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A large part of my job involves testing MagSafe battery packs for ZDNET, and as someone who’s tried over a dozen in this year alone, I’d recommend gifting most people the Torras MiniMag over any other battery pack this season.  Also: This ultra-thin battery pack I tested is a must-have travel gadget (and it works with MagSafe) This 5,000mAh battery pack is a great, typical battery capacity for everyday power-ups as well as a backup boost…

Amazon Has it been a while since the last season of your favorite show and you forgot what happened? Did you get distracted scrolling while watching a new show and miss an important part? A new feature from Prime Video can help you catch up – while avoiding spoilers. Called X-Ray Recaps, the feature will be exclusive to Fire TV devices at first but roll out gradually to other devices. As Amazon explains, the new feature…

The holiday shopping season will be here before you know it. But if you can’t wait until Black Friday sales officially kick off to upgrade or replace your TV, you can find some incredible early holiday deals at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. You’ll find great discounts from brands like Sony, LG, TCL, and Hisense on everything from high-end OLED models to entry-level smart TVs for college dorms and first apartments.  Also: The best Black…

Allison Murray/ZDNET Imagine investing nearly $300 in the first full-color Kindle, only to notice a subtle yellow tint at the bottom of the screen that doesn’t seem to go away. This has been a common observation shared by some new Kindle Colorsoft users on social media, with responses ranging from mild annoyance to refund requests.   Amazon introduced the Kindle Colorsoft a few weeks ago, sparking excitement among fans. This new full-color Kindle is especially…

Let me start by saying that I really liked the first iteration of this battery pack (enough to have it included on this list over the last several months), and I like the newly upgraded Qi2 version even more (so much so that the BoostCharge has just boosted its way to the top of this list).  This new model has the USB-C connector on the side instead of the bottom of the pack, making it…

Score a Microsoft Office license now at a big discount. StackSocial Whether you’re setting up your new laptop or using a machine you’ve had for years, access to Microsoft Office is a necessity for many of us to get things done. Right now, you can buy a lifetime license to the 2019 version of Microsoft Office Professional Plus for either Windows or Mac from Stack Social for $28 — that’s 87% off.  The only major difference between Office…

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are only a few weeks away, and ZDNET’s team of tech experts are already scouting the web for the best tech deals so you don’t have to.  Also: The best Black Friday deals live now New smart technologies continue to revolutionize the home security industry, ranging from smart locks to security cameras and whole home security systems. Some cameras on this list are indoor or outdoor, some are wireless versions powered…

Headphones are an essential part of your everyday technology. A reliable pair of over-ear headphones helps you get through your daily commute and can even give you the option to silence the outside world. However, headphones from premium brands often command prices upwards of $600. Even with seasonal discounts, some of the best headphones from Apple, Bose, or Sony still have $330+ price tags. There is usually a significant difference in sound, build, and noise-canceling…

When you’re looking for a new virtual private network (VPN) setup, you have a choice: you can install VPN software directly on the devices you want to protect, or you can install a VPN on your router. VPNs provide encrypted tunnels that protect online communications, making it more difficult to track you or steal your information. They also allow you to mask your IP address so that it appears as if you’re in a different…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Oukitel RT3 Pro is available for preorder now on Oukitel’s site. This tablet is a rugged little beast that will take a beating and still perform as well as any mid-range Android. The RT3 Pro’s performance will not blow you away. I’ve become a fan of Oukitel phones and tablets. The company creates devices that don’t have to be treated with a heightened sense of fear that any drop or spill…