Setting Up Your Home Office

As scammers continue to find ways to impersonate known brands, users should remain wary of spam-like emails—even if they appear to come from a legitimate company address. Ars Technica has identified a scheme that abuses a Microsoft subscription feature to send phishing emails from no-reply-powerbi@microsoft.com, a real address that the company advises users to add to their allow lists. How the Microsoft Power BI scam worksUsers targeted with this scam have received emails from an address connected to Microsoft Power BI, a business analytics platform. The messages include (fake) billing receipts with large purchase amounts from services like PayPal, Norton LifeLock, and …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. I used to regularly read more than 125 books a year, each meticulously logged on my Goodreads profile. I read during my commute and to wind down at night. I always had a paperback in my bag or an audiobook in my ears. Then I got a smartphone. Then I got on Twitter. Then the 2016 presidential election happened. Then there was a pandemic, and for a while I stopped commuting altogether. With every year, it seemed like there were more things to spiral about online, and less hours in the day to relax with a novel or read some stimulating non-fiction. Suddenly I found it hard to meet my much more modest reading goals, which dro…

I've written before about various software tricks to nudge a smartphone toward dumb-phone territory: stripping the home screen down to essentials, enabling greyscale mode, scheduling downtime windows. I tried all of it, and for a time it worked for me, but only in the way that hiding a bag of chips in a high cabinet works—technically an obstacle, but not really a barrier. One tap to "Ignore Limit," and I'm back to scrolling. The problem is that the key to unlock everything is right there in your pocket. Turns out I needed a small device called Brick to physically restrain me create a physical barrier, and I can feel my screen time habits finally change for the better. …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Google’s Pixel phones have spent the last few years becoming the default recommendation for people who want a straightforward Android experience without dealing with heavy software skins or overloaded features. The Google Pixel 10 Pro continues that approach, though its original $1,219 price made it harder to justify against competing flagship phones. Now, Amazon has dropped the unlocked 512GB model to $969 (its lowest price yet, according to online price trackers), and that makes it easier to appreciate what Google actually does well here. Goo…

A recent Google Pixel feature is reportedly turning on the microphone when it's not supposed to, and Google's finally acknowledged that there's a bug. Reports started as early as last September and gained traction last week, and now, Google has removed the feature on some older phones. Called "Take a Message," the buggy feature was released last year and is supposed to automatically transcribe voicemails as they're coming in, as well as detect and mark spam calls. Unfortunately, according to reports from multiple users on Reddit (as initially spotted by 9to5Google), the feature has started turning on the microphone while taking voicemails, allowing whoever is leaving you …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Black Friday may have passed, but there are still some serious deals out there for gamers—especially PS5 owners. This PlayStation VR2 bundle with Horizon Call of the Mountain is currently $299 on Amazon, a 25% discount off the usual $399 and its lowest price ever according to price tracking tools. PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of The Mountain™ Bundle …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find. Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices an…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding Lifehacker as a preferred source for tech news. With early Prime Day deals going live, now is the perfect time to start shopping for new tech essentials like TVs, headphones, and speakers. If you’re a gamer or a movie and TV fanatic in the market for a new screen, the 2025 Hisense U65QF 55-inch QLED TV is currently 42% off on Amazon, bringing it down to less than $500. 2025 Hisense U65QF 55…

Have you ever used an application called Chat & Ask AI? If so, there's a good chance your messages were exposed last month. In January, an independent researcher was able to easily access some 300 million messages on the service, according to 404 Media's Emanual Maiberg. The data included chat logs related to all kinds of sensitive topics, from drug use to suicide. Chat & Ask AI, an app offered by the Istanbul-based company Codeway that is available on both Apple and Google app stores, claims to have around 50 million users. The application essentially resells access to large language models from other companies, including OpenAI, Claude, and Google, providing lim…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. I feel better about my life since having installed this Ring doorbell. So far, the motion-detecting feature hasn't captured anything more interesting than the occasional neighborhood cat walking by, but I like seeing Mr. Nibbles making his rounds. Plus, I'll know about the early morning FBI raid before they start yelling "come out with your hands up." Amazon Ring Doorbell …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Sony LinkBuds Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker is now down to $98 (originally $179.99), which is the lowest price it has hit so far, according to price trackers. This is not a party speaker or a smart assistant hub—it's built as a simple, portable option for home use, especially if you already use Sony’s LinkBuds headphones, and the design reflects that. It's compact, light, and comes with a built-in strap, so you can move it from your desk to the kitchen or bedroom without much trouble. It also supports multipoint pairing, so you can stay co…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom Play borrows the same compact, round design as the brand’s more expensive models, like the Wonderboom 4, but dials back on a few key features to hit a lower price point. Currently at $36.99 on Woot—its lowest price yet according to price trackers and well below the $89.99 list price (and $59.49 on Amazon)—this deal runs for two days or until it sells out. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom Play …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. We’ve covered portable power stations like the Anker SOLIX line, but if you’re looking for a heavy-duty, large-capacity model that can handle sump pumps, large AC units, multiple appliances, and even whole-home backup with extra batteries, brands like EcoFlow will better suit your needs. One of their award-winning models is the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 power station, which is currently available at a 46% discount, bringing it down to an all-time low of $1,999 (originally $3,699). EcoFlow Delta Pro 3…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Amazon Big Deal Days is coming October 7-8, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it’s over. Follow our live blog to stay up to date on the best sales we find. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. New to Prime Day? We have a primer on everything you need to know. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. I live in a pretty small house. How small? People routinely as…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. At $336 (down from its usual $449), the Sonos Move 2 is seeing its lowest price ever right now, according to price trackers. That makes it a bit easier to justify if you've been eyeing a portable Bluetooth speaker that doesn’t compromise on sound. Sonos Move 2 $336.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-p…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The JBL Xtreme 3 might not be the brand’s newest release, but it remains one of the most reliable portable outdoor speakers on the market with heavy bass and powerful sound, a rugged build designed to withstand the elements, and the ability to link with other JBL speakers for an even more epic listening experience. And right now, the JBL Xtreme 3 speaker is down 39% on Amazon at 199.98 (originally $329.95). JBL Xtreme 3 Speaker …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The PowerBoy 2-in-1 Retro Gaming Console and Fast-Charging Power Bank mixes the old with the new, and it's currently on sale for $79.99 at StackSocial. At first glance, it appears to be a simple handheld game console from the early 2000s, complete with a 3-inch IPS display and a familiar D-pad layout. But hidden inside that nostalgic shell is a 5000mAh magnetic power bank capable of 22.5W fast charging. You can play 1,500 preloaded games, covering everything from side-scrollers to puzzle titles, or use it to recharge your phone during a long commute…

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

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. There's nothing sweeter than listening to your favorite album or watching your favorite movie with pristine audio. And if you're a true audiophile, few brands approach the quality Sonos can offer. Right now, Sonos is offering major discounts in the lead-up to Amazon's Big Spring Sale, and the Sonos Beam G2 + Sub Mini combo in particular stands out; it's currently $749, a 25% drop from the $998 list price and the lowest price it yet reached, according to price tracking tools. …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Amazon's Big Spring Sale is almost over, but there are still deals you can take advantage of, including this comprehensive list of tech deals from Lifehacker's associate tech editor Michelle Ehrhardt. If you're looking for a portable speaker, consider this one from Ultimate Ears, the Megaboom 4, currently $129.99 (originally $199.99)—that's the lowest price it has reached, according to price-tracking tools. Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 360-degree sound, is wate…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. High-refresh-rate gaming monitors are getting faster every year, but a 480Hz OLED panel still feels like a technical flex—and the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP is one such example. This 27-inch OLED gaming monitor is currently $662.36 on Amazon, down from its usual $799 price, and price trackers show that’s the lowest it has dropped so far. It sits in a very small group of monitors built around a 1440p panel with a 480Hz refresh rate, competing with models like the Sony Inzone M10S. It is designed first and foremost for high-end PC gaming, where extr…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Sony HT-Z9F is down to $419.99 on Woot, a steep drop from its original price of $899.99. At this price, it becomes a far more accessible way to upgrade your TV audio without committing to a full AV receiver and multi-speaker setup. The deal is available for the next 16 days or until it sells out, whichever happens first. Prime members receive free standard shipping, while non-Prime customers pay $6. That said, shipping is not available to Alaska, Hawaii, APO addresses, or PO Boxes, and the purchase includes a 90-day Woot limited warranty. Discov…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you’ve been eyeing a headset that toes the line between immersive tech and affordability, the Razer Kaira Pro for PlayStation is currently down to $89.99 on Woot (for six days or until it's sold out). That’s about $30 cheaper than Amazon’s current price and the lowest it’s ever been, according to price trackers. It ships with a 90-day Woot warranty, but do note: shipping isn’t available to Alaska, Hawaii, or P.O. boxes. Razer Kaira Pro for PlayStation …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. We might be living in the era of the PS5 Pro, but speaking from personal experience, the base PS5 is still plenty good enough for most people. There are no exclusive games for the upgrade yet (and there likely never will be), but one nice thing about its existence is that the original PS5 is now more likely to go on sale. Consider this week's discounts on both models of the PS5 Slim (sorry, that's what everyone calls it, Sony), which you can snag with a free copy of Astro Bot thrown in. They aren't technically a part of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, bu…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. QLED TVs are, in my opinion, a perfect sweet spot between budget TVs and OLEDs—they're a huge improvement in video quality without having to pay the thousands required for an OLED. And honestly, most people can't tell the difference between an OLED and a QLED anyway, but most people see the difference between a budget TV and a solid QLED. If you're looking for a steal on one of the best QLED TVs of 2025, the Hisense 65" Class U8GQ is $898.32 (originally $1,498) after a 40% discount, bringing it down to its lowest price ever, according to price-trac…