Robotics

Maria Diaz/ZDNETApple Home is finally compatible with robot vacuums, thanks to multiple upgrades — from Apple, Matter, and robot manufacturers. Apple released iOS 18.4 yesterday, which includes support for robot vacuums via the Home app. Robot vacuum manufacturers, like iRobot and Roborock, have already released their firmware upgrades for their Matter-compatible robots to support Apple Home.Robot vacuum compatibility for Apple Home was delayed for months after being announced last year as a feature coming with iOS 18. With iOS 18.4, however, robot vacuums are finally welcome in Apple Home. The compatibility allows iPhone users to control their robot vacuums via the Home app instead of juggling multiple apps for different devices. Also: This Eufy robot vacuum with a built-in handheld unit is a steal at $200 offIt also makes it easier to run robot vacuums, as you can use voice control and say, “Siri, clean the kitchen,” to have your robot clean up after making dinner. You can also ask Siri to start, stop, and schedule cleaning sessions. Many robot vacuums are already compatible with Amazon Alexa, which lets you use voice control for commands, while a smaller number are compatible with Google Home. But this is the first time Siri and Apple Home are directly compatible (without using Shortcuts). More

OnePlus Open June Wan/ZDNETWith the weather heating up, so too are smartphone deals. And OnePlus More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways This super-thin, super-durable tool has a myriad of uses. These are priced well, with cheaper copies on the market, but you should avoid them because they’re not a patch on the originals. The only downside I’ve found is that I can’t seem to find the Mini Spudgers for sale on their […] More

The smartphone industry has evolved to offer cameras that are just as good or even better than traditional point-and-shoot cameras — at least in bright daylight. Modern smartphones, including iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, feature at least three camera sensors for ultrawide, main and telephoto lenses. You can zoom out, zoom in, click gorgeous portraits, all from the device that sits in your pocket.You’ll start noticing a difference in smartphone camera quality in tricky lighting. Plus, each flagship smartphone camera has its own color science and processing. Two phones can use the same camera sensor but output different results. It depends on the lens used, the color science of the optics on the phone, and things like the size of the sensor, aperture, and lens coating. If you are in the market for a camera phone, these are the best choices.Also: The best phones of 2025 What is the best camera phone right now?We have tested dozens of phones in the past year, capturing photos and videos on each. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra More

Max Buondonno/ZDNETAmazon’s Big Spring Sale has finally ended, and while there were plenty of great phone deals over the last week on the e-commerce platform, one of the best, if not the best, offer is still available elsewhere. I’m talking about the Google Pixel 9 More

When is Amazon’s Spring Sale 2025? Amazon’s Spring Sale runs from March 25 through March 31. This gives you almost an entire week to snag deep discounts on everything from SSDs and gaming laptops to digital game titles and headsets. Are games, consoles, and gaming accessories really cheaper during Amazon sales? They can be. While we usually see the best discounts on all things gaming during the winter holidays, Amazon’s Spring Sale and competing events at retailers like Best Buy and Walmart mean you can compare prices and discounts to get the best deals.How did we choose these Spring Sale deals?While plenty of gaming laptops and accessories are discounted for the Amazon Spring Sale, not all sales are created equal. I focused on reputable brands like PowerA, SteelSeries, HyperX, and more to find the best value in accessories and peripherals. I also focused on top brands like HP, MSI, and Asus for gaming laptops and desktops with higher-end builds to help you find the best configurations for the best prices.What are the best Amazon Spring Sale 2025 deals?  ZDNET’s experts are searching through Amazon Spring Sale deals to find the best discounts by category. These are the best deals so far:You can also find the best Amazon Spring Sale deals by price:And the best deals from other retailers this week:Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends. More

<!–> Adam Breeden/ZDNET When does Amazon’s Spring Sale end? The 2025 Big Spring Sale ended Monday, March 31. However, as with most Amazon sales, we expect to see some lingering offers after the sale officially ends, as well as live offers from other retailers. We’ll keep you updated with all the best deals that you […] More

When was Amazon’s Big Spring Sale 2025? The second-annual Spring Sale ran from Tuesday, March 25, through Monday, March 31. Are deals really better during Amazon sales?For some big-name brands, Amazon sale events are the only time specific devices go on sale throughout the year. This is especially true for Amazon devices like Kindles, Fire tablets, Fire TVs, Amazon Echo devices, etc. According to one study, the average Amazon Prime Day discount is 16.2%, a fairly good discount for most products–and while this isn’t Prime Day, it’s still an Amazon-exclusive sales event, so we’re expecting the same discount numbers. How did we choose these Spring Sale deals?ZDNET only writes about deals we want to buy — devices and products we desire, need, or would recommend. Our experts looked for deals that were at least 20% off (or are hardly ever on sale), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops. We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we’re recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing — in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. What are the best Amazon Spring Sale 2025 deals still available?ZDNET’s experts are searching through Amazon Spring Sale deals that are still available after the event to find the best discounts by category. You can also find the best Amazon Spring Sale deals by price:And the best deals from other retailers this week:Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends. More