Editorials

VPN: Verified Probably Not Necessary, but Here’s When It Actually Is

Editorials October 1, 2026

VPN: Verified Probably Not Necessary, but Here’s When It Actually Is

VPNs. They used to be something people talked about at work (and maybe university), and now they’re a consumer service hawked by pretty much every influencer on the Internet today. What are they? Do you need one? Are they worth adding yet another monthly subscription to your budget? This is a difficult subject to discuss without treading dangerously close to what some consider unsavory activity…but it’s just part of an academic look at VPNs and what utility they have, if any, for end users. So note: nothing in this article comments on the merits of the activities mentioned.

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The eBike Classification System: What Does it all Mean, and Why Should You Care?

Editorials October 11, 2022

The eBike Classification System: What Does it all Mean, and Why Should You Care?

Over the last few years, eBikes have exploded in popularity, and over the past year and a half, I’ve become an eBike and electric scooter enthusiast. Judie has been a fan of the electric mobility solution for years; Kev bought her a Sondors Original eBike with fat tires and an extended battery for Christmas 2017 that’s still going strong. I’ve gotten a fairly rapid education on the ins and outs of eBikes in the last few months, and in this post, I want to share some insights into the eBike classification system.

Dark Side to Apple Watch Series 8's New Feature

Editorials, Health and Fitness September 8, 2022

There’s a Dark Side to the Apple Watch Series 8’s New Feature

We discussed our concerns regarding privacy and period-tracking apps a few months ago. It’s still unclear whether that’s a legitimate fear or just a terrible hypothetical, but it is within the realm of possibility, which makes Apple’s newest Watch feature even more perplexing. If there’s concern about the safety of cycle-tracking, do you really want your Apple Watch Series 8 automatically monitoring it?

Privacy and Security in Mobile Health Apps

Editorials, Health and Fitness July 11, 2022

We Need to Talk About Protecting Your Privacy When Using Health Apps

Privacy has become a big discussion point these days since it feels like every app wants permission to use your camera, access your microphone, and track you all over the place. Ensuring that your private information is securely kept becomes especially relevant when considering apps that track your health, particularly those that track your reproductive health. Do you really need to be concerned about your privacy when using health apps? For many reasons, the answer is yes.

Taotronics 10 Speed Massage Gun

Gear Bits, Editorials June 20, 2022

A Reminder: Buying a Massage Gun Shouldn’t Mean That You Have to Break the Bank!

We received a pitch for a massage gun that clocked in at a jaw-droppingly cheap $26.31 (or as low as $22.10 if you buy in bulk!). In an email to me, Judie questioned whether a massage gun that cheap could possibly be effective. While we plan to review this inexpensive massage gun to see how it does, I pointed out that while $26 does seem overly cheap, the reality is that a massage gun is a relatively simple device that probably shouldn’t cost $300 and up, either!

Pride 2022: The Fight for Equal Rights Still Isn't Over

Editorials June 7, 2022

Pride 2022: The Fight for Equal Rights Still Isn’t Over

A few years ago, I ranted about how commercialized Pride has become. That hasn’t changed; if anything, “rainbow capitalism” has tripled in the last four years. Unfortunately, so has discrimination, and there’s been a rise in legislative actions designed to chip away at the rights of the LGBTQ community.

Ukraine Flag

Editorials March 3, 2022

How to Avoid Misinformation and Scams While Trying to Help Ukraine

As the heartbreaking situation continues to unfold in Ukraine, it feels like there’s a lot of information flying around and a lot of organizations saying they’re there to help. If you’re not sure what news is legitimate or which charities and groups are actually getting resources to Ukraine, you’re not alone. We’ve put together a resource with verifiable organizations working to help Ukraine and resources to help determine fact from fiction in a very chaotic situation.

Zagg protect

Editorials February 3, 2022

ZAGG Protect Phone Insurance Offers to Pick up the Slack When Cases and Screen Protectors Fail

Our phones are our lifeline to everything that connects us to each other, which means that a broken phone is far more than just an inconvenience. Adding carrier or manufacturer insurance can be expensive, and that’s why ZAGG Protect might be worth considering as an alternative. At just $99 per phone per year with a $49 deductible, ZAGG Protect won’t replace your lost or stolen phone, but it does include coverage for drops, liquid damage, cracked screens, and more.

FLICK me waving from the back of a car

Vehicles & Gear, Editorials November 4, 2021

Flik Me? Maybe You Should Think Before You Flik-Off Other Drivers!

I’m a bit of an eternal optimist, so I always try to look for the “good idea” in the pitches we receive. Even if I can’t figure out how I might use something, I can usually put myself in the shoes of someone who would. Then there’s the pitch we received for the delightful Flik Me, an LED hand that can be set to either wave at other drivers … or flip them the bird as you drive by.

The Unexpected Nostalgia of Finding an Original iPhone in My Junk Drawer

Editorials, Gear Bits October 13, 2021

The Unexpected Nostalgia of Finding an Original iPhone in My Junk Drawer

I recently went digging through a junk drawer looking for some old photos; I found several USB cables, a calculator watch, some unidentified flash drives, and … an original iPhone. As in, the iPhone that I sat in line outside the Apple Store to buy on launch day back in 2007. Fourteen years have passed, and it’s honestly shocking to hold the original iPhone in one hand and my 12 Pro Max in the other!

Call Screen Is Google Pixel's Killer Feature, and It Will Completely Spoil You

Editorials September 14, 2021

Call Screen Is Google Pixel’s Killer Feature, and It Will Completely Spoil You

There are plenty of good reasons people develop a fondness for a particular brand; maybe it’s because the company’s hardware is always top-notch, their pricing is reasonable, or they have excellent customer service when something goes wrong. But the singular feature that’s made it hard for me to consider using any smartphone other than a Google Pixel as my daily driver isn’t related to hardware, pricing, or customer service. As I mentioned in our Google Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, and Pixel 5 reviews, beyond Pixel’s excellent cameras and pure Android experience, their killer feature is Call Screen.

Lenovo Yoga C930 in tablet mode

Editorials August 16, 2021

Convertible Laptops: Lenovo’s Yoga Line Has Changed My View on Them for the Better!

Has anyone ever really looked at their laptop and thought, “man, if only this could also be flipped into a tablet!”? I’ll admit, I’ve always seen convertible laptops as a cool idea but one that seemed to be a solution in search of a problem. But I’ve learned the error of my ways this summer, as I experienced a few times where convertible laptops offered so much flexibility that it completely changed my workflow!