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    Finally, a Windows 11 tablet rugged enough for play and strong enough for work

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The DT Research tablet is built as rugged as it gets, with IP65, MIL-STD-810H, and MIL-STD-461G certifications. The choice of Intel Core i5 and i7 processors offers flexibility when buying the system. The tablet is big and rather chunky, far larger than a traditional iPad. –> Let’s face it: Your average […] More

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    This budget Lenovo PC is the desktop I recommend to most people – even if you’re not a gamer

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Configurations for Lenovo’s LOQ Tower 17IRR9 start at $899. The computer is a great option for people looking for a well-performing, compact, and affordable computer. However, because of its small size, it has a limited number of available ports. –> Lenovo’s Legion series is positioned as the company’s flagship gaming laptop line. […] More

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    Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is coming soon. Here’s everything you need to know (so far)

    Amazon/ZDNETAmazon has had a busy last few weeks. After a smashing Devices and Services event last month, at which the company unveiled new Alexa upgrades and teased Alexa+ companion devices on the horizon soon, the retail giant is looking to get back to its roots: online shopping. Also: Amazon just gave Alexa its most significant upgrade in a decade – and old Echo devices will support it.With President’s Day behind us, ZDNET’s team of experts is gearing up for the second annual Amazon Big Spring Sale. As ZDNET’s deal connoisseur, I’m using my extensive hands-on tech experience and seasoned commerce skills to cover all things sales and deals, including breaking down everything you need to know to shop like a pro any time of the year. Amazon is springing into spring with new chances to save big. Last year, the retail giant announced its first-ever Big Spring Sale event from March 20-25. Amazon slashed prices and offered near-holiday-priced deals on tablets, TVs, headphones, robot vacuums, home goods, and popular flagship Amazon products. I expect the sale to return this year, plus many of the same deals. Also: Here’s how to use Alexa+ for free – especially if you’re an Amazon Prime memberAmazon has not officially confirmed the Big Spring Sale for 2025, nor has the brand publicized any specific sale dates. However, ZDNET’s research reveals that the Spring Sale will likely return. Conversations on Amazon’s seller forum reveal the News_Amazon account encouraging sellers to submit deals for the “Big Spring Sale” by March 17, 2025. Based on this knowledge, I expect Amazon’s spring sale event to kick off sometime afterward, likely during the last week of the month. Until then, I’ll keep you posted with everything there is to know about Amazon’s incoming Big Spring Sale, so check back here as more information becomes available.  More

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    The free iPhone 16e deal at Visible is still available. Here’s how to claim yours

    Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETApple officially launched the iPhone 16e last week after a two-year hiatus. The new base model phone costs $599 and is perfect for Apple lovers who don’t need all the bells and whistles of the flagship iPhone 16 series. But right now, you can snag the new phone for nothing. Also: I replaced my iPhone 16 Pro with the 16e for a weekend – here’s everything I learnedThat’s right. Shoppers can get a new iPhone 16e More

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    Forget Chrome: Why Firefox’s new vertical tabs are such a productivity game-changer

    ZDNETFirefox has long been treated as a vagabond in the browser world, trailing in popularity behind the likes of Chrome, Safari, and Edge. And though it may have seen better days, Firefox keeps chugging along with new features and innovations. As just one example, the latest version offers vertical tabs, an option that could change the way you juggle all your open web pages.Also: The Firefox I loved is gone – how to protect your privacy on it nowLaunched this week, Firefox version 136 is a must-have update for anyone who typically works with a lot of open tabs. Your open tabs normally appear at the top of the screen in a tab bar. But the more pages you launch, the more crowded the bar becomes, preventing you from easily managing and using them. With vertical tabs, your open pages appear in a vertical sidebar on the left (or right). You can opt to see the name of each tab or save space by displaying just its icon. Opening or closing a tab requires just a click. By default, the earlier tabs appear at the top. But you can manage the order by moving a specific tab to the top or bottom of the list. You’re also able to open a tab in a new window, select all the tabs, or close multiple tabs in one shot. In short, all the commands accessible in the horizontal tab bar are there in the vertical layout. How to enable vertical tabs in FirefoxTo enable vertical tabs in Firefox, just right-click on any empty area of the horizontal tab bar. If you’ve run out of space, right-click on the New Tab icon. From the menu, select “Turn on Vertical Tabs.” You’ll then see the icons and names for each open page on the left sidebar. Want to recapture the lost space on the left? Clicking the icon at the top for “Collapse Sidebar” removes the names but keeps the icons visible. And maybe you’d rather see the vertical tabs on the right. Click the option for “Customize Sidebar” and then just check the box for “Move Sidebar to the Right.” Also: Can Digg’s return fix what ails social media today? Reddit’s cofounder is betting on itFirefox is hardly the first browser to offer vertical tabs. Microsoft Edge has included them since March 2021. Other browsers that support vertical tabs include Arc, Brave, Vivaldi, and Safari. But I like the way Firefox eases the process of using vertical tabs. In Edge, for example, you have to go to the Settings screen to enable the feature. In Firefox, you can quickly turn it on and off without leaving your main view.And there’s still more you’ll find in the latest version of Firefox. What else is new in Firefox?Mozilla has retrofitted the sidebar with access to different tools. With the sidebar enabled, you can quickly access ChatGPT, your bookmarks, your browser history, and tabs on other synced devices. Also: The best secure browsers for privacyYou can also remove data from saved forms, along with your cookies, history, and cached pages. The browser now uses the more secure HTTPS by default and falls back to HTTP only if the secure connection fails. And images copied from Firefox will use the PNG format to preserve their transparency. Finally, no browser update would be complete without the usual bug fixes, and Firefox 136 patches a number of security flaws. As detailed by Mozilla in a new security advisory, the latest version fixes 15 vulnerabilities, eight of which are rated High. More