Sitting and gaming for long periods of time requires the right kind of chair – one that provides ergonomic support, comfort, and customization and allows you to focus on what counts the most – your game. Those four things come together most in a quality gaming chair made exactly for that purpose. But not all gaming chairs are made alike. Here’s what to look for to find a good one. 1. The right kind of back support You will hear the term “adjustable lumbar support” used a lot with gaming chairs, but what does that actually mean? To decode the term, it means ideally you want a chair that has a lot of mid-to-lower support in the back rest. The back rest should also be adjustable (both vertically and horizontally) to support the curve and depth of your spine, rather than being just a generic fit. Proper lumbar support is important because it prevents the ligaments in your spine from lengthening and causing a condition known as creep, which can lead to bad back pain. Back rests can be mesh, or upholstered. I recommend the upholstered kind, which is far more comfortable for long gaming stints. Also consider the kind of stability the frame will give you. Aluminum frames are preferable to plastic ones that can sometimes wobble and lead to fatigue as your body is forced to find its center. Chairs also come with different weight-bearing capacities (typically between 264 lbs. and 397 lbs.), and their heights differ too, so be sure to find one that supports your weight and is tall enough so that you can rest your head easily on the headrest. Your gaming chair should be tall enough that you can easily fit your head on the headrest. Razer 2. Padding that feels comfortable Gaming chairs come with different kinds of padding. You’ll find chairs with soft, cushiony padding and others with firmer cold-cure foam. You can also find gaming chairs that combine support and soft padding to offer the best of both worlds, like the Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Edition. The experts will tell you that the firmer kind is better for your posture because it offers more support, but my advice is to go with one that has both; you want a cold-cure foam that’s supportive but you want it to still be soft enough that it won’t cause body aches if you’ve been in it a while. As a general rule, a gaming chair with a padding density of between 50 kg/m³ and 70 kg/m³ will provide a mix of support and comfort. If you can’t find this information in the product specifications, be sure to contact the company and ask for it. 3. Covering materials: What do you need? Another thing to consider is the type of material in the chair, how it feels and how breathable it is. Mesh fabric is the most breathable and effective at keeping you from getting too hot and sweaty, but it can be a little scratchy on your skin at times. If you live in a warmer climate, however — say, Florida or Arizona — cool mesh could be a real asset on hot days. Leather or leatherette covering material is less breathable and can cause heat buildup and excess sweat, but inversely it feels very luxurious. It can also be warm and cozy when the temperature drops — so if you know your house is always cold, it should provide a nice boost to your comfort levels. The CoolerMaster Caliber X2 is a good example of a gaming chair with material that can stave off overheating. It has a dense foam body but breathable PU leather material on top. Some gaming chairs go a step further actively cooling players via their inbuilt fans. The Thermaltake’s X Comfort Air is just such a chair to consider if you think even a cool mesh or breathable PU leather won’t be enough for you. Thermaltake’s X Comfort Air gaming chair.  Thermaltake 4. Extra features that complement your gaming Some chairs come with extra features like RGB lighting, speakers, Bluetooth functionality, and control panels that provide a little extra functionality. You can expect to pay a premium price for these features. When choosing a gaming chair with speakers you should read reviews that say the speakers have a high-fidelity audio with good-quality sound through the mids, bass, and treble tones. A minimum of 5.1 channels in the speakers will give you a surround sound experience that will be really immersive in your gaming. Bluetooth functionality is a great addition that allows you to hook up other devices to your chair’s speakers, like your phone, or your TV’s stereo system – so that you can listen to music or watch a movie. You just want to make sure Bluetooth connects easily to other devices. When looking for RGB be sure to choose a chair with accents in the positions you want them. They can be just about anywhere – in the headrest, armrests, and even the wheels. Programmability is also critical if you intend on syncing your gaming chair’s RGB with your other RGB gear. 5. Ergonomically sculpted seat The way the chair’s seat is sculpted can be important in determining how comfortable you will ultimately find it. Two features I look for in a seat are contoured side wings and gently sloping edges – like you’ll find in the Razer Iskur V2 X. The former guides your body to the middle of the seat so that it encounters a larger contact area, which in turn provides a lower, more uniform pressure distribution. That prevents pressure from building up in any one point and causing soreness. Sloping edges, on the other hand, allow you to assume different postures and still feel the kind of comfort you’d expect from a very expensive chair. Razer 6. A decent degree of recline After tense rounds of Counterstrike: Go, I’ll often just lay back in my chair and relax before I need to refocus again. For this, I need a gaming chair that has a decent reline that will easily hold my weight and that won’t go all jerky when I need to come back up to vertical. Gaming chairs have either partial or full reclines. For me, I like a full recline, so an angle of between 160 to 165 degrees, which allows me to get almost horizontal with my legs well off the ground but still feel in control. If the chair has a headrest, all the better for my comfort too. I hope that gives you a few pointers about selecting the right kind of gaming chair. There’s still a lot more to know, so be sure to read a few reviews before you buy. Read...

TL;DR: You can get a Microsoft Office lifetime license on sale for $25 through June 1 (reg. $229). Why are you paying a subscription for Microsoft 365 if you only use Word and Excel? The subscription-based apps may be fancy, but if you aren’t taking full advantage of them, you’re basically paying $10 a month for, well, nothing. You should grab the lifetime version of Microsoft Office instead. This way, you can pay $25 only once instead of $10 every month. While there are a few differences, the most important part is that you’ll get your favorite apps, like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, for life. While Microsoft 365 gives you cloud storage and mobile app access, are you really using those features? We’ve found that only advanced users do, and everyone else is overpaying. And, if you want to work offline, you’re probably running into issues. This version gives you easy offline access, even if you can only access them from your PC. Download Microsoft Office for Windows while it’s on sale for $25 (reg. $229). No coupon needed, but this sale ends on June 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for WindowsSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

Google announces enhanced AI developer tools, including Gemini 2.5 updates, new Gemma models, and innovative features to streamline app development. Read...

Google has launched new features for its Gemini AI app, including free Gemini Live and advanced tools via paid plans priced at USD $19.99 and $249.99 monthly. Read...

Google unveils major AI advancements across its Gemini platform, boosting Search, Workspace and video with new features and faster models. Read...

Google upgrades Gemini 2.5 AI on Vertex AI, boosting reasoning, security, and efficiency for enterprises with features like Deep Think and thought summaries. Read...

Starburst unveils new platform features to unify data access and boost enterprise AI projects across hybrid and multi-cloud environments securely. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Sharp 2K video with color night vision Built-in solar panel with battery backup Local storage, with a cloud-storage option Cons No support for Alexa or Apple HomeKit App feels unfinished and lacks polish Solar charging may struggle in low-light locations Our Verdict A solid pick for basic home security with no monthly fees—just be prepared for a stripped-down app experience and limited smart home compatibility. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Outdoor security cameras used to be a hassle, with wires to run, batteries to swap, recordings to pay for, and more. The Night Owl Solar-Powered Battery Camera ($99.99) is part of a growing wave of products that promise to simplify all that. This camera is fully wireless, powered by the sun, and it doesn’t lock you into paying for a subscription to store recordings in the cloud. That makes it appealing to anyone who wants to boost their home security without taking on another bill or a weekend-long installation project. Design and features The Night Owl Solar-Powered Battery Camera has the clean, utilitarian look you’d expect from a modern outdoor security cam. It’s a compact white unit with an integrated solar panel on top and a ball-and-socket mount that lets you aim it where you need. The plastic housing feels solid enough to handle the elements, though it doesn’t have the heft of more premium models. Night Owl didn’t provide an IP code to rate its protection from the elements, but like most cameras in this price range, it’s best installed under an eave or overhang for protection. You can link the camera to your home Wi-Fi network, or you can establish a point-to-point wireless connection to a Night Owl hub, which comes with a 64GB microSD card and the option to host a hard drive. The camera records in 2K resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels), which gives you a sharp image with enough detail to make out faces and license plates, assuming decent lighting and a clear line of sight. It’s a step up from the 1080p footage you get with many entry-level cameras. The solar panel is the main draw here. It keeps the internal batteries topped off with regular sun exposure, cutting down on the need to dismount the camera for recharging manually if it’s frequently in the shade or after long runs of cloudy days. The camera has two spotlights to brighten up the scene after dark or in shady areas.Night Owl Like most smart cams, this one includes two-way audio, so you can talk to delivery people or warn someone of your property. There’s also a built-in siren you can trigger from the app to scare off intruders. The camera uses motion detection to alert you to activity, and it can distinguish between people and vehicles. That helps cut down on false alarms from wind-blown branches or passing pets. It also has color night vision, using its spotlight to brighten up the scene after dark. When there’s not enough light, it falls back to black-and-white infrared. There are two connectivity options: You can link the camera to your home Wi-Fi network, or you can establish a point-to-point wireless connection to a Night Owl hub, which comes with a 64GB microSD card and has the option to host a hard drive for additional storage. The second option adds a layer of security by keeping your footage off the public internet, and that might be appealing for folks already invested in the Night Owl ecosystem. Two rechargeable batteries fit into a compartment on the underside of the camera, accessed by removing a small panel. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry Storage options are equally flexible. You can save footage locally to a microSD card on the camera itself, to that Night Owl hub, or you can opt into a cloud-storage plan. Night Owl offers two tiers: $3.99/month for 15GB of 30-day storage on individual devices, or $9.99/month for 50GB of 30-day storage when using a Security Hub. The fact that cloud storage is optional—not required—is a plus, especially for users who prefer to keep costs down or avoid uploading footage to the internet. Everything runs through the Night Owl Protect app, which gives you a live view, event history, and control over motion settings and notifications. It’s available for iOS and Android, and while it’s not as polished as some competitors, it covers the basics well enough. Setup and performance Installing the Night Owl Solar-Powered Battery Camera is fairly straightforward. The camera comes with mounting hardware and a ball-joint bracket that lets you adjust the angle once it’s in place. The biggest decision is placement. You’ll want a spot with decent sunlight to keep the solar panel doing its thing, and within range of your Wi-Fi network or Night Owl hub. Setup is done through the Night Owl Protect app and takes just a few minutes. The Night Owl Protect app provide the live view, event history, and control over motion settings and notifications. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry The camera comes with a pair of rechargeable lithium ion 18650 batteries and a USB-C charging cable. To install them, you’ll need to unscrew a small panel on the bottom of the camera. Once the batteries are in place, they’ll be kept charged by the solar panel, but you can also recharge them manually using the included cable. The charging port is tucked behind a rubber tab next to the microSD card slot. The cable is about 5 feet long, so if you don’t have and outdoor plug within its reach, you’ll need to take the camera down recharge it. Should the batteries ever fail you recharge, you can buy a replacement set for $24.99. The app gets the job done, but it could use some polish. Navigation isn’t as intuitive as it is with apps from bigger brands like Ring or Arlo, and the interface feels a bit dated. That said, once you learn your way around, it’s functional. You can view live video, review recorded clips, tweak motion sensitivity, and speak through the camera—all the basics are covered. Motion alerts come through quickly, and the camera generally does a good job recognizing people and vehicles while ignoring other types of movement. During testing, notifications arrived within a few seconds of motion being detected, with few false alarms. Audio quality is excellent. Voices come through clearly, and there’s a canned warning you can trigger—“Smile, you’re being recorded”—if you’d rather not interact with an interloper directly. The camera can be manually recharged via the included USB-C cable; the charging port sits beside the microSD slot under a rubber tab. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry Video quality is solid for a 2K camera in this price range. Daytime footage is clear and crisp, with accurate color. Nighttime performance depends on ambient lighting. With the spotlight on, you’ll get decent color detail; without it, infrared kicks in and delivers a usable black-and-white image. Battery life depends heavily on placement. In full sun, the solar panel does a good job maintaining the charge, even with a few motion events per day. In shaded areas or during cloudy weeks, the battery might drain faster than it charges, requiring occasional manual recharging. It’s not a set-it-and-forget-it experience in all cases, but it comes close with the right placement. The camera integrates well with the Night Owl ecosystem and also supports Google Home, so you can view footage on compatible smart displays. However, it doesn’t work with Alexa or Apple HomeKit, and broader smart home automation is limited. Should you buy the Night Owl Solar-Powered Battery Camera? If you’re looking for a simple, self-contained security solution that doesn’t nickel-and-dime you with monthly fees, the Night Owl Solar-Powered Battery Camera makes a strong case. It’s especially well-suited for budget-conscious users who want decent video quality, reliable motion alerts, and basic smart features without getting tangled in cords or locked into a subscription. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras. That said, it’s not for everyone. If you live in a region with limited sunlight or need full integration with smart home platforms like Alexa or Apple Home, you’ll hit some walls. And the app, while functional, feels a step behind more polished platforms from bigger brands. Still, for what it is—a no-subscription-required, solar-powered security cam that plays nicely with Night Owl’s wired storage systems—it delivers solid value. If that’s what you’re after, this camera’s worth a look. Read...

From game-changing text diffusion models and cutting-edge AR glasses to AI videos with sound and virtual clothing try-ons, there was plenty of amazing tech to see during Google’s I/O keynote on Tuesday. And for the smart home? Zip. The closest we got to a smart home shout-out was when a Google exec said that Gemini—the star of the show—is “coming to your watch, your car dashboard, even your TV.” As Google puts its Google TV Streamer under the umbrella of smart home, we’ll count that as a fleeting reference. Very fleeting.  Officially, Google has promised that Gemini is coming to Nest devices. Gemini on Nest speakers has been available on a public-preview basis for months now, and back in March, Google confirmed that a “new experience powered by Gemini” is coming to smart speakers and displays.  Around the same time, Google said that we can “expect more helpful home devices in the coming months and years,” while reminding us that it did roll out two smart products last year, the fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat and the aforementioned Google TV Streamer, which doubles as a smart home hub.  Still, there’s growing concern in the Google Nest community that Google is losing interest in making new smart home products. Besides steadily dropping home-oriented features from Google Assistant, Google recently discontinued its Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, as well as the Nest x Yale Lock, while announcing that it will drop out of those hardware categories altogether. (First Alert and Yale have stepped in with their product replacements.)  A month ago, Google followed up by cutting support for the first- and second-generation Nest Learning Thermostats. While the older thermostats will still work when used manually, they can no longer be controlled using the Nest or Google Home apps, and out-of-home control is out of the question. At the same time, Google announced it will exit the thermostat market in Europe entirely, blaming “ various hardware and software requirements that make it challenging to build for the diverse set of homes.”  Taken separately, those developments wouldn’t warrant much concern about Google’s future in the smart home—after all, older products do get discontinued, features get deprecated, and regional conditions sometimes merit strategic withdrawals.  But taken together, the steady nixing of products and features combined with the dearth of new devices makes Google’s Nest ecosystem feel stagnant, at best. Yes, there was the new Google TV Streamer (which we didn’t love) and the revamped Nest Thermostat (good, but not our favorite) last year, but it’s been four years since Google unveiled a new Nest smart display and approaching five since we got a new Nest speaker.  Now, maybe Google will surprise us this fall with a new line of Nest products, including souped-up speakers and displays, all primed and ready for this “new experience” powered by Gemini. Maybe this is just a lull before the new generative-AI Nest era begins. Personally, I’d be delighted.   Am I holding my breath? No. Read...

It’s not often you can score a decent laptop at a budget-tier price, but this Asus Vivobook fits the bill. While it normally goes for $700, right now you can get the Asus Vivobook 15 at B&H for a mere $550. This isn’t some stripped-down device that can barely load Windows. It’s sporting good specs, a lightweight build, and an above-average display. We’re talking an Intel Core i7-1355U processor, 16GB of RAM, 1TB of SSD, rounded out with a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS display for gorgeous visuals and color accuracy. Does it have a dedicated graphics card? No, but it does have Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics for light gaming. Honestly, you can’t expect a good discrete graphics card at this price. Weighing just 3.75 pounds, it’s pretty portable. And while we do wish the 42-watt-hour battery was bigger, it should be good enough for several hours of work on a full charge. Other features include an HDMI 1.4 port, three USB-A and one USB-C, a 3.5mm headset jack, a backlit keyboard, and a 720p built-in webcam with privacy shutter. If you’ve been looking for a decently configured laptop that’s affordable, this Asus Vivobook 15 is right for the price at B&H. This Asus laptop strikes a great balance. Get it now for $550Buy now at B&H Read...