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Apple vs Android – Which Is Better?

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A comparison between Apple and Android phones is often a highly polarizing process, as this purchase decision is often based on brand loyalty. Setting marketing and tribal allegiance aside, choosing the best phone can be challenging. While operating system is the most obvious difference between the two brands, you should also consider factors like ease of use, security and updates.

Overview

The hardware and operating system of iPhones are closely connected since they’re both proprietary technologies belonging to Apple, so the difference between models is relatively small. This isn’t the case with Android, whose smartphone models vary greatly in features and performance. As a result, you must ensure that you compare the right models between the brands. Assume, for example, that you’re trying to choose between an iPhone 13 and an Android model. You should look at the high-end Google Pixel 6 series or Samsung Galaxy S22 rather than the basic 2020 Moto G Power.

Source Code

Apple’s proprietary technology means that you’ll be locked in to its ecosystem as long as you want to use an iPhone. You may not mind restricting yourself to Apple products, but this vendor lock-in can show itself in other ways. For example, Fortnite, Epic’s popular online video game, isn’t available on the iOS App Store because the two companies are currently in a legal dispute over how users should pay for the game. Android is open-source software, so it’s more accepting of applications from different developers.

Ease of Use

iPhones have a reputation for being easier to use than Android models. This was certainly true when the first smartphones came out in the late 2000s, but it’s no longer the case today. All phone interfaces are now generally easy to use, but the control they provide is another matter. Android offers much greater control over its phones and their applications than iPhones do. Users who want to set up their phones in a particular way will definitely prefer Android.

Security

iPhones are inherently more secure than Android devices, provided you trust Apple to maintain your privacy. For example, Apple admitted in February 2022 that a bug in iOS 15 inadvertently recorded some iPhone users’ conversations with Siri, the iPhone voice assistant. Android’s phones aren’t fundamentally less secure than iPhones, but Google is more lax about the applications it allows in its app store than Apple.

Updates

iPhones win decisively over Android phones when it comes to software updates. When Apple releases an iOS update, all iPhones supported by the update receive it. Updates are less predictable with Android, since Google doesn’t control every aspect of its phones. While Google supplies the base operating system and some bundled apps, the phone manufacturers are responsible for delivering updates. This isn’t typically a problem with high-end models from Google and Samsung, but inexpensive Android phones from other manufacturers may never receive any updates.

Ways to Beat Sunburn No Matter How Much Sun You Get

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You need to get outside and spend time in the sun to be healthy. All the doctors say it. But, if you get too much sun, that’s also bad.

 

After all, no one wants a sunburn. Even worse, skin cancer is a real threat, and it turns out that getting sunburns dramatically increases cancer risks. What is a person to do?

 

With a little knowledge, you can spend a lot of time in the sun while mitigating burns and cancer risks. Here are four bits of knowledge that will help.

 

Radiation Safety

 

Sunburns come from the UV light in sunlight, and UV is ionizing radiation. It’s dangerous for the exact same reasons as x-rays, so radiation safety rules apply. Here are the three rules of radiation safety:

 

  1. Maximize distance
  2. Use shielding
  3. Minimize exposure time

 

We’re assuming you’re on earth, so you can’t really change your distance from the sun. That means you need to focus on shielding and exposure time. Shielding comes down to the stuff you already know: sunscreen, hats, clothing, and sunglasses. 

 

So, the real lesson here is exposure time. The longer you are in the sun, the more you burn, but there’s a trick. If you can break up sun exposure with periods of rest, your skin can recover from minor sun damage and reduce the risk of sunburn. If you’re working in the yard, take cover in the shade every 10 minutes or so until your skin no longer feels like you’re glowing.

 

If you’re hiking, bring an umbrella or other good source of shade. Every time you stop for rest, get in the shade. 

 

Polarization

 

You’ve probably heard of polarized sunglasses, but do you know what they do?

 

They actually employ a principle of quantum optics. Light travels in waves, but those waves can be oriented in any different direction. Polarized filters basically block any light that isn’t oriented correctly.

 

In effect, polarized filters block about half of all light (including UV). When they are combined with additional protection (like the tint in your sunglasses), then they’re adding a powerful layer of sun protection.

 

This is why polarized sunglasses are much better for your eyes, but there’s another trick. Did you know that polarized clothing exists? You can get polarized clothes that offer enhanced sun protection if you’re sensitive. Or, you can get clothes that let a little more UV through, allowing you to gently take in sunlight for natural vitamin D and melanin production.

 

Food and Drugs

 

Things you imbibe or put on your skin can change your UV sensitivity. Obviously, a higher sensitivity will lead to faster and more severe sunburns, so let’s look at what you might need to avoid.

 

There are more than a few foods and supplements that can increase UV risks:

 

  • St. John’s wort
  • Ginkgo biloba
  • Topical vitamin C
  • Scented soaps and perfumes
  • Glycolic acid
  • Retinols, benzoyl peroxide
  • Artificial sweeteners
  • Cumin
  • Coriander
  • Dill

 

This is not an exhaustive list, but those are some of the most common troublemakers. 

 

There are also medications that can increase solar sensitivity:

 

  • Antibiotics
  • Antihistamines
  • Antifungal medications
  • Oral contraceptives
  • Hormonal treatments

 

Again, this doesn’t cover absolutely everything. The simple lesson is if you’re having trouble with sunburns, talk to your doctor to see if a change to diet, supplements, or medications can help.

 

Optics

 

Lastly, you need to know a little bit about how sunlight works if you really want to beat it. First, not all sunlight is equal. You can make great use of the UV index to figure out what days and times put you at the highest risk.

 

Beyond that, it helps to know that UV is more intense near the equator and at higher elevations. That’s because in either case, there’s less atmosphere absorbing UV photons before they can get to you.

 

Also remember that sunlight reflects off of surfaces. Even in the winter, skiers often get bad sunburns because so much UV bounces off of the snow (and they’re on top of mountains). Lakes, metal surfaces, and even light-colored sand are all highly reflective.

 

Top 5 High Battery Life Phones For Different Budgets

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Are you looking for an affordable phone with a long battery life? The truth is that none of us want to run out of battery in the middle of the day. Thankfully, we’ve found five phones that will last between one and three days without needing to be charged.

1. 2021 Moto G Power

The Moto G Power boasts a battery life of up to 14 hours, which Motorola says lasts for up to three days. The retail price ranges from 149.99 to 199.99. It’s available in silver, gray or blue and can be purchased with either 32 or 64 gigabytes of internal storage, which is plenty of space to store all your photos and download all your favorite games and apps from the Google Play Store.

2. Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G for Verizon

The Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G is available for the Verizon network. It boasts a battery life of up to 26 hours and can be purchased for between $16.99 and $24.99 per month. It’s available with either 64 or 128 gigabytes of hard drive space, which is perfect for being able to download all your favorite games and daily life management tasks. What makes this phone great is that it’s specifically designed to be rugged, meaning you can take it with you anywhere and not have to worry about dropping it or spilling water on it.

3. Asus ROG Phone 5

Asus’ ROG Phone 5 is a gaming phone that boasts an average battery life of up to 12.5 hours and costs $999 upfront. It also has great graphics, speed and storage. After all, it has to have those things. This phone was designed for extreme phone gamers, so if you like graphic-intensive phone games, this phone is for you.

4. iPhone 13 Pro Max

The iPhone 13 Pro Max lasts up to 22 hours and can be charged wirelessly via a Qi-compatible charging pad. It boasts a case that is splash, water and dust resistant. Not to mention, If you enjoy taking pictures, you’ll love the camera. It can be used during the day or at night.

5. Samsung Galaxy S22

The Samsung Galaxy S22 boasts an all-day battery, meaning you’ll only have to charge it at night. It costs between $279.99 to $799.99, depending on where it’s purchased. The Samsung Galaxy S22 has an all-aluminum frame and is waterproof. Its three cameras ensure that you’ll always get the perfect shot whether you’re taking pictures or your latest food adventure or on vacation.

If you’re looking for a great phone with a long battery life at a price you can afford, there’s a good chance one of these phones will meet your needs, even if you do a lot of gaming and store a lot of pictures on your phone.

 

 

How to Make Sure You’re Protected Against Online Threats

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It’s safe to say that over the last few decades, the Internet has unlocked a lot of benefits for most people. It’s how we stay in communication with our friends, family members and other loved ones. It allows us to work more productively. It lets us experience entertainment like never before. But at the same time, you also have to acknowledge that there are very real threats online that are worth paying attention to. Protecting yourself from those threats isn’t necessarily difficult, but it does require you to keep a few key things in mind.

 

For starters, you need to enable two factor authentication on any account you have that supports it. This includes not only your email but also things like bank accounts as well. Two factor authentication is a technology that requires more than just a password to gain access to an account. Once you type in your password, you’ll be sent a unique numerical code. This will come either to your email or, more likely, to your cell phone.

 

The idea is that even if someone were to gain access to your password, they would be very unlikely to have access to your physical device at the same time. Therefore, that password would essentially be worthless without the code. At the same time, if you get a code that you didn’t request, you’ll know something is wrong. You can quickly step in and change the password on the compromised account to prevent further issues from happening.

 

Another step that you can take to protect yourself against online threats involves always making sure that your operating system and other programs are updated. Many people don’t realize that the latest version of software does more than just add new features. It also patches security holes that hackers can leverage to do you harm. Therefore, making an effort to keep your system updated is one of the best ways to stop that from happening. Most updates are free these days anyway. 

 

Finally, you’ll want to make sure that you’re never using an unsupported version of an operating system. This is true even i it is one that you still like and that still technically functions. Microsoft stopped supporting the Windows 7 operating system a few years ago, for example. This means that when new security issues are discovered, and they absolutely will be, Microsoft will no longer offer support. This makes your computer a potential vulnerability just waiting to be taken advantage of by someone with bad intentions. You always need to upgrade to newer versions of Windows or the MacOS operating system as they become available to avoid issues like these moving forward.

 

In the end, the Internet is certainly not without its potential dark side. Countless new strains of malware appear online every single day. But by making an effort to understand this threat, you can enjoy all of the benefits of being online with as few of the potential downsides as possible.  

How To Know if You Have a Computer Virus

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Our increasing reliance on computers for work and daily activities can be a great convenience, but it also increases the negative impact of a computer virus. Installing anti-virus (AV) software is an essential step in protecting your computer, but even the best AV software won’t detect all viruses. You must also use your observation skills to identify the following behaviors that could indicate your computer is infected.

Abnormal Disk Activity

Unexpected disk activity should always prompt you to investigate the cause. While it may have an innocent explanation like insufficient space on your hard drive, it can also indicate the presence of a virus. For example, if you don’t think your computer should be doing anything and you see the hard drive light constantly flashing, you should determine the cause.

Bring up your task manger and sort the display of running programs in descending order of disk activity. Examine the programs at the top of the list to see if there are any programs that you don’t recognize. If you aren’t familiar with the programs that normally run on your computer, seek the help of an expert.

New Features in Your Browse

Internet access is one of the most common uses of computers today, making web browsers a primary target for hackers. Many viruses make changes to browsers that cause observable changes. For example, if your home page or wallpaper changes unexpectedly, it’s a strong indication that a virus has infected your browser. New tool bars are also a common change when a plugin is installed into your browser. In addition, you should always take notice when your browser redirects you to a different site from the one you’re trying to reach.

Sending out Spam

One of the main functions of viruses is to propagate themselves on other computers. They often accomplish this goal by sending email messages to other people on your contact list. These messages may contain an attachment with the virus, which will infect the recipient’s computer when they open the attachment. If you suspect this is happening, you should log out of all your social networking accounts immediately and change your passwords. Select strong passwords that are easy to remember but hard to guess.

Crashing Programs

Programs that crash frequently can be a sign that your computer is infected, especially if it’s software with a large user base. This can indicate the software is of poor quality, but commercial-grade software is generally more stable than this. Viruses can cause programs to crash when they compete for the same resources or change settings on your computer.

Summary

Modern AV software is highly effective at detecting specific viruses that it already knows about. It can also detect viruses that exhibit virus-like behavior, even when it doesn’t recognize that particular virus. However, you still need to remain alert to suspicious behavior from your computer.

How To Have Better Quality Friendships

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Friendships enrich our lives with companionship, support and love. The wrong friends bring us down, though, and affect our physical, emotional and mental health and wellbeing. Because friends are crucial, here are a few ways you can cultivate better quality friendships. 

Choose friends wisely. 

Look for friends who share your interests, balance your personality and uplift you. And remember that it is okay and healthy to break off friendships with people who are toxic or no longer involved in your life. 

Make time to connect. 

Quality friendships require intentional relationship building, which takes time. So, be available for your friends and participate in their lives. Send and reply to texts, schedule face-to-face meetings, and plan fun outings. Also, meet their families, celebrate important events like birthdays and learn about their interests. 

Maintain your own standards.

Commit to being who you genuinely are. Real friends will like, accept and enjoy the real you. And you can expect the same authenticity in return as you commit to building quality friendships that last. 

Practice trusting behaviors.

True friendship means you have each other’s backs. So, choose friends and become a friend who practices trusting behaviors like dependability, responsibility and integrity. For example, keep your word and refuse to lie to or about your friends. Likewise, defend friends when they’re criticized. And protect secrets and resist sharing or listening to gossip.

Listen well.

It’s easy to do all the talking when you are excited about a topic or need to process a challenge. But also give your friends time to talk. Then, listen carefully. Pay attention to their words and body language, and reply after they finish sharing.

Give and receive help.

Asking for help and sharing deep feelings requires vulnerability. These features are essential in quality friendships, so become willing to give and receive support and help.

Share feedback.

Friendship can help you grow as a person if you can share feedback. For example, a true friend will point out the lettuce in your teeth before you leave the table. Likewise, quality friendships allow both parties to discuss hurtful comments or problematic behavior patterns.  

Set and respect boundaries. 

Like all healthy relationships, quality friendships require guidelines about how you will treat each other. That means you may need to set limits on the topics you discuss or the hours you’re available. Also, agree not to use your friendship as free therapy. These and other boundaries help you create a mutually satisfying, nurturing and emotionally healthy relationship. 

Resolve conflict maturely.

Every friendship will experience conflicts and disagreements. Instead of nurturing resentment and unforgiveness, talk to each other in a respectful, mature manner. Share your perspective using “I feel, want, need, see” statements. Also, be willing to apologize. Seek to resolve the conflict without guilt, shame or emotional blackmail as you build a deeper connection. 

To have better quality friendships, be a good friend. Treat people the way you want to be treated, and you’ll attract the quality friends you deserve, desire and need.

 

 

Are standing desks a good idea?

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The popularity of standing desks in the workplace has been rising quickly since about 2015. While standing desks have only entered mainstream use in the last few years, they aren’t a recent invention by any means. Many intellectuals, politicians and writers throughout history have used them, including Charles Darwin, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Jefferson.

Many workers have become staunch advocates of this new form of office equipment, which is also becoming more common in homes. Figuring out whether this hype is justified isn’t easy, as there are a number of trade-offs to consider. Orthopedic health and obesity are two key factors that can help you determine if a standing desk is a good idea for you.

Overview

The scientific evidence comparing standing desks to sitting desks provides few conclusive answers. In the first place, standing desks haven’t been around long enough for scientists to conduct many studies. Furthermore, the few studies that are available don’t make a particularly strong case in favor of standing desks.

For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a study in 2011 showing that standing desks reduced pain in the neck and upper back, and also improved the user’s mood compared to sitting desks. However, this study didn’t consider possible drawbacks of using a standing desk. In addition, mood is a subjective factor that’s highly prone to a placebo effect.

Orthopedic Health

Research on standing desks suggests that they don’t offer any overall orthopedic benefits compared to sitting desks. Standing is definitely better for your back and neck than sitting. However, standing for prolonged periods has its own orthopedic problems, primarily stress on the knees.

It may be possible to counteract these effects by combining standing desks with other equipment. For example, some studies show that fatigue mats can reduce knee strain from standing by up to 60 percent. These results could give standing desks the edge over sitting desks with respect to orthopedic health if you also use a fatigue mat.

Obesity

Standing desks are often touted as a cure for obesity, but there is a strong scientific consensus that standing doesn’t burn significantly more calories than sitting down. It’s much more important to incorporate exercise into your daily schedule, whether you sit or stand at work. In particular, you need to engage in 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity at least three times per week.

Summary

Current research isn’t sufficient to draw any conclusions about the health benefits of standing desks. The limited research that is available suggests that it isn’t all that helpful as an alternative to sitting desks by itself. A better solution might be to alternate between the two positions while working. Furthermore, standing desks don’t eliminate the need for daily exercise.

How To Improve Your Health And Help The Environment At The Same Time

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Protecting your health and the environment are both important endeavors. Improve your health and help the environment at the same time when you implement the following meaningful changes. 

Clean Smarter

Cleaning products can contain harmful chemicals that contaminate your body and the air. Natural products like white vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice are eco-friendly alternatives. Use washable cloth rags instead of disposable wipes, too.  

Improve Indoor Air Quality

Allergens, dust mites and other pollutants can contaminate indoor air and cause breathing and sleeping problems. Use eco-friendly products to clean and disinfect your home. Also, open the windows every day and grow indoor plants. You could service the HVAC system, seal air leaks and insulate your home properly to reduce energy use and protect your health. 

Buy Local Produce

Nourish your body with healthy fruits and vegetables grown locally. As you support your health and the local economy, you help to eliminate high greenhouse gas emissions from cross-country shipping.

Eat Vegan

A plant-based diet can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes and reduce your carbon footprint. Try adding a vegan meal or two to your weekly menu as you shift your diet.

Stay Hydrated 

Your body needs water to function. Staying hydrated also supports your brain function, mood and energy level. However, disposable water bottles use valuable resources and take years to decompose. Carry a reusable water bottle, stainless steel canteen or thermos to prevent waste and improve your health. 

Take a Bath

Conserve water and lower stress when you take baths instead of showers. A single shower requires 12 gallons of water versus a nine-gallon bath. And since stress causes a variety of health conditions, you will care for your health as you soak. 

Wear Natural Fibers

Certain fabrics contain perfluorinated chemicals or PFCs that are toxic to your body and the environment. Even cotton growth requires pesticides. Consider switching to hemp, wool or silk instead. And shop at secondhand stores to further preserve the environment.

Nurture a Garden

Grow fresh vegetables and herbs plus colorful flowers in your garden. Whether you have a large backyard or containers on your deck or kitchen windowsill, plants clean the air. Playing in the dirt is also good exercise, and looking at nature also diminishes stress, which can safeguard your health. 

Park the Car

Vehicle emissions affect local air quality and the ozone layer. Instead of driving, walk or bike to work, school and the store. Exercise improves your physical health and mood. However, if you must drive, combine errands, carpool and park at the far end of the lot when possible. 

Plant a Tree

Trees offer numerous health and environmental benefits. Spending time around trees also helps you relax. Trees also create oxygen and reduce carbon dioxide. And the shade they provide around your home means you can run the air conditioner less. So plant a tree or two in your yard. 

Implement one or more of these tips to improve your health and help the environment at the same time. 

Are NFTs A Scam?

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Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are unique cryptographic tokens that are part of a blockchain. They can’t be replicated, so they’re often used to represent real-world items, especially artwork. Tokenizing these tangible assets initially allowed them to be traded more efficiently.

However, the viability of NFTs is coming under increasing scrutiny, despite the eagerness of many stakeholders to embrace them. OpenSea, one of the largest online NFT marketplaces, announced in February 2022 that about 80 percent of the NFTs created on its platform were fraudulent. Other sources tell a similar story, indicating there may be more to these incidents than just a few bad actors.

Overview

Labeling all NFT projects as scams would be an overgeneralization, but their relatively new framework lends itself to fraudulent activity. Josh Gilbert, financial expert for the global investment platform eToro, reports that NFT scams tend to follow the same patterns familiar in traditional financial fraud. While these scams aren’t unique to NFTs, some people will always look for a way to apply them to emerging technologies. However, this trend doesn’t necessarily jeopardize all NFT projects because they are a transformative technology that will profoundly affect the creators, brands and collectors of unique content.

Premises

The basic premise of NFT scams is usually to take advantage of inexperienced investors. It’s therefore crucial to understand a project’s validity, which can be challenging since this determination isn’t always straightforward. Furthermore, newcomers to NFT are less inclined to delve into a project’s origins, making them easier to exploit. John Hawkins, lecturer at the Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, states that many NFT marketing ventures aren’t illegal by themselves, although they do share similarities with Ponzi schemes.

For example, cryptocurrency markets require existing investors to draw new buyers into the market in order to make a profit. The belief that a profit is automatically attached to digital assets is what makes NFT ventures potentially risky. These projects are increasingly subject to speculative bubbles that don’t have any fundamental value. NFTs don’t have any intrinsic worth, but speculators often buy them purely in the hopes that their price will continue to increase.

Exploits

NFTs provide a collection of ideas that are vulnerable to exploitation for social value and financial gain. Renowned artists and self-promoters are both using innovative approaches that focus more on the economics of NFT’s than the intrinsic value of the tangible asset they represent.

For example, Damien Hirst, a master self-promoter, has created “The Currency” project, which involves him selling NFTs for 10,000 dot paintings that are nearly identical. One year after buyers purchase these NFTs, they must decide if they want the NFT or the artwork. If they choose the NFT, the artwork is destroyed.

Gear Up Your Home Office to Aid Productivity

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According to a 2021 Gallup poll, 45% of full-time workers in the United States are working from home either all or part of the time. If you fall into this category, you’ve probably realized just how challenging it can be to stay motivated and focused while working from home. Fortunately, there are some simple upgrades you can make to your home office to boost your focus and productivity. 

A Supportive Office Chair

It’s hard to focus on your work when you’re uncomfortable. Old or poorly designed office chairs can contribute to distracting neck and back pain. Upgrading to a supportive, comfortable office chair with an ergonomic design can make all the difference. Specifically, look for one with plenty of adjustable settings that will allow you to achieve customized comfort. Or, ditch the office chair altogether and invest in a standing desk!

An Ergonomic Keyboard

People often overlook the importance of economics on a computer keyboard. If you spend a lot of time typing, the wrong keyboard and improper form can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome and other issues. And of course, this can affect your work performance.

Ready to upgrade your keyboard? Look for one with an ergonomic design that will support your wrists and encourage correct form as you type. Meanwhile, it’s important to take regular breaks from typing, so schedule some into your day.

White Noise or Noise-Canceling Headphones

Noisy pets, rambunctious kids, and other everyday sounds can quickly become distracting when you’re trying to work from home. One simple way to drown out distractions and improve your focus is to invest in a great white noise machine or a pair of noise-canceling headphones. 

Not only can white noise improve focus, but its use has also been found to boost creativity and reduce stress. Even better? You don’t necessarily have to spend money on a white noise machine to capitalize on its benefits. There are plenty of free white noise apps and even white noise recordings on YouTube that you can access for free.

The Right Lighting

Proper lighting can make all the difference in your productivity from a home office. Natural light, for example, can give you a much-needed energy boost. If you have a window in your home office, invest in a great set of blinds or shades so that you can adjust the amount of light coming into your workspace with ease.

Meanwhile, task lighting in the form of a desk lamp can support such tasks as reading, viewing photos, and the like. Just be careful to set up your task lighting in a way that prevents shadows, as these can become distracting—especially when you’re trying to write.

Boost Your Productivity Today

Working from a home office can be a blessing in many ways, but the work-from-home life does require a little extra focus to stay productive. With these tips and home office upgrades, you’ll be on your way to maximizing productivity and staying motivated all day long.