Robotics

Kerry Wan/ZDNETSoundbars are gaining in popularity because of their sleek design and ability to provide an ample boost in audio quality compared to built-in TV speakers. Even with their plug-and-play nature, you can make a few modifications to help unleash the best possible sound quality.Also: I spent hours testing Samsung’s new flagship soundbar – it gave my Sonos a run for its moneyWhether you’re new to soundbar setups or a self-proclaimed audiophile, familiarizing yourself with some key settings can take your viewing and listening experience to new heights. Read on for five pointers on how to optimize your soundbar’s performance. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Doogee Fire 6 Max is on sale at Amazon for $479. Its massive battery allows over 100 days of standby, allowing the smartphone to act as a power bank, while sporting both thermal and night vision cameras. The display is vivid, but can be rather washed out in sunlight. –> […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Lenovo’s first-edition ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition 14-inch is available now, starting at $1,239 for the lowest-tier configuration. It’s an experimental evolution of the ThinkPad line, exchanging some of the most defining features for a new sleek form factor and bold design. The entry configuration only comes with 256GB of storage, which […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Lorex 2K Wi-Fi video doorbell is available for $180. The doorbell comes in wired and wireless installations, communicates reliably, and includes a preinstalled 32GB microSD card for local storage so you can bypass subscription fees. Although it has a 2K resolution, the image is so wide angle that objects look […] More

iPhone 16 Pro Max in hand. Jason Hiner/ZDNETOn Wednesday, April 2, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would impose a new series of tariffs against trade partners. Rates will range from a baseline amount of 10% up to 49% for certain countries. These hikes are slated to go into effect starting April 5. Also: If you need a new laptop, you might want to buy it now – here’s whyA full list of the tariffs can be found on the Rapid Response 47 account on X, which is run by the Trump administration, and it details every single country that’ll affected. It’s nearly eight pages long, with the first two highlighting some of the biggest increases. China, for example, will be hit with a 34% tariff. The European Union is going to see 20%. Vietnam is receiving one of the largest tariffs at 46%, only beaten out by Cambodia at 49% and Laos at 48%. More

Adam Breeden/ZDNETWhether you’re considering buying a new TV or your old flat panel seems to be doing fine, there are still ways to optimize your viewing experience, and it all begins with your television’s settings. Let’s explore some of the key factors determining how your TV performs and what you can do to make it look even better.1. Turn down the sharpnessThe sharper the picture, the better. Right? Not necessarily.Contrary to popular belief, the “sharpness” setting on your TV doesn’t affect the actual sharpness of the displayed image. True sharpness is determined by factors such as screen resolution, source material resolution, and contrast. Instead, the sharpness setting alters the artificial edge enhancement — a processor-driven adjustment that can introduce unwanted noise and, ironically, distort details in the image.Also: The 110+ best Amazon Spring Sale tech deals still liveEdge enhancement is designed to make onscreen objects more distinct by emphasizing the boundaries between them, theoretically creating a more lifelike image. However, this feature acts like a universal Instagram filter, potentially leading to an unnatural appearance in some media. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Ugreens Finder Tag is on sale now for $14, and the Slim Wallet Finder is available for $26. The battery in the tag for keys is purpose-built to be hard to remove, making it safer around children. They don’t have the high-precision capabilities as more expensive finder tags. –> Apple AirTags<!–> […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETSay you recently picked up a shiny new TV. You unbox it like a kid at Christmas and prepare to indulge in all its visual glory. You think to yourself, “This is 2025. TV technology is sizzling, and it’s going to look amazing no matter what.” So you plug it in and don’t take one look at the default settings. Big mistake.Also: I saw Samsung’s deluge of Neo QLED TVs releasing in 2025 – these features impressed me mostI’ve been guilty of it. And I’m okay with that because it’s widely accepted that the majority of consumers neglect to alter the most basic settings when setting up their TVs. Even if your TV is a few years old, you may have never modified its defaults. For Samsung TVs, in particular, you can change a few settings to improve your viewing experience and make a dystopian survival thriller look that much more appealing. Following are six tips for doing just that. More