Tech
Useful technology explained without pretending every new feature matters. We look at reliability, privacy, support, repairability, and how the product behaves after setup day.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)
The pair most iPhone owners should buy, unless they care about EQ.
The catch: The battery is not replaceable. Expect run time to fade after a couple of years, and expect Apple to offer a replacement pair rather than a repair.
Best-of guides
Comparisons
AirPods Pro 2 vs. Sony WF-1000XM5
Choose the AirPods if you own an iPhone and want to never think about your earbuds. Choose the Sony if you use Android, care about EQ, or want the longer battery.
Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kobo Clara Colour
Choose the Kindle if you buy books, want the crispest black-and-white text and the biggest screen of the two. Choose the Kobo if you borrow from the library, read comics, or want your reading out of the Amazon ecosystem.
Apple AirTag vs. Tile Mate (2024)
Choose the AirTag if you own an iPhone and lose things outside the house. Choose the Tile if your household mixes iPhones and Androids, or the things you lose are usually under a cushion.
Recent reviews in Tech
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As an Amazon Associate, Karen Verified earns from qualifying purchases. That never changes our verdict.
Products to avoid
JBL Go 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Black
Why we passed: In our use the sound was thin and the battery fell short of the claim at normal volume, so we cannot recommend it over the slightly larger Flip.
Tile by Life360 Slim Wallet Tracker (2024), 1-Pack, Black
Why we passed: In our test it was only useful within Bluetooth range; the network never updated a lost wallet, and the sealed battery makes it disposable.
Buying advice
Buy for the thing you do every day, not the feature in the ad. Check whether an account or subscription is required, and whether the product still works if the company loses interest.
How we test tech
Tech is judged on daily use, app quality, account requirements, update cadence, and what happens when the cloud service is unreachable. Battery life is judged against the manufacturer's own claim. Full methodology.
Investigations
The truth about extended warranties
They are priced to be profitable for the seller. That tells you most of what you need to know.
Why so many smart-home products stop feeling smart
The hardware lasts ten years. The app lasts until the next reorganization.
How to spot a fake discount
A discount is only real relative to something someone actually paid. Here is the check to run before a 'sale' decides for you.