Home Office Setup & Equipment

Spotify keeps adding new features lately. Last week, the company rolled out "Exclusive Mode" for desktop users to stream in the highest quality possible; last month, Spotify announced "Smart Reorder," which automatically sorts your songs by BPM; and in January, the company's AI-powered "Prompted Playlists" landed in the U.S. after an exclusive stint overseas. It's still not easy to pick a favorite among other services like Apple Music, but Premium subscribers can at least say Spotify is giving them something for their money. Now, the company is rolling out another new feature, one that actually seems like a cool way to learn about your music. On Tuesday, Spotify annou…

Ultrahuman finally has a smart ring back on the U.S. market, and it’s the Ring Pro, the new model with the feature-packed charging case. Pre-orders are now open, with early bird prices starting at $349. The regular price will be $479 for the ring plus case. The ring will begin shipping May 15. The company is using a tiered model for early bird pricing, where the price bumps up after a certain number of rings are sold. Here’s the schedule: $349 — first 1,000 orders ($130 off) $389 — next 2,000 orders ($90 off) $429 — next 3,000 orders ($50 off) $449 — until pre-orders close. Ultrahuman’s smart rings have been off the U.S. market since October 2025, due to legal action by…

Claude really wants to take over your computer for you. Anthropic has released a new feature called Computer Use, which can now take control of your Mac's keyboard and mouse to perform tasks on your behalf. This is finally rolling this out as a Research Preview for Claude Pro and Max subscribers, after first being teased back in 2024. The Computer Use feature builds on recent additions like Claude Cowork and Dispatch. Claude Cowork is a tool that lets you accomplish tasks on your Mac (though, in the background, using native features and macOS integrations), and Dispatch is a new Remote Access feature that lets you control Claude Cowork from your iPhone or iPad (Claude's l…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Protein shakes can end up chunky or lumpy if you don’t mix them right. That’s why a shaker bottle does a better job of mixing whey into milk than simply stirring with a spoon. A blender works even better, if you’re up for cleaning a blender when you’re done. But there is a better option: a handheld frother. FoodVille MF02 Rechargeable Milk Frother $5.96 at Amazon …

It's the end of an (albeit short) era: OpenAI is reportedly shutting down Sora, the company's once-viral AI video generation app. The Wall Street Journal was the first to break the story, and reports that the company is shuttering the app as part of a grander plan to streamline OpenAI ahead of a potential IPO (initial public offering) later this year. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed the news first with company staff on Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal says. It seems the move goes beyond just shutting down the Sora app itself: In addition to axing a developer-version of Sora, Altman reportedly told staff that OpenAI would not incorporate its AI video models in other compa…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Some laptops are performance powerhouses, but work better as a desktop and can be bulky to travel or commute with. If you’re looking for an ultraportable laptop that still offers robust performance but isn’t a headache (or a shoulder ache) to lug around, the MacBook Air remains one of the best lightweight laptops available, with a sleek and modern design to boot. Right now, as part of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (2025, M4) is 21% off at $1,099 (originally $1,399), marking its lowest price ever. …

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 moneyIf 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 shipme…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Running is one of the simplest workouts a person can do—and unless you have plans on opening up a professional-grade gym, there's probably no need for you to blow thousands of dollars on a fancy treadmill. Today, one of the best budget treadmills, the NordicTrack T Series 5, is on sale for $479. That's a 20% markdown from its typical price of $599, all thanks to Amazon's Big Spring Sale. NordicTrack T Series 5 …

On Wednesday, a Los Angeles jury found both Meta and YouTube negligent for their failure to warn their users about potential dangers associated with their apps and services. Specifically, the jury found that Meta and YouTube "harmed" a young user, a now 20-year-old identified as K.G.M., via addictive features that led to the user's "mental health distress." Meta and YouTube are now on the hook for $3 million in damages. Meta will pay the majority of the sum (70%, or $2.1 million), while YouTube will pay the remaining 30% ($900,000). It's a landmark case that could have wide-ranging repercussions for all social media platforms. What was the Meta/YouTube social media case…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you're dedicated enough to have a home gym, there's no reason you should waste precious workout time by digging through a heap of equipment or making multiple trips across your garage to grab different dumbbells between sets. Normally $129.99, this home gym storage rack is currently on sale for $79.98 as part of Amazon's Big Spring Sale. If you've been tripping over scattered dumbbells or wasting time hunting for the right weights mid-workout, this deal solves both problems for under $80. PL…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. There are all kinds of earbuds to choose from out there—especially if you aren't dedicated to one specific ecosystem. If you're an Android user, however, and especially if you're a Pixel user, you might find that Google's Pixel Buds Pro are among your best options. Right now, the latest model, the Pixel Buds Pro 2, have a solid 26% discount for Amazon's Big Spring Sale—bringing the price from $229 down to $169. Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 …

Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is one of Amazon's most popular Fire TV Stick options. In fact, it's a renamed version of the 2nd Gen Fire TV Stick 4K launched back in 2023. Still, it's no slouch. It's powerful enough for 4K entertainment, and at $25 for the Amazon Big Spring Sale (down from $49.99), it's a worthwhile deal as well. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $24.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. This Amazon Big Spring Sale deal on a TV is remarkable: A Hisense 32" LED television for $74.99—that's cheaper than dinner and drinks in most U.S. cities. This isn't going to be the greatest TV of all time, but from all available accounts, its at least a solid set. It's an older model—released in 2020—but that means there are over 3,000 reviews on Amazon, and the score is a respectable 4.1 stars out of 5. Critics generally were positive when it first came out, too. INSIGNIA 32" Class F20 Series LED HD Smart Fire TV with Alexa Voice Remote (NS-32F201NA26) …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. One of the most expensive parts of a personal tool kit is the batteries, especially if you want to use multiple tools simultaneously without having to swap the battery each time you change tools. Moving seamlessly between drilling pilot holes and driving screws can save you time on your DIY projects, but the cost of extra batteries can add up. These deals from Home Depot are a good way to save more than 50% on a battery and tool combo if you want to expand your Milwaukee set. Battery combo 18-vo…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. In Apple TV's Your Friends and Neighbors, Jon Hamm plays Andrew "Coop" Cooper, a recently divorced New York hedge fund manager who's even more recently, unemployed. In an effort to keep up an illusion that nothing in his life has changed, he begins breaking into the homes of his wealthy neighbors to steal and sell their stuff, inadvertently catching on to their secrets as well. (The friends and neighbors of the title include Amanda Peet, Olivia Munn, Mark Tallman, Hoon Lee, Lena Hall, and Aimee Carrero.) This dark comedy isn't exactly about how hard it is to be a once-rich suburban white guy, but neither is it a pointed l…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Spending $300 on a gaming monitor usually means picking a lane: You either go for resolution or speed and live with the compromise. The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG tries to ease that trade-off. It’s currently down to $299 (originally $449) as part of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, which ends today, and this is the lowest it has dropped, according to price trackers. The idea is simple: use it as a sharp 4K display most of the time, then switch to a faster 1080p mode when you care more about responsiveness. …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is wrapping up, and the Nothing Phone (3) has dropped to $599 (originally $799) for the 12GB RAM and 256GB model. According to price trackers, that's the lowest price the phone has reached so far. This is Nothing’s most ambitious phone yet (according to this PCMag review), and it shows in how it tries to compete directly with flagship devices while still doing its own thing. Nothing Phone (3) …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Lifehacker just launched a collection of tips and info about embracing retro technology, so I combed through Amazon's Big Spring Sale for the next best thing: retro-inspired technology. These prices are so low, you'll think it's 1998. These digital cameras look like they're from the distant pastIf you want a digital camera that makes a statement, check out the CHUZHAO Digital TLR Camera. It looks like a twin-lens reflex camera from the 1940s, when you shot from the waist. It doesn't use film, though: It's a 12MP digital camera in disguise. It's curr…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Smaller air conditioners struggle to keep up with open layouts, while larger ones can be loud and power-hungry. This LG 23,500 BTU air conditioner strikes the right balance, and it's currently on sale for $599.99 on StackSocial, which is a notable drop for a unit designed to cool spaces up to about 1,400 square feet. That capacity makes it suitable for large living rooms, open studio spaces, or offices where a smaller 8,000- or 12,000-BTU unit would run continuously and struggle to keep up. The design is still recognizably a window air conditioner, …

AI inspires strong feelings. Some love it, some hate it, few are indifferent. But, usually, AI's biggest proponents are the companies that make and sell the tech. You expect OpenAI to tout ChatGPT's benefits, or Google to talk-up how useful Gemini is. For a company like these to say that their AI tools are nothing but a plaything would be a ludicrous concept—and yet, that's apparently what Microsoft did. As reported by TechCrunch, Microsoft's terms of service for Copilot aren't too laudatory of the AI tech or its capabilities. The policy, which was last updated on October 24, 2025, says the following: “Copilot is for entertainment purposes only...It can make mistakes, an…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra headphones have been easy to recommend since their late 2023 launch, but the price held them back. That changes with this open-box deal. Right now, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones in sandstone are down to $242.49 on Woot, compared to about $329 for a new pair on Amazon. Price trackers show earlier dips closer to $279, so this undercuts previous lows. The catch is the “open box” label—these units may have been returned, tested, or repackaged (but they’re cleared to work like new). Shipping is free for Prime members, w…

This week's collection might seem like a random assortment of odds and ends, but there's a throughline: vibes and absurdism over logic and order. Slang words like 7x7=49 and lowkenuinely don't make logical sense, but they are intuitively perfect. The Sea Lion is a purely absurdist anti "dance-craze" taking over TikTok, and Pizza Movie takes "drug flick" tropes to surreal new levels. In other words, Gen Z and A are not trying to make sense of anything anymore. What does the "7x7=49" meme actually mean?This piece of math-slang is growing popular on TikTok as a way of explaining what women find attractive in men. It's about how the equation feels. 7X7=49 makes intuitive sen…

Millions of Android users are now eligible to claim some cash from Google as part of a $135 million settlement. If you have a qualifying device, you could receive up to $100 once the final approval hearing is completed in June. What is this Android settlement about? This settlement is part of a class-action lawsuit filed earlier this year alleging that Google collected unnecessary data from Android users over cellular networks in the background and without permission—even when Google apps were closed and location sharing disabled. Google denied any wrongdoing but agreed to a $135 million payout along with a commitment to implement additional disclosures shown during Andr…

You spend a lot of time using the software keyboard on your phone, so it makes sense to make sure it's a keyboard you're comfortable with—one that suits both your aesthetic taste and your typing requirements. I've previously covered the best alternative keyboards if you want a change from the default one that comes with your phone, but if you're a Samsung Galaxy owner, there's another option to be aware of: You can create your own keyboard, too. This comes via the Keys Cafe app, part of the Good Lock utilities suite that Samsung develops to accompany One UI. It lets you build keyboards exactly to your needs—from the keys on show, to the animations that appear when you pre…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Samsung’s Galaxy Watches have been able to measure your blood pressure for years now—theoretically. U.S. users just got access to the feature, in a phased rollout that finally reached my device. I’ll show you how to set it up, which is more complicated than you might think, and then discuss what we know about its accuracy. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (2025) 40 mm LTE $329.99 at Amazon …