Robotics

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Eufy E15 Robot Mower for yards up to 0.2 acres is available for $1,600, while the Eufy E18 covers up to 0.3 acres and costs $2,000 This robot mower uses visual recognition, AI algorithms, and 3D sensors to distinguish the boundaries of a lawn and avoid obstacles in real time […] More

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETWindows 10’s end of life is coming in 2025, and that means you have to hope your machine can run Windows 11, buy a new computer, or try something different — like Linux.Linux shouldn’t be considered a last-choice alternative, either, because it’s every bit equal to Windows or MacOS. It’s reliable, secure, user-friendly, and free. What more do you want?Also: Don’t know how to quit Windows 10? This Linux distro is for you – and it’s freeI know: You want an operating system that looks and feels like Windows 10. That makes perfect sense because you’ve been using Microsoft’s OS for a long time and change is often hard. Which distribution is right for those seeking a seamless transition from Windows to Linux? There are quite a few choices out there; I’ll show you what I consider your five best options. 1. KDE Neon Slight resemblance to Windows 7 and fully configurable More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETIn the age of smart TVs, convenience is king. With just a few clicks, we can dive into endless entertainment — but that ease comes with a downside: the buildup of cache data. Also: Your Google TV just got a useful feature upgrade for free, and smart home users will love itJust like on your phone or computer, a cluttered TV cache can lead to sluggish performance, app crashes, and even hinder new content from loading properly. That’s why it’s important to clear all that extra cache and make your TV feel like new again. Before I break down the steps for how to do it, let’s address the big elephant in the room first. What is a cache? A cache is a temporary storage area where data is kept for quick access. On your smart TV, the cache stores information from apps, websites, and system processes to help them load faster every time you turn it on. Think of it as a bunch of temporary files intended to speed up loading times for frequently accessed information. Also: The best TVs of 2025: Expert tested and reviewedFor instance, when you open a streaming app, the cache might store thumbnails, login details, or recently watched shows. Caches are designed to help your TV load this content more quickly. Over time, however, the cache can become overloaded with outdated or unnecessary data, which can consequently slow down your TV’s performance. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways HP’s 14-inch EliteBook X G1a features AMD’s latest Ryzen AI Pro chip, starting at $2,184. It’s a powerful enterprise laptop with lots of I/O, a sleek form factor, and comfortable keyboard. It’s expensive, and can run warm under a heavy workload. –> HP reorganized its laptop lineup last year, renaming its […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Beats’ latest Pill speaker is available for $150 in five colorways: Statement Red, Matte Black, Champagne Gold, Navy Blue, and Blush Pink. An impressive battery life and a subtle, clean design set the Beats Pill apart from its competitors. However, Beats’ overemphasized, bass-forward sound can mask the other aspects of a […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETAT&T’s iPhone trade-in promotion just made it much easier for existing iPhone users to upgrade to the latest models. For a limited time, the carrier will deduct up to $1,000 off an iPhone 16 model More

TCL/ZDNETLooking to upgrade your home theater with a truly cinema-sized TV for catching summer sports and movie streaming premieres? Right now at Best Buy, you can get the 98-inch TCL Q65 More

Lance Whitney / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETThink that Apple’s Siri snooped on your private conversations in the past? If so, you may be able to snag a slice of the $95 million that Apple is paying out to settle a class action lawsuit.A settlement page published Friday in the case of Lopez v. Apple Inc. explains the steps and deadlines for people who want to make a claim. The settlement is geared toward current or former users of a Siri device in the US whose conversations with the voice assistant were captured by Apple or shared with third parties due to an “unintended Siri activation.” How to qualifyTo qualify, you must have been using the device between Sept. 17, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2024. How to enter a claimIf you’re in the qualifying group, you should receive an email or postcard with a Claim Identification Code and a Confirmation Code alerting you to the settlement. In that case, head to the claim submission page, enter both codes, and then log in to proceed.Also: 7 ways to lock down your phone’s security – before it’s too lateIf you don’t receive either the email or postcard, you can still try to put together a claim. To do that, enter a new claim at the submission page. You’ll be asked to provide your contact information along with a serial number and model name for the Siri device or proof of purchase. You can add as many as five different devices, including an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePod, or any other gadget that uses Siri. Either way, you’ll be asked whether you want to receive your payout by direct deposit to your bank account or by electronic check. Don’t wait too long to file a claim; the deadline is July 2, 2025. You can also opt to do nothing, in which case you simply won’t collect anything.Following the filing deadline, the court still has to approve the settlement before payouts can begin. A final approval hearing is scheduled for Aug. 1 with US District Judge Jeffrey White in the federal court in Oakland, California. More