NETWORKING

sankai/Getty Images Google Search is an incredibly valuable resource, to the point that it has effectively defined the modern internet. But as we’ve all experienced, Search doesn’t always get the right results. We’re often left looking for answers, despite the search engine providing many choices to dig deeper into. Sometimes, that outcome is because the search engine has been gamed, and less-than-relevant results are presented because of SEO activities from website operators. Also: Google’s Gemini 2.0…

Eoneren/Getty Images With so many new artificial intelligence (AI) products being released every day, it is difficult to create something that really stands out, but Google’s NotebookLM has become a viral tool. Its Audio Overviews feature, which generates a two-host podcast from any content you have, has been all the rave — and it’s getting even better.  Also: Google’s AI podcast tool transforms your text into stunningly lifelike audio – for free On Friday, Google…

oxygen/Getty Images Happy Holidays! May your coffee be strong and your Wi-Fi signal stronger this season! But the holiday season isn’t just about getting the best wireless signal and loading up on go juice; it’s about family, friends, food, fun, and finances. And, frankly, holidays can be a lot of work. There’s a lot to organize, a ton of spending, careful relationship management that would give a UN ambassador pause, and plenty of planning. Also:…

One of the most common questions we get asked at ZDNET is “what’s the fastest laptop?” It’s tough to answer, because ultimately, it depends. Fastest at what? There are a lot of factors that go into a laptop’s speed (and how it’s measured) but we’ve put together a list of the best-performing laptops for the use cases where speed and performance matter most.  If you’re talking about creative tasks, “fastest” might refer to the speed…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Goldemate 1000 Pro UPS is available now on Amazon for $199. With a Lithium battery that can last for nearly two hours, this UPS is hard to beat at the price. There’s no means of communicating to a PC for a graceful shutdown, should power go out. For as long as I can remember, I’ve used a UPS — aka, Uninterruptible Power Supply — for various devices: computers, routers, televisions, and…

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images The TikTok ban could be catastrophic for Americans. This crisis has ripple effects that could disrupt industries and shake the American economy. 💰 Aly (my editor) HATES when I do hot takes… but billions per month are at stake, and American small businesses are on the line so I have to share this one. Also: Is this the end of Google? This new AI tool isn’t just competing, it’s winning…

Kerry Wan/ZDNET When choosing a virtual private network (VPN) service, the options are endless. In a market flooded with promotions, deals, lists of features, different encryption standards, and varying device support, it can be easy to forget the core reason for using a VPN: you need a service that improves your online security and privacy.  Also: The best VPN services: Expert tested and reviewed But how can you make that decision wisely? It’s always best to…

Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images The TikTok ban could be catastrophic for Americans. This crisis has ripple effects that could disrupt industries and shake the American economy. 💰 Aly (my editor) HATES when I do hot takes… but billions per month are at stake, and American small businesses are on the line so I have to share this one. Also: Is this the end of Google? This new AI tool isn’t just competing, it’s winning…

Evgeny Gromov/Getty Images Microsoft’s Windows 10 will reach the end of its life in October 2025. Time seems to be going by faster and faster — the next thing you know, you’ll no longer be receiving updates for your operating system. Why is that a bad thing? Security. Would you want to use an operating system that’s already one of the most targeted on the planet when it’s no longer getting security updates? The answer…

The Raspberry Pi is often the star of the show when you need a powerful brain for your DIY projects, but there are alternatives to the popular single-board computer (SBC).  Why an SBC? SBCs are computers built on a single circuit board and contain all the essentials: a processor, memory, storage, and more. Some SBCs offer better bang for your buck than a Raspberry Pi or are easier to get your hands on, as stocks…