There weren't a lot of duplicate products at CES 2025, but some trends sure felt repetitive, from AI everywhere to robots -- the good, the bad and the just plain creepy. But, we also saw smart-time and labor-saving devices for your home and lots of eye-popping concepts. Here's what CES 2025 says about the tech we'll be seeing later this year and beyond. If you're impatient, though, there are someCES products you can buy now (or soon).We winnowed down the plethora of products at the show to come up with the official winners for Best of CES 2025.Robots keep getting better, smarter, cuter, smaller and creepierMost of the non-novelty robots shown at CES bear a functional resemblance to the robots used commercially -- by that I mean you can tell they're the product of the same research in movement and AI as they pick things up, fold, clean and so on. Expensive models like Mi-Mo, Beatbot, R2D3 and more. Samsung's yellow Ballie home robot is going to ship this year. James Martin/CNETMore consumer-friendly models were less functional, like thetiny, fuzzy bots that you hang on your handbag as a fashion statementor the adorable model with huge anime eyes that follows you around on wheels but seems like a surveillance nightmare (the TCL AI Me). There were also the concepts of yesteryear that finally edged toward saleability, such asSamsung's Ballie -- a spherical bot with a projector in its belly, like a baby Teletubbie. Watch this: Sorry, There Are No 'Best Robots' at CES This Year 03:22 Of course, on the "whut?" front perches atiny robot whose function is simply to blow on hot beverages.But the models that resonated the most with us were home helpers that don't cost tens of thousands of dollars, likeRoborock's Saros Z70robot vacuum cleaner -- it sports an arm that can pick up your socks -- or Eureka's J15 Max Ultra, which detects spills and untangles its own brushes. And one of the most innovative was the Lymow One, a robot mower that cuts the grass and feeds mulched matter back to your lawn. There's always a ton of laundry robots -- unsurprising given how much everyone hates laundry -- like Tenet's AI Laundry Robot, which washes and folds.And we can't forget the token "most human-looking" robot, Realbotix's $175K Aria robot, which is designed for "companionship and intimacy" -- and looks it, given she's built along the lines of an old-school Barbie. CES 2025: Robots and AI Want to Be Everywhere You Are See all photos Ultimately, we chose not to pick a best robot because of how removed they were from interaction. In fact, many of the expensive models were in more of a zoo environment: Look at the magical creature in its habitat, repeatedly picking things up and moving them elsewhere. That's the kind of thing we've been seeing for years. James Martin/CNETNvidia doesn't make robots, but it's been working on its robot LLMs and operating systems for years. And every time Nvidia trots out this visual at its events, I can't help but think that Nvidia is building a robot army. Well, that and Metropolis.AI inside, again, but more powerfulThere seemed to be less hype about AI in devices (though it's possible I have successfully learned to tune it out), but about the same in mobile apps like Delta's AI concierge. However, it was everywhere in laptops thanks to the annual chip updates from Intel and AMD-- which of course brought the usual faster, better and improved battery life -- plus bundles of "try it!" software for your out-of-the-box AI experience. Watch this: Everything Announced at Nvidia's CES Event in 12 Minutes 11:47 But in this respect, Nvidia stole the show for its Cosmos AI model(Nvidia has been working on and licensing its various models for autonomous cars, robots and more for years, but this seemed to be its biggest "moment"), as well as its unveiling of the newest generation of consumer graphics.Read more:Nvidia Hands-Down Won AI at CES 2025, and Also the Show Itself. Here's Why That MattersThe GeForce RTX 50 seriesnot only promises the typical performance bump PC gamers expect, but thanks to the new Blackwell generation of GPUs, it brings more powerful and better generative AI capabilities down to your local system. That means cheaper entry for developers, the ability for end users to run bigger models, as well speed improvements (via Nvidia's DLSS 4) and more sophisticated capabilities for games. Watch this: These New Smart Glasses Want to Be Your Next AI Companion 02:31 There weren't a lot of new smart glasses, but Halliday's stood out for the way they present information: Rather than on the screen, they have a tiny monochrome display that shows text.Read more:Commentary: The Smart Glasses Moment Is Here. But They're Still Missing Something BigThe big AI news for cars at CES wasn't, for once, autonomininity: It was Volkswagen bringing ChatGPT to its voice assistant for more complex, natural-language help.Read more:Nvidia's CEO Explains How Its New AI Models Could Work on Future Smart GlassesCouch potato 'tainmentOne of CES' core pillars is entertainment (it used to be baked right into the name), which generally means TVs and audio. There weren't any new screen technologies, but there were improvements and innovations with existing ones. The suction cups on the back of the Displace TV James Martin/CNETTweaks to OLED came to TVs, with LG's G5 OLED's quality bump impressing us the most for its better brightness and contrast, along with HiSense's 116-inch MicroLED model. But the TV that seemed to make the biggest impact on us were Displace's hang-anywhere-thanks-to-huge-suction-cups TVs, shipping versions of prototypes we've seen in past years. Watch this: Displace TV's 55-Inch Television Hangs From a Wall Using Suction Cups 03:15 I think its impact was partly due to the enormous opportunity for "suck" puns.There was the usual complement of gaming desktops, laptops and monitors, the latter offering the typical year upgrade to higher refresh rates (500Hz and 600Hz). Watch this: Lenovo's New Legion Go S Gaming Handheld Is Lighter and Smaller but Packs a Big Surprise 03:30 But the biggest hit was Lenovo's new handheld console. The company is the first to offer (or at least announce) a SteamOS-based model, one of the new Legion G S models. Acer's Nitro Blaze 11 gaming handheld, however, earned some mockery, because you can't really respect a "handheld" if it's bigger than your head.Read more:Commentary: The Time for an Xbox Handheld Is NowBut it was also kind of hard to sustain excitement about gaming hardware at CES this year, because of a shiny new thing possibly on the horizon. Rumors say the Nintendo Switch 2 is coming soon.Health and beauty, the staples of CESSometimes I think CES specializes in sleep, skin and smart rings, plus technology designed to make you feel like a loser -- so manysmart mirrors, though none yet use generative AI to simulate your mother's critical voice or to show you what you could look like if you just tried harder. But maybe that's just me.There may not have been as many this year, but there were some standouts. Withing's Omnia smart mirror combines a scale and a mirror to not only tell you if you're overweight and in bad health, but to show you as well. There's always a device for analyzing your skin to tell you what to buy to fix it, such as L'Oreal's BioPrint. (To be fair, I don't know what it's suggestions are.) Watch this: I Said Yes to Trying a Smart Ring You Can Propose With 01:45 And, oh, the rings. One way to attract attention among the plethora of rings designed to monitor your health is to make it gold and platinum, like the UltraHuman Rare ring: Nothing's more romantic than a ring that says, "Marry me" and "Please don't die," simultaneously. Or alternatively, "Show me off on Instagram."Don't forget the annual dose of flatware that makes you healthier. This year's entrant is Kirin Electric Salt Spoon, intended to give you that salty taste without any of the nasty sodium -- by zapping your tongue with a bit of electricity. On the other hand, if they could do that for chocolate, I'd be first in line. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETAnd while the Nike x Hyperice's "boatlike booties are basically recovery high-tops festooned with buttons and designed to help your weary tootsies recover from soreness and strain," they sound pretty awesome.But there were some truly practical and innovative new products, like the Ozlo Sleepbuds, which stay in, are flush with your ears for side sleepers and have sensors and other tech to help improve the quality of your sleep. Our team also called out the YoctoMat, a smart yoga mat that provides feedback on your poses. And while I wouldn't necessarily categorize it as health or beauty, in the interest of hydration, the Roam SodaTop is a bottle cap with a CO2 cartridge so you can carbonate your water on the go.Home is where the heat isHome tech tends to cover a lot of bases, many of them robotic. No one really likes to vacuum, do laundry or mow the lawn like the AI-driven robot vacuums and lawnmower I mentioned above.Read more:Commentary I Really Don't Want an AI Pot to Turn My Plant Into a Tamagotchi From HellVideo smart locks seemed to be the focus of home security upgrades this year -- we call out Lockly's Vision Prestige and TCLs Smart Lock D1 Ultra-- providing more information than existing models. Notable, also, because someone breaking in doesn't use the video doorbell. 23 Fascinating Home Tech Gadgets We Saw at CES 2025, the Biggest Tech Show on Earth See all photos Cooling and heating were hot as well, especially Samsung's DHS Mono R32 HT heat pump, which heats outside air, condenses it to water and feeds it to your water tank. As an apartment dweller, I'm partial to the Gradient All-Weather 120V Window Heat Pump, which supplies heat when the weather gets frosty. Cooling and heating go hand-in-hand with utility bills and power backup -- I was really intrigued by the BioLite, which provides battery backup for a couple of key appliances, like the refrigerator. And Savant's Smart Budget is designed to save you money by routing power automatically (and manually) to balance output, thereby potentially saving you the expense of rewiring your home to support new, power-sucking devices. Plus, Aqara introduced the Touchscreen Dial V1, a clever and useful dial that can control all your smart devicesAnd lest we forget the bread-and-butter of small appliances. There are always plenty, though really it's the oddballs and gimmicks that catch more attention than the mundane. This year, we saw the phone-controlled Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Multi-Oven, the Apecoo tortilla and roti maker (food samples reallyseemed to attract us), LG's "Perfect Fancy Microwave for Social Media" with a 27-inch display and much, much more.The future and the future's futureThe big deals for cars (and other things that tote people) tend to be new technologies and other future-flung concepts. BMW gave us panoramic IDrive with operating system X, a three-tier, ultra wide holographic 3D windshield display that's actually not too far out from your next BMW, and Hyundai Mobis holographic windshield display one-ups it by constraining the angle of view to the driver. Watch this: Aptera Solar EV Gets All the Energy It Needs From the Sun 04:45 We see flying cars at the show every year, but sadly we're no closer to me getting one. This year's concept-du-jour was the Xpeng AeroHT, a massive six-wheeler with an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle in its trunk. Aptera's solar EV isn't a flying car, but it really looks like it should have wings.The Pebble Flow Electric RV concept -- solar chargeable -- came back for a visit, as did Sony's Afeela, and the latter is ready for your money, if not delivery. Honda trotted out prototypes of its 0 series EVs (one step closer to reality than the concept we saw last year), a sports sedan and a van. See the new photos.But a new motor concept claims to vastly increase the range of EVs -- arguably more important than all the shiny paint and glowy dashboards. Geoffrey Morrison/CNETAnother concept that appealed to me personally was Nanosys' next-genMicroLED, dubbedUV LED, which uses ultraviolet light to energize RGB quantum dots to precise frequencies: Different lIght frequencies are how we perceive color. MicroLED may potentially supplant OLED in big screens and small. It somewhat upstaged Samsung's MicroLED watch concept with an uber-bright screen. Samsung also brought us a somewhat disturbing-lookingstretchable screenfor a 3D-ish view and a transparent MicroLED screen. Lenovo's concept ThinkBook with a rollable screen looks and gesture controls appear sleek.In a class by itself, the Flint Paper Batteryclaims to be a new, sustainable power source that may eventually replace lithium ion with cellulose. Watch this: I Made Things Weird Trying TSA's New Shoe Scanner Machine 03:53 Finally, I will never forget Bridget Carey smuggling Gummy Worms in her shoe to test TSA's new scanner -- after complaining about the ick factor of shuffling our socks or bare soles across a floor that's had thousands of other shoes scrape across it. Gummy Worms in your shoe has a pretty high ick factor, too.

January 10, 20253 min readU.S. TikTok Ban Looms as Supreme Court Hears ArgumentsTikTok is on the clock: ByteDance, the apps China-based owner, must sell it by January 19 or face a banBy Ben Guarino edited by Dean VisserParticipants hold signs in support of TikTok outside the U.S. Capitol Building on March 13, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Anna Moneymaker/Getty ImagesAbout 170 million people use TikTok in the U.S., but that number could abruptly plummet toward zero if a law signed by President Joe Biden goes into effect on January 19. The law forces a choice for ByteDance, the China-based company that owns TikTok: it must either sell the app to a non-Chinese company or face a ban. ByteDance has repeatedly said the app is not for sale.Instead the company sued to keep the TikTok app available in the U.S.and that case has now made its way before the Supreme Court. In oral arguments on Friday, Noel Francisco, attorney for ByteDances U.S. subsidiary TikTok, Inc., argued that the new law violates the First Amendment rights of that subsidiary, likening TikToks curation algorithm to editorial discretion. U.S. solicitor general Elizabeth Prelogar, arguing on behalf of the nations government, countered that China does not have a First Amendment right to manipulate content in the U.S. And she claimed that the Chinese government could weaponize TikTok at any time to harm the United States.The Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision within the next nine days.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.Why is the clock ticking for TikTok?Congress, which passed the TikTok law with bipartisan support, says Chinas influence over the platform poses a national security threat. The Department of Justice has raised concerns as well, including the potential collection of personal data from the apps millions of American users and the potential covert manipulation of its content. (Although there is evidence that ByteDance shared non-U.S. user data with China, the U.S. government has not provided direct proof that the company or its subsidiary have meddled with American users.)What might happen?If TikTok loses its case, as I understand it, we go dark, Francisco told the Supreme Court on Friday. Americans would no longer be able to download or update TikTok from Googles or Apples app stores. Internet service providers, too, would face severe penalties if they permitted TikTok access to U.S. users.Americans may react in similar ways as former TikTok users elsewhere. After India banned the app in 2020, users flocked to other forms of short-form video, such as Instagram reels and YouTube Shorts. It is also possible to access blocked content via virtual private networks, or VPNs, which could disguise traffic to make it appear to originate from a country where TikTok wasnt banned.President-elect Donald Trump, meanwhile, has asked the Supreme Court to delay interpreting the law until he takes office. An amicus brief filed on his behalf claims his consummate dealmaking expertise could save the platform while addressing the national security concerns. Last September Trump promised to save the app, posting on his social media network Truth Social, FOR ALL OF THOSE THAT WANT TO SAVE TIK TOK IN AMERICA, VOTE TRUMP! Legal scholars have criticized Trumps request for a delay.Is the possible TikTok ban legal? Is it security theater?Civil liberties and free speech organizations oppose the ban, contending that it violates Americans rights under the First Amendment. Restricting citizens access to foreign media is a practice that has long been associated with the worlds most repressive regimes, and it would be deeply unfortunate if the Supreme Court let this practice take root here, said Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute, in a news release issued by the institute on Thursday.Some free speech experts have argued that such a TikTok ban is more about political posturing than protecting users. Such a move does little to stop data brokers from selling U.S. users information, whether to overseas tech companies or intermediaries who, in turn, can sell it to foreign governments. Banning access to one application does not create safety or security for Americans data from China or from any other country, said Kate Ruane, an attorney at the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), a nonprofit civil rights organization, in an interview with Scientific American last year.

Fortnite Festival is getting local co-op support, rekindling memories of Rock BandBut only on Xbox and PlayStation.Image credit: Epic Games News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Jan. 10, 2025 Fortnite Festival, the concert-themed rhythm-action portion of Epic Games' free-to-play jack-of-all-trades juggernaut, is getting local co-op support next month - conjuring nostalgic memories of countless evenings spent twanging away in Rock Band with pals.Not coincidentally, of course, Fortnite Festival is the work of Rock Band developer Harmonix (which Epic Games acquired back in 2021) and is extremely reminiscent of the studio's beloved earlier titles, right down to its support for guitar-shaped plastic peripherals.And Epic has now revealed that, from Tuesday 14th January, Fortnite Festival will get a little closer to capturing the social spirit of those heady Rock Band days, by letting multiple players jam away in the comfort of the same room - but only on Xbox and PlayStation. The company hasn't shared much in the way of specifics just yet, but judging by the excessively elaborate, Snoop Dogg-starring trailer it's released to announce the new feature, it'll support local co-op for up to four players, as well as the simultaneous use of two plastic guitars. To see this content please enable targeting cookies.This marks the first major new feature for Fortnite Festival this year, and follows Epic's confirmation last December that it would continue to support its rhythm game through "2025 and beyond". It made those assurances after revealing it would no longer be releasing themed updates for Fortnite's Rocket Racing, which has struggled to maintain player numbers since being introduced alongside Fornite Festival and Lego Fortnite in 2023.The arrival of Fortnite Festival's local co-op support on 14th January coincides with the end of the mode's current Snoop Dogg-themed season and the start of the next, which will likely see Vocaloid popstar Hatsune Miku step in as the latest featured artist.

Janet Ruiz, director of strategic communication for the Southern California-based Insurance Information Institute, stresses that youll be working closely with your adjuster and insurance company, so its helpful to develop a mutually beneficial and respectful, communicative working relationship.Think of it as a negotiation process and dont be on the defensive, she says.Its a very upsetting situation, and people often mention that theyre fighting with their insurance company, but I urge them to negotiate instead.Do I have to work with the insurance companys adjuster?You may choose to work with a public adjuster instead of with the insurance companys adjuster. If you take this route, youd no longer be communicating directly with the insurance company (the public adjuster would take on that role). For some, this may relieve some stress, however you have to pay them out of your claim settlement. You can look up public adjuster licenses through the California Department of Insurance.How do I create an inventory of my home for my insurance company?At some point, youll be asked to provide an inventory of the possessions in your home. If you maintained one before you were forced to leave your home, this is the time to pull it up. If you didnt keep an up-to-date inventory of everything in your home, dont fret. Sit down with your family and write down everything you can remember.Ruiz reminds people that in the era of the smartphone most residents have more documentation than they even realize.You probably have an inventory, even if its not an intentional one, right on your phone, she says. Youve probably taken pictures of videos of events or gatherings youve had in your home.And, as you clean up and rebuild, always make sure you take pictures of everything the way it was before you move or replace it.What do I do once my insurance company processes my claim?When you start receiving insurance settlement checks, you may see that the checks made out not just to you but to your bank or mortgage company. Reach out to the bank or mortgage company to work out how to access your funds.Make sure to take detailed notes and document your conversations with your insurerand everyone else throughout the whole process.Stay organizedKeeping paperwork and assistance opportunities organized is among the biggest challenges Schlegelmilch sees families face after a disaster.Keeping track of paperwork and aid requirements can be among the most difficult steps in rebuilding.Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesFrom FEMA funds to community development block grants to low-interest Small Business Association loans, it can be overwhelming and confusing. Further, coverage may overlap, and accepting one kind of assistance could lead to you being ineligible for another. So make sure you read everything thoroughly before you sign up for something. However, if you do unintentionally received duplicative benefits, youre unlikely to face criminal chargesbut you do have to pay that money back

Its right in the heart of Polanco, surrounded by great cafes, restaurants, and shopsall within walking distance, yet flanked by Parque Lincoln offering a buffer to the hustle and bustle, Rabinor says of Casa Polanco. The staff are genuinely warm and welcoming, and the courtyard is the perfect spot to unwind after a busy day exploring. Its easy, comfortable luxury that works for any kind of traveler, and the kind of place youll want to come back to. Starts at $795 per night.BOOK NOWCourtesy of Casona Roma NorteCasona Roma NorteThe newest boutique hotel in Mexico City, opened in fall 2024 just a mile from Chapultepec Park, Casona Roma Norte perfectly reflects the spirit and character of the iconic Roma neighborhood, Rabinor notes. The building is stunningofficially recognized by Bellas Artesand the renovation has preserved its historic charm while adding fresh, thoughtful touches.Though its in walking distance to top restaurants like Contramar and Lardo, as well as other renowned cocktail bars and nightlife, the hotel itself offers a range of cuisines on-site with six eateries and bars, including a matcha and tea room, an agave gallery that serves traditional Mexican agave-based items and spirits, and a speakeasy that melds Mexican and Art Deco influences. Most notable is Holden, the rooftop bar and fine-dining restaurant that offers panoramic views of the city. Starts at $440 per night.BOOK NOWCourtesy of Las AlcobasLas Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Mexico CityThe cognoscenti are gravitating to Las Alcobas Mexico City, a popular option for elite travelers who appreciate intimate hotels. The Polanco property has 35 rooms and is full of noteworthy architectural touches such as custom-made Yabu Pushelberg rosewood furniture, original artwork by contemporary Mexican artists, leather wall panels with inlaid stitching, and a spiral staircase as a lobby centerpiece. Starts at $719 per night.BOOK NOWCourtesy of Circulo MexicanoCirculo MexicanoCirculo Mexicano, from Mexican hospitality brand Grupo Habita, is located downtown (or in Centro Histrico) in a 19th-century residential building. It has just 25 rooms, all with clean and airy interiors, and a rooftop pool with views of the National Palace. Also set on the rooftop terrace is the restaurant Comedor Mexicano, featuring a menu of local and seasonal ingredients. Starts at $250 per night.BOOK NOWCourtesy of Ignacia Guest HouseIgnacia Guest HouseWere also fans of Ignacia Guest House, in Colonia Roma. The hotel is acclaimed for its striking interior design and architecture that combine contemporary with traditional. Its spaces are filled with furniture and art from names like Eero Saarinen, Serge Mouille, and Jonathan Adler. The gardens, laden with orange trees and native plants, are gorgeous, and you wont ever forget the breakfast spread that includes sopes, tamales, salsas, freshly pressed juices, and breads just out of the oven. Starts at $490 per night.BOOK NOWPhoto: Fernando MarroquinSoho House CDMXWhile there is obviously no shortage of high-end hotels for elite globetrotters in this capital city, Soho House CDMXwhich opened in late 2023 in Colonia Jurezoffers SH members a familiar stay. The first of this exclusive members-only club to open in Latin America, Soho House CDMX has taken over a historic private residencea structure that reflects Baroque and French influencesand offers a familiar premium experience with the upscale design aesthetic, site-specific artwork, and high-end amenities members have come to expectwhether theyre in London, New York, or Mexico City. Standout elements of this house include an open-air swimming pool, a screening room showing new and classic movies, a tequila bar, and an underground vinyl listening room. Annual membership starts at $2,400.BOOK NOWThe back garden of the Metropolitan Cathedral, Plaza de la Constitucion, near the Zcalo Central Hotel.Thom Lang/Getty ImagesZcalo Central HotelFor those looking for a lavish lodging spot in the heart of the action, Zcalo Central Hotel fits the bill. The property is set in Cuauhtmoc, the historic and cultural hub of the city, and its named for the main square of the Centro Histrico, where visitors can see the Aztec ruins of the Templo Mayor, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the National Palace of Mexico. The rooftop restaurant, Balcn del Zcalo, serves up cocktails, authentic Mexican cuisine, and the best views of Zcalo square, officially known as Plaza de la Constitucin.

Most humidifiers provide a numerical indicator on the control panel. The Dreo 6L Smart Humidifier does that as wellhowever, it also has a large 4x2" color coded humidity indicator that I can clearly see from across the room. The panel turns colors (shades of orange for dry, green for comfort, and blue for wet) based on the humidity level detected in the room. The whisper-quiet humidifier has a noise level of 28 decibels and a maximum run time of 60 hours. Its also easy to clean, since the six-liter top-fill water tank has a carry handle for easy transport, and the mist pipe is detachable. This humidifier lets me select a warm mist or a cold mist, so I can use it in any seasonand it has a dual aroma pad tray for those who like to use essential oils. The smart humidifier can be connected to Wi-Fi, then controlled via smartphone, and its available in two color choice: silver and white.Best Tower Humidifier: Levoit OasisMist 1000S Smart HumidifierLEVOIT OasisMist 1000S (10L) Smart HumidifierCoverage: 600 square feet | Run time: 100 hours | Size: 10"D x 8.4"W x 28.7"H | Weight: 6.4 lbsOne concern with humidifiers is where to place it. Sometimes a device can take up valuable counter space. However, the Levoit Oasis Mist 1000S is tall enough that placement is not a problem. At 28.7 inches high, the tall humidifier can be placed almost anywhere on the floor. The generous water tank means I dont have to fill it as often and it also has a wide opening, so its easy to refill. The mist levels are adjustable, and, along with other indicators and controls, are displayed on the LED touch screen. The humidifier also has several control options: You can use the controls on the humidifier or control it from across the room with the remote. Other options include downloading the app to navigate via your smartphone, or using hands-free voice control.Best for Kids: Vicks 3-in-1 SleepyTime HumidifierVicks 3-in-1 SleepyTime HumidifierCoverage: 250 square feet | Run time: 24 hours | Size: 8.15"D x 8.6"W x 8.23"H | Weight: 3.7 lbsThe Vicks 3-on-1 Sleepy Time Humidifier is a simple-to-use option thats compact enough for a kid's or babys bedroom. The coverage area is 250 square feet, which is the perfect-size humidifier for small rooms. Its called a 3-in-1 because its a cool mist humidifier, diffuser, and night lightso, you can use Vicks VaporPads (one is included and lasts for eight hours) or place your favorite essential oils in the essential oil diffuser tray, and both can be used to provide a calming scent as well. The night light has seven soft colors to choose from, which can create a calming environment for kids to sleep (the entire top half of the humidifier can change to the desired color). Note: The humidifier does not have a built-in hygrometer.More Humidifiers We've TestedLevoit OasisMist Smart HumidifierLEVOIT OasisMist Smart Cool and Warm Mist HumidifiersCoverage: 430 square feet | Run time: 45 hours | Size: 10.8"D x 6"W x 11.97"H | Weight: 5.3 lbsThe Levoit OasisMist Smart Humifidier is another stylish and well-performing device. Functioning as both a warm mist humidifier and a cool mist humidifier to improve your indoor air, you get up to 45 hours before the tank needs to be refilled. The water tank has a spacious opening that is easy to fill, and it also has a handle for easy transport. If you connect the humidifier to the VeSync app, this will allow you to remotely control the device (turning it on and off, changing the mist settings, and scheduling timers). For example, you can schedule it to turn off when you leave for work and then turn back on at 5:00 pm so it'll start misting the air before you return home. You can also add essential oils to the aroma pad to create an essential oil diffuser. The noise level is a low 26dB, and as a tester, I can verify that the noise level is nonexistent.Canopy Humidifier PlusCanopy Humidifier PlusCoverage: 1000 square feet | Run time: 36 hours | Size: 14.5"L x 12"H x 9.5"W | Weight: 6.6 lbs

In BriefPosted:2:13 PM PST January 10, 2025Image Credits:Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times / Getty ImagesA drone punched a hole into an LA firefighting planeDont fly your drone into an active wildfire. Although capturing video of the devastation can be tempting, it could stop firefighters from doing their job. Thats exactly what happened in Los Angeles on January 9 when a drone collided with a Super Scooper firefighting plane, The L.A. Times reports.This happened as L.A. fights its worst wildfire in history, burning thousands of homes and killing at least 10. The drone collision forced the plane to abort its mission and touch down elsewhere for repairs. Photos of the plane show a noticeable hole in one of its wings:Police are now trying to found out who was flying the drone, The L.A. Times reported, and the incident is under investigation by the FAA. The L.A. Fire Department warned that flying a drone during firefighting efforts is punishable by up to 12 months in jail or a $75,000 fine.Topics

After accounting startup Bench abruptly shut down on December 27 and was bought in a fire-sale by Employer.com, Bench customers are now learning they cant easily just take their financial data and leave.And some are very unhappy about it, three customers told TechCrunch.To recap: When Bench, a startup based in Canada that raised $113 million from investors like Bain Capital Ventures and Shopify, shuttered, it left thousands of businesses without access to their accounting and tax documents. Days later, Bench announced it would be acquired by Employer.com for an undisclosed price in a last-minute deal.San Francisco-based HR tech company Employer.com focuses on payroll and onboarding, in contrast to Bench, which specializes in accounting and tax.On the surface, Employer.com appears to be a relatively new company: Its CEO, Jesse Tinsley, announced his acquisition of the domain name in November for about $450,000. Tinsley is behind a host of HR, onboarding, and recruiting-related businesses, including Recruiter.com and BountyJobs.However, digging deeper, TechCrunch learned that Employer.com is a dba for Recruiting.com Ventures. Tinsley acquired Recruiter.com in 2023, when it was a Nasdaq-listed company, and took it private, according to Employer.com CMO Matt Charney. That entity has been around since 2015, he said.In its consent form, Bench described Employer.com as a highly successful and profitable organization with a proven track record of acquiring and running companies over the past decade. CMO Charney said the company is in fact profitable. However, Employer.coms lack of accounting and tax expertise is concerning to some Bench customers.One Bench customer told TechCrunch that when he tried to get his records for two out of the five years that he was a Bench customer, he was asked to hit a consent button.Within the text of that page they said if you consent, then you agree to no refunds, and I think that was a very slimy, low thing to do, he added. The company then later changed the page to remove mention of not being able to get a refund.Below is a screenshot of the original consent page before Employer.com updated it:ScreenshotImage Credits:Bench customerThe customer said he was able to contact his credit card company and get a refund for two years of service he had pre-paid for. But he was still unhappy with the treatment.Its disappointing because I used to speak so highly of them and had clients working with them too, he said.Another longtime customer said that Employer.com showed a message on Bench offering the users a choice to either continue service and accept updated terms or discontinue service and download data. He chose the latter.A few days later I got a message that said that in order to export your data, you still have to accept the terms, he said. In this case, I hit accept just to continue and deal with this general issue, but its relatively suspicious to force the users to do this in order to transfer out their data. Accepting these terms opted me into continuing to use the Bench services.In other words, it appears that Bench customers had to agree to transfer their data to Employer.com to be able to access that data.Below is a screenshot of what the customer, who had been a Bench client for 10 years, received.Image Credits:TechCrunch (supplied)The customer decided that he didnt feel comfortable with remaining a client because Employer.com does not appear..familiar with really operating this kind of business. Hes reviewing his options for an alternative provider.Another customer, Michelle Gayle, who serves as a business advisor to Core Insights Group, said she understood that her company which is owned by her husband would be able to download its data after consenting to certain terms.She told TechCrunch that the company updated its consent page, getting rid of the option to opt out of transferring to Employer.com.Below is a screenshot of the updated page.ScreenshotImage Credits:TechCrunch (supplied)They have concealed the fact that this new acknowledgement is the same as the previous consent and it is backed up by a privacy policy that is not adequate for the financial services that Bench.com provides, she said. Additionally, they are offering discounts on recruitment services which seem tone deaf and inappropriate given this situation.She went on to describe Employer.coms privacy policy as laughable.This policy has absolutely nothing to do with safeguarding financial data and when I tried to email legal@employer.com about this woefully inadequate policy, I received a bounce back message, she added.The above complaints are echoed on a reddit thread full of comments of disappointed former customers.For its part, Employer.com says customers can access their data by providing consent, which authorizes Employer.com to make their data available for download.After consenting, customers can manage their data, including downloading, deleting, or continuing services on the platform, Employer.coms Charney told TechCrunch. Once consent is given, they can choose to continue with the same contract and pricing as before or cancel their service.As for customers seeking refunds for advance payments they made that covered future services that the defunct Bench will no longer deliver, Charney said they will need to contact the bankruptcy trustee for Bench Accounting Inc. or attempt to request a refund through Stripe.Want more fintech news in your inbox? Sign up for TechCrunch Fintechhere.Want to reach out with a tip? Email me atmaryann@techcrunch.comor send me a message on Signal at 408.204.3036. You can also send a note to the whole TechCrunch crew attips@techcrunch.com. For more secure communications,click here to contact us, which includes SecureDrop and links to encrypted messaging apps.

In BriefPosted:1:50 PM PST January 10, 2025Image Credits:Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for The New York TimesAmazon curbs some DEI programsAmazon is now the latest company to curb some of its DEI programs, Bloomberg reports, after Meta announced that it, too, is ending its diversity efforts earlier on Friday.An internal memo that was sent to staffers said that the company was looking to wind down outdated programs and materials as part of a review of its current initiatives.Rather than have individual groups build programs, we are focusing on programs with proven outcomes and we also aim to foster a more truly inclusive culture, Candi Castleberry, a senior human resources executive, wrote in the memo.Amazon joins companies like Meta and Microsoft that have started to reverse prior commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Information reported Friday that Amazon updated its corporate website to seemingly downplay DEI and also removed a post from 2021 that expressed a focus on DEI. The news comes as tech companies and their leaders prepare for an upcoming presidential administration that is likely to be hostile toward DEI, according to Bloomberg.Topics

The Eyebot kiosk had long lines every day. After trying it, I understood why.