July 2024

Less than an hour before first pitch, the Mets scratched DH J.D. Martinez from Tuesday’s lineup due to a sore ankle.

We all want to pretend like the kitchen is the heart of the home, but for a lot of us, it’s our desk. It’s also supposed to be a haven of productivity, and it probably is, but it could always be better. Try a few of these updates to improve the organization of your desk—whether at home or the office—while also making it an all-around more pleasant place to work.

Raise your computer

Look at the way you’re interacting with your laptop. Are you kind of hunched up over it while it takes up a bunch of space? No good. Getting a laptop stand has a bunch of benefits, like making you sit a little straighter, helping you relax your arms, preventing your computer from overheated, and protecting it from accidental spills. Plus, it frees up space on the desk that you can use for other things, like the organizational tools below.

You really only need something simple, so try something like this:

Nulaxy Laptop Stand, Detachable Ergonomic Laptop Mount

$15.99
at Amazon

Your desk also needs (a lot of) storage

Next, it’s time to overhaul your storage situation. There’s been a lot of research into how clutter impacts your wellbeing and productivity (and vice versa), but it doesn’t take a scientist to know that when your space is disorganized, you’re just not going to be as productive as you could be. It’s distracting and draining to see a mess all day and it makes it harder to access the tools you need to get your work done.

Organizing that desk can help you be more productive, so use a decluttering method to get rid of anything you don’t need. Then, follow the rules of the Organizational Triangle, specifically the ones that dictate that everything you own must have a designated storage space and must be stored with similar objects.

A major component of doing all that is having the right kind of storage boxes and solutions at hand. For a desk, you need small containers that will hold various office supplies. Try something like these:

A wire mesh organizer with slots for pens and pencils, a small shelf for standing objects, smaller holders for tape and other littler items, and a sliding drawer for tools like binder clips. ($11.99)
A larger wire mesh organizer with slots for paper goods and books, a larger shelf for flat items, a sectioned drawer for small objects, and a side holder for taller utensils. ($23.26)
An under-desk drawer system, also made of wire mesh, with two layers and divided drawers to store and separate tools of all sizes while still saving desktop space. ($33.99)
16 stackable acrylic drawers to organize smaller items while still keeping them in view. ($34.94)

Improve your lighting situation

There’s also been significant research conducted on how lighting affects productivity, but once again, you don’t need to read about it in a peer-reviewed journal to know you do better work when you can see what you’re doing. I know I feel lazy when I work in darker environments, which is why I am such a big proponent of having little lamps all over.

Since our goal here is to organize your space and make it more productive, try this lamp, which has storage compartments in its base that are perfect for holding sticky notes, pens, and other small objects. It also has an outlet and a USB port so you can charge your devices.

lianheng Desk Lamp Cute for Small Space, Lamp Desk with USB Port and Outlet

$20.99
at Amazon

Your desk’s tech needs organization, too

Your desk is covered in tech. There’s your computer, maybe a separate keyboard and mouse, your tablet, your phone, and then everything else you have plugged in, like clocks, lamps, or smart home devices. It all needs some help to prevent the formation of a rat’s nest of cords.

I swear by the Smartish magnetic cord holder. It looks kind of like a rock, but it’s actually a big magnet. You can just toss your charging cords over it and they’ll stay in place. Plus, it comes in muted, varied colors, so it is pleasing to the eye.

Smartish Magnetic Cord Holder – Bigger Cable Wrangler

$39.98
at Amazon

For the bigger cords that dangle off the desk, I recommend individual, adhesive-backed holders. The individual ones are better than the long, multi-slot ones because you can arrange them in a way that makes sense based on your personal desk setup. They can stick to the top or side of the desk, snap open easily so a cord can get threaded through, and prevent it from sliding all over or getting jumbled up with other cords.

PZOZ 6 Pack Cord Organizer, Adhesive Charger Cable Clips

Other desk organization tips

To truly embrace the system of making sure everything has a designated place and storing similar items together, you’ll need to use all of those little compartments and drawers. But you also need to know what’s in them. It doesn’t hurt to pick up a little label maker ($15.99) to keep everything identified.

Finally, it might seem obvious, but my messy desk changed for the better when I finally got a little garbage can for underneath it instead of relying on myself to carry all my trash to my main garbage every few hours. Sometimes, you’re just working for too long and you don’t feel like doing that. A mini can will get the trash off your desk right away, keeping it clean so you can focus on work. I like this set of two metal mesh ones for $16.49.

The Red Sox had just one All-Star last season. They could possibly send three to Texas for this year’s game, writes John Tomase.

The No. 2 overall prospect in baseball, who made his MLB debut on Monday, is known for his lanky frame and low-key demeanor.

Anyone who regularly uses the public wifi at an airport, hotel, or cafe knows that being connected to a network and having internet access are not the same thing. Unfortunately, your Mac isn’t great about telling you whether you’re actually online or not, which can lead to some frustrating troubleshooting.

A free application Online Check solves this problem. It is a menu bar icon that turns red when you’re offline. You can also ask it to send you notifications when your online status status changes. It’s a simple program, but life saving if you’re somewhere with an unstable connection. You can install Online Check from the Mac App Store or the developer’s website.

Credit: Justin Pot

How Online Check works

I used to work in IT, which meant spending a lot of time troubleshooting network connection issues. Usually the quickest way to test whether the internet connection is working on a Mac is to open the Terminal and type “ping apple.com,” which will launch an attempt to connect to Apple.com; this will let you know whether your internet connection actually works. Online Check is just a menu bar app that does this for you on a regular basis.

Online Check’s menu bar icon gives you quick access to the Mac’s wifi settings, which is helpful while troubleshooting, and you can click a button to see a log of when your computer connected to and disconnected from the internet.

There’s not a lot on offer in the way of settings. You can decide whether or not the application launches at login, and opt to only show the menu bar icon when your computer is offline (handy if you’re trying to free up space on your menu bar). Basically, you can install the application and not think about it until you need it, which is honestly how most tools should work.

Every tech product you own has a post-release “lifespan.” For example, Apple’s policies guarantee five years of support, starting from a device’s release date (as opposed to whenever you bought it). Once those five years are up, Apple can deem that device “vintage.”

In fact, Apple recently classified three of its products as vintage: the iPhone X (2017), first-generation AirPods (2016), and the first-generation HomePod (2017). That might come as news to you, if you’re still using one or more of these products yourself.

With that in mind, what exactly does it mean for an Apple product to go “vintage,” and what happens when a vintage product goes “obsolete?”

Vintage Apple products

“Vintage” in Apple land doesn’t actually mean a product is “old,” or that you should stop using it—nor does it imply you’ll be able to sell it to collectors for a profit. When an Apple device becomes “vintage,” that product is no longer guaranteed by Apple to be repairable at an Apple Store or authorized service provider. In many cases, Apple will also stop issuing the device routine software updates.

Despite the reduction in support, vintage Apple devices will still work (this isn’t some sort of internal kill switch) and some devices may even receive occasional system updates if they support the latest operating systems or if a major security flaw needs to be patched. It’s even possible you could get one repaired, if the parts are available. Just don’t be surprised if an Apple Genius or an Apple-authorized vendor turns you away.

Apple doesn’t automatically deem a product as vintage five years after the original sale date. Take a look at the newest products on the list: The iPhone X could have been made vintage in 2022, but Apple waited an extra year and a half. Apple’s official definition of “vintage” is a product that is more than five years old, but fewer than seven. AirPods are seven years old exactly, so they’re coming in right at the cutoff. (A list of all vintage and obsolete devices can be found on Apple’s support site.)

However, once a product is more than seven years old, it graduates to a different category: “Obsolete.”

Apple’s “obsolete” list

Like vintage products, devices listed as “obsolete” will operate as normal as long as the hardware is in working condition. However, obsolete products lose virtually all hardware support. The only exception is MacBooks, which may allow for a battery replacement up to 10 years after the product was last available for sale.

An obsolete device, however, may still receive some software support. Don’t expect iOS 18 on an obsolete iPhone, mind you. But Apple did release a security update for iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus back in March, both of which are obsolete.

These shifts in service priority can be frustrating if you’re still rocking older tech and don’t feel like upgrading, but the policy makes sense given the current market realities: At the rate that both hardware and software iterate, diverting resources to keep outdated devices afloat is difficult and costly. However, even if an Apple Store turns your iPhone X away for repair, independent repair shops may still help you out for some time to come—even when the X eventually becomes “obsolete.”

Just don’t expect much repair help with your AirPods: They’re largely unrepairable.

Playing video games is better than going outside. You know it. I know it. Steam knows it. The ubiquitous PC gaming platform is embracing the indoor life in July with a Summer Sale on nearly every kind of video game, from artsy indie titles to overblown AAA releases.

I’ve picked through the virtual bargain bins like a backpacker at a record shop and compiled this list of the ten best games to download during Steam’s Summer Sale.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is the perfect pick-it-up-on-sale game. It received mixed reviews on its release, so you might have been hesitant to pick it up, but at $11.99, it’s worth the risk. For what it’s worth, I love Valhalla. You get to be a damn Viking, which is all I’ve ever wanted from a video game and from life.

Elden Ring

While it isn’t as steep discount as you’ll find, $42 is still a solid deal, especially since Elden Ring is among the best video games that have ever existed. Plus, if you like it, you can pick up Shadow of the Erdtree, Elden Ring‘s newly released DLC.

American Truck Simulator

Why would anyone choose to inhabit the skin of a long haul truck driver instead of a space marine, wizard, or Viking? Because it’s awesome. I can’t describe exactly why hauling a load of ball bearings to Albuquerque is a more fun gaming experience than blasting orcs with fireballs, but the game’s “overwhelming positive” user reviews on Steam are proof that it is, and American Truck Simulator is on sale for two measly bucks, so even paupers can afford to give ‘er a spin.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition

It’s been out for nine years, so it’s hard to believe anyone interested in RPGs hasn’t already play The Witcher 3, but if you’re out there, now’s a great chance to see why this game is included on every internet list of “The Best Games Ever.” If you didn’t play the Witcher 3 DLC, the Wild Hunt edition has it all for only $12.49.

Tekken 8

Sometimes you just want to beat someone’s ass, but do it in Tekken 8 so you’ll only be punched back in your virtual face. The regular edition of this fighting game is on sale for $39.99: 43% off. The Ultimate edition is down to $76.99 from $109.99.

Half-Life: Alyx

While many virtual reality games are still basically tech demos, Half-Life: Alyx is a fully realized, amazingly impressive game that remains among the best VR titles available even four years after its launch. Plus, it’s 66% off the list price of $59.99.

Far Cry 5

This open-world mayhem simulator Far Cry 5 puts you in the middle of a county in Montana that’s been taken over by religious extremists and says, “blast ’em all!” It’s only $6, which is 90% off the list price.

Civilization VI

I almost feel bad for recommending Civilization VI. The conquer-the-world, turn-based strategy game is so addictive, it’s like I’m saying, “just take this pill; narcotics are fun!” Unlike narcotics, Civ 6 is dirt cheap: only $2.99, a 95% markdown.

Forza Horizon 5

Even if you aren’t a car enthusiast, you’ll like Forza Horizon 5. The open-world racing game features all kinds of cars, from Ford Fiestas to Bugatti Divos, and the driving physics are spot-on perfect. All the different editions of Forza 5 are half price.

Celeste

I have a confession: I never played Celeste. Everyone—critics and gamers alike—loves the indie platformer about anxiety, depression, and climbing a mountain, but it felt like an assignment to me. Now that it’s only $1.99, the cost of an iPhone game, I’m like “Fine; you win. I’ll play Celeste.”

Google is set to unveil its Pixel 9 lineup of smartphones in August, a full month earlier than usual. Along with new hardware, which, of course, has already leaked, the company is likely to reveal new software features for the new Pixel devices, and unsurprisingly, much of that will be AI. Lucky for us, we don’t have to wait to learn about some of these features.

In an exclusive report, Android Authority details new AI features allegedly coming to Pixel 9. Android Authority says a source inside Google provided the outlet with a list of five features the company plans to highlight with the release of its new smartphone this year, via a screenshot titled “Discover Google AI at its best.”

We know about two of these features already. One is Circle to Search, which, as the name implies, lets you draw a circle around an element on your smartphone’s display to start a search on it. The other is Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, which you can already use to replace the traditional Google Assistant on your Pixel if you want to.

While Google may push these two existing AI features as part of its Pixel 9 launch, there are three new AI features the company may also rollout in tandem with the new smartphone:

Add Me

According to the alleged screenshot from Google Android Authority shared, “Add Me” is a feature that lets you “make sure everyone’s included in a group photo.” While that isn’t particularly descriptive, one can infer that Android will use AI to edit you into a picture if you didn’t make it in frame in time.

That would be a compliment to Google’s existing Best Take feature, which, after taking multiple photos of a group of people, lets you choose the “best” face of each subject from each photo.

These are useful features in theory, but they do challenge the idea of the photograph itself: What’s really the point of a photo if it doesn’t actually represent reality? “Let’s all look at that group photo we took on our trip last year. Although Greg wasn’t actually there…and Melissa definitely wasn’t looking at the camera…At least we’re all smiling!”

Studio

“You imagine it. Pixel creates it.” That’s how Google describes “Studio” in Android Authority’s screenshot. By the description, it sounds like a built-in AI image generator on your Pixel. That tracks, since Google is reportedly building an app called Creative Assistant, primarily for making stickers.

It’s par for the course these days for tech companies to offer AI art generators, so this isn’t a surprising development. I’m sure Google will inject some Pixel or Android-specific features with Studio, but for now, this is all we know.

Pixel Screenshots

It’s “Pixel Screenshots” that’s by far the most interesting new feature outlined here. Based on the screenshots of the feature shared by Android Authority, Pixel Screenshots is essentially Microsoft’s Recall feature, but for the screenshots saved on your Pixel.

Recall, as you may recall, was designed to save a snapshot of your entire screen every few moments, so you could search for quite literally anything you ever did on your PC. It was met with widespread concern and criticism, especially once it appeared to be quite vulnerable to hacking. Microsoft has since delayed the feature’s rollout.

Pixel Screenshots, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to take a screenshot of your display every few seconds; rather, it scans your existing screenshots to turn them into a “searchable library.” If you know you screenshotted a pair of shoes you wanted to buy, or a receipt you need to reference, you can use the feature to search for it.

When you turn the feature on, Android will save extra data for screenshots you take going forward, including web links, the names of apps, and the date and time the screenshot was taken, all to make it easier to search for those data points in the future. Interestingly, the feature says all data access and processing happens on-device, so none of your data should make its way to Google’s servers.

On the surface, it sounds much more secure than Microsoft’s solution, although it also serves a much different purpose. That said, there’s a slight risk to the feature: Allowing AI to make searching screenshots a breeze opens the door for anyone with access to your phone to do the same: If you save screenshots of sensitive information, like credit card numbers, banking info, or passwords, anyone with access to your phone could search for this data.

That said, Google hasn’t actually announced any of these features yet. We’ll just have to see which features, if any, the company does decide to bundle with the Pixel 9 when it launches later this year.

Mets scratch J.D. Martinez from Tuesday’s lineup with sore ankle

The Best Items to Help Organize Your Disaster of a Desk