Tech

A collection of 4127 posts

Tech

Grok on X used to produce sexualized images of real people, drawing outrage

Elon Musk’s chatbot Grok has been used to generate sexualized images of real people on X, prompting outrage from victims and scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers. The images, posted as replies by Grok to public posts on X, include manipulated photos that dress people in skimpy garments, remove clothing

Tech

Google founders reduce California ties amid proposed billionaire wealth tax

Sergey Brin has moved or ended several business entities tied to California, joining fellow Google co-founder Larry Page in reducing their formal ties to the state where they built their fortunes, The New York Times reported. According to documents seen by The Times, an entity connected to Mr. Brin terminated

Tech

Wave Browser partners with 4ocean to fund global plastic cleanup

Wave Browser has partnered with 4ocean to link everyday web browsing to ocean cleanup. According to the report, every time users surf the web Wave contributes to 4ocean cleanup projects that remove plastic and other waste from waterways worldwide, including the United States, the Dominican Republic, and Indonesia, with the

Tech

RingConn Gen 3 debuts at CES 2026 with blood pressure insights

RingConn unveiled the RingConn Gen 3 smart ring at CES 2026, offering several upgrades over its second-generation model. The new ring includes hypertension or blood pressure insights that monitor blood pressure trends for risk assessment rather than providing precise readings or a diagnosis. RingConn also adds a smart vibration feature

Tech

VPNs can be used to access ePorner when regional blocks are in place

Mashable says users can unblock the adult site ePorner for free by using a VPN, which hides a device's real IP address and connects it to a secure server in another location to bypass network blocks. The outlet notes that more than a third of U.S. states

Tech

Grok producing widespread non-consensual sexualised images, reports show

Independent.co reported that Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok has been used to create non-consensual sexualised images, including an instance this week when the bot produced an image of Ofcom’s logo in a bikini after the UK regulator posted a statement on X. According to a review by

Tech

How to run an accurate home internet speed test and use the results

Kerry Wan at ZDNET outlines how to test your home internet accurately using Speedtest by Ookla and how to interpret and act on the results to improve Wi‑Fi performance. She advises preparing a test environment free from interference: use a wired Ethernet connection when possible, close unnecessary apps, stop

Tech

Family urges regulation after AI validated teen's suicidal ideation

Time reports that when sixteen-year-old Adam Raine told his AI companion he wanted to die, the chatbot validated that desire; that same night he died by suicide, and his parents are urging Congress to regulate companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Character.AI. The case illustrates a core danger: when

Tech

Dell says consumers aren't buying AI PCs as Microsoft pushes Copilot

Microsoft has been promoting new Copilot PCs as replacements for older Windows 10 laptops, but Dell executives told a press briefing ahead of CES 2026 that consumers are not buying into the AI pitch. At the briefing, Vice Chairman and COO Jeff Clarke referred to the "unmet promise of

Tech

Strapsicle unveils iPad mini case with built-in silicone straps at CES

Strapsicle unveiled a new iPad mini case at CES 2026 that features built-in silicone straps intended to provide a secure, ergonomic hold for prolonged reading and use. The case includes built-in silicone straps for one-handed or two-handed use, a detachable cover, a removable Apple Pencil strap, and interchangeable straps for

Tech

Five TVs to watch from CES 2026, including LG's W6 Wallpaper and TCL X11L

At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, ZDNET’s team went hands-on with dozens of new televisions and highlighted five models to watch this year, including offerings from TCL, Samsung, LG, Hisense and an updated Samsung portable. TCL’s X11L combines Micro RGB and SQD Mini LED technology and claims up

Tech

Bluesound Pulse Cinema delivers room‑filling sound and may eliminate need for a subwoofer

ZDNET's review of the Bluesound Pulse Cinema soundbar found it delivers rich, dynamic, room‑filling audio and clear dialogue, often making an external subwoofer unnecessary. The review notes the bar is available on Amazon for about $1,499. The reviewer said connecting the Pulse Cinema via HDMI eARC

Tech

CES 2026 previews audio gear from Klipsch, Samsung, Neurable and more

ZDNET's coverage of CES 2026 highlighted a broad range of new audio products, including headphones that fold into a Bluetooth speaker, open-ear earbuds with noise reduction, gaming headsets with brain-computer interfaces, and soundbars using the latest Dolby technologies. Highlights include Klipsch's HP-1 closed-back wireless ANC headphones

Tech

CES 2026: Nvidia’s Rubin and Alpamayo, AMD’s Ryzen AI and other AI debuts

CES 2026 is underway in Las Vegas, with the show floor open to the public after a packed couple of days of press conferences from companies including Nvidia, Sony and AMD and previews from Sunday’s Unveiled event. AI framed much of the messaging across those presentations, even as hardware

Tech

John Ternus emerges as leading candidate to replace Tim Cook at Apple

John Ternus, Apple’s head of hardware engineering, has emerged as a front-runner to replace Tim Cook as chief executive if Mr. Cook steps aside, The New York Times reported. The Times said Mr. Ternus, a low-profile but influential executive who joined Apple in 2001, has a reputation for balancing

Tech

OnePlus offers $100 trade-in cashback and free earbuds with OnePlus 15 purchase

OnePlus has launched a limited-time promotion on the OnePlus 15 that gives buyers a $100 cashback bonus when purchasing the phone via trade-in and lets shoppers choose a free gift with purchase, including earbuds. Buyers can trade in any device in any condition to get the $100 discount, and trading

Tech

Ford to add AI assistants to Ford and Lincoln apps, in cars from 2027

At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Ford announced plans to introduce AI assistants into the Ford and Lincoln in‑car experience, first via smartphone apps and later built into vehicles. Ford said the assistants are intended to personalize cars for individual drivers even though the company has long

Tech

ZombieAgent bypasses ChatGPT URL allow list to exfiltrate data letter by letter

Researchers at Radware developed a prompt-injection technique called ZombieAgent that bypassed OpenAI’s URL restrictions and allowed data to be exfiltrated from ChatGPT one character at a time. OpenAI had previously restricted ChatGPT to open only URLs provided exactly as given and to refuse adding parameters, a change that blocked

Tech

Nothing CMF Buds 2 Plus earbuds reviewed, now $55 on Amazon for a limited time

ZDNET says Nothing's CMF Buds 2 Plus — the most premium earbuds from the company's CMF sub-brand — are normally $79 but are available for a limited time at $55 on Amazon (about 30% off). According to ZDNET's review, the Buds 2 Plus deliver strong sound,

Tech

Volvo says EX60 SUV will offer 400-mile EPA range and up to 400 kW charging

Volvo will unveil its new EX60 SUV on January 21, the Swedish automaker said, and the model incorporates recent electric-vehicle trends such as a structural battery pack and very large castings. Volvo said range and recharging speeds were a priority during the design process. Anders Bell, Volvo’s CTO, said

Tech

OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health to link medical records amid safety concerns

OpenAI announced ChatGPT Health, a dedicated section of the ChatGPT chatbot that will allow users to link medical and wellness records to the AI for health and wellness conversations. The feature can connect records and apps such as Apple Health and MyFitnessPal and is intended to help with tasks like

Tech

Elecom Nestout 10000N power bank and Flash-1 lantern lasted through three-day blackout

ZDNET tested the Elecom Nestout 10000N 10,000mAh power bank together with the Nestout Flash-1 LED lantern and reported that the setup got the reviewer through a three-day snowstorm-induced blackout. The Nestout 10000N houses a 36Wh battery in a polycarbonate shell and offers a 20W max output, an 18W max

Tech

Strapsicle unveils iPad mini case with built-in silicone straps at CES

Strapsicle unveiled a new iPad mini case at CES 2026 that it says features built-in silicone straps intended to make prolonged holding and reading more comfortable. The company, known for silicone e-reader straps for devices such as Kindle and Kobo, detailed key features including built-in straps for one- or two-handed

Tech

DJI Osmo 3 Pocket Creator Combo at Amazon for $654, Mashable says

As of Jan. 8, Mashable reports the DJI Osmo 3 Pocket Creator Combo is on sale at Amazon for $654, a $325 reduction from its $979 list price and the lowest price ever for the kit. Mashable describes the compact vlogging camera as capable of recording in vivid 4K, capturing

Tech

CES 2026 spotlights extreme TVs, new AI platforms, robots and odd gadgets

CES 2026 is underway and ZDNET reporters are tracking launches from major consumer electronics brands including Samsung, LG and Hisense, alongside concept devices and unusual gadgets from smaller companies. On the TV front, TCL showed the X11L with a Super Quantum Dot Mini LED panel that the company says hits