Home Office Setup & Equipment

In the middle of the Las Vegas Convention Center, amidst the world's largest tech trade show, an awards show was taking place. The audience included nominees ranging from large companies like Nvidia to scrappy startups introducing themselves to the world, alongside journalists, tech insiders, and enthusiasts gathering to watch the Best of CES 2026 awards. After days of scouring showroom floors, speaking with innovators about their new technologies, and deliberating for six hours, finalists and winners were chosen by experts from CNET, PCMag, Mashable, ZDNET, and Lifehacker. I had the privilege of helping to judge and present several awards, and aside from my gratitude for…

Google acquired the excellent photo editor Snapseed back in 2012—not long after Apple had crowned it one of its apps of the year—and despite having plenty to offer and being completely free to use, it remains one of Google's lesser-known apps. That might be about to change. Snapseed's latest update for iOS, version 3.15.0, comes with a full camera app inside—and there's a case to be made that it's better than Apple's default Camera app. It certainly offers more in the way of manual shooting controls, with the added benefit of an entire integrated suite of editing features. Using Snapseed's built-in camera on iPhoneOnce you've installed or updated Snapseed to the latest ve…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. So successful was the first season of Shōgun, based on the 1975 James Clavell novel, that two further seasons have been commissioned to continue the story, even though the adaptation has run out of material. Set at the tail-end of Japan's Warring States period, the series sees ambitious English maritime pilot John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) shipwrecked in Japan and in the power of powerful warlord Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada). Each of these two men has something to offer the other, and reluctantly serving as the translator between them is Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), who is loyal to Toranaga but has a complicated …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. If you track your runs (and bike rides, and all your other exercise) with a Garmin device, you’ve probably already found its gear tracking features. This is how I realized I'd put over 1,000 miles on my favorite Nikes. Until recently, the usefulness stopped there. But in a new (free) update, Garmin has introduced a ton of new gear tracking features, including one I’ve been hoping for ever since I bought my first pair of trail shoes. Garmin Forerunner 970 Premium GPS Smartwatch (Black) …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Five years can feel like a commitment, but not for a quality VPN this cheap. Right now, you can get an iProVPN five-year subscription on sale for just $19.99 at StackSocial, down from its $360 list price. Instead of paying month to month or even annually, you’re effectively paying about $4 per year. At that price, the money isn't as much a concern as whether the service fits how you actually use the internet. So let's focus on that. iProVPN positions itself as a general-purpose VPN, not a niche privacy tool meant for power users. In day-to-day use, …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Fitness trackers and smartwatches want to live on your wrist 24/7, the better to track your workouts, sleep, and (allegedly) everyday stress. But after wearing a tight silicone band every minute of the day, you may find your skin starts to get red or itchy after a while. Here are some tips on how to reduce the chances of irritation, and what you can do if you already have a rash. Wear your watch loosely when you're not working outMost makers of smartwatches and fitness trackers say that you should wear them loosely for daily wear. Fitbit, for example, writes that you should wear the band “loosely enough that it can move b…

Clones are everywhere. Last week I talked about the rumor that actor Selena Gomez is a clone or a double (she is not). This week, it's Jim Carrey. Many online are wondering whether the rubber-faced comedian/actor is not what he seems to be. Maybe he's a clone. Maybe he has a doppelgänger. Maybe it's a prank. This is all obviously dumb, but unlike the Selena Gomez story, there's some evidence that supports the idea. It's not good evidence, but it's at least a little more interesting than most conspiracy theories. Why people think Jim Carrey is a lookalikeThe theories started flying last week, when Jim Carrey was given the César Award in Paris. The 64-year-old comedian ha…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you lose something important, invariably it will happen at the worst possible time—say, your keys disappearing right before you need to leave the house, or you can't find the remote and the big game is starting. Bluetooth trackers exist to help solve this exact problem, and now is a good time to pick up a bunch of them at a discount: A four-pack Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 is currently $44.99 on Woot, compared with $55.99 on Amazon. The bundle includes four trackers. Prime members get free standard shipping, while everyone else pays $6, though the…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. It hasn't even been a month since Samsung announced the new Galaxy S26 lineup of phones, and the flagship version, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which starts at $1,299.99, is already getting a solid deal from Amazon: You can get a $200 Amazon gift card when placing your order through the online retailer. The deal applies to all four colors, and both the basic 256GB version and the maxed-out 512GB storage option as well. It's worth noting that if you plan to do a trade-in, Samsung offers better trade-in credits than Amazon, going up to $720. …

Security updates aren't as flashy or fun as feature updates, but they're just as important—if not more—to install. They include patches for vulnerabilities in your device's OS that could leave you open to hacking. By patching these weak points as quickly as possible, you reduce the risk to your device and its data. Traditionally, Apple has largely kept its security updates tied to its general software releases, both big and small. Rather than release iOS 26 and a subsequent security patch, Apple just couples the two. Even if you don't (or can't) update to the latest iOS, Apple will add the most important patches to new updates of older iOS versions (e.g. iOS 18.7.6, or i…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Ever since I came home from a trip to Japan in 2019, I've been using a bidet. Japan takes its hygiene and bidet game seriously. Their bidets were incredible, with features and technology I've never imagined people were using on their toilets. But I decided to start simple, with a basic $56 bidet that got the job done. But as winter arrived, the water and toilet seats in our non-insulated bathroom became intolerable, so we decided it was time to upgrade. The Coway Bidetmega 500S has impressed my wife and me so much that we sometimes hold our necessities until we get home just to use our shiny new bidet. …

Most of us don’t do enough strength training to realize the health benefits it can bring. The American College of Sports Medicine has released a new guideline on strength training that gives more realistic advice than what you may have heard about strength training elsewhere. Aside from outlining the amount of training we need, the new guidelines also come with a few surprises, in the form of debunking many long-held "rules" of strength training. Among them: training to failure isn’t essential, and unstable surfaces aren’t necessary to improve your balance. I keep seeing fitness professionals celebrating these new ACSM guidelines as a major improvement on previous advice…

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…

The U.S. government is banning the importation of new routers made overseas, meaning consumers will no longer be able to purchase devices from many popular manufacturers. On Monday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added all consumer-grade routers produced abroad to its "Covered List" of communications equipment that poses an "unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of United States persons." The agency specifically cited the exploitation of foreign-made routers in the Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon cyberattacks. But the thing is, the vast majority of routers are manufactured overseas. So where does that leave …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you've been searching for an affordable running watch, one of your best options just got even more budget-friendly. The Suunto Run is at the lowest price it ever gets, down to $179. That's a solid 10% discount (or $20 off) from its typical $199 price tag, during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. Suunto Run $179.00 at Amazon…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The best sale you’ll find on a Garmin watch during the ongoing Amazon Big Spring Sale is probably this Forerunner 265, which will run you $344.95. It’s an excellent watch—I said as much when I reviewed it. If this watch appeals to you, go ahead and buy it—but there are some caveats you should consider before buying one. Garmin Forerunner 265 Running Smartwatch …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Rowing is my latest fitness obsession. A good workout on a rowing machine can engage up to 86% of your muscles, combining cardio and strength training while being gentle on your joints. After a few months of testing the new Hydrow Arc Rowing Machine—which I reviewed in depth—I trust Hydrow as a brand name. And right now, the Hydrow Origin Rowing Machine is available for $1,895 as a part of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, a 14% discount off its list price of $2,195. Hydrow Origin Rowing Machine …

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. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. While companies might make you feel like you always need to buy their latest and greatest model, you can save quite a bit by opting for their older devices. These days, the hardware from reputable manufacturers tends to be good enough to last years, which makes one or two generation-old devices a great value. As such, if you're in the market for a new iPad, consider an "old" iPad instead. Amazon has Apple's cellular M3 iPad Air with AppleCare+ up to 23% off for its Big Spring Sale. iPad Air …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. With so many options on the market, it can be tough to differentiate between vacuum robots and mop hybrids. But if you’re on a budget, one major factor to consider is whether it has a roller mop. A roller mop cleans hard floors better by preventing dirty water from spreading and is more effective at removing heavy-duty messes, similar to wiping up a mess with a wet towel. The new Eufy Omni C28 is the “most budget-friendly roller mop robot vacuum,” according to Mashable, and right now it's 38% off for the Amazon Big Spring Sale, bringing it to a reco…

Few things are more stressful when flying than a security screening line that is far longer than expected. In recent weeks, due to the partial federal government shutdown that left Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers without pay, travelers at major airports encountered wait times of up to four hours to clear security. (As of April 2, these bottlenecks have largely eased.) During "normal" times, it's easier to determine how early you actually need to arrive, but if you want to find the sweet spot between spending pointless hours at the airport and missing your flight, you should keep an eye on current security wait times, which are available across multi…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. While I'd never presume to speak for her, I suspect that Margaret Atwood would be perfectly happy to be a little less hot right now, if only it meant that her works of fiction, always prescient, weren't so alarmingly present. Written in 1985, The Handmaid's Tale feels closer than ever, and its 2019 sequel, The Testaments, now has a much-anticipated adaptation of its own. While Handmaid saw a generation of women coming to grips with an oppressive Christian nationalist regime consolidating its power, The Testaments finds a later generation of young women who've never known any different; for whom this is all perfectly normal…

The StairMaster may be having a moment, but straight-up stair running has been around forever. As a runner myself, I know real-world stair workouts are one of the most effective and accessible training tools out there, no gym membership required. Especially for my fellow city runners without mountains or hills nearby—or really anyone looking to add some variety into their workouts—stair workouts are a great option to try. What is vertical training?Vertical training is exactly what it sounds like: deliberately incorporating upward movement into your workout. Unlike "flat" running, every step up forces your body to fight gravity, which changes the muscular demand, the card…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Furbo 360° cat camera and Furbo 360° dog camera allow for full pet monitoring and interaction; the treat tosser acts as the primary camera with 360-degree rotation and a wide view, while the second, more compact camera acts as an additional fixed vantage point for extra room coverage. They both have features like 4X HD zoom, two-way audio, and night vision, as well as AI alerts for barking, activity, and emergencies, so pet owners can stay in the loop, earning the device a PCMag Editor’s Choice Award. There’s even a daily diary that records a ti…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. My house has precisely one outdoor area, which makes it precious. It’s the only spot where we can hang out outside without actually leaving. Since I’m a dedicated introvert who enjoys fake conversations with his cats more than real conversations with people, that’s incredibly important. As a result, I put a lot of time into keeping the deck comfortable and in good repair. A few years ago, I replaced some of the composite decking with new pieces that didn’t quite match the original color, so I painted the decking to keep things uniform. This past winter was pretty rough on the deck, though, which was starting to look a litt…