Home Office Setup & Equipment

This week, an avalanche killed eight people who were on a backcountry skiing expedition on Lake Tahoe. One person is also missing, but presumed dead. This story is tragic, but, miraculously, six members of the group survived the disaster. According to the New York Times, those skiers were rescued thanks to a standard iPhone feature, Emergency SOS via satellite, which let them connect to emergency services from where they were trapped by snow. If you have an iPhone, you probably have this feature available to you, as well. Better yet, it's not hard to activate in the event of an emergency, though it doesn't hurt to know exactly how it works ahead of time. This isn't the …

This is going to be a big week for Samsung. The company is making some major announcements at Galaxy Unpacked 2026 on Wednesday, revealing the next generation Galaxy S Series devices (which almost assuredly means the Galaxy S26), as well as some new AI updates. In the lead up to this event, Samsung is also now rolling out its latest security updates for its Galaxy devices—at least, some of its devices. What's new with Samsung's February security update Samsung's February security update contains 37 patches for issues the company discovered since the January update. This time, there are no critical patches, but there are plenty of fixes for "High" severity issues. Accord…

As Lifehacker has previously argued, YouTube Premium is probably the best streaming service for most people. Ads can eat into your free time faster than you might realize, and because YouTube's user-generated videos can be quite short, they're especially annoying there—and blocking them without a paid subscription is tough. YouTube Premium is also a bit pricey as streaming services go, at $14/month. Fortunately, the company also offers a "Premium Lite" plan that's much cheaper—and thanks to the recent addition of a few key features, it no longer pales in comparison to a full subscription. In fact, the $8/month YouTube Premium Lite may now be the best paid YouTube tier f…

It's time for another Apple event! On Wednesday, March 4, Apple will announce new products, and despite the company's commitment to secrecy, we know what most of the revelations are already. In fact, Apple has already announced a number of new products this week in lead up to the event, including the iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air, and new Macs—including M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max variants. But even though the company has already shared a bunch of news across Monday and Tuesday, that doesn't mean Wednesday's event is going to be a bore. In fact, Apple may announce one of its most interesting products in years during its March 4 keynote: the MacBook "Neo." This is a "budget" MacBoo…

Last week, the athlete training platform TrainingPeaks launched GPXplore, a new feature that lets you import any GPX route and ride it virtually. If you can pull a GPX from Strava, Garmin Connect, Komoot, or anywhere else that exports standard GPS files, then you could be pedaling through its real elevation profile in your TrainingPeaks Virtual account. Whether you're a triathlete scouting race courses, a cyclist chasing that Strava segment you've been dreaming of, or a coach building specific workouts tied to real terrain, this is a nifty feature to have. How GPXplore worksThis feature takes GPS coordinate data to give you real-world elevation and curvature, while also a…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Apple announced new products this week, all of which are all already available for preorder and will be released on March 11. But before you place your order, it's best to compare the preorder deals from various retailers. Walmart has the best iPad Air preorder deal, for example, offering $40 off the listing price. If you're interested in a new MacBook, however, Best Buy is the place to look: it's the only major retailer offering any preorder deals for all three new MacBooks. …

Apple has been on a budget kick of late. Last Monday, the company announced the iPhone 17e, a $599 device that does just about everything most of us would expect our iPhones to do. Two days later, it unveiled the MacBook Neo, a $599 laptop that, despite running an iPhone chip, holds its own against Macs with M-series chips designed for macOS. While these products may sell well (particularly the Neo), Apple isn't exactly going full bargain bin. In fact, rumor has it that Apple is currently working on a lineup of products on the opposite end of the spectrum. This rumored "Ultra" line would include new machines and devices that will cost quite a lot, but also offer quite a…

Runna is one of the most talked-about training apps in running communities, and Strava's acquisition of the platform earlier this year only cemented its status as the go-to tool for runners who want structure without hiring a coach. Recently, however, not all the buzz has been good. All over Reddit and TikTok, runners are blaming virtual coaches and algorithmic training programs for their shin splints, stress fractures, and various running injuries. Some blame Runna in particular for pushing runners too aggressively. The thing is, Runna isn't uniquely to blame. Running injuries are extremely common. Studies consistently estimate that somewhere between 27 and 52% percent …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. TCL is exploring making tech beyond QLED TVs, and the RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR/XR Smart Glasses are its latest project. These glasses project your phone, laptop, or gaming system into a 201-inch virtual display that only you can see. Amazon has them available for $249 (originally $299) when you use the on-page coupon. At $249, they would be at their lowest price since their recent release date, according to price-tracking tools. RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR/XR Smart Glasses …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. On Monday, Apple officially announced the AirPods Max 2. As the name implies, this is the first major update to the AirPods Max since Apple introduced the over-the-ear headphones in 2020. The company previously rolled out a minor refresh for the AirPods Max, but this only replaced the original pair's Lightning port with USB-C, and enabled Apple to add a couple neat perks via software update. AirPods Max 2, however, come with new features out of the gate—features that Apple's earbuds have actually had for years. First, an answer to the question most likely on your mind: No, Apple did not change the price. These headphone…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition wired gaming controller is down to $54.99 on Woot right now, which is the lowest price it has ever hit. It usually goes for around $99.99 on Amazon, and even previous deals didn’t dip below about $59, according to price trackers. If you’re a Prime member, you get free shipping, while others pay an extra $6. This deal is live for 12 days or until stock runs out, and Woot only ships within the contiguous U.S. Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. From humble beginnings, Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone has grown into TV's one inescapable franchise. The Kevin Costner-led original ended its run after a relatively compact five seasons, but that doesn't reckon with the three official spin-offs, the three others in development, nor with the Sheridan shows (Landman, The Madison, Bass Reeves) that feel like they could extensions of the Yellowstone universe, even if they technically aren't. But given that success only feeds our appetite for more, here are 15 other shows that play with the themes and tones that have made Yellowstone such a phenomenon. The Madison (2026 – )…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. As a shopping writer for Lifehacker, I've learned many tricks over the years that have helped me become a savvy Amazon shopper. You do not need to be a Prime member for most of these, but becoming one will make your Amazon experience better. And yes, it's worth it—we've done the math. If your shipping is delayed, call Amazon to get free money If your Amazon delivery is late, you can contact customer service and may be eligible for a refund or credit, often proportional to the product's value—especially if the order had a guaranteed delivery date. The status of an order on Amazon changes during different stages of the shi…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Most window air conditioners follow a simple formula: cool the room, maybe add a fan setting, and leave it at that. The LG LW8023HRSM window air conditioner, currently on sale for $399.99 on StackSocial, takes a slightly more flexible approach. It still installs like a typical window unit, but it adds heating and smart controls, making daily use easier. For someone cooling a bedroom, small apartment living room, or home office, the main appeal here is convenience. You can control the unit with a remote, the onboard buttons, or the LG ThinQ app on …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Cameras are more than just tools for taking photos and videos—they shape the way we think of the past. The distinct look of each major camera format defines its era: The murky colors of a vintage Polaroid picture are as era-defining as the stiffly posed portraiture of the late 1800s. And there are few things that will bring you right back to the 1980s and '90s than the fuzzy, low-resolution warmth of something filmed on video tape. I think that's why some people are so drawn to picking up old 30- or 40-year-old camcorders, even in 2026: You can record a modern scene using one of them today—perhaps someone using a smartp…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. One of my favorite ways to spend my free time is watching old movies. I love catching up on classics on my big OLED screen, and delving into the history of a medium I love. Unfortunately, it’s harder to do that with video games. While pulling up an old movie is usually as easy as finding it on streaming or renting it digitally, old video games are split across a number of different consoles, and you can’t always count on rereleases to make them accessible on modern systems. Luckily, there are still options for those who go looking for them. You can hunt down a vintage system and hook it up to your modern screen using an …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Google hasn’t launched a new Fitbit device since 2023, instead seeming to pour all its hardware efforts into Pixel watches. But all along the company refused to confirm that Fitbit hardware was truly dead, and a new promotional video appears to show why—it looks like there’s a Whoop-style smart band on the way. What was teased The video was posted to Steph Curry’s Instagram page on March 31, so it’s not an April Fool’s stunt. In a few short clips, we see a gray and orange fabric band around Curry’s left wrist. He says “I’m excited for what this is going to mean for health for the world and wellness. It’s a first of its …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Beats Studio Buds + are among the best in-ear noise-cancelling earbuds on the market for both Apple and Android users. Compared to their predecessor, they have longer battery life and better ANC, plus a sleek design available in three colors. Right now, the Beats Studio Buds + earbuds are 41% off, bringing them down to $99.95 (originally $169.95). Beats Studio Buds + True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. There’s nothing quite like a reliable pair of over-ear noise-canceling headphones to block out distractions, but with options ranging from budget buys to $500+ premium models, finding the right pair can feel like a challenge. The Sony WH-CH720N, an entry-level over-ear option, hit the sweet spot, offering comfort, long-lasting battery life, and good automatic noise canceling (ANC)—and right now, they’re nearly half off. You can pick them up for $92.95 (down from $179.99) from Amazon. Sony WH-…

It's been a good few months for Android-to-iPhone sharing: Late last year, Google figured out how to get AirDrop working with the Pixel 10, and since then, the functionality has spread to many other Android handsets. Many more models will be picking up the same capability in the coming months. Apple hasn't invested quite so much time in iPhone-to-Android sharing, but we can't have everything. At least there's now support for end-to-end encryption over RCS, rolled out with the iOS 26.5 update. There's more good news for those who want to share from Android to iOS, and who aren't getting the AirDrop feature (or don't have it yet): Google is pushing out an improved sharing m…

Love it or hate it, the Apple ecosystem has its perks. Take "Handoff," for example: If you have at least two connected devices, such as an iPhone and a Mac, you can start a task on one and carry it over to the other. You can start reading an article in Safari on your iPhone, then pick it up when you get to your Mac. Or, say you're on a FaceTime call on your Mac, but you have to run; you can simply switch to your iPhone to keep the conversation going, without having to call them back. It isn't perfect, but it works, it works. Android doesn't quite have the same setup. While some functions work across devices, like transferring calls, users with an Android phone often don'…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Sony WH-1000XM6 are one of the best premium headphones of 2026, and right now, Amazon is offering them with a $60 discount and a $30 Amazon gift card. You're not likely to see these headphones drop any further in price anytime soon, even with Prime Day around the corner. So if you've had your eyes on the XM6, this is likely the best deal you'll get for a while. Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise Canceling Headphones $30 Amazon Gift Card $398.00 at Amazon …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The JBL Flip 7 (2025) portable speaker is currently on sale for $89.99 as an open-box deal on StackSocial, shipping to the contiguous US with a one-year warranty included. Open-box here doesn’t mean used—it typically refers to excess retail stock that’s been handled, sometimes with stickers or scuffed packaging, but the speaker itself is verified to be in new condition before shipping. On the outside, the Flip 7 looks almost identical to the Flip 6, with the same cylindrical body and fabric covering. The differences show up in durability and usabil…

Your iPhone is essentially a computer that fits in your pocket, so it only makes sense for Apple to treat it as such. To that point, with iOS 26, both the iPhone and the iPad get a new app that was a Mac exclusive for over 20 years: Preview. What can you do with the Preview app?Like on macOS, the Preview app for iOS and iPadOS is largely made for viewing PDFs and other documents. When you first open the app, you'll see the options to either create a new document or scan one with your iPhone's camera. Most of the time, however, you probably you have an existing document you want to open using Preview. If so, you'll find those options in the bottom half of this starting p…

Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding Lifehacker as a preferred source for tech news. In a world that seems increasingly determined to keep us apart, we’re all bound together by at least one universal experience: the frustration of talking to a real person on the phone at a customer service call center. Whether we want to complain, resolve a problem, or simply get information, call center interactions can be a maddening experience. Companies are increasingly hiding their customer service representatives behind phone menus and AI-driven tools, and even if you make contact, the experience…