These Smart Doorbells and Cameras Are About to Start Recording 24/7

These Smart Doorbells and Cameras Are About to Start Recording 24/7

As video doorbells and smart cameras have proliferated on the consumer market over the last 15 years, most have reported activity they pick up via motion detection through clips—short video recordings of fifteen seconds to a minute long. You receive a notification on your phone, tap it, and are delivered that short clip to review.

While that process can present a few issues—sometimes activity can happen outside the time limit for clips—it has mostly worked by balancing what consumers want to see without draining the camera's battery too quickly. However, in the last month, a number of security brands have announced what they’re calling “continuous recording,” or the ability for these devices to record 24/7. Here's what that might look like.

Continuous monitoring is new to the consumer market, but not for businesses

Reolink first announced that their Altas PT Ultra would offer continuous monitoring back in September 2024. Later, on October 2, Ring announced that a variety of their devices would also begin to offer the same. Continuous monitoring is hardly new, and a number of devices have previously offered it, including the E330 eufyCam 24/7 security camera and the Arlo Pro 4, as do all Unifi cameras. But most of these cameras are considered to be for “professional use"—that is, for businesses. The introduction of this feature for Ring and Reolink on models specifically for consumers reveals a shift in what people are looking for from their security monitoring devices. 

I asked Ring if this change was prompted by customers. Eric Kuhn, Ring’s general manager of subscriptions and services confirmed, “This has been one of our most requested features and provides customers added peace of mind," adding “24/7 Recording can help with notification fatigue: When you enable 24/7 Recording, you can reduce your motion detection sensitivity while maintaining the confidence that you’ll never miss a moment.” 

As a Ring user myself, and someone who has tested a ton of security cameras, this rings true: I have occasionally been slow to recharge my doorbell batteries, and I'm happy for a break from getting so many notifications to sift through. 

How notifications will work with continuous monitoring

In Ring’s case, you won’t be losing out on notifications altogether: You’ll still receive video preview alerts, so you can see what triggered the camera’s detection. You will then receive a short clip. The difference is that now you’ll be able to see what happened before and after that clip, to get more context. These features fall under new subscriptions as well: Ring Protect is now “Ring Home,” with three service tiers, but the prices haven’t changed: Home Basic ($4.99/month), Home Standard ($9.99/month), and Home Premium ($19.99/month).

To make finding events in your newly voluminous video library easier, Ring is introducing an AI-based smart video search that will be available starting November 11, 2024. This will allow customers to search via text strings like “blue balloon” instead of only being able to surf through event clips. Search will recognize a variety of parameters, like animals, locations, packages, people, time, vehicles, and weather.

Wifi and power needs will be greater

It seems clear that 24/7 monitoring will eventually become a standard in consumer cameras and doorbells, which raises some new questions. One of the aspects not mentioned in any press release touting continuous monitoring cameras is how the shift will affect wifi or battery load. In professional settings, cameras are almost always installed with continuous power, either directly wired or connected via PoE (power over ethernet), whereas many consumers rely on battery power.

Ring's press release states that continuous monitoring will only be available on "eligible wired cameras," indicating that if you want to take advantage, you'll likely have to do a bit more upfront installation work. Unfortunately, my own Ring cameras aren't wired nor connected to PoE, so I'm likely out of luck.



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These Ryobi Tools and Batteries Are up to 61% Off Right Now

These Ryobi Tools and Batteries Are up to 61% Off Right Now

Ryobi tools have rapidly expanded their line to include many types of cordless tools including larger power tools, lawn care equipment, and smaller, lighter, longer-lasting batteries. Their tools are a decent quality, affordable option for home maintenance and DIY projects. While getting every kind of Ryobi tool you might want can get expensive, Home Depot is currently offering some deals on a variety of Ryobi cordless tools that can help you get your DIY projects done with your budget intact.

Ryobi cordless saws

Cordless saws allow you to bring your tool to your project instead of needing to be close enough to an outlet to plug in, but they can be pricey. Here are some deals on Ryobi cordless saws for all your DIY cutting and trimming needs.

  • The Ryobi cordless 18-volt 7 ¼ inch compound miter saw is on sale for $189, 42% off its regular price. The saw comes with one 18-volt, 4-amp-hour battery, and one charger as well as one 7 ¼ inch blade to start you off.

  • The Ryobi cordless 18-volt oscillating multitool is on sale for $99, 44% off its usual price. It comes with one 18-volt, 4-amp-hour battery, one 18-volt 2-amp-hour battery, and one charger as well as a multimaterial starter blade.

  • The Ryobi cordless 18-volt reciprocating saw is on sale for $99, 44% off its typical price. This tool comes with one 18-volt, 4-amp-hour battery, one 18-volt 2-amp-hour battery, and one charger as well as a multipurpose blade.

Shaping and finishing

Finishing your DIY projects and making everything smooth and flush can be very time-consuming without the right tools. These deals can get you started on bringing the DIY projects of your dreams to life.

  • The Ryobi cordless 18-volt file sander is on sale for $189, 61% off its regular price. This tool comes with two 18-volt, 4-amp-hour batteries, one 18-volt, 2-amp-hour battery, a charger, and a sanding belt. This tool can be used for shaping in tight spaces.

  • The Ryobi cordless 18-volt 3 ½ inch planer is on sale for $99, 55% off its usual price. This tool comes with one 18-volt, 4-amp-hour battery, one 18-volt 2-amp-hour battery, and one charger. This planer can help you flatten narrow surfaces, like a two by four, to get snug fits and flush surfaces.

  • The Ryobi cordless 18-volt 4 ½ inch angle grinder is $129, 48% off its typical price. This tool comes with one 18-volt, 4-amp-hour battery, but no charger, so you’ll need a Ryobi 18-volt charger to use it. It also comes with a grinding wheel to get you started.

Lawn tools

Cordless lawn tools can be a game changer because you don’t need gas or a nearby outlet to run them. Getting your grass cut and tackling yard chores without being constricted by cords can make chores faster and safer.

Batteries and accessories

Ryobi makes some nifty accessories to go along with their tools, and since batteries can often be a costly element of purchasing cordless tools, getting a good deal on batteries and chargers is important.

  • The Ryobi 18-volt portable power source is on sale for $19.97, 33% off its regular price. This power source can be used to charge devices from a USB port, so it's great to have around for emergencies or adventures.

  • The Ryobi 18-volt 2-battery kit with portable speaker is on sale for $79, 50% off its usual price. It comes with one 18-volt, 4-amp-hour battery, one 18-volt 2-amp-hour battery, and one charger as well as a speaker that can run on a Ryobi 18-volt battery.

  • The Ryobi 18-volt 2 battery starter kit is on sale for $79, 50% off its typical price. This set comes with one 18-volt, 4-amp-hour battery, one 18-volt 2-amp-hour battery, and one charger.



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What People Are Getting Wrong This Week: These Five Niche Conspiracy Theories

What People Are Getting Wrong This Week: These Five Niche Conspiracy Theories

Before we get started, check out this tweet from U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene:

While Greene spreads a ton of conspiracy theories herself, she's not wrong here: A lot of Americans do believe in absolute nonsense. But we all believe in different levels of nonsense. To someone of Greene's ilk, Jewish space lasers and government control of hurricanes are not conspiracy theories, but "Donald Trump is a shape-shifting lizard" is a conspiracy theory.

When you drill down on any conspiracy, you get more specific theories that fewer people believe, like "we know how to control the weather, but we don't," or "we did go to the moon, but we faked the photos." Conspiracy theories, like Spotify playlists and TikTok feeds, are becoming more individualized.

In the near future, each person will believe in their own specific conspiracy theory, with evidence and arguments crafted to individual biases automatically by artificial intelligence and served up on search engines and social media. Or maybe that's just my personal conspiracy theory.

For a look into this possible future, I dug up some micro-conspiracy theories, batshit things that very few people—maybe only one person—believe.

Computer chips are demon prisons

Seals of Solomon computer chips
Credit: legacy_of_prometheus-Reddit

This conspiracy theory maintains that our computers are filled with literal demons. It starts with Solomon. Solomon, the Bible says, built the First Temple in Jerusalem. In The Testament of Solomon, an apocryphal text attributed him, Solomon imprisons various demons using mystical symbols. These symbols (the seals of Solomon) ensure that the demons can never show themselves or make themselves know to us. They also look a little like circuit boards, leading to the belief that our computer chips hold demons, and although they can never interact with us directly, they influence us through the internet.

Runescape players are controlling actual humans in New York City

Runescape is an MMORPG that people have been playing since 2001. This theory began with the observation that Runescape's virtual world vaguely resembles New York City—a series of boroughs with a central marketplace. This led (somehow) to the theory that the government is conducting a mass mind-control experiment where unwitting drone New Yorkers are literally being controlled by Runescape players. Like the best conspiracy theories, the only way to learn more about it is to click on a YouTube video of a guy with a beard talking to his camera.

King Charles is a vampire

Some believe that Charles, the current king of England, is a vampire. Here's the evidence: He is related to Vlad the Impaler, the 15th Century Romanian warlord who inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula, and the royal family has a genetic blood disorder. That's really it, but that's enough for me.

Queen Elizabeth was a cannibal

Another British royal family conspiracy theory holds that Queen Elizabeth was a cannibal. It was first suggested (supposedly) by "Hubert Humdinger," an "exiled cultural philosopher," who "exists" in that you can buy his book on Amazon. Anyway, in an article supposedly published in 1973, Humdinger supposedly wrote of the then-queen: “She must eat human flesh to be so vivacious. There is an immense amount of spiritual energy in human muscle.” Later, a workman repairing the royal freezer supposedly said he'd found all kinds of human parts in the deep freeze. I can't find any real evidence of any of this, for what it's worth.

Doveland, Wisconsin: A town that doesn't exist

Many people on the Internet say they remember visiting a small town called Doveland in Wisconsin, but the town isn't actually there. It supposedly vanished at some point in the 1990s and left behind no historical record, map, or even a contemporaneous written account. There is a photograph, though, supposedly taken in the town.

When the initial posts about Doveland appeared, people started searching for it on Google, and to their surprise, they found shirts, mugs, hats, and other Doveland, Wisconsin merchandise for sale. Does the existence of Doveland merch prove that the town once existed and sold town-based swag? Nah, it only proves that AI will go ahead and create merch if enough of us go searching for it.



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The Surprising Benefits of Skipping Fall Yard Cleanup

The Surprising Benefits of Skipping Fall Yard Cleanup

I tend to get an itch starting in late July to start fall cleanup. I’ll prune the spent raspberries and mow down the spent strawberry beds, and take down the sweet peas. By the time fall rolls around I’m spending a few hours a day doing yard work, taking down trellises, turning over beds, pruning perennials and tidying things for winter. Until last year, when I just … didn’t.  Instead I adopted a dog, took her for a few weeks to sunny Arizona to sit by a pool, and generally ignored things. Spoiler: It turned out fine. 

Your yard might surprise you in the spring

Now, to be sure, there are benefits to fall cleanup, which has many parts: pruning shrubs and trees, turning over beds by removing annuals or spent plants and planting new ones, composting, mulching, seed saving, planting spring-blooming bulbs, winterizing and general tidying. The effect of hitting every one of these tasks is that your yard will probably look tidier through fall and winter, and you'll have a bloomier spring. However, I was shocked at how little difference not doing these things ended up making. By November, leaves hid my yard under a multi-colored blanket. Then the snow settled over it. People still walked by, complimenting the garden, and I found myself wondering about all the time I’d saved. What surprised me even more was that come spring, the garden seemed prepared to mostly take care of itself. Plants sprung up on their own from what I hadn’t pulled last year. A tomato bed I didn’t plant at all this year filled itself with better volunteers (plants that grow wherever the seeds from last year fell) than I’d have planted. The effects of my laissez-faire attitude were there, for sure—the garden was less orderly. The Douglas Asters had migrated out of their bed into the clover; tomatoes and yarrow grew everywhere in and out of raised beds; and my artichokes didn’t make it through winter without their normal blanket of deep mulch. But the result was something new and interesting after 13 years of doing the same. 

More food for birds

Two years ago I planted a native berry island in my hellstrip, specifically for local wildlife and birds. Currants, osoberries, huckleberries, cranberries and other random berries replaced the grass that had never benefited me. Leaving the berries all winter became a fascinating study in local birding. I relocated my Haikubox—a smart recording device that identifies birdsong and reports it to you on your phone—near the islands, and was shocked by the variety of birds that made their way to my yard. By leaving my berries last year rather than gleaning the blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, boysenberry and blackberry bushes clean, those birds spread out across my yard, creating nests and finding roosts in boxes I left for them. It was the first winter I had a semi-successful winter crop—I usually lose them to slugs—and I think there’s a correlation between the birds and lack of slugs.

More resilient plants next year

It wasn’t only the berries—I left the tomatoes and eggplant and corn and peppers, and all the flowers, too. And though I did some cleanup come spring to clear for new plants, the seeds last fall’s plants had dropped were still in the soil, and they came up, making my garden more diversified than it had ever been. Those seeds had survived the winter, meaning the plants and fruit they bore were more resilient, too. They came up precisely when the ground was ready for them. In some cases, they came up in random places rather than where they were last year, dropped by bees and birds who’d been snacking. By spring, the plants that had been left in the soil were mostly composted on their own. I found myself thinking about the fact that I’d mostly been cleaning up the beds to make them look clean and orderly for my own satisfaction; the plants themselves had no need for this. 

Leaving leaves protects beneficial insects

I stopped removing leaves a number of years ago—I even take the leaves from neighbors, who will helpfully dump bags of them in the middle of my yard. I use my blower to move them into my beds, where they act as mulch, and they break down over winter. They also provide beneficial insects places to nest all winter. I struggle in spring not to clear them, but you want to wait until the temperature is warm enough, which means when you plant your tomatoes, you can clear the leaves. I suspect you’ll find at that point, the leaves have dealt with themselves through composting. Since I began doing this, I’ve started to see a return of swallowtail butterflies and solitary bees and have had less aphids. In the last year, I’ve had two bat sightings—enough to put up a bat house—and regular sightings on my security cameras of an opossum. Both are considered to be excellent signs of garden health. My water features now have frogs in them. 

My yard is healthier than ever because I’m doing less, and while my yard looks messier, that’s something I choose to be comfortable with. This year, I’m splitting the difference: taking down the trellises, doing all the pruning, but taking a light touch with my beds, and not worrying about leaves. You can pick and choose what aspects of fall cleanup you’ll undertake, but if you’re looking for an excuse to give yourself a little grace for not doing it all, here’s a good one: It may be healthier for you and your garden. 



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The Out-of-Touch Adults' Guide to Kid Culture: The Memeing of Hurricane Milton

The Out-of-Touch Adults' Guide to Kid Culture: The Memeing of Hurricane Milton

This week, young people are making disasters their own through memes, convincing their boyfriends to do interpretive dance, making a star out of a local judge, and complaining about a cartoon. So a normal week, other than the now twice-yearly appearance of once-in-a-lifetime storm.

The memeing of Hurricane Milton

The lead-up to Hurricane Milton was terrifying, with meteorologists warning of a catastrophic weather nightmare. Thankfully, It was a glancing blow instead of a direct hit—a bad storm, but far from the worst-case scenario. Still, memes about the hurricane might be in bad taste, but that never stopped the internet.

The meme-ificiation began with this totally earnest tweet from RNC National Committeewoman Amy Kremer:

Very touching image, but as the community note points out, it's an AI-generated fake. And an obvious one at that. So people started tweeting out their own AI-generated rescue-images by way of illustration:

Then there's the story of Caroline Calloway, the influencer and self-described scammer, who vowed to stay in her home and shit-post through the storm, despite living in a mandatory evacuation zone, and despite having had to be rescued by the military when she refused to get out of the way of a hurricane in 2022. I don't wish misfortune on anyone, but the amount of attention she's gotten and her survival is likely to lead to more people choosing to ride out storms in the future. And given Calloway's track record, she might have been posting from Canada.

Another hurricane-jerk: Lieutenant Dan, who decided to ride out the storm in a boat. This was a terrible idea, but "will he survive" was such a compelling question that a dodgy "crypto casino" was accepting bets on it. Dan's story was told by TikToker Tampa Terrance, and while it ends with Dan's survival, the coda is brutal: Online sleuths are digging into his past and accusing him of doing it all for views and money. In other words: Lieutenant Dan is the storm's milkshake duck.

More lighthearted hurricane memes include people referencing Office Space and imagining that Milton came to Florida to get its red Swingline stapler back, and the return of an OG meme: "We will rebuild." Seriously, though: Don't mess with hurricanes. Influencers and anyone who doesn't evacuate are the worst people ever.

Boyfriend interpretive dance

Hurricanes weren't the only thing on people's minds this week. There was also boyfriends. With all the looksmaxxing incels, creeps, and pickup artist online, it's easy to that heterosexual romantic relationships are fully cooked in the age of social media. Counter evidence is provided by the "Making My Boyfriend Do an Interpretive Dance" meme that's taking off on TikTok. Women are cranking up bongo music and asking their BFs to shake it in exchange for some reward, usually "spending the night." The result are hilarious clips of dudes awkwardly dancing, a nice reminder that there are still goofballs in normal relationships out there. Check out this guy:

Or him:

Or this lanky fella:

Better yet: spend like an hour on the page for the musical clip and watch a bunch of videos. This is better than doom-scrolling election news.

Unlikely YouTube star: Judge David Fleischer

Constant surveillance has an upside: it lets us make celebrities out of people who actually deserve it, like unlikely YouTube star Judge David Fleischer. His Honor is from Harris, Texas and presides over misdemeanors, the kinds of low-level crimes we rarely notice or make podcasts about. Fleischer is the breakout star of a weird corner of YouTube where people rip videos of court cases and post them. Videos featuring Judge Fleischer ruling on run-of-the-mill crime routinely rack up hundreds of thousands of views.

Fleischer's popularity is partly due to his personal presentation and bookish charisma: Dude rocks wise-old-owl spectacles paired with sharp outfits, usually including a bow tie, and he's quick and witty on the mic. But beyond his catchphrases like "you'll be stuck like Chuck," Judge Fleischer actually seems to care about the down-and-outs in front of him. He's known for quickly dismissing charges of "walking while black" and bonding people out on their own recognizance. But he's not a pushover, either, especially when he feels his community is threatened. Dude is what we want all judges to be like.

Why is everyone mad about horror anime Uzumaki?

In another post on Lifehacker, I praised Adult Swim's new anime series Uzumaki for its odd, haunting story and evocative black-and-white animation. I'd like to withdraw my praise. I'd only seen episode one. Episode two was released this week and it's cheap-looking and terrible. Episode two of Uzumaki looks like cut-scenes from an PlayStation 4 game, and the careful spell the series cast with its pilot is totally gone by episode two. Everyone who cares about anime has gone from hardcore fans saying "finally, someone did a horror manga right," to saying "oh my god, I hate this" in one week.

So what happened? No one knows for sure, but the show's executive producer posted, then deleted, some tweets shedding some light on the matter, saying: “We knew this would happen...I can’t talk about what went down but we were screwed over and the options were A) not finish and air nothing and call it a loss, B) Just finish and air ep 1 and leave it incomplete or C) run all four, warts and all. Out of respect for the hard work we chose C.” He went on to say, "Unfortunately I can’t tell them who to blame it on…but someone is definitely at fault here, and we all just had to do our best when things imploded.”

Viral video of the week: Gorilla Suit Guy Punch Video

This week's viral video is a throwback to the glory days of the genre. It's a bite-sized video that will crack you up and you'll watch 85 times. "Gorilla Suit Guy Punch" is a tourist video of guests riding the Dinosaur Island ride at a theme park in the Philippines. The animatronic dinosaurs are impressive but not unexpected, but then a dude in a gorilla suit, an actual human, appears and seems to punch out some of the passengers. Like the best viral videos, the pacing is perfect. You really have to watch it:



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A Beginner's Guide to Becoming a Person Who Runs

A Beginner's Guide to Becoming a Person Who Runs

Ever wish you were a runner? Whether you want to follow in our own Meredith Dietz's footsteps and run a marathon, or just want to get a little VO2max boost with something like a Norwegian 4x4 workout, you have to get comfortable with running. You probably have some questions about how, exactly, you “become” a runner, beyond putting on shoes and going outside. Fortunately, we have answers. Here are the most important things to master in your first few weeks.

Don’t overthink it

Before you start, it’s important to know that none of your early decisions will make or break you as a runner. Even if the worst happens—let's say you pick the wrong shoes and your feet hurt—you can try again with the benefit of hindsight.

You don’t even need to track your miles or follow a specific program, especially at first. While couch to 5K works for a lot of people, it’s also challenging enough that some folks find it discouraging. You may absolutely just go out and run until you feel like you need a break and then walk until you feel like running again and repeat until you feel like stopping.

The more you run, the easier it gets. Over time, slowly build up to a consistent schedule. Don’t think “How hard can I work today?” but rather, “How can I use this week to set myself up for success next week?”

Choose your shoes

You don’t need to shop for shoes before you start running. Any old sneakers can carry you a few miles, as long as they’re reasonably comfortable. It’s OK to plan a short loop—running around the block, for example—so you can bail if your shoes turn out to be uncomfortable.

As you get into the habit of running, you’ll want to buy a pair of shoes that you don’t use for anything else. While there are lots of different types of running shoes at many price points, and just as many opinions on who should wear what, the bottom line is this: whatever feels good when you run is the right shoe to wear.

To maximize your chances of finding the perfect shoes, go to a store that specializes in running—not athletics in general, but running. Fleet Feet is one chain, and there are plenty of independent running stores, too. The best thing about running stores is that most will accept returns, even if you’ve run a few miles and decided the shoes you bought aren’t right for you. There are also online shops that will let you return shoes that you've run in, so go with one of those. Brooks, Hoka, and Nike are just a few on the list.

Too hard to pick? You can't go far wrong with one of these. Think of it as me flipping a coin and picking for you:

Or if you want to literally follow in my footsteps, I've been on a Nike Downshifter kick lately. Our resident marathoner Meredith swears by the Brooks Ghost.

Make a plan

You don't need a detailed program to get started, but I know you probably have questions about what a running routine should look like. Here are the answers, as they apply to beginners. (Feel free to add more mileage once you feel comfortable with the basics.)

  • How long should I run? A good beginner run or run/walk is 20 to 30 minutes.

  • How often should I run? Three times a week is good to start. It will be hard to make progress on less than that, so if you can only manage once or twice a week, aim to add at least one more day.

  • Do I need to take rest days? If your runs make you feel sore, tired, or achy, put a rest day after each one. (You can do other exercise on those "rest" days, just not running.) Once your body adapts to the new routine, it's fine to run on back-to-back days. Once you're in the groove, it's OK to run every day as long as you do are a mix of easy and hard runs. The easy runs are your "rest" from the hard ones.

  • What if I can only run a few minutes? Don't worry, any mix of running and walking still counts as a "run."

When it comes to beginner programs, couch to 5K has helped a lot of people get into the habit. It mixes walking and running, with a goal of getting you in shape to run five kilometers (about three miles) within nine weeks. That said, it isn't the perfect beginner program for everybody, and you don't have to start with this type of program if it's not speaking to you. You can just go out and run.

Pick out your clothes

As with shoes, your best beginner’s gear is whatever you already have. Grab comfortable workout clothes—say, shorts and a tank top if the weather is warm. On a cool day, you might want leggings or sweatpants along with a long-sleeved t-shirt. In the rain, add a baseball cap. In general, you’ll want to dress on the cooler side so you’ll be comfortable once your body heats up. We also have a temperature-by-temperature guide to winter running.

When you’re ready to buy clothes specifically for running, make sure you have at least two outfits (so you don’t have to do laundry every time you run) and aim for comfortable clothes. Synthetic fabrics (or washable wool) are great at wicking sweat, but cotton clothes will work in a pinch. The advantage of the synthetics is that they won't get soggy, but please remember to rinse them out after your workout to prevent the dreaded gym bag stink.

You can pay a ton for high quality workout gear, but there are great bargains to be had at discount stores. And if you’ve grabbed something from the back of your closet that seems to be working just fine, there’s no need to replace it if it keeps you happy. Don’t overcomplicate your clothes, despite what athletic gear marketing may tell you that you need.

If your anatomy requires a sports bra, be aware that this can be a tricky thing to shop for. The same bra that works fine for yoga or cycling may not be up to the task. In general, look for a wide band and wide straps, full coverage cups, and a snug fit. If you're having trouble finding what you need in stores, try Panache or Shefit.

Plan your route

In theory, you can run anywhere. In the real world, though, not everyone has a perfect running route just outside their door. Strava's mapping tools are a great way to find or create a great running route, so start there if you're unsure of the best places to run in your area.

You can also get a workout without roaming. Schools often have a running track that is open to the public at least some of the time; it’s perfect for intervals and other speedwork. And if you have access to a gym, don’t forget the treadmill. It can get boring, but mental tricks like quarter-mile checkpoints can help to keep your attention until you finish your run. Treadmills are great in bad weather, too, and parents take note: it’s a lot easier to drop your kids off at the gym’s babysitting room than to find a way to drag them with you on an outdoor route.

You don't need a watch

You may want a smartwatch to track your runs and other workouts, but you don't need one to actually get started. Phone apps can track your distance well enough to do the job, but runners were doing their thing for centuries before phones or watches were invented. Put in the time, and your body will recognize the progress, whether or not you have an app giving you specific numbers on it.

That said, if you want to use a watch, I won't stop you. All the major smartwatches have some kind of running mode, and we have a rundown of some of the better running watches here. It's hard to beat the Garmin Forerunner 265, in my opinion.

Make it a habit

Your first few runs should be focused on just surviving with a smile. Once you start to build a habit, though, it helps to set some clear goals for yourself, and make a long-term plan that will help you get there.

As you progress on your running journey, you’ll want to practice running fast, learn the importance of running slow, and consider when you might be ready to run your first race. These milestones will come in time, so don’t rush them, but they’re all great challenges.

Making sure you stay safe is also important. Your legs take thousands of steps even on a short run, and all that repetition adds up. Runners are prone to overuse injuries if we run too much before our bodies are ready for it. The rule of thumb is to increase your weekly mileage by no more than 10 percent at a time. For example, going from 10 miles last week to 11 miles this week is fine, but 10 to 20 is asking for trouble. In truth, you don’t have to be super strict about the exact percentage, but make sure that you work your way up little by little.



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I Love This RGB Laser Projector, and It's $400 Off Right Now

I Love This RGB Laser Projector, and It's $400 Off Right Now

I’ve tested a lot of projectors, and JMGO makes some really special models. The JMGO N1S Pro is a newer option that really shines. It offers a number of upgrades on the N1 Ultra that excelled with stunning visuals and a flexible design, and its starting price of $1,999 offered a marked value in the 4K laser projector market. With this 20% discount shaving $400 off that price tag, the JMGO N1S Pro becomes quite the steal for the home theater. (Relatively speaking.)

So, what makes this projector so special? At its heart, it uses a triple-laser projection system, combining red, green, and blue lasers that let the projector offer a stunning color gamut. I’ve tested loads of projectors and quite a few OLED monitors, and none have ever dazzled me with their color in quite the same way these RGB laser projectors have. The JMGO N1S Pro runs those laser bright, too, letting it hit a 2400 ANSI lumen brightness level that can hold up even if you’ve got some ambient light in your viewing space. 

With a bright, colorful, 4K picture, the JMGO N1S Pro gets a strong start. But JMGO brings extra value to the picture by building the projector onto a flexible stand. It provides rotation and tilt adjustment so you can quickly get set up. The JMGO N1S Pro can automatically adapt the picture as well, making it quick to set down and start watching. With a carrying case included, it’s ready for movie nights at your friends’ places as well—believe me, I’ve done it. 

The JMGO N1S also comes with built-in speakers and Google TV, so you’ve got all you need for a respectable home theater right in one package. While it’s not essential to set it up with additional source devices and speaker systems, the JMGO N1S Pro has two HDMI 2.1 ports and one with eARC, so you can go that route if you want the visual prowess of the projector matched by a high-end soundbar or the like. 

While JMGO offers two even higher-tier projectors with the N1S Ultra and N1S Ultimate, both of which are also on sale, it’s the combination of a lower starting price and big discount that make the N1S Pro particularly enticing. At $1,600, the JMGO N1S Pro is an absolute standout next to the competitors like those from Xgimi and Hisense. 



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