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ZDNET’s key takeaways The Outlaw Audio RR 2160 Mk II stereo receiver is available on the company’s online store for $949. It’s a high-end receiver that delivers amazing sound, has plenty of inputs and outputs, and has bass management that will floor you. It’s also far heavier than you’d expect. “If music be the food of love, play on; Give me excess of it,” Duke Orsino said in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” The soundtrack of my…

ferrantraite/Getty Images There are plenty of AI tools to make your life at work easier, but your coworkers might think you’re lazy for using them.  A new study funded by Duke University shows that despite AI’s prevalence in the workplace, it comes with a “social penalty.” The study says people who use AI face negative judgment from their coworkers about their ability and motivation. The impact also applies to job candidates. Also: The telltale sign…

Nina Raemont/ZDNET Another busy week of product and feature launches is upon us, with Oura releasing two new features all-in on metabolic health and Whoop releasing its first fitness band upgrade in four years (to the chagrin of loyal Whoop users). There have been patent disputes aplenty and lots to discuss about the past week. Let’s dive in! The Whoop 5.0 launch has members angry  Whoop revealed its two new fitness bands and new subscription…

Kerry Wan/ZDNET It’s that time of the year when Apple cleans out its Certified Refurbished storefront and adds dozens of fresh iPhone listings, so what’s old is new again. Well, like new. Also: Tariff-proof tech? Back Market’s refurbished devices keep prices down This latest wave of refurbished devices includes every iPhone 15 model released in 2023, including the Plus and Pro Max, with discounts ranging from $110 to $230. While I wouldn’t call these the…

What is the best no-log VPN right now? ZDNET’s top no-log VPN right now is NordVPN. NordVPN combines strong security, excellent speeds, and a vast server network with a no-logs policy and a transparent approach to privacy that many users trust.  ZDNET writers have tested and reviewed VPNs for years. We rely on our experiences with the best VPNs on the market, frequent speed tests, and customer feedback to recommend the top VPNs you should…

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET Are you looking to upgrade your iPhone, but don’t have a device to trade in or the willpower to stomach the $1,000 price tag, especially with rising costs due to tariffs? Look no further than T-Mobile, as their offering a free iPhone 16 Pro when you switch to their Experience Beyond Plan. Also: This Motorola Razr deal at Best Buy is the top offer I’ve seen on the flip phone For the first time,…

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has been particularly noisy about this issue, telling CNBC earlier this month that the market for AI chips in China could reach $50 billion in the next couple of years, and it was important for U.S. firms to have access to that market. And Nvidia has a dog in this fight. Biden banned Nvidia from selling its H20 chip in China, a move that cost the company $5.5 billion in writedowns….

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 choices If there’s one thing you can expect from Lenovo, it is a solid work laptop that is sure to impress….

Bloomberg/Getty Images Got your eye on a new laptop, smartphone, TV, or gaming console? Be prepared to shell out more money if and when you decide to buy it. A new report released this week by the Consumer Technology Association describes how the Trump tariffs could dramatically bump up the cost of your favorite electronic products. Based on analysis from the Trade Partnership Worldwide (TPW), an international trade and economic consulting firm, the latest report…

Kerry Wan/ZDNET If you’ve been a loyal T-Mobile customer, you might have a free line coming your way. According to documentation from The Mobile Report, the carrier is offering a free line to select accounts. The new line is available now, and eligible customers will receive an automated text soon to let them know. Also: T-Mobile’s data breach settlement payments are finally rolling out – how to see if you qualify The move comes not long…