If a wireless future is coming for all of us, then Alpha Audiotronics' Skybuds are a solid place to start.

The fully wireless earbuds, which come in three colors — black, silver, and white — retail for $220. Compared to other wireless earbuds, Skybuds fall squarely between AirPods ($160) and the new Here One earbuds ($300). 

Skybuds aren't perfect by any means. The battery life isn't great and they may not be ideal workout headphones for all people. Plus, at $220, they're something of an investment. But if you're dead set on embracing going wireless — or you're practically forced to by your iPhone 7 — Skybuds are a solid choice. 

Take a look:

SEE ALSO: A fashion expert just nailed why smartwatches have never really caught on

Quick to set-up, easy to control

A significant advantage of Skybuds is the ability to control them without using your phone. Both buds have buttons on the outside that let you play or pause music, skip a track, or answer a call — tapping AirPods can let you play/pause music or use Siri, but not both, and you can't skip tracks.

While all of these buttons are useful features, I found them difficult to press at first without dislodging the buds from my ears. Using them definitely takes practice.

Skybuds come with a carrying case that also serves as the charger, much like AirPods and other competitors. The case itself requires wired charging, but not often. I found a single charge of the case lasted me up to a week. You can check the battery level of both the case and the individual buds on the the Skybuds app. You'll also get regular softare updates through the app, but otherwise you probably won't need to open it often — the only time I used it was to check how much juice I had. 

Overall, Skybuds were easy to set up and pair with your phone, and the Bluetooth connectivity was nearly seamless. 

Average battery life

Battery life was a shortcoming of Skybuds, but not a surprising one. To maintain their small size, the battery can only be so large, meaning you're not going to get more than a few hours of listening time out of them. 

I was never able to get much more than three hours of life out of the buds on a single charge, but I didn't really mind. Unless I'm traveling, I'm rarely wearing headphones for more than a few minutes at a time, and maybe two hours maximum. And since they charge back up once they're back in their case, they're constantly charging when you're not wearing them. 

One thing to note: The right earbud typically ran out of juice much more quickly than the left one. That's because the right bud houses Skybuds' Bluetooth technology, so it runs out of juice much faster. Most times when my buds ran out of battery, the left one still had about 50% battery left. Again, this didn't particularly affect my usage of the Skybuds, but for those who like to wear headphones all day at work, for instance, this could be problematic.

A coffee shop is the perfect place to cozy up with a book, meet a date, or grab a mid-afternoon pick me up.

Thanks to huge companies like Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts, there is a coffee shop on every block, but if you aren't in the mood to wait in a long line or battle the crowds at those chains, find a local coffee hub for your caffeine fix.

Yelp put together best coffee shops in every state so that you don't have to look far for your next great cup of Joe. 

Check out which highly rated java hot spots made the cut below. 

ALABAMA: ThirsTea Cafe in Birmingham

Check out its Yelp reviews here »

ALASKA: The Crepery in Fairbanks

Check out its Yelp reviews here »

ARIZONA: Paradise Point Cafe in Cottonwood

Check out its Yelp reviews here »

First, we looked coast to coast to find the most famous book set in every state. Now we're hitting the books to discover the most famous author from every state.

Not all the choices were cut and dry. To qualify for this list, the famed authors had to be born in their respective states, but not necessarily live out their years there.

We considered the authors' fame in terms of ubiquity, acclaim, and financial success — and awarded bonus points if the author showed state pride by setting their works there.

Melissa Stanger contributed reporting on a previous version of this post.

SEE ALSO: The most famous book set in every state

ALABAMA: Harper Lee

Known for: "To Kill a Mockingbird"

Harper Lee was born and raised in Monroeville, the inspiration for the fictional town of Maycomb in her classic novel. The Monroe County Courthouse, where Lee watched her father practice law as a child, currently operates as a museum.

The University of Alabama alumna lived in Monroeville, just a short drive from the Mockingbird Grill and Radley's Fountain Grille, until her death in 2016.

Buy her most popular book »

ALASKA: Sidney Huntington

Known for: "Shadows on the Koyukuk: An Alaskan Native's Life Along the River"

Alaskan elder Sidney Huntington recounts his adventures, tragedies, and ultimate success in this dramatic autobiography, co-written with Jim Rearden.

Huntington's greatest contribution to his home state was his 20 years of service on the Board of Games, a government department whose mission is to conserve and develop Alaska's wildlife resources.

Buy his most popular book »

ARIZONA: Jeannette Walls

Known for: "The Glass Castle"

In her memoir, Jeannette Walls examines her struggles in her youth to overcome poverty and become self-sufficient. Her family moved like nomads across the Southwest, but the first place she remembers living is a small trailer park in Arizona.

A veteran of "writing what she knows," Walls also published a biography of her grandmother, an iron-willed Arizona cattle rancher, titled "Half Broke Horses."

Buy her most popular book »

It's time to trade the family-friendly minivan for a Mercedes-Benz. At these 8 properties, room reservations come not only with key cards, but access to some of the sleekest wheels around.

SEE ALSO: Cruise ships are adding spin classes and DJ sets to attract millennials

1961 Giulietta Spider, Four Seasons Hotel Milano, Milan, Italy

You don't have to be a vintage car collector to appreciate the exquisitely-maintained beauty that is the Four Season Hotel Milano’s powder blue 1961 Giulietta Spider. The sophisticated convertible – which was only produced by Alfa Romeo from the mid-50s to 60s – exudes an old school Hollywood glamour entirely fitting of its Lake Como home. Guests of the Four Seasons Milano – along with those at properties in Firenze and France's Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat – can opt for the exclusive 'En Route to la Dolce Vita' driving package. While you struggle to decide between the Giulietta Spider, a Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Cabrio, or a Porsche 356 Speedster, the hotel organizes a personalized itinerary through the south of France and Italy, with sightseeing recommendations in Portofino, Finalborgo, Modena, and Parma, among others.

Maserati, Excelsior Hotel Gallia, Milan, Italy

You've just taken a long international flight, elbowed your way through a jam-packed baggage claim, and made it to the taxi stand outside only to wait another 30 minutes or so for a ride. What if instead of standing in a long line waiting for a cramped VW or public shuttle, you had your own private pick-up? At Milan's Excelsior Hotel Gallia, guests bedding down in ultra-luxe Design, Galli Presidential, and Katara Royal suites are swept up from the airport in style – in one of the hotel's three 'made in Italy' Maserati Ghiblis, that is. Not living the suite life? No worries; everyday from 8am to 8pm, any and all Excelsior guests are welcome to test out the bespoke courtesy cars on complimentary, chauffeur-escorted rides downtown.

RELATED:Italy Special: 5 Cities, 25 Incredible Hotels
 
 

Mercedes-Benz, The Ocean House, Watch Hill, Rhode Island

What's better than having a complimentary Mercedes-Benz at your disposal? Having a whole fleet of 'em! The Ocean House in Watch Hill has quite the impressive automobile collection, including a handful of E350 Cabriolet convertibles, SL550 Roadster convertibles, and ML350 SUVs. Cruise around the Gilded Age Newport Mansions, head for one of the area's many wineries (hello, CT Wine Trail), or simply hit the open road on a destination-less drive. We're more than certain that the borrowed whip will have you feeling all sorts of adventurous.

Reactions have streamed in since House Republicans on Monday introduced their bill designed to replace Obamacare.

Titled the American Health Care Act, the bill aims to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, overhauling the healthcare system.

The bill tries to preserve some of the well-regarded aspects of the ACA, such as allowing people with preexisting conditions to keep their coverage — so long as they don't have a lapse in insurance.

At the same time, some estimates say millions of Americans could lose their insurance under the AHCA. And the AHCA is already facing backlash from conservative Republicans who have nicknamed the bill "Obamacare 2.0."

Since Tuesday, more than half a dozen doctors' organizations, hospital groups, and patient advocacy groups also do not seem to be the biggest fans of the bill in its current form. Here's what some of the major groups have said.

SEE ALSO: Republicans have released their long-awaited plan to repeal Obamacare

DON'T MISS: 'Obamacare 2.0': Conservatives are already revolting against the House GOP's Obamacare plan

American Medical Association — "We cannot support the AHCA as drafted."

The biggest group of doctors in the US called the bill "critically flawed."

"While we agree that there are problems with the ACA that must be addressed, we cannot support the AHCA as drafted because of the expected decline in health insurance coverage and the potential harm it would cause to vulnerable patient populations," the AMA said in a letter to Congress. The organization said it wouldn't support the bill's plans to roll back Medicaid expansion or the repeal of the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which helps fund the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

The AMA had concerns about the tax-credits structure proposed in the bill. "We believe credits inversely related to income, rather than age as proposed in the committee's legislation, not only result in greater numbers of people insured but are a more efficient use of tax-payer resources."

Here's the full letter.

American Academy of Pediatrics — "Any changes to the ACA cannot erode the progress we have made in reducing child uninsurance."

 The organization, which represents 66,000 pediatricians, cited changes to the Medicaid program as the reason why it couldn't support the bill.

"As Congress began considering changes to the ACA and Medicaid, the message from America’s pediatricians was clear: any changes to the ACA cannot erode the progress we have made in reducing child uninsurance. Unfortunately, the AHCA does not meet this test and the AAP opposes it as currently drafted," the AAP wrote in a letter. 

American Nurses Association — "These changes in no way will improve care for the American people."

The American Nurses Association opposed the bill, in part because of the rollback on Medicaid expansion and the defunding of the Prevention and Public Health Fund. 

"In its current form, the bill changes Medicaid to a per capita cap funding model, eliminates the Prevention and Public Health Fund, restricts millions of women from access to critical health services, and repeals income based subsidies that millions of people rely on. These changes in no way will improve care for the American people,"the organization wrote in a letter. 

Multi-weight world champion Manny Pacquiao may have reached an agreement to fight British star Amir Khan but Top Rank chairman Bob Arum pronounced the deal "dead" on Wednesday.

An investment group failed to provide the $38 million (£31.25 million) it would have cost to stage the contest in Dubai, so alternative opponents to Khan are now being examined.

Arum, who has represented Pacquiao for almost two decades, insists there are "bigger fights" for his marquee client.

There is now increasing speculation over who will get the nod to challenge the Filipino great for his WBO welterweight world title this summer – but there are only a limited number of realistic opponents.

Top talents Kell Brook and Errol Spence both operate at the elite level but are scheduled to clash in May and will be unavailable until later in the year. Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez, meanwhile, is no interested in writing a fifth chapter in the historic Pacquiao vs Marquez rivalry.

This leaves the following four options for the "Pac Man" and his team.

Keith Thurman, USA: 28 wins (22 by knockout) with no losses.

Keith Thurman holds two other versions of the welterweight world title so a fight with Pacquiao would be dubbed a "unification", with three belts on the line.

Thurman is a durable competitor and has power. The 28-year-old's CV keeps growing with impressive wins over Robert Guerrero, Shawn Porter and, most recently, Danny Garcia.

Any fight between Pacquiao and Thurman would be tough to negotiate as Thurman is signed with rival promoter, Golden Boy, and boxes on a rival US broadcasting network.

BI's likelihood rating: 2/10.

Terence Crawford, USA: 30 wins (21 by knockout) with no losses.

Once considered boxing's best kept secret, Terence Crawford is now regarded as the heir to the throne vacated by Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Crawford oozes technique, skill, and style. He has also beaten a wide variety of highly-competent fighters including Yuriorkis Gamboa, Thomas Dulorme, and Ricky Burns.

Bob Arum may be wary of matching Crawford with Pacquiao as this could be a "passing of the torch" type fight akin to Pacquiao's own breakthrough bout against Oscar de la Hoya.

BI's likelihood rating: 4/10. This is certainly a fight for the future.

Adrien Broner, USA: 33 wins (24 by knockout) with two losses.

Oh boy.

Where do we start when it comes to Adrien "The Problem" Broner?

An unapologetic motor-mouth, Broner would generate extraordinary publicity during the build-up to a Pacquiao fight.

Arum has already indicated that a Broner bout would be bigger than a fight with Khan and he will surely present it to Pacquiao as a possibility.

BI's likelihood rating: 6/10.

Child care is expensive: In 33 US states, it costs more than sending your kid to college.

But even if your children no longer require a nanny or attend a  day care, hiring a sitter for a single night out can add up quickly — especially if you live in a major city, such as New York or San Francisco. 

UrbanSitter recently surveyed over 20,000 families from across the country to find the average hourly rate parents pay for babysitting, focusing its report on nine of America's most expensive cities. 

San Francisco clocks in as the most expensive place to hire a sitter, costing $17.34 per hour for a single child. Denver proves the cheapest on the list, yet it still costs $12.22 per hour for a single child.  

What are you willing to pay for a night out? If you're on the hunt for a babysitter, read on to see how much it costs in nine of the most expensive cities in the US.

Note: all figures refer to hourly rates.

SEE ALSO: There are two money moves every parent should make before having kids

DON'T MISS: The 15 toughest states for first-time homebuyers

Boston

For one child: $16.02

For two children: $18.75

For three children: $20.98

Chicago

For one child: $13.94

For two children: $15.79

For three children: $17.39

Denver

For one child: $12.22

For two children: $13.89

For three children: $16.71

I've always preferred playing video games on PC over consoles because I can't get used to console controllers for the types of games I play, including first-person shooters (FPS) like the "Battlefield" series, as well as third-person games like "GTA V" and "The Division."

I simply don't get the same level of accuracy and control with a console controller as I do with the good ol' fashioned keyboard and mouse. As a result, I stank at my favorite games when I played them on consoles, so I mostly play on my PC and reserve my Xbox One for "FIFA."

Yet, not everyone wants a PC, or has room in their budget for one, even if they still appreciate the benefits of a traditional keyboard and mouse.

Enter the XIM4, a $150 device that lets you use a keyboard and mouse with your console, including the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, as well as older consoles like the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

The XIM4 isn't the first keyboard/mouse adapter I've seen for consoles, but it's the first I've seen with overwhelmingly positive reviews.

Check out the XIM4:

SEE ALSO: 9 hidden Xbox One features only power users know about

The XIM4 works by essentially translating your mouse movements and keyboard hits into a console controller's joystick movements and buttons, thus allowing your game console to "understand" these new inputs.

You just plug in your console controller and keyboard/mouse into the XIM4 device. It can make for a cable-y mess, but if I didn't already own a powerful gaming PC, this is a compromise I'd be willing to make.

You'll need to install the XIM4 app on your iOS or Android device in order to sync your individual game profiles onto the XIM4 so it can accurately translate your keyboard and mouse controls into the joystick and buttons of your console's controller.

The main hassle with the XIM4 is that it can take about a week after a game's release for a profile to be created. So, you might not be able to use the XIM4 on the very first day (or week) a game comes out.

Also, while XIM4 works for most games, it isn't compatible with every single game out there. Check out the full list of compatible games here.

When it comes to paychecks, not all cities are created equal.

Companies in a city with a higher cost of living and a low supply of workers, for example, will likely pay more than a city with a lower cost of living and a surplus labor pool.

But how exactly does pay vary from city to city?

To find out this answer, our Glassdoor research team looked at median base pay and year-over-year pay growth across a variety of positions throughout five major metropolitan areas in our Local Pay Reports.

Thinking of moving cities, or just want to see how your pay compares to those across the country?

Check out the full results of the most recent local pay reports below.  

SEE ALSO: Here's the income you need to comfortably pay rent on a 2-bedroom apartment in 15 of the largest US cities

1. Houston

Median Base Pay: $54,278

YoY Pay Growth: 2.4%

While Houston has the lowest median base pay of the five major metros studied, it’s still about $3k over the nationwide median of $51,272. And, of course, plenty of positions land above the national average. Physicians, attorneys and tax managers in Houston, for example, can expect to pull in about $257k, $123k and $103k respectively — all higher than the national averages for these positions.

Wage growth is a bit sluggish, falling 0.5% under the nationwide 2.9% year-over-year growth, but don’t count Space City out just yet — for a major urban area, Houston has a relatively low cost of living.

2. Chicago

Median Base Pay: $56,277

YoY Pay Growth: 4.0%

Again, Chicago falls on the lower end of the totem pole when comparing median base pay in these five metros, but living in the Windy City will still net you an extra $5k in your pocket. And if you’re looking for a raise, you’ve come to the right place — pay growth in Chicago is strong at 4 percent. The most likely to see a pay increase? Warehouse associates (8.7 percent), recruiters (7.5 percent) and customer service managers (6.9 percent).

3. Los Angeles

Median Base Pay: $59,068

YoY Pay Growth: 4.0% 

You might expect salaries in the land of the rich and famous to be sky high, but at $59,068, LA’s wages are solidly middle-of-the-road compared to the other cities on this list — although at nearly $8k above the nationwide median base pay.

Something that probably won’t surprise you, though, is that those in the media and entertainment industry have a higher pay in LA compared to the national average. In LA, technical editors and producers can expect to earn $60,303 and $77,956, respectively — both tens of thousands more than the nationwide averages of $48,274 and $52,344

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Do you wish your home was smarter?

Do you wish your Wi-Fi was better? Or maybe that you could check in on your place when you're not there?

Renovations like those used to be a real pain. You'd have to put holes in your walls and have someone come in and install things for you.

Now, it's easier than ever to do home upgrades like that, and more. I've done four out of the five home hacks on this list myself, and I'm not the most handy person. 

Even if you're not super into DIY, these projects won't take you much longer than an afternoon. After a couple of days, you'll be happy you did them. 

DON'T MISS: I've written about a bunch of great smart-home tech, but these are the gadgets I use every day — here's why

SEE ALSO: How the Amazon Echo won me over and became the center of my smart home

Control your lights

This is the hack: Controlling your lights

Here's why you should do it: Ok, admittedly part of the reason I did this hack was because it's cool and fun. Who doesn't want to be able to control their lights from across the room, or house, for that matter? But after the novelty wore off, I was still glad I invested in some smart bulbs. 

My studio apartment only has one source of light: a two-bulb ceiling lamp. Space is at a premium, and I don't want to buy another source of light, so that's what I use when I read at night, or do any after-work chores. The light switch is on the opposite side of my apartment, so if I wanted to turn my lights off at night, or turn them back on because I forgot to do something, I had to fumble around and hit the switch. Now I can turn them on and off with a few taps on my phone, or my voice through the Amazon Echo.

People with larger houses can set geo fences, so your lights turn on and off when you leave. You can set the lights on timers, too, if you'd like to give people the impression that you're home even when you're not.

Here's what you'll need: Philips Hue Bulbs

Total spend: $179.99

Install a USB outlet

This is the hack: Installing new outlets with USB ports

Here's why you should do it: This is something I haven't done in my apartment, but will be doing in my mom's condo sometime soon.

The reason is pretty simple; we're all guilty of hogging outlets with power adapters for our phones and tablets. You can buy a multi-port USB hub (and should if you live with a lot of people, or travel often), but what if you didn't have to use any outlets at all?

Installing outlets with two USB ports built into them solves your charging problems; instead of using an adapter, just plug your device into the outlet's USB ports. They're 4AMP USB ports, too, so your devices will probably charge faster than they would through the adapter they come with. 

You can install them everywhere, but I think the best place for these outlets would be the kitchen. It's usually one of the main hubs of a house; there probably aren't a lot of outlets there and kitchen gadgets need power, too. You shouldn't have to unplug your toaster to charge your phone.

Here's what you'll need: TOPGREENER 4 Amp Dual USB Charger Outlet

Total spend: $19.99

Control your appliances

This is the hack: Controlling your dumb appliances through your smartphone

Here's why you should do it: Buying all new appliances with smart features built-in is the best way to live in "the house of the future," but it might not be necessary.

If the electric tea kettle you've been using for six years still works, do you really need to replace it with something different? That's the position I found myself in, and so instead of buying new appliances, I started using smart plugs. 

TP-Link's smart plugs are easy to set up and use. Just plug the smart plug into an outlet, plug your appliance into the smart plug, and you're done. You can now turn your appliance on and off through an app, the same way you can control your smart lights. Now, the only control these smart plugs give you is the ability to turn your appliances on and off. Smarter appliances will let you do fancier actions, but if you think about it, turning something on and off is pretty powerful.

I use my smart plug with an electric tea kettle, and can start boiling water for tea from my bed. By the time I've brushed my teeth the water is ready. If you use it with something potentially dangerous, like an iron, you can check to make sure you turned it off if you left the house in a hurry. Better safe than sorry. Like the Hue bulbs, you can connect these smart plugs to an Echo and control your appliances with your voice.

Here's what you'll need: TP-Link Smart Plug

Total spend: $29.99

Sam Walton founded Walmart at age 44; Julia Child published her first cookbook at 60. Your best years may be way ahead of you.

It'll depend a little on luck and a lot on how you behave in the next decade or so — i.e. not procrastinating, overspending, and wallowing in self-pity.

Over on Quora, hundreds of people have shared the best ways to spend your 30s in order to lay the foundation for success and fulfillment later on. We sifted throughthosethreads and rounded up 14 compelling responses.

Read on for the small lifestyle tweaks that will pave the way for big life achievements.

SEE ALSO: 11 things everyone should start doing in their 30s

1. Stop smoking

If you've started smoking, stop immediately, suggests Quora user Cyndi Perlman Fink.

While you can't undo the damage you may have already incurred from smoking, research suggests that those who quit before age 40 have a 90% lower mortality risk than those who continue.

2. Start going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day

It might be tempting to use the weekends to recoup your sleep debt, but Nan Waldman recommends you hit the hay and wake up around the same time every single day.

If you oversleep for even a few days, experts say you risk resetting your body clock to a different cycle, so you'll start getting tired later in the day. Avoid a lifetime of sleep issues by sticking to bedtime and wake-up routines whenever you can.

3. Start exercising regularly

"Try to move yourself as much as possible,"says Alistair Longman. "It doesn't matter if it's walking, cycling, running, weightlifting, hiking, swimming — as long as it involves some movement."

In your 30s, you start losing muscle mass, so it's especially important to exercise at this time. But remember to choose physical activities you really love, since you're less likely to continue exercising if you dislike your workouts.

Scientists are increasingly hopeful that certain types of psychedelic drugs will one day be approved for medical purposes like treating depression and anxiety.

But what defines a psychedelic (or hallucinogen, as they are also known)? How is it different from other drugs like cocaine or alcohol? And what makes a "trip" on one psychedelic — like acid, for example — distinct from a trip on another? Read on to find out.

SEE ALSO: Why psychedelics like magic mushrooms kill the ego and fundamentally transform the brain

DON'T MISS: The truth about 'microdosing,' which involves taking tiny amounts of psychedelics like LSD

1. Psychedelics are the ultimate party drug.

The myth: Ecstasy (MDMA), acid (LSD), and magic mushrooms (psilocybin) are frequently portrayed as "recreational" or party drugs. 

Why it's bogus:Many scientists believe this label is unwarranted. Patients with cancer who have participated in clinical trials of psilocybin (the psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms) describe their psychedelic trip as anything but recreational. In most cases, these trips bring up feelings of panic, anxiety, and fear — feelings that eventually subside and are replaced by what appear to be lasting, positive personality changes. Some people describe being more optimistic about life; others say they've experienced a complete change in perspective that's allowed them to improve their relationships.

2. They're "all natural."

The myth: It's often assumed that hallucinogenic drugs like LSD, as opposed to stimulants like cocaine, are derived from nature.

Why it's bogus: While two hallucinogenic drugs — magic mushrooms and ayahuasca* — can be found naturally, LSD is made synthetically and usually processed into strips that can be absorbed by placing them on the tongue.

*Ayahuasca is brewed from the macerated and boiled vines of the Banisteriopsis caapi (yage) plant and the Psychotria viridis (chacruna) leaf, and it has been used for centuries as a traditional spiritual medicine in ceremonies among the indigenous peoples of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

3: Psychedelics will always make you "trip."

The myth: If you take a hallucinogen, you will experience what's known as a "trip," which involves hallucinations that may include things like seeing sounds or hearing colors.

Why it's bogus: Most recent studies of psychedelics focus on "trip treatment"— essentially giving someone what's considered a "full" dose of psychedelics.

But as this important research has gained steam, so too has another trend that has not yet been studied: microdosing. Microdosing involves taking tiny doses of psychedelic drugs that are too small to induce a trip. Still, while people in Silicon Valley and elsewhere claim to be using microdosing to increase their productivity, it's impossible to say if these anecdotal reports are legitimate without further research.

The INSIDER Summary:

• Many of Israel's signature dishes come from its Middle Eastern neighbors and immigrants.
• Pita bread is delicious on its own and stuffed with falafel, schwarma, or schnitzel.
• Eating bamba has been proven to reduce peanut allergies.

"Israeli food" is a multifaceted category that's still evolving. Its culinary influences range from neighboring countries in the Middle East to immigrants who brought their recipes from North Africa and Central Europe. 

In between visiting holy sites associated with various religious traditions, hiking its many desert paths (a favorite national pastime), and floating in the famously salty Dead Sea it shares with Jordan, here are 20 foods that will help visitors sample all that Israel has to offer.

Shakshouka

This North African dish of eggs cooked in a spicy tomato sauce is a popular Israeli breakfast.

Falafel (with the works)

Falafel balls made from ground chickpeas and stuffed into pita are a blank canvas for endless toppings. Fried eggplant, hot peppers, fries, pickles, caramelized onions — you name it, it's sure to be delicious.

Freshly-baked pita bread

If you play your cards right at outdoor markets like Jerusalem's Machane Yehudah, you can score a whole stack of steaming pita rounds for less than a dollar.

Looking for a new job? You might want to consider broadening your search to include Utah, Colorado, or North Dakota. 

Those three states topped U.S. News' recently released best states for employment ranking, which is part of its overall 2017 Best States list. 

To determine which states hold the strongest employment opportunities, U.S. News ranked each on three factors: unemployment rate, job growth, and labor force participation, which measures the percentage of the population that is either employed or actively looking for a job. You can read a full breakdown of the methodology here. 

The Midwest dominated the list, earning six of the top 15 spots, with both North and South Dakota finishing in the top five. 

Job seekers take note: These are the 15 best states for landing a job. 

SEE ALSO: The 22 best places to live in America if you want to make a lot of money

DON'T MISS: The 10 best cities to buy a rental property if you want to make extra money on the side

15. Texas

Population: 27.47 million

Job growth rank: 5

Labor force participation rank: 21

Low unemployment rate rank: 23

14. Maryland

Population: 6.01 million

Job growth rank: 35

Labor force participation rank: 13

Low unemployment rate rank: 17

13. Idaho

Population: 1.65 million

Job growth rank: 8

Labor force participation rank: 33

Low unemployment rate rank: 10

The world's top brands came out in force with their latest and greatest offerings at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.

From Bentley to McLaren, Ferrari to Pagani, and Lamborghini to Porsche, the next wave of exotics debuted at the show. In addition, there's also a bevy of production-ready models being showing from mass-market luxury brands, such as Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, and BMW.

The Geneva Motor Show is now open to the public now and will run until March 19 at the Palexpo Arena in Geneva, Switzerland.

SEE ALSO: Range Rover's stunning Porsche fighter is here — and it's a high-tech marvel

The supercar contingent is strong this year in Geneva. Leading the line is Ferrari's new 812 Superfast — the successor to the F12Berlinetta.

McLaren unveiled its first-ever second generation supercar called the 720S.

Lamborghini is showing off an updated version of its flagship supercar called the Aventador S.

For anyone who's ever traveled abroad, jet lag can be your worst enemy. After a long flight, the clock on your dresser will often say something completely different than the clock in your head. 

Turns out, there are 24 time zones across the globe, spanning different regions and cultures. It's fascinating to think that when New Yorkers are getting ready to start their day, people in Tokyo are 14 hours ahead and are preparing for bed.

Here are 11 fascinating things you probably didn't realize about time zones.

The Transcontinental Railroad sparked the creation of time zones in the US.

Prior to the railroad, the US government followed thousands of local time zones. However, once the railroad was completed, railroad companies were instrumental in lobbying the government to develop four time zones so the train could stick to an accurate schedule. 

There's a universal standard time called Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

This time zone runs along the Prime Meridian (0 degrees longitude) and symbolizes the universal starting point for every time zone in the world.

It gets its name from the English city of Greenwich for which it passes through. Today, the time zone is now formally known as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), but GMT is still commonly used.

France has the most time zones in the world.

It's definitely not the world's largest country, but France leads the world in number of time zones with a total of 12.

This is because France still holds territories around the globe, from French Polynesia (10 hours behind UTC) to the islands of Wallis and Futuna (12 hours ahead of UTC).

There are dozens of ways you could put together a list of the best video games ever made.

You could look to classics, like "Super Mario Bros." here. You could look at impact on the medium, or highest sales. You could write down your personal favorites on a bunch of pieces of paper, then throw them into the air. Where the pieces land? That's your list.

But what we've got here is something a teensy bit more scientific. Reviews aggregation site Metacritic compiles all reviews of games, then it averages those scores into an overall average. What you'll find below is the top 50 highest-rated games of all time, based on the averages obtained by Metacritic. We made one small change: Since there are a handful of duplicates on the list (multiple versions of the same game, released on multiple platforms), we've just taken the highest-ranked version of the game to make room for a handful of games that wouldn't have otherwise made the list.

Without further ado, these are the 50 best video games of all time:

SEE ALSO: The 50 best movies of all time, according to critics on Metacritic

50. "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare"

Critic score: 94/100

User score: 8.4/10

Plot summary (from Metacritic): "As Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare's single player campaign unfolds, the player is introduced to new gameplay at every turn – one moment you are fast-roping from your Black Hawk helicopter after storming into the war zone with an armada of choppers, the next you are a sniper, under concealment, in a Ghillie suit miles behind enemy lines, the next you are engaging hostiles from an AC-130 gunship thousands of feet above the battlefield. Mixed with explosive action, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare also delivers special effects, including use of depth of field, rim-lighting, character self-shadowing, real time post-processing, texture streaming as well as physics-enabled effects. Infinity Ward deployed a dedicated team from the start to deliver a new level of depth to multiplayer. Building on the hit "Call of Duty 2" online experience, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare's new multiplayer provides the community an addictive and accessible experience to gamers of all levels."

49. "Devil May Cry"

Critic score: 94/100

User score: 8.6/10

Plot summary (from Metacritic): "In a large American metropolis, a man named Dante, a private investigator of the supernatural, is seeking revenge for the death of his mother and brother. The world is waiting, for Dante is no ordinary man, and with his father's sword in hand, he must enter the demon realm and avenge mankind."

48. "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4"

Critic score: 94/100

User score: 8.5/10

Plot summary (from Metacritic): "Build your skills, earn respect, and show that you've got what it takes to Go Pro. 190 progressively harder goals. No time clock, no constraints. Pro-specific challenges. Evolving levels. Interact with other skaters. Multi-player modes. Customize your game...Your career is what you make of it."

The INSIDER Summary:

• Pilot Eser Aksan Erdogan has amassed over 59k followers on Instagram, where she posts photos of her travels with her pilot husband, Volkan.
  
• The couple has been married for five years, and have traveled to 30 countries so far, from Costa Rica to Jordan.

Pilots constantly travel for their work, but Eser Aksan Erdogan, a pilot for Pegasus Airlines, finds the time to travel for pleasure, too.

The 31-year-old Instagram sensation has amassed over 59k followers by documenting her travels around the world with her husband, Volkan — who also happens to be a pilot.

While they don't work together, Eser and Volkan do travel the world together, and often take each other on their work layovers. They've visited places like Costa Rica and Jordan, taking incredible photos of their adventures as they go.

INSIDER spoke to the couple to find out about the benefits and challenges of traveling with a life partner.

Eser, 31, flies Boeing 737 jets as a pilot for the budget Turkish carrier, Pegasus Airlines. She grew up in Holland, and now lives in Istanbul, Turkey.

Eser currently has 59.5k followers on Instagram, where she regularly posts photos of herself in the cockpit and around the world.

Her traveling partner and husband, Volkan, 33, is also a pilot. The couple has been together for five years, and were married on a resort in the Seychelles in 2015.

The pair met at the airport. "He was just about to finish his flight school, and I just started flying," Eser told INSIDER. They began talking on Facebook, and met up soon after. "At our first meeting I fell for him instantly," she said. "This is over five years ago, and I'm still crazy about him!"

They spent their honeymoon on a safari in Tanzania, where they saw the wildebeest migration and visited the Serengeti National Park. They also found time to enjoy a Champagne breakfast at sunrise.

"It was really a dream wedding and honeymoon," Eser said.

Last month at the international Toy Fair in New York City, INSIDER had the opportunity to check out a bunch of upcoming releases. 

Some of the items we were most excited to see were new LEGO "Star Wars" sets. Unfortunately, there were no sets from "Episode VIII - The Last Jedi" on display — they're under lock and key — but we did get to see a lot of other sets that both collectors and kids will want.

Several new "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" sets are coming this summer. The Jakku Quadjumper will come with 457 pieces.

You'll also get five different characters including Rey, Finn, and a tiny BB-8.

There's also this guy, one of Unkar Platt's thugs.

The Jakku Quadjumper will be out June 1 for $49.99. It's recommended for ages 8-14.

RadioShack has filed for bankruptcy for the second time in just two years. The electronics retailer announced Wednesday that it will close about 200 stores.

When RadioShack filed for bankruptcy back in 2015, the company was taken over by General Wireless, an affiliate of the hedge fund Standard General. The deal established a partnership with Sprint to open co-branded stores. The plan wasn't successful.

We headed to a RadioShack store in New York's Flatiron neighborhood to find out what the brand is doing wrong.

You don't even need to enter the store to know it's in trouble. A sign in the window reads, "ENTIRE STORE ON SALE!"

Inside, the store is full of "MUST GO" and discount signs. An associate in the store tells us that everything in the store is discounted.

A make-shift table at the front of the store is displaying turntables...