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The MagPod Is a Basic Smartphone Tripod I Can't Live Without
The MagPod Is a Basic Smartphone Tripod I Can't Live Without

WIRED

time4 days ago

  • General
  • WIRED

The MagPod Is a Basic Smartphone Tripod I Can't Live Without

It's simple and sturdy to use, and keeps my phone elevated from all the clutter. All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. There's nothing special about STM Goods' MagPod phone stand. It's quite boring, especially compared to all the other MagSafe accessories I routinely test. It doesn't have unique features or charging capabilities—it just props your phone up. But I've grown more attached to it than any other phone tripod I've tried. Photograph: Brenda Stolyar I regularly carry it throughout my apartment, using it from my desk to the living room and kitchen. I rarely travel without it either—I throw it in my bag to use when working outside my house, like a coffee shop or the office. It's the perfect mobile accessory for keeping my phone elevated and within view, and in a world where so many accessories try to do too much , this one stays nice and simple. Simple and Compact I test a lot of iPhone accessories, and right before I switched to the MagPod, I had just wrapped testing of a few MagSafe grips that doubled as kickstands. At my desk, I was switching between the Belkin Auto-Tracking Stand Pro with DockKit and the OhSnap! Snap Stand. All of these are great, multi-functional iPhone stands, but I happily replaced them with the MagPod. It's just a mini tripod you magnetically attach your phone to wherever and whenever. There's no special setup. Simply unbox it, open the tripod, place it on your desk, and attach your phone. It doesn't require cables or adhesives (the OhSnap! Snap Stand has an adhesive bottom that keeps it steady but hard to move from surface to surface). On top of the tripod is a magnetic disc attached to a socket, meaning you can affix your phone in portrait or landscape mode. I've been using it with the iPhone 16 Pro, but it's compatible with any iPhone that supports MagSafe. It has a super strong hold. I never have to be too careful that I'll accidentally knock it over while moving stuff around my desk or when I pick it up to carry it to another room. You can twist the socket to adjust the angle and height. Mind you, the height is technically fixed; it just moves slightly up and down, but you have more versatility with the angle. When standing at my kitchen counter, I switch it to the tallest setting and angle the disc upward so that it's lying flat. That way, I can scroll through my phone while it's on the counter. Photograph: Brenda Stolyar The retractable legs are sturdy. With rubber grips on the bottom, they don't slide across surfaces as you tap or scroll on the display, staying put even when I'm typing texts or emails. You can fold all three legs together and use them as a grip to take selfies or shoot video, and this also makes the whole thing more travel-friendly. Space Saving Between my laptop, external monitor, keyboard, mouse, notebooks, iPad, and coffee mug, I always struggle to find a comfortable spot for my phone. But the compact MagPod stand makes it easy to separate it from all the clutter and keep it at an ideal viewing angle. The same goes for my nightstands, which are also fairly small and constantly occupied by my Kindle, physical books, water bottle, and trinkets. The MagPod makes it easy to check my notifications while reading or watching TV before bed, and it also keeps me from constantly picking up my phone. In between, I'll place it on the counter near the stove while cooking dinner, on my coffee table while sitting on the couch, and in the bathroom while doing my makeup. I use it to stream YouTube videos, but it's great for FaceTime calls, too. I used to rely on the Belkin Stand for this, but I prefer the MagPod's slim base when moving it from room to room. It's affordable and a no-brainer—everyone should have a little MagPod stowed away in their home, yes, even people with Android phones; just make sure you have a MagSafe case. I might go ahead and buy a second one to keep in my bag or in a separate room, so I don't have to constantly grab this one. Yes, I'm officially that emotionally attached to this stand.

The Best Mac Accessories to Amplify Your Workstation
The Best Mac Accessories to Amplify Your Workstation

WIRED

time09-05-2025

  • WIRED

The Best Mac Accessories to Amplify Your Workstation

Photograph: Amazon The list above has been carefully curated to include our favorites. But we test so many gadgets! Here are more accessories worth exploring. Anker MagGo Magnetic Charging Station (8-in-1) for $70: This little orb has three AC outlets, two USB-A ports, and two USB-C ports on the back, while the front is home to a Qi2 wireless charging pad to recharge your phone. It's ideal if you have a lot of gadgets at your workstation that constantly need to be plugged in. The USB-A ports output 12 watts, and the USB-C ports can output 67 watts. Satechi M1 Wireless Mouse for $30: This is one of my favorite mice. I've been using it with the MacBook Air (M4), the Mac Mini (M4), and iPad Air (M3). Although I keep it at my desk most of the time, I also throw it in my bag to travel with because it's so lightweight. The ergonomic design is comfortable against my palm, even after a long workday. The buttons are also responsive, and the scroll wheel is nice and smooth. I also love that the Type-C port is on the front of the mouse, which means you can continue to use it while it's plugged in. Photograph: Brenda Stolyar Zotech Aurora Wrist Rest for $36: I know that not everyone will be into a wrist rest that looks like a cloud, but I am. And so is my colleague, Nena Farrell, who reviewed the Logitech Aurora Collection (7/10, WIRED Review) last year. Looks aside, it's super comfortable, but it does have height to it. So I only recommend using it with a mechanical keyboard or another taller keyboard for the best experience. Nuphy Halo75 V2 for $150: Even if you have the iMac, which comes with Apple's Magic Keyboard, you can always upgrade to a third-party option, like a mechanical keyboard. If I had the means, I'd buy the Nuphy Halo75 V2 in every color. You can choose from various switches (you can listen to the typing sounds of each one here). I went with Raspberry, which has a creamy sound but offers enough tactile feedback that's comfortable for typing all day. You can connect the keyboard via Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, or USB-C. I have it in the cute pink (Sakura Fizz), but it's also available in Mojito, Iconic White, Obsidian Black, and Blue Lagoon. Logitech MX Mechanical Mini for Mac for $104: This is the Mac version of Logitech's MX keyboard. It has a Do Not Disturb key along with the ability to program the function row key with Apple's own apps like Keynote, Photos, Safari, Final Cut Pro, and more. It only comes with tactile quiet switches, which are ideal if you work around other people. They're still satisfying to type on, and it's lightweight and slim enough to travel with, too. The Das Keyboard MacTigr for $179: The MacTigr (9/10, WIRED Recommends) has a dedicated Mac layout, a high-quality all-metal build, a two-port USB-C hub, and Cherry MX red switches (that aren't too loud). Photograph: Amazon Satechi Dual-Sided Eco-Leather Deskmate for $28: Satechi's desk mat is made of polyurethane leather that looks pretty and allows for your mouse to glide smoothly over the top. It's dual-sided, too, so you can flip between colors if you want to change it up. Ugreen Revodok Pro 211 Docking Station for $65: This is a mix between a dock and a hub. It comes with three USB ports (one USB-C and two USB-A) that hit up to 900 MB/s of data transfer speeds in testing. It's great if you have a multi-monitor setup at your desk, with the ability to also connect it to a keyboard, mouse, and headphones.

I Thought Phone Lanyards Were Ugly—Until I Tried Bandolier's Bodie
I Thought Phone Lanyards Were Ugly—Until I Tried Bandolier's Bodie

WIRED

time02-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • WIRED

I Thought Phone Lanyards Were Ugly—Until I Tried Bandolier's Bodie

It's chic, understated, and an excellent alternative to an everyday handbag. No wonder it's Taylor Swift–approved. Photograph: Brenda Stolyar All products featured on Wired are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. PHONE lanyards are ugly. Something about a phone attached to a string hanging from your hip makes me recoil. If your phone isn't in your hands, it belongs in your pocket or purse—I don't make the rules. But I also hate carrying a bag or purse everywhere, and adjusting the shoulder strap when it inevitably slides off. I'm the friend who will ask you to store my lip gloss and keys in your bag, and if alone, I'll shove everything in my jacket pockets—phone, wallet, keys, and AirPods. What if there were a smarter amalgamation of the two? A crossbody strap for your phone that was more useful than just toting your smartphone, with storage for the other essentials? Enter the Bandolier Bodie Crossbody. Now my pockets can be empty without weighing me down, and I don't need an annoyingly large purse or backpack. The Bodie is a case and a crossbody strap combo, but the case has an integrated cardholder on the back. More importantly, there's a mini pouch attached to the strap that can hold your keys, earbuds, and chapstick. It looks a million times better than the vast majority of crossbody straps I've come across, and it helps that the design is Taylor Swift–approved. Sleek and Chic The Bodie is only compatible with recent iPhone models: the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the entire iPhone 16 lineup (excluding the iPhone 16e). It's available in black with either gold or silver accents, or in Pastel Matcha with silver accents. The company is facing some stock issues but promises that the Bodie will be more consistently available by the end of May or early June. I went with the black/gold for my iPhone 16 Pro because it seemed easier to match with my outfits. The back of the case is made of vegan leather, while the sides are silicone. With raised edges around the display and camera, it's a solid level of protection. The buttons are nice and clicky, and it has accurate cutouts for the ports and the Camera Control button (on iPhone 16 models). Despite the built-in wallet on the back, it's fairly slim. Photograph: Brenda Stolyar I love that the wallet fits up to five cards. I test a lot of MagSafe wallets, which typically only fit up to three cards. This feels like a lot. I can carry my debit card, credit card, driver's license, and cash without it feeling like a tight squeeze. The snap enclosure ensures that everything remains inside safely. It's easy to open and close, and you can pull your cards out without struggling at the register. The case's bottom has two hooks that attach to the clasps on the crossbody strap. Undo the hooks when you want to use your phone like normal. The downside? The integrated wallet obstructs the MagSafe magnets and disables the iPhone's wireless charging capabilities and compatibility with MagSafe accessories—you'd have to take the case off if you want those features back. I tend to remove the case when I get home and pop it back on when heading out. Photograph: Brenda Stolyar The wallet should've been removable, but Bandolier does sell a MagSafe-compatible Mila crossbody. It has a built-in bifold wallet that folds out, allowing you to pop a wireless charger on the back of the iPhone or a MagSafe accessory. But the Mila's wallet doesn't accommodate as many cards, and it doesn't have the crucial Essentials Pouch. This mini zip pouch sits in the middle of the strap on the Bodie, making your items easily accessible. You can move it further up or down, or clip it to the top. It's removable, too. I'll sometimes take it off the strap and throw it in my tote instead of transferring all the items inside between bags. It's small, so you can't fit much inside, but it's been handy for carrying my car keys, chapstick, and AirPods. Unlike the thin lanyards on most crossbody phone cases, the Bodie's strap feels equivalent to one on a nice handbag. Made of nylon, it's thick and durable, delivering a secure hold even with a somewhat weighty iPhone hanging from it. It's adjustable, so you can switch up the length depending on what you're wearing or how tall you are. On days I need to carry something extra, like lipstick or a small tube of liquid blush, I reach for Bandolier's Avery AirPods Clip-On pouch to put my AirPods in, which conveniently attaches to the strap's clips. Bandolier sells it separately, but it matches the Bodie perfectly, complete with the same pebble vegan leather texture and gold accents. I was still nervous wearing the Bodie out for the first time, with my iPhone awkwardly dangling from the side of my hip. It just didn't feel natural. That feeling quickly disappeared when I realized how nice it was to be free from a bulky crossbody bag, the feeling of an annoying strap sliding off my shoulder, or being weighed down by all the stuff in my pockets. I was hands-free, while still having easy access to my phone and essentials. The compliments also helped. The first day I brought it out, a stranger at a store immediately mentioned how nice it looked, asked me tons of questions, and then looked it up right in front of me on Bandolier's website (a nice confidence boost). Since it looks so much like a traditional crossbody bag, especially when you're wearing it with the phone screen facing inward, it's hard to tell it's a phone lanyard—the best of both worlds. The minor design details matter. Between the thick strap, buckles, clasps, gold accents, and vegan leather look, the Bodie mimics a traditional crossbody, and it's tough to tell that it's a phone case that doubles as a wallet. The modularity, with the ability to accessorize with different pieces, means you can disguise it even more. If the price on Bandolier's Bodie is a jump scare, well, I don't blame you. Spending $150 on a glorified phone case is hard to stomach. But it's a cute, stylish, and functional accessory, and the quality shines through. It's a fashion accessory more than a tech accessory. Taylor Swift would never steer me wrong.

Meta Ray-Bans Now Speak Your Language, Roku's New Streaming Sticks, and Kia EVs Get Supercharged—Your Gear News of the Week
Meta Ray-Bans Now Speak Your Language, Roku's New Streaming Sticks, and Kia EVs Get Supercharged—Your Gear News of the Week

WIRED

time26-04-2025

  • Business
  • WIRED

Meta Ray-Bans Now Speak Your Language, Roku's New Streaming Sticks, and Kia EVs Get Supercharged—Your Gear News of the Week

Plus: Duolingo now teaches chess, Kia EVs get Supercharged, and it's a big week for coffee. Photograph: Brenda Stolyar; Getty Images All products featured on Wired are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. At a speedy event in New York City this week, Roku announced its plans for 2025, which includes two new streaming sticks, some nice software updates, and upgrades to its top two Roku TVs—most notably the value-forward Plus Series. The new Roku Streaming Stick has two big selling points—it's compact and it's $30, but like the previous Roku Express, it's confined to HD content. That limits its value, but it could make a solid addition to a small den or kitchen TV, thanks to the addition of the Roku voice remote for searching across the breezy streaming platform. For $10 more, the similarly slim 4K UHD Streaming Stick Plus is the hotter value. Both devices can be powered by most TVs directly, meaning no need to plug them into a wall outlet, and they include new software features like a 'Coming Soon to Theaters' row and personalized sports highlights. Photograph: Brenda Stolyar On the TV front, Roku's top-line Pro Series TVs get a modest update, including 'custom factory calibration' to ensure a more accurate picture. However, it's the affordable Plus Series that receives the more significant makeover, including the addition of mini-LED backlighting. While we'll have to put it to the test, this should help improve dimming control for better contrast and deeper black levels with less light bleed. All Roku TVs will also now include a Bluetooth headphone mode for quick sound swapping. The new streaming sticks are available for preorder and are expected to ship on May 6, while Roku will announce new TV pricing and availability later this year. —Ryan Waniata Meta Ray-Bans Get Live AI Translations Meta has announced the rollout of its AI-powered real-time translation feature for the Meta Ray-Bans smart glasses to all markets. That means if you're traveling to another country, you can download the language pack and hold conversations in English, French, Italian, or Spanish without connecting to Wi-Fi or a cellular network. Just say 'Hey Meta, start live translation' and you'll hear them talking in your preferred language through the speakers in the glasses, while the other person can view a translated transcript on your phone. I've experienced Meta's translation with text before and found it adequate for reading my children's books in Spanish; Meta AI even offered, unprompted, some funny insights. When traveling, my coworker Kate Knibbs discovered that live translation is a little awkward when it's limited to the written word. Live translation with other speakers should make it much more useful. The company also announced new frame styles and colors, like the Skyler cat-eye style in chalky gray, as well as a few more software features. You'll now be able to send and receive messages from Instagram on your glasses, ask Meta AI to play music from an expanded list of music apps (as long as you ask in English), or ask Meta AI to identify songs in passing. Meta is also expanding access to Meta AI in other countries in the European Union, as well as launching the glasses themselves in Mexico, India, and the United Arab Emirates. —Adrienne So Kia EVs Can Now Use Tesla's Superchargers Kia EVs are finally part of the Tesla Supercharger club, the company has confirmed, and its cars can now access more than 21,500 of Tesla's DC fast chargers in North America. The move, which was originally approved in January, expands Kia's charging network by more than 80 percent and sees the automaker joining the likes of Ford, Rivian, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz in tapping into Tesla's resources. As part of the move, the company announced that its refreshed 2025 EV6 and the 2026 EV9 will come with Tesla-compatible NACS connectors, but existing Kia EV owners with a CCS1 charging port can get adapters from their dealer. —Verity Burns Cuisinart's First-Ever Espresso Bar 'Collection' Anyone for coffee? This week, Cuisinart announced what it's touting as its very first espresso bar collection—a Mama, Papa, and Baby Bear of three bottomless portafilter machines. The range starts with a vanishingly slim profile, 15-bar EM-160 Espresso Bar Slim retailing at $230, and tops out with a $600 'Grind and Brew' EM-640 model with 16 espresso grind settings. The mid-sized $300 machine, EM-320, doesn't have a grinder but adds 5 bars of pressure compared to the Slim. This is hardly Cuisinart's first foray into espresso, but it does amount to a bit of a reboot for the American brand. Each device in the Espresso Bar collection comes equipped with a frothing wand, a 52-millimeter stainless steel bottomless portafilter, and an option on cold-extracted espresso for iced lattes or martini lovers. The devices offer a fairly tall profile: Cuisinart advertises that each will allow room for a 20-ounce travel mug. Likely the most distinctive of the three machines, the lowest-priced 'Slim' device is less than 7 inches wide. Tuesday was the official launch for the new line, but retailers like Williams-Sonoma and Crate & Barrel quietly added the Cuisinart appliances to their websites in mid-April—an increasingly common strategy from manufacturers who want advance reviews on retailer websites by the time the company's PR officially declares liftoff. — Matthew Korfhage Fellow Drops Its First Espresso Machine The coffee news doesn't stop there. With the fanfare and tightly controlled pre-hype usually reserved for iPhone launches, San Francisco coffee device maker Fellow announced its first espresso machine. The retro-futuristic-looking Espresso Series 1 comes in black, cherry red, or malted chocolate. It offers adaptive pressure at the coffee puck, guided brewing, and a steam wand with a thermostat that stops frothing at the designated temp. Fellow reserved its biggest excitement for the Espresso Series 1's patented new boiler system, which the company says will offer what it calls the 'holy grail of espresso'—true temperature and pressure stability, in a home espresso machine market best known for wild fluctuations and slow heat-ups. The company's research and development head, Nick Terzulli, explained the tech at a livestreamed launch event from the company's San Francisco office. The new 'boosted boiler' involves three independent heating elements combining fast heating with a thermal mass heater, a mini-boiler, and a heated group head for tight temperature control at the output. With all three in concert, Terzulli says, you can achieve the thermal stability of a commercial dual boiler on a 120-volt circuit, with less than two minutes heating time. 'If you understand physics, you understand why my head is exploding inside my body, right?' Terzulli said. The device costs $1,500, but anyone who buys during the first two weeks of the presale can reserve the Espresso Series 1 for $1,200 and get $100 in free coffee. — Matthew Korfhage Duolingo Now Teaches Chess Strange things are happening over at Duolingo's headquarters. After its infamous green owl mascot faked his death earlier this year, the language learning app continues its abnormal behavior and wants to teach a new subject that transcends language: chess. It's still in early testing with a limited number of Duolingo users, but it will roll out to iOS in English in the coming weeks, with other platforms to follow in the following months. OK, teaching chess isn't all that abnormal for Duolingo. The company began its first non-language courses in 2023 with music and math. Chess is the latest, and it continues the signature gamified learning experience the app is known for. The course is built for people who might find the game intimidating and starts with basics like how each piece moves, patterns, and strategies. You can play fast-paced mini-matches to hone your skills or full games against Duolingo's in-app chess coach.

The Best MacBook Accessories to Enhance Your Mac Life
The Best MacBook Accessories to Enhance Your Mac Life

WIRED

time24-04-2025

  • WIRED

The Best MacBook Accessories to Enhance Your Mac Life

Apple 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter Photograph: Apple We've tested a lot of accessories. Here are a few more solid options if you're hunting for more. Apple 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter for $50: Apple's dual power adapter comes with two USB-C ports, which lets me recharge my MacBook Air and iPhone simultaneously. It's rated at 35 watts, so it's powerful enough to recharge an iPad Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and more. It will recharge a MacBook Air just fine, though more power-hungry MacBook Pro models will require something more powerful. Ugreen Revodok Pro 211 Docking Station for $56: This is more of a mix between a dock and hub, but it packs plenty of ports and power. You'll get three USB ports (one USB-C and two USB-A) that, in testing, hit up to 900 MB/s of data transfer speeds. It's also a great choice for anyone using more than one monitor at their desk. You can use it to connect a multimonitor setup, along with accessories like a keyboard, mouse, and headphones. It's worth noting the docking station is slightly heavy but compact. Casetify I'm Busy Macbook Case by Tabetaaii Photograph: Brenda Stolyar Casetify I'm Busy Macbook Case by Tabetaaii for $78: I've been using this adorable case I'm Busy MacBook case by tabetaaii for the 13-inch MacBook Air (2022). It's durable, the cutouts are accurate for all the ports, and the rubberized feet at the bottom keep it in place. As with most cases, it does add some weight to it. If you choose one of the clear cases (like the ones I've been testing) the matte finish can be a fingerprint magnet, but it's easy to wipe off. I tested the standard versions, but Casetify discontinued those. You will, however, have the choice between its Impact and Bounce cases which come equipped with bumpers on the sides for extra protection. Moft Laptop Carry Sleeve for $60: This is a sleeve that doubles as a laptop stand, with the option to choose between two heights. You can also use the built-in pocket to store additional items like a charger or earbuds. The sleeve is on the larger side though (I used it with the 15-inch MacBook Air), so it's not the easiest to fit into backpacks. But I would typically carry it or throw it into my tote bag. Casetify Happy Doodles Laptop Sleeve for $46: As with its laptop cases, Casetify also offers a bunch of fun sleeves. I've been using this adorable one with the 15-inch MacBook Air. It's not as cushiony and roomy as the Baggu version, but it still offers enough padding to protect your laptop. Plus, the cute print always brightens my day. Logitech MX Mechanical Mini for Mac Photograph: Logitech Logitech MX Mechanical Mini for Mac for $110: This Mac version of the Logitech's MX keyboard mimics the experience of your MacBook keyboard a little better. There's a Do Not Disturb key and the ability to program the function row key with Apple's apps like Final Cut Pro, Keynote, Photos, Safari, and more, using the Logi Options+ app—in addition to other Mac-specific shortcuts. It's only available with tactile quiet switches, which are ideal if you typically work around other people. The low-profile keys are still satisfying to type on all day. It's slim and lightweight so it's a nice option to travel with too. The Das Keyboard MacTigr for $179: This keyboard (9/10, WIRED Recommends) has a dedicated Mac layout, Cherry MX Red switches (that don't get too loud), a high-quality all-metal build, and a two-port USB-C hub. Satechi Dual-Sided Eco-Leather Deskmate for $28: This desk mat features one color on each side—that way, you can flip between colors whenever you'd like to change things up. It's made of polyurethane leather, but it looks pretty and my mouse glides smoothly over the top. Like Grovemade's desk mat, it's easy to clean too. Apple Magic Trackpad 2 for $130: If you're already used to the trackpad on your MacBook, then you can't go wrong with the external Magic Trackpad. It has the same Multi-Touch gestures and Force Touch technology, so there's no learning curve involved. It automatically pairs with your MacBook for seamless connectivity. The battery lasts about a month, and the trackpad comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable to recharge it. Photograph: Rains Rains Backpack Mini for $95: The Rains BackPack Mini is the most stylish pick in our Best Laptop Backpacks guide. It's attractive, functional, and fits a 13-inch MacBook along with a few other accessories. If you're worried it's too small, we also like the larger 13-liter version for $125. Harber London Leather City Backpack for $608: It's expensive, but this all-leather bag is currently WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu's favorite. It can fit up to a 16-inch MacBook in a dedicated sleeve, has space for a spare tablet or a Nintendo Switch, and includes a few pouches in the main compartment and in the front zippered pocket for organization. It's comfy to wear, and he's received plenty of compliments on it. Vera Bradley Original Tote Bag for $50: I bought this nylon tote a couple of months ago after being forced to retire the Longchamp bag I've had since high school because I noticed a hole in it. It's roomy, easy to clean, and perfect for my 14-inch MacBook Pro—while still leaving plenty of room for my makeup bag, headphones, water bottle, and more. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a zipper or button enclosure, so you'll have to be slightly conscious of anything falling out from the top. Fjallraven Kånken Totepack for $59: This tote backpack combination can be worn on your back or your shoulder. It also has a pocket for a 13-inch MacBook, a smaller pocket for a notebook or tablet, and a large main compartment. You'll also have two side pockets for water bottles or a small umbrella. Avoid These Accessories We're constantly testing a ton of accessories. Unfortunately, they're not all worth buying. Below, we've listed the ones we suggest avoiding altogether. Twelve South BookArc Flex Photograph: Twelve South Twelve South BookArc Flex for $40: Twelve South's BookArc Flex (3/10, WIRED Review) is a beautiful vertical laptop stand. Unfortunately, it fails at its one job: holding the laptop in place. It's too fragile. The slightest movement around the stand causes it to topple, forcing you to be super careful. It's not worth it. Casetify Magnetic Privacy MacBook Screen Protector for $60: It pains me to put this screen protector under 'Do Not Recommend' because it does its job very well. When I used it at an event last year, multiple people commented on how well it blocked what was on my MacBook Air's screen from multiple angles. It's also magnetic, which means you don't have to worry about applying it crookedly by accident. But regardless of how many times I reinstalled it, I couldn't fully shut my laptop with it on—there was always a slight gap between the lid and the bottom half of the computer. I ended up having to remove it whenever I wanted to shut my laptop and reapply it when I needed it again.

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