Deal alert: This all-weather outdoor smart plug is under $20 right now
Automating your backyard is a game-changer. It’s hard to go back to the old-fashioned way when you can control outdoor devices with a remote control or even just your voice.
A helpful gadget like the Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug is an easy way to use landscape lighting, swimming pool pumps or holiday lights in a snap. It’s weather-resistant and has a Wi-Fi range of up to 300 feet. Our team’s product review expert, Ben Bradley, used a Kasa smart plug to keep his dogs safe.
He lives in an area where coyotes roam and snap up little dogs. That’s why Ben set up string lights all around his patio and fence.
Whenever his dogs go potty after nightfall, he says, “Alexa, turn on the lights.” No getting up from his couch or walking outside is required. Just like that, he can flood the backyard with lights and make sure his dogs are safe.
Good news: The Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug is now on sale for $7 off. That means you can snatch it for less than $20.
Want to save your voice and not have to give Alexa orders every time you want to turn on your device? No problem. Just set up a schedule. You can also control your smart plug from anywhere if you use the app. It’s hard to imagine something more convenient!
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
New M1 MacBook Air is on sale for the lowest price it's ever been
The MacBook Air M1 is cheaper than ever. Normally, you have to pay $1,000 for this lightning-fast gadget. But now, you can grab the powerful 256GB model for a more affordable $899 on Amazon.
If you need more storage power, the 512GB MacBook Air M1 is $150 off. These laptops are more advanced than previous MacBooks, thanks to their pièce de résistance: the M1 chips. Thanks to this fantastic technology, these Macs wake up the moment you open the lid.
Google is making a major security change for all users – Check your settings
Strong passwords are a given when it comes to protecting your accounts, devices and data, but that’s not enough. Cybercriminals are relentless, and you can never have too much protection. That’s where two-factor authentication comes in. 2FA adds an extra layer of security when you log in to an account or unlock a device.
Tech maintenance: Are you making this big mistake when cleaning your TV?
When it comes to cleaning your television, your first thought is probably to ensure there isn’t a layer of dust on the screen. But your TV is more than just a screen, and a big mistake most TV owners make is focusing on the surface while ignoring the rest of the machine.
10 ways to get better sleep: Apps, podcasts, gadgets and more
We could all try to live a little bit healthier these days. Diet and exercise aren’t the only steps to a healthy life. You also need to get quality rest.
Fortunately, technology is here to help us. Fitness trackers are great tools to remind us to move around, eat and even sleep properly. Tap or click here for 10 Fitbit tips and tricks you may not know about.
Getting into crypto? A browser extension is draining unsuspecting users' accounts
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have seen a massive explosion in popularity over the last few years. The price of a single Bitcoin skyrocketed exponentially since its introduction, driving many people to dabble in the virtual crypto money unit.
How to keep what you do online private with just one click
Privacy is both pinnacle and pivotal in today’s online world. Without it, we are exposed to all kinds of snooping and malicious threats.
The truth is, you never know who may be keeping virtual tabs on you. Whether it’s a hacker or scammer in the mall, a persistent three-letter government agency or even your creepy neighbor, you need to secure your web browsing. You need to protect your privacy with help from our sponsor, ExpressVPN.
iPhone 13: All the new features in Apple's latest smartphone
Apple makes an event of all of its major releases, whether it’s hardware or software. Even when public gatherings are discouraged, the Cupertino company drums up excitement with streaming presentations.
This year’s Worldwide Developers Conference is focused on iOS 15. iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8 are also rolling out. Tap or click here for our WWDC roundup.
How often you should reboot your computer
There are few certainties in life: Death, taxes, and turning your computer off and on when there’s a problem. This advice is usually the first tip you get from friends, family, and tech support.
Rebooting your computer helps keep it running smoothly. It clears the memory, stopping any tasks that are eating up RAM. Even if you’ve closed an app, it could still tap your memory. A reboot can also fix peripheral and hardware issues.
Avoid that embarrassing moment! Hide your phone’s lock screen notifications
It’s happened to me. You’re showing a friend or coworker something on your phone when a text or other notification pops up that you wish they didn’t see.
On Android, there’s the super handy Guest Mode. With this enabled, you can hand your phone over with confidence no one will be able to swipe through your texts, contacts, or photos. Tap or click for steps to turn that on before you need it.
Your ISP sees everything you do online - Here's how to stop it
We all know that Google, Amazon and Facebook are tracking us, but have you really thought about your ISP? That’s short for “internet service provider.” Depending on where you live, you may have a few to choose from — or maybe there’s only one.
Belkin just released all kinds of magnetic iPhone gear - Are these accessories worth it?
Nearly a year ago, Apple released the iPhone 12 and resurrected a feature once exclusive to certain Mac computers: MagSafe. That opened the door to all kinds of magnetic chargers, mounts, wallets and just about any other kind of accessory you can think of.
Did you forget your password again? Try this
Most websites ask for a username and password, but it isn’t safe to use the same ones for every site. You also have to consider what kind of passwords are the best to keep hackers out of your accounts. Tap or click here for five tips to secure your accounts.
Reader question: ‘Are all VPNs the same? Which one should I go with?’
I recently received a great question from a reader named Jim. He wanted to know about VPNs, and I think this is something many folks may be unclear about.
“I have a question about iPhone security. Are all VPNs the same? Or is one better than the other?” He went on to say that his phone has been compromised in the past.
Don't make this big mistake e-commerce companies often make
It’s a great time to sell online. Last year, many people didn’t want to venture out of their homes to shop at physical stores. That’s why they used online stores to get their essentials.
Statista studies found over 2 billion people bought goods or services online in 2020. Not only that, but sellers made 4.2 trillion U.S. dollars in e-retail sales worldwide. Good news: The online shopping gold rush is nowhere near stopping.
Finding the right person is hard. Here's why your job ad isn’t getting any results
If you’re looking to attract new talent to your company, there’s no better time to publish a job listing. There are a ton of talented people out there looking for their next great role.
Let’s say you posted an employment ad and no one is biting. Is it you? Is it the description?
Want a change of scenery? 10 cities that will pay you to move there
If you are feeling restless and dreaming about moving to an exciting new city, there’s a website you’ll want to hear about.
Makemymove.com will show all the cities around the country that will pay you to move if you are a digital worker. Since many non-essential workers became fully remote during the pandemic, your home location might not matter.
Scary new malware that live streams your screen - Here's what to look for
Ever feel like somebody is watching you? Years of horror movies have given us a real sense of fear of being watched by unsuspecting people. When it comes to tech, malware could be the suspect. Millions of PCs are infected with malware. Tap or click here to check your Windows computer now.
These versions of QuickBooks are no longer supported - Time to upgrade
Each year, Intuit discontinues older versions of its QuickBooks line. As of May 31, these versions are no longer supported:
If you were using one of those editions, it’s seriously time to upgrade. We say it’s time to ditch the spreadsheets altogether. Don’t let QuickBooks and spreadsheets slow you down, making things harder than necessary. It’s time to upgrade to NetSuite.
The best way to keep an eye on your pets inside and out
Pets are notorious for causing a stir when their owners are away. When you drive off, dogs might bark so loudly they bother the neighbors. Cats might scratch the sofa to punish you for leaving.
Animals have many methods for messing up the house when you’re away. Sometimes, you may return home and walk into such an outrageous mess you can’t help but wonder, “How on Earth did that happen?”