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a large utility bill raises the question of whether a smart thermostat from a reputable brand could offer some advantages. Experiencing sticker shock when browsing online or in-store prices for smart thermostats is common; the majority of these units cost $150 or more, unless opting for the basic Google Nest Thermostat.

At $130, the Nest is a decent option, but it’s not the only affordable temperature control device available. There are a few smart thermostats worth considering instead of the Google Nest entry model, with the maximum price being $114 (plus tax) for one of the more advanced thermostats under $100 found on Amazon. To simplify your shopping experience, we have chosen four of the top low-cost alternatives to the Nest Thermostat and compiled them below.

In 2025, the FBI announced that its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) had received 859,532 reports of suspected internet crimes in 2024, resulting in losses exceeding $16 billion that year. This represents a 33% rise compared to 2023, with personal data breaches ranking among the top three concerns. Given the escalating threats, it may be wise to enhance your security measures to make it difficult for cybercriminals to access your information.

There are various security applications you can install to safeguard your computer or mobile device. However, employing hardware solutions can provide additional layers of defense between you and cybercriminals. Options include multi-factor USB devices, signal-blocking wallets and bags, hardware-based VPNs, and cables that secure your device while charging in public USB ports. As we advance further into the digital era and encounter new threats, the importance of hardware-based protection for your data becomes increasingly crucial.

Ads are the scourge of every tech user’s life, and ironically, they seem to be omnipresent these days. They appear on your smartphone, tablet, computer, and smart TV. Somehow, they’ve even infiltrated your Kindle. You’ll encounter these Kindle ads in two locations: the lock screen and the home screen. The lock screen usually displays the ad across the entire screen, functioning as a screensaver and replacing the Kindle’s default backgrounds. In the Home tab, the ad is seamlessly woven into the page as you browse through the suggestions.

Kindle ads tend to be less chaotic and random than those found on your other devices. Most often, they simply promote Kindle Unlimited or a new book. However, if you dislike any ads appearing on your e-reader, there is an ad-free Kindle model available for $20 more than the standard version.

But what if you already possess the ad-supported model? No need to fret; there is a method to eliminate ads from your Kindle, which is actually one of the essential Kindle settings to achieve a cleaner interface. Nevertheless, keep in mind that this involves a cost.

How to officially get rid of the ads on your Kindle

To remove Kindle ads, you would have to pay the difference between the ad-supported Kindle and the ad-free version. As of now, this fee is $20. This is merely a one-time expense, so once this payment is made, your e-reader will be upgraded for life (or for however long your Kindle remains functional). Here’s what you need to do to disable ads on your Kindle:

1. Connect your Kindle to your home Wi-Fi.
2. On your computer or phone browser, go to Manage Your Devices on the Amazon website.
3. Sign in to your Amazon account if you haven’t done so already.
4. Under Amazon devices, click on Show 1 device for the Kindle entry.
5. Select your Kindle.
6. Locate the Special Offers tile.
7. Click Remove offers.
8. In the pop-up, click on End offers and pay the $20 fee.
9. When prompted, input your payment information.

After a short while, you’ll see a pop-up on your Kindle stating that Special Offers have been removed. Simply restart your Kindle, and the ads should vanish upon boot-up.

Is it worthwhile to pay to eliminate Kindle ads?

Choosing to upgrade to an ad-free Kindle may or may not be justifiable based on your preferences. If you prioritize customization and convenience, it might be money well spent. With no ads, you can personalize the Kindle lock screen to either the default backgrounds or your current book cover. To apply the cover, access Settings from the Quick Actions panel and tap on Screen and brightness. Then, toggle on Show Cover. There are also numerous tutorials available online to help you create a custom lock screen.

In addition to customizing the lock screen, your Home tab will appear much tidier without the constant ads. Another significant benefit of an ad-free Kindle is that you won’t have to swipe up to navigate to your book. Once you wake your Kindle, you return immediately to where you left off.

Conversely, paying to eliminate Kindle ads may not be worthwhile if they don’t particularly bother you. After all, they are likely the least intrusive type of advertisement — Kindle ads don’t interrupt your reading experience. They simply reside on the lock screen and home screen.

While you can’t eliminate ads for free, there are straightforward ways to avoid seeing them. One option is to utilize a flip case to conceal the lock screen when the e-reader is not in use. Another is Kindle’s Screen Off feature, which turns off the display when locked, so nothing is shown. To activate Screen Off, long-press the power button and choose Screen Off from the pop-up. Meanwhile, to avoid seeing home screen ads, the trick is to remain in the Library tab and always have a book open.

ChromeOS Flex USB key is just $3 brand new, with no subscriptions or extra purchases required. It’s a pre-loaded USB drive that facilitates the installation of ChromeOS Flex on most computers featuring an Intel or AMD processor. While there are some minor distinctions between ChromeOS Flex and the version of ChromeOS typically found on a Chromebook, for the most part, this compact USB device can effectively transform your old laptop into a lightweight ChromeOS machine. In simple terms, ChromeOS Flex is a complimentary operating system from Google that can revitalize your outdated laptop as a DIY option.

If you’re unfamiliar with any of this and it’s your first experience with such a device, there’s no need to be concerned. The USB kit includes straightforward guides and video tutorials to assist you through the entire process. Google claims it will “clarify the installation procedure.” Please be aware that your laptop must be a compatible model — Google provides a comprehensive list of supported models for your reference. Numerous well-known brands are included in the list, such as Acer, Apple, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung. But at merely $3, you really can’t go wrong having one of these on hand when you want to easily revive an old laptop.

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as noted in our 2024 assessment. In the latest models, the Digital Crown highlight became an orange circle that is exclusively available for Apple Watch Ultra editions. Prior to that, for several years, Apple introduced a prominent red dot on the Digital Crown to indicate that the model included cellular capabilities — which made it slightly pricier.

On the Series 3, in 2017, the red dot served as a significant differentiator between the GPS and cellular models. In 2018, Apple revamped the design to the red ring that has been featured in most Apple Watches over the last ten years. This indicated that the company would provide a variant of the aluminum Apple Watch Series and Apple Watch SE without the red ring, while consistently including it on the stainless steel and titanium versions of its wearables.

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EWA A106 Pro portable Bluetooth speaker stands out. It may be compact, making it small for a speaker, but in comparison to your phone’s speakers, it might as well be a full-scale sound system.

It’s convenient to carry along, so if you require group listening or desire decent music playback without headphones, it’s an affordable and immediate audio enhancement. Its popularity is remarkable. It boasts over 50,000 reviews on Amazon alone (with an average rating of 4.4 stars, no less), and, priced around $15 each, it’s nearly disposable as well. At 50% volume, it promises 8 hours of playback, and you can effortlessly recharge it from a USB-C source. At the very least, we now have another item for the ideal Christmas stocking gadgets list.

Google Pixel options from Samsung and Apple have had this capability for quite some time; Pixel users were limited to the standard brightness level. Regardless of whether it was excessively bright or too dim, there weren’t many options aside from utilizing third-party applications like “Flashlight Tiramisu.” Surprisingly, Pixel devices did not have their flashlight configured to its highest brightness level but rather set at 50%.

However, this has now changed. The Android 16 QPR3 update officially introduced a brightness slider, which has been subtly rolling out to users as part of the March 2026 Pixel feature release. Users can now easily adjust the flashlight’s brightness level through Quick Settings without relying on third-party apps. Since this feature is quite new, there is considerable confusion surrounding it, particularly regarding its functionality and why tapping the flashlight icon brings up the flashlight strength slider for some users while turning it off for others.