Robotics

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Hisense U8QG is available from 55-inch to 100-inch, with most models currently on sale. It offers arresting HDR picture quality and brightness. However, this set lacks some premium features like four HDMI ports and an ultra-thin frame. more buying choices –> jun / 2025 The Hisense U8QG<!–> is one step […] More

When is Amazon Prime Day 2025? Amazon Prime Day begins on July 8, 2025, and ends on July 11, 2025. Are headphones really cheaper on Prime Day? Yes, you can find headphones at discounted prices during Prime Day. I spend a lot of time testing headphones and tracking their retail and discounted prices. All of the headphones, earbuds, and Bluetooth speakers included in this list are discounted from their original sale price. The only headphones with an MSRP increase ahead of Prime Day are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. At their fall 2023 launch, they were $429, and now they are $449.How did we choose these Prime Day deals?We only included headphones, earbuds, and Bluetooth speakers that we’ve tested and used in our Prime Day recommendations. We use these products beyond our initial testing period to see how well they hold up during long-term testing.We also include deals from popular brands, helping our readers know when the most in-demand products are on sale. Some products have deeper discounts than others, but we try to include products with at least a 20% discount. More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETThe Google Pixel 9a might be the best-value phone of 2025, especially now that it brings flagship-level AI tools, a bright 120Hz display, and a massive battery into a more affordable price tier. But, just like any Pixel phone, the best features often aren’t enabled by default. I’ve tested generations of Google Pixel phones, and to achieve the best user experience, you almost always have to do a bit of digging and research.Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you and gathered the best, most effective tips below, all of which are based on a Pixel 9a running Android 15. Depending on which Pixel model and Android version you’re using, the exact menu locations may vary slightly, but the settings themselves are widely available across recent Pixel generations. 1. Enable Smooth Display More

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krisanapong detraphiphat/Getty Research on AI for medicine looks increasingly promising — the tech already speeds up drug development, Google is using AI to improve its medical advice, and wearable companies are leveraging the technology for predictive health features. Now, Microsoft is the latest to move the goal post.  On Monday, the company announced in a blog […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The LG C5 OLED boosts dazzling brightness and color. It features an ultra-slim body, with material choices that evoke premium. It’s priced relatively high for the nominal upgrades over last year’s model. more buying choices Major retailers have discounted LG’s latest C5 OLED TV–> as much as $900 off. I would argue […] More

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETI’ve been anxiously expecting a package from UPS. That’s why a text I received the other day caught my eye. Claiming to be from UPS, the message said that the carrier attempted to deliver the package on June 27, but the delivery couldn’t be completed. The date was one in which my wife and I were away, so this seemed legitimate at first glance.Also: Got a suspicious E-ZPass text? Don’t click the link (and what to do if you already did)However, I’ve written plenty of cybersecurity stories, and I keep abreast of the latest news in the world of cybercrime. I know that UPS scam messages have been making the rounds, especially at this time of year. Naturally, my spider sense started tingling even before I read the text itself. But after reviewing the message and checking out all the details, I realized this was clearly a scam. Scammers like to schedule specific types of scams for certain times of the year. During tax season, you’ll see a lot of scams that spoof the IRS. During the holiday season, gift-card scams ramp up. And during the summer, missed-delivery scams are popular since the crooks know that people are often away on vacation. How the UPS scam worksThis particular UPS scam is a savvy one, at least in some ways. I received the message on my iPhone, with the sender labeled as unknown. By default, links in a text message from an unknown sender are disabled, so you can’t click on them to open them. But the scammer used a sneaky trick to get around this obstacle. Also: Clicked on a phishing link? 7 steps to take immediately to protect your accountsYou’re instructed to reply to the message by typing Y. Doing so then turns the scammer into a known sender. Open the message again, and now the link is clickable. If that doesn’t work, another option is to copy and paste the link into Safari, where it takes you directly to the malicious website. From there, the website prompts you to confirm your contact information if you want to get your package. That means your name, address, phone number, and sometimes a credit card or social security number. If you take the bait, the criminals now have all those sensitive details that they can use to steal your money or your identity. How I can tell it’s a scamBeyond a general awareness of these types of scams, what other clues tipped me off? First was the sender’s email address. Rather than adopt an official UPS name or address, the scammer used a random handle and domain name that had no relation to UPS. The email address is easy enough to review. Always scrutinize it to see if it seems legitimate or related to the company. Also: I clicked on four sneaky online scams on purpose – to show you how they workSecond, the message conveyed a sense of urgency — always a sign of malicious intent. In this case, the text told me that my package would be held by UPS for a mere three days before being sent back to the original sender. That’s a short timeframe without even an attempted redelivery, which UPS usually tries before sending the package back. Third, emails or messages from UPS generally include a tracking number or other means of identifying the package. This message contained no specific details and was instead generic and vague, another sign of a scam. More

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETIf you use a Linux distribution based on Debian or Ubuntu, the upgrade path is almost always painless. I’ve had maybe one Ubuntu upgrade in over a decade that had problems, and even that was a fairly straightforward fix.But not all Linux distributions are created equal, and some are more challenging than others. Some distributions even make the upgrade process more difficult, and a few give users fair warning about why it’s important to stay informed. Also: 7 things every Linux beginner should know before downloading their first distroThat doesn’t mean you should avoid the following Linux distributions. Just because the upgrade process isn’t always a single click doesn’t mean these distros aren’t worth trying. Which distributions require a bit more care during the upgrade process? Let’s take a look at a few of them. 1. Arch Linux The Arch Linux developers maintain a Newbie Corner with a pinned topic titled “Please Read Before Upgrading.” That post discusses pacman, the package manager for Arch, and outlines what users should know before upgrading. For example, the post reminds users to always check the Arch latest news because the developers regularly provide information about upgrades and any known issues. It also suggests watching pacman’s output during the upgrade since the package manager includes pertinent information and asks especially new users to pay close attention as the process proceeds. You don’t find such suggestions for Ubuntu, Linux Mint, ZorinOS or most other Debian-based distributions. Also: Archcraft is a solid, super fast distro for anyone ready to move beyond beginner LinuxThe developers also caution that every Arch user should read about pacman before running an upgrade. 2. Gentoo It’s almost unfair to include Gentoo on this list because, by nature, it’s one of the most difficult Linux distributions on the market. Because of that, upgrading Gentoo is always a challenge. Once you know all the commands for upgrading (emaint, emerge and dispatch-conf), it may look on paper like not a huge task, but there’s far more to a Gentoo upgrade than with most distros. Even after the upgrade is complete, you might need to update your profile. There’s also the cleanup process and the need to pay close attention to the information provided by Portage at the end of an upgrade. Also: Want to save your old computer? Try one of these 8 Linux distros for freeIn the end, with Gentoo Linux upgrades you’ll need to read, pay close attention and be careful. More