Eliana Willis

Nina Raemont/ZDNETAfter a successful Devices and Services event that delivered a new Alexa+, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy gave an interview saying the company’s new devices will launch this fall. Amazon’s late February event featured the launch of Alexa+, a generative AI-powered version of the company’s virtual assistant that had been delayed for about a year. The new Alexa will be able to hold more natural conversations and allow interactions that are more similar to those with an AI chatbot, like ChatGPT and Gemini, than what you may be used to.Also: 7 exciting AI features coming with Alexa+ (and what Amazon devices support it)After demonstrating most of Alexa+’s new capabilities, Amazon announced that the reimagined smart assistant will launch over the coming weeks. Certain devices, like the Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21, will be prioritized. However, Jassy said on Bloomberg Television that Amazon will release Alexa+ companion devices in the fall.Although the larger Echo Show devices will be the first to gain access to Alexa+, once you have the new voice assistant, you can use it across all your Alexa devices, with the exception of some older models. This means that if you have an Echo Show 8 that gets Alexa+, you can also use the generative AI-powered Alexa+ on your compatible Fire TV, Echo speakers, and Fire tablets. More

Adam Breeden/ZDNETApple sells some very fancy iPads these days. In fact, several of them now cost over $1,000. But for the things most people do with their iPads — watching streaming content, making video calls, reading books and documents, answering messages, and surfing the web, the best iPad to buy is the standard 10th-generation iPad More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETRight now, you can get a Ring Stick Up Cam Pro More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETIf you’re looking to get your health and wellness goals in check in 2025, now’s a great chance to scoop up one of Apple’s handy watches to help. Right now you can get the newest Apple Watch Series 10 for $70 off, or only $329 at most major retailers ahead of the incoming spring season. This 18% off savings can be found on both the 42mm More

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