Every new year, people vow to read more. Of course, it seldom actually happens, but we all wish we had more time to slow down, pick up one of the books off the bedside table we've been meaning to get through, and dive in. — Read the rest
The home office was kind of a joke for most of us. Sure, you called that room with a computer and a desk where you would very occasionally answer a work email or two "the home office." But it was really just the room where you kept your receipts and saved junk you'd probably never need, only to straighten it up twice a year when your mother-in-law came for a visit. — Read the rest
March 19th is the first day of spring. That means it's time to get off your butt, dig in and start getting serious about cleaning up the house that's been tumbling into chaos all winter.
If you're like Snow White, you've probably already got a passel of forest creatures all lined up to help out, sweeping floors, washing windows and clearing away the debris of winter. — Read the rest
If you've recently faced a major shift in where you work — as in, from an actual office to your home — you're probably in need of a little assistance to help you navigate that transition more smoothly. Or, maybe you've always worked from home, and now the rest of the world is catching up to how you normally live. — Read the rest
VPN protection is a necessity in this security-conscious world of ours. But many VPN deals only cover a predetermined number of devices, which means families or businesses can ultimately have a tough time making sure every laptop, tablet, smartphone, and other enabled devices all stay secure. — Read the rest
The great thing about living your best life is that it means something different to each individual. So while you may not need new socks or a fishing camera, other people are clamoring for it. To prove the point, we've assembled 25 of the best deals we were able to scrounge up this week. — Read the rest
Yes, even air purifiers are smarter than people now. While you thought sucking particulates out of the air and generally scrubbing the breathable space in your home or office was responsibility enough, smart technology has moved into air purification — so now, purifiers can take on tasks they've never faced before. — Read the rest
Assembling a truly autonomous smart home is getting closer and closer to reality every day. But for every new smart bulb, thermostat, home security system and appliance we set loose within our walls, there are still probably a half dozen "dumb" items we'd still love to replace. — Read the rest
Become the best binge-watcher on the block when you add this sweet smart TV to your living room. Not only is this LG television big—hello, 86"—but it's also packed with cutting-edge tech that will finally justify all those hours you spend watching The Mandalorian. — Read the rest
In Tennessee, a well-organized but not super smart burglary suspect was busted by the fuzz when he dropped his notebook with a list of homes he planned to burglarize.
Artist and scholar on DIY culture and technology, Garnet Hertz, has a new piece opening up at York University, Gales Gallery, Toronto tonight. The piece, entitled "Experiments in Surveillance Capitalism: Device for Calling the Department of Homeland Security" is part of the exhibition "Disruptive Design & Digital Fabrication." — Read the rest
I'm not the kind of person who possesses the programming or IT knowledge to run my own servers and host my own email. But I can manipulate some things on the internet or on local networks, like how to access the gateway to your router and make some changes in there, even if I don't fully grasp the differences between the ports. — Read the rest
Matt Haughey moved into a new home with a lot of deadbolts. Rather than carry around a jangling morning star of keys, he decided to re-key everything. It took less than a day.
— Read the restI researched getting a locksmith to come out, but it would run hundreds of dollars in their time plus you can only re-key locks to a key made by the same manufacturer, and by my count we had at least three different brands of locks spread among all the doors.
Apple is making it tough not to stock up on new smartphones and peripherals lately, but all that extra gear can lead to something we like to call "iSprawl." All that stuff is useful, but only if you don't have to hunt for your AirPods, phone, chargers and Apple Watch in four different places before every trip outside. — Read the rest
When Americans get their paycheck every month, there are a ton of deductions from it — some represent money taken by state governments, some by the feds, but one of the largest line-items is the amount taken to pay a private insurance company for some of the most expensive, least comprehensive medical insurance offered in any country on the planet.
Concerned about your eyesight? You probably should be. And we're not just talking about seniors here. Young or old, we're all at risk of coming down with vision issues
Most of us might get a vision test only once every couple of years or so when we get a new pair of glasses – if that. — Read the rest
Video doorbells are the perfect way to remotely issue instructions for delivery and check on your home from afar. These five smart video doorbells are already discounted, but you can take an extra 20% off the sale price for Cyber Monday using coupon code CMSAVE20. — Read the rest
It can be tough to convey to kids just how big and amazing the world really is, even with the internet. One of the great things about augmented reality is how it can combine education with tactile experience, making the facts really hit home. — Read the rest
German security researchers from Security Research Lab created a suite of apps for Google and Amazon smart speakers that did trivial things for their users, appeared to finish and go dormant, but which actually stayed in listening mode, then phished the user for passwords spoken aloud to exfiltrate to a malicious actor; all their apps were successfully smuggled past the companies app store security checks.
Get ready for the stream of your dreams, binge-watchers. There's a contest afoot, and at stake is a lifetime subscription to Netflix.
All you have to do is sign up, and you're entered to win this ultimate Netflix plan. — Read the rest
