Lifehacker

We all love to joke about how we never use our smartphones as actual phones—I mean, really, who calls people in 2021? But if you’re in an emergency situation, your first instinct will still be to pick up that phone and dial 911. If your smartphone isn’t capable of doing that, that’s going to be a big problem.…Read more...

Apple wants your iPhone to unlock all sorts of doors. Their car keys feature already lets you use your iPhone to unlock some supported cars, and if you have a HomeKit door lock, you can use your iPhone and Apple Watch to unlock your home as well. And now, Apple is starting to globally roll out its support for hotel…Read more...

Given the copious amounts of holiday treats that fill our homes every December, you might feel justified in cutting back on other foods in order to make room for (more) dessert. After all, if you are eating less calories here so you can consume them there, it’ll all even out eventually, right? Actually, this is…Read more...

Google just released its annual “Year in Search,” a collection of the new, most-searched terms for 2021. According to Matt Cooke, head of Google News Lab, “Year in Search always provides a fascinating insight into what the nation is thinking, learning and discovering—about themselves and others.” Remember: This isn’t…Read more...

This holiday season, many of us will get new phones, and some of us might even jump operating systems in the process, making the rare leap from Apple to Android (or the other way around) in the search for a more fulfilling mobile experience. If you recently (or plan to) move from iOS to Android, or from an Android…Read more...

Running is invigorating: feeling the wind moving through your hair, your body connecting with the earth beneath your feet, a chance to take stock of the world that moves around you and the world that moves within you. Unless, of course, the weather sucks. Then it’s time to book it indoors and hit everyone’s “favorite”…Read more...

I get it: House centipedes travel at alarming speeds, and they look pretty intimidating while doing it, what with all their legs scampering about. But before you run for a shoe the next time you spot one, stop and take a breath. For as creepy as they look, the truth is that they’re not only harmless, they are actually …Read more...

Every year, the App Store Awards highlight some of the best apps and games for the Apple platforms and devices. Think of them as the Oscars of the App Store world: an honor handed out by the industry itself. You have to be pretty darn good to earn an award—and sometimes, it takes an app years to get there (consider…Read more...

You’ve probably had the (legitimate) fear that your smartphone is listening or watching you. Your iPhone certainly isn’t without privacy risks, and you should absolutely audit your settings and all of your app permissions, but one helpful feature that Apple has built in is a visual warning when your device is queued…Read more...

There are many annoying chores that need to be done daily: washing dishes, spraying and wiping down kitchen counters, picking toys up off the floor, sweeping. And then there are those that are blessedly much less frequent. It will always suck that we have to do more things, but at least some of them are merely…Read more...

Everyone on Tinder is looking for sex. Everyone on eharmony is too intense. Everyone on Hinge is more concerned with looking cool than finding a good match (alright, I’m projecting with that last one). Maybe you’re new to online dating, or you’re a swiping veteran getting fed up with false-starts and dead-ends on your…Read more...

I’m not generally a religious person, but I do worship every other Sunday at the church of Trader Joe’s.Read more...

Social media sites, web browsers, and smartphone apps aren’t the only ways companies track your data: Your phone service provider collects data right from your phone, too. AT&T, T-Mobile (which now owns Sprint and MetroPCS), and Verizon all track location, web, and app usage, and then use that information to sell ads.

When it comes to potlucks, it’s hard to beat a church supper, particularly if you’re in the South or Midwest. Casseroles, fried foods of all kinds, fruity whipped salads, and entire tables devoted to desserts—everyone brings their A game, and everyone goes home full and happy.

Even if you think of yourself as the kind of parent that your kid can talk to about anything, there are probably some things they would rather keep to themselves, whether it’s dealing with embarrassing bodily functions or not divulging the kinds of drugs they enjoy.

The holidays are a notoriously difficult time to travel by plane, in part because of the number of people trying to fly and in part because of the increased likelihood of winter weather. Snowstorms and icy runways can quickly derail days’ worth of air travel.

Buying the perfect gift on a budget is never easy, but here’s a hack that can help you narrow down the possibilities: You start by taking your budget, and then slashing it. Stay with me here.

If you’ve ever eaten a cheeseball, you know that what’s on the outside is almost as important as what’s on the inside (cheese). A cheeseball’s outer layer should offer crunch, contrast, and intrigue. You should take one look at that ball of cheese and go, “Yeah, I’d like to dig in to that and see what it’s all about.”Read more...

Apple Music’s Voice Plan lets you enjoy the benefits of a commercial-free music streaming service at a relatively affordable price of $4.99 per month. It costs the same as Apple Music’s subscription plan for students (and is half the regular subscription price), but it also removes several features—including the…Read more...

Winter used to mean snow on the ground. These days, thanks to climate change, it more likely means an increase in cold rain—but either way, ‘tis the season for wet mail, whether in your leaky mailbox or shoved through your drippy mail slot. Whether it’s bills or holiday cards, wet mail can really wreck your day. Here…Read more...

A relationship is supposed to be stable, nurturing, and safe. It is supposed to add value to your life by giving you a partner who can support you, celebrate with you, and make your days better. In turn, you are expected to do that for them, too—but it’s easy to give yourself fully to someone when you feel secure and…Read more...

The December 2021 security patch is rolling out now for select Pixel phones running Android 12. Monthly security patches might not be as exciting as the Pixel Drop updates that add new features to your phone, but they’re still important to install as soon as possible since they patch security flaws hackers could…Read more...

We all have different versions of “cleaning.” For some, the act includes Windex, bleach, and a mop; for others, it means putting away toys, sweeping, and loading the dishwasher. But while “cleaning” can mean everything from straightening up to scrubbing down, when it comes to disinfecting and sanitizing, the…Read more...

The Game Awards 2021 is this week, the year-end event where we get to watch ads and trailers for new games. Oh, and they hand out awards for the best games of the past year—even though many of those awards happen off-screen before the stream even begins.

With the new year comes a slew of freshly signed leases. No matter the market conditions, there’s always a risk that the person selling and maintaining your apartment is, to use an industry term, a “total skeeve ball.” (Some of us would argue that the phrase “shady landlord” is redundant.) The reality of being a…Read more...

The U.S. Captioning Company and the British Institute of Verbatim Reporters (BIVR) recently released reports on the most mispronounced words of the year—that is, the most challenging words for newsreaders and television hosts to say correctly the first time. We can only infer if these words are tough for people whose…Read more...

Whether you’re huddling around a roaring campfire, grilling a sumptuous piece of meat, or brûlée-ing a custardy crème, fire is sexy. Maybe it’s the element of danger involved in the exothermic process of combustion, or maybe it’s just because it looks cool, but breaking out a kitchen torch tells me we are about to…Read more...

It’s time for a Feature Drop! Google hit us with the news on Monday, Dec. 6, announcing a handful of fun new features for the Pixel lineup of devices. While not all features are available on all Pixels, there is something new for everyone, so long as you have a Pixel 3 or newer. That said, the update isn’t here yet on…Read more...

If you’re back to wearing real work clothes on a regular basis, it may be time to bust out the iron. But before you attack any wrinkles, you’ll want to make sure the metal plate is clean and free of any burns, which can leave stains on your clothes. And if you do accidentally melt anything directly onto your iron,…Read more...

Just like Zoom, Google Meet (and Chat) has heavily relied on links. Whether you wanted to do a one-on-one call or a group call, it all started and ended with a joining link or a meeting code.

WhatsApp’s Disappearing Messages feature has been quite limited so far—once enabled for a particular conversation or a group, all messages would be deleted automatically after seven days, but with no room for additional customization, or a default setting for all chats.

Stocking up on emergency contraception can be a good way of making sure you have some available when you need it—or that you can provide it to a friend if they’re in need. (Plan B is available over the- ounter in the U.S., so this is just as legal as doing the same thing with Tylenol.) But there’s something you should…Read more...

Although you might not immediately think of it as such, YouTube is probably the smartest, most personal source of entertainment that we have. Plus, it’s free. And just like a streaming service, it’s easy to lose a couple of hours in the YouTube app or the website.

Part of the reason that Hinge is my favorite dating app is the ability for people to really show some of their personality in their profile prompts. In addition to basic safety and vibe concerns, it’s useful to have a jumping off point for small talk about each other’s interests. Similarly, I’ve argued before why …Read more...

Flying can be annoying, especially during the holidays, and it’s even worse if you’re flagged by the TSA. Even if you follow all of their many rules, you can still end up being flagged, which can be uncomfortable at best, and day-ruining at worst.

Every craftsperson has their own unique way of doing things. Ask a question about a particular tool or method, and you’re likely to get as many different answers and suggestions as there are pros in the room. Some tricks are more useful than others, though—here are some of the best I know, from how to unstick a nut…Read more...

It only seems normal to drag a dead tree into your house in order to get drunk in front of it because we do it every year. Same with all the holiday tales and traditions involving Santa, little baby Jesus, that Mariah Carey song, and everything else we associate with Dec. 25.

If you own wooden utensils or cutting boards, you’ve probably noticed they have a way of retaining certain pungent odors. As much as we love our wooden kitchen tools, they are also porous, so they easily absorb strong smells—and then transfer those smells to foods we’re preparing later (garlic watermelon, anyone?).Read more...

By now, all of your turkey gravy has been consumed, frozen, or tossed, but pouring gravy on roasts, potatoes, and roasted potatoes is an all-winter affair in my house. I make gravy before Thanksgiving, on Thanksgiving, and after Thanksgiving, which translates into a freezer full of gravy.

None of us would willingly hand our phones over to someone if we thought they were going to steal and leak our personal data—but recent reports indicate some Apple and Google repair staff are doing just that.

If you’re planning an international trip (or if you’re on one right now), it’s time to brush up on the COVID-related regulations, because testing requirements changed, and they take effect today. Also, remember how the Biden administration decided in early November that country-based travel bans are a bad idea?…Read more...

Devouring salty, crackling poultry skin is one of my favorite things about eating birds but, once cooled, it can go from transcendentally crisp to upsettingly gummy in a matter of minutes. Depending on the size of your bird, trying to eat all the skin before it cools can come off as a little creepy, but you don’t have…Read more...

I read a lot of historical fiction as a child—most of it in the American Girl Doll series. I don’t know how they do it now, but back in my day each doll had six matching books (each sold separately!), and all of the books had nearly identical titles—the only part of the title that would change from doll to doll was…Read more...

It’s impossible for thoughtful parents to not to worry about their child’s popularity. You can’t remember your own Lords-of-the Flies-with-hairspray high school social experience and not wonder whether you’ve prepared your child to navigate the fraught social landscape of not-quite-adulthood.

The end of the calendar year is a time for tactfully exiting holiday parties and hazarding guesses at what to get your coworker for Secret Santa, but more importantly, for many workplaces, it’s also the time when performance reviews happen, budgets are made, and salaries are negotiated.

If you’re a parent of small children, you probably face the nightly bedtime routine with some amount of dread. There are so many to-do’s, moving, slippery parts, hyper children, and hygiene perils (see: bathwater, drinking) to deal with—plus an unparalleled appetite for chaos and stalling that seem to hit as soon as…Read more...

When there’s an emergency, you want quick, reliable access to help. What you don’t want is for that access to be so quick and so reliable you end up calling 911 by complete accident. Unfortunately, that is the state of emergency services on iPhone and Android, and if you’re reading this, you might be well aware of how…Read more...

Firefox is shutting down its Lockwise password manager service. The passwords you save in the Firefox app on desktop and mobile will still be available, and they’ll still be synced across all your devices; Mozilla is effectively rolling Lockwise’s features into Firefox and removing the iOS and Android app from the…Read more...

Before Halo Infinite’s story mode goes public, Microsoft is inviting users into the multiplayer mode in the open beta, which has been running on Steam since Nov. 15. Halo Infinite starts you off with 17 multiplayer modes by default, but if you launch the game with Steam set in offline mode, you end up with 14 more…Read more...

Wrapping holiday gifts can be fun—but if your gift-wrapping station is disorganized (and the wrapping paper is forever rolling off the table and unraveling), it can also be tedious. That’s why taking the extra time to set up the perfect, functional gift-wrapping station is worth the effort. Here are a few tips to set…Read more...