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Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

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Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#141
Google Assistant. I had a smart clock for years but only now got the full benefit now that I've switched to Keep and Calendar for so many things rather than using various notes apps.

My Kobo Libra 2 reader has been great. Although sometimes I wish I'd bought a Kindle or waited for the Scribe, because Kobo books often cost more than Kindle books, and it seems like Kindle has better sideloading support now.

Wall mount hooks. Now that they have nicer looking ones with drywall anchors instead of the old eye hooks, I've found lots of uses for them.

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#142
Space heater, 20 bucks. In the past I chose to heat the bedroom a little on cold days and otherwise suck it up and dress while shivering (no point burning a ton of gas to heat an entire bedroom). Now, I use 1.5 kW for ~3 minutes (0.01 kWh) to have hot air be blown on me while getting dressed in the morning.

Because it changes how warm I feel while going downstairs, I also don't need downstairs to be as warm to get warmed up again. I'm already warm and can sit in a normal temperature room to work.

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Air purifier (40 bucks on offer I think). We got it for unrelated reasons, it didn't help for that. Unexpected uses:

1. Neighbours' smoke occasionally comes into our apartment somehow and now I can do something about it. Before, I would just suck it up and try to convince myself that the little residue coming through whatever wall isn't going to impact my health.

2. This winter, people seem to like to heat the house with whatever old painted glued rotting wood they can find (or maybe also dead bodies, it's hard to tell). I can wait a few hours, but if it doesn't clear up and I want some fresh air before sleeping then what I do is open the bedroom window wide for a few minutes to replace the air, doors closed, then close window and turn on purifier on high for 30+ minutes, and then go back in there to sleep.

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#143

If you control 2-3 computers next to each other, I recommend the Logitech MX Keys and MX Master 3s. I can control multiple computers and switch between them by holding ctrl and bringing my mouse to the edge of a screen. It then jumps to the other computer seamlessly. Now my desk is clutter free of multiple mice and keyboards.

I don't like being tied to one company's peripherals. The best solution I've found to this is to use a keyboard with firmware that instantly switches between bluetooth and wired (I use an M60 python keyboard). That way I can use a key combination to switch. I also just use two different mice, since they are small.

I've tried a few software solutions over the years but they all seem to run into issues eventually.

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#144
post #138

Ordering frozen croissants online. Before going to bed you leave one in the oven. Wake up, turn oven on, hit the shower. When you come out, it's ready to eat = cafe experience at home, coffee and a croissant while checking the news.

What a coincidence, just had one of those. Don't want to be a shill, but no need to order online. 4 for $5 at Trader Joe's.

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#145
post #6

I work from home - with a 5 minute screensaver with complicated password required by corporate - USB MouseJiggler - https://www.amazon.com/Undetectable-Computer-Simulate-Moveme... Best - Purchase - Ever - !

I was worried that would be detectable so I programmed the onboard memory of my Logitech mouse to jiggle itself.

Putting my glasses on my laptop trackpad does the trick, too. I guess the metal confuses the trackpad sensor.

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#146
Sodastream. Has significantly increased the amount of water i drink and conversely decreased other crap being drunk

High end ricecooker ended up getting more use than expected.

USB KVM style switch to change mouse/kyb over between work and personal device

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#149
post #138

Ordering frozen croissants online. Before going to bed you leave one in the oven. Wake up, turn oven on, hit the shower. When you come out, it's ready to eat = cafe experience at home, coffee and a croissant while checking the news.

Just tried these for the first time from TJ's and you are absolutely right!
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