Eliana Willis

Kerry Wan/ZDNETOlder Google TV and Chromecast devices are finally getting the Home Panel feature, allowing you to control your smart home devices from your TV. The feature was initially launched with the Google TV Streamer last year, but Google opened a public preview program to let users enroll older devices. Now, the feature appears to have launched widely and quietly. The latest update began rolling out earlier this week, and reports indicate users are using the Home Panel feature on discontinued Chromecast devices and Google TV sets, including Hisense TVs.Also: These old Google Nest thermostats may soon be obsolete – but it’s not all bad newsThe Home Panel on Google TV lets you control Google Home-compatible smart devices by accessing them on the right side of your TV. These devices include smart thermostats, video doorbells, security cameras, speakers, smart lights, and more. Like Apple’s tvOS and Amazon’s FireOS, the Home Panel can also show smart home notifications, such as a person ringing your Nest Doorbell.  More

The Roborock Flexi Lite is a great self-propelled wet/dry vacuum and mop. It looks like a standup vacuum, but you add clean water to its tank, and it can suction anything, wet or dry. It can vacuum pet hair, dust, crumbs, and wet messes like spilled juice, milk, or sauces. I use this vacuum mop for everything around my home, and it’ll completely change your cleaning routine if you’ve never used one. All you have to do is turn it on with a full clean water tank and direct it to where you need to clean. The device is self-propelled, so you don’t have to push it; it glides effortlessly across your floors.Also: Forget Dyson: Roborock’s wet-dry vacuum makes my floors sparkleIt vacuums and mops as it goes, so all you have to do is steer it around during cleaning. Once done, you can put the Flexi Lite on the dock to charge and run a self-cleaning cycle. The vacuum/mop will wash its mop roller with clean water from its tank. I only recommend you empty and rinse the dirty water tank after each use to avoid odors. More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETIn honor of Earth Day last week, Samsung is giving you the chance to help keep e-waste out of landfills and score a discount on a flagship Android phone.Starting today, the Galaxy S24 series, including the S24 Ultra, S24+, and the S24, are available as part of Samsung’s Certified Renewed program More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Strapsicle silicone straps upgrade the grip options on your Kindle and provide a secure hold to prevent drops. At $21, Strapsicle is an easy and affordable Kindle accessory to make your reading experience even more comfortable. If you prefer more ergonomic grips or don’t like the look of straps across […] More

Javier Zayas Photography/Getty Images I’ve been using AI as one of my go-to tools for research for some time now. Although there are plenty of options that can be accessed via a web browser (such as Opera’s Aria, the first AI service I ever used), I prefer desktop tools because I can install and use […] More