ZDNET found the best cheap tech gifts — and deals — under $25, so you can save on gift-giving for everyone on your list.
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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Nearly all developers now rely on AI tools.
- AI amplifies strengths and magnifies dysfunction.
- High-quality platforms are a must for AI success.
Google released its 2025 DORA software development report. DORA (DevOps Research & Assessment) is a research program at Google (part of the Google Cloud organization). DORA explores the capabilities and factors that drive software delivery and…
Apple’s iPhone 17 will forever change how we take selfies – including on Android phones

Selfie with iJustine and Tim Cook at 2025 Apple Event.
Jason Hiner/ZDNET
We always knew people took a lot of selfies, but when Apple unveiled its 2025 fall devices, it revealed that iPhone users had taken over 500 billion selfies in the past year. Since there are about 1.5 billion iPhone users in the world, that’s an average of about 330 selfies a year per person.
In this selfie taken on the iPhone 17, you can see the level of detail in the face, hat, and the texture on the wall. You can also see…
50 AI agents get their first annual performance review – 6 lessons learned

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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- McKinsey implemented and observed 50+ agentic AI builds for one year.
- Digital employees require a lot of work to get up to speed.
- AI agents aren’t the best answer to all business needs.
By many accounts, AI agents are considered digital co-workers in today’s workforce. So, as with human workers, they should be subjected to an annual performance review, right?
The folks at…
My favorite smart bulbs add ambience to any home, and they’re under $20 before October Prime Day

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Lighting can literally make or break your home, and I am a big advocate against “the big light” (any harsh overhead lighting). Instead, I utilize lamps, candles, and other small lights to create a vibe in my home.
Also: The best October Prime Day deals live now
One of my favorite ways to add color and moodiness to my lighting setup is through GE Cync bulbs. You can control these light bulbs’ color and brightness, and they…
The best Linux laptops in 2025: Expert tested for students, hobbyists, and pros
Once only a favorite among coding and programming professionals and niche hobbyists, Linux has been steadily rising in popularity over the years. Since it’s open source, there are plenty of different Linux distributions available for you to test and see what’s best for your skill level and needs.
Linux can even be used to give an old laptop or desktop new life as a learning tool for beginner programmers. While Mac users have some catching up to do in terms of distro support, there are plenty of…
- Price: $60
- Features: 40 pages | Pilot FriXion erasable pen | Scratch-resistant faux leather cover
For the person always making to-do lists, this smart notebook features an embedded near-field communication (NFC) chip that, when held up to an NFC-enabled smartphone running iOS or Android, leads to the Rocketbook app. This will then let you scan your pages and save them as a shareable PDF, individually or as a bundle.
Review: Why this reusable smart notebook is the perfect tech gadget for students
It can…

TravlFi JourneyGo 4G Hotspot
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The TravelFi JourneyGo 4G Hotspot normally retails for $199.
- Roughly the size of a hockey puck, this is an easy-to-use device that provides stable Wi-Fi connections away from home.
- It does, however, struggle in high traffic areas.
more buying choices
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Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been testing an interesting little gadget called the JourneyGo 4G Hotspot. It’s about the size of a hockey puck…
My favorite backyard spotlight camera just hit its lowest price ever on Amazon

ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Battery typically sells for $230 but is currently on sale for $140
- This Pro-level Ring camera has a removable rechargeable battery pack, top-of-the-line audio performance, and supports dual-band Wi-Fi, 2.4 and 5.0 GHz
- Unfortunately, the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro’s spotlights only reach 300 lumens in brightness, and the Pro features are only available with a subscription.
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Best Walmart deals to compete with Prime Day 2025: All-time-low prices from Microsoft, Samsung, and more
When is October Prime Day 2025?
This year, Amazon’s October Prime Day sale runs from October 7 to 8. The annual sale will last for two days in the fall, and you can expect to see a range of deals on household goods and electronics.
Are Walmart products really cheaper on Prime Day?
They can be! Ever since Black Friday first launched, online retailers have jumped on Amazon sales events to launch their own ‘anti-‘ sales events. If consumers are in the mood to shop, then retailers want a slice of the…
