One of the most established names in video doorbells is Ring. While there’s now tons of competition in the video-doorbell space, Ring has expanded their functionality and product line and continues to be the go-to name for front door security. Before you get one, however, there are a few things to consider, like what type of model you’ll need and how you’ll mount it.

Choose the right Ring model

First, you need to know whether you’ll be able to support a wired camera, or if you need a wireless version. A wired doorbell camera will connect to the wiring that your existing doorbell uses and means you’ll never need to recharge your camera. Just be aware that even though it’s using the same wiring, a ring camera doesn’t sound your existing door chime—it alerts you via phone, and you can purchase a chime accessory to hear an alert in your home. If this wiring doesn’t exist, Ring has plenty of doorbells that are rechargeable. You’ll take them down overnight once in a while, connect them to a USB cable, and once they’re recharged, put them back up. This sounds labor-intensive, but it’s really not. Whether wired or wireless, Ring offers a few models to choose from. 

The most important requirement, regardless of which model you choose, is the ability for your internet signal to be relatively strong near the doorbell. This is how the doorbell will communicate with your phone, and send video back and forth. The faster the connection, the quicker you’ll receive notifications and be able to communicate with people at your front door via video.  

Consider your mount

Now you need to consider how and where you’ll mount your doorbell, and if it will require any accessories. For instance, if you live in an apartment building, you may not be “mounting” the doorbell on the wall, but may use a clamp just for this purpose, so the doorbell remains outside the door, but secure. If you are mounting the doorbell on siding, at a slant, you’ll need a “wedge” mount that compensates for the slant. If you need to aim your doorbell at an angle, rather than straight out from the house, you’ll want a swiveling mount. Some mounts allow for a vertical and a horizontal angle. If you’re able to mount the doorbell to a flat wall, aiming straight out, everything you need is in the box, and you won’t have to buy an additional mount. 

Assemble your tools

If you’re connecting a wired doorbell, you’ll need a screwdriver, a pair of wire strippers and your phone, as well as a voltage tester. For either wireless or wired, you’ll want a drill with your drill bit set, and a screwdriver or Phillips bit for your drill. You’ll also want a level, and some silicone caulk. 

Turn off the electricity to the doorbell to existing wiring (for a wired doorbell)

First, you’re going to want to make sure the electricity is off to your doorbell. If you have your voltage tester, an inexpensive tool to check if a wire is safe or hot, you can try to shut off just the circuit that controls your doorbell. Shut off the circuit you believe to a match, and then once you’ve removed the existing doorbell, carefully use the detector to double-check the electricity by touching the plastic tip of the tester to each wire to see if the tester sounds an alarm. If you don’t have a detector or you aren’t sure which circuit goes to the doorbell, turn off the main power instead. This should kill electric to your whole house.  Once you know the electricity is off to those wires, you can proceed.

Install the mounting plate

Using the mount you chose, trace where the mount should go by holding it against the wall, using a level to ensure it’s straight, and note where the screws will go. Now match a drill bit to the size of the screws included with the doorbell, and drill ½ inch deep where you noted the screw holes on the wall. Switch to the Phillips bit, and install the mount. In some cases, you’ll need to install the flat wall mount that came in the box to a wedge, angle or clamp mount you’ve bought. If so, do so now. 

Connect the wires (for a wired doorbell)

The wires that are coming out of the wall connect to the mount, not the doorbell. Follow the directions to ensure the right wires go to the right receptacle on the mount. Use the wire strippers as needed to create a nice clean wire connection by cutting off frayed or burned-out wire and stripping the end. Once the connections are made, you can proceed to installing the doorbell itself. 

Install the Ring app on your phone

If you haven’t yet, now is the time to install the Ring app for iPhone or Android. This is needed to proceed to the next step. Set up an account, and then add a new device. Select the doorbell you’ve purchased, and follow the directions. Make sure you have the box the doorbell came in, and the doorbell itself. There may be a QR code you’ll need for setup on the back of the doorbell or the box. Follow the prompts on the app—it may ask you turn on location services, and doing so will allow your doorbell to work properly.  The app will guide you through connecting the doorbell to your wifi, and how to test the doorbell. 

Mount the doorbell

Finally, it’s time to put the doorbell on the mount. The mount that came in the box has two hooks that secure the doorbell when you slide the doorbell down onto the mount. Then you simply secure it with the included screws, using the included screwdriver. If you are using another mount, directions may differ; follow the directions on the mount. An incredibly important tip: Do not lose the included screwdriver. You will need it to recharge your doorbell or to ever remove it. It is a unique screw head you cannot purchase except from Ring. 

Choose settings to personalize your Ring doorbell

With the doorbell mounted, powered and connected, it’s time to personalize it to your home and preferences. The Ring app guides you through what the camera can see, and how much of it the doorbell should focus on, in a setting called “motion zones.” If you have people walking up and down a sidewalk in front of your home all the time, you may want to adjust the motion zone so that the camera only focuses on foot traffic closer to the house. This setting is highly adjustable. 

You can also use schedules to decide how the doorbell should act and what it should act on. For instance, overnight you might want it to behave differently—perhaps you want it on “do not disturb” or it should focus on a different motion zone.  You’ll likely adjust it a number of times over the first few weeks to find what is comfortable for you. Once you find what works for you, you won’t need to readjust it. 

Get acquainted with the app

Now, you just need to get used to having a video doorbell! This means getting used to the different notifications (someone is at the door, someone rang the doorbell, someone left a package) and how you want to react. When someone rings the doorbell, do you want to respond by interacting with them? 

You can change the sound the phone makes when someone rings the bell, you can even set some auto responses for the doorbell. Going through the app will show you all the latest features you can play with. 

Enjoy your doorbell

A video doorbell can be a powerful tool to feel safe in your home, to ensure you catch packages while away from the house, or can aid the police with video if a break in does happen. Setting them up is just a few steps, and once you’ve done it, it’s very easy to do it again if needed.

Source: LifeHacker – How to Choose (and Install) the Right Ring Doorbell for You

Since their introduction back in 2016, AirPods have become a staple in Apple’s ecosystem, in no small part because of how well they work with all of Apple’s devices. While most AirPods users tend to use their earbuds with their iPhone while on the go, you can easily pair your AirPods to your Mac as well. There’s a reason it’s called the Apple ecosystem, after all. Here’s what to do.

How to pair AirPods to a MacBook

To connect your AirPods to your MacBook, first open up your Mac and go to System Settings, then click Bluetooth. (You can also access Bluetooth settings via Control Center in the top right of the menu bar, near the date and time. If Bluetooth isn’t already turned on your Mac, enable it.)

Next, pick up your AirPods case and open the lid. On the back of the case, you should see a button. Hold that button for a few seconds until it flashes white. (For AirPods Max, hold down the noise button until the light flashes white.) Go back to your Mac, and you should see your AirPods appear under Nearby Devices. Click on the Connect button next to your AirPods name.

Your MacBook might ask you to enable Siri and select your voice assistant settings. Once you do that, you’re done, and your AirPods are paired to your MacBook.

How to switch AirPods between Apple devices automatically

One cool benefit of the Apple ecosystem is the ability to easily switch which device your AirPods are connected to automatically, provided you have a compatible pair. First generation AirPods can’t handle auto-switching, but all other models—including second- and third-generation AirPods, first- and second-generation AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max—can do it.

If you’ve already paired your AirPods with your iPhone and are signed into your Apple account on both your iPhone and Mac, your AirPods should switch between all devices as you play media between them. So, when you’re using your AirPods with your iPhone but start up a video on your MacBook, your AirPods should automatically switch to your Mac seamlessly. However, if they don’t, you can always connect to them manually from Bluetooth settings on the device you want to listen to.

If you run into any additional technical difficulties with your AirPods, you can always try a reset.

Source: LifeHacker – Here’s How to Connect Your AirPods to a MacBook

Learning often requires taking different risks, whether it’s the willingness to try something new or trying after a failed attempt. For children, it’s this process of learning how to take risks and becoming comfortable with failure that can help them grow and develop. But encouraging them to take these risks, even when it’s scary and uncomfortable, can be a difficult task for parents. As research is showing, the willingness of a child to take risks in learning can depend on what their relationship with their parents look like.

Taking risks while learning  

In a recent study, conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, children who viewed their parents as being reliable were more willing to take risks while learning. In this study, which included more than 150 children, participants were asked questions about their home environment, which included their relationship with their parents, after which they were asked to play a series of games.  

Children who viewed their parents as being more reliable, which included answering yes to questions such as whether they could count on them to pick them at specific times, follow through on their promises, or predict their reaction to different situations, were more likely to take risks during the games.  

“The children from more stable backgrounds, they play around and experiment in our games. They use that to get a sense of how things work, maybe earning them more money or more points,” said Seth Pollak, a psychologist at University of Wisconsin-Madison and the lead researcher on the study, in a press release.  

Having parents who are seen as reliable can be thought of as a buffer for children, one that gives them the security to take risks and explore. “If you trust your parent is there, you trust the reliability and the stability, it allows you to venture off and come back,” says Sarah Greenberg, executive director of behavior change and expertise for Understood.org, which is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting people with learning differences. “It’s almost like this internalized feeling of a safety net.” 

It’s this sense of reliability and predictability that gives kids the sense that it’s okay to take risks and to fail, as they have a parent at home that they can count on, who will be there to support them.  

Look for patterns of behavior

Creating a supportive learning environment for your child often includes identifying what they struggle with and what they need. One way to do that is to track certain behaviors over time, looking for patterns. “Your child can’t necessarily tell you what they need, but they are often showing you,” Greenberg says.  

For example, if your child is consistently having a meltdown after school, that could be a sign that they are overwhelmed or overstimulated from the school day, and need some extra time to decompress before starting their homework. Other behaviors could include refusals to do something, such as writing with a pencil or doing their math homework, which may be a sign they are struggling in specific areas.  

Small, consistent routines make a difference

Oen way to create consistency and reliability, even when swamped with all of the day-to-day demands of raising a family, is to develop small, but consistent routines with your child. “One positive routine can be a really good starting point,” Greenberg says.  

In terms of these routines, it’s less about how big or time-consuming they are, and more about their predictability. For example, it could be making the effort to give them 10 minutes of undivided attention when they come home from school, making it a habit to play LEGOs with them every Friday evening, or a predictable bedtime routine. “Ten or 20 minutes of consistent, positive attention can make such a world of difference,” Greenberg says.  

The key is to make it consistent and enjoyable, to give your child a sense that their parents are there for them. “It’s not about the rigidity, it’s really about the solidity, that the child feels the ground beneath them,” Greenberg says.  

Source: LifeHacker – To Become Adventurous Learners, Kids Need Routine

If you’re looking for the Wordle answer for December 15, 2023, read on. We’ll share some clues, tips, and strategies, and finally the solution. Today’s puzzle is medium difficulty; I took five guesses but only because I made a dumb mistake. Beware, there are spoilers below for December 15, Wordle #909! Keep scrolling if you want some hints (and then the answer) to today’s Wordle game.

How to play Wordle

Wordle lives here on the New York Times website. A new puzzle goes live every day at midnight, your local time.

Start by guessing a five-letter word. The letters of the word will turn green if they’re correct, yellow if you have the right letter in the wrong place, or gray if the letter isn’t in the day’s secret word at all. For more, check out our guide to playing Wordle here, and my strategy guide here for more advanced tips. (We also have more information at the bottom of this post, after the hints and answers.)

Ready for the hints? Let’s go!

Does today’s Wordle have any unusual letters?

We’ll define common letters as those that appear in the old typesetters’ phrase ETAOIN SHRDLU. (Memorize this! Pronounce it “Edwin Shirdloo,” like a name, and pretend he’s a friend of yours.)

Three of the letters are on our common list. The other two are middlingly common. Nothing unusual today–not even that X I mistakenly thought might be in the mix.

Can you give me a hint for today’s Wordle?

Teenagers like a “hot” one of these. (Or maybe they don’t anymore, I don’t know much about teenagers.) 

Does today’s Wordle have any double or repeated letters?

Nope, not today!

How many vowels are in today’s Wordle?

There are two different vowels in today’s word.

What letter does today’s Wordle start with?

Today’s word starts with T.

What letter does today’s Wordle end with?

Today’s word ends with C.

What is the solution to today’s Wordle?

Ready? Today’s word is TOPIC.

How I solved today’s Wordle

ARISE got me the I; TOUCH got me the T, O, and I. Obviously it’s TOXIC, right? It was not. Well then, of course it’s TONIC—nope. I examined the keyboard closely before deciding TOPIC was the only plausible answer left. If I had realized I needed to choose between three similar words, I would have played something like NEXUS for my third guess to narrow down whether I needed an N, P, or X. 

Wordle 909 5/6

⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
🟩🟩⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟩⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

A primer on Wordle basics

The idea of Wordle is to guess the day’s secret word. When you first open the Wordle game, you’ll see an empty grid of letters. It’s up to you to make the first move: type in any five-letter word. 

Now, you can use the colors that are revealed to get clues about the word: 

• Green means you correctly guessed a letter, and it’s in the correct position. (For example, if you guess PARTY, and the word is actually PURSE, the P and R will be green.)

• Yellow means the letter is somewhere in the word, but not in the position you guessed it. (For example, if you guessed PARTY, but the word is actually ROAST, the R, A and T will all be yellow.)

• Gray means the letter is not in the solution word at all. (If you guessed PARTY and everything is gray, then the solution cannot be PURSE or ROAST.)

With all that in mind, guess another word, and then another, trying to land on the correct word before you run out of chances. You get six guesses, and then it’s game over.

The best starter words for Wordle

What should you play for that first guess? The best starters tend to contain common letters, to increase the chances of getting yellow and green squares to guide your guessing. (And if you get all grays when guessing common letters, that’s still excellent information to help you rule out possibilities.) There isn’t a single “best” starting word, but the New York Times’s Wordle analysis bot has suggested starting with one of these:

• CRANE

• TRACE

• SLANT

• CRATE

• CARTE

Meanwhile, an MIT analysis found that you’ll eliminate the most possibilities in the first round by starting with one of these:

• SALET

• REAST

• TRACE

• CRATE

• SLATE

Other good picks might be ARISE or ROUND. Words like ADIEU and AUDIO get more vowels in play, but you could argue that it’s better to start with an emphasis on consonants, using a starter like RENTS or CLAMP. Choose your strategy, and see how it plays out.

How to win at Wordle

We have a few guides to Wordle strategy, which you might like to read over if you’re a serious student of the game. This one covers how to use consonants to your advantage, while this one focuses on a strategy that uses the most common letters. In this advanced guide, we detail a three-pronged approach for fishing for hints while maximizing your chances of winning quickly.

The biggest thing that separates Wordle winners from Wordle losers is that winners use their guesses to gather information about what letters are in the word. If you know that the word must end in -OUND, don’t waste four guesses on MOUND, ROUND, SOUND, and HOUND; combine those consonants and guess MARSH. If the H lights up in yellow, you know the solution.

One more note on strategy: the original Wordle used a list of about 2,300 solution words, but after the game was bought by the NYT, the game now has an editor who hand-picks the solutions. Sometimes they are slightly tricky words that wouldn’t have made the original list, and sometimes they are topical. For example, FEAST was the solution one Thanksgiving. So keep in mind that there may be a theme.

Wordle alternatives

If you can’t get enough of five-letter guessing games and their kin, the best Wordle alternatives, ranked by difficulty, include:

• Wheeldle, which lets you play one puzzle after another

• Dordle and Quordle, which ask you to play two (Dordle) or four (Quordle) puzzles at the same time, with the same guesses. There is also Octordle, with eight puzzles, and Sedecordle, with 16.

• Waffle, which shows you several five-letter words, scrambled in a grid; you play by swapping the letters around until you solve.

• Absurdle, which changes the solution after each guess, but needs to stay consistent with its previous feedback. You have to strategically back it into a corner until there is only one possible word left; then you guess it, and win.

• Squabble, in which you play Wordle against other people with a timer running. You take damage if you spend too much time between guesses; winner is the last one standing.

• Antiwordle, in which you are trying not to guess the day’s solution. You’re required to reuse any letters that you (oops) guessed correctly, so the longer it takes you, the better you are at the game.

Source: LifeHacker – Today’s Wordle Hints (and Answer) for Friday, December 15, 2023

When home improvement projects require tools or equipment that even avid DIYers don’t have in their well-stocked garages, basements, or sheds, renting the items you need might be the best option—or at least one to consider. If you’re new to tool rental and are unsure where to start, here are some expert insights into where to rent the items you need and how much you can expect to pay.

Best places to rent tools and equipment

Your tool-rental options largely depend on where you live and what’s in or near your area—but generally speaking, here are the best places to rent tools and equipment.

Big-box home and garden retailers

Most Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Menards locations have tool-rental departments. One the plus side, these large chains are competitive in price and often located within driving distance, says Tom Yates, an asbestos abatement contractor and the founder of Asbestos Sampling. The downside, he says, is that many customers may want to rent the same tools at the same time, so if you don’t reserve yours in advance, the ones you need may be out of stock.

Independent hardware stores

While you can find True Value and Ace Hardware stores throughout the country, all True Value locations and most Ace outposts are independently owned and operated, and many offer tool rentals. Other local, independent hardware stores often do too. Their selection may not be as large as the large national chains, but often have better customer service and more knowledgable staff.

Rental companies

There are also dedicated rental companies—some of which offer a wide range of tools and equipment, while others are more specialized. For example, there are more than 950 Sunbelt Rentals locations across the country, some of which offer delivery and collection service. That is convenient when you don’t have the time to go and collect the item yourself. There may also be independent rental companies in your area. For more specialized tools and expert advice, local rental companies might be the way to go, according to Drew Mansur, the co-founder and director of TileCloud.

Tool-shares or tool libraries

Technically, you don’t rent items from tool-shares or tool libraries: You borrow them. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, we’re talking about neighborhood or community groups, or sections of public libraries where people can borrow tools instead of buying them. Mansur says they are great for basic tools and large equipment, and are either free to loan or are affordable.

How much does it cost to rent tools?

The cost of renting tools or equipment depends on multiple factors, including:

• The type item you’re renting

• Whether you’re opting for higher-end/professional-grade or lower-end versions

• How long you need the item (e.g., number of hours, days, etc.)

• The rental options in your area

Mansur estimates that the rental cost for a basic power tool will be around $30 to $50 a day. The prices go up from there, especially on larger pieces of equipment. And while shelling out a few hundred dollars to rent some equipment for a day may seem like a lot, it’s still probably cheaper than purchasing it yourself or hiring professionals to do a job and use their own equipment.

It’s also important to note that rental costs aren’t necessarily consistent in different locations of the same big-box retailer or rental chain, so select your local branch when looking up prices. Though the Menards website indicates that their rental costs may vary depending on the location, it does provide this price list (last updated in June 2023), which can give you an idea of what to expect.

Lastly, while some tool-shares or tool libraries are free to use, others have membership fees, which could cost up to $200/year.

Source: LifeHacker – The Best Places to Rent Tools and Equipment (and What It Will Cost)

The promise of AI chatbots lies in their seemingly infinite wisdom and asking them any question you can think of—plus the simpler stuff, like writing a thank-you note, crafting a cover letter, or even having a spoken conversation. However, there are limitations. I’ve previously turned to ChatGPT to test out its personal finance expertise, only to be told: “As an AI language model, I cannot provide financial advice or make specific investment recommendations…you may want to consult with a financial advisor who can provide personalized advice based on your individual financial situation and goals.” In other words: Don’t go to chatbots to make financial decisions.

Now, however, H&R Block has released a new AI chatbot specifically for your tax questions—an arena where, in the past, I’d say AI should not be trusted. Using conversational AI, this virtual tax expert can answer many of your common tax questions and supplement your understanding of the tax process, and it seems surprisingly useful.

What to know about H&R Block’s AI tax assistant

To reiterate, I’m hesitant to use AI when it comes to any sort of financial guidance. After all, as ChatGPT itself explains to users: “The system may occasionally generate incorrect or misleading information and produce offensive or biased content. It is not intended to give advice.”

Here’s where this AI Tax Assist is different: H&R Block promises is that its AI model does not randomly pull information from the internet. Instead, the company says that it trained the chatbot only on H&R Block’s library of tax laws and refined with the help of its many accountants, lawyers, and other tax professionals. Plus, the chatbot will point people to a human tax expert for more personalized advice, if needed.

How to use the H&R Block AI chatbot

H&R Block said that while AI Tax Assist is not available on the free version of its app, it will not increase the prices of its subscription tiers that will have access to the conversational AI platform. Paid plans start at $35. 

The chatbot is designed to feel like a natural conversation, allowing you to phrase questions conversationally instead of needing to use specific keywords. You can use this tool to help explain tax forms you may need to file, eligibility for certain credits and deductions, estimated payment requirements, and much more. It can also provide helpful definitions for tax terminology you may encounter.

For instance, you can use the chatbot to ask questions specific to your situation, like, “What can I deduct as business expenses as an Uber driver?” Then you’ll be provided with a list of allowed deductions, as opposed to having to search through painfully dense IRS resources.

Between keeping track of paperwork, making sure you don’t miss any deductions, and getting accurate answers to your questions, taxes are always a headache. By supplementing self-service options like H&R Block’s chatbot, you can get more done on your own, saving time and money on your taxes. And as a final reminder, you’re probably eligible to file your taxes for free.

Source: LifeHacker – This AI Tax Assistant Actually Seems Pretty Useful

With the likes of Starfield, Diablo IV, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, among others, 2023 been a very good year for video game releases. With so many games to choose from, it would be understandable if Alan Wake 2 flew under your radar. But if it did, I have good news for you: this is the best time to buy the award-winning horror shooting game. Currently, you can get Alan Wake 2 on PC for $26.79 (originally $49.99) from Epic Games and get Alan Wake Remastered for free. But it’s not as straightforward as you might think.

About the Game of the Year nominee

When someone has car trouble on TV or in a movie, the scene typically shows the character pulled over on the side of the road, standing in front of their vehicle’s open hood, watching smoke billow out. Regardless what viewers know about cars, that dramatic visual suggests that the car has overheated.

But just because people are aware of the possibility of their car overheating doesn’t mean they know how to tell if it’s happening or how to handle the situation. That’s why Lifehacker enlisted the help of some expert mechanics to walk us through the signs that your car is overheating, and what you should do next.

The signs a car is overheating

When we talk about a car overheating, we’re really referring to the engine overheating. The good news is that your car isn’t going to go from everything running as it should, to smoke (or more likely steam) coming out from under the hood in an instant. First, there will be clues that something is wrong. “When you’ve been around cars as long as I have, you get familiar with the signs of an engine running hot,” says Robert Walden, a longtime mechanic and founder of Vehicle Freak.

But before we get into those, we should point out that these signs are based on some of the most common scenarios and is not an exhaustive list. Plus, as John Lin, a mechanic and the owner of JB Motor Works points out, “different car makes and models may have other specific needs or symptoms.”

Generally speaking, some common signs that a vehicle is overheating include:

You smell something sweet

If your car is beginning to overheat, you may notice a sweet, warm smell, or see a vapor. “This is antifreeze, and will likely be the first symptom that a closer look may be required,” Andy Saari, A.S.E. certified master technician and founder of Nexedge Technician, says. When a car is running properly, we’re not able to smell its various fluids while driving, because they’re busy keeping the car cool, Lin explains. “So, a smell [of fluids] could indicate [that] they’re leaking onto hot parts of the engine,” he says.

A high reading on the temperature gauge

Most traditional temperature gauges don’t include numbers, but instead represent a range from cold to hot (C to H), with the hot end of the scale usually shown in red. “The temperature gauge pushing into the red zone is a dead giveaway—time to back off and give that baby some breathing room,” says Walden.

A dashboard warning light or indicator

Temperature gauges, like the ones described above, are no longer standard in every vehicle, Saari points out. Instead, your check engine or temperature warning light might light up or start to flash, according to Lin. Some vehicles also have a dedicated low-coolant light; if it turns on or flashes, it’s a sign that your car is in danger of overheating.

Strange sounds

According to Walden, if you hear knocking or rattling noises while driving, it probably means that the parts in your car’s engine are in desperate need of oil’s lubrication.

You smell something burning

The scent of an overheating engine isn’t always sweet. According to Michael Dominguez, a certified master mechanic and the founder of Car Fixer Guide, you may also get a whiff of “an unusual smell, like burning rubber or hot oil.” When you notice either of those odors—or the smell of burning plastic—”that’s hot components in the engine bay reaching their limit,” Walden explains.

Weak or sputtering engine

If you notice your engine sputtering and lacking power when you hit the gas, it could be a sign of a problem with your car that’s causing it to overheat, says Walden.

The hood is hot

If you’ve pull over and gotten out of the car, carefully touch the hood. “If the hood feels like a frying pan, with heat wafting up in visible waves, trouble’s brewing under there,” says Walden.

Steam coming from under the hood

Lastly, if you notice what Walden describes as “clouds of steam billowing out from under the hood,” you need to take action as soon as possible.

What to do if your car is overheating

If you recognize one or more signs indicating that your car is likely overheating, it’s important to act immediately. “Understanding and responding correctly to overheating can prevent significant damage to your vehicle and ensure your safety on the road,” Dominguez says. Here’s what to do:

Pull over as soon as you can

Once you suspect that your car is overheating, pull over to the side of the road as soon as you have the opportunity to do so safely, Dominguez, Lin, and Walden all point out. Then “shut off the engine immediately, before it boils over or gets damaged,” says Walden, but “don’t even think about opening the hood till it’s cooled down.”

Turn off the AC and turn on the heat

For a variety of reasons, it’s not always possible to pull over immediately upon realizing your car might be overheating. So while you’re looking for somewhere to stop, Lin recommends switching off your air conditioning and turning on your heat. In fact, Saari and Walden advise cracking the heat up to the highest setting. “This can help draw heat away from the engine,” Dominguez explains. “However, this is a temporary measure and shouldn’t replace stopping and addressing the issue.”

Adjust your driving and route

While you’re looking for somewhere safe to pull over, Lin says that “driving a bit slower and avoiding steep inclines can help.”

Your car might self-adjust

As technology advances, cars getting better at self-regulating—including when it comes to engine temperature. “Modern vehicles have a self-protection mode built into the computer that helps protect the engine in the event it begins to overheat,” Saari explains. “It usually involves shutting down cylinders to reduce engine temperature, and power.”

When this happens, the car may eventually shut down completely, says Saari. “The engine fan will also likely sound much louder than normal, because it will be running at its highest speed,” he adds.

What to keep in your car in case it overheats

Whether you already stock your vehicle with emergency supplies or you’re putting your first kit together, here’s what the experts we interviewed recommend keeping in your car to ensure you’re prepared if it ends up overheating:

• Basic set of tools, like this one from Stalwart ($14.71)

• A gallon of prediluted coolant, like Valvoline Multi-Vehicle 50/50 Prediluted Ready-to-Use Antifreeze/Coolant ($20.17)

• Distilled water

• An engine coolant additive, like Red Line Water Wetter Super Coolant ($11.89)

• LED flashlight or headlamp, like this one from Energizer ($10.40 for two), which is also water resistant

• Owner’s manual

• First aid kit, like this one from YIDERBO ($12.91)

• Extra phone charger

If you’re starting from scratch, you may want to purchase a complete car emergency kit. Saari recommends the Everlit Roadside Emergency Kit ($64.95). “It has a warning triangle and a blanket, along with other items that may be helpful in different situations,” he says.

Source: LifeHacker – What to Do If Your Car Is Overheating, According to Mechanics

Considering everything that can go wrong with your car, running out of gas is among the most frustrating, because it’s also one of the most preventable. But when you’re out driving and notice your low-fuel light is illuminated, what can you do to make sure the gas you have will get you to the next gas station?

I talked to a few mechanics to find out the best ways to conserve fuel when you’re running on empty, and to gauge how far you can expect your remaining gas to take you. “We’ve all made mistakes and let the tank get too low,” says Robert Walden, a longtime mechanic and founder of Vehicle Freak, but your mistake doesn’t necessarily need to result in a walk to the nearest gas station.

How far can you drive on empty?

The good news is that unless you’re driving a fairly old car with an analog fuel gauge, “once the low-fuel light comes on, you will probably see a distance to empty mileage that is usually fairly accurate,” says Andy Saari, an A.S.E. certified master technician and founder of Nexedge Technician. But fairly might not be good enough if you aren’t sure how far you are from a gas station—and while your electronic gauge will give you a better idea of how far you can get on your remaining fuel, Saari says this number can fluctuate depending on the driving conditions.

It’s hard to determine precisely how many miles a car can drive on “empty” or with the low-fuel light on, but generally speaking, you’ll typically make it another 30 to 50 miles before your vehicle stops, says John Lin, owner and head mechanic at JB Motor Works. though once again, this can vary with the car’s model, fuel efficiency, and other factors.

“Idling is the least fuel efficient method, since you’re burning gas and not going anywhere,” Saari explains. “This is why many of today’s vehicles have an auto start-stop feature, which under certain conditions, will shut the engine off at stop signs or when idling.”

How to conserve fuel when you’re almost out of gas

In the event that you’re running low on gas while driving in an isolated area, or stuck in traffic with no fuel station accessible, here are a few strategies for making the fuel you have last as long as possible, courtesy of the mechanics I interviewed:

Turn off the air conditioning

When every ounce of fuel matters, switching off the air conditioning may help reduce engine load, says Saari. However, he says that another common suggestion—turning off your car’s stereo—won’t make any difference in your fuel usage. “The energy usage will be insignificant,” he notes.

Avoid rapid acceleration

If you notice that you’re running low on gas, you may be tempted to increase your speed to get to a gas station faster, but Walden warns against that. “Take it easy on the gas pedal, and avoid speeding up too fast, which wastes gas,” he explains. “I know being late can make you hit the gas, but going slow saves fuel when the tank is low.”

Keep your speed down

While we’re on the subject of acceleration, Lin recommends avoiding driving at high speeds, noting, “Your vehicle’s fuel efficiency decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 miles per hour.”

Avoid hard braking

Along with rapid acceleration, slamming on the brakes can also burn more fuel than necessary, Lin says.

Avoid unnecessary stopping and starting

Smooth, steady driving without frequent stops and starts helps to conserve fuel, says Michael Dominguez, a certified master mechanic and the founder of Car Fixer Guide. “Adjusting your route to minimize stop-and-go traffic is also beneficial,” he adds.

Ultimately, it’s best not to make driving with your low-fuel light on a habit. “[Doing so] frequently can potentially harm the fuel system, as debris or sediments which normally settle at the base of the tank may get sucked into the fuel pump and damage it,” Lin says.

Source: LifeHacker – Five Ways to Conserve Fuel When You’re Running on Empty

The internet is a wild place. Some of it is appropriate to consume in any environment, but plenty of it is NSFW, for one reason or another. Whether you’re browsing the darker side of the internet at home or at work, there may be times when no one should see your screen—and if they do, you may be mortified, chewed out, or fired.

But what are you going to do: Only look at what the people around you expect you to? Don’t be ridiculous. It’s your right to watch Netflix at work, dammit. So the only thing to do is watch in existential horror, ready to pull the plug on your PC at the first sign of your boss.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Opera GX has a new feature it’s calling the “panic button.” With one press of the button, Opera mutes every tab open in your browser and hides all windows, replacing them with a preset selection of boring, SFW options. That way, should someone walk into the room you’re browsing in, you can “panic” your PC into a socially acceptable state.

How to use Opera GX’s panic button

The panic button is available now in Opera GX; to use it, make sure you’re running the latest version of the gaming browser on your Mac or PC. (This won’t be available in Opera’s standard browser, just FYI.) Once you open Opera GX, head to Settings, then, under GX, scroll down and click Early Bird. This section gives you the option to enable features that are currently being tested and aren’t available as default in the app. It just so happens panic button is one such feature. When you click Early Bird, all in-testing features will be enabled, not just panic button. Scan through the other options to see if they’re things you want in your browser: If not, toggle them off, then hit Relaunch to finalize your choices.

Now that panic button is enabled, try it out! Just hit F12, and, by default, Opera GX will randomly choose one of the following links to replace the windows you currently have open:

• YouTube

• Twitter

• Wikipedia

• Google Docs

• Twitch

• Reddit

• Gmail

• Github

• Google News

• Steam

Those options may be fine when browsing at home, but if you’re using Opera at work, your boss may raise an eyebrow when they see YouTube or Twitch on your screen. Luckily, you can customize this list to contain any sites you want. Just head back into Settings, then click on Panic button from just above the Early bird option. Add any new sites you want to the rotation, or edit or delete the defaults.

Source: LifeHacker – Every Browser Should Have Opera GX’s New ‘Panic Button’

If you tend to feel sad during the darker months of the year, it’s well known that getting some sunlight can help. If you can’t get enough sunlight, a light therapy box (shining in your general direction while you eat breakfast) is the next best thing. But there is also a gadget that some people swear by–earbuds that act as tiny flashlights, shining light into your ear canals. Are they legit? 

One skin care TikToker, @emmahoareau1, posted a brief review of her LED headphones for people who “get seasonal affective disorder like me,” concluding that they were “absolutely life changing.” A follow-up video went viral, and commenters began arguing whether it’s possible for light to usefully reach your brain from this device.

Your brain may, in fact, be able to detect light 

The most obvious question is: does the light actually get to your brain, and if so, does the brain know it’s there? Surprisingly, the answers to these questions are: yes, and probably. 

Scientists have been studying that first question–whether light can shine through brain tissues–for decades. In a 1963 study, a light detector (sort of like a mini solar panel) was mounted on the end of a needle, and then the needle was stuck into brain of a sheep, dog, rabbit, or rat–in some cases dead, in others alive but anesthetized. The investigators shone a bright light at different parts of each animal’s head. They did some of the tests indoors and some in sunlight, and they shielded different parts of the head with aluminum foil to figure out where the light was coming in. Their conclusions: light does reach the brain pretty easily, especially through the temples, where the bone is particularly thin. 

We also know that there are light-detecting proteins found in various body parts, including the brain. They may help birds to know what season it is, for example, but so far there is no clear explanation of why humans have these proteins or whether they play a role in seasonal mood disorders.

In 2016, a different group of researchers found evidence that light in the ear canals does something detectable to the brain, but it’s not clear whether that’s good, bad, or whether it accomplishes anything meaningful at all. 

The researchers took a photo of a cadaver skull with a Valkee device (similar to the one in the TikTok) in its ears. The light is bright enough to shine through bone into the brain. That’s not the same as saying that the device works, though: “Whether chronic bright light delivery via the ear canals bears clinically applicable benefits is beyond the scope of this study.”

There’s little to no evidence suggesting these headphones do what they say

It’s a big leap between “light can reach the brain” to “this will cure your seasonal affective disorder,” and that’s where this product gets stuck. 

The light therapy headset used in the TikTok–which is, as far as I can tell, the only major brand of these–is made by Valkee. Their current product is called the HumanCharger, and it retails for $200. 

The company commissioned several studies on their product, and in the early years of their marketing they seemed to lean on these pretty heavily. A 2012 television program in Finland, where Valkee is based, confronted the company about their marketing claims and pointed out to viewers that their studies don’t hold up to scrutiny. Many don’t have adequate placebos, all have conflicts of interest (with company founders and board members as authors), and most were not published in peer-reviewed journals. At the time, their only peer-reviewed paper was in Medical Hypotheses, a journal dedicated to exploring “radical hypotheses which would be rejected by most conventional journals.”

At the time, the company’s website mentioned migraine and jet lag among the conditions their product could treat; notably, the current HumanCharger website avoids any such claims. A marketing video shows a woman entering a hotel room, suitcase rolling behind her, alongside a caption saying the device “gives you a boost of energy.” In another shot, it says that the device combats “the blues.” 

I’m not buying it

Research since then hasn’t been any more promising. One 2014 study whose authors include Valkee employees and shareholders claimed that the device decreased people’s scores on depression surveys. But there was no control group; the researchers were just looking for evidence that people who got the highest dose of light would fare better than those who got the lowest dose. They didn’t. 

An unrelated group of researchers, experts in chronobiology, tested people’s melatonin levels, subjective sleepiness, and their performance on attention tasks after using a Valkee device. They found no difference between people who used the device versus a “sham” version that didn’t emit light. (Visible light produced a strong response, as you would expect.) They titled their paper: “Extraocular light via the ear canal does not acutely affect human circadian physiology, alertness and psychomotor vigilance performance.” 

Other studies on circadian rhythm have not found any solid evidence that our body clock can be entrained by light from the ears, behind the knees, or any other location except the eyes. Interestingly, our eyes’ ability to sense daylight seems to be separate from our sense of vision. Many blind people find that their circadian rhythms get out of sync with daylight, but some have their light-detecting systems intact even without vision.

So there’s no strong evidence for the idea that light-up earbuds do anything; and there’s a decent amount of evidence suggesting that they’re probably bullshit. I feel happy for everyone who bought this device and feels their life is better as a result (lord knows I have my own emotional-support placebos), but I would recommend that you, dear reader, save your money.

Source: LifeHacker – No, Light-Emitting Headphones Won’t Cure Your Seasonal Depression

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year—unless you don’t celebrate it. Then you’re stuck in a mostly shut down world with seemingly nothing to do. Fortunately, you still have quite a few options, whether you’re along or with friends, to make Dec. 25 a fun day off, regardless of your observances.

The Obvious Stuff: Chinese restaurants and movies

Chinese restaurants and movie theaters traditionally stay open on Christmas day for those of us who don’t celebrate and/or have nowhere else to go. Just getting some orange chicken and seeing what’s playing at the multiplex can make for a fun Christmas day. While this guide will include ways to find other activities, you shouldn’t rule out these tried-and-true non-Christmas activities. They’re staples of the un-holiday for a good reason.

Chinese food is a great Christmas option, but it’s not the only choice

Finding a Chinese restaurant that’s open on Christmas doesn’t take much work. Just search Yelp for options near you. A few phone calls should find you a meal pretty quickly. If you’re in a larger city with a large cluster of Chinese restaurants (e.g. a Chinatown), you can head straight there—but don’t forget to make a reservation, even if it’s just dinner for you or a small party. Popular restaurants sometimes receive so much overflow business on Christmas day that they can’t accommodate everyone. You may not run into a problem, but it’s always better to be prepared.

If Chinese food isn’t your thing (or your reservation doesn’t work out), look at restaurants serving any non-European cuisine. This is a good time to check out that Vietnamese place you’ve been eyeing, or to get some Halah Thai food. Plenty of establishments that serve non-Western dishes do close on Christmas because they feel they won’t get enough business to justify the cost of staying open, so check the hours online or give them a call to make sure.

Going to the movies: A classic Christmas Day activity

For Christmas entertainment, movies are the traditional choice. Several new ones always come out on Christmas day, because theaters attract both people who don’t celebrate Christmas, and people who celebrate the holiday but want to get away from their families. Going to the movies on Christmas is so popular, it’s a good idea to get your tickets ahead of time—hit up Fandango, MovieTickets.com, or order directly from your theater of choice. Consider hitting up the out-of-the-way or pricier theater with the table service or the cushy recliners that you usually don’t go to, which can make it feel like more of an occasion.

If there’s a nearby theater that provides seat assignments, consider going there even if you have to drive a little further. Christmas is a very busy time at the movie theater and you don’t want to get stuck in the front row. Regardless of assigned seats, however, you should still arrive a little early. People traffic and parking can make you late on a busy day.

Some less-obvious options for Christmas day fun

Chinese restaurants and movie theaters aren’t the only establishments open on Christmas. A number of other retail chains—and even some local stores—keep limited hours for the minority who do not celebrate the holiday.

Activities

Several attractions remain open on Christmas day, especially in larger cities. As always, call ahead before making plans. Here are some options:

• Go skiing or snowboarding: Most mountains are open on Christmas and the lift lines are blissfully empty. There’s no better way of celebrating a winter-based holiday than on a wide open mountain.

• Pretend to be a tourist: Tourist attractions tend to stay open on Christmas, especially in larger cities. This includes places like Madame Tussaud’s and Ripley’s Believe It or Not as well as zipline and Segway tours. Find out what’s local to your area and chances are they’ll have special Christmas hours. Of course, many tourist attractions don’t have to remain open for you to enjoy them. If want to check out a monument or historical landmark, they’re still around on Christmas and will cost you nothing.

• Visit a park or skating rink: It may be cold outside (in some places), but if you bundle up you can enjoy a park or skating rink. Bring some friends and get a game of snow football together. Take a sled with you if your park has a big hill. When you get home, make some hot chocolate and enjoy being warm again.

• Get a room: If you’ve got some spare cash lying around and have nothing better to do, get a room at a hotel. Hotels can’t really close on Christmas, and they typically offer plenty of amenities. As always, be sure to call ahead and find out if there are any Christmas day restrictions.

• Volunteer: Not having anything to do on Christmas isn’t exactly a big life problem that needs solving. Other people have nowhere to go and nothing to eat. If you’ve got nothing to do, use that time to volunteer and help people who need it. Check your local homeless shelters and non-profit organizations for possibilities. Look at VolunteerMatch if you can’t locate anything easily. Your local Craigslist has a volunteer board you can look at as well.

• Use Christmas as a catch-up day: Is everyone out of town? Have you been neglecting chores, work, your hobbies, or even working on a few DIY projects? While getting things done may not be anyone’s first choice on their day off, Christmas or otherwise, you can spend at least part of your day knocking a few things off your to-do list and the rest of the time relaxing. That way you’ll get a break and still feel accomplished.

• Spend time with friends and family at home: Not celebrating Christmas doesn’t mean you can’t spend the day with family and/or friends. Get together with your family )(or family of choice) and play games, watch a movie, cook together, talk, or whatever else you’ll all enjoy. You don’t have to go out to have fun, so don’t rule out staying in with people you care about.

These are just a handful of options. A few local activities and attractions, such as arcades, laser tag, spas, and sports clubs often stay open on Christmas day. We couldn’t possibly list them all here, but call a few places to find out if they’re open. You might be surprised.

Many chain restaurants are open on Christmas Day

Some national chain restaurants remain open on Christmas day, so if you aren’t a fan of Chinese food you can often count on them. There’s a restaurant chain open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for all tastes, from Applebee’s, to Benihana, to Denny’s, Fogo de Chão, and more. Keep in mind that all franchises often do not follow the same schedule, so while one Burger King may be open on Christmas, another may not. Call ahead first.

Drug and convenience stores are usually open. Grocery chains often are not

You won’t find much to celebrate at a store, but many chains traditionally stay open for a short time on Christmas day, including Walgreens, CVS, and 7-Eleven. Grocery store chains are generally not open on December 25—Costco, Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and many others will be shuttered for the holiday.

Plan ahead

Because so many places are closed on Christmas day, the one thing you must do is plan ahead. This won’t take more than 15-20 minutes in most cases, and can ensure you won’t run into any unwanted disappointments during the day. Just follow these steps:

1. Make a list of the places you want to go.

2. Call nearby locations to confirm they’ll be open, as not every chain follows corporate holiday hour recommendations. It’s always a good idea to find out their exact hours for Christmas day, too.

3. Make reservations at any restaurant(s) you plan to visit.

4. Put together a basic timeline of the day, accounting for travel time, so you don’t lose any reservations, miss a movie, or arrive after the store closes.

If you follow those steps you’ll be ready to enjoy a very special non-Christmas, whether you’re going solo or enjoying the day with others.

Source: LifeHacker – What to Do on Christmas When You Don’t Celebrate

Pinterest is hands down one of the best websites for sparking creative ideas. Unfortunately, Pinterest also puts up a major roadblock to your research: It constantly asks you to sign in or make an account before you can browse the various pins.

Luckily, there are a few secret ways to get around Pinterest’s incessant nagging to create an account, making it much easier to searching the website without one.

Search using “site:pinterest.com”

Perhaps one of the most useful ways to search any website is to use Google’s built-in site search. To do this, you’ll need to head to the Google search page, then type in the keyword you’re looking for and follow it up with site:pinterest.com.

For example, if you’re looking for inspiration on kitchen remodels, you can head to Google and type in “kitchen designs site:pinterest.com,” and it will pull up a bunch of results from Pinterest with that keyword. The only downside to this method is that Pinterest will still bug you to log in when you’re visiting the site, but you can close out of the window and look at the pin without much interference. Pro tip: This search tip works with any site. Try looking for something on our site using site:lifehacker.com.

Use a third-party browser extension

It seems like there’s an audience out there that want to be able to use Pinterest without having to log in. As such, developers have created browser extensions to help with that task.

While there are no extensions for Chrome in this space, the Mozilla Firefox extension store has one called Pinterest Guest. It removes the popup and makes browsing Pinterest easier without having to log in. To use it, you’ll need to download Pinterest Guest and activate it in the browser. From there, it’s as simple as browsing Pinterest, clicking the pin in the extension bar, and taking advantage of all the Pinterest pins you can find.

Use Pinterest’s explore page

Despite how incessant Pinterest can be about logging in to view pins, you can actually explore Pinterest without an account if you head over to the website’s Explore page.

Typically when you travel to Pinterest, it automatically takes you to the landing page, which asks you to log in. However, if you go to Pinterest and then click the Explore option near the top, it’ll actually take you to the Explore page, where you can search for specific keywords, see what is trending, and even browse the different categories and topics that the website offers.

Source: LifeHacker – How to Search Pinterest Without Being Badgered to Log In

There was a time when writing a check to buy things was so common it was a skill taught in elementary schools. Today, less than 5% of all transactions involve a paper check. We tend to buy everything using credit cards, cash apps, and digital payments, which means the age of writing hilarious jokes on the memo line of a paper check is over, which is sad.

But not all paper checks have gone the way of the dinosaurs. There are still scenarios when you not only can use an old-timey paper check, but you probably should—not a basic personal check, but a cashier’s or certified check. While you probably won’t need one of these checks often in your life, there are some definite scenarios when they are still your best choice.

Cashier’s and certified checks

There are subtle but important distinctions between a cashier’s check and a certified check, though they are typically used in very similar ways:

• A cashier’s check is a check that draws from a bank or credit union’s funds, not your personal funds (like a personal check does). These checks typically have a lot of security features (watermarks, signatures from bank officers) to ward against counterfeiting. You have to give the bank the funds covered by the check, plus any fees—basically, you’re kind of “buying” the check from the bank, and the bank then pays out on the check when it’s presented.

• A certified check, on the other hand, draws on your account, not the bank’s. It’s typically a little less secure and easier to fake than a cashier’s check. The bank certifies that the money is in your account to cover the check. Whereas with a cashier’s check you have to splash out the money immediately, with a certified check the money remains in your account until the check is cashed.

The choice of a certified or cashier’s check comes down to the fees you have to pay and the need for security. But when would you need one of these?

When you need one

In general, a certified or cashier’s check can be used any time cash, credit, or digital payments aren’t possible—or advisable. Examples include when a merchant won’t accept credit cards (typically because of the high fees), or when you’re buying or selling a big-ticket item like a car with someone you don’t know. The classic example is selling a used car to someone: You probably can’t accept a credit card, and if they pay you with a personal check you might deposit it only to have it bounce. In that scenario you’re out a car and the money. A certified or cashier’s check makes that outcome much less likely.

There are other scenarios that call for a cashier’s or certified check: While a money order is usually a cheaper alternative for smaller transactions that fall into this category, getting money orders for amounts over $1,000 is usually a challenge, which leads to purchasing multiple money orders at extra expense. A cashier’s or certified check is a better alternative, especially if your bank will issue one without a fee.

Finally, a cashier’s check or certified check can give you an advantage when buying or making down payments on big-ticket items because it’s like paying cash or being pre-qualified for a mortgage—the seller doesn’t have to worry about processing fees or whether you actually have the money, because using these checks guarantees you have the funds. This can be compelling when you’re offering less than listed price for something like a car, in the same way making a cash offer on a house can give you a discount on the sale price.

Precautions

Just because certified and cashier’s checks are safe and secure ways to spend money doesn’t mean things can’t go wrong. If you plan to use one to buy something, keep the following in mind:

• They’re difficult to replace. If you lose a cashier’s check, your bank will not be amused. They can’t simply cancel it and issue a fresh one like a regular check, and will probably require you to wait 90 days before declaring the check officially lost. The bank may also require what’s known as an indemnity bond, which transfers responsibility for the funds in the check from the bank to you. That means if the first check turns up somewhere and is cashed, you pay it out, not the bank. An indemnity bond can cost you as much as 15% of the value of the check.

• Counterfeiting does happen. The big risk with a cashier’s check is that most people are unfamiliar with them, which makes creating a realistic fake relatively easy. If someone offers a cashier’s check to you, you should contact the issuing institution to ensure its authenticity.

• Delays. Getting cashier’s and certified checks can sometimes be a lengthy process taking several days. If you’re trying to move fast on a transaction, that could be a problem.

• Fees. As mentioned, banks sometimes charge fees for issuing these checks, and may not be willing to do it at all if you don’t have an account with them. Typically these fees are pretty small, about $10-$15, but it’s still extra money you might not want to spend.

Source: LifeHacker – All the Times You Should be Using a Cashier’s Check (but Aren’t)

The latest TikTok “hack” that has made me question reality is the “marinated” Diet Coke trend. (Brace yourself for a lot of quotation marks in this post.) As a food writer I have a genuine interest in what a marinated Diet Coke could be, so I took a little jaunt down the rabbit hole to see what the hype was—and then desperately clawed my way out. While I can appreciate a super cold and fizzy bev, I’m sorry to report that no Diet Cokes have been marinated. 

Describe this process: A canned Diet Coke goes in the refrigerator for three days or up to two weeks. The Diet Coke is then consumed. What would you name this activity? Maybe the word “storage” came to mind. Perhaps you would call that “drinking Diet Coke.” “Chilling” is also a worthy description (for this entire trend in more ways than one). 

This video mentions the Diet Coke “marinating” process, where the TikToker, hauskris, says the canned beverage should sit in the fridge for at least a few days, but implies longer is even better.  The rest of the “recipe” is how she likes to pour the soda, what type of glassware she uses, and adding lime flavors. All of that is really a matter of preference and how flat or bubbly you like your drink. My main concern is the marinating process. She describes the Diet Coke she’s using as “super cold” because of “marinating” it in the fridge. Let’s talk about that.

What is marinating, really?

I was trying to think of another term for this trend— cured, fermented, pickled—but just like “marinate” they all actually mean something real. 

Marinating is a culinary term for soaking meats, fruits, or vegetables in a liquid. This liquid is called a marinade. The marinade is usually composed of an acid, fat, salt, and maybe sugar. The acid is for flavor and to tenderize tough fibers. The salt helps the flavors penetrate the meat. Oil adds richness, hydration, and encourages browning during cooking, and sugar adds flavor and promotes browning as well. The ingredient list hints at the purpose and benefit of marinating food—to add flavor and to tenderize. 

Does this happen in the Diet Coke “hack?” No. You can’t marinate without a marinade. Furthermore, can you even marinate a liquid? This is when the walls of reality begin to bend if you think too hard. Marinating a liquid with a liquid is just mixing liquids. You can’t marinate Diet Coke, but you can marinate with Diet Coke. Regardless, a can of Diet Coke has no opportunity to mingle with anything, or absorb or lose any flavors from anywhere. The purpose of the can, and any packaging, is to prevent that.

But “marinating” is just to make the soda “super cold,” right?

Maybe “marinating” is just a cute way to describe something that sits for a while. Usually foods marinate for hours so the effects of the marinade can take root. This trend mostly focuses on getting a crispy, cold beverage, so the reasoning is that the longer a can sits in the fridge the colder it gets. While there is some truth in there, that’s just not how temperature works. Otherwise, why even have a freezer? 

The soda, and anything you put in the fridge for that matter, will only get as cold as the temperature the refrigerator is set to. Depending on your Diet Coke’s starting temperature, it will only take up to a few hours (not days, and definitely not weeks) for the beverage to reach the same temperature as the fridge. After that happens, nothing will make the soda colder, besides a decrease in the ambient temperature. 

How can you actually make your Diet Coke colder?

When you play with fire, as they say. You want crispy-cold Diet Coke? What are you doing putting it in a fridge set to a feeble 40°F ? According to NBC South Florida, which specifically mentions diet sodas freezing at a slightly higher temp than the regular variety (regular soda freezes at 30°F), Diet Coke will freeze at 32°F. Looks like you have 8 degrees you’ve been missing out on this whole time.

You could put your cans of Coke in the freezer, but you’re risking cans exploding and spewing soda sludge all over the place. It could be a worthy risk, just make sure you set a timer so you don’t forget about it. 

For the truly dedicated, here’s another option: You can reduce your fridge’s temperature to somewhere between 32°F and 39°F. However, that’s just the main section temperature, and if you’re storing food in the fridge, some items could freeze in the far reaches. Instead, if you’re committed enough, you should really buy a second Diet-Coke-only fridge. Set the temperature to 33°F and load it with Diet Coke. Now you’ll have the coldest beverage on TikTok.

Source: LifeHacker – ‘Marinating’ a Diet Coke in the Fridge Is Not a Thing

In case you missed it, governments and law enforcements agencies can spy on your through your push notifications. It’s not great; in fact, it’s more reason than ever to disable your notifications for good. However, the tide is turning ever so slightly: Apple will now require a judge’s approval before handing over your push notification information.

Last week, Senator Ron Wyden sent a letter to the DOJ imploring them to allow Apple and Google to alert their users whenever a government or law enforcement agency requested their push notification data. This letter got the attention of everyone from tech journalists to politicians, as the lede came as a bit of shock. “What do you mean governments can request our push notification information?” The letter didn’t ask the DOJ to shut down this foreign interference: It asked the agency to free up Apple and Google to warn us about it happening in the first place.

The silver lining in the letter is that Apple responded, saying that Wyden’s public request made it possible for the company to speak more on the subject. While we haven’t heard much in the week since, today, that changed.

Your push notification data is safe, until a judge says otherwise

As discovered by Reuters, Apple quietly updated its law enforcement guidelines this week. Now, the company will refuse to hand over your push notification data to anyone who comes looking for it, unless they have a judge’s order to do so. Apple will basically ask governments and law enforcement, “Got a warrant?” As it happens, this is already Google’s policy, so Apple is playing a bit of catch up here.

While it’s still not great that governments and law enforcement agencies can demand this data from Apple and Google, at least now the legal system adds an extra barrier between you and your info. Unless you end up in a situation where a judge agrees that your privacy should be violated, you should be safe from these demands for your push notification data. Of course, I’m not against disabling all but your most essential alerts just in case.

Source: LifeHacker – Apple Now Requires a Court Order to Hand Over Your Push Notification Info

Some of our most precious data is stored on our iPhones. If an accident destroys your device, you’re at risk of losing all of your data along with it. That’s why I’ve always recommended you set up a back up routine for your iPhone (not to mention the rest of the tech in your life). Some of you might prefer to store all of this data on the cloud, while others would prefer a more local approach. No matter which one you choose, a backup is the smart way to go.

Back up your iPhone to iCloud

This is the simplest method to back up your iPhone, and it’s the one I recommend for almost everyone. You don’t need any additional devices for this to work—just your iPhone and a working internet connection. It’s a “set it and forget it” way to backing up your iPhone and it’s reliable enough for everyone.

To set this up, go to Settings > YOUR NAME > iCloud > iCloud Backup and enable iCloud Backup. When your iPhone is charging, locked, and connected to a wifi network, it’ll automatically back up all of its data to iCloud. 

There are two primary disadvantages to backing up your data on iCloud. First, you’re going to have to pay for storage. (The free 5GB hasn’t cut it for years.) You could have up to 50GB of cloud storage for $1 per month, but most people will eventually move to higher tiers, and that gets expensive fairly quickly. Second, you should know that iCloud is a sync service and not a true backup solution. This means that if you delete your photos from one device, those are deleted on all devices. So you should be careful with your data and not delete things you actually need.

Back up your iPhone to your Mac

Apple also lets you back up your iPhone to your Mac. All you need is a cable to connect the iPhone to your Mac and enough free space to store the backup. When you’re ready, connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable. Open Finder and select your iPhone in the sidebar in the left pane. Select General and then click Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac. Finally, click Back Up Now to start the backup. You can even encrypt this backup so no one can access it. (Just make sure you remember the password: If you forget it, your backup is lost.)

The major advantage here is that this is a true backup: If you delete something on your iPhone that’s also deleted from iCloud, you can restore your iPhone from your Mac to bring it back.

Back up your iPhone to a Windows PC

You need iTunes to back up your iPhone to a Windows PC. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the app, connect your iPhone to your Windows PC using a USB cable. Go to iTunes and you’ll see an iPhone icon in the top-left part of the window. Click that iPhone icon and select Summary. Finally, click Back Up Now to start backing up your data. 

Source: LifeHacker – Three Ways to Back Up Your iPhone