Robotics

In my early days of writing about mobile technology, I thought my MSN Direct SPOT watch was the future of wearables. Twenty years later, we now have incredible smartwatches from brands like Apple, Samsung, and Google that make the clock the least impressive feature.While Android smartwatches today typically include detailed 24/7 health and wellness tracking, many have other advanced features, like a companion Android app, touchscreen display, call and text messaging support, installable applications, customizable watch faces, and voice assistants.Also: Best smartwatches: Expert tested What is the best Android smartwatch right now? At ZDNET, we have tested every popular Android smartwatch powered by Google’s Wear OS on the market, evaluating battery life, display, durability, and health tracking features. Our pick for the best Android smartwatch overall is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETIt’s impossible not to notice how bad my iPhone’s battery life has become since upgrading to iOS 18; it only got progressively worse with iOS 18.1 and 18.2. It’s the rare day that my battery is still above 40% by lunchtime, and power banks have become constant companions in my life. The situation was bad (night or day), battery consumption was much higher than anything I remember, and even Low Power Mode didn’t offer much relief.It was time to investigate the problem. Also: iOS 18.2 update triggers eruption of iPhone battery life complaints – what to knowHowever, I wasn’t optimistic about finding a solution or even a workaround. Recently, the only remedy for such issues has been to wait for Apple to patch the problem. But given that I’ve watched this issue go from bad to worse over the past few months, I’m not holding my breath. So I decided to investigate. For any battery drain issue, the first place I always look is under the Battery screen in Settings. This section is a treasure trove of information, not only related to the battery but also to the apps that are running and consuming power. Two charts are displayed here: Battery Level, which shows how the charge level changes at 15-minute intervals; and Activity, which uses a bar chart to illustrate which apps have been active and using battery power in hourly intervals. You can tap on the bars for a deeper dive into what’s been happening on your iPhone during that period. More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Google Nest Learning Thermostat More

The right laptop for video editing needs to handle software like Adobe Premiere Pro without slowdowns. A performance machine is indispensable for these kinds of demanding tasks. As we say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025, our experts continue to rigorously test the best laptops for video editing to help you find the perfect tool for your creations. Also: The best laptops for graphic designersWhat is the best laptop for video editing right now?We performed extensive research and hands-on testing when looking for the top video editing laptops you can buy today. We looked for models that excelled in processing power, display, and price, among other metrics. Our pick for the best laptop for video editing overall is Apple’s M4 MacBook Pro More

LG’s Gram Pro 16 2-in-1 from earlier this year. Kerry Wan/ZDNETLG just announced that it’s expanding its lineup of Gram laptops in 2025, which includes launching the company’s first-ever Copilot+ PC and its first devices powered by Gram AI, its proprietary hybrid AI that utilizes both on-device and cloud-based AI models. Expected to be unveiled at CES 2025, the Gram, Gram Pro, Gram Pro 2-in-1, and Gram Book are just as slim and lightweight as last year’s models. We tested them, and can confirm that they’re some of the thinnest, lightest laptops we’ve ever seen. What’s new is that they now come equipped with LG’s on-device “Gram Chat” AI to process and analyze data locally, even when not connected to Wi-Fi.  Also: I tested the lightest 16-inch convertible laptop of the year, but that’s not even its best featureGram Chat’s hybrid approach utilizes LG’s EXAONE large language model when offline, but when connected to Wi-Fi, it employs cloud-based AI powered by GPT-4o. LG Research released its EXAONE 3.0 LLM earlier this year after a three-year development period.So, what does this mean for laptop users? AI all day, every day, whether or not you have Wi-Fi. LG says Gram Chat integrates with calendar and email apps, enabling the AI to help manage a user’s schedule as well as send and receive emails and messages. It also leverages the “Time Travel” feature, which can revisit web pages, documents, videos and audio files (which sounds a little bit like a certain controversial Windows feature).  More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETIf you’re a subscriber to the Nextdoor app, you’ve seen ample footage of prowling ne’er-do-wells caught in the eye of a video doorbell or home security camera. Hopefully, you don’t have your own first-hand experience with suspicious characters milling around your front porch, or far worse.For good reason, security cameras continue to grow in popularity, and we can expect them to become even more reliable and affordable in 2025. Also: Siri’s secret recordings lead to a $95 million settlement. Could you get a share?While we don’t necessarily require super high-res imagery from these discrete little devices, you can get the most out of them by being mindful of a few factors — especially where you position your camera(s). 1. Avoid obstructions (even future obstructions)Obviously, you won’t be putting a lens behind anything that blocks its view. Sometimes, though, that can include objects that change in size or shape over time, like trees and shrubs. During wintertime, a clear view of your yard may become a different story when branches bloom with new foliage in the spring.The same can apply to interior views, at least with objects that come and go. Will shutting a door somewhere within your camera’s line of sight block out a good percentage of its field of vision? Will your pet cat find a favorite spot to curl up in for hours at a time, right in front of the device? More

Whether you’re connecting your TV or setting up a gaming console, there is no shortage of HDMI cables to buy. Cords and cables are a dime a dozen, but not all of them provide the support and performance you need.  Also: Check out these best gaming consoles for your new HDMI cableWe scoured the market to find the best HDMI cables for your home and work devices, ensuring that the price matches performance. Before you hook up your next electronic device, consider these best HDMI cables to do the job.What is the best HDMI cable right now?If a cable is well made and conforms to the specifications, then that’s a good cable, and there’s no point in overspending. As such, my top pick goes to AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI cable More

Daniella Ramirez/ZDNETThe next time you run low on your favorite food, you could place an Instacart order straight from your refrigerator — including items that your fridge added to the shopping list.Samsung announced today that it’s teaming up with Instacart to let you place a grocery order directly from your refrigerator’s screen. This order can consist of items you placed there and things your fridge knew you needed. Also: CES 2025: What to expect and how to watchSamsung said this feature will be introduced first in the company’s 2025 Bespoke models — the 32-inch “Family Hub” display version and the 9-inch “AI Home” display version. The feature also will roll out to existing AI Family Hub+ units through over-the-network firmware updates later this year. Neither the AI technology nor the screen-ordering technology is new on its own, but it’s the first time you can use them together.Refrigerators with screens have been around for years (both from Samsung and other manufacturers), and some of these did let you place Instacart orders, but were limited to items you put in your cart.  More