Lifehacker

Music can be a powerful mood elevator that releases dopamine, improves our outlook, relieves stress, helps us focus, and gets us motivated at the gym. It can be used to make your drive better, too, whether it’s a cross-country trip or a grueling commute. But mastering your driving playlist goes beyond making a perfect…Read more...

Deep cleaning typically involves scrubbing spaces that you rarely consider, and that can mean having no idea even how to clean them. Recently I began cleaning my own oven, and after scrubbing down the glass window it still looked pretty dirty. That’s when I realized the double-paned glass was dirty on the inside.

I do not drink gin & tonics in the winter, but it is winter no more. The G&T is a garden drink, best consumed while lounging among pretty flowers and in verdant fields (or backyards), preferably while wearing a fun sundress. (They’re also a very good hot tub drink—they seem hydrating even though they are the exact…Read more...

YouTube is finally allowing YouTube creators to change their channel’s name and profile picture without the edits affecting their linked Google Accounts. Prior to this change, a YouTube channel’s branding was tied to the user’s Google Account information, so you’d have to change your Google account’s name and profile…Read more...

Welcome back to another week of Lifehacker’s tech-advice column, Tech 911. And thanks to everyone who sent in their questions from last week’s prompt. If you didn’t catch it, don’t worry, you can still send your geeky questions in whenever you want. I will always have answers.Read more...

Skateboarding has never followed a rulebook, which means that on some level, a piece about learning how to skate probably defies its countercultural roots. And though it’s fostered the growth of a global community, skating is a solitary sport, which is probably why it’s become a newfound pastime for adults during the…Read more...

Adults are, of course, allowed to bang other consenting adults, and as of this week, they’re also all allowed to get vaccinated against COVID-19. And after over a year of mandated—and necessary—isolation, everybody’s randy. Hell, everybody’s been randy, but the vaccine rollout has finally revealed a light at the end…Read more...

For a while, the biggest film story of 2020 was what movies weren’t coming out, as the pandemic closed theaters and bumped release dates for some of the year’s biggest would-be blockbusters (see you later, Black Widow and No Time to Die, hopefully) and buzziest awards-bait (or is there another reason Spielberg…Read more...

Who among us has not had to live in close proximity to a loud, inconsiderate, rude, or even violent neighbor? I have shared a lot of walls over the course of my life (even now, living in a twin home), and on the other side of those walls have been a number of characters.

I am what most people would call a “good cook,” but I am by no means a good griller. Up until two weeks ago, I had never grilled on anything but a gas grill, and honestly, I wasn’t very skilled at that either. As you probably know, cooking with charcoal involves a bit of a learning curve, but after a few weeks of…Read more...

A recent paper in a journal called Medical Hypotheses has made the argument that maybe we shouldn’t be wearing masks. It cites year-old research, from before we understood the pandemic, and its arguments don’t hold together. But it looks like a scientific study, and it’s been shared on social media and by some news…Read more...

Last summer, director Christopher Nolan had the hubris to think that Tenet was a movie people would risk their lives to see. The first major blockbuster to open in theaters following the start of the pandemic, it was also... the last major blockbuster to open in theaters, after it kinda bombed. But this month it is…Read more...

The fact that we have running water in our homes is pretty miraculous, if you think about it. Unlike other points in history—and other parts of the world—many of us have the privilege of turning a few knobs and being showered in clean, hot water. But sometimes the pressure of that water isn’t ideal. This can be…Read more...

A wise man once said, “I love it when a plan comes together.” And we do too—especially when we’re watching a movie.

This week, fake stuff is bubbling to the surface of the internet, whether it’s fraudulent super-fans, a poseur punk band, or a despicable “national holiday.” (Content warning: The story below concerns sexual assault.)

Google recently unveiled several new Google Meet features, including a reorganized web interface with new pin controls, a new data- and battery-friendly Saver mode for mobile users, and a slew of upcoming video features.

Children have been playing video games since Pong came out in the early ‘70s. According to Common Sense Media, before schools shut down, kids spent an hour or more each day playing social games like Minecraft and Fortnite. But screen time has increased significantly in the age of social distancing. Last year, aspiring…Read more...

What if someone told you that all it took to unleash your inner creative spark was five minutes of daily, deliberate practice? Or that a “breakthrough” needn’t be a monumental triumph, but instead be something that makes your day just a tinge easier?

Stop what you’re doing, install Steam on your desktop or laptop PC (if you haven’t already), and go hit up the store page for Quiplash. That’s Jackbox Games’ delightfully fun “submit answers to a prompt and everyone playing votes on what’s funny” experience that’s been a mainstay of many a bored person’s pandemic life…Read more...

We all know Fitbit’s smartwatches track your daily physical activity, but they can now help you track your stress levels, too. Fitbit recently announced the rollout of Fitbit Sense’s Stress Management tracking to the Fitbit Versa 3, Versa 2, Luxe, Charge 4, and Inspire 2.

The combination of Earth Day and emerging from the pandemic during springtime might have you looking for ways to get outside, connect with nature, and plant new life. If you are like me (a person lacking any hint of a green thumb), you need all the help you can get to keep those plants alive. Thankfully, there are some…Read more...

Shopping for toilet paper should not be as complicated or expensive as it is. Brands love to splash their packaging with claims that one of their “mega rolls” is equal to 12 or 18 “regular rolls,” but are less forthright about how much actual paper they are giving you. This makes it almost impossible to compare prices…Read more...

What most people know about the moon is that it orbits Earth, and there may or may not be a giant face carved into it. But the luminescent orb contains multitudes that might interest layman stargazers, and understanding its phases is a good place to start. Memorizing a simple mnemonic device can help your pursuit of…Read more...

iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 are officially hitting iPhones and iPads next week, but you don’t have to wait until then to get your hands on the final release candidates of the new operating systems.Read more...

This year, U.S. parent are eligible for a tax credit that’s worth up to $3,600 per child—up from a maximum of $2,000 last year—and half of that money will be sent as a monthly check, starting in July. However, since those checks are actually an advance based on the taxes on your current income (as opposed to what you…Read more...

On Thursday, House Democrats passed HR 51, a bill that aims to grant statehood to the nation’s capital. The possibility of adding a 51 state would offer a seismic shakeup to the composition of U.S. politics and tip the balance of power in the Senate toward Democrats.Read more...

There is something exceptionally meaty about lamb. I don’t mean it has a lot of meat on its bones—though it can. I mean the experience of eating it is what eating meat should feel like. It’s often on a bone, and has a strong, deep flavor exactly opposite that of a sterile little chicken tenderloin.Read more...

Compound words are sprinkled throughout the English language—endless combinations of little words that partner up to form new, bigger words. How they come together in the written language can vary, though, and you may find yourself pausing to wonder: Is this a long term, long-term, or longterm problem? That’s because…Read more...

COVID vaccines are free in the U.S. Period. The CDC has been extremely clear about that, but we’re still hearing occasional reports of people getting a bill for their vaccine, or being charged a fee for the service of “administering” that vaccine. In either case, this is illegal. You don’t have to pay it, and you can…Read more...

Chameleon, a coffee company best known for its cold brews, is giving away $3,000 along with a stash of coffee as part of a “ultimate coffee break” prize draw at the end of the month. To win, you don’t have to do anything except provide your name and an email.

After a two-month pandemic delay, the 2021 Academy Awards will finally be handed out on Sunday, and the big question is: Does anyone care enough to watch—whether via live TV or online streaming?

Instagram is adding two new anti-harassment tools aimed at cutting down abusive messages you might receive on the platform. Here’s a quick look at how to set them up once they arrive.

You’re likely never going to encounter anyone whose grandiosity rivals that of The Talented Mr. Ripley, but narcissists of all stripes walk among us. Regardless of their varying quirks, however, the better known hallmarks of a narcissist are largely the same; those who suffer from the condition often crave outsize…Read more...

I can still remember the embarrassment I felt the time a young co-worker walked past my cubicle early one morning and paused to say, “Do I spy ‘the snack that smiles back’ in your bag? Wow, you really are a mom.” In my usual rush to get out the door and drop my son at daycare before heading into the office, his snack…Read more...

A loose door hinge is annoying enough, but it’s even worse when you’ve tried to screw it back in before realizing the holes are stripped and the screws won’t catch. But there’s a clever way to use a stack of toothpicks to fix a loose door hinge, brought to us by TikToker Mercury Stardust. Here’s how it works.

Petroleum jelly is a product found in most every medicine cabinet, but it has a lot of uses outside of the usuals providing minor burn relief, or serving as emergency lip balm, or serving as emergency “personal lubricant.”

I’m a bit of a gadget hoarder. I often tend to assume that I can repurpose some old thing—an ancient phone, tablet, or webcam—into something new, so I’m thrilled to see Samsung finally debut its Galaxy Upcycling at Home program, which gives you a way to turn old phones that you should have sold by now into more useful…Read more...

When it comes to simple, straightforward cooking advice that really ups your kitchen game, Chef Lucas Sin is one of the best Instagram accounts you can follow. From simple roasted sweet potatoes to mapo lasagna, his account is full of solid techniques and delicious recipes, including multiple versions of tomato and…Read more...

Cardio is important for our health in many ways, and we should all aim for at least the minimum requirement of 75 to 150 minutes per week. If you love running, cycling, or hiking and you do it more often, all the better.

Clubhouse must be onto something, because every other social media platform is launching its own version of their live, audio-only voice chats. Twitter, Discord, Facebook, LinkedIn, Spotify, and Telegram all have similar features in development, but the latest company to join the trend is Reddit with its…Read more...

You dream of a couch, but have no idea how your vague inkling of a couch will actually work in your living space. Or you go to a furniture store, measurements in hand, looking to acquire a table, but walk away unsure whether said table will look all wrong, even if it technically fits in your dining room.

Since credit card companies are not required to give you any warning, it can come out of the blue—your credit card is suddenly closed due to inactivity, and your credit score drops. Generally, you risk having your credit card closed after 12 months of inactivity, but it can be just a few months, too, so it’s hard to…Read more...

Most people spend a good amount of money on things like laundry detergent, dishwasher soap, and other consumables. Saving money on them doesn’t have to mean switching brands or waiting for a sale—you can just use a lot less product and still get the same results, if not better. Here’s how much you actually need to get…Read more...

In recent months, the FDA has authorized several over-the-counter COVID tests so that you don’t have to go to a testing center to find out whether you have the coronavirus. Starting this week, you can get an antigen self-test at Walgreens, Walmart, or CVS.Read more...

Whether the loophole lasts a day, month, or forever, a new “Facebook Email Search” program again shows why you might not want to use your regular email address for the sprawling social media site—or any, really. As researchers found, it’s pathetically easy to hammer through a big list of of email address and link them…Read more...

For reasons I cannot fathom (‘80s and ‘90s diet culture), many people my age started their chicken-cooking journey with boneless, skinless breasts. In their defense, breasts do look simple, almost sterile—it’s a piece of pure meat without bones or fat to “deal with.” But bones and fat are what make meat taste good,…Read more...

Cultural diversity is an important concept that shapes us as individuals and as a society. Grasping its importance at an early age means understanding and appreciating that people are different, and that’s what makes the world more interesting. In particular, teaching kids early on about different foods, eating…Read more...

Somehow, in 2021, when everything is “wireless” this and “bluetooth” that and “AirPlay” that and “Alexa” this, there are still wires hanging out of everything. Your desk, media console, nightstand—and, in the work from home era, probably your dining table, too—are laden with so many wires and tripping hazards, you…Read more...

After a rather limp April slate, Netflix is springing into summer blockbuster season in May, packing its release schedule full of original films, high-profile pandemic acquisitions, and long-awaited new seasons of a few of its most popular series (or at least a few with vocal online fanbases—we see you, Castlevania…Read more...

I’ve always appreciated my son’s teachers, all of whom have been wonderful and have taught him a ton—but this year? Well, we all know this school year has been something else entirely. The amount of patience, planning, flexibility, and troubleshooting required to teach a class of fourth graders on a hybrid schedule…Read more...