In Windows 10, you receive “Your device is running low on memory” error message when your computer is running out of RAM. This usually happens when the Windows operating system and programs are approaching the limits of installed physical RAM or page file on disk, or both. When you get the above error message, the […]
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Windows 10 isn’t short on features. In fact, the operating system is continually updated to add new ones. But did you know that Windows 10 contains some optional features that you can enable?
These optional features are targeted more at power users and IT administrators, though there are some that the average person might want to make use of.
We’re going to explore the different places where you can enable optional Windows 10 features and explain what they do.
Optional features are precisely that: functionality that you can choose to enable if you wish.
However, there’s no point enabling functionality just for the sake of it. In fact, some features are designed specifically for use in business or education where an administrator needs greater control over the computer network. Enabling these features on an individual machine is pointless.
However, there are some Windows legacy tools that are now classed as optional. These include the likes of Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, and WordPad. You can enable these through optional features.
Confusingly, there are two places in Windows 10 that you can manage optional features: in the newer Settings area and the older Control Panel. The features available in each do overlap, though some are unique to each.
The features available to you will depend on what edition of Windows 10 you have. We’ll be covering Windows 10 Pro. If you use Home, not all the optional features will be available to you. Here’s how to check what edition of Windows you have.
To access Windows 10 optional features in Settings, press Windows key + I to open Settings and go to Apps > Optional features.
The list here shows all of your Installed features. Unless you’ve removed any in the past, there should already be some here by default like Notepad and Microsoft Paint.
You can use the Sort by dropdown to order the list by Name, Installation Size, and Installation Date.
If you don’t use a feature and want to clear up a bit of storage space, you can select it on the list and click Uninstall.
Above the list, you can click See optional feature history to see a record of when things were installed and uninstalled.
To add an optional feature, click Add a feature. This brings up a window where you can tick the box of any feature you want to install. You can click a feature to see a brief description of what it is. When you’re ready, click Install.
You’ll notice that lots of the features on this list are language packs. This is so that you can view menus, dialog boxes, and supported apps and websites in that language. Your primary language should have been installed alongside Windows 10, but here you can add alternatives if desired.
To access Windows 10 optional features in Control Panel, do a system search for Turn Windows features on or off and select the relevant result.
Alternatively, press Windows key + R to open Run, input optionalfeatures, and click OK.
To enable a feature, tick the box next to it. If the box has a black fill, that means only part of the feature is enabled. Click the plus icon to expand the feature, wherein you can enable and disable specific elements. If the box is blank, that means the feature is disabled.
Once you’ve made your changes, click OK to save them. Your computer might need to restart to apply the changes.
Here are some of the optional features available on Windows 10 and what they do:
That’s everything you need to know about Windows 10 and the different methods to enable its optional features.
Windows 10 is always changing and updating with new features. To find out what the latest is, here are the best features available in the newest Windows 10 update.
Read the full article: Windows 10 Optional Features: A Quick Guide to the Best Extras You May Want
Gaming phones are a weird one. They make sense on paper to some degree. As we well know, everyone’s a gamer these days, and much or most of that gaming happens on mobile devices. So why aren’t devoting gaming phones a more popular phenomenon? It’s not for lack of trying.
Lenovo’s the latest company to toss its hat in that highly-specific ring. That’s the sort of thing you can do when you’re the size of Lenovo and can experiment with such things. Gaming phones are a kind of go big or go home proposition, and the company’s doing mostly the former with the Legion Phone Duel, a mobile addition to the company’s Legion line of gaming PCs.
For starters, the handset was briefly alluded to in Qualcomm’s recent Snapdragon 865 Plus announcement — and is now is one of a very small club of phones sporting the chip. From where I sit, however, the most interesting thing about the category is the way it affords manufacturers an opportunity to experiment with ideas in a way that you don’t often see on flagships. And, indeed, there’s definitely some interesting stuff happening here.
For one thing, it’s got two batteries — something you don’t really see outside of foldables. Of course, those sport them for the very pragmatic reason that phone batteries don’t fold. Here, however, the batteries are separated to prevent overheating, leading the company the split the extremely health 5,000mAh capacity in two. You’re going to need that sort of battery for a gaming-centric 5G handset.
Also worth pointing out is the horizontal pop-up selfie camera — the most notable feature from early leaks. The idea here, of course, is that serious mobile gaming happens in the landscape configuration. As such, the design makes sense for video capture to stream to services like Twitch and YouTube. It’s a highly specific case use, of course, but this is highly specific phone. And, of course, your results of taking selfie video on the mobile device you’re using to game may vary.
Speaking of unique feature positions, there are also two separate USB-C charging ports — one in standard position on the bottom, and the other on the side. Again, the idea here is to make it as easy as possible to remain in landscape mode. If you’ve ever attempted to charge your phone and play a game at the same time, you know how much of a pain that can be.
Along with the aforementioned Snapdragon chip, you’ll also find up to 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. The display is 6.65 inches at 2340×1080, with a 144Hz refresh rate. The phone does not appear to be coming to the U.S. for now, but will be available this month in China (where it will be called the Legion Phone Pro), followed by the Asia Pacific region, Europe/Middle East/Africa and Latin America.
Pricing is TBD.
Samsung has been portioning out morsels of news in recent weeks in an attempt to prime the pump ahead of its big Unpacked event. On Monday, the company announced plans to unveiled five new “power devices” (including the new Galaxy Note) at the event. As of this morning, however, it seems the Galaxy Z Flip 5G won’t be among the mystery devices, as the company has officially made the device official today.
The device is set to arrive August 7, priced at $1,450. Not cheap, by any stretch of the imagination, but still only $170 more than the asking price of the original Galaxy Z Flip (and roughly $500 cheaper than the original Galaxy Fold. The Flip was, of course, much more positively received than the Fold, which seemed to run into one problem after another. In fact, the consensus around the device is that Samsung could have saved itself a considerable headache if it had made the Flip its first foldable.
Notably, the new version of the device is the first Samsung product announced to support Qualcomm’s newer chip after the Snapdragon 865 Plus 5G chip. There are also two new colors: Mystic Gray and Mystic Bronze. Most of the other bits and bops mentioned in the press release seem to line up with the original Flip, which launched 10 million-billion years ago, in February 2020.
[gallery ids="2019866,2019870,2019869,2019868,2019867"]
The device is one of two foldables expected from the company, the other being the Galaxy Fold 2, which is expected to carry a similarly lofty price tag as its predecessor.
Getting started with graphic art has never been so easy. 30 years ago, you’d have struggled to buy a tablet and fully wired stylus for less than the price of a games console. These days things are much easier, with graphics tablets, styli, and vast choice of colors and drawing techniques supported.
It’s generally understood that for the best results you have to pay top dollar for a graphics tablet and stylus. This brings us neatly to the XP-Pen G960S Plus, a tablet and stylus kit compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and Chrome OS. A budget screenless graphics tablet with a battery-free pen stylus, the XP-Pen G960S Plus has the potential to give you an easy entry to graphic art for under $100 (also available in the UK, and the EU).
Unboxing the XP-Pen G960S Plus, you’ll find the 12.58 x 8.25 x 0.39 inch (319.5 x 209.5 x 10 mm) tablet, PH2 unpowered stylus, and USB A to USB C cable. You’ll also find two USB adapters for type C and micro-USB to fit Android tablets.
In case your artistic style is particular rough on the pen, 10 spare nibs and a removal ring are included, along with two quick guides. One of these is for using the tablet with Android, while the other provides a general overview. There is also a download link for XP-Pen device drivers for macOS and Windows 10.
A full manual isn’t included, but you’ll find it on the website to download as a PDF.
Ideal for anyone who isn’t already using a tablet computer for art, the XP-Pen G960S Plus has a 9 x 6 inch working area. This can be used at 0, 90, 180, and 270-degree orientations, suitable for everything from signing documents to digital art.
Thanks to the multiple USB adaptors, the XP-Pen G960S Plus can be used with most devices. So, it can be hooked up to a PC running Windows 7 or later, or a Mac running OS X 10.10 and above. There’s also support for Chrome OS. While iOS isn’t supported, the XP-Pen G960S Plus can be connected to an Android phone or tablet. This is where the micro-USB and USB type C adapters come in most useful.
A wealth of software can be used with this device. Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, for example, also GIMP, Krita, Blender 3D, Painter, and many others. On mobile, the XP-Pen G960S Plus works with popular Android art apps such as the Wacom Bamboo Paper.
The XP-Pen Star G960S Plus looks simpler than it is. Think about that for a moment: bundled inside this 9 x 6 inch working area with four customizable shortcut keys along the side is the hardware you need to bring your artistic vision to life, make notes, and everything in between. In addition to art packages, the XP-Pen Star G960S Plus works with Microsoft Office software like Word and OneNote.
The PH2 stylus is a passive pen modeled on a traditional pencil. It doesn’t have a battery, but there is an eraser at the end. Mistakes can be easily modified or deleted.
Using the PH2 stylus you get to enjoy the results of 8,192 levels of pressure and 60 degrees of tilt. This creates natural-looking lines of various width, with natural and smooth brush effects.
Plugging the XP-Pen G960S Plus into a Windows PC results in the device being detected, and it is usable in this state. However, if you want to use the tablet with the built-in shortcut buttons, you’ll need to download the driver and software from the website.
The settings for the tablet can then be summoned by pressing the first button, allowing you to adjust stylus sensitivity and choose some basic, system-wide shortcuts. Sadly, app-specific shortcuts aren’t available.
We tested the XP-Pen G960S Plus on Windows using Paint.NET, Krita, and Google Keep. The results were good, as you can see from the accompanying doodle. Arguably, the slate is a better device for graphics than notetaking, but the results of your artistic endeavors will be limited to the app of choice.
Prefer to use your smartphone or tablet to create art? The XP-Pen G960S Plus also offers support for Android. All you need to do is connect the appropriate adaptor to the cable then hook it to your device.
Various apps will work with this device. We tried Google Keep for notetaking and Bamboo Paper from Wacom for art.
From a connective point of view, the results were good. However, using the XP-Pen G960S Plus with a tablet feels counter-intuitive at best. Sadly, unlike desktop, there is no cursor on view, which makes using the PH2 and its accompanying slate difficult.
Additionally, there’s a subconscious urge to just draw on the screen. If you’re already using a suitable tablet with a compatible stylus you may prefer to stick to that. After all, you can see what you’re drawing as you look at it. That’s just not possible with a graphics tablet.
In testing the XP-Pen G960S Plus, I’ve used the device for graphics, taking notes, and recording my signatures for contracts. The frustrating thing about this as that while I don’t view it as a good graphics tablet, the XP-Pen G960S Plus is better at that than any of its other uses.
It’s difficult to place blame for this on the stylus. The PH2 with its vast sensitivity and tilt function is clearly not the issue. The stylus feels comfortable, is weighted close to a pencil, and naturally gives you the ability to draw at different widths. The “eraser” is useful too, and the side button not prone to accidental clicks (unlike, say, Samsung’s S-Pen).
In fact, the PH2 is at least as good as the S-Pen and Surface Pen, if not better.
Which leads me to suppose that the actual tablet component is the weaker element of this kit.
Wacom is undoubtedly the most well-known graphics tablet platform. But if you have a low budget, it might not be the most ideal solution for an aspirational digital artist. So, XP-Pen G960S Plus or Wacom?
The closest device from the Wacom range in price to the XP-Pen G960S Plus is the Wacom Intuos Graphics Drawing Tablet. This is a smaller device, measuring 200.7 x 160 millimeters with fewer (4,096 vs 8,192) levels of pressure sensitivity. Build quality, meanwhile, is similar, and the stylus on the XP-Pen G960S Plus is more comfortable.
Overall, it’s an easy choice. You’re almost certainly going to choose the XP-Pen over the Wacom tablet.
If you can already draw, pricking up the PH2 stylus and drawing with the XP-Pen G960S Plus should be straightforward. For digital painting, too, there is a massive advantage over a mouse, although, for all uses, the risk of a disconnect between art and device is high.
In an age where graphic artists use large tablet devices with high definition displays, using a slate and stylus feels like a step backward. Even mid-range Android tablets have the facility to handle multitouch and varying levels of sensitivity when paired with a suitable stylus, as demonstrated by the popularity of art and jotter apps like Wacom’s Bamboo Paper.
While programmable buttons are useful, there is incredibly nowhere to safely store the PH2 stylus. The undoubted star of the XP-Pen G960S Plus bundle, the stylus could quite easily end up lost, which would be a shame.
Read the full article: XP-Pen G960S Plus Review: Entry Level Graphics Tablet in the Age of Affordable Touchscreens
Windows 10 isn’t short on features. In fact, the operating system is continually updated to add new ones. But did you know that Windows 10 contains some optional features that you can enable?
These optional features are targeted more at power users and IT administrators, though there are some that the average person might want to make use of.
We’re going to explore the different places where you can enable optional Windows 10 features and explain what they do.
Optional features are precisely that: functionality that you can choose to enable if you wish.
However, there’s no point enabling functionality just for the sake of it. In fact, some features are designed specifically for use in business or education where an administrator needs greater control over the computer network. Enabling these features on an individual machine is pointless.
However, there are some Windows legacy tools that are now classed as optional. These include the likes of Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, and WordPad. You can enable these through optional features.
Confusingly, there are two places in Windows 10 that you can manage optional features: in the newer Settings area and the older Control Panel. The features available in each do overlap, though some are unique to each.
The features available to you will depend on what edition of Windows 10 you have. We’ll be covering Windows 10 Pro. If you use Home, not all the optional features will be available to you. Here’s how to check what edition of Windows you have.
To access Windows 10 optional features in Settings, press Windows key + I to open Settings and go to Apps > Optional features.
The list here shows all of your Installed features. Unless you’ve removed any in the past, there should already be some here by default like Notepad and Microsoft Paint.
You can use the Sort by dropdown to order the list by Name, Installation Size, and Installation Date.
If you don’t use a feature and want to clear up a bit of storage space, you can select it on the list and click Uninstall.
Above the list, you can click See optional feature history to see a record of when things were installed and uninstalled.
To add an optional feature, click Add a feature. This brings up a window where you can tick the box of any feature you want to install. You can click a feature to see a brief description of what it is. When you’re ready, click Install.
You’ll notice that lots of the features on this list are language packs. This is so that you can view menus, dialog boxes, and supported apps and websites in that language. Your primary language should have been installed alongside Windows 10, but here you can add alternatives if desired.
To access Windows 10 optional features in Control Panel, do a system search for Turn Windows features on or off and select the relevant result.
Alternatively, press Windows key + R to open Run, input optionalfeatures, and click OK.
To enable a feature, tick the box next to it. If the box has a black fill, that means only part of the feature is enabled. Click the plus icon to expand the feature, wherein you can enable and disable specific elements. If the box is blank, that means the feature is disabled.
Once you’ve made your changes, click OK to save them. Your computer might need to restart to apply the changes.
Here are some of the optional features available on Windows 10 and what they do:
That’s everything you need to know about Windows 10 and the different methods to enable its optional features.
Windows 10 is always changing and updating with new features. To find out what the latest is, here are the best features available in the newest Windows 10 update.
Read the full article: Windows 10 Optional Features: A Quick Guide to the Best Extras You May Want
Spotify now supports video podcasts as well as audio podcasts. This means that podcasters will be able to record video alongside audio, and have it play directly in the Spotify app. And Spotify listeners, both free and paid, will be able to watch video podcasts on Spotify.
As outlined in a post on For the Record, Spotify is starting to roll out its video podcast feature. Video podcasts will be available to listeners in all markets where podcasts are already supported. However, only a handful of podcasters are offering video at launch.
Starting today, listen to and watch select podcasts with our new video podcast feature. Check it out. https://t.co/BZ1Fq5ldNW
— Spotify News (@SpotifyNews) July 21, 2020
Everyone in a country where podcasts are supported on Spotify should be able to watch video podcasts. Starting with the episode of Higher Learning With Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay embedded below. Just open it in either Spotify’s desktop or mobile app and click Play.
The video and audio should start playing simultaneously, and stay synced throughout. If you switch to another app or lock your mobile device, the audio will continue playing in the background. You can also still download just the audio of podcasts to listen to on the go without worrying about the video.
As well as this episode of Higher Learning, other podcasts with video components include Book of Basketball 2.0, Fantasy Footballers, The Misfits Podcast, H3 Podcast, The Morning Toast, and The Rooster Teeth Podcast. And more will be added as Spotify rolls out this feature.
Spotify has been testing video podcasts since May 2020. The streaming service has been signing up podcasts and podcast networks left, right, and center, and some of them already produce video content. So supporting video podcasts was an obvious next step.
The signing of Joe Rogan in May meant Spotify had to act fast. After all, the company spent millions of dollars to secure the services of Rogan, and his video podcast (which currently streams on YouTube) is a big reason why Spotify signed the self-styled king of podcasters.
Watching a video podcast on Spotify isn’t perfect right now, but the streaming service has made it clear it intends to improve functionality in the future. Whether anyone actually watches them remains to be seen.
If you’re keen to discover more podcasts to listen to (with video or otherwise), here’s how to find new podcasts using Spotify’s podcast playlists.
Read the full article: You Can Now Watch Video Podcasts on Spotify
When it comes to our solar system, few objects conjure up as much curiosity as Mars. Here are the best websites, maps, and YouTube channels for basic Mars information.
As the fourth planet from the sun and one of our closest neighbors, this rust-red sphere is a source of constant inspiration for sci-fi and pop culture, ranging from Mars Attacks! to modern, artistic interpretations of well-known space operas.
In the past several decades, Mars has also become a focal point for space exploration. But if you haven’t been keeping up on all these Martian discoveries via the news, you will feel less overwhelmed now.
VideoFromSpace is a YouTube Channel run by Space.com. As the name suggests, the channel is specifically devoted to videos about space discoveries. Its mission?
“To keep you informed on the latest in space exploration, tech innovations, space travel policies, and interstellar breakthroughs.”
It’s a great goal, and a channel that is definitely worth a follow.
While VideoFromSpace doesn’t cover only Mars, by searching “Mars” on the user profile (or by clicking the link we’ve included above), you can find a whole plethora of videos on the red planet. These videos range from explorations of the Korolev Crater, to dissecting footage from prior space-bound missions.
For example: In the video clip we linked, VideoFromSpace discusses “the highest resolution panoramas of Mars to date,” with images pulled from NASA’s Mars rover, Curiosity.
If you want to see on-the-ground images of Mars while learning something interesting in a visual format, then this is the YouTube channel for you.
NASA’s Mars Exploration Program is one of the most comprehensive sources for Mars info on the web. This is because it’s a treasure trove of reliable data, along with a launchpad for its in-depth plans to explore the planet.
On the website, NASA states that its mission is:
“To explore Mars and to provide a continuous flow of scientific information and discovery through a carefully selected series of robotic orbiters, landers and mobile laboratories interconnected by a high-bandwidth Mars/Earth communications network.”
To do this—and to generate public interest—the website documents NASA’s findings on Mars over the past several decades. It also lists the organization’s goals for the future and basic facts on the program.
Under “The Red Planet” section on the website, you’ll find:
Again, this is one of the most reputable and comprehensive sources for Mars-specific info on the web.
Mars Trek is a Google Maps-styled “interactive map viewer” of the red planet. Like our previous recommendation, it is also run by NASA.
This map allows you to explore the planet, zoom into it, and search for geological features. You can also learn additional facts about each of these features through info cards.
Mars Trek is an extremely handy tool to use if, say, you’re an artist trying to draw a picture of Mars. You may need to look at a map to visualize all of its locations.
We’ve already talked about some of the amazing Google Earth tours you can explore in Google Earth tours that you’ll want to check out. One tour we didn’t cover, however, is Mars on Earth.
This Google Tour is an exploration of Devon Island in northern Canada, which has been billed as “one of the most Mars-like places on the planet.” On Devon, research about what it would be like to live on the red planet is being conducted. As a harsh, remote place, Devon really does give off the same vibe as Mars, with its rocky landscape, polar deserts, and landscape devoid of vegetation.
The tour covers everything, from the Haughton Crater to the similarities between the glacial canyons on Earth and Mars. It also touches on how we can use this research to study life on the red planet.
Shockingly, or perhaps to be expected, Encyclopædia Britannica has one of the most comprehensive web pages on Mars information. With simple facts that are easy to follow, it’s good for anyone who is looking to learn basic terms.
Encyclopædia Britannica covers:
Best of all, the article comes complete with pictures.
Google Mars is another map app that lets you explore Mars’ surface, just like Mars Trek. In fact, it’s almost identical to Mars Trek, only this time the map comes from Google itself.
There are a few key differences in the layout and configuration between the two pages. When you open Google Mars, you should see three different options for viewing Mars’ topography:
By clicking on the directory links up at the top, such as Regions, Mountains, or Dunes, you can explore a list of predetermined places that have these features. Every time you click on a location’s link, it’ll give you an information card with some very basic facts on the area, too.
By now, we would be remiss if we said that YouTube channels, websites, and maps were the only resources that you could use to learn about Mars on the web. There are blog posts, too.
To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of some additional sources about the planet. These articles come from websites that—while they may have a space-focused element—may not be devoted to Mars full-time.
Now that you have this list of resources on hand, you can use it to start exploring. If you want to learn more about space in general, check out this list of must-see documentaries about the universe. We’re sure you won’t be disappointed.
Read the full article: The Best Sites, Apps, and YouTube Channels for Learning About Mars
The biggest downside to a pair of wireless AirPods is that they offer limited listening time on a single charge. AirPods play a tone to let you know when the battery level is low. But you can also check your AirPods battery level from a connected iPhone, Apple Watch, or Mac.
When your AirPods are running out of juice, pop them in the charging case to recharge. Five minutes in the AirPods Pro charging case offers another hour of listening time, while fifteen minutes for standard AirPods nets you another three hours. But your charging case can run out of power as well.
Here’s how to check the battery level for your AirPods and charging case on any connected device.
If you aren’t using your AirPods, the easiest way to see the battery level is to open the charging case near your iPhone or iPad. An alert appears at the bottom of your device’s screen showing the battery level of your AirPods and your charging case.
If nothing happens, make sure your iPhone or iPad is unlocked and on the Home screen, next to your AirPods charging case.
Unfortunately, this only works when at least one of your AirPods is in the case. When your AirPods are separated—with one in the case and one in your ear—your iPhone or iPad shows you separate battery levels for each of them.
If you’re wearing both of your AirPods, check the battery life with the Batteries widget instead.
Swiping right from the Home Screen, Lock Screen, or Notification Center on an iPhone or iPad brings you to the Today View. There’s a range of widgets available on the Today View, including a Batteries widget that lets you check your AirPods battery level.
If you don’t have the Batteries widget, scroll to the bottom and tap Edit. Then tap the Add button next to the Batteries widget and drag it wherever you want in the list.
After adding it, the Batteries widget shows the battery level of your iPhone or iPad alongside the battery level of your AirPods. You can also see the battery level of your charging case if your AirPods are charging.
When both of your AirPods are charging, you need to open the case to see the battery level in the Batteries widget.
You can use your Apple Watch to check your AirPods battery level from the Control Center. All you need to do is swipe up to open the Apple Watch Control Center, then tap the Battery icon, which looks like a large percentage.
On the following screen, your Apple Watch shows you the battery levels for your Apple Watch and your connected AirPods. If your AirPods are in the open case, you can also see the battery level of your charging case from this screen.
AirPods use Bluetooth to pair with a Mac, which means you need to open the Bluetooth menu to check the battery level. To do so, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar, then hover the cursor over your AirPods to reveal the battery percentages. If you don’t see this icon, head to System Preferences > Bluetooth instead.
A Mac always shows individual battery levels for each AirPod. However, you need to return at least one AirPod to the case and leave it open to view your charging case battery level as well.
Sometimes, the Bluetooth menu takes some time to update the battery readings. To force a refresh, Disconnect your AirPods, then Connect them again.
No matter what Apple device you’re using, you can also ask Siri to check your AirPods battery for you. This is particularly useful if you aren’t looking at your device screen but you can access Siri using the AirPods themselves.
On an iPhone or iPad, say “Hey Siri” or press and hold the Side button (or the Home button if your iPhone has one). On an Apple Watch, use “Hey Siri” or Raise to Speak. And on a Mac, press and hold Cmd + Space.
Then ask Siri to “Check my AirPods battery level” and the personal assistant will read out the battery level for your AirPods. If one or more of your AirPods is in the open case, Siri will tell you the battery level of your charging case as well.
If you use your AirPods with an Apple TV, the only way to check the battery level is by asking Siri. Press and hold the Microphone button on the Siri Remote to do so.
AirPods work best with Apple devices, but you can use them with any device by connecting over Bluetooth. Unfortunately, when you connect AirPods to an Android smartphone, you need to use third-party apps to check the battery level. And when you connect to a Windows PC, there is no way to check the battery level.
For Android users, multiple third-party apps for checking battery level are available, but the most popular option is AirBattery. This free app shows your AirPods battery level when you open the app. Or you can upgrade to the Pro version to receive a battery notification whenever you open your AirPods charging case.
Download: AirBattery for Android (Free, premium version available)
When you grab your AirPods on the way out of the house, it makes sense to check the battery level before you go on your way. But without a paired device on hand, you need to use the Status light on the charging case to get a rough idea of the battery life instead.
Open your AirPods charging case to make the Status light come on. This light shows up on the front of your AirPods case (or under the lid on older cases). If your AirPods are in the case, the light reflects the battery level of your AirPods. Conversely, if your charging case is empty, the light reflects the battery level of the case itself.
A green light means your AirPods are fully charged, or your charging case has enough battery to fully charge them. An amber light means there is less than one full charge remaining. Other colors might mean there is a problem with your AirPods.
Of course, if your AirPods aren’t fully charged but your charging case shows as green, all you need to do is keep the AirPods in the case to charge them up.
AirPods and AirPods Pro quickly became some of Apple’s most popular products, and now you know how to keep an eye on the battery. Using them with an iPhone is remarkably easy, but they offer a few advanced tricks you might not be aware of as well.
These let you customize the name, find your lost AirPods, change the double-tap function, and more. Check out our rundown of all the best AirPods tips to learn everything there is to know about using Apple’s wireless earbuds.
Read the full article: How to Check Your AirPods Battery Level
When it comes to our solar system, few objects conjure up as much curiosity as Mars. Here are the best websites, maps, and YouTube channels for basic Mars information.
As the fourth planet from the sun and one of our closest neighbors, this rust-red sphere is a source of constant inspiration for sci-fi and pop culture, ranging from Mars Attacks! to modern, artistic interpretations of well-known space operas.
In the past several decades, Mars has also become a focal point for space exploration. But if you haven’t been keeping up on all these Martian discoveries via the news, you will feel less overwhelmed now.
VideoFromSpace is a YouTube Channel run by Space.com. As the name suggests, the channel is specifically devoted to videos about space discoveries. Its mission?
“To keep you informed on the latest in space exploration, tech innovations, space travel policies, and interstellar breakthroughs.”
It’s a great goal, and a channel that is definitely worth a follow.
While VideoFromSpace doesn’t cover only Mars, by searching “Mars” on the user profile (or by clicking the link we’ve included above), you can find a whole plethora of videos on the red planet. These videos range from explorations of the Korolev Crater, to dissecting footage from prior space-bound missions.
For example: In the video clip we linked, VideoFromSpace discusses “the highest resolution panoramas of Mars to date,” with images pulled from NASA’s Mars rover, Curiosity.
If you want to see on-the-ground images of Mars while learning something interesting in a visual format, then this is the YouTube channel for you.
NASA’s Mars Exploration Program is one of the most comprehensive sources for Mars info on the web. This is because it’s a treasure trove of reliable data, along with a launchpad for its in-depth plans to explore the planet.
On the website, NASA states that its mission is:
“To explore Mars and to provide a continuous flow of scientific information and discovery through a carefully selected series of robotic orbiters, landers and mobile laboratories interconnected by a high-bandwidth Mars/Earth communications network.”
To do this—and to generate public interest—the website documents NASA’s findings on Mars over the past several decades. It also lists the organization’s goals for the future and basic facts on the program.
Under “The Red Planet” section on the website, you’ll find:
Again, this is one of the most reputable and comprehensive sources for Mars-specific info on the web.
Mars Trek is a Google Maps-styled “interactive map viewer” of the red planet. Like our previous recommendation, it is also run by NASA.
This map allows you to explore the planet, zoom into it, and search for geological features. You can also learn additional facts about each of these features through info cards.
Mars Trek is an extremely handy tool to use if, say, you’re an artist trying to draw a picture of Mars. You may need to look at a map to visualize all of its locations.
We’ve already talked about some of the amazing Google Earth tours you can explore in Google Earth tours that you’ll want to check out. One tour we didn’t cover, however, is Mars on Earth.
This Google Tour is an exploration of Devon Island in northern Canada, which has been billed as “one of the most Mars-like places on the planet.” On Devon, research about what it would be like to live on the red planet is being conducted. As a harsh, remote place, Devon really does give off the same vibe as Mars, with its rocky landscape, polar deserts, and landscape devoid of vegetation.
The tour covers everything, from the Haughton Crater to the similarities between the glacial canyons on Earth and Mars. It also touches on how we can use this research to study life on the red planet.
Shockingly, or perhaps to be expected, Encyclopædia Britannica has one of the most comprehensive web pages on Mars information. With simple facts that are easy to follow, it’s good for anyone who is looking to learn basic terms.
Encyclopædia Britannica covers:
Best of all, the article comes complete with pictures.
Google Mars is another map app that lets you explore Mars’ surface, just like Mars Trek. In fact, it’s almost identical to Mars Trek, only this time the map comes from Google itself.
There are a few key differences in the layout and configuration between the two pages. When you open Google Mars, you should see three different options for viewing Mars’ topography:
By clicking on the directory links up at the top, such as Regions, Mountains, or Dunes, you can explore a list of predetermined places that have these features. Every time you click on a location’s link, it’ll give you an information card with some very basic facts on the area, too.
By now, we would be remiss if we said that YouTube channels, websites, and maps were the only resources that you could use to learn about Mars on the web. There are blog posts, too.
To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of some additional sources about the planet. These articles come from websites that—while they may have a space-focused element—may not be devoted to Mars full-time.
Now that you have this list of resources on hand, you can use it to start exploring. If you want to learn more about space in general, check out this list of must-see documentaries about the universe. We’re sure you won’t be disappointed.
Read the full article: The Best Sites, Apps, and YouTube Channels for Learning About Mars
Dating is by no means easy or completely stress-free. This is especially true in a time where social separation is encouraged more than ever. That being said, there is nothing wrong with enjoying a cold beer or glass of wine just to help ease those jitters. Of course, you don’t want to show up drunk, […]
The post Eliminate The Pre-Date Stress With These Tips appeared first on ALL TECH BUZZ.
For many people, working remotely has become the new normal. Which means services such as G Suite are more crucial than ever. After all, people still need to get work done, whether they can go to the office or not.
This isn’t lost on Google, as the company has announced on the Google Cloud Blog that it’s rolling out a ton of security updates to its services. Everything from support for the BIMI standard in Gmail to new security features in Chat are included in this G Suite update.
First, Google announced that it is bringing the Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) standard to Gmail. Essentially, this allows businesses to validate ownership of their corporate logos and have them displayed in existing avatar slots in the Gmail interface.
This should make it easier to identify emails that are coming from within a major company (or at least ones who choose to take part in this program), and prevent spoofing and phishing.
Unfortunately, this feature isn’t available just yet, but Google says that it will be rolling out the pilot of the feature over the coming weeks. If you’re unsure if BIMI is right for your company, check out the working group’s website and see what it’s all about.
Also coming to G Suite are new controls for Meet. The latest update is all about giving owners of meetings more control over who can join. For example, if you kick someone out of a meeting, they won’t be able to try to enter the same conference call again by knocking. Instead, the host will need to invite them back in.
Google is also adding a limit to the number of times a user can be denied access to a meeting. After a certain number of attempts, the user will not be allowed to send more requests to join.
Sticking with Meet, Google is also adding safety locks that determine which ways people can join the meeting. Some locks block all anonymous users’ attempts to join a meeting.
If you haven’t tried Meet, we regard it as one of the best Zoom alternatives.
Google is also adding the same phishing protections it uses in Gmail to Chat. This means that links sent through Google Chat will, in realtime, receive a check to make sure they’re safe.
Protecting businesses & end users is always top of mind. That's why we're providing even stronger security for a few @gsuite products:
?? BIMI in #Gmail
?? New controls in #GoogleMeet
?? New security features in #GoogleChatLearn more ? https://t.co/7yEBeVimF8 #GoogleCloudNext pic.twitter.com/208FS2dfCh
— Google Cloud (@googlecloud) July 21, 2020
Another new feature coming to Chat is the ability to report and block Chat Rooms if you suspect malicious activity. Finally, Google is also adding the ability to automatically detect and limit abusive content across its entire line of G Suite services.
Google is also adding all sorts of updates that Admins of G Suite can use to lock things down.
First, Google has redesigned the devices page in the G Suite admin console. Additionally, it’s launching an integration with Apple Business Manager. There are tons of other updates that will help companies improve their security as they’re forced to have more employees work remotely.
If that describes you, here are the essential home office accessories for remote working.
Read the full article: Google Adds New Security Features to G Suite
The Google Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max are two of the most useful smart displays on the market. However, until now, the devices had one major flaw holding them back… you couldn’t watch Netflix on them.
Fortunately, that’s all changing. In a post on The Keyword, Google announced that Netflix is finally rolling out support for its popular streaming service to Google’s line of smart displays. Considering that Google’s smart displays have supported rivals Hulu and Disney+ for some time, it only makes sense for Netflix to be available on them too.
It’s actually rather easy to get Netflix up and running on your Google Nest Hub or Nest Hub Max. All you need to do is link your Google Home or Assistant app with your Netflix account. Once the two are connected, you need to tell your smart display what to play as you would with any other Google Nest command.
For more of the same, see our list of Google Home commands.
For example, you can say “Hey Google, Open Netflix” to browse the service. If you have something you want to watch, you can say, “OK Google, watch Queer Eye.” From there, the smart display will load up and play the show or movie you requested.
Anything you could watch on Netflix on a smart TV is available on Nest smart displays. Between Netflix and streaming services that already supported the Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max, there are a ton of options to choose from.
Google’s smart displays aren’t the only devices on the market that come with Google Assistant. Lenovo produces a line of smart displays powered by Google Assistant, but it’s not clear whether those devices will also now get Netflix.
If you already subscribe to the streaming service, you should make time to watch the best romantic comedies on Netflix. After all, we all need a little love in our lives.
Read the full article: You Can Finally Watch Netflix on Your Google Nest Hub
If you’re a Chromebook user looking for something new, you’re in for a treat. This is because Google has just launched Chrome OS 84 to The Stable Channel, and it comes with some useful new features.
Chromebooks are already fantastic laptops, and this, the latest update to Chrome OS, makes them even better.
On Chromebook Help, Google announced that not only does this update add all of the new features that Google added to the Chrome browser recently, but makes some changes to the core operating system as well.
For those of you who find notifications annoying, Chrome OS 84 introduces intrusive notification request blocking, which makes browsing the web far more enjoyable.
The update also adds support for app shortcuts, removes Chrome Duet, and adds other security- and browser-related changes. These updates previously came to the Google Chrome browser with Chrome 84.
As for the actual OS, that’s where things get exciting. First, there’s the new Explore app, which replaces the Get Help app. This serves as a way to teach you more about using your Chromebook. Unlike the Get Help app, Explore lets you explore help center content offline, which could come in handy for anyone who runs into an issue while out and about.
Another cool addition comes to tablet mode. Now, you can take a photo or start and stop recording a video with the volume buttons. Another new feature related to videos is a switch to the MP4 file type (what’s the difference between MP3 and MP4?) for videos captured with Chrome OS. This switch will make it easier for other apps and services to use videos recorded with a Chromebook camera.
Google has tweaked Overview mode as well. It’s now much easier to get Split Screen up and running as you simply need to drag an app to the edge of the screen (which is similar to how it works in several other popular operating systems).
The last significant change comes to the onscreen keyboard, which is now re-sizable by merely dragging the corners. Not being able to resize it was a pretty glaring oversight in Chrome OS, so it’s nice to see Google addressing that issue.
As always, the update has plenty of bug fixes and performance tweaks beyond the new features.
Like all updates to Chrome OS, Google is rolling Chrome OS 84 gradually. Which means that you may not see it on your Chromebook right away. To see whether the update is available for you, open your Settings, click About Chrome OS, and tap Check for Updates.
Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to get the update sooner, so you’ll just need to be patient and wait for Google to deliver it to you.
If you’re in the market for a Chromebook, check out our guide designed to help you pick the best Chromebook for you.
Read the full article: Chrome OS 84 Arrives With a Host of New Features
Ubuntu ranks as arguably the most popular Linux operating system. It’s certainly one of the best known. However, Ubuntu varies quite a bit. Within Ubuntu, there are two distinct flavors: a stable release and long-term service (LTS) iteration.
Further, Ubuntu splits into Ubuntu Cloud, Ubuntu Core, Ubuntu Kylin, Ubuntu Desktop, and Ubuntu Server. Here, you’ll learn all about the differences between Ubuntu Server and Ubuntu Desktop.
Before we compare the differences between Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server, let’s establish what a server is.
Servers typically come in two form factors: rackmount and tower. A tower server is essentially a desktop, but its parts often differ with a focus on longevity, stability, and security. For instance, servers use error code correcting (ECC) RAM. Whereas non-server desktops don’t.
Moreover, servers don’t necessarily include peripherals like a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Running a server without peripherals is known as a “headless” setup. Software for a server includes the operating system, server software (e.g., Apache for hosting websites; CUPS print server), and security software.
Ubuntu Server, then, is an operating system for a server, based on Ubuntu.
Several differences lend insight into the divergence of Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server.
The main difference in Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server is the desktop environment. While Ubuntu Desktop includes a graphical user interface, Ubuntu Server does not.
This is because most servers run headless. But what does this mean? Well, they run without a traditional keyboard, mouse, and monitor setup to interact with the machine. Instead, servers are usually remotely managed using SSH. While SSH is built into Unix-based operating systems, it’s pretty simple to use SSH on Windows as well.
Although some Linux server operating systems feature desktop environments, many lack a GUI. For instance, Container Linux by CoreOS is entirely command line based. While Ubuntu Server lacks a GUI, Ubuntu Desktop assumes that your machine uses video outputs. Therefore, Ubuntu Desktop installs a desktop environment.
Additionally, Ubuntu Desktop contains applications suited to general use: there’s an office productivity suite, multimedia software, and web browser.
However, Ubuntu Server also includes standard packages. These focus on server requirements. Accordingly, Ubuntu Server can run as an email server, file server, web server, and samba server. Specific packages include Bind9 and Apache2. Whereas Ubuntu desktop applications are focused for use on the host machine, Ubuntu Server packages concentrate on allowing connectivity with clients as well as security.
Because Ubuntu Server lacks a GUI, installation differs from that of Ubuntu Desktop. Installing Ubuntu Desktop is essentially like any other software install. But Ubuntu Server uses a process-driven menu instead.
Using Ubuntu Server rather than desktop should not be a completely new experience. At the very least if you have experience of the command line and SSH, Ubuntu Server should seem familiar. There are other key similarities: the kernel, and support.
After Ubuntu 12.04, both Server and Desktop variants use the same kernel. Previously, Desktop and Server used different kernels. Because both Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server employ the same kernel, you can add any packages to either variant. This means that while default installation varies, you can customize your Ubuntu flavor accordingly.
So, you might start with Ubuntu Server and install a desktop environment if you decide you can’t run it headless. Alternatively, you could begin with Ubuntu Desktop and add the necessary packages to create a server. Since Ubuntu Server and Desktop share a core Ubuntu kernel, default installation differences don’t preclude future software package installs.
Similarly, support shifted with the release of 12.04. Before Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, Desktop editions featured a three-year support cycle. Their Server counterparts benefited from a five-year support cycle. But with the debut of 12.04 LTS, Ubuntu Desktop and Server variants both moved to a five-year support cycle.
Considering the differences and similarities, now comes the big question: should you use Ubuntu Server or Ubuntu Desktop? So long as you’re using an LTS version of Ubuntu, either Server or Desktop should function in a server environment.
The main factors separating the two remain a GUI and default packages. Still, the core Ubuntu kernel means you can install the same packages on both flavors.
You should use Ubuntu Desktop if you’re using your computer as a daily driver. This includes a bevy of multimedia and productivity software. There’s a GUI and installation is pretty simple. Moreover, you can install server software to use any Ubuntu Desktop as a server.
For example, you might run a low-power Lenovo ThinkServer TS140 with the Ubuntu Desktop. This gives you the option of hooking up a monitor and using the desktop environment.
You might transform an Ubuntu Server into a home theater PC (HTPC) with Linux media server software. Good options for this include Plex and Subsonic. Alternatively, you might even create a Linux game server using Ubuntu Desktop, rather than Ubuntu Server.
Ubuntu Server is best used for servers. That might seem obvious. But just like there are rackmount and tower servers, not all servers are the same. You should opt for Ubuntu Server over Ubuntu Desktop if you plan to run your server headless. Because the two Ubuntu flavors share a core kernel, you can always add a GUI later.
Additionally, Ubuntu Server is best for specific varieties of servers where the packages are included. For example, you might consider Ubuntu Server when creating an email server or web server.
Therefore, go with the option that’s less work. If Ubuntu Server includes the packages you need, use Server and install a desktop environment. Absolutely need a GUI but want server software that isn’t included in the default Server install? Well, use Ubuntu Desktop then simply install the software you need.
See our comparison of Ubuntu and CentOS for use on a web server for more information.
Ultimately, it’s not as simple as using Ubuntu Server for a server and Ubuntu Desktop for a desktop. Consider your needs and the work involved setting up your machine. If you’re running a media server, Ubuntu Server might be overkill. A desktop intended for general use should run Ubuntu Desktop.
Largely, your decision centers on which option requires the easiest initial set up. But there’s also a consideration of familiarity. If you’re setting up a server and are uncomfortable without the GUI, use Ubuntu Desktop. Creating a server might sound intimidating—starting with a desktop environment can make this a less daunting task.
Planning to use an Ubuntu server but use a Windows desktop? Learn how to establish remote desktop access to Ubuntu from Windows.
Read the full article: Ubuntu Desktop vs. Ubuntu Server: What’s the Difference?
