Robotics

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETA small number of iPhone users who have installed the latest iOS 18.4 update are finding apps installed on their handsets that they did not install.New and previously deleted appsThere are at least three threads over on Reddit detailing the issue. Some users report new apps — usually games like Squid Game or Cooking Mama — and others are saying that apps that were previously deleted have reappeared. See also: iOS 18.4 update draining your iPhone’s battery? Try these six fixes”Okay so after updating to iOS 18.4 successfully,” wrote Reddit user MoistCombination1991, “I went to the app store to update apps. And to my surprise this Chinese game install itself automatically.” Reddit user scurry126 sheds a bit more light on the issue. “This happened to me. I got Cooking Mama added to my home screen. What’s weird is that looking at the App Store, Cooking Mama shows ‘Get’ instead of the redownload button. So according to the App Store, I’ve never owned it but it appeared on my device.” Also: Apple Home finally gets robot vacuum support, thanks to Matter and iOS 18.4Another user, MildAndClassic, puts it quite bluntly: “Today I feel like I’m using some cheap Chinese mobile where after software update some random application installed in my phone for no reason.” Also: How to clear your iPhone cache for a fresh (and faster) start in 2025There’s also a thread over on Apple’s own support forum from someone called Someandroiduser who reports that a game called Last War Survival, an app that was previously installed, has reappeared on the Home Screen. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways A Shine Turbine kit, which includes a turbine, stand, guy lines, and pegs, costs $399, while the Essentials Kit, which adds a few more bits such as a wind speed meter, costs $488 – though both are on sale right now. The kit includes everything you need to turn wind into […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Planck SSD gives your connected device quick access to up to 2TB of storage. It has read and write speeds of up to 1,050 MB/s, giving it support for Apple 4K ProRes recording. It’s not cheap at a starting price of $125, and due diligence is required for any Kickstarter […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETIf you’re a T-Mobile user (or were in 2021), a check might arrive in your mailbox soon.In 2021, the mobile carrier suffered a massive data breach that affected around 76 million customers (this isn’t related to the 2023 breach that affected 37 million people). T-Mobile denied any wrongdoing but agreed to settle a lawsuit about the breach out of court. Four years later, affected customers are getting compensation. Also: I clicked on four sneaky online scams on purpose – to show you how they workA recent update on the settlement website indicates that all court proceedings are done, and checks are expected to go out this month. If you suffered financial loss from the incident, you might receive up to $25,000. If you didn’t suffer any loss, even if you didn’t file a claim in the suit, you can receive up to $25 (except California residents, who will receive up to $100). While those are the maximum amounts, a quick crunch of the numbers – a $350 million settlement divided between 76 million people – works out to about $4.50 a person, and that’s before attorney fees.  More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETThe TV launch season is upon us, and Samsung is among the first brands to put out its 2025 lineup of visual goodness. I recently had the opportunity to scope out some new TVs at one of Samsung’s satellite laboratories in New Jersey, putting every upcoming model through the ringer and seeing just how well they stack up to the company’s early-year claims. Also: I spent hours testing Samsung’s new flagship soundbar – it gave my Sonos a run for its moneyBelow are my initial takeaways (read: this isn’t a review) on the company’s Neo QLED 4K More

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