Home Office Setup & Equipment

We may earn a commission from links on this page. If you're all-in on Microsoft 365 for work, school, or personal use, chances are high that Outlook is your go-to email service. It stands to reason then that, if you're an Android user, reading headlines that suggest Microsoft is shutting down your email service on your mobile OS of choice sounds a bit shocking. After all, Outlook is a massive program, and Android is the world's largest mobile platform; why in the world would Microsoft decide to deprecate its email service on Android? That's because Google isn't sunsetting the Outlook for Android app; rather, the company is doing away with Outlook Lite, a lightweight versi…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. A juicy prestige mystery series with Nicole Kidman in the lead? Honestly, who ever heard of such a thing? As a crime procedural, it's a bit more Special Ops: Lioness than Nine Perfect Strangers, but the era of Kidman domination demands variety, so now we get this series based on the long-running (29 books and counting) Kay Scarpetta series from Patricia Cornwell that follows the eponymous forensic pathologist. She's joined by Jamie Lee Curtis as her sister, Dorothy, and Bobby Cannavale as a forensic operations specialist, which is a job that I definitely know what it is. Stream Scarpetta on Prime Video before examining the…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. When Squid Game hit Netflix in 2021, the world felt the impact. Emerging from a pandemic, people were broke, bored, and ready to break bad, and the show’s sharp satire of capitalism hit just right. The premise—people in various levels of life-destroying debt sign up to play a series of deadly children’s games in exchange for the chance at a life-changing amount of cash (kept on display in a giant piggy bank, in one of the show’s many brilliant visual touches)—straddled the line between sadly plausible and nightmarishly bizarre, but anyone could sympathize with the desperate protagonist, Seong Gi-hoon (Lee Jung-jae). The sh…

Last week, we learned that the FBI accessed a defendant's deleted Signal messages on their iPhone, even though that user had deleted the app entirely from their device. It wasn't that the FBI was able to find the messages themselves on the device; rather, it turns out they were able to pull incoming Signal texts from the defendant's push notification database. If you're like most people, you probably had no idea devices like the iPhone had such a push notification database, and that it could be used to retrieve deleted messages. Luckily, there's an easy way to protect yourself, and ensure no one can pull sensitive information from this space on your iPhone, or any device …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. In the past few years, I’ve gone from being a defiant minimalist runner, to becoming a humble fan of Garmin’s most entry-level running watch, to now falling in love with the company's top-of-the-line Forerunner. A quick cheat code to understanding the model numbers in Garmin’s Forerunner line: The first number tells you how fancy (and expensive) the watch is. This means that my upgrade from the Garmin Forerunner 165 to the Forerunner 970 is not a small step up the ladder. Honestly, it's more like skipping the ladder entirely and taking the elevator to the penthouse. The price gap alone—from $250 to $750—is enough to give …

Apple Music has an edge among music streaming services in specific categories, including sound quality, music organization, and lack of ads. While it may not be the best option out there for all users, it offers a solid experience (especially if you're on iOS). Here are the tips, tricks, and hidden hacks to get the most out of Apple Music. Import songs directly from other streaming services to Apple MusicMoving from one music streaming service to another can be a huge hassle, not least because you won't want to lose all the playlists you've curated in the transition. There are third-party services that facilitate transfers, but Apple Music has a direct import feature pow…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Ever since our house flooded in the middle of the night (though thankfully before we fell asleep), my wife and I have been diligent about setting up water alarms all over the house, so we'll receive crucial warning the moment something leaks or backs up. Well, the other night, the alarm under the kitchen sink went off while the dishwasher was running—and, sure enough, there was water gushing out of the sink drain. Luckily, I was able to turn off the water and clean everything up before it totally ruined my cabinets and floors. I started my investigation into the problem, and about three seconds later, it was obvious: My s…

If you're a frequent Gemini user, and you happen to have a Mac, good news: Google just launched a dedicated Gemini app for macOS. It's a long time coming, seeing as Google's rivals, like OpenAI and Anthropic, have had dedicated Mac apps for ChatGPT and Claude for some time. Gemini's Mac app appears to come with many of the same benefits as other desktop AI apps. For most queries, the experience is about the same as it is on the web app: You ask Gemini a question or make a request, and it responds appropriately. But there are two keys advantages to breaking out of the web app. Summon Gemini with a keyboard shortcutFirst, Gemini can be called up at any time using a keyboa…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Levoit LV-H133 air purifier has dropped to $76.99 on Woot, down from its original $249.99 and still significantly lower than the $199.99 it’s currently going for on Amazon. According to price trackers, this marks the lowest price it has reached so far. This deal is set to run for two days or until stock runs out, whichever comes first, with free shipping for Prime members and a $6 fee for everyone else. Levoit LV-H133 Air Purifier 3-stag…

When you buy a Samsung Galaxy phone, you're not just getting the standard, stock Android experience as far as software goes: You're also getting One UI, Samsung's own take on Android, complete with its own visual look, AI features, and other tweaks. One UI means you get access to settings on a Galaxy handset that aren't available on other Android phones—you can apply customizations and controls you won't find on a handset from Nothing or Google. Whether you're thinking of buying a Galaxy phone and want to know what the benefits are, or you already own a Samsung handset and want to make sure you're exploring everything it has to offer, here are some of my favorite settings…

If you've ever started a new workout routine with the best intentions only to find yourself skipping sessions by week two, you're not alone. I'm the type to get trapped in the same cycle of burnout, where I go hard for a couple of weeks, feel exhausted, feel guilty, and repeat. For me, what finally broke that cycle wasn't a new gym membership or a fancy fitness app, but a simple scheduling hack: the "3-3-3 rule." I'd seen this rule applied it to general productivity, and all the same principles can apply to your fitness habits, too. Here's how you can use the 3-3-3 rules to structure your workouts and create a habit that sticks. What is the 3-3-3 rule?The 3-3-3 "rule" (o…

If you're trying to access X on Friday afternoon (Eastern Time), you might be hitting a roadblock. That's what happened to me: I went to refresh my feed one last time before stepping away for the weekend, but noticed that nothing was loading. In fact, the site acted as if I had a brand-new account, and invited me to explore users to follow. But whenever I clicked anything, I'd just get errors. I thought it might have just been on my end, because when I checked Downdetector, the site said: "User reports show no current problems with X (Twitter)." Indeed, the chart was flat, minus a small spike earlier today. But the comments were full of users talking about the site not w…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The 2020 HP EliteDesk 800 G6 is on sale for $319.99 at StackSocial right now. It's a compact business machine, not a modern performance PC, so the hardware is a few generations behind current systems. Still, for a home office, backup system, or simple workstation, it covers the essentials without asking for much money up front. You get a certified refurbished unit with a Grade A+ rating, which means minimal wear and a clean chassis. It also comes with a basic wired keyboard and mouse, as well as a 90-day warranty. That setup makes sense if you need …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Soundcore Boom 2 is down to $89.98 on Amazon, a solid drop from its usual $139.99 and, according to price trackers, the lowest it has been so far. It has an IPX7 rating and can float, so it is fine around pools or at the beach without needing constant attention. If it falls into the water, it will come back up on its own—your music will cut out while it is submerged, since Bluetooth cannot transmit through water—but in most situations, the bigger advantage is that the speaker itself survives without any issues. …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Larger phone screens come with real benefits, from improved multitasking to reduced eye strain compared to smaller displays. The 2025 Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is a standout in the large-screen category, with a 6.8-inch OLED display, a superior camera, and a capable processor bolstered with a suite of AI features. Right now, the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is 25% off on Amazon at a record-low price of $899 (originally $1,199). Google Pixel 10 Pro XL Phone - 256GB …

If you like the idea of using Chrome extensions with a browser that's not made by Google, Brave Browser is a great choice. This Chromium-based browser is designed with user privacy in mind, and comes with a number of quality-of-life perks as well. The thing is, not all of these features and options are enabled out of the box, or are even all that obvious. If you use Brave, you'll want to know about these 10 hacks: Use these options to get rid of Brave’s own adsBrave Browser's business model includes pushing its own services, including a VPN service and a search engine. The browser's default settings push ads for these services on the home page, and you can easily get rid…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Android Auto isn't perfect, but it is a powerful and highly customizable vehicle infotainment system with quite a few hidden features and settings. If you're using Android Auto in your car, these are the top tips and tricks to maximize its navigation, entertainment, and communication capabilities. Customize the notifications you receive while drivingGetting too many notifications on your Android Auto screen while you're driving can be distracting (and potentially dangerous), but you also don't want to miss important and time-sensitive calls and texts. You can customize what alerts pop up—and how—when you're on the road a…

For the past several years, multiview has been one of YouTube TV's best features, especially for sports fans like myself. Multiview allows you to watch up to four livestreams at once and toggle between them (and their audio) when something exciting happens. At its initial launch for March Madness in 2023, multiview was restricted to certain preselected channel combinations, but YouTube confirmed in January of this year that a fully customizable multiview was on the way. It's now available to some subscribers—myself included. Trying out YouTube TV's multiview With customizable multiview, you can select up to four channels across content categories, so you're not limited t…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Though I've spent years evangelizing for the Boox Palma 2, a phone-sized Chinese e-reader with an open Android operating system, my allegiances have shifted in recent months. I'm now obsessed with the tiny, slightly janky, minimalist devices put out by Xteink, another Chinese tech company. And I'm far from the only one—the Xteink subreddit is a busy place. The $69 Xteink X4 has a 4.3-inch screen and native software that's so bad, it wasn't really worth recommending until fans of the device cobbled together their own crowdsourced alternative. The $79 X3 (which is currently only available in the U.S. direct from Xteink) is l…

Slack is one of the most commonly used business messaging apps—beyond basic communication, the service has plenty of built-in features that can help you be both more productive and less overwhelmed by the volume of messages you receive. These are the top tips and tricks to use Slack efficiently. Create sections to organize your sidebarIf you have dozens of channels and DMs to keep track of and a long sidebar list that requires scrolling, you can create custom sections to keep related conversations together and prioritize those you need most at the top. You can create, for example, a section for conversations with just your team or a grouping of channels and DMs related t…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you’re starting a home tool set or looking to graduate from a beginner set of hand tools to expand the variety of DIY projects you can tackle, a quality set of wrenches and drivers is key. Everyone who does DIY and home repair projects knows that a comprehensive set of bits and sockets will save you hours of aggravation while you’re working. This 104-piece Craftsman tool set is a good investment because it has a variety of sockets, ratchets, and driver tips. CRAFTSMAN 104Pc Mechanic Tool Set…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Convertible laptops are a versatile and affordable alternative to buying a separate laptop and tablet. They offer touchscreen capability, multiple viewing modes, and greater portability than traditional laptops, which is a perk for commuters. They’re also useful if you want a second screen but don’t want to invest in a full second laptop or desktop. One of the most popular options is the entry-level 14-inch ASUS Chromebook Flip CX1 Convertible Laptop, which is down to a record low of $279.99 (originally $369.99), according to price trackers. …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Nvidia might be courting controversy with its recent DLSS 5 tech, but the company’s GPUs are still pretty powerful devices for running your games. If you have an RTX card in your desktop or laptop, you might be able to get even better performance out of it than you’re already seeing. Here are some of my favorite hacks to optimize your Nvidia GPU. Enable DLSS to boost your frame rates (or disable to save on performance)Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (or DLSS) is actually a suite of features collectively aimed at improving the resolution and frame rate of your games. Some of this involves rendering lower-resolution f…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC wireless headphones are down to $199.99 for Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, a $100 drop from their usual $299.99 and the lowest price so far, according to price trackers. Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC wireless over-ear Bluetooth headphones $199.99 …