Kerry Wan/ZDNET Is your smart TV slow to respond or stuttering during scenes? You’re not alone — many people experience laggy performance and choppy playback. The good news? A few simple fixes can get things running smoothly again. Also: The default TV setting you should turn off ASAP – and why it makes such a big difference Modern TVs have plenty of features and apps (and services that run in the background) that can slow…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 with the Snapdragon X Plus processor is available now, starting at $749. It’s durable and reliable, runs cool, and features a comfortable keyboard and nice OLED display. However, it might not stand out in a market of similarly-specced devices that are lighter and cheaper. more buying choices For a limited time, Best Buy has the Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 listed at $559 ($300 off retail price), making it…

ZDNET’s key takeaways TCL’s 98-inch Class S5 Series TV is one of the most accessibly-priced TVs of its size. Watching movies and TV shows on such a big display is as close to a theatre-like experience as one can get at home. With such a large TV, setting it up can be a struggle, especially if you don’t have a big enough console or wall space. more buying choices For a limited time, several big…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Google Pixel 9a is the latest midrange phone from the company and retails for $499. It features a new Tensor G4 chip, helpful AI tools, an improved main camera, and the largest battery of any Pixel. You’ll have to settle for some budget trade-offs, including the lack of a telephoto lens and slower charging speeds. more buying choices I’m inclined to think that the folks behind the latest Google Pixel 9a…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Titan X AirTag Trifold Wallet is a sleek, elevated AirTag wallet option that sells for $80. It holds up to 10 cards, has several internal pockets, uses RFID technology to block data theft, and is lightweight. Unlike the Ridge wallet, the Titan X wallet offers dedicated spots for storing cash within the wallet, features an expandable design with a trigger mechanism, and has a built-in AirTag holder. Right now, you can…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Aqara U100 smart lock was originally priced at $230, but it is currently discounted to $160 . This smart lock is the most versatile I’ve tested; it offers a variety of unlocking options, a user-friendly app, and easy integration with Apple Home. The Aqara U100 drains the battery quickly, and the app doesn’t always alert users, resulting in reduced performance within four months of use. more buying choices At Amazon, both…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Sony Ult Field 3 speaker is a mid-range powerhouse with great sound and ample bass. With a 24-hour battery life and features that encourage speaker syncing, the Ult Field 3 would be perfect for regular hosts and music lovers. I can’t think of anything wrong with this incredible speaker, and its price competes with other speakers of this size and spec. Under this cloud of rain and gloomy April weather, it’s…

Matthew Miller/ZDNET One of the best new Android smart watches just launched, but its price tag has already significantly increased. The OnePlus Watch 3 technically debuted in February, but a typo on the back of the watch, proclaiming it “Meda in China” (instead of “Made in China”), forced the manufacturer to push back the launch. The original launch price was $330, but — without explanation — the new price is $499, an increase of $170 or…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Light Phone 3 is available now with support from many major carriers for $599. It’s setting a new standard for simplified phones by combining a sleek, minimal product with a focused purpose. I wish the battery lasted longer, there are still some features in development, and it’s not exactly cheap. Much attention has been paid to the idea of a “dumbphone.” We’ve all had the thought: how liberating it would be…

Getty Images/NurPhoto/Contributor Benchmark performance results typically accompany the launch of every new AI model to showcase how well the models can perform on various tasks. However, these tasks are not catered to individual industries but are more general, such as grade school mathematics (GSM8K) or graduate-level reasoning (GPQA). Also: ChatGPT will remember everything you tell it now – like a real personal assistant OpenAI Pioneers Program To fill that gap, OpenAI launched the OpenAI Pioneers…