As more robots start showing up in warehouses, offices, and even people’s homes, the idea of large language models hacking into complex systems sounds like the stuff of sci-fi nightmares. So, naturally, Anthropic researchers were eager to see what would happen if Claude tried taking control of a robot—in this case, a robot dog. In…
We have reliability ratings for 11 major brands of gas snow blowers: Ariens, Briggs & Stratton, Craftsman, Cub Cadet, Honda, Husqvarna, Power Smart, Simplicity, Toro, Troy-Bilt, and Yardmax. We also have reliability ratings for five major brands of corded electric and battery-powered snow blowers: Ego, Greenworks, Ryobi, Snow Joe, and Toro. CR members can read…
Honorable Mentions Now that the majority of new headphones and earbuds offer at least a modicum of noise canceling, it’d be impossible (and unproductive) to list everything we like above. If you haven’t yet found your fit, here are more favorites worth considering. Beyerdynamic Amiron 300 for $280: These simple-looking earbuds (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are…
Another purchasing point to keep in mind: Claims about pocket size can’t always be trusted. “More than 30 percent of our tested models claimed to fit up to an 18-inch mattress, but their actual pocket-depth measurements were short even before washing,” says Li Wang, who oversees CR’s testing of sheets. None of the sheets in…
Option 3: Switch Your PC to a Different Operating System Your hardware might not work with Windows 11, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s obsolete. Replacing Windows with a free, modern operating system like Linux can extend the useful life of your computer for years. Linux comes in many different versions called distributions, and Fedora…
Main theme: BMW redesigned one of its most controversial vehicles, and we just bought one for our test program. It’s called the Gran Coupe, but it has four doors. And it’s called a 2 Series, but it’s a front-wheel drive, unlike the 2 Series coupe. Where does it fit in the BMW lineup, and who is…
In our labs, we test 30- and 36-inch gas cooktops from brands such as Bosch, GE, Ikea, KitchenAid, LG, Samsung, Viking, and Wolf, along with 30- and 36-inch electric and induction cooktops from brands such as Bosch, Frigidaire, KitchenAid, LG, Samsung, and Whirlpool. We test every cooktop at low and high heat. That covers its…
Once you’ve decided on a size, there are a number of other important aspects of your next monitor to consider. Some of these factors may matter more for certain uses—for example, gamers generally care more about higher frame rates than office workers do—but they’re all handy to know going in. Resolution: The bigger the monitor,…
US lawmakers have removed provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act for 2026 that would have ensured military members’ right to repair their own equipment. The final language of the NDAA was shared by the House Armed Services Committee on Sunday, after weeks of delays pushed the annual funding bill to the end of the…
First, turn on the car’s interior fan on the low setting and open up the car’s windows. Get a disinfectant, such as Lysol or an AC disinfectant from an auto parts store, and spray it into what’s called the plenum. The plenum is a box that connects to your heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system,…