10 Best Compact + Space-Saving Gear For An Organized Work Desk

It doesn’t matter where you’re working, whether at home or in a commercial life, both these scenarios involve a desk! A desk is probably one of the most important pieces of furniture in our modern lives, only because we spend the majority of our day on it. You may be typing away to glory, munching away on a snack, or simply fidgeting with a random object – you do end up spending hours on your desk. And hence, your desk must be neat, tidy, and uncluttered. Not only will this improve your work routine and productivity, but it will also help you maintain a clearer and more streamlined mindset. And, I’ve discovered that adding limited, quality, and innovative products to my desk setup can help me in achieving these goals! And we’ve curated a collection of smart and well-designed desk gear to help you achieve peak productivity. Happy working!

1. POD

This little minimalist timer is designed to help you enjoy the benefits of a Pomodoro timer, without having to depend on a clunky analog timer, especially one that will end up looking like an awkward little tomato on your desk. It has a simple and compact form that will occupy minimum space on your desk.

Why is it noteworthy?

Called POD, this innovative tool merges the feeling of an analog timer with the convenience and utility of an electronic device in a minimalist, simple, and appealing form. You can start the countdown by pushing the puck down like a button.

What we like

  • It is minimally distracting and uses only flashing lights rather than vibrations or sounds to get your attention

What we dislike

  • You need to replace the battery which can seem a bit annoying and tedious
  • Quite tiny, so you can easily misplace it

2. Pen Fan

Named the Pen Fan, this unique stationery design is a must-have for your desk. It is intended to be a cross between a Pantone shade card, and a stationery set. It holds 8 different flat-head sketch pens in a set that is compact, neat, and easy-to-carry along everywhere with you.

Why is it noteworthy?

The various pens of the Pen Fan are interconnected, which forms an adorable Japanese-fan-style layout that beautifully showcases all 8 colors, allowing you to pick and choose from them. The pens are detachable, so you can quite easily snap them on and off, building a palette that caters to you.

What we like

Easy-to-carry and portable set

Eliminates the risk of misplacing the pens

What we dislike

  • There are only 8 colors to pick from, which can be limiting. There could have been more color options

3. Serenity Pen Stand

Dubbed the Serenity Pen Stand, this minimalist design features a metallic hint that is designed to hold your pen upright, keeping it ready for you to use. And since pens are quite easy to use, this pen stand makes sure you never lose track of your prized pen, and that it is always in your sight.

Click Here to Buy Now: $39

Why is it noteworthy?

The Serenity Pen Stand makes sure that you will always have easy access to your pen, protecting it, and ensuring you never lose it. It is made using aluminum and copper and makes for a well-balanced cylinder, that will add a burst of color and personality to your work desk.

What we like

  • Has a heavy copper bottom, that will lower the center of gravity, providing it with a stable form
  • Has a sleek minimal design that is easy to set up and carry

What we dislike

  • It is quite small in size and can be easily misplaced
  • Not a lot of color options to pick from

4. World Clock

If you often find yourself lagging, and unable to complete tasks in the required time, then you may want to consider this unique clock design to keep a check on the time. Called the World Clock, this isn’t your typical desk clock, and it features a dodecagonal shape, with only one hand and a minimalist face.

Click Here to Buy Now: $49

Why is it noteworthy?

The World Clock has an innovative design and form, as it not only gives you the correct info about your country but also some fun extra details on the time in other parts of the world. With one glance, you can tell the hour, while a closer look will tell you which quarter of the hour it is.

What we like

  • Features 12 sides that have individual markings for a city that represent a particular timezone

What we dislike

  • The  World Clock has only 12 set time zones, so you may miss out on some other time zones

5. Planet Pins

Called the Planet Pins, this colorful and quirky little creation is hand-painted planet pins that look like the solar system. It includes eight extraterrestrial shapes, each one hand-painted and stored in a compact polished acrylic display case. The pins were hand-painted in Tokyo.

Why is it noteworthy?

The pins include Mercury in metallic silver, Venus in metallic gold, Earth in painted blue and green, Jupiter in yellow, dark orange, and translucent orange, Mars in red, Saturn in yellow with a metallic silver ring, Uranus in a metallic blue with a metallic silver ring, and Neptune in blue and a lovely white.

What we like

  • Delivered in serial-numbered display cases, so when not in use, you can store them in the boxes and display them

What we dislike

  • The pins are quite tiny, so you can easily misplace them if they’re not handled with care

6. Precision Sakura Metal Puzzle

Named the Precision Metal Sakura Puzzle, this little puzzle will give your brain the satisfying yet challenging game it needs. It is shaped after Japan’s most iconic flowers, and the pieces look so similar, that you’ll be wondering where to put them and how to place them together!

Click Here to Buy Now: $299

Why is it noteworthy?

As you assemble the metal puzzle, it will take on the shape of Japan’s iconic sakura flowers. The little puzzle is made from mirror-finish stainless steel with tiny pieces that seamlessly and perfectly fit together, challenging your mind, and putting your brain to the test.

What we like

  • Compact, no-frills design that you can carry anywhere with you

What we dislike

  • It can be challenging to put together, so it is not the best option for users who want a relaxing puzzle-making experience

7. Effortless Standing Letter Cutter

Called the Effortless Standing Letter Cutter, this little tool is one of the essentials you need on your work desk. It is a simple tool that can boost your daily productivity, and help you maintain an organized desk, as it doubles up as a paperweight as well!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Effortless Standing Letter Cutter reimagines a standard office cool, and cuts through your paper efficiently and effectively, while also doubling up as a chick paperweight, that ensures your desk is neat, clean, and tidy. It is the ultimate solution for boosting productivity!

Click Here to Buy Now: $49

What we like

  • Cuts precisely leaving no messy scraps behind
  • Functions as a paperweight as well, ensuring less clutter on your desk

What we dislike

  • Not versatile enough to deal with bulkier packages or intricate mail

8. Blocco Calculator

The Blocco Calculator is a functional and aesthetic calculator, unlike other ordinary calculators on the market. The calculator perfectly merges precision and beauty in a sincere and minimalist form, functioning as a visually attractive addition to your desk. It occupies minimum space on your desk while doing its job.

Why is it noteworthy?

The calculator features an ergonomic and universal design which is great for both left-handed and right-handed users. It has an angular chamfered surface that ensures effortless and quick typing while elevating the calculator’s visual appeal.

What we like

  • The calculator projects calculations onto the paper
  • Aesthetic and good-looking design

What we dislike

  • The usage is limited, as the calculator needs a flat surface to project the equations out clearly

9. Everlasting All Metal Pencil

The Everlasting All-Metal Pencil is a much-needed addition to your desk! It lets you bid farewell to the eternal cycle of pencil sharpening and dealing with mechanical leads. It allows you to harness your creative ideas, and let them flow freely without any hindrance.

Click Here to Buy Now: $20

Why is it noteworthy?

The special pencil has been crafted with a special alloy core and features an aluminum body that doesn’t need any sharpening. It leaves marks without wearing down the core, making it quite a practical and durable writing instrument.

What we like

  • Easily erased by regular erasers
  • Provides a smooth and seamless writing experience

What we dislike

  • The pencil doesn’t provide the same grip and comfort as traditional wooden pencils

10. ForeverPen

Named the ForeverPen, this unique pen is made from Ti + Ag, and it sits neatly on your desk! It is said to be the world’s smallest inkless pen and doesn’t need refilling ever. You can even write underwater with it, or open boxes – it isn’t an ordinary everyday pen.

Why is it noteworthy?

The ForeverPen is made from a specialist Silver composite, and you can combine it with the material of your choice. It measures only one inch in length and can jot down all your notes, while also letting you slide open packages and boxes.

What we like

  • Easy-to-carry and portable design
  • Functions as much more than just a simple pen

What we dislike

  • It is not the best option for users with big hands, as they may find it tough to hold
  • Quite tiny, and you can easily lose it

The post 10 Best Compact + Space-Saving Gear For An Organized Work Desk first appeared on Yanko Design.

10 Best Desk Gear Designed To Achieve Peak Productivity

It doesn’t matter where you’re working, whether at home or in a commercial life, both these scenarios involve a desk! A desk is probably one of the most important pieces of furniture in our modern lives, only because we spend the majority of our day on it. You may be typing away to glory, munching away on a snack, or simply fidgeting with a random object – you do end up spending hours on your desk. And hence, your desk must be neat, tidy, and uncluttered. Not only will this improve your work routine and productivity, but it will also help you maintain a clearer and more streamlined mindset. And, I’ve discovered that adding limited, quality, and innovative products to my desk setup can help me in achieving these goals! And we’ve curated a collection of smart and well-designed desk gear to help you achieve peak productivity. Happy working!

1. POD

This minimalist timer lets you enjoy the simple benefits of a Pomodoro timer without relying on a clunky analog timer, especially one that looks like an awkward little tomato on your desk.

Why is it noteworthy?

Dubbed POD, this unique tool combines the feeling of an analog timer with the convenience and utility of an electronic device in a simple, minimalist, and appealing form. The only control it has is pushing the puck down like a button, which then starts the countdown.

What we like

  • Minimally distracting, utilizing only flashing lights to get your attention rather than sounds or vibrations

What we dislike

  • Replacing the battery seems a bit tedious and annoying
  • It is quite tiny, so can be easily misplaced

2. Grovemade Note-Taking Kit

Named the Grovemade Note-Taking Kit, this innovative kit helps you effortlessly and efficiently capture down, process, and store notes, hence boosting your daily productivity, and ensuring your process feels simple and free-flowing.

Why is it noteworthy?

The kit includes a refillable notepad with dot grid paper and a solid metallic base, alongside a display rail to hold and store your notes and devices, while also offering a vertical organizer that stores your notes until you need to use them.

What we like

  • Provides a neat workdesk, that helps you complete the important tasks at hand, and elevate productivity

What we dislike

  • Occupies a substantial amount of real estate on your desk, not well-suited for smaller desks

3. Quick-Access Organizer

Dubbed the Quick-Access Organizer, this minimal and compact organizer is designed to ensure you never lose all your essentials. It is a well-designed organizer that helps you perfectly organize your essentials so you’re never in fear of losing them, allowing you to have a tidy desk that boosts productivity.

Why is it noteworthy?

This smart organizer isn’t simply a storage solution, it revolutionizes your desk, using magnetic wizardry to keep your essentials organized and easily available. It perfectly combines form and functionality, offering an excellent 21st-century design philosophy.

Click Here to Buy Now: $69

What we like

  • Equipped with a rotating mechanism that will take all the annoying guesswork out of storage
  • It is a lid and tray, making it a dual-functional product

What we dislike

  • Those who possess a larger array of items will find this organizer limiting and may need a bigger one
  • It can be concerning having magnets around certain electronic devices or cards, hence you need to be selective about what you store

4. Nemonic Gen 2

Dubbed the Nemonic Gen 2, this inkless, thermal, and wireless printer lets you effectively and efficiently print your notes and even images on Ultra Sticky Notes, and they won’t easily fall off!

Why is it noteworthy?

The tiny printer can be connected to your desktop and mobile devices allowing you to print out any notes that you may have written, drawn, or typed on the connected app. You can even integrate it with the Microsoft Office apps, and Slack and Zapier too, allowing you to maintain smooth productivity.

What we like

  • It lets you print out your notes directly and has a de-curl feature too

What we dislike

  • They don’t sell refills individually at this point, which is inconvenient if you run out of the notes

5. Fold

Designed by Ganti and Teixeira Design Studio, Fold is a 3D-printed lamp that casts its light downwards and upwards serving as a functional lamp, as well as a source of some good lighting. It’s a unique lamp that helps you work properly, while also letting you relax.

Why is it noteworthy?

The wall light doesn’t need to be turned on or off, nor do you need to adjust it, as the design itself brings two kinds of light together. It is a space-saving design as it can be mounted on the wall, or placed on a small desk or side table.

What we like

  • Offers both ambient light and direct light, helping you save up on owning multiple lamps

What we dislike

  • It looks a bit bulkier when used as a desk lamp, as compared to when it is wall-mounted

6. Effortless Standing Letter Cutter

Having an organized desk is quite important, as it helps you work efficiently while boosting your daily productivity. Having the right tool can help you create the ideal organized desk, and one such tool to add to your desk is this unique letter cutter.

Why is it noteworthy?

This innovative letter cutter reimagines a standard office tool, and efficiently slices through paper, while also doubling up as a chic paperweight ensuring there is no unnecessary clutter on your desk. A decluttered desk is the best solution for boosting productivity!

Click Here to Buy Now: $49

What we like

  • Has a precision cut that ensures that no messy scraps are left behind
  • Doubles up as a paperweight, ensuring there is less clutter on your desk, making it a dual-functional product

What we dislike

  • While fantastic for standard envelopes, it is not versatile enough for those bulkier packages or intricate mail, so you may need a separate letter cutter for those

7. The Note

Called the Note, this small desk whiteboard lets you take notes with the utmost efficiency. Except it’s no ordinary note taker, it has a few tricks up its sleeve and adds some fun and spice to your work.

Why is it noteworthy?

The unique whiteboard can twist or flip over, giving you twice the space to write your notes down effectively and efficiently. One side features a dotted grid surface, while the other side can be plain, or they could have the same design on both sides.

What we like

  • Features a multi-purpose vertical screen that allows you to view the time, calendar, and appointments synced with your phone

What we dislike

  • The screen doesn’t show videos, a function that some people may need for their work

8. SCROOM

Dubbed SCROOM, this portable keyboard looks like a wireless mechanical keyboard at first glance, however when you slide down the keyboard or slide up its bottom, it unveils a display that’s almost the same size as the keyboard.

Why is it noteworthy?

This unique display is a touch screen that’s filled with large-sized buttons, sliders, and other controls that can help you multitask on a tablet that has otherwise pretty limited space for multitasking.

What we like

  • Features a to-do list so that you don’t have to switch back and forth between apps

What we dislike

  • The sliding mechanism is a risk, especially for devices that get carried around a lot

9. Current Task Light

Called the Current Task Light, UK-based Jones and Partners designed this simple, minimalist, and highly functional lighting design that would make an excellent addition to your work desk. It occupies minimum space while helping you work better and more efficiently.

Why is it noteworthy?

The award-winning task lighting + charging concept is a multifunctional product to aid in your daily multitasking and is perfectly complementary to both residential and commercial spaces.

What we like

  • Allows coworkers to plug their devices across a large desk while working together

What we dislike

  • It’s a concept right now, so we don’t know how the final product will turn out

10. Wipe

Dubbed Wipe, this unique and innovative whiteboard notebook features an eraser allowing you to write, erase, and write things over and over again. This helps you note down all your precious ideas and thoughts, letting you work in a streamlined and efficient manner.

Why is it noteworthy?

Wipe has a comfortable personal size that is a tad bit smaller than A4 paper. It is portable, and you can write on it, take a photo that you could save or send to the cloud, erase all of it, and write again. You don’t need any preparation to use it, it is a fast and effective product!

What we like

  • Equipped with a newly developed Mag Force system that combines magnets and rubber brands, building a handle that also doubles up as a pen holder

What we dislike

  • You need to specifically use a dry-erase or whiteboard pen, and not a permanent marker

The post 10 Best Desk Gear Designed To Achieve Peak Productivity first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 Fashionable + Functional Gear for Urban Men & Their Modern Needs

If youre an urban modern man, living a hectic but fulfilling life in the city, then you know that looking good is a must. When you dress well, and carry yourself well, a whole lot of doors open, and you’re always regarded with a certain degree of respect and admiration. Besides picking the perfect set of clothes, and great looking shoes, it’s also essential to have a set of fashionable gear with you. From a functional but sleek wallet, to an excellent watch, or even the ideal belt – great care must be made when picking your fashion gear. And, we’ve curated a collection of fashionable and functional gear for the urban men out there. Have a look!

1. Fantom X

FantomX

The Fantom X is designed as little as 0.3 inches in thickness and is the slimmest wallet made without sacrificing security, durability, and modularity.

Why is it noteworthy?

With the ability to hold anywhere from 4 to 13 cards, and also the option of adding modules for holding coins, banknotes, keys, and even AirTags, the Fantom X is the perfect blend of minimalism and materialism. And if that somehow wasn’t enough, it also comes with a lifetime warranty!

What we like

  • Crafted from highly durable Cerakote aluminum

What we dislike

  • The wallet is made of two pieces of CNCed aluminum connected, so we’re unsure if it would break if the wallet was to be dropped and hit just right

2. Eye Of Horus Watch

The Eye of Horus watch from the CIGA Design X Series merges Egyptian mythology and modern craftsmanship into one mesmerizing and good-looking timepiece. The Eye of Horus occupies a special place in ancient Egypt and contemporary symbolism. It represents power, luck, and rejuvenation.

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $269 (26% off). Hurry, only 2 left!

Why is it noteworthy?

This powerful symbol is embedded inside the triangle which also serves as the second hand, and it functions as the visual and spiritual center of the watch, building an air of mystery and spirituality irrespective of your beliefs.

What we like

  • Features a transparent design giving a 360-degree view of all the intricate machinery for everyone to see

What we dislike

  • The triangular second hand takes sometime to get accustomed to

3. Bucqle

If you have a pair of pants that you completely adore, but can never wear because they almost always slip off your waist, then worry not, Bucqle is here to the rescue! It’s a metal buckle that clips around the waist-rim of your pants and tightens it by as much as 2 inches.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Bucqle’s radical redesign isn’t just different, it’s exceptionally better. The Bucqle slips right into your pant and clamps shut, showing up as just a minimal-looking silver bar right above your pants.

What we like

  • Works equally well with formal pants as it does with shorts, skirts, and even pajamas

What we dislike

  • While it is uniquely functional, the Bucqle takes away the fashion element of dressing up, where the belt of your choice doubles up as an accessory.

4. The Wilsdorf Collection

The Wilsdorf Collection is an ingenious product that combines a cufflink and a watch into one single unique piece. It cant be any watch, since you’ll mostly need it in formal functions.

Why is it noteworthy?

Each of the four pieces in this fashionable set is a homage to an iconic Rolex luxury watch, giving each miniature watch not only a luxurious appearance but also a clear connection to some of the industry’s most-loved timepieces from the brand.

What we like

  • Cant be easily damaged despite always being exposed

What we dislike

  • There’s a fear of losing the cufflinks if not taken care of properly

5. The Montblanc TWS Earbuds

The Montblanc TWS Earbuds are a conceptual pair of ear-candy designed by Jinwoo Hong. They’re super classy and sport an insignia on the outside, which allows people to notice the brand from far away.

Why is it noteworthy?

These conceptual Montblanc TWS earbuds have the appeal of cufflinks, with their monochrome design and bold use of Montblanc’s insignia. The earbuds, rather compact, rest in an all-black case with a matte-gloss interplay for drama.

What we like

  • Feature silicone tips to ensure a perfect seal when in the ear

What we dislike

  • Would love to hear some real-world reviews on this design once it is in production

6. The Full Leather Wallet Case

The Full Leather Wallet Case is designed to keep your iPhone 15 Pro protected while also ensuring it looks great. It is clad in premium European leather tanned in the Netherlands, with remarkable grain and an option between black, brown, and blue finishes.

Why is it noteworthy?

Each Wallet Case comes with a slot stitched into the back that holds two cards that you can easily fish out whenever you need… and unlike MagSafe, the wallet doesn’t accidentally detach while you pull your phone out of your pocket.

What we like

  • Use the highest-quality leather and are tanned using a special DriTan process

What we dislike

  • You need to remove the cards when you charge the phone using MagSafe

7. ModernTie Modular Magnetic Necktie

The ModernTie Modular Magnetic Necktie is a modern accessory that helps you wear your tie in a new and exciting way. It is made using recycled pill bottles and is quite eco-friendly and easy to use.

Why is it noteworthy?

Two magnets hold the tie to the knot and snap them together to form a strong bond. It is quite easy to put on and is also more comfortable than a traditional tie since no material goes around your neck.

What we like

  • Available in two lightweight styles, three basic colors, and three sizes to provide an ideal fit

What we dislike

  • Some people may prefer the aesthetic of a traditional tie

8. P’8951

These sleek and good-looking glasses are designed as a part of Porche’s Iconic Machined Series, and they come machined from a solid block of aluminum, giving them a rather edgy and cool aesthetic.

Why is it noteworthy?

Each pair of glasses sports an outline-style frame with a single-piece lens sitting in the middle, connecting both eyes right above the nose bridge. The glasses come from Porsche Design, a luxury lifestyle brand created by F.A. Porsche, the grandson of the legendary automotive company’s founder.

What we like

  • Has Cybertruck-inspired aesthetics with Porsche style

What we dislike

  • Since the sunglasses are CNC machined, they are heavier and more expensive

9. The Dango M1 Lite Cardholder Wallet

The Dango M1 Lite cardholder wallet is a sleek and minimalist wallet that keeps all your essentials neat, tidy, organized, and easily accessible. The wallet has a barely-there form but a ton of capacity to store your necessary items.

Why is it noteworthy?

The wallet features CNC-machined aerospace 6061-grade aluminum and is quite lightweight and durable. It also features a Cerakote finish that provides it with an extra layer of protection.

What we like

  • Ample amount of storage. It can carry 10-13 cards
  • Equipped with a Dango RFID Secured Card, ensuring that your sensitive information is always safe and secure

What we dislike

  • Basic + unassuming aesthetics

10. ThinOPTICS

You don’t have to worry about forgetting your reading glasses with the ThinOPTICS. They are stick-anywhere reading glasses that have been specially designed for those who are on the go.

Why is it noteworthy?

They’re quite lightweight and thin, making them pretty easy to carry. You can carry them in almost anything, and get rid of the bulky cases that are often a big pain to carry.

What we like

  • They come in a variety of colors to pick from, which are quite fashionable as well

What we dislike

  • They offer a limited range of strengths, which isn’t great for those who have a stronger number

The post Top 10 Fashionable + Functional Gear for Urban Men & Their Modern Needs first appeared on Yanko Design.

The best password managers for 2023

You might’ve seen password managers in the news recently because of the breach affecting LastPass customers. We need to trust that all of our logins, banking credentials and other sensitive information has been neatly locked away, only accessible by us when we need it. Yes, most tech is fallible, but the benefits of unique, strong passwords across your online presence outweigh the risks. Password managers remain an excellent way to securely store all of the credentials you need on a regular basis.

They're also some of the most useful tools you can invest in — your passwords are not secure if they're all written down on a stick note near your computer, and if you lose that physical record, you'll have a hard time logging into your most used accounts. Password managers, with their various apps and plugins, not only keep your information secure but also remove the guesswork around remembering credentials and make it easier to log in from almost anywhere. We tested out nine of the best password managers available now to help you choose the right one for your needs.

How do password managers work?

Think of password managers like virtual safe deposit boxes. They hold your valuables, in this case usually online credentials, in a section of the vault only accessible to you by security key or a master password. Most of these services have autofill features that make it convenient to log in to any site without needing to remember every password you have, and they keep your credit card information close for impulse purchases.

But given that passwords are one of the top ways to keep your online identity secure, the real value of password managers is staying safe online. “It's just not possible without a password manager to have unique, long and hard-to-guess passwords,” Florian Schaub, an associate professor of information and of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan, said.

Common guidance states that secure passwords should be unique, with the longest number of characters allowed and uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. This is the exact opposite of using one password everywhere, with minor variations depending on a site’s requirements. Think of how many online accounts and sites you have credentials for — it’s an impossible task to remember it all without somewhere to store passwords safely (no, a sticky note on your desk won’t cut it). Password managers are more readily accessible and offer the benefit of filling in those long passwords for you.

Are password managers safe?

It seems counterintuitive to store all your sensitive information in one place. One hack could mean you lose it all to an attacker and struggle for months or even years to rebuild your online presence, not to mention you may have to cancel credit cards and other accounts. But most experts in the field agree that password managers are a generally secure and safe way to keep track of your personal data, and the benefits of strong, complex passwords outweigh the possible risks.

The mechanics of keeping those passwords safe differs slightly from provider to provider. Generally, you have a lengthy, complex “master password” that safeguards the rest of your information. In some cases, you might also get a “security key” to enter when you log in to new devices. This is a random string of letters, numbers and symbols that the company will send you at sign up. Only you know this key, and because it’s stored locally on your device or printed out on paper, it’s harder for hackers to find.

These multiple layers of security make it difficult for an attacker to get into your vault even if your password manager provider experiences a breach. But the company should also follow a few security basics. A “zero-knowledge” policy means that the company keeps none of your data on file, so in the event of an attack, there’s nothing for hackers to find. Regular health reports like pentests and security audits are essential for keeping companies up to par on best practices, and other efforts like bug bounty programs or hosting on an open source website encourage constant vigilance for security flaws. Most password managers now also offer some level of encryption falling under the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). AES 256-bit is the strongest, because there are the most number of possible combinations, but AES 128-bit or 192-bit are still good.

Who are password managers for?

Given their universal benefit, pretty much everyone could use a password manager. They’re not just for the tech-savvy people or businesses anymore because so much sensitive information ends up online behind passwords, from our bank accounts to our Netflix watch history.

That’s the other perk of password managers: safe password sharing. Families, friends or roommates can use them to safely access joint accounts. Texting a password to someone isn’t secure, and you can help your family break the habit by starting to use one yourself, Lisa Plaggemier, executive director at National Cyber Security Alliance, said. Streaming is the obvious use case, but consider the shared bills, file storage and other sites you share access with the people around you as well.

Are password managers worth it?

You likely already use a password manager, even if you wouldn’t think to call it that. Most phones and web browsers include a log of saved credentials on the device, like the “passwords” keychain in the settings of an iPhone. That means you’ve probably seen the benefits of not having to memorize a large number of passwords or even type them out already.

While that’s a great way in, the downfall of these built-in options are that they tend to be device specific. If you rely on an Apple password manager, for example, that works if you’re totally in the Apple ecosystem — but you become limited once you get an Android tablet, Lujo Bauer, professor of electrical and computer engineering, and of computer science, at Carnegie Mellon University, said. If you use different devices for work and personal use and want a secure option for sharing passwords with others, or just don’t want to be tied to one brand forever, a third-party password manager is usually worth it.

How we tested

We tested password managers by downloading the apps for each of the nine contenders on iPhone, Android, Safari, Chrome and Firefox. That helped us better understand what platforms each manager was available on, and see how support differs across operating systems and browsers.

As we got set up with each, we took note of ease of use and how they iterated on the basic features of autofill and password generators. Nearly all password managers have these features, but some place limits on how much you can store while others give more control over creating easy-to-type yet complex passwords. From there, we looked at extra features like data-breach monitoring to understand which managers offered the most for your money.

Finally, we reviewed publicly available information about security specs for each. This includes LastPass, which more experts are shying away from recommending after the recent breach. For the sake of this review, we’ve decided not to recommend LastPass at this time as fallout from the breach still comes to light (The company disclosed a second incident earlier this year where an unauthorized attack accessed the company’s cloud storage, including sensitive data).

Password managers we tested

Best password manager: 1Password

Many security experts trust 1Password with their private information and, after testing it out, it’s clear why. The service includes industry standard encryption, a “secret key” that only you know on top of your master password, a zero-knowledge policy that means it keeps no data, and other security features like frequent audits and a bug bounty program. 1Password now also supports passkeys, which are credentials stored in your most used devices that are protected by biometric authentication (like fingerprints or facial recognition) or PINs.

1Password has a pretty intuitive user interface across its mobile and desktop apps. A tutorial at download helps you import passwords from other managers onto 1Password so that you don’t feel like you’re starting over from scratch. It also clearly rates the strength of each password and has an “open and fill” option in the vault so that you can get into your desired site even more quickly. We also liked the user-friendly option to scan a set up code to easily connect your account to your mobile devices without too much tedious typing.

At $3 per month, the individual subscription comes with unlimited passwords, items and one gigabyte of document storage for your vault. It also lets you share passwords, credit card information and other saved credentials. If you upgrade to the family plan for $5 each month, you’ll get to invite up to five people (plus more for $1 each per month) to be a part of the vault.

  • Number of tiers: 4

  • Pricing: $3/month for Individual, $5/month for Families, $20/month for Teams Starter Pack, $8/month per user for Business

  • Compatibility: macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Brave, Edge, Command Line

Best free password manager: Bitwarden

Bitwarden’s free plan includes unlimited passwords on an unlimited number of devices, which is more than we’ve seen from some of its competitors. There are drawbacks like you can only share vault items with one other user, but we think that’s a fair tradeoff.

Bitwarden is based on open-source code, meaning anyone on GitHub can audit it, which is a good measure of security. On a personal level, it includes security audits of your information, like a data breach report, that can keep you in the know about when your passwords have been leaked and when it's time to change them. Plus, it’s widely available across the platforms we tested, including Windows and iOS, with a level of customization, options to access your password vault and more.

Bitwarden may be the best free password manager, but it does have a paid version and we do think it’s worth it. At $10 annually for individuals or $40 for families, you unlock encrypted file storage, emergency access, unlimited sharing and more additional features. But the free version comes with the basics that can get anyone set up on password management easily.

  • Number of tiers: 3

  • Pricing: Free, $3/month per user for Teams Organization, $5/month per user for Enterprise Organization

  • Compatibility: macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Brave, Edge, Vivaldi, Opera, Tor, DuckDuckGo for Mac, Command Line

Best password manager for cross-platform availability: NordPass

Across password managers we tested, cross-platform availability was relatively similar. Most are widely available across web browsers and different operating systems, including our other top picks on this list. But we wanted to give a nod to NordPass here because of how easy the service makes it to access your vault from any platform while keeping your data safe.

NordPass has a free option with unlimited passwords and syncs across devices. A $2-per-month premium plan keeps you logged in when switching devices, comes with security notifications and allows for item sharing. A family subscription comes with six premium accounts and only costs $4 per month. This makes it an excellent budget option as well. Besides the pairing code to connect accounts, NordPass is a pretty standard password manager. Scanning a code gets me from my laptop to mobile device to work computer super easily. If you’re constantly switching devices and those extra few seconds save your sanity, it’s worth considering.

  • Number of tiers: 3

  • Pricing: Free, $2/per month for Premium, $4/month for Family

  • Compatibility: macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Edge

Best password manager for shared access: Dashlane

Dashlane has four subscription options: A free user gets access to a single device with unlimited passwords; an advanced user pays $3 per month to get upgraded to unlimited devices and dark web monitoring; for $5 per month, a premium user also gets VPN access and an $7.49-per-month family plan includes access for up to 10 subscribers.

It met all the criteria we looked for, but with a clear emphasis on sharing credentials. Dashlane highlights “secure sharing” starting at its free level, which is a functionality that some competitors keep behind a paywall. Access for up to 10 members in a family plan is one of the bigger plans we’ve seen as well. While we were testing it, password sharing seemed front of mind with a tab dedicated to it in Dashlane’s browser extension. Arguably the biggest caveat here, though, is lack of Linux support.

  • Number of tiers: 4

  • Pricing: Free, $3/month for Advanced, $5/month for Premium, $7/month for Friends and Family

  • Compatibility: macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Brave, Edge, Opera

FAQs

Why use a password manager?

Using a password manager can enhance your online security. They store all of your complex passwords and autofill them as needed, so that you can have unique, strong passwords across the web without remembering each of them yourself. In many cases, unique passwords are your first defense against attack, and a reliable manager makes it easier to keep track of them all.

How secure are password managers?

Password managers are a secure way to store your credentials. Experts in the field generally agree that the benefits of accessibility when storing complex passwords outweigh the possibility of attack, like what happened with LastPass. But with any service, it can vary from provider to provider. You should look out for zero-knowledge policies, regular security audits, pentests, bug bounty programs and encryption when choosing the right secure password manager for you.

What if I forget my master password?

Forgetting a master password won’t necessarily lock you out for good, but the recovery process varies from provider to provider. Some services give you a “security key” at sign up to enter when you log into new devices. It can also be used to securely recover your account because it’s a random string of keys stored locally that only you have access to. Other services, however, have no way to recover your vault. So creating a master password that you won’t forget is important.

How can I make a good master password?

A good master password should be unique, with the longest number of characters allowed and uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Experts often recommended thinking of it like a “passphrase” instead of a “password” to make it easier to remember. For example, you can take a sentence like “My name is Bob Smith” and change it to “Myn@m3isB0b5m!th” to turn it into a secure master password that you won’t forget.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-password-manager-134639599.html?src=rss

The best wireless Bluetooth headphones for 2024

Over-ear, noise canceling headphones tend to offer the best balance of sound quality, noise blockage, reliable Bluetooth connections and extra features that you can get in the headphone space. But just because a particular pair of cans ticks all of the boxes doesn’t mean it will look, sound and feel just as good as another; some companies like Sony, Bose and others lead the pack. Engadget reviews dozens of headphones every year and we test out even more to keep our finger on the pulse. In this guide, we’ve highlighted our top picks for the best wireless headphones based on the best mix of features, including overall audio quality, ANC performance, comfort, advanced audio tools and more. Our six favorites, which have remained the same since the start of 2024, offer all of the conveniences we’d expect in a set of high-quality wireless headphones, with a range of prices to help you stay within your budget.

How to choose the best wireless headphones for you

When it comes to shopping for a good pair of wireless headphones, the first thing you’ll need to decide on is wear style. Do you prefer on-ear or over-ear headphones? For the purposes of our buyer’s guide, we focus on the over-ear style as that’s what most noise-canceling headphones are nowadays. Sure, you can find on-ear models with ANC, but over-ear designs are much more effective at blocking sound. Speaking of noise cancellation, you’ll want to determine early on if you even want that. If you frequently crank up the beats in noisy environments, you’ll want to not only make sure it’s there, but also make sure it’s good. If you plan to use your new headphones in quieter spaces, skipping ANC can save you some money.

The next area to consider is features. We recommend trying to get the most bang for your buck, but as you’re shopping around you should determine which items are must-haves and what you can live without. And don’t take basic things like automatic pausing and Bluetooth multipoint connectivity for granted, as not all companies include them. We also suggest reading reviews to see how well a company’s more advanced features work. This will help you decide if those are something you’re willing to (likely) pay extra for. Pay close attention to battery life estimates and don’t be easily swayed by lofty promises about call quality.

Sound can be subjective, so we recommend trying before you buy if at all possible. We understand this isn’t easy at a time when we’re doing most of our shopping online. But trying on a set of headphones and listening to them for a few minutes can save you from an expensive case of buyer’s remorse. We also recommend paying attention to things like Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, 360 Reality Audio and other immersive formats. Not all headphones support them, so you’ll want to make sure a perspective pair does if that sort of thing excites you.

How we test wireless headphones

The primary way we test headphones is to wear them as much as possible. We prefer to do this over a one- to two-week period, but sometimes embargoes don’t allow it. During this time, we listen to a mix of music and podcasts, while also using the earbuds to take both voice and video calls. Since battery life for headphones can be 30 hours or more, we drain the battery with looping music and the volume set at a comfortable level (usually around 75 percent). Due to the longer battery estimates, we’ll typically power the headphones off several times and leave them during a review. This simulates real-world use and keeps us from having to constantly monitor the process for over 24 straight hours.

To judge the best Bluetooth headphones, we consider audio quality by listening to a range of genres, noting any differences in the sound profile across the styles. We also test at both low and high volumes to check for consistency in the tuning. To assess the quality of phone calls, we’ll record audio samples with the headphones’ microphones as well as have third parties call us.

When it comes to features, we do a thorough review of companion apps, testing each feature as we work through the software. Any holdovers from previous models are double checked for improvements or regression. If the headphones we’re testing are an updated version of a previous model, we’ll spend time getting reacquainted with the older set. Ditto for the closest competition for each new set of headphones that we review.

Other headphones we tested

AirPods Max

Apple’s AirPods Max are premium, well-designed headphones that incorporate all of the best features you find on standard AirPods: solid noise cancelation, spatial audio and easy Siri access. However, their $550 starting price makes them almost prohibitively expensive, even for those with Apple devices. There are better options available at lower prices.

Sony WH-CH720N

While the WH-CH720N are a great affordable option, we prefer the Audio-Technica in the budget category. Sony’s cans are lightweight with good sound quality, but ANC struggles at times and they’re made with a lot of plastic.

Beats Studio Pro

The Studio Pro lacks basic features like automatic pausing and multipoint connectivity is only available on Android), plus they’re not very comfortable for people with larger heads. Overall sound quality is improved, though, and voice performance on calls is well above average.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Bose’s latest flagship model has a lot to offer, but its trademark Immersive Audio feature can be inconsistent across different types of music. There’s still world-class ANC, excellent comfort and a clearer transparency mode, but for the price, the non-Ultra model is a better choice right now.

Master & Dynamic MH40 (2nd gen)

The MH40 are a great set of headphones if you favor crisp, clear and natural sound that isn’t overly tuned. This pair showcases the company’s affinity for leather and metal too, but limited customization and short battery life for non-ANC cans kept this set from making the cut.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8

The company’s trademark pristine sound is on display here, but the Px8 are more expensive and not nearly as comfortable as the Px7 S2.

FAQs

How can you tell the quality of headphones?

I typically look at three factors: design, sound quality and features. In terms of design, I’m usually looking to see if the build quality of the headphones feels cheap and plasticky. Plenty of companies use plastic, but they can do so in a way that doesn’t look or feel like budget models. For sound quality, I want to hear a nice, even tuning where highs, mids and lows are all well represented. No overly boomy bass or scooped out mids. I also want good clarity where you can pick up fine details and an open, immersive soundstage. Features is typically a distant third, but if a company doesn’t cover basic functionality (automatic pausing, transparency mode, multipoint Bluetooth, etc.) it can be an indication of overall quality. 

How do I choose the best quality headphones?

“Best” can be pretty subjective, but I always recommend going to a place where you can listen to the headphones you’re thinking about buying before you commit. Sometimes this isn’t possible, so you’ll want to check return policies. I also recommend doing some research to determine what your priorities are in a new set. Are you an audiophile who wants the best sound quality? Is powerful active noise cancellation (ANC) the most important? Would you rather have conveniences like automatic pausing?

Which brand has the best headphones?

Sony consistently tops our list with its 1000X line. This is mostly due to the combination of sound quality, ANC performance and the truckload of features these headphones pack in. I’ll be the first to tell you that there are better sounding options and other companies, like Bose, offer more effective noise cancellation. But when you add everything up, no one comes close to the full slate of tools Sony puts in its premium headphone line.

Do expensive headphones sound better?

Exorbitant price tags don’t mean better audio quality. Bowers & Wilkins’ headphones are on the high end for wireless noise-canceling models and they sound amazing. However, Audio-Technica’s M50xBT2 is much more affordable and doesn’t have ANC, but these headphones have a warm, natural sound profile that I find very inviting. At the end of the day, it will come down to personal preference, but you don’t need to spend a lot to find great headphones.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-headphones-wireless-bluetooth-120543205.html?src=rss

Top 10 Camping Gear That Are The Perfect Sidekicks For Your Outdoor Adventures

After a tiring week at work, with the weekend joyfully looming ahead of me, I often find myself fantasizing about a short sweet getaway! Just a few days away from my hectic life, and this hectic world, in a bubble of my own, where all my worries are nowhere to be seen. And with the summer season setting in, I’m definitely in the mood to soak up some sun; and, camping could be a great outdoor activity. Although camping does have a few downsides too – I mean, you have to get down and dirty, live life on the road, and tackle the moodiness of the elements. In such a scenario, having a set of trustworthy and handy camping products can make a world of difference! Having the right products by your side can make your life much easier during those crucial moments. From a foldable firepit to a flashlight duo with multiple modes– we’ve curated some fun and functional camping designs for you. Enjoy!

1. The Space Acacia

The Space Acacia is an innovative modern camping system that provides a spacious weatherproof tent, a comfortable and durable air floor a temperature-adjusting canopy that keeps away the rain and the cold. It is a single portable package!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Acacia tent is chock-full of innovative features, each contributing to its occupants’ comfort and safety. The unconventional hexagonal shape not only provides more space but better stability as well, able to withstand level 8 winds. At the same time, its Oxford 300D material will keep you protected from downpours of up to 2,000mm.

What we like

  • Takes only 20 minutes to set up
  • Features PU2000 waterproof coating and a maximum capacity of 4,000lbs

What we dislike

  • Hefty price tag

2. The FireBase

This foldable firepit is called the FireBase, and it is made up of five metal parts that can be effortlessly slotted into each other like puzzle pieces, so you don’t need to waste much time fussing or focusing on the equipment, but can rather pay more attention on the fire and the food.

Why is it noteworthy?

The metal bonfire stand embraces a minimalist design where every part and cutout serves a purpose. In addition to the slots for inserting metal pieces like trivets and side plates, there are also holes in the middle that facilitate airflow.

What we like

  • Minimal and clean form
  • Easy to disassemble the contraption for more convenient cleaning and carrying

What we dislike

  • The basic structure of the firepit allows for minimal cooking and no additional cooking techniques

3. The Mouro Lamp

Designed by Patricia Perez for Case Furniture, the Mouro Lamp is a pretty minimalist lamp defined by simple geometric shapes. The playful and portable Mouro Lamp is named after a lighthouse in Perez’s hometown.

Why is it noteworthy?

The lamp is made up of a disc-shaped LED light and a rectangular frame that holds it, while also doubling up as a handle. It has a unique yet simple structure and form that make it super easy to use and carry around.

What we like

  • Portable and easy-to-use design
  • Has three brightness settings to set it at different moods

What we dislike

  • Doesn’t look sturdy enough to handle the harsh outdoors, seems easily breakable

4. The All-In-One-Grill

The All-In-One-Grill helps you with almost any kind of cooking – from frying (teppanyaki), smoking, stewing, grilling or even simply keeping your wine warm. It is the unique and innovative griller you’ve been looking for!

Why is it noteworthy?

Made by a small family-owned Japanese factory that specializes in sheet metal fabrication, the All-in-One Grill is carefully designed to maximize the limited amount of space available, like small grooves on the grill’s frame that keep the skewers in place. The wooden base that protects tables from the grill’s hot bottom also acts as a lid when the griller has to be stowed away.

What we like

  • Let’s you cook in seven different ways
  • Simplifies outdoor cooking

What we dislike

  • Hardcore grillers may not prefer this design

5. The Orbe Lamp

French designer Nelson Fossey from Index Office collaborated with Lexon to create the Orbe lamp. Winner of the 2023 Red Dot Design award, the Orbe is a portable torchiere lamp that is designed to illuminate spaces wherever and whenever needed.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Orbe Lamp is inspired by childhood memories of playing the cup-and-ball game and features a detachable magnetic head with an interesting 2-part design that can be easily attached and detached.

What we like

  • You can easily carry the lamp with you anywhere, and its rotatable head emits a peak output of 100 lumens of light

What we dislike

  • Not sure if it durable enough to handle the outdoors

6. JIU

JIU is a plate that you can cook your food on, or a flying plate with a removable handle. It is a novel way to look at both cooking and eating!

Why is it noteworthy?

A thick iron plate makes up the body of the plate or frying pan. Thanks to this material, you can cook food slowly under low heat, never letting natural juices go to waste and keeping the crispiness of the ingredients inside. And since you don’t have to transfer the food from pan to plate, you can enjoy your meal while it’s warm.

What we like

  • You can easily attach and detach the wooden handle as needed

What we dislike

  • Since it’s made from iron, it would be difficult and heavy to carry around

7. The HOTO Flashlight DUO

This versatile flashlight is called the HOTO Flashlight DUO and it can be conveniently used in all camping scenarios. The designer incorporated and integrated various modes and inclusions to expand the unique flashlight’s utility.

Why is it noteworthy?

There’s a retractable magnetic hook, strap, and magnetic base to make sure you are covered for any kind of usability. This gives the user freedom to go hands-free and focus on the task at hand. You can either stick it to a hanging space or magnetically hook on onto any metal object.

What we like

  • The simple interface honed by a knob and button makes possible 13 different light combinations

What we dislike

  • A bit on the pricey side

8. The Anywhere Lamp

The Anywhere Lamp is a simple and minimalist lamp that tries to bridge the gap between portable and non-portable lamps. It functions as a lighting solution that can be easily carried anywhere to set the right atmosphere, while also looking super stylish.

Why is it noteworthy?

The mushroom table lamp is so minimalist that you will see neither cords nor buttons on its pristine surface. Pressing anywhere on the edge of the lamp’s top turns it on and cycles through its different brightness settings before it turns off again.

What we like

  • Each press has a soft and comfortable clicking feel to it, so you can get addicted to and enjoy the gesture

What we dislike

9. Rux

This simple, modular and flexible gear container is called Rux, and it is super durable, allowing you to hold all your stuff. It is soft-sided so you can fold and pack it up when you’re not using it.

Why is it noteworthy?

It has several components that you can easily put together and comes with additional accessories that you can add to it to organize all your gear. It can be a good companion for fishing trips, camping adventures, cross-country road trips, and various events where you need gearboxes.

What we like

  • It has a lid with easy-access folds and is made from compressed Eva foam
  • It comes with removable side handle straps and nylon webbing straps

What we dislike

  • It does seem a bit big to be carrying around everywhere

10. Tentsla

The innovative Tentsla is a tent that fits perfectly into the boot of your Tesla and opens up into a full-fledged tent that can be used alongside the Tesla’s Camp Mode.

Why is it noteworthy?

Designed to turn your EV into the ultimate camping experience, the Tentsla comes with all the bells and whistles, including a multi-use weather-resistant canopy, mosquito netting, and a pump to help you set up your Tentsla in minutes. Once you’re ready to make your way home, the Tentsla folds right up into a bundle small enough to fit in your EV’s frunk or boot, keeping you ever-ready for any impromptu tailgating session!

What we like

  • Boasts a multi-canopy design that lets you block out the sun from pretty much any angle to keep your tent cool during the day
  • Tentsla is designed to withstand up to 6000mm of water pressure, keeping the tent’s interiors waterproof even in inclement weather

What we dislike

  • Only restricted to the Tesla Model Y

The post Top 10 Camping Gear That Are The Perfect Sidekicks For Your Outdoor Adventures first appeared on Yanko Design.

The best gifts for new dads

We get it, new dads (like new moms) just need a break. Aside from volunteering for babysitting duties, there’s an easy way to help: Get them some new gear. Perhaps some wireless earbuds to listen to podcasts as they put the baby to sleep, or something that could help to distract the youngins so he can rest his back for a few minutes. Here are the products we think would be most useful to tired new dads.

10.2-inch iPad

Apple's 9th-gen iPad is one of the most useful devices for any new parent. It can be your child's gateway to video chatting with their grandparents (and with the new Center Stage cameras, they’ll always be in frame), or a life-saving distraction during long car rides. It could be a new dad's way to catch up on their favorite show while stuck dealing with mealtime. Or it could be a way for growing kids to read interactive stories and play games. The iPad can be whatever you want it to be. And paired with a decent case, it can be durable enough to survive life with tiny humans. (And if it does break, at least it's far cheaper to replace than an iPad Air, or a typical laptop.)

Jabra Elite 85t earbuds

There's no question that we love Jabra's lineup of wireless earbuds. The Elite 85t delivers solid active noise canceling, a slim and light design, and excellent sound. And best of all, they cost around $200 and you can often find them for around $150. No matter which smartphone you have, the 85t are an excellent way to catch up on podcasts while trying to rock a baby to sleep. And they'll be even more useful during the rare bit of downtime for new parents. They're perfect for rocking out to your favorite tunes, or pair them to your TV or set-top box to enjoy late-night movies without making much noise.

Apple AirPods Pro

The first AirPods Pro were a much-needed improvement over the original AirPods, thanks to a more secure bud design and noise canceling. The second-generation AirPod Pros are even better, with significantly improved sound and far more powerful ANC. They’re perfect for drowning out a crying infant as they’re being rocked to sleep, or quieting the cacophony of house noise while preparing dinner. Pop in one AirPod Pro, and it can help dad catch up on his podcasts while pushing a stroller around town, or chasing kids through a playground. And once the kids are asleep, they can deliver surprisingly powerful tunes. They also easily pair with Apple TVs to deliver immersive sound at night without waking the kids.

SmartNoggin Nogginstik

This relatively cheap rattle is deceptively useful. It has a light-up face to keep babies interested, multiple textures for them to explore, and a mirror on the bottom for them to learn their own faces. It was a secret weapon during my child's first-year tantrums, so much so that I've gifted it to every new parent I know. It's not high tech at all, but it's a reminder that they’re called classics for a reason.

Apple Watch Series 8

The Apple Watch Series 8 is the perfect companion for any iPhone-toting dad. It’s not as flashy as the Apple Watch Ultra, but it’s still filled with useful features like automatic car crash detection. And then there are all the other great things dads can do with an Apple Watch: Keep tabs on notifications without pulling out their phone; check out with Apple Pay in a few seconds; and live out their sci-fi fantasies by taking calls on their wrist. It’s perfect dad tech: A little dorky, but eminently practical.

Kindle Paperwhite

We all wish we could read more, and sometimes it’s just nice to stop staring at a phone’s bright screen. Enter the Kindle Paperwhite, one of our favorite e-readers on the market. It has a large 6.8-inch E-Ink screen that’s purpose built for reading. The backlight is easy on the eyes, and the most recent model even features warmer lighting to avoid disrupting sleep patterns. It’s also waterproof, making it a great bath, beach or pool companion. After dealing with kids for the whole day, it may be worth just locking up your notification and social media infested phone to dive into a good book. And if you're not an Amazon person, you have plenty of good e-reader options from Kobo to consider, like the Clara 2E.

Theragun Mini 2.0

Keeping up with a new baby can lead to aches and pains in muscles that dad never knew he had. The Theragun Mini can give him the opportunity to get a massage without leaving the house. While there are much bigger and more powerful Theragun machines, the Mini is a good size for beginners and those who want to take its muscle relief power wherever they go. It has a single button that dad can use to change the massage gun’s speed and its ergonomic design makes it easy to reach different parts of the body. And arguably the best part is its 150-minute battery life — while that might not seem like a long time, it truly is when you consider the fact that you don’t need to use it for more than a few minutes each day to feel the results. With that schedule, dad could use the Theragun Mini every day for a month or more before needing to recharge it.

Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Game controller

A perfect gift for any gamer dads in your life, the Laugh and Learn Controller is basically a baby-proofed version of a modern gamepad. There's a joystick, directional pad, and array of buttons for kids to fiddle with. But like any good distracting toy, it also lights up and makes sounds to keep them entertained. It's not exactly complex, but it's inexpensive and effective. That's particularly true for parents of little ones who always gravitate to their expensive console controllers.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-gifts-for-new-dads-110049541.html?src=rss

The best password managers for 2024

We use passwords for everything. From our bank accounts to free social media sites, our password footprints spread all over our digital landscape. But that means if you’re reusing the same ones over and over again, you’re opening yourself up to hackers potentially finding one in a leak and getting into your most sensitive accounts. That’s where password managers come in. They store all your credentials in one place, taking the burden off of you to remember them all, and even offer stronger password options to help prevent reuse in the future. Yet, it’s a confusing space filled with extra features and security gaps that can make it hard to navigate. We tested out nine of the best password managers available now to help you choose the right one for your needs. 1Password remains our top pick thanks to its zero-knowledge policy, numerous security features and general ease of use, but there are other solid password managers out there to consider as well.

How do password managers work?

Think of password managers like virtual safe deposit boxes. They hold your valuables, in this case usually online credentials, in a section of the vault only accessible to you by security key or a master password. Most of these services have autofill features that make it convenient to log in to any site without needing to remember every password you have, and they keep your credit card information close for impulse purchases.

But given that passwords are one of the top ways to keep your online identity secure, the real value of password managers is staying safe online. “It's just not possible without a password manager to have unique, long and hard-to-guess passwords,” Florian Schaub, an associate professor of information and of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan, said.

Common guidance states that secure passwords should be unique, with the longest number of characters allowed and uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. This is the exact opposite of using one password everywhere, with minor variations depending on a site’s requirements. Think of how many online accounts and sites you have credentials for — it’s an impossible task to remember it all without somewhere to store passwords safely (no, a sticky note on your desk won’t cut it). Password managers are more readily accessible and offer the benefit of filling in those long passwords for you.

Are password managers safe?

It seems counterintuitive to store all your sensitive information in one place. One hack could mean you lose it all to an attacker and struggle for months or even years to rebuild your online presence, not to mention you may have to cancel credit cards and other accounts. But most experts in the field agree that password managers are a generally secure and safe way to keep track of your personal data, and the benefits of strong, complex passwords outweigh the possible risks.

The mechanics of keeping those passwords safe differs slightly from provider to provider. Generally, you have a lengthy, complex “master password” that safeguards the rest of your information. In some cases, you might also get a “security key” to enter when you log in to new devices. This is a random string of letters, numbers and symbols that the company will send you at sign up. Only you know this key, and because it’s stored locally on your device or printed out on paper, it’s harder for hackers to find.

These multiple layers of security make it difficult for an attacker to get into your vault even if your password manager provider experiences a breach. But the company should also follow a few security basics. A “zero-knowledge” policy means that the company keeps none of your data on file, so in the event of an attack, there’s nothing for hackers to find. Regular health reports like pentests and security audits are essential for keeping companies up to par on best practices, and other efforts like bug bounty programs or hosting on an open source website encourage constant vigilance for security flaws. Most password managers now also offer some level of encryption falling under the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). AES 256-bit is the strongest, because there are the most number of possible combinations, but AES 128-bit or 192-bit are still good.

Who are password managers for?

Given their universal benefit, pretty much everyone could use a password manager. They’re not just for the tech-savvy people or businesses anymore because so much sensitive information ends up online behind passwords, from our bank accounts to our Netflix watch history.

That’s the other perk of password managers: safe password sharing. Families, friends or roommates can use them to safely access joint accounts. Texting a password to someone isn’t secure, and you can help your family break the habit by starting to use one yourself, Lisa Plaggemier, executive director at National Cyber Security Alliance, said. Streaming is the obvious use case, but consider the shared bills, file storage and other sites you share access with the people around you as well.

Are password managers worth it?

You likely already use a password manager, even if you wouldn’t think to call it that. Most phones and web browsers include a log of saved credentials on the device, like the “passwords” keychain in the settings of an iPhone. That means you’ve probably seen the benefits of not having to memorize a large number of passwords or even type them out already.

While that’s a great way in, the downfall of these built-in options are that they tend to be device specific. If you rely on an Apple password manager, for example, that works if you’re totally in the Apple ecosystem — but you become limited once you get an Android tablet, Lujo Bauer, professor of electrical and computer engineering, and of computer science, at Carnegie Mellon University, said. If you use different devices for work and personal use and want a secure option for sharing passwords with others, or just don’t want to be tied to one brand forever, a third-party password manager is usually worth it.

How we tested

We tested password managers by downloading the apps for each of the nine contenders on iPhone, Android, Safari, Chrome and Firefox. That helped us better understand what platforms each manager was available on, and see how support differs across operating systems and browsers.

As we got set up with each, we took note of ease of use and how they iterated on the basic features of autofill and password generators. Nearly all password managers have these features, but some place limits on how much you can store while others give more control over creating easy-to-type yet complex passwords. From there, we looked at extra features like data-breach monitoring to understand which managers offered the most for your money.

Finally, we reviewed publicly available information about security specs for each. This includes LastPass, which more experts are shying away from recommending after the recent breach. For the sake of this review, we’ve decided not to recommend LastPass at this time as fallout from the breach still comes to light (The company disclosed a second incident earlier this year where an unauthorized attack accessed the company’s cloud storage, including sensitive data. Since then, hackers have stolen more than $4.4 million in cryptocurrency using private keys and other information stored in LastPass vaults.)

These are the password managers we tested:

Other password managers we tested

LastPass

For a while, security experts considered LastPass a solid choice for a password manager. It’s easy to use, has a slew of helpful extra features and its free version gives you a lot. But we decided not to include LastPass in our top picks because of the high profile data breaches it has experienced over the past couple of years.

Keeper

Keeper met a lot of the basic criteria we tested for, like autofill options and cross-platform availability. We liked its family plan options, too, that can keep your whole household secure. But we didn’t think its extra features, like the encrypted messaging app, added much value. Plus, it has a self-destruct feature after five incorrect login attempts which, despite adding extra protection, could be a recipe for disaster for casual users.

Enpass

Enpass works well as an affordable password manager. That includes an inflation-beating “lifetime” access pass instead of a monthly payment for users really committed to the service. Still, it was confusing to set up across devices and because Enpass stores data locally, as opposed to in the cloud, we struggled to get started with it on mobile.

Norton

A familiar name in security, we were excited to test out Norton’s password manager. While it’s free, its features seem underdeveloped. It lacked password sharing, account recovery and complex form-filing tools that come standard in many of the other password managers we tested.

LogMeOnce

LogMeOnce comes with a wide range of premium tiers, from professional to family, that include different levels of storage and features. But when we tested, it lacked some basic cross-platform availability that other password managers had already, like compatibility with Mac and Safari.

FAQs

Why use a password manager?

Using a password manager can enhance your online security. They store all of your complex passwords and autofill them as needed, so that you can have unique, strong passwords across the web without remembering each of them yourself. In many cases, unique passwords are your first defense against attack, and a reliable manager makes it easier to keep track of them all.

Are password managers 100 percent safe?

Password managers are a secure way to store your credentials. Experts in the field generally agree that the benefits of accessibility when storing complex passwords outweigh the possibility of attack, like what happened with LastPass. But with any service, it can vary from provider to provider. You should look out for zero-knowledge policies, regular security audits, pentests, bug bounty programs and encryption when choosing the right secure password manager for you.

What if I forget my master password?

Forgetting a master password won’t necessarily lock you out for good, but the recovery process varies from provider to provider. Some services give you a “security key” at sign up to enter when you log into new devices. It can also be used to securely recover your account because it’s a random string of keys stored locally that only you have access to. Other services, however, have no way to recover your vault. So creating a master password that you won’t forget is important.

How can I make a good master password?

A good master password should be unique, with the longest number of characters allowed and uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Experts often recommended thinking of it like a “passphrase” instead of a “password” to make it easier to remember. For example, you can take a sentence like “My name is Bob Smith” and change it to “Myn@m3isB0b5m!th” to turn it into a secure master password that you won’t forget.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-password-manager-134639599.html?src=rss

Top 10 essential gear for your summer 2023 outdoor adventures

At Yanko Design, we believe in constantly innovating, creating, and evolving. It’s a philosophy that serves as a lifeline for us, and one of the results of this lifeline is the YD x KeyShot Inspiration Hub! The Inspiration Hub is our ‘ever-expanding encyclopedia’ of design work for you to participate in, to inspire designers, and to get inspired by. Created in collaboration with KeyShot, the Inspiration Hub is your one-stop space for inspiration where designers like you can submit your impressive designs and be awarded to stand out in the crowd and to inspire other like-minded designers.

To kickstart your journey and send some motivation your way, we’ve curated our top 10 essential outdoor gear from the Inspiration Hub. These unique outdoor accessories will motivate you to create something spectacular and submit the design, as a gateway to sharing it with the best of the design world. Additionally, we will also be picking our favorite Design of the Week, Design of the Month, and Design of the Year – every week, month, and year from the submissions on the Inspiration Hub. Keep an eye on our Instagram page and the Inspiration Hub to see if your design gets picked. Fingers crossed!
Click here to Download KeyShot Pro (Use Code ‘KSYANKOHUB’ during installation for full Pro + KeyShotWeb trial) to take your sketch from concept to render!

1. Herman Miller-inspired Hiking Backpack

Designed by Judar Design, this stunning Herman Miller-inspired backpack is heavily influenced by the Herman Miller camp! It has unique and lightweight aesthetics, and functions as a practical hiking backpack for campers, as well as a laptop bag for city commuters. It has a solid structure on the outside, much like the Cosm chair, which offers protection from any accidental bumps if any important and fragile stuff has been placed inside.

2. Task Light

Designed by Jake Naish, this beautifully-designed task light makes for the ultimate outdoor gear for your outdoor adventures. Featuring a minimal, clean, and cylindrical form, the lighting design comes in options of two soft pastel colors that are exceedingly easy on the eyes. Grooves on the body of the light add a touch of texture and personality to the design.

3. Fellow Travel

If you’re setting out on an outdoor adventure in a foreign country, then Fellow Travel is the perfect product for you! Designed by Hanyoung Lee, Fellow Travel is an innovative interpretation device that allows you to communicate smoothly and effortlessly with people who speak other languages while traveling. It includes APP services that accumulate data through conversations and share it with other travelers.

4. Rock Climbing Shoes

Designed by Santiago Riera, these rock-climbing shoes are inspired by the design philosophy and language of Organic Climbing. Designed using virtual reality, these unique rock climbing shoes can be customized according to the tastes and preferences of every user, allowing them to play around with colors and materials and create the perfect outdoor shoes for themselves.

5. Foldable Lander

Designed by Yunonglive Studio, the Foldable Lander is a compact and lightweight product that measures a little over 13 inches in length when closed, and weighs 2.8 lbs. The innovative design once opened up, transforms into a comfortable and cozy chair with a backrest, and can take up to 100x its weight. This foldable chair and foldable table/ottoman offer a unique and convenient way to take a seat anywhere, whether it’s for fun or for work.

6. The Havoc Arxc Glasses

Designed by Sebastian Halin, the Havoc Arxc Glasses are designed for cyclists of all disciplines – where clear vision and sleek looks are a priority. The good-looking shades feature a clean and minimal look accentuated by smooth lines and a two-colored CMF, as well as a tinted UV-protected lens for optimal vision. The glasses have a replaceable nose bridge made in silicone.

7. Microtech Exocet Dagger

Amped with a tiny 1.94-inch blade, the Microtech Exocet Dagger is actually legal to carry in most states, making it the perfect EDC to have on you at all times. Designed by Microtech Knives, the innovative dagger features an OTF-style (out-the-front) drop-point blade made from CTS 204P steel that’s perfect for piercing and carving outdoors and doing things like opening boxes indoors.

8. The HOTO 3-in-1 Camplight

Designed by Lu Zheng, YF Liu, and Xiaodong Liu, the HOTO 3-in-1 Camplight provides users with a convenient and innovative lighting solution in all possible camping scenarios. The unique lighting design functions as an area light, ambient light, and flashlight. It features a transparent and durable PC lamp head, as well as an aluminum alloy case – resulting in a premium and excellent tool for the outdoors.

9. Supernova

Designed by GravaStar and named the Supernova, this futuristic-looking accessory resembles a three-legged robot but is in reality a sci-fi-inspired speaker cum LED lamp. It is crafted out of a solid zinc alloy metallic body standing on GravaStar’s iconic tripod legs that we saw in their previous designs. It is equipped with a 3-inch full-range speaker with 25 watts of power, 90db of output, and half-inch high-frequency tweeter for rich and crisp sound delivery.

10. Quasar Portable Lamp

Designed by Samy Rhio and Petite Friture, the Quasar portable lamp, is designed to be a ‘nomadic lamp’. French designer Samy Rhio designed this nomadic lamp to enable users to carry it around, allowing it to illuminate any space they go to. They can hang the nifty lamp using a multicolored strap that will remind you of a climbing rope.

Click here to Download KeyShot Pro (Use Code ‘KSYANKOHUB’ during installation for a full Pro + KeyShotWeb trial) to start creating your own design and submit the design to us to get featured on the Inspiration Hub and the Yanko Design Instagram Page.

The post Top 10 essential gear for your summer 2023 outdoor adventures first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 essential camping gear for glamping enthusiasts

Designer: W2

After a tiring week at work, with the weekend joyfully looming ahead of me, I often find myself fantasizing about a short sweet getaway! Just a few days away from my hectic life, and this hectic world, in a bubble of my own, where all my worries are nowhere to be seen. And with the summer season setting in, I’m definitely in the mood to soak up some sun; and, camping could be a great outdoor activity. Although camping does have a few downsides too – I mean, you have to get down and dirty, live life on the road, and tackle the moodiness of the elements. In such a scenario, having a set of trustworthy and handy camping products can make a world of difference! Having the right products by your side can make your life much easier during those crucial moments. From a portable power station to a camping chair that doubles up as a carrying tool – we’ve curated some fun and functional camping designs for you. Enjoy!

1. The LIPOWER Mars-2000

Meet the LIPOWER Mars-2000, a beer-cooler-sized power station that gives you up to 2000W of power no matter where you are. Whether you’re camping outdoors, spending a cool evening at the beach, going on a road trip, or even taking your camera and drone on a day-long expedition for work or casual photoshoots, the LIPOWER Mars-2000 is a pretty capable portable power source that’s equipped with EV-grade LFP batteries for sustained power no matter what your requirement.

Why is it noteworthy?

The 1460Wh power station weighs 35.5 lbs (16.1 kilograms) and comes with built-in handles that let you load it on the back of a car and carry it pretty much anywhere you want. The LIPOWER Mars-2000 offers 10 different ports to charge/power a whole slew of devices, including 3 110V AC ports, 3 12V DC ports (including one car outlet), 3 USB-A ports (including one USB3.0 port for fast charging), and one USB-C port that outputs 60W, making it perfect for phones, tablets, and even laptops.

What we like

  • There’s also an input for plugging solar panels into the LIPOWER Mars-2000, charging it via solar energy up to 80% in 5 hours, according to its makers, LIPOWER

What we dislike

  • It is a bit bulky to be carrying around in the outdoors

2. Tekto F2 Bravo Knife

EDC’s often get lost in the sea of multi-functional gadgets. Sure, some of the 12 tools in the kit may be of use every now and then, but most times, all we need is an elegant knife. Tekto F2 Bravo delivers that exact seamless luxury yet functional experience with its sharp design.

Why is it noteworthy?

The knife’s blade is made suing 2 materials, Forged Carbon and G10 and uses ceramic ball bearings to ensure that the blade-flipping motion remains smooth after repeated use.

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What we like

  • The drop point, made of strong D2 steel, cuts through a variety of materials easily.
  • Weighing just 68g, it easily fits into any bag or pocket, allowing you to literally carry this EDC on an everyday basis.

What we dislike

  • The blade comes with one variant – the Titanium-Coated D2 Steel and offers no alternative for anyone wanting any other option.

3. Foldable Lander

Power stations help us carry electricity to the outdoors, tactical EDC helps us service in life-threatening situations, and chairs like the Foldable Lander make sitting much more comfortable in the outdoors.

Why is it noteworthy?

Designed to be compact and lightweight, the Foldable Lander measures a little over 13 inches in length when closed and weighs 2.8 lbs. Open it up, however, and it transforms into a comfortable chair with a backrest, capable of taking up to 100x its weight.

What we like

  • Bases itself on the principles of origami and the design of the Moon Lander’s four-legged landing mechanism
  • Compact enough to strap to your backpack and weighs less than a 6-pack of beer

What we dislike

  • No details on

4. Makit’s Portable Microwave

This cordless microwave uses the cordless XTGT system to help you heat your meals and snacks when you’re on the go. It has 40-volt rechargeable batteries and can use up to 500 watts for eight minutes and then 350 watts after that to save energy.

Why is it noteworthy?

When the batteries are fully charged, it will be able to warm up 11 meals or 20 drinks. It also has a USB port so you can also juice up your smartphone or a gadget, but of course, you’ll probably have to choose between your meal or your device. The microwave also comes with a handle and a strap so you can carry it around with you.

What we like

  • If you’re worried about safety, the design has safety measures in place for the user’s convenience
  • It also deactivates when it’s tilted or when the door is opened

What we dislike

  • If you’re warming up frozen meals, it might take up more energy so you’ll be able to reheat fewer meals

4. The Microtech Exocet Dagger

With a tiny 1.94-inch blade, the Microtech Exocet Dagger is actually legal to carry in most states, making it the perfect EDC to have on you at all times. The dagger features an OTF-style (out-the-front) drop-point blade made from CTS 204P steel that’s perfect for piercing and carving outdoors and doing things like opening boxes indoors.

Why is it noteworthy?

The blade retracts into the Exocet’s rather comfortably compact aircraft-grade aluminum handle, which also has a pocket clip on one side that doubles up as a money clip, letting you carry your cards and cash with you. I imagine taking out your money for a mugger would be a pretty interesting event, given that your de facto wallet also doubles as a blade!

What we like

  • It’s also the relatively wide pocket clip on its side, which Microtech designed to also double as a money clip, giving you a safe and secure place to store your Benjamins

What we dislike

  • We wish it had at least one additional function to make a multitool EDC

5. Tentsla

Meet Tentsla – it’s more than just a pun, it’s a tent that fits in your Tesla’s boot and opens up into a full-fledged tent that can be used alongside the Tesla’s Camp Mode.

Why is it noteworthy?

Designed to turn your EV into the ultimate camping experience, the Tentsla comes with all the bells and whistles, including a multi-use weather-resistant canopy, mosquito netting, and a pump to help you set up your Tentsla in minutes. Once you’re ready to make your way home, the Tentsla folds right up into a bundle small enough to fit in your EV’s frunk or boot, keeping you ever-ready for any impromptu tailgating session!

What we like

  • Boasts a multi-canopy design that lets you block out the sun from pretty much any angle to keep your tent cool during the day
  • Tentsla is designed to withstand up to 6000mm of water pressure, keeping the tent’s interiors waterproof even in inclement weather

What we dislike

  • Only restricted to the Tesla Model Y

6. Supernova

GravaStar who’ve surprised geeks with mecha-inspired Bluetooth speakers in the recent past have added another sci-fi speaker cum LED lamp to their line-up. Dubbed Supernova, the accessory looks like a three-legged robot, something anyone would want to sport in their geeky den.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Bluetooth speaker besides looking really inviting to own, fairs well when it comes to the overall build quality, functionality, and hardware specifications. It is crafted out of a solid zinc alloy metallic body standing on GravaStar’s iconic tripod legs that we saw in their previous designs. The accessory with a 3-inch full-range speaker has 25 watts of power, 90db of output, and half-inch high-frequency tweeter for rich, crisp sound delivery.

What we like

  • In the music-playing mode, this light can synch to the rhythm of the audio for partygoers

What we dislike

  • Could get easily damaged in the outdoors

7. The Chair-A

The Chair – A can be “half folded” into a form that almost resembles a “jigae” or a traditional Korean carrying tool. It is practically a frame that lets you load more things on your back without having to cram them into your backpack or have them dangling precariously from bags.

Why is it noteworthy?

This kind of tool has been used to easily transport loads of firewood, and its design hasn’t really changed at all in the past centuries. This chair, however, applies an A-frame design that makes the carrier look a bit more aesthetic while also providing more stability.

What we like

  • It folds completely flat so that it can be conveniently stored in cramped spaces
  • The arms do help shift the weight a bit to prevent strain and injury

What we dislike

  • Not very comfortable for prolonged use because of the fabric seat
  • Absence of a backrest

8. The Quasar Portable Lamp

A pretty cool and unique lamp design I recently came across is the Quasar portable lamp. Designed by Samy Rhio and Petite Friture, the Quasar portable lamp, is designed to be a ‘nomadic lamp’.

Why is it noteworthy?

French designer Samy Rhio designed this nomadic lamp to enable users to carry it around, allowing it to illuminate any space they go to. They can hang the nifty lamp using a multicolored strap that will remind you of a climbing rope.

What we like

  • The lamp has been equipped with a five-meter-long woven rope that is attached to the top of the lamp, making it a portable design that can be transferred from one location to another

What we dislike

  • Not sure if the lamp is durable enough to withstand extreme weather conditions

9. The Edison Light Stick

Inspired by the vintage lantern, the Edison Light Stick from Barebones is a multifunctional flashlight on Huckberry, that would be super helpful on all your outdoor adventures. It emits a warm glow that is great in emergencies and functions as a direct light for essential tasks like preparing food or fetching water.

Why is it noteworthy?

The lantern-inspired light glows warmly is multifunctional and can instantly uplift the mood in the camp or double as a reading light for those who still love catching on some good old reading during their camping trips. The glass tube body of the Edison Light Stick features brass and copper construction on top and bottom, while leather accents complete its handsome look.

What we like

  • Equipped with seven different light modes so you can have your ideal ambiance anytime, anywhere!
  • Exquisite brass and copper construction accentuated with leather accents

What we dislike

  • The price tag is a little hefty compared to similar products on the market

10. The Mobile Universe

Called the Mobile Universe, this portable battery is super easy to carry along when you go camping. It has been amped with different inputs and outputs, allowing you to power up all the diverse devices that you require when you go camping. You have AC output, USB-A, USB-C, 12V for car sockets, and other things you may need.

Why is it noteworthy?

It can charge smartphones and even power a small coffeemaker. The device also has different wires and connectors, living up to its “universal” name. Campers and those that will be spending time in the great outdoors can definitely benefit from bringing a device like this if they don’t want to totally go off-grid and still have access to things like phones, tablets, and other electronic devices.

What we like

  • Has some significant power to it, allowing it to charge all kinds of devices

What we dislike

  • It’s still a concept, and we need more information on it

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