Motorola Raze Fold reintroduced me to the phone stylus, and I realized how badly I missed it
I had mostly made peace with the idea that phone styluses were for a very specific kind of user. There are a few who prefer taking notes the old-fashioned way (sort of), artists that can get some value out of this, or Galaxy Ultra loyalists who’d stand by this. But for the vast majority, a […]
Reliable, fun, and affordable—The Japanese compact that ticks every box
Affordable compact cars often force buyers to compromise somewhere, whether it’s reliability, driving enjoyment, interior quality, or efficiency. That’s what makes the Honda Civic such a standout in 2026. Few cars at this price point manage to balance all the things that matter quite as well, combining strong fuel economy, impressive reliability, sharp handling, and […]
Android 17 made my Pixel feel new in ways I didn’t expect
After both The Android Show and Google I/O wrapped up, Android was suddenly everywhere. New features, AI tricks, visual changes — it all felt like a glimpse into where Google wants Android to go next. Naturally, I got curious about what Android 17 would actually feel like in day-to-day use on my Google Pixel 10a, […]
How Sony nearly ruled spatial audio – until Apple changed music forever
Jada Jones/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways 360 Reality Audio debuted at CES 2019, with Sony’s sights set on streaming services. Apple and Dolby’s partnership made spatial audio mainstream. Without a streaming service or significant market share in hardware, Sony’s format floundered. Every year at the Consumer Electronics Show […]
I use this free alternative instead of Microsoft Word, and it actually works with everyone else’s docx files
You have quite a few options to choose from when you feel like Microsoft Word doesn’t cut it for you! Regardless of your reason for shifting, the alternatives deliver on some strong fronts. For instance, while options like LibreOffice Writer offer an offline solution, Google Docs works great for those who need an online-first solution. […]
Gemini’s new token limits are just as bad as Claude’s, and maybe even a little dumber
Summary Gemini subscription tiers have been adjusted; some get more value, while others lose out. New compute-based quotas throttle heavy users. Widespread reports suggest Gemini 3.5 Flash feels less reliable than 3.1 Pro. After announcing sweeping changes to Gemini and AI-powered Search at Google I/O this week, Google announced overhauled Gemini AI usage limits and […]
This open-source app turned my Android phone into a portable physics laboratory
Your phone already uses its sensors more than you probably think. They count your steps, point maps in the right direction, adjust screen brightness, detect motion, and rotate the display when you turn the phone sideways. Phyphox is an open-source app that lets you use those sensors directly, so you can explore the world around […]
If you’re a Spotify superfan, you can now buy concert tickets without the queue
Spotify is rolling out a new initiative on its platform that will make it simpler to get concert tickets in the U.S. The streaming platform has introduced Reserved, a way for Spotify Premium subscribers in the U.S. to get concert tickets without having to queue up in a race against others to get their hands […]
The hybrid sedan buyers keep choosing over SUVs
The American car market moves fast, and even huge nameplates can disappear almost overnight. Sedans like the Ford Fusion used to be everywhere, but the SUV boom pushed a lot of longtime favorites completely out of the conversation. Midsize sedans were supposed to be one of the biggest casualties of that shift. Instead, one Japanese […]
I wasted money on the wrong ESP board because nobody explained this upfront
The ESP32 is a fantastic little board. You can use it to fix your Wi-Fi deadzones in 15 minutes or even convert it into the perfect little travel router. However, while ESP32 boards might look the same, they can be very different under the surface—and that difference can leave your project dead in its tracks. […]