This underrated Samsung feature settled that debate for meSure, my phone is indispensable; When I’m at home, my Pixel 9 Pro is my only source for calls. When I’m away from home, it keeps me connected to the world.But as viable as modern-day phones are, there are a handful of reasons why they will never be my primary computing device. Here are the main ones.1. Physical and digital limitationsThis is the primary reason mobile devices will never become my default. I’m a writer and am often churning out content for tech sites as well as novels. Unless I’m carrying a wireless keyboard, it’s often too difficult to type as quickly on the phone, but it’s not nearly as accurate, meaning I spend more time correcting myself than not. I know some writers who’ve attempted to pen novels on a mobile device, but it takes them exponentially longer than it would on a desktop or laptop.Also: Super Productivity is the ultimate task manager for your time management goalsBut writing isn’t the only thing I need from a computing device. I also create images for various things and create/edit videos — another task I could not do on a phone. For example, services like Adobe Photoshop and DaVinci Resolve are much more robust on desktop than on mobile. In reality, the hand-held form factor is just not conducive to being productive at the level I need. More