Robotics

Nina Raemont/ZDNETOura might be a stellar sleep tracker, but it hasn’t always been a reliable activity tracker. Reddit users under the r/ouraring subreddit regularly lament this situation, saying the Oura Ring miscounts steps during activities and workout sessions. One recent Reddit post called the step tracker “wildly inaccurate.” Also: I took these sleep trackers to bed to find out which is bestOura has seemingly listened to these complaints. The company has announced it is upgrading the smart ring’s step-tracking feature. That’s right: activity enhancements and upgrades are coming to the app, including new trends for viewing your active time, integrations from partners like Apple and Android for heart rate data, and more accurate calorie- and step-counting mechanisms. Let’s run through some of the activity upgrade highlights.  Improved accuracy for calorie and step counting The new step-counting algorithm functions like a pedometer to track movements and interpret steps. The algorithm should improve average daily step count errors; Oura said it cuts that metric by 61%. Additionally, users can expect to see 20% fewer steps logged with this updated algorithm.  Also: Oura Ring 3 vs Oura Ring 4: Opt for the older, discounted smart ring or the newest?Calorie tracking now considers movement intensity (heart rate zones). This update should allow the ring to accurately track calories burned during exercise, slashing median active calorie error by 53%, according to Oura. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Beats’ latest Pill speaker is available for $150 in five colorways: Statement Red, Matte Black, Champagne Gold, Navy Blue, and Blush Pink. An impressive battery life and a subtle, clean design set the Beats Pill apart from its competitors. However, Beats’ overemphasized, bass-forward sound can mask the other aspects of a […] More

As a dog owner, I must vacuum twice daily to keep up with the amount of loose pet hair on my floors. I often can’t make time for that, but my floors stay clean, thanks to my favorite life hack: a robot vacuum. My Roborock is reliable, efficient, and doubles as a mop. As someone who tests robot vacuums daily, I can tell you that a robot vacuum and mop can help ease your mind and save time.Roborock introduced me to robot vacuum and mop combinations over six years ago when few companies offered 2-in-1 robots. Since then, robot vacuum and mop combinations have boomed, taking what started as a dripping microfiber pad dragged along your floors and evolving into efficient self-washing rotating mop pads, self-washing mop rollers, and self-emptying robots. What is the best Roborock robot vacuum right now? I’ve tested multiple Roborock robot vacuums and robot vacuum mops over the last few years, and they’ve mostly been outstanding machines. My pick for the best Roborock robot vacuum overall is the Roborock Saros 10R More

Samsung/ZDNETIf you’ve been looking for a new digital storage option, Samsung has a deal on the 4TB Samsung T5 Evo More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETLast month, Motorola unveiled three new Razr flip phones, including a first-ever ‘Ultra’ model that ZDNET’s smartphone expert Kerry Wan says is “feature-packed, fashionably styled, and unsurprisingly expensive.” The new Razr models, which start at $799, are finally widely available in the US at retailers like Best Buy More

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETIf you’re not as happy with your current mobile phone as you used to be, you’re not alone.A recent American Customer Satisfaction Index study showed that overall cell phone user satisfaction took a big step back this year from 82% to 78%. That might not sound like a huge drop, but it’s the lowest satisfaction score in 10 years. Last year’s score was an all-time high.Also: I test dozens of phones every year: Here’s how Apple and Samsung stack upACSI said the drop is largely in part to AI enhancements that didn’t quite deliver what they promised. Add in the fact that most people aren’t embracing AI on mobile devices anyway (only 8% of people said they’d pay for AI features), and it’s clear customers are more focused on practical things like simple calling and texting, the phone’s design, and improved battery life instead of fancy features.The study showed that steep prices and low upgrade rates also played a part in people being less satisfied. More

HP Gaming desktops can get pretty expensive, but right now you can snag the HP Victus 15L<!–> direct from HP.com for 41% off with this site-exclusive sale. And just because this PC is under $1,000 doesn’t mean it skimps on quality components. Read more: The best Memorial Day 2025 deals live now –> Current price: […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Eufy Clean E20 3-in-1 robot vacuum and handheld vacuum combination costs $650. The Eufy E20 performed very well in suction testing; it offers up to 8,000Pa of suction power and thorough edge cleaning; the robot vacuum’s dustbin doubles as a handheld vacuum that includes a floor attachment and a crevice […] More