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Maria Diaz/ZDNET My kid had been asking for a Toniebox for two Christmases straight, and I always talked her out of it. I’m no Grinch, but each set is almost $200; until we finally got one during a Prime Day sales event. Testing a Toniebox has not only convinced me to get one for my kids, but it’s such a great idea that I’d recommend it to any parent of young kids, even more so…

The US has been ramping up efforts to prevent countries like China from gaining access to advanced AI technologies. Earlier this month, Washington unveiled broad measures targeting China’s semiconductor industry, imposing strict controls on the export of chipmaking equipment and high-bandwidth memory chips crucial for AI development. In response, China launched an investigation into Nvidia, citing alleged violations of the country’s anti-monopoly laws. “The US government’s strategy of supporting Google and Microsoft as global AI…

Are you in the market for a power station suitable for camping, off-grid adventures, or as a dependable backup during power outages or other emergencies? Whether you’re exploring the great outdoors or preparing for unexpected situations, the right power station can make all the difference, ensuring you have a reliable source of energy wherever you go! Also: The best portable power stations you can buy: Expert tested But power stations are expensive, however I have good…

8. RIKEN and NTT launch world first general-purpose optical quantum computer RIKEN and NTT launched the world’s first general-purpose optical quantum computer in November. The system operates at nearly room temperature and processes at speeds up to several hundred terahertz. The computer uses continuous-variable analog design with time-division multiplexing, where computations occur through quantum teleportation. It can handle approximately 100 continuous quantity inputs. The system is accessible through a cloud service and is designed for…

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET OpenAI is constantly adding new features to ChatGPT to make it more functional for everyday needs. The recently added Canvas feature — unveiled in October — has transformed my ChatGPT workflow, and as of this week, it’s available to all ChatGPT users for free, with some updates.  Canvas is a new interface that makes collaborating on your writing and coding projects easier with ChatGPT.  How to use ChatGPT to create: Code | Excel formulas | Essays | Resumes | Apps | Charts and Tables  During the fourth…

ZDNET’s key takeaways Dell’s XPS 13 (9350) with the Intel Core Ultra 7 “Lunar Lake” chip is on sale at Best Buy for $999. Intel’s new high-performance processor brings snappy performance and a fantastic battery to the most compact member of the XPS lineup. The two USB-A ports won’t cut it for many users. We’ve tested a handful of Dell XPS laptops this year, including two other configurations of the XPS 13: one with the…

Jorg Greuel/Getty Images It’s only been about two years since generative artificial intelligence (AI) hit the mainstream as a new paradigm of productivity, but here we are — it’s everywhere.  I test AI tools as part of my work. I’ll dig into just about any AI-related technology and see what I can make it do. Many of you have read my ongoing shootouts comparing AIs for programming and AI content checkers, among other kinds of tools.  Also: The best…

June Wan/ZDNET ZDNET’s key takeaways Private Internet Access (PIA) is among the least expensive premium VPN services, costing only $79 for a 3-year plan. The VPN offers open-source apps with flexible settings to customize your security. Aside from the extensive server network, you can also connect unlimited devices (it’s one of the best options for smart TVs). PIA’s headquarters in the US isn’t ideal for privacy, and the app’s many settings can be hard for…