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Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETThink that Apple’s Siri snooped on your private conversations in the past? If so, you may be able to snag a slice of the $95 million that Apple is paying out to settle a class-action lawsuit. But you have to act fast, as the deadline to submit your claim is days away.Also: My favorite iPhone productivity feature just got a major upgrade with iOS 26 (and it’s not Siri)A settlement page recently published in the case of Lopez v. Apple Inc. explains the steps and deadlines for people who want to make a claim. The settlement is geared toward current or former users of a Siri device in the US whose conversations with the voice assistant were captured by Apple or shared with third parties due to an “unintended Siri activation.” How to tell if you qualify If you are in the US and used a Siri-supported device between Sept. 17, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2024, you might be eligible for part of the payout from Apple. In May, a notice approved by the US District Court for the Northern District of California was sent to affected parties. Some ZDNET staffers received it with the subject line “Lopez Voice Assistant Class Action Settlement.” Also: 5 reasons I turn to ChatGPT every day – from faster research to replacing SiriTo learn more about the claim submission process, check out the FAQ section on the settlement page. If you still have questions, you can also contact the settlement administrator by snail mail or by phone.How to enter your claim todayIf you’re in the qualifying group, you should have received a notice email with a Claim Identification Code and a Confirmation Code alerting you to the settlement. The email should have been sent from an account called info@lopezvoiceassistantsettlement.com. If you received such an email, don’t delete it. You may also want to check your spam folder to see if the message is trapped there. Also: 10 easy ways to make Siri work better on your iPhone todayIf you didn’t receive an email or even a postcard, which was also sent to affected parties, you can still try to put together a claim.If you got an email or postcard…If you received a notice, go to the claim submissions page, enter your claim codes from the email or postcard, and log in to proceed. If you didn’t get an email or postcard…If you don’t receive either the email or the postcard, you can enter a new claim at the submission page. You’ll be asked to provide your contact information along with a serial number and model name for the Siri device or proof of purchase. You can add as many as five different devices, including an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePod, or any other gadget that uses Siri. Also: Every iPhone model that can be updated to iOS 26 (and which ones don’t support it)Either way, you’ll be asked whether you want to receive your payout by direct deposit to your bank account or by electronic check. When is the deadline? Don’t wait too long to file a claim. The deadline is July 2, 2025. You can also opt to do nothing, in which case you simply won’t collect anything.Also: Your iPhone can be used as a digital driver’s license – here’s how it works for these statesFollowing the filing deadline, the court still has to approve the settlement before payouts can begin. A final approval hearing is scheduled for August 1 with US District Judge Jeffrey White in the federal court in Oakland, Calif.. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Klein Tools 80016 Circuit Breaker Finder effectively maps circuits throughout your home. It’s a useful tool with clear discovery indicators and improved safety features. It’s somewhat pricey at $65, with minimal directions for beginners. –> Do you ever wonder what wall socket corresponds to which circuit breaker or circuit in […] More

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETThe arrival of HDMI 2.2 technology ushers in a new era of A/V potential, which is great news for enthusiasts and future-proofing fanatics. It might be a little while before every device on the market sports the new tech, but you can expect to see the first “Ultra96” HDMI cables hitting shelves later this year. Increased bandwidth and resolutionThis is a significant leap forward from the current HDMI 2.1. Even ultra-high-speed 2.1 cables cap out at 48 Gbps. While 48 Gbps has capably handled resolutions up to 10K and 4K content at 120 Hz, HDMI 2.2 throws open the gates to even more mind-bending visual experiences. Imagine 4K at a fluid 480 Hz, 8K at a zippy 240 Hz, and a jaw-dropping 16K at 60 Hz. For your exceptionally discerning eye, it will also flawlessly transmit uncompressed video formats with 10-bit and 12-bit color at 8K 60 Hz and 4K 240 Hz.Also: Are you paying more for cable and internet? It’s bad all overBefore you start dreaming of 16K cable TV, though, let’s keep things in perspective. Native 8K content is still incredibly rare, and HDMI 2.1, which debuted in 2017, hasn’t even been fully leveraged by most hardware manufacturers yet. So, while HDMI 2.2’s increased bandwidth and resolution capabilities might feel a bit ahead of its time, that’s because it’s laying the groundwork for innovations yet to come. More

Andrei Stanescu/Getty Images For many, saving money is a top priority these days, especially with something as consistent and essential as groceries. And with Amazon Prime Day coming up, now might be a good time to sign up for a Prime membership<!–> (or a free trial) if you want the benefits of yes, great deals, but […] More

Jumping Rocks/Contributor/Getty Is it something in the water? First, it was Denmark bidding Microsoft adieu. Then it was the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Now it’s Lyon, France’s third-largest city and a leading economic hub, sweeping Microsoft Windows and Office suite away to replace them with Linux, OnlyOffice, NextCloud, and PostgreSQL.  Also: Ready to ditch Windows? ‘End […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The best kickstand on a power bank that I’ve come across – it actually does the job! Clear, easy-to-read display showing battery capacity A solid, well-made power bank, exactly what I’d expect from ESR. –> It’s hard to stand out in the power bank market. After all, they’re little cubes of […] More

When is Amazon Prime Day 2025? This year, Amazon Prime Day runs from July 8-11. For the first time, the annual sale will last for four days instead of the usual two, so you’ll have more chances to save.Are Apple products really cheaper on Prime Day? Apple rarely offers major sales and discounts on its products, and considering the generally high price point, you might wait a while for a deal before upgrading your gear. Sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday are great opportunities to save — but discounts are often still low, with many deals we’ve observed offering roughly 5% to 20% off, at most. How did we choose these Prime Day deals?ZDNET only writes about deals we want to buy — devices and products we desire, need, or would recommend. Our experts looked for deals that were at least 20% off (or are hardly ever on sale, as is often the case with Apple devices), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops. We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we’re recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing — in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter.  More

When you’re running sales at a scrappy startup, every decision matters. Do you really need more software? The answer is usually no. But before you know it, you’re drowning in spreadsheets, sticky notes, and huge gaps in memory about where you left off with a customer.Also: The best small-business CRM softwareYour growing business needs a proper CRM, or customer relationship management, system. But the budget is tight, so you’re not ready to commit to expensive monthly subscriptions. Thankfully, you’ve got a significant number of free CRM options available. And just because it’s “free,” doesn’t mean it’s low quality. Many premium CRM vendors offer limited access to their platform free of charge, as long as your needs are reasonable. So if you’re thinking about getting a CRM but don’t feel ready to pull out your credit card just yet, here are the best options for you.What is the best free CRM software right now?While there’s more than one good choice, my top pick for a free CRM has got to be HubSpot More