Setting Up Your Home Office

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

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

We may earn a commission from links on this page. A lot about 2026 has been depressing, infuriating, or worse, but at least the TV has been pretty good—there are future classics streaming across the genre spectrum, from the medical realism of The Pitt, to the endless mystery of FROM, to the over-the-top comedy of Big Mistakes. Below are the ten most-streamed series across all streaming services for April, and there's almost definitely something here you'll dig. The Pitt The Pitt continues to dominate the streaming charts. HBO's gritty, hyper-realistic medical drama has earned acclaim from critics and audiences for its relentless pace, as each episode follows one …

Before you send your next Instagram DM, be warned: Whatever you share with that friend, influencer, or business could potentially be seen by anyone—including but not limited to hackers, law enforcement, or even Meta itself. As of today, May 8, 2026, Instagram DMs are no longer end-to-end encrypted (E2EE). Your messages are vulnerable, whether you're discussing a reel you saw, or sharing your Social Security number. (Please don't do this.) E2EE is necessary for any messaging service that wants to protect its users' privacy. This level of encryption ensures that the only people who can read the contents of a conversation are the ones with access to the devices involved. Whe…

For me, Venmo has always been the app to settle quick debts. Someone puts their card down at dinner, and I Venmo them my share; I covered costs on a trip, and the group Venmos me in return. But Venmo has always seemed like it wanted to be more than that. The app feels like a hybrid between a banking service, a social media platform, and a place to buy and sell crypto. None of that is changing with its new redesign; in fact, it feels like it's leaning into that multi-use experience more than ever. But it is making a big privacy change, at least for new users, that probably should have been there from launch. How Venmo is changing in the coming weeks Venmo is launching a r…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you're an Android user or you've had an Android phone over the past nine years or so, listen up: Google just agreed to a $135 million lawsuit that you're likely a class member of. While the final payout is still up in the air, you could be entitled to up to $100. What is the lawsuit about?The lawsuit, Taylor V. Google LLC, alleges that Google was complicit in allowing Android devices to send a host of user data to Google without the permission of the users. Not only does the suit highlight the privacy implications, it also hammers Google for using up the users' cellular data. According to the details of the lawsuit, Google denies any wrongdoing in this case, but has a…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Google’s Pixel Buds line has long appealed to Android users who want the convenience of AirPods without paying flagship-earbud prices, and the new Google Pixel Buds 2a continue that approach with several meaningful upgrades over the older Pixel Buds A-Series. Right now, they are down to $109 from $129 on Amazon, their lowest price so far according to price trackers. That discount makes them much easier to recommend for anyone looking for everyday earbuds with “almost pro-level specs but for much less,” as our writer put it in her review. Google…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Active noise cancellation, Bluetooth multipoint, app-based sound customization, and decent battery life often cost well over $50. That is why the Anker Soundcore P30i stand out at its current $24.99 sale price on Amazon, down from $49.99 and currently at its lowest price ever according to price trackers. These are built for people who want more than just basic wireless audio without spending much money, and they manage to cover most of the essentials surprisingly well. Anker Soundcore P30i Earbuds $24.99 …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. At $199 on Woot, the GoPro Lit Hero has dropped well below its original $269 launch price from October 2025, and according to price trackers, this is the lowest price the camera has hit so far. The same model is selling for $229.99 on Amazon. Shipping is free for Prime members, while everyone else pays an extra $6, though Woot only ships within the lower 48 states. GoPro Lit Hero Waterproof action camera with built-in light $199.00 at Woot …

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

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

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

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

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

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

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Beats Studio Pro are among the most popular ANC headphones under $200, and right now they’re more affordable than ever. Currently down to $159.95 (originally $247.52) on Amazon in Sand Gray, now is the perfect time to invest if you're looking for a comfortable, premium pair of over-ear headphones with noise-cancellation. Beats Studio Pro Premium Wireless Over-Ear Headphones $159.95 at Amazon $247.52 Save $87.57 …

When Google announced AirDrop support for Pixel devices last year, it was a bit of a bombshell. For years, file sharing was just one of those things that didn't mix well between iPhone and Android. Email, texting, agreeing on a third-party app; none of the options were convenient, especially when each platform had its own easy-to-use solution: AirDrop or Quick Share. But opening up AirDrop support for Android phones bridges the gap in a meaningful way: Now, you can send a friend with an iPhone a picture, video, or file from your Pixel, and vice versa—as quickly and efficiently as if you both had the same type of smartphone. Unfortunately, in the six months since Google's…