Robotics

Kerry Wan/ZDNETFor years, Apple users juggled a collection of Lightning cables: one for the iPhone, maybe another for an older iPad, and then a USB-C for their MacBooks. Thankfully, times have changed since the release of the iPhone 15.A generation later, the iPhone 16 is now firmly in the USB-C camp. That little port at the bottom of your device is more than just a power inlet; it’s a gateway to a surprising array of functionalities that can transform how you use your phone. Also: Best iPhone 2025: I tested the top models and found your perfect fitIf you’ve only been using it to charge up, you’re missing out on a world of convenience and capability. Let’s dive into what that single port can really do. More

Google began rolling out AI Mode in Search earlier this year, and the feature will now be widely available in the US, with no Labs sign-up required. It’ll come with some new capabilities, too.Deep Search in AI Mode, for example, expands the number of background queries from tens to hundreds to put together a more robust and thought-out search response. The result is a fully cited report that Google says will take just minutes to research and create.Also: Your Google Search experience will never be the same, thanks to 8 new AI featuresFor visual assistance, the Google Search experience is also getting Project Astra’s multimodal capabilities, so users can simply point their camera at an object or setting and ask about it like they would with a Google image search. There’s also a new AI Mode shopping experience that helps you find inspirations, narrow down buying options, and see yourself in an outfit (via image generator) when you upload an image of yourself.Project Mariner’s agentic functions will also transfer to AI Mode, allowing users to prompt Google to find the best event ticket deals or book restaurant appointments. While the AI won’t complete the purchase for you, it will present multiple options, including the one that best fits your inquiry (say you searched for the cheapest option), for you to approve.Finally, Google has expanded AI Overviews to over 200 countries and territories, and more than 40 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Malay, Urdu, and more. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Oura announced an integration with Dexcom’s Stelo CGM that simplifies the glucose-monitoring and meal-logging process One month of Stelo costs $100, and an Oura Ring starts at $350 The integration is great and convenient for people looking to learn about the ways glucose impacts their energy, sleep, and more. –> Health […] More

Anker’s MagGo 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station for iPhone is still a wireless charging dream months after my initial purchase, and it’s also ZDNET’s pick for best wireless charger. This MagSafe charger features 15W charging, offers a stand component for my iPhone, charges all my Apple devices simultaneously, and folds up easily for quick transport and storage. The charger also comes with a wall adapter, which isn’t always guaranteed. Also: I found a Qi2 charging station that can do it all (and Apple users will love it)I first purchased this Anker charger after ZDNET’s Sabrina Ortiz tested it last year. I was looking for a safe and functional 3-in-1 charger to reduce the number of cords I needed to pack while traveling. This device is the solution. Unveiled at CES 2023, this 3-in-1 is worth your money if you own an Apple Watch and a pair of AirPods and want a great charger at home and on the go. I also enjoy Anker’s UFO version of this charger, but if you’re only going to purchase one 3-in-1 charging setup, it should be this one. A stand configuration is preferable for daily nightstand use, and you don’t need to buy both setups. Verified Amazon customers gave this Anker charger 4.6 out of 5 stars. They liked the compactness and convenience of the design, and the easy-to-use setup, foldability, and magnetic strength. However, some customers said the simultaneous charging wasn’t consistent. Author’s Note: The Anker MagGo 3-1 charger in white is on sale for $82 (save $27) at Amazon upon the latest publication.  More

When I’m at the pool, I’d rather spend most of my time off my mobile device. But it’s 2025, and my phone goes everywhere I do, including on the pool float with me while I soak up some sun. Now, there’s a practical reason for this, I promise. If I’m listening to music (on my JBL speaker), having my phone handy is critical to maintain the pool day vibes and change songs and playlists whenever I want, especially while my Apple Watch is off my wrist. But, alas, keeping my phone protected from water accidents is always a good idea. That’s why I pop my iPhone 14 Pro into this Case Mate IP68 waterproof pouch, which keeps it secure from splashes, drips, and most importantly, potential underwater submerges up to 3.3 feet. This pouch is affordable, comes with a lanyard in several fun colors, and is great for extra security at the pool. Plus, it’s perfect for water activities, vacations and cruises, the beach, and solo-traveling. The pouch still allows you to utilize your device, floats, and even aids in taking underwater photos. It’s an excellent $20 buy for your tech repertoire or for your accident-prone, phone-addicted kid. Amazon customers said they liked the airtight, waterproof seal on the Case Mate pouch and protecting their phone while at the beach, pool, waterpark, and more. One customer even said they used this waterproof pouch to take underwater pictures during a shark cage dive.  More

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETA thief who steals your smartphone can try to crack it themselves, sell it locally, or use it to commit fraud. But your stolen phone could also travel as far away as China. A recent investigation by The Financial Times (paywall) found that a particular building in Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei district is home to a treasure trove of second-hand iPhones, including stolen devices.Though several locations in and around the Huaqiangbei district are hot spots for trading used phones, FT’s investigation focused mostly on the Feiyang Times building. Much of the buying and selling here is for phones that were legitimately traded in by their owners, according to the reporter who covered the action. But at least some of the activity involves stolen phones, leading the Feiyang Times to be known as China’s “stolen iPhone building.” Also: 5 warning signs that your phone’s been hacked – and how to fight backThe Times relates one unfortunate individual whose iPhone 15 Pro was stolen by thieves in London. Using tracking technology, the victim followed the phone to its final destination in the Huaqiangbei district. After sharing his experience on LinkedIn, he discovered that many other people had encountered similar situations. A woman in North Carolina whose phone was stolen tracked it on its journey from Charlotte to Miami and then finally to Shenzhen, according to WRAL News. In this case, the thieves compounded the crime with a spin on the usual ransomware ploy. In texts sent to the woman, they told her that unless she deactivated the stolen phone, they would sell her private information on the black market, meaning the dark web. Phone theft is on the rise, especially in major cities like London, Paris, and New York. In February, the UK’s Metropolitan Police said that phone theft in London is a business that generates £50 million ($67 million) per year. In one week, UK police officials captured 1,000 stolen devices and made 230 arrests, FT reported. More

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETAI can perform tasks such as writing, coding, reasoning, and researching with great accuracy — all tasks that are key to starting your own company. That begs the question: Can AI help people start their very own billion-dollar business? Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei believes the answer is yes, and it’s sooner than you may think.When asked at Anthropic’s first developer conference, Code with Claude, when the first billion-dollar company with one human employee would happen, Amodei confidently responded, “2026.”Also: Anthropic’s latest Claude AI models are here – and you can try one for free todayAt the same event, Anthropic unveiled its most powerful family of models yet — Claude Opus 4 and Sonnet 4 — which can code, reason, and support agentic capabilities better than ever before. These new AI agents should unlock new opportunities for people to optimize how they work, develop products, and even build their own startups. According to Amodei, the first industries to see this type of efficiency will be those that don’t need human institution-centric stuff to make money, or industries in which the core of the business model isn’t reliant on human interaction. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The 12-inch Microsoft Surface Pro is available now starting at $799 for the Platinum color, and $899 for the new Violet and Ocean colors. The 12-inch version is exceedingly thin and light with a fast-charging battery, and the refreshed form factor looks more premium. The 256GB of storage is not enough […] More