The iPhone’s notification sound is iconic at this point. While you’ve had the option to change the alert sound for notifications like messages, incoming emails, and reminders, as well as certain third-party apps, Apple never let us change the default alert sound for other notifications. That chime is arguably almost as strong as the iPhone brand itself, much like the Windows XP Bliss wallpaper or the Mac boot up sound.

In any case, Apple finally letting go of that legacy, and we’re all better for it. In the fourth public beta for iOS 17.2, Apple added a brand new section for changing the default alerts sound. While the feature is currently in testing, the iOS 17.2 should be available for the general audience in a matter of weeks. If you’re curious, you can install the public beta, without even installing a new profile.

How to change the default alert tone on your iPhone

Once your iPhone is updated, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics to find the brand new Default Alerts at the bottom of the list. Here, you can change the sound to any of the text tones, new or classic.

While you’re here, you might also want to change the default haptic feedback. iOS 17 changed the haptic alerts, and there was no way to go back. With the iOS 17.2 update, Apple is letting you customize the haptics as well, so you can go back to how it used to be, or choose the haptic feedback level that works best for you.

Source: LifeHacker – You Can Finally Change the iPhone’s Default Notification Sounds and Haptics

As cordless tools become more popular, the variety of tools available keeps expanding. Once confined to drills, the cordless assortment of options has increased dramatically, as more and more tools have untethered themselves from extension cords. Here are some of the coolest and weirdest tools that are both odd and surprisingly useful.

Cool cordless saws

For DIY masters, there’s nothing more fun than a new saw. Since many tool sets already include a jigsaw or a circular saw, here are some more interesting saws to add to your collection.

• This Milwaukee Fuel mini chainsaw that runs on 18v batteries is great for pruning, cutting up small firewood, or those adventurous DIYers who like to do chainsaw carving. Because it’s smaller, it doesn’t pack the same punch as a full-sized chainsaw, and you need to be careful to keep clear of the blade—but it sure is fun!

• The Makita 18v cut out saw is great for making smaller, more precise cuts. Using a small rotating bit, the cut-out saw will work in places that larger saws, even a jig saw, can’t go. Although this saw is great for making smaller, more precise cuts, the blade isn’t designed to handle thicker, more heavy-duty material, so keep that in mind.

• If you do metal work, a band saw is indispensable. The DeWalt portable 20 volt band saw will do light- to medium-duty metal cutting on the go and is great for jobs where stretching out an extension cord is difficult or impossible. The saw is unmounted, so a steady hand is required, and the saw can only cut up to a 2 ½ inch diameter, but it packs a punch for a small tool.

Cordless tools for working on your car

For vehicle enthusiasts, the trickiest part of getting projects done is getting power to where you’re working. If you don’t have a garage or an outdoor outlet, or if you need a tool on the go for roadside repairs, here are some cordless options that will make things a lot easier.

• The DeWalt portable 20 volt tire inflator can provide enough air pressure to inflate a tire on the roadside anywhere. It’s a good idea to have an emergency option for flat tires in areas where roadside assistance might not be available. The tire inflator also has a gauge and an automatic shutoff to prevent overfilling the tires. This tool weighs less than three pounds and will fill all four tires on one battery, but will likely need to be charged after that. For higher-pressure tires (above 70 PSI) it might not quite have the juice to get the job done, but for regular car tires, it will work well.

• For getting your vehicle all shined up, the Ryobi 18 volt buffer is a handy tool. Since it’s cordless, you can use it anywhere without dragging the extension cord along, and it will polish up your wax job to a glossy finish. The battery will last about two hours, so it will work on one charge for a medium-sized vehicle, but after that, it will need a charge.

• The Milwaukee cordless impact wrench is a good tool for getting nuts and bolts securely fastened or for getting them unstuck. It’s a little more powerful than a regular impact driver and is specifically designed for driving nuts. The impact-assisted driver helps give you more power when you’re using it on stubborn nuts and bolts. This driver has a ⅜ inch connector for sockets and is good for mid-duty use on vehicles or other projects.

Small and precise jobs

For smaller, more fiddly projects, there are some really interesting cordless options out there.

• Smaller projects where adhesives play a role can always benefit from a hot glue gun. Ryobi has you covered for crafty or small scale home projects with their cordless glue gun. This tool is compatible with a Ryobi one battery system and has about a three and a half hour run time before needing to be recharged.

• The DeWalt heat gun is great for using heat shrink on wiring projects, drying or removing paint, taking off old bumper stickers, or shaping PVC. It has multiple attachments for different applications and also has variable temperature settings up to 990 degrees. The battery only lasts about 45 minutes on this tool, though, so having a spare battery for larger projects is a good idea. 

• The Ryobi cordless rotary tool has a flexible shaft that allows for maximum mobility when cutting, polishing, or grinding. It’s compatible with a foot pedal to keep your hands free for controlling the tool, and it comes with 40 bits as well. Since this tool is small, it’s best adapted for small woodworking or crafting—it won’t work well for larger projects.

Source: LifeHacker – These Unusual Cordless Tools Are Surprisingly Useful for Your DIY Projects

If your kids are anything like mine, they love exploring their creative, artistic sides—that is, until a screen comes on. But it doesn’t have to be this way: There are all kind of toys and games available that will effectively lure them from the siren song of their iPads.

If you’re looking for a gift that will stimulate your child’s brain instead of straining their eyes, we’ve compiled a list of presents that will get your kid using their imaginations and having fun, to boot.

Learn to Mix & Spin DJ Pad

Check out the beats while your toddler revolves it on this portable turntable with an 18-key synth, sound effects, and the ability to create hip-hop fills like the DJ at your favorite club (or the one you went to in college).

Resources Building Blocks

If your LEGO budget is running low, the 72 wooden pieces in this set, inspired by nature, offer a natural alternative to the expensive plastic bricks your creative kid uses. But don’t worry—they’ll probably still find a way to create a robot bent on destroying the world. 

Art-chitect Home Model Building Kit

Ever since I took my oldest son to a Frank Lloyd Wright house, he’s been obsessed with design and architecture. This set has everything he needs to bring his ideas to life, from the walls required to model his 3-D home to floor plan tracing sheets. 

Robot Building Toy

When your kid puts together a LEGO set, there isn’t much they can do with it after building is complete. With this 635-piece toy, you have a remote-controlled device that (hopefully) won’t get smashed to bits once it is in motion. 

The Woobles Easy Peasy Beginner Bundle Crochet Kit 

Chances are your child wants a Squishmallow this year for the holidays. Now they can crochet their own cute, fluffy friend. One Lifehacker editor can’t recommend these enough for DIY-obsessed older kids—they include everything needed to stitch these animals together, including a crochet hook.

Illustory Book Making Kit

The one thing I love about Dav Pilkey’s collection of books (Captain Underpants and DogMan series) is that they encourage readers to write their own stories. With this gift, once your kid is done putting pen to paper, they can send in their masterpiece and will have a professionally printed hardcover book in a few weeks. 

Create Your Own Video Game Set

Kids can create and play their own 8-bit games on this Game Boy-like device. It works with the help of a web-based visual editor that will familiarize them with programming languages like JavaScript and Python. It also functions as a smartwatch and pedometer. 

Arts and Crafts Vault

If making friendship bracelets for the Taylor Swift tour whetted your child’s appetite for making their own jewelry, this kit has over 1000 pieces to get their next project off the ground. It includes everything from pipe cleaners to googly eyes!

Diary of an Awesome Kid

Even the great authors kept a journal. Give your kid a head start with this one, which has the best title and can be used as a diary, planner, or even a canvas for their illustrations. It comes in a variety of colors.

KidiZoom Creator Cam

Is your kid a movie fiend? Help them evolve from consumer to creator with this HD video camera designed specifically for the younger set. Kids can run away from dinosaurs, visit space, or put on their own newscasts with the included green screen. A selfie stick and tripod are included. 

Buddha Board

This painting board is usually marketed toward adults, but it’s also the perfect gift for your creative kid. You paint with water using a bamboo brush, but the masterpiece fades as it dries, returning to a blank slate. Adults see Zen; parents see a mess-free way for kids to express themselves. 

Kids Create Absurdity Card Game

This stocking stuffer has been described as Cards Against Humanity for the grade school set, and your entire family can have some fun together during winter break. 

Help your kid explore their creativity with one of these gifts:

• Learn to Mix & Spin DJ Pad ($47.95)

• Resources Building Blocks ($39.99)

• Art-chitect Home Building Kit ($67.92)

• Robot Building Toy ($63.19)

• The Woobles Easy Peasy Beginner Bundle Crochet Kit ($119.99)

• Illustory Book Making Kit ($29.95)

• Create Your Own Video Game Set ($85)

• Arts and Crafts Vault ($29.99) 

• Diary of an Awesome Kid ($6.87)

• KidiZoom Creator Cam ($38.99)

• Buddha Board ($37.95)

• Kids Create Absurdity Card Game ($13.99)

Source: LifeHacker – These Are the Best Holiday Gifts for Creative Kids