Dealing with poorly-designed stuff is always a drag, but it can be especially irksome when it’s first thing in the morning. It’s a vulnerable time. You’re groggy. You’re grumpy. After all, while your job may seem as soul crushing as ever by lunchtime, you should at least give every day a fair shot by getting yourself an alarm clock that doesn’t drive you mad. For our Design|Life special issue, we collected 23 lovely objects that live in that crucial phase of your day between waking up and starting your commute. Slick mirrors, bathroom radios, juice machines and more. You deserve it.
No Grill Left Behind: How to Make Dumb Grills Into Smart Grills
You don’t need to buy a smart grill to make perfect meat. You can buy a dumb grill and send it to school with smart upgrades.
Matthew Korfhage
How to Watch Google I/O
Google I/O is back with updates to Search, Android, Gemini, and a fresh peek at upcoming Android XR smart glasses. Here's how to watch the announcements live and what to expect.
Boone Ashworth
Why Has the US Banned Foreign-Made Routers?
The FCC banned the sale of new consumer-grade Wi-Fi routers and mobile hot spots manufactured outside the US. Here’s what it means for you.
Simon Hill
Which Smart Home Ecosystem Should You Choose?
If you’re waffling between Alexa, Siri, and Google, the answer may already be in your home.
Nena Farrell
Fi Mini vs. Tractive: Which Smart Cat Collar to Buy for Health and GPS Tracking
I pitted Tractive and Fi Mini smart cat collars against each other to crown the best for activity, sleep, and GPS tracking.
Molly Higgins
The New Google Fitbit Has No Screen and Costs $100
Powered by Gemini and designed around simplicity, the new Fitbit Air could finally give the screenless fitness tracker market a compelling alternative to Whoop.
Boutayna Chokrane
Mustard Made’s Awesome Storage Furniture Is on a Rare Sale
We love this brand’s stylish storage lockers, and there's a big sale on eight colors through the end of the month.
Martin Cizmar
The Truth About Adjustable Mattresses and Smart Beds
Why the terms “smart bed,” "adjustable mattress," and “adjustable frame” are not interchangeable, and how to avoid an expensive mistake.
Julia Forbes
Get Ready for More Brain-Scanning Consumer Gadgets
Neurable, which makes noninvasive brain-computer interfaces, is licensing its technology and promises a “flood” of new third-party hardware this year and next.
Julian Chokkattu
The Best Smart Locks for Every Kind of Door
Upgrade your locks with fingerprint-scanning or a keypad, whether it’s at the front door or a sliding glass entryway.
Nena Farrell
Top Sealy Promo Codes and Mattress Deals
Whether you’re switching from springs to memory foam or just want to sleep cooler this summer, these Sealy mattress deals will have you waking up refreshed—and with cash left in your wallet.
Julia Forbes
Amazon Finally Adds a Much-Needed Feature to the Colorsoft Line
Amazon’s color e-reader finally gets a dark mode.
Nena Farrell
