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With advanced features such as voice assistants, crash detection, call and text support, and long battery lives, modern smartwatches are far more than just an accessory. And thanks to powerful sensors and extensive app suites, they’ve become one of the most popular health and fitness trackers, too. At ZDNET, we’ve tested all of the best smartwatches on the market, testing their battery life, durability, features, and more. We also interviewed athletes, fitness experts, and medical…

Amazon Have you started adopting passkeys for more of your online accounts? If so, you’re far from alone. According to a new survey from the FIDO Alliance, passkey awareness and adoption have grown since being introduced two years ago. For its fourth annual Online Authentication Barometer, the FIDO Alliance commissioned Sapio Research to run an online survey in August to elicit feedback about passkeys, passwords, and online security. The survey reached 10,000 consumers across the US,…

Christina Darby/ ZDNET It seems that Apple Intelligence is driving the latest wave of Apple hardware upgrades, and this week saw a new iMac and Mac mini revealed. These join the new iPad Mini, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, the Apple Watch Series 10, and new AirPods 4 — so much to drool over — not to mention buy!  Also: How Apple Watch helped me hit a hole-in-one on the golf course Apple Intelligence…

Westend61/Getty Images If you rely on ChatGPT for your everyday workflow, using the desktop app can make interacting with the chatbot much more seamless — even more so with Advanced Voice Mode.  Also: OpenAI just upgraded ChatGPT with a search engine to rival Google  On Wednesday, saying it was a “big day for desktops,” OpenAI made Advanced Voice available in the MacOS and Windows ChatGPT desktop apps. The feature is available to all users who download…

Microsoft Microsoft has again put the brakes on its AI-infused Recall feature. Designed to take snapshots of your screen activities in Windows, the feature was supposed to reach Windows Insiders this October. However, according to a statement shared with the Verge and ZDNET, it won’t surface until December. “We are committed to delivering a secure and trusted experience with Recall,” Brandon LeBlanc, senior product manager of Windows, said in a statement sent to ZDNET. “To…

Amazon is the go-to retailer for many thanks to its massive product selection, shipping options, and exclusive membership perks, including deals and discounts. While it’s true that some of Amazon’s best deals drop during the brand’s big shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, the retail giant is also a major player during sale events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  With Black Friday just a few weeks away, there’s no better time to snag early savings. That’s…

Qi Yang/Getty Images Research is one of the most critical and time-consuming challenges facing writers and academics. As a journalist engaging with complex and technical subjects, I find that staying properly informed can be a job in itself. Recently, Google has been developing new artificial intelligence-powered tools that transform writing and text materials and YouTube videos into audio or podcasts to assist researchers in their learning processes. Also: Google’s new AI course will teach you to write more effective prompts…

Portable power stations are incredibly versatile and useful tools for a variety of situations, making them a must-have for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities or needs backup power at home. These compact devices allow you to charge multiple electronics simultaneously, from smartphones and laptops to appliances, ensuring you stay connected and powered up wherever you are or whatever is happening. Whether you’re camping in the wilderness, hosting a backyard barbecue, or facing a sudden and…

The holiday shopping season will be here before you know it. If you want to get a head start before Black Friday kicks off, there are already deals to be had across retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy on all things tech — including popular tablets. Also: Black Friday 2024: Everything you need to know If you’re looking to buy or gift a tablet this year, those from big brands like Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, and…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip is on sale now for $1,600. It’s a decently-performing work laptop with a solid battery life and a booming speaker system. Unfortunately, the laptop comes with bloatware that does little unless coupled with specific third-party products. more buying choices When I first tried the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip Next Gen AI PC 14 (yes, that is its full name), I felt a sense of déjà vu. I…