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Some of the most premium smartphones available on the market offer satellite connectivity, like the iPhone 17, Galaxy S26, and Pixel 10 series. This technology can help reduce the dead zones you might encounter in remote areas, deserts, or oceans, and it can even provide a crucial lifeline for travelers and those in rural areas. If your phone has satellite connectivity, it can communicate with a satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which essentially acts like a cell tower in space to help you message someone, contact emergency services, or more recently, access limited app functionality.

Apple was the first smartphone company to embark on the satellite connectivity feature with the emergency SOS functionality introduced with the iPhone 14 series, which means there are several iPhones that support it. Other key players like Samsung and Google have caught up with Apple in some regards, although specific technologies and partnerships can vary between providers. For example, Apple partnered with Globalstar, and Google went with Skylo to provide emergency SOS features that closely mirror Apple’s. Meanwhile, Samsung’s situation is more conditional and carrier-dependent.

But from the perspective of an end user, there are two different types of satellite connectivity that you should be aware of. The first is the emergency SOS functionality that Apple introduced, which is typically provided free of charge with the purchase of a device and includes limited connectivity meant to be used in emergencies. The second type is known as direct-to-cell (D2C) service, and it’s currently being rolled out by carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon. With D2C service, the connection treats the satellite similarly to a 5G cell tower, enabling more features than just emergency calls and texts.

Here’s how emergency SOS satellite connectivity works on a phone

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If you have an iPhone 14 or newer or a Google Pixel 9 or newer, you can use emergency SOS features. This is built-in functionality that uses satellite connectivity to support certain emergency-focused features, and the service it relies on is included with the purchase of your phone instead of being tied to your carrier plan.

To enable it on your iPhone, open the Control Center, tap the Cellular button on the right, then Satellite, and choose the satellite feature you want to use — however, to make this connection, your device can’t have access to Wi-Fi or cellular data. To use emergency SOS functionality on your Pixel, open the Phone app, and if you have no mobile data or Wi-Fi connectivity, the dialer interface will show a Satellite SOS option. Tap this, then press Use Satellite SOS and hit Start. For best results, you’ll want to be outside with a clear view of the sky and the horizon, and ideally, away from trees, dense foliage, or buildings. 

Currently, Apple offers the most complete satellite-based emergency SOS functionality, as you can send and receive messages (although no photos or video), use the Find My app to share your updated location, get roadside assistance, and contact emergency services. On the Android side of things, Google has copied much of Apple’s built-in emergency SOS functionality on the Pixel 9 and later, including the ability to contact emergency services and share location. Samsung does not offer a built-in emergency SOS service — instead, the Galaxy S25 series and newer flagships support emergency SOS features provided by certain carriers. That’s the second type of satellite connectivity that you need to know about, and we’ll explain that in detail next.

Direct-to-cell satellite service is the next big thing

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While emergency SOS has been available for a few years now, the next generation of satellite connectivity involves direct-to-cell (D2C) satellites. In the U.S., T-Mobile has partnered with Starlink to let you send texts (and photos), voice chat with WhatsApp, and even use select apps via satellite connectivity. The carrier offers this functionality through its Experience Beyond plans and as an add-on for other plans. T-Mobile calls this service “T-Satellite,” and it works with most phones released in the last few years, including iPhone, Galaxy, and Pixel devices.

Besides T-Mobile, Verizon also offers the ability to text using satellites, but for free, as the offering is not as complete as the other carrier. The service is provided in partnership with Skylo, but currently only works with recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones. AT&T’s D2C service, the product of a partnership with AST SpaceMobile, is still a work in progress. The company says it’s “too early to give a specific date” on a potential rollout, but that it’s “working towards a commercial launch” now that a partnership is in place with the satellite provider.

To enjoy these new features, not only will you need a carrier that supports these technologies, but a phone that has access to direct-to-cell satellites. As mentioned, T-Mobile’s service is available for most newer phones, but other carriers require specific handset models. One thing that may help spur more widespread availability is the rumored functionality purportedly coming with the iPhone 18 Pro and its C2 5G modem. This would help the next generation of iPhone models treat a satellite like a standard 5G cell tower, which could enable the features above in addition to other rumored functions reported by Bloomberg, like Apple Maps navigation via satellite.

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If you have Philips Hue smart lights that take advantage of the Bridge Pro, an AI-powered smart hub that introduces a ton of extra features, you’ll want to listen up. Philips released a new update, exclusive to the Bridge Pro, that adds new functionality called Hue SpatialAware. It introduces what the brand describes as a “whole new level” of intelligent, dynamic lighting that adapts to your spaces.

Marketing aside, it actually sounds really cool. Where most smart lighting solutions treat each light as a separate source or unique device, SpatialAware recognizes where they’re placed inside a room. Using augmented reality scanning via a phone or tablet camera, it maps out the position of each light. Philips says if you remove or add lights it’s as easy as doing a quick rescan to instantly update the layout. Then, the feature brings your lighting to life “in the most natural and immersive way.”

Imagine realistic sunsets in your living room, cascading color washes, or the ebb and flow of water as the lighting naturally transitions between each section. By description alone, SpatialAware will rival even some of the best smart lights for your home theater setup. No more piecemeal color or brightness adjustments. No wonky workarounds to sync your lights — provided they work with Hue Bridge Pro, of course. The update is free and available to existing users. There’s no need to upgrade to new lights, install additional hardware, or pay for any subscriptions. A Philips Hue Bridge Pro, if you’re not aware, is about $99, excluding the cost of any lights.

More was added in this update for Hue Bridge Pro users

In addition to the above, Philips says the Hue Scene Gallery has been revised and optimized to work with the new SpatialAware functionality. The Scene Gallery previously allowed you to select themes and various lighting modes for your network of lights, like holiday-themed quick presets. Now, you’ll find integrated SpatialAware options. Philips describes some as nature-inspired, like Savannah Sunset with orange and yellow glows, Mountain Breeze, or Lake Mist. More scenes will be added over time as well. All scenes can be activated through voice controls and used with lighting automations.

One distinction to make here is that SpatialAware doesn’t use AI to generate lighting effects, despite the Bridge Pro’s AI capabilities. Instead, Philips says everything is “designed by humans,” with research teams using algorithms to tailor the light scenes to a “specific layout” and “light positions” in a space. That also means privacy is built into the design. Images are not sent to the cloud, nor are they processed by a remote AI solution. All processing happens locally, and no data or information is shared, according to Philips. “Your room stays your own, always.”

It’s certainly an interesting evolution for smart lighting. Depending on how you set everything up, smart lights can improve your home security, and the new SpatialAware scenes could even help with that approach, making it look like you’re home even when you’re not. Smart bulbs are also among the easiest and cheapest ways to turn your regular house into a smart home. If you don’t have any other smart devices installed, it’s a great place to start.

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There’s a lot to like about the design of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. It looks and feels premium, and Xiaomi has put a lot of attention into the small details that come together to make for a high-end device. Like, a seriously high-end device.

The basics of it aren’t all that unique. The first thing you’ll notice about its look is the now-signature oversized Xiaomi camera module, along with the flat-edged build that pretty much every phone has these days (not that I’m complaining). Look a little closer, however, and you’ll start to notice things that make the phone look and feel nicer than the majority of the competition.

For starters, the green color looks amazing. The device comes in Black, White, and Starlit Green, and thankfully, that last one is the one I have. The green color has subtle sparkles that catch the light, which is a nice, premium touch. Also premium-feeling are the buttons on the sides. The phone has nice little round buttons for the volume controls, and they feel clicky and satisfying. So does the power button.

I highlight the premium look and feel because, in truth, the build isn’t especially premium. The frame is aluminum, which isn’t a bad thing, but the back is a so-called fiber-reinforced plastic. I didn’t notice that it was plastic until looking at the spec sheet though — and I suspect most will have a similar experience. On that plastic back, you’ll find a Xiaomi logo and a little Leica logo in the corner.

Xiaomi notes that the 17 Ultra is the thinnest Ultra device it has ever shipped, but don’t take that to mean it’s actually slim. This is no iPhone Air. In truth, it’s only the thinnest because the others were pretty thick, and while the 17 Ultra doesn’t feel overly thick most of the time, that giant camera module does make it a bit top-heavy.

Thankfully, the phone is relatively durable. It actually has an IP69 water and dust-resistance rating, so it can handle high-pressure jets and high-temperature water. Like any phone, you won’t want to intentionally submerge it, but this one is more likely to survive if you do.

The device also works with Xiaomi’s Photography Kit, like previous-generation models. It’s designed to make the phone look and feel more like a traditional camera, plus it gives you physical controls for features like a two-stage shutter, a custom dial, and a dedicated video button. It’s pretty cool — but not something I would want to carry around in my pocket.

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Apple will soon be bringing more artificial intelligence features to its lineup of devices, at least according to a new report. Apple’s proprietary AI, known as Apple Intelligence, already supports a number of devices and features, but the latest news suggests that the company is aiming to get up to speed with its competitors, many of which already offer a fuller suite of AI features. Nonetheless, should the rumors hold true, Apple fans may be getting several new photo-editing features as soon as this year.

As reported by Bloomberg, Apple is aiming to use artificial intelligence to deliver new photo-editing features to its hardware lineup. Three new features are expected to arrive, including options that allow users to shift the perspective of certain photos, generate new content for an image, and even utilize some basic photo-editing enhancements. However, reports also indicate that the testing of these features may not be going exactly as planned.

With the next round of software updates from Apple expected to be announced at this year’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), it will likely be the first official time the public will get details about the company’s next major mobile software update, including a release date for iOS 27. As it currently stands, Apple’s proprietary AI is capable of generating emojis, providing information from photos, and offering ChatGPT integration, among other features. However, users may need to wait and see if these new tools actually release with the next iteration of Apple’s operating systems.

New Apple Intelligence features for photos may be on the way

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Though the next wave of software updates from Apple is likely to focus on its voice assistant Siri and improving overall system performance, rumors are already circulating about new photo-editing features. Possibly arriving with iOS 27, macOS 27, and iPadOS 27, these purported “Apple Intelligence Tools” include “Extend,” “Enhance,” and “Reframe” options. With Extend, users would be able to “generate additional image content beyond the original frame,” meaning you can take a photo and have artificial intelligence build more content surrounding it. The report states users will be able to control how much new content is added and where it’s placed by using their fingers to expand the edges of a photo.

Additionally, the new Enhance feature would rely on AI to adjust the quality, lighting, and color within a photo automatically. Reframe, on the other hand, is thought to be meant for spatial photos, which the report mentions is typically the type of photos an Apple Vision Pro headset captures. The Reframe feature would allow users to adjust the perspective of an image, such as showcasing the side of an object when it was originally shot from the front.

Though these features are still reportedly in the testing phase, leaked information indicates that the new tools “don’t perform reliably during internal testing,” according to Bloomberg sources who’ve had experiences with them. Those curious will likely need to wait and see what else develops, though we can also give you a rundown on how to use Apple Intelligence on your devices should you need a refresher.

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Every once in a while, a genre film comes out that sticks with you, whether because of the visuals, the story, or the characters. Horror is particularly good at this because of the very nature of the genre. Some of the best horror movies of all time have more than one memorable scene that fans recall repeatedly, and one recent flick is looking to be of the same caliber. It’s available for streaming, and viewers are gravitating toward it in droves.

Per FlixPatrol rankings, “Primate” is in the top 10 movies in the U.S. on Paramount+ for the week of April 28. It’s a creature horror, body horror, and slasher-style flick all wrapped into one. Although there’s no conventional killer doling out gruesome vengeance, but instead, as the name implies, the film explores what happens when a lovable primate goes wild.

The story centers around a family’s pet chimp named Ben, who unexpectedly contracts rabies and becomes excessively aggressive. While not at all based on the true story of Travis, the chimpanzee that violently attacked his owner, it’s clear that the idea behind the film was loosely inspired by the real-world encounter. If you have the opportunity, it’s worth watching. Forewarning, it’s gory and pretty much exactly what you’d expect a horror of this caliber to be like.

What are people saying about Primate?

If you like gory shock-horror, you’ll likely enjoy “Primate.” It has a 78% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and a 71% from users, with several reviewers praising it as suspenseful, creative, and entertaining. It’s also hailed as a unique twist on the age-old slasher genre. Someone describes the plot as “Caesar (from ‘Planet of the Apes’) meets Cujo,” and that certainly fits.

On IMDB, “Primate” has a 5.8 out of 10-star rating with over 27,000 reviews. That’s less forgiving than the Rotten Tomatoes score, closer to average, and most of the reviews span five-star (18%), six-star (28%), and seven-star (19%) ratings. Take that as you will. There’s also the point that it’s going absolutely bananas on Paramount+ rankings — it premiered on streaming in March but originally hit theaters back in January.

Since then, it has continued to dominate the streaming charts, debuting as the number one movie in the top 10 in March, as well. Something about it must be captivating audiences. If you’re not fond of primates but looking to watch something with similar vibes, Jeff Goldblum’s incredible ’80s sci-fi body horror doesn’t get enough love, and you can rent that on Prime Video or Apple TV. Alternatively, it’s not set to release until October, but you can get ready for the DCU’s first horror flick and watch the “Clayface” trailer as it unleashes a terrifying new character that oozes body horror and creature feature elements.

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The ’80s were a great time for movies, especially of the sci-fi genre. These flicks had many futuristic gadgets that gave people a taste of what the future might be like — you likely remember how those technologies felt magical and made the 2000s seem so far away from us. Titles like “Back to the Future,” “Runaway,” and many others portrayed devices that people thought were impossible to create at the time, yet some became real and popular years after.

If you grew up watching these films on an ’80s TV, you know that many of these predictions about what our lives will be like in the future never came to fruition. For the gadgets that became real, some even arrived exactly as promised or in forms better than they seemed in movies. Others, however, came with some limitations that screenwriters didn’t take into account, like hoverboards that need special tracks. So, even though some technologies still have flaws in some areas, they left ’80s movies and, in some way, became part of our daily lives.

Self-lacing sneakers

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“Back to the Future Part II” came out in 1989 and, beyond continuing Marty McFly’s story, it took a shot at predicting what life would look like in the then-distant future of 2015. Some of those predictions aged better than others — and the self-lacing sneakers are among the ones to actually make it into the real world. What started as a 12-second camera trick on set became an engineering challenge that Nike eventually pulled off.

The company itself received an invitation during the production of “Back to the Future Part II” to imagine what footwear would look like in 2015. In 2016, Nike reproduced a self-lacing version of the MAG model that McFly wore in the movie, with sensors that detected the presence of a foot and activated motors to adjust the laces. The first functional model in that line went as a gift to Michael J. Fox himself and his charitable foundation.

Afterward, the project led to the development of the HyperAdapt 1.0, a product especially made for athletes that used the same self-tightening technology present in the MAG. The most affordable sneaker that came from that project was the Nike Adapt BB from 2019, but because of the price and the history of software bugs, the models never took off with the general public. In the end, the tech became real, but the popularity didn’t.

Hoverboard

“Back to the Future Part II” is one of the main references when people talk about ’80s technology that they wish was real. Another gadget in this flick was the hoverboard, which became a dream purchase for many children of that era — the possibility of a flying skateboard was incredible. In fact, a version of that device even got produced, but not in the way many people expected.

In 2014, Greg Henderson almost made this idea a reality when he started the Hendo Hoverboard on Kickstarter.Thanks to the magnetic levitation tech, the board could float above the ground and hold up to 250 pounds. Tony Hawk even went viral by using one of those boards at that time. After that, Lexus tried to enter the market in 2015 with its Slide, which was cooled by liquid nitrogen and could also float over magnetic surfaces.

The problem is that neither product launched commercially. Both depended on specially prepared surfaces, which was far from the freedom Marty McFly had on the streets of Hill Valley. Eventually, Hendo redirected its maglev technology to industrial applications. So, hoverboards do exist, but not in the way many people imagined in the ’80s.

Smartwatches

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Many movies in the 20th century explored the possibility of having a powerful device on your own wrist, and James Bond was one of the main characters to show it off. In “Octopussy,” he had access to the Seiko TV watch, which was actually a real device that the Japanese company had already launched at the same time. So, companies had considered something similar to a smartwatch for a long time. But unlike how it looked on screen, the watch was not that practical. 

For the small liquid crystal display to transmit television channels, the user had to carry a huge and heavy signal receiver in a pocket. A cable also connected it and ran inside the user’s clothing. Needless to say, it didn’t have much everyday use. Fast forward to today, and even the cheapest smartwatch brands can do more complex things and have an easier time doing them than a Seiko TV from the ’80s. Companies like Apple and Samsung have used the miniaturization of electronic components to create complex devices, letting you make calls, monitor your health, and make payments from your wrist.

Robot vacuums

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If you have a robot vacuum in your home, know that, in part, you live in a future that Hollywood imagined in the ’80s. Today, several major brands make these gadgets, which, for many people, no longer count as a novelty — they’re just another common household appliance. These devices can map spaces and avoid obstacles to keep your living space organized.

Even though the movie did not achieve the same popularity as other sci-fi works from that era, 1984’s “Runaway” imagined robots integrated into everyday life before it turned into an action thriller. In the feature film, these autonomous machines handled some routine tasks in their owners’ homes. That vision became real many decades later, even though our robots look very different. However, the movie became better known because those robots turn into killers over the course of the story and because Gene Simmons from KISS played the villain. Even though that still has not happened in our reality, the quieter ideas of “Runaway,” such as autonomous machines cleaning the kitchen floor, ended up becoming real.

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Modern TVs and monitors have one key feature you wouldn’t typically pay much attention to in the past, but it’s become a necessity in 2026 and beyond. That’s the screen refresh rate. In a nutshell, a screen’s refresh rate refers to the number of times a display draws a new image per second, measured in Hertz (Hz). You’ve probably seen that number being thrown around in monitor and TV spec sheets, with some claiming 120 Hz while others boasting higher figures. As a matter of fact, the refresh rate isn’t just buried in the spec sheets these days. It’s marketed as one of the headline features on monitors and TVs that feature higher figures than the standard. 

For context, the standard refresh rate you’ll find on even the most basic monitors and TVs is 60 Hz, which was also found on older cathode ray tubes. However, newer models offer much more than that, such as 120 Hz, 144 Hz, 165 Hz, and even higher. While 60 Hz is fine for the majority of people for watching movies or doing some light office work, we advise that you avoid buying a monitor or TV with this refresh rate in 2026 and beyond, because you’ll be making a big mistake. Regardless of whether you’re buying from a major smart TV brand or monitor manufacturer, you shouldn’t compromise on the refresh rate because you’ll be missing out on some benefits.

A high refresh rate on monitors and TVs enhances your experience

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While most people will do just fine with a 60 Hz panel, there’s a reason why high refresh rates have become one of the key selling points for both TV and monitor manufacturers. These high refresh rates do come in handy in various scenarios — and it might be something that you can also benefit from in your work or some other activities. If you plan to play games on your monitor or TV, for instance, prioritizing a high refresh rate on top of other features will be vital to giving you a competitive edge against opponents who use one with the standard 60 Hz. 

For example, a high refresh rate panel will lower the input lag, helping games feel more responsive. Additionally, high refresh rates also reduce screen tearing and minimize the amount of persistence blur that you see, thus offering a smooth gaming experience. Even if you aren’t a gamer, high refresh rates can also be beneficial in some professional lines of work. Take video editors and people who deal with motion graphics, for example. For these kinds of professionals, a high refresh rate can help reduce eye strain during the long periods that they’re buried in their work. If you’re a sports fanatic who loves watching live sports, a high refresh rate display is also advantageous, as it will make the action feel much smoother.

You won’t save a lot if you skip high refresh rate monitors and TVs

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Now that you understand the advantages of getting a high refresh monitor or TV, you might think that sacrificing this feature by going for models with 60 Hz might be the smart move if you’re on a budget, as it could save you a good chunk of cash. However, that’s not true because even 144 Hz monitors and TVs are not more expensive than their 60 Hz counterparts. 

For monitors with 1080p or 1440p resolution, you might even find a 60 Hz and a 144 Hz monitor going at roughly the same price. Since TVs tend to be cheaper than monitors, you can buy a set like Sony’s 55-inch 4K BRAVIA 2 that comes with the standard 60 Hz refresh rate for $600. However, the smart move is to get an alternative, such as the TCL 55-inch T7, which costs the same amount of money and has a higher 120 Hz refresh rate. 

Generally, high refresh rate TVs and monitors might be a bit more expensive than ones with 60 Hz, but you can also buy wisely by utilizing frugal shopping tips to minimize that difference as much as possible. To sum it up, unless you’re doing light office work or simply watching movies and TV shows on your TV or monitor, don’t make the mistake of buying one with a 60 Hz refresh rate.

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Every time you needed to transfer files between your Android phone and your computer, you’d typically email them, use messaging apps, or connect via USB with a physical cable or flash drive. But these methods aren’t exactly the definition of convenience. They take more steps than necessary, and by the time you get your files, you’ve already wasted a few good minutes. 

If only there were an easier way to move files from any Android phone to any computer, regardless of brand and operating system. Well, there actually is, and it’s one of the essential Android productivity apps you should install. Aptly called Nothing Warp, the app is developed by the same team behind the Nothing phone. However, it isn’t exclusive to Nothing phones, and can be used on any Android device, as well as any computer with a Chromium-based browser, such as your PC, Mac, or Linux computer.

What makes Nothing Warp simple to use is the fact that the only apps you need to share a file are the file management or photos app on your phone and the browser on your computer. 

How does Nothing Warp work?

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The system behind Nothing Warp is pretty straightforward. The Nothing Warp app on your phone connects to the Nothing Warp browser extension on your Chromium-based browser (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Brave) over the internet.

When sharing from your Android device to your computer, you won’t even have to open the Nothing Warp app. Simply press the share button anywhere on your device and choose Nothing Warp from the options. The file will automatically appear on the Nothing Warp browser extension panel. On the other hand, when transferring files from your computer to your Android device, you’ll use the Upload button in the browser extension. Then whatever you send will instantly appear in the Nothing Warp mobile app.

As of this writing, Nothing Warp is still in Beta testing, so it’s not available on the Play Store yet. It’s also important to note that Nothing Warp is powered by your personal Google Drive. That means it needs a Google account sign-in before you can proceed. The files are kept private, though, as Nothing Warp doesn’t store them. 

How do you use Nothing Warp?

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To get started with Nothing Warp, install the mobile app and browser extension first. On your Android, scan the QR code from the Nothing Community and install the APK. In your browser, go to the extensions store, look for Nothing Warp, and add the free browser extension. Once installed, pin it to your extensions toolbar for easier access. From here, use your Google account to sign into Nothing Warp on both devices. Make sure you’re using the same account and giving the app the necessary permissions to access Google Drive.

Now that Nothing Warp is ready, follow these next steps to send files from your Android to your computer:

1. Find the photo, video, or document you want to share, whether it’s in Google Photos or your file management app.
2. Press Share.
3. If you don’t see Nothing Warp on the initial set of apps, hit More.
4. Tap on Nothing Warp.
5. On your computer, click on Nothing Warp from your browser’s toolbar.
6. Give it a few seconds to load.

You should then see your transferred files appear in the Nothing Warp panel. Press the download button to save the file on your computer. If you want to move files from your computer to your Android instead, here’s what you need to do:

1. In your computer browser, open Nothing Warp from the extensions toolbar.
2. Click Upload.
3. Choose the files you wish to share.

Alternatively, you can share items found on webpages. Just right-click on an image, highlighted text, link, or embedded file and select Send with Nothing Warp from the menu. A short while after you send them, the files will automatically appear on your phone’s Nothing Warp app. Just like on your computer, you can download files to your mobile device.

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I don’t know about you, but if you were to ask me one of my biggest gripes about having my desk or nightstand littered with gadgets, it would have to be the cluttered charging cords and cables. Even running them from the outlet to the surface of the desk, there’s nothing holding them in place, and they fall down. The same is true with my nightstand, and even hooking the cable around a drawer handle isn’t reliable. So, when I go to plug in my phone, tablet, Steam Deck, or other devices, I’m always forced to fish around on the floor for the free end of the cable. If you experience anything like this, there is a small, relatively inexpensive cable management gadget from a brand called Smartish that can make your frustrations go away. It’s a stylish pyramid-like stand that acts as a magnetic cord holder.

A weighted, non-slip base keeps the entire unit in place, whether you stand it on your desk, place it on a nightstand, or tuck it away on a side table somewhere. The top has a strong magnet built to hold the cable and connector in place when you snap it down. It also comes with two magnetic cable collars for cords that don’t quite stay put. As for the base itself, there are no sticky adhesives — the bottom is grippy and stable. Additionally, it comes in a variety of colors or styles, including a ‘toasted’ beige, pencil gray, black, white, bright pink, and blue jeans. It is available on Amazon for $30 right now in several of those colorways. It’s definitely one of those novel smart gadgets that will transform your home office, bedroom, or wherever you place it.

What do people say about the Smartish magnetic cable holder?

There is a larger version of the holder, if you want it, available for $40. The medium-sized version does hold up to three cables, maybe more, depending on how many you can fit. But still, $30 is a decent chunk to spend for something like this. It’s best to get a feel for how it will work out, mostly by reading experiences from those who have actually used it. The Smartish magnetic holder has over 5,000 reviews on Amazon with a score of 4.6 out of 5 stars — suggesting that people like the product.

The top comments say it’s “sleek and stylish,” “amazingly helpful,” and “handy.” One person even says it’s “so good” they decided to gift it to friends and family. Honestly, that’s the hallmark of a great product, when someone is willing to vouch for it and give it away to people they know. However, it wouldn’t be an objective look if we didn’t at least consider some of the negative reviews. As of writing, 66 reviewers have awarded one-star ratings. They’ve also described it as a “$30 rock,” warn that you should avoid it, and someone else claims they “haven’t found a single cord yet that stays on.” 

Your mileage may vary, but overall, things seem positive even with some of the negative commentary. Nevertheless, it’s a good thing Amazon has an excellent return policy nonetheless. If you really want to take your cable management game up a notch, there’s also a 192-piece DIY Amazon kit to say goodbye to cluttered desks altogether.

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