How we test headphones at ZDNET in 2026

We travel, exercise, work, and live in the latest headphones and earbuds so we can recommend the best for you. Here’s a look at our testing methodologies.

I compared the best soundbars from Samsung and Sonos, and here’s my preference

Upgrading your home theater with one of the best soundbars isn’t a decision you make on the fly. Here’s what to consider first.

I compared the best OnePlus and Samsung phones right now – and this one won by a hair

Which phone deserves your hard-earned money to start 2026, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or the OnePlus 15? Here’s my verdict.

After decades on Linux, FreeBSD finally gave me a reason to switch operating systems

FreeBSD isn’t Linux, but if you didn’t know any better, you’d swear it was.

This is my favorite Linux distro of all time – and I’ve tried them all

I’ve used or tested just about every Linux distribution available, and this one is my go-to. Here’s why.

Why I still recommend the Sonos Arc soundbar over competing models, especially at this price

For $200 off, it’s the best price you’ll find on Sonos’ flagship soundbar.

I found an immutable Linux distro that never breaks and is effortless to use

ShaniOS maintains two separate environments. If an update – or anything – goes wrong with one environment, simply reboot and switch to the other.

OpenAI’s Frontier looks like another AI agent tool – but it’s really an enterprise power play

Emulating Palantir’s use of forward-deployed AI engineers, OpenAI’s framework is both an opportunity and a threat for commercial software firms.

This Acer laptop from last year is proof that you don’t need to upgrade in 2026

The Acer Swift Edge 14 is a great-looking midranger with a vibrant OLED, a stylish keyboard, and superb battery life. Plus, it’s already on sale.

ChatGPT ads start today: Here’s what to expect – and which AIs don’t have them

Wondering how ads will work in ChatGPT? Or which AIs are still ad-free? There aren’t many. Here’s a quick rundown.

Finally, I found a highly functional multitool that isn’t a gimmick – and it’s on sale

Bibury’s Multitool Pliers Pro is a fraction of the price of the big brand names, but no less handy with 31 different tools.

Spotify’s new Page Match feature fixes my biggest frustration with audiobooks – here’s how

Spotify’s latest feature lets you switch easily between reading a physical book and an audiobook – here’s how to try it yourself.

OpenAI’s new GPT-5.3-Codex is 25% faster and goes way beyond coding now – what’s new

The Codex team said GPT-5.3-Codex even helped build itself.

Anthropic says its new Claude Opus 4.6 can nail your work deliverables on the first try

The frontier model can handle complex, end-to-end enterprise workflows and take on the autonomous tasks you usually do yourself.

Your home Wi-Fi isn’t nearly as private as it should be – 6 free ways to lock it down

If you want stronger privacy across your LAN, it’s time to think beyond a single computer.

AI agent adoption and budgets will rise significantly in 2026, despite challenges

Research suggests agentic transformation is becoming the new enterprise standard. Challenges remain, but they can be overcome. Here’s how.

Linux Kernel Runtime Guard Reaches 1.0: A Major Milestone for Runtime Kernel Security

by George Whittaker

The Linux security landscape just reached an important milestone. Linux Kernel Runtime Guard (LKRG) has officially hit version 1.0, marking its transition from a lo…

New Raspberry Pi 4 models splits RAM across dual chips

A new version of the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B has been (quietly) introduced. The key difference? It now uses a dual-RAM configuration. The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Rev 1.5 adopts a dual-RAM configuration to ‘improve supply chain flexibility’ an…

Here’s a portable power bank that’s actually worth its high price – especially if you travel

The Cuktech 15 Air is a small yet energy-dense power bank that commands a premium price. Here’s how it fared in my tests.

Need a rugged Android tablet for your business? I tested one that looks great and lasts all day

The Oukitel RT10 tablet is built like a tank yet still delivers a bright, vivid display at a fair price.