NETWORKING

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Herk Orion Ryzen-powered mini PC is on sale now from the official Herk store. This tiny machine is fast, compact, silent, and well worth the price tag. The Orion performed better with Linux than it did with Windows 11. I’ve been using and reviewing PCs for a long time. I used to build my own PCs (back when it was impossible to find a machine that came with Linux pre-installed). While…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Ampace Andes 1500 is a portable power station that sells for $1,399. It features a 1462Wh capacity, which enables it to power essential appliances during an outage. While it is a reliable power station, it is expensive, so you can often find better value from competitors. What’s the deal? The Ampace Andes 1500 portable power station is currently $999, a $400 discount from its original price.  I rely on a great…

ZDNET’s key takeaways Magtame cables are available for purchase from major retailers, with the 3.3-foot, 240W USB-C-to-USB-C cable selling for $20. The magnetic coiling makes it easy to pack and store the cable. They’re thicker than regular cables and, as such, can be cumbersome to manage in smaller spaces. My laptop bag is a mess of tangled cables. I try to coil them neatly, but with everything from Raspberry Pi computers to toolkits being tossed…

ZDNET’s key takeaways Latercase’s “impossibly thin” iPhone case retails for $59, comes in five colors, and seamlessly and stylishly covers your phone. The Latercase has built-in camera protection, a thin design, and is wireless charging compatible. Consider an alternative case if you need a more protective option or prefer one that fully encapsulates your phone When I am not testing MagSafe batteries, MagSafe wallets, and other MagSafe accessories at ZDNET, I sometimes get the opportunity…

Nina Raemont/ZDNET In a year brimming with technological advancements, from Apple’s first-ever mixed reality headset to the modern-day space race that is artificial intelligence, one particular niche of products saw its mainstream aspirations realized: smart rings. According to IDC, global ring sales were estimated at 880,000 units in 2023. This year, the market research firm is forecasting a rise to 1.7 million units, with an even larger spike of 3.2 million units in 2025. As…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The LG XBoom 360 XO2 is a great Bluetooth speaker for professional chillers, loungers, and relaxers, and it’s available for $197. Highlights include a focus on calming mood lighting and an elegant design. A below-average battery life and lack of advanced features may make this speaker too simple for some. more buying choices There’s nothing like having a trusty Bluetooth speaker that offers a portable listening style. These days, many Bluetooth speaker manufacturers focus…

Amazon The holiday season is quickly approaching and the sweet deals will be wide-ranging and abundant.  Also: I test wearable tech for a living. These are my favorite products of 2024 Amazon released a new shopping tool that uses generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) to help customers research products and provide recommendations when they’re browsing the e-commerce site. Amazon’s AI-powered “Shopping Guides” are being rolled out in the US on Amazon’s mobile website and apps…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Roku Ultra is a streaming device available for $100. The Roku Ultra is the perfect streaming device for anyone who doesn’t want to commit to team iOS with an Apple TV 4K or team Android with a Google TV Streamer. There are a few drawbacks to getting a Roku Ultra, like the lack of a headphone jack on the remote. Although I’m an iPhone user with an Apple TV 4K, I…

Nina Raemont/ZDNET In a year brimming with technological advancements, from Apple’s first-ever mixed reality headset to the modern-day space race that is artificial intelligence, one particular niche of products saw its mainstream aspirations realized: smart rings. According to IDC, global ring sales were estimated at 880,000 units in 2023. This year, the market research firm is forecasting a rise to 1.7 million units, with an even larger spike of 3.2 million units in 2025. As…

NurPhoto/Getty Images With the holiday season upon us, many companies are finding ways to take advantage through deals, promotions, or other campaigns. OpenAI has found a way to participate with its “12 days of OpenAI” event series. OpenAI announced via an X post that starting on Dec. 5, the company would host 12 days of live streams and release “a bunch of new things, big and small,” according to the post. The company saved the…