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  • GPU Prices (Finally) Dropping

    GPU Prices (Finally) Dropping

    If you’re like me and have less interest in using a GPU for cryptocurrency than video games, you’ve surely lamented the absurd prices of high end graphics cards over the last few years. Thankfully, prices are finally starting to drop on GPUs due to a variety of factors.

    The Crypto-Elephant in the Room

    For starters, the market for cryptocurrencies like BitCoin and Etherium is starting to cool down. This has been gradual, as the initial rush for the currencies was exponential, but now more reasonable expectations for the technology have led to most currency miners backing off somewhat on their investments in expensive mining rigs.

    Supply is Meeting Demand

    GPU manufacturers are finally starting to meet up with demand on their shipments. High end graphics cards are not easy or cheap to produce, and so the initial gold rush for cryptocurrency largely wiped out back inventory of premium GPUs. However, enough time has now passed that manufacturers are filling shipments again, which is great for consumers.

    ASICs on the Horizon

    Seeing the potential in the market, computer parts manufacturers have promised to deliver dedicated mining rigs, called ASICs, by the end of 2018. In preparation for this, most major mining operators are pulling back in their GPU purchases, consolidating their funds for the release of dedicated platforms for their trade. This is only good news: miners will be happy to have more specialized set ups and gamers will be able to affordably acquire high-end GPUs without taking out a small loan.

    Bottom Line

    Don’t feel the pressure to buy a new GPU right away. If you really want one, now isn’t a bad time, as most high-end cards are going for right around MSRP now, which is fantastic. However, as supply continues to catch up to demand and the release of ASICs rigs grows nearer, we will likely see further discounts on GPUs when the mining bubble moves on. Less likely, but more helpful for consumers, would be if the cryptocurrency bubble burst altogether.

    While some gamers and PC enthusiasts have fingers crossed, that eventuality seems to be less likely the longer BitCoin and the like persist. Either way, we’ll very likely continue to see price drops on graphics cards for the foreseeable future.

  • The Top Ten Films About Artificial Intelligence

    With Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant becoming more lifelike and responsive with each update, it’s growing more and more likely that we will soon see fully-fledged artificial intelligence that rivals that of humans. While the future is looking brighter for AI in the real world, pop culture has taught us that most AI constructs will inevitably run amok and try to kill all humans! With that in mind, let’s run down our list of our top ten favorite films about artificial intelligence!

    Tron

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    Photo Credit: Moviefone

    The 80’s classic was mind-blowing when it released. Casual moviegoers, unfamiliar with abstractions such as cyberspace and digitization, were treated to a visually stunning and downright puzzling film when they first saw Tron. Now regarded as a cult classic, and having garnered a sequel and animated series, Tron makes for a fantastic look back at an early visualization of a digital space.

    Starring Jeff Bridges as Flynn, a hacker and programmer, the nerd-tastic tale has him being pulled into the world of the arcade game he has created to do battle with the evil, rampaging Master Control Program. The story is quaint and cheesy today, but audiences at the time generally found the plot “incoherent” and hard to follow. Oh, how times have changed!

    I, Robot

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    Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox

    Released in 2004, this gritty, noir-style action film is loosely based on the Asimov compilation of the same name. Will Smith stars as Del Spooner, a detective investigating a murder he blames on a robot, despite such an act being strictly forbidden by all robots’ programming.

    A fantastic meditation on what it means to be human, and what makes something alive, I, Robot is the rare action movie that makes the viewer actually think in between bombastic shootouts. Will Smith’s Spooner is equal parts engaging and frustrating, as his anti-robot bias is affirmed and challenged in equal measure by the film’s plot.

    Avengers: Age of Ultron

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    Photo Credit: YouTube

    While the plot may be somewhat derivative and the action a bit too fast-paced for deep meditations on the dangers of unchecked AI development, the second Avengers film does an excellent job of entertaining. Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Captain America and the rest of the Avengers crew have to throw down with Ultron, an AI construct that Tony Stark and Bruce Banner accidentally create while experimenting with the mystical Mind Stone.

    Ultron decides to protect humanity from itself and creates its own vibranium body and an army of drones that do his bidding. The film ultimately pits the Avengers and their new artificial life form friend Vision against Ultron and his robo-soldiers in a spectacular final battle.

    Ex Machina

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    Photo Credit: Nerdist

    The classic tale of scientist creating a synthetic companion modeled after a human female is a pretty well-established trope. Metropolis and Weird Science, to name a few, explore this narrative. In Ex Machina, protagonist Caleb is brought in by his friend Nathan to administer a Turing test to Nathan’s AI Ava. Ava is a humanoid robot with highly advanced programming, and Caleb soon finds himself caught in a power struggle between Nathan and Ava.

    The uneasy chemistry between human and machine is the focus here and is all too familiar to viewers who commonly interact with rudimentary artificial intelligence. Ava’s intentions are mysterious, her origins and dubious and her methods are worrisome: she represents all of humanity’s anxieties about artificial intelligence.

    A.I. Artificial Intelligence

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    Photo Credit: Time Out

    A sci-fi take on Pinocchio, Spielberg’s sprawling technological opus is a treat for the eyes, if a little long in the runtime. With superb performances by Jude Law and Haley Joel Osment, A.I. juggles its myriad of ideas regarding morality and mortality with respectable deft. The film tells a touching story of a robotic child programmed to love unconditionally, and his journey to find a place he can call home.

    The film has a surprising amount of pathos for a story that almost exclusively follows artificial life forms. A unique take on an artificial intelligence-centered tale, the robots aren’t depicted as the antagonists, but instead, time and circumstance keep our characters from their goals.

    Terminator

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    Photo Credit: Mental Floss

    What if the artificial intelligence only wants to terminate you? I’d be surprised if you haven’t heard of this one. At the very least, you’ve probably heard someone doing a poor Arnold impersonation of one of his iconic lines. Terminator is the rare absurd sci-fi action movie that crosses over into the mainstream. Between the mechanical sheen and menace of the titular antagonist and the over-the-top, cheesy action sequences, Terminator oozes “80’s action flick,” wearing that badge proudly for all to see.

    The plot revolves around some pretty absurd sci-fi tropes: in the future, machines, led by a system called SkyNet, have taken over the world. The only hope for humanity is John Connor, a resistance fighter who leads the scattered human enclave. In order to secure victory, SkyNet sends an advanced robotic assassin back in time to kill Connor before he becomes the savior of humanity. A ton of ridiculous action set-pieces in then-modern America ensue.

    The Matrix

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    Photo Credit: Letterboxd

    Another very well-known action film with AI at its center, the Matrix is an interesting tale of perception, reality and questioning the status quo. When Thomas Anderson, also known under his alias Neo, discovers that his reality is actually a simulation, he joins a resistance against the machines who rule over his world. As another take on the “evil A.I. overlords” story, the Matrix uses surprisingly deep philosophical ideas to power its action and shootouts.

    Highly influential upon release for its use of slow-motion special effects and “bullet time” whirling camera techniques, as well as its intriguing premise. The Matrix is largely considered to be a turning point for Hollywood blockbusters.

    Her

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    Photo Credit: Roger Ebert

    Featuring excellent voice work from Scarlett Johansson, Heris a surprisingly sweet romance film about an AI and her human operator who fall in love. The quasi-Romeo and Juliet tale is effective at bringing about genuine emotional depth by imbuing the titular AI, Samantha, with very human desires and behavior.

    The film paints a fascinating picture of human emotional complexity conflicting with computerized algorithms. Protagonist Theodore, who is a sensitive and soft man, finds himself unable to cope when he discovers Samantha’s functions are also dating thousands of other operators and AI constructs. The near-limitless potential of Samantha’s intelligence allows her to grow exponentially, and experience far more than Theodore could ever imagine.

    Star Trek: The Motion Picture

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    Photo Credit: Den of Geek

    The first time the crew of the Starship Enterprisewere seen on the silver screen, they did battle with a mysterious gas cloud known as V’Ger. While the film is somewhat divisive among fans, it makes this list for its fascinating antagonist. V’Ger, who turns out to be a sentient ship, is on a mission to obtain all the information in the universe and is tearing through reality to do so. When Commander Spock finally manages to mind meld with the A.I., he learns that it was originally the Voyager 6 probe, upgraded and given new purpose by a race of sentient machines.

    Blade Runner

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    Photo Credit: Mashable

    The cream of the crop when it comes to entertaining films about artificial intelligence, Blade Runner is a weighty, cerebral noir film. Main character Rick Deckard, played by Harrison Ford, works to untangle a deep conspiracy involving the shadowy Tyrell Corporation and its lifelike robots. These robots, called Replicants, are able to near-perfectly mimic human emotions and responses. Deckard, as a “blade runner,” is specialized in hunting and “decommissioning” rogue replicants.

    Sporting unique pacing and unconventional story structure, Blade Runneris one of the very best cyberpunk films ever made. If you haven’t seen it, you really should! It also received a sequel in the form of Blade Runner 2049, a worthy successor to the original and a bit more accessible to modern audiences.

  • Four Big Reveals from Google’s I/O 2018 Conference

    Four Big Reveals from Google’s I/O 2018 Conference

    Google’s massive I/O 2018 conference unveiling all their new tech and software has come and gone. If you missed it, don’t fret! We’ve got you covered. Check out the biggest news from Google this year!

     I/O 2018 Reveal #1: Smart Compose for G-Mail

    As a hybrid of predictive text and AI assistant, Smart Compose aims to make your email composition faster and easier. Using knowledge of your typing patterns and schedule, Smart Compose helps you automatically fill in chunks of sentences and streamlines your typing process.

    This functionality is sure to be useful for those who have to compose dozens of emails a day. Helping cut down on the amount of time those people spend typing will allow them to focus on more productive or thought-heavy tasks, rather than bogging them down with routine emails.

    I/O 2018 Reveal #2: Android P Public Beta

    Google announced that they are rolling out the public beta of their new Android OS, Android P. Uniquely, this beta isn’t exclusive to Google’s Pixel line of phones. It will also be available on select phones from other manufacturers. Notably, the OnePlus 6 will be eligible for the beta when it releases later this year.

    Android P is slated to be the next “big” thing. It streamlines the user experiences and adopts a more modern software suite. The new OS opts to clear out the four navigation buttons in favor of an iPhone X-like home button in the shape of a horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen. Android P also sports app suggestions based on time and location, another idea inspired by iOS.

    I/O 2018 Reveal #3: Google Smart Displays

    Continuing Google’s push to be a part of your daily routine, their Google Assistant functionality gets an update this summer with the launch of Google Smart Displays. These displays will be like Google Home speakers with screens, for lack of a better descriptor.

    Coming in July, these smart displays are poised to compete with Amazon’s Alexa-powered Echo Show displays. Interestingly, Google’s device can play YouTube videos, while the Echo Show doesn’t have that capability.

    I/O 2018 Reveal #4: Google Duplex

    This robust speaking AI software stole the show. Google Duplex is a feature of Google assistant capable of making realistic phone calls to businesses to make reservations and other phone-based services. Duplex sounds natural, lifelike, and completely unlike any speaking AI we have heard before.

    Complete with pauses and “ums,” Duplex manages to navigate conversation better than some humans and will be revolutionary for those with phone anxiety or those who simply don’t have time to make phone calls in their busy day.

  • Hottest Nintendo Switch Games of 2018

    Hottest Nintendo Switch Games of 2018

    With Summer and E3 rapidly approaching, you’re surely looking for something new to play on your Switch. While the release of Super Smash Bros, Fire Emblem and Pokemon are still a little way off, there’s no need to worry: there’s still a ton of cool games to check out on your Switch! Today we’re rounding up our favorite Switch titles of 2018 so far!

    Bayonetta 2

    A port of the Wii U hit, Bayonetta 2 is available as a standalone digital release, or as a physical release that comes included with a copy of the first game. Bayonetta is a must-have for fans of fast-paced, frenetic action.

    With a main character who oozes style and dispatches angels and demons without breaking a sweat, Bayonetta follows in the footsteps of greats like Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden. If you missed this one on Wii U, or if you just want another crack at the addictive action on the go, you should check out the Switch version!

    Kirby Star Allies

    Everyone’s favorite pink puffball is back on the Switch! While Star Allies doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it is still an excellent addition to Kirby’s impressive library of games. Sporting silky-smooth drop-in drop-out couch co-op and the triumphant return of power combinations, this is a game built with friends in mind.

    Whether you’re all on the couch in the living room or huddled around the console in tabletop mode, Star Allies makes for a great centerpiece to an afternoon hanging out with buddies. If you’ve enjoyed Kirby’s previous 2D platformers, you’re going to find a lot to love in this beautiful HD update to the classic formula.

    Celeste

    Okay, this one isn’t Switch exclusive, but it really might as well be. A charming (and burtally difficult) 16-bit platformer, Celeste tells the tale a young girl trying to climb a mountain. The game has pitch-perfect controls, witty writing, likable characters and cool retro graphics. While the game’s soaring difficulty curve might put some off, the game offers an assist mode to help players who are struggling.

    However, the game’s story directly addresses how personal growth occurs when we challenge ourselves to reach new heights. This game is a showcase of how to marry game mechanics with story: with each level you beat, you get that much closer to scaling the mountain. But, the more you push, the harder it gets. Perseverance, determination, and some tight platforming skills are required to reach the top.

    Our Favorite Switch Game Right Now: Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

    Another port of a fantastic Wii U game, this sequel to the 2006 revival of Donkey Kong Country deserves your attention. If you liked the originals back on the SNES, or their Game Boy Advance remakes, you should give this game a shot. Combining the old-school philosophy of level design and world building, DKC:TF consistently challenges the player to up their game.

    With a pitch-perfect difficulty curve that keeps you learning new ways to challenge yourself and superb visuals and music, this entry in the storied series deserves your attention. On the Switch it gains a new level of portability over its original incarnation, which adds even more reason to check out this version.

  • Google ARCore 1.2 to Offer New Functionality for Augmented Reality

    Google ARCore 1.2 to Offer New Functionality for Augmented Reality

    Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality technology are both major focuses for Google at the moment, judging by their I/O 2018 press conference and continued support for ARCore. The ARCore software attempts to replicate some of the functionality of Google’s Project Tango hardware on conventional smart phones. Augmented reality features such as wall detection, image recognition and more are core features of Project Tango and ARCore.

    Cloud Anchors

    The fantasy-sounding Cloud Anchor technologies allows for multiplayer experiences in augmented reality. Sharing simulated 3D objects with multiple users allows for several people at once to manipulate the same augmented reality experience. This could allow for such fascinating digital projections like chess games with no need for pieces or a board. The imagination of developers is really the only limit to this exciting new technology.

    Cross-Platform

    More exciting still, Google is building this ARCore technology to work across iOS devices as well as Android devices. This is sure to broaden the user base of the new functionality and make it more desirable for developers to adopt the experimental augmented reality software.

    Improved SDK

    Speaking of developers, Google also promises an improved software development kit for programmers looking to make new augmented reality apps. The Sceneform SDK will allow developers to use common 3D widgets without having to go through the process of animating and programming them. This shared toolkit will likely continue to make augmented reality projects desirable to build for Android devices, helping solidify Google as a primary supporter of the burgeoning technology.

  • Apple Issues Ultimatum to App Designers

    Apple Issues Ultimatum to App Designers

    New guidelines are now in the hands of Apple developers. By July 2018, all new apps will need to support the unique dimensions and top-of-screen notch on the iPhone X. This new guideline applies not just to new apps, but to all apps that already exist on the Apple App Store.

    Apple’s Statement

    “iOS 11 delivers innovative features and the redesigned App Store to hundreds of millions of customers around the world. Your apps can deliver more intelligent, unified, and immersive experiences with Core ML, ARKit, new camera APIs, new SiriKit domains, Apple Music integration, drag and drop for iPad, and more. Starting July 2018, all iOS app updates submitted to the App Store must be built with the iOS 11 SDK and must support the Super Retina display of iPhone X.”

    iOS 11 SDK

    The SDK in question is the new iOS 11 SDK, or software development kit. This will mean that all apps will support the features and unique screen characteristics of the iPhone X by the end of the summer. Most developers have found the top notch to not be the hardest thing to design their apps around. Instead that the always-on home indicator (the thin bar that indicates access to multitasking, etc.) has been the largest design challenge.

    This approach is nothing new and is similar to Apple’s support of previous iPhone releases. Most popular apps have already updated to reflect these design changes. Those that haven’t were already expected to follow suit shortly, even without the ultimatum from Apple. Given that the iPhone X has been fantastically popular this comes as no surprise.

    And the iPhone X’s popularity is no mistake! The iPhone X is also our favorite premium smart phone! To find out why, go check out our roundup of our favorite smart phones.

  • The Ultimate Dating App Roundup

    Finding the right dating app can be just as difficult as finding the right date! Let us be your knight in shining armor by cutting through the dating jungle: Here are the top ten dating apps for finding your perfect match!

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    Happn

    Happn is a dating app focused on the plot of How I Met Your Mother. Just kidding! The premise of this app is that you likely pass “the one” on the street or on your way to work all the time! All of your matches are people with whom you’ve crossed paths, helping you to break the ice with people in your day-to-day routine. Happn lets you sync your Facebook, Instagram and Spotify to your profile, which allows for quick profile set up and music taste pairings.

    Zoosk

    Zoosk is unique in that it allows user to use photo verification. This ensures a degree of “catfish protection” for users, helping ease anxiety that potential dates are who they say they are. Zoosk, sadly, had to lay off a large number of their staff recently due to losses to apps like Tinder, but they remain a great choice for dating app for those who don’t wish to use Tinder!

    OK Cupid

    OKC uniquely doesn’t require you to link your Facebook. It’s one of the very few dating apps to do this, but it does allow for Instagram sync for pictures. OKC allows for rather long and in-depth profiles, which is nice for getting to know more about potential dates. However, anyone can message you, which can be a big downside when you continuously get messaged by people you don’t want to talk to in the first place.

    Match.com

    This dating app is actually from one of the oldest dating sites on the internet. Match certainly has experience under their belt, having been a part of the dating site world long before apps even existed. While the userbase is large and the interface is good, Match requires a somewhat pricey subscription in order to use more useful functionality. The user interface is less than perfect, but that’s not as big of a deal-breaker. If you’re looking for more mature matches, this app, with its pricey subscription, might be for you.

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    Hinge

    Hinge, interestingly, matches you with friends of friends. Using your Facebook profile, you connect with friends two or three degrees separated from yourself. This helps cut down on inappropriate strangers, as does the messaging funtion: you can only message people you’ve matched with. Otherwise, this app resembles Tinder, but it’s definitely geared more towards dating than hooking up. This is visible in the “what kind of relationship are you looking for?”-style questions and in-depth personality quiz.

    Bumble

    Bumble is very female-user-friendly: when a male and female user match, the female user has to initiate messaging. This is meant to make women who use the app feel more comfortable that they won’t be harassed by men and is meant to increase the overall user experience. Matches expire after 24 hours, which helps encourage interaction. The dating app also has a code of conduct and takes obvious pains to help its user feel safe and unintimidated. A really awesome choice for those nervous about dating apps!

    Plenty of Fish

    POF is an old dating app, like Match, and it also sports a tremendous userbase. It has somewhere over 90 million users, which is positively massive, and boasts that users are highly likely to match within 24 hours of using the app. POF also has functionality like Tinder, in its swipe system, and a “recently nearby” feature like Happn. This dating app is also totally free, which is great for users looking to match without spenidng money on a dating service.

    Tastebuds

    Tastebuds is the dating app equivalent of sending a crush a mix tape. Using music tastes to help connect people, this app is really cute and can be used to find friends as well as dates. You can set up your profile with a song clip and most of the questions in the chemistry test are music related! While the lack of a “matched” section to see the users you’ve matched with is frustrating, this is still a good choice for audiophiles to find people with tastes like their own! Not to mention how much less arbitrary of a sorting mechanic music is than, say, whether or not you like Harry Potter or some other nonsense.

    Coffee Meets Bagel

    The oddly named dating app Coffee Meets Bagel has an interesting design. It matches you with one profile (which it adorably calls bagels) per day, and you choose whether to like or pass the bagel. If you match with them you open a message thread with one another that stays open for eight days. This eight day limit encourages exchanging info and getting together, or, worst case scenario, allows users you had less chemistry with to simply go away after messaging stops. Unfortunately, the app is very slow paced compared to options like Tinder, which can be a bad thing: a dating app that encourages you to be passive is kind of missing the point. But if you’re looking for a low-pressure, measured pace, then this one is right for you!

    Our Favorite Dating App: Tinder

    You knew this one would be on the list. You probably even knew this one would be atop this list. For those of you who are somehow still unaware, Tinder is the gold standard for dating apps. Tinder requires a Facebook account be linked, which is pretty standard fare. You are given 500 characters to write a brief bio and you can post up to six pictures of yourself.

    When you find new users, you swipe left or right, either liking them or passing on them. If you and another user both right swipe (like) each other, you are encouraged to message one another. This clean, user-friendly interface makes this app incredibly popular among singles. While it has something of a reputation as a place where people come to find hook ups, it also has a good track record of helping people meet lasting partners.

  • Need a Touchscreen Laptop? Here are Our Favorites.

    Need a Touchscreen Laptop? Here are Our Favorites.

    For artists, students and professionals, a touchscreen laptop is a great way to get more hands on with work, research and play. Good laptops are expensive, though, so making a decision about which to buy can be very difficult. To help guide you, we’ve compiled some of our favorite touchscreen laptops! Ready for some new tech? Read on!

    Surface Book 2

    For those who want the best of all worlds, the Surface Book 2 touchscreen laptop has you covered. This convertible laptop converts into a 15-inch tablet for ease of handling and boasts an incredible display. The Surface Book 2 is very light and durable in both tablet and laptop mode, to boot. This laptop also sports a pretty tremendous amount of processing power, with 16 GB of RAM, usingan Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card, all powered by an 8thGen Intel Core i7. If that all sounds very expensive, that’s because it is. The Surface Book 2, while awesome, is expensive: it retails for $2500.

    If the initial sticker shock of this touchscreen laptop fades and you still find yourself wanting this level of power, flexibility and control, then the Surface Book 2 is for you. Everything from video and photo editing to computer gaming comes natural to a rig this beefy, and with its convertible modes and lightweight design, this really is the best package to house it all in.

    Samsung Chromebook Pro

    This touchscreen laptop is the absolute best choice for students or note takers. The Chromebook Pro has a nifty storable stylus and a slick, easily-stashed design that makes it great for traveling in a backpack. The Chromebook saves all of your handwritten notes to Google Keep, which is fantastically useful by itself. This feature is made even more desirable for note takers when you take into account its main function: it stores your notes in a digitized, searchable text file!

    Being able to search back through your handwritten notes with an automated function makes studying a breeze. If you constantly find yourself searching your notebooks or saved note files for lectures and test answers, the Chromebook Pro was made for you. Retailing at a reasonable $600, this one doesn’t break the bank as much as the Surface Book 2, so it won’t set students back too far. The downside? It only sport about 9 hours of battery life, which can be frustrating on long days when you haven’t finished your studying or note taking yet. That gripe aside, the Chromebook Pro is still the best touchscreen laptop for students.

    Our Favorite Touchscreen Laptop: Microsoft Surface Pro

    Microsoft’s Surface Pro touchscreen laptop is technically a tablet 2-in-1, but we’ll let it slide onto the list for just how useful it is. It is beefy enough under the hood to make it feel like a fine laptop when it has its keyboard attached, and it also sports Bluetooth support for wireless mice. The stylus and note taking steal the show: this is a device designed with touch functionality in mind first and foremost. The optional Surface Pen is responsive and accurate, making it a fantastic tool for artists and students.

    If you’re in the market for something affordable and strong and don’t mind picking up the Surface Pen separately, this is the best touch laptop on the market. A must-have for artists and just an overall great device for everyone else. I really can’t think of anything else to knock the Surface Pro for aside from the lack of an included Surface Pen, and the Pen itself is so excellent that it’s hard to fault Microsoft for making it a separate product.

  • Get Your Groove on With These Bluetooth Headphones

    Get Your Groove on With These Bluetooth Headphones

    If you love listening to music and don’t want the hassle of tons of cords and cables you’ve certainly tried out tons of Bluetooth headphones. And if your experience is like mine, tons of them are really sub-par! Let’s run down some of our favorite Bluetooth headphones and save you the hassle of picking a dud!

    Sony WH-1000XM2

    We love these noise-canceling wireless headphones from Sony. These have fantastic sound quality, with clear highs, crisp mids and deep bass, comparable to similar offerings from Bose. These headphones also come with some neat functionality: a Quick Attention mode allows for the sound canceling to stop briefly so you can hear someone trying to get your attention.

    Similarly, the headphones have an ambient noise mode to allow mid- to high-frequency sounds to pass through so that you don’t fully lose situational awareness. The only downside to these headphones is their luxury pricing: They retail for right around $300.

    Bose QuietComfort 35 Mk. 2

    It wouldn’t be a “best-of” headphones list without Bose showing up at least once! The sound juggernaut doesn’t fail to impress with the QuietComfort wireless headphones. These boast some of the best noise cancelation in Bluetooth headphones, comparable to the WH-1000XM2 from Sony, and with longer battery life.

    These also sport Google Assistant support, which is an awesome added bonus! As the name suggests, these headphones are very comfortable and great for long flights. Similar to the previous entry, however, the QuietComfort headphones are expensive. Coming in at $329, these are definitely priced for those who are serious about sound quality and audio canceling and have serious cash to shell out for it.

    Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2

    If you’re looking for a more affordable noise-canceling pair of headphones, the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 is a great choice. For about $150 you can pick up these headphones, making them desirable when compared to Sony and Bose’s offerings. These sport a handy auto-off feature when you take them off, helping maximize its already-excellent battery life, which makes these great for travel!

    While these headphones are high-quality and affordable, their style might not be for everyone: they have an almost-retro chrome style that is very distinct. This is a matter of preference, but when compared to more muted and understated designs they are very noticeable.

    Optoma NuForce BE Sports3

    NuForce’s wireless earbuds prove that you don’t have to be over-ear headphones to be a good wireless audio device! These stylish earbuds have awesome sound quality, great battery life and durability to spare! For a stellar $70 retail price, you can’t go wrong with these earbuds. Great for jogging, traveling, working and everything in between, the NuForce BE Sports3 easily slips in your pocket when not in use! If you’re looking for high-quality, no-frills headphones with no cord and good battery life, these are for you.

  • Find Out Which Fitness Tracker is For You

    Find Out Which Fitness Tracker is For You

    The fitness tracker has been around for some time, but they are always getting better. Whether you’re looking to upgrade from an older model or seeking to get started tracking your fitness, we’ve got a list for you! Read on to see which fitness trackers we love!

    Samsung GearFit 2 Pro

    The sleek, fashionable fitness tracker has a lot to love. From offline Spotify playlist support to GPS support, this is certainly a modern piece of tech. Additionally, your stats are easy to track from the watch itself, as it sports a bright, luminous AMOLED display and clearly displays all of your stats. It also has a very advanced heart rate tracker and fully tracks swimming and is waterproof.

    It has a less-than-optimal user set-up experience, though this is a small gripe. The main drawback to Samsung’s fitness tracker is its high price: it retails for $150, which is quite steep. However, with its large screen and advanced heart rate tracker, this is to be expected: if you’re looking for a great fitness tracker with a fantastic display and awesome features, this is for you. If you’re looking for something more afforable, keep reading!

    TomTom Spark 3

    The Spark 3 is a good spot less expensive than the GearFit, retailing for around $100. This fitness tracker features a monochrome display and clearly displays stats. It also supports on-wrist GPS, which is awesome for running in new areas and discovering new routes. You can also load music directly into the tracker, allowing you to keep your phone at home or in your bag while you run or exercise.

    On the negative side, this fitness tracker doesn’t have terribly impressive sound quality and the menus are difficult to navigate. Set-up was roughly as cumbersome as the GearFit, but as this tracker is significantly less expensive, that is somewhat more forgivable.

    Moov Now

    If you don’t mind a lack of a screen and you want an affordable fitness tracker, the Moov Now is a great find for you. Working as the polar opposite of the GearFit 2, the Moov now is minimalist and doesn’t include a heart tracker. Instead, it opts for a more stripped-down tracker experience. It focusses nearly exclusively on fitness, offering tracking for jogging, boxing and swimming and sleep monitoring.

    That all being said, the Moov is a simple device with few features unrelated to tracking. You won’t find support for GPS or music with this fitness tracker. However, you already have a smart phone and likely a computer and even laptop; how many more ways do you need to listen to music or navigate via GPS? Retailing around $50 and usually available for less, the Moov is an excellent choice for those who are seeking to simply start tracking their fitness.