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ZDNET’s key takeaways NixOS is an open-source operating system that is available to install and use for free. It offers several desktop environments to choose from, is as rock-solid as any OS on the market, and performs quite well. However, there’s a fairly steep learning curve for installing non-free software. Before we get into this review, I want to offer some information for new Linux users. If you’re uncomfortable using the command line or diving…

Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images TikTok is a few weeks away from the end of the 75-day extension that President Donald Trump granted the service in January. The extension followed a temporary ban for “national security” reasons.  As potential offers for TikTok roll in from potential US suitors and unprecedented levels of White House involvement continue behind the scenes, the Chinese-owned social media platform is attempting to fix the concerns that prompted this complex situation in…

ZDNET There is no shortage of web browsers. But what makes FireDragon a browser you should try? First off, FireDragon was originally a fork of LibreWolf, but the development team (which is the same team behind Garuda Linux) decided to switch to the Floorp browser as its base. Also: I’ve tried nearly every browser out there and these are my top 6 (none are Chrome) FireDragon reminds me of a tricked-out version of Opera (without the…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Google Pixel Tablet retails for $499 but it’s on sale for $399. The 11-inch tablet runs Android 13 on Google’s Tensor G2 chip It has solid performance, small bezels surrounding the screen that can handle multitasking, and a charging dock. Android can be buggy on the Pixel Tablet, though less so than on competing devices; the refresh rate tops out at 60Hz, and picking up the tablet takes some getting used…

rob dobi/Getty Images Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) keeps firing AI researchers — and it’s making the tech industry increasingly nervous about the American AI talent pipeline.  On March 3, the long-rumored cuts to staff at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) finally landed. Multiple sources reported that 73 probationary employees were fired, many of whom worked on the CHIPS for America initiative, as anticipated. The CHIPS Act aims to ramp…

ZDNET’s key takeaways Ecovacs’ Deebot T30S Combo 3-in-1 robot vacuum, mop, and handheld vacuum is currently available for $1,200. The robot vacuum features an industry-leading 11,000 Pa of suction power, retractable mop pads to tackle corners and edges, a new v-shaped brush to prevent tangles, a self-emptying handheld vacuum, and self-washing and self-emptying features for the robot Though I had no issues with mapping, I found the Deebot T30S’s object avoidance left something to be…

ZDNET’s key takeaways At $130, the Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera is a practical, battery-powered solution for darker areas around your house that lack wiring and outlets. The AA batteries allow the floodlights to beam at 700 nits of brightness, which is not the most powerful on the market but good enough to see your surroundings. The Blink app is feature-rich, with plenty of camera settings to customize for the best surveillance, but you’ll need…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Blink Mini 2 is available for $40 on its own or bundled with a weather-resistant power adapter for $50 With a stronger construction, improved video quality, a new spotlight, person detection, and weather resistance for outdoor use, the Blink Mini 2 is a definite upgrade from the first generation As an Amazon device, the Blink Mini 2 works with Alexa but not Google Home, Matter, or other smart home systems. The…

Maria Diaz/ZDNET ZDNET’s key takeaways The Dreame X40 Ultra is typically $1,900, but it’s 42% off right now on Amazon, available for $1,000.  The X40 Ultra is a high-performing robot with excellent mapping capabilities and strong 12,000Pa suction. It performs exceedingly well on carpet and hard floors, with great object avoidance and high customization. Although it can recognize and show snapshots of obstacles, it sometimes gets tangled in cords and loses one or both mop pads….

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE starts at $649, with 128GB of storage and AI features included. Large 6.7-inch AMOLED display and an enduring 4,700mAh battery are the top two strengths. At its price, the S24 FE faces stiff competition from Google, OnePlus, and Samsung itself. more buying choices Samsung’s 128GB Galaxy S24 FE has been discounted on Amazon. The amount varies depending on the color. The S24 FE in Graphite (black) has…