Going to CES is a lot like going on a treasure hunt. You know youre going to be surrounded by tech, but a lot of the stuff you see is either mediocre or iterative. Only one in maybe a thousand or two thousand products actually achieves something so game-changing, you stop, observe, interact, and then praise. At this years CES in Las Vegas, the Haply MinVerse was that product for me. At first glance, it looked like an unassuming input device, but the moment I placed my hand on it, everything changed. This wasnt a typical mouse. It moved in ways no mouse ever had beforethrough three dimensions instead of twoand, more importantly, it let me feel what was happening on the screen.The MinVerse, developed by Haply Robotics, introduces a level of tactile interaction that redefines digital creation. Instead of passively gliding through surfaces, it reacts to the virtual world, pushing back when encountering solid surfaces, offering the sensation of weight, and making digital objects feel real. Sculpting in 3D suddenly felt natural, as if I was actually pushing clay rather than manipulating polygons. Controlling objects felt precise, like my hands were directly influencing on-screen physics. Ive spent years playing VR games knowing fully well that the virtual wall in front of me isnt real but with the MinVerse, I tried touching a 3D surface, and the mouse stopped my hand the moment it hit resistance. Thats truly mind-bending.Designers: Felix Desourdy & Romain BursiClick Here to Buy Now: $670 $1500 ($830 off). Hurry, only 13/15 left! Raised over $80,000.The MinVerse was developed by the folks at Haply Robotics as an iterative improvement to their Inverse robot. The Inverse (which I saw first) is a 3D input and haptic feedback device designed for industrial and scientific applications. Its impressive, but it isnt consumer-grade. Realizing that 3D input should be for consumers and smaller creators too, Haply designed the MinVerse, a smaller, flatter, and more advanced version of its predecessor. About the size of a large power-bank, the MinVerse sits at just 40mm or 1.5 inches in height, with the ability to be used on its own, attached to a computer mouse, or even a stylus effectively revolutionizing fields like design, engineering, creative coding, game development, and even gaming itself.The device measures 240mm (9.4 inches) wide, 120mm (4.7 inches) deep, and 40mm (1.5 inches) tall when folded shut. Open it and you notice how unique it looks compared to any mouse youve ever seen, but you also immediately get the hang of it in minutes without really any learning curve. The mouses parallel linkage arms allow for any movement on a 2D plane, but lift your hand off the floor and you realize that you can now manipulate the same cursor in another axis.A 4kHz refresh rate means smooth usage whether youre modeling or gaming. Plus, its force feedback, ranging from 2N to 4N, ensures that users dont just see virtual objects but physically sense them. If a cursor hits a wall, the MinVerse pushes back, making the digital barrier feel solid and I cant stress enough how much of a quantum leap this combination of 3D manipulation and haptic reaction is for a lot of professions.For 3D artists and designers, it offers a way to sculpt, model, and manipulate objects with realistic force feedback. Instead of relying solely on visual cues, they can feel the depth, texture, and weight of their creations. Game developers using software like Blender and Unity can position assets, adjust camera angles, and refine animations with an intuitive sense of touch, making workflows more natural.Engineers and robotics enthusiasts benefit from the precise force feedback when controlling robotic arms or piloting drones. Instead of abstract joystick movements, they can physically feel the machines response, leading to more accurate and immersive control. Even gamers will find the experience transformativewhether its feeling the tension of a bowstring, the weight of a sword, or the kickback of a firearm, the MinVerse brings digital interactions closer to reality.Imagine designing a product and being able to feel how its parts fit together before manufacturing. Or training in a simulated environment where the controls respond like real-world machinery. This technology has the potential to go beyond creative industries, extending into education, medical training, and even remote-controlled robotics.Ill be honest Haptic feedback isnt new, but integrating it into a consumer device at this level is a major leap forward. The device recreates the sensation of textures, resistance, and force, allowing users to feel surfaces, materials, and physical interactions as if they were truly there. The MinVerse does for mice what the Oculus Rift did in 2012 for VR headsets make them popular, affordable, compact, and potentially create a new device category for consumers and professionals.The MinVerse is available for a discounted price of $670 for early adopters, studios (both design and gaming), robotics startups, engineers, and 3D modelers/animators. Its not cheap but devices that are a generational leap arent supposed to be budget-focused. It comes in a gorgeous matte-metallic space-grey finish along with a comprehensive kit of modules. The modular attachmentsincluding a stylus, a 2D mouse mode, and a VR controllerallow the MinVerse to switch functions seamlessly. The MinVerse connects via USB-C and features a wireless stylus, with a wireless mouse mode coming soon.Click Here to Buy Now: $670 $1500 ($830 off). Hurry, only 13/15 left! Raised over $80,000.The post Game-Changing Haptic 3D Mouse Lets You Feel Digital Objects Like Theyre Real We Tried It first appeared on Yanko Design.

Football fans spent months preparing for Kendrick Lamars Super Bowl LIX halftime show, but no one was expecting to see the artist take another dig at Drake with a stadium-sized PlayStation Easter Egg.Most of the rappers set went off as expected. While the crowd cheered to spins on hits from records like DAMN and GNX, appearances from stars like Samuel Jackson and SZA helped take the show to new heights. Of course, there were plenty of references to Lamars infamous 2024 beef with Drake, too, but what audiences didnt expect was how the Super Bowl performer chose to finally close the door on the former Degrassi star. As the lights went down, the words Game Over could be seen illuminated on the side of the stadium, while the stage was revealed to feature PlayStations iconic cross, circle, triangle, and square symbols.Lamars Super Bowl halftime show was always going to be seen as a victory lap when it came to his beef with Drake, but bringing Sony into the fight to finally close that chapter in grand fashion felt especially brutal. Although its not quite clear why the To Pimp a Butterfly artist chose to seemingly channel PlayStation for the end of his year-long fight, music and gaming fans have taken to social media to share their appreciation for the dig nonetheless. At the very least, Lamars already great performance might be better on rewatch once you realize the stage is one big video game reference.With Lamars show now finally putting the beef to bed, its hard not to look at the weekend as one of PlayStations biggest (and strangest) ever. Aside from its surprise spot in the Super Bowl halftime show, the gaming company found itself making headlines on Friday and Saturday morning when gamers were locked out of accessing PSN for an extended period of time. The unscheduled event saw fans unable to play any online titles for around a full day, resulting in one of the longest periods of downtime since the infamous outage of 2011. PlayStation was eventually able to bring PSN back online later yesterday and has stated it will be gifting PlayStation Plus users an additional five days onto their subscriptions.Meanwhile, the Super Bowl still has time to go, and that means more trailers and commercials for some of the biggest movies and TV shows of 2025. Highlights so far include teasers for Jurassic World Rebirth, Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, and Thunderbolts*. For everything included in this year's Big Game, you can see our commercial roundup here.Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning is shaping up to be one of 2025s biggest movies, so Tom Cruise and co made sure to make a splash with a nostalgic Super Bowl LIX trailer ahead of its theatrical premiere this May.The 30-second Big Game spot, unsurprisingly, starts with Cruise on the run before showing familiar shots from the action franchises first installment and the faces hero Ethan Hunt has met along the way. The get-together includes names like Ving Rhames Luther, Simon Peggs Benji, Hayley Atwells Grace, and Pom Klementieffs Paris as audiences get more sneak peeks at some of the death-defying stunts the crew will pull off for their latest impossible mission. Cruises biplane scene still takes the cake as what might be the series gnarliest yet, though it looks like Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning still has a few surprises up its sleeve.PlayThis year's Mission Impossible installment picks up after the events of 2023's Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning. That means the nearly two-year-long wait to see the conclusion to this latest saga is nearly at an end, though the franchise's future after this remains a mystery. Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning comes to theaters May 23, 2025. If you need to play catch up before Cruise's latest premieres, you can see where to watch every film in the series here. For more on the Big Game, you can see our collection of all of the biggest commercials and trailers here.Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

T-Mobile made news during the Super Bowl this year when it announced availability and pricing details for its T-Mobile Starlink service. It turns out the service wont actually require being a T-Mobile customer.For starters, T-Mobile is taking sign-ups for T-Mobile Starlink beta, and access will be free until it exits beta in July. But testing T-Mobile Starlink doesnt require being a T-Mobile customer. The carrier will allow customers of competing carriers to test T-Mobile Starlink beta for free as well. No need to switch carriers.When T-Mobile Starlink officially launches in July, it will be included in Go5G Next plans at no additional cost. T-Mobile customers on other plans can add the satellite-based service to any plan for $15/month.Dont have T-Mobile? The carrier will still sell you access for $20/month.Thats steep pricing for connectivity that is only meant to be used outdoors in areas without cell network coverage, but its a bit of a surprise that T-Mobile Starlink wont require using T-Mobile as your carrier. Heres more from the announcement today:Now in public beta, this breakthrough service, developed in partnership with Starlink, uses straight-out-of-a-sci-fi-movie satellite and mobile communications technology to help keep people connected even you, Verizon and AT&T customers in the more than 500,000 square miles of the country unreached by any carriers earth-bound cell towers. Thats nearly the size of two Texases!T-Mobile Starlink uses specially configured satellites with Direct-to-Cell capabilities orbiting the Earth 200+ miles up in space and traveling at over 17,000 miles per hour to deliver cell phone signals text messages for now with picture messages, data and voice calls coming later to and from locations traditional cell towers cant reach (aka mobile dead zones).As a reminder, the T-Mobile Starlink service is an optional add-on from T-Mobile through its partnership with SpaceX. Apples part is only in supporting T-Mobiles network. iOS 18.3 enables iPhone users to opt out of their carriers satellite connected features, but the software update does not install Starlink on every iPhone. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Apple just introduced a new trade-in promo for new Mac purchases, now through April 2nd. Trade-in values for all models are now slightly higher, with increases ranging from $10 to $50 (via MacRumors).For a limited time, you can take advantage of these higher trade in values while purchasing a new Apple device. Its important to note that these higher values do not apply if youre trading in towards a gift card.The higher values are as follows, in effect until April 2:MacBook Pro: up to $925 (previously $915)MacBook Air: up to $435 (previously $425)MacBook: up to $140 (previously $90)iMac: up to $315 (previously $305)iMac Pro: up to $455 (previously $405)Mac mini: up to $375 (previously $365)Mac Pro: up to $720 (previously $670)If you happen to own an old 12-inch MacBook, iMac Pro, or Mac Pro, youll make the best out of this offer. Otherwise, values are only very slightly higher. Nonetheless, its a convenient offer if youre in the market for a new Apple device.Here are the terms of Apples promo:Get extra trade-in credit when you trade in an eligible Mac and purchase a new eligible Apple device through April 2, 2025. Additional terms from Apple or Apples trade-in partners may apply.My favorite Apple accessories on Amazon:Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Bluesky,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

T-Mobile reshuffled its plans last year and got rid of our previous pick in this spot, the Base Essentials plan that offered a single line for $45 a month. It replaced that option with an Essentials Savings plan, a "limited time" offer of $50 a month for a single line.It has since been renamed to Essentials Saver, and although the plan is largely the same, there are some notable tweaks.The data remains unlimited, and you now get 50GB of high-speed data, instead of the 20GB that Base Essentials offers. T-Mobile hasn't said how long the Essentials Saver option will hang around, but we break downhow it compares to the carrier's plans here.As before, perks like free Netflix or the bundling of taxes and fees into the sticker price aren't included. You do get unlimited hotspots at "3G speeds" and unlimited talk, text and 2G data in Mexico and Canada.At $50 for a single line, the Essentials Saver plan is now the same price for a single line as AT&T's Value Plus plan, and both could be solid options for those looking for a single line without frills.Although the price of the AT&T and T-Mobile plans are now the same, we give T-Mobile the edge here mainly because it includes hotspot access. Even at "3G speeds," the option could be a useful feature in a pinch.It's also worth mentioning that T-Mobile allows for multiple lines on this plan, with two lines running for $80 a month. (If you need three or more, you may want to look at one of T-Mobile's other plans, which could be cheaper thanks to various promotions the carrier regularly runs.)You may need to click "see more plans" and then "explore Essentials Saver plan" on T-Mobile's site to get this option to appear, although lately, the carrier has been showing it alongside its other offerings.

Construction procurement is highly fragmented, manual, and opaque, forcing contractors to juggle multiple suppliers, endure lengthy negotiations, and deal with delayed payments. In Saudi Arabia, where trillion-dollar infrastructure and real estate projects are underway, these inefficiencies are even more pronounced.To address this, BRKZ, a Riyadh-based construction tech startup, offers a tech-enabled managed marketplace that streamlines procurement and provides tailored financing solutions. The company has raised $9 million ($8 million in equity and $1 million in debt), bringing its total Series A funding to $17 million, with investors doubling down. Existing investors, including Aramcos Waed, BECO Capital, Better Tomorrow Ventures, Class 5 Global, Fluent Ventures, Knollwood Investment Advisory, MISY Ventures, RZM Investment and 9900 Capital re-participated.This follows the $8 million Series A1 round BRKZ announced last March.Ibrahim Manna,a former executive at Uber subsidiary Careem, founded BRKZ in 2023 after experiencing these challenges firsthand.After Careems exit to Uber, I bought a family house in May 2020 and faced the inefficiencies of the construction supply chainlack of visibility in material selection, uncertainty around the whereabouts of goods, and price volatility, Manna told TechCrunch. That frustration made me realize how outdated the industry is and that it presented a huge opportunity worth exploring.Sourcing construction materialsManna says he met with over 100 suppliers and contractors across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan to get a clear picture of construction procurement challenges in the region. He found that while the market was broken everywhere, Saudi Arabia stood out as the most enormous opportunity, fueled by the countrys Vision 2030 and strong market tailwinds.On BRKZ, contractors and factories can procure essential building materials like cement, steel, and wood. They benefit from transparent pricing, competitive quotes in just 20 minutes, and buy now, pay later financing, while factories can source raw materials and expand their customer base.A BRKZ CONSTRUCTION SITEImage Credits:BRKZSimilarly, the platform cuts through the usual hurdles of high transportation costs and coordination issues across regions. Over the past year, BRKZ has grown from 1,200 SKUs and 350 suppliers to over 7,000 SKUs and 1,100 suppliers. Since its Series A1, revenue has quadrupled in 2024, with more than 850 contractors and factories using BRKZ for major projects like King Salman Park, Neom, and the Red Sea Project. BRKZ has aggressively expanded into over 40 cities across Saudi Arabias Central, Eastern, and Western provinces, boosting its RFQ volume from $170 million last March to $350 million (SAR 1.3 billion) today. The construction tech company intends to extend its reach to the North and South provinces, Manna noted. Diversifying revenuesTo stay ahead of the curve, BRKZ will be looking to diversify its revenue streams, which it currently generates through transaction fees and financing solutions, including buy now, pay later and tailored credit offerings.Manna says that while BRKZ works with contractors, it wants to start dealing with developers and suppliers, a set of customers with different needs, materials, and pricing models, which require a broader range of sourcing options. The company plans to start importing hard-to-source construction materials directly from global markets, starting with China this year and later India and Turkey to meet this growing demand in the country.Were quite excited about building or enabling a corridor of trade between China and Saudi as we start importing goods we know our contractors, suppliers and others would like to get from China. If materials are needed outside of Saudi, well get them, white label these goods, and sell them to contractors, developers, and suppliers in Saudi. Our focus is to go deeper into Saudi Arabia, he shared. This marks a shift from BRKZs earlier ambitions to expand across the MENA region. Notably, the move aligns with Chinas efforts to strengthen ties with Middle Eastern markets amid uncertainty around U.S. trade policies. Given Saudi Arabias construction boom and Chinas significant role in megaprojects like NEOM and The Line, BRKZs import strategy could benefit from government-level trade incentives and financing deals between the two nations.Full-service construction ecosystem Beyond materials, BRKZ aims to become a full-service construction ecosystem by addressing four pillars of any project: procurement (its core business today), financing (BNPL and credit solutions), workforce supply, and equipment procurement/rental. Manna, who was the managing director of global markets at Careem, says expanding into workforce and equipment services will make BRKZ an end-to-end platform for contractors and developers.In addition, an important focus product-wise will be leveraging AI and machine learning to automate pricing predictability, purchase order generation, and other internal processes, improving efficiency for the company as well as contractors and suppliers.The newly raised capital will put the company on its way to becoming that comprehensive procurement hub it envisions, alongside driving expansion into Saudi Arabia. The BRKZ team has executed its product and operational roadmap to drive efficiencies in this rapidly scaling sector, and were excited to continue supporting them in their next chapter. BRKZs financing product will complement their digitized procurement platform and address customer cash flow challenges, said Dany Farha, co-founder and managing partner at BECO Capital.Since launching two years ago, BRKZ has raised $22.5 million, including $5.5 million from pre-seed and seed rounds. Manna says the companys valuation has grown by 46% in the past year, reflecting 4x year-over-year revenue growth with positive unit economics.Topics

On Boylston Street overlooking the Boston Common, this historic building with two distinct parts is not photographed as much as some of its neighbors, but it is an important visual reminder of the period of growth and development in the city in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This is the Walker Building, an early office building that was constructed beginning in 1891 in two phases by owner Joseph W. Walker. Mr. Walker hired the architectural firm of Winslow & Wetherell to design the building, which was finished in the Romanesque Revival style with a notable cornice with nine-bay arcade of arched windows and ornate wreath and swag motifs. A major tenant in the building was the Boston office of the S. S. White Dental Manufacturing Company, the largest dental manufacturing company in the world. Less than a decade after the six-story Walker Building opened, Joseph Walker purchased and razed the parcels nextdoor and again hired the same firm (at this time renamed Winslow & Bigelow), to expand the Walker Building, building a ten-story addition in a similar style. The second Walker building housed piano company showrooms and offices along with professional offices of numerous architects and professionals. The Walker Building is now owned by Emerson College, and is used as classrooms, computer labs, and study spots for students with the dining center and bookstore in the former retail spaces.

ZDNETThough we're well past the holiday deals season, don't worry. Major retailers are dishing out some serious deals on top tech for you, your home, or a loved one -- especially ahead of Presidents' Day 2025. Perhaps one of the most notorious online retailers to check out now? Amazon -- where you can shop savings any time of the year.From headphones to robot vacuums to TVs, now's your chance to snag savings near or equal to those we saw during Cyber Week 2024 on tech, including flagship Amazon devices, Apple products, laptops, headphones, and more. I scoured the sales to bring you the best Presidents' Day deals already live at Amazon so you can shop for savings as early as now.Shop more deals at AmazonThe best Amazon Presidents' Day deals Dyson Airwrap Hair Styler: $500 (save $100): Dyson's popular Airwrap styler bundle is available for $100 off for the first time since Black Friday. Plus, this deal is on the limited edition strawberry pink model.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra + Free $200 Amazon Gift Card: $1,420 (save $200): You can still snag this free $200 Amazon gift card offer when you purchase the new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which expert Kerry Wan says is Samsung's best phone yet.Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024): $135 (save $25): The newest Kindle Paperwhite model is on sale for 16% off, snagging you a few dollars off. It also has 25% faster page turns than the previous iteration and a higher contrast ratio.AirPods Pro 2: $169 (save $80): The AirPods Pro 2 are our pick for the best AirPods you can buy, and can turn into a hearing aid -- and they're on sale ahead right now at the lowest price we've seen since Black Friday. Plus, the newest AirPods 4 are down to $100 (save $30) for the first time ever.Apple AirTag 4-Pack: $70 (save $29): Perhaps one of ZDNET's favorite recurring deals of all-time, right now you can save 29% on a four pack of Apple's handy AirTag trackers, which make finding your keys, wallet, purse, and more easier. Plus, this offer matches the lowest price this bundle typically sells for throughout the year, so you can't go wrong.Sonos Beam Gen 2 Soundbar: $399 (save $100): The Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar will hook you up with Dolby Atmos for an immersive sound experience, and right now it's only 20% off. The Sonos Era 100 smart speaker is on sale for 20% off, too, and it's one of expert Maria Diaz's favorites.Anker Prime 67W GaN Charger: $36 (save $24): This 67W charger from Anker, one of ZDNET's top-tested accessory brands, features two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, is perfect for boosting the battery on multiple devices, and is 40% off now.Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones: $248 (save $100): The Sony XM4 headphones are not the newest model to hit the market, but they're still a great purchase if you're looking for premium sound. Right now you can save 29%.Ring Battery Doorbell: $60 (save $40): The newest 2024 Ring battery doorbell is 40% off now, and features head-to-toe video, two-way talk, and full motion detection.Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen): $169 (save $80): Apple's Watch SE (2nd Gen) is finally seeing a decent discount for 2025, and is back down to $169. Right now, it's still the most affordable Apple Watch out of the whole lineup, and is a great options for kids, elderly users, or first-time watch owners.Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum + Mop: $1,200 (save $400 with coupon): ZDNET's pick for the best robot vacuum is on sale for nearly half off right now, and expert Maria Diaz loves it for its great mapping capabilities and 12,000Pa suction.Best Amazon Presidents' Day tech deals Allison Murray/ZDNETAmazon Kindle Colorsoft: $230 (save $50): If you're not eyeing the Paperwhite, the new Kindle Colorsoft is also on sale for 18% off. The Colorsoft features a bright display (even in direct sunlight), customizable color settings, and a "zippy performance" while browsing titles and turning pages, per ZDNET expert Allison Murray.Google Pixel 9 Pro: $799 (save $200): Google's latest Pixel Pro phone is 20% off, and expert Jack Wallen says its a "brilliant piece of technology."Baseus 100W USB-C: $14 (save $5): This handy USB-C cable ensures you'll never be without a charger for you favorite devices, and it retracts within itself for easy storage and portability. It's one of our experts' favorite accessory picks.Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet: $140 (save $40): Expert Maria Diaz loves Amazon's kids tablets for their affordability and great features, and the HD 10 Pro is no difference. In fact, she says its a better buy than an iPad for her kids, and it's 26% off now.Blink Mini 2 Indoor Cam: $20 (save $20): Blink's Mini 2 cams feature two-way audio, motion detection, HD night view in color and more, and they're great for watching your home, kids, pets and more.Renpho Eye Massager: $52 (save $48): ZDNET's expert Allison Murray loves this Renpho eye massager to help her migraines, and rigth now it's on sale for 48% off.Best Amazon Presidents' Day Apple deals Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETAirPods Pro 2: $169 (save $80): TheAirPods Pro 2 are our pick for the best AirPods you can buy, and can turn into a hearing aid -- and they'reon sale ahead right now at the lowest price we've seen since Black Friday. Plus, the newestAirPods 4 are down to $100 (save $30) for the first time ever.Apple MacBook Air 15-inch, M3: $`1,099 (save $200): Apple's MacBook series are pretty pricey, but right now you can grab the 15-inch M3 Air model for $200 off.Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4: $1,099 (save $200): The most powerful iPad on the market is on sale for 15% off right now, and expert Kerry Wan was pleasantly surprised with its performance compared to his MacBook.Apple Pencil Pro: $99 (save $30): The newest Apple Pencil Pro is on sale for $30 off, but Apple products don't see discounts often, and this is the best price you can nab right now for this model, especially if you're looking to pair it with a 2024 iPad Pro.Apple Watch Series 10 GPS, 46mm: $359 (save $70): The newest base model Apple Watch is discounted by almost 20%, matching the offers available during Black Friday. This model is equipped with GPS and an always-on retina display, and is available in three colors on Amazon.AirPods Max (Lightning): $478 (save $71): Apple's popular AirPods Max are on sale for 13% off if you're okay with the older lightning connector model.iPad 10th Gen: $279 (save $70): This $279 iPad deal is the model editor-in-chief Jason Hiner recommends to most people, and it's 20% off.Best Amazon Presidents' Day headphone deals Jada Jones/ZDNETSony WH-1000XM4 Headphones: $248 (save $100): TheSony XM4 headphones are not the newest model to hit the market, but they're still a great purchase if you're looking for premium sound. Right now you can save 29%.Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: $200 (save $50): If you prefer Android gear, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are also on sale. Swipe up this pair for 20% off and grab top features like noise cancellation, real time interpretation, and sound optimization, plus an exclusive 2-year warranty via Amazon.Beats Solo Buds: $50 (save $40): Save 38% on this already great budget pair of Beats earbuds. These feature a built-in mic and are Apple or Android compatible, so you'll be able to use them with any of your favorite devices.Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: $349 (save $80): Expert reviewer Prakhar Khanna prefers the QuietComfort Ultra headphones over the popular Sony XM5's for traveling, and right now they're $100 off, selling for the same price we saw during Black Friday.Beats Solo4 Headphones: $100 (save $100): The upgraded model of Beats' classic Solo headphone are 50% off now, and expert Jada Jones says the pair got some nice upgrades while still retaining all the nostalgia.Sony Ult Headphones: $148 (save $52): Headphone expert Jada Jones says these eased her Sony XM5 envy with all-day comfort and plenty of bass. Right now, they're on sale for 26% off.Sony WH-CH720N: $88 (save $62): Expert Jada Jones says these Sony headphones are almost as good as the XM5 model but will cost you under $100 right now.Best Amazon Presidents' Day TV deals Maria Diaz/ZDNETAmazon Fire TV Stick 4K: $30 (save $20): Amazon's newest flagship Fire TV Stick 4K model is 40% off now. Streamline your viewing experience and maximize your favorite shows and movies at home. The Max model of the Fire Stick is also on sale.Hisense 75-inch Class QD7 Series QLED 4K UHD TV: $528 (save $222): Multiple sizes of this Hisense smart TV are on sale now, which feature color enhancer, game mode, multiple voice assistance and more.Sony 85-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart Google TV: $998 (save $500): This Sony smart Google TV is packed with features like Google Assistant, Apple Airplay, Motionflow XR technology, 4K picture quality and more.Amazon Fire TV 50-inch Omni Series 4K Smart TV: $310 (save $170): There's plenty of budget TV picks on sale, too, like this 50-inch hands-free smart TV that's Alexa compatible and 35% off.Roku Smart TV 32-inch TV: $128 (save $42): This Roku TV is equipped with Roku Voice and a customizable home screen. Right now it's 25% off, making it a great budget buy for a dorm room, kids' room and more.Samsung The Terrace Partial Sun 75-inch Class QLED 4K TV: $4,498 (save $2,000): Samsung's popular The Terrace TV is 31% off right now, and is the perfect pick for an outdoor setting thanks to its weatherproof design.Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K + Luna Controller: $75 (save $45): This bundle will save you 38% on a Fire TV Stick 4K and a Luna controller -- all the essentials you need to get started with Luna, Amazon's game streaming service (a Prime or Luna subscription required).Best Amazon Presidents' Day robot vacuum deals Beth Mauder/ZDNETiRobot Roomba j7: $300 (save $300): If you're like expert Maria Diaz and love the idea of your floors being cleaned by someone, orsomethingelse, you can't go wrong with this deal. The Roomba j7 is a robot vacuum that intelligently maps and navigates your home, avoiding obstacles like cords and pet waste. This 50% discount is available for a limited time, resulting in a $300 discount.Dreame X30 Ultra Robot Vacuum + Mop: $800 (save $600): The Dreame X30 Ultra was ZDNET's top pick for the best 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop, dethroned only by its successor,the X40 Ultra. The Dreame X30 Ultra features 8,300Pa of suction power, dual oscillating mop pads with an extendable function, and a hands-free charging station with self-emptying and self-washing capabilities. This discount does not reflect the X30 Ultra's performance but rather an opportunity for the company to sell its existing inventory and focus on marketing its latest model.Eufy Robot 11S Max: $150 (save $100 with coupon): If you want a straightforward robot vacuum, the Eufy BoostIQ 11S Max is a perfect option, especially at this price. It's very simple -- it vacuums in a random pattern, has to be manually self-emptied, and doesn't connect to the internet. But don't be fooled by its simplicity; this vacuum is powerful enough to pick up dirt, dust, and pet hair and can run for 100 minutes on a single charge.Roborock Q7 Max+ Robot Vacuum + Mop: $550 (save $320): For a limited time, you can snag the Roborock Q7 Max+ for $360, an almost $200 discount. As a vacuum mop combo, this machine features 4,200Pa suction power and 300g mopping pressures, promising a smooth and efficient clean. With its self-empty dock, you can have hands-free vacuuming for up to seven weeks. Thanks to Roborock's PreciSense LiDAR Navigation, you can rest assured that this robot vacuum will clean where it's supposed to and when it's supposed to.Roborock S8 Max Ultra: $1,000 (save $600): One of the best two-in-one machines on the market, the Roborock S8 Max Ultra is now $1,000. It's a pretty penny, but expert Maria Diaz says the simplicity and efficiency make this robot worth the money. You could fill the clean water tank, empty the dirty water tank, and set a schedule to tackle your home without having to do anything for a couple of days.Best Amazon Presidents' Day home deals Maria Diaz/ZDNETAnker Solix C1000 Power Station: $429 (save $500): This Anker power station can fully charge in 48 minutes and is perfect for power outages, home backups, and camping. Right now it's 57% off.Dyson V15 Detect Vacuum: $599 (save $151): While only a 20% savings, Dyson products aren't ones to see sales often, and this popular vacuum cleaner isn't an exception.Amazon Echo Dot: $40 (save $10): If you're eyeing an Alexa-enabled smart speaker, the Echo Dot is a prime contender. Right now, it's 20% off, but if you can hold out until July Prime Day, you'll find much better offers then.Anker Solix C200 Power Station: $100 (save $70): Need a smaller power option? The Anker Solix C200 is 41% off and is perfect for emergencies, camping, car travel, and more.Bissell Little Green Max Pet Portable Carpet Cleaner: $100 (save $40): Tackling messes in 2025? Portable carpet and upholesty cleaners can help, and I swear by this one from Bissell.Blink Video Doorbell: $33 (save $27): Blink's video doorbell features two-way audio, HD video, motion and chime alerts, and more, and right now it's 45% off.Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus: $150 (save $50): This outdoor cam from Ring offers 1080p HD video and is great for equipping your home with added security. Right now, it's 25% off. The Ring Spotlight Cam and Spotlight Cam Pro, which expert Maria Diaz loves for her home, are also on sale.Ring Wired Doorbell Pro: $180 (save $50): This Ring wired doorbell option is 22% off right now, and it's ZDNET's top pick for the best wired Ring doorbell. When is Presidents' Day? Presidents' Day is always celebrated on the third Monday of February. This year, it falls on Feb. 17, a few days after Valentine's Day. Show more How did we choose these deals? ZDNET only writes about deals we want to buy -- devices and products we desire, need, or would recommend. Our experts looked for deals that were at least 20% off (or are hardly ever on sale), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops.We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we're recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing -- in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. Show more When will these deals expire? Deals are subject to sell out or expire at any time, though ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We're sorry if you've missed out on a deal, but don't fret -- we're constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you atZDNET.com. Show more Does Amazon have a Presidents' Day sale? Yes, Amazon offers significantsales and discountsahead of Presidents' Day 2025. In fact, plenty of deals are already live on the platform, with more sales certainly to come (and perhaps even overlap with Valentine's Day offers). With less than a week between the two holidays, there are lots of savings to be had for consumers. Show more ZDNET Recommends

President Trump with African leaders during the G7 summit in Sicily from May 26 to 27, 2017. / AFP ... [+] PHOTO / POOL / JONATHAN ERNST (Photo credit sJONATHAN ERNST/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty ImagesThe Trump Administrations freezing of foreign aid has been most directly felt on the African continent, where many of the worlds poorest countries rely on foreign assistance for much of their government budgets. The decision has ignited an old debate in development studies about the role of foreign aid versus trade in fostering development. The World Trade Organization has tried to find synergies by suggesting aid for trade as a strategy. Unfortunately, the current approach does not even leave much room for trade to play a role as the Trump administration is unlikely to renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act which has promoted trade as a tool of development as a part of American foreign policy.What we need is a reasoned approach to planning for obsolescence of aid dependence while recognizing that there will be market failures and circumstances where aid will be an essential enabler of economic security. Such localized economic security, particularly in Africa, has become acutely important to also reduce the impulse for migration, particularly to Europe. The most vulnerable part of Africa in this regard is the Sahel region which is where the Sahara meets the humid tropical belt of the central continent. Last year, I worked with the office of Senator Chris Coons of Delaware to organize an event in the U.S. Capitol on conflicts in the region and their linkages to natural resources. This was partly inspired by the work by various grassroots organizations that suggested the linkage between environmental initiatives and peacebuilding in the region.Last week, I was in one of the Sahels most important countries Mali, to undertake some research on the gold mining sector, and consider ways in which it can more meaningfully contribute to development. I had an opportunity to also meet the U.S. ambassador to Mali, H.E. Rachna Korhonen and one of her senior staff members Dr. Marissa Smith. The competence of Americas career foreign service officers is the envy of foreign missions in Africa, and these public servants deserve our highest admiration. They are serving Americas interests in highly challenging field environments, and we should respect their field observations.Mali may seem as distant to most Americans as the Disney depictions of its most celebrated ancient city of Timbuktu. However, in a globalized world, we cannot neglect the complex connections between environmental change, public perceptions of foreign investments and long-term security imperatives. As an example of how the U.S. has been making a difference in the Sahel, consider the Great Green Wall initiative which aims to restore degraded lands in the region to provide food security. U.S. support to the World Food Programme has been essential to make this project viable. It is worth noting that President Trump supported the appointment of South Carolina governor David Beasley to serve as the director of the WFP during his first term. It was during this period that the WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and Beasley made a landmark acceptance speech which deserves to be heard by colleagues in the current administration.Africans do not want to be dependent on aid from organizations such as USAID or the World Food Programme and are doing their best to wean off such assistance. Many Africans are returning to the continent as well to promote sustainable self-sufficiency. My host in Mali was the former vice-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Professor Youba Sokona who returned to his homeland after 40 years abroad. He is one of 14 siblings and all of them are educated and back in Africa. Even his foreign-educated three children are now all back in Africa and contributing to the continents development. His retirement mission is to train African youth in linking energy to development through the establishment of a systems-science oriented network.MORE FOR YOUInspiring individuals like Professor Sokona should give confidence to taxpayers in aid donor countries that most Africans have a strong sense of pride to use any assistance meaningfully. They want to just level the playing field with aid that would allow for them to compete fairly in global markets and build their own destinies without fear or favor. This years presidency of the G20 is with South Africa, which is the continents largest economy. We may not agree with all of their domestic or foreign policies but should consider how far the country has come from its fractious past. Mr. Musk should analyze the data that shows that the country of his birth has used foreign aid most effectively of any major developing country. It is easy to sway public opinion with soundbites and misleading factoids but the debate on foreign aid needs composure and a view towards broader goals of planetary sustainability.