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Author: Cameron

  • Are You Spending Too Much Time on Your Phone?

    Are You Spending Too Much Time on Your Phone?

    Smartphones have changed the way we live our very lives. They’re alarm clock, timer, flashlight, calculator, game system, portable computer and, of course, phone, for the modern human. However, many people feel as though they may be spending too much time on their smartphones. When is it time to make a change?

    Too Much Time on the Smartphone

    Ignoring Family

    We’ve all been hanging out with friends or family and then noticed that no one was talking to anyone. Everyone was just scrolling through their social media, or reading an article, or texting. If you find you’re missing out on quality time with loved ones, make an effort to keep your phone in your pocket when hanging out.

    It’s easy to get sucked into your phone. Consider silencing notifications from social media apps, and even just leaving your phone off or on silent. In an emergency, people can reach you. Otherwise, why stay glued to the phone all day? You’ve got a life to live right in front of you.

    Wasting Time

    You know that slurping sound that Facebook makes when it siphons your free time? The feeling of the minutes whiling away as you scroll, infinitely, down the page makes your stomach sink. Stop doing it. There’s nothing new or exciting or interesting happening on your Facebook feed, your Twitter feed or your Instagram feed.

    These apps are designed to harvest your data and then sell it to ad agencies for a lot of money. That’s it. They’re mindless, they’re not keeping you “up-to-date” or “informed,” and they’ve been shown to have a negative effect on mental health. Just stop scrolling.

    Mental Health

    Yes, you read that right. Social media is linked to making people feel more insecure, more depressed and less fulfilled in their own lives. When you’re constantly exposed to clickbait media, fake news articles and manufactured outrage, it becomes grating. Why subject yourself to such a toxic mix of badly curated media?

    Social media can be great for keeping up with friends and current events. Seeing new pictures of family, updates on vacations and news blurbs are all great. However, aside from these highlights, there’s nothing to be gained by scrolling down the infinite feed forever. You’re just subjecting yourself to drivel for no reason.

    How to Quit

    Compulsively checking one’s phone is addicting. Consider getting a smartwatch, or a normal wristwatch. This gives you something to check for the time without pulling out your phone to suck up your hours. Another option is getting into a hobby that is engrossing and doesn’t leave time to constantly check your social media.

    In an extreme case, if you feel like you’re spending too much time on your phone and just can’t stop, take drastic measures. Uninstall your social media apps. Turn off your cellular data. Heck, just turn your phone off. You’ve got a life to live, so live it.

  • Galaxy S10 Too Pricey? Say Hello to LG G8

    Galaxy S10 Too Pricey? Say Hello to LG G8

    The Android phone market is rather saturated at the moment. Between Samsung’s numerous Galaxy handsets, Google’s Pixel line and ample competition from other third-party developers, Android users have a ton of options. The newest competition for Samsung’s Galaxy S10 flagship phone is the LG G8, a more budget-friendly Android heavy-hitter.

    LG G8

    Head to Head

    The LG G8 is expected to retail for around $820, a solid $80 less than Samsung’s own Galaxy S10. How does it stack up in terms of features, though? Well, the G8 sports a 6.1-inch display, gorgeous OLED screen and bright colors contrasted with deep blacks.

    The design is entirely water-resistant, like all modern smartphones, and it sports wireless charging capabilities. It runs on the same Android Pie operating system as the S10, and sports similar specs. The Snapdragon 855 chipset is as impressive as ever here, and the 3,500-mAh battery offers ample time away from the charger.

    What’s Different

    There are a few things going on here that set the G8 ThinQ apart from the competition. One such wrinkle is the presence of an actual headphone jack, something that premium smartphones haven’t sported for a couple of years. While most phones offer a dongle to convert your old-school headphones to USB-C, it’s nice to not need that.

    Is it Worth It?

    Samsung announced an astonishing five new phones while LG was launching the G8. Among them are the Galaxy Fold, the long-rumored folding phone that Samsung has been teasing for years. It’s clear that the LG G8 ThinQ has to go head-to-head with the Galaxy line.

    From price point to features, the G8 is clearly a direct challenge to Samsung. Can it stand up against the competition though? Aside from the headphone jack and a unique look, it doesn’t bring a lot to the table. Its features are largely found elsewhere, done better and with more style.

    Bottom Line

    The Samsung Galaxy S10 is a bit pricier, but only a bit. For an extra $80 you can upgrade to the best Android phone money can buy. If the LG G8 cost $700, or maybe $600, this would be a different article altogether. However, for the surprising sticker price of $820, it’s simply not worth it.

    Everything you find here is solid, but is done better on other phones in the same price range. After all, you could spend a similar amount of money on a Google Pixel 3 and end up with a much superior product. Sadly, this is a phone for no one: not high-end enough to beat Samsung, not inexpensive enough to be a budget option.

  • Best Budget TVs: Bang for Your Buck!

    Best Budget TVs: Bang for Your Buck!

    TVs have only been getting bigger and better over the past twenty years. At the same time, they’ve been getting much more affordable. Screens that were once thousands of dollars can now be had for a few hundred. If you’re looking for a good second TV, or maybe just a budget first one, here are some of the best options for you.

    Best Budget TVs

    Samsung UN43NU6900

    $300 for a 4K TV might sound too good to be true, but that’s just the era we live in. This stellar Samsung panel is not only an affordable and sizable TV, it’s got full 4K support and wonderful picture quality. It’s not totally without its faults, of course. It has only 2 HDMI ports, poor HDR implementation and a narrow optimal viewing angle.

    In essence, this isn’t a screen you’d get for the living room. For a game room, however, or in the bedroom, this is a great option. For a single viewer, this is a great way to spend $300 and get a 43” 4K screen.

    Vizio E43-F1

    If you want a huge screen but don’t want to break the bank, this Vizio panel is for you. The 65” variant of this panel retails for a whopping $650, making it a steal for the size. For those who want to go even bigger, the 75” can be had for a cool $1,300, which is great value.

    This Vizio panel is great for hardcore gamers on a budget, too. The input lag is negligible, and the motion blur is only slight. While the colors aren’t terribly impressive and HDR is lackluster, this is all mitigated by the low price and high performance of the screen.

     TCL 32S325

    The word with this panel is “cheap”, and we mean it. You can pick up this TCL screen for a crazy-low $150 for the 32” variant. That’s a price to envy, and it’s surprisingly a really nice TV for that price range. It’s not terribly bright, and the picture quality isn’t very impressive, though, so it’s not ideal for being a main TV.

    However, for its price and features, it makes a wonderful secondary TV. It would go well in a kitchen, a garage or a rec room as a backup screen. All size variants come included with a Roku interface, making them great for a guest room, as well. Essentially, this is a budget TV that will satisfy most secondary needs for your home!

  • Will Streaming Replace Everything?

    Will Streaming Replace Everything?

    Netflix streams movies and TV shows straight to your TV. Spotify and Apple Music stream music from your phone, through your car and into your headphones. Google Stadia promises to stream video games for you, Marvel and DC offer digital comic books and Amazon sells ebooks by the millions. Will streaming swallow up all physical media?

    Streaming and Physical Media

    Convenience

    Some people will trade anything for convenience. Ownership, affordability and quality are all negotiable as long as the thing in question can be acquired conveniently. Consider the success of apps like Uber and Airbnb. The quality of the service or product isn’t as important, to some, as the sheer convenience of it.

    The same goes for media. In 2019, one need not own any hardware aside from a television and a smartphone, and they can still experience the breadth of entertainment. Music can be streamed, TV shows and movies can be beamed right in. Soon, even video games will be streaming right to your TV, no hardware needed.

    What You Lose

    The only problem with this distribution model is that, in the end, the consumer owns nothing. No albums they can collect, no DVDs or Blu-Rays they can go back and watch. When the streaming platform they use loses the rights to their favorite media, it’s just gone.

    Not only that, but you have no resale value. Spending money on streaming subscriptions nets you nothing real. You get the experience of the content you’d like to stream, of course, but when all is said and done, you can’t sell the old media. You don’t own any media: you’ve spent hundreds and have nothing to show for it.

    Is This Worth It?

    In some cases, it’s not that big of a deal. You would likely spend much more than a Netflix or Spotify subscription to experience all the movies and music you’ve experienced just to own the physical media. But what do we lose when we give up ownership of everything? If you own no books, no movies, no music, the content you consume becomes curated.

    The Future

    It seems unlikely that the future will be streaming-only. Streaming services certainly aren’t going anywhere any time soon: they’re multibillion-dollar enterprises. However, physical media isn’t going extinct, either. People love their stuff. Holding a book, or a record, or a DVD case in your hand has a certain inimitable quality that streaming will never replace.

  • Borderlands 2 Review Bomb on Steam Met with new Policy

    Borderlands 2 Review Bomb on Steam Met with new Policy

    Valve has addressed an unfolding controversy involving review bombs of Borderlands 2 on Steam. The review bombs come as a result of the news that Borderlands 3 will be a timed exclusive for the Epic Games Store on PC. Valve has introduced a new “off-topic” tag for reviews to address the issue.

    Borderlands 2 Review Bombs

    Borderlands 3 Controversy

    The controversy regarding Borderlands 3 is a bit convoluted. In short terms, Gearbox, the developers of Borderlands 3, have announced that the game will be available only through the Epic Games Store on PC for roughly six months. The game will still be available through normal retailers for consoles.

    Some people have taken issue with this, stating that they feel as though Epic is unfairly competing against Steam, a larger PC content delivery system. To voice their frustrations, they’re review-bombing Borderlands 2 on Steam to announce their distaste. However, these reviews have nothing to do with the content of this earlier game.

    Valve’s Response

    Valve, graciously, has taken the situation in stride. They’ve implemented a new system to tag reviews as “off-topic”. In the case of the Borderlands fiasco, the off-topic reviews simply don’t relate to the content of the game. People looking to make a purchase based on a game’s merits don’t need to be caught up in weird reviews about digital content distribution.

    This is a great opportunity for Valve to indicate that they are serious about preserving the integrity of their user reviews. After all, many consumers rely on the user reviews to tell whether they would enjoy a given game. People abusing it muddy the waters as to what’s good and what’s not.

    Brand Loyalty

    Largely, it appears people upset with Epic Games and Gearbox feel as though Steam is some kind of “default” for PC game distribution. However, this isn’t the case: Steam is simply the largest platform. Valve is no more friend to a consumer than any company selling goods. As such, outrage over a game’s distribution rings unusual, in the least.

    In broad strokes, consumers’ speed to condemn a strictly lateral move from one digital storefront to another is odd. Downloading a launcher and using it to purchase a game is a bit annoying, sure, but it’s hardly ruining the experience. Boycotts over such a miniscule inconvenience ring a bit hollow.

    Other concerns, such as the idea that Epic Games is somehow a greedy corporation just trying to grab your cash, are even more odd. Epic is no more or less “greedy” than Valve. They’re both just trying to sell games.

  • Best Luxury Compact Cars for 2029

    Best Luxury Compact Cars for 2029

    When you want the best of the best, it helps to be informed. That goes double for when you want a luxury car: they’re expensive, and a pretty big investment for your future. When you go shopping for luxury, you don’t want to settle for second best. Here are our top picks for luxury compact cars in 2019.

    Best Luxury Compact Cars

    Audi A5

    Audi’s name is a respected one in the world of luxury vehicles. The Audi A5 for 2019 is a killer vehicle for a number of reasons. The vehicle starts around $44,200 and can run you all the way up to $74,200. The engine options in the A5 are suitably impressive, bringing a might and heft to the otherwise breezy convertible.

    The trunk space is small, even for a compact vehicle, and the price is quite high. However, for the money, you get a stellar ride. The ride is smooth and responsive, the interior is high-quality and luxurious, and the sound quality of the stereo is top-notch.

    2019 Genesis G70

    The Genesis G70 is another wonderful luxury vehicle that you should consider if you’re a fan of going fast and looking stylish. The handling and performance of this vehicle make it well worth the starting price of $35,000. Options could bring it up to $52,250, making this a more affordable luxury vehicle than the average.

    The cabin is very slick and attractive, with a high build quality and tons of amenities. The seats are cushy and comfortable, the finish and material are both stellar. The infotainment system is somewhat lackluster, and the fuel economy is sub-par. However, this is still some great bang for your buck in the terms of a luxury compact car.

    Tesla Model 3

    Sleek, stylish, with a name brand that turns heads and an all-electric motor, the Tesla Model 3 is the pinnacle of luxury compact cars. The interior is spartan and calm, while the drive is aggressive and quick, and the lack of a conventional engine saves you tons on gas. Not only that, but it’s great for the environment.

    The Model 3 has a ton of configurations and various price ranges. It could run you as little a $40,000, or as much as $60,000 for some configurations. Tesla promises that there will be a $35,000 configuration in the near future.

  • Even More Samsung Phones on the Horizon

    Even More Samsung Phones on the Horizon

    Samsung Galaxy S9’s are the newest Samsung phones, right? No, actually, the Galaxy S10 line just launched. There’s an S10 Plus that’s larger, and there’s the normal one. There’s even more Samsung phones coming soon: the massive Note 10 phones will be the follow-up to last year’s Note 9 phones.

    According to new rumors swirling, the Note follow-ups could be coming as soon as the end of this Summer. This would bring Samsung up to staggering 7 new phone releases in fiscal 2019. Could this kind of release schedule be sustainable for the Korean manufacturer?

    Samsung Note 10

    Specs

    It’s early yet, but we do know a few things about the Note 10. Firstly, it’ll come in two flavors, one with a 6.28-inch screen and one with a 6.75-inch screen. If those sound like ridiculously huge screens, that’s because they are. Tremendously so. However, that’s the entire appeal of the Note line of phones: they’re essentially phones mixed with tablets.

    Early rumors hold that the Note 10 phones will be released in both LTE and 5G compatible configurations. 5G is the coming network connectivity type that will allow for even faster wireless internet. If these rumors are true, it’s likely we’ll see these phones later in the year, around August or September.

    Samsung’s Release Schedule

    These rumors are a bit confusing, as this would mean that Samsung is releasing a full 7 new phones in the 2019 fiscal year. However, this comes amid the growing concerns that smartphone market saturation is reaching its peak.

    Samsung is, far and away, the most successful phone manufacturer in the world. The Korean phone manufacturer is rivaled only by Huawei, a Chinese smartphone company that is embroiled in legal drama at the moment. However, can even the juggernaut support so many phones coming out so quickly?

    Smartphone Saturation

    Smartphones are slowing in innovation as the limits of handsets are pushed by each new generation. Likewise, smartphone prices have climbed above the $1000 mark for many flagship phones. This has come to result in the slowdown of smartphone sales.

    Consumers hang on to their three- or four-year-old phones in lieu of upgrading for a huge fee. It’s not hard to see why: wages have been flat for decades in the West, and inflation hasn’t been met with rising wages. Can Samsung support a release schedule of so many high-priced phones in the face of this economic reality?

  • Smartphone Rumors: Budget Google Pixel 3a

    Smartphone Rumors: Budget Google Pixel 3a

    A potential slip on the part of the Google Store has hinted that Google’s rumored Pixel 3a could be coming soon. The Pixel 3a will be a midrange, budget-friendly version of Google’s stellar Pixel 3 phone. This comes amid growing concerns that smartphones are pricing normal users out of using them.

    Google Pixel 3a Rumors

    Google Pixel

    The Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL are two of the best phones money can buy. These two phones sport great cameras, killer processors that allow for fast multitasking and gorgeous design. The finish is high-quality and impressive, and the build quality leaves little wanting. However, they’re rather pricey.

    For a Google Pixel 3, you’ll have to pony up $800, and if you want the larger Pixel 3 XL, you’ll need $900. There’s a lot to love about these phones, but those are some pretty hefty prices. Stepping back from that, the Pixel 3a is likely to be a rather affordable phone that still sports the main selling points of the Pixel 3.

    Pixel 3a

    A slip-up on Google’s website listed the Pixel 3a as a new item briefly before it was pulled down. This is likely confirming rumors that have been swirling of a more affordable Pixel phone. The 3a will likely be released sometime in August of this year, and will likely retail for $700 or $600.

    There has also been speculation that there will be two versions of the 3a. One will be a standard sized, more affordable options, while the other will be a 3a XL. Both will likely sport comparable cameras and screens to the full-version of the Pixel 3, albeit with some cost-saving measures.

    Rising Smartphone Prices

    Smartphones are in an awkward place in the market. Most people find their handsets to be extremely powerful and hard to replace. Smartphones have largely plateaued: each new generation has introduced less and less revolution and more evolution.

    This goes hand-in-hand with the rising prices of smartphones. The iPhone XS is $1000, as is the Samsung Galaxy S10. These phones, while incredible, are nigh-on unaffordable for the average consumer. As such, moves to produce more affordable versions of top-of-the-line smartphones will likely become commonplace.

    If smartphone companies are to keep up with the shifting market, it seems likely that these in-between, compromise-style phones will become the norm. Expect to see the Pixel 3a before the end of the year.

  • Best Horse Barn Kits: Take Care of your Equine Friends

    Best Horse Barn Kits: Take Care of your Equine Friends

    When it comes to your horses, you want to make sure they get all the best. The best food, the best saddles, the best grooming and especially the best lodging. If you’ve been looking for a great way to get your horse shelter from the elements, we’ve got you covered. Today we’re going over horse barn kits, one of the most efficient ways to house your horse on the market. Make sure you treat your equine friends with love!

    Horse Barn Kits

    Why Horse Barn Kits?

    You might be asking why you’d want to go with a prefab horse barn over simply hiring a contractor for the work. Well, as you might know, contractors can tend to make for very expensive work. For a quality barn, you might pay as much as $100,000 or more after materials and labor are all factored in. That’s where horse barn kits come in.

    Prefab horse barns are perfect for people on smaller budgets who have just one or two horses. You’re just looking for a good, high-quality barn for your horse to stay in, nothing custom or over-the-top. If that describes you, then a prefab barn is exactly what you need. Not only does it keep the cost way down, it also makes it much easier to build in a short time span. Usually you can get a prefab barn together in as little as a few days of work.

    The thing with prefab barns is that they’re shipped in a mostly-completed state. There are usually only a few parts that you need to snap together in order to have a finished product. This means that you can spend a few days assembling the barn instead of a contractor assembling it in a few months. As such, your horse can be in a comfortable barn in no time!

    The Prefab Difference

    What’s the main difference between a custom barn and a prefab, though? Well, generally speaking, prefabs are only really for people with one or two horses. Custom barns can be much more varied and accommodate more specific needs. Prefabs, in general, are made for more generic use cases.

    That said, prefab barns are nearly indistinguishable from normal barns when viewed. Most casual onlookers won’t be able to tell the difference. Your horse will be just as comfortable in a prefab barn as in a custom job, and it won’t cause you to break the bank!

    Types of Prefab Barn

    There are three main types of horse barn kits. There are run-in sheds, modular barns and shed row barns. The most affordable and simple of these types are run-in sheds. Run-in sheds are simple barns that are horizontal and comprised of two bays separated by a shoulder-height wall. These make a great storage space for tack, hay and other horse-related sundries you may have.

    Modular barns, by contrast, are more traditional-looking, with large doors and a more barn-like appearance. These tend to have loft space for your tack and other tools so that you can keep them high up and away from the horse or horses. These are often the higher end of prefab kits, making them a great pick for enthusiasts with two or so horses.

    The midway point between those two extremes is the shed row barn. Like run-in sheds, they are horizontal barns with very open designs. Like modular barns, though, they have sliding doors that shut and windows as well. This makes them ideal for people with one horse but a lot of tools they want to keep from the elements. Generally speaking, any of these options tends to be as much as 30 percent cheaper than going with traditional contractors for the work.

    Options for Prefabs

    Prefab horse barn kits don’t lack for options for both stylistic and functional add-ons. You can typically add these types of options piece-by-piece when shopping for a prefab kit. These options can include things like extra storage space for tools, hay and the like, or even stylistic add-ons. Extra stall partitions, window coverings, kickboards and the like can all be added on, too.

    For those with a love for rustic appearances, flower beds and flower boxes can often be added. Skylights, high, decorative windows and even different colors for you barn so it matches the aesthetic of your property.

    In conclusion, if you’re looking for a great structure to house your equine friends without spending a pretty penny, horse barn kits can be the best option for you. Treat your horses with love!

  • Should You Buy an Electric Car? The Breakdown

    Should You Buy an Electric Car? The Breakdown

    Here’s the deal: electric cars have a lot of rumors and notions swirling about them. Are they powerful? Do they have strong engine performance? Are they able to make it very far down the road? Are they really cheaper to own than conventional cars? Today we’re going to break down whether it’s worth it for you to buy an electric car.

    Electric Cars and Preconceptions

    Electric Motors

    As a matter of fact, your average electric car is going to be comparable in power to a conventional engine. This goes for both luxury and budget electric cars, though the power, of course, varies by make and model. Tesla’s vehicles, for instance, have been described as quite powerful and very fun to drive.

    Electric motors don’t have to be underpowered. Cutting around turns, peeling out quickly and burning rubber is just as fun with an electric engine as it would be with a gas engine.

    Speaking of motors, the range of the batteries in electric cars has increased dramatically in the past ten years. While range varies based on cars, most electric vehicles offer at least 180 miles of distance on a single charge.

    Economy

    The main reason someone would want to purchase an electric vehicle, outside of environmental concerns, is the economic savings. While most EVs are much more expensive for the initial purchase than conventional cars, you save a lot over the course of owning an EV.

    Electric vehicles don’t require gas, of course. Think of how much money you spend on gas every month. Now think about how much you spend on car maintenance, like oil changes and general engine maintenance. Imagine not having to spend any of that for the rest of your days owning this vehicle.

    Environmental

    More so than just saving you money, electric vehicles are great for the environment. You will no longer be burning fossil fuels, and you’ll also stop using motor oil. Both of these steps are great for the planet. Secondly, you’ll also find that your electric vehicle will last much longer than the average conventional vehicle.

    Preliminary estimates holds that the average EV will last around a decade before they need updates to their batteries and drive trains. During that decade, you’ll be burning no fossil fuels and using no motor oil. Not only are you saving money, you’re saving the planet from the carbon footprint you’d otherwise be leaving behind.