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    I tested a Whoop alternative that’s just as smart but with no subscription fees – and it’s great

    Polar Loop <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Polar Loop is available in three colors for $199.99. The band is very comfortable, the heart rate readings are accurate, and the sleep tracking is useful The app doesn’t align well with this type of wearable, there is no alarm, and automatic tracking may be a bit delayed. […] More

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    Tired of Windows? Why this ‘premium’ Chromebook is my new favorite recommendation

    Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Acer’s 14-inch Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is available now for $649. Its marathon battery, snappy performance, and affordable price point make it punch above its weight. Its physical build won’t appeal to everyone, it has some hardware limitations, and its speakers are very basic. –> Follow […] More

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    Own a PS5? Changing these 3 settings gave my system a big performance boost

    To help protect your privacy while using your PS5, you can customize certain settings to control what information is visible to others, restrict who can communicate with you, and manage your account security. This includes limiting who can see your online status, gaming history, and profile information, as well as controlling access to your account and console. Under Settings, head to Users and Accounts > Privacy > View and Customize Your Privacy Settings. Here, you can control who can see your real name, profile picture, friends list, game activity and history, and who can send friend requests or interact with you online. For each of the variables in this menu, I recommend choosing “No One” and “Close Friends Only.” This should significantly reduce unwanted friend requests or spam.Also: How to clear your TV cache (and why you shouldn’t wait to do it)If you’re like me, you don’t feel a need to infuse Sony’s database with more personal information than required, such as the voice data collected through your DualSense controller’s microphone.Under Privacy, scroll down to “Control how your data is collected and used” to access three options: Data You Provide, Personalization, and Voice Data Collection. For the former (Data You Provide), change the setting to Limited. For Personalization, I recommend turning off all four of the sub-options, including Standard Personalization. For the latter, switch to Don’t Allow for Voice Data Collection. More

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    Buying an Android smartwatch? I found one that’s highly functional and affordable

    Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro is available in Obsidian black for $349 (but on sale for $157 at the time of writing). This Google Wear OS smartwatch offers long battery life, dual-display technology, and a sapphire glass display. The watch currently runs Wear OS 3.5 […] More

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    Best early Black Friday gaming PC deals 2025: My favorite sales out early

    When is Black Friday? Black Friday 2025 falls on Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving. But if you’re looking to get a jump on your holiday shopping, retailers like Amazon and Best Buy are already offering markdowns on everything you need to upgrade your PC gaming setup. From monitors and headsets, keyboards and speakers, to desktops and laptops, you’ll be able to build the battle station you’ve always dreamed of without spending a fortune. Are gaming PCs and accessories really cheaper during Black Friday? While you’re more likely to see the steepest discounts on accessories like headsets, keyboards, and mice, as well as sales on digital games, you can still snap up a new desktop or laptop for a decent price if you keep a sharp eye out. You can also find decent discounts on PC building components, like CPUs and SSDs for upgrading your current build or setting up a new DIY PC.How did we choose these early Black Friday deals?The holiday shopping season is prime sale time for all things gaming, and with so much going on sale at once, it can be hard to know where to look to find the best markdowns on things you actually want or need for your setup. I only included computers, peripherals, and accessories from well-known and trusted brands like HP and Lenovo, because taking a gamble on an unknown brand usually ends in disaster on Christmas morning. I also only included the best discounts I could find on the most sought-after components and accessories, as well as pre-built desktops and gaming laptops, and I didn’t include anything that wasn’t at least 15% off to help you get the most out of your holiday shopping budget. More

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    Best early Black Friday TV deals 2025: Save on Samsung, TCL, and more

    When is Black Friday? In the US, Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday falls on Nov. 28, but you can already find great discounts on high-end and midrange TVs from brands like Samsung, Sony, and more, both online and at brick-and-mortar retailers. Are TVs really cheaper during Black Friday? They can be! Televisions are one of the few big-ticket tech items that regularly see sales and markdowns throughout the year, but especially during Black Friday and the entire holiday shopping season. Both big-name brands like LG and Sony, as well as smaller names like TCL and Hisense, will offer significant markdowns around the holidays to clear inventory space for the new model year releases.How did we choose these early Black Friday deals?When it comes to TV deals, not all of them are created equal. For this list, I chose only the best TV models with the steepest discounts, ignoring everything that wasn’t at least 20% off. I also made sure to include a variety of screen sizes to help you find the perfect TV to fit your space without breaking your budget. More

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    Best early Black Friday Samsung deals 2025: 25 sales out now

    When is Black Friday? When Black Friday first appeared in the holiday calendar, the major shopping event used to just be on the last Friday of November each year. However, many retailers now offer their own sales over the course of a whole week, and so you can expect sales to appear from Monday, Nov. 24. Black Friday itself falls on Friday, Nov. 28, and Cyber Monday — a great time to pick up bargain tech — launches on Dec. 1.Are Samsung products really cheaper during Black Friday? Sometimes! Samsung manufactures everything from smartphones to smart fridges, so it really depends on what you are looking for. However, it’s not uncommon to see discounts of at least 20% on some Samsung devices, and sometimes even more with high-ticket items like The Frame TV range.How did we choose these early Black Friday deals?ZDNET only writes about deals that capture our own interest — devices and products we want, need, or would recommend not only to our readers, but to friends and family. Our experts look for deals at least 20% off (or hardly ever on sale), using established price-comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually worth your time. We also examine customer reviews and rely on our own hands-on experience with new tech to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products we’re recommending. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice and to make you aware of price drops so you can shop smarter.  More