33 Newer Tech Products That Can Only Make Life Easier
When people see this cleverly-shaped toaster and tiny see-through air fryer in your kitchen, they're going to think you're a genius.
1. A dimmable flexible clip-on mushroom light so versatile that it'll become your Emotional Support Shroom — this gizmo clips to desks, cribs, bedside tables, and computer monitors to give an ambient, soft glow that's easy on the eyeballs when you're trying to focus. (Also, it's just so darn precious??)
Reviewers especially love this lamp for small spaces, since it doesn't take up valuable surface area!
Promising review: "I love the way the light looks and the many colors, but honestly I love the flexibility of the neck. I can manipulate it to fit the function of what I am doing. I have used it as reading light and mood light by the bed. I had no problem reading my book at night. I have used it as a task light to do arts and crafts. More recently, I have used it at work and it now has a permanent spot at my desk. The light was a great value for the money for me." — Terese
Get it from Amazon for $35.99.
2. A two-slice slim toaster to fit virtually *anywhere* in your tiny kitchen, and to look gosh darn adorable doing it. Bonus — these long slots make it ideal for larger slices of bread, like your beloved sourdoughs.
Psst — if you're looking to save space in your kitchen and don't want to sacrifice on aesthetic, check out Bella's matching line of compact, affordable kitchen appliances!
Promising review:"The narrow width of this toaster helps free up real estate on my small countertop, plus it accommodates two slices of toast, English muffins or bagels as well as a regular width toaster. It comes in a beautiful teal color which I love. And the three toast levels ensure you don't burn food and the quality of the toast is just right — from light to brown. I highly recommend it!" — Joyce Hill
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four styles).
3. An iPhone 14 Pro Max privacy phone screen protector with some real "XOXO, Gossip Girl" vibes — when you tilt this gradient tempered glass protector, nobody will be able to snoop on what TikToks you're watching (or catch you texting your situationship mid-drinks 😬).
www.amazon.com
There are options for the iPhone 14 Plus/13 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, too!
Promising review:"It's been about five months since I purchased this screen protector, and I have to say, that it's held up well. The screen is beautiful when the screen is off. I've had a lot of compliments on the screen protector, and after five months and few light drops, it hasn't cracked or gotten scratched up (minus a few wear on the screen like light scratches). Well made and overall, a great screen protector. Installation is pretty easy with the kit it comes with, and I still have the second unused that I may end up switching if at some point the screen actually cracks." — Timothy Jay
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $18.99.
4. An oh-so-snuggly Kindle, iPad, and phone lap pillow holder so you can stream content or read the latest fairy, dragon, and/or "dead girl found in the woods" book in the *ultimate* comfort. This can rotate and easily adjust the angle of the screen, and even comes with a little spot to hold a snack!
Amazon
Promising review:"I love everything about this! Easy to use! Works great for phones or Kindles! Decently priced, lightweight, and very sturdy! The soft pillow provides a comfortable lap experience while reading!" — Kimberly
Get it from Amazon for $35.99.
5. A foldable smart walking pad that packs up so neatly you'll feel like a magician at the end of your walking sesh. This slim profile, remote-controlled treadmill even has super sensitive gravity sensors throughout to decelerate or accelerate if it senses you getting too close to back or front.
This walking pad goes from 0.5mph to 3.75mph.
Promising review: "Good, simple walking pad at a solid price point. It works well, and is easy to move and store. The folding mechanism functions well, and the wheels roll easily. Controlled relatively easily with the remote or app. Doesn't seem especially noisy, considering that it's a small treadmill. Very small footprint once it's folded and tucked away." — Joel Wills
Get it from Amazon for $319.99 (clip the $80 off coupon on the product page for this price).
6. A 3-in-1 charging station so you can charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, *and* AirPods all at the same time, like a lil' hub for them to juice up at the end of the day. This also functions as a night-light with three different brightness levels so you can read at night or gently wake yourself in the morning!
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I am very pleased with this purchase. It charges quickly. It has a sleek design that looks nice and not bulky on my bedroom night stand. The reading light is great because it functions well without disturbing my husband. Easy set up and customer service." — Carla Daniels
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
7. Plus a tiny 3-in-1 portable charger you can fold down to the size of a little macaron, but expand to charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch all at the same time. If you have trips on the horizon or you're a busy human in general, you need to get yourself one of these adorable UFOs, fast.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"These are fabulous for travel — they charge three devices from just one USB port, especially [helpful] when frequenting hotel rooms. The first one is now permanently stationed bedside to help clean up the clutter, and this will go into my briefcase for future excursions. Compact, and effective!" — see2xu
Get it from Amazon for $76.49 (available in four colors).
8. A wireless remote control outlet plug with a small remote that lets you turn devices on and off from across the room, whether it's a light fixture, a fan, a garbage disposal, or any other household electronic you don't feel like getting up or crouching down to turn on and off. You can even install the remote on the wall for easy access!
Promising review: "Oh my goodness. This light switch is the best. Got it for my 89-year-old aunt to use with her nightstand light. I affixed the control button to her headboard of the bed. The push buttons are large and that makes it perfect. Thank you!" — Karla
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
9. A brand spanking new *mini* Kindle — it's faster, it's brighter, and more importantly, it's TEENSIER. The new size makes it easier to fit in the palm of your hand, easier to travel with, and a heck of a lot easier to pack in smaller clutches and purses when you're commuting. It's also glare-free and has a battery life that lasts for up to six weeks on a single charge.
www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the mini Kindle in action.
Promising review:"This is such a great Kindle! It's lightweight, the perfect size for going in a purse or bag, and the matcha is SUCH a great color. I already have a Paperwhite SE that I love, so I decided to get this Kindle for travel purposes. The battery life isn't as great as my Paperwhite, but it still lasts me a while with daily reading! It fits perfectly in my hands and makes reading very comfortable. The only thing it is missing is the warm light option, but that is not a deal breaker for me. If you are looking for a lightweight and comfortable Kindle, this is the one for you." — Christine Heath
Get it from Amazon for $109.99 (available in black and matcha, and with or without an ad lock screen).
10. A USB-rechargeable portable water flosser that gets the job done just as effectively without having to lug a planet-size device in your bag. A lot of reviewers love the small profile of this gizmo so much they use it as as every day one at home, too!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Great travel product. It is exactly what I was looking for. Super portable to throw in my work bag and easy to put together. Love that it USB charges. Great combinations of water pressure." — MJ
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
11. A guided visual "breathing partner" you can use for meditation and calm to shift your mindset. This is designed to guide you through either the popular 4/7/8 or 5/5 "calming breaths" to help reduce stress and anxiety, using colors that fade in and out softly as cues. Bonus: it's kid friendly!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Mindset is a small business that specializes in calming personal care and decor products.
Promising review:"I started meditating over a decade ago. Intermittent in the beginning, progressing deeper, and finding new joys over time. With Breathing Buddha, the last thoughts have dropped away as counting breath always seemed to keep me conscious of, well, counting. Granted, I have always dropped the counting after a handful of breaths, but Breathing Buddha has made for a delightful transition as I realize it doesn't have to count at all. It is a lovely concept, well executed, and very easy to start using." — Lynn
Get it from Amazon for $21.95 (available in two styles).
12. A super useful, delightfully cheap charging station end table, which features two outlets and two USB ports to power lamps and gadgets and charge your devices. Reviewers love this compact, lightweight piece for bedrooms and tight living room spaces that can use the extra outlets!
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Good for small spaces. I needed this end table for a smaller space next to my couch. It fits perfectly and I love that it has an outlet and USB ports. The bottom will also fit an 11-inch basket so I can store things in there if needed." — Darcy Neuman
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three colors).
13. A slim profile ink-free thermal Bluetooth printer you can boss around from your computer, phone, or tablet to quickly print black and white images on thermal paper — excellent for printing shipping labels, articles, or quick memos on the go. Travelers also love how ridiculously portable it is!
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Check out a TikTok of the portable ink-free Bluetooth printer in action.
This requires thermal paper to operate — grab 100 sheets on Amazon for $18.69!
Promising review: "This specific printer is lightweight but very sturdy. The app is super easy to use; it's got a media library that has layouts and other clipart styles. The printer is also relatively quiet and I have not had any issues with loading the paper straight, you just have to be dedicated to inserting the paper. Do not be super gentle with the paper or it will print on the paper crooked. Customer support is awesome and the quality if nice and worth the price, in my opinion. The paper, as stated in other reviews, is costly however I think not paying for ink evens it out." — Kapizanami
Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (clip the $6 off coupon on the product page for this price; available in three colors).
14. A crossbody iPhone wallet that's a *much* more cost-effective solution than the $98 Bandolier version, with all the same cuteness and functionality.
Amazon
Promising review: "Bought with hesitation for traveling! Didn't think I'd like it that much but cannot believe how much I loved this thing! It looks like real leather and it's well made. Held my phone very snuggly. Lots of room in the wallet part. I got this for travel because I didn't want to have to carry a purse all day. This was amazing to have! It held my cash and cards and left me hand free which was sooo nice. The strap is long enough so you can talk on the phone comfortably with it still connected." — Dee
Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in iPhone four sizes and four colors).
15. Ninja's new *portable* Crispi Air Fryer system, perfect for people with high foodie standards and a chaotic schedule. This "all-in-one system" cooks your food in the same container you eat from, so you can pop your meal into the air fryer, cook it, and either pack it for later or eat it right out of the container.
Amazon, www.instagram.com
Check out a TikTok of the Ninja Crispi Air Fryer System in action.
Each air fryer comes with the"PowerPod," two containers (a 4-quart and a 6-quart), and lids. The PowerPod has auto-shutoff and four modes: Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Recrisp. The "feet" are heat-safe, so you can prop it on any surface without worrying!
Promising review: "I got my Ninja Crisper today and reheated some stuffed bread with feta cheese and spinach, and it did a wonderful job. I t was like it just came out of the oven the first time. Nice and crispy outside, but the inside heated just right. I love that the bottom glass can be covered with the lid it comes with. They come with a metal plate you can put in the glass bottom part, and it actually fits into the lid, so it doesn't get lost. The glass makes a difference in the taste, too. It is a great product and well worth it." — Jennifer
Get it from Amazon for $179.99 (available in three colors).
16. An Apple-compatible locator tag that functions just like an AirTag, but at a more affordable price. Bonus — this even comes with a waterproof case, making it even more handy for keeping track of important objects (and even more important pets!!).
Promising review: "Perfect tracker with a stylish touch! They function perfectly with the Apple Find My app, and I use them for my backpack, keys, and luggage. No more worrying about lost things thanks to the extremely accurate tracking and easy setup! I adore that I can rely on it to protect my AirTag in any conditions. This is the perfect tracker if you're an iOS user searching for something dependable, useful, and stylish! I give it 5 stars! Highly recommended!" — JoyfulGenius
Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in six styles and in a four-pack).
17. Oxo's new compact Brew Rapid Brewer, aka the answer to any money-conscious coffee lover's prayers — this version is not only cheaper and more portable than comparable models on the market, but WAY faster making cold brew without compromising on flavor. I'm talking five minutes as opposed to overnight, like other pitchers take — and it doesn't need to be charged or plugged in. 🤯
Amazon
You can use this to brew hot coffee *and* cold brew by adding coffee grounds to the top portion, tamping it down, letting it steep, and pumping into a carafe full of hot or cold water.
Promising review: "Simple to use and cheaper than that other brand. This is about the best tasting coffee I have ever made at home. Easy to clean. Sturdy. Portable." — Alex Bonick
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
18. "Plaud," an AI voice recorder and notes generator that's basically a personal assistant that fits in your pocket. This gadget not only transcribes audio from meetings in real time, but uses ChatGPT to create summaries, minutes logs, and to-do lists based on the audio. Now, those meetings that couldn't be emails can get condensed into one!
Amazon, www.amazon.com
This is also an EXCELLENT tool for students who want to summarize lectures!
Promising review: "Love this product! Very user friendly, and the app is easy to navigate. Can transcribe and summarize meeting notes in a couple of minutes and allows you to choose what layout (meeting notes, transcript, mind map) you would like. Allows you to edit notes if needed and replay the meeting. This handy device can record phone calls. Just place it in the holder and attach to your phone, and switch the button to the phone option for those on-the-go phone conferences. Very helpful and convenient!!" — Rachele
Get it from Amazon for $159 (available in two colors).
19. Birdie, an indoor carbon dioxide monitor that — bless her dramatic heart — flips over and "dies" if the air quality in your home goes down, prompting you to open a window or run an air purifier so you can breathe easier. Once Birdie is happy with the air quality again, she'll pop back up!
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "Super easy to set up, and it works! We set ours up, and after charging it and mounting it, the bird fell down. We opened the windows, and about 10 minutes later, the bird went upright. People have commented how cool it look, going to buy as a gift for a family member as well." — M English
Get it from Amazon for $149 (clip the $40 off coupon on the product page for this price; available in five styles).
20. A fast-heating straightener brush with four different temperature settings to get the job done fast, effectively, and as healthily as possible — the teeth are coated with keratin ceramic to protect hair and minimize breakage, and the curved comb shape makes sure you get *right* to the root.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
This is designed to work on all hair and curl types!
Promising review: "I have fine curly hair and have always used straighteners, and they did okay, but never got down to the root of my hair. With typical straighteners my hair starts curling again by the end of the day. I am amazed at how well this did, and will never go back to any other straightener. My hair stayed straight all day and cut my hair straightening time in half. Amazing product and extremely affordable." — Twin tornadoes
Get it from Amazon for $30.99 (available in five styles).
21. And a travel-size version of The Knot Dr. by Conair, which is an all-in-one hairdryer brush that looked at the mega-expensive Dyson AirWrap and said, "Game, set, MATCH." This affordable option works on all hair types so you can give yourself a full volumized blow-out at home in the fraction of the time it takes with an ordinary blow-dryer, without spending the big buckaroonies on expensive hair tools.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "Exactly what I needed and works great. I have a large brush dryer and took too much room when traveling. I was hesitant about buying a smaller one because my hair is very curly and didn't think it would work because of the lower watts. But it did! It's light, smaller, and will take up less room in my suitcase. I highly recommend it. Love it!" — Ana Estrella
Get it from Amazon for $33.95.
22. A delightful aesthetic cord wrapper you can attach to your kitchen gizmos to neatly tuck the cords out of sight when they're not in use. These ones are especially precious because of the subtle scalloped edges (which also help keep the cords in place when they're wrapped)!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I cannot stand cords and any sort of clutter. I have been looking for something like this product for a long time. They are super easy to use, functional, and have a cute design. I am very happy with them and hope they hold up well." — Lulu P.
Get a set of two from Amazon for $15.99 (available in two colors and multipacks).
23. An electric travel kettle for all the tea, coffee, and oatmeal monsters out there who want instant, portable access to their lifeblood. People love this for at-home use when they're not traveling, too — it boils SUPER fast for quick cuppas, and has a small profile that makes it easy to put away.
Promising review:"This gorgeous lil' portable kettle has been the best companion during all my travels this year! I drink a LOT of tea and am religious about making my special elixirs and healing potions every morning. I appreciate how quickly it heats up, and how long it keeps water hot. I have always followed the directions and use common sense when handling it, and have never had any issues with anything so far. Very satisfied with this purchase! Would highly recommend." — Sassy Mama
Get it from Amazon for $27.53 (clip the 15% off coupon on the product page for this price; available in six colors).
24. A self-cleaning electric toilet brush to go full YEE! HAWWWW! on the grime in your toilet bowl. If you're dealing with hard water stains, this is an excellent way to get the toilet bowl sparkling again without having to scrub hard. When you put it away, the base will light up blue to let you know it's sanitizing the brush!
Promising review: "I always have a ring in my toilet because I have hard water and this brush does a wonderful job of cleaning it right off! It is so easy to use and I love the blue light that automatically comes on after cleaning to get rid of bacteria. This brush actually makes cleaning toilets fun!" — Ashley Picard
Get it from Amazon for $27.19 (available in white, black, and a two-pack).
25. Ray-Ban's Meta Smart Glasses, which are enabled with Meta AI to basically make you feel like you're an undercover operative living in the ~future~. These voice-enabled glasses can take pictures and videos from your "perspective" whenever you ask, so you can seamlessly take pictures of trips and still live in the moment. This also also a great tour guide — it can get information about your environment, scan QR codes, and take calls with tiny, discreet speakers.
www.amazon.com
This was featured on Oprah's Favorite Things for 2024 — check out more of Oprah's past picks on Amazon's gift shop!
Promising review: "I love them! I feel like a spy wearing these! They come in handy when I want to be hands-free! The sound quality is amazing! The video and picture quality is great!! 👍🏽 These are the best. besides, right now, I feel special because everyone is curious because I'm the only one I know that has them! Great product!" — Stillbeauty
Get it from Amazon for $299+ (available in three colors).
26. A set of succulent-shaped outdoor lights to help light up your path when you get home at night *and* make your entry way so darn cute that it'll look like a family of fairies just moved into your attic.
www.amazon.com
27. Our Place's new Splendor Blender, a super strong, ridiculously beautiful personal blender perfect for making smoothies and shakes on the go — particularly because it comes with an adorable personal cup and drinking lid set. Also, a moment for this aesthetic, please?? Our Place never misses.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This blender is perfect! It can be left on the counter because it is so pretty and it's super strong. Everyone loves to make their own individual smoothie in the house, it blends big frozen strawberries with no problem, and it's aesthetically lovely! We love it!" — Amazon Shopper 77
Get it from Amazon for $125 (available in four colors).
28. A vintage-inspired essential oil diffuser to waft calming scents through your space and add a subtle touch of ~quiet luxury~ by serving double time as decor.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
(According to Johns Hopkins, you may want to avoid diffusing oils around larger groups and young children because of the side effects of different oils. You may also want to avoid using an oil diffuser around pets with breathing problems, according to the ASPCA.)
Promising review:"This really is a game changer for my space, it covers a really large area and smells so good. Plus this holds so much water. This is the perfect size to sit on the end table in the family room. You can hardly tell it's there, but when you, do it's a beautiful display." — Customer
Get it from Amazon for $48.99 (clip the $9 off coupon on the product page for this price; available in two styles).
29. A moon lamp candle warmer so you can get all the celestial vibes *and* the coziness of a soothing candle wafting through your space (without worrying about an open flame)!
Amazon
Promising review:"I received this as a gift for my birthday and it looks absolutely beautiful. The heat level, timer, everything about it is amazing!!!!" — Kristen
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (also available as a regular candle warmer).
30. A stylish fitness smartwatch that's a chic, affordable, user-friendly version of all the tricked-out expensive ones that aren't half as cute anyway. This water-resistant watch not only takes calls and texts and monitors your sleep, but has 70 different activity modes for fitness tracking, including the ability to track your heart rate, steps, and calories for each workout.
Promising review: "This watch is elegant and simple all at once. Can be worn with any genre of clothing. Easy to use and has all the sort after features. Love the sleep monitoring app. Great value at price point. Functions like expensive brands." — Barbara Hubbard
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three colors).
31. A portable, extendable power strip to save your technologically-dependent butt when you end up in a hotel with one (1) measly outlet. Even if it's an absurd distance from the bed, this will extend so your gadgets are all close by, and easily charge all of them at once.
32. A Wi-Fi–connected, voice-controlled Café Couture Oven with 14 essential cooking modes so you can air fry, CrispFinish, bake, broil, roast, and more, giving you so many truly elite cooking options that — gasp — you may never order takeout again?? Bless this near-sentient oven for doing all your bidding for you!
Amazon
This was featured on Oprah's Favorite Things for 2024 — check out more of Oprah's picks on Amazon's gift shop!
Promising review: "I cannot say enough good things! Size perfect! Not too large, not too small, it's the Goldilocks of countertop ovens. And it's so pretty, too. Does everything you want it to do. After reading reviews about how people just hand wash the basket, I was skeptical, but I have to tell you, no matter what you cook in, it is soooo easy to hand wash and comes out looking new. The air fry option is truly the best I've experienced thus far, not to mention the other, like, 10 cooking options you have. The price is shockingly low for this beauty, and I cannot recommend it enough." — Karen
Get it from Amazon for $328.96 (available in three colors).
33. A sleek waterproof smart sensor bathroom wastebasket so you can feel like you have magic germ-prevention powers when you're doing the otherwise boring task of throwing away your snot-filled tissues and used makeup wipes.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Psst — this takes two AA batteries!
Promising review: "Great little trash can. Easy to assemble — the three wooden legs are simple to attach. It fits well in small spaces. Lid opens and closes by a wave of the hand to the sensor located in front. Holds a grocery size bag. Very sturdy, and although it's lightweight, it does not look cheap. Great value for the money." — Anita Gordon
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in white and black and in multipacks).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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Yahoo
a minute ago
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Former Reality Show Contestants Are Sharing Their Wildest And Most Shocking Experiences
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USA Today
33 minutes ago
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America's fascination with the kiss cam: For better or worse, it's here to stay
'Are you not entertained?' Russell Crowe's Maximus famously bellowed to the Colosseum crowd in the 2000 film 'Gladiator.' But for decades, kiss cams have been posing a different question to U.S. sports fans and concertgoers: 'Are you not the entertainment?' Whether lighthearted distraction or comic relief, the ubiquitous arena and stadium feature is as American as apple pie — or at least as American as baking an apple pie and posting it on social media. Live competition and performance offer us communal experience on a massive scale, but they also offer a chance to make memories and — with the aid of kiss cams — to become part of the entertainment ourselves. For a few back-to-back moments, as the camera zeroes in on its various targets, fans watch with curiosity, anticipation, excitement and maybe even self-conscious dread. 'These events are epic, nostalgic, and for some even narcissistic,' said Adam Resnick, founder of 15 Seconds of Fame, a Los Angeles-based company whose app allows participating fans featured on in-venue video boards like kiss cams to download and share the footage as a digital souvenir. The origins of the kiss cam are frustratingly foggy but Resnick and others agree they burst onto sports scenes in the 1980s, in the years after sports franchises began introducing increasingly massive color video screens at ballparks and stadiums. Designed to fill breaks in the action and typically set to cheesy pop ballads, the kiss cam was a major innovation that shifted the focus from courts and fields into the stands. The feature is pretty much a slam dunk, with the camera's roving eye picking out random pairs of people in the stands who may or may not be actual couples — and therein lies part of the fun. Reactions are broadcast on the venue's giant video boards: If they kiss, the crowd cheers, while refusals draw playful jeers or laughter. "We love love," said Pepper Schwartz, a professor emeritus of sociology at the University of Washington in Seattle. When couples oblige, she said, "it's a feel-good feeling that transfers from one person to another and makes us optimistic." Kiss cams are cheap entertainment designed to keep audiences engaged when they could easily check out, said Joseph Darowski, an assistant professor of English at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. 'The energy of the live crowd is incredibly important, and the kiss cam helps to prevent it from dying down,' said Darowski, co-author of 'Survivor: A Cultural History,' a book that in part explores the rise of reality TV. 'Sporting events are not just about the game being played. It's the entire entertainment experience.' Any additional theatrics are generally a bonus — at least for the audience. But as illustrated by the now infamous July 16 incident at a Coldplay concert in Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, that's not always the case for the featured individuals. When reactions tell the story It was the shot broadcast around the world – the TikTok'd footage of a couple at a Coldplay concert caught mid-cuddle. 'Either they're having an affair, or they're just very shy,' Coldplay singer Chris Martin quipped after seeing the video from the stage. The video of the July 16 incident at Gillette Stadium has received more than 129 million views on TikTok alone. The viral moment and its professional and personal fallout, Schwartz said, prompted reactions ranging from amusement and fascination to, for those who've been involved in similar circumstances, schadenfreude and relief. But it wouldn't have unfolded the way it did without the kiss cam. The couple seen on the screen "could have saved themselves from worldwide derision had they waved and looked like, 'This is no big deal,'" Schwartz said. "But they took the second instinct, which was to flee. And that was the funny one." 'It could have been a vanilla, fleeting moment,' Resnick agreed. 'However, their reaction told a story." The episode illustrated how kiss cams have provoked occasional embarrassment and controversy since their debut. In addition to outing potential infidelities, their use in the past has been accused of pressuring unwilling participants to take part and shamed for promoting homophobia by showing same-sex couples for laughs. It also showed the hazards of baring private matters in public in the age of kiss cams, smartphones and social media. 'The expectation of privacy at a public event has never existed, and today, with camera ubiquity, it's preposterous for anyone to take that position,' Resnick said. More often, though, kiss cams offer those attending live events the chance to score a cameo in their own experience, claiming part or even all of those 15 seconds of fame once foretold for all of us. The power of those moments, Resnick said, lies in their organic nature. 'Authenticity can't be staged in real time,' he said. 'It resonates in the social zeitgeist.' Kiss cams 'an important metric' of acceptance The kiss cam's evolution hasn't been without its stumbles. In 2015, Syracuse University discontinued its kiss cam feature after a letter to the local newspaper cited a pair of troubling instances at the football team's game against Wake Forest. Steve Port of Manlius, N.Y., wrote that the kiss cam segment had twice featured young women who expressed unwillingness to participate but were forced to anyway, either by their male counterpart or by surrounding students. Meanwhile, a dozen or so years have passed since some major league sports franchises were accused of promoting homophobia by using kiss cams to poke fun at other teams. In those cases, after featuring a series of smooching male-female couples, the kiss cam segments ended by focusing on two of the home team's rival players, or even fans – suggesting they might kiss, and that doing so would be comedic. As a fan of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars complained after such a segment in a 2013 letter to team owner Shahid Khan, initially reported by Outsports: 'Hilarious, right? No, and the message is clear. Jaguars are heterosexual and approved. The opponent is 'gay,' disapproved and the butt of a crude joke.' A year earlier, pitcher Brandon McCarthy of Major League Baseball's Oakland A's had similarly condemned the practice after a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. 'They put two guys on the 'Kiss Cam' tonight,' McCarthy posted on the social platform now known as X. 'What hilarity!! (by hilarity I mean offensive homophobia). Enough with this stupid trend.' Later, McCarthy — now sporting director for the USL Championship's Phoenix Rising FC — told the San Francisco Chronicle: "If there are gay people who are coming to a game and seeing something like that, you can't assume they're comfortable with it. If you're even making a small group of people ... feel like outcasts, then you're going against what makes your model successful." Before long, franchises were striving to be more inclusive, and in 2015, MLB's New York Mets told the Huffington Post they would no longer feature opposing players in their kiss cam segments; that same year, the Dodgers included a gay couple in its kiss cam. 'Kiss cams are an important metric in measuring how acceptable certain people are in a given community,' said Stephanie Bonvissuto, an adjunct assistant professor of women's and gender studies at Hunter College and Brooklyn College, both part of the City University of New York system. In early 2017, the Ad Council's 'Love Has No Labels' campaign produced a commercial featuring kiss cam footage from that year's NFL Pro Bowl in Orlando, Florida, where 49 people had been killed seven months earlier in a mass shooting at gay nightclub Pulse. 'Kiss Cams have been a part of sports culture for years,' the opening text read, but at that game, it continued, they 'became part of something bigger.' The images showed pairs of individuals, outlined by a heart, broadcast on Camping World Stadium's giant screens. Friends were featured. So, too, were same-sex and interracial couples. Then the camera zoomed in on two women in the stands, one of them wearing a shirt reading 'Orlando survivor.' The two turned and kissed, to the crowd's delight. Still, Bonvissuto said it's still rare to see LGBTQ couples featured on kiss cams beyond Pride Night events. While cautioning that she hasn't seen any statistics on such representation, she said the footage she's viewed largely features white, able-bodied and seemingly cisgender individuals. 'Kiss cams act as a means to exclude certain people,' she said. 'They're incredibly important in thinking about representation — who we're seeing and not seeing.' 'Socially acceptable' voyeurism But for the most part, kiss cams have offered streams of harmless fun, fodder for highlight and blooper reels and glimpses into the relationships of everyone from fellow citizens to celebrities and sitting and former U.S. presidents. Kiss cams, said BYU's Darowski, offer audiences the constant thrill of knowing they could be onscreen combined with 'a socially acceptable, safe form of voyeurism that is traditionally taboo.' The presumed authenticity of couples' raw, unrehearsed reactions is key, too, he said. 'So much of our entertainment is highly mediated, edited and packaged for our consumption,' he said. It doesn't always play out as planned – and not all of it is necessarily genuine, thanks to some sports teams' creative minds. Many couples share crowd-pleasing kisses. Others, not so much. Some, snubbed by their companions, stomp off in a huff or peck adjacent fans instead, while youthful pairs looking to lock lips are thwarted by chaperoning adults. Whether any of it is staged doesn't matter much. Fans and audiences alike have enjoyed their moment in the limelight. Resnick, of 15 Seconds of Fame, recalled a moment in June 2024 after a Dallas Mavericks loss in game five of the NBA Finals. The arena cameras zeroed on a fan tearful over the outcome. While it wasn't part of the kiss cam feature, 'the minute he saw himself on the Jumbotron, he smiled and kissed the girl (who was) with him,' Resnick said. 'That's all you need to know about what those 15 seconds mean to fans.'
Buzz Feed
33 minutes ago
- Buzz Feed
Wild Confessions From Former Reality TV Stars
A while back, I rounded up the most shocking experiences from BuzzFeed Community members who've ever appeared on or auditioned for a reality show to share their most shocking experiences. In the comments, people shared even more! Here are 16 of their top responses: "I used to transcribe some reality TV shows, typically romance ones. The couples were genuine, and even the feelings seemed real, but the lines were fed to them and twisted their emotions to be what the production companies wanted. I was paid to transcribe everything I heard, so I'd transcribe them saying one thing when the cameras weren't rolling, and then transcribe the conversation with the production team where they were prompted to word their feelings in an often manipulated way. Then I'd transcribe them repeating the lines they'd been fed back to the rolling camera. Sometimes they'd express a degree of frustration at having to use words that didn't match their true feelings. I was never a big fan of the genre, but it put me off reality TV for life." —cakecheese "Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell filmed at a restaurant I worked at. That's how we got the new hire executive chef we needed. The restaurant had two swinging doors, one to go in and one to go out. They had my coworker fill a tray of drinks and intentionally spill them when someone came in the opposite way through 'the only swinging door' in the restaurant. My coworker played her part masterfully. 😂" —smokinace "I've tried out for American Idol and The Voice. I was a karaoke DJ for 10 years. I've been asked to sing for military awards ceremonies and private parties (nothing big), but I've been told I'm a good singer, so I should try out. I went in for The Voice. They took one look at me, gave me three seconds to sing, and said bye. They didn't give anyone a real chance unless they were already interested in you." —mizmanet "I saw the American Idol audition experience in person. They have casting judges before you get to TV, and they deliberately filter out good singers to film the bad ones or stupid-looking costumes for entertainment." —panda_13 "When I auditioned for American Idol, I could hear hundreds of beautiful voices that continuously got rejected. The only people I saw picked were either dressed crazily (a guy dressed in full tinfoil while holding a toothbrush as tall as him) or people who acted wildly (a girl danced her way up to a producer like Shakira in slow motion). They did make it onto the show though, so...." —helenmelon16 "I know a couple who broke up and went to court because he wanted the ring back, and she was keeping it. They were contacted by a court TV show asking them if they wanted to be on. I imagine they have low-level employees just scrolling through state online filings of court cases looking for anything juicy." —hans___ "I can confirm. I took an ex to small claims court about 10 years ago and got a letter from one of those judge shows. I didn't do it, but my mom wanted me to since it was one of the judges she used to watch." —flyerboy6 "I worked on…we'll call it a controversial UK morning talk show, which is no longer in production. We absolutely used to seek out stories in this manner, and even worse tactics. 😬" —britneypeedonaladybug "This girl I went to high school with tried out for The Real World in like 2008. She was pretty, popular, and dramatic and had three pet tigers, so I don't know why they passed on her. Now she's married to a famous rapper and is an influencer with more than a million IG followers." —beaniebaby99 "I took the test for Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Couple of things: I didn't realize you take the test first but have to stay through at least two show tapings to get your results, so I guess that's how they get at least part of their studio audience. The other thing that struck me was how hard the test questions were versus how easy the show questions were. It was curious to me how some of the contestants even made it on the show when they were missing so many of the questions. If they could pass that test in the first place, the show shoulda been a piece of cake! 🤷🏽♀️" —sthumphrey24 "A girl I worked with was runner-up on The Bachelor. It was before it was a launching pad for social media careers, so she kept her real job and has a reasonable online presence. She actually came off as more mellow on the show than she is in person, which is probably the best outcome you can hope for." —beaniebaby99 "Why anyone would be on a reality TV show is beyond me. There was a couple in my friend's neighborhood who were on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. They had four kids with disabilities, so the house was built accordingly. Afterwards, the property taxes soared, and they couldn't afford to live there. They sold it and moved elsewhere. The construction was supposedly pretty half-baked, too." —demoncopperhead "My friend was scouted for My Strange Addiction because she makes a living through teaching and working with taxidermy. They wanted to portray her as some sort of dead animal addict who compulsively messed with the corpses. It was not the case at all. She had and has a normal life outside of her work and is perfectly healthy." —problematik "Went to a taping of Whose Line Is It Anyway?. Ruined the show for me. They did multiple takes of a lot of it, with some jokes repeated, and others slightly tweaked." —mustaaaaard "I had a friend go on Tattoo Fixers. He was shown the designs before he actually went on the show, so he knew what he was going to get. The 'reveal' part was filmed a few weeks later after it'd healed, so he had to fake a surprised look." —doublekmama And finally: "I was on Trading Spaces while I was volunteering for the Ronald McDonald House. Doug was the designer. He chose to renovate the day room as a thank you because his nephew had cancer, and his parents had stayed in one while he was in treatment. It was really sweet and turned out gorgeous." —bestunicorn88 If you've ever been on a reality show, what was your experience like? Tell us all about it in the comments or in the anonymous comments box below!
