Robotics

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Fitbit Ace LTE is a kids’ smartwatch and fitness tracker that costs $230 (on sale for $180 right now), with a proprietary Ace Pass LTE data plan costs $10 a month or $120 annually. The Fitbit Ace LTE features a rich, kid-friendly platform that is easy to navigate, and the […] More

Segway/ZDNETThe Segway Max G2 is an electric, kick-style scooter that’s a great, eco-friendly way to commute to work or school, run errands, or visit friends. If you’re not having any luck with the Amazon Spring Sale, you can save $600 on one More

I have been exercising with fitness trackers like smartwatches and smart rings for over a year, and the devices have helped me track my progress over time, check my vitals during workouts, understand my recovery, and motivate me to keep my activity streaks alive. Whether you’re dialing into your fitness routine or want to learn more about your activity patterns, a health tracker can uncover the details of your activity and sleep throughout the day, week, and month. Also: The best Amazon Spring Sale deals live nowWhile the price of some of these trackers can easily surpass $300, Amazon’s Big Spring Sale could reduce select products, and we’re already seeing record-low savings on the latest Apple Watch More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Eero Pro 7 is available for $300. The tri-band Eero Pro 7 supports wireless speeds of up to 3.8Gbps and a coverage area of up to 2,500 square feet per unit, making it ideal for congestion management. As a midrange router, the Eero Pro 7 is not great for complicated […] More

<!–> Adam Breeden/ZDNET When does Amazon’s Spring Sale end? The 2025 Big Spring Sale is slated to end Monday, March 31. However, as with most Amazon sales, we expect to see some lingering offers after the sale officially ends, as well as live offers from other retailers. We’ll keep you updated with all the best […] More

If you need to access login information, credit card numbers, or other personal data on your Android, you need a password manager. With a password manager, you can create and save strong, unique credentials (rather than reusing the same ones repeatedly) and protect them in an encrypted vault behind a master password and two-factor authentication. Also: The best password managers: Expert testedWhat is the best Android password manager right now?At ZDNET we’ve put plenty of password managers through their paces, to identify the best places where you can securely store your data while having easy access to your logins on your Android device. Our pick for the best free password manager for Android is Bitwarden More

Lance Whitney / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETMicrosoft is overhauling its sign-in screens to make it easier to authenticate your account using passkeys and other passwordless methods. In a blog post published Wednesday, Robin Goldstein, partner director of product management for Microsoft Identity, said that the new sign-in process will appear in Outlook, Xbox, Windows, and Microsoft 365, among other services.Also: The best security keysThe new screens have already been popping up, starting with Xbox this past month. The rollout will continue through the end of April. At that point, the more than 3 billion Microsoft users around the world should see the revamped process when they log in to Windows on their PCs and to Microsoft’s platforms on the web. Streamlining the authentication UXOne of the main goals of the new process is to help people more easily use passwordless options, such as passkeys, facial recognition, and fingerprint scans. The current sign-in screens still emphasize passwords as the default login method. But given the move toward easier and more secure forms of authentication, a change has been needed. “Streamlining the authentication UX [user experience] design allowed us to rethink the default experiences for sign-in, putting even greater emphasis on usability and security,” Goldstein said. “Over the last few years, we’ve introduced several enhancements, including the ability to completely remove the password from your account and support for passkey sign-in instead of using a password. Our new UX is optimized for a passwordless and passkey-first experience.” Also: Microsoft is changing the way you sign in – and it could be a security nightmareThe new experience starts with the sign-up process. If you sign up for a Microsoft service with an existing email address, you won’t be prompted to create a password. Instead, you’ll receive a one-time security code via email that you’ll then verify to gain access. Once you’re logged in, you’ll be asked to create a passkey. If you do so, your passkey will become the default sign-in option whenever possible. “By bringing your own email address to a new Microsoft account, you start in a recoverable state, and you don’t have to create a new Microsoft password that could be easily forgotten or guessed by an attacker,” Goldstein explained. “All you need to do is verify the email with a one-time code, and this becomes the default credential for your new account, so you start off passwordless. Not only that, but you now have an email address attached to your account if you ever need to recover your account or get started on a new device.” Also: These 10 weak passwords can leave you vulnerable to remote desktop attacksMicrosoft is also revamping the flow of the sign-in screens. Depending on how you currently log in, you may have to contend with multiple screens, each with its own choices. That can make the entire experience too complex and cumbersome. The new process promises to reorder the screens in a more intuitive way and simplify each screen so they all flow more smoothly. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The TCL QM8 (2024) features rich colors and searing brightness. It has enhanced audio over 2023’s model, while still being easy to set up and navigate. I wish the viewing angles weren’t somewhat limited, and you’ll want to wait for a deal to buy one. more buying choices Best Buy is […] More