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Time was, you'd just screw in a light bulb and flip a switch. We live in a much more dynamic era when lightbulbs are connected to the internet, and the cost of smart light bulb tech has come down dramatically. It's no longer just lighting companies that are pushing Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-enabled bulbs, which has led to a very crowded marketplace. Some of them need hubs, a few work with Bluetooth, others connect directly to your Wi-Fi, and still others link up with Google smart speakers automatically. It's confusing! We've got some experience with all this stuff, though. We think these are the best light bulbs on any budget for your Google Home and Assistant-enabled smart home.In this guide, we'll summarize the most popular smart light bulbs, and what you need to know about how they work. We'll mostly focus on A19-style smart bulbs.
Free trials for Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube Premium, and tons of other streaming services
These are the promo and introductory offers for tons of major streaming platforms
It's been a year of pandemic living and that's meant hordes of new viewers jumping on the streaming services — so much so that Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max have all scuttled their first-party free trial offers. But there are still plenty of content hubs to suit your tastes in live TV, animated series, docudramas, and the like. We've got discount or free offers from 22 streaming service options listed below, and they've all got huge libraries. Some are even free entirely.
100+ 3D objects in Google Search to explore from the comfort of your home
Let your kids be creative while keeping them safe indoors
Read update
Even if stay-at-home orders are slowly lifting all around the globe, we're mostly supposed to stay inside to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. But that shouldn't stop us from exploring things we'd normally see in museums or shops thanks to 3D models available in Google Search on Android and iOS. We've already covered which animals and pets you can lure into your home, but if you and your kids get tired of acting as an amateur zoologist, there is a whole world to explore, starting with planets and space crafts courtesy of NASA over anatomy all the way to shopping for shoes, and most recently, chemistry models.
This app gives you free access to tons of movies via your local library
Catch up on the classics or the latest indie releases while you're stuck at home with Kanopy
All of us know about Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and even totally free streaming options like Pluto TV. But did you know there's an app specifically dedicated to letting you stream tons of your local library's video catalog? You may not be heading the library for movies these days (if your library is even open), but Kanopy is the perfect solution to either the physical media or COVID-closure dilemma, and you might be surprised by what you can find there. Independent films, obscure documentaries, and long-lost oddities await you, along with a slew of classic movies rarely available on traditional streaming services.
Here's why you should use Google Duo for your video calls instead of Zoom
At least Google's got one messaging app figured out
While Zoom may be the defacto video calling and conferencing app of 2020, many of us are probably using it more out of convenience than anything else. And while video calling and conferencing are two distinctly different things—a set time and place call-in meeting versus a often on-the-fly call-out chat—the lines between the two are increasingly blurred with so many of us working from home.
6 Android productivity apps designed to help you work from home
Keeping your routine and sanity while you’re stuck in your apartment
When it comes to working from home, as so many of are learning, distractions are everywhere. Be it your kids, partner, or simply the opportunity to walk out the front door at a moment's notice, it can be hard to maintain a sense of productivity without proper discipline. Some of us simply may not find the right balance of work time, break time, and off hours to keep ourselves sane, and at that point, work can start to feel like your entire life. When the office never actually closes, you never leave. We have a few apps we think can help you manage your time better, be more productive, and also help you set reasonable boundaries when working from home.
This app has tons of free live TV and movies streaming 24/7
Check out Pluto TV if you run out of Netflix to watch
If you've never heard of Pluto TV before, we aren't surprised: the app gets shockingly little attention for the tons of truly, actually free streaming video content it offers from huge names like Cartoon Network, FOX, and even major movie studios (there's literally a James Bond channel streaming Bond films 24/7). Pluto does have some limitations and quirks, but overall, if you're looking for stuff you probably won't find on Netflix, or that otherwise is often only available on cable cordcutter services like Hulu TV or YouTube TV, Pluto will surprise you with the breadth and depth of its library. Here's how it all works.
Working from home? Get the most out of your old laptop by turning it into a Chromebook
Upcycle that tired computer and save some cash, too
Laptops are in short supply globally—especially cheap ones like Chromebooks. But if you have an older Windows 7, 8, or even Vista laptop sitting in a closet somewhere at home, it's possible you can convert it into a secure and relatively performant Chrome OS device with the use of a totally free tool. The benefits are obvious: your old laptop gets a new lease on life, and you don't spend any money. As long your laptop still basically works, it's entirely possible you can be up and running with Chrome OS using just a USB stick and the relatively simple instructions below in minutes.
15 Chrome productivity extensions to work smarter, not harder, on your Chromebook
Working from home requires immense discipline, and these extensions can help you
Extensions are among Google Chrome's most powerful tools, but it can be hard to weed out the ones that are actually good and helpful versus those that might be resource hogs or woefully outdated. And while web apps are great, extensions work across basically the entirety of the Chrome browser, making them, in a way, the "native" apps of Chromebooks. We know a thing or two about doing work on the web (hi, welcome to our blog!), and we all tend to use Google Chrome for a lot of that work. We've picked up a few extensions along the way that we think you're going to love, so here are 10 of our favorites for working smarter, not harder.
How to read all your local library's books on your phone or Kindle for free
Catch up on new releases, best-sellers, and classics alike — though beware of waitlists
Reading the news can be a bit of a drag at the moment, and spending money on more and more streaming subscriptions can really start to eat into your monthly budget. As more of us turn to a good book to escape reality, we may be starting to realize that books can be a bit expensive, especially for newer, in-demand titles. And with local libraries closed, our avenue for free literature seems to have gone away with them. But it hasn't, at least, for many: there's a little app called Libby, and as long as you have a library card and your library supports it, you may be able to freely access thousands of books straight from your phone or Kindle.
Watch live TV on all of your devices with YouTube TV, Sling TV, and more
Cuddle up and quarantine on the couch with these live TV streaming solutions
Let's face it: The coronavirus quarantine would be that much more unbearable without smartphones, Wi-Fi, and streaming services to keep us entertained. If you've only been binging movies and Tiger King on Netflix, though, you're completely missing out on another source of content. Here's how you can access live TV on your existing family of devices, including Android phones, Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, and more.
5 amazing YouTube channels you might actually learn something from
You've got more time on your hands, you may as well use it to absorb some information
YouTube is a great way to spend 8 hours you suddenly realize have gone by when you get into 40 minute rants about ancient aliens, because its algorithms for suggesting content can be questionable, to say the least. Not everything that's popular is really all that informative or educational, and you may find your regular subscriptions just aren't keeping up with your increased content consumption habits of late. So, we thought we'd point out five channels we really enjoy that, at the very least, genuinely do seek to inform their viewers, and in some cases, actually tech them new skills. And we just think it's a good thing to give shoutouts to some of our favorite creators right now, as we enter a time of economic uncertainty.
5 great USB charging stations that will keep all your gadgets ready for action
Avoid the rat's nest of cables
We live in interesting times—most of us are staying home to slow the spread of coronavirus. Many people are also trying to jury-rig a home office to get work done. That might mean you've got devices like laptops, phones, and tablets floating around that need charging, and you probably want to avoid the inevitable tangle of cables. A charging station can come in handy during these trying times, and here are the best ones you can get.
Watch hundreds of puppy, kitten, wild life, and nature livestreams to break the quarantine monotony
Lose yourself in nature while staying indoors
Every one of us is dealing with their quarantine boredom in a different way. Some have taken on cooking or gardening, some are still finding ways to get out and exercise away from people, many are resorting to video calls to stay in touch with their friends and family, and others have picked up neglected hobbies like wood-work and knitting. But if you still feel that all of this isn't enough to fill your empty days, I've got a neat recommendation for you: nature livestreams. They're fascinating, time-consuming, full of surprises, and very easy to get sucked into.
Get fit with your phone: 15 great apps to help you work out from home (Update: More apps)
You can still keep fit and healthy while staying at home, without the need for any equipment
Ever since we've been asked to work from home, I've received a bunch of messages from my friends and coworkers asking me about home workout apps to stay fit. Instead of privately sharing my recommendations with them, I preferred to make them more widely available here. I've chosen ten apps from the Play Store that are highly-rated and can help most people continue to exercise while confined, including cardio, body weight, and high intensity training.
10 great productivity web apps for your Chromebook and Android phone
Helping you stay productive and focused while working from home
Web apps come in all forms and shapes, but Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are some of the best as they're basically a marriage between native applications and websites. On Chrome OS, they come as close as can be to proper programs, many complete with offline support. If you're used to working with Windows or macOS, PWAs might make it easier for you to get through your workday at home, but you can also use these on any platform to enhance your productivity.
Public webcams show just how empty coronavirus has made our world
We're living in a dystopian future where no humans can be seen anywhere
With quarantines being imposed in many countries across the world, I've been wondering what our planet must look like right now. Empty streets, empty squares, empty towns, everything just... empty. If you surveyed from above, would it seem like humans have deserted Earth or are there still signs of our lives, if you looked closely? Then it occurred to me that I can easily snoop in on the world from the safety of my couch and discover its new, unprecedented facet with all the signs of civilization but no people. I started looking at live public CCTV camera apps and feeds and, after spending hours lost in the desolate streets, I ended up liking three apps, each for a different reason. If you're intrigued by this dystopian, macabre future present, start playing some eerie music and follow me on my grim journey.
Take a world tour from your couch with these apps
Walk along streets, enjoy 360 views, and discover new places
With all of us stuck at home because of the Coronavirus pandemic, a supermarket run is starting to feel like the biggest excursion and adventure we can go on for the foreseeable future. Travel is out of the question, local trips are restricted in many countries, and even the simple idea of stepping out of your house is as daunting as an alcohol and paranoia party. I've been yearning for a vacation for a while — I even had a trip planned for May before all of this went down — but since that's been canceled now, I've found myself thumbing through old pics and 360 photos I've taken during my trips, reminiscing about better times and nicer places, then it occurred to me that I could do something similar but also discover new countries and cities I've never visited, all through the magic of Google Maps, Earth, and Street View. Let me to explain how you too can do that.
Work from home in peace: Now's the time to invest in some noise-canceling headphones
Block out your in-house distractions
If you're fortunate enough to have a job you're able to do from home, you probably haven't been to the office in a while now. That's good for public health (and maybe good for you if you hate changing out of your pajamas), but it comes with its own challenges. Chief among them: noise. Traffic, neighbors doing yard work, your kids. Noise-canceling headphones won't completely block all of it, but they sure help. Here are some great options.
Here's another way to watch live news, TV, and movies for free with your phone
XUMO TV has plenty to watch right now whether you're on a budget or just tired of Netflix
There are a lot of different free streaming services out there, and it's tough to know which is worth your time. We've looked at both live and on-demand services from Pluto TV to Plex and Kanopy, and based on our reader's repeated recommendations, now we're taking a dive into XUMO — another option for free live TV as well as on-demand content.