Robotics

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNETI have several Linux machines on my network, and I often need to access the desktop of one of those remote machines. Instead of trudging through the house, I can use Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to gain access to one of those remote desktops.However, setting up something like Xrdp (one of the Linux implementations of RDP) can be challenging, especially when communicating between different X servers (such as X.org to Wayland). Because of this, I turn to an application that vastly simplifies the setup and connection of remote machines.Also: 5 best Linux distros for staying anonymous – when a VPN isn’t enoughThat application is called NoMachine. With this wonderfully designed GUI app, you can make those connections so easily that you’ll wonder why you hesitated.I’ll walk you through the installation and usage of NoMachine so you can enjoy remote desktop usage on your LAN.Are you ready for this?How to set up remote desktop access to your Linux computersInstalling NoMachineWhat you’ll need: I will demonstrate this process connecting two Ubuntu-based distributions (Pop!_OS and Ubuntu). NoMachine is available for RPM and DEB-based distributions. To use NoMachine, you’ll need two different Linux machines and a user with sudo privileges.  More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETConnecting a tablet or laptop to a cellular network isn’t always as easy or convenient as connecting a phone. You need to add the device to your existing cellular plan at extra cost or go through your phone’s hotspot connection. Now, Google Fi is offering a new way to use a cellular connection without a phone — and without any extra cost.On Tuesday, Google announced that its wireless service now supports data-only eSIMs. This means that any cellular-enabled and eSIM-capable tablet or laptop can connect to the network all on its own, with no separate data plan and no phone required.Also: The best tablets you can buy: Expert testedA variety of devices now come with built-in eSIM. A search for eSIM-capable tablets reveals a host of recent choices, including the iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Microsoft Surface Pro X and Duo, and the Lenovo Tab. Laptops that have eSIM include models from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Microsoft. The specs for any given tablet or laptop should tell you if eSIM is built in.Google Fi has long offered a way to connect a tablet or laptop via a physical SIM. And that option remains available for older devices that don’t have eSIM capability. But an eSIM is easier and more convenient as you don’t have to fiddle with a tiny card. (Maybe it’s just me and my fumbling fingers, but I tend to drop SIM cards in the worst possible places.) More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Poseidon Pro is a full-feature power bank available now for $119. It’s incredibly robust, with water, dust and impact resistance. The accessories includes a lock knife which could be problematic in some jurisdictions. –> Power banks are a necessity, and while most are designed to withstand the rigors of being […] More

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETSamsung just released some new impressive gaming monitors, including the Odyssey OLED G8 More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is available now for $55 on Amazon. It’s a solid fitness tracker with great battery life that covers the basics in a slim form factor. It might not fit everyone, and the entry-level tracking data lacks the deep, personalized insights you’ll find on more expensive devices. […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETIn 2015, Jony Ive, Apple’s then-industrial designer, introduced the Apple Watch and explained the design decisions behind the wearable that would eventually revolutionize health technology. “You can’t determine a boundary between the physical object and the software,” Ive said. Also: Your next Apple Watch could have a feature that transforms healthcareOn the Apple Watch’s 10th birthday, this concept of boundary-less-ness still holds. Eight years after the iPhone’s debut, Apple created a device that blended into the wearer’s life, with technology that tracked steps, maintained connections with friends and family, and even saved a few lives along the way. Sure, the Apple Watch debuted during Fitbit’s reign, but the smartwatch, aided by constant feature innovation and mainstream ubiquity, trumped its competition in the long run.Tim Cook has said that Apple’s greatest contributions will be through its developments in health — and nowhere is this more true than through the Apple Watch. Throughout its 10-year run, the tech giant has churned out lifesaving features around a user’s wrist. In celebration of 10 years of the Apple Watch, here are some of the most impactful features that have come out of the device and revolutionized wearable technology.1. Closing rings More

A refurbished laptop, tablet, and Nintendo Switch at Back Market’s NYC lab.  Radhika Rajkumar/ZDNETPresident Donald Trump and his administration’s indecision over implementing tariffs has caused stock market turmoil, panic buying, and price increases across the tech market. While some companies appear to have caught a break from the White House for tariffs on consumer electronics, this situation won’t last forever. Could secondhand tech be a solution to exorbitant prices?Last week, refurbished electronics marketplace Back Market announced a partnership with device repair provider iFixit “to address the culture of fast tech and overconsumption,” the companies said in a press release. iFixit DIY maintenance kits and tutorials will be available on Back Market, which will, in turn, promote its refurbished tech within iFixit communities. Also: Samsung now sells refurbished Galaxy S24 Ultra, S24+, and S24 at discounted pricesI spoke with CEO and co-founder Thibaud Hug de Larauze during the partnership launch event at Back Market’s offices in New York. He noted that while the initiative isn’t tied to the economics of the moment — Back Market has been in operation for 10 years, eight in the US — the company has seen a recent uptick in demand for refurbished tech amidst the tariff turmoil.”What we’ve seen over the past 10 days is a hike in demand — we saw growth multiply by three,” he said.With fears like the possibility of a $2,300 iPhone circulating, discounted, repaired tech looks all the more appealing. Moreover, US customers buying from Back Market receive products already in the country, repaired by US-based refurbishers — meaning the entire process is domestic. There’s no risk of running into unpredictable international trade conditions. More

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETThe Google Pixel 9a More