Robotics

OpenAI What’s better than an AI chatbot that can assist you with tasks? One that can do them for you. OpenAI continues to build out its AI agents in ChatGPT with the launch of Deep Research.  Deep Research On Sunday, OpenAI unveiled Deep Research, an AI agent that can conduct multi-step research for you by […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Samsung’s 2023 Galaxy tablets come in two sizes: the 10.9-inch Tab S9 FE on sale for $449 and the 12.4-inch Tab S9 FE+ for $579. If you want a big tablet for entertainment and multitasking on the go but don’t want to break the bank, the Tab S9 FE+ is a […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways At $12, this is the cheapest quality USB meter I’ve tested. It’s as accurate as meters that cost ten times as much. The display is on the small side, but it’s still completely readable. –> This $12 USB-C Power Meter<!–> has quickly become one of my absolute must-have tools. These little […] More

ZDNETI’ve been around Linux long enough to have experienced nearly every package manager (GUI or not) ever created.I remember, in 2001, when a particular GUI frontend for the apt package manager was first released. I had become so accustomed to installing software from the command line that a GUI tool seemed like crazy talk.But I decided to give this new kid on the block a try and see how it fared.I was impressed and glad not to always have to type commands to install the software I needed.Also: Here’s the easiest thing Linux developers can do to win more usersBack then, Synaptic was a welcome and modern change. It seemed, dare I say, fancy!Since Synaptic was released, other software centers, such as GNOME Software and Discover, have arrived, causing me to leave Synaptic behind. However, I have come across a few Linux distributions lately that default to Synaptic, so even though this package manager GUI is long in the tooth, it’s still very relevant.So, how do you install software with Synaptic? Let me show you.How to install software with SynapticWhat you’ll need: The only thing you’ll need for this is an Ubuntu/Debian-based distribution that includes Synaptic. If your distribution of choice doesn’t use this GUI and you’d like to try it, you can install it with the command: sudo apt-get install synaptic -y More

Kaycco/Getty Images According to Linus Torvalds (the creator of Linux), kernel 6.14 is “tiny.” He also said this: “Of course, ‘tiny’ for us still means that there’s half a million lines changed and more than 10k commits in there — but only barely. In fact, not counting merges there’s only something like 9.3k commits. So […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways As part of its Zeno Series, Lockly released a new Visage smart lock, available for $349. The Lockly Visage comes with facial ID support, automatic unlocking when you’re near, and Apple Home Kit compatibility. The Lockly app can be more user-friendly, as it’s difficult to find certain settings, and it’s pricier […] More

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETIf you purchase AppleCare+ for your devices, the company’s repair and tech support coverage program, pay attention because some big changes are on the way.Also: Is Apple launching an AirTag 2 this year? Here’s what we knowRight now, you have the option to add a multi-year AppleCare+ plan within 60 days of buying a new iPhone. You can do this straight from your device through the settings menu or in an official Apple Store as long as you have your phone inspected.Limited optionsAccording to Mark Gurman, a reliable Apple tipster, the multi-year option is going away. Apple is apparently eliminating the option to purchase a two- or three-year AppleCare+ plan in an Apple Store or on your device. Instead, if you’re purchasing device protection through those methods, Apple is going to limit you to a single-year subscription or a month-by-month plan. You’ll still be able to purchase a multi-year plan online (for now).Paying more to protect devicesThis means that you’ll ultimately end up paying more to protect your devices (unless you opt for the online option). For the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max, for example, AppleCare+ costs $9.99 a month or $199 for a two-year plan. If you pay monthly, two years of coverage is $40 more. If you add in theft coverage too, the difference ends up costing you $55 more over two years.Also: Is this the new iPhone SE? Leaked images reveal major changes coming in 2025Apple hasn’t said anything officially, but this seems to be a move toward making AppleCare+ an ongoing monthly subscription instead of a one-time purchase. More

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNETLooking for a way to magnify your computer screen, either for yourself or for public presentations? A new PowerToys tool from Microsoft may be exactly what you need. Added to the latest version of PowerToys, ZoomIt can zoom in on the screen, let you write on it, and take a screenshot or recording of your current activity.Microsoft is touting ZoomIt as a tool for presentations and demos. By zooming in on specific areas of the screen, you can emphasize certain points or simply enlarge text and images for your audience. The writing and annotation features let you mark up the screen to highlight key elements. Also: How to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and why it makes such a big difference)Beyond its worth as a presentation tool, ZoomIt can magnify the screen if you have trouble seeing or reading small print on a web page or document.ZoomIt was originally a Sysinternals tool. Recently, its source code was released, allowing it to be included in PowerToys. However, it will still be available as an external tool, updated, and offered by Sysinternals for anyone who’d rather use it as a standalone program.How does the PowerToys version of ZoomIt work and how can you use it? More