Robotics

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Amazfit BIP 5 More

Snap/ZDNETSnap Inc., developer of the social media platform Snapchat, recently unveiled the fifth generation of its Spectacles AR headset at SPS 2024.The first thing you’ll notice about the Spectacles 5 is its massive size. According to the company, the new pair are almost three times the size of the Spectacles 4 and weighs 226 grams (a little under half a pound). But bulking up the headset had to be done as Snap made numerous hardware changes that required the extra room.Also: The best VR headsets right now (and how Apple Vision Pro stacks up)While there won’t be an external battery pack and everything is inside the frame, Snap states the device runs on a pair of Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. They support the four cameras at the front which “power the Snap Spatial Engine [for] seamless hand tracking.”The Spectacles 5’s legs house LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) micro-projectors that send images directly towards the waveguides inside the lenses. Snap says each lens “delivers a 46-degree diagonal field of view with a 37 pixel-per-degree resolution.” The company equates this to looking at a 100-inch display from about 10 feet away. More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETOctober Prime Day isn’t here yet, but you can already find stellar savings on popular Amazon products.The Amazon Echo Pop speaker for $25 More

Jason Hiner/ZDNETWhen the iPhone 15 launched, Apple specifically pointed out the device’s focus on repairability. Mobile device repair specialists iFixit would later reveal that repairability was held back a little by Apple’s DRM, but it appears the latest iPhone — the iPhone 16 — addresses those issues.First up is a new way to remove the iPhone’s battery. The iPhone 15 and previous models used glue that was notoriously difficult to deal with, but the iPhone 16 has a special adhesive that loosens when you apply a low-voltage charge like a 9V battery, making it significantly easier and faster to remove. This glue is present on the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus, but not the Pro model.Also: We’ve used every iPhone 16 model and here’s our best buying advice for 2024But even with all the Apple Intelligence features we know about and considering that Apple will likely reserve new ones to announce during the September 9 event,Also new is a Repair Assistant that is included with iOS 18. The feature is open to both repair professionals and regular consumers and allows them to configure parts – both new and used. Apple announced this feature in April, saying, “the new process is designed to maintain an iPhone user’s privacy, security, and safety, while offering consumers more options, increasing product longevity, and minimizing the environmental impact of a repair.” Apple says used or third-party parts will have the same functionality and security as original ones. More

Ed Bott/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Microsoft Surface Pro More

Jada Jones/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Ultimate Ears MiniRoll More

ChargerLAB Power-Z AK001 USB-C cable with power meter. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETIf you’re a professional repair technician, then having one or more USB power meters in your toolkit is essential. These devices are invaluable as they provide a quick and efficient means of diagnosing issues. A USB power meter can instantly read voltage and amperage, what power protocols are being used, and much more, helping technicians pinpoint power-related problems with various devices. This capability makes them an indispensable, time-saving tool in the fast-paced environment of electronic repairs.Also: I tested the viral ‘tangle-free’ USB-C cable, and it’s my new travel backpack essentialBut if you’re a hobbyist, investing over $100 in a high-end, feature-packed USB power meter might not make sense. For most enthusiasts, a simpler power meter that covers the basics is more than sufficient. Such a device can provide essential readings like voltage and current, which are typically all that’s needed to carry out routine checks and minor repairs. This way, hobbyists can enjoy the practical benefits of a USB power meter without the steep cost associated with more advanced models.This is what the ChargerLAB Power-Z AK001 More

Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images YouTube has revealed several new features coming to its video platform, some of which — unsurprisingly — will be powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Most of the updates are geared toward content creators, but one in particular has the potential to impact viewers as well. Also: YouTube Music rolls out […] More