Eliana Willis

Kerry Wan/ZDNETIf you’re a Galaxy phone user, Samsung warns that you need to activate some new features as soon as you can.In a press release earlier this week, Samsung explained that as phone thefts continue to rise around the world, it’s critical for users to make sure they enable their phone’s security measures – some of which are new to One UI 7.Also: Phone theft is on the rise – 7 ways to protect your device before it’s too lateOne of the areas getting an update is Theft Protection, which Samsung called “a multi-layered suite of features developed to safeguard personal data.” Existing and updated features in this suite include:Theft Detection Lock: This feature uses machine learning to detect motions associated with theft (like a sudden snatch and rapid acceleration), and instantly locks the screen to stop unauthorized access. Pixel devices introduced a similar feature last fall.Offline Device Lock: If your device is disconnected from the network for an extended time, the screen gets automatically locked.Remote Lock: If your phone has already been stolen, you can lock it remotely using your phone number and a quick verification step. You can also regain control of your account and explore additional recovery options.These features build on the standard Android safety protection, Samsung noted, but take security a step further by introducing additional protection for high-risk scenarios when your access credentials have been compromised. More

Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images More than 500,000 Fortnite players are in line to receive a cash payment from Epic Games after the Federal Trade Commission ruled that the game maker tricked customers into making unwanted purchases. Some people have already received payments, but there’s still an opportunity for new claims. Also: Apple’s $95 million Siri […] More

When is Amazon Prime Day 2025? Amazon Prime Day takes place from July 8 through July 11 this year. During the sale, the retailer cuts prices on thousands of products (and many products from brands it owns, like Kindle, Alexa, Ring, and more). Are Kindles really cheaper on Prime Day? Because Kindles fall under one of the many brands Amazon owns, Amazon will normally drop prices during Prime Day on them. I’ve been covering these Kindle deals for over two years, and I can almost guarantee that there will be a price drop on the devices during the four-day event. How did we choose these Prime Day deals?ZDNET only writes about deals we want to buy — devices and products we desire, need, or would recommend. Our experts looked for deals that were at least 20% off (or are hardly ever on sale), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops. We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we’re recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing — in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter.  More

Paul Taylor/Getty When I was a kid, my home lab consisted of test tubes and beakers, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), acetic acid (vinegar), and the occasional boom, followed closely by the sound of my mom in the distance yelling, “David Allen Gewirtz, you stop that right now.” When the scold transitioned from “David Gewirtz” to […] More

Amazon Prime Day is a few days away, and plenty of other retailers are slashing prices to compete for your dollars. You can shop Walmart More

With Amazon Prime Day kicking off next week, many retailers like Amazon More

When is Amazon Prime Day 2025? Amazon is holding its annual Prime Day sales event this July and, for the first time, it will last four days instead of two, starting on July 8 and ending on July 11.Are Echo devices really cheaper on Prime Day? Yes, Echo and other Amazon devices get the biggest markdowns during the Prime Day sales event. As a smart home reviewer who always looks for great deals, I’ve purchased a few Echo devices during Prime Day events for this very reason.How did we choose these Prime Day deals?ZDNET cares greatly about curating the best deals for our readers, ensuring we only feature the deals worth your hard-earned money. We combine our experience testing different smart home products and looking for deals to give you the best offerings currently available, so you can be sure that a deal featured on ZDNET is a good one. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Hisense U8QG is available from 55-inch to 100-inch, with most models currently on sale. It offers arresting HDR picture quality and brightness. However, this set lacks some premium features like four HDMI ports and an ultra-thin frame. more buying choices –> jun / 2025 The Hisense U8QG<!–> is one step […] More