Robotics

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETThere’s been plenty of chatter about Samsung debuting a second-generation Galaxy Ring at its Unpacked event More

I began using robot vacuum and mop combinations over six years ago, looking for a way to check some chores off my list without breaking my back or taking away my already-divided attention from my little ones. Little did I know this would launch me onto the world of testing the latest and greatest robot vacuums just a few years later.Also: The best robot vacuum deals: Save on Roomba, Roborock, and moreSince getting my first device, robot vacuum and mop combinations have evolved from including a soggy microfiber pad dragged across your floors to self-washing rotating mop pads, mop rollers, and self-emptying dustbins. All the different options make picking the right robot vacuum and mop combo for your needs challenging, but we’re here to help.What is the best robot vacuum mop right now?At ZDNET, we have tested dozens of the best robot vacuum mops available and have seen firsthand that it is possible to sit back and relax while one of these machines takes care of all the hard work. Based on our testing, our pick for the best robot vacuum mop overall is the Dreame X40 Ultra More

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETThe Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is just a day away from its official launch, but Honor is jumping into the ring early to challenge Samsung with its Magic 7 Pro More

Jack Wallen/ZDNETAs a technology writer, I often install applications, test them, write about them, and remove them. Sure, a few such applications remain on my machines, but for the most part, it’s one and done.After I’m done using those apps, I always remove them. Why? First, space. My MacBook Pro has finite internal storage, so I don’t want those unused apps to keep piling up. Then there are permissions. Why have an app installed that you don’t use with various permissions that could wind up being problematic later on? Also: How to install an LLM on MacOS (and why you should)As the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. And, boy, does that apply to technology.Fortunately, MacOS makes it very easy to remove software. In fact, there are two simple ways to take care of this task, and I’m going to show you both.How to remove software from LaunchpadWhat you’ll need: To make this work, you’ll need a MacOS device with an updated operating system. You should make a habit of applying updates as soon as they become available. Do this for new features but, more importantly, for security. More

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNETI’m not a fan of the Windows UI, and no Windows desktop has ever caught my attention. My general reaction to the Windows aesthetic is “Meh.” So, when I booted up the latest preview release of Deepin 25, my first reaction was, “That figures.” Let me explain.  When Deepin first landed some 20 years ago, the distro caught people’s attention (mine included). The desktop was exciting, beautiful, and professional-looking, showing that Linux could lead the charge to elegance.Also: If you’re ready for something different, I recommend this Linux distro to newbies and experts alikeAnd, yes, it was problematic. Users discovered some questionable things going on under the hood. Search the internet with the phrase “Is Deepin Linux safe?” and you’ll get hundreds (if not thousands) of hits. There’s even this video where Quidsup discusses the privacy issues and the EULA, back when Deepin 20 was released.The big concern was that the makers of Deepin (a Chinese company) could spy on users via various services running in the background of Deepin Linux. (I have to ask: How different is that from what Microsoft (along with other companies) has been accused of doing.)  More

We’ve tested dozens of robot vacuums in homes with kids, dogs, and cats. We know the feeling of spending countless hours a week trying to clean the pet hair and mini fingerprints scattered around the home, yet feeling like it’s impossible to keep up with everything.Enter robot vacuums. Robot vacuums aren’t a one-size-fits-all affair, and the right for you depends on many factors. The ZDNET team has spent countless hours evaluating factors like floor mapping abilities, battery life, price, and, more importantly, cleaning efficiency to help you make the best choice.Also: The best robot vacuum mops: Expert testedWhat is the best robot vacuum right now? Our pick for the best robot vacuum overall is the iRobot Roomba j7+ More

Google/ZDNETGoogle has done a pretty good job with accessibility features on Pixel phones for the past few years. With TalkBack, display customizations, Simple View, and more, Google’s flagship phones have come a long way.But the accessibility doesn’t stop there. If you have vision impairments and like to take photos, the Guided Frame feature can help. Also: This hidden Pixel camera feature makes your photos more vibrantThis feature uses voice prompts to help guide the framing of the photo you’re about to take. This feature is part of TalkBack and offers audio and gesture-based guidance to navigate the phone. Guided Frame uses voice prompts and vibration to help you position either the front or rear camera to get the subject properly framed. For example, let’s say you’re taking a selfie. With Guided Frame on, it will give you cues so that your face is properly framed. Once you’re properly framed, your Pixel will say, “Hold,” and then automatically snap the photo (after a 3-second countdown).Guided Frame is a wonderful feature for those who need visual assistance taking photos, and it works exceptionally well. According to Google, Guided Frame can recognize the following:FacesPetsFoodDrinksDocumentsElectronic devicesVehiclesI was able to get Guided Frame to easily recognize faces, pets, and vehicles. With other objects, I found it was a bit more finicky if there were multiple objects in the frame. For example, I attempted to take a photo of my Charlie Brown Christmas Tree and it failed. When taking a shot of a travel mug, I had to clear some of the objects from the frame for it to recognize it. The one object I couldn’t get it to recognize was documents.Let me show you how to use it.How to enable Guided Frame on Pixel What you’ll need: The only thing you’ll need for this is a Pixel phone (version 6 or later). More

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your home theater setup with a high-end OLED screen or pick up a budget-friendly TV for your bedroom, there are tons of high-quality options to choose from. The best TVs you can buy right now offer a great balance between features, screen size, connectivity, and, of course, price. Also: The best Samsung TVsBig brands like Samsung and Sony offer premium models with features like object-tracking sound, OLED panels, and cloud gaming support. And smaller brands like Hisense and TCL offer more mid-range and budget-friendly options that still provide core features like 4K resolution and HDR support to give them great value for the money.What is the best TV right now?At ZDNET, we’ve extensively tested TVs from Samsung, Sony, TCL, and more. Our choice for the best TV overall is the Samsung S95D More