Eliana Willis

Maria Diaz/ZDNETI like to think of my robot vacuum as an electronic pet — one who pitches in around the house, never barks too loudly, and doesn’t even need to be fed. As with all pets, though, I need to care for my vacuum, and a commitment to cleaning and maintenance can boost its longevity and performance. Also: The best robot vacuums for 2025: Expert tested and reviewedThe average lifespan of a typical vacuum cleaner is about eight years, but with some mindful maintenance, you can aspire to keep your device working for a decade or more. Even if you don’t have a pet-like affinity for your autonomous cleaner, these tips are useful for keeping your robot vacuum in top condition.Regardless of how powerful a robot vacuum is or whether it’s a budget model or high-end, its cleaning tools can get filthy. Threads of fabric and pet hair get caught in the roller, the brushes become knotted with gunk, and sensors (and filters, of course) get covered with filmy dust. So, here are five essential things to check when it’s time to maintain your robot. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Nomad’s ChargeKey V2 is on sale for $25 each. This version of the handy accessory provides charging speeds up to 240W for laptops and data transfer speeds up to 10Gbps. However, some may find its short length too restrictive. –> As often as I rely on USB-C cables to charge my […] More

My keychain essentials. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETI’ve collected my fair share of multitools and gadgets, but I’ve lost track of how often I’ve needed one — only to realize it’s sitting at home or in the car. Carrying a full toolbox everywhere just isn’t practical.What I do have with me almost all the time, though, is my keychain — and it turns out, it’s the perfect way to keep essential tools within reach.Also: I never travel without these universal chargers – and they can power laptopsMy keychain is the one bit of kit I get asked the most questions about. People are often surprised at the things I carry around. I guess most people just carry their keys on their keychains. Weird.Here’s a tour of what I carry on mine. Don’t feel like you need everything on this list. Remember, the beauty of this approach is that you can customize your EDC to suit your needs.1. KeySmart Air More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is available for $200. I’ve been testing the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, which features the fastest performance yet and up to 12 weeks of battery life; alternatively, the 16 GB Kindle Paperwhite is available for $160. Remember that Amazon’s promise of up to 12 weeks of […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The DT Research tablet is built as rugged as it gets, with IP65, MIL-STD-810H, and MIL-STD-461G certifications. The choice of Intel Core i5 and i7 processors offers flexibility when buying the system. The tablet is big and rather chunky, far larger than a traditional iPad. –> Let’s face it: Your average […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Configurations for Lenovo’s LOQ Tower 17IRR9 start at $899. The computer is a great option for people looking for a well-performing, compact, and affordable computer. However, because of its small size, it has a limited number of available ports. –> Lenovo’s Legion series is positioned as the company’s flagship gaming laptop line. […] More