Robotics

Kerry Wan/ZDNETDay one of Apple’s WWDC conference is over, and my brain has been wrapped around one particular feature ever since. It wasn’t announced during the opening keynote, nor did it make it onto the all-encompassing graphics chart of iOS 26 features, but it’s a big one — if it works.Also: Everything you might’ve missed at WWDC 2025: iOS 26, Liquid Glass, MacOS Tahoe, moreThe feature I’m referring to is called “Adaptive Power,” a battery conservation tool that’s baked into the Power Mode settings in iOS 26. You’ll have to dig through a few columns to access it within the Settings app on the developer beta. Once you turn it on, your iPhone will automatically throttle certain background tasks to help you conserve battery whenever it detects high-performance workloads.In Apple’s words, “When your battery usage is higher than usual, iPhone can make small performance adjustments to extend your battery life, including slightly lowering the display brightness or allowing some activities to take a little longer.” Exactly how aggressive this power-saving mode is remains to be tested, but if it works only when you’re truly pushing your iPhone — like recording videos, editing photos, or gaming — then it’s a feature many users may appreciate. More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETApple’s WWDC annual developer conference signaled the first major redesign of iOS since 2013, with flashy demos of iOS 26’s Liquid Glass design and AI-driven features. Apple sometimes takes its time bringing features to its many surfaces, but when it does, it’s often a highly polished and well-considered take on a familiar theme. Let’s unpack a few ways where Apple is catching up, and how they stack up against their Android counterpart.1. Call Screening and Hold Assist More

Roku Roku just announced the launch of its 2025 lineup of Roku-made televisions<!–>, including the Roku Select, Roku Plus, and Roku Pro Series. The full 2025 lineup features upgrades to its earlier generation, including simplified cable management, easy-to-reach ports, a faster, built-in remote finder, and a more responsive user experience.  Also: Your Apple TV is […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The OneOdio Studio Max 1 headphones are available now on the official site for $169.99 These headphones offer wired and wireless options for connecting to a traditional source and produce a well-blended sound If you’re looking for headphones to use with your phone, look elsewhere. –> My best friend has been […] More

Jada Jones/ZDNETEditor’s note: This article was first published on June 6, 2025, and updated on June 10, 2025, when Sonos announced the Ace’s latest software updates.It’s been one year since Sonos released its first pair of consumer headphones, and although they made waves when they first dropped, how have they fared after the hype has died down? You can often find the Ace discounted for up to $120 off their original price, and if you’re interested in them, that’s the best time to buy them.Also: The best headphones of 2025I’ve worn the Sonos Ace More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge starts at $1,099 for the 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage configuration. It’s an ultra-slim and lightweight flagship phone that makes any other device feel outdated. You’ll have to settle with subpar battery life and the absence of a telephoto lens due to […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETIf you’re a Pixel phone user, be prepared for some cool new features. With the June Pixel Drop, your Pixel will become more helpful, personalized, and accessible. These new features will start rolling out today; however, you can expect the rollout to take a few days (or weeks) to reach every supported Pixel device.What’s new in the June Pixel Drop? Let’s dive in.Also: Your Android phone is getting 4 big upgrades for free, thanks to Android 161. Pixel VIPsWith this new feature, you can turn specific friends and family members into VIPs. The VIPs widget makes it easier to stay connected to your favorite people. You’ll want to add as much information as you can for each VIP  — such as birthdays, email, home addresses, and preferences — to get the most out of the feature. Once you’ve made someone a VIP, you’ll be able to view your last call and message with them and even allow them to bypass Do Not Disturb. You can keep notes on your VIPs, view their locations, and find things to do together.  More

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETAndroid 16 is officially here, and Google has some big upgrades on the way.  Instead of releasing a new OS and a new phone lineup at the same time, Google is making the same move it did with Android 15 and giving both software and hardware their time to shine. Also: T-Mobile is giving away the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus for freeThis is the earliest Google has launched a major Android release in a while (for comparison, Android 15 was released on Oct. 15, 2024, and Android 14 was released on Oct. 4, 2023).  Here’s a look at four of the biggest upgrades in Android 16. All of these features will drop for Pixel devices first and other devices later in the year.  1. Streamlined updates and lock screen app updates: Don’t want to unlock your phone every time you check to see when your late-night food order is arriving? Feeling uneasy in a new city and want to make sure your ride-share is close? Streamlined app updates give you the ability to see real-time updates from your lock screen. Google says it’s working with app partners to bring this capability to Android, including in Samsung’s Now Bar and OnePlus’ Live Alerts.Also: The best Google Pixel phones to buy: Expert tested and reviewedGoogle says it’s also automatically grouping notifications that come from a single app to make sure you don’t get information overload. More