CNET Weekly: Tariffs, Pixel 9a, Harry Potter Shop & Epic Universe

Impact of Tariffs on Tech Prices

• ⚠️ Tariffs are directly impacting the prices of tech products, with companies like Anker raising prices by an average of 18% on many items.
• 💡 Consumers need to be more savvy about tech purchases, watching for discounts, especially around holidays like Memorial Day.
• 📈 The rising cost of new gadgets may increase the value of used and refurbished tech.

Google Pixel 9a Review

• ✨ The new $499 Pixel 9a offers significant value with improvements over the Pixel 8a, including a larger display, new chip, and better battery.
• 🧠 It features new AI capabilities, such as Gemini Live Video, which can assist with tasks like finding lost items.
• 📸 While camera performance is similar to the previous model, it's considered great for its price point, and the phone itself was used to film the video.
• 🔋 Battery life is rated as 'just okay,' similar to the Pixel 8a, despite the larger battery and screen.

Extending Gadget Lifespans

• 🛠️ Instead of panic-buying new devices due to rising costs, the focus should shift to extending the life of current gadgets.
• ♻️ Purchasing used or refurbished products is a viable option, with advice to buy from reputable sellers with return policies.
• 🔋 Proper storage of older gadgets involves keeping the battery charge around 50% and charging to 50% every six months for devices stored longer than that.

Harry Potter Shop in Chicago

• ⚡ A first look inside the new Goblet of Fire-themed Harry Potter shop in Chicago highlights exclusive merchandise, themed decor, and unique features like a maze-like floor and a view resembling Diagon Alley.
• 🛍️ The shop offers exclusive Chicago merchandise, including a special Butterbeer label and a spirit jersey, alongside standard Harry Potter collectibles and sweets.

Universal's Epic Universe Theme Park

• 🎢 Universal's Epic Universe aims to offer an experience that blurs the line between real and virtual, appealing to families with attractions based on popular franchises like Nintendo and Harry Potter.
• 💰 While acknowledging the high cost of theme park visits, the immersive