Tech

A collection of 1931 posts

Tech

Meater Pro review: $130 smart thermometer that reduces cooking anxiety

ZDNET's reviewer says the Meater Pro, available for about $130, has become essential for reliably cooking steak, chicken, pork and other meats. The device uses five internal sensors plus an ambient sensor and pairs with a companion app on Android and iOS to show detailed temperature readings. The

Tech

Animal Crossing amiibo cards restocked at Nintendo UK

Nintendo UK has restocked Animal Crossing amiibo card packs, including Series 1, 2, 3 and 5, as well as the Sanrio packs. These are the previously released packs (the packaging still references older systems) and are listed at £3.49 each, with the Sanrio packs priced at £4.99. The

Tech

Use ZRAM to speed up Linux without adding RAM

With RAM prices surging, a software approach can improve Linux performance without buying more memory. ZRAM provides a compressed swap space kept in RAM and can make systems feel snappier when physical RAM is constrained. ZRAM stores swapped data in memory rather than on disk, so it is faster than

Tech

Acer Predator OLED monitor best value under $400

The Acer Predator OLED monitor is presented as a strong value among OLED panels at less than $400, offering an accessible entry point to OLED gaming displays. It combines a 1440p resolution with a 0.03 ms response time and a 280 Hz refresh rate. At 27 inches it may

Tech

OneOdio Solocaster packs RodeCaster-like features for $49

Audio brand OneOdio has launched the Solocaster, an audio interface aimed at gaming live streamers and content creators that closely resembles the RodeCaster Duo but is priced at $49.99. The Solocaster is described as having three physical faders labelled for mic, music and headphones, four customizable FX pads and

Tech

Linux user switches to Windows 11 for a week and finds nine problems

Jack Wallen, a longtime Linux user, spent a week using Windows 11 to experience the operating system people use for work and personal use. He reported encountering a wide range of issues and said the experiment left him questioning the appeal of Windows. Wallen detailed nine specific problems: creating a

Tech

WD's HDD tech promises flash-like performance and eases memory pressure

WD has detailed a pair of new hard drive technologies designed for AI workloads and described as delivering "flash-like" performance that could reduce pressure on NAND and SSD supply. The company says combining HBDT (2-track) and a dual pivot can boost throughput from 300 MB/s to 1.

Tech

Borderlands 4's Big Switch 2 Debut Is Officially On Pause

Borderlands 4's planned Nintendo Switch 2 release has been paused. Take-Two spokesperson Alan Lewis told Variety, "We made the difficult decision to pause development on that SKU." The pause follows a race to address performance issues with the PC version. Lewis said the company will focus

Tech

British unit adopts 3D printing of drone parts after lessons from Ukraine

The 1st Battalion Irish Guards has begun 3D printing drone bodies and parts after observing Ukrainian use of the technology, Lt Col Ben Irwin-Clark said. The battalion linked up with Ukrainian troops during a training rotation and increased its preparations for drone warfare. The unit has created a 'drone

Tech

PUBG: Blindspot launch times and early access release date

PUBG: Blindspot, a 5v5 top-down tactical shooter and PUBG spinoff formerly known as Project Arc, goes into early access on Thursday, February 5, 2026, with players in the Pacific Time zone getting access a day earlier on Wednesday, February 4. Launch times provided by the developer list Pacific: 9 pm

Tech

The best ERP software of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

Businesses facing fragmented data and manual spreadsheet work are increasingly turning to ERP software to unify information, reduce errors, and support automation and analysis. The article recommends SAP S/4HANA as the top ERP for 2026, noting its in-memory processing, real-time analytics, AI features, and the modern Fiori interface. It

Tech

China to ban concealed door handles on EVs over safety concerns

China will ban concealed door handles on electric vehicles, becoming the first country to do so. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said cars must have a mechanical release on both the inside and outside of every door except the boot. Regulations require a hand-operable space of at least

Tech

Battlefield 6 Javelin stopped 580,389 cheating attempts in December

Battlefield Studios reported that its Javelin anti-cheat prevented 580,389 attempts to "cheat or tamper with the game" over the course of December. The studio published Match Infection Rate (MIR) figures showing the percentage of matches affected by at least one suspected cheater. In December the MIR began

Tech

The best iPad Air cases of 2026: Expert tested

Apple's iPad Air is lightweight and powerful, but protection and functionality matter. ZDNET handpicked and tested several iPad Air cases from brands including Casetify, Apple, Burga, Moft, Logitech and OtterBox, focusing on models that add protection and extras like keyboards, trackpads, stylus storage and stands. Our top pick

Tech

How tech CEOs approach parenting

Leading figures in technology have described a range of parenting approaches, from strict screen limits and household chores to embracing digital tools and AI in child-rearing. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has said ChatGPT helped him with raising a newborn, that his child "will never be smarter than AI"

Tech

AMD says Valve 'on track' to ship Steam Machine 'early this year'

AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su said Valve is "on track to begin shipping its AMD-powered Steam Machine early this year." The Steam Machine reportedly uses a semi-custom AMD RDNA 3 GPU paired with a Zen 4 CPU. Valve had previously stated the new Steam Machine would release at

Tech

Next-Gen Xbox On Track For 2027 Launch Says AMD CEO

AMD CEO Lisa Su said Valve is on track to begin shipping its AMD-powered Steam Machine early this year, and that development of Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox featuring an AMD semi-custom [System on Chip] is progressing to support a launch in 2027. Su’s remarks were reported by Gamesbeat ahead

Tech

Samsung offers nearly 50% off 65-inch QLED TV and soundbar bundle

Samsung is offering nearly a 50% discount on a bundle that pairs the 65-inch QN1EF QLED TV with the HW-S700D soundbar, a saving of $1,050 when purchased together. The QN1EF is described as a midrange QLED with an ultra-slim design, an updated processor for improved response and picture processing,

Tech

Best Buy is including a free 32-inch Samsung TV with 65-inch S84F OLED deal

Best Buy is offering $1,100 off the 65-inch Samsung S84F OLED and includes a free 32-inch Samsung F6000F smart TV; the retailer automatically adds the free TV to online carts. The S84F is described as Samsung's entry-level OLED, delivering similar picture quality and smart features to the

Tech

ZDNET recommends 240W magnetic USB‑C connectors to protect laptop ports

ZDNET reviewer Adrian Kingsley‑Hughes recommends a magnetic 240W USB‑C breakaway connector that acts like Apple’s MagSafe and comes as a two‑pack for $27, designed to protect USB‑C ports on laptops, phones, power banks and other devices. The adapter is a two‑part system: a small

Tech

ZDNET review: Galvanox 'pet‑proof' USB‑C cable resists cuts, fits phone cases

ZDNET reviewed the Galvanox Pet‑Proof USB‑C to USB‑C charge cable, saying the cable is built to resist chewing and abrasion and is sold in 6‑foot and 10‑foot lengths for about $15 and $18 (ZDNET also lists $14.99 at Amazon). The review says everything that

Tech

SpaceX acquires Elon Musk’s xAI, creating more than $1 trillion private company

SpaceX said on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, that it had acquired xAI, the artificial intelligence company controlled by Elon Musk, in a deal the companies said creates the most valuable private company on earth, worth more than $1 trillion. The exact financial terms were not disclosed. The acquisition, SpaceX confirmed

Tech

Three alternative shells to change the look of Windows 11

ZDNET highlights three alternative shells you can use to change how Windows 11 looks and behaves: Seelen-UI, Cairo Desktop and Start11. The report says two of the options are free and the other is paid, and they can make Windows 11 resemble macOS, Linux or simply a more customized UI.

Tech

RingConn Gen 2 review: subscription-free smart ring with standout battery life

ZDNET reviewed the RingConn Gen 2, a subscription-free smart ring priced around $299–$300, and recommends it as an Oura alternative largely for its battery life and lack of subscription gating. The ring is available in sizes six through 14 and three colors (silver, black, gold). Its build is more

Tech

Skyrim's lead designer: Bethesda should stick with its Creation Engine

Skyrim lead designer Bruce Nesmith told PressBoxPR that Bethesda should keep using its in-house Creation Engine, arguing the benefits of switching to Unreal Engine "are probably not going to materialise until two titles down the road." Nesmith defended the studio's long use of the engine: "