Setting Up Your Home Office

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. For anyone looking for big, balanced sound, a compact size, and a portable smart home hub in their smart speaker, the Amazon Echo Dot Max remains a superior choice that earned a PCMag Editor’s Choice Award for packing lots of features into a well-designed package. Right now, it’s 25% off and at its lowest price ever of $74.99 (originally $99.99) in every color. Amazon Echo Dot Max $74.99 at Amazon $99.99 Save $25.00 …

In a post on Instagram, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed the dates of the next Meta Connect event: September 23 and 24 at the company's Menlo Park campus. It will, of course, be streamed online as well. Zuckerberg also shared a (likely clue-filled) playlist labeled "Connect 2026," a list of what to expect, and a photo that seems to tease smart glasses that will be revealed at the event: Credit: Mark Zuckerberg/Instagram The note Zuck shared promises "demos, special guests, AI updates and better wifi," along with a fifth item…

Google announced many new Android features and upgrades during The Android Show: I/O Edition. Among these are a handful of security and privacy tools Google hopes will protect users (and their data) from scams and theft. Android already has a suite of safeguards—in-call scam alerts, anti-theft settings, and a lockdown mode called Advanced Protection, to name a few—which the new features largely build on and strengthen. Here's what's new. Android will automatically end calls that spoof financial institutionsGoogle rolled out a feature last year to protect against bank impersonators who might attempt to steal your login credentials or convince you to transfer money. In-call…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. DIY home maintenance and repair projects can save you money because you don’t need to hire a pro for every repair or upgrade. From replacing a leaky faucet to adding a knob to your desk drawer, a good set of hand tools is essential for success. Craftsman tools has a good reputation for making quality, long-lasting tools, but if you’re interested in DIY, you might have noticed that these tools can be expensive. If you need to expand your tool set, or if you’re just starting out, these deals on Craftsman tools at Lowe’s will help keep your budget in c…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. I just got my review unit of the Fitbit Air, and while I can't give you a full review yet, I've now had the device in my hand and have tried out the new Google Health app that will soon replace the Fitbit app. I've already found a lot to like about it, which kind of surprised me. My hopes were high, but my expectations were not. Here's what I'm seeing so far. The Fitbit Air is small and light Credit: Beth Skwarecki From photos, I could tell the Fitbit Air looked small and light,…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. The Nintendo Switch 2 has been out for nearly a year. Maybe you bought one at launch, or perhaps you're looking to pick one up before the price skyrockets. Either way, if you are or are soon to be the proud owner of a Nintendo Switch 2 (or even an OLED Switch, for that matter), there's one thing you should not do to it: remove the film on the display. Nintendo Switch 2 $449.00 at Amazon Shop Now …

Samsung has announced that the testing phase for One UI 9 (based on Android 17) is getting underway this week, giving users who don't mind a few bugs and rough edges the chance to test out new features ahead of time. (The standard warning for betas applies here, which is that you install this at your own risk—there's no guarantee that you won't lose data or find a particular app stops working if you decide to go down the beta route.) As for when everyone will be able to download and install the finished version of One UI 9, that's not easy to predict. There are rumors that it may debut on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 around July, which would match Samsung's strategy f…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Google Nest Wifi Pro three-pack is down to $229.99 on Woot, a steep drop from its usual $399.99 price and the lowest price tracked so far, according to price trackers. The same bundle currently sells for around $344.95 on Amazon, so this deal undercuts most major retailers by a wide margin. You also get free shipping if you’re a Prime member, while everyone else pays an extra $6. Woot says the deal will stay live for three days or until stock runs out. Google Nest Wifi Pro (Three-Pack) Wi-Fi 6E mesh router with coverage up t…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. I flagged smart bands as one of the tech trends of 2026, based on what I was seeing, so it’s interesting to watch the rollout of the Fitbit Air and the buzz around the (still unconfirmed) Garmin Cirqa. Whoop, which has long been the undisputed leader in this area, now has a ton of competition. Here’s what I see going on, and what I think we should expect going forward. Google Fitbit Air - Berry with Large Fog Active Band Bundle $99.99 at Amazon $134.98 Save $34.99 …

If you tried to launch Spotify today to listen to a song or a podcast, only to find the player endlessly loading, you're not alone: Spotify is down. The company confirmed the issue on X via its "Spotify Support" page, posting "We’re aware of some issues right now with the app and are checking them out!" You didn't need to see this X announcement to learn about the outage, however. Anyone trying to access the service right now will run into a roadblock. I can make it to my library, but when I try to stream a song, I just see the playbar loading over and over again. Downdetector, owned by Lifehacker parent company Ziff Davis, currently displays tens of thousands of user rep…

This story seems straight out of a Hollywood thriller: Up to a dozen scientists working on some of the U.S.’s most advanced and sensitive aerospace and nuclear programs have disappeared or died in mysterious ways over the last five years. The FBI is working with the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and local law enforcement to find answers. The House Oversight Committee launched its own investigation. Congressman Eric Burlison said the mystery has “all the hallmarks of a foreign operation.” The president called it “pretty serious stuff." Congressman James Comer suggested someone is targeting the nation’s nuclear program. Rep. Tim Burchett alleged a cover-…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. In Dan Fogelman's Paradise, we're apparently in an affluent suburban town in which everything looks fairly tidy. It's the home of Sterling K. Brown's Xavier Collins, a widower and secret service agent, which would be more impressive if the president he'd been serving (James Marsden) hadn't been murdered (much of the narrative is revealed in flashbacks). Oh, and that cute little town? Turns out that it's ... something else. These 10 shows also come at their dystopian narratives sideways, using science fiction in surprising ways. Stream Paradise on Hulu and then head down these other dark holes. Silo (2023 – ) Rebecc…

Chromebooks have been a major success for Google, but they have their limits. While they're great for school and light work (especially if you're all-in on Google), they aren't necessarily the best choice for more intense or professional computer work. For that, people often turn to two main platforms: Mac or PC. It seems Google sees an opportunity to add another to the mix: The company looks like it wants to capture Android users who might be choosing from one of the other two platforms for their computing needs. iPhone users often choose Mac, after all, so maybe Android users would choose the right Google computer, too. Googlebooks are a new laptop from GoogleEnter Goo…

Google's AI has gone through a couple of stages thus far. First, Google launched "Bard" as a direct competitor to ChatGPT. Soon after, the company rebranded to "Gemini," encompassing everything from its chatbot to its LLMs. During The Android Show: I/O Edition, Google revealed its newest AI iteration: Gemini Intelligence. It might sound suspiciously similar to another company's AI suite, but Gemini Intelligence offers a number of unique features—at least, according to Google. Gemini Intelligence's new agentic abilitiesGoogle is positioning "Gemini Intelligence" as an agentic assistant. While the company already offers agentic capabilities, like ordering cabs through Uber…

Google has been beta testing Android 17 since February, and, so far, it's been a pretty small update. Based on the existing beta versions, the new version of Android will introduce "app bubbles," which present apps in floating, easy-to-dismiss windows, as well as a new way to remap game controller buttons across Android. But with the exception of some quality-of-life updates, Android 17 has been shaping up to be a pretty minor update. It seems, however, that Google was saving some of its biggest features for The Android Show: I/O Edition. While the company announced a number of new features across the board, including Gemini Intelligence, 3D emoji, and "Googlebooks," its …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you’re in the market for a portable Bluetooth speaker that still doesn’t skimp on the bass, the Tribit StormBox Mini+ speaker is a rugged option built for outdoor use. It’s earned a PCMag Editor’s Choice Award for being a lightweight yet powerful and long-lasting speaker (with a fun lighting feature…more on that below), and right now it’s 24% off and $31.99 (originally $41.99 on Amazon). Tribit StormBox Mini+ Speaker $31.99 at Amazon …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Garmin has unveiled two new entry-level running watches: the Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170. Both are available starting May 15, 2026, priced at $249.99 and $299.99 respectively, with a Forerunner 170 Music edition coming in at $349.99. Right off the bat, the big selling points are the AMOLED touchscreen displays, along with a suite of training tools that go beyond what I’d call “entry-level.” On paper, these watches are positioned as upgrades to the Forerunner 55 and Forerunner 165—but whether they actually deliver on that promise is more complicated. Here's what we know so far. What we know about the Garmin Forerunner …

Outlook is among the best Gmail alternatives for most people. Microsoft's email service is free and has a bunch of features that Gmail does not. At the same time, there are some shared features you'll likely want to use if you're coming from Gmail—they're just not enabled by default. I've been using Outlook's email service for over a decade, and these are the best hacks I've discovered while sorting through my inbox. Disable image downloads to prevent email tracking by shady companiesCompanies and organizations often use pixel tracking to see if you've opened their emails. Every one of these emails includes a hidden tracking pixel, which sends read receipts to the sender …

Understanding cable tech can be hard at times—harder than it should be, really—and weighing the pros and cons of a new gadget is complicated enough without having to know the differences between HDMI 2.1 and HDMI 2.2, or the reason some USB-C ports are also Thunderbolt ports. Help is at hand, though: WhatCable does a fine job of analyzing the cables attached to your Mac—not just giving you a list of specs but also explaining what those specs mean. One way the app can be useful is in explaining why your MacBook isn't charging as quickly as it could be. This can be down to the charger and the cable you've got connected, and WhatCable will break all of this down for you wit…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Google’s second-generation wired Nest Doorbell is down to $97.99 on Woot, a steep drop from its usual $179.99 price. That undercuts Amazon’s current price for a new unit by more than $80, and even beats Amazon’s refurbished listing by a couple of dollars, making this its lowest price ever, according to price trackers. Woot says the deal will last for two days or until stock runs out, and Prime members get free shipping while everyone else pays an extra $6. For anyone already using Google Home devices, this is one of the more approachable smart home …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. If you find a tick on yourself, it’s totally normal to want to climb out of your skin and burn it and live your life with your bones and muscles on display. Since I wasn't able to do that the last time I tried, I’m glad to report there is a safe, effective, hands-off way to remove the tick from your skin. More than one, in fact. Put down the matches, though. And the soap, and the alcohol. Those can make a tick release itself, but they also make the tick vomit its stomach contents into your bloodstream. That’s gross and it increases your risk of catching tick-borne diseases like Lyme. Instead, you need specialized equipment…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. When it comes to DIY projects, my enthusiasm and willingness to dive in have always compensated for a certain lack of what some would call “skill”—I’m a guy who has to cut twice no matter how many times I measure. Finding studs in the wall is a perfect example: This should be the easiest part of any project, but fancy digital stud finders have always let me down—in fact, the fancier they are, the less useful I find them to be. That’s why the StudPop is so great. It’s an incredibly simple stud finder—and incredibly cheap. It’s made locating the studs in my walls such a breeze that I’ve tossed those digital stud finders into…

Liquid Glass, Apple's big design overhaul for the "26" era, is contentious to say the least. Some users love it, some hate it, and others despise it. There's a real spectrum of opinions out there, especially since Apple rolled out the design to all of its products. iPhones got it with iOS; iPads with iPadOS 26, and, of course, Macs with macOS 26. Apple later added controls to adjust the look of Liquid Glass across all these platforms, but it's far from an off switch. If you don't like Liquid Glass, you probably aren't going to like Liquid Glass-lite. It seems, however, that some of the criticism is being levied at some platforms more than others. While Liquid Glass on the…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. In my years reviewing speakers, I've learned a couple of things: Reputation and price get me to buy it, but if I dig the look, I'll keep using it over better options. This is what Marshall speakers, in general, nail. They look great while still doing their basic job as a portable speaker well. Right now, the Marshall Emberton III is $129.99 (originally $179.99), its lowest price yet, according to price-tracking tools. Marshall Emberton III Portable Bluetooth Speakers, Wireless, IP67 Rating …