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CFOTO/Contributor/Getty Images A new player has made a big entrance in the AI villa, and it’s creating significant disruption.  Chinese AI startup DeepSeek made waves last week when it released the full version of R1, the company’s open-source reasoning model that can outperform OpenAI’s o1. On Monday, App Store downloads of DeepSeek’s AI assistant topped ChatGPT, which had previously been the most downloaded free app. DeepSeek has also already climbed to the third spot overall on…

CFOTO/Contributor/Getty Images A new player has made a big entrance in the AI villa, and it’s creating significant disruption.  Chinese AI startup DeepSeek made waves last week when it released the full version of R1, the company’s open-source reasoning model that can outperform OpenAI’s o1. On Monday, App Store downloads of DeepSeek’s AI assistant topped ChatGPT, which had previously been the most downloaded free app. DeepSeek has also already climbed to the third spot overall on…

Maria Diaz/ZDNET What’s the deal? The Aqara U100 smart lock is $80 off, available for one the lowest prices we’ve ever seen at $150 with a limited-time deal. ZDNET’s key takeaways The Aqara U100 smart lock was originally priced at $230, but it is currently discounted to $150. This smart lock is the most versatile I’ve tested. It offers a variety of unlocking options, a user-friendly app, and easy integration with Apple Home. The Aqara U100…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The new Ecovacs Deebot N30 Omni is available for $799 This mid-range robot vacuum and mop features auto-emptying, mop washing and drying, and strong suction, which we were able to confirm during testing The downside is that the Deebot N30 Omni doesn’t boast the best obstacle avoidance capabilities, which significantly hinders how often you have to rescue it after it gets stuck on a small object. What’s the deal? The Ecovacs Deebot…

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET Apple has kicked off iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and MacOS 15.3 with one significant change affecting AI. Since its debut, Apple Intelligence has required the extra step of actually turning it on or opting in. But with the new versions, Apple’s AI feature is enabled by default for eliglble devices. Enabled automatically for new and upgrading users The release notes for the new OS versions released on Monday state that Apple Intelligence will…

MicroStockHub/Getty Images Three months after a prior survey of chief information officers, the latest data shows the majority of companies are not ready to put their generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) into production, according to the new report by consulting giant Deloitte.  More than two-thirds of global corporate executives surveyed said that fewer than one-third of Gen AI experiments “will be fully scaled in the next three to six months,” states the report, entitled “Now…

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET When ChatGPT first launched two years ago, the AI chatbot was met with such high demand that OpenAI introduced a premium plan called ChatGPT Plus. This plan guaranteed access to the chatbot even during blackout periods. The plan’s perks also included access to OpenAI’s most advanced models, which at the time included GPT-4, making the $20 plan almost a no-brainer for superusers. However, as OpenAI’s offerings have continued to grow over the past few years, so…

Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images In the US, most people can always Super Bowl LIX for free through their local Fox station. This year, cord-cutters aren’t left out either — thanks to the lesser-known Tubi streaming service, they can stream the game for free as well. This is happening because Fox owns Tubi. This will be the first time the Super Bowl will be streamed at no cost, alongside its traditional over-the-air antenna broadcasts. Tubi is a…

ZDNET’s key takeaways Asus’ ZenScreen Smart Monitor is a 27-inch 4K TV/monitor/hub all in one, and it’s on sale at Amazon for $379. It uses Google TV, supports hundreds of apps, and can switch between different modes on the fly. Getting everything connected can take some trial and error, and there are usability quirks. more buying choices Asus launched its first smart monitor, the 27-inch ZenScreen MS27UC, in late 2024, and it’s priced to compete….

cagkansayin/Getty Images Stepping into a senior position is a proud moment for upwardly mobile professionals. However, becoming a successful manager is far from straightforward. Analyst Gartner suggests that as many as 40% of managers with two years or less of experience struggle to support their teams. The research indicates that first-time managers face significant challenges as they grow into their roles, particularly in today’s hybrid working environment.  Also: 6 ways continuous learning can advance your career So, how…