Eliana Willis

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    in Robotics

    Why your solar-powered power bank isn’t as reliable as you think (and what to use instead)

    Solar-powered power banks are common, but are they any good? In a word, no.  Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETSolar-powered power banks seem like a fantastic idea; attach some solar panels to a power bank, and you have a free power source whenever the sun is shining.However, the reality is different from this idyllic vision of limitless energy.Also: This Windows 11 tablet survived my torture tests – and business users will love itI’ve tested nearly two dozen solar-powered power banks, ranging from devices purchased online to ones bought from camping and outdoor supply stores. Unfortunately, every single device has been disappointingly ineffective — and some have even been potentially dangerous.Using such a device means placing a power bank, a box filled with lithium-ion batteries, in direct sunlight. And that’s a big problem. I’ve found that a power bank left in the sun on a modestly hot day can hit temperatures as high as 80°C/176°F, which is incredibly hot for lithium batteries.  More

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    in Robotics

    The best free tax software of 2025

    This year, tax filings and respective payments are due on April 15, though the IRS began accepting filings starting on Jan. 27. If you haven’t filed your taxes yet, now is the chance to check filing off your to-do list early. Tax filing takes preparation, time, and careful attention, so understanding the tools available is key to completing your taxes with ease.Using a tax preparation service or hiring a professional tax specialist is a great strategy if it’s within your budget and time frame. However, many people don’t know that there are free tax filing software options available online if you’re looking to complete a simple tax file. Also: The best VPNs for added security online: Tested and reviewedWhat is the best free tax software right now?ZDNET rounded up some of the best free tax software options for simple filing that can aid you this season. Our pick for best free tax software overall is Cash App Taxes More

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    This Windows 11 tablet survived my torture tests – and business users will love it

    <!–> 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

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    in Information Technology

    Can’t quit Windows 10? You can pay Microsoft for updates after October, or try these alternatives

    An ESU subscription entitles customers to receive updates delivered automatically through Windows Update. If Microsoft follows its customary practices, those updates will also be available for download individually through the Microsoft Update Catalog. It’s a tedious process, but a customer who’s determined to save money could set a calendar reminder to check for new updates a day or two after those updates are delivered on the second Tuesday of the month and install them manually. If you’re managing only one or two PCs, that process might be an acceptable workaround.As an alternative, you could subscribe to the third-party service 0patch, which says it will provide “critical security patches” for Windows 10 for at least five years after the end-of-support date, at a price (in euros) that works out to something between $25 and $36 per PC per year at current exchange rates, plus tax. These aren’t clones of Microsoft’s updates. Here’s how the service explains their offering:With 0patch, you will be receiving security “micropatches” for critical, likely-to-be-exploited vulnerabilities that get discovered after October 14, 2025. These patches will be really small, typically just a couple of CPU instructions (hence the name), and will get applied to running processes in memory without modifying a single byte of original Microsoft’s binary files.Finally, there are completely unauthorized alternatives, such as the PowerShell activation scripts provided by the Massgrave hacking collective that will allow users to bypass Microsoft’s license agreements and sign up for a three-year ESU subscription without paying. Those scripts aren’t legal, of course, and businesses that rely on them will be at risk of being audited and subjected to lawsuits. Do you feel lucky? More

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    in Robotics

    I tested Oppo’s Find N5 for a week – here’s why it’s a near-perfect foldable phone

    Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETThe world’s thinnest book-style foldable, the Oppo Find N5, is finally here. I’ve had it for a week, and it has surprised me in more ways than one — both positively and negatively. At 8.93mm thick when folded, it’s closer to slab phones than any other foldable has ever been. But that slimness didn’t come without compromises. Judging by the on-paper camera specifications, I expected it to be underwhelming, but it’s better than other foldable phones in almost every regard. Also: The best phones to buy in 2025Here’s what it’s like to use the thinnest book-style foldable phone in the world — from someone who has used the previous world’s thinnest foldable phones.I love the new, refined design More