Why I Hate Google's New Search Interface

August 25, 2022

I have bad news. It seems Google is testing a new search interface. That is what Google shows you when you search for something: the order of results, the links, the images, the ads. And somehow, even though we didn’t think it was possible, Google has come up with something worse than before. The new interface is just plain awful.

Read more about it in the top story.

Other highlights:

• Oh boy. Plex got hit by a data breach, and you need to go reset your password right now.
• Andrew spent some time with the new TerraMaster F4-423 NAS unit, and it might be the best budget NAS yet.
• It’s official: Apple’s “Far Out” event that will likely announce the next iPhone is coming.
• …and more!

-Josh

Humans are creatures of habit, so when something you use daily changes, it throws everything off. That’s what’s happening right now, which is why I’m not a fan of the new Google Search bar menu buttons. Read More »

After a lot of hype, the Nothing Phone 1 is here—unless you’re in the USA. Following the unexpectedly excellent Nothing Ear 1 earbuds, the Phone 1 had the challenge of delivering something unique in a crowded field. And you know what? I’m surprised how much I like this phone. Read More »

For better or worse, TerraMaster is the “budget” NAS brand. I’ve always felt lukewarm about the company’s products, which tend to offer a great value at the expense of performance or specs. But the new TerraMaster F4-423 seems to do away with compromises—it’s an awesome little machine. Read More »

It seems that Wordle is no longer just a browser game. Starting today, Wordle is included in the NYT Crossword app for iOS and Android. This app requires a New York Times Games subscription, though it allows you to play all of the publication’s popular word games in one place. Read More »

It seems that the rumors were true. Apple now confirms that its “Far Out” event airs September 7th. The company is expected to reveal its iPhone 14 lineup and launch the latest version of iOS. Other software updates, such as macOS Ventura, could also arrive during the event. Read More »

If you’ve ever wanted to enjoy your tunes while you’re out and about but don’t want to wear earbuds, then this Baseball cap is for you. It features two high-fidelity Bluetooth speakers sewn into the brim, making it the perfect wearable tech for walking, jogging, sports, cycling, skateboarding, and many more outdoor recreational activities. The media controls on the hat are soft and easy to use without taking the cap off. It even has a microphone so you can take phone calls.

After throwing the kitchen sink at its $350 Arctis Nova Pro headset, SteelSeries is selling something a bit more modest. The company just launched three new Arctis Nova headsets, ranging in price from $60 to $180. Read More »

Dealing with Amazon boxes is hard enough. But the phone, computer, or video doorbell you ordered comes with its own unique packaging that can turn into a permanent hump on your back. Should you let these old boxes eat up space in your closet, or do they belong in the trash? Read More »

Fitbit makes some of our favorite fitness trackers, but they haven’t released many new options since 2020. Today, the Google-owned company unveiled three new wearables, none of them run Wear OS3, but they all have plenty to offer. Here’s what you need to know about the new Fitbit Sense 2, Versa 4, and Inspire 3. Read More »

Since 2007, Apple has treated us to a yearly tradition, the release of the new iPhone model. Steve Jobs or Tim Cook plays the proverbial Santa Claus to show us all the fun new toys we’ll get if we were good girls and boys this year—or have $1,000+ ready to spend. Read More »

The Plex streaming platform warns that a “third-party” accessed user data, including email addresses and encrypted passwords. In an email sent on August 23rd, Plex states that all users should reset their password—this process should take you less than a minute, but it could save you a ton of heartache in the future. Read More »

There are a huge number of games now available for the Switch, including an assortment of free and free-to-play titles. While the term “free-to-play” often has negative and predatory connotations, many of these games can be enjoyed without ever handing over a cent. Read More »

Increasingly TVs and companion equipment like media receivers support Bluetooth, so naturally, if you wanted to pair headphones with your TV, you should use that feature. Not so fast. Old-school RF wireless headphones are king. Read More »

Smaller laptops aren’t often considered powerful, their condensed frames believed to be too compact to house anything extraordinary. Lenovo aims to debunk the stigma of “bigger is better” with the ThinkPad X13s, a feature-rich 13.3-inch ultraportable system running a Snapdragon Gen 3 Processor. Read More »

With the rise of digital game platforms and streaming services, is there really a future for optical discs? Blu-ray discs are hanging on, but for how much longer? Will Blu-ray discs be the last optical format ever, or will another replace it? Read More »