Robotics

At $300, these Bose Ultra Open earbuds won’t work for everybody. But if you’re a runner who prioritizes awareness and fantastic sound, these earbuds are about to become your favorite running accessory. The Ultra Open utilizes bone and air conduction to deliver music that doesn’t take you out of your environment while offering fantastic sound. The design is unique, too: the earbuds cuff to your ear like a clip-on earring, and through this design, they stay put. You can move and shake your head all you want — they won’t budge. Review: Bose Ultra Open They’re the first earbuds I could wear everywhere, whether playing music or off. The design and sound make it so easy to manage environmental awareness that I kept them in while grocery shopping in a busy Trader Joe’s, on the subway, and while walking home. Usually, if a pair of earbuds isn’t playing, I’ll remove them from my ears because they take me out of my environment. These don’t. They’re also pleasant to wear on long runs and can handle dust and water. However, one downside to these earbuds is how the connection tends to go in and out on certain occasions. People on Reddit agree and have complained about the earbuds’ tendency to disconnect randomly. If you’re interested in aware sound, want an alternative to bone conduction headphones, and are willing to pay a premium price, these are certainly worth it. Bose Ultra Open earbuds specs: Type: Open ear/ear cuff | Wired/wireless: Wireless | Waterproof rating: IPX4 | Weight: .01 pounds | Battery life: 7.5 hours  More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETSamsung took the smart ring space to new heights when it unveiled its first-ever Galaxy Ring More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETNot to be outdone by Samsung’s recent Unpacked event, Google is hosting a product launch of its own next month. Dubbed “Made by Google,” the event should feature the latest Pixel hardware, including the Pixel 9 series, Pixel Buds Pro 2, and Pixel Watch 3. If the company’s feeling generous, there may even be one more thing.Also: Pixel 9? Pixel Watch 3? The date for the next Made by Google event is sooner than everBesides the hardware, Google has also hinted that AI will be a big focus throughout the keynote, with new Gemini capabilities coming as part of Android 15.The Made by Google event is scheduled to take place on August 13 at 10 a.m. PST (1 p.m. EST) at the search giant’s Mountain View campus, with press members, developers, and staff in attendance. A livestream will also be available across Google’s main website and YouTube channel, with a replay broadcast following the event. Until then, here’s a breakdown of all the products and services we expect to hear more about in just a few weeks.1. Android 15, Gemini, and more AI tools More

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There is no doubt that the iPad Pro is powerful, thanks to its M4 chip. This chip upgrade comes with next-generation machine learning accelerators to handle a diverse range of tasks, and ProMotion technology, enabling variable screen refresh rates ranging from 10 to 120Hz.ZDNET reviews editor, Kerry Wan, spent some time with the 13-inch Apple iPad Pro and was especially impressed by chip performance. “A more efficient processor means the iPad absolutely speeds through app load times, 4K video exports, detecting and cropping subjects out of images, and more,” he wrote in his review. Review: I replaced my MacBook with an M4 iPad Pro and was less bothered than I expectedWan added that this tablet is perfect for content creation thanks to the iPad-iPhone-only workflow that feels less challenging than previous models. “This ultimately lowers the barrier to entry for videographers, digital artists, and other content creators, which is never a bad thing,” he said. The Pro also supports the new Apple Pencil Pro, which has range of note-taking features including a squeeze gesture for quick tool and custom haptic feedback that you can feel via a pulse. It also pairs with the newly revamped Magic Keyboard which is thinner and lighter, has a larger trackpad, and a new row of function keys to make your iPad experience feel more like a MacBook experience–especially if you want to entirely replace your laptop with an iPad for schoolwork. Apple iPad Pro tech specs: Display: 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion | Processor: Apple Silicon M4 | Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB | Biometrics: Face ID | Colors: Silver, space black | Cameras: 12MP wide (4K, ProRes), Landscape 12MP ultra-wide | Weight: 1.23 pounds | Dimensions: 11.09 x 8.48 x 0.24 inches | Connections: USB-C connector with support for Thunderbolt / USB 4 | Battery life: Up to 10 hours of surfing the web More

The Dreo 5L Smart humidifier is a powerhouse option. With dual-intake, 360-degree dual mist outlets, and intelligent humidity control, customize your mist experience without compromise. The large, 5L tank ensures less time between refills, and with 42 hours of continuous operation, the Dreo really is something you can “set and forget.” It features smart capabilities, including app and voice control for easy access and schedule making. And don’t worry about resetting it, either. The modular design and top fill structure allow for easy refills, and a desalination cartridge helps remove up to 7 types of minerals from your vapor. Also: The Dreo smart humidifier is nearly a perfect optionTo top it off, the Dreo comes with a built-in night light, digital display, and aroma diffuser for an even more spa-like experience at home. ZDNET contributor, Jack Wallen, called the Dreo one of the very best humidifiers in his review. “The Dreo 5L is, by far, the best single-room humidifier I’ve ever used. It’s an elegant solution that should serve you well when the ambient moisture has your lips cracked, your throat dry, and your skin itching.” Verified Best Buy customers rated the Dreo humidifier a 4.2/5 stars and enjoyed its sleek design, smart functions, large water tank, and quiet operation, though some customers experienced App connection issues. Dreo 5L features: Water Tank Capacity: 5L | Square Footage/Room Size: 250 sq ft | Smart Capabilities: Yes | Aroma Diffuser: Yes | Operation Mode: Ultrasonic More

Screenshot by Steven Vaughan-Nichols/ZDNETI’ve been using Linux for my desktop since 1992. Over the years, I’ve tried more Linux distros than you can shake a laptop at. Since 2010, however, my favorite Linux distribution has been Linux Mint. (More precisely, since Mint 10.)Why? As I wrote in February 2010, it’s “because Mint works, really, really well.” That’s still true today.Also: Linux Mint 22 is official! Here’s what’s new and how to try it for yourselfLinux Mint: Then and nowLet’s look at Mint then and the latest version — Linux Mint 22, codenamed “Wilma” — and you’ll see what I mean. More

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