We love our laptops, but it’d be great if they had more ports. In the process of slimming down modern laptops, they’ve also lost a lot of their connectivity — but you can get ’em back with a good docking station. And right now, one of our favorite docks is on sale: the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core is down to just $68.90 on Amazon for Prime Day, a jaw-dropping 66% drop from its usual $200 MSRP. This particular model uses Thunderbolt 3 technology for fast and reliable connections between your laptop and all your peripherals. And it has plenty of connectivity options: a DisplayPort 1.4 port, an HDMI 2.0 port, a USB-C PD port, a USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port, a USB-A 2.0 port, and a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a headphone/microphone jack. All of this is enough to hook up two 4K monitors and whatever accessories you have, plus you can easily charge your laptop while in use. When we reviewed the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core, our expert adored it and gave it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, appreciating its compactness and its ability to support two 4K displays. It’s sleek and aesthetically pleasing, too. The small form factor makes it easy to pack with your laptop when traveling: “At a nearly square 5.2 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches and 0.47 pounds, the Thunderbolt Dock Core doesn’t take up much room or weight, and the included 7.9-inch Thunderbolt 3 cord provides ample length for flexibility.” (The built-in Thunderbolt cable is less than 8 inches long, so plan to keep it close to your laptop.) At this price, this docking station is the most cost-effective way to expand your laptop’s connectivity, so grab this super-discounted Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core for just $68.90 while you can. Amazon’s Big Deal Days end tonight! Save $131 on this 7-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 dockBuy now on Amazon Read...

I joined Twitter in 2007, just a year after it was launched, and I’ve been using it almost daily since then. And while all social media platforms evolve over time, Twitter is something different altogether — it has grown so toxic that it has driven away many longtime users. Most of that has happened under the leadership of Elon Musk, who acquired the platform in 2022: Twitter is now called X, half of its workforce was let go, previously banned users were restored in the name of free speech, and being “verified” is now a subscription-based perk rather than anything based on fame or notoriety. Related: Twitter check mark colors, explained If you’re like me, the overall X experience might be worse than it’s ever been, but you can’t quit it cold turkey for one reason or another. If you find yourself in this position, here are some ways to make X more tolerable to use even in 2024. 1. Switch to the Following feed X offers two different feeds for users: the For You feed (which offers a mix of tweets from accounts you follow and accounts you don’t) and the Following feed (which only shows tweets from accounts you follow). Switching from the default For You feed to the Following feed can have a huge impact on your overall X experience. Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG To switch from the For You feed to the Following feed, simply click Following at the top of your feed. From then on, you’ll only see tweets from accounts that you’re explicitly following and you’ll no longer see other tweets that X’s algorithm wants to push on you. If you get bored, you can switch back at any time by just clicking the For You feed again. Or, my preferred option is to start following more accounts to bolster your feed with tweets you want to see so you never have to use the algorithm-driven For You feed again. 2. Regularly audit who you’re following Even if you only ever scroll through the Following feed, you may still see uninteresting or disagreeable tweets from accounts that have grown in a direction you no longer care to go in — so it’s important to conduct regular audits of the X accounts you follow and make sure you unfollow any that are no longer posting content you want to see. Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG To conduct an audit, click Profile in the left-hand sidebar, then click the Following link (with a number next to it). You can then scroll down the list of who you’re following and see if they’re following you back.  Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG If you’re unsure about an account, open the profile in a new tab to see what they’ve been posting of late. If you no longer want to follow them, hover over the Following button and it will change to Unfollow. Click that and you’ll no longer be following that account. 3. Don’t hesitate to Block and Mute people X has two tools that are invaluable if you want to carry on with the platform but wait to escape all the nastiness, negativity, and divisiveness that seems so commonplace. You can Block accounts (to stop them from engaging with you) and Mute accounts (to stop seeing anything and everything they post). Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG To Block or Mute someone on X, click the three-dot menu either at the top of their profile or to the right of one of their tweets. Then, click either option to Mute @[username] or Block @[username]. Blocking someone is the better option if they’re tweeting at you or responding to your posts in an inappropriate manner. Muting someone is better if you just want to stop seeing their posts on X. 4. Populate Lists with good accounts Another invaluable tool you should be using on X is Lists, a feature that lets you create (or follow) curated collections of accounts that are usually (but don’t have to be) grouped according to theme or niche. For example, you might have Lists for technology journalists, for comedians, for entertainment news, for gaming companies, etc. Whether you create your own List or follow publicly available ones made by others, it’s a great way to narrow down your X feed experience. Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG To create a List, first click the More option in the left-hand sidebar, then click on Lists. Once you create or follow Lists, you’ll see them on this page; otherwise, you can use this page to discover new Lists that X thinks will interest you, search for Lists based on your interests, or create a new List by tapping the New List icon to the right of the search field: Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG Once you click New List, you just need to name it, add a description, then add accounts to it. You can also add a cover photo, make the List private or public, and share your List with other people. Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG Once you have followed or created Lists, they will then appear at the top of your X feed alongside the For You and Following feeds. It’s a quick way to jump into a List and narrow down the posts you’re exposed to. 5. Mute all your notifications Notifications can be extremely useful. I mean, you need to know when your boss messages you, right? Or when you have an appointment coming up that you absolutely don’t want to miss? But you never really need X notifications. The occasional one might be helpful, but they’re an overall negative influence with all of their disruptions and distractions. So, turn them off. Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG To turn off notifications in X, click the Notifications option in the left-hand sidebar. Then, click the Settings cog in the top-right corner. From here, you can choose which notifications you want to see (or not), plus select preferences for each notification type. I have both push notifications and email notifications switched off, and I recommend you do the same if you want to retain your sanity. 6. Avoid doomscrolling and negativity Like many other social media platforms, X feels like it was almost made for doomscrolling. Doomscrolling is rotting our brains so, if you can, you should find better things to do with your time. Even when I occasionally venture onto the For You feed on X, I make sure not to endlessly scroll through negative post after negative post just to find those rare hidden gems. The trick is to open X, quickly see what’s going on, and then close the app right away. Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG Dave Parrack / IDG This can be tough to do at first since all social media platforms are designed to hook you in and keep you engaged for as long as possible. Unfortunately, there’s no magic trick to using X this way, but it gets easier the more you do it, and it’s also easier if you’re mindful and intentional about it. Set a timer if you absolutely can’t stop yourself. 7. Limit your time on X and take breaks And that brings us to the final way to make X more tolerable in 2024: stop using it so often, wean yourself off, and limit your engagement. You could waste hours on X, reading about all of the horrible things happening in the world, watching funny videos, getting into debates with people who argue in bad faith (or, more likely, are bots). But all of these things are ultimately rather pointless. While X can be a good source of both news and entertainment, it isn’t the be-all and end-all for either — and it’s getting worse on both fronts. So you’re really better off logging out and/or staying off, only using it when you absolutely need it, and only doing so intentionally. Ultimately, that’s the only way to make X an app you’ll enjoy using rather than an app you’re stuck using out of sheer habit or obligation. X (Twitter) will continue to (d)evolve under Musk’s leadership, and you may well reach the point where you decide that enough is enough. When that happens, there are plenty of alternatives that you’ll like better. Until then, use the above methods to keep X at least somewhat tolerable. Further reading: Practical reasons to keep using Twitter Read...

DoxAI has appointed Sarah Carney, National Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft, to its board, enhancing its focus on AI innovation and ethics. Read...

DoxAI has appointed Sarah Carney, former National Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft, to its board, enhancing its focus on AI innovation and ethics. Read...

Cloudera has unveiled its new AI inference service, Cloudera AI Inference, using NVIDIA technology to enhance AI development and boost performance by 36 times. Read...

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days are a great opportunity to find the best deals on Thunderbolt docking stations and USB-C hubs, which are simply the best accessories to connect your laptop to legacy hardware, displays, and other computing peripherals. They’re on now! Amazon’s fall version of Prime Day begins today, October 8. I’ve listed the very best deals on Thunderbolt docks from manufacturers like Anker and Belkin, as well as USB-C hubs and dongles from a number of suppliers. My deal recommendations factor in top picks from PCWorld’s roundups of best Thunderbolt docks and the best USB-C hubs. I’ve worked as a technology reporter for 30 years and have reviewed dozens of Thunderbolt docks and hubs since 2020, which is when the WFH (work from home) movement started generating all sorts of demand for these products. Below you’ll find my curated list of the best Prime Big Deal Days bargains on Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs from Amazon. (I check other retailers, too, but Amazon consistently has the best deals on docking stations.) I’ll continue adding to it through October 9, when Prime Big Deal Days ends. Be sure to check out our Prime Big Deal Days hub, where we’ll have deals in other categories as well as specific stories on the hottest deals, as we find them. Last updated on Oct. 8, 2024 with new deals. Best Prime Big Deal Days deals on Thunderbolt docks Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core, 60W charging, $68.92 (66% off at Amazon) Kensington SD2480T Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station, 60W charging, $49.62 (72% off at Amazon) Anker 577 Thunderbolt 3 13-in-1 Docking Station, 85W charging, $159.99 (47% off at Amazon) Kensington K37010NA Thunderbolt 3 Dock, 100W charging, $96.98 (31% off at Amazon) Lenovo 40AN0135US Thunderbolt 3 Dock Gen 2, 135W charging, $181.78 (43% off at Amazon) Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock, 100W charging, $214.99 (37% off at Amazon) Microsoft Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock, 96W charging, $219.99, (27% off at Target) I just can’t quit the Belkin Dock Core, and apparently Belkin can’t either. (It always crops up on our deals pages!) Mac people hate it, but it’s a compact little Thunderbolt dock that delivers a ton for the money. Here’s my review of the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core, which I awarded an Editor’s Choice. It does require you to supply a power brick, however. Kensington’s SD2480T (the “old version” is listed, but it seems to be the same as the “new” version) is just an older dock on sale for a great price. This Amazon sale may be the last gasp of Thunderbolt 3 hardware. The dock does run hot, as many note, but it shouldn’t affect its performance. Be aware that you’ll need displays with DisplayPort adapters. Or you’ll need to buy a cheap DisplayPort to HDMI adapter for $20 or so. Ditto for the Anker 577. The Anker 777 12-in-1 dock I reviewed a bit back wasn’t the fastest. Like the Anker 577 it contains an extra Thunderbolt port that doubles as a display port, forcing you to buy a dongle. But it’s on a good sale. The Kensington K37010NA is a lovely design — the floating aesthetic is unique. I haven’t reviewed this dock, but I really like Kensington hardware. Again: There’s one useful HDMI port, but also one upstream Thunderbolt port. That’s not a huge deal. In this case, I buy an extra uni USB-C to HDMI cable for about $16. The 100W charging should take care of most laptops, though perhaps not ones with discrete GPUs. Note the thoughtful 9v/2.22A (20W) USB-C charging on the front that should fast-charge a smartphone. Some of the other docks shave a bit here and there. The two Lenovos are what I’d call “standard” Thunderbolt docks. Remember that Thunderbolt 3 and 4 are basically identical, so I might lean toward the slightly cheaper TB3 dock for that reason. Microsoft’s Surface Thunderbolt 4 dock doesn’t have anything particularly to recommend it, but it’s a decent deal. For whatever reason, Amazon consistently offers the best deals on docking stations. But you occasionally find deals elsewhere, like this one. Best Prime Big Deal Days deals on USB-C hubs, dongles, and docking stations Anker 675 12-in-1 USB-C Docking Station, 100W charging, $169.99 (32% off at Amazon) Targus USB-C Docking Station, 65W charging, $101.89 (59% off at Amazon) Lenovo Docking Station USB-C Universal Business Dock, $96.99 (52% off at Amazon) Acer 7-in-1 USB C Hub, $18.99 (24% off at Amazon) Plugable 13-in-1 USB-C Triple Monitor Docking Station, 100W charging, $135.96 (40% off at Amazon) The Anker 675 is a genuinely cool product at a solid discount. It’s actually a monitor stand that doubles as a USB-C dock, and with a wireless charging pad attached. I doubt you’ve seen anything like it! Right now, the other deals aren’t as impressive. The Targus dock’s $249.99 MSRP doesn’t feel that realistic, but the discounted price is a solid discount. Note that the 65W power delivery might be a little low for high-end notebooks, including gaming notebooks. Lenovo’s docking station feels like a good deal as well, with two dedicated display ports but what looks like a proprietary power plug. Otherwise, I’m really not impressed by many of the USB-C hub/dongle/docking-station deals right now, but the Acer deal is a basic deal on basic products. Plugable’s 13-in-1 docking station is designed for PC users who don’t care too much about the latest and greatest: You’ll only get 4K30 output (as opposed to 4K60, or 60Hz) on your main display, and up to 1920×1200 on your extra displays. Thunderbolt dock deals FAQ 1. What should I look for when buying a Thunderbolt dock or USB-C hub? While Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs are often seen as distinct product categories, they have similarities. Both utilize a USB-C connection from your laptop. However, the distinction lies in how some laptops employ this port: some as a standard USB-C port, while others channel the high-speed Thunderbolt 3 or 4 protocol via the USB-C connector. The standard port typically supports up to 10Gbps of data transfer, which is adequate for USB drives, external storage devices, and possibly an external monitor. Thunderbolt (either Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4) allows for 40Gbps of throughput, designed for high-speed external SSDs and multiple displays. Our roundups of the best USB-C hubs and the best Thunderbolt docks explain further in much greater detail. Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 are close enough that you can save money by buying the older technology that retailers are trying to get rid of. That’s important! Thunderbolt 5, which will deliver 80Gbps, just hasn’t appeared, and that’s a little disappointing. If you want to connect high-speed peripherals (or just a ton of them) a Thunderbolt dock might be the best bet — especially more than one display. Otherwise, a USB-C hub might work just fine. A Thunderbolt dock definitely is a future-proofed solution though. USB-C hubs and dongles are relatively cheap, rarely climbing over $60. Thunderbolt docks can cost anywhere from $100 to $300, depending on what features the dock offers. Usually, the best Prime Big Deal Days deals on USB-C hubs and dongles are on the more expensive docking stations, not the $20-$50 hubs. Thunderbolt dock deals usually feature older Thunderbolt 3 hardware which is functionally equivalent to the latest gear. It’s like buying a car with 1,000 miles on it for 25% off. That’s not a perfect example, of course, but you get the idea. 2. I have a USB-C port on my laptop. How do I know what to use with it? Refer to your laptop’s manual to identify the Thunderbolt port, which may be marked with a small lightning bolt icon. However, this symbol might also indicate a charging port. If in doubt, a USB-C dongle or hub is universally compatible with USB-C ports. 3. I don’t understand the difference between the USB-C and Thunderbolt interfaces. How does it all work? USB ports have a long history. USB-C, known for its versatility, replaced USB-A (the thick square port) due to its reversible connector and capability for higher transfer speeds. USB-C ports can support 5Gbps or 10Gbps, similar to standard USB-A ports. However, some USB-C ports are linked to a Thunderbolt chip within your laptop, enabling them to operate at an elevated speed of 40Gbps. While the physical appearance of the connector remains the same, its functionality is what sets it apart. 4. What’s the difference between a USB-C hub and a Thunderbolt dock? A 10Gbps USB-C hub offers speed and versatility, connecting to a single 4K (or 1080p) display and offering various ports such as USB-A and SD card slots. Typically, you can connect your laptop’s USB-C power cable directly to the hub if needed. A 40Gbps Thunderbolt dock, on the other hand, provides greater bandwidth to support additional ports. It stands out in two main ways: it can handle two 4K displays simultaneously, and many docks include a power supply that can charge both your laptop and phone through the Thunderbolt cable that links your laptop to the dock. We still haven’t seen 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 hardware yet. 5. My laptop has USB4, not Thunderbolt. Can I use a Thunderbolt dock? If your laptop runs USB4, it won’t “understand” Thunderbolt 3 protocols, I’m told. But otherwise, USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 are functionally the same. Intel refuses to certify non-Intel platforms like AMD’s Ryzen for Thunderbolt, and the new Copilot+ PCs from Microsoft powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chips are in the same boat. USB-C hubs work with basically anything with a USB-C port on it. Don’t worry about those at all. 6. Is Thunderbolt 4 better than Thunderbolt 3? Physically, they use the same USB-C cable. (Well, they have a different logo — one has a “3,” and the other a “4.”) Functionally, they’re almost the same. Thunderbolt 4 was released almost as a patch to Thunderbolt 3, ensuring that everything worked properly. They both run at 40Gbps and connect to the same peripherals. If you own a laptop equipped with Thunderbolt, you can connect to both and basically your experience will be the same. The kicker? Thunderbolt 3 hardware is older, and retailers want you to buy the latest gear. So as far as deals go, buying Thunderbolt 3 hardware is a real steal. 7. Do I need a Thunderbolt dock if I own a desktop PC? Usually desktops come chock full of ports, even legacy ones like USB-A. What they don’t always have is a microSD and SD card slot, and a USB-C dock might be a good and cheap way to add this functionality. Intel has historically struggled to get Thunderbolt into desktop PCs, though, so USB-C may in fact be your only option. There’s really no guarantee that a desktop with have a Thunderbolt port. 8. Some of these docks have had bad reviews on shopping sites. Why? Mac users, am I right? While Macs adopted Thunderbolt first, some of the Apple M1 silicon couldn’t keep up with Intel Thunderbolt controllers used by Windows PCs, and the Apple MacOS experience suffered as a result. If a user complains about a bad Windows experience, sure, that’s worth paying attention to. But a Mac user? Bah. They bought the wrong platform. Read...

So you thought your new robot vacuum with its self-emptying bin and LiDAR navigation was state of the art? Well, not anymore.  Robot vacuum technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the past year alone. Besides simply emptying their own bins and mapping your rooms with lasers (that’s so 2022), the latest robot vacuums can hoist themselves over door thresholds, extend robotic arms to reach dust particles tucked in corners, apply elbow grease to stubborn floor stains, and more.  Read on for seven of the hottest features coming to the latest robot vacuums and mops, starting with…  ‘Monster truck’ wheels  Ever watch your robot vacuum struggle to crest a door threshold that’s barely an inch tall? It’s a sad sight, not to mention a barrier (literally) to achieving total vacuum coverage for your floors.  Well, good news. We’ve already seen a pair of robot vacuums that boast ”monster truck” wheels (that’s what we’re calling them, anyway), perfect for helping the bots hoist themselves over door thresholds, high-pile rugs, and other obstacles that conventional bots can’t scale.  These robot-lifting wheels are coming to Shark’s PowerDetect Self-Empty Robot Vacuum in the form of “NeverStuck” technology, while Roborock is calling its version “AdaptiLift.”  Don’t expect these power-lifting wheels to allow a robot vacuum to leap tall buildings in a single bound; for its part, Roborock says its AdaptiLift tech will help the new Qrevo Curv clear standard door thresholds up to 3cm high or “complex” double-layer thresholds up to 4cm tall.  Still, just that little extra can make a big difference in terms of your robovac making it over, say, the bathroom door threshold without a human assist.  Has `monster truck` wheels: Qrevo Curv Pros Not yet reviewed Cons Not yet reviewed Best Prices Today: Not Available at Amazon Read our Roborock Qrevo Curv news story Anti-tangle roller brushes  One chore that robot vacuum owners hate is pulling thick, knotted tangles of hair off the roller brushes. If a member of the household has long hair or—worse—you’ve got four-legged furry friends at home, you may find yourself cutting the hair off with scissors.   Well, good news, pet lovers. The latest crop of robot vacuums includes models with anti-tangle roller brushes.   These brushes come with metal teeth (generally integrated into the brush guard) that cut any swept-up hair before it has a chance to wrap itself around the rollers, allowing the vacuum to suck the strands directly into its dust bin.  It’s a terrific idea, and one that cuts down on one of the biggest robot vacuum pain points.  Detangles its own roller brush: Eufy X10 Pro Omni Pros Thorough, balanced vacuuming and mopping Excellent obstacle avoidance Auto-detangling brush Requires little hands-on attention from user Cons Large base station Self-cleaning functions are noisy Best Prices Today: $599.99 at Amazon Prime$799.99 at Amazon Read our full Eufy X10 Pro Omni review Robot vacs that come with hand vacs  As good as the latest robot vacuums are, there are some spaces where even the highest-end models simply can’t reach—under sofa cushions, within tight corners, on countertops, and so on.  That’s why we’re seeing more robot vacuums that come with their own hand vacs. These combo units typically offer integrated charging for both the robot and the hand vacuum—and in some cases, the base will empty both the bot and the hand vac.  Just like standard hand vacs, the ones that come bundled with robot vacuums often come with their own attachments, including different-sized heads and even stick accessories.  Of course, getting a robot vaccum-and-hand vac combo means you’ll have to settle for the handheld model the manufacturer gives you, so if you have particular needs when it comes to a cordless hand or stick vacuum, you might be better off purchasing the component separately.  That said, these combo models cut down on clutter by allowing you to use a single charging station for both units—and the self-emptying functionality is priceless.  Comes with its own hand vac: Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo Pros Great vacuuming and mopping performance Hot water mop wash prevents cross-contamination Both robot vacuum and hand vacuum are auto emptied in dock Integrated voice assistant Cons Base station is huge Minimal features on hand vacuum Expensive Best Prices Today: $749.99 at Amazon Read our full Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo review Self-washing mop heads  Got a robot vacuum that doubles as a mop? Not bad, but do you have to wash the mop heads manually? Time for an upgrade.  The latest robot vacuum and mop combos can wash their own mop heads, first detaching them from the bot before conveying them to the base station for a thorough, hands-free cleaning.  Even better, higher-end robot mops will wash their mop heads with hot water, perfect for cleaning stubborn grime as well as stopping bacteria in its tracks.  Finally, the best robot mops will dry the just-washed mop heads as well, thus keeping mold from getting a foothold.  Washes its own mop heads: Roborock Qrevo S Pros Excellent vacuuming and mopping Automated maintenance Reasonable price Cons Mop pads often get caught on edges and snap off No hot-water wash for mops Dock takes up a fair amount of floor space Best Prices Today: $519.99 at Amazon Prime$799.99 at Amazon Read our Roborock Qrevo S review Extendable side brushes and mop heads  For years, a spindly side brush was the best way for a robot vacuum to clean the squared-off corner of a room. But as ingenious as they are, side brushes still can’t reach into the very back of a corner, leaving small but stubborn traces of debris behind. If only those little brushes could reach out a tiny bit further…  Well, now they can. The latest robot vacuums and mops come with extendable robotic arms that can extend side brushes and mop heads ever so slightly from the bot’s chassis, allowing them to clean even closer to the edges of a room and deeper inside corners.   Watch a state-of-the-art robot vac and mop now, and you’ll see its mop heads extending a tad as the bot navigates around a table leg or floats along a baseboard, allowing it to scrub within a millimeter from the edge.  Can extend its mop heads: Dreame X40 Ultra Pros Excellent vacuuming and mopping performance Empties its dustbin and sanitizes its mops Accurately detects and avoids obstacles Cons Mop heads tend to get stuck on carpet edges Expensive Best Prices Today: $1,399.99 at Amazon Prime$1,899.99 at Amazon Read our full Dreame X40 Ultra review Dirt detection Most robot vacuums and mops clean rooms by methodically scouring every possible inch of floor space, as opposed to actively seeking out dirt and grime.  The most advanced models, however, actually can look for dirt—and when they spot a mess, they can adjust their schedules or slow down to apply some extra elbow grease.  IRobot’s Dirt Detective technology, for example, keeps track of where the robot has encountered dirt before and essentially creates a dirt map of your home, noting the rooms and areas that tend to get the dirtiest. Using the map, the robot can create custom automations for tackling your grimiest rooms.  Other robots, like models from Dreame and Roborock, use AI to scan your floors in real time, allowing them to slow down, boost their suction, increase water flow, and take other measures for a more thorough cleaning when they spot a mess.  Detects dirt: iRobot Roomba Combo J9+ Pros Retractable mop arm keeps carpets dry New Clean Base design blends in with home furnishings Recognizes and prioritizes dirtiest areas Cons Companion app’s maps are basic and many controls are buried in sub-menus Mop pads must be cleaned manually Expensive Best Prices Today: $799 at Amazon Read our full iRobot Roomba Combo J9+ review Back-and-forth scrubbing  Remember when robot mops did little more than drag a damp cloth across the floor? Now, most robot mops boast rotating mop heads that apply downward pressure as they clean—but even so, nothing really beats a hard, back-and-forth scrub for those really stubborn stains.  The good news is we’re starting to see robot mops that mimic that back-and-forth motion, employing mopping pads that vibrate thousands of times a minute. Roborock’s S8 MaxV Ultra, for example, has a VibraRise 3.0 mopping pad that vibrates at up to 4,000 times a minute, while the Shark Matrix Plus applies a tough, back-and-forth scrubbing motion. Can scrub side-to-side: Shark Matrix Plus Pros Vaccums and mops well Applies scrubbing motion during mopping Self-emptying dustbin Matrix clean delivers deep cleaning Cons Can’t use self-emptying feature with mopping attachment Pet hair tends to ball up and prevent to debris from being sucked out of dustbin Runs over cords Best Prices Today: $349.99 at Amazon Read our full Shark Matrix Plus review Read...

TL;DR: Babbel’s lifetime subscription offers access to 14 languages with lessons designed to fit your lifestyle, on sale for $149.97 until October 13. Not all of us thrive in a traditional foreign language class setting, filled with forced conversations and presentations in front of the entire class. For introverts, Babbel offers a lifetime subscription that lets you master 14 different languages for $149.97 — without ever having to leave the comfort of your couch. No need for awkward small talk with strangers, just pure, on-demand language lessons whenever you feel like it. Babbel is designed with real-life conversations in mind, teaching you the practical phrases you’ll actually use when traveling, working, or chatting with friends. The platform’s speech-recognition technology even helps you perfect your pronunciation, so you can sound like a native speaker without the anxiety of live practice. You’ll also appreciate the personalized lesson plans that adapt to your progress, and the ability to download lessons for offline learning. Best of all, since this is a lifetime subscription, you can learn at your own pace without worrying about recurring fees. Whether you’re picking up Spanish, German, or Italian, Babbel’s 14 language options are always available — whenever you feel ready to dive back in. Through October 13, score a lifetime subscription to Babbel Language Learning on sale for $149.97.   Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) – $149.97 See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

David Craig says police should have deployed technology and search dogs immediately after the latest sighting. Read...

The aim is to boost advertising on TVNZ`s linear and on-demand platforms. Read...