Monthly Archives: March 2021

Wearable Technology

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Wearable technology refers to products manufactured to enhance users’ experience while being worn for an extended time. These products’ goal is to interact with the user’s body when needed but remain unnoticeable when not in use.

In the past few years, wearable tech products have seen significant growth in the textile industry. Users fancy them for a lot of reasons, but the most important is their health benefits.

Other reasons for acceptance of these products have to do with user perceptions. Perceptions differ from one user to the other. And they could be influenced by the following factors:

  • Experience
  • Cultural values
  • Background
  • Environmental and
  • Social factors.

What to Consider Before Buying a Wearable Technology Product?

There are a few things up for consideration before purchasing any wearable device. They include the following:

The Attractiveness of the Product

Attractiveness is a significant determinant in choosing wearable products. Hence, the physical appearance of these devices is usually top-notch. You should be able to associate a device’s elegance and simplicity with pleasing aesthetics.

Manufacturers pay close attention to the appearance of wearable products. They add customizable features to the devices because they realize what most of these products are all about.

Comfortability of the Product

Since wearable technologies are not frequently worn by users or are just worn for extended hours each day. They must be comfortable when needed. The goal is for you not to remember that you are wearing it.

Physical location, body movements, body characteristics, weight, and attachment methods are all that you should consider before choosing a product.

Product Functionality and Interactivity

Wearable technology must be adaptable to daily life and compatible with other technology functionalities. When you purchase a wearable device, there are appropriate functions you expect already. Make sure that the device can meet most, if not all of them. An example of functionality or performance activity is health monitoring ability.

Interactivity is also related to functionality. It includes how the product keeps the user informed through feedback. Interactivity also concerns how information is gained from the user, so essential output data is created.

Cost of the Product.

It is highly important that you perceive the product as affordable and within your price range. This perception could be based on the price of other similar wearables in the market.

What does the Future Hold for Wearable Technology?

These days, technologies are becoming so small that they will soon fit directly on the skin. They will open the door to significantly improved biological sensing data. These data will lead to using wearables as an emotional and communication tool.

Soon, we could see technology moving from the Internet of Things towards the Internet of people. This could be the opening to a hyper-connected society where people, things, and spaces are all integrated into each other.

The products of the future will be able to collect more accurate and varied information. They will be easier and more convenient to use and will become increasingly more invisible to the user. 

The Convenience of a Mini Projector

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There are a lot of different projectors on the market these days. Some are big and bulky, while others are small and compact. If you’re looking for something that is both convenient and easy to use, you should consider investing in a mini projector. Mini projector, portable projector, or travel projectors are all interchangeable terms that describe one of the best gadgets you can purchase. These projectors are perfect for business presentations, home movies, and gaming. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of owning a mini projector!

One thing common about tech innovation and development is portability, new gadgets’ ability to be mobile and still perform better functions than the larger previous models. Portable projectors follow this principle. They are weightless and portable, making them possible to fit into your bag or pocket.

There are many manufacturers of travel projectors today. You can find endless opportunities depending on what you need their products for. They are those ideals for work presentations, movies, gaming, etc.

Mini projectors have grown in popularity in recent years because of their convenience. If you are looking for a projector that is small and easy to transport, a mini projector is a great option. Mini projectors have many advantages, including their small size, wireless connectivity, and ease of setup.

What are the Types of Mini Projectors?

Mini projectors are of 2 major types based on their technology makeup. You can choose which one to use based on your needs.

The two types of mini projectors are:

  • DLP (Digital Light Processing) Mini Projectors and
  • Single Panel Mini Projectors.

Single Panel Mini Projectors

Single Panel LCD mini projectors are the cheapest type of mini projectors. They are built with components that were initially meant for smartphones. The projector works by shining light on the LCD screen to display the images and pictures. However, only about 6% of the illuminating light will go through the screen and projector. The other 94% will be reflected, and this makes the image appear dim.

DLP Mini Projectors

This is a more expensive type of mini projector. The DLP projectors are brighter than LCD projectors because they use mirrors to reflect light. DLP chips are standard in wired projectors too. They work with kaleidoscopic mirrors that redirect the light they produce. The redirected light will form pixels that reproduce blue, red, and green colors after passing through a color wheel. The reproduced colors form the basis for all other colors. The lenses will then project these colors to a display screen to become images or pictures.

Unlike single panel mini projectors, DLP projectors operate with light reflection and do not waste as much light. This is why DLP mini projectors are better than LCD mini projectors. They provide brighter and better image qualities too.

What Are The Important Features of a Mini Projector?

There are three important features you must consider before buying a mini projector. They include the following:

  • Brightness
  • Portability and
  • Image quality

Brightness

This is the most important feature to consider when choosing a mini projector. The brightness of a portable projector is measured in lumens. For example, a mini projector with 100 lumens is considered bright enough for dark rooms. However, if you plan to use your mini projector in a well-lit room, you will need a projector with at least 200 lumens.

It is not always possible to control the lighting of your viewing area. However, you do not have to bother about this if your projector displays bright images and pictures.

For this feature, the best mini projector to buy is DLP. Single panel LCD projectors are only ideal for spaces or rooms to dim the lighting before use.

Portability

Single panel LCD projectors are the lightest and most portable types of mini projectors. They only weigh about five ounces on average. The DLP projectors are a bit heavier because of their extra hardware. They weigh about eight ounces on average. You can easily carry either type of projector with you in your purse, bag, or pocket.

One of the reasons for choosing a mini projector over a standard one is the portability and convenience of using it whenever you like. So the projector must be mobile, lightweight, and small. You have to find the right balance between the portability and the incorporated battery of your projector. Single LCD projectors are sometimes too big enough for a mini projector. However, they have the advantage of a high-capacity battery, which makes them ideal for outdoor movies.

Image quality

The image quality of a mini projector is determined by the number of pixels per inch (PPI). PPI is a measure of the sharpness of an image. The higher the PPI, the sharper and clearer the image.

You can find mini projectors with a PPI of up to 1080p. Most people consider this resolution to be the best. However, you can still find mini projectors with a lower PPI of 720p. These types are cheaper but provide relatively poorer image quality.

The image quality of a projector depends on 3 of its characteristics, namely:

  • Incorporated technology
  • Source of light and
  • Lens and its optical elements.

When researching the image quality for a mini projector, these are the characteristics you should focus on. Also, DLP mini projectors usually have better image qualities than Single LCD mini projectors. But there are some Single LCD projectors with high resolutions as well.

What are the Advantages of Using Mini Projectors?

Some of what you will benefit from owning a mini projector include the following:

Small and Mobile Size

Mini projectors’ small and compact size means they are mobile for work or school purposes. Their lightweight also means that you will have no difficulty moving them around.

Practical to Use

Nobody uses wired tech gadgets again like in the past. Almost all upgraded devices have gone wireless, so a mini projector will not look out of place. They are one of the in-vogue products and are more practical than the previous projectors.

Multiple Options to Choose from

Mini projectors are more common today than wired ones. It will be pretty challenging to come across a newly manufactured wired projector, but new portable ones are being unleashed constantly. You have many options to choose from in terms of brands, specs, sizes, prices, etc.

Zero Hassle

Mini projectors are wireless devices, and this makes setting up easy. You will not have to bother unpacking and packing as it is with larger-size projectors.

Perfect for Travels

If you need to travel for a presentation, mini projectors are perfect for you. They will not take extra space in your luggage, and their wireless connectivity means they can connect to a wide range of devices.

Economical Choice

Buying a mini projector will save future costs for businesses and organizations. Since the projector is moveable from one room to another, purchasing one is enough.

Cost-Effective

Even though some of these products might be pretty expensive for home use, they are cost-effective in the convenience they guarantee.

Disadvantages of a Portable Projector

The advantages of using a mini projector are many, as we have seen. However, there are some disadvantages that you should know about too:

They Have Limited Brightness

Although the brightness has greatly improved in the latest models of mini projectors, they are still not as bright as the standard projectors. If you want to use your projector in a well-lit room, you should go for the standard projector.

The Resolution is Not as High

Another downside to mini projectors is that their resolution is not as high as that of the larger ones. However, this should not be a problem if you are only using the projector for small presentations or viewing movies at home.

The Battery Life is Not as Long

The battery life of mini projectors is not as long as that of the larger ones. This means that you will have to recharge your projector more often. However, this should not be a problem if you are only using the projector for short periods of time. The best option may be not to rely on a battery or have a portable charging solution.

Streaming Services May Not Be Supported

Some of the latest mini projectors do not support streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. This means that you will not be able to use these services on your projector. However, this should not be a problem if you are only using the projector for small presentations or viewing movies at home.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mini projectors are a great choice for those who want a convenient and portable projector. They are perfect for travel and small presentations. However, their brightness and resolution are not as good as the larger projectors. But if you are only using the projector for small purposes, then a mini projector is a great choice.

Virtual Reality Headsets

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Virtual reality is one form of extended reality in its most immersive form. In the virtual realm, you are almost creating a digital twin of a real-world. Basically, the world is entering a completely digital environment; this means you need VR headsets or something like oculus rift glasses. These straps-ons give a complete immersion to the virtual world. They usually have some controllers to move to anywhere in the virtual realm.

VR headsets work in the following ways:

Smartphones Adaptability

VR headsets’ innovative design turns your smartphone into a fully immersive virtual reality viewing machine. They have a universal fit that works well with smartphones of various screen sizes. All you have to do is download your favorite VR game or 3d movie, place your smartphone into the headset, and shut the protective cover.

Ergonomics

VR headsets usually have a fully adjustable optical and nylon strap that makes them more comfortable viewing pleasure. They also have a front hinge cradle with a padded faceguard. Their lightweight means that you can use them for an extended period of time.

Connectivity

They come with a cable access port where you can hook up the headset to a smartphone. While watching a video or playing your game, the pad in the faceguard will protect the headset from sweat and so much more. They can also connect with devices via wireless connectivity features.

Other High-End Features.

Headsets designed for medical and military uses have specs that include an LCD for each eye. They come with a resolution of 1600 by 1600 and a refresh rate of 90 Hertz. They are usually more expensive with a 90-degree field of view and two full positional tracking for pasture AR. The two eye-tracking specs will also include an integrated audio controller, freehand tracking, six gigs of RAM, 128 gigs of storage, and about two hours of battery life.

What is Virtual Reality and Its Importances

VR started in the gaming world where there are virtual reality games that you can enter, and they feel authentic. But now, businesses are already taking advantage of virtual reality. Companies like Apple and Samsung have focused on VR and have incorporated VR features into their mobile devices. Today, you can now use your smartphone camera as a VR screen.

How Businesses Make Use of VR

An example of this is a real estate business. When you visit their office, they will put you on VR headsets to see and walk around the property. You can check the pool area, get the restaurant experience, and view various parts of the surroundings. Hence, you can see what it feels like and decide whether you want to purchase the property or not.

Car retail is also an example of businesses that make use of virtual realities. If you want a completely different interior of a car, you can put your VR headset on and experience what the interior might look like.

Using VR for Training

VR is also used in training environments. The army, for example, uses VR to train its soldiers. The headset will put them in certain scenarios where they only experience realistic situations like in real combats. Another example is Surgeons who have started using virtual reality to perform operation trials.

Gaming Mouse, Everything You Need to Know

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One of the easiest ways to improve your gameplay is to get a gaming mouse. More specifically, you might never reach your full potential if you play FPS games without a decent sensor.

There are various qualities of gaming mice. If your mouse sensor is not reading all your movements, it is just as good as a regular mouse. You could have the best aim globally and still be losing fights to someone with a worse aim.

However, you should not expect to be instantly good after buying a gaming mouse. It is not some switch that turns on and makes you good suddenly. It is only a prerequisite to becoming a better game.

At higher levels of play, everyone is already using a gaming mouse with a good sensor. Finding the right mouse for them will not be the same jump as a new player going from a regular mouse to a gaming mouse. Still, that doesn’t mean it is not important for advanced players to try new gaming mice.

Advantages of Gaming Mice over Regular Mice?

There are a few key features that define a gaming mouse and makes them better than regular ones, including the following:

Mouse Sensor

The biggest feature is the mouse sensor responsible for accurately keeping up with the movements in real-time. Sensors are very important in time-sensitive games where you have to take action with the mouse before it is too late. In games like this, you need a mouse sensor that will not fall behind.

Features and Manufacturing Parts

The next thing that sets gaming mice apart from normal mice is the materials and parts used. Not only do gaming mice differ from office mice here, but this is also where gaming mice can start to differ from one another.

The manufacturing parts used in gaming mice, such as the switches, detect when the mouse is clicked. The parts are commonly higher quality than the ones used in non-gaming mice. They also come in many varieties and can become a preference when deciding what mouse to buy.

Certain switches require more or less force to press down to activate them. They can prevent you from accidentally clicking and are easier on your fingers over an extended period of time.

Mouse Feet

Another thing worth mentioning is the mouse skates or mouse feet. These are the pads that are found underneath the mouse and have multiple uses.

The first is to lift the mouse off the mouse pad at a more optimal distance for tracking. The importance and the actual distance for this mainly depend on the mouse sensor.

The other function is to create a smooth and predictable glide that can help you play more consistently. The glide is significant and probably one of the biggest reasons to buy a gaming mouse with a good sensor.

As with regular mice, gaming mice come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and weights. The features are preferences that differ from person to person as people have different hand sizes and ways of gripping a mouse.

Easy to Design

Gaming mice are tailored to be comfortable to hold in the hand while resting, moving, twisting, and rotating the mouse. Designing a comfortable and ergonomic mouse while doing simple tasks like browsing the web is one thing. But it is a different task to create a mouse to be comfortable while in motion. This is something a majority of modern gaming mice manufacturers have kept in mind.

Mouse Clicks

Gaming mice can offer a better experience when it comes to clicks than regular mice. However, the difference is not huge except when it comes to durability.

Speed

Every gaming mouse sensor limits how fast you can move it before it stops tracking your movements accurately. Most modern gaming mice have sensors with a very high tracking speed. The speed helps to execute game movements without lagging issues flawlessly.

Can all gaming mouse drag click?

Yes, all gaming mice can drag click. This feature is specific to gaming mice and cannot be found on regular mice.

What are the differences between wireless and wired gaming mice?

The main difference between wired and wireless gaming mice is the connection type. Wired gaming mice connect to the computer via a USB cable, while wireless gaming mice connect wirelessly via Bluetooth or similar technology.

Wired gaming mice are generally considered more reliable, as there is no chance of signal interference, and they always have a power source. Wireless gaming mice are often more expensive, but they offer greater freedom of movement.

What is the best way to clean my gaming mouse?

The best way to clean your gaming mouse is to use a damp, soft cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals or detergents, as these can damage the mouse. If you need to remove stubborn dirt or grime, you can use a mild soap diluted in water. Be sure to rinse the mouse thoroughly afterward and dry it completely before using.

Does gaming mouse make a difference?

The short answer is yes, gaming mice can make a difference in your gaming performance. The main reason for this is the sensors that gaming mice use. These sensors are much more accurate than the ones found in regular mice, which can give you an edge in fast-paced games. In addition, gaming mice often come with extra buttons that can be mapped to in-game commands, making it easier to perform complex actions. Finally, gaming mice are often more comfortable to hold and use for extended periods of time than regular mice. So if you’re serious about your gaming, a gaming mouse is definitely worth the investment. Thanks for reading! I hope this helped you make a decision on whether or not to buy a gaming mouse.

Gaming Mouse vs. controller

The debate of gaming mouse vs a controller is one that has been around for some time. Some gamers prefer the precision and flexibility that a mouse offers, while others find controllers more comfortable and natural to use. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. If you’re trying to decide which input method is right for you, here are some things to consider.

Advantages of a gaming mouse:

  • More precise than a controller
  • Can be customized to your specific needs and preferences
  • Buttons can be mapped to in-game commands, making complex actions easier to perform

Advantages of a gaming controller:

  • More comfortable for some people to use
  • Can be used for a variety of different games
  • Often cheaper than a gaming mouse

Ultimately, the decision of gaming mouse vs. a controller is up to you. Consider your own needs and preferences, and choose the input method that you think will work best for you.

Gaming Mouse DPI Meaning

DPI stands for “dots per inch.” The higher the DPI of a mouse, the more sensitive it is. This means that you can move the mouse less to get the same results on your screen. For gaming, a high DPI is often seen as an advantage, as it can give you more precise control over your movements.

Conclusion

There is no one “best” gaming mouse for everyone. The best mouse for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Consider the type of games you play, your budget, and what features are most important to you. With so many different gaming mice on the market, there’s sure to be one that’s perfect for you.

Camping with Tech Perks

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Many tech products will give you a great camping experience when you are out in the woods. They are designed to make you take charge of some rather difficult camping situations so that you can enjoy your getaway.

Four of these products and how they can come in handy during camping include the following:

Mosquito Killer Lamp

It would be best if you planned to repel mosquitoes before camping. Mosquitoes make camping less fun, especially in the summer. You can’t sit outside and enjoy the sunshine with these annoying pests around.

However, there are some solutions, insecticide sprays being one of them. But these sprays are only short-lived, and in no time, the mosquitoes will be back again. Moreover, chemicals from insecticides cause skin irritation and inflammation. And skin issues are not something you want to deal with while camping.

The ideal solution is a mosquito killer lamp. They use ultraviolet light to attract mosquitoes and other disturbing pests, after which they will kill them. Asides from killing mosquitoes, the LED light from these lamps will be handy at night.

Mosquito killer lamps have inbuilt batteries, and depending on the capacity, they can last as long as 24 hours. They also have various modes of brightness, high, medium, and low. The higher the light brightness, the shorter time it will take the battery to run down.

Some mosquito killers are designed to be waterproof such that you can use them for fishing activities during camping. They are ideal for every weather condition too. Also, unlike insecticide spray, the ultraviolet light will not have any negative effect on your skin. Their battery is rechargeable with a USB charger.

Check out Utorch Mosquito Killer Lamp White Other Novelty Light from Gearbest. At a reasonable price of $15, it will help you repel mosquitoes and bugs. Online customers loved its compactness and portability, making it ideal for camping.

Camp Light with Hanging Hook

Before you embark on your journey, you have to tick a list of some important gadgets that will come in handy for you. The list will most likely include a torchlight for when night befalls. But there is another lightning gadget for camping that is as important as a torchlight called a Hanging hook camp light.

It would help if you had illumination in your tent at night, and your torchlight is not capable of hanging on the tent’s roof. However, camp lights with hooks will hang on your tent, a tree, and the roof of your vehicle with no hassle. They have rechargeable batteries, and the battery’s capacity determines how long the light will last.

Some of these camp lights are designed for security purposes too. They have blinking red lights that a camp group can use to denote dangers. They are lightweight and easy to pack when needed.

They are usually water-resistant, in case you need them and it starts raining, or you decide to go fishing. If you do not like sleeping with bright lights on, you can adjust the lighting to a dim mode and enjoy your sleep.

While going through camp activities, you can hook these gadgets to your backpack. It will attach safely without any worry of falling off.

Check out Gearbest’s Multifunctional Bulb Tent Camp Light with Hanging Hook. It costs just $5.26. For all the functions it offers, this is a low price.

Outdoor Camping Shower Bath Bag

Outdoor camping shower bags are small and mobile showers that can be temporarily installed for bathing while camping. They are designed to fit in a small space, are easy to handle, and ideal for emergency baths. For bathing in the woods or mountains, you can set them up and clean up yourself quickly.

There are various types of camping shower bags based on their working model. The electric one will require a power supply. You should only go for this choice if there were a power source or generator in the camp.

Battery camping showers are battery-powered. As long as the battery is not low, you can make use of them. They are also rechargeable. Gravity camping shower bags have to be hung up high before you can use them. In contrast, the solar types come with a solar panel and a reservoir for storing power.

However, the most common camping shower bath bag is the pump shower. You have to press the pump with your foot before the water can come out of the showerhead outlet.

The type of camping will determine your choice of camping shower bath bag. It would help if you made inquiries from the organizers about what will and won’t be available at the camp.

Check out Gearbest’s Camping Shower Bag Black Other Camping Gadgets. At just $11, it comes with a detachable hose and an interchangeable shower head.

Hand Crank Mobile Phone Emergency Charger

Having a dead phone in the woods or mountains can be very unfortunate. Especially in situations where you need the phone map to navigate your way out. But with a hand crank mobile phone emergency charger, you can bring your phone back up.

Hand crank chargers work so that it produces enough friction to generate electricity and charge your phone. However, with this gadget, you have a lot of work to do. You have to keep turning the crank until it generates enough power to charge the phone.

Many people do not like that they have to exert a lot of power with this gadget. However, in emergencies, a hand crank charger can be a lifesaver with the possibility of getting lost in the woods.

Most manufacturers of these gadgets claim that one emergency call can be made when the crank is turned for about 10 minutes. The market might be all you need to get out of the woods for good.

Although power banks seem to make crack mobile phone chargers redundant, if you camp for weeks without electricity, the power bank will eventually run down.

Check out USB Manual Generator Hand Crank Mobile Phone Emergency Charger from Gearbest. It costs $6, and online customers love its efficiency and lightweight.

Great Gift Ideas for The Traveler

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Traveling is fun these days because various products make you comfortable and feel at home throughout the journey. If you are contemplating which gift to give your friend that is always traveling, there are many options.

This article talks about four of the best gift ideas for a traveler.

UV Sanitizer

Contrary to what most people think, UV sanitizers have been around for a long time now; however, hospitals mostly used sanitizers for sanitizing medical kits. However, the situation of the world today has made UV sanitizers more important than ever. Travelers need them to stay safe, and they are even a criterion to enter some places or regions.

UV sanitizers make use of UV light emitted from the atmosphere to protect and eradicate disease-causing microorganisms like fungi, viruses, and bacteria.

While using your face mask and hand sanitizer will limit the possibility of catching covid19, you should also sanitize some of the objects you frequently touch. After putting your phone and keys on various surfaces during your travel, you should disinfect with a UV sanitizer. UV sanitizers come in cases or bags and will eradicate 99.9% of microorganisms on your keys and phones.

The type of UV light that these devices use is the germinal UV light. They are very effective against microorganisms and will kill them by completely damaging their nucleic acid such that the DNA in their germs dies.

What are the Benefits of Using UV Sanitizers?

  • Asides from covid19, UV sanitizers destroy other germs and microorganisms that affect humans.
  • They are capable of removing as much as 99% of germs on objects.
  • Some UV sanitizers have wireless phone charging features that will allow you to charge your phone while sanitizing.
  • The UV light used for this sanitization is harmless and does not penetrate the human skin.

Tech Pouches

Tech pouches are another gift that is suitable for travelers. Tech pouches make it possible to pack tech products in a specific place before travel so that you can access them at will. They can have a simple design or more extensive features that proffer better packaging.

Tech pouches are designed to be rigid and have paddings that will keep tech accessories safe. Brands take various initiatives while manufacturing them; some pouches are resistant to water and weather. Some of them will also have multiple compartments for multiple sizes of tech products.

Most tech pouches make use of zippers, so you can easily open and close. Another interesting feature is the handle; they have various types, so travelers can keep them out of their luggage if they like. Tech pouch handles can be as small as allowing you to grab with your hand or wearing it across your shoulder.

Another interesting feature is the USB charger pass-through port that allows you to charge your phone on the go. The port will allow a seamless connection from the cable compartment to your phone compartment. So you do not even have to bring out your phone before charging.

What are the Benefits of Using Tech Pouches?

  • They make packing tech accessories easy during travels.
  • They are made from durable materials that will keep your tech products safe at all times.
  • They are quite secure and will prevent the theft of your tech items.
  • They give easy access to tech items during travels.

Tile Tracker

One of the most unfortunate incidents that travelers can face is dealing with a missing bag upon reaching their destination. A lot of important documents and accessories can get missing in this situation. However, a tile tracker can prevent this situation and help travelers monitor their luggage at all times.

Tile trackers are Bluetooth devices designed for quick item location. They are usually portable such that you can attach them to items through a fitting hole. Besides luggage, travelers can also link a tile tracker to any item they are most likely to lose.

Tile trackers come with mobile applications that you can download on Android and iOS devices. The tracker will connect to your phone via Bluetooth, so you activate the app to make your tracker beep and find your missing item.

In a situation where your tile tracker is not within Bluetooth range, you can check the app for its last seen location. To activate this, you have to make the tile app access your phone map app.

If your item is still missing after all these, you can then use the Tile tracker community feature. The feature will alert any tile tracker user whenever the person is within your tracker Bluetooth range. The person will then anonymously reach out to you with the item’s last seen location.

What are the Benefits of Using a Tile Tracker?

  • They help save the stress of looking for missing items.
  • The wireless and smartphone connectivity makes it easy to locate items.
  • They prevent theft.

Portable Espresso Machines

Portable espresso machines are an ideal gift for travelers that are coffee connoisseurs. They can make their coffee on the go and remain active throughout the journey.

Espresso machines are designed to be mobile, but some are more portable than others depending on the manufacturer. The best options for travelers are machines with weights of 340-500mg. They are lightweight enough for an overnight journey or a mini-vacation and will also fit into luggage seamlessly.

Another thing to consider when choosing a portable espresso machine for travel is its compatibility with your favorite espresso. Some devices are designed for only pods, while others are for capsules. But you can still find few ones compatible with the two methods.

Portable espresso machines also have varying water sources. You need to boil water separately for some devices, while others will boil the water for you. In this situation, you have to consider an electric socket’s availability at the traveler’s destination before choosing a machine.

The quality of the coffee produced is perhaps the most significant consideration when choosing a portable espresso machine. Coffee aficionados never settle for less in terms of quality, so this is one important determinant before buying the device as a gift.

It is important to research before getting any brand of portable espresso machine carefully. Remember that an expensive product does not always mean the best product.

What are the Benefits of Portable Espresso Machines?

  • Their components are always safe and made from FDA-approved materials.
  • Most portable espresso machines pour directly into a drinking cup. You do not need to move around with a mug.
  • They have rechargeable and detachable batteries. You can brew whenever you want.

What is a Video Capture Card?

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As the name implies, a video capture card allows you to capture screen recordings when synched with devices like game consoles, computers, and cameras. It converts the footage into a digitalized form where you can playback, live stream, and upload online.

Gamers mainly use video capture cards because the more quality a gameplay stream is, the more recognition they get amongst rivals. Video capture also guarantees lag-free streaming and increases audience or YouTube subscribers.

Depending on your capture card’s functionalities, you can get more features that will benefit your course.

What are the Requirements to Use a Capture Card?

There are many types of capture cards designed for specific devices like:

  • Game consoles: These could be old or current generation games such as Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, etc.
  • Computers: Desktops, Windows, and Mac devices.
  • Digital Cameras: Especially those with HDMI connection

Some of the best video capture cards will work seamlessly with all these devices.

One of the most important requirements for any device to work with a video capture card is the HDMI feature. When records the footage from one device. It can only transfer and play via the HDMI output of another device.

Other requirements to use a video capture card include the following:

  • A display screen. Either a TV or monitor.
  • Streaming software for the capture card
  • HDMI output with cable
  • A desktop or PC for encoding
  • Device’s USB or PCI-e interface.

What is a PC Capture Card?

Typically, all video capture cards are PC capture cards because they all need a PC to function. But in the real sense, people refer to only PCI-e capture cards as PC capture cards and not USB external capture devices.

USB Interface vs. PCI-e Interface?

One challenge you may likely face is choosing between a USB external capture card or a PCI-e capture card. Here you have to weigh your options because both interfaces have their advantages.

USB video capture cards are more common and b extension more adaptable than PCI-e cards. They afford you many alternatives to record your video. But on the other hand, PCI-e capture cards are not bandwidth restricted like USB cards. Most PCI-e capture cards also demand high-end devices, but USB cards are compatible with almost all devices.

If you want to use a capture card for only desktop computers, you are better off with PCI-e capture cards. However, for laptops, USB external capture cards are a better choice because of the many options available.

How to Install a Capture Card?

After unboxing your capture card, the next thing to do is set it up and install it. If this is your first time with the product manual, you will be good to go.

Before installing, confirm that all the cables you need are in place. Also, the type of capture card you are using will determine the installation process.

If it is a USB capture card, you will need 2 HDMI cables and a USB cable. The procedure for USB video capture card installation includes:

  • Put one of the HDMI cables into the capture card HDMI port.
  • Put the other end of the plugged HDMI cable into your primary device HDMI output port. The primary device could be your Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or any other console.
  • Insert the other HDMI cable into your capture card’s HDMI output port.
  • Put the end of the plugged cable into the HDMI IN of your display port, TV, or monitor.
  • Finally, connect your USB interface cable with the computer.

For PCI-e capture card installation, you need 2 HDMI cables and a motherboard compatible with the card. You can only use this capture card with a computer that has a PCI-e slot.

The procedure includes the following:

  • Insert the capture card into the computer’s PCI-e slot.
  • Put one of the HDMI cables into the capture’s card HDMI IN port.
  • Put the other end of the already plugged cable into the HDMI OUT of your game console.
  • Put the second HDMI cable in your capture card’s HDMI OUT port.
  • Connect the other end of the plugged second cord to the HDMI IN port of your display device.
  • Deactivate HDCP in your game console settings.

How to Setup a Video Capture Card Software?

The capture card will not start functioning until you get a perfect driver and software for it. Some manufacturers preinstall proprietary software on capture cards, but users still prefer third-party’s software instead.

If you do not want to bother with software installation, you must buy a capture card on its own. However, the software must also be compatible with your PC for it to work correctly.

One of the most popular software that capture card users go for is the OBS Studio. Its installation procedure includes:

  • First, install the software after downloading it.
  • Click on “add a new source” to choose your video capture card.
  • Name your video capture card.
  • Open the OB Studio “properties” tab and select your already named capture card.
  • Click on start recording to record your on-screen activities.

NB: This installation and setup procedure might not go as perfectly as stated, especially if you are not a techie. But with a few trials and errors, you can get things right. If you get stuck at any point, visit OBS Studio’s official website for help.

What are the Types of Capture Cards?

There are five major types of video capture cards that brands base their product designs.

They include the following:

PC Capture Cards

These types of capture cards are perfect when working with a dual system. They allow you to sync both primary and secondary PCs. With this, you can rest assured of top-notch performance.

Most gamers that play on PC make use of these types of capture cards. It helps them compete with a reasonable frame per second rate. And allows seamless capture and record, and you can stream at the same time too.

PlayStation Capture Cards

These are the perfect capture cards for PlayStation gamers. The cards allow them to be flexible with their video recording. With this, they can record, stream, and edit their video footage.

Xbox Capture Cards

Capture cards designed with Xbox gamers in mind will help them deal with the game’s huge size compared to the ones with basic software. Xbox capture cards also support game editing, and streaming is made easier for the captured videos.

Mac Capture Cards

Not all capture cards support recording or game streaming on Mac devices. However, Mac capture cards are compatible with its resolution and will run game streaming easily.

3Ds or Wii Capture Cards

If you are more particular about transferring your footage between devices, you should opt for a 3D and Wii capture card.

Smart Baby Monitor Buying Guide

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Looking for the best smart baby monitor? Read this first!

Nowadays, you don’t have to choose from purely feature-less, walkie-talkie baby monitors. Instead, many new-fangled smart baby monitors come with everything from humidity monitoring to sleep tracking to movement detection.

But how do you know which one is the best? Read on to find out!

What to Consider When Purchasing a Baby Monitor

Everyone has different priorities when it comes to baby monitors. However, it’s important to consider all of the following factors before you decide which model is right for you:

  • The location — In other words, where are you going to put your device. If you don’t have high furniture, you’ll need to go with one that has a wall mount.
  • The temperature — Do you want your monitor to alert you when the temperature of your baby’s room is too cold or hot?
  • The range — If you have multiple floors in your home, you’ll need a high-quality monitor with a decent range.
  • The movement — Do you want a monitor that notifies you when your baby is awake, or they haven’t moved for a prolonged period?
  • The audio — If you want to speak to your child through the monitor, you need two-way audio.
  • The lights and/or music — Some monitors come with ambient lighting or lullabies/white noise that helps your baby fall asleep.

The Top 7 Smart Baby Monitors

#1 Owlet Duo Smart Baby Monitor

The Owlet Due Smart Baby Monitor is one of the most popular models available. It comes with everything you need to keep track of the health and wellbeing of your precious bundle.

The app allows you to see real-time readings of your little one’s heart rate, breathing, and oxygen levels. The central hub and your smartphone will notify you if the levels leave safe zones, allowing you to take proper care of your child.

Furthermore, you will gain access to complete sleep trends thanks to the sensor-filled sock. The number of wakings, the hours slept, and the quality of your baby’s sleep will all be measured and recorded.

The battery life is rather impressive, too (16 hours). Not to mention that the Quick Charge capability means you’ll receive a full charge in roughly 90 minutes!

The Pros

  • It comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
  • The setup process and installation are easy.
  • It has a camera and a sock that allows you to monitor the room’s conditions and your baby’s vitals.
  • Your smartphone acts as the monitor, so you don’t need to carry another device around your house.

The Cons

  • It’s rather expensive but you do get what you pay for.
  • You won’t be able to access customer service at night.

#2 Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor

Even though the Owlet Duo is one of the most popular smart baby monitors on the market, this one is Amazon’s bestseller — and for good reasons.

The zoom, pan, and tilt features can be accessed remotely, allowing you a fantastic view of your little one whenever you need it. Not to mention that it comes with various lenses so that you can customize the zoom to your liking.

Moreover, you can buy up to 4 cameras to connect to one hub. This way, you can keep an eye on one room from all angles or keep an eye on your other children too.

The Pros

  • You can switch out the lenses to allow for exceptional zooming.
  • You can connect a maximum of 4 cameras to give you a 360-view of your baby’s room.
  • You can switch it to “audio-only” at any time.
  • All the inputs are responsive.

The Cons

  • As far as smart baby monitors go, this one has a considerable lack of features.
  • At times, we noticed a lag in the connectivity resulting in glitchy video.

#3 Safety 1st HD WiFi Baby Monitor

This baby monitor comes with a 720p resolution camera that ensures less WiFi and power usage to ensure you receive lag-free video.

It comes with a wide-angle lens (130 degrees, to be exact). You won’t have to keep panning/tilting to see the whole room. It’ll be conveniently displayed at all times.

Moreover, the device picks up both movement and noise so you won’t be disturbed by the constant hum that less advanced baby monitors produce. The only time you’ll be alerted is when sound or motion is found.

The Pros

  • It comes with a standalone, portable audio hub.
  • You receive free cloud storage with your purchase.
  • It has both motion and sound detection capabilities.
  • You can purchase and connect an unlimited number of cameras.

The Cons

  • Even though it is a smart baby monitor, it does not come with humidity or temperature sensors.
  • The recordings don’t upload consistently to the cloud.

#4 Nanit Plus Smart Baby Monitor

The Nanit Plus Smart Baby Monitor is exceptional. It looks modern and sleek while providing faultless video and audio regardless of the time of day/night.

Whenever the sound or movement changes in your baby’s room, you will get real-time updates sent straight to your smartphone. But don’t worry, you can turn the sensitivity down if you don’t want to be constantly bombarded with notifications.

Alongside all of this, the device consistently checks the room’s temperature and humidity. Plus, it has built-in nature soundtracks or white noise that you can use to help your little one fall asleep.

The most standout feature, however, is the sleep tracker. Every morning, you will receive your baby’s sleep statistics along with a time-lapse video.

The Pros

  • It integrates seamlessly with Amazon Alexa.
  • It will track your baby’s sleep so you don’t have to worry.
  • You can bundle the baby monitor with a breathing band to keep better track of your child’s overall health.
  • It monitors temperature and humidity.
  • You can turn its built-in white noise or nature sounds on and off to help your baby sleep.

The Cons

  • It is pricier than other models.
  • After the first year, you will have to pay a subscription fee to access your baby’s sleep data and time-lapse video.
  • You can’t view the data via a web browser. Only the app can be used.

#5 Miku Smart Baby Monitor

For those of you who are looking for a baby monitor that does absolutely everything, you can’t really go wrong with the Miku model. It’s one of the best advanced devices on the market.

While it is expensive, you truly do get what you pay for here.

The high-tech camera will connect to the dedicated smartphone app where you’ll be able to track your baby’s sound, breathing, motion, room humidity, and room temperature.

Additionally, the app will alert you — even if your phone is locked — when your baby’s stats change or the room’s condition changes.

The data that it collects is stored in the app via interactive graphs and even video clips.

The Pros

  • The video quality is exceptional.
  • You will receive both motion and sound alerts.
  • It monitors your baby’s sleep and breathing patterns.
  • You won’t need to attach any wearables to your baby for it to work.
  • There are no subscription fees included.

The Cons

  • It doesn’t include any voice support like Google Assistant or Alexa.

#6 Lumi by Pampers Smart Baby Monitor and Sleep Kit

Lumi, a company endorsed by Pampers, has created a smart baby monitor and system that work to create a sleep-filled environment for the whole family. Granted, not everyone will want/need all of these extra features. But for those who do, you’ll be missing out if you don’t try this!

The camera has a whopping resolution (1080p) so you can expect crystal-clear video, as well as a disruption-free view thanks to the 180-degree wide-angle lens.

The sleep sensor that comes with the monitor is designed to be placed inside the dedicated Lumi by Pampers diapers. This will then track your little one’s pee, poop, and sleep. (As we mentioned, this is not for everyone)! 

The Pros

  • It comes with a feature-heavy app.
  • The app includes a sleep coach to guide you through those early baby stages.
  • It monitors the temperature and humidity levels of your baby’s room.
  • You will receive developmental advice from the app every week. All of the advice is backed by science and research results.

The Cons

  • To use the sensor, you will have to purchase special diapers since it’s made in collaboration with Pampers.

#7 Eufy Spaceview Baby Video Monitor

This one has the fewest features of the lot. However, it is the most budget-friendly option.

The camera quality is good (720p) and it has a staggering 460-foot range. The best part? You don’t need to have WiFi for it to work!

Moreover, you receive 5 built-in lullabies to help keep your baby asleep.

The Pros

  • It is fabulous value for money.
  • The camera quality is decent.
  • You get various views of your baby and their nursery.
  • It doesn’t need a WiFi connection to function.

The Cons

  • It doesn’t have motion detection.
  • The kickstand as isn’t durable as we’d like to see.

What is a Phablet?

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A phablet is a device that has the similarities of a tablet and a smartphone. Recently, tablets’ sizes have shrunk from 10 inches to 7 inches while smartphones, on the other hand, increased from 4.3 inches to over 6 inches.

Manufacturers started producing bigger phones and smaller tablets, and this gave rise to phablets that come in ranges of 5.3 inches to 6.9 inches. Their CPU speeds are usually from 1.5 gigs and are either dual quad or even six core-based processors. Although it looks big, most men will prefer to carry this around than carrying both a tablet pc and a phone together. Ladies may like to carry their phablet in their purses.

What Makes Phablet Devices Special?

Phablets devices can take powerful processors and batteries to enhance battery life. They are ideal because most people are frustrated about their phone’s battery inability to last long.

Today, phablets are the way to go. Technology brings the 3g and LTE technology, dual camera, and GPS capabilities to these devices. And people that tried using Phablets found it hard to go back to the small screen of smartphones.

With the launch of faster processors, it was wise for manufacturers to increase the devices’ size to accommodate heating. But with larger phones, people can also benefit from longer battery life amidst other advantages of phablets.

Recent phone launches have shown that Phablets will be the new smartphones, and the popularity of tablet pc and phones will soon start to dwindle.

Why People Choose Phablets Over Smartphones

Some of the reasons why people will go for phablets instead of smartphones include the following:

Working Device

Although phablets are not the best working devices, they are still preferable to smartphones in this aspect. In case you are away from your PC and need to make adjustments to an existing project, a phablet will come in handy than a smartphone.

Phablet’s screen size makes it easier for you to send an email, edit and type documents, and adjust project presentation. In case you are working where there is no power and exhaust the battery life of your PC, you can quickly complete the work with a phablet.

Phablets are also ideal for multitasking in case you have a hefty workload. You can run multiple applications at the same time and switch between them seamlessly.

Battery life

When it comes to smartphones, the bigger the battery size, the better the battery life. There is no need to care about portability or compactness for phablets, which favors their battery life. In terms of smart devices, phablets have better battery life.

Most of their batteries are built to last all day without charging. So, if you find yourself managing a battery, you might want to consider a phablet over a smartphone.

Better Viewing Experience

Smartphone screens are not perfect for all media activities. Automatically, with a larger screen size, you will get a better viewing experience while watching videos, reading eBooks, or playing mobile games.

Phablets make it better to do these things. They are easy on the eyes because you will not have to strain your eyes with a large screen. If you enjoy using smart devices for entertainment, you will be better off with a phablet than a smartphone.