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    Microsoft’s new AI agents aim to help security pros combat the latest threats

    Microsoft Microsoft is launching a series of AI agents for its Security Copilot program designed to help professionals more easily protect their organizations against today’s security threats. Announced on Monday, Microsoft built six of the new agents, while five come from third-party partners. All will be available for preview starting in April. Integrated with the […] More

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    This entry-level robot vacuum left some of my expensive ones in the dust and it’s on sale for $150

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways At $199, the Tapo RV20 Max is an affordable option that works surprisingly well. The RV20 Max robot vacuum features strong 5,300Pa suction, great navigation skills that don’t use the bump-and-run system, and plenty of customization options for the price. On the downside, the Tapo RV20 Max doesn’t have great obstacle […] More

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    The 30+ best early anti-Amazon Spring Sale deals 2025: Walmart, Best Buy, Costco, and more

    When is Amazon’s Spring Sale 2025? Amazon’s Big Spring Sale returns Tuesday, March 25, and ends Monday, March 31.Also: Everything you need to know about Amazon’s Big Spring Sale 2025Are deals really better during Amazon sales? Deals on flagship Amazon products are typically the best during Amazon’s own sales. These sales are also a great opportunity to scoop up decent savings across dozens of categories. Keep in mind that you’ll be able to shop at plenty of other retailers during the same period as Amazon’s sale as retailers look to compete. Will other retailers offer spring savings? Yes, other major retailers will likely offer their discounts via competing sales. Often, retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and more directly match (or sometimes outdo) Amazon’s pricing during sale events. It’s not unusual to see the same products on sale for the same price across many retailers. I expect many competing sale events to precede, overlap, or follow Amazon’s spring sale. How did we choose these anti-Amazon Spring Sale 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 on sale and how frequently it drops. We also reviewed customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we recommend. Our recommendations may also be based on our testing — in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.What are the best early Amazon Spring Sale 2025 deals? ZDNET’s experts are searching through early Amazon Spring Sale deals to find the best discounts by category. These are the best early deals so far:You can also find the best early Amazon Spring Sale deals by price:And the best deals from other retailers this week: More

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    How to delete your 23andMe data and why you should do it now

    23andMe/ZDNETI was an early 23andMe user. While I knew a good deal about my family history — primarily Scottish-Irish who came to the US in the aftermath of the 1845-52 Irish potato famine — I wanted to know more. At first, 23andMe was useful, but now it’s another story. Once a genetic testing trailblazer, 23andMe has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This came after years of financial instability, operational missteps, and growing concerns over customer data privacy. The company’s collapse raises serious questions about the future of its vast troves of genetic data collected from more than 15 million customers, including my own records. We have no idea what will become of our records — and that’s not a comfortable feeling. Also: The best secure browsers for privacy: Expert testedFounded nearly two decades ago, 23andMe gained popularity by offering at-home DNA testing kits that provided insights into ancestry, genetic traits, and potential health risks. At its peak in 2021, the company’s market valuation exceeded $6 billion. However, in recent years, it’s been declining rapidly. The company’s attempted pivot into pharmaceutical research and drug development partnerships, including a high-profile collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), never met expectations. This, in turn, led to declines in revenue,The company’s reputation also never recovered from the hit it took when a major data breach in October 2023 exposed user data for about half its users. The result? The company value, which hovered above $6 billion in 2021 after its IPO, was trading for less than $50 million last week before the bankruptcy filing with losses in its current fiscal year of $174 million. More

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    AI bots scraping your data? This free tool gives those pesky crawlers the run-around

    Eugene Mymrin/Getty Images The rise of AI-generated content, also known as synthetic media, has mostly caused problems: It helps spread misinformation, steal from artists, and erode trust in what we see online. However, Cloudflare may have found a use case where artificial intelligence could help protect original content from the tentacles of AI companies.  On Wednesday, the company […] More

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    Did your Google Maps Timeline disappear? Here’s the fix to get yours back

    ZDNETThose of you who use the Google Maps Timeline to keep track of past trips and directions may notice that your data has mysteriously vanished. Well, not so mysteriously. The fault lies with Google, and you’re apparently out of luck unless you have a backup.”We briefly experienced a technical issue that caused the deletion of Timeline data for some people,” Google revealed in a statement shared with ZDNET. “Nearly everyone with encrypted Timeline backups will be able to restore their data; unfortunately, those who did not have backups enabled will not be able to recover lost data.” Also: A hidden Google Maps feature is making people emotional – here’s whyFormerly known as Location History, the Google Maps Timeline is a map that shows the directions you’ve used, the trips you’ve taken, and the places you’ve visited. The goal is to help you easily return to a previous location by accessing its history. But in the transition from Location History to Timeline, Google made a few changes. In the past, your location data was stored in the cloud via your Google account. That meant it was automatically backed up and accessible on any device. However, that method also triggered privacy concerns for people who didn’t want Google accessing the places they visited. With Timeline, your location details and travel data are instead stored on your device. Though that may secure the data from prying eyes, you have to sync the information to Google’s cloud if you want a backup that you can then restore. And that’s why many Maps users may be out of luck. How to back up your Google Maps TimelineTo back up your Timeline, open Google Maps on your iPhone or Android device, tap your profile icon at the top, and then select Timeline. Tap the cloud icon and sign in with your Google account. Turn on the switch for Backup. An encrypted copy of your Timeline is then saved to Google’s servers. The backup automatically runs over Wi-Fi when your device is charging and idle. More

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    This 2600W power station is more than $800 off right now – and I don’t expect it to last

    Bluetti Power stations are increasingly popular, but as their capacity grows, so does the price tag. A system capable of handling heavy loads and providing enough battery capacity to power a home during an outage typically costs around $2,000.  Also: The best portable power stations you can buy However, there are opportunities to find great deals. […] More