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We may earn a commission from links on this page. At the company's Meta Connect 2025 event yesterday, CEO Mark Zuckerberg officially unveiled its long-rumored and recently leaked display-focused smart glasses. Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses will cost $799 and go on sale on Sept. 30. The next generation of Meta smart glasses will feature a full-color, monocular, 600 × 600 pixel HUD in one of the lenses that will only be visible to the user. Display smart glasses will also include improved versions of the audio, video, and AI capabilities of non-display Meta glasses. Credit: Meta Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses will be controlled through a wearable device dubbed the "Meta Neural Band," which allows users to "type" on any surface to send messages as well as control other aspects of the display and smart glasses through small muscle movements. According to Zuckerberg, users will be able to “silently control their glasses with barely perceptible movements.” An example from the keynote: turning up the volume on music by mimicking the motion of turning a dial. The wristband will have 18 hours of battery life and is IPX7, so it can be fully immersed in water up to one meter. At the keynote, Zuckerberg showed off texting on the Display glasses, and touted that video calls through WhatsApp would be available on the new glasses (although, notably, the demo didn't actually work at the event). Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses will feature a 12MP camera with 3X zoom, and the addition of a display screen gives users a viewfinder and the ability to see pictures and videos you take before you send them or save them. Why I'm excited to try these glassesI'm not the "looking-forward-to-things" type, but I'm really looking forward to trying out Displays. I'm not the type that fans out over giant tech companies either, but I can't deny it: Overall, the best new hardware of any type I've used in last 10 years was made by Meta. Meta's Quest VR headsets are excellent and inexpensive (even if I'm not entirely sold on VR as anything but a cool gimmick), and I have nothing but praise for Meta Ray-Bans, and this after wearing second generation Metas as my everyday eyewear for around a year. I have questions, though: I'm not sure if texting and otherwise computing from my glasses with a wristband is something I need in my life; despite keynote assurances from Mark Zuckerberg, I wonder how intuitive the neural control will actually be; and Meta's vision of "personal superintelligence" creeps me out. But overall, if the Display works as well and as easily as other recent Meta gear in my house, these glasses will be amazing. They could be life-changing for people with hearing problems—Display glasses will be able to add "subtitles" to conversations in real time. They could genuinely make living with ADHD a little easier, too: If I lose my car keys it will (presumably) be able to tell me where I left them. I'm old enough to remember when being technology ready-for-anything meant carrying around a digital camera, a flip phone, a calculator, a GPS unit, a watch, and more, all of which I'd lose along the way. All that gear has now collapsed into a smart phone. If Display works the way Meta promises, this could be the next collapse, where you don't even need the phone, just the glasses you were going to wear anyway. And that's a big "if." Neural wristbands, heads-up displays, and AI “seeing what you see” all sound incredible, but hype from a keynote touting amazing features that turn out to be half-baked crap that no one wants is a tech-industry cliche at this point. But I'm still excited. By the end of the month, I might get to see the future; who wouldn't be excited? View the full article

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. If you’ve been waiting for a Kindle that holds more than just a handful of books, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is worth a closer look, especially at today’s price. This like-new version with 32GB of storage is selling for $126.99 on Amazon (its lowest price yet, according to price-trackers). For context, a brand-new unit currently lists at $199.99, so you’re saving a solid $73 while still getting a device that’s been tested, cleaned, and restored directly by Amazon. Every refurbished model goes through a diagnostic check, secure data wipe, and part replacement if needed, so you’re not rolling the dice on performance. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Ed. 32GB 7" eReader (Like New) $126.99 at Amazon $179.99 Save $53.00 Get Deal Get Deal $126.99 at Amazon $179.99 Save $53.00 Its 7-inch glare-free display runs at 300 pixels per inch, making text sharp and easy to read, while the adjustable warm light takes the strain out of late-night sessions. This version also comes ad-free, which longtime Kindle owners know is a big quality-of-life upgrade, and with 32GB of storage, you won’t have to worry about deleting books to make space—there’s room for a huge library, plus heavier stuff like graphic novels and audiobooks (though, you’ll need Bluetooth headphones for Audible playback, since there’s no headphone jack). As for battery life, it stretches into months rather than days, and charging is flexible: Plug it in with USB-C, or just set it on a wireless charging dock and forget about it. While the Signature Edition doesn’t reinvent the Kindle experience, as noted in this PCMag review, the wireless charging, IPX8 water resistance, and bumped-up storage make it the most complete version of Amazon’s e-reader lineup. That doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for everyone. For casual readers, the standard Paperwhite might be plenty. But for anyone who reads daily and wants the perks of more storage, wireless charging, and no ads, this refurbished Signature Edition at its lowest price yet is a strong deal. If you’re still weighing your options, Lifehacker has a guide on which Kindle is best for you, or you can check out a comparison between the Kindle Colorsoft and Kindle Paperwhite if you’re curious about how it stacks up against newer color-screen models. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 256GB Unlocked AI Phone (Titanium JetBlack) — $699.99 (List Price $1,099.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Roku Streaming Stick Plus — $29.00 (List Price $39.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

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. "Never pay full price for a MacBook Air" seems to be the takeaway from the latest Apple launches. Apple unveiled its updated lineup of M4-powered MacBook Air laptops in early March, and all the M4s saw their first discounts a few weeks later. The M4, M3, M2, and M1 MacBook Airs are all discounted right now, with some at their lowest prices ever, according to price-tracking tools. If you're on a budget, you can always go for the older M2 and M1 laptops, which are still great laptops in 2025. 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage Apple MacBook M4 Chip 256GB SSD 16GB RAM 13.6" Laptop (Midnight) $799.00 at Amazon $999.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $799.00 at Amazon $999.00 Save $200.00 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage Apple 2022 MacBook Air Laptop with M2 chip $699.00 at Amazon $884.95 Save $185.95 Get Deal Get Deal $699.00 at Amazon $884.95 Save $185.95 8GB RAM, 256GB storage Apple MacBook Air M1 13” Laptop $599.00 at Walmart $1,043.99 Save $444.99 Get Deal Get Deal $599.00 at Walmart $1,043.99 Save $444.99 SEE 0 MORE The best deal on the M4 MacBook Air 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage Apple MacBook M4 Chip 256GB SSD 16GB RAM 13.6" Laptop (Midnight) $799.00 at Amazon $999.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $799.00 at Amazon $999.00 Save $200.00 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip $999.00 at Amazon $1,199.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $999.00 at Amazon $1,199.00 Save $200.00 24GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip $1,199.00 at Amazon $1,399.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $1,199.00 at Amazon $1,399.00 Save $200.00 SEE 0 MORE The M4 MacBook Air has been such a good value since its release that it made the M3 MacBook Air irrelevant, hence Apple discontinued it after just a year since its release. As our Senior Tech Editor Jake Peterson will tell you, the M4 MacBook Air is the one to buy. The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air with 256GB SSD starts at $799 right now (originally $999), the lowest price it has ever been. This is arguably the best option for most people. With 16GB of RAM for even the most basic MacBook Air, you'll be able to take on intensive applications and projects now and for many years to come. The most basic M4 MacBook Air comes with a 13.6-inch "Liquid Retina" display, with a resolution of 2,560 by 1,664, a P3 wide color gamut, and a maximum brightness of 500 nits. You'll also get an excellent backlit keyboard with Touch ID, Wi-Fi 6E support, and great speakers and microphones. Apple also decided to bring back MagSafe charging with this laptop. All of the M4 MacBook Airs come with a 12MP camera with Center Stage. You might've first seen this feature on iPads and on the M4 MacBook Pro, which follows your face as you move around the frame during video calls. The two USB-C ports are Thunderbolt 4, meaning you can extend to up to two 6K external monitors if you buy the equipment separately. You can read more about it in PCMag's "excellent" review. If you're unsure whether to go for one of these or the Pro, the M4 MacBook Air offers a much better value than the Pro. The best deal on the M3 MacBook AirAs stated above, the M3 MacBook Air has been discontinued since the release of the M4, and you can only find it from big retailers used. The prices don't make sense since the M4 just offers a much better value for the money. Go up for the M4 or down to the M2 if you can't afford the M3. The best deal on the M2 MacBook Air MacBook Air 13.6" Laptop M2 chip 16GB Memory 256GB SSD 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, Backlit Keyboard, 1080p FaceTime HD $699.00 at Best Buy $799.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $699.00 at Best Buy $799.00 Save $100.00 2022's M2 MacBook Air laptop is also on sale; currently $699 (originally $999), the lowest price this laptop has ever been. This is the best M2 you can buy as far as value for your money, and as Lifehacker Senior Tech Editor Jake Peterson explained last year, it could be the last laptop you'll ever buy. It has the same RAM and storage as the M3, but there are some key differences between the two machines you should be aware of. If, however, you have $176 to spare, the upgrade to the M4 is a better value. The best deal on the M1 MacBook Air MacBook Air 13.3 inch Laptop M1 Chip Apple MacBook Air 13.3 inch Laptop - Space Gray, M1 Chip, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage $599.00 at Walmart $1,043.99 Save $444.99 Get Deal Get Deal $599.00 at Walmart $1,043.99 Save $444.99 The 2020 M1 MacBook Air has also dropped in price and is perhaps the best all-around value for an entry-level laptop right now. Walmart has the M1 MacBook Air 13.3-inch laptop for $599 (it cost $999.99 prior to the launch of the M3), which is the lowest price I've seen after checking price-comparison tools. This M1 from 2020 has 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage with about 18 hours of battery life. If you're wondering if the M1 is relevant, Jake noted the M1 is still a fantastic computer even three years after its release. Yes, its specs pale in comparison to the new M4 chip and all of its new features, but the M1 is still enough for most people. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 256GB Unlocked AI Phone (Titanium JetBlack) — $699.99 (List Price $1,099.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Roku Streaming Stick Plus — $29.00 (List Price $39.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. Garmin’s newest watch is an update to its Venu line. The Venu 3 was one of the brand’s best lifestyle watches, and the Venu X1, launched earlier this year, was a premium version. Now, there is a Venu 4, available on September 22—and it has a flashlight. Pricing and essential featuresThe Venu 4 comes in two sizes (41 and 45 millimeters), the same as the sizes of the Venu 3 and 3S respectively. It costs $100 more than the older version, with the Venu 4 coming in at $549.99 compared to the Venu 3 at $449.99. Like its predecessor, the Venu 4 has an AMOLED touchscreen, stainless steel bezel, Gorilla Glass 3 face, and a speaker and microphone that allow it to take voice calls if your phone is within range. It adds training status, training readiness, and Garmin Coach for four different activities: running, cycling, strength, and a new fitness coach. Here's a rundown of some of the notable new features: FlashlightIt’s a simple thing, but a big one for a lot of people. Garmin used to reserve LED flashlights for its more outdoorsy adventure watches—the Instinct on the low end and the Fenix on the high end—but the Forerunner 970 has one, and it seems to have gone over well. Even Amazfit added a flashlight to its T-Rex 3 Pro. The Venu 3 didn’t have a flashlight, but the premium Venu X1 does, and now the Venu 4 does, too. Health statusA new health status metric combines your nighttime vitals (heart rate, HRV, skin temperature, and pulse oxygen) and tells you whether these are consistent with what’s normal for you, or whether they’re trending away from your usual baseline. Lifestyle loggingGarmin has historically just collected your data and displayed it, without the kind of lifestyle analysis provided by others like Whoop and Bevel. But the Venu 4 comes with a lifestyle logging feature, where you can take note of habits and behaviors and see whether they affect your metrics. (One example Garmin gives is logging when you have caffeine late in the day, so you can see how much it affects your sleep metrics.) Fitness coachGarmin’s daily suggested workouts aren’t just for runners and cyclists anymore. There is a relatively new strength coach (I’ve had it on my Forerunner watches for a while now) and the Venu 4 adds a fitness coach that can recommend workouts for you from any of 25 of activities. A given day’s workout might recommend that you go for a walk, do a HIIT session, or hop on the rowing machine. Accessibility featuresThe Venu was already one of Garmin’s more disability-friendly watches, featuring a wheelchair mode in addition to walking and running workouts. The Venu 4 adds a spoken watch face option, that will read you the time using the speaker, and an option to filter the colors on the display. View the full article

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 my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. Apple makes good devices and accessories, but they do tend to be more expensive than the competition, even for something as basic as a charging cable. It's certainly true of Apple Watch bands—I'm not sure why a braided strip of polyester and silicone costs $99, but that's what the company charges. But right now, Woot is selling a whole rainbow of Apple Watch bands for up to 70% off. It's a great (and rare) opportunity to stock up on a few different styles or colors to outfit your smartwatch. You can choose from the Solo Loop or the Braided Solo Loop designs, which normally go for $49.99 and $99.99, respectively. Solo Loops are on sale for $14.99, and Braided Solo Loops are $29.99. You can find them in virtually every color— even the rainbow Pride edition of the Braided Solo Loop. Here are your options as of this writing: Black, White Hues Red, Orange, Yellow Hues Blue Hues Green Hues Purple Hues Braided: Black, White Hues Braided: Red, Orange, Yellow Hues Braided: Blue Hues Braided: Purple Hues Braided: Green Hues Braided: Pride Edition All of these bands are compatible with Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 4 or later, and Apple Watch Ultra or later. They aren't adjustable, so you'll need to select the right size, with the most popular sizes likely to run out first, so maybe set an alarm to remind you to place an order before they do. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 256GB Unlocked AI Phone (Titanium JetBlack) — $699.99 (List Price $1,099.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Roku Streaming Stick Plus — $29.00 (List Price $39.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

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. Right now, a new JBL Flip 7 portable speaker is available on Woot for $99.95—that's 33% off. According to price-trackers, the lowest price a brand-new version has been on Amazon is $139.99, making this a smart option for anyone looking for a compact, waterproof, drop-resistant speaker from a reliable household name. The speaker comes with Woot’s 90-day warranty program and ships to 48 contiguous states in the U.S. (free for Prime members, and $6 for non-members). JBL Flip 7 $99.95 at Amazon $149.95 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $99.95 at Amazon $149.95 Save $50.00 This durable Bluetooth speaker is drop-proof, dust-proof, and waterproof with an IP68 (compared to the Flip 6’s IP67 rating), making it ideal for outdoor adventures, cozy backdoor hangs, or a night in as the weather cools down. The Flip 7 lasts up to 14 hours on a single charge (16 hours with Playtime Boost, which trades some sound quality for extra runtime), and AI Sound Boost analyzes music in real-time to deliver optimal sound with less distortion. It also supports lossless audio for higher fidelity and a richer experience, but to enable this, you’ll need to plug it into a laptop or audio source that’s compatible with lossless audio. Pair the speaker with the JBL Portable app to further customize EQ. Compared to past models, the Flip 7 has enhanced bass, as this PCMag review points out, and a refined tweeter. Users note its power despite its small size, with one reviewer saying it can be heard down the street. Sound is balanced, loud, and a step up from the Flip 5 and 6. If you want to turn up the volume even more, you can utilize the Auracast feature and pair two Flip 7s together. As for portability, the speaker is made even more compact with an interchangeable accessory system featuring an included loop and carabiner. While the bass is definitely respectable, it doesn’t have the depth of larger speakers, and if the speaker is on Playtime Boost, it’ll compress bass further and lead to a slightly thinner sound. Still, if you’re looking for a rugged, low-maintenance speaker that can take a few knocks while delivering premium sound, the JBL Flip 7 portable speaker is a solid contender, especially at the current $100 price point. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 256GB Unlocked AI Phone (Titanium JetBlack) — $699.99 (List Price $1,099.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Roku Streaming Stick Plus — $29.00 (List Price $39.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

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. If you’re anything like me, you might have moving app icons on your iPhone Home Screen right now. It took me a few days to notice this, but now when I tilt my phone up, down, left, or right, my icons will actually shift in that direction, and the highlights the new Liquid Glass effect added around them will move as well. Technically, this isn’t a new feature. Apple calls it the “parallax effect,” and if you’ve ever played an old 16-bit sidescroller, you’ve probably seen it before. It’s when a background moves at a different speed than the foreground. The parallax effect first got added to iOS way back in iOS 7, but ever since iOS 16, users have been complaining that it’s been broken. I certainly hadn’t seen it over the past couple years, but now that seems to have changed. During the second iOS 26 beta, users reported that the parallax effect was back, and now that iOS 26 is live, it still appears to be working. Finally: It only took Apple three years to fix that bug. The problem? It turns out I don’t actually like the parallax effect on my app icons. I don’t represent everyone here, as plenty of the comments in the threads shared above are cheering its return. But for me, it just kind of makes me feel dizzy, like I’m staring at a hypnotist’s wheel whenever I dare to do anything with my phone other than leave it perfectly still. My friends at Lifehacker are also split on the issue, but hey, at least the writers over at Gizmodo have my back. Luckily, if you’re like me, you can turn the parallax effect off, but it does come with compromises. Turn on Reduce MotionLike turning off Liquid Glass’ transparency, the most effective way to turn off moving icons on your iPhone’s Home Screen involves using the accessibility menu. To do this, you’ll need to navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Motion, and then toggle on Reduce Motion. Bam, your icons will now stay rooted firmly in place on your Home Screen, no matter how you tilt your phone. Even the new highlights that made Dark Mode icons look tilted for some will stay put (that won’t solve the optical illusion, since it has to do more with contrast than where the icons are, but it’s a nice touch). Unfortunately, this does come with a downside, because Reduce Motion doesn’t affect just parallax icons. It also tones down your system level animations. For instance, with this setting enabled, your app windows will no longer slowly minimize into the App Switcher when you swipe up anymore. Instead, you’ll just instantly go from a full-screen view into the App Switcher view. Your mileage may vary on how you feel about that, although I felt like it made my phone less responsive. Apps also don’t slowly expand out from the icon with Reduce Motion on, instead just instantly entering a full-screen view when you tap on them, albeit with a small unfurling animation that plays at the corners. Use a solid or gradient backgroundIf you'd rather keep your system level animations, but still don't want to see the parallax effect, you could adjust your background instead. Because the moving icons need to contrast with something to really become noticeable, using a solid or gradient background should tone them down for you without you needing to turn Reduce Motion on. To do this, long press on your lock screen, then hit the + button on the bottom right. Scroll down to Color and pick a wallpaper you like. You can also make your own gradient and simply save it as a photo, then set it as your wallpaper by tapping on it in the Photos app and scrolling down until you see the Use as Wallpaper button. The downside here, of course, is that you won't be able to use a photo of your pet or a family member as a background. Unacceptable, I say, but some of my colleagues are willing to make that sacrifice. View the full article

Google and Apple’s app stores both have a reputation for being pretty trustworthy these days. It’s easy to assume that if an app is in either the iPhone App Store or the Google Play Store, it’s safe to download. But a new Google crackdown this week reminds us that this isn’t so clear cut. Yesterday, a third-party security report revealed that Google had recently removed 224 malicious apps from the Android Play Store. Dubbed “SlopAds” apps by security company Human, which discovered the apps and wrote the report, these apps evaded Google’s usual security procedures and instead used a clever workaround to secretly install malware on users’ devices, even when downloaded straight from Google’s servers. The way these apps worked was that, if you downloaded them by searching for them through the Google Play Store, they would work as advertised with no malware dragging them down. Generally, these apps were pitched as simple utilities, or attempted to pass themselves off as more popular programs like ChatGPT, to try to trick users into downloading them. Not the best tools, certainly, but if accessed directly through Google, they wouldn’t hurt you. But the trick is that, if you downloaded one of these apps after arriving at the Play Store via one of SlopAds ad campaigns, it would also secretly download an encrypted configuration file that, after a few post-download checks, would install malware on your device. Once a device was infected, the app would then steal its information, and start using it to generate fake ad impressions on sites run by the scammers, maximizing profit. It was a clever way to get around Google’s regular review process, and a good reminder that, even as major companies try to make their app stores safe to use, you should still be vigilant while browsing them. How to avoid installing malware on your deviceWhile SlopAds has been thwarted for now, you should still take a few steps to keep your device safe while downloading new apps, especially since SlopAds isn’t alone in sneaking Malware onto the Play Store. Here are just a few ways to protect your device while browsing for new apps. Download your apps directly from the Play StoreAndroid is different from iOS in that it allows you to sideload apps onto your device. This can be convenient when working with smaller developers, who might not have the resources to get their programs on the Play Store. But downloading an app that hasn’t been verified by Google opens you up to extra risk. Always ensure you trust a developer and the specific APK file you’re using before sideloading an app. Google is currently working to block sideloading unless a developer is verified (which has been controversial, despite the extra security it gives you), although these changes aren’t set to hit most of the world until 2027. Find apps through the Play StoreAs SlopAds proves, navigating to an app through an outside source can flag it to download extra files to your device that you won’t get if you find the app through the Play Store’s own search functionality. Always be cautious about links to apps that you find on suspicious websites, and especially in ads. Using the Play Store to discover new apps instead could save you some headaches down the line, especially as Google’s search is less likely to send you to suspicious apps than it is popular apps that have been verified as safe by other users. Check user reviews and permissionsIf you scroll down before downloading an app through the Play Store, you’ll see which permissions an app needs to do its work on your phone, and you’ll also be able to read user reviews. This can be handy if there are known issues with an app, or the requested permissions seem to be a bit too generous for what the app claims to do. However, this isn’t a catch-all solution—SlopAds did its malicious behavior in the background without needing any sort of permissions, and depending on where a user downloaded a SlopAd app from, it might not have even installed malware on their device. It’s possible apps with good reviews could still have harmful software included on the sly. Turn on Google Play ProtectWhile SlopAds was able to bypass Google Play Protect, it’s still a good idea to turn it on if it isn’t enabled on your device already. This will scan an app for known malware before downloading it, giving you an extra layer of protection. It will also periodically scan apps already installed on your device. To ensure it’s turned on, open the Play Store, click your profile icon in the top right corner, and navigate to Play Protect > Settings. To scan sideloaded apps, you can also turn on the Improve harmful app detection setting, which is in the same spot. Run a Google Security CheckupFinally, you can run a Google Security Checkup on your device via a web browser. This will help you tighten your online security, encouraging you to take security steps like adding a recovery email or phone number to your Google account. It’ll also list recent security activity, and will generally ensure that, even if a malicious app steals your data, you’ll be able to lock it out of your account with the least issue possible. View the full article

Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. The latest Apple Watches now boast a sleep score, which gives you a number on a scale of 1 to 100 for how well you slept. But that’s not all—you can even get this number without the Series 11 watch, as I discovered this morning while waiting for my new watch to be delivered. To get the new sleep score, just make sure you have iOS 26 and watch OS 26 installed. Where to find the sleep scoreYou can view the sleep score on your iPhone or on your Apple Watch. On the watch (Series 6 or later), go to the Sleep app. The sleep score is the first thing it will show you. On the iPhone, the sleep score gets its own card in the Apple Health app. If you don't see it, tap the search icon and then tap on Sleep. Many devices can give you an Apple sleep score, not just the newest Apple WatchThe sleep score is a data analysis feature that doesn’t require specific Apple Watch hardware, and Apple has said that Apple Watches as old as Series 6 will get it. What’s more, I noticed that my Apple Health app gives me sleep scores for nights I wore other devices to bed, but not an Apple Watch. According to my settings, my Apple Health app receives sleep data from the Coros, Garmin, Zepp (Amazfit), Oura, Ultrahuman, Whoop, and Withings devices I’ve used. I’ve rarely worn an Apple Watch to bed lately, but I’m always wearing something, usually including an Oura ring. I have sleep scores for all of those nights, not just the nights I wore an Apple Watch. Your past sleep scores are calculated retroactivelyThe sleep score is new with iOS 26 and watch OS 26, but the data needed to calculate it was there anytime you wore a supported device to bed. Scrolling back, I can see sleep scores going back to April of 2020. How sleep scores are calculatedApple’s sleep score comes with a breakdown of where your 100 potential points come from. This includes: 50 points for how long you slept 30 points for how consistent your bedtime was with previous nights 20 points for minimizing interruptions My own scores include a lot of “high” and “excellent” ratings, even though I don’t think my sleep has been great. But sleep scores are never totally scientific—even when they’re based on solid data, there’s no such thing as a medical cutoff for what counts as “high” or “excellent” sleep. The World Sleep Society tells us to “focus on trends and patterns, not individual ‘scores.’” If you see your sleep scores trending up (or down), that’s more important than what exactly your number is today. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Last week I ran the D.C. half-marathon alongside nearly 8,000 other runners. While I generally love running with my Garmin Forerunner 165 (which I've previously reviewed), when I strapped the watch on the morning of the race, I had some reservations. This watch has earned a reputation as a barebones beginner device—and I was worried if it would hold up when it really mattered. Would the GPS remain accurate throughout the 13.1 mile run? Would the pacing features actually help me hit my goal time? After crossing the finish line, I'm happy to report that this entry-level watch met my expectations in almost every way. Garmin Forerunner 165 Music, Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Music on Your Wrist, Whitestone $299.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $299.99 at Amazon Training with Garmin's built-in plansIn the leadup to race day, I tested Garmin's training plans. It's a simple process: Once you select a plan in Garmin Connect, your watch automatically receives each day's workout, complete with target paces, intervals, and recovery periods. The selling point for me is that Garmin's training plans adapt to your performance over time, adjusting target paces based on recent runs and fitness assessments. For my marathon training, the plan included everything from easy runs and tempo workouts, to speed intervals and long runs (which may not be long enough—but more on that in a moment). As I've previously noted, I particularly love the pacing guidance during tempo runs—the watch beeps and displays alerts when I drifted outside my target pace zone, helping me nail those challenging sustained efforts that are so crucial for race preparation. That said, I'm not convinced Garmin's training philosophy is entirely reliable, particularly over long run distances. I have a sneaking suspicion the device might not suggest long enough peak mileage for some runners, but I'll dive deeper into that analysis after completing a full training cycle. In the meantime, I'm absolutely loving the pacing assistance and structured workouts. Creating a custom race day workoutAhead of race day, I took advantage of one of Garmin's best features: creating a custom workout. To do so, I opened the Garmin Connect app and navigated to Training > Workouts > Create a Workout. From there, I built a step-by-step plan for my race. I created a warm-up mile (at an easy pace), followed by the main event (an 11-mile step with ambitious target pace alerts), and an extra ambitious final mile push. The key was setting up pace alerts that would notify me if I was running too fast or too slow relative to my half-marathon pace goal. Once saved, the workout automatically synced to my Forerunner 165, and I could start it just like any other workout on race morning. Having this structure eliminated the guesswork and helped me stay disciplined during those early miles, when adrenaline and crowd energy make it so tempting to start out too fast. Forerunner 165 GPS accuracyHere's where the Forerunner 165 really impressed me. I was genuinely concerned about GPS accuracy going into the race. Anyone who has ever attended a concert knows how dense crowds disrupt GPS on your phone or watch, and this half-marathon had around 8,000 runners plus who knows how many spectators cheering for us. More advanced Garmin watches offer dual-band GPS for improved accuracy, which the Forerunner 165 lacks. I worried that in a crowded race environment, amid tall buildings and thousands of other runners, the single-band GPS might struggle to maintain precision. My fears were unfounded. Throughout the race, my Garmin's distance measurements matched almost perfectly with the official mile markers set up by the race organizers. Mile after mile, when I reached each marker, my watch showed within 0.1 miles of the expected distance. This consistency gave me confidence in my pacing and eliminated the stress of wondering whether my watch was leading me astray. You can see how close Garmin's tracking is to my official race results in a side-by-side here. Garmin's summary on the left, my official race results on the right. Credit: Meredith Dietz I should note that I'm an extremely relatable runner, in that I'm truly right in the 50th percentile of marathon runners: No faster, no slower. This means my experience is probably representative of what most recreational racers can expect from this watch. How the Forerunner 165 performed on race day During the race itself, the Forerunner 165 delivered exactly what I needed without overwhelming me with unnecessary data. The screen remained easily readable in various lighting conditions, from the pre-dawn start through full daylight. Battery life was never a concern—after two-plus hours of GPS tracking, I still had plenty of juice remaining. The vibration alerts for pace deviations were perfectly calibrated: noticeable enough to get my attention without being jarring or distracting. The auto-lap feature marked each mile clearly, giving me regular checkpoints to assess my progress against my race plan. Advice for racing with the Garmin Forerunner 165Based on my race day experience, here are my top recommendations for getting the most out of your Forerunner 165 during a race: Charge fully the night before. Even though battery life is excellent, there's no reason to risk it. A full charge will easily handle any race distance. Set up your data screens in advance. Customize what information appears on your main screen. I recommend keeping it simple: current pace, average pace, and elapsed time. Too much data can be overwhelming when you're pooped. Practice with your custom workout. Don't let race day be the first time you use a custom workout. Test it during a long training run to make sure the pace alerts and structure work for your preferences. Trust the GPS. My biggest surprise was how accurate the GPS remained throughout the race. Trust your watch's distance and pace readings rather than trying to calculate based on course markers or feel. Use the lap button strategically. While auto-lap is great, manually hitting the lap button at key points (like the halfway mark or when you start your finishing kick) can provide helpful psychological markers. The Garmin Forerunner 165 might be positioned as an entry-level watch, but it did exactly what I needed it to do on race day, with accurate GPS, reliable pacing feedback, and an easy-to-read display. Sometimes, it seems, the most advanced features aren't necessary—sometimes you just need a watch that works when it counts. View the full article

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 my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. Every model in the 2025 lineup of M4 MacBook Air laptops is currently marked down by $200 on Amazon, taking them to record-low prices. Of these, the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air with 16GB unified memory and 256GB SSD storage is arguably the best MacBook Air for most people, and a great buy at $799 (originally $999). 13-inch M4 MacBook Air 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID $799.00 at Amazon $999.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $799.00 at Amazon $999.00 Save $200.00 Although this is ostensibly the entry-level MacBook Air, it is well-equipped to last you for many years. It comes with 16GB of RAM standard, twice what the previous generation's basic model included. The 13.6-inch "Liquid Retina" display has a resolution of 2,560 by 1,664, a P3 wide color gamut, and a maximum brightness of 500 nits. You'll also get an excellent backlit keyboard with Touch ID, Wi-Fi 6E support, and great speakers and microphones. Apple even decided to bring back MagSafe charging with this laptop. The 12MP camera comes with the Center Stage, which follows your face as you move around the frame during video calls. The two USB-C ports are Thunderbolt 4 means you can extend to up to two 6K external monitors. For a "basic" laptop, the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air offers incredible capabilities and features for the price, and is arguably a much better value than the Pro, according to Lifehacker Senior Tech Editor Jake Peterson. If you take into account the current discount, it really is the best all-around MacBook you can buy. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 256GB Unlocked AI Phone (Titanium JetBlack) — $699.99 (List Price $1,099.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Roku Streaming Stick Plus — $29.00 (List Price $39.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

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. iOS 26 has been out for a few days now, and with it, a bunch of convenient little tweaks to how you use your phone. Not everything’s a keeper, and I’ve already written about how to disable the new Liquid Glass transparency effects or fix Dark Mode icons that appear tilted. Still, there are things to like about this update, even if you have to go out of your way to turn some of them on. After spending a couple nights tweaking iOS 26 to my preferences, here are my favorite new features in Apple’s latest operating system. Resize the clockThis one works well with my iPhone 15 Pro’s always-on display. As a millennial, I don’t always have old-school clocks conveniently placed around my apartment. Instead, I’ll just carry my phone around with me and plop it down somewhere in my peripheral vision where I can quickly glance at the always-on display to check the time. The problem was, until now, the clock was tiny. With iOS 26, though, you can now resize the lock screen clock (and by extension, the always-on display clock). That makes for less wasted space on my screen, and makes it easier to see at a glance or from a distance. It’s a small change, but it’s probably made the biggest difference in how I actually use my phone. To resize your lock screen clock in iOS 26, simply navigate to your iPhone’s lock screen, then long press. Hit the customize button, and then drag the lower right corner of the clock widget until you’re satisfied with the clock’s size. Note that the resized clock will only work with the first available font. If you don’t see a selection frame around the clock widget’s lower right corner, you’ll first need to tap into it and change the font before you can resize it. Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt Also, as a bonus, depending on your wallpaper, you can trigger a depth effect by clicking the three-dots icon in the lower right corner. This will allow you to place some photo elements in front of the clock, which could hurt legibility but might be worth it to see more of your background, depending on your tastes. For instance, here are my cat’s ears appearing over my lock screen clock. The clock still appears unobstructed on my black always-on display (on the iPhone 14 Pro and up, you can change how your always-on display looks under Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On Display). Call screeningI pretty much never pick up phone calls anymore. As my grandparents used to say “if it’s important, they’ll call back.” That said, sometimes I do worry about missing a chat I really needed to have, or just coming across as rude. That’s where iOS 26’s new Call Screening feature comes in. Credit: Apple When enabled, under Settings > Apps > Phone > Screen Unknown Callers > Ask Reason for Calling, this will have your iPhone pick up calls from numbers you don’t know for you, then ask the caller their reason for calling. As they answer, a transcript of what they’re saying will appear on screen, and you’ll be able to pick up the phone if it seems important. I actually haven’t gotten a spam call since turning it on, so I haven’t personally tested it yet, but it seems like a great way to avoid spam while not worrying about missing something important along the way. And if you want to go nuclear, you could instead toggle on Silence instead of Ask Reason for Calling, which will simply send all calls from unknown numbers straight to voicemail. Note that Call Screening does not work for contacts, so you’ll still have to decide whether it’s worth picking up your long-winded uncle’s calls for yourself. The improved fitness appUntil now, the iPhone’s Fitness app has been useful for getting a summary of your fitness data, or for accessing Apple Fitness+ workout videos, but not for actually tracking workouts while you’re on a run or in the gym. Now, though, that’s changed. Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt Once you’ve updated your phone to iOS 26, open the Fitness app. You’ll see a new Workout tab in the navigation bar towards the bottom. Tap it, and you’ll see a number of workouts that you can start right from your phone. These are all for outdoor exercises, like walking, running, cycling, and hiking. The idea is that, even if you don’t have a health tracker, your phone can use GPS data to estimate metrics for you (tapping on any of these will bring up a screen where your phone asks for location tracking permissions). But that’s not all you can do. If you pair your phone with a heart rate tracker, like the one built into the Apple Watch (although you’re not limited to Apple’s own peripherals for this), you’ll also get access to other workout types, like Indoor Run, Yoga, and High Intensity Interval Training. You’ll just need to wear your tracker while exercising. It doesn’t only work in the background, too. Start any workout, and you’ll see your metrics live on your phone while you’re exercising—no more peeking down at your smartwatch’s tiny screen to see your stats. This will also work for workouts started from your Apple Watch, as they’ll simply mirror to both the Fitness app and a Live Activity on your iPhone’s lock screen. Nice. Hold assistI have a trip coming up next week, and I need to call my pharmacy to get some prescription refills before I head out of town. Unfortunately, they love to leave me on hold for way too long. That’s where Apple’s new Hold Assist feature comes in. Credit: Apple With this, your iPhone will detect when you’ve been put on hold (by listening for cues like hold music), and will offer to hold the call for you so you can step away. Press the “Hold This Call?” button that pops up, and your call will shrink to a small pill towards the top of your screen. Audio will be muted, and you’ll be able to walk away or use your iPhone as usual. When the other line takes you off hold, they’ll get a short message saying Hold Assist is active, and you’ll get a notification along with a ring and/or vibration to let you know you can pick up the call again. You’ll also see a transcription of what the other person said while they waited for you to pick up. Hold Assist should be active for you by default after installing iOS 26, but to double check, simply navigate to Settings > Apps > Phone > Hold Assist Detection and ensure the toggle is enabled. A spam folder for the Messages appFinally, your iPhone will automatically sort away spam messages for you. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been getting so many scam texts as of late, like for unpaid traffic tickets (I don’t drive). Already, the new Spam folder in Messages has done a good job of keeping me from seeing these. Essentially, it works just like the Spam folder in Gmail. Simply open your Messages app, and you’ll probably notice fewer scam texts or solicitations in there. To see where they’ve all gone, click the three-lines icon in the top right corner, then the Spam folder. Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt You’ll see any texts your iPhone has decided to mark as spam, as well as buttons to mark them all as read or simply delete them. Of course, be careful when looking at these messages—you probably don’t want to click any links in them. And that’s it. Note that, just like in Gmail, there is a chance for false positives, so you might want to check this folder if you’re expecting an important text and aren’t seeing it. If you leave a message in the Spam folder for more than 90 days, it will be deleted, but you can click Recover under a message you want to keep to send it back to the main text folder. Like with Hold Assist, spam filtering should be enabled for you by default, but to double check, head over to Settings > Apps > Messages > Unknown Senders and ensure the Filter Spam toggle is on. View the full article

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. The Eufy X10 Pro Omni is currently selling for $549.99 on Amazon, a steep drop from its $899.99 list price and the lowest it has gone for, according to price trackers.] Eufy X10 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo $549.99 at Amazon $899.99 Save $350.00 Get Deal Get Deal $549.99 at Amazon $899.99 Save $350.00 It’s pitched as an all-in-one cleaning machine: it vacuums, mops, empties its own bin, and washes and dries its mop pads. On paper, that’s the dream—drop it in the corner, set a schedule, and let it handle the basics while you do anything else with your day. In practice, the X10 Pro Omni hits some impressive notes while missing others. Navigation is excellent, especially in tricky rooms where many robots get stuck or spin in circles. It hugs walls and edges well, even using a dedicated “edge-hugging” mop feature to clean right up against the wall (something most bots leave untouched). The dual mop pads also wiggle as they move, which does a better job of lifting dirt when you run multiple passes. Rugs and pet hair aren’t a big issue either, as long as the roller brush is clear. Where it stumbles is with larger debris and error recovery. If something small gets caught, it can throw the whole system into a loop of alerts and failed attempts to restart. This Lifehacker review notes that instead of recovering quickly, it sometimes spirals into repeated errors that need manual intervention. That leaves the X10 in an interesting spot. If your home mostly deals with dust, daily dirt, and the occasional hair tumbleweed, it can be a huge help. It’s especially appealing for homes with complicated layouts since its obstacle avoidance and pathfinding are among the best around. But if you’ve got kids dropping food or floors that collect bigger debris, this model may test your patience. At $549.99, you’re getting a feature-rich robot that nails navigation and edge mopping at a lower price than its rivals, but you’ll want to be realistic about what it can and can’t handle. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 256GB Unlocked AI Phone (Titanium JetBlack) — $699.99 (List Price $1,099.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Roku Streaming Stick Plus — $29.00 (List Price $39.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

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. iOS 26 is here, and with it, Apple’s “Liquid Glass” design revamp. Yesterday, I covered how to quickly undo most of the harshest changes that come with Liquid Glass, but a complaint users are making today requires an entirely separate fix. Luckily, there is an option that could help you, although it’s not for everyone. Dark Mode icons look a little tilted right nowAs users are posting over on Reddit, it turns out that Dark Mode app icons don’t play nicely with iOS 26’s new Liquid Glass aesthetic. How much this will bother you will vary from person to person, but essentially, some folks online (and on the Lifehacker team) are now complaining that their Dark Mode icons look tilted, as if they’re not perfectly dead center. Personally, I have a hard time seeing this when looking at my home screen as a whole, but after a colleague sent me a more zoomed-in shot, I can see how it would bother him. It’s an optical illusion, as the icon positioning is the same, but it’s there. Credit: Joel Cunningham The problem, it seems, is in new highlights added to certain, but not all, app icon corners while using Dark Mode. The uneven lighting produces an effect that, as reported by Lifehacker sister site Mashable, has some users complaining of dizziness. Worse yet, how prominent the highlights are depends on your background—I can see them more easily over dark parts of my background, but they tend to bleed into lighter parts. Technically, those highlights are also there when using app icons with lighter backgrounds, but they’re less noticeable, since they don’t contrast with them as much. Again, you may not be susceptible to the effect. If I’m not concentrating on it, I do tend to forget about it. But if it is bothering you, what can you do? Reducing transparency does nothingUnfortunately, the one-toggle fix that undoes most of the issues with Liquid Glass, “Reduce Transparency,” doesn’t seem to do anything for your app icons. Here’s my iPhone Home Screen with Reduce Transparency on, and the same screen with it off (please don’t judge my unread mail and unchecked reminders). iPhone Home Screen with Dark Mode app icons and Reduce Transparency off (left) vs. on (right) Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt That’s a shame, since Reduce Transparency is easy to implement: You just turn it on under Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size, and it’ll get rid of most of the see-through elements in Liquid Glass for you. But because the icons are solid anyway, it won’t do anything here. Instead, you’ll need to get creative. Try tinting your app iconsRight now, I unfortunately don’t have a fix for Apple’s Dark Mode app icons. Even custom icons that use Apple’s Dark Mode background color will still have the new highlights. But I do have one piece of advice that will get you close to the same experience. It turns out, setting your app icons to Dark Mode isn’t the only way to get them to use more subdued colors. If Dark Mode looks ugly to you right now, you could try tinting your app icons instead. This gives your app icons a monochrome appearance with white or gray text, and while that does unfortunately mean losing out on app icons with more than two colors, it also means you can swap over to other dark colored backgrounds that might look a bit less tilted to you. The offending highlights will still be there, but with the right tinted background, you might be able to make them less noticeable. To try it out, head to your home screen, then long press until your apps start jiggling. Click Edit in the top left corner, then Customize. In the menu that pops up on the bottom of your screen, pick Tinted. You’ll get two color picker bars, as well as the option to choose Light or Dark icons (this is separate from the general Light and Dark mode app icons, which aren’t monochrome). Think of the top color picker bar as the app’s general color, and the bottom as a way to get more specific within that color zone. Meanwhile, Light will make the app’s text and graphical elements white, while Dark will use a more grayish tone. Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt You can play around here to get an app tint you like best, although Apple does have a few shortcut buttons to help you find the color for you. Personally, I like the leftmost button, under the color picker bars, that takes you to a standard black and white if you’ve selected Light or a more subdued black and dark gray if you’ve selected Dark. If neither of those work for you, there’s also an Apple Intelligence button that will try to pick a tint that goes well with your wallpaper, or an eyedropper that will let you pick a color from your wallpaper. None of this is quite the same as just using Dark Mode icons, but if you’re like me, it might be close enough. Or, wait for an updateIf tinting your app icons doesn’t work for you, though, don’t despair. It’s likely Apple is seeing these complaints and will adjust Liquid Glass accordingly. It already toned it down twice over iOS 26’s beta, so maybe the real solution here is time. View the full article

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 my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. The Eufy Video Smart Lock E330 is a multitasking three-in-one smart home device that combines a fingerprint-scanning smart lock, a 2K HD camera, and a video doorbell. Right now, it’s 37% off at Amazon, marking its lowest price in the past few months. If you want a multipurpose smart lock with a clean, minimalist aesthetic, this gadget has been vetted by PCMag, which dubbed the best smart lock of 2023. Eufy Video Smart Lock E330 $189.97 at Amazon $299.99 Save $110.02 Get Deal Get Deal $189.97 at Amazon $299.99 Save $110.02 You can unlock this thing in multiple ways: via fingerprint, by inserting a pin into the keypad, or by using an app or even voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant. (Of course, you can also stick a manual key into the keyhole, which is hidden behind the doorbell button.) The E330 has built-in WiFi and 8GB of local storage (no ongoing fees or subscription required). When paired with the Eufy HomeBase 3, you can expand storage up to 17TB. The 2K HD camera offers sharper image quality than 1080p video doorbells, and four infrared LEDs enable night vision. Intelligent motion detection and dual motion sensors help the device distinguish humans from vehicles, according to PCMag's review. It also has an IP65 weather resistance. Because the camera is housed in a lock located in the center of the door, the field of view may be more limited than a doorbell camera mounted above or to the side, and door jambs may also restrict the view. While the Eufy Video Smart Lock E330 is normally on the pricey side at $300, its current discount takes it down to $220. It even comes with all the tools you need to replace your old lock. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 256GB Unlocked AI Phone (Titanium JetBlack) — $699.99 (List Price $1,099.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Roku Streaming Stick Plus — $29.00 (List Price $39.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

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. Among competitors like Twitch and even Instagram, YouTube might not be the go-to name in livestreaming, but its latest features are doing their best to change that. Announced at Google’s Made on YouTube event today, the site will soon let streamers go live with simultaneous horizontal and vertical streams, plus use AI to automatically “clip that.” Oh, and there’s some new corporate cross-promotion, too. Stream horizontally and vertically at the same timeCurrently in testing and set to get a wider release “in the coming months,” YouTube’s combined support for horizontal and vertical streaming is probably the most exciting news to me here. I tend to put streams on in the background, and I much prefer doing that on a second monitor rather than on my phone. But with sites like TikTok getting more popular these days, plenty of streamers are eschewing more traditional platforms for them, meaning I’m likely to miss out on content unless I go looking for vertically oriented streams on my mobile device. Now, though, YouTube will let creators put out both horizontal versions of their streams, meant for larger screens, and vertical ones meant for smaller screens, at the same time. That means there’ll be less incentive to stick with a mobile-only platform to try to hop on the new trend, and users across all devices will be able to watch streams however they wish. Whether you’re watching the horizontal stream or the vertical one, you’ll be thrown into a chat room with everyone, and the streamer won’t have split view counts across different uploads. The vertical stream will just have a cropped or letterboxed view, as usual, depending on the content. It seems like a perfect solution, and I’m excited to see more creators trying it out once it’s available to them—finally, at least on YouTube, I won’t have to worry that I’m missing a stream from a favorite creator by not watching on my phone. AI-generated livestream highlightsMeanwhile, as for actually watching streams themselves, YouTube’s making it a bit easier for creators to create highlights from their streams. Personally, while I do have favorite creators, I’ll admit I don’t have the time to watch all of their content, and will often just sort through clips in my free time instead. Unfortunately, not everything gets clipped, because it takes manual effort to do that—that’s why you’ll sometimes see creators tell their fans to “clip that” after a memorable moment. Now, though, YouTube’s throwing some automation into the mix. Starting “in the next few weeks,” you’ll be able to task AI with sorting through your livestreams to automatically find highlights and turn them into YouTube shorts, which you’ll be able to check before uploading. It’s kind of become expected in some corners of the internet for stream clips to be uploaded via unofficial channels, since they currently need a bit of manual work. While I’ve seen streamers express appreciation to their fans for doing this, I also do worry that I’m not supporting the actual content creators enough by watching through these sources. Hopefully, the new tool will make it easier to see clips straight from creators themselves. Live reaction and streaming 'Playables' Credit: Google Finally, there are two additional features that are set to make it a lot easier to promote content via YouTube. The first is “React Live,” which will allow you to start a vertical livestream with content you’re watching in the upper half and your own feed in the bottom half. This will make it easier for creators to create reaction streams, without forcing them to capture video on their own, but it’ll only work with events and creators that allows their content to be reacted to. Still, if you like to watch tech keynotes alongside your favorite commentators, this should allow creators to start them up without bothering to independently license a stream first, assuming the company behind the keynote allows reaction streams. YouTube expects this to enter testing “early next year.” The second is the ability to stream YouTube’s “Playables” browser games with the touch of a button, again without needing to capture the gameplay yourself. Having played a bunch of these, I personally think the quality is all over the place, but it should be a good way to get started with streaming without worrying about tech or capture software. And there are a few noteworthy games in there, including Angry Birds Showdown and Cut the Rope. YouTube says this should come to some creators next month, ahead of a larger rollout later this year. Why does this matter?I’m personally thrilled to see YouTube drop a few barriers to streaming, both by making it easier to find content to react to, as well as to reach multiple types of viewers at once. In particular, the new updates seem designed to help the site cross the threshold between desktop and mobile without losing its existing audience, which is funny, given that one of YouTube’s top competitors just made it harder to stream on mobile. In order to go live on Instagram, as of one month ago, you now need to have a public account and at least 1,000 followers. That probably saves Instagram some server load, but also kills new talent right out of the door. With YouTube quickly catching up, it’s possible it could soon be eating Meta’s lunch. Will other streaming sites be next? View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. As someone who spends most of my training time pounding pavement in preparation for marathons, I'll admit that rowing has always felt like foreign territory. Sure, I'd hop on the occasional rowing machine at the gym for cross-training, but I never really got it. That all changed when I had the opportunity to test Hydrow's newest release—the Hydrow Arc Rower—which launched today with some seriously impressive AI-powered features. I’ve just begun testing it out, so stay tuned for my in-depth review of the Arc later this month. For now, here are my first impressions of Hydrow's latest high-tech rowing machine. Hydrow Arc Rower $2,295.00 at Hydrow Shop Now Shop Now $2,295.00 at Hydrow First impressionsRight out of the gate, the Arc feels like what I imagine would happen if Peloton decided to make a rowing machine. The build quality is immediately apparent. In other words, it feels high-end compared to the typical rower at your local gym. The touchscreen is large and crystal clear, and the overall aesthetic screams premium home fitness equipment. It's hard to do justice with my phone's camera, but the Arc's screen is big and beautiful. Credit: Meredith Dietz Because here's what struck me most as a runner: The motion is incredibly smooth and intuitive. I've used plenty of rowing machines at various gyms over the years, and there's usually this clunky, disconnected feeling. The Arc eliminates that entirely. The difference is like comparing a cheap stationary bike at your local gym to a high-end indoor cycling setup. The standout feature that sets the Arc apart is undoubtedly HydroMetrics, Hydrow's "proprietary strength measurement system." As someone obsessed with running metrics (pace, heart rate zones, cadence, you name it), I was immediately intrigued by the promise of intelligent scoring for rowing. Here's how it works: Complete at least two rowing workouts (longer than 5 minutes, excluding warm-ups and cool-downs). HydroMetrics analyzes your performance and provides scoring. Click "Tap for HydroMetrics" on your workout stats screen to dive deeper into your data. The AI-powered system helps you understand your performance and motivates continued progress toward strength goals. Here's where you can choose to see your AI-powered insights. Credit: Meredith Dietz Here's what HydroMetrics look like after a beginner workout. Credit: Meredith Dietz What impressed me most is how the system doesn't just throw numbers at you. As someone unfamiliar with rowing, I found it actually provides context and actionable insights. As a data-driven athlete, this resonated with me immediately. Learning proper form (finally)Another strong first impression: Hydrow's how-to videos are exceptional. As someone who has probably been embarrassing myself on rowing machines for years, these quick tutorials were eye-opening. They address questions I didn't even know I should be asking: Should my heels should lift during the motion? Am I properly driving power from my legs, or just yanking with my arms? The instruction quality makes me think about all those times I mindlessly hopped on a rower for a "quick cardio session" without any real technique. Now I understand why rowing never felt particularly effective for me before. Improving my form next to all my snacks. Credit: Meredith Dietz Personally, what excites me most about the Arc is its running-specific programming available in its catalogue. As marathon runners, we're always looking for effective cross-training that complements our running without adding unnecessary impact stress. Rowing checks all those boxes: It's low-impact, works different muscle groups, and provides excellent cardiovascular benefits. The Arc takes this a step further with dedicated running programs that seem designed specifically for people like me. After completing my first session, I immediately followed up with a five-minute yoga cool-down, and the seamless transition between activities felt natural within the ecosystem (another moment that makes me think of Peloton's ecosystem). Technical specs that matterIf you're already a fan of Hydrow or at-home rowing machines, here's what you need to know. The Arc shares the same footprint as Hydrow's flagship Origin Rower (formerly the Pro), but packs significantly more processing power under the hood. Allegedly the improved hardware supports the constant AI advances that power features like HydroMetrics, provides more memory for smoother operation, and delivers better audio through upgraded speakers. The 24" touchscreen display is also an upgrade worth writing home about. It's way easier to work out with so many video options delivered in such a quality viewing experience. But let's be honest about the drawbacks. This machine is substantial. It's a whopping 147 pounds, measuring 86"L x 25"W x 48"H. We're talking serious equipment here, not something you casually tuck in a corner. While there is a vertical storage option, the Arc is definitely best suited for people with dedicated home gym space. Living in a tiny Brooklyn apartment, I found myself wishing I had more room to make this a permanent fixture. The other consideration is price and commitment. This is premium equipment with a premium price tag, and you'll want to make sure you're actually going to use it consistently to justify the $2,295 investment. More on that in my official review, coming soon. Bottom line: This could be my cross-training obsessionAfter several sessions on the Arc, I'm genuinely excited about incorporating rowing into my training routine in a more meaningful way. The combination of proper instruction, intelligent metrics, and running-specific programming addresses every complaint I've had about traditional rowing machines. Like with Peloton for cycling, it's not just about having a machine at home; it's about having access to a comprehensive training ecosystem that understands and supports your goals. The AI-powered features like HydroMetrics provide the kind of data-driven feedback that serious runners appreciate, while the instructional content ensures you're actually getting the most out of each session. If you have the space and budget for premium home fitness equipment, the Arc deserves serious consideration as your next training investment. I'm still in the early stages of testing the Arc, and I'll be providing more detailed insights as I continue to explore its features and programs over the coming weeks. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Amazon's Prime Day 2025 sale was its biggest ever, stretching for four days this past July—but the company is not done with your wallet yet. The fall version of the mega-sale, known as Prime Big Deal Days, is just around the corner. Here is everything you need to know to prepare for the fall's biggest sale (at least until Black Friday rolls around. What is Prime Big Deal Days?You can think of Prime Big Deal Days as fall's answer to Prime Day. It's a two-day sale with deals in virtually every category you can think of. While Prime Day is the bigger sale of the two, Prime Big Deal Days has grown substantially since its first iteration back in 2022. When is Prime Big Deal Days this year?Amazon announced Prime Big Deals Days 2025 will take place from Oct. 7–Oct. 8. This is the fourth year for Amazon's fall Prime Day sale. Do you need to be a Prime Member to shop during Prime Big Deal Days?Yes, you will need to be a Prime Member to shop the exclusive sales during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days. Prime membership starts at $14.99 per month. While only you can decide if buying a yearly Prime membership is worth it for you, remember you can always sign up and then cancel your Prime membership once the sale is over: Amazon offers a free 30-day trial, so you can shop both days of the event (and even get some early Black Friday deals) before canceling without being charged. Here's how to sign up for a Prime account. What sales you can expect during Prime Big Deal DaysPrime Day happens in the summer, when you're more likely to see deals on outdoorsy stuff, like gardening equipment, grills, and hot tubs, in addition to the usual tech and Amazon device deals. Since Prime Big Deal Days happens in the fall, you're likely to see more deals on gaming and indoor gym equipment. Amazon has already announced some categories that will be on sale, including: Home, apparel, toys, beauty, electronics, groceries, and household essentials. Some brands you can expect are: LEGO, Fisher-Price, MAGNA-TILES, Tonies, Samsung, LG, Sonos, Lancôme, National Tree Company, KitchenAid, and Beats devices. Early Prime Big Deal Days deals will be live earlierAs is usually the case, Amazon will kick off their sales with some early deals in the leadup up to the main event. While they haven't kicked off yet, we will be covering as soon as they do. Make sure to follow our coverage to stay on top of the best deals. The competition also offer salesYou can expect major retailers to have their own competitive sales like they've done in the past years, the big ones being Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. I'll be updating this post as those sales are officially announced. Some tips for a successful Prime Big Deal DaysIf this will be your first October Prime Day, there are some basic things you need to know about Amazon sales: You can share your Prime membership with family members even if they don't live with you You can set price alerts for products you want and your Alexa devices can notify you when they go on sale There are usually some "Invite-Only" deals that you can sign up for There are tools you can use to see if the deal you're looking at is good or not. But if you only take one bit of advice for shopping on Prime Big Deal Days, let it be this one: Don't buy anything you weren't going to buy anyway. A good way to make sure you do this is by making a list of the products you do want, and only having eyes for those. View the full article

Since Apple first introduced iOS 26 during its WWDC keynote address this past June, most of the attention has been on the divisive "Liquid Glass" design overhaul—but there's a lot more to the latest version of the iPhone software. While the big iOS 26 features, including ones that Apple borrowed from others, got everyone talking, some of the most exciting updates have gotten a lot less attention. Here are three dozen of my favorites. 36 of the best under-the-radar features in iOS 26 Credit: Apple The above slide is all we have to go on for these features. Some of them are obvious from the title alone, but others aren't so clear. I've tried to add context wherever I can, but there is some speculation necessary here until we know more about iOS 26: Custom snooze length for alarms: If you want to snooze for more or less than the standard nine minutes, this feature could be really useful. AirPods Automatic Switching with CarPlay: Automatic switching lets you quickly connect your AirPods to the Apple device you're actively using. It looks like Apple is extending it to CarPlay, too. Enhance Dialogue: This feature should mean Apple Podcasts can boost vocals in podcasts and suppress background noises. All of the best podcast apps must have this feature. Use Focus to silence SIM: It looks like iOS 26 will let you use Focuses to silence one SIM, which is great for those who use two numbers on their iPhone. Communication requests: Screen Time could be getting support for requests to use messaging apps. This may allow parents to better regulate who their children are talking to. 'Add Contact' button in groups: This could make it easy to add people to your contacts from a group in the Messages app. Rich entry layout: The Journal app is getting a better layout for starting a new entry, but we don't quite know what that is yet. Events in Photos: It looks like iOS 26 will add support for events in the Photos app. Lens cleaning hint: If your iPhone or iPad's camera lens is dirty, iOS 26's Camera app will ask you to clean it. Specify spelling with Dictation: A neat way to reduce typos when you're using Dictation to type. Auto-Categorize: Reminders will be able to automatically sort your to-dos. Manage AutoFill credit cards in Wallet: It appears that Apple is moving stored credit card data to the Wallet app. Safety Check while blocking a contact: Safety Check removes other people's access to shared iPhone data, such as your location. Apple seems to be adding Safety Check prompts when you block a contact as another way to ensure your safety. Photo previews: Messages is gaining the ability to show image previews on your iPhone, though it's not clear exactly how that compares to the current system. Relevant video thumbnails in search results: Based on this description, it looks like search results in Photos may now include specific parts of a video that are relevant to the search term. Arabic Calculator: The calculator app is getting a new mode. Braille Access: A braille note taker is coming to your iPhone. AirPods pause media when asleep: Your AirPods can detect when you've dozed off and pause media accordingly. This detection likely ties to Apple Watch. Easier controller pairing: Apple's making it easy to pair gaming controllers with your iPhone and iPad. Suggested reminders: iOS 26 might suggest reminders based on your iPhone activity. Select partial text in a bubble: In iOS 18, the Messages app lets you copy an entire text you've sent or received, but it doesn't allow you to select a part of the message. That's about to change with iOS 26. More playback speeds: Apple Podcasts in iOS 18 supports playback speeds from 0.75x to 2x. It's going to get more speed options in iOS 26, though we don't know which or how many yet. Multiscript keyboard for Arabic/English: For easier switching between the two languages. New Monogram styles: The Phone app now supports more Monogram options. Natural language search: It might be easier to search in Messages. Natural language could let you narrow down searches even if you don't remember the correct search operators. Adaptive power: Your iPhone will make small changes, such as lowering brightness, to improve battery life. Password history: Apple Passwords will remember older passwords used with any login item. Accessibility Reader: This makes it easy to read small text in any app. Estimated time to charge: This tells you how long you need to wait until your iPhone's battery is fully charged. See your entries on a map: The Journal app will save location metadata to help you find entries by location. Export Notes to Markdown: Apple Notes is gaining support for Markdown exports. Create multiple journals: The Journal app will now let you create more than one journal. Screen sharing and SharePlay on a phone call: It looks like these features are no longer exclusive to FaceTime calls. Create reminders from Action button: The Action button gets yet another useful action. Block list in Settings: This appears to be an improvement to the way blocked contacts are handled. New incident report types in Maps: When you want to report an incident in Apple Maps, you'll find more report types in the app in iOS 26. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. Meta seems to have inadvertently revealed its full line-up of Meta and EssilorLuxottica's smart glasses ahead of tomorrow's Meta Connect 2025 event, including the long-rumored display-style smart glasses. Yesterday, UpLoadVR posted a (since removed) video they said they'd grabbed from Meta's own YouTube channel. Check it out: This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. If the video is legit (and it sure looks legit) it confirms the following: Ray-Ban Meta glasses with a monocular display, controlled by dedicated wristband Navigation and AI apps for the display glasses, as well as the ability to "type" provided by the wristband. "Shield" style sports glasses from Oakley with a center camera The leak confirms the biggest rumors that have been swirling around for months about Meta's fall line-up, and may have debunked a few as well. The video does not feature a wrist controller that doubles as smart watch, nor were the rumored Prada Meta glasses shown (although those could still be shown during a different part of the presentation). Beyond their existence and some basic features, there's still a lot to learn about Meta's fall lineup of smart glasses. How much will they cost? What will they actually do? Those details and more will likely be revealed tomorrow at Meta Connect 2025. Where you can watch Meta Connect 2025Meta Connect 2025, Meta's annual big two-day event to reveal new technology, will begin with a keynote from CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. ET and continue through the 18th. You can stream the keynote and developers conferences on Facebook or the official Meta Connect site. Predicting event announcements is naturally full of speculation, but it's informed speculation based on online rumors and sources that have been accurate with past leaks and rumors. If you plan to watch the event—or just want an idea of what might be coming—here's what I expect to see at Meta Connect 2025. Hypernova smart glassesThe biggest hype at Meta Connect 2025 is likely to be about Meta's next generation of smart glasses, code-named "Hypernova," or maybe "Meta Celeste." According to online rumors, the next Meta glasses will feature a dedicated display on one lens for alerts and mini-apps, as well as all the AI, audio, and camera/video features of the current generation of Meta Ray-Bans and Meta Oakley smart glasses. All of this will be facilitated via a wireless wristband that will let you control various aspects of the glasses with small wrist movements. The display glasses will supposedly retail for $799, but when they'll hit the market remains to be seen. Sources report they'll be on sale this month (Zuckerberg adding, "...and they'll be available tonight" at the end of his keynote would be cool), but it could be anytime later this fall. These glasses would mark a definite step forward in smart glasses, but they won't be the full augmented reality that Meta has shown off in its "Orion" smart glasses. New details on the third-generation Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta smart glassesIf you're more interested in a better version of the Meta Ray-Bans and Meta Oakleys, Meta Connect could feature details on third-gen Meta smart glasses. Along with expected improvements like longer battery life and maybe a better camera, the biggest innovation to Meta glasses may be improvements to the glasses' AI. Internally called "super sensing," Meta's improved AI will stay on for longer periods, seeing what you see and interpreting it. Your glasses might tell you left the oven on, or tell you where you left your car keys (the single feature I most want from smart glasses). Another rumored addition to Meta's AI could be facial recognition (another thing I'd use all the time). The technology already exists for smart glasses to tell you who you're looking at, but Meta has supposedly been leery of pulling the trigger due to privacy concerns. Generation 3 Meta smart glasses are expected to hit stores this fall. Ray-Ban Meta - Wayfarer Large glasses with Meta AI, Audio, Photo, Video Compatibility - Polarized Gradient Graphite Lens (Refurbished) - Matte Black $263.00 at Best Buy Get Deal Get Deal $263.00 at Best Buy Third-party apps for Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta glassesIf third-party app support for Meta smart glasses is revealed at Connect 2025, it might be through "the future of computing" developer keynote to be held on Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. ET. Meta opening its smart glasses to other developers' apps could low-key be the biggest announcement at the show, as it would expand what you could do with your glasses in ways that can be hard to even imagine. New improvements to Meta Horizon OSThere doesn't seem to be much evidence that Meta will announce a Quest 4 VR headset at Connect 2025, but that doesn't mean Virtual Reality Gang will be totally ignored. Tech site VRUpload recently did some data mining and dug up evidence that Meta is planning to revamp both the Home and Worlds components of the Meta Horizon. Meta is supposedly re-vamping the "starting space" for Quest users, taking it from its current static state to something that makes it "easier to connect with others and transition smoothly into Horizon Worlds and immersive apps." Other potential Horizon announcements may include a more responsive and better-looking Horizon Worlds social hub, and a new theater space within Horizon Worlds called Events Arena. If you want to tune in live, you can stream Connect 2025 on Facebook or the official Meta Connect site. View the full article

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 my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. The 10th-generation iPad is considered Apple’s entry-level budget tablet and was one of the best tablets on the market until the 11th-generation iPad was released. Right now, you can pick up the 256GB wifi version for the lowest price it has been since its release: $349.99, down from its listed $499 price. After looking at price-tracking tools, I can say this is the cheapest price the iPad has reached since its 2022 release. 10th Generation iPad $299.00 at Amazon $349.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $299.00 at Amazon $349.00 Save $50.00 The 10th-generation iPad came out in 2022 and it’s $50 cheaper than the newest iteration, making it a good budget option for those who don't need the latest specs. Since it's not on the list of Apple products no longer receiving software updates, you'll likely still get a few more years of updates. This iPad is still considered the best tablet for most people, as PCMag dubbed it in their "excellent" review, where it received their Editors' Choice award for affordable tablets. But if you can afford the extra $50 for the 11th generation, it is a better investment since it'll have a better chip, battery life, and features. This tablet's processor is an Apple A14 Bionic. It's not as fast as the newer iPad's A16 Bionic chip, but it is still powerful enough to do all the basic tasks you're likely to use the tablet for. The screen resolution is a sharp 2,360 by 1,640 pixels with a 10.9-inch screen. You can expect about six hours of juice with a full charge, which is between the iPad Mini and the 9th-generation iPad. The camera is a 12MP for the front and back. Recommended iPad accessories:Apple Magic Keyboard Folio for iPad 10th Gen, $199 (originally $249) Apple Pencil (USB-C), $69 (originally $79) MoKo Case for iPad 10th Generation, $9 (originally $9.99) Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), $199 (originally $249) Apple AirPods (4th Generation), $99.99 (originally $129) If you are planning on getting the tablet, some useful (but not absolutely necessary) accessories include the Apple Magic Keyboard Folio, which will make your iPad work like a laptop, and the Apple Pencil USB-C, a stylus that will allow you to make the most of your iPad's touchscreen abilities. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 256GB Unlocked AI Phone (Titanium JetBlack) — $699.99 (List Price $1,099.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Roku Streaming Stick Plus — $29.00 (List Price $39.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

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. Right now, the Arlo 2K Essential Indoor/Outdoor Camera (2nd Generation) is available in a three-pack at 59% off, bringing it down to $109.99 and marking its lowest price ever, according to price trackers. If you’re looking to boost your home security system and cover multiple vantage points, this is a strong option. Arlo 2K Essential Indoor/Outdoor Camera (2nd Gen) $109.99 at Amazon $269.99 Save $160.00 Get Deal Get Deal $109.99 at Amazon $269.99 Save $160.00 This security camera bundle features 2K video resolution, which is a step up from many cameras that only have 1080p resolution—like this indoor Arlo camera, which received an “Excellent” rating from PCMag. And unlike that model, this one can be used both indoors and outdoors. It’s weather-resistant and features a wireless design. Plus, it has a rechargeable battery. For low-light conditions, the camera has a built-in spotlight and color night vision. Its field of view is around 130°, and it can zoom in up to 12x, letting you identify minute details. (This zoom is likely digital rather than true optical zoom, so quality may degrade if you’re zooming in too closely.) The spotlight doesn’t just illuminate the coverage area—it acts as a built-in deterrent (as does the integrated siren), upgrading this system from passive recording to actively dissuading intruders. Like most cameras, it features two-way audio that lets you listen and speak, but smart features like person and vehicle detection, which can cut down on false alarms, require a paid subscription, as does cloud storage. If you have a smart home ecosystem like Google Home or Alexa, this camera bundle can integrate seamlessly, allowing for features like automation and voice control. That said, there are some limitations. This camera only works on 2.4 GHz wifi and may require frequent recharging if there’s excessive motion or the postlight is being activated often. Additionally, a subscription is required for many features, like smart detection, that come for free from brands like Blink or Wyze. Still, if you want a versatile, easy-to-install setup that can monitor your home’s exterior or interior and cover more than one area, the Arlo 2K Essential Indoor/Outdoor Camera Bundle (2nd Gen) offers solid bang for your buck. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 256GB Unlocked AI Phone (Titanium JetBlack) — $699.99 (List Price $1,099.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Roku Streaming Stick Plus — $29.00 (List Price $39.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. I usually focus on something a subset of the population gets wrong, so the rest of us can feel smart, but this week, I’m going bigger and broader, and describing something that you, me, and everyone we have ever met has been wrong about in the past, is currently wrong about, and will be wrong about in the future: mistaking correlation for causation. People have been repeating some variation of "correlation is not causation" since at least 1739, when David Hume articulated the concept in A Treatise on Human Nature. To paraphrase Hume: Just because two things happen at the same time doesn’t mean one is causing the other. Every smart person already already knows this, and it's repeated constantly, but we all still get it wrong. Here are some examples: The last 20 years of research on "gut biomes" could be wrong, partly as a result of both scientists and the media mistaking correlation and causation. (I've always had a gut feeling—get it?—this research was suspect.) For years people believed that drinking alcohol in moderation is good for your health. But it isn't. It's correlated with better health in some populations, but it doesn't cause better health. Defenders of mistaken beliefs derived from the correlation/causation fallacy will often compile volumes of data that shows a nearly exact correlations between, say, higher rates of autism and higher rates of vaccination, which makes it totally understandable to believe one causes the other. But there's no evidence that vaccines cause autism, and the correlation is probably because children received vaccines around the age autism is generally diagnosed, and we've gotten better at both vaccinating children and diagnosing autism. But "probably" is doing some lifting in that sentence. While no causal link between vaccines and autism has ever been demonstrated, there could be any number of reasons the rates line up. Classic debunking examples of correlation and causation, like the link between ice cream sales and shark attacks, tend to offer a pat explanation for the causal link—it only seems like ice cream causes shark attacks because both ice cream sales and swimming in the ocean rise when the weather is warmer—but even that is potentially mistaking correlation for causation. It makes sense, but we don’t actually know why those two numbers line up. And sometimes there just isn't any reason for connection between two pieces of disparate information. Check out the chart below. It's proof that the ratings of Two and Half Men directly correlates with the amount of jet fuel used in Serbia. Credit: www.tylervigen.com Or check out the exact connection between people googling "my cat just scratched me" and U.S. fruit consumption. Credit: https://www.tylervigen.com I made the second example on Tyler Vigen's Spurious Correlations, with a tool that will lets you make random connections all day. Not only that, the site uses AI to generate bogus "research papers" to explain the connection. In the case of the cats, ChatGPT offers this as a possible explanation: "Health-conscious households (those that track diet, buy fruit, etc.) are more likely to treat even minor injuries cautiously. A person who eats more fruit is not more likely to be scratched, but they are more likely to Google 'my cat scratched me' to check for infection risks or treatment steps." Even though I know it's bullshit, it still tracks. That's why we can never really stop being wrong in this specific way. Our brains want to believe. A neatly phrased explanation, a tidy chart, a plausible-sounding theory—it's so satisfying. A simple "we don't know" can't hold a candle to that certainty. Mistaking correlation for causation makes us go on fad diets and believe we're being healthy by drinking wine at dinner. It shapes health advice, public policy, and personal decisions in ways that can actually hurt people. The best we can do is try to be aware of it—when we read a headline that says "X causes Y," to assume this is a "cat scratches cause fruit consumption" situation until there's evidence that it isn't. View the full article

At Think Productive, we believe productivity isn’t about squeezing more into the day. It’s about working with clarity, focus, and intention. One of the most practical tools we use in our productivity workshops is the 4 Modes of Work model, a framework that helps individuals and teams match the right type of work to the right environment. Why Teams Need the 4 Modes of Work Modern organisations often default to one mode: meetings. Whether virtual or in-person, too much of our collective energy is consumed by unnecessary group discussions. The result? Burnout, meeting fatigue, and reduced productivity. The 4 Modes of Work framework gives hybrid teams and managers a practical way to design smarter collaboration. By naming and planning for each mode, organisations can reclaim focus, reduce distractions, and boost employee engagement. The 4 Modes of Work Explained 1. Solo Work Deep, focused work done alone. Examples: strategy writing, creative thinking, or preparing a presentation. Solo mode requires uninterrupted time and space, essential for knowledge workers who need to think clearly. 2. Tandem Work Two people working together in real time on the same task. Common in coaching, co-drafting, or pair problem-solving. For hybrid teams, Tandem mode reduces email chains and accelerates decision-making. 3. Tag Team Work Asynchronous handovers between people. You finish your part, then pass it to someone else. Ideal for distributed teams working across time zones or when deep reflection is needed before progressing. 4. Collaborative Work Multiple people together in real time, sharing ideas, making decisions, or aligning on actions. Collaborative mode should be used with intention, not as the default. Shorter, focused meetings deliver the best results. The Cost of Ignoring Work Modes When organisations don’t distinguish between these modes, inefficiency rises: Solo time disappears into a blur of notifications. Tag Team opportunities get replaced by unnecessary meetings. Tandem sessions are avoided in favour of endless email threads. The outcome? Slower projects, increased stress, and disengaged teams. How to Apply the 4 Modes of Work Look at your calendar for the week ahead and ask: Do I have enough Solo time protected for deep work? Could this long meeting be replaced with a Tag Team handover? Would 30 minutes of Tandem collaboration speed things up more than days of back-and-forth? By shifting just a few activities into their correct mode, teams immediately see improvements in productivity, engagement, and wellbeing. Why HR Leaders and Managers Should Care For HR professionals, people managers, and hybrid team leaders, the 4 Modes of Work model offers: A shared language for managing workload and expectations. A tool to prevent burnout and boost retention. A framework to design hybrid work cultures that balance focus and collaboration. Bringing the 4 Modes to Life At Think Productive, we integrate the 4 Modes of Work into our Leading Hybrid Teams workshop. Again and again, managers tell us it’s the missing piece: a simple, evidence-based model that makes hybrid working more effective. Want to help your team thrive in hybrid work? Explore our Leading Hybrid Teams workshop. The post The 4 Modes of Work: A Smarter Way to Design Your Day appeared first on Think Productive UK. View the full article

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. The second-generation Arlo Video Doorbell is currently down to $59.99 on Amazon, a big drop from its usual $129.99 price and the lowest it’s ever been, according to price trackers. Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Generation $59.99 at Amazon $129.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal Get Deal $59.99 at Amazon $129.99 Save $70.00 PCMag named it the best video doorbell of 2024, which says a lot considering how crowded the smart doorbell space has become. This is a wireless doorbell with a built-in camera that gives you a sharp 2K head-to-toe view of your doorstep. You can either hardwire it into your existing doorbell wiring for trickle charging or just stick with the built-in battery, which lasts up to four months before you need to recharge with the included USB-C cable. The housing is weather-resistant, so it’s fine outdoors, and the design is simple: white casing, glossy black face, backlit button, and a speaker tucked underneath. Day to day, it works a little differently than most. When someone presses the button, your phone actually rings like a call. Pick it up, and you’re instantly looking at whomever’s outside with options to talk back or play a quick pre-recorded message. The 180-degree lens is wide enough that you don’t just see floating heads but the full head-to-toe view, and motion detection makes sure it’s recording when someone shows up, even if they don’t press the button. Video looks sharp in the daytime, and while there’s no color night vision, the black-and-white feed still holds detail out to a decent distance, notes this PCMag review. Audio is clear enough for quick back-and-forth conversations, and there’s a built-in siren you can trigger from the app if you want to deter unwanted visitors. While live video is free, you’ll need an Arlo Secure subscription to unlock recorded event storage and smart alerts. At $7.99 a month for one camera, you get 60 days of video history, object detection for people, packages, and vehicles, plus animated alerts that help you see what triggered the notification without opening the app. Compatibility is solid with Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, and IFTTT, though Apple HomeKit is missing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 256GB Unlocked AI Phone (Titanium JetBlack) — $699.99 (List Price $1,099.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Roku Streaming Stick Plus — $29.00 (List Price $39.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article