Latest Tech News

Stay updated with the latest in technology, AI, cybersecurity, and more

Filtered by: ep Clear Filter

DeepSeek Is Working on an AI Agent: Will It Be Better Than ChatGPT?

China-based DeepSeek is working on developing a new agentic generative AI model, Bloomberg reports, citing anonymous sources. Agentic AI is the latest wave of AI technology. AI agents are a kind of digital assistant; they can complete tasks without a lot of human oversight. AI agents can do anything from coding to ordering you a pizza, as my colleague Imad Khan recently tested. Details about the specifics of the DeepSeek agent model are still fuzzy. An August update to DeepSeek's V3 model was

One of Apple Music’s best features is improving at the perfect time

Apple Music is about to get its biggest update in years thanks to iOS 26, including upgrades to one of my favorite features—lyrics—just in time for the device that will be perfect for them. Lyrics in Apple Music are getting two iOS 26 enhancements When I’m listening to music, I don’t pay much attention to lyrics. My mind is tuned into the rhythm far more than to the words being sung. I know other people—my wife for example—who are very much the opposite. But for whatever reason, my brain str

Anker's Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro is the ultimate party projector

Anker took it's excellent Nebula X1 projector and said, "what if that but louder?" The result is the Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro that marries Anker's 4K, 3,500 lumen Google TV projector with a 160W Soundcore speaker, offering what should be an incredible outdoor entertainment machine. Marrying these products wasn't just a matter of jamming them into the same box. The subwoofer was set up to float inside the assembly on a spring-type system to avoid vibrating the laser-powered 4K video. And to get s

TCL's new smartphone uses the latest version of its eye-comfort screen tech

TCL is showcasing a new phone at IFA 2025. A late entrant to the modern mobile market, the company tries to differentiate its devices with NXTPAPER eye-comfort screen tech. The new NXTPAPER 60 Ultra is TCL's first phone to feature the latest version of that technology, which it first introduced in a tablet at CES 2025. The idea behind NXTPAPER is to strike a balance between e-paper and OLED screens, alleviating eye strain without sacrificing color range or refresh rates. Its hardware-level feat

Amazon launches cellular dongle to provide backup connectivity for eero routers

Amazon has introduced a new eero product at IFA 2025, which can provide you with connectivity in case your home internet goes out. The new product called eero Signal connects to any USB-C-powered eero device on a network that supports Wi-Fi 6 and up. It's meant to be a cellular backup, available two versions: A 4G LTE one that will cost you $100 and a 5G one that will set you back $200. Signal can detect outages and automatically connect you to a cellular network with its multi-carrier eSIM that

Paramount Plus Coupon Codes and Deals: Up to 50% Off

The most talked-about TV show in the country right now, South Park, is on Paramount+. Don’t you want to know what got Trump in such a tizzy? Stream the much buzzed-about South Park, fan-favorite Yellowstone, original series MobLand, and rebooted crime drama Dexter & Dexter on Paramount+. The streaming network has a bingeable TV series for almost everyone. And whether you want to remember Lindsay Lohan’s old face in the classic Mean Girls flick, or wonder just how many more sequels Tom Cruise ha

As a cell phone expert, I’m worried about the future of prepaid carriers

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Once dismissed as the domain of teenagers, bad credit consumers, or even shady activity, prepaid wireless has transformed into a real competitor in the smartphone age. Today, the prepaid market offers everything from ultra-budget choices to services that deliver an experience nearly indistinguishable from premium postpaid service. But this evolution comes with a new concern: over-saturation. There are now well over a dozen reputable prepaid carriers, along w

Samsung launches the Galaxy S25 FE at IFA 2025

Samsung just launched the Galaxy S25 FE smartphone at IFA. It's available right now, starting at $650. The handset is available in four colorways. This is a midrange member of the Galaxy S25 family, after the company released the S25, S25 Plus and S25 Ultra back in January and the ultra-thin S25 Edge in May . The base-level S25 starts at $800 , so this is a slightly cheaper way to get in on all of that Galaxy action. This phone actually ships with the company's One UI 8 operating system. The o

Hue's Secure video doorbell can turn on Hue lights when someone comes to the door

Hue is best known for its smart lights, but recently the company ventured into home security with its Secure lineup of cameras. Now, parent Signify is releasing its first video doorbell, the Hue Secure, with several unique features it hopes will make it stand out against formidable competition from Nest and Amazon's Ring. To start with, the Hue doorbell comes with a 2K fisheye camera, more resolution than Nest and some of Ring's doorbell products, potentially offering more detailed video. Hue i

Hue takes on cheaper rivals with the entry-level Essential smart bulb lineup

Hue just did its biggest product launch ever as part of IFA 2025 and a key product is the new entry-level Essential smart bulb lineup. Though still not as cheap as some products you can find on Amazon, it's designed to take on budget rivals like Govee and Aqara with bulbs starting under $20. The new range includes A19 bulbs, GU10 spots and strip lights with and without color options. Effectively, you're not losing a lot compared to the regular color/white bulbs. They still run on the same platf

The OnePlus 12 was already our favorite budget Android phone - and now it's $300 off

Kerry Wan/ZDNET The OnePlus 12 may no longer be the company's current flagship model, but it remains a solid device. It boasts top-notch performance from its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform and incredibly fast charging speeds. It's a more affordable alternative to the OnePlus 13, and now is a great time to buy one because the device is currently on sale. Visit the company's website and enter the code "BACK2COLLEGE" at checkout to receive a $300 discount on the 512GB OnePlus 12. This deal on

The Next Two Weeks Could Redefine Tech

There’s always something at risk when it comes to investing. But right now, it is definitely smart to keep your eyes open for major market disturbances. With the risk-reward balance in the U.S. equities market stabilizing, Wall Street has entered a pivotal stretch over the next 14 trading sessions that may determine its near-term direction. In a span often defined by uncertainty, key economic data and Fed policy will weigh heavily on investor sentiment. No sector is more vulnerable than tech.

OnePlus will give you a $300 smartwatch for free right now - here's how to qualify

Kerry Wan/ZDNET Follow ZDNET to learn more about smartphones: Add us as a preferred source on Google. OnePlus is holding yet another Back to School sales event for its flagship phone, the OnePlus 13. Right now, if you purchase either the 256GB or the 512GB OnePlus 13, you'll receive a free OnePlus Watch 2 (normally $300) in either Radiant Steel (gray) or Black Steel -- your choice. If you don't want the wearable, you can instead receive a Wood Grain Magnetic Half-pack Case for free. Be aware

Depot (YC W23) Is Hiring a Solutions Engineer (Remote US and Canada)

Depot is growing rapidly and reinventing the software build space, so we are now looking for our first dedicated Solutions Engineer to bridge the gap between our innovative technology and the developers who need it most. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced developer who wants to help peers make dramatic gains in their day-to-day jobs, and ultimately for their organizations. An ideal candidate would be someone who is already a Depot user and fan who wants to find a new role in a fast

‘Alien: Earth’ Showrunner Discusses the Timing of His Mini ‘Alien’ Movie, Plus That Huge Twist

We’ve all watched Alien movies on TV, but we’ve never had a new one made for it. That’s what happened this week, though, with the latest episode of Alien: Earth. Titled “In Space, No One…”, the episode flashed back to the events aboard the USCSS Maginot, which made it crash down to Earth. Events that, as you can imagine, involved lots of killer aliens. We did an in-depth recap and breakdown of the episode at this link, so head there to read about it. But Alien: Earth showrunner Noah Hawley, who

Apple’s Siri upgrade could reportedly be powered by Google Gemini

In Brief Apple’s Siri overhaul may include an AI-powered web search tool with technology powered by Google’s Gemini, according to a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The iPhone maker, which has been criticized for falling behind in the AI race, delayed its long-awaited Siri update until 2026. In the meantime, the company has been scrambling to determine whether its own AI models alone will work well enough to make its upgraded Siri competitive with the AI answer engines available today f

US offers $10 million bounty for info on Russian FSB hackers

The U.S. Department of State is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information on three Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officers involved in cyberattacks targeting U.S. critical infrastructure organizations on behalf of the Russian government. The three individuals, Marat Valeryevich Tyukov, Mikhail Mikhailovich Gavrilov, and Pavel Aleksandrovich Akulov, are part of the FSB's Center 16 or Military Unit 71330, which is tracked as Berserk Bear, Blue Kraken, Crouching Yeti, Dragonfl

Universal Reveals a Trailer for Its Behind the Scenes Theme Park Docuseries

Disney gets all the press, and Six Flags has all the dancing commercials, but Universal has always had a strong position in the theme park world. Starting with a simple tour of the Universal lot in Hollywood, the film studio evolved that into several parks across the globe, all of which showcase the big, popular film and TV shows created by the studio. Then, last year, that culminated with Universal opening its most advanced park yet, Epic Universe in Orlando. And while we’ve seen plenty of doc

For a limited time, buy the OnePlus 13 and get a free OnePlus Watch 2

Kerry Wan/ZDNET Follow ZDNET to learn more about smartphones: Add us as a preferred source on Google. OnePlus is holding yet another Back to School sales event for its flagship phone, the OnePlus 13. Right now, if you purchase either the 256GB or the 512GB OnePlus 13, you'll receive a free OnePlus Watch 2 (normally $300) in either Radiant Steel (gray) or Black Steel -- your choice. If you don't want the wearable, you can instead receive a Wood Grain Magnetic Half-pack Case for free. Be aware

‘Alien: Earth’ Finally Gave Us the Episode We Were Waiting For

When I saw the title for the fifth episode of Alien: Earth, it seemed too good to be true. Could the episode actually live up to the implications of its title? Were we about to get a brand-new, full-fledged Alien movie in the comfort of our home? Thankfully, the answer to both those questions is “Yes.” The fifth episode of Alien: Earth saw creator Noah Hawley deliver his own version of an Alien movie in the confines of his show, and it was familiar, fascinating, and fraught with tension. Let’s d

Samsung announces a pair of flashy new party speakers

It’s shaping up to be a good week for people who like enormous party speakers. Hot on the heels of JBL’s PartyBox 720 comes Samsung’s latest Sound Tower. The two new models are the ST50F and the ST40F, both of which are designed to provide music for large gatherings, indoors or outdoors. A redesigned acoustic structure houses dual dome tweeters equipped with Samsung’s Waveguide tech, which it says delivers a wider and more even soundstage. These are joined by a pair of woofers, the output of wh

What Creaky Knees Really Mean for Your Long-Term Health

Here’s some potential good news for runners or people fresh off knee surgery: Your creaking knees might not indicate deeper health issues. New research finds that knee creaking is not associated with a greater risk of arthritis in people recovering from surgery. Scientists at La Trobe University in Australia led the study, which examined the long-term outcomes of young patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Though people with knee creaking did experience more pa

Audi design finds its minimalist groove again with Concept C

Fans of the TT rejoice—there's a new Audi two-seater on the way. The German automaker just unveiled Concept C, a stylish and minimalist sports car that marks the start of a new styling philosophy and, hopefully, a return to the bold designs that brought it so much success. There are design cues and links back through Audi's history, but this is no pastiche of a retro design as we might have seen from J Mays. Rather, Audi's design team under Chief Creative Officer Massimo Frascella says that the

Best Smokeless Firepits (2025), Tested for Fun and Fresh Air

Compare the Top 4 Smokeless Firepits Firepit Full Retail Diameter WIRED TIRED Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 $329 19.5 inches Venn diagram at the middle of value, utility, and portability. Removable ash can Not big enough for longer logs Breeo X24 $599 27.5 inches Large backyard showpiece with plenty of room for a big fire. Great accessory set Less portable Breeo Y-Series $495 21 inches Designed for portability—and to be hauled out for cooking. Great accessory set Not big enough for longer logs BioLite

Five new Apple products are the biggest September 9 launch ‘maybes’

Apple’s big September 9 launch event is just days away. We’re expecting the iPhone 17 lineup, Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11, and AirPods Pro 3. But beyond these near-locks, what other new products might Apple launch? Here are the five biggest wildcards that could make an appearance based on rumors. AirTag 2 September 9 launch: Likely Out of all the wildcard products in the pipeline, AirTag 2 seems especially likely to launch next week. Apple’s original AirTag launched in 2021, and we’ve

“Mockery of science”: Climate scientists tear into new US climate report

More than 85 climate scientists declared the Department of Energy’s new climate report unfit for policymaking in a comprehensive review released Tuesday. The DOE’s report cherry-picked evidence, lacked peer-reviewed studies to support its questioning of the detrimental effects of climate change in the US and is “fundamentally incorrect,” the authors concluded. Scientists have accurately modeled and predicted the volume and impact of excess CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere since the 1970s, when Exx

Translation startup DeepL launches an AI 'agent' in challenge to players like OpenAI

German startup DeepL on Wednesday said it was expanding beyond artificial intelligence-powered translation into general AI agents focused on businesses. The term "agent" refers to an AI tool that can carry out tasks in the background in response to user prompts. DeepL Agent is designed to complete "repetitive, time-intensive tasks across a wide variety of functions" according to the company. It can responds to natural langauge commands from a users. DeepL Agent can be used in various teams fro

Acer's Swift 16 Air laptop weighs less than 2.2 pounds

Acer just unveiled the new Swift 16 Air laptop at IFA 2025. The biggest selling point here is likely the weight. The 16-inch laptop clocks in at just over two pounds, which is lighter than a 13-inch MacBook Air . The Swift 16 Air is available with two display options. There's a standard IPS panel and an AMOLED. The AMOLED does tick the weight up a bit to 2.4 pounds, which is worth considering. Acer The overall specs here are solid. These computers are powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series proces

Topics: 16 acer air ifa september

Watch out, Whoop: Polar joins the fitness band race with a premium option

Image: Polar Polar launched its first heart rate monitor more than 30 years ago, setting the standard that all others have been measured against. Now, the company is bringing this technology to its line of sports watches with the Polar Loop: a health and fitness tracker with no display like the Whoop band and Amazfit Helio Strap. Without a display, the Loop instead relies on a robust smartphone platform called Polar Flow, which integrates with other Polar watches as well. Also: The best sport

Making a Linux home server sleep on idle and wake on demand (2023)

Making a Linux home server sleep on idle and wake on demand — the simple way It began with what seemed like a final mundane touch to my home server setup for hosting Time Machine backups: I wanted it to automatically sleep when idle and wake up again when needed. You know, sleep on idle — hasn’t Windows had that built in since like Windows 98? How hard could it be to configure on a modern Ubuntu install? To be fair, I wanted more than just sleep on idle, I also wanted wake on request — and tha