Amazon currently has the 32-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) for $999.99, down from $1,299.99, and price trackers show that this is its lowest price so far. This is the newer 4K OLED model, not Samsung’s similarly named G80HS, which is a 6K IPS variant, and it makes the most sense for someone who wants one screen for both high-end gaming and everyday desktop use without moving to a larger ultrawide.

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Its 4K QD-OLED panel runs at 240Hz, which gives the G80SH enough speed for competitive shooters and racing games while still keeping slower, more cinematic games looking sharp. You will need a powerful PC to get anywhere close to 4K at 240Hz, but the monitor is at least equipped for newer graphics hardware with DisplayPort 2.1 and HDMI 2.1. It also has USB-C with up to 98W of power delivery, so if this monitor doubles as a work setup, a compatible laptop can send video and charge over the same cable instead of adding another wire to your desk. FreeSync Premium Pro and G-SYNC compatibility should also help keep tearing under control, though OLED monitors can still show visible VRR flicker in darker scenes when frame pacing is inconsistent.

The bigger visual difference, though, shows up in darker games and HDR content, where blacks stay properly black and bright effects stand out without the blooming you often see on LCD monitors. That said, QD-OLED does have its own drawbacks, since blacks can take on a purplish tint in a brightly lit room, while burn-in remains a long-term concern—though Samsung does include active cooling and several screen-protection features to reduce uneven wear and says burn-in from normal use is covered under warranty. If you mostly play at lower frame rates or do not care much about OLED contrast, this is probably more monitor than you need, but for someone with the graphics hardware to take advantage of 4K at 240Hz, this discount makes the G80SH much easier to justify.

Anyone still reusing the same password across several accounts or relying on a browser to remember all of them may find a dedicated password manager worth considering, especially with Proton’s current Black Friday discounts: A one-year subscription to Proton Pass Plus is 60% off, bringing it to $1.99 a month, or $23.88 billed upfront for the first year, before renewing at $35.88 annually. The discounts also extend to Pass Family, which covers six individual Pass Plus accounts and costs $2.79 a month ($33.48 for the first year, renewing at $59.88 annually), and Proton Unlimited, which bundles the password manager with Proton VPN, Mail, and Drive for $6.49 a month ($77.88 for the first year, renewing at $119.88 annually). All three offers are limited to new users and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you some time to decide whether the subscription is worth keeping.

The biggest convenience with Proton Pass is that you no longer have to come up with passwords yourself or remember which variation you used for a particular website. It generates strong, unique passwords for your accounts, saves them, and automatically fills in your credentials when you return. It also earns its keep through a built-in two-factor authenticator, dark web breach alerts, secure sharing, and unlimited email aliases. Those aliases are where Pass differs most from the password manager built into your browser—each one is a separate address that forwards mail to your regular inbox, so you can give one to a retailer at checkout, and when it starts attracting spam, you switch it off without changing your real email.

Beyond passwords, Proton Pass also works as an encrypted digital vault for information you might otherwise keep scattered across notes, emails, and physical documents. You could save your passport details for booking flights, store payment card information for online purchases, or keep copies of important documents accessible while traveling. That said, there’s more to Proton Pass than these everyday uses, and our guide walks you through some of its lesser-known features to help you get more out of your subscription.

An advertiser paid for editorial consideration of this deal. Our editorial experts vetted the deal based on our independent expertise. Because we determined that the deal will save money for the consumer, we wrote the content.

With this live blog, you can keep up with the best deals the Lifehacker team finds every day—all in one place. Bookmark this page to keep an eye on what we're finding. As always, we use price-tracking tools to suss out the deals that are actually worth paying attention to, not just hype designed to instill a false sense of urgency.

It's hard to convince yourself to spend nearly half a grand on premium headphones, like the Sony WH-1000XM6, even if you consider yourself an audiophile. Not everyone can afford those prices, which is why the budget, mid-tier, and premium tiers exist. While the premium 1000XM6 headphones are over three times the price of the mid-tier Sony WH-CH730N, they're not three times as good. The Sony WH-CH730N are $128 (originally $179) right now, the lowest price they've ever been according to price-tracking tools, and they offer an amazing value for your money.

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Sony WH-CH730N Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones, Pink | Comfortable & Lightweight, Dual Noise Sensor technology, Up to 50 Hrs Battery with Quick Charging, Foldable Design

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Sony WH-CH730N Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones, White | Comfortable & Lightweight, Dual Noise Sensor technology, Up to 50 Hrs Battery with Quick Charging, Foldable Design

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It's pretty impressive what $128 in headphones gets you in 2026. The CH730N uses the same Sony Connect app as the premium headphones; as a result, you get a 10-band slider on the EQ menu, a battery care feature that extends the longevity of your battery life, 50 hours of juice, ANC, Ambient Sound (transparency mode), Multipoint to connect to two devices at once, and Bluetooth 6.0. The Adaptive Sound Control feature can detect your activity (walking, sitting down, loud environment, etc.) and automatically switch the level of ANC and transparency to make your experience as comfortable and seamless as possible.

The microphones are decent and use a feature to isolate your voice in noisy environments. I love that there's an AUX connection to give you the option, which seems to be coming back with newer headphones. The design is light and will feel like plastic, but they are comfortable to wear for long sessions. If you're looking to maximize the quality of headphones you can get for your money, the Sony WH-CH730N offer a pretty compelling option at $128.

TCL has been pushing the boundaries of QLED TVs, making some of the best in the market at very competitive prices. This year, the company released its QM8L model, introducing a new design and impressive features and specs to a series that isn't even their flagship. Right now, the 65-inch QM8L is $1,197.99 (originally $2,499.99), $100 cheaper than it was just earlier this month, reaching its lowest price since it launched in April, according to price-tracking tools. Larger sizes are also seeing substantial discounts.

TCL 65 Inch Class QM8L Series | SQD-Mini-LED QLED Smart TV | 65QM8L, 2026 Model | 144Hz | Ultimate Color Brightness & Contrast | Google AI Bang & Olufsen | Voice Control Gaming Streaming Television

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One of the first things you'll notice about the QM8L is the “Zero Border” bezel design, which gives it a modern, minimalistic look. When you turn it on, you'll likely note how bright this TV gets, which is a huge advantage QLEDs have over OLEDs. TCL claims it reaches 6,000 nits—seeing as the brightest OLED TV on the market only reaches 700 nits, no OLED can come close to this unit's brightness. Another important spec to note here is the local dimming zones: TCL claims this TV has up to 4,000, which means it gets top-tier backlight control, limited light blooming (thanks in part to TCL's "Halo Control"), and incredible contrast levels that some might not be able to distinguish from an OLED.

As many of us won't manually calibrate our TVs, the picture modes you can switch to in the settings will be most people's go-to. This TV's "Filmmaker mode" provides accurate color and picture, and if you're a gamer, you can use the native 144Hz high-refresh rate. If you don't already have a surround sound system at home and want to keep a minimalist setup, the QM8L comes with Dolby Atmos-ready Bang & Olufsen speakers, which offer above-average audio output compared to most TVs. You can read more about these features in CNET's 8.8/10 review. If 65 inches isn't quite right for your home theater setup, take a look at the QM8L's other sizes, which are also discounted right now.

Contacts with cat pupils or neon colors can be fun, but are you sure you want to put a piece of plastic from a costume store into your eye? Experts, like those at the American Academy of Ophthalmology, warn against it. These non-prescription contacts are technically illegal in the U.S. (even though plenty of companies sell them anyway). The CDC warns that the risks include "eye sores and vision loss."

Why costume contacts often aren't safe

Cheap Halloween contacts tend to be one-size-fits-all, but the AAO points out that contacts should never be one-size-fits-all. A contact that is too large or too small for your eye can cause corneal abrasions, corneal ulcers, and can result in infections like keratitis. Infections can, in severe cases, lead to blindness. A 2017 report from the FDA found bacterial contamination in 27% of costume contacts.

If you do wear contacts (Halloween or otherwise), the AAO recommends keeping an eye out for symptoms like redness, swelling, pain, or excessive discharge. Seek care as soon as you suspect an infection. Your eyes are more sensitive to infections than other parts of the body, so be cautious.

How to find safe costume contacts

Legally, contacts require a prescription, so if those colored contacts you're eyeing can be bought without showing a doctor’s prescription, they’re not legit. The real thing can be expensive, though: I found prices of $40 and up from lens.com, Discount Contacts, and Wicked Eyez.

These websites all let you order online, but you’ll have to provide your prescription information before you can check out. Fortunately, the Federal Trade Commission has ruled that providers must give you your contact prescription after a fitting so that you can take the prescription elsewhere. And they cannot charge you extra for this.

Once you’ve got the lenses, you have to know how to take care of them. If you wear contacts every day, you already know the drill. But if you’re just picking up a pair to use with a costume, here are the basics:

• Wash your hands before handling the lenses.

• Store them in contact lens solution, and keep the lenses and their case clean.

• Don’t sleep or swim with them in.

• And for Pete’s sake, don’t share them with your friends!

Just remember, the bloodshot look stops being cool after you take your zombie costume off.

Once connected, you can ask questions like:

• "Am I getting faster at the same heart rate?"

• "Can you give me a detailed analysis of how I performed in my last race?"

• "How is my strength training impacting my running?"

Some important context here: Strava's AI "insights" have sort of sucked, and annoyed me, in the past. Athlete Intelligence (conveniently abbreviated as AI) is the Strava feature that writes text responses to your workouts. Strava calls these "insights," but as far as I can tell they mostly regurgitate the information from the workout description, sometimes with added errors. I've found AI fitness summaries largely useless, and Strava's version checks every box: It doesn't use enough context to understand what's going on, it presents generic advice as if it were personal, and it's overconfident in incomplete data. So, skeptical as I am, I gave Strava's latest Google Gemini integration a whirl. Here's what it does, how to set it up, and whether it's worth it.

How to connect Google Gemini and Strava

The Gemini integration is rolling out to U.S. subscribers beginning now. To get started, open Personal Intelligence within Gemini, select Strava under connected apps, sign in with your Strava account, and authorize Gemini to connect.

The connection is optional and read-only. You choose whether to connect, and you can disconnect at any time from Connected Apps in Gemini. Worth knowing: The consent screen says Gemini will access workout activities, performance metrics, training plans, gear, clubs, and profile info, and that parts of your conversation, plus your name and email, may be shared with Strava and used according to its Privacy Policy.

How Google Gemini interprets Strava data

The first question I asked was one of Strava’s examples, "Am I getting faster at the same heart rate?" Gemini said yes, I was seeing solid efficiency gains. Like many AI tools, it told me what I wanted to hear. I had to point out that heat and temperature are huge variables. When I steered the chat in that direction, Gemini, of course, agreed immediately ("you hit the nail on the head") and explained that my mid-September long runs happened in 75–84°F weather with higher humidity, which inflates heart rate, while October's cooler temperatures made the same effort look better. That's an important caveat the first answer left out entirely.

Credit: Meredith Dietz

I then asked it to compare my past marathons, and in many ways, I had fun here. For instance, the suggested follow-ups prompted me to think of questions I hadn't put on my list, like comparing my weekly running volume and long-run frequency leading into different races in different years.

Unfortunately, the results weren't reliable at first. When I asked for a detailed analysis of every marathon-distance effort since 2019, Gemini said I had exactly one, the Marine Corps Marathon on October 25, 2026. In reality, I've logged at least eight. When I asked why it couldn't see them, it explained that its access is limited to my recent history, roughly summer 2026 onward, because of how pagination limits the number of past activities returned at once. It also offered a workaround: Give it specific dates and locations.

That workaround works, but it means you have to already know what you're looking for. And still, it wasn't consistent. In other answers, Gemini referenced my 2025 NYC Marathon and 2024 Philadelphia race, so the data's reach seems uneven. You need to be able to query older date ranges as directly and specifically as possible, and even still, double-check any numbers that matter to you.

I then asked "What am I doing right and what am I doing wrong as a runner?" After knowing the queries need to be so specific, I intentionally wanted to test a vague, simplistic question. The answer was, true to form, overly flattering—though I didn't disagree with the guidance itself. I need more speed workouts! I know this! I didn't need a chatbot to tell me, though maybe some other Strava user does. Gemini's suggestions (polarize training, add one dedicated threshold day) are sound, yes, but they’re also generic. Most recreational runners could glance at my Strava and spot the same strengths and weaknesses. Similarly, Gemini then set itself up for a slam dunk by prompting me to ask whether my easy runs were too fast. The answer: My easy days were happening at nearly my marathon pace (about 9:43/mi), and I should slow down by 45–90 seconds per mile, to roughly 10:30–11:15/mi. I completely agree. That being said, my big takeaway here remains the same: Don't confuse AI-generated advice as some newfound, personalized insight. It’s often the same conventional wisdom you already know, or could figure out with a tiny bit of research from a real, human source.

Credit: Meredith Dietz

The bottom line

If you ask me—a human!—this is a classic case of using AI for rote tasks, but then saving critical thinking for your own human brain. Gemini didn't surface anything wildly insightful, and it skipped important considerations like the effect of heat on heart rate, until I raised them myself. But it pulled data faster than I could have by hand, and its follow-up prompts nudged me toward comparisons I might not have thought of.

For many users, the smartest approach may be to skip AI summaries and focus on raw data. After all, your training load, sleep duration, and heart rate trends are already perfectly actionable.

As with all things AI, it’s important to mind the gap between data and wisdom. So much wisdom gets lost—forfeited, even—when you blindly trust an AI coach. Make sure you aren’t offloading all the other skills you need as a runner and as a human, like your ability to listen to your body and maybe run a little slower in the heat, even when it makes your data look “worse.”

If you do use Google Gemini to analyze your Strava data:

• Be specific about dates and locations when asking about older activities.

• Push back. Ask about weather, terrain, and fatigue before accepting a flattering conclusion.

• Treat the output as a fast data pull, not a personal coach.

And if the well-documented yet still murky privacy risks are worth it for you, that's your prerogative.

Foggy, cold, and hardscrabble, the community of Snook’s Arm, Newfoundland, is the perfect spot for ocean-borne horror in Netflix's Below. This sense of place sets the series apart, though the characters who inhabit it are equally fascinating. Led by Josh Hartnett’s grounded performance as Calvin, the show has atmosphere for days, and a creepy and compelling story that effortlessly balances chills and deep emotional beats.

If you ate this show up like a voracious sea creature and you’re craving more slow-burn, deeply human horror (and you’ve already explored all the similar streaming series out there), it’s time to move on to feature-length terror, and there's one classic movie that fits the bill.

Jaws created the template for horror stories set in remote, seaside communities

When it comes to kindred sea monster stories, Jaws is the obvious choice. Seaside setting? Check—a pre-glam Martha’s Vineyard stands in for Amity Island, with beautiful beaches and crashing waves to spare. A tight community under threat? Check—Amity Island feels like a very real place, and its citizens have concerns and grudges as legitimate as Calvin’s in Below. Shocks and frights? This is Jaws, a film that transformed the entire business of blockbuster movies, renowned to this day for its masterful depiction of a relentless natural force threatening an entire town.

The basic story also echoes Below's: When a young woman is killed by a shark during a night swim, Amity Island Police Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) tries to close the beaches to protect the public, but Mayor Vaughn (Murray Hamilton) refuses, as Amity Island depends on the tourist trade for its survival. After a young boy is killed, Brody teams up with shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw) and oceanographer Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) to hunt the beast, and the three soon find themselves in over their heads as they discover how big and relentless the shark really is. Both stories share themes of economic necessity trumping safety in a changing world and concepts of a small group of people fighting a terrifying natural threat.

Like almost every horror film or series since 1975, Below owes a debt to Jaws in terms of storytelling and technique. From the isolated, ocean-centric setting (and monster) to the way Below shows you only flashes of its central terror, if you enjoyed the series, you will absolutely love the classic that influenced it. Stream Jaws on Netflix, or rent it on Prime Video.

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More movies like Below

Already seen Jaws, or rewatched it, and still in need of more terrifying movies in the same vein as Below? Here are a few more movies that you’ll love.

The Bay (2012)

The Bay takes a different approach to its scares than Below—it’s a found-footage horror film. But it shares the remote, water-centric setting, the focus on a small community, and a story that pulls from the terror of a fundamental element—water—being polluted and corrupted. In the coastal community of Claridge, Maryland, citizens fall severely ill and begin dying in large numbers, sparking chaos. As investigators race to discover the source of the affliction, the carnage gets seriously gnarly. Just like in Below, the ultimate threat stems from the way people recklessly abuse the world we depend on for survival, and the local residents are center stage in the fight. Stream The Bay on Tubi or rent it on Prime Video.

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The Host (2006)

One aspect of Below that resonates strongly with viewers is the human element; the Penney family’s internal tensions feel earned and real, and the way the larger community struggles with several existential crises is messy in a gloriously human way. The Host is also about a family struggling against a horrific, waterborne monster—when a mutant creature attacks a crowd near the Han River, Park Gang-du loses his grip on his young daughter, and she’s snatched up by the monster. But when Gang-du receives a phone call from his daughter telling him she’s still alive but trapped with the creature in the sewers, his family escapes quarantine, gears up, and goes after her, no matter the odds (or the corrupt government agencies standing in the way). Stream The Host on Kanopy or rent it on Prime Video.

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Dagon (2001)

Based on H.P. Lovecraft’s The Shadow Over Innsmouth, Dagon begins with four friends on a boat off the coast of Spain. When a storm wrecks the boat and injures one of them, a couple—Paul and Barbara—travel on foot to a nearby village to seek help. What they find instead is a terrifying place paying the price for worshiping a demon named Dagon in exchange for wealth and safety—but at a price that slowly rose, eventually transforming the villagers into something inhuman. Just like Below, the movie explores the choices communities make to survive, and the personal costs that aren’t always clearly understood. Stream Dagon on The Roku Channel or Tubi, or rent it on Prime Video.

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The Fog (1980)

If you loved Below’s foggy, liminal feel and the constant dread of what might be lurking in the mist or under the waves, unseen until it’s too late, John Carpenter’s classic is a must-watch. As the small coastal town of Antonio Bay approaches the centennial of its founding, a strange fog rolls in from the sea and envelopes the town. As the body count rises, the true story of the town’s founding and subsequent prosperity is revealed—and the long-deferred price for the crimes of the town’s ancestors is in the fog, determined to find some element of justice. Stream The Fog on Kanopy or Plex, or rent it on Prime Video.

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Offseason (2021)

If remote communities like Snook’s Arm are inherently creepy to you, check out Offseason. When Marie (Jocelin Donahue) learns that her mother has passed away and has been buried in Lone Palm, the isolated beach town where she grew up, she’s outraged—her mother was very clear that she didn’t want to be buried there. Marie travels to Lone Palm as tourist season ends, just a day before the bridge to the mainland closes for the year, which gives the town a liminal, nightmarish aspect familiar to anyone who’s lived in a tourist town during the offseason. As a storm moves in, Marie and her boyfriend find the townsfolk behaving quite strangely—and soon, it all whips up into a maelstrom of terror that fans of Below will appreciate. Stream Offseason on Hoopla or rent it on Prime Video.

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If you want reliable earbuds that cost less than tonight's dinner, JBL is a reliable brand to fall back on, with plenty of budget-friendly models that lack the bells and whistles of pricier options while still delivering on sound and battery life. One of the most popular picks is the wireless JBL Vibe Beam earbuds, which are down 40% at $29.99 (originally $49.95).

JBL Vibe Beam Earbuds

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These earbuds aren’t reinventing the wheel, but they do check important boxes. They last up to eight hours without the charging case, and up to 32 hours with the case. Ten minutes of charging will get you a couple of hours of playback, and they have an IP54 rating, making them dust- and splash-resistant. The built-in mics work well in reasonably quiet rooms, but may struggle to separate your voice from loud background noise. Another perk is Find My Buds, which helps locate misplaced earbuds via a sound that’s played.

With 8 mm dynamic drivers, they deliver punchy bass that translates well to adrenaline-pumping workout music, and adequate vocal clarity for music and podcasts. Though the default tuning is relatively balanced, you can tweak it on the app’s equalizer to adjust it to your liking. They lack ANC and Bluetooth multipoint pairing, which isn’t surprising given the price point, but still pack in a solid amount of features and quality into $30, making the wireless JBL Vibe Beam earbuds a good value for everyday bargain earbuds that get the job done.

Following its recently concluded fourth season, Netflix's political thriller The Diplomat has been renewed for a fifth season, and even better, it's the rare streaming show that seems to keep to a fairly regular schedule, meaning there's likely to be more of the Keri Russell-led espionage drama coming by late next year. If you're looking for something with the same political thriller vibes to watch in the meantime, here are 10 other series to stream now.

Homeland (2011 – 2020)

Diplomat creator Debora Cahn got her start on The West Wing, but honed her political-espionage craft on this show, for which she served as writer and, later, executive producer. The series begins with CIA case officer Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) coming to suspect that decorated Marine Corps scout sniper Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), recently rescued from an al-Qaeda compound, has been turned and is planning a terrorist attack on the United States. As she has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, her superiors don't give Mathison's suspicions much credence, kicking off a cat-and-mouse/is-he-or-isn't he? game between the two. As the show progresses, Carrie moves up the ranks until she's working directly for the president. Both leads won Emmys for their performances, and the series took the Outstanding Drama prize in its first year. Stream Homeland on Hulu and Netflix.

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Slow Horses (2022 – )

Focusing largely on the seedier side of international espionage, Slow Horses, based on the novels by Mick Herron, shares with The Diplomat a dry sense of humor about the consequences of institutional and human failures. With nods to the great spy dramas of John le Carré, Slow Horses updates the setting without losing either the thrills or the style of a time-honored genre. The “Slow Horses” of the title are a group of has-been MI5 agents—they’ve all made messes of significant jobs, but are still seen as having some use, if only in dull administrative tasks. Naturally, the members of the group (led by Gary Oldman's endlessly flatulent Jackson Lamb) find themselves in deeper waters than anyone thought them capable of navigating. Kristin Scott Thomas is the spymaster, navigating political pressures, misogyny, and her own unrepentant ambition in trying to do her job. Stream Slow Horses on Apple TV.

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The Night Agent (2023 – )

An action drama that plays a bit like a spy thriller, The Night Agent stars Gabriel Basso as Peter Sutherland, an FBI agent who works overnights in the basement of the White House watching a phone that never, ever rings (dream job, honestly), until the night it does. Peter gets a call from Rose Larkin, a cybersecurity expert whose aunt and uncle were just killed; unbeknownst to her, they were also government operatives, and rescuing Rose sees Peter delving deep inside a web of conspiracy and corruption that plays out over three seasons, with a fourth and final on the way. While a bit more action-heavy than The Diplomat, it still plays in that realm of government secrets and conspiracies. Stream The Night Agent on Netflix.

The Night Agent (2023 – )

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The West Wing (1999 – 2006)

There was a moment, around the turn of the millennium, when The West Wing seemed like a heightened but not entirely implausible picture of politics in action; its ripped-from-the-headlines style gave it an edge that allowed us to imagine smart, thoughtful people getting jobs in government, trying to do the more-or-less right thing despite systemic and personal flaws (it's also where The Diplomat's creator Debora Cahn started her TV writing career). The show's world can be a little frustrating when contrasted against our more explicitly appalling actual one, but it's a thoroughly pleasing fantasy nonetheless, with President Matin Sheen leading a White House staff through various diplomatic, military, and political crises. Stream The West Wing on Netflix and HBO Max.

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Borgen (2010 – 2022)

Sidse Babett Knudsen stars as Birgitte Nyborg in this popular import. She's a minor Danish politician who watches other politicians fall to scandal and incompetence as she rapidly and unexpectedly ascends to the job of prime minister. The espionage and action are entirely incidental (but not nonexistent) here, as the show deals instead with the moral and political compromises that are seemingly intrinsic to statecraft. There's been talk of an American remake for years now, but you should just watch the original. Stream Borgen on Netflix.

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Scandal (2012 – 2018)

Shonda Rhimes was already a powerhouse producer and screenwriter with several successful seasons of Grey's Anatomy under her belt when Scandal debuted, but its blend of political thrills and sexy, soapy drama truly solidified her brand—and her spot atop the modern TV landscape. Kerry Washington stars as Olivia Pope, head of the D.C.-based crisis management firm Olivia Pope & Associates (OPA), who is the person to call when you've got a PR disaster to fix. If you want to get a sense of the stakes involved, consider that Tony Goldwyn costars as Fitzgerald Grant III, who is both the president of the United States. and also Olivia's lover. Stream Scandal on Hulu and Netflix.

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Madam Secretary (2014 – 2019)

Téa Leoni plays Elizabeth McCord, a former CIA analyst who gave up that hectic life to become a political science professor. That's all going great until the Secretary of State dies under mysterious circumstances and she's called up by her old CIA boss, who's now the president, to take over the job. With her outsider's perspective and resistance to political considerations, she's surprisingly good at the gig, navigating foreign and domestic crises while also trying to figure out who the hell killed her predecessor, and whether they're coming for her, too. Stream Madam Secretary on The Roku Channel.

Madam Secretary (2014 – 2019)

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Designated Survivor: 60 Days (2019)

You could absolutely watch the original American take on this show, which stars Kiefer Sutherland—they have essentially the same premise—but this South Korean remake earns a few extra points by only running for a compact 16 episodes, making it far leaner and meaner. Education Minister Park Mu-jin (Ji Jin-hee) is fired from his job one day before an attack occurs amid an announcement of peace talks with the North, wiping out the entire presidential line of succession. His dismissal having not yet been finalized, the largely unambitious Minister Park is forced into the job, even as questions linger over the attack that put him in the role. Stream Designated Survivor: 60 Days on Netflix.

Designated Survivor: 60 Days (2019)

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The Americans (2013 – 2018)

It's a different time and setting, but all the Keri Russell spy action you could want as a Diplomat fan. Set during the Cold War 1980s and created by former CIA officer Joe Weisberg, The Americans follows Soviet KGB intelligence agents Elizabeth (Russell) and Philip Jennings (the ever-reliable Matthew Rhys), living undercover lives posing as an American couple in the DC metro area—and raising their American-born children. The critically acclaimed show makes much of its period setting and a central conflict that places two spies in the heart of suburban America, even as they're tasked with undermining the Reagan-era government under which their children are growing up. Stream The Americans on Hulu.

The Americans (2013 – 2018)

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The Whirlwind (2024)

A power struggle for leadership of an entire country is at the heart of this juicy political thriller. Prime Minister Park Dong-ho comes to believe that the president has been corrupted by powerful, wealthy individuals and companies (something that could only happen in South Korea, obviously). Deputy Prime Minister Jeong Su-jin sees the problem, too, but she's not so sure about his solution: He wants to have the president assassinated. But how much better is he than the man he would be replacing? And how pure are her motives in potentially putting herself in line for the top job? Stream The Whirlwind on Netflix.

The Whirlwind (2024)

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The Soundcore P31i earbuds are down to $32.99 (originally $59.99), which is as low as they’ve been, according to price trackers. At this price, most earbuds stick to the basics, so it’s unusual to see features like active noise cancellation and LDAC included here. That doesn’t mean they compete with premium pairs, but they do give you more to work with than you’d expect for under $35.

Soundcore P31i Earbuds

ANC wireless Bluetooth earbuds

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$59.99 Save $27.00

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These earbuds are light, they fit well, and they don’t get uncomfortable after an hour or two, which isn’t always the case with cheaper earbuds. Battery life, too, holds up through a full day of use, with a little over seven hours on a single charge and extra top-ups from the case. The sound quality is better than expected for the price, though it leans toward bass-heavy tuning out of the box (you can tweak it in the app, but the app itself is not the most intuitive and takes some getting used to, notes this ZDNET review), and if you’re using a compatible device, LDAC support gives you the option for better audio quality.

There are also a few extras tucked in, like HearID for tuning the sound to your ears and an AI translation feature, though features like that feel more like a bonus than something you will use every day. As for its noise cancellation, it works, but expectations need to stay in check—it reduces steady background noise like engines and traffic, but it won’t match the isolation you get from more expensive earbuds. That lines up with its overall build, as well, which feels a bit basic compared to more expensive options.

The 65-inch LG Evo C6 OLED TV has dropped to $1,399.99 from $1,599.99, a $200 price cut that brings it to its lowest price ever, according to price trackers—and the savings aren't limited to this particular size either, with discounts extending across the C6 lineup, from the compact 42-inch model to the massive 83-inch version, although the 65-inch screen is particularly appealing if you want a larger OLED without spending more than $1,500. You also get a 90-day free trial of Amazon Music with the purchase and complimentary room-of-choice delivery (which would otherwise cost you an extra $19.99).

65-inch LG Evo C6 OLED TV

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77-inch LG Evo C6 OLED TV

$1,999.99 at Amazon

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55-inch LG Evo C6 OLED TV

$999.99 at Amazon

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48-inch LG Evo C6 OLED TV

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42-inch LG Evo C6 OLED TV

$1,049.99 at Amazon

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83-inch LG Evo C6 OLED TV

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Beyond the discount, there's plenty to like about the C6 itself, with PCMag calling it an excellent midrange OLED that is slightly brighter than last year’s Evo C5 while still retaining its color accuracy and sleek design, giving you much of what makes LG’s flagship OLEDs appealing at a considerably lower price. The nearly bezel-free design also keeps the focus on the picture, while its 4K OLED panel delivers bright HDR highlights in Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG content. That should work well in most living rooms, although a particularly sunny space may still benefit from a brighter Mini-LED TV.

For streaming, LG’s webOS platform covers most major services, and AirPlay and Google Cast make it easy to share videos or photos directly from your phone. You can also use hands-free voice controls through LG's assistant, Google Gemini, or Microsoft Copilot to search for content or ask questions without reaching for the remote. Gamers will also appreciate the C6’s native 120Hz panel, which supports variable refresh rates up to 165Hz, along with AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility to help keep fast-moving games smooth and tear-free. It’s also highly responsive, with an input lag of just 4.6 milliseconds at 1080p120 and 12.8 milliseconds at 4K60.

The C6’s main drawback is its Wi-Fi 5 connection, which feels dated for a TV at this price, although it should still handle most 4K streaming without trouble. It also lacks an ATSC 3.0 tuner, meaning you won't get support for newer over-the-air broadcast standards.

Restore earlier versions or trashed files from iCloud Recovery

If you accidentally delete or overwrite a file or contact that's synced to iCloud, you can restore it from the Recovery portal on iCloud.com. This feature works across many Apple apps, including Calendar, Contacts, Mail, Photos, Notes, and Reminders, as well as Drive, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. When you restore an old version of your data, the current version is archived so you can revert back if you change your mind. Deleted files can be recovered within 30 days.

Set up email addresses on a custom domain for your family or business

If you have an iCloud+ subscription, you can personalize your iCloud email address with a custom domain (rather than the default @icloud.com). Each subscriber can add up to five domains, each with 10 separate email addresses, meaning you can use this feature to manage emails for a small business or even a family group without needing to sign up for another paid service. If you enable the "Allow All" feature, iCloud will receive all emails sent to your domain, even if they contain typos or a username that doesn't exist. On iCloud, go to Custom Email Domain, select the domain name, and select Turn On Allow All.

Use Hide My Email aliases to manage inbox spam

One benefit of an iCloud+ subscription is Apple's Hide My Email, which allows you to create unique, random aliases to keep your real email address private. These addresses forward to your primary inbox, and replies appear to come from the alias rather than your personal email. There's no limit on how many Hide My Email addresses you can generate, so you can use them for newsletter sign-ups, online shopping, and any other credential you may want to deactivate if you start getting spammed. Hide My Email is compatible with Safari, Mail, Apple Pay, and some third-party apps.

Add a legacy contact to create a digital estate planning vault

Apple supports legacy contacts for Apple Accounts, meaning you can designate someone to receive access to your data—including photos, files, messages, and backups—after your death. This allows you to use iCloud as a digital vault for storing documents and other important information that can be securely passed down. (Note that legacy contacts will not receive iCloud Keychain data like passwords and passkeys, so you'll need another way to share this information if desired.) To designate a legacy contact, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign-In & Security > Legacy Contact and follow the prompts. That person will need the access key you generate and your death certificate to take over your accounts.

Consolidate family subscriptions to share benefits without compromising privacy

Apple's Family Sharing allows up to six users to share a single iCloud+ subscription while maintaining separate Apple Accounts. This means that each user has their own private vault for photos, documents, and backups while gaining access to premium features and a lot more storage overall. iCloud+ offers plans from 50 GB to 12 TB of storage. Family Sharing likely makes the most sense if you can fill most or all of the seats and/or already pay for or plan to use close to the limit of one of the higher-cost plans (compared to each individual paying for their own subscription).

Set up a shared photo library to automatically add vacation photos from your main camera roll

Sorting through photos and adding them to a shared album after a vacation can feel like a huge project—but iCloud can do this work for you in real time if your friends and family have iPhones with Bluetooth enabled and are logged into their Apple Accounts. Set up an iCloud Shared Photo Library in the Photos app under Collections > [Your account] > Shared Library and add up to five participants. Then, from Shared Library, tap Sharing from Camera > Share Automatically. If you take photos when other album participants are nearby, they will be uploaded to the shared album.

Create temporary iCloud web links to send large photos to non-Apple users

If you want to text a large photo or video to someone who doesn't have an Apple Account and access to iCloud photos without compressing the file, you can create a temporary link that gives them access to view and download the file for 30 days. This also allows you to share multiple files with a single link rather than sending them individually, and you can revoke access whenever you'd like. To create an iCloud link, open an image, tap Share, and select Copy iCloud Link.

Note that as of iOS 27 and macOS 27, Apple now supports adding Windows and Android users to iCloud Shared Albums. However, temporary links are still a good solution if you don't want to share whole albums.

Enable low data mode to keep backups from draining your battery or network usage allotment

iCloud's backup feature will automatically back up your iPhone periodically so you can restore your data if your device is lost or stolen. This includes information that isn't regularly synced to iCloud storage, like settings and app organization. You can disable cellular backups to restrict backups to wifi only—or you can turn on low data mode, which will allow for backing up over your cellular connection except when speeds are low, or your data is capped. Low data mode could also save battery by not straining a slow connection. You can enable low data mode for cellular via Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Mode.

Disable backups at the app level to save storage space

If your Apple device is backing up to iCloud, you could regularly bump up against your storage limit, especially if you aren't paying for a large amount of space. One way to mitigate this is to cut down what gets backed up, which you can do at the app level. If you have apps you don't use regularly or don't need data from, you can disable them from your iCloud backups. Go to your Apple account in the Settings app and tap iCloud > Storage > Backups > [This iPhone] to manage app backups.

Use built-in storage cleanup tools instead of upgrading for more space

If you sync tons of photos and files to iCloud along with device backups, you may find yourself hitting the storage cap. But you don't necessarily have to buy more storage space, nor are you stuck manually deleting items one by one. Instead, go to Settings > [Your Account] > iCloud > Recommended For You to find suggestions for freeing up storage space. This may include deleting inactive backups or reviewing your files or photos and videos, which are categorized by duplicates, screenshots, and videos (the content you're most likely to be able to offload). If you don't see these options under Recommended For You, go back to iCloud > Storage and select the app you want to clean up. Finally, check what's included in your device backups, and disable any apps you don't need under iCloud > Storage > Backups.

The Fitbit Edge really hits a sweet spot for anyone who wants a minimalist fitness tracker but still wants a screen to tell the time and display workout data. Here are my tips on how to get the most out of it, including hidden features and surprising ways to use the device. 

Google Fitbit Edge - Activity Tracker - Pyrite/Olive - Small & Large Band

$179.99 at Amazon

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Set up a watch face wardrobe from your phone

It’s not very obvious from the watch or the app, but you can switch watch faces—and if you use the app on your phone, you can change color schemes and sometimes even complications. 

On the watch, long-press the middle of the watch face. This brings up a carousel of the faces you’ve selected in the app. The last screen in the carousel gives you a button to bring up the watch face library on your phone. This is the quickest way to open it, but you can also go to your device settings in the app. 

From here, tap All Clocks and browse the available faces. Once you’ve installed a face you like, tap Customize to choose a color scheme and select which complications appear (like your steps for the day, or the weather). Sadly, the share button doesn’t seem to work—it sends a broken link to the old Fitbit website—but it’s a nice idea. 

Flip it around so you don’t press the button accidentally

The Fitbit Edge is built with the assumption that you’ll want the side button on the right. But if you wear other jewelry or watches with it, or if you wear it low on your wrist and find that flexing your hand pushes the button, you can change this. 

Just go into your device settings in the Google Health app, tap Device preferences, and then change Tracker orientation to put the button on the left instead of the right. This turns the display upside down, so take off your watch and turn it around so you can see it properly again. 

Turn off the AI insights

The AI-powered Health Coach is both the best and the worst thing about the Google Health app. Fortunately, you can turn it off. What’s better, Google added a feature that lets you turn off the unprompted insights while still having the AI available when you need it. 

Tap your profile picture in the app, then Google Health Settings, then Coaching, and select No Coach Insights. The chatty summaries (and notifications) will stop popping up throughout the day, but you can always hit the Ask Coach button if you have a question or if you want to use AI-powered food logging or workout logging. 

Broadcast your heart rate to Strava for laps and maps

The workout app on the Fitbit Edge is pretty minimal and can’t be customized, but it is possible to get more information during your workouts. Swipe down from the top of your Fitbit Edge screen, and tap the icon that looks like a wifi heart. This turns on heart-rate broadcasting. 

Then go into the Strava app, hit Record to start a workout, and swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see workout options. Select the Fitbit Edge as your heart rate sensor, and now your phone can track your workout using heart rate data from the Fitbit. The Strava app gives you a lap button and can show you the time for your previous laps; it also shows you a map of where you are and where you’ve been.

Make it stop overcounting your steps

Fitbit devices have always been a little over-enthusiastic about counting steps compared to other wearables, and they know it. Hand and arm movements can mistakenly contribute to your step count, but there’s a way to adjust the device’s sensitivity. If you wear the device on your dominant hand (say, on your right hand if you’re right-handed), go into Device preferences on the phone app and set your Wrist preference to dominant. 

If you already wear the device on your non-dominant hand, you may still want to use this hack. Wear it on your left hand (if you’re right-handed) and still change your preference to dominant. This will tell the Fitbit to slightly undercount your steps. 

Save battery by changing your GPS settings

The Fitbit Edge can use its own built-in GPS, or it can use the GPS that is built into your phone. By default, it will switch sources automatically based on what it thinks the best option will be. 

But you can change this. Go into Device preferences again, and choose GPS settings. If you always carry your phone with you, and you’d prefer to save battery on your Fitbit, tell the device to always use your phone's GPS. On the other hand, if you want the Fitbit to handle its own GPS without piggybacking on your phone all the time, tell it to use the built-in GPS instead. 

If your phone is an older one, switching to the built-in GPS will probably give you more accurate distance and pace than using the default switching. If your phone is newer, choose based on which device you want to preserve battery. 

Swap with the Fitbit Air

At the same time as the Fitbit Edge came out, Google made it so that the app can work with multiple Fitbits. If you sometimes like to have a screen on your wrist, but sometimes you don’t, you can swap seamlessly back and forth between the Edge and the Air (and a Pixel watch, should you happen to have one of those as well). No extra steps are necessary—just set up both of them, and wear whichever you feel like at any given moment.

Set up magnification so you can see what’s on that tiny screen

Small screens can mean less visibility, but there is a setting that helps. In Device preferences, select Magnification and toggle it on. Now, triple-tapping the screen (three quick taps with one finger) enlarges what you’re looking at. You can use your finger to move the image around the screen to see different parts—for example, to get a better look at the number under the step count complication on some watch faces. 

In this part of the app, you can also choose whether the magnification gesture gives you a 2x or a 3x zoom. To zoom out, just triple-tap the screen again.

Charge it for five minutes a day

The charger for the Fitbit Edge (like that for the Pixel Watch) is incredibly fast. If your watch is running low on charge and you don't have time to wait for it to charge, just put it on the charger for five minutes. Google says this gives it enough juice for a full day, and that matches my experience. Just now, three minutes of charging brought the device from 31% up to 41%.

If your Fitbit Edge tends to last about a week, you'll need about 15% to get through a full day. I like to use the always-on display (AOD), so I only get about three days per charge. If you're using the five-minute trick because you're low on battery, turn off the AOD if you have it enabled, and you'll get through the rest of the day. But if you always have the AOD enabled, you may be able to get into the habit of charging your Fitbit for about five minutes every day—maybe 10 every now and then—and never have to walk away from it for an hour like you would with most wearables.

Show offline workouts to your “Coach”

I don’t follow the workouts the AI coach gives me, but it can be nice to have a record of what I did. So I’ll take a screenshot of my workout in Hevy, or a photo of my training journal, and show it to the Coach. 

You can do this from the Ask Coach button in the bottom right corner of the app. Tell it which workout it should attach the exercises to (for example, “log this for my strength training session from last night”), and it will fill in the exercises in that workout summary. You can view past workouts in the Fitness tab.

The Kindle is the world's most ubiquitous e-reader, but that's not the same as being the best. Don't get me wrong: Amazon deserves a large share of the credit for bringing e-books into the mainstream, and over the years, the Kindle has consistently offered a top-tier user experience, thanks to both generally good hardware and its integration into the retailer's ecosystem (for better or worse).

But the company also rarely innovates in the space, waiting until other players like Barnes & Noble and Boox have tested out new features (like temperature-adjustable lighting and color screens, respectively) before adopting them itself. It's also not shy about dictating to customers what they can and can't do with their Kindles, from removing the ability to directly download copies of their e-books to limiting support for third-party accessories.

One such accessory has been maddeningly absent from the Kindle for years, despite the device having the technology in place to support it: a Bluetooth remote control (all Kindles released since 2018 support Bluetooth for connecting wireless headphones, but only wireless headphones).

A few years ago, third-party e-reader remotes became a big thing on BookTok, prompting competitors like Kobo and Boox to release their own versions of the peripherals. But with the Kindle's Bluetooth protocol locked down, Kindle owners were mostly out of luck; their only option a third-party clip-on accessory that attaches to the side of the device and manually taps the display at the press of a remote button—far from ideal, as they can only turn pages in one direction and block a portion of the screen.

But finally, Amazon has seen the light and made its own Bluetooth remote, which it has dubbed the Kindle Click. More importantly, it has opened up the Bluetooth protocol within the Kindle firmware so it can connect to the accessory in the first place—though it will only work on Kindles from 2024 or later. (It pairs well with the new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, no pun intended.)

Amazon Kindle Click Bluetooth Page-Turn Remote

$34.99 at Amazon

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What's the point of a page-turn remote for an e-reader?

If you've never used one before, it can be a bit confusing to consider why someone would want a remote for their Kindle—why bother fussing with an extra device when you can just tap the screen or press a button? But for certain scenarios, it really does make sense.

Most practically, a remote can allow you to turn pages in circumstances where holding the e-reader itself is less than convenient, as when you're exercising: Holding a Kindle in your hands is tough when you're on an elliptical, and the words can bounce around too much if you're trying to use a spin bike while gulping down a few chapters of Yesteryear. But if you can prop the e-reader onto the machine's handlebars or a nearby surface, you can turn pages easily without missing a step.

Then there's the coziness factor: Reading under a big blanket in winter is one of the coziest activities I can imagine, but if you have to keep your arms outside of the blanket to turn pages on your Kindle, well, that's going to have an impact on how cozy you feel. (This is a real problem!) But what if you could comfortably arrange the device within your line of sight and turn pages while keeping your hands ensconced within your weighted throw? Some readers are willing to spend multiple tens of dollars to achieve this level of coziness.

The Kindle Click does as advertised

Credit: Joel Cunningham

How many dollars? In the case of the Kindle Click, around 35 of them (plus tax). Though that may seem like kind of a lot for a simple little remote with two basic functions and four buttons, it's just $5 more than the admittedly much cuter Boox Tappy. Speaking of which, while the new firmware update will also allow the Kindle to support cheaper third-party alternatives, there's no guarantee they will work as well.

So how does the Kindle Click work? Pretty seamlessly: You press and hold one button on the remote to put it in pairing mode. You open up the Settings menu on your 2024 or later Kindle and tap Accessories (you may need to perform a software update, if you aren't seeing that option). You tap Kindle Click in the resulting list to pair it. Once paired, the remote seems to connect to the Kindle automatically if the two devices are nearby and both powered up, provided you keep the latter's Bluetooth functionality turned on; you don't have to manually pair them every time.

That's pretty much it: Once you've opened a book, you can now turn pages with a button press (you can map which of the big grey buttons moves pages forward or back to suit your preferences). The volume-like buttons on the side can be used to adjust the brightness of the front light. You can't use the remote to navigate around the device or open a different book, so choose your reading material carefully before you enter your cocoon.

The Click is not as versatile as it could be

While the Click definitely works as advertised, Amazon could have been a bit more creative with its functionality. The Boox Tappy, for example, can switch between modes so it can be used to jump backward and forward between tracks in an audiobook or scroll pages in a web browser. While the Kindle can't display websites, it definitely supports audiobooks, but you can't use the Click to jump between chapters or adjust the volume while listening to an Audible book; these both seem like no-brainers to me.

And while being able to turn the brightness up or down is nice, why not let the remote control the warmth settings as well, either through enabling different modes (like the Tappy) or via a combination of button presses? I'm not an engineer, so I don't know how complicated it would be to get that to work, but Amazon employs a lot of them, and I bet they could figure it out.

Suunto's new Race 3S is a lightweight, premium racing watch—but at a retail price of $599, it's a steep climb from the Race S, which is regularly on sale for $299. Still, there are certainly some major upgrades: The battery holds 46% more than the Race S's, and it's good for up to 38 hours of dual-band GPS; storage is double the Race S's, at 64GB. And as always, with the SuuntoPlus store, you can download apps and integrations so your watch can do more than just the default features. After all, the best way to justify the price is to really make use of everything the watch can do. Here are five ways to get more out of your Suunto Race 3S.

(Suunto Race 3S users should also check out these Suunto Run hacks).

Suunto Race 3S GPS Sport Watch

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Use offline map features to preview your next adventure from your couch

There are several ways you can explore new hikes, straight from your watch or app, and all from the comfort of your home. First up, make sure you download offline maps at home. The Race 3S offers free worldwide offline maps with contour lines and place names, and you pay no subscription. Download your regions over wifi before you leave, so you aren't relying on a phone signal at the trailhead. The 64GB of storage leaves room for several regions, so grab the places you actually run, plus anywhere you're traveling. Menu paths can shift with firmware updates, so check the Suunto app if the layout has changed.

From there, build a library of points of interest. A POI is any spot worth returning to, such as a trailhead, water source, campsite, or viewpoint—and with Suunto specifically, you get a broad definition of “POI,” including spots for hunting, fishing, foraging, or wildlife watching. There are built-in POI types for noting where a deer seemed to have rubbed its antlers, where you've seen marine mammals, or where you've spotted mushrooms. And with the Race 3S, you can store up to 250 of them on the watch. 

You can create them on the map in the Suunto app without even being there in person, or when you do stumble upon one, you can save your current location from the watch mid-run. You just have to plug in the POI as a Navigation Target under the options for your trail run or other activity. There's also a navigation app, accessible from the bottom of the widget list (select All Apps), and you can navigate without having an activity running. Organize them by area before a hiking trip, and you can navigate to a trailhead or a spring with a few taps, with the map showing the terrain around you.

For all the hikers out there, you can use Climb Guidance to preview the climbs. When you load a route, Climb Guidance splits it into flat, uphill, downhill, climb and descent sections, and shows remaining ascent. Use it to decide where to push and where to hold back. It doesn't set your pace for you, but it lets you pace by terrain.

Set a storm alarm to never get caught in the rain again

Suunto’s Race line includes a storm alarm that watches for rapid pressure drops, a warning sign that weather is turning. It only helps if the barometer reading is trustworthy, so set your altitude to a known reference (a trailhead sign or a verified elevation) before you head up. To turn on storm alerts, go into Settings > System notifications > Alerts > Storm. (This is also where you can set up sunrise and sunset notifications.) 

Just remember to recalibrate your barometer every time you start from a new elevation. Also under the Settings menu, you can select Alti & Baro, and then you have the option to either Set altitude or Auto adjust altitude. The auto-adjustment uses a GPS reading to make sure the altimeter is calibrated. But if you know your current altitude from a map, you can set it manually.

Set heart rate zones from your real numbers

Training by heart rate is a great idea, but the default zones on your watch are based on broad formulas and guesses. With the SuuntoPlus app store, you can select Anaerobic Threshold and follow the instructions to find the heart rate where effort turns hard, so your zones reflect your body.

Be prepared: A threshold test is a tough workout. After a warm-up, you’ll be asked to run as fast as you can for 30 minutes. At the end, the app will tell you the heart rate that seems to correspond with your lactate threshold. 

Now here’s the cool part: On your watch, go into Settings, then Training, then Intensity zones. Choose either the Default HR zones for all sports (what I’d recommend if you aren’t sure) or choose a sport under the advanced setting. Here, you can set the boundaries between your zones. The boundary at the bottom of zone 5 (and thus the top of zone 4) should be set to the number you got from the threshold test. If you’d like to tweak the other zones, Suunto has more information on how to calculate numbers for the other zone boundaries.

And for any threshold test, where precision matters most, I recommend pairing with a chest strap.

Use these SuuntoPlus apps to improve your running economy

SuuntoPlus apps run on the watch and show extra data during activities, and these two are worth setting up during your training:

• Cadence Coach shows live cadence and stride length so you can work on running form and, in Suunto's words, avoid injuries. Run a few easy sessions with it, find the cadence that feels smooth, and use it as a target.

• Sprint automatically records your strides and sprints, using wrist acceleration. Instead of tapping laps during strides or hill sprints, just run, and review the efforts afterward.

Activate both in the Suunto app's SuuntoPlus store before starting an exercise, and watch your running economy start to improve.

Save time getting to your timer

My favorite time-saving shortcut is to pin the timer widget. Widgets are reachable from the watch face by swiping up or turning the crown, and you can choose which ones to show and in what order in the Suunto app. Move the timer to the top, and pin it so a crown press opens it. Then the upper button starts and stops the stopwatch, and the lower button resets it. It's ideal for intervals, cooking, and race-day warm-ups, and you never have to start a full workout for a quick timing job. The timer remembers whether you last used the stopwatch or the countdown.

Finally, I’m keeping my eye on the launch of the Race Planner feature. It's meant to build a pacing plan from your route, weather, and goal time, and then guide your pace on race day. Suunto hasn't announced a date yet, so I wouldn’t exactly buy the watch for it.

The launch of the iPhone Duo marks the first time that Apple has fundamentally changed the form factor of the iPhone. This is an exciting development because, among other reasons, it allows app developers to get even more creative. If you have an iPhone Duo, plan to get one, or if you're just interested in creative app interfaces, then you should take a look at these apps.

iPhone Duo

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Turn the iPhone Duo into a retro computer

Credit: Fountain Interactive

With Tiny Computers ($4), when you use the Duo half-open, it turns the bottom display into a keyboard, and the screen goes up top. The app features computers inspired by Commodore 64, Windows 95, iMac G3, Macintosh, IBM PC, Amiga 500, ThinkPad, iBook G3, Powerbook G4, and Windows XP. The attention to detail is great, but early App Store reviews mention that the app can be buggy.

This Walkman-inspired app adds a retro feel to Apple Music

I miss the tactile nature of playing music on my cassette player at home, and my old Sony Walkman clone. Deck-Man ($5) is an app that brings the Walkman's interface, complete with all the clicks and clacks, to your iPhone Duo. Each time you play an album, Deck-Man lets you "insert" the cassette in the player before it starts playing. The app links to your Apple Music account and it also supports playing local music files.

Turn your Duo into an accordion

Foldissimo (free, $10 to unlock all songs) simulates the sound of airflow in an accordion as you fold and unfold your iPhone Duo. It has some songs pre-loaded, and you can pay $10 to unlock all songs. Foldissimo also supports a few other instruments (accordion organ, panpipes, and theremin), but you'll need to pay an additional $10 to unlock those.

This retro camcorder "switches on" when you open the Duo

With Flipcorder ($5), while the viewfinder and the retro interface are visible to you when you have the Duo in tablet mode, your subjects can also see the frame via the outer display. When you fold the Duo, the app saves the clip, and allows you to record up to 30 minutes of video per day, each of which is saved in a virtual "tape."

This puzzle game lets you fold your way to solutions

Orisuji ($5) is a puzzle game where you solve mazes by folding your iPhone Duo. It has 69 levels, and you'll be solving most of these by folding or unfolding the device to shift the position of the maze to make your characters move, unlock doors, or to find keys to get past locked doors.

Fold your Duo for this sandwich-making game

Credit: Toastie

Toastie ($3) is a game where you, well, make sandwiches: It has 10 recipes for you to master, with a time limit of 15 seconds per step as your in-game customers wait for you to serve them. You fold the phone to "cook" the sandwich; leave it folded for too long and you'll end up with burnt toast.

With this puzzle game, you fold the phone to move the walls

Marbles Unhinged (Free, $3/each to unlock all levels in a world) is a puzzle game where you guide a marble towards the exit in each level. When you fold your iPhone, it turns the top half of the level into a ramp, and alters the speed of the marble. You can keep the phone at different angles to change the nature of the stage, which will lead you to the solution.

This app turns your phone into a monster

ChompDuo (Free, $1 to unlock all monsters) uses the Duo's folding mechanics to make monsters "chomp" down, and you'll feel each bite via haptic vibrations. When you close the Duo, the monster's eyes stare at you from the outer display. It's a silly app that you or your kids could enjoy playing around with.

Unfold a city with this app

Unfold Your City (Free, $5 to unlock all cities) simulates pop-up books to guide you through the highlights of different cities. It reminds me of Robert Sabuda's beautiful pop-up books, especially when you use the app on iPhone Duo. It slowly pops up the artwork for each city as you unfold the device, and displays the cover when you close the "book."

Dex Fold is a Pokédex designed for the Duo

In the Pokémon anime, the Pokédex is an encyclopedia that catalogs information about your friendly neighborhood pocket monsters. Dex Fold (Free, $3 to unlock optional features) simulates the device from the anime, which means that you can only use the app when you unfold the iPhone Duo.

One of the best things about truly great stories is how they can be endlessly adapted and reinterpreted. John Steinbeck published “East of Eden” in 1952, and each time it’s adapted to a screen, it looks a little different. Netflix’s try at this huge, complex story offers up some searing performances, especially from Florence Pugh as the notorious Cathy Ames. Ames is one of the best characters ever crafted in American literature, but her sociopathic nature has sometimes made her into a simple villain—but the series, and Pugh's performances, adds depth to the charcter. If the limited series has you wanting more complex female characters from classic novels, your next move is obvious: Vanity Fair, starring Reese Witherspoon as Becky Sharp.

If you enjoyed East of Eden, check out Vanity Fair next

First published in the mid-19th century, “Vanity Fair” by William Makepeace Thackeray is an enduring classic of American literature, satirizing the artificial manners and pretensions of Victorian society. At the center of the story is Becky Sharp, whose moral ambiguity and self-serving actions were surprising and unexpected at the time—and have made her a kind of antihero in the modern age. Sharp is a complicated character who, like Cathy Ames, can easily be flattened into a villain, a social climber who uses people.

The 2004 adaptation leans into the more modern take on Sharp’s character, giving her more justification for her actions and humanizing her more than the novel. Sharp is orphaned at a young age, but is almost feral in her determination to secure a position in society—which, at the time, meant securing an advantageous marriage. The story doesn’t have the same sweep as East of Eden, chronicling a relatively short period of time—but that period is the Napoleonic Wars, so there’s a lot going on. This gives the film a similarly epic feel even as it focuses on Sharp’s constant scheming and endless flirtations with people who she thinks can help her out.

In many ways, Sharp is simply playing by the rules imposed on her by men, and if that was scandalous in 1848, it’s almost heroic by today’s standards, and Reese Witherspoon imbues her Sharp with a bit of grace to reflect that. But she’s still someone who does what she must to survive and thrive, and that prickly edge will appeal to fans of Pugh in East of Eden. Rent Vanity Fair on Prime Video.

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More movies like East of Eden

Need more historical epics with fascinating, complex characters? Luckily, the movies tend to specialize in that—here are a few more movies that fans of East of Eden will love.

Lady Macbeth (2016)

If you thought the best thing about East of Eden was Florence Pugh, you’re going to love Lady Macbeth. Pugh plays Katherine, a young woman pushed into an arranged marriage with wealthy landowner Alexander Lester (Paul Hilton) in England in 1865. The marriage is solely intended to produce an heir, and Katherine is initially imprisoned in the house. When Alexander and his father leave Katherine alone for some time, she walks the estate and begins a brazen affair with a worker, setting off a chain of violent events that gets bleaker with each scene. Pugh’s portrayal of another dark, determined woman is mesmerizing. Stream Lady Macbeth on Kanopy or Tubi, or rent it on Prime Video.

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Legends of the Fall (1994)

If you want more sprawling family drama in a historical setting, look no further than Legends of the Fall. Set in the early 20^th century, it follows Colonel William Ludlow (Anthony Hopkins) and his sons Tristan (Brad Pitt), Alfred (Aidan Quinn), and Samuel (Henry Thomas) as they navigate life choices and deal with the emotional wounds they inflict on each other. From World War I to Prohibition, the Ludlows fall in love (sometimes with each other’s wives), suffer crushing loss, and remain connected to their ranch and the natural beauty of Montana through it all. Anchored by a star turn by Brad Pitt, this movie will scratch the itch left behind by East of Eden. Rent Legends of the Fall on Prime Video.

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East of Eden (1955)

If you want to see a different take on the novel, check out the 1955 adaptation directed by Elia Kazan (grandfather of Zoe Kazan, who co-wrote and directed the 2026 series). Starring James Dean (who would die a few months after its release), it’s an old-school Hollywood epic that only covers the final third of the book. That makes it a very different narrative experience from the series, which has more room to explore the novel’s complexities—but the film looks amazing, Dean’s performance is terrific, and Kazan directs the heck out of it. Rent East of Eden on Prime Video.

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Giant (1956)

Another choice for epic family drama, Giant was James Dean’s last film, and offers family drama in heaps. Like East of Eden, it follows a family over the course of decades as patriarch Jordan “Bick” Benedict, Jr. (Rock Hudson) tries to maintain his family’s ranching legacy in the face of changing times and a flood of oil money, while his former ranch hand Jett Rink (Dean) pines for Bick’s wife, Leslie (Elizabeth Taylor), and strikes it rich with oil. As money’s corrosive effect takes its toll on Jett, the Benedict family grows and changes, with plenty of drama to spare along the way. Rent Giant on Prime Video.

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The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

If East of Eden makes you curious about other adaptations of Steinbeck’s work, your next stop should be John Ford’s 1940 version of The Grapes of Wrath. Set during the Great Depression, it follows Tom Joad (Henry Fonda) after his release from prison for manslaughter. He finds his family has been forced off their land, and joins them in a desperate migration to California in hopes of finding work and security. Along the way, Joad kills again and undergoes what can only be described as radicalization, dedicating his life to organizing labor and fighting back against the predations of capitalist society. It’s a remarkable film pulsing with emotional heft and deep family drama, and if its story and setting are very different from East of Eden, the impact will be similar. Stream The Grapes of Wrath on Hoopla, or rent it on Prime Video.

The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

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Some Discord servers are getting discoverable web pages

This change applies to Discoverable Servers on Discord, which are public spaces that have at least 1,000 members. There's no invite link, so anyone can find and join them as long as they have a Discord account. (Other servers on Discord are either invite-only Community Servers for larger groups or Friend Servers, which are small, private spaces.)

On Nov. 16, Discord is launching server web pages for Discoverable Servers, which will display discussion summaries from public channels as well as some individual messages. By mid-December, these pages may appear in search results. While these servers have always been fairly easy to access since they are public, this removes the requirement to sign up for Discord and join servers in order to view them.

In its announcement detailing the change, Discord notes that private servers and DMs will remain private. Plus, server admins can choose which channels are included in web search or opt them out entirely.

How to opt out of web search on Discord

As noted, server admins can disable public channels from inclusion in server web pages via Server Settings > Web Presence. Server members can also keep their messages from being discoverable under User Settings > Data and Privacy. There's a single toggle for all discoverable channels, so you can't select different settings for different servers. You cannot opt out of having your messages incorporated in channel summaries.

Messages you send before mid-December won't be included in search regardless of your setting preferences. However, if you leave this enabled and decide to turn it off later, anything you send between mid-December and disabling the setting will stay up unless you delete the message from Discord entirely.

Customers in the United States, Canada, Japan, and South Korea can order XReal Aura on XReal's site starting today, and they're expected to begin shipping in mid-November. The limited-time launch price is $1,099 for the 12GB + 256GB configuration and $1,299 for the 16GB + 512GB configuration, $180 and $200 less, respectively, than XReal announced earlier this month. The lower prices will be available until the end of the year.

If the claim of mixed reality in a pair of sunglasses seems dubious, I tried them out a few months ago, and they are exactly that.

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Instead of an enclosed headset, XReal Aura projects digital content on transparent lenses so you can be present in the real world while also in the digital world. Unlike "traditional" virtual reality headsets, the Aura's batteries and main compute are in a wired puck/controller you can slip into your pocket. That keeps the weight down and makes them comfortable enough to wear for longer periods. Because it's built on Android XR, users will have access to millions of 2D and 3D Android apps right out of the box.

If you want to go beyond Android, you can plug a USB-C-compatible computer or gaming console into Aura, and use that device in the same virtual space as native Android XR apps.

XReal Aura is launching with a library of over 150 "made for XR" apps as well, including games like Nevatars, designed by Andy Serkis, Fallout: Factions, a dice-based head-to-head game in the Fallout universe, and Landing Party, "the world's first outdoor roleplaying video game." There will also be companion apps for the NBA, NASCAR, and the San Francisco Ballet Company’s The Nutcracker. In terms of productivity, ShapexXR, a platform for software developer collaboration, is making its debut on Android XR, and you'll be able to use apps like Frontline.io for job training and assistance, and Plynk Spatial for stock research and trading.

If you want to get down to the nitty-gritty, here are the Aura's specs:

• Under 95g

• 70-degree field of view

• Sony Micro-OLED display

• 1200p resolution at 120Hz

• Sound by Bose

• Snapdragon Reality Elite Platform

• XReal X1S Chip

• Split-compute architecture with compact compute puck

• Puck trackpad for navigation

• Wired Mirroring for laptops and compatible handheld gaming devices

• USB-C connectivity using a standard connection

• Electrochromic dimming for more immersive viewing

• TÜV Rheinland certified for Eye Comfort

• Support for voice, hand, keyboard, trackpad, and game controller input

Never guess letters you already know

If I could only give one strategy tip, it would be this: Your first guess, and even your second and third, shouldn’t be attempts to solve the puzzle. Instead, you should be gathering information about possible solutions. 

This means that if you guessed a word ending in “ER” and those letters turned green, you should not try another word ending in ER as your next guess. If you guess a completely different five-letter word, say BENCH, you can find out whether B, N, C, and H are in the solution, while also getting information about whether there’s an E in the second position (which helps you know whether words like LEVER and METER might be in play). 

There is a toggle in the game interface that requires every word to use green squares from your previous guesses. It’s called “hard mode.” If you ask me, this should be called “luck mode,” because it takes away one of the game’s best strategies for smart solvers, as guessing letters you already know is just wasting guesses. 

I wrote more about this strategy here, and included more examples. Use this tip, and you’ll avoid the trap of losing after guessing FOUND, ROUND, POUND, MOUND, SOUND, and WOUND when you could have used MARSH as your second guess and instantly figured out the answer (HOUND). 

Choose a starter with common consonants

There are competing schools of thought on choosing the best starting word for Wordle, an issue I have considered in depth. But to summarize the best advice: Choose a word with five different letters (no repeats) that includes at least two or three of the English language’s most common consonants. 

Those most common consonants include T, N, S, H, R, D, L, and C. That means TRASH is a great starter, and so are CRANE and STEAL and STARE. For best results, use E and/or A as your vowels, since these are some of the most common vowels in English. 

Play two starters to give you a one-two punch

A starting word needs to give you information about what might be in the solution, but you don’t gain a ton of information with just five letters. So I recommend having another starting word that doesn’t overlap with the first, but expands the amount of information you can collect to 10 total data points. 

After all these years, my trusty pair is still ARISE and TOUCH. That gives me all five vowels and a good sampling of the most common consonants, as discussed above. (Only N is notably missing, but I can always play that in a later guess.) 

Feel free to come up with your own pair, where the second guess fills in gaps left by the first. If you like to start with a vowel-heavy word like ADIEU, use more consonants in your second move: perhaps THORN. Or if you start with TRASH, perhaps follow it with OUNCE. 

Play more perfect games to get your win rate back to 100%

I pride myself on my 100% Wordle win rate, but the truth is, I’m actually at 99% right now. The NYT’s “About Wordle” page says that “Win % counts the percentage of total puzzles played that you have won,”  but that doesn’t seem to be entirely correct. It also does not say how the app handles rounding. I believe I’ve lost three times over the 1,368 games I’ve played, which is actually a 99.8% win rate. But after every loss, the count has eventually gotten back up to 100%.

What I’ve figured out is this: As soon as you lose a game, your 100% win rate drops to 99%.But if you win (I am pretty sure!) another 200 in a row, you can earn that last percentage point back. I haven’t kept a perfect count since my last loss, but I’m pretty sure I’ve played more than 100. And despite losing a few games over the years, I’ve usually managed to keep a 100% win score. 

Remember that past solutions are once again fair game

For its first few years, Wordle never repeated a solution. If you could remember ever seeing a certain word as a solution, it was guaranteed not to be that day's answer. But that changed in February of 2026, when the New York Times officially announced that previous solutions may be reused. 

I love e-readers, but I'd be the first to admit that as far as the general public is concerned, they are just about the least exciting tech devices around—and that goes double for the Amazon Kindle. Any attention the space has gotten over the past couple of years has involved obscure players like Boox and weird concepts like the phone-shaped Palma or the tiny Boox Picco. But the clear leader in terms of market share is still Amazon, and despite some minor innovations over the years, the device hasn't received an essential upgrade in around a decade: A Kindle is a Kindle is a Kindle.

I'd still say this holds true in 2026, even after the company unveiled a complete redesign of the Kindle lineup (this, a few months after significantly raising prices across all of the devices). While the new flush-front display is nice-looking (and Amazon is quite proud of the new process it has developed to add colored bezels by painting them directly onto the outer glass screen), competitors have offered similar designs for years, and it's hard to get too excited about "innovations" like an $80 case that adds back the physical buttons that used to be built in or finally opening up the firmware to allow for the use of a Bluetooth page-turn remote.

But one thing has changed about the 2026 Kindle lineup: I think the $50 premium Amazon charges for the top-of-the-line Signature Editions of the Paperwhite and Colorsoft is finally truly justified.

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2026)

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Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (2026)

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The Signature Edition finally offers some irresistible upgrades

Credit: Joel Cunningham

Amazon introduced the first "Signature Edition" of the Kindle Paperwhite back in 2021, and while the 25% price increase didn't get you nothing, the features it did add weren't too exciting: At 32GB, it had three times the storage versus the standard Paperwhite, but how important is a ton of storage when most e-book files are tiny? (That's still enough room for more than 6,000 texts, well more than even true bookworms will read in an entire lifetime.) Other bonuses, like wireless charging and an auto-adjusting front light, won't matter at all to a huge subset of readers, and it's hard to think of "no ads on the lock screen" as an extra perk.

But the latest Signature Editions of the Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft actually give you more for the price premium, and for the first time, I would recommend shelling out the extra cash. While the important specs are still the same as the standard model:

• 7-inch, 300ppi flush-front display (with color content on the Colorsoft maxing out at 150ppi)

• Temperature-adjustable front lighting

• USB-C charging with battery life "up to 12 weeks on a single charge," per Amazon

• Bluetooth support for wireless headphones

• IPX8 water resistance

...the Signature Editions give you quite a bit more this time around, including, most noticeably, a totally new design with an all-metal rear panel that gives the devices a much sleeker look and feel without adding much in the way of weight (the standard plastic models weigh around 7.2 ounces, while the Signature Editions weigh 8.1 ounces). The new design makes the Signature Editions feel truly premium.

Credit: Joel Cunningham

But that's not the only meaningful addition. Once again, alongside wireless charging and automatically adjusting lighting, the Signature Editions have a boosted 32GB of storage, which is still probably overkill, but worthwhile if you like to load your device with a bunch of audiobooks or (in the case of the Colorsoft) color comics.

You also get an accelerometer, which means the display will auto-rotate if you flip it upside down, giving you more flexibility in how you hold it (especially if you're springing for the new Page-Turn Cover, which brings back physical buttons à la the beloved, discontinued Kindle Oasis). Moreover, there's a new ability to turn pages by double-tapping on the bottom sides or back of the device rather than touching the screen (though it only works for moving forward in your book).

Only the Signature Edition gets the best new accessories

Credit: Joel Cunningham

Speaking of which, you'll need to go for the Signature Editions if you want to use accessories like the Page-Turn Cover or the also-new Charging Stand (not yet available for pre-order), as only the Signature Editions include the built-in magnetic pogo pins you'll need to connect them. (If you're interested in the Kindle Click page-turn remote, it at least works with any Kindle from 2024 or later.)

Finally, if you care about your Kindle looking pretty, it's worth noting that only the Signature Editions are available in Seaglass Green (for the Paperwhite) and the reddish-purple Plum (for the Colorsoft).

Otherwise, it's mostly still a Kindle

Outside of those extras, the 2026 Kindles don't feel much different than the 2024 models. According to Amazon, they are the fastest Kindles ever, but that's mostly hype—any recent Kindle will turn pages quickly enough that you'll barely notice the speed difference, if you notice it at all. They all still run on the same firmware, which is both a good thing (Amazon makes it extremely easy to browse for and buy books and audiobooks directly on the device; there are a ton of options to search through and sort your library; and quality-of-life features like being able to sideload books via email using the "Send to Kindle" feature are a godsend) and a bad thing (I hope you like being locked into the Amazon ecosystem).

The new flush-front design won't please everyone

Credit: Joel Cunningham

One change to the entire 2026 Kindle lineup is already proving divisive: Judging by reactions on the Kindle Reddit, not everyone is in love with the new flush-front design, which eliminates the raised bezels around the screen that were present on the 2024 model, but at the cost of adding a thin layer of glass over the e-ink display.

Depending on how picky you are, you may find fault with this setup, as the additional layer of glass slightly reduces text clarity by putting more distance and another barrier between your eyes and the text or images in your book. Is this something I noticed myself? No—I don't have an older Kindle to make a direct comparison, and the text is still much, much sharper (and the front lighting more even) than what I see on competing e-readers like the Boox Go 6 or the Xteink X4 Pro. But there is a contingent of readers already lamenting the change, so take that for what you will.

Kindle Page-Turn Cover

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The bottom line

The question to consider whenever a new device model rolls around is simple: Is this worth the upgrade? If you have a working Kindle from any time after the introduction of temperature-adjustable lighting, I would say no—the 2026 models are nicer, but they still don't do anything to make them worth it, especially at the new higher price points.

That said, if you are in the market for a new Kindle, I'd suggest opting for the Paperwhite over the entry-level model, which has a smaller screen and lacks the warm light option—and if you're getting a Paperwhite or Colorsoft, you might as well pay the premium for the Signature Edition, because it's finally worth the extra money.

This is sad news for the Arc faithful. If you're one of them, or if you’re looking for an alternative to the regular browsers like Safari and Chrome, all hope is not lost. Export your Arc data, and try out one of these Arc-like alternatives.

The Zen Browser is the best Arc alternative

Credit: Zen Browser

Zen has become the de facto option for all users looking to find something that looks and works like Arc. In some ways, it’s better than Arc; in some ways it falls short.

It has the look and feel down to a T. Zen has the same vertical sidebar, with customizable workspaces and pinned tabs up top. And like Arc, Zen has mods that let you customize the browser's user interface (plus a ton of community-developed mods ready to go). Zen is also free to use, and it’s open-source. Cherry on top? There are no AI features. None. No upsells, no VPN, no schemes, nothing. It’s built on Firefox, and it has a privacy-first approach.

I’ve been using Zen for months, and I’m quite happy with it. The only downside I can see is the Firefox web engine; while Gecko has come a long way, it can still sometimes fall short of Chromium, mostly because Google Chrome is such a popular browser, most websites are designed to run best on it. When I run into an issue with a website, I tend to switch to Chrome for a while. Zen can also sometimes be a memory hog, but once I got better at tab hygiene (automatically closing older tabs and being vigilant about workspace management), the experience got quite a bit better.

And yes, there is extension support: Anything that runs on Firefox will run here too. Firefox has most of the important extensions covered, and it’s the only major browser that still supports the full-scale uBlock Origin ad blocker (which works like a treat in Zen, too).

Vivaldi takes a maximalist approach to web browsing

Credit: Vivaldi

Alternatively, you can go to the opposite end of the spectrum and try out a maximalist browsing approac:. For a while, Microsoft Edge was the cleaner, faster, better version of Chrome, but now, that title goes to Vivaldi. Under the hood, Vivaldi uses the same Chromium engine that powers Google Chrome, so all your websites will work as expected, and all the extensions will be familiar. But Vivaldi is an extremely customizable browser, and for a certain kind of user, it might be the perfect fit.

There are tons of built-in features. It comes with an ad blocker and integrates with ProtonVPN for free, limited VPN access. You can add a free reader, email accounts, note-taking, and a calendar to the sidebar. Using the Web Panels feature, you can dock any website to the sidebar as well (this works well for media and messaging sites).

Vivaldi also has robust tab management features: You can use two websites in split screen (like with Zen and Arc), and you can organize tabs in workspaces. You can also group related tabs in Tab Stacks, Vivaldi’s unique two-level tab management system. One thing Vivaldi lacks by default is a vertical sidebar, which even Firefox and Chrome now support, though it can be added using a mod.

If you want to keep to a Chromium-based browser, but one that offers all the customization features you can think of, go for Vivaldi. At its core is a powerful, fast, and reliable browser that you can slowly remake to be your own.

Other alternatives to consider

• Brave: If you want a simple browser that’s already set up for privacy and speed, go for the Brave browser. It doesn’t have all the customization options under the sun, but it does an impressive job of blocking pop-ups and trackers. All the AI features can be disabled, and you can use your Chrome extensions in peace.

• Helium: Think of it as a minimalist version of Google Chrome. Same Chromium engine, but no Google tracker, no popups, ads, or extra features.

• Dia: If you really want to use something that’s built by the same team as Arc, and don’t mind the AI features, you can try the Dia browser as well. It’s not an exact replacement, but Dia now has an option to use a vertical sidebar and pinned apps.

• Quiche: If you were using Arc on iPhone or iPad, try using the Quiche browser, which is our favorite browser for the iPhone. It’s a tastefully designed independent browser, with a fully customizable layout.

It has been 14 years since Amazon made a Kindle e-reader without a touchscreen, and while I certainly don't miss the days of slowly paging through my e-book library with the arrow keys on my Kindle Keyboard, the move to touch navigation did have one unfortunate result, at least for a small subset of readers: the loss of physical page-turn buttons. Once standard on all Kindles, they eventually became a premium feature available only on the pricey Kindle Oasis, before being dropped from the lineup entirely when that device was retired in 2024.

While this fall's overhaul of the Kindle lineup introduced upgrades like a metal enclosure and a flush-front design, Amazon hasn't exactly reintroduced physical buttons, but the company has launched a new accessory to appeal to the roughly 5% of the market that loves buttons (per Kevin Keith, Amazon's vice president in charge of Kindle), which essentially turns your new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition into a Kindle Oasis: the Kindle Page-Turn Cover.

The Page-Turn Cover builds the buttons into the case

Credit: Joel Cunningham

Releasing alongside the new flush-front Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, the Page-Turn Cover is made of plant-based leather (in one of three colors to match your Kindle—Graphite, Fig, or Seaglass Green) with a magnetic front flap, a soft interior, and a right-hand bezel made of lightly textured plastic that houses two thin, elongated buttons. When you slot your compatible Kindle into the case, connecting it magnetically and via the built-in pogo pins, it will automatically pair with the device, allowing you to turn pages with a button press instead of a tap.

By default, the top button will advance you forward by one page, and the bottom button will do the reverse, though you can change which does which in your device settings. While the physical buttons on some Boox and Barnes & Noble Nook devices allow you to map different functions—like skipping an entire chapter or scrubbing through a book quickly—to a long-press or double-tap, as of this writing, the Page-Turn Cover will only let you turn one page at a time. The buttons also only work for turning pages; you'll still navigate your library and the device menus using the touchscreen.

If you're a lefty, or prefer to swap which hand you use to hold your e-reader, you can change up the orientation by turning off Lock Rotation on your device; when you flip it over to hold in your other hand, the text will automatically reorient itself, and the buttons will continue to work with your existing settings.

The Page-Turn Cover makes your Kindle even faster

You might think that changing pages with an accessory would slow down your device, but in my testing, the Page-Turn Cover actually seems to turn pages faster than tapping the touchscreen. Though the new Kindles are quite speedy, there's still a perceptible lag between when you tap the screen and when the display changes to a new page. Not so with the Page-Turn Cover attached; although the very first page turn after attaching it is a bit laggy, after that it is basically instantaneous. I can't imagine this will be a game-changer for anyone—the difference is a mere fraction of a second—but it's worth noting all the same.

Physical buttons come at a high price

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While this is Amazon's clever solution to satisfy the physical button die-hards without overhauling the design of its entire lineup, it does come at a cost to the reader—a literal cost: The Page-Turn Cover is around $80, and it's only compatible with the $250 Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition or the $320 Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, the only models with the metal backing, pogo pins, and accelerometer necessary for the case to function.

In short, that means if you want a Kindle with physical buttons, you'll have to shell out at least $330, or $80 more than the third-generation Kindle Oasis cost when it launched back in 2019. (For what it's worth, you can get the Oasis-like Boox Go 7, one of my picks for the top non-Kindle e-readers, for around $270).

Why physical buttons matter on an e-reader

While most people probably don't think twice about tapping the screen to turn the page, some folks just prefer the feel of tactile buttons or would rather not have to worry about holding their device wrong and accidentally jumping forward a chapter or two.

If you've made do without them so far, you probably aren't missing them, but if you're an old-school e-reader (or just a particularly tactile person), they are definitely a nice bonus. Are they worth an $80 upgrade? That's going to depend on the reader.

Beni is an all-terrain camera robot that was born as a project on Kickstarter, but unlike so many other Kickstarted projects, it's actually really cool. It takes 4K video while autonomously following its subject wherever they go. If you want to get action footage, there's no need to hassle with a tripod or another person: You can control it with a remote, or you can make it follow you. It can also be set to track you from the side or circle you, and you can adjust what it is doing from the app or remote control on the fly, so with minimal effort, there's no limit to the kind of elaborate shots it can pull off. Plus it's adorable. Just look at this little guy:

Credit: Stephen Johnson

Being cute wouldn't matter if Beni was just a gimmick, but the footage it takes is actually really impressive. Check out this clip, which I recorded with no planning of any sort; I just locked Beni's camera on this skater and told it to follow him wherever:

See how smoothly it glides over the uneven concrete? How effortlessly it handles inclines? I even launched it off a huge ramp and it landed on the other side, righted itself, and got back to business.

Here's an example of the kind of footageyou'll get when you put it in "circle you" mode (and again, this was recorded with no prior planning):

The way it just slides under that bench? Come ON. That's just slick.

Yes, Beni is a slightly silly product, but as slightly silly products go, it's pretty inarguably awesome. Here is a short list of things I love about Beni:

• It's super easy-to-use. I got it up and running moments after taking it out of the box and downloading the app. You can easily figure out how it works on the fly.

• It's a multi-terrain robot. You can get an extra set of bigger, beefier wheels, but even with the stock tires, this thing worked great on uneven concrete, grass, and dirt.

• It's rugged. While Beni does have obstacle detection ability, it runs into things a lot anyway, but that's not a problem. Beni can take massive, epic spills, slam into walls, and get kicked by children, and it will right itself and proceed on without a hitch. It's amazing to watch.

• It actually works the way you expect it to. I know that's a low bar to clear, but it's rare for a flashy piece of tech to actually do what it says it promises, and Beni does.

• It's adorable. A lot of work went into making Beni as friendly-looking as possible—it does tricks, blinks its "eyes," responds to gestures, and you can even give him a little baseball cap. Beni's vibe is positive.

• It's great for social interaction. If you have a little robot following you around, people will want to talk to you. I'm not a huge fan of people, but if you want to make friends at the park, this robot will at least open the door.

• It's not as expensive as you might imagine. Beni will run you $750 for the base model, and $899 for the "Explore Combo" with larger wheels, a charging stand, and a little hat. While $750 isn't cheap, for what you get, it's actually a pretty solid deal. Everything costs a fortune now anyway! You deserve a robot.

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How to buy Beni the camera robot

Beni isn't quite ready to make its debut yet. Right now, you can pre-order one on Mondo Robotics site, with a release planned for some time in early November. This is the company's first product, so it's not yet clear if Beni will ever be sold via third-party retailers like Amazon.

Eufy’s Essential 7-Piece Alarm System is down to $269.98 at Amazon from $399.99, a $130 discount that price trackers say is its lowest price ever. The kit includes a HomeBase Mini hub with 64GB of built-in storage, a keypad, four entry sensors, and a motion sensor. That’s enough to cover the front and back doors, a couple of ground-floor windows, and a main hallway in an apartment or smaller house. It also doesn’t require a subscription, so once you’ve paid for the system, you won’t have to worry about ongoing monthly fees.

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With the sensors in place, you’ll get an instant notification through the free Eufy app whenever someone opens a protected door or window, while the motion sensor can detect movement in areas like a living room or hallway. Not everyone in the household needs the app to use the system, though, since the included keypad lets family members or a house sitter arm and disarm it right at the door. Everything connects back to the HomeBase Mini, which serves as the central hub with built-in storage that keeps everything stored locally.

Setting up the system takes minutes, as the battery-powered sensors require no wiring and the app guides you through each step once the HomeBase is plugged in. That said, you will need to replace the sensor batteries periodically, and a larger home with several entrances may require more than the four entry sensors and one motion sensor included in the kit—you can add more Eufy sensors and accessories as needed, but each comes at an extra cost. And if you want to see what triggered an alert, you'll have to purchase compatible cameras separately, since no cameras are included in the package.

DJI may be best known for its drones and camera equipment, but the company has also been expanding into portable power, with the Power 2000 being its most capable standalone power station yet. Essentially a large rechargeable battery, it's designed to provide electricity wherever you might need it, whether that's on a camping trip, at a job site, during an outdoor movie night, or at home when the power goes out. And if you've been considering one for any of those situations, the Power 2000 is currently down to $749.99 from its original $1,299 price, taking nearly $550 off what would otherwise be a fairly expensive investment.

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It's about the size of a carry-on suitcase and weighs close to 50 pounds, so it's not something you'd strap to your back, but it fits easily in a car trunk. The battery itself is built to last, rated for 4,000 charges before it starts losing any noticeable capacity. Performance-wise, DJI says the 2,048Wh capacity can keep a refrigerator running for up to 40 hours during a home power outage, charge a laptop 18 times, or power a projector for 18 hours. Those numbers line up with what you’d expect from a unit this size, and they make it useful for both emergencies and planned outdoor use.

You also get a solid mix of ports—there are three AC outlets, a 30-amp port for heavier appliances or RV setups, multiple USB-C ports (including a 140W option for laptops), and DJI’s own SDC ports for direct drone charging. If you use DJI gear, that alone makes life easier in the field, notes this Mashable review. Recharging is also fast for a battery this size. Plugged into a wall outlet, it can go from empty to full in about 90 minutes. You can also top it up with solar panels or from your car, which makes it workable for longer trips. Rounding out its features is its companion app, which lets you check its battery level from your phone without having to walk over to it, a small thing that turns out to be pretty convenient. Note that this unit has no built-in light, which is something many competing power stations include.

One of Sony’s most popular TVs is the Bravia, launched in summer 2026 and known for being one of the best budget OLED TVs on the market. A top rival to similarly priced options from LG and Samsung, it stands out for its unique hardware and picture processing. Right now, it’s up to 40% off, with the 55-inch Sony Bravia 6 OLED TV down to just $998 (originally $1,499.00). The 65-inch, 77-inch, and 83-inch options are all 40% off. 

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The Bravia 6 supports 120Hz at 4K, DTS:X surround sound, and supports VRR, ALLM, and eARC. It also comes with MediaTek’s latest Pentonic 800 chipset, which supports the TV’s four HDMI 2.1 ports. Most Sony OLEDs (even the brand’s best models) only have two full-bandwidth ports. The tradeoff for the lower price tag is limited brightness, but on the upside, it’s more flexible for gamers due to the input options.

Despite not being as bright as some mid-range models like the Bravia 8, it still has exceptional picture quality, with deep blacks and great contrast, performing well in bright rooms. Dolby Vision support and Google TV give viewers plenty of streaming flexibility. If you’re looking to upgrade to an affordable OLED with lots of input options, pristine colors and black levels, and a seamless user interface, this Sony Bravia 6 OLED TV deal should be on your radar, no matter what size you’re shopping for.

Nothing, the upstart U.K. brand that makes products like phones, smartwatches, and headphones, has quickly become one of my favorite players in tech. Its products offer unique features and designs, and the prices are competitive. For example, right now, Nothing's latest budget over-ear headphones, which were released in October 2025, the CMF Headphone Pros, are just $55 (originally $99). This is a great option for anyone looking to get reasonably priced over-the-ear headphones that punch above their weight when it comes to performance.

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Much like Nothing's CMF Buds Pro 2 earbuds, the CMF Headphone Pros are budget headphones that don't feel like it. They're an affordable alternative to the popular Headphone 1 (currently $199), and seamlessly integrate into the Nothing/CMF ecosystem, which includes smartphones, watches, and other audio products. There is a companion Nothing X app that allows you to customize action buttons, among other things, but the cool thing about these headphones is the control you get without needing the app.

There is a multi-function roller on one side of the headphone that you can roll to adjust volume or press to control the ANC modes, which include adaptive ANC (adjusting cancellation/transparency in real-time) and Spatial Audio (creates an immersive, 3D soundstage for music/movies). On the other side, you'll find an "Energy Slider," which tunes your sound in real-time, instantly adjusting the treble and bass balance.

You'll get an impressive 100 hours of playback on a single charge (reduced to up to 50 hours with ANC turned on) as well as AAC, SBC, and LDAC support. They have an IPX2 rating for resistance against sweat, and there is a 3.5mm audio jack for wired listening.

Nothing is known for its minimalistic design, but these headphones do a bit more by allowing you to mix and match the earcups with different colors (sold separately for $25). These are a good option for those looking for stylish, budget over-ear headphones that have great battery life and excellent audio quality for their price point.

As a headphone reviewer, not many headphones outside of the flagship Sony, Bose, and Apple models get me excited. However, the JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx headphones became the exception to that rule when I started using them over my Sony 1000XM6 as my go-to headphones. And right now, the Tour One M3s are down to $199.95 (originally $449.95), their lowest price ever, according to price-tracking tools. This is a great deal for these headphones, which I deemed my favorite travel headphones in my review.

Adaptive Noise Cancelling, 70 hours (40hrs with ANC on), Hi-Res Audio (3.5mm or USB-C), Spatial 360 sound with Head Tracking

JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx

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Everything from design to the features on the Tour One M3 was made with travel in mind. The headphones are very light, which, along with the comfortable soft earcups and headband, makes them great for wearing for long periods of time. I was able to wear these on a long flight without feeling any discomfort. Feeling like you're not wearing any headphones is the gold standard for comfort, and the Tour One M3 nails that aspect. The battery life is also impressive, with up to 70 hours with ANC off and 40 hours with it on.

The travel case is compact, convenient, and has extra storage for the audio transmitter, which is the best feature of the Tour One M3. This is a high-quality, low-latency audio transmitter. Anything that you can plug an AUX cable, USB, or USB-C port into can stream high-quality, 24-bit audio wirelessly to the Tour One M3. The main way most people will use these headphones is by plugging them into the in-flight entertainment, which lets you watch movies in high-quality LDAC with ANC. But I've also been able to use them to watch TV.

The Tour One M3 Smart Tx are incredible traveling headphones, especially at $199.95, and I recommend them to anyone who values comfort, battery life, simplicity, and likes the idea of the audio transmitter.

Google’s “Health Guardian” feature set rolled out in late September to Pixel Watches 3, 4, and 5, and is now coming to Fitbit Air users in a new update. Google says the new features include reports on your blood pressure trends and on insulin resistance, which is a big claim for a wearable. Here’s what we know about Health Guardian, including how to set it up and what to expect. 

Google Pixel Watch 5 (41mm) - Android Smartwatch - Obsidian - LTE

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Can you really measure insulin resistance with a wearable? 

Credit: Beth Skwarecki

Insulin resistance is associated with type 2 diabetes, and can be an early sign that you are heading toward pre-diabetes or diabetes. When your body’s insulin receptors stop responding as strongly to insulin, you’re more likely to have higher blood glucose. 

Insulin resistance is normally measured with bloodwork. For example, your fasting glucose levels and fasting insulin are combined into a score called HOMA-IR. If you’re concerned about insulin resistance or pre-diabetes, it’s best to talk to an actual healthcare professional to find out what tests they recommend, and what to do with the results. 

The insulin resistance feature coming to Google Health is, Google notes, “not intended for medical purposes” and “not a pre-screener for diabetes.” 

Google published a paper describing some of the testing that went into developing its insulin resistance algorithm. In the study, the researchers had people use their own Fitbits or Pixel Watches to record a variety of metrics, including heart rate, HRV, and activity. It’s not clear from this paper exactly how the algorithm works or whether it’s likely to be useful in a general population, but apparently Google is betting on it being an interesting factor to track in your Google Health app.

Can you really measure blood pressure with a wearable?

Credit: Beth Skwarecki

Google also published a paper on a blood pressure algorithm, although it is not peer-reviewed. Instead of explaining how the algorithm works, it describes how the researchers tried to figure out what their AI-based model might be looking at. According to this paper, Google's model works about as well as clinical blood pressure measurements, but it's not clear how useful it would be in the real world. For example, the study excluded people with heart disease, but I'd imagine plenty of people with heart disease would be interested in their blood pressure scores.

Is Health Guardian free? 

Google said last month in a press release that Health Guardian, which includes insulin resistance and blood pressure trends, is available for free for people who use a Pixel Watch 3, 4, or 5. Fitbit Air users, they added, would get blood pressure and insulin resistance trends “with a Google Health Premium subscription later this year.” "Later" has arrived, as the feature for Fitbit users is in Google Health 5.11, available on both Android and iOS.

So it’s free if you have a Pixel Watch, but not if you only have the Fitbit Air: Google Health Premium is $9.99/month. It’s unclear what happens if you own both devices; presumably, having a Pixel Watch will get you free access. In any case, other devices, including older Fitbits, do not seem to be included. 

How to get Health Guardian’s blood pressure trends and insulin resistance estimates

The Pixel Watch got Health Guardian in the 5.09 release of the Google Health app for Android. The Fitbit got Health Guardian in the 5.11 release for both Android and iOS.

You can set up your blood pressure and insulin resistance tracking as soon as you get the new version of the Google Health app. I was able to set up insulin tracking by going to the health tab and then tapping Metabolic, and I set up blood pressure under Heart. If you go to Respiratory, you can also set up sleep-breathing quality. (Some European users will get a feature that can call for help in a "breathing emergency," but that is not available in the U.S.)

Google said that the insulin and blood pressure features will give you a monthly report on the first of each month, with the first report coming Oct. 1, if you have given the watch enough data in the previous month. If you're a Fitbit user and are just setting up the feature now, you'll get your first report on Nov. 1. Here is what the app requires:

• For blood pressure reports: You need to wear the watch for five consecutive days in the previous month (so, in October to get your November report). You don't have to wear the watch at night.

• For insulin resistance: You need to wear the watch for seven days and nights in the previous month, but they don't need to be consecutive.

How well does Health Guardian work?

I set up both features as soon as I got the update for the Pixel Watch, but that timeline didn't allow me a full seven days and nights before the October report. That means I don't have an insulin resistance result. I do have my blood pressure trend result: "Not High." As a reminder, a watch cannot know your actual blood pressure, so the watch is making estimates based on data that may not correspond with your actual blood pressure. That said, my blood pressure tends to read in the normal range at doctors' visits, so at least this wasn't surprising.

What's more confusing is what you're actually supposed to do about the results. If your watch says your blood pressure or insulin are fine, would you delay seeking care or abandon a treatment or lifestyle change that was supposed to help you? If your watch says something is wrong, would you believe that and maybe spend unnecessary time and money getting checked out? Pixel Watch users are discussing their results online, with a variety of reactions. One redditor says: "I awoke to find out that my blood pressure is too high and apparently the insulin in my body does nothing. This despite that my most recent doctor's visit and blood work were all perfectly normal." Another said: "I got this high insulin result this morning. I have really changed my diet the last four months and I have been going to the gym regularly. I have lost about 40 pounds this year. It's a bummer to see this. I just wonder if it's accurate." I wonder that, too.

Stephen King’s Carrie is one of those endlessly rebootable stories. Way back in 1974, King zeroed in on a near-perfect horror setup that explored being othered, the emotional and mental health consequences of bullying, and just how crappy being a teen girl can be in the modern world. Those themes—and the iconic visuals King conjured with his words—are evergreen, and resonate with audiences each time the story gets rebooted. Mike Flanagan has proved himself a master of horror and a clear successor to King’s legacy in the genre, and if you thought his Carrie reboot on Prime Video was terrific (and you’ve watched all the similar series out there), you should really watch Jennifer’s Body.

Why Jennifer’s Body is the movie to watch if you loved Carrie

Carrie and Jennifer’s Body share a lot of themes—the corrosive pressure of high school, the casual cruelty of adolescents, the explosive power of feminine anger. While Jennifer Check (Megan Fox) is superficially presented as having more power and control than Carrie White (Summer H. Howell) because she’s more self-possessed (and played by Megan Fox), underneath the hair and makeup, Jennifer is just as naive and confused as Carrie. Both girls endure horrific experiences that set them on a path to horrific violence—and those experiences are symbolic of what women everywhere have to deal with all the damn time.

Just as in Carrie, Jennifer’s Body tracks a teen girl’s descent into monstrousness—but where Carrie leans into the tragic nature of those themes, Jennifer’s Body offers a funnier, more sarcastic take buoyed by Diablo Cody’s sharp dialogue and laugh-out-loud moments. The series highlights Carrie’s suffocating home life that offers her no relief from the grinding hell of being a 16-year-old girl who doesn’t quite fit the expected physical or behavioral norms imposed on teen girls, tracing a slow boil of rage. Jennifer’s Body depicts a character who ultimately chooses the dark path, leaning into her newfound destructive power, and has more fun with it, making it the perfect complement to the series.

Although the stories take different paths to get there, they both wind up at a cathartic and bloody climax centered on a school dance, where a lot of people die and chaos reigns. The film is the perfect way to examine, from a different angle, the themes that Carrie explores. Stream Jennifer’s Body on Hulu or rent it on Prime Video.

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More movies if you enjoyed Carrie

Looking for more stories about angry teen girls teaching society a terrifying lesson? Here are a few more films that make a perfect pairing with Carrie.

Carrie (1976)

It’s been 50 years since Brian De Palma adapted King’s novel for the first time, and it’s still worth watching today, especially if you enjoyed Flanagan’s modern take. What could have been a trashy horror movie designed to cash in on the book’s success is instead a well-crafted film that makes every character feel real and consequential, and Sissy Spacek’s performance as Carrie is screen-meltingly amazing. Few horror films have aged this well, and watching a different creator’s vision of the story will be well worth your time. Rent Carrie on Prime Video.

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The Craft (1996)

If Carrie’s cathartic presentation of female rage and teen angst is what hooked you, the most relevant movie to jump to is The Craft. The story of four high school girls who harness dark powers to take revenge on, well, high school life itself is anchored by four feral performances from Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True. Like Jennifer’s Body, the teen protagonists enthusiastically embrace their power in a way that Carrie White doesn’t, but it transforms (and destroys them) just the same. Rent The Craft on Prime Video.

The Craft (1996)

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The Innocents (2021)

One reason Carrie is terrifying in all its forms? The very idea of a child with an imperfect grasp of ethics and an immature emotional state having thermonuclear-level psychic powers. After all, teenage girls without powers can be terrifying when triggered. The Innocents focuses on sisters Ida (Rakel Lenora Petersen Fløttum) and Anna (Alva Brynsmo Ramstad), who meet Ben (Sam Ashraf) and Aisha (Mina Yasmin Bremseth Asheim), who both demonstrate powers including telekinesis and mind control. Their interaction soon reveals that Anna also has mental powers, and the four begin working to enhance their capabilities—but when one of them begins using their powers to hurt others and seek revenge, things take a dark turn that fans of Carrie will appreciate. Stream The Innocents on Kanopy or rent it on Prime Video.

The Innocents (2021)

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Sissy (2022)

Anyone who was ever bullied in the teen years (so ... everyone) knows that those wounds never quite heal. That’s one aspect of Carrie’s power, and it’s also what makes Sissy an ideal movie to watch when you’ve finished the series. A mental health influencer, Cecilia (Aisha Dee)—once known as “Sissy”—runs into her old best friend, Emma (Hannah Barlow) and is unexpectedly invited to Emma’s bachelorette weekend—only to run into her childhood tormentor, Alex (Emily De Margheriti). The old trauma hits Cecilia like a bomb, shattering her fragile mental balance and leading to a surprisingly funny series of murders as Sissy works through her lingering anger issues. Stream Sissy on Hoopla or Tubi, or rent it on Prime Video.

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Doctor Sleep (2019)

If you’re a Mike Flanagan and Stephen King superfan, the obvious movie choice is their other collab, Doctor Sleep. A sequel to one of the most famous horror stories of all time (The Shining), the story finds a middle-aged Danny Torrance (Ewan McGregor) struggling to control his psychic powers, and leading the fight against an ancient group of entities that feed off of people like him. If you want more of that Flanagan/King magic, this is the right move. Rent Doctor Sleep on Prime Video.

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Following the events of WandaVision (and, slightly more tangentially, Agatha All Along), VisionQuest returns to the story of Marvel's favorite synthic being, an artificial creation who fights supervillains and ponders the nature of his own existence, rather than more typical AI pursuits like creating deep fakes.

White Vision (the character, not the political agenda) is a copy of the Vision who died two Avengers movies ago. He's living within his own mind on a fantasy country estate while on the run from bounty hunters and in pursuit of his semi-fictional son. In that spirit, here are 10 more science fiction shows that involve artificial people and/or elaborate constructed realities.

Humans (2015 – 2018)

In the near-future world, highly advanced “synths” are commonplace, doing the work that regular humans can’t be bothered with. These beings are treated as entirely disposable sources of cheap labor, despite their apparent burgeoning humanity. The first season introduces the Hawkins family, who buy (on sale) a domestic servant synth named Anita (Gemma Chan); mom Laura is a little uncomfortable with the arrangement, especially when she finds her husband having sex with Anita, who has her own complicated backstory. Humans interrogates the ways humans always seem to find excuses to dehumanize others, which is just the type of thing that sci-fi is pretty great at. Stream Humans on Peacock, Prime Video, and Tubi.

Humans (2015 – 2018)

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Murderbot (2025 – )

One of the smartest recent shows is a dark comedy based on the Hugo-Award winning book series by Martha Wells. Alexander Skarsgård is the title's hilariously deadpan robot, a private "security construct" who's managed to hack its way through its own programming and gain free will—which it mostly wants to use to binge its favorite streaming shows. It can't just run off for fear of drawing attention, but the self-named Murderbot (it's being ironic, kinda) is content to do the bare minimum when it's assigned to a team of naive hippie researchers who don't see the need for a killer security robot—at least, not until they're enmeshed in a complicated capitalist plot in which they're all just cogs. Stream Murderbot on Apple TV.

Murderbot (2025 – )

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Demascus (2025)

From playwright Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm (Hooded: Or Being Black for Dummies), this show stars Okieriete Onaodowan as the title character, an inhabitant of an alternate present who is turning 33 and pursuing therapy for the first time. He's offered the chance to use DIRT (Digital Immersive Reality Therapy), in which he can visit and view other versions of himself, as long as he doesn't interfere. Which, of course, he does, with results that are sometimes poignant and sometimes funny. Hard to believe that this clever show almost wound up in the bin, a victim of that stupid moment a couple of years ago when streamers and studios were shelving otherwise great projects for tax reasons. No robots here, but a human exploring a complex world inside his own head. Stream Demascus on Tubi.

Demascus (2025)

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Alice in Borderland (2020 – )

In this more darkly dangerous vision of a virtual world, video-game-obsessed Arisu gets his wish, after a fashion; he finds himself, along with a couple of friends, transported to an alternate, eerily abandoned version of Tokyo—the title’s Borderland—vividly brought to life via clever green screen work. The three are directed to an arena and given the instructions for the game, which they’ll be playing whether they want to or not. The first competition involves a locked-room-style puzzle; if they fail, the room goes up in flames with them in it—think Ready Player One, with deadlier stakes. There are games each night, though the rules allow for winners to get time off. There are a lot of rules, actually, but the games are cleverly and sadistically constructed. Stream Alice in Borderland on Netflix.

Alice in Borderland (2020 – )

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Legion (2017 – 2019)

Though ostensibly an X-Men spinoff, this phantasmagoric show from Noah Hawley (Fargo, Alien: Earth) stands entirely on its own, taking place largely inside the headspace of a deeply troubled man. Dan Stevens plays David Haller, diagnosed with schizophrenia and possessed of tremendous psychic abilities. In one of the many psychiatric hospitals to which he's been committed, he meets first the free-wheeling Lenny (Aubrey Plaza) and then Syd (Rachel Keller), who can trade bodies with anyone she touches. Veering in and out of trippy astral planes and deeply damaged psyches, David soon comes to realize that he's not crazy—and also that he's probably not the hero of the story, even as he's caught between the authorities who'd like to use him for his power and the Shadow King who's been haunting his mind since childhood. Stream Legion on Hulu.

Legion (2017 – 2019)

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Mrs. Davis (2023)

Just a science fiction action comedy about a nun married to literal Jesus on a quest to save the world from the title's artificial intelligence by finding the Holy Grail alongside her ex-boyfriend. So, yeah, there’s a lot going on in Mrs. Davis—sometimes a little too much, but the show gets major points for ambition. Betty Gilpin holds everything together as Sister Simone, playing it straight in an extremely over-the-top world. It’s refreshing to see a show that’s so unafraid to take big swings, and it works much more often than it should. Though it was cancelled after one season, it ends reasonably well, and, like co-creator Damon Lindelof’s HBO series Watchmen, would probably be best served by remaining a one-and-done. Stream Mrs. Davis on Peacock.

Mrs. Davis (2023)

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Upload (2020 – 2025)

A charming comedy-drama set in a science fiction world, Robbie Amell stars as Nathan Brown, a young computer programmer who's also recently deceased. In the future of 2033, humans have the option of having their consciousnesses uploaded into virtual worlds post-mortem and Nathan's is chosen for him by his rich and rather possessive girlfriend. The exclusive afterlife setting of Lakeview is stifling, as is the fact that said girlfriend has a say in his perpetual existence. He's on the brink of despair until he strikes up a friendship with Nora (Andy Allo), his very-much-alive customer service rep. Stream Upload on Prime Video and Hulu.

Upload (2020 – 2025)

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Person of Interest (2011 – 2016)

Think Minority Report, but with artificial intelligence standing in for the three naked, hairless precogs in a tub. Michael Emerson plays Harold Finch, a reclusive billionaire who designs and codes a system (called only the “Machine”) that collates enough information from global sources to predict terrorist acts and identify potential perpetrators (the show prompting the question: what if the world’s richest person wasn’t completely useless?). While operating on a surface level as the kind of CBS police procedural your parents love, the show (from Westworld creator Jonathan Nolan) asks fairly smart questions about free will and privacy, even as it generally leans on the safety > liberty side of the argument. It's not a superhero show, but, like VisionQuest, this offers up a picture of a world in which a crime-fighting AI might be put to better use than spying on protesters and stalking exes. Stream Person of Interest on Prime Video and Peacock.

Person of Interest (2011 – 2016)

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Westworld (2016 – 2022)

Tricky to recommend, given that the show's four seasons saw a period of decline followed by a cancellation just when it was getting really good again—however, when Westworld was cooking (as in its addictive first season), there was nothing else like it on television. Set, initially, in a high-tech, near-future amusement park designed to appeal to wealthy clientele, the show finds the lifelike androids created to service the guests gradually waking up to their disposability. In the best tradition of sci-fi, this one's less about AI than it is about a world of disposable beings existing purely at the whim, and for the amusement of, the ultra-wealthy. Which is definitely not a 100% relatable metaphor. Buy Westworld from Prime Video.

Westworld (2016 – 2022)

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WandaVision (2021)

You've likely seen this one if you're watching VisionQuest, but it's worth mentioning as not only a fairly essential preface, but also one of the best (and most distinctive) bits of Marvel media...ever? (Agatha All Along is also great, but less essential to Vision's narrative). At least initially, WandaVision confused dedicated Marvel fans as much as noobs, making it a unique on-ramp, even if it does have many threads connected to the broader superhero universe. Its story of a grieving witch living out her sitcom fantasies is an impressive swing into the surreal, well worth it if you’re content to go along for a weird and surprisingly emotional ride. Stream WandaVision on Disney+.

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Use the Keep integration to coordinate group events directly in Google Messages

Google Messages recently got a Google Keep integration, which allows group chat participants to collaborate on notes and checklists directly in the message thread without having to click over to a separate app. This also centralizes ideas in one place rather than spread across a thread with dozens of separate text messages. Changes to Keep Notes sync automatically for all users. Tap the plus icon in the message compose bar in Google Messages, select Keep Notes, and either choose an existing note or tap to create a new one to be shared in the chat.

Turn on advanced scam detection to protect against security threats

Over the last few years, Google has rolled out a number of security features for identifying and defending against scams and fraud spread via calls and text messages. These work by detecting suspected spam and either preventing it from being delivered or hiding it in a separate folder, as well as flagging suspicious links. A newer opt-in enhanced protection mode for Google Messages uses AI to catch more complex threats and alert you if a conversation or unfamiliar link that looks legit might put you at risk. Standard protection is on by default, but you can turn on enhanced protection under Messages settings > Protection & Safety > Spam and scam protection.

Use scheduled send to draft texts while maintaining good boundaries

If you have an idea you want to write down but not send immediately—because it's outside of work hours or late at night—you can draft it in Google Messages and schedule it for later. "Send later" features in messaging and chat apps are useful for maintaining good boundaries without having to remember to type and send at a different time. Once you've entered your message in the text field, touch and hold Send, choose from the suggested actions, then tap Send again.

Customize swipe actions for Google Messages inbox triage

Swiping left or right on your conversations in Google Messages will either archive or delete them. You can customize which swipe maps onto which action for quick inbox triaging or disable one or both to prevent accidentally triggering an unwanted action. Tap your profile photo > Message settings > Swipe actions > Customize to select your preferences.

Star messages to save important data to an aggregated list

Google Messages has a pinning feature that will anchor conversations at the top of your message history, but you can also star important messages you want to save and return to later. Starring makes it easy to keep track of data like flight information, contacts, or dates that might otherwise get lost in a thread or be difficult to pull up in a basic search—starred messages have their own search filter. Simply tap and hold the message and tap Star at the top, then go to Search conversations > Starred > More options > Starred to see your list of saved messages.

Turn on temporary snooze to silence group chats during live events you're not watching

We've all been in the overactive group chat that we don't want to see notifications from in real time but also don't want to leave. You can snooze threads semi-permanently, but you can also turn on a temporary snooze that will lift so notifications restart after a short period of time. This can be useful for threads discussing live events or games you will be catching up on later or if you need silence during a focused work period. Touch and hold the conversation, tap Snooze, then select your duration and tap Snooze to confirm. You can choose from 1 hour, 8 hours, 24 hours, or always.

Use Mass Text to send BCC messages and receive individual replies

Google Messages has two group chat modes. Group MMS is your typical group text—it sends a single message to all recipients, and everyone receives replies in the thread. Mass Text, by contrast, is like BCC. This sends your message to each user individually, and replies come only to the original sender. Using this mode allows you to share information with a bunch of people at once without creating the dreaded reply-all thread. You can change your default group messaging settings via profile > Message settings > Advanced > Group messaging.

Enable real-time location sharing when you need someone to know you're safe

Google Messages finally launched integrated real-time location sharing earlier this year, which allows you to send your live whereabouts to trusted contacts directly in a message thread. Location sharing makes it easier to coordinate meeting up or let someone know where you are if there are any safety concerns. You can set a limited duration or leave location sharing on indefinitely for specific contacts. Open a conversation and tap Attachment > Real-time location

Use "Delete for Everyone" to remove messages you accidentally sent

You don't have to live with the embarrassment of sending a text in error with Google Messages—at least not if you catch the mistake quickly. Google Messages has a "Delete for everyone" function that can remove sent messages from the devices of users who are running the latest version of the app. Conversations must be using RCS for this to work, and you have only a limited window—anywhere from 15 to 40 minutes, according to support documentation—to use the feature before your messages are permanent. Long-press a message to pull up available delete options.

Log into the web interface to use Google Messages on your computer

If you want to stay on top of your text threads but get distracted by other things every time you pick up your phone, you can log into the Google Messages web interface on your browser. This also makes it easier to send photos and files from your computer via Google Messages without having to transfer them to your phone first.

In a crowded market of over-ear noise-canceling headphones, it can be tricky to find a pair with a distinctive style that stands out from the rest. Enter the retro-futuristic line of statement-making Nothing headphones. One of the brand’s popular pairs, the Nothing Headphone (1), is 33% off and down to $199 (originally $299), marking a record-low price.

Nothing Headphone (1)

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$299.00 Save $100.00

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The Nothing Headphone (1) pairs spatial head tracking audio with adaptive ANC, providing up to 80 hours of playback with ANC off and 35 hours with ANC on. A five-minute charge delivers up to five hours of playback, though this figure will vary based on volume and feature use. The headphones support Bluetooth multipoint, high-resolution LDAC, AAC, and SBC, but can also be played through a 3.5mm or USB-C cable. Volume is controlled using a scroll wheel, while pressable controls let you skip tracks. PCMag notes in their review that despite how distinctive the controls are, they’re easy to use.

Sound is adjustable using the presets and advanced equalizer in the Nothing app, and the ANC is reliable at neutralizing background noise. If you still want to remain aware of your surroundings, you can turn on transparency mode. Despite the unusual rectangular shape of the outer earcups, they’re round on the inside with ample padding and have an IP52 rating that can handle light splashes—but otherwise shouldn’t get wet.

While you can get stronger audio and ANC, you’ll be hard-pressed to find it at the $200 price point, often having to jump into the $400 range for premium options from Sony or Bose. Still, if you don’t mind fiddling with the EQ and your priorities are a cool-looking aesthetic and plush, sizable earcups, the Nothing Headphone (1) is worth considering.

One option is to move to the company's new AI-focused Dia browser, though there are other (potentially better) choices depending on what you're looking for. Most data from Arc—including Spaces, Favorites, pinned tabs, and folders as well as passwords, bookmarks, extensions, and history—will transition automatically over to Dia, but if you're switching to a different platform entirely, you'll need to take what you can with you before Dec. 22.

How to export your Arc data to a new browser

Officially, Arc supports exporting Spaces and tabs only, and the resulting Export.md plain-text file is simply a list of links that you can open and bookmark in your new browser. MacOS users can initiate this process via Arc > Settings > Advanced > Export Data and saving the file to a preferred location. On Windows, open the Arc menu, select Settings, and go to Export Spaces and tabs > Export Data.

To simply copy and paste every link from one folder, right-click the folder, select Copy All Links, and paste them wherever you'd like (select Copy All Links as Markdown to keep link titles on macOS). You can also save Easels as images by tapping the share icon > Share Via... and selecting PNG.

There's no formal process to export other Arc data. If you saved logins in Arc, now is a good time to start moving credentials over to a different platform. (Our top picks for password managers aren't tied to a single browser.)

There are a few alternatives to Arc's official export process, which is highly manual and doesn't keep your folder structure intact. There are several third-party scripts available (for free) that can facilitate the transition as well as a paid extension called ArcEscape that can export folders and pinned tabs and import into another browser. The extension is available for Chrome, Edge, Brave, Vivaldi, and Firefox. According to Arc's FAQ, all user accounts will be deactivated on Dec. 22, and personal data will be deleted within 30 days of deactivation.

Amazon has dropped the price of a Blink bundle that pairs the Outdoor 2K+ camera with the Wired Doorbell 2K+ to $38.99 from $149.98—a 74% discount that makes it an affordable way to monitor both your front door and another area around your home, like the driveway or backyard. Blink also includes the Sync Module Core, batteries, and mounting hardware in the package, so there isn't much else you need to get started. Just keep in mind that the doorbell is the wired version, so you'll need existing doorbell wiring to install it. And if you don’t need 2K resolution for the outdoor camera, there’s another bundle for $30.99 that pairs the same 2K video doorbell with the previous generation Blink Outdoor 4, which records in 1080p.

with Wired Video Doorbell 2K+

Blink Outdoor 2K+

$38.99 at Amazon

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$38.99 at Amazon

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with Wired Video Doorbell 2K+

Blink Outdoor 4

$30.99 at Amazon

$129.98 Save $98.99

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SEE -1 MORE

The camera runs on two AA lithium batteries, with Blink estimating up to two years of battery life under typical use and battery-efficient settings—your actual runtime will depend on how often the camera records and the settings you choose. Speaking of, video tops out at 2,560 by 1,440 resolution, and the camera has a 135-degree diagonal field of view, so one unit should cover a typical porch or driveway without requiring particularly precise placement. You also get two-way audio, motion alerts, and night viewing, meaning it covers the basics you would expect from an outdoor security camera.

You should know that some of Blink’s smarter features, including AI-generated descriptions of recorded events, require a paid plan—and cloud clip storage does, too. Plans start at $3.99 per month for one camera, while AI features cost more, so the ongoing expense can add up if you want the full experience. The cameras also fit best into an Alexa-based home because they work with Alexa and IFTTT but not Apple HomeKit or Google Home, notes this PCMag review.

Roborock’s Qrevo 2 Pro robot vacuum and mop is down to $649.98 at Amazon (regularly $899.99)—a $250 discount that brings it to its lowest price ever, according to price trackers—making it a solid mid-range option for homes with a mix of carpets and hard floors. Its 25,000Pa suction is designed to pick up everything from crumbs and dust to pet hair, while the anti-tangle brushes help keep long hair from wrapping around the rollers. More importantly, it automatically detaches its mop heads at the dock before vacuuming carpets, so you don't have to worry about damp rugs as it moves between different floor types.

Roborock Qrevo 2 Pro (2026) Robot Vacuum and Mop

$649.98 at Amazon

$899.99 Save $250.01

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As for how well it cleans, its mopping performance is excellent, with its maximum water flow and cleaning settings managing to lift even dried-on ketchup, though this mode is slow and leaves floors fairly wet. Vacuuming is generally good, too, especially on carpets. That said, you'll want to consider the clearance beneath your furniture, as the LiDAR sensor mounted on top gives this robot vacuum a relatively tall profile that prevents it from reaching under low furniture.

That limitation aside, much of the day-to-day upkeep is handled by the multifunctional dock, which automatically empties the dustbin, refills the robot’s water tank, washes the mop heads, and dries them with warm air. You'll still need to refill the dock's clean water tank, empty the wastewater, and replace the dust bags periodically, but that's considerably less hands-on work than maintaining a basic robot vacuum and mop. And to give you more control over the Qrevo 2 Pro, the Roborock app lets you map individual rooms, set no-go zones, and schedule targeted cleaning, while support for Alexa, Google Home, and Matter allows you to integrate it into your existing smart home setup.

Google may use content from Google apps to influence targeted ads

As Android Authority reports, Google typically doesn't personalize ads based on content from Drive, Gmail, or Google Photos by default. However, the policy now makes these data available for that purpose if you've connected these apps to other Google services—like Personal Intelligence—that do support personalized ads. Personal Intelligence is the opt-in Gemini feature launched earlier this year that links with other Google apps to give you more tailored, contextual responses in Gemini and Google Search's AI Mode.

While this level of personalization can be useful, the privacy policy loophole means that content you don't explicitly share in search or AI interactions could still be used to inform which ads you're served. Google's privacy policy still states that it does not share personally identifiable information with advertisers, and the company has also said that it doesn't scan your inbox, photos, and files and that ads will not be based "directly on your Gmail inbox or Photos library." It's not clear how the company will handle the mismatch, but if you're at all concerned, you can choose to disconnect those apps from Personal Intelligence.

You can disconnect Google apps from Personal Intelligence

Personal Intelligence is opt-in by default, but as Ars Technica points out, users are presented with opportunities to enable this feature and connect apps to it without realizing it or understanding the potential consequences of doing so.

You can check whether any of your Google content apps are connected to Personal Intelligence and disable them if you'd prefer. In your Google Account, tap Data & Privacy. Under Personalization & activity, select Personalization settings, then click Manage Personalized Recommendations in Search Services. Select Connected Content Apps under Additional Personal Intelligence and disconnect any apps you don't want granted access.

Maybe this is the year your spouse finally wants to ditch physical books and embrace the e-reader; or maybe you want to help make your parent's home a little smarter. As the gift-giving season approaches, Lifehacker's staff of tech experts and product reviewers has selected our Gift of the Year winners across 15 categories. From smartphones, tablets, and e-readers to fitness trackers, gaming equipment, power tools, and more, these are the items we think are the most gift-worthy in 2026.

And while you're shopping, Lifehacker's sibling brands have also selected unique products for their own Gift of the Year awards. See their best-in-class gift selections for this holiday season at CNET, PCMag, Mashable, ZDNET, and Popular Science.

Best Smartphone Gift of the Year: iPhone 17e

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Apple iPhone 17e

$699.99 at Best Buy

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If you’re buying a smartphone for someone on your list, you have no shortage of options. But for most giftees out there, the iPhone 17e is the best choice. This isn’t the best iPhone, but that’s the point. For a starting price of $699, you get an iPhone with a high-quality display, a solid single rear camera, and Apple’s A19 chip, the second-best processor the company currently makes. You sacrifice some features here, like a high-refresh-rate display, higher-quality cameras, and a faster USB-C port, but those things won’t matter to most. The majority of us want an iPhone that can take great photos, send iMessages, take FaceTime calls, and run our favorite apps. The 17e can do that, without the exorbitant price tags of Apple’s more premium iPhones. If your giftee needs an Android, that’s a different conversation, but for Apple fans, or the platform-agnostic in your life, the 17e makes a great smartphone gift.

Best Tablet Gift of the Year: iPad (A16)

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Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025)

$399.00 at Best Buy

$449.00 Save $50.00

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Apple’s best iPad for most people is the one simply called the “iPad.” This tablet, sometimes called the “iPad A16” or “iPad (11th generation),” comes with all the features you’d expect from an Apple tablet. It has a solid 11-inch display, Apple’s A16 chip to run iPadOS 27, a camera on the back for scanning documents and light photography, a camera on the front for video calls, and the option to use an Apple Pencil if you wish. It’s compatible with all of the apps on the App Store, and it can handle almost every iPadOS feature Apple makes—minus Apple Intelligence, but that might be a perk for some. While it’s far from Apple’s best iPad, it’s really the best for most people—that’s why it’s our pick for the best tablet to gift.

Best E-Reader Gift of the Year: Xteink X4 Pro

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XTEINK X4 Pro 4.3" ebook Reader with Front Light & Touchscreen, Space Black

$99.00 at Amazon

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$99.00 at Amazon

Our pick for the year's most desirable gift for readers isn't one of Amazon's slick new Kindles, but a tiny, 4.3-inch Chinese import that can pack hundreds of books into a device not much bigger than your library card. The Xteink X4 Pro may have a funny name and a form factor that suggests an e-reader left too long in the dryer, but it's packed with features, including a touchscreen and a temperature-adjustable front light, that belie its $99 list price ($50 less than the cheapest Kindle). Sure, there's a learning curve involved (the native firmware is merely fine, but easily replaced with a crowdsourced alternative developed by a community of online fans), and it won't work with your existing library of Kindle books. But once you've gotten it set up, you'll realize its biggest benefit: It's small enough to fit into any pocket—or even magnetically attach to the back of your phone—so you can easily carry it with you everywhere, and read instead of doomscrolling. After all, the best e-reader is the one you actually use.

Best Headphone Gift of the Year: Sony ULT WEAR Wireless Headphones

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Sony ULT Wear

$129.95 at Amazon

$229.98 Save $100.03

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$129.95 at Amazon

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Picking headphones for someone can be tricky. Some people love long battery life; others are just looking for whatever pair offers the most features. At the end of the day, price is what sets the best headphones apart from the rest. However, there is one outlier that offers a great value for the money and does well enough in most categories to make most people feel like they're upgrading: the Sony ULT WEAR headphones. At their new low price, there is no other pair of headphones that offers better quality active noise cancellation, app experience, comfort, battery life, and audio quality with LDAC support for Android devices. Not to mention the ULT button, which has two levels of extra bass that will have heads rattling like they're front row at a concert.

Best Smartwatch Gift of the Year: Apple Watch SE 3

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Apple Watch SE 3 GPS 40mm Smartwatch

$239.99 at Amazon

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$239.99 at Amazon

If you’re looking to buy a smartwatch for someone in your life and you know they don’t have any strong preferences going in, the Apple Watch SE is likely the best choice for you. It might not be Apple’s most powerful smartwatch, nor does it have the biggest, brightest display, but it does just about everything you’d expect an Apple Watch to do. It pings you with your iPhone notifications, tracks workouts and sleep, and lets you send and receive texts. It has the previous-generation S10 chip, which is plenty of power for watchOS (including Apple Intelligence), and Apple should support it for years to come. You can spend more to get more features on watches like the Series 12 or Ultra 4, but for most, the SE is all the Apple Watch you’ll ever need. And, if your giftee wants the cellular option, the SE can connect to 5G, just like Apple's more expensive watches.

Best Smartglasses Gift of the Year: XReal xbx a01

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XReal xbx a01 Smart Glasses

$299.00

$359.00 Save $60.00

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$299.00

$359.00 Save $60.00

These relatively inexpensive display-style glasses have that Christmas morning "woah" factor: Once the recipient plugs them into any device with USB-C video, they will instantly see a virtual display that's the equivalent of a 147-inch TV at 1080p. They’re particularly good for frequent travelers and dorm-dwellers who can’t agree on what to watch, but really, they're for anyone on your list who likes to play games, watch movies, or use their computer. (So, basically everyone.)

Best Smart Home Device Gift of the Year: Amazon Echo Dot Max

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Echo Dot Max Speaker With Built-in Home Hub (Graphite)

$119.99 at Amazon

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$119.99 at Amazon

Buying a smart home gift is a tall order. There are so many different categories to choose from, and, within each, there are many considerations to keep in mind, like platform compatibility, feature set, and price. That’s why I think the Amazon Echo Dot Max is the best smart home gift of 2026. It supports a variety of smart home platforms, including Zigbee, Matter, Thread, and Alexa. That way, your giftee can likely connect the Echo Dot Max to most, if not all, of their existing smart home devices, as well as future devices they may pick up. It’s also one of Amazon’s better smart speakers: It isn’t as small as the Echo Dot, so it’s able to fill your room with sound, but it’s also not as expensive as the Echo Studio. It’s a great balance at this price, considering the versatility it offers as a smart home hub.

Best Gaming Equipment Gift of the Year: Steam Deck

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Steam Deck

$854.99 at Amazon

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$854.99 at Amazon

No single gift will please every gamer, but the Steam Deck comes close. This device blurs all the lines in gaming: It’s a PC that’s the size of a handheld, and it plugs into your television like a console. Fans of gaming on the go will love the portability and the touchscreen. Console gamers will love the friendly user interface, thumbstick controllers, and finally getting the chance to play “PC exclusive” games. PC gamers will love being able to move away from their desks and play video games on the couch or at a bus stop for a change. The Steam Deck is a win-win-win.

Best Home Entertainment Gift of the Year: Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K

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Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K

$459.99 at Amazon

$544.99 Save $85.00

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$459.99 at Amazon

$544.99 Save $85.00

You’re probably not going to buy someone a new TV for the holidays, but you can buy the media-hound on your list a gadget to make the TV they already own even better. Enhancing your watching and gaming is the mission of the Philips Hue Play Sync Box. It’s a middleman between a TV and HDMI gear like consoles or streaming boxes that analyzes video signals in real time and tells the connected smart light strip (as well as other compatible smart lights) to match what's on screen. This is great for making gaming more immersive, and it also improves just watching TV by projecting colors behind the set that complement the visuals. The result is the illusion of a larger screen and a very cool special effect.

Best Home Gym Equipment Gift of the Year: PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells

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PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells (Pair, 5-50lb)

$399.99 at Amazon

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$399.99 at Amazon

If you work out at home, investing in some adjustable dumbbells is a no-brainer, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a "best home dumbbells" list without the PowerBlock Elite Adjustable Dumbbells near the top. The futuristic cubic look is stylish, but more importantly, it's a seriously economical, space-saving design—which is the whole point of going adjustable over a traditional rack of individual weights. The weights have flat edges so you can hold them on end on your lap, and unlike a lot of adjustable models, they're compact enough that they won’t bump into each other on shoulder or chest presses.

Best Health and Fitness Tracker Gift of the Year: Fitbit Air

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Fitbit Air

$99.99 at Amazon

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$99.99 at Amazon

Fitness trackers come in many forms, including watches, rings, and smart bands. I have favorites in every category, but when it comes to the overall best fitness tracker for most people, the Fitbit Air is the clear winner. It does all the essentials without a subscription, including step tracking, sleep tracking, and automatic workout detection. Its battery lasts a week, and your giftee will have the option to either use the new Google Health app (which I mostly like) or bypass it and use a third-party app like Bevel. More importantly, it's a fraction of the cost of any other tracker out there, so it's a lot more likely to fit your gifting budget than something like an Oura ring.

Best Digital Subscription Gift of the Year: Bespoke Post

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Bespoke Post Membership

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If you gift a subscription to Bespoke Post, you’re giving the chance to open a different gift every month, like Christmas is lasting all year. Unlike some hyper-niche gift services, Bespoke Post lets users customize their loot boxes: One month, they can choose an outdoorsy vibe, and the next, go for a high-end coffee collection. They can even skip a month if they don’t like what’s on offer. This is an essential gift subscription for anyone buying a present for a hard-to-shop-for dude.

Best Power Tool Gift of the Year: Makita 18V LXT Cordless Drill and Driver Set

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Makita XT296SMR 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 2-Pc. Combo Kit (2.0Ah/4.0Ah)

$299.00 at Amazon

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$299.00 at Amazon

Makita invented cordless drills in 1978, and it has been known for making quality drills ever since. Its new 18-volt LXT combo set is even better than its predecessors because it has a longer battery life with improvements to motor control, overheating, and dust and particulates. The drill has about 70% more power than previous models, allowing you to drill into tough materials like pressure-treated lumber more easily, and the impact driver has a three-speed control, allowing you to adjust the power to match the material you’re driving fasteners into. Since a drill and driver are the foundation of a cordless tool kit, this set, which offers better battery life and more power, stands out—it comes with two batteries, a charger, and a tool bag.

Best Kitchen Appliance Gift of the Year: Our Place Wonder Oven

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Our Place Wonder Oven

$185.00 at Amazon

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Buying a kitchen gift can be challenging because our kitchens are so personal—some of us know what a braiser is, and some of us keep shoes in our ovens. No matter who you’re shopping for, the Our Place Wonder Oven is the perfect gift. This countertop appliance combines six functions into one stylish unit with a small footprint. If the recipient has a small kitchen, they will love it for its compact nature and for the way it replaces at least three other countertop appliances (a toaster, an air fryer, and a convection oven), clearing space. If the person on your shopping list is an accomplished cook or always busy feeding a family, they’ll love it because it makes preparing fast, casual, and healthy meals a breeze without having to fire up that six-burner behemoth and use 16 pans. It can air-fry, bake, roast, toast, broil, and reheat with aplomb, and it sports an amazing steam infusion feature that makes everything come out moist—even those undated leftovers you pulled out of the freezer in desperation. It also comes with everything you’ll need to start cooking: a wire rack, air fry basket, bake pan, and crumb tray are all included. Did we mention it just looks cool?

Best Tech Gift of the Year for Under $50: JBL Go 4 Portable Speaker

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JBL Go 4 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker (Black)

$49.95 at Amazon

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$49.95 at Amazon

A lot of tech might be expensive these days, but that doesn’t mean all of it is. In fact, there are plenty of excellent gadgets you can buy friends and family for $50 or less. Our favorite option in this category is the JBL Go 4. This portable Bluetooth speaker is small but mighty, able to get quite loud for such a tiny device. You’ll get seven hours of playback on one charge, plus an extra two hours with “Playback Boost” enabled. The Go 4 has an IP67 rating against dust and water, so you can bring the speaker with you outdoors without worrying about ruining it. If your friends have JBL speakers of their own, not just Go 4s, you can connect them all together for a quick multi-speaker setup. It really is a versatile device, especially when you consider both its size and its price. The JBL Go 4 makes for a great stocking stuffer, Yankee Swap contribution, or gift for anyone looking for a portable speaker for home or on-the-go use.

Marshall’s Monitor III ANC headphones have the kind of design that makes you want to show them off. The textured earcups and gold logo lean fully into the amp-inspired look, and at $199.99 (down from $379.99 at launch), they’re finally priced in a way that feels competitive. It's their lowest price ever, according to price trackers.

Marshall Monitor III

ANC over-ear Bluetooth headphones

$199.99 at Amazon

$279.99 Save $80.00

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These are over-ear Bluetooth headphones with active noise cancellation, and they’re clearly aimed at people cross-shopping Bose and Sony. The difference is that Marshall is selling a vibe along with the sound. The build feels sturdy, and small details like replaceable ear cushions and a swappable silicone headband strap suggest they’re made to last longer than most. They fold down neatly into a compact hard case (included), but they’re not water-resistant, so they’re better suited for travel and home listening than sweaty workouts.

Living with them day to day is mostly smooth. The small gold joystick handles volume and track controls in a way that feels intuitive after a few minutes. There’s a separate button to toggle noise cancellation and transparency, plus a customizable shortcut button you can set up in the Marshall app. The app itself is simple, with a five-band EQ and a few presets, though it’s not especially deep if you like fine-tuning every frequency. Bluetooth 5.3 keeps connections stable, but you’re limited to AAC and SBC codecs, so there’s no hi-res audio support. You also can’t charge and listen through a traditional 3.5mm cable at the same time, since the single USB-C port handles both charging and wired playback.

Battery life is where these headphones truly stand out. Up to 70 hours with ANC on is more than enough for long trips, and turning ANC off stretches that to an almost excessive 100 hours. As for sound, they deliver strong bass and crisp highs, with enough punch to make hip-hop and electronic tracks feel lively. Noise cancellation reduces plane engine rumble and city noise well, but it does not match leaders like Bose in blocking midrange chatter, notes this PCMag review.

If you haven't heard of the upstart tech brand Nothing, it's a UK-based company that aims to make products like cellphones and headphones with innovative features and designs—but at a lower price point than tech giants like Apple and Samsung. Last summer, the company released its newest smartwatch, the CMF Watch 3 Pro, which incorporates AI features powered by ChatGPT, and you can currently pick it up at a major discount.

Originally $99, you can get the CMF Watch 3 Pro for $59 at Amazon. This is the lowest price this smartwatch has been, according to price-tracking tools.

CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro Smart Watch (Light Grey)

$59.00 at Amazon

$79.00 Save $20.00

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CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro 1.43" Heart Rate Smart Watch (Light Green)

$59.00 at Amazon

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CMF Watch 3 Pro Smart Watch for Men Women, Bluetooth Call AI Smartwatch with Energy Score, Heart Rate Tracking, Sleep Monitor, GPS & 130+ Sport Modes, Fitness Tracker for Android iOS, IP68 Orange

$59.00 at Amazon

$79.00 Save $20.00

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CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro Smart Watch (Light Grey)

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According to Nothing, the CMF Watch 3 Pro is designed for "everyday users and casual fitness explorers." It quickly earned a reputation as one of the best budget smartwatch/fitness trackers of 2025. If you have a Nothing phone, the most noteworthy feature is its direct ChatGPT integration: You can use voice prompts to ask the chatbot questions or set reminders, among other things. Another neat feature, regardless of whether you have a Nothing phone or not, is its ability to record voices and auto-transcribe conversations or notes with the Nothing X app, which is great for work meetings or class.

If you've used the CMF Watch 2 Pro, you'll already be familiar with the design, which hasn't changed much. It still has a round display with a rotating crown on the top right, though the display is a bit bigger—1.43 inches compared to the Watch 2 Pro's 1.32 inches. Nothing has also kept the auto brightness adjustment, which is determined by a built-in sensor, and dual-band GPS support with access to five satellite systems, providing greater accuracy when tracking your outdoor activities.

The real upgrades come mainly from the software: The Watch 3 Pro has over 130 sport modes, compared to 120 on the older model. There's also AI tracking with personalized workout recommendations in real time. The battery now lasts 13 days on a single charge, which is two days longer than before. It's certainly in the running for the best sub-$100 fitness watch you can buy right now.

I’ve reviewed every type of fitness watch and thought I had seen it all, but my first glimpse of an Una watch had my jaw on the floor: There is a USB-C port on the side of the watch. Not a set of pins for a magnetic charger, or a socket that requires a proprietary cable—just a hole you can stick a regular old USB-C cable into. This is what watches have been missing.

UNA Watch

$199.00 at UNA

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The Una watch started popping up on my feed about two years ago, and finally started shipping this summer. I’ve been wearing a review unit for a few weeks. The Una watch is advertised as repairable and upgradable, with open source software. There are little screws that I can see around the watch face, and on the back panel. The Una website sells a replacement battery for $40 and a replacement screen for $50. They also sell the tiny screwdriver that you’ll need to make repairs, but if you’re the kind of person who gets excited about a repairable watch, you may already have your own. 

Overall, I like it. The Una watch has an MIP screen (an older tech that is a cult favorite) and an app that's simple but effective. Not everything lived up to my expectations in testing, but no features failed outright. This feels like a solid start to the concept of “one watch for life” and I’m excited to see how the hardware and software offerings evolve over time. 

The Una watch and its app are simple

Most wearables these days try to do as many jobs as possible, whether they’re the right tool for those jobs or not. I am honestly fine with a running watch measuring time, distance, and heart rate while I run, and not trying to score my sleep or pretend it can tell how fast I’m aging. 

The Una watch app shows my steps, activity, and floors climbed for the day, as well as my average and resting heart rates. When I go for a run, it tracks my pace, distance, and heart rate during the run and gives me a nice page of data afterward. It reliably uploads this data to Strava, and can make little bar graphs of how these numbers vary from day to day. 

Developers have lots to play with

The USB-C port! Credit: Beth Skwarecki

There is a “store” (everything is free, as far as I can tell) where you can download extra watch faces and features. One I’m trying out is a habit tracker called HabitLab: It asks you every evening whether you had alcohol, cigarettes, a late meal, and so on. Every morning, it asks how you’re feeling. And then, even though the watch doesn’t normally track your sleep, the app takes note of your overnight HRV and resting heart rate. Over time, it will correlate the answers to those questions with the sleep data, to hopefully give results that are similar to Whoop’s journal analysis. (I haven’t been using it long enough to judge how well it works, but stay tuned.)

HabitLab appears in one area of the watch as a standalone app; another, called Gym Sets, gives me a strength training activity type, which the watch did not otherwise have. I just select Gym Sets instead of “Run” or “Workout,” and the app tracks my heart rate while also giving me a set timer.  

The store is small, and the apps are simple, without many of the features that you can find on the apps for Apple Watch or other more fully featured devices. But the Una watch has only been out for a few months, so it’s not surprising that users haven’t created a plethora of apps yet. The company’s software development kit, and even its circuit board designs, are free for people to download and develop from.

I’m not impressed with the Una watch’s accuracy

Una watch in red, chest strap for reference in gray. Credit: Beth Skwarecki

I was worried that the emphasis on repairability, and the affordable price, meant that the Una watch would be made with components that maybe aren’t fully up to date. Heart rate sensors have been getting better over the years, so Una’s will have to be pretty good if it wants to even sit in the middle of the pack. Garmin, Apple, and now Fitbit have raised the bar quite a bit.

I will say the GPS track was reasonably good; on trail runs and road runs, it accurately followed the path I actually took. (It doesn’t seem to do quite as well as a new Garmin, but it’s still perfectly usable and its distance totals added up to reasonably accurate numbers.)

Heart rate accuracy disappointed me, though. When I first got the watch, the heart rate tracking was abysmal. I sent a few emails to my contact at Una, and almost had to publish this review with very bad news about the watch’s accuracy, but then a firmware update for the Una watch popped up on my phone. I installed it, and then tried another test run or two, and the heart rate accuracy is much better. If you get the watch, make sure it’s updated to at least 1.6.0. 

That said, the update brought the heart rate accuracy to a level where I’d say it’s adequate, but it’s not good (and definitely not great). Its graph follows the ups and downs of my heart rate as measured by a chest strap, but sometimes the Una will spike and show a reading that’s significantly higher than my heart is actually beating. In the graph below, note the spike to around 165 when the true value was 155, and then later in the workout the Una watch detects another spike around 160 when my heart rate was actually around 145 and decreasing. (I saw similar anomalies in multiple workouts.)

The Una watch is a good start, but it’s not ready for everyone

In my time with the Una watch, many things made me happy. I still love the USB-C charging, and it was a delight to just plug it in to the same nightstand cable I normally use with my phone, no need to go looking for an adapter or dongle. 

I like the MIP screen, which was brilliant in the sunlight and had a serviceable backlight for use indoors or in the dark. The small number of workout profiles and the small number of glances and apps is just fine if you’re not asking for much from a watch, and I wasn’t. It’s minimalist, low-distraction, and there isn’t a single AI-based feature anywhere. A true breath of fresh air. 

And at $199, you’re not paying extra for these privileges. The price is just a little more than the new Fitbit Edge ($179.99), but less than a Coros Pace 4 ($249) or a Garmin 70 (also $249). The Una watch doesn’t have as many features or activities as these watches, but perhaps those pluses I mentioned make up for it.

The Una watch would be a good pick for someone who is excited about developing apps, wants a repairable watch, always loses charging adapters, or appreciates a minimalist approach. But would I recommend it for the average person who just wants a basic fitness watch? I’m not so sure. 

The flaky heart rate sensor disqualifies it for a wearer who wants a more accurate, modern watch. The MIP screen is going to look old and weird to people who have gotten used to brighter, clearer AMOLED screens. The lack of sleep tracking or other convenience metrics may be hard to take when plenty of watches have these features. 

So I like this watch today, with reservations, and I have high hopes for the future. If Una lives up to its vision, it’s going to be great to see replaceable components become available—perhaps there will be an option for an AMOLED screen for those who want it, and maybe there’s room for heart rate accuracy improvement in future firmware updates. 

But a lot depends on the company itself. “One watch for life” implies that the company stays around long enough to make more than one model. I’m also hopeful that the future offerings will match what people want, and that the watch and app will stay uncluttered and subscription-free. But surely there will be competing interests that the company has to balance as they grow (if they grow), so time will tell whether the reality lives up to the vision. That said, I am liking the vision a lot. 

A word of warning: If you aren't of those generations, and/or you need an online list to know what slang words mean, you should not say them aloud unless you're trying to be embarrassing.

New Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang

Ballhog: A fashion trend among Gen Z and Gen A characterized by wearing vintage clothes that look normal, even drab, to most, but that people in the know can recognize as interesting or unique retro clothing.

Benny tripping: Intentionally overdosing on Benadryl to experience an (almost always unpleasant) "trip."

Crunged: The past tense of "cringe," "crunged" is often used to describe extreme cringe, like "I cringed so hard I crunged."

EBK: stands for "Extreme Baller Knowledge." It goes beyond the sports reference to apply to to anyone who has deep knowledge of a subject. It's usually used ironically.

GiGis: Good game. Pronounced like the name Gigi. The post game pleasantry "good game" has been a staple in sports since forever. Gamers adopted it and shortened it to "GG" in text. So GiGis is a way of saying "good game."

Glass skin: Describes skin that is so smooth, luminous, and clear, it seems to shine.

Loser core: A youth sub-culture/musical sub-genre categorized by listening to depressing, alternative-inspired music and dressing in drab, oversize clothing.

Scuba: Smelly.

304: Hoe. (Type "304" on a calculator and turn it upside down.)

4+4: Ate. Four plus four is eight, or "ate." (See "ate.")

6-7 (or 67): This piece of Generation Alpha brainrot slang doesn't mean anything. It's just funny to some people to say "6-7," especially in answer to any question involving numbers. Ex: "Q: What time is it? A: six-seveeen."

6-7 weekend: A weekend in which Saturday falls on the 6th day of the month and Sunday on the 7th.

7x7=49: Often refers to a man who is attractive in a self-evident way. Based on the belief that the equation 7x7=49 makes intuitive sense in a way other equations do not.

80/20 rule: An axiom in online incel spaces, the 80/20 is the idea that 80% of women only date the "top" 20% of men.

Algo speak: Coded language used to bypass online content moderation. Examples: "regarded" used instead of "retarded" and "unalive" instead of "kill."

Alpha male: Taken from animal ethology, an alpha male is the dominant member of a group of males, or just a male who is in charge. (See "beta male" and "sigma male.")

Alpine divorce: An alpine divorce is when a man takes his wife or girlfriend on a hike, usually in the mountains, and then just leaves her there to fend for herself.

ASAP (or A$AP): When a rapper has ASAP or A$AP in front of their name, it indicates affiliation with the ASAP Mob, a New York hip-hop collective.

Ate/eat: Done very well, often regarding clothing. e.g.: "You ate that outfit." See also: "serving."

Aura: Someone who is mysterious and cool is said to "have aura."

Aura battle: Aura is coolness or charisma ("rizz" if you prefer). An "aura battle" is a public contest in which the person with the most aura, as determined by the crowd and/or comment section reaction, wins. (See "Aura")

Aura farming: Depending on the context, “aura farming” can refer to a person who does something cool without trying or someone who is trying too hard to appear cool.

Baby Boo syndrome: A joking reference to people who are very into the Baby Boo memes popular on TikTok.

Baddie: A bad/wild girl. Meant as a compliment.

Baka: Japanese word meaning “crazy" or “foolish.” Used mainly in the anime community.

Based: Independent in a cool way.

Bed-rotting: Staying in bed all day. You may know it as “lazing around.” (See "Hurkle-durkle.")

Beez: Popularized in Nicki Minaj's 2012 track "Beez in the Trap," beez means something like "I am always." So "beez in the trap" means "I am always in the trap." (See "Trap.")

Beta male: A beta male, or just "beta," is a weaker, subservient male. (See "alpha male" and "sigma male.")

Boombayah: A euphemism for having sex. It’s used mostly online, often to defeat censorship algorithms.

Bop: A girl who sleeps around. Also: a great song.

Boy aquarium: TikTok slang that describes hockey games.

Boy kibble: The male response to "girl dinner," boy kibble is food boys eat. It usually consists of rice and ground beef, often served without spices or vegetables.

Boysober: Someone who has sworn off sex, relationships, and/or dating.

Brain-rot: A description of the overuse of stupid slang. See also: “Skibidi.” Also used to describe the effects of being overly online.

Brat: The contemporary meaning of "brat" is an adjective describing a person who is edgy, imperfect, and confident. It was coined by pop star Charli XCX who defined it as "that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes. Who feels herself but maybe also has a breakdown."

Bruzz: Bros. Part of the -uzz family of slang words. See "Huzz" and "-uzz."

Bubba truck: A lifted or otherwise modified pick-up truck.

Bussin': Very good or excellent.

Cap: A lie. Often used to say "no cap."

Cake: Butt, especially a nice butt.

Catch a fade: To have a fight. (See "fade.")

Chad: An attractive man; an “alpha male.” See "Giga-Chad."

Chat: A reference to streamers addressing their chat windows aloud. Saying “chat” in real life is an ironic joke. 

Cheesin': The slang word "cheesin'" refers to smiling, particularly a big, goofy smile. It comes from the common exhortation to "say cheese!" before a photo is taken. The word "cheesing," with a "g" at the end, often means the same thing, but it can also refer to the trend of throwing slices of cheese at cars and/or people.

Chopped: Ugly. Chopped is often applied to someone's face or outfit, but anything that isn't aesthetically pleasing could be called "chopped," as could anything that is generally not good, like an awkward situation.

Choppelganger: A portmanteau of "chopped" and "doppelgänger," a choppelganger is someone who looks like another person, but worse. (See "chopped.")

Chud: A physically unappealing person. Sometimes used for a man who holds right-wing views.

Clanker: A slur aimed at robots and AI agents pretending to be human.

Clock that: "I understand and agree." Not to be confused with older slang, where "clock" meant to see, or even older slang where "clock" meant "to hit or punch."

Coomer: A man who masturbates too often.

Corn: “Corn” is algo-speak that means “porn.” Used in online spaces where the word might cause your account to be flagged or banned. 

Cortisol-coded: Describes something that's meant to be relaxing but is actually stressful, like watching a video of the 5 a.m. yoga routine of an influencer surrounded by $400 candles.

Coworker-core: A catch-all description for things that are unfunny or uninteresting in a way that appeals to older people.

Cracked: This slang term has two meanings: to have sex, as in "I got cracked last night," and to be really good at something, like "he’s cracked at Fortnite."

Crashout: To have an intense emotional outburst, usually accompanied by impulsive behavior. Crashing out is often due to being overwhelmed or overly frustrated.

D1 Crashout: An epic, elite level, extreme crashout. (See "crashout.)

Dah Bih Gah: "That bitch good," ie: "I like that thing." Usually used to describe food.

Dah Bih Tah: "That bitch tough," ie: "I like that thing." Usually used to describe food.

Dead: Past tense of having died laughing. If someone responds to a joke with "dead" or a skull emoji, they find it funny.

Deadass: Seriously. Used like, "I am deadass not lying."

Delulu: Delusional.

Deriod: A combination of "dick" and "period," deriod refers to men seeming to experience the mood swings commonly associated with women's menstrual cycles.

Dih: Algo speak for “dick.” (See "Algo speak.")

Doi doi doi: This piece of brain-rot slang doesn't mean anything. It's correctly pronounced by putting your hand up to your mouth and saying "doi doi doi" in a way that sounds funny.

Doomer: A person who is overly negative and/or cynical.

Drip: A fashionable or stylish look.

Dwerking: A male-centric variation of twerking. A sexually suggestive dancing characterized by rapid, repeated hip thrusts and shaking of the dick. Other variants include "pwerking" and "bwerking" where the "p" and "b" stand for pussy and boobs.

Edgar: A variation of the Caesar haircut worn especially among Hispanic males. Also refers to the kind of person who wears the haircut. 

Fade: A fight. (See "catch a fade.")

Fambushing: A combination of "family" and "ambushing," fambushing refers to young people checking where their parents are on location-sharing apps so they can get free food—if you see mom at Chipotle, you ask for a burrito.

Fanum tax: The theft of food between friends. Named for streamer Fanum, known for “taxing” his friends by taking bites of their meals or stealing fries. 

Fax, no printer: Telling the truth. Since "fax" and "facts" are pronounced the same, this is a colorful way of saying "facts, no cap."

Fent-fold: A description of the bent-over posture of people nodding on heavy drugs.

Fit: Short for "outfit."

Fuhuhluhtoogan: Supposedly from Baltimore slang, this is a nonsense word used so people will ask what it means but never receive an answer. Often paired with "Jittleyang."

Fujoshing: The verb form of the Japanese slang term "fujoshi," fujoshing describes women/girls enjoying media that depicts romantic relationships between men. This word is used almost exclusively in online fandom communities.

Gamer dent: The temporary indentation left on someone’s hair or skin after wearing headphones for too long.

Geeker: Someone who uses a lot of drugs.

Giga-Chad: A Chad among Chads.

Glaze: To overly praise someone, often insincerely, or with the hope of getting something in return.

Gleek: An older slang term that is gaining prominence lately, gleeking describes squirting saliva from under the tongue.

Glizzy: Hot dog. "Glizzy" was originally slang for Glock or gun, but came to mean hot dog based on the hot dog shape of a Glock's magazine.

Green fn: An interjection one might used when someone does something cool or impressive. Often used ironically. 

Goonbait: (See "gooning") Goonbait is, essentially, media that exists to inspiring gooning.

Gooner: A man who goons. (See "gooning.")

Goonette: A woman who goons. (See "gooning.")

Gooning: Extended masturbation without orgasm done for the purpose of entering an altered state of consciousness. (See "gooner," "goonette.")

Gyatt or Gyat: Once an interjection used when seeing someone sexy, like “god-DAMN,” “gyatt” has come to mean “attractive booty.”

Heavy soda: Pop with extra syrup. Some gas station soda machines have settings that control the ratio of syrup to carbonated water. A heavy soda is a soda with the syrup level set very high.

Hewwo: An overly cute way of saying "hello." Usually used online, and often ironically.

HGS: Abbreviation for "home girls" used in comment sections.

Hiplet: Derogatory slang for a woman who has "hip dips," i.e. inward curves on their outer thighs just below the hip bone.

Hozier yell: Named for singer/songwriter Andrew Hozier, a "Hozier yell" refers to the sound one makes when experiencing a peak, climactic, and/or awe-inspiring moment.

HTN: This acronym comes from the online incel community, where fairly good-looking men are described as "high-tier normies" or "HTN." (See "normie.")

Hurkle-durkle: Based on an archaic Scottish word, “hurkle-durkle” means to lounge in bed after it is time to get up. See also: “bed-rotting."

Huzz: -uzz slang for "hoes." See "bruzz" and "-uzz."

"It's giving": Used to convey that something has a specific vibe. Example: "That dude texts you every 10 minutes; it's giving desperate."

"It's so over": The situation is hopeless. The opposite of "we're so back." See also: "Doomer."

IWEL: This comment-section acronym is short for "I wouldn't even lie." Sometimes written as "IWL."

Jelqing: The use of stretching or weights in an attempt to increase penis size.

Jit: A kid. Used ironically online.

Jittleyang: Supposedly from Baltimore slang, this is a nonsense word used so people will ask what it means but never receive an answer. See also: "Fuhuhluhtoogan."

JOMO: A play on FOMO (fear of missing out) JOMO is an acronym that stands for “joy of missing out.”

Jugg: To grab quickly or to steal.

"Learn Chinese": Sports slang directed at failing players. They are in danger of being sent to play in China, so they should "learn Chinese."

Loaded water: Water enhanced with something—a flavor boost, fruit juice, electrolytes, carbonation, and even vitamins or prebiotics. The idea is to increase hydration by making water more palatable.

Looksmaxxing: Maximizing one’s physical attractiveness through personal grooming, working out, and dressing stylishly. See also: “-maxxing.”

🪫 (low battery emoji): The low battery emoji means "I am experiencing emotional depletion, heartbreak, or a general feeling of 'I can't anymore.'"

Lowkenuinely: This mash-up of "low key" and "genuinely" expresses sincerity but in a way that says "let's not make a big deal about it."

Lucky Scoops: Lucky Scoops are a kind of TikTok or Instagram video where buyers purchase a scoop that represents a chance to win merchandise. These videos are very popular with children; critics feel like they are a form of gambling.

Mason (or Mason 6-7 kid): A "Mason 6-7 Kid" or "Mason" is a stereotypical male member of Generation Alpha. Mason kids are known for their love of baseball-inspired fashion (caps and shorts), their "ice cream" haircut, and for repeating brainrot slang like "6-7."

-maxxing: A suffix used with any word to indicate trying to improve. Seeing your friends could be called "friendmaxxing," working out could be called "gymmaxxing," making jokes could be called "jestermaxxing," etc.

Mid: Average, bland, expected.

Mewing: A facial exercise meant to strengthen the jawline.

Mirror sex: Using a mirror to watch yourself have sex.

Misery girl: A young woman with piercings, a penchant for the darkly dramatic, and highly stylized makeup that makes them appear to have a skinny, pointy nose and huge eyes and lips.

Mog: To be more attractive than someone, usually in an intentional or aggressive way. Example: "I was rizzing up this girl, but he walked in and totally mogged me."

"My 90 in a 30": A song played while driving that inspires speeding.

"My steak is too juicy": The phrase "my steak is too juicy" and other variants like "my lobster is too buttery," are online insults that suggest someone is complaining about something they should be grateful for.

Neurospicy: A different way of saying “neuro-divergent.”

Normie: A person who is considered normal or average. It's sometimes an insult suggesting someone is boring and witless. (see also, "mid.")

NPC: Non-player character. Originally describing video game characters, NPC is now used on the internet to mean people who don't think for themselves.

Opp: Short for "opposition." Someone who is out to get you. An enemy.

Performative male: An insult for young men whose tastes, hobbies, and lifestyle are seen as a performance aimed at obtaining societal approval, especially the approval of young women.

Pheromone maxxing: Trying to influence the behaviors of others through your stink. Supposedly, young men in the "looksmaxxing" community are skipping showers and not washing their clothing in an attempt to make young women like them more. (See "-maxxing").

Phonk: The word phonk can refer to one of two musical sub-genres. It originally referred to throwback '90s hip-hop categorized by slow-tempo "chopped and screwed" production and vintage Memphis rap vocals. It now more commonly describes the heavily distorted, up-tempo EDM used in brainrot videos.

Pink cocaine: Also known as "pink snow," pink cocaine is slang for a powdered drug mixture that usually contains some combination of ketamine, MDMA, meth, opioids, and other substances.

Pole: A gun. See "up pole."

"Press F for respect:" In 2014 video game Call of Duty: Advanced Warfighter, the player attends a funeral and a prompt is given that reads "Press F to pay respects." Now, a singular "F" in a chat window indicates respect. It's usually ironic.

Quiet on the creek: A fishing-inspired way to say "keep it on the down low" or "be cool."

Rawdogging boredom: Rawdogging is "doing something with no safeguards or support," so "rawdogging boredom" is consciously doing nothing.

Regarded: “Regarded” is algo-speak for “retarded."

RegencyCore: A fashion and design aesthetic that springs from the popularity of the fantasy-regency era look of the Netflix show Bridgerton, RegencyCore combines the opulent style of the British Regency era of the early 1800s with fantasy elements like pastel colors and gold accents.

"Reheating your own nachos:" This slang phrase comes from cultural critics in online fandom communities. It refers to performers and/or artists whose new works are seen as trying to recapture what was good about their previous artistic output. It's not always negative; it's possible to successfully reheat your own nachos.

Rizz: As a noun, "rizz" means charisma. As a verb, "rizz" or "rizz up" means attracting someone with your charisma.

Scientology speedrun: Young people running into a Scientology building and acting foolish until they are ejected.

Scorigami: A slang term among football fans for when the final score of an NFL game has never happened before in the league's history. The most recent scorigami was on September 28, 2025, when the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys tied 40 to 40.

SDIYBT: An acronym for "start digging in your butt, twin," this brainrot phrase doesn't mean anything. Some people just think it's funny to say.

Sendy and “Let’s get sendy": Sendy is an adjective based on the older rock-climbing and extreme sports slang phrase "send it." A shortened version of "ascend it," "send it" is said right before one is about to do something challenging. "Sendy" describes a person who is prone to doing bold things. "Let's get sendy" means something like "Let's get wild." It's been adopted by brainrot fans, so it's often repeated with no meaning meant to be attached.

Serve: Wearing a particularly stylish outfit. See also: "ate."

Serve cunt: To act in a powerfully and unapologetically feminine way; to slay.

Sharking: Looking for people to hook up with.

Side quest: A side quest in a video game is a quest that is not necessary to complete the game's main objective. In slang, a side quest is anything you do in life just for the experience of doing it.

Sigma male: An internet-created male classification, a "sigma male" is as dominant as an alpha male, but is outside the male hierarchy, i.e.: a lone wolf. Originally used seriously, the concept was so widely derided it's now almost always used ironically. (See "Alpha male" and "Beta male.")

Skibidi: Named after “Skibidi Toilet,” a popular series of YouTube videos, “skibidi” itself has no specific meaning, beyond ridiculing the overuse of slang itself. See “brain-rot.”

Skrt: Onomatopoetic word for the sound of tires squealing upon acceleration.

Slopcore: This term describes the countless 100s of millions of cheesy-looking, unsettling, AI-generated images, videos, and songs that have hit the internet since AI was given to the masses a couple of years ago.

Slopper: Insult directed at people who use AI programs too much, people who takes conversations with LLMs too seriously, and people who have basically offloaded their thinking to an algorithm.

Snatched: Very attractive and/or flawlessly styled. 

Spawn point: Mother. Based on the spot you start in a video game.

Spoopy: Spooky.

Striker: Stolen/no-title car.

Surf Dracula: A hyper-specific phrase that describes "prestige" television series. The joke is that if there were an older TV show called "Surf Dracula," Dracula would be surfing in every episode, but modern shows would make the whole first season about how Dracula got his surfboard.

Sweat: A person who tries too hard, usually used in reference to video games. The adjective form is "sweaty."

SYBAU: An online acronym that stands for “shut your bitch ass up.”

That's AI: "I don't believe you" or "I doubt it," even when not connected to artificial intelligence.

TLPUR: This supposed acronym section has no meaning. The joke is to tell people it means something like "True Love Pills Until Rope" or "Too Late for Puberty."

Tradwife: Believer in traditional married gender roles.

Trap: Once used to refer to a house where drugs are sold, trap has come to describe both a form of music and any place where one works or hustles.

Treatler (and Treatlerite): "Treatler" and "Treatlerite" are online insults that combine "treat" and "Hitler" to refer to entitled users of services like Doordash or Uber Eats who regard luxury delivery services as a human right, and don't consider the hardships of the people who do the work that makes "private taxis for burritos" possible.

TS: TS originally was AAVE shorthand for "this shit," but it is often used to just mean "this."

Turnt: Excited or intoxicated, or excitedly intoxicated.

Tweaking: In older slang, "tweaking" referred to the nervous and erratic actions of someone on drugs, specifically, speed. Generations A and Z have expanded the definition to refer to any actions that are erratic, or even just mildly energetic, not necessarily related to drug use.

Twelve: Police.

Twin: Best friend.

Tylenol baby: After President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a scientifically dubious link between the active ingredient in Tylenol and autism, kids have been calling each other "Tylenol babies."

Unc: Short for "uncle," used to describe slightly older people. Example: "The class of 2024 are unc-status to the class of 2028." See "yunc."

-uzz: -uzz slang words use "uzz" at the end of any word, so "bros" becomes "bruzz," "hoes" becomes "huzz," "granny" becomes "gruzz," etc.

Up pole: To raise a gun.

"We're so back": Opposite of "it's so over."

Venus tummy: When a woman's belly is a little fat, but not too fat, she is said to have a Venus tummy. Named for ancient Greek statues of Venus and Aphrodite who were a little fleshy.

Viking rap: A musical sub-genre consisting of AI-generated Vikings rapping about longboats, raiding, and other Viking things.

Wojack: The name of a style of internet drawings used to quickly stereotype someone. See this post for a full explanation of the Wojak universe.

Yapping: Describes a presentational style often seen on online streams of talking a lot and/or quickly while not saying anything worthwhile.

Yeet: To quickly and/or forcibly eject.

You the birthday: A phrase that means "you're awesome" or "you're great" in the way a birthday is great: fun, exciting, extra, etc.

Young ho: "Young ho" is both a reclamation of the word "ho" and an expression of youth-based solidarity. Young women are posting videos of themselves defining what makes them "young hos," noting things like "Getting up at 7:50 to be at work at 8," and air-frying chicken nuggets.

Yunc: Yunc is a variation of "unc." In AAVE, a "yn" is a "young n-word." So "yunc" means something like "young uncle," or a person who may be young but has uncle vibes or unc status.

Zoomer Perm: A curly on top, short on the sides haircut popular among young people. 

Peacock’s Crystal Lake is an unexpected treat in a lot of ways, taking one of horror’s most iconic figures—Jason Voorhees of the Friday the 13^th franchise—and digging into the universe’s background by focusing on his mother, Pamela. Famously the actual serial killer in the original film, Pamela’s development into a psychotic killer who inspired her son to become the psychotic killer of all time is the engine that drives Crystal Lake, finding the damaged humanity behind the terror. If you’ve burned through all eight episodes of Crystal Lake’s first season, and you’ve worked through the streamalike series with similar DNA, it’s time to check out some movies—starting with the perfect companion film, 2022’s Pearl.

Pearl (2022)

The second film in Ti West’s X trilogy (starting with X and concluding with 2024’s MaXXXine) is the ideal film to watch after Crystal Lake. Like the series, it explores a female serial killer’s backstory and recontextualizes your understanding of their motives and psychology. It also requires that you be familiar with the original story—while you can certainly watch Crystal Lake or Pearl without having seen the Friday the 13^th films or X, you’ll be missing out on a lot if you do.

In X, a group of young people descends on a dilapidated old farm to film an adult movie in Texas in 1979, and by the end of the film most of them are dead, killed by the farm’s elderly couple Howard (Stephen Ure) and Pearl (Mia Goth), with Pearl presented as the most deranged and dangerous of the two. It’s a riveting update to the classic splatter movie template, and Goth nails her dual role as the Final Girl Maxine and the psychotic, murderous Pearl. The prequel, Pearl, jumps back to 1918, when Pearl (Goth again) was a young woman living with her strict mother and paralyzed father. Pearl has big dreams of being an entertainer, but her mother tries to trap her to ensure she’s there to care for her parents and work the farm. Pearl’s lonely unhappiness and frustration (both mental and, er, physical) inspire a slow boil of tension as her grip on sanity frays, and her anger toward her parents curdles into something frightening.

Like Crystal Lake, Pearl takes a killer who seems fairly one-dimensional in their original presentation and gives them a deeper back story and psychological framing. Pamela Voorhees wasn’t just crazy—she was driven to madness by the horrible things that happened to her and her son, and the awful way she’s treated by her fellow humans. Similarly, Pearl is a hopeful and innocent young woman who is slowly molded into a killer by the events of her life. Both the series and the film serve as reminders that monsters are rarely born—they’re made. And it’s usually the casual cruelty of the people around them that does the making. If you loved Crystal Lake’s fresh take on Pamela, Pearl is the perfect choice for a movie night. Stream Pearl on Hulu or rent it on Prime Video.

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More movies to check out if you liked "Crystal Lake"

Need more serial killer movies that hit the Crystal Lake vibe? Never fear—here are some other excellent choices to pair with the series.

Friday the 13^th (1980)

If you’ve never actually seen the original Friday the 13^th (or if it’s been a while), this is a must-watch for fans of Crystal Lake. Although the series takes some liberties to update the timeline, it’s still intended as a glimpse into the events that shaped both Pamela and Jason Voorhees into inhuman (and somewhat supernatural) monsters. Initially given savagely bad reviews, the film was a surprise blockbuster and is now regarded as a classic of a genre it helped to create in the first place; rewatching it today not only helps contextualize Crystal Lake, it puts the entire slasher genre into perspective. Stream Friday the 13^th on Netflix or rent it on Prime Video.

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Sleepaway Camp (1983)

The success of Friday the 13^th led to a rush of copycat films, of course. Most of those weren’t particularly good or even interesting, but Sleepaway Camp is an exception (although it was similarly savaged by critics at the time). Now a cult classic, Sleepaway Camp has two things that recommend it to fans of Crystal Lake and Friday the 13^th: a weird sensibility that gives it an otherworldly atmosphere that enhances the sense of dread, and what is probably the most unexpected twist ending in the history of slasher films (and it’s probably a Top 10 twist in general). Stream Sleepaway Camp on The Roku Channel, Kanopy, or Tubi, or rent it on Prime Video.

Sleepaway Camp (1983)

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Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma (2026)

One reason Crystal Lake exists is the enduring power and influence of slasher films in general and Friday the 13^th specifically. Few recent films have tapped into that dreamy nightmare feel like Jane Schoenbrun’s Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. As with most of Schoenbrun’s work, the film delves into themes of identity, subverting queer tropes, and the malleable nature of reality itself. If you’re looking for a slasher story that’s less straightforward than Crystal Lake while dealing with some similar themes of transformation and destiny, this is it. Stream Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma on Mubi.

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma (2026)

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The Burning (1981)

If you’ve seen all the Friday the 13^th movies and want more slasher horror with a bit more edge, check out The Burning. Is it a great film? Not really. Combining the straightforward slasher thrills of Friday with some of the villain motivations of fellow classic franchise A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Burning dials the blood and guts up to 11 (and beyond) and remains notoriously gory even by today’s standards. But if your fave part of Crystal Lake is the frequently over-the-top gore and violence, this is an ideal movie choice. Stream The Burning on The Roku Channel or Kanopy.

May (2002)

Want a slasher film that explores the psyche of a female killer the way Crystal Lake deconstructs Pamela Voorhees? Check out May. A fragile young woman, May struggles to find connection with the people around her, and slowly descends into a fantasy world that inspires her to literally make her own ideal friend. What makes May so interesting is the depth of the exploration of May’s personality that’s similar to how Pamela is handled in Crystal Lake, tracing each step of her stumble into a bloody hell. Stream May on Tubi or rent it on Prime Video.

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I’ve been using the new Fitbit Edge for a little over a week, and am happy to report that it’s quite good at its job. It shipped with more features than I expected (Google Maps directions were there from the jump) and corrects the missteps that Google made with the Fitbit Charge 6. After running the Fitbit Edge through its paces, here’s my breakdown of what works well, what doesn’t, and what I think of the device overall.

Google Fitbit Edge Activity Tracker (Obsidian)

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The Edge is the device I expected the Charge 6 to be

When I reviewed it in May 2025, I liked a lot about the Charge 6, but found it had a few serious flaws. Tightening the strap messed up its GPS readings (weird but true), and some of its features required a subscription (like the music controls that only worked with YouTube Music). Its promised side button wasn’t really a button, and didn’t even always work.

I’m happy to report that all of my biggest gripes have been fixed in the Fitbit Edge. Or to put it another way: the Edge is what the Charge should have been in the first place. 

The Fitbit Edge's heart rate and GPS sensors are impressively accurate

Accuracy tests are always one of my top priorities in testing, but honestly I wasn’t expecting much from this device. A Fitbit can still be successful in my eyes even if its heart rate sensor is only “good enough.” Nobody should expect lab-level precision from a Fitbit. 

Fitbit Edge in purple, chest strap for reference in gray. Credit: Beth Skwarecki

But I was pleasantly surprised by just how capable the Edge is in this regard. It sometimes takes a few minutes to lock on to a heart rate signal (as most optical devices do), but after it does, it is spot-on—I think it might be in the running alongside the Apple Watch and high-end Garmins as one of the better heart rate wearables on the market. The Edge’s accuracy is notably better than the Fitbit Air's, even though they seem to share the same sensor hardware. 

Location accuracy is also quite good, only deviating slightly from a Garmin I tested alongside the Edge. It may not be the best out there, but it’s miles ahead of what the Charge 6 was able to do. 

The Fitbit Edge's music controls actually work

Credit: Beth Skwarecki

The Fitbit Edge has real music controls, unlike the Charge 6. I can play something in Spotify or in Castro (my favorite podcast app) on my phone, and then control the audio from my wrist—and you no longer need to use YouTube Music or have a subscription to get this feature. 

You can now swap Fitbits in the app

When the Fitbit Air and the Google Health app first launched, it was possible to pair both a Fitbit and a Pixel Watch to the same phone, but not two Fitbits. That has finally changed: I was able to connect the Edge to my phone without losing my connection to the Air. It also works to swap seamlessly between the two Fitbits. For example, one night the Edge was low on battery, so I slept with the Air on, and then swapped back in the morning once the Edge was charged. The app happily showed my sleep data from the Air and my activity data from the Edge without my having to do mess around in the app. 

As a nice bonus, the charger for the Fitbit Edge is the same as for the Fitbit Air. (The chargers for the Pixel Watch and for the Fitbit Charge 6 are not compatible with the Edge.)

The Fitbit Edge fits better and looks nicer than the Charge 6

Credit: Beth Skwarecki

The Fitbit Edge is a similar size as the old Charge 6, but with noticeably more screen real estate. The strap fits pretty much the same way as a Pixel watch band—that is to say, normally, not with the strange hang-off-the-wrist stiffness of the Charge 6. 

The Fitbit Edge also has a physical button—not a haptic nub like the Charge 6, but an actual, physical button. And it even works (to return you to the home screen) nearly every time I press it. The Charge 6’s nub was not as reliable.

The Fitbit Edge still has two major flaws

Credit: Beth Skwarecki

Overall, I’m quite happy with the Fitbit Edge. It’s much better than the Charge 6, and adds accuracy and a screen to the things I already liked about the Fitbit Air. But there are a few things I don’t totally love. 

One is that there is no NFC chipset, which means no option to use Google Pay. I don’t mind using my phone or card at checkouts (and I always carry my phone), so this isn’t a big deal for me, but I know a lot of folks love a wrist-based payment, and that’s missing from the Fitbit Edge. (Google reportedly said most Fitbit users didn’t actually use Google Pay, so they removed the functionality—presumably to fit in the other components while keeping the device small.) 

The other downside is, I hate to say it, the Google Health app. It’s OK, but I still find myself arguing with the AI when it assigns me workouts I never asked for, and I have to agree with the redditors who are commiserating about the lack of a “yesterday” view. (On the bright side, Google recently added a feature that lets you turn off the AI insights, which helps a lot.)

The bottom line

Overall, the Fitbit Edge is a great fitness tracker. It measures heart rate and running/walking mileage accurately; it can control music in a sensible way; and it looks good, feels good to wear, and works smoothly. The price also tracks: It’s definitely worth the $20 premium over the Charge 6, and it’s not quite double the price of the Air, which I think is fair. For anyone who doesn’t want a smartwatch or a running watch and will be satisfied with just “a Fitbit,” this one is pretty much perfect.

What is "ballhog"?

Ballhog or ball hog is a streetwear fashion style growing in popularity among younger people. The cool ones, anyway. The idea is to wear vintage clothes that look normal, even drab, to most, but that people in the know can recognize as interesting or unique. Like the best youth trends, it's an insider vs. outsider thing that takes connoisseurship to understand. Some examples: If you're wearing a late 1990s Helmut Lang denim jacket, most people will think "thrifted," but a ballhog-enjoyer would recognize it as a seminal piece of streetwear history. If you want to be ballhog, rocking a pair of skinny jeans isn't going to cut it unless they're from Dior Homme or at least Cheap Monday.

The style is named after the Ball Hog Collective, a group of rappers, Twitch streamers, and content creators founded by the Atlanta-based indie record label Ballhog. It was popularized by streamer Brady Goodwin, seen below looking quite ballhog:

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The #ballhog hashtag is blowing up (as people used to say) lately with a growing collection of kids posting videos to show off their ballhog fits, like so:

The popularity of the style comes down to, I think, how difficult it is to commodify. Most truly organic trends are recognized quickly by culture vulture types, and in a few months, there's a line of clothes at Target, but you can't do that with ballhog. There's no way to make "new" ballhog gear, as that would mark it as inauthentic immediately. Gotta hand it to the kids for adopting a style that is at once exclusionary and impossible to rip off.

What is the "while they're out partying btw" meme?

On the opposite edge of the spectrum from ballhog fashion is the "while they're out partying btw" meme, videos made to show off the strange, specific, and usually useless talent one develops while others are out wearing cool clothes and socializing. The phrase has been kicking around since last year, when TikToker @tacobella posted this video

but it's taken off more recently, thanks to the huge number of views on this video showing off some truly mind-blowing burger wrapping skills:

This led to an influx of videos of people showing off what they were doing instead of partying. Like this mechanic:

this gym rat:

and this pickleball player:

This is the second youth trend I support wholeheartedly. We can't all be cool ballhoggers and we don't all have talent, but we can all learn to do a thing really well through brute force and repetition.

What does "crunged" and "scuba" mean?

The past tense of "cringe," "crunged" is often used to describe extreme cringe, like "I cringed so hard I crunged."

As for "scuba," it now describes something that is very smelly, which might be because the word conjures the dead air of unventilated, underwater spaces. But it's often accompanied by a pinch-your-nose gesture, which looks like the gesture in the Scuba Dance that was popular on TikTok a few months ago, so that's a more likely origin for the term.

What is "Benny tripping?"

There has been a steady stream of news stories about kids overdosing on Benadryl over the last few years. They call it "Benny tripping," and it's achieved by taking too much of the allergy medicine, like 10 times the amount recommended. Among the active ingredients in Benadryl is Diphenhydramine, and it's a particularly nasty drug. Unlike most recreational substances, tripping on Benadryl is not fun. It's a deliriant, and taking too much results in hallucinations that are usually described as terrifying—swarms of spiders, shadow people, whispering voices, etc. Benadryl overdoses can result in loss of short term memory, displacement from time and space, and panic attacks that last for hours or even days. Or you die from tachycardia. Here's how Reddit user Reasonable-County971 described their experience,

I lost access to my memories. I couldn’t recognize my mom—I mistook her for a 'pretty nurse'. Early in the trip, before you lose yourself, you develop tremendous anxiety, far far beyond anything else I can compare it to. Also, you have motor skills affected, including losing access to your bladder.

So yeah, it's a bad drug. And it's easy to get—just pop down to CVS. On the plus side, despite sometimes overly hysterical reporting on Benadryl as an "online trend" or challenge, tripping on Benadryl is such a harrowing, not-at-all-fun experience, its use isn't particularly popular among young people. But if you want to scare yourself, read some trip reports, watch this YouTube video, and imagine someone you love going through this.

Viral video of the week: Viral Cheezit Girl

This week's viral video is very meta, and it's hilarious to anyone who follows the trajectory of viral internet sensations. Brought to us by the great @ariisaysso, this video lays out the history of the fictional Cheezit Girl as she becomes an internet sensation, quits her job, sells merch, releases a rap single, releases a remix, reheats the nachos, and falls into obscurity, all in about two and a half minutes. We've seen this story before with the Hawk Tuah Girl, Dah Bih Gah Kid, and many more future members of the "remember that thing" club, and we'll no doubt see it all again soon. Such is the circle of life.

Amazon has cut the price of its latest Fire TV Stick 4K in half, dropping it to $29.99 from $59.99 and bringing it to its lowest price ever, according to price trackers, with a 90-day free trial of Amazon Music included in the purchase. At this price, it's an affordable way to bring 4K streaming to an older television or give a sluggish smart TV a performance upgrade. And because this streaming stick measures just 3.6 inches and draws power directly from your TV's USB port using the included cable, it can sit out of sight behind your screen without taking up another wall outlet.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

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Despite its small size, it supports 4K streaming over Wi-Fi 6, along with HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG for improved contrast and color on compatible televisions. What you don't get is Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos audio. If either is important to your home theater setup, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, currently $39.99, is worth considering for the extra $10. Otherwise, there's little to complain about when it comes to performance, with PCMag reporting that apps respond almost instantly and 4K streams load quickly with almost no blurry, low-resolution moments.

The redesigned Alexa voice remote is another improvement, with a more comfortable shape, an easier-to-find home button, and dedicated shortcuts for major streaming services. You can also use Alexa to search for shows, launch apps, or control compatible smart home devices. The software experience is less impressive, with advertisements and recommendations dominating the home screen, leaving relatively little room for your actual apps. There's also no support for Apple AirPlay or Google Cast, so sharing content directly from your phone isn't particularly convenient. Still, if you're comfortable with Amazon's interface and don't need the missing Dolby formats, the Fire TV Stick 4K delivers responsive streaming and a useful remote for just $30.

Amazon has dropped the price of the 65-inch Toshiba Z670R to $549.97 from $748.99, taking nearly $200 off and bringing it to its lowest price ever, according to price trackers. The deal also includes free delivery to a room of your choice, which normally costs $19.99, though it does not cover unpacking, setup, packaging removal, or haul-away services. You also get a 90-day free trial of Amazon Music with your purchase.

Beyond the discounts, the Z670R has quite a bit going for it, starting with a 4K Mini-LED panel that combines QLED color with local dimming to help bright highlights stand out without washing out darker scenes. It also supports Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+, so you can enjoy compatible HDR content across a wide range of movies, shows, and streaming services.

65-inch Toshiba Z670R

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Gaming is another area where this TV makes a strong case for itself—its panel can run at up to 144Hz, while Variable Refresh Rate, Auto Low Latency Mode, and AMD FreeSync Premium are there to keep fast movement looking smoother and cut down on screen tearing with a compatible console or gaming PC, making it well-suited for racing games, shooters, and sports titles. You also get four HDMI inputs, with support for 4K at 144Hz, so there is room for a console, PC, soundbar, and another device without constantly swapping cables.

Fire TV is built in as well, which means Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and other major streaming apps are available without adding a separate streaming stick, while Alexa handles voice searches and basic controls. The built-in audio is also more substantial than what you get from many slim TVs, with a dedicated bass woofer and Dolby Atmos support, so you may be able to live without a soundbar at first if you are setting up a bedroom or smaller living room. One potential downside is that Mini-LED does not give you the perfect blacks of OLED, so movie fans who watch mostly in a dark room may still prefer to pay more for one. For someone who splits time between movies, sports, and gaming, though, the Z670R gives you a lot of flexibility for about $550 without immediately requiring extra equipment.

As Lifehacker's deals writer, I'm always looking for the best bargains on TVs, speakers, laptops, and other tech. Now that it's Friday, I've gathered together this week's sales highlights, all of which I've vetted using my favorite price-tracking tools to make sure they are actually good deals.

This week, you can find bargains on the Apple Watch 10, Samsung soundbars, my favorite robot vacuum, QLED TVs, and more.

roborock Qrevo CurvX Robot Vacuum and Mop

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Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Premium Bone Conduction Open-Ear Sport Headphones

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Dual 4K UHD 1000R Curved Gaming Monitor | 240Hz, 1ms with DisplayPort 2.1, Quantum Mini-LED, DisplayHDR 1000

Samsung 57" Odyssey Neo G9 (G95NC)

$1,499.99 at Amazon

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Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 44mm Aluminum Smartwatch

$202.56 at Amazon

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Smartwatch with Gold Titanium Case with Gold Milanese Loop - M/L. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Carbon Neutral

Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS + Cellular 46mm case]

$679.00 at Amazon

$799.00 Save $120.00

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Samsung HW-Q600F 3.1.2ch Soundbar With Wireless Subwoofer

$379.97 at Amazon

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TCL 65 Inch Class QM8L Series | SQD-Mini-LED QLED Smart TV | 65QM8L, 2026 Model | 144Hz | Ultimate Color Brightness & Contrast | Google AI Bang & Olufsen | Voice Control Gaming Streaming Television

$1,197.99 at Amazon

$2,499.99 Save $1,302.00

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Ultimate Ears MINIROLL Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

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TCL Nxtpaper 14 256GB 14.3" Tablet With Pen and Case (Gray)

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Samsung 65-Inch Class S90H Series

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My favorite robot vacuum is 50% off

I got the Roborock Qrevo CurvX since it seemed like a great fit for the fact that I have a dog, a mix of different floor types, and a gym with a workout mat. Amazon currently has it for $749.99 (originally $1,499.99), a 50% discount, and the lowest price it has ever been.

The Shokz Bone Conduction headphones are $70 off right now

Shokz is one of the best brands making bone conduction headphones right now. Right now, the older but still capable OpenRun Pros are discounted to $109.95 (originally $179.99), the second-lowest price they've reached. As the name implies, these are meant to be used on outdoor runs. They have an IP55 rating for dust- and water-resistance, are lightweight and comfortable, and can be worn with bicycle helmets and sunglasses.

An Ultra-Wide Samsung gaming monitor for $600 off

The 57-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G9, one of the best ultra-wide gaming monitors on the market, is currently on sale for $1,499.99 (originally $2,499.99 at launch)—that's its second-best discount. It has impressive specs, but you'll need a top-notch gaming computer with specific outputs to take full advantage of its 240Hz refresh rate potential.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones for 32% off

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 has been around since 2022, and they were only succeeded this summer by the Sennheiser Momentum 5. However, they are still great headphones, and with their $202.56 price (originally $299.99) after a 32% discount, they're a great opportunity to get top-quality headphones at a more than reasonable price.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is $120 off

Amazon has dropped the 46mm Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS + Cellular) to $679 from $799, taking $120 off this titanium model. Although it's no longer Apple's newest smartwatch, the Series 10 still has plenty going for it, with PCMag giving it an "outstanding" rating. Much of its appeal comes down to the design, which is thinner and more comfortable than the Series 9, with a larger always-on OLED display that gives you more room to read notifications and messages without making the watch feel particularly bulky. The titanium case also gives it a more polished appearance than most smartwatches, especially if you plan to wear it beyond workouts.

A Samsung Dolby Atmos soundbar and wireless subwoofer for $120 off

Samsung’s HW-Q600F soundbar is down to $379.97 at Amazon from $499.99, a $110 discount that brings it to its lowest price ever. This 2025 model sits in the middle of Samsung’s Q-Series lineup and pairs a sleek, angular bar with a subwoofer in a 3.1.2 setup. Dolby Atmos also brings a modest sense of height, and effects track cleanly from left to right. You get a graphic equalizer and sound presets for adjusting the audio to your preferences through the included remote.

One of the best QLEDs of 2026 is over $1,300 off

Right now, the 65-inch QM8L is $1,197.99 (originally $2,499.99), its lowest price since it launched in April. The QM8L has a “Zero Border” bezel design, which gives it a modern, minimalistic look. When you turn it on, you'll likely note how bright this TV gets. TCL claims it reaches 6,000 nits; no OLED can come close to this unit's brightness. Another important spec to note here is the local dimming zones: TCL claims this TV has up to 4,000, which means it gets top-tier backlight control, limited light blooming, and incredible contrast levels that some might not be able to distinguish from an OLED.

This clip-on Ultimate Ears speaker is $50

The Ultimate Ears Miniroll is down to $49.99 (originally $79.99), the second-lowest it has sold for so far. It’s a small, flat, puck-shaped Bluetooth speaker that weighs just over half a pound, with a removable rubber strap you can attach to a backpack, bike handlebar, or shower caddy. Despite its size, the Miniroll can get surprisingly loud—which PCMag confirms in its review—and at moderate volume, it has enough sound for a kitchen or backyard without sounding thin. As for its battery life, you get about 12 hours of playback before it needs a charge over USB-C, while its IP67 rating protects it from dust and a brief dunk in water.

A paper-like TCL tablet for $90 off

TCL's NXTPAPER 14 Android tablet, which has a massive matte screen with different viewing modes for reading, streaming video, and writing, is $349.97 (originally $469.99) after a 19% discount. With a 14.3-inch display, the NXTPAPER 14 might not be as portable as other tablets on the market, but the screen itself is the biggest perk. The matte display has a paper-like feel and three different viewing modes: You can switch from black-and-white Ink Paper Mode to Color Paper Mode (a must for comics) to full color (for streaming video or using other full-motion apps) with the push of a button.

A premium OLED TV with an over $1,000 discount

If you're looking for a premium model, Samsung’s 65-inch S90H OLED TV is down to $1,497.99 from $2,697.99 at launch, saving you over $1,000. The sale price is easier to justify when you consider that this is a new 2026 model. If the 65-inch model does not suit your space, Samsung also sells the S90H in 42-, 48-, 55-, 77-, and 83-inch versions, and those sizes are discounted as well.

This week Garmin's screenless Cirqa smart band received a firmware update that fixes one of its most obvious gaps: the lack of alerts from your phone. With Version 4.20, you can now set up your smart band to buzz your wrist for texts, calls, and other smart notifications from your phone. The addition is listed on Garmin's forums as "Support vibration for smart notifications/incoming calls." Reaction has been upbeat, too—users on the Garmin subreddit have been glad to see the feature arrive.

Amusingly, Garmin's own FAQ still states that the Cirqa does not vibrate for text messages, phone calls, or other smartphone notifications. Clearly that page is now out of date, so Garmin will want to correct it. Since Garmin doesn't yet have step-by-step instructions, I tested the text-message vibrations myself. Here's how you can set up your Cirqa smart band to vibrate for calls and texts, in addition to a number of other promising updates to check out.

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How to set up call and text alerts on your Garmin Cirqa

To receive these alerts, your band must be running firmware 4.20 or later. Here is how to get everything configured.

1. Update the firmware. Open your Garmin Connect app and sync your Cirqa, so the app can check for and install version 4.20 or newer.

2. Grant the necessary phone permissions. In your phone's settings, make sure Garmin Connect has permission to access SMS, Contacts, and Phone.

3. Configure notifications in Garmin Connect. Back in Garmin Connect, tap the Menu (or More) tab. Select Garmin Devices, then choose your Cirqa Smart Band. Go to Notifications & Alerts (or Smart Notifications) and turn on text and call alerts.

Troubleshooting tip: If alerts aren't coming through, check that Do Not Disturb, Sleep Mode, and any aggressive Battery Saver settings are turned off on both your phone and the band.

What else is new with the Garmin Cirqa

For most a lot of Cirqa fans, the phone alerts are the headline, but the 4.20 update carries a solid list of other improvements and bug fixes:

• Trail Run: Run/Walk detection is now available for Trail Run activities.

• Timestamp fix: Resolved a problem where an activity's recorded time didn't match the time on your phone.

• Distance calibration: You can now calibrate distance for Treadmill Run, Indoor Rowing, and Indoor Cycling before saving the activity on the device.

• Duration alerts: Duration time alerts for speaking out now accumulate.

• Stress alerts: Stress alerts are now blocked while Auto Activity Detection is recording.

• Bedtime reminders: Fixed an issue where the bedtime approaching notification sometimes failed to trigger.

• Live Activity: Heart rate now appears on the Live Activity screen before recording begins.

• Pinned activity bug: Fixed an issue where the pinned activity reverted to Timed Activity after changing the phone's language.

• Workout editing: Fixed a problem that prevented editing reps during a workout.

• Stability: General system stability improvements.

I live in a 1,600-square-foot home, and vacuuming and mopping it by hand takes a considerable chunk of time. Passing that labor off to a robot vacuum was a great decision. I decided to go with the Roborock Qrevo CurvX since it seemed like a great fit for my circumstances. If you also have a dog, a mix of different floor types, and a gym with a workout mat, this robot vacuum might work for you, too. Amazon currently has it for $749.99 (originally $1,499.99), a 50% discount, and the lowest price it has ever been, according to price-tracking tools.

Roborock Qrevo CurvX Robot Vacuum and Mop

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One of the main things I was looking for in a robot vacuum was suction power. The Qrevo CurvX has 22,000 Pa, which is stronger than most options at its price and is powerful enough to pick up anything that needs vacuuming in my house. I like that it has a self-lifting chassis so it can climb over my workout mat, rugs, obstacles like cables, or anything else that might be in the way, so I don't have to babysit it while it's doing its job. I also like the extendable mop pads and side brushes that allow it to reach corners and crevices it might not be slim enough to fit into. (Speaking of which, it's only 3.14 inches tall, so it can fit under most couches and beds without issue.)

My experience with the Roborock app has been great. It's easy to use and gives me enough control to clean my house how I want without a hassle. "No Go Zones" are easy to set up, as is the schedule. The main issue I've had is the size of the internal dust bin: It's small, so it needs to be cleaned after basically every scheduled use (though that shouldn't be as bad if you don't have a pet that sheds a lot).

Take it from me: If you're looking for a reliable hybrid robot vacuum that can clean multiple types of floors, mop, and comes with a great app, the Qrevo CurvX makes a compelling case at the current $750 discount.

Garmin users are taking to the company's support forums with a common grievance: The newly introduced "OK Garmin" hands-free voice feature appears to be eating through battery life. The feature arrived through Garmin’s September software updates, bringing hands-free voice activation to the Fenix 8, Forerunner 570 and 970, Venu 4, and several other models. Here's how to make sure Garmin's new updates aren't slashing your watch's battery life.

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Garmin's latest feature updates for select smartwatches

Last month's updates for select watches also brought all-day fall detection, a set of new Quick Workouts and Garmin Run Coach plans, as well as that "OK Garmin" hands-free voice command feature. It's exactly what it sounds like: Instead of pressing a button, users can simply say “OK Garmin” to activate voice commands. However, it looks like "OK Garmin" in particular is what causes some watch's projected runtimes to drastically drop, allegedly by roughly 35% to 50% in some cases.

Garmin does acknowledge that enabling these settings shortens battery life, though it doesn't say by how much. The tradeoff makes sense, since the watch has to listen constantly for its wake phrase. Even so, giving up several days of runtime is a steep price for a feature that many people may seldom use. Luckily, the fix is simple: Turning off "OK Garmin" should restore your battery life estimates right away.

Credit: Meredith Dietz

How to stop Garmin's new feature from draining your watch's battery

If your watch has been draining faster since the update, go to Settings > System > Voice and disable "OK Garmin." If needed, you can also switch off the Phone Assistant wake word from the same area. The good news is that turning this feature off won't even take voice commands away—you can still trigger them manually using the watch's physical controls.

Keep in mind that these numbers are battery estimates rather than independently tested, real-world runtimes. Some of the battery complaints that surfaced after the update may also stem from unrelated issues. Still, trading away as much as half your battery life just to avoid pressing a button is a difficult bargain to defend.

If you're on the free ChatGPT plan or the $20-a-month Plus tier, you can still get ChatGPT to generate downloadable PowerPoint files from the content of your conversations. However, they'll be more basic than those made in the full version of ChatGPT Slides, and there are no collaboration or native edit options.

ChatGPT Slides is part of OpenAI's push to give users a complete office suite inside the ChatGPT apps. Pages (the word processor) is already available for Pro tiers and above, while a spreadsheet app is on the way—the idea being that you will soon be able to get all your work done without any help from Google or Microsoft.

While Chatgpt Slides is only available on pricey plans right now, it's likely to come to lower subscription tiers in the future. But for now, how does the tool compare to what's available in the free and Plus tiers, not to mention what you can do with Gemini inside Google Slides? I've taken a detailed look.

How ChatGPT handles presentations for free and Pro users

When it comes to testing out AI tools, it helps to focus on something you're already knowledgeable about so you can spot any mistakes. To test this, I decided to see what ChatGPT could hoover up from the web about the new iPhone Duo. If you're on the free or Plus plans, you can start a conversation, then ask for a slideshow or PowerPoint about it.

Plus accounts also have access to a specific Presentations add-on, available via the + (plus) menu in the prompt box, though I get the impression this feature is in a state of flux since ChatGPT Slides arrived. In any case, you can begin asking about the iPhone Duo specs and early online reactions, and then say "build me a slideshow on the key features and reviews so far".

A slideshow made with a ChatGPT Plus account—with a strange iPhone Duo screen mark. Credit: Lifehacker

What I got back on the $20 Plus account was a fairly competent slideshow on Apple's foldable, with accurate information as far as I could see, and a simple series of layouts. It looked like something you might whip up from a template if you were in a rush and didn't have time to properly align all the bullet points or be very selective about which details you included and which you left out. One neat touch is that ChatGPT was able to drop in an official photo of the iPhone Duo at the start of the slideshow, but I had to specifically ask for one.

You can go back and make specific edits to the slideshow, but you have to describe them in the general prompt box—you can't select individual slide elements and make more precise changes. Still, if all you want to do is occasionally convert your ChatGPT conversations into a rough and ready slideshow, there's no real need to upgrade from the free or Plus accounts for now.

ChatGPT Slides is a decent upgrade

Switching to a Pro account, I gave a similar task to ChatGPT Slides hoping for something more comprehensive. To begin with, Slides gets its own dedicated area in the app, so you can start up a blank presentation from scratch—there are some basic image and text features, but the idea is to use prompts to build your slide deck. It's like a really basic Google Slides, with a prompt box.

Creating a slideshow this way feels rather tedious: Typing out what you want to say and then waiting for ChatGPT to do it isn't as intuitive as just throwing in some graphics and text yourself, as you might do in PowerPoint. It also seems to be a bit buggy, at least during the time I spent testing it, with some requests not properly completing.

With ChatGPT Pro and Slides, the presentation was much more polished. Credit: Lifehacker

Starting a standard conversation with ChatGPT and then turning all the information into a deck is much more useful from my perspective. My iPhone Duo slideshow was longer, laid out better, and more informative than the one I created on the Plus plan—there were even charts of battery life and official photos this time.

ChatGPT presentations are still lacking at every tier

However, whether I used the free, Plus, or Pro tools, my presentations didn't come across as particularly well thought through. They don't really flow smoothly, either across individual slides or the slideshow as a whole—it feels very much like an algorithm, rather than a person, has decided what information to include and where on the slides to stick it.

Whether you create presentations in chats or through the ChatGPT Slides space, you're able to click on individual elements and do some basic manual resizing and repositioning. You can also request edits via prompts: "Drop in an image of a cat", "make this pop more", "center all of this information", or whatever it is.

ChatGPT Slides gets its own space in the app. Credit: Lifehacker

ChatGPT Slides does offer collaborative tools, which I wasn't able to test, and I can see that being useful for teams heavily invested in ChatGPT's ecosystem. I can also imagine ChatGPT Slides coming in handy when you've got a lot of information you need to quickly dump into a slideshow that looks vaguely presentable.

In general though, I think I'd much rather stick to the traditional way of making slideshows for now. These old methods are more precise and more manageable, and give you full control over what's shown and where—even if they do take a bit longer. What's more, modern-day presentation tools come with so many templates and other layout aids that it's not difficult to put together something that's easy on the eyes while including all of the information you think is most critical.

How ChatGPT Slides compares to Google Slides in Google AI Pro

Google is, of course, also all the way in on AI (and then some), and if you pay for Google AI Pro ($19.99 a month) or above, you can have Gemini pop up right inside Google Slides to give you some assistance with your presentation-making. To compare the tools, I gave it the same task as I did ChatGPT, asking for a slide deck on the new iPhone Duo.

Gemini actually asked some questions along the way: about wht visual style to use, the audience to aim the slideshow at, and the details to highlight. Though it's always possible to put this sort of information manually into a prompt, this would be a helpful additional to ChatGPT Slides.

Google Slides and Gemini put together a polished but not perfect slide deck. Credit: Lifehacker

What Gemini and Google Slides produced was impressive in terms of the layout and overall vibe of the presentation: It felt much more like a human being had put together the slide deck compared to what ChatGPT had produced, in terms of the information chosen, the way the slides were laid out, and the color picks.

However, Google's result had its faults too: The presentation got the facts on the maximum brightness of the iPhone Duo screen wrong, and produced an "iPhone Duo" graphic that looked like two iPhones from around 2021 stuck together. ChatGPT Slides at least managed to pull official imagery from the Apple website.

That is clearly not an iPhone Duo... Credit: Lifehacker

You can't attach individual edit prompts to specific parts of your presentation in Google Slides as you can in ChatGPT Slides—you have to mention them in the general prompt box. That said, Google Slides is obviously a much more mature and established slideshow tool compared to the OpenAI equivalent, in terms of its features and layout options (it has been around for a decade, after all).

Given that extra software structure and the lower cost of entry, Gemini and Google Slides is the better option for AI-assisted slideshow making at the moment—though I wouldn't bet against OpenAI catching up. For now, ChatGPT Slides is something that's good to have available if you're already paying a lot for ChatGPT every month, but not a feature that makes it worth your while to swap your AI allegiance.

If you have even the tiniest inkling that you might want to get in shape in the new year—or anytime really—don’t wait until January. This isn't a "winter arc" self-improvement pitch; it's just facts. The best time to start a gym habit is before the holiday season. Heck, in December, you’ll even have the place mostly to yourself.

Sure, technically “right now” is always the best time to start exercising, but the holiday season is special. If you wait until January, gyms will be packed. The first two weeks of the year, everybody thinks they’re at the start of an amazing new fitness habit...and by February, most of them have forgotten all about it. Don’t make life harder for yourself by starting during the big rush. Classes will fill up, you’ll have to fight people for the squat rack, and it will be hard to have any real fun. So start now.

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In October and November, gyms and classes are at more or less their normal capacities. This is a good time to feel out the vibe of a new place. But it gets better: Once December rolls around, the fair-weather gymgoers will be off shopping for gifts after work and attending holiday parties on the weekends. They won’t feel like getting out of their warm beds in the morning, either. When you arrive, the squat rack will be free. You’ll have your choice of treadmills. The gym will be your oyster.

If you start now, you'll have about two months to get up to speed before the rush starts in January. And that is a perfect little time frame to set a small goal and keep it. Vow to hit the gym three times a week, and you’ll be able to get in 24 workouts before Christmas, even if you take a few days off for festivities. You can get a lot stronger in 24 workouts. Or run, if that's the fitness journey you're most excited about. If you start a couch-to-5k running plan now, you’ll be routinely running 30 minutes at a stretch by the time we get to January.

Yes, the holiday season can be busy and stressful, but remember that working out tends to help our brains manage stress. Mark workouts on your calendar, and keep those appointments with yourself.

Don’t worry about missing out on deals. Any gym or studio that offers a January special probably offers sales year-round anyway. And ultimately, if you get into the habit of actually using the gym, you're getting a lot more value for your money than somebody who joins in January and quickly stops showing up.

There’s no shortage of outdoor security cameras, but finding one that balances video quality, battery life, and ease of use without pushing past $100 is rare. Right now, the Tapo MagCam 2K+ is on sale for $59.99 on Amazon, down from $89.99, which is its lowest price to date, according to price trackers. PCMag named it the best security camera of 2024, pointing out that while battery-powered cameras often trade convenience for frequent recharging, the MagCam 2K+ avoids that issue with a 10,000mAh battery rated to last up to 300 days per charge, depending on how often it records.

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Charging happens over micro-USB, though there’s an optional Tapo A200 solar panel if you want to avoid manual recharging altogether. Video tops out at 2K resolution, with a wide 150-degree field of view that works well for driveways or side yards. During the day, footage looks sharp and detailed. At night, the camera can switch between infrared black-and-white or color video using its built-in spotlights and starlight sensor. Storage is flexible. You can record locally to a microSD card, up to 512GB (card not included), or you can go with cloud storage through a Tapo Care plan starting at $3.49/month.

Alerts can distinguish between people, pets, and vehicles, and those intelligent notifications are free, as highlighted by PCMag in its “outstanding” review of the MagCam 2K+. It also integrates smoothly with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT, though it doesn’t support Apple’s HomeKit. You also won’t find mechanical pan or tilt, but the fixed lens covers enough ground for most yards or porches. As for managing the camera, its companion app is intuitive, offering settings for motion sensitivity, siren activation, spotlight brightness, firmware updates, and more. Overall, the MagCam 2K+ handles the basics well and throws in a few smart features usually reserved for pricier models.

A travel router sounds unnecessary until you run into unreliable hotel wifi, device limits, or a public network you’d rather not use. The TP-Link Roam 6 is built for exactly those situations, and its AX3000 variant is currently down to $69.99 from $79.98 on Amazon, while the cheaper AX1500 is $44.99, down from $59.99, with price trackers showing both at their lowest prices so far.

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So the choice mostly comes down to whether you want to save $25 or pay more for faster networking and extra capacity—both can take hotel, Airbnb, or other public wifi and turn it into one private network for your devices, which means you can connect the router once and then join your phone, laptop, tablet, and streaming stick through it instead of signing each one in separately. They also support OpenVPN and WireGuard, so you can route those connected devices through a VPN if you want an extra layer of privacy.

The AX3000 is the one I would look at if you travel with several devices, work remotely, or simply want more headroom. It can deliver up to 2,402Mbps on the 5GHz band and 574Mbps on 2.4GHz, compared with 1,201 Mbps and 300 Mbps, respectively, on the AX1500, and it can handle up to 80 connected devices instead of 60. You also get a 2.5Gbps WAN port for faster wired internet, plus USB 3.0 for things like phone tethering, a USB modem, or file sharing. None of those upgrades will fix bad hotel internet, but they make the AX3000 better suited to heavier use once you are on a decent connection.

The AX1500, meanwhile, still gives you Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit Ethernet, USB tethering, and the core travel-router features, making it the easier pick if you mostly travel solo or just want a simple way to get a laptop, phone, and a few other devices online.

Not everybody needs, wants, or can afford the "best" headphones available, especially when they can easily cost half a grand. If the $450+ Sony XM6s, which I called the best over-ear headphones of 2025 (and 2026 so far), are not in your budget, then perhaps the more affordable Sony WH-CH720Ns could be. While they're not quite as premium, they're significantly cheaper and offer good enough audio quality for most people.

Right now, you can get them for $88 (originally $179.99) on Amazon, their second-lowest price ever according to price tracking tools. Thopugh they've dropped below $100 before, all three colorways have not been available at their current price at the same time until now.

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These are Sony's entry-level over-ear headphones, and the company mostly made cuts in the design and build. When you hold them, they might feel hollow and light, but they're still comfortable since the earcups are well-cushioned, as noted in CNET's review. However, Sony did not make as many sacrifices in the audio or ANC department, which, at the end of the day, is what's most important.

These headphones use the same Sony Sound Connect app as the flagship models and share some of the same features, like multipoint technology to connect to up to two devices. They also come with Google Fast Pair and Find My Device support, nice features to have for convenience, especially if you misplace them. You can get 35 hours of battery life with ANC on and 50 hours with ANC off, and the charging is quick, with three minutes giving you three hours of juice.

The ANC is not as good as the latest XM6, but it works great for under $100, according to Mashable's review, and it will block most ambient noise outdoors or indoors. Transparency mode is also great, allowing you to have conversations and hear bikes or cars passing by. The adjustable EQ in the app means you can tweak the crisp and vibrant sound of the WH-CH720N to your liking.

Zone 2 training is still having a moment—even if no one can agree on what it actually means. Legend has it that your easy, conversational-pace cardio—aka your Zone 2 heart rate—is the secret to unlocking everything from a bigger aerobic engine, to faster race times, and even to a longer life.

Whether Zone 2 deserves quite this much hype is debatable, but still, there are plenty of good reasons to master heart rate training more broadly. To train by heart rate, you aim to keep your heart rate in the "zone" that gives you your desired workout. Even if you believe every word of the Zone 2 gospel, it's completely pointless if your watch has the wrong idea of what your Zone 2 is. If you train with a Garmin watch, here’s how—and why—you should reset your heart rate zones now (and periodically).

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How Garmin determines your heart rate zones

When you first set up your Garmin, it asked for your age, weight, and a few other details. From there it generated heart rate zones, often using a default formula based on a maximum heart rate estimated from your age (typically some version of 220 minus your age). But these formulas are often wrong, since they give a single number for everybody at the same age, while real maximum heart rates vary from person to person. 

Plus, there isn’t one universally agreed-upon heart rate zone system. So if your watch assumed a max of 180 and yours is actually 195, every zone it gave you is shifted. Your "Zone 2" might really, for you, be Zone 1 (AKA a pace so easy it barely feels like a workout). Or your "Zone 2" might actually be a moderate-to-hard effort that's digging you into a hole, while you think you're taking it easy. At every step of the way, there’s a different formula and definition that determines what heart rate zone shows up on your watchface. 

To complicate things further, Garmin gives multiple options to set up your zones:

• Percent of max heart rate. This is the simplest approach. You enter (or let the watch estimate) your max, and each zone is a slice of that number. It's only as good as your max heart rate figure, which, as noted above, is often a guess.

• Percent of heart rate reserve (HRR). This method factors in both your max and your resting heart rate, so zones are based on the range your heart works across rather than just the top of it. It tends to produce more personalized zones, but it means your resting heart rate needs to be current, too.

• Percent of lactate threshold heart rate (LTHR). Here, your zones are anchored to the effort level where your body starts producing lactate faster than it can clear it, a point that's closely tied to how you actually perform. Many coaches consider this the most meaningful anchor, because it reflects your real physiology rather than a formula.

That third option raises its own question: Where does your lactate threshold number come from?

Do you need to take Garmin’s lactate test?

In the past, getting a lactate threshold estimate from a Garmin meant wearing a compatible chest strap and doing a guided test, which involved a structured, hard run on your part. On newer models, however, that's no longer the case. Garmin has been rolling out an updated lactate threshold detection that works from the wrist's optical heart rate sensor, with no chest strap and no dedicated test. Instead, the watch estimates your threshold automatically from regular outdoor runs. This feature is typically on by default and generally requires a baseline VO2 max estimate and a run or trail run recorded with heart rate. If you'd rather not leave it up to the algorithm, you can turn auto-detection off and enter your own lactate threshold heart rate manually in the heart rate zone settings. Which watches have this varies by model, so check your specific device. 

Why you need to reset your Garmin’s heart rate zones

Even if you set your zones carefully once, they don't stay accurate forever. Several things change over time:

• Your fitness changes. As you get fitter, your resting heart rate often drops, and your lactate threshold heart rate can shift. Zones based on where you were a year or two ago may not reflect where you are now.

• You age. Your maximum heart rate tends to decline gradually over the years.

• You change sports. Running, cycling, and swimming each have different heart rate behavior, and Garmin lets you set sport-specific zones for exactly this reason. If you've never touched them, you may be using running-based numbers on the bike, or vice versa.

• You switched watches or imported old data. Zones can carry over from a previous device or a profile you set up years ago.

• Your resting heart rate has changed. An outdated resting number could be throwing things off.

None of these have dramatic consequences, but if you’re focused on heart rate training, it’s worth trying to be as accurate and up-to-date as possible. If your zones are set too high, you may not be getting the aerobic stimulus you think you are. You'll also underestimate how hard your harder sessions really are, and your training load and recovery metrics can end up skewed.

On the flip side, if your zones are set too low, your "easy" runs could actually become the classic trap of training in the gray zone: too hard to recover from well, too easy to drive big gains. And because Garmin's training status, recovery time, and load features lean on your heart rate data, bad zones can quietly nudge those numbers off as well.

How to update your Garmin heart rate zones

The good news is that fixing all this should take less than 10 minutes. First, decide whether you want zones based on max heart rate, heart rate reserve, or lactate threshold. There’s a good chance you can trust the lactate threshold your watch gives you, or you can find your actual max heart rate. 

The informal way is to just notice what number you see on your watch when you can no longer speak comfortably; the more formal way is this treadmill test. You can also look through your recent hard efforts, like races, hill repeats, or all-out intervals, and see the highest sustained heart rate you've recorded. If you want a more deliberate test, a coach or a structured max-effort protocol can help, but only attempt hard testing if you're healthy and your doctor is comfortable with it. Also keep in mind that reading from a wrist-based sensor can also spike unreliably, so a chest strap gives more trustworthy numbers when accuracy matters.

Next, check your recent average resting heart rate in Garmin Connect and make sure the number your zones are using is current.

In your watch's user profile or in Garmin Connect, find the heart rate zone settings. From there you can adjust your max, change how zones are calculated, and set different zones for different sports. 

Finally, put these new zones to the test. Go for an easy run or ride at what your watch calls Zone 2. Can you hold a conversation, breathing comfortably in full sentences? Does it feel sustainable for a long time? If it feels either laughably easy or surprisingly taxing, your zones probably need another look.

The bottom line

Maybe Zone 2 is the cornerstone of your training, or maybe you think it's completely overrated. Either way, the principle is the same: You should be able to train by feel, and your watch can only help you do that if the numbers behind it are right.

Garmin gives you more ways to set your zones than most brands do. Spend 10 minutes figuring out which method your zones are using, confirming the number behind it is current, and updating it in your settings. It’ll make every easy run, hard interval, and recovery metric on your wrist more useful.

Bone conduction headphones are ideal for activities where it is vital to be able to hear your surroundings. That's because they use a technology that sends audio vibrations through to the inner ear while leaving your ear canals open. Shokz is one of, if not the best brand making bone conduction headphones right now. At the high end of Shokz's offerings sit the OpenRun Pro 2s, which impressed me when I tested them out for review, but they are a bit pricey at $180. But right now, the older but still capable OpenRun Pros are discounted to $109.95 (originally $179.99), the second-lowest price they've reached according to price-tracking tools.

SHOKZ OpenRun Pro

Sound: Stereo, Connection Type: Wireless, Connectivity: Bluetooth, Maximum Wireless Range: 33 feet.

$109.95 at Amazon

$179.95 Save $70.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$109.95 at Amazon

$179.95 Save $70.00

If you've never used bone conduction headphones, they're worth a try, and the Shokz OpenPro are a great introduction to the technology. Previously, bone conduction headsets tended to suffer from poor bass compared to in-ear models. The OpenRun Pros are designed to compensate for some of that—you won't get the same thumpy bass you'd get from regular headphones, but it'll be the best you can get from any other bone conduction headphones.

As the name implies, these are meant to be used on outdoor runs. They have an IP55 rating for dust- and water-resistance, are lightweight and comfortable, and can be worn with bicycle helmets and sunglasses. You can use them as everyday headphones too; they can take calls, but you'll need to be mindful of the fact that they don't block any competing sound. Personally, I wear my Shokz all the time around the house and sometimes forget I even have them on (that's how comfortable they are).

Google is automatically verifying Android users' phone numbers

As Android Authority reports, some Android users have recently received confirmation emails from an official Google address stating that their phone number has been verified. Google has required occasional phone number re-verification but appears to have updated its support documentation about a year ago to make this feature opt-out by default. As part of this process, Google also adds your phone number to all Google Accounts that are signed in on the device, including current accounts and phone numbers and any that are added or updated in the future.

You can change your phone number verification settings on Android

Disable automatic phone number verification

If you have an Android device, you can disable automatic phone number verification, which should prevent Google from linking sign-in accounts together. You can find this toggle in your Settings app under Google or Google services and preferences > All Services > Privacy & Security > Phone number verification. (Note that the exact path may differ by device.) You should periodically check to ensure this toggle remains off.

Delete associated numbers from accounts already linked

Updating this setting does not disconnect phone numbers and Google accounts that have already been linked. You can find out which are which via your Google Account Personal Info page. Select your profile picture in the upper-right corner to go through each signed-in account and open the Phone section to select and delete any numbers you don't want associated.

Review your Security & sign-in settings

Finally, Malwarebytes advises scrolling down to the Usage section on the Phone page to view which services are listed as well as reviewing your Security & sign-in settings. If you added your phone number for two-step verification or to a separate app like Google Pay, deleting it from the Phone page won't remove it entirely from your account, and you'll need to update those settings separately. Automatic phone verification shouldn't be the culprit here, but it's useful to audit what your number is being used for and on which accounts if you want to keep things separate.

The original A Different World was a groundbreaking sitcom in its era, spending six seasons highlighting Black academic drive among a cast of characters so indelible that we're now checking in on them decades later. Spearheaded by Queen Sugar's Felicia Pride, the update has been a critical and ratings hit for Netflix, earning the rarest prize of all in streaming television: a quick second season renewal. While you're waiting for season two, here are some other smart coming-of-age shows that blend heart and humor with realistic drama.

Grown-ish (2018 – 2024)

An easy pairing with A Different World, this show follows Black-ish's Zoey Johnson (Yara Shahidi) as she leaves home to attend a (fictional) California liberal arts college (the last couple of post-graduation seasons shift the focus to her brother Andre, played by Marcus Scribner). The emphasis is on driven young people who are capable of making big mistakes on the path to adulthood. A true comedy-drama, Grown-ish feels real(-ish) in a way that few other college shows have managed. Stream Grown-ish on Hulu.

Grown-ish (2018 – 202

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Dear White People (2017 – 2021)

Adapted from and expanding upon the 2014 movie, this show takes us to a (fictional) Ivy League school for a comedy-drama that tackles campus life and politics from a rather different perspective than that of Rooster. Logan Browning leads the ensemble cast as Sam White, who kind of inadvertently starts the titular radio show following a racially charged incident on campus. Far from the racial screed that some bad-faith YouTubers seem to find it, it's never shy about confronting the complicated and occasionally silly contradictions of campus activism, with each episode approaching life at Winchester University from a different character's perspective. Stream Dear White People on Netflix.

Dear White People (2017 – 2021)

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The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021 – 2025)

Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet) is an endlessly naïve scholarship student; Bela (Amrit Kaur) is an aspiring comedy writer on the make for the hottest guys; Whitney (Alyah Chanelle Scott) is an overachieving athlete and senator’s daughter; and Leighton (Reneé Rapp) is a closeted sorority girl. They're all randomly assigned to room together as freshmen at the fictional Essex College in Vermont. Created by Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble, this comedy-drama isn't nearly as salacious as its title suggests. There's sex for sure, but mostly it's a funny, queer-friendly show that's a little less about one overarching romance than it is about growing up, and the value of female friendship. Stream The Sex Lives of College Girls on HBO Max.

The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021 – 2025)

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at HBO Max

Boarders (2024 – 2026)

Even though we're backing up a couple of years to follow teens in their high school years, this British import's setting is a decent match, finding its students living away from home and family for the first time in their lives. At the fictional prestigious boarding school St. Gilbert’s, five Black teens are newly attending on scholarships, but their integration into the existing cliques is less than smooth—especially given that they're there largely as a PR stunt. Boarders blends teen romance, coming-of-age drama, and a delightful willingness to take the piss when it comes to the whole "rich private school" thing. Stream Boarders on Tubi.

Boarders (2024 – 2026)

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Bel-Air (2022 – 2025)

Another modern take on a beloved '80s/'90s sitcom, this one's a bit different, serving as a total reimagining with no narrative connection to the original. And while A Different World is a comedy with dramatic heft, this one's more of a straight drama. It’s jarring for fans of the beloved original to tune in to find a serious show with the same premise as the Will Smith original—one that often leans into heavy realism. Jabari Banks plays, er, Will Smith, a 16-year-old from West Philadelphia who moves in with his auntie and uncle in Bel-Air following a gun charge and a run-in with a Philly drug lord. Banks is charismatic and believable, bringing a ton of personality to a show that occasionally veers down dark alleys. Stream Bel-Air on Peacock.

Bel-Air (2022 – 2025)

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Overcompensating (2025 – )