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I've tested dozens of ThinkPads: Here's the Lenovo model I keep coming back to

ZDNET's key takeaways Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Aura Edition is available now starting at $2,419. It combines all the utility of a ThinkPad with exceptional battery life. It's expensive, and some of the Aura Edition features are being discontinued. $2,419 at B&H Photo-Video Lenovo's 10th-generation ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Aura Edition is a business-minded laptop with a few design perks to differentiate it from the crowd. We're talking a convertible form factor, pen support, ample I/O, and fantas

The 16 best portable Bluetooth speakers for 2025

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . Whether you're jamming out at the beach, setting up a backyard movie night or just want some tunes while you work, a great portable Bluetooth speaker is a must-have. The best options today go beyond just playing music — they deliver punchy bass, crisp vocals and even customizable sound

The Films and Shows You Should Be Streaming in July 2025

A new era of streaming selections is here. For the past several years, our monthly column, the Nerd’s Watch, has been the place to find out all the best genre titles coming to the biggest streaming services. It wasn’t a complete list. We just posted the titles we think you’d care about, but it was still long, and frankly, hard to pick out the best of the best. Well, over the past few months, that changed. What follows isn’t a list of all the best stuff streaming on all the big streaming service

Lego’s July Releases Are Swooping In

After a blockbuster June, Lego’s having more of a quiet month in July, perhaps in an attempt to get us outside in the sweltering heat rather than indoors with a fan blasting in our faces as we build lots of Lego. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to tempt your wallet with this month. As Lego gears up for its typically huge month of releases for August, July is looking a bit quiet. But notable highlights include a massive Battle Droid and STAP for Star Wars fans to get stuck into and a

Road to Battlefield: Central Eurasia’s gateway to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield

Historic regional competition launches to showcase Central Eurasia’s rising startup ecosystem on Silicon Valley’s biggest stage. For the first time in its history, Central Eurasia will have a direct pathway to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield through the launch of “Road to Battlefield,” a groundbreaking regional competition that promises to put the underrepresented region firmly on the global innovation map. The competition, organized by Silkroad Innovation Hub in partnership with TechCrunch and

The best smartwatches for Android

is a senior reporter focusing on wearables, health tech, and more with 13 years of experience. Before coming to The Verge, she worked for Gizmodo and PC Magazine. After a long stretch of slim pickings, the last couple of years have been huge for Android smartwatches. Now there are more good options than ever — with more on the way soon. Featured in this article What we’re looking for How we test smartwatches Collapse Smartwatches are meant to help you keep track of your notifications, as well

Road to Battlefield: Central Eurasia’s Gateway to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield

Historic regional competition launches to showcase Central Eurasia’s rising startup ecosystem on Silicon Valley’s biggest stage. For the first time in its history, Central Eurasia will have a direct pathway to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield through the launch of “Road to Battlefield,” a groundbreaking regional competition that promises to put the underrepresented region firmly on the global innovation map. The competition, organized by Silkroad Innovation Hub in partnership with TechCrunch and

I changed 10 settings on my Pixel phone to significantly improve the user experience

Kerry Wan/ZDNET The Google Pixel 9a might be the best-value phone of 2025, especially now that it brings flagship-level AI tools, a bright 120Hz display, and a massive battery into a more affordable price tier. But, just like any Pixel phone, the best features often aren't enabled by default. I've tested generations of Google Pixel phones, and to achieve the best user experience, you almost always have to do a bit of digging and research. Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025 That's wh

I changed 8 settings on my Pixel phone to instantly improve the battery life

Kerry Wan/ZDNET Pixel phones have an excellent reputation for smart software, but battery life has been a common complaint with Google's smartphones. Thankfully, that same smart software is now improving battery life and longevity, though many features aren't set up for maximum endurance out of the box. I've found that a handful of features can dramatically improve how long your Pixel lasts, both in a single day and over the long haul. Also: Why I recommend this $280 Android phone over cheap m

Oura Ring 5 wishlist: All the features I want to see

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority The smart ring arena is evolving quickly, but Oura still sets the pace. Its current-generation ring is polished, feature-packed, and impressively reliable. Yet, no device line is immune to the itch for something more. With new rivals entering the scene and wearables advancing rapidly, now feels like the right time to think about what’s next. The Oura Ring 5 is likely a ways out, but I’m already daydreaming about what the next model might include. A refined de

The best Bluetooth trackers of 2025: Expert tested

At some point, we've all lost our phone, keys, or wallet, and even pets make a break for it sometimes. Bluetooth trackers are indispensable in these situations. These small devices attach to almost anything -- keychains, remotes, your pet's collar, or even your child's backpack, so you can track their location on your phone anytime. There are dozens of options available, but which device is right for you? We've tested out the best Bluetooth trackers to help you make the most informed purchase.

Tailor, a ‘headless’ ERP startup, raises $22M Series A

Tailor, a San Francisco- and Tokyo-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform, has raised $22 million in a Series A funding round. Investors include ANRI, JIC Venture Growth Investments (JIC VGI), New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Spiral Capital and Y Combinator. ERP systems typically come with a single interface that includes all the necessary functions, but this can be inflexible and restrict customization options. In contrast, a “headless” ERP system separates the front end (user inter

This $499 Windows laptop easily replaced my ThinkPad for one key reason

ZDNET's key takeaways Acer's Aspire 14 AI is on sale at Costco for $499. It has a fantastic battery and some of the latest hardware: all for a very approachable price point. I suggest opting for the OLED, since the low-end display isn't the best. $645 at Amazon I went hands-on with Acer's Aspire Go 15 last year, and praised it as one of the best cheap laptops you can get, priced at around $300. This year, one of the latest additions to Acer's Aspire line, the Aspire 14 AI, is a few steps up i

The best fitness trackers and watches we’ve tested

is a senior reporter focusing on wearables, health tech, and more with 13 years of experience. Before coming to The Verge, she worked for Gizmodo and PC Magazine. Fitness trackers have come a long way from the simple bands that tracked steps and little else. Modern trackers can monitor everything from your heart health to how well you’ve recovered from a hard bout of training. Even flagship smartwatches, which used to be lackluster trackers, have become pretty adept workout companions. Whatever

I'm never toting ice after testing a smart cooler (and it just hit an all-time low price)

ZDNET's key takeaways The Anker Solix EverFrost 2 is available for $1,349 but currently on sale. This cooler works as a portable mini-fridge, with dual-zone cooling and the capacity to freeze or refrigerate. The Anker Solix EverFrost 2 is bulky and heavy, and it only comes with one battery so you have to purchase the second to reach the full 3.2 day capacity. View now at Best Buy View now at Amazon more buying choices The Anker Solix EverFrost 2 58L electric cooler is typically $1,100, but it

One of the best Android smartwatches I've tested is not a Google or Samsung

ZDNET's key takeaways The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro is available in Obsidian black for $349 (but on sale for $160 at the time of writing). This Google Wear OS smartwatch offers long battery life, dual-display technology, and a sapphire glass display. The watch currently runs Wear OS 3.5 and is available in one larger size. $157.5 at Amazon For the past couple of years, I've been switching between various Google and Samsung Galaxy Watch models to pair with my Android, as Google's Wear OS is

Finally, a video security doorbell that has similar features as Ring but no monthly fees

ZDNET's key takeaways The Lorex 2K Wi-Fi video doorbell is available for $200. The doorbell comes in wired and wireless installations, communicates reliably, and includes a preinstalled 32GB microSD card for local storage so you can bypass subscription fees. Although it has a 2K resolution, the image is so wide angle that objects look distorted. $149.99 at Amazon Video doorbells are among the best ways to start your smart home journey. They are easy to use and often easy to install, and provi

This data center in Nevada runs on solar power and reused EV batteries in groundbreaking project

Forward-looking: Growing demand for AI-driven data centers is straining the energy grid. Repurposed electric vehicle batteries offer a promising solution, storing renewable energy more efficiently while reducing waste. This emerging technology could reshape how we power the digital age. Redwood Energy, a Redwood Materials venture, aims to change how people use lithium-ion batteries. Instead of sending batteries from electric vehicles straight to recycling, the company gives them a second life,

The best Google phones to buy in 2025 ahead of the Pixel 10 launch

Google nailed it with the Pixel 9 lineup, thanks to its clean software, some genuinely useful artificial intelligence features, and availability in every price segment. The flagship lineup includes four Pixel phones -- the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, while the Pixel 9a debuted recently. This makes a Pixel smartphone available in every price segment. The latest devices also include new AI features and camera smarts with the help of Google Gemini. It can be confusi

This portable battery saved my last camping trip (and goes everywhere with me)

ZDNET's key takeaways The EcoFlow River 3 is a new compact portable battery It is available for $239. It's portable and lightweight, making it easy to carry, it features fast charging, going from 0% to 100% in 55 minutes, and has a 245Wh output capacity Since portability is a priority for the River series of portable batteries, they're much less powerful than alternatives and best suited for smaller tasks or shorter use times. $239 at Amazon EcoFlow announced the addition of three new portab

The best rugged phones in 2025 (including Samsung and Oukitel)

The best mainstream smartphones like the Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones offer sharp displays, powerful performance, and versatile cameras. They are IP-rated for dust and water resistance, but most of them won't be enough if you're an adventurer. If you like hiking or camping, you should consider buying one of the top rugged phones. They are meant to withstand rough elements. The top contenders on this list are tested for military-standard durability, so you don't have to w

DC Comics at Theme Parks Has Had a Bizarre History but ‘Superman’ Could Change That

There’s nostalgia for the Batman movie era at Six Flags as we head toward a new DC Studios era with Superman, On a recent visit to Magic Mountain, I found myself reminiscing fondly about the stunt shows from the ’90s. Both Batman Forever and Batman & Robin were draws as WB movie-inspired attractions for folks who didn’t want to only do roller coasters. The most vivid memory I have is Batman swinging into action and riding in the Batmobile for the explosive, stunt-heavy Magic Mountain version of

Behold, a Script for ‘The Batman Part II’

It feels like the only thing we’ve heard about The Batman Part II for years now is that various people are waiting on a script to be delivered. Now, with all the energy of a schoolboy rushing to file homework that was due earlier in the week, Reeves has provided evidence: some words that will potentially be in The Batman Part II exist. Reeves took to social media this afternoon to seemingly confirm that the latest version of his sequel to the 2022 DC film was finally ready to be sent off to Jam

Marvel May Have Plans for Even More Thor After ‘Doomsday’ and ‘Secret Wars’

Jensen Ackles discusses those DCU Batman rumors. Elijah Wood watches the latest Toxic Avenger trailer. Plus, what’s coming on the next Beth-centric episode of Rick & Morty. Spoilers get! Project Hail Mary A new poster for the Ryan Gosling movie, based on the Andy Weir novel about a science teacher tasked with figuring out a mysterious substance causing the sun to die out, has dropped. Thor 5: Thor Quest Entertainment insider Daniel Richtman (via SuperheroHype) suggests Marvel’s next Thor pro

This Card-Slim MagSafe Portable Power Bank Is Going for Peanuts, Limited Stock for This Early Prime Day Deal

The summer is here which means way more time spent outside and far, far away from a outlet where you can charger your phone. Thankfully, you have plenty of options for portable chargers that can extend the battery life of your devices while you’re out and about. This deal on the LISEN magnetic battery could be your saving grace. If you have an iPhone that supports magnetic wireless charging, this charging portable charger is down 27% right now so you can scoop it up for just $22. That’s a saving

I’ll only upgrade to the Galaxy Watch 8 if it focuses on these 2 features

Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority I’ve used several smartwatches throughout my career, switching between devices to match my changing priorities. However, the one smartwatch I always return to is my Galaxy Watch 4. Now paired with a Galaxy smartphone, it’s become the center of my ecosystem. Samsung’s first new-generation Wear OS watch launched in 2021. Now, nearly four years later, I still feel little temptation to upgrade. While the watch is starting to show its age, as its chipped exterior

This battery recycling company is now cleaning up AI data centers

The event marked the launch of the company's new business line, Redwood Energy, which will repurpose (rather than recycle) batteries with years of remaining life to create renewable-powered microgrids. Such small-scale energy systems can operate on or off the larger electricity grid, providing electricity for businesses or communities. Redwood Materials says many of the batteries it takes in for processing retain more than half their capacity. “We can extract a lot more value from that materia

Collections: Nitpicking Gladiator's Iconic Opening Battle, Part I

This week, we’re going to take a close look at arguably the most famous and recognizable Roman battle sequence in film: the iconic opening battle from Gladiator (2000). Despite being a relatively short sequence (about ten minutes), there’s actually enough to talk about here that we’re going to split it over two weeks, talking about the setup – the battlefield, army composition, equipment and battle plan – this week and then the actual conduct of the battle next week. The iconic opening battle,

Redwood Materials is giving old EV batteries a second life as microgrids

is transportation editor with 10+ years of experience who covers EVs, public transportation, and aviation. His work has appeared in The New York Daily News and City & State. Redwood Materials is repurposing old EV batteries into energy storage systems that cost “substantially less” than brand new storage projects, the company said Thursday. The electric vehicle battery recycling and manufacturing venture, which was founded by Tesla’s former chief technologist, has created a new division called

Redwood Materials launches energy storage business and its first target is AI data centers

Tucked between two massive buildings in the hills of the Nevada desert, 805 retired EV batteries lie in neat formation, each one wrapped in nondescript white tarps — and hiding in plain sight. A passerby might not realize this unassuming array is the largest microgrid in North America, that it’s powering a 2,000 GPU modular data center for AI infrastructure company Crusoe, or that it represents the next big act of JB Straubel, the co-founder and CEO of Redwood Materials. Redwood Materials anno