Robotics

Kerry Wan/ZDNETIf you put any one of today’s best TVs in front of you, you would think you’re seeing what peak display technology looks like. But when you put them side by side, the differences in brightness, color volume, contrast, and more are what separate the good from the truly exceptional.Of course, such comparisons are hard to come by in reality; even if you head to a local brick-and-mortar, the TVs will likely be separated by brand and budget. So when LG invited me to a private testing session ahead of its 2025 TV releases, including for the flagship G5 OLED, I bit. Also: Is your live TV streaming bill too high? You have other options – including cheaper onesI wanted to confirm my impressions of LG’s G5 OLED after naming it the Best TV at CES 2025 (as did my CNET and PCMag colleagues). But I also wanted to see how the TV stacks up to competing models from Samsung and Sony, which were also present at the lab. After an intimate morning with all the TVs, it’s safe to say that the performance gap might be bigger than ever this year. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The AAWireless Two costs $65 and gives you wireless Android Auto support when plugged in. A new built-in button lets you quickly swap between paired devices. The companion app is almost too robust, but that’s not the worst thing. –> Update: The AAWireless Two adapter is back in stock on Amazon […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETMobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 has officially ended, putting a bow tie on one of the most eventful trade shows in recent years. Over the course of the Barcelona event, we saw ultra-slim phones, unique laptop form factors, and surprise appearances from companies like Oppo, Motorola, and Nothing.  Also: This tri-foldable phone at MWC 2025 is the most bizarre thing I’ve seen yetIf you missed out on all the news and product launches that took place, here’s our roundup of the best products the ZDNET team saw at MWC, in no particular order. 1. Samsung made a Nintendo Switch that folds More

All e-commerce apps collect data when you create an account and visit the app’s home page. This data can include your precise physical location, address, and device ID, as well as your search history, payment information, and contacts.Some apps use this data to track you across apps and websites, to understand performance, and to target you with ads.Some of this data is linked to your identity, and some isn’t — the connection depends on the app you’re using. In recent years, people have been increasingly concerned about how their data is being stored and are wary specifically of data storage by Chinese-based apps.Also: Is Temu safe? Why its single-layer security should be a red flag to shoppersAccording to Temu’s privacy policy, the company does not “sell” your data — for money, at least. However, Temu does share your information with shipping affiliates, marketing providers, and consumer research companies, which generates revenue for Temu.Temu also “shares” your data with third-party advertising, marketing, and analytics companies to target you with ads. In its privacy policy, Temu acknowledges that this transfer of data can be considered “selling” your data under applicable laws.Although concerns about sharing your data with Temu might be valid, it’s important to remember that apps can and do collect and store your data with few limits. US. citizens’ user data is not federally protected under a single law, so data collection remains unregulated in most states. Because American user data remains federally unregulated, Temu might access your credit history, Walmart might collect your biometric information (fingerprints, face geometry, and retina imagery), and Amazon might collect your voice recordings More

Eugene Mymrin/Getty Images The AI transformation is gathering steam. Consultancy Carruthers and Jackson’s recently released Data Maturity Index found that just 7% of organizations don’t use any form of AI, a significant drop from 26% last year. Caroline Carruthers, CEO at Carruthers and Jackson, told ZDNET that the pace of adoption is proof that generative […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Asus Zenbook A14 will be available in late February, 2025. Asus’ new ultraportable is a fantastic balance of innovation and value with a brilliant OLED display, competitive hardware, and a satisfying physical form. While its use case is clearly defined, the laptop has its limits when it comes to high-end […] More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETI like to think of my robot vacuum as an electronic pet — one who pitches in around the house, never barks too loudly, and doesn’t even need to be fed. As with all pets, though, I need to care for my vacuum, and a commitment to cleaning and maintenance can boost its longevity and performance. Also: The best robot vacuums for 2025: Expert tested and reviewedThe average lifespan of a typical vacuum cleaner is about eight years, but with some mindful maintenance, you can aspire to keep your device working for a decade or more. Even if you don’t have a pet-like affinity for your autonomous cleaner, these tips are useful for keeping your robot vacuum in top condition.Regardless of how powerful a robot vacuum is or whether it’s a budget model or high-end, its cleaning tools can get filthy. Threads of fabric and pet hair get caught in the roller, the brushes become knotted with gunk, and sensors (and filters, of course) get covered with filmy dust. So, here are five essential things to check when it’s time to maintain your robot. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Nomad’s ChargeKey V2 is on sale for $25 each. This version of the handy accessory provides charging speeds up to 240W for laptops and data transfer speeds up to 10Gbps. However, some may find its short length too restrictive. –> As often as I rely on USB-C cables to charge my […] More