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    This entry-level robot vacuum left some of my expensive ones in the dust and it’s on sale for $150

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways At $199, the Tapo RV20 Max is an affordable option that works surprisingly well. The RV20 Max robot vacuum features strong 5,300Pa suction, great navigation skills that don’t use the bump-and-run system, and plenty of customization options for the price. On the downside, the Tapo RV20 Max doesn’t have great obstacle […] More

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    The 30+ best early anti-Amazon Spring Sale deals 2025: Walmart, Best Buy, Costco, and more

    When is Amazon’s Spring Sale 2025? Amazon’s Big Spring Sale returns Tuesday, March 25, and ends Monday, March 31.Also: Everything you need to know about Amazon’s Big Spring Sale 2025Are deals really better during Amazon sales? Deals on flagship Amazon products are typically the best during Amazon’s own sales. These sales are also a great opportunity to scoop up decent savings across dozens of categories. Keep in mind that you’ll be able to shop at plenty of other retailers during the same period as Amazon’s sale as retailers look to compete. Will other retailers offer spring savings? Yes, other major retailers will likely offer their discounts via competing sales. Often, retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and more directly match (or sometimes outdo) Amazon’s pricing during sale events. It’s not unusual to see the same products on sale for the same price across many retailers. I expect many competing sale events to precede, overlap, or follow Amazon’s spring sale. How did we choose these anti-Amazon Spring Sale deals?ZDNET only writes about deals we want to buy — devices and products we desire, need or would recommend. 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 on sale and how frequently it drops. We also reviewed customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we recommend. Our recommendations may also be based on our testing — in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.What are the best early Amazon Spring Sale 2025 deals? ZDNET’s experts are searching through early Amazon Spring Sale deals to find the best discounts by category. These are the best early deals so far:You can also find the best early Amazon Spring Sale deals by price:And the best deals from other retailers this week: More

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    This 2600W power station is more than $800 off right now – and I don’t expect it to last

    Bluetti Power stations are increasingly popular, but as their capacity grows, so does the price tag. A system capable of handling heavy loads and providing enough battery capacity to power a home during an outage typically costs around $2,000.  Also: The best portable power stations you can buy However, there are opportunities to find great deals. […] More

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    I switched to this $379 Android phone while traveling and didn’t miss my Pixel 9 Pro

    <!–> 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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    Amazon Big Spring Sale 2025: Here’s everything you need to know before the sale starts tomorrow

    Adam Breeden/ZDNETAmazon’s second annual Big Spring Sale (commonly known as the Amazon Spring Sale or Spring Deal Days in the UK) will return tomorrow, Tuesday, March 25. Also: The best early Amazon Spring Sale deals live nowThe last week has already been littered with plenty of early offers at the retailer, but the official Big Spring Sale will extend through Monday, March 31. Earlier this month, Amazon shared that customers can expect savings of up to 40% off categories like home, outdoor, and more, highlighting daily deal drops, select Prime-only offers, and more. Also: Amazon’s Spring Sale is incoming, but so is Walmart Super Savings Week and Target Circle WeekAs ZDNET’s deal connoisseur, I’m using my extensive hands-on tech experience and seasoned commerce skills to cover sales and deals. I break down everything you need to know to shop like a pro any time of the year — plus all of the details about Amazon’s first major sale event of 2025. Be sure to check back here for everything you need to know to shop savvy this Big Spring Sale, especially as the event kicks off tomorrow. When is Amazon’s Spring Sale?Amazon’s Big Spring sale starts tomorrow, Tuesday, March 2025. My early estimations — based on information shared on Amazon’s Seller Forum in February — placed the Big Spring Sale returning on Wednesday, March 26. On March 18, Amazon confirmed that the second annual Big Spring Sale event will begin on Tuesday, March 25, and end on Monday, March 31, 2025.  More

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    10 Siri tips and tricks to make it less terrible (and more helpful)

    ZDNETAs an iPhone user, I’ve been waiting years for Siri to improve. But if anything, Apple’s beleaguered voice assistant has gotten worse. Whether I’m chatting with Siri when I’m at home, out and about, or behind the wheel via CarPlay, it still often fails to respond correctly.I’ve tried using other assistants, such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Those are helpful when I need in-depth information or analysis. But since Siri is built into iOS, it’s the only one able to handle personal information or interact directly with my phone. If I need to play music, get directions, set a reminder, call or text a contact, add an appointment, activate a shortcut, or launch an app, I have to use Siri. That means I’m stuck with it, for better or worse. Also: How to turn on Siri’s new glow effect on iOS 18 – and other settings you should tweakBut I don’t have to just accept the worse part. Despite Siri’s faults and flaws, there are ways to improve its behavior. You can correct certain mistakes, modify your questions, retrain your voice, change Siri’s own voice, and tweak specific options. Though Apple is the one that ultimately has to fix Siri, you can at least take certain steps to make it less terrible. Here are 10 ways to do just that. How to make Siri less terrible What you need: An Apple device with Siri, such as an iPhone or iPad. In this guide, I’ll show you how to improve Siri on an iPhone. More