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  • Laptop Lookout: HP Envy 17

    Laptop Lookout: HP Envy 17

    HP is announcing an update to its Envy Line. HP Envy 17 will be available this summer, and is packing a nice bit of power. Now in 2018, HP has slimmed the bezels around the screens on the Envy laptops. Making the 17 big, powerful and beautiful.

    The Great

    • Great Screen
    • Fantastic Performance
    • Great Battery
    • Sleek Desgin

    The Not

    • Bigger, Heavy

    The Conclusion

    THe HP Envy 17 is a powerful laptop, pretty that most can afford. Its big, to big to always have with you, but it should keep you from missing your desktop PC in most ways.

     

     

    The Envy 17 packs a high-end quad-core mobile processor that will deliver more power than most people will use. Our tests on other laptops have shown that a simple dual-core processor suffices for mainstream applications, but quad-core comes in handy for more intensive uses such as gaming and creating graphics-heavy content.

     

    Sound Upgrades

    HP has now designed a  row of Bang & Olufsen-tuned speakers line the front and they’re angling up at 45 degree. This points them at your ears for listing and not lower, much better sound receptions. I guess its the little things. The volume is now controlled by a touch scroll wheel in the base, where there is also a high-speed wireless charger.

    Webcam, Pop Up

    I’ve seen this getting adapted around a few tech devices that I hope catches on. Its the pop up camera. I know its kinda gimmicky but i like the assurance of not having some hack in to my camera and spy on my life. The pop up camera can be popped down and blinded when I’m not using it.

    Lets Talk Speed

    Speed and performance are off the charts. On the performance front, HP has updated from 7th Generation CPUs to the latest 8th Generation Intel Core quad-core CPU (4C/8T) running at a base frequency of 1.8 GHz with a maximum Turbo frequency of 4 GHz while fitting in a 15W TDP at base frequency. The 17-inch runs the massive processor but has 12GB of DDR4-2400 in a 4+8 GB tilted configuration.

    Quick Spec Look

    • CPU: Intel 8th-generation Core i7-8550U
    • Memory: Up to 16GB of DDR4-2400 SDRAM (the base model has 8GB)
    • Display: 17.3-inch FHD (1920×1080) IPS WLED backlit touchscreen
    • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce MX150 with 2GB GDDR5 memory
    • Storage: 1TB 7,200rpm hard drive with a 16GB Intel Optane Memory module, plus a DVD drive

    The Final Thought on the HP Envy 17

    Solid, solid upgrades, beautiful design. I didn’t want to talk to much about the look of this, because its impressively stunning and something to experience first hand with about pre-building expectations. Just look at it you will know what I mean. Its got the screen and power we need but I think it will be more of a home computer for us,  because of its size and weight, and not get to travel and see the world like the smaller versions. Sad

  • Which Streaming App is Best?

    Which Streaming App is Best?

    There are many streaming services and apps vying for your money and your eyes. Which ones do we love? Which streaming app is our favorite for bingeing shows and for having movie night? Read on to find out!

    Sling Orange

    Sling is a cool idea. While more and more people are ditching cable (and you should, too, it’s an awful rip-off) Sling offers a much more affordable alternative to those who still want to watch Live TV. With an “a la cart” offering of channels, Sling addresses many of the issues we have with bloated cable packages.

    The base package of Sling is $20 per month, which makes it the priciest streaming app on this list, but it offers a unique enough service to make it worth the money. Consider this one if you want a cable-style viewing experience without spending cable-style money.

    Amazon Video

    Once only available to Prime members, Amazon Video is now offered as a standalone streaming app. With a great streaming library and the ability to download shows and movies for offline viewing, Amazon video is a worthy contender with Netflix. Amazon Video is $8.99 per month. This means if you plan to stick with the service for more than a year, consider an Amazon Prime subscription. This will allow you to access all the other Prime benefits, too.

    While Amazon has little in the way of original programming, it is currently the only place to watch Doctor Who online. That alone makes it worthy of consideration!

    Hulu

    For lovers of primetime TV who hate having to schedule around air times, Hulu is awesome. Hulu runs primetime shows the day after they air, making it an awesome cable replacement. Hulu has fantastic original programming, like the The Handmaid’s Tale, and also sports a great library of TV show and movies. If you love TV and the occasional movie, Hulu is definitely worth your attention. It’s tied for our favorite streaming app with Netflix.

    Hulu also has two subscription tiers. The first is $7.99 per month but runs commercials during shows. The $11.99 tier runs no ads during shows, but will occasionally run a short spot before popular shows.

    Netflix

    The longtime champ of the streaming app market, Netflix now has a real rival in the form of Hulu. That said, Netflix has the best original programming of any streaming app, bar none. Stranger Things, Orange is the New Black, Travelers and the Netflix Marvel series all prove time and again the Netflix hosts some incredible programming. If you want a little of everything (movies, TV, original programs) you can’t go wrong with Netflix. Netflix has several subscription tiers.

    The first is only $7.99 per month, but that only nets you one standard definition stream. For $10.99 per month you get two HD streams, and for $13.99 you get four 4K streams. These are reasonable when compared to the competition, but the more desirable HD streams are somewhat pricey.

  • Graphics Card Roundup for Gamers and Crypto Miners

    Graphics Card Roundup for Gamers and Crypto Miners

    With the price of the graphics card finally falling, now is a great time to start looking at upgrading. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your rig to handle the most demanding AAA titles or just want better performance for games like League of Legends and Overwatch, we’ve got something for you. Check out our roundup of our favorite graphics cards.

    Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti

    This is an expensive graphics card, usually found for between $800-$1000, but its price has been falling as of late. The GTX 1080 Ti is a notable upgrade over the 1060, but its price holds it back from being our recommended “best overall” graphics card. For those interested in lots of 4K gaming, though, this graphics card will not disappoint. The card has great cooling; you won’t find it running too hot like some of its premium cousins.

    This card has performance comparable to the Titan X, but without carrying the same absurd price tag. It’s worth noting that this single card isn’t quite as impressive as two standard GTX 1080’s in SLI (linked together to run as one graphics card) but it is more affordable and more easily installed and supported than an SLI set up. If you’re not afraid to spend some money and want a somewhat future-proof card for 4K gaming, this one is for you.

    AMD Radeon RX Vega 56

    The Vega 56 is an impressive card for its overall, consistently overperforming from what we expect. It is somewhat pricey thanks to BitCoin mining, but as we’ve mentioned, as that craze dies down, this card and others in its class will come down from their lofty markups. With that in mind, the Vega 56 is a fantastic choice for those looking to run Full HD gaming, consistently outperforming the Nvidia GTX 1070.

    As an investment, it is future-proofed to a degree, as it is somewhat overkill on most 1080p HD games. As 144-240 Hz monitors become more commonplace, this graphics card will begin to really shine, as it will have no trouble keeping up with such blistering refresh rates. On the downside, this one runs pretty hot, so you’ll need a hefty cooling system to keep your rig from overheating.

    As you might expect, it’s also power-hungry, so be prepared to see your power consumption go up as this card chugs away. If you want a high-end card for HD and don’t mind a bit of a price tag, consider the Vega 56.

    Our favorite overall graphics card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060

    If you want a solid graphics card to play HD games and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, look no further. The GTX 1060 won’t be blowing the other cards on this list out of the water in terms of raw performance, but what it lacks in pure power it more than makes up for in value.

    You can probably snag this part for around $300 on Amazon and you expect to see that price fall as the GPU market settles down. For that price you get a reliable card that can be overclocked to even handle 4K, as long as you have ample cooling and power to maintain it.

    On the flipside, this card doesn’t over SLI, so you won’t be pairing it with another 1060 to double its output. That said, for those who simply want a strong card for a reasonable price, the 1060 hits all the benchmarks you want it to and doesn’t compromise on overclocking.

  • Which Food Delivery App is the Best for You?

    In the past few years several companies have popped up in major cities offering to deliver food to your door from nearly every restaurant in town (for a small fee.) Whether you’re stuck at the office or just don’t feel like fighting crosstown traffic to get a sandwich, there is no shortage of delivery apps vying for your buck!

    But your time and money are valuable, and you can’t waste your lunch break waiting for a slow service. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Which of delivery app is the best choice for you? Check out our round up of our favorite food delivery apps!

    Yelp Eat 24

    Yelp’s a well-known player in the world of restaurant ratings, but you can also rely on them to deliver your food! The service is timely, and the app is clean, which are both big pluses. The app sports the usual delivery fees and minimum order prices that you’d expect, but they change by restaurant. All in all, Yelp’s service is a solid choice if they’re available in your area. That’s the best part, too: the service is in more than 1,500 cities, so odds are good you can use them! 

    GrubHub

    GrubHub has a simple, no-frills interface and a very easy-to-navigate search function. This delivery app unfortunately sports a $10 minimum for all orders, which we don’t love. This, however, is not a deal breaker. GrubHub offers a feature to track your food as it goes, which we really like! On the negative side, GrubHub is somewhat slow and, in our experience, has issues with order accuracy.

    This could all change based on your area and delivery driver, but it’s worth mentioning. That being said, GrubHub makes our list due to its ubiquity. You’ll almost always find a restaurant in your area that they can deliver from in a reasonable time. Slight inconsistencies in delivery time or customer experience could be chalked up to just how big GrubHub is, and how many drivers it has.

    Postmates

    Postmates is a pretty wide service and doesn’t specialize in just food. That said, it has a pretty great food delivery side! Postmates doesn’t do restaurant partnerships, so they’re more an “available by area” type of delivery app. They can even pick up alcohol for you, which is sweet for when you’re looking to get a party started! It’s pretty widely available, as it’s in more than 90 cities. There’s a modest fee attached to each delivery. That said, you can opt for a premium subscription that waives delivery fees for $10 from certain retailers. 

    UberEats

    Uber, best known for their ride sharing service, has wisely taken their existing driver base and repurposed it slightly to allow for food deliveries. UberEats is fast, as a general rule, getting orders to hungry customers with little hassle in our experience. Oddly, there is no option to tip your driver in this delivery app, which, while standard for Uber, is something of a bummer when you want to show your appreciation.

    UberEats, like GrubHub, offers superb tracking of your order and sports a clean, user-friendly interface. Much like their ride sharing app, UberEats is reliable and reasonably priced, and you can’t go wrong with them. They’re only slightly more expensive on average than DoorDash, which is really the only strike against them.

    Caviar

    A fancy name for a sleek app, Caviar’s a great delivery service. If they’re available in your area, they’re well worth using. They have the standard delivery fees and minimum order fees you’d expect, of course. The service, however, is quite excellent, with friendly drivers and fast deliveries. Your food will usually arrive on time and it will typically be in good condition when you get it! The only drawbacks are slightly expensive delivery fees and small number of cities covered. If you are covered, though, this is a fine service! 

    Our Favorite Delivery App: DoorDash

    Our favorite overall delivery app! DoorDash has the benefit of being inexpensive, like Uber, and generally they are very speedy! You can tip your driver in this one, which is a huge plus! This allows you to show your appreciation for your driver’s good service.

    Additionally, DoorDash has a good selection of restaurants to choose from, a clean user interface that is only occasionally difficult to use and the delivery app doesn’t have a minimum order limit. While your experience in your area may be different, regarding restaurant selection or speediness, we still find that DoorDash has the overall best service for the price!

  • The Top New Features Coming with Android P

    The Top New Features Coming with Android P

    Android P, the newest OS for Android devices, was shown in greater detail at the I/O 2018 conference. If you missed it, or just want a recap, here’s a quick rundown of the coolest new features coming with Android P!

    Gesture Navigation

    Since 2011, Android devices have utilized three navigation buttons: home, back and multitask. Android P sports only a home button, relegating other tasks to gesture control, much like the iPhone X. This might be a drawback to users accustomed to the older style, but it will surely open up screen space for more attractive app designs.

    Additionally, as iPhone users have known for years, gesture controls feel much more natural for a device meant to get out of your way. Navigation buttons feel very analog, which is at odds with a smart phone’s purpose of making things easy and quick.

    App Suggestions

    Another iOS-like feature, Android P will now intelligently use your habits and location to suggest apps to you. When you plug in headphones in the morning for your job, you may be prompted to open Spotify. When you get home and crash on the couch, Facebook could be suggested. These and other minor quality-of-life app integrations simply make your phone feel more like a natural extension of you.

    Additionally, app “slices” are going to be integrated into the core functionality of the phone, another idea inspired by Apple. For instance, when using the map to look up various places, you may see a price from Uber or Lyft, encouraging you to open that app.

    Adaptive Battery Life and Brightness

    More ways to save your battery and save you headaches, Android P is said to intelligently learn which apps you use which days and preemptively turns off apps to save battery life. Google says this technology works with Deep Mind technology, using deep learning algorithms to better suit users’ needs.

    Similarly, Android P introduces adaptive brightness, a system powered by similar learning algorithms. Between the time of day, amount of light hitting the sensor, user behavior and other factors, adaptive brightness seeks to help users manually adjust the brightness less and just enjoy their phones more.

    Best New Android Feature: App Timers and Shush

    Interestingly, Android P also comes with functionality to help you use it less. Firstly, the app dashboard will show you which apps you use the most, and which the device feels as though you are spending too much time using. Through this functionality you can set self-imposed time limits on apps, and the OS will shut them down after you have used up your self-allotted time.

    In that same vein, Android P introduces Shush functionality. Shush is similar to a Do Not Disturb mode and can be enabled by setting the phone down with its front face on a surface. In Shush mode, the phone won’t alert you of any notifications, audio or otherwise. These features are very responsible and help users more tightly control their smart phone usage.

  • 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

    01-tron

    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

    02-irobot

    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

    03-ultron

    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

    04-exmachina

    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

    05-ai

    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

    06-terminator

    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

    07-matrix

    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

    08-her

    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

    09-star-trek

    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

    10-bladerunner

    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.

  • Laptop Lookout: MSI GS65 Stealth

    Laptop Lookout: MSI GS65 Stealth

    Laptops are the cornerstone of our computing resources in this day and age. We need power, robust performance and ultimate portability for every aspect of our daily lives. This is a guide and insight to the best tablets on the market and today I’m here to talk about the GS65 Stealth. This is a  Thin   ultra-portable 15.6-inch laptop with a thin bezel gaming display and its brand new gold-and-black premium design. Its a complete laptop solution that can fit in any dynamic.

    The Great

    • Attractive, subtle design
    • Gorgeous, fast display
    • Excellent performance
    • Effective thermal management

    The Not

    • Bottom gets burning hot
    • Lack of biometric login
    • Poor  audio

    The Conclusion

    The MSI GS65 Stealth laptop is making a run at being my favorite gaming laptop. It is a powerhouse of a machine with cutting edge components, which includes an 8th-generation Intel Core i7-8750H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 GPU.

     

    Taking the reigns as the best gaming laptop is a tall task that MSi Set out on, The result is a sleek, portable 15-inch laptop within a 14-inch device that’s capable of high-end gaming as well as intense productivity work for a decent price – cheaper than key competitors.

     The Design

    There are no sharp angles or red LEDs all over this laptop, on the contrast really, you are going to l find a sleek, all-black device with subtle gold accents on its lid, within its dual hinges and surrounding its touchpad. Those gorgeous gold accents are also found highlighting the laptop’s heat vents, but nowhere else on the brushed, black aluminum frame. The result is one of the most visually arousing laptops on the market. its nice

    The Display

    It is bright and it is beautiful. 144hz panel the refresh rate is just right for seizure inducing gaming and contents of dark corridors in games just fine at even 50% brightness. Plus, MSI’s True Color 2.0 produces color gamuts that meet 100% of Adobe RGB and close to 100% of sRGB standard, and also supports game-specific color modes as well as anti-blue light modes.

    The Performance

    The H-series Intel Core i7 processor, paired with that Nvidia Max-Q GTX 1070, make quick work of everything we throw at the GS65 Stealth. Its a combination matched with the screen and design that have this laptop purring.  If it can handle a full run at Battlefront II it will surely handle your morning email parade whilst listening to Golic and Wingos morning show with power to spare.  AS far as battery goes well you should know that almost none of these gaming laptops bring decent battery life to the table, but it is quite adequate considering the teeth on this guy.

     

    MSI GS65 Stealth Quick Spec Look

    • CPU: Intel Core i7
    • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 (8GB GDDR5X VRAM, Max-Q)
    • RAM: 16GB
    • Screen: 15.6-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) anti-glare, wide-view 144Hz panel
    • Storage: 512GB M.2 SSD

    The Final Thought

    The MSI GS65 Stealth is officially the most impressive Nvidia Max-Q gaming laptop that I’ve tested.  Only the Razor blade pro can even compare. GS65 Stealth with lots of pre-loaded software, but it artfully avoids ‘bloatware’ status by providing functionality that’s actually useful. Its sleek, pretty and great as a everyday work laptop as well as a monster for gaming. Its reasonably priced and considering everything it is an incredible value.

     

  • 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.