Home Office Setup & Equipment

To kick off the month, Hulu will be streaming the 97th Oscars, hosted by Conan O'Brien, on Sunday, March 2. The show will be airing on ABC and available to all Hulu subscribers, with red carpet coverage beginning at 3:30 p.m. PT and the award show at 4 p.m. PT. Hulu Original comedy Deli Boys will premiere on March 6 with all 10 episodes of season one. The series stars Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh as Pakistani-American brothers who discover their late father's business, which they are now tasked with, was a front. Also coming to Hulu: the eighth and final season of Roseanne spinoff sitcom The Connors (March 27) and the next season of American Idol (March 10). On …

If you work a job with limited paid time off, you have to be strategic about using it, whether you want to have more short breaks throughout the year or have an extended trip planned that requires banking days and using them all at once. We've written before about how to maximize annual vacation days by stacking them up against weekends as well as federal and state holidays so your time off feels like more than it is. The Stretch My Time Off tool can actually do that for you based on the exact number of PTO days you have—whether you get a paltry two weeks or want to take several dozen days with an unlimited policy—as well as the national holidays in your country (and sta…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. As tech reviewers get their hands on the latest TVs and write their reviews, a picture starts to take shape on which are the best TVs for every category. For those looking for the best bang-for-your-buck a tier above "budget TVs," the jury is still out between TCL's QM7 and Hisense's U7N. Really, it comes down to preference or a good deal—and right now, Hisense's U7N lineup is seeing great discounts. The best one is the 75-inch U7N currently going for $859.99 (originally $1,499.98) after a 43% discount, its lowest price ever, according to price-trac…

The YouTube TV app has been disappearing for some Roku users. Luckily, if you are among those affected, there are a few fixes you can try for this issue. Starting this week, several users on both Reddit and Roku's forums have separately reported issues opening the YouTube TV app or even locating it on their Roku devices. Those who tried reinstalling the YouTube TV app were able to see an Open App button, but pressing it simply resulted in an error. What's worse is that the issues seem isolated to Roku, with users of devices like the Google TV Streamer 4K not issuing the same complaints. Luckily, this issue only seems to be impacting people with dedicated Roku devices and…

It’s not just eggs—all the basics we need to live our lives are getting more expensive, including the energy we use to run our appliances, heat our homes, and do just about everything else. The average monthly cost for electricity and gas is already over $200, so when your utility bill spikes, it’s often a cause for panic. After all, you can only do so much to cut down on your usage. If you’re looking for ways to manage your utility bills, there is one option worth investigating. Check with your local utility company to see if it offers what’s known as a Time of Use (TOU) plan. While these plans require some adjustment and a healthy dose of personal discipline, they also …

Now more than ever, I rely on my silly little podcasts to disassociate through my days, and yesterday, that got a little easier. Pocket Casts—Lifehacker's pick for the most full-featured and user-friendly podcast app on the scene, and my own auditory lifeline for the last half-decade or so—has made its web streaming and desktop apps free for all users. Previously, these were paid subscriber-only benefits that would cost you around $40/year to access. In a statement, the company said it made the change in support of "the open podcasting ecosystem," noting the audio format "was built on an open, decentralized standard, RSS, which means that anyone can create, share, and lis…

I like watching Reels and TikToks about cleaning because in addition to getting some good tips, I find them relatable. Why, yes, Algorithm, I do often find myself in a position where friends are coming over but my home isn't exactly spotless. How did you know? One Instagram user has a suggestion for how to turn that exact situation into a cleaning win: Called the "GFD bin," it's gained some traction on the app as a quick decluttering method worth trying. What is a "GFD bin?"A "GFD bin" is a "guests for dinner" bin, according to its creator, Holly Blakey. The organizing and interior decorating guru shared this video last December explaining the idea: Essentially, befor…

Getting rid of stuff can be hard, even if you’re not exactly a hoarder. It’s hard enough for so many of us in our consumerist society, in fact, that scientists have studied why that is—and are always coming up with ways to overcome an aversion to decluttering our lives. Just in time for spring cleaning season, look to research published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology that suggests there’s a way to ease yourself into parting with old belongings: Instead of throwing them out all at once, banish them to purgatory first. What it means to put clutter in “purgatory”The researchers, Mathew S. Isaac and Poornima Vinoo, kicked off their paper by explaining that people who s…

You've no doubt explored the app that came along with your smart lights, and found several handy tricks within—from getting your lights to turn on at scheduled times, to cycling between different colors and brightness settings over the course of the day. There's plenty more you can do, however, with the help of IFTTT. IFTTT (If This Then That) is a long-established web and mobile app for plugging different services into each other. It can, for example, automatically share Instagram photos to X (but only when a specific hashtag is used); forward SMS messages to your email; export Fitbit stats to Google Sheets; and plenty more—there are a wealth of options to explore. The t…

Last week, Apple launched their developer beta for iOS 18.4. The update brings fresh changes to iOS, including Priority Notifications, a new Genmoji button, and additional supported languages. While it may be some time before iOS 18.4 is launched to all iPhone users, those curious to try out the new features can do so by installing the beta. However, doing so may cause some issues, so proceed with caution. How to install the iOS 18.4 developer betaIt's worth mentioning that there is some risk involved in installing a developer beta. The software can be unstable, as it is currently in testing and designed mainly for developers to make sure their apps are compatible with …

Gboard, the default keyboard on many Android phones, is finally getting a proper undo button. Up until now, you had to use a Japanese keyboard to access the undo button, but Google has finally addressed that gap. With Gboard 15 for Android, you'll be able to use the undo button that, thankfully, works with all languages. How to set up the undo and redo buttons in GboardFirst up, go to Google Play store and update Gboard to the latest version. After that, open any app where you can see the keyboard, such as Messages or Chrome. Fire up the keyboard and tap the four squares icon in the top-left corner of the keyboard. This will show you all the shortcuts that you can add to…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. While most people think of smart cameras as just a part of their security system, they’re also a good way to monitor the things growing in your yard. In most cases, the cameras you already have set up for security can be doing double duty as a tool to keep track of what's happening in your garden. I believe we’re on the cusp of smart cameras becoming a much bigger part of the gardening experience. For the last few years, smart bird houses have exploded in popularity. One of those companies, Bird Buddy, has launched an entirely new line of cameras specifically for micro-viewing experiences in the garden. Their Petal cameras…

ChatGPT isn't based on just one AI model. On the contrary, there are a number of different models you can choose to power the chatbot with—even more if you pay for it. While you can experiment with each on your own, OpenAI has its take on when you should be using each—the advice is just a bit hidden. As spotted by Bleeping Computer, OpenAI now has official advice on the best times to use each of its AI models. It would have been easy to miss, as the advice in question is attached to a support document for ChatGPT Enterprise, the company's business-tier subscription service. And while there is some guidance that only applies to business users, much of the advice here ap…

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 meaning to grab an e-reader for the first time, this Kindle Paperwhite deal on Woot might be worth a closer look, especially if you don’t mind a gently used product. It’s the 11th Gen model from 2021, refurbished to Grade-A condition, starting at $89.99 for 16GB and $109.99 for 32GB versions. You can knock another $5 off with code FIREFIVE at checkout, but only through April 29—or until they sell out. 11th Gen Kindle Paperwhite (grade A condition) …

Your phone’s camera does so much filtering, processing, and AI adjustments, it can make you question reality itself. In a world where Google can put you into photos you take, what's even real? If you'd rather avoid letting your phone decide what your photos look like, here's how to take control back from your camera app. Since Android is an open platform, the default apps on your phone may be different from someone else's. The various settings and apps I reference may be different on some phones, and some apps might not be compatible with all devices, but there are usually options that will work for you. Switch to RAW photos (where available)Much like higher-end cameras, …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Two weeks ago, there was a blanket of snow across most of the country. That melted into what feels like an early spring, with occasionally clear days and warm(ish) weather. The irises and tulips have begun to emerge in some areas, the surest sign that planting season is around the corner. This is the time to get organized and get ready, because by the time we talk again in April, we will be in it. Start garden and lawn cleanup in MarchNow is the time to get out there and start your spring clean up. You don’t want to get rid of the leaves—there are still insects slumbering, and they will be until spring temperatures hit.…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. I love Kindle e-readers, and have been using them since the first Kindle Paperwhite came out in 2012. One thing I've been looking forward to since I first had one in my hands is the color version. It finally came out in November with the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, which is on sale for $229.99 (originally $279.99), the lowest price it has been since its release, according to price-tracking tools. Right now, you can also get it with three months of free Kindle Unlimited (it'll auto-renew unless you cancel it), and if you're a Prime Member, yo…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. All houses make noise, and those noises can be useful in diagnosing and addressing potential problems. But if your house is driving you crazy with all its creaking and groaning, it’s time to look into ways you can quiet the house down. You could do a gut renovation to make the place absolutely soundproof, but if you don’t have a spare fortune to spend on the effort, you still have a lot of relatively simple, affordable options to try out, based on what's making those noises in the first place. Check your decibelsFirst, you’ll need some data to work with—and you'll have to identify exactly what’s causing noise in your hous…

Paramount+'s March slate is anchored by a new original crime series Happy Face (March 20), which tells the true story of Keith Jesperson, a serial killer known as Happy Face. The drama stars Dennis Quaid as Jesperson and Annaleigh Ashford as his daughter, who discovered his identity at age 15 and must decide if she wants a relationship with him after decades of no contact. Also in true crime is a three-part docuseries Sin City Gigolo: A Murder in Las Vegas (March 4) about the criminal investigation into a former reality TV star arrested in 2020 for murder. March brings a handful of music features to Paramount+, including a remastered version of the 80s film Tom…

I gave up wearing an Apple Watch about three marathons ago. Fitness watches are fantastic tools for most runners, but they're not for me—especially when I'm not training for a specific race. It turns out that, for me, there's a distinct freedom in running without a training plan. After years of following structured programs with specific paces, distances, and workout types, I've learned to appreciate the art of intuitive running—letting my body guide the way rather than my watch. The joy of watchless runningThe decision to ditch my running watch was a conscious one. No more obsessing over pace, distance, or heart rate. Instead, I've developed a deeper connection with my …

I've recently rented a car in two different states. Both times I was asked if I wanted to pay an extra fee per day to avoid worrying about paying tolls—a crucial issue in some states, like Florida, that no longer accept cash on the road and sometimes won't even allow you to pay online. Both times I declined, and set my Google Maps to "avoid tolls." I was reasonably confident Google would keep me safe from an unpaid toll ticket, but my heart still skipped a beat when, a few weeks ago, I got a text message letting me know I had unpaid I-Pass tolls from Illinois. But then I took a closer look at the text. Missed toll texts are the latest scamIt turns out that texts purport…

When it comes to managing your finances and taxes, consider advice from TikTok with a hefty grain of salt. Certain tax "loopholes" may go viral, but that doesn't mean they're good for your specific tax situation. TikTok's bite-sized videos have a habit of distilling nuanced tax strategies into just a few sentences—a recipe for misinformation. This advice is lightly misleading at best, and totally inaccurate at worst. Blindly following this advice could cost you in penalties, back taxes owed, and a tremendous hassle. Let's take a look at the questionable TikTok tax advice I've seen and how you can make sure it doesn't lead you and your money astray. Hiring your kids Some v…

Peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo offer an easy way to send money to friends and family as well as businesses selling goods and services—but that ease makes them a target for scams involving theft and fraud. Here are the most common Venmo scams to watch for. The mistaken payment scamIf you receive money you weren't expecting from someone you don't know by "accident," it's not actually an accident. Scammers will Venmo you, claim it was a mistake, and ask for the money back as a new payment. This may seem harmless, but it typically involves scammers charging so-called mistaken payments to stolen credit cards then connecting their personal cards to receive payments in r…

Google is trying to add Gemini AI to all its products. We've even seen the Gemini button in Gmail (which you can disable if you wish). Now, the company is starting to get more specific with that email integration, using AI to automatically add events to your Google calendar if an email provides enough details for it. The feature is already rolling out, so Gemini Advanced subscribers and Google Workspace for Business users can expect to start seeing the new Add to Calendar button, powered by Gemini, when relevant. It'll be right next to the "Summarize this email" button, above the email's body. As an example, let's say you have an email discussing an upcoming meeting with …