Robotics

Jason Hiner/ZDNETApple this week launched one big thing and removed five smaller things in the process. With the unveiling of the new iPhone 16e More

Jason Hiner/ZDNETThe latest US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump have put Apple at a bit of a crossroads. With multiple tariffs impacting countries worldwide, including a 10% charge on all imports from China, electronics makers like Apple will soon have to decide if they’ll take the brunt of the damage or redirect it to end consumers by increasing the price of goods. That includes the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and more.Also: Apple launches $599 iPhone 16e: Best features, specs, and everything else to knowSome manufacturers, like Acer, have already suggested that upcoming laptops may cost up to 10% more than last year. According to Wamsi Mohan, an analyst at Bank of America, Apple may follow a similar path, raising the prices across its product portfolio in order to keep its balance sheets in the green and investors satisfied. More

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETHuawei unveiled the world’s first tri-fold phone, the Mate XT Ultimate, in its home country late last year. We weren’t holding out hope for a global release, but it’s finally coming outside China after receiving a record number of preorders — even before the pricing was announced. Also: I tested Oppo’s Find N5 for a week – here’s why it’s a near-perfect foldable phoneThe Huawei Mate XT Ultimate pushes the boundaries of what you can expect from a phone by fitting a 10.2-inch screen inside your pocket — all in a slimmer form factor than more recent foldable phones. I’ve spent 24 hours with the tri-fold phone, and here’s what makes it better than any other book-style foldable on the market right now.The design itself is a technological marvel More

Microsoft says its Majorana 1 contains eight topological qubits and can scale to a million, though the details on how it will scale are scant. Microsoft Quantum Microsoft’s quantum computing scientists announced they have finally realized a long-held goal of building a “topological qubit”, the equivalent of a transistor for ordinary chips, that may help […] More

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETThe world’s thinnest book-style foldable, the Oppo Find N5, is finally here. I’ve had it for a week, and it has surprised me in more ways than one — both positively and negatively. At 8.93mm thick when folded, it’s closer to slab phones than any other foldable has ever been. But that slimness didn’t come without compromises. Judging by the on-paper camera specifications, I expected it to be underwhelming, but it’s better than other foldable phones in almost every regard. Also: The best phones to buy in 2025Here’s what it’s like to use the thinnest book-style foldable phone in the world — from someone who has used the previous world’s thinnest foldable phones.I love the new, refined design More

As our phones become more like digital wallets that let you pay, present identification, and even travel, traditional wallets already feel pretty antiquated. However, we’re not completely finished with the paper trail just yet. There are still incidentals — like your work ID or certain travel passes — that you may not be able to present virtually, and places that may not accept services like Google Pay and Apple Pay. Plus, a virtual wallet won’t do you any good if your phone dies. A MagSafe wallet is an easy way to keep your cards and cash securely attached to your phone. MagSafe cardholders use magnets to securely attach to your phone, making them easy to detach for wireless charging or to change your phone’s look. Plus, they tend to be an affordable iPhone accessory, making them widely accessible for most price points. They’re a great accessory to have in your phone’s repertoire for vacations, concerts, special events, and more. Also: The best MagSafe battery packsWhat’s the best MagSafe wallet right now? With so many choices available, ZDNET went hands-on with some of the most popular and innovative MagSafe wallet options, testing each for their practicality, durability, versatility, and price. Our pick for the best MagSafe wallet overall is the ESR Aura MagSafe wallet and stand More

ZDNETApple’s Visual Intelligence skill is expanding beyond the iPhone 16. The iPhone 15 Pro will soon get custody of the feature, which digs up details on objects you snap through the camera.In a post published on Wednesday, Daring Fireball’s John Gruber said that Apple representatives told him that iPhone 15 Pro (and presumably iPhone 15 Pro Max) owners will be able to use Visual Intelligence on their devices. The company wouldn’t reveal exactly when the feature would arrive beyond pointing to a “future software update.” But Gruber said he believes it’s destined for iOS 18.4, which should soon be available in beta and slated to go live in early April.Also: How to use Visual Intelligence on an iPhone 16 to identify unknown objectsAvailable on all current iPhone 16 models and the upcoming iPhone 16e, Visual Intelligence is an AI-based feature designed to help you identify and learn about animals, plants, landmarks, businesses, and a host of other items you view with your phone’s camera. Part of Apple Intelligence, the tool is quick and easy to use.Just aim your phone at the item that you want to investigate. Upon long pressing the Camera Control on any iPhone 16 model, you can either run a Google search on the object or ask ChatGPT-specific questions about it. In response, the AI presents you with the requested details. More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETWith the way we use our iPhones these days, it can be hard to make it through a single day on a full charge. A few FaceTime calls, some text messaging, and opening Maps a few times, and you could already be 25% down. If you’ve experienced this problem, you’re not alone. These phones can be very power-hungry — even the more affordable iPhone SE 4 has battery issues. The problem is made worse by all the different apps, features, and settings vying for battery life. And the kicker is there’s a chance you don’t even use some of these functions.Also: Apple launches $599 iPhone 16e: Best features, specs, and everything else to knowLuckily, there are a handful of settings you can tweak to maximize your iPhone’s battery life, and these changes don’t have to mean losing out on your favorite features. Whether you’re rocking the iPhone 16 Pro Max or a version from a few years ago, you’ve got options. Here are the 11 best ways to improve your iPhone’s battery life. 1. Turn off the always-on displayOne of the biggest power drainers on the iPhone Pro series is the always-on display. Apple finally added the feature after years of refusing to, and while the company says it’ll only drain about 1% per hour, that’s still almost a quarter of your battery gone each day while you aren’t using your phone.How to: On your iPhone, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On Display and flip the toggle to off. You’ll thank me later.2. Disable haptic feedback when typing More