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Gadget News

Emoji is the latest book from the Standards Manual design duo

4/30/2018

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Emoji is the latest book from the Standards Manual design duo

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Jesse Reed and Hamish Smyth, the design duo behind the republished MTA, NASA, and EPA standards manuals, are back with a new book: Emoji, a collection of the original 176 emoji characters.

The original emoji were designed by Shigetaka Kurita for Japanese telecommunications company DoCoMo in 1999 to use on pages in Japan. Those small, pixelated 12-by-12 grid images only bear a passing resemblance to today’s far more detailed emoji, but there’s a clear line that can be drawn between Kurita’s early work and the thousands of emoji characters on our phones. Kurita has been involved in the project; Reed and Smyth flew out to Tokyo to interview him for additional context on the original designs, and he’ll also be contributing an introduction to the book.

Reed and Smyth aren’t the first to realize the artistic importance of the original emoji. In 2016, the Museum of Modern Art in New York bought the original emoji artwork to add to its permanent collection. (Paola Antonelli and Paul Galloway from MoMA will also be penning an essay for the book.)

Emoji represents a bit of a shift for the pair, who have risen to design-world fame through their standards manuals. In an interview with The Verge, Reed and Smyth noted that they “liked the idea of doing something a little bit different here,” describing their goals as publishers to “archive and preserve lost artifacts and forgotten pieces of time.” It’s something that they have already started to do with the Standards Manual store in Brooklyn, which showcases and sells an extensive collection of graphic design works.

Along with the book, there will be an iOS and Android keyboard extension

The book itself is set to be 360 pages long, featuring four versions of each emoji: color and black-and-white copies at the original 1:1 scale, an enlarged version in color, and an enlarged version in black and white with the underlying 12-by-12 grid. (The larger versions are made possible because the original emoji characters are actually vector art, so it’s easy to create blown-up versions without losing image quality.) Additionally, technical data from DoCoMo will be presented alongside each character.

Along with the book, Reed and Smyth are also releasing a keyboard extension for iOS and Android that will allow users to send these emoji, which will mark the first time that users outside of Japan will be able to send and receive the original 176 emoji characters. Backers will receive a free copy of the app. (It will also be sold on the iOS and Android app stores when the book ships this fall.)

Emoji is available to back Kickstarter for an early bird price of $65, (or $75 at full price once those run out), with an estimated release date of October 2018. As with all Kickstarter projects, there is always the possibility that something could go wrong, so use your best judgment. However, Reed and Smyth do have an excellent track record with other Kickstarter book releases, so there’s definitely less concern here.





Gadget News

via The Verge https://ift.tt/1jLudMg

April 30, 2018 at 08:18AM
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What to look for when buying a tablet as a laptop replacement

4/30/2018

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What to look for when buying a tablet as a laptop replacement

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Engadget

Tablets didn't exactly take over the computing world, as Apple and Microsoft had predicted years ago. But they have been evolving to the point where they can fill in for a laptop under the right circumstances. Still, how do you ensure that the tablet you buy is good enough for you to leave conventional PCs behind? It's not always easy -- a tablet that's powerful enough for one person might be overly complicated for another. We have some tips to help you navigate the shopping maze.

What will you use it for?

Before price, size, or virtually any other factor, there's one overriding question when deciding on a tablet: What do you intend to do with it? That's an important consideration with many tech purchases, but it's absolutely essential with tablets. Spend too little and you may get a device that can't run a must-have app; spend too much and you may see little gain, or maybe even introduce some unnecessary headaches.

The decision is easiest if you sit at one of the extremes of computer use -- that is, if you're either very demanding of your devices or very gentle. If you're looking for a tablet that can serve as a mobile media-editing rig (such as on a movie set), or your workflow demands that you juggle several apps at once, go with a high-end Windows tablet like Microsoft's Surface Pro or Samsung's Galaxy Book. You'll be frustrated with anything less than a desktop operating system and as much processing power as you can get. If you're only browsing the web, checking Facebook or writing the occasional email, just about any mobile tablet will fit the bill, so long as it meets your other criteria.

It's trickier when your demands fall somewhere in between. As a rule of thumb, expect to buy a higher-end tablet (typically $500 or higher without a keyboard) if you intend to regularly create anything audiovisual, even if it's just to indulge in a hobby. You'll want to spend a similar amount if you often run two or more apps at the same time. Tablets in the $500-plus category often have the additional memory, storage and computing hardware to smoothly handle intensive tasks.

At the same time, be careful not to overestimate the amount of power you need. There are many tasks where just about any reasonably powerful device will do -- a current-generation Android tablet or iPad in the $300–$500 range is more than capable of running productivity apps like Google Docs or Microsoft Word while you catch up on Netflix. It might even be adequate for frequent side-by-side multitasking if the most demanding apps you'll run are web browsers and chat clients. Just don't go significantly lower than $300. As of this writing, most entry-level mobile tablets still tend to fall short on the performance, memory and storage you need for demanding tasks.

And yes, even the software could be overkill. While desktop operating systems are more powerful when it comes to multitasking and file management, they also tend to come with non-touch-interface elements, device driver headaches and other hassles that are par for the course with PCs. If you don't have a particular need for desktop-level features or are buying a tablet precisely to avoid PC woes, it may be best to stick with Android tablets or iPads.

Keyboard support is crucial

A tablet isn't really a laptop replacement unless you have a keyboard to go with it, and that makes keyboard support a vital part of your purchasing decision. You ideally want a tablet-and-keyboard combination that's painless to attach, unintrusive when it's not needed and, of course, a joy to type on.

The best tablets in this category usually have a keyboard-friendly connector on one side, such as the iPad Pro and Surface Pro. Your keyboard will be ready the moment it's connected, won't require charging and (usually) stays firmly attached without requiring a bulky case. You do tend to be shoehorned into buying proprietary keyboards as a result, but they're often good keyboards. The Surface Pro's optional Type Cover keyboard is considered the gold standard, with its large, comfortable keys, a reliable trackpad and a detachable design that doubles as a screen cover. The iPad Pro's Smart Keyboard isn't on the same level (the fabric-like key covers can be off-putting, and there's no trackpad), but it's still comfy for extended typing sessions. Also important: There are alternative keyboards like Logitech's Slim Combo ($130 for the 10.5-inch iPad).

But what if you don't want to be limited by a connector and don't mind having to recharge your keyboard? Your options for tablets broaden considerably after that, but it's still a good idea to pick carefully -- look at the keyboard ecosystem for a given tablet before you jump in. Ideally, you'll find a variety of keyboards designed with your tablet in mind. Generic keyboard add-ons rarely fit well, and many of them are really desktop keyboards that just happen to pair with your tablet. You probably won't enjoy carrying two distinct devices in your bag every time you want to get some writing done.

Apple tends to dominate in this regard: Even the regular iPad has plenty of keyboard cases, often from big-name accessory makers like Logitech. However, that's not to say there aren't options elsewhere. The Surface Pro has choices like Brydge's $150 Bluetooth keyboard, while Samsung's Galaxy Tab S3 has a few basic keyboard cases available (like Pasonomi's $30 leather folio) as well. If you only see generic keyboards for a particular tablet, though, you may want to pass on that device -- the typing experience is just that important.

Choose your display size carefully

It's tempting to go with the largest display you can get, since tablet screen sizes usually end where laptop sizes begin. The reality is more complicated. You're typically buying a tablet for the flexibility and mobility it offers over a laptop, and that doesn't always mean going big.

If your priority is choosing something more portable than a typical laptop, you'll usually want to consider a tablet screen between 9 and 11 inches. They're compact enough at that size to easily slip into a bag, and light enough that you won't mind using them handheld. At the same time, they're usually large enough that you won't have to squint at the screen or cramp your fingers on a tiny keyboard.

You'll mainly want to consider a 12-inch tablet or larger if you're looking for a professional workhorse. Media-editing suites and other intensive apps often take advantage of every extra inch of visual real estate you can offer. And many of these tablets are simply too ungainly by themselves to be handheld for very long. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro in particular feels like you're holding a dinner tray, while the slightly smaller Surface Pro isn't far behind. Think of them more as laptops that happen to be useful as tablets in a pinch.

And in case it wasn't already clear, you'll want to avoid using any tablets smaller than 9 inches as laptop replacements. The dimensions are just too limiting for laptop-like apps, especially those that demand a keyboard. Moreover, finding a genuinely powerful tablet in this size is difficult to find. The iPad mini 4 is aging and clearly on its way out, while a tablet like the Galaxy Tab A is just not going to have the computing power to take over from a laptop.

Consider the little things: pens and expansion

While the keyboard is undoubtedly the most important add-on here, there are other accessories that you'll want to consider. Pen input is definitely worth investigating. After all, tablets are typically much easier to hold than laptops when you're drawing or taking notes. If you think you'll want to put pen to screen at any point, it's worth investing in a tablet with stylus support built in. How much you'll need to pay will depend on just what you expect to do, though. If you intend to use it only for the occasional sketch, a basic device like the standard iPad will do the trick.

Just be prepared to pay a premium if a pen will be a regular part of your workflow. The iPad Pro's gapless display and high refresh rate give it an edge in digital art (where you want a close connection between the pen and what happens onscreen), while the Surface Pro's tight OneNote integration could be vital if you're drawing diagrams for business meetings or class notes.

You'll also want to take a close look at expansion, both in terms of available ports and the adapters you can buy. As a rule of thumb, Windows-based tablets tend to reign supreme in this space. They often have the ports and peripheral compatibility that you'd expect from a conventional computer, and that means features that would be unthinkable on mobile OS–based slates. Take the Surface Pro as an example: Its Mini DisplayPort lets you hook up external monitors, and the USB port should work with virtually any Windows-ready peripheral under the sun (including docking stations for more peripherals). If you can't imagine parting with a second display, a mouse, wired networking or other creature comforts of PC life, Android tablets and iPads shouldn't even be on your radar.

This isn't to say that you're out of luck for peripherals with mobile tablets, but you'll likely have to budget for dongles if you buy one. Be sure to check a tablet's support for those adapters. While you can generally assume Apple will offer Lightning-based dongles for features like card readers and video mirroring, you'll want to double-check that your Android tablet of choice will support the adapters you want. Samsung's Android-based devices don't always support MHL video output, for instance, so you'd have to rely on wireless video sharing.

Think about your storage options, too. If you think your storage needs might grow, or you want to easily swap out your files, look for a tablet with a microSD card slot. Some Android and Windows tablets have these, but it's not a given. You're out of luck for simple removable storage if you're buying an iPad, so you may want to buy the most storage you can afford.

And whichever tablet you choose, consider the availability of other accessories in the same way you might shop for other mobile devices. How many cases are available? Are there specialized creative add-ons like Microsoft's Surface Dial? You'll usually have plenty of choices if you stick to large brands like Apple or Samsung, but you'll want to pay close attention if you either have particular demands or pick a less common brand. A tablet at this level is frequently a Swiss Army Knife -- you want it to handle as many tasks as possible.





Gadget News

via Engadget http://www.engadget.com

April 30, 2018 at 08:06AM
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Here Are the Features You Should Care About in Microsoft's Windows 10 April 2018 Update

4/30/2018

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Here Are the Features You Should Care About in Microsoft's Windows 10 April 2018 Update

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Microsoft’s big Windows update—not a “spring” update,” but the more boringly named “Windows 10 April 2018" update—arrives today for eager Windows users who manually trigger the update for their desktops and laptops.

Once you’ve installed it, assuming you’re not waiting until May 8 for Microsoft to start rolling out the update to your system, there are a lot of new features to play around with. Instead of wasting hours trying to figure out what Microsoft has changed, here’s a quick overview of everything worth knowing about in the Windows 10 April 2018 update—and how to find it.


Near Share: Like AirDrop for Windows

While we’ll still never have a great way to drag-and-drop files from a MacBook to a Windows system—not unless you use a third-party service like Dropbox or Google Drive—Microsoft is finally adding Near Share, its own AirDrop-like setup to Windows desktops and laptops.

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This feature arrives by default once you install the big Windows 10 update, so you’ll want to click on the Start button, type in “nearby,” and select the “Change shared experience settings” option. Flip Nearby sharing to “On,” and decide whether you only want to send and receive content from devices you own (tied to your Microsoft account, of course) or any nearby devices.

From there, you can right-click on files and select the “Share” option within File Explorer to send them to other nearby devices. You can also use the Share button within an app, like Microsoft Edge, for example.


Focus Assist: Turn Off Distractions

Windows 10 loves to drop those little “check me out” messages in the lower-right corner. And if you’ve tied your online accounts to the operating system’s native apps, like Mail, that “ding look at me” sound and pop-up box is probably starting to drive you a bit batty. With Focus Assist, you can flip off Windows’ more attention-grabbing notifications when you need to work.

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To activate it, click on the Start button, type in “focus,” and select the “Focus assist settings” option. In the window that appears, you’ll be able to turn on Focus Assist–either to block all notifications (except for alarms) or to only allow Windows to show you notifications from a specific list of apps, people, or linked (non-iOS) smartphones.

You can also choose to automatically turn on Focus Assist during certain times of the day or certain activities you’re doing, which can help ensure that notifications don’t disrupt your important work presentation (or Overwatch match).


Timeline: Track Your Stuff From the Past 30 Days

Microsoft has now given Windows 10 a digital Time Stone, allowing you to see what you’ve been up to over the past 30 days—with a few caveats.

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If you’re heavily bought into Microsoft’s ecosystem, Timeline is a useful way to pull up things you previously worked on: documents or spreadsheets on your desktop or a website you were looking at using Edge on your smartphone, for example. Hit the Windows logo key+Tab (or the Task View button in your taskbar, to the right of Cortana’s search box), and up pops your timeline. You’ll see things you worked on, organized by day, and you can click any item to immediately jump to that file or website.

The problem? I’m a little confused as to how Windows picks what items get to your timeline. Similarly, it appears that Timeline only supports Microsoft’s own apps. For example, Timeline isn’t going to show you some Steam game you played 25 days ago, that one you tried out for a few minutes and swore to play again (but forgot the name of it). You aren’t going to be able to find that interesting website you were reading in Chrome yesterday before you had to close your browser and run out. That huge layered Photoshop image you were working on last week? Hope you remembered where you saved it.

If you use a ton of Microsoft apps, your timeline might look a little something like this:

If you’re like me, and you have a variety of different apps you use to accomplish tasks on your PC, your timeline might look a little... sparser:

While I applaud Microsoft’s attempts with Timeline, I can only hope that the company expands its functionality in the future to include all things you do on the Windows operating system—if that’s even technologically possible. Otherwise, it’s a fun improvement for Task View, but one that isn’t all that useful unless you’re playing in Microsoft’s walled garden.


Microsoft Edge: Finally, Tab Muting

For the few of you that use Windows’ built-in web browser, Microsoft’s update adds a number of critical improvements to Edge, bringing it closer to parity with Google’s Chrome and Mozilla’s Firefox. These include:

Tab Muting

Just click the audio icon to mute and unmute tabs with stupid autoplay videos that don’t mute by default.

Clutter-Free Printing

If you’re tired of websites looking like crap when you go to make hard copies (or archive PDFs) of their content, Edge’s new clutter-free printing option, found in the print dialogue box, can greatly pretty up your page.

Clutter-free printing off
Clutter-free printing on
1 / 2

Full-Screen Reading

Yes, F11 actually does something now.

Autofill for Credit Cards

Even though you might be a little apprehensive about entering your credit card details into a web browser, Edge now allows you to do just that. And when you’re shopping at an online site that supports autofill, you’ll be able to input your credit card information, address, and other key details without having to type everything in manually.


Tinier Tweaks

There are a bunch of smaller tweaks and updates arriving as part of Microsoft’s Windows 10 April 2018. Though they aren’t huge on their own, they’re still worth knowing about. Our favorites include:

Use Cortana to Control Spotify

Not only does Cortana support a number of new smart home devices, but if you ask Microsoft’s virtual assistant to, say, “play some chill music on Spotify,” you’ll get walked through the process of pairing Cortana to the music service to unlock new voice controls.

Game Bar

Hit the Windows key+G when you’re gaming and you’ll see Microsoft’s new redesign for its Game Bar. Start a video recording of your race, save a highlight video of that awesome goal you just scored, or kick off a broadcast so you can show all your friends how terrible you are at Hearthstone. The Game Bar also (finally) supports a dark theme, which you can flip on from its Settings menu.

Windows HD Color

Windows 10 now supports even more HDR-compatible displays, and you can use a new calibration tool to ensure you’re getting as beautiful an image as possible. (I’m not fancy enough to have an HDR monitor, alas, so no screenshots just yet.)

Local Account Password Recovery

This one’s a biggie. If you didn’t create (or authenticate into Windows) with a Microsoft account, you used a local account. And if you forgot the password to your local account, you were screwed. Now, thanks to Microsoft’s big update, you can set three security questions that can save your bacon if you’re having trouble with (what you thought was) your regular password.

Enhanced Privacy

You can now view the diagnostics data Microsoft has collected about your system from the Diagnostics & Feedback menu in Windows’ Privacy settings. (Type “privacy” after hitting the Start button to find it.) You can elect to send Microsoft “basic” or “full” data, and Windows spells out the differences between the two; view the aforementioned diagnostic data; and delete it all just with the click of your mouse.

Granular Graphics Controls

Pull up Windows’ Settings screen, then click on System and Display. Scroll down and click on the Graphics Settings option. You’ll now go to a screen where you’ll be able to tell Windows whether it should use your integrated graphics or your souped-up discrete graphics card for specific apps and games. While you should probably just let Windows manage this itself, the fine-tuning can help you save some battery life (and heat) if you’re playing a less-intensive game that doesn’t need discrete graphics for great gameplay.

Pin More People

You can now pin up to ten contacts to the lower-right corner of Windows taskbar. Clicking on their name makes it easy to fire off a quick email, view their extended contact information, or see what upcoming events you have together.

Autocorrect and Text Suggestions

Click the Start button, type in “typing,” and pull up Windows’ Typing settings options. Scroll down a little and you’ll see two new options: text suggestions and autocorrections for anything you type on a hardware keyboard. I find the latter more helpful than the former, as it’s a little clunky to move your hands from keyboard to mouse just to input a text suggestion—unless you’re using a touchscreen device, which feels a bit more natural.





Gadget News

via Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com

April 30, 2018 at 08:04AM
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Tell Us Your Rome Travel Tips

4/30/2018

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Tell Us Your Rome Travel Tips

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The view from the Vatican

Tip: There are actually lots of roads that don’t lead to Rome. If you are headed to Rome, please do not just start walking down Lombard Street and expect to end up at your destination. It is a MYTH.

Each Monday on Hack Your City, we ask readers for your best tips on a city: driving tips, restaurant recs, things to do, and any other advice for visitors and locals. Then on Thursday, we present the best comments. We’re working our way around the U.S. and around the globe.

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Friends, and Romans, and also countrymen, please lend us your tips for visiting the city. When we visit famous places like the Colosseum and the Pantheon, what should we look out for or avoid? How do you suck the marrow from some of the world’s most popular tourist attractions?

How do you get around Rome, how do you deal with the city’s quirks, and what should visitors from other countries be aware of? What are the laws and customs, and how do the lives of the visitors intersect with those of the residents?

What are the overlooked parts of the city, the restaurants and cafés and shops that deserve more attention? Where should people stay? And where should they venture right outside of Rome?

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As always, we especially love tips for living in the city longterm. What are the tips that the tourists don’t need, but the locals do?

Tell us below, and come back Thursday for a list of the best reader tips.





Gadget News

via Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com

April 30, 2018 at 08:04AM
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Graduation Gift Guide 2018

4/30/2018

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Graduation Gift Guide 2018

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Cast Iron Skillet

Everyone needs a good cast iron skillet in their kitchen, and if your loved one doesn't have one yet, now is as good a time as ever to make that happen.
Price: ~$16

Amazon

Etymotic ear plugs

These are great if you want to protect your hearing, but you still want to hear the concert you’re going to. They uniformly lower the volume of sound you hear without muffling it, so it still sounds good, just quieter.
Price: ~$14

Amazon

Walmart

Exploding Kittens

If you have some particularly cocky friends who smugly say they're better at your favorite games than you are, challenge them to this board game. Exploding Kittens requires minimal skill and mostly luck. Enjoy that good-natured sabotage!
Price: ~$20

Amazon

Target

Microfiber cloths

The difference between scrappy and polished may be as simple as a clear pair of glasses or a clean phone screen. Get a 3-pack to clean all your glass surfaces: camera lens, tablet, computer screen... the list goes on.
Price: ~$5

Amazon

Muji pens

Sometimes you do need to write on pen and paper, and these pens make that experience more enjoyable. They leave dark and precise lines on a page, but just don't accidentally let your hand trail across the letters as they will leave a smudge.
Price: ~$12

Amazon

OnePlus Bullets V2

These are cheap earbuds that deliver decent sound for their price point. If you're the kind of person who often loses earbuds but still wants decent sound, this is a great replacement for the ones you've lost.
Price: ~$20

OnePlus

eBay

Racor B-1R Solo Vertical Bike Rack

Every square foot in your home is valuable. This little rack lets you store your bike vertically on the wall, so you can reclaim precious floor space and make the most of where you call home.
Price: ~$20

Amazon

Jet

Thermos Intake water bottle

The gift of hydration never goes out of style, especially when you're on the run between college classes, job interviews, or just life in general.
Price: ~$10

Amazon

Wrist ruler wristband

Blend form and function with the Wrist Ruler, a stylish leather bracelet that conviently includes inch and centimeter marking, just in case you need to take some measurements on the go.
Price: ~$20

I Love Handles

Amazon

Anker PowerCore+ 10050

It’s small enough to fit in your pocket and not only has enough power to charge your phone up more than once, but also has Quick Charge so it'll charge faster as well.
Price: ~$35

Amazon

Amazon

Matterhorn glass

There are probably better glasses out there for properly drinking whiskey, but none beat the Matterhorn glass when it comes to style. Even if you're not drinking your beverage of choice on the rocks, at least the cold spirit of the mountains will be with you.
Price: $25

Tale Design

Picnic Time Vista blanket

This modern picnic blanket zips up into a tote-sized square, making it easy to carry and break out for a relaxing afternoon or movie in the park.
Price: ~$30

Amazon

Rocketbook Everlast notebooks

You may have four different devices to capture notes digitally, but sometimes a traditional pen and notebook is still the best option. Rocketbook's Everlast notebook helps bridge that analog and digital divide by letting you sync your handwritten notes with an app on your phone. It is also endlessly reusable — just wipe your notes off with a wet cloth (after you've backed them up!) and start anew.
Price: ~$32

Amazon

Walmart

Small med kit

It's always a good idea to have an emergency kit on hand, and this one packs 228 pieces in a compact, waterproof EVA case so you can bring it anywhere.
Price: ~$28

Amazon

Sony USB C flash drive

USB-C is still a diaster of a specification, which is why you might want to hedge your bets. This double-ended USB-C flash drive has a regular USB port on the other side, meaning that you'll be able to copy your files no matter what computer you run into.
Price: ~$32

Amazon

B&H

Sunrise Alarm Clock

For those who don't have a window that bursts full of natural light at 7 in the morning, every single morning, you can get this alarm clock to wake you with simulated natural light. It's easy to set up and use, and it lets you set peaceful sounds to wake up to. It can also double as a lamp.
Price: ~$30

Amazon

eBay

Tales from the Loop

Have you ever wanted to be one of the kids in Stranger Things? This tabletop role playing game lets you do that as you take on the role of kids living in a retro futuristic 1980s suburbia where all sorts of strange things can happen.
Price: ~$49

Modiphius

Best Buy

Verge merch

If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, this time of year means warm weather clothes like tank tops, but if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere it means warming clothes like hoodies. Good news, the Verge store has both those things and more! Be sure to use the discount code: Grad2018 at checkout.
Price: $10 to $45

The Verge

Instant Pot Duo

This cult favorite pressure-cooker is a dream for anyone who values their time. It’s a versatile multi-cooker which lets you dump a bunch of ingredients in it for an easy one-pot meal.
Price: ~$80

Amazon

Target

LL Bean Deluxe backpack

There's a reason that LL Bean has been selling its standard backpack to students for decades — it's a proven, time-trialed design that can take whatever knocks you throw at it. Buy one now, and you'll probably have it for decades yourself.
Price: $40

LL Bean

NASA Graphics Standards Manual poster

NASA's iconic logo famously decorated the sides of rockets and space shuttles — now, with these gorgeous posters, it can also add some space age style to your walls.
Price: $78

Best Made

This is Ground Paperback Writer

Trade that worn out wallet for this professional-looking leather notebook holder that can store your cards, cash, and a pen and paper to jot down last minute thoughts before going into that job interview.
Price: $75

This is Ground

Amazon

Thor Hammer tool box

Regular brain: What if I had a tool box?
Galaxy brain: What if I had Mjölnir as a hammer for a tool box?
Universe brain: What if Mjölnir was the tool box?
Price: ~$100

ThinkGeek

Best Buy

Trunk Club

Shopping is awful — so have someone else do it. Tell the stylist your size and that you're looking for some profesh-type clothes for your first job and a box will show up at your home, packed full of 'em. You don't have to buy them all — send back the ones you hate — but it's an easy start to some wardrobe basics.
Price: $100

Trunk Club

UE Wonderboom

These adorable Bluetooth speakers come in a multitude of candy colors, and 10 hours of battery life doesn’t hurt either.
Price: ~$55

Amazon

Walmart

Western Digital portable hard drive

Back up your computer. Losing all your files sucks, and backing up your stuff to an external hard drive is the best and easiest way to make sure that if diaster strikes your laptop, your hard-earned school notes and resume files won't be lost forever. Future you thanks you in advance.
Price: ~$50

Amazon

Best Buy

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

The Kindle Paperwhite is a great ebook reader with a nice, crisp screen perfect for catching up on your reading list anywhere you find yourself. It's comforting to have a small library at your disposal in your back pocket when you have some down time.
Price: ~$120

Amazon

Bed Bath and Beyond

Cambridge Satchel Company 14" satchel

Look sophisticated with this lovely satchel that's big enough to cart around as an everyday bag. Best of all, it's customizable. So you can hot stamp your initials and even a little puppy icon to really make it yours.
Price: $240

Cambridge Satchel

Amazon

Fuji SQ10

This camera takes delightful little square photographs like the Polaroids of yesteryear. It's a nice analog touch that lets you take thoughtful pictures rather than being trigger happy all the time.
Price: ~$230

Amazon

Best Buy

Moto G5S Plus

Okay enough $800+ devices, let's talk the value champion of phones. The Moto G5S Plus gets you flagship-like features, a long battery life, and the only trade-off is a less than great camera.
Price: ~$250

Best Buy

Gamestop

Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch is a revolutionary console — one that not only has incredible games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Super Mario Odyssey, but that lets you play them anywhere on the go. Your boring commute will never be the same.
Price: $299

Amazon

Bed Bath and Beyond

Nomatic travel bag

This bag has got all the essentials you need for travel and then some: a foldable laundry bag, detachable waist straps, compartments for your shoes, clothes, socks, underwear, laptop, and passport. And to top it off, it's carry-on size so you don't have to check in this backpack/duffle bag hybrid.
Price: ~$230

Nomatic

Amazon

Skagen Hagen and Karolina watches

Sometimes you just need a watch that can tell the time. So why not get one that will look really good, too?
Price: $155

Skagen

Skagen

Acer Predator Helios 300

This gaming laptop is a great deal for the price, as it has a decent GPU, processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD. Sure, it's so red it screams GAMING LAPTOP, but if you're buying a laptop for its performance, budget price, and not for its looks, this is a winner.
Price: $1,049

Amazon

B&H

Apple iPad and Pencil

Perfect for taking notes in class or sneaking in a quick doodle when you're on the go. If you want to feel more like you're writing on a notepad, you can also get matte screen protectors that make the glass feel more like paper.
Price: $329

B&H

Apple iPhone 8

If you need to upgrade your old iPhone, but think the iPhone X has an unsightly notch, the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are two of the best phones available now.
Price: $799

Best Buy

Apple MacBook Pro (no touchbar)

If you're looking to buy an Apple laptop right now, your choice is simple: the new MacBook Pro. The cheaper model skips the hassle of the touchbar for the tactile reliability of keys, but keeps the ultra-slim design and incredible screen for what might be Apple's best laptop yet.
Price: $1,049

Apple

B&H

ASUS Chromebook Flip C302

The ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 is decently made with a fast processor and a backlit keyboard. If you need an extremely portable notebook, this is a solid choice.
Price: $469

Amazon

A Financial Planner

Whether you're just starting a new job or have just finished school, it's never too early to start planning for your future. But sometimes it's better to call in an expert who can come up with a working plan for your finances that adapts to your needs. That way you can draw on the person's knowledge and background so you can face your financial future with a calm sense of control.
Price: ~$1,000+

Microsoft Surface Laptop

Microsoft's Surface Laptop doesn't have the latest and greatest processors and isn't going to be good for gaming. But if you need a straight-forward laptop that's comfortable to use, plenty fast enough for multitasking, and has a battery that will last all day, the Surface Laptop is hard to beat.
Price: $1,299

Microsoft

Verizon

Samsung Galaxy S9

Samsung made a sleek, beautiful phone with a headphone jack and an easier-to-reach fingerprint sensor. It's a premium flagship Android device that serves you pretty well, even if Bixby is still there.
Price: ~$720

Samsung

Best Buy

Sony 1000X M2

These are some of the best noise cancelling headphones out there. At a steep $350, you must really want to shut out noises from the outside world, but the splurge is worth it once you do.
Price: $348

Amazon

B&H





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April 30, 2018 at 08:03AM
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Ming-Chi Kuo May Lessen Focus on Apple Following Reported Departure From KGI Securities

4/30/2018

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Ming-Chi Kuo May Lessen Focus on Apple Following Reported Departure From KGI Securities

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Ming-Chi Kuo, widely considered to be one of the best analysts covering Apple, may no longer focus his research on the iPhone maker.

Kuo speaking on behalf of DigiTimes

China Times reports that Kuo resigned from Taiwanese research firm KGI Securities on Friday and, while his next move is uncertain, the publication suggests he will focus less on Apple and more on other emerging industries.

Kuo has been one of the most prolific sources of rumors about Apple's unreleased products and services since as early as 2010, when he was a senior analyst at industry publication DigiTimes. He briefly covered Apple for Concord Securities in 2011, before moving to KGI Securities in early 2012.

Congratulations to Ming Chi-Kuo (the best analyst covering Apple) who is leaving KGI for another firm, and reportedly moving on to cover innovative non-Apple companies. https://t.co/m55yUVQSGG

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) April 30, 2018

Kuo's research notes typically relayed information gathered from Apple's supply chain partners in Taiwan and other Asian countries. This information frequently allowed Kuo to accurately predict upcoming products on Apple's roadmap, although specific details and release dates were occasionally inaccurate.

While he doesn't have a perfect track record, our archive of Kuo's research notes reveals several high-profile rumors that proved to be accurate. In March 2016, nearly two years prior to the iPhone X, for example, he said Apple was developing a new iPhone with a 5.8-inch OLED display, glass back, and metal frame.

Later in 2016, he shared a laundry list of predictions about the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, including the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack, a new glossy Jet Black color option, stereo speakers, and improved water resistance.

Kuo also accurately forecasted the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, Apple Watch Series 2 with GPS, iPhone SE, Apple Pencil, 12-inch MacBook, and MacBook Pro models with a Touch Bar and Touch ID, and the MacBook Pro with Retina display. In between, he's shared tidbits about an iPod touch refresh with new colors and white front bezels.

If the news about Kuo is accurate, one has to wonder whether Apple had any involvement with his decision to step down. A few weeks ago, the company distributed an internal memo warning its own employees about the repercussions of leaking insider information, in an effort to maintain its culture of secrecy.

Kuo has yet to publicly comment on the report, and it's possible he may continue to cover Apple to at least some extent in the future.

Tags: KGI Securities, Ming-Chi Kuo, chinatimes.com

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April 30, 2018 at 08:02AM
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Protect your favorite gear with these water-resistant Pelican cases on sale today

4/30/2018

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Protect your favorite gear with these water-resistant Pelican cases on sale today

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One of Amazon's daily Gold Box deals features a selection Pelican cases and luggage. These cases come in a variety of sizes, prices, and purposes. Some are waterproof dry boxes, some are filled with foam for tight packing, and some are designed to fit in standard overhead bins. This is a one-day only sale.

Here's a few of the ones on sale:

  • Pelicase 1610 for $202.49 (from $270)
  • 1300 Camera Case for $37.54 (from $50)
  • 1510 Case with Foam for $119.96 (from $160)

No matter the case, Pelican covers them all with a lifetime warranty. Check out the full sale for all the other possibilities.

See on Amazon





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via iMore - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch blog https://www.imore.com/

April 30, 2018 at 07:55AM
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The Tunai Drum earphones provide an exciting listen for just $33

4/30/2018

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The Tunai Drum earphones provide an exciting listen for just $33

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In case your portable audio budget doesn’t quite stretch to the heights of Shure’s new $1,999 KSE1200, here’s a more attainable alternative: the $33 Tunai Drum. These earphones surfaced on my horizon courtesy of a Kickstarter campaign that had them going for as cheap as $9 for the earliest backers. I was curious to hear how much headphone one gets for such minimal cost, and it turned out that the Drum give you a hell of a lot. Lots of bass, lots of fun, and very little to complain about.

7.5 Verge Score

Good Stuff

  • Lightweight, but sturdy build
  • Easy fit
  • Brimming with bass

Bad Stuff

  • Recessed mids
  • Bass sometimes feels bloated
  • Sound leakage

Most people these days have multiple pairs of headphones and earphones. Some are fancier than others — we can differ in our preferences — but as a general rule, everyone needs a disposable pair that they can toss in their bag without a protective case or much care. This is the role that the Tunai Drum are ready to step into. They’re made out of simple, generic plastics, which makes them featherlight and quite durable. They also don’t exhibit any obvious branding and come in a choice of highlight colors.

The wire is vehemently resistant to tangling and kinks, and each earpiece feels rigid and durable. I’ve not been particularly kind to these earphones in the three weeks I’ve had them for testing, and they’ve endured tumbling around inside my backpack without a scratch or a blemish. The spot at which the cable attaches to the earphones isn’t protected by any sort of strain relief, and could thus be a potential point of failure, but I doubt that will be a problem without some truly awful calamity befalling these earphones.

The light weight of the Drum makes them easy to fit and comfortable to wear for long periods of time. I like the silicone tips provided in the box, and I expect most people will find a good fit with them. The wire doesn’t weigh these earphones down at all, making for a hassle-free experience of using and wearing them. I might have liked to see a volume control integrated rather than just the play/pause button and microphone, but in the current age of needing a dongle for most phones, a proper remote control probably would have been incompatible with a bunch of devices anyway. The only real downside to the Drum’s design is that they do leak out sound when I turn my music up, more so than a solid metal enclosure might allow.

If I sound especially forgiving about the Drum’s few deficiencies, that’s because I am. These earphones do the one thing I advocate all headphones should: they emphasize the bass. Their sound is sweet and enjoyable, easy to get into right away and also easy to disregard when you need to focus on something else. Mind you, it’s nothing groundbreaking or hi-fi (despite the Hi-Res Audio certification that Tunai touts for the Drum), as that bass can feel bloated and imprecise at times. The tuning of these earphones also pushes back the mids, which deadens vocals and makes the sound feel veiled. There’s not a huge deal of treble extension, though there’s enough to provide some high end excitement to contrast the bass.

In genre terms, don’t bother with these if you’re a classical or jazz music enthusiast, but feel free to buy half a dozen if your preferences lie closer to hip hop, EDM, or distorted rock guitar.

Photography by Vlad Savov / The Verge

Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy.





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April 30, 2018 at 07:35AM
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New 13-inch MacBook Air production reportedly pushed into second half of 2018

4/30/2018

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New 13-inch MacBook Air production reportedly pushed into second half of 2018

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New 13-inch MacBook Air production reportedly pushed into second half of 2018

By Malcolm Owen
Monday, April 30, 2018, 05:03 am PT (08:03 am ET)

Apple has yet to start mass production on a rumored MacBook Air refresh, according to a supply chain report, with volume manufacturing for the notebook allegedly delayed to sometime in the second half of 2018 instead of commencing in the second quarter.



Supply chain partners were apparently informed of the slip in production schedule by Apple, according to sources of DigiTimes. The delay pushes back the rumored model's manufacturing to some point later this year, though exactly when is unknown.

It is claimed Apple did not provide an explanation to vendors for why the production timeline changed. Report sources speculate it could have been caused by shortages of some key components for the notebook, such as processors and other chips.

The deferred manufacturing will apparently cause firms in the supply chain to hold on to more components than usual, while related production lines will be underutilized for the immediate future. It is believed vendors will be affected until Apple starts accepting shipments again, which sources suggest could occur in the third quarter.

As volume production for the annual iPhone refresh is also expected to ramp up in the third quarter, this may cause an employment issue at later manufacturing stages. Downstream assemblers in China may have to compete against each other to assemble the necessary workforce to produce both the iPhone and MacBook Air.

A lower-cost MacBook Air update has been rumored for a short while, with initial suggestions pointing to a second-quarter 2018 update for the product line. Considering the timing of the report, a "second half of 2018" prediction for manufacturing isn't that significant, as the second half of Apple's fiscal year is upon us on Tuesday, with the calendar year turning over in two months.

The new model is expected to be priced in line with, or slightly above, the current generation MacBook Air's starting price of $999 for a 128GB-capacity storage model. A more expensive version with double the onboard flash storage could sell for $1,199.

The key feature for the model is a speculated resolution jump for the display, moving from 1,440 by 900 pixels in the current generation to a Retina-level 2,560-by-1,600-pixel LG-produced screen, possibly produced by LG.




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April 30, 2018 at 07:09AM
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Windows 10 April 2018 Update: the 10 best new features

4/30/2018

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Windows 10 April 2018 Update: the 10 best new features

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Microsoft’s latest Windows 10 update is arriving for PCs and tablets today. Like the previous Fall Creators Update, it’s full of small features that improve Windows 10. Microsoft is only adding one major feature with this update, and it’s the Timeline feature that lets you resume where you left off across multiple Windows 10 machines.

Elsewhere there’s easy sharing, quick Bluetooth pairing, a dictation feature, and the ability to mute tabs in Microsoft Edge. Microsoft is also continuing to tweak and improve the Fluent Design system it introduced with the Fall Creators Update. You’ll notice more hover effects when you’re using your mouse in the Start menu or notification center, and there’s a new blur effect on the taskbar. I’ve been testing the Windows 10 April 2018 Update for months now, and these are my favorite new additions.

Timeline

Timeline is the major new feature here, and it replaces the familiar Task View button that shows what apps are currently running on a system. Timeline lets you see what apps are running, but also what apps and activities you’ve used on your Windows 10 PC in the past 30 days. These activities and apps sync across multiple machines, so if you’ve been using a laptop for a document you can easily pick up the same activity on a desktop PC that you’re also signed into.

You can also combine Timeline with Microsoft Edge for iOS and Android, and access the smartphone browser history on your PC. Microsoft is updating its mobile Edge apps to support this, and it’s one of the main reasons you might use Timeline. If you’re concerned over the privacy aspects of having documents, apps, and activity history in your Task View, Microsoft disables the device sync by default and you can disable activity history.

Dictation

Windows has had a variety of dictation tools over the years, but Microsoft is creating a quick way to access the built-in Windows 10 version with the April 2018 Update. You can launch it with the windows key + H keyboard shortcut, and it will let you dictate into any app. I even wrote this part of the article using the dictation tool, and if you’ve got a good mic it works really well.

Microsoft Edge tab muting and PWAs

Chrome added tab muting recently, and now Microsoft is bringing the same feature to Edge. You can mute loud and annoying websites with this feature, and spare any audio blasting out of your speakers. Microsoft has also tweaked the performance and design of Edge. Microsoft Edge certainly feels better to use as a default browser with this update, but it still needs work to truly compete with Chrome.

Microsoft is also adding support for Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) in this April 2018 update. PWAs are essentially web apps, but they have the full support of Google, Apple, and now Microsoft across mobile and desktop operating systems. This could improve the Windows 10 app situation, and we’re expecting to hear a lot more about PWAs for Windows 10 at Microsoft’s Build conference in May.

Fix blurry apps

Scaling desktop apps has always been an issue in Windows, but this latest April 2018 Update is trying to make blurry apps a thing of the past. Windows 10 will now detect if an app is blurry because of a monitor change or if you docked a laptop, and it will attempt to scale it better to stop apps from scaling too small or blurry.

Audio preferences per app

Microsoft is adding in some great new audio features with this Windows 10 April 2018 Update. You can now set the input or output audio devices per application. You could have Spotify audio blasting out of your speakers, while your browser audio comes through a headset. The new audio settings let you customize both the input and output per application, so it’s also useful if you use different microphones across a variety of apps.

Quick Bluetooth pairing

Microsoft is adding a simple and quick way to pair Bluetooth accessories. Windows 10 will now produce a notification to quickly connect to a Bluetooth peripheral and pair it. Microsoft is supporting its Surface Precision Mouse for now, and the company is working with Logitech and others to ensure additional hardware will support this quick way to Bluetooth pair in the future.

Windows Defender notification reduction

Ever get annoyed with those Windows Defender notifications that tell you Microsoft’s anti-virus just scanned your machine and it’s fine? Yeah, who cares. With the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, you can now suppress these notifications so you’re not told every single time there’s a successful scan.

Nearby sharing

Nearby sharing lets you easily share websites, photos, or documents to nearby Windows 10 machines. It’s not a feature you’re probably going to use all that often, but it works over Bluetooth and is similar to Apple’s AirDrop feature. You can share to devices that are colleagues or friends nearby, and it’s a lot quicker than emailing over a file. Nearby sharing is disabled by default, and you can set it to only receive files from your own devices or everyone nearby. Hopefully Microsoft adds the option to customize this further in the future so you can only receive from contacts.

Focus Assist

Microsoft is changing and updating its do-not-disturb mode for Windows 10 with this new update. Previously known as Quiet Hours, Focus Assist is a smarter way of stopping notifications popping up when you’re busy. Focus Assist will now automatically mute notifications when you’re playing a game or projecting your presentation to a screen. This stops annoying notifications during a gaming session, or equally important meetings when you don’t want your emails, messages, and other notifications being displayed to the whole conference room.

You can also let particular apps break through and still trigger notifications, which is useful if you have a messaging app that you still want to see notifications from while you’re playing a game.

Gaming changes and Xbox game bar

Microsoft is making some neat gaming-focused changes to Windows 10 with this update. You can now customize graphics performance per game, allowing you to set games to high performance or power saving. This is particularly useful if you’re using a laptop that’s capable of gaming, but you want certain games not to draw the best performance in order to save battery life. The new feature is available in “graphics settings” in the main settings app. Microsoft is also redesigning the Xbox game bar so it now has a white or black theme with this update.





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April 30, 2018 at 07:07AM
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