designer491/Getty Images 2025-06-05T08:27:25Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Scott Edinburgh is still advising international students to apply for MBAs this year. US MBA programs can offer more networking and job opportunities than their European counterparts, he said. Sitting on the decision to apply for too long may hurt a candidate's acceptance chances. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Scott Edinburgh, a Boston-based MBA admissions consultant. It has been edited for length and clarity.I launched an admissions consulting business in 2008 — it's a family business that I run with my sister.We get a lot of international students, and they sometimes make up half our clients for the year. Our reach matches what many schools are seeing. There is a lot of interest from India and China, as well as growing numbers in Europe, the Middle East, and some countries in Africa. For MBA programs, most students are in their mid- to late 20s and have some years of work experience.We offer guidance for universities in Europe and some other places, but there are still some unique features about pursuing an MBA in the US. An MBA as a course is more popular in the US than Europe and it opens up more networking opportunities, and the degree holds a bit more value. US programs are also stronger from a recruiting and job standpoint. It also comes down to where you want to establish yourself. If you want to live in the US, there's no better way to do it than to study here.Given the uncertainty surrounding US immigration policies, we've been getting questions about studying and working in the US and seeing some students apply to European schools instead. Still, there are a couple of reasons tons of students are still keen on pursuing an MBA in the US and why I recommend they apply now.Schools are working hard to keep international studentsI'm getting questions about the US being open to accepting international students and the risks of studying here.There are over 1.1 million international students in the US right now, and they're not all being kicked out and told to leave. There's a lot of hesitation among some international students about their ability to show up on campus.But what we're seeing from talking with deans and councils is that schools are doing a lot so that they can have their international students. These students make up a large percentage of the class at top business schools. Their legal teams are quite strong, and we've seen a lot of court interventions to uphold the rights and opportunities for international students.While it seems like there's an issue now, it's probably going to work itself out. People hesitating means there are fewer applicants, which means you're more likely to get in.You're not entering the job market nowPeople are worried about the job market not being great, and they're reading jobs reports that are coming out from these schools. We tell them you're not applying to apply for a job now. Things are cyclical. If you're applying to business school in 2025 and graduating in 2028, that's three years from now. The chances are that the job market will not be in the same place three years from now.Right now is the absolute best time to apply. This will be the best round in the span of many rounds that I've seen as far as acceptance rates go. The market is not great job-wise wise and you can spend that time educating yourself. You won't be missing out on huge promotions, huge raises, and new jobs. By the time you graduate, things may start to improve.MBAs are time-boundThe job market and political situation add an element of risk, but those who are looking to get ahead will find a way to succeed.Students often forget that the MBA is a time-bound program, and waiting too long to apply while the situation clears up might make it too difficult to get in.Universities prefer those in their mid- to late 20s because they are easier to place into jobs and because they want cohorts to mesh well. The median number of years of experience is five, and as you go further down the bell curve, there are just fewer and fewer spots that are available.Unless you are in your early 20s, you could be shooting yourself in the foot by delaying by one or two years. The fear of what might happen from a policy standpoint becomes irrelevant if you don't get into a program in a future year.Do you have a story to share about international graduate students in the US? Contact this reporter at sgoel@businessinsider.com.

Greg Petronzi is a psychologist and a watchmaker. True Patina 2025-05-31T09:50:02Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Greg Petronzi was a psychologist and professor when he got into watchmaking on the side. Now he repairs vintage Rolex watches and works on pieces worth six figures. Petronzi said his watchmaking out-earns his work in psychology. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Greg Petronzi of True Patina, a watchmaker specializing in vintage Rolex repairs. He is also a licensed psychologist and professor at New York University. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.I've always had a fascination with watches, starting at a young age. Around middle school, I had a Swatch with a see-through plastic case and an automatic movement. You could see all of the parts of the watch as it was working, and I always found that so interesting.In college, I pursued psychology. That was my practical career path. I got a master's and a Ph.D. Overall, it was a 12-year path to becoming a licensed psychologist. But I never lost my interest in watches.After I finished school, I got into watchmaking, which ended up becoming my main gig. Psychology became my part-time gig, which I never anticipated happening, but it's super exciting. I love both disciplines.I got into watchmaking with an informal apprenticeshipWatchmaking was never really on my radar. As a grad student, I started getting involved in the world of watches and meeting other watch enthusiasts through forums and meetups.I made friends with a watchmaker out of Florida named Rik Dietel, who has 35-plus years of experience in watchmaking and specifically with vintage Rolex, which is the niche that I was very passionate about. I started asking him how to fix this or change that on my own watches. Little by little, Rik started teaching me, and it turned into an informal, remote apprenticeship.Over the next several years, while I was working as a psychologist and professor, my skillset started to really develop, and it started to become apparent to me that this might be more than just a hobby. I was working on my own stuff, then friends' watches, then friends of friends' watches. Then I started getting requests from people I didn't know. That's when I said, "I'd better take this a bit more seriously." Greg Petronzi in his workshop. True Patina During the pandemic, my psychology work went remote, and I was able to put more time and energy into watchmaking. I also had an income, which helped me afford the tools. I just recently spent about $15,000 on one tool to do a very nuanced repair.I built up my watchmaking workshop and started to develop a niche in cosmetic repair — dials and hands. Because I started as a watch collector, I understand the importance of preserving the originality of a watch. While a lot of more modern watchmakers have the disposition of "repair and replace," I have the disposition of "restore and retain."I started to showcase my work on Instagram and build trust in the community. I ended up working with some really important watch collectors and dealers, like Eric Wind of Wind Vintage, and auction houses like Phillips.There was a moment when I realized I'd made a name for myself in the watch world: Someone sent me an eBay listing that said, "Watch just serviced by True Patina." I had no idea who the seller was, but I thought, "Wow, my company name is actually carrying so much weight that people are using this as a flex toward selling their watch." That felt really good. Watchmaking can be challenging to get into, but it's really rewardingWatchmaking has more often than not outperformed what the Ph.D and psychology have allowed me to earn, which I'm astounded by and grateful for.If someone's interested in learning watchmaking, I'd say it's possible, but there are some challenges. The tools are expensive, and the formal education options are limited. Most people either find an apprenticeship or start by working for an established brand while slowly building up their own workshop.My pricing varies a lot based on how much restoration is needed. Repairs typically range between $1,000 and $2,000, but some go up to $6,000 or more, especially if a rare part needs to be sourced.I service watches that range in price from a few thousand dollars upward to six-figure watches. It's not uncommon for me to work on a watch that costs $200,000 and occasionally even up to $500,000. Most commonly, they are a few thousand up to $20,000. But what's most meaningful to me is working on sentimental pieces — watches that have been in families for generations.Becoming a watchmaker never crossed my mind as a kid or even as a college student. But all of a sudden, it organically became reality for me, and it's a very, very meaningful and enjoyable existence.Watchmaking is a very rewarding field. It can be very stressful, especially when the repair might not be cooperating the way you want it to, but when things do fall in line, it can be a very mindful activity. You get into this flow where time just sort of ceases. It's kind of ironic.Do you have a story to share about watches or watchmaking? Contact this reporter at kvlamis@businessinsider.com.

Slather on that SPF, slip into that bathing suit, and pack your beverage of choice in that insulated Yeti of yours. We're going to the beach! While I'd argue that the beach is best when you leave your tech behind, or, as Lorde did, throw your cellular device in the water, there are a few gadgets you can pack along to elevate the relaxing experience. As you head to the beach for memorial Day to soak up some sun and relax, I encourage you to bring along a few of my favorite gadgets. From a portable, waterproof Bluetooth speaker for listening to your beachy playlist to a handy electric fan for when it gets too hot, I rounded up a few gadgets I'm bringing to the beach this summer -- and I highly recommend that you follow suit. Keep reading for more.  Sony Ult Field 1 portable speaker Nina Raemont/ZDNET Let's talk tunes: This speaker from Sony is my favorite one to listen to at the beach, in the park, or at home in my bedroom. I've used the speaker to play music during dinner parties, and even amid a group of 15 friends all sat around the table, the sound was clear and strong. It gets plenty loud and offers crystal-clear sound. It's also waterproof, dustproof, and rustproof, so you can splash water on it or kick sand onto it without a problem. The speaker comes with a handy little carrying strap for maximum portability and a 12-hour battery life that should last you an entire day of tomfoolery by the water. What I also love about this speaker is how much quality Sony packs into a fairly affordable Bluetooth speaker with great sound. You're getting a high-quality speaker that punches well above its price point. For summer beach days, I can't recommend the Ult Field 1 enough and am looking forward to blasting my favorite songs on it as I hang in the sand this season. Right now, select colorways of the speaker are discounted by $40, bringing the price of this speaker down to $88.  Show more View now at Amazon Handheld mini fan and portable charger Nina Raemont/ZDNET If the ocean breeze isn't cutting it and you're needing some additional cool air on your face, this handheld mini fan is about to be your best friend. My friend who brought this to the beach last summer to cool herself off told me that she still carries the fan everywhere, thanks to its compact size and easy portability. Even better: Not only is this a fan, but it's also a flashlight and a power bank, so you can plug a charger into it to give your phone some extra juice at the end of the day. The mini fan has over 50,000 ratings on Amazon, and customers compliment its sweet design and functionality. It's great for any breeze-less and sweltering summer day, whether on the beach, at a packed outdoor concert venue, queueing up in lines at an amusement park, or braving the sweaty subway.  Show more View now at Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Nina Raemont/ZDNET If you don't have any more space for a book in that beach bag of yours, might I suggest a Kindle instead? I know that an e-reader is not the same as a paperback, but there are some instances when an e-reader, like the Kindle Paperwhite, simply works better than a physical book. The beach is one of those instances for a few reasons: the first is that the Kindle is waterproof and will survive splashes and sand, unlike a soggy paperback book. The second is its slim build and portability -- you don't have to choose between titles with a Kindle; bring them all to the beach instead and have space in your beach bag to spare. The Paperwhite offers an adjustable warm light and a glare-free display, so you can read e-books in direct sunlight without a problem. If you've got a laundry list of books to read this summer and are planning on knocking a few of those titles off while lounging on the beach, this Kindle could keep your reading goals on track.  Show more View now at Amazon Hanging on the beach all day is bound to drain your various devices' batteries. Bring a portable charger along, like this Anker PowerCore, to boost them back up. This PowerCore charger is lightweight, small enough to throw in a bag, and boasts a USB-A and USB-C port. ZDNET's Adrian Kingsley Hughes says he uses these constantly to power up his action cameras and devices on the go. While the chargers aren't disposable, Kingsley-Hughes says he likes that its affordable price makes it easy to replace if it gets lost. "If they get damaged, lost (or, as one did, fall off a cliff), I'm not out that much money," he writes.  Show more View now at Amazon Why should you trust me? While thinking about the best gadgets to bring to the beach, I kept in mind two essential things: usefulness and portability. I tried to choose tech gadgets that a regular person would actually use and reap the benefits of while they're passing the day by the water. If you're anything like me, and your closest beach is a 50-minute subway ride away, you know that that beach bag you're lugging around gets heavy, quickly. I tried to choose products that lighten the heavy load of your beach bag or relieve you from the hot weather. I test and report on tech products for a living, so I chose products that my colleagues and I can vouch for, many of which we have reviewed ourselves.  Show more Why does my phone's battery drain quickly in the sun? Hot temperatures can drain a phone's battery, fast. That's because heat speeds up chemical reactions in the battery. To keep my phone battery strong while I'm on the beach, I like to wrap it in a towel and hide it from direct sunlight. I also will only try to use it when necessary.  Show more What other beach essentials should I bring? There are the classic beach bag essentials, like a beach towel (I like to bring one towel for sitting on and one for drying myself off), sunscreen, sunglasses, a water bottle, and a cooler with drinks and snacks in it. I also love bringing earbuds with me, so as to not bother my friends while I listen to my favorite tunes on the water.  Show more Other beach-friendly tech 

Memorial Day weekend deals are here. Shop hefty laptop savings on Dell, Asus, Apple, and more while the discounts last.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.You've been hard at work all week, as have I—as Lifehacker's tech deals writer, I've been hunting down the best deals on TVs, speakers, laptops, and other tech all week. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's highlights, all of which I've vetted using my favorite price tracking tools.This week was the start of retailers launching their Memorial Day sales. You can find deals on Pixel phones, Sonos speakers, Sleep Number beds, OLED TVs, smart watches, and much more. Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker Roam 2 $134.00 at Amazon $179.00 Save $45.00 Get Deal Get Deal $134.00 at Amazon $179.00 Save $45.00 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds (Refurbished) Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (refurbished) $169.99 at Stack Social $249.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal Get Deal $169.99 at Stack Social $249.99 Save $80.00 Tozo OpenEarRing $29.99 at Amazon $59.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal Get Deal $29.99 at Amazon $59.99 Save $30.00 Google Pixel 9 128GB Unlocked 6.9" OLED Smartphone (Obsidian) $599.00 at Amazon $799.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $599.00 at Amazon $799.00 Save $200.00 Google Pixel Watch 2 $149.99 at Amazon $249.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $149.99 at Amazon $249.99 Save $100.00 BOGO with Free TV - KD-50X77L BRAVIA 8 II 55” Class QD-OLED 4K HDR Google TV (2025) $3,499.99 at Sony Get Deal Get Deal $3,499.99 at Sony i8 Sleep Number mattress $3,289.30 at Sleep Number $4,699.00 Save $1,409.70 Get Deal Get Deal $3,289.30 at Sleep Number $4,699.00 Save $1,409.70 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage Apple 2025 MacBook Air $899.00 at Amazon $999.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $899.00 at Amazon $999.00 Save $100.00 Craftsman VERSASTACK Mechanics Tool Set $99.00 at Amazon $199.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $99.00 at Amazon $199.00 Save $100.00 Peloton Bike $1,145.00 at Amazon $1,445.00 Save $300.00 Get Deal Get Deal $1,145.00 at Amazon $1,445.00 Save $300.00 SEE 7 MORE The Sonos Roam 2 is Sonos's least expensive speaker, and it's at its lowest price ever. It is a waterproof device on sale for $134 (originally $179) at Amazon, part of a small Sonos sale that also includes a discount on the larger Sonos Move 2 (also currently at its lowest price ever).The Powerbeats Pro 2 are Beats' latest headphones, and you won't find them at their current $169.99 (originally $249.99) price point for a while. These are refurbished from Stack Social, and you can read more about them in this review. They're great for the gym, but if you're not a gym rat, there are other Beats on sale as well.There are some great budget headphones and earbuds on sale during Amazon's Memorial Day sale, but the Tozo OpenEarRing stand out as budget open ear headphones currently going for just $29.99 (originally $59.99).If you're looking for a solid phone at a good price for Memorial Day, consider the Google Pixel 9, currently $599 (originally $799). It's the best standard Pixel model so far, and it's at its lowest price right now. For those who want the latest phones, the Galaxy S25 Edge preorder deals with a $50 Amazon gift card are still live.The Original Peloton is $1,145 (originally $1,445), the cheapest it has dropped to this year. And if you're looking for more fitness equipment deals for Memorial Day, check out these from Amazon.Speaking of fitness, smartwatches and fitness trackers are also on sale, including Garmin smartwatches. The highlight is the Google Pixel Watch 2, which dropped in price to $149.99 (originally $249.99) after the release of the Pixel Watch 3. One of my favorite deals this week has been the BOGO sale from Sony. You can buy the new Bravia 8 II OLED Google TV starting at $3,499 and get a free a X77L LED Google TV, valued at $589.99.Memorial Day also means getting deals on tools, and Amazon has them going up to 60% off right now. This Craftsman 230-piece mechanics tool set is on sale for $99, 50% off its regular price. It comes with ratchets, wrenches, a hand-held screwdriver, and several specialty bits.As usual with most Memorial Day deals, you can find mattresses on sale, but the i8 Smart Bed is not a regular mattress. You can read about my experience with this smart bed with adjustable firmness and a companion app that tracks your sleep. It is currently 30% off during the Memorial Day sale.It's crazy to think you can get Apple's latest MacBook Air with an M4 chip for $899 (originally $999). A couple of months ago, that money got you the M2, but now you can get the best MacBook for most people at the same price.

Shreya Mishra Reddy has one module to go to complete her program at Harvard Business School. Shreya Mishra Reddy. 2025-05-23T06:12:47Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Shreya Mishra Reddy is on the cusp of finishing Harvard Business School's Program for Leadership Development. But Trump's decision to block Harvard from enrolling foreign students has thrown her plans into disarray. She said she has not heard from the university on the matter. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Shreya Mishra Reddy, a 33-year-old Visa technical program manager completing Harvard Business School's Program for Leadership Development. It has been edited for length and clarity. BI has verified her enrollment in the program.I'm an international student at Harvard Business School's Program for Leadership Development, and I'm reeling from the news of the Trump administration blocking Harvard from enrolling foreign students.I moved to the US from India in 2021 to do my master's at Duke University, and then got my dream job at Visa in Austin.After I started working at Visa, I came across this program at Harvard, which is an alternative to their executive MBA. I applied to that program, and I absolutely did not think that I would get accepted, but I did. It was one of the best moments of my life.When I told my parents, they were so excited. I went from being a first-generation immigrant in the US to being accepted to one of the best schools in the world.The news of the enrollment ban left me numbI took out a loan to fund the $50,000 tuition fee, and now I'm on the verge of completing the course. I just have one module left, from May to July.I was at home in the middle of a meeting when I saw the news pop up on my phone that Harvard had been banned from accepting international students.I went numb for a minute because I knew my module was supposed to start in a few days, and I was supposed to travel to Boston in July. My tickets are all booked.When I read the news, the first thing I did was text my father back in India, saying that I don't know if I'm going to be able to graduate from Harvard. I don't know if I will be allowed back on campus or able to travel to Boston at all, and I'm really worried.I've emailed the university to ask what was happening and if they had an update for us, but I haven't heard back yet.I hope to hear back soon because the program starts in just a few days. The future looks uncertainI was excited to start classes again, meet all the professors back on campus, and see my batchmates again.Harvard's program was one of the best experiences I've had so far. The professors were extremely invested in our growth, and the candidates in my program held C-suite positions in Big Tech companies. The class discussions were excellent.With this news, I don't plan to enroll in another school for the executive program.Getting into Harvard was not just about a degree; it was about studying in one of my dream schools. It does not make sense for me to try to pursue the same kind of degree from any other school or country.I'm now on an optional practical training (OPT) visa that expires in January, and I've not had any luck getting picked for an H-1B visa. So, I'm planning to leave the country in January.But I don't know where I'll go or what I'll do. It's all up in the air now.

If you're in the Northeast, summer season is slowly coming in with the tides, and I'm not mad about it. Sunny weather is upon us, and soon enough I'll be sitting poolside, soaking it all in -- but not without my favorite tech. While the sweltering sun and heat-trapping tech don't typically mix well, a few gadgets are essential for unlocking the most peaceful R&R you can get poolside. Earbuds, e-readers, battery packs, speakers, waterproof tech, and more are great options for leveling up your time at the pool. Also: The best Memorial Day deals you can shop right nowI've tested plenty of mobile accessories at ZDNET, and I love functional products that elevate your daily activities. As someone who enjoys a pool day, there are a few accessories you won't catch me without -- like my Kindle Paperwhite or favorite pocket-sized phone charger. I'd recommend these items to anyone heading on a vacation or beach trip soon and anyone looking to upgrade their pool day from basic to better. Plus, with Memorial Day incoming, these gadgets are perfect for enjoying the long weekend by the water. Let's dive in. Kindle Paperwhite Kayla Solino/ZDNET If I am sitting by a pool -- or any body of water -- my Kindle Paperwhite is with me. One of my favorite reprieves is soaking up a good book in the sun. My Kindle is great for storing all my favorite reads -- past and present -- and is also the perfect size for travel. The 12-week-long battery life and waterproofing on my Paperwhite is perfect for poolside page turning without worry of damage or low power. Plus, the screen keeps story text crisp and easy to read with no glare, even with sunglasses on. It's truly the ultimate piece of tech for some R&R at the beach, pool, or in the bath, and it's helped limit my physical book purchasing to only titles I desire to have in my permanent collection (classics, special editions, heirlooms, etc). If you're looking for a slightly cheaper option, the base model Kindle is also a great buy, especially with its latest upgrades. As for the Paperwhite, ZDNET expert Maria Diaz went hands-on with the device and preferred it over her current e-reader daily driver. While it's not full color, it automatically adjusts front light to go easy on your eyes and help with reading in different light settings. On Reddit, users said most Kindles perform decently well in outdoor light settings, so you won't have many issues reading by the pool this summer. One Redditor even shared a picture of their Paperwhite in direct sunlight on the beach, and the lines of text couldn't be crisper.Author's Bonus: For the perfect summer reading setup, invest in Strapsicle Kindle straps for the best grip. They earned a ZDNET Editors' Choice award for their affordability and design.  Show more Anker Nano Power Bank Kayla Solino/ZDNET Even while I'm soaking up the sun or a good book during my pool days, my phone is still coming with me. Whether I'm going to the town pool, to a waterpark, or on vacation, I'm always prepared to power up my phone when needed. This tiny Anker charger is compact and portable, comes in several fun colors, and is great for topping off your phone when you're on the go. It's available in Lightning or USB-C connectors, and is often on sale for around $18. Its 5,000 mAh battery capacity is excellent for shorter outings, and I love this design so much that I always carry a Nano power bank in my everyday bag. ZDNET expert Sabrina Ortiz also loves this teeny power bank for powering up her phone when she needs it most. Amazon customers said that they like the Nano power bank's small form factor, lightweight design, and handy, wire-free charging. Other customers said they did not like that it only charges their phone for about one hour, but remember that most 5,000 mAh capacity power banks aren't designed to do so. If you need more power, consider a larger MagSafe battery or power bank.  Show more View now at Amazon JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth Speaker Kayla Solino/ZDNET No pool day is complete without your favorite music. Though I typically rely on my AirPods at public pools, I love to have a portable speaker on hand when I'm enjoying the pool at home. These are great for amplifying music, podcasts, and more. My favorite pick is JBL's Flip 5 Bluetooth speaker -- it's an oldie, but certainly a goodie. I've had this speaker for a few years, and it was the perfect investment before entering college. It's lightweight, IPX7 waterproof, and has 12 hours of playtime. It comes in many colors; since it's a bit older, it's around $80. If you're looking for a similar pick that's a tad newer, Sony's Ult Field 1 speaker is now under $90 on Amazon following the release of the Sony Ult Field 3. ZDNET expert Nina Raemont loves the Ult Field 1 for its portable size and clear sound. Redditors said that the JBL Flip 5 is a pretty decent speaker for the price and size. Some users said the midrange is better than the newer Fiip 6, while others said it's a "good little portable speaker." I fully agree here.  Show more Case Mate Waterproof Phone Pouch Kayla Solino/ZDNET When I'm at the pool, I'd rather spend most of my time off my mobile device. But it's 2025, and my phone goes everywhere I do, including on the pool float with me while I soak up some sun. Now, there's a practical reason for this, I promise. If I'm listening to music (on my JBL speaker), having my phone handy is critical to maintain the pool day vibes and change songs and playlists whenever I want, especially while my Apple Watch is off my wrist. But, alas, keeping my phone protected from water accidents is always a good idea. That's why I pop my iPhone 14 Pro into this Case Mate IP68 waterproof pouch, which keeps it secure from splashes, drips, and most importantly, potential underwater submerges up to 3.3 feet. This pouch is affordable, comes with a lanyard in several fun colors, and is great for extra security at the pool. Plus, it's perfect for water activities, vacations and cruises, the beach, and solo-traveling. The pouch still allows you to utilize your device, floats, and even aids in taking underwater photos. It's an excellent $20 buy for your tech repertoire or for your accident-prone, phone-addicted kid. Amazon customers said they liked the airtight, waterproof seal on the Case Mate pouch and protecting their phone while at the beach, pool, waterpark, and more. One customer even said they used this waterproof pouch to take underwater pictures during a shark cage dive.  Show more View now at Amazon Why should you trust me? I test tech for a living, whether the gadgets are mobile accessories, MagSafe gear, or power banks. I have strong opinions on what makes a tech product worth your money, because I know that budgets are tight and there's no greater disappointment than wasting a paycheck on a middling device. I do my research, checking competing websites for the newest products, reading Reddit threads and Amazon reviews, speaking with researchers and analysts about what makes a particular device good or bad, and, when in doubt, testing everything out for myself. For this story, each primary pick is a product I've purchased independently, outside of my affiliation with my role at ZDNET. These are products I spent my own money on and truly use in my everyday life, including while at the pool. If I included additional products of interest, I consulted and cited ZDNET's experts who have. I considered price, quality, and use cases for poolside gadgets, among other things, to curate this list. While there is plenty of different tech I could have recommended to you, these are the four things that me, myself, and I think you would enjoy with some fun in the sun.  Show more Are iPhones waterproof? Technically, no, iPhones are not "waterproof." To consumers, 'waterproof' is often used interchangeably with 'water resistant,' but the words are sisters, not twins. iPhones are primarily water resistant, which means they can withstand certain levels of exposure to water without damage. Newer model iPhones have a higher water resistance rating than older models. For example, the iPhone 16, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and iPhone 13 models are certified with an IP68 rating, which means they have passed testing at a maximum depth of six meters for up to 30 minutes. So they're not waterproof, but they'll likely survive an accidental splash here or there. However, your device should avoid contact with water as much as possible. Show more Can the sun overheat my tech devices? Simply put: yes. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause electronic devices, like iPhones, to overheat, which carries a risk of potential damage. Excess heat from the sun may cause unsafe internal temperatures, reduced performance and battery life, and more. To temporarily avoid sun exposure to your devices, leave them in a shaded area or place them under a blanket or towel. Plus, here's Apple's guide on what to do if your device gets too warm or too cold: https://support.apple.com/en-us/118431  Show more More pool-friendly tech we think you'd love

Malys is quite the surprise as a follow-up to Summerfall Studios' first game, Stray Gods: A Roleplaying Musical. Rather than craft another superb choice-driven visual novel with an emphasis on music and Greek myth, Summerfall's next game is a turn-based roguelite deckbuilder set in a demon-filled city. The tone looks to be far darker and there's a lot more to the gameplay this time around, but much like Summerfall Studios' first game, Malys looks like a visual delight and features characters I desperately want to get to know."There was an initial question, do we want to do this more as a visual novel, more like Stray Gods?" Summerfall creative director David Gaider told me during an exclusive gameplay preview of Malys. "Because Stray Gods did not have much in the way of gameplay, we wanted to try something that has more gameplay to prove that we're a studio that can do something that's fun and still narrative-driven but that has a very strong gameplay loop at its heart."Even the weaker demons can pack a punch.In Malys, you play as a former priest turned exorcist named Noah. He's striving to cross the entirety of a city to reach a major demon waiting for him on the other side, but lesser demons block his path. Each confrontation has a chance of wearing on Noah's will, and if it is fully depleted, he collapses, only to awaken back at the start of his journey with a time reset. These time loops allow Noah to better prepare for future runs and gain the trust of citizens, but he isn't the only one who remembers everything that transpires with every loop: A mysterious celestial, a powerful occultist, and a seemingly friendly masked demon are immune to the time rewinds, too.Continue Reading at GameSpot

"I'm Feeling Lucky" has been a core feature of Google Search since the company launched in 1998. Most of us, of course, choose the typical Search experience, scrolling through the various links until we find the URL we're looking for. But when you're feeling confident that your search query has a clear destination, I'm Feeling Lucky can direct you straight there. I admit, I haven't used the button much through all my years of googling. Truth be told, I hardly ever go to google.com—once browsers integrated Google Search with the address bar, I began searching directly from there. But whenever I do find myself on Google's homepage, it's nice to see I always have the option—if I am, indeed, feeling lucky.That might not be the case for much longer, however. As reported by The Verge, some Google users are missing the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button. In its place is something else entirely: AI Mode. View on Threads Google first introduced AI Mode back in March. Don't confuse this for AI Overviews, the AI-generated summary that appears at the top of some Google searches. Instead, AI Mode turns Google Search into a bit of a chatbot, allowing the user to ask multi-part questions in one go. The feature is meant to combine multiple searches into a single, complex query. For example, you could ask AI Mode something like, "when is the best time to book a flight to Hawaii, and what should I pack for the trip?" You then get breakdowns of each question in your query—"Best Time to Book Flights," "Tips for Booking Flights," "Packing Essentials for Hawaii," with links to sources you can check yourself. If you've ever used an AI chatbot like Gemini or ChatGPT for web search, it's remarkably similar—down to the warning that "AI responses may include mistakes." Credit: Lifehacker AI Mode is not rolling out in full yet (it seems to be available to Google Labs testers first) nor is it replacing I'm Feeling Lucky for all users who see it. On my personal Google Account, for example, I still see I'm Feeling Lucky. AI Mode just happens to be situated on the right-end of the search bar. But the fact that Google is experimenting with swapping the legacy button with yet another AI feature is disappointing. There is some irony in replacing an I'm Feeling Lucky button with AI Mode: If you're relying on AI to do your search, you probably are feeling lucky, as AI systems can either make mistakes or make up facts altogether—as Google's disastrous AI Overviews rollout proved. In fact, as AI models advance, they're "hallucinating" more than ever, and no one really knows why.Use AI to assist your web searches as you wish—just understand what you're getting yourself into.

I've been using Android since version 1.5, and I've not seen a UI change this refreshing since it all started.