This brilliant phone mount is the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone on your list

You’re running out of time to do your Christmas shopping. If you’re having trouble deciding what to get, we’re here to help. Tap or click here for the best tech gifts for anyone on your list.

Speaking of tech, what’s the one thing everyone has on them at all times? Their smartphone! From playing games to texting to keeping up with work, our phones are never far away.

The holidays are a time for video calls — we can’t always see our loved ones in person. And video conferencing is still huge for people working remotely. But propping your phone against the monitor or a tissue box isn’t ideal. Here’s a neat little tool that makes video calls better.

Here’s the backstory

Most video calls are done in portrait mode, especially for groups of people. So, what do you do? Stand your phone up on the table and put something behind it, like a water bottle, right?

Now, whenever you bump the table, the phone falls over. Or your microphone is obscured because it’s resting on a surface. And forget about charging your phone (unless you drill a hole in the table).

That’s where this ingenious bendy mount comes in. The PopMount 2 Flex from PopSockets lets you mount your phone virtually anywhere.

Just bend the flexible legs into a tripod shape or any other one you can imagine — we bent it into a dog shape! You can also bend the legs to wrap it around something and position the phone however you like.

You’re not limited to portrait or landscape mode. Rotate the phone 360 degrees until you find your ideal angle. And your charging port will always be free and clear to plug in your charger.

It works great for capturing footage. If you’re filming outdoors, wrap the mount around a tree branch or street sign pole and point your lens where it needs to be.

This is a thoughtful gift for those who don’t know they need one. You’ll love it so much that you’ll probably want to purchase one yourself. It comes in Black, Miami Sunset and Tangerine.

[content-egg-block template=custom/k3_list next=1]

Continue reading

New Amazon Echo screen moves with you and it's available to preorder now

Echo smart devices have come a long way since they first hit the market. Not only are there original Echo speakers, but there are a ton of different and upgraded devices available now, too.

There’s a reason Echo devices are so popular. They are affordable and useful, too. You can use your Alexa-enabled speaker to control smart devices, track schedules, shop for items you need or help with a ton of other tasks. Plus, you can get even more out of your Alexa device with these pro tips.

Continue reading

Desk all set

👩‍💼 Midweek slump? Time to freshen up your workspace.

  • This mini desk vacuum (11% off) is like a robot maid.
  • Look sharp on video calls with an LED lamp (39% off).
  • A bladeless desk fan (32% off) helps you beat the heat.
  • Clip a rotating headphone hanger (41% off) to your desk.
  • Scroll hands-free with a foldable phone stand (29% off).

🔌 Ten ports = one hub: Grab this neat USB charging hub (33% off) and power up all your tech at once.

3D video calls are coming this year

Open/download audio

Smartphones, AI you can talk to, and glasses-free 3D video calls: It’s not sci-fi anymore. Here’s what you’ll be using soon.

🖥️ New Macs on the block: The new Mac Studios ($1,999) are here. You can choose between the M4 Max or the faster M3 Ultra. The new MacBook Air ($999) starts $100 cheaper than before. It has MagSafe 3 charging, a new webcam that centers you during video calls and fresh colors. Preorders are live and ship on March 12.

Working from home: The tech you need to get the job done

As the news director for Komando.com, I spend a lot of time researching topics and staying on top of current events. That part of the job description has only increased since our staff began working from home two months ago.

Continue reading

Pretty n’ productive

📋 Ready to tackle your to-do list? I’ve got the tools to help you get it done.

I order supplements online: They’re more affordable that way, and I never run out. On my daily list: collagen. Hit this link for 45% off NativePath.* Their collagen mixes into coffee and smoothies, and it’s great for your joints and recovery.

Upload vs. download speeds

Open/download audio

Are your video calls freezing or games lagging even with fast internet? The issue might be your upload speed, not download. Here’s how to check it.

Really remote: SpaceX’s Starlink system for cellphones can now handle video calls. A demo shows an employee linking their smartphone to the satellite service and connecting to another phone on a regular cellular network. The image quality is grainy and the clip brief, but it’s still pretty cool. Don’t expect it till later this year.

How to transcribe your meetings with AI

Open/download audio

On work video calls, it’s hard to stay on camera and take notes without missing key details. This eliminates that problem. 

Look your best on video calls

Open/download audio

Feeling ill or didn’t manage to shower? Use these settings to always look your best on video calls.

1 pro tip for video calls

Open/download audio

If you’ve been holding out on improving your video call setup at home, might as well face it — things probably aren’t changing soon. Now you can use your DSLR camera as a video camera.

5 most important tips for video conference calls

Open/download audio

Maybe you’re on video calls all day long. Maybe they’re infrequent on your schedule, reserved for only the most important meetings. Either way, Kim’s got five tips to help you look and sound your best.