ZDNet Robotics
Enterprise-focused reporting on robotics automation and integration for business impact
This HP Laptop Is a Great MacBook Alternative - and It's 50% Off for Memorial Day
HP is discounting its OmniBook 5 laptop to $530 for Memorial Day, a 40% reduction from the original price. The Snapdragon‑X model ships with 16 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD, while an Intel Core i5‑1334U version offers 8 GB RAM and a 512 GB SSD for $460. Weighing just 2.86 lb and featuring a 2K OLED screen, the device is positioned as a lightweight, high‑quality alternative to the MacBook Air. ZDNET gave the deal a perfect 5‑out of‑5 rating for productivity use.
4 Android Auto Settings I Always Turn on for a Safer Ride
Android Auto’s built‑in safety suite includes auto‑launch, split‑screen, voice controls, and Do Not Disturb. Activating auto‑launch removes the need to manually start the app, while split‑screen keeps navigation and media visible simultaneously. Voice commands let drivers issue commands without touching...
I Jailbroke My Old Kindle to Install KOReader - but There's a Better Way to Extend Its Life
Amazon will stop software updates for Kindle models released before 2013 on May 20, leaving many older e‑readers without official support. Users can jailbreak these devices to install KOReader, KUAL, and custom fonts, gaining greater flexibility but also exposing the hardware...
I Tested Whether Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude Can Analyze Videos - This One Wins
ZDNet tested Gemini, ChatGPT Plus, and Claude Max on three video formats—including YouTube, MP4, and MOV—to see which AI can truly "watch" video. Gemini handled all files directly in its web UI, delivering accurate scene descriptions and clickable timestamps. ChatGPT required the...
How I Customized My Sonos Speaker to Make My Home Theater Sound Truly Immersive
The author reconfigured a Sonos home‑theater setup—Arc Ultra soundbar, two Era 300 surrounds, and a Sub 4—by tweaking EQ, surround, height, and subwoofer settings. By raising Bass to +2, Treble to +1, selecting Full surround mode, and calibrating distance with TruePlay, the...
Yes, You Can Get Microsoft 365 Free - Here's How
Microsoft 365 can be used without paying for a subscription by leveraging three free options: the browser‑based Office.com suite, the free Microsoft 365 mobile app, and the education‑focused Office 365 A1 program. The web version provides Word, Excel, PowerPoint and 5 GB of...
Google's AI Overviews Will Show You Advice From Other People Now
Google is upgrading its AI Overviews with five new features that surface expert advice, highlight users' news subscriptions, embed source links beside each summary point, suggest additional articles, and preview linked sites on hover. The changes aim to make generative...
Get Amazon Prime for 6 Months Totally Free if You're Age 18-24 - Here's How
Amazon’s Prime for Young Adults gives users aged 18‑24 a free six‑month trial and a discounted rate of $7.49 per month ($69 per year) after verification. The program, which replaces Prime for Students, requires proof of age or enrollment in...
Android Phone Slow? I Changed 2 Developer Settings for an Instant Speed Boost
ZDNET explains how Android users can instantly speed up their phones by tweaking two hidden Developer Options settings. By halving or disabling UI animation scales and limiting background processes to four or fewer, even low‑end devices feel snappier. The guide...
Why I Own 4 Different Pairs of Headphones, and How I Effectively Use Each One
The author recommends four headphone models to cover everyday, workout, and travel needs: Apple AirPods Pro 3 earbuds, Bose QuietComfort over‑ear headphones, budget‑friendly CMF Buds 2 Plus, and Sony WH‑1000XM6. Each product is highlighted for its standout features—noise cancellation, battery life, waterproofing, health...
Mini LED Vs. OLED: I've Tested Dozens of TV with Both Display Types, and This One's Better
ZDNet’s Adam Breeden compares Mini LED and OLED TVs, highlighting price, brightness, and burn‑in differences. Mini LED panels, built on backlit LCDs with thousands of tiny LEDs, deliver up to 5,000 nits and cost roughly half of comparable OLEDs. OLEDs, with self‑emissive pixels, provide...
I Used Photoshop's New AI Tool to Rotate Objects in 3D, and It's Pure Magic
Adobe unveiled the Rotate Object AI feature in Photoshop v27.6, letting users spin 2D assets in three‑dimensional space while the engine fabricates hidden surfaces. The tool pairs with the existing Harmonize function to automatically match lighting, shadows and color to the...
User Interfaces as We Know Them Are Dead - 4 Ways to Prep for 'Disposable' UIs
Salesforce unveiled "Headless 360," turning its core CRM, Agentforce and Slack services into pure APIs, MCP and CLI endpoints, eliminating the traditional browser UI. The announcement signals a broader industry move toward "disposable" user interfaces—ephemeral, AI‑generated screens that appear only...
You Can Save 50% on This Sony Soundbar Right Now - but the Deal Ends Tonight
Sony’s HT‑A5000 soundbar, equipped with Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, 8K HDMI pass‑through, AirPlay, Google Cast and voice‑assistant integration, is on a flash sale at Best Buy for $500—a 50% discount that expires tonight. The unit features automatic room‑calibration microphones, optional wireless...
Want Free E-Books? Stuff Your Kindle Day Has 150+ Titles Discounted - Today Only
Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on April 23, offering more than 150 cozy‑mystery e‑books at a temporary $0 price. Hosted by the Cozy Mystery Book Club, the promotion spans the Kindle Store as well as Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and...