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    Best early Prime Day smartwatch and fitness tracker deals: My 12 favorite sales live now

    When is Amazon Prime Day 2025? Amazon Prime Day takes place from July 8 through July 11 this year. This is when the retailer cuts deals on thousands of products, mostly ones it owns (think Kindle, Ring, and Alexa). To get in on the deals hype, other brands will discount their products during Prime Day to boost overall sales. Are health trackers really cheaper on Prime Day? I’ve seen some sweet discounts on health trackers during my time as an editor covering these events. We’ve seen record savings on tech, including Apple Watches and Oura Rings. How did we choose these Prime Day deals?I cover health wearables for my job, and I’m particular about the products I like and don’t like. If something isn’t worth my while, I’m not writing about it. The same goes for these deals. Our experts looked for deals that were at least 20% off (or are hardly ever on sale), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops. We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we’re recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing — in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter.  More

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    I finally found a wall charger than can replace my AirTag when I travel – and its still on sale

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Twelve South’s PlugBug is a wall charger optimized for iOS, offering native Find My support. It’s especially convenient for frequent flyers who are prone to misplacing their vital charging cables. The device is pricey but worth it for its bulk, versatility, and convenience. –> The PlugBug Travel 120W<!–> is currently on […] More

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    I replaced my work PC with this Dell laptop – now I’m wondering why I waited so long

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Alienware 18 Area-51 normally retails for $3,199. It is a gaming laptop that delivers an unbelievable performance thanks to its powerful hardware and equally powerful cooling system. Traveling with the computer will prove difficult because of its weight; you’ll also have to pay quite a bit for the system. more […] More

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    How to use a circuit breaker finder to understand your home’s wiring (and why it matters so much)

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Klein Tools 80016 Circuit Breaker Finder effectively maps circuits throughout your home. It’s a useful tool with clear discovery indicators and improved safety features. It’s somewhat pricey at $65, with minimal directions for beginners. –> Do you ever wonder what wall socket corresponds to which circuit breaker or circuit in […] More

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    Microsoft unveils Windows 11 25H2 – here’s who can try it now and how

    Lance Whitney / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETMicrosoft has rolled out the initial build of this year’s annual update for Windows 11, known as 25H2. Now available for Windows insiders, the 2025 version should install and run without too many hiccups, promising a smoother experience compared with the launch of the 24H2 edition.Also: Can’t upgrade your Windows 10 PC? Here are your options before it all ends in 3 monthsIn an IT blog post published Friday, Microsoft explained how and why Windows 11 25H2 is supposed to go down easy — certainly easier than its predecessor. First, the 25H2 installation package is smaller than for prior versions. With Windows 11 24H2, Microsoft performed an OS swap, completely replacing all the system files, even ones that didn’t need updating. That resulted in a larger package that took longer to install. With 25H2, Microsoft is replacing only the files that do need to be updated, so the installation will be leaner and run faster. Second, Microsoft is applying the same technology used in regular Windows updates to the 25H2 update. Through a process called “feature updates via servicing,” the new annual update is designed to install with just a single restart — one that aims to get you back to Windows quickly and easily. Also: How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 – 2 free optionsThird, Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 share the same source code. The only difference is that any new features in the 2025 version are simply disabled in the 2024 version. This means that Windows insiders who want to test the new flavor only have to focus on the new features instead of all the apps, devices, and other OS components. Hopefully, Microsoft learned a few lessons from the debacle of Windows 11 24H2. Almost from the get-go, that edition was plagued by a series of bugs and glitches, one after the other. Updates that tried to fix one set of problems sometimes caused a whole new set. With all the issues and incompatibilities, the company was forced to block the update for a variety of PCs. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that 25H2 will be a much more stable and reliable version, even as Microsoft adds new features. More