Setting Up Your Home Office Latest Topicshttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/88-setting-up-your-home-office/Setting Up Your Home Office Latest TopicsenSonos Is Having a Memorial Day Sale With Discounts of up to $200https://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46329-sonos-is-having-a-memorial-day-sale-with-discounts-of-up-to-200/We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

A ton of early Memorial Day sales are going on right now, and if you're an audiophiles, one of the best is happening over on Amazon, where tons of Sonos speakers are seeing huge discounts. Nearly every soundbar, smart speaker, subwoofer, or portable speaker the company makes is on sale right now, some for as much as $200 off.

Get Deal Get Deal Get Deal Get Deal Get Deal Get Deal Get Deal Get Deal Get Deal Get Deal SEE 7 MORE

  • The Sonos Era 100 SL is an updated version of the Sonos Era 100 smart speaker, which ditches its microphone (and thus its smart speaker capabilities) in favor of a $60 reduction in price. It is currently down to its lowest price ever, $169 (originally $189), according to price-checking tools. The Sonos Era 100 SL came out this February, and other than the microphone, it's the same exact speaker as the Era 100, which received an "excellent" review from PCMag. The speaker works with both Bluetooth and wifi and integrates seamlessly with most major music streaming services.

  • The Roam 2 is Sonos' version of a portable speaker, and it integrates seamlessly into the ecosystem, giving you the freedom to play multi-room media. It has a speakerphone feature, in-app EQ, wireless charging, and water resistance, and it is compatible with the Alexa and Sonos voice assistants, according to PCMag's review. At $134 (originally $179), the Roam 2 is the cheapest Sonos speaker you can buy.

  • The Sonos Sub Mini is a smaller and more affordable version of the Sonos Sub, and it's $399 (originally $499). It's perfect for a small apartment or a room where you want a soundbar and subwoofer combo.

  • You can get Sonos' latest flagship soundbar, the Arc Ultra, for $899 (originally $999) after a $100 discount. The Arc Ultra succeeded the already excellent Arc Soundbar, adding Bluetooth and a more immersive audio experience with deeper bass and clearer dialogue, according to PCMag's "outstanding" review. This is a very long soundbar, measuring 2.95 by 46.38 by 4.35 inches, so make sure you have the space for it.

  • If you don't have the space, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is much more compact and is going for $369 (originally $499). It has Atmos compatibility, eARC connectivity, NFC connectivity, and a better processor than the Gen 1, according to CNET's review.

  • The Sonos Move 2 is a portable smart speaker offering an impressive 24-hour battery life that makes the imposing design a bit more palatable. You can get one for $399 (originally $499).

  • If you don't care about portability, you can opt for the Sonos Era 300 for $379 (originally $449). It has better bass, plays Dolby Atmos tracks from Apple Music and Amazon Music, and retains most of the other features of the Sonos Move 2. (PCMag gave it an "excellent" review.)

  • The Sub 4 is Sonos' flagship soundwoofer, and it can make your living room rumble when you pair it with a Sonos soundbar to generate theater-worthy sound. You can get it for $759 (originally $899).

  • The Sonos Five has been around for a while. It's a powerful wireless speaker perfect to set up on a bookshelf or kitchen counter, or to use with a turntable. It's $479 (originally $599) right now.

  • Even older than the Sonos Five is the Sonos Play:1,; this is likely why it's being sold as renewed instead of new (you likely won't find this speaker new anywhere in 2026). It's one of Sonos' earliest wireless multi-room speakers, and you can get one for $154.51 (originally $199.99).

View the full article

]]>46329Thu, 21 May 2026 21:00:00 +0000Apple's New AI-Powered Accessibility Features Could Change the Way You Use Your iPhonehttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46310-apples-new-ai-powered-accessibility-features-could-change-the-way-you-use-your-iphone/In all likelihood, Apple won't acknowledge iOS 27's existence until WWDC 2026, but that doesn't mean the company is saving all its iOS 27 announcements until then. On Tuesday, Apple published a press release announcing a slew of new accessibility features coming "later this year." While Apple didn't specify, that almost assuredly means they will arrive with iOS 27.

Apple does have a good track record when it comes to accessibility features, and it usually announces a slate of new accessibility updates ahead of WWDC. But this year feels a bit different: While these features will indeed likely benefit users with limitations or special needs, Apple also advertises them as "powered by Apple Intelligence." This is almost certainly the company's way of signaling to the tech community (as well as investors) that it is continuing to take AI seriously, especially after two years of slowdowns and setbacks. Moreover, several of these features seem widely useful, whether you "need" them or not.

You can use Voice Control with natural language

Perhaps the most universally useful new upgrade is to Voice Control. While Apple currently lets you use Voice Control to navigate your iPhone with spoken commands, Apple Intelligence will let you use Voice Control with natural language. That means instead of asking Voice Control to tap an input at a certain grid number, you can say "Open the yellow folder" in Files, or "tap the 'Best Restaurants' guide" in Maps. 

This is going to be huge for users who rely on Voice Control to use their iPhone or iPad. But it also shows that Apple Intelligence has advanced to the point where any of us can control these devices with our voices. If you need to use your iPhone hands-free for any reason—say, you want to check a recipe while cooking—you could direct your iPhone with your voice, rather than wash your hands, find the right recipe, then wash your hands again.

Add subtitles to personal videos

Apple says that with its future update, Apple Intelligence will be able to caption videos whenever subtitles aren't present. That could work on a clip you watch online that doesn't have subtitles, or on a video you filmed yourself. This will happen automatically on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro, and Apple says the entire process is processed privately on-device (though it can be toggled on or off).

VoiceOver and Magnifier

magnifier with apple intelligence
Credit: Apple

Apple says later this year, VoiceOver and Magnifier will be able to describe what's on your screen—which, when paired with the camera, means your phone will be able to describe what's going on around you. You'll be able to use the "Image Explorer" in VoiceOver to receive descriptions of photos, bills, records, and anything else you feed it. With Live Recognition, Apple Intelligence will be able to describe what's going on in the camera view, similar to how competitor products like Gemini Live work. To that point, Apple says you will also be able to ask follow-up questions "in your own words," which makes the experience a bit more of a back-and-forth, rather than constantly pinging the assistant.

The Magnifier option makes it easier for users with low vision to see certain elements up close. After the upgrade, though, when hovering Maginifier's camera over a document or a receipt, you'll also be able to ask Apple Intelligence questions about the subject For example, you could ask "How much is the bill for?" and get a full answer with context. You can also use voice commands to take actions, like "zoom in" or "turn on the flashlight."

Apple is improving the Accessibility Reader

accessibility reader
Credit: Apple

Apple's Accessibility Reader can make it easier to read bodies of text with customizable fonts, backgrounds, layouts, and colors. Now, with Apple Intelligence, Accessibility Reader will work across "more complex source materials." That includes scientific articles, text printed in multiple columns, as well as images and data tables. The feature will also offer summaries, so you can get the gist of the material before reading on.

Apple Vision Pro accessibility updates are coming too

apple vision pro
Credit: Apple

Apple has a few new Vision Pro upgrades coming this fall as well. First, the company is adding a new wheelchair control feature to the headset, which will allow users in power wheelchairs to control their wheelchairs with eye movements. In addition, Apple announced that Vehicle Motion Cues are coming to the headset. This feature, previously an iOS-exclusive, adds moving dots to the display to counteract the effects of motion sickness. It will be interesting to see if it can help combat motion sickness that is sometimes caused by using the Apple Vision Pro in a moving vehicle. Finally, users will have new options to perform taps and system actions via face gestures.

Other accessibility updates in the works

In addition to the above, Apple is adding the following accessibility options to iOS 27:

  • Sony Access controller support for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS

  • Touch Accommodations will support a "new way to personalize setup" in iOS and iPadOS

  • Made for iPhone hearing aids are in the works, which can pair and hand off between your Apple devices like AirPods—which are also FDA-approved hearing aids

  • Apple is adding larger text support for tvOS

  • Name Recognition is expanding to over 50 languages

View the full article

]]>46310Thu, 21 May 2026 20:00:00 +0000This Home Generator and Solar Panel Bundle Is $1,300 Off Right Nowhttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46311-this-home-generator-and-solar-panel-bundle-is-1300-off-right-now/We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

As extreme weather, power outages, and energy uncertainty get harder to ignore, home generators and portable power stations are becoming an essential part of your emergency kit. While smaller power banks are helpful for camping trips or keeping your phone alive, a more substantial generator like the Jackery HomePower 3000 is a better choice for people who want something a lot more substantial. Right now, a bundle with the battery and solar panel attachments is $1,300 off on Amazon, a more than 40% discount from the original $2,999 price.

The Jackery HomePower 3000 is designed to power appliances like a fridge as well as your wifi, lights, and fans for a couple of days in the event of a power outage (this time frame depends on the overall load). It's also suitable for RV use. It has a 3,072Wh LiFePO4 battery with 3,600W running output and 7,200W surge power, making it ideal for higher-draw appliances. It can fully recharge in 1.7 hours, and supports multiple charging methods, including AC, solar, car, AC+DC hybrid, and gas-generator charging. 

This bundle comes with two 200W solar panels. Compared to smaller power stations, it has a solid variety of ports, including 120V AC outlets, one 120V 30A outlet, two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, and a car port. That said, at 59.5 pounds, the tradeoff is that it’s not portable enough to casually carry around. That said, the amount of features that it packs into a somewhat compact package is pretty impressive. 

If you are looking for a serious power station that can keep your appliances running without the fumes, noise, and maintenance that a gas generator requires, the Jackery HomePower 3000 solar power bundle is a reliable option, and a much better deal at this discount.

Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now
Deals are selected by our commerce team

View the full article

]]>46311Thu, 21 May 2026 19:30:00 +0000Strava Just Overhauled Its Strength Activity Experience, and It Looks Like a Major Upgradehttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46297-strava-just-overhauled-its-strength-activity-experience-and-it-looks-like-a-major-upgrade/Strava announced today a complete overhaul of its strength training experience. It's one of the bigger gym-based updates I've seen from the app—the new features include 14 partner integrations, a dedicated workout log, auto-populated muscle maps, and five new strength-specific shareables. According to Strava, the update is rolling out globally in the coming weeks, so you should be able to try all of these new goodies soon.

For anyone who has ever wished Strava treated their weight training with even a fraction of the seriousness it gives to runs and rides, the update certainly looks promising. Whether it fully delivers on its potential is a question that will require some testing to answer, given that most strength apps look better on paper than they actually work in practice.

Strava's workout log is getting a full refresh, including muscle maps

The core update is a completely refreshed workout log that lets you record sets, reps, and weight directly inside Strava. In theory, this could close a gap for all of the Strava runners out there who also lift, but lack a reliable way to keep that training data in the same place as everything else.

For me, the most eye-catching feature is that every logged strength workout will now automatically generate a visual muscle map highlighting which muscle groups were worked based on the exercises recorded. This could be a great way to understand your training balance, avoid overuse, and make sure you're not accidentally skipping the same muscles every week. Of course, a muscle map is only as good as the underlying exercise data, and a factor there could be how well the different partner apps feed into Strava. .

These partner apps now work with Strava

Strava is launching with 14 partner integrations, pulling strength data from apps and devices across the fitness ecosystem. The initial partners include: 24 Hour Fitness (coming this summer), Amazfit, Caliber, Coros, Fitbod, Garmin, Hevy, iFIT Personal Trainer, JEFIT, Liftoff, Motra, Remaker, Runna, and Whoop.

I'll be covering these integrations in more depth once I have a clearer picture of exactly what data each one sends across and how it surfaces inside Strava. But a few things stand out to me. The Hevy integration seems particularly promising. Hevy is a well-regarded dedicated strength logging app, and pulling detailed workout data from it directly into Strava could be a welcome consolidation for people already using it.

For Coros and Garmin users, the integration should mean strength sessions tracked on your watch will flow into Strava automatically, just like your runs do now. I'm curious to dig into exactly what that looks like in practice—how exercises are classified, whether sets and reps come through cleanly, and whether the muscle maps populate correctly from watch-captured data versus manually logged workouts.

The Whoop integration is also worth noting, as Whoop just added expanded strength training features of its own. Given Whoop's status as a launch partner, I imagine there are plenty of ways the two platforms complement each other—say, with Whoop's recovery and strain data sitting alongside Strava's activity log and social elements. And on that note, Strava is also adding five new strength-specific share formats, designed to give gym workouts the same social motivation juice that outdoor activities have always had on the platform.

View the full article

]]>46297Thu, 21 May 2026 18:30:00 +0000This New Flipper Device Is Like a Pocket-Sized Linux PChttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46298-this-new-flipper-device-is-like-a-pocket-sized-linux-pc/Flipper Devices, the company behind the semi-infamous Flipper Zero "hacking" multi-tool, is developing a Linux-powered mini-PC with the goal of creating a "truly open hardware platform." The Flipper One is described as a pocket-sized ARM device for high-performance computing, IP networking, and on-device AI use. The device is in development, so there is no price or release date as yet.

The Flipper One is being built on a Rockchip RK3576 processor and the modular design means it can be expanded. "Flipper Zero taught us how much you can do with a tightly scoped, open product and a community that pushes it further than you can. Flipper One is what happens when we apply the same approach to a much bigger problem—building a fully open ARM Linux device that doesn't go obsolete the moment it ships," Pavel Zhovner, Co-founder and CEO of Flipper Devices, said in a press release.

In keeping with the Flipper "open everything" ethos, the Flipper One is a community developed project, and anyone who wants to can check in and/or help out through the Developer Portal.

What you will be able to do with a Flipper One

Network debugging: The Flipper One will feature high-speed connectivity, including Ethernet, wi-fi 6E, and optional 5G, allowing it to function as an advanced network debugging tool.

On-Device AI: The Flipper One will have local AI hardware acceleration, so it will be able to handle compute-heavy tasks without needing a cloud connection.

Wireless analysis: The device will capture and analyze wireless traffic and network signals in real time.

Who is the Flipper One for?

If you work in network administration, you probably already know why you need or don't need a Flipper One, but if you're just a casual tech enthusiast or tinkerer, it might provide a powerful sandbox. Here are some potential uses:

  • As a retro console: Presumably, it will have enough power to run Linux video game emulation software, so you could connect a Bluetooth controller, plug into a TV, and have a powerful portable gaming rig in your pocket.

  • As a home server: You could use this to run a network-wide ad-blocker, or use it as a portable media server that could be accessed by any device on your wifi.

  • As private AI: Since it can run artificial intelligence, you can experiment with LLMs in complete privacy.

  • To learn about the devices around you: We are surrounded by Bluetooth beacons, wifi probes, and radio signals we never think about. This will give you some insight into that invisible world.

View the full article

]]>46298Thu, 21 May 2026 18:00:00 +0000That Email From 'Microsoft' Is Actually a Scamhttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46278-that-email-from-microsoft-is-actually-a-scam/We all get enough spam messages these days that we can avoid the obvious scams: If an unknown number texts you asking for money, or a spammy email address warns you about a computer virus, you'll likely delete them and move on. But if the message comes from a company you trust, like Microsoft, with a legitimate email address at that, you wouldn't be blamed for assuming that email was real. In this specific case, however, it's not, and you should be wary when interacting with it.

As reported by TechCrunch's Zach Whittaker, scammers are sending emails from a legitimate internal Microsoft email address: msonlineservicesteam@microsoftonline.com. Microsoft uses this address to send a host of important messages, like two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, as well as other PSAs about user accounts. If you receive an email with this address, and look it up online, you'll find it's real, which might convince you that the email itself is real as well.

In his report, Whittaker highlighted how he received multiple emails from this email address. According to Whittaker, the messages themselves were pretty crudely constructed, with spammy links in the body. Some of the emails had subject lines purporting fraudulent activity on Whittaker's Microsoft account, while others said Whittaker had "[one] new private message," and that he needed to "verify access account email verification code account email verification code." Right. Even if the scammers aren't running great copy on their subject lines and emails, they're sophisticated enough to send messages from legitimate Microsoft email addresses, which increases the chances that people will fall for these scams—even if the emails are poorly made.

Microsoft didn't comment when TechCrunch reached out, but did confirm they received the request. To be fair, while it's not clear how scammers are achieving this, Microsoft is not the only company dealing with this type of scheme. Earlier this year, Betterment had a similar issue with abuse of the third-party system it uses for customer communications. Namecheap, a domain registrar, also has issues with scammers abusing its legitimate email addresses.

How to spot fake emails from legitimate addresses

Checking the email address of a suspicious message is often the first step in determining its legitimacy, so the fact that scammers can take over these addresses might seem daunting. But there are plenty of other tells you can look out for to avoid falling victim to these phishing emails.

First, while the address might be legit, scammy links likely aren't. Hover your cursor over the hyperlinks in the email to reveal the URL. If you see shortened links, or lengthy, jumbled URLs, assume the worst. Be critical of how the email is constructed as well. If there are spelling or grammatical errors in the subject line or body, or if the overall design doesn't align with the standards of the company in question, it's likely fraudulent.

View the full article

]]>46278Thu, 21 May 2026 17:00:00 +000010 Shows Like Netflix's 'Lord of the Flies' You Should Watch Nexthttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46279-10-shows-like-netflixs-lord-of-the-flies-you-should-watch-next/We may earn a commission from links on this page.

That book you tried to avoid reading in high school? It's now a pretty damn successful, and fairly faithful, BBC miniseries—succeeding either because brutal times invite brutal narratives, or maybe just because we like watching kids go wild.

And the kids, indeed, are absolutely crucial to the series and to William Golding's original novel: The book version of Lord of the Flies is perhaps better known than read because of its relatively straightforward narrative about how fast humans will devolve once the strictures of society are removed. We know that story, and we can imagine echoes of it in the news every day, but Golding's conceit to let it play out with a bunch of kids still feels shocking.

Many of the shows below were directly inspired by Golding's novel, even if they all center older teenagers or adults. Watch the new adaptation of Lord of the Flies on Netflix, and then consider these other shows about closed societies in extremis.

Yellowjackets (2021 – )

This time-hopping survival drama is about a group of teenage girls who are stranded in the wilderness in 1996 and do terrible things to survive—the extent of which we only learn about via flashbacks from the present day, where the events of 19 months spent in the wild continue to resonate. There are ambiguous teases of the supernatural here, but there's plenty of human-level horror as well. The show plays in some of the same territory as Lord of the Flies in its explorations of the nasty things we get up to when in survival mode, while also cynically (but accurately) positing that there's a huge difference between the version of the past we talk about and the one that really happened. Stream Yellowjackets on Paramount+.

The Wilds (2020 – 2022)

Situated between flashbacks and flash-forwards (not entirely unlike Yellowjackets), mystery/thriller The Wilds sees an airplane full of teenage girls crash on the way to an empowerment program in Hawaii. It quickly becomes clear that the accident was engineered and that the whole thing is some sort of social experiment, and the survivors are forced to compete against each other if they want to live. The show understands the ways in which young women are exploited and expected to compete against each other in the real world, making clear that a Lord of the Flies scenario with women at its center isn't going to go any better, even if it would play out differently. Stream The Wilds on Prime Video.

Lost (2004 – 2010)

If William Golding's Lord of the Flies can be seen as a trifle pat and on-the-nose, this latter-day plane crash narrative goes all-in on mystery and philosophy. We kick off with flashbacks that peel back the layers of the various crash survivors before diving headfirst into warm weather polar bears and mysterious underground bunkers and monsters made of smoke. Whether it's an uncommonly smart network show that rewards careful viewing or a load of nonsense is in the eye of the beholder—but it remains one of the most discussed and debated shows in TV history. Stream Lost on Disney+ and Hulu.

The Society (2019)

Kathryn Newton heads this surprisingly smart Golding riff about a group of teenagers forced to create their own community after all the adults disappear and a dense new forest crops up around their small enclave, cutting them off from everything and everyone else. It's less a show about the law of the jungle than one about coming of age in a world where the usual rules are no longer in effect. Stream The Society on Netflix.

The 100 (2014 – 2020)

At seven seasons, the CW’s YA The 100 is our most deeply explored TV apocalypse, telling the story of the descendants of refugees of nuclear devastation who return to Earth from their habitat in space to encounter the remnants of humanity who have survived on Earth. Naturally, the first people sent to scope things out are the juvenile delinquents (better them than me), and they discover that three civilizations have risen up in the aftermath of the apocalypse, and they are all pretty darned scary (including one populated by cannibals, naturally). More humane, perhaps, than Lord of the Flies, even as it explores similar themes, this show builds an impressive mythology over the course of its run, leading to a conclusion that’s borderline metaphysical. Buy The 100 from Prime Video.

The Decameron (2024)

Loosely adapting Giovanni Boccaccio's 14th century story collection with hints of Bridgerton-esque swagger, this version takes us to plague-ravaged Florence, as a bunch of nobles and attendants make their way across a dangerous landscape to hole up in a countryside villa to wait out the end while draining the liquor supplies—as you would. Rules and social mores are turned upside down, particularly by servant Licisca (Tanya Reynolds), who kind of accidentally kills her lady on the way to the villa, and then decides to take her place. No one's trapped on an island here (and obviously planes hadn't been invented yet), but there's still very much the sense that, however we are cut off from the rules of society, our most cherished values will very quickly turn to shit. Stream The Decameron on Netflix.

The 8 Show (2024)

If you want to see people at their worst, you don't need to get stranded on a deserted island—just turn on the TV. Generally, South Korean TV shows and movies have been ahead of the curve when it comes to addressing the exploitative nature of late-stage capitalism, and this show fits right in with the likes of Squid Game. Eight strangers are selected to compete in a game in which they're locked together in a building and sequestered on different floors each night. They earn money for each minute they last, but all their provisions must be purchased with money they've won, and at an extreme markup. At first, the contestants pool their resources so that everyone gets more money—until they learn that people on higher floors are getting more. Then things get nasty. Stream The 8 Show on Netflix.

And Then There Were None (2015)

Your first instinct might be to eschew the idea that an Agatha Christie adaptation has anything to do with Lord of the Flies, even one where a bunch of people are stuck on an island. It's more than that, though: Christie absolutely delighted in putting her (frequently posh) characters under pressure until they popped, those polite conversations at afternoon teas concealing hideous instincts lurking beneath the surface. And in that vein, And Then There Were None is probably her nastiest (complimentary) portrait of people rewriting the once-cherished rules when pushed. Eight strangers arrive on the fictional, thoroughly isolated Soldier Island, off the Devon coast, brought together under various strange pretexts. At a tense dinner, they are presented with a gramophone recording explaining that each of them has been responsible for a death, and that each will face justice in turn. Dun dun dun. Stream And Then There Were None on Acorn TV.

All of Us Are Dead (2022 – )

In All of Us Are Dead, high school becomes hell, almost literally, when a viral outbreak sees a Hyosan school become ground zero for a strange plague. The teenage students soon realize they've been quarantined from the rest of the city, and help isn't coming. Nihilism isn't uncommon in zombie narratives, nor are themes involving the breakdown of social structures. But All of Us Are Dead explores the world of a cloistered high school under constant threat as a parallel to our own: Class and background continue to be potent forces, even (or especially) amid the trauma of the attacks, and arbitrary social hierarchies solidify under the constant trauma. The closed school location is brilliantly utilized, and there's some appropriately soapy drama, too. Stream All of Us Are Dead on Netflix.

The Stranded (2019)

At first glance a bit more grounded than some of the shows here, The Stranded takes place on a Thai island in the midst of a tsunami. The island was formerly home to a prestigious high school, and a bunch of students have snuck back for an ill-timed party on the last day of class. A bad idea, clearly, after the storm hits. Kraam (Papangkorn Lerkchaleampote), one of the few students who actually lives on the island, is trapped there along with a couple dozen classmates. Kraam knows the island, but Anan (Chutavuth Pattarakampol) assumes leadership while other students either take on necessary roles, or fall in line. As the miniseries progresses, the new political order breaks down, even as the island's mysteries reveal themselves. Stream The Stranded on Netflix.

View the full article

]]>46279Thu, 21 May 2026 16:00:00 +0000The 'Now Playing' Switcher Might Be Android 17's Most Useful New Featurehttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46259-the-now-playing-switcher-might-be-android-17s-most-useful-new-feature/If you're like me, you're probably juggling multiple audio apps throughout the day. I listen to audiobooks on Audible, switch over to music on Spotify, check out podcasts on Pocketcasts, and there's always something on YouTube in the background. Usually, switching between audio sources means opening the app, finding the playback function (or the media itself), and pressing play, every time you want to listen to something new. With Android 17 (currently in beta), Google is giving us a more advanced version that lets you easily switch between playback sources right from the Notifications panel. The new Now Playing media switcher is rolling out to Android 17 QPR Beta 3 users across the globe, and should be a part of the stable release in a couple of months.

Media switching on Android works better as tiles

Switching between Now Playing tiles in the notification shade.
Credit: Khamosh Pathak

Now, technically speaking, this isn't a whole new feature: It's an update to one that no one really used. In Android 16, you can swipe on the Now Playing panel in the Notifications shade to access previously used apps and media. But this gesture is often buggy, and you'll often end up swiping on the media scrubber itself. There's also no clear indication that you can switch between playback sources in the panel.

The new design in Android 17 fixes all of this, and makes it a feature I can actually see myself using every day. When you've used multiple media apps recently, you'll now see two tiles next to the Now Playing bar in the Notification shade. Tap on a tile, and it shows the source, with the title, background image, and your last listening position. From here, you can tap the big Play button to switch to the source. Swiping between the tiles works as well. And this also works on the lock screen, so you can switch between audio sources without even unlocking your smartphone.

You'll only see up to two other tiles at the same time, but the feature works with up to four recent audio sources. You'll just have to swipe across to see the fourth in the Now Playing bar. There is a downside, though. When you have two other sources, the playback tile itself shrinks down, and you lose out on the horizontal space. YouTube titles, especially, are brutally cut off. But in my time using the switcher, I didn't find that particularly annoying. The extra functionality outweighs the reduced readability. Plus, this feature is still in beta testing, so things could change before the official release.

The redesigned Now Playing bar is one of the many new features coming to Android 17. For example, Google recently announced "Continue On", which brings Apple's Handoff feature to the Android universe.

View the full article

]]>46259Thu, 21 May 2026 15:30:52 +0000This Sonos Beam Soundbar Is Over $200 Off Right Nowhttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46240-this-sonos-beam-soundbar-is-over-200-off-right-now/We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

The first-generation Sonos Beam has dropped to $260.93 at Woot for an open-box unit, and according to price trackers, that’s the lowest price this soundbar has hit so far. For comparison, the same model is still sitting around $488 on Amazon, where it has never dropped below $299. The “open box” label here is also less risky than it sounds. Woot says the packaging may have been opened for testing or display purposes, but the soundbar itself is new and still covered by a standard 12-month manufacturer’s warranty. Shipping is free for Prime members, while everyone else pays an extra $6. This deal runs for the next four days or until stock runs out.

Even though this is the older Beam from 2018, it still holds up surprisingly well if your main goal is improving TV audio without stuffing a giant soundbar under your screen. It is compact enough to fit comfortably in front of most TVs without blocking the display, and it looks clean in a way many bulkier soundbars don’t. More importantly, it works with Alexa, AirPlay 2, Siri, and Google Assistant, and it slides easily into a multi-room Sonos setup if you already own other speakers from the company.

Sonos packed four full-range drivers, a tweeter, and three passive radiators inside its small frame, and the result is a fuller, more detailed sound than most built-in TV speakers can manage. Dialogue comes through clearly, and movies have noticeably better depth and bass without immediately forcing you to buy a separate subwoofer. That said, it doesn’t support newer formats like Dolby Atmos, so you’re not getting the same overhead surround effects you’d find on newer premium models—but for apartments, bedrooms, or smaller living rooms, the Sonos Beam feels appropriately sized.

Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now
Deals are selected by our commerce team

View the full article

]]>46240Thu, 21 May 2026 13:30:00 +0000Microsoft Is Eliminating SMS Codes for Two-Factor Authenticationhttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46223-microsoft-is-eliminating-sms-codes-for-two-factor-authentication/If you have a Microsoft account that uses SMS for two-factor authentication, you may soon have to choose a more secure method for logging in. As reported by Windows Latest, the company is ditching text-based authentication codes for personal accounts, stating that these are "now a leading source of fraud." Users will be prompted to set up a passkey instead.

Microsoft is trying to eliminate passwords

Microsoft has already started moving toward a password-less environment—last year, the company made passkeys the default on new accounts at setup. Now, it is phasing out SMS codes for 2FA and account recovery in favor of passkeys, authenticator apps, and verified backup email addresses.

SMS codes are quick to set up and convenient to use. However, they are also among the least secure forms of multi-factor authentication (MFA), as they are highly susceptible to phishing and SIM swapping attacks. Authenticator apps (which generate temporary codes that change every 30 seconds) may be slightly better, but the best MFA option is one based on WebAuthn credentials, like biometrics and passkeys.

Passkeys use your device's built-in authentication, such as a face scan, fingerprint scan, or PIN. They can also be synced across devices via password management services. Once you've established your passkey, you can authenticate logins anywhere using one of those methods on your trusted device. Passkeys can't be phished or stolen, and they only work on the legitimate domain they're made for (so they won't prompt you to authenticate if you're trying to log into a spoofed site). They also require that your trusted device be physically close to the device you're logging in on, so they can't be used to access your accounts remotely.

While there doesn't appear to be a set date for cutting off SMS authentication, Microsoft users should expect to make this transition to an alternative method soon.

View the full article

]]>46223Thu, 21 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000This 65-Inch Toshiba Fire TV Is 50% Off Right Nowhttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46224-this-65-inch-toshiba-fire-tv-is-50-off-right-now/We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

The 65-inch Toshiba C350 Fire TV is down to $264.99 on Amazon right now, which is half off its usual $529.99 price and the lowest it has dropped so far, according to price trackers. At this price, it sits in the same territory as many smaller budget sets, but with a much bigger screen. The main appeal here is simple: You’re getting a straightforward 65-inch 4K TV with Amazon’s Fire TV platform already built in—and because of that, setup is pretty painless if you already use Amazon devices. Once you sign in with your Amazon account, Prime Video recommendations, watchlists, and Alexa features are already sitting there waiting for you.

The interface looks and behaves exactly like Amazon’s streaming hardware, right down to the content-heavy home screen and Alexa voice controls. Picture quality is decent for the money, though this is still very much an entry-level TV—the C350 handles 4K and HDR content, but it skips higher-end features like local dimming, wide color support, HDMI 2.1 gaming features, or a high refresh rate. In practice, while movies and shows look perfectly fine for casual viewing, contrast and color fall a bit behind those of similarly priced models from TCL and Vizio, especially in darker scenes, notes this CNET review. Fast-moving sports and games also won’t look as smooth as they would on more expensive TVs. Still, for everyday streaming, YouTube, and regular cable viewing, it gets the job done without major issues.

The bigger compromise is really the Fire TV experience itself. Amazon pushes its own content hard, and the interface can feel more cluttered and slower than other smart platform layouts. Some apps also work differently than they do on competing smart TV systems. For example, you can’t directly buy movies inside the Vudu app on this TV. Small annoyances like that add up depending on how you watch things. Also, the USB ports here don’t provide enough power for many external streaming sticks, so if you eventually switch away from Fire TV, you may need separate power cables for those devices.

Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now
Deals are selected by our commerce team

View the full article

]]>46224Thu, 21 May 2026 12:30:00 +0000This Is How Many Calories You 'Should' Burn Each Dayhttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46225-this-is-how-many-calories-you-should-burn-each-day/The word “calorie” may bring up thoughts of nutrition labels and treadmill readouts, but really calories are just units of energy. Your car runs on gas, your house runs on electricity, and your body runs on food energy. So how many calories do we burn each day, and how many should you burn? Let’s dig in.

You actually burn most of your calories at rest

Calories aren’t only burned during exercise. It takes energy to keep the lights on, so to speak—for your heart to beat, your brain to think, your cells to repair themselves, and more. 

In fact, most of our calories are burned doing these maintenance chores. Scientists call this baseline calorie burn our "basal metabolic rate," or BMR. There are several equations that will estimate your BMR; for a calculator, try the one at tdeecalculator.net. (It uses the Mifflin-St. Jeor formula if you don’t know your body fat percentage, and the Katch-McArdle formula if you do.)

To give you an example, I plugged in my stats—I’m 150 pounds and 5’6”—and the equation guesses that someone my size burns: 

  • 1,352 calories for most of my basic bodily functions (not including digestion!)

  • 1,623 calories, total, if I’m sedentary

  • 2,096 calories, total, if I do moderate exercise three to five times a week

  • 2,569 calories, total, if I’m a hardcore athlete or a person who exercises on top of having a physical job

Keep in mind these are just estimates; your actual calorie burn may be more or less. (From tracking my calories over the years, I know that I'm usually somewhere between those last two numbers, depending on how active I am.) The factors that affect your total calorie burn include: 

  • Body size: The bigger you are, the more calories you burn at baseline and the more you burn during exercise.

  • Muscle mass: Muscle burns more calories than other tissues, which is why you get a more accurate estimate if you know your body fat percentage; the lower your body fat, the more muscle you have by comparison.

  • Age: These formulas assume that your metabolism slows down a bit as you age (although there is evidence that this may not make a big difference).

  • Activity: The more you exercise, the more calories you burn.

  • Genetics and other factors not accounted for in the formula: There’s actually a huge variety from person to person, even if you compare people of the same size, age, etc. We're all different.

To give you a sense of the range, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans calculates calorie counts for two example people, who are both a bit smaller than average Americans, but let's take a look anyway. The document figures that a 5’10” man who weighs 154 pounds will burn, in total, between 2,000 and 3,000 calories each day, depending on his age and activity level. Their example woman is 5’4” and 126 pounds, and she will burn between 1,600 and 2,400 calories. 

So if you’re used to thinking of 2,000 calories as some kind of upper limit for how much to eat—or 1,200 calories as a calorie budget for dieting—you may be surprised to realize how many calories you probably already burn.

How (and why) to burn more calories

If you’re trying to lose weight, logic would say that you should focus more on diet than exercise. After all, if most of your calorie burn is your BMR, exercise is going to be a drop in the bucket by comparison. 

I don’t think that’s the only thing you should consider, though. If your BMR is 1,300 calories and your total burn is 1,600, then sure, you could eat 1,300 calories without exercising and probably lose weight. But it’s hard to be healthy while you’re eating so little. 

Burning more calories through exercise helps your body in two ways: 

  1. Exercise is good for us, regardless of calorie burn; we should all be getting at least 150 minutes of cardio per week, plus some strength training to help build or retain muscle.

  2. The more food you eat, the easier it is to fit in the good stuff: vitamins, minerals, fiber, good fats, and a variety of vegetables.

A person who burns 2,300 calories and eats 2,000 is in a much better position to benefit from exercise and good nutrition than a person who burns 1,600 and eats 1,300. 

So how do you burn more calories? You can’t get younger, and if you’re losing weight you won’t want to get bigger. The biggest levers you can pull are: 

  • Exercise more

  • Gain muscle mass (through strength training, and eating plenty of protein)

  • Don’t diet all the time

I’ve written before about how I’ve noticed my total calorie burn increases when I’m eating more food; when you feed your body, it’s more willing to expend energy. This is one of the reasons it’s thought to be beneficial to take “diet breaks” if you plan to be in a weight-loss phase for a long time.

Why you shouldn’t rely on “calorie burn” numbers from wearables or exercise machines

You’re probably wondering how much exercise is “enough” to burn more calories. It’s a trick question, though: You want to change what kind of person you are—stop being sedentary and become a frequent exerciser—rather than nickel-and-dime yourself about exactly what numbers you burned in which workout.

This is because our bodies get more efficient with exercise over time. A half-hour jog might burn 300 calories in theory, but at the end of the day you may have only burned, say, 200 more than if you hadn’t jogged. You might end up feeling more tired later in the day, or you might just be getting better at running and burning fewer calories when you do it. (This is an ongoing area of scientific research.) 

There is evidence that exercise machines’ estimates of calorie burn are extremely inaccurate; wearables like Fitbits and Apple Watches are probably a bit better, being personalized to your exercise intensity, but they’re still ultimately relying on estimates that aren’t always accurate.

View the full article

]]>46225Thu, 21 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000These Google Search Alternatives Actually Let You Control Your AI Experiencehttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46166-these-google-search-alternatives-actually-let-you-control-your-ai-experience/It's no secret that Google, like most big tech companies, has gone all-in on AI. The company believes it is the future, and, as such, has injected the technology into every one of its products, none more visibly than Google Search. Over the past two years, Google has introduced AI summaries that seek to answer your questions, pulling the information from websites that fewer and fewer users are actually visiting and reading for themselves.

Given this trend, it should hardly come as a surprise that during I/O 2026, Google announced "a new era for AI Search." This "era" essentially marks an expansion of its investment in AI in Search: In addition to rolling out its new Gemini 3.5 Flash model to Search, Google is making it even easier to use its AI-generated results (or, perhaps, harder to avoid them). You can now expand an AI Overview to continue the conversation in AI Mode, and keep receiving answers without engaging with any primary sources yourself. Google will also soon offer select users access to Search "agents," which can take actions on your behalf on the web.

Google's goal is to make Search synonymous with AI, which will no doubt please Google's investors, but will also alienate some users. Many of still search Google seeking good results for our queries, and not AI-generated summaries and chats. Personally, I'm not interested in "continuing the conversation" with Google's AI: I want to find relevant websites to read and explore. As such, I went looking for Google Search alternatives that either don't use AI, or let you disable all AI features entirely. Here are five of your best options.

Kagi

Kagi AI settings
Credit: Lifehacker

Kagi is a favorite among tech fans who want more control over their search experience. It includes perks like ad-free search and a high level of customization, but the real benefit for this discussion concerns its AI features: Kagi has them, and you can use them if you want to, but you can also avoid them entirely—and even use the browser to fight back against AI results on the web.

By default, Kagi keeps its AI "Quick Answer" setting behind a keyboard shortcut. If you want to use it, you'll need to enter a question mark at the end of your query. If you don't use question marks, you'll never see Kagi's version of AI Overviews, but you can also disable the feature entirely from Kagi's settings. That way, even if you ask Kagi a more formal question, you'll get the usual website links—not an AI-generated answer. Kagi also includes an option (appropriately called SlopStop) to block certain results that the search engine believes are AI-generated. That applies to both image and video results, too.

Kagi not only allows you to return to a simpler time of endless blue links and zero AI-generated answers, but it actively works to block any known AI content from entering your feed. The only downside is that Kagi isn't free: With other search engines, you pay for your use by being shown ads, but with Kagi, you pay with actual money. Your first 100 searches are free, and paid plans start at $5 per month.

Startpage

startpage results
Credit: Lifehacker

Startpage's shtick is all about user privacy. According to the company, this search engine removes your personally identifying information each time you search. Rather than sending your request from you directly, Startpage will anonymously send the query to its search providers on your behalf and return the results to you without sharing your data. The search engine doesn't save your search history, and its measures should prevent your searches from being tracked across sites.

These privacy perks aside, Starpage has few AI features to worry about. By default, you shouldn't have to deal with them at all on the web app, but you can check under settings for any that may appear—Startpage says it has an optional Summary feature that uses AI to generate result synopses, but I don't even have the option in my Startpage settings. (Summary appears to be separate from Startpage's Instant Answer feature, which doesn't seem to use AI, but which can also be turned off in settings.) It's a similar story on mobile: If you're using the iOS app, the company says it offers optional AI features, but I don't see them in my settings there either. The company also offers a private AI app called Vanish, but that's unrelated to its search engine.

Startpage isn't as feature-filled as other search engines, but that might be to its benefit. In my experience, it offers a standard search experience out of the box, without much (if any) AI.

Qwant

qwant settings
Credit: Lifehacker

Qwant, as far as I can tell, has only one AI feature to speak of, called Flash Answer. Like other search engine, this feature uses AI to offer a summary of whatever it is you're asking about. Luckily, if you're looking to use a search engine free of AI, it's quite easy to disable.

The first time you use Qwant—at least, in my experience—Flash Answer will appear if Qwant's AI deems it appropriate. You'll see the option at the top of the search results window, complete with stars that denote its AI abilities. Click "Flash Answer," then choose "Deactivated," rather than "Activated by Qwant" (the default), or "Always activated." Unfortunately, it doesn't look like you can strip away the option itself, so you'll always have to stare at the "Flash Answer" button, but at least you can quickly scroll down to view your straightforward links.

DuckDuckGo

duckduckgo AI settings
Credit: Lifeahcker

DuckDuckGo has long been a go-to option for users looking for a privacy-focused search engine. However, in recent years, the company has taken a bit of a headfirst approach to AI, adding new features and chatbot integrations to keep up with the rest of the industry. If you use DuckDuckGo's defaults, you'll indeed see "Search Assist," its version of AI Overviews, and you'll be invited to try Duck.ai, the company's original chatbot. Fortunately, like other entries on this list, you can disable these options for the most part, and keep the focus on the links.

In DuckDuckGo's search engine, click the three lines to find the site's Settings. Here, choose "AI Features," where you'll see all of DuckDuckGo's AI options. Disable Duck.ai, then set Search Assist to "Never." Finally, you can choose to hide AI-generated images, if you really want a search engine experience devoid of AI.

Ecosia

ecosia results
Credit: Lifehacker

Ecosia has long been the choice for eco-conscious web surfers. The company uses its ad revenue to plant trees all over the world, which makes for an engaging pitch: If you're not going to use Google anyway, perhaps you should use a search engine that makes the world a better (or at least greener) place.

While Ecosia's main mission hasn't changed, it has added new AI features to the mix. Notably, there are now Overviews, which are Ecosia's AI-generated summaries, as well as AI Chat, which uses models from OpenAI to run. While Overviews are enabled by default, you can disable them at any time from Ecosia's settings (which you'll find at the bottom of any given search results). However, Ecosia doesn't let you disable its AI Chat button, even if you aren't using the feature. That might not be a dealbreaker for you, since the feature isn't engaged unless you click the button, but it's a bit disappointing that Ecosia forces you to look at an invitation to use AI Chat every time you search.

View the full article

]]>46166Wed, 20 May 2026 21:00:00 +0000I Ran a Half-Marathon the Garmin Forerunner 970 on One Wrist and This AmazFit Running Watch on the Other, and Here's How They Comparedhttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46139-i-ran-a-half-marathon-the-garmin-forerunner-970-on-one-wrist-and-this-amazfit-running-watch-on-the-other-and-heres-how-they-compared/We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Earlier this month, I strapped on two different Garmin watches to race a 10K—a mid-range model on one wrist, a premium one on the other—to see how they stacked up. This time, I branched outside of Garmin's ecosystem. For the Brooklyn Half-Marathon, I wore the Garmin Forerunner 970 ($749.99) on my right wrist and the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro ($449.99) on my left, pitting one of the most trusted running watches in the game against Amazfit's more affordable and most ambitious claim to the long-distance running space. Here's how it went.

Get Deal Shop Now SEE -1 MORE

It's a tie between the Garmin 970 and the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro on GPS and core metrics

A quick caveat: I had a slightly botched start to the race—nothing catastrophic, but enough that you should give a little wiggle room when comparing the exact times and distances between the two watches and my official results. For the record, my official race time was 2:04:49 at a 9:32 per mile pace. The Amazfit logged 13.23 miles in 2:04:26 at a 9:24 per mile pace. The Garmin recorded 13.22 miles in 2:04:20, also at a 9:24 per mile pace. Considering the chaotic energy of the starting line (and my own user error pressing "start workout"), both watches performed impressively close to each other, and reasonably close to my official chip time.

If the only thing you care about is whether a watch will accurately track your distance, pace, and heart rate during a race, both of these watches get the job done. The GPS readings were nearly identical, and the heart rate data was consistent across both devices throughout the race itself. The Amazfit had my average heart rate at 166 bpm with a max of 192 bpm. The Garmin entry matches that exactly. For the metrics that matter most on race day, there's no meaningful gap between them.

This makes me wonder if perhaps I was a bit too harsh on the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro in my initial review. As a racing watch, it reliably delivers. It's also notably lightweight, which is a major consideration for long distances.

Why I'm sticking to my Garmin over the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro

All that said, there are some small ways the Forerunner 970 pulls ahead for me. Garmin's display is just a little more visible and easier to read at a glance, which matters when you're breathing hard and trying to catch your pace mid-stride without breaking form. The "raise wrist" unlock feature is also noticeably more responsive on the Garmin. Again, these are small things, but they feel big when you're trying to check your splits in the middle of a race.

And then there are the running dynamics. I've included the stats screens from both watches' companion apps here. Even people who find Garmin Connect a little cumbersome to navigate (and plenty of devoted Garmin users do) will appreciate the sheer depth of what's there once you find what you're looking for. As you can see below, I even have step speed loss data, thanks to the HRM 600 chest strap. Stay tuned for my upcoming post that goes more in-depth with the running insights that chest strap unlocks.

Amazfit's stats in the Zepp app.
Amazfit stats in the Zepp app. Credit: Meredith Dietz
Garmin stats in Garmin Connect.
Garmin stats in Garmin Connect. Credit: Meredith Dietz

As a racing watch, the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro is perfectly capable. But as a training watch for someone seriously preparing for a full marathon (which is how Amazfit is marketing it), the value proposition doesn't impress me. Let's take the 970 out of the equation, since it is $300 more expensive than the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro. I still keep asking myself what type of long-distance runner would choose Amazfit at this price over more established brands. The running ecosystem around it—the training tools, the recovery insights, the daily coaching features—just doesn't stand out against the competition, like the Garmin Forerunner 570 ($449.99) or Coros' Vertix 2S ($699). And for the kind of runner who is putting in the weekly mileage to race a half or full marathon, those daily training features probably matter more than race-day accuracy.

Ultimately, both watches here tracked this half-marathon with accuracy I'd feel confident racing with again. For data nerds, Garmin is tough to beat (especially if you have the HRM 600 chest strap to see your running economy and step speed loss). The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro surprised me on race day, and I think I owe it a warmer review than the one I initially gave it.

View the full article

]]>46139Wed, 20 May 2026 19:30:59 +0000You Can Try These New Google I/O Features for Free Right Nowhttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46140-you-can-try-these-new-google-io-features-for-free-right-now/Google announced a lot of updates at I/O 2026. The company's first modern smart glasses (dubbed "Intelligent Eyewear) are coming later this year, as is Google's Universal Cart shopping assistant. There's even a brand-new AI model, Omni, that can create any output from any input, which should do wonders for our AI-generated misinformation problem. But not everything Google announced on Tuesday is available now (or for free, for that matter). Most of the new Workspace features, for example, require some type of subscription, as do many of the AI enhancements coming down the pike. If you want to test out Omni today, you can, but you need to pay for one of Google's AI subscriptions.

The good news, however, is that there are some features and changes Google announced at I/O that you can try out right now, without paying a dime. These are new adjustments to apps and services you may use every day, like Google Search, the Gemini app, or Gemini itself. While Google does have more free I/O features coming later this year (and as soon as this summer), these are the announcements you can experience today:

Gemini 3.5 Flash is now in Google search and the Gemini app

Google I/O 2026 was all about AI. As such, one of the biggest announcements from the keynote was Gemini 3.5 Flash, the latest update to Google's Gemini model. It's the first model in the Gemini 3.5 family, as Google says it's still working on Gemini 3.5 Pro.

According to Google, Gemini 3.5 Flash competes with other flagship AI models "on multiple dimensions." The company says that 3.5 Flash outperforms 3.1 Pro in coding and agentic benchmarks, and is an industry leader in multimodal understanding. Because it's a "Flash" model, it's designed to be quicker than other models that prioritize performance over speed. To that point, Google says 3.5 Flash is four times faster than other "frontier" models.

Taken at its word, Gemini 3.5 Flash is an option for just about anyone who uses AI. If you're a developer, Google says 3.5 Flash will save you time and money, as it's frequently less than half the cost of comparable models. But for the rest of us who don't use AI for coding or developing, Gemini 3.5 will be most accessible in Google Search and the Gemini app. As of Tuesday, this is the model powering Google's flagship AI products, so if you've used Gemini in the past 24 hours, you've likely used 3.5 Flash.

Google's new AI "Intelligent Search" box is already rolling out

There are a lot of changes coming to Google Search, many of which fundamentally change how the platform functions. Google wants Search to be a true AI-powered experience, focusing more on interacting with AI Mode and AI Overviews than on the individual links and sources those answers pull from. As sites continue to lose traffic due to these AI updates, it isn't an exaggeration to say this new approach may change the web forever.

Those major changes are coming next week. Today, however, there are other changes you'll notice when using Google Search. Of course, you now know that the underlying AI model powering AI Mode and AI Overviews is Gemini 3.5 Flash, but that's far from the only change. Perhaps the most notable update is the new "Intelligent Search" box. When you select "AI Mode" in the Search box, Google taps into Gemini 3.5 Flash to offer AI-powered suggestions as you type. As advertised, the feature seems intended for more conversational searches, rather than quick queries. Things like "I'm looking for a new hobby and am interested in pottery." As you type, Google might suggest the following: "Is wheel throwing or hand building easier to learn?" The idea is to guess what you're going to ask to save time, or suggest search terms you might not have thought of yourself. The feature is multimodal too, so you can search with images, files, videos, or Chrome tabs, in addition to text.

Google started rolling out the feature to users on Tuesday, so it could be live on your end, but it may take some time. (As of this article, I don't see it yet.)

AI Mode just got easier to use

AI Overviews are divisive: While many might find them convenient for quick results, others criticize the tool's accuracy. (Don't forget that AI Overviews once recommended putting glue on pizza to keep the cheese from falling off.) However, if you do enjoy using Google AI Search tools, you might like this next change.

On Tuesday, Google rolled out an update to AI Overviews that makes it easier to jump right into AI Mode from the results. Now, when you get an AI Overview, you can choose to expand it, which features a chat box at the bottom of the window. You can use this to jump into a "conversation" through AI Mode, if you want to continue asking questions about the subject.

More Search features are coming this summer

Google has a slew of new Search features coming later this summer, too. Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers will be able to try "information agents," which keep an eye on certain topics, sales, or trends and alert you when things change. Free and paid users alike will be able to use agents to book things, including restaurant reservations and private karaoke rooms, directly in Search. In addition, Google is rolling out Universal Cart this summer for everyone, which lets you add items from multiple stores into one digital cart.

But perhaps the biggest update for free users, in my view, is agentic coding. Google will use Gemini 3.5 Flash to build interactive elements in real-time based on your queries. If you're asking about black holes, Google may build you a demo that you can play with to see how they work. These will also roll out this summer for free.

The Gemini app's got a "Neural Expressive" design update

In addition to running Gemini 3.5 Flash, the Gemini app gets a new visual design refresh. Google is calling this "Neural Expressive," featuring new animations, colors, typography, and haptic feedback. It definitely has a different look than the original Gemini app, or Google's usual design scheme at that, so if you're interested in UI refreshes, you can check that out today.

View the full article

]]>46140Wed, 20 May 2026 19:00:26 +0000I Refused to Use Passkeys Until Apple Added This Feature to Its Passwords Apphttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46122-i-refused-to-use-passkeys-until-apple-added-this-feature-to-its-passwords-app/I'm strongly in favor of using password managers to store your credentials, but, so far, I've resisted the prompts that ask me to switch to passkeys—even though passkeys are better than passwords in just about every way. You don't need to remember or store a long string of random characters if you use passkeys, because they don't actually use a password at all. Instead, you use your device's authentication method, such as a face scan, a device passcode, or fingerprint unlock, to log in to your accounts. Passkeys are also more resistant to phishing attacks because your password manager won't let you use a passkey to log in to dummy websites created by scammers.

Despite these benefits, the big dealbreaker for me was that you could not move your passkeys from one app to another. If you want to change password managers, you can easily move your passwords from one to the other, but the same wasn't true for passkeys—at least, until now. The FIDO Alliance, an industry body focused on secure authentication, created a set of specifications that let you move your passkeys from one app to another, reducing this friction. As it happens, Apple was among the first to ship this feature with the release of iOS 26 late last year.

An import/export option only truly works when all the big players support it, and in recent months, most of the big password management apps have integrated this feature. I tested it by moving my passkeys from Apple Passwords to 1Password, and the process worked well enough to convince me to finally embrace passkeys. If I choose to replace my password manager tomorrow, I won't have to worry about being locked in thanks to my passkeys. Here's how it works with Apple Passwords.

How to export passkeys from Apple Passwords

Export passkeys in Apple Passwords on an iPhone.
Credit: Pranay Parab

To start, install and set up the new password manager on the same Apple device as the one with your Passwords app containing your passkeys. Then, open Passwords, navigate to the home screen, tap the three dots in the top-right corner, and select Export Data to Another App. Manually select all the login items that have a passkey, or select all of your passwords if you wish to. Tap Continue when you're done, and you'll reach the "Export Passwords" page. Select Continue on this page, too. You'll see a list of password management apps that support this feature, and you can select the one you want to export to. I chose 1Password, and my passkeys followed suit. In Passwords for Mac, you can find this feature under File > Export Selected Items to App.

How to import passkeys into Apple Passwords

Exporting passwords from 1Password on an iPhone.
Credit: Pranay Parab

If you want to move your passkeys from other password management apps, you'll have to open those apps and use their export feature. This feature is often buried deep in settings pages, so you should check the user manuals or guides on your password manager's site to confirm how this is done. Some apps don't allow you to export select passkeys, and may instead force you to export all of your data from one app to another. Once you find the export feature in your password manager app, you'll come across the same "Export Passwords" page as Apple Passwords. Hit Continue, and the app will show you a list of password managers. Pick Passwords, then choose Continue once again. In Passwords for Mac, you can find this feature under File > Import Passwords from File.

View the full article

]]>46122Wed, 20 May 2026 17:30:00 +0000How Much Training Do You Really Need to Do Hyrox?https://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46123-how-much-training-do-you-really-need-to-do-hyrox/My fellow Lifehacker writer Beth Skwarecki is a weightlifter. I'm a marathon runner. Together, we make one reasonably competent Hyrox athlete—and in a little over one week, we're going to find out if that's enough. Beth and I are competing together in a Hyrox doubles race on May 29. It's something of a joint experiment to see just how little training you can get away with before showing up to one of these things. Hopefully, we will each bring our respective strengths to the competition, cover for the other's weaknesses, and survive. 

But before we're put to the test, let's take a look at what proper Hyrox prep looks like, and the bare minimum you can (probably) get away with if you want to show up to a competition without a ton of training.

What is Hyrox, exactly?

Beth goes into more depth elsewhere, but here’s a quick primer on Hyrox. In brief, it's a running race combined with functional workout stations, repeated eight times. You run 1 km, hit a workout station, run another 1 km, hit another station, and so on. The stations include activities like sled pushes, rowing, burpee broad jumps, walking lunges, and wall balls. While each station may sound manageable on its own, they become far more difficult when your legs have already been tired out through multiple rounds.

You can compete in Hyroc solo, in doubles, or as a relay team. Naturally, your strategy will depend on which format you’re attempting. For doubles specifically, both athletes run together, but you can split the functional movements however you want. That's where smart planning can make a real difference, and where Beth and I are currently scheming to the best of our ability. 

What does Hyrox training actually look like?

You can sign up for a Hyrox-style class at your local gym and get a great hybrid workout without ever joining an official race. "A regular Hyrox class gives you a taste of the format and builds general fitness for the event," says Elaine Cotter, head trainer and manager at an F45 gym in Brooklyn. "A dedicated training plan is more structured and performance-focused—including specific running workouts, both endurance and interval focused, strength progression, race simulations, pacing, and recovery. Taking some classes here and there means 'I want to be ready.' A dedicated training plan means 'I want to race this well.'"

If you're aiming to genuinely compete—that is, to push your time and finish strong—Cotter recommends starting at least 12 weeks out, and ideally, give yourself 16 weeks. That's enough runway to build a running base, develop muscular endurance across all the stations, and reduce injury risk. But what if you don't have 12 weeks? What if you have, say, one week?

Can you do Hyrox without training at all?

What’s the bare minimum of training a Hyrox athlete can hypothetically get away with? Well, in theory, "anyone with any running or strength training experience can complete a Hyrox," Cotter says. "Does that mean you may have to walk some of it or really take your time to recover in certain parts? Probably—but that's okay."

Unlike Crossfit (to which it is constantly compared), Hyrox is fundamentally a running race. "The run is the limiting factor for most people, and it takes up the most time in the race," Cotter says. "So at bare minimum, you should be able to confidently run an 8K [about five miles] without getting super winded. Even a 10K [6.2 miles]...will help simulate the general endurance needed." Strength matters too, and you should be familiar enough with the movements to perform them safely. But at the end of the day, the run is where most people lose time and hit their wall.

That said, Hyrox is far from a road race. You're doing things like heavy wall balls or sled pulls and then immediately going into a run. Running on such heavy legs is “the wildest feeling," Cotter says, "and it happens the entire time during the race." Practicing that sort of transition should be a priority leading up to race day.

Can you prepare for Hyrox with studio classes alone?

This one is relevant to Beth and me, since we've each taken about four or five Hyrox-specific classes in the lead-up to our race. Can our class attendance substitute for a dedicated 12-week training plan? Well, sort of—but only if you're also running.

"F45 classes and Hyrox-focused training are awesome for building the strength, endurance, and engine needed for the race," Cotter says, "but in a class setting, you aren't necessarily getting the running required. If you are just taking classes with no running outside of that, I fear you will find the race quite challenging."

Luckily, I was independently training for a half-marathon before we started this Hyrox journey, so I feel solid about my cardio. I know Beth has been prioritizing her runs the past few weeks, too. Anyone relying purely on studio classes without additional running should temper their expectations for race day.

How long should you taper before a Hyrox race?

I’m no stranger to taper madness. Especially if you know you've undertrained, the temptation is to keep cramming right up until race day. Unfortunately, that’s almost always a mistake. "The trap people fall into is thinking 'I'm underprepared, so I need to cram fitness until the last second,'" Cotter says. "But realistically, in the final week or two you're not building much new fitness—you're mostly deciding whether you show up tired or fresh."

Her recommendation for someone who started training late is to lean toward a shorter taper. The focus should be on maintaining confidence and rhythm, rather than gaining fitness. In the final days, aim for shorter sessions of 20–30 minutes with some intensity and running, but avoid anything that will leave your legs sore. "Showing up slightly undertrained but recovered is usually better than showing up technically fitter but cooked."

Her taper guidelines by length:

  • 7 days: Ideal for most recreational athletes. 

  • 4–5 days: Probably fine, if training volume wasn't super high. 

  • 2–3 days: Survivable, but she wouldn't recommend going shorter than this.

The bottom line

If you're starting from scratch and want to do Hyrox well, give yourself 12 to 16 weeks to train, and build up your running base first.  If you're doing a doubles race and already have some general fitness under your belt, you can probably survive on much less—provided you can handle an 8K and you know what you're getting into with the workout stations. (For Beth and me, there’s reason to hope that our complementary weaknesses and strengths will be well-suited to the doubles format. Beth will likely handle more of the heavy strength pieces—sled push, sled pull, lunges—while I keep us moving on the runs.)

The final piece of advice is to have a plan for how you'll split each station before you arrive. Reps of 10? Reps of 5? Splits of 150 meters? Figure it out ahead of time so you're not negotiating mid-station with burning legs—and have the stronger runner finish each station so the person who struggles more on the run can get a little extra rest before the next one. (Plus, sitting down and strategizing is a great hack to distract yourself from the temptation to sabotage your taper.) 

How will all this theory work out in practice? We'll report back soon.

View the full article

]]>46123Wed, 20 May 2026 17:00:00 +0000The Best Headphones I've Ever Tested Are $60 Off (and Come With a $30 Amazon Gift Card)https://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46094-the-best-headphones-ive-ever-tested-are-60-off-and-come-with-a-30-amazon-gift-card/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.

The XM6 headphones came out three years after the XM5, the longest gap in the WH-1000XM series. The release was much anticipated, so I expected more than just a few tweaks to features and hardware—but they're still one of the best premium headphones you can get in 2026.

The active noise cancellation (ANC) on the XM6 are impressive. I flew with them and they managed to cancel out 90% of the noise in an airplane (including crying babies). With the LDAC codec, the audio is crystal clear for Android phones, but they use the same AAC codec you find in regular AirPods. It has 12 microphones (four more than the XM5), and the Spatial Audio, AI noise suppression feature, Adaptive Sound Control, and Ambient sound are much better than the XM5s.

The XM6 can now fold into themselves, making them much easier to throw in a backpack, and making the carrying case more compact. I love that you can charge and listen to the headphones at the same time as well. If you want one of the best premium headphones of 2026 with a $30 gift card, take advantage of this deal while you can.

Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now
Deals are selected by our commerce team

View the full article

]]>46094Wed, 20 May 2026 16:30:00 +0000What's New on Netflix in June 2026https://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46095-whats-new-on-netflix-in-june-2026/Netflix's June lineup has a little something for everyone: true crime docs, sports series, comedy films, reality TV, and more. First, the live-action fantasty series Avatar: The Last Airbender (June 25) returns for its second season at the end of the month. Netflix is also launching a Survivor-style competition show—Outlast: The Jungle (June 10) lands 16 players on a remote island to play for a $1 million prize.

Following its May slate of soccer content in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, the streamer is hosting The Hot Seat (June 3), a comedy roast featuring World Cup winners from France 1998 and France 2018 alongside stand-up comedians. The Rest is Football (June 10) is a daily series hosted by Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards with analysis from the 2026 tournament. And USA 94: Brazil's Return to Glory (June 7), a documentary originally scheduled for release in May, covers Brazil's 1994 World Cup run.

Other sports content includes the third season of AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (June 16) and Chris & Martina: The Final Set (June 26), a documentary exploring Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova's friendship and dominance in tennis.

The film lineup for June includes Office Romance (June 5), a rom-com starring J.Lo and Brett Goldstein as an airline CEO and the corporate lawyer she falls for (relatable!), and Little Brother (June 26), also a comedy, with John Cena as a well-known real estate agent opposite Eric André as his "little brother."

Here's everything else coming to Netflix in June, and everything that's leaving.

What's coming to Netflix in June 2026

Available soon

Available June 1

  • Bee Movie

  • The Big Lebowski

  • The Chronicles of Riddick

  • Cinderella Man

  • Creed

  • Creed II

  • Creed III

  • Father of the Bride

  • Father of the Bride: Part II

  • The Fault in Our Stars

  • Four Weddings and a Funeral

  • Fried Green Tomatoes

  • The Girl on the Train

  • The Hand that Rocks the Cradle

  • Hawaii Five-0: Seasons 1-5

  • Hot Summer Nights

  • House on Haunted Hill

  • Identity Thief

  • Inside Man

  • Inside Man: Most Wanted

  • The Karate Kid

  • The Karate Kid

  • The Karate Kid Part II

  • The Karate Kid Part III

  • Little Miss Sunshine

  • Made of Honor

  • Miracle

  • Muriel's Wedding

  • My Best Friend's Wedding

  • Out of Africa

  • Pitch Black

  • Rachel Getting Married

  • Riddick

  • Rocky

  • Rocky Balboa

  • Rocky III

  • Rocky IV

  • Rocky V

  • Rookie of the Year

  • Rudy

  • Runaway Bride

  • Scooby-Doo

  • Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed

  • Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys

  • The Wedding Date

  • The Wedding Planner

Available June 3

Available June 4

Available June 5

Available June 6

  • Grey's Anatomy: Season 22

  • Resident Alien: Season 4

Available June 7

Available June 8

Available June 9

Available June 10

Available June 11

Available June 12

Available June 13

  • Song Sung Blue

Available June 14

  • Piece by Piece

Available June 15

  • Drinking Buddies

  • Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

  • Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

Available June 16

Available June 17

  • André Is an Idiot

Available June 18

Available June 19

Available June 20

  • The Root Of The Game—Netflix Sports Series

Available June 22

Available June 23

  • Ryan Hamilton: This Just Hit Me—Netflix Comedy Special

Available June 24

Available June 25

Available June 26

Available June 27

  • Agent Kim Reactivated—Netflix Series

Available June 30

  • Sullivan's Crossing Season 4

What's leaving Netflix in June 2026

Leaving June 1

  • Fifty Shades of Grey

  • Fifty Shades Darker

  • Fifty Shades Freed

  • Glory

  • Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

  • The Lego Movie

  • Ray

Leaving June 2

  • Kim's Convenience: Seasons 1-5

Leaving June 3

  • Brockmire: Seasons 1-4

Leaving June 7

  • Blindspot: Seasons 1-5

  • Shiva Baby

Leaving June 9

  • A Lot Like Love

Leaving June 10

  • TURN: Washington's Spies: Seasons 1-4

Leaving June 16

  • Aquarius: Seasons 1-2

  • Unbroken

Leaving June 19

  • The Iron Claw

Leaving June 20

  • The Expendables

  • The Expendables 2

  • The Expendables 3

  • The Expendables 4

Leaving June 21

  • Zoey 101: Seasons 1-2

Leaving June 30

  • Sex and the City: Seasons 1-6

View the full article

]]>46095Wed, 20 May 2026 15:45:00 +0000Android Is Finally Getting Its Own Version of Apple's 'Handoff'https://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46078-android-is-finally-getting-its-own-version-of-apples-handoff/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't have the ability to open the same task on their tablet, and vice versa. If you're reviewing a spreadsheet in Google Sheets on your phone, you can't just pick it up on your tablet for a larger view; you instead need to open Sheets on your tablet, then find your way to the document in question. The same goes for many other Google apps, like Chrome, Gmail, Drive, and Docs: Android could really benefit from a dedicated cross-platform option. Luckily, it's on the way, in the form of a new feature called "Continue On."

How "Continue On" works on Android

Google announced "Continue On" during its "What's new in Android" discussion on Tuesday. As reported by 9to5Google, this is a new feature as of Android 17, and will be available in Android 17 RC1. If you've ever used Handoff in the Apple ecosystem, you'll understand the core idea behind Continue On: When you open an app on one of your Android devices, you'll notice the app appear on your other device, with a "Handoff Suggestion label" hovering above it.

handoff suggestion icon
Credit: Google

Say you're working on a Google Doc on your Pixel phone. When you open your Pixel tablet, you'll notice the Google Docs icon populate in the doc, with a special label—even if you already have Google Docs in your dock. If you tap the standard Google Docs icon, you'll open the app as per usual; if you tap the Handoff Suggestion, you'll open the Google Doc you're working on on your phone. In another example, you might be reading through a Gmail thread on your phone, but prefer to finish catching up on your tablet. In this case, the Handoff Suggestion would be Chrome: Tap it on your tablet, and you'll pull up the thread in Gmail on the bigger screen.

Google appears to be taking its time with implementing Continue On. While the feature will work "bidirectionally" in the future, at launch, it only works from phone to tablet. That means you won't be able to hand off a Google Doc from your tablet to your phone, only from your phone to your tablet. Additionally, Google says it's up to developers to decide how they want this experience to run with their own apps. They can open the same app across both devices (Google Docs to Google Docs), or open the web app from the mobile app (Gmail mobile app to Gmail web app in Chrome). Developers can also opt for a mix of both: While the default can be app-to-app, developers can choose to fall back to the web app if the user doesn't have the app installed on their tablet.

View the full article

]]>46078Wed, 20 May 2026 15:30:00 +0000I Use These Milwaukee Tools Every Day, and They're up to 50% Off Ahead of Memorial Dayhttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46072-i-use-these-milwaukee-tools-every-day-and-theyre-up-to-50-off-ahead-of-memorial-day/We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

A good set of cordless tools will give your DIY projects polish, save you time, and make your life easier. But quality tools can be expensive. I use Milwaukee 18-volt tools in my personal tool kit and I’ve used them for everything from fixing my bathroom sink to building a deck. The batteries last at least 10 years without needing to be replaced, and the tools are comfortable to grip for long periods of time. There are some good Memorial Day deals at Home Depot on the tools I swear by.

This Milwaukee six-tool bundle is 50% off right now

If you’re starting a cordless tool set from scratch, a bundle will save you money and set you up with all the basics you need. Because these sets usually come with batteries and chargers as well as tools, they’re a good choice to begin a cordless tool set.

The Milwaukee 18-volt, six-tool set is now $499, 50% off its regular price. The bundle comes with a drill, an impact driver, an oscillating multitool, a circular saw, an angle grinder, a work light, two four-amp-hour batteries, a charger, and a tool bag. These tools can be used for basic projects, like hanging shelves, and for more advanced projects like cutting and building your own shelves.

These Milwaukee cutting and shaping tool deals are worth exploring

Most DIY home improvement projects, from installing molding to repairing a deck will involve some cutting. Depending on what the scope of your project is, different types of cutting and shaping tools will be useful for different applications. There are a few good deals on cutting tools that will come in handy if you’re doing any building, patching, or rebuilding.

The 18-volt Milwaukee sawzall is $269, 51% off its usual price. This saw comes with a five-amp-hour battery, a charger, and a stacking case that’s compatible with the Milwaukee system. A sawzall is good for making rough cuts and trimming small to medium branches on trees and shrubs.

The 18-volt Milwaukee oscillating multitool is $119, 40% off its typical price. It comes with a two-amp-hour battery and a charger. This is the most versatile tool out there: It can be used to plunge cut, trim plaster and drywall, cut wood, PVC, metal, and foam, and can be adapted for sanding and buffing. I use my oscillating multitool on nearly every project I work on.

The Milwaukee 18-volt angle grinder is $299, 47% off its regular price. This tool comes with two six-amp-hour batteries and a charger. You can use an angle grinder for cutting metal, grinding welds, polishing metal, cutting off screw and nail tips that poke through, and for cleaning and buffing your surfaces. Some people use angle grinders for cutting tile and removing grout, but if you use yours for this, it’s important to make sure that the tile you’re cutting isn’t made from stone, that your material is wet, and that you wear proper safety gear like safety goggles and a respirator. The dust from masonry and tile can contain silica dust that's quite dangerous to inhale.

This Milwaukee drill and driver are both on sale

A drill and driver are the most basic tools in a cordless set. Both the Milwaukee 18-volt, ½-inch chuck cordless drill and the 18-volt cordless impact driver are $129, 35% off their usual price. These tools will allow you to drive screws and bolts and drill holes for projects like mounting a flat screen TV or swapping out hardware on your cabinets.

These Milwaukee bits and extras are on sale, too

Milwaukee makes a wide range of tools to fit their 18-volt batteries, and one of my favorite surprise tools is on sale right now. There’s also an excellent deal on a hole saw set from Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee 18-volt cordless inflator is $299, 45% off its typical price. This tool comes with two six-amp-hour batteries and a charger. It can be really handy to have in your emergency roadside kit to inflate a tire and you can also use it for rafts or other inflatables. The inflator tool has a pressure gauge, an auto-shut-off feature, and three-foot hose for easy reach.

The Milwaukee eight-piece hole saw kit is $29.97, 40% off its regular price. The set comes with four sizes of hole saw blades, three drill bits, an arbor, and case. Hole saws can be used for cutting larger sized holes for passing wiring through timber, installing some types of door latches and knobs, and for creating cable pass-throughs in desktops.

View the full article

]]>46072Wed, 20 May 2026 13:30:00 +0000This Insta360 Flagship Action Camera Is 21% Off Right Nowhttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46055-this-insta360-flagship-action-camera-is-21-off-right-now/We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 (Dual Battery Bundle) has dropped to $329.99 on Amazon from its usual $419 price, and according to price trackers, it’s just 99 cents above its all-time low. That makes it one of the more compelling alternatives to the GoPro Hero 13 Black right now, especially for people who want usable 4K footage rather than headline-grabbing 8K specs. The good news is that the camera is genuinely very good at that—it can record 4K at up to 120fps for smooth slow-motion clips, and the footage looks sharp without going overboard on artificial sharpening. The stabilization is also excellent for biking, travel, skiing, or handheld walking shots, where shaky footage usually ruins the experience.

The camera itself remains compact and rugged, with waterproofing and support for the huge ecosystem of mounts and accessories already available for action cameras. Its 1/1.3-inch sensor handles low light better than many rivals, so indoor footage, evening city shots, and cloudy outdoor clips have more detail and less noise than you might expect from a camera this small. Insta360 also includes an I-log profile, which gives experienced editors more flexibility with color grading and dynamic range during post-production. At the same time, beginners can simply use the standard modes and let the camera handle everything automatically. And, unlike the dual-display setup on DJI and GoPro cameras, the Ace Pro 2’s larger front-facing flip-up 2.5-inch touchscreen makes framing yourself much easier when filming solo or recording vlog-style clips.

The bundle includes two batteries, which is helpful because action cameras burn through power quickly when recording high-resolution video. You also get a standard mount, USB-C cable, wind guard, and microphone cap. That said, the Ace Pro 2 has no built-in storage and relies on external storage for most of your recordings, so you will need to buy a microSD card separately (the bundle does not include one). It supports cards up to 1TB, which is useful if you shoot a lot of footage, but it is still an extra cost to factor in.

Our Best Editor-Vetted Memorial Day Deals Right Now
Deals are selected by our commerce team

View the full article

]]>46055Wed, 20 May 2026 12:30:00 +0000Google Just Announced When Its First 'Intelligent Eyewear' Smart Glasses Will Launchhttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/46005-google-just-announced-when-its-first-intelligent-eyewear-smart-glasses-will-launch/We may earn a commission from links on this page.

At Google I/O 2026 today, Google announced it will release its first "Intelligent Eyewear" smart glasses this fall. The glasses are a joint product between Samsung and Google, with Samsung providing the hardware and Google the software, and will be available for both Android and iOS. No price was announced.

Here's what Google's first "Intelligent Eyewear" glasses look like

The company showed off two frame designs, one from Gentle Monster and another from Warby Parker. Here's what they look like:

Gentle Monster Google Smart Glasses
Credit: Google
Warby Parker Google Smart Glasses
Credit: Google

While Google teased a future release of display-style glasses, the presentation was largely about the audio, camera, and AI capabilities of the glasses coming this fall. Google focused on the integration of smart glasses and Gemini AI, demonstrating their ability to provide turn-by-turn directions via audio, launch and use outside apps like Doordash with voice commands, and take and edit photos with AI. Android can then take those edited photos and display them on your Google Watch, as you can see from this AI-assisted "crowd selfie" show off at the presentation:

Google io 2025 smart glasses
Credit: Google

Below are more details on the glasses' features, from Google's blog:

  • Ask Gemini about anything you see: Google includes examples, like asking for reviews of a restaurant you're passing and identifying cloud types.

  • Navigation: In addition to issuing turn-by-turn directions, Intelligent Eyewear can add stops to your route.

  • Messages and calls: These glasses will manage calls and texts, and can have Gemini summarize missed messages.

  • Translation: The glasses support real-time language translations, with "audio that matches the tone and pitch of the speaker’s voice," as well as translations of text.

How does Intelligence Eyewear stack up to Meta's smart glasses?

This fall, Google and Samsung will compete with industry leader Meta, whose smart glasses account for about 80% of the market, a steep hill to climb. While we don't have crucial information like the quality of Intelligent Eyewear's camera or how much they will cost, broadly, Google's smart glasses and Meta's AI-and-camera models are similar: both take pictures, let you talk to AI, and play and transmit audio. Barring an incredible camera or very low price, whether consumers choose Google or Meta will likely come down to integration and personal style.

A huge goal for big-tech smart glasses companies is herding users into their respective information infrastructures, so Google's presentation focused as much on interaction with other apps as it did on the hardware itself. Google promises hands-free use of staples like Google Maps, Gemini AI features like Nano Banana, and Google Watches, but they also showed off connections with non-Google apps like Doordash, Uber, and language app Mondly. Meta glasses can currently access Meta-owned apps like Instagram and WhatsApp, and a limited number of third-party options—mostly music-focused apps like Spotify, Audible, Apple Music, and iHeartRadio. Ultimately, the decision of which smart glasses to buy may come down to which apps you most want to use without taking your phone out of your pocket.

The ultimate question: Which one will look less dorky?

In terms of style, Meta has so far focused on iconic, recognizable brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley for its smart glasses frames, where Google seems to be leaning toward a more fashionable approach. Gentle Monster is known for bold "statement" frames like the skinny glasses shown off at I/O 2026, and Warby Parker takes a minimalistic but tasteful approach to eyewear. Unlike most tech products, looks are extremely important with smart glasses. An Oakley person is not likely to start rocking Gentle Monster frames just because they have a better camera.

View the full article

]]>46005Tue, 19 May 2026 21:30:00 +000010 Hacks Every Apple Passwords User Should Knowhttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/45984-10-hacks-every-apple-passwords-user-should-know/Apple's Passwords app is the default option for iOS and macOS users to save and access their credentials. While Passwords isn't the most robust password manager on the market, it works well for those in the Apple ecosystem. (It also helps that it's free). If you dig a little deeper, you'll find features and services that make this app a great option for anyone looking to keep their digital lives private. Here are 10 hacks to make the most of Apple's Passwords app.

Use Safari to import your credentials from another password manager on iPhone

If you're transitioning to Passwords from another password manager, you can bulk import your logins via CSV file on the Mac app by going to File > Import Passwords from File. Choose the CSV you've exported, follow any prompts that appear to map columns to specific data fields, and click Import. If you are iOS-only, however, it's not as straightforward. You can still do CSV imports, but you have to go through Safari. Save the CSV you want to upload to Passwords in Files (you can directly export from most other password manager apps to Files on your phone), then go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Import. Click Import from Files > Choose File, locate the CSV, and click Import to Safari. Your credentials will populate in Passwords, and iOS will prompt you to delete the CSV immediately to keep your data secure.

Use notes to store security questions or recovery keys

When you create a new account, you may occasionally have additional authentication information you need to save for later, such as security questions or recovery keys. Instead of saving these elsewhere on your device or hoping you remember them later, add them to the Notes field under your username and password. This ensures they are secure and keeps them accessible for future use. Locate the item in the Passwords app, tap Edit, copy and paste or type in your notes, and hit Save. Alternatively, you can hit the "Notes" line itself to start editing.

Add item labels to notes to find them more quickly in search

Another use for the Notes field is for credential tags. Passwords doesn't have a long list of specific form fields or separate labels like some other password managers, but anything you put in Notes is searchable. This is especially helpful if you have multiple accounts for certain services (like Google), as you can add "work account," "personal," or other relevant tags to this field and search for those terms specifically to pull up the correct item.

Add verification codes to Passwords instead of another authenticator app

If you have accounts that allow or require multi-factor authentication (MFA) via time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs), you can add these to Passwords instead of downloading yet another app. (As a reminder, you should choose a strong form of MFA wherever possible.) Set this up by scanning the QR code on the website or app with your iPhone, or go to Passwords > All > [Account Name] > Edit > Set Up Code and enter the setup key from the website or app. Codes appear in their own section of Passwords as well as within the item record. Your iPhone can then suggest verification codes for autofill. Note that if you have multiple authenticator apps on your device, you may need to go to Settings > General > Autofill & Passwords > Set Up Codes In and select Passwords as the default.

Use this hidden gesture to quickly search items in Passwords

If you need to quickly find an item in Passwords, you can do so in just a single tap with a shortcut on your device's home screen—no need to locate the app on your phone and navigate to the search bar. Open Shortcuts and tap the plus sign to add a new shortcut. Scroll down and tap Passwords > Search in Passwords. Select Ask Each Time for the text field. Tap the down arrow at the top, followed by Add to Home Screen. You can also add it to Back Tap, which will launch your shortcut with two or three taps on the back of your iPhone. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap, tap Double Tap or Triple Tap, and choose the shortcut you created as your action. When you launch the shortcut, enter a search term and click Done, and Passwords will open with your results.

Generate a QR code to share your wifi credentials

If you have guests who want to join your wifi network, you don't need to give them the network credentials individually. Passwords will generate a QR code for the network you're currently connected to, and all others need to do is scan it with their device. In the Passwords app, go to Wi-Fi, tap your current network (highlighted at the top), and click Show Network QR Code.

Create a shared group to give other people access to specific credentials

Sending usernames and passwords back and forth via text isn't necessarily efficient or secure. Passwords allows you to AirDrop items if the recipient is nearby, but you can also create shared groups with trusted contacts and add credentials that those contacts will see in their Passwords app. When anyone in the group updates a login, it refreshes for everyone. This is especially useful if you share streaming or billing accounts with family members or friends, or if you want to allow temporary access to guests whom you can remove from the group later.

To create a shared group, tap the folder icon on the main Passwords screen, followed by Continue. Add a group name, then tap Add people to send invites. (Eligible contacts will be in blue.) Select the passwords you want to share and tap Move. If you are the group owner, you can add or remove members and passwords at any time.

Use a passkey on your iPhone to sign in on untrusted devices

With passkeys, Apple Passwords allows you to skip entering your credentials on public devices—such as library computers or borrowed devices—and sign in with your iPhone instead. This means you don't have to type your password into a form field on an untrusted device, which could expose your information to keyloggers or other security risks. For apps and websites that support passkeys, go to the login page and enter your username, then look for Sign in with passkey and choose More options (or something similar) to get a QR code. Scan with your iPhone camera to use your passkey.

Hide compromised passwords you can’t address right now

The Security section of Passwords shows you credentials that are weak or have been compromised in a breach. There's even a link to change your password on the app or service's website. However, there may be occasions when you can't or don't want to address a security issue: You might have an account that requires a simple password, or an account that is no longer in use. (Make sure that the password isn't repeated for any other login, regardless.) In these cases, you can dismiss the alert by opening it and tapping Hide so it no longer appears as a recommendation.

Access Passwords on your PC with iCloud for Windows

Passwords is optimized for users who operate entirely within the Apple ecosystem, and the standalone app is limited to iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. However, if you need to access your items on a PC, you can use the iCloud for Windows app from the Microsoft Store as a workaround. Download the app, sign in with your Apple ID, and follow the prompts to complete the setup process. To enable iCloud Passwords, either click the arrow next to Passwords and Keychain and turn on Passwords & Keychain, or click Approve below and enter the code sent to your trusted device. You can also install the appropriate browser extension from this view.

View the full article

]]>45984Tue, 19 May 2026 21:00:00 +0000My Favorite ANC Earbuds Are $50 Offhttps://residentialbusiness.com/community/topic/45973-my-favorite-anc-earbuds-are-50-off/We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

At the upper echelon of earbuds, you have a few options to choose from: Bose, Sony, and Apple. If you are an Apple user, go with AirPods Pro 3. If you value audio fidelity and like to control the nitty-gritty details, go with the Sony XM6 earbuds. If you value comfort, user-friendliness, and ANC, the 2nd Generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra are your best option. And currently, the latter of those is $50 off, bringing them to $249 (originally $299) on Amazon. (All five color options are on sale.)

Get Deal SEE -2 MORE

I've had my 2nd Generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds for almost a year, and they're still my go-to earbuds. As much as I like the idea of being able to fine-tune every detail of my audio, something keeps pulling me towards their simplicity and user-friendliness of these earbuds, despite having so many options at my disposal as a tech reviewer.

The ANC is the best in the business, as it has been throughout the existence of the Bose QuietComfort line. The multiple microphones pick up ambient sound and adapt the ANC accordingly, making Transparency Mode quite impressive, while Immersive Mode brings out the details in anything you're listening to, and makes the lack of a full EQ more acceptable. The Bose companion app, meanwhile, is excellent, and regularly updated.

The main downside of these earbuds is the high price, but at $249, they actually become a great value when judged against the competition. If you're looking for simplicity, the best ANC you can buy, and comfort, you won't be disappointed with the 2nd Generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra.

View the full article

]]>45973Tue, 19 May 2026 20:00:00 +0000