akinbostanci/E+/Getty Images Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways How you talk to AI may shape how you treat people. Rudeness to machines can normalize command-driven behavior. Politeness to AI is really about self-discipline and well-being. In 2018, a Lynn, Massachusetts mom named Lauren Johnson, with a then six-year-old child named… Continue reading I’ve studied AI for decades – why you must be polite to chatbots (and it’s not for the AI’s sake)
Author: ZDNet Online News
Still using a physical SIM? This $25 kit brings eSIM to your old phone – here’s how
EIOTClub eSIM kit ZDNET’s key takeaways Brings the convenience and savings of eSIMs to SIM devices Option to use the built-in plans and third-party eSIMs The SIM adapter is USB-A only, but works with USB-C using an adapter. Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. eSIMs have made travel so much easier.… Continue reading Still using a physical SIM? This $25 kit brings eSIM to your old phone – here’s how
7 smart plug tricks that instantly made my home feel more automated
Maria Diaz/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. Remember The Clapper? The plug-in staple may have made for a catchy jingle in the 1980s, but it could also be considered as a primitive ancestor of today’s smart plug — that is, if you can say anything from a few decades ago is primitive.… Continue reading 7 smart plug tricks that instantly made my home feel more automated
When is the best time to book your flight? Google just spilled all the airfare secrets
Stephan Zirwes/Getty Images Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways The ideal booking window for domestic flights is approximately one to two months prior to takeoff. You should plan much earlier for overseas travel to secure the most favorable rates. Flying earlier in the week, specifically on Tuesday, can result in… Continue reading When is the best time to book your flight? Google just spilled all the airfare secrets
How we test portable power stations at ZDNET in 2026
Testing the DJI Power 1000 power station. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET Remember those bulky power banks that could barely keep your phone charged? Forget them! Power stations are the new rockstars of portable electricity. In just a few years, they’ve exploded in popularity, transforming from niche products to a dazzling array of options. Now you can find… Continue reading How we test portable power stations at ZDNET in 2026
Puppy Linux vs. Linux Lite: Which distro is right for your old Windows 10 PC?
Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways A lightweight Linux distribution can revive old hardware. Puppy Linux and Linux Lite achieve this in very different ways. Both of these distributions can be used for free. Do you have an old computer… Continue reading Puppy Linux vs. Linux Lite: Which distro is right for your old Windows 10 PC?
I replaced my deadbolt with this Apple HomeKey smart lock – and it’s an iPhone user’s dream
Level Lock Pro ZDNET’s key takeaways The Level Lock Pro is available for $350. This smart lock looks like a regular deadbolt, but supports Apple HomeKey, Matter-over-Thread, physical key, NFC fobs, and door status detection without extra sensors. You’ll have to purchase a keypad separately if you prefer one to unlock, and Android users won’t… Continue reading I replaced my deadbolt with this Apple HomeKey smart lock – and it’s an iPhone user’s dream
I ran a battery test with the best Samsung, Google, and OnePlus phones – the winner surprised me
Adam Doud/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Total battery capacity is only one factor influencing actual device longevity. Lab tests demonstrate how different hardware components impact power consumption rates. Efficient processors and screen settings are crucial for maximizing battery performance. Battery size is not always a straightforward comparison. The… Continue reading I ran a battery test with the best Samsung, Google, and OnePlus phones – the winner surprised me
The biggest tech surprises of the year: 5 products that truly impressed our editors
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. Welcome to ZDNET’s “Breakthrough” Awards for 2025, our latest tradition that celebrates the most innovative and forward-thinking technologies to cross our editors’ desks this year. Over the past 12 months, we’ve spent countless hours challenging the utility of foldable phones that dominated the mobile conversation, lived entire… Continue reading The biggest tech surprises of the year: 5 products that truly impressed our editors
CES 2026 trends to watch: 5 biggest topics we’re expecting at the world’s biggest tech show
Kerry Wan/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways CES is almost here with some exciting product innovations. Expect to see more AI-enabled wearables from interesting startups. New trifold smartphones, robots, and TVs could be the stars of the show. CES is just days away, kicking off on Jan. 4 for… Continue reading CES 2026 trends to watch: 5 biggest topics we’re expecting at the world’s biggest tech show