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Internet running slow? 3 things I always check first for faster Wi-Fi speeds at home

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET Nearly every part of modern life depends on our connection to the internet. When my provider experiences an outage, everything grinds to a halt -- working remotely via VPN, streaming music on Spotify, and even using smart home devices. It's a stark reminder of how much we rely on the invisible network that keeps us connected. Almost every aspect of modern life is affected by our connectivity to the Web. Also: Is your Roku TV spying on you? Probably, but here's how to put a

I changed 12 settings on my Android phone to instantly extend the battery life

Kerry Wan/ZDNET I've spent large portions of my life looking for ways to extend the battery life on my Android phones. Admittedly, that sounds rather dramatic, but growing up with only budget models meant I was constantly tweaking device settings to squeeze every bit of juice out of their batteries. Thanks to this micromanaging, I successfully pushed the batteries on all my past smartphones to their absolute limit. I don't want to hoard this knowledge to myself, so I've decided to share it wit

When Can You Get the iPhone 17? Here's What Date to Expect Its Release

While leaks and speculation about the new iPhone have been popping up everywhere lately, one question could resolve all the others: When will the iPhone 17 be released? Once the rumored iPhone 17 -- as well as the iPhone 17 Air, Pro and Pro Max -- is revealed, we'll be able to confirm speculation about colors, display, cameras and more. We'll also learn how much the new iPhone will cost, which is also still up in the air, thanks in part to looming tariffs. Based on previous releases, the new i

Chrome gives you another reason to use it for online shopping

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Google has announced a new Chrome feature that allows users to easily gain insights into a store’s reputation and product quality. The tool provides an AI-generated summary that pulls data from Google Shopping and other review sites. The feature is limited to users in the US. Even if you’re a prolific online shopper, it can be difficult to figure out exactly which stores you should and shouldn’t trust. One way to do this is to check the store’s revie

iOS 26 lets you keep AirPods audio from auto-switching to speakers

iOS 26 is packed full of new features, but one that lots of users might appreciate most is flying under the radar. Thanks to a new setting added in iOS 26, you can finally stop AirPods’ audio from automatically getting hijacked by other Bluetooth speakers, including your in-car speakers. ‘Keep Audio with Headphones’ gives you control of your iPhone’s audio stream If you use AirPods or other Bluetooth headphones, you’ve likely experienced a surprise occurrence around other Bluetooth speakers.

Google is testing a cooler, darker design for Gemini Live’s overlay (Update: Video)

Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR Google is testing a visual refresh for Gemini Live’s compact overlay in the latest app beta. The redesigned UI includes rounded corners, smaller icons, and a dark background. The corner widget has also been updated to be circular with a more vibrant waveform. Update, July 28, 2025 (12:31 PM ET): We’re still waiting to see Google push this new look for Gemini Live’s overlay public, but ahead of its formal debut, we’ve got a new, better look at it — now

My phone struggled to get signal: These 5 quick fixes instantly improved its reception

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET I grew up watching The X-Files. In the late 1990s, cell phone reception was nothing like it is today. So back then, I couldn't help but question how Scully and Mulder could call their boss, Skinner, back in Quantico even when they were investigating the most remote, bizarre locations across the continental US. Also: How to clear your Android phone cache (and why it makes such a big difference) Suspending disbelief aside, maybe FBI agents Scully and Mulder knew real-life t

Android 15 is bricking some Fairphone 5 devices, and here’s how you can avoid it

Damien Wilde / Android Authority TL;DR The Android 15 update is causing some Fairphone 5 phones to become bricked, but only if the fingerprint sensor is broken. A Fairphone rep confirmed stricter hardware checks in Android 15 are to blame. A fix is in the works, but for now, users with faulty sensors should avoid the update. For phone geeks like us, an OS update is usually exciting, but it doesn’t always go smoothly. Multiple reports suggest that the Android 15 update is causing some Fairpho

OpenAI could rival Google Shopping with ChatGPT Shop

AI companies like OpenAI and Perplexity like to be the "everything company," and OpenAI's latest ChatGPT feature, "Shopping," makes that obvious. Financial Times recently reported that ChatGPT is testing a new shopping feature where you could buy products directly from the app. When ChatGPT 'converts' sales for merchants, OpenAI gets a percentage of the revenue. This is similar to the existing affiliate program for publishers. FT reports that OpenAI could partner with Shopify to integrate th

Poll: Which abandoned Android phone features do you miss the most?

Robert Triggs / Android Authority Our phones have undergone remarkable changes over the years of their existence. Android phones are unwarrantedly sleeker, significantly faster, have larger screens, and even feature cameras that, for most non-professionals, can replace a DSLR or a mirrorless camera. Yet, Android manufacturers have made some compromises to make the phone less bulky, increase internal space for more advanced components, or even just to save costs. Newer Android phones are depriv

How to install the AirPods public beta with five new features

Last week, Apple released its first-ever public beta for AirPods alongside the first public beta of iOS 26. If you want to try out Apple’s new AirPods features, here’s how to install the beta. How to install the AirPods public beta First, you’ll need to make sure your iPhone is running the iOS 26 beta. This takes just a few taps, and you can find those full instructions in our dedicated guide on installing the iOS 26 beta. The AirPods public beta is available for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4.

Google Assistant Is Basically on Life Support and Things Just Got Worse

Voice assistants are… not perfect. That’s me being nice. But if I were to cease being nice, I’d probably say something more like “voice assistants suck,” and I think most would agree I’d be justified in saying so. While no voice assistant really manages to escape that criticism, I usually opt for Google Assistant, which—in my experience—is the least sucky. Or it used to be, but after some recent hiccups, I may have to start rethinking that dishonorable distinction. Last week, Google Assistant u

My 5 favorite Linux distros for home office desktops - and I've tried them all

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET I've worked from home for over a decade. Without Linux as my primary operating system, I'm not sure how I would be able to do the things I do with the level of simplicity and reliability that I've achieved with the open-source OS. Linux makes a lot of things possible for me that Windows and MacOS cannot handle. Also: The best Linux distributions for beginners in 2025: Expert tested and reviewed But which distributions would I recommend for people who want an oper

JerryRigEverything put the Galaxy Z Fold 7 through hell: Here’s what happened

TL;DR The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has successfully passed JerryRigEverything’s intense durability test. The phone showed exceptional structural strength despite its ultra-thin design. Samsung has also greatly improved dust resistance on the phone. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has just aced one of the internet’s most famous durability tests. In a new video titled “Samsung Z 7 Durability Test – The End is Near,” tech YouTuber Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything put Samsung’s latest ultra-thin fold

Before Apple Launches iOS 26 This Fall, Here's What's in iOS 18.5

Apple is set to release iOS 26 this fall, and the tech company said that iPhone update will bring a new Liquid Glass design, a new Games app and more to your iPhone. But Apple launched iOS 18.5 on May 12, and that update brought a new wallpaper, app tweaks and some bug fixes and security patches that everyone can access now. You can download iOS 18.5 by going to Settings > General > Software Update, then tapping Update Now and following the prompts on your screen. Here's what iOS 18.5 brings t

Topics: 18 apple ios iphone mail

F1 in Belgium: The best racetrack in the world

The Belgian tourist board provided nothing to this article, the writer just really really loves Spa-Francorchamps. Ars does not accept paid editorial content. Formula 1 made its annual stop at Spa-Francorchamps, the historic track that winds its way through the hills and trees of the Ardennes. I’ll admit, I’d been waiting for this one; in fact, I’ve become somewhat of a Spa bore, having fallen in love with the place all over again a few weeks ago while attending the Crowdstrike 24-hour GT3 race

Topics: 24 hour just race spa

Nothing Headphone (1) Review: Something Special

As someone who has been openly critical of Nothing’s claims that it will revolutionize the technology world, I happen to actually love the brand’s products. From the excellent Ear (a)—among our favorite cheap earbuds—to its affordable smartphones, the brand leverages excellent design and near-top-tier internals to absolutely dominate the mid-tier of the tech market. The Headphone (1) noise-canceling over-ears, I am happy to say, continue this tradition. They look as good (or better) than more e

Modder behind first USB-C iPhone now wants to upgrade every model

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust What just happened? A passionate modder made headlines a few years back by creating the first working USB-C port for an iPhone. Now, that same developer is taking things to the next level, launching a full-scale manufacturing effort to deliver a polished, production-ready version of the adapter to the public. Ken Pillonel's latest project is an iPhone case that adds USB-C connectivity to older Appl

Android users can now remotely lock their Windows PC from their phone

Microsoft's Link to Windows app on Android is reportedly getting a useful new feature: the ability to lock a PC remotely from a smartphone. Windows Central notes that the feature is rolling out gradually with version 1.25071.165 and isn't available to everyone just yet. Android users could already configure their Windows PCs to lock automatically when they walk away, using their phone's Bluetooth signal as a proximity trigger. However, the new update gives users a manual option as well, allowin

Survey shows 9 out of 10 people demand this camera feature on base Pixel 10

Google One of the most intriguing and persistent Google Pixel 10 series rumors is that the base Pixel 10 could finally get a telephoto camera. This should theoretically enable much-improved camera zoom without splashing out on a Pro phone. I personally welcome this news, but do readers feel the same? We ran polls on the website, our Twitter page, and our YouTube channel. The results are finally in, and here’s how you voted. Do you want the Pixel 10 to have a zoom camera?  The results were c

Here’s why people are putting grip tape on their $2,000 Galaxy Z Fold 7

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority TL;DR Despite largely positive reviews, several Galaxy Z Fold 7 users report difficulty opening the device due to its ultra-thin sides and strong magnets. Community members have tried cases, skins, grip tape, and techniques like optimal thumb placement as workarounds. Some suggest hardware changes, like grippier textures or indentations, could improve usability without compromising the design too much. Chinese foldables have dominated the last few years, mai

I was a Niagara Launcher doubter until I built my ultimate productivity home screen

Andy Walker / Android Authority There was a time when Nova Launcher was the only home screen app I’d consider using on my Android phones. It was the pinnacle of the genre, offering a dizzying array of customization options and a wealth of search features. However, as my need for a launcher that enhances focus and productivity grew, Nova fell off my radar. I began exploring the many alternatives available. My current launcher choice is Kvaesitso, thanks to its unique vertically biased design an

You Can See 2 Meteor Showers at Once This Week. How to Catch a Glimpse

While meteor showers happen all year, a rarer occurrence is having two meteor showers that peak at the same time. It'll happen this week, on Tuesday. The shooting star show comes courtesy of the Alpha Capricornids and Southern delta Aquariids meteor showers. The former is already happening and runs until Aug. 12, with a peak on Tuesday. Southern delta Aquariids will start on Monday, peaks early on Tuesday and runs until Aug. 12 as well. That means for one evening, the two meteor showers are pea

Nothing Phone 3 doesn’t win on value, but it won me over anyway

Prakhar Khanna / Android Authority The Nothing Phone 3 is quirky and weird. It has riled up the Nothing lovers and haters alike. Social media forums indicate that a lot of people don’t like that camera layout, price, or have polarizing views on the Glyph Matrix. I might be on the less popular end for both. I liked the Nothing Phone 3’s odd design choices when I first saw it in person at the London launch event. I was taken aback by the price, sure. But I wanted to give it a try nonetheless. I’

The Verge’s 2025 back-to-school shopping guide

Back-to-school season is closer than you might realize, especially for college students, many of whom are set to return to campus in a matter of a few short weeks. And while school can be a challenging time on many fronts, regardless of the grade, there are tools that can help you better prepare for life both inside and outside the classroom. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a selection of dorm-friendly recs from the larger Verge staff, as well as a few essentials suitable for high school and

Here’s the real problem with Nothing’s quirky Phone 3 design

Ryan Haines / Android Authority I love Nothing’s semi-transparent design language. Its debut Phone 1 was the first Android phone in a long time that I can remember being just as happy to look at as I was to use (if only because it didn’t work in the US). Then, I watched Nothing refine its style over a few generations of mid-range and budget phones, reworking its Glyph interface and camera placement until it found a combination so cute that Wall-E might fall in love with it. Now, though, I thin

9 signs its time to upgrade to a new phone

Tushar Mehta / Android Authority The question “Should I buy a new phone?” holds more weight than we imagine. For most of us, phones are our trusted associates, and parting with them isn’t easy. For others, the upgrade to a new phone may be too insignificant to warrant the expense. Regardless of the emotional value your phone holds, getting a new one every few years can be a cathartic experience. Besides addressing some of the issues of your older phone, a new Android phone will bring a variety

Rumor: iPhone 17 Pro could have three unexpected camera upgrades

We’re probably about six weeks away from Apple announcing the iPhone 17 Pro. Much of what we expect to see has been leaked for months, but a new rumor has surfaced about some unexpected camera upgrades. According to Joe Rossignol at MacRumors, the site received an anonymous tip sharing unverified information based on an ad being produced for the upcoming flagship iPhone: The tipster claimed to be familiar with an iPhone 17 Pro commercial that is allegedly being produced by Slovenian company Di

I found cheap accessories that made my AirTags twice as useful (and secure)

Elevation Labs accessories ZDNET's key takeaways These are tough, water- and dirt-resistant AirTag holders that will last years. They go a long way to preventing bad guys from removing your AirTags from secured items. They work on everything from suitcases, camera bags, jackets, and even your cat or dog! View now at Amazon I've mentioned more than once my undying love for Apple AirTags. These devices have made my life so much less stressful, and I have them attached to pretty much everything

Book Review: Nixon's Memoirs

I’ve had the first volume of Richard Nixon’s memoirs on my shelf since high school. I got them because of a childhood inside joke, and only recently got around to reading them. The volume ends with Nixon’s first term, though there are portentous intimations, occasionally, of what came after. I’ll start with rolling narrative observations, then a grab bag of details that I found fun, then my favorite excerpt to close out. Big Picture Stuff Before reading his memoirs, my basic cartoon of Nixon