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  • It’s International Cat Day! Fun Facts About Cats

    It’s International Cat Day! Fun Facts About Cats

    The internet is really only good for two things. Reading articles on your favorite website, and looking at pictures of cats. Since today is international cat day, there are even more cats on the internet than usual. In honor of our furry friends, today we’re going over some fun facts and trivia about the fuzzy little jerks we love. No dogs allowed, it’s International Cat Day!

    Cat Facts

    Popularity Contest

    We’re not saying it’s a contest, but cats are totally more popular than dogs. In fact, the only pet that’s more popular in America than cats are fish! Over 94 million cats are happily living with their humans in the US, making them more popular than dogs, rabbits, ferrets and pretty much every other pet animal.

    We’re not saying cats are better, but we are saying that cats have almost twice as many neuron connections as dogs do. If you’ve ever seen your cat do something that would have required much more intelligence than you’d expect them to possess, then you were likely seeing the 300 million neurons in their frontal cortex going to work.

    Purring Mysteries

    Scientists are actually unsure about how, exactly, cats purr. Everyone who’s had a happy cat in their lap can tell you that the fuzzy little balls of love vibrate when they’re content, but we’re not sure what the actual mechanism of this calming habit is. What we do know is that kitties purr in a variety of situations, from contentedness to distress, and often for conflicting reasons. Some cats have even been known to purr while injured, or while recovering from injury.

    As it turns out, some tests have shown that cats’ purrs are at the exact frequency that helps to stimulate muscle and bone growth and healing. As such, the old adage about cats having nine lives might have more truth to it than we though. Even if a cat sustains a fall from a high location or gets injured in a fight, they can recover better than comparable animals of a similar size.

    Meow Meanings

    Domestic cats meow loudly to attract the attention of humans. This is adorable, of course, but it’s also a bit of a window into the behavioral psychology of cats. In nature, cats only meow when they’re kittens, just to attract the attention of their mothers. Once they’re fully grown, cats almost never meow at one another. As such, cats’ penchant for meowing at humans indicates that they are more kitten-like than adult cats that grew up outdoors.

    This arrested development could also explain why domestic cats are so much gentler and sweeter than their feral counterparts. Where adult feral cats are terrified of humans and run from them, domestic cats seem to not mind the huge size difference between their caretakers and themselves. This is likely because they simply view their humans as parents, and themselves as permanent kittens.

    Big Cat Connections

    A number of behaviors observed in house cats can also be seen on display in big cats like lions and tigers. Love of boxes, purring, chasing string around: these are all common indicators of an essential “cat-ness”. Even innocuous connections, like the love of catnip and the propensity to rub their faces on things they like, indicate a close connection between these dramatically different-sized cousins.

    Southpaws

    Unlike humans, who are right-hand-dominate 90% of the time, cats appear to be left-paw-dominant in nearly all cases. Only a few cats seem to show a preference for their right paws over their left paws. Anecdotally, some people claim that lefties are better with cats, or are more likely to be cat people, though the overall popularity of cats shows that this isn’t a requirement.


  • Foldable iPad on the Horizon? Rumor Mill

    Foldable iPad on the Horizon? Rumor Mill

    By now, if you haven’t heard of the Samsung Galaxy Fold, you’ve done a great job avoiding the folding smartphone hype that Samsung has generated. Many Apple fans have been left wondering: does this new folding phone hype mean that a foldable iPhone could be coming?

    According to insider info from an investor note reported by CNBC, it’s more likely we first see a folding iPad before the tech comes to the smartphone line that started the smartphone craze. The note indicates that Apple is “steadily working” on a folding iPad, and expects to release the device in 2020.

    Foldable Craze

    For a brief moment after the April delay of the Samsung Galaxy Fold, it looked like the folding phone hype might die before the first example of the technology even hit the market. However, Samsung seems to have course-corrected the beleaguered device and is set to launch it properly by the end of September. The hype surrounding this device can’t really be overstated.

    The biggest draw to these folding handset designs, like what we’ll also see on the Huawei Mate X, is that they pack the size of a tablet into the portability of a smartphone. That, alone, is a big reason to be excited about this tech getting traction. However, there are some serious hurdles to overcome in order to make the folding designs of these touchscreen devices a possibility.

    Folding Screen Hardware

    One of two things is required for a folding smartphone or tablet to become a reality. That’s either a firm, foldable plastic, or an as-yet undeveloped bendable glass to use as a display. The Samsung Galaxy Fold, for example, is using a durable, pliable and strong plastic for its display. It’s likely Apple will be utilizing similar materials for their folding devices, though they could be waiting for the much-rumored folding Gorilla Glass to become a reality.

    Another issue that Apple is likely looking to avoid is the same PR backlash that hit Samsung when the Fold was delayed. Review models of the Fold were reported to have serious hardware issues, including the screen flickering, debris working under the display and causing bulges, and a thin membrane that could be peeled off the display resulting in a complete screen failure. Apple will likely be more patient than Samsung in developing their own folding devices.

    Why iPad First?

    The news that Apple will focus on iPad before bringing folding tech to the iPhone is interesting. While Samsung has more interest in making their smartphone screens larger, Apple seems to want to start by making their larger devices more portable.

    It’s unlike Apple to roll new features to the iPad before the iPhone, though, in this case, the company could be hedging their bets. After all, folding displays have more hurdles to overcome than just hardware. There’s also the issue of hardware cost.

    Hardware Cost

    It’s no secret that smartphone tech is getting more expensive as the years go by and manufacturers are cramming more and more high-tech features into them. However, the eye-watering $2,000 price tag of the Samsung Galaxy Phone has even power users thinking twice before reaching for their wallets. It was already difficult for many to reconcile a $1,000 smartphone, but doubling that might be a bridge too far for some users.

    As such, it’s not surprising that Apple might test the waters with a folding iPad, first, to gauge interest. After all, the iPad tends to have a higher starting cost than the iPhone. Adding a few hundred more dollars to that cost to include a folding hinge might not be as big of a turn-off for iPad buyers as it would be for iPhone buyers.


  • Kia Seltos First Look: A New Crossover Niche for Kia

    Kia Seltos First Look: A New Crossover Niche for Kia

    It would be a serious understatement to say that SUVs are red-hot right now. Where once sedans were the workhorse car for the family, SUVs are now the go-to for a busy family with lots of driving to do. Among carmakers, Kia is one of the best for lovers of crossovers and SUVs: the Sorento, the Sportage, the Telluride; the list goes on. With the new Kia Seltos, that list is about to get even longer.

    Kia Seltos First Look

    The New Niche

    Kia just lit up competition like the Traverse and Atlas when it released the massive Telluride SUV recently, but now it’s gunning for some very different SUVs. The Seltos is more of a crossover SUV, a bit smaller and sportier, and is looking to compete with vehicles like the Honda HR-V. Ostensibly, this puts the Seltos as being a bit beefier than the Soul, but a bit slimmer than the Niro.

    To back up those “crossover” claims, the Seltos will have options for center locking differential and all-wheel drive, all while looking the part. The design is active and sporty, with a tall nose and some smooth lines around the body. The recognizable Kia “tiger-nose” grille is here and is as complex and busy as ever, complete with a fascinating stacked-LED headlamp design. In short, this car looks weird, interesting, and, most importantly, cutting-edge.

    Drive Quality

    The Seltos sports another tried-and-true Kia design: the rock-solid 1.6-liter, 175 horsepower engine you’d recognize from other Kia SUVs. While this engine won’t be winning any street races, it’s still a solid drive train for your daily driver, offering good acceleration to keep up with highway traffic. Power is smooth and pulls evenly, while the transmission shifts evenly when you’re asking it for more power.

    The ride quality is also stellar. Between the smooth suspension and clean handling, this is clearly a vehicle for people who need to do a lot of driving. For a busy person with a family who needs to drive around town a lot, these are some pretty great features. All of this goes hand-in-hand with a comfortable interior that is amply stocked with tech and safety features.

    Interior

    The materials on display in the Seltos’ interior are simple and straightforward, which all works well for the vehicle. Despite a more measured appearance than an SUV like the Telluride, the Seltos still manages to come across as refined and nice, if not exactly luxurious. There’s a lot of black plastic on display, but it all looks reasonably nice.

    A 10.2-inch touchscreen pulls infotainment duties, doing a good job of running Kia’s UVO infotainment OS. The interface is snappy, quick to respond and easy-to-use. As you might expect from a tech-focused company like Kia, the Seltos’ infotainment system is compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, allowing you to use your smartphone’s features through the robust in-car system. The best thing about this interior, though, is the full complement of safety features.

    Safety Features

    Six airbags might sound like a lot, but you’ll be glad to have them if you get into an accident. Options for automatic braking in an emergency are available, as is rear cross-traffic alerts and pedestrian detection. There’s also an impressive and comprehensive suite of lane-keep assist technology. Kia’s marketing claims this feature is robust enough to keep you in your lane even when you’ve got your hands off the wheel. This system works in tandem with an adaptive cruise control to allow you to somewhat automate highway driving.

    The 2020 Seltos isn’t confirmed to be coming stateside just yet. However, given how impressive the little crossover looks, we’d be surprised if we didn’t see it here very soon.


  • New Samsung Galaxy 10 Details Leaked Only Hours Before Launch

    New Samsung Galaxy 10 Details Leaked Only Hours Before Launch

    Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 is said to be one of the best and most powerful phones of 2019. The Note 10 is launching today, August 7, but that hasn’t stopped the leaks and videos – here’s everything we know.

    To announce the launch of the new Galaxy Note 10 today, August 7, Samsung is hosting a live press conference in the Big Apple, Brooklyn to be exact. The launch event kicks off at 1PM PST / 4PM EDT (9PM BST). Rumor has it that with all the leaks over the past few months combined, it is doubtful that Samsung will have very many surprises in store for us. Here’s what we know.

    Galaxy Note 10 Leaks

    Assuming the combined Galaxy Note 10 leaks are legitimate, Samsung will be announcing two versions of the new Galaxy Note today – The Note 10 and the Note 10 Plus. Equipped with 6.3-inch and 6.8-inch screens, the new smartphones will certainly not disappoint. According to the leaks, they will both be sporting an all new S-Pen, which will basically serve as your personal magic wand with air gestures for your new smartphone. But wait, there’s more!

    Alongside a rumored “Superfast Charge” that will feed the Note 10 hours of battery juice in just a matter of a few minutes, a Verizon ad campaign has gone live to promote the new smartphone, confirming it to include a 5G option when purchasing. This brings the total number of new Galaxy Note 10 to four options! What does 5G mean?

    5G Speeds

    5G is the latest and fastest version of cellphone technology, made to download and upload at lightning speed! So, whatever you are currently doing on your smartphone, you’ll be able to do it faster and better with the new Galaxy Note 10 5G option. But we know the real question you’re wondering – How much will this cost you?

    Cost

    Well, there is no getting around the fact that with every new smartphone that comes out, the higher the price tag that comes with it. When we look at the Note 9, there is no doubt that it is a very, very expensive phone, and we are not expecting the Note 10 to be any less pricey. While the price has not yet been officially confirmed, we have the scoop.

    According to Droid-Life, we should see the Galaxy Note 10 start off around $950 and the Galaxy Note 10+ to start off at $1,100. On the contrary, a leak from Russia indicated that the Note 10 will at a price point between $1,100 – $1,200. Is it worth it?

    Features

    While the Galaxy Note 9 was jam-packed with worthwhile features, in many ways it felt like only a small upgrade from the Note 8, released just the year before. We have high hopes from the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 to justify the hefty price tag that comes with it.

    While all recent Samsung smartphones have included water resistance, the Galaxy Note 10 is equipped with protection that is expected to have a significantly stronger defense against high-pressure and high-temperature water. That’ll come in handy the next time you drop your phone in some water.

    Video Leak

    In the leaked clip, it appears that the Galaxy Note 10+ comes with a small punch-hole cut out for the front camera. While the top smartphones that are currently in the market have the capability to record with HDR video, the Galaxy Note 9 does not. This is a very weak point to an otherwise great camera.

    We are hopeful that the Galaxy Note 10’s high price point will include not only HDR recording, but like many competitors a 4K HDR recording feature. Could the imminent release of the new smartphone race to the top of the best Android Phones? There is not a long wait to find out.


  • Toyota 4Runner Review: Most Rugged Mid-Size SUV?

    Toyota 4Runner Review: Most Rugged Mid-Size SUV?

    Toyota is a company known for making family-friendly vehicles that are reliable, if a little plain. One of their most well-known SUVs, the 4Runner, is a favorite among those looking for a rugged-but-practical vehicle. It’s great for going around town, going to soccer games and going on trips. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the design and features of the 4Runner to help you decide if it’s the right vehicle for you and your family.

    Toyota 4Runner

    Design

    The 4Runner has a very angular, boxy design that looks right at home among the rugged designs of companies like Jeep or GM. It’s a far cry from the softer, smoother appearance of Toyota’s Corolla or Prius models, and it stands apart thanks to its large front grille, high wheel arches and rectangular headlamps. The design is a bit divisive: some people love the rugged look, while others prefer the softer appearance of competitors’ SUVs.

    It’s worth noting that the rugged look of the 4Runner is more than just an appearance. It’s actually a rather sturdy vehicle, with body-on-a-frame design that allows it to go off-roading with no issue. If you spring for AWD, this SUV is a great choice for straying far from the beaten path. Thanks to the ample interior room, you’ll also have tons of space to haul your camping or fishing supplies, too!

    Interior

    Speaking of the interior, the 4Runner is a bit of an odd vehicle when you’re in the cabin. It’s a little lacking on the tech side, offering a slightly outdated-feeling infotainment system with a small touch screen and a low screen resolution. The infotainment system’s interface is a bit sluggish, and it can take some time to connect to Bluetooth devices like smartphones.

    However, the ride is comfortable, and the seats are cozy. The suspension allows for a smooth ride even over rough terrain, which is great for a vehicle you’ll likely be taking off-roading. This makes for a great experience riding around town, too, as the vehicle handles even poor-quality roads well while you’re commuting. This is all bolstered by the great cargo space. You can even lay the back seats down to increase the amount of storage space, making the 4Runner a good choice for people who love going camping.

    Engine

    The engine, like much of the 4Runner, is old-school and tried-and-true. It’s sporting a 4.o-liter V6 with a 5-speed transmission, the same engine that was first seen back in the 4Runner in 2004. However, Toyota seems to be sticking to a strategy of “don’t fix what isn’t broken”, as this vehicle’s engine works great for what it wants to do. The acceleration and handling are nothing to write home about, but they feel nice on a vehicle of this size.

    The power response from the engine is very smooth, and the ride stays nice and relaxing even when you’re getting up to highway speeds. This solid engine offers a great amount of power for what you need it to do, though it won’t be winning any drag races. That said, the engine is a bit of a gas-guzzler, drinking down a gallon of gas to go only 17 miles in the city, or 21 mpg on the highway.

    Bottom Line

    The 4Runner is an old-school vehicle. It sports designs that date back over a decade, and it shows in the fuel economy and lack of tech in the cabin. However, for the starting price of $34,810, it offers a very rugged driving experience to those who want a straightforward and pure drive. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t want bells and whistles, just a solid vehicle with solid construction, you can’t go wrong with the Toyota 4Runner.


  • Best Laptop for College Students: What to Look For

    Best Laptop for College Students: What to Look For

    When you’re shipping off for college, you want to make sure you’re bringing the best gear with you. Of course, you want only the best backpack, binders, pencils and such, but that’s not where you need to really worry about quality. The most important consideration you need to make for your college gear is in your laptop.

    When you’re studying, you’ll need to use your laptop to find the information. During class, when you’re taking notes, you’ll need to be able to quickly navigate your note-taking app and get everything in order while the professor is lecturing. When you’re writing essays, you need to be comfortable with the laptop’s keyboard. And, of course, you’ll want to make sure you’re aptly entertained when it comes time to unwind.

    Weight

    First off, when you’re shopping for a laptop for college, make sure it’s light and easy to throw in a bag and carry around with you. You’re already going to be sporting a ton of books and carrying all of your scrap paper and pencils to and from class. The last thing you need is to also have to worry about lugging a heavy laptop with all of this stuff.

    Remember, though, that a lot of your time using the laptop will involve typing and writing essays. This means you’ll want to have a good-sized trackpad and keyboard for the most ergonomic experience. If you do have to sacrifice on keyboard size to keep the laptop to a reasonable size and weight, of course, you can opt for a USB keyboard and mouse to keep in your room for heavy-lifting tasks.

    Screen

    You probably don’t need a massive, 17-inch OLED screen for the laptop you’re going to be using mostly for schoolwork. Also, per our last tip, you probably don’t want a laptop that big taking up so much space in your backpack. A 13- or 15-inch screen will likely be more than enough for scholastic purposes, so don’t go overboard when you’re looking at screens.

    If you’re looking for something to serve as a great entertainment device for when you’re back in your dorm, consider getting a Roku and a small HDTV. Alternatively, if you’re wanting to play video games, you could probably find a good deal on a Nintendo Switch, which would dramatically lighten your load compared to buying a full-fledged gaming laptop.

    Memory

    When you’re considering what kind of storage your laptop needs, make sure you’re getting a solid state drive. SSDs are more expensive than conventional hard drives, but they are well-worth the extra money. That’s because SSDs are stationary, unlike hard drives that spin in your computer, and so they travel much more safely. The less moving parts a portable computer has, the better!

    SSDs also load information significantly faster than hard drives. Keep in mind, however, that it’s hard to notice this bump for the types of tasks you’ll likely be using a school computer for. If you often use Photoshop or render graphics, such as for video games or design, however, you’ll see a marked improvement in speed for SSDs.

    Power

    Finally, we get to the big question. What kind of power should your school laptop have? Budget-conscious students will say “nearly none,” while gamers and tech fiends will say “all of it,” but neither is accurate.

    For the purposes of research, writing papers and browsing the web, all while not tearing too hard into the laptop’s battery life, the best option is more measured. A Coffee Lake processor, for instance, will offer a great balance of power and performance. However, if you’re looking for a more budget, school-focused machine, something like a Chromebook might be the best option.


  • Cord-Cutting: Which Internet TV Service is the Best in 2019?

    Cord-Cutting: Which Internet TV Service is the Best in 2019?

    It’s not hard to see why people don’t want to have cable services through traditional providers anymore. Cable bills are astronomical, and they charge consumers a ton for programming that goes mostly unwatched. If you’re looking to save money on your cable bill and watch TV without breaking the bank, your best bet is to use a Roku or Smart TV and connect to an Internet TV service.

    There are so many options on the market, though, and the pricing of all the different services seems to change every few months. Today we’re taking a look at the top Internet TV services to help you decide which one is the best for you. Here are our top picks for the best Internet TV in 2019.

    Sling TV

    The first service to hit with the current business model of being an internet-based TV service, Sling debuted in 2016. Owned by Dish Network, Sling costs only $25, though it offers a number of channel packages and add-ons that can increase that price pretty quickly. Notably, there are two channel packages for the base $25: you choose either Orange or Blue, which essentially is a decision between Fox or Disney and ESPN.

    Notably, Sling recently lost regional Fox Sports in a high-profile contract dispute, which inconveniently also fell right in the middle of baseball season. This frustrating turn of events is due, in part, to Sling’s avowed dedication to keep their price steady at $25 per month. If you’re looking for a good budget TV service, it’s hard to go wrong with Sling. However, the lack of local channels and regional sports can be a turn-off for some viewers.

    PlayStation Vue

    PlayStation Vue might sound like a new video game console from Sony, but it’s actually an Internet TV service like Sling. It’s a more “premium”-style service, as even its base package, called “Access” costs $50 per month. However, Vue offers local channels that aren’t offered on budget services like Sling or Philo, making it a strong choice as a strict cable-replacement.

    The interface for Vue is clean, snappy and similar to many major cable providers. DVR is built in and stores shows for up to 30 days, and normal on-demand content is available through the service. The $55 per month “Core” offers up even more robust sports coverage, and the high-end “Ultra” package, which is $85 per month, adds Showtime and HBO to the channel lineup. Notably, Sony doesn’t carry any Viacom channels, like MTV, Comedy Central and Spike.

    Pluto TV

    If you’re looking to slide in for the low, low price of free with your Internet TV, we’ve got good news. Pluto TV is totally free, though you get what you pay for. The service is more akin to a curated selection of already-available content from the internet, comprising mostly reruns of shows from a few years ago and original content from websites like IGN.

    One of Pluto’s strengths is that it offers incredibly focused channels that are collections of very specific interests, like Gaming or Anime. If you’re just looking for something to throw on to watch idly without giving the content much thought, Pluto is a great option. After all, the content is free and it’s entertaining. If you’re looking to catch current sports games, local channels or new content in general, though, it might be worth springing for a paid TV service.

    HD Antenna

    If you’re looking to catch local channels but don’t have a service that carries them, you can also opt to use an HD antenna. Once you buy one, it picks up HD signals over the airwaves and allows you to watch local channels, including the news and the Big Three. HD antennas can be paired with Sling or Pluto to create a low-cost TV-watching solution without giving up too much content.


  • Protect Your Identity Online With These Tools

    Protect Your Identity Online With These Tools

    Whether it’s another big data breach or someone trying to steal your passwords, there’s always something to watch out for online. However, there are a number of tools you can use to protect your identity and browse without worrying. Today we’re taking a closer look into some of these tools to help you understand what you need to surf the web worry-free.

    Protect Your Identity Online

    VPN

    A VPN, or a virtual private network, is a fancy-sounding name for a relatively simple service. Originally created to allow people to access their work intranet while working from home, a VPN allows you to “tunnel” your internet traffic to an external server. Essentially, a VPN hides who you are when you’re browsing online by making it look like traffic from your computer is coming from somewhere else. By tunneling your traffic to another server, your traffic can appear to be coming from a distant country, and your identity is hidden from websites you visit.

    This offers you some unique benefits. For instance, it allows you to access websites that might be blacked out in your area. You can sidestep local blackouts on sites like Netflix, on regional sports teams you want to watch and even on banned content in your area. While doing this is technically against the user agreement of the sites in question, the ethics of doing so are left for you to decide for yourself. In either case, a VPN is a great way to hide your identity online and protect your activity from prying eyes.

    Password Manager

    Everyone knows the first rule of making passwords for your online accounts is that you need to make each site have a different password. If you’ve got tons of logins for various websites, such as online banking, paying bills and social media, it can be hard to keep track of all your passwords, though. That’s where cloud password managers come in. These convenient and time-saving services are also incredibly good at securing your online information.

    A password manager service allows you to hide all of your passwords on a remote server that you access with one master password. This allows you to keep track of all of your passwords easily, while also hiding them from potential keystroke-monitoring programs or simply people watching your fingers while you input them. While it might sound risky to keep all of your platforms saved on one server, it’s actually much safer to keep them encrypted in this way than to store them in a text file on your computer, or on a physical piece of media that can be stolen.

    Careful Browsing

    Scammers and phishers are everywhere online. The illusion of anonymity emboldens con men and grifters to try to steal your information, your credit and your money. As such, you need to be careful when you’re browsing online. Even a strong VPN and encrypted passwords can’t keep your identity safe if you fall for a phishing scam. Make sure you’re vigilant about the sites you visit, and never input your personal information into a site you don’t trust.

    If you get an email or see an offer online that’s too good to be true, it is. Never give someone your password, you Social Security number or your credit card information online. The only exceptions to this are verified government websites, sites you pay your bills through and known online sellers like Amazon or eBay. A fishy site with a strange domain name and broken English in all of the item descriptions is probably not the site you should be shopping on. Remember: if it looks suspect online, don’t input any personal information.


  • Galaxy Watch Active 2: True Apple Watch Competition?

    Galaxy Watch Active 2: True Apple Watch Competition?

    Samsung’s forays into wearable tech have been met with scattered success. However, until now, they’ve been playing second-fiddle to the Apple Watch on some features, like ECG and fitness tracking. Samsung looks to correct that with the Galaxy Watch Active 2, their second smartwatch this year. Let’s take a look at the newest wearable from the Korean manufacturer.

    Galaxy Watch Active 2

    Design

    When you’re wearing a piece of technology as a part of your wardrobe, it’s important that it has a strong design and looks fashionable. Thankfully, the Galaxy Watch Active 2 is a smart and stylish little watch, sporting a few appearance options and an attractive, round face. The watch comes in a few colors, ranging from silver, black, gold and “lily gold,” as well as with options for either aluminum frame or stainless-steel frame.

    Also, the choice of frame dictates which type of band you get. The aluminum frame sports rubber straps for the band, while the stainless-steel frame has a leather band. The face can be purchased in either 40mm or 44mm, depending on your preference and wrist size. The 40mm watch face retails for $280, while the 44mm goes for $300.

    Health Features

    One of the biggest draws for the Apple Watch Series 4 last year was its medically-certified ECG that can detect arrythmia of the heart. Samsung promises that the Active 2 sports ECG technology as well, though it has yet to be officially certified like Apple’s. This does mean that the ECG won’t be online right away, but it could likely be activated later after the feature is reviewed by medical professionals.

    Another health upgrade comes in the form of the heart rate-sensing LEDs. While the previous Active sported only 4 LEDs for detecting your heart rate, the Active 2 will be sporting a full 8. This means that it will likely detect heart rate more accurately, and will be able to pick up finer gradations of rate change. This is great for those who want to track their activity and keep up with their fitness.

    Software

    Instead of Wear OS, Google’s open operating system for wearable tech, the Active 2 runs on Tizen, which is Samsung’s proprietary watch operating system. A number of new software features will be on display with the Active 2. For instance, Google Translate will be baked into the watch, which is a welcome addition. Similarly, apps like Spotify won’t require you to sign in again if you’re already signed in on a paired smartphone.

    A fun and unique software addition called “My Style” offers a unique new way to find great watch faces. This feature allows you to take a picture of your clothing and have the watch create a custom face to match. This is great for style-conscious users who want to make sure their tie and watch match! We love the round face and stylish appearance of the Active 2, and “My Style” gives it yet another wonderful fashion application.

    Other New Features

    Another new feature that we love is the return of the spinning outer bezel for accessing apps and controlling the watch. This was present on the older line of Galaxy watches but disappeared on the Active. The one present on the Active 2 isn’t actually a physical spinning bezel, but is instead a haptic feedback response that feels great.

    An LTE model will be made available, though we don’t yet know what the pricing info on that model will be. The LTE model will allow you to make phone calls, send messages, stream music and even watch YouTube videos all from your wrist without needing your phone nearby. All in all, we’re excited to see the Active 2 hit the market, as it will likely prove an excellent competitor for Apple’s Watch line.


  • Should Samsung Fans Get the Galaxy Fold or the Note 10?

    Should Samsung Fans Get the Galaxy Fold or the Note 10?

    Samsung fans have a busy end-of-year ahead of them. If you love your Samsung phones and you’re looking to keep up with the hottest new technology, there are two phones vying for your attention. The first is the Note 10, the newest iteration of the popular phablet line of Android smartphones. The second is the revolutionary folding Samsung Galaxy Fold. Which should you buy?

    Galaxy Fold vs Note 10

    Price Point

    It’s important to start with the price point, as these phones are dramatically different in base price. The Note line of smartphones typically retails for around $1,000, while the Samsung Galaxy Fold will retail starting just under $2,000. This means that fans looking for a more traditional phablet may stick with the Note 10, while those looking for the most cutting-edge offering from Samsung will look to the Galaxy Fold.

    Galaxy Fold Issues

    If you remember hearing about the Fold a while back, there’s a reason for that. It was meant to launch in April, and even went up for pre-order then. The Galaxy Fold was delayed to address some issues with the screen and hinge that cropped up with review devices. A few issues like screen failures, bulges from debris working under the screen and an odd issue with a film that could be removed from the screen, have been directly addressed by Samsung.

    Now, the device is set to launch by the end of September, putting its launch date right alongside the Note 10’s likely launch. It’ll also be going head-to-head with Apple’s newest offerings, meaning that competition in the already-crowded premium smartphone market will be intense.

    Note’s Odd Position

    When the first Galaxy Note was released in 2011, its 5.3-inch screen was massive compared to the competition. However, most smartphone manufacturers now make “plus” or “max” versions of their phones that sport screens as large as 7.2 inches for the Huawei Mate 20 X. Ironically, even the Galaxy S10 has a Plus model with a screen roughly the same size as the recent Note handsets.

    When Samsung unveils more details about the Note 10 on Wednesday, we’ll find out where the screen size falls on this spectrum. However, for those truly invested in having a huge screen for all their entertainment and browsing, the Note isn’t exactly the king anymore. That title goes to the absolutely massive screen on the Galaxy Fold.

    Folding Innovation

    The entire purpose of the Note when it was first unveiled was to bridge the gap between tablets and smartphones by offering a compromise. A tablet small enough to fit into your pocket, or a phone big enough to compete with tablets; whichever way you want to look at it, this was the market purpose of the Note. However, new technology makes a much more interesting compromise possible.

    The Fold’s screen is made of a unique plastic that folds up and bends when you close the device. This allows it to have a massive, tablet-like screen when you’re using it, but then folds down to a manageable smartphone size when you’re not using it. This means it’s literally a tablet that will fit in your pocket. However, will this convenience be worth $2,000 for Samsung fans?

    Bottom Line

    If you want to stick with the tried-and-true Note style, complete with S Pen functionality and the same form factor you know and love, the Note 10 will be a good pick for you. It’ll likely retail for around $1,000, which isn’t cheap, but it’s a far cry from the Fold’s $2,000 asking price. Meanwhile, if you want to be on the cutting edge of Samsung’s newest tech, the Galaxy Fold offers an exciting new form factor and could be a glimpse into the future of smartphones.