Robotics

CNET/ZDNETLive TV streaming services were designed to disrupt the cable monopoly. And for a while, it looked like the plan was working.Cable companies, no longer blessed with monopoly power, are losing millions of customers every year. But the cord-cutting alternatives that were supposed to save us have been raising prices steadily, and today the price of a live TV streaming service is nearly as high as one of those old cable bills.Also: Bye bye, Wi-Fi: How to add a wired network to your home without running EthernetTake YouTube TV, for example. At its launch in 2017, Google’s live TV streaming service cost a mere $35 a month. Since then, Google has raised prices every year. By the time I signed up in early 2020, the price had crept up to $50 a month. The latest price increase, which took effect in January 2025, raised the cost of the base plan to $83, plus an extra $10 for the 4K add-on. For the base plan alone, that’s a 66% increase in five years.And then there’s Fubo TV, which announced at the start of January that it would be acquired by Disney and would share the same corporate parent as Hulu with Live TV.  And by the end of January … yes, you guessed it: Fubo raised the monthly base prices of all its subscriptions.That flurry of price increases got me asking questions:Am I really getting my money’s worth out of that $90-plus subscription?Are any competitors offering a better deal?What happens if I decide to just cut out my live TV streaming service altogether?The competitionFor customers in the US, there are currently six live TV streaming services to choose from. Each one works using an app on a streaming device or smart TV platform. Subscribers choose a plan that offers some combination of basic and premium cable channels, local broadcast channels, and regional sports networks, along with DVR capabilities so you can pause live TV and record shows to watch later.ZDNET has already done the work of assembling the available choices. I reviewed each one of those services three years ago and decided to take a fresh look in 2025 to see what’s changed.Also: Want to avoid the YouTube TV price hike? This trick worked for me (eventually)Four of those services offer strikingly similar lineups at prices that are nearly identical: between $82 and $87 a month, before add-ons. The other two are noticeably cheaper, so that’s where I started, working from least to most expensive.PhiloYou get what you pay forAt a mere $28 a month for 70+ channels, this service seems like a genuine bargain. You also get access to the AMC+ library and another 100+ free ad-supported channels. (You can see the whole lineup in Philo’s channel guide.)Also: I invested $50 in Bitcoin in 2022, and it’s been a ride. Here’s how much I have nowIf you just want something to watch, Philo has plenty to offer, but its offering is too lean for me. It keeps costs low by not paying to carry the most expensive cable channels, so you won’t find The Weather Channel, for example, or any of the three big US-based cable news networks: CNN, MSNBC, or Fox News. (The only news is via BBC World News.) Philo also doesn’t include any local channels or regional sports networks, which means no weekend sports.Philo More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Motorola’s Moto G is available from the company’s website for $200. The smartphone boasts a long-lasting battery, booming speakers, and a solid camera array. However, I wouldn’t call it a “pocket-sized theater” due to its sub-standard screen. –> In a world where flagship smartphones can cost $1,000 or more, key brands […] More

It all depends on your use case and personal preference. For example, Mortensen prefers tablets with screens (otherwise known as pen displays).”Direct drawing changes your art and thinking in ways that you can’t predict,” he said. “Art is hard enough without not being able to look right at what you’re drawing. Sure, they’re more expensive, but if you have the means, I highly recommend it.”On the other hand, screen-less drawing tablets (also known as pen tablets) generally have a lower price point and are more portable. Keep in mind these tablets require a connection to a computer and can take some time to get used to, as you’ll need to draw on the tablet while looking at your computer screen. Overall, the best drawing tablets allow you to digitally create in different ways based on the art and artist, so it’s really up to your preference whether you want to work with a drawing tablet that has a built-in touchscreen or a special pressure-sensitive surface. More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETThe new year is a great time to score lingering deals, and the Apple AirTag 4-Pack More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Satechi’s Mini NVMe SSD Enclosure is on sale for $60. It’s a handy travel accessory for moving large files between multiple devices quickly However, getting the most from the device can be an expensive endeavor. more buying choices Data transfer is a large aspect of my day-to-day life. I’m constantly moving […] More

Remote and hybrid working has become the new normal — at least, for now — but productivity can take a hit unless you have the right setup. You might, for example, want to access resources and content on a PC or network when you’re away from the office. Perhaps your employer stipulates that you must use remote desktop software and a VPN if you are working remotely. Or, you simply need a way to provide tech support to a family member who needs help with their laptop but isn’t close by. Also: The best web hosting services: Expert testedRemote access software is often your best bet. This software forges a remote link between machines, allowing users to control other devices, provide administrative support, and access data and files.  What is the best remote desktop software right now?Based on our extensive testing, research into customer experiences, and personal use, the best remote desktop software solution on the market today is Splashtop More

ZDNETHate calling a business to ask about pricing? A new Google feature can handle that for you.A feature called “Ask for Me” has popped up under the AI experiments category in Google Labs. Instead of calling a company yourself, you can let Google’s AI do it for you, handling tasks like finding the best price and checking product availability.Experimental phaseWhen you use Ask for Me, a realistic-sounding AI will contact businesses, compile options, and get back to you within 30 minutes. It works much like the Duplex feature from 2019, which would call a restaurant for you to place a reservation.Also: Google’s new AI tool is changing the way teams work and organize researchThe feature is in an experimental phase, Google warns, and isn’t available for all service types. Google didn’t specify exactly which services it is available for, but images only show requests for auto maintenance and nail salon pricing. The description says it’s for “local services like ‘oil change’ or ‘nail salons nearby,'” so it’s possible that’s it for now. More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETI grew up watching The X-Files. In the late 1990s, cell phone reception was nothing like it is today. So back then, I couldn’t help but question how Scully and Mulder could call their boss, Skinner, back in Quantico even when they were investigating the most remote, bizarre locations across the continental US. Also: Just installed iOS 18.3? I’d change these 3 settings first for the best experienceSuspending disbelief aside, maybe FBI agents Scully and Mulder knew real-life tricks to get reception in the middle of nowhere. We can be sure our Special Agents’ little flip phones were not satellite phones. And, that show aired before the advent of the iPhone in 2007. But if you are one of the billions of people using an iPhone or Android today, there are a few factors to consider and tricks you can try if you find yourself struggling to get a signal. More