Our Experts Written by Giselle Castro-Sloboda, Medically Reviewed, Lindsay Boyers Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement How we test Table of Contents What to consider Space Ellipticals can take up a lot of space. Consider if you have the room to hold one in your home. Features Decide whether you want a reclined or standing treadmill, if you want advanced features or are content with a simple design instead. Delivery Ellipticals are heavy so delivery and setup should be considered before purchasing. Getting your daily workout is necessary, but it isn't easy. Making the daily commute to the gym isn't for everyone, but there are ways to get your daily exercise without a gym membership. Find yourself out of time and exhausted keeping up with your life, leaving you no time to hit the gym? Consider adding an elliptical trainer to your home gym for a low-impact cardio workout that burns calories without being too harsh on your joints.With an elliptical machine and the recommended 150 minutes of moderate physical activity as a guideline, you can improve your cardiovascular fitness and strengthen your chest, back, biceps, triceps, core muscles, glutes and hamstrings. The market is flooded with workout machines, however, so it's not easy to pick a good elliptical. To help you out, our fitness experts thoroughly tested the following models and used our methodology to evaluate them, focusing specifically on functionality, features, software, assembly and warranty.Read more:Best Peloton Alternatives: Great Indoor Exercise Bikes Our Picks Best elliptical overall Bowflex Max Total 16 View details $1,999 at Bowflex View details Best elliptical for knee pain Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer and Elliptical View details $859 at Amazon View details Best elliptical for smaller spaces ProForm Carbon HIIT H7 View details $1,299 at Walmart View details Most classic elliptical Nautilus E618 View details $1,399 at 360 Fitness Superstore View details Most comfortable elliptical Schwinn 470 View details $1,129 at Amazon View details FITNESS TRACKER DEALS OF THE WEEK Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm, Black, S/M 130-180mm, Sports Band): $349 (save $50) Fitbit Sense 2 Advanced Health and Fitness Smartwatch (Graphite): $200 (save $50) Garmin Instinct 2 Solar GPS Smartwatch (Graphite): $300 (save $100) Amazfit Bip 5 GPS Smartwatch (Black): $70 (save $20) Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (Bluetooth 44mm, Graphite): $170 (save $160) Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article. Table of Contents What is the best elliptical overall? These are our top picks of the best ellipticals on the market. James Martin/CNETOur top pick for the best elliptical is the BowFlex Max Total 16. This is the most technologically advanced model on the list, which we believe most users will enjoy. Its standout features include streaming your favorite shows from apps including Hulu and Netflix. The screen is 6 inches bigger than its predecessor and your fitness experience is personalized through real-time coaching that automatically adjusts the intensity of your workouts based on the machine's assessment of your output. It's also small-space friendly, so you won't have to worry about it taking up too much room in your home.Editors' note, June 10: BowFlex is now owned by Johnson Health Tech, which also owns Horizon Fitness and Matrix. You can still buy BowFlex products through its website and via retailers such as Amazon and Dicks Sporting Goods.Best ellipticals of 2024 Photo Gallery 1/1 $1,999 at Bowflex Pros Fits in most spaces Has a big HD touchscreen Lets you stream Netflix, Hulu and other streaming services Personalizes your workout experience Cons Heavier than Bowflex Max M9, which can be a hassle to move Expensive Can't be used without a JRNY membership Weight capacity 300 lbs.Stats tracked Heart rate, speed, resistance, calories, timeDimensions 49.3 x 30.8 x 65.7 in. (LWH)Warranty Frame: 3 years, Parts: 3 years, Electronics: 1 yearStride length 21 in.Machine weight 155.4 lbs.Resistance levels 20Monitor size 16 in.Incline levels n/aWorkout programs Built-in JRNY experience 8.8

The US Supreme Court will take up TikTok's challenge of a law that if allowed to go into effect could lead to aUS ban of the popular social media platform.The nation's highest court saidin mid-December that it will hear oral arguments in the case on Jan. 10, just before the ban is set to kick in on Jan. 19. The news comes after the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit earlier this month denied both TikTok's request to overturn the law and a motion for the court to issue an emergency injunction to put the law on hold pending Supreme Court consideration.The law would ban the app if it's not sold to a party deemed fit by US officials by the January deadline. In its Supreme Court filing, TikTok argued that allowing the law to go into effect would infringe on the rights of TikTok's millions of US users.TikTok said it's pleased with the court's decision to take up its case."We believe the court will find the TikTok ban unconstitutional so the over 170 million Americans on our platform can continue to exercise their free speech rights," the company said in a statement.In its rulings earlier this month, the appeals courtrejected that same argument, acknowledging that while the ban would require TikTok's millions of users "to find alternative media of communication," it's justified by the "hybrid commercial threat" China poses to US national security."The First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States," Senior Circuit Judge Douglas Ginsburg wrote in the ruling. "Here, the government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary's ability to gather data on people in the United States."Read more: TikTok Backups: 6 Similar Apps for Your Daily Dose of FunLawmakers in both political parties have long voiced concerns that TikTok, which has more than 170 million American users, could be a threat to national security and could be used by the Chinese government to spy on Americans or spread disinformation to further China's agenda.TikTok continues to deny those accusations. Ahead of votes in Congress earlier this year,TikTok rallied its US users, calling on them to urge their representatives on Capitol Hill to vote down a ban. But the measure ultimately passed by wide margins in both chambers of Congress and was signed by President Joe Biden. Watch this: US vs. TikTok: What Happens Next 02:15 It's unclear how quickly the Supreme Court could rule, but the company also could get help from the incoming Trump administration. President-elect Donald Trump, who'd pushed for a ban during his first term, now says he's no longer in favor of one.Unless halted by the court, the ban could go into effect as soon as Jan. 19, the day before Trump is set to be inaugurated.So what's next for lawmakers and TikTok? Here's what you need to know.What does the law do?The law is aimed at forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok to a buyer American officials are OK with, as well as guaranteeing that ByteDance no longer has access to US user data or control over the TikTok algorithm that decides what videos American users see.TikTok was given nine months to comply, hence the Jan. 19 deadline, at which point the government could require the removal of its app from US app stores. The president could grant a 90-day extension.Biden, who signed the bill that established those requirements, remains in office until Inauguration Day on Jan. 20.Read more:TikTok Loves to Give Financial Advice. But Don't Believe Everything You HearWhat's next?After originally calling for a ban during his first presidency, Trump said during the 2024 campaign that he wasn't in favor of one and pledged to "save TikTok," though he didn't specify how he'd do that.In a Dec. 27 filing, Trump asked the Supreme Court to pause the ban so that he would have time "to resolve the dispute through political means."During a press conference earlier in December, Trump pointed to the roll TikTok played during the election, crediting it with helping him pick up the votes of young people."TikTok had an impact, and so we're taking a look at it," Trump told the press. "I have a little bit of a warm spot in my heart. I'll be honest."Trumpsaid in March on CNBC's Squawk Box that though he still viewed the app as a danger to national security, he no longer thought it should be banned, saying, "There are a lot of young kids on TikTok who will go crazy without it."Trump added that banning TikTok would only boost the power of Facebook, which he referred to as an "enemy of the people."In September, Trump pledged to "save TikTok," according to an Associated Press report. But during an interview that aired Sunday on Meet the Press, Trump didn't directly say if or how he'd help TikTok avoid a ban.Read more:Everything You Need to Make Better TikTok VideosWho has opposed the TikTok ban?Free speech and digital rights groups, as well as some security experts, have long opposed the idea of a ban, saying that singling out TikTok doesn't do anything to solve the broader problems with social media. Several have already filed briefs with the high court supporting TikTok.Instead they argue that lawmakers would be better off passing comprehensive digital privacy laws that would protect the personal information of Americans by stopping all social media companies from collecting it and selling it to data brokers.Electronic Frontier Foundation Civil Liberties Director David Greene, who co-authoredan amicus briefsubmitted to the court on Tuesday, said that the ban and the appeals court's approval of it should be of "great concern" even to those who don't like TikTok."Shutting down communications platforms or forcing their reorganization based on concerns of foreign propaganda and anti-national manipulation is an eminently anti-democratic tactic, one that the U.S. has previously condemned globally," Greene said in an EFF statement.

As we await a judge's ruling on the penalties that will be applied to Google following the landmark court ruling that the company had maintained an illegal monopoly in online search, we're learning more about Apple's role in what might come next.Google has long provided the default search engine in Safari, Apple's web browser, paying Apple a percentage of the revenue generated by Google searches originating on Apple iPhones, iPads, Macs and other devices -- an arrangement that in 2022 amounted to $20 billion, according to acourt declaration filedon Dec. 23 by Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of services.A change to that relationship is one potential outcome of the Google antitrust case.But in his declaration, Cue took issue with proposed remedies that he said would interfere with Apple's ability to deliver products that best serve its users."From what I understand, plaintiffs' proposed remedies assume that, without a revenue sharing agreement or other commercial terms with Google, Apple would develop its own search engine or enter the Search Text Ad market," Cue wrote. "Apple witnesses can offer testimony and evidence explaining why that assumption is wrong."Cue gave three main reasons why Apple wouldn't want to make a search engine. First, it would divert Apple's attention, money and employees away from Apple's core products. Second, because of advances in AI, the search engine market is evolving too quickly and it would be too economically risky to jump in the pool at this stage. Third, he, wrote, Apple doesn't have enough of the right talent or infrastructure to compete in the advertising business.The logic makes sense. Microsoft has spent somewhere between $80 billion and $100 billion on Bing, only to capture about 10% of the market while Google commands the other 90%. It took Bing six years to turn its first profit.It will be a while yet before the matter is resolved. A two-week remedies trial is scheduled for April.The Department of Justice, which brought the antitrust case against Google, has made a number of recommendations for creating a more level playing field in search -- including an end to the the agreements Google has with companies like Apple and Samsung to favor its search engine on their phones. Cue said that if the court stops Google's payments, that would give Apple "two unacceptable choices." It would have to give Google access to Apple's user base for free or Apple would have to remove Google search from Safari and seek deals elsewhere, even if Apple users prefer Google search. Cue asked the court to let Apple testify to ensure that remedies for Google's monopoly don't hurt other companies.The Justice Department's recommendations also includeGoogle selling off its Chrome browser and its Android phone operating system.Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for further comment.

In BriefPosted:10:31 AM PST December 27, 2024Image Credits:Michaela Vatcheva/Bloomberg / Getty ImagesLyft says San Francisco overcharged it $100M in taxesLyft is suing the city of San Francisco, claiming the city unfairly charged the ride-hailing company over $100 million in taxes, Bloomberg reports. The lawsuit alleges that, over the course of five years, San Francisco unfairly labeled money earned by Lyft drivers as company revenue.In the complaint, Lyft maintains that its drivers are its customers, not employees. Accordingly, Lyft recognizes revenue from rideshare as being comprised of fees paid to Lyft by drivers, not charges paid by riders to drivers, the complaint reads.The lawsuit is just the latest chapter in a yearslong debate over how gig economy apps should classify drivers. Last summer, Lyft, Uber, and DoorDash notched a win after the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 22, which allows the companies to classify drivers as independent contractors, meaning the companies do not have to provide drivers with full employee benefits.Topics

LG may have the earliest big press conference of CES, but the Korean electronics giant still cant help announcing a bunch of products ahead of the show. As ever, the pile of news is a mixed bag with a few interesting additions. These plant lamps undoubtedly qualify as the latter.Details on the products including pricing and availability are scarce prior to LGs January 6 presser. The company has revealed two different configurations: Theres the modern floor-standing lamp design and a new indoor gardening appliance featuring a nature-inspired side table design. The products are aimed at integrating house plant care into what is essentially living room furniture.Image Credits:LGThe lamp design features an LED grow light and a 1.5-gallon tank for watering cycles. Those can be programmed by way of LGs ThinQ app, keeping the plant hydrated when users are out of town for up to a week.Theres less info about the appliance system, though LG notes, This compact, multifunctional model provides an easy, enjoyable home gardening experience and demonstrates LGs continuing commitment to providing compelling choices for various tastes and lifestyles.The product will join some existing plant tech from LG, including the Tiiun grow system introduced in 2022.

Researchers at the University of Leeds recently demonstrated a framework for a quadruped robot with a design inspired by the biomechanics of four-legged animals. The versatile robot is able to navigate complex environments, maintain stability on uneven ground, and recover after a fall all without the use of extra-perceptive sensors. 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Clusters of GPU chips in coming years will have to connect over distances longer than a mile, says the CEO of this fiber-optics firm.

Maria Diaz/ZDNETWhat's the deal?The Eufy Security Floodlight Cam E340 is on sale for $150, saving you 32%.Why this deal is ZDNET-recommendedThe Floodlight Cam E340 from Eufy Security, which I've been testing over the past five months, is one of the four newest security cameras that the company recently launched. It's equipped with an ultrawide and telephoto lens for capturing more distant subjects, and the camera works really hard. At times, too hard. Let me explain. details View at Amazon First, some housekeeping: The Eufy Security Floodlight Cam E340's wide-angle camera captures 3K-resolution video, while the telephoto camera records up to 2K resolution and can capture details up to 50 feet away.To test the Eufy Floodlight Camera E340, I replaced one of my backyard floodlights, which was already in the ideal position for surveillance. My husband and I turn on these lights each time we take the dog out at night or whenever we hang out on that side of the yard where the grill is. The lights got a lot of use, and replacing them with a floodlight camera was a no-brainer.Also: This Pro-level Ring Spotlight Cam is better than I expectedWe had previously set up aWyze Camand then the Arlo Pro 5S on the larger side of the yard, but until the Eufy Floodlight E340 came in, we hadn't found a solution that covered the whole space. A sped-up video showing how the Eufy Security Floodlight Cam E340 tracks motion. Maria Diaz/ZDNETSetting up the Floodlight Camera E340 was as easy as replacing an outdoor lighting fixture, especially since we were installing it with existing wiring. This camera requires a wired installation to work, so if you don't have existing wiring where you want to put the floodlight, you'd need to run electrical wires to that spot.Once the camera was installed, the rest of the installation process ran through the Eufy Security app. We already have a Eufy HomeBase 3 at home, a local storage and hub for this camera, but if this is your first Eufy camera, you'll need to buy one to work with the floodlight.Review: EufyCam 3 and HomeBase 3: Why I'm not getting rid of these cameras yetBecause it's connected to power and can be set up with expandable storage, it's possible for this floodlight camera to record 24/7, though you can also choose to record events only. Recordings can be stored on the HomeBase S380 or a microSD card of up to 128GB. With the HomeBase, you can expand the SSD support up to 16TB, which makes a big difference. The HomeBase 3 is the newest smart home hub for Eufy Security devices. Maria Diaz/ZDNETBy far, the most impressive feature of this camera is the level of coverage and image quality. Our yard extends into the woods, which can be pitch black at night. But even with the camera rigged up on my second floor and over 30 feet away from the fence, you can still clearly see details in the wooded areas, no matter the time of day.Also: This smart security camera impressed me in the most unexpected wayDay or night, I can see if a squirrel is bopping along the fence or a deer is strolling in the woods, and I expect a similar level of detail if there's ever an intruder in the distance. The camera tracks movement very well, keeping subjects in the frame as they move around different areas, which is essential for a large yard. Maria Diaz/ZDNETThe one downside to the Floodlight Cam E340, which I alluded to before, is that it used to get too many false alerts for human detection. "Is this a person?" No, Eufy, that lawn chair on the deck is not a person, as I've told you ten times already today.The HomeBase 3 uses AI to detect humans, learn to recognize individuals and detect vehicles, pets, and any other moving objects.Also: I've tried many smart locks, but the one I keep on my door is $150 on AmazonThe Floodlight Cam E340 unit I tested erroneously detected a human on our deck and a mulch path as often as every two minutes when no one was there; it's amazing if you believe in ghosts! The excessive amount of alerts was enough for me to see a noticeable dip in battery life on my iPhone and Apple Watch. And I'm sure my elderly neighbors don't appreciate the human detection alarm going off at 7:15 a.m. Saturday morning. The notifications (left) of human detection every two minutes and a screenshot of the detected "human" on the right. Maria Diaz/ZDNETI've been tackling the issue by reporting the erroneous detections via the Eufy Security app, which we've occasionally done to discourage the camera from misunderstanding what's human. More effectively, I reduced the sensitivity of the motion detection feature to the lowest available, which yielded roughly one false alert every hour rather than every two minutes. It made a big difference.There's also an option to silence the notifications temporarily while still recording events, but this detracts from the purpose of a surveillance camera.Also: I tested this $40 security camera from Amazon and it now has a place in my homeI'm happy to report that, while this wasn't a dealbreaker for me, the Floodlight Cam E340 cleaned up its act, whether via over-the-air firmware updates or by "learning" from my reports. I now keep the E340 with a medium level of motion sensitivity and don't get any false alerts.ZDNET's buying adviceMy experience with the Eufy Security Floodlight Cam E340 has overall been positive. I love seeing my yard in 3K resolution and getting an awe-inspiring level of detail from so far away. The 2,000lm brightness alone competes with some best-selling PAR38 bulbs, and it can be set to ambient lighting on a schedule or automatically from dusk to dawn.At $170, you get a lot of bang for your buck with a system you never have to pay monthly fees on, charge, or replace batteries. It also includes a motion-tracking duo of high-resolution cameras. If you don't want to spend extra on the HomeBase S380, you can add up to 128GB of storage to the camera on a microSD card.Since Eufy Security fixed my one issue with the human detection alerts, the Floodlight Cam E340 has become the best outdoor security camera I've ever tested, bar none.Featured reviews

New WHO report says cause of mystery illness in the Congo probably is common respiratory viruses ... [+] exacerbated by malnutrition and malaria. (Photo by David Silverman/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe mystery disease affecting people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo most likely is caused by a respiratory virus exacerbated by malaria and malnutrition, according to a report released by the WHO on Friday. This assessment contrasts with earlier reports that the illness previously called disease X resulted from severe malaria. The current report, however, is in line with the hypothesis put forth by the Africa CDC that the illness could be caused by a viral infection on a background of malaria and malnutrition.Laboratory tests showed that 64 out of 89 samples (72%) obtained from patients were positive for common respiratory viruses. Most commonly, these samples were positive for influenza A virus, rhinoviruses, or SARS-CoV-2 virus, the pathogen that causes Covid-19. Over 60% of the samples analyzed were positive for malaria. Malaria, typically caused by Plasmodium falciparum, is quite common in the DRC, with approximately 12% of all cases and deaths worldwide occurring within this country. The malarial burden is especially high in children.The WHO report also provides an update on the current disease situation. 891 cases and 48 deaths have been reported. The disease burden remains highest among children, with roughly half of all reported cases and deaths occurring in children under the age of five. In adults, 66% of cases have occurred in women. WHO officials speculate that this gender difference may result from differential household transmission dynamics that reflect an increased role of mothers caring for sick children. The cases remain limited to the Kwango Province.The severity of the disease in children almost assuredly is exacerbated by malnutrition. The WHO report states that, the affected area experienced deterioration in food security in recent months, with increasing levels of acute malnutrition. The report also states that roughly 4.5 million children under the age of five in the DRC, are facing or expected to face acute malnutrition. Additionally, over three and a half million pregnant or breastfeeding women may experience severe malnutrition. This level of food insecurity will lead to worsening outcomes for a host of infectious diseases.The WHO report concludes by concluding that the risk to the local community is high. The national, regional, and global risks, in contrast, are low.Although the report provides strong evidence that the mystery disease can be tied to common respiratory viruses, more work needs to be done. Samples from only a limited number of the patients have been analyzed. Increased surveillance in the area and increased testing must continue. Additionally, the report highlights the myriad factors that can influence the severity of infectious diseases. The currently available information suggests that this disease is not caused by a novel pathogen. Rather, the evidence shows us the increased burden that known pathogens can have among vulnerable populations.MORE FOR YOU

Giving up on your goals is often viewed as a sign of weakness. However, letting go of goals that no ... [+] longer serve you could be the key to true happiness.gettyHave you ever started questioning a long-term goal, and whether its time to stop pursuing it? Maybe you find yourself clinging to a goal or vision thats slowly draining your spirit, hoping that things will magically turn around if you push a little harder. But what if letting go is the bravest thing you can do?The pursuit of goals is deeply woven into our cultural narrative of success. Were taught that persistence is a virtue and that we should never give up. Social media is also littered with pop psychology content telling us to fight through the pain, or that success is on the other side of the next uphill battle.However, knowing when to walk away may be the key to real personal growth. This is not to say that your dreams are invalid, but sometimes, realizing that a goal is unrealistic or damaging might be your ticket to long-term peace of mind.Here are three ways to tell that its time to give up on a goal, according to research.1. When Your Goal Is Motivated By The Wrong ReasonsDespite what we like to believe, pursuing a goal is far more complex than simple persistence. Personal differences or life circumstances can make a goal that is easy for some people extremely hard to obtain for others. And, when a goal doesnt align with your core values and needs, its hard to stay motivated.MORE FOR YOUTake weight loss, for example. While some people may see results by reducing their calorie intake and increasing movement, others might not be so lucky. Health conditions including mental health challenges, personal circumstances and physical limitations can significantly intensify the challenges of weight loss, turning it into a far more difficult journey for some. These challenges can transform a straightforward goal into a source of mental frustration.Additionally, being motivated to lose weight as a result of diet culture or fears of social judgement may not be as effective as approaching a goal from a self-compassionate space. However, if you learn not to impose rigid food rules on yourself and allow yourself to do the kind of movement that is accessible and enjoyable to you, youll likely find that your goal is much more sustainable in the long run, rather than being driven by insecurity, which takes a toll on mental health and physical ability.A classic study from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology also reveals that goals driven by fear or external pressures can significantly hinder inner motivation. It is essential to recognize that goals dont always come from a positive place.Sometimes, we pursue achievements not for personal growth, but to prove others wrong or to quiet our own fears of failure. This can impede emotional well-being and trap individuals in destructive pursuit patterns.Think of the ambitious professional who believes their entire self-worth is tied to career achievement. This mindset transforms goals from sources of inspiration into mental prisons. The chronic stress associated with such pursuits can lead to burnout, decreased life satisfaction and potential long-term mental health challenges.So, its essential to discern what goals are right for us, while reflecting on whether the reasons were pursuing them benefit or harm us.2. When Your Goal No Longer Resonates With YouPeoples goal orientations can significantly change over time. What once seemed crucial may become irrelevant as personal values and life circumstances evolve. If you think about it, its only natural for most of us to change our goals over time.For instance, by the age of 35, youll likely outgrow wanting to date your teenage celebrity crush like you did at 15, shaped by life experiences and maturity. Disengagement from an unattainable goal is not a sign of failure, but a sophisticated form of adaptive behavior.Research from Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin shows that individuals who can effectively disengage from unproductive goals and redirect their energy to alternative goals exhibit higher levels of psychological well-being.Additionally, continued pursuit becomes counterproductive when a goal no longer resonates with your core values or provides meaning. Personal growth comes from regularly reevaluating what fulfils you and adjusting your goals accordingly.3. When Goal Pursuit Has Exhausted Your ResourcesWhen it comes to goal setting, its also important to evaluate the resources at your disposal. Research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology highlights how resource depletion significantly affects individual performance and well-being, particularly in pursuing work-related goals.Other life goals are no different. A lack of resourcesboth internally and externallycan lead to mental exhaustion, especially when you try to achieve something unrealistic. While some resources can be bought or obtained, it is important to be able to admit when you lack the necessary support to achieve what you want.The human capacity for sustained effort is not infinite. Such continuous goal pursuit can lead to cognitive burnout. It can feel like you are on a never-ending hamster wheel, trying and failing to do the same thing over and over again.Again, embracing flexibility isnt a weakness but a sign of intelligence when setting life goals. By learning to let go of goals that no longer serve you, you may open doors to unexpected opportunities and pursuits that do.Despite what we are constantly told, true success isnt about relentless persistence. Its about having the wisdom to recognize when a path no longer leads where you want to goand that perhaps theres a better one waiting for you.Is pursuing your lifes ambition causing you mental strain? Take this quiz to find out: Brain Fog Scale