Robotics

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET ZDNET’s key takeaways Firefox Focus is a security and privacy-focused mobile browser.This browser offers a minimal UI and maximum privacy features.Firefox Focus is available for both Android and iOS.I’ve run the gamut of web browsers on Android, and every time I think I’ve found “the one,” I discover a reason not to use it. That reason might be a cluttered UI, a lack of options, or not enough security.Recently, however, I came across a browser that checked all the boxes… especially within the realm of privacy and security. No, it’s not Tor or Brave, it’s Firefox Focus, which is ironic given I’d only recently sworn off Firefox browsers. However, Firefox Focus is good enough to make me overlook that claim. Firefox Focus has been around for a bit and is a mobile-only browser that aims to be a simple and private web browser. It delivers on that promise. Also: The Firefox I loved is gone – how to protect your privacy on it nowImagine stripping a browser to its bare bones and leaving just the features necessary to render pages properly (and quickly) and remain private and secure. That’s what Firefox Focus is. The UI doesn’t include all the finery found in other browsers (the start page offers a URL bar, a menu button, and the keyboard once you tap the URL bar). That’s it. There are no bookmarks, suggested sites, news, or any other bloated features you might find on other browsers. Firefox Focus is lean and ready to do the one thing browsers should do… render pages securely and privately.Firefox Focus is free and can be found in both the Google App Store and the Apple App Store. What makes Firefox Focus so special? As you’ve most likely surmised, Firefox Focus is all about privacy. Also: 5 reasons why Firefox is still my favorite browser – and deserves more respectIf you open the Settings page, you’ll find only five sections: General, Privacy and Security, Search, Advanced, and Mozilla. Tap the General section, and you’ll see only three options: Theme, Language, and Make Firefox Focus default browser. It’s not until you tap the Privacy and Security section that you finally see what this browser is really all about. More

Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus is on sale right now for $549. It’s a slam dunk tablet with a brilliant display, great speakers, and comes with a keyboard, case, and stylus. In laptop mode, it’s better for simpler tasks. more buying choices Lenovo’s Yoga Tab Plus–> is […] More

Adam Breeden/ZDNETA modern TV uses significantly less energy than one from a decade ago — which makes sense, given how much more power-efficient today’s display panels have become.According to Perch Energy, the average power consumption of an old TV runs around $54 per year in energy costs. Because LED-backlit TVs and OLEDs consume less power than traditional LCD screens, newer models cost about $32 annually. Also: How to clear your TV cache (and why you shouldn’t wait to do it)In large part, the bigger your screen size, the more power your TV requires. But there are ways to attenuate your TV’s power consumption every time you turn it on. Here are some settings you can change to save more money on your next electricity bill. Even if it’s just tens of dollars that you’re ultimately saving, it’s still a little less money coming out of your pocket, and that’s the goal. More

matejmo/Getty Images Like or not, a replacement for passwords — known as passkeys — is coming your way, if it hasn’t already. The three big ideas behind passkeys are that they cannot be guessed in the way passwords often can (and are), the same passkey cannot be re-used across different websites and apps (the way […] More

<!–> Along with your TV and computer, a mini-fridge can be the center of a college dorm. But not all mini-fridges are created equal – and they’re even better when you can get them for free. Right now at LG, when you buy an eligible full-size French door refrigerator–> while it’s on sale, you can get […] More

Rolling Square Portable Pocket Travel Adapter <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Rolling Square’s universal travel adapter is available now on Amazon for $30. It’s the most compact travel adapter I’ve tested, with two versions: USB-C only or USB-C and USB-A. The version with the USB-C port has less power output. –> I’m a big fan of […] More

Artificial Intelligence – growing trend in importance from 2024 to 2025 McKinsey 2025 ResearchZDNET’s key takeawaysAI agents are the technologies that matter most for companies in 2025.AI stands out not only as a powerful technology wave on its own but also as a foundational amplifier of other trends.Autonomous systems, including physical robots and digital AI agents, are moving from pilot projects to practical applications.Which frontier technologies matter most for companies in 2025? According to McKinsey research, there are 13 new frontier technologies that matter most to companies, including agentic AI.Also: How AI agents can generate $450 billion by 2028 – and what stands in the wayResearch from other industry analyst firms validate the economic impact of AI, including a $450 billion market associated with agentic AI by 2028. This year’s technology developments highlight a future where technology is more adaptive, collaborative, and essential for solving global problems. McKinsey saw this across various fields, from the increasing prevalence of robotics and autonomous systems to the critical need for responsible AI innovations. McKinsey identified a set of themes that capture the impact of these frontier technologies, including:  More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysApple is slated to announce new hardware next month. Notable Apple Watch updates could be coming, according to rumors. Blood pressure monitoring and sleep scores could be on the way. We’re a month away from Apple’s annual September hardware event, where the tech giant announces its latest releases, from iPhones and iPads to AirPods and, my favorite, Apple Watches. Rumors are swirling about what’s to come on the next generation Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Series 11. Also: Should you buy the iPhone 16 or iPhone 17? How to decide which model to buyApple’s latest smartwatch software, WatchOS 26, gives us a few glimpses at what the Series 11 is capable of. A new Workout Buddy feature guides Apple Watch users through their workouts with encouragements, personal record announcements, and progress reports. Apple’s new Liquid Glass display makes widgets, messages, and apps appear clear on the watch and mimics the display of Apple Vision Pro headset. Outside of those software updates, I’m keeping my eyes and ears open for rumors, murmurs, and whispers on Apple’s next Apple Watch. Here’s what we’ve heard so far.  More