Posted by Meredith Dietz

https://lifehacker.com/health/best-headphones-earbuds-for-running?utm_medium=RSS

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The right headphones or earbuds can make or break a run. Whether you're grinding through mile 20 of a marathon or just trying to make it through a Tuesday morning one-miler, your earbuds need to be up to the task.

My all-time favorite running earbuds were the Plantronics BackBeat Fit 2100. Comfortable, secure, sweat-resistant, and with just the right amount of ambient sound awareness. Tragically, they've been discontinued, leaving runners like me searching for worthy successors.

Of course, the best running earbuds depend on your specific needs, running style, and preferences. After extensive testing (and more than a few mid-run equipment failures), here's my breakdown of the top options across different categories.

My absolute favorite: Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

When I'm running around Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens, I rely on bone conduction technology to keep my ears completely open to traffic, other runners, and deranged cyclists. As my colleague Daniel Oropeza reviews in-depth here, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are best for anyone who wants to still hear their surroundings without sacrificing too much on audio quality.

I've experienced little-to-no ear fatigue, even during 18+ mile runs. Their IP55 rating has proven true for me, having worn these headphones during humid summer runs, not to mention unexpected downpours. Most important for me, their battery life holds up, lasting even my longest training runs. Plus, even if I forget to charge the night before a run, a quick five-minute charge gives you around 1.5 hours of listening time.

While they'll never match the bass response of traditional in-ear monitors, they provide clear, detailed audio that's perfect for podcasts, audiobooks, and music during my training runs.

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

$179.95 at Amazon

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$179.95 at Amazon

For a budget alternative, consider Shokz OpenMove for just $79.95. They're great for runners new to bone conduction who want to test the waters. And speaking of waters—might I recommend this pair of bone conduction headphones that actually work underwater?

My favorite wireless earbuds

I usually prefer the secure fit of headphones over disconnected earbuds. Similarly, Lifehacker's senior health editor Beth Skwarecki prefers ear hooks (even if she knows an earbud is secure, she will worry), and Shokz is her go-to choice as well. She recommends using this measuring guide from Shokz to find the perfect fit for you.

If you prefer earbuds, or you're in a pinch, you can't go wrong with Apple AirPods Pro 2. AirPods are ubiquitous for a reason, and if you like the pair you have, there's no reason you need to buy a new set of earbuds just for running. They've got excellent active noise cancellation, with transparency mode for safety.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C)

$199.00 at Amazon

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$199.00 at Amazon

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For the best fit all-around, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are pretty unbeatable. I'm talking active noise cancellation, earhooks with flexible grip, and even heart rate monitoring.

Another set of wireless earbuds I used to love: the Bose QuietComfort. The only reason I say "used to" is because I tragically left my pair on a plane years ago. They're small but mighty, not mention surprisingly secure given just how little they are. I especially appreciate a pair of earbuds with customizable tap control buttons, so you can easily skip a song that isn't matching the vibe of your run.

Over-ear and on-ear options

Audiophiles may spring for fancier options, but my philosophy here is if you know you're going to sweat in a pair of soundproof headphones, you should use a budget pair for the task.

My under-the-radar budget recommendation for you is the BlueAnt Pump X Headphones. They deliver on the two things I need during an intense workout: sweat resistance and impressive sound quality. If I'm on a treadmill, I need true over-the-ear bass pumping through my skull. The Pump X headphones have an "X-mode" bass boost that feels like it was designed specifically for the moment when you're struggling through that final mile.

BlueAnt Pump X Headphones

$129.99 at Amazon

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$129.99 at Amazon

My honorable mention in this category is the Soundcore Life Q30 by Anker. They're comfortable, have a solid battery life, and since they cost less than $100, I never feel guilty for sweating profusely in them. Their noise cancellation and sound quality have never disappointed me in the gym.

Consider a wired option

While I'm not huge on wired headphones myself, they're worth considering. Think about it: no battery anxiety. No Bluetooth glitches. Perfect for races where you want zero tech failures. If you're looking for a backup pair that you know you won't lose, the JBL Endurance Run 2 are just $19.95.

What to look for in running earbuds

Through years of trial and error, I've identified these non-negotiables in running earbuds and headphones.

Security is everything: If they fall out during mile 15, they're useless. Look for multiple ear tip sizes, ear hooks, or bone conduction designs.

Sweat resistance matters: IPX4 minimum, but IPX7 or IP55+ ratings provide peace of mind during intense training.

Battery life should exceed your longest run: Nothing kills motivation like dead earbuds halfway through a long run.

Sound awareness equals safety: Whether through bone conduction, transparency modes, or single-ear wearing, you need to hear your environment.

Comfort for hours: What feels fine for 30 minutes might become torture after two hours.

The bottom line

While I mourn the loss of my beloved Plantronics BackBeat Fit 2100, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are treating me well. Their combination of safety, comfort, and performance makes them ideal for serious runners—especially those wanting to stay safe in city streets, like me.

That said, the best running earbuds are the ones that match your specific needs. Trail runners might prioritize different features than track athletes. Marathon trainers have different requirements than casual joggers (cough cough, battery life). The key is finding the pair that disappears during your run—earbuds that let you focus on your pace, your breathing, and the rhythm of your feet on the pavement.

https://lifehacker.com/health/best-headphones-earbuds-for-running?utm_medium=RSS

Posted by David Nield

https://lifehacker.com/tech/best-android-launchers-phone-customization?utm_medium=RSS

In recent years, iOS has started to catch up to Android when it comes to customization, but Android is still well in the lead. That's partly because it supports alternative launchers, which replace of the default software interface to completely revamp the look of home screens, menus, icons, and dialogs.

Using a launcher, you can take pixel-by-pixel control over the visuals of the Android OS. If that sounds like too much time and effort, you can take advantage of one of many preset templates instead. This article will tell you what you need to know about launchers, and suggest a few of the best that you can currently install.

How Android launchers work

When you go "home" on Android—with a swipe up on the gesture bar or a tap on the actual home button—that's when a third-party launcher springs into action. Rather than seeing the default look determined by the Google Pixel or the Samsung Galaxy software, you see whatever the launcher has put in place.

Typically, these launchers give you more customization controls than Google, Samsung, and the other Android phone makers do. Depending on the launcher, you might be able to cram more shortcuts on to the home screen, or apply the same color scheme to all the home screen icons, or hide elements (like the Google search bar) from view.

You can switch launchers with a couple of taps. Credit: Lifehacker

Each launcher will come with a host of different configuration settings that determine how elements appear on screen—not just the home screen, lock screen, and the app shortcuts on them, but also notifications, quick settings panels, media players, and menus. They give you the opportunity to fully revamp the look of the software.

Launchers can be managed on Pixel phones by heading to Settings then choosing Apps > Default apps > Home app. On Samsung devices, it's Settings then Apps > Choose default apps > Home app. You're able to switch between different launchers, or cancel all of your changes and go back to the normal look, in seconds.

What you can do with Android launchers

The capabilities of these apps vary by launcher, but just about every kind of customization option is offered somewhere. If you want to give your Android software a light and airy touch, a dark and foreboding theme, or anything in between, you can. You're able to go all-in with your sports team's colors, or switch to a minimal monochrome look instead.

Speaking of minimalism, many launchers give you the opportunity to declutter the look of your smartphone. Launchers can get access to notifications and on-screen messages as well as everything else, if you give them the necessary permissions, and that means alerts can be pushed to the background. You can control what actually appears on screen, as well as how everything looks.

Launchers offer plenty of customization options. Credit: Lifehacker

Some launchers go even further, letting you customize the gestures and swipes that are used to get around Android. You can change the way apps are launched and switched between, for example, as well as tweak how Android search works—giving you easier access to the apps and files you need the most.

Nothing is affected in your actual apps by installing third-party launchers—these will still look and operate the same as they always have. What you might see are some differences in how home screen widgets for your apps are rendered, but as far as the apps themselves are concerned, nothing changes.

The best Android launchers (now that Nova Launcher has been shut down)

There are a lot of options for Android launchers on the Google Play store, and I've collected five of my favorites below. Sadly, one of the most beloved Android launchers, Nova Launcher, has recently been shut down. I'm waiting to see if the launcher might be opened sourced, but in the meantime, I've had to replace it on my list.

Niagara Launcher

Niagara Launcher brings with it a cleaner home screen. Credit: Lifehacker

Niagara Launcher is one of those launchers that can totally transform the layout of the home screen, putting your apps, notifications, and media controls in an ordered, customized list on screen—so it can be as minimal or as busy as you want it to be.

The launcher can hide apps, remind you to take breaks at certain times, put apps into folders, suggest apps based on your usage, and tweak all kinds of colors and layout options. More customizations are available with a Pro subscription ($14 per year).

Smart Launcher

Smart Launcher is packed with features and settings. Credit: Lifehacker

Smart Launcher is another choice you'll often see atop best launcher lists, as it brings with it lots of intelligent features: auto app sorting based on usage, a useful one-handed mode, responsive widgets, a comprehensive search tool, and lots of customizations.

Those customizations run the full gamut from adaptive icon shapes, to gestures you can use to get around Android, to hidden apps. As usual, there's a premium-level option you can subscribe to—from $2.50 a month—which adds on even more customization tweaks.

Square Home

Square Home builds up your home screen with tiles. Credit: Lifehacker

Square Home is a great example of a launcher that can change the whole look of Android—in this case, into something that's more like the old Windows Phone look, with your apps and widgets sorted into rectangular tiles that fill up your home screens.

While the layout may look fixed, there are many ways to tweak the look, from photo slideshows to notification badges. The quick start tutorial is a welcome way in, and while several features are available for free, you can unlock all of them for $2 per year.

AIO Launcher

AIO Launcher packs a lot of info into the home screen. Credit: Lifehacker

AIO Launcher goes in the opposite direction to the minimal launchers out there, choosing instead to cram in as much information on the home screen as possible—though you still get full control over what's shown, including shortcuts, widgets, and real time information.

The app developer promises everything you need on one screen, and they certainly deliver, with over 30 excellent widgets to pick from (weather, stocks, messages, tasks, and so on). Various extra features can be picked up at various prices as in-app purchases.

Hyperion Launcher

A simple interface and lots of customization options. Credit: Lifehacker

Hyperion Launcher transforms the look and feel of your phone right away, bringing with it options for changing colors, iconography, fonts, the appearance and behavior of the app drawer, home screen widgets, and animations—and those are just some of the settings.

It's a launcher suitable for those that want to invest some time in getting everything looking exactly how they want it, though the minimal interface that pops up by default works great too. A Pro subscription unlocks all features, a one-off cost of $1.99.

Microsoft Launcher

The ideal pick if you use a lot of Microsoft apps. Credit: Lifehacker

Microsoft Launcher is another excellent launcher choice, if you don't mind the Microsoft of it all. You get rapid performance, lots of ways to tweak the look and feel, and of course tight integration with all of Microsoft's own apps (perfect if you're using Outlook a lot).

As soon as you install the launcher you can choose the apps you use the most so they're front and center on the home screen, and there are handy features here like customizable gesture support, rotating wallpaper picks, and a personalized home screen dock.

Kvaesitso

A minimal look and helpful app and file shortcuts. Credit: Lifehacker

Kvaesitso is slightly different to the other launchers in this list in that it's not available on the Google Play Store, so you need to sideload it via F-Droid (instructions here). It's worth that slight inconvenience though, offering tons of features and customizations for free.

There's a strong focus on search, enabling you to quickly find anything, and a useful shortcuts system for jumping straight to Gmail labels, Dropbox folders, and much more. Some gorgeous widgets are included too, really improving the aesthetics of your device.

https://lifehacker.com/tech/best-android-launchers-phone-customization?utm_medium=RSS

Posted by Pradershika Sharma

https://lifehacker.com/tech/eufy-s330-4g-lte-security-camera-deal?utm_medium=RSS

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If you’ve been looking for a security camera that works where wifi doesn’t reach, the Eufy Security 4G LTE Cam S330 might be the one to consider. Currently, it’s selling for $161.49, down from its usual price of $249.99 on Amazon.

Eufy Security 4G LTE Cam S330

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Like the rest of Eufy’s Solocam line, it avoids the subscription fees that many competitors lock you into. Instead, you can save clips locally on the included microSD card, or if you’re using it on wifi, you can connect it to the Eufy HomeBase S380 for local storage. That makes the S330 a good fit if you want full functionality without committing to another monthly bill. Eufy ships the camera with an EIOT SIM and 100GB of data to test the 4G features.

The S330 builds on the wireless S340 with the same dual-lens setup—a wide-angle macro lens paired with a close-up micro lens. The combination lets you cover a wide space while still zooming in on fine details. Eufy claims its 4K resolution can capture a license plate from 30 feet away, and in practice, the micro lens does deliver striking detail. That means you can catch more than just the shape of a car or a blurry face; you’ll have a clear, usable image. The solar panel keeps the 9,400mAh battery topped up and can be mounted directly on the camera or up to 10 feet away, giving you flexibility for placement. Even in cloudy weather, users have reported the panel keeping the camera running without interruption. The unit is weather-resistant enough for year-round outdoor use, and the swiveling base supports 360-degree viewing with AI tracking to follow people or vehicles across the frame.

There are trade-offs, though. LTE mode offers true off-the-grid freedom, but live viewing is, reportedly, noticeably laggier than on wifi, and the included 100GB data allotment burns up fast. Switching the camera from LTE back to wifi can also take more effort than expected. Still, the flexibility is the real selling point: You can mount it at the edge of your property, along a long driveway, or anywhere a power outlet and router can’t reach.

https://lifehacker.com/tech/eufy-s330-4g-lte-security-camera-deal?utm_medium=RSS