Lifehacker

Somewhere in the fall of 2021, Apple will release the macOS Monterey update—and this is a big one. Shortcuts automation finally comes to the Mac, Universal Control lets you share a cursor with your iPad, not to mention the new FaceTime features for shared media playback.

When it comes to growing up, some children need a little more time. Maturing slower than their peers can be hard for a kid though, especially once they start school. If all their friends are moving on to different activities and interests while their own schoolwork is getting progressively harder, it can leave them…Read more...

There are two words I think we can all agree don’t belong together and they are as follows: corpse and flower. And yet, not only are corpse flowers a thing, they are a giant thing. The amorphophallus titanum or “corpse flower” is a huge flower that, when it blooms, gives off a smell akin to rotting meat. Corpse…Read more...

The pandemic is waning here in the United States (at least for now), the job market is slowly showing signs of recovery, and millions of workers have fled their jobs in what many headlines are calling “The Great Resignation.” You might be one of those workers reckoning with what you want from work, and while it might…Read more...

I have always been resistant to cleaning things that are outside. Outside is where the dirt lives—the dirt’s “home turf,” if you will. But now that I live in a house that comes with its own little piece of outside, I’m seeing that cleaning these out-of-doors spaces is necessary, especially now that I am doing a fair…Read more...

Twitter has launched two new features, Super Follows and Ticketed Spaces, that the company says will help creators make money off of their followers. Does this mean you could make a decent living using the social media app? Probably not, unless you already have a huge Twitter following eager to consume your content at…Read more...

Los Angeles County recently asked residents to start wearing masks in public again, due to the increased risk posed by the Delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19. Days later, the CDC director said that vaccinated people are still “safe” and still don’t need to mask up in most public settings. Who’s right, and…Read more...

The iPhone keyboard has a hidden superpower—beneath its usual letters, numbers, and symbols lie a treasure trove of less common but still useful symbols. The next time you want to tell someone how hot or cold it is, for example, you don’t need to type “degrees” or do a Google search for the degree symbol. You can tap…Read more...

If you go to a library to look for a book, it shouldn’t take much time to find what you need. That, of course, is because libraries are meticulously organized. And your laptop shouldn’t be much different—it’s your personal library of what’s important to you. The best way to keep track of your digital life is to stay…Read more...

Don’t throw away those old socks just yet.Read more...

I have never been and never will be “above” eating a frozen pizza (once cooked, obviously). They are convenient. They are tasty. They are customizable. But cooking them has a way of heating up your kitchen, as they need a good bit of heat to get all browned and bubbly. There is, luckily, another scorching heat source…Read more...

Finding a good daycare is tough. There’s the cost, which can be equivalent to paying a second mortgage every month; the waiting lists, which for some centers can run up to several years; plus the worries about how your child will adjust to a new daycare environment. With all of these factors, it’s hard not to feel…Read more...

Every fall without fail, Apple releases a major new version of their operating systems for the iPhone and iPad. And as always, if you’re curious about the new features in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, there’s a way to skip the line and try them out right now using the public betas.

Flying commercial is usually a fraught experience, but a reported uptick in in-flight incidents concerning unruly passengers has only compounded the possible annoyance of stepping onboard a plane. If you’re ever to witness one of these ugly scenes—whether it’s two passengers pushing and shoving each other, or someone…Read more...

The Tokyo Olympics will feature plenty of our favorite sports, like gymnastics, track and field, and swimming—but there will also be six new (or almost-new) sports in the mix. Here’s what you need to know to watch the newcomers at the “2020 Olympics,” as they’re being called. (Yes, we know it’s 2021.)Read more...

If you owe the IRS money, they certainly don’t want you to forget about it. That’s why the agency has ever-so-kindly provided an online tool to help you track your outstanding balance and stay on top of payments, saving you the hassle of relying on a sheaf of old mail to keep track of the details.Read more...

Bird feeders can be a tranquil and welcoming environment for birds—unless they’re not properly cared for. According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, bird feeders spread diseases like salmonellosis, trichomoniasis, pigeon paramyxovirus, and avian pox. In other cases, old wet seeds can grow mold and mildew, harming the …Read more...

The Fourth of July is always a tough holiday for dog owners, but this year will be a real doozy. On top of the usual fireworks, rowdy drunk people, and other dogs, this year’s gatherings have an extra complication: Nobody knows how to act.Read more...

The first public beta for watchOS 8 is now available, giving users a chance to try out all the new features coming to Apple Watch Series 3, 4, 5, 6, and SE devices later this year. This early version of watchOS 8 includes the respiratory sleep tracking, new workout modes and multi-timer support, and tons of new…Read more...

Becoming financially literate takes some work, but it doesn’t have to be a chore. And in 2021, one of the easiest ways to source practical advice on budgeting, managing debt and investing is listening to personal finance podcasts while you’re making dinner, out walking the dog, or commuting to work. To help you choose…Read more...

Until very recently, I avoided the world of barbecue. Getting up early? Being outside? Asking men for advice? None of this sounded all that appealing, but here I am, showing you pictures of some pulled pork I smoked for my family, and I fully “get it.” Getting up early mean you get a little bit of peace and quiet, and…Read more...

Adobe recently announced Photoshop Sketch and Illustrator Draw, two great free drawing apps available on iPad, will be removed from the Apple App Store (and Google Play) on July 19. Luckily, the apps are getting a free replacement in Adobe Fresco, which combines the features of Photoshop Sketch and Illustrator Draw…Read more...

Socrates didn’t fear death. Even though he met a gruesome demise (he was executed by the state for the alleged crime of corrupting Athenian youth), Socrates didn’t flee or plead before his executioner. If we are to take his beliefs and teachings—that death is an inevitability that might be good, actually—to heart, we…Read more...

Vacuum cleaners can clog by things getting stuck in the hose or from an over-full canister, but most clogs are easily solved by just regularly emptying your vacuum. Hair and string, though, tend to wrap around the vacuum brush and can restrict its movement, causing a slow death until it stops spinning altogether,…Read more...

Most people do not own every kitchen gadget their heart desires. It’s a matter of cost, but also one of space—unless you are a rich person with a spacious kitchen, gadgets, mixing implements, and even bowls and platters have to earn their spots in cabinets and drawers.

Putting a cat on a diet is hard. The pitiful eyes, the constant yowling, the nonstop paw taps asking for food, not to mention all the times they wake you up at 2 a.m., in the hopes your guard will be down just enough that you’ll feed them. Add in a second cat with different dietary needs and it can seem impossible to…Read more...

There is much to ponder in the infinite mysteries of outer space, but...what’s it smell like? It turns out that much, if not all, of the seeing the wonders of space would be accompanied by a distinct aroma—or stench. Space has a smell, but it’s only astronauts (and perhaps your odd corporate CEO with a thirst for…Read more...

My sustainable homestead is evolving—and the new addition to the ever-growing project involves using rain barrels to provide my chickens with drinking water, irrigate my garden, and keep my compost pile moist.Read more...

The Pop It toy craze has finally given us an answer to the question, “What if bubble wrap could, like, re-generate or something?” Predictably, it is super satisfying for kids and adults alike.Read more...

If every surface in your home is perpetually covered in books, knick-knacks, and other junk, you probably need more shelves. Filling your home with practical shelving can offer the perfect solution to your clutter problems and give you a creative way to display your books, plants, photos, and everything else.

We recently talked about a credit card that helps you pay your rent, but what about a card that helps you pay your student loan? There’s a new card that will do just that—offering 2% cash back on purchases which can be applied to an array of student loan servicers. Here’s a look at whether it’s a good card for you.

For most dogs, human food is the ultimate forbidden fruit, which makes backyard barbecue season tricky for their owners. If you’re heading to a Fourth of July party with your pup in tow, you probably already know to keep them away from the fruit salad (grapes) and the burger toppings (raw onions). But there are other…Read more...

After months in limited, invite-only closed beta, Xbox Cloud Gaming is now publicly available. The service is still technically in beta, but is now included for all Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, adding even more value to what is arguably the best service in gaming.

Aristotle was pretty perceptive about issues that still carry an urgency in modern times: Friends of utility, pleasure, and mutual admiration still exist, as are the respective styles of friendship that you might encounter over the course of a relationship. You can filter Aristotle’s concept through the lens of modern…Read more...

Food insecurity has long been a concern for many Americans—a problem exacerbated by the pandemic, which left nearly 1 in 4 households struggling to meet this basic need. There are resources out there for those who need additional support, and now, there’s a Google Map to help people find them.

When a food you or your pets enjoy (or recently consumed) gets recalled, it can be a bit unsettling. Sure, not every recall has the potential to send you running for the commode—the severity of any recall varies depending on the product and reason for concern. Sometimes it’ll simply be a dietary supplement that didn’t…Read more...

Now that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for ages 12-17, all teens are eligible to be vaccinated—but some teenagers who would like to get vaccinated can’t, because they lack parental consent. In a recent poll, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, only 3 out of 10 parents surveyed said they would…Read more...

While it’s true airfares have jumped due to post-pandemic demand (not to mention a pilot shortage), the premium seats usually filled with business travelers are an exception to the rule, mostly due to reduced corporate travel. That means you can more easily find deep discounts on first and business class fares for…Read more...

Since 2001, the Fast & Furious films have been the go-to for racing action spectaculars. They’re wildly popular, and justifiably so, though not to everyone’s taste. Maybe you’re riding the high of the latest, F9, or maybe you’re looking for a racing movie with something different to offer.Read more...

I’m not above an impulsive social media-fueled purchase. I bought the “TikTok” booty leggings (and a young man shouted at me from his automobile while I was wearing them), and I purchased an exfoliating scrub (also for my butt), but I’ve never acquired a piece of cookware because I saw it on Instagram. I do, however,…Read more...

It’s not easy to strength train without weights. Once you’re able to do full pushups by the dozens, for example, they’re training your endurance more than building your strength. And while moves like pull-ups provide more of a challenge, they’re often impossible for beginners. But there’s a workout that covers the…Read more...

When I’m out enjoying nature, it seems a little weird to spray synthetic chemicals all over my body. So I always take a look at the “natural” insect repellents when I’m buying bug spray. Some are legit, with EPA-registered ingredients that effectively repel bugs while being safe for skin. Others are made of…Read more...

Perhaps our phones are trying to do us a favor by erring on the side of politeness, but boy, they sure do love to try to keep us from swearing, don’t they? Unless you actually do regularly mean to playfully tell your friends to “duck off,” there are a few ways you can fix iOS Messages’ sometimes helpful, often…Read more...

Grocery stores seem pretty unassuming, but the aisles of your local grocer are the product of a very strategic design. If you’re a keen observer (or if you shop regularly at a variety of stores) you’ve probably realized the produce is basically always in the same place, as are the baked goods, meat aisles, grab-and-go…Read more...

While rent is easily the biggest monthly expense for millions of Americans, rent payments rarely earn rewards or improve credit scores, as most people are forced to pay by check. That’s where the new Bilt Rewards program steps in, offering the first credit card that can pay your rent without the usual third-party…Read more...

As the world continues to reopen, parents’ phones everywhere are lighting up with invitations from their kid’s friends to have some good, old-fashioned summer fun, which is a relief for many who’ve been cooped up with their kids all day for the past year. However, despite the increase in social activity among adults, …Read more...

Tin foil is one of the most versatile items you have in your kitchen—probably more versatile than you realize. You likely use it for grilling veggies and baking salmon in the oven, but it’s useful for much more than just cooking. Tin foil can also clean cast iron skillets without jeopardizing the pan seasoning,…Read more...

Temperature control is one of the hardest things to wrap your head around as a baby charcoal griller. There are no dials to twist, no knobs to adjust, and the only numbers you’ll find are on probably extremely inaccurate thermometer. (Depending on where you place your thermometer in relationship to the coils, it can…Read more...

Getting your hands on a good book to read is as easy as clicking “borrow” on your tablet. If you’re a slow adopter to the world of e-books, you should know that you can download thousands of e-books and their audio counterparts from your phone, computer, or tablet—for free. Here’s how to quickly and easily borrow an e-…Read more...

The hummingbird feeder I’ve hung on the porch is one of my unexpected joys in life. I originally hung it because hummingbirds kept checking out a certain spot—I’m convinced my house’s previous owners hung a feeder there—and every summer they show up again and demand I feed them. So I do.Read more...