Kerry Wan/ZDNETSamsung unveiled their latest lineup of Galaxy S25 series smartphones in January, and while you can save at plenty of the expected retailers, including T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, you can also snag savings elsewhere — including this $200 gift card bundle deal at Amazon More
TikTok/ZDNETWhile TikTok’s fate remains uncertain after being temporarily banned in the US, the Chinese-owned social media service is continuing efforts to attract and expand its US user base. The company announced on Thursday new enhancements for its web-based platform, including a revitalized For You feed, a new Explore tab, immersive full-screen LIVE gaming streaming, a web-exclusive floating player, and a new modular layout. These new features invite more uninterrupted scrolling on its desktop platform but also suggest that the app is vying to encroach on Twitch and YouTube’s dominance in the game streaming market.Also: Targeting TikTok, Meta’s Instagram may turn Reels into a separate app”By enhancing our desktop capabilities, we aim to bring TikTok’s handheld magic on desktop,” said TikTok product manager Cody Puckett in the blog post, “so you can enjoy TikTok anytime, anywhere. We remain committed to innovating for our community and ensuring the platform is accessible for all.” The new web layout, which allows desktop users to see a horizontal view in addition to the above enhancements, is designed to attract more gamers and streamers to an immersive viewing experience. This is further emphasized by the remodeled navigation bar, which mirrors the mobile version of TikTok, thereby “creating a seamless, unified viewing experience,” according to the blog post. Gamers and streamers can now go live in portrait or landscape mode, similar to Twitch’s interface setup. TikTok is also introducing a new Collections feature that lets users organize their favorite videos into custom categories, “making it easier to find and revisit saved content,” according to the announcement. This feature is similar to YouTube’s Playlists feature or Instagram’s Reels, which lets users save videos to revisit later. More
Sandisk/ZDNETAre you a PC gamer who needs a large-capacity storage drive for your game library? Or are you a creative or office professional who needs a large-capacity SSD for important files and projects? Right now, you can grab Sandisk’s Extreme Pro Portable 8TB SSD More
Nina Raemont/ZDNETAfter a successful Devices and Services event that delivered a new Alexa+, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy gave an interview saying the company’s new devices will launch this fall. Amazon’s late February event featured the launch of Alexa+, a generative AI-powered version of the company’s virtual assistant that had been delayed for about a year. The new Alexa will be able to hold more natural conversations and allow interactions that are more similar to those with an AI chatbot, like ChatGPT and Gemini, than what you may be used to.Also: 7 exciting AI features coming with Alexa+ (and what Amazon devices support it)After demonstrating most of Alexa+’s new capabilities, Amazon announced that the reimagined smart assistant will launch over the coming weeks. Certain devices, like the Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21, will be prioritized. However, Jassy said on Bloomberg Television that Amazon will release Alexa+ companion devices in the fall.Although the larger Echo Show devices will be the first to gain access to Alexa+, once you have the new voice assistant, you can use it across all your Alexa devices, with the exception of some older models. This means that if you have an Echo Show 8 that gets Alexa+, you can also use the generative AI-powered Alexa+ on your compatible Fire TV, Echo speakers, and Fire tablets. More
Adam Breeden/ZDNETApple sells some very fancy iPads these days. In fact, several of them now cost over $1,000. But for the things most people do with their iPads — watching streaming content, making video calls, reading books and documents, answering messages, and surfing the web, the best iPad to buy is the standard 10th-generation iPad More
Maria Diaz/ZDNETRight now, you can get a Ring Stick Up Cam Pro More
Kerry Wan/ZDNETIf you’re looking to get your health and wellness goals in check in 2025, now’s a great chance to scoop up one of Apple’s handy watches to help. Right now you can get the newest Apple Watch Series 10 for $70 off, or only $329 at most major retailers ahead of the incoming spring season. This 18% off savings can be found on both the 42mm More
I really liked the first iteration of this battery pack — enough to have it included on this list over the last several months — and I like the newly upgraded Qi2 version even more. This new model has the USB-C connector on the side instead of the bottom of the pack, making it easier to use your phone standing upright while the pack is charging. Instead of the charging indicator lights being on the side, they’re now more visible, located on the back of the pack. This model is also a tad slimmer and lengthier than its predecessor, making it easier to transport. Also: My new favorite MagSafe battery pack supports Qi2 charging, has a kickstand, and isn’t made by Anker or BaseusAnd while this Belkin pack is a true embodiment of a classic brick-style battery booster, there is still a place in my heart for it because it just works so well. Similarly to many picks on this list, it provides 5,000mAh of extra juice to your phone, which is a standard capacity for many MagSafe packs. Its design, though simple, fits snugly against my phone without bumping onto the lip of my camera lens, and remains secure. Often, you’ll see some gapping between the battery and the phone due to a disturbed magnetic connection, but not with this Belkin battery pack. Its secure grip and competitive battery speak for themselves. I took this pack to a Yankees game, to several late-night outings, to work, and even on errands, and I am impressed with the charging. You can expect between a 25-30% battery boost in about an hour to your phone.What’s more, is that it comes with a built-in stand that easily swings in and out — no folding required — and while I originally thought this would be useless, I rather enjoyed being able to prop my phone up whenever. Perhaps the best thing about this Belkin pack is that it comes in a few fun colors, a nice feature many competitors still haven’t matched.Like the previous iteration, this pack is still not the slimmest design I’ve ever seen. But the newly upgraded design offers a more comfortable and sleek user experience that feels great in hand and doesn’t feel as boxy as the pack really is. Overall, I’m impressed with the new shape and think it was a much-needed facelift. Apple used to be the only retailer that sells the blue, green, pink, black, and sand color options right now, but the product is no longer accessible on the Apple website, which is a downside. The color options made this a fun battery option. However, Belkin carries the black and white iterations as well as the 8K and 10K models. Regardless, Redditors who own this battery pack really like the intentional upgrades. Some Redditors said that this is a great pack to replace Apple’s discontinued battery pack, too. Belkin Boostcharge Pro Qi2 Magnetic Power Bank 5K specs: Capacity: 5,000mAh | Charging Port: USB-C | Power button: Yes More
