The Gadgets and Gear We Loved This Month
Photograph: YubikeySimplify and Secure Your Online Logins With a YubiKey
If you want to amp up your online security with the strongest kind of two-factor authentication (2FA) to date, you want a YubiKey. These simple, battery-free devices provide an easy way to securely verify that it's really you who's trying to access your online accounts. The little key-shaped fobs plug into your computer and, along with your password, complete the second half of a 2FA web login. A hacker might find a way to snoop on your passwords or intercept a six-digit 2FA code while it’s being sent to your phone, but they’d be hard pressed to snatch an actual key off your keychain. With models ranging from $20 to $60, there’s something for everyone. Read the story.
SnapSnapchat Debuts New Spectacles. We Try Them on for Size
You definitely remember Spectacles. Now, Snap is back with with version two. The new Spectacles have a noticeably better camera for recording 10-second videos and snapping photos. Snap ditched the yellow rings around the cameras and introduced waterproofing, so you can record videos up to one meter deep for 30 minutes. They’re shipping in new colors, too, with two variations on the mirrored lenses, and the option to add prescription lenses. Watch us take them on a rollercoaster.
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NokiaInside Nokia’s Super-Fun Feature-Phone Nostalgia Trip
You may not know the Nokia 3310 or 8110 by name, but you’d recognize the candybar and banana phones in a heartbeat. These pre-iPhone devices have been thoughtfully resurrected for 2018, with a few modern touches. The modern 3310 comes with a refined exterior and an interior engineered to accommodate internals 2G and 3G signals. It runs a minimal suite of apps for communications. And yes, it still has the game Snake. The modern 8110, better known as the banana phone, comes with 4G connectivity and Google Assistant. With a curved form and a bottom that slides open to reveal a number pad, the nostalgia is real. Read the story here.
America's Test KitchenA New Cookbook Takes Us Deep Into the World of the Instant Pot
Does the perfect cookbook exist? This one might be the answer, at least the world of pressure cooking. America's Test Kitchen's new cookbook, Multicooker Perfection, dives into the possibilities (and limitations) of pressure cookers, with helpful comparisons of each one. It’s not the best for learning how to certain foods on their own, but can lead you successfully through recipes to make tortilla soup, pressure cooker mac and cheese, Thai-braised eggplant and a whole bundle of mouth watering meals. Just remember to read the recipe all the way through before you begin. Read the full story.
MotorolaMotorola Adds Some Class (and Glass) to Its Budget Phones
You ain’t hip unless you've got an extra long screen, dual cameras, and a glass back. The latest Moto G6 from Motorola has 'em all. The classed-up phone comes with a 12-megapixel camera flanked by an extra 5-megapixel cam to add depth effects and the ability highlight a single color in a photo. If you love shooting timelapse videos or putting silly digital hats and other objects on your face, the camera app has you covered. The G6 uses fast-charging USB-C and the whole thing is splashproof, though not waterproof. Bottom line, if you’re trying to blend in with friends and family who own fancy iPhones and Android devices, for $250 the G6 can help you out. For even cheaper options, consider the Moto G, Moto E, or Moto E Plus, ranging from $150 to $200. Read the full review.
SomnoxThis Gently Breathing Robot Cuddles You to Sleep
Can't sleep? Try cuddling this four-pound pillow that mimics human breathing. The Somnox—a "cuddle bot" created by a team of robotics engineers personally exposed to the maladies of sleep deprivation—takes inspiration from breathing techniques proven to promote better sleep and relaxation. You can pre-order one now to arrive in October for a hefty $549. For a good night’s sleep, it might be worth a shot. Read the story.
Elena LaceyWelcome to the Wikipedia for Terms of Service Agreements
You're probably lying when you click: “Yes, I have read and understand the terms of service.” But you’d be lying a little less if you could at least read the SparkNotes version of a website’s terms of service before giving your consent. That's the goal of Terms of Service; Didn’t Read (ToSDR), a website that turns lengthy terms of service agreements into bulleted summaries, and then rates those terms from Class A (very good) to Class F (very bad). It functions as a sort of Wikipedia for terms of service agreements. The site, which has existed since 2012 but is relaunching next month on a new platform, hopes to create a broad network of shared knowledge. Read the full story.
Mai SchotzGoogle's New Tasks App Keeps Your To-Do List Front and Center
Google's new Tasks app is about as stripped down as it gets in both form and function. Like a good to-do list should, it keeps you organized and on top of your stuff. Open it up, and you're greeted with a list of tasks. From there, you can either look at an existing task in a little more depth, or create a new one. There’s really not a whole lot more to it. In some ways, the absence of features provides a roundabout benefit. The more time you spend in your to-do app, the less time you're actually doing. You don't gussy up a zen garden with autumn ferns. Read the story here.
