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Though I mostly enjoy mowing my lawn, I can’t say I always look forward to it. After getting a robot mower, what used to be quiet time with my mower has turned into quality active time with my kids, and I’ll never complain about that. A robot mower functions like a robot vacuum and mop, with sensors to navigate obstacles and stay within boundaries while cutting grass and a companion app for control. Also: This…

Jason Hiner/ZDNET Since the early 2000s, I’ve always set my Linux desktops to focus follows mouse. What is that mysterious feature? It’s actually quite simple. By default, most OS desktops require you to click on a window before it gets focus. Essentially, you’ve had to move the cursor to the window and then click on the window before you can use it. Focus follows mouse does away with that last step, so, all you have…

mbortolino/Getty Images As we’re seeing across all kinds of industries, artificial intelligence (AI) is the next frontier in education. Now one charter school network is experimenting with using AI to teach students — and it’s expanding its reach across the US.  Just before the holidays, the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools became the latest to approve an all-virtual, AI-driven school pitched by Unbound Academic Institute. Unbound Academy, set to open in August, will use personalized AI to teach…

Kerry Wan/ZDNET iOS 18.2 rolled out just a month ago, introducing new features like Visual Intelligence and Image Playground. The AI updates may have taken center stage, but the patch also added several quality-of-life improvements to iPhones that you may not be aware of. They range from changing the layout of the Lock Screen to additional controls on the Photos app. The patch is quite large, so instead of going through every single update, we…

ZDNET’s key takeaways Configurations for Lenovo’s LOQ Tower 17IRR9 start at $899. The computer is a great option for people looking for a well-performing, compact, and affordable computer. However, because of its small size, it has a limited number of available ports. more buying choices Lenovo’s Legion series is positioned as the company’s flagship gaming laptop line. However, in recent years, the company has expanded into mid-range hardware with the LOQ series. Most entries are laptops;…

SOPA Images / Contributor A VPN, or virtual private network, is software that encrypts your data online to create a secure connection between your computer and the internet. It’s a useful tool for protecting your private information while connected to public Wi-Fi and can even let you enjoy streaming services in another part of the world. Netflix’s catalog, for example, differs from country to country, as some shows are unavailable in the United States. Also:…

Looking for a TV to take your gaming to the next level or to make movie night special? Need something for everyday viewing? Samsung’s newest additions to their TV line-up offer plenty of reasons to consider upgrading your old Samsung set. The latest TVs provide the premium video and audio quality Samsung is known for, along with a 144Hz for smoother action in movies, shows, and games. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a Samsung set…

ZDNET’s key takeaways HP’s Envy x360 2-in-1 16-inch (2024) comes in a variety of configurations, but the version with 1TB of storage and an OLED display is on sale for $949. It sports one of the most gorgeous displays I’ve seen on a convertible laptop in this price range. It’s a little on the heavy side, and the configuration swapping can be buggy. A host of great 2-in-1 laptops launched in 2024, forcing more and…

6) Liquid cooling takes off The heat generated by AI systems has already driven the need for liquid cooling because air cooling is simply not enough. But it’s not just GPUs that run hot – new CPUs from Intel and AMD are pretty toasty as well. I expect to see an increase in self-contained liquid cooling that will go into existing data centers and not require a hefty retrofit. I also think that HPE and…

Can you really enjoy the benefits of that new Apple Watch Ultra 2 with a subpar band? The watch has a rugged exterior, a large display, and ample battery life, but to enjoy all of those features, you have to feel good with the watch strap on your wrist.  The Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 share the same size, dimensions, and price. When you purchase an Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple includes one of…