Lifehacker

Starting a running habit is hard in the beginning, but also really satisfying—especially when you hit a big goals like running your first 5K or setting a new personal record. For every new runner, though, there comes a time when you start asking “what next?”Read more...

On the one hand, giving a gift is a gesture of affection; on the other hand, gifts are sometimes stressful social obligations. Shopping for the right gift for everyone on your list is hard enough when the people on that list are easily pleased—you can buy alcohol, food, or gadgets for most folks and they’re over the…Read more...

It’s been a slow-week in the world of popular culture for kids. I guess everyone is too busy studying for final exams and holiday shopping to make memes or create dangerous “TikTok challenges.” Still, young people found time to organize a massive online labor action and cook gigantic hamburgers.

It’s the season of giving, and many of us will be giving (and hoping to get) tech gifts this year. Maybe you’re surprising a family member a smartwatch, or a nice iPhone case. A tablet. A smart speaker.

Hardware stores can be intimidating places for the average DIYer. There are so many different types of tools, fasteners, appliances, paints, and adhesives that it can be daunting to try to distinguish one product claim from another. And then you have to wonder: Is the store employee giving you their best, most honest…Read more...

The FDA and CDC announced yesterday that Pfizer’s COVID-19 shot can now be used as a booster for 16- and 17-year-olds. Until now, boosters were only approved for ages 18 and up.Read more...

As I’ve mentioned previously, my family takes stockings very seriously. A good stocking is all about balance. Some candy here, a clementine there, some cute beauty products to round it all out—you want to create a varied collection of tokens and trinkets to keep the stocking from being one-note.

While the nature of work is rapidly changing, at the end of the day, we still need to get things done—so it’s helpful when the technology we use for work thinks about that ahead of time, and includes ways for us to be more productive. Luckily, Windows 11 comes with built-in productivity tools that make it much easier…Read more...

In-flight freebies aren’t what they used to be, but that doesn’t mean they’ve totally vanished. If you know know what to ask for, you may be surprised at what you can get for free.Read more...

You probably think of vending machines as your snack outpost of last resort when stranded in an office or airport. You probably don’t think of them as a cutting-edge, cash-producing business venture–but maybe you should. Did you know that these snack dispensers oases are often independently owned? Rather than being…Read more...

Although plenty of us chug coffee everyday like our lives depended on it, hot chocolate isn’t as likely to be part of our daily beverage routine. And while it’s not reserved exclusively for special occasions, treating yourself to a glass of liquid dessert—sometimes, while eating a solid dessert—is a particularly…Read more...

Booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines are still optional for many of us, but evidence is mounting that if you haven’t gotten one yet, you’d probably be better off if you did.

The holidays (and the Omicron variant) are upon us and you know what that means: There’s never been a better time to cry it out. While the month of December—and all its attendant festivities—is a joyous time for many, it can also be a time of stress, overwhelm, loneliness, and grief.

Apple has always placed a huge emphasis on using genuine Apple parts for iPhone repairs, and now, with iOS15.2, you can finally check to see if any non-genuine parts have been used in yours. If you only buy new iPhones, this probably isn’t of much interest to you; however, if you buy iPhones second-hand off…Read more...

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...