Key findings 89% of consumers say they will buy from a brand they follow on social media84% will choose that brand over a competitor75% of consumers say they’ll increase their spending with brands they follow on social Brand awareness remains a top priority 69% of social marketers say increasing brand awareness is their number one goal for social media52% say increasing web traffic is their top priority46% say growing their audience is their number one goal...

In the accompanying video, you can see the entire chess set in action. It’s actually a lot nicer than I expected. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but I guess I figured it would be some kid’s toy. It’s not. It has much more of a collectable quality. Watch the video. You’ll see. More to the point, though, I got to thinking about what July 20th really means to me....

As part of the deal, Superloop has retained 15-year right of use on the existing and potentially expanded Singapore and Hong Kong networks. The company said this would allow it to continue to offer end-to-end services on the Indigo submarine cable between Australia, Indonesia, and Singapore. The duo making the purchase will have a preferential deal on Indigo access, while Superloop will operate and support the Singapore network for at least three years at a cost of AU$1....

Last week, Trellix researchers Thibault Seret and John Fokker said that a malicious campaign has been targeting luxury hotels in Macao, China since November 2021, and based on clues in the attack vector and malware used, the team suspects DarkHotel is the culprit. DarkHotel is a South Korean APT that uses tailored spear phishing attacks. The APT has been active in the hospitality, government, automotive, and pharmaceutical industries since at least 2007 and tends to focus on surveillance and data theft, with business and industry leaders marked as targets....

On the one hand, CEO Mike Sievert sought to downplay the incident – which led to the leak of nearly 48 million social security numbers alongside other information from a total of 50 million people – by touting the fact that no financial information was lost. He also implied that the leak of social security numbers, driver’s licenses and ID information were “like so many breaches before,” but admitted that the company had failed to keep their customers’ data safe....

Each time I see those appear in my email inbox – or anywhere where finer press releases hang out – I leap to learn more. So it was the other day that I saw not only the word “first,” but also a true rarity: The word “electrified.” Here’s what truly threw me. The next two words after “first” and “electrified” were “Taco” and “Bell.” Let’s run them together. First electrified Taco Bell....

Analyst firm Gartner predicted a recovery of global tech spending in 2021 following a 7.3% slump in 2020, but to a level still 3.3% down on the 2019 (pre-pandemic) figure, with turbulence likely across countries, industries and markets. Important concerns for (US) CEOs in mid-2020 were remote working and supply chain issues, while a leading survey revealed that (North American) companies were in ‘wait and see’ mode regarding IT budgets and new project plans, with early/mid-2020 optimism about the duration of tech spending cuts replaced by a more pessimistic outlook later in the year....

The initiative will include any standard national calls and SMS from Telstra payphones to a standard fixed line or Australian mobile. International and calls to premium and satellite numbers will still incur a cost, while Telstra Air will remain free to eligible Telstra customers. Public payphones in Australia have come a long way since they were first introduced in the late 1880s. Long before the introduction of mobile phones, it was the way to communicate when out and about....

Almost invariably, though, conversations around headlamps will involve lumens or brightness. Gear experts say that 250-300 lumens are generally good enough to navigate a clearly marked trail. But to see far ahead – this is advisable in order to monitor trail conditions and foraging bears – you need a light that’s closer to 400 lumens. Yet, that’s only part of the story. Lighting aficionados urge buyers to investigate the quality of the beam, the distance it can reach, and how long it can keep that up....

The best headphones for music have fantastic audio, long battery lives, and a comfortable fit so you can get through even your most lengthy playlists. Whether you are a serious audiophile or a casual listener, we’ve rounded up the best headphones for music that you can buy. More: The best headphonesThe best wireless headphones The best headphones for workouts and runningThe best PC gaming headsetsThe best noise-canceling headphones The Sony WH-1000XM5 over-the-ear headphones are the best headphones for music that you can buy....

ZDNet presents this year’s list of best credit cards for members of the military, providing unique benefits and rewards designed for those who serve and defend our country. For more recommendations on credit cards, check out our expert picks for the best rewards credit cards, the best high-limit credit cards, and the best international travel credit cards. An introductory offer includes a $100 bonus credit when you make at least $1,500 in purchases during the first 90 days....

Most pellet grills use a simple LCD screen or dial to adjust the temperature and timer settings, but some higher-end models like the Traeger Timberline XL use a Wi-Fi connection, a virtual assistant, and a companion app to give you hands-free control over your new grill. You can preheat with Alexa so the grill is ready when you step outside, use the app to set reminders to check on your food, and set up alerts for when the fuel is low or the ash and grease tray is full....

Apple’s iPadOS continues to improve in the areas of trackpad support and keyboard shortcuts, so full keyboard support is not available natively from Apple. The OS also continues to get more capable, making a combination of the iPad and a keyboard worthy to serve as the primary computing device for some people. Also: The best iPad accessories The Apple Magic Keyboard is our best overall pick. Apple released the Magic Keyboard in early 2020 with a new unique form factor with a floating cantilever design and magnetic attachment to your iPad....

Some stands and risers also double as organizers, with built-in caddies, shelves, and drawers to store items like pens, notebooks, and sticky notes. Stands with simpler designs also have underneath space where you can tuck away your phone, tablet, or keyboard when you aren’t using them to help create more space on your desk. I’ve analyzed the best monitor stands available and broken down their features to help you decide which option is the right fit for your setup....

UX bootcamps offer condensed, practical training in website and application user experience design and development. They explore designing and planning strategies, prototyping, and methods for testing and improving designs. Graduates have the skills to work in back-end and front-end development, interface design, and webmaster positions. This page explores what UX bootcamps offer and highlights some of the best programs available. SEE: Front-end vs. back-end development: What’s the difference? Our 8 favorite UX design bootcamps The following list details some of the United States’ most popular UX bootcamps accepting registrations in 2022....

You can now even use built-in chroma key software to digitally remove video backgrounds without a green screen, which is great news for streaming newcomers or anyone who has a space that might be too small for a traditional green screen. There are even devices like the Elgato Cam Link 4K which let you use a DSLR camera as a webcam for ultra-high def video. To help you decide which is the right streaming webcam for you, I’ve put together a list of the best ones you can buy....

Robin: Holy Android, Batman! What’s that new phone on your Bat-Belt? Batman: Thank you for noticing, Robin, that’s the new Doogee S89 Pro, and it’s a perfect match for my outfit. Or maybe… Bumblebee: Optimus Prime, you’ve transformed into something so small I can’t pick you up! Optimus Prime: I’m a phone, Bumblebee! A phone! Look at this phone. Just look at it. If you don’t see either a Transformer or Batman’s new favorite accessory, you might need glasses....

The smart kettle can handle temperatures from 104 degrees all the way up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit, and can heat up to 0.8 liters of water in less than five minutes. Because it’s got 4 easy presets and a Keep Warm control, you can brew it straight to a preferred temperature, especially when it comes to certain teas that require a special brewing temp, maintaining the Keep Warm designated temp for up to two hours....

When Chromebooks first appeared on the scene, there was potential for an alternative to traditional PC towers and laptops. However, it took several years for issues to be ironed out, including poor usability and low-power specifications. Now, Chromebooks offered by vendors including Lenovo are powerful enough to be a real contender for today’s casual users, students, and workers. The advantage Chromebooks have over traditional laptops is how lightweight they tend to be, making them excellent options for users traveling, going on vacation, or commuting....

A few weeks ago, our own Charlie Osborne wrote about her personal experience with credit card fraud in: “Here’s the one surprising lesson I learned as a victim of debit card fraud”. She is far from alone. Many of us at ZDNet (and many of you out there) - including me - have experienced what happens when a criminal gets access to your card. Sometimes, there are a bunch of tiny charges where the criminals test the waters to see what cards work....