Robotics

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETGoogle released Android 16 a bit earlier than expected, and although it was missing some crucial features, there are key additions to the platform that go a long way to improve security.This was an important step forward, as the need for improved security grows every year. Without companies like Google, Apple, and others upping the ante on security, the mobile space would wind up the wild west of the technological landscape, with ne’er-do-wells popping up all over the place, stealing data at will. Also: How to turn on Android’s Private DNS mode — and why it’s an absolute must for securityWell, Google has taken a pretty big step forward with Android 16 in the form of two key features, which I’m going to explain here. 1. Identity Check This feature was actually added back in 2024, but it wasn’t until the release of Android 16 that it started receiving much attention. What is Identity Check? Let’s say you’re away from home (which you’ve designated as a trusted location; more on that in a bit). While you’re gone, someone gains access to your phone and either goes to make changes to critical security settings or attempts to access saved passwords or other sensitive information. Because the phone is away from your trusted location, when that person tries to make those changes, biometric authentication will prevent them from accessing those features or data. Also: 7 simple things I always do on Android to protect my privacy – and why you should tooHere’s the thing about Identity Check: it’s not easy to find. The best way to locate the feature is to open the Settings app and search for “identity check.” Once on the Identity Check page, you can enable the feature (it should be enabled by default) and add a trusted location. Once you’ve added a trusted location, biometrics won’t be required for that particular place. More

Some people want every aspect of their health and fitness measured and graded, like it’s a test they’re trying to ace. Other people simply want to know that their health is in a generally good shape and receive notifications when something is off. I like the Apple Watch most for this reason. There’s much talk on the internet about how endlessly monitoring your health data can cause excessive stress in wearers and users. Because a lot of this tech, like Oura’s smart ring, Whoop’s fitness band, and Samsung’s ring and smartwatches, provides scores for factors like sleep, fitness, and stress, users report that they experience heightened pressure to achieve high scores—and that pressure is stressing them out. Apple takes a more holistic approach to its data capture and scoring mechanisms. For one, it doesn’t score anything out of 100, unlike the devices I’ve mentioned above. If you wear the smartwatch to bed, Apple’s Vitals app tells you if your overnight vitals, that is, your heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, and sleep duration, are within normal or abnormal ranges, notifying you when something is off and keeping you carrying on when nothing is. The watch tracks your time asleep and the various stages you fall into throughout the night, as well as heart rate graphs. Also: Your Apple Watch is getting a major upgradeI don’t use the Apple Watch much for sleep, but I always use it for exercise. The Activity Rings are a simple encouragement to stay active and move throughout the day, and the Fitness app’s seamless workout logging capability, which displays heart rate zones throughout the workout and active calorie burn, is great for quick glances mid-workout. I like the Apple Watch as a health tracker, yes, but also as an iPhone that’s wrapped around my wrist. I can receive calls and texts, set timers, ask Siri questions, and check the weather all through my Apple Watch. It’s a convenient device, especially for workers who can’t check their phone on the job or for people who want to leave their iPhone behind on walks or social outings while still staying minimally connected, if need be. There are a few Apple Watches to choose from, but I prefer the Series 10 over the SE and Ultra 2 thanks to the Series 10’s quick-charging capabilities, long battery life, and an appropriate amount of features for the price. The other two options are either too minimal for my tastes or too expensive for my budget.   More

Microsoft/Mark Russinovich Boy, do I wish I had been at this dinner. For decades, Microsoft and Linux fought like cats and dogs. However, while the conflict has cooled down, and Microsoft loves Linux these days, the two leaders, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Linux creator Linus Torvalds, had never met… until now. Also: Your jump from […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Proxy service platform Oxylabs offers an enormous pool of ethically-sourced residential proxies, meaning you’re likely to get good quality data without pushback from the sites you’re visiting. Oxylabs’ mix of API and AI made it easy for us to run test calls, and should provide a solid foundation for scraping apps. […] More

Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a casual user, there’s a laptop out there for you. Each year heralds in new models with improved performance, fascinating designs, and smart features that push the tech into new worlds. I live and breathe laptops because they are some of the most dynamic and versatile devices out there.Here at ZDNET, we test dozens of laptops each year, both in our lab and at homes. From those experiences, we then create our multitude of best laptop guides — but here, we’re doing something different.Also: The best laptops you can buyOur team has collected data on the top-selling laptops for ZDNET readers across different retailers. The following entries are listed in order of units sold through the links clicked from ZDNET reviews. (Be aware that your privacy is protected. ZDNET only has access to aggregate data from our specific user base. There’s no way for us to identify individual people.) Here are ZDNET readers’ most-purchased laptops for 2025 so far.  Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETThe 10 most popular laptops among ZDNET readers
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Kicking off our list is the Acer Aspire Go 15 Slim. Admittedly, I didn’t expect to see this on the list, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. The Aspire Go 15 Slim is a top-notch, budget-friendly laptop. At $300, you receive a highly capable device that is perfect for everyday usage. It can handle lightweight workloads with ease. What’s more, Acer’s model is slim, has a decent webcam, and a decent battery life of eight hours If you need a cheap laptop for work or school, the Aspire Go 15 Slim is highly recommended.Review: Acer Aspire Go 15 Slim
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 A decent drill is still a must-have in my opinion, especially one that can do triple duty — drill into wood and metal, hammer drill into concrete, and also drive screwdriver bits.I prefer cordless tools not only because they are more convenient, but also because I won’t trip and fall over the cord. For the screwdriving job, my brand of choice has got to be Dewalt. Its tools are durable, last years of use and abuse (this drill has been used as a hammer more than once!), and are reasonably priced. This 20V Max Cordless Drill Driver is currently priced at $100 (and discounted by $60). It offers two speeds, a 2.0Ah battery, and comes packed with a charger.  More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETAt this point in time, three things are certain when July comes along: backyard BBQs, fireworks past midnight, and Samsung Unpacked.Just today, Samsung confirmed that the next Unpacked event will take place on Wednesday, July 9, in Brooklyn, New York. This follows the host cities of Paris, France, and Seoul, South Korea, over the past two years, with the company suggesting that it’s chosen Brooklyn for its “bold ideas, creativity, and culture.”Also: The best Samsung phones to buy in 2025What’s expected at this summer’s Unpacked event? Foldable phones have been the trend for Samsung, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 slated for their releases. Key improvements we’re expecting include lighter and thinner designs, camera upgrades, and displays that match the quality of the well-tested S25 series. Hopefully, pricing will be a little more wallet-friendly, too. More

Sony Ult Field 1 <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Sony Ult Field 1 is a portable speaker available for $130 (but it’s currently $88 on Amazon) The speaker prioritizes crystal-clear sound and pronounced bass, with vibrant audio that sounds like it’s coming from a much more expensive device It doesn’t boast as long a battery […] More