Robotics

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETI’m not a smartwatch person, and I gave up on them three years ago for one simple reason: I didn’t want unsolicited notifications on my wrist. Over the years, I’ve only worn a smartwatch to review it or check out new features. However, I returned to the Apple Watch with its latest iteration — Series 10, in Jet Black — two months ago, and I don’t mind having it on my wrist daily anymore. Also: Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Series 9: Should you upgrade to the latest model?It turns out Apple has resolved most of my Apple Watch annoyances, both hardware and software, over the years. Plus, three years changed a lot of things in life, and tracking health data outweighs the inconvenience of unsolicited notifications (which can be turned off) now. Sure, I can choose one of the more affordable options, but I trust the Apple Watch more for its track record of saving lives through irregular heartbeats, and alerts that matter. Just to be clear, I’m not using it as a medical device substitute. Instead, it’s a nice-to-have, but also a reliable companion for health tracking. Also: 3 Apple devices you definitely shouldn’t buy this month (and 10 to get instead)After wearing the Apple Watch Series 10 More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Dreame X50 Ultra is available for $1,700, but on sale for $1,360. This is one of the best robot vacuums and mops available, with anti-tangle dual brushes, 20,000Pa of suction, and legs to cross up to 4.2cm thresholds. The Dreame X50 Ultra can get caught on obstacles and require intervention, […] More

Wahoo Fitness Wahoo kicked off its next generation of cycling tech with the launch of its upgraded flagship bike computer, the Elemnt Ace, in December 2024. Now, the company is rounding out its lineup with new third-generation versions of its mid-range and entry-level models, alongside its first-ever bike radar. Also: The best Garmin watches you can […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Dali IO-8 headphones are available on Amazon for $1,100. They produce a clarity of sound and separation that will blow you away. The beige colorway isn’t the most attractive, and the designed excuses premium. –> I’ve been a connoisseur of headphones since the 1980s. Back then, I was living on […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Vivobook S 15, Asus’ first Copilot+ PC, normally retails for over $1,000, but it’s currently on sale at Walmart for $668. It’s sleek and lightweight with a gorgeous OLED, 120Hz display, great battery life, and snappy performance. However, because of the nature of Windows on ARM laptops, some apps might […] More

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETI’ve been using the cross-platform image editor GIMP for as long as I can remember. It’s an incredible app often considered the open-source equivalent of Photoshop.That status is crucial because Adobe refuses to port its flagship app to the open-source OS. I’ve managed just fine without Photoshop, and you can too. Also: 5 powerful GIMP features I use nearly every day for easy, free photo editingHowever, if the GIMP interface keeps you from adopting this open-source app, fear not, as there is an easy way to configure the UI to make it look more like Photoshop.I’m going to show you how that approach works. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Audio-Technica Sound Burger retails for $199 and comes in yellow, black, or white. The Sound Burger has unparalleled portability, a long battery life, and provides a novel listening experience. It doesn’t have a counterweight, and also doesn’t have an auto-return feature. more buying choices The Audio-Technica Sound Burger–> is $25 […] More

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNETThe Windows 11 Start menu has annoyed many people with its clumsy layout and lack of customization. Instead of enhancing and improving the previous menu designs from Windows 7 and 10, Microsoft opted for a backward redesign that left many of us wondering, “What were they thinking?”Hit by user complaints, Microsoft has taken baby steps to try to improve the menu. One option added in late 2022 lets you create folders in which to store your Start menu shortcuts. A more dramatic overhaul that could address many of the menu’s flaws and limitations may roll out later in 2025. For now, though, the Start menu remains an awkward and frustrating feature, largely the same as it was when Windows 11 rolled out in October 2021.Also: Your Windows 11 Start menu is getting a design makeover – here’s how to try it firstWell, if you hate the Start menu in Windows 11 as much as I do and want something more usable and customizable, your best bet is to switch to a Start menu alternative.Several third-party apps can replace the Windows 11 Start menu, giving it a more familiar look and layout and allowing users to customize it in various ways. The program I use on my Windows 11 machines is Start11. But there are other utilities worth checking out, including StartAllBack and Open Shell Menu. Here’s how to get the Windows 11 Start menu you deserve. More