Robotics

Kerry Wan/ZDNETIn the age of smart TVs, convenience is king. With just a few clicks, we can dive into endless entertainment — but that ease comes with a downside: the buildup of cache data. Also: How to disable ACR on your TV (and why doing so makes such a big difference)Just like on your phone or computer, a cluttered TV cache can lead to sluggish performance, app crashes, and even hinder new content from loading properly. That’s why it’s important to clear all that extra cache and make your TV feel like new again. Before I break down the steps for how to do it, let’s address the big elephant in the room first. What is a cache? A cache is a temporary storage area where data is kept for quick access. On your smart TV, the cache stores information from apps, websites, and system processes to help them load faster every time you turn it on. Think of it as a bunch of temporary files intended to speed up loading times for frequently accessed information. Also: The best TVs of 2025: Expert tested and reviewedFor instance, when you open a streaming app, the cache might store thumbnails, login details, or recently watched shows. Caches are designed to help your TV load this content more quickly. Over time, however, the cache can become overloaded with outdated or unnecessary data, which can consequently slow down your TV’s performance. More

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETPower stations are increasingly popular, but as their capacity grows, so does the price tag. A system capable of handling heavy loads and providing enough battery capacity to power a home during an outage typically costs around $2,000. Also: The best early Amazon Prime Day deals live now However, there are opportunities to find great deals. Bluetti is promoting the new Elite 200 V2 power station More

Meta Meta has officially entered into a new partnership with Microsoft by launching its “first-ever limited edition” headset — the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition<!–>.  For this new bundle, the tech giant isn’t changing the headset’s hardware. It’s still the same Quest 3S running on a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset. It still supports full-color […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETNewer phones may be getting more compact, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t bigger options for your personal needs. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus would be a perfect contender if you need a bigger screen, a great camera system, and the latest mobile AI capabilities.Also: You can use T-Mobile’s satellite service for free on any carrier now – here’s howT-Mobile is now running an offer where you can get your ludicrously capacious Galaxy S25 Plus for free More

nazar_ab / Getty Images T-Mobile will officially launch its public Starlink satellite service on Wednesday, July 23. Currently in beta testing, the service will be available for any mobile phone user with a compatible device, including AT&T and Verizon subscribers. In its Monday news release, the Uncarrier explained what Starlink will offer. From the get-go, […] More

June Wan/ZDNETI’m going to start off by saying that when presented with a free VPN service, I typically turn and run because most of those services cannot be trusted one bit. Even some paid VPN services aren’t always what you think they should be. However, there are some VPNs that carry with them a reputation for being secure, stable and trustworthy. Nearly all of those VPNs have an associated cost, some of which can only be used for free during a trial period. And then there’s ProtonVPN.Also: Best VPN services 2025: How the fastest VPNs with the best networks stack upProtonVPN has developed a very good reputation because the service and the apps are stellar. I’ve used ProtonVPN on Linux and Android for quite some time and have always been pleased. But what if you don’t have the budget for a paid ProtonVPN account and you’re 100% certain you need a trustworthy VPN for your Android device? What do you do? You’re in luck because you can use ProtonVPN on Android for free.Before you get too excited, using ProtonVPN for free means you’ll lack a few features. For example, you can only protect one device at a time, you get medium VPN speeds and you’re limited to servers in five countries. You also do not get the opportunity to choose which server you use. As a result, you won’t be able to masquerade your device as a specific location. Also: 3 things to consider when buying a new VPN – and why ‘free’ isn’t always bestEven so, a limited (trusted) VPN is still better than none (especially when you’re connecting to insecure networks). How to install ProtonVPN What you need: An Android device and an Internet connection. That’s it. Let’s dive in. More

The Lenovo Chromebook Plus with an OLED display. Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETChromebooks are continuing to level up. Google just announced a host of new AI features live in ChromeOS now, along with the Lenovo Chromebook Plus More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETAndroid 16 is officially here, and Google has some big upgrades on the way.  Instead of releasing a new OS and a new phone lineup at the same time, Google is making the same move it did with Android 15 and giving both software and hardware their time to shine. Also: How to turn on Android’s Private DNS mode – and why it’s an absolute must for securityThis is the earliest Google has launched a major Android release in a while (for comparison, Android 15 was released on Oct. 15, 2024, and Android 14 was released on Oct. 4, 2023).  Here’s a look at four of the biggest upgrades in Android 16. All of these features will drop for Pixel devices first, including models as old as the Pixel 6 and 7 series, and other devices later in the year.  1. Streamlined updates and lock screen app updates: Don’t want to unlock your phone every time you check to see when your late-night food order is arriving? Feeling uneasy in a new city and want to make sure your ride-share is close? Streamlined app updates give you the ability to see real-time updates from your lock screen. Google says it’s working with app partners to bring this capability to Android, including in Samsung’s Now Bar and OnePlus’ Live Alerts.Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025Google says it’s also automatically grouping notifications that come from a single app to make sure you don’t get information overload. More