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ZDNET A recent update from Google is reportedly destroying battery life on some Pixel 4a phones. Fortunately, if you have an affected phone, Google is offering compensation. A surprise (and problematic) update The Pixel 4a was an excellent phone when it debuted in 2020 and had dedicated fans until Google discontinued it last year. Google hadn’t offered a software update for the device since 2023 but sent out a surprise update about two weeks ago…

The iPhone SE 3rd Gen from 2022. ZDNET We may have gotten an early peek at Apple’s upcoming iPhone SE 4, courtesy of photos and a video shared by a leaker via X. The photos and clip, posted by an account dubbed Majin Bu, show off what are allegedly two models — or more likely, two dummy units — of the SE 4. Also: How to clear your iPhone cache for a fresh (and faster) start…

ZDNET’s key takeaways Active cooler that is more effective than just a fan Almost silent cooling fan Does take more power to run than a standard wireless charger I’ve become a fan of wireless charging because it’s quick, easy, and far more convenient to place my iPhone on a charging pad than to search for a cable, especially in the dark. However, wireless charging has drawbacks, including the heat generated during the process. This waste…

ZDNET’s key takeaways Asus’ ZenScreen Smart Monitor is a 27-inch 4K TV/monitor/hub all in one, and it’s on sale at Amazon for $379. It uses Google TV, supports hundreds of apps, and can switch between different modes on the fly. Getting everything connected can take some trial and error, and there are usability quirks. more buying choices Asus launched its first smart monitor, the 27-inch ZenScreen MS27UC, in late 2024, and it’s priced to compete….

ZDNET’s key takeaways HP’s Elitebook x360 1040 is on sale now at HP’s website for $1,499 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 configuration. It’s a solid 2-in-1 for business users on the move, has an incredibly long battery, a 1440p webcam, and a booming audio system. However, it runs rather warm during tough workloads and can demand a steep price. Say you’re a business professional and in the market for a laptop. What do you…

ZDNET Substack, a newsletter platform widely known for housing independent writers, journalists, and even up-and-coming individuals seeking to enter the media landscape, just launched a $20 million “Creator Accelerator Fund” to attract TikTok creators and influencers from other social networking platforms. How Substack’s creator fund works According to a statement provided by the company on Thursday, the “Creator Accelerator Fund” aims to “help creators expand their reach and business by taking advantage of Substack’s growth…

Kerry Wan/ZDNET I remember so vividly when, seven years ago, Samsung introduced Bluetooth wireless connectivity to the S Pen with the Galaxy Note 9. It was such an innovative feature because the Note 9 would automatically and burdenlessly charge up the stylus whenever it was inserted into the phone. Once charged, which took less than a minute to do, the pen could be used as a wireless clicker for taking photos and videos, scrolling through…

Looking at the enterprise router segment, Dinsdale noted that Cisco is it; everyone else is relatively very small. Cisco’s dominance also extends into the Ethernet switch space, though it is facing increasing competition. Cisco’s share of enterprise switches varies quite a bit quarter by quarter but is usually in the 40-48% range, he says. “Arista has grown rapidly over the last few years and is now the clear number two in the market– and it…

SD-WAN, security, and SASE As SD-WAN technology continues to mature with such advanced features, it will also play a pivotal role in enterprise organizations’ secure access service edge (SASE) strategies going forward, according to Butler. Integration of security features within SD-WAN platforms will also be a major focus this year as organizations work to enhance network protections. “The newest innovations in integrated SD-WAN security capabilities include data loss prevention (DLP) capabilities targeted at GenAI workloads;…