Category Archives: life
just plain life
How to Play (and Win) Pips
The NYT’s domino-based game, Pips, disappeared from beta a short while ago and made a grand entrance on the Games page and app this week. We’ve already told you what Pips is, but now I’d like to discuss gameplay and strategy. Where to play Pips Pips is available for free on the NYT Games page, […]
You Can Finally Replace the Batteries on These New Pixel Devices
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Smartphones haven’t had a great track record with repairability, but following legal pressure in regions like the EU and states like Oregon, that’s been steadily improving in recent years. Smaller devices, like smartwatches and earbuds, have had more trouble on this front, but now Google’s […]
These Are the Best Preorder Deals on the New Pixel 10
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The new Google Pixel 10 phones are official, and if you’ve been won over by the on-board Magic Cue assistant, the updated Tensor G5 chipset, the enhanced photo editing, or any of the other […]
Here Are Google’s New Magnetic ‘Pixelsnap’ Phone Accessories
We may earn a commission from links on this page. At the Made by Google 2025 event where the Google Pixel 10 series was fully unveiled, the company also announced a new lineup of accessories under the Pixelsnap brand name. This is Google’s answer to Apple’s MagSafe lineup of iPhone accessories, and they work the […]
This Mac App Automatically Removes Unnecessary Junk From Any URL
You copy a link to send it to a friend. When you paste it’s embarrassingly long, with a question mark followed by a variety of incomprehensible gibberish after the actual link you wanted to share. Why does this happen? The answer, basically, is that websites want to track your activity. A common way they do […]
You Can Now Ask Google Photos to Edit Your Images
The Google Pixel 10 series may have been the highlight of today’s Made by Google event, but as with all things Google in recent times, AI-related progress is also worth highlighting. This time, Google Photos is getting a fun new feature: You’ll be able to use your voice to edit photos in the app. The […]
The Newest Garmin Forerunners Now Have a Smart Wake Alarm, a Calculator, and More
We may earn a commission from links on this page. The latest software update for Garmin Forerunner 570 and 970 watches, and for the Fenix 8, adds a smart wake alarm, previously only available on the Vivoactive 6 and the Index sleep monitor, which I reviewed here. The update brings a few other new features, […]
Pixel 10’s ‘Magic Cue’ Is Google’s Way to Turn AI Into a Helpful Little Assistant
Google just announced its new Pixel 10 lineup at the Made by Google 2025 event in Brooklyn, NY.—other than the new Tensor G5 chip made using TSMC’s 3NM processes, there’s one thing that’s all over the new line of smartphones. And that’s AI. There’s Gemini in the photos app, there’s Gemini in the image editor, […]
What’s New on Netflix in September 2025
Netflix’s September lineup has some familiar titles, kicking off with part two of the second season of fantasy series Wednesday (Sept. 2) based on the character Wednesday Addams. (The first part debuted last month.) Subscribers will also get two new installments of the Love Is Blind franchise on Sept. 10: season five of Brazil and […]
We Saw the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro, and Here’s What Stands Out
Google’s latest Pixel phones are here, and along with them, a bunch of new AI features. While I’ll talk more about those once I’ve gotten some hands-on time with them, how’s the hardware itself? Well, this year’s models look a lot like last year’s on the outside, but on the inside, this is one of […]
The Pixel 10’s Camera Might Actually Be Worse Than the Pixel 9’s (for Some Users)
New smart phones are better than old smart phones, right? It should go without saying that upgrading is how you get faster processors, bigger screens, and better cameras. Except, it seems, in the case of the Pixel 10. While Google announced today that it’s finally adding a telephoto lens to the Pixel 10’s base model, […]
Google’s New Pixel Watch 4 Is the Most Stylish Smartwatch in Town
For my money, Google’s Pixel Watch has always been the slickest smartwatch you can buy. The rounded face is more realistic and comfortable than the Apple Watch’s square face, while the minimalist design feels more high-tech than the Galaxy Watch. This year, Google’s doubling down on aesthetics with a new domed display, alongside a new […]
Google’s Pixel Buds 2a Have Almost Pro-Level Specs, but for Much Less
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Last year, Google released its Pixel Buds 2 Pro, which were a welcome respite for anyone who was sick of Apple’s stem-style earbuds. While the earbuds featured the same active noise canceling and easy pairing that users have come to expect from premium earbuds, plus […]
The New Pixel 10 Pro Fold Is a Bit Thick, but Boasts Increased Durability
With the recent release of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, the standard for folding phones is thinner than ever before. That’s why it’s a bit odd that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold looks so similar to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. But while this year’s model looks like a fairly incremental upgrade on the surface, […]
There’s an Easy Way to Get $600 Off a Peloton Tread+ Right Now
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you’ve been wanting to get a Peloton Tread or Tread+ but have been holding off because of the price, I get it. The regular Tread is $2,995 while the Tread+ is a whopping […]
