Technology
- 5 biggest Linux and open-source stories of 2024: From AI arguments to security close calls December 23, 2024AI arrived, security troubles were dodged, and after years of development, real-time Linux finally made it into mainstream Linux. Here's what shook up the open-source world this year and what it means for 2025.
- The best mini PCs of 2024: Expert recommended December 23, 2024We tested and researched the best mini PCs from Intel, Apple, and more that pack strong computing features into a small package.
- The best cheap portable power stations of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed December 22, 2024I tested the best cheap portable power stations that are great for camping, workshops, and power outages. Here's how to pick an excellent system without spending thousands of dollars.
- If your AI-generated code becomes faulty, who faces the most liability exposure? December 22, 2024Who is liable: the product maker, the library coder, or the company that chose the product? Our Part 2 analysis examines this sticky issue if a catastrophic outcome occurs.
- The best speakers for vinyl in 2024: Expert recommended December 22, 2024We found the best speakers for vinyl, based on our testing and recommendations from music industry experts, to help you choose the right option.
- These discounted earbuds deliver audio so high quality, you'll forget they're mid-range December 22, 2024The Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless earbuds have an audiophile-grade sound that sounds lush and premium but at a mid-range price point. Plus, they're actually comfortable to wear.
- This Galaxy Watch is one of my top smartwatches for 2024 and it's received a huge discount December 22, 2024It's been a big year in the smartwatch market, but Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra has risen to the top thanks to its perfect size and features. And the best is it's on sale.
- One of my favorite Android smartwatches isn't from Google or OnePlus (and it's on sale) December 22, 2024The Galaxy Watch FE makes it easier for everyone to get in on the smartwatch action, plus the LTE support lets you use the watch without your phone. It's also been recently discounted on Samsung's website.
- The best power banks you can buy in 2024: Expert tested and reviewed December 21, 2024We tested the best portable power banks from Anker, Ugreen, Baseus, and more to help you find the ultimate solution for reviving your drained devices.
- If ChatGPT produces AI-generated code for your app, who does it really belong to? December 21, 2024The answer is complicated, so in Part I of a two-article analysis, we consulted legal experts to obtain some definitive answers.
- The best iPhone power banks of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed December 21, 2024We went hands-on with some of the top iPhone power banks that will keep your devices powered up and ready to go.
- The best NAS devices of 2024: Expert tested December 21, 2024We tested the top NAS storage devices that provide seamless storage solutions for personal and professional use.
- The best external hard drives of 2024: Expert tested December 21, 2024I've meticulously tested the leading external hard drives on the market to help you find the most dependable and budget-friendly backup storage solutions.
- The best iPads for college: Expert tested and reviewed December 21, 2024From taking notes and Zoom calls to completing a graphic design project, we went hands-on with the top iPads for college students.
- I converted this Windows 11 Mini PC into a Linux workstation – and didn't regret it December 21, 2024The Herk Orion is a capable Ryzen-powered Mini PC in its own right, but ditching Windows for a Linux OS has opened up a whole new level of performance.
- I found one of the fastest-charging portable batteries for home backups – and it's on sale December 21, 2024The Andes 1500 portable power station is strong enough to power essential appliances during a power outage or as a camping or RV companion.
- I tested the viral 'tangle-free' USB-C cable, and it's my new travel essential December 21, 2024I didn't expect the Magtame USB-C cable to be as useful as it is. Even its thermal test results look promising.
- I tried an ultra-thin iPhone case, and here's how my daunting experience went December 21, 2024Latercase's Thin Case puts an ultra-slim layer of protection around your phone, and it's surprisingly functional.
- ZDNET's product of the year: Why Oura Ring 4 bested Samsung, Apple, and others in 2024 December 21, 2024By blending precision health tracking with an elegant design, the Oura Ring 4 underscores the growing importance of health tech in our daily lives.
- This LG Bluetooth speaker impressed me with a design feature I've yet to see on competitors December 20, 2024The LG XBoom 360 XO2 features booming sound in a portable form factor, but one unique aspect sets it apart from the competition.
Technology
- Dutch tech investor Prosus plans to acquire online travel agency Despegar.com for $1.7B, or $19.50 per share, to expand in Latin American, closing in Q2 2025 (Loni Prinsloo/Bloomberg) December 23, 2024Loni Prinsloo / Bloomberg: Dutch tech investor Prosus plans to acquire online travel agency Despegar.com for $1.7B, or $19.50 per share, to expand in Latin American, closing in Q2 2025 — – Prosus CEO plans to double company's value in four years — Group is redoubling efforts to deploy capital productively
- VC insiders say many partners left big firms in 2024, either quitting or being pushed out, as bleak market conditions led to less funding and leaner operations (Bloomberg) December 23, 2024Bloomberg: VC insiders say many partners left big firms in 2024, either quitting or being pushed out, as bleak market conditions led to less funding and leaner operations — Mired in an industry downturn, investors that usually stick around for years are stepping back from jobs to start new firms — or getting pushed out.
- Sources: Meta plans to add displays to its Ray-Ban glasses as soon as H2 2025 to show notifications or AI responses, and has accelerated Orion's development (Financial Times) December 23, 2024Financial Times: Sources: Meta plans to add displays to its Ray-Ban glasses as soon as H2 2025 to show notifications or AI responses, and has accelerated Orion's development — Social media group accelerates plans to build ‘augmented reality’ headsets in battle with Apple and Google
- In a first, Telegram is set to be profitable in 2024, with $1B+ in revenue, up from ~$350M in 2023, and ending 2024 with $500M in cash, as it grapples with debt (New York Times) December 23, 2024New York Times: In a first, Telegram is set to be profitable in 2024, with $1B+ in revenue, up from ~$350M in 2023, and ending 2024 with $500M in cash, as it grapples with debt — Even as Telegram faces legal scrutiny and grapples with billions in debt, it is set to be profitable for […]
- SEC filings: senior Spotify executives have sold $1.25B in stock in 2024, including CEO Daniel Ek selling ~$350M and co-founder Martin Lorentzon selling $550M+ (Financial Times) December 23, 2024Financial Times: SEC filings: senior Spotify executives have sold $1.25B in stock in 2024, including CEO Daniel Ek selling ~$350M and co-founder Martin Lorentzon selling $550M+ — Company co-founders reaped $900mn in gains this year — Senior Spotify executives and board members have sold $1.25bn worth …
- X raises US Premium+ prices by 37.5% to $22 per month, starting on December 21, and EU prices from €16 to €21 per month; the basic subscription still costs $3 (Manish Singh/TechCrunch) December 23, 2024Manish Singh / TechCrunch: X raises US Premium+ prices by 37.5% to $22 per month, starting on December 21, and EU prices from €16 to €21 per month; the basic subscription still costs $3 — X is raising prices for its top-tier subscription service, Premium+, by 37.5% to $22 a month, marking …
- The Biden administration opens a trade investigation into China's production of older chips, a move that may lead to tariffs and other measures to block imports (New York Times) December 23, 2024New York Times: The Biden administration opens a trade investigation into China's production of older chips, a move that may lead to tariffs and other measures to block imports — The older-style chips are crucial for a wide array of appliances and other machinery, including weaponry.
- Google says it plans to counter Japan's FTC over claims that it hobbles rivals in search; a source says Japan's FTC sent a cease-and-desist order to Google (Bloomberg) December 23, 2024Bloomberg: Google says it plans to counter Japan's FTC over claims that it hobbles rivals in search; a source says Japan's FTC sent a cease-and-desist order to Google — – Google prepares case against antitrust watchdog's allegations — Regulators around the world are ramping up Big Tech scrutiny
- AI platforms are unlikely to become a major source of traffic or ad revenue for media outlets, with content deals offering only a short-term revenue boost (Om Malik/On my Om) December 23, 2024Om Malik / On my Om: AI platforms are unlikely to become a major source of traffic or ad revenue for media outlets, with content deals offering only a short-term revenue boost — I recently wrote about the future of the browser and Surf, a new app from the creators of Flipboard.
- Google and OpenAI's AI product announcements over the past month have transformed the state of AI and show the breadth and pace of change (Ethan Mollick/One Useful Thing) December 23, 2024Ethan Mollick / One Useful Thing: Google and OpenAI's AI product announcements over the past month have transformed the state of AI and show the breadth and pace of change — The last month has transformed the state of AI, with the pace picking up dramatically in just the last week. AI labs have unleashed […]
- A look at new tech-based mental health treatments like the Tetris method and Avatar therapy that are offering promising early results and possibilities (Michael Peel/Financial Times) December 23, 2024Michael Peel / Financial Times: A look at new tech-based mental health treatments like the Tetris method and Avatar therapy that are offering promising early results and possibilities — From video games to personal avatars, researchers are looking to develop a new generation of digital tools that do not involve taking a drug or therapy
- OpenAI details "deliberative alignment", a new method it used to make o1 and o3 "think" about its safety policy before responding, to improve overall alignment (Maxwell Zeff/TechCrunch) December 23, 2024Maxwell Zeff / TechCrunch: OpenAI details “deliberative alignment”, a new method it used to make o1 and o3 “think” about its safety policy before responding, to improve overall alignment — OpenAI announced a new family of AI reasoning models on Friday, o3, which the startup claims to be more advanced …
- Sources: SoftBank's Masayoshi Son has recently become singularly obsessed with how to build the next Nvidia and wants competitive AI chips ready to ship by 2026 (Bloomberg) December 22, 2024Bloomberg: Sources: SoftBank's Masayoshi Son has recently become singularly obsessed with how to build the next Nvidia and wants competitive AI chips ready to ship by 2026 — The billionaire SoftBank founder promises to invest $100 billion in the US as part of a sweeping redemption plan.
- Broadcom CEO Hock Tan says AI spending frenzy will continue until the decade's end, and downplays an Intel bid, saying he had his "hands very full" in AI chips (Tim Bradshaw/Financial Times) December 22, 2024Tim Bradshaw / Financial Times: Broadcom CEO Hock Tan says AI spending frenzy will continue until the decade's end, and downplays an Intel bid, saying he had his “hands very full” in AI chips — CEO said Big Tech groups are ‘investing full tilt’ as US chipmaker soars to more than $1tn valuation
- Donald Trump announces that Sriram Krishnan, until recently a general partner at a16z, will serve as senior policy advisor for AI at the White House OSTP (Kyle Wiggers/TechCrunch) December 22, 2024Kyle Wiggers / TechCrunch: Donald Trump announces that Sriram Krishnan, until recently a general partner at a16z, will serve as senior policy advisor for AI at the White House OSTP — Incoming president Donald Trump has confirmed reports that Sriram Krishnan, until recently a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz …