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Solus Budgie makes for a wonderful desktop that anyone could easily use. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET Every so often I ask myself, “What is the thing that keeps people from using Linux?” Typically speaking, the answer is that they don’t know much about the open-source operating system. Second, comes the fact that it’s hard to find any big-box store that sells PCs pre-loaded with Linux. Third? The command line. Yep, the command line. Consider this:…

App Freeze can help clear up space on your Android device. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET One of the main reasons I’ve stuck with the Pixel line of phones for so long is because they tend to be the first devices to receive new Android features. Sure, most of those features trickle down to other phones but it’s nice to know you’ll get them first. That’s the case with one particular Android feature called App Freeze,…

ZDNET’s key takeaways This ESR car charger supports the Qi2 standard, allowing it to power up at 15W. The CryoBoost fan helps to keep your iPhone cool when charging. You do have to supply your own 12V USB-C car charger. Do you need to charge your iPhone in the car but are frustrated by having cables everywhere or finding that wireless charging is slow or causes overheating? If this sounds like what you need, ESR…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE starts at $649, with 128GB of storage and AI features included. Large 6.7-inch AMOLED display and an enduring 4,700mAh battery are the top two strengths. At its price, the S24 FE faces stiff competition from Google, OnePlus, and Samsung itself. more buying choices With the fall season in full swing, I’ve recently been catching up with more friends and family. It’s during these times when I’m most…

Lance Whitney/ZDNET Imagine an AI model that can work with a computer all on its own. Well, imagine no longer because such an AI has arrived. On Tuesday, Anthropic announced that the latest generation of its Claude AI model can use a computer — just like you and I do. Dubbed Claude 3.5 Sonnet, the AI has surfaced in beta mode for developers to use via an API. Touted by Anthropic as the “first frontier AI…

iRobot The Roomba brand has become synonymous with a great robot vacuum. However, the big expense can be intimidating for a new robot vacuum user looking for their first model. Now, Roomba-maker iRobot has announced a new version of its affordable Essential line featuring hands-free cleaning capabilities and twice the cleaning power.  The redesigned Roomba Combo 2 Essential and Roomba Vac 2 Essential each feature iRobot’s AutoEmpty dock and a new bumper design to navigate…

iRobot The Roomba brand has become synonymous with a great robot vacuum. However, the big expense can be intimidating for a new robot vacuum user looking for their first model. Now, Roomba-maker iRobot has announced a new version of its affordable Essential line featuring hands-free cleaning capabilities and twice the cleaning power.  The redesigned Roomba Combo 2 Essential and Roomba Vac 2 Essential each feature iRobot’s AutoEmpty dock and a new bumper design to navigate…

What is the best Mac VPN in 2024? Our top Mac VPN is NordVPN. NordVPN isn’t the cheapest, but you get what you pay for — an intuitive and attractive user interface, an easy-to-use accompanying mobile app, rapid speeds, and a massive server network. That’s not to mention the wealth of additional security features and optional cyber-insurance coverage.  ZDNET authors have been testing VPN software for years. We have kept a finger on the pulse…

Meta If you’ve ever lost access to a Facebook or Instagram account, you know it can be frustrating to prove that you’re really you. Meta is hoping to make regaining access to your account a lot easier and faster by bringing back a technology it recently did away with. Several years ago, Facebook shut down its facial recognition system over privacy concerns. At the time, the company said that the “many specific instances where facial…

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past year, it’s that generative AI is playing a pivotal role in technological advancements, including where people spend much of their day — automobiles. Today, Google and Qualcomm have officially partnered to leverage their chips and generative AI capabilities to help developers create more enriched automotive experiences. Also: Qualcomm’s new chipset that will power flagship Android phones makes the iPhone seem outdated On Tuesday, at the chipmaker’s Snapdragon…