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    8 reasons why I replaced my Kindle with an iPad Mini for reading ebooks

    Lance Whitney/ZDNETI like to read in bed before I nod off to sleep. Though I enjoy the feel and texture of a good, old-fashioned printed book, I typically turn to ebooks because they’re easier on the eyes. And what do I use as a reader? No, not a Kindle, but my trusty iPad mini.Also: I finally found a tablet that can easily replace my iPad and Kindle (and is affordably priced)I’ve tried a couple of Kindles in the past, but didn’t quite take to them. For me, the iPad mini is a more versatile device that offers certain advantages over a Kindle. First, though, I’m going to discuss the ways in which the Kindle beats an iPad mini. Yep, I’m playing devil’s advocate to start.4 ways Kindle beats iPad mini for readingTo start, there’s the price. Kindles come in different sizes, formats, and price tags. But even the most expensive Kindle, the 64GB Kindle Scribe More

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    I switched to the Dell 14 Premium for two weeks, and it made my XPS laptop look bad

    Dell 14 Premium <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Dell’s latest high-performance laptop is currently on sale starting at $1,500. It’s superbly designed, with a sleek, modern build and powerful, but accessible, hardware. It runs warm, and requires power management from the user to get the most out of the battery. –> Dell’s laptop rebrand may have […] More

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    Firefox Focus won me over in just 10 mins – why it’s my new default mobile browser

    Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET ZDNET’s key takeaways Firefox Focus is a security and privacy-focused mobile browser.This browser offers a minimal UI and maximum privacy features.Firefox Focus is available for both Android and iOS.I’ve run the gamut of web browsers on Android, and every time I think I’ve found “the one,” I discover a reason not to use it. That reason might be a cluttered UI, a lack of options, or not enough security.Recently, however, I came across a browser that checked all the boxes… especially within the realm of privacy and security. No, it’s not Tor or Brave, it’s Firefox Focus, which is ironic given I’d only recently sworn off Firefox browsers. However, Firefox Focus is good enough to make me overlook that claim. Firefox Focus has been around for a bit and is a mobile-only browser that aims to be a simple and private web browser. It delivers on that promise. Also: The Firefox I loved is gone – how to protect your privacy on it nowImagine stripping a browser to its bare bones and leaving just the features necessary to render pages properly (and quickly) and remain private and secure. That’s what Firefox Focus is. The UI doesn’t include all the finery found in other browsers (the start page offers a URL bar, a menu button, and the keyboard once you tap the URL bar). That’s it. There are no bookmarks, suggested sites, news, or any other bloated features you might find on other browsers. Firefox Focus is lean and ready to do the one thing browsers should do… render pages securely and privately.Firefox Focus is free and can be found in both the Google App Store and the Apple App Store. What makes Firefox Focus so special? As you’ve most likely surmised, Firefox Focus is all about privacy. Also: 5 reasons why Firefox is still my favorite browser – and deserves more respectIf you open the Settings page, you’ll find only five sections: General, Privacy and Security, Search, Advanced, and Mozilla. Tap the General section, and you’ll see only three options: Theme, Language, and Make Firefox Focus default browser. It’s not until you tap the Privacy and Security section that you finally see what this browser is really all about. More

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    5 settings I changed on my TV to greatly reduced my electricity bill – and why they work

    Adam Breeden/ZDNETA modern TV uses significantly less energy than one from a decade ago — which makes sense, given how much more power-efficient today’s display panels have become.According to Perch Energy, the average power consumption of an old TV runs around $54 per year in energy costs. Because LED-backlit TVs and OLEDs consume less power than traditional LCD screens, newer models cost about $32 annually. Also: How to clear your TV cache (and why you shouldn’t wait to do it)In large part, the bigger your screen size, the more power your TV requires. But there are ways to attenuate your TV’s power consumption every time you turn it on. Here are some settings you can change to save more money on your next electricity bill. Even if it’s just tens of dollars that you’re ultimately saving, it’s still a little less money coming out of your pocket, and that’s the goal. More