• As near and dear as some tech products are to our hearts, they can't always withstand the test of time.
• Sony Walkmans were replaced by CDs, which were then replaced by iPods, which were then replaced by our smartphones.
• Gone but not forgotten, here are 51 tech gadgets we miss.

It happens all the time — for one reason or another, a company gives up on a beloved product and gives it the "End of Life" kiss of death.

The company stops producing it. It stops supporting it. It diverts its resources to other pursuits in hopes of creating something bigger and better than before.

And then, that gadget we once loved is gone.

Whether it's for purely nostalgic reasons or practical purposes, here are 51 discontinued products that we miss.

SEE ALSO: 40 totally amazing technological advancements that we don't even notice anymore

Released in 1971, the PhoneMate 400 allowed twenty messages to be recorded on the machine's reel-to-reel tapes. It couldn't survive the digital era however, as digital answering machines eventually rang in.

Source: Time

The first commercially available cell phone, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000x, clocked in at 1.75 pounds and cost almost $4,000 when it debuted in 1983. It garnered an association with business-types until it was replaced with newer versions.

Source: Time and Mashable

A relic of the late 1990s, PalmPilot devices were the de-facto standalone handheld organizers before people made the jump to smartphones in the early 2000s.

• Costco's food court is home to a number of cheap and tasty menu options that members and food critics love.
• Costco employees themselves have some favorites, too.
• Business Insider reached out to 49 Costco workers and scoured the web to figure out what meals and Kirkland Signature brand items in the store are considered standout hits.

SEE ALSO: 12 Costco food court menu items employees swear by

DON'T MISS: Costco employees share their 13 best food-court secrets and hacks

SEE ALSO: 30 Costco food court items you'd never guess were on the menu

Costco's giant muffins are a good pick, despite the calories

Some Costco members enjoy starting — or finishing — the day with one of Costco's colossal baked offerings.

Quora user Sue Lassman recommended the warehouse chain's "huge and insanely good" muffins, despite their caloric heft.

Members love the croissants — and recommend one hack to make them even better

Looking for a warm treat in the morning? Costco members have recommended one hack that'll take one of the company's baked items to the next level.

Two Costco members discussed Costco's croissants in a 2017 Reddit thread.

One member said that the French pastries were "good" compared to most croissants sold in grocery stores, and said, "Where they really shine is freezing and then popping into the toaster oven."

Another member added that, "Crisping up the croissants in the oven is really great stuff."

The company's maple syrup is a 'steal'

Looking to sweeten up your pancakes without feeling sour about your spending?

One food blogger recommended springing for the Kirkland Signature maple syrup.

"I've paid $11 to $14 for small bottles from Walmart and King Soopers," Hassle Free Savings blogger Kendal Perez told Go Banking Rates. "Yet, Costco sells a 33.8-ounce jug of Kirkland organic real maple syrup for less than that. It's a steal. Period."

• Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, is a porn star who met President Donald Trump in 2006.
• She says they had an affair, and Trump's longtime fixer Michael Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 days before the 2016 presidential election to keep quiet.
• On August 21, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight counts, including one count of an illegal campaign contribution for the Daniels payment, which he said in sworn testimony he made at Trump's direction to influence the election.
• Here is Daniels' life story.

Porn star and director Stormy Daniels says she met President Donald Trump at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe in July 2006, and the two allegedly began an affair.

He was married to Melania Trump at the time, who had just given birth to their son Barron.

Just weeks before the 2016 presidential election, Trump's longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen paid $130,000 so Daniels would keep silent about the alleged affair.

In January 2018, news of the hush money broke, and Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, was thrust into the national spotlight.

She and her attorney Michael Avenatti then sued Trump and accused him of invalidating their agreement. She then told her story in a bombshell "60 Minutes" interview this past March.

On August 21, Cohen struck a plea deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to eight federal crimes, including five counts of tax evasion, one count of bank fraud, one count of making an unlawful corporate contribution, and one count of making an illegal campaign finance contribution.

The illegal campaign contribution was made on October 27, 2016 — the day a $130,000 payment to Daniels was finalized. Cohen also said Trump directed him to make the illegal campaign contribution to Daniels in order to influence the election.

Here's what you should know about Stormy Daniels:

SEE ALSO: Inside the marriage of Donald and Melania Trump, who broke up once before, reportedly sleep in different bedrooms, and are weathering rumors of his affairs

DON'T MISS: How the president and his defenders' explanations of the Stormy Daniels scandal have evolved over time

Daniels was born and raised in Louisiana.

She started stripping as a teenager and soon entered the porn business.

In 2002, she became the lead actress in a film for Wicked Pictures, a porn movie studio based in California.

There are a surprising number of celebrities that took their skills and big-names and became entrepreneurs in the business world. Despite having nothing to do with what made them famous in the first place, the businesses they started became incredibly successful. Whether they're putting their creativity into a new clothing line or turning their passion into a wellness brand, these celebrities stay busy when they're not on the big screen. 

Here are 10 celebrities whose side hustles became successful businesses, with some valued in the millions. 

Jessica Alba founded a billion dollar company selling safe household products.

After breaking out in welts from using her daughter-to-be’s baby detergent, Alba was inspired to create a line of household products sans harsh chemicals. The Honest Company sells eco-friendly, nontoxic items in the household, cleaning, and beauty worlds and landed Alba a spot on Forbes’ America's Richest Entrepreneurs Under 40 in 2016. In 2014, the company was valued at $1.7 billion.

Gwenyth Paltrow took a step back in her acting career to focus on goop.

Beginning as a weekly newsletter in 2008 for Paltrow to make lifestyle recommendations and chat about her travels, goop has grown into a major lifestyle brand, website, and retailer with a devoted following.  Not without critiques about its legitimacy and general bafflement associated with a $38 "moon juice" called "Sex Dust," CEO Paltrow’s company is rumored to be worth about $250 million.

Jeremy Renner flips million dollar homes.

When Hawkeye hit it big in Hollywood, he kept his side hustle for flipping fixer-uppers. In 15 years, he has bought and remodeled over 20 homes from "a 1920s art deco mansion to a cabin in Lake Tahoe, Nevada."

While it may seem like some people were born confident, at the end of the day, everyone struggles with confidence. All too often we focus on the times we’ve made a mistake or something has gone wrong and forget about the things that make each and every one of us so amazing.

Taking small steps, and faking it until you make it, can lead to you waking up one day and realizing you're so much more confident than you once were.

At the end of the day, it takes practice and time to become confident and you won’t feel it every day. So, how do you start feeling confident? These simple tricks can help you gain confidence and love yourself as much as you deserve, which is a whole lot.

Remind yourself of things you’re good at.

It’s easy to get caught up focusing on things you’re not doing well at and get down on yourself. Instead, try to remind yourself of the different things you’re good at. Psychology today reports that making a list of your accomplishments can go a long way towards becoming confident. No one is good at everything, it’s impossible, focus on the things you are.

Wear clothes you feel great in.

On days where your confidence is waning, put on one of your favorite outfits. Wearing something you feel good in will help you stay in your element all day. "I warn away from suggesting clothing items or beauty products to improve your body image, but if there is something you can wear that will make you feel more positive, go for it!" body confidence coach Michelle Elman previously told INSIDER.

Set short-term goals for yourself.

Too often we only focus on our long-term goals and forget about all the short-term things we’d like to accomplish. While both are important, Psychology Today reports that when you only pay attention to your long-term goals, it’s easy to lose confidence in yourself during the time it takes to accomplish them. Whether it’s something like cooking dinner for yourself a couple times a week or starting to paint, accomplishing these quicker goals will give your confidence a real boost.

• Under CEO Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean has increased revenue by upgrading its luxury offerings.
• The Ultimate Family Suite, which was introduced on Symphony of the Seas, may be the centerpiece of that strategy.
• The suite has an 85-inch TV, three video game consoles, a 100-foot-long Lego wall, a two-story slide, a ping pong table, and a balcony with a whirlpool.
• The 1,346-square-foot suite can cost over $170,000 on a seven-night cruise.

Three years ago, Royal Caribbean set out to double its earnings and increase its return on invested capital. Part of the strategy CEO Michael Bayley followed to achieve that goal involved upgrading the cruise line's high-end offerings and raising their prices. If he made them attractive enough to customers, Bayley figured, they'd be happy to pay a premium. 

"People are perfectly happy to pay for a product that they perceive as being of value, and we just elevated that perception of value and we elevated the price," he said in an interview with Business Insider.

The Ultimate Family Suite may be the centerpiece of that strategy. The two-level, 1,346-square-foot suite is Royal Caribbean's version of a penthouse. It's no coincidence that the suite was introduced on Symphony of the Seas, which debuted in March as the world's largest cruise ship.

The suite has an 85-inch TV, three video game consoles, a 100-foot-long Lego wall, a tw0-story slide, a ping pong table, and a balcony with a whirlpool.

As you might expect the suite isn't cheap, as it can run for over $170,000 on a seven-night cruise. Bayley said the suite's amenities justify the price.

"I would challenge any company in the world to show me a better family suite. It is the ultimate family suite," he said.

Here's a look at the suite and why Bayley thinks it's worth its hefty price tag.

SEE ALSO: The world's largest cruise ship has robot bartenders and a nine-story zip-line — here's a look inside

The suite was introduced on the Symphony of the Seas, which, at 228,081 tons, is the largest cruise ship in the world.

Guests enter the suite on a red carpet.

The 1,346-square-foot suite can hold up to eight people across two bedrooms.

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

The Insider Pick:

• Campfires, wildlife, and fresh air. Heat stroke, mosquito bites, and no A/C. However you enjoy your time outdoors, this is the best camping gear for all of you.

• From the most intrepid of adventurers to the feeblest city slicker, we'll make sure you're comfortably sorted out for your next camping trip.

• Whether you're searching for a tent and sleeping bag, a camping stove and mess kit, or a first aid kit and sunscreen, we have the camping gear you need.

"Camping" can mean a variety of things to a host of different people. From sleeping on a bed of ferns under the stars with nothing but your rucksack as your pillow to careering into a national park campsite with your Winnebago or "glamping," as it were.

Whether you're heading out into the wilderness with little other than the shirt on your back or coasting from campsite to campsite in your tricked out Sprinter van will, of course, dictate what you can and can't bring. If you're scrambling up a mountain face, one of the last things you want to have dangling from your shoulders is probably a cast iron skillet. But then, if you're car camping, there's no need to confine your culinary endeavors to a tiny single-burner stove, or eat out of plastic and cook in aluminum, for that matter.

Camping can be as cumbersome or care-free as you like  — or make it. We'll leave all that up to you, but here are our favorite gadgets and pieces of gear for making it through a night or week in the great outdoors.

Click a link below to jump to a topic, or scroll to see all our picks:

• Best tent
• Best sleeping bag
• Best sleeping pad and pillow
• Best air mattress
• Best hammock
• Best backpack
• Best stove
• Best cookware and tableware
• Best tools for cooking over an open fire
• Best places to buy camping food
• Best coffee makers
• Best water filters and purifiers
• Best camping lights
• Best first aid kit and safety equipment
• Best bug repellent
• Best sunscreen
• Best portable laundry system, detergent, and soap
• Best towel
• Best tools

Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.

The best tents

The best tent for late sleepers: Coleman 4 Person Dark Room Tent with Screen Room ($147.99)

The Coleman 4-Person Dark Room Tent with Screen Room is almost a dark room, blocking out about 97.5% of sunlight, according to Coleman. So not only can you avoid being woken up at the crack of dawn, you can also stay cool when other tents would be broiling you alive. Coleman also claims that this tent withstands gale-force winds, which appears to be evidenced by this video. Not that you'd ever hope to be caught in a tent during a gale.

The best tent for early risers: Coleman Sundome 4 ($53.05)

If you do like to wake up with the sun, Coleman's Sundome is a favorite — and about a third of the price. It probably won't stand up to gale-force winds, but most campers are happy, and report staying dry. What else do you need?

Editor's note: Keep in mind that unless you and your tent partner are planning on being quite cozy, a 2-person tent is really a one-person tent where many are concerned. A four-person tent is also more like a 2-person tent. And so on.

Read our full guides to the best camping tents and the best backpacking tents.

The best sleeping bags

The best three- or four-season sleeping bag: Hyke & Byke 3-season down sleeping bag ($144.97)

The Hyke & Byke Quandary 15° F Ultralight Down Sleeping Bag is designed for backpacking, but we think it's also the best sleeping bag for most campers. It's a mummy-style bag that comes in three sizes (short, medium, and long), is extremely lightweight, and safe down to 15° F (though probably more comfortable in 30-60° temps).

The best warm-weather sleeping bag: Hyke & Byke Eolus 800 Fill Power 30° F Ultralight sleeping bag ($134.97 and up)

If you'll be in warmer than 60° weather, you might consider Hyke & Byke's Eolus 800 Fill Power 30° F Ultralight bag, which weighs even less (weight will depend on the length of the sleeping bag you choose, of course).

Read our complete guide to the best sleeping bags you can buy.

The best sleeping pads and pillow

The best inflatable sleeping pad: Klymit Static V Lightweight sleeping pad ($37.35)

The Klymit Static V lightweight sleeping pad is designed with V-shaped ridges that are meant to support you no matter how you sleep. It packs down to 3 x 8 inches, so there's hardly any excuse not to bring it along on a trek, and it comes with a stuff sack and patch kit so you can keep it neatly stored and should it tear, you can most likely fix it on the spot. If you can't fix it, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

The best year-round sleeping pad: Klymit Static V Lightweight Insulated 4-Season sleeping pad ($79.99)

If you're going to be camping year-round, or in cooler temps in general, check out the Insulated 4-Season version of Klymit's Static V.

The best foam sleeping pad: Teton Sports sleeping pad ($59.99-$104.99, depending on size)

The Teton Sports sleeping pad is lightweight, soft, and you don't have to inflate it or worry about it deflating during the night. It also includes sleeves for fitting to a standard army cot, and can even double as a spare bed back at home. Although it doesn't roll up flat like an inflatable sleeping pad, and you probably wouldn't want to take it along on serious backpacking trips, it rolls up fairly tightly with compression straps. It's also much more comfortable with open-cell memory foam, and doesn't make the sleep-disrupting squeaks vinyl does as you toss and turn in the night.

The best inflatable pillow: Klymit Pillow X ($21.99)

There are lots of inflatable pillows for camping that are either too flat, too bulbous, or just too bulky when they're rolled up to make sense packing in. Klymit's Pillow X packs down to 4.5 x 2 inches, and is brilliantly adjustable so you can set it for whatever firmness you prefer.

Read our full guide to the best sleeping bags.

As you've no doubt heard by now, "Fortnite" is kind of a big deal.

It's the kind of phenomenon that influences the entire video game industry. Case in point: Both this year's "Call of Duty" and "Battlefield" games have major Battle Royale modes — the last-player-standing mode that led to the tremendous success of "Fortnite" (and "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" before it, among others).

But the mode alone isn't what made "Fortnite" so popular, and there are a few simple reasons why these copycats are unlikely to achieve anywhere near the level of success that "Fortnite" has achieved.

Here's why:

SEE ALSO: The massive popularity of 'Fortnite' is inspiring copycat modes from major games — here's the latest example

1. "Fortnite" is free. These games are not.

When "Battlefield 5" and "Call of Duty: Black Ops 4" arrive later this year, they'll arrive as full priced games: The lowest amount you can buy them for is $60, and both are available in more expensive versions.

These two games — the next major entries in the "Call of Duty" and "Battlefield" first-person shooter franchises — are both getting Battle Royale modes in addition to their standard modes.

For the tens of millions of people who buy new "Call of Duty" and "Battlefield" games nearly every year, the addition of a new Battle Royale mode is a bonus. For the hundreds of millions of others who don't buy these games, it's unlikely to convince them to spend $60 — why bother when there's a really great, completely free option available in "Fortnite"?

2. "Fortnite" is far more visually acceptable, with cartoon violence.

There's another strong reason that "Fortnite" is such a massive success: Despite its violent nature, the game depicts cartoon violence.

Sure, you're firing an automatic weapon, but there's no blood. Graphically speaking, "Fortnite" looks more like a colorful cartoon than a gritty, realistic shooter.

Both "Battlefield" and "Call of Duty" pride themselves on hyper-realistic graphics — look no further than this screenshot of "Battlefield 5" for an idea of how hyper-realistic those graphics are:

While clearly still a video game, firing weapons and other depictions of violence in both "Battlefield" and "Call of Duty" are far from cartoonish.

And that violence inherently limits their audience, as many parents won't let their kids play games intended for adults.

3. "Fortnite" is available on every platform, including phones and tablets.

The combination of it being free and available on every platform is hugely important in understanding the runaway success of "Fortnite."

If you have a smartphone, a PC, a Mac, an Xbox One, a PlayStation 4, or a Nintendo Switch, you're able to play "Fortnite" right now for zero dollars. That's huge! 

In the case of both "Battlefield" and "Call of Duty," they're only available on the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. Not being on smartphones automatically limits their potential reach — that's hundreds of millions/billions of potential players!

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

The Insider Pick:

• There is no shortage of fitness trackers to choose from, but after our testing and research, the new Garmin Vivosport came out on top.

• Its accurate tracking, sleek design, and advanced features like waterproofing and built-in GPS make it a well-rounded tool for keeping tabs on both your workouts and activities.

The line between fitness trackers and smartwatches is blurring as smartwatches offer more fitness tools. While devices like the Apple Watch Series 3 and the Fitbit Versa are strong choices for tracking your daily activity, we decided to stay in the fitness tracker realm for this guide.

Those looking for a device dedicated to tracking daily activity, workouts, and sleep have a vast number of choices even without including members of the smartwatch family. To help you decide on the best fitness tracker for your needs, there are a few things you’ll want to take into consideration:

• Comfort and design: Since you’ll be wearing your tracker on a daily basis (even to bed if you want to track sleep) comfort is definitely a priority. If it’s not comfortable, you won’t want to wear it often, which defeats the whole purpose of a fitness tracker. The same goes for design. If you have a small wrist, you may want a tracker with a sleek and more understated look. Or maybe the display is most important to you, and you like the idea of being able to read the time and date as well as your fitness stats. Fitness trackers come in all shapes and sizes, so you’ll be able to find one that suits your style.
• Features: Not all fitness trackers are created equal when it comes to this arena. If you’re looking for a no-frills fitness tracker, then one that tracks steps and your sleep might suffice. However, if you work out often or want more insights into how your activity impacts your overall fitness level, a more advanced tracker with a heart rate monitor or a built-in GPS may be the one for you. You should also consider the types of workouts you like to do. For example, if you’re a swimmer, waterproofing is a must. Just starting out on your fitness journey? A device that gives you coaching and goals to work towards may be the extra motivation you need to stay on track.
• App experience: Most fitness trackers are designed to work in tandem with your smartphone, syncing the data collected with a downloaded application. This allows you to gain even more insight into your health and save the information collected to track your progress over time. Unfortunately, not all apps are created equal, and you may find there are some app experiences you prefer over others. It’s important to choose a fitness tracker that gives you a good app experience. Easy navigation and compatibility with your phone’s operating system are a must.

There are many factors to consider, but we also tested multiple devices and analyzed the reviews to find the best fitness trackers you can buy. Whether you’re interested in advanced workout stats, or simply want a general overview of your activity for the day, our list features fitness trackers with a wide range of capabilities so you can find the one best suited to your lifestyle.

• Best fitness tracker overall: Garmin Vivosport
• Best no-frills fitness tracker: Misfit Ray
• Best fitness tracker for workouts: Fitbit Charge 2
• Best stylish fitness tracker: Fitbit Alta HR
• Best affordable fitness tracker: Huawei Band 2 Pro
• Best fitness tracker for motivation: Moov Now
• Best fitness tracker for kids: Garmin Vivofit Junior 2
• Best fitness tracker that looks like a watch: Misfit Path
• Best fitness tracking smart ring: Motiv Ring

Updated on 08/24/2018 by Kylie Joyner: Added personal testing notes for the Motiv smart ring. Updated prices.

Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks. 

SEE ALSO: The best GPS watches for running

The best fitness tracker overall

Why you'll love it: The Garmin Vivosport is a great all-around fitness tracker with accurate step counting and heart rate data that can give you an in-depth analysis of your fitness.

The Garmin Vivosport packs an impressive number of features into a sleek band with a color display. I got to test the Vivosport myself and can confidently say that it lives up to the positive reviews it has received and it will be my personal go-to fitness tracker.

The first thing I noticed was how comfortable the Vivosport is for daily wear. I loved the slim design, which is much appreciated because I have small wrists that are dwarfed by most wearables. The screen is a bit small, but the 72 x 144-pixel resolution allowed me to clearly read any information that appeared on the screen, and the color display was a nice added touch. 

I like a fitness tracker that can also double as a watch, and within the Garmin app you can choose from different watch faces, so I could decide how I wanted the time and date displayed. The screen was easy to navigate, though I did notice it could be a bit sensitive at times, and it was easy to swipe to a screen I didn’t mean to land on. Overall, this was a minor annoyance, and I would much rather have the screen be sensitive than unresponsive. The screen is always on, too, so you can see the time or your stats without tapping to wake it up.

The Vivosport comes in two sizes: Small/Medium and Large. While it doesn’t come with a lot of style options (you can’t change out bands) it does come in a few different color schemes.

The fact that this tracker has a built-in GPS was a huge benefit to me as a runner. I loved that the Vivosport easily doubled as my running watch, tracking the distance I ran without needing the use of my phone’s GPS. I could leave my phone at home if I chose to do so.

Along with the GPS, it also features heart rate monitoring, VO2 fitness testing, stress monitoring, stairs climbed, steps taken, and sleep tracking. In addition, the Vivosport has built-in sports modes that include running, cycling, cardio training, and strength training. Swimmers can rejoice as well, because the Vivosport is also waterproof. I jumped in the shower with it many a time with no issues.

The battery life is also impressive. While Garmin says it can last up to 7 days, with using the GPS on my runs, I found mine lasted closer to 4 days before I had to charge it. 

As far as app experience goes, I found the Garmin Connect app easy to navigate, and loved how detailed the stats were when it came to my daily activity as well as my workouts. I had no issues with it, and liked how neatly everything was laid out on the home page. You can click on each section to reveal a “boatload of stats” as DC Rainmaker says in his review.

The Vivosport also receives smartphone notifications. When turned on, you’ll be notified via the tracker of any reminders, calls text messages, and social media notifications you receive. These can be turned off completely, or customized through the app.

Overall, the customer reviews are positive when it comes to the Vivosport. Like myself, this reviewer loves how it can double as a daily fitness tracker as well as her running watch, while this loyal Garmin customer was impressed with all of the features.

Out of all the trackers I tested, I kept coming back to the Vivosport. It’s an accurate and comfortable tracker with a slew of features that don’t disappoint. 

Pros: Accurate tracking, built-in GPS and heart rate monitor, built in sports apps, stress monitoring, long battery life, waterproof, easy to navigate app, smartphone notifications

Cons: Doesn’t have a lot of style options, small and overly sensitive screen

Buy the Garmin Vivosport on Amazon starting at $169.99

The best no-frills fitness tracker

Why you'll love it: If you’re looking for a simple fitness tracker that doesn’t necessarily have to be worn on your wrist, the Misfit Ray won’t disappoint. 

The Mifit Ray’s design takes a detour from the usual fitness trackers that often look more like watches. Instead, it looks more like a futuristic piece of jewelry — but not an unflattering one. Despite veering into the realm of wearable jewelry, it still maintains a unisex aesthetic that will make it appealing to everyone.

Though I typically prefer a tracker that has a screen and can double as a watch, the comfortable and lightweight feel of the Ray was welcome, and I liked that it was something I could wear along with a watch or other bracelets. Style didn’t get forgotten during the design of this tracker. It comes in multiple colors, with different band choices, and the option to wear it as a pendant rather than a bracelet.

The Ray doesn’t have a heart rate tracker, but while this may be a downside to some, it allows it to be worn in multiple ways while still tracking your steps and activity. It also lacks some of the more advanced features of other trackers, like stress measuring or a built-in GPS, but don’t be fooled — the Ray still has plenty to offer. It’s water resistant up to 50 meters, tracks your sleep, receives text message and call alerts, and will automatically start tracking activities like running.

I was skeptical about how accurate the sleep tracking would be, or if it would truly be able to tell if I was running or not, but I was pleasantly surprised. I’m a light sleeper, and it accurately showed the number of times I woke up during the night, and it could also sense when I was on a run, and tracked the time accordingly. I also liked that the Ray doesn’t require any charging. Instead, it’s powered by three button cell batteries that will last up to six months.

Since it doesn’t have a display, the free Misfit app is a must-have to be able to see all your data. The cylinder that houses this data does have a small multicolored LED light that will blink to show you the progress you’ve made, and it will also vibrate and light up to remind you to move or when you’re receiving a phone notification. I found the app well-organized and easy to navigate and liked how I could see all my stats for the day on one screen, and see how I slept on another.

This reviewer loves the design, the accurate sleep tracking, and the ability to use the Ray as an alarm. I also liked this feature — it was far less jarring to be woken up by a wrist vibration than my usual blaring iPhone alarm. Design was also a winning feature for this reviewer, who found it so comfortable they forgot they were wearing it. They also like that they don’t have to worry about charging it.

Some reviewers do argue that the Ray costs too much for what it does, but if you are looking for a simple tracker, it gets the job done while offering a few surprising features you might not expect to find.

Pros: Comfortable design, can be worn different ways, easy to navigate app, step tracking, accurate sleep tracking, automatic activity tracking, call and text notifications

Cons: No heart rate monitoring, on the expensive side for what it does offer

Buy the Misfit Ray on Amazon for $49 to $99.99

Best fitness tracker for workouts

Why you'll love it: If exercising is part of your routine, you’ll love being able to track your workout in real time on the bright, easy-to-read screen of the Fitbit Charge 2.

The Fitbit Charge 2 is the successor to the Charge HR. The screen on the Charge 2 is now four times bigger, and the touchscreen can be activated with a tap. You can also use the button on the side to go through menu options.

Though it has a bigger screen, this tracker still manages not to be too overly bulky, even on my small wrist. I found the wristband to be extremely comfortable, and love that Fitbit offers a ton of different colors and interchangeable band options.

While I would have liked built-in GPS here, the Charge 2 does offer connected GPS via your smartphone for walking, running, and hiking while you’re outdoors so you do have the option to track your distance in more than just steps. 

In addition to tracking steps like any good fitness tracker should, the Charge 2 also measures stairs climbed, calories burned, resting and active heart rate, and offers in-depth sleep tracking. I really loved how the Charge 2 not only tracked when I was asleep, restless, or awake but also showed me which type of sleep I was in: light, deep, or REM. It was also interesting to be able to see where I stood on average with other women around my age within the app.

If you’re feeling stressed, this tracker also offers breathing exercises to help you relax — something else I very much appreciated after a long day of work. The battery life of the Charge 2 also impressed me. I could go almost six days without having to reach for the charger, even with using all the different functions, which include text and call notifications from your smartphone if you so choose.

Diving into more of the workout features, the Charge 2 has dedicated functions for recording a wide range of activities, including running, cycling, cardio, and strength training. Its large display is perfect for tracking your results in real time while working out. I could quickly check my heart rate to make sure I was within the range I wanted to be, and see how far I was into my workout with the timer.

When I’m not running, I’m a big fan of interval training and HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts, so when I discovered that the Charge 2 has an interval timer option, I was pretty thrilled. It also lets you pause and resume workouts, and if you do forget to start an activity or workout it can automatically detect an activity session and start monitoring it.

Another huge winning point for the Charge 2 is the Fitbit app. Out of all the trackers I tested, I still found that Fitbit has the most user-friendly app. It’s easy to navigate and offers plenty of useful information to help you get the most out of your fitness tracker.

Both the app and the Charge 2 itself have received positive reviews, and it has been a welcome upgrade to those who owned the original Charge HR. If you’re not a swimmer and built-in GPS isn’t important to you, then the Charge 2 is arguably one of the most reliable fitness trackers on the market right now for tracking specific workouts and activities, as well as getting a better overall picture of your daily activity.

Pros: Comfortable design, lots of color and band options, large display, built-in heart rate monitor, in-depth sleep tracking, advanced workout features, real-time workout tracking on screen, long battery life, user-friendly app

Cons: No built-in GPS, not waterproof

Buy the Fitbit Charge 2 on Amazon for $138.99 (originally $148.95)

• Silicon Valley residents live a completely different lifestyle than people in many parts of the US do.
• In Silicon Valley, it's not unheard of to commute 10 hours to work, order a car that hasn't even been designed yet, or pay $1 million for a condo in a sinking skyscraper.
• Here are 10 crazy things Silicon Valley thinks are normal — but aren't.

Those living in or near Silicon Valley may sometimes feel as if they live on a different planet than most other parts of the US.

In Silicon Valley, it's not atypical for people to work 80-hour weeks, accept payment via bitcoin, or travel everywhere by electric scooter. According to the San Francisco Business Times, commuters may live a 10-hour drive from their workplace or live in their employer's parking lots in an effort to avoid the surging real-estate prices of the Bay Area.

As it has become a global hub for some of the world's largest tech companies, Silicon Valley has transformed drastically, often shocking the residents who were there before the tech boom.

Here are 10 things that Silicon Valley residents do that may seem weird to everyone else:

SEE ALSO: I've lived in the Bay Area for 30 years, and I'm convinced that tech companies have ruined it

1. Paying $1 million for a condo that's sinking

Prices for condos have gone down over the past few years in the Millennium Tower in San Francisco's SoMa neighborhood, as Business Insider previously reported. That's because the 58-story building started to sink shortly after it was built and will continue to do so.

If you don't mind velcroing your furniture to the floor, you can buy a two-bedroom condo for a mere $1.2 million — slightly below the median sale price for San Francisco of $1.35 million, reported by Trulia, and well below the initial list prices for many of the units.

That old joke about swampland for sale is dead serious in the Bay Area's beyond-tight housing market.

2. Living in an RV in your employer's parking lot

The average salary for a software engineer in the San Francisco area is about $124,000, according to Glassdoor. People making that much would still have to spend about half their after-tax income to rent a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, where the median rent is almost $3,700, according to Zillow.

Some tech workers have found a cheap solution: Forget getting an apartment entirely and simply move in to a converted van in the parking lot at work.

There have been many accounts over the past few years about tech employees setting up shop in vans outside their places of work, as Business Insider previously reported. A whole community of RV-dwellers lived outside Google's headquarters, leveraging the company's amenities to make life in the parking lot work.

3. Living in a shipping container

For Silicon Valley workers who don't want to call their car home, there's another low-cost option: Move in to a shipping container.

Offices and homes made from shipping containers have begun to pop up in Oakland (which has lots of empty containers, thanks to the Port of Oakland). An offshoot of the tiny-home movement, a shipping container provides four walls, a roof and a floor, ready to be built out – if you can find a spot of land to put it on.

• Ben & Jerry's and Halo Top are two of the top ice-cream brands in America. Though Ben & Jerry's may have more name recognition, Halo Top surpassed it to be America's top-selling ice-cream brand in grocery stores last year.
• Ben & Jerry's and Halo Top have both been trying to appeal to an even wider audience by offering certified vegan, non-dairy options. 
• Veganism is a growing trend in the US. According to a study by market-research firm GlobalData, the number of Americans who choose to follow a vegan diet has increased from 1% to 6% since 2014.
• We tried a pint of vegan ice cream from Ben & Jerry's and from Halo Top, and there was a clear winner between the two. 

Ben & Jerry's and the trendy brand Halo Top compete to be the best in ice cream.

Though Ben & Jerry's may have more name recognition, Halo Top, which launched in 2012, surpassed it to be America's top-selling ice-cream brand in grocery stores last year. Now, the two brands are both trying to appeal to the fast-growing vegan population.

Ben & Jerry's released its first four certified vegan, non-dairy ice-cream flavors made with almond milk in 2016. Halo Top followed in late 2017 with seven non-dairy flavors made with coconut milk. Since then, Ben & Jerry's has grown its vegan ice-cream line to nine flavors, and Halo Top now has 14. 

Veganism is becoming more and more popular. A study by the Plant Based Foods Association shows that the plant-based food industry — which includes meat and dairy alternatives, tofu, egg replacements, and other animal-product alternatives — generates over $13 billion in sales annually throughout the US economy. And according to a study by market-research firm GlobalData, the number of Americans who choose to follow a vegan diet has increased from 1% to 6% since 2014.

But it isn't just vegans that the non-dairy ice cream appeals to — the ice creams also caters to those who are lactose intolerant or choose to not eat dairy for a number of reasons. 

We tasted both Ben & Jerry's and Halo Top's vegan ice cream, and there was a clear winner between the two. Here's the verdict: 

SEE ALSO: We visited Five Below, the discount-store chain that's growing across America. Here's what it's like to shop there.

Ben & Jerry's currently makes nine flavors of non-dairy ice cream, and Halo Top makes 14. We tried each brand's classic chocolate flavor.

Both flavors are certified vegan. Ben & Jerry's uses almond milk as a dairy substitute, and Halo Top uses coconut milk. While Halo Top’s carton brags that it has only 280 calories per pint, Ben & Jerry's version has nearly four times that, with 840 calories per pint or 210 per serving.

We tried Halo Top's chocolate ice cream first.

• Senator John McCain's family announced Friday that he will no longer continue receiving medical treatment for brain cancer.
• He has reportedly been spending time at his ranch home in Arizona while battling glioblastoma.
• McCain's new memoir, "The Restless Wave," was released in May.
• He and wife Cindy McCain quietly sit on a fortune of more than $200 million, largely due to Cindy's stake in one of the largest Anheuser-Busch distributors.

Senator John McCain will no longer continue receiving medical treatment for brain cancer, according to his family. He has reportedly been spending a lot of time at his ranch home in Sedona, Arizona, where he's been receiving a flood of visitors as he battles glioblastoma, reports Town & Country.

The 81-year-old's new memoir, "The Restless Wave," was released in May. You may know McCain as the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, a Vietnam war vet, or an advocate for more civil politics.

What you may not know is that McCain and his wife Cindy sit on a private, but hefty fortune.

He's reportedly worth $16 million, according to Celebritynetworth.com. But that's only a fraction of his wealth — the rest comes from his wife, who is an heiress to Hensley & Co., one of the largest Anheuser-Busch distributors.

She reportedly inherited a major stake in the company and became its chairman when her father, the company's founder, passed away. She currently has a net worth around $200 million.

A prenuptial agreement dictates that the McCains' money is in Cindy McCains' name, reports the New York Times.

Take a look inside their fortune.

SEE ALSO: Mark Zuckerberg and his college-sweetheart wife Priscilla Chan are worth billions — see their houses, cars, and travels

DON'T MISS: Meet the 9 richest people in America, who have a combined fortune of $567 billion

John McCain's money comes from multiple sources: his government salary and pension, a sprawling real estate portfolio, and private wealth largely held by his wife.

Sources: GOBankingRates, US Senate Financial Disclosures

The standard US Senator's salary is $174,000, and McCain received more than $73,000 from his Navy pension in 2015.

Sources: GOBankingRates, US Senate Financial Disclosures

McCain also earned $1.7 million related to sales of his 2007 book "Hard Call: The Art of Great Decisions," which he donated to charity.

Source:GOBankingRates

To succeed, sometimes you must fly in the face of convention. Trailblazers and members of The Oracles share widely-held business beliefs that aren't true — and what to do instead.

SEE ALSO: Drybar founder Alli Webb explains how she took a project she started as a stay-at-home mom and turned it into a multimillion-dollar business with more than 100 locations

SEE ALSO: The 'Shark Tank' entrepreneurs who shouted their pitch and made Mark Cuban laugh say their over-the-top antics were a turning point for their company

SEE ALSO: I've interviewed hundreds of successful people — here are their 4 best tips for sticking to a morning routine while traveling

1. 'You need the right background to succeed'

I first had the idea for Canva when building the product of your dreams wasn't even a remote possibility. My co-founder, Cliff Obrecht, and I were university students. We had no money. We had no engineering or business experience. We didn't even know what a startup was, let alone anyone who was part of one. We just had a problem that we wanted to solve and an absurd amount of determination.

The point is, you don't need the "right background" or expertise to succeed in business. You just need to start. After all, it's a lot easier to think outside the box when you don't even know that the box exists! — Melanie Perkins, co-founder and CEO of Canva

2. 'Traditional education is everything'

As someone who spent 10 years in higher education, it pains me to say that for aspiring entrepreneurs, traditional education is overrated — and easily more expensive than opening a small, efficient business.

Entrepreneurship is like swimming. You can go to school and learn how to analyze, measure, and improve your swimming skills. However, to actually learn to swim, you must get in the pool. — Mark Bloom, President at NetWorth Realty, ranked by Glassdoor among the "Best Places to Work" for two consecutive years

3. 'Keep your opinions to yourself'

If you hire great talent, you should hear what they have to say without bias. Opinions are based on a wealth of individual experiences from "the front line"— and those opinions are powerful.

If you want to solve problems, create a culture that's open to sharing opinions. This sparks constructive discussions, which leads to decisive solutions. Make opinion-sharing productive by ensuring that everyone speaks directly and candidly, which is a great way to address "elephants in the room."

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly taught me a useful tip about seeking opinions from your team as a manager: Start with the most junior person in the room. This prevents you or senior management from taking over the conversation. And team members can speak freely without feeling like they have to agree with their boss.

It's critical that everyone has the chance to voice their opinion. You'll be amazed at what happens when you give your team the freedom and confidence to share openly. — Scott Shainman, President of Getac North America, a laptop and tablet manufacturer; connect with Scott on LinkedIn and Instagram.

If there's one thing America isn't short on, it's options for college. Across the country, options range from city to rural, athletic to academic and everywhere in between.

Anyone who has taken a tour of colleges in America knows that quite a few are real lookers. Ranging from historical origins to Spanish influence, there is no shortage of inspiration and beauty present at these universities.

While choosing a school based on how it looks isn't advised, it's still worth noting that some are truly stunning to look at. These are the most beautiful schools in the US, approved by Conde Nast Traveler and guaranteed to leave you wanting to take a trip.

Enjoy the Texan air while strolling through Baylor University.

The university's Armstrong Browning Library was based on London's opulent Leighton House Museum. Once you've taken in the beauty of the campus, head inside to the McLean Foyer of Meditation for some relaxation.

Visit Berry College, one of the largest campuses in the world.

The 27,000 acres of beauty is filled with hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Open to the public, the campus looks like something out of the British countryside.

Take in the fall foliage at Colgate University.

Dotted with 2,300 trees across 575 acres, Colgate University is a haven for fall foliage. The oldest building, West Hall, dates back to 1827 and was created with stones from the local quarry.

It's easier than ever to research and order more and more beauty products online.

It's so easy, in fact, that some people might be using too many skin-care products without realizing it. But unfortunately, when it comes to skin care, more isn't better.

Overtreatment can actually have an adverse effect on your skin's appearance and health. Here's how to tell if your skin would benefit from paring back on the products.

Rashes and hives are bad signs.

If your skin is red, inflamed, bumpy, or itchy, it's a good sign that something in your product arsenal is causing a flare-up.

"Rashes can be caused by preservatives, fragrances or acrylates found inside cosmetic products," Beverly Hills dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, told NewBeauty.

Cut out any extraneous products that are especially fragrant or extravagant and see if the rash goes away.

A tight feeling in your skin could mean products are drying it out.

If your skin feels tight, this is a sign that the products you're using are sapping moisture and you might want to simplify your routine.

"Don't ignore tightness, as it is can impair skin health and cause increased oil production, large pores, and wrinkles," aesthetician and director of brand development at InstaNatural Heather Wilson told NewBeauty. "If your skin feels tight after cleansing, look for products that are pH balanced and contain gentle and natural-based surfactants."

Exfoliating several ways at once can irritate your skin.

There are a lot of ways to exfoliate: acids, scrubs, brushes, microdermabrasion, retinol creams and more. But using more than one of these methods might cause itchy, red, flaky, or sun-sensitive skin, Arielle Kauvar, M.D., director of New York Laser & Skin Care, told Shape magazine.

How much are networks shelling out to bring Hollywood stars to TV?

In this age of proliferated programming, marquee names have become essential to bring sizable audiences to shows. And the competition among networks and producers has driven industry salaries to new heights.

At its height, Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman reportedly negotiated $1 million salaries for the upcoming second season of HBO's Emmy-winning drama, "Big Little Lies."

And Jim Parsons of CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" made headlines this week for walking away from a reported two-year, $50 million paycheck for two more seasons of the sitcom, which CBS has subsequently decided to end in 2019. 

Here's how much the highest-paid stars on TV are earning per-episode:

Note: Some salaries may include producing fees.

Jethro Nededog contributed to a previous version of this story.

SEE ALSO: Jim Gaffigan on turning down Netflix to make his latest stand-up special 'available to everyone,' and exploring cathartic material about his wife's brain surgery

$1,000,000 — Nicole Kidman, "Big Little Lies" (HBO)

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

$1,000,000 — Reese Witherspoon, "Big Little Lies" (HBO)

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

$1,000,000 — Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory" (CBS)

Source: Variety

Wannabe witches everywhere rejoiced when the CW announced a "Charmed" revival earlier this year, and the release of the new series is coming to the small screen in just over a month.

The show has had its fair share of controversy since then, but it's important to note the new series isn't a reboot, it's a remake — they're bound to have differences.

While the new version has a whole lineup of supporting characters whose backstories are yet to be revealed, the remake is transforming some of the key players from the original series. Keep reading to compare the original cast with the new generation of witches.

Mel Vera is the new Piper Halliwell.

Holly Marie Combs is the only OG star of "Charmed" that appeared in every single episode of the series' 179 episode run. She played middle sister Piper Halliwell and often took on the role as the leader of the Halliwell pack. "Fruitvale Station" star Melonie Diaz will step into Piper's place as Mel Vera, a lesbian activist and the new middle child in the remake.

Maggie Vera is the new Phoebe Halliwell.

"Insatiable" star Alyssa Milano played the role of spunky risktaker Phoebe, the baby sister of the Halliwell Charmed Ones and Sarah Jeffrey is swooping in as Maggie Vera, the aspiring sorority sister of the new trio. While both characters started the show college-aged women, the trailer indicates Jeffrey's character isn't too keen on the prospect of witchcraft, which is pretty much the opposite reaction Phoebe Halliwell had when the series first aired 20 years ago.

Macy Vaughn is a combination of Paige Matthews and Prue Halliwell.

One major variation in the new series is the show creators are combining the plot lines of two characters from the original series into one for the remake. (We know, it's a little confusing — stay with us.)

Madeleine Mantock ("Casualty") will take on the role Macy Vaughn, who is both the eldest sister witch and the half-sister of Mel and Maggie. Both of these traits are in line with the family dynamic of the original "Charmed," but before it was portrayed by two different people. Shannen Doherty ("Beverly Hills: 90210") played the eldest and full sister Prue Halliwell in the original.

She, Piper, and Phoebe shared the same mother and the same father. After her character was killed off in season three, #MeToo activist Rose McGowan took over as Paige Matthews, the half-sister of Phoebe and Piper (via a different father) and the new youngest of the trio.

Basically, think of Mantock as a hybrid of Prue and Paige, and you've got her character Macy.

"American Horror Story: Apocalypse" is bringing back a number of familiar faces.

The eighth season of FX's anthology horror series is a crossover of the first and third seasons, "Murder House" and "Coven." Though some of the actors, like Sarah Paulson, will be playing multiple characters they've portrayed in the universe, others are just confirmed from certain seasons. 

Keeping it in the "American Horror Story" family, multiple stars are also returning as completely new characters.

Here's a breakdown of the actors who are returning and who they are set to play. 

"Apocalypse" premieres on FX September 12 at 10 p.m. ET. 

Connie Britton played Vivien Harmon on the first season of "American Horror Story" called "Murder House."

She is the matriarch of the Harmon family. While in the house, Vivien gave birth to twins, one of which is the Antichrist. Both she and the other twin died after the birth, and her soul became trapped in the home.  

Dylan McDermott portrayed Ben Harmon, Vivien's husband.

As he attempts to leave the house with the living baby, he is hung by the ghost of his former student. His soul is also trapped in the home. 

Taissa Farmiga is confirmed to return as her "Coven" character and her "Murder House" character.

On "Murder House," Farmiga played Vivien and Ben's daughter, Violet. She accidentally kills herself from a drug overdose, and her spirit is stuck in the home. 

Farmiga plays the witch Zoe Benson on "Coven." She ended the season with a seat on the Council of Witchcraft. 

• US presidents have one of the most demanding jobs in the world — but the job leaves some time for leisure, as well.
• Throughout history, all but three US presidents have spent time golfing.
• Here's a roundup of photos US presidents playing golf.

Like many presidents before him, President Trump has played his share of golf. During his first year in office, he spent about 25% of the time at one of his golf clubs, Business Insider reported in December 2017.

Trump owns 17 golf courses in the US and internationally. He often visits Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach, Florida and Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey for vacations and working vacations.

Trump’s golf courses have attracted some elite guests, some of whom Trump himself has played with. The president has shared the course with professional athletes like Tiger Woods, Senators Lindsey Graham and Rand Paul, and international diplomats like Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Critics on both sides of the aisle are quick to criticize whoever is in office on their time spent on the links, but playing golf is a presidential tradition. In fact, presidents have been doing it for years — over 100 of them.

SEE ALSO: Here are the 10 most famous cars in movie history

William Howard Taft (1909)

Taft started the tradition of presidential golfing.

William Howard Taft at Brookline (1913)

He attended the open championship of the U.S. Golf Association in 1913.

Harry S. Truman in Key West (undated)

Truman visited a golf course during the trip.

Every year the Heisman Trophy is awarded to the best player in college football.

Despite the greatness of these players in college, winning the Heisman is not a guarantee of future success. While many past winners thrive in the NFL, there are also those that are out of the league just a few years after being on top of their sport.

Below we take a look at every Heisman winner dating back to 1998, checking in to see how their careers have gone and what they are up to now.

Ricky Williams ran away with the Heisman in 1998, rushing for 2,327 yards and 29 touchdowns for the Texas Longhorns.

Williams went on to have a successful if disjointed NFL career. After leading the league in rushing in 2002 with the Dolphins, Williams tested positive for marijuana several times and announced his retirement in 2004. He did return to Miami just two years later. Recently, he founded a brand of cannabis products, "Real Wellness," and serves as a commentator on The Longhorn Network.

Ron Dayne was awarded the 1999 Heisman, finishing his career as the all-time leading rusher in NCAA Division I FBS history with 7,125 yards for the Wisconsin Badgers.