NETWORKING

Yes, holiday hosting can be a ball, but it can also be a pain in the neck. You’re cleaning before guests arrive and deep cleaning after they leave. There’s constant commotion in the kitchen as you prepare food and mix drinks. There’s the music and overall vibe curation that takes lots of time and energy to get right. And, there’s always that one person who spills red wine on the sofa or breaks your favorite…

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET I handle and review a bewildering array of gadgets throughout the year, from cables to satellite communicators. However, I feel that the real test for any product is whether it can make the shift from something I reviewed into something that I use long-term. That is what this list represents — gadgets that transitioned from mere review assignments to become essential parts of my kit. These are the things that live in my…

Alcuin/Getty Images I’ve been on Bluesky for some time now, and I’ve found it to be exponentially better than X. It offers a similar layout without the deluge of ads, algorithm-driven feeds, and irrelevant (and often offensive) content.  Bluesky also offers features that X doesn’t (and likely never will). Notably, Bluesky puts moderation in your hands — and that makes a big difference.  Also: 7 things to know about Bluesky before you join – and…

MirageC/Getty Images I’m always taking notes. Whether it’s for a book I’m writing, an idea for a book to be written, an item I need to add to a shopping list, or just about anything else that pops to mind, I turn to my Android phone to jot things down. Without a good note-keeping app, I’d have a heck of a time remembering those all-too-important ideas or thoughts I need to keep track of.  Also:…

Which iPhones are compatible with Apple Intelligence? While Apple Intelligence is available with iOS 18.2, which is coming to all iPhone models newer than the iPhone X, not all iPhones compatible with iOS 18 are compatible with Apple Intelligence. Here are all the iPhones compatible with Apple Intelligence: iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max Additionally, Apple Intelligence is available for iPads and…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Gemtones Infinity Max Bluetooth speaker is available now from the official Speck site. With a beautiful array of lights and a unique “infinity look,” this speaker is certainly a conversation starter. The sound could benefit from a custom EQ option in the Speck app. Bluetooth speakers are everywhere; some offer killer sound, while others sacrifice a bit of aural quality to cut costs or simply because not everyone is an audiophile….

Which iPhones are compatible with Apple Intelligence? While Apple Intelligence is available with iOS 18.2, which is coming to all iPhone models newer than the iPhone X, not all iPhones compatible with iOS 18 are compatible with Apple Intelligence. Here are all the iPhones compatible with Apple Intelligence: iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max Additionally, Apple Intelligence is available for iPads and…

MirageC/Getty Images I’m always taking notes. Whether it’s for a book I’m writing, an idea for a book to be written, an item I need to add to a shopping list, or just about anything else that pops to mind, I turn to my Android phone to jot things down. Without a good note-keeping app, I’d have a heck of a time remembering those all-too-important ideas or thoughts I need to keep track of.  Also:…

ZDNET’s key takeaways ESR’s Aura Halo-Lock MagSafe wallet and stand combine style and function at a fair price point. The $40 MagSafe wallet stores up to five cards, doubles as a phone stand, includes an ID window, and comes in five colorways. If you’re after smaller capacity wallets or more premium materials, you’re better off with other MagSafe cardholders. What’s the deal?  The new ESR Aura MagSafe wallet is on sale at Amazon and ESR…

Software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) emerged in 2014 as a way to help organizations embrace the cloud and quickly became a hot commodity. As years passed new technologies like secure access service edge (SASE) and generative artificial intelligence (genAI) burst onto the scene, and SD-WAN has fallen out of the industry limelight. This shift has spawned think pieces about the death of SD-WAN and has many asking: “Is SD-WAN still relevant today?” At Fortinet, we’re…