Eliana Willis

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

ZDNETEverything is expensive in 2025. We get it. Tech is perhaps one of the most notoriously pricey categories to shop in, and the prices often climb yearly. That’s why ZDNET remains committed to sourcing, contextualizing, and sharing the best deals we come across as experts who know the ins and outs of the industry: when new products drop, when old ones see their first discounts, when the best time arrives to buy the next iPhone, TV model, or laptop, or when your cash has the best ROI.  To help readers like you find the best deals on the most popular tech products on your wishlist, ZDNET’s team of experts combines detailed testing, a keen eye for savings across trusted retailers, familiarity with product pricing, and over 30 years of authority in the tech space to curate deals on dozens of tech items – from small accessories to laptops to 98-inch TVs and beyond. We don’t just bring the deal to you – we bring all the information you need to know to make an informed decision about how, when, and where to spend your cash (and, of course, what we think is worth spending it on, too). Also: Google just expanded its shopping tools. Here’s how to use themWhile we often stand to make a referral fee when you buy from one of our links (like most other tech sites ), we often include prices and offers from retailers where we make $0. That’s right — we want you to feel empowered that you’re saving the most and getting all the information you need before you add to the cart (both literally and physically). Your trust means more to us than any affiliate link. If you’ve ever wondered how we evaluate the discounts, deals, and promotional offers that flood the tech market and choose which ones to share with ZDNET readers like you, here’s a breakdown of the various aspects we consider. How we rate deals in 2025 More

Nina Raemont/ZDNETThe  Oura Ring Gen 3 More

ZDNETMicrosoft users who still rely on Skype may soon have to find a different chat and calling service. A message inside the latest preview of Skype for Windows warns that the app will be retired in May.’Continue your calls and chats in Teams’Spotted by someone with access to the new preview and verified by XDA Developers, the message states: “Starting in May, Skype will no longer be available. Continue your calls and chats in Teams.” A note adds that a certain number “of your friends have already moved to Teams free,” with that number based on how many contacts you have. If true, the news is hardly surprising given Skype’s checkered history.  More

Last year’s MWC saw the unveiling of Tecno’s rollable phone concept. What about in 2025? Kerry Wan/ZDNETMobile World Congress (MWC) is shaping up to be an exciting one this year. Off the heels of Samsung and OnePlus’ recent smartphone launches, the Barcelona trade show will shine a brighter spotlight on the trends and innovations we’ll see in 2025. As always, leading global brands, including Xiaomi, Honor, and Huawei, will be present — and they’ll likely occupy a large part of the show floor. Google and Samsung are also expected to have a presence, but the chances of any major announcements are slim. And there’s almost always a showstopper that no one sees coming. Also: This 5-year tech industry forecast predicts some surprising winners – and losersAt MWC 2025, expect to see all of that, both in market-ready products and concepts that, while unconventional, may be just buzz-worthy enough to influence future business decisions. Here’s a run-down of what’s coming at this year’s trade show.When is MWC 2025?This year’s MWC will occur from March 3 to March 6, but manufacturers typically make announcements as early as the weekend before, so you’ll likely hear more about the event starting tomorrow. While the trade show was built around members of the press, analysts, business partners, and brands, anyone can access the show floor by purchasing a ticket, which costs about $1,028.Google More

ZDNETThe human psyche is a fascinating thing. People often won’t bother to take the time to learn all the features and facets of a product or service. But take away a feature, even one they may never have used, and their reactions are swift and fierce. Such has been the reaction this past week to the news that Amazon will no longer allow Kindle ebook files to be downloaded to your computer for backup. It is a feature that some collectors counted on, but many Kindle users didn’t even know it was there until someone told them it would go away on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. Also: The best e-readers of 2025: Expert tested and reviewedFor some users of older Kindles, the ability to download files was the only way to move Kindle files onto their Kindles. The first and second-generation Kindles and the Kindle DX could only wirelessly transfer data via the now-obsolete 3G telephony networks. The only other way to move Kindle books was via a USB connection to a computer. Users of slightly newer Kindles might also have had difficulty wirelessly transferring files to their Kindles. My wife deregistered her old Kindle Fire 7, bought back in 2011, so that I could put it on my account. But try as I might, I could not get that Fire to register. I even tried working with Amazon tech support, but they gave up as well. So, if I want to put files on that device, transferring via USB is the only option. Also: Want free ebooks? These 10 sites offer thousands of optionsIn this article, we’ll explore the process of transferring files (Kindle files and popular ebook formats) to Kindle devices, both old and new. But before we do so, I want to share a very important warning. Do not unregister your old Kindle If you were one of the folks lucky or persistent enough to download your Kindle books, keep in mind that many Kindle books have DRM protection. They are locked in such a way that they will only work when both the device and book are registered to the same Amazon account. More

ZDNETKindle devices appeal to many people. When everything works, they’re great. But Amazon is becoming more and more finicky, both in terms of supported formats and the freedom to manage your own books.Kindle books use their own formats, most of the time with embedded DRM. However, there are oh-so-many ebooks available online, both for purchase and for free, that are not specifically tied to the Kindle ecosystem and your Amazon account. Also: Want free ebooks? These 10 sites offer thousands of optionsCalibre is an open-source ebook management and editing program. In this article, we’re going to use Calibre to go beyond the Kindle format for our ebooks on Kindle. Install Calibre To get started, point your browser to the Calibre download page and download the version for your computer. I’ll be using the Mac version from now on. Once installed, there are a few simple, if confusing, steps necessary to get started with Calibre. First, launch the application. You’ll see a setup screen like this. More

Yagi Studio/Getty Images Smartphone sales will grow in fits and starts, while tablet demand will wane. Large language models (LLMs) will boom, and demand for data management solutions will soar. Also: Crawl, then walk, before you run with AI agents, experts recommend These technologies will be “hot” — or “not” — over the coming five years, […] More