NETWORKING

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Soundpeats Air 5 earbuds are available now on Amazon for $71. These earbuds deliver a remarkably clean sound and a good fit. I had to reboot my Pixel 9 Pro phone before the earbuds were recognized. I’ve been reviewing earbuds, headphones, and speakers for a long time. One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that headphones tend to follow trends with sound. Back when Beats first came into being, the…

Nintendo/Amazon/ZDNET Right now at Amazon, you can pick up this Nintendo Switch bundle for just $315 during their Black Friday sale event, which is a rare, roughly 10% discount on one of the most popular consoles to-date. Along with the standard Switch console and neon red/blue Joy-Con controllers, you’ll also get a digital download code for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and a redemption code for 3 months of Nintendo Online (a $60 total value). Also:…

The Oukitel OT5 is a great bargain for a tablet that can serve many needs. Jack Wallen/ZDNET ZDNET’s key takeaways The Oukitel OT5 Android tablet is on sale for $240 on Amazon for Black Friday. This tablet has an incredible battery life and a buttery smooth display that is sure to please any Android tablet user. The cameras don’t compare to those of costlier devices. Android tablets get a bad rap — and there’s a…

Yuichiro Chino/Getty Images The experts have declared that we are leaving the age of digital transformation and entering a new era of AI transformation. The good news is that the groundwork from earlier digital change programs, from cloud computing implementations to forays into machine learning, will provide a strong bedrock to build new AI transformations. Also: 4 ways to turn generative AI experiments into real business value However, the shift to an age of AI will…

Richard Drury/Getty Images ZDNET’s key takeaways Monarch Money is one of the most feature-rich personal financial programs I’ve tested, and now it’s 30% off for the first year. Pros: It’s easy to set up and has powerful tools for analyzing finances and building a budget.  Cons: It’s one of the more expensive Mint alternatives I’ve tested. I spent last Thanksgiving week looking at personal finance programs. Why? When Intuit decided to bury Mint, its popular…

peepo/Getty Images The year 2024 delivered all the drama technology fans could want: AI dominance, chip wars, smart devices that were anything but, and a social media implosion that’s already a case study in corporate mismanagement. From monumental wins to jaw-dropping failures, here’s the definitive breakdown of the year’s tech highs and lows. Also: The best Black Friday deals live now Losers 1. X (formerly Twitter): A masterclass in self-destruction Elon Musk spent 2024 doubling…

Remarkable/ZDNET With Black Friday just a few days away, the ReMarkable 2 tablet is $70 off its regular price when bundled with the Marker Plus and either the Type Folio for $559 or the Book Folio for $529.   The brand’s flagship product is a mainstay for creative professionals who prefer a pen-to-paper experience, but who also need integration with digital documents. Bundled with the Marker Plus (the ReMarkable’s proprietary stylus) and the Folio case for…

Stack Social If you live near a BJ’s Wholesale Club and have been thinking about buying a membership, now is a great time: New members can buy an annual membership for just $20 (reg. $55) through this Stack Social deal — saving you 63%.  BJ’s is similar to Costco and Sam’s Club (both of which also are offering membership deals right now through the links provided), in that you can save up to 25% off…

Shopping at wholesale retailers like Sam’s Club is a great way to take advantage of the best Black Friday deals. These stores offer significant discounts on highly sought-after tech and other products throughout the holiday shopping season. Shopping for gifts for friends and family adds up quickly, so saving some money isn’t a bad idea.  Also: The best Black Friday deals live now Like Costco, Sam’s Club is a membership-based wholesale retailer. While non-members can shop…

TCL/ZDNET The holidays are almost here, and it’s a great time to take advantage of deals on big-screen TVs. The 98-inch TCL Q65 is currently $1,400 off at Amazon — which means you can snag a brand-new, cinema-sized TV for just $1,600.  Also: The best Black Friday deals live now An updated version of TCL’s mid-range TV, the Q65 offers support for both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for improved picture quality and virtual surround sound…