Eliana Willis

More stories

  • 113 Shares109 Views

    in Robotics

    Bluetti slashes power station prices in big summer sale

    Looking for the best power station for camping, off-grid adventures, or reliable backup during power outages and emergencies? Whether you’re venturing into the wilderness or preparing for unexpected events, having the right power station is crucial. Ensure you have a dependable energy source wherever your journey takes you.Also: The best portable power stations you can buy: Expert testedPower stations can be quite expensive, but I have good news for you. Right now, top power station brand Bluetti is having a major August sale on Amazon, slashing prices on some of its most popular models. This is an excellent opportunity to invest in a reliable power station without breaking the bank.Bluetti is offering a selection of power stations — as well as power station and solar panel bundles — at discounted prices. Additionally, ZDNET readers can benefit from exclusive discount codes provided to us by Bluetti. There’s never been a better time to invest in a power station because you can save hundreds of dollars on select models during this limited-time sale. However, these deals won’t last forever — so act quickly! More

  • 113 Shares129 Views

    in Robotics

    The best laptops of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

    There’s no doubt about it: this year has been huge for laptops. There have been exciting advancements in AI, new processors shaking up the industry, and tons of new models on the market for a wide range of consumers. The only bad thing is that with all the choices, it can be hard to figure out which laptop is best for you. Also: How we test laptops at ZDNETIf you’re in the market for a new machine but don’t know where to start, don’t sweat. We’ve gone hands-on with dozens of new laptops this year and are confident we can recommend a machine that works for you. We’ve broken down the most common use cases below and are willing to bet what you’re looking for aligns with one of these categories. What is the best laptop in 2024?Our pick for the overall best laptop in 2024 is the MacBook Pro (M3 Max) More

  • 213 Shares179 Views

    in Robotics

    Everything we’re expecting at Made by Google 2024: Pixel 9 Pro, Fold, Gemini, Watch 3, and more

    Kerry Wan/ZDNETGoogle is hosting its annual “Made by Google” event in just a few days, with a run-down that’s expected to feature the latest Pixel hardware, including the Pixel 9 series, Pixel Buds Pro 2, and Pixel Watch 3. If the company’s feeling generous, there may even be one more thing.Also: Google Pixel 9, Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold: Specs, features, and everything else we know so farBesides the hardware, Google has also hinted that artificial intelligence (AI) will be a big focus throughout the keynote, with new Gemini capabilities coming as part of Android 15.The Made by Google event is scheduled to take place on August 13 at 10 a.m. PST (1 p.m. EST) at the search giant’s Mountain View campus, with press, developers, and staff in attendance. A live stream will also be available across Google’s main website and YouTube channel, with a replay broadcast following the event. Until then, here’s a breakdown of all the products and services we expect to learn more about on Tuesday. More

  • 200 Shares169 Views

    in Information Technology

    Have you used Cash App in the last 6 years? You might be eligible for $2,500

    Artie Beaty/ZDNETIn 2021 and 2023, Cash App suffered two different data breaches — one in which a former employee downloaded user transaction reports, and another in which an unauthorized person accessed user account data.A new class action lawsuit alleges that Cash App was negligent in handling these breaches and didn’t properly address customer concerns. Now, the company is paying a settlement to affected users — if you suffered a financial loss, you might be eligible.The exact amount each user receives will depend on how many users file a claim and how much the lawyers take. However, the settlement site says you can submit a claim for up to $2,500 to reimburse losses.Also: I tested the best Mint alternatives, and this is my preferred money appMany class action members, though, lost much more than that. According to one woman’s legal complaint, she lost $40,000 and spent hundreds of hours recovering from the breach. Other users complained about thieves taking money to buy Bitcoin, Google marketplace gift cards, items on the Roblox marketplace, stocks, and more. Some class members had funds taken all at once, while some had it taken over time on as many as 75 different occasions. What kind of losses can users recover?If the Cash App security breach caused you to pay for credit monitoring, request a credit report, cancel or replace a payment card, close a bank account and open a new one, or incur an overdraft or late payment fee, you can potentially have that amount reimbursed. You will need third-party documentation to prove these amounts, and you can also account for up to three hours of lost time at $25 an hour. More

  • 175 Shares189 Views

    in Robotics

    Microsoft’s Clipchamp video editor is getting free AI features – and they’re very useful

    Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETThose of you who like to refine the videos you shoot will soon be able to take advantage of two new AI-powered features in Microsoft’s Clipchamp video editor. In a blog post published on Thursday, the Microsoft Clipchamp team touted new noise suppression and image background removal tools as two helpful ways to improve your videos. Here’s how to implement them. Noise suppressionAny type of annoying background noise, from a soft hum to a loud sound, can ruin an otherwise great video. With Clipchamp’s new noise suppression feature, you can reduce those unwanted sounds without affecting any foreground audio, such as your own voice.Also: The best laptops for video editingTo try this, open your video in the Clipchamp video editor timeline, click the Audio icon in the right panel, and select “Noise suppression”. Turning this option on uses AI to automatically remove background sounds, emphasizing the recording of any voices or music.Image background removalA busy or confusing background can also distract your audience from the main action in your video. The image background removal tool lets you wipe it away. For this one, right-click on any image in your video and select the “Remove background” option. After deleting the current background, you can create a new one by layering a different video or image behind the foreground.Also: 5 ways to save your old PC in 2025 (most are free)However, accessing these two new features is tricky for now. The good news is that the new tools are available to both free and paid users of Clipchamp, which comes with Windows 10 and 11 and is available at the Microsoft Store.The not-so-good news is that in order to access the new AI features, you’ll need subscribe to Microsoft 365 and be a member of the Microsoft 365 Insiders club. How to join the clubJoining the Microsoft 365 Insiders club isn’t hard. Just open any application in the suite, such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. Select the File menu and click Account. From there, click the button for Microsoft 365 Insider, select the option to join Microsoft 365 Insider, and follow the steps to become a member. Since you’d be downloading an insider’s build of the suite, you may want to do this on a spare PC. More

  • 125 Shares189 Views

    in Robotics

    The best iPhone models of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

    If you’re shopping for an iPhone, you may be asking yourself a combination (or all) of the following questions: How much storage should I buy? Should I buy an older model for less money? Is the “Pro” model worth it? And should I wait for the iPhone 16? That’s because the iPhone lineup is more convoluted than ever, with Apple now offering a total of nine models, not counting the refurbished ones, on its website and in stores. Also: The best phones you can buyLuckily, I’ve had the fortune of testing every iPhone currently on sale and rounded up the best ones you should consider below.What is the best iPhone right now?ZDNET’s mobile experts carefully test every iPhone model at release, putting them through their paces to provide you with the best advice on which model to buy and the key features to look out for when you do. Currently, our pick for the best iPhone of 2024 overall is the iPhone 15 Pro Max More