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There are various potential scenarios when digital cameras could be exposed to radiation. For instance, photographic equipment could be exposed to radiation during space flight. While technology has also improved to the point that even smartphone digital cameras can deliver genuinely impressive images, that doesn’t mean digital cameras aren’t without their vulnerabilities. Consider the fact that research indicates radiation can have a negative impact on the quality of digital photos.

In a paper published in the academic journal Sensors, researchers explain how they tested an industrial digital camera while exposing it to various doses of radiation. The researchers found that exposure to radiation had a significant negative impact on the quality of the photos the camera produced. They specify that, aside from the lens, none of the camera components were hardened against radiation. 

This might not matter much to a hobbyist snapping photos for Instagram. However, such findings highlight the importance of protecting digital photography equipment from the effects of radiation in various settings, like space missions. In the meantime, amateur photographers who’ve embraced digital photography may want to explore unique ways to use their old cameras, including those designed for film photography.

Research shows radiation exposure degrades quality of digital photos

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The team behind this study irradiated the digital camera with varying amounts of gamma rays from cobalt-60 to test the effects. Specifically, they exposed the camera to 1.0, 10.0, 20.0, 50.0, and 100.0 grays per hour. For context, the average person will experience radiation sickness when exposed to 0.5 grays of radiation.

The researchers discovered that dark areas imaged by the camera became brighter when exposed to radiation, with higher doses causing a more pronounced effect. However, increasing the dose rate caused greater degradation in both the bright and dark areas of the pictures.

This doesn’t mean film is immune to radiation’s effects. The X-ray exposure involved in simply passing through an X-ray scanner at an airport can harm the quality of the developed pictures. Radiation can also negatively affect the quality of pictures taken on film cameras during space flight. In other words, film doesn’t necessarily represent a superior alternative to digital photography in high-radiation environments. 

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The MacBook is one of the best (and most popular) laptop brands available. As such, plenty of companies sell accessories for the device. Most of these supplemental parts improve functionality and/or protect your laptop, but some can prove more detrimental than beneficial. For instance, keyboard covers put unneeded stress on the screen, whereas hardshell cases make MacBooks wear out faster. On paper, hardshell cases protect MacBooks in much the same way phone cases protect iPhones against scratches and impacts.

However, while cases can protect your MacBook externally, whatever defenses they provide can come at the cost of internal damage because certain cases are improperly designed and block cooling vents. The cases don’t block off the vents entirely, but they block enough to make your computer run hotter, forcing the fans to run faster. Of course, you’ve got the immediate problem of noisy fans and sub-par computer performance, but constantly running fans at high speeds drains batteries faster, which in turn forces you to charge your MacBook more frequently. And the more often you charge a depleted battery, the sooner you will need to replace it.

Thankfully, MacBooks tell you when to replace batteries, but that doesn’t change the fact that your battery would probably last longer if you forgo the hardshell case. Hardshell cases can also affect more than just the battery; they also weigh down the screens, which loosen the hinges over time. Not only will you need to frequently reposition the screen (unless you don’t mind neck pain caused by a non-ergonomic position), but a loose hinge could potentially damage the monitor.

Buy a sleeve instead

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While you should avoid hardshell cases, you should still protect your MacBook from unnecessary dings and scratches. Sometimes the best way to safeguard such an investment involves a delicate touch. If you feel the urge to put your MacBook into a protective enclosure, use a soft sleeve. These offer the same protection (when the laptop is not in use) without any of the risks of a hardshell case. Granted, you need to remove the MacBook from the sleeve to use it, but you’re less likely to drop it when you are actively paying attention to the device.

Moreover, a sleeve might technically block a MacBook’s vents, but it can only accommodate a MacBook when the computer is closed and either off or asleep, i.e., when it doesn’t need the vents for cooling. Quite frankly, if your computer’s fans continue to run when its screen is closed, you have bigger things to worry about than overheating or battery life. Sleeves have several other advantages over hardshell cases.

If you purchase a sleeve, you need to make sure it fits your laptop, but you can still use a sleeve that is a little too big, giving you more buying options. If you find a sleeve you like on sale, you can buy it and still protect your laptop even if it’s a little loose in the bag. Hardshell cases, however, must be more form-fitting to provide any sort of protection. These restrict the shell models you can purchase, and if a retailer offers a discount on all models except for the one you need, you are out of luck.

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Microsoft plans to sunset nearly 70 applications across its product families throughout 2026. That’s already begun, with 15 applications shuttered as of January 13, 2026, according to Microsoft’s own materials. A lot of these you might never come across unless you’re actively in the IT industry, managing many different aspects of a Windows-based workplace.

So far, Microsoft has sent to its ever-growing graveyard of products software like Advanced Threat Analytics, which was planned for obsolescence since 2020. This has been succeeded by the cloud-based Azure Advanced Threat Protection. Virtualization software will also see the end of support, as Application Virtualization 5.0 and 5.1 will end service. There are many other smaller applications like this that are only really used by those deep within the bowels of an IT department, such as SQL Server and Project Server 2016.

For mainstream users, the key point is that this will be the most recommended time to update your Windows 11 systems. Among the end-of-support are two Windows 11 versions, as well as Microsoft’s final stand against holdouts for those not yet moved over to the Office successor, Microsoft 365. 

Windows 11 SE

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Windows 11’s entire existence has been about trying to drag users to where Microsoft is. Between rejected CoPilot integrations and regular issues with updates, it’s no surprise Microsoft is cutting off older iterations from support. If you still have a PC with versions 23H2 (October 31, 2023) or 24H2 (October 1, 2024), it’s time to update, as these editions of Windows 11 will no longer be supported, leaving you vulnerable to potential malicious actors.

Part of this includes removing Windows 11’s “SE” edition, a version intended to compete with Google’s ChromeOS and Chromebooks in the educational sector. A specific Surface SE laptop was released at $250, but it’s unlikely to see any successor. Microsoft confirmed in 2025 that it wouldn’t provide any further updates to the operating system and even recommended “transitioning to a device” that supports the latest editions of Windows.

Windows 11 SE is another failed attempt by Microsoft to make inroads into the lightweight operating system ring. It still supports “S Mode” on Windows 11, which was introduced to lock down systems to only support Microsoft Store apps in a managed environment. Windows on ARM was also a mess, frankly, until recent updates in the last couple of years, as the company partnered with Qualcomm to produce ARM-based Surface devices.

Microsoft Publisher

Microsoft is also removing Publisher from its productivity suite entirely on October 13, 2026. Originally introduced in 1991, Publisher has long been Microsoft’s graphic design tool for, well, publishing. It was notably left behind in 2007’s Office release, as it didn’t get the “ribbon” toolbar until 2010.

As with the rest of Office 2021, Publisher and its LTSC status will be retired. However, this also includes Publisher 2024, as it won’t be returning for any future iterations on the software suite. For those who still use Publisher, there are also free online options to pick up and use your original .pub files from Microsoft’s program. A top recommended alternative is Scribus, which is open source, so you can see exactly how it ticks under the hood.

Unfortunately, the two other top-recommended alternatives are either paid for or now bundled into broader packages. Adobe InDesign is still one of the top-rated desktop publishing apps, but you’ll be forced into an Adobe subscription. The other was Affinity Publisher 2, which can still be acquired, but is discontinued and bundled into Canva’s free Affinity package, which includes a Photoshop alternative users swear by. This came after the team behind Affinity, Serif, was acquired in 2024.

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At its global launch event in San Francisco on April 27, 2026, Dreame unveiled a suite of AI wearables to track everything from a user’s pulse to their dinner plate. These devices, including smart rings and a first-of-its-kind AI pendant, aim to create a proactive lifestyle where technology anticipates one’s biological needs. While the idea of a hands-free, 24/7 nutritionist or an always-on health monitor is appealing, these gadgets generate countless data points that add up to a detailed breakdown about your habits and your body. While there are plenty of ways to keep your data private and off the internet, best practices start with users.

To be fair to Dreame, it has emphasized local storage and on-board processing of data, but this isn’t a perfect shield to protect users. A bad actor could potentially obtain a user’s private information by gaining physical access to the aforementioned hardware or by exploiting a local software vulnerability. If a thief steals a user’s smartphone or ring, for example, they could access historical biometric information stored on it before a user has the chance to wipe it remotely.

If users don’t use strong authentication methods, an attacker can gain access to a local network and potentially intercept data during the syncing process between a smartphone and a wearable. Local storage makes this harder by moving sensitive data from a large cloud database to individual devices, but it requires users to be the primary guardians of their own hardware security.

How Dreame wearables log biological identity

Dreame aims to enter the wearables market with hardware that disappears into a users wardrobe while capturing biological data. The Dreame AI Smart Ring comes in three models, including versions for NFC, vibration alerts, and health tracking. The health model provides ECG-based monitoring for heart risks and tracks a user’s heart rate, blood oxygen, and body temperature. Pairing a ring to a jewelry box charging case gives users 150 days of total uptime, or users can opt for the Dreame VitalGuard 1 that puts all this functionality into a modular watch buckle that fits existing mechanical watch straps.

The most intimate device in the lineup is the Dreame AI Pendant, which hangs around a user’s neck to perform bite-size active dietary sensing. It uses a built-in camera and an AI inference engine to identify specific ingredients and calculate the volume of a user’s meal using mono depth estimation. It switches to high-frequency recording the moment it detects a user is eating, meaning no more calorie logs.

Finally, we have the Moonix AI Glasses, weighing in at only 16.9 grams and acting as a personal AI gateway through seamless recording and AI generation. All of these wearable devices result in users contributing to a global footprint of trillions of data points every year, which is where the questions start to pile up.

Does local processing mitigate risk?

It’s a big privacy burden to have a camera hanging on a user’s chest or hidden in smartglasses, much less putting a sensor on a finger. To address this, Dreame uses on-device AI processing throughout its new lineup. Rather than sending raw video and biometric data to a central cloud server, the AI pendant, for example, handles its complex food reconstruction and ingredient modeling locally on the pendant’s hardware. This design choice keeps digital records of social interactions and food habits off corporate servers where they would be more vulnerable to cyber attacks.

The pendant also uses federated learning to improve its health suggestions without compromising a user’s identity. This allows hardware to learn from one’s specific health patterns, such as heart rate variability and sleep trends, without uploading said information to a cloud server.

While Dreame maintains a strategic partnership with Google Cloud to run Google Gemini, this safeguard acts as a filter for a user’s most sensitive information. It attempts to give users the benefit of advanced health monitoring without the typical surveillance cost found in the tech industry at large.

Best privacy practices

Despite Dreame’s local safeguards, it’s not invulnerable. Users must remain vigilant about the data their wearables collect. Research from the National Library of Medicine notes that health biodata is a significantly high-value proposition amongst bad actors on dark web marketplaces. A single healthcare record can fetch up to $250, which is significantly more than the $5.40 value assigned to a payment card. When using discreet hardware like the Moonix glasses, users are creating a high-value target for identity theft and biometric profiling.

To stay safe, users should go beyond the default settings provided by manufacturers. They can start by auditing their privacy-protective default settings to make sure features such as non-essential data collection and targeted advertising are disabled. There’s also plenty of tech you can buy to protect your privacy.

Enabling multi-factor authentication is also a must for any account that syncs with Dreame (and other manufacturer) hardware to prevent unauthorized access. It’s wise for users to also request annual personal data reports via their rights under GDPR or CCPA law, making sure to request it in a structured format such as JSON or CSV. Reviewing this information allows users to see exactly how much their devices know about their habits and movements. Also, be aware of AI-enabled web browsers and extensions, as they’re often recording your data. There’s no such thing as overkill when it comes to digital privacy, and it’s something every user should be aware of when using any smart device or wearable hardware.

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For remote workers who love traveling or coffee shop enthusiasts, a public Wi-Fi network can be very useful. Sure, those users can always turn on their phone’s hotspot and browse the web using mobile data, but this is only feasible to a point. Even with Data Saver mode on, working professionals will use up their allotted data in no time, and even casual users won’t be able to stick solely to cellular data for too long. This makes a public network appealing to stay connected to the internet without incurring extra charges.

However, this convenience can come at a major cost. Getting too complacent with using public Wi-Fi wherever you go can put both your data and privacy at risk. Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks perpetuated by hackers can help them gain access to your sensitive data, which can have dire repercussions. If you want to avoid such incidents on public networks, you need to stay alert while browsing the web and restrict your online activities to keep you and your data safe.

Use your banking app

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Banking apps have definitely made financial management convenient for internet-savvy users. Gone are the days when you needed to physically go to banks and fill out cumbersome paperwork to do the simplest things. A few swipes, taps, and ID verifications are all it takes for you to pay your bills, initiate money transfers, and bring up your bank statement. As useful as online banking may be, we strongly suggest that you access these apps either on your mobile data or a private Wi-Fi connection.

On public networks, there’s a higher chance of an MITM attack that reveals any interactions you’re making with your app. Your PINs, passwords, and transaction records become available to a hacker if they manage to exploit the security vulnerabilities of a public Wi-Fi connection. Even your crypto wallet isn’t safe, as experienced by one unfortunate traveler who lost $5,000 in crypto while accessing these finances on his hotel’s public network. Does this mean you should never use hotel Wi-Fi? Well … as long as you’re not using any banking — or crypto — apps, it shouldn’t be a huge deal as long as you take certain precautions, like the other tips in this article.

Keep auto-connect on

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For the most part, your device’s auto-connect feature is pretty convenient in the comfort of your home. It eliminates the need to manually select your preferred network all the time and helps save mobile data without having to remember to connect to your Wi-Fi every single day. However, one thing to keep in mind about auto-connect is that it’s enabled by default whenever you log in to a Wi-Fi network. This isn’t an issue for home networks, but keep in mind to uncheck this option whenever you’re tapping into a public Wi-Fi connection. Even if you forget upfront, you can always go into your Wi-Fi settings and disable auto-connect for the Wi-Fi network in question.

This prevents you from making one of the most common Wi-Fi mistakes and unwittingly connecting to an unsecured public connection over and over again, just because you wanted to enjoy its convenience for a few minutes once upon a time. After all, it’s entirely possible that a public network you’ve connected to previously was secure back then, but has become compromised since. Without your knowledge, you may give hackers easy backdoor access into your device if it auto-connects to what could be a compromised network.

Shop on online platforms

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This is yet another area where an MITM attack can be very damaging for you. In fact, expect to see this term mentioned numerous times, since that’s what many hackers rely on when they exploit vulnerabilities in a public Wi-Fi connection. There are several mistakes everyone makes when shopping on Amazon, and using a public network while shopping just adds to the list.

You’re relaying a lot of sensitive information to your shopping app, such as your email ID and password. Along with this, any saved cards and financial information you’ve entered in the app are also at risk here. If hackers catch a whiff of this, then expect to see your bank balance become considerably lighter in no time.

Resist the shopping bug for just a few hours until you go back home and buy whatever you want using your private Wi-Fi, or just use your mobile network if you just have to buy something from your favorite e-commerce app that very instant. After all, it’s well-documented that cellular data is more secure than public Wi-Fi, since the former isn’t an open network. Even using a mobile hotspot with a strong password will help you avoid the hassles of dealing with public Wi-Fi and its numerous security issues.

Let random people send files to your device

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The magic of technology now allows for seamless file transfer over the same Wi-Fi network. AirDrop is the most notable use of this technology, becoming one of the many convenient perks of the Apple ecosystem that fans love. In fact, iOS 26.2 brought a much-needed feature to AirDrop in the form of one-time codes to make it even more useful, letting you send files to unknown numbers without saving their contact information. However, file sharing is also possible on Windows, and the settings for the same can be seen in the Network & internet section of your device’s settings. However, as useful as this feature may be, don’t become complacent about leaving it on when you’re connected to a public network.

There’s a reason why Windows has separate sections for private and public networks when you click on “Advanced sharing settings.” Giving random people permission to send whatever file they want to your device can be worse than an MITM attack. Forget about your data being intercepted — people who send malicious files to your device can infect it with viruses and malware that put your data at risk. Just avoid the headache of wiping all your corrupted drives and change your settings to prevent file transfer on unsecured public networks.

On Windows, turn off “File and printer sharing” in “Advanced sharing settings” after clicking on “Advanced network settings.” Meanwhile, on macOS, go to Sharing in the General section of System Settings and disable everything. As a final touch, make sure to choose “no one” in the “Allow me to be discovered by” drop-down menu of your Airdrop settings. If you have an iOS device, you can disable AirDrop from the Control Center.

Surf the web on outdated software

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There’s a reason why updates are so important for your operating system. Sure, software optimizations and new features are neat, but enhanced security protocols do most of the heavy lifting here. These patches go a long way in preventing any vulnerabilities in your device from being exploited by shady programs. After all, there’s a reason why Samsung was scrambling to release a security patch as soon as possible when a vulnerability was discovered in firmware in 2025. It really is that serious.

If you decide to use outdated software to browse the web, then you’re already putting your device at risk as is. This becomes exponentially worse on public networks that are riddled with security concerns. Do yourself a favor and download the latest OS updates first before you decide to doomscroll social media. On the same note, it’s also recommended that you update your apps, as well. Sure, an outdated OS puts your entire system at risk, but using an app that is in dire need of an update can spell trouble, too. Their security flaws can make it easy for bad actors to attack your system and steal any personal data.

Browse without a VPN

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Most people still haven’t entered the Virtual Private Network ecosystem. People aren’t used to paying for a subscription to hide their data, but the benefits of a VPN are so numerous that your costs will be recouped in no time. In fact, VPNs are recommended for both public and private networks, since they’ll safeguard your privacy and help protect your data from being farmed by nefarious organizations and sold to the highest bidder. 

Since most public Wi-Fi owners can see what you’re doing online, a VPN can be very helpful in such a situation. Of course, simply subscribing to this service doesn’t mean that you can do whatever you want on a public network. There’s a common misconception that VPNs are a security tool — rather, they’re more of a privacy tool that disguises your digital fingerprint. If you don’t want anyone else on the public network to see what you’re doing online, use a Virtual Private Network to spoof an IP address and fool any would-be attackers. It’s one of the most clever ways to use a VPN and makes public Wi-Fi networks feasible … for the most part.

Carelessly connect to the wrong Wi-Fi

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A huge reason why public Wi-Fi networks are such major security risks is that hackers love to confuse users and spoof networks that seem similar to the network in question. Cafes, hotels, and airports are among the most popular places to hang out and connect to public Wi-Fi, and they’re also among the most common areas where people have their information compromised. These hotspots serve as an easy place for hackers to set up a fake public Wi-Fi access point that unassuming users connect to, leaving them vulnerable to MITM attacks that can steal anything from their login credentials to their banking details.

This network spoofing has become so popular that it’s now known as an evil twin attack, which basically consists of a public network named very similarly to a legitimate public network in the same area. The goal is to get unsuspecting users to connect to the wrong network, then steal their information. This scheme has already claimed several victims, often leading to several hundred (or more) dollars in damages and untold stress when a hacker spoofs a network — or multiple networks — in the hopes of scamming as many people as possible. All of this makes it clear that you should definitely double-check a public Wi-Fi connection to see if it’s the real deal before you even proceed to do anything remotely confidential on it.

Check and input your personal details

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Using your personal information on digital channels can be far scarier than you’d expect, especially on a public connection. By this point, you’re probably familiar with how MITM attacks work, intercepting sensitive data as it moves from a user to a service, like a shopping or social media site. Hackers who pull off an MITM attack will target your personal information and will steal it almost immediately the moment you decide to input anything sensitive into your favorite apps and websites. The common bad habit of using the same password on multiple accounts for convenience only makes this problem worse, because once a hacker has your credentials for one site, they can use them anywhere else that you’re using them.

In fact, even checking any private information, including but not limited to your bank records and emails, can make it easy for hackers to appropriate this information and make your life miserable. It’s wiser to be prudent and avoid accessing or inputting any sensitive data when using a public network. As mentioned before, your mobile internet and its hotspot are far more secure (though not perfect) for browsing the web if you’re not at home.

Work and use your company’s tools

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Remote workers who like traveling or working from coffee shops are probably used to connecting to public networks. As convenient as it may be to preserve your mobile data and employ a myriad of work-related tools on these networks, though, don’t get too comfortable in this regard. We’ve spoken extensively about the security vulnerabilities of public networks at this point, and it’s entirely possible that you aren’t just putting your own data at risk, but your company’s as well.

Seriously, just use a mobile hotspot or stay home and use a company VPN to get your work done. It’s far more secure, and the extra hassle the setup might present is nothing compared to the potentially enormous cost if your actions leave your company vulnerable to a cyber attack. No matter what your status with your company is, putting their data at risk is a very bad idea, and a very real concern when using a public Wi-Fi connection for work.

Log in to social media

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Many people spend hours on social media every day, so it’s only natural that you might want to open your Instagram or Facebook and check the latest updates from your friends and favorite celebrities, even if you’re out and about. However, this is yet another risky action to take on a public network. People are very protective about their social media profiles, and the last thing they want is for a hacker to go berserk and send all manner of questionable messages to their friend network.

It’s an even bigger problem if you’re inputting your password, email, or other relevant information on a social media app. A cyberattack will compromise all this information in no time and leave you scrambling to change all your login details once you discover that you’ve been hacked. Every week seems to bring a new story about a hacking victim, and you definitely don’t want to be next. Given how problematic social media already is, use this as an excuse to stay logged off when you’re not at home.

Use a device that doesn’t have antivirus software or a firewall

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Using a system that doesn’t have any antivirus, firewall, or other online safeguards is a strict no-no. Even if you’re connected to a private network, that doesn’t mean you can disregard these basic safety measures while browsing the web. Hackers will find it far easier to compromise your device without this basic level of protection, allowing viruses and malware to infect your system and leave all your data at risk in no time.

It goes without saying that all these problems are exacerbated on public Wi-Fi. Don’t even think about browsing the web on these networks without proper protection, since you might as well broadcast all your personal information yourself. Defender and XProtect are pretty competent on Windows and macOS, respectively, although you might have to tweak some settings on the former to stay as safe as possible. Aside from this, you can download third-party antivirus software, like Norton and Malwarebytes, for a greater degree of protection. When it comes to firewalls, these protocols are set up properly from the get-go and shouldn’t require user intervention. Still, for your peace of mind — especially if you have no choice but to connect to public Wi-Fi — you might want to familiarize yourself with basic firewall settings to see if you’re getting the ironclad protection you need.

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A tense thriller starring Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton has burst out from the wild and, in doing so, has dominated Netflix’s top 10 (via FlixPatrol). “Apex” sees the former Furiosa as a daring rock climber, who, after suffering a personal tragedy five months prior, heads to the Australian outback only to bump into a local who is a lunatic with a major dental adjustment. Egerton taps into the same level of unhinged he had on full display in the brilliant 9-episode Apple TV series, “Smoke,” only this time with an Australian twang, leaving Theron to go on the run and fight for her life against her crossbow-wielding co-star. 

Hitting that sweet spot of fun and thrilling, “Apex” might see your survival instinct kick in, which might not fade after the credits roll. In that case, we’ve put together a great bunch of survival stories that you don’t need a compass to find, as you can add them to your Netflix queue as soon as you’re done with this one. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, try to take along your best batch of trail mix, and follow us as we lead you to a brilliant collection of movies that take you from the highest peaks to the lowest lows, all with the help of some big stars who make us wonder if they’re going to make it out alive. We promise most of them do. 

Vertical Limit

Director Martin Campbell might know how to handle a Bond intro after helming “Goldeneye” and “Casino Royale,” but arguably one of his best opening sequences is at the start of the 2000 mountain movie, “Vertical Limit,” which “Apex” looks to have taken notes from. After a jaw-dropping “Sophie’s Choice”-like decision that’s hundreds of feet in the air, we’re sent to the base of K2, where an estranged brother, Peter (Chris O’Donnell) and his sister, Annie (Robin Tunney), have their survival skills tested when the latter ends up trapped in a crevasse during an expedition.

O’Donnell is a decent fit in the hero role leading a band of climbers up the mountain to rescue survivors, who all end up either dead or suffering some gnarly and realistic injuries. Helping him on the journey are Scott Glenn as the K2 veteran with a score to settle with Bill Paxton’s business tycoon, along with “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” star Alexander Siddig and a young Ben Mendelsohn in a very early role. While it might be a little hokey in places, “Vertical Limit” feels like a survival movie that’s hanging onto the classic ’90s era of action movies by its fingertips. Paxton is perfectly punchable as the businessman who is out of his depth and sees his team as expendable, and Glenn steps in with his signature ticked-off veteran who knows this life-threatening route. As he explains to O’Donnell’s plucky protagonist, “Up there, you’re not dying, you’re dead.” Good job, this film still has some life in it, then.

Gerald’s Game

While many movies in this watchlist force their characters to face the elements, “Gerald’s Game” is a horror gem on Netflix that keeps things strictly in the bedroom. From one horror master to another, Mike Flanagan adapts the novella of the same name, originally penned by Stephen King. The movie stars one of his go-to cast members, Carla Gugino as Jessie Burlingame. During a weekend trip away with her husband, Gerald (Bruce Greenwood), some bedroom antics take a terrifying turn when she finds herself handcuffed to a bed and her dearly beloved lying dead on the floor. From here, Jessie goes to some dark places in her past in order to keep hold of her sanity and remain strong enough to get through this horrific ordeal that will demand some even more wince-inducing choices.

One-person shows about survival are always a compelling draw, but Gugino’s turn as Jessie feels like one that is criminally overlooked. There’s a sneaking suspicion about just where this story is headed, and Flanagan does a great job of drawing it out. A few other supporting talents like Henry Thomas and Kate Siegel also drop in to lend a hand, but Gugino is the real star who keeps things going. We highly advise you to sit down and watch “Gerald’s Game,” but just be prepared for where it will go and the exceptionally squeamish final act that will make your fingers itch.

Society of the Snow

There’s no doubt that some of the films in this batch are entertaining entries with some fun to be had, but the same can’t be said for J.A. Bayona’s 2023 movie, “Society of the Snow.” Be that as it may, that doesn’t stop it from being an incredibly moving movie about real survival. Another Netflix-made movie (and one of its best) that earned the streaming service more Oscar attention with two Academy Award nominations, this film follows the true story of the Uruguayan rugby team, whose plane went down in the Andes Mountains in 1972. 45 people were aboard the aircraft, but only 16 survived the ordeal. Bayona’s bleak but beautiful glimpse into the tragedy is a raw depiction of what pushed them to the edges of their own humanity.

Such a tragic story isn’t anything new for Bayona, whose big break was the 2012 film, “The Impossible,” which followed a family caught in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. It’s also familiar terrain for audiences, given that the 1972 disaster was also the basis for Frank Marshall’s 1993 movie “Alive,” which starred Ethan Hawke. Here, though, Bayona delivers a take that feels so much more raw, tapping into the heartbreak of the harrowing ordeal, thanks to some incredible performances. Perhaps the real star, though, is the film’s sets, with Bayona able to establish the nightmarish, realistic elements the team was forced to endure.

Beast

Idris Elba has held his own against some of the toughest stars in Hollywood, but here he’s on the run against a very angry lion in another thriller from “Apex” director, Baltasar Kormákur. In a pretty simple story that feels like it’s out of another era, “Beast” sees the “Luther” legend as Dr. Nate Samuels, who, while on a trip to a reserve in South Africa, comes face-to-face with a rogue lion that has a taste for humans. From there, Samuels is on the run from the predator, trying to keep his daughters safe, and fights tooth and nail to evade the animal, which has a serious vendetta against him.

Much like “Gerald’s Game,” “Beast” dares to keep most of the focus on Elba fighting a CGI but equally compelling foe that is prowling every scene. Thankfully, he’s the kind of star who can keep the interest going, no matter how absolutely ridiculous things get. Throwing in some short support is “District 9” star, Sharlto Copley, who shows him that not every animal is the same and that this monster on the move can be taken down. It also hums along at a lean 93 minutes, which is just what you need for a nostalgic walk on the wild side.

Jaws

Netflix has swum in shark-infested waters on its own over the years, most recently with “Thrash” and back in 2024 with French creature feature “Under Paris.” However, those two and so many others don’t deserve to take the same bait as Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece, “Jaws.” You probably know the story of three men and a fish by now. Roy Scheider is Chief Brody, a water-weary lawman of Amity Island, who has to put the locals at ease after a great white shark begins stalking the shores. Eventually, he teams up with Richard Dreyfuss’ oceanographer Matt Hooper and Robert Shaw’s scene-chewing fisherman, Quint.

“Jaws” might take a while for the survival instinct to kick in, but there’s no question that, above all, it’s simply a perfect film. Spielberg’s first blockbuster is a study in adventure and tension, effortlessly balancing both on a trip out to sea that still holds up more than 50 years later. What’s an equally impressive testament to the film’s longevity is that, unlike a lot of films on this list, the terror lurking beneath the waves is rarely shown. Spielberg notoriously battled with a mechanical shark during production, and only lets it break the water in the final act, chomping through the horror and smiling for the camera in a nail-biting finish.

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Having a Ring camera provides a sense of safety when you’re away from the house. You can check in on your home, family, and pets to make sure all is well while you’re shopping, at work, or on vacation. If you own one, you’ll no doubt notice the blue light on the front near the camera lens. This light functions in several different ways, letting you know if it’s working and what the camera is doing at that moment.

From software updates to recording, the blue light is a guide to what your camera is doing. While many believe a solid blue light means someone is actively watching through it, that’s not the case. A solid blue light on the Ring camera means it is either starting up or actively recording what is happening, or that the camera is on an active call with the talk system engaged. Somebody could be actively watching, but that’s not what the blue light signifies. Ring does not officially state that any light means someone is actively watching.

Ring offers several types of products ranging from the outdoor cam, stick up cam, indoor cam, pan-tilt indoor cam, and doorbells, which all provide different things your Ring camera can do. Although there are different types of Ring cameras, the specific model will vary by design and light location. A solid blue light means it is either starting up or recording on a few different Ring camera models.

What the lights mean on a Ring camera

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Ring cameras all feature a lighting function of some kind, no matter the camera. Generally, if a solid blue light is showing on a camera that has been running, it is recording. A solid blue light isn’t the only light you’ll see on a Ring camera, as there are several more that can tell you important details about your camera.

As with most technology, you’ll have to do some installation. When setting up a Ring camera, the blue light will flash, alerting you that it is in setup mode. If the blue light flashes for three minutes or flashes once in between two flashes, the setup failed. After the camera boots up, a solid blue light will mean it is recording — though you need a Ring subscription to record, some of the best security cameras don’t require one. A green flashing light means the camera can’t connect to Wi-Fi. Flashing red, then blue means the siren has been activated. Again, this will depend on the type of Ring camera owned, as some light patterns may mean different things.

The location of the light will also vary, depending on the type of Ring camera owned. Many can be found above the lens, while others are found below it. An indoor camera may work in a similar way to an outdoor camera, but the layout of the lens, light, and mount may all be different.

Can you tell if someone is watching you through a Ring camera?

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While a Ring camera is recording, anyone who looks at the camera will see a solid blue light. This does not necessarily mean someone is watching through it at that specific time, however. Viewing through the Ring app is up to the owner, which can be done at any time through the use of the Ring app’s Live View. Doing so would allow the owner to do several additional tasks through the camera itself.

The light patterns on a Ring camera do not let you know if you are being watched, but one way to tell is when the owner chooses the two-way talk option on the camera. This allows them to open a way to communicate between the person near the camera and the person using the app. Other options users can select through Live View mode are the siren, lights, and replies.

A solid blue light on a Ring camera means that the camera is in record mode. While recording, the Ring camera captures video and stores it for users to view later. Users can also watch as a camera is recording. Ring cameras offer a sense of extra security around the house, but they aren’t the only camera available, as there are a few alternatives actually worth trying.

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Like most bathroom gadgets that are surprisingly useful, smart bathroom scales are replete with helpful features. Typical capabilities include tracking your weight over time to advanced metrics like body fat percentage and total lean mass. These scales can link to wellness apps on your phone, share data with fitness programs to help design and maintain regimens, and give you personalized recommendations tailored to your specific body composition and goals. However, there are models that promise the world, but deliver inconsistent results. 

That’s the case with the clumsily named Inevifit EROS Bluetooth Body Fat Scale Smart BMI Highly Accurate Digital Bathroom Body Composition Analyzer. It recently racked up the dubious honor of being named the worst smart bathroom scale by Consumer Reports (CR). The Inevifit EROS scale claims to deliver accurate measurements of 13 body composition metrics, including body fat and muscle mass, and compatibility with a host of popular apps, like Google Fit and Apple Health. In CR’s testing, however, it bombed out in some of the most important aspects for actually tracking your weight.

Consistently inaccurate

Consumer Reports assigns a score for five categories when assessing bathroom scales: Accuracy, consistency, unbalanced weighing, ease of use, and connectivity. In both accuracy and consistency, arguably the two most vital categories, the Inevifit EROS earned the lowest possible score. This may surprise potential buyers looking at the smart scale’s Amazon page, where it has an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from more than 3,400 reviews. 

Dig a little deeper, however, and there are some indications of why CR dubbed the Inevifit EROS the worst smart bathroom scale. “It’s really great if you’re looking for an LCD display that scrolls the number 8 across itself until the batteries are dead,” says one of the 82 one star ratings. Interestingly, while Consumer Reports says that connectivity is the scale’s only real strength, several of the negative Amazon reviews mention issues with disconnects or syncing with the app.

“The Bluetooth talked to my phone twice and then quit exporting data,” says one, while another user complains that after a few months, the scale now refuses to connect to Android devices. CR’s complaints about accuracy are frequently echoed as well, with one review noting 60 pound differences within minutes of standing on the scale, and another calling the EROS the “worst, most wildly inaccurate scale I’ve stepped on. Ever!”

Bathroom scale alternatives

If you’re in the market for a reliable bathroom scale, there are plenty of solid alternatives to the Inevifit EROS, that cost significantly less than its $129.99 MSRP. Consumer Reports recommends the Eufy Smart Scale P2 Pro, but unfortunately it’s been discontinued. Instead, you might consider the EatSmart Precision Bathroom Scale. While lacking smart features, it measures in 0.2 pound increments, has an extra-wide platform, and is rated for up to 440 pounds. The best part? This EatSmart scale costs just $22.50. 

If you want a smart scale, take a look at the Etekcity HR Smart Fitness Scale. It’s capable of tracking 18 body metrics, has a customizable display, and is rechargeable via USB-C. This Etekcity scale has racked up a 4.7 average rating on Amazon across nearly 347,000 reviews and costs $79.99. For a smart scale with more advanced capability, there is the Wyze Scale Ultra BodyScan that matches the competition for less. And to add a major upgrade to your in-home wellness routine, consider a smart mirror for your next bathroom vanity.

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Like any other wearable or electronic device, Fitbits — just another another company owned by Google – will eventually reach the end of their lives. This means it’s time for a replacement, which you’ll probably want to get anyway, to take advantage of the latest and greatest features and improvements. But how do you know when your old Fitbit needs to be replaced or when there could be a potential fix?

If the screen is blank or flickering, it’s not charging. If it keeps rebooting itself, this is a good sign that the wearable is on its last legs. But there are a few tricks you can try before tossing it for recycling and buying something new. It could be a software issue, for example, or maybe it’s the charger that’s the problem, not the tracker or smartwatch itself. Even if you plan to upgrade, these tricks can help keep it going for at least a little while longer while you search for the best deals on a new one.

Try a new charger or outlet

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If the smartwatch or fitness tracker isn’t charging or seems to be charging, but dies right away, the charger could be the issue, not the device itself. This poses a bit of a challenge with Fitbit since every device has its own proprietary charger. If you really want to squeeze more life out of it, buy a new charger online and try that (hopefully you can return it if it doesn’t work).

If you have a friend or family member with the same device, ask to borrow theirs and try it. If the device charges properly, you have pinpointed the issue and it’s with the charger, not the device. It’s also worth moving the charger to a different outlet, as the problem could be with the outlet itself. Plug something else into the same outlet and see if it powers up to confirm the outlet is working. Either way, move the Fitbit charger to another outlet or power bar to see if that fixes the problem.

Reboot it

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If you notice the device is looping with the startup screen, showing the logo, booting up, then doing it all over again, it could be an issue with the software. To fix this, hard reboot the device. The method to do this is different with each Fitbit, so you’ll have to look up how online or in the device manual if you still have it.

For example, with the Fitbit Charge 6, you’d place the tracker on its charger while plugged in, press the button three times in rapid succession, then wait for the Fitbit logo to appear. Try multiple times, waiting a few minutes between each, if it doesn’t work the first time. With the smartwatch style Fitbit Versa 4 and Sense 2, two cheaper Android alternatives to the Apple Watch, connect it to the charger, then press and hold the device’s side button for anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds. When you see the Fitbit logo, release the button and wait to see if this fixes the issue.

Check the app for updates

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The problem could be related to a necessary firmware update, which you can find available for download in the latest version of the Fitbit app, now signed in through your Google account. Open the app and look for available updates. If there is one, you’ll see it under the Today tab, Devices, and device image. Follow the instructions on screen and make sure it’s plugged in or fully charged. The app can take as long as an hour to complete, so do this when you’ll be sedentary and close to your charger to get it done without interruption.

Once the update is complete, manually sync the smartwatch or fitness tracker to the app on your phone by selecting the Today tab in the app and pulling down on the screen. You can also select the Sync Now option in the app. If you were getting a blank screen or the watch or tracker hasn’t been syncing, this could solve the issue.

Clean the contacts and device

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Your Fitbit could simply not be working because the device has debris or water inside, or there’s dirt blocking the underside contacts from touching the contacts on the charger properly. Give it a good wipe down using a non-abrasive brush, like a soft toothbrush and freshwater. Dry it off completely when done. Do not scrape off dirt and debris using anything metal, as this can damage the contacts. You can also use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to clean the pins on the charger.

If there’s residual water in the device, that can cause it to malfunction even if the device is rated as being water-resistant, especially if it’s older and the water resistance has weakened. I once had a Fitbit constantly loop and restart after swimming with it. I dried it off and let it sit for 24 hours, and it was working like new after that. It’s a good idea to wipe your Fitbit down any time it gets wet, and make sure to avoid use in saltwater sources or extreme temperatures, like hot tubs, to avoid water-related issues. If it has the water lock setting, as with the Charge 5, Charge 6, Luxe, Inspire 2, Inspire 3, and Ace 3, use that when necessary.

Run a factory reset

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While this is a last resort option, if you’re ready to toss the Fitbit anyway, try a factory reset. This will erase all your data, so you’ll have to start over. To do this, connect the Fitbit to the charger and follow the instructions for the specific Fitbit you have to run a factory reset. For the Fitbit Charge 6, for example, you’d go to Settings, Device Info, and Clear User Data, while for the Fitbit Sense 2, you’d go to Settings, About Sense 2, Factory Reset, and select “Yes” to confirm. If the smartwatch or tracker boots back up, go through the process of signing up as though it’s new and see if this corrects any issues.

You might be tempted to toss an old Fitbit once it simply isn’t working, especially when some believe there’s no need for a Fitbit anymore. But if you still find value in one, try these steps first. You may find that it still has life left to enjoy. Even if you’re upgrading anyway, getting it working again is still important since you can hand it down to a friend or family member. They may get more time from it than you realized it had left.

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Whether you’re on a tight budget or are looking for a secondary phone that doesn’t need to be super powerful, major Android smartphone brands offer a slew of attractive options. Although these cheap phones can’t match the features and processing power of their expensive cousins, they are sufficiently capable to handle everyday tasks. Moreover, as smartphone makers have started offering longer software support timelines, you don’t have to worry about your budget phone going obsolete within a year.

That said, even if you follow all the right rules before buying an Android phone, it can be hard to distinguish between an affordable phone that’s actually worth buying and one you should stay away from. Fortunately, our handpicked options have been selected after carefully considering expert opinions, buyer feedback, and raw specifications to provide you with a solid starting point in your smartphone purchase journey. More importantly, our recommendations are widely available for less than $200 and can work on all major carriers in the U.S.

Samsung Galaxy A17

Samsung’s Galaxy A series is widely liked for its affordably priced and capable smartphones, and the Galaxy A17 is no exception. At a price of $199 that frequently goes down to $175, it’s right in your budget and is promised to receive six years of Android OS and security updates, giving you complete peace of mind. Although it’s not really an upgrade over its predecessor — the Galaxy A16 – it has the right essentials to deliver a decent experience.

It sports a sleek design with IP65 dust and water resistance, and comes with a 6.7-inch OLED panel with a 90Hz refresh rate. There is also a 5,000mAh battery on board with support for 25W wired charging, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication. Its Exynos 1330 chip isn’t the newest or most powerful, and it’s paired with just 4 GB of RAM in the U.S., but it has enough juice to handle everyday tasks with relative ease. That said, you may encounter occasional stutters and lag if you try to push it too hard. It’s certainly not a phone for multitasking.

Despite its low-end processor, the phone gets some useful AI features, such as Circle to Search and Gemini AI assistant. The onboard triple camera setup takes good photos for the phone’s price tag, and you would generally be satisfied with the results. Another good thing is the support for expandable storage, allowing you to pop in a microSD card to increase the available storage from the default 128 GB — a feature that’s becoming increasingly rare.

Motorola Moto G (2026)

It’s been over a decade since Motorola took the wraps off the first-generation Moto G, and the phone and its successors have consistently been reliable budget performers. The 2026 version of the Moto G continues the trend, and while it’s not as exciting as the original Moto G, it’s certainly worth considering if you only have $200 to buy a new phone.

It retains the relatively lower 720p resolution of its last few predecessors, but the presence of a 120Hz refresh rate is certainly a positive that helps the phone offer a fluid and smoother user interface. One of the standout features of the latest Moto G is its colorful design that includes a textured silicone polymer back that looks different from the typical glass or plastic slabs on the market. Battery life is another positive, with the phone’s 5,200mAh unit easily lasting one full day of moderate to heavy usage. It also supports 30W fast wired charging, has a fingerprint sensor, expandable storage, and even a 3.5mm audio jack.

It won’t receive software updates for six years like the Galaxy A17. However, Motorola is promising two years of Android OS updates, meaning the phone should ideally get until Android 18, and three years of security patches, saving it from being obsolete at least until late 2028. Sadly, like most budget phones, the Moto G has a low-end chip, and while it won’t snag any performance prizes, the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor paired with 4 GB of RAM is capable enough for essentials, but you are bound to come across some choppiness. It will set you back $200 for its sole 128 GB model. 

TCL 60 XE NXTPaper

The TCL 60 XE NXTPaper is not your typical smartphone and won’t entice everyone, but it’s a unique device that houses an interesting display technology that you won’t find in any other phone in this price segment. It has a 120Hz matte LCD screen with a paperlike texture, and you can choose from three color modes (besides the standard mode), which let you pick from a low-saturation color e-ink-like display, a black and white display with regular smartphone functionality, and a black and white display with low refresh rate and limited app availability. Unfortunately, though, the under-sun visibility of the screen is poor.

Otherwise, the phone has pretty solid hardware, with a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor and 8 GB of RAM, which delivers decent performance. You’ll still have to deal with occasional hiccups, though. You also get a microSD card slot, NFC for contactless payments, and it’s one of the few Android phones with a 3.5mm headphone jack. The 5,010mAh battery is good enough for a full day of backup, and the rear camera system is passable, with mixed results, depending on lighting and the scene.

One notable downside of the phone is its software support. TCL has only promised one major Android OS update and two years of security patches for the phone, which means it’ll only get the Android 16 update. All in all, you can consider the TCL offering if you are someone who likes to do a lot of reading on your phone or just needs a good matte display. It’s far from perfect, but it has several things going for it. Although it was introduced at a starting price of $250, it can now be purchased for as low as $180.

How we selected these phones

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The sub-$200 segment for Android smartphones isn’t as active as some of the other price categories in the U.S. However, there are some decent phones that you can find. While choosing our recommendation for this segment, we focused on some of the best-reviewed smartphones that come from reputable manufacturers and were released in the last 18 months. We avoided older smartphones as they are more likely to become obsolete sooner in the absence of a clearly defined software support period. We looked at expert reviews, user feedback, and raw specifications to trim our choices. More importantly, we only picked phones that are officially sold in the U.S. for a proper after-sales experience.

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