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CDs Offer Guaranteed Earnings, Even When the Economy Is Uncertain. Today's CD Rates, March 31, 2025

CNET News - Mon, 03/31/2025 - 04:30
Anxious about the economic headlines? A CD can provide much-needed peace of mind.
Categories: Technology

The Samsung Galaxy S26 could go back to Exynos in some regions – but is that such a bad thing?

TechRadar News - Mon, 03/31/2025 - 04:18
  • Some models of the Samsung Galaxy S26 will reportedly use an Exynos 2600 chipset
  • However, it sounds like others will still have a Snapdragon chipset
  • Snapdragon chipsets are generally more powerful, but the gap might be closing

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series has been a bit of an anomaly, as while Samsung usually uses two different chipsets for its Galaxy S phones (depending on the model and region), this year it used the Snapdragon 8 Elite across the board. Next year, though, we might see a chipset split again.

This is according to reputable leaker @Jukanlosreve, who claimed on X that “the Exynos 2600 is definitely back and it will be used in the S26.” However, it doesn’t sound like this will be a complete switch from Snapdragon, as they added that chip volume is apparently limited.

So, in other words, Samsung might not be able to produce enough Exynos 2600 chipsets to equip every Samsung Galaxy S26 model with one, meaning that some models and/or some regions will probably get the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, or whatever Qualcomm ends up calling its next-generation chipset.

The Exynos 2600 is definitely back and it will be used in the S26.But the chip volume is so limited that it’ll likely be similar to the Exynos 990 situation.I’m not sure if SF2 is actually any good.March 30, 2025

Typically, when Samsung uses two different chipsets, it equips US versions with a Snapdragon one, while elsewhere the base and Plus models get Exynos, and the Ultra still gets Snapdragon. So, based on past form, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus might use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 in the US and the Exynos 2600 elsewhere, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra might use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 globally.

Differences in power and efficiency

What does that mean for you? Well, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipsets tend to outperform Samsung’s Exynos ones, so we were quite happy to see the Snapdragon 8 Elite used globally with the Galaxy S25 series. But in fact, the Exynos 2400 used by the Samsung Galaxy S24 series in some regions wasn’t drastically far behind its Snapdragon rival.

In our own tests, comparing an Exynos-powered Samsung Galaxy S24 with a Snapdragon-powered Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, we found that “you won’t notice this performance difference in general use, as both of these phones are way faster than they need to be.”

And there are some areas in which the Exynos 2400 actually appears to outperform that generation’s Snapdragon chipset. For example, Android Authority found that battery life was better with the Exynos.

So, if you live in a region where the Samsung Galaxy S26 gets an Exynos 2600 chipset, that might not actually be such a bad thing.

In any case, it’s very early days for Samsung Galaxy S26 leaks, as these phones probably won’t launch until 2026. So, although this isn’t the first time we’ve heard that the Exynos 2600 might be used in next year's lineup, we can’t be at all confident of which chipset or chipsets will be used just yet anyway. For now, then, we wouldn’t worry too much about this possibility.

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Categories: Technology

Over 2500 TechRadar readers took our survey - and there was one clear favorite online backup service

TechRadar News - Mon, 03/31/2025 - 04:02
  • We used our WhatsApp channel to ask which online backup service our readers use
  • 2,664 readers voted, and a staggering 1,300 choose Google Drive
  • Let us know in the comments which service you use

To mark World Backup Day, we asked our TechRadar Pro readers which services they use through our WhatsApp channel (which you can join here!).

Most of us choose to backup our files online. It saves you from buying physical hard drives every time you run out of storage, and your storage is just one click away, making it super accessible. You’ve plenty of options too - with Apple Cloud, Microsoft OneDrive, Google Photos, and iDrive all amongst the most popular choices.

From our readers' responses, one cloud provider is by far the most popular, and that's Google Drive, with over 1,300 respondents choosing the service - that's over 50%. We’ve reviewed Google Drive, so this is not too much of a surprise - as the service is quick and simple to use.

Worryingly, the survey revealed 10% of our readers still don’t back up their files, so if you're one of those who need convincing, we’ve listed 5 reasons why you should backup your data to the cloud - be sure to keep your data safe!

Backup options

Apple Cloud also ranks very well, with 21% of our readers using this service. This service is very Apple centric, with only limited support for Windows and Android users, but is a great option for anyone with an ever more popular Apple ecosystem! Apple offers a tiered subscription service, and keeps your files safe with an encryption - check out our full review here to see just why this service is the most popular.

Another popular choice is OneDrive, with 377 respondents choosing this service (14%). From our testing, OneDrive has improved a great deal recently, and is particularly useful for anyone who already spends a lot of time using Windows. OneDrive has fantastic mobile app experience, and is integrated closely with Windows and Microsoft 365 - so check it out if you use these regularly.

Surprisingly, DropBox received fewer than 100 votes, despite being one of our best rated backup services. Although not the cheapest option, DropBox has plenty of useful file sharing options and an exceptionally smooth user experience.

Similarly, IDrive only received 16 votes from our readers, but is a very highly rated service by our experts. IDrive offers end-to-end encryption and a host of backup methods and device options, so take a look at our rating if you're looking for something new.

Whichever service you choose, making sure your data is protected should be a priority for both personal and business users.

"Data is the lifeblood of today's businesses, which means data loss can lead to catastrophic business failure," notes Alexander Huang, Director of Product and Customer Support at Laserfiche. "World Backup Day is a reminder to act now - before it’s too late. Organizations should evaluate their backup strategy today and safeguard your business against data disasters.”

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Categories: Technology

Cesar Chavez Day celebrates a lifetime fight for justice for farmworkers

NPR News Headlines - Mon, 03/31/2025 - 04:01

Cesar Chavez Day celebrates the life and legacy of the labor rights icon.

(Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Categories: News

Beloved historic landmarks navigate an uncertain future after the LA fires

NPR News Headlines - Mon, 03/31/2025 - 04:00

In Pasadena, The Gamble House was in a fire evacuation zone and its custodians are trying to safeguard its future. In Altadena, only concrete walls are left from the former home of novelist Zane Grey.

(Image credit: Susan Pickering Photography)

Categories: News

What happened when Syria's conservative new leaders tried to shut 60 Damascus bars

NPR News Headlines - Mon, 03/31/2025 - 04:00

When Syria's new leaders shut 60 Damascus bars, drinkers protested, and the government reversed itself. It's an example of the tussle between secular and Islamist values in the new Syria.

(Image credit: Hasan Belal for NPR)

Categories: News

Hyundai's plans for its new Georgia plant reveal an industry hedging its bets on EVs

NPR News Headlines - Mon, 03/31/2025 - 04:00

Hyundai just opened a high-tech auto plant in Georgia. Originally meant to just build EVs, it's expanding towards plug-in hybrids — a sign of bigger shifts in the auto industry.

(Image credit: Mike Stewart)

Categories: News

6 things borrowers should know about federal student loans right now

NPR News Headlines - Mon, 03/31/2025 - 04:00

NPR has spent the past few weeks catching up with student loan experts and asking the Trump administration for clarity on some of borrowers' biggest questions.

(Image credit: Illustration by Annelise Capossela for NPR)

Categories: News

Expert says Tesla's best way to rebuild its brand is to ditch Musk

NPR News Headlines - Mon, 03/31/2025 - 04:00

The Tesla brand is in trouble, according to branding consultant Allen Adamson, who says the car company is facing headwinds due to a lack of innovation and the political activity of CEO Elon Musk.

(Image credit: Noah Berger)

Categories: News

The Wisconsin Supreme Court vote is getting national attention and millions from Musk

NPR News Headlines - Mon, 03/31/2025 - 04:00

The court could face cases on abortion, congressional maps and labor unions. With Tesla suing the state, Elon Musk is backing the conservative candidate who's received President Trump's endorsement.

(Image credit: Robin Legrand)

Categories: News

I tried Samsung's pricey new AI vacuum, and I now know there's no need for an AI-powered vacuum to exist

TechRadar News - Mon, 03/31/2025 - 03:59

Samsung has launched a new vacuum that uses AI to identify the exact kind of floor it's on, and it has convinced me – if there could be any doubt – that not every appliance or gadget needs AI.

The Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra is designed to be able to sense its exact environment, so it can determine whether it's on a hard floor, a regular carpet, a deep pile carpet, or a rug. It can also sense when it's close to the corner of a room, and if it's been lifted up. It uses all this information to adjust its suction and brushroll speed for the most efficient clean.

It's more complicated than simply increasing suction on thicker floor types. The adjustments are designed to deliver the equivalent of medium power mode, while ensuring the vacuum is still easy to push forwards – super suction is one thing, but it's no good if it's so strong that you can't move the floorhead. The idea is that it puts the rest of the best vacuums on the market to shame by delivering the smartest, most battery-efficient, effective clean possible.

The Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra is designed to be able to tell between many different floor types (Image credit: Future)

In theory, it makes sense. Deep-pile carpet requires greater suction to lift away dirt than hard flooring, where the dust and debris will just be resting on top. However, I'm not convinced that it's much more granular than that, or that a vacuum changing its suction when moving from a carpet to a thicker carpet will lead to a noticeable improvement in cleaning efficiency.

That's assuming it all works as it's meant to – and, based on my tests at least, it doesn't. You can get the full low-down by reading my Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra review, but the short version is that such adjustments were hit-and-miss.

While I could hear suction changing when moving from my lino-floored kitchen to my carpeted lounge, I couldn't hear a change when moving from my carpeted floor to my bath mat (placed in my lounge for the testing purposes). Nor was there a message on the vacuum's screen to reassure me that the vacuum was adjusting based on environment. The vacuum also failed to recognize when it was in a corner.

Easy cleaning

Samsung isn't the only vacuum maker to offer automatic suction adjustment. Shark has gone all-in in this area, with its Shark PowerDetect Cordless and Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuums both using sensors to determine whether they're on hard floor or carpet, when they're cleaning at the edge of a room (where dust can collect), and if the floor they're on is especially dirty, increasing or decreasing power in response.

Using these vacuums, I could hear power adjusting reliably in all of these situations. You can see the PowerDetect in action in the video clip below.

Dyson uses automatic adjustment, too. Its Gen5detect and V15 Detect vacuums use sensors to measure resistance (as an indicator of floor type) and the size and number of particles being sucked up (as an indicator of how dirty said floor is) and raise or lower suction power in response.

Further to that, they'll report on exactly what going up the wand in real time, via an ever-changing graph on the vacuum's LCD screen. This isn't strictly necessary, but it does reassure me that the vacuum is doing what Dyson says it's meant to. And it's kind of fun. (If you want to see exactly how the new Samsung compares to Dyson's priciest vacuum, you can find out in my Dyson Gen5detect vs Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra article.)

The Dyson Gen5detect reports back on what it's sucking up (Image credit: Future)

These are some of the best cordless vacuums we've tested. Automatic adjustment isn't just a gimmick – done well, it means less effort is required on your part (no messing around changing settings), the floors are reliably cleaned, and you're not wasting valuable battery life.

But I don't think Samsung has it quite right yet. Focusing on adjustment based on dirt levels, as Shark and Dyson do, makes more sense to me than being so fixated on the specifics of floor type. Not least because it opens up more possibilities for failure… which, unfortunately, appears to be the case with Samsung's latest offering.

A case for AI?

Samsung doesn't even have the excuse of it being brand-new tech – this is the second manual vacuum in its lineup to use what the brand credits as AI, following the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI from 2023. That model was designed to sense carpet, hard floor and mats, and when it had been lifted up. Samsung chose to add long-pile / dense carpet, and corner detection, to its newer release.

While Dyson and Shark's marketing material says their automation features are based on sensors, while Samsung credits AI. In reality, I suspect all three are perhaps based on similar combinations of clever sensors and software

I say "what the brand credits as AI" above, because I'm not entirely convinced it’s anything more than a combination of very clever sensors and software, like those employed by Dyson and Shark. But I guess 'smart' and 'AI' are pretty much interchangeable these days, and few brands will pass up the chance to add ‘AI’ to their product names and marketing blurb. It also ties into Samsung's current 'AI for all' initiative. Even giving Samsung the benefit of the doubt here, the Bespoke AI Jet Ultra has done little to convince me that AI is the future of vacuum cleaners.

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Categories: Technology

The unsung heroes of the AI revolution: a quiet force shaping the future

TechRadar News - Mon, 03/31/2025 - 03:54

AI is poised to change our world at a breakneck pace, with enterprises and governments pouring billions into AI tools, assistants, and agents. Whether it’s Trump’s bold $500 billion Stargate plan or the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, AI investment is the new arms race. And if the scale of investment isn’t visible yet, tech giants plan to invest $320 billion in AI in 2025 alone. The technology is dominating headlines, driving economic strategies and topping boardroom agendas.

However, most discussions focus largely on the dazzling potential of AI models. Putting these exciting AI innovations to work requires an army of unsung individual heroes largely toiling in the dark - data engineers, integration specialists, and automation experts.

These professionals are the critical silent enablers of the AI wave we are witnessing. Their expertise is critical to ensure machine learning models have the clean and structured data they require to function effectively and that their outputs can fold into complex enterprise architectures in a seamless and effective manner.

Looking beyond algorithms: behind the scenes of AI success

AI may be the headline act, but its algorithms and models are simply the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the surface, vast work goes into data preparation, developing IT infrastructure, and integration to the wider enterprise landscape. Data engineers have a crucial role in cleaning and structuring data so that AI models get accurate, unbiased, and high-quality inputs. Without high-quality data, even the most advanced AI models cannot deliver meaningful outputs.

Likewise, integration specialists weave AI models into the enterprise systems they interact with, ensuring data flows seamlessly across different environments - whether in the cloud, on-premise, or hybrid. These experts help companies leverage AI’s full potential by connecting disparate data sources, application endpoints and critical user experiences, allowing for real-time analysis and decision-making.

Finally, automation experts design smart workflows that enable AI agents to both be carefully orchestrated, and where possible, operate independently. From data to application integration, their work eliminates bottlenecks, boosts productivity, and allows businesses to deploy AI-driven solutions at scale.

Redefining traditional tech roles: AI changing data professions

AI is not just shifting industries; it’s also reimagining these very jobs that build and support this growth. Traditional tech paths are already evolving into future-oriented AI careers. Data engineers are stepping up as ‘AI trainers’, working with subject matter experts to curate datasets for improved model accuracy. Integration specialists now take on the role of AI infrastructure architects, harmonizing the latest API-centric AI technology with previous generations of application frameworks.

Automation experts are moving toward total AI orchestration, overseeing the large-scale deployment of AI agents across various business operations. What’s more, these roles themselves are converging into new hybrid positions like AI workflow engineers, prompt engineers, and agent developers. This means enterprises are now looking for multi-dimensional professionals capable of managing entire AI ecosystems instead of just performing isolated tasks.

AI has made a pivotal shift in involving tech professionals in critical business decisions, which means future AI roles will require a blend of strategic vision and technical know-how. Professionals who can connect AI capabilities with enterprise needs will be highly sought after.

Humanizing your AI journey: do not leave people behind

AI, for all its promise and potential, is not infallible. Challenges like bias in training data, privacy requirements, and ethical concerns surrounding AI deployment require careful human oversight. Data, integration, and automation professionals are indispensable in mitigating these risks, ensuring that AI applications are transparent, fair, and reliable.

Our own research recently revealed that fewer than 40% of IT leaders in the UK trust AI agents more than a human to do an effective job, which makes it apparent that there's no straightforward human to AI switch for the tech sector anytime soon. Despite the vast troves of information embedded in the latest models, enterprise data has not been available for AI model training, meaning that AI alone cannot interpret business context, making humans all the more essential in guiding AI’s applications.

The most effective leading enterprises are finding that automation enhances decision-making, and though there are clear opportunities for AI-centric process automation, AI doesn’t replace human critical thinking altogether. The best use cases of AI implementation are those where humans and machines collaborate, harnessing AI’s efficiency whilst maintaining human judgement.

Fate of data professionals: displacement or evolution?

A pressing question lingers: will AI make data-centric roles obsolete, or will it redefine them? The answer is nuanced.

As AI automates repetitive tasks and lower-level data operations, it simultaneously opens new doors for higher-order problem-solving and frees up time to be spent on strategic innovation and value-driven work.

For example, with old data cleaning tasks increasingly becoming automated, data engineers are free to focus on optimizing data architectures and ensuring AI models work with precision across heterogeneous system landscapes. Automation experts will go from basic workflow automation to developing self-learning AI systems that adapt to changing business needs in real-time.

AI’s true power isn’t in the technology alone. It’s in the people who are making it happen and laying the building blocks. It is not a threat to these roles, but a catalyst for their evolution. By acknowledging these contributions, investing in upskilling, and building a culture of AI literacy, we can ensure that AI serves as a force for progress, innovation, and human-AI collaboration.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Categories: Technology

How UK businesses can prepare for tariff whiplash

TechRadar News - Mon, 03/31/2025 - 02:29

It’s hard to believe Donald Trump has only been back in office since midway through January. Whether it’s additional tariffs on the import of materials like steel and aluminium or plans to target countries with ‘reciprocal tariffs’, the rate of change and potential impact on supply chains is almost too fast and far-reaching for any one person to keep pace with.

With fresh tariffs emerging from the US on an almost daily basis, it’s not possible for any business – especially those reliant on global trade – to predict every new announcement, or have a bespoke response plan ready for each possible scenario.

Instead, businesses with the potential to be hit by tariff whiplash must be able to respond swiftly to developments as they happen, or better still rehearse for potential changes ahead of time, many of which may be entirely unprecedented.

To do this, they need to have the technological tools that enable them to see beyond the horizon to identify plausible scenarios and their potential impacts at all levels of the supply chain, from the network to the individual warehouse shop floor before their rivals - thus turning seismic change into competitive advantage.

Ultimately, when a storm of unexpected tariffs or unprecedented disruption strikes, the businesses that can adapt flexibly and with speed will be best placed to ride it out.

Which industries are particularly vulnerable?

In the UK, many businesses are already feeling whiplash from a month of tariff changes under the new US administration. The US is Britain’s largest single export market, with more than £60bn worth of goods exported there in 2023 – 15.3% of the UK’s global total.

Industries heavily reliant on exports – most notably, machinery and transport – are those facing the most risk.

Take the machinery and transport sector, which is worth more than £200bn across the UK and the EU. Car manufacturers – particularly in Germany, Europe’s dominant manufacturing force and leading exporter to the US and Mexico – are already facing a substantial hit.

And if the ‘reciprocal tariffs’ mooted last week by the US President take effect, which would impose minimum tariffs across the board added to each nation’s VAT rate, the UK would be the fourth most impacted country.

Simply put, many businesses in the UK remain underprepared to deal with the impact of such a scenario. Too many still rely on outdated methods to assess the impact that limit agility, in a trading environment which only seems to be growing more volatile.

Barriers to supply chain agility

The reason that many supply chains remain vulnerable to sudden tariff changes or trade policies is because their approaches to operations tend to be reactive rather than proactive.

In recent times, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly improved forecasting capabilities. But when used alone, it is not enough; AI fundamentally learns from past events, meaning it can overlook entirely plausible but unprecedented scenarios.

Indeed, one of the key barriers to true agility is an over-reliance on historical data to drive decision-making. For example, it is certainly useful context that in trade battles in Trump’s last term in office, the US targeted famous consumer goods including French wines and cheeses, Italian luxury goods and Scottish and Irish whiskies.

But reliance on this historical context alone fails to account for the new, more aggressive trade policy of a second Trump presidency, and the possibility of an economic policy with tariffs as its cornerstone targeting new industries. To achieve truly agile, flexible response capabilities, businesses must have access to insights which go beyond simple derivations of past events.

Another major challenge is the speed of response, especially with so much uncertainty around the future about when tariff changes will hit, or who will be impacted. On average, it takes two weeks for a business to react to supply chain disruption – delays that, over a decade, can erode nearly six months’ worth of profits. Without scenario modelling and strategic foresight, companies will remain on the back foot, forced into crisis-mode decision-making rather than pre-emptive adaptation.

A tariff-proof supply chain combines AI with simulation technology

To effectively anticipate and plan for tariff change in today’s volatile geopolitical context, businesses need to be capable of using AI tools in combination with simulation technology - intelligent simulation.

Doing so gets the best out of both technologies. With intelligent simulation, AI can model and prioritize countless ‘what if’ scenarios, providing supply chain and logistics teams with actionable insights before disruptions occur.

Whether it's understanding the impact of potential tariff changes, identifying alternative suppliers, or assessing new market opportunities, AI in combination with simulation allows businesses to remain agile and act quickly before the unprecedented strikes.

Businesses that integrate AI in combination with simulation technology into their supply chain strategies will not only navigate tariff whiplash with greater ease but will also establish a competitive edge in global trade.

This is because combining simulations with AI allow companies to explore both the network and the individual warehouse or distribution center-level impact of complex, tailored counterfactuals about the future with which they can plan better than ever.

Ultimately, operations leaders need to understand the impact of a tariff change on a granular level as well as the network level. With this approach, they can overcome the limitations of sparse real-world information and generate new training data for AI technology so that it can deliver comprehensive, reliable forward-looking insights during periods of trade unpredictability.

With this level of insight, different tariff scenarios can be focused on and planned for and responses rehearsed accordingly - so that when the time comes in real life, they can respond with flexibility and agility.

The reality is that economic unpredictability is here to stay. The only question that remains is whether businesses will continue with a reactive approach – or choose a prepared, pre-emptive approach instead.

if operators are to take action, they need to understand the impact of a tariff change not just at the network level but down to the more granular level for individual warehouse for example

We feature the best Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Categories: Technology

The paradox of AI: problem vs. opportunity in web innovation

TechRadar News - Mon, 03/31/2025 - 01:39

AI has dominated headlines, product strategies, and investment for the past two years, but as businesses reflect heading into 2025, an uncomfortable question lingers: where is AI’s financial impact, really?

Amidst the AI hype climate, businesses have been eager to invest in emerging technologies that promise the world. So eager, in fact, that the market is now saturated with hastily-developed products designed more to showcase adoption than to deliver measurable impact.

While AI tools have existed for some time, the rise of generative AI — starting with the release of ChatGPT just over two years ago — has captured broader attention and rekindled a frenzy of innovation, akin to the dot-com boom of the late 1990s. Generative AI's accessibility is lowering barriers to entry, sparking both a rush to investment and concern across industries.

When applied strategically, it’s clear that AI can revolutionize user experiences at places like websites, where the potential for customer experience enhancement is unparalleled. But to keep up with lofty AI predictions and heavy investor demands, many businesses today are investing first and looking for ways to measure return on that investment later — an approach that’s led to over-promised and under-delivered initiatives, followed by disappointment among customers and teams alike.

AI has the potential to deliver transformative outcomes when businesses align it with strategic goals, such as improving website functionality and user satisfaction. Rather than integrating AI first and looking for a problem to solve later, it’s time to return to the tried and true formula for innovation: find a problem, figure out how to solve it.

The AI Paradox: ROI vs. FOMO

ROI must be the central factor in AI investment decision-making.

While the number of senior business leaders investing $10 million or more in AI is set to double next year, a Gartner report found that at least 30% of AI projects will be abandoned by the end of 2025. These circumstances — high costs and low success rates — make prioritizing business needs and ROI critical.

AI is an expensive, time consuming endeavor — so in order for an AI product to be worth it, especially in consumer-facing applications, it must add real value to customers. Rushing to bring high-potential technology to market can often hinder, rather than enhance, user experience — particularly in the case of websites, where users increasingly demand seamless interaction.

The early surge of businesses racing to adopt AI chatbots is a prime example. In the push to get the latest feature onto their websites, a critical question was often overlooked: will this actually improve our customer service? Despite their high-potential, chatbots were introduced widely before the technology was developed to the point of adding proper value, often resulting in frustrating user experiences and failing to provide accessible support.

Consider Watsonville Chevy’s viral failure, where a chatbot offered to sell a customer a brand new Chevy vehicle for only $1. Rather than helping customers buy cars, the under-developed technology — despite its high-potential — caused an embarrassing headache for the dealership. More than the technology itself, this failure underscores the critical importance of businesses putting appropriate guardrails in place. Effective AI implementation requires not only understanding the potential of off-the-shelf solutions, but ensuring they are adapted to the specific needs and limitations of the business environment.

In another recent counterproductive AI use case, Spotify whiffed on its perennially popular Wrapped feature by going all-in on AI. While removing features like top genres, the music streaming giant opted to add experiences like an AI-generated podcast. Listeners, predictably, were critical, highlighting the importance of using AI to enhance user experience rather than diminishing features that made products popular in the first place.

Businesses must ask themselves: is this AI use case truly adding to the customer experience? Investments must prioritize functionality and customer needs over hype. By focusing on thoughtful, ROI-driven AI adoption, businesses can avoid costly mistakes and improve outcomes.

Solving Problems, Driving Results

But of course, not every AI investment is destined to fail or hinder customer experience. There are many examples of how AI brings clear value-adds when implemented strategically, especially in ecommerce and content.

In a crowded online environment, frustrated users are a sales killer — customers have access to limitless products and content online, so when their search fails to draw results, they leave.

Netflix, Google and Amazon have all dominated their respective verticals for several years in no small part because of their use of natural language processing. In 2017, more than 80% of the TV shows users watched on Netflix were discovered through its recommendation system. In 2012, 35% of purchases on Amazon came from product recommendations. Google has utilized AI since 2015 to process and provide more relevant search results.

All of these use cases have had a tangible impact on customer experiences — an impact that has long differentiated them from competitors with less resources.

More recently, the rise of generative AI is amplifying this trend — as the current AI frenzy has led to not only the development of cutting-edge technology by major AI players, but also made it more accessible for businesses of all sizes. These advancements enable even mid-market players to leverage tools once exclusive to industry giants, creating new opportunities for differentiation and growth.

In short, these technologies are no longer limited to just big tech like FAANG — AI democratization is unlocking more cost effective tools for SMBs and mid-market companies to optimize their websites. The potential of AI is immense when businesses choose the right product, and legacy examples in e-commerce and user experience, like Netflix’s recommendation engine or Amazon’s personalized shopping, offer a blueprint for websites leveraging AI to create transformative, ROI-driven outcomes. AI-driven smart search and recommendation technologies already exist; businesses just need to evaluate problems and responsibly implement solutions to unlock AI's transformative potential.

Starting with the pain point — such as low conversion rates — and answering with AI empowers better business outcomes. Implementing AI technologies can help bridge the gap between mid-market companies and enterprises, drive higher conversion rates and justifiable ROI for the cost of AI.

Thoughtful AI integration has the potential to revolutionize industries, and in some cases, already has. These use cases underscore AI’s potential to add real value, making a tangible impact on conversion rates and customer experience.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Categories: Technology

Asian shares are sharply lower over concerns about U.S. economy

NPR News Headlines - Mon, 03/31/2025 - 00:21

Asian shares were sharply lower on Monday as worries are building over a potentially toxic mix of worsening inflation and a U.S. economy slowing because households are cautious to spend.

(Image credit: AP)

Categories: News

I usually hate cleaning, but the Roborock F25 Ace wet-dry vacuum made it kind of satisfying

TechRadar Reviews - Sun, 03/30/2025 - 23:35
Roborock F25 Ace: Two-minute review

If you’re someone like me whose home features predominantly hard floors, then investing in a wet-dry vacuum cleaner can be a godsend as it drastically reduces the amount of time it takes to clean, while also delivering excellent results.

The Roborock F25 Ace is the second wet-dry vacuum cleaner I’ve personally tested and after using it twice a week for four weeks straight, I’ve retired the previous one I had into storage.

Not only is the F25 Ace ludicrously simple to set up for first-time use, it’s left my floors looking cleaner, and I can’t feel any dust or grit underfoot after a session, something I’ve previously experienced with other such floor washers. It feels especially well built too, and I have every confidence in its reliability for years to come.

The F25 Ace is the range-topping model in Roborock’s latest F25 series of wet-dry vacuums. How many models it sits above depends on where you live. In the US, for example, there are four other models below it and a separate F25 Ace Combo that adds a vacuum cleaner attachment for soft flooring – much like the Tineco Floor One Switch S6 that I’d been using before this. Australia gets just two F25 models, with the Ace sitting just above the standard F25. At the time of writing, this series isn’t available in the UK but I’ve had confirmation it’s “coming soon”.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

What does this range-topping model offer over its lower-specced siblings? A more informative display (in comparison to other models, anyway), app connectivity and a few other notable cleaning features, including power-assisted wheels and an automatic detergent dispenser, both of which ultimately provide a more convenient and thorough cleaning experience.

What made my time using the F25 Ace particularly joyful was the fact it can maneuver around corners and furniture with ease thanks to a pivoting cleaning head, and the ability to lie completely flat to help get to hard-to-reach places, like under furniture. This maneuvrability, combined with its excellent cleaning results, make it a strong contender to be one of the best wet-dry vacuum cleaners.

The self-clean cycle is especially effective and, with the right settings activated, quiet too. It was a good job the hot self-clean cycle was effective, as the F25 Ace returned plenty of dirty water following each cleaning run around my home. The amount of dust and debris on my wooden floors was invisible to my eyes, but the Roborock machine was able to pick it all up and then some! Both the clean and dirty water tanks are simple to remove, clean out and refill, and depending on how large your home is you may not need to refill the clean tank after every use. In my case, it held enough water to complete two full cleans and two self-clean cycles.

There is plenty of customization on tap via the app, and you’re able to make just as many adjustments – the amount of water used during cleaning, the amount of detergent released, how thorough of a self-clean you want the machine to perform and more. There’s quite a lot to get your head around and certainly more than I’ve been used to from a vacuum cleaner, but they’re features I certainly appreciated.

At $549.99 / AU$999.99 it’s competitively priced compared to its closest rivals. It is still a decent chunk of cash, however, so I would say only people whose homes are virtually all hard floors should consider buying it. If you have a mixture of hard and soft flooring, then the aforementioned Tineco machine may be better suited to your needs, or two separate, more affordable vacuum cleaners.

Roborock F25 Ace review: Price & availability
  • Available since mid-February in US and late March in Australia; currently not sold in the UK
  • List price $549.99 / AU$999
  • Available directly from Roborock and authorized retailers, including Amazon

The Roborock F25 Ace made its official debut at CES 2025 in January and was available to buy in the US by mid-February. It’s currently enjoying a staggered launch around the world, with Australians able to purchase the appliance since late March 2025. At the time of writing, it’s been confirmed for launch in the UK, but pricing is still to be announced.

The F25 Ace is listed on Roborock’s US store with a list price of $549.99, while in Australia it’s available for AU$999.99. This puts it in the upper mid-range price bracket based on our experience and in direct competition with other wet-dry vacuum cleaners such as the Dyson G1, which costs $699.99 / £599.99 / AU$999, and the Tineco Floor One S7 Pro, which tops our list of the best wet-dry vacuum cleaners and costs $799 / £599 / AU$1,299.99. The latter can regularly be picked up at a discount however, especially during major sales events.

There are several other models within the F25 series depending on where you live. The US store also lists the F25 Alt, which misses out on smart dirt detection, the extra-informative LED display and app connectivity. There is also an F25 Ace Combo for $749.99, which adds a separate stick vacuum cleaner for cleaning carpets and other areas in handheld mode.

Roborock says the filter and roller head should be replaced every 12 months at the latest. A spare filter is supplied, but not a roller. The company has listed pricing for official replacement parts, but third-party options are available, the cost of which depends on where you live. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of replacement bottles of the floor cleaning solution, which you can get from the official Roborock store. The company says you should only use its own solution with the F25 Ace.

  • Value score: 4.5/5
Roborock F25 Ace review: specs Roborock F25 Ace review: Design

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
  • Lightweight and easy to maneuvre
  • Lie-flat design for hard-to-reach areas
  • LED display is good, but not great

There’s minimal effort required to get the F25 Ace up and running. Once you remove the pieces from the box, all you need to do is clip the handle into the main unit, then snap on the roller head. There are various pieces of protective packaging to remove but, otherwise, that’s all there is to it.

You’ll want to plug the charging dock in and place the machine onto it immediately for two reasons: to make sure there’s power before you use it for the first time, and connect it to the app via your home Wi-Fi network. There aren’t any other attachments included with the F25 Ace, aside from a small brush to help clean the filter and dirty-water tank, a small bottle of cleaning detergent and a spare filter.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

The Roborock F25 Ace follows a similar design language to floor washers from other brands, such as our current favorite wet-dry vacuum cleaner, the Tineco Floor One S7 Pro. Both are sleek grey-and-white units with the dirty-water tank on the front and a long, non-adjustable handle with a few control buttons for power, cleaning mode selection and self-cleaning. The S7 Pro does, however, come with a spare roller head, something not included with the F25 Ace.

Where the design of these two machines differs, and what is one of the F25 Ace’s key selling points, is that its clean-water tank is at the base of the machine, placed over the roller head beneath. On the Tineco Switch S7 Pro, the clean water tank is at the rear, which prevents it from tilting too far back.

Having the clean-water tank positioned towards the base of the machine, says Roborock, allows it to have a lower center of gravity, making it easier to move around your home and lay it flat to push under furniture. It also provides added weight to ensure the roller head remains in constant contact with hard floors to help improve its cleaning efficiency.

The dirty-water tank is on the front of the machine, as is the case with similar models from other brands. The capacity remains the same across all models within the F25 series at 720ml (the same as with the Tineco S7 Pro). The clean-water tank maxes out at 740ml, which is less than the S7 Pro’s 850ml capacity. It’s also smaller than other models in the F25 series, which get a larger 870ml water tank. Despite that, I was able to regularly get two full mopping runs from a single fill across a cleaning area of approximately 120 sqm / 1,300 sqft in my apartment.

Where Roborock says the F25 Ace differs from other floor washers is the design of the roller head. It features what the company calls JawScapers – 141 3mm-long comb teeth – positioned behind the roller. Not only is this said to prevent hairs getting tangled, but it also claims to squeeze dirty water out of the roller and into the tank, to prevent water marks appearing on the floor during cleaning sessions.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

The F25 Ace has an LED display that shows you its battery life, the current cleaning mode and a small colored bar to indicate its dynamic performance facilitated by a proprietary DirTect Smart Sensor on the rear of the machine. This sensor detects the amount of dirt in the water it’s mopping to automatically adjust water-flow rate and suction power, while the roller head remains spinning at the same speed. For the majority of my testing, the bar (thankfully) remained blue, indicating my floor was a ‘normal’ level of dirty, although there were the occasional bits that pushed it into the red and nothing was needed on my part – the F25 Ace did what was needed by itself.

The LED display is clear to see, but compared to models from other brands, I found it to be a little uninspiring. It conveys information via icons only, which took me a few uses to wrap my head around. If voice prompts are on, it will tell you what mode you’re in, but there’s no extra information to tell you what each mode means and the user manual isn’t much help. This doesn’t affect the machine’s cleaning prowess, but it does mean the user experience isn’t as good as I’d expected.

The display on the Tineco S7 Pro on the other hand is a lot better at imparting information, using images, words and more colors to tell the user what’s going on. You’re also able to adjust settings better on the S7 Pro thanks to buttons on the handle – something the Roborock doesn’t have and requires you to use the app, which isn’t ideal if you need to tweak a setting on the fly and your phone is in another room.

The Roborock F25 Ace (along with the F25 Alt in the US) benefits from a few proprietary technologies that sets it apart from other models in the F25 series. These include SlideTech 2.0 Automated Wheels to add motorized assistance to reduce the effort it takes to push the F25 Ace around your home.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

You can adjust the level of motorization in the app between Mild, Moderate and Intense. I left this setting on the default Moderate mode and appreciated how the vacuum didn’t want to take me for a walk around my home, as was the case with the Tineco Floor One Switch S6 that I’ve previously reviewed. The Intense setting, however, will pull you along for a ride.

The added motorization makes the machine feel lighter than its 4.7kg weight would suggest. Robrock does say the wheels “intelligently detect the user’s push and pull strength and adjust the power assistance in real time,” but I couldn’t tell if that was actually happening during my testing.

Another feature found on the F25 Ace is an automatic detergent dispenser. The 100ml compartment is next to the clean-water tank, both of which sit within a removable clear plastic unit on the roller head. You’re able to set the ratio of detergent to water to one of three settings within the app, and the appropriate amount of detergent gets automatically sprayed directly onto the roller during a cleaning run. I stuck to the default setting of Daily for the majority of my testing and that was enough to occasionally leave some soap suds on the floor. Another swipe over these areas took care of the remaining suds.

And, a small niggle, but the previous Tineco machine had an auto-stop feature when the handle is returned to its starting position. The Roborock machine doesn’t have this feature, and I found I missed it as it made pausing, cleaning and moving the machine to another room a bit easier.

  • Design score: 4.5/5
Roborock F25 Ace review: Performance
  • Powerful performance leaves floors clean
  • Exclusive features work well
  • Some setting tweaks may be required for best results

The F25 Ace is my first Roborock review, but I have tested similar wet-dry vacuums before. I was already quite impressed by the Tineco Floor One Switch S6’s mopping, cleaning and drying capabilities, and our reviewers have always rated other Roborock machines, like the Roborock Dyad Pro, very well. So my expectations from the F25 Ace were high going into testing and it didn’t disappoint.

Thanks to the aforementioned SlideTech wheels, I found it incredibly easy to move the machine around my home. The cleaning head has a 70º angle of pivot (35º left and right), making tight turns possible.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

I also found that thanks to its ability to tilt backwards by 180º, cleaning the floor under my dining table, for example, was easier than with other vacuum cleaners and I barely had to move the chairs. Instead I was able to weave the F25 Ace around the chair and table legs with ease with a light push with one hand. Do note that when the machine is totally flat, the cleaning head loses the ability to pivot, but any angle smaller than 180º allows it to remain agile.

Where I found the lay-flat ability most useful was getting underneath my bathroom vanity unit, an area that’s been ignored because no other vacuum or floor washer I’ve tried could get under it.

Similar to when I tested the Tineco Switch S6, I was surprised by just how much dirty water was collected after one run throughout my home. I was also impressed with how much debris was collected, especially as much of it wasn’t clearly visible to my eyes before the cleaning run. The F25 Ace has 20,000Pa suction power, so was evidently able to vacuum even the smallest of particles. Combined with a roller that rotates at up to 450rpm, and gets cleaned by scrapers within its housing unit on each turn, my floors felt much cleaner underfoot once I’d finished a session.

The design of the roller head on the F25 Ace ensures it can get closer to edges. To test this, I poured some milk along the edges of my kitchen cabinets to see how much would be cleaned up. It performed exceptionally well, mopping up the entire spillage in just one run. It wasn’t quite the same story with dry debris, as it did miss a few grains of rice I poured on the floor.

But, for dry spills in the center of the floor, I have zero complaints. I poured generous helpings of rice and coffee beans onto my floor and with one push over either spill with the F25 Ace cleared it up entirely.

Compared to the Tineco machine I’ve previously tested, the Roborock F25 Ace’s default water-rate flow is higher, meaning it uses more water for mopping. This really isn’t an issue as the roller is very effective at mopping, leaving no puddles behind. If the floors remain too wet for your liking, you can reduce the water-flow rate via the app.

That said, if you are going to use the detergent – and Roborock strongly suggests you use only the one it provides or recommends – you might see soap suds not fully disappearing with each swipe. This happened to me on occasion and I had to run the roller head over those areas a couple of times more to ensure no soap scum accumulated on my floors.

Roborock promises that the F25 Ace will leave floors streak-free, but I don’t completely agree with that claim. While my floors were certainly clean after going over them, when I viewed them in the right light, I could see some noticeable streaks where the roller head and wheels had passed over. They’re not so noticeable that it bothered me too much, but it’s not exactly fulfilling the promise.

  • Performance score: 4.5/5
Roborock F25 Ace review: Maintenance
  • Self-clean cycle is effective
  • Time and temperature settings can be adjusted
  • Dirty-water tank will need extra cleaning

Once placed back in the dock after a cleaning session, a voice prompt will instruct you to perform the self-clean cycle, which you activate by pressing a button on the handle or within the app.

Roborock says the whole cycle – cleaning and drying – should take approximately five minutes using a combination of hot water and 90ºC / 194ºF hot air. While that’s more or less true, I found it can be closer to 10 minutes in the Quiet Drying mode.

During self-cleaning, the roller head spins in both directions while it’s blasted with hot water to help remove as much dirt and bacteria as possible, with all dirty water being collected in the tank. You’re able to choose between ‘High’ and ‘Room Temperature’ water settings in the app – naturally, hotter water will be more effective for cleaning. Roborock doesn’t say how hot this water is, but does claim it uses 90ºC / 194ºF hot air as it hits the roller head, which is quite good as many robot vacuums with self-cleaning cycles use 75ºC air for drying.

The JawScrapers help remove debris from the roller head during cleaning. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Considering how much dirty water was collected after each run around my home – indicating how dirty the floor was – the roller head looked surprisingly clean. The quality of the roller itself also seems to be very good because, even after several uses. It does have a limited lifespan, though, and you will need to replace it at some point – Roborock recommends changing it once every six to 12 months, depending on your use case.

The washing part of the self-clean cycle is quite noisy. I used a decibel meter app on my phone and recorded a maximum reading of around 75dB. The drying, however, registered a pleasant 55dB that Roborock calls “Quiet Drying”.

Using this drying mode will lengthen the time it takes to complete the self-clean cycle, so you can choose a quicker option. You can track the progress of the self-clean cycle in the app – it was how I realized the drying process took longer when quiet.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

A voice prompt will inform you once the self-cleaning cycle has finished and instruct you to empty the water tank. Of course, this is only if you can hear the prompt. I had the F25 Ace stored in my laundry room towards the back of my apartment, and with the door closed, I could barely hear them. I would have liked a phone notification too, giving me a greater chance to ensure the dirty-water tank is cleaned out promptly. You can empty the dirty-water tank while the roller head is drying to save on time.

Once the tank had been emptied and debris collected in the filters washed away, I left all the pieces to air dry before returning them to the machine. The majority of debris came off under a tap, but Roborock supplies a long brush to help agitate any particularly stubborn pieces.

I did notice when cleaning the day after mopping up the milk spillage that milky water was being collected in the dirty-water tank, suggesting that the roller head wasn’t completely cleaned during the previous self-clean cycle. It didn’t have any effect on the cleanliness of the floor.

  • Maintenance score: 4.5/5
Roborock F25 Ace review: Software
  • Plenty of customization
  • Remote access when away from home
  • Pop-up notifications would be a nice feature

As I’ve already alluded to, the F25 Ace can connect to an app to open up a good selection of customization options. App connectivity is only possible on the F25 Ace and F25 Alt models, which I think is a shame as I think the other models in this range would also benefit from that extra control.

I was pleasantly surprised that the app gives me remote control over the F25 Ace’s settings when away from home. Not only can you make adjustments, you can also start a self-clean or drying cycle. While I don’t think it will see much use, I think this feature is handy if you’ve had to do an emergency quick clean before running out the door in the morning, letting you start a self-clean cycle while you’re on the road or in the office.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

One feature I found utterly superfluous was the remote control mode. It asks you to lay the F25 Ace flat on the floor (there’s a small wheel in the handle to ensure it remains level), after which you can move it around your home using the remote control buttons on your phone. It doesn’t work well at all during my testing, where the machine either had a significant lag between command and action or didn’t register the button presses at all. While the roller turns when being remote controlled, I didn’t see it doing any cleaning at all.

Then there are the voice prompts that let you know what the machine is doing – when you switch cleaning modes, instructing you to perform a cleaning cycle or to tell you it’s finished. You can change the language of the voice prompts within the app or adjust the volume level. If you want to switch them off, as I did after testing them for this review, you just mute them by moving the volume slider all the way down.

I didn’t find the voice prompts too useful as they were unclear most of the time and, as I mentioned earlier, I would have appreciated additional pop-up notifications on my phone, particularly when the dirty-water tank needed emptying.

  • Software score: 4.5/5
Roborock F25 Ace review: Battery life
  • Good battery life, but may not suffice for larger homes
  • Up to 60 minutes in Eco mode; 40 minutes in Auto
  • Recharge time can take a while

The Roborock F25 Ace has a 4,000mAh battery that the company says is good for up to 60 minutes of use in Eco mode or 40 minutes in Auto mode. However, this is only really relevant for anyone with a particularly large surface area to clean as the machine recharges whenever it’s on the charging dock.

I never had any battery issues when cleaning my apartment with the F25 Ace, which has an approximate total cleaning area of 120 sqm / 1,300 sqft, as I was able to complete a full clean in roughly 10 minutes wherein I used just 15% of battery. For context, Roborock says the 60-minute runtime in Eco mode should be enough to cover a 410 sqm / 4,413 sqft space.

However, when I returned the F25 Ace to the charging dock to self-clean, I noticed the battery level continued to drop by as much as another 10%. I assume the power required to complete the clean uses up more battery than it receives from the dock.

  • Battery life score: 5/5
Should you buy the Roborock F25 Ace review? Buy it if...

You want an easy, thorough clean

The F25 Ace can be moved around with little effort and its cleaning performance is stellar, leaving you with clean floors in no time at all.

Your home has hard-to-reach areas

Thanks to its ability to lie flat, the Roborock F25 Ace can get into more places than a large number of similar machines, meaning more of your floors will be cleaned.

You like to take control of your appliances

There are numerous customization options with the F25 Ace via the app, covering cleaning and maintenance. You may find the default settings don’t work for you, so you can easily change them.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

Your floors are carpeted

It may seem obvious, but the Roborock F25 Ace only works on hard floors. If your home is predominantly carpet, you’ll want to look at other vacuum cleaner models. View Deal

You have a limited budget

I think the F25 Ace is worth the money, but the fact remains there are cheaper alternatives available, like the Shark HydroVac Cordless, which can also work on low-pile soft floors.View Deal

Roborock F25 Ace review: Also consider

Tineco Floor One Switch Pro 7

Our favorite wet-dry vacuum for a reason, this powerful machine cleans incredibly well, can get up close to edges and has a gorgeous, interactive LED display. It costs more at full price, but can now regularly be picked up at a discount.

Read our full Tineco Floor One Switch Pro 7 reviewView Deal

Shark HyrdoVac Cordless

If your budget is tight, this Shark machine is a great option, especially as it can also be used on low-pile carpets, making it a more versatile proposition.

Read our full Shark HydroVac Cordless reviewView Deal

How I tested the Roborock F25 Ace

I tested this wet-dry vacuum over a period of about a month in my apartment, using it to clean at least twice a week. I experimented with the various settings adjustments within the app to see what effect they had on the overall cleanliness of my floors.

To really test its mopping and vacuuming credentials, I spilled milk and scattered grains such as rice on the floor to see how much was vacuumed up.

I made a note of how well the brush roller head was washed and dried after each cleaning run around my home and assessed how much clean water was left in the tank (and how much dirty water was collected).

This is the first Roborock vacuum cleaner I’ve tested, but I have previously tested the Tineco Floor One Switch S6, which is a similar wet-dry vacuum cleaner, but which also has extra attachments for cleaning carpets and other soft floorings.

Categories: Reviews

Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Monday, March 31

CNET News - Sun, 03/30/2025 - 21:34
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for March 31.
Categories: Technology

Testing Samsung's new AI-powered vacuum taught me that I don't really need my vac to be know the difference between every single surface

TechRadar Reviews - Sun, 03/30/2025 - 19:00
Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra: two-minute review

The Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra is a cutting-edge cordless vacuum with a self-empty dock, companion app, and AI-powered suction automation. I tested a model ahead of its launch to see how it compares to the rest of the best cordless vacuums on the market, and if it manages to justify costing more than any other vacuum we've tested at TechRadar.

To the untrained eye (and honestly, the trained eye, too), the AI Jet Ultra appears a lot like a regular cordless stick vacuum, albeit a high-quality model that's solidly built and comfortable to use, with an extending telescopic wand and ergonomic handle. However, under the hood it boasts advanced AI smarts that enable it to detect exactly the kind of floor it's on and adjust its suction and brushroll speed in response, to deliver an efficient clean that won't waste battery or make the vacuum too difficult to push.

That's the theory, anyway. On test, the AI adjustments proved a little unreliable. I could hear a change when shifting from lino to carpet, but it overlooked more subtle changes in floor type, and didn't adjust when cleaning the edges of rooms, either. Interestingly, it did sometimes adjust when encountering large spillages, even though it isn't advertised as being able to detect differing dirt levels.

That's not to say the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra vacuum doesn't offer excellent cleaning power – it does. It aced all my suction tests. But there are a number of vacuums I've tested that have also achieved great results in these tests; the point of difference here is the AI, and I think there's still a bit of work to be done in this regard.

I was more impressed with the auto-empty dock. This isn't unique to Samsung – today's best Shark vacuums also come with their own empty stations – but the unit here is particularly stylish, and ultra-convenient, too. It might benefit allergy-sufferers who don't want particles escaping back into the air, or anyone with a large home and lots of dust or pet hair. The latter will also benefit from the extensive potential runtimes offered by the two swappable batteries. There's also a companion app, although this doesn't feel terribly necessary.

A big sticking point for many will be the price. At £1,199.99 (US and AU price TBC) I'd want this vacuum to be pretty much perfect, and certainly for those advanced AI features to work correctly and make a noticeable difference to performance. However, I'm not sure the price is justified.

That's the short version. Read on for my full Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra review, and to find out if it might be the best vacuum for you.

(Image credit: Future) Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra review: price & availability
  • List price: £1,199.99 (US and AU pricing TBC)
  • Launch: UK pre-order from March 2025, on sale 22 April (US / AU TBC)

At list price, the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra costs £1,199.99 and will available to pre-order from late March 2025, for an on-sale date of 22 April. I'm awaiting pricing and launch info for the US and Australia, but that UK price is equivalent to around $1,550 / AU$2,450. The price puts this vacuum firmly in the premium price bracket; in fact, I think this is the priciest vacuum we've ever tested at TechRadar.

However, chances are you might not have to shell out that list price. During deals events we often see hefty discounts on Samsung appliances, and I predict that this will be the case for the Bespoke AI Jet Ultra, too.

In comparison, Dyson's most advanced model at time of writing is the Dyson Gen5detect, with list prices from $949.99 / £769.99 / AU$1,549. That model doesn't have the auto-empty dock or companion app, though.

At time of writing, Shark's top vacuum is the Shark PowerDetect Cordless. That one does have an auto-empty dock, although overall feels far less premium than the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra. With the base, it costs $499.99 / £549.99 / AU$999.99.

Samsung's previous model in the lineup – the Bespoke Jet AI – has a list price of $1,099 / £999 / AU$1,499.

Is it worth it? I'm not sure. While the build quality is solid and the performance good, I think much of what you're paying for is those advanced AI features, which on test didn't quite work as advertised. They also didn't result in a noticeably more efficient clean than other, AI-free vacuums I've tested. If you do decide this is the vacuum for you, I'd definitely hold out for a discount.

  • Value for money score: 2.5 out of 5
Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra specs Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra review: design
  • Stick vacuum with telescopic wand and ergonomic handle
  • Comes with self-empty dock that can also diagnose any problems
  • Various attachments including two floorheads and mini-motorized Pet Tool+

The Bespoke AI Jet Ultra is the third generation model – you can read about this vacuum's predecessors in our Samsung Bespoke Jet AI review (2023 launch) and Samsung Bespoke Jet cordless vacuum review (2022 launch).

Under the hood, this Ultra model certainly sees some improvement over the Bespoke AI Jet. For example, this new version offers 400W of suction power (compared to 280W), and it comes with a new "spinning cyclone" (although there's no info yet on what this does). The addition of AI is also an upgrade, improving the vacuum's detection capabilities. So, while the previous model could differentiate between carpet, hard floor and mats, and be aware that it's been lifted up, the new model can do all that, but is also able to detect long-pile / dense carpet, and corners. Used in AI mode with one of the two main floorheads, the vacuum has been designed to optimize suction power for an effective, battery-efficient clean.

Alongside the AI smarts, the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra arrives with a companion app and the ability to self-diagnose any maintenance issues, such as blockages.

Vacuum

The vacuum itself is a fairly standard-looking stick vac, if a little dramatic with its matte off-black finish. The main motor mechanism is on the larger, heavier side, but the handle has an ergonomic grip and rest for your index finger, making it secure and comfortable to hold. Above the handle you'll find an "On" button, plus and minus buttons, and a small screen for displaying information.

You can use the plus and minus buttons to cycle through the five different power modes: Min, Mid, Max, Jet and (if you have one of the main floorheads attached) AI. The screen will display which mode you're in, and how much cleaning time you have left on the battery in that mode.

Image 1 of 2

A screen provides info about suction mode and remaining runtime (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

It'll also inform you of any issues (Image credit: Future)

It will also show maintenance information: when to clean the filter; when the dock dustbag is full; and if the brushroll is blocked, for example. The Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra has diagnosing powers, too. It told me when the floorhead was blocked (when it had tried to suck up my bath mat) and even displayed a graphic showing me what to do to clear it. Today's best Dyson vacuums can also self-diagnose and provide specific fix instructions.

The AI Jet Ultra also makes it possible for you to display any messages and calls to your phone on its screen. I guess that might be useful if you're concerned about missing any important calls/messages as a result of the noise of the vacuum, but it seems more like a gimmick to me.

There are a couple of filters within the dustbin section (Image credit: Future)

Remove the dustbin and you'll find a small, washable filter. The main filter (behind a metal mesh) sits inside the dustbin, and can be accessed by twisting the plastic cover to unlock it. There's also a paper filter hidden behind a grille, but I couldn't figure out how to access it for cleaning purposes. New to this model is HEPA filtration – the most effective filtering found in commercial products.

Rather unusually, this vacuum ships with two different-sized batteries. Both fit on the vacuum, with one designed to last 100 minutes, while the other will last up to 60 minutes.

The wand and floorhead / detail tools clip on, with a clever addition being a slider on the main wand that allows it to extend. At minimum height the vacuum's reach is pretty short (I'm 5ft 8in and needed to extend it a fair way to use it comfortably), so I think part of the motivation behind this is that it means the dock doesn't need to be super-tall. However, being able to adjust height to suit the user does make it more comfortable to use.

A hinge attachment allows you to angle your detail tools (Image credit: Future)

Samsung also provides a joint attachment that can be angled at around 45, 90 and 135 degrees. This sits at the bottom end of the wand, extending its reach even further. It's designed for up-high cleaning with a detail, too. You can't use it with any of the motorized cleaning heads (so the two floorheads and the mini Pet Tool+). Shark's equivalent feature sits at the top end of the wand and allows it to pivot forward to 90-degrees, for easier cleaning under furniture – arguably, a slightly more useful setup.

The previous model had an optional mop attachment, but this isn't a feature here – or, at least, I didn't have one included on my review model.

Dock

This stick vacuum comes with a large dock that both charges the machine and empties the onboard dustbin. It takes the form of a dramatic-looking black cylinder with a base.

The dock charges the vacuum and empties its dustbin (Image credit: Future)

The vacuum slides in the top, prompting anything in its onboard bin to whoosh out and into a larger dust bag in the base. There's a discreet Start/Stop button, to manually control the emptying if required, and the process can also be managed via the app. To access the larger dust bag, you remove the black, plastic cover and open a second hatch behind.

Inside you'll find a 2L dustbag (Image credit: Future)

Overall, I think Samsung has done a great job of making the dock look as stylish as possible, given that it has to be a fairly awkward size and shape to do what it needs to do. It's certainly more high-end looking than Shark's big, white, Toblerone-shaped auto-empty docks (see our Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum review for an example). While Shark's machines can be purchased with or without a dock, the Samsung dock is included as standard.

Accessories

Samsung provides a wide range of detail tools to help you tackle different cleaning tasks. They are as follows:

  • Active Dual Brush floorhead
  • Slim LED Brush+ floorhead
  • Pet Tool+ mini-motorized head
  • Combination tool
  • Extendible Crevice tool
Image 1 of 3

The vacuum comes with various detail tools (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

There are two main floorheads (Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

An accessory tree provides somewhere to store everything (Image credit: Future)

Your main floorhead looks to be the Active Dual Brush, which has a small fluffy roller and a larger one with bristles. I assume this is for use on both hard floors and carpet. There's also a Slim LED Brush+, which has just one large fluffy roller. It's designed for hard floors specifically, since the soft roller can get nice and close to the floor without scratching it.

The Pet Tool+ mini-motorized head is meant for covering larger, not-flat surfaces such as sofa cushions. Samsung has supplied a kind of accessory carousel that has space to house all five of the attachments, with the main floorheads clipping on and dangling downwards.

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5
Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra review: performance
  • Comfortable and fairly maneuverable, but can be hard to push on carpet
  • Suction excellent, but AI adjustment doesn't always seem to work
  • Self-empty dock is a big effort-saver

Upon switching the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra on for the first time, the screen took me on a whistle-stop guide of the vacuum – and I mean whistle-stop; each bit of information barely stayed on-screen long enough for me to read it.

To test performance, I used the vacuum to clean my whole flat, putting all the different attachments through their paces, measuring my experience against Samsung's performance claims. I also ran a series of suction tests on hard floor and carpet.

Comfort & usability

First up, I have to commend Samsung for the ergonomic design of the vacuum's handle. It's a simple thing but often forgotten (I'm looking at you, Dyson) and really does improve comfort in use. That's especially important when the vacuum is on the heavier side, as this model is.

The vacuum is comfortable to hold, thanks to an ergonomically shaped handle (Image credit: Future)

The main Jet Dual Brush floorhead seems to pivot pretty well – although it isn't as nimble as a Dyson – but on test I found it difficult to change direction and get the vacuum moving again on carpet. This was a complaint our reviewer had with both the previous iterations of this vacuum; it seems Samsung might have stuck with the same design here. It's much better with the Slim LED Brush+ on hard floor, though.

Many vacuum brands have built anti-tangle features into their floorheads, but sadly, the Jet Dual Brush is lacking here; it quickly becomes tangled with my long hair when used on my carpet.

The main floorhead quickly became tangled with hair from my carpet (Image credit: Future)

Both of the main floorheads feature LED headlamps, which are on by default. These do help light the way, but there's a marked difference between these kinds of white lights and the green laser used by Dyson. The former will really only help illuminate dingy corners, while the latter shows up dirt that's near-invisible to the naked eye.

Cleaning performance

The AI mode can be used with either the carpet or hard floor floorheads. Samsung says the vacuum can sense hard floor, carpet, long-pile carpet, mats, corners, and when it's been lifted up. It will then adjust suction and brushroll speed to deliver equivalent cleaning power to being used in Mid mode, but while saving battery and being easier to push, due to less resistance.

It's all quite complicated, but Samsung provided me with some graphics to show the science behind it all – and, in theory at least, it seems to make sense. (Although I will state for the record that in my opinion, I do think that "AI" is being thrown in purely as a buzzword here.)

It's worth flagging that the dock needs to be plugged in with the vacuum connected via Bluetooth for the AI to work, and this mode only works with the two main floorheads.

On test, I found this auto-adjustment a little hit and miss. I could hear the power shifting as I went from hard floor to medium-pile carpet – and I'd receive a notification on-screen saying that the vac was "Optimizing for environment". It also dropped to a lower-power mode when I lifted it up.

However, when I laid out my bath mat (medium thickness, thin, looped pile) on my carpet, it didn't adjust for it; it repeatedly tried to eat it. It also failed to adjust when cleaning the edges / corners of rooms – a feature that has been specifically added to this model.

Power seemed to sometimes adjust for debris on the floor, although this isn't an advertised feature (Image credit: Future)

Interestingly, the vacuum did occasionally (not always) adjust for high levels of dirt: for example, when clearing up the spilled oats or cleaning an especially dusty area. Dirt detection isn't something Samsung advertises as an AI feature, although this is the main focus of competitor vacuum brands' automation efforts.

Dyson (with the V15 Detect and Gen5detect) and Shark (with the Detect Pro and PowerDetect cordless) offer their own automation features. Models from both brands can adjust suction based on whether they're cleaning hard floor or carpet, and the level of dirt is detected. Shark's models even adjust when cleaning the edges of rooms. In general, I've found these models more reliable, plus I think adjusting cleaning power based on dirt rather than floor type is a more logical priority.

Suction tests

To get a more objective view of how well the Bespoke AI Jet Ultra vacuum performs, I ran TechRadar's standard suction tests. It was possible to see this vacuum's powerful suction because after running it around my flat, the bin had collected quite large quantities of grey fluff. I can only assume this is dirt off my carpet (which is 3+ years old and past the shedding stage).

On with the tests. I started by emptying a teabag onto my carpeted floor, to see if the vacuum could clear it with the Active Dual Brush floorhead attached – and it did so extremely well. I tackled one side of the mess using AI mode, the vacuum clearing it in a single forward pass. On the other side I used the vacuum in Min mode, and everything was gone in one forward and backward pass.

Image 1 of 2

Tea on my carpet, before the suction test... (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

... and during (Image credit: Future)

I then ran the same test using oats, to see how well this floorhead would cope with larger debris. Again, the Bespoke AI Jet Ultra cleared everything without any issues, even when I switched from AI mode to Min mode. Neither did the oats ping around, as can happen with larger particles.

During both tests, I also tried pulling the floorhead backwards over the spillage, and was pleased to see there was no pooling of debris behind the floorhead.

Image 1 of 2

Oats on my carpet before the test... (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

... and after (Image credit: Future)

I sprinkled oats along the side of my fireplace, too, to gauge the efficiency of this vacuum's edge cleaning. I was disappointed not to hear the power ramping up here, especially since edge detection is a new addition for the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra. Nevertheless, the vacuum did manage to suck up most of the mess, leaving only the oats closest to the carpet's edge; but it did ping some around through the process. The Crevice tool cleared the rest with no issues.

Edge cleaning was decent, although suction didn't adjust as it should have done (Image credit: Future)

Attaching the Slim LED Brush+, designed for use on hard floors, I then repeated the same tests on my kitchen lino.

I found the Samsung cleaned up the tea leaves fine, but did cause them to pool behind the floorhead when approached from behind. However, this seems to be a common occurrence with this type of floorhead, because I have encountered the sae problem with the Dyson counterpart.

Image 1 of 2

Tea on my lino floor before the suction test... (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

... and during (Image credit: Future)

When I ran the test with the oats, the Bespoke AI Jet Ultra cleared them well when approached from the front, but on the reverse stroke the debris again pooled and was pinged around.

Image 1 of 2

Oats on my lino floor before the suction test (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

Oats pooled behind the floorhead when it was pulled backwards over the spillage (Image credit: Future)

In general, the soft Slim LED Brush+ seemed to struggle to pick up hair and debris off lino flooring around edges of the room. I assume it's really designed for fine dust, but it's very difficult to tell how it's managing that.

Attachments & handheld mode

Like most modern stick vacuums, the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra can be converted into a handheld machine by removing the wand and adding a detail tool. In use, while it felt a little heavy used in this way; it was fine in general, with the ergonomically shaped handle helping with grip and maneuvering.

This vacuum can be transformed for use as a handheld (Image credit: Future)

The Pet Tool+ mini-motorized head worked well on my sofa, although it did quickly become tangled with hair. (This is an issue Dyson has managed to solve by swapping out a parallel roller for a conical one.)

The Pet Tool+ worked well but became tangled with hair (Image credit: Future)

Samsung has made its Crevice tool extendible, although be aware that it does become wobbly when extended. My only other minor complaint with the attachment-swapping process is that upon removing the main floorhead following my suction tests, I found some oats fell back out onto my floor – they obviously hadn't quite made it to the bin.

Emptying

The Samsung vacuum's auto-emptying worked as advertised, clearing almost everything from the bin on its "short" cycle, and leaving only a bit of fluff and few hairs wrapped around the central filter. It was a little noisy, but nothing too offensive.

I appreciate that Samsung has included an option to turn the lights off on the dock and vacuum screen – charging LEDs that blink in the night are a perpetual irritation to me.

However, you can't turn off the auto-empty, which in my opinion is an oversight. I found it annoying when using the vacuum for just quick cleanups, when there was barely anything in the bin. There are also occasions where you won't want the disturbance – say the dock lives near a child's bedroom, and you've used the vacuum elsewhere in the evening; you'll need to be quick on the Stop button when adding it back onto its perch.

Although I don't particularly mind having to manually empty my vacuum's bin, the automation is super convenient. It might also appeal to allergy sufferers, because it means fewer chances for allergens to escape back into the air once they've been sucked up. You will have to factor in the ongoing cost (and minor hassle) of buying dust bags, though.

App

You can control aspects of the vacuum's settings via the Samsung's SmartThings app. It will display charge status, and when the dustbin was last emptied. You can also direct for the dustbin to be emptied, if the vacuum is docked. However, since this happens automatically when you dock the vacuum, it feels a little unnecessary... although I guess it might be useful if it hasn't fully emptied, and you don't want to get up and press the button on the machine itself.

Screenshots from the SmartThings companion app (click to expand) (Image credit: Samsung / Future)

You can also adjust the time allocated to emptying the dustbin – shorter, if you know you aren't picking up much on a general clean; longer, if you're dealing with mountains of pet hair – and set the default suction power. It's on AI as standard, but you could pick a different mode, if you prefer. And it's also possible to switch off all the vacuum's lights while it's docked. Note that none of this functionality is essential, though, so you could get by just fine without the app.

  • Performance score: 4 out of 5
Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra review: battery life
  • Comes with two interchangeable batteries
  • One lasts 100 mins, the other 60 mins
  • Theoretically up to 2hrs 40 mins cleaning in Min mode

Unusually, my Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra came bundled with two batteries – one big (in size and capacity) and one small.

Samsung quotes a maximum runtime of 1 hour 40 minutes for the larger battery, and 60 minutes for the smaller. Anything over an hour's runtime is exceptional, although obviously we're talking about that being achieved on the lowest powered mode, plus that's not standardized from machine to machine.

One unit will charge in the vacuum on the dock, and there's a separate small charge dock supplied to keep the second battery juiced up. All this means you can hot-swap them, to get up to 2 hours 40 minutes of cleaning.

  • Battery life score: 5 out of 5
Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra review: alternatives to consider

Dyson Gen5detect
This is Dyson's most advanced model at the time of writing. It's premium in price but still a lot cheaper than the Samsung. The floorheads contain sensors that detect dust and debris, adjust suction in response, and report back in real time on-screen. The hard floor floorhead also has a laser than can illuminate near-invisible dust. There's no auto-empty dock, however.

Read the full Dyson Gen5detect reviewView Deal

Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty System

This is Shark's top model at the time of writing. It's significantly cheaper than both the Dyson and the Samsung, although it does also feel less premium. It can auto-adjust suction based on dirt levels, floor type, and if it's cleaning near the edge of a room. There's an optional auto-empty dock, too.

Read the full Shark PowerDetect Cordless review View Deal

Should you buy the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra? Buy it if...

You have a big home and are serious about cleaning
The dual-battery setup and auto-empty capabilities come into their own in larger homes with higher levels of dirt.

You suffer from allergies
The auto-empty dock has benefits for allergy-sufferers, because there are far fewer chances for particles to escape back into the air.

You love a cutting-edge gadget
Not many vacuums these days use AI or come with a companion app. If you want the most modern floor cleaner around, Samsung's new vac is up there.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget
The Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra is the most expensive vacuum we've tested by some margin. There are plenty of alternatives that offer similar performance and features for a much lower price.

You have a smaller home with one floor type
The AI features are the main reason for investing in this vacuum, and if your home has only one floor type throughout, you won't see most of the benefits.

How I tested the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra

I received a pre-launch sample of the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra, and was only able to keep it for a week. During this time, I used it to clean my entire flat, testing out all of the detail tools as well as using both floorheads. I also ran TechRadar's standard suction tests to get an objective idea of how it performs in practice. I tested any features and claims made by Samsung, and compared my experience to other vacuums I've reviewed – in particular, the Dyson Gen5detect and Shark PowerDetect stick vacuum.

Read more about how we test vacuum cleaners

  • First reviewed February 2025
Categories: Reviews

Some progress made in recovering U.S. Army soldiers submerged in Lithuanian swamp

NPR News Headlines - Sun, 03/30/2025 - 18:04

U.S. Navy divers managed to successfully attach a line to a hoist point on the submerged vehicle. The goal is to hook up more hoists in order to pull the vehicle carrying the soldiers out of the mud.

(Image credit: Petras Malukas)

Categories: News

I’ve used a lot of power banks, but the Baseus Blade Pro is the only one slim enough for my laptop sleeve

TechRadar Reviews - Sun, 03/30/2025 - 17:36
Baseus Blade Pro power bank review

While an excellent power bank for many reasons, the Baseus Blade Pro really stands out for its skinny form factor, combined with a large 20,000mAh (74Wh) capacity and beefy 100W (20V, 5A) output. There are very few such power banks that can slot into a laptop sleeve, yet still offer fast charging, making this my favorite option when traveling light.

I also think the Blade Pro is a great option for phone charging if you need to do multiple top-ups, and the slim form works well in a backpack too. That said, at 13.4 x 13.4 x 2.0 cm (5.3 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches), it's definitely too large to fit in most pockets comfortably. The exception to this is bulky winter wear, and I have used it to power a heated jacket in icy weather when traveling.

The Blade Pro has two USB-C ports that can each output 100W, though if both are used at the same time, they're limited to 65W and 35W respectively. The two USB-A ports can do 30W (12V, 2.5A) or 27W at 9V, 3A. While charging three devices is totally fine, plugging in four means all ports are limited to just 5V output, which results in much slower charging, and won't charge most laptops.

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Charging the Blade Pro via either USB-C port happens at up to 60W and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach full capacity. With a 65W or higher charger, the power bank also supports pass-through charging, so you can charge the power bank and another device at the same time. This means you can plug the power bank between your laptop and its USB-C charger, and charge both at once without needing to swap any cables once it is done.

You also get a low-current charge mode for smaller accessories like headphones (which stops the power bank from turning off when charging devices that only need a little bit of power), along with a fantastic display that shows the voltage, current and remaining runtime while charging.

At 440g (15.5 ounces) the Blade Pro is quite lightweight for the size, but the flat shape means it's slightly larger in total volume than the smallest power banks with comparable capacity. In my opinion, this is more than offset by the slim design, which makes it feel much less bulky.

(Image credit: TechRadar)

I conduct comprehensive testing of power banks to make sure they can meet the manufacturer's claims, as many don't actually do what they say they will. Overall, the Blade Pro gives excellent results that earn it a place in our best power banks guide.

The 20,000mAh (74Wh) capacity is enough to bring typical laptops back to a full charge (or at least hit 70% for those with large batteries), or charge a phone three to four times over, depending on the model.

In testing, when outputting the full 100W for a sustained period of time, the Blade will slow down the charge rate to make sure its cells stay healthy long term. In our real-world testing with a high-power 100W laptop (which typically averages slightly under 100W), this protection feature didn’t kick in.

That said, with sustained high output, the Blade Pro does generate some waste heat (which is totally normal), so you'll get the best performance if it's not left in a bag when charging a laptop. If you’re just charging a phone though, it stays very cool and can be tucked away.

(Image credit: TechRadar)

The only other things I can fault the Blade Pro for are that it tends to pick up scratches easily, and after months of pulling it in and out of my bag, it has lost one of the little rubber feet.

If buying the Blade Pro, keep in mind that it is often sold for as little as half the list price when on sale, and is generally much cheaper than the prices listed below.

Also watch out for the older (non-Pro) Blade model, as they look very similar. The older Blade is a great power bank (and a good buy if discounted), and it has the same features and outputs as the Pro, but be aware it’s larger overall and uses an older cell chemistry.

All in all, no matter which model you go for, the Blade Pro is ideal for slipping into a bag to charge a laptop and other devices.

Baseus Blade Pro: Price & specs Baseus Blade Pro: Test results

If all these numbers don't mean much to you, I have included scores out of 5 for each test result so you can see how it fared at a glance.

At phone-charging rates (20W / 9V / 2.22A), the Blade Pro delivers an outstanding 91.55% of its rated capacity. At 20V and typical laptop charging rates, performance is even better, hitting 93% of the rated capacity.

During testing under a sustained 100W (20V, 5A) load, the Blade Pro will usually renegotiate the output at 65W (20V, 3.25A) once the remaining capacity drops to somewhere between 50% and 30%, mainly to manage heat. At these higher sustained loads, efficiency takes a noticeable hit, and around 54.7Wh (76%) of the rated 74Wh ends up being usable.

This might seem like a concern, but it isn't a problem for normal use. But if you do need a power bank that can output the full 100W for the entire capacity, then consider a model like the Anker 737 or the ZMI No.20 – both of which can sustain their full output.

(Image credit: TechRadar) Should I buy the Baseus Blade Pro? Buy it if...

You love the form factor
The Blade Pro is one of only a select few power banks that is both slim and high output.

You want pass-through charging
The Blade Pro will pass through up to 60W, charging itself and your device at the same time.

You want to watch charge rates in real time
The Blade Pro gives detailed information about the voltages and amperages for each port, making it easy to tell exactly how fast your device is charging.

Don't buy it if...

You need dual 100W output
If both USB-C ports are in use, the Blade Pro limits the outputs to 65W and 35W.

You want to draw 100W continuously
The Blade Pro runs hot and efficiency drops at sustained high output.

You want the smallest power bank possible
While only 2cm (0.8 inches) thick, this 13.4cm x 13.4cm (5.3 x 5.3 inches) slab of power bank isn’t suited for slipping into a pocket.

(Image credit: TechRadar) Also consider

The Baseus Blade Pro is one of the best slim yet high output power banks available, but below are a few other options if you are looking for something different.

ZMI No.20
This power bank uses premium components, has a large 25,000mAh (90Wh) capacity and can fast charge anything from a phone to a laptop at up to 100W.

Read our full ZMI No.20 review

Anker 737 (PowerCore 24K)
A high-end alternative with a more detailed display, a 140W output, and a love-it-or-hate-it squarish form factor.

Read our full Anker 737 power bank review

Iniu B6 power bank
Need something easy to carry? With 20W fast-charge capability and a 10,000mAh (37Wh) capacity, the Iniu B6 is the perfect low-cost power bank to slip into your bag when on the go.

Read our full Iniu B6 power bank review

How I test power banks

I get hands-on with every power bank I can, and perform extensive testing in both the lab and real-world scenarios. Using equipment like the ChargerLab POWER-Z KM003C, I check charge voltage, protocol support, and log capacity tests.

Each power bank is also tested with real devices, including phones, tablets, laptops, and more, as well as connected to a programmable load tester for multiple charge cycles. I carry a selection daily in both pockets and bags to assess their durability and ability to withstand rough, everyday use.

All measurements and weights are personally verified, ensuring accuracy beyond the manufacturer’s listings.

Want to know more? Read about how we test.

Categories: Reviews

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