The beauty of a smart band is that it isn’t a watch and doesn’t need to act like one. That includes where you wear it: Whoop has the right idea with their bicep band and “any-wear” clothing. Since Google hasn’t released a bicep band for the Fitbit Air, some users are taking matters into their own hands—with rolls of tape. 

I’ve watched this trend unfold on the Fitbit Air subreddit, as one person after another realizes they can just tape the device to their arm, or anywhere they want. I’ve actually done something like this before—years ago, I found myself trying to fit the Whoop onto my ankle, and then thought, wait a sec, can’t I just tape it to the side of my leg? (I did, and it worked.) 

Google Fitbit Air - Screenless Activity Tracker

$99.99 at Amazon

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$99.99 at Amazon

Why are people taping Fitbits to their arms (and what kind of tape works best)?

Taping your Fitbit Air to your arm (without the strap, of course) gets it off your wrist. It means the device is no longer in the way of wrist wraps or kettlebells, and you can wear any kind of sleeves or accessories you like without the Fitbit getting in the way or cramping your style.  These are minor problems, to be sure. But sometimes, it’s nice to just forget you’re wearing something. 

People are experimenting with different types of adhesives. One of the more popular is KT tape, the stuff that athletes often use to stabilize a body part that’s giving them some minor trouble. You can also use athletic or medical tape. But I don’t really trust any of those. I find that KT tape can start peeling off in just a day if you do a really sweaty workout and then take a shower. Maybe it’s not supposed to, but it can. Longer strips of tape have plenty of adhesive to keep them on, but a small piece—the size you’d need for a Fitbit—is going to have a harder time doing its job.

The best adhesive for the job is probably a CGM overpatch. CGMs, or continuous glucose monitors, are small plastic devices that are typically stuck on the back of the upper arm. A filament pierces the skin to take readings, but to keep it safely in place, the device itself has an adhesive. You can add some security by applying a large sticker called an overpatch. 

These overpatches are perfect for securing a Fitbit to your arm for long-term use. A typical CGM lasts about two weeks, and the Fitbit Air’s battery lasts about a week. If you want the device to stay on through workouts and showers, an overpatch is more than qualified to do the job. 

Does taping a Fitbit to your arm actually work?

While I’ve taped devices to my body before, I decided to do a proper experiment with the Fitbit Air. I applied it to the back of my arm with an overpatch (similar to this one) and went out for a run. It stuck well despite the sweat, and captured heart rate data that matched well with other devices I used for comparison. 

One risk of taping a Fitbit to your body is that not all areas of the body will capture heart rate equally well. The upper arm may not have great access to blood vessels on everyone’s body (we’re all different), but, on the bright side, sticking it under a patch will keep it snug against your skin and block out ambient light. Those factors tend to improve accuracy. 

Activity detection may suffer, though. The Fitbit is judging your movement based on what it expects to see your wrist doing in a workout. Your upper arm won’t show the same movements as your wrist, so auto-detection might not work properly. When I took the taped Fitbit out on the road, it didn’t auto-detect my jog. On a second run, I started the workout manually and things went better from there. 

Overall, I don’t think taping your Fitbit to your arm is a bad idea. It does have some downsides, though. Auto-detection of workouts might not work as well, and heart rate accuracy will probably depend on the exact location (and how well it performs may vary from person to person). 

There’s one other thing I’m dreading, and that’s what happens when I take it off. An overpatch often has adhesive so strong it’s hard to remove at the end of the two-week life of a CGM. If my Fitbit’s battery dies after just a week, I’ll have to peel off the overpatch at that point to charge it, perhaps painfully and with great difficulty. (Pro tip: Remove things like this in the shower; the warm water helps a lot.) 

It would also get expensive to apply patches every week, but perhaps that’s worth it if you really don’t like a wristband or if you just want to do this for a specific occasion. About the best I can say is that it’s not a terrible idea.

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.

If you're one of those people who can't fall asleep without a "Sleep With Me" podcast droning on, or playing one of those Spotify "Sleep Music 528 Hz" playlists, this week's upgrade is for you. I need my audio to fall asleep, and I usually resort to sleeping in earbuds, but if you're a side sleeper, it can feel like they dig straight into your skull the second you roll over. And just playing audio from your phone speaker is a non-starter when you share the bed with a partner.

The Jabees Peace Duo sleep speaker is one of my favorite solutions to one of my toughest problems: How do you listen to something all night, comfortably, privately, without wearing anything on or in your ears?

Jabees Peace Duo Sleep Speaker Pillow – Under Pillow Speaker Bluetooth for Side Sleepers, Dual Bed Pillow Speakers with SD Card Preloaded Sleep Sounds, Sleep Timer, No Earbuds Needed (Sunrise Yellow)

$49.99 at Amazon

$59.99 Save $10.00

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$49.99 at Amazon

$59.99 Save $10.00

How this under-pillow speaker works

The Peace Duo uses my favorite audio trend, bone conduction technology (pillow conduction technology?). Typically, bone conduction devices send sound vibrations directly toward your inner ear, through the bones of your skull, instead of blasting it out through the open air or directly into your ear canals.

This speaker sits under your pillow rather than in or on your body, which is really the whole point of the "private under-pillow listening" claims. The sound stays close to your head and doesn't broadcast across the room the way a phone or bedside speaker would. Paired with a dual-speaker design, it gives you separate left and right listening units, so you get a bit of stereo positioning depending on how you're lying. Plus, it has a reliable 10-hour battery life, so you can run your sleep soundtrack all night without having to think about it.

Before I give my full-fledged endorsement, however, there are a few caveats worth noting. Here's what to actually expect:

• There is some sound leakage. If someone's sleeping next to you, they may catch a bit of audio—but it'll be significantly quieter than if you just played the same thing off your phone speaker.

• Sound gets muffled coming through the pillow. When using it for spoken-word audio like sleep podcasts, dialogue does lose some clarity—if you need crisp, easily parsed speech, this isn't going to sound like a podcast studio. And it should go without saying that your music won't sound nearly as crisp as it would through earbuds either.

The bottom line

My main reason for this upgrade is wanting a dedicated device I could trust falling asleep with—or else I'd be too paranoid about rolling over on my phone, losing my earbuds in my sheets, or otherwise risking my expensive electronics. It's one less thing to worry about breaking or losing overnight, and for me, it's the most comfortable solution to this specific use case.

And honestly? That slightly muffled quality isn't always a downside! There's something about the softened, pillow-filtered sound that leans into the whole point of falling asleep in the first place. I feel like I'm truly drifting into the sounds, turning my guided meditations into a pleasant, immersive dreamscape.

If you fall asleep to audio every night and you're tired of earbuds falling out or hurting your ears, the Jabees Peace Duo sleep speaker is a comfortable, private way to listen—as long as you're okay trading a little audio quality for a lot more comfort.

If you want an advanced fitness tracker in a sleek package, Garmin makes some of the best options for detailed health and workout insights, along with longer battery life than many mainstream smartwatches. One of its most enticing models is the Garmin Vivoactive 6, which is currently down to a record-low $229.99 (originally $299.99) on Amazon.

Garmin Vivoactive 6 GPS Smartwatch, 42mm

$229.99 at Amazon

$299.99 Save $70.00

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$229.99 at Amazon

$299.99 Save $70.00

Its 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen is crisp and easier to read than Garmin’s older display technology. It’s also lightweight at 36 grams with the included band and slim, at just 10.9 mm thick. As a result, it’s a better option for overnight wear and sleep tracking than the bulkier Venu. The watch also has a Smart Wake Alarm, which uses a half-hour window to try to wake you during a lighter sleep stage with vibration, giving users a more pleasant way to wake up than a blaring phone alarm.  

The watch lasts up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, removing the need to charge it nightly, and it delivers up to 21 hours of battery life in GPS-only mode. Built-in GPS lets you accurately track outdoor workouts and activities without bringing your phone, while music storage allows for phone-free listening with compatible Bluetooth headphones. It also features Garmin Pay for contactless payments, so you can leave your wallet behind, too.

With more than 80 preloaded sports apps, the Vivoactive 6 is highly versatile and supports a wide range of workouts. It’s also a solid option for strength training, with tools to track reps, sets, and rest periods, plus step-by-step workouts for strength, HIIT, yoga, Pilates, mobility, and more. Beyond health and fitness tracking, it includes Garmin Coach plans that adapt to your performance and health metrics, plus daily suggested workouts.

It doesn’t have every feature serious runners and adventurers may want from the brand’s pricier watches, such as more advanced training and navigation tools. But it packs a ton of useful features into a lightweight, everyday-friendly design and lets you spend more time away from your phone if that’s the goal. At $70 off, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is a great choice for iPhone and Android users who want a capable fitness smartwatch without the premium Garmin price tag.

Use this slider to reduce Liquid Glass effects

macOS 26 Tahoe introduced Liquid Glass animations, but that didn't resonate with many users. Apple has walked back those changes since, and with macOS 27, you can use a slider to precisely control Liquid Glass effects. I think reducing Liquid Glass improves readability, so that's what I've chosen. To make the change, click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your Mac's display, and select System Settings > Appearance. You can now use the slider in the "Liquid Glass" section. Move it to the right to reduce the effect.

Use this gesture to refresh pages like you would on iOS

Pull-to-refresh, developed by former Apple engineer Loren Brichter, is one of the iPhone's most iconic gestures. This gesture has now arrived on the Mac, as some first-party apps now let you pull-to-refresh in macOS 27. You can try it on your MacBook (or iMac if you have a trackpad) by opening a webpage in Safari, and performing a two-finger swipe gesture. If you use natural scrolling, then you can use two fingers to swipe downwards. If not, then swipe upwards with two fingers. This will refresh the webpage. The gesture also works in Mail, Calendar, News, and Podcasts

Use this tool to draw and create art in Apple Notes and Freeform

There's a new drawing tool in Apple Notes and Freeform in macOS 27, which you can use to create art and other drawings. To try it in Freeform, open the app, and click the pen icon in the toolbar up top. You can now use the trackpad or a mouse to draw on the board. Similarly, you can select a note (or create a new one) in Apple Notes, hit the pen icon, and start sketching.

Use the new Siri app to set timers, reminders, and answer your questions

macOS 27 has a dedicated Siri app, which you can use for all interactions with the virtual assistant. Once you open the app, you can speak or type your request, and Siri will handle the rest. If you disable "Hey Siri," as I've done, opening the Siri app automatically shows a "Type to Siri" popover. You can then type your request, which I've been using to set timers and reminders. The Siri app can also answer your questions, and handle all the tasks that the virtual assistant used to do before macOS 27.

Take screenshots to access Visual Intelligence on Mac

Credit: Pranay Parab

If you've enabled Apple Intelligence on your Mac, you can use "Visual Intelligence" to learn more about things on your screen. To use it, go to System Settings > Siri, and ensure that Siri AI is enabled. Next, press Command-Shift-6, and select an area of your screen. Siri AI will analyze the image and show you these options: You can use the "Ask Siri" text box to find specific information about the image. Or, click "Image Search" to check the internet for other copies of the object or photo. Depending on what Siri AI finds in the image, you may see other options such as adding a phone number to contacts, or viewing an address in Apple Maps.

Use this Terminal command to AirPlay to your Mac in a resizable window

When you AirPlay to your Mac from another Apple device, the video takes up the entire screen. I prefer it if AirPlay opens in a window, as opposed to full-screen mode. In macOS 27, you can set this up via a Terminal command, as discovered by the user pdfu from MacRumors Forums. Use this command in Terminal:

sudo mkdir -p /Library/Preferences/FeatureFlags/Domain && \ sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/FeatureFlags/Domain/ControlCenter APReceiverInWindow -dict Enabled -bool true

Now, restart your Mac. The next time you AirPlay from another device to your Mac, you'll notice that the video opens in a resizable window. To restore default settings, use this command in Terminal, and restart your Mac after:

sudo defaults delete /Library/Preferences/FeatureFlags/Domain/ControlCenter APReceiverInWindow

Use this feature to organize related tabs in Safari

Safari in macOS 27 allows you to automatically organize related tabs. This feature is enabled by default, but I don't like how it starts grouping tabs on its own. Instead, I prefer to receive Safari's tab grouping suggestions and to group them myself. This is because I've found automatic tab organization sometimes misses a tab or two. Open Safari in macOS 27, and click the Safari menu at the top of the page. Go to Settings > Tabs, and click the drop-down menu next to "Organize tabs." Select "Show Related Tabs," and you're good to go.

Use "Describe Extension" to create your own Safari extensions

Credit: Pranay Parab

Once you have Siri AI enabled, you can use "Describe Extension." This feature uses AI to create Safari extensions for you, and all you have to do is type what you're looking for. To try it out, open Safari on your Mac, load any website, and click the three-line button in the address bar. Here, select Describe Extension. You'll see a pop-up with a text box, and some helpful prompts to get you started. You can make something as simple as an extension that automatically closes duplicate tabs, or more complex tasks such as changing the stylesheet of a website to add some holiday cheer to each page.

Use this Terminal command to disable the 'Ask Siri' menu item to clean up your right-click menu

Siri AI is helpful in macOS 27, but it also appears everywhere. I find it particularly annoying when I see the Siri AI button every time I right-click anywhere on my MacBook. Thankfully, there's an easy way to remove it from the context menu, which I discovered on Reddit. Use the following Terminal command, and then restart your Mac:

codes=(soft apwn exit loca lock logo rlgo rcnt rrst rest rsdn shut slep spro syss) args=(-int 0) for code in $codes; do hex=$(printf %s "$code" | xxd -p -u) args+=(-int "$((16#$hex))") done defaults write -g NSAppleMenuAllowedItems -array "${args[@]}"

To restore default settings, use this command:

defaults delete -g NSAppleMenuAllowedItems

Use this Terminal command to control menu bar apps with your keyboard

If you prefer keyboard navigation, you'll know you can use the arrow keys to switch between different menus at the top of your Mac's screen. Once you select a menu item in any app, you can press the right arrow key to go to the next menu, eg: going from "File" to "Edit." The left arrow key takes you to the previous menu item, however, this navigation stops with the last menu item, which is usually "Help." In macOS 27, there's a hidden feature that allows you to switch from the last app menu item to the first menu bar app using your arrow keys. You'll have to enable this using Terminal, and restart your Mac for it to take effect. Use this Terminal command to enable the feature:

defaults write -g NSMenuEnableMenuBarAgent -bool true
defaults write -g NSMenuBarUseAgentNavigation -bool true

To disable the feature, use this command:

defaults delete -g NSMenuEnableMenuBarAgent
defaults delete -g NSMenuBarUseAgentNavigation

A reminder: You shouldn't rely solely on cloud storage for your backups. Follow the 3-2-1 rule, which protects against a single point of failure, such as getting locked out of your account or issues with the service itself.

Google: 15GB of free cloud storage

The most obvious option for free storage is Google Drive. Google offers up to 15GB of storage per account, though this is split across all Google apps, including Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos as well as Android backups. You could create multiple Google accounts, which would allow you to stack 15GB allotments. Note that Google recently introduced a 5GB free storage cap on some new accounts, though you can get around this by linking a phone number.

Apple iCloud: 5GB of free cloud storage

iCloud users automatically get 5GB of free storage, split across backups, photos, and files, as well as data from Messages, Mail, Contacts, FaceTime, voice memos, and Apple Invites. You can delete content to reduce the size of your iCloud backup to manage available storage space. The cheapest paid iCloud+ tier comes with 50GB storage for around $1 per month.

Microsoft OneDrive: 5GB of free cloud storage

Similar to iCloud, OneDrive comes with 5GB of free cloud storage, and all you need is a Microsoft 365 account. This limit is shared across documents, files, and photos—Outlook gets a separate 15GB allotment.

Box: 10GB of free cloud storage

Box offers 10GB of secure storage on its free plan. There's a 250GB file upload limit, so this isn't the best option for media or larger files, plus you only get access to one file version. Free users do get 5 e-signature requests per month, so Box is a good choice for documents.

Dropbox: 2GB of free cloud storage

Dropbox's free plan is limited to just 2GB of storage, which can be filled with photos, documents, and files from up to three devices. You can also use Dropbox to share files and collaborate with other users, and the service integrates with many third-party apps.

Proton Drive: 5GB of free cloud storage

Proton is known for its privacy-focused products, so Proton Drive is a good choice for storing sensitive records like tax returns and legal documents. The free plan comes with 5GB of space, and your vault is end-to-end encrypted.

MEGA: 20GB of free cloud storage

MEGA allows a whopping 20GB of storage to free users with automatic backups and 100 file versions, making it a solid option for large archives and media.

Other cloud storage services: Free storage amounts vary

There are a handful of other cloud storage providers that offer free plans without aggressive ads, major file size limitations, or serious privacy compromises. Other options include Sync.com (5GB), Icedrive (10GB), and pCloud (up to 10GB), though some users on Reddit have noted reliability and customer support concerns with these services.

Password managers often include free storage

Your password manager subscription may not technically be free, but if you're already paying for it, you may have some small amount of secure file storage at no additional cost. Bitwarden's Premium plan comes with 5 GB of encrypted storage, while many others (1Password, Proton Pass, and Dashlane, to name a few) include 1 GB.

How to organize and maximize your free storage space

If you are using multiple cloud storage services, you can distribute different content types across each to maximize features and ease of access. Proton Drive and Sync.com are good choices for sensitive files you want to be sure are secure, though you can use a tool like Cryptomator (which is free and open source) to encrypt your vault before syncing to a service like Google Drive or Box.

Google Drive, OneDrive, and iCloud are best for files and documents you need regularly, including items that require collaboration and sharing, as well as device backups. MEGA could be a solid option for cold storage—media that doesn't change or need to be accessed often. And Box is useful for smaller documents, like PDF records and receipts, given its individual file size limit.

It feels like Amazon's Prime Day 2026 sale just ended, but the company isn't done targeting your wallet yet. The fall version of the mega-sale, known as Prime Big Deal Days, is just around the corner.

Here is everything you need to know to prepare for the fall's biggest sale (at least until Black Friday rolls around).

What is Prime Big Deal Days?

You can think of Prime Big Deal Days as fall's answer to Prime Day. It's a two-day sale with deals in virtually every category you can think of. While Prime Day is the bigger sale of the two, Prime Big Deal Days has grown substantially since its first iteration back in 2022.

When is Prime Big Deal Days this year?

Amazon announced Prime Big Deal Days 2026 will take place from Oct. 6–Oct. 7. This is the fifth year for Amazon's fall Prime Day sale.

Do you need to be a Prime Member to shop during Prime Big Deal Days?

Yes, you will need to be a Prime Member to shop the exclusive sales during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days. Prime membership starts at $14.99 per month. While only you can decide if buying a yearly Prime membership is worth it for you, remember you can always sign up and then cancel your Prime membership once the sale is over: Amazon offers a free 30-day trial, and students get six months for free, so you can shop both days of the event (and even get some early Black Friday deals) before canceling without being charged. Here's how to sign up for a Prime account and all of the benefits that come with it.

What sales you can expect during Prime Big Deal Days

Prime Day happens in the summer, when you're more likely to see deals on outdoorsy stuff, like gardening equipment, grills, and hot tubs, in addition to the usual tech and Amazon device deals. Since Prime Big Deal Days happens in the fall, you're likely to see more deals on gaming and indoor gym equipment. Amazon has already announced some of the 35 categories that will be on sale, including beauty, tech, kitchen, fashion, and home. Some brands Amazon has already mentioned are: Shark, Princess Polly, Soundcore by Anker, UGG, Nest New York, Sony, Tarte, Adidas, and Barefoot Dreams.

Keep an eye on "Today’s Big Deals," since that's where you'll see the biggest discounts from major brands, according to Amazon's press release. Amazon also teased deals for up to 45% off Amazon devices, kitchen appliances for up to 40% off, print books for up to 65% off, 75% off grocery items, and 50% off "game day essentials."

Some early Prime Big Deal Days deals are already live

As is usually the case, Amazon likes to kick off its sales with early deals in the lead-up to the main event. You can browse around on the main Prime Big Deal Days landing page to see what's available right now. Some highlights:

• Amazon is already discounting Amazon devices up to 50% off.

• These Blink and Ring bundles are especially good, with most going for less than buying the camera alone.

• This TCL 65 Inch Class QM7L TV is down to its lowest price ever, $897.99 (originally $1,197.99).

Amazon's competitors are also offering sales

As in past years, you can expect major retailers to have their own competitive sales. So far, Target and Walmart have already announced their sales, and Best Buy is sure to follow suit soon.

Some tips for a successful Prime Big Deal Days

If this will be your first October Prime Day, there are some basic things you need to know about Amazon sales:

• You can share your Prime membership with family members even if they don't live with you

• You can set price alerts for products you want and your Alexa devices can notify you when they go on sale

• There are usually some "Invite-Only" deals that you can sign up for

• There are tools you can use to see if the deal you're looking at is good or not.

But if you only take one bit of advice for shopping on Prime Big Deal Days, let it be this one: Don't buy anything you weren't going to buy anyway. A good way to make sure you do this is by making a list of the products you do want and only having eyes for those.

This is the year smart glasses grew up. In 2026, we've fully moved past the era of bulky novelties for tech hipsters to wearables that are useful, stylish, and comfortable. With big tech companies and small startups alike vying for a piece of the market, there are so many different kinds of glasses dropping onto store shelves and into Amazon shopping carts that it can be tough to figure out which ones are worth your money.

I've been covering smart glasses for Lifehacker for years, testing everything I can get my eyes on. Below are my favorite smart glasses for 2026, broken down by how people actually use them.

Best smart glasses overall: Ray-Ban Meta Glasses (Gen 2)

Credit: Robyn Johnson

Meta's Ray-Ban and Oakley shades own about 80% of the smart glasses market in the United States, and it's not only because they were first to market. Meta glasses look good, are comfortable enough to wear all day, and have an excellent 12MP camera, decent audio, and reliable AI integration. Most importantly, their core features, like the always-ready hands-free camera, instant translation, and instant AI, are useful without being obtrusive. If you can deal with Meta's sometimes spotty reputation when it comes to privacy, these are great smart glasses. Read my full review here.

Ray-Ban Meta Glasses (Gen 2)

$409.00 at Amazon

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$409.00 at Amazon

Best display style smart glasses: XReal One Pro

Credit: Stephen Johnson

XReal's flagship glasses are like a multi-monitor PC you can put in your pocket. These tethered glasses plug into your laptop, phone, or game console via USB-C, giving you the equivalent of a 171" screen for gaming, streaming, or working. What sets these apart from other display glasses is the onboard X1 spatial computing chip that allows for smooth head-tracking, ultra-wide video that wraps around you, and the ability to pin virtual screens wherever you like. You can even combine them with a sold-separately camera and a control puck to bring you even closer to the future. These are hands down the best "portable theater" glasses you can buy right now. Read my full review here.

XReal One Pro Glasses

$449.00 at Amazon

$579.00 Save $130.00

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$449.00 at Amazon

$579.00 Save $130.00

Best privacy-focused camera glasses: HTC Vive Eagle

Credit: Stephen Johnson

If you want a pair of smart glasses with a camera and AI that rivals the Ray-Ban Metas but you're concerned about privacy, HTC's debut smart glasses are for you. Any data they collect is processed locally if possible, and anonymized when sent to the cloud. If the flashing recording LED is covered or damaged, the camera physically will not record, and there's an option to let people around you shut off the glasses by saying, "stop filming me." Plus, Vive Eagles lets you choose between Google Gemini or OpenAI instead of forcing a proprietary AI assistant on you. Check out my hands-on video with the Vive Eagle.

HTC Vive Eagle AI Glasses

$499.00 at Amazon

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$499.00 at Amazon

Best HUD smart glasses: Even Realities G2

Credit: Stephen Johnson

The market for smart glasses with an onboard display is so new, there's no way to tell what style is going to win out. There are "do everything" glasses like Meta's Display and RayNeo X3 Pro, and glasses like EverySight's Maverick Sport that have a different projection system than everyone else. So far, though, the best HUD style glasses I've used are Even Realities G2s. With features like a built-in teleprompter, live multi-language translation, and AI meeting summaries, they are a secret weapon for business types and a "this is the future" experience for techies. The display may be monochrome, but it's actually useful, and the batteries last longer than an hour. They even look good. Read my full review here.

Even Realities G2

$599.00 at Even Realities

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$599.00 at Even Realities

Best budget smart glasses: XBX a01+

Credit: Stephen Johnson

These display glasses cost $299 and give users a 147" monitor with a screen quality that rivals glasses that cost twice as much. They don't have any augmented reality features, a camera, AI, or other bells and whistles, but if you want a face-worn monitor with a great picture and decent sound, these will do the job and then some. They're light and comfortable for long flights, and they look less dorky than some other display glasses. Read my full review here.

XBX a01+ AR Glasses

$271.19 at Amazon

$338.99 Save $67.80

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Get Deal

$271.19 at Amazon

$338.99 Save $67.80

Upcoming smart glasses to watch for

If 2026 has been a good year for smart glasses, 2027 is shaping up to be a great one. If you're waiting for the next generation of smart glasses before you jump in the pool, here are some of the intriguing models currently in development.

XReal's Project Aura

XReal promises its Aura glasses will blur the line between virtual reality gear and smart glasses. I went hands-on with them recently, and to my surprise, they actually work as advertised: full virtual and augmented reality in a pair of sunglasses (with a tethered computer puck to handle the heavy lifting). Truly mind-blowing. They're planned for a release in fall 2026 with a price tag under $1,500.

Apple "N50" Smart Glasses

Nothing has been announced officially, but the tech rumor mill is churning about Apple's plans to release a line of smart glasses instead of further developing virtual reality gear like the Apple Vision Pro. Apple's first smart glasses will supposedly be released in 2027. These glasses are expected to focus heavily on audio- and camera-based contextual awareness, and seem geared to be an alternative to Meta's smart glasses, but within Apple's ecosystem.

Samsung Galaxy Glasses

Galaxy Glasses, a collab between tech giants Google and Samsung, are expected to hit the market before Christmas. With Google handling the software and Samsung the hardware, the initial model of Galaxy Glasses is positioned as a direct competitor to Ray-Ban Metas, focusing on a 12MP camera, open-ear audio, and touch controls, all powered by Google's Android XR operating system and integrated with Gemini AI.

IXI Autofocus Smart Glasses

Finnish startup IXI turned heads at CES 2026 by showing off a prototype of glasses that use infrared eye-tracking to instantly adjust liquid crystal lenses based on where you are looking. In other words, they change focus on the fly, correcting for farsightedness without the need for progressive lenses. This potential game-changer is expected to hit the market in 2027.

If someone on your gift list is looking to make their home smarter, the challenge can be daunting. There are a lot of smart products out there, all with varying price points and feature sets. What's more, smart home designs can be as simple or as complex as the user wants them to be: Maybe someone wants to be able to control their lights with the same convenient smart speaker they use to listen to music, while others might want their house running on automations.

If you're here, you likely know your giftee is looking for smart home devices but aren't sure where to start. As such, I've compiled some of the most popular smart categories and highlighted a specific product that is generally best for the majority of users interested in that type of device. (Though, with all technology gifts, my main piece of advice is asking what your recipient wants exactly—that will help eliminate risks of buying something incompatible with their systems, or something that requires a subscription they don't want to pay for.)

Best smart speaker gift: Echo Dot Max

Echo Dot Max Speaker

$119.99 at Amazon

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$119.99 at Amazon

"Smart home" encompasses a myriad of product categories, but for me, the most important is arguably the smart speaker. It's the most universal by far: A smart speaker can act as a smart hub to power the rest of your smart home, or it can be your only smart device. Maybe someone on your list wants to build out their smart home, and this is their first step, or they simply want something that can play music and tell them the weather at the same time.

It's tough to pick a smart speaker to recommend over all others, since this category is particularly platform-dependent. If your giftee is all-in on the Apple ecosystem, the HomePod mini could be the best choice; on the other hand, if they love Google products, the Google Home Speaker could be equally as solid. However, if I have to choose one speaker over all others, I'd have to go with Amazon. It's not that I necessarily think Amazon's product has the best audio quality, but I do think it's the most universal speaker of the bunch. It doesn't matter what platform your recipient depends on; they can connect their Amazon speaker to it and power any number of smart home devices. If they happen to have other Amazon devices, like a Fire TV or Kindle, even better; if not, it won't hurt.

Amazon makes quite a few smart speakers these days, but I'm focused on the best bang for your buck here. For that, the Echo Dot Max might take the cake. It's a bit more powerful than the Echo Dot, with more audio tech (Amazon says it has a tweeter and woofer, compared to the single front-firing speaker of the Dot), plus it's a more recent device (2025 vs. 2022). While you could upgrade to the Echo Studio, which has better audio tech than the Dot Max, the former costs nearly double. The Echo Dot Max seems to be the better overall value—or, you could gift someone two Echo Dot Max for a stereo setup, for the price of one Echo Studio.

Best smart lights gift: WiZ LED Smart Light Bulb

WiZ A19 60W Color LED Bulbs

$24.99 at Amazon

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Other than smart speakers, smart lights are probably the first device that comes to mind when I think "smart home." Not only are they easy to set up and use, but they're perhaps the easiest demonstration of how your smart home works: Most people get a kick out of turning lights on and off with voice commands, as well as changing the colors on a whim.

There are a ton of smart lights to choose from on the market, with varying brands, price points, and features to consider. But if you want to get someone started with a set of smart lights, WiZ might have the best value. These smart lights run just over $20 per bulb, but drop in individual price quickly when you buy in multi-packs. A two-pack is $21.99, a three-pack is $24.99, and a four-pack is $37.99. These WiZ bulbs are CNET's pick for best smart lights of 2026, in part because of the affordable price, but also because they don't require a hub, support a wide range of platforms, and come with both color-changing and motion-sensing capabilities.

Best smart cameras gift: Eufy Eufycam C35

Eufy Security eufyCam C35

$69.99 at Amazon

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$69.99 at Amazon

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If you google "best smart cameras of 2026," you're going to find a host of brands and opinions out there. Ring, Blink, Arlo, Google, and more top all of the best-of lists out there, with features like pan and tilt, 4K video, AI capabilities, cloud video storage, etc. The problem is, many of the best smart camera features require a subscription, which I'm not a huge fan of for gifts. You want someone to be able to use the thing you buy them without also having to worry about a monthly or annual payment. And unless you're willing to keep that subscription going for them, you might want to find an option that works well without one.

That's why I'd lean towards the Eufy EufyCam C35. Eufy's outdoor camera is reasonably priced, especially when it's on sale (currently $54.99). It comes with two-way audio, as well as color night vision, and it supports on-device media storage. CNET recommends adding an SD card or Eufy hub for expanded local storage, and even a solar panel if you want to avoid having to recharge the camera every now and again. The video resolution here isn't as sharp as some other models, capping at 1080p, but that means less video data to worry about. Plus, the whole operation works without a subscription. If you're looking for something with more features, CNET has an excellent list of the best smart cameras of 2026.

Best smart lock gift: Yale Assure Lock 2

Yale Assure Lock 2

$210.76 at Amazon

$279.99 Save $69.23

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$210.76 at Amazon

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If someone in your life is looking for a smart lock, prepare yourself: These things can get a bit pricey. I suppose that's to be expected. If you're going to trust a piece of tech to keep your front door protected, you want it to be good at its job, which means it might tend to cost more than other individual smart home devices.

For the money, one of the best and most feature-rich smart locks you can buy is Yale's Assure Lock 2. It isn't the cheapest smart lock on the market, but it's not the priciest. For that price ($240), you get a versatile smart lock that works with all the major platforms (Alexa, Google, and Apple Home), supports digital passes, key-free unlocking, app control, and comes with a simple keypad for easy unlocking. There's even a version that comes with a fingerprint reader if your giftee is looking for a smart lock with biometrics, but that will up the price a bit more.

Now, other smart locks tend to hover around this price point, if not even higher. But if you're looking for something that isn't quite as expensive without compromising the feature list too much, check out the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro. CNET highlights this option as a more affordable smart lock (around $110) that has keypad and fingerprint entry, as well as IP65 weather resistance. However, the big trade-off is the lack of Apple support, so if you're all in on Siri, you'll need to look elsewhere.

Best smart doorbell gift: TP-Link Tapo D225

TP-Link Tapo D225 2K Wired Smart Video Doorbell With Chime

$89.99 at Amazon

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Like smart locks, smart doorbells can get expensive fast. And like smart locks, that's for a good reason. You want your video doorbell to catch everything, whether that's a delivery made while you're away or an intruder looking for ways to break in.

For most people looking for a smart video doorbell, the best choice might just be the TP-Link Tapo D225. It's reasonably priced and comes with 2K video with a wide 180-degree angle, with both wired and wireless installation options. If your giftee doesn't feel like hard-wiring the doorbell to their house, they can get by on eight months of battery life in between charges. It also supports a number of platforms, including Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT, though unfortunately not Apple Home. They'll also need to provide their own SD card for footage, or pay for cloud storage.

If you need an alternative, Arlo's second-generation video doorbell is also excellent, and is PCMag's pick for best smart doorbell. This option is around the same price, is easy to set up, has excellent video quality with a wide-angle view, and runs on a charge for four months at a time (though you can also hard-wire the doorbell if you wish). Arlo also doesn't support Apple Home, but it does support a wide variety of other platforms, including Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings.

The big caveat here is that you will need an Arlo Secure subscription in order to access certain features. That includes motion alerts, notifications, and even recorded video, which can be a bummer if your giftee isn't interested in a subscription. As such, I'd point most toward the TP-Link option.

Best smart outdoor camera gift: TP-Link Tapo C310

Tapo C425 2K Wire-Free MagCam Security Camera

$76.99 at Amazon

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Here's what I look for in a smart security camera: high-quality video, night vision support, and smart motion detection, all without requiring a subscription for many (or any) of the features. (Bonus points if there's a built-in spotlight.)

Speaking of TP-Link in the last category, I'd also recommend the company if you're looking for a smart home camera. Specifically, the TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free MagCam. This smart camera supports 2K video, color night vision, both local and cloud-based video recording, with an extended battery life running up to almost a year. Those perks, combined with its reasonable price, make it a great choice for a smart camera gift, and are why PCMag named it the best 2K wireless camera of the year. I particularly like that you don't need a subscription for any of these features, so your recipient can simply set up the camera and get monitoring.

Again, TP-Link doesn't support Apple Home, but it does support Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT. It also doesn't have a mechanical pan and tilt system, so it won't be able to move to capture more of your yard. If your giftee is looking for something that supports this type of security capture, PCMag recommends Arlo Essential Outdoor Pan Tilt. This one's even less expensive than the Tapo C310, and also supports 2K video. That said, it requires payment to access recorded video and receive AI-powered alerts, and you have to use Arlo's cloud-based recording solution, as there is no local recording here. For those reasons, I'd recommend the TP-Link for more users.

Start your tailnet with one of the apps. Credit: Lifehacker

"Remote access technology" has been around for years, of course, but it often involves a lot of detailed and technical setup steps—you want to be able to access your home network remotely without letting anyone else in, and that usually means some complicated configuration involving router settings and several third-party apps.

There's none of that with Tailscale, and when you actually install the software, you quickly start to see what all the fuss is about. You can be sitting in a coffee shop or hotel room and have virtually the same access to your home network as you would if you were actually in your living room, which has all kinds of benefits, from file sharing to managing your smart home devices.

The obvious use case is remote access to a computer you have at home, without the layers of complexity or using another company's servers. Tailscale also makes it easier to access media servers you've set up with apps like Plex or Jellyfin, and smart home setups running through Home Assistant or another dashboard.

You can be set up in minutes. Credit: Lifehacker

Everything is built on the open-source WireGuard VPN protocol, which creates private and encrypted links to all of the devices you want to connect to your network—your "tailnet." To add a new device, just install Tailscale on it, whether it's your phone on a 5G connection or a desktop computer set up at the office. Tailscale is free for personal use, which covers up to six individual users and an unlimited number of personal devices, though there are some limits: 50 tagged resources (always-on devices that need multi-user access, like a NAS box), and three Access Control List or ACL groups (for setting access permissions per user). Paid plans start at $8 per month.

Putting Tailscale to the test

The ease of setup is one of the main appeals of Tailscale, and it couldn't be much more straightforward. Download the relevant app on whatever device you want to start with, create an account (you can sign in using a Google, Microsoft, GitHub, or Apple account), and you're up and running. I had a Windows PC, a MacBook, an Android phone, and an iPhone connected to my tailnet in a matter of minutes, with just a few taps and clicks required. There's also a web portal you can access to see all of the devices you've connected and what they're up to.

The macOS app offers easy drag-and-drop file sharing. Credit: Lifehacker

One improvement I noticed right away was the addition of Tailscale to the share sheet on Android and iOS, which meant I could quickly share photos and other files between all my devices in seconds (no AirDrop or Android Quick Share required). I could also instantly access the shared folders on my desktop and laptop computers from my phone.

Something else you can do very easily is set up a remote access app on a phone and use it to connect directly to one of your computers in a different physical location, with no exposure to the wider internet and no advanced configuration required—Tailscale provides you with an IP address that looks like a local network. Any of your home computers can be configured as an exit node as well, which means internet traffic can be rerouted through it. If you're in a hotel, for example, you can use Tailscale as a secure tunnel back home, which means websites see you as visiting from home rather than an unrecognized hotel IP address.

Taildrop lets you quickly share files between connected devices. Credit: Lifehacker

There are some areas where Tailscale can improve (the Windows client isn't quite as straightforward to use as the macOS one), and it's fair to say at least some basic networking knowledge is required to get to grips with Tailscale, but in terms of software that's free and useful, it's hard to beat. I didn't dive into more advanced use cases involving NAS drives or home servers, as they're not something that I'm working with at the moment, but that's the next level of Tailscale capability

Outlander asks the all-important question: what if the Jacobite rising was very, very horny? The series proper, an adaptation of the enduring books by Diana Gabaldon, has ended after an impressive eight seasons, but the second season premiere of Blood of My Blood, the spin-off/prequel involving Claire's and Jamie's parents, is debuting right about now.

Showrunner Matthew B. Roberts has plans for at least three seasons, and Gabaldon is at work on at least one more novel, so there's plenty more Outlander action to come. In the meantime, here are 10 more sultry historical romances you can stream now—some of them even involve time travel!

Lost in Austen (2008)

A bit of bonus time travel back to 2008 for this breezy fantasy that's become a bit of a cult fave, initial ratings notwithstanding. Jemima Rooper is Amanda Price, a modern-day Austen fan navigating the fallout of a terrible wedding proposal from her drunk boyfriend when she hallucinates (she thinks) seeing Elizabeth Bennett in the bathroom. Before long, she finds herself swapping places with Lizzy, navigating the Regency era and the events of the novel, roleplaying as a hitherto unknown family friend who draws the eye of more than one marriage prospect. It's simultaneously a soapy romp and a meditation on the meaning of Austen to those of us living in the 21st century. Stream Lost in Austen on Peacock, Prime Video, and Tubi.

Lost in Austen (2008)

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Poldark (2015 – 2019)

No time travel here, except in the magic of period drama, but we do land in 18th century Cornwall, which, OK, isn't Scotland—but the earthy vibe isn't entirely dissimilar to Outlander (bosoms will heave, regardless of gender). Aidan Turner is the title's Captain Ross Poldark, a British Army veteran returned home to find his land and inheritance in shambles and his longtime love engaged to another. Luckily, fiery, savvy runaway Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) turns up just in time to help him rebuild his life—a prelude to the hot and scandalous love affair that only adds to the windswept drama. Stream Poldark on Netflix.

Poldark (2015 – 2019)

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A Discovery of Witches (2018 – 2022)

Teresa Palmer is Diana Bishop, an American historian at Oxford whose studies lead her back to her own witchy lineage, setting her up for an alliance with Matthew Clairmont (Matthew Goode), a biochemist, but also a vampire, and therefore Diana's natural enemy (obviously). Yet the two discover they're an effective pair in uncovering secrets while also fighting off magical threats. It's not as silly as it sounds, and the growing romantic chemistry between the leads is endlessly watchable. More to the point, they spend the entire second season in 1590 London, a less-than-ideal time for witches. Stream A Discovery of Witches on Netflix.

A Discovery of Witches (2018 – 2022)

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Bon Appétit, Your Majesty (2025)

Lim Yoona plays Yeon Ji-yeong, a master of French cuisine with a promising career as a chef—at least until a rocky plane flight whisks her back to the Joseon dynasty at the tail end of the 15th century. Mistaken for a visiting noblewoman, she manages to impress young King Lee Heon with her cooking skills. Ji-yeong becomes entangled in court politics, and the two soon develop a romantic rapport, but there's a catch: the real-life king in question has an historical reputation as a monster, and Ji-yeong is forced to decide whether it's worth it to try to change history, even if it means she won't ever get home. Stream on Bon Appétit, Your Majesty on Netflix.

Bon Appétit, Your Majesty (2025)

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Spartacus (2010 – 2013)

A surprisingly smart, still sweaty take on the sword-and-sandal genre, Spartacus dealt not just with the pressures of being a member of the oppressed class in an absolutist regime, but with all the things that chiseled, oiled, pansexual gladiators get up to when they're not fighting to the death. Played first by Andy Whitfield and later, Liam McIntyre, the show follows Spartacus from enslavement by the Roman army to the uprising that might have toppled the Empire. The sequel series, House of Ashur, has also just concluded. Stream Spartacus on Netflix.

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Queen Charlotte (2023)

A direct spin-off of Bridgerton that's entirely watchable on its own if, for some reason, you don't care to be bothered with the series proper. Maintaining much of the original's style but with a laser focus on the title character, Charlotte brilliantly crafts a passionate, tortured romance between the queen (played as a young woman by India Amarteifio, with Golda Rosheuvel reprising the role for the framing bits) and King George III (Corey Mylchreest). The pressures of royal life and the king's growing mental illness create a rocky road for the young couple, but their passion is moving and deeply horny. Stream Queen Charlotte on Netflix.

Queen Charlotte (2023)

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My Lady Jane (2024)

Yet again no time travel, but we do get heaping helpings of fantasy in this steamy period drama involving England's first (if only for nine days) queen, Jane Grey. Based on a book by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows, the show stars Emily Bader as the titular queenly contender, who is dealing with a dying king cousin, a sketchy marriage, and competition from her sisters Elizabeth and Mary. Complicating the history in this telling is the existence of a class of oppressed humans who can turn into animals. The magic and shapeshifting make the whole thing sufficiently bonkers, kicking off with the invocation: "She could have been the leader England needed. Instead, history remembers her as the ultimate damsel in distress. Fuck that." Stream My Lady Jane on Prime Video.

My Lady Jane (2024)

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The Cook of Castamar (2021)

Head over to Madrid, within just a few decades of Outlander, where Clara Belmonte (Michelle Jenner) has just taken a job in the kitchens of the Duke of Castamar (Roberto Enríquez). He's been a virtual recluse since the unexpected death of his wife, though now the king and various family members are pressuring him to get back on the horse, literally and figuratively, and fulfill his obligations as a noble. Clara, on the other hand, had developed a bit of agoraphobia following the execution of her father, and she's perfectly content to toil in the gloomy kitchens rather than go outside. Of course, the grieving Duke takes notice of her just as he's being plied with marriage prospects. Stream The Cook of Castamar on Netflix.

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Red River (2026 – )

Everything is looking pretty great for 15-year-old Yuri Suzuki, particularly in the romance department: the guy she's had a crush on for forever just made it clear that the feelings are mutual, and a serious romance is in the offing. But something's always gonna mess these things up and, in this case, it's Queen Nakia of the ancient Hittite Empire. Nakia is a low-ranking consort who aspires to see her son on the throne one day, and, apparently, the best way she can think of to make that happen is to summon a modern teen back through time to serve as a blood sacrifice. There are plenty of nods toward historical accuracy in this manga adaptation, but I'm pretty sure that part never happened. Yuri's modern-day knowledge allows her to survive in the past, with some even believing her to be an avatar of the goddess Ishtar. She also gets help from Kail Mursili, the (real-life) prince who hopes to keep Yuri safe as their romantic attraction grows. Stream Red River on Crunchyroll or buy it from Prime Video.

Red River (2026 – )

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Reign (2013 – 2017)

Here more for the soapy, sexy drama than historical accuracy? Looking for love triangles, power struggles, and cousin-on-cousin action in Scotland of centuries past? You're in the right place, even if we're roughly 200 years before the time of Jamie Fraser. Adelaide Kane stars as Queen Mary Stuart, better known as Mary, Queen of Scots, beginning the series as a teenage girlboss coming of age and coming into her royal power. Stream Reign on Prime Video.

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If you love doing your own home maintenance or tinkering in your garage, having the right tools can make all the difference. If you’re looking for new tools, keeping in mind durability, battery life, and ease of use can help you find something that will work well and save you money down the road on replacing broken tools and worn-out batteries. With so many options, it can be hard to figure out which tools are the best quality, so I put together a list of my favorites to help you choose.

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

$299.00 at Amazon

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Kreg Rebel 20V Ionic Drive Pocket-Hole Joiner Kit, KPTBRB100A

$349.00 at Amazon

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$349.00 at Amazon

DEWALT Sander, 20V MAX XR 5 in Random Orbital Sander, Cordless (DCW211B)

$196.89 at Amazon

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$196.89 at Amazon

Kreg Rebel 20V Ionic Drive Pocket-Hole Joiner Kit, KPTBRB100A

$349.00 at Amazon

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$349.00 at Amazon

DEWALT 20V MAX XR Cordless Ratchet Set, 3/8" and 1/2" Sealed Head Ratchet, Battery and Charger Included (DCF510GE1)

$349.00 at Amazon

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This drill and driver set is my overall favorite cordless tool

The new Makita 18-volt LXT drill and driver combo set is my favorite tool this year because it has better battery life than other drill and driver sets, and the drill in this kit can deliver 70% more torque than its predecessors, allowing you to drill into tougher materials like pressure-treated lumber or plaster more quickly. The impact driver on this set also has a three-speed control switch, allowing you to choose the amount of force you want to use for a given project. This gives you the advantage of more power when you’re trying to undo an old, rusted nut, and less when you’re trying to screw a hanger into a picture frame.

The set comes with an 18-volt hammer drill, an 18-volt impact driver, a 2-amp-hour battery, a 4-amp-hour battery, a charger, and a tool bag.

Makita has been known for making reliable cordless tools since they launched the first battery-operated drill in 1969. The early in-handle batteries were easy on the wrists because they balanced the weight of the drill fairly evenly between the motor and battery pocket. The new drill and driver set has lighter batteries and builds on Makita’s reputation for ergonomic design.

This pocket hole joiner is my favorite DIY woodworking tool

The standout new tool for woodworking is the Kreg Rebel 20-volt pocket hole joiner. This is a completely new power tool that improves on Kreg’s previous jigs for making pocket hole joints by adding an integrated powered drill to the jig, improving precision and making it a simple, single-action tool. It comes with the joint-making tool, a 4-amp-hour battery, a charger, an easy-set drill bit, and dust collection attachments.

I’ve used Kreg jigs for lots of projects, like cabinet joints, shelving, and furniture builds. The added convenience of this tool saves time and allows you to make about twice as many joints in the same amount of time.

This orbital sander is my favorite finishing tool

The 20-volt MAX XR DeWalt 5-inch random orbital sander is my pick for best cordless finishing tool. It has engineering updates that improve counterbalance and reduce vibration, preventing stress on your wrist while you’re using it and reducing the numbness and tingling experienced with many sanders. Its redesigned body is more balanced, especially on narrow surfaces, and it’s easier to grip because of the new shape and battery position. The sander is a tool-only package, so you’ll need a 20-volt DeWalt battery and a charger to use it.

DeWalt makes some of my favorite cordless tools, and they’re known for making high-quality woodworking-focused tools. This tool has the power to sand down rough surfaces more quickly than previous versions of a cordless sander because it can rotate up to 1,200 OPM (oscillations per minute) and has a more powerful motor. This, combined with the decreased tool vibration, makes it my favorite cordless random orbital sander.

This cordless chainsaw is my favorite tool for yard work

My favorite new power tool for yard work by far is the EGO 56-volt 12-inch cordless chainsaw. Chainsaws are just a good time, but this one stands out because it has the equivalent power to a 55cc gas-powered saw—but it’s rechargeable and lighter. The improvements to power and utility make this tool easier to control than previous EGO chainsaws, allowing you to operate it more safely, as well as making cleaner cuts. The set comes with a 56-volt cordless 12-inch chainsaw, a 56-volt, 6-amp-hour battery, and a charger.

EGO makes the most efficient batteries for cordless outdoor power equipment. They have the most powerful, long-lasting batteries, and you can use them to cut hardwood like oak for up to 80 cuts.

This powered ratchet set is my favorite mechanics tool

Cordless powered ratchets are having a moment right now, and DeWalt makes the best one I’ve found. The new 20-volt sealed head DeWalt powered ratchet set stands out because it comes with both a ⅜-inch and a ½-inch interchangeable coupling that allows you to use a much broader range of sockets than other similar tools that constrain you to a ⅜-inch or a ½-inch attachment. It’s made to last because the gear mechanism that drives the socket head is protected from metal dust and debris, keeping it from wearing down as quickly. The set comes with a 20-volt cordless powered ratchet, a 20-volt, 2-amp-hour battery, and a charger.

This cordless ratchet is powerful enough to turn bolts for DIY oil changes, but you can also use it for DIY appliance repair like changing out the drum in your washer.

This cordless tire inflator is my favorite new tool under $100

Ryobi is known as a solid DIY standby because it makes affordable cordless tools that are durable enough for most home shops and DIY projects. Their new 4-volt rechargeable cordless tire inflator has a 150 PSI rating that allows you to top off a car tire in about 90 seconds. This tiny powerhouse is perfect for an emergency car kit because it’s compact and powerful enough to inflate a tire in a pinch. The set comes with a cordless tire inflator, a hose, bicycle and passenger vehicle connectors, a 4-volt battery, and a charging cable.

This update to a previous version of this tool, which was mainly useful for bike tires, allows you to more practically use it for inflating tires on larger vehicles.

TP-Link’s Deco 7 Pro BE14000 Wi-Fi 7 whole-home mesh system is down to $359.99 for a two-pack at Amazon, saving you $140 off its usual $499.99 price and bringing it to its lowest recorded price, according to price trackers. Its two nodes can cover up to 6,000 square feet and support 200 connected devices, although your home’s walls, layout, and node placement will affect the actual range. For smaller spaces, the single node is down from $299.99 to $197.99, with coverage rated for up to 3,100 square feet, while the three-pack may better serve larger homes, with coverage of up to 8,100 square feet for $499.99 (down from $699.99).

Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Whole Home Mesh System

TP-Link Deco 7 Pro BE14000 (Two-Pack)

$359.99 at Amazon

$499.99 Save $140.00

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$359.99 at Amazon

$499.99 Save $140.00

Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Whole Home Mesh System

TP-Link Deco 7 Pro BE14000

$197.99 at Amazon

$299.99 Save $102.00

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$197.99 at Amazon

$299.99 Save $102.00

Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Whole Home Mesh System

TP-Link Deco 7 Pro BE14000 (Three-Pack)

$539.99 With Code "50BE673PK" at Amazon

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The system earned an “excellent” rating from PCMag, whose review highlighted its straightforward setup and management, solid performance, and wired connections that support multi-gigabit speeds, along with USB connectivity. Those connections include three Ethernet ports on each node—rated for 10, 2.5, and 1 gigabit per second—along with a USB 3.0 port. Ethernet is also an option for linking the nodes together, though you can connect them wirelessly or combine both methods depending on your home’s layout. For devices connecting over wifi, the system supports wider channels that let compatible phones and laptops move more data at once, as well as Multi-Link Operation, which lets them use multiple bands simultaneously. It can also handle transmissions to several devices at once and direct signals toward them, while WPA3 encryption helps protect your wireless connection.

Managing those connections happens through the Deco app for iOS and Android, which walks you through setup and includes access to TP-Link’s HomeShield controls. You can filter websites by age, block individual sites, pause internet access, and run basic security scans for free, but time limits and browsing histories and other advanced parental controls require a subscription costing $2.99 per month or $17.99 per year. More advanced security tools come at an additional cost, with the Security+ tier’s Total Security package adding antivirus protection and a virtual private network (VPN), among other features—but its $69.99 annual introductory price rises to $129.99 after the first year.

Samsung’s 65-inch S85H OLED TV is down to $1,397.99 from $1,597.99, a $200 discount that works out to about 13% off—and marks its lowest price yet, according to price trackers. Samsung offers the S85H in sizes ranging from 48 to 83 inches, with discounts available across its 48-, 55- and 65-inch models, but the 65-inch model is the one I would look at first for most living rooms because it gives you a large OLED panel without pushing the price past $1,400. The deal also comes with free room-of-choice delivery, which usually costs $19.99, although it does not include unpacking, setup, or hauling away your old TV.

Samsung S85H OLED TV (65-Inch)

$1,397.99 at Amazon

$1,597.99 Save $200.00

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$1,397.99 at Amazon

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Samsung S85H OLED TV (55-Inch)

$1,197.99 at Amazon

$1,297.99 Save $100.00

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$1,197.99 at Amazon

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Samsung S85H OLED TV (48-Inch)

$997.99 at Amazon

$1,097.99 Save $100.00

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In an OLED screen, each pixel can switch itself off, making dark scenes have deeper blacks and better contrast, which can make movies look more convincing at night. Plus, with Samsung’s NQ4 AI Gen2 processor working on lower-resolution content, older shows and HD streams should also look much cleaner. That smoother picture carries over to sports and gaming too, thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate—gamers also get Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium support to help cut down on screen tearing. For everyday streaming, Samsung’s Tizen platform has the usual apps, including Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube, while built-in Alexa gives you another way to control the TV without reaching for the remote.

That said, while the S85H looks good in a dimmer room, it may not have the same punch in a bright space as Samsung’s higher-end OLED models. Samsung also skips Dolby Vision in favor of HDR10+, which could be a drawback if you watch a lot of Dolby Vision content. The built-in speakers are another area where you may want more, especially for movies, so a soundbar could end up becoming part of the overall cost. None of those issues make the S85H a bad buy, but they do make it a better fit for someone who cares most about OLED contrast, gaming performance, and a large screen, rather than getting the brightest picture or the most complete home-theater feature set.

It's not altruism or a marketing strategy: Nintendo was given $300 million in government tariff refunds, and they're now using that as an excuse to kick off a "Customer Appreciation Sale." The sale runs through Sept. 26, and it is available on the Nintendo eShop, Nintendo Store, and at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.

You can find Nintendo Switch digital games and bundles, select physical games, downloadable content, accessories, and apparel at up to 30% off. If you're looking for Nintendo Switch 2 games or hardware, you won't find much of anything, though you can score some accessory deals. Unsurprisingly, you'll save the most in this sale by buying first-party Nintendo games.

Best Nintendo Customer Appreciation hardware deals

Pro Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch - Black

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The Nintendo Pro Controller is the best first-party remote for the Nintendo Switch, and it works for the Switch 2 as well. The newer Pro Controller 2 ($90, not on sale) has been selling out quickly, but the Pro Controller is compatible with the new system, and it's much cheaper—currently $55.99 (originally $79.99).

More hardware deals

• Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Charging Stand - $24.49 (originally $34.99)

• Nintendo Joy-Con (single) - $31.49 (originally $44.99)

• Nintendo Switch 2 Camera - $37.99 (originally $54.99)

• Virtual Boy (Cardboard Model) for Nintendo Switch 2/Nintendo Switch - $17.49 (originally $24.99)

• Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo - $76.99 (originally $109.99)

Best Nintendo Customer Appreciation game deals

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild + Expansion Pass Bundle

Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]

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The Zelda hype is real. After the announcement of the preorder for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Zelda consoles, controllers, and Amiibos have been selling out quickly, and right now, many of the games are seeing a rare 30% discount. The best deal: Amazon is selling The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild + Expansion Pass Bundle for $55.97 (originally $79.98). You can find more Nintendo games for 30% off here.

More Nintendo game deals

• Super Mario Bros. Wonder - $41.97 (originally $59.99)

• Luigi's Mansion 3 - $41.97 (originally $59.99)

• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury - $41.97 (originally $59.99)

• Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Standard - $41.99 (originally $59.99)

• Mario Party: Superstars - $41.99 (originally $59.99)

• Kirby Fighters 2 - $13.99 (originally $19.99)

• Endless Ocean: Luminous Standard - $34.97 (originally $49.99)

• Kirby: Star Allies - $41.97 (originally $59.99)

• Donkey Kong Country Returns HD - $41.97 (originally $59.99)

• Metroid Dread - $41.97 (originally $59.99)

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons - $41.97 (originally $59.99)

• Xenoblade Chronicles 3 + Expansion - $62.97 (originally $89.98)

• More Nintendo games 30% off

Best Nintendo Customer Appreciation accessory deals

FUNLAB Carrying Case Compatible with Switch 2, Switch Pro Controller

Hard Shell Switch Case Cute Travel Case with 14 Games Holder - Red & Blue

$26.99 at Walmart

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With the Nintendo Switch 2 out, I've been looking for a case that can hold all of my remotes, games, and other miscellaneous accessories. This Mario Nintendo Switch 2 Case from Funlab is $26.99 (originally $29.99) and can fit the Switch 2, a Pro Controller, Joy-Cons, the charger, and more things you'd need to carry with you. I also love the Mario theme.

More Nintendo merch deals

• Mario Kart Slouch Hat - $16.44 (originally $24.99)

• Amiibo Samus Figurine - $20.99 (originally $29.95)

• Amiibo Donkey Kong and Pauline Figurine - $20.99 (originally $29.99)

Everyone's talking about AI, but smart glasses may be the technology that owns the future. The hardware is finally powerful enough to be useful instead of gimmicky, and everyone from mega-tech companies like Meta, Apple, and Google to dozens of smaller firms are looking toward a future where everyone is rocking a face computer. If you want to spoil someone on your gift-giving list this year with a pair, the sheer range of styles, features, and price points can be daunting—so I put together this guide to help you find the perfect pair for any recipient.

Best overall smart glasses to gift: Xreal XBX a01

Credit: Stephen Johnson

These display-style glasses are relatively inexpensive, extremely easy-to-use, and they don't even look that dorky. Plus they have that Christmas morning "woah" factor: You plug them into any device with USB-C video, and you see a virtual display that's the equivalent of a 147" TV at 1080p. While they're particularly great for frequent travelers, if anyone on your list likes to watch movies, play games, or use their computer (which should cover everyone but hermits), these glasses would make a great present. Check out my full review for more details.

X By XReal a01+

$299.00 at Amazon

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Best smart glasses for streamers and content creators: Ray Ban Metas

Credit: Stephen Johnson

Ray-Ban Metas are part of my everyday loadout: They look good, they're comfortable, they play music and allow access to an AI agent, but most of all, I use the camera. If you want to capture anything and then instantly stream it, these can do it, hands-free. If your giftee can deal with potential societal backlash and won't mind buying into Meta's architecture, they're a great gift. Check out my full review for more details.

Ray-Ban Meta - Wayfarer Large glasses with Meta AI, Audio, Photo, Video Compatibility - Polarized Gradient Graphite Lens (Refurbished) - Matte Black

$263.00 at Best Buy

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Best smart glasses for professionals and techies: Even Realities G2 smart glasses

Credit: Stephen Johnson

You can't watch videos on them, but Even Realities G2 glasses can be worn every day and give users a HUD—glancing upwards turns on a monochrome screen that discreetly displays a map, news feed, and other information. They have built-in AI you can access instantly, and hundreds of specialized apps that do everything from identifying bird calls to helping tune a guitar. Check out my full review for more details.

Even Realities G2

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Best smart glasses for athletes: Bleequp Rangers

Credit: Stephen Johnson

The $379 Bleequp Rangers don't have an AI voice assistant or any kind of display, but if your recipient would get a thrill from documenting their runs or bike rides, these lightweight sports glasses take 16MP still images and hi-def video, and feature open-ear audio, turn-by-turn navigation, and a walkie-talkie. It's everything you need on a long ride or run, and the optional battery pack provides up to four hours of recording time. Check out my full review for more details.

Best smart glasses for the fashion-forward: Chamelo Music Shield

Credit: Stephen Johnson

I'm not sure Chamelo's Music Shield even counts as a pair of "smart glasses," but they're so cool, I had to include them. They don't have AI, a camera, or an in-lens display, but they play music, and the lenses change from light to dark with a swipe of a finger, so your giftee can choose the best tint for light conditions or coordination with their outfit. It's a gimmick, but it's super slick. Check out my full review for more details.

CHAMELO Music Shield Smart Audio Sunglasses – Matte Black Frame, Fire Lenses | Open-Ear Bluetooth Glasses for Men & Women with Electronic Tint Control, Sweat Proof, Sports Eyewear, 100% UV Protection

$229.00 at Amazon

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What to know about the different kinds of smart glasses

The term “smart glasses” is almost too broad to be useful. It's been applied to everything from AI-enabled sunglasses to augmented reality display glasses. Roughly speaking, smart glasses exist across the following categories, although most straddle a few classifications:

Audio-first smart glasses

These are basically earbuds embedded in glasses. They're designed to play music, take calls, and often to let you talk to an AI assistant, and rely on your phone to do the heavy lifting. They don’t have displays and don't have a camera.

Who they're for: Anyone who wants to take hands-free phone calls or listen to podcasts without the hassle of earbuds.

Example: Reebok Smart Audio Glasses.

Camera-first smart glasses

Camera glasses produce high-quality stills and video from almost invisible cameras. Cool, but controversial. Even with the consumer backlash, camera glasses represent about 80% of the smart glasses market and are currently where the big players like Apple and Samsung are placing their bets.

Who they're for: Streamers and anyone else who wants to capture life on the fly without holding up their phone.

Example: Ray-Ban Metas.

Media-first smart glasses

These glasses are basically high-def monitors you can slip in your pocket. They're designed for video streaming, gaming, and productivity and require a tether to another device like a game system, smartphone, or PC. They're perfect for watching movies on flights.

Who they're for: Frequent travelers and anyone who wants to privately watch high-definition video.

Example: XReal One Pro.

HUD-style smart glasses

These glasses provide a private display and can be used for things like glancing at turn-by-turn walking directions, getting incoming notifications, reading a teleprompter, and instant transcription. They're generally designed to look like standard glasses or sunglasses, and you can wear them all day.

Who they're for: Cutting-edge tech fans and busy professionals.

Example: Even Realities G2.

So, someone in your life needs a new smartphone, and you want to gift it to them. That's no easy feat. There are a lot of smartphones out there, and while they're all similar in many ways, there are key differences that may or may not matter to your recipient. Do they favor iOS or Android? Do they want a standard phone, or a foldable? (Or even a flip phone?)

My first piece of advice is to ask them exactly what they want. The more specific they can be, the easier it'll be for you to shop. If they don't have an exact model in mind, don't worry: There are plenty of great phones to choose from. As long as you have a little intel about your giftee, you can pick up a smartphone that will likely work well for them. Here are my picks for the best smartphone gifts, broken down by category.

Best iPhone to gift: iPhone 17e

iPhone 17e

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You've likely heard a lot about Apple's newest iPhones. There's the iPhone 18 Pro, of course, but the talk of the town is the iPhone Duo, the company's first foldable phone. It's undeniably cool, and perhaps Apple's most revolutionary iPhone since the original. It also starts at $1,999—not the most "gift-friendly" price tag. The iPhone 18 Pro isn't quite so expensive, but it's pricey too, starting at $1,199. While the 18 Pro it might be Apple's "best" iPhone yet, I'm not sure it's necessarily the best iPhone to gift.

When considering the best iPhone to gift, I wanted to choose the device that offers the best overall value. It should do all the things people expect their iPhones to do, without breaking the bank—and Apple products are pricey in the best of times. As such, I think that choice for 2026 is the iPhone 17e. It isn't the best iPhone Apple makes. It doesn't come with the best display or the best cameras. But it does offer a solid 1170p 60Hz display with a max brightness of 800 nits (1200 nits for HDR content). It has a single 48MP rear camera (the same as the main camera on the iPhone 17) and a 12MP selfie camera. It also supports features that you might expect Apple to drop from its "budget" iPhone, including MagSafe charging, 5G support, and a Ceramic Shield 2 display. (Anecdotally, the Ceramic Shield 2 on my iPhone 17 Pro Max is the most durable display I've ever used, so I can't say enough good about it.)

Most importantly, the iPhone 17e comes with the same A19 Pro chip as Apple's other 17 series iPhones, minus a single GPU core. That means the iPhone 17 might have a slight advantage for gaming compared to the 17e, but not by much. The 17e supports all the same iOS 27 features as the iPhone 17, including Siri AI—though both miss out on some "Pro" AI features. Of course, there are other omissions: You don't get the second or third cameras you get on other iPhones, nor do you get the Camera Control button; the selfie camera isn't as high-resolution or feature-filled as other devices; the display isn't as bright or as fast; and battery life isn't as long as other iPhones. But the tradeoffs aren't too significant when weighed against the significantly cheaper starting price—at $699, it's $500 cheaper than the 18 Pro.

The bottom line? The iPhone 17e does just about everything you'd expect an iPhone to do. If your giftee wants a telephoto lens, or a brighter high-refresh-rate display, you might need to upgrade. But for the people in your life who just want a great overall iPhone experience, the 17e is the way to go.

Best Android to gift: Google Pixel 10a

Google Pixel 10a

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It's difficult to pick one Android smartphone to recommend above all others. You can spend very little on a capable Android device, or drop a couple grand on a souped-up pocket computer. But as with the iPhone, choosing a general "best" Android to gift means weighing features, cost, and accessibility. With all that in mind, my vote is for the Pixel 10a.

If the priority is staying on top of the latest Android features, you can't do better than the Pixel. This is Google's own line of smartphones, which means it gets the latest versions of Android—and all the new features that come with them—before any other manufacturer. Pixel flagships tend to rival those from competitors like Samsung in all but raw performance—in practice, you probably wouldn't be able to tell much of a difference between day-to-day use of a comparable Pixel and Galaxy.

And the 10a is a great phone in its own right. It comes with a 6.3-inch 1080p display with a refresh rate of 120Hz (take note, Apple), as well as two rear cameras—a 48MP "wide" lens and a 13MP ultrawide lens—and a 13MP selfie camera. Unlike the vast majority of today's smartphones, those rear cameras are flush with the back of the 10a, which former Lifehacker tech editor Michelle Ehrhardt praised in her review of the phone. Google devices are known for outstanding photography, particularly on the software side, and the 10a is no exception—though it is certainly behind Google's flagship Pixel 10 and Pixel 11. Expect good point-and-shoot results, though reviews do note that the final products often showcase fewer details than more expensive competitors.

The 10a uses Google's G4 Tensor chip, which is far from the most powerful chip on the market (even at this price point), but it's plenty to run Android 17, including all of Google's new AI features. That includes Circle to Search, which lets you start a Google search by highlighting something on your screen; AI photo editing features like Magic Eraser and natural language edits; and Gemini for AI assistant support. You could buy a Pixel 11 to power these features, but the 10a's Tensor G4 can run them too. Plus, Google has pledged to support devices for seven years after release, which means the 10a will continue to receive updates through March of 2033.

You can pick up a usable Android device at just about any price point. But at its MSRP of $499, the Pixel 10a is arguably the best overall value in the Android world right now—especially when you can find it on sale. If your giftee is a diehard Samsung fan, or wants the best mobile cameras on the market, you might want to look towards a different product. But for most Android users, the Pixel 10a is the move.

Best Android gift for power users: Galaxy S26 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

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Let's say there's someone on your list who doesn't want the best "value"; they want the best. They want their smartphone to be as powerful as possible, with cameras that take the highest-quality shots. In that case, we'll need to steer clear of "budget" or "mid-range" devices, and focus instead on phones that cost well over $1,000. If that's your market, I have one chief recommendation: the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Samsung's latest "Ultra" device lives up to its name. It comes with a 6.9-inch 1440p display, with a 120Hz refresh rate, support for HDR10+, and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits. While many high-end smartphones have excellent screens, only the Galaxy S26 Ultra has a "Privacy Display," a hardware feature that makes it very difficult—if not impossible—for onlookers to see your screen. It's not necessarily a reason to buy the S26 Ultra, but it's noteworthy, considering there are so few novel hardware upgrades in smartphones these days.

Not that the S26 Ultra's hardware is boring. The S26 Ultra runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip for Samsung, the same chip as the rest of the S26 line. Unlike the other S26 devices, however, you can upgrade the S26 Ultra from 12GB of RAM to 16GB if you opt for the 1TB storage option. Unlike the Tensor G4, this processor does not make compromises, as evidenced by benchmarks. In fact, the entire S26 line tops the charts for Android benchmarks, according to Geekbench.

Perhaps the star of the show here is the Galaxy S26 Ultra's camera system. You get the 200MP main shooter, a 50MP "periscope" telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 50MP ultrawide lens. You also get a 12MP selfie cam, which isn't the most megapixels we've seen on a front camera, but it works well. CNET says this one's designed to better capture natural skin tones and texture in all types of lighting conditions.

Like Google, Samsung is all-in on AI, so the Galaxy S26 runs the company's latest features. That includes Samsung versions of Google features we talked about above, including AI photo editing features, as well as exclusives like the Now Brief and Now Bar. And since this is an "Ultra," this phone comes with the S Pen. While I'm happy the iPhone Duo will support the Apple Pencil, I do wish Apple would also extend the same to its standard smartphones like Samsung has done here.

Best iPhone gift for power users: Wait before you buy

If you had asked me last month what the best iPhone to get a power user was, I'd say the iPhone 17 Pro Max. If you ask me next week, I'll probably say the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Unfortunately, we're at a crossroads here: Apple announced the iPhone 18 Pro Max last week, but it doesn't come out until Friday, Sept. 18. Reviews aren't out yet either, which means we don't know exactly how the phone stacks up.

That said, Apple usually has these iPhone releases figured out, so my guess is the iPhone 18 Pro Max is going to offer a modest "real world" update over the iPhone 17 Pro Max, making it the "best" Pro Max yet. But I can't say that for sure. Maybe the new variable aperture doesn't quite work as advertised; maybe the A20 Pro chip puts too much pressure on battery life. Again, I don't think these things will be true, but until we know for sure, I can't advise readers which Pro Max to buy. As such, my recommendation is to hold off on a purchase until we know more about the 18 Pro Max.

Best Android foldable to gift: Galaxy Z Fold 8

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

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That "8" isn't there for nothing. This is Samsung's eighth foldable smartphone, and it shows. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a polished and impressive iteration of Samsung's foldable line. In fact, CNET's Abrar Al-Heeti said the Galaxy Z Fold 8 was one of the most enjoyable devices she's ever used.

When closed, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a 5.5-inch 1248p display with a 120Hz refresh rate. You could probably get by just using the outer display without ever opening up the device. But when you do unfold it, you get a much larger 7.6-inch display. This inner display also has a 120Hz refresh rate, but this one reaches 3,000 nits of brightness. This is the main perk of a foldable like the Z Fold 8: You can use it like a "normal" smartphone, then unfold it when you're looking for a tablet-like experience, whether that's streaming shows and movies on a larger display or running multiple apps side-by-side. Like all foldables, there is a crease in the larger screen, but reviews suggest you likely won't notice it when staring at the display head-on.

Like the Galaxy S26 series, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 runs the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, and it comes with 12GB of RAM. You can get 16GB if you opt for the 2TB version, but that might be more costly than the extra RAM or storage is worth. That chip should be more than enough to power both the inner and outer displays as well as all the Android features you'll use, including Samsung's aforementioned AI options.

With this foldable, you're getting two rear cameras—a 50MP wide and a 50MP ultrawide—as well as 10MP selfie cameras on both the inner and outer displays. While the cameras on the Z Fold 8 are good, they aren't the best on a Samsung foldable. For that, you'd need to upgrade to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, which comes with a 200MP wide shooter and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. If your giftee wants the best Android foldable money can buy, sure, the Ultra may be for them. But for the money, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the better value—not that it's inexpensive by any definition.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is about the best overall experience you can expect from a foldable smartphone. But if your giftee is looking for something that runs stock Android, Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold is also a great bet. If your giftee is instead looking for a flippable, Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 8 offers many of the benefits of the Z Fold 8 in that flip phone form factor, followed closely by the Motorola Razr Ultra.

In a normal year, Apple wouldn't be mentioned in this section, but it's not a normal year. The company has officially entered the foldable market with the iPhone Duo, though it's facing the same issue as the iPhone 18 Pro: It isn't out yet, which means it hasn't been reviewed. What's more, Apple isn't releasing the Duo until mid-October, so it'll likely be some time before any formal recommendations can be made. That said, while I can't yet give it the edge in a comparison to the Galaxy Z Fold or Pixel 11 Pro Fold, it is the only choice for any foldable fans who want to stay on iOS. If your giftee wants a foldable that can send iMessages, this is your only choice.

I love my bone conduction headphones. I wear them when I’m running so that I can hear traffic approaching. I also love them for noisy environments where I need to put in earplugs—since the headphones don’t require my ear canal to be open, I can use earplugs and still be able to hear my bone-conducted music. But there's no denying that bone conduction headphones offer a rather different experience than traditional earbuds. What’s going on with this strange technology, and what are the downsides? I’ll explain. 

SHOKZ OpenRun Bone Conduction Headphones

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How bone conduction works

Normally, when we hear a sound from something around us, the sound waves travel through air until they hit our eardrum, located inside the ear canal. The eardrum vibrates in time with the music—really, the frequency of the sound—and transmits that vibration to tiny bones located in what’s called our middle ear. 

That's the only part of hearing that you'll need to understand for this explainer. But if you're curious, after the vibrations get to those little bones, they are then transmitted to the inner ear. There, in the cochlea, the sound waves are translated into signals sent to our brain and then further processed into our perception of sound. All of that is outside the scope of this article, though. We’re just interested in how the vibrations get from our headphones to the middle ear.

There’s another way to vibrate those middle ear bones, though: you can do it directly, by sending vibrations right through the head. According to legend, Beethoven would bite his conducting wand and hold it against his piano, so that he could “hear” through his teeth. You can try this right now, with any old earbuds: turn on some music and hold your earbud’s speaker against your tooth. You’ll hear the music. Wild, huh? You can even buy novelty lollipops that play music through your teeth—bite down on the candy and you'll hear a song.

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We actually hear bone-conducted sounds all the time. Every time you speak, you’re hearing your own voice through bone (and soft tissue) conduction and through the air. (That’s probably why your recorded voice sounds so different from what you’re used to hearing when you talk.) Stick your fingers in your ears and speak out loud, and you’ll hear just the bone-conducted portion. 

Bone conduction headphones take advantage of this phenomenon. Like all headphones, they have tiny little speakers. But instead of pointing those little speakers into our ear canals to vibrate the air and then our eardrums, the headphones are designed to press their little speakers against a bone—usually the cheekbone right in front of the ear. Technically, they are also conducting the sound through soft tissues like skin, muscle, and fat, but the bones do a really good job of transmitting sound and are what the technology is named after.

Are Shokz and other “bone conduction” headphones really conducting sound through bone? 

Yes, they work through actual bone conduction, but not only bone conduction. Some of the sound gets transmitted through the air as well. People don't always believe this. I've seen Reddit threads where people were arguing over whether bone conduction is bullshit, so here are two experiments you can do with bone conduction headphones to understand both parts of what’s going on. 

First, wear them normally. The little speakers will be on the bony spot right in front of your ear. Turn on some music. Now pull the speakers gently away from your head, so they’re no longer making contact. Yes, you will still hear the music, but it will be tinny and quiet compared to when you were wearing them normally. This shows that bone conduction really is delivering a lot of the sound that you're hearing.

Now, wear them normally again, but plug your ears with your fingers (or, if you like, a handy pair of earplugs). The sound will be different—a bit deeper is how I would describe it. It almost seems like it gets louder. The headphones definitely don’t need air-based access to your eardrums to get sound through to you. This shows that with only bone conduction, you get most but not all of the sound from the headphones.

Some headphones use a hybrid approach on purpose. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 headphones have an extra set of speakers for air-based transmission in addition to the speakers intended for bone conduction. This tends to give a better balance of frequencies, and thus better sound quality than headphones that use only bone conduction.

Is bone conduction safe for your ears? 

Bone conduction is neither better nor worse for your ears than traditional headphones, because ultimately the same thing happens in each: Your cochlea (which is the part of your ear that’s damaged in the most common types of hearing loss) receives the vibrations either way. Too-loud bone conduction headphones are bad for you, just like too-loud regular headphones.

There is one way that bone conduction headphones can be better for your ears, as I noted above: If you’re in a noisy environment, you can wear earplugs to protect your ears from the loud sounds around you, and you can wear bone-conduction headphones to deliver a bit of music to fill the silence. 

I started wearing the earplugs-and-headphones combo this summer when I was doing a lot of outdoor workouts near a loud air conditioner (I also realized that the sound of dropping the bar was actually pretty darn loud as well, dropping the bar being a routine part of Olympic weightlifting). So I got some Loop earplugs, and found that not only could I still hear my music through my Aftershokz Aeropex Mini (an older version of what is now the Shokz OpenRun Mini), I was able to turn the volume to a near-minimum and still hear it just fine. Overall, my ears are getting a lot less noise exposure, so that’s a win-win.

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What are the downsides of bone conduction headphones? 

There aren’t any health or safety downsides (as we discussed above), but you aren’t going to get pristine sound quality through bone conduction headphones. Some are better than others, and you should always check out reviews and try headphones in person if you want to make a buying decision based on sound quality. But in general, the upside of bone-conduction headphones is also their downside: Since Shokz and the like don’t block out ambient sounds, the sound that reaches your ear is a mix of the music you’re playing on purpose and the noises of the world around you. 

When I wear bone conduction headphones with earplugs, I don’t get great sound quality either. Just like your voice sounds different with your ears plugged, the sound mix of bone conduction plus earplugs is not quite the same as what you’d hear through a good pair of quality headphones. 

Personally, I find these minor downsides are balanced by the advantages that bone conduction headphones provide. I don’t need to hear my podcasts in crystal-clear audio while I’m running; I just want to be able to tell what the hosts are saying while also listening for approaching cars. When I do want to listen to music in high fidelity, I do that at home, with a nice pair of noise-canceling headphones. 

If you’re looking to upgrade your home theater experience, a good place to start is with your speakers. Right now, the JBL Bar 700MK2 Soundbar with Subwoofer is 39% off, making it $549.95 (originally $899.95). While a soundbar is a good way to enhance audio when watching television or listening to music, a subwoofer takes things to another level with bass you can actually feel. With 780 watts of output power, this 10-inch wireless subwoofer is a great way to feel like you’re at a concert or more immersed in the movie you’re watching.

JBL Bar 700MK2 Soundbar with Subwoofer

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The soundbar offers detachable wireless speakers that deliver surround audio and includes 7.1 channels of sound. With JBL’s Pure Voice 2.0 technology, whispered dialogue is no longer an issue, and every sound is crisp and clear. This soundbar also supports DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Audio, amplifying sound in a way that standard television speakers can’t. It works best in medium to large rooms.

Because the soundbar and subwoofer are wireless, you can move them from room to room, and they deliver a cleaner look than audio devices that require wires. The included wall-mount brackets give you the option of mounting the soundbar or installing it beneath a mounted television. Bluetooth and Airplay connectivity let you stream all your favorites from your phone or other devices when the TV isn’t in use. This JBL Bar 700MK2 Soundbar with Subwoofer comes with a one-year manufacturer's warranty.

Whether you’re living in a shoebox-sized apartment, sharing a big house with a busy family, or somewhere in between, you probably spend a lot of time in the kitchen, cooking, talking, and just living. That makes the kitchen an ideal target for gift ideas—everything in your kitchen is getting constant use, and everyone could use an upgrade now and then. Giving a new kitchen appliance to someone is the gift of convenience, time, and sustenance all at once. If you need some ideas on how to accomplish that, read on.

For the person on your list with a tiny kitchen: The Our Place Wonder Oven

Our Place Wonder Oven | 6-in-1 Air Fryer & Toaster Oven with Steam Infusion | Compact, Countertop Friendly, Fast Preheat, Multifunctional | Air Fry, Toast, Roast, Bake, Reheat & Broil | Char

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Whether your gifting target is a gourmet with a football field-sized kitchen, someone who owns pans with extremely specific uses, or someone living with a kitchen the size of a closet (or who believes there isn’t a meal that can’t go from the freezer to the microwave to their plate), the Our Place Wonder Oven will be a hit. It combines six different functions (air frying, baking, roasting, toasting, broiling, and reheating) into a tiny (and very stylish) footprint, so it clears space and increases any kitchen’s capabilities effortlessly. It also has a “steam infusion” function that sounds esoteric but is actually one of the most useful features you’ll come across: A little bit of water in the reservoir ensures every single meal comes out moist and succulent (especially leftovers that often dry out in the fridge). It’s ideal for both small kitchens that need several appliances in one as well as busy families that don’t always have time to fire up the main oven.

For the baker on your list: The KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer

Available in a wide range of colors so you can scout your recipient’s style ahead of time and pick a match, the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer is a tilt-head mixer that bakers at all levels of experience will love. It comes with a 5-quart stainless steel bowl, flat beater, wire whip, dough hook attachments, and a pouring shield that prevents clouds of flour from turning your kitchen into a dustbowl. Most importantly: It mixes, and it mixes well, churning out everything from dough and cake batter to whipped cream and everything in between. While you’re at it, consider throwing in some nifty attachments that will make this mixer even more useful, like a pasta attachment or a grinder.

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For the person who wants the perfect smoothie (or margarita): The Vitamix 5200 Blender

If you know someone who has reached the "anything can be a smoothie" stage of life, buy them this blender. Whether its main use will be healthy smoothies or celebratory frozen drinks, the Vitamix 5200 is a reliable and durable blender that handles everything from soup to nut butters with aplomb. The powerful motor and sharp blades will tear through just about anything you put in there. Some folks are put off by a lack of preset buttons, but the fine control over the speed is actually its best feature, as you can find the precise setting that works for what you’re making. If the price tag is a little high, another great option is the Ninja Mega Kitchen System 1500W. It’s powerful enough to handle just about anything, and can also work as a food processor in a pinch.

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For the health-minded: The Ninja Crispi Pro Air Fryer

If someone in your life is looking to lighten their cookery, the Ninja Crispi is a great choice (it can also bake, roast, and dehydrate). It’s dead simple to use, so it will benefit folks who will use it to crisp up leftovers as well as people who routinely cast delicious magical spells in their kitchens, and it’s large enough to make entire meals if you want to do that. Unlike some air fryers, you can set a specific temperature on the Crispi Pro, and the glass container allows for easy eyeball monitoring of your food (crucial since everyone has a different definition of what “crispy” means).

Ninja Crispi Pro 6-in-1 Glass Air Fryer | 6qt & 2.5qt Glass Containers with Storage Lids | Non-Toxic | Meal Prep, Microwave, Freezer & Dishwasher Safe | Air Fry, Bake & More | Cyberspace | AS101CY

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For the casual coffee drinker: This Cuisinart Coffee Center

If someone is really into their coffee, chances are they have a very specific appliance and a set of tools to ensure they can craft the perfect brew every time—and trying to buy a coffee maker for such a person is risky. But if your gift recipient just loves coffee in the casual way most people do (or if they have to share their coffee-making with folks of different coffee opinions), the Cuisinart Coffee Center is the ideal gift. It combines excellent drip coffee with a pod-based single-serve option, an espresso maker, and a milk frother/steamer. No matter how you take your coffee, it will do it, and do it well.

Cuisinart Coffee Center Barista Bar 4-in-1 Coffee Maker, Single-Serve Pods Compatible, Coffeemaker, Three Brewing Sizes, SS-4N1MBNAS, Black

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For anyone in need of a toast upgrade: The Breville Smart Toaster

Do you know someone who's still using the cheap, crumb-encrusted toaster they bought for their first apartment? Then this is an easy win for a gift. Don’t be worried about the “smart” part of this toaster’s name—you don’t need to create an account and unlock your phone every time you want a slice of toast. This is a basic toaster with some pretty smart features, and it’s hands-down one of the best basic toasters you can buy. From the LED display that shows how close your bread is to your desired level of browned to the “lift and look” feature that shows you your bagels or waffles in progress, this simple, compact two-slice toaster is a perfect gift for anyone who deserve an upgrade.

Breville BTA820XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster

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For someone who is starting to get serious about cooking: The Breville Sous Chef 9 Food Processor

Buying a food processor for someone who’s never used one can be tricky—they can be difficult to learn how to use properly, resulting in a gift that sits in a cabinet for years. But the Breville Sous Chef 9 was designed with ease of use in mind, from the volume markings on the bowl to the fact that you can add ingredients to the bowl before you attach it to the processor, which makes it a lot easier to use. It’s also powerful enough for just about any recipe, and the person you give it to will be excited to use it.

Breville BFP610 Sous Chef 9 Cup Food Processor, Small, Brushed Stainless Steel

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For anyone who loves perfectly cooked rice: The Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer

Everyone loves having a rice cooker, and everyone hates splashing out a lot of money on an appliance that does exactly one thing. The result? A lot of folks who are suffering with mediocre rice cookers that deliver uninspiring results. That’s where you come in: The Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker isn’t cheap, so anyone you give it to will be delighted. It’s super easy to use, makes perfect rice every time, and can keep your rice warm for up to 20 hours! It’s also easy to clean and comes with a bunch of small but impactful design features, like a hook for the paddle and a retractable power cord.

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For the environmentally conscious folks on your list: The Reencle Composter

If you’re giving a gift to someone who composts (or wants to), this is the perfect gift. It’s not a countertop appliance (it will have to sit on the floor like a trash can), but it makes composting your food scraps (including meat and dairy) a breeze. Once you add the compost starter (one bag comes with the machine; after that, it costs $65 per bag), you’re ready to go: Add your scraps every day, and when the receptacle is full, you can mix it into potting soil. It’s an easy way to reduce waste and make composting easy.

Reencle Prime Electric Composter - 14L Kitchen Composter, Decomposes Up to 2.2 lbs Food Waste Daily, Odorless Indoor Composting with Whisper-Quiet Technology & Rapid Decomposition (Silver)

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For the serious ice cream fan on your list: The Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker

We all have that one person in our lives who discovered they can make their own ice cream and has been a mad scientists ever since, trying to find the weirdest and most wonderful flavors known to man. For that person, forget viral, trendy ice cream makers: If you’re serious about making frozen treats for yourself (including frozen yogurt or sorbets), this is the ideal machine. It’s dead simple: You place the freeze bowl in the freezer (the machine doesn’t need ice), then place it on top of the motor base. Put the paddle inside and the cover on top, then pour in your ice cream mixture. There are only two buttons—ON to start the process, and OFF to stop it when your treat is the desired consistency. That’s it, and it’s perfect.

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For the person whose favorite food is pizza: The Ooni Volt 2 Pizza Oven

Pizza is one of the happiest foods ever conceived, so being able to make real pizzas in your own kitchen is a gift worth giving. The Ooni Volt 2 is an indoor/outdoor pizza oven that can reach an impressive 850 degrees, which means you can make a wider range of pizza styles than with some other ovens. It’s also a well-insulated oven and maintains heat exceptionally well, so you can cook several pizzas in a row without a problem. You might want to consider making an invitation to a pizza party a condition of bestowing the gift, though.

Ooni Volt 2 Electric Indoor Pizza Oven - Versatile Countertop Electric Toaster Oven, Cook 12 Inch Pizzas and More

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For the busy professional: The Cuisinart 3-In-1 Cook Central 6-Quart Multi-Cooker

Slow cookers and the ability to time-shift meal-making can change a busy person's life, so they make great gifts—and the Cuisinart 3-in-1 Cook Central is the best one to give. It’s very straightforward in design and function—you choose between a “keep warm” (for already-cooked food), simmer, low- and high-heat, sauté, and steam functions. You can set the cook time up to 24 hours (!), and adjust the temperature as needed for your specific recipe. That’s it—it does one thing and does it really well, but what you’re really giving someone is a future filled with delicious dinners that basically cook themselves.

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For the waffle connoisseur: The Presto FlipSide Waffle Maker

Waffles are another food that cheers everyone up like magic. Making waffles can be a nightmare of spilled batter and impossible-to-clean appliances, resulting in a lot of people who dream of waffles but never have waffles. That’s why the Presto FlipSide is a great gift for anyone who appreciates a solid Belgian Waffle experience. It’s super easy to use—you preheat it, set the timer, pour in your waffle batter, then close and flip the griddle, which ensures your batter gets evenly distributed for perfect cooking. It’s nonstick, and produces perfect Belgian waffles every time.

Presto 03510 Ceramic FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker,Black

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For the fried-foods enthusiast: The Chefman Deep Fryer

Having your own deep fryer in the kitchen is dangerous because you will be tempted to deep fry everything, and everything will turn out delicious no matter how strange it might seem. But that also makes it the perfect gift for anyone who wants to fry up some chicken wings, French fries, or battered anything. The Chefman Deep Fryer is a small, dedicated deep fryer that won’t eat up counter space and produces perfectly fried foods every time. It’s a perfect gift for a friend whose love of cooking encompasses everything from fish and chips to fried pickles.

Chefman 4.5 Liter Deep Fryer

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There's a reason Bissell's Little Green Machine has a dedicated following among pet owners (not to mention kid owners): It's a powerful upholstery cleaning tool that can do the work of an upright steam cleaner, and can be carried in one hand. But there's an even more compact version, the Bissell Little Green Mini Portable Carpet Cleaner, that's just as powerful and even more portable, making it an especially good bet for, say, cleaning out your car after taking your dog on a long road trip. Right now, you can grab one for $89.99, 10% off the usual price, straight from Bissell.

As the name implies, this thing is small. It weighs in at only seven pounds, making it the lightest and most compact carpet cleaner in Bissell's lineup. It's easy to take it up or down stairs, into a car, or anywhere else around the house you need deep-cleaning power. You fill up the water tank, add cleaning solution, spray the stain, scrub it with the attached tool, and the machine will suck the dirty liquid back into a separate tank.

The Little Green Mini is great for pet messes (I've used it on the rug more times than I'd like to admit), spills, stains, and dirt on carpets, rugs, and furniture. Because of its small size, it's also easy to stow away. It includes a four-inch Tough Stain Tool, a hand-held attachment to scrub the affected areas. The water tank can hold up to 16 ounces, and the dirty water tank, 13.5 ounces—pretty small, but that's the tradeoff for more portability. The main hose is four feet long, and the power cord is 12 feet long. It comes with an eight-ounce bottle of Bissell Little Green Oxy formula for cleaning, but when that runs out, you can use most any carpet cleaning solution you want..

If you don't need or want a massive machine to clean your messes, or want something portable to go up or down stairs or that fits easily into a vehicle, the Bissell Little Green Mini Portable Carpet Cleaner is a great option at the current 10% discount.

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If your nightstand is buried under Apple charging cables (guilty as charged), the Anker Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station can replace all of them. It can charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods at the same time. It’s designed for desktops, bedside tables, and pretty much any surface that needs decluttering, and right now, it’s down to $134.98 on Amazon, more than 40% off the original $229.99 price.

Anker Prime 3-in-1 Qi2.2 MagSafe Compatible 25W Wireless Charging Station

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The station can charge a compatible iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods wirelessly, with a magnetic charging surface that supports the newer Qi2.2 standard, delivering up to 25 watts. According to Anker, it can charge the new 17 Pro to 50% in under half an hour, though that will vary based on your phone, settings, temperature, and other conditions.

The standout feature (and what explains the higher price tag compared to similar charging stations) is the active cooling system: a built-in thermoelectric cooling unit controls the phone’s temperature during high-speed wireless charging, helping your devices recharge as fast as possible. Boost Mode will maximize charging speed, while Ice Mode activates additional cooling while the phone is in use. In addition, Sleep Mode allows the station to operate more quietly overnight.

There's a 1.65-inch touchscreen showing you wattage, charging status, and temperature of connected devices. When paired with Anker’s app, you can see charging history, the different modes, brightness controls, and more. The stand adjusts up to 80 degrees, making it easy to make calls or watch videos as your phone charges. Compared to flimsier lightweight charging stands that shift, a weighted base and stainless steel arms add to stability. The station also comes with a five-foot USB-C cable and a 65-watt USB-C power adapter.

If you’re an Apple user who wants fast Qi2 charging and active temperature management (as well as more detailed charging info), the sleek Anker Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station will more than meet your needs, and the current 41% discount doesn't hurt.

Pet hair tends to gather in inconvenient places—along baseboards, under furniture, and on upholstery—which can make dragging out a full-size upright vacuum feel like more trouble than the mess warrants. The cordless Bissell PowerClean DualBrush is designed for these routine cleanups, and it is currently on sale for $259.99, down from $359.99. That is a $100 saving, or nearly 28%.

Beyond pet-related messes, the PowerClean can also pick up crumbs, dust, tracked-in dirt, and other debris that accumulates between more thorough cleaning sessions. Because it converts from a standard stick vacuum into a handheld model and works with several attachments, you can move from cleaning floors to tackling furniture, stairs, and narrow spaces without reaching for a different machine. That versatility also carries over to the way it cleans: Two self-cleaning brush rolls handle everything from scattered pet food to finer particles like fur and dust, while Bissell’s AutoAdapt system increases the suction when it detects a dirtier spot, allowing you to continue across the room without repeatedly stopping to change modes.

The headlights on the floorhead add another practical touch, helping expose pale fur on rugs and fine dust on hard floors as you move around the room. That said, while Bissell says the battery can last up to 50 minutes, that estimate applies only when the detachable handheld vacuum is running in its lowest-power mode—and using stronger suction or the motorized floorhead will reduce that runtime. The 0.4-liter dust cup is another limitation, particularly in homes with several shedding pets, where it may need to be emptied during a longer cleaning session. Even so, the PowerClean could suit someone who wants a cordless vacuum that can cover floors, stairs, furniture, and pet beds without requiring much setup or a full-size machine, especially at its current $100 discount.

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If you have an iPhone 11 or newer (including the second-gen iPhone SE), it's time to update. After months of beta testing, Apple just dropped iOS 27 for all compatible iPhones, complete with new AI and stability upgrades. I've been running the update on my primary iPhone for nearly three months now, and during that time, I've discovered a bunch of hacks I think every iOS 27 user should know. When you do install iOS 27, you should definitely try out these useful hacks for your iPhone.

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Use this new feature to customize Liquid Glass

Apple introduced Liquid Glass with iOS 26, and didn't hold back with its design choices. While some liked the changes, others have criticized Liquid Glass for focusing more on style over substance. In response, cApple introduced new ways to adjust and customize the design's transparency effects. That only continues with iOS 27. There's now a new slider that lets you reduce or almost eliminate the Liquid Glass effect. You can find it under Settings > Appearance > Liquid Glass in iOS 27. Move the slider towards the right to improve readability.

Remove the audio message button to prevent accidental voice notes

I've lost count of the number of times I've accidentally sent incomprehensible voice notes to people on iMessage. In my case, the culprit was the audio message button to the right of the text box in the Messages app. Luckily, in iOS 27, you can either change that button to dictation, or remove it altogether. To change it up, head over to Settings > Apps > Messages, and select Show in Text Field. You can pick one of these three choices: Record Audio, Start Dictation, and None. The last one (None) removes the audio message button from the text box. Note that you can still access the "Audio" option from the (+) menu, while dictation will appear in your keyboard.

Use this setting to silence alerts while keeping alarms loud

Credit: Pranay Parab

With iOS 27, Apple is making it possible to set different volume levels for ringtones, alerts, and alarms. If you want to silence app notifications and texts, but still hear your ringtones and alarms, this one's for you. To set it up, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics, and turn off Match Ringtone Volume under "Alarms and Timers." You can now use the slider to set a different volume level for those two features. Similarly, you can turn off Match Ringtone Volume under "Alerts and System Sounds," and move the slider according to your needs.

Use this new feature to set timers directly from the lock screen

iOS 27 introduces a convenient new slider that lets you set timers from the Dynamic Island on your iPhone. To use it directly from the Lock Screen, however, you'll have to remove one of the two controls already present. Pick up your iPhone, and allow Face ID to unlock the device without leaving the Lock Screen. Now, tap and hold the screen, then tap Customize near the base of the display. Tap the "-" button next to the two controls near the bottom-right and bottom-left corners of the display. By default, these two controls are for the flashlight and camera, respectively. After deleting one control, press the + button that appears in its place, and select Timer from the list of controls. Tap the Done button in the top-right corner. Now, when you tap this button, you'll see a slider appear from the Dynamic Island up top. Move the slider to set a timer, and tap Start Timer to get it going.

Use Dual Capture to start livestreams from FaceTime

With iOS 27, you can essentially start a livestream from FaceTime for the people you're calling. A new feature called "Dual Capture" allows you to record and stream video from both the front camera and the rear camera simultaneously. This means that you can show your face and the things around you during a FaceTime call, so you don't have to pick one or the other at any given moment.

To use this feature, start a FaceTime video call with another person, and tap the "Flip" button that appears in your selfie video frame. This will start a Dual Capture session. You can stop streaming both cameras by tapping the Flip button in the bottom-left corner of the screen, which returns you to a regular selfie video. In addition, you can turn off the front camera feed in a FaceTime call. When in Dual Capture mode, tap the button that appears in the top-left corner of your front camera feed, the icon with a crossed-out person. This turns off the front camera stream, and lets you show just the feed off the rear camera. Note that Dual Capture is limited to iPhone Air, iPhone 17 series, and newer devices.

Use GymKit to connect your iPhone directly to treadmills and other cardio machines

If you or your gym has GymKit-compatible equipment, you can connect your Apple Watch to the machines to track your workouts. I use this feature all the time, but, of course, if I forget to wear my Apple Watch, or if it runs out of charge, then my workouts don't get logged. Apple is fixing this problem by bringing GymKit compatibility to iPhones. With iOS 27, you'll be able to connect your iPhone directly to compatible treadmills, elliptical machines, indoor bikes, and other cardio equipment. Whether you don't have an Apple Watch, or don't have access to it, you can continue tracking your workouts with greater levels of accuracy.

Setup is easy: As explained by 9to5Mac, you can tap your iPhone against a GymKit-enabled machine, like a treadmill, then follow the on-screen instructions to set up and track a workout, such as "Indoor Run" or "Indoor Walk." All data is removed from the machine at the end of the session, and stored directly on your iPhone. Note that this feature won't necessarily track your heart rate. However, if you have a pair of AirPods Pro 3, you can use the built-in heart rate sensor to track your workout.

Use dictation preview to reduce transcription errors

If you're tired of typos when you're dictating something to your iPhone, use iOS 27's "Advanced Dictation Preview." The new feature uses Siri AI to upgrade dictation's accuracy, and polishes text automatically—similar to Google's Rambler feature. Apple says Siri AI's dictation is now capable of "automatically handling capitalization, punctuation, and formatting" as speak, though you need to enable it manually. Advanced Dictation Preview is only available to iPhones that support Siri AI's most powerful features, including the iPhone 17 Pro series and iPhone Air. You can enable it by going to Settings > General > Keyboard > Advanced Dictation Preview.

Use the hidden recovery mode to diagnose and fix iPhone software issues

Credit: Apple

iOS 27 has a hidden macOS-like recovery mode, which allows you to diagnose and fix software problems without using a computer. Once you're running iOS 27 on your iPhone, you can access it with the following key presses:

• Hit Volume Up and release it.

• Press Volume Down and release it.

• Hold the Side Button (power button) till you see "Loading recovery options…" on the screen.

Note that recovery mode should be a last resort to fix your iPhone, and you should not try it without understanding the risks. More than one option in recovery mode directly formats your iPhone and erases all your data, so proceed with extreme caution.

Use a full-screen widget to see your entire calendar at a glance

iOS 27 introduces extra-large widgets, which take up almost all of the available screen space on your device. This allows you to view all of your calendar events in a single widget. (Finally.) To try this in iOS 27, hold an empty part of the Home Screen on your iPhone, and tap the paintbrush icon in the top-right corner. Search for "Calendar," and swipe right till you see the biggest widgets. At the time of writing, Calendar offers two of these extra-large widgets: "Up Next," and "List." Hit Add Widget to drop it to your Home Screen. You can also try other extra-large widgets such as Smart Stack, Music, and other apps that support this iOS 27 feature.

Use this feature to temporarily hide your location from others in Find My

Find My allows you to share your location with your loved ones, but it can sometimes feel a bit invasive. To temporarily stop sharing your location, you could turn off your phone's GPS, but that affects all other apps which rely on location sharing features. iOS 27 has a more elegant solution, which allows you to temporarily stop sharing your location with others. To use it, open Find My, go to the People tab, and tap the three dots next to a contact's name. Under "My Location," select Hide Location, which will turn off location sharing for a day.

The Paper isn’t exactly a sequel to The Office—despite existing in the same universe and sharing the character Oscar Nuñez (played by Office alum Oscar Martinez), the show is its own animal. Unlike Michael Scott, Ned Sampson (Domhnall Gleeson) has a noble quest in saving the Toledo Truth Teller from the sad fate facing most local newspapers, and that shift in focus gives The Paper its own identity. And yet it’s as hilarious as The Office ever was, filled with the same mockumentary-inspired spit-takes and ridiculous capers (largely thanks to Esmeralda, played by Sabrina Impacciatore, who is kind of like Michael and Dwight rolled into one spectacular character).

If you’ve already torn through the show’s first two seasons and you’ve watched all the streamalike shows out there, then the next move is obvious: Watch the 1994 film The Paper.

The Paper is a hilarious newspaper story on a larger scale

Although they share a title, there’s no direct connection between the show and the movie—but they’re more similar than you might think. Both are focused on the slow, grinding decline of journalism in America; Ned wants to return the Truth Teller to something resembling a real newspaper, and metro editor Henry Hackett (Michael Keaton) wants to save The New York Sun from (you guessed it) steep budget cuts and an ownership more interested in monetizing its assets than great journalism.

1994’s The Paper, directed by Ron Howard and co-written by David Koepp and his brother Stephen (then an editor at Time Magazine), has a very different style of comedy from The Paper’s mockumentary approach—it’s rougher, edgier, and comes from the fast-paced, motor-mouthed screwball comedy tradition. But it’s just as funny, from the swirl of overheard conversations in the busy newsroom (this is a film that rewards multiple viewings to catch all the little jokes) to the way Keaton’s performance edges closer and closer to Beetlejuice territory as the pressure on Henry mounts (seriously, by the end of the infamous phone-call scene, he’s basically channeling the undead bio-exorcist).

If you’re looking for a comedy like the Peacock show, one that celebrates both journalism and the human beings who think it matters, you’ll definitely love this movie. Plus, it’s got a stacked cast: Aside from Keaton operating at his absolute peak, you’ve got Glenn Close, Robert Duvall, and Marisa Tomei, and Jason Alexander and Catherine O’Hara in small but memorable roles. And if the sort of big tabloid newspaper like The New York Sun is almost extinct these days, that’s part of what makes the movie so effective—just like the series, it starts with the assumption that these papers and the people who work at them matter, and are worth celebrating. Rent The Paper on Prime Video.

The Paper (1994)

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More movies like The Paper

Need more journalistic levity than The Paper (and The Paper) can provide? Read on for more movie suggestions that fans of the show will love.

Broadcast News (1987)

A massive critical and box-office hit in 1987, James L. Brooks' Broadcast News is more of a dramedy than a straightforward comedy—though it has many hilarious moments, including the scene where aspiring news anchor Aaron (Albert Brooks) can’t stop sweating during his big chance on camera. Holly Hunter plays a sharp producer torn between her journalistic ethics and her attraction to a slick but not particularly bright (or ethical) new anchor, played by a hilariously befuddled William Hurt. Its journalistic setting and its concerns over an institution being destroyed by corporate interests and abandoned principles will resonate with fans of The Paper—and it’s a terrific movie in general. Rent Broadcast News on Prime Video.

Broadcast News (1987)

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$3.99 at Prime Video

Between the Lines (1977)

Want another comedy set in the offices of a struggling newspaper? Check out this forgotten classic from director Joan Micklin Silver (Crossing Delancey). In the mid-1970s, The Back Bay Mainline is a local alternative newspaper struggling to transition from its activist origins to a more mature business. The offices are shabby, the staff underpaid (a truly funny Jeff Goldblum plays music critic Max Arloft, who notes at one point that he takes home $75 a week, which would be about $11k per year in 2026 money), and the question of whether their revolutionary days actually achieved anything hangs in the air as a corporate takeover looms on the horizon. The humor is more subtle and the gender politics are, well, what you might expect from 1976—but there’s charm to spare. Stream Between the Lines on Kanopy or Tubi, or rent it on Prime Video.

Between the Lines (1977)

$2.99 at Prime Video

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$2.99 at Prime Video

His Girl Friday (1940)

If you want fast-paced, crackling humor with a newspaper backdrop, this all-timer is a must-watch. When newspaper editor Walter Burns (Cary Grant in Ultra Cary Grant Mode) discovers his best reporter (and ex-wife), Hildy (Rosalind Russell), is not only getting married but also leaving her career, he decides to win her back and keep her at the paper. He asks her to cover one last story while doing everything he can to ruin her new relationship and convince her that she’s meant to be a reporter—and with him. The dialogue is incredibly fast, very funny, and any fan of The Paper will love it. Stream His Gal Friday on The Roku Channel, Kanopy, Hoopla, or Fubo, or rent it on Prime Video.

His Girl Friday (1940)

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Morning Glory (2010)

This sweet, funny romantic comedy follows Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams), who accepts a job as producer at struggling morning show DayBreak. Finding the production in chaos, she uses contractual magic to force veteran newscaster Mike Pomeroy (a crusty Harrison Ford) to become the show’s co-host alongside Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton), to his horror. The battle of wills between Becky and Mike, the battle to save the show, and Becky’s struggle to be taken seriously by the men around her (including her love interest, fellow producer Adam (Patrick Wilson), are packed with sharp jokes and observations about the modern age of news and media—perfect for fans of The Paper. Stream Morning Glory on Kanopy or Hoopla, or rent it on Prime Video.

Morning Glory (2010)

$4.99 at Prime Video

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Best in Show (2000)

Any time fans of a mockumentary-style comedy go looking for a movie, they will eventually find their way to one of Christopher Guest’s classic entries. For fans of The Paper, the best choice from that list is Best in Show. Co-written with Schitt’s Creek’s Eugene Levy, the setting (a national dog show) couldn’t be further from a tiny Midwest newspaper, but the vibe and joke structures are the same, with “talking head” interviews delivering plenty of belly laughs from folks who are so deep in the sauce of their subculture they don’t see how bizarre it looks to outsiders—but, just like Ned’s belief in the power of journalism, underneath all the jokes is a sweet sincerity. If your favorite part about The Paper is the documentary conceit, check this one out. Stream Best in Show on The Roku Channel, Plex, or Tubi, or rent it on Prime Video.

Best in Show (2000)

$5.99 at Prime Video

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Even if you don’t cook all that much, you probably find yourself spending a lot of time in the kitchen. It’s where families gather, where coffee is made in the mornings, where meals are prepped. If you do cook a lot, you’re likely highly aware of how big or small your kitchen is. The average kitchen these days is about 160-170 square feet, but even that can feel tiny sometimes.

If your kitchen is smaller than that—or just feels too small—one way to open it up is to clear up counter space. If you’re looking to make your small kitchen feel even larger, check out these small and combo appliances that will make the most of your limited square footage.

Our Place Wonder Oven | 6-in-1 Air Fryer & Toaster Oven with Steam Infusion | Compact, Countertop Friendly, Fast Preheat, Multifunctional | Air Fry, Toast, Roast, Bake, Reheat & Broil | Char

$149.00 at Amazon

$185.00 Save $36.00

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$149.00 at Amazon

$185.00 Save $36.00

TOSHIBA Air Fryer Combo 8-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven, with Convection, Broil, Odor Removal Mode, 12.4" Position Memory Turntable, Child-Lock, 1.0 Cu.ft, Black Stainless Steel, ML2-EC10SA(BS)

$189.99 at Amazon

$223.99 Save $34.00

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$189.99 at Amazon

$223.99 Save $34.00

Commercial Chef 0.7 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven, CHM770B, Black

$89.95 at Amazon

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$89.95 at Amazon

Ninja BN801 Professional Plus Kitchen System with Auto-iQ

$169.99 at Amazon

$219.99 Save $50.00

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$169.99 at Amazon

$219.99 Save $50.00

Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker

$71.00 at Amazon

$99.99 Save $28.99

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$71.00 at Amazon

$99.99 Save $28.99

Hamilton Beach 47621 The Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker & Fast Grounds Brewer for 8-14oz. Cups, Brews in Minutes, Next Gen, White

at Amazon

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at Amazon

Travel Foldable Electric Kettle, Collapsible Electric Kettle Food Grade Silicone Small Pot Boiling water,Dual Voltage（600ml,110-220V US Plug） (Blue)

$29.98 at Amazon

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$29.98 at Amazon

bella 2 Slice Slim Toaster, Fits-anywhere™ Kitchenware, 6 Setting Shade Control with Reheat & Cancel Buttons, Fits sourdough, 10” Long Slot, Anti Jam & Auto Shutoff, 900 Watt, Oatmilk

$24.98 at Amazon

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$24.98 at Amazon

Instant Vortex 2-Quart Mini Air Fryer 4-in-1, From the Makers of Instant Pot, Red

$59.99 at Amazon

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$59.99 at Amazon

Dash SmartStore™ Compact Hand Mixer Electric for Whipping + Mixing Cookies, Brownies, Cakes, Dough, Batters, Meringues & More, 3 Speed - Grey

$19.99 at Amazon

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$19.99 at Amazon

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The Our Place Wonder Oven

Tiny kitchens are a logistical nightmare, whether you’re an accomplished cook who routinely produces restaurant-quality meals or someone who can—sometimes—cook a cromulent omelet. If someone on your list has to use math to calculate how to get the most out of their small kitchen, the Our Place Wonder Oven is your gift answer. This stylish, compact appliance has six functions in one, and replaces—at minimum—the toaster, air fryer, and convection oven. It can air fry, bake, roast, toast, broil, and reheat anything, and offers a steam infusion feature that makes everything come out perfectly moist. Everything else you might need—wire rack, air fry basket, bake pan, and crumb tray—are all included.

The Toshiba Air Fryer Combo Microwave

Your next stop is this nifty appliance that combines eight functions in one relatively compact unit. It’s a microwave, air fryer, convection oven, and broiler all in one. It’s large enough on the inside to cook a wide range of dishes, but it’s small enough to be stuffed into a cabinet if needed. If you need to leave it on the counter, it’s about 21 inches long, so it won’t eat up every available inch when you’re not actively using it.

If you don’t need the other functions, you can find smaller microwaves (like this one) that take up even less space. But even if you only use an air fryer once in a while, having that functionality combined with a microwave is a great deal.

The Ninja Professional Plus Blender

Combining the functions of a blender, a food processor, and a mixer in one small unit, the Ninja Professional Plus Blender is ideal for folks who love to bake, make smoothies, and chop a lot of stuff. It’s less than eight inches deep and less than 10 inches wide, so it will unobtrusively tuck into just about any available space in your kitchen.

The Keurig Single Serve Mini

If you’re the only one drinking coffee in your house, you don’t need a bulky machine. This one-cup mini brewer from Keurig is ideal—it’s small, the pods make it super easy to use, and if you drink multiple cups, it brews quickly so you can just grab a refill as needed. Plus it’s less than five inches wide, so it will slide in anywhere.

If you’re not a fan of the pod coffee experience, this Hamilton Beach single-serve brewer is almost as narrow and lets you use your favorite grounds.

This foldable kettle

If you use a kettle, chances are it’s sitting on the stovetop right now. That’s fine as long as you’re not using your stovetop for other things—the moment you need to cook a meal, that kettle is just in the way. But this kettle will fold right into a drawer when you’re not using it.

The Bella Fits Anywhere 2-Slice Slim Toaster

Less than four inches wide, this little unit will toast two slices of anything without insisting upon itself. It’s got every feature you’ll find in a larger toaster, but its slim design means it can fit into spots that a normal toaster can’t. It could even be unplugged and slid into a drawer when not in use, if toast is an occasional thing in your home.

The Instant Pot Mini Air Fryer

While a combination oven and air fryer makes the most sense from a space-saving point of view, if you air fry a lot, you might prefer to have a distinct unit. In that case, check out this model. Less than 10 inches wide and 12 inches deep, it’s a personal air fryer perfectly sized for one person and small jobs.

The Dash SmartStore Hand Mixer

If you bake in a tiny kitchen, you know that stand mixers take over. The answer is kind of obvious: This compact hand mixer lets you tuck the beaters onto the side. That plus any large bowl will let you mix whatever you need without having to dedicate half your kitchen to a single appliance.

A 75-inch television can make movies and sports feel more immersive, but a large screen also makes weak contrast, dull colors, and reflections easier to notice. The Hisense 75U8QG is built to address those problems with a 4K Mini-LED panel, and it is currently $1,249.99 at Amazon, down from $1,697.99. That saves you $448, or about 26%. It is not an entry-level price, yet the discount makes this TV worth considering for a bright living room where a less-powerful display might look washed out during the day.

75-inch Hisense U8QG Mini-LED Google TV

$1,498.00 at Amazon

$1,697.99 Save $199.99

Get Deal

Get Deal

$1,498.00 at Amazon

$1,697.99 Save $199.99

65-inch Hisense U8QG Mini-LED Google TV

$1,097.97 at Amazon

$1,199.99 Save $102.02

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$1,097.97 at Amazon

$1,199.99 Save $102.02

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Brightness is the U8QG’s main advantage—Hisense rates the 75-inch model for up to 5,000 nits of peak brightness, while PCMag measured around 3,200 nits when reviewing the 65-inch version (which is also currently discounted). Actual performance will vary with the picture mode and content, but either figure points to strong highlights in Dolby Vision and HDR10 video. Its Mini-LED local dimming also produces deep blacks, although some light bloom can appear around bright objects on dark backgrounds. Audio-wise, its built-in 4.1.2-channel audio system, which includes surround channels, a subwoofer, and upward-firing speakers, gives movies more scale than typical TV speakers, though a separate sound system can still offer clearer separation and a broader soundstage.

The U8QG also has plenty to offer gamers using a current-generation console or a capable gaming PC. It supports refresh rates up to 165Hz, variable refresh rate, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, with a measured 4.3 milliseconds of input lag at 1080p and 120Hz and 10.1 milliseconds at 4K and 60Hz. Those results should make controls feel responsive, even during fast-paced games. There’s also a side-mounted USB-C port that accepts DisplayPort video, while Google TV handles streaming alongside Apple AirPlay and Google Cast. The biggest inconvenience is the limited selection of three HDMI ports, since a console, soundbar, and streaming device would occupy all of them. Nvidia G-Sync is also absent—these limitations may frustrate anyone with a crowded entertainment center, but they are still easier to accept if picture quality, daytime visibility, and gaming performance are your priorities.

Welcome to a new series called Apple a Day, where sites in the CNET family are sharing pieces of Apple content from our archives—an article, review and/or video—daily from now through late September. In addition to Lifehacker, this series will include pieces from our sibling sites PCMag, Mashable, CNET, and Popular Science.

By 2017, some of us had been using iPhones for 10 years—a whole decade building muscle memory, all of it based around the Home button. Press once to go home; press twice to open the app switcher; long-press to call up Siri; press in tandem with the power button to take a screenshot: These actions became so innate, you didn't think twice about using them—at least, not until the Home button disappeared.

Restored iPhone X

$144.99 at Walmart

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$144.99 at Walmart

iPhone Duo

$1,999.00 at Apple

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$1,999.00 at Apple

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That was the year Apple released the iPhone X, introducing the device's most radical change since its first iteration. (Perhaps only to be surpassed this year by the iPhone Duo.) It's funny to think about it today, but back in 2017, the iPhone X's single pane of glass was disruptive, to say the least. Where was the Home button? Without it, how could you do anything? That confusion inspired Lifehacker to publish "The iPhone X Gestures You Should Master," a guide to navigating your newly designed iPhone.

We had to learn to swipe up from the bottom of the display to go home; to swipe along the bottom to switch from app to app; to swipe down from the top right to access Control Center; to swipe down from the top left to access Notification Center. We even had to relearn reachability: Instead of lightly double-tapping the Home button to bring the screen down, you had to swipe down on the bottom of the display.

Credit: Lifehacker

Reviewing these things now, it all seems so obvious, even second nature. Nearly another decade has passed since we published that story, and by now, most iOS users are accostumed to a Home button-free life. But looking through the comments on this nearly decade-old piece, it's clear the transition was anything but smooth. One user complained about how smartphone gestures were making everything more confusing. Another bemoaned how switching between their iPhone and iPad meant jumping between two different gesture systems. Fast forward to 2026, and it's near impossible to imagine going back.

Apple didn't immediately stop making iPhones with Home buttons—it also released the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus the same year as the iPhone X—but the writing was on the wall. Soon after, only the SE line shipped with the old design, and even iPads adopted an edge-to-edge display.

With the launch of the iPhone 16e in 2025, Apple officially retired the once-essential Home button. Though you can still buy and use second-hand devices that have one (the 2022 iPhone SE can even run iOS 27), it's clear the company has moved on, and the gestures once so foreign they once prompted us to publish a guide to their use are now as innate as doing things the old way. Perhaps in another 10 years, wearables and hand gestures will have changed everything again, and we'll look back with nostalgia on an era when we had to touch our devices at all.

Homes with shedding pets, mixed flooring, and low furniture can quickly reveal the shortcomings of a basic robot vacuum—the Roborock Qrevo CurvX is built to handle those challenges, and it is currently available on Amazon for $799.99, down from $1,499.99. That is a $700 discount, or about 47% off, and price trackers also indicate it is the lowest price recorded for this model. And while $800 is still a considerable amount to spend on a cleaning appliance, the discount brings it closer to midrange model pricing while retaining features normally associated with flagship machines.

Roborock Qrevo CurvX

$799.99 at Amazon

$1,499.99 Save $700.00

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$799.99 at Amazon

$1,499.99 Save $700.00

The CurvX earns that higher price by doing more than simply vacuuming an open stretch of floor—its 22,000 pascals of suction can handle pet hair, crumbs, and debris caught in carpet, while the DuoDivide main brush guides hair toward the center to reduce tangles. There’s also an extendable side brush that reaches along walls and into corners, and a lifting chassis that helps the robot cross rugs, exercise mats, and other raised surfaces without getting stuck. Its mop pads are similarly adaptable, extending toward room edges for better coverage and lifting by up to 17 millimeters over carpet so the CurvX can move between hard floors and rugs without dragging a wet mop across both.

When it encounters low furniture, its top-mounted LiDAR sensor retracts to reduce the robot’s height to 3.14 inches, allowing it to clean beneath most sofas and beds. And once the CurvX finishes cleaning, its docking station takes care of much of the work that would otherwise fall to you—it empties the dustbin, refills the water tank, washes the mop pads with water heated to 176 degrees Fahrenheit, and dries them with air heated to 113 degrees. It also has a dirt sensor that can prompt it to wash its mop pads again or repeat a cleaning pass when an area needs more attention. The Roborock app gives you further control, allowing you to clean specific rooms, create schedules, set virtual barriers, and mark areas the robot should avoid, while SmartPlan 2.0 adapts the routine to different rooms and floor types.

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 new The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, my favorite sleep earbuds, OLED TVs, new Samsung Galaxy devices, and more.

Soundcore Sleep A30 Special by Anker, Sleep Earbuds

$168.99 at Amazon

$229.99 Save $61.00

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$168.99 at Amazon

$229.99 Save $61.00

Apple AirTag 2nd Generation Tracker (4-Pack)

$89.00 at Amazon

$99.00 Save $10.00

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$89.00 at Amazon

$99.00 Save $10.00

$10 off

The Legend of Zelda™: Ocarina of Time - Nintendo Switch 2

$59.99 at Walmart

$69.99 Save $10.00

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$59.99 at Walmart

$69.99 Save $10.00

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, 512GB, Cream

$1,849.99 at Amazon

$2,099.99 Save $250.00

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$1,849.99 at Amazon

$2,099.99 Save $250.00

Amazon Fire HD 10 10.1" Tablet (4GB RAM, 32GB, Black)

$76.99 at Amazon

$154.99 Save $78.00

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$76.99 at Amazon

$154.99 Save $78.00

MiniLED QLED UHD 4K HDR Glare-Free Smart Google TV with Gemini (2026)

Hisense 65" Class U7

$899.99 at Best Buy

$1,499.99 Save $600.00

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$899.99 at Best Buy

$1,499.99 Save $600.00

Premium Fitness Smartwatch, 41mm, Pebble Gray

Garmin Venu 3S

$299.99 at Amazon

$449.99 Save $150.00

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$299.99 at Amazon

$449.99 Save $150.00

Samsung 65-Inch Class S90H Series

$1,597.99 at Amazon

$1,997.99 Save $400.00

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$1,597.99 at Amazon

$1,997.99 Save $400.00

Acer Predator Gaming Monitor

$349.99 at Amazon

$549.99 Save $200.00

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$349.99 at Amazon

$549.99 Save $200.00

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 47mm LTE Smartphone (Titanium Silver) + $100 Gift Card

$699.99 at Amazon

$799.99 Save $100.00

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$699.99 at Amazon

$799.99 Save $100.00

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The best sleep earbuds on the market for $61 off

The Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds from Anker are 27% off, bringing them down to $168.99 from their original $229.99 price. Not only do these in-ear buds reduce the sounds of commotion like traffic and environmental factors, from roaming pets to noisy appliances; they can also detect and filter out the sound of snoring by playing audio to obscure it. I've been loving mine and can vouch they're worth every penny.

A four-pack of the new AirTags is just $80

Right now you can get this four-pack of Apple AirTags second generation trackers for 19% off, making them $79.99, down from $99. With this second generation of AirTags, the speaker is louder, making it easier to hear and find what’s missing. You can also ping what you’re trying to find from a greater distance than you could with the first generation. AirTags also allow you to share the location of the missing object with those around you, in case you need help locating the item.

The upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for $10 off

Nintendo revealed the new The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time at its Nintendo Direct event this week. And already, Walmart has the game available for $59.99 (originally $69.99) for pre-order. If you haven't yet ordered the iconic game, try this promo code for an additional $10 off: SAVE3X. It doesn't work for everyone, but it did work for me.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is $250 off

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 with 512GB of storage is currently $1,849.99, down from $2,099.99. That saves you $250, or about 12%; this is its lowest price yet. Samsung introduced it at its Galaxy Unpacked event in July. This version uses a shorter and wider shape that makes its 7.6-inch inner screen more comfortable for things like watching videos, reading e-books, browsing webpages, or working through documents. With the new iPhone Duo recently announced, Samsung is no longer the newest fold phone on the market.

The Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet is 50% off

The Fire HD 10 might not be winning any tech awards, but it's an amazing value, offering a good balance of performance and affordability for anyone who wants a tablet to stream movies and TV, play casual games, browse the web, and read or listen to music and podcasts. Right now, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is 50% off, bringing its price down to a record low of $76.99.

The Hisense U7 is $650 off

The 65-inch Hisense U7SG QLED TV is selling for $849.99, $600 off the original $1,499.99 list price. This discount is especially impressive considering the TV just came out in March 2026. It has 4K resolution, Dolby Vision compatibility (including HDR10+, HDR10, and HDR10+ Adaptive), Dolby Vision IQ support, and full-array local dimming. This TV was originally announced at CES 2024, but a new version came out in March 2026 that includes the Fire TV OS. It's suitable for gaming, with 120Hz or 144Hz refresh rates, including FreeSync Premium Pro and Dolby Vision gaming.

Garmin Venu 3S Premium Fitness smartwatch is now $162 off

If you’re looking for a fitness watch that’s reasonably priced, right now the Garmin Venu 35 Premium fitness smartwatch in pebble gray is $288 (originally $449.99). This watch has a bright display, making it easy to read at all times, and has a battery life of up to 10 days. It includes over 30 built-in sports apps, so you can keep track of your performance in a variety of physical activities. You can find more Garmin deals here.

A premium OLED TV with a $1,100 discount

If you're looking for a premium model, Samsung’s 65-inch S90H OLED TV is down to $1,597.99 from $2,697.99 at launch, saving you $1,100. 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.

An Acer OLED gaming monitor for 43% off

The Acer Predator X27U is a premium gaming monitor that gets most things right—the 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time make fast shooters and racing games feel incredibly smooth, especially if you are coming from a standard 144Hz LCD panel. Motion blur is minimal, and its FreeSync Premium compatibility helps reduce tearing without much setup hassle. The 1440p resolution also feels like a good balance for most people. You get sharper visuals than 1080p without needing the kind of graphics card power that 4K gaming still demands. Plus, its stand adjusts for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot, which sounds minor until you spend eight hours staring at a screen positioned slightly wrong.

The new Samsung Galaxy Watches get you up to a $100 gift card

Samsung announced a ton of new products at its July Unpacked event, and among them is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, which comes with a $100 gift card, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9, which comes with a $50 gift card. The Ultra has a 5,000-nit AMOLED display (up from 3,000 nits) for superior brightness and is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, built for AI workloads. The design is also lighter and more comfortable than the previous iteration; despite the bigger battery, it’s now 12% thinner with a lighter strap, but still equally rugged with its titanium case. Compared to the Galaxy Watch 9,  the Ultra 2 is more durable and has a pretty major battery advantage.  

Unlike regular vacuums, pet vacuums are designed specifically to remove allergens and come with special filters and brushes to keep your surfaces cleaner. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser DualBrush Upright Vacuum is great for pet owners battling hair and allergies, and it's discounted to $249.99 (originally $299.99) right now, directly from the Bissell website. It's an upright wired vacuum with two brush rolls, a HEPA filtration system, headlights for spotting pet hair, and a detachable Lift-Off pod for spot cleaning.

Most vacuums have a single brush roll, but this Bissell vacuum has two that work together to loosen, lift, and suck up debris, especially fur and dander from different surfaces. There are two high- and low-beam LEDs that help spot debris on the floor. If you're allergic to your pets, you'll likely love this feature that not many others have: a sealed HEPA allergen system that traps 99.97% of dust and dander allergens at 0.3 microns. This means the particles that make you sneeze will stay in the 1.25-liter bagless vacuum and not be spit back out into your home.

There's a useful pod attachment you can detach from the floorhead to vacuum stairs, furniture, upholstery, shelves, etc. You get swivel steering, a 30-foot power cord, and a 7-foot hose that works on carpets, rugs, bare floors, sealed hardwood, stairs, pet beds, etc.

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser DualBrush Upright Vacuum is great for pet owners who want to remove fur, dander, and keep allergens off their floors and surfaces. It also works great as a general vacuum cleaner since it works on many different types of floors, carpets, and rugs. With the Lift-Off pod, it also brings the stick vacuum element into the picture, so it's versatile for most uses. At $249.99, you're getting a powerful vacuum from a trusted brand designed for homes with pets.

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.

• Live Rewind: If you double-press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch, it will pull up a text snippet of your conversation over the last fifteen seconds. 

• Siri Recaps: Your watch listens to your conversations and generates an AI summary of any of your transcribed audio at the end of each day. 

At first glance, the basic concept seems like a privacy nightmare, but Apple has put some safeguards in place to help people feel more comfortable with this feature: The audio that is captured is never recorded or stored, and never leaves your device; it is essentially deleted immediately and in real time from local storage; only a truncated version is uploaded to Apple Private Cloud Compute servers for AI processing, and the resulting transcript that is delivered to you is end-to-end encrypted.

Still, there are some potential privacy concerns worth considering, especially since you'll essentially be subjecting everyone around you to using it without their consent.

How Audio Intelligence makes a transcript of what it hears

Series 12 and Ultra 4 watches run on an S11 chip with a Secure Exclave feature, a partitioned local storage compartment that even the operating system cannot access. When your Apple Watch picks up ambient audio, it is sent straight into this protected buffer, where it is encrypted, then sent over to a matching Secure Enclave on your paired iPhone. 

From there, your iPhone transcribes it locally using an on-device AI model to create a summarized version that’s half the length of the actual audio, removing everything but the essentials, and stripping out any identifying information. After the audio data is overwritten, the transcript is sent to Apple's Private Cloud Compute along with some generic metadata, like a rough location and timestamps. 

None of the audio data is tied to your Apple ID once it reaches the servers at this stage. Apple uses a third-party relay to conceal your IP address while uploading the data to Private Cloud Compute, so not even their employees can identify you from your device. While in the Private Cloud Compute servers, your audio data gets summarized by Siri AI. This is how you end up with daily text summaries of your audio, provided you opt into Siri Recap. Siri Recap summaries are auto-deleted every seven days unless you choose to save them individually. 

All of this might seem perfectly secure, but here comes the risky part: If you choose to save a conversation summary with Siri Recap, that data is uploaded to your iCloud storage and can even be saved in apps like Apple Notes or Journal. Server-level data breaches at companies like Apple are rare, but account-level hacks happen more often than you might think: 900,000 compromised iCloud logins were found sitting on a public server after a data leak just this January. 

If someone manages to hack into your Apple ID or access your unsecured iPhone, they might be able to view all your saved conversation summaries from a single place. And it’s not just the potential data breach that should scare you, but all the associated privacy concerns.

Series 12 and Ultra 4 watches will now come loaded with Apple's new audio intelligence feature Credit: Apple

A potential privacy nightmare

Apple has spent a lot of time thinking through ways to protect its customers when they use the Audio Intelligence feature, but none of these protections extend to other people who might be sitting across the table or in the same room as you. 

To its credit, Apple has added an audio chime and a brief visual cue that plays on your watch whenever the Live Rewind feature is triggered. This is intended to inform people around you that they are being listened to. Live Rewind also doesn’t identify speakers, so it won’t name or otherwise identify the person speaking in the transcriptions or summaries—but none of that actually prevents people from being eavesdropped on without their explicit consent. 

Siri Recap’s implementation is arguably even worse. It has no audio or visual cues to indicate that it’s running, so no one knows that they are being surveilled if you enable this feature. Apple’s privacy documentation is visibly scarce when it comes to the issue of consent, apart from a vague warning on the product pages that advises you to “be mindful of those around you.” 

This is a potential concern not just for other people who might worry about being spied on every time they see an Apple Watch, but also Apple Watch users themselves, if they are in a region where local laws require consent before recording audio: Some 12 U.S. states have explicit all-party consent laws that forbid undisclosed recordings, while outside the U.S., many E.U. countries have instituted similar requirements; the E.U.'s GDPR also prohibits recordings containing personally identifiable information without disclosure. 

Using an Apple Watch with the Audio Intelligence feature enabled might sound like it would put you in violation of these laws, but at this point, it seems the device operates in a bit of a grey area—as Apple's privacy documentation notes:

Audio Intelligence features do not create audio recordings that can be accessedby the operating system, apps, the user, or Apple. There is no recording to share,forward, or produce if requested by any party, because no recording exists.

The Secure Exclave buffer where the audio is initially processed is "a continuously overwritten stream that exists only within the protected hardware and never creates an audio recording," Apple says, meaning no one needs to consent to being recorded. In theory. But that Apple felt the need to go into great detail to explain how the feature technically doesn't violate any privacy laws probably doesn't make it feel any less dystopian to those inclined to view it that way.

How to turn Audio Intelligence on or off

Given all the potential security concerns, it’s a good thing that Apple has at least made its Audio Intelligence features opt-in only. They won’t be enabled by default on your new Apple Watch, and you can choose to enable or disable individual features as you choose to. Here's what to look for:

• Sound Recognition: Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Navigate to Accessibility > Sound & Name Recognition > Sound Recognition. Here you can toggle the “Detect using Apple Watch” option on or off. 

• Music Recognition: Open the Settings app directly on your Apple Watch. Tap on Smart Stack. Switch "Music Detection" on or off per your needs. 

• Live Rewind: Open the Watch app on your iPhone. Go to Siri > Live Rewind. You can choose to enable or disable “Double Click Digital Crown” to control this feature. 

• Siri Recap: Again on the Watch app on your iPhone, go to Siri > Siri Recap. You can enable or disable the feature here, or even set an autorun schedule for it if you like. Siri Recap can also be switched on and off by flipping a single toggle in your Control Center.

Maps are an excellent feature on any watch you plan to take running or hiking. Unfortunately they tend to be a premium feature, and until recently you had to spend some pretty serious money to get offline maps on a watch. But that’s changing, and we now have several great options in the mid range and even entry level watches.

For this list, I’m only considering watches that are current models—you may be able to find deals on older versions of these. All of these watches have been road-tested either by myself or Meredith Dietz here at Lifehacker. 

Garmin Forerunner 970 Premium GPS Smartwatch (Black)

$745.55 at Amazon

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$745.55 at Amazon

COROS PACE 4 Ultralight Sport GPS Watch (Black Crystal, Aluminum)

$279.00 at Amazon

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$279.00 at Amazon

SUUNTO Run 2 GPS Running Watch, 1.32'' AMOLED Display, Aloe Green

$399.00 at Amazon

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$399.00 at Amazon

Amazfit Balance 3 GPS Smartwatch, 48mm 1.5"AMOLED Sapphire Glass, Stainless Steel Case, 21-Day Battery, Flashlight, 64GB, Offline Maps, 10 ATM, 180+ Sports & HYROX Fitness Tracker for Android & iPhone

$369.99 at Amazon

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Why maps matter on a watch

This watch has breadcrumb navigation but no maps. Credit: Beth Skwarecki

Let me be really clear on what it means for a watch to have maps. This is a premium feature on top of navigation and GPS tracking. Here’s the difference between those three things: 

GPS tracking: where you are

GPS (or GNSS) tracking means that the watch can communicate with satellites to know where you are in the world. All modern running watches have this ability. (Some wearables, like the Whoop and Fitbit Air, use the GPS that is built into your phone rather than having this capability onboard. 

This GPS data tells the watch how far and how fast you’re running during the workout, and allows you to see your data on a map after the workout—for example, when you’re reviewing the workout on your phone afterward, you’ll see the route your watch tracked overlaid on a map that the phone draws based on data it has downloaded from the Internet. 

Breadcrumb navigation: where you’ve been

Breadcrumb navigation means that the watch can remember where you’ve been, while you’re on the run. You’ll see a line representing the path you’ve taken, and it will be shown to you on a blank background. 

You can usually also download a “route” or “course” to the watch, and it will display a line showing you where you’re supposed to go, overlaid with the line for where you actually went. Many watches can even give you turn-by-turn directions based on these routes, but they don’t know where the route intersects other roads or trails. 

Offline maps: what else is out there

This is the feature we’ll be talking about today. In addition to knowing where you are and where you’ve been, watches with maps can show you what exists in the world around you. Instead of seeing a line in a void, your watch will clearly show you that you’re running down Main Street and you’re about to cross a bridge over a creek. 

Maps make it easier to follow routes, since you can see whether you’re turning at an intersection or crossing a road, and you can see where you are relative to highly visible map features like lakes and highways. Some watches can plan navigation from the watch itself (like higher-end Garmin and Amazfit watches) but most just display the map as sort of a background graphic behind your breadcrumb route. 

Maps take up space on your watch, so the amount of storage available may start to become a consideration, especially if you also want to store music on your watch. You may also have to download maps via your phone while you’re at home with a good data connection, rather than expecting to do that while you’re out on the trail. Fortunately, once you download maps for a given area, you won’t need to do that again; the maps will stay on your watch for you to use over and over.

The one to beat: Garmin Forerunner 970, $750

Credit: Meredith Dietz

We’ll start with Garmin, because it’s the best-known brand of running watch and because its maps are really nicely done. Garmin reserves its maps for its higher-end watches, including the Fenix series, which can easily run you $1,000 or more. The cheapest watch with maps in Garmin’s current lineup is the Forerunner 970, which retails for $750. Once you get past the sticker shock, it’s a really nice watch (and it has a flashlight). 

You’ll also find maps in older models starting with a 9, like the 965, 955, and so on. (Confused? I have an explainer on Garmin’s model numbers here.) If the first number is a 9, you can expect maps. If it’s anything else—like the 165 or 570—you’ll only get breadcrumb navigation. 

Garmin Forerunner 970 Premium GPS Smartwatch (Black)

$745.55 at Amazon

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$745.55 at Amazon

My favorite, and one of the cheapest: Coros Pace 4, $249

Credit: Beth Skwarecki

The Pace 4 just got maps in a software update, and that upgraded this watch from my favorite watch for most runs to my favorite watch for all runs, including the ones where I’m checking out a new-to-me navigation route. The Pace 4’s small amount of storage means you can only store maps for a relatively small area. I can store most of Pennsylvania on my watch, but definitely not the whole United States. 

Coros Pace 4

$249.00 at Amazon

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$249.00 at Amazon

The best mid range watch: Suunto Run 2, $399

Credit: Beth Skwarecki

Suunto also has some affordable watches with maps, including the Run 2 for $399 and the Race 2 for $499. I like Suunto’s clear directional arrows when you’re following a downloaded route, and the maps perform well. 

SUUNTO Run 2 GPS Running Watch, 1.32'' AMOLED Display, Aloe Green

$399.00 at Amazon

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$399.00 at Amazon

Just give me the cheapest: Amazfit Active Max, $170

Credit: Beth Skwarecki

Zepp’s Amazfit brand specializes in bringing premium features into budget watches. That includes maps: you can get offline maps on a big, bright screen on the $170 Active Max, an incredible deal compared to what you’d have to spend for other brands. 

Amazfit’s watches are serviceable. In my and Meredith’s testing, they perform reasonably well on accuracy, and they provide the essential features you need in a running watch. They’re never quite as polished as the other brands, with slightly clunky app features and sometimes slow responses on the watch. Meredith has more here on why they’re not her favorite. Still, if you’re looking to buy a first running watch, and you’d like it to have maps, an Amazfit will do the job. 

Amazfit Active Max Smart Watch with 1.5" AMOLED Display

$169.99 at Amazon

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$169.99 at Amazon

Since ending its nine-season run in 2013, The Office has only grown more powerful. Thanks to endless re-runs and availability on streaming platforms, the series has evolved into the glue that holds society together—no matter who you are, you’ve watched The Office (probably more than once, with the exception of “Scott’s Tots,” which is simply too cringey (though hilarious!) for anyone to experience twice). If you just finished your sixth re-watch and you’ve watched all the recommended streamalike series, it’s time to watch David Brent: Life on the Road.

Why fans of The Office should watch David Brent: Life on the Road

If you’re a huge fan of The Office, you’ve almost certainly watched the original UK version created by Rickey Gervais. The original series has a different vibe than the American version, of course, but all the pieces are there—especially Gervais’s performance as David Brent, who was a slightly meaner Michael Scott.

That’s what makes David Brent: Life on the Road a must-watch for Office fans. It picks up Brent’s story after the series’ end and digs deep into his character. No longer the boss, Brent is working as a sales rep—and finds himself in the same position his employees once did, miserable in his work and treated poorly by many of his co-workers. Instead of inspiring some self-reflection, however, Brent decides to make a desperate stab at music stardom, cleaning out his retirement funds to hire a band and go on a short tour during his vacation.

There’s very little office in David Brent: Life on the Road, but the film has the same cringe-comedy chops you love about the series. Brent is as bombastic, un-self-aware, and weirdly overconfident as ever when the story kicks off, but—just like Michael in the U.S. series—is slowly humanized over the course of the story, learning how to make real human connections. Along the way, there’s plenty of awkward comedy and hilarious moments, all done in the same mockumentary style of both the original show and the American adaptation. If you’re looking for something similar to bridge the gap to your next re-watch of the show, this is the perfect choice. Stream David Brent: Life on the Road on Netflix.

David Brent: Life on the Road (2016)

at Netflix

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More movies that fans of The Office should watch

If that just made you want to watch more office-based comedies or mockumentaries that do cringe comedy well, never fear: Here are a few more movies fans of The Office will love.

Office Space (1999)

No recent comedy captures the slow, grinding indignities of working life like Office Space. If you love how The Office riffs on the personalities and petty squabbles between co-workers that come to dominate our 9-to-5 existences, this story of a man who decides his job just doesn’t matter (and who gets swept up in a ludicrous crime scheme that’s ripped off of Superman 3, of all things) is an ideal choice. It digs into what we sell to our employers, the rage that working for a living can inspire (this scene connects with literally everyone who watches it), and the hilarious absurdity of office life. Rent Office Space on Prime Video.

Office Space (1999)

$3.99 at Prime Video

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The Apartment (1960)

Office culture and its warping effect on human nature has been a comedic subject for a long time, and this peak Billy Wilder film from 1960 is still relatable today. Jack Lemmon plays a put-upon, ambitious office clerk at an enormous insurance company that allows executives to use his bachelor pad as a trysting place for their office affairs, hoping to ingratiate himself. It’s as much a satire of corporate culture as it is a love story, and modern-day Office fans will find a lot of the jokes still land today. Stream The Apartment on Kanopy or Tubi, or rent it on Prime Video.

The Apartment (1960)

$3.99 at Prime Video

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$3.99 at Prime Video

Clockwatchers (1997)

Clockwatchers offers a different kind of humor and explores a kind of working experience that doesn’t really exist anymore—that of long-term temp workers. But if your favorite part of The Office is the way it skewers work culture and office dynamics, this is your jam. Toni Colette plays Iris, a young woman who starts a temp gig at a mid-size financial company. She hooks up with the other temps (including a typically marvelous Parker Posey and Lisa Kudrow) and learns the ins and outs of this stressful, darkly funny office. Anyone trapped in a dead-end job will understand the peculiar madness that sets in—the same madness that drives the funny core of this movie. Stream Clockwatchers on Hoopla, or Tubi, or rent it on Prime Video.

Clockwatchers (1997)

$3.99 at Prime Video

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$3.99 at Prime Video

Office Christmas Party (2016)

Are your favorite episodes of The Office the ones where normal order breaks down and chaos invades, like the Christmas party episode, the fire drill cold open, or the office Olympics?. Check out Office Christmas Party. A struggling office is ordered to cancel bonuses and its holiday party, but the CTO and branch manager forge ahead with the party in an effort to land a big client. The phrase “chaos ensues” does not even begin to sum up the events that follow, including copious property damage, arrests, and several hospitalizations. If Dwight and Jim’s prank wars and Michael’s tendency to overdo everything were the best parts of the show for you, you’ll dig this. Stream Office Christmas Party on Paramount+ or rent it on Prime Video.

Office Christmas Party (2016)

$3.99 at Prime Video

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$3.99 at Prime Video

Waiting for Guffman (1997)

If you’re a sucker for the “mockumentary” format The Office perfected, Waiting for Guffman is the perfect choice. The story of a community theater group planning a show for the town’s 150^th anniversary, led by intense director Corky St. Clair (Christopher Guest). It captures Michael Scott’s oblivious approach to leading a team and his improvisational comedy skills as the weirdos who populate the community of Blaine, Missouri come together to put on a show that is a lot more memorable than it is good. Rent Waiting for Guffman on Prime Video.

Waiting for Guffman (1997)

$3.99 at Prime Video

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Google Photos doesn't have to be one of those things that you set up and forget. Despite its initial simplicity, Google Photos is full of settings and features you can configure to make the app work better for you. With these hacks, you can manage a massive photo library, reduce cloud storage, hide pictures of your ex, and disable AI in search.

Google Pixel 10a

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Google Pixel 11

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Google Pixel 11 Pro

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Use Storage saver mode to upload more photos without running out of cloud storage

If you feel like you’re going to run out of cloud storage space, and you don’t care about backing up photos and videos at the best quality possible, try Google’s Storage saver mode. When backing up, it automatically scales down photos and videos to help you save cloud storage space at a respectable quality level. Photos get scaled down to 16MP, and videos stay at 1080p. This only works for new uploads, though, so the sooner you enable this feature, the better off you’ll be. Go to Settings > Backup > Photo and Video Quality and switch to Storage Saver.

Use Hide Faces to stop Google Photos from resurfacing photos of your ex

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

Google Photos' Memories feature surfaces old photos and videos, and stitches them together in slideshows and videos. But this can also backfire if it shows you photos of people (say, an ex) you'd rather not see randomly in notifications when you're trying to work. Memories is thankfully highly customizable. You can tell Google Photos to show you more photos of your partner, kids, or pets, and ask it to show fewer photos of specific people. You can even block people from ever surfacing in suggestions. Go to Photos settings > Preferences > Memories > Hide Faces. Then, choose the faces that you want to block.

Use this setting to automatically back up Locked photos to the cloud

You can use the Locked Folder in Google Photos to save sensitive photos or documents in a secure folder. Only a PIN or biometrics can get you through. But by default, the Locked Folder contents are local-only. Even if your entire Google Photos library is backed up, you might lose all that secured media if you lose your phone.

There is a hidden setting that does let you back up and sync locked photos securely. Even after they are synced to the cloud and other devices, they will continue to stay in the Locked Folder. If it's not already set up, go to the Collections tab, swipe all the way to the bottom, and choose Locked Folder. During setup, you can enable the cloud backup feature. Alternatively, open the Locked Folder, tap the Cloud icon on the top toolbar, and enable Back up Locked Folder.

Save space by compressing already uploaded photos and videos

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

The days of unlimited media backup on Google Photos are long gone. If you’re on the free 15GB Google plan, you might run out of storage entirely by backing up your entire photo library—which then leads to interruptions in services like Gmail and Google Drive. If you want to make do with the free storage that you have (or you don’t want to upgrade to a more expensive plan), try "Recover Storage" first. It sifts through the photos and videos that you've already uploaded and compresses them to the same quality as the Storage Saver mode I talked about above. For this to work, you'll need to visit the Google Photos website. From the sidebar, choose Storage, and click Learn More under Recover Storage. Tick the I Understand checkbox and click Compress existing photos & videos to get started.

Use this setting to make sure you’re backing up all important folders

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

Google Photos on Android can go beyond backing up your camera roll. Because Google Photos has direct access to the Android file system, it can upload photos and videos from any folder. This includes the Downloads folder for Chrome, or WhatsApp’s media folder. That said, you should audit exactly which folders are being uploaded. You might want it to upload photos from the Downloads folder, but exclude WhatsApp media (which is already uploaded to Google Drive, if you have online backup enabled). From Photos Settings, go to Backup Settings > Default backup > Device folders, choose the folders you want to back up, and deselect ones you want to skip.

Use the Storage Management feature to clean up blurry photos, large videos, and screenshots

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

Google Photos has a storage management tool that can help you get rid of photos and videos that are unnecessarily taking up too much space on your plan. From Photos settings, go to Backup > Manage storage. This opens up the Google One storage management screen where you can get rid of large attachments and files as well. But what I find more interesting is the Google Photos option in the "Clean up by service" section. Here, Google will intelligently suggest photos and videos to delete, categorized in tabs on top. This includes large video files, duplicate photos, screenshots that you don’t need, and more. Choose the photos you want to delete, and then tap Delete at the top.

Delete from the Bin to make sure photos are completely erased

If you’re purging your Google Photos library to reclaim some space, you might be stumped. You just deleted a bunch of photos and videos, but your cloud storage numbers haven't dropped. That’s because deleting a photo or video doesn’t actually remove it from your account, at least not yet. Google stores media for up to 30 days, in case you want to retrieve it later on. To completely get rid of deleted media, scroll to the bottom, find the Collections section, and choose Trash (or Bin). Here, tap the three-dot menu button, choose Empty Bin, and confirm using the Delete Permanently option.

Bring back classic search by disabling "Ask Photos"

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

Google is trying to stuff AI editing features and Gemini into the Google Photos app. Most of it lives in the Create tab, which is easy enough to ignore. But Ask Photos is not. When you go to Search, it now integrates AI search directly into the results. This means that quickly searching for photos of a location, person, or a stored album takes a bit more time, and it might get influenced by an AI suggestion. Thankfully, there is a toggle that removes all the AI features from Search. Go to Photos Settings > Preferences > Gemini features in Photos and disable the Ask Photos feature. And while you’re here, you can choose to disable all Gemini features in Google Photos as well.

Schedule incremental Google Takeout exports to securely back up data locally

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

Google offers a service called Google Takeout, where you can download an offline copy of all the data that Google has, including all your emails, files, and photos. Offline backups should be a part of every cohesive backup strategy, which makes Takeout a useful feature. But there’s always been an issue with Takeout: Every time you make a request, the feature downloads all the data, even if you only wanted to see what was new.

Now, Google has introduced incremental exports. This means that only data created since the last export will be downloaded. Go to the Google Takeout website, sign in with your account, and only select Google Photos from the list. Then, choose the albums and media to export and hit Next. In the Frequency section, choose the Export every month for 1 year, or the Export every 2 months for 1 year option. Make sure to switch to the Only new and updated items option to turn on the incremental feature.

Switch to Amazon Photos for automatic desktop upload

If you’re paying for the $20 per month Google AI Pro plan, you get 5TB of cloud storage space included in the price. This is great for backing up your photo library and all the files on your computer. If you’re a photo or video professional, or you just like backing up photos via your Mac (after editing them), Google used to have a perfect solution with its Google Photos desktop backup. It would monitor a folder and automatically upload new items to the cloud. Sadly, that feature is no longer available.

If you want the feature, switch to Amazon Photos on your computer instead. The dedicated desktop app uploads photos and videos from any folder, in the background. If you have Amazon Prime, you can upload unlimited photos for free, as well as 5GB of videos.

We expect fitness wearables to count our steps—an idea that Fitbit borrowed from pedometers forever ago. In recent years even Oura and Whoop have added step tracking. But the Apple Watch has never made it easy to see your step count, even though it’s been keeping track in the background all along. Apple is finally changing that. 

Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm)

$399.00 at Amazon

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On the product pages for the Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra, Apple boasts that the new watches give you a more accurate step count—interesting, because step count hasn’t been a selling point in the past. And then comes the big news: “And now you can more easily check your step count, right from your watch face.” 

So far, it has been frustratingly difficult to get a step count on your watch. You would think you could easily add that number to a watch complication (a complication being a mini data field for the watch face), but nope—if you want a little counter of your steps on the watch face, you have to install a third-party app to provide that. 

I kind of understand why: Apple wanted to set itself apart from the Fitbits of the world. You’re supposed to close your rings, and rings are based on movement, exercise, and stand hours. I can imagine somebody at Apple saying “no, step counting is dumb” and they were arguably right. But the idea has stuck in the public consciousness; we now expect step counts, and Apple is finally going to deliver. 

How to get step count on your Apple Watch

First of all, the Apple Watch already counts your steps. You can see your step count by going to the Health app on your phone and searching for Steps. Scroll to the bottom of the Steps screen and tap Add to Pinned. Now it will be the first thing you see when you open the Health app. (Surprised the Health app can do this? You have no idea of the hidden gems in that thing.) 

To get a step count on your Apple Watch right now, without upgrading anything, you’ll need to install a step counter app. Duffy is a popular (free) one; there are plenty of others out there, so choose one you like. These apps typically provide a complication, so you can add your step count to your favorite watch face. 

But what about taking advantage of Apple’s new embrace of the step count? Apple says the feature will be available on the Series 12 and Ultra 4 watches. That said, this seems like a very simple software change, so I’d bet money that step count will become available in WatchOS 27, which is due out any day now, and which will run on Series 9 and newer, Ultra 2 and newer, and the SE 3. I’m currently using the WatchOS 27 public beta, and there’s no step count feature yet, but I’m watching for it.  

I also spied step counts in Apple’s screenshots of its upcoming redesign of the Health app. This is an app that lives on your phone, and in the screenshot there was a little tile with your Apple Watch rings, and underneath the rings, the step count. Apple says the Health app redesign will be available on devices that support Apple Intelligence, which means the iPhone 15 Pro and newer.

Once you have the feature on your watch, it looks like step counts will be available on the cards you see when you swipe up from the main watch face. Currently you can pin a card there with your step distance for the day (I’ve covered 0.65 miles between waking up and making my way to my home office) but steps aren’t available there yet. 

After years of city living and renting, I finally bought a house. And, as any homeowner will tell you, buying a house means taking on a large, time-consuming, expensive responsibility. I plan to share that adventure over on our social media pages, but with a twist: You can expect home maintenance content, but I also want to make this the kind of house I wanted as a kid. You know, like when you visited your friend who lived in the coolest house in the neighborhood.

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I have a long list of small projects I've been putting off, like fixing my running toilet or cleaning my garbage bins so bears and flies stop coming around; but I also have fun projects that I want to try out, like installing permanent outdoor lights, designing a reading nook, converting my garage into a home gym, and turning my basement into a home theater.

As I enter my influencer "like and subscribe" era, I invite you to follow along on our official Instagram, official YouTube, or my personal page. And if you want to browse any of the products I use to do the projects yourself, you can find an ongoing shopping list, organized by project, on one convenient page. I'm looking forward to the hard work...I think. I'll see you here and on our social pages.

Many portable projectors still need separate speakers or extra cables, but the ION Portable HD Outdoor Projector bundles a 720p projector with built-in speakers, Bluetooth, and even a microphone for karaoke, so you can set it up with minimal planning. It's meant for quick setups, like putting on a movie in your living room or taking it out to a terrace, and it's on sale for just $64.99 on StackSocial right now. You can stretch the image up to 150 inches, but the 1280 x 720 resolution and 100 ANSI lumens mean it looks best in a dim room or after sunset. Daytime viewing or bright spaces will wash out the picture.

Most small projectors struggle with sound, but this one puts real focus on audio. The built-in 70W stereo system gets surprisingly loud, with dual drivers and tweeters that can fill a medium room or a small outdoor gathering. You can also use it as a Bluetooth speaker, with Bluetooth 5.3 support and a range of about 100 feet. That makes it useful even when you are not projecting anything. The karaoke feature might not be for everyone, but it's easy to imagine it becoming the main attraction at a house party. You get two mic inputs, echo effects, and one wired microphone in the box. For video, it keeps things simple. Plug in a laptop, streaming stick, or console through HDMI, or use a USB drive for local files—there is no built-in smart platform here.

Battery life is where you need to be realistic. You get around two hours of video playback, which is just enough for a movie, or up to 100 hours if you are only using it as a speaker. All things considered, this ION Portable HD Outdoor Projector is a great deal.

After years of rumors, Apple finally made a foldable: the iPhone Duo. The initial reaction online has been mostly positive—particularly how iOS adapts to the phone and that cool transition wallpaper effect—but it begs the question: How does Apple's new device compare to the folding phones already on the market?

iPhone Duo

$1,999.00 at Apple

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$1,999.00 at Apple

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

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The iPhone Duo is now competing against the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (which I'll focus on here rather than the Z Fold 8 Ultra). There are key similarities and differences between the three handsets that suggest whether or not the iPhone Duo will be a success. And having used both Google and Samsung foldables in the past, I have some ideas about what the iPhone Duo needs to get right.

Foldable phones: Weight and dimensions

Credit: Lifehacker

Google and Samsung have been doing this longer than Apple has, and their phones are thinner and lighter than the iPhone Duo. That might make a difference once Apple's handset gets out into the world, with preorders set to start on Friday, Oct. 16. You can also see here that Apple and Samsung have gone for the "passport" style approach: Displays that are shorter and wider, which means a more tablet-style main display. The Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold has the aspect ratio of a standard smartphone when closed, with a main display that's more square.

Foldable phones: Displays

Credit: Lifehacker

You can see how the passport-style foldable compares to the more traditional foldable form factor in the display dimensions too: There's a lot more vertical space on the Pixel 11 Pro Fold when all of these foldables are closed shut, which is quite a consideration. If you're like me, you'll end up using your foldable closed more often than unfolded, in which case the outer display becomes very important. (But more on that later.) It's worth knowing that both Apple and Google rely on Samsung to supply their phone displays, as per industry sources.

Foldable phones: Pricing, storage and RAM

Credit: Lifehacker

If you'd like a foldable phone, it's going to cost you, whichever brand you favor. The iPhone Duo starts a little higher than the competition and goes up to 2TB of storage—something Google and Samsung don't do. It's worth mentioning RAM here too: The iPhone Duo has 12GB, the Google phone comes with 16GB, and Samsung offers either 12GB or 16GB in the Galaxy Z Fold 8, depending on the amount of storage you buy. But it's not an even comparison: The Duo runs iOS, which has different RAM requirements than Android devices.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8. Credit: Samsung

Foldable phones: Cameras

Credit: Lifehacker

Cameras abound on foldable phones—you need a selfie camera for the inner display and the outer display—and it's notable that Apple isn't telling anyone the specs of its inner selfie cameras. Google's foldable is the only one with a telephoto camera. In the modern era, software processing is just as important as hardware specs, so how the handsets compare on this front is to some extent subjective. It'll be interesting to see how photos from the iPhone Duo stand up against those on the iPhone 18 Pro, which has a more advanced camera system.

Foldable phones: Other comparison points

The iPhone Duo doesn't have face unlock as the Google and Samsung phones do, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 doesn't have the IP68 waterproofing of the iPhone Duo and Pixel 11 Pro Fold (though this doesn't last). Battery life is a key consideration when picking a smartphone, but the capacity numbers here can only tell us so much. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold has a 4,806 mAh battery, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a 4,800 mAh battery, and Apple isn't revealing the battery capacity on the iPhone Duo—though it does say you can get up to 44 hours of video playback between charges on the outer display. Software optimization and other factors play a role too, so some real-world testing will be needed for a proper comparison.

Speaking of software, there's the iOS and Android divide, of course. From what we've seen of iOS on the iPhone Duo, it looks like an elegant and thoughtful adaptation, with shifting buttons, split keyboards, a dual pane mode, and some other nice touches—no doubt helped by Apple's iPad experience. To my eye, it seems like a more fluid experience than what you get on an Android foldable, though that's not to say you get a bad experience on Google and Samsung phones.

Is that an iPad mini? Credit: Apple

What are foldable phones like to use?

Spec sheets can only get you so far, and while the iPhone Duo has made a bold impression based on what we've seen from Apple so far, no one has properly used one yet. The true test for whether the foldable iPhone is a hit or not is going to depend on how well it works through all the moments of day-to-day life.

I've spent several years using foldable phones from Samsung and Google, and aside from the rather prohibitive cost, the main issue that makes me still prefer standard phone form factors is that, for most of the time, there's no reason to open up the full display—which means you're left with a device that's chunky and heavy, with no real upside. Checking messages on the go, making contactless payments, taking photos: the majority of phone tasks don't need or suit a tablet-sized screen. That's what all of these foldables are fighting against. Would you use an iPad to take a photo at a gig, call your parents, or find your way around in an unfamiliar city?

Apple seems to have the software experience right, and the iPhone Duo looks as well crafted as you would expect a foldable iPhone to be—but even if you can foot the bill for one of these, you might find that the cost of using a thicker, heavier, smaller phone isn't worth it, just so you can occasionally have a bigger screen available. The iPhone Duo actually stacks up pretty well against the foldables from Samsung and Google, but its real competition is going to come from other iPhones.

Though it's not the most powerful tablet Amazon has ever sold (that would be the Amazon Fire Max 11, discontinued in 2023 with no successor yet released), the Fire HD 10 is the strongest value pick in the lineup, offering a good balance of performance and affordability for anyone who wants a tablet to stream movies and TV, play casual games, browse the web, and read or listen to music and podcasts.

Right now, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is more affordable than ever: It's currently 50% off, bringing its price down to a record low of $76.99. (Note that this deal is for the version of the device with lock-screen ads.)

Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet

$76.99 at Amazon

$154.99 Save $78.00

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$76.99 at Amazon

$154.99 Save $78.00

The Fire HD 10 offers a range of everyday features that are hard to beat in a sub-$80 tablet. It has a generous 10.1-inch 1080p display, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and microSD expansion up to 1TB, plus USB-C connectivity and a headphone jack. It’s an ideal choice for anyone who already uses Amazon services like Prime Video, Kindle, Audible, and Alexa, although as it can only access the Amazon app store, its app selection is more limited than a standard Android tablet’s.

This Amazon device delivers battery life of up to 13 hours (more than 10 hours while streaming HD video at maximum brightness), according to PCMag, which gave it an Editors’ Choice award. It comes with a 9W charger that delivers a full charge in around four hours; that drops closer to three hours with a 15W charger (sold separately).

With a solid screen, impressive battery life, and a well-constructed build designed around Amazon services, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet has enough power for daily tasks and is a smart choice given the current major discount. If you want a faster Android alternative with full Google Play access, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is a reliable option, though it costs significantly more.

The Eufy SoloCam E42 is currently $119.97, down from $179.99, bringing the wireless outdoor camera to its lowest price yet, according to price trackers. It covers a lot of the usual outdoor-camera annoyances in one setup—including 4K video with 360-degree pan-and-tilt coverage, local storage, and a removable solar panel, so there is no required subscription and less need to take the camera down for charging. That removable solar panel is especially useful because you can point the E42 toward the area you actually want to monitor while placing the panel where it gets the most sunlight.

Eufy SoloCam E42

$119.97 at Amazon

$179.99 Save $60.02

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$119.97 at Amazon

$179.99 Save $60.02

The wider coverage also makes the E42 a better fit for driveways, yards, and porches where activity does not always happen in one fixed spot. It can follow a person or vehicle as they move through the frame, and its motion detection can distinguish between people, vehicles, and more general movement. In practice, that should mean fewer false alerts. One thing to know, though, is that some of Eufy’s more advanced artificial intelligence features require the separately sold HomeBase S380, and you will need to supply your own microSD card if you want to record locally.

Beyond recording, the E42 can also actively respond to movement with its built-in spotlight and motion-triggered siren, giving you a couple of extra deterrents when something is happening outside. That said, the main limitation is that it only connects over 2.4 GHz wifi, so it can take a little more work to get running on some newer mesh networks. Still, for around $120, the SoloCam E42 makes sense if you want broad outdoor coverage, fewer charging hassles, and local recording without adding another monthly fee to the household budget.

A lifetime license for Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 is typically priced at $499.99, so getting it bundled with a full set of beginner-friendly coding courses on sale for just $34.97 on StackSocial is a steal. The IDE itself is still the core draw. This is a 64-bit development environment built for handling large codebases without slowing down. It supports C#, C++, .NET, and web stacks such as ASP.NET, and it integrates directly with tools like GitHub and Azure. In practice, that means you can write, test, and ship code in one place instead of jumping between apps. That said, Visual Studio is not a lightweight tool you install on a whim. It's built for people who spend time coding every week, whether for work, freelancing, or serious learning.

Once you're inside, the newer additions to the IDE lean heavily on AI-assisted coding—tools like IntelliCode suggest entire chunks of code based on what you are already writing, and then there is Live Share, which is useful if you collaborate with someone remotely and do not want to spend time setting up the same environment. All of these work, though performance depends on your internet connection and system specs.

Speaking of which, this software expects a reasonably modern machine. Microsoft recommends at least 8GB of RAM and a multi-core processor, and storage can quickly grow depending on what you install. This is not something you would run comfortably on an older or low-spec machine.

The bundle also includes a long list of coding courses, covering Python, C++, JavaScript, Flutter, SQL, and even niche areas like computer vision and Salesforce development. These are all pre-recorded courses with lifetime access, so they work best for self-paced learners who are comfortable navigating different instructors and formats—that can be both a strength and a drawback, so this great deal makes the most sense if you're planning to spend real time learning or building projects.

Amazon currently has the 55-inch Toshiba Z670R for $548.99, down from $649.99, taking a little over $100 off the usual price, and just a dollar over 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. At this price, the Z670R is interesting because it gives you some of the display tech usually associated with more expensive sets without pushing into OLED pricing. Its 4K Mini-LED panel uses QLED color and local dimming, which should help bright highlights stand out while keeping darker scenes from looking washed out—and support for Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ means you are covered across a wide range of movies, shows, and streaming services.

55-inch Toshiba Z670R

$548.99 at Amazon

$649.99 Save $101.00

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$548.99 at Amazon

$649.99 Save $101.00

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. That said, 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.

What happened with the IDScan.net breach?

According to an incident notice on IDScan's website, the company received information "on or around" Sept. 1 that an unauthorized third party was able to gain access to stored customer data, including full names along with driver's license and government-issued ID numbers.

This was around the time that a major breach was reported by cybersecurity journalist Brian Krebs, who received a tip that driver's license information—including digital scans—was available for sale on the dark web via an identity theft service dubbed Nexus. The platform advertised access to more than 153 million driver's licenses, and Krebs and security researcher Zach Edwards verified the data and identified IDScan as the likely source. As TechCrunch reports, the FBI is investigating the breach, and the database has since been taken offline.

What to do if your drivers license has been compromised

A lost or stolen driver's license creates a high risk of identity theft and fraud, as hackers can use it to open financial accounts and take out loans in your name, commit mail fraud, create a fake ID, and even develop a synthetic identity (which combines both real and fake personal data) that could be used to commit a crime. If thieves have access to your physical license or a scan, as in this latest breach, they have a complete set of information, including your birth date and photo, to assume your identity. Fraudsters can also do a lot of damage with just your driver's license number.

If your driver's license information has been compromised in a breach, you should take all the usual steps against identity theft, including pulling your credit reports, monitoring your financial accounts, and setting up fraud alerts. (At this point in the data breach game, your credit should already be frozen unless you are actively applying for a new card or loan, but if you haven't yet, do it immediately.)

Because your driver's license is so valuable to identity thieves, Experian also recommends requesting your driving record, which you can get from your state's department of motor vehicles, and running a background check on yourself. Both can reveal if any fraudulent activities have been carried out in your name—for example, if someone has been pulled over or if there are arrest warrants or criminal charges linked to your identity. You can file a police report for a lost or stolen license and report identity theft if you believe your information is being used fraudulently.

IDScan.net is reportedly alerting individuals affected by this latest breach, and given its scale, you should be on the lookout for a notice. The company is offering credit monitoring and identity protection services to those impacted, and you can call 1-833-516-2980 to enroll.

Add multiple library cards to see availability across other systems

You're not limited to one library system on Libby. The platform allows you to connect to multiple libraries, so you can take advantage of larger catalogs in case one library has more titles or a shorter wait times for books you want to read. You still have to be eligible for a library card at every library you connect to, but you could add your city library, your county library, and a school library to your account (or even take advantage of a friend's or family member's card from a different city). Go to Menu > Add Library and search by library name, city, or zip code. Select the library to browse its collection, and follow the prompts to add that library's card if you qualify.

Use airplane mode on your Kindle to extend your loan

Libby automatically returns titles as soon as your loans expire, so unlike with physical books, you can't take extra time to finish up. But if you're reading on a Kindle, you may be able to borrow the title and immediately set your device to airplane mode to freeze the loan. While your Kindle is offline, you can return the title via the Libby app so the next person can borrow it. Note that there are reports that this workaround, which is unique to Kindle, may no longer be available on newer devices running the latest software, but Reddit users suggest that changing the date on your Kindle to before the return deadline and/or keeping the expired book open could also help avoid this issue.

Export your reading data to archive or add it to Goodreads

If you like to track your reading history, you can export a timeline of your activity, which can be saved in a personal spreadsheet or uploaded to Goodreads. Tap Shelf > Timeline > Actions > Export Timeline and choose a format—Table creates a shareable HTML page, while Spreadsheet downloads an editable sheet to your device (JSON is also an option). Exports include information like the title name, author, borrow date, publisher, and ISBN. If syncing to Goodreads, choose Spreadsheet and follow the platform's import instructions.

Create custom tags to organize your reading lists

Libby's tag system makes it easy to organize and sort titles across multiple lists, such as annual reading lists, favorites, or TBR (to name a few). Simply go to Tags > Actions > New Tag, add a name and description, and tap Create. When you want to add a title to one of these lists, hit Save on the title's page and select all relevant tags. Tap Tags on the bottom navigation to sort or filter tagged titles.

Set up notifications to get first access to new releases

Not all new releases are immediately available to every library system, but you can get a head start on borrowing with the "Notify Me" smart tag, which will alert you when your library adds titles you've tagged. When you find a title via search that your library doesn't offer, you'll be prompted to create a Notify Me tag. You can also manually create one by following the process for custom tags and selecting Notify Me to turn it into a smart tag. This tag also works for new magazine issues and new content from specific authors or book series. Make sure you have push notifications enabled for Libby.

Pin search filters to see what’s available to borrow immediately

If you finish one book and want to immediately start another, you can use a search filter to find titles that are available now rather than sorting through wait lists. Then, you can pin that filter so every search—even if other filters are applied—shows you only titles that are ready to borrow. Go to Search and tap the three horizontal lines to open the filter list. Select available now > Show Titles, then press and hold the filter to open the pop-up menu and tap Pin Filter. You can follow the same process with other filters (if you only want to see books and/or audiobooks, for example). Note that subject filters can't be pinned.

Adjust your download settings to manage storage space

Audiobooks can be storage hogs, and if you're listening to more than one title at a time, you may not want to devote that much of your device's space to those files. Customize how titles are downloaded versus streamed via Menu > Settings > Download Rules, where you can choose whether to automatically download everything, nothing, or only titles under 20 MB as well as enable downloads on wifi only (to avoid mobile data usage).

Revisit your highlights and notes in your reading journey or Read.Amazon

If you like to highlight passages or add notes to books as you read, you can review these annotations for titles borrowed via Libby even after you've returned them. In the Libby app, find the title and tap the cover image, then tap Reading Journey. You can also export these data via Actions > Export Reading Data. If you read the title on a Kindle device, notes and highlights are also saved on Amazon and visible on Goodreads.

Search for skip-the-line books to bypass wait times

Popular titles and new releases often rack up hundreds of holds in a short amount of time, meaning you could be waiting months before a copy is available at your library. Some library systems will designate a few copies of these books as "skip the line," meaning that they can't be reserved or renewed and instead are claimed on a first-come-first-serve basis once returned by the previous user. These titles are marked with a shamrock icon, and if your library offers them, you can find them via Search > Catalog Filters > skip the line.

Use the Suspend feature to stagger overlapping holds

If you have a long list of holds with varying wait times, you may occasionally have one or more books ready to borrow around the same time. If you're not ready to read a title as soon as it becomes available, you can opt to suspend your hold until you're done with the book you're currently reading or have more time to start something new. This keeps your place in line, so the book will be yours as soon as you un-suspend your hold and the title is returned by the current user. In the app, go to Shelf > Holds > Manage Hold > Suspend Hold, or tap Suspend next to the title if it is ready to borrow.

Finding a pair of headphones or earbuds that precisely meet your needs—whether you’re using them at the gym, while working from home, or even when showering—doesn’t have to mean shelling out a ton of money. The best of them can be really expensive, yes, but if you're a patient shopper, you can usually find a good deal on just about any pair of headphones.

With that said, here are the best deals, discounts, and sales you can find on earbuds and headphones right now. I'll be regularly updating this list as offers come and go, so check back in as needed—but given these prices can change at any time, I would advise you not to wait if you spot a pair that fits your needs and budget.

ANC Wireless Bluetooth Headphones (Grade A Refurbished)

Beats Studio Pro (Factory Reconditioned)

$139.99 at Woot

$349.99 Save $210.00

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$139.99 at Woot

$349.99 Save $210.00

True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds - Apple H1 Headphone Chip, Compatible with Apple & Android, Class 1 Bluetooth, Built-in Microphone, 6 Hours of Listening Time

Beats Fit Pro Earbuds

$124.95 at Amazon

$199.95 Save $75.00

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$124.95 at Amazon

$199.95 Save $75.00

HD NC Processor QN3, 12 Microphones, Adaptive NC Optimizer, Mastered by Engineers

Sony WH-1000XM6 The Best Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones

$398.00 at Amazon

$459.99 Save $61.99

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$398.00 at Amazon

$459.99 Save $61.99

Wireless Industry Leading Noise Canceling Bluetooth Headphones (Renewed)

Sony WH-1000XM5 (Refurbished)

$159.99 at Amazon

$248.00 Save $88.01

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$159.99 at Amazon

$248.00 Save $88.01

Nothing Headphone (1) Hybrid ANC Wireless Over-Ear Headphone (Black)

$219.00 at Amazon

$299.00 Save $80.00

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$219.00 at Amazon

$299.00 Save $80.00

Sony WH-CH720N Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones

$0.00 at Amazon

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$0.00 at Amazon

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, Immersive Audio Open Ear Earbuds, Clip on Earbuds for Comfort, Running Earbuds with OpenAudio for Awareness, Up to 48 Hours of Battery Life, White Smoke

$216.99 at Amazon

$299.00 Save $82.01

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$216.99 at Amazon

$299.00 Save $82.01

Soundcore Sleep A30 Special

$168.99 at Amazon

$229.99 Save $61.00

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$168.99 at Amazon

$229.99 Save $61.00

Nothing Ear (Open) Open Ear Headphones, Ultra-Light with Adjustable Earhooks, Multipoint Connection Bluetooth Earbuds, Clear Voice Technology for AI Calls, IP54, Fast Charging, ChatGPT Supported

$99.00 at Amazon

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$99.00 at Amazon

Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds

$199.00 at Amazon

$249.00 Save $50.00

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$199.00 at Amazon

$249.00 Save $50.00

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The Beats Studio Pro headphones are $220 off

Right now, you can grab a "grade A" refurbished pair of Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones for $139.99 from Woot. That's $210 off the original $349.99 price and $20 less than you'll pay for a renewed pair on Amazon. These durable, comfortable headphones are a great choice if you're an Apple user, as Apple owns Beats, but they work well with Android devices too.

The Beats Fit Pro earbuds are $70 off

The Beats Fit Pro (1st Gen) earbuds aren’t the newest exercise earbuds on the market (or even on the Beats line; that would be the Powerbeats Pro 2), but they’re a classic option with ANC and a comfortable fit, making them a sportier version of AirPods Pro, with a slight edge when it comes to battery life. You can get a pair in white or pink for $124.95 (originally $199.95), the lowest price ever.

The Sony 1000XM6 headphones are $60 off

The Sony WH-1000XM6 came out in 2025 and are the best over-ear headphones I tested last year (or ever, really). These headphones go with a companion app that's packed with a lot more features that you can nerd out on. The audio quality is second to none, with the fully customizable EQ giving you plenty of options to get the sound how you like it. Right now, you can get the WH-1000XM6 headphones for $398 (originally $459.99), $20 off their lowest price ever.

The older and refurbished Sony 1000XM5 are just $160

If you don't need the latest XM6 headphones and are good with the older XM5 version, which are still incredible headphones, a refurbished pair is $159.99 on Amazon. A new pair will run you $298, which is still a pretty good deal compared to the $399.99 launch price.

The Nothing Headphones (1) are $80 off

If you prefer premium over-ear headphones, you can get the Nothing Headphones (1) for $219 (originally $299), the lowest price yet. Yes, they're considerably more expensive, but they offer all of the same features plus 35 hours with ANC on, up to 80 without, 3.5mm AUX connectivity, a multi-function volume scroll wheel (they call it the Roller) that works for track navigation and other features, and spatial audio.

The Sony WH-CH720N are just $98

Not everyone needs or can spend nearly half a grand on the latest Sony headphones. If this sounds like you and are looking for a bargain on a budget, then perhaps the more affordable Sony WH-CH720N could work for you. While they're not quite as premium, they're significantly cheaper and offer good enough quality for most people. You can get them for $98 (originally $179.99) on Amazon right now.

Bose's open earbuds are $83 off

The Ultra Open Earbuds are Bose's attempt at riding the trending tech wave of open earbuds that allow you to hear your surroundings, rather than canceling them, and they're a pretty good option at that, earning an 8/10 from our colleagues at CNET. And at their current price of $216.99 (originally $299.99), they are also something of a steal.

The Sleep A30 earbuds are $50 off

The new Sleep A30 earbuds have ANC and new features the older A20 model didn't have—and despite their recent release this past August, they're already significantly discounted. They are my favorite earbuds for sleep, and right now, you can get them for $168.99 (originally $229.99), the lowest price ever.

The Nothing Ear (Open) is just $99

The Nothing Ear (Open) are Nothing's open-ear earbuds from 2024, and they're currently $99 ($149) for Prime Members, the lowest price they've ever been. They come with a multipoint connection, so you can hook them up to your phone and laptop simultaneously. There's also a "Find My Earbud" feature that plays a loud sound on the earbuds if you misplace them. There's also a low-lag mode with 120 milliseconds of latency for gaming, so the audio will be in sync with your actions. If you use a supported Nothing phone, this feature is automatic, and there's also a ChatGPT integration that you can access directly through the earbuds.

This is your chance to get the AirPods Pro 3 for $199

The AirPods Pro 3 are a big step up. The third iteration of Apple's iconic earbuds comes with a number of quality-of-life and software improvements that make them worth the typical premium over the AirPods Pro 2—and right now, the AirPods Pro 3 are even cheaper than the previous generation. They're $199 on Amazon, down from $249 and matching their second-lowest price ever, according to price-tracking tools.

Even though Apple just announced a bunch of upcoming health and fitness features for the Apple Watch Series 12, existing Apple Watches already have more fitness capabilities than you may realize. We’ve already shown you 10 hacks for all Apple Watch users, but I’m here with a follow-up on the best fitness hacks and tips. With these lesser-known settings, apps, and features, you can get more out of your Watch, your workouts, and your health data.

Apple Watch Ultra 4

Pre-Order at $799 at Amazon

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Pre-Order at $799 at Amazon

Apple Watch Series 12

$399.00 at Amazon

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$399.00 at Amazon

Apple Watch SE 3

$249.00 at Apple

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$249.00 at Apple

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Give your Apple Watch rings a "rest day"

Credit: Beth Skwarecki

The Apple Watch’s Fitness app famously includes three rings (Move, Exercise, Stand) that you can close with activity throughout the day. Not only should you change your Move and Exercise goals to numbers that work for you (raising or lowering them as appropriate), you can also schedule in different goals for each day. 

Originally, your Move, Exercise, and Stand goals were the same every day, but these days you can change your ring-closing goals, including adding rest days. Go to the Fitness app and tap the Activity Rings card, and then tap the “+/-” icon next to each goal. You can create a weekly schedule so that you have lower targets on certain days. You can also change a goal temporarily just for today—for example, reducing your Stand hour goal on a day you’re taking a road trip. 

Wear your Apple Watch on your arm (or ankle)

The Apple Watch is meant to be worn on the wrist, but that doesn’t mean you have to wear it there. If your workout has you snatching kettlebells or bench pressing in wrist wraps, consider wearing the Watch on your upper arm. Or if you use a standing desk, your steps may not register unless you put the Watch on your ankle. Both of these locations will likely require a bigger wristband than what came with the Watch. Fortunately, you can buy an extra-long band, like this one. 

Change the Apple Watch's app view for easier tapping during a workout

Credit: Beth Skwarecki

This is a tiny hack, but one that makes it so much easier to operate your watch mid-workout: Press the crown, and you’ll see all your installed apps. By default, they appear as little icons clustered together. You can rearrange them if you like, but no matter the arrangement, they’re tough to accurately tap while you’re running down the street. Make life easier on yourself by scrolling to the bottom of this screen, and tap List View. This puts your apps in an alphabetical list, with the name next to each icon. It’s now far easier to tap anything you might need during your workout.

Use Bevel to gather your Apple Watch data into a convenient dashboard

Credit: Beth Skwarecki

While we wait for the Apple Health app redesign, you can already get some of the same features by installing a free third-party app called Bevel. The Apple Watch collects a lot of data, but Apple doesn’t give you a convenient way to view it all in one place (for now, anyway). Third-party apps have stepped in to fill the gap. Bevel, for example, provides recovery scores and collects data in much the same way you’d see from a Whoop or Oura ring. There are other apps that do the same thing, like Athlytic, but I’m recommending Bevel because it has a free tier (and most of its functionality is on that tier). Bevel can also pull in data from other devices you might use, like a Garmin watch or a Whoop if you have one of those as well.

Create custom intervals on your Apple Watch

The Workout app on Apple Watch has evolved quite a bit from its original format as a simple tracker with a start and stop button. The current version of the Fitness app has a little timer icon in the corner of each workout type, under the Workouts tab. Tap that, and you can view and edit custom workouts. Program yourself an interval workout, or a workout of a specific length. You can do this most easily from your phone—Apple has instructions here. 

Use your Apple Watch to race yourself

If you run or bike the same route often, try the Race Route feature. Routes are automatically generated after you do the same run twice. On the Watch itself, go to the Workout app and choose a Run or Cycle workout, then tap the timer icon to bring up options including race routes. You can choose to race your personal best time on that route, or just your last workout on that route. During the activity, you’ll see whether you’re keeping pace with that previous workout.

Do a workout even without the Apple Watch

It may look empty, but it got tracked. Credit: Beth Skwarecki

One of the best upgrades to iOS 26 is that the Fitness app can now track workouts even without the Apple Watch. If you left your watch at home but still want to get a run in, you can track it directly from your phone. Just go to the Fitness app, then Workout, and then tap whichever type of workout you’d like to do. If you choose an outdoor workout like a run, your phone will track your distance and pace with the phone’s GPS. If you choose an indoor workout, the app can still log the workout with a timer, but it won’t be able to collect any data. You’ll get a readout with the amount of time you worked out, and an estimate of your calorie burn, and you can rate your effort so the workout counts toward your training load. If you have a device that can measure your heart rate—like a chest strap or headphones like the Powerbeats Pro 2—you can pair that device directly to your iPhone, without involving the watch, and track your workout through the Fitness app with heart rate data intact.

Connect your Apple Watch to a treadmill

The Apple Watch is pretty good at judging distance and speed outdoors when you run, and your iPhone can do a good job of that, too. But once you’re indoors on a treadmill, only the treadmill knows how far you’re running. The Apple Watch’s distance estimations aren’t always very good. That is, unless you’re using a treadmill that can beam data directly to your watch. The treadmills in a lot of commercial gyms have this feature through a system called GymKit. In your Settings on the watch, go to Workout and turn on Detect Gym Equipment. When you use a compatible gym machine, there will be a spot on the console to tap your watch. You’ll hear a beep, and then the data on your watch will be synced to the data on the machine. 

Install WorkOutDoors on your Apple Watch for more run data and mapping

Credit: Beth Skwarecki

We’ve seen that the stock Workout app has plenty of great features for running and other workouts, but many runners and hikers prefer a different option. The Apple Watch app WorkOutDoors gives Garmin-level mapping and data analytics during your run. It takes a bit of time to learn your way around all the features, but this is an incredibly powerful tool for just a small investment ($8.99 as a one-time charge).

Top up the Apple Watch's battery before sleep

If you use the Apple Watch to track your sleep, you don’t have the option of charging it while you sleep. But don’t worry if it’s close to bedtime and you’re low on battery—Apple Watches, especially the most recent models, are designed to charge quickly for exactly this reason. The Apple Watch Series 11 only needs five minutes of charge time for eight hours of sleep tracking. 

Apple recently announced some big changes to the Health app, as well as new sensors in the upcoming Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. The company bundled these and other health-related announcements together, but that doesn't mean you need an Apple Watch 12 to take advantage of all the new features. Here's the breakdown of which Apple Watches will get the new features—and which ones don't need an Apple Watch at all.

Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm)

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Readiness and more accurate heart rate require the Apple Watch Series 12 or Ultra 4

You'll need the new Series 12 or the Ultra 4 to get Apple's new heart rate sensor—the one it's billing as the most accurate in any wearable. (Huge if true.) These two watches also have the new S11 processing chip. The sensor and the chip are required for what Apple is calling its "health sensing system," which gives you more frequent heart rate and HRV readings throughout the day.

According to Apple, the new systems measure heart rate every five seconds instead of every five minutes, and HRV every five minutes instead of every few hours. Overnight vitals will now include a Recovery HRV score that's compared to your baseline (so you know when your body is under more or less stress than usual). The Readiness score seems to rely on these readings, so you'll need one of the new watches to get that score.

The upgraded Health app needs an iPhone 15 Pro or newer

I recently wrote about the changes Apple has planned for the new Health app and noted that those are likely to be software changes that don't require a new phone or watch. Apple writes in a footnote on the Apple Watch page that the redesigned Health app requires an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone (or iPad). The full list of Apple Intelligence-enabled devices is here, and they include the iPhone 15 Pro and all iPhones 16 and newer.

The new app includes "insights," which seem to be similar to the trends you'll see in the current Apple Health app. If you've ever noticed the little cards that say things like "your cardio fitness has been trending up for 8 weeks," it seems we'll get more of those, and they'll be collected together into their own area of the app. There will also be text summaries of your data and recommendations for what to do next, apparently written by Apple Intelligence based on your data.

The VO2max test requires some kind of heart rate sensor (but not necessarily an Apple Watch)

The new Health app includes an on-demand VO2max test you can do indoors. Apple's event video showed a person propping up their phone on the floor, making sure the phone's camera could see their entire body, and then following along with a metronome by stepping in place on the beat. You'll need a heart rate sensor to do this test and get your results, and Apple says that any Apple Watch will do—or AirPods Pro 3, or a third-party sensor.

In other words, it sounds like it can work with any device that broadcasts heart rate, which includes just about any wearable out there. If you have a Fitbit, a Whoop, or a Garmin (to name a few), you can probably get it to broadcast your heart rate and thus work with this test. Apple's Fitness app can already read heart rate from these devices, so I expect the compatibility to be the same for the VO2max test.

The upgraded Workout Buddy will require an Apple Watch Series 9 or newer

Workout Buddy, which takes the form of a motivational voice in your ear during workouts, requires Apple Intelligence. Previously, this meant you needed to carry an Apple Intelligence-enabled phone with you during workouts, but that's changing. The new Workout Buddy can work from your Apple Watch without needing a phone, so long as your watch has access to the Internet through either cellular data or a wifi network (such as your gym's wifi). Compatible watches include the Series 9 and newer, the Ultra 2 and later, or the Apple Watch SE 3.

One of my biggest issues since adopting my dog has been dealing with carpet messes (bad dog!). A pet carpet cleaner like the Bissell Revolution Hydrosteam would've saved me a lot of stress. Right now, you can get this steam vapor cleaner for $349.99 (originally $399.99) directly from the Bissell website. You also get an additional 10% off if you provide your email on the product page.

This wired carpet cleaner is designed for pet owners, but it also removes most common human stains on carpets, like food or outdoor debris. If you have a lot of rugs or a home with carpet, it can be a useful tool to have at your disposal. This carpet cleaner uses Bissell's "HydroSteam Technology," a heater and fluid delivery system that combines steam vapor, water, and soap. It penetrates deep into carpet fibers to remove stains, debris, and dander allergens. There is a Quick Dry Mode that dries your carpets and upholstery in 30 minutes.

The cleaner comes with attachments for more precise cleaning, including the pet upholstery tool, designed for wet and dry messes, and a six-inch tool designed for furniture and stairs. The cord is 25 feet long, and the hose is eight feet long. You can fit up to a gallon of water in the tank at a time, and the cleaner weighs a bit over 22 pounds, so it's still not too heavy to cart up and down stairs—or wherever your pet's mess may be.

You don't strictly need pets to make good use of this carpet steamer—I've heard kids can be incredibly messy, too—and it's definitely a lot more cost-effective than paying for professional carpet cleaning, especially at the current $50 plus 10% off discount.

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.

I've followed the foldable smartphone space for seven years now, but I’ve still never wanted to buy one. But the iPhone Duo is making me doubt my convictions, and not just because I’m an iPhone user. Until now, foldable smartphones felt like a work in progress to me, requiring a sacrifice or two (or three) with either the hardware or the software.

iPhone Duo

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But with the launch of the iPhone Duo, it feels like this everything is finally coming together. Apple's hardware and the software appear to be working hand in hand to provide a seamless, and even fun, foldable experience. It still feels like choosing the Duo instead carries its own share of compromises—missing Face ID, no telephoto lens, and the lack of an Action button)—but what the new device brings to the table might make up for all of that.

The screen opening animation is peak Apple design

Credit: Apple

It’s a trick, but it’s surprising no one thought of this before. When you open the iPhone Duo, the cover screen performs a blurred animation that seamlessly continues to the inner screen. What’s on the cover screen appears on the right side of the inner screen. The interface also adapts to the hinge and the degree of folding. Make it a tent, and it shows the Stand By widgets. When watching media, you can prop it up like a laptop, and the interface splits in two as well, with the top half showing the media, and controls on the bottom half (assuming the app has been optimized to do so, anyway). If you’re playing a game or watching a movie on the inner screen, closing the Duo will switch the content to the cover screen, with the animation, and without skipping a beat. This is the kind of seamless device/software integration that's tough for Android devices to compete with.

A matte inner screen that appears to be creaseless (almost)

Credit: Apple

Apple is late to the foldable party, but at least it has caught up in the screen and hinge tech. Of course, we won’t know exactly how creaseless it is until we can all get our hands on the iPhone Duo, but based on the coverage so far, it is at least fairly creaseless. In day-to-day use, you might not even notice it.

More interesting is the inner display tech: Apple is bringing a version of the nano-texture display from the MacBook Pro line to this device. The matte display fights reflections, but it also hides the crease—something that’s harder to do with the glossy panels sported by Android foldables.

The iOS 27 adapts like Android doesn’t

Credit: Apple

As noted, the real hardware-software advantage shows up in how iOS works. Because of the shorter display, Apple has chosen to dedicate the right-hand side edge to the Dock and toolbar controls, an interesting choice in terms of reachability and design.

The usable space isn’t compromised, either with the cover screen or the inner display. Adapting and moving the toolbar, and bringing third-party apps along for the ride, is no easy feat. It’s also something that would be extremely difficult to pull off on the Android side: It would require a design directive from Google, and manufacturers would have to find their own ways to implement it.

App layouts should make the inner display more useful

Credit: Apple

It will be interesting to see how third-party developers adapt to the new screen and layout options. Apple already showcased how media apps like Netflix are taking advantage of the split-screen interface design. Zoom’s example, where the screen sharing is on one side and the meeting participants are on the other, is quite smart, too.

How you end up using the inner screen on a foldable is all down to how developers take advantage of it. Sure, you can put two apps side by side, but how often are people really going to do that? But the fact that you have an iPad mini-sized canvas, along with upcoming support for the Apple Pencil, sets the stage for creative uses of the expanding display. Conversely, Samsungdropped support for its stylus from the Fold series last year.

A disappearing selfie camera and new camera tricks

Credit: Apple

Under-display selfie cameras are not new—Samsung tried it in Fold 3, and gave up in the Fold 7. The under-display camera just wasn’t as good. This is the first time that Apple is trying it, and we will have to test it out before we can make a judgment on how well it performs.

But that's not the only camera-related feature in the iPhone Duo. While it's missing a telephoto lens, the way Apple is using the second screen in the camera and FaceTime is very interesting. When you're photographing someone with the Duo unfolded, the cover screen becomes a live preview, so the subjects can see themselves, and guide you as well. To make it easier to capture moments with kids, the outer camera can show fun Snoopy graphics. Even FaceTime has a Duo mode where a participant can be shown on the cover screen.

A foldable that’s still rough and tough

Most foldable smartphones lose out when it comes to dust and water resistance. The design itself means you have to be careful with dust, especially around the hinges. The Samsung Fold 8, for example, has an IP48 rating. The iPhone Duo gets the full IP68 sealing treatment. An IP68 rating means that the iPhone Duo is fully dust-protected, and it can survive under shallow 1.5 meter deep water for 30 minutes. The Samsung Galaxy Fold 8 lacks a dust-sealing rating, though it does offer stronger water resistance.

Is the iPhone Duo worth the downsides?

All that new tech does come at a cost. The first is literal: the $1,999 starting price, or more than buying an iPhone and an iPad mini combined. The foldable design ushers in a new era of iPhone innovation, but it’s also leaving behind features that iPhone users have come to love and expect. There’s no Face ID, no Action button, no real optical zoom, and no physical SIM card slot, all lacking in a device that’s quite heavy (254 g) compared to the iPhone 18 Pro (211 grams). Ultimately, the market (and buyers' wallets) will decide if these tradeoffs are worth it, but if you ask me, the Duo makes the most compelling case for a foldable yet.

iPhone Duo pre-orders open October 16, and the device won’t ship until October 23.

The iPhone Duo is both the most exciting (and expensive) product from Apple's September hardware event. The Duo is Apple's first foldable, equipped with new features not present in the company's other iPhones. On the flip side, designing a foldable smartphone comes with a bunch of compromises, which means that the iPhone Duo misses out on a lot of features when compared with the iPhone 18 Pro and the 18 Pro Max. Yes, even if you pay $1,999 (going all the way up to $3,199 for the 2TB variant) for an iPhone Duo, you won't be getting all the best new iPhone features this year. Here's every feature that the iPhone Duo misses out on.

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The iPhone Duo doesn't have an Action button

Unlike the iPhone 18 Pro series (or any iPhone since the 15), the foldable iPhone doesn't get a programmable Action button. It doesn't even have a mute switch, which means that its only buttons are for volume control and power. The Action button can be mapped to simple tasks such as taking screenshots, or more complex automations of your choice, and it'll be missed on the foldable iPhone.

The iPhone Duo's selfie camera isn't as good as the iPhone 18 Pro

The iPhone Duo ships with a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera on the outer display, which is a lower-resolution sensor than the one on the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max. The two 18 Pro series phones ship with an 18-megapixel Center Stage camera for selfies. The iPhone Duo also has an under-display front camera, and since Apple hasn't disclosed its megapixel count, it's safe to say it's also less than the 18 Pros. However, by its nature, the Duo has an interesting advantage here: If you're taking selfies with the device unfolded, you get to use the far superior "rear" camera sensor, as the front display becomes your viewfinder. Anyone using the Duo for selfies this way will shoot better pictures than those using the front camera on an iPhone 18 Pro.

The iPhone Duo's rear cameras have fixed apertures

Variable aperture is one of the best new camera features of the iPhone 18 Pro series. The primary rear camera lets you control aperture, which opens up the possibility for better quality photos, enhanced depth of field effects, and more creative control over your photography. Unfortunately, the iPhone Duo misses out on this feature.

Pro Controls aren't coming to the iPhone Duo

By now the trend is pretty clear: iPhone Duo misses out on a slew of camera features. For the iPhone 18 Pro series, Apple announced "Pro Controls" for the Camera app, which lets you control aperture, shutter speed, and more variables. This will undoubtedly appeal to photography enthusiasts, but despite the Duo's inflated price tag, this is another feature that didn't make it to the foldable.

Apple Reference Image is limited to the 18 Pro series

Apple also announced a new standard to combat AI-morphed images. Apple Reference Image allows you to verify that an image was captured using an iPhone 18 Pro device, and that it wasn't generated by AI. For some reason, however, this feature isn't coming to the iPhone Duo.

There's no telephoto lens in the iPhone Duo

Apple decided to go with two rear cameras in the iPhone Duo, which means that the telephoto lens gets a miss. The iPhone 18 Pro series has 4x and 8x optical zoom options, both of which won't be available on the iPhone Duo. You'll be limited to a zoom range of 0.5x to 2x on the foldable iPhone, across both the ultrawide and Fusion cameras.

You won't get Spatial photos, videos, and ProRAW on the iPhone Duo

Spatial photos, Spatial videos, and ProRAW are all features targeted at professional photographers and videographers. These features are available in the iPhone 18 Pro series, but not on the iPhone Duo.

The iPhone 18 Pro has better mics for video recording than the iPhone Duo

Apple included a "studio-quality" four-mic array in the iPhone 18 Pro and the 18 Pro Max. The aim is to enhance audio quality when you're shooting video. The iPhone Duo misses out on this feature too.

iPhone Duo doesn't use Face ID

Apple chose to give the iPhone Duo Touch ID, which means that you can use your fingerprint to unlock the device. While the lack of Face ID may initially seem like a big miss, I think it makes perfect sense for a device that has multiple "front" cameras. Rather than placing the Face ID sensor near every camera, Apple opted for the more practical alternative. Plus, you can unlock your iPhone Duo with your Apple Watch, if you have one.

The iPhone Duo doesn't have a LiDAR scanner

LiDAR sensors measure distances between two objects, creating 3D scans of objects in the real world, and even mapping the layout of your home for 3D models. Your iPhone ships with an app called Measure, which works well with Pro series iPhones because those devices have a LiDAR scanner. The iPhone Duo misses out.

The Duo is available only in two colors

This year, Apple reserved all the fun iPhone colors for the 18 Pro and the 18 Pro Max, including the new Glacier and Burgundy color variants. I wish Apple had added at least one of those to the iPhone Duo, as the foldable iPhone is only available in "Night Sky" (dark blue) or white.

iPhone Duo is eSIM-only worldwide

The iPhone Duo is the first iPhone to ship with two eSIM slots globally. The iPhone 18 Pro devices will be eSIM-exclusive in 12 countries, but not in the rest of the world. The 18 Pro will ship with at least one physical SIM slot in most regions. An eSIM is great for those who never swap SIM cards or travel often, but having the option of a physical SIM is also useful. It allows you to use cheap prepaid travel SIMs when abroad, and offers you the flexibility to keep swapping SIMs quickly.

Are we in a golden age for TV historical dramas? Once mostly limited to Sunday-night BBC imports on PBS, streaming has opened the doors for these journeys into the past, recent or otherwise. They're not all particularly faithful to historical fact (not a requirement), but each has the virtue of offering a brief escape from an increasingly obnoxious present.

One of the most recent successes is Netflix's My Brilliant Career, an adaptation of the seminal 1901 coming-of-age novel by author Miles Franklin. And once you've visited early 19th-century Australia with Sybylla Melvyn, you may well enjoy these 10 other stories of young women who'd just as soon you didn't try to tell them how to live their lives.

The Other Bennet Sister (2026 – )

A bit of a ratings blockbuster on the BBC, this miniseries revisits the events of Pride and Prejudice from the perspective of Lizzy Bennet's bookish, altogether dorkier sister Mary. Her ruddy complexion, penchant for grammatical correctness, and (gasp!) spectacles seem to make Mary entirely unsuitable for marriage and unfit for much other than genteel spinsterhood. That begins to change when Mary sets off to become a governess for the Gardiner family in London and manages to forge a life and a future for herself away from the parents and siblings who see her as not much more than a piece of furniture. Though in a different time and on a different continent, Sybella and Mary are similarly clever and forthright young women doing their best to find their place, expectations be damned. Stream The Other Bennet Sister on Britbox.

The Other Bennet Sister (2026 – )

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Little Women (2017)

Jo March is a young woman from a poor family who harbors both writerly ambitions and the talent to make her dreams come true—if only people can tolerate the independence of a young woman. She's also possessed of an elderly relative with the money to either help or hinder her. Any of this sounding familiar? Though overshadowed by the (excellent) Greta Gerwig film version's arrival two years later, this BBC adaptation is a bit more faithful to the text without ever feeling stuffy. Set in a Civil War-era New England in which women have largely been left behind by the men in their lives, the miniseries format does a fine job of capturing the passage of time that is so critical to the story. Maya Hawke (Stranger Things) is Jo, Emily Watson plays the stolid Marmee with an appropriate twinkle, and Angela Lansbury (in her final TV role) is perfect as the snide, snippy Aunt March. Stream Little Women on Peacock, Tubi, and Netflix.

Little Women (2017)

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Pachinko (2022 – )

Starting in 1915, this multigenerational saga follows one woman (played in different time periods by Youn Yuh-jung and Kim Min-ha) and her family, taking us from the Japanese occupation of Korea through the decades of the Korean diaspora. With her opportunities limited, Sunja leaves her home and family in Busan to pursue a life in Japan, even as racism and anti-immigrant sentiment are rampant amid the war. Like Sybella, she rejects the prospect of a practical marriage to a man of means in favor of independence, and refuses to let her circumstances limit her aspirations. In a parallel narrative that begins in 1989, we see what has and hasn't changed for Sunja and her family as part of a journey as personal as it is epic, with better location cinematography than most movies—and an all-time great opening credits sequence. Stream Pachinko on Apple TV.

Pachinko (2022 – )

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The Buccaneers (2023 – )

A hyper-stylized period drama (Bridgerton was clearly an inspiration), this 1870s-set adaptation of an unfinished Edith Wharton novel takes liberties in terms of costuming and music while also upping the juicy drama. The buccaneers of the title are among the so-called dollar princesses of the era: Nan St. George (Kristine Froseth) and her friends are young women from upper-class American families on the make among the British aristocracy—the Americans get titles, and the English lords get to keep their frequently cash-poor estates running. Before long, true love complicates everything for the young women who aren't necessarily career-minded like Sybella, but who nonetheless have ambitions outside of their family and social obligations. Stream The Buccaneers on Apple TV.

The Buccaneers (2023 – )

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Lark Rise to Candleford (2008 – 2011)

The marriage-pressure angle is less prominent here, but we're nevertheless following a young woman starting a new chapter by leaving home...or, at least, going down the road apiece, which was a big deal in 19th century Oxfordshire (the story is drawn from a series of semi-autobiographical novels by Flora Thompson). Country girl Laura Timmins (Olivia Hallinan) sets out to look for work in the wealthier, modestly more metropolitan neighboring town of Candleford. She finds a job at the post office and is befriended and mentored by her mother's cousin, Dorcas (Julia Sawalha). Not everyone in Candleford is so welcoming of the rube from the countryside, especially when Laura is forced to choose between the demands of her job and the needs of the family she left behind. Stream Lark Rise to Candleford on Peacock and Tubi.

Lark Rise to Candleford (2008 – 2011)

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Anne With an E (2017 – 2019)

Based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic historical novel Anne of Green Gables, Anne With an E follows the titular heroine, a precocious girl growing up in a rural 19th-century setting as she's forced to carve a new life in a new place. As the series begins in 1896, a couple of elderly and unmarried siblings on Prince Edward Island, Canada, have sent away for an orphan boy to help on the farm, but instead find themselves with a girl: chatty Anne Shirley (Amybeth McNulty), who has to fight to prove herself to her prospective parents, as well as to others in the town who judge her alternately for being a useless girl and for being a poor orphan. The reboot revisits the novel and mines its text (and subtext) for new ideas without betraying its spirit. Stream Anne With an E on Netflix.

Anne With an E (2017 – 2019)

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Three Little Birds (2023)

The time, place, and context are different, but this historical drama shares with My Brilliant Career themes of young women leaving home in order to defy expectations of their birth, only to find new opportunities and new obstacles where they wind up. Set in the 1950s among what's often referred to as the Windrush generation (for the ship that brought several hundred West Indian passengers to the UK in 1948), the series finds Leah Whittaker (Rochelle Neil) traveling to England to escape an abusive husband, joined by her sister Chantrelle (Saffron Coomber), who dreams of movie stardom; also along for the journey is religious do-gooder Hosanna Drake (Yazmin Belo), with a prospective marriage in the works to a man she's never met. Upon arrival, the women find opportunities, but also challenges they hadn't quite accounted for, including the overt and violent racism of their new home. The script is from actor Lenny Henry, who based much of it on stories from his parents and grandparents. Stream Three Little Birds on Britbox.

Three Little Birds (2023)

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Dickinson (2019 – 2021)

Dickinson is so scrupulously weird that it gets points just for doing the unexpected. The most surprising thing about it, though, is that it's not merely idiosyncratic—it’s good. The show imagines the life of 19th-century poet Emily Dickinson (played by Hailee Steinfeld), with the true-feeling conceit that she didn’t fit especially well in her own time, a fact the show reflects through the casual use of anachronisms and more modern sensibilities. Think The Buccaneers or Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette for similar vibes—but neither of those is about a person nearly as haunting or mysterious as Dickinson, who is at war with her father throughout the series over her desire (need, really) to write. Bonus: It’s also beautifully filmed and acted. Stream Dickinson on Apple TV.

Dickinson (2019 – 2021)

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Sanditon (2019 – 2023)

Sanditon is based on Jane Austen's final, incomplete work, a fact that allows for plenty of creative leeway—it doesn't have the stylistic whimsy of Bridgerton, but serves as a purer distillation of the Regency-drama thrills that Austen bequeathed to us. Here, the wildly independent Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) sets out to reinvent herself after moving to the title's growing seaside resort town (based, probably, on the real-life Worthing). She discovers that commercial prospects have drawn schemers and chancers to the area, creating a unique and vibrant social scene, with all of the balls and fancy costumes you'd expect. Naturally, romantic complications ensue when Charlotte gets judgy about the entrepreneurial Parker family and finds herself at odds with, and then getting close to, the wild youngest son, Sidney (Theo James). Stream Sanditon on PBS Passport or buy it from Prime Video.

Sanditon (2019 – 2023)

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Miss Austen (2025)

Coming at Jane Austen a bit sideways, this rather masterful historical drama focuses on the famous writer's only sister, Cassandra, in the time shortly after Jane's death, and on the ways in which the lives of the two diverted from the romance-heavy plots of books like Pride and Prejudice. The author is on her way to the legendary status that she'd come to acquire, and the family is already battling over her legacy. Cassandra (Keeley Hawes) visits the home of dying family friend the Reverend Fowle with the intent of collecting and destroying personal letters between Jane and the Reverend's late wife, Eliza. Cassandra's unpleasant sister-in-law is also looking for the letters, planning to publish them for her own purposes. As Cassandra revisits her own past, the miniseries explores the separate paths she and Jane took toward independence (one through writing, the other through painting), while also placing Cassandra in the middle of Eliza's daughter's very Austen-esque quest to dodge a marriage she wants nothing to do with. Stream Sanditon on PBS Passport or buy it from Prime Video.

Miss Austen (2025)

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How vapor chambers work

On a very simple level, vapor chambers work similarly to liquid cooling in other electronics systems like some desktop PCs or server racks. The goal is to carry heat away from the processor to keep it cool, so it can do more work without overheating. A cooler processor is a more efficient processor, which means it runs better.

Except, unlike a PC or server rack, a phone is a tight, compact system. There’s not enough space to heat water and then pump it away to a different location to cool it down. Instead, a vapor chamber is a thin, hollow chamber, typically made of either copper or stainless steel, with a small amount of liquid inside. When the liquid inside heats up, it becomes a gas, which then expands outwards, dispersing the heat throughout the body of your phone, rather than keeping it all close to the processor. As it gets further away from the source of heat, the vapor cools back down and becomes a liquid again.

Since the chamber is sealed, the liquid can’t evaporate and escape, meaning that the fluid can theoretically keep cycling through the chamber indefinitely for the life of the phone. Most manufacturers also pair this with some form of heat sink, like thin sheets of graphite or copper. Or, in the case of the new iPhone 18 Pro, both.

Why vapor chambers matter for smartphones

Keeping your phone cool is a massive problem compared to other electronic devices you might have, simply because they’re so small, yet so powerful. A moderately powered laptop like a MacBook Air can get away with a combination of conductive heat sinks, a metal frame, and low heat-generating processors to stay functional, while high-powered gaming laptops have space to stuff in large, laborious fans.

Your phone, however, needs to fit in your pocket, and a huge chunk of the space inside needs to be devoted to the battery to make sure it lasts long enough to get through the day. Once you account for all the processors, sensors, and antennas that a phone needs, there’s scarcely any space left for heat dissipation. That’s a huge part of why phones generally don’t have as powerful processors as tablets or laptops. Physically, it’s not impossible to fit a high-powered chip in a pocketable device. But it would likely generate so much heat that it would destroy itself without proper heat dissipation, which would make your phone too big for a pocket.

This kind of heat dissipation matters even more if you happen to live in places with warm climates. For example, I live in Texas. Even when driving inside an air-conditioned car, if my phone is in the sunlight, it can start to overheat. When I previously had a Pixel 6 Pro, it would occasionally shut off (taking my navigation with it) simply because it wasn’t in the shade. After upgrading to a Pixel 9 Pro, which does have a vapor chamber, I never noticed this problem—though this is obviously anecdotal.

How to consider vapor chambers when buying a phone

Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro’s vapor chamber has three times the surface area of the previous generation, which theoretically should mean better cooling and, thus, better performance. But does that mean you need to decide what phone to buy based on how big a phone’s vapor chamber is, or whether it has one at all?

Well, yes and no. It turns out that outside the Apple ecosystem, Android phones have been using vapor chambers for years, and you might not have even noticed. The existence of vapor chambers is increasingly becoming standard, so unless you have an old phone that frequently overheats, or you’re looking to buy a phone a few generations behind, you probably don’t need to go out of your way to make sure your phone has one.

And whether bigger is necessarily better is also a bit of a gray area. All other things being equal, yes, a larger vapor chamber will dissipate heat better and keep your phone cooler. But all other things are rarely equal. A larger vapor chamber also means the manufacturer can put a more powerful processor inside and achieve the same thermal balance. So, a phone could theoretically be equally likely to overheat, but do more before it does.

Figuring out the right balance between processing power and heat dissipation is the kind of thing best left to the engineers and dedicated hobbyists. But there are a couple of things the average person can take away from this. First, if you live in a warm climate, better heat dissipation is always going to be better. Your phone isn’t running at full power all day, but the Texas sun is. So, if you’re worried about your environment causing overheating problems, check phone reviews for how well it handles heat. More importantly, consider the power needs you have for your device before you buy. If you just use your phone to scroll TikTok and reply to emails, you probably don’t need an overpowered processor, but if you plan to edit 4K videos or play graphically intense mobile games, then better thermal regulation could do you some good.

Apple TV sure has the touch when it comes to high-concept sci-fi thrillers that get into your head and won't leave. Based on the book by Blake Crouch, Dark Matter is a near-perfect speculative thriller-mystery, packed with twists and turns and brought to life by an absolutely stacked cast.

This story of parallel universes and parallel selves who don’t always have their (or your—it’s confusing) best interests at heart is addictive. If the weekly release schedule is giving you the shakes and you’ve already burned through our list of the best streamalike series, then there’s one movie that’s a perfect match: 2014's Coherence.

Coherence (2014) is a similarly mind-warping thriller

If you love the sense of paranoid danger that suffuses Dark Matter, you’ll love Coherence, which explores similar themes. And if you thought the idea of a parallel version of yourself trying to steal your life was cool, imagine multiple parallel versions of yourself sowing chaos over the course of a few hours, until you have to take extreme measures to protect yourself in a world where you suddenly can’t be sure if your friends are really your friends.

The story is set on the night of an “astronomical anomaly” in the form of a comet passing very close to Earth. Eight friends with complex histories gather for a dinner party. Just as their personal dramas start to derail the evening, the comet comes to its closest point, the power goes out, and things get weird. One house in the distance still has power, but when two of the group walk there, they discover it’s the same house they just left—except not. And when they return, carrying a strange box filled with personal items and photographs of everyone with a number written on the back, everyone knows they’re in for a long night.

It slowly becomes clear that there are multiple realities overlapping, and the dinner guests from other universes have also gone out exploring—and now they may all be mixed up. And not all the parallel people are to be trusted. The tension keeps rising as mysterious blackmail notes, violent attacks, and impersonations abound, leading to a shocking ending composed of nested twists. Whether you love the way Dark Matter handles Jason’s desperate attempts to hang onto his real family, the idea that you can’t trust what you see, or the twisty sci-fi stuff at the show’s core, you’ll love Coherence for all the same reasons. Stream Coherence on Kanopy, Tubi, Hoopla, or Plex, or rent it on Prime Video.

Coherence (2014)

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More movies like Dark Matter

Anyone who loves a show about multiple realities wants multiple movie options. If you need a few more recommendations for movies with Dark Matter’s atmosphere of dread and wild twists, here you go.

Another Earth (2011)

If it’s the exploration of the concept behind parallel universes and doppelgangers that excites you, this film’s more thoughtful, quieter mood is perfect. The same day that an Earth-like planet is discovered, 17-year-old Rhoda (Brit Marling) accidentally kills a young boy and his pregnant mother. Her life falls to pieces, and when she leaves prison, she seeks out the woman’s husband, but can’t bring herself to confess her identity. She enters a contest to be one of the first civilians to visit Earth 2, which is revealed to be a mirror world where everyone has led roughly—but not always exactly—the same lives. The revelation leads to an emotionally powerful ending that will resonate with fans of the show. Rent Another Earth on Prime Video.

Another Earth (2011)

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The Double (2013)

Is it the way Dark Matter’s Jasons work against each other that you find so compelling? Check out The Double, based on a short novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Jesse Eisenberg plays Simon James, a timid man who is ignored by almost everyone in his life. One day, a man named James Simon begins working in his office—a man who looks exactly like him, but who is confident, outgoing, and cruel. The twisting story of how James impacts Simon’s life is unexpected, thoroughly entertaining, and perfectly pitched for Dark Matter fans. Stream The Double on The Roku Channel, Kanopy, Hoopla, or Tubi, or rent it on Prime Video.

The Double (2013)

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Parallel (2018)

The question of what you would do if you could access parallel dimensions is the engine that drives Dark Matter deep into your brain—and it’s the same one that powers Parallel. When a group of work friends discovers a mirror that gives them access a parallel world, each uses this resource for their own personal gain, until things take a deeply creepy and violent turn. It’s a fun thought experiment on the possibilities of a parallel world anchored by the same emotional gravitas as Dark Matter. Stream Parallel on The Roku Channel, Hoopla, or Tubi, or rent it on Prime Video.

Parallel (2018)

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Predestination (2014)

Adapted from the classic sci-fi short story “ '—All You Zombies—'” by Robert A. Heinlein, it’s impossible to summarize this film in a single paragraph. The plot pivots on time travel instead of parallel universes, but it will feel very similar to Dark Matter in terms of tone and the twisting way characters shift identity and reality remakes itself after each new revelation. Just know that you won’t be able to predict how it all ends. Stream Predestination on The Roku Channel or rent it on Prime Video.

Predestination (2014)

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The One (2001)

The One is a gonzo movie, really—but as long as you don’t think about it too hard, it’s terrific fun in the parallel universe-slash-antagonistic-doppelganger mold. A man named Gabriel Yulaw (Jet Li) works at a government agency that monitors the multiverse—or did, until he goes rogue, realizing that if he kills the other 124 versions of himself in existence, he can absorb their power and skills and become a god-like being. He’s already defeated 123 versions of himself, leaving just one to go—and that’s where the fun begins. Stream The One on Kanopy, Hoopla, or Tubi, or rent it on Prime Video.

The One (2001)

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Amazon has the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 for $59.99, down from $99.99, marking its lowest price yet, according to price trackers. The roughly 40% discount applies across all five color options—sand, black, blue, pink, and gray—so you don’t have to choose a particular finish just to get the sale price.

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4

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The Wonderboom 4 is designed for people who want something small enough to carry around without giving up decent sound coverage, since its rounded shape helps spread audio in 360 degrees. That makes it easy to drop on a picnic table, kitchen counter, or in the middle of a small group without worrying about which direction it's facing. Also, because it has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance and can float, it is especially easy to bring along for pool days, beach trips, or camping. You can also pair two Wonderboom 4 speakers for stereo playback, giving you a wider soundstage. As for its battery life, it is rated at up to 14 hours by the manufacturer, which should be enough for a full day out, though actual runtime will depend on volume and usage.

Ultimate Ears has also made a few useful updates over the previous generation—USB-C now replaces the older charging port, while a new Podcast mode puts more emphasis on voices when you are listening to spoken-word content. There is also an Outdoor mode that adjusts the sound profile to help the speaker carry better in open spaces, although the speaker still doesn’t get especially loud. It does hold up relatively well when pushed toward higher volumes, so it should be enough for a picnic or small gathering, but not a large backyard party. The controls are fairly basic, too, with no companion app, no custom graphic equalizer like you get with the JBL Clip 5, and no way to skip back to the previous track directly from the speaker.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 with 512GB of storage is currently $1,849.99, down from $2,099.99. That saves you $250, or about 12%, and price trackers indicate that this is its lowest price yet. Samsung introduced it at its Galaxy Unpacked event in July alongside the now discounted Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8, with the standard Fold 8 taking a slightly different approach than the taller Ultra—it uses a shorter and wider shape that makes its 7.6-inch inner screen more comfortable for things like watching videos, reading ebooks, browsing webpages, or working through documents.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

$1,999.99 at Amazon

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8

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That larger 1,848 by 2,448 pixel folding display also uses a more media-friendly aspect ratio than earlier Fold models, which helps reduce the thick black bars that can appear around videos. PCMag highlighted that improvement in its “excellent” review of the Z Fold 8 and also noted that Samsung has made the crease less noticeable. Inside, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor is paired with 12GB of memory and Android 17, giving the phone enough power for games and the kind of multitasking that makes a foldable genuinely useful—you could keep a video call open beside a document, for example, or compare two shopping apps without constantly jumping between them.

As for its battery life, the 4,800mAh battery lasted 16 hours and 30 minutes in PCMag’s testing, which is a strong showing for a foldable. The camera system, however, is less convincing: its two 50-megapixel rear cameras are fine for everyday photos, but the overall results are reportedly fairly average for such an expensive phone, and it lacks a telephoto lens for optical zoom. Also, while Samsung has now made switching from an iPhone more streamlined, iPhone users may want to weigh that against Apple’s newly announced foldable (with preorders now available following the company’s September hardware event) before moving ecosystems. Still, Android users who want a compact phone/tablet hybrid may find the Fold 8 appealing at this record-low price.