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    I replaced my Bose with the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones for a week – and they set a new standard

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Sony WH-1000XM6 are available in Black, Silver, and Midnight Blue for $450. These headphones provide exceptional noise cancellation, practical software features, and an enjoyable sound. A tight fit and non-adjustable noise cancellation are noticeable pitfalls for premium headphones. more buying choices –> may / 2025 It’s been three years since […] More

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    I went hands-on with every new Acer laptop from its 2025 lineup. Here’s what stood out

    Acer Aspire 14 and 16 AI (2025) Kerry Wan/ZDNETAcer just announced its new lineup of 2025 laptops, and we’re seeing thin and light form factors, AI-readiness, OLED displays, and powerful hardware. In terms of hardware, Acer continues to court the field by including processors from all three major chipmakers: Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm. Also: I replaced my laptop with Microsoft’s 12-inch Surface Pro – here’s my buying advice a week laterThe new models, announced ahead of Computex 2025, also include the latest GPUs from Nvidia utilizing its Blackwell architecture, which feature significant advancements in AI capabilities as well as increased efficiency and power. There’s a focus on creator-minded machines this year, particularly when it comes to bringing powerful AI capabilities to the GPU. I recently went hands-on with all of the models alongside ZDNET’s Kerry Wan, and left with some exciting first impressions, especially with the Swift X 14 AI, the first model I’ll touch on. Let’s jump in. Swift X 14 and Swift X 14 AI  More

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    These 6 products helped me cut ties with cable – and save $1,200 a year

    Pluto TV is 100% free, which is why I chose it over other streaming options. While it doesn’t necessarily have “live” TV to tune into (you won’t get regular channels like E!, TLC, ESPN, etc., or live events like award shows and sports games), it does satisfy the action of scrolling through channels to see what’s on with more than 250 channels to choose from–from reality TV and crime shows, to movies and even local news. Also: The best live TV streaming servicesDuring football season, we tried out YouTube TV as another live TV alternative, but due to its high-capacity 4K streaming, it increased our internet bill by almost $100 extra a month…so be mindful of that when choosing a streaming service–you might end up paying as much, if not more than, cable TV. CNET’s survey shows that a majority of Americans (61%) are spending subscription money on streaming services, so be mindful when choosing which service is right for you and pay attention to free ones like Pluto, Plex, and Tubi.  More

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    This Lenovo laptop is a worthy MacBook Pro competitor – it even does some things better

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition is on sale for about $1,512. It’s a lightweight laptop with a solid battery life and vibrant OLED display that is perfect for work and entertainment. However, its lightweight nature extends to its hardware, too, since it isn’t a particularly powerful computer. more buying […] More

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    Sony WH-1000XM6 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra: I compared to flagship headphones

    Jada JonesZDNETA pair of headphones with strong noise-canceling capabilities is essential for anyone who needs to occasionally tune out the world around them. If noise cancellation is at the top of your “must-haves” when buying a pair of over-ear headphones, two options offer the best of the best.Also: Best headphones of 2025: Bose, Sony, Beats, and moreThe new Sony WH-1000XM6 More

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    I pried open a cheap 600W charger and found this weird lump of ‘goo’ inside

    It’s easy to silkscreen 600W on the product, but can the product live up to the hype? Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETI test dozens of chargers every year. Some are excellent, while others fall short. Here on ZDNET, I only feature the cream of the crop — the best of the best. However, I occasionally receive requests from readers asking for my thoughts or opinions on specific products. Lately, one product that’s been generating a lot of buzz is this 600W GaN charger. Also: This wall charger replaced all of my Bluetooth trackers – and why I’ll never travel without itSo, I bought a couple for testing. At $99, they’re not exactly cheap, but compared to the Ugreen Nexode 300W More

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    Your Meta Ray-Bans just got two seriously helpful upgrades for free – how they work

    June Wan/ZDNETMeta Ray-Bans already provide plenty of utility for people with low vision, but the glasses are about to get even better.Also: Google sprinkles Chrome and Android with new assistive tricks – here’s what’s newMeta has announced two new accessibility advancements for its smart glasses designed to help users navigate the world around them.The first feature is available now. Meta said users can get descriptive responses about what their glasses see. Meta explained that this feature is useful for anyone, especially those with vision impairments.Also: I’ve worn Meta Ray-Bans for months and these 5 features never get oldIn a demonstration video, a user with a vision impairment asked her glasses what they saw. “I see a pathway leading to a grassy area with trees and a body of water in the distance,” the glasses responded by describing tree height, giving more details about the pathway, and mentioning that the grassy area was “well manicured.” Later in the video, a user asked Meta’s glasses what they saw, and the user received a breakdown of food items on a kitchen countertop.  More