Setting Up Your Home Office

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you’ve ever had to sit through a meeting with a whiteboard full of scribbles and arrows, you probably understand the need for a good diagramming tool. Right now, Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional is on sale for $19.97 for a lifetime license on StackSocial for new users only. It’s priced low enough to justify adding to your digital toolbox, whether you use it often or just occasionally. It’s the same full version of Visio Pro, licensed for one Windows PC, no subscription required. Visio turns overwhelming data into clean visuals. Visio keeps thing…

The pace of AI progress is showing no signs of slacking. Following ChatGPT's big image upgrade a few weeks ago, it's now Google's turn to show off new models for generating videos and pictures from text prompts: We've got Veo 3 (for video) and Imagen 4 (for pictures), announced during Google I/O 2025, and they come with some significant improvements. Starting with Veo 3, it's the next step up from the Veo 2 model that was recently pushed out to paying Gemini subscribers last month. Google says Veo 3 brings with it notable improvements in real-world physics (something AI video often struggles with) and details such as lip-syncing. In short: Your clips should look more real…

The Department of Education announced Monday that the Federal Student Aid (FSA) will restart collections on defaulted student loans beginning May 5. Even before this news, millions of borrowers were already seeing their credit scores plunge in recent months, and loan servicers are warning that a record number of borrowers are at risk of defaulting by the end of the year. I recently covered the basics of what you need to know about the upcoming changes, as well as how to prepare for them. Now, let's dive a little deeper into how borrowers suffering through collections can navigate their financial future. What the end of the pause means for your finances"Many people have be…

Dark or light mode: Some people prefer one over the other all day, every day, and they're wrong. The enlightened among us know the truth: It's best to use light mode when it's light and dark mode when it's dark. That's why macOS, in the Appearance section of System Settings, offers an Auto option, which switches to dark mode at sundown. This works well enough if you're working in a room with windows, I suppose, but that's not everyone's workspace. There are all kinds of reasons you might be in a dark room during the day and a light room during the night. These are the exact situations DarkModeBuddy solves. This tiny open-source application uses the light sensors built in…

Spotify's AI DJ is like if ChatGPT decided to switch careers. The DJ curates a playlist of music based on Premium subscribers' previous play history, including new and old songs in the mix. Of course, the headline feature is the DJ's voice, as the AI bot announces which songs are up next, as well as some information about each. Whether you love or hate AI, it's a pretty harmless feature, and seems fun for those who pay for Spotify. While DJ feels interactive, it really isn't. Aside from skipping songs, it's mostly a passive feature. That's now changing: In a blog post on Tuesday, Spotify announced that you will now be able to make requests to the DJ with your voice. If yo…

If you've had your Apple devices for a while, you probably think you know them pretty well. You have your various routines, habits, and hacks and you do what you need to do. But over the years, Apple has added a lot of features to its flagship products—including plenty of hidden gestures you might not know about. As MacRumors reminded us this week, one of those gestures is actually well-suited for sharing photos and videos across your various Apple devices, and in some cases, is probably faster than AirDrop. The gesture itself is simple enough: Just open a photo or video, then take three fingers (your thumb, index, and middle finger) and pinch in on the image. If done suc…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. This refurbished iPad 9th Gen (2021) in Space Gray, bundled with Beats Flex Wireless Headphones, is currently on sale for $224.99 (with free shipping!) on StackSocial, and for that price, it’s a great value. The iPad itself is listed with a Grade “A” rating, meaning it’s in near-mint condition with little to no visible wear—basically as good as new without the retail price tag. That said, its minimum battery health is 80%; and it's also wifi only, so no LTE connectivity, but that’s expected. Performance-wise, the A13 Bionic chip keeps things running…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is back for a second year and runs through March 31. It’s not quite the frenzy of Prime Day, but there are still plenty of decent tech deals worth checking out. You don’t need a Prime membership to shop the sale either, though Prime members do get access to a few better prices. If you’re curious, you can always sign up for the free 30-day trial and cancel later. Either way, this week’s a solid time to pull the trigger on those bigger purchases you’ve been eyeing. Like, say, a giant new TV. Right now, the 65-inch Sony Bravia …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Google has been making these Nest thermostats ever since Google acquired Nest back in 2014, but for the first time, Apple or Alexa users can now add the thermostat to their Home app. I still use my first generation Google Nest at home and love the user experience. If you're looking for the latest iteration, the fourth-generation Google Nest Learning Thermostat came out in the summer of 2024, and it's down to a record low price of $219.99 (originally $279.99) according to price-tracking tools. …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you're looking to upgrade your home gym or fitness gear without breaking the bank, look toward Amazon's Fitness Memorial Day sale. I know Memorial Day isn't for another week, but naturally, the retail giant is kicking off the festivities early. Especially with summer right around the corner, now is the time to buy all the equipment you need to keep you motivated through the dog days. I know I've personally got my eye on massage guns and foam rollers to help me survive my upcoming marathon training. So, with Amazon's Memorial Day Sale is in full s…

If you were affected by 23andMe's data breach that compromised 14,000 user accounts—plus 6.9 million DNA Relatives and Family Tree profiles—you can now claim your compensation. Following the 2023 credential-stuffing attack, 23AndMe in 2024 agreed to a $30 million payout for impacted consumers. The genetic testing company then filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year (introducing new privacy concerns around the potential sale of customer data), and the settlement money will soon be distributed amid the proceedings. How much you'll receive from 23andMeIf everyone whose account was involved received an equal payout, that would come to about $4.35 per person. Howev…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you’re looking to beef up your home security, the Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus is currently down to $119.99 on Amazon, the lowest price it's hit according to price trackers. Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus $119.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $179…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Amazon’s Memorial Day Sale is already happening, and plenty of fitness trackers and smartwatches are on sale. This event intersects with some recent Garmin price drops, too, making it a really good time to shop for a new watch. Here are the best deals I’m seeing. Pixel Google’s Pixel Watch 2 is on sale for just $149.99, down from an original price of $249.99. This is the slightly older version, launched in 2023 and replaced two years later by the Pixel Watch 3 (which I reviewed here). The Pixel Watch 2 has most of the same features as the newer mod…

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 Lifehacker as a preferred source for tech news. Can you remember the last time you had a totally pain-free back? I know I’m on a never-ending search for relief. Percussive massage guns, non-percussive massage guns, regular foam rollers, even percussive foam rollers—I’m determined to try it all. Now, my search has brought me to decompression devices. These devices promise personalized, premium massages and decompression right in your own home. It's the closest thing you can get to replicating an actual m…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you’ve been waiting for a chance to grab a MacBook without wrecking your budget, this refurbished 2020 M1 Apple MacBook Air deal is worth your time. It’s currently on sale for $499.99 on StackSocial, which is a huge drop from its original $1,499.99 price. Since it's a Grade "A" refurbished unit, it should arrive looking almost brand new, with little to no visible wear. You’re getting the 13.3-inch model in the Gold finish, with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD—pretty much the combo most people need for everyday work, casual creative projects, and light…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Amazon's Memorial Day sale is in full swing, featuring deals on garden, sports, beauty, home items, electronics, and more. A particular sale that stood out to me, as a deals writer who frequently reviews headphones and speakers, is the one on Beats products. While it's not uncommon to see Beats products with a good discount, it is rare to see the newest product (the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2) included in the sale. Right now, you can get the Beats Pill, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, and the Beats Studio Buds+ for up to 41% off. All of these options are at t…

Mac users are spoiled when it comes to searching their computers. Macs have Spotlight search built-in, which they can use to open apps, search for files, perform calculations, and search the web. Windows has the Search Bar, but when you compare what they can do, it's not exactly the same. Now, though, there's a new tool called Command Palette, and it's a keyboard launcher designed specifically for developers and power users alike. It replaces a similar feature called PowerToys Run, and offers way more features, including the ability to run commands, search the web, search for files, and add custom bookmarks and global keyboard shortcuts. How to install and enable Command…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Bed-sharing couples rarely like the exact same kind of mattress, and that's where the i8 Smart Bed shines. Each side is customizable, allowing each person to alter the mattress' firmness at any time. Right now, Sleep Number is having a Memorial Day sale with discounts of up to 50% and free delivery. Its flagship product, the i8 Smart Bed, is 30% off. I've been loving mine, and it has changed both my and my partner's sleep for the better. …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. The much-anticipated successor to Garmin’s Forerunner 965 was announced today, and it’s a $749.99 watch called the Forerunner 970 with voice calling, triathlon coaching, and an LED flashlight. Alongside it, instead of a simple upgrade to its little sister the 265, we get a watch at an entirely new place in the Forerunner lineup: the Forerunner 570 ($549.99). Read on for the most important new features, and my first impressions on whether it’s worth splurging on either one compared to the older models. Both will be available to order on May 21, 2025. A primer on Garmin’s confusing model namesJust to help you keep your beari…

Three years ago, at WWDC 2022, Apple showed off its vision for the next generation of CarPlay. The sneak peak showed off a car with huge, wrap-around displays, featuring customizable widgets, a futuristic UI, and car controls built-into CarPlay. Frankly, it just looked cool. But in the years since, CarPlay has remained largely the same, other than more vehicles offering wireless CarPlay than before. I've mostly forgotten about the promised updates, especially considering that my own car doesn't have an infotainment display in the first place. But Apple surprised us this morning with its latest press release: This radical change to CarPlay, now called CarPlay Ult…

Google's Smart Replies are getting an AI-themed, and to me, slightly creepy update. At its Google I/O 2025 keynote, Google announced a new feature called Personalized Smart Replies. This feature uses Gemini AI, alongside the data in your Gmail and Google Drive, to reply to emails in a way that sounds like you. Google promises is can write like you would, using your tone and writing style, as learned by your Gmail history. With this new update, the Smart Replies option that shows up when you reply to an email will be a lot more powerful and a lot more contextual. On stage, Google CEO Sundar Pichai used planning a trip as an example. Let's say a friend emails you asking for…

Welcome back to The Out of Touch Adult’s Guide to Kid Culture, your weekly reminder that the internet is raising children in ways no one understands. This week, we've got kids setting their laptops on fire for clicks, a clueless millennial stepping into a cultural and linguistic minefield, and chicken Alfredo (but make it R&B). "Low GPA Activity" trend sees kids burning their laptopsIn last week's column, I explained the "low GPA activity" trend that was taking off on TikTok. To quote me: "It's the kind of trend that went from funny to a little harmful quickly, so check out these videos now, before TikTok bans the entire genre." I must be psychic, because the trend t…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. As a marathon runner, I've always taken a minimalist (read: cheap) approach to my gear. But when it comes to properly investing in—and maybe even splurging on—running gear, nothing is more important than your shoes. According to Jessica Lyons-Quirk, director of footwear merchandising at Road Runner Sports, wearing proper footwear is crucial for staying injury-free: "The biggest thing about injuries and foot health is that you need to be in the right shoe for your foot—every foot is different." So as you're racking up miles and incorporating different types of runs into your training, is one pair of sneakers really getting…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. When I first reviewed the Boox Palma e-reader, I called it the ideal solution to your doomscrolling habit—a device as portable and pocketable as a phone, with an adaptable Android operating system that allows you to run any apps you want, but with an e-ink screen that is both easier on the eyes and not nearly as stimulating to stare at as your smartphone’s LED display. Weirdly, by looking like a smartphone but feeling just a little bit worse to use (complimentary), this little device helped me smash my 2025 reading goal in fewer than six months. But doomscrolling isn’t a mobile-only problem (at least, not for me)—it’s just…