Gadgets
fromZDNET
4 hours agoTurn off this Pixel feature now - it could be leaking your background audio
Pixel phones' Take A Message bug can send device background audio to callers; turn off Take A Message in Phone app settings.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to sport an upgraded display with features such as Privacy Display. Now, a new leak suggests that the screen will come with improved protection as well. According to prolific leaker Ice Universe, the Galaxy S26 Ultra's display will get a new generation 'high-strength' Gorilla Glass. Anti-reflective coating on the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Ultra. The Galaxy S25 Ultra already uses an anti-reflective display coating that largely removes the need for matte screen protectors.
On the hunt for new smart plugs to upgrade your home automation? One of our favorite picks, the Meross MSS110 Smart Plug Mini, is currently marked down on Amazon. The two pack is discounted from $34 to $27, and the four pack is down to $34 from its usual price of $52. These plugs help add smart functionality to otherwise dumb devices around your home, like lamps or fans, so they can be included in your routines.
This will be the typical advertised capacity, whereas the rated capacity is 6,870 mAh. The battery will last 1,600 cycles before it goes below 80% of its initial capacity. The phone will support 55W wired charging, and it's IP68 certified for dust and water resistance. It received a C (on a scale of A to E) when it comes to repairability, and it's rated B for drop resistance.
One of the key components of a modern-day phone is the camera setup. Most phones have multiple cameras, and their quality can vary, which is why, when we get the opportunity, we like to take multiple phones out and shoot side by side. While photos and photo quality are often subjective, it helps us determine which phones can really deliver, from a megapixel perspective.
Brace yourself for tech nerd trivia - what does the FE in Samsung's Galaxy S25 FE stand for? It's not a trick question like the S in Harry S. Truman's name (which didn't stand for anything). The answer is Fan Edition, which is apropos today because you'll most definitely be a fan of this limited-time Amazon deal that offers an unlocked 256GB Galaxy S25 FE for just $510, its lowest price ever.
I've seen and customized some really cool Linux desktops over the years, from minimal environments to those crazy with effects, animations, transparencies, and every bell and whistle you can imagine. And then I run into a Linux distribution that's so cool out of the box, I'm reminded just how special the open-source operating system is. Recently, I discovered StratOS, and my immediate reaction was, "Wow." I honestly can't remember the last time a Linux distribution had me staring wide-eyed at all its glory.
Windows 2000 Professional seems to be a popular choice for ticket machine operators: a small footprint, bombproof reliability, and content to sit in the background while the customer's software takes center stage. Unfortunately, that reliability was not on display in this ticket machine, spotted in Bangkok by an eagle-eyed Register reader. A reboot has brought Windows 2000 Professional out of the shadows, and the loading screen is visible.
For audio, the Sony LinkBuds Clip earbuds use 10mm drivers and support SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs. You also get support for Sony's DSEE upscaling technology and a 10-band equaliser that can be adjusted through the Sony Sound Connect app. The earbuds also support 360 Reality Audio and a background music effect. Three listening modes are available, including a standard mode, a voice boost mode for clearer speech, and a sound leakage reduction mode.
Going to the grocery store can be a wonderful time, but it can also be overwhelming and financially draining. This is also how I feel about technology; I sometimes love it, and sometimes I feel like it came into this world specifically to cause frustration. However, sometimes your grocery shopping experience and your electronic devices can work together in harmony. How are those two things related, you ask? Thanks to a program at Costco, you can easily turn your unwanted electronic devices into money
Enter the LeafyPod, a self-watering smart planter that utilizes AI to understand your leafy companions, and keep them well cared for. The system is simple: a connected app monitors hydration and nutrient levels, noting what's best for that specific type of plant. Recently named one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2025, the hydroponic system allows users to grow herbs, greens, or flowers all year long. LeafyPod is adaptive, responding to plant health and to changes in environment.
The dock supports HDMI 2.1 output with up to 4K@120Hz, plus VRR, FreeSync, and G-Sync. It's made to deliver an incredibly smooth and immersive gaming or movie playback experience without screen tearing or noticeable lag. You'll enjoy sharp, vibrant visuals on compatible displays for all your favorite titles. There's 100W PD 3.0 fast charging support, too. The Steam Deck dock delivers up to 85W to your host device,
Wavytalk: Hair Tools Create salon-quality hairstyles at home with one tool. Wavytalk's Curlmaker rotating curling iron comes with three interchangeable barrels, so you can make tight ringlets, loose waves, and more. The award-winning Blowout Express combines a brush and curler. Its fast, dual-heat design saves time and smart technology adds shine for a smooth, frizz-free look. Silk'n: Hair Removal Devices Remove hair at home easily and comfortably.
"The Drone Ban" sounds overly alarmist, but it's real. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has instituted a ban on new foreign-made drones and drone components. Which, considering the huge market dominance of Chinese brands, translates into a "buy them now while you can" situation for hobbyist drones. While this ban prevents any new models from being imported and sold in the U.S., ones that are already here are still available for purchase and use.
Both turntables include one-button automatic playback - which starts the turntable, raises and lowers the tonearm on the vinyl, and returns the tonearm to its resting position once the record ends - a transparent dust cover to keep colored vinyl printings visible as the record plays, and a built-in switchable EQ to select between phono and line-level output. A USB output allows you to convert your vinyl to a digital file and has a three-level output gain selector with low, mid, and high settings. The two turntables also support 96kHz/24-bit wireless aptX Adaptive hi-res Bluetooth audio.
For international travelers, there are few pre-trip necessities as essential as figuring out how to use your phone abroad. But a new global eSIM data subscription service simplifies that process. International eSIM provider Holafly has launched its first-ever subscription for global eSIM data, offering a monthly plan that allows travelers to move seamlessly between more than 170 countries using a single eSIM, the company shared with Travel + Leisure.
A recent article by Android Headlines that covers three continents and collects data from four independent analyst firms suggests that OnePlus will soon shut down. The poor sales performance in the last couple of years, the fact that OnePlus is losing market share, and the closure of many offices around the world have led Android Headlines to believe that the company is done for.
As often as I rely on USB-C cables to charge my devices or help with work, I hardly think about them. My mindset has been that they're all mostly the same with negligible differences. I usually throw them into my junk drawer and only take a cable out when needed. Plus, what improvements can you really make to smartphone cables?
Maria Diaz/ZDNET If you're looking for a new home internet provider, Verizon just added a perk to sweeten the deal. From now until Feb. 4, new customers of 1 Gig or 2 Gig Verizon home internet plans will get to choose between a free Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G, a free 43-inch Q7F QLED TV, or a $15 credit to your monthly bill for 36 months.