Robotics

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETGoogle just announced a handful of new features for its diverse Chromebook lineup, including two new models that push the limits of what we expect from a Chromebook device: one with a detachable display, and another with a vibrant OLED screen.All Chromebooks will now have access to Gemini, come loaded with Google One AI Premium plan for free for three months, have new customizable Focus modes to silence notifications, and a brand-new Welcome Recap feature that lets you bring up all the apps and windows you had up in a previous session. Also: 6 reasons why a Chromebook is the best laptop for most anyoneBut the flashiest features were saved for Chomebook Plus devices, which have some unique AI-powered perks that set them apart — certainly giving Windows’ Copilot a run for its money. There’s Live Translation, which works with anything on your screen, a text summary feature called Help me read, a better recording app that can summarize and transcribe audio, and a new Quick Insert feature baked into the ChromeOS that’s like a quick-access control panel. Here’s a closer look at the major features Google just announced.  1. The Quick Insert key More

Jason Perlow/ZDNETLiving in South Florida means that hurricanes are a regular part of my life. Through experience, I’ve learned that preparing for a storm is more than just stocking up on supplies — it’s also about having the right data and tools available. As a technology professional who’s weathered multiple hurricanes since moving to the state in 2012, I’ve become passionate about tracking storms. I make it a point to stay 7 to 10 days ahead, closely monitoring every model and update as a storm develops and strengthens. Also: The best VPN services: Expert tested and reviewedHere’s an overview of the apps and websites that I rely on to stay ahead of the storms. Essential websites1. NOAA National Hurricane Center  More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways I tested the 46mm Apple Watch Series 10 model, priced at $529. The new watch body is charmingly thin, the larger display is lovely, fast charging is greatly appreciated Battery life remains rated for 18 hours, and the watch is still missing some software features found on the Watch Ultra 2 […] More

The AfterStep desktop in all its old-school glory. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNETI’ve used just about every desktop available for the Linux operating system. In the early days, I’d switch from one to another to find desktop nirvana. Every so often I’d land on a desktop that I enjoyed and would stick with it, only to find myself itching for a change in a few weeks.Those days are gone and I’ve stuck with the same desktop for a long time (which will soon change, once System76 releases the full version of COSMIC Desktop).Also: System76’s new COSMIC Linux desktop is out of this worldThat doesn’t mean old-school desktops aren’t still viable. Although they may not be as integrated and full-featured as the systems you’re used to, these nods to early Linux can be a lot of fun and some of them are still just as effective now as they were in the past.Let’s take a look at five such desktops. More

RapidEye/Getty Images Microsoft has issued a warning to Windows 11 users over a recent optional software update that has been causing multiple problems. The company says patch KB5043145 is causing some computers to restart many times in a constant loop, and in some cases, become unresponsive. In the cases where the computer is unresponsive, the […] More

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETWhat’s the Amazon Prime Day deal?Ahead of the Prime Big Deal Days sale, the LG Gram Pro 16 2-in-1 More

zf L/Getty Images The term “agentic AI,” or “artificial intelligence agents,” is rapidly becoming commonplace, so much so that those invested in the technology see a need to draw distinctions.  In a series of blog posts published last week, partners at venture capital firm Menlo Ventures, (which has bankrolled startups in artificial intelligence such as Anthropic), […] More

Artie Beaty/ZDNETWhat’s the deal?Amazon is currently selling the LG S95TR soundbar More