All posts in “tech”

How to Stop Alexa from Asking Annoying Follow-Up Questions

Longtime owners of an Amazon Echo (or any other Alexa-enabled smart speaker) may have noticed that Alexa is asking a lot more follow-up questions than before. And if you just want an answer to a question without having what seems to be a full-blown conversation with Alexa, that can be annoying.

For example, you could ask Alexa about today’s weather and, after answering, it’ll say “by the way” and ask if you’d like to know what the weather is going to be for the next few days. Or if you ask Alexa to set an alarm for the following morning, it might say “by the way” and ask if you’d like to set a morning alarm for the rest of the week.

Again, you might find this helpful. But you might also not. Fortunately there are a few fixes and all you have to do is adjust a few settings within the Alexa app.

How to Turn on Brief Mode on your Alexa smart speaker

Brief Mode is a feature that makes Alexa speak less as well as shorten its responses in general. So, brevity. Here’s how to turn it off.

  1. Open the Alexa app on your smartphone.
  2. Select the More (three horizontal lines) tab in the bottom-right corner.
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Scroll down and select Voice Responses.
  5. Turn on Brief Mode.
    1. How to Prevent Alexa from Asking If You’d Like to ‘Try New Things’

      The other thing you can do is disable Alexa’s suggestions where it asks (or suggests) if you’d like to try new things. If you don’t want to kill that conversation before it even starts, do this:

      1. Open the Alexa app on your smartphone.
      2. Select the More (three horizontal lines) tab in the bottom-right corner.
      3. Select Settings.
      4. Select Notifications.
      5. Select Things to Try and turn both sliders off.
        1. How to Stop Alexa from Asking if You’d Like to Buy Something

          Alexa is the mouthpiece for the largest e-commerce company in the word, so it makes sense that it’s going to try to get you to buy things. You can stop Alexa from giving you purchasing advice, fortunately. Here’s how:

          1. Open the Alexa app on your smartphone.
          2. Select the More (three horizontal lines) tab in the bottom-right corner.
          3. Select Settings.
          4. Select Notifications.
          5. Select Amazon Shopping.
          6. Scroll down and turn off the option that says “Receive personalized recommendations and deals based on your shopping activity.”
                1. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

          A Beginner’s Guide to Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program

          If you’re somebody who wants to always have the latest and greatest iPhone, you’re probably well aware of the iPhone Upgrade Program. Apple launched it back in 2015 as a way to set up customers with each new iPhone the day it launches while saving some money on it by also trading in their older iPhone.

          But how does it work, and is it worth using?

          How does the iPhone Upgrade Program work?

          If you’re new to the iPhone Upgrade Program, you simply order your new iPhone through it: here. You select which of the four new iPhones — iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max — that you want, as well which color and storage configuration, and then you choose how you want to pay for it. You can pay the full price of the iPhone in one quick hit or you can pay over the course of 24 months.

          If you’re already a part of the iPhone Upgrade Program, all you have to do is sign into your account and when order the new iPhone model, after you choose your carrier (or lack there of) there’s an option that asks if you’re part of the upgrade program. You then follow the instructions and finish your order. A separate box with then be shipped to your house, and you’ll have up to two weeks (14 days) to use the included shipping label to return it back to Apple.

          Should you pay for the iPhone monthly or in full?

          When ordering through the iPhone Upgrade Program, you have two choices of payment: either up front and in fall or over a 24-month period of time. Here’s what you need to know:

          Option #1: Pay for the iPhone in full

          If you pay for the new iPhone in full up front, you then own it. And then in 12 months time when the new iPhone comes out, you can then trade in last year’s iPhone to Apple and then they’ll deduct the trade-in value from from the price of the new iPhone. The trade-in value of your old iPhone will vary on the model you have (and condition it’s in), but it’ll typically be between 40% to 50% of what you paid for it.

          For example, if you bought an iPhone 12 for $799, it’d have a trade-in value of approximately $450. So when you upgrade to the iPhone 13, Apple will subtract the $450 off of the $799 price tag. This means that over the course of owning the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 13, you’ll have paid about $1,148.

          Option #2: Pay for the iPhone over 24 months

          If you don’t want to pay the full price of the iPhone up front, you have the option to pay for the iPhone over a 24-month (two-year) period. The monthly cost will vary depending on which iPhone model you choose — ranging from $29/month for the iPhone 13 mini to $46/month for the iPhone 13 Pro Max — and it means that when the new iPhone comes out the following year, you’ll have paid for half of the cost of your current iPhone.

          When you trade in your current iPhone for the new model, you’ll then switch to a new 24-month cycle of fees to start paying off your new iPhone. The end price ends up being comparable but not quite as good compared to if you bought the iPhone out in full.

          For example (and using the same example as above), if you bought an iPhone 12 for $33.29/month and then you decided you wanted to upgrade to the iPhone 13 when it came out after 12 months, you would’ve paid about $399.48 for the iPhone 12 and then you’d switch to paying $33.29/month for the iPhone 13. For the sake of this argument, say you decide to not upgrade to the iPhone 14 and pay out the full 24-month payments, you would’ve paid a total of about $1,198 for the two iPhones.

          This means that in the long term, the Upgrade Program is a slightly better deal if you pay the full price of the iPhone rather than monthly installments.

          iphone 13
          If you’re the type to lust after each new iPhone on launch day, Apple’s upgrade program may be for you.

          Tucker Bowe

          The Pros of iPhone Upgrade Program

          There are a couple big advantages to buying a new iPhone through Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program.

          First and most obviously, it guarantees that you’ll almost get half of what you paid for your older iPhone. If you were to trade-in your old iPhone to Apple and you weren’t part of the Upgrade Program, they’d offer you significantly less. Tech hardware depreciates quickly.

          The second big advantage to using the iPhone Upgrade Program is that it includes a two-year AppleCare+ warranty and it will cover up to two accidents. For instance, if you drop your iPhone and crack the screen or bust a button, then Apple will repair it for free (or a small fee).

          Just because you sign up for the Upgrade Program doesn’t mean you have to upgrade your iPhone every year. For example, if you have an iPhone 12 and weren’t blown away by the iPhone 13, you can wait and by the following year you’ll own the iPhone 12 outright (because you’ll have paid off the 24-month subscription fees) and your AppleCare+ would have expired, so you’ll want to upgrade. You won’t get quite as much in trade-value now that your iPhone 12 is two-years old (when the iPhone 14 comes out), but you’ll still get a good deal.

          Why you might not want to join the iPhone Upgrade Program

          The main reason why you would not join the iPhone Upgrade Program is if you’re not somebody who needs the latest and greatest iPhone every year. The reality is that the iPhone Upgrade Program gets you a good deal, but it’s still expensive. And the majority people don’t get a new smartphone every year. In fact, it’s common for people to hold onto the same smartphone for several years before upgrading.

          The other downside is that the iPhone Upgrade Program locks you into a 24-month subscription — unless you want to upgrade to a newer iPhone after 12 months. So, if you decide you want to get the newest Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy smartphone and return your iPhone midway through your payments, you’re out of luck.

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          The LAVO Bike From Studio MOM Might Be The First-Ever Hydrogen E-Bike

          Most of the commercially available transportation platforms are likely running on battery-electric systems. Hydrogen-electric models are still playing catch-up due to several factors such as supply and production but is growing, nonetheless. To encourage more companies to adopt this clean source of energy, Studio MOM is developing the LAVO Bike.

          This cool project’s goal is to showcase the versatility and safety of hydrogen fuel cells over lithium-ion batteries. Meanwhile, electric bikes are quickly becoming the ride of choice for urban commuters, which is why the Dutch design team is coming up with a new type of zero-emission two-wheeler.

          Meanwhile, LAVO will be lending its technology to power the motors and more. The company is already offering green energy storage systems that use solar panels and water to produce hydrogen. With this in place, owners can conveniently recharge spent tanks at home and swap in full ones for their next trip.

          Instead of a regular e-bike, Studio MOM proposes a configuration that allows users to haul more cargo. Given that a full hydrogen tank is lighter than a standard rechargeable battery, the LAVO Bike can carry more refills. This allows owners to benefit from a longer range and never rely on the power grid.

          From a configuration standpoint, the LAVO Bike uses a hub center steering setup. The frame is reinforced at the front to support heavier loads. Studio MOM notes that this modular machine will have parts that connect just like LEGO blocks. Currently, there is little information about the rest of the components, but it should be the world’s first hydrogen e-bike once it’s commercially available.

          Learn more

          imageimageimageimageimage

          Images courtesy of Studio MOM

          DJI’s Flagship Mavic 3 Takes Flight With Awesome Upgrades Perfect For Content Creation

          DJI has been revving up its marketing push this final quarter with awesome new hardware. So far, we’ve covered a couple and are now ready for another. The Chinese brand and its diverse lineup of products enjoy worldwide recognition for quality and functionality. To bolster its roster of imaging tools is the Mavic 3.

          These days, the use of commercial drones for aerial photography/videography is on a steady rise. DJI has managed to best its competitors by catering to various consumers based on their budget. It is now the go-to brand among professionals. The Mavic 3 showcases the very best of DJI with the tagline: “Imaging Above Everything.”

          The manufacturer is granting its latest flagship a series of improvements over the outgoing version. Nonetheless, existing owners of the Mavic 2 can still hold off from its purchase if they are willing to wait for what the 2022 model might bring to the table. Still, the upgrades are certainly too enticing to overlook.

          What it offers over the previous generation makes it very difficult to ignore. The Mavic 3 boasts a larger sensor – a 4/3” CMOS over the 1” CMOS of the Mavic 2. Flight time has been bumped up to 46 minutes. Meanwhile, transmission distance extends to 9.32 miles (FCC) and 7.46 miles (CE).

          DJI also ensures that users get the most intuitive experience with the Mavic 3. Obstacle sensing keeps it safe from collisions, while object tracking helps keep your subject in focus. Finally, the Advanced RTH (Return to Home) feature will now plot the best flight path that conserves battery when you recall the drone.

          Purchase now

          imageimageimageimageimageimageimage

          Images courtesy of DJI

          What Is Advanced Safety System Recalibration and Why Do You Need It?

          Most cars today have advanced safety systems to keep you (and your car) safe on the road. These systems create a safety net around your car to help reduce the risk of collisions through the use of forward-facing cameras. Attached to the windshield, these cameras enable advanced safety features to aid drivers on the road — features like automatic braking, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist and more. But what happens when you have to replace your windshield due to cracked glass? What steps need to be taken to ensure you stay safe?

          What most people don’t realize is that if you have to replace your windshield, the forward-facing camera attached to it must be recalibrated in order for the safety features to continue working properly. So where do you start? And how do you know if the work has been done correctly?

          cars

          Safelite

          The technicians at Safelite Autoglass® are experts in recalibration and have everything you need to know about what it is and why it’s an important step in the auto glass replacement process. They have the knowledge, skill and tools to do the job — all you have to do is set up an appointment.

          There are two types of recalibration: dynamic and static. Some cars require a combination of static and dynamic recalibration. Dynamic recalibration requires the technician to drive the vehicle at a set speed on well-marked roads while they recalibrate the safety system. For static recalibration, many vehicles require the controlled environment of a shop for the process to be executed properly. It requires the vehicle to be parked facing a mounted target image. The technician then makes sure the camera sensors line up with specific points on the target.

          man looking at car with light

          Safelite

          Regardless of the method required, you need a trusted recalibration expert to ensure your advanced safety features are operating at peak performance. When scheduling with Safelite®, you’ll be notified if your vehicle’s safety system needs to be recalibrated after your replacement. A certified Safelite® technician then completes both the replacement and the recalibration service in the same appointment. Safelite® even provides proof of recalibration once your service is complete.

          Safelite® takes the guesswork out of recalibration and makes sure your car gets the expert attention it needs. Your car will be ready to safely take you on your next adventure in no time.

          Learn More

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          Use Google Maps? Here’s How to See the Fastest Possible Route

          Earlier this year, Google announced a bunch of new features that would be rolling out to Google Maps. Some of those features — like crowd information for public transit (so you can see if a certain train/bus/subway is going to be jammed or not) and the ability to see the weather and air quality of your destination before you get there — arrived months ago. But some of them, like the new eco-friendly routing, just recently rolled out. And the latter is kind of a big deal for everybody who uses Google Maps as their go-to navigation app.

          The idea behind the new eco-friendly routing feature is a good one as it has sustainability in mind and it’s part of Google’s new initiative to fight climate change. Here’s how to works:

          When you type in a navigation route, Google Maps will select the route with the lowest amount of carbon emissions, so long as it doesn’t affect the ETA of your journey too much. According to Google, this eco-friendly routing “has the potential to prevent over one million tons of carbon emissions per year — that’s the equivalent of removing over 200,000 cars from the road.”

          The problem is that eco-friendly routing is turned on by default — meaning there’s a good chance that Google Maps isn’t navigating you on the fastest possible route. And that’s a problem for people who value speed (and time) over everything else. Fortunately, you can easily turn off eco-friendly routing. Here’s how:

          How to turn off eco-friendly routing in Google Maps

          1. Open the Google Maps app on your smartphone.
          2. Select your profile (image) in the top-right corner.
          3. Select Settings in the drop-down menu.
          4. Select Navigation.
          5. Scroll down and toggle off where it says “Prefer fuel-efficient routes.”
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            AirPods Pro Not Working? Apple Might Replace Them for Free

            If your AirPods Pro don’t sound quite right — specifically, you hear a crackling or static sound or if the noise-canceling or transparency modes aren’t working as great as they’re supposed to — then you might be able to get them fixed. Or Apple could send you a brand-new pair. And it won’t cost you a penny.

            This is because Apple has a repair program that’s specifically designed around AirPods Pro that are experiencing sound issues. The repair program was announced last year (in October 2020) and, at the time, it covered AirPods Pro for up to two years after the original purchased.

            However, as of last month (October 2021), Apple quietly extended this warranty to three years. This means that if you were one of the first people to buy AirPods Pro (first released in October 2019), are they are just starting to not sound great, you still have a year to get them fixed.

            If your AirPods Pro are experiencing the aforementioned sound issues, you have three ways of getting them fixed. You can:

              Apple will examine the AirPods Pro prior to fixing/replacing them to make sure it’s a sound issue rather than something you’ve done to break them; i.e if you’ve left them out in the rain or dropped them too many times, then they will won’t be eligible for the repairs program.

              LEARN MORE

              This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

            FaceTime on Your iPhone Just Got a Cool New Feature

            If you have an iPhone (or iPad) and you’re frequent FaceTime caller, the newest software update — iOS 15.1 — just delivered a really cool new feature. It’s called SharePlay and it allows you to share your screen and audio with the other people on your FaceTime call. This is really neat because it allows you and the other people on your FaceTime call to watch shows together and have live music listening sessions. You can also play group games or even exercise with the other people on your FaceTime.

            How to use SharePlay when on a FaceTime call

            If your iPhone (or iPad) is running iOS 15.1 (or iPadOS 15.1), using the new SharePlay feature is super simple. (Please note, in order to use SharePlay, all other people in your FaceTime have to be running iOS 15.1 or later as well.) Here’s what to do:

            1. Open the FaceTime app.
            2. Start a FaceTime call be selecting the New FaceTime button in the upper-right part of your screen.
            3. Once you’re in the FaceTime call (and invited other people), tap the SharePlay icon on the far right of the dropdown menu at the top of the screen.
            4. Select Share My Screen.
                  1. That’s it! If another person in the FaceTime wants to use SharePlay to share their screen, all they have to do is select the SharePlay icon. And if you want to end SharePlay to stop sharing your screen, but not end the FaceTime call, all you have to do is tap the SharePlay icon and then select End SharePlay. It’s really quite simple.

                    Which apps work with SharePlay?

                    As you probably could’ve guessed, SharePlay opens up a can of worms in terms subscriptions. So, the first thing to note: everybody on the FaceTime needs to be a subscriber to the service being SharePlay-ed (and they need to have the app downloaded and be logged in). If not, then that person will not be able to see what’s being SharePlay-ed, but the other people on the FaceTime who are subscribers will.

                    Also, not every streaming app works with SharePlay right now, with the most notable absentees being Spotify, Netflix and YouTube. We’ve rounded up the most popular apps that are compatible with SharePlay, below.

                    The below list of apps that work with SharePlay was last updated: November 4, 2021.

                    Popular Video Services for Movies, Shows and Sports:

                    • Apple TV+ (here)

                    • Disney+ (here)

                    • ESPN+ (here)

                    • HBO Max (here)

                    • Paramount+ (here)

                    • Pluto TV (here)

                    • Showtime Anytime (here)

                    Popular Music Streaming Services:

                    • Apple Music (here)

                    • SoundCloud (here)

                    • Vinyls (here)

                    Popular Apps for Games, Workouts and Entertainment:

                    • Apollo for Reddit (here)

                    • Apple Fitness+ (here)

                    • Heads Up! (here)

                    • MasterClass (here)

                    • Night Sky (here)

                    • TikTok (here)

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                Can a $150 Tube Amp Stand Up Against the Top Audio Systems?

                I have a few music tracks that are my go-to tunes when evaluating stereo systems. They’ve risen to the top not because they test different sound qualities specifically, or because they reflect any show-offy declarations of musical taste, but because they’re just great songs — ones that I’ve listened to thousands of times throughout my life. I know them intimately and can spot playback distinctions like an owl catching a flicker of movement from a mouse buried under 10 inches of snow. Plus, I never tire of them, and when I listen I focus on the delivery, not my fickle reactions to the music itself.

                Monoprice 25 Watt Stereo Hybrid Tube Amplifier

                Monoprice monoprice.com

                $109.99

                Auditioning the Monoprice Stereo Hybrid Tube Amp via such perennial favorites presented a special challenge. The shelf system is a 25-watt tube amp system that also has Bluetooth, so you can feed it from your smartphone or tablet. That makes it a hybrid system, using a solid-state power amplifier but a tube pre-amp. The tricky part in evaluating it is identifying what’s making the music sound so: Is it the four vacuum tubes making it sound a certain way, or the speakers and cables, or the fact that it’s streamed through the ether via Bluetooth? The only option in critical thought is to go with your gut, and the only way to find out is to fire up those tubes.

                I did so in my den, a smallish room with wooden walls — about the perfect size for shelf systems. If you’re new to the idea of vacuum tubes, they predate more efficient solid-state transistor amplifiers, which are driven entirely by electrical signals, and are effectively the mechanical equivalent in terms of boosting signals and powering speakers. Though outdated by decades, they’re thought by audiophiles to generate a warmer, more realistic sound by virtue of their mechanical operation, especially when the sound is delivered via lossy Bluetooth. They give back the more subtle audio signals that Bluetooth strips away.

                I had to keep reminding myself that the entire system was an unbelievable bargain.

                Having a hybrid system such as this amplifier permits modern audio sources to pair with the vacuum tube. When you turn it on, simply pair your device with the system and select your track. The tubes glow orange, as does the VU (volume unit) meter on the front. The amp looks retro, particularly with the aluminum cages protecting the vacuum tubes while showing them off. You have the option of cable inputs for audio source, and there’s a headphone jack, as well, so you’re able to control those variables as you like. (You can also upgrade the speakers.)

                This content is imported from Spotify. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

                I cycled through my tracks and found the system to be much warmer within all of them than my go-to, and much more expensive, shelf system, the Joey Roth Ceramic Speaker and Subwoofer ($1,095). The Monoprice system did more with less, generating robust sound at high volumes through relatively small speakers, though having the subwoofer helped, too, of course. The tube amp also created a more intimate audio experience that, while not as crisp as my go-to Roth system, was exceptionally satisfying and enjoyable. And, naturally, the benefit seemed to match with the song — the more vintage Goo Goo Dolls and Queen sounded slightly better on the tube amp, while Lady Gaga and Maroon 5 tracks favored the Roth system. The Monoprice, notably, was also far better than any other Bluetooth speaker or shelf system that I can think of at this price point. I tried the same tracks in a portable BT speaker and a more mainstream shelf system, and the Monoprice’s sound was significantly better. In fact, I had to keep reminding myself that the entire system cost so little — an unbelievable bargain for such a classic experience.

                Aesthetically, the amp will look great on your shelf, with its tubes, piano-black shell and silver faceplate. The build quality is solid, but not as polished as pricier vacuum tube units targeted toward the audiophile crowd. The faceplate has some rough edges, the bass and treble dials aren’t nearly as smooth-turning as higher-grade equivalents, and the illuminated VU meter looks a bit chintzy, even as it sits there bouncing happily away to the beat of “Bad Romance.” There’s also a persistent hum emanating from the Monoprice when powered on, but that’s part of the tech — and the charm. Vacuum tubes hum, and this one hums along pretty damn well.

                Monoprice 25 Watt Stereo Hybrid Tube Amplifier

                Monoprice monoprice.com

                $109.99

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                The Best Tablets of 2021

                tablets

                Tucker Bowe

                Tablets sit in kind of a weird middle ground. They’re bigger than smartphones with most of the same capabilities, and they’re smaller than laptops with not quite the same computing power.

                But a dedicated non-phone device for browsing the web, doing art, or sharing with the kids still has a place in the digital ecosystem — the trick is just figuring out exactly what you want it for. Do you just want a bigger screen to browse the web, stream movies or use as an e-reader? Or do you need a tablet that comes with a stylus that allows you to illustrate, take notes or sign documents?

                After you know what you want to use the tablet for, you then need to decide what type of tablet you want to buy — aka what ecosystem do you want to live in. For example, do you want a tablet that works seamlessly with your other other Apple or Samsung devices?

                Finally, then you need to decide how much you’re willing to spend as well as how small or large of a tablet you want to buy — these two factors go hand-in-hand. You might also need to consider that most tablets don’t come with a lot of accessories, such as a case, keyboard, mouse or even stylus; so you might plan on spending extra for those.

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                Best All-Around

                Apple iPad mini (2021)

                The newest iPad mini ditches the old design of its predecessors and adopts the fuller-screen and squared off sides of the higher-end iPad Air — in fact, the iPad mini is effectively a shrunk-down version of the iPad Air. It has Touch ID integrated into the power button, supports the newest Apple Pencil and has a USB-C port for fast-charging and fast data transfer. It’s a more expensive than the entry-level iPad, but you get so much more and it’s a form-factor that will stay cool for years to come. The only real downside (other than price) is that, because of its size, the new iPad mini is not compatible with Apple’s fancy Magic Keyboard. 

                Best Upgrade

                Apple iPad Pro (2021)

                The iPad Pro is primarily designed for creative professionals, but it’s across-the-board upgrades in display and processing power make it a good upgrade pick even for the non-artistically-inclined. It’s available in two different models, 11-inch and 12.9-inch, which are identical except for their size and displays. Both are decked out with Apple’s M1 chip, a new Thunderbolt USB-C port and they support 5G. The big difference is the 12.9-inch model has a significantly nicer display; specifically, it’s a Liquid Retina XDR display that’s made of over 10,000 mini-LEDs, and it promises a significantly better (read: brighter, more vibrant and with contrast) picture. Like the 2020 models, the new iPad Pros have a 120Hz display to help draw more accurately with the Apple Pencil (the iPad Air’s display maxes out at 60Hz). It also has a dual-camera system and a LiDAR sensor, which helps the iPad Pro shoot improved low-light photos and have enhanced AR capabilities; and it has a similar front-facing system as the latest iPhones, meaning you can unlock the device via Face ID.

                Best Budget

                Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)

                The Fire HD 10 is the most advanced tablet that Amazon currently makes — and yet it still costs well under $200. It’s available in two different models, Fire HD 10 and the Fire HD 10 Plus, with the latter model having a few extra features, such as more RAM, support for wireless charging and a more premium finish. Both models of the Fire HD 10 have a 10.1-inch display, which is a slightly bigger and brighter than the Fire HD 8’s display. And compared to the previous generation Fire HD 10, the 2020 models have slimmer bezels, more RAM and, again, their display is a little bit brighter. They also have a front-facing camera that’s better positioned for video calls.

                Apple iPad 10.2-Inch (2021)

                The 10.2-inch iPad is by far the most popular tablet that Apple makes. It has a nice display, a long battery life, a powerful processor and runs iPadOS, same as Apple’s higher-end tablets. But the biggest drawback of this entry-level iPad is that it has an outdated design. It’s the only current iPad that still has an actual Home button (with Touch ID) and charges via Lightning (instead of USB-C). It also still supports the first-generation Apple Pencil, which is good but doesn’t magnetically clip to the top of the iPad for easy storing/charging/pairing like the second-generation stylus. All-in-all, it’s the best bang-for-your-buck iPad that Apple makes. 

                Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020)

                The Fire HD 8 is one of the best affordable tablets you can buy. It’s slightly bigger and more expensive than Amazon’s Fire 7, but it’s also better in a lot of key areas. It has a higher-resolution HD display, a larger battery and, yes, a longer battery life. The other big difference is that the speakers are infinitely better on the Fire HD 8. Instead of Fire 7’s single rear-firing speaker, the Fire HD 8 has a stereo speaker setup that also supports Dolby Atmos — movies and music are going to sound way better, especially if you don’t use headphones. It’s an excellent spare tablet, or one for the kids.

                Apple iPad Air (2020)

                Apple radically redesigned the iPad Air in 2020, making it very similar to the new design of the high-end iPad Pro. In fact, the iPad Air looks and feels nearly identical to the 11-inch iPad Pro. It’s a little smaller (at 10.9-inches) and has slightly larger bezels, but the main differences lie mainly in the display and camera systems. The iPad Air lacks the high-refresh rate display (maxing out at 60Hz) and has a single-lens rear camera. It also has Touch ID integrated into the side power button, and doesn’t support Face ID. Effectively, the iPad Air is a great tablet for whoever wants the high-end look and feel of the iPad Pro, but doesn’t need some of its more unique and expensive features.

                Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ (2020)

                The Galaxy Tab S7+ is Samsung’s high-end tablet that’s really designed to go toe-to-toe with Apple’s iPad Pro line. It has a beautiful 12.4-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a powerful Snapdragon 865+ chipset, a wonderful-sounding speaker that supports Dolby Atmos, and a high-end dual rear-camera system. Samsung includes its stylus, the S Pen, in the box and at no extra cost. If you have a Samsung Galaxy smartphone and you’re looking for a high-end tablet that will fit into the same suite of apps Samsung services.

                Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 (2020)

                Released in late 2020, the Galaxy Tab A7 is one of Samsung’s newest tablets. It’s also designed as essentially a more entry-level alternative to the Galaxy Tab S7+. It has a less powerful Snapdragon 6622 processor, a smaller (10.4-inch) display doesn’t get nearly as bright, and a single rear-camera system. The other big tradeoff is that the Galaxy Tab A7 does not support the S Pen, so you shouldn’t get this if you want to use a stylus to take notes or draw.

                Amazon Fire 7 (2019)

                Amazon makes some of the best budget tablets that you can buy, and the Fire 7 is the cheapest of the bunch — it costs less than $50. It gets its name from its 7-inch display, but when compared to Amazon’s more expensive tablets, it really comes down to hardware. The Fire 7 is very similar to the Fire HD 8, but is just a little bit smaller and lacks that same HD display. Other than that, it has pretty much all the same capabilities. You can use it to stream shows or music, or use it as an e-reader. If you have a Fire TV, you can also use the Fire as a remote control.

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                This Trick Makes iCloud+ Pay for Itself

                With iOS 15, Apple is rolling out its handy Hide My Email feature to millions of iPhone owners, a service which automatically creates unique email addresses that forward to your main inbox, so you can get emails without having to give out your real address.

                It’s designed to protect you from information harvesting but as one Redditor has realized (and graciously shared): it’s also a gateway to extra new-customer trials and discounts.

                Because Hide My Email generates a random Apple address, using the feature to make new accounts on websites where you already have one can result in a particularly useful combination of factors: a new member discount + emails that still come to your normal inbox.

                There are a few catches. First, some services may be able to tell you aren’t a new customer based on your payment information, or may (understandably) stop offering these discounts to these types of email addresses. Second, Hide My Email requires iCloud+, which isn’t free. But the lowest iCloud+ tier costs just $1 a month in the United States, enough that a couple new member discounts can almost certainly cover the cost.

                Is this the intended use of this feature? Of course not! Will retailers start putting checks in place to prevent this kind of … advanced couponing? Quite possibly! But that’s bound to happen no matter what you do. Is it something you wanna do? That’s up to you, but it can certainly save you a buck or two.

                This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

                The Best and Biggest Gadgets of October 2021

                October brought a whole ton of new products this year, including drops from Apple like the redesigned MacBook Pros and new AirPods, plus things like Google’s next flagship phone, the Pixel 6.

                Here’s what you need to know about from this month.

                14- and 16- MacBook Pros

                tech roundup

                Apple

                Without a doubt, the biggest new product announcement was Apple’s new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros. They’re decked out with features that Pro users have been asking for years, such as more ports, a physical row of function keys, the return of MagSafe charging, an even more beautiful display and a better webcam. More importantly, they can be configured with Apple’s new higher-end silicone chipsets, the M1 Pro and M1 Max, which promise to put even last year’s much-lauded M1 chipset to shame in terms of power, graphics and efficiency.

                The new MacBook Pros are available for preorder now and start shipping next week (October 26).

                Price: $1,999+

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                AirPods (3rd-Generation)

                tech roundup

                Apple

                After months of rumors, Apple finally announced its third-generation AirPods and they are the new middle child of Apple’s AirPods lineup. They are priced between the AirPods (now just $129) and the AirPods Pro, and they look and work like a mix of the two as well. They have the shorter stem of the AirPods Pro, but also lack the in-ear design and silicone eartips — so they fit in your ears more similarly to the original AirPods. And they lack the active-noise cancellation and transparency modes modes of the Pro, but still support spatial audio and adaptive EQ. That said, Apple did these new AirPods some unique features, such as a magnetic charging case that can stick to a MagSafe charger (although there’s no charging speed advantage) and the best battery life (up to 6 hours per earbud) of any AirPods to date.

                The third-generation AirPods are available for preorder now and start shipping next week (October 26).

                Price: $179

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                Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro

                tech roundup

                Google

                Google announced its much-anticipated flagship smartphones, the Pixel 6 and the Pixel Pro. Not only do they have the most “Pro” displays and camera systems that Google has ever put in its smartphones, but they also are the first Pixels to feature Google’s new custom processor called Tensor. This new custom processor was specifically designed for Pixels (similar to how Apple designs its own iPhone chipsets) and it will help them really excellent battery life and power some of the fancy AI features (such as real-time language translations and new computational photography skills) that Pixels have become known for. As far as differences between the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, there aren’t many. The Pro has a bigger better display, an extra telephoto lens, and a better selfie camera.

                The Pixel 6 starts at $599 and the Pixel 6 Pro starts at $899. Both be preordered right now and will hit shelves October 28.

                Price: $599+

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                Nikon Z9

                tech

                Nikon

                The Nikon Z9 is the company’s long-awaited new flagship full-frame mirrorless camera — and it’s fast, really fast. It has an all-new high-speed sensor (45.7-megapixel stacked CMOS) and a new processor (EXPEED 7) that powers a super-fast and super-intelligent auto-focus system that can capture photos at up to 120fps. It’s also capable of recording 8K (at 30fps) and 4K (up to 120fps) videos. It’s designed as a true weapon for professional photographers, especially those capturing action sports or fast-moving wildlife.

                Price: $5,500

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                Master & Dynamic MG20

                tech

                Master & Dynamic

                Master & Dynamic has brought its love of premium materials and hi-fi sound into the gaming world. The MG20 is the company’s first-ever gaming headset. It has magnesium earcups, anodized aluminum arms, lambskin leather earpads and an Alcantara headband. Inside, it packs 50mm Beryllium drivers that support aptX HD and 7.1 surround sound. The headset is really designed for PlayStation and PC gamers, as there’s a USB adapter to establish a low-latency connection, but it supports aptX Low-Latency for smartphone gamers as well. The other neat thing is that it’s technically a “hybrid” gaming headset because, thanks to a detachable boom mic, you can use it as regular wireless over-ear headphones when you’re not gaming.

                The MG20 will be available in two colors (white or black) starting November 16.

                Price: $450

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                Wyze Switch and Wyze Bulb White

                tech

                Wyze

                Wyze announced a number of new smart home gadgets this week, including a new solar panel and new smart bulbs, but the Wyze Switch is probably the most interesting of the bunch. It’s the company’s first smart switch, which replaces an existing light switch in your home and then allows you to control those traditional lights with voice commands (compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri) or via the Wyze app. The only real downside is that the smart switch doesn’t allow you to dim your lights.

                A 3-pack of these smart switches costs $33. They’re available for preorder now, with shipping set to start in December.

                Price: $33 (3-pack)

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                Plugable UD-3900C

                tech

                Courtesy

                Plugable’s newest docking station, the UD-3900C, is both powerful and movable. It’s designed for hybrid workers who are used to “hot-desking,” or sitting in a different area of the office each day. The UD-3900C can connect to your laptop via a USB-C or USB-A connection, and it adds a number of ports for your peripherals: HDMI (2x), USB-A 3.0 (2x), USB-A 2.0 (4x), two 3.5mm audio jacks (for a microphone and headphones) and a Gigabit Ethernet port for a wired connection.

                The Plugable UD-3900C is available now.

                Price: $119

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                Vive Flow

                tech

                HTC

                The Vive Flow is the newest VR headset by HTC and it looks drastically different from pretty much every other VR headset out there. (In fact, it it looks kind of like an overgrown pair of sport sunglasses for Vuarnet.) It’s a completely wireless headset — you’re not tethered to anything — that’s designed to be compact, more portable and comfortable. It also doesn’t come with controllers (you’ll have to have an Android smartphone, instead), which is why the Vive Flow is designed for more general entertainment, like watching 360-degree videos and interactive experiences, rather than intense VR gaming.

                The Vive Flow will be available in November.

                Price: $499

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                TCL Roku TV Wireless Sound Bar

                tech

                TCL

                TCL has been in the business of affordable 4k TVs for years and it has made various lines of soundbar-and-subwoofer systems to pair with those TVs, too. The company’s newest soundbar, the Roku TV Wireless Soundbar, is its first “wireless” soundbar, meaning unlike its previous soundbars, the Roku TV Wireless Soundbar doesn’t have any HDMI or other audio ports. You plug it, pair it to your Roku TV over Wi-Fi and it just works. It’s designed as a simple solution for people who want to get better sound out of their Roku TV without having to pay too much.

                Price: $180

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                Wyze Video Doorbell Pro

                tech roundup

                Wyze

                Wyze announced a “Pro” version of its $30 Video Doorbell (released in 2020). At $65, it’s more than twice as expensive — which is still really affordable compared to other video doorbells — but it also comes with more features. The most significant thing is that you can use it wired or wirelessly, thanks to its built-in battery, but it also has a slightly better camera (in terms of resolution and field-of-view) and a wireless chime that you can place inside your home (so you can hear when somebody rings the doorbell). Like before, you’ll need to pay a small subscription fee ($1.49/mon) to get some of its more advanced features, like people and package detection.

                The Wyze Video Door Pro is available for preorder now, but you’ll have to wait until December for it to ship.

                Price: $65

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                Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition

                phone

                Samsung

                Samsung didn’t exactly any new hardware at its Unpacked event this week, but it did announce a customizable version of its foldable smartphone. You can now order the Galaxy Z Flip3 with its front and back panels in a variety of different color, and you also have the choice of a black or silver frame. (There are apparently 49 different color combinations, according to Engadget.) This “Bespoke Edition” will cost you an extra $100 from the regular Galaxy Z Flip3.

                Price: $1,099+

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                PhoneSoap SurfaceSoap UV Wand

                tech roundup

                Phone Soap

                PhoneSoap specializes in making gadgets that use blue light clean your other gadgets, and the SurfaceSoap UV is its latest travel-friendly entry. It’s a UV wand that you turn on and wave over personal items, be it your car keys or your iPad, and it kills 99.9% of harmful bacteria and pathogens. There’s also a built-in hand guard to prevent your hand from rubbing up against something you haven’t cleaned yet.

                The SurfaceSoap UV Wand is available for preorder now and is expected to ship in mid-November.

                Price: $200

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                Apple 140-Watt USB-C Power Adapter

                tech roundup

                Apple

                One thing that Apple didn’t really talk about at its Mac event is its new adapter ever, which is the most powerful one it’s ever made. The 140-watt USB-C wall adapter ships with the new 16-inch MacBook Pro and uses gallium nitride (GaN) technology, which it to fit more power in a smaller package; when paired with the new USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable, it can give the new MacBook Pro a 50-percent charge in just 30 minutes. For those interested, Apple is going to also sell this wall adapter separately for $99.

                Price: $99

                Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin (2021 Model)

                tech roundup

                Bowers & Wilkins

                Bowers & Wilkins released a new and improved version of its iconic Zeppelin speaker. The last iteration of the speaker, the Zeppelin Wireless, was released in 2015 and this new version keeps mostly the same look and feel, with the difference being that the new version is completely wireless — there are no analog connections — and it supports AirPlay 2 and comes integrated with Alexa (just like an Echo) for voice controls. It supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (AptX) streaming, and it’s able to be integrated in a multi-room system with other new Zeppelin speakers, B&W’s existing line of Formation speakers, as well as other AirPlay 2 speakers.

                The new B&W Zeppelin is available today in either light or dark grey.

                Price: $799

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                Bose SoundLink Flex

                tech roundup

                Bose

                Bose announced a new affordable, rugged and ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker called the SoundLink Flex. It’s really water-resistant and durable — IP67 rated — and it’ll even float, in the event you drop it in the pool or tub. Bose promises incredible sound compared to other similarly-sized speakers, thanks to a custom transducer and dual-opposing passive radiators, too. It lacks Wi-Fi connectivity, meaning there’s no voice assistant, but you can sync it with other Bose speakers and soundbars that you have in your house (via a companion app) to give you the multi-room effect.

                Price: $149

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                Soundcore Frames

                tech roundup

                Anker

                Soundcore, the audio division of Anker, announced its first pair of audio glasses: the Soundcore Frames. They’re more similar to the Bose Frames, as opposed to the Facebook x Ray-Ban Stories, because they don’t have any kind of built-in cameras or social component — they’re strictly sunglasses and eyeglasses with speakers built into each arm so they work like any pair of Bluetooth headphones. The difference with the Soundcore Frames (compared to the Bose Frames) is that the arms are detachable and you can swap them with different frames (there are 10 different styles) to get a different look.

                Price: $200

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                Jabra Evolve2 75

                tech roundup

                Jabra

                The Evolve2 75 is what Jabra is calling a “hybrid headset,” meaning it is designed as a work headset with excellent call clarity (thanks to it boom microphone) and compatibility with Zoom and Microsoft Teams (and others). The boom microphone folds up into the right earcup so that they can be disguised as a regular pair of noise-canceling wireless headphones, too. Basically, they’ll designed for both work and play.

                The Jabra Evolve2 75 is available now.

                Price: $349

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                Tile Mate, Pro, Slim, and Sticker (Updated Models)

                tech roundup

                Tile

                Tile announced next-generation versions of several of its Bluetooth trackers — specifically the Mate (keychain fob), Slim (card), Pro (smaller keychain fob) and Sticker (attachable button) — all of which are getting improved range and water-resistance, as well as updated designs. All of them (save for the Sticker) are gaining a new Lost and Found feature, which allows strangers to scan a QR code on the back of the tracker, get your contact information and thus return your item (and tracker) back to you.

                All these next-generation Bluetooth trackers are available now.

                Price: $25 — $35

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                V-Moda Hexamove Lite and Pro

                tech roundup

                V-Moda

                V-Moda, the audio company best known for its DJ-approved Crossfade headphones, announced its first two pairs of wireless earbuds. There’s the Hexamove Lite ($130) and the Hexamove Pro ($180). Both pairs of wireless earbuds are basically the identical — same hexagonal shape and same sound — and allow you to customize them with different “shields,” so you can make them look how you want. The difference is that the “Pro” version come with swappable silicone earhooks and an optional wire neck strap, to give you a better fit and prevent you from losing them. The Pro versions also work with a companion that lets you tweak the EQ. Neither earbuds support wireless charging or have ANC.

                Price: $130 — $180

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                Q Acoustics Concept Series

                tech roundup

                Q Acoustics

                The British audio company Q Acoustics is best known for its high performing yet affordable bookshelf speakers, and it has brought that same mantra over to its home theater range. The new set of Concept speakers — Concept 30 (standmount, $1,299/pair), Concept 50 (floorstander, $2,999/pair) and Concept 90 (center channel, $999/ea) — bring over technologies from its high-end Concept 300 and 500 speakers, and put them in a more affordable package.

                The new Concept home theater speakers will be available at the end of October.

                Price: $999 — $2,999

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                Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro

                tech roundup

                Anker

                Soundcore’s latest flagship wireless earbuds, the Liberty 3 Pro, aim to deliver high-end sound and premium features at a reasonable price. They are the successor to the Liberty 2 Pro (released in 2019) and have a similar earwing design, but they are 30-percent smaller. They have active-noise cancellation and support high-resolution audio (including Sony’s LDAC, which enables them to stream higher-quality audio than most other wireless earbuds), which their predecessors lacked. And the charging case supports wireless charging.

                The Liberty 3 Pro are available right now and come in four colors: black, white, purple or gray.

                Price: $170

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                Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X and 900 Pro X

                tech roundup

                Beyerdynamic

                Beyerdynamic announced the latest studio quality headphones in its hugely popular Pro X line. There’s the DT 700 Pro X (closed back, pictured) and the DT 900 Pro X (open-backed), both of which feature the company’s famed cushy velour earpads, along with a brand-new driver that promise to deliver a neutral, realistic sound. The headphones also have a low impedance (48 ohms), meaning they’re easy to drive and plug-and-play ready — no separate headphone amp required.

                Both headphones cost $299 and are available now.

                Price: $299

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                Sony SRS-NS7 Wireless Neckband Speaker

                tech roundup

                Sony

                The category of “wearable speaker” is a little bit of a weird one. They are speakers designed for people who work in a solitary environment and don’t risk disturbing other people in the room, or people who don’t like wearing headphones for long periods of time. Sony’s newest wearable speaker, the SRS-NS7, is unique because it’s the first to support Dolby Atmos as well as Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, so it’s able to deliver a more immersive listening experience. And if you pair to one of Sony’s latest Bravia TVs, the SRS-NS7 turns into a wearable surround sound system for your home theater.

                Price: $300

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                Acer Aspire Vero

                tech roundup

                Acer

                Acer announced a handful of Windows 11-ready laptops this week, with the Aspire Vero arguably being the most interesting because it’s an “eco-friendly” laptop. It’s made from recycled plastic and other sustainable materials, but it’s also a powerful machine running the Intel’s latest 11th-generation processors. The 15-inch laptop will start as low as $700 and should be available for purchase in early November.

                Price: $700+

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                YubiKey Bio Series

                tech roundup

                YubiKey

                Yubico is one of the best-known makers of physical security keys that plug into your device via USB — you can think of them as a type of two-step verification, but instead of a getting a text message or email with a code you have to plug in the physical security key into your device. The company’s newest series of physical security keys, the YibuKey Bio, take that a step further by integrated another layer of security: an integrated fingerprint reader.

                Price: $80 (USB-A model); $85 (USB-C model)

                Sonos x Ikea Symfonisk Table Lamp Speaker (Gen 2)

                tech roundup

                Ikea

                Sonos and Ikea announced the second-generation of their table lamp speaker. It’s different from the previous model in that Ikea is now giving you to the option to buy one of two lamp bases (in either white or black) and then you can pair it with one of two lampshades: one glass and one a see-through textile. The lamp base will cost $140, while the glass and textile lampshades will cost $39 and $29, respectively, putting the total cost right around the $179 of the original. Just like before, the base of the table lamp will work just like a Sonos One SL speaker (no built-in voice assistant).

                You’ll be able to purchase the new table lamp speaker on October 12.

                Price: $169 – $179

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                Sony WF-C500 Wireless Earbuds

                tech roundup

                Sony

                Sony announced a new pair of wireless earbuds and the big selling point: they cost just $100. TheWF-C500 are smaller earbuds than the company’s flagship 1000XM4, and lack active noise-cancellation as well as the same sound quality. They do have support for the company’s 360 Reality Audio and are compatible with Headphones app so you can tweak the EQ settings, however. They also charge via USB-C and support quick-charging; a 10-min charge will get you roughly an hour of playtime.

                The Sony WF-C500 are available for preorder today with general shipping set to start

                Price: $100

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                Sony WH-XB910N ANC Headphones

                sony wireless over ear noise canceling headphones

                Sony

                The Sony WH-XB910N are the company’s newest pair of budget noise-canceling over-ear headphones. They take the place of the WH-XB900N in the company’s lineup, but have a much sleeker design that’s more akin to its flagship WH-1000XM4 headphones. They are set to have improved sound, noise-cancellation and call quality compared to their predecessors — just don’t expect them to be quite at the level of its flagship cans.

                Price: $249

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                Skullcandy Grind Fuel and Push Active

                tech roundup

                Skullcandy

                Skullcandy announced two new pairs of wireless earbuds this week: the Grind Fuel (pictured) and the Push Active. The Grind Fuel are the slightly higher-end of the two. They have a traditional earbud design, an IP55 water-resistance rating and work with the company’s companion app so you can adjust your sound preferences. The Push Active are more fitness focused and have an earhook design. The big thing with both sets of wireless earbuds is that they work with “Hey Skullcandy” voice commands, which allow you to hands-free adjust volume, skip sounds and answer calls. These voice commands are neat for two other specific reasons; they are compatible with Spotify and they work offline, so you can request songs and playlists if they are downloaded on your phone.

                Price: $80 — $100

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                Wyze Scale S

                tech roundup

                Wyze

                Wyze announced new smart scale that costs $15. It’s “smart” because it sends all your metrics to a companion app, which then allows you track your fitness and set goals. It also is compatible with Fitbit, Google Fit and Apple Health, meaning it will sync with the fitness app you already use. The Scale S capable of tracking 10 different metrics in addition to weight, including body fat, body mass, bone mass and body water percentage.

                The Wyze Scale S is available for preorder, with shipping set to start in November.

                Price: $15

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                Amazon Astro

                tech roundup

                Amazon

                At this week’s big hardware event, the standout announcement was Astro, a tiny Alexa robot on wheels. It has built-in speakers and a built-in display, so it can follow you around and play music, movies/shows, and help with video calls. It also has a pop-up camera, meaning that Astro can work as a moveable smart home camera to monitor your home, pets or people who need extra care (like elderly) when you aren’t there.

                Price: $999 (introductory price)

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                Blink Video Doorbell

                tech roundup

                Amazon

                The Blink Video Doorbell is a simple smart video doorbell that’s designed to work with an Alexa smart home. It comes in wired or wire-free models and delivers a lot features you’d expect in a smart doorbell, like HD video, night vision, motion detection and two-way audio. Of course, the big thing is that it costs just $50, which is substantially cheaper than most other options currently out there.

                Price: $50

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                This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

                The Roborock S7 Elevates Its Versatility With The Auto-Empty Dock System

                image

                As long as their budget permits, consumers will usually go for the flagship model to access all the cool stuff it brings to the table. With so many brands available, shopping for items with the best value can be challenging. Nevertheless, when you are in the market for a robot vacuum, we’ve got you covered because Roborock just updated the S7 and it’s awesome.

                As most homes eventually transition from traditional to smart-enabled setups, it’s essential to choose the right gadgets. Moreover, you might want to double-check if the device is compatible with your virtual assistant of choice. Finally, you must evaluate the convenience it can offer, which is a good thing to have for folks with a busy schedule

                The S7 surprisingly checks all the boxes and delivers even beyond what its competitors can. Old-school vacuum cleaners and even cordless ones are not going away anytime soon. However, once you’ve tried the automated ones, there’s no going back. Roborock’s latest machine does more than just suck up dust and mop your floors.

                Is the Roborock S7+ better than the S7?

                image

                We’re sure this must be the question on everyone’s mind. Most of us were wondering about the same thing. It turns out that both are exactly the same, but what sets the S7+ apart is the inclusion of the Auto-Empty Dock in the box. It is possible to purchase the accessory separately, which means S7 owners will not miss out on the benefits of the optional add-on.

                Automate Your Cleaning Now

                Automating Cleaning And Maintenance

                image

                Robot Vacuums are designed to make floor clean-up virtually effortless. Depending on the size of the dustbin, you will need to occasionally empty the container to ensure optimal performance. Roborock addresses this with the addition of another storage medium for all the accumulated particles.

                The Auto-Empty Dock is the 2-in-1 solution that makes the S7+ such a worthwhile acquisition. It replaces the standard charging dock so your little helper can juice up once its task is over. You can toggle it to automatically collect whatever is in the dustbin upon docking.

                Another setting lets the sensors and artificial intelligence determine when the dustbin needs to be emptied. This appears to be the most ideal mode to leave it on because Roborock says the canister on the dock will store up to eight weeks’ worth of dust.

                Keeping The Dust In And More

                image

                As the automated dustbin collection sucks up the contents of your robot vacuum, a multi-stage filtration system goes to work. This prevents up to 99.99% pollutants as small as 0.3 microns from dispersing into your home so the air stays fresh and free from potential allergens.

                No worries if you forgot to reattach the canister. Sensors will detect when it’s not properly connected and disable the automated dust collection process. Also, the 3-liter dust bag inside should make cleanup a breeze as it self-seals when you pull the tab.

                Just remember to take out the front and rear filters and wash them from time to time. Not only does it empty the S7’s dustbin, but tiny brushes aligned with the electrodes give them a quick scrub down before it fully docks to charge.

                We just love how Roborock pays attention to little details like the cable management system on the rear of the Auto-Empty Dock. The removable 6-foot power cable even connects to a port on the side. This allows it to sit flush against the wall and would surely please those who demand perfection.

                Automate Your Cleaning Now

                Roborock S7 Robot Vacuum

                image

                Now that we’ve given you a comprehensive overview of the Auto-Empty Dock bundled with the S7+, it’s time to dive into what makes this smart appliance a must-have for any modern dwelling. Let’s start with what it’s built to do. As the name already implies, this is a robot vacuum, armed with Roborock’s HyperForce suction technology. It generates up to 2,500 Pa to suck up dust, hairs, and other nasty particles.

                Next comes the mop which uses sonic vibrations (up to 3,000 times per minute) to scrub stubborn stains off the floor. Carpets are always the bane of any robot vacuum, which is why this is equipped with ultrasonic carpet recognition. Once it detects one in its path, you can program it to either lift the mop module up 5 mm, avoid the area completely, or just go ahead and mop away.

                Instead of bristles, the rotating brush is now crafted out of rubber with spiraling blades. Tangles are a thing of the past, as the fins efficiently agitate the fibers of the carpet to dislodge dirt, dust, and more. Powering the S7 is a 5,200-mAh lithium-ion battery with enough juice to last approximately three hours on a single charge. Meanwhile, the 300-ml water tank can handle up to 2,150 square feet before it requires a refill.

                This versatile device will map out your residence and dynamically plan out cleaning routes with the help of its PreciSense LiDAR navigation system. It can even save room layouts across four levels. Use the companion app to see what sections have been cleaned and the path it will take next. The S7 will likewise mark spots where carpets are so you can make the necessary tweaks to its routine.

                Owners also have full control over all the functions of the S7. They can set the cleaning intensity, designate restricted zones, assign which room it cleans first, and schedule when it starts. If you prefer to go hands-free, just issue voice commands to your smart speaker. According to Roborock, it is supported by Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.

                Our Takeaway

                image

                The S7 is hands down one of the most feature-packed robot vacuums you can grab right now. In fact, we recommend the S7+ bundle to get the best bang for your buck. These are available in white or black with a matching Auto-Empty Dock color. After a hard day’s work, the last thing on our minds would be the upkeep of our floors. Go on! Kick back, relax, and let cutting-edge tech from Roborock take over our tasks.

                Automate Your Cleaning Now

                Images courtesy of Roborock

                The Nocs Design NS1100 AIR TWS Earbuds Uses Advanced Audiometry For Personalized Audio

                Thanks to Apple, true wireless (TWS) earbuds are now the most popular audio products around. Argue all you like, because even if Onkyo was the first to market it, but the AirPods pushed everyone else to follow. Meanwhile, Nocs Design engineered the NS1100 AIR to address the fact that we all hear sound differently. Here’s how it works.

                Think of it like the adaptive EQ feature of Apple’s AirPods. However, instead of letting artificial intelligence and computational algorithms tune the earbuds, you have full control over its settings. Nocs Design uses Audiodo Personal Sound technology via a companion app on your smartphone.

                Before your first use of the NS1100 AIR, complete the calibration steps to configure the earbuds properly. Using cutting-edge audiometry, it analyzes the nuances of your hearing. Since our ears are unique in shape and sensitivity to sound, a personalized audio profile should make a remarkable difference.

                After approximately 3 minutes, Nocs Design believes the TWS earbuds are ready for action. Each bud packs a 9.2-mm graphene driver to produce optimal acoustics even audiophiles won’t complain about. To make your listening experience even more immersive the NS1100 AIR touts hybrid active noise cancellation.

                Meanwhile, the Airoha chip enhances the Bluetooth 5.0 dual-mode connectivity to ensure low latency and crystal-clear audio. Personal safety is crucial when you’re out in public, so one-touch transparency mode lets you hear your surroundings. Just tap the earbuds again to enable ANC.

                The NS110 AIR delivers up to 9 hours of playback plus additional charges from the case for a total of 30 hours. Nocs Design even adds a special nano-coating to give it IPX4 protection against dust and moisture. Don’t be afraid to take it with you outdoors or use it during workouts at the gym

                Buy now

                imageimageimage

                Images courtesy of Nocs Design

                This Is the Most Expensive MacBook Pro You Can Buy

                Apple really aimed for the fences with its latest 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros, as it gave its “Pro” users basically everything they’ve been asking for years: physical function keys, a wider variety of ports, MagSafe charging and, thanks to the new M1 Pro and M1 Max chipsets, enough CPU, GPU, unified memory and storage to make even last year’s M1 Pros look like child’s play.

                Of course, Apple gave these MacBook Pros a new price to match their new power. While last year’s 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro (2020) started at a pretty reasonable $1,299, the new Pros are significantly pricier; in fact, the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros are the most expensive laptops that Apple has ever made.

                The 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,999 and tops out at $5,899 if you configure it with the more powerful M1 Max chipset (instead of the base M1 Pro), max memory (64GB up from the base 16GB) and max storage (8TB up from the base 512GB). On the other hand, if you do the same thing with 16-inch MacBook Pro, which starts at $2,499, it’s going to drive the price up to $6,099 — which is steep.

                tech roundup

                Courtesy

                It’s clear that however great these new MacBook Pros seem on paper — and they seem incredible — they simply won’t be for everybody because they’re too expensive. But that’s OK because last year’s MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, which don’t have the hip-new design but are still excellent because they’re powered by Apple’s silicone, are much more reasonably priced.

                You can buy the last year’s 13-inch MacBook Pro starting at $1,299 — and it’s configurable with more unified memory and storage for $2,299 — which is the same price as last year, but Amazon frequently discounts it. If you’re cool with using dongles for ports and have a love for the Touch Bar, then it’s still a great and powerful laptop.

                The new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros are available for preorder now and will ship next week (October, 26).

                Apple

                16-inch MacBook Pro (2021)

                apple.com

                $6,099.00

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                The Best Smartwatches of 2021— Which Is Right for You?

                A smartwatch isn’t going to replace your smartphone. In fact, it’s more of a smartphone accessory these days. They have tiny screens and many of the apps you use every day — Instagram, Twitter, Facebook — don’t have smartwatch apps. Most smartwatches don’t have LTE (or you have to pay a lot extra for it), meaning they can’t receive calls or texts when your smartphone isn’t nearby.

                But there are many advantages to having a smartwatch. They show you who’s calling, texting or emailing you without forcing you to look at your phone. They replace your need for a dedicated fitness tracker — because most smartwatches these days are souped up fitness trackers. And some smartwatches look pretty cool. Whatever your lifestyle and which smartphone you use, you’re bound to find something that suits you.

                Not all smartwatches are the same, however. Most fall between a fitness tracker and something that relays smartphone notifications to your wrist. Some smartwatches can work untethered, completely autonomously from a smartphone — you can make calls, send texts and navigate directions, all while your smartphone is miles away. There are also hybrid smartwatches, made by mechanical watch manufacturers like Tag Heuer, Fossil and Withings, that have sensors to track fitness and traditional watch battery that lasts months.

                Before pulling the trigger on the latest Apple Watch (the Series 7) or a smartwatch by Samsung or Fitbit— do some research. Make sure it’s a smartwatch that’ll work to its full potential with your current smartphone and matches your budget and how you want to use it. If you work out a lot, get a fitness-focused smartwatch. If you go off the grid, get an LTE-connected one. Whatever your case, make sure you know the basics.

                Things to Consider Before You Buy

                3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. There are different ways a smartwatch can connect to a smartphone. A Bluetooth-enabled smartwatch pairs with a smartphone just like a Bluetooth speaker. It’s the most basic of connections and has the shortest range; if the smartphone and smartwatch are too far apart, the connection dies. Most smartwatches will connect to a known wi-fi network as well. When connected, the smartwatch can still receive notifications (calls, texts, emails) as long your smartphone has an active data connection.

                3G, 4G and 5G describe generations of the cellular network technologies and their subsequent transmission speeds — basically, it’s how fast your smartwatch can load data. A smartwatch with built-in 5G is going to be faster than a smartwatch with built-in 4G (and 4G faster than 3G). However, the difference between smartwatches with 5G, 4G and 3G will admittedly be nominal since neither will be running heavily data-driven apps — and 5G is still in its early stages and most people/cities can’t take advantage of its fast speeds yet.

                Most smartwatches are available in LTE or cellular models, too. The main advantage of an LTE connected smartwatch is that it can work completely untethered from a smartphone. Since it has a built-in cellular radio, the smartwatch can place and receive phone calls and stream music independent of your phone. There are a few caveats, though. The battery life will likely be worse. The smartwatch will probably be bulky. And you’ll have to pay a monthly fee to add the smartwatch to your cellular plan. (Consult your cell carrier for exact info.) Plus, they just tend to be more expensive than regular “GPS only” models.

                Compatibility. Not all smartwatches are compatible with all smartphones. For example, the Apple Watch only works with an iPhone, and all smartwatches running Android 2.0 will work with any Android, via the Android Wear app, but not all iOS features will carry over and some of the apps work wonky together, such as iMessage and every Android messaging app. Basically, if you own an iPhone, I recommend getting an Apple Watch; and if you have an Android smartphone, get one of the numerous Android 2.0 offerings.

                Heart rate sensor. Knowing your heart rate is the most important fitness metric — experts agree. The data, taken both during and after your workout, will help you achieve certain fitness goals. If you’re serious about working out or just improving your cardiovascular health, you want a smartwatch with a heart rate sensor.

                Built-in GPS. This is still a rare feature in smartwatches and wearables in general. For fitness, the built-in GPS is able to track speed, distance and location, all of which can help calculate calories burned and determine the overall success of a workout. It can also help give you more accurate weather reports and navigation instructions if your smartphone isn’t nearby (and it won’t kill a lot of data). It’s mainly a tool to gauge fitness, however; like heart-rate sensors, it’s mainly for people into fitness.

                Battery life. The main complaint with smartwatches is battery life. There are very few on the market that can last longer than 24 hours, so manage expectations. Most of today’s high-end smartwatches have a bright LCD screen or AMOLED displays, which are beautiful to look at but tend to kill the battery. Basically, expect to take it off at night to charge.

                The overall look and lifestyle. At the end of the day, a smartwatch isn’t just another device — it’s part of your wardrobe. You’re not going to put it away when you want, like your smartphone, so you should like the way it looks. Also, smartwatches come in various sizes, colors and materials, and sometimes even in more refined or rugged options.

                Apple Watch SE

                The SE isn’t Apple’s best Apple Watch — that title belongs to the Series 7 — but it is probably the best option for most people with an iPhone. It has most of the sensors (including the gyroscope, compass, fall detection and an always-on altimeter) and capabilities as the Series 7, along with the same battery life, but comes at a significantly more affordable price. There are two main tradeoffs with the SE. It doesn’t have an always-on display and it lacks two wellness sensors (electrical heart-rate and blood oxygen sensors), which are ultimately things that the vast majority people are probably perfectly fine living without.

                Apple Watch Series 7

                The Series 7 is the perfect smartwatch for iPhone owners who want the best that Apple has to offer. It’s unique compared to other Apple Watch models because it has a blood oxygen sensor and an electrical heart sensor (so it’s capable of taking an ECG), but it also has a 20-percent bigger display, which allows for more watch faces makes the display easier to navigate. It’s also the most durable (IP6X) and fastest charging (33% faster) smartwatch that Apple has ever made.

                Coros Pace 2

                The Coros Pace 2 is an excellent, lightweight and relatively affordable smartwatch for runners and other endurance athletes. It has all the necessary sensors to track general fitness, but it also has running-specific features such as interval training (pace, power, cadence, heart rate) and programs to help you get in shape for various races. The other nice thing is that the Pace 2 is compatible with a wide variety of third-party accessories, such as chest straps and power meters, so it doesn’t limit what other devices you want to use to help you train. It also has a three-week battery life, which is pretty epic.

                Samsung Galaxy Watch4

                The Galaxy Watch4 is Samsung’s best-ever smartwatch and it’s definitely the best option for anyone with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. It’s also probably the most beautiful smartwatch you can buy. It packs pretty much all the health and wellness sensors (including a heart-rate monitor and GPS) you’d want to a “premium” smartwatch. It should be noted that Samsung makes two versions of this smartwatch: the Galaxy Watch4 (pictured) and the Galaxy Watch4 Classic. Both have the same capabilities and run Wear OS, but different in the fact that the “Classic” is slightly larger, more expensive and has wonderful rotating bezel.

                Garmin Forerunner 945

                Garmin’s Forerunner 945 is a serious smartwatch for serious endurance athletes (and it offers most of the same fitness-focused features as the company’s even higher-end Fenix line of smartwatches). It lets you train for specific events, like a triathlon, where it can show your interval and transition times. It also works with most of the popular third-party products and apps, such as Final Surge and TrainingPeaks. Garmin partnered with Firstbeat, a company that specializes in physiology and heartbeat analytics, so the Forerunner 935 can give you deeper insights from your workout, such as your VO2 max and lactate threshold. Compared to its predecessor, the Forerunner 935, Garmin’s new running smartwatch has a significantly bigger battery, has enough built-in storage to hold 1,000 songs, and it supports full-color maps.

                Fitbit Sense

                The Sense is Fitbit’s flagship smartwatch (replacing the Ionic) and it actually has a lot in common with the company’s Versa 3 (below). The only major differences are that the Sense is much more capable health-and-wellness tracker. Unlike the Versa 3, the Sense has three brand-new sensors: an ECG (to potentially give you an early detection of atrial fibrillation), an EDA (to detect stress) and a skin temperature sensor (to give you early indications if you’re coming down with a fever or other illness). Overall, the Sense is a good third-party smartwatch for people want a lot of wellness data, but it’s also kind of expensive considering how similar it is to the Versa 3.

                Fitbit Versa 3

                Released in 2020, the Fitbit Versa 3 is a good entry-level smartwatch for iPhone or Android users alike. It’s a big upgrade over the Versa 2 mainly due to the fact that it has a built-in GPS and significantly better heart-rate tracking. It also has a built-in speaker and microphone, which the Versa 2 lacked, so you can actually hear your voice assistant (either Google Assistant or Amazon’s Alexa) when you ask it a question instead of having to read the voice assistant’s response on the smartwatch’s screen. This is a good alternative to the Apple Watch Series 3, but considering how expensive the Versa 3 still is compared to other more capable smartwatches, it’s actually pretty difficult to recommend.

                Apple Watch Series 3

                Released in 2017, the Series 3 is the oldest and most affordable smartwatch that Apple sells. It has the same original body as the Series 1 and Series 2 — meaning a smaller display and larger bezels — and it definitely looks old. It does have a built-in GPS and an optical heart sensor, so it’s still a good fitness tracker, but it also lacks some newer sensors, such as the always-on altimeter and the built-in compass, so it’s probably not a great for hikers and outdoors enthusiasts. You also can’t buy a cellular model the Series 3, either. If you’re somebody who just wants a cheap Apple Watch to track your workouts, the Series 3 is a decent option (although you should seriously consider spending the extra $80 on the Apple Watch SE).

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                The Tiny iPad Should Be the Go-To iPad. Here’s Why

                There’s a simple reason why the 10.2-inch iPad — known simply as “iPad” — is Apple’s most popular tablet: it’s less expensive than all the rest. Apple sells it for just $329 but schools and students can buy it for even less.

                Despite its popularity, however, it’s not the entry-level iPad most people should buy. That honor falls on Apple’s new iPad Mini, a tablet I’ve been testing since its launch in mid-September.

                Apple

                iPad Mini (2021)

                apple.com

                $499.00

                Credit where it’s due, of course. Apple’s starter iPad a perfectly good tablet for people who just want to stream movies and shows, check email and casually browse the web. But it looks, feels and works like an iPad from yesteryear.

                Apple used the tried-and-true tactic of sticking updated guts (new processor, new front-facing camera and double the base storage) in an old design, meaning the iPad is bound by old technologies, like Lightning charging, a Home button and large bezels and compatibility with the first-generation Apple Pencil. None of that is very exciting.

                The iPad Mini flips the script by adopting the new-age design of Apple’s more expensive tablets — squared-off sides, flat edges, slimmer bezels, a display that takes up most of its front, and support for USB-C charging. Despite its size, it has basically the same look, feel and feature-set as the 2020 iPad Air. Now, that is exciting.

                apple
                The new iPad Mini’s stereo speakers on either side of its display means that shows, movies and everything sounds better than the entry-level iPad — if you’re not wearing headphones.

                Tucker Bowe

                Every iPad model that Apple sells these days has support for an Apple Pencil. But if you desire to draw — and draw seriously — then the iPad mini is where you want to start. Not only does it support Apple’s second-generation stylus (which is better in pretty much every way), but it works in tandem with the iPad mini’s Liquid Retina display so that it feels like you’re actually drawing on the surface. On the 10.2-inch iPad’s regular (non-Liquid) Retina display, it shows a slight separation between the tip of your first-generation Apple Pencil and what you’re drawing. It’s subtle, but definitely noticeable.

                The iPad Mini flips the script by adopting the new-age design of Apple’s more expensive tablets.

                If you watch a lot of videos or listen to music, then the iPad Mini remains a better bet. It has a true stereo speaker system with left and right channel speakers on either side of its display (but only in landscape mode), whereas the cheaper 10.2-inch iPad only has one speaker. This makes a big difference in sound quality, whether you’re watching YouTube videos or playing a mobile game on Apple Arcade, if you’re not listening to headphones.

                Then there’s the size of the iPad Mini, which isn’t just adorable but feels really nice in your hands. Compared to previous generations of the iPad Mini, the screen of the new model is bigger (8.3-inches versus 7.9-inches), so you get a lot more screen in a small space. Think of it as a bigger, cheaper iPhone.

                apple
                The 2021 iPad Mini is roughly the same size as the 2021 iPad mini, but it’s radically different design allows for a bigger screen that takes up more of the front of the tablet.

                Tucker Bowe

                The main downside to the new iPad Mini (as it relates to the 2020 iPad Air) is that you’re not going to use it like a computer. It’s too small to be compatible with Apple’s fancy Magic Keyboard ($329), which has the same great keyboard as the new MacBooks, and there just aren’t very many great keyboards that work with it.

                It also costs $499. That’s not a significant leap from the iPad’s $329 sticker price, but it’s no small bump, either.

                The new iPad Mini sits smack-dab in the middle of Apple’s lineup. It’s not as affordable or outdated as the 10.2-inch iPad. It’s not as fancy or expensive as the most recent iPad Air and iPad Pros. And it’s not as big any as any of them. But it packs a lot of punch in that small body, making it a great iPad for, well, just about everybody.

                And because the Mini has a modern design and latest chipset, you know Apple will support it with software updates for years and years to come.

                Price: $499+

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                Apple’s New MagSafe Charger Packs Plenty of Power — And Nostalgia

                Longtime MacBook users will recognize a familiar feature on Apple’s newly announced 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros. The two high-end laptops are decked out with a wide variety of ports, a function row of physical keys and — drumroll — a new MagSafe power connector Apple calls MagSafe 3.

                MagSafe was a mainstay on all MacBooks that Apple produced from 2006 to 2016. Users loved the snapping sound it made when it magnetized to their laptop, not to mention its ability to quick release when somebody tripped over the cable — that way the cable wouldn’t pull the laptop to the floor with it. Fortunately, MagSafe 3 looks and works basically identical to the old MagSafe.

                The new MacBook Pros can still charge via their USB-C charging ports just like their predecessors, but there is a big advantage to charging over MagSafe 3: it’s faster.

                tech roundup
                Apple’s new MagSafe 3 charging cable is required to fast-charge the new MacBook Pros to their full potential. Apple sells it for $49.

                Apple

                Apple hasn’t detailed the exact differences in charging speeds when using USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) compared to MagSafe 3 just yet, but it has said that using the MagSafe connector is faster. It will be able to juice the new MacBook Pros from zero to 50 percent battery in just 30 minutes.

                The catch with these fast charging speeds over MagSafe 3 is that you have to use the USB-C power adapter (or one that’s more powerful) that Apple includes in the box. The 14-inch MacBook Pro comes with either a 67-watt (for the M1 Pro with 8-core CPU model) or 96-watt power adapter (for the other M1 Pro or M1 Max models), while the 16-inch MacBook Pro requires you to use Apple’s brand new 140-watt USB-C power adapter, which happens to be the most powerful adapter that it has ever made.

                The new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros start at $1,999 and $2,499 and will be available on Tuesday (October 26), but you can preorder them now from Apple’s website.

                Click here to read about why Apple ultimately chose to make the new MacBooks bigger and heavier.

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                Everything Google Announced At Today’s Big Pixel Event

                At today’s big Pixel event, Google officially announced its long-awaited flagship smartphones and the successors to last year’s Pixel 5. This year, there are two new Pixel smartphones to choose from — the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro — and, as anticipated, both feature a radical redesign and promise to deliver an unparalleled Android experience, in large parts thanks to a new custom processor (called Tensor) that’s been specifically designed for Pixel smartphones. They also have some pretty spectacular camera capabilities.

                Here’s what you need to know.

                Google Tensor

                google

                Google

                Google Tensor is the company’s new custom chipset that’s been designed specifically for the new Pixel smartphones. The new chipset allows the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro to have significantly better battery life than previous generation Pixels, improved artificial intelligence (such as better real-time language translations and more accurate voice transcriptions) and a host of really impressive computational photography skills.

                As for these new computational photography skills, there are a couple standouts. The new Magic Eraser feature that allows you to remove certain objects from a photo after its taken; for example, if there’s a person spoiling a photo, you can cut them out. The new Motion Mode allows you to take long-exposures and action shots that have a wonderful blurred effect. And there’s a new Face Deblur feature that, as its name suggests, auto-corrects faces that are blurred out in photos.

                Google Pixel 6

                google

                Google

                The Pixel 6 is the more entry-level and the smaller of the two new smartphones. It has a 6.1-inch display with 90Hz refresh rate and an in-screen fingerprint reader, and a new-look dual rear-camera system (which Google is calling a camera bar) that consists of a 12-megapixel wide (main) and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lenses. This camera system is powered by a significantly larger 50-megapixel sensor than previous Pixels, helping each camera gather much more light and take way more detailed photos (especially in Night Mode). The Pixel 6 can shoot 4K video at up to 60fps (same as the Pixel 6 Pro). The 8-megapixel front-camera on the Pixel 6 isn’t up quite to the same level of the Pro’s, however. Rounding out the specs, the Pixel 6 supports 5G, fast wireless charging and has a IP68 water- and dust-resistance rating.

                The Pixel 6 starts at $599 and is available for preorder today. It’ll be on shelves October 28.

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                Google Pixel 6 Pro

                google

                Google

                The Pixel 6 Pro is the more advanced and larger of the two. It has a 6.7-inch display with an even higher 120Hz refresh rate (same as the new iPhone 13 Pro) and an in-screen fingerprint reader. It has a triple rear-camera system that populate its camera bar, with a telephoto lens — with 4x optical zoom and 20x digital zoom — joining the same wide and ultra-wide lenses that are also on the Pixel 6. It has the same larger 50-megapixel sensor as the Pixel 6, and the same video shooting abilities (4K video at up to 60fps) as the Pixel 6. The Pro model does have a better front-camera (11.1-megapixel) with a wider field of view that allows you to take better, wider selfies. The Pixel 6 Pro has the same 5G support, fast wireless charging capabilities and IP68 water- and dust-resistance rating as the Pixel 6.

                The Pixel 6 Pro starts at $899 and is available for preorder today. It’ll be on shelves October 28.

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                This story is developing…we’ll continue to update as new products are announced.

                This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

                Apple’s New MacBook Pros Are Bigger Than Their Predecessors. Here’s Why

                Apple’s new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros are exciting new laptops, to say the least. They’re significantly more powerful (and power-efficient) than previous MacBook Pros; they have a bigger, nicer edge-to-edge display; and they mark the return of a number of “Pro” features, such as a row of physical function keys — sorry, Touch Bar — and a lot more ports than just USB-C, so you won’t need a zillion adapters to connect all your devices.

                There’s one thing the new MacBook Pros do sacrifice for all this: size. Just as the latest iPhones and Apple Watch have sacrificed being the thinnest products possible (which Jony Ive, Apple’s former chief product designer who’s since gone on to help out at Ferrari, was well-known for) in favor of performance, the new MacBook Pros are — thanks to their new chassis designs and added ports, among other factors — both larger and heavier than the computers they replace.

                But by how much?

                tech roundup
                The above is a size comparison between the 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro (2020, left), the new 14-inch MacBook Pro (2021, center) and the new 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021, right).

                Apple

                As you can see by the above graphic, the new 14-inch MacBook Pro (2021) is slightly thicker and deeper than last year’s 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro (2020), but it’s also half a pound heavier — which is the thing you’re likely to feel most. Of course, the main reason for the size bump is that the new 14-inch MacBook Pro is in fact a bigger computer. It not only has a more edge-to-edge (thinner bezels), but the screen is larger too: 14.2-inches versus 13.3-inches.

                The increased display size is the primary thing causing the new MacBook Pro to be a bigger and heavier machine than its predecessor, but the addition of more ports and a new keyboard aren’t making it any lighter. The battery size likely isn’t factor in adding weight, as the 14-inch MacBook Pro (2021) and the 13-inch MacBook Pro (2020) is still rated at the same 17 hours.

                The new 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021) is the first big-screen laptop with Apple silicon; the previous 16-inch MacBook Pro, released in 2019, packed an Intel processor. So you can expect the new model to get the big upgrades in performance and power efficiency that we’ve come to expect out of an Apple chipset — but it, also, is slightly beefier. The new 16-inch MacBook Pro is just under half a pound heavier — 0.4 pounds to be exact — than the 2019 model.

                The new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros will be available on Tuesday (October 26), but you can preorder them now from Apple’s website. The 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro start at $1,999 and $2,499, respectfully.

                LEARN MORE

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