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Microsoft's new AI agent can change Windows settings for you - here's how

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET With so many settings in Windows, knowing where and how to adjust something can be challenging. Now Microsoft is using AI to help you tackle that challenge more easily. Also: You can try Windows 11's newest Start menu now - here's how In a blog post published Friday, Microsoft announced the release of a new AI agent designed to perform specific actions for you based on your requests. Say something like "how to control my PC by voice" or "my mouse pointer is too small," and

iOS 18.6 beta appears imminent after build number shared

iOS 26 may be the center of attention for most people following Apple, but the company apparently has more in the works for iOS 18 before moving to the next major update. Per a new leak, it seems the first iOS 18.6 beta is coming soon. iOS 18.6 likely the final noteworthy release before iOS 26 arrives Apple kicked off its iOS 26 beta cycle last week following WWDC, but there’s an alternative beta coming soon. Per a private X account who has shared reliable reports of Apple software before, th

Topics: 18 26 apple beta ios

I often replace my premium headphones with this classic Bose pair - and never regret it

ZDNET's key takeaways The Bose QuietComfort Headphones are available in seven colors for $349, and are often up to $100 off. They are true to the QuietComfort namesake, providing excellent noise cancellation and all-day comfort. However, like all of Bose's over-ear headphones, the QuietComfort have a short, 24-hour battery life. View now at Bose I have an arsenal of premium consumer headphones. The Sony XM6, Apple AirPods Max, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Beats Studio Pro, Sonos Ace, and more all

I Tracked My Glucose Levels With My Favorite Fitness Tracker. These 3 Takeaways Surprised Me

As a wellness editor and writer, I'm constantly experimenting with the latest health tech, so I was naturally intrigued when I learned that Oura Ring partnered with Dexcom's Stelo, a continuous glucose monitor designed for people without diabetes. The goal of this collaboration is to help everyday people like me understand how food and general eating habits impact blood sugar and overall health. "By combining Stelo data with Oura's existing insights, we're empowering members to better understan

Kia EV4 Review: Price, Specs, Availability

The 2026 Kia EV4 could be an important vehicle in the ongoing global EV transition. To be sold in 140 markets globally, the EV4 is a carefully calibrated shot at bringing long-range electric power into the high-volume mainstream segment of compact sedans and hatchbacks at an affordable price. US and Asian markets will get an EV4 sedan (the model I spent the day with for this review), now built in Korea. Europeans’ preference for five-doors means only an EV4 hatchback will be available in that r

Topics: cost ev4 kia range volt

Microsoft shares temp fix for Outlook crashes when opening emails

Microsoft has shared a workaround for a known issue that causes the classic Outlook email client to crash when opening or starting a new message. These problems affect users in the Monthly Enterprise Channel who updated Outlook for Microsoft 365 earlier this month, starting with Version 2504 (Build 18730.20122). "When you open or start a new email, classic Outlook crashes. This issue occurs because Outlook cannot open the Forms Library," the Outlook team says in a support document published on

Verizon Fios Internet Review: We Look at Plans, Pricing, Speeds and Availability

Unavailable in Provider unavailable in 90001 Edit . . . Starting at $50 Or call: Or call to learn more: (855) 379-7064 Verizon Fios home internet rating 7.6 /10 CNET Score We score internet providers for speed, value and customer care. Our data sources include the FCC, J.D. Power, The American Customer Satisfaction Index and extensive in-house research. Read more How we calculated our rating 7.6 / 10 SCORE Speed 7.5/10 Value 7/10 Customer Care 8/10 Pros All Verizon Fios plans are 100% fiber, wit

Your MacBook is getting a big upgrade. 5 best features I can't wait to use in MacOS 26

Kerry Wan/ZDNET Apple last week announced its latest update for MacOS 26, codenamed "Tahoe." It's full of new visual design elements like Apple's Liquid Glass design theme, better integration with the iPhone, and a more robust Spotlight feature that's better integrated with Shortcuts. The theme of all of Apple's updates this year is streamlining both the visual UI and feature sets across Apple devices, while making more apps and features available on them, punctuated by Apple Intelligence. Al

Topics: 26 app apple iphone macos

Yet another European government is ditching Microsoft for Linux - here's why

querbeet/Getty Images "We're done with Teams!" declared Digitalisation Minister Dirk Schrödter, speaking via an open-source video platform, in his announcement that the German state of Schleswig-Holstein will phase out all Microsoft software from government workplaces. The goal is to fully transition from Microsoft programs to Linux and open-source programs within the next three months. Also: I found a Linux distro that combines the best parts of other operating systems (and it works) The dec

Your Apple CarPlay is getting a big update: 3 useful features coming with iOS 26

Apple Apple's annual Worldwide Developers' Conference (WWDC) happened last week, and the tech giant announced several new updates to iOS 26, including upgrades for Apple CarPlay users. Also: How to install iOS 26 beta on your iPhone (and which models support it) While you'll have to enroll in the developer beta to get early access, here's a quick overview of all the new features you can expect in Apple CarPlay by this fall. 1. New CarPlay design Along with the redesign of iOS 26, CarPlay is

Topics: apple car carplay ios new

Will your old laptop still get security updates after this year? Check this chart

Marko Stojkovic/Getty Images The tech world was outraged -- outraged, I tell you! -- when Microsoft attached strict compatibility requirements to the launch of Windows 11. Those new rules meant some PCs that were only six or seven years old would be effectively abandoned, no longer eligible for security updates, and unable to upgrade to the newest OS version. And yet, as it turns out, this is just another example of Microsoft copying one of its oldest competitors. Apple's update policy for its

Microsoft accidentally swapped Windows 11’s startup sound with Vista’s

is a senior editor and author of Notepad , who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years. If you’ve been having flashbacks to 2007 while using your PC over the past few days, you’re not alone. Microsoft has mistakenly replaced Windows 11’s boot sound — in test versions of the OS — with the startup chime from Windows Vista. Windows testers started noticing the issue shortly after Microsoft released its latest Dev Channel build of Windows 11 on Friday afternoon. The

Apple Fitness could benefit greatly from one simple expansion

Apple has definitely built up quite a compelling ecosystem around the Apple Watch. Between all of its fitness challenges, activity rings, and competitions – Apple has certainly found a way to make exercise fun for a lot of people. The problem? Some people simply don’t like the form factor of a smartwatch. The proposal To put it short, I think Apple should allow third party health trackers to integrate with the Apple Fitness app. The catch? It’d be tied into an Apple Fitness+ subscription. App

The best satellite phones of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

We're fortunate to live in an age when cellphone and Wi-Fi coverage is incredible, but it can still let you down. For those times, satellite phones are a true game-changer for anyone beyond the reach of traditional mobile networks or during emergencies or natural disasters. Unlike standard smartphones, which rely on cellular networks made up of physical towers, satellite phones communicate directly with satellites orbiting approximately 500 miles above the Earth. Satellite connectivity is an es

Cyborg Embryos Offer New Insights into Brain Growth

Scientists have created cyborg embryos by implanting electrode arrays into the developing brains of frogs, mice, and salamanders. Although the researchers reject implants in human embryos as unethical, they suggest their technology might one day help study and treat neurodevelopmental conditions in children. The stretchable technology at the core of the electrode arrays could record brain activity while remaining soft enough to accommodate the children’s growth. Recording the activity of neuron

It’s nearly impossible to buy an original Bob Ross painting (2021)

Bob Ross is not a hard man to find. Though he died in 1995, the late TV painter remains an omnipresent cultural staple. His Chia Pet perm, nap-inducing voice, and meme-worthy sayings — “Happy little trees!” — have transcended time. On YouTube, old episodes of his show, The Joy of Painting, boast ~450m views. Online, you can acquire Bob Ross paints, Bob Ross brushes, Bob Ross underwear, Bob Ross coffee mugs, Bob Ross energy drinks, Bob Ross watches, and Bob Ross toasters. But there’s one thing

Apple introduces ASIF disk image format in macOS 26 Tahoe for faster virtual storage

What just happened? Apple's latest update for Macs, macOS 26 Tahoe, introduces a significant leap forward in disk image technology with the debut of the ASIF format – a development that could reshape how users and developers handle virtual storage on Apple silicon Macs. For years, disk images have been a staple for Mac users, enabling everything from encrypted file storage to virtual machine management. However, these images have long suffered from sluggish performance, especially when encrypti

Topics: asif disk gb images macos

Scientists Discover Bizarre Signals Coming From Ice in Antarctica

Some strange radio signals are broadcasting out of Antarctic ice, and the researchers who found them don't know why. Using a cosmic particle detector, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania detected peculiar signals that, according to a press release, "defy the current understanding of particle physics." The particle detector that found those strange signals — which is, charmingly, suspended from a bunch of balloons — belongs to a range of instruments known as the Antarctic Impulsive Tr

Lenovo Legion Go S with Steam OS fixes so much, but can it beat a Steam Deck?

Lenovo Legion Go S - Powered By Steam OS The Lenovo Legion Go S with Steam OS is light years ahead of its Windows-powered counterpart. Not only does Steam OS fix a lot of Windows' problems, but it also drops the price by $130. This makes the Legion Go S with Steam OS a viable competitor to the Steam Deck. It's well worth a look if you prioritize a large display, variable refresh rates, and offset sticks. When I reviewed the Lenovo Legion Go S — the one powered by Windows 11 — I did something I

The 34 Absolute Best Shows to Watch on Prime Video

Reached the end of a binge and ready for something new? Prime Video may offer your next small-screen fixation. Amazon's streaming service is the place to visit for can't-miss originals like The Boys and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. With new shows premiering frequently, such as the postapocalyptic drama Fallout, you can choose a fresh release or start a series you've had on the back burner. Note that Prime Video is now ad-supported and charges an extra fee to remove commercials. Read on for this

I set up a bird camera in my backyard, and it captured things I'd never seen before

ZDNET's key takeaways The Bird Buddy is available for $199. This bird feeder has a camera that takes beautiful pictures, is easy to set up, and features bird identification. It does require recharging once a week unless you have the solar option, needs to be within Wi-Fi range, and can miss some bird visitors. View now at Amazon View now at Mybirdbuddy more buying choices The bird feeders in my yard have always been an attraction for those watching from the couch, especially during the pandem

How to Bring Back Oddly Shaped App Icons in macOS 26 Tahoe

How To Bring Back Oddly Shaped App Icons in macOS 26 Tahoe June 11, 2025 macOS 26 Tahoe replaces the oddly shaped app icons that once brought joy and personality to the Dock with the familiar squircle icons from iOS. Here's what that looks like. The lovely Things icon now sits awkwardly on a glass background 😢 I strongly dislike this change. Part of the Mac’s soul was in its expressive, varied app icons, a case of character over conformity. Fortunately, there's a way to bring back the perso

Scientists Reveal Easy Three-Step Plan to Terraform Mars

Terraforming, the act of radically transforming a planet's climate and environment to make it suitable for human habitation, currently belongs to the realm of science-fiction. But it's possible, at least in theory, and the idea of terraforming our nearest candidate planet for off-world colonization, Mars, has captivated us for generations. But how would we even begin to pull off such a monumental feat of engineering? You can basically boil it down to three simple steps, argue the authors of a r

Windows 11 users want these five features back

When Windows 11 was first released, many long-time users felt features they loved had been taken away overnight. Three and a half years later, the same complaints still rise to the top of the Feedback Hub with tens of thousands of votes. Below are the five most wanted Windows 11 features on the Microsoft Feedback Hub. The most wanted requests in Windows 11 "Bring back the ability to move the taskbar to the top and sides of the screen on Windows 11" Right now, the taskbar is glued to the bot

I’ve been using Google Photos for 10 years and this is what I want to see in the next 10 years

Joe Maring / Android Authority I’m as cynical as the next tech writer about Big Tech’s trajectory, but I’ve always had a soft spot for Google Photos. The app recently turned ten years old, and I’ve been there every step of the way, although it certainly took me a while to discover its full potential. Many retrospectives have been written about how the app has evolved from its launch in 2015, but I’ve been thinking more about what the next decade holds. As good as the app is, here’s what I’d lik

Why I pick this JBL speaker over competing models for outdoor listening

ZDNET's key takeaways The JBL Charge 6 will be available for purchase on April 6 for $199 in Black, Blue, White, Red, Camo, and Purple. The Charge 6 offers great sound, durability, battery life, and in-app features. Although it's waterproof, constant, untreated exposure to salt and chlorine can incur internal damage, just like any other Bluetooth speaker. View now at Best Buy View now at JBL more buying choices While there are plenty of Bluetooth speakers on the market, only a few strike the

Testing a smart cooler proved I can never go back to toting ice (and it's on sale)

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 $1,349, but it

Will your Mac or Windows PC still get security updates in 2026? Check this chart

Marko Stojkovic/Getty Images The tech world was outraged -- outraged, I tell you! -- when Microsoft attached strict compatibility requirements to the launch of Windows 11. Those new rules meant some PCs that were only six or seven years old would be effectively abandoned, no longer eligible for security updates, and unable to upgrade to the newest OS version. And yet, as it turns out, this is just another example of Microsoft copying one of its oldest competitors. Apple's update policy for its

One of the most versatile action cameras I've tested isn't from GoPro - and it's on sale

DJI Osmo Action 4. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET Multiple DJI Osmo Action 4 packages are on sale at Amazon. Both the Essential and Standard Combos have been discounted to $249, while the Adventure Combo has dropped to $349. DJI might not be the first name on people's lips when it comes to action cameras, but the company that's better known for its drones also has a really solid line of action cameras. And its latest device, the Osmo Action 4 camera, has some very impressive tricks up its sleeve