Autumn is a time for renewal. Summer, a time for vacations and relaxation, is over. And now, we must look to the start of a new school year and a renewed attention to work. It can sometimes be difficult to make the transition — many of us would rather spend a little more time in that hammock than planning the next project — and so we’ve put together a group of articles to try and help make it easier.
The Verge’s guide to upgrading your fall
Renew yourself with suggestions for great books and desk gadgets, and learn how e-bikes and cameras can change lives.
Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images
There’s a wide range of articles here to encourage you to upgrade to a more stimulated, constructive year. We polled our staff on the books that changed their lives and the non-technical tools they use to stay productive. We have recommendations for ways that you can upgrade your desk, find inexpensive but useful keyboards, and try out smart lighting. And we have personal accounts of how an e-bike changed the life of one of our staffers and how an aspiring photographer discovered how film cameras can make all the difference.
We hope that these articles help you greet the new season with renewed energy and give you some tips on how to upgrade both your technology and your life.
It’s time for an everyday carry upgrade, and our gift guide is full of handy essentials to make every day better.
Cameron Faulkner
Here are some recommendations for great games from 2025 that shouldn’t take too long to finish.
Jay Peters
It’s probably not the reason you think.
Dominic Preston
Sometimes an upgrade means changing your thinking.
Allison Johnson
From circadian rhythm lamps to immersive TV backlighting and festive outdoor setups, smart lighting is easier and more versatile than ever. Here’s some ideas on how to make it work in your home.
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
What used to cost hundreds and require all kinds of know-how is now shockingly affordable and accessible.
Antonio G. Di Benedetto
There’s a lesson here about being satisfied with what you have, which I won’t learn.
Nathan Edwards
It’s time for an everyday carry upgrade, and our gift guide is full of handy essentials to make every day better.
Cameron Faulkner
Here are some recommendations for great games from 2025 that shouldn’t take too long to finish.
Jay Peters
It’s probably not the reason you think.
Dominic Preston
Sometimes an upgrade means changing your thinking.
Allison Johnson
From circadian rhythm lamps to immersive TV backlighting and festive outdoor setups, smart lighting is easier and more versatile than ever. Here’s some ideas on how to make it work in your home.
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
What used to cost hundreds and require all kinds of know-how is now shockingly affordable and accessible.
Antonio G. Di Benedetto
There’s a lesson here about being satisfied with what you have, which I won’t learn.
Nathan Edwards
