Eliana Willis

Maria Diaz / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETThere are plenty of apps and websites available to keep you organized and on task, but for raw data power, nothing beats Microsoft Excel — and for repetitive tasks, its drop-down lists are a real game-changer.Whether you’re juggling a side hustle, keeping tabs on family schedules, or just trying to make sense of a mountain of numbers, drop-down lists are a godsend that speed up typing. They can also cut down on typos and just keep everything looking neat.  Also: How to use ChatGPT to write Excel formulasHere’s how to add them in Excel fast — plus a few expert tips to tweak and style dropdowns to your liking. How to add drop-down lists in Excel What you’ll need: You’ll need a Microsoft 365 subscription to use Excel, whether you’re on the web or the desktop app. I’m working from the desktop version here, so if your menu looks different online, Microsoft’s support site can help you bridge the gaps. And yes, Google Sheets (and other tools) have dropdowns too, but the setup steps aren’t exactly the same. [embedded content] More

Let’s talk tunes: This speaker from Sony is my favorite one to listen to at the beach, in the park, or at home in my bedroom. I’ve used the speaker to play music during dinner parties, and even amid a group of 15 friends all sat around the table, the sound was clear and strong. It gets plenty loud and offers crystal-clear sound. It’s also waterproof, dustproof, and rustproof, so you can splash water on it or kick sand onto it without a problem. The speaker comes with a handy little carrying strap for maximum portability and a 12-hour battery life that should last you an entire day of tomfoolery by the water. More: Finally, a portable Bluetooth speaker that sounds great but won’t break the bankWhat I also love about this speaker is how much quality Sony packs into a fairly affordable Bluetooth speaker with great sound. You’re getting a high-quality speaker that punches well above its price point. For summer beach days, I can’t recommend the Ult Field 1 enough and am looking forward to blasting my favorite songs on it as I hang in the sand this season. Right now, select colorways of the speaker are discounted by $40, bringing the price of this speaker down to $88.  More

What are the best Memorial Day 2025 deals?ZDNET’s experts are searching through Memorial Day deals across retailers to find the best discounts by category. These are the best deals so far:When is Memorial Day? Memorial Day in the US is on Monday, May 26th. And while the bulk of the best deals will go live day-of, you can find great discounts at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and Home Depot.How did I choose these Memorial Day deals? Not all deals are created equal. Since Memorial Day is better known for lawn and garden deals, I only chose discounts on laptops myself or another ZDNET team member has tested. What are the tariffs in the US? The recent US tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.CNET: Tariff Pricing Tracker: We’re Watching 11 Products You Might Need to BuyLaptops and PCs are also hit hard by the new US tariffs, with import duties potentially increasing prices by up to 35%. Many major brands still rely on Chinese and Vietnamese factories for assembly, meaning consumers could soon pay significantly more for everything from budget Chromebooks to high-end gaming rigs. These tariffs may accelerate efforts to move production to regions like Mexico or India, but shoppers can expect higher costs and fewer discounts in the short term.Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.    More

When is Memorial Day? Memorial Day in the US is on Monday, May 26th. And while the bulk of the best deals will go live day-of, you can find great discounts on grills, lawn mowers, and more at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and Home Depot.How did I choose these Memorial Day deals? Not all deals are created equal. Since Memorial Day is better known for lawn and garden deals, I only chose the steepest discounts from the most trusted brands, like Kobalt, Blink, and EcoFlow, to help you find the right fit for your lawn and your budget.What are the best Memorial Day 2025 deals?ZDNET’s experts are searching through Memorial Day deals across retailers to find the best discounts by category. These are the best deals so far:Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Bose’s midrange earbuds are ideal for people who want the best of Bose at a lower price. They’re a reboot of the previous model with an even more comfortable, light fit, improved ANC, and booming, rich sound The app is a little clunky, the touch controls take some getting used to, […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Bose Ultra Open earbuds sport a clip-on design, making them a great alternative to traditional bone-conduction headphones. Thanks to Bose’s OpenAudio technology, the earbuds are ideal for runners who want to enjoy music while remaining aware of their environment. For the higher price, the battery life could be better. –> The […] More

The Sony Bravia 8 II TV Kerry Wan/ZDNETMemorial Day weekend is here, marking the unofficial start of summer. With the weather heating up, many tech brands across the internet are rolling out killer deals, and Sony has one of the best Buy One, Get One free deals we’ve seen so far this year.Also: The best Memorial Day tech deals live now For a limited time, Sony is giving out free TVs with select purchases. If you buy a 65-inch Bravia 8 II QD-OLED More

Current price: $2,500Regular price: $4,000This ultra-big-screen TV from TCL is already one of the more affordable options on the market, but with Best Buy’s 30% markdown, you can snag one for less than $3,000. Along with a cinema-sized display, you’ll get a 144Hz refresh rate, integrated voice controls, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support, AirPlay compatibility for screen sharing from your iOS or macOS devices, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR support for console gaming.Also: The best 98-inch TVs you can buy More