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Global News
3 hours ago
- Business
- Global News
Must-have back-to-school organization tools to start the year right
The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms. Whether you're a parent managing your family's multiple schedules, your own commitments, or even are a student trying to master time management ahead of that dreaded deadline crunch, there are tools to help us prioritize, organize, simplify and track to tame the chaos that life (and the return of a new school year) can throw our way. But of all the tools out there, the one that's proven most useful in our busy household of five (six if you count our pup) is our family's de facto command centre: The Skylight Calendar. While many large-format wall calendars aim to relay important information like dates and events, the wifi-enabled Skylight calendar's digital touchscreen capabilities scale beyond anything a standard calendar can do. It truly makes a case for why digital tools are superior to traditional wall calendars. Here are a few reasons why. Story continues below advertisement 1. It allows you to manage multiple schedules with ease. First thing's first: A calendar that gives you and your family a bird's eye view of everyone's upcoming appointments, outings, practices and more makes life so much simpler. But here is where the Skylight offers an advantage. By colour-coding each person's profile and schedule, it provides an easy snapshot in one location of what each of your family members has going on in the coming days, weeks or months. You can even filter the schedules by person, if you need to drill in on that. In this way, the Skylight calendar offers a clear, uncluttered view of who's got what coming up and how often–no missed appointments, or miscommunications. You can also tag different individuals for each event, so it's easy to see who's doing what and when on any given day (we have profiles and colours dedicated to each of our family members and one that includes the whole family). Story continues below advertisement 2. The calendar syncs with your existing calendars. Skylight works with existing popular calendar options, so you don't need to worry about doubling the work for yourself here either. It's compatible with Google Calendar, iCloud Calendar, Outlook Calendar, Yahoo and more. You can configure which calendars or appointments you want to sync by connecting to wifi and going from there. If you prefer, you can also add your events manually on your phone through the Skylight app, or directly onto the calendar's touchscreen clear interface. More on that shortly. 3. It's so simple to use, everyone can contribute. If your kids are old enough, it's an excellent teaching tool to help your kids grasp organization, planning ahead and time management. You can empower your little ones to manage their own important dates, like practices, on the calendar (this not only eliminates one extra task off your plate, but it teaches responsibility and empowers each member of the family to have input). Bonus: Because Skylight isn't a smart tablet but a digital planning tool, you don't have to worry about it being misused to surf the web or watch YouTube. And even the students in your life can benefit; they can add important assignments due dates and exam dates, assigning different colours to each class. In this way, they can spot particularly busy periods and plan ahead. Story continues below advertisement 4. Intuitive touchscreen display and easy setup. The Skylight Calendar comes with a convenient, beautiful and intuitive clear 15' HD Smart Display (there is a 27-inch screen option, but for now is only available from the brand's store). You can either mount it on a wall or set it up as a digital frame on a table top. It is powered through an outlet, so you will need one of those nearby. The setup is quick and easy and the materials feel sturdy and high-quality. The display also features multiple view options to toggle between, including daily, weekly or monthly views, giving you control over how many details you want displayed. There are other customizable features too, such as whether you want to start your week on a Sunday or Monday. 5. It doubles as task manager, chore chart and meal planner. In addition to being a great digital calendar, the Skylight offers a task management function, so you can keep track and tick off all your completed to-dos. And, for a paid subscription to Calendar Plus ($110 for the year, but you can bundle it with a calendar purchase for less), you also get access to additional premium features such as a digital photo frame that acts as a focal point and conversation piece when the Skylight is in sleep mode (this is one of our family's favourite features–our kids love seeing themselves in their favourite moments). There is also a customizable chore chart for your littles with awards for completion to help keep them on track and even a digital meal planner, so no one has to ask, 'what's for dinner?' Story continues below advertisement The only small feature we would have loved to see included here is a countdown to important dates like vacations, holidays and so on. Not a huge deal–but would be a great addition. Beyond this, the Skylight calendar really is a one-stop digital family command centre, so you can build healthy routines and habits in your household and to help keep us on top of our schedules and to-dos, rather than be ruled by them. And if you're also looking for a few other tools to start the year right and stock your productivity kit, we've got those recommendations, too: You may also like: Salton Electric Mug Warmer – $12.98 Mini Desk Vacuum Cleaner – $32.99 Apple Magic Keyboard – $119 Old-fashioned pen and paper academic planner More Recommendations The most useful Amazon house hacks that will simplify your life Academic Planner 2025-2026 If you're a student, here is a case for writing your homework manually in a pen-and-paper academic planner: Research supports that writing activates different regions of your brain than typing does, essentially 'encoding' what you're writing. For this reason, we really like the traditional planner. And the layout of this one allows you to structure your goals and tasks in a neat, organized way. Plus, it comes with great design options. $17.09 on Amazon (was $18.99) Story continues below advertisement A large white board with stand Magnetic Portable Easel Dry Erase Board, Flipchart Easel Stand Tripod Whiteboard We love tools that are multifunctional, like the Skylight, and don't take up a tonne of real estate. Another great multipurpose tool is a magnetic, portable dry erase board. It's an affordable way to jot down your brainstorms, or goals for the upcoming week, month, or even year. And the visual reminder can act as an accountability tracker and just nudge you forward when feeling motivated is especially hard. Just pair it with a good batch of dry erase markers and you're good to go. We like this large format option and Amazon Basic Dry Erase Markers for the fun colours and low price point. $78.9 on Amazon A smart tablet to help you read, annotate and take notes Apple iPad with A16 chip You might have just read that writing your thoughts and notes out by hand is the best way to learn — especially for developing brains. Cue the caveat: Nothing says you can't use digital tools for said writing. And an iPad is just open-ended enough of a tool that you can literally use it in so many ways, once your notes are on the digital paper. Pair it with the Apple Pencil Pro and you're good to go. $599.99 on Amazon (was $649) Story continues below advertisement A kid-friendly visual timer Visual Timer for Kids, 60-Minute Countdown Timer This one's for the younger ones living under your roof, who may need an occasional reminder to get moving in the morning. A visual countdown timer is a helpful cue to let kids know how much time they've got remaining to finish their breakfast, get dressed for school and be out the door, without putting the burden on the parent to constantly have to shout out the time. And we love the adorable designs and colours these timers offer. Who wouldn't want to look at them? Buy on Amazon A utility cart on wheels Utility Cart with Wheels A utility cart is exactly that – a useful, portable cart to help you move frequently-used items from room-to-room. Whether your child uses it to prepare their outfits for the coming days, to organize their art supplies and hobbies, or to stash their learning materials and a 'homework kit,' this four-tiered option has plenty of space and style while keeping your kids on track, no matter where they are in the home. $90 on Wayfair Story continues below advertisement You may also like: Papier Italian Summer Hardcover 2025 Weekly Planner – $40.80 Sunrise Alarm Clock – $43.66 Wireless Charging Stand – $47.99
Geeky Gadgets
5 days ago
- Geeky Gadgets
The Truth about ChatGPT Agent : Game-Changer or a Glitchy Gimmick?
What if the tool you trusted to simplify your life ended up complicating it instead? That's the paradox many users are discovering with ChatGPT's much-anticipated AI Agent. Marketed as a innovative step in task automation, this feature promises to handle everything from deep research to booking your next vacation. Yet, behind the sleek branding lies a tool that's sparking heated debates. While some hail it as a glimpse into the future of AI, others are frustrated by its glitches, inefficiencies, and glaring security concerns. Is the AI Agent a new innovation or an overhyped experiment that's not quite ready for prime time? In this exploration, Skill Leap AI unpack the truth about ChatGPT's AI Agent—its potential, pitfalls, and the real-world implications of relying on it for complex tasks. You'll discover how it works, where it stumbles, and why it's raising eyebrows among both casual users and tech enthusiasts. From its ambitious claims of seamless automation to the frustrations of inconsistent outputs, this deep dive will help you decide whether the AI Agent is a tool worth embracing—or one to approach with caution. After all, the line between innovation and inconvenience is often thinner than it seems. AI Agent Limitations What Are AI Agents? AI Agents are sophisticated tools developed to handle complex, multi-step tasks that typically require human intervention. These tasks include conducting in-depth research, filling out forms, interacting with websites, and generating reports or presentations. By combining multiple functionalities into a single system, the AI Agent aims to reduce manual workload and improve overall efficiency. For example, it can audit your Google Calendar, book hotels, or create spreadsheets with minimal user input. However, despite its ambitious objectives, the AI Agent often struggles to deliver consistent results. Tasks that should be simplified by automation frequently encounter errors, delays, or incomplete outputs, leaving users questioning its reliability. While the concept of an all-in-one automation tool is appealing, the current execution leaves much to be desired. Performance Challenges One of the most significant drawbacks of the AI Agent is its inefficiency in performing tasks. Instead of simplifying workflows, the feature often complicates them. For instance, tasks like researching business formation processes or booking travel accommodations can take far longer than expected. Booking a hotel, for example, might require up to 25 minutes, with frequent interruptions caused by errors or extended processing times. Additionally, the outputs generated by the AI Agent are often poorly formatted or less effective compared to results achieved using standard ChatGPT tools. These performance issues undermine the feature's primary goal of saving time and effort. Users who expect seamless automation are often left frustrated by the tool's inability to meet basic expectations. OpenAI ChatGPT Agent Review Watch this video on YouTube. Take a look at other insightful guides from our broad collection that might capture your interest in AI Agents. Security Concerns Data security is another critical issue associated with the AI Agent. To perform certain tasks, the feature requires access to personal accounts and sensitive information, which introduces potential risks. The virtual browser setup, while innovative, comes with warnings about malicious websites, further eroding user trust. The lack of robust safeguards to protect sensitive data is a significant concern. Users are advised to exercise caution when granting permissions or sharing confidential information. Until stronger security measures are implemented, the AI Agent's reliance on personal data will remain a barrier to widespread adoption. Use Cases and Limitations The AI Agent demonstrates potential in specific scenarios, but its limitations are hard to ignore. Tasks such as creating presentations or auditing schedules can often be accomplished using existing ChatGPT features without the need for the agent mode. This redundancy raises questions about the feature's necessity for many users. Moreover, frequent errors and an underdeveloped interface detract from its usability. Instead of simplifying workflows, the AI Agent often introduces additional complications, leaving users feeling frustrated rather than empowered. While the tool has potential, its current state makes it difficult to justify its inclusion in high-tier subscription plans. User Experience and Usability The overall user experience is hindered by long processing times, frequent glitches, and inconsistent outputs. These issues make the AI Agent feel more like a beta test than a polished product. For a feature included in premium subscription plans, such as the $200/month option, users expect a seamless and efficient experience. Unfortunately, the AI Agent falls short of these expectations, leading to disappointment among early adopters. The lack of a user-friendly interface further compounds the problem. Navigating the AI Agent's features can be cumbersome, and the frequent need for manual intervention undermines its purpose as an automation tool. For many users, the time spent troubleshooting the AI Agent outweighs any potential benefits it might offer. Pricing and Value The AI Agent is available as part of ChatGPT's premium subscription plans, but its value proposition is questionable given its current limitations. Users paying for higher-tier plans anticipate significant improvements over standard tools. However, the AI Agent often underdelivers, making it difficult to justify the additional cost. Simpler and more reliable alternatives are readily available, further diminishing the appeal of the AI Agent. Until the feature undergoes significant improvements, its inclusion in premium plans may feel like an unnecessary expense for many users. Future Potential Despite its current shortcomings, the AI Agent holds promise as a tool for automating complex tasks. Developers have acknowledged the existing inefficiencies and security risks and are actively working to refine the technology. If these improvements materialize, the AI Agent could become a valuable asset for users seeking to streamline their workflows. However, as of now, the feature remains an overhyped tool that struggles to meet user expectations. For those considering the AI Agent, it is essential to weigh its potential benefits against its current limitations. While the concept is promising, the execution still requires significant refinement to deliver on its ambitious goals. Media Credit: Skill Leap AI Filed Under: AI, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
IOL News
5 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Burnout alert! Smart revision tips for parents navigating term 3 chaos
Helping your child revise in a smarter, more structured way can go a long way in preventing burnout. Image: Pexels/August de Richelieu As term 3 kicks off - arguably the most academically intense stretch of the school year - students are under pressure to perform. Whether it's the build-up to matric final exams or internal assessments across grades, this is the term where things get real. But for learners to succeed, especially under mounting academic demands, they need more than just textbooks and timetables - they need a strategy. And that's where parents come in. Supporting your child doesn't mean hovering or micromanaging. It's about creating an environment and routine that encourages effective, healthy study habits - helping them work smarter, not harder. Here's how parents can help learners revise with purpose and avoid burnout this term: Help them build a realistic study plan Avoid cramming the night before. Encourage your child to break subjects into smaller chunks and set achievable weekly goals. Use a wall calendar, Google Calendar, or printable planner to map it all out visually. Tip: Include breaks, fun activities and downtime to avoid overloading the schedule. Create a distraction-free study space It doesn't have to be fancy - just clean, quiet and consistent. A dedicated study zone, even if it's just a corner of a shared room, helps the brain switch into 'focus mode.' Bonus: Keep stationery, highlighters and notes within reach to reduce the urge to wander. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ A dedicated study zone, even if it's just a corner of a shared room, helps the brain switch into 'focus mode.' Image: Pexels/Julia M Cameron Manage digital distractions together TikTok, WhatsApp and Instagram are productivity's worst enemies. Consider 'study mode' apps that limit screen time while rewarding focus. You can also set phone-free time blocks during homework hours. Fuel the brain Nutrition matters - especially during long school days and late-night revisions. Stock up on healthy snacks (fruit, nuts, boiled eggs, yoghurt) and keep sugary, processed foods to a minimum. Hydration is just as key: water helps concentration more than energy drinks or soft drinks. Protect their sleep It's tempting to study late into the night, but sleep is critical for memory and mood. Encourage a regular sleep routine and aim for 7–9 hours, even during exams. A well-rested brain retains more and performs better. Communicate with teachers Don't wait until term 4 to check in. If your child is struggling or falling behind, schedule a chat with their teacher. Many schools also offer extra lessons or support programmes during term 3. Normalise breaks and mental health days Academic pressure is real - especially in Grade 6, 9 and matric. Give your child permission to pause. A short walk, a laugh or even a day to rest and reset can do wonders for long-term performance.
Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Perplexity CEO says his AI browser will replace these two white collar jobs in every company
Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Nvidia-backed startup Perplexity, has unveiled ambitions for the company's latest product, an AI-powered browser named Comet. Speaking on a recent episode of The Verge's 'Decoder' podcast, Srinivas claimed the tool is designed to automate substantial portions of work traditionally handled by recruiters and executive assistants, and can quickly replace them. Describing Comet as more than just a browser, Srinivas explained it's built to act as an intelligent assistant capable of handling complex workplace tasks autonomously. 'A recruiter's work worth one week is just one prompt: sourcing and reach outs,' he said in the podcast. Explaining the features of the browser, Srinivas shared that Comet's AI agent integrates directly with tools like Gmail, LinkedIn, and Google Calendar, allowing it to perform end-to-end recruiting tasks. It can create candidate shortlists, scrape contact information, and send out customised outreach emails. Further, he highlighted how Comet could take over many routine duties of an executive assistant, from email management to scheduling. Speaking to Business Insider, he explained, 'You want it to keep following up, keep a track of their responses.' He added that the AI is capable of updating spreadsheets, tracking communication status, handling follow-ups, resolving calendar conflicts, scheduling meetings, and even preparing briefings ahead of time. 'It can update the Google Sheets, mark the status as responded or in progress, and follow up with those candidates, sync with my Google calendar, and then resolve conflicts and schedule a chat, and then push me a brief ahead of the meeting,' he said. Srinivas envisions Comet evolving into a full-fledged 'AI operating system' for knowledge workers, capable of running in the background and autonomously executing a wide range of professional tasks. Srinivas revealed that Comet is still available to premium users and is invite-only. He believes that users will pay for AI that can perform quality work. 'At scale, if it helps you to make a few million bucks, does it not make sense to spend $2,000 for that prompt? It does, right?' he said.
Android Authority
20-07-2025
- Android Authority
These are the 6 Android widgets I simply can't live without
Megan Ellis / Android Authority From calendars to reminder apps, everyone has their own list of the best Android widgets. For me, widgets help me get overviews of various things without needing to open up the app that they're linked to. I recently switched to a new smartphone, and while there are certain things I do whenever I set up a new phone, I also realized that I needed to refresh some of my widget setups. As a result, these ones have become indispensable to my daily routine. 1. TickTick Megan Ellis / Android Authority TickTick is the best to-do list app in my opinion, and its widgets also help to keep me organized. On an average day, my executive functioning is impaired — meaning I often forget tasks and need frequent reminders to get things done. But lately, I've also been particularly forgetful due to stress. TickTick's widgets have become another way I keep on top of tasks without overwhelming myself with notifications. I use two widgets from TickTick: one to quickly create new tasks, and one that gives me an overview of all overdue and upcoming tasks. In addition to the regular reminders that TickTick sends me for tasks, the widgets help me quickly get an overview of what I need to do without needing to remember to open up the app. 2. Google Calendar Megan Ellis / Android Authority While I've started using TickTick's widget to tackle my increasing forgetfulness, Google Calendar's widget has been a mainstay on my devices for years. It's not the most attractive widget, but it gets the job done. With the month widget on my secondary home screen, I can get a good look at all my upcoming events and meetings. Calendar helps me when I have events I need to prepare for, such as trips to local phone launches. This also helps me when I have events I need to prepare for, such as trips to local phone launches. In these cases, a reminder a day before wouldn't really help me prepare. But seeing the entire month on a small widget lets me ensure that I get the right groceries, shift any recurring appointments, and see which days I will need to put more hours into my work to get it done. I have been playing around with the Month: Calendar Widget app to see if I can find a more visually appealing look while still pulling the appointments and events that are saved to my Google Calendar. But so far, I continue to rely on Google Calendar thanks to dark mode. 3. Vocabulary Megan Ellis / Android Authority Vocabulary is one of the apps I use to learn something new every day. With notifications enabled, it sends me words that it thinks I'll be interested in learning. But on days where I receive too many notifications across different apps, I often dismiss all my notifications at once. The Vocabulary widget lets me learn new words even when I'm overwhelmed by notifications. The widget lets me reap the benefits of the app even if I don't open it up. It refreshes once or twice an hour (though the frequency can be set to more regularly), so usually whenever I check my phone I am greeted by a new word. 4. Clock/Weather Megan Ellis / Android Authority There are plenty of clock and weather apps to choose from, but the default Weather app on my HONOR smartphone lets me combine the time, date, and weather forecast into a single widget on my home screen. This is especially useful when I'm waking up in the morning and want to get an idea of what the weather is like outside. I do wish that there was a way to quickly see the forecast for the next few days, but I use a Google automation to send me the next few days' weather outlook during the evening. I have also set up an IFTTT notification to warn me if the weather is going to be above a certain temperature. If you're looking for an app with similar functionality to HONOR's clock and weather widget, you can try an app like Digital Clock & Weather Widget. 5. Brave Search Megan Ellis / Android Authority I switched from Chrome to Brave a few months ago, and I am glad I made the change. I love Brave's features and find its search engine to be better than Google's ad-ridden rival. When exploring widgets on my new phone, I realized that I can replace the usual Google Search widget with one that uses Brave Search instead. The widget gives me quick access to a search query in Brave and the ability to voice search. I also prefer using the Brave widget over my usual Brave app shortcut so that I don't get distracted by my most recent tab — which can sometimes send me down a rabbit hole if it's a topic I'm interested in. 6. Xiaomi Home Megan Ellis / Android Authority I was initially excited for Google Home to roll out more useful widgets, but the app is incredibly buggy for me in general. It often shows my devices as offline even when they're not, so the widgets are of no use to me. Rather, I use Xiaomi Home's widgets for quick access to my most important smart home devices. Google Home is very buggy for me, so I use Xiaomi Home's widgets instead. I've set up two Xiaomi Home widgets on my smartphone: one for my smart camera, and another for my smart fan. These are the smart devices I access the most, so the shortcuts are incredibly useful. On a recent trip, I used the camera widget to quickly access my home's video feed to check that everything was fine back home. Easier access to my camera also means that I use the camera more frequently, often to check up on one of my cats when he hasn't come to bed. Since it's winter now, I don't use my smart fan shortcut as much. But it's essential in summer to quickly turn my fan on and off at night. It also proved useful during autumn, when the weather was inconsistent and I would only realize after I went to sleep if I needed to turn the fan on or off to keep a comfortable temperature. While everyone will have their own widget preferences depending on the services they use, these widgets have become essential to the way I use my phone. They save me time and prevent me from getting easily distracted by directly accessing the features I need.
