All posts tagged: upgrade

Global Smartphone Sales Rebound, But Apple AI Falls Short Of Sparking Upgrade Boom

Global Smartphone Sales Rebound, But Apple AI Falls Short Of Sparking Upgrade Boom

The global smartphone market rebounded in 2024 after two consecutive years of declines. However, new data from Counterpoint Research shows that Apple lost market share to Chinese rivals. The over-hyped Apple Intelligence feature failed to spark a massive upgrade cycle some on Wall Street had forecasted.  Preliminary data from Counterpoint Research’s Market Pulse showed that global smartphone sales increased 4% year-over-year in 2024 , following two years of mounting macroeconomic headwinds weighing on cash-strapped consumers. Smartphone sales in 2023 were at their lowest level in a decade.  “2024 was a year of recovery and normalization after a difficult 2023. Smartphones continue to be an essential product, pivotal to people’s daily lives, and as macroeconomic pressures softened, the market started showing signs of recovery from Q4 2023 and has now grown for five consecutive quarters. Almost all markets showed growth, led by Europe, China, and Latin America,” Counterpoint’s Research Director Tarun Pathak wrote in a press release.  Sell-through data reveals that Apple’s iPhone market share dropped to 18% in 2024, while Samsung also experienced a decline. In contrast, Chinese brands such as Xiaomi and …

Upgrade your computer with this Microsoft Bundle for less than

Upgrade your computer with this Microsoft Bundle for less than $50

We’ve gotten to the point where a 2019 PC is ancient, according to the tech world. Mine was using so much RAM just to run a single program that I feared I would have to drop a couple hundred dollars to upgrade it. I scoured Black Friday deals, but just like dating after my divorce, nothing felt right.  Although my computer was a bit of a dinosaur, I wasn’t ready to send it to its grave just yet. I stumbled upon this bundle that includes Microsoft Office Professional Plus and Windows 11 Pro. As a last resort to salvage my Samsung, $45.97 was a small price to pay.  They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but with the help of Windows 11, your computer can be back in commission. Windows 11 Pro runs with fewer background processes, freeing up valuable RAM and CPU for browsing, gaming, and streaming. The sleek interface, easy-to-navigate, and improved graphics make for the ultimate gaming experience. Lose the lags, not the game. You can even protect yourself …

How to Upgrade Your Laptop RAM: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Upgrade Your Laptop RAM: A Step-by-Step Guide

Looking to upgrade your laptop RAM? Before getting stuck in, there are some considerations you’ll need to make, such as how much RAM you need, what type of RAM to buy, and your laptop’s RAM capacity. How Much RAM Do You Need? If you sense that your PC is slowing down, adding more RAM is a cost-effective way to boost your computer’s performance and run more modern apps. The total amount of RAM you need will depend on three things: how much RAM you currently have, the maximum RAM your laptop supports, and how much extra RAM you need. Let’s start by checking how much RAM you have. How Much RAM Do You Currently Have? To check on Windows 11, hold the Windows Key + S and search for System. For Windows 10 users, click on Start > Settings > System > About. This will open the About window, which will show your device specifications. How Much RAM Does Your Laptop Support? The easiest way to find out how much RAM your laptop supports is …

iPhone 16 Pro upgrade: If you have a 3 year-old iPhone, here are all the new features you’ll get

iPhone 16 Pro upgrade: If you have a 3 year-old iPhone, here are all the new features you’ll get

ZDNET’s Jason Hiner with the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max in the Steve Jobs Theater on September 9, 2024. Kerry Wan/ZDNET In my iPhone reviews, I try to keep in mind that most iPhone upgraders are coming from a phone that’s at least three years old. With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of the most important upgrades you’ll find in your new iPhone 16 Pro (or Max) if you’re coming from the 2021 iPhone Pro or earlier.  Spoiler: You’re probably going to be pretty happy. Also: We’ve used every iPhone 16 model and here’s our best buying advice for 2024 What’s it like upgrading from iPhone 13 Pro? If you’re coming from an iPhone 13 Pro or earlier then you are in for a lot of significant new capabilities when you switch to an iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max. Here is a list of some of the best features you can expect if you upgrade. Longer battery life for five hours hours of additional usage time — compared …

Flipper Zero gets a big firmware upgrade, and some amazing new features

Flipper Zero gets a big firmware upgrade, and some amazing new features

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET It’s taken three years, but now the Flipper Zero firmware 1.0 is ready, and it brings some quite amazing new features to the platform. In case you’re not aware, the Flipper Zero is portable multi-tool for pentesters and geeks that looks like a kid’s toy. But beneath the brightly colored plastic is a powerful ARM Cortex processor and an array of antennas and I/O interfaces that allow it to interact with the world around it. Also: Flipper Zero: Geeky toy or serious security tool? From a sub-GHz antenna to GPIO pins, the Flipper Zero packs a punch. And the 1.0 firmware update allows the operating system to really leverage this hardware. Flipper Zero firmware 1.0 features. Flipper Zero My favorite new feature is the improved battery life. The Flipper Zero can now last a month between charges on standby, which is handy for those who don’t use their Flipper Zero often but still want it to be ready to use when they do without the hassle of charging. Also: The Flipper Zero is …

Best Nectar Mattress Deals for Fall 2024: Save Up to 50% and Give Your Bed a Cozy Upgrade

Best Nectar Mattress Deals for Fall 2024: Save Up to 50% and Give Your Bed a Cozy Upgrade

Now that Labor Day weekend is behind us, one of the best ways to welcome the cooler weather months is by doing a seasonal reset at home. Fall is in the air, which is always the perfect excuse to stay cozy in bed. If your current sleep setup could use an upgrade, the good news is that Nectar just launched a huge mattress sale just in time for the new season. Right now, the “Fall into Savings” event at Nectar is offering up to 50% off mattresses. Don’t sleep on the change to save hundreds on the brand’s most popular hybrid and memory foam mattresses starting as low as $349. Nectar is also offering free shipping and returns, as well as a 365-night home trial for all mattresses to ensure you find the best one. Shop the Nectar Sale The Nectar Premier Mattress offers dual-action cooling technology that will keep hot sleepers comfortable while they snooze. The Nectar Premier reacts to your body’s temperature as it changes throughout the night to keep you cool. Aside from temperature regulation, the …

Upgrade Your Asus ROG Ally Handheld With This 65-Watt Charger Dock for Just $30

There’s a whole world of new handheld consoles out there now, and one of the best features of a lot of them is that you can often hook them up to a TV with the right equipment. If you’re someone who owns the impressive Asus ROG Ally, then you’ll likely know that it can work through a TV, but you might not have committed to that bit. If you want to be able to use your Asus ROG Ally as a hybrid console, then make sure you get this Asus ROG 65-watt charger dock while it’s down to just $30, which is $35 off.  Aside from being able to power your Asus ROG Ally, this dock allows you to use an HDMI cable to connect the device to your TV. This means that you can use wireless controllers, or a wired one via the USB port, to play your games on the big screen. Of course, you can also use a keyboard if you prefer playing games that way as well.  Hey, did you know? …

Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for : Last chance for this all-time-low price

Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for $23: Last chance for this all-time-low price

Get Windows 11 Pro at a big discount right now. StackSocial Need an operating system upgrade? Windows 11 Pro puts productivity in your hands with features that make everything from hybrid work to streaming entertainment easy, and you can grab the software for a discounted price right now through StackSocial. A lifetime subscription for the software is $23 right now, saving you 88%.  Windows 11 Pro brings an improved user interface and heightened customization to the table. You’re getting more advanced security features with this software, like biometrics login, TPM 2.0 Smart App Control, and encrypted authentication and antivirus protection to keep your personal and business data secured.  The system works great for users with refurbished computers needing an up-to-date operating system. In addition, you’ll also get Microsoft’s Copilot embedded into the software for answering queries and optimizing your workflow. Copilot can answer your questions like a virtual assistant, write emails for you, brainstorm creative work, generate code, and more.  Also: Get Microsoft Office on sale now Windows 11 Pro improves on productivity features from …

Upgrade Your Home Theater Game With  Off This Amazon Fire TV Soundbar

Upgrade Your Home Theater Game With $40 Off This Amazon Fire TV Soundbar

Even if you have the best TV that money can buy, the speakers that come built into it are unlikely to be very good. TVs are great at producing stunning pictures but they aren’t designed with the ability to create audio to match. That’s why something like a soundbar can be such a great addition to any setup, and they don’t have to cost a fortune. The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar is one option, and it’s already reasonably priced at its usual $120 asking price. But if you order from Woot today you’ll pay just $80, saving $40 in the process. Note that this deal will end in a few days, however, and stocks could run dry before then as well. As far as soundbar deals go, this one is well worth taking a long, hard look at, especially if you want to spend less than $100. Amazon’s soundbar includes an HDMI cable in the box and just needs to be connected to the HDMI eARC/ARC port on your TV to get up and running. …

I’m copying Lucy Meck’s M&S airport outfit because I reckon it’ll bag me an upgrade on my next flight

I’m copying Lucy Meck’s M&S airport outfit because I reckon it’ll bag me an upgrade on my next flight

First class, here I come! Fashion star-slash-fitness influencer Lucy Mecklenburg showed off the extremely chic outfit she wore to travel to Umar and Nada Kamani’s lavish wedding in France, and you’ll never guess that it’s Marks & Spencer. That’s right, the 32-year-old mum-of-two travelled to Hotel Du Cap for the star-studded nuptials and opted to wear a matching suit from everyone’s beloved high-street store.  Taking to Instagram with a mirror selfie, Lucy showed off the two-piece and no doubt caused a stampede to M&S. © InstagramLucy Mecklenburgh travels in style wearing Marks & Spencer The suit is by the fashion brand Jaeger, which is stocked in Marks & Spencer, and consisted of a smart , with matching . Crafted from pure linen fabric, this suit is soft, breathable and woven with fine pinstripes for a premium look. Obviously you could wear this suit as separates, and I think the blazer would look so stylish paired with jeans and a plain t-shirt for chic weekend wear. The reviews on the site are strong, with one happy …