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ZDNET’s key takeaways The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus undercut the Pro models by up to $400 while still offering similar features. The configurable Action button and Camera Control offer users more iOS shortcuts than ever, though they come with learning curves. The features that I hoped Apple would improve this year — such as the 60Hz refresh rate and slower-than-average 20W wired charging — haven’t changed. more buying choices I’ve been testing the…

ZDNET’s key takeaways A Shine Turbine kit, which includes that turbine, stand, guy lines and pegs costs $399, while the essentials kit, which adds a few more bits such as a wind speed meter, costs $488. The kit includes everything you need to turn wind into electrical energy, and the turbine features a 12,000 mAh battery. There are limitations, which include the weight of the kit and the limited power it generates, 40 Watts. more…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G is a full-color, color paper, and ink paper tablet available at Verizon for $239. It’s a great entertainment tablet for daily use that also functions very well as an e-reader. Although the screen is versatile, don’t expect the graphics to compare to those on an iPad or other high-end tablets. Reading is my favorite hobby and something I’ve come to rely on to wind down before…

Allison Murray/ZDNET ZDNET’s key takeaways: The Audio-Technica AT-LP70X retails for $199 and comes in stylish colors like black and silver, black and bronze, and white and silver. This entry-level turntable has an impressive sound thanks to its stylus, with excellent vibration isolation. However, it doesn’t have an adjustable counterweight or adjustable anti-skate. When I first started my vinyl journey in 2013, all I had was a pink suitcase turntable that would eventually take its toll…

Allison Murray/ZDNET ZDNET’s key takeaways The Hatch Restore 2 sunrise alarm clock retails for $170 and comes in three colors. This device acts as an alarm clock and a sound machine that provides meditations, sleep stories, and soothing sounds to help you sleep better.  However, it is a larger device — especially for smaller nightstands. Plus, you have to factor a $50/year membership fee into its total cost. I have a hard time falling asleep…

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET I own countless multitools and other gizmos, but I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve needed something and it’s been left at home or in the car because it’s just not possible to have a toolbox dangling off my belt. Yet what I do have with me most of the time is my keychain — and, as it turns out, it’s the perfect way to EDC (Everyday Carry) useful bits and…

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET Arch Linux is well known for being one of the more challenging Linux distributions. The primary reason is the installation process, which is handled via a script (instead of a GUI installer).  That sense of challenge doesn’t mean Arch Linux is a distribution to avoid because there are plenty of distributions based on Arch with user-friendly GUI installers. Once installed, those distributions can be fairly straightforward, but not all of them….

ZDNET’s key takeaways Amazon’s Ring Battery Doorbell Pro is available for $230. The high-end video doorbell is battery-powered, making it easy to install anywhere; it also has the Pro features that Ring is known for, such as Bird’s-Eye View and 3D Motion Detection. You’ll need to pay a subscription to access most features, and the resolution is capped at 1536p instead of 2K. more buying choices Ring has become the quintessential brand for video doorbells….

Dyson/ZDNET If you want to add a Dyson cordless vacuum to your home without breaking the bank, you’d do well to look into the Dyson V7 Advanced. This cordless vacuum is lightweight enough to clean everywhere but powerful enough for all your cleaning needs — and it’s down by $200 at Walmart ahead of the holidays. The Dyson V7 Advanced cordless vacuum cleaner is typically priced at $400, but this deal has reduced that to $200….

Anker Smartphone accessory brand Anker has recalled three wireless speakers: the Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker in black and two PowerConf S3 Bluetooth Speakers. The impacted devices sport model numbers A3102016, A3302011, and A3302031, respectively. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the speakers have faulty lithium-ion batteries that “can overheat, posing a fire hazard.” The CPSC states it has “received 33 reports of incidents” involving the hardware emitting smoke, starting a small fire, and,…