Life Hacks – Spoken Edition

I have seen the future, and it is Group FaceTime. Should you install a public beta of iOS on your primacy iPhone or iPad? Most people caution against it—especially when a beta is in its earlier stages, since you never know what kind of bugs might brick that-which-you-use-your-iPhone-to-do (or your favorite apps). However, we’re now at version number four of Apple’s public beta for iOS 12.1, so you can probably give it a shot without too much worry.

We’re heading into the tail end of October, that swampy backwater where Netflix unloads the remainder of its least distinguished “originals” and hopes for the best. The big debut this week is part 2 of Making a Murderer, which I’m having a hard time getting excited about.

Microsoft has officially killed off Windows Media Center, but there’s still hope for you if alternatives like Kodi just don’t seem to fill the void. Here’s how you can get Windows Media Center running on Windows 10. According to the Vice President of Windows and Devices Group, Gabriel Aul, Microsoft parted ways with WMC because of “decreased usage.” That actually left a lot of people scrambling for a way to keep WMC alive.

It’s Tuesday around 11 a.m. and you’ve just about had it. There’s a pile of paperwork on your desk, 10 emails you need to respond to and a Slack message or two from your boss wondering when she can expect an updated draft of your project proposal. Never mind that you need to remember to stop at the grocery store on your way home, update your pay withholdings and finally sign up for that password management system that’s been a perpetual bullet point on your to-do list.

If you're feeling nostalgic for the shows of your childhood, Nick Reboot streams shows like Rocko's Modern Life, Are You Afraid of the Dark, and Hey Arnold! 24 hours a day, for free. All you need to do is head to the web site and the stream will start. It will determine where you are and optimize the streaming quality depending on whether you're closer to the East or West ingest server. You can even chat with other streamers while you watch and reminisce about the good ol' days.

Just in time for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Duolingo is launching two courses for endangered indigenous languages, both created by native speakers. Starting today, you can use the app to learn the languages spoken by native Hawaiians and by the Diné, better known as the Navajo nation. Both are living languages still spoken today, but not many fluent speakers remain. Beginning in the late 1800s, Navajo children were sent to boarding schools where they were forced to speak only English.

When you were in college, posting that video of you doing an epic keg stand was cool. Now that you’ve finished law school and are looking for a firm to join—not so much. The smart move is to go back and make all those incriminating photos, videos, and posts private. The even smarter move? Delete them entirely.

Rumors of Google’s entry into the game-streaming space have circulated for ages, but today those rumors were finally confirmed when the company announced it will be teaming up with game publishers for its newly announced Project Stream service. Project Stream will allow users to play fully-fledged console and PC games through their Chrome browser without the need for a gaming PC or console hardware, all thanks to the cloud.

Polygraph tests often aren't admissible in court because they can't actually detect lies, but instead physical indications that often accompany them. Your intentions aside, it's good to know how to beat the polygraph to ensure it doesn't mistake anxiety for untruths. AntiPolygraph.org is a site dedicated to exposing the truth behind the polygraph.

Microsoft plans to release Windows 10 version 1809 at the beginning of October, but thanks to a little trick, you can grab the update now and take it out for an early test drive. To get started, you’ll need the following: Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool (version 1803)—but don’t install it yet.

Today, Facebook made it possible to add a "Legacy Contact," or someone who can gain control of your account and memorialize—or delete—it in the event you pass away. Here's how you set it up. Nobody likes to think about their death, but it's something that we all must prepare for. Though it's a little morbid, this new system makes it much easier for family members or friends to take care of your Facebook account in unfortunate circumstances.

Whenever you click that easy “Sign in With Google” button on a company’s website, you’re granting the app or service access to some of your information. While in some cases that might just be access to your name and email address, for others you’re giving that company the ability to read your email as well. Sure, that sign-on was super simple, but you’re giving something up in return.

Packing well isn't easy or fun, but it's a lot less stressful with packing cubes. Like mini modular suitcases, they make organization simple and are your best ally in the fight to keep your suitcase user-friendly. I love packing cubes. Traveling with a suitcase was always an extreme frustration before I finally decided to give them a try. You can always try to pack more effectively, but many of the great packing techniques unravel the moment you start unpacking your suitcase.

There are a lot of fun new tricks in iOS 12. And if you’re big on security—who isn’t!—you’re going to love all the little password-themed features that Apple has dropped into its latest mobile operating system.

After watching Crazy Rich Asians, what I want to do in Singapore is party on a cargo ship in international waters and buy an outfit that costs more than my home. What I do not want to do is wade through ankle-deep water in a church. But I can’t afford to do any of that.