Technologies
Score a Free USB-C Charger When You Buy a Top-Rated EcoFlow Power Bank This Labor Day Weekend
Never stress about running out of a charge thanks to this sweet Labor Day deal on a handy power bank.

EcoFlow makes some of our favorite portable batteries and chargers. Its brand-new Rapid series includes compact, fast-charging power banks designed to keep all your devices running on the go. For Labor Day, EcoFlow is bundling in a free charger when you buy from the series.
I found that EcoFlow has set up a tiered promo depending on how much you spend. If you spend at least $59 on Amazon on Rapid series products, you’ll receive a free 30W EcoFlow wall charger. If you step up to $139 or more on Amazon, EcoFlow sweetens the deal with a free 65W fast charger instead. Both gifts are added automatically once you meet the spend threshold, so you’re getting an essential charging accessory for free while picking up new portable power gear.
EcoFlow’s Rapid power banks are designed for people who want compact, fast, and reliable charging when they’re away from an outlet. The lineup includes different capacities to suit different needs, whether that’s keeping a smartphone alive during travel, charging a tablet between meetings, or even giving a laptop an emergency top-up.
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With USB-C Power Delivery support, these packs can charge devices quickly and efficiently, which makes them stand out in a crowded market of slower, bulkier power banks. And there’s no better way to take advantage of this than with a free USB-C charger included.
We like that EcoFlow isn’t just another brand jumping into portable power — the brand already has a strong reputation with their larger home backup batteries and solar generators, and this new line extends that reliability into everyday carry gear. Features like pass-through charging and high-speed output make the Rapid line practical for daily use, whether you’re commuting, traveling, or working remotely.
The compact designs also mean they’ll slip easily into a backpack, messenger bag or even a jacket pocket. If you’re in the market for a portable charger, this promo is an especially easy way to stock up. We’ve seen plenty of brands charge extra for wall adapters, but EcoFlow is bundling them in for free if you jump on the deal.
Why this deal matters
This deal stands out because EcoFlow is offering a meaningful freebie — either a 30W or 65W fast charger — just for buying into its new Rapid lineup. Portable batteries are always useful, but getting an extra high-quality wall charger bundled in saves you money and makes the deal much more valuable.
Since these promos are tied to spending thresholds and are only live for Labor Day, it’s a great time to grab one if you’ve been considering a new power bank.
Technologies
Disney Settles FTC Complaint With YouTube Over Children’s Data Collection
Disney and the FTC reach a $10 million settlement over the labeling of videos for kids on YouTube.
Disney will pay a $10 million penalty for mislabeling videos on YouTube and allowing personal data to be collected from children without notifying parents or getting their consent, the FTC said in an announcement.
The complaint filed in a US District Court, the FCC said, alleged that Disney uploaded videos to YouTube in channels that defaulted to «Not Made For Kids» when the videos should have been labeled «Made For Kids.»
Due to the mislabeling, videos intended for children collected more information than they should have and used that information to target advertising to children under 13. The error, which enabled features like autoplay on the videos, violated COPPA, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule.
A representative for Disney did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment.
In addition to the $10 million civil penalty for allegedly violating COPPA, Disney has agreed to comply with COPPA by notifying parents and getting consent for videos that are «Not Made For Kids» and establishing a review program on how their videos should be labeled. According to the FTC, «this forward-looking provision reflects and anticipates the growing use of age assurance technologies to protect kids online.»
Separately, the FTC also took COPPA-related action against toy maker Apitor Technology, which makes robots aimed at children ages 6 to 14. The FTC alleges the company collected geolocated information from children via a third-party app in China. The FTC is imposing a $500,000 penalty.
Technologies
Smartphone Buyers Care Even Less About AI Than They Did Last Year, CNET Survey Finds
Shoppers aren’t sold on thinner phones, even as rumors suggest Apple will soon debut the iPhone 17 Air.
AI has become a staple of just about every new phone, but that doesn’t mean it’s a centerpiece of most people’s lives.
A CNET survey finds that just 11% of US smartphone owners choose to upgrade their devices because of AI features, a 7% drop from a similar survey last year. Further, about 3 in 10 people don’t find mobile AI helpful and don’t want to see more features added.
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This comes as tech giants continue to roll out new AI capabilities. Google loaded its new Pixel 10 series with fresh AI features, as did Samsung when it unveiled both the Galaxy S25 lineup and the Z Fold 7 and Flip 7. Apple has also debuted a handful of Apple Intelligence updates as it works to play catch-up with AI leaders like Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. And with its next iPhone reveal slated for Sept. 9, it’s possible we could hear more about its upcoming AI efforts.
These survey results highlight the mismatch between phone makers’ bullish approach to AI and consumers’ general apprehension toward the rapidly advancing technology. Despite pushes from companies like Apple, Samsung and Google to add a growing list of AI features into their mobile devices, most people continue to care about three core areas when shopping for a new phone: price (62%), longer battery life (54%) and more storage (39%). Another top consideration is the camera, with 30% of respondents citing that as a top priority.
Last year’s survey echoed these same primary concerns. In 2024, the biggest motivation for US smartphone owners to upgrade their devices was longer battery life (61%), followed by more storage (46%) and better camera features (38%). Just 18% said their main motivator was AI integrations. This year, it appears that number is even lower, even as AI capabilities become more ubiquitous.
AI isn’t the only marketing tactic consumers aren’t buying into. Despite recent slim phone releases like Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge and rumors about a skinny «iPhone 17 Air,» just 7% of respondents said a thinner phone would motivate them to upgrade.
Still, companies are likely to use the fresh form factor to try to rake in more dollars. At this year’s Mobile World Congress, thin phones like the S25 Edge and Tecno’s Spark Slim phone concept stole the spotlight. Oppo’s Find N5, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Honor’s Magic V5 flex thin, foldable designs that may appeal to someone who wants a larger device without the bulk. CNET’s survey suggests most consumers aren’t swayed by those eye-catching designs, but that could change as more people get their hands on the devices and if a skinny iPhone comes to fruition.
A(I) tough sell
AI has become the buzzword of practically every tech product launch and keynote over the last few years. AI-powered capabilities like writing tools, image editing and smarter voice assistants have leveled up mobile devices into even more powerful machines. In turn, this has ramped up the already-fierce competition among key mobile players. Google has woven Gemini into its Pixel devices, as well as other Android phones from companies like Samsung and Motorola. Apple introduced its suite of Apple Intelligence features with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, though its larger AI ambitions have stalled and it lags behind its competitors.
It’s not just premium flagship devices that are piling on the generative AI features. Mid-tier and budget phones are hopping on the bandwagon, too. For instance, the $600 iPhone 16E, $500 Pixel 9A and $650 Galaxy S24 FE pack their fair share of AI features that echo what you’ll find on their pricier siblings. All of this proves that no matter how much you’re willing to spend, you can’t escape the AI hype.
Based on CNET’s survey, «hype» may in fact be the word many people ascribe to the recent flood of generative AI features. Just 13% of people say they use AI on their phone to summarize or write text, 8% say they tap into AI image creation tools and 7% use AI on their phone for photo editing. Additionally, 20% admit to not even knowing how to use the AI features on their handset.
Mobile AI features generally come at no extra cost to users, but that could soon change. Samsung, for one, says on its website that Galaxy AI features «will be provided for free until the end of 2025 on supported Samsung Galaxy devices.» Apple is also expected to eventually start charging for some of its AI-powered iPhone features. You’ll also need to pay to unlock Gemini’s full power across Google’s apps. Amid so much subscription fatigue, that could be a tough sell. Half of people surveyed say they’re not willing to pay extra money to access AI features on their phone. That’s up 5% over last year.
Privacy is a growing concern as AI expands its reach across our devices. Just over 40% of smartphone users are worried about privacy when it comes to using AI on their smartphone, up 7% from last year. And that’s largely irrespective of age; boomers are the most concerned (45%), but concern from Gen Z (41%) and Gen X (41%) is also notably high.
That’s not to say everyone’s dismissive of AI on their handset. Fourteen percent of people say they find AI features helpful and are excited to tap into more of those capabilities on their phone. Gen Z (25%) and millennials (16%) express the most interest in using AI on their smartphone.
Smart assistants get an AI assist, but it’s not enough
Smart assistants are one way tech companies are hoping to make AI your everyday companion. Gemini on Android phones is increasingly capable of handling more tasks, from brainstorming to carrying out functions within apps. Apple also has plans to use AI to supercharge Siri, but that rollout has been delayed indefinitely.
According to CNET’s survey, 61% of iPhone owners use Siri, while 41% of Pixel owners use the Gemini assistant. Just 10% and 9% of Siri and Gemini users respectively say they call on the smart assistants every day. As AI becomes more capable and as companies further promote those abilities, it’ll be interesting to see whether those interactions increase.
Methodology
CNET commissioned YouGov Plc. to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2,201 adults, of whom 2,129 own a smartphone. Fieldwork was undertaken May 13 to 15, 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18 plus).
Technologies
This TCL Phone Outperforms Samsung’s Budget Model, and It Just Hit a New Low of $180
With this Amazon code, you can nab the new TCL NxtPaper 60 XE for less than ever before.
Phones are all a bit samey in 2025, so when something different comes out, we can’t help but pay attention. The TCL NxtPaper 60 XE is one of the most interesting phones we’ve reviewed recently, with a full-color, paperlike display. In fact, it’s a super impressive budget phone that in many ways outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G at a similar price.
So you’ll be pleased to hear that the TCL NxtPaper 60 XE is currently reduced to its lowest price ever. Right now, it’s reduced from $250 to $200 on Amazon. And if you clip the on-page coupon (or use promo code 6C97KJ5TXFHO), you can take an extra $20 off, bringing the total down to just $180. We don’t know how long this promotion will last, but this is a new record-low price for it, so you’d better act sooner rather than later.
This phone hits top marks for everyday use. Its screen is large, the 120Hz refresh rate is buttery smooth and the battery lasted CNET’s Tyler Graham throughout the entire day, even with frequent use. If you take a lot of selfies, you’ll enjoy a big 32-megapixel upgrade to the front-facing camera, though the camera system is otherwise similar to TCL’s 50 series phones.
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The shiny bonus features on the TCL NxtPaper 60 XE are the eponymous NxtPaper digital ink and e-reader modes and cloud-based TCL AI. You might not use these features regularly, but they’re solid value adds to an already budget phone. The 60 XE is working off a MediaTek Dimensity 6100 Plus processor with 8GB of memory.
«Compared to other phones in a similar price range, the TCL 60 XE NxtPaper 5G delivers where it counts for day-to-day use,» Graham wrote in his review, «and its impressive bells and whistles sweetened my experience with the phone.»
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Why this deal matters
The TCL NxtPaper 60 XE is one of the most unusual smartphones we’ve reviewed recently. It’s definitely worth being on your radar if you’re on the lookout for a new budget handset.
Already at a fairly inexpensive price, this deal makes it a no-brainer for those looking for something a little different. Just make sure you get your order in sooner rather than later, as this deal could end at any time.
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