Robotics

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETMacBooks used to have a reputation for being expensive, but not so much anymore. These days, they’re some of the most affordable laptops you can get for the price. Case in point: the 13-inch MacBook Air M1 More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETCosts are steadily rising in the US, and energy costs are a prominent example. This is made worse by summer temperatures being at record highs, with heat waves wreaking havoc across various states in the past few weeks. As someone who’s gone through a few of these this summer alone, I’m constantly looking for ways to conserve energy.There are many little things you can do that can shave dollars off your monthly energy bill, and they go beyond switching off the lights when you leave the room. Did you know you can save 3% on cooling costs for every 1°F increase in your thermostat? As a fan of data, I’ve looked into multiple quantifiable ways to save energy and how these translate into saving money. Also: Apple’s tariff costs and iPhone sales are soaring – how long until device prices are too?Unplugging a single device when not in use isn’t going to save you a bucket of cash. But unplugging multiple devices adds up quickly to help you save, especially when you make a habit of it. Here are the devices you should unplug when they’re not in use, and how doing so could save you almost $200 a year, depending on your local rates.1. TVs, gaming consoles, and office devices More

Instagram / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET ZDNET’s takeaways Instagram is unveiling several new features.Including a Snapchat-style map that lets you see where your friends are.There’s also a new way to see content your friends are interacting with.Meta has unveiled a number of changes to Instagram, all aimed at helping you better connect with your friends and their favorite content. A new location-sharing map is on the way, along with new ways to find content. A Snapchat-style friend map Maybe the most useful feature is one taken directly from Snapchat (whose upcoming AR glasses are looking special): Instagram Map. This feature shares the last location you used the app with people you choose (followers you follow back, close friends, selected friends, or no one). You can turn this off at any time, Meta says. You can also open the map to see content from your friends. If you’re a parent of a teen account, you can control their location sharing. You’ll get a notification if your teen starts sharing their location, and you can decide whether your teen has access to location sharing on the map and who your teen shares their location with. Also: How to protect your privacy from Facebook – and what doesn’t workWhether you’re sharing your location or not, you can still use the map to explore content around you. You can browse stories from friends at a new restaurant, find a new hang from a popular local creator, and more. Any content with a location tagged can show up on the map, Meta explained, including Reels, posts, and stories from people you follow. These will be available for 24 hours after they’re posted. Instagram Map is rolling out today. You’ll find it at the top of your DM inbox. More

Ugreen M.2 NVMe Enclosure <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Ugreen’s M.2 NVMe Enclosure is on sale on Amazon for $75. It’s an easy to use enclosure that doesn’t rely on minute fasteners, and features USB4 speeds of up to 40Gbps. If you need a device that supports up to 80Gbps, you’ll want to upgrade. –> For […] More

JuSun/Getty ZDNET’s key takeaways Gartner has released its 2025 Hype Cycle report.  AI agents and data are at their most inflated and need precise application to yield results. The report also emphasized trust and safety efforts as critical to the next five years.  Research firm Gartner has released its annual Hype Cycle report, which investigates […] More

The Sony WH-CH520 wireless headphones aren’t as jam-packed with cutting-edge technology as the CH720 cans but are still ideal for casual listening. They are great for everyday use, thanks to their light design and comfortable on-ear fit. Plus, they’re now down to $38, which is an unbeatable value for Sony’s sound.These are best for students who want to enjoy their music and still be aware of their surroundings. Due to their on-ear design, more ambient noise can be heard, as opposed to over-ear headphones. You’ll get up to 50 hours of battery life on a single charge, and when low on power, they can top up within five minutes for 90 minutes of playback. More

Asus ProArt P16 <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Asus’ ProArt P16 is on sale for $2,500 at Best Buy. This year’s model keeps much of what made the previous generation so good, with key hardware improvements. It also means it has the same problems as before, such as running hot. –> If you’re familiar with Asus’ […] More

imagedepotpro / Getty images ZDNET’s key takeaways Linux desktop share tops 6% in Lansweeper’s 15 million-system analysis. Consumer PCs hit 6% Linux vs 1.9% on AD-managed business systems. AI development may be responsible for desktop Linux’s gains. In an interview, Lansweeper, an IT asset discovery and inventory company, revealed to ZDNET that, in its analysis […] More