
38 Things That'll Help Your Tech Alive And Kicking For Much Longer
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
It's a lovely day to fit a screen protector into your budget instead of buying a whole new Kindle.
1. A tempered glass phone screen protector that has saved my phone time and time again from my butter hands. It's so good (and you get three for under $10!) that I've been buying from this brand consistently since ~2017. Plus, it takes just a few minutes to stick onto your screen. If you buy anything from this story, buy this.
It comes with everything you need to install the screen, including cleaning wipes and dust-removing stickers. And when the protector catches your phone's fall and cracks (as seen above), it does a good job of staying put until you need to remove it. This is one of the first things I started buying consistently after joining the BuzzFeed Shopping team thanks to compelling Amazon reviews, and I swear by it now.
Promising review: "Today my daughter SLAMMED my truck door shut and it bounced back open. She looked down, and her phone was what stopped it from closing. She picked it up, and the bottom corner was shattered. We took the screen protector off, and her screen was perfectly fine. To say I'm SHOCKED that the phone was still in one piece would be an understatement. 1000% recommend!!!" — Debra J
Get a three-pack for the iPhone 15 Pro Max from Amazon for $7.98 (available in basically every other phone size eve r).
2. Or if you love a multitasker, an iPhone 14 Pro Max privacy phone screen protector that's privacy, but make it glitzy. It's so cute! But what's even cuter is your nosey cubicle neighbor not being able to see that you're swiping on Bumble during your coffee break.
Promising review:"It's been about five months since I purchased this screen protector, and I have to say, that it's held up well. The screen is beautiful when the screen is off. I've had a lot of compliments on the screen protector, and after five months and few light drops, it hasn't cracked or gotten scratched up (minus a few wear on the screen like light scratches). Well made and overall, a great screen protector. Installation is pretty easy with the kit it comes with, and I still have the second unused that I may end up switching if at some point the screen actually cracks." — Timothy Jay
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $18.99 (also available for the iPhone 14 Plus/13 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max).
3. A Phoozy thermal phone pouch could really come in handy this summer when you find yourself parked outside in the sun but need your phone nearby so you don't fall behind in the group text. This Shark Tank –featured product is made with NASA tech and is military-tested, but won't interfere with your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular service so your phone keeps phone-ing without overheating.
PHOOZY is a small biz specializing in thermal phone and electronic cases.
Promising review: "Bought this so I could have my phone around the pool and in the garden with me. It does well in Oklahoma high summer heat. Also took it on vacation to Las Vegas, and it did great on a day trip to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. SUPER hot those days, but this kept the phone cooled down when I wasn't taking pictures with it. Well worth the money to have a functional phone when I needed it!" — Heather Bell
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three colors and two sizes).
4. A cooling laptop stand with a built-in fan to keep your lil' laptop going as long as possible, even if sometimes it gets a little TOO noisy when elbow deep in a spreadsheet. Merely keeping your electronics from overheating can go quite the long way in making them last longer.
Promising review: "It looks small but is surprisingly heavy and therefore stable, even when using the swivel function. I love that the fan itself is removeable and has several positions. The fan is not loud at all. Keep in mind the fan is not rechargeable and does need to be plugged in viq USB-C the entire time it's being used. This stand is great for mobile use, especially when I want to use my walking pad under a table/desk — since I don't have a standing desk. There are lots of feet and grips for nonslip, which I deeply appreciate lol. Time will tell how it holds up, but I love it so far." — Mamma Bear
Get it from Amazon for $50.34.
5. A surge protector you can plug your laptops, PCs, TVs, and gaming systems into so you don't have to worry about harmful power surges that can lead to data loss and shortened electronic lifetime expectancies. (Psst, power strips and surge protectors are NOT the same thing!)
Amazon
FYI, there are whole-house surge protectors and plug-in ones. This is a plug-in one! (You need to call in a pro for a whole-house version.) Surge protectors have ratings in joules and, according to CNET, you want a joules range of 200–400 to 2,000+. No, you don't want to plug ALL your stuff into the same surge protector. So you need to research your electronics, their positioning in your home, and the appropriate joules range for each surge protector. So this suggestion is less of a "This is top-ranked on Amazon and looks good!" Add to Cart situation, but perhaps a medium dive. Read more in this in-depth surge protector explainer.
Get this Anker one with 2100 joules from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in two cord lengths and two colors).
6. A pack of AirPod cleaning putty because you don't need to wait around 'til Prime Day to pick up a pair on the cheap. Turns out your built-up earwax is what's compromising the sound. Clean 'em!
www.amazon.com
Airsquares is a small biz specializing in this product. And yes, you can use them on other ear buds, not just AirPods!
Promising review:"I never usually write reviews but this is an exception. I've had my AirPods for over a year and when the sound quality was diminishing, I was afraid they had a short life expectancy and I would need to get a new pair! Even after using cotton buds to clean the AirPods out, I thought that was enough until my friend said there's stuff built up and hard to see, but there was nothing able to get it out! Enter this product — it literally took five minutes to clean each ear bud effectively and instantly the sound quality was as good as new! Loud, clear, less trouble connecting to my phone, etc. I really suggest giving this product. You don't need a full square to clean them, so you can pull a piece off or reuse a square with a side you haven't used! SO happy I found a solution!" — Amazon Customer
Get 24 from Amazon for $16.99.
7. Goo Gone will zap all sorts of sticky messes on stuff you're trying to make outlive you, from post-sticker residue on electronics that's attracted every bit of dust in your home to a laptop that's covered in stickers you don't like.
When I moved into my rental apartment years ago it came with a fridge with some stuck-on magnets I couldn't scrape off with my finger (and thus, ruined a manicure). My mom rec'd this stuff and it got rid of the mess easy-peasy. Since then I've rec'd it to a friend to successfully remove stickers from garage door windows. Note that this is flammable and you need just a drop or two!
Promising review (for the laptop):"Updating my grandson's laptop that was covered in stickers. Peeled most of them off but was left with heavy sticky residue. After just a couple of applications of Goo Gone the laptop lid looked like new and smooth as glass." — RodH
Promising review (for the speakers):"I used this on my JBL LSR4236P Studio Monitors, and it worked very well. For some reason, JBL decided to put some kind of weird adhesive on the front of these monitors, which caught every piece of cat hair and dust that touched it over the years. Used this with some paper towels and a little elbow grease and the adhesive came off quickly. The Picture I added: (Left) After Goo Gone (RIGHT) Before Goo Gone." — Andrew
Promising review (for lots of other things): "I use it frequently to remove ultra-sticky labels from second-hand electronics and video games, and to remove other sticky gunk from them. Just a few drops go a long way, allowing me to restore these devices to their retro glory. Even new item price tags and labels can be hard to remove, sometimes leaving behind a messy residue, and without this stuff sometimes they get damaged trying to scrape the gunk off. With a drop or two of Goo Gone and letting it sit for a bit, this stuff always comes off extremely easily without marring the surface. One bottle lasts a long time." — Barefoot Birdie
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in different sizes).
8. A protective cable covering for keeping all sorts of critters from chewing on your cords, from cats to squirrels. They're going to have to go elsewhere for snacktime.
Promising review: "These wire protectors work amazingly! I got them to keep my cats from chewing on my wires, and they do the job perfectly. They are tough to cut, but that's actually a good thing, it means they're strong and hard to break into, just as they should be. If you need reliable protection for your cables, these are a great choice!" — Clayton
"The Alex Tech cord protector easily wraps around wires. I even had it continue over a hard 1/2-inch plastic cord protector. I used this to protect my trailer harness from the nut thieving tree rats, my loving wife calls squirrels. They chewed the last harness off." — CB in FL
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in a variety of sizes).
9. Or an expandable bundler that'll keep cords *neatly* contained behind your desktop, TV, stereo, gaming system...ya get my organized drift. This is a great option if you still want to protect and organize all your cords, but don't have to worry about any little chewers.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This was used to bundle up some 120-volt wires running the family room floor behind some chairs. We have a kitten in the chewing stage and needed to protect both the wires and the kitten. The installation was easy. The finished product looks neat." — Lion Mac
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes).
10. A sturdy Pikk-It tool with sharp metal teeth to un-ensnare tangled hair from your pricey vacuum cleaners. And perhaps even your beloved round brush dryer that you ALSO want to keep around as long as you can make it work. Simply cleaning your stuff on the reg can also go a long way in keeping it in tip-top shape! Yes it's effort, but it's well worth it.
Promising review: "Cleaned three items in less than five minutes. Vacuum brush head and two hair brushes that have three girls' long hair. I can't wait to get the whole vacuum and rug cleaner bristles cleaned. I had to write this review after testing it out. Design is strong, sturdy, and handles great. Highly recommended." — Rob
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
11. Or a hairbrush cleaning tool that, yes, goes to work on a manual brush. But it'll really keep your pricey Dyson AirWrap (or not-so-pricey Revlon dryer brush) brush attachments in tip-top shape so you can keep giving yourself at-home blowouts. This tool helps get out dirt, hair, and product buildup that makes the dryer less effective.
My colleague Jenae Sitzes is a big fan on her manul brush: "I finally tried out this tool with my Crave Naturals brush, which I used for (*checks Amazon order history*) TWO YEARS without every doing a deep clean of it. I mean, sure, I would regularly pull out the loose hair and whatever I could get to using my fingers, but there was always this gross layer at the bottom I couldn't reach, and I kind of just tried my best to pretend it wasn't there. LET ME TELL YOU: This tool is genius. With barely any effort, it pulled out that gross, years-old layer of *stuff* at the bottom of my brush (the photo above shows that layer already ~dislodged~ by the tool, right before I pulled it out), and now I don't have to feel disgusting every time I run it through my hair. It actually feels like it's doing a better job of *brushing* now too! Seriously, if you are a human with brushable hair on your head, you need this."
Promising review (for using with a dryer brush): "It seems weird to buy a brush to clean your brush, but if you are like me and have long hair, this is a must. My hairbrushes were looking gross with hair stuck in them, and for some reason, my daughter gets a lot of lint stuck in her hair, which also gets in the brush. This thing removed it all! I also use it to remove hair from the bristles of my Revlon barrel hair dryer." — Bmu741
Get it from Amazon for $11.95.
12. A USB-powered LED light strip you can stick on to help improve your TV-watching experience by bringing in a bit of ambient light to your personal theater. Try this out to see if it gives you your desired at-home entertainment upgrade before you start measuring wall space and contemplate moving around furniture for a different TV.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Easy to install. Lights provide ample lighting; USB allows lights to be a standalone fixture without tying up another wall socket. The USB interface also acts to turn the lights on and off with the TV. Backlighting also seems to make the screen seem sharper." — Shaun
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two sizes).
13. A tiny but mighty tube of White Lithium Grease will help lubricate and, therefore, quiet down noisy parts that are rubbing together in the worst way possible — whether it's on your car sunroof, bicycle, garage door.... So many possibilities. At $5 a pop, it's worth buying now and keeping in your junk drawer before you need it.
www.amazon.com
Reviewers have use it on their clippers, laptop fans, a garage door opener chain, snow blower parts, restoring old record players, suspension rod points in a washer, recliner parts, a car sunroof, and more. Just make sure that it's OK to use on whatever you're using.
Promising review: "I use this on our garage door that gets a lot of wear and tear (upper Midwest winters and three active kids). It keeps the rails lubricated so the door runs smoothly." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $4.59.
14. An attachable LED light for your vacuum because you've been eyeing the Dyson with the dust-finding light after your friend said she bought it but you KNOW you don't need to get a whole new vacuum. This is under $20 AND, according to the reviewer quoted below, just might not be a good thing because you'll see even more dirt and dust that needs cleaning!
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Was easy to attach. I had to bring it forward a little so it would get a little more light in front. The only complaint is that it shows every bit of dust and debris in front. Now, instead of taking a few minutes to vacuum, it takes a while longer, but when I am through, the floor is clean. I am satisfied." — Radford swindell
Get it from Amazon for $16.19+ (available in battery-powered or rechargeable models).
15. A pack of adhesive cord bundlers you can stick on the back of your kitchen appliances to keep power cords orderly instead of tripping up you and accidentally ripping them out of your prized KitchenAid mixer.
16. A waterproof pouch that I buy for every water-adjacent vacation I take (like Greece, Croatia, Panama, and even Iceland's Blue Lagoon) so I can freely use my phone and take pics without worrying about it dipping into a body of water.
It fits any phone up to 100 mm x 170 mm (or about 3.9 inches x 6.7 inches). It also keeps out sand, dirt, and rain.
With these, I find that they're good for about a day or two due to condensation and sunscreen rubbing on it. So, for a trip I'll buy two to three, except for this one where I just knew I'd be in the water at the Blue Lagoon. And while I'm on the subject, check out a TikTok I made using the phone case! On the day I went, we had to duck and run inside because of rain. And it was hailing on us when I was in the water, so I had to face a certain way to keep from getting pelted in the face. But, when in Rome! Then we went inside and ate lunch at the Lava Restaurant, and it was GORGEOUS and clear outside post-lunch. So, this case worked well taking pics in both bad and good conditions (as you can see from the two pics for comparison). I've used this case to take underwater pics, on boat rides, and have worn it with the lanyard jumping off a boat into water. So, I really trust these!
Promising review:"Vacation must-have. I was skeptical about purchasing a waterproof case, but I'm so glad I did because I was able to capture fun water excursions worry free!" — Lisa D
Get it from Amazon for $6.79 (available in 14 colors).
17. A keyboard cleaning gel to help get LOTS more mileage out of that wireless keyboard you bought for your WFH setup and has basically turned into a placemat for your work lunches. It'll help clean up dust, grime, and crumbs from in between the keys. You simply press it and watch it pick up allll kinds of mess.
Promising review:"Working from home like a lot of people I eat at my desk. Crumbs were getting everywhere. Plus my cat loved to lay on my keyboard if I was using my laptop. It does such a great job of getting fur and crumbs up. I used a little bit at first because some of the reviews were saying it was sticking. But I didn't have that problem at all. It only now it's sticking to my keyboard and hands more. But that makes sense it's just a glob if junk. So much better than an air can. A must-have for all office desks." — Ashley
Get it from Amazon for $5.99.
18. An electronics organizer with a place for just about every one of *your* and every member of your family's devices and corresponding cables so you don't get everything tangled up while searching for that ONE cord while you're on a trip. BUT reviewers also like it for at-home use.
Promising review:"I've had this cord/charger organizer for three years. Been on several vacations, and it's going on another cruise (#3) next month. Not paying attention to anything negative, since I have nothing bad to say." — VB54
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in four colors and two sizes).
19. A charging station rack so the fam's electronics can be neatly filed away (the cords get tucked into the base!) while they gas up for the next marathon of YouTube videos. This'll keep everything where you can see it AND the cords safe from trips.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Wow, I wish I had purchased this long ago. We have five or six devices floating around/charging at any given time in our house. This is a great way to keep the charging area organized." — David
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in two finishes).
20. A genius humidifier tank cleaner can help look after that lil' machine that's saving your skin and sinuses. This cartridge "swims" around the water tank, helping inhibit the growth of buildup for up to 30 days. You DO need to clean the tank!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Just drop this in your humidifier and it keeps the water pretty darn mildew and mold free. Super easy to use, no smell, and safe. I have already repurchased and given a few to other people as well." — Kristine
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
21. A universal phone lanyard wristlet that'll serve as a little accessory but also keep your phone where it belongs, by your hand and not smashed on the ground. It's also great to prevent theft!
PlusDesignCrafts is a small biz specializing in phone accessories.
Promising review: "Wonderful item! Definitely works when I don't have pockets to put my phone in! Super cute colors and the quality is great!" — Morgan Fowler
Get it from PlusDesignCrafts on Etsy for $8 (available in seven colors).
22. Or an adjustable guitar strap–like crossbody that'll keep your phone RIGHT where you want it. And it even has a clip-on for a zippered pouch in case you really wanna go hands-free and skip the purse. All the better to keep your phone NOT on the ground.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "I lose everything, I lose all my cards, especially my ID, definitely my phone, for sure my keys, and obviously my vape. Plus, I never have cash on me. Every problem listed solved for less than $10, and when I'm going on vacation, it will be much easier to keep my stuff secure as opposed to falling out of my pocket or being snatched, win-win." — Jennifer W.
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in eight styles).
23. And a universal phone connector patch can let you easily mix and match a wristlet, crossbody lanyard, or maybe even a bracelet you love with your phone.
Cara Freeday / Etsy
Cara Freeday is a Toronto-based small biz.
Get it from Cara Freeday on Etsy for $3.76 (available in eight colors and with or without an initial).
24. Some moldable glue will help you extend the life of ALL kinds of chargers by wrapping it around vulnerable parts. This magical stuff *permanently* sticks to surfaces like glass, ceramic, wood, metal, and non-oily plastics. Several reviewers have also used it to repair expensive key fobs.
Promising review:"I was skeptical, but this stuff has already saved me $60. My Macbook charger was fraying by the magsafe connector and I was looking at having to spend $80 on a new one. I saw this stuff online and decided to give it a try. Took one of them out of the package and it was soft and malleable, like putty. I molded and shaped it around the break in the cord, and below the break and over the magsafe connector. After 24 hours, it was hard rubber that was stuck to the cord and magsafe connector like glue. I can see this lasting a long time. It'll probably still be going strong long after I decide to retire this Macbook and move on to another. Incredible stuff!" — Scott K
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $14.84 (available in several color combos).
25. A Strapcicle for your Kindle that'll keep the corners from getting dinged up and keeps the screen from touching any rough surfaces when you put it face down. But perhaps most importantly, it helps you hold your Kindle in a hand-friendly way instead of falling on your nose when you start to doze off after it just gets good. Just one more chapter!
www.amazon.com
One reviewer with carpal tunnel says this made it much easier to read at night.
Promising review: "I will probably never go back to a Pop Socket. These are so comfortable. I do miss being able to see more of my stickers, but it's still cute, and these are more practical. They are not bulky and add protection to the corners and even prevent the screen from touching any surface you lay it on. The matching clutch adds even more protection. They fit perfectly with the Strapcicle clear case." — Clint
Get it from Amazon for $15.68 (available in 11 colors and three sizes).
26. A *matte* Kindle screen protector if you can only do an e-reader without the glare. Reviewers say this does the trick!
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I'm so glad I found these! The matte aspect of it was why I wanted them, and it looks basically the same as the matte on my Kindle ColorSoft!" — Monica P
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $5.94 (available in a variety of screen protector types).
27. A zippered, padded laptop sleeve (or tablet sleeve!) because throwing your laptop just into your tote hasn't been the best choice you've made recently.
Vandel is a small biz specializing in laptop and tablet cases.
Promising review: "I got this so I could protect my laptop (Lenovo Ideapad 5) while we traveled. It protected it in my carry-on for several flights and is super cute. Will be taking this to college as well to protect it as I go from class to class." — TJM
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in 10 colors/patterns).
28. A Steam Deck screen protector you might forget you installed (because there's no glare) until you let it slip out of your hands when your cat sneaks up on you close to dinner time.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "This was easy to install, and protects very well. I installed this on my OLED model and my wife's LED model. I like that it provides glare resistance so I don't lose that from the etched glass on the OLED, and also get protection from scratches or cracks." — Mitchell
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $9.99.
29. Plus, a Steam Deck protective case with a detachable front that reviewers say will take up less room in your backpack than a standard carrying case. And, there's a cooling option available.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "The case works to perfectly protect your device with cutouts in all the perfect spots to plug items in. Saves me so much backpack space compared to storing the Steam Deck in the standard carrying case." — Gogoferrari
"I'm mad I didn't look sooner. The wrap-around case itself adds a lot of security in the grip of the Steam Deck without being super intrusive. The texture on the grips is great. Overall, the case doesn't inhibit anything about the deck. The ports and vents are unobstructed. The power and volume buttons are covered but maintain their tactile feedback. The kickstand feels strong enough. Time will tell. The cover fits snugly. It requires some force to take off, but then you can rest assured it won't come off in a bag. There is padding against the screen as well." — Rob
Get it from Amazon for $28.49+ (available in four types, including a cooling one).
30. Electronic screen–cleaning wipes that'll be a total game-changer if using window and glass cleaner and paper towels has yielded less-than-desirable results. The cleaner the screens are, the longer you can live 'til your partner starts talking about buying a new TV....
www.amazon.com
EVEO is a small biz specializing in screen cleaners.
Promising review: "I wish I had come across this product a long time ago. I used to clean my electronics and screens with standard cleaners/wipes/Windex. This was a game changer and actually protects your electronics, along with cleaning them. The only downside is that they can be a little wet and take a while to dry. I use a microfiber cloth to clean up the excess. I will definitely be buying this product again when I use up what I have left." — Chris R
Get 80 wipes from Amazon for $14.97.
32. Replacement joystick covers that'll work on your Switch or Switch Lite and are ready to take all kinds of punishment without budging.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Best replacements I could hope for. I think they're more comfortable than the originals because they don't have the little notches in them, these are much smoother. They do not rotate or twist, it's truly a snug fit." — Rebecca
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (available in black or white).
And if you're looking for other replacement parts, the brand Skull & Co has LOTS of options.
33. An Oxo (so you know it's good) laptop cleaner with a brush and microfiber pad because not every mess needs compressed air or cleaning spray. And it'll fit in your pocket so it's easy to throw in your work bag.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This little guy surprised me. The one end did a great job cleaning my screen. It is a touch screen, so it is in constant need of cleaning. The brush end for the keyboard is very soft-bristled. So it is really good at getting debris from the flat surface, but it doesn't really reach under the keys if there is anything under there. I like it, though." — Ria
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
34. A colorful HP laptop keyboard cover to put a physical barrier in between the coffee you sip on throughout your morning and your laptop. Just in case!
www.amazon.com
There's a plethora of keyboard covers on Amazon. Just double-check that you're ordering one that'll fit your laptop model! Also check out a "ghost" keyboard cover.
Promising review: "I initially chose this for the aesthetic of the black and silver look, but it ended up being more than just a stylish accessory. It actually saved my laptop when I accidentally spilled something on it, providing great protection." — Tierra Smith
Get it from Amazon for $6.48+ (available in 15 styles).
35. A wooden cord organizer that'll blend in with the rest of your living room furniture while keeping your stash of charging cords handy and away from the cats. I mean, it doesn't have to be pretty inside. But it sure beats buying replacement cords for the stuff you already have.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
LuxeDesigns is a small business that makes sustainable wood decor items for the home.
Promising review: "This is a very nice box for cable management. I put it on the back of my couch for all of the various things we have plugged in, and it hides all the cords nicely. The quality is great. Keeps the cords organized well, and it's not too heavy. It has little magnets on the lid to keep it closed, but the magnets are not so strong that you can't easily open the lid with one hand." — Alyssa Fyffe
Get it from Amazon for $44.97+ (available in five finishes).
36. A set of heavy-duty cord wraps to get your extension cords up and off the floor, where they can stay clean and in fighting shape for the next time you use them. They're also a great way to turn a blank garage way into a useful, organized space.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "I was sick of my cords and compressor hose hanging off of and on top of my table saw. I saw these on Amazon and have (or had) some available wall space in my workshop. What a great solution!" — LrngToFly
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $16.99 (available in other sizes and quantities).
37. A gaming controller stand will keep your precious controllers tidy and ready for use. Each tier is adjustable and swivels so you can put a variety of controllers, headphones, and handheld consoles on there.
Sally Elshorafa / BuzzFeed
My colleague Sally Elshorafa has and loves this: "This small but mighty stand has made my life so much easier, and I'm not being dramatic. I have two little kids, including one especially grabby toddler, and we run everything through a PlayStation: TV, movies, streaming, gaming — you name it. So the controllers are in constant use and used to be constantly missing. My kids loved to grab them, press every button, or stash them in mystery locations. It was chaos. Sometimes we'd hide them ourselves to keep them out of reach, then forget where we put them. This stand solved all of it. Now the controllers have a dedicated home, the kids can't reach them, and bonus: it actually looks really good. I'm a huge fan."
Get it from Amazon for $21.91+ (available in white or black).
38. A 4-in-1 vinyl record cleaner kit to keep your collection in the best shape possible so you won't doubt whether it's time to start pricing out another record player. Is it the stylus or the record? That's never a fun guessing game!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Each kit includes an ultra-soft velvet record brush, bottle of cleaning liquid, stylus brush, and a storage pouch
Promising review: "I've cleaned a dozen or so records with this and love it! The wood handle brush works great. It takes just two sprays of the spray to clean an entire side, and it cleans well. I recommend this for anyone that wants to preserve their collection and protect their stylus." — BobbyD87
Get it from Amazon for $22.95.
Also check out some outer sleeves for your records to keep the outer record sleeves pristine, too!
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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The ‘Terrifying' Impact of Trump-Musk Breakup on National Security and Space Programs
This week's rapid, unscheduled disassembly of Elon Musk's bromance with Donald Trump has left officials at America's space and security agencies reeling. One NASA official, wary of the agency's dependence on SpaceX as the space exploration industry's leading recipient of government contracts, said the bitter public feud between the president and the former DOGE chief had at first been 'entertaining' but that later, 'it turned really terrifying,' per the Washington Post. Musk and Trump's falling out was received with similar horror at the Pentagon, the Post's report continued where officials initially thought it was 'funny' watching the pair trade barbs on their respective social media sites before 'there was a realization that we're not watching TV. This is a real issue.' Both NASA and the Department of Defence have reportedlt embarked on a blitz of calls in recent days to SpaceX competitors, urging firms like Sierra Space, Rocket Lab, Stoke Space and Blue Origin, owned by Amazon's billionaire founder Jeff Bezos, to accelerate development of their rocket systems after Trump threatened to cancel Musk's contracts on Thursday night. Contracts held by SpaceX with the U.S. government, worth many billions of dollars, cover a wide variety of services, from launching satellites for the Pentagon and intelligence agencies to flying cargo and people to and from the International Space Station. Officials at NASA were apparently particularly concerned by Musk's threats, which he's since walked back, to discontinue SpaceX's use of its Dragon craft, which would potentially have left the agency without means of transporting astronauts to the orbiting research station. 'When you realize that he's willing to shut everything down just on an impulse, that kind of behavior and the dependence on him is dangerous,' as one member of the agency told the Post. 'I can tell you there is deep concern within NASA.'
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3 hours ago
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Trump-Musk row fuels 'biggest crisis ever' at Nasa
The row between Donald Trump and Elon Musk over a major spending bill has exacerbated uncertainty over the future of Nasa's budget, which is facing deep cuts. The space agency has published its budget request to Congress, which would see funding for science projects cut by nearly a half. Forty science missions, which are in development or in space already, are in line to be stood down. The president has threatened to withdraw federal contracts with Musk's company, Space X. Nasa relies on the firm's Falcon 9 rocket fleet to resupply the International Space Station with crew and supplies. The space agency also expects to use its Starship rocket to send astronauts to the Moon and eventually to Mars once it has been developed. Dr Simeon Barber, a space scientist at the Open University said that the uncertainty was having a "chilling impact" on the human space programme. "The astonishing exchanges, snap decisions and U turns we've witnessed in the last week undermine the very foundations that we build our ambitions on. "Space science and exploration relies upon long term planning and cooperation between government, companies and academic institutions." Aside from the feud between the President and Mr Musk, there is also concern about deep cuts requested by the White House to Nasa's budget. All sectors have been earmarked for savings, apart from an effort to send astronauts to Mars, which has received a $100m (£736,000) boost. According to Casey Dreier, chief of space policy for the Pasadena-based Planetary Society, which promotes space exploration, the potential cuts represent "the biggest crisis ever to face the US space programme". Nasa has said that its request to reduce its overall budget by nearly a quarter "aligns (its) science and technology portfolios to missions essential for the exploration of the Moon and Mars". Dr Adam Baker, a space analyst at Cranfield University told BBC News that if these proposals are approved by Congress, it would fundamentally shift the agency's focus. "President Trump is repurposing Nasa for two things: to land astronauts on the Moon before the Chinese and to have astronauts plant a US flag on Mars. Everything else is secondary." Those who back the proposals say the White House's budget has given Nasa a clear purpose, for the first time since the days of the Apollo Moon landings of the 1960s and 70s, when the aim was to beat the Soviet Union to the Moon. Nasa's critics say that since then the space agency has become a bloated, unfocussed bureaucracy which routinely goes massively over budget in its space missions and wastes taxpayer's money. One of the most egregious examples of this is Nasa's new rocket for its plans to return American astronauts to the Moon, the Space Launch System (SLS). Its development has been delayed, and costs have spiralled such that it costs $4.1bn (£3.3bn) for each and every launch. By contrast, SpaceX's equivalent rocket system, Starship, is estimated to cost around $100m (£80m) per launch because it is designed to be reusable. Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin space company promises similar savings for its proposed New Glenn rocket. To no one's surprise, SLS will be phased out under the White House proposals, in the hope that Starship and New Glenn can take its place. But the past three development launches of Starship have been unsuccessful, and Blue Origin has only recently begun to test its Moon rocket. "The worry is that Nasa may be jumping out of the frying pan, into the fire," says Dr Barber. "The development of these alternatives to SLS is being bankrolled by Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. "If they lose their appetite for this endeavor and SpaceX or Blue Origin say they need more money to develop their systems, Congress will have to give it to them," says Dr Barber. Nasa needs saving from itself – but is this billionaire right for that job? Of greater concern, says Dr Barber, is the potential loss of 40 missions to explore other planets and to monitor the impact of climate change on Earth from space, many of which involve collaborations with international partners. "I think it is very sad that what has taken so long to build can be knocked down with a wrecking ball so quickly with no plan to rebuild it afterwards." The projects facing the axe include dozens of planetary missions already in space for which most of the development and launch costs have already been paid for, with relatively small savings proposed on their operating costs. Also under threat are two collaborations with the European Space Agency: An ambitious plan to bring martian rocks collected by Nasa's Perseverance Rover back to Earth and a mission to send Europe's Rosalind Franklin Rover to the red planet to search for signs of past life. Prof Sir Martin Sweeting, head of the UK space firm Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, and co-author of a Royal Society report on the future of space says that while the development was "unwelcome", there may be an upside for Europe as it takes greater responsibility for its own space exploration programme. "Maybe we have been too reliant on Nasa the big player to carry a lot of the emphasis in space," he told BBC News. "It is an opportunity to think about how Europe wants to get a better balance in its space activities." But there is much more downside for Europe in the short term. As well as the return of Mars samples and its Rover, ESA risks reduced access to the International Space Station if it is wound down, and the budget cuts cancel Nasa's extensive contributions to its successor, the Lunar Gateway, a multinational space station planned for orbit around the Moon. In its recently published strategy ESA stated it "will be seeking to build a more autonomous space capability, and to continue being a reliable, strong and desirable partner with space agencies from around the globe," with the implication that it would do so with or without Nasa. Also facing cuts are numerous current and proposed Earth Observation programmes according to Dr Baker. "These Earth observation programmes are our canary in the coal mine," he told BBC News. "Our ability to predict the impact of climate change and mitigate against it could be drastically reduced. If we turn off this early warning system it is a frightening prospect". The budget proposals have yet to be approved by Congress. The planetary Society's Casey Dreier has told BBC News that many Republicans have told lobbyists privately that they are prepared to vote against the cuts. But, Mr Dreier worries that there is a strong possibility that political gridlock might mean that no budget will be agreed. It is likely that the reduced White House budget would be put in place as an interim measure, which could then not easily be reversed, because once space missions are turned off it is hard, if not impossible, to start them up again.
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7 hours ago
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Trump drops Nasa nominee Jared Isaacman, scrapping Elon Musk's pick
The White House has withdrawn as its nominee for Nasa administrator, abruptly yanking a close ally of Elon Musk from consideration to lead the space agency. Donald Trump said he would announce a new candidate soon. 'After a thorough review of prior associations, I am hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to head Nasa,' the US president posted online. 'I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be mission aligned, and put America first in space.' Related: Drugs, marital advice and that black eye: key takeaways from Trump's Oval Office send-off for Elon Musk Isaacman, a billionaire private astronaut who had been Musk's pick to lead Nasa, was due next week for a much-delayed confirmation vote before the US Senate. His removal from consideration caught many in the space industry by surprise. Trump and the White House did not explain what led to the decision. Isaacman, whose removal was earlier reported by Semafor, said he was 'incredibly grateful' to Trump 'and all those who supported me throughout this journey'. 'I have gained a much deeper appreciation for the complexities of government and the weight our political leaders carry,' he posted. 'It may not always be obvious through the discourse and turbulence, but there are many competent, dedicated people who love this country and care deeply about the mission.' Isaacman's removal comes just days after Musk's official departure from the White House, where the SpaceX CEO's role as a 'special government employee' leading the so-called department of government efficiency (Doge) created turbulence for the administration and frustrated some of Trump's aides. Musk, according to a person familiar with his reaction, was disappointed by Isaacman's removal. 'It is rare to find someone so competent and good-hearted,' Musk wrote of Isaacman on X, responding to the news of the White House's decision. Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It was unclear whom the administration might tap to replace Isaacman. One name being floated is the retired US air force Lt Gen Steven Kwast, an early advocate for the creation of the US space force and a Trump supporter, according to three people familiar with the discussions. Isaacman, the former CEO of the payment processor company Shift4, had broad space industry support but drew concerns from lawmakers over his ties to Musk and SpaceX, where he spent hundreds of millions of dollars as an early private spaceflight customer. The former nominee had donated to Democrats in prior elections. In his confirmation hearing in April, he sought to balance Nasa's existing moon-aligned space exploration strategy with pressure to shift the agency's focus on Mars, saying the US can plan for travel to both destinations. As a potential leader of Nasa's 18,000 employees, Isaacman faced a daunting task of implementing that decision to prioritize Mars, given that Nasa has spent years and billions of dollars trying to return its astronauts to the moon. On Friday, the space agency released new details of the Trump administration's 2026 budget plan that proposed killing dozens of space science programs and laying off thousands of employees, a controversial overhaul that space advocates and lawmakers described as devastating for the agency. The Montana Republican Tim Sheehy, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation committee, posted that Isaacman had been 'a strong choice by President Trump to lead Nasa'. Related: Universe's mysteries may never be solved because of Trump's Nasa cuts, experts say 'I was proud to introduce Jared at his hearing and strongly oppose efforts to derail his nomination,' Sheehy said. Some scientists saw the nominee change as further destabilizing to Nasa as it faces dramatic budget cuts without a confirmed leader in place to navigate political turbulence between Congress, the White House and the space agency's workforce. 'So not having [Isaacman] as boss of Nasa is bad news for the agency,' Harvard-Smithsonian astronomer Jonathan McDowell posted. 'Maybe a good thing for Jared himself though, since being Nasa head right now is a bit of a Kobayashi Maru scenario,' McDowell added, referring to an exercise in the science fiction franchise Star Trek where cadets are placed in a no-win scenario. With Reuters