Nothing is taking its budget-focused Nothing Phone (2a) to the next level. The company has taken the wraps off the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, a device thats built to offer better performance and an enhanced camera in a still very affordable and very stylish smartphone. The new device is not only better under the hood, it keeps the overall design aesthetic that Nothing has become famous for in the smartphone industry. The transparent tech approach cuts through in a world of boring black slabs.Nothing Design Sure Is SomethingThe Nothing Phone (2a) Plus doesnt necessarily look all that different from the standard Nothing Phone (2a); however, thats not necessarily a bad thing. Nothing has been building interesting-looking smartphones since the original Nothing Phone (1). Core to the Nothing design aesthetic is the transparent tech look. While the device doesnt offer a look at the actual internals of the phone, it does give the appearance of being able to look into the device rather than just at it. Its a neat concept and certainly helps make the phone stand out more.On top of the transparent back look, Nothing is also running full steam ahead with its Glyph interface. The Nothing Glyph interface essentially involves a series of LED lights on the back that can illuminate for things like notifications. Notification lights are nothing new in the world of smartphones, but over the past five years or so, theyve largely gone away. Its nice to see Nothing at least somewhat reviving them. Even the placement of the camera is unique, reminiscent of two eyes peering out from the back of the phone.Nothings approach to software is unique too. The device runs Android, but it has Nothings software skin, Nothing OS, on top of it, complete with monochrome app icons and classic-looking widgets. For the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, they launched a new widget in the form of the new News Reporter widget. Its designed to leverage AI to show daily news, and you may or may not be interested in using it. But it sure does look great.For the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, there are two new colorways: Metallic Gray and a new black color. Both look great, but the Metallic Gray that Ive seen in person looks particularly good. Nothing says that the frame is built from 100% recycled aluminum. Across the five circuitboards, the device uses 100% recycled tin, and on the main circuitboard, it uses 100% recycled copper foil.The Rest of the DetailsThe phone is no slouch under the hood, though of course the design of it is the star of the show. Nothing has done away with Qualcomm for the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, in favor of the MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro 5G processor. This chipset is coupled with 12GB of RAM, and should be able to handle everything you can throw at it in 2024.On the front, the phone has a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, with a full HD+ resolution. It offers a brightness of 1300 nits, which isnt bad, though not as impressive as some of the more expensive phones out there.The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a 5,000mAh battery, that can take 50W fast charging. Thats pretty fast, and Nothing says youll get a days worth of charge in 20 minutes (though Im a little skeptical about the brandsdefinition of a days worth of use).Nothing is quick to tout the Phone (2a) Plus triple 50MP camera system, though to be clear, one of those cameras is the selfie cam on the front. The device still has a main camera and ultrawide camera on the back, and they have similar specifications, but that selfie camera does have an upgraded resolution that Nothing says can deliver more crisp photos.The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will first be available in London, and in the United States through Nothings US Beta Program August 7 starting at $399. For more information, head to nothing.tech.This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!

It seems like August arrived in the blink of an eye. As we begin to wind down from summer and prepare for the transition to a new season, were reminded of how quickly time passes and the impact it has on our memories. This theme is beautifully captured by this months Designer Desktop artist, Alex Khabbazi. A visual artist based in the United Kingdom, Khabbazi merges physical and digital art techniques and processes to create bold, graphic works.For Designer Desktop, Khabbazi shares his piece The Effects of Time, a mixed media artwork that he designed digitally, printed onto paper, scanned, had machine-knitted from the scan, and animated. The design serves as a poignant reminder that our memories inevitably fade over time, making the present moment all the more precious.Download the wallpapers for free with the links below for all your tech devices today!DESKTOP:1024768\12801024\16801050\19001200\25601440MOBILE:iPhone XS \ iPhone XS Max \iPad ProCheck out some of Alex Khabbazis other work:Follow Alex Khabbazi on Instagram here.View and download past Designer Desktopshere.

Its not about designing alerts, but redesigning attention, resulting in 8 features capitalised by Duolingo.Continue reading on UX Collective

You can get these refurbished AirPods Pro 1st Gen on sale for $119.99 right now (reg. $249). They have active noise-canceling and transparency modesso you can either block out external noise or tune in to remain aware of your surroundingsand spatial audio where the music follows the movement of your head. The AirPods Pro have on-ear controls for switching between modes, controlling volume, and raising Siri, and theyre IPX4 sweat and water-resistant. They have 18 hours of talk or 24 hours of listening time with the MagSafe-compatible charging case. They also have a grade A refurbished ratingmeaning they're in near-mint condition with only light to zero amounts of scuffingand come with a 30-day parts and labor warranty.You can get these refurbished AirPods Pro 1st Gen on sale for $119.99 right now (reg. $249), though prices can change at any time.

Smart locks are great for many reasons, like not having to worry about giving keys to everyone to who you want to give access into your home, or just swiping your finger if your arms are full carrying groceries. The Eufy Security Smart Lock C220 can do those things and much more, and for a limited time, you can get it for $109.99 (originally $149.99) after using the on-page $40 coupon. Eufy Security Smart Lock C220 Fingerprint Keyless Entry Door Lock, Built-in Wi-Fi, App Remote Control, Front Door Smart Lock $109.99 at Amazon $149.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal Get Deal $109.99 at Amazon $149.99 Save $40.00 The Eufy Security Smart Lock C220 is very easy to install. You just need to take out your existing deadbolt and the latch, then slide the latch it includes and screw in the keypad and back cover. You'll be using six AA batteries that give you about eight months of battery life, according to Eufy. The setup in the app is also very straightforward and quick.The smart lock lets you open your door with fingerprints (up to two fingers max per person), voice (you'll need a smart speaker), keypad, app, Bluetooth, and keys (it includes a set of keys). You can assign people permanent or temporary codes to access the home, which is great for family members who visit frequently or for guests if you run an Airbnb. You can also open and close the lock remotely using the app without the need to buy or subscribe to anything that isn't already included in the box. The Eufy app is smooth and has many options that you can customize in the settings. I really like that it is one of the few companies that don't require you to sign up for a subscription with a monthly fee or buy extra gadgets to unlock features. There is no need to buy a bridge to use the smart lock, as it only needs a wifi connection to work.

The movies and television shows below are the best of what's coming to Hulu this monthaccording to me. Because I'm an expert at watching things. Hulu's prestige comedy-crime program Only Murders in the Building is returning for a fourth season with a "the gang goes to Hollywood" plot. There's a rebooted version of Dance Moms premiering with all new moms and all new dances, and if you want to chill out and check out Lollapalooza, Hulu is streaming the whole concert. Only Murders in the Building, season 4 How many murders can happen near the main characters of Only Murders in the Building before someone figures out that they're serial killers? (Not really.) This series stars comedy greats Martin Short and Steve Martin and comedy good Selena Gomez as Charles, Oliver, and Mabel, podcast hosts and amateur detectives. Season 4 finds the trio going to Hollywood where a movie about their podcast is in production. Starts streaming August 27.Dance Moms: A New Era, season 1 I dislike children, stage parents, and overbearing coaches, so Im not really in the target demographic for Dance Moms: A New Era, but people loved the original, so Im not going to argue. The reboot introduces hard-charging dance coach Glo Hampton who wants to take her students to the prestigious dance school Studio Bleu. To do it, shell have to manage precocious children, scheming moms, and constant drama.Sounds great(?).Starts streaming August 7.Lollapalooza Live Stream If you cant make it Chicago for Lollapalooza this year, Hulu is streaming the festival live from August 1 to August 4. This year, the annual rock extravaganza will feature performances from Chappell Roan, Hozier, Rene Rapp, SZA, Stray Kids, The Killers, Metro Boomin, Megan Thee Stallion, and about a thousand other artists and bands spanning any genre and style you could think of.Starts streaming August 1Punch-Drunk Love(2002) As a comedian, Adam Sandler is love-him-or-hate-him, but as a serious actor, hes undeniably great, especially when paired with director Paul Thomas Anderson. Punch-Drunk Love was Sandlers first heavy role, and he shocked the world by turning in a nuanced, restrained, heartbreaking performance as Barry Egan, a lonely sad-sack who just barely manages to contain the violence inside him. Starts streaming August 1.Suitable Flesh(2023) Director Joe Lynch delivers a Lovecraftian horror flick thats also sexynot a common combination. Heather Graham turns in a fearless performance as Elizabeth Derby, a psychiatrist whose devotion to reason is about to be abolished by the supernatural, specifically, a patient who complains that his father is trying to steal his body. It all hurtles toward a delightedly ooey and gooey finale that Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator) fans will love.Starts streaming August 3.Eddie Pepitone: For the Masses(2020) Dont worry if youve never heard of stand-up comic Eddie Pepitone. Hes not a huge name or anything, but his abrasive, original, old-hipster style of standup comedy and his completely nihilistic outlook is a breath of fresh air. Youre not gonna hear a lot of shit about dating, and how fun everything is. Its not fun. Were in end times, Pepitone proclaims, which really sets the tone for this comedy show. Starts streaming August 9.Killer Lies: Chasing a True-Crime Con Man This National Geographic-produced series tells the twisted true tale of self-proclaimed serial killer expert, Stphane Bourgoin. Bourgoin built an international reputation and a large fanbase for his true crime books that describe his tragic life and his encounters with evil. But his fans became suspicious about some of the details in his stories, and started pulling the threads, revealing a complex web of lies. Director Ben Selkow goes beyond the story of a writer who lies all the time to examine the larger context of true crime culture.Starts streaming August 29.Last week's picksFuturama, season 12 Matt Groening and David X. Cohen's iconic sci-fi cartoon Futurama is back this month for a 12th season, with 10 new episodes coming. Fry, Bender, Leela, and everyone else will be back to discover the secret of Bender's ancestors, learn the story behind coffee, and make sardonic jokes about the present even though it takes place in the year 3,000 or so. If you've never seen Futurama, you'll have nearly all month to catch up on the previous 12 seasonsthey're also available on Hulu. Starts streaming July 29.SharkfestYou know why they don't call it "Shark Week" anymore? Because it's expanded to an entire damn month. Hulu will feature a ton of streamable specials in July concerning Mankind's underwater enemies, including Attack of the Red Sea Sharks, Baby Sharks in the City, Shark Attack 360, Shark Beach with Anthony Mackie, Shark vs. Ross Edgley, Sharks Gone Viral, Supersized Sharks, and When Will We Finally Kill all these Goddamn Sharks? (I made that last one up). Starts streaming July 1.Sasha Reid and the Midnight Order If you're a true crime fan, do not miss Sasha Reid and the Midnight Order. Reid is a psychologist with a singular obsession: catching killers. So she recruited a cadre of women that share her passion from various disciplines and backgrounds, dubbed them "The Midnight Order," and started tracking down criminals. The Midnight Order works outside the system and uses cutting-edge data skills and forensic knowledge to heat up cold caseslike Batman, but not fake. This series takes viewers inside their most intriguing investigations and introduces us to the women who have made Justice their profession.Starts streaming July 10.Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer In 1978, psychiatric nurse Ann Burgess received a call that would change her life. It was the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit, and they wanted her help digging into the minds of serial killers. Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer explores this unsung woman who helped create criminal profiling as well as digging into the details of the killers who informed Burgess's work including infamous criminals like Ed Kemper and Ted Bundy, as well as lesser-known monsters like the Ski Mask Rapist.Starts streaming July 11.Hit-Monkey, season 2 The hero of Hit-Monkey is a Japanese snow monkey who teams up with the ghost of an American assassin to become the "killer of killers" and take out the most fearsome assassins in Japan. Season 2 finds the strange duo in New York trying to escape their shadowy existences, but it's not easy to give up that kind of life. Hit-Monkey is based on a Marvel comic, and the first season of the animated action show earned rave reviews from both critics and fans, so if you like heroes, action, cartoons, or just things that are awesome, check this one out. Starts streaming July 15.

Deer: elegant, beautiful, a sign of nature right outside your door, and the bane of many a gardeners existence. No tulip is safe from their chomping maws...but there are some flowering plants that are more deer-resistant than others. Lets take a tour of some of the prettiest flowers on the Rutgers list of plants that are rarely damaged by deer, along with their ideal growing conditions.

This is a website about hacks, so you know I'm not going to advocate for a cleaning product unless it really gets the job done. Lifehacker has years' worth of archives explaining how, for the most part, common things like hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and vinegar get the major cleaning jobs taken care of, and all you need is a rag or a sponge to go with them. Still, there are some more specialized products that are worth having on hand. These are what I use to make cleaning easier and faster. Useful cleaning tools you might not haveFirst up, you need a little squeegee. In fact, I think you should have a few. The first one should be stored in your shower and, after you finish washing up, you should use it to get the fog, scum, and water off your shower doors and walls. Doing this every time you bathe takes just a few seconds, but drastically reduces how much and how often you need to clean the tile and glass in the shower. Get one with an adhesive holder so it dries straight up and down, then stick it to the shower wall. This one is $9.59.Second, you should keep one in the kitchen. Use it to scrape wet messes off your countertops or to gather spills on your floor. Why waste a bunch of paper towels or dirty up a rag when you could just push the wet mess off the counter and into a container, then put it in the trash? Pick up a two-pack for $9.98.Next, consider some soap-dispensing brushes. You may have seen these for dishwashing, which is great, but they're also perfect for scrubbing floors, tile, and hard-to-reach spots, all without having to fill up a whole container of soapy water and drag it around. Obviously, keep the one you use for household cleaning away from the one you use for the dishes, so get at least two. Better yet, this one for $8.44 comes with detachable heads, so you only need one handle. Soap Dispensing Dish Brush with 4 Replaceable Heads $8.44 $9.99 Save $1.55 Shop Now Shop Now $8.44 $9.99 Save $1.55 Speaking of brushes, it's time to upgrade to an electric one. Stop getting on your hands and knees, putting too much elbow grease in, or over-exerting yourself when you could outsource the strenuous part of your labor to technology. You can get an electric spin scrubber with a telescopic handle and eight different brush heads for $39.99, then use it as a handheld or long-reach solution when you just don't want to scrub.

Google is about to let parents remotely limit their kids' internet and phone privileges while theyre at school, so long as those kids are rocking supported Android devices.With its School time feature, the company lets parents lock their kids out of certain apps, plus limit calling and messaging during certain hours, such as during school. The feature actually debuted on the Fitbit Ace LTE kids smartwatch in June, but today, Google announced that its also coming to certain Android phones, tablets, and Samsung Galaxy watches. Apple has a similarly branded feature of its own, which is currently still locked to smartwatches.The feature works by booting a kids phone to a dedicated home screen while active, one that only has access to apps the parent chooses. The parent sets this up in the Family Link app, which is where theyll also be able to set hours for School Time and enable limiting calls and texts to specific contacts, like family or emergency numbers (Lifehacker has reached out to Google to specify if emergency numbers will still be available by default, although the answer is likely yes given how screen time limits currently work).Google specifies that, despite the name, School time can also be turned on outside of school hours, so its not limited to just one time block per day. Because the feature has yet to come to phones, its not yet clear exactly how the setup process works.Its also not clear which phones, tablets, or watches are getting it. Google simply says Over the next year, well bring School time to even more devices including select Android phones, tablets, and Samsung Galaxy Watches. I can just imagine a kid asking their parent for a Pixel 9 Pro and using School time support as justification.While it might sound redundant next to existing screen time limits, the advantage to School time is that it allows some apps, which could be helpful if children need those apps for their lessons, or even if you want to allow them limited gaming during recess or on the bus.Beyond School time, Google also suggested that teens whose parents dont monitor them via Family Link can turn on the existing Focus mode feature for a similar effect. The company also said parents can look forward to an update to YouTube later this summer that will allow them to link their kids account to their own, giving them more visibility into what their child watches.

When you're trying to consolidate debt, cover unexpected expenses, or borrow money for a large purchase, a personal loan may be your go-to option. And naturally, one of the most crucial factors to consider when taking out a personal loan is the interest rate. Currently, the average personal loan interest rate hovers around 12% to 13%. However, it's important to note that this figure is just a benchmark, and individual rates can vary widely based on several factors. Let's take a look at the state of personal loan rates right now, and what you can do to get the best possible rate for your financial situation.How personal loans workPersonal loans are typically unsecured loans, meaning they don't require collateral. Borrowers receive a lump sum of money from a lender and agree to repay it over a set period, usually in fixed monthly installments. The interest rate on the loan determines how much you'll pay in addition to the principal amount borrowed.Why interest rates matterThe interest rate on your personal loan has a substantial impact on the overall cost of borrowing. Even a small difference in interest rates can translate to hundreds or thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. For example, on a $10,000 loan with a three-year term:At 10% APR, you'd pay $1,616 in total interestAt 13% APR, you'd pay $2,135 in total interestThat's a difference of $519aka, no small change. A higher interest rate means you'll pay more in interest over the life of the loan, potentially adding thousands of dollars to the total amount repaid. Ideal interest ratesWhile the average rate is around 12-13%, the ideal interest rate for a personal loan is as low as you can get. According to debt attorney Leslie Tayne, the best signature loan rates today can be found for as low as 5% to 6%, though many lenders start their rates around 7% to 9%. Tayne says these rates are reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers or those with very good credit scores of around 740 and up. "These borrowers have demonstrated past behaviors that indicate they are low-risk," Tayne explains. "They generally pay their bills on time, maintain low debt balances, and dont rely too heavily on credit."At the other end of the spectrum, borrowers with poor credit can expect to pay upwards of 30% for an unsecured personal loan. These borrowers have had issues with missed payments in the past and even collections or bankruptcies. "Because of these past problems managing debt," Tayne says, "they present a high level of risk for lenders and face subprime interest rates." Generally, any rate below the average could be considered good, especially if it's lower than the interest rates on your existing debts.How to secure a personal loanThe application process for a personal loan is a little more involved than simply strolling into your bank and asking to borrow money, especially without pledging any collateral. Lenders will check your credit report, credit score, income, employment status, outstanding debts, and overall financial situation before deciding whether to approve you for a loan and at what interest rate.The most common sources for unsecured personal loans include banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Many allow you to begin the process by submitting an application online or over the phone. You'll need to provide information like your name, contact details, social security number, income, desired loan amount, and what you plan to use the funds for. The lender will then pull your credit report and other financial details before letting you know if you're approved or denied.Tips for getting the best loan rate1. Check and improve your credit score: Your credit score is one of the primary factors lenders consider. Pay bills on time, reduce credit card balances, and correct any errors on your credit report.2. Shop around: Don't settle for the first offer. Compare rates from multiple lenders, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders.3. Consider a secured loan: If you're struggling to qualify for a low rate on an unsecured loan, a secured loan (using an asset as collateral) might offer better terms.4. Get a co-signer: A co-signer with excellent credit could help you qualify for a lower rate.5. Opt for a shorter loan term: Shorter terms often come with lower interest rates, though your monthly payments will be higher.6. Improve your debt-to-income ratio: Pay down existing debts and avoid taking on new ones before applying for a loan.7. Demonstrate stable income: Lenders favor borrowers with steady, reliable income sources.8. Look for rate discounts: Some lenders offer discounts to hold onto existing customers.Understanding personal loan interest rates and how they impact your borrowing costs is crucial for making informed financial decisions. By focusing on improving your creditworthiness and shopping diligently for the best rates, you can save a solid chunk of change over the life of your loan.