Robotics

Jada Jones/ZDNETIn addition to a pair of trusty headphones for private listening when you’re out in public, you need a portable speaker to keep the music bumping when you’re outside grilling, swimming, or walking. A speaker to have inside for jamming out while you’re cleaning, cooking, or hosting friends is a bonus, and one that’s stylish enough to go from your outdoor hike to your indoor dinner party is a rarity.Also: The best Mother’s Day gifts for tech-loving momsAlthough smart home speakers and portable Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen — and I’ve tested plenty to know — few are a blend of both. The Sonos Roam 2 is the one I reach for, even a year after its release.Here’s why it’s still my favorite.It’s a perfect blend of style and functionality More

RonPeigl / Getty Images Wireless internet connections are convenient, but they’re also notoriously unreliable. Nothing proves that point more emphatically than a glitchy video conference call, especially if it’s tied to a crucial business meeting. The solution is to run a wired network connection to your home office. Wi-Fi is great for mobility, but a […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETHoney, wake up. The latest Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge More

Nvidia Shield TV Nvidia Nvidia rolled out a new patch for its SHIELD TV back in February, providing a much-needed support boost to a seemingly forgotten device. More recently, the company started rolling out another update to the hardware, dubbed SHIELD Experience Upgrade 9.2.1.  Also: Your Roku TV may experience an HDR bug with the latest […] More

Savushkin/Getty Images Google added Gemini to Sheets, and it has changed the trajectory of my life… Fine, I’m being a little dramatic, but don’t act like I’m the only one who thinks a lot of “AI innovations” are a load of you know what. 🤬 Most “AI innovations” are either overhyped or just plain ridiculous; […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Obsbot Tail 2 PTZR is a $1,200 rotating camera that’s ideal for conferences and livestreams. It features great build quality and AI tracking that actually works. The price doesn’t make it the most accessible camera on the market, and its auto-leveling option feels excessive. –> When it comes to the […] More

Roku is a popular streaming platform for people looking for an affordable smart TV or a way to turn a “dumb” TV into one that’s capable of easily streaming movies, shows, and music. TCL and Hisense were among the biggest brands that partnered with Roku to provide a streaming platform to customers, but in 2023, Roku began to produce its own TVs, while TCL and Hisense moved to Google TV for their platforms. If you’re willing to pick up a slightly older model, you can still find Roku-based TCL and Hisense models, but your best luck will be a Roku-branded Pro, Plus, or Select Series TV. What is the best Roku TV right now? At ZDNET, we’ve tested and researched some of the best Roku TVs to help you choose the right one. The Roku Pro Series More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETYour Roku TV is getting a slew of updates to make finding something to watch easier — including one for your favorite purple city.Also: Should you buy a Roku streaming stick in 2025? Here’s my buying advice after testing oneAt an event in New York City last month, Roku introduced its new TVs and streaming devices, smart home products, and TVs, but it also announced some new additions that will be coming to all existing Roku TVs.Here’s what’s on the way.What’s coming to all Roku TVsRoku understands the struggle of finding something to watch, it says, so it’s rolling out several ways to make content more personal. These include: “Coming Soon to Theaters,” a row that shows you what’s currently in theaters. If you’d rather wait until you can watch it at home, you can add a movie to your saved list and Roku will alert you when it’s available.Short-form content rows are headed to the All Things Food and All Things Home tabs, letting you browse videos like recipes, home cleaning hacks, and more one after the other (essentially TikTok or Reels for your TV). A personalized highlight row in the Sports Zone lets you follow the latest action from your favorite teams and players. You can also get notifications when it’s gametime for your favorite teams.If you want to see the best of the best, watch for Roku’s new badges that will identify award-winning films.Missing your favorite purple-hued cityscape? Instead of having to wait for your set to go idle to visit, you can now head to Roku City with one click with a dedicated tile. This fake city, complete with its own mass transit, homes, restaurants, and even a city hall, has become a fan-favorite over the past few years, and now it’s even easier to pay a visit.Hardware updates On the hardware side, new versions of the Roku Streaming Stick and Roku Streaming Stick Plus are on the way. The new models are so power-efficient, Roku says, that they are powered directly by your TV — meaning no more hanging cables. The new sticks are also getting a sleek redesign that ensures they don’t block neighboring HDMI ports. The classic Roku Streaming Stick is also getting a voice remote. More