Robotics

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Canon EOS R100 mirrorless camera is a great starter for aspiring photographers. It features a 24-megapixel sensor for great image quality and color and can capture 4K (UHD) video at 24 frames per second. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a flip-out preview screen. more buying choices It’s a great time to […] More

Srinophan69/Getty Images What if there were a way to see the future of your health through a simple blood test? This test would assess your susceptibility to certain cancers and present your cholesterol, blood health, fatigue, glucose, and more in the context of longevity and holistic wellness.  Also: How healthy is your home? Ultrahuman’s newest device […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra battery and inverter unit is available now for $6,299 while the Smart Home Panel 2 is available for $1,899. The single unit has a 6kWh capacity and supports a 7,200W output and 5.6kW solar input, allowing it to run an entire home, especially when stacked with […] More

ZDNETWith Windows 10 support due to end soon, many users are looking for an alternative OS, so they don’t have to purchase yet another computer. One of the best options for most people is Linux. Modern Linux distributions are user-friendly, rock-solid, and free.If you have zero experience with Linux, you might think it’s above your skills, so you have yet to find the courage to use it. Back in 1997, when I discovered Linux, I was clueless about how it worked. When I finally installed the open-source OS, I didn’t know that it overwrote Windows, which meant I had no choice but to learn Linux.Also: Thinking about switching to Linux? 10 things you need to knowHowever, there was another option: dual-booting. What is dual-booting?Essentially, dual-booting means you’ll have access to two (or more, if necessary) operating systems. For example, let’s say your computer is running Windows 10 and you want to install Linux alongside it. You would install Linux, making sure to set it up properly during the installation (more on that in a bit), such that you would have access to both operating systems (although not simultaneously).Also: 5 ways to save your Windows 10 PC in 2025 – and most are freeOnce you’ve set up dual-booting, when you start (or restart) your computer, you get to select which operating system you want to use. If you have both Linux and Windows installed, you’ll be presented with those two options. Even better, when using Linux, you can also mount the Windows partitions and access the files housed within that OS.So, why would you want this option? It’s a great way to test Linux while still having Windows available to you. Another great reason to take this approach is that you can use Linux while still having access to the Windows apps you depend on. You could boot into Linux, use it for whatever you need, and then reboot the computer, select Windows, and use whatever apps you need (if the tools aren’t available for Linux). Dual-booting is a way to get the best of both worlds.I will add that, from my perspective, the best option for testing Linux, while retaining Windows, is to use a virtual machine manager (such as VirtualBox). However, not everyone is comfortable using virtual machines (they can be a bit intimidating). If dealing with virtual machines sounds too complicated for you, then dual-booting might be the best option. More

Maria Korneeva / Getty Images Running low on battery juice is one of the most frustrating problems on a Windows laptop. To combat this, Microsoft offers an Energy Saver mode that tries to keep the charge alive. But that option dims your screen, making it more difficult to see, especially in low-light conditions. Now Microsoft […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera is a practical, battery-powered solution for darker areas around your house that lack wiring and outlets. The AA batteries allow the floodlights to beam at 700 nits of brightness, which is not the most powerful on the market but good enough to see your surroundings. […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Audio-Technica Sound Burger retails for $199 and comes in yellow, black, or white. The Sound Burger has unparalleled portability, a long battery life, and provides a novel listening experience. It doesn’t have a counterweight, and also doesn’t have an auto-return feature. –> Technology is all about embracing the now. So, […] More

Tiernan Ray / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETGoogle this week made available the latest iteration of its Veo video-generation tool to users of its Gemini artificial intelligence program who have a “Pro” or “Ultra” account.Also: I used Google’s Flow AI to create my own videos with sound and dialogue – Here’s how it wentVeo has been available in preview for some time now. What’s new with the latest implementation is the ability to begin your video by uploading a still image to serve as the initial frame. (ZDNET’s Prakhar Khanna has reported his experience using the capability as a built-in feature of his Honor 400 phone, versus using it through the website as I did.) How to use Veo to generate videos from photosYou give the system a prompt, press enter, and Veo creates an eight-second video using your uploaded photo as a reference point from which to build the first frame of video. Veo adds sound, including music, footsteps, and other incidentals. Videos take several minutes at a time to develop. Also: This interactive AI video generator feels like walking into a video game – how to try itIn my testing so far, I find Veo’s implementation both fascinating and a bit creepy. My results with Veo’s photo-to-video featureI tried several still images I had taken, including a selfie and some street photography. Seeing one’s pictures come to life, if you will, is jarring. It is disconcerting how well it works, and, as the photographer, it’s disconcerting how the result contrasts with one’s memory of the event.Also: This new AI video editor is an all-in-one production service for filmmakers – how to try itThe good aspects are the quality of the video, which is in keeping with the photographic image. Things such as perspective of a scene are generally well maintained, and moving objects in the background are, in some cases, well-orchestrated to be consistent.1. Jogger running along the promenadeHere, for example, is a photo I took of a jogger on the East River promenade in Manhattan. I gave Veo the prompt, “Please make a video in which the jogger continues to run into the distance along the promenade.”Below is the original still image followed by the Veo video. More