AnnaStills/Shutterstock If you love thrift shopping, you know that finding thrift store gems requires a trained eye, as well as a lot of time and luck. But today technology has made this much easier. Several smartphone apps can help anyone identify clothing, antiques or technology worth purchasing at thrift stores and even estimate their value. Through these apps, thrifters can access features ranging from visual recognition of items using artificial intelligence to accessing various databases to get an idea of values. These apps not only help beginners who are new…
Author: Amelia Scott
Debashis Kumar/Getty Images When people go out during the day, they are exposed to blue light from the sun. It is a beneficial light that improves alertness, key to maintaining mental performance to get through the day. However, there is something else that emits this energizing light that people use every day: computers. So when you use them at night, they can disrupt your sleep cycle and keep you from sleeping past your bedtime. Additionally, looking at a screen emitting blue light in low light conditions can cause eye strain.…
José Adorno/BGR When Apple announced new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in mid-2024, European users realized there was something wrong with their iPad cases compared to those around the world: the power brick was missing. Although Apple has never addressed this change, it is likely due to the European Commission’s Common Charger Directive, which requires tech companies to only sell devices with a USB-C port in Europe. Instead, consumers are supposed to have the choice to include a charging brick if they need one in order to avoid e-waste.…
Lazy_bear/Getty Images Audio company Dolby has been a staple of professional theaters, home theaters, and music studios for more than six decades. When it comes to cinematic sound, Dolby is one of the leading audio companies for mixing and mastering the highs and lows of many of our favorite movies and shows. Dolby Cinema and Dolby Digital are just two of the company’s many innovations, but if you want the best audio quality possible, the former is definitely the superior option. This will also require you to get in your…
Valve has finally announced the release date for the Steam Machine, and while some gamers may balk at the 512GB or 2TB options for $1,049 or $1,349 respectively (and without a controller), the console is still likely to be a popular option for those wanting a solid entry into the world of PC gaming. Even though the release date was just announced on June 22, that hasn’t stopped some excited accessory makers from offering pre-orders for a console that hasn’t even sold yet, with a company offering a cover that’s reminiscent of one of…
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. There are hundreds of Bluetooth speakers on the market and they are sold almost everywhere you can buy electronics. Brands like Bose and Sony regularly make headlines for their wireless audio devices, but according to Consumer Reports (CR), the laurel for best cheap wireless speaker actually belongs to the $150 JBL Flip 7. This iconic design has been a staple of JBL speakers for several generations, and the latest iteration has a handful of new features and comes in six colors: Black, Blue, Red,…
Vershinin89/Shutterstock Much discussion about Valve’s Steam Machine has focused on pricing since its official announcement, especially amid rising hardware costs amid RAM and storage shortages. Despite warnings that people might hate the actual price of the Steam Engine following early leaks, many were hoping for more accessible prices. Steam Machine finally has a release date, and we now know that it costs over $1,049, which isn’t exactly what you’d describe as budget-friendly. Additionally, some have rightly pointed out that console prices, while also affected by supply chain constraints, remain subsidized…
It’s been a huge year for Google Chrome in 2025, especially with the launch of one of its biggest features yet: Gemini in Chrome. This turned Gemini into a clickable button right in the interface, giving you faster access to the Google AI chatbot. AI mode – an AI-powered search bar – was also brought to Chrome in 2025, along with other handy Chrome features such as improved autofill to automatically fill forms with vehicle details, passport and other personal information. While these features are already impressive additions, Google is far from finished upgrading…
Matthieu Tuffet/Shutterstock Apple discontinued the iPod line in 2022, with the seventh-generation iPod touch being its swan song. In recent years, the brand has seen a surge in interest among those seeking a more personal music listening experience, free of ads and algorithms. In particular, Generation Z is returning to the iPod line in droves thanks to the simplistic nature of the platform. Because the iPod line is so popular, millions and millions of devices and models exist in the wild. While some are better than others for several reasons,…
A labor judge ruled that Amazon failed to recognize the Teamsters union as required by law. Andrew Lichtenstein/Getty Images Amazon was ordered to collectively bargain with workers at its California warehouses, Bloomberg reported. A labor judge ruled that Amazon violated federal law by refusing to recognize the Teamsters union after it received support from the majority of workers at a San Francisco delivery center. However, Amazon has vowed to appeal that order to an NLRB board that could soon be dominated by Trump appointees. The board could then reverse the decision and use the new precedent…