@phantomofearth/X Microsoft is testing a dramatic overhaul of the controversial Windows 11 Start menu. Potentially rolling out later this year, the changes aim to address some of the many criticisms that have dogged the menu over the years. Also: Want free AI training from Microsoft? You can sign up for its AI Skills Fest now As spotted by Windows latest, an X post from phantomofearth (who looks at Windows insider builds) takes us on a…

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET There are thousands of songs about staying up all night to have fun, yet fewer about how nice it is to go to bed early. After a long day of work, nerve-inducing headlines, and strenuous exercise, all I want is sleep. That’s when the lyrics of Hall and Oates’ song, “When the Morning Comes,” a tune mainly about rejection that can be interpreted as an ode to a good night’s…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Tessan 65W GaN Universal Travel Adapter retails for $42. It’s the perfect size, weight, and power output for traveling. It doesn’t convert mains AC voltage, and the USB ports on the bottom can be tricky to use. Gone are the days of packing multiple chargers with different connectors when traveling. Now, universal travel adapters are the way to go: one adapter that works in over 220 countries and compatibility with both…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Nitecore NB Air is is available now for $37. Weighing just 3.14 ounces, it’s the lightest power bank I’ve tested. There’s no USB-C cable or pouch included with the power bank. For hikers and runners, every ounce you’re carrying counts. Power banks can be a big challenge because you need something powerful enough to charge your devices, but still lightweight and compact enough to take with you.  Also: Want to extend…

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Most people know that the famous Turing Test, a thought experiment conceived by computer pioneer Alan Turing, is a popular measure of progress in artificial intelligence. Many mistakenly assume, however, that it is proof that machines are actually thinking. The latest research on the Turing Test from scholars at the University of California at San Diego shows that OpenAI’s latest large language model, GPT-4.5, can fool humans into thinking that…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The OnePlus Watch 2R is available now for $170 (with coupon code ‘LUCKY25’) in Green or Black. It has pretty much everything you look for in a smartwatch: multi-day battery life, fitness tracking features, and a vivid display. However, the device is missing important key fitness metrics, it isn’t as durable as I’d like, and OnePlus doesn’t offer an LTE option. This budget-friendly wearable has become even cheaper. Enter the code “SPRING25”…

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET As part of my AI coding evaluations, I run a standardized series of four programming tests against each AI. These tests are designed to determine how well a given AI can help you program. This is kind of useful, especially if you’re counting on the AI to help you produce code. The last thing you want is for an AI helper to introduce more bugs into your work output, right?…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Plantaform Rejuvenate is a smart indoor garden available for $540. It’s an all-in-one garden structure that only requires power for the grow lights and for you to add water and the included fertilizer when it runs low; thankfully, the app gives you notifications and detailed instructions. Unfortunately, you can’t easily DIY seed pods if you want to, though each 15-pod pack is $30. I love plants, but I definitely wasn’t born…

Valeriia Mitriakova/Getty Images Looking for advice on how to protect your home and office from cyberattacks? A good place to start is with the people who do this work every day on behalf of the US government. The folks at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have created a simple Cybersecurity Basics page that boils down the technical information in its four-volume Digital Identity Guidelines to a set of clear guidelines for small…