Robotics

ZDNETWhile an official announcement is still pending, Linux Mint 22.1, codenamed Xia, has been released. The new Mint’s ISO images are now ready to be downloaded and installed. I’m eager to get it up and running.Linux Mint 22.1 is built on Ubuntu 24.04 Long Term Support (LTS) distro and powered by the Linux kernel 6.8. While most Linux users know that the Linux kernel developers no longer support the 6.8 kernel, it’s still safe to use. Canonical, Ubuntu’s parent company, will support this kernel until April 2029 and offer extended support until March 2034. Mint will also stand behind this release until April 2029. Also: This portable, lightweight Linux distro has an old-school feelIf you want to upgrade in the future, Mint will make it easy: “Until 2026, future versions of Linux Mint will use the same package base as Linux Mint 22.1, making it trivial for people to upgrade.”Mint 22.1 includes a major overhaul of Debian Linux’s Advanced Packaging Tool (APT). This command and its dependencies and relatives work in the background when you install new software or update old programs. Many of these programs have grown rusty, so Mint is replacing them with the next generation of these tools: Aptkit and Captain. These changes aim to enhance system reliability. Also: How to keep Linux optimized (and save time) with StacerUsers who never go deeper than Mint’s graphic Software Manager won’t need to worry about these changes. They’re all under the hood. The Mint team said: “This modernization ensures that Linux Mint’s package management remains robust, user-friendly, and ready for the future.” More

ZDNETTask managers and to-do lists are a great way to keep you organized. I’ve used various tools for keeping track of the things I need to get done for a long time, and they’ve really made a difference.However, not all to-do lists and task managers are created equal. Some task managers offer little more than bulleted or numbered lists to keep track of your tasks, while others offer so many features that they quickly become overwhelming.Also: 5 to-do list apps on Android I recommend for staying on trackAnd then there’s the sweet spot, where the ideal mixture of features and simplicity lives. One task manager that exists in that zone is Super Productivity.Super Productivity is for those who really need to be productive. This task manager features to-do lists, time tracking, insights, timesheets, work summaries, integration with services such as Jira, Gitlb, GitHub, Open Project and more; CalDAV integration; focus mode; break reminders; notes; bookmarks; file attachments and more.Super Productivity is also open-source, which means you can download, view, and even edit the source code for the app. Super Productivity is free and available for Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android and iOS. Installation of Super Productivity is quite simple on all platforms. For example, you can install the app on Linux with Snap like so:sudo snap install superproductivityInstalling on Windows, MacOS, Android and iOS is just a matter of opening the respective app store, searching for Super Productivity and installing. More

ZDNETIn most cases, I’m not a big fan of “optimizers.” This is especially true with mobile operating systems and Windows. But with Linux, most optimizers are apps you can count on to do exactly what they claim.According to the Stacer website, “Stacer is an open source system optimizer and application monitor that helps users to manage entire system with different aspects, it’s an all in one system utility.”Also: The 4 most Windows-like Linux distros to try because change is hardAnd that, my friends, is exactly what Stacer is. This handy little app allows you to:Manage startup appsClean caches, logs, and trashManage services and processesUninstall appsCheck system resourcesManage apt repositoriesStacer is available for Ubuntu, Fedora, and Arch-based distributions and is free to install and use. I will give you one word of warning about this app: As with any system cleaner, your mileage may vary. I’ve not found any problems when using Stacer, but if you delete your Application Caches and Logs, the app launch could slow down. After using those apps, the speed should pick up again. Even with that caveat, I tend to like having the ability to clean a system.How to install StacerWhat you’ll need: The only things you’ll need for this are a running instance of Linux and a user with sudo privileges. More

Richard Drury/Getty Images ZDNET’s key takeaways Monarch Money<!–> is one of the most feature-rich personal financial programs I’ve tested, and it offers a free week-long trial.  Pros: It’s easy to set up and has powerful tools for analyzing finances and building a budget.  Cons: It’s one of the more expensive Mint alternatives I’ve tested. In […] More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETLast August, Google rolled out a feature for Gmail that lets you use Gemini to fine-tune your drafts and replies. With the tap of a button, you can summarize an email, have Gemini write a reply on its own, rewrite a draft that you wrote, and more.Also: Gemini’s latest AI feature could be the future of web browsingThe feature is convenient and works well, but is a little clunky in actual use because you have to copy and paste Gemini’s work into the reply pane — not the easiest thing to do on a phone.Simple ‘Insert’ buttonGoogle is making steps to fix that problem by adding a simple “Insert” button on the Android version of Gmail that you can click to approve the AI-written message and move it to the reply window where you can make any edits. It’s a small change, but one that makes using Gemini a little easier.You’ll see the new button to the right of the screen on the bottom, on the same row as the thumbs up and thumbs down, and just below tools like formalize, elaborate, and shorten. When you tap it, Gemini sends the current version of what it has written into your reply window, ready to send.The feature was first spotted in December, but appears to be getting a wide rollout now. If you don’t see it yet (it was visible on my Google Pixel 8 Pro), you should soon.Also: Google TVs are getting a major Gemini upgrade in 2025If you’re not using Gemini on Gmail, you should know that it does more than generate messages. You can find information from Google Drive files, search for certain types of emails (like “Show unread emails only from the past 5 days” or “Emails from Chris sent last week”), get information about Google Calendar events, summarize entire email threads, and even create events in your Google Calendar. More

Microsoft Microsoft’s Office 365 apps have been the cornerstone for many working professionals’ day-to-day workflows for years. As a result, when the company developed its AI assistant, Copilot, it was only natural to infuse it across the 365 apps, and now, it is getting even more helpful.  Also: Microsoft’s Copilot AI is coming to your […] More

ZDNET only writes about deals we want to buy — devices and products we desire, need, or would recommend. Our experts looked for deals that were at least 20% off (or are hardly ever on sale), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops. We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we’re recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing — in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter.  More

At this point in the smart ring race, everyone is trying to beat Oura. But the Oura Ring 4 proves that the smart ring pioneer’s position isn’t wavering anytime soon. While most smart rings simply provide you with the health data it collects, the Oura Ring 4 tells you the story and the context behind that data for greater information on your health. Oura recently revealed the Oura Ring 4, the successor to its popular Oura Ring 3 which debuted in 2021. The new generation comes with smart sensing technology for a more accurate, thinner, less obtrusive, and longer wear with fewer gaps in data capture. Oura upgraded the number of signal pathways (basically how the sensors monitor and collect data inside the ring) from eight in Ring 3 to 18 in Ring 4. It also flattened the inside of the Ring 4 for more comfortable wear (if you have worn the Ring 3, you know how irritating the domed sensors could get around your finger after prolonged wear). Lastly, the smart sensing allows for one extra day of battery life, upgrading from seven days in Ring 3 to eight in Ring 4. Oura presents my sleep, activity, and recovery data through a scoring system on the main page. These scores and descriptions enable me to track my progress or pinpoint weak spots over time. The simplified overall score of, say, my readiness or sleep, appears with a detailed chart monitoring heart rate, body temperature, and blood oxygen levels throughout the day and night. The ring also senses when I’m stressed and adjusts my daily activity goals accordingly. One recent night, it detected my significantly raised body temperature and suggested I use the rest mode function, which deprioritizes activity and prioritizes rest and recovery. Also: Oura Ring 3 vs Oura Ring 4: Which model should you buy? There are also eye-opening features like Daytime Stress, which captures your body’s stress levels over the day and showcases them on a timeline. Oura allows me to understand my physiological responses to various forms of stress, like a high-intensity workout, a night out with friends, or a bad day. What differentiates Oura from its competitors is its amazing user interface that hosts all the health data you could ever need — while staying mindful not to overwhelm you. Every number or graph is typically followed up with a short and digestible summary that turns your data into a helpful suggestion for sleep, activity, or stress. You can also easily click into a metric, whether that’s heart rate variability or respiratory rate, and get a historical view of it over time. The ease with which you can look at daily, weekly, and monthly health data — and how that data is communicated so clearly through the app — is a major reason why Oura is the best smart ring. There are many reasons to opt for Oura, but one that comes up frequently in conversation is how many apps partner with Oura. Natural Cycles, Strava, and other health apps offer data syncing into Oura’s app. I love that when I use Strava for runs, it automatically shows up in my Oura timeline. Also: The Oura Ring 4 is the best smart ring I’ve tested so farThis comprehensive but simple approach is evident in the ring’s form factor and integrations. The ring syncs with Apple Health, Google Fit, and iOS and Android apps, allowing you to see your daily and even monthly metrics from your mobile device. The downside, which Redditors and reviewers often point out, is the $6-per-month membership cost to unlock personal insights, like in-depth morning sleep analysis and temperature trend monitoring (which can even predict early stages of illness). Non-paying members only have access to sleep, readiness, and activity insights. Thankfully, Oura’s customer service is great. ZDNET staff writer Allison Murray called them after her ring’s battery began to falter, and the company sent her another ring free of charge. Oura Ring Gen 4 tech specs: Material: Lightweight titanium with non-allergenic, non-metallic inner molding | Battery life: Up to 8 days | Charging: Full charge in 20 to 80 minutes | Compatibility: iOS and Android | Durability: Water-resistant up to 328 feet | Sizing: 4 to 15  More