While wed like to think the secret to a fast promotion is all about doing a good job, your relationship with your boss can make or break your career. Understanding how to handle a narcissistic boss or one who plays favorites can save your job. And perfecting the art of managing up can be the key to thriving and growing your career.Often this boils down to knowing how to communicate effectively with your boss. Here are three tips to keep in mind:Understand your bosss communication styleEver had a frustrating conversation where it seems like your boss is brushing off all your ideas? It might not be you, or even your ideas. It might be the way youre communicating, Fast Company contributor Melody Wilding explained in her new book Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge. The good news, she wrote, is that these disconnects usually arent about your competency or the quality of your ideastheyre about different styles. Research has found that there are two dimensions that shape our communication and work styles: dominance and sociability. Dominance is how much control someone needs; sociability is how much someone prioritizes relationships and emotional connection. Understanding where your boss falls on these two dimensions and adjusting your style accordingly can help you communicate more effectively.Know how to speak up when your workload is too heavyBeing a star employee comes with perks that can include more job security. However, being a star can also mean being your bosss go-to personand, if youre not careful, that can mean work overload, increasing your risk of burnout.Fast Company contributor Kim Meninger recommends pushing back if you have too much work because overextending yourself doesnt just hurt you: It hurts your company. Instead of continuing to accept more work, Meniger recommends being clear with your boss about your tasks as well as reviewing the tradeoffs of each task.When responding to your managers requests, adopt a consulting mindset, Meninger suggests. Leverage your expertise to tell your manager what you think is realistic. Remember that you are the expert in your job. Have a strategy for delivering bad newsLife has a way of throwing curveballs at us, and sooner or later youll find yourself in a situation where you have to give your boss bad news or have an uncomfortable conversation with them. In this situation, Fast Company contributor Art Markman says that its essential to first give your boss a heads-up, own your part in the problem, avoid assigning blame, and make space to listen to your bosss feedback. Resist the urge to get defensive, he says. For one thing, your boss may very well be giving you good advice in that moment.

Most of us havent spent much time thinking about tariffs since learning about the Revolutionary War in grade school. Other than a hazy sense that they somehow lead to dumping tea into the Boston Harbor, these taxes probably seemed unrelated to modern lifeuntil they became one of the current administrations most beloved buzzwords.But tariffs can have far-reaching economic and political consequences, which King George III learned to his detriment 250 years ago. This is even more true in our current economy, where everyone from giant corporations to solopreneurs rely on foreign goods and manufacturers to bring their products to market. And while companies on the Fortune 500 list may be able to pivot when sourcing materials from foreign countries becomes too expensive, that may be impossible for small businesses.Heres what you need to know about how tariffs might affect your favorite small businesses.Whats a tariff and who pays it?You probably remember the definition that Mrs. Turley taught you in 4th grade: a tariff is a tax placed on foreign goods and materials imported into the United States.You might also recall why the American colonists were so dang angry about the Stamp Act, the Townshend Acts, and the Tea Act back in the 1770s: the tariffs meant higher prices for the colonists. Thats because someone has to pay the extra cost to get the goods into the importing countrys hands. In most cases, the importer or company passes the cost along to the consumer in the form of a higher price tag for the retail product.There are some notable exceptions, such as how Harley-Davidson assumed the cost of the 25% tariff on gas motorcycle imports in the European Union in 2021. But the iconic American company took on that $2,200 cost per bike as a temporary measure while it (unsuccessfully) worked to circumvent the tariff. Considering the recent EU threat of 50% levy on Harley-Davidson imports as of April 1, 2025, its likely the motorcycle company will have to pursue a different strategy to keep selling bikes in Europe.Why tariffs?Governments impose tariffs for a number of reasons, starting with increasing government revenue. King George III imposed tariffs on the American colonies because his royal coffers were pretty bare and he figured the colonists were too far away to effectively kvetch about it.But tariffs can also theoretically offer economic protection to domestic industries. Imposing tariffs on foreign manufacturers can help spur consumers to buy American, which can potentially boost the domestic economy.And tariffs have long been used as a kind of political retaliation, as weve seen in the past several weeks. By imposing high tariffs on goods imported from other countries, the U.S. is basically threatening the economic stability of the home country.The terrifying truth about tariffsThe current administration seems convinced that tariffs are the best way to return America to a former level of greatness. The thought process goes something like this:Step 1. Impose tariffs on foreign raw materials and manufactured goodsStep 2. American consumers stop purchasing imported goods because they are too expensiveStep 3. Minor economic disruptionsStep 4. New American businesses emerge to fill the market gapStep 5. Major foreign companies move manufacturing to the U.S.Step 6. Economic unicorns and rainbowsUnfortunately, this is an unlikely scenario. While tariffs can potentially give American businesses some breathing room (as the trade restrictions on Japanese cars helped keep American auto manufacturers afloat in the 1980s), most economists agree that tariffs have a poor track record for spurring economic growth.Typically, tariffs cost a lot, dont bring significant levels of manufacturing or business to their home country, can cause supply-chain disruptions, and are less effective than other tools in the economic toolbox.Ignoring the global economyThe goal of the current tariffs is to aid any U.S. business that keeps its manufacturing on our shores. Under these tariffs, American goods will cost less than imported goods, which will increase sales and boost business.But our current tariffs will not just be levied on manufactured goods, but also on raw materials and parts. For example, a small business owner that does all of its manufacturing in the United States but sources its raw materials from Canada may still feel the sting of tariffs, even though they are not importing finished consumer products from another country.Even if an American small business is able to source all of its needs domestically, imposing tariffs on other countries often ends with retaliatory tariffs on American goods, which means any business owner selling internationally will also lose business.Surviving and thriving through tariffsWhether you are an entrepreneur or a consumer, you will likely see economic changes as the Trump tariffs go into effect. As with any major economic force outside of your control, there are only so many strategies available to you as an individual.Specifically, its prudent to keep abreast of economic news so you can alter your financial plans as circumstances change. Cutting costs that are less important to you can help free up room in your budget to deal with higher prices on necessities. You may also want to consider putting off major purchases until prices have stabilized.And if youre still looking for potential strategies, remember that heaving caffeinated beverages into major bodies of water has an excellent tariff-busting track record.

In the world of thoughtful interior design, incense has transcended its traditional roots to become an essential element in creating mindful living spaces. The practice offers more than aesthetic appealits a multisensory design choice that transforms atmospheres through aromatherapy. As designers, weve witnessed how these fragrant wisps can define a rooms character, complementing visual elements while introducing wellness benefits that elevate both the space and its inhabitants experience through intentional scent layering.Curating your homes olfactory palette deserves the same consideration as your color scheme or furniture selection. The design-conscious can choose from an extensive library of scent profilesfrom minimalist hinoki cypress that complements Scandinavian aesthetics to rich patchouli that enhances bohemian spaces. This ancient wellness tool has found new purpose in contemporary design, where the visual poetry of rising smoke meets functionality, creating environments that not only look beautiful but actively contribute to your sensory well-being.1. Elevates MoodThoughtful interior design extends beyond visual aesthetics to curate emotional experiences, with incense serving as a powerful mood-enhancing element. Jasmine varieties stimulate serotonin production, while citrus scents like lemon and orange activate energizing neural pathways through their bright terpene profiles. Design-forward spaces now feature sculptural incense holders as functional art pieces, strategically placed to distribute these mood-lifting aromas throughout living areas, creating invisible yet impactful design layers that transform emotional responses to environments.The sensory storytelling of warming scents like cinnamon and vanilla creates olfactory narratives within designed spaces, evoking nostalgic comfort that complements hygge-inspired interiors. These aromatic elements work in concert with textural fabrics and ambient lighting to craft multidimensional hospitality experiences for guests. Modern designers are pairing specific mood-enhancing incense with complementary color palettescitrus varieties with energizing yellows or vanilla blends with calming neutralscreating cohesive sensory environments where form, function, and feeling achieve perfect harmony.Kin Objects terrarium-inspired incense burners beautifully blend contemporary design with traditional influences. Founded by award-winning architect Bill Yen, these unique pieces feature a brutalist style and dark concrete construction, offering a raw yet calming appeal. The Terrarium collection transforms incense holders into decorative art, guiding smoke from backflow cones flowing down like fog or a gentle waterfall within sculpted designs inspired by nature. Named Caldera, Karst and Nelumbo, these burners fill your space with enchanting aromas while showcasing the interplay of smoke and gravity through their elegant glass containers. Each holder, made from high-quality concrete with accents of bronze and wood, enhances any homes aesthetic and aromatic ambiance.2. Spiritual CeremoniesDesign-conscious spiritual spaces harness incense as an architectural element that shapes invisible but palpable sacred boundaries. Sandalwood varieties, with their deep, grounding notes, transform ordinary rooms into contemplative sanctuaries through both scent and visual poetry. Modern interior stylists are reimagining traditional ceremonial tools with contemporary incense holders crafted from materials like brushed brass, matte ceramics, and sculpted stonecreating focal points that honor ancient practices while complementing minimalist aesthetics in meditation corners and personal retreats.The choreography of rising incense smoke creates ephemeral design moments that connect physical environments to transcendent experiences. Forward-thinking spatial designers incorporate dedicated niches and platforms specifically for ceremonial burning, acknowledging incense not merely as an accessory but as a foundational element in spiritually-attuned interiors. This intentional integration transforms occasional practices into permanent design features, where the visual rhythm of smoke patterns and the olfactory experience of sandalwood work in concert to elevate both the space and the ceremonies conducted within it.This elegant wood and brass incense holder offers a hassle-free way to enjoy your favorite scents. Crafted from unique walnut wood, it features a two-tier design that holds up to 15 sticks, showcasing the natural beauty of each piece. The recessed brass section prevents ashes from escaping, while a matching cover snuffs out the flame and contains the ash for easy disposal. The striking contrast between the light walnut and golden brass complements any decor, and its compact size makes it easy to carry, allowing you to indulge in fragrant tranquility wherever you go.Click Here to Buy Now: $1993. Combats Respiratory ProblemsThoughtful interior design now embraces functional aromatherapy, with eucalyptus incense emerging as a respiratory wellness element in contemporary spaces. These botanical sticks release natural eucalyptol compounds that gently open airways while adding visual interest through their elegant smoke patterns. Design-forward spaces incorporate strategic ventilation solutionsfrom statement ceiling fans to architectural window placementscreating a harmonious system where air circulation and aromatic benefits coexist, transforming breathing support from clinical intervention to an integrated design feature.The modern wellness-focused designer pairs eucalyptus incense with biophilic elements to create respiratory sanctuaries within the home. Sleek ceramic burners positioned near indoor plants create synergistic breathing zones, while natural materials like limestone and untreated woods complement the incenses organic properties. This intentional layering of sensory experiences transforms everyday spaces into microenvironments where design aesthetics and respiratory benefits achieve perfect balanceparticularly valuable in urban settings where air quality concerns intersect with design considerations.Kenji Abes Cage incense holder, inspired by zen garden patterns, elegantly holds a single incense cone, dispersing aromatic smoke in captivating geometric shapes. Available in bell and dodecahedron designs, each features a metal outer cage and a circular base for easy use. One can simply lift the cage, place the cone, light it and watch as thick smoke billows through the slits, creating stunning patterns. Crafted using sukashibori, a traditional openwork technique, these pieces embody tranquility and beauty, making them a striking addition to any desk or space. Created for Ifuki, a brand rooted in Takaoka Citys 400-year metalworking tradition.4. Enhances Yoga and Meditation PracticeThe thoughtful design of contemporary meditation spaces now incorporates incense as an architectural element that shapes both atmosphere and practice. Strategic placement of sandalwood or frankincense varieties creates olfactory boundaries that signal the brain to transition into contemplative states. Modern designers pair minimalist incense holders with natural materialscreating visual harmony while the aromatic compounds actively reduce cortisol levels and enhance alpha brain waves, transforming ordinary rooms into sanctuaries where design and neurological benefits converge.The choreography of rising incense smoke adds a dynamic visual element to yoga environments, providing a meditative focal point that draws practitioners deeper into present-moment awareness. Design-forward studios are reimagining traditional burning rituals with sculptural vessels that complement movement spacescreating sensory cohesion through carefully selected scents that support specific practices, from energizing blends for vinyasa flows to grounding varieties for yin sessions. This intentional aromatic layering nourishes both mind and space, elevating practice through multisensory design principles.The ZenFlow Personal Aroma Diffuser merges Japanese artisanal heritage with modern innovation to transform your environment. This elegant device features a sophisticated metal base in Silver, Gold, or Black that complements any interior, while handcrafted porcelain filters from Shibukusa Ryuzos 180-year legacy enhance both oil purity and aesthetic appeal. Its revolutionary hybrid heat and airflow technology eliminates water or mist, offering three customizable modesfrom invigorating Normal to gentle Airflow or energy-efficient ECO. The cordless, battery-powered design frees your wellness routine from fixed locations, while washable aroma plates provide sustainable fragrance delivery, effectively transforming personal spaces within a 1-1.5 meter radius using just a few drops of essential oil. The ZenFlow orchestrates a multisensory experience where craftsmanship and technology create moments of tranquility.Click Here to Buy Now: $169.005. Stress ReliefIncense serves as a powerful ally in our battle against modern stress, creating an immediate sensory escape from lifes demands. The ritual of lighting these aromatic sticks activates our parasympathetic nervous system, naturally lowering cortisol levels and blood pressure. Scents like lavender, sandalwood, and chamomile work through our olfactory receptors to calm neural pathways, transforming chaotic environments into sanctuaries of tranquility within minutesa designers solution to emotional wellness that complements any mindful space.Incorporating stress-relieving incense into your daily routine offers cumulative benefits that extend beyond momentary calm. The practice creates intentional transitions between activities, signaling to your body when its time to decompress. Many interior stylists recommend establishing a dedicated unwinding zone featuring incense holders as sculptural focal points. This thoughtful integration of form and function transforms stress management from clinical practice to an aesthetic ritual that enhances both your space and psychological well-being.The Star of the Orient censer beautifully combines function and artistry, featuring a striking wood and metal design inspired by mystical themes. Its eight-pointed star shape evokes a sense of wonder, symbolizing the heavens and drawing from rich historical significance. Standing tall, it makes a bold statement while harmonizing with any decor. The sustainable materials promote a guilt-free experience, allowing you to focus on the gentle plume of smoke. When not in use, this enchanting censer serves as a captivating decorative piece, adding a touch of mystique to your space.6. Enhanced FocusThe strategic use of incense transforms ordinary workspaces into productivity sanctuaries through aromatic design. Rosemary, peppermint, and eucalyptus varieties release natural compounds that stimulate cognitive pathways, enhancing mental clarity and information retention. Unlike harsh artificial stimulants, these botanical scents create sustained attention without the subsequent crash. Design-conscious professionals are incorporating sleek, minimalist incense holders into desk arrangements, establishing sensory boundaries that signal to the brain when deep work sessions begin.The ritual of lighting focus-enhancing incense creates a multisensory transition into flow states that digital tools alone cannot achieve. The gentle spiral of smoke provides a meditative visual anchor, while terpenes in these stimulating scents increase blood circulation to the brain. Modern designers recommend pairing eucalyptus incense with cool-toned workspaces or rosemary varieties with warm wood elements to create cohesive environments where both aesthetics and cognitive function are elevated through intentional aromatic layering.This elegant tray and holder seamlessly blend modern design with traditional aesthetics, reflecting the beauty of the Hanseong period of the Baekje Dynasty. Ideal for both relaxation and rejuvenation, it showcases motifs inspired by nature and Baekje artistry, making it a perfect fit for any interior decor. The minimalist white finish promotes a calming zen atmosphere, enhancing focus and mood, whether at home or in the office. Its versatile design accommodates everyday items like a cardholder and pen holder, while the modular structure allows for stacking and easy storage. This piece is an excellent introduction to incense for younger generations, combining functionality with a touch of cultural heritage.7. Better SleepDesigning a sleep sanctuary begins with engaging all senses, and incense offers the perfect olfactory element for your nighttime aesthetic. Lavender and sandalwood varieties release sleep-inducing compounds that interact with your brains GABA receptors, naturally lowering sleep latency. The ritual of lighting these carefully crafted sticks creates a visual transition from day to night, with their elegant smoke patterns serving as a meditative focal point that draws the eye away from screens and into restfulness.Contemporary sleep designers are embracing incense as the finishing touch in bedroom spaces, pairing ceramic holders with textile layers for a multisensory approach to slumber. The strategic placement of sandalwood incense near natural wood elements creates scent harmony, while lavender varieties complement cool-toned bedding for sensory cohesion. This ancient sleep aid has found new purpose in modern design, where the visual poetry of nighttime burning rituals enhances both the rooms ambiance and your circadian rhythm.This innovative incense holder combines elegance and functionality in a sleek design crafted from polished aluminum. With a luxurious reflective finish and a heat-resistant black top, it enhances any decor. The holder features a spherical slot for incense sticks, a hidden drawer for storing extra sticks and a built-in lighter, allowing you to enjoy your favorite scents anytime with just one item.8. Air PurificationThe modern designers approach to wellness architecture now includes incense as a functional air purification element. Select varieties containing frankincense, myrrh, and sage release natural antimicrobial compounds that neutralize airborne pathogens while creating visual interest through their elegant smoke patterns. Unlike clinical air purifiers that disrupt aesthetic harmony, these aromatic tools serve dual purposescleansing environments while enhancing design narratives through carefully chosen vessels that complement interior color stories and material palettes.Thoughtful placement of purifying incense creates invisible zones of wellness throughout curated spaces. Design-conscious homeowners are incorporating dedicated incense niches into transitional areas, where antibacterial varieties can intercept contaminants at entry points. The warm, inviting atmosphere created extends beyond mere ambianceits a multisensory design choice that transforms sterile environments into living sanctuaries. This ancient purification method offers contemporary designers a way to address air quality concerns without compromising the visual integrity of thoughtfully composed interiors.Scent Island, designed by Dawn by SJ and S-W K, is a nature-inspired incense holder that beautifully merges aesthetics with functionality. Featuring a transparent plastic base symbolizing flowing water and a polygonal mountain-shaped holder, it evokes a dynamic natural landscape. The wooden underside represents a tree, enhancing its connection to nature. Unlike traditional holders that create messes, Scent Island captures ash in a convenient base tray, making cleanup effortless. Ideal for use with natural incense sticks, it serves as a visually pleasing and practical accessory for meditation and relaxation.9. Antibacterial PropertiesThe discerning interior designer now incorporates incense as a functional antibacterial element that transcends mere decoration. Varieties containing frankincense, myrrh, and sage release natural compounds that neutralize harmful microbes while contributing to a spaces sensory narrative. Unlike clinical sanitizers that disrupt design harmony, these aromatic tools serve dual purposescreating invisible shields of protection while enhancing aesthetic appeal through artisanal holders crafted from materials like hammered brass, matte ceramics, and carved stone that complement contemporary interiors.Strategic placement of antibacterial incense creates a sophisticated approach to wellness design that addresses modern health concerns without compromising visual integrity. Design-forward spaces now feature dedicated burning stations in high-traffic areas and transitional zones, where these purifying aromas intercept potential contaminants. This ancient sanitation method offers todays designers a way to craft environments that are not only visually compelling but actively contribute to inhabitants wellbeingtransforming sterile concepts of cleanliness into multisensory experiences that feel warm and intentional.The Trataka incense burner combines simplicity and versatility in an elegant design. At first glance, it resembles a metal can with a concave top and cutaway sections, but it consists of two pieces that serve multiple aromatic purposes. It securely holds incense sticks or cone incense, and the top can accommodate sage or essential oils heated by a candle placed inside. When not in use, it functions as a minimalist decor piece. With no gimmicks or complicated mechanisms, Trataka offers a striking solution for enjoying your favorite aromas effortlessly.10. Mosquito RepellentThe design-conscious approach to outdoor living now embraces functional incense as an elegant alternative to clinical insect solutions. Citronella and lemongrass varieties release natural compounds that disrupt mosquitoes sensory perception while enhancing aesthetic appeal through sculptural smoke patterns. Contemporary landscape designers integrate statement incense holders crafted from weather-resistant materials like hammered copper and volcanic stone into patio vignettes, creating protective aromatic boundaries that complement exterior design narratives without compromising visual harmony.Strategic placement of repellent incense transforms outdoor entertaining spaces into sophisticated insect-free zones that honor both form and function. Design-forward homeowners are incorporating dedicated burning stations along perimeter areas and conversation clusters, where these protective aromas create invisible shields against unwanted visitors. This ancient pest management approach offers todays outdoor designers a way to address practical concerns while elevating sensory experiencestransforming utilitarian mosquito control into an intentional design element that enhances rather than interrupts carefully curated exterior environments.The Incense Lamp, designed by Siyu Lou, is a captivating blend of form and function, inspired by Chinese incense. Its unique curling design mimics the appearance of burning incense, symbolizing Buddhas arrival. To operate, simply blow on the silicone lampshade to turn it on or off; the light gradually fades over 30 minutes for a calming effect. This minimalist lamp features a sleek white aesthetic and a curled base for support, making it both decorative and practical. Battery-operated and wire-free, it enhances any space while adding a touch of creativity and warmth.The post The Design Lovers Guide for Using Incense to Boost Your Health and Well-being first appeared on Yanko Design.

How did nobody notice?

The Marvel and DC Comics artist says what many quietly believe.

The Galaxy S25 flagships come with several clever new software tricks. Two of themthe Now Bar and the Now Briefcan be highly personalized.

How to keep your oven clean in the first place. And how to degrease a really dirty one.

MacworldIt took the iPhone an eternity to strike Lightning in favor of the universal USB-C port. Now that its here on all models, including the low-end 16e, many users still limit its use to charging, overlooking the slew of other advantages it offers over Lightning. If youve got an iPhone 15 or 16 model, you can expand the USB-C ports functionality beyond battery fill-ups, and weve got a few ideas to share.1. Charge another deviceRival companies, like Samsung, have long supported reverse wireless charging, letting users turn their smartphones into portable Qi pads. However, its not all that practical, forcing users to flip over their phones and rendering both unusable. With the iPhone 15 and newer models, Apple introduced its own version that works via the USB-C port.Your iPhone can now deliver up to 4.5W of power, letting you charge your AirPods, Apple Watch, or even a friends Android phone. To do so, simply plug your USB-C cable into the iPhone and the other end into the USB-C port on the other device.2. Increase your storageEven with 128 GB as the standard, weve probably all come across the iPhones full storage alert. While data stored in iCloud can easily be offloaded from the local memory, not all users trust cloud storage. Fortunately, the iPhone 15 and 16 support a wide range of external storage devices, including USB sticks and hard drives. This makes it easy to free up space by moving large files to a separate drive. To get started, connect a compatible flash drive to your iPhone using its USB-C port. You can then view, manage, and transfer data using the built-in Files app.One of the solid options out there is this tiny Samsung Type-C Flash Drive, which supports regular file transfers and real-time ProRes video storage. As a Pro exclusive, those with the highest-end iPhone 15 and 16 models can directly record ProRes video to a compatible external storage device. Given the considerable size of raw footage, being able to write the data directly onto a separate device can help you shoot for longer periods and avoid filling up your iPhones memory.Your iPhones USB-C cable can do more than just charge your iPhone.Foundry3. Connect a keyboardWhile iPads and Macs are better suited for long-form typing, iPhonesespecially the near-7-inch Plus and Pro Max modelscan still handle productivity tasks effectively. To make the most of the relatively small screen, though, you may want to pair it with a dedicated keyboard. Fortunately, iOS natively supports this through the USB-C port.Most standard keyboards should work with your iPhone just fine. Or if you want to always have a keyboard with you, you can opt for a Clicks case, which connects to your USB-C port so its always ready for a text or email.4. Amplify your microphoneIn the era of TikTok, everyone is a content creator, so a high-quality microphone is an essential tool. Fortunately, your iPhones USB-C port can support a wide range of them, letting you pair your footage with crystal-clear high-quality audio. One reliable option is the Rode Wireless Micro, which utilizes your iPhones port while maintaining the convenience of wireless recording.5. Add an SD cardPhotographers and videographers love the handy SD card slots on board the newest MacBook Pro and Mac Studio, but that convenience doesnt extend to the device that does most of your shooting. Fortunately, that can be easily remedied with a wired SD card reader. While newer cameras generally support wireless photo transfers via their respective companion apps, the process tends to be slower than the wired alternative. Apples USB-C to SD Card Reader connects to your iPhone through its charging port and should work with all relevant SD cards. You can also use this same dongle with your Mac or iPad when editing on a larger screen.With the right cable, you can connect your iPhone to any display.Willis Lai / Foundry6. Hook up an external displayIf youre staying at a hotel that blocks wireless media casting, you may be able to mirror your iPhones screen to the TV using a wired solution. Apples USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter transforms your iPhones charging port into an HDMI connector, allowing you to watch 4K content on bigger displays using a regular HDMI cable.7. Plug in a game controllerThanks to the A17 and A18 chips, the latest Pro-tier iPhones can run some AAA games. Notably, though, these titles typically need a controller, as touch controls dont always offer the best gameplay if theyre available at all. While Sonys DualSense controller supports Bluetooth pairing, opting for the wired mode using the iPhones USB-C port can minimize latency and enhance overall performance.8. Connect to ethernetSpeaking of gaming, the iPhone 15 and 16 models fully support ethernet dongles, allowing for faster download and upload speeds. While Wi-Fi and 5G are sufficient for most users, Ethernet can come in handy when seeking an even more dependable connection. Belkins USB-C to Ethernet Adapter is one of the solid options that is guaranteed to get the job done.9. Do it allThe biggest detriment of the iPhone is that theres just one port, but a USB hub can give you much more. We recommend the Plugable 7-in-1 USB-C Hub Multiport Adapter, which will bring a headphone jack, USB-C charging, HDMI, an SD card reader, ethernet, and even a couple of USB-A ports for good measure. Its not exactly small, but if you need to use several ports at once, theres no substitute.Your iPhones USB-C port is a multi-purpose connector for displays, hard drives, and other accessories.Connor Jewiss / FoundryOne port, many possibilitiesWhile some of these functionalities were previously possible with Lightning iPhones, the shift to USB-C has greatly expanded the ports capabilities. You can now perform a wide range of desktop-class tasks right from your smartphone, thanks to tethered accessories.Perhaps the best part is that most USB-C accessories youve been using with your iPad or Mac should work with your iPhone 15 or 16eliminating the need for Lightning-to-USB-C dongles. Whether Apple will introduce new USB-C upgrades with the iPhone 17 remains to be seen.

Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 75, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If youre new here, welcome, hope you have some time to kill this weekend, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, Ive been reading about Benson Boone and Tyler Cowen and EV factories and YouTube yoga, catching up on old episodes of Smartypants, making a rare trek to the theater to see Black Bag, swapping in Duck.ai for my chatbot and AI search needs, getting rehooked on the Remarkable tablet another whirl, and desperately trying to find a pair of noise-canceling headphones with a half-decent microphone. No luck so far.I also have for you a couple of big new Netflix releases, a great new podcast (and a new way to listen to it), a cozy game with great vibes, and much more. Streaming-heavy week this week! Lets dig in.(As always, the best part of Installer is your ideas and tips. What are you watching / reading / playing / buying / building / cutting out of construction paper this week? Tell me everything: installer@theverge.com. And if you know someone else who might enjoy Installer, tell them to subscribe here.)The DropThe Electric State. This movie is, by virtually all accounts, crap. (They couldnt even make a good trailer for it!) But I have a feeling this flick, a very unusual take on a robot uprising, will still end up in the long-term canon of Tech Movies People Talk About Forever. Saving this for my next plane ride. Mickey 17. Heres one to actually watch on purpose: a new one from the director of Parasite that is both a high-concept action flick and a meditation on what it means to be human. Deep! And fun! Everybodys Live with John Mulaney. I really enjoyed the quirky, occasionally unhinged run of Everybodys in LA last year, and Mulaney and co. seem to have recaptured the fun for this new Netflix show. I dont know if Id watch it every week forever, but theres something about the live-ness that I really like.Skich. A really interesting alternative iOS app store (unfortunately only available to folks in the EU) that promises both lower fees for devs and better discovery for players. This thing is still very new it doesnt even have any games! but is worth watching.Good Robot. A new series from our friends at Vox, part of the terrific Unexplainable podcast, all about the rise of AI and the many, many, many questions it creates. The episodes Ive heard are interesting and terrifying, which feels exactly right for all things AI.Pocket Casts Web. Speaking of podcasts! Pocket Casts has been my favorite podcast app for years, and my only hesitation has been that you have to pay for many of its best features. No longer: its web and desktop apps are now free, and you can sync all your stuff across all your devices. Wanderstop. A game for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC about making tea. And hard work. And redemption. And quiet. And community. I get both Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley vibes from this game, and I mean that in the best possible way. Its also from the folks who made The Stanley Parable, so Im in no matter what.Matter Co-Reader. Ive mentioned Matter here a few times its a really lovely read-later app for Apple devices. This new feature is a very clever use of AI: you select some text, the app will offer up questions you might have about it, and you just tap to learn more. Way more powerful than a dictionary or Wikipedia lookup.Openvibe 1.9. The all-in-one social feed app got the feature it needed most: timeline saving, so you can pick up where you left off next time youre in the app. This immediately turned Openvibe from an app I think is neat to one Im using almost every day.Tina Nguyen joined The Verges politics team a couple of weeks ago, in an extremely chill and normal time to be covering the intersection of technology and politics. She understands the Trump administration, the ways that everything from social media to podcasts have changed the way we interact with our government, and where this is all headed better than just about anybody. She also wrote maybe the funniest piece of restaurant reporting Ive ever read, about her experience at the Trump Grill.I asked Tina to share her homescreen with us, and she agreed she also sent me a picture of her bookshelf, which includes a truly enormous Dunkin mug and a WrestleMania chair. Its all very good. Anyway, heres Tinas homescreen, plus some info on the apps she uses and why:The device: I got the iPhone 16 Pro recently, though Ill admit it was for self-serving reasons... 1) I went on vacation to Big Sky last year with a friend and her photos of us at Yellowstone were WAY better than mine, and 2) I wanted to get the latest phone before tariffs hit. (This trade war is chaotic and Im not taking risks.)The wallpaper: Sunrise in the Austrian Alps. I went on a weeklong ski trip to Arlberg in February 2020, and the memory of that vacation sustained me mentally for the next three years, The Giver-style.The apps: Messages, Signal, Weather, Apple Notes, Reminders, Settings, Photos, Clock, Camera, Lyft, YouTube Music, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Nike Run Club, Google Keep, Apple Fitness, Lime, Uber, Apple Watch, Slack, Elgato Control Center, Calm, Phone, Google Maps, Safari, Gmail.Lime scooters are endemic in DC, which makes it easy to jet around the two-mile radius of places I visit on a regular basis, but if I have to go somewhere like Union Station (or locations where I have to wear heels), Ill race Uber and Lyft against each other.The Control Center app is for me to adjust my Elgato Key Lights at my desk. I initially got them for doing media hits, but it turns out that they make excellent sun lamps, too. (My home office has NO WINDOWS, and I swear to god, theyve improved my productivity.)Of course I have the Calm app. Have you seen what I cover for a living?I also asked Tina to share a few things shes into right now. Heres what she sent back:I subscribe to Nebula just to have access to episodes of Jet Lag: The Game a week before they hit YouTube. (Its a travel game show thats perfect for people who love public transit and flight logistics.)Related: their fandom of the Cotopaxi Allpa travel backpack has turned me into an Allpa fan as well as a general backpack connoisseur. (My daily carry is a Peak Design 15L.)Now that I write for The Verge, I am so, so excited to finally get to bring my limited edition Pikachu Longchamp bag into Washington society without scandalizing my bosses. (Im sure Tammy Haddad would be aghast, but Im not like the other girls, or something.)This video lives rent-free in my mind whenever I write anything about the Trump administration. You are not based, you are actually cringe is the philosophical underpinning of this political era.CrowdsourcedHeres what the Installer community is into this week. I want to know what youre into right now as well! Email installer@theverge.com or message me on Signal @davidpierce.11 with your recommendations for anything and everything, and well feature some of our favorites here every week. For more great recommendations, check out the replies to this post on Threads and this post on Bluesky.You mention Fantasy Hike sometimes, so youve got to try Prado Traveler. Its an incremental step counter RPG where your daily steps fuel your character to delve dungeons, level up, and get loot. Like an incremental game, you can check in on it here and there without it consuming too much time, but all your progress is tied to your activity. Now I just need to get my friends playing so I can try out the co-op features. EmmettPlaying Arco. Great game good combat system, good story, deserves a wider audience! BenI discovered Organic Maps, a well-made app for OpenStreetMap. It seems to have great data where I live in Central Europe, and it even has public transport routing and opening hours. I try to look into open-source alternatives for US big tech apps, as you cant predict the future right now. AlexThe Australian TV series Mr Inbetween is having a bit of a renaissance in Australia at the moment. You might like it. BennettIm wondering if Im in the majority or minority of people that do this: using email notifications for everything I possibly can. All of these different services have their own app and push you to download it so you can stay up to date with notifications or pay bills from the app! I feel like its so much easier for me to manage these types of services by sending all of my notifications to one central location: my email address. Then Ill just move them to the appropriate folder (label in Gmail) or even use the snooze feature on the email receipt to come one day after the estimated delivery time on my shipments. TonyThe Flipper Zero is a really intriguing multitool that may be useful in the coming end times. ScottBefore seeing Mickey 17, I can recommend the book Mickey7 to anyone that liked anything by Andy Weir (The Martian, Project Hail Mary), Dennis E. Taylor (Bobiverse series), or Martha Wells (Murderbot series). Fun and smart sci-fi that is a joy to read! DavidLogseq has replaced all my workflow tools with one succinct journal-based document engine that builds the knowledge graph as I bullet journal. It even has Emacs Org mode-style to-do lists and an extensive plugin ecosystem. Also open source! JamesBefore the holidays, I read this review of Zwos Seestar S50 smart telescope. That rekindled my longtime (but never acted on) interest in astronomy. I learned that Zwo was coming out with a new, smaller entry-level model, the Seestar S30, so I preordered one in early December. It arrived a couple weeks ago, and Im just blown away. DavidSigning offFor the last few weeks, Ive been running a bunch of experiments on myself to see if I can find relatively easy ways to start using my phone less. (Lots more on this to come.) Everyone has lots of ideas, all the way from gadgets that force you off your phone to just be disciplined, you buffoon. I dont love either of those approaches.So far, the best and most achievable thing Ive tried is to charge my phone in another room. I set up a little charging station down in my living room, and thats now where my phone goes before I start getting ready for bed every night. But heres the thing that really made it stick: I took the charger out of my bedroom. Now, even on nights when I absentmindedly walk upstairs with my phone, I have to go back down and plug it in. That one change has helped me read more before bed, and Im no longer looking at a screen when I first wake up. I dont know if any of it has made me a better person or whatever, but it does make my mornings feel a little quieter. And after only a couple of nights, it just felt like routine. Highly recommended. See you next week!See More:

Tenth Doctor, Fourteenth Doctor, and Metacrisis Doctor Duplicate actor David Tennant does a podcast called, imaginatively, David Tennant Does a Podcast With, and this week he picked up an extremely crowd-pleasing guest in the form of his old boss, Russell T Davies.If you were hoping for Frost/Nixon, youd be disappointed. This was a cosy chat between old friends, chatting about Davies childhood, how he got into a career in television, the highlights he enjoyed along the way, and, not surprisingly, a few Doctor Who memories. RTDs earliest Who memory was the regeneration of William Hartnells First Doctor into Patrick Troughtons Second.Davies recalls, The thing I remember is the switches on the TARDIS were moving on their own, which was so frightening.That fear, it turns out, would become a driving force for Davies. Later on in the conversation, Tennant asks why Doctor Who is the show that inspired not just Davies, but so many other people to work in the television industry. Davies answer comes quickly.At that age, its obviously the terror, the strongest emotion you will feel when watching television. That and laughter, Davies answers, later adding, Most television kind of makes you smile and just burbles along and might make you excited if theres a chase.Those two ingredients, scaring you, and making you laugh, are the things Davies believes make for the most powerful television.You feel it more than you would feel anything else, he tells Tennant. We all loved the Famous Five or Grange Hill or stuff like that, but you wouldnt quite feel it in the way you feel terror and you feel laughter. Its just on that size of things. Its big, and when its frightening its terrifying.When you put it like that, its perhaps not so hard to see why Doctor Who has had the impact that it has. From the start, the show has straddled the line between the genuinely terrifying and the terrifyingly hilarious.Monsters to Make You Scream with Laughter?If youre a lifelong fan of Doctor Who, somebody who, as former showrunner Steven Moffat says, is annoyed that its a kids show rather than the serious science fiction drama it was when you were eight, then the chances are you have at least one core, primordial moment of fear that came from watching an episode of Doctor Who.For me, its watching the shop mannequins come alive in Spearhead from Space (from a rerun in the nineties, Im not that old). For younger fans it might be the moment where Richard Wilsons face morphed into a gas mask in The Empty Child, or the entirety of Blink (although both my kids insist thats not scary at all and dont know what I make such a big deal about). For other elder Millennials and Gen-Xers, it might be the mutant haemovores in The Curse of Fenric, or for older fans, the titular Robots of Death.But just as often the Doctor Who baddies are just plain laughable. So many supposedly evil geniuses are little more than foils for the likes of Tom Baker, Jon Pertwee or Patrick Troughton to make a fool of. The Slitheen are very deliberately a joke from beginning to end, from their farting gas exchange on their skin suits, to their home planet Raxacoricofallapatorius (Thought Id spelt that correctly first go, I hadnt. Im more upset about than I care to admit). Even supposedly top-tier (lets be honest, secondary-tier) villains like the Sontarans are basically potatoes on parade.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!And thats aside from the Doctor themselves, who frequently seems like they have wandered into a horror movie from the wrong genre.You might have noticed that weve not mentioned the top baddies so far. You know the ones. And there is a reason for that because when Doctor Who is really on fire, when it is properly at work burning itself into the fabric of young minds, it is doing the terrifying and the funny simultaneously.The most deadly and iconic villain in the entire series is a pepper pot armed with an egg whisk and a toilet plunger, with a voice like a robotic toddler throwing a tantrum. And it cant even get upstairs no, get out of here with your Dalek and Remembrance of the Daleks retcons when we first meet the Daleks in 1963 they can be immobilised by putting a thin cloak between their base and the metallic floor they scoot around on.Yet they are still the biggest bad in a universe of big bads. Whenever those round heads with their little wobbly eyestalks and the lights that flash when they talk (ridiculous) appear, your breath catches for just a moment. You know the stakes have just got higher.The Daleks are the supreme beings of the middle bit of the Venn Diagram between hilarious and scary, but they are not its only occupant. Shop window mannequins. Whos scared of shop window mannequins? Or a monster that cant move when youre looking at it? How rubbish is that?Sylvester McCoys Seventh Doctor literally fought the liquorice all-sorts mascot, Bertie Basset, and it was one the most gruesome and terrifying bits of the shows history.There is a reason why Doctor Whos most memorable, and most memorably terrifying villains are also sort of ridiculous. Its because the two big feelings Russell T Davies says TV is good for are ultimately one and the same thing.Not Ha Ha Funny But Ha Ha TerrifyingIt isnt a coincidence that Steven Moffat, the writer known for providing some of the greatest scares in the shows recent history started as a sitcom writer. What Doctor Who does well is show us the thin line between comedy and horror.The truth is that scientists are likely to be arguing for a long time to come over why we evolved laughter and what function it serves, but there is no denying that one way or another it is linked to fear. Hyenas laugh when they feel threatened or under attack. If youre a parent, the odds are you have tried to make your baby laugh by convincing them theyve been abandoned (by hiding behind your hands) or maybe threatening to eat them.And returning to stories, once you remove all emotion (which sounds like a totally okay and cool thing to do), a ghost story and a good joke have ultimately the same structure set up, establish a pattern, twist, and then a reveal that pulls the rug from under you.So Russell T Davies, who in his conversation with David Tennant describes himself as the last terrestrial television viewer might think that TV is best at provoking two big feelings, but it turns out that in the end, it is just one feeling.It does it very well though.Doctor Who returns to BBC One, BBC iPlayer and Disney+ on Saturday April 12.