Robotics

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETAs a tech reporter, I attend events and conferences with other gadget aficionados. A telltale sign that a product is good is when reporters and attendees rave about it and even use their money to buy it. And no matter where I went, I couldn’t escape the glowing Meta Ray-Ban More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Dreo Smart Wall Heater is now on sale for $117 on Amazon. This little 1,500W heater pumps out warmth and has just the right amount of features to set it above the competition. The vertical oscillation fin can be paused, but only in three positions – pointing upward, straight out, […] More

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETApple has been sprinkling AI features into its devices via Apple Intelligence and iOS updates. These features have mainly been fun, nice-to-have additive tools, such as Genmoji, Clean Up in Photos, and Natural Language Search in Photos. However, Apple’s latest feature, which is still under wraps, targets a major pain point for users — their phone battery.New Apple Intelligence feature in iOS 19Earlier this week, Bloomberg correspondent and Apple watcher Mark Gurman reported that Apple is working on a new Apple Intelligence feature to help users’ device batteries last longer. According to sources close to the matter, the feature is expected to be released with Apple’s iOS 19 update, slated for September. NEW: Apple prepares a new Apple Intelligence feature for iOS 19 coming this fall — an AI-powered battery optimization mode to extend battery life. This will be particularly aimed at the iPhone 17 Air, which will use the feature to offset a smaller battery. https://t.co/tWDZlUClbd— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) May 12, 2025

The AI-powered optimization feature will reportedly learn a person’s device-usage habits through their battery data and make adjustments to conserve energy, such as predicting when to lower power draw for specific use cases. The feature will also predict how long it will take to charge a device and display that estimate on the lock screen. Apple has not responded to a request for comment. More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETWelcome back to another busy week of health tech news. I’m rounding up some of the most notable news to come out of the health wearables space every week. There’s a lot to talk about, so let’s dive in.  Two years of Apple Watch shipment declineAmid growing global smartwatch shipments from competitors, Apple is seeing two years of smartwatch shipment declines, according to a report by Counterpoint Research. In 2024, shipments declined by 19%. Counterpoint says that a lack of a new SE model option, that is, Apple’s most budget-friendly smartwatch, drives part of this decline. Also: I switched to the Apple Watch after a four-year hiatus – here’s why it’s near perfect nowCould the release of an updated SE model alongside feature improvements across the Apple Watch lineup turn things around? We’ll have to wait for Apple’s September event, where it debuts the latest wearable hardware to see. That said, I’m interested in what our ZDNET readers would like to see in an Apple Watch update, so leave a comment below if you have some ideas on your Apple Watch wishlist. Speaking of Apple Watch, Apple released watchOS 11.5 this week, and while there aren’t many groundbreaking features hitting this update, you should still get around to updating your Apple Watch when you can. Software updates like watchOS 11.5 keep everything running smoothly and ensure that features and bugs are optimized or fixed for long-term use. Acer’s FreeSense Ring takes on Oura More

Let’s talk tunes: This speaker from Sony is my favorite one to listen to at the beach, in the park, or at home in my bedroom. I’ve used the speaker to play music during dinner parties, and even amid a group of 15 friends all sat around the table, the sound was clear and strong. It gets plenty loud and offers crystal-clear sound. It’s also waterproof, dustproof, and rustproof, so you can splash water on it or kick sand onto it without a problem. The speaker comes with a handy little carrying strap for maximum portability and a 12-hour battery life that should last you an entire day of tomfoolery by the water. More: Finally, a portable Bluetooth speaker that sounds great but won’t break the bankWhat I also love about this speaker is how much quality Sony packs into a fairly affordable Bluetooth speaker with great sound. You’re getting a high-quality speaker that punches well above its price point. For summer beach days, I can’t recommend the Ult Field 1 enough and am looking forward to blasting my favorite songs on it as I hang in the sand this season. Right now, select colorways of the speaker are discounted by $40, bringing the price of this speaker down to $88.  More

When is Memorial Day? Memorial Day in the US is on Monday, May 26, and while most of the event’s deals happen during the weekend, major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Target often start listing them earlier.How did I choose these Memorial Day deals? I focused on deals that not only saved you a notable amount of money (especially if it’s on a phone that typically isn’t discounted) but were on devices that I’ve personally tested and recommended. Whether it’s a non-Pro iPhone or a budget Android device, I’ve spent enough time throughout the market to know what’s truly worth investing in.What are the tariffs in the US? The recent US tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.CNET: Tariff Pricing Tracker: We’re Watching 11 Products You Might Need to BuyThe new US tariffs also hit laptops and PCs hard, with import duties potentially increasing prices by up to 35%. Many major brands still rely on Chinese and Vietnamese factories for assembly, meaning consumers could soon pay significantly more for everything from budget Chromebooks to high-end gaming rigs. These tariffs may accelerate efforts to move production to regions like Mexico or India, but shoppers can expect higher costs and fewer discounts in the short term.Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.    More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The RingConn Gen 2 Air is a $200 smart ring, one of the first subscription-free and affordable smart rings I’ve tested. The battery life can survive up to eight or nine days of use, and the sleep data collection rivals Oura. The AI health partner feature is lackluster, and it’s essential […] More

Current price: $200Original price: $250The nice thing about buying one of Oura’s earlier model smart rings is you’ll get the same app and software experience — just a different form factor and one less day of battery life. If prospective Oura Ring buyers don’t mind this, they should opt for the Oura Ring 3, which has reduced its price by around 20% since the Oura Ring 4’s debut.The Oura Ring tracks your daily sleep, stress, activity, and readiness to deliver scores, insights, and recommendations. It’s a great health tracker for people looking to optimize their sleep and activity routine, but who want gentle recommendations and encouragements that won’t make them feel bad about a poor night of sleep or a day of low activity. It’s constantly innovating with new features, like a Cardiovascular Age feature that tells you if your physiological age is ahead, behind, or at your chronological age. Plus, it partners with other health brands, like Dexcom, so you can keep track of your glucose levels on the Oura app if you use its Stelo continuous glucose monitor. The smart ring is compatible with Android and iOS phones, so everybody can use it to capture data. The only downside of an Oura Ring is its $70 annual subscription (which is not on sale) to unlock all that data it collects and displays. The Ring Gen 3 is also an sale in select finishes and sizes at Oura.  More