Eliana Willis

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    in Robotics

    I just bought a house. Here are 5 things our tech reviewers recommended, from TVs to smart locks

    Current price: $650 (35% off) Original price: $1,000I’ve wanted a “frame” TV probably longer than I’ve wanted a house. I love the idea of displaying art sneakily and shifting the focal point of a living room away from a giant screen that spends a lot of time completely off. Also: Hisense Canvas vs. Samsung Frame TV: I’ve seen both, and here’s how Hisense winsI’ve been comparing the Samsung Frame TV (the OG of sorts) and Hisense’s more affordable Canvas TV, and while the Canvas TV has less size and bezel options, ZDNET managing editor Kerry Wan (who tested the TV last year) says the Hisense competes well, especially at this discounted price. Both the 55-inch and 65-inch models are on sale for $650 and $900, respectively. Our TV reviewer Taylor Clemons also told me that Samsung’s TV OS isn’t as easy or smooth to work with as Google’s OS, which is built into the Canvas. The Hisense Canvas may not be as sleek, thin, or refined, but for this sub-$700 price, it’s really tough to even justify a Samsung Frame anyway (though those models are on sale, too). If you are shopping TVs, Clemons is tracking our favorite TV deals live through Dec. 2.  More

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    in Information Technology

    5 tech splurges that are 100% worth it (and on sale, thankfully)

    You might think around $50 is a lot to spend on inner peace, but Brick is one of the few phone restriction devices that actually works. If you are over-reliant on your phone and it’s causing you to be less productive and present, the Brick could be a helpful solution. Brick is a gray square with NFC tech underneath. Before using, you download the Brick app, select the apps you’d like to restrict, and then tap the Brick, effectively blocking yourself from using those apps. To unblock your list of apps, you have to tap the Brick again. I keep the Brick far away in the kitchen, so I have to walk there to untap it. I’ve gotten into the habit of Bricking my phone before bed and before I start work. In both cases, I spend less time dilly-dallying on my phone and more time performing the task at hand — whether that’s reading a book and winding down hours before I would’ve if I spent my night scrolling, or churning out articles without distraction while on the clock. Also: I curbed my phone addiction with this unexpected deviceThe Brick has reminded me that incessant phone checking is killing my focus — and it is, frankly, unnecessary. These tech companies have convinced us that things are constantly happening around us that we must be present to observe instantaneously, that we’re always seconds away from receiving an important text or call. Bricking my phone for several hours and returning to a notification-free device has reminded me that all those incessant checks aren’t changing my life, they’re ruining it. During Black Friday sales, the Brick is $12 off, slicing the price to $47.  More

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    in Information Technology

    Your Windows 11 upgrade not working? Try my 5 favorite troubleshooting tricks

    jxfzsy/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source<!–> on Google. When Windows decides that it isn’t interested in completing an upgrade, it can be maddeningly unhelpful, spitting out error codes and cryptic messages that can leave even experts scratching their heads. Also: How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to […] More

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    in Robotics

    How AI will eat your software – 3 ways agents are reshaping tomorrow’s workplace

    Weiquan Lin/Moment via Getty Images Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source<!–> on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Agents will enable our systems and complete our tasks. AI will consume traditional software applications. Business leaders must address integration and governance. If you think AI already has a big impact on the workplace, think again. If Boomi CEO […] More

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    in Robotics

    I found the 20 best Black Friday PlayStation deals for 2025 – don’t skip these

    When is Black Friday? In 2025, Black Friday is set for Friday, November 28. It’s one of the best times of the year to score deep discounts on Nintendo Switch consoles, games, and accessories from major retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon. We expect many of these sales to carry over until Cyber Monday, December 1. Is the PlayStation 5 really cheaper during Black Friday? Absolutely! Sony’s PlayStation 5 always sees significant discounts during Cyber Week. Retailers often cut prices on console bundles, controllers, and popular games, with price drops usually exceeding $100. This shopping event is one of the best times to pick up a PS5 or expand your game library. At the time of this writing, the price drops are rather humble. We are still in the lead-up to Black Friday, so expect things to improve later.How did we choose these Black Friday deals?At ZDNET, we only highlight PlayStation deals worth your consideration; the same kind we’d consider ourselves. For this roundup, I specifically sought out PS5 consoles, bundles, accessories, and games about 15% off or more. Black Friday is still several weeks away, so significant discounts are not yet available. Knowing this, I expanded my search to include lesser discounts to fill out the list. Although some price drops aren’t as deep as others, they’re still worth consideration because they offer unique value in other areas.I considered hands-on experience, real-world performance, and customer feedback. Every recommendation on this list is backed by careful research and expert insight so that you can confidently shop these early Black Friday sales. More