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These not-so-obvious gadgets that we’ve tested this year never got their chance to shine; here’s what we recommend. Source link

If you feel like a 13- or 14-inch laptop is a little too small, but you don’t want to carry around a big 16-inch, the “Goldilocks” size for you is a 15-inch laptop. This in-between size often gets overlooked for models with larger, flashier screens, but most folks consider it to be just right when compared to larger machines.  Also: The best OLED laptops of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed For example, the MacBook M3…

Benson George/Getty Images When Microsoft introduced Windows 11 in 2021, its new, stringent hardware compatibility test included checking for the presence of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) — specifically, one that meets the TPM 2.0 standard. So, what is a TPM, and why does Windows insist that you need one?  Also: How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 The simple answer is that a TPM is a secure cryptoprocessor, a dedicated microcontroller…

Perplexity If you’re a college student looking to get hands-on experience in the world of AI, collaborate with other students around the world, and learn from industry leaders passionate about AI, you’ll want to be aware of Perplexity’s Campus Strategist program.  Perplexity is a leading name in AI these days, and the company says this free program provides not only real-world experience but also mentorship from top minds. Also: Two free ways to get a…

Kerry Wan/ZDNET It’s probably happened to you before: Your phone has received too many notifications, and as you instinctively tap on the “Clear all” button, you realize one or two of those alerts were actually very important.  If you have a good memory, you’ll know exactly which apps and pathways to dig into to interact with those now-gone notifications. But if you’re like me, you’ll accept defeat, take a breather, and then remember that notification history…

There is nothing more terrifying than the thought of losing track of a child, and this fear can be even more worrisome during the holiday season in crowded department stores, groceries, and airports. Thankfully, expert-tested and parent-reviewed GPS trackers can ensure you know where your child is at all times, no matter how frequently they wander off.  I would balance the need for safety with respecting [my child’s] privacy and autonomy, using the tracker as…

ZDNET One of the most fun applications of AI is using it to generate images because it can bring anything you can think of to life visually. OpenAI kicked off the image generation craze with the release of DALL-E 2, but since then, it has paywalled unlimited access to its latest model, DALL-E 3. Now, Microsoft is offering a workaround. On Wednesday, Microsoft unveiled several upgrades to its Bing Image Generator. The biggest standout is…

ZDNET’s key takeaways TCL’s 98-inch Class S5 Series TV is one of the most accessibly-priced TVs of its size, and it’s currently on sale for $1,500 off. Watching movies and TV shows on such a big display is as close to a theatre-like experience as one can get at home. With such a large TV, setting it up can be a struggle, especially if you don’t have a big enough console or wall space more…

Floriana/Getty Images Agentic AI may be moving artificial intelligence (AI) to a new level beyond generative AI, with the same characteristics and challenges — but also with some notable distinctions. Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, calls agentic AI the “third wave” in the rapid evolution of the field. “In just a few years, we’ve already witnessed three generations of AI,” he observed in a recent piece in the New York Times. “First came predictive models that…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The 2024 Moto G Play retails for $150, but you can pick one up for just $110 right now. The phone is affordable, attractive, and feels good in the hand, with useful Motorola software features and long battery life. Performance and camera quality will be limited at this price point, and I wish it had 5G support. I use my smartphone regularly to complete work and stay connected with my loved ones….