Latest news with #livingroom
UAE Moments
17 hours ago
- UAE Moments
My Honest Take on the Sonos Era 300 (White): Why It's a Must for Every Home
If you're anything like me, sound matters. Not just music, but how it fills your space, how it makes you feel, how it turns an ordinary evening into something a little more alive. That's exactly what the Sonos Era 300 in white has done for me—and I'm here to tell you, without exaggeration, that it's one of the best additions I've made to my home in years. Let me say this upfront: I've tried a lot of speakers. Some boomed, others crackled, and most just… sounded fine. The Sonos Era 300? It doesn't just play music—it transforms how music is experienced. And there's something about the white finish that feels clean, elegant, and timeless. It blends beautifully with my interior—like it belongs, not like it's trying too hard. Unboxing and First Impressions When the box arrived, even the packaging felt premium. Sonos clearly puts care into the first impression, and rightly so. The white Era 300 is a statement piece—it looks modern and sculptural without being over-designed. It has this subtly futuristic design that doesn't scream 'tech,' which I love. Minimal, curved, with smooth lines and a seamless build. The matte white gives it a kind of Scandinavian design vibe—neutral, fresh, and fitting whether you're in a sleek apartment or a cozy family home. I placed it in my living room on a shelf and immediately felt like it elevated the space. That was even before I turned it on. Setting It Up Setup was a breeze. If you're already in the Sonos ecosystem, you'll appreciate how intuitive the app is. But even if you're new to Sonos, the onboarding is smooth and well-guided. Within minutes, the Era 300 was connected to my Wi-Fi, synced with my services, and ready to go. I use Apple Music and Spotify, both of which integrate beautifully. One tap on the app, and it was go time. Spatial Audio = Game Changer Let's talk about what makes the Era 300 truly unique —its support for spatial audio. I didn't really understand the hype until I experienced it. Sonos built this speaker to project sound in every direction, left, right, forward, and up. You literally feel like you're sitting inside the music. It's not a gimmick—it's a different level of listening. When I played 'As It Was' by Harry Styles in Dolby Atmos, I felt like I was in the studio with him. The vocals hovered mid-room, the guitar strummed off to the side, and somehow the drums sounded like they were coming from above. It wasn't just louder or clearer. It was immersive. This is what separates the Era 300 from almost any other wireless speaker in its class. It's not just about volume or bass (though it nails both). It's about depth and dimensionality. I've had friends over who literally stopped mid-conversation to ask what speaker I was using. Room-Filling Sound That Adapts What also impressed me is how the Era 300 automatically adjusts its sound depending on where you place it. I tested this. I moved it closer to a corner—less than ideal placement—and it compensated brilliantly using Sonos's Trueplay technology. The sound remained balanced, natural, and full. No harsh reflections. No muffled tones. Just crystal-clear audio. Whether you're watching a movie, playing classical piano, or blasting electronic beats—the Era 300 handles it all. Voice Control and Connectivity I use Alexa at home, and the Era 300 has built-in voice assistants —Alexa and Sonos Voice Control. This means I can change songs, adjust volume, or play a playlist just by saying a few words. It responds quickly and accurately. For someone like me, who's usually cooking, working, or chasing after kids, that hands-free convenience is a game changer. You can also stream directly via Bluetooth, which wasn't available in older Sonos models. That's huge for guests who want to share music quickly. The inclusion of USB-C line-in also means you can connect a turntable or CD player if you're feeling nostalgic. Why Every Home Needs It Now, why do I believe every home should have the Sonos Era 300? 1. It replaces the need for multiple devices. Before this, I had a Bluetooth speaker in one room, a soundbar in another, and a smart speaker in the kitchen. The Era 300 can hold its own in any of those roles—music, movies, podcasts, background noise, you name it. 2. It brings people together. Music is social. It's emotional. It's about moments. Whether it's background music for a dinner party or a Friday night dance session with my kids, the Era 300 becomes part of the moment. 3. It grows with you. Already thinking about getting another one for stereo pairing. And when paired with a Sonos Arc or Beam and subwoofer, it becomes part of a true home theater setup. This thing is future-proof. 4. It's elegant, inside and out. Let's not ignore the aesthetics. The white color is understated luxury. It complements neutral tones, wooden furniture, minimal or maximalist styles. It's a piece of decor as much as a speaker. 5. It's eco-conscious. Sonos has started to take sustainability seriously. The Era 300 uses recycled materials and is designed to be more energy efficient. That matters to me, and probably to most people trying to be more conscious about their purchases. Final Thoughts & My Recommendation After a few weeks of living with the Sonos Era 300, I don't see myself going back. It's one of those rare devices that quietly upgrades your life in the background. You don't realize how much you need it until you have it. And once you do, you start finding excuses to use it more. Music sounds better. Mornings feel smoother. Dinners are warmer. Even movie nights have an extra layer of magic. If you've been on the fence about upgrading your home audio, stop hesitating. Go for the white Sonos Era 300. It looks stunning, sounds even better, and brings soul back to your space. Trust me—you won't regret it. You can purchase the SONOS Era 300 speakers in White or Black directly from the SONOS website or through various e-commerce platforms. The ERA 300 speaker is priced at AED 2,099.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
I Lived Without a Sofa for 2 Months: These 3 Solutions Made It Work
Like many city dwellers, I've always had the problem of too little space in my Manhattan apartment. So when I found myself without a sofa for what I thought would be a week at most, I was thrilled. It felt like the scene in Step Brothers where Will Ferrell yells to John C. Reilly, 'So many activities!' It was the perfect time to declutter my living room before our new sofa arrived. But then a week turned into two months (hello, shipping delays and tariffs!), and I began to get a little antsy without the couch. There wasn't an estimated time for when the sofa would arrive, which made things worse. I thought, how long could we go without such an essential piece? I'm self-aware enough to admit patience is a virtue I lack. Still, after some griping to anyone who would listen, I finally decided that rather than grumbling about the missing couch, I would actually enjoy the free space and maybe even find another way to use it. Turns out, some people intentionally forgo sofas, so I thought I'd take a page out of their book for the time being. How to Adjust to a Living Room Without a Sofa Rethink Your Floor Plan Our previous sofa, which was a large, vintage corduroy sectional, took up most of the room. We actually had to hire a 'couch doctor' to disassemble it on the street and put it back together in our living room. So once it was in place, all the other furniture had to revolve around it. With this anchor piece gone, we had a great opportunity to rearrange things. Take the Opportunity to Declutter I'm a fan of regular decluttering and donating, but I'll admit that when I had a couch in this space, it felt a little overwhelming to do an inventory of the things I wasn't wearing or using anymore. It just felt like there wasn't a place to do that work. So, I took advantage of all the extra square feet to do a complete overhaul. I didn't even feel guilty about basically covering every inch of free floor space in our closet (when paring back my wardrobe) because I wasn't going to host guests anyway without a couch. And the couch-less area you see above also became a great staging area for decluttering other things in the apartment. Revel in the Free Space Channeling my original Step Brothers energy, I accepted what was and turned design lemons into personal lemonade, if you will. The couch-less living room became my rec room. It's somewhat embarrassing to admit this, but I don't usually have enough space to roll out a yoga mat and exercise, so that's exactly what I did. I also had several spontaneous dance parties when I needed a pick-me-up. Without the ability to sit on a sofa and watch television, I read more books than usual. And whenever I needed to sit in the room, I just pulled a chair in from the dining area and set up a desk at my dresser. In the end, our new sofa finally arrived. And while it was comfortable and pleasant for entertaining and relaxing, the room has become somewhat busy again. Even though I don't think I'd want to go that long without a sofa again, I'll admit sometimes I do miss those dance parties and decluttering sessions. Further Reading We Used Our New 'Room Plan' Tool to Give This Living Room 3 Distinct Styles — See How, Then Try It Yourself The Design Changemakers to Know in 2025 Create Your Own 3D Room Plan with Our New Tool
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
How to hit your daily step goal without going outside — 5 easy ways to get 10,000 steps
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Getting 10,000 steps in a day can feel impossible when you're stuck inside, whether you're working from home, dealing with bad weather, or just don't feel like going out. Fortunately, you don't need to step foot outside to hit your daily step goal. While outdoor walks offer fresh air and sunshine, indoor walking can be just as effective for your cardiovascular health and fitness. You might be surprised how many steps you can rack up just by moving around your house differently, taking advantage of stairs, or following simple walking routines in your living room. With a few strategic changes to your daily routine, you can easily reach that 10,000-step target without ever opening your front door. Here's how. 1. Turn your stairs into a step-counting machine (Image: © Shutterstock) If you have stairs in your house, you've got a built-in step generator that most people completely ignore. Going up and down stairs burns more calories than walking on flat ground and racks up steps surprisingly quickly. Try taking multiple trips instead of carrying everything at once. For example, make separate trips for laundry, grab one item from upstairs instead of five, or just walk up and down a few extra times when you're already heading that direction. You can also use stairs as a dedicated walking break by doing 5-10 trips up and down during work breaks or while waiting for dinner to cook. Each round trip typically counts as 20-30 steps, so even a few extra stair climbs throughout the day can add several hundred steps to your total. 2. Try walking workouts in your living room (Image: © Shutterstock) Walking workouts have exploded in popularity, and for good reason. You can go from your desk to getting steps in less than a minute. YouTube is packed with free walking workout videos that require nothing more than a small space in your living room. Personally, I love Grow with Jo's content. Her workouts are fun, seem to fly by, and she has specific walking routines designed for hitting different step goals. I sometimes do her 5,000-step workout in the mornings, so I only have to think about getting another 5,000 steps for the rest of the day. These aren't just basic marching in place; they include side steps, knee lifts, and arm movements that keep things interesting while racking up serious step counts. A 20-minute walking workout can easily net you 2,000-3,000 steps, and many are designed specifically for small spaces. If you have a treadmill or walking pad, even better, but these workouts are designed to be effective with just your body weight and enthusiasm. 3. Invest in a walking pad (Image: © Tom's Guide) A walking pad is essentially a compact, foldable treadmill that can slide under your bed or couch when not in use. These affordable devices have become incredibly popular because they let you walk while working, watching TV, or doing almost anything else. Unlike traditional treadmills, walking pads are designed for slower speeds (typically 1-4 mph) and quiet operation, making them perfect for apartments or shared spaces. It's an excellent way to rack up thousands of steps during a work call, while binge-watching a series, or even while reading. Many people find they can walk 2-3 mph comfortably while typing or using their phone, turning previously sedentary time into step-counting opportunities. The DeerRun Q1 Mini is the perfect first under-desk treadmill. It's simple to use and requires just one button to turn on. While it's quite small, it's one of the most affordable under-desk treadmills money can buy. View Deal 4. Take walking breaks during work calls (Image: © Getty/martin-dm) If you work from home, phone calls and video meetings are perfect times to sneak in extra steps. During audio-only calls, walk around your house, pace in your office, or even walk up and down stairs while listening. For video calls where you don't need to be on camera, you can often get away with walking around your room as long as you stay near your computer. Even fidgeting and shifting your weight during seated calls adds some movement. Schedule walking meetings with yourself. If you need to brainstorm or think through a problem, do it while walking around your house instead of sitting at your desk. 5. Pace around during TV time and phone calls (Image: © Sling TV) Instead of collapsing on the couch every time you watch TV, try standing and walking around during commercial breaks, or pace slowly during shows that don't require intense visual attention. Phone calls with friends or family are perfect pacing opportunities, as most people actually think better while moving anyway. You can walk around your living room, kitchen, or even go up and down hallways while chatting. During long streaming sessions, set a timer to remind yourself to get up and walk around every 30 minutes. Even pacing slowly while watching adds up to significant steps over the course of an evening. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. More from Tom's Guide 5 power moves to boost your fitness Here's how to use a squat rack safely and effectively How to build fitness that lasts — the best exercises to do at any age
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Video Games Are Quietly Becoming The Next Fintech Frontier
Over the Shoulder Angle of a Young Female Gamer Winning in a Video Game on Personal Computer in a ... More Neon Lit Living Room at Home. Cozy Evening at Home in Loft Apartment. Video games are no longer just digital entertainment; they're financial ecosystems. From 'Roblox' to 'Fortnite,' modern platforms are handling billions in real-world payments through wallets, currencies, and in-game economies. Players store value, exchange assets, and earn income in these environments, sometimes without realizing they're engaging in financial transactions. According to the company's Q42024 earnings report, Roblox developers and creators earned $922.8 million—up from $740.8 million in 2023. Users spend immense sums on digital items, using Roblox's proprietary currency, Robux. Players convert dollars into tokens, purchase virtual goods, tip creators, and sometimes even receive payouts. These are not isolated features; they're increasingly central to how games operate and generate revenue. This shift hasn't gone unnoticed by regulators, and it should be on fintech leaders' radars as well. What's emerging is a parallel financial system with few of the obligations imposed on banks or payment processors. In April 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau published a report examining the growing prevalence of banking functions in video games. It noted that consumers are spending billions on virtual goods by transferring funds into gaming platforms—often with limited refund options, little fee transparency, and no standard user protections. Shortly after, the CFPB issued a proposed interpretive rule clarifying that many digital wallets and stored-value accounts could fall under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. That includes platforms where consumers deposit funds, access them through in-game wallets, and use them for purchases within a defined ecosystem. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder The rule, which was later rescinded in 2025, would have extended regulatory safeguards like fee disclosures, fraud liability limits, and error resolution to platforms whose stored-value systems function like prepaid products. Although the rollback provided temporary relief for developers, it signaled how regulators are beginning to view these platforms: not as games, but as gateways to financial risk. Game Design Choices Carry Real Compliance Risk Regulators have also turned their attention to the ways games nudge users into spending. In December 2022, Fortnite developer Epic Games paid a landmark $520 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it used dark patterns and billing practices that led to unauthorized charges. More recently, in January 2025, the FTC announced a $20 million settlement with 'Genshin Impact' developer Cognosphere. Regulators accused the company of using manipulative loot box systems that hid the true cost of purchases and misled players, particularly minors, about their odds of success. The settlement requires age-gating, odds disclosure, and clearer purchase mechanics. The enforcement trend is clear: if a platform uses behavioral tactics to encourage spending, especially among children, regulators will treat it as a consumer protection issue, not a UX decision. Why Fintech Leaders Should Care California is emerging as a leader in applying state laws to video game monetization. In 2024, the attorney general and Los Angeles city attorney reached a $500,000 settlement with Tilting Point Media over alleged violations of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) involving children's data use in the game SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off. Meanwhile, New York has also taken steps to address the risks associated with in-game monetization. In 2024, the state's Division of Consumer Protection issued a consumer alert warning about the financial and data privacy risks tied to in-game purchases, particularly loot boxes. What's happening in video games today is reshaping how the next generation experiences money. Gen Z and Gen Alpha are growing up with seamless, social, in-game financial interactions. These aren't just expectations. They're conditioning. Fintech companies and the investors backing them should take note. Gaming platforms are winning trust by offering intuitive, creative, and frictionless payment experiences. But they're also surfacing regulatory and ethical issues fintech has wrestled with for years: consent, transparency, refund rights, and youth protection. Those who learn from the best parts of gaming UX and avoid the pitfalls will be well-positioned to serve the next generation of users. Because the future of money isn't being invented in a bank lobby. It's being beta tested in a game lobby.
CNET
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
This Govee TV Backlight Brings a Bit of the Movie Theater Experience to My Living Room
Watching a good flick in a proper movie theater is pretty great, but I never thought to try to re-create that fully immersive experience at home -- until I found a simple TV backlight. After 20 minutes of setup and a quick calibration, I found myself totally drawn into my favorite shows as though I were in the theater, and for far less money than just about any other item I've purchased for my entertainment center. Skip forward a few years, and now I own one of these backlights for every TV in my house. There are a couple of different kinds of TV backlights out there. Some keep a single color all around your TV, usually a warmer shade of white, which allows the colors on the screen to stand out more. Govee's TV Backlight system is more interactive than that, but it works best when the lights in your room are low or off. It uses a special fish-eye lens camera pointed straight at your TV to see which colors are currently showing on the edges of your screen. The software relays that information to the LED strips on the back of the television, which then extend that color onto the wall behind your screen. The result, as you can see in the image below, is incredible. Right now you can get a 7.8-foot light strip, which is good for 40- to 50-inch TVs, for $53 (24% off). Or opt for the longer, 16.4-foot version for $85 (23% off). I've set up several of these over the last couple of years, and it has never taken more than 30 minutes to complete. These lights can also be turned on and off by an app on your phone or by connecting the app to Amazon's Alexa voice assistant. It's extremely satisfying to call Alexa and see your TV suddenly pop with color. The settings are very easy to adjust to fit whatever living room situation you have, as long as your TV is near a wall. And if you really want a great experience, make sure your TV has a good soundbar to go with this backlight setup. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite specs Power source : Corded electric, 12 volts (DC) : Corded electric, 12 volts (DC) Connection types : Bluetooth, Wi-Fi : Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Controller types : Govee app or voice (requires Alexa or Google Assistant) : Govee app or voice (requires Alexa or Google Assistant) LED array : RGBICW : RGBICW Cameras : One, Fisheye : One, Fisheye LED strip length: 7.8 feet (for TVs 40-50 inches), 11.8 feet (for TVs 55-65 inches), 16.4 feet (for TVs 75-85 inches) Does this backlight work with your TV? If you're concerned about whether this backlight setup would work for you, there are a couple of easy things you can check before you try it. All you really need to know is your TV's size, its position in your room and how much control you have over lighting. TV size : Govee's TV backlight has three different products based on your TV size. This includes screens that are 40 to 50 inches, 55 to 65 inches and 75 to 85 inches. The larger and smaller sizes are different prices than the one I use, but the difference in price is usually fairly minor unless there's a big sale happening on only one size. If your TV is outside of these sizes, you won't have the same overall experience. : Govee's TV backlight has three different products based on your TV size. This includes screens that are 40 to 50 inches, 55 to 65 inches and 75 to 85 inches. The larger and smaller sizes are different prices than the one I use, but the difference in price is usually fairly minor unless there's a big sale happening on only one size. If your TV is outside of these sizes, you won't have the same overall experience. TV position : Backlights work best when your TV is close to a wall, and that wall should be free of interruptions for at least 5 inches in every direction. If you have pictures or art hanging behind your television, these will interrupt the light coming from the back of the TV and might deliver a poor overall experience. This is especially true if the surface behind the television is reflective. : Backlights work best when your TV is close to a wall, and that wall should be free of interruptions for at least 5 inches in every direction. If you have pictures or art hanging behind your television, these will interrupt the light coming from the back of the TV and might deliver a poor overall experience. This is especially true if the surface behind the television is reflective. Room lighting: Your room does not need to be completely dark in order to enjoy this backlight, but it should generally be dimmer than what would normally be considered good light to read by. If you are hoping to use this backlight during the day, be sure any windows in the room are covered. At night, I recommend dimming your room lights for the best experience. There aren't a lot of traditional room layouts where you can't enjoy a backlight like this one, but with the tips above you can quickly go from having a good experience to a great one. Yes, there are other TV backlights out there Govee is not the only company making multicolor adaptive backlights for televisions, and on a purely technical level, the TV Backlight 3 Lite is not the best you could possibly have. Govee itself offers a more capable Envisual TV Backlight, which uses a pair of cameras to ensure the colors at the corners of your screen are precisely sent to the LED strip on the back. The Hue Play system from Philips reads the color information directly from the HDMI cable so there's the smallest possible delay between what you see on the screen and what you see in the backlights. Those LEDs also cover a wider color spectrum, so the colors behind the TV line up amazingly well. The TV Backlight 3 Lite from Govee is a fantastic setup for its price, which is why I love it. You can regularly get this kit for around half the price of Govee's more capable system -- and for a fraction of the price of the Philips Hue system. But neither is better enough, in my opinion, to justify the added costs. This is something you can do on your own for relatively cheap, and the end result is loads of fun. And at the end of the day, that's why I'm in front of my TV in the first place. For other options, check out our roundup of the best smart home deals going on now.
