Robotics

When you’re running sales at a scrappy startup, every decision matters. Do you really need more software? The answer is usually no. But before you know it, you’re drowning in spreadsheets, sticky notes, and huge gaps in memory about where you left off with a customer.Also: The best small-business CRM softwareYour growing business needs a proper CRM, or customer relationship management, system. But the budget is tight, so you’re not ready to commit to expensive monthly subscriptions. Thankfully, you’ve got a significant number of free CRM options available. And just because it’s “free,” doesn’t mean it’s low quality. Many premium CRM vendors offer limited access to their platform free of charge, as long as your needs are reasonable. So if you’re thinking about getting a CRM but don’t feel ready to pull out your credit card just yet, here are the best options for you.What is the best free CRM software right now?While there’s more than one good choice, my top pick for a free CRM has got to be HubSpot More

Jeff Fusco / Stringer / Getty Images Comcast has overhauled its home internet plans with price guarantees that will keep the cost from rising for as long as five years. Aimed at both new and existing subscribers, the new plans also add unlimited data, a free Xfinity WiFi Gateway, and a free year of Xfinity […] More

Bloomberg / Getty Images It doesn’t matter if you are with a digital-native or a more traditional organization — artificial intelligence is going to upend your ways of working or doing business. Even the digital natives are grappling with the implications of AI and generative AI. Lately, one digital-native company has been moving to generative […] More

Muhammad Aqib / Getty Images The unstoppable march of AI continues to gather pace. Analyst Gartner recently forecast that half of all business decisions will be fully automated or at least partially augmented by AI agents within the next two years. Also: 4 ways to turn AI into your business advantage Some organizations have experimented […] More

NurPhoto / Contributor/Getty The next time you search for something on YouTube, you might notice some differences, thanks to two new AI-powered tools. Also: The top 20 AI tools of 2025 – and the #1 thing to remember when you use them The streaming video platform is rolling out a new way to display search […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways IVPN is an open-source VPN with strong security protocols It’s easy to set up, and doesn’t require an email or credit card to sign up It’s also pricier than other comparable VPN options that also offer faster speeds –> I came across IVPN<!–> while researching the best VPNs for Linux. The […] More

Jaque Silva/NurPhoto /Getty If you use Google Sheets for work, Gemini is about to make your life a lot easier.  Also: Google’s new free AI agent brings Gemini right to your command line – here’s how to try it Sheets already has the capability for Gemini to assist with creating tables and formulas, generating graphs […] More

One of the great things about this job is that I get to write about all sorts of gadgets. Many times, the stuff that really catches my eye isn’t the hot-ticket item like a new iPhone, but the smaller, more obscure stuff. Things you might never have known existed, but they enter your life and change it for the better.And looking at the list of top-selling gadgets by number of units sold through our story links that ZDNET readers have been buying in 2025 so far, it seems that readers share my taste for smaller, more obscure gadgets that turn out to be super useful in their own way. (A note: 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.) So let’s take a quick look at what our readers have been buying. Also: I biohacked my sleep with these 5 gadgets (and it worked)Who knows, maybe there’s something here that will catch your eye or that you missed.The 10 most popular gadgets among ZDNET readers in 2025 While are the perfect choice for iPhone users, Bluetooth tracker options for Android users have been somewhat limited over the years. But a few companies have stepped up to the plate to fill that void, and one of those is Chipolo. The Chipolo One Point key fob is very much like an AirTag, powered by a battery that lasts about a year. It’s also water-resistant to IPX5 standard (which means it’s splashproof). It’s a great tag, and goes a long way to end the frustration (and arguments) that come from things like lost keys!Also: Finally, Bluetooth trackers for Android users that work better than AirTags (and are cheaper)
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