Max Buondonno/ZDNETAmazon’s Big Spring Sale has finally ended, and while there were plenty of great phone deals over the last week on the e-commerce platform, one of the best, if not the best, offer is still available elsewhere. I’m talking about the Google Pixel 9 More
Signal / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETPrivacy is no longer just a buzzword — it’s entrenched in the ethos of society. But when it comes to getting serious about privacy, the big question is whether consumers are ready to switch from what they currently use to a more private option.And, boy, are there options. Pick up a stone and toss it in a pond filled with apps and services, and you will almost certainly hit one that promises privacy, security, and (sometimes) anonymity for your communication needs. Also: 9 ways to delete yourself from the internet (and hide your identity online)But which of those choices are best suited to your needs? Only you can answer that question, but it would be nice to have a more limited selection to choose from. Let me curate that list for you and offer a few options that I believe are the most viable. Sound good? Also: The best secure browsers for privacyLet’s switch this conversation to a more private channel. Privacy and security tipsBefore I get into that, here are a few tips that can help improve your privacy and security when using communication apps: Use pseudonyms or anonymous usernamesUse a VPNOnly use apps or services that employ end-to-end encryptionEmploy random and secure email address generatorsNever use public Wi-Fi when communicatingLimit device usage for prolonged periodsRegularly back up data in secure locationsNever install or use an unfamiliar communication app that has few or no reviewsUse multi-factor authenticationNever leave your phone, laptop, or tablet unattended in publicAlways use strong passwords generated by random generators found in password managers like BitwardenUse a passkey when availableRegularly clear the cache of your chosen appNever open links sent from unknown sourcesAlso: The best VPN services: Expert testedWith that out of the way, let’s get to the list. More
When is Amazon’s Spring Sale 2025? Amazon’s Spring Sale runs from March 25 through March 31. This gives you almost an entire week to snag deep discounts on everything from SSDs and gaming laptops to digital game titles and headsets. Are games, consoles, and gaming accessories really cheaper during Amazon sales? They can be. While we usually see the best discounts on all things gaming during the winter holidays, Amazon’s Spring Sale and competing events at retailers like Best Buy and Walmart mean you can compare prices and discounts to get the best deals.How did we choose these Spring Sale deals?While plenty of gaming laptops and accessories are discounted for the Amazon Spring Sale, not all sales are created equal. I focused on reputable brands like PowerA, SteelSeries, HyperX, and more to find the best value in accessories and peripherals. I also focused on top brands like HP, MSI, and Asus for gaming laptops and desktops with higher-end builds to help you find the best configurations for the best prices.What are the best Amazon Spring Sale 2025 deals? ZDNET’s experts are searching through Amazon Spring Sale deals to find the best discounts by category. These are the best deals so far:You can also find the best Amazon Spring Sale deals by price:And the best deals from other retailers this week:Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends. More
<!–> Adam Breeden/ZDNET When does Amazon’s Spring Sale end? The 2025 Big Spring Sale ended Monday, March 31. However, as with most Amazon sales, we expect to see some lingering offers after the sale officially ends, as well as live offers from other retailers. We’ll keep you updated with all the best deals that you […] More
When was Amazon’s Big Spring Sale 2025? The second-annual Spring Sale ran from Tuesday, March 25, through Monday, March 31. Are deals really better during Amazon sales?For some big-name brands, Amazon sale events are the only time specific devices go on sale throughout the year. This is especially true for Amazon devices like Kindles, Fire tablets, Fire TVs, Amazon Echo devices, etc. According to one study, the average Amazon Prime Day discount is 16.2%, a fairly good discount for most products–and while this isn’t Prime Day, it’s still an Amazon-exclusive sales event, so we’re expecting the same discount numbers. How did we choose these 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 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. What are the best Amazon Spring Sale 2025 deals still available?ZDNET’s experts are searching through Amazon Spring Sale deals that are still available after the event to find the best discounts by category. You can also find the best Amazon Spring Sale deals by price:And the best deals from other retailers this week:Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends. More
Kerry Wan/ZDNETBefore CES even started in January, Hisense announced its latest home theater projector. Aspiring to deliver a crystal-clear display of up to 150 inches, the company touted the L9Q More
When is Amazon’s Spring Sale 2025? Amazon’s Spring Sale started on March 25 and will end on March 31. That gives you six days to snag great discounts on tech like TVs, sound bars, and more.Are TVs really cheaper during Amazon sales? They can be. Many brands will often mark down popular models and screen sizes during Amazon sales to help move inventory ahead of new releases. And if you’re lucky, you may be able to find an older model at a steep discount or a combination of coupons that help you save even more on a new TV.How did we choose these Spring Sale deals?While plenty of TVs are discounted for the Amazon Spring Sale, not all TVs and discounts are created equal. I focused on reputable brands like Samsung, TCL, and Hisense, as well as TV models that I and other ZDNET experts have reviewed and had hands-on testing experience with. I also made sure that each TV featured on this list had plenty of features that customers have come to expect as standard, such as built-in voice controls, preloaded streaming apps, and enhanced HDR.What are the best Amazon Spring Sale 2025 deals?ZDNET’s experts are searching through Amazon’s Spring Sale deals to find the best discounts by category. These are the best deals so far:You can also find the best Amazon Spring Sale deals by price:And the best deals from other retailers this week:Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends. More
Kerry Wan/ZDNETDid you know that whenever you turn on your smart TV, you invite an unseen guest to watch it with you? These days, most popular TV models utilize automatic content recognition (ACR), a form of ad surveillance technology that gathers information about everything you watch and transmits it to a centralized database. Manufacturers then use your data to identify your viewing preferences, enabling them to deliver highly targeted ads.Also: 5 Chromecast tricks to unlock your TV’s full potential (including a hidden streaming hack)What’s the incentive behind this invasive technology? According to market research firm eMarketer, in 2022, advertisers spent an estimated $18.6 billion on smart TV ads, and those numbers are only going up.To understand how ACR works, imagine a constant, real-time Shazam-like service running in the background while your TV is on. It identifies content displayed on your screen, including programs from cable TV boxes, streaming services, or gaming consoles. ACR does this by capturing continuous screenshots and cross-referencing them with a vast database of media content and advertisements. More
