40 Techy Gifts Under $100 That We Tested and Love

Gift shopping on a budget is stressful. Prices sometimes soar around the holidays, making it tough to find genuine bargains. To help, we spent countless hours testing all manner of gizmos and gadgets to bring you expert advice on what is worth buying. These gifts are sure to bring a smile to your loved ones’…

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How to Clean and Sanitize Your Remote Controls

Before cleaning a remote control, remove the batteries. Then turn the device upside down so that the buttons are facing downward and shake it or tap it against your palm to dislodge any debris that might have fallen between the keys. If you have a compressed air canister, give the remote a blast to shake…

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An AI Dark Horse Is Rewriting the Rules of Game Design

The video game Valorant, a fast-paced team-based shooter, has recently become a testing ground for a promising new direction in artificial intelligence research. The game’s developers at Riot Games (a Tencent subsidiary) are using 3D-native AI models to prototype new characters, scenes, and storylines, according to a researcher familiar with the company’s efforts who spoke…

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Do Car Headlight Restoration Kits Really Work?

“The restoration kits work, and they’re very much a DIY project that you can do in your garage or driveway,” says Ibbotson. “You’ll see much better at night after using these kits.” (Find out how Consumer Reports tests headlights.) If you prefer not to restore the lens yourself, body shops often offer this service.  Either…

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How to Choose the Right Vacuum for the Job

These lightweight tools (most weigh under 10 pounds) are much more powerful than they used to be. But their cleaning prowess still can’t match an upright or canister (especially on carpet), so they’re better for targeted tasks. They’re good enough that if you live in a small space with mostly hard-surface floors, a top model…

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