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    I replaced my Pixel 9 Pro with this midrange Android phone – and don’t regret it

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Nothing Phone 3a makes smart tradeoffs for a budget device, excelling in design, battery life, and display quality. Essential Space offers a refreshingly subtle AI experience, showcasing Nothing’s restraint and clear vision. While some see Nothing’s design as a novelty, hands-on experience proves its signature style runs deeper than aesthetics. […] More

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    I changed 6 settings on my Samsung TV to instantly improve the performance

    Kerry Wan/ZDNETSay you recently picked up a shiny new TV. You unbox it like a kid at Christmas and prepare to indulge in all its visual glory. You think to yourself, “This is 2025. TV technology is sizzling, and it’s going to look amazing no matter what.” So you plug it in and don’t take one look at the default settings. Big mistake.Also: Your car’s USB port is seriously underutilized: 5 features you’re not taking advantage ofI’ve been guilty of it. And I’m okay with that because it’s widely accepted that the majority of consumers neglect to alter the most basic settings when setting up their TVs. Even if your TV is a few years old, you may have never modified its defaults. For Samsung TVs, in particular, you can change a few settings to improve your viewing experience and make a dystopian survival thriller look that much more appealing. Following are six tips for doing just that. More

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    I replaced my 4K TV with a UST projector – and the visual upgrade was worth it

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Formovie Cinema Edge 4K UST projector is available now for $1,799 at Amazon. It has a sturdy construction and sleek design. It’s great for cinematic viewing, although it could greatly benefit from having a dedicated sound system. –> The first ultra short-throw (UST) projectors hit the mainstream market in the […] More

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    This midrange Android wearable outlasted my Galaxy Watch Ultra – and it’s on sale

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The OnePlus Watch 2R normally retails for $230 and is available in Forest Green and Gunmetal Gray. It has pretty much everything you look for in a smartwatch: multi-day battery life, fitness tracking features, and a vivid display. However, the device is missing important key fitness metrics, it isn’t as durable […] More

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    This Spotlight alternative for Mac is my secret weapon for AI-powered search

    Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETMacOS might not be as efficient as most Linux desktops, but it’s still a very productive OS. However, there’s always room for improvement. One place that could use a productivity boost is Spotlight. Sure, it works well, but it’s not nearly as productive a tool as some of its competitors. Take, for instance, Raycast.Raycast is a one-stop-shop app that can help make your Mac a highly productive machine. Raycast is a single app that includes just about everything you need for app launching, clipboard history, scheduling, emoji picker, calculations, searching screenshots, window management, and more. Raycast even has plugins for Google Translate, Spotify, color picking, process killing, coding, image compression/modification, generating placeholder content, Notion/Todist integration, and even navigation with Arc Browser. Raycast even includes its own AI. Also: I ditched Spotlight on my Mac for this more powerful search tool – and it’s freeRaycast is simple to install, and during the installation you have the opportunity to add plugins, enable AI, and grant access to your calendar, contacts, files, folders, and accessibility (the accessibility feature is necessary if you want Raycast to manage windows for you). More

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    This laptop docking station made it easy to replace my PC – and it’s super slim

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Belkin Connect Universal Pro Dock retails for $150 This midrange docking station is an excellent accessory, adding 11 additional ports while serving as a supportive base The device sports a power cable that cannot be removed and may get in the way. more buying choices Laptop or desktop? I’m sure […] More

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    My new favorite PC accessory lets me stay productive when traveling for work

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The CaseUp Combo includes ProtoArc’s wireless keyboard, mouse, and laptop stand for $99 on Amazon. The ease of use and transport make this a solid option for improving your hybrid and remote work setup. The mouse, while comfortable, might be too small for some people. –> There is no shortage of […] More