While fitness trackers are all the rage, an older gadget might be a better help if you’re looking to hit your fitness goals: a chest band heart rate tracker. They’re cheaper, more accurate, and rarely need a battery change.

These are more niche athlete gadgets and can’t easily be found on the shelves of Best Buy or Academy. But for those who want a simple and effective way to get super-accurate heart rate data, they can’t be beaten. We’ve selected the best on the market.

The Best Overall Chest HR Tracker: Wahoo TICKR

For anyone who wants to make the switch to a chest strap heart rate monitor without breaking the bank, the Wahoo TICKR is the best option. This super-simple tracker runs on a cheap watch battery for months (or even years), and connects to most exercise equipment via the ANT+ wireless standard, with Bluetooth available as a backup for most phone exercise apps. (Wahoo makes its own app, but the tracker works with almost any app that supports external hardware.)

Its simple hardware and snap-on, adjustable strap are just about foolproof. It helps that it’s tiny: The low-profile tracker can easily fit underneath even tight workout clothes. For an accurate upgrade without the frills, you can’t do any better.

Best Budget Chest HR Tracker

Wahoo TICKR Heart Rate Monitor, Bluetooth/ANT+

The Wahoo Tickr is inexpensive, unobtrusive, and easy to use. It’s also among the least expensive wireless trackers on the market.

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$49.50

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The Most Accurate Chest HR Tracker: Polar H10

Runners and cyclists adore the Polar H10, thanks to measurement accuracy that consistently beats the competition. Its electrocardiogram sensor, waterproof design, and dual Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity (both at the same time, if you need it) means it can be used in almost any situation.

The user-replaceable battery is rated for 400 hours of active tracking, and it can save a workout session in local memory if you don’t have your phone or tracking gadget handy. It also works on the semi-proprietary 5 Khz “Gymlink” wireless standard. And yes, despite the Polar branding, the H10 is more than happy to work with third-party apps.

Most Accurate Chest HR Tracker

Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor

Polar’s H10 is the gold standard of basic heart rate trackers, and it works with Bluetooth, ANT+, and GymLink.

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With macOS Catalina, Apple is now using Zsh as the default shell. We love Zsh, but the trusty old Bash shell is still included with macOS, and you can quickly switch back to Bash if you prefer.

Zsh is only the default shell on newly created user accounts, so any existing accounts you have on an upgraded  Mac will still use Bash by default unless you change it. Each user account has its own default shell preference.

From the Terminal

To change a user account’s default shell on macOS, simply run the chsh -s (change shell) command in a Terminal window.

Change the default shell to Bash by running the following command:

chsh -s /bin/bash

You’ll have to enter your user account’s password. Finally, close the Terminal window and reopen it. You’ll be using Bash instead of Zsh.

Change the default shell back to Zsh by running this command:

chsh -s /bin/zsh

Enter your password when prompted. After you close the terminal window and reopen it, you’ll be using Zsh.

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Happenin’ haunts and pop-up Halloween parties rule October. If you don’t want to get caught without your fangs, we’ve got some gory goodies you’d be wise to keep in your coffin.

From last-minute office parties to impromptu zombie walks, you never know what chicanery might appear in October. If you wait too long to plan your costume, the least popular Disney princesses (and a ton of Shreks) will be the only things left at the shops.

However, if you keep a stash of macabre necessities in your lair, you can transform anytime and with a quickness—even if it’s not a full moon.

All of the items on our list were available at the time of writing, but if they happen to be out of stock, use them as inspiration!

Hair-Raising Hairdos

A saucy wig or some hair dye is the quickest way to turn yourself into someone (or something) else. If you keep some of these creepy coifs around your haunted mansion, you can pair one with some of our other suggestions and be off on your broomstick:

• Black gothic wig: Whether it’s Dracula or Morticia, everyone has at least one Halloween they celebrate as a Dark Lord or Mistress of the Night—or Cher.
• Clown wig: Yes, even if you go as the circus-variety buffoon, most people will still be creeped out. Of course, if you want to be more obvious about your mayhem, you can go as the creepiest one of all.
• Mullet wig: You might just win the costume contest with this beauty! It instantly transforms you into the trailer park landlord of your dreams or a member of just about any band, circa 1982. Pair this with a torn, stained tank top and some ripped jeans, and you’re ready for the kegger (let’s get real—you’re bringing the keg).
• Crimping iron: In the ’80s, looking like you lost a fight with a waffle iron was totally rad! Now, you too can get that coveted “my kitchen appliances are possessed” look. This style is making a comeback, though, so you might find this iron useful even after you rock the Halloween shindig as your favorite Go-Go.
• Wayne and Garth: It’s party time, it’s excellent! These are variations on the mullet theme, but why quit a good thing? The Wayne wig includes the hat, so just add a sprinkle of black t-shirt, a dash of denim, and one fresh Garth, and you can spend Halloween in Wayne’s World. You’ll have your fellow partygoers crying, “We’re not worthy!” in no time.
• Wig with curlers: Ever wondered why you see tons of zombie grandmas on Halloween? Because it’s an easy-peasy costume! You have PJ’s, a robe, and some bunny slippers, right? Just snag this wig and some zombie face (more on that later), and you’re ready to meet your fellow Walkers at the Senior Center for some Apocalypse Bingo.
• Black temporary dye: If you’d rather not wear a sweaty, itchy wig, you can go the temporary spray-in dye route. This black aerosol from High Beams doesn’t make your hair stiff like hairspray, but it does smear. Be sure to drape a towel over your costume before you use it, and spray it on outside—unless you want to paint your walls and the cat, too.

Frightening Faces

Now that you’ve got your harrowing hair figured out, it’s time to make that face horrific. Even if you haven’t a clue what you want to be for Halloween, a few decent makeup palettes can open up a dark, endless world of creativity.

Here are some of our essential makeup and special effects kits for guys and ghouls:

• Smokey eye palette and Black eyeliner: Whether you’re morphing into a goth icon or the Starchild from KISS, you have to smoke up those eyes. This eyeshadow palette from BYS has everything you need to shade and layer your way to Mistress of the Night. Then, you’ve got to go all-in on the drama with a good liquid liner. We like the waterproof pen from Docolor.
• 80s eyeshadow palette: If you’d prefer to be Mistress of the Dancefloor rather than Darkness, you’ll be needing some electric blue (or pink, or purple) eyeshadow to go with that side-ponytail you’re rockin’. This Spectrum palette has every color Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, or any Bangle in-between could possibly want.
• Clown makeup kit: Ready to unleash your version of Pennywise or Bozo on your unsuspecting friends? Just pair this palette with one of the clown wigs we shared above. This versatile kit isn’t just for Killer Klowns from Outer Space, though. With the white cream base and variety of detail colors, you can create zombies, werewolves, phantoms, or the rest of the members of KISS.
• White pressed powder: You’re looking a little pale this evening. Well, you will be, anyway, with this offering from Bloody Mary Makeup. If you want to look just-bitten and sickly, but not supernaturally-dead-for-centuries, this powder makes the perfect base. And the handy compact means you can pause for touchups between victims.
• Blues rocker beard: If you don’t want to mess with makeup but still want a shot at winning that Target Gift Card in the costume contest, slip on this ZZ Top beard and your southern rocker ‘tude. This beauty comes with the ‘stache, but don’t forget to “go get yourself some cheap sunglasses.”
• Trauma kits: Whether it’s gunshot wounds, various and sundry scars, or something more office-specific, it doesn’t matter what you wear when you look like a resurrected CSI victim. Don’t discriminate: gross out friends and strangers alike!
• Zombie makeup kit: Grab some old clothes from the thrift store, cut them up, roll them in some dirt, and let this Fun World kit do the rest. Or, you can snatch up that wig with curlers we covered earlier and unleash Zombie Gran!

Miscellaneous Mischief

Now that you have several possible guises to strut at the morbid masquerade, you might want to pick up some stalwart props.

If you keep these ominous odds and ends around, you’ll be ready to head to Scaretown before anyone can say “Bloody Mary” three times:

• Witch’s hat: The witch costume remains a time-honored Halloween tradition for many reasons—it’s easy, creepy, and black is slimming. Did we mention it’s easy? If you need to hop on your broomstick at a moment’s notice to find some eye of newt, you can’t forget your hat! Whether you’re glam, disco, grunge, or classic crone, your perfect topper is only a click away.
• Blood: When you go gory, you need blood. Not the real kind! Step away from the Blood Bank, please. Finding decent fake blood can be a challenge. Sure, you can make your own, but if you don’t have that kind of time, you can nab some pretty realistic formulas on Amazon. Of course, keep in mind, all fake blood stains clothing and your skin. You might be a bit pinker the first few days of November than you were in October.
• Fangs: If you want to throw on your black cape and make some music with the Children of the Night, you’re going need some neck chompers—and a good set is hard to find. This kit includes multiple sets of fangs so you can pick just the right size for your teeth. You attach these with the included adhesive, and, hopefully, you don’t plan to eat…food.
• Trauma headbands: Grab a bottle of that fake blood we mentioned above and become an instant horror movie victim with the Weapon headband set. It includes four appalling head wounds, which means you’ll be all set for four straight Halloweens!

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Don’t run your Pi 4 without a case. That’s just criminal. Here are some great cases that can keep your Pi 4 cool and dust-free in any situation.

What to Look for in a Pi 4 Case

Raspberry Pis can be used to accomplish just about anything. Need a smart mirror? You can build one with a Pi. Want a powerful media center? Set it up on a Raspberry Pi.

But all this flexibility can make it hard to find a good Raspberry Pi case. Some cases are meant for everyday applications, but others are made specifically for smarthome setups, entertainment centers, or intensive applications (which can generate a lot of heat).

So before shopping for a Pi case, you should stop and think of what you need. Here are some of the features that you might need in a Pi 4 case:

• Heat Dissipation: If you plan to use your Pi 4 for intensive actives or extended periods, then you should probably get a nice, cool case. Aluminum cases with fans and heat-sinks are the coolest option, but most people can get away with the bare minimum, like a case with one fan or decent ventilation.
• GPIO/Module Access: All of the Pi cases listed in this article provide easy access to the GPIO and module pins, but some give a bit of extra wiggle room for cables. If you want to use accessories like camera modules or with your Pi, then try to find a case with extra cable room.
• Assembly: Most Raspberry Pi cases are really easy to assemble. But some cheap cases are made from stacked pieces of acrylic (like a case that’s been sliced into bologna), and they’re really a pain to assemble. If you don’t feel like dealing with that extra work, then shell out for a more expensive case.
• Labeling: Clear or unlabeled cases can make it harder to locate the Pi 4’s ports. If you want a case that won’t confuse your family or roommates, then try to find one that’s opaque and labeled.

Alright, now that you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to start shopping for your new Raspberry Pi 4 case.

Before we get starts, it’s worth mentioning that the Pi 4 Model B is still a relatively new product. We’ll cover a lot of different cases in this article, but some popular case styles, like retro game console cases, aren’t manufactured for the Pi 4 just yet.

All-Purpose Cases (Great for Entertainment Centers)

Some cases, like the official Raspberry Pi 4 case, are meant to fit in just about any situation. These cases usually have attractive designs, adequate cooling, and ample room for cables. They’re also pretty easy to put together, although they tend to cost more than your typical Raspberry Pi case.

We’d suggest using these cases for media centers or desktops. If you plan to push your Pi to the limit, you may want to find an all-purpose case that comes with fans or check out the super cooling cases further in this article.

Here are a few fantastic all-purpose cases:

• Pi 4 Official Case: The official Pi 4 case from the Raspberry Pi Foundation. It’s an attractive, easy to assemble case that leaves ample room for internal cables.
• Flirc Silver Case: This attractive, affordable, easy to assemble case is a great option for intense or casual Pi 4 projects. It effectively dissipates heat with its raised feet and aluminum heat-sinks, and you can easily access the Pi’s GPIO and main connectors through the bottom of the case. Flirc also sells this case with Kodi branding.
• Anidees Premium Case: Anidees’ premium Pi 4 cases are sleek, easy to assemble, and well ventilated. They also have noise-dampening feet, holes for wall mounting, and enough interior room for GPIO and main connector access.
• Anidees Extra-Tall Case: A high-quality case that’s easy to assemble. This case is nearly identical to the Anidees premium case, but it has a bit of extra headroom for cables and modules.
• Argon One Mini Computer Case: As of right now, this is the only Pi 4 case that actually looks like a computer case or game console. It’s well ventilated, comes with a USB-C power supply, has a removable magnetic top, and actually has a GPIO label printed on its backside for on-the-fly modifications.
• GeeekPi Fan ABS Case: A simple case that comes with a large 40mm fan. It’s easy to assemble or take apart, and it has two pre-installed wall-mounting holes.

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The “Reset This PC” feature has been around since Windows 8, but it’s changed a lot since then. Microsoft keeps making it better and better, and it’s easy to miss all the improvements. Cloud Download is just the latest, most visible one.

How “Reset This PC” Works

The Reset This PC feature makes it “almost like you just opened your PC for the first time,” according to Microsoft’s Aaron Lower, a project manager in charge of Recovery at Microsoft, in a Windows Insider webcast. If you’re selling or giving away your PC, you can erase your files and even wipe your drive so your data can’t be recovered. If you’re experiencing a PC problem or just want a clean Windows system, you’ll get that fresh Windows OS.

When resetting your PC, you can choose to either keep your personal files or have them removed from your PC. Either way, Windows will remove your installed programs and give you a fresh operating system.

To reset a PC, head to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery or choose the Troubleshoot > Reset This PC option in the Advanced Startup Options menu. This menu opens if you have problems booting your PC, but you can also open it by holding the Shift key while you click the “Restart” option in the Windows Start menu or on the login screen.

Under the hood, Windows will gather the files it needs and basically create a new Windows installation. It will migrate your personal files, if you choose, as well as hardware drivers and preinstalled applications to the new system.

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About “Reset This PC” in Windows 8 and 10

Imageless Recovery on Windows 10

Windows Recovery goes a long way back. “Recovery partitions” began in Windows XP and were also used by Windows Vista and Windows 7. These were separate partitions containing a compressed copy of Windows and the manufacturer’s customizations, and you could restart your PC and boot into them to restore.

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For years my primary mobile gaming time has been on airplanes. It wasn’t until recently I discovered just how many damn ads mobile games have. It turns out the feet-on-the-ground fix gives you more than just ad-free game time.

Call me blissfully naive if you want, but for the longest time I simply thought my favorite mobile games didn’t have the same ads-everywhere problem that plagued most mobile games. It turns out that wasn’t the case.

The case was that when I was at home, I would use a game console or PC to game; when I was away from home traveling for work, I’d play games on my iPhone on the plane. When you’re on the plane, your phone is in airplane mode and, you guessed it, when you’re in airplane mode, there’s no network access to deliver and load the ads—so the app simply doesn’t bother.

Home from a recent trip, I went to show my family a puzzle game I’d really enjoyed and was surprised to see the thoughtfully designed puzzle game had full-screen ads (for the dumbest cartoon-style Sims knockoff I’d ever seen) playing after every single puzzle.

The solution? Pop the phone into airplane mode and enjoy not only an ad-free game experience but a nice break from the pings, dings, and constant notifications that permeate modern life.

Apple makes it easy to download an app or to rent a movie on your iPhone or iPad. But what if you want to change the default password behavior for App Store and iTunes Store? Here’s how to manage your password preferences.

Turn off Touch ID and Face ID for App Store and iTunes Store

If you’re using any modern iPhone with Touch ID or Face ID, you won’t be prompted to set your password preference in the App Store app. Touch ID and Face ID will override your previous preferences (if any).

As such, if you don’t want to be prompted for authentication for buying apps, you’ll still get a Touch ID or Face ID prompt. The only way to access those password management settings is to first disable Touch ID or Face ID authentication for the App Store and iTunes Store.

To do this, open the “Settings” app and go to the “Face ID & Passcode” or “Touch ID & Passcode” section, depending on your device.

From the next screen, enter your lockscreen passcode to authenticate.

Here, tap on the toggle next to “iTunes & App Store” to disable Face ID or Touch ID authentication for App Store and iTunes Store.

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While more vehicles are coming with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay built-in, you don’t have to buy a new car to get these excellent in-dash systems. There are some great aftermarket units available—these are some of the best.

Important Features of an Aftermarket Car Stereo

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have revolutionized car stereos in recent years. When auto manufacturers build a new car, the car stereo features are generally set in stone. But Apple CarPlay and Android Auto open up support for new and updated applications at any time. For example, with iOS 13, Apple added a new split-screen layout that dramatically improves usability. Every car stereo with Apple CarPlay got this change for free!

Several car makers now include support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But if yours does not, you can get this technology by replacing your factory stereo with an aftermarket stereo. But before you pick out that new head unit, take a look at these important features:

• Wireless support: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were initially a wired affair, but the wireless variant of these two technologies is becoming the new standard. Combined with in-vehicle wireless charging pads, connecting to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be as easy as entering the vehicle and plopping your phone down!
• Speaker Amplification Power: Most aftermarket stereos have far more amplification power than your factory head unit. If you want a decent volume from your speakers, you will want at least 20 watts (RMS). Unless you are planning to add a speaker amplifier like a Kicker Key 180.4 or an Alpine KTP-445U to your rig, you need to pay attention to available amplifier power.
• HD Radio / Sirius XM Support: These days, most aftermarket stereos support Sirius XM. HD Radio is a little rarer. That’s unfortunate because HD Radio is a great way to get high definition digital music for free over the airwaves.
• Capacitive Touchscreen: Older and less advanced receivers use resistive touchscreens requiring you to push long and hard on the screen to make something happen. Capacitive touchscreens (like the one on your phone) are far superior to resistive touchscreens, making this a non-optional requirement for a good car stereo these days.
• Backup Camera / Dashcam Support: Support for front, side, rear, or dash cameras is growing in the car stereo segment. Most aftermarket receivers now support two or even three camera inputs. If your existing car stereo shows you a backup camera when you go into reverse, this is the minimum required functionality for your replacement unit.
• Comprehensive Equalizer / Crossover Support: The ability to dial in sound frequencies to achieve what you like to hear can’t be overstated. It’s not good enough to just have bass and treble adjustment. Also, fine-tuning crossover frequencies for each set of speakers (front, rear, and subwoofer) will result in an overall cleaner sound and also extend the life of your speakers by directing each speaker to play the frequencies it is designed for.
• Line-Out Pre-amp Connections: Three pairs (6 channels) of pre-amp line outs (front, rear, and subwoofer) is also a basic requirement these days. All of the good receivers have them. You should question the purchase if the receiver you are evaluating doesn’t—or, you know, just avoid it altogether.
• Steering-wheel Mounted Controls Support: Most modern cars come with steering-wheel-mounted controls these days. You’ll lose convenience if your aftermarket receiver doesn’t have a way to allow these controls to manage the stereo’s functions. The most common interface solution includes the iDatalink Maestro device. You will be looking for iDatalink support in any receiver that might replace your factory head unit.
• Bluetooth Dual-Phone Pairing: Virtually every modern car stereo can pair with a cell phone via Bluetooth. Some of the better stereos can pair with two cell phones simultaneously, allowing for either phone to make or receive a phone call while the stereo seamlessly switches between the two phones.

Best Overall: Kenwood Excelon DMX906S

The Kenwood Excelon series of car stereos is known for high-end features such as stronger amplification, better quality preamp line outs, and an extensive list of modern features. The DMX906 delivers on this paradigm with standout features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a customizable widget-based user interface, comprehensive 13-band EQ and 3-way crossover controls, HD Radio, and dual phone Bluetooth support.

The Kenwood provides standard features like SiriusXM radio support and three pairs of preamp line outs. It also has extended support for iDatalink Maestro that includes the ability to display additional vehicle diagnostics such as engine RPM and tire pressures. The DMX906S has a 6.95-inch capacitive touchscreen and provides 22 watts (RMS) x 4 channels, which is enough to drive just about any set of front and rear door speakers without additional amplification.

Best Overall

Kenwood DMX906S 6.95″ Digital Media Touchscreen Receiver

The Kenwood DMX906S boasts an incredible list of features including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, customizable user interface, and dual phone Bluetooth support to nail down our pick for Best Overall car stereo receiver.

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The Budget Pick: Alpine ILX-W650

The Alpine ILX-W650 boasts a capacitive 7-inch touchscreen and support for wired-only Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in a package that is less than three inches deep and for an extremely low price! This is the go-to unit for replacing extremely shallow factory head units. The ILX-W650 also provides a standard feature list that includes support for iDatalink Maestro, 6-channel preamp outputs, support for SiriusXM radio, as well as custom EQ control.

If you aren’t replacing a shallow mount factory unit, the ILX-W650 practically begs you to bolt an Alpine KTA-450 mini-amplifier onto the back (a supported configuration) for a total depth of less than 5-inches while pushing 50 watts (RMS) per channel x 4 channels. In fact, the KTA-450 actually comes with the bracket you need to make this happen. Better yet, if this is your desired configuration, you can buy an ILX-W650/KTA-450 combo that will save you a few bucks.

The Budget Pick

Alpine iLX-W650 7″ Mech-Less Receiver Compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

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Android devices are great, but their small size can sometimes be limiting. When you connect your device to a projector, you can share your screen with others for business or pleasure. Here are a few ways to do it.

If you don’t have a projector, you can also connect Android to a TV. Projectors are the better option, though, as they normally project a much bigger screen size than a TV, making them ideal for media playback or data presentations.

RELATED: How to Connect Your Android Phone to Your TV

Connect Wirelessly via Chromecast

The easiest method to connect an Android device to a projector is to use Google Chromecast. To do this, your projector must support HDMI connections.

Once you plug your Chromecast into the HDMI port, you can then wirelessly stream your Android device screen to it. Your Chromecast will then display the contents through the projector.

Make sure you’ve disabled any power-save mode on your Android device, as this can reduce the quality of the stream.

If you don’t already have the Google Home app, download and install it from the Google Play Store.

Open the “Home” app, and then tap the Accounts tab in the bottom-right corner.

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Every child needs to study at home, and learning disabilities can amplify that need. Thankfully, there are plenty of supplemental educational apps built for kids with learning disabilities. These apps cover every subject, from reading to math to social or emotional intelligence.

All-Purpose Learning Apps

Most educational apps focus on one subject, like math or reading. But some aim to cover all the bases. These all-purpose educational apps can teach language and math skills, along with skills for social and emotional intelligence.

These apps can be used to teach children of all skill levels. They can be used for independent learning, but they work best when an adult is around to help.

• Otsimo (iOS/Android): A visually engaging app that’s full of learning games for all subjects and skill levels. It’s based on the principals of Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy and can be optimized for children based on their developmental needs.
• Khan Academy Kids (iOS/Android): This free app uses fun games and visuals to teach rudimentary reading, writing, and mathematics. It’s a lot more visually engaging than most educational apps, which is great if your child has trouble focusing.
• PBS KIDS Video (iOS/Android): Stream the PBS channel or episodes of PBS shows for free. This is a great passive learning tool that can teach your child reading, writing, math, and social or emotional skills.

Of course, these all-purpose apps are pretty broad. If your child needs a more focused study session, then it may be worth downloading an app that’s meant specifically for language skills, math skills, or emotional skills.

Reading Comprehension

Reading’s not easy, but a few educational apps can help hone your child’s skills or raise their confidence. Some of these apps, like the Voice Dream Reader text-to-speech app, can also be used as accessibility tools for kids who have trouble reading.

Here are the best reading comprehension apps:

• Rivet Better Reading (iOS/Android): Rivet is a free reading app that uses points and visuals to keep your child engaged. It’s perfect for all skill levels, and it helps round out areas where your child’s having trouble.
• Elmo Loves ABCs (iOS): A premium app that teaches your child to identify and sound out letters and words. It includes fun learning games, along with digital coloring pages and clips from Sesame Street.
• Autism Therapy with MITA (iOS/Android): This is an early-intervention app for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It’s a great vocab-building tool, but it also helps reduce stimulus over selectivity (tunnel vision).
• Voice Dream Reader (iOS/Android): This premium text-to-speech app can turn any book into an audiobook. It’s an excellent tool for any child, and especially children who get overwhelmed by books or children with dyslexia.

Of course, language is more than just the written word. Communication is just as important as reading, and there are some great apps for nonspeaking or verbally challenged kids.

Speaking and Listening

Even kids who are great at reading can have trouble communicating. If your child is nonverbal or has difficulty speaking, then it may be worth downloading an AAC or speech therapy app.

AAC apps convert symbols into words (like a text-to-speech program but with drawings), while speech therapy apps aim to deal with speech delays and articulation problems.

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With macOS Catalina, iTunes is gone once and for all. Music, videos, and podcasts have new apps, and Finder now handles syncing and device backups. Here’s what you need to know in a post-iTunes world.

iTunes isn’t gone completely, however—Apple will still provide the classic iTunes application for Windows PCs.

Music is Now Found in the Music App

macOS Catalina includes a new app called Music, which uses a very similar app icon to the one once used by iTunes. This is where you go to stream Apple Music, access previously purchased music, manage your local music library, and make new digital purchases on the iTunes store. This is also where you can find Apple’s library of music videos.

The Music app looks very much like iTunes, albeit streamlined and slimmed down to focus purely on music. If you have an Apple Music subscription, the app should automatically populate with your iCloud Music Library, provided you are signed in to your Apple ID under System Preferences > Apple ID.

The Music app won’t show the iTunes Store or your star ratings by default. You can re-enable these features by clicking on Music > Preferences then enabling “iTunes Store” and “Star ratings” on the General tab. These preferences are very similar to what you would once find in iTunes, including the ability to specify local media folders under the Files tab.

Click on the quotation icon in the top-right corner of the screen to view lyrics where available. You can also click on the list icon next to it to see what songs are playing next. Access the old iTunes mini-player by clicking on the album artwork in the Now Playing box.

If any other users have shared their library locally, you’ll see a small drop-down box next to “Library” in the sidebar. Click on it to reveal any other libraries you can connect to.

How to Share Music in macOS Catalina

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Halloween marks the beginning of the two best months of the year filled with Holidays, family reunions, “friendsgivings,” and lots of delicious food. It also marks the beginning of that time of the year when we call chocolate nutritious and tell other half-truths to justify our indulgence.

What Is Chocolate, Exactly?

Let’s start by explaining what chocolate is made from: cocoa beans. Cocoa beans are seeds of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao), a delicate plant native to Central America, South America, and Africa. They have a strong and bitter taste and are therefore fermented (with natural yeast and bacteria) post harvesting to develop flavor, after which they’re dried, cleaned, and roasted. Then, the hull is removed, and the cacao nib that remains is ground into a powder, containing cocoa solids and cocoa butter. The cocoa butter, which liquefies during the pulverizing process, also known as cocoa liquor, is then poured into molds and cooled. This is what you’ll encounter as a 100% cacao chocolate bar.

So, here’s what we’ve found out so far. Chocolate comes from cocoa beans, which are actually cocoa tree seeds. Those get harvested, fermented, dried, roasted, and ground. Chocolate is, therefore, a plant—and hey, eating more plants it the cornerstone of a healthy diet, right?

But It’s Nutritious, Right?

Cacao is widely considered to be one of the highest antioxidant foods in the world. Research suggests it can help reduce blood pressure, protect cells against free radicals, lower cholesterol levels, regulate blood sugar levels, keep inflammation on the low, and even boost brain functions.

It’s also rich in iron, magnesium, and fiber, making it a real superfood. Doesn’t this answer the ‘is it nutritious’ question?

It most certainly, without a doubt, is.

So, Where’s the Catch?

You see, the problem occurs when that nutritious 100% cacao gets mixed with other ingredients and processed into something completely different. Sugar, milk, flour, baking powder, corn syrup, cream, and various additives, fillers, colorants, and flavoring agents; they are the ones who make the chocolate less nutritious and stripped from most of its great qualities.

This is where your Halloween indulgence justification falls through—all candy and chocolates you consume on your trick-or-treating journey have little to zero nutrients beyond, well, sugar.

But, Chocolate Makes Us Happy

We all know chocolate treats aren’t’ the best food choices and a big Hershey bar definitely isn’t considered to be an essential macro or micronutrient food, but it’s hard to ignore its delicious taste, and how having a day when we completely let go of clean eating boundaries is simply good for our mental health.

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Chromebooks are a powerful, affordable alternative to Windows laptops and MacBooks. While they can fulfill just about any need, picking the right one is crucial. Here’s how to choose the Chromebook that will work for you.

What Is a Chromebook, Anyway?

Imagine a netbook that actually works. That’s the basic idea of a Chromebook. They’re affordable laptops that run Chrome OS, a straightforward, lightweight operating system geared toward web browsing.

Chromebooks are great for people who don’t want a complicated laptop experience. In-browser tools, like Google Docs or Microsoft Office, work without a hitch. Facebook and Netflix are easy to access without stumbling over weird menus or an unintuitive design.

Chromebooks aren’t just limited to casual use, either. If you’re more tech-savvy, you can push the OS to its limit and download Android or Linux apps (like GIMP or LibreOffice), or even load Ubuntu alongside Chrome OS. You can even use a touch screen Chromebook to create digital art or control smarthome products, like the Chromecast or Google Home Mini.

RELATED: Google Pixelbook Go Hands-On: I Can’t Wait To Buy It

There are only two areas where Chromebooks fall short. For one, they can’t run professional desktop software (like Photoshop or CAD). They also don’t have the horsepower for most games, although in-browser games work fine. If you’re a gamer or you use professional software, you might prefer a Windows laptop or MacBook.

Otherwise, you’re in the right place! First, we’ll take a look at Chromebook form factors and specs and work our way down to the details, like displays and ports.

Form Factor

The shape and size of your Chromebook influence its features, specs, and price tag. So, before you start shopping, you should figure out how you want your Chromebook to look.

Let’s start with a disclaimer: all Chromebooks are thin and portable, but some are thinner and prettier than others. If you don’t care about 2-in-1 stuff and just want to get the best bang for your buck, forget about appearance and focus on specs. Some of the cheapest, ugliest Chromebooks sport great internals and should last for the next few years.

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Ubuntu 19.10 “Eoan Ermine” boasts an upgraded Linux kernel along with faster boot times, updated themes, and experimental ZFS file system support. Whether or not you upgrade, Ermine shows what to expect from Ubuntu’s next LTS release, due April 2020.

Should You Upgrade?

Ubuntu 19.10 is available for download today. Upgrading isn’t mandatory—in fact, most people stick with the long-term service (LTS) releases and upgrade just once every two years when the next one comes out. The last LTS release was Ubuntu 18.04 LTS “Bionic Beaver.”

For some people, if the latest release isn’t a Long Term Support (LTS) release, the question “should I upgrade?” is a no-brainer.  Canonical estimates that 95 percent of Ubuntu installations are running LTS versions. Ubuntu 19.10 isn’t an LTS release; it is an interim release. The next LTS is due out in April 2020, when Ubuntu 20.04 is going to be delivered.

If 95 percent stick with LTS releases, those who do upgrade to interim releases are very much in the minority. But there’s always going to be users who want the newest shiny things. They’re going to upgrade. Period. The fact that there’s a new version is reason enough.

So we’ve got the LTS-only users in the “definitely won’t upgrade” camp, and the give-me-the-new-version-now users in the “definitely will upgrade” camp. If neither of those is you, you must be in the “I might upgrade if there’s something compelling about this new release” camp. Here’s our quick run-down so you can make up your mind.

Updated Software

Of course, there is a lot of updated software. Here’s a summary of what’s been refreshed. The version numbers are given for each package. The version numbers in parentheses are the versions that were shipped with 18.04.

• GNOME 3.34.1 (3.32.1)
• Kernel 5.3.0.-13 (5.0.0-8)
• Thunderbird 68.1.1 (60.6.1)
• LibreOffice 6.3.2.2 (6.2.2.2)
• Firefox 69.0.1 (66.0.3)
• Ubuntu Software 33.0.6-2 (33.0.6)
• Files 3.34.0 (3.32.0)
• GCC 9.2.1 (8.3.0)
• glibc 2.30 (2.29)
• OpenSSL 1.1.1.c (1.1.1b)

GNOME

As soon as you boot up a computer with 19.10 on it, you’ll see some of the cosmetic changes. The user selection highlight bar is now a light shade of purple, instead of the orange color of previous versions.

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Having the same homepage every time you open your web browser can get boring after a while. Here are ten websites that will deliver a random fun fact, video, or piece of information to you every time you open your browser.

If you want to keep your existing homepage, you can always change things up by having multiple homepages. Right-click the links below to copy the link you need and add it to your home page settings (or bookmark it) in your browser of choice.

Not sure how to change your home page? We’ve got you covered, whether you’re on Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari.

Wikipedia

Everyone’s favorite encyclopedia—Wikipedia— has a random page option that will display a page from its collection of nearly 6 million pages.

If you want to use a different language, change the “en” in the URL to the appropriate language, such as “es” for Spanish or “de” for German. This is also really useful if you’re learning a new language.

Additionally, most sites built on this wiki format have a “random” option, which brings us neatly to . . .

Wookieepedia

The Wookiepedia wiki also includes a random page option. If you’re a Star Wars fan—as many of us here at How-To Geek are—then there’s a good chance this will eat up time like nothing else.

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If you’re seeking ghoulish grapes to haunt your next fruit salad, or if you’re craving spaghetti with a side of eyeballs, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a list of five everyday eats that, with a little creativity, become a frightening feast.

One of the best parts of Halloween is the blood-curdling buffets. People have discovered all kinds of ways to make their food a little freaky, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. So, we put together a list of our five favorite ways to spook-ify your dinner. Whether you’re serving it at a party or just want to terrify your next-of-kin, we’ve got plenty of ideas for you.

Cauliflower Brains

Whole roasting cauliflower has become a common sight with the rise of vegan and vegetarian diets. It’s also quite stylish for Halloween. Just look at a cauliflower and try to tell us it doesn’t look like a brain.

To really make things freaky, roast your whole, cored cauliflower to tender at 400 F. This will take about an hour. Then, frost the roasted cauliflower with tahini and drizzle with pomegranate molasses. If that doesn’t look like blood and brains, we don’t know what does. Be sure to leave a chef’s knife coming out the top for a truly gruesome set-up.

Spaghetti & Eyeballs

Forget the meatballs and make eyeballs instead. This one’s very easy to create. Simply use your favorite spaghetti and meatball recipe. You can even use pre-made, store-bought meatballs—we won’t tell!

To turn meatballs into eyeballs, you’ll need mini mozzarella balls, sometimes sold as bocconcini, and sliced black olives. Make and cook your meatballs as you normally would. Then, during the last five minutes of cooking, add a mozzarella ball to the top of each meatball. This gives the mozzarella time to melt, but not brown, so it can form the whites of the eyes. Then simply press a sliced olive into the melted cheese to create a pupil. For an extra scary scene, serve your eyeballs with black, squid-ink pasta.

Spooky Spider Pizzas

Want to make a pizza spooky? Cut a few sliced olives into pieces. Use those little black bits to create eight-legged creepy crawlies, and throw them on top of your pizza. Seriously, it’s that easy.

Olive spiders are most effective on individual pizzas. English muffins work well here. To complete the look, use string cheese to create a spider web under each olive spider.

Shrunken (Apple) Heads

Baked apples are a fall classic, and easy to make Halloween ready. You can use any baked apple recipe for this one. The only change will be to carve a face in the front of each apple before baking.

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