Information Technology

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Mileseey S50 laser measuring tool <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Mileseey S50 is available now for $129. It’s a pocket-sized laser measuring tool with high-precision measurements up to 400 ft (120 m) with ±1/16 inch accuracy. It’s pricey and might be feature overkill for some. –> Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source<!–> on Google. Some of my […] More

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

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

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

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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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