Robotics

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETThe 2025 hurricane season is underway, and while so far things have been surprisingly quiet, this could — and probably will — change. And if you happen to find yourself in the path or in surrounding areas of an, then it’s time to take things seriously and get your tech ready for whatever Mother Nature has in store.Also: 5 hurricane-tracking appsHow to prep your tech for bad weatherWhat you need: I detail what you’ll need in the steps below, but it’s basically all the essentials. That includes power banks and cables, flashlights or lanterns, waterproof bags, spare batteries, a first-aid kit and fire extinguisher, warm hats and gloves, emergency food and snacks, power station or jump starter, multitool, emergency radio or SOS beacon, and a waterproof drive. Also, bookmark reliable forecast sites or install a weather app, and practice with every bit of gear now so you’re not learning under pressure.Home kitThe essentialsAlso: The 5 brightest flashlightsThings that are nice to haveAlso: The 5 best portable power stationsCar kitThe essentialsThings that are nice to haveAlso: The best portable jump starters More

NurPhoto/Getty Images If you’re a current or former AT&T customer, a new class action settlement means you might be in line for a little cash. Earlier this year, the company confirmed two major data breaches — one from 2019 or earlier and one from 2024. The stolen data, which ultimately ended up for sale on […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Bose SoundLink Plus is available in Black, Blue Dusk, and Citrus Yellow for $269. For its relatively small size, this speaker offers big bass, great sound, and plenty of features for outdoor adventures. You can find speakers with similar audio output and even more software features for less money. –> […] More

Amazon / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETEarly 2025 was a tough time for Kindle fans. Also: The best Kindles of 2025: Expert tested and reviewedOn Feb. 26, 2025, Amazon disabled the ability to download Kindle book files to your computer. While Kindle books will no longer be available for your old devices after next week, you can upload EPUB (with a workaround) and mobi files. Here’s how to do that. Of course, it all starts with a storyAs a tech professional, there are many things I know because I know them. But I also learn things because it’s my job to fix the tech problems around the house. In this case, my wife had performed a factory reset on her cherished Kindle DX, which she purchased almost exactly ten years ago. After the reset, she couldn’t get any of her books to download.She wanted to clean the Kindle of all its cruft. Every book she ever bought, up until the last time she powered up the machine, had been on that device before the reset. She thought a factory reset would be the fastest way to start with a clean slate. It was indeed a clean slate. All that was left was a dictionary and user guide, both installed as part of the reset process. She couldn’t download anything else she wanted on it. Also: This simple Kindle accessory has seriously upgraded my reading experience – and it’s on saleI don’t use Kindles nearly as much as she does. I have one entry-level Kindle, which I read in the biologitorium, but that’s about it. I like keeping a Kindle there because it’s always available and nearly always has enough charge for bio-break sessions. As for my wife’s Kindle DX issue, it took a bit of Googling to figure out that the DX never supported Wi-Fi. The device did, however, come with full-time 3G cellular support, which is how she had loaded books on it throughout the years. Read that last paragraph and note that I’m writing this article in 2025, not 2014.  In 2014, we had 3G. By 2025, most of the major carriers in the US have shut down their 3G networks. Amazon has also phased out support of 3G More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Beats Solo4 headphones are available for $200 in Matte Black, Slate Blue, and Cloud Pink. Beats’ best-selling headphones return with up-to-date features, signaling that the company used the product’s long hiatus wisely. A tight fit and small ear cups may cut your listening experience shorter than you’d like. –> The […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Both of these Blackview smartphones retail for under $100 Both handsets have what it takes for tasks such as messaging, taking photos and video, social media, and browsing the web Both benefit form bumping up the virtual RAM to the max. –> It’s easy to think that you have to drop […] More

When it comes to buying a new TV, it can feel like every brand offers the same suite of preloaded apps and smart features. But ZDNET readers have zeroed in on their favorite TV models from brands like LG, Vizio, Samsung, and Hisense, which vary from high-end OLED screens to budget-friendly TVs for secondary displays. Features like AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync VRR support for console gaming, screen sharing via AirPlay or Chromecast, and Bluetooth connectivity allow you to create a well-rounded entertainment space in your living room or dedicated home theater.Also: The best TVs to buy in 2025Our team has put together a list of the top-selling TVs for ZDNET readers from different retailers in order of units sold via links in our product reviews (note that your privacy is protected: We only have access to aggregate data from our user base, and there is no way for us to identify individual people’s purchases). Read on to find out more about ZDNET’s most popular TV models in 2025 so far. Adam Breeden/ZDNETThe 6 most popular TVs among ZDNET readers this year The G4 OLED is LG’s latest addition to its line of high-end, flagship OLED TVs, featuring an updated panel for enhanced color accuracy and contrast, a brighter picture, and support for Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound. Console gamers will love the high refresh rate and support for both AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync VRR to prevent screen tearing and stuttering. “I’m not usually a fan of LG TVs, but since testing the LG G4 OLED TV last year, I have to admit that it has the most impressive picture quality of any TV I’ve ever bought, used, or tested,” ZDNET editor-in-chief Jason Hiner writes. The LG G4 OLED is available in a variety of sizes, but ZDNET readers gravitate toward the 65- and 83-inch models.Also: The LG G4 OLED is one of my favorite TVs for picture quality
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Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETGoogle recently released Android 16 to Pixel devices and select OEMs, bringing performance improvements, new Material You changes, and more upgrades. If you want to try this update but are hesitant because you’ve noticed your Android phone or tablet already feels too sluggish, clearing app and browser caches can give it a fresh boost and free up some storage space.Over time, cached data can accumulate, become corrupted, or simply get outdated, which may slow down your device. Restarting your phone often helps, but a targeted cache-clear is a quick way to boost responsiveness without upgrading hardware.Also: I changed 12 settings on my Android phone to give it an instant battery boostIn this guide, I’ll show you how to clear cached data on Android. If you’re an Apple user, here’s how to clear the cache on an iPhone.How to clear cached data from Android appsWhat you’ll need: Any Android device. The exact steps may vary slightly by manufacturer, but the general process remains the same. More