Robotics

Jason Howell/ZDNetGoogle’s A-series Pixel phones have consistently offered exceptional value, bringing premium features to the mid-range segment. With the recent launch of the Pixel 9a, consumers now have a choice between two compelling devices at similar price points. The Pixel 8a, released in 2024, remains a strong contender despite its successor’s arrival. Also: Google Pixel 8a hands-on: 3 features make this my favorite $499 phone todayThis decision is particularly relevant for current Pixel 8a owners considering an upgrade, as well as new buyers weighing their options. While both phones share Google’s software excellence and AI capabilities, they differ in several key areas from design philosophy to hardware specifications. Let’s break down the key differences.  Specifications Pixel 8aPixel 9aDisplay 6.1-inch OLED Actua Display with up to 120Hz6.3-inch OLED Actua Dispay with up to 120HzWeight 190g187g Processor Google Tensor G3Google Tensor G4RAM/Storage8GB with 128GB/256GB8GB with 128GB/256GBBattery4,492mAh with 18W wired charging, 7.5W wireless charging5,100mAh with 23W wired charging, 7.5W wireless chargingCamera64MP wide, 13MP ultra-wide, 13MP front48MP wide, 13MP ultra-wide, 13MP frontConnectivity5G Sub 6GHz, Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2.4GHz+5GHz+6GHz, HE80, MIMO5G + Sub 6GHz, Wi-Fi 6E with 2.4GHz+5GHz+6GHz, 2×2 MIMOPriceStarting at $499 More

Lance Whitney / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETOne of my favorite features in iOS 18.4 is Ambient Music. Here, you can add and access four different music tracks with gentle and calming sounds. Depending on the mood you want to achieve, you can choose from among four categories of music: Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing.Also: What’s new in iOS 18.4? AI priority notifications and 9 other big updatesI often listen to one of the four default songs as I meditate, typically Sleep or Chill. But there’s even more behind the scenes. Delve deeper into Ambient Music, and you’ll discover other songs beyond the default ones. That means you can choose your preferred music for each type of mood. Here’s how this all works.How to use Ambient Music on iPhoneWhat you need: You don’t need a special iPhone for this to work as long as it’s outfitted with iOS 18.4. Nor do you need an Apple Music subscription to listen to the default songs or choose a different song for each of the four categories. However, if you are a subscriber, you can also pick a playlist from your own music library. More

Westend61/Getty Images The Trump administration’s indecision over implementing tariffs has caused market turmoil, panic buying, and price increases across the tech market. While some companies appear to have won a break from the White House for tariffs on consumer electronics, this situation won’t last forever. So, could secondhand tech be a solution to exorbitant prices?  […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETSpring is in the air, and not only are the flowers blooming, but so are great deals on some of the best phones out there. OnePlus is joining in on the fun by offering a new deal on its latest flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 13 More

Getty Images/Just_Super Artificial intelligence (AI) makes creating new materials, such as text or images, as easy as typing a simple text prompt. Even though that capability means big productivity gains for individuals, bad actors can exploit AI to create elaborate cyber scams. Also: The best VPN services (and how to choose the right one for […] More

Alex Tai/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images I’ve been using Android since version 1.5, so it’s not often that a feature catches me off guard. You can imagine that when I do come across an unfamiliar Android feature, it’s an exciting moment. For more casual (or newer) users of Google’s mobile operating system, there are probably […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Platin Monaco 5.2.1 speaker system is available on Amazon for $1,000. With a simple setup and well-defined sound, the Monaco is ideal for entertainment streaming and small spaces. The Monaco’s subwoofer lacks power, and the system requires a phone app as the remote. –> Last year, the JBL Bar 1000 […] More

gremlin/Getty Images Fewer than half of business leaders say their data strategies — how data is collected, managed, stored, and accessed — are completely aligned with their business priorities.  That’s according to a 2025 Salesforce survey of more than 550 US senior business leaders of companies with at least 500 employees across multiple industries. The […] More