Robotics

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Torras PolarCircle is on sale on Amazon for $40. It has an active cooler that’s more effective than a standard fan, and it’s almost totally silent. Naturally, it also consumes more power than most. more buying choices On Amazon and Torras’ website, the Torras PolarCircle Qi2–> is on sale for […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways This super-thin, super-durable tool has a myriad of uses. These are priced well, with cheaper copies on the market, but you should avoid them because they’re not a patch on the originals. The only downside I’ve found is that I can’t seem to find the Mini Spudgers for sale on their […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Google Pixel 9a is the latest midrange phone from the company and retails for $499. It features a new Tensor G4 chip, helpful AI tools, an improved main camera, and the largest battery of any Pixel. You’ll have to settle for some budget trade-offs, including the lack of a telephoto […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Wahoo Elemnt Ace is available now for $599.99. The display is large with easy to read text, the user interface is easy to navigate, the electronic bell is loud, and positioning is accurate. The bike computer is heavy, the display is a bit dim, battery life is less than advertised, […] More

Working from home or in the office comes with its own set of distractions, but your mouse shouldn’t be one of them. A silent mouse lets you click, scroll, and work without the constant tapping sound. This is great for shared spaced, gaming, or late-night study sessions. Paired with noise-canceling headphones, you can achieve blissful silence.From stylish picks to ergonomic and budget-friendly options, we’ve tested the best silent mouse options to help you find the best distraction-free setup. Currently, our top pick is the HP 280 mouse.What’s the best silent mouse right now? We surveyed the market and tested some of the best silent mice you can buy today that can help you get the job done — in silence. Our top pick for the best silent mouse overall is the HP 280 More

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETIn the decades since I started using Linux, I’ve experienced just about every distribution ever created, some of which were user-friendly and some of which were not. In some cases, I was determined to use them just for the bragging rights that I’d installed and used one of the most challenging operating systems on the planet. Other times, I just needed something to work out of the box.Also: Miss old-school Linux? This distro will take you back to the early 2000sIf you’re new to Linux, you’ve probably come across lists of distributions you should try first, like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, elementary OS, and others. What you might not have read, however, is a list of distributions you should avoid until you’ve mastered the command line and aren’t afraid to do a lot of things manually. But what are those distributions? Behold! The list. 1. Linux From Scratch Linux From Scratch (LFS) is the single hardest take on Linux you’ll find because it’s not a distribution per se. Instead, LFS is a set of instructions for building your own distribution from the ground up. Sounds hard, right? It is. One of the reasons LFS exists (other than creating cool Linux distributions) is to help people learn three important deep-dive concepts: Compiling the kernelInstalling base system softwareConfiguring and installing hardware driversAlso: These 6 lightweight Linux apps let older PCs run blazing fastWhen you have a solid understanding of those three concepts, the sky’s the limit with what you can do on Linux. On top of that, when you finish with LFS, you’ll have a custom Linux distribution that you can either use yourself or distribute to the world. 2. Gentoo Gentoo Linux is the most challenging of all the Linux distributions available. The reason Gentoo is so challenging is that you have to compile everything from source — from the OS to the apps. If you’ve ever compiled an app from source, you know how challenging dependency spirals can be. You attempt to compile App X, only to find out it depends on App Y, but App Y depends on App Z — and so on. I’ve spent hours trying to solve dependency issues, and it’s not fun. Imagine doing that for every single app on a system. Also: 5 best Linux distros for staying anonymous – when a VPN isn’t enoughUntil you feel like you’ve mastered the fundamentals of Linux, don’t even think about Gentoo. More

When it comes to lawn mowers, there is such a thing as overkill. If you’ve been on the fence about what kind you’ll need for your yard, push and walk-behind models are best for yards that are about a quarter of an acre or less, while riding mowers are suited to larger properties, up to five acres, depending on the cutting deck width. If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly way to care for your lawn, brands like Ego Power+ and Ryobi offer battery-powered options that eliminate fuel emissions and the need for yearly engine maintenance like oil changes. There are even robotic options with Roomba-like functionality for automated lawn care. What is the best lawn mower right now? While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all option for a lawn mower, there are a few models that stand out for different reasons. The Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Fire TV Soundbar Plus is perfect for those who want an affordable plug-and-play solution, available now for $480. Bass is impressive (especially with the subwoofer), and the dialogue enhancement feature is helpful for clarity. It lacks built-in Wi-Fi streaming, smart features, or Alexa integration, connects with Bluetooth, and doesn’t have […] More