Robotics

ZDNETHere we go again. A zombie news story that should have been laid to rest last January has risen from the grave and is walking among us again.The original storyIn case you missed the original story, here’s a recap: Last January, dozens of tech-focused news sites reported that the free upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 was “for a limited time only.” In a quote from the same source, they warned that Microsoft had decreed you would need to upgrade to Windows 11 to continue using Microsoft 365 apps on your PC after the Oct. 14, 2025, end-of-support deadline for Windows 10. Also: How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 – 2 free optionsThe problem with all those reports is they were based on an article by a very junior Microsoft employee posted on an obscure blog for Microsoft nonprofit customers. It wasn’t an official announcement, and the post was deleted that same day. A Microsoft spokesperson told ZDNET’s sister publication PCMag that the blog post “contained inaccurate information and a misleading headline.” Microsoft’s official support document, “What Windows end of support means for Office and Microsoft 365,” had been published a month earlier and was much less alarming. It begins: “Microsoft 365 apps will no longer be supported on Windows 10 after it reaches end of support on October 14, 2025.” That statement is repeated in bold later in the document: Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. After that date, if you’re running Microsoft 365 Apps on a Windows 10 device, the applications will continue to function as before. However, we strongly recommend upgrading to Windows 11 to avoid performance and reliability issues over time. Back in the newsSo why did this zombie story start appearing in my news feeds today? I blame Forbes.They’re the ones standing there, shovel in hand, shouting about “Microsoft’s surprise deadline u-turn” while continuing to quote from the inaccurate, long-since-deleted zombie blog post. Also: Is your Microsoft account passwordless yet? Why it (probably) should be and how to do it rightToday’s fuss is based on a newly published page at Microsoft’s product documentation site, Microsoft Learn: “Windows 10 end of support and Microsoft 365 Apps,” which contains this note: To help maintain security while you transition to Windows 11, Microsoft will continue providing security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 for three years after Windows 10 reaches end of support. These updates will be delivered through the standard update channels, ending on October 10, 2028. That shouldn’t be a surprise. The three-year continuation in security updates for Microsoft 365 matches the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates available to Microsoft’s enterprise customers. It would be a nightmare to rebuild the Microsoft 365 update servers so they delivered updates only to PCs running Windows 10 with an ESU subscription while blocking other Windows 10 devices. So everyone gets those updates. More

Through the Nitro Pro workspace, you can quickly download Windows, macOS, and iOS apps, as well as open up tools including requests to sign, self-signing, converting Word to PDF, and PowerPoint to PDF — or vice versa. The software’s user interface is easy to understand and contains all the functions you could need including text editing, highlighting, annotation, freestyle drawing, and conversion. However, in my opinion, Nitro Pro might be overkill for casual users. There are a few annoyances, such as trying to format and align large amounts of text, and sometimes the text correction function doesn’t work very well.The most interesting feature to note is Document Assistant. This tool, currently in beta, utilizes AI to create summaries, answer queries, or translate PDFs. You can upload files up to 25MB in size. So far, it seems quite good as a summary tool. You can choose between a variety of plans, including an individual license for $15 per month, starter pack bundles, small team subscriptions, and Nitro Pro Business, which includes volume license discounts. A 14-day free trial is available, but you don’t have to hand over any financial information. Demo modes, however, will watermark your documents. Although a lack of readily available support has been noted, many customers are still happy with the power of this PDF editor.Nitro Pro features: Editing functions | Document conversion | Demo available | Document Assistant AI | E-sign facilities | Free trial | SSO  More

“We’re excited to become a clinical-stage biotech company; it’s exciting from an AI drug discovery standpoint,” says Absci founder and CEO Sean McClain. Absci Artificial intelligence has been working its way into the drug development process for years now, but with little to show so far in revamping the notoriously burdensome process. While drugs are […] More

Save $80 on the Whisker Litter-Robot 4 Core Bundle More

Artie Beaty/ZDNETSports fans rejoice: ESPN is launching its own streaming service.In an announcement today, the sports media giant said its direct-to-consumer sports-only streaming service is set for rollout this fall. The name is pretty straightforward — ESPN. Also: The best live TV streaming services: Expert testedESPN does have a streaming service now in ESPN+, but that’s more of an add-on. It includes live sporting events, studio shows, documentaries, and more, but it doesn’t have the biggest events or actual ESPN channels.ESPN (the new streaming service) will carry every single piece of ESPN (the network) content. You’ll get all programming from ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, and ESPN+, plus live events like Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Baseball, College Football Primetime, and any game that’s airing on ABC (Disney owns ABC) — 47,000 live events a year in total. The unlimited package will cost $30 a month or $300 a year (a savings of about $60).  More

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETEven luck can’t escape being replaced by AI.Since its inception, Google Search has had an “I’m feeling lucky” button alongside the regular search button. Instead of taking you to a page of results for your search, the lucky button takes you straight to the site for the first result. It was a time-saving trick in the days of slower internet, but now it’s more of a playful throwback. Also: Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro update makes the AI model even better at codingOver the past several days, users have reported that the lucky button is gone. In its place is a button for AI mode. Instead of taking you to actual search results, AI mode opens a chatbot that gives you information about what you searched for and lets you have a conversation to learn more (given its AI history, though, perhaps a simple rebrand to “I’m feeling unlucky” is more apt). At least one editor at ZDNET has seen AI Mode replace the “I’m feeling lucky” button, as shown in the screenshot above.This change isn’t unexpectedEarlier this month, Google announced that since users were finding it so helpful, it was expanding AI mode. “In the coming weeks,” the company explained, “a small percentage of people in the US will see the AI Mode tab in Search.” Google didn’t say where this button might appear, but it’s clear from user reports that at least one potential option is where the lucky button is now. Also: How Google’s AI combats new scam tactics – and how you can stay one step aheadFortunately, the lucky button is not guaranteed to disappear. Users are also seeing it in a few other locations, including inside the search bar. While both options are about bypassing traditional search, it’s hard to imagine that many people actually use the lucky button these days. Still, it’s always nice to see it there. While a lot of people are averse to Google’s seeming insistence on injecting AI into its products, you have to imagine AI mode will almost certainly see more use.Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter. More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETYour Fitbit is about to get a little smarter. Also: Fitbit is dying a slow deathThe company announced three new AI features today for Fitbit Labs users — one that helps you understand your medical records better, and two that help you understand your own health better.1. Medical Record NavigatorFirst up is “Medical Record Navigator,” a tool that turns complex doctors’ reports into something you can easily understand. When you’re enrolled in this feature, you can upload lab results to Fitbit and get a Gemini-powered summary (Google owns Fitbit, in case you forgot) with clear language and related educational resources. Instead of complex and potentially scary medical jargon, you’ll see a simple explanation of your results. Also: The best fitness trackers: Expert tested and reviewedThis means you’re giving Fitbit access to some fairly sensitive information (and data collected through these labs is used by Fitbit for research and development purposes), but it seems like a useful way to better understand your body. 2. Symptom CheckerAlso on the way is “Symptom Checker,” which helps you understand why you’re feeling the way you do. When you describe your symptoms (like, “my side aches” or “I’ve had a headache for two days”), the feature will ask some follow-up questions and give you insight into what might be happening. Also: The top 20 AI tools of 2025 – and the #1 thing to remember when you use themFitbit says this is “a starting point” that can help you decide whether you should speak with a doctor. 3. Unusual trendsLast is “Unusual trends,” a feature that tracks small changes in your body that you might not otherwise notice. To start, the Fitbit app learns what’s normal for you in areas like your breathing rate while you sleep or your resting heart rate. If something trends away from what’s normal, you’ll get a notification. The app will not only tell you something is potentially amiss, but offer some connections as to why (like stress, a lack of sleep, or an illness), and some steps to address the issue. Also: The best sleep trackers: Expert tested and reviewedFitbit adds that these features showcase “experimental capabilities” that are only for “investigational use,” and aren’t intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or mitigate any disease or condition. More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETSamsung’s latest and greatest phone, the Galaxy Edge S25, was announced yesterday in all of its super-thin glory. The smartphone includes several updates, like a brighter display and an upgraded camera. The new upgrades pair better with devices like the Samsung Galaxy Ring to give you better, more detailed insights. Also: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge hands-on: This ultra-thin phone made my iPhone feel outdatedFollowing the launch, Samsung is offering a deal where you can get both devices for a discounted price. When you preorder a Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge More