Have you tried the Pomodoro technique at work? It's when you work for a 25-minute block, then take a 5-minute break before doing it all again. The idea is that the solid block of work helps keep you focused and productive, while the little breaks help stave off burnout.

Ask any tech enthusiast why they stick with the Apple ecosystem, and the answer is usually the same: iMessage, AirDrop, FaceTime, and the seamless continuity between devices. While those features are certainly strong, they weren’t enough to stop me from constantly eyeing a jump to Android or Windows.

If you're firmly on the Windows 10 holdout train, I've got some concerning news for you. Almost everyone knows about Microsoft ending support for Windows 10, which would leave millions of machines exposed to security vulnerabilities. Many of you might be thinking about bypassing this problem by switching to a third-party antivirus. However, the security gap with Windows 10 lies not with the built-in Defender antivirus, but with the OS itself. An up-to-date antivirus software will do nothing about the lack of security patches for Windows 10 as time goes on. In fact, Microsoft will continue pushing updates for the Microsoft Defender Antivirus (MSDA) on Windows 10 for a while, but switching to Windows 11 is the only way to fully protect your machine.

Since the launch of its Polestar 2 sedan in 2021, Swedish EV company Polestar has launched two additional models: the spacious 3 compact crossover SUV, and now the 4, a sporty, even more compact crossover SUV. The 4 slotting in between the 2 and 3 in size may confound some consumers, but one of its features - or lack thereof - may confound them even more. It has no rear windshield. Starting at $57,800, the 2026 Polestar 4 may have some mildly brain-twisting attributes, but I found it to be one of the most compelling and fun-to-drive EVs this year. It just took a little getting used to.It just took a little getting used to.Its core trai …Read the full story at The Verge.

When people ask me what the best Linux distro is for Windows escapees, I always point them towards Linux Mint. Sure, there are plenty of distros out there, and the only "wrong choice" is sticking with one you dislike; however, given how Linux Mint was my first introduction to the world of open-source software, I feel it's worth recommending to other people, too.

It's not often that we see a game go on a "free to keep" campaign on Steam, but they do happen once in a blue moon. Such is the case of OneShift, an interesting puzzle game that hit Steam back in 2018 and accrued 81% positive lifetime reviews over the years. While there's a good chance you haven't heard of this game before, the good news is that you can add it to your account for the low, low price of nothing. And you can't get much better than that.

Toward the end of the first episode of Pluribus, Carol (Rhea Seehorn), a woman put in a bizarre and impossible scenario, asks a very straightforward question: "What the fuck is happening?" It's something you'll likely be asking yourself a lot while watching. I certainly did. But that ongoing sense of mystery, and the measured pace with which Pluribus reveals itself, is one of the best parts of the new series from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan. I can't tell you a lot about Pluribus just yet - but I can tell you that being bewildered is part of the appeal.Okay, so what can I tell you? Carol is a successful writer of fantasy novels - ex …Read the full story at The Verge.

It's easy to get enamored by the large server racks and cabinets that seem to be all over homelab internet lately. Multiple switches, gateways, redundant systems, a rack-mounted server, and so much more. I was much the same. However, there comes a point when your home lab stops being a hobby and starts feeling like a part-time job. For some, it is an extension of their job. But if you're a hobbyist like me, it can get overwhelming pretty quickly. Look, I tried to convince myself that it was part of learning and experimenting, but when you're spending more time updating, patching issues, and fixing things, you know things are getting out of hand.

Setting up a smart home is a rabbit hole, and I happily tumbled down that one. Over the past years, I have experimented with Home Assistant, ESPHome, and various other IoT projects on my Raspberry Pi. Along the way, I realized that a lot of my gear was collecting dust, like my old Samsung K5100 Series 5 TV. After reviving some smart home devices, I decided to give my old TV a new purpose.

I used to open Edge with good intentions—research a topic, answer one question—and end up with 47 tabs I'd never revisit. My browser sometimes turned into a graveyard of curiosity.

I've said this before, and I'll say it again: there's no company doing AI better than Google. Sure, the company might make questionable decisions here and there. But when it comes to building tools that actually make your life easier and aren't simply a slightly tweaked version of what others are doing, they're in a league of their own.

What's better than a deal on a game? A deal on a $60 game, that's what. While we rarely see games at or above that level go on a steep discount, they do happen every so often. And when they do, they're usually ideal moments to save some serious money on the games you love.