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    The Lenovo ThinkPad streak is over: I tested a new model that bucks a decade-long trend (for the better)

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Lenovo’s first-edition ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition 14-inch is available now, starting at $1,239 for the lowest-tier configuration. It’s an experimental evolution of the ThinkPad line, exchanging some of the most defining features for a new sleek form factor and bold design. The entry configuration only comes with 256GB of storage, which […] More

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    Time to ditch Ring? This video doorbell has all the benefits and no subscription

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Lorex 2K Wi-Fi video doorbell is available for $180. The doorbell comes in wired and wireless installations, communicates reliably, and includes a preinstalled 32GB microSD card for local storage so you can bypass subscription fees. Although it has a 2K resolution, the image is so wide angle that objects look […] More

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    Want AI to work for your business? Then privacy needs to come first

    Yuliya Taba/Getty Images Cisco has released a “2025 Data Privacy Benchmark Study” that looks at the privacy challenges companies face with the rise of artificial intelligence. It offers practical insights for businesses that want to integrate AI while keeping privacy front and center. Also: The best free AI courses and certificates in 2025 The study gathered […] More

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    These tech markets are taking the brunt of the new US tariffs – what that means for you

    iPhone 16 Pro Max in hand. Jason Hiner/ZDNETOn Wednesday, April 2, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would impose a new series of tariffs against trade partners. Rates will range from a baseline amount of 10% up to 49% for certain countries. These hikes are slated to go into effect starting April 5. Also: If you need a new laptop, you might want to buy it now – here’s whyA full list of the tariffs can be found on the Rapid Response 47 account on X, which is run by the Trump administration, and it details every single country that’ll affected. It’s nearly eight pages long, with the first two highlighting some of the biggest increases. China, for example, will be hit with a 34% tariff. The European Union is going to see 20%. Vietnam is receiving one of the largest tariffs at 46%, only beaten out by Cambodia at 49% and Laos at 48%. More

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    Change these 5 settings on your TV for a quick and easy way to improve its picture quality

    Adam Breeden/ZDNETWhether you’re considering buying a new TV or your old flat panel seems to be doing fine, there are still ways to optimize your viewing experience, and it all begins with your television’s settings. Let’s explore some of the key factors determining how your TV performs and what you can do to make it look even better.1. Turn down the sharpnessThe sharper the picture, the better. Right? Not necessarily.Contrary to popular belief, the “sharpness” setting on your TV doesn’t affect the actual sharpness of the displayed image. True sharpness is determined by factors such as screen resolution, source material resolution, and contrast. Instead, the sharpness setting alters the artificial edge enhancement — a processor-driven adjustment that can introduce unwanted noise and, ironically, distort details in the image.Also: The 110+ best Amazon Spring Sale tech deals still liveEdge enhancement is designed to make onscreen objects more distinct by emphasizing the boundaries between them, theoretically creating a more lifelike image. However, this feature acts like a universal Instagram filter, potentially leading to an unnatural appearance in some media. More

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    Finally, I found an AirTag alternative that’s cheaper and lasts twice as long

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Ugreens Finder Tag is on sale now for $14, and the Slim Wallet Finder is available for $26. The battery in the tag for keys is purpose-built to be hard to remove, making it safer around children. They don’t have the high-precision capabilities as more expensive finder tags. –> Apple AirTags<!–> […] More

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    I changed these 6 Samsung TV settings to drastically improve the image quality (and why they work)

    Kerry Wan/ZDNETSay you recently picked up a shiny new TV. You unbox it like a kid at Christmas and prepare to indulge in all its visual glory. You think to yourself, “This is 2025. TV technology is sizzling, and it’s going to look amazing no matter what.” So you plug it in and don’t take one look at the default settings. Big mistake.Also: I saw Samsung’s deluge of Neo QLED TVs releasing in 2025 – these features impressed me mostI’ve been guilty of it. And I’m okay with that because it’s widely accepted that the majority of consumers neglect to alter the most basic settings when setting up their TVs. Even if your TV is a few years old, you may have never modified its defaults. For Samsung TVs, in particular, you can change a few settings to improve your viewing experience and make a dystopian survival thriller look that much more appealing. Following are six tips for doing just that. More