In BriefPosted:8:07 AM PST December 23, 2024Image Credits:Ty Wright/Bloomberg / Getty ImagesHonda and Nissan plan major merger focused on intelligence and electrificationJapanese car giants Honda and Nissan are working out the details of a major merger that could create the worlds third-largest automaker, as the companies look to survive in an industry faced with uncertainty.The Tesla-led shift towards electric vehicles, and Chinas increased importance in the automotive market, have companies like Honda and Nissan feeling the pressure to compete. If they go through with the merger, it could be completed by 2026. Nissans partner company Mitsubishi is supposed to decide by the end of January 2025 whether it would join this new alliance.Nissan and Mitsubishi are already in a partnership with French automaker Renault, though that relationship has grown increasingly fraught especially after former chairman of the alliance, Carlos Ghosn, was arrested in Japan on allegations of financial misconduct and subsequently fled the country. As the main shareholder of Nissan, Renault Group will consider all options based on the best interest of the Group and its stakeholders, a spokesperson for Renault said in a statement.Topics

Witness the dark heart of a young America. In 1857, the frontier knows no mercy, and peace is but a distant memory. Where will you stand in a world ruled by fear and survival? Watch the American Primeval trailer and enter the chaos!The VFX are made by:Scanline VFXFuseFXFOLKSWindmill LaneVisionary FXThe Production VFX Supervisor is Andrew J. Ceperley.The Production VFX Producer is Melanie Callaghan.Director: Peter BergRelease Date: January 9, 2025 (Netflix) Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2024

Hi !I was experimenting with Niagara and death events when I noticed an unexpected behavior.Im using Unreal 5.3.2 but I also tried on Unreal 5.4.4.I have two emitters, one with the death event and another one with the event handler. The first emitter spawns a finite amount of particles and the second emitter spawn one particle when one particle of the first emitter dies. Nothing fancy.I noticed that when the last particle of the first emitter dies, the second emitter spawns 2 particles instead of one. And It only happens with the last particle of the first emitter.Steps to reproduce :Create a Single Looping Particle emitter with a spawn rate of 3.1.1 Properties Enable Requires Persistent IDs.1.2 Emitter State Life Cyle Mode: self, loop behavior: once, Loop duration: 2.1.3 Particle Spawn Add Velocity Set Velocity 50,0,0.1.4 Particle Update Generate Death Event.Duplicate the emitter.2.1 Emitter State Loop Behavior: Infinite2.2 Delete Spawn Rate, Add Velocity and Generate Death Event.2.3 Add an Event Handler Set Source to first emitter Death Event.2.3.1 Execution Mode Set Execution Mode to Spawned Particles.2.3.2 Spawn number Set to 1.2.4 Add Receive Location Event.2.5 Particle Update Add Gravity Force.Minus the colors, it should look like thisFor some reason, when the last particle from the first emitter dies, the death event always spawns the double amount of particles sets in the Event Handler Properties-> Spawn Number.Am I doing something wrong or is it an issue coming from Niagara ?

A trailblazing African American architect in St. Louis. A world-renowned philosopher of postmodernism. Famous artists who worked with famous architects. Le Corbusiers last living employee. A legendary downtown New York fashion designer.These are just a few brief descriptors of the visionary architects, educators, designers, artists, and writers who died in 2024 for whom ANpublishedobituaries or tributes. See the names of the individuals listed below, and click to read more about their life and impact on the built environment. Victor Lundy, 101Designer, artist, and Sarasota School of Architecture pioneerJoseph Rykwert, 98Architectural historianIris Apfel, 102Interior designer, furniture maker Richard Serra, 85ArtistFredric Jameson, 90Philosopher; professor; author of Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic of Late CapitalismBarbara Stauffacher Solomon at Sea Ranch circa 1965 (Lawrence Halprin Collection, Architectural Archives, School of Design, University of Pennsylvania)Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, 95California cool graphic design visionary, landscape architectRalph Knowles, 95Passive design pioneerMilton Barragn Dumet, 90Ecuadorian architect, educator, artistRene Gonzalez Ilustre, 84California architect who worked for Frank Gehry Charles Fleming, 86St. Louis modern architectFumihiko Maki, 95Pritzker Prizewinning Metabolist architectMarsha Ann Maytum, 69Founding principal of Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects, design justice advocateFrank Stella, 87ArtistPaul Austers writing was deeply connected to 1980s Brooklyn and urban life in the city. (Kansallisteatteri/Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Paul Auster, 77Author, playwrightGaetano Pesce, 84Designer, architectDebora K. Reiser, 96Long Island modern architect, educator, mentorJeffrey Beers, 67Architect Jos Oubrerie, 91Architect, professor, former employee of Le CorbusierCharles Thornton, 83Engineer, cofounder of Thornton TomasettiCurtis Moody (Courtesy Moody Nolan)Curtis Moody, 73Founder of Moody Nolan, the countrys largest African Americanowned architecture firmKurt Forster, 89Scholar, professor, historianAntoine Predock, 87Architect, educator, artistCarl Andre, 88Minimalist artist, involved in the death of Ana Mendieta in 1985Juha Ilmari Leivisk, 87Finnish architectEugene Aubry, 88Texas architect

Tinker TimeMinistry of Design outfits its own office, MOD Workshop, with creativity and collaboration in mindByPaige Davidson December 23, 2024Interiors, International (Jovian Lim)SHAREIn the southern portion of Singapore, nestled right above the Kallang River and Rochor River, is Ministry of Designs (MOD) new office, MOD Workshop. Founded in 2004 by Colin Seah, MOD is a multidisciplinary design firm that focuses on architecture, branding, and interior design. MOD Workshop replaces the firms former award-winningBar Codeoffice where it operated from for 13 years. The new space is approximately 1,000 square feet. It redefines what an office layout and its purpose can look like. Rather than designing the office in order to entice employees to work in-person everyday, the space was designed forremote work. During the pandemic, MOD, like much of the world, shifted to working from home. Since then, the team has fully embraced remote work. Despite the shift, the multidisciplinary design firm still wanted to renovate their original stark black and white office into one that is light and crisp and reflects the new lifestyle. As such, the space isnt an office so much as it is a workshop, a place for tinkering and creative collaborations. An estimated 60 percent of the space is now devoted to face-to-face collaboration, while the remaining 40 percent consists of multiple desks that anyone can use.Read more about the office on aninteriomag.com. Office BuildingsSingapore

Tech More than 910,000 patients at risk after ConnectOnCall health data breach Learn how to protect yourself from the risks associated with this data breach Published December 23, 2024 10:00am EST close 'CyberGuy': Nearly 1 million Medicare users impacted by data breach Kurt Knutsson joins "Fox & Friends" to discuss what Americans should be concerned about with the data breach; he also talks about Apple's new move toward AI. Data breaches are becoming an alarming trend, and health care incidents stand out for their potentially lifelong consequences. I just reported how a data breach at a physician-ledvein center exposed almost half a million peoples data to hackers. And now, another health care data breach has come to light and this one affects even more people. The data breach exposes sensitive personal and medical information belonging to over 910,000 patients through ConnectOnCall, a telehealth platform and after-hours call service owned by Phreesia. A medical professional working on a laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)What you need to knowHealth care software provider Phreesia has revealed that its ConnectOnCall service was hit by a data breach that lasted from Feb. 16 to May 12, 2024. During this time, an unknown hacker gained access to the platform and pulled data from provider-patient communications. ConnectOnCall helps health care providers handle after-hours communication and automate patient call tracking.Phreesia, which bought ConnectOnCall in October 2023, discovered the breach on May 12 and says it jumped into action right away. The company brought in external cybersecurity pros to lock down the platform and reported the breach to federal law enforcement."On May 12, 2024, ConnectOnCall learned of an issue impacting ConnectOnCall and immediately began an investigation and took steps to secure the product and ensure the overall security of its environment," the companyrevealed in a press release.According to a report filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the breach impacted 914,138 patients (viaBleeping Computer). The stolen data includes names, phone numbers, medical record numbers, dates of birth and details about health conditions, treatments or prescriptions. In a few cases, Social Security numbers were also compromised.Phreesia claims its other services, like the patient intake platform, were not affected. The company has since taken ConnectOnCall offline and is working on bringing it back in a more secure setup.We reached out to ConnectOnCall for a comment but did not hear back by our deadline. Emergency room sign (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)The risks associated with the ConnectOnCall data breachThe impact of this breach is significant due to the sensitive nature of health care data. Unlike financial breaches, where compromised accounts can be frozen or replaced, health information is permanent and highly sought after on the dark web. Cybercriminals may exploit this data to commitidentity theft, including obtaining prescription drugs fraudulently or filing false insurance claims.Plus, the detailed health information exposed such as diagnoses, treatments and medications can be used for targetedphishing attacks. Scammers could exploit victims medical histories to create highly convincing schemes, increasing the likelihood of success.Phreesia has mailed notification letters to all affected individuals for whom health care providers had valid mailing addresses as of Dec. 11, 2024. For those whose Social Security numbers were exposed, the company is offering identity and credit monitoring services. A doctor writing notes (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)7 ways to keep yourself safe from such data breaches1) Regularly monitor your financial and medical accounts:Periodically review your medical records and health insurance statements for any unusual or unauthorized activity. This can help you quickly identify and address any discrepancies or fraudulent activities.Use patient portals provided by health care providers to access your medical records online. These portals often have features that allow you to track your medical history and appointments.2) Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA): Create strong, unique passwords for your online accounts, including health care portals. Avoid using easily guessable information like birthdays or common words. Consider using apassword manager to generate and store complex passwords.3) Enabletwo-factor authentication wherever possible:2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a text message code or authentication app, in addition to your password.4) Dont fall for phishing scams; use strong antivirus software: Be mindful of the information you share online and with whom you share it. Avoid providing sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers or medical details, unless absolutely necessary. Verify the legitimacy of any requests for personal information. Scammers often pose as health care providers or insurance companies to trick you into revealing sensitive data by asking you to click on links in emails or messages.The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.5) Use identity theft protection services: Consider enrolling in identity theft protection services that monitor your personal information and alert you to potential threats. These services can help you detect and respond to identity theft more quickly. Some identity theft protection services also offer insurance and assistance with recovering from identity theft, providing additional peace of mind.See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.6) Freeze your credit:A credit freeze prevents anyone from opening new credit accounts in your name without your authorization, reducing the risk of identity theft. Contact the major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) to request a credit freeze. This is often free and can be temporarily lifted when you need to apply for credit.7) Remove your personal data from the internet: After being part of a data breach, its crucial to minimize your online presence to reduce the risk of future scams. Consider using a personal data removal service that can help you delete your information from various websites and data brokers. This can greatly diminish the chances of your data being used maliciously.Check out my top picks for data removal services here.Kurts key takeawayThe ConnectOnCall health data breach highlights the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures within the health care sector, where the stakes are often much higher than in other industries. With over 910,000 patients affected, this incident shows the serious risks posed by cyberattacks on health care platforms. Sensitive data like medical records and Social Security numbers are permanent and can be misused for identity theft and fraud. If you were impacted, stay vigilant by monitoring your accounts, enabling fraud alerts and considering identity theft protection services.Do you think health care providers should face stricter regulations for protecting sensitive patient information? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

OpenAIWhenever a company announces a fancy new AI feature, I think to myself..."Wow, I can take a pic of a plate of sushi, turn it into a cartoon character, and make it dance with a single prompt."Incredible... Truly life-changing stuff. Sarcasm aside, OpenAI Sora is cool.Also: Is this the end of Google? This new AI tool isn't just competing, it's winningBut I had to ask myself"Self, how can I make a living with this?"So, if you've looked at these AI tools and thought:"This is dope, but I got bills."I got you.In this article, I'll share three ideas to turn Sora into cash flow and break down how I'd build a sustainable business.If you stick around to the end, I'll share a little gift to make your life easier when using Sora to create content .Quick IntroIf you're new to my work, I'm Lester Mapp, but my friends call me Les. I'm a founder with a successful exit and currently the executive chairman of a group of DTC brands. At my core, though, I'm an award-winning performance marketer.Needless to say, coming up with ideas and getting them to market is my thing.Also: There's a new king of online shopping, and it's built an unstoppable monopolyOh, and if you're into data-driven marketing insights and strategies, check out my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts.Now that we have the pleasantries out of the way kick up your feet and get comfortable.We're about to dive into a mini AI Shark Tank and say yes or no to some business ideas.Before we jump into it, I need to bring you up to speed on Sora and why it is the next best thing since sliced bread (sliced bread that can dance; see what I did there ).What is OpenAI Sora?OpenAI has changed the game yet again this time for video creation.Sure, other tools exist, but Sora fits my needs best now. Plus, those other tools aren't $20 a month and bundled with my ChatGPT Plus plan so there's that.Also: 15 surprising ways I used AI to save me weeks of work in 2024So, what is Sora? Simply put, you type a prompt, and Sora generates high-quality video in minutes.It's truly mind-blowing stuff and set to redefine how content is created.Up until now, text-to-video has been tricky. Getting AI video to match with what's in your head isn't easy.However, Sora simplifies this by offering features that help you fine-tune your results. You can view the full prompts used to create any video, copy them, or remix them with slight tweaks to fit your vision.It's like being able to tweak the answer on a test while the test is being graded game changer! Sora is about more than just generating videos from scratch.It can also:Combine multiple videos into one coherent sceneAnimate still images like cartoons or illustrationsModify existing videos seamlessly based on your promptCreate stable, coherent videos without the usual AI morphing issuesThis level of control and quality sets Sora apart. It keeps objects stable, even when obscured, and can generate different camera angles of a scene all from a single prompt. While it's not perfect, Sora is a giant leap forward, and over time, it will get better and become more robust. How is this possibleI'm sure you're thinking, how is this even possible?AI magic. If that wasn't a good enough answer, here's the short and oversimplified version.In 2017, Google invented something called Transformer Architecture and published its findings. Transformers are a revolutionary neural network that dramatically improved AI's ability to understand, generate, and process complex sequential data, especially for natural language.OpenAI built on this foundation and developed powerful language models.The result? ChatGPT.Also: ChatGPT Search could destroy online businesses - how you can stay aheadBut then Google noticed that Transformer didn't just find patterns in text; it also found patterns in videos.OpenAI took that, expanded on it, combined it with its image generation work (like DALL-E 3), and boom, Sora was born.Think of it like this:Google would be Alexander Graham Bell, who made the first phone.And OpenAI is Steve Jobs, who made the iPhone.While it's not a straight line from Google's work to Sora, it's a fascinating story of stacked innovations where each breakthrough builds on the last.3 ways I would make some money using Sora1. Become a prompt engineerA prompt engineer helps users create precise prompts to unlock Sora's full potential, generating high-quality videos for ads, tutorials, and more. This tech is powerful but needs finesse to get the best results. Since it's new, many people don't know how to use it, and plenty of them won't want to bother learning. That's where you come in.Create a social profile on LinkedInor Instagram to showcase your work and attract clients.ProTip: Focus on a niche audience, like plumbers or real estate agents, and specialize your offer, i.e., marketing ads, educational videos, product demos, etc. You want to do this because you need to focus, especially in the early days, if you want meaningful results.2. Start an AI video creative agencyA creative agency can use Sora to create finished videos for marketing campaigns, social media content, B-roll, and more. Unlike a prompt engineer who delivers text, agencies deliver polished, ready-to-use videos. Knowing your way around video editing is ideal, giving you more creative freedom to mix and match different scenes.To get your first clients, start by talking to local small businesses and offering to create videos that promote their goods and services. I would literally knock on doors and show people my work.Protip: Do some free videos for local businesses in exchange for an honest review. Use those reviews to land paid clients. You're welcome.3. Use Sora for content creationThis one is my fav because I wouldn't need to talk to anyone -- lol. I would use Sora to create engaging video content for Instagram and YouTube. Leverage AI-generated visuals to enhance storytelling or educational content.My favorite style is faceless YouTube videos, usually in a documentary format. I would use ChatGPT for scripting and Sora for visuals. For the voiceover, either do it yourself or use a natural-sounding AI voice.Focus on niches that pay the most per ad, like finance or business. Even though this is my favorite option, it takes longer to gain traction, so staying consistent is key.Protip: Master the art of storytelling. Good storytelling follows a "simple" framework called the hero's journey.Ordinary World Introduce the current situation or status quo.Call to Adventure Present an opportunity or problem that needs solving.Crisis Challenges Detail obstacles, challenges, or risks encountered.Results or Reward Show the outcome, success, or transformation achieved.Write that down; this format is an industry secret!My two centsFirst off, thanks for coming to my TED talk. This was a long one, but now you know what Sora is and how you can pay some bills with it. Regardless of the methods you choose, remember building a business is hard work, and while it may be hard, it's not impossible.So, pick an idea and stick with it.Also: What's really destroying your productivity - and 3 simple ways to focus better todayKeep learning and growing; don't get emotional if things don't work out immediately.A mentor once told me, "You can change the plan, but don't change the goal."Let me know which idea is your fav on LinkedIn.Oh, I almost forgot the gift! Use this reference guide when creating prompts. These camera shots and movements will level up your Sora outputs. Credit @MindBranches Hope this helps; I'm rooting for you.P.S. Want more data-driven marketing insights? Sign up for my free newsletter,No Fluff Just Facts. I share what's working in the world of digital marketing, the latest trends, and the occasional pep talk to keep you inspired. If this sounds like your jam and you wanna be besties forever, click here to sign up. 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I began using robot vacuum and mop combinations about six years ago, looking for a way to check some chores off my list without breaking my back or taking away my already-divided attention from my little ones. Little did I know this would launch me onto the world of testing the latest and greatest robot vacuums just a few years later.Also: The best robot vacuum deals: Save on Roomba, Roborock, and moreSince getting my first device, robot vacuum and mop combinations have evolved from including a soggy microfiber pad dragged across your floors to self-washing rotating mop pads, mop rollers, and self-emptying dustbins. All the different options make picking the right robot vacuum and mop combo for your needs challenging, but we're here to help.What is the best robot vacuum mop right now?At ZDNET, we have tested dozens of the best robot vacuum mops available and have seen firsthand that it is possible to sit back and relax while one of these machines takes care of all the hard work. Based on our testing, our pick for the best robot vacuum mop overall is the Dreame X40 Ultra, thanks to its outstanding performance, self-empty and self-cleaning features, and oscillating mop heads with MopExtend technology. Check out the rest of our tested picks for the best robot vacuum mop combos below. Sort by All Battery life Navigation Object avoidance Ease of maintenance Suction power The best robot vacuum mops of 2024 Show less View now at Amazon The Dreame X40 Ultra is hands-down the best two-in-one robot vacuum mop I've tested. One of its few downsides is that it's priced steeply at $1,900, so you'll need a good chunk of change to get it (or you can wait for a sale for a discount, like right now, at $1,400). However, for the price, the Dreame X40 features an industry-leading 12,000Pa of suction and dusts the competition. This robot vacuum and mop is so versatile that you can set it up to drop its mop pads at the base station, go off to vacuum rugs and carpets first, and then return to pick up its mop pads and vacuum and mop the remaining hard floors -- all with no intervention on your part.Review:Dreame X40 UltraIt features a self-emptying dustbin, self-washing mop pads with customizable water temperature, a side-reaching sweeper brush, and an extendable mop pad to reach tight corners. The app has many settings and customizations, from thorough carpet vacuuming to AI-guided cleaning. The Dreame X40 Ultra is so smart that it can detect wet messes and automatically lift its sweeper brush to keep it from getting wet or spreading germs.Other customers love the Dreame X40 Ultra, too. One customer remarks, "As an everyday person, my carpets are looking like that fresh vacuum look, as they definitely look very clean. Had glitter everywhere, now gone. Kitchen floor... I didn't think to take before and after, but before was a hot mess, now WOW."We've also tested this robot's predecessor, the Dreame X30 Ultra, and it's almost as impressive as the X40, with slightly lower suction power at 8300Pa, a 180-minute run time, and Mop Extend technology.Dreame X40 Ultra specs: Price:$1,000(limited time deal)|Battery life:180 mins |Base station dimensions:13.4 x 17.9 x 23.2 inches |Suction power:12,000Pa |Dustbin volume:300 ml |Water tank capacity:80 ml Battery life 10 Navigation 8 Object avoidance 10 Ease of maintenance 9 Suction power 10 Pros Quiet self-emptying Oscillating mop heads lift or are dropped over carpet MopExtend mop pads Cons App isn't as user-friendly as it could be Very expensive Dreame X40 Ultra Best robot vacuum mop overall 4.7 / 5 Score The Dreame X40 Ultra is hands-down the best two-in-one robot vacuum mop I've tested. One of its few downsides is that it's priced steeply at $1,900, so you'll need a good chunk of change to get it (or you can wait for a sale for a discount, like right now, at $1,400). However, for the price, the Dreame X40 features an industry-leading 12,000Pa of suction and dusts the competition. This robot vacuum and mop is so versatile that you can set it up to drop its mop pads at the base station, go off to vacuum rugs and carpets first, and then return to pick up its mop pads and vacuum and mop the remaining hard floors -- all with no intervention on your part.Review:Dreame X40 UltraIt features a self-emptying dustbin, self-washing mop pads with customizable water temperature, a side-reaching sweeper brush, and an extendable mop pad to reach tight corners. The app has many settings and customizations, from thorough carpet vacuuming to AI-guided cleaning. The Dreame X40 Ultra is so smart that it can detect wet messes and automatically lift its sweeper brush to keep it from getting wet or spreading germs.Other customers love the Dreame X40 Ultra, too. One customer remarks, "As an everyday person, my carpets are looking like that fresh vacuum look, as they definitely look very clean. Had glitter everywhere, now gone. Kitchen floor... I didn't think to take before and after, but before was a hot mess, now WOW."We've also tested this robot's predecessor, the Dreame X30 Ultra, and it's almost as impressive as the X40, with slightly lower suction power at 8300Pa, a 180-minute run time, and Mop Extend technology.Dreame X40 Ultra specs: Price:$1,000(limited time deal)|Battery life:180 mins |Base station dimensions:13.4 x 17.9 x 23.2 inches |Suction power:12,000Pa |Dustbin volume:300 ml |Water tank capacity:80 ml Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon The Yeedi M12 Pro+ is a surprisingly affordable robot vacuum and mop. It combines some of the strongest suction power on the market, capable of tackling different floor types in one go, with its mop pads that lift 9mm when going over carpets. The M12 Pro+ has an extendable mop pad to clean areas often missed by robot vacuum and mop combos, like under the edge of cabinets.Review: Yeedi M12 Pro+As a midrange robot vacuum and mop, the M12 Pro+ offers great standout features, including a self-emptying dustbin, self-washing mop pads, and a V-shaped roller brush to prevent hair tangles.In my testing, I found that this is one of the best value robot vacuum and mop combos on the market. Other users also say they love its versatility, with one saying, "Exceeded my expectations! Such a great tool that made a significant difference in my daily life. The device cleans my floors thoroughly, leaving them spotless every time. It picks up all the dirt, dust, and pet hair, ensuring my home feels fresh and clean."Yeedi M12 Pro+ techspecs: Price:$550 (limited time deal)|Battery life:290 minutes |Wi-Fi:Yes |Dimensions:16 x 19.3 x 18.9 inches|Suction power:11,000Pa |Dustbin volume:300 ml |Water tank capacity:55 ml Battery life 9 Navigation 8 Object avoidance 7 Ease of maintenance 10 Suction power 10 Pros Auto-empty Strong 11,000Pa suction Long battery life Cons Pricey Not the best obstacle avoidance Yeedi M12 Pro+ Best budget-friendly robot vacuum mop 4.4 / 5 Score The Yeedi M12 Pro+ is a surprisingly affordable robot vacuum and mop. It combines some of the strongest suction power on the market, capable of tackling different floor types in one go, with its mop pads that lift 9mm when going over carpets. The M12 Pro+ has an extendable mop pad to clean areas often missed by robot vacuum and mop combos, like under the edge of cabinets.Review: Yeedi M12 Pro+As a midrange robot vacuum and mop, the M12 Pro+ offers great standout features, including a self-emptying dustbin, self-washing mop pads, and a V-shaped roller brush to prevent hair tangles.In my testing, I found that this is one of the best value robot vacuum and mop combos on the market. Other users also say they love its versatility, with one saying, "Exceeded my expectations! Such a great tool that made a significant difference in my daily life. The device cleans my floors thoroughly, leaving them spotless every time. It picks up all the dirt, dust, and pet hair, ensuring my home feels fresh and clean."Yeedi M12 Pro+ techspecs: Price:$550 (limited time deal)|Battery life:290 minutes |Wi-Fi:Yes |Dimensions:16 x 19.3 x 18.9 inches|Suction power:11,000Pa |Dustbin volume:300 ml |Water tank capacity:55 ml Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less Eufy S1 Pro Best mop feature on a robot vacuum 4 / 5 Score The Eufy S1 Pro is an outstanding mop because it uses a roller mop that is scrubbed clean inside the robot as it washes your floors. The robot does this to keep its mop clean and ensure that only clean water is used while mopping, so you never worry about dragging dirty mop pads all over your house.This results in the cleanest floors a robot vacuum and mop has ever left behind in my home. It easily removes dirt and harder-to-clean spots. This mopping system is so advanced that it uses water ozonification to disinfect the clean water you put in the tank. Hence, it truly cleans with the cleanest water possible, though this feature can be turned off.Review: Eufy S1 ProThe only thing preventing the Eufy S1 Pro from taking the top spot as the best robot vacuum and mop overall is that the Dreame X40 Ultra outperforms its vacuum feature. The Eufy S1 Pro features decent obstacle avoidance but is less reliable than the Dreame X40 Ultra. It can vacuum up larger pieces of paper and debris and get its brush roller stuck, forcing you to rescue it or risk the cleaning task remaining incomplete.However, the Eufy S1 Pro's obstacle avoidance feature outperforms the Yeedi M12 Pro+ and the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Complete, other standout robot vacuums and mops on this list.Buyers highly rate the Eufy S1 Pro because of its mopping feature. One reviewer commented, "The Cleaning roller is far superior to the rotating padsit cleans many times better than the Ecovac (sic). I believe this is due to the fact that the Eufy cleans the roller much better than Ecovacs does the pads. The floor also dries much faster."Eufy S1 Pro features:Price:$1,300(limited time deal)|Battery life:216 minutes |Wi-Fi:Yes |Dimensions:18.4 x 15 x 26.4 inches|Suction power: 8,000Pa |Dustbin volume:250 ml |Water tank capacity:240 ml Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less If your home has rugs, carpet, tile, laminate, or hardwood, the Roomba Combo 10 Max is the two-in-one machine for you, thanks to its retractable mop head. You never have to worry about a dirty mop pad getting dragged across your favorite area rug because the Combo 10 Max lifts the entire mop head on top of the robot when cleaning your soft flooring surfaces.iRobot OS Technology ensures the Roomba Combo 10 Max avoids furniture, cords, and other common household objects. It not only avoids kids' toys, our shoes, and other items, but the Pet Owner Official Promise (P.O.O.P.) states the Combo 10 Max is guaranteed to avoid pet waste, or the company will send you a new one for free.Additionally, it's self-emptying for up to 60 days, and, my favorite feature of all, it knows when the dustbin is full, even in the middle of a job. I can set the Combo 10 Max to vacuum my entire house, and it empties itself as many times as needed to complete the job. The Combo 10 Max also refills its water tank as needed, so the robot can complete jobs without manual intervention.Review: iRobot Roomba Combo 10 MaxThe technology is impressive, and Amazon reviewers agree. One said, "I've been waiting a while for an AutoWash dock since I'm a fan of automation. AutoWash does a great job cleaning the mopping pad all by itself and the robot smart scrub truly does clean up the messes. It doesn't fully dry the mop pad w/ it's built in fan, but I haven't seen any issues w/ mold. The vacuum and dirt detect is a ton better compared to my J7+."Roomba Combo 10 Maxtech specs: Price:$1,000(limited time deal|Battery life:120 minutes| Wi-Fi:Yes| Dimensions:13.3 x 13.3 x 3.4 inches|Suction power:Not specified |Dustbin volume:300 ml |Water tank capacity:170 ml Pros Self-emptying Smart Mapping feature Retractable mop head Cons Pricey Prone to bugs If your home has rugs, carpet, tile, laminate, or hardwood, the Roomba Combo 10 Max is the two-in-one machine for you, thanks to its retractable mop head. You never have to worry about a dirty mop pad getting dragged across your favorite area rug because the Combo 10 Max lifts the entire mop head on top of the robot when cleaning your soft flooring surfaces.iRobot OS Technology ensures the Roomba Combo 10 Max avoids furniture, cords, and other common household objects. It not only avoids kids' toys, our shoes, and other items, but the Pet Owner Official Promise (P.O.O.P.) states the Combo 10 Max is guaranteed to avoid pet waste, or the company will send you a new one for free.Additionally, it's self-emptying for up to 60 days, and, my favorite feature of all, it knows when the dustbin is full, even in the middle of a job. I can set the Combo 10 Max to vacuum my entire house, and it empties itself as many times as needed to complete the job. The Combo 10 Max also refills its water tank as needed, so the robot can complete jobs without manual intervention.Review: iRobot Roomba Combo 10 MaxThe technology is impressive, and Amazon reviewers agree. One said, "I've been waiting a while for an AutoWash dock since I'm a fan of automation. AutoWash does a great job cleaning the mopping pad all by itself and the robot smart scrub truly does clean up the messes. It doesn't fully dry the mop pad w/ it's built in fan, but I haven't seen any issues w/ mold. The vacuum and dirt detect is a ton better compared to my J7+."Roomba Combo 10 Maxtech specs: Price:$1,000(limited time deal|Battery life:120 minutes| Wi-Fi:Yes| Dimensions:13.3 x 13.3 x 3.4 inches|Suction power:Not specified |Dustbin volume:300 ml |Water tank capacity:170 ml Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon Thanks to its 8,700Pa suction power, the Ecovacs Deebot X2 can vacuum up hair, dirt, and debris on every flooring type possible. That's not all, though. The Combo Complete variation also has a stick cordless vacuum that empties itself in the charging dock when you're done using it. Its strong suction and effective mopping kept my floors free of pet hair and muddy paw prints during testing.If you have furniture that sits lower or barstools/chairs that collect a lot of dirt underneath (shoutout to kids who are messy eaters), this robot will be for you. Its square design and smaller stature, 12.6 inches wide, means this robot can fit in more spaces than many competitors.This Ecovacs robot vacuum and mop is a self-cleaning, self-emptying, self-drying, and self-refilling two-in-one machine, removing all the dirty work from vacuuming and mopping.Review: Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Complete"While it's not flawless, this device offers the best experience I've had with robotic vacuums, and I highly recommend it. It's fun too, letting my kiddos name the robot made it more 'human' for them and it's cute watching them say hello to it," said a Best Buy customer.Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Completetech specs: Price:$1,240(limited time deal)|Battery life:161 minutes| Wi-Fi:Yes| Dimensions:12.6 x 13.8 x 3.7 inches|Suction power: 8,700Pa |Dustbin volume:300 ml |Water tank capacity:80 ml|Extra features:Cordless stick vacuum Battery life 10 Navigation 5 Object avoidance 6 Ease of maintenance 10 Suction power 9 Pros 8,700Pa suction power Self-emptying cordless vacuum Intelligent AI obstacle avoidance Cons Expensive Obstacle avoidance isn't the best Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Complete The best robot vacuum mop for pet hair 4 / 5 Score Thanks to its 8,700Pa suction power, the Ecovacs Deebot X2 can vacuum up hair, dirt, and debris on every flooring type possible. That's not all, though. The Combo Complete variation also has a stick cordless vacuum that empties itself in the charging dock when you're done using it. Its strong suction and effective mopping kept my floors free of pet hair and muddy paw prints during testing.If you have furniture that sits lower or barstools/chairs that collect a lot of dirt underneath (shoutout to kids who are messy eaters), this robot will be for you. Its square design and smaller stature, 12.6 inches wide, means this robot can fit in more spaces than many competitors.This Ecovacs robot vacuum and mop is a self-cleaning, self-emptying, self-drying, and self-refilling two-in-one machine, removing all the dirty work from vacuuming and mopping.Review: Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Complete"While it's not flawless, this device offers the best experience I've had with robotic vacuums, and I highly recommend it. It's fun too, letting my kiddos name the robot made it more 'human' for them and it's cute watching them say hello to it," said a Best Buy customer.Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Completetech specs: Price:$1,240(limited time deal)|Battery life:161 minutes| Wi-Fi:Yes| Dimensions:12.6 x 13.8 x 3.7 inches|Suction power: 8,700Pa |Dustbin volume:300 ml |Water tank capacity:80 ml|Extra features:Cordless stick vacuum Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best robot vacuum mop? The Dreame X40 Ultra tops our list thanks to its incredible performance and hands-free technology. The dual oscillating mop heads scrub my floors clean for food, dirt, and paw prints. Coupled with the MopExtend technology, everything gets cleaned up when the X40 Ultra cleans.This table is a bird's eye view of the best robot vacuum mops to see how they compare:Robot vacuum and mopZDNET's takePriceSuction powerSelf-emptyingSelf-washingBattery lifeDreame X40 UltraBest overall$1,00012,000PaYesYes195 minsYeedi M12 Pro+Best value$55011,000PaYesYes290 minsEufy S1 ProBest mop feature$1,2008,000PaYesYes236 minsiRobot Roomba Combo 10 MaxBest for different floor types$1,000N/AYesYes120 minsEcovacs Deebot X2 Combo CompleteBest for pet owners$1,2408,700PaYesYes161 mins Show more Which is the best robot vacuum mop for you? Identifying the best robot vacuum mop for your needs can be tough when so many options are vying for first place. To help you find the best one, we have included our expert recommendations based on hands-on testing and research.Choose this robot vacuum mop...If you want...Dreame X40 UltraUnbeatable vacuuming and object avoidance, with 12,000Pa of suction and many customization options on the app. Yeedi M12 Pro+To spend a bit less money but still get a hands-free cleaning experience, with a self-emptying dustbin and self-washing mop pads.Eufy S1 ProTruly clean floors that only compare to how well you would mop them if you had the time. Roomba Combo 10 MaxA retractable mop head that lifts when it encounters carpet or rugs to ensure no water gets on them. It's ideal for those who have multiple floor types in their home and want a self-mapping machine with a Pet Owner Official Promise and the option for Alexa control.Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo CompleteA three-in-one robot vacuum and mop without compromising on efficiency or capabilities plus a cordless stick vacuum. With up to 210 minutes of battery life and 8,700Pa suction power, this is a great option for a bigger home with carpet and hardwood floors. Show more Factors to consider when choosing a robot vacuum mop While trying to determine the best robot vacuum mops, I kept several factors at the forefront of my testing and research that can also aid in your search.Floor types: Some robot vacuum mops are equipped to work with certain floor types, like carpet or hardwood. Others may be able to accommodate other floor types, like stone or marble. Before you buy, consider the types of flooring in your home and which vacuum is most appropriate.Mapping: For full automation, your robot vacuum mop must have a mapping feature to navigate each room. You also want to consider an obstacle avoidance feature that can avoid things like furniture, wires, and even pet waste. This feature is a must-have in my home with strewn about.Battery: A robot vacuum mop is hardly worth it if it doesn't have the battery to keep it going. Consider the battery time before choosing the best robot vacuum mop to ensure it has enough power to clean your home. If you select a robot vacuum with the technical capability to pause its job, return to the charging base to refill its battery, and then resume the job where it left off, this may not be as big of a factor as others on this list.Connectivity: Many of the best robot vacuum mops offer voice control, some even with Alexa. Others may feature an app that allows you to control your robot from afar, set schedules, track progress, and control the machine's efforts. If you're hoping for voice activation rather than using an app, check and see if the machine is compatible with the home assistant of your choice. Show more How we test robot vacuum mops ZDNET has several robot vacuum reviewers that have tested over 50 units thus far. We conduct tests in real homes with real challenges and in a controlled lab environment for comparison.Here's what we consider when testing robot vacuums and mops at ZDNET:Determine evaluation criteria:For our key evaluation criteria, we consider how robots perform by assessing their suction power, navigation, mapping, and battery life. We also assess the user experience, the robot's versatility, longevity, and whether it delivers on its specifications.Unboxing:During this process, we assess the packaging and setup experience and note any accessories and unique features.Testing environments:We test the robot vacuums on different floor types (like carpet and hardwood) and see how they navigate various obstacles to test performance.Performance metrics:We test suction power with various debris types and assess obstacle navigation and mapping accuracy.Extra features: When testing robot vacuum and mop combinations, we evaluate their effectiveness at removing stains and overall cleaning quality. We also check how unique features work, like obstacle avoidance and recognition, extendable mop pads, etc.To top it all off, we gauge the device's longevity and long-term performance by using it over the course of a few months. Our review timelines vary, but we typically test robot vacuums for about a month before reviewing and keep our reviews updated while the device is available.For more details, check out our comprehensive robot vacuum testing methodology. Show more FAQs on robot vacuum mops How do robot vacuum mops work? Robot vacuum mops are devices that automatically clean your home. Using technology like sensors and cameras, these machines can memorize the rooms in your home and seamlessly navigate while vacuuming and scrubbing your floors."Robot vacuum mops can navigate through your home, detecting and avoiding obstacles, and can clean under furniture and other hard-to-reach areas," says Laura Avila, a professional cleaner who runs Cleaning Fan. "Robot vacuum mops can be programmed to clean your floors on a regular schedule, which can help ensure that your floors are always clean and tidy." Show more Is a robot vacuum mop worth the money? A robot vacuum mop requires an investment, which leads many homeowners to wonder whether it is even worth it.Larry Snider, VP of operations ofCasago SB Rentals, offers additional insight that adds to the argument why these machines are worth the investment. "One of the major benefits of using a robot vacuum mop is that it can help to improve indoor air quality by reducing airborne allergens and pollutants. By removing these allergens from floors and carpets, the robot vacuum mop can help improve the air quality in your home. They can also help remove other pollutants, like mold and bacteria, by mopping the floors with water and cleaning solutions."Plus, there is the issue of time, which is the obvious factor many are considering when purchasing a robot vacuum mop. Time spent with family is priceless, so these machines are a no-brainer. Show more How much do robot vacuum mops cost? The cost of robot vacuum mops can vary significantly. While some are only equipped for certain floors, others may specialize in expanded features like advanced room mapping and voice control. The best robot vacuum mops range in price from $400 to $1,900, depending on your chosen model. Show more Other robot vacuum mops we've tested ZDNETs Robot Vacuum Guide Robot Vacuum Roundups Robot Vacuums Reviewed & Compared ZDNET Recommends

If you're a fan of Microsoft's Copilot AI and you're looking to use it on Linux, there's a simple way to make it look and feel like its own app.

Closeup shot of two businessmen shaking hands in an officegettyOne of the things that has stuck out to me over the last two years of market consolidation around AI is that a few companies have become household names in a really profound sense.In a way, thats not unusual for markets like this. Weve been familiar with brands like Ford and Chevrolet for most of the years that automobiles have been on the road. Coke and Pepsi have slugged it out in the cola wars, with RC as a distant third.Its a little different with tech, though, in a number of ways, and one of those is related to the versatility of modern companies. This isnt just entrepreneurial whim its something that needs to happen. The landscape is changing so quickly that any company that cant pivot will be left behind in the blink of an eye.In fact, you could make the argument that even the biggest names are struggling to catch up with each other. Lets look at three pieces of AI news that illustrate this mad scramble for tech dominance.Integrating AI in SearchAs new and more powerful models like ChatGPT o1 come out,were seeing that one of the fundamental use cases is replacing old keyword-based search.To put another way, why on earth would you go to a browser bar and type in keywords to look for results, if you could just ask an LLM to bring you those results instead?Theres a major format change, and also a change in the philosophy of search, if you will we are doing less of the active searching, and the process is much more automated.MORE FOR YOUAlso, instead of combing through hyperlinks for hours, you get detailed results that are targeted, in just seconds or even parts of seconds!So when I saw that Google is integrating an AI search function powered by Gemini into its long-dominant search engine, that was no surprise. To be fair, The Verge had been breakingheadlines related to this as early as this May. Now, Amir Efrati at The Information notes that Google is trying to recover some of that market and attention from OpenAI, which has been dominant in-AI powered search since its inception. If you dont believe me, just go on the street and ask people: what is ChatGPT? Even those with almost no connection to the industry or the market will know what you mean, and thats not really the case with Gemini, or Perplexity, or any of those other tools.Nvidias Big Web Services Business IdeaThis one, for right now, has to fall in the realm of rumor - some are suggesting that Nvidia is about to make its play in B2B cloud and software services.For over a decade, Amazon Web Services (or AWS to its friends) has been the breakout provider of these vendor services to enterprise. You could argue that Microsoft is giving them a run for their money, but AWS is unmistakably the household name for things like object storage and serverless computing, or some kinds of virtualization instances.However, Nvidia is now the biggest American technology company by market cap, and able to do quite a lot of what it puts its mind to.So if, as articles like this one suggest, Nvidia wants to start selling web services and software subscriptions to businesses,leaders are estimating that the company can make $150 billion a year!But it wouldnt just be the money, either that AWS branding would be challenged in executive rooms all over the world.Open AIs Publisher initiativeHere, the tech companies are actually trying to turn straw into gold with media partnerships to address that burning question of who profits from journalists workYou can take a look at headlines like these on lawsuits by independent publishers like Raw Story to see what kinds of challenges OpenAI and others are dealing with. Essentially, if AI is using copyrighted journalism content for training, that could be running afoul of IP laws. Companies have been doing this for years prior to the AI revolution, scurrilous firms were taking web-published journalism and reconstituting it under different format and branding, in ways that seemed abundantly illegal.Now, though, OpenAI is able to, again, pivot, and change its business model in positive ways. Take a look at this news on OpenAIs agreement with the Associated Press where the AP suggests it will be able to find that balance, where journalism content will be protected, but OpenAI can use aspects of the companys data for training.If these partnerships are successful, theyll probably represent the new model for news content moving forward. And we do need a new model, as newsrooms around the country continue to struggle.Those are three of the things that are happening right now that are likely to have a major impact on what we see coming out of the enterprise world as we move into 2025.