Life Style

I've been using Google Nest speakers since they were still called Google Home, back when the company was handing them out like candy. Over the years, I've mostly stuck to the basics of using the smart speakers to set timers, control lights, and get quick answers to random questions, but even carrying out those simple tasks is not without frustration. Part of the challenge of these devices is how particular they are about how you speak to them, but I've learned a few tricks that make it easier.Smart speakers in general are in a bit of an awkward phase right now. Most are still stuck with software that can only understand a handful of very specific phrases, and can get stuck if you don't phrase a question or request just so. Meanwhile, LLMs like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude are somehow able t...

Apple didn't end up building its own car, but it did give us CarPlay. With iOS 26, CarPlay is getting a few neat enhancements, which includes improved design, an option for bigger font sizes, and useful accessibility features too. Here's everything new coming to CarPlay with Apple's upcoming update: Credit: Apple With iOS 26, Live Activities come to CarPlay. These pop-ups allow you to keep a tab on important updates without fiddling with your phone or the head unit. Live Activities on your iPhone is useful to track deliveries, flight statuses, and much more, and while not all iOS use cases will be relevant here, some of these will also be availa...

We may earn a commission from links on this page. When I wrote yesterday about three different Whoop-like bands rumored to be coming soon, I didn’t know how close we were to one of them actually launching. Today, Garmin’s Index sleep monitor is officially listed on their website, retailing for $169.99 and shipping in five to eight weeks.What kind of device is the Index?The Index is an armband, meant to be worn around the bicep while you sleep. It can track your heart rate like a smartwatch does, but it has no screen. The most prominent photo on the product page is of a woman sleeping peacefully while her phone and watch lie unused on her nightstand. The armband is 2.5 inches wide—considerably wider than a Whoop band or a typical watch band—and Garmin says it’s made of...

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Prime Day 2025 is going to be twice as long as previous years, and hopefully, the deals will be twice as good (I doubt it though). Leading up to the big sale, which starts starts July 8 and runs through July 11, Prime Members can snatch free PC games from Prime Gaming, one of the many Amazon Prime perks you might not even be aware of. While Prime Gaming often offers free PC games, Amazon has released six new ones to get your attention prior to Prime Day. Here are the options on offer right now: Most of these games will be available for you to "claim" until August 18, but others are only available through Jul 21, so pick them up soone...

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. At $249.95 on Woot, this Nintendo Switch OLED (International Model) is the lowest price we’ve seen it go for (according to price trackers), beating even the usual sale lows by $50. Amazon’s listing still sits at $349, which makes this offer tempting, especially if you're already a Prime member, since you’ll get free standard shipping (otherwise shipping is $6). This unit doesn’t include a manufacturer’s warranty but does come with a 90-day limited warranty from Woot. It also won’t ship to Alaska, Hawaii, APOs, or PO Boxes. As for the console, it’s fully compatible with all Nintendo Switch games and accessories.This OLED model shares...

Apple's upcoming iOS 26 update is packed with new features and changes—but not all of them are just for fun. As part of its series of announcements during last week's WWDC, Apple revealed a series of features and changes aimed at helping parents keep their kids and teens safe when using an iPhone. Here are eight of the changes you can expect when your update your family's devices in the fall.Permission to text new numbersOnce your family updates your iPhones to iOS 26, your kids will only be able to text numbers within their saved contacts. If they want to send a text to a new number, they'll need your permission first. The process works similarly to requests for additional Screen Time or to make a purchase: You'll receive the permission request in Messages, and Apple says it can be grante...

In-person spin classes are the best kind of spin classes, in my opinion, but I know my perspective is very biased because I teach them multiple times per week. When I'm not teaching, I'm taking classes on my Peloton because that's a brand I trust to provide me with credentialed, experienced instructors and thoughtful, effective workout routines. I am, however, a woman of the people, so I recognize there is a demand for free options that are still well structured and helpful. If you're on a budget, traveling somewhere, or just in need of a quick hit of motivation to hop on a stationary bike, you can approximate the Peloton or in-person class experience on YouTube. Some of the channels and instructors are better than others and there are a few pros and cons. Based on what I know about what m...

I never thought I'd download Meta AI on my iPhone. After all, people have been mad for over a year that you can't turn off Meta AI on Facebook and Instagram: Why would you want a dedicated app for this?Then, I saw the headlines from TechCrunch, Wired, and Business Insider, among many others, that sharply criticize the app's approach to privacy and security. That's because Meta AI isn't Meta's take on ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude. Instead, it's half-chatbot, half-social media platform, where your requests and questions can be shared with the rest of the Meta AI community.To be clear, your Meta AI interactions aren't shared by default. You do need to choose to post your queries to the social aspect of the app. Should you choose to do so, your requests are posted to a public Discover feed for a...

Investment scams aren't anything new: Bad actors have long used pump-and-dump tactics to hype stocks or cryptocurrencies, preying on emotions like fear and greed. And who wouldn't want big—or even steady—returns on their money, especially amidst tariffs and other economic turmoil? Scammers are currently capitalizing on this with fraudulent Facebook ads to lure users into handing over large sums of money. Here's how to spot these schemes and avoid falling victim. According to a group of 42 state attorneys general, the current fraudulent investment campaigns also happen to have elements of impersonation scams. The scheme begins with ads on Facebook that feature prominent investors, including ARK Investment Management's Cathie Wood, CNBC's Joe Kernan, and Fundstrat's Tom Lee, along with other...

In addition to the flood of spam texts you receive on a daily basis, your email inbox is likely filled with newsletters, promotions, and other messages that you don't care to read and perhaps don't know why you receive. But you shouldn't just start clicking unsubscribe links, which may open you up to certain cybersecurity risks. Email unsubscribe links may be maliciousWhile email unsubscribe links may seem innocuous, especially if you generally trust the sender, security experts say there are a number of ways in which threat actors can leverage these links for malicious purposes. Like responding to a spam text or answering a spam call, clicking "unsubscribe" confirms that your email address is active, giving cyber criminals an incentive to keep targeting you.In some cases, unsubscribe link...