Category: 4. Technology

SAVE $220: As of Sept. 3, the Roborock Q8 Max robot vacuum is on sale for $179.99 at Amazon. That’s a 55% saving on the list price.

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A robot vacuum is a real game-changer. What started years ago as something to pick up small amounts of dirt around the house has now evolved into a much more advanced system that has become an essential for modern living. And the Roborock Q8 Max is a standout option for most homes, and it’s now on sale at Amazon.

As of Sept. 3, this impressive robot vacuum is more than half off, now priced at $179.99. According to camelcamelcamel, it’s also at its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

This is a strong choice for staying on top of your cleaning routine, with minimal effort. It has dual rubber brushes that pick up tough dirt and hairs, all while avoiding annoying brush tangles. So if you have a carpeted home or pets, this could be the model for you.

It doesn’t just vacuum, either. It mops with adjustable water flow settings to suit anything from delicate floors to stubborn grime. And with a strong 5,500 Pa suction power, it handles everyday dirt with ease.

For navigation around your home, the Q8 Max is equipped with obstacle detection, meaning you don’t need to clear the room before setting it off. The smart navigation maps your home quickly and accurately, and even creates a 3D view you can customise for furniture and floor types. It also recognises different levels in your house automatically, so you can move it between floors without extra docks.

Mashable Deals

And to make things even easier, everything is controlled from the app. Here you can set schedules, tweak settings, or pick a faster route if you want a quicker clean.

Get this robot vacuum deal from Amazon right now.

Even the best TVs can often run out of HDMI ports. Add a cable box, a streaming stick and maybe a games console or two, and those ports soon dry up. Thankfully, you don’t have to buy a new TV to get more of them.

This Anker 2-in-1 HDMI switch is the answer, and right now it’s just $10 at Amazon. That matches the lowest price we’ve ever seen, so we don’t expect that it will get much cheaper any time soon.

While you don’t have to enter any discount codes or clip any coupons to enjoy this discounted price, there is a catch. This deal is only available to Amazon Prime members, so make sure you’re signed in. Not already a Prime member? Our list of 19 underrated Amazon Prime perks might change your mind.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

As for the HDMI switch, it’s a relatively simple affair that couldn’t be easier to set up. It has a single HDMI output for connecting to your TV and two HDMI inputs for you to connect things to. A single button press switches between the two inputs, so make sure you place this thing somewhere that you can reach it.

In terms of specs, Anker says this switch supports 4K content and a 60Hz refresh rate, while HDR support is also present. In fact, this switch even supports 3D content — in case you bought a 3D during the couple of weeks those were a thing.

Why this deal matters

We all run out of HDMI ports eventually, and with the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2, we suspect a few people are switching cables more than they used to. Save your patience and your TV’s ports by picking up this switch while it’s available for just $10.

Editor’s Summary

• Ultra-compact personal AI workstation featuring the NVIDIA^® GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip, equipped with 128 GB of unified memory, 4 TB of storage, and delivering up to 1 PFLOPS of FP4 AI performance.
• Designed to work locally with large AI models, and scale to larger workloads connecting two Acer Veriton GN100 systems with NVIDIA ConnectX-7 SmartNIC, pre-installed with the latest NVIDIA AI software stack and support for common developer tools and frameworks, including PyTorch, Jupyter, and Ollama.
• Space-efficient and secure, with Kensington lock support and the ability to link two units for handling AI models up to 405 billion parameters.

BERLIN, Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Acer today introduced the Veriton GN100 AI Mini Workstation, a compact yet powerful computer designed to run large AI models locally, minimizing dependence on cloud services and helping reduce associated costs.

The device is built on the NVIDIA^® GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip, delivering up to 1 PFLOPS of FP4 AI performance. This powerhouse combines next-generation CUDA^® cores, fifth-gen Tensor Cores, and 20 Arm-based CPU cores, backed by 128 GB of unified system memory and 4 TB of NVMe M.2 SSD storage. This robust configuration enables server-grade performance in a mini-PC form factor.

The Acer Veriton GN100 includes the NVIDIA AI software stack, providing a full stack solution for AI developers. Developers, researchers, data scientists, and students can leverage common frameworks and tools such as PyTorch, Jupyter, and Ollama to prototype, fine-tune, test, and deploy large language models locally or seamlessly scale out to any accelerated cloud or data center infrastructure.

Thanks to the NVIDIA ConnectX-7 NIC, users can link two Acer Veriton GN100 units to scale up and work with AI models reaching up to 405 billion parameters. Connectivity and security are also prioritized, with Wi-Fi 7, four USB 3.2 Type-C USB ports, an HDMI port, an Ethernet jack, and a Kensington lock ensuring robust protection and seamless system integration.

Pricing

The Acer Veriton GN100 AI Mini Workstation will be available in North America starting at USD 3,999; in EMEA starting at EUR 3,999, and in Australia starting at AUD 6,499.

Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To learn more about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office via www.acer.com.

For all the official announcements and product images, visit the IFA 2025 Press Kit site.

Specifications

 

About Acer

Founded in 1976, Acer is one of the world’s top technology companies with a presence in more than 160 countries. The company continues to evolve by embracing innovation across its offerings, which include computers and displays, while branching out to new businesses. Acer is also committed to sustainable growth, exploring new opportunities that align with its environmental and social responsibilities. The Acer Group employs over 9,000 employees that contribute to the research, design, marketing, sales and support of products, solutions, and services that break barriers between people and technology. Visit www.acer.com for more information.

© 2025 Acer Inc. All rights reserved. Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Inc. Other trademarks, registered trademarks, and/or service marks, indicated or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners. All offers subject to change without notice or obligation and may not be available through all sales channels. Prices listed are manufacturer suggested retail prices and may vary by location. Applicable sales tax extra.

SOURCE Acer

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• AI Pro bundle worth $240 is available for Pixel 10 Pro users for free.
• Access features like Gemini 2.5 Pro, Veo 3, NotebookLM, and more.
• The base Google Pixel 10 variant isn’t included in this offer.

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Google’s new Pixel lineup includes the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. These are among the most advanced phones right now, and Google is leaving no stone unturned to convert iPhone users. Apart from the new MagSafe-like PixelSnap feature, the company is targeting Apple Intelligence’s missed opportunity with a free Google AI Pro plan to sway Apple fans.

Also: I replaced my Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with the Pixel 10 Pro XL for a week – and can’t go back

Google is offering its AI Pro plan, worth $240, for free to users who purchase and activate a Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, or Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Unfortunately, the offer isn’t available for the base Pixel 10 variant. 

As a result, if you spend $999 or more on a new Google phone, you are eligible to subscribe to a one-year Google AI Pro plan for free. Samsung offered a similar deal with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and Z Flip 7 FE, but it was a $120 offer, so it was limited to six months.

The Google AI Pro plan bundles enhanced features like access to Gemini 2.5 Pro, Veo 3 for AI-generated videos, 2TB of cloud storage, and previews of upcoming AI tools. It typically costs $20 a month, but Google will cover a year’s worth of membership for free if you buy one of the new Pixel 10 Pro smartphones.

How to get Google AI Pro plan for free with Pixel 10 Pro

To redeem the Google AI Pro plan offer, you need to download the Google One app on your new Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, or Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Make sure you log in with the Google account that you want the subscription associated with. Once done, the offer page should appear automatically with terms and conditions, which you have to accept.

Also: Everything announced at Made by Google 2025: Pixel 10 Pro, Fold, Watch 4, and more

Notably, the Google AI Pro plan offer is not available to Google One users who:

• Are subscribed to an add-on
• Are subscribed to a higher-tier plan than the one being offered
• Are on a family plan who are not the plan manager
• Have a subscription through a third party or affiliate

You can redeem this Pixel 10 Pro offer by Oct. 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Unless canceled earlier, Google AI Pro will charge $19.99 after the trial ends, so make sure you cancel it after a year of use if you don’t find value in it. Google says you can cancel anytime, and no refunds will be initiated for partial billing periods.

Also: College students can get Google’s AI Pro plan for free now. Here’s how

The latest Google Pixel 10 phones offer a range of AI features, including the new Magic Cue, Camera Coach, and more. Google is banking on Gemini’s extensive suite of AI features to leave a lasting impression on your daily workflow, and hoping it’ll make you spend $20 per month after the offer period ends.

Consumer app revenue is surging and with it the pressure to find scalable, efficient growth. Yet most marketing budgets remain concentrated in just two platforms: Google and Meta.

Moloco’s latest report Performance through independence: Unlocking incremental app growth beyond Google and Meta addresses this disparity, exploring how user behaviour has evolved over the past few years and the opportunities these changes have created and continue to create.

The report reveals that consumer app marketers concentrate 88% of budgets in walled gardens at a time when they should be diversifying. Moloco’s data suggests that diversified media strategies can deliver up to 214% ROAS improvements.

The numbers show that users are no longer just on Google and Meta; user attention is shifting to more diverse app categories and growth can be found in sometimes unexpected places.

In the era of AI, hyper-personalization and increasing privacy demands, marketers can no longer afford to stick to the tried and tested. To succeed in the modern app ecosystem, meeting users where they are and speaking their language are key.

Key insights from the report:

• Consumer app marketers concentrate 88% of budgets in walled gardens: See why this imbalance doesn’t reflect where users actually spend their time
• Diversified media strategies deliver up to 214% ROAS improvements: Learn how expanding beyond Google and Meta drives measurable performance gains
• User attention is shifting to more diverse app categories: Discover the growing preference for gaming, productivity, and AI apps over traditional social media
• The independent app ecosystem reaches 2 billion daily users: Explore the massive reach that matches TikTok and Instagram combined
• High-value users convert across unexpected app categories: Find out why successful marketers are finding customers in diverse, seemingly unrelated apps

Access the full guide today.

Home Audio

Delivering powerful sound, customizable lighting and extended hours of playtime, new Sound Tower is built for every occasion

Both models bring dynamic design, versatile portability and -optimized sound modes to enable tailored listening experiences with seamless indoor-outdoor use

9/3/2025

Samsung Electronics America today introduced the new Sound Tower (ST50F and ST40F models), its latest innovation in portable audio. Built for large gatherings, these new models combine advanced acoustic technology with a dynamic, modern design to deliver an immersive party experience through both light and sound.

“The new Sound Tower sets a new standard in how consumers experience entertainment in both indoor and outdoor settings,” said Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “With customizable lighting effects and an upgraded form factor that produces fully encompassing sound, it underscores Samsung’s commitment to providing innovative audio solutions for the diverse lifestyles of customers.”

Powerful Party Sound

The Sound Tower’s redesigned acoustic structure delivers rich, room-filling sound with exceptional clarity and deep bass. With Samsung Waveguide technology applied to its dual dome tweeters, audio is distributed and enhanced to ensure a wider, more even soundstage. This optimization provides crisp treble that can be heard clearly, while dual woofers deliver customizable bass with Deep, Punchy and Gentle modes, which allow you to tailor the experience to your preferences. Four additional sound modes — Standard, Wide, Stadium and Outdoor — let you further fine-tune your audio to match any setting, from backyard barbecues to packed dance floors.

Whether indoors or outdoors, you can enjoy long-lasting performance with up to 18 hours of untethered playtime on a single charge. This rechargeable battery ensures the party can continue without interruption, while IPX4 water resistance offers peace of mind during outdoor use. For an even more immersive soundscape, you can connect multiple units through Auracast™ Group Play or pair two Sound Towers via Stereo Play with True Wireless Stereo (TWS) for true left-right channel audio.

Vibrant Party Lights+ For Every Mood

The Sound Tower’s Party Lights+ system transforms any gathering into an immersive audiovisual experience. With five mood presets and six dynamic lighting patterns, you can set the perfect vibe using the revamped Samsung Sound Tower App, which provides seamless control of your lights and acoustic preferences.

The system reacts in real time, analyzing music beats and frequencies to activate dozens of LEDs in sync with the rhythm. Customizable mood options include a wide range of effects, movements and colors, including Wave, Trail, Spark, Breeze, Flow and Flare — making it easy to create atmospheres that range from “Festival” to “Chill.”

Upgraded LED lighting extends across five key areas of the speaker to deliver a 360° effect:

• Track light: an iconic LED racetrack-style light that surrounds the two woofer units to display vivid patterns.
• Ring light: LED lights highlight powerful colors around the two tweeter units.
• Line lights: four perimeter line lights that frame the body of the speaker for a moody effect.
• Crystal lights: centered at the base and the foot of the speaker to produce an energizing atmosphere.
• Handle light: doubles as a functional detail, illuminating the control panel and providing support for a tablet or smartphone for easy interaction and control of music and settings.

For added entertainment, built-in DJ Booth and Karaoke modes — as well as a guitar input — turn any space into a live stage, combining powerful sound and lighting for a true party-ready experience.

Portable and Built to Last

Designed for versatility, the Sound Tower’s bold, geometric form, integrated lighting and transport-ready build make it as visually striking as it is functional. It redefines portable party audio with a balance of power, design and convenience. The new models also feature the Samsung Grip & Roll design, with a bottom grip slot and integrated handle on the ST40F model, and the addition of wheels and a telescopic handle on the ST50F model for effortless mobility. Each model has been designed to deliver an elevated audio experience that matches a variety of needs:

• Sound Tower ST50F: Up to 18 hours of battery life, 6.5” dual woofers, 1” dual dome tweeters, telescopic handle + wheels, IPX4 water resistance.
• Sound Tower ST40F: Up to 12 hours of battery life, 5.25” dual woofers, 3/4” dual dome tweeters, integrated handle, IPX4 water resistance.

The new Samsung Sound Tower will be available this month at Samsung.com and other select retailers. The ST50F will have an MSRP of $699.99 and the ST40F will have an MSRP of $499.99. For more information on the 2025 Samsung audio lineup, please visit here.

Microsoft says stop using Chrome

Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto

Between 50 and 100 million Windows users have switched browsers in recent weeks, just as Microsoft reveals its new warning to stop using Google Chrome. The problem is that this switch has not gone as planned — for Microsoft at least.

ForbesIf You See This Warning, Your Facebook Is Being HackedBy Zak Doffman

Microsoft’s latest campaign against Chrome generated plenty of headlines (1,2,3), with most complaining the tactics crossed a line. Pre-release Windows software targets heavy Chrome users with a push to the Edge. Now it seems Windows users have voted with their feet — or rather their keyboards. Chrome has just hit new heights.

Browser market share to August 2025

Statcounter

Until July, Chrome’s desktop market share had been flat for some time, hoovering at around 65%, per Statcounter’s representative data. Not any more. Google’s browser is now even more dominant, increasing its share to more than 70%. Edge, meanwhile, has lost around 10% of its own much smaller share, now down to under 12%.

“Browse securely now,” Microsoft warns Windows users installing Google Chrome, adding that “Microsoft Edge runs on the same technology as Chrome with the added trust of Microsoft.” A rethink could now be required, as the campaign has not even maintained Edge’s existing market share. The question now is what happens when Gemini and Copilot are fully integrated to fend off new pureplay AI offerings.

Chrome surges against Edge

Statcounter

This new data caps a good few days for Google on the Chrome front, with a U.S. federal antitrust ruling that enables the search giant to keep Chrome in-house. The browser is a money machine at the heart of Google’s search and ad empire, a shop window between its huge user base and the data- and ad-driven web it dominates.

ForbesGoogle Issues Critical Update For All 2.5 Billion Gmail UsersBy Zak Doffman

For Windows users, nothing has come close to unseating Chrome’s de facto default status in the Windows ecosystem or even denting its market share. And my sources at Google shrug off Microsoft’s attempts, given the stickiness of their product. Even so, for Chrome to add as many new users as implied by this data is a major surprise.