Eliana Willis

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) Maria Diaz/ZDNETIf you have an older Google Nest thermostat, it might be losing its smart capabilities later this year. In a post last week on the official support blog, Google announced that it would end support for three thermostat models: The original first-generation Nest Learning Thermostat from 2011, the second-generation Nest Learning Thermostat that followed a year later in 2012, and the second generation of the European version of the Nest Learning Thermostat from 2014. No more smart featuresNot only is Google stopping future software updates for those devices, it is pulling all smart features. The thermostats will still work, including existing schedules, and you can continue to control the temperature and set schedules directly on the device, Google says, but you will not be able to control anything with the Nest app or Google Assistant. Support ends on Oct. 25, 2025. No other devices are affected at this time. An olive branchTo lessen the blow a little, Google is making an offer to affected customers. If you are still using one of these thermostats, Google will send you a $130 off promo code to purchase the fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat (which ZDNET’s Maria Diaz called “a beautiful piece of tech that works” and one that “you can count on working for years — or maybe even decades”). With an MSRP of $280, that cuts the price to $150. Google said it was making the change to “fully invest” in the latest generation of thermostats. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways SDesk is available now, free of charge, and you can install it on as many computers as you need. It’s a fast and dependable Linux distribution with a user interface that anyone will be instantly familiar with. I experienced some minor issues during my setup, which were simple to resolve. –> […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Mammotion Luba 2 3000H is available for $2,499. Built to handle uneven terrain, the Luba 2 is an all-wheel-drive (AWD) reliable robot mower with a GPS-powered perimeter that is surprisingly easy to set up. The Mammotion app is not very user-friendly and can get buggy after a firmware update. –> […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Tuxedo Computers InfinityBook Pro 14 Gen 9 is available now on the official site. This laptop outperformed my expectations in every way, with a powerful CPU and a gorgeous display. Use caution when selecting your keyboard during the order process. –> I love a good laptop or desktop that comes […] More

Charlie Osborne/ZDNETNearly every part of modern life depends on our connection to the internet. When my provider experiences an outage, everything grinds to a halt — working remotely via VPN, streaming music on Spotify, and even using smart home devices. It’s a stark reminder of how much we rely on the invisible network that keeps us connected. Almost every aspect of modern life is affected by our connectivity to the Web. Also: Is your Roku TV spying on you? Probably, but here’s how to put an end to itA total outage feels completely unacceptable. But a sketchy connection afflicted by lag and buffering can be even more frustrating. If you’re sure that your signal is strong but you’re still experiencing issues, the problem might be the location of your router.1. Location is key, but reach mattersIt’s always true that location is key. But your router’s efficacy is also impacted by the size of your home and how far the router’s signals can reach. A single wireless access point should be adequate for most apartments and smaller homes (1,500 square feet or less). Larger, multistory homes present a different challenge that can best be met by upgrading to a mesh network. Mesh networks consist of a main access point and additional nodes that can be placed throughout your space to ensure consistent coverage. More

Your garden can be as big or as little as you want it to be. However, you do have to be mindful of how much space certain plants need as they grow. Vining vegetables like peas, pumpkins, and cucumbers need lots of space to stretch out, so I recommend getting trellises to utilize vertical space. Container gardens don’t need much space at all, especially if you’re growing flowers or herbs for cooking, making them perfect for homes with balconies or patios. Tomatoes also do well in containers, but make sure they’re large enough pots to accommodate your plants as they grow. If you want to use raised beds or plant directly in the ground, you’ll need a much larger space, at least 6 x 6 feet to give yourself enough room to work. If you’re looking to include sweet corn in your garden, you’ll need to plant at least three rows to ensure it pollinates correctly, and this means you’ll need a lot of space. A garden measuring at least 20 x 20 feet would give you enough room for three to five rows of corn and a few other vegetables and herbs. More

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETNothing’s affordable sub-brand, CMF, announced this week a new phone alongside a trio of earbuds. The CMF Phone 2 Pro More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Garmin eTrex Solar is available now for $250, while the eTrex SE without solar sells for $150. Potential for unlimited battery life, extensive GNSS support, rugged build, and affordable. Small monochrome display, no turn-by-turn directions of TopoActive maps. –> Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I gained a deep affection […] More