Information Technology

Maria Diaz/ZDNETMicrosoft’s Copilot tool is freely available as a dedicated webpage, mobile app, and built-in Windows tool, offering quick and easy access to an AI chatbot that will answer your questions, generate content, and create images. But Microsoft also offers a Pro version of Copilot that kicks in more features and better access for $20 per month.Also: Microsoft adds Copilot Pro support to iPhone and Android appsThe free flavor offers the following features:Copilot use on the web and in Windows, MacOS, and iPadOS.Access to GPT-4.Access to GPT-4 Turbo and GPT-4o during non-peak times.Use of text, voice, and images in conversational search.Ability to create and edit AI images with 15 boosts (15 images) per day with the Designer tool.Ability to use plugins.Also: How to use Image Creator from Microsoft DesignerThe Pro version kicks in several additional benefits:Faster performance and priority access to GPT-4, GPT-4 Turbo, and GPT-4o during peak times.Copilot availability in core Microsoft 365 desktop (subscription required) and web apps (Microsoft account required).Faster AI image creation with 100 boosts (100 images) per day using Designer.Ability to resize AI-created images between square and landscape formats without leaving Designer.Previously, Microsoft offered Pro users a Copilot Builder to create their own custom GPTs for personal use or to share with specific people. In July 2024, Microsoft retired the Copilot Builder and removed all the associated GPTs. Beyond using Copilot Pro on the Copilot website through any browser, you can launch it directly in Windows 10 or 11. Simply click the Copilot icon on the Taskbar. The Pro flavor is also accessible in the iPhone and Android Copilot apps. You can use Copilot Pro with a Microsoft 365 subscription in Windows, MacOS, and iPadOS. And you can even tap into the Pro flavor with the free Microsoft 365 apps on the web.You should use Copilot free if… More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETUpdate: This deal has expired and is no longer available on Amazon. Instead, you can find the same offer directly on Boost Mobile’s website More

Rugged phones are built to withstand the elements of field work, and with the new Kyocera DuraForce Pro 3, you get the additional support of Verizon’s 5G network. At first glance, its sleek design might have you wondering if it’s even a rugged phone, since it’s less bulky and awkward to handle than many others on the market.ZDNET’s Matthew Miller spent a couple of weeks using the DuraForce Pro 3 while hiking, running, and exploring the outdoors. It withstood submersion in streams, drops on trails, and rough treatment as he tested its durability.The Kyocera DuraForce Pro 3 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor with 6GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, three rear cameras, and a large capacity 4,500 mAh battery. If you plan to spend an extended amount of time in the field taking photos and video, you can swap out a microSD card with support up to 1TB. The battery is also removable so you can carry spares and not have to worry about finding a place to charge the phone. The DuraForce Pro 3 also supports wireless charging, so you don’t need to remove the bottom USB-C port plug to top it off.Read the review: This ultra-rugged Android phone has every battery feature you can imagineThree user-programmable buttons are available so that you can quickly launch your favorite app or perform key functions with the simple press of a button. This is useful when you want to open an app quickly without having to use the touchscreen. The phone also supports using the phone when you are wearing gloves. he phone is designed to endure rough handling with IP68 dust/water resistance, MIL-STD 810H shock test certification, and action overlay data designed to enhance your outdoor adventures. Verified customer reviews from Verizon are a mixed bag on the size of the phone, with some preferring the larger previous model over the smaller, sleeker DuraForce Pro 3.Kyocera DuraForce Pro 3 specs: Display: 5.38 inches (2,160 x 1,080-pixel resolution), OLED | CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 | RAM: 6GB  | Internal Storage: 128GB with microSD slot | Rear cameras: 64MP wide angle, 16MP ultra-wide camera and 2MP macro | Front camera: 8MP | Battery: 4270 mAh | Weight: 237g More

Download a lifetime license to Microsoft Office at a deep discount with this deal. Stack Social If you need access to Microsoft Office but don’t want to pay the yearly fee to access Office 365, you’re in luck: Stack Social is offering a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows or Mac, starting […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETWhat’s the deal?Last year’s Motorola Razr More

I’ve been testing the Mammotion Luba 2 3000 for about two months and have loved the freedom it’s given me. It’s not only the best GPS-powered mower I’ve tested, so accurate to its map that it mows precisely along my property line in my front, back, and side yards each time, but it’s also the one I’ve found to deliver the most features in the app.The Mammotion Luba 2 has proven so accurate and reliable that I can easily send it out to mow my uneven, 0.3-acre yard and return to see a beautifully checkered yard upon my return. The Mammotion app lets you adjust mowing height and pattern, map out perimeters, and set up separate coverage areas. The robot mower’s wide cutting width of 15.7 inches makes it more efficient than other models.Review: This robot mower looks like a racecar, but it mows a gorgeous lawnOther Luba 2 users agree, with one buyer remarking, “What sets this mower apart is not just its ease of setup, but also its outstanding performance and features. The intuitive interface made configuring zones a straightforward task, and I was impressed by its cutting precision and battery life. Additionally, the smart connectivity options add another layer of convenience to its functionality.”The coolest thing about the Luba 2 is that there’s a model for everyone. Ranging from a 0.25-acre capacity variant available for $2100 to a 2.5-acre model for $4100, you’re not stuck paying a high-end price to mow a small yard. Mammotion Luba 2 Features: Price: $2,100-$4,100, depending on acreage | Cutting width: 15.7 inches | Maximum cutting area: .25- to 2.5-acre models | Maximum slope: 38 degrees | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 4G | Anti-theft: Alarm, 4G, GPS theft tracking More

The Roborock S7 Max Ultra boasts a 5500Pa suction power, VibraRise Mopping System, and the Empty Wash Fill Dock, a self-washing, self-refilling, and self-emptying docking station. Once the S7 Max Ultra has a map created of your home, you fill the Clean Water tank, tap a few buttons, and all of your flooring surfaces are cleaned. The PreciSense LiDAR navigation ensures the robot isn’t mopping your carpet and rugs while avoiding common household objects like pet waste, wires, and shoes. I’ve tested several Roborocks and haven’t had one mop my rugs or get tangled up in a phone charger. Also: Don’t break your back while you deep clean. Use these gadgets insteadI know this isn’t the latest Roborock, though. When directly compared to the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, the S7 Max Ultra has 500Pa less suction, a single all-rubber brush instead of the DuoRoller brush, and doesn’t lift the brush when it’s traveling from area to area. The biggest difference, though? You’ll save $300 going with the older S7 Max Ultra. And you aren’t skimping out on a machine, either. This is still one of our favorite Roborocks. As one Amazon customer said, “I know this might be an expensive purchase, but I assure you, it’s worth every penny.” If you’re looking for a Roborock that can vacuum and mop your floors, has top-of-the-line technology, and will not let you down, the Roborock S7 Max Ultra is for you. Roborock S7 Max Ultra tech specs: Price: $1,300 | Suction power: 5500Pa | Dustbin volume: 2.5L | Water tank capacity: 200ml | Runtime: 180 minutes More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 More