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The End of Handwriting

People often credit my good handwriting to my Catholic school education—like a nun with a ruler and a taste for corporal punishment perfected my penmanship. But that’s not why. It’s because of my mom. An engineer by trade, she can execute the kind of perfect block letters that only come with years of working on a drawing board. As a kid, I worked to mimic her print as well as her incredibly ornate cursive. I don’t practice those skills nearly enough as an adult, though: As a reporter, speed trum

Horror Story Looms as Children Get Stuffed Animals Powered by AI

From Steven Spielberg's creepy "AI" (2001) to M3GAN (2022), toys imbued with artificial intelligence have been a source of fascination and terror in pop culture for decades. Now, in the face of all those cautionary tales, a new class of vaguely menacing chatty toys are being sold online — but unlike the "Gremlin"-esque Furbies of yore, these are powered by cutting-edge AI, and their danger quotient lies in what they may tell children or share with outside companies. As the New York Times repor

Best Lunch Boxes and Backpacks for the 2025 School Year

Back-to-school is just around the corner, and with the start of the new school year right around the corner, you may be looking for the perfect backpack and lunch box for your kids. As kids start a new grade, these items can inspire excitement and even motivation. Picking out a backpack and lunch box used to be simple. These days, the options (and price points) seem to be limitless. The good news is that at least lunch boxes have gotten a major upgrade in recent years -- they can actually keep

Mindless Machines, Mindless Myths

Mindless Machines, Mindless Myths Erik J. Larson thinks about “Mindless: The Human Condition in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” which traces Robert Skidelsky’s philosophical reckoning with AI, automation, and the illusion of progress. By Erik J. Larson August 2, 2025 Science & Technology Philosophy & Religion Mindless: The Human Condition in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Robert Skidelsky . Other Press , 2024. 384 pages. BEGINNING IN THE 1960s, a generation of visionary engineers

The End of Handwriting

People often credit my good handwriting to my Catholic school education—like a nun with a ruler and a taste for corporal punishment perfected my penmanship. But that’s not why. It’s because of my mom. An engineer by trade, she can execute the kind of perfect block letters that only come with years of working on a drawing board. As a kid, I worked to mimic her print as well as her incredibly ornate cursive. I don’t practice those skills nearly enough as an adult, though: As a reporter, speed trum

The viral Toniebox is exactly what both kids and parents want from a smart device (and it's on sale)

Maria Diaz/ZDNET My kid had been asking for a Toniebox for two years, but I always talked her out of it. I'm no Grinch, but each set basic starter kit is $100. Then we finally got one during a Prime Day sales event. Testing a Toniebox has not only convinced me that it's perfect for my kids and worth every penny, but it's such a great device that I'd recommend it to any parent of young children. Here's why. Also: I ditched my Bluetooth speakers for this slick turntable - and it's more practical

The Mystery Star of ‘Weapons’ Talks About Its Most Unforgettable Scene

After watching Zach Cregger’s Weapons, a lot of things may run through your mind. There are the characters, the reveals, and the scares. Additionally, there’s a lot of actual running that could be running through your mind. Kids running through the streets. Kids running through the woods. Kids running through… other things on the hunt for… someone. We won’t spoil it here, but in her first interview about her role in the film, actress Amy Madigan talks about filming her character’s unforgettable

Healthy Back-to-School Snacks Kids Will Love, With Registered Dietitian Picks

As a mom, I’m always looking for healthy snacks that are easy to serve to my toddler. While I buy plenty of whole foods, prepackaged and shelf-stable snacks are more convenient to carry around in the diaper bag and require only minimal preparation to add to my son’s meal. If you have a kid of any age and are gearing up for going back to school, there are plenty of affordable, healthy options that will add some nutritious value to their diets. I rounded up some of my favorite healthy snacks, pl

The 13 Foods That Could Save Your Kidneys and Your Wallet

Your kidneys work quietly in the background every day, doing far more than most people realize. They filter waste from your blood, keep fluid levels balanced, help regulate hormones and play a role in everything from managing blood pressure to supporting healthy energy levels. Despite being so important, kidney health often does not get the attention it deserves. According to the CDC, more than 1 in 7 adults in the US are living with chronic kidney disease, and many are unaware they have it. Th

5 Tips Doctors Swear By to Keep Your Kids Healthy This School Year

With back-to-school season almost here, there's lots of pressure to make sure your kids have all their supplies on hand. However, another thing you have to look out for is potential illness. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022, almost 6% of students aged 5 to 17 had chronic absenteeism in school due to illness, injury or disability. Even kids who don’t have chronic absenteeism can miss a day or two because they catch something in the classroom. Dr. Markyia Ni

Best Kids Backpacks, Tested and Reviewed (2025)

As an adult gear tester, I have one major problem with looking for the best kids backpack: Ultimately, the decision is not up to me. My 8-year-old and 10-year-old are the ones who have to carry this backpack to school, camp, and beyond. It has to protect iPads and Chromebooks, fit lunch boxes and water bottles, and get kicked around cars, bikes, and school gyms. Most importantly, it has to be comfortable. And be a good fashion accessory. And you have to find it quickly when it’s hung up on a hoo

The LeapMove is a gamified camera designed to get kids off the couch

is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. LeapFrog has announced a new electronic learning system that swaps controllers for a camera. In fact, the LeapMove looks like an oversized, kid-friendly webcam, but is designed to connect to TVs like a console and get kids off the couch using educational game

40 Best Toys for Kids in 2025: Our Editors Found the Hottest Gift Ideas for All Ages

Best kids' toys overall Hex Bots Wall Crawler Gecko CNET's Bridget Carey says this won her over "both as a mom and as someone who delights in making my co-workers squirm." By using a remote -- that can be as far as 25 feet away -- you can make it scale walls or perform spin tricks, she explains. To charge it, there's a USB-C port and you'll need two AAA batteries for the remote. Read our review here. $25 at Walmart Close RealFX Disney Stitch Not just any puppet -- this amazing 18-inch-tall Sti

You can hide an AirTag in Skechers’ new kids’ shoes

is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid. If you’re a parent with kids in school or kids who are independently exploring their neighborhood for the first time, then there’s a good chance you’ve considered stashing a tracker somewhere on their person for added peace of mind. Skechers is making that a little easier with a new line of sneakers for kids that feature a hidden compartment in t

Simplify, then add delightness: On designing for children

I’ve been building Kidz Fun Art (web, iPad & Windows) since 2021, so 4 years at time of writing. It’s a tablet optimized application intended to be used by children of all ages – my daughters were 3 and 5 when I started, and are 7 and 9 now, so I’ve seen how they use it almost daily at various ages. I’ve learned a few things about designing for their usability and how it differs from some more common patterns found in adult focused applications. Topics Covered Minimize Text Use If you want ki

We Just Saw 10 Jaw-Dropping Minutes of ‘It: Welcome to Derry’

We were already on edge anticipating it: Welcome to Derry, the HBO prequel series laying the groundwork for Stephen King’s tale of a small town with a sizable demonic clown problem. But the new peek just shared in-room at San Diego Comic-Con—building off that evocative teaser from a few months back—signals it’s going to be a show that interrupts your sleep on a regular basis. We saw the opening of the very first episode. It’s 1962 in Derry, Maine—near Christmas, going by the snow and the decora

Want Stronger Kidneys? Try Adding These 13 Foods to Your Diet

Your kidneys do a lot more than you probably realize. They filter your blood, balance fluid levels, regulate hormones, and help keep everything from your blood pressure to your energy levels in check. Despite how essential they are, kidney health often gets overlooked - and that can be a problem. According to the CDC, more than 1 in 7 adults in the US has chronic kidney disease, and many don't even know it. Your kidneys are quietly working around the clock to keep your body in balance. They fil

Why I recommend this tablet for kids over the iPad - especially at this price

ZDNET's key takeaways The Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet is available for $190. Designed for older children aged six to 12, this kids' tablet features a slimmer design, better performance, strong parental controls, and a free screen repair or replacement within two years of purchase. While it's better than other Amazon Fire Kids tablets, the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet doesn't outperform an iPad -- but it's also a fraction of the iPad's price. $189.99 at Amazon What makes a good tablet? It's easy

Topics: 10 amazon hd kids tablet

My favorite Kindle tablet just got a kids model, and it makes so much sense

Amazon My older kids each have a Kindle they use to read each night before bed. Thanks to strong parental controls and an easy user interface, it's the perfect e-reader for young readers. Now, Amazon is adding color to the Kindle Kids lineup with a new Kindle Colorsoft created exclusively for children. The first-ever color Kindle for kids is a 16GB Kindle Colorsoft built to provide young readers a more enriching experience. The device brings a color E Ink display to the Amazon Kids+ and Kindle

Amazon’s Only Color Kindle Just Got a Version That’s a Little Bit Cheaper

Amazon’s newest Colorsoft e-reader is downgrading storage so it can upgrade your bank account. A new version of the Colorsoft Kindle—Amazon’s first-ever color e-reader—will come in a 16GB version that cuts the e-reader’s storage in half compared to the first generation but also debuts at a slightly cheaper $250 compared to the first-gen’s $280. There’s not a ton going on here other than the lower storage for a lower price tradeoff, but if you’re not someone who needs the whole 32GB of capacity

When swiping supplants scissors: The hidden cost of touchscreens

When Swiping Supplants Scissors: The Hidden Cost of Touchscreens — and how Designers Can Help Amber Case 9 min read · 1 day ago 1 day ago -- Listen Share Zoom image will be displayed The history of technology is full of innovators who got their start creating with their hands. Steve Jobs cites a calligraphy class at Reed College as influencing the design of the Mac; Susan Kare, who designed the Apple icons we still use today, had a childhood immersed in arts, crafts, and embroidery. It’s a ke

Amazon launches a cheaper color Kindle and its first model for kids

TL;DR Amazon has launched a cheaper Kindle Colorsoft 16GB and a new Kindle Colorsoft Kids model. The Kids version includes a year of Amazon Kids Plus, a colorful case, and parental controls. Both devices use the same color screen as last year’s model, which we didn’t love. Amazon is still betting on color E-Ink, even if it had a somewhat rocky start last year. The company just added two more devices to its Kindle Colorsoft lineup: a cheaper 16GB version and a new Kindle Colorsoft Kids. Both a

Amazon introduces a more affordable color screen Kindle

Amazon is making its color screen Kindle more affordable. Following the launch of the Kindle Colorsoft last year, the retailer on Thursday introduced a lower-cost version of the normally $279.99 device. The new device offers a $30 discount for 16GB of storage instead of 32GB, bringing the cost down to $249.99. A kids edition is also now available. The original 7-inch Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition was designed to bring a more engaging visual experience to the popular Kindle e-reader, ideal

Amazon announces a slightly cheaper Kindle Colorsoft with half the storage

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . Amazon finally launched its first-ever color Kindle last year, and while the Kindle Colorsoft was an impressive first effort, the high price of entry likely put it out of range of a lot of people. Well, we have good(ish) news. Amazon has now added a slightly cheaper Colorsoft to its li

Amazon just released the first full-color Kindle for the youngest readers

Amazon My older kids each have a Kindle they use to read each night before bed, and it's the perfect e-reader for young readers thanks to strong parental controls and easy user interface. Now, Amazon is adding color to the Kindle Kids lineup with a new Kindle Colorsoft created exclusively for children. The first-ever color Kindle for kids is a 16GB Kindle Colorsoft built to provide young readers a more enriching experience. The device brings a color E Ink display to the Amazon Kids+ and Kindle

Amazon is launching a cheaper color Kindle

is a news editor covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme. After launching the Kindle Colorsoft last year — its first Kindle with a color screen — Amazon is adding two new iterations of the e-reader to its lineup today: a cheaper Colorsoft with 16GB of storage for $249.99 and a kids-focused bundle for $269.99. The Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition will still be available for $279.99. “Our customers have loved reading Kindle in color

Skip the iPad: This tablet is the smartest buy for your kids (and way cheaper)

ZDNET's key takeaways The Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet is available for $190. Designed for older children aged six to 12, this kids' tablet features a slimmer design, better performance, strong parental controls, and a free screen repair or replacement within two years of purchase. While it's better than other Amazon Fire Kids tablets, the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet doesn't outperform an iPad -- but it's also a fraction of the iPad's price. $189.99 at Amazon What makes a good tablet? It's easy

Topics: 10 amazon hd kids tablet

The viral Toniebox is exactly what both kids and parents want from a smart device

Maria Diaz/ZDNET My kid had been asking for a Toniebox for two years, but I always talked her out of it. I'm no Grinch, but each set basic starter kit is $100. Then we finally got one during a Prime Day sales event. Testing a Toniebox has not only convinced me that it's perfect for my kids and worth every penny, but it's such a great device that I'd recommend it to any parent of young children. Here's why. Also: I ditched my Bluetooth speakers for this slick turntable - and it's more practical