Tablets | Popular Science https://www.popsci.com/category/tablets/ Awe-inspiring science reporting, technology news, and DIY projects. Skunks to space robots, primates to climates. That's Popular Science, 145 years strong. Thu, 01 Jun 2023 20:34:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.1 https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/28/cropped-PSC3.png?auto=webp&width=32&height=32 Tablets | Popular Science https://www.popsci.com/category/tablets/ 32 32 The best portable chargers for 2023 https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-portable-chargers/ Fri, 29 Oct 2021 21:30:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=405334
Peripherals photo
Amanda Reed

Don’t get caught with your power down. A portable charger can keep you up and running through all of life's emergencies.

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Amanda Reed

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Best multipurpose Anker PowerCore 1000 is the best portable charger. Anker PowerCore Fusion 10,000
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The Anker PowerCore Fusion 10,000 combines the convenience of portable battery and outlet-based charger in a single package.

Best for travel Belkin Gaming Power Bank is the best portable charger. Belkin Gaming Power Bank with Stand
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Belkin’s gaming charger with a stand lets you power up your phone while watching media or playing games.

Best for laptops A Anker 747 laptop charger on a blue and white background Anker 747 Power Bank
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The Anker 747 Power Bank power bank pulls out all the stops with its massive charging capacity.

Keeping a portable charger in your car, bag, or pocket prepares you if an emergency arises as you’re running out of power. Say you’re stuck in a raging blizzard, your car in a snowbank on the highway, and you need a tow if you don’t want to stay where you are overnight. No problem, you can just call for roadside assistance, right? That isn’t the case if your phone happens to run out of power and you have no way to charge it back up again. It’s not the case unless you carry a portable power bank, that is. A battery pack to charge your phone, laptop, and other devices can make all the difference when your battery’s nearly dead and draining fast. The right power bank will let you top off all your essential gear to get your devices through the day (or longer). Fortunately, we’ve collected some of the best portable chargers available and sorted them into categories that should fit most people’s needs.

How we chose the best portable chargers

When choosing the best portable chargers, I relied on my years of experience covering the tech industry. I’ve used portable power banks to keep my phone and other devices charged while covering events, conducting interviews, and recording presentations. In addition to my personal and professional testing, we’ve parsed reviews from consumers and other publications to find chargers that have made a strong impression on their owners. 

The best portable chargers: Reviews & Recommendations

Our choices for the best portable chargers run the gamut from small pocket-sized batteries for extending your phone’s battery life to big, beefy chargers that can power a mobile office. Depending on what devices you carry around daily or while traveling, there are different power banks for everyone.

Best overall: OtterBox Performance Fast Charge Power Bank

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Why it made the cut: This speedy power bank allows for 3.6x faster charging compared to other portable chargers and can power two devices at once.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 6.26x 3.08 x .92 inches
  • Weight: 15.3 ounces
  • Battery capacity: 20,000 mAh
  • Ports: 2 (one USB-C, one USB-A)
  • Charging speed: 18W

Pros

  • Fast charging
  • Can charge two devices at once
  • Drop protection

Cons

  • Heavy compared to other portable chargers

Otterbox makes some of our favorite MagSafe accessories, so it’s no surprise we love its powerful wired charger as well. The OtterBox Performance Fast Charge Power Bank gives you 20,000 mAh of juice to recharge your tablets and phones. And, with a USB-A port and a fast-charging USB-C port, you can charge two devices at once, no matter what brand. It comes with a USB-A to USB-C cable, so you won’t have to get one on the go, but it works fabulously with others you may have around the house, as we did in the above photo. An LED power indicator shows you how much power you have left, and the power bank is designed for durability thanks to trusted drop protection. Although it’s a little chonky, we’d rather carry around a powerhouse than be left in the dark and uncharged.

Best multipurpose: Anker PowerCore Fusion 10,000

Why it made the cut: The Anker PowerCore Fusion 10,000 combines the convenience of a portable battery and outlet-based charger in a single package.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 4.72 x 3.23 x 1.39 inches
  • Weight: 10.1 ounces
  • Battery capacity: 10,000mAh
  • Ports: One USB-A, one USB-C
  • Charging speed: 20W

Pros

  • Convenient size
  • Doubles as a wall outlet and battery pack
  • Charges multiple devices

Cons

  • Can be awkward to plug into some sockets

As the best multipurpose portable charger, the Anker PowerCore Fusion 10,000 is especially convenient, even among power banks. It’s a fairly small portable charger with two ports and a 10,000mAh battery, but you can also plug it into an outlet and draw power from there. This is extremely convenient for travelers and rolls two devices into one well-crafted package. Its only downside is that it’s a little larger and heavier than a standard wall-based charger. The shape can also make it awkward to fit into some places, and the weight might cause it to fall out of a loose socket.

Best for travel: Belkin Gaming Power Bank with Stand

Why it made the cut: Belkin’s gaming charger with a stand lets you power up your phone while watching media or playing games.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 6.21 x 1.56 x 4.02 inches
  • Weight: 11.8 ounces
  • Battery capacity: 10,000mAh
  • Ports: One USB-A, one USB-C
  • Charging speed: 12W

Pros

  • Stand makes continuing to use the phone while charging more convenient
  • Stand is retractable

Cons

  • Fast charging is hit or miss

It seems like combining a portable charger and a stand would be a no-brainer, but surprisingly few companies have actually made them. Belkin’s Gaming Power Bank with Stand is the best portable charger for travel. It offers a retractable shelf with a lip that makes it easy to continue enjoying media or games on your phone as it charges. Unfortunately, its fast-charging seems to be hit-or-miss: Some users report speedy refueling, while others aren’t as impressed with how quickly their devices get juiced up. It’s a great charger when you have a few hours to kill and need to top off your phone’s power, but not the most efficient option.

Best with flashlight: superallure Solar Charging Power Bank

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Why it made the cut: This power bank is powered by the sun and can give you some extra light in the great outdoors if your flashlight decides to take a day off.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 7.48 x 4.92 x 1.42 inches
  • Weight: 1.15 pounds
  • Battery capacity: 43,800 mAh
  • Ports: USB-C, USB-A
  • Charging speed: 15W

Pros

  • Built-in chargers
  • Solar-powered
  • Built-in flashlight is bright

Cons

  • Heavy

Sometimes you don’t need solar generator-level power, but you still need a bit of juice while adventuring the in the great outdoors. This one is solar-powered, Qi wireless charging compatible, and has USB-A and USB-C cords built-in—that’s one less thing in your pack. You can maybe even leave the flashlight at home—this charger also has a built-in flashlight. An IP65 rating makes it dust-resistant, with a bit of waterproofing on top. Plus, it can power 3-5 complete phone charges. Reviews note that customer service is great, and the power bank gave peace of mind while traveling in remote settings.

Best with wireless charging: Mophie Charge Stream

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Why it made the cut: Ditch the cables entirely with this Qi-enabled wireless portable charger that works across Android and iPhone.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 2.72 x 0.63 x 5.19 inches
  • Weight: 8.5 ounces
  • Battery capacity: 6,040 mAh
  • Ports: USB-A, USB-C
  • Charging speed: 10W

Pros

  • Pass-through charging enabled
  • Can charge wirelessly or with a cable
  • Can charge two devices at once

Cons

  • Shows dirt easily

No cables? No problem, thanks to this wireless power bank from Mophie. You’ll be able to charge using the power of magnets as long as your device is Qi-enabled. Simply place your phone on the portable charger and push the button to begin wireless charging. You can get 48 extra hours of battery depending on what you’re charging, and a USB port allows you to charge another device while using wireless charging. Our only complaint? It tends to show dirt easily. Its powerful charging and wireless transcendence across brands make up for this.

Best large: Goal Zero Sherpa Wireless Portable AC Power Bank

Goal Zero

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Why it made the cut: This large portable charger is like a mini generator in your pack.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 7.69 x 5.49 x 1.02 inches
  • Weight: 3.19 pounds
  • Battery capacity: 25,600 mAh
  • Ports: 2 USB-A, 2 USB-C, 1 AC port
  • Charging speed: 100W

Pros

  • Heavy-duty
  • Can charge laptops two times over
  • Solar generator power without the size

Cons

  • Expensive

We’ve reviewed Goal Zero’s Yeti 1000 Core generator in the past and gave it kudos for its durability and battery capacity. Goal Zero took both of those aspects and packed them into an ever smaller package with its Sherpa Wireless Portable power bank. It’s great if you need major power on the go without needing an entire solar generator. And you’ll get plenty of use out of it: this power bank can charge a smartphone 8 times; a tablet three times; a laptop two times; and a GoPro 18 times. It also supports wireless charging. Talk about a multi-hyphenate. Its aluminum unibody is durable, and it easily integrates with other Goal Zero products, like solar panels. It’s pricey, but we think it’s worth it if you’re looking for a tough portable charger that’s made to last.

Best for laptops: Anker 747 Power Bank

Anker

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Why it made the cut: This sleek laptop power bank can keep you powered in the coffee shop or library.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 7.2 x 3.23 x .95 inches
  • Weight: 26.4 ounces
  • Battery capacity: 26,600 mAh
  • Ports: Two USB-A, two USB-C
  • Charging speed: 87W

Pros

  • Recharges in 2.5 hours
  • High voltage protection
  • Can charge more than one device at the same time

Cons

  • No AC outlet

Those who leave their house to work in a coffee shop know the struggle of trying to find a precious outlet. Worry no longer, thanks to this portable laptop power bank from Anker, which can give your laptop enough juice while you wait for an outlet to open up. It’s built with Anker’s MultiProtect safety system, which combines temperature control and high-voltage protection for a safer charging experience. If you use up the portable charger’s power, fret not—it takes 2.5 hours to reach a full charge. Those who need an AC outlet to use their laptop charger, however, will be out of luck.

Best budget: INIU Portable Charger

Why it made the cut: The INIU portable charger is cheap and does a fine job powering your phone … plus it has a pawprint-shaped indicator light!

Specs

  • Dimensions: 5.2 x 2.7 x 0.5 inches
  • Weight: 7 ounces
  • Battery capacity: 10,000mAh
  • Ports: 2 USB-A, One USB-C
  • Charging speed: 15W

Pros

  • Has a built-in paw print indicator light
  • Extremely affordable
  • Cute LED logo

Cons

  • Reports of quality assurance issues

Sometimes you just need a product that does exactly what it’s supposed to for as little money as possible. The INIU Portable Charger is affordable and provides a 10,000mAh battery in a very slim form factor. Conveniently, it also has a built-in indicator light which can be a big help in a pinch, and its paw print makes looking at your power bank fun. Unfortunately, there are some reports of dead units, which means customers need to watch out for poor QA. Reports suggest that INIU customer service has done right by users who reported getting a nonfunctional unit, though, shipping out replacements quickly.

What to consider when buying the best portable chargers

Portable chargers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. For many, they’re just random bricks that you plug stuff into, with little to differentiate between them. While they may look the same, there are aspects of a charger’s design that vary, which you should keep in mind when picking one out. 

How much power can it hold? Will it fit in my pocket or my backpack? Does it have the ports to charge all my devices or just my phones? If you know these things, you can buy the right portable charger for your needs:

How big is the battery?

Portable chargers are really just fancy plastic and a circuit board wrapped around a battery. The most important thing you need to know about any portable charger is how big that battery is. Portable chargers measure their power storage in Milliamp Hours (mAh), a unit of measurement that shows how much power a battery can hold. The number of charges it can provide will depend on the specific device, but it’s a good way to get a general sense. 

If you plan to keep a laptop going through your workday or charge many devices simultaneously, you will likely want the largest battery possible, which tends to range between 2,000mAh and 10,000mAh for most users, depending on the devices they cart around.  If you’re just looking to top off your phone to get through a busy day, you can probably get something smaller. More storage translates to a larger, more expensive charger, so that’s definitely good reason to go small if that’s all you need.

How much space does it take up?

As we said, more power means a bigger battery pack. It doesn’t matter how impressive a portable charger’s specs are if it’s a pain to carry around. Power banks range in size from slim and pocket-sized to whopping boxes as big as a book. They can get heavy, too. While it can be tempting to get the biggest, most powerful charger, you will make a better choice if you’re realistic about your needs.

What are you charging?

When you choose a portable charger, you’ll want to remember what you will be using it for. Most people tend to buy chargers to top off their best tablet, new iPhone, Bluetooth headphones, or noise-cancelling earbuds: As a result, most portable battery packs are made for that purpose. If you’re looking to charge something bigger, like a laptop, you should make sure to get a charger that has the right ports for the job. For larger devices, you will also need to make sure the charging rate is actually high enough to replenish your laptop’s battery.

How quickly can it charge your devices?

The second major consideration when buying a portable charger is how fast it charges. Different batteries can charge devices at different rates, depending on the device and the cable used to charge. In general, portable chargers tend to be slower than plugging a device into a wall, but some are faster than others. Check the maximum charging rate, measured in watts (W), to determine how quickly most devices will charge.  For a portable charger, 18 watts is considered a good charging speed. 27 watts is excellent.

Sometimes companies will show a battery’s voltage and amperage rather than a rate in Watts: In that case, multiply the two numbers to get the rate in watts. For example: If a charger serves 5 volts at 2 amps (5V/2A), its charging rate is 10W. (5 x 2 = 10).

How fast does the battery pack charge itself?

It’s also important to look at how long you need to juice each charger back up to full capacity. When you’re in a pinch and pressed for time, knowing you can fall back on a fast-charging portable device offers peace of mind. A good charging rate, for example, is anywhere from 3 hours (111.11 mAh/min) to 4 hours (111.48 mAh/minute), though there have been packs that have charged back up to 100% in just 20 minutes or so. The larger the battery bank, the longer it will need to charge, especially when you factor in larger capacities. This rate may differ from pack to pack if the charger can power other devices. 

FAQs

Q: How much does a portable charger cost?

A portable charger can cost between $20-$300, depending on size and features.

Q: Will portable chargers damage my phone?

The circuitry inside portable chargers is meant to prevent the device from overcharging, but shouldn’t have any influence on how your phone charges. Instead, each phone has its own charging system that should detect when there are issues with power delivery. If a power bank isn’t delivering enough power or has a fault, most recent phones will disable the charging circuit to prevent any damage and notify the user of the issue.

Q: How long does a portable charger last?

Since portable chargers are batteries, they will eventually degrade. Like other batteries, a power bank’s long-term health depends on many factors. What battery technology it’s using, how often it’s discharged and recharged, and the quality of the charging circuitry can affect a battery pack’s ability to draw power. Most should last a few years, even with frequent use. If your battery dies within two years, you should contact the manufacturer.

Q: Should a portable charger get hot?

When using a power bank, both the phone and the portable charger will heat up. Batteries use chemical reactions to store and discharge energy. Some of that energy is lost as waste heat. This is normal, so there’s no need to worry if your battery and/or phone feel warm when using a portable charger. However, neither a power bank nor a phone should ever get so hot that it makes you recoil. If you feel like either device is irregularly hot, disconnect them from all other devices and move away until you’re sure it’s safe to resume using them.

Q: How do I know if a portable charger is compatible with my device?

Most portable chargers have a USB-A or USB-C port to plug a cable into, connecting you phone to the power bank. As long as you have the correct cable, you’re good. However, compatibility matters when considering wireless chargers. There are two words you should look out for: Qi and MagSafe. Qi wireless charging is an interface standard that works for both Android and iPhone devices. MagSafe is similar, but proprietary to Apple devices specifically. Check for these words in the product description of your phone and the charger you’re looking for.

Final thoughts on the best portable chargers

Possessing the best portable charger can be a real lifesaver under the right circumstances. There isn’t that much to the tech, but there’s still a surprising amount of variation from device to device. It pays to learn their ins and outs to tell the difference, whether you need a slim power bank to get a quick jolt or something massive that can keep a laptop going for days. No matter what, we can all agree on one thing: Nobody likes having a battery die on them.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

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The best 8-inch tablets in 2023 https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-8-inch-tablets/ Wed, 10 May 2023 21:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=539043
The Best 8-Inch Tablets
Brandt Ranj / Popular Science

These smaller tablets are more than just a bigger-sized phone.

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The Best 8-Inch Tablets
Brandt Ranj / Popular Science

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Best overall iPad Mini iPad Mini
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The iPad Mini is the pinnacle of the 8-inch tablet in terms of performance, hardware quality, and software quality.

Biggest screen Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite Samsung Galaxy Tab 7A
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If you want an 8-inch tablet specifically for streaming video on the go, you can’t go wrong here.

Best budget TCL Tab 8 TCL Tab 8
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Often offered at $99, TCL’s Tab 8 is one of the best values in tech when you can grab it on sale; it even comes with a case.

Phone screens have continuously gotten bigger, but there’s still room for the venerable 8-inch tablet. These standalone devices offer more digital real estate for work and play without feeling cumbersome. For years, companies treated their smaller tablets poorly—omitting features present in “full-sized” models—but that’s changed. Today’s “8-inch “mini” tablets have feature parity with their bigger siblings while besting them in portability. The best 8-inch tablets fill a noticeable gap between smartphones and tablets, offering some of the best of both worlds.

How we chose the best 8-inch tablets

Our research and testing revealed that the term 8-inch tablet is a little ambiguous because many tech companies have decided to play fast and loose with screen sizes. The iPad Mini, for example, has an 8.3-inch screen, while Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A7 Lite’s display comes in at 8.7 inches. This difference may seem subtle, but every tenth of an inch counts when dealing with tablets this small. We factored in these variations—plus which tablets have the best overall hardware, expandable storage, and battery life—to find five that suit different people’s needs equally.

The best 8-inch tablets: Reviews & Recommendations

There’s a lot more competition in this part of the tech world than you might think, with many tablets having overlapping features and subtle differences. You’ll find the right 8-inch tablet below regardless of your screen size preferences, operating system preferences, or budget.

Best overall: iPad Mini

Stan Horaczek

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Specs

  • Screen size: 8.3 inches
  • Battery life: Up to 10 hours
  • Storage: Up to 256GB
  • Weight: 239 grams
  • Cameras: 12 megapixel (front) 12 megapixel (rear)

Pros

  • Useful for media consumption and work
  • Excellent camera hardware for its size
  • App store full of helpful software

Cons

  • Price

This entire story could honestly be a meditation on how the iPad mini absolutely smokes any other tablet in this screen size bracket when it comes to performance, hardware quality, and software quality. However, as is typically the case, its cost—roughly three times higher than our other recommendations—will temper anyone’s enthusiasm.

In our tests, there wasn’t a single task the iPad Mini couldn’t do well. Its Liquid Retina screen (2266-by-1488 resolution at 326 pixels per inch) made reading text, viewing images, and watching videos a joy. The LED IPS display’s wide color display (P3) reproduction was especially impressive—it can’t match the performance of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro’s miniLED screen, but it holds its own. The pint-sized tablet is powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, which is speedy enough to stream 4K video, load high-resolution images, and play Apple Arcade games with no signs of slowing down.

If you’ve used an iPhone or previous-generation iPad, you’ll be familiar with many aspects of iPadOS. Apple’s tablet operating system isn’t as versatile as macOS, but Apple has continuously added features to bridge the gap. The iPad Mini’s greatest software advantage over Android tablets is the App Store, which is loaded with hundreds of thousands of productivity and leisure applications. If you want to work on an iPad Mini, you’ll find the software you need on the App Store, and the tablet is powerful enough to run it.

Apple says the iPad Mini’s battery lasts up to 10 hours per charge, and that’s true, depending on how you use it. You’ll probably get there if you browse the web, listen to music, or stream video with the 500 nits of brightness at 50 percent. Resource-intensive tasks like gaming or streaming video with the brightness cranked all the way up will run down the battery much more quickly.

Taking photos and videos with a tablet is more cumbersome than using a phone, but the iPad Mini’s 12-megapixel camera system is unmatched compared to its competition. Whether you’re video chatting with friends and colleagues or snapping a quick pic of something that catches your eye, you should be very happy with the results. The fact that you can import your photo and edit it in professional software like Adobe Lightroom or Photomator—using the Apple Pencil (2nd generation), if desired—speaks volumes about the iPad Mini’s value.

The iPad Mini is offered in 64GB and 256GB storage sizes—more than the average for an 8-inch tablet—but you can’t expand it with a memory card later on. The base storage tier is fine for casual use, but if you plan on using the iPad Mini for productivity tasks, it might be necessary to bump up to the high storage tier. At that point, you’re looking at a tablet that costs over $600—more than Apple charges for the entry-level model of its higher-end tablets. Adding cellular connectivity increases its price even more.

If you don’t mind spending the extra money, the iPad Mini is in a league of its own. You won’t find a better-looking, better-performing 8-inch tablet—or one that even comes close.

Biggest storage: Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus

Amazon

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Specs

  • Screen size: 8-inches
  • Battery life: Up to 13 hours
  • Storage: 32GB (Expandable up to 1TB)
  • Weight: 337 grams
  • Cameras: 2 megapixel (front), 5 megapixel (rear)

Pros

  • Tight integration with Amazon’s digital content ecosystem
  • Massively expandable storage
  • Price

Cons

  • Weak productivity app selection
  • No native YouTube support

Amazon has steadily improved the quality of its Fire Tablets by adding more memory (3GB), 30-percent faster processors, increasing the battery life, and continuing to allow users to add to the base 32GB or 64GB storage via a MicroSD Card. That final feature is true of most Android tablets, but the Fire HD 8 Plus takes it to the next level by supporting storage expansion up to 1TB. That’s more than enough space to hold a lifetime’s worth of media—which this tablet is best used for.

The greatest strength of the Fire HD 8 Plus is its tight integration with Amazon’s services ecosystem. Your Kindle books, Prime Music library, Prime Video library, and Audible audiobooks will immediately be available when you turn on the device. All of the appropriate Amazon apps come pre-downloaded, so all you need to do is choose which media you’d like to sync with it. If you use Amazon’s digital services and enjoy Alexa, using the Fire HD 8 Plus will be an excellent experience.

The same is true if you want to stream video from services like Netflix, listen to music on Spotify, or download media from either service. YouTube is the only streaming app you won’t find on this tablet; you’ll have to access this service via the web browser. The Fire HD 8 Plus has enough memory and processing power for audio and video consumption, browsing the web, or taking a video conference call. If you want to get work done, though, it’s a different story. The app library available on the Fire HD 8 Plus isn’t as big as Apple’s App Store, and its relatively low-resolution screen (1280 x 800 at 189 ppi) will make using the limited productivity software even more difficult.

That said, you can get the Fire HD 8 Plus and a 1TB MicroSD card for a third of the cost of the iPad Mini. Economically, it’s a better bet if you only need your tablet for reading, watching movies in bed, online shopping, and catching up with friends on social media. If you need to download a cache of shows and films to watch on a long trip, the expanded storage and Amazon’s battery claims—this tablet can last up to 13 hours in their estimation—make it a great travel companion.

Biggest screen: Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite

Samsung

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Specs

  • Screen size: 8.7-inches
  • Battery life: N/A
  • Storage: 32GB (expandable up to 1TB)
  • Weight: 371 grams
  • Cameras: 2 megapixels (front) 8 megapixels (rear)

Pros

  • Large display
  • Expandable storage
  • Price

Cons

  • Weak front-facing camera
  • Samsung not forthright about battery specs

If you’d like to push the boundaries of what it means to be an 8-inch tablet, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is the right choice. Its 8.7-inch 1340 x 800 px (WXGA+) display is the largest screen of any tablet we’re recommending, which will come in handy whether you’re trying to get work done or enjoy a streaming video. The tablet’s other tech specs—an eight-core processor, 3GB of memory, and expandable storage up to 1TB via MicroSD—are impressive given the tablet’s low price.

The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite runs on Android, and the selection of apps on the Google Play store is robust enough that you should be able to find productivity apps in addition to the usual assortment of streaming services. The tablet’s large screen and highly expandable storage make it a wonderful content consumption device. However, no experience will match the one on Amazon’s tablets regarding overall user experience. At least you can download the YouTube app on this tablet.

Our only complaint about the Galaxy Tab A7 is that Samsung is not forthright about its tech specs. It touts this tablet’s battery life but refrains from giving a battery estimate on its site. The battery’s capacity is high enough to last several hours between charges, but, unfortunately, Samsung doesn’t give a figure to help set your expectations. If that ambiguity doesn’t bother you, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better Android tablet at this price.

Best for kids: Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition

Amazon

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Specs

  • Screen size: 8-inches
  • Battery life: Up to 13 hours
  • Storage: 32GB (Expandable up to 1TB)
  • Weight: 337 grams
  • Cameras: 2 megapixel (front), 5 megapixel (rear)

Pros

  • Includes a case
  • Two-year warranty
  • Bundled with Amazon Kids+ subscription

Cons

  • Price is steep for a kid’s gadget

The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro has the same exact specs as the version of this tablet aimed at adults, but its kid-friendly features help it stand out in the 8-inch tablet space in critical ways.

Amazon bundles each of these tablets with a hardshell case available in a handful of colors and patterns, a two-year warranty against any damage, and a year’s subscription to Kids+. The first two benefits are straightforward, but access to Amazon Kids+ is a bigger deal than you might imagine. Amazon’s child-friendly service gives kids instant, unlimited access to age-appropriate games, movies, TV shows, movies, music stations, and apps. Think of it as baked-in parental controls that allow a child to experience autonomously with their tablet without worries about the trouble they could get themselves into.

We’re happy that Amazon opted to build its kids-edition Fire Tablet with the same hardware as its standard 8-inch tablet because it ensures that your kid can use this gadget for several years without it feeling run down and slow. That’s important given this tablet’s price, which is far lower than the iPad Mini’s, but still pricey for tech aimed at kids. Still, the overall value is there, and if you’d like your kid to stop reaching for your phone constantly, it’s a wise investment.

Best budget: TCL Tab 8

TCL

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Specs

  • Screen size: 8 inches
  • Battery life: Up to 8 hours
  • Storage: 32 (expandable up to 512GB)
  • Weight: 310 grams
  • Cameras: 2 megapixel (front), 5 megapixel (rear)

Pros

  • Price
  • Blue light reduction modes
  • Expandable storage

Cons

  • So-so resolution

TCL’s Tab 8, which routinely goes on sale for $99, offers plenty of value at its discounted price for anyone who needs an 8-inch tablet for lightweight tasks like web browsing, online shopping, and video streaming. The Android 11 device comes with 32GB of storage with the option to add 512GB with a MicroSD card. TCL says this tablet lasts up to eight hours per charge—again, this will depend on how you use it and your screen brightness level.

Despite running Android 11, which is impressive for a budget-priced tablet, we’d still categorize the Tab 8 as being more for media consumption than productivity. Its display is relatively low resolution (‎800 x 1280 pixels), making it difficult to edit photos or video, though text should look OK. Think of this as a big display you can throw in your bag for video streaming on the go—especially if you download media to watch offline. TCL even bundles the Tab 8 with a foldable case, which protects your device and allows you to angle it upward for more comfortable viewing.

One of the Tab 8’s coolest features is its assortment of eye protection modes, which are optimized for tasks like e-book reading. Staring at a screen can start to hurt your eyes after a while, so it’s great to see these features baked into the device instead of forcing you to download third-party apps for the same functionality. All of these little extras are unexpected for such a budget-conscious tablet. If you’re mostly content with your phone, but would like a bigger screen when online shopping or watching random cat videos, give TCL’s Tab 8 serious consideration.

What to consider when shopping for the best 8-inch tablets

Screen size

The definition of what 8-inch tablet is varies from company to company—some hit that mark exactly, while others push the limits to a screen closer to nine inches. A larger screen makes the tablet better for media consumption and productivity, but the additional size will make it more cumbersome to carry.

Battery life

A tablet’s size doesn’t really matter if it’s run out of power, so we only recommend tablets that get at least eight hours of battery per charge. Some 8-inch tablets can last even longer, though the amount of uptime you get will be based on the apps you’re running and your screen brightness settings.

Storage

If you plan on storing a lot of media and apps on your tablet, it’s going to have enough storage to hold it all. Most of the 8-inch tablets we’re recommending allow you to add more storage to your device by popping in a memory card, which can come in handy if your needs change.

Weight

If you’re worried about how much bulk an 8-inch tablet will add to your everyday carry, don’t be. All of our recommendations weigh in at around 325 grams, which is under one pound. Tablets in this size class can typically fit in the small pocket of a backpack.

Cameras

Tablet photography remains popular, and all of our recommendations have both a front and rear-facing camera. The former is useful for selfies or video calls, while the latter will let you take quick pictures of anything around you. Tablet camera systems aren’t as sophisticated as the ones in your phone, but can work in a pinch.

FAQs

Q: Are 8-inch tablets good for gaming?

An 8-inch tablet can be good for gaming depending on the speed of its processor and the amount of memory. Both specs are crucial in ensuring the tablet can run games well.

Q: Are 8-inch tablets long-lasting?

Yes. Relative to their size, an 8-inch tablet can last a long time. Our recommendations can last at least eight hours per charge.

Q: Are 8-inch tablets good for kids?

It depends. We’ve specifically recommended an 8-inch tablet designed for kids, but any model can be useful for children as long as the correct parental controls are set.

Q: Is an 8-inch tablet good for reading?

Yes. If you’re uninterested in an eBook reader, an 8-inch tablet is a great device for reading. The screen size of these devices is roughly equivalent to that of a paperback book.

Q: Are 8-inch tablets good for artists?

Yes. An 8-inch tablet is a good size for artists who want a digital sketchpad.

Q: How much does an 8-inch tablet cost?

This depends on its feature set. You can spend as little as $99 and as much as $400 on an 8-inch tablet.

Final thoughts on the best 8-inch tablets

There’s a lot of competition in the 8-inch tablet world, which is great to see after years of companies focused on larger-screen devices. Current models from the top tech companies are all suited for media consumption, and some are beginning to be useful for productivity. Shockingly, companies have managed to keep the prices of these devices down while regularly updating them with faster components—Apple is the notable exception, but the iPad Mini is virtually untouchable in its performance. If you’ve been curious about tablets, but haven’t taken the plunge because they were too large and unwieldy or expensive, give an 8-inch tablet a try.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best 8-inch tablets in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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The best drawing tablets of 2023 https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-drawing-tablets/ Wed, 10 Feb 2021 20:30:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=408342
Best Drawing Tablets

Express your creative side with a drawing tablet.

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Best Drawing Tablets

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Best extra-large Best Drawing Tablets XP-PEN Artist24 Pro
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There’s a ton of real estate on the XP-PEN Artist 24 Pro’s 2K Quad HD display, giving you room to dream big and draw bigger.

Best overall Best Drawing Tablet Wacom Cintiq 16 Drawing Tablet
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The Wacom Cintiq 16 Drawing Tablet has all of the bells and whistles that most artists look for in a drawing tablet.

Best cheap Best Drawing Tablets Huion Inspiroy Dial Q620M
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Huion is known for making good drawing tablets, and this inexpensive offering gets the essentials right.

It’s never been easier to express your creativity on your computer. With a tablet and a digital pen, you can paint or draw your next masterpiece directly into a digitally native platform. There are lots of great drawing tablets out there, from specialty devices for professionals and hobbyists, and versatile devices for everyday life whose artistic uses are just part of the picture. Whether you’re just getting started, or a professional artist in need of a new device, these are the best drawing tablets.

How we selected the best drawing tablets

As a freelance technology critic for over 10 years, I’ve reviewed technology, including tablets, for publications including Popular Mechanics, Tom’s Guide, The Daily Beast, Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, and Bob Vila. I tested three of the items on this list and the rest of the selections are based on extensive research, conversations with artists, and reviews from other users.

The best drawing tablets: Reviews & Recommendations

Now that you know the basics, it’s time to go out and pick the best drawing tablet for you. Our list of the best tablets takes a wider approach than similar lists from other publications. In addition to drawing slates for pros from brands like Wacom and Huion, we’ve recommended some everyday tablets that support digital pens and offer strong visual art software. Not everyone who wants to draw on a tablet needs a dedicated drawing tablet.

Best overall: Wacom Cintiq 16 Drawing Tablet

Why it made the cut: The Wacom Cintiq 16 Drawing Tablet has all of the bells and whistles that most artists look for in a drawing tablet. 

Specs

  • Screen size: 15.6 inches
  • Active area: 13.6 x 7.6 inches
  • Maximum screen resolution: 1920 x 1080
  • Stylus: Wacom Pro Pen 2 (8192 pressure levels)
  • Connectivity: USB-C/HDMI or USB-A/HDMI 2.0 or later
  • Standalone: No
  • Price: $649.95

Pros

  • High-resolution display
  • Wacom Pro Pen 2
  • Scratch-resistant
  • Foldable legs

Cons

  • Expensive

The Wacom Cintiq 16 is the best drawing tablet for most people, from beginners to seasoned pros. The 15.6-inch glass display has a large 13.6- by 8.6-inch active area, making it big enough for expressive, lag-free drawing. It has an anti-glare coating that cuts down on potentially distracting reflections and adds a level of friction to help simulate the feeling of drawing on paper. Its express keys are out of the way on the tablet’s rear edge, so they don’t take up valuable screen space. The relatively compact tablet conveniently connects to your computer using an HDMI cable, which produces better video quality than a USB cable and has foldable legs that can provide up to a 19-degree incline. 

The Wacom Cintiq 16’s battery-free, cordless pen is lightweight, pressure-sensitive, and has a natural feel, like you’re writing with a regular pen. It can also tilt up to 60 degrees. The tablet also gives you a little software-enabled help, using anti-jitter technology to ensure you get smooth lines. Between the versatile pen and the high-quality surface, the Cintiq 16 is a well-rounded drawing tablet for hobbyists and pros.

Best extra-large: XP-PEN Artist 24 Pro

Why it made the cut: There’s a ton of real estate on the XP-PEN Artist 24 Pro’s 2K Quad HD display, giving you room to dream big and draw bigger.

Specs

  • Screen size: 23.8 inches
  • Active area: 20.74 x 11.67 inches
  • Maximum screen resolution: 2560 x 1440
  • Stylus: PA6 Battery free stylus (8192 pressure levels)
  • Connectivity: HDMI, USB-C
  • Standalone: No
  • Price: $899.99

Pros

  • 2K Quad HD display
  • Made for righties and lefties
  • Sensitive battery-free pen

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Expensive

If you want a lot of drawing room, the 23.8-inch XP-PEN Artist 24 Pro provides a ton of space to create your work. The 2K QHD display realizes your designs in vivid color, allowing you to notice even the smallest details. It’s built for comfort: The tablet’s stand is adjustable and can tilt up to 60 degrees, making it easy for you to find your sweet spot. It also accommodates both right- and left-handed artists, with dials and shortcut keys on both sides of the tablet for ambidextrous access. Either way, all 20 shortcut keys are customizable so you can set the tablet to meet your needs. The XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro comes with a battery-free stylus, which features 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity and 60-degree tilt, giving you the most sensitive digital drawing experience.

It’s worth noting, however, that at 15.43 pounds this is a strictly in-office/studio device.

Best for professionals: Wacom Intuos Pro Large Digital Graphic Drawing Tablet

Why it made the cut: The Wacom Intuos Pro Digital Graphic Drawing Tablet provides creative control and all of the necessary tools for experts.

Specs

  • Screen size: N/A
  • Active area: 12.1 x 8.4 inches
  • Maximum screen resolution: N/A
  • Stylus/Sensitivity: Wacom Pro Pen 2 (8192 pressure levels)
  • Connectivity: USB 
  • Standalone: No 
  • Price: $499.95

Pros

  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Pen supports 8192 pressure levels
  • Multitouch technology
  • Touchring

Cons

  • May be difficult for new users to learn

Wacom is popular among creative professionals—and for good reason. The company has over 35 years in digital pen technology, and its products are used by everyone from fashion designers to animators and filmmakers. The Wacom Intuos Pro is a surprisingly slim and lightweight tablet at 16.8 by 11.2 inches and weighs only 2.86 pounds. However, the black anodized aluminum and fiberglass composite resin make it a sturdy choice. The battery-free Wacom Pro Pen 2 is extremely pressure-sensitive and tilts 60 degrees. There’s also a pen stand included to keep the stylus safe and out of the way when not in use.

The Wacom Intuos Pro is a graphic drawing tablet, which means it doesn’t have a screen. It connects to your Mac or Windows PC via USB, or wirelessly over Bluetooth. Its multi-touch functionality lets you easily scroll, zoom, and navigate your art via the tablet. (You can also turn touch-based gestures off if they mess with your flow.) 

For a true traditionalist, there’s also a more expensive “paper edition” Intuos Pro, which adds the ability to convert paper drawings inked with a special pen into a digital image. Drawing on paper over your tablet may seem like a waste of time on paper, but it may make a world of difference for some artists.

Best e-paper: reMarkable 2

Why it made the cut: The reMarkable 2 has the most realistic paper feel, and provides a lot of functionality.

Specs

  • Screen size: 10.3 inches
  • Maximum screen resolution: 1872 x 1404
  • Stylus/Sensitivity: Marker with pen tip (4096 levels of pressure sensitivity)
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB-C
  • Standalone: Yes
  • Price: $399.00

Pros

  • Can be used as a digital whiteboard
  • Undo, erase, and move functions
  • Ultra-thin (.19”)
  • Marker does not have to charge

Cons

  • Expensive
  • No backlight if using at night
  • Subscription required for Google and Dropbox support.

If you’re specifically looking for a black-and-white, paper-style experience, the reMarkable 2 is the way to go. The ultra-thin tablet features a unique 10.3-inch “Canvas” display that simulates the look and feel of reading and writing on paper. Though it feels like a whole other world, it integrates into your digital life surprisingly well, converting articles from the web to a more focused, book-like form, converting handwritten notes into text, and sharing your tablet screen via a desktop or laptop. For artists, built-in templates and layers make it easy to start drawing, and there are brushes and tools to fit any type of project. ReMarkable’s proprietary stylus, the Marker, features a high-friction pen tip and doesn’t need to be charged.

While it’s impressive in many ways, it’s worth pointing out that using a paper-style tablet is a choice, with limited functionality compared to the iPad or Surface models on this list. If you’re willing to commit, though, it is incredibly good at what it does.

Best for kids: Boogie Board Play and Trace

Why it made the cut: As an affordable, kid-friendly tablet, the Boogie Board Play and Trace is an irresistible pick for little artists.

Specs

  • Screen Size: 8.75
  • Active area: 8.75 inches
  • Maximum screen resolution: N/A
  • Stylus: Boogie Board stylus
  • Connectivity: Battery powered
  • Standalone: Yes
  • Price: $23.53

Pros

  • Inexpensive 
  • Durable
  • Easy to erase
  • Battery operated

Cons

  • Stylus isn’t tethered

The Boogie Board Play and Trace LCD Writing Tablet is a great way to introduce your kids to drawing and writing. The battery-powered 13.5 by 9 tablet features a large, semi-transparent screen that lets your child trace their favorite image or draw freehand.

The Play and Trace also comes with templates to teach the basics of writing and drawing. It comes with a stylus, but kids can use pencils, markers, and even fingernails can be used on the surface without damaging the tablet. And, at 13.6 ounces, it’s light enough that even young kids can carry it around and use it on their own. That’s important because who knows where that stylus will wind up once your kid gets a hold of it.

Best for beginners: Apple iPad Air 5

Why it made the cut: The iPad Air opens the door for digital drawing, but it’s great for everything else, too.

Specs

  • Screen size: 10.9 inches
  • Active area: N/A
  • Maximum screen resolution: 2360 x 1640
  • Stylus: Apple Pencil 2 (Sold separately)
  • Connectivity: USB-C
  • Standalone: Yes
  • Price: $519.99

Pros:

  • Camera
  • Liquid Retina display
  • Touch ID

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Doesn’t come with a stylus

When you hear the word “tablet,” chances are that the iPad is the first thing that comes to mind. While it isn’t made specifically for drawing, pairing one with a stylus, especially the Apple Pencil 2, turns it into a fairly sophisticated and versatile tool for making digital art. The 10.9-inch iPad Air 5 is our favorite tablet. It has an edge-to-edge liquid retina display that is practically edgeless and makes images look true to life. Its Apple M1 chip is powerful enough to make drawing and other tasks, such as shooting and editing videos, and transferring files, quick and easy. And at 1lb, it is also far easier to carry around than most drawing tablets. 

The biggest disadvantage of the iPad, specifically as a drawing tablet, is that it doesn’t come with a stylus. That keeps the cost of the iPad down and gives you the option to pick one up on the cheap, but budding artists will want to drop the extra $129.99 on the Apple Pencil 2, which creates sharp lines, offers a variety of smart features, and even attaches magnetically to the side.

Best for sketching and note-taking: Microsoft Surface Pro 8

Why it made the cut: It’s expensive, but the Surface Pro 8 can effectively replace a laptop while providing excellent drawing capabilities.

Specs

  • Screen size: 13 inches
  • Maximum screen resolution: 2880 x 1920
  • Stylus/Sensitivity: Surface Slim Pen 2 (Sold separately) (4096 pressure levels)
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB
  • Standalone: Yes
  • Price: $1,219.99

Pros:

  • Facial recognition 
  • Multifunctional tablet
  • 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity

Cons:

  • Really expensive
  • Surface Slim Pen 2 Sold Separately

The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is made for multitasking. The 13-inch touchscreen tablet has a plethora of features, ranging from Dolby Vision to automatic color and brightness sensors to the Iris X graphics, which provide more than enough tools and power to seamlessly switch between sketching and taking notes without skipping a beat. With powerful specs and Windows 11 as its operating system, this is the only device on this list that could truly function as a laptop replacement.

Like the iPad, the Surface technically isn’t a dedicated drawing tablet, so it doesn’t come with a stylus. Microsoft has an incredible new pen to go with it, though, in the Surface Slim Pen 2. The $129.99 Surface pen senses 4096 levels of pressure, and creates tactile feedback, simulating the sensation of applying pencil to paper.

Best budget: Huion Inspiroy Dial Q620M

Why it made the cut: Huion is known for making good tablets, and this one is an inexpensive offering that provides the necessary features.

Specs

  • Active area: 10.5 x 6.6 inches
  • Maximum screen resolution: N/A
  • Stylus/Sensitivity: Battery-free Pen PW500 (8192 pressure levels)
  • Connectivity: Wireless
  • Standalone: No
  • Price: $109.99

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Wireless connectivity
  • 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity

Cons

  • Doesn’t work with iPhone or iPad 

If you want a drawing tablet that won’t break the bank, the Huion Inspiroy Dial Q620M Drawing Tablet provides a lot of functionality for the price. The graphics (display-free) tablet can connect wirelessly to both PC and Android devices, and the wireless receiver can hold a charge for 20 hours, which makes it convenient and trouble-free. The durable and anti-sweat tablet board is scratch- and fingerprint-resistant and has a frosted matte finish to create the feel of drawing on paper. 

The tablet, which weighs 3.13 pounds, uses a dial controller and also has eight programmable hotkeys. The battery-free pen, which comes in a pen holder, has a 60-degree tilt for accurate drawings. A small nitpick: The tablet works with Windows, macOS, and Android, but not iOS.

What to consider when buying the best drawing tablets

For most people, a drawing tablet is a tool, not a toy. Picking the best drawing tablet for you will come down to your needs as an artist. Those needs may not translate one-to-one with tablet specs, so here’s a brief primer on the most important elements of the device. These are the places where the best drawing tablets will excel.

The drawing surface

At home or in a studio, a larger tablet provides more room for those broad strokes and makes it easier to see what you’re doing. For some, however, it may make more sense to go with a smaller, lighter tablet that’s easier to transport. In general, larger tablets tend to be more expensive, so your choices may be limited by your budget.

Pen/Stylus

Most drawing tablets come with a digital pen, also commonly known as a stylus. While all digital pens are styluses, not all styluses are digital pens: In general, a digital pen works in conjunction with a specific device or set of devices, offering variable pressure sensitivity and digital buttons. Since most tablets offer a pen by default, with only a few upgrade options, finding one that feels right is as important as any aspect of the tablet itself.

Ideally, your digital pen feels comfortable to grip and allows for smooth strokes. Its ability to simulate the various types of marks you make with a pen or pencil largely comes down to its sensitivity, measured in levels of pressure. A pen with high pressure sensitivity picks up even light pen strokes, making it easy to create different shades and shapes without digital augmentation. Right now, most professional drawing tablets come with styluses that feature 8192 pressure levels. Some less expensive drawing tablets, including multi-functional devices like the Microsoft Surface line’s Slim Pen 2, offer 4096 levels. In the same vein, many pro-grade tablet pens feature “60-degree tilt,” which allows you to press down on the pen tip from many angles, offering much a wider range of marks, and less frustration.

Battery life: Your tablet’s and your pen’s

Depending on your tablet, battery life may be a major concern. While many dedicated drawing tablets plug directly into a PC for power, some are wireless and may need to be charged mid-project, especially if you also use it for taking notes, watching videos, and other things.

Some pens require charging, while others don’t. Digital pens for conventional tablets, like the Apple Pencil 2, draw power when attached to a tablet. Wacom (and, more recently, others) make battery-free digital pens that use a magnetic field emanating from the pen tip to achieve nuanced pressure sensitivity. While the phrase “battery-free” is somewhat disingenuous in some cases—many of them still need power from their tablets to power buttons and other features—they do not need to be charged for long stretches.

When choosing between a drawing tablet that has a pen with a battery or not, keep in mind that batteries provide convenience. With some pens,  a single charge can last for up to two months, but you will need to remember to charge the pen. A battery-free pen (like Wacom’s) does not require batteries or charging is extremely convenient… Until it stops working. While changing the batteries solves most of the problems associated with a battery-operated pen, you may have to go through the company’s endless list of troubleshooting steps to figure out what’s wrong with a battery-free pen.  

Connectivity

No matter what tablet you have, you’ll need to connect it to a PC when you’re done to edit and/or share your work. A USB-C to USB-C wired connection will allow you to connect your tablet to a computer without an adapter, providing a faster, more secure connection. Some high-end tablets use HDMI, rather than USB, to provide a superior video image. Some people prefer the cordless convenience of WiFi, but it introduces extra limitations, including the need for a strong network connection.

Adjustable stand

Just as you put a drawing pad on an easel, it’s important to put your tablet in the right position before starting an art project. Having some kind of adjustable base or stand, whether built-in or detachable, allows you to tilt the screen so it sits at the best angle for you to draw comfortably. 

FAQs

Q: Is a drawing tablet the same as a regular tablet?

No, the term drawing tablet generally refers to devices made specifically for creating digital art. Generally, they offer more precise pen control via a more sensitive stylus and support specialized software, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Autodesk 3ds Max, AutoCAD, and CorelDraw/Corel Painter. Some “regular” tablets, like the iPad Air 4 and Surface Pro 8 have the capabilities to serve as a basic drawing tablet for beginners, but many professionals and hobbyists find their way to using these more specific devices.

Q: Can you use a drawing tablet without a computer?

Most dedicated drawing tablets need to be connected to a PC to function properly. Even for standalone tablets, though, it helps to use a computer with a large monitor when drawing. For graphics tablets, which lack a display, you’ll need the computer’s monitor to see what you’re doing. Even for devices with a display, though, a monitor gives you a better way to look closely at your work.

Q: How much does a good drawing tablet cost?

The cost of a good drawing tablet will depend, in some part, on what you consider “good,” but as a general rule, you can expect to spend at least $400 to get a hobby- or professional-grade drawing tablet that supports HD resolution, vibrant colors, foldable legs or an adjustable stand, and a stylus with high levels of pressure sensitivity.

Final thoughts on the best drawing tablets

Whether you’re a professional artist or just dipping your toe into the world of art, there’s a drawing tablet to meet your needs. The Wacom 16 Cintiq Drawing tablet is hard to beat since it offers most of the available features emerging and seasoned artists desire. That said, each tablet on this list was picked to help a different subset of artists, from those who want the cheapest possible tablet that actually works to high-end tablets for pros to multifunctional tablets for newcomers who just want to doodle and take notes by hand. Drawing tablets can feel unapproachable because it’s a niche piece of gear, but everyone’s needs are valid.

The post The best drawing tablets of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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The best iPad for most people is back down to its lowest price ever at Amazon https://www.popsci.com/gear/apple-ipad-air-spring-deal-amazon/ Fri, 21 Apr 2023 18:35:55 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=536000
iPad Air 2020 review
The new iPad Air fits nicely onto the Magic Keyboard meant for the 11-inch iPad Pro. Stan Horaczek

Get the 2022 M1-powered iPad Air for just $499 right now at Amazon.

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iPad Air 2020 review
The new iPad Air fits nicely onto the Magic Keyboard meant for the 11-inch iPad Pro. Stan Horaczek

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If you’re in the market for an iPad, then the iPad Air (2022) is probably your best option if you can afford the upgrade from the base model. Right now, Amazon has the 64GB 2022 iPad Air for $499, which is $100 cheaper than its usual $599 price. The upgraded 256GB version is down to $649 from $749. Think of it like you’re basically getting a free Apple Pencil (which is also on sale right now for $112, down from $129). Several other iPad models are also on sale right now, so keep scrolling if you’re looking for a new device for watching TikToks slightly bigger than they would be on your phone.

iPad Air (2022), $499 (Was $599)

Mike Epstein

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When it comes to iPads, the Air represents a very solid middle ground that should appeal to most users. It sports the M1 chip inside, making it more powerful than the standard $329 iPad. That’s crucial if you plan to do any creative work like photo or video editing. It’s also convenient if you plan to play games. The cheaper iPad also doesn’t work with the latest Apple Pencil, so charging it (and storing it since it doesn’t magnetically attach to the device) is a pain. The iPad Air also offers Touch ID on the power button, a nice upgrade from the original.

The same-size iPad Pro does offer a few advantages, like Thunderbolt compatibility in the USB-C port for connecting external drives and a more advanced camera array. But, unless you’re doing heavy-duty creative work or trying to replace a laptop fully, you may not need those features anyway.

The iPad Air isn’t the cheapest model or the most powerful, but that’s what makes it such a great option for the vast majority of people who want to watch content, browse the web, and occasionally rest a sandwich on it as you walk from the kitchen back to your desk during lunch.

More iPad and Apple device deals

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The best Kindles in 2023 https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-kindles/ Fri, 07 Apr 2023 21:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=531905
The Best Kindles
Brandt Ranj / Popular Science

Amazon's eReaders are best-in-class, and offer a legitimate opportunity for distraction-free reading.

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The Best Kindles
Brandt Ranj / Popular Science

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Best Overall Kindle Paperwhite e-reader Amazon deal Kindle Paperwhite
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The mid-tier Kindle still strikes the perfect balance between performance and price.

Best for note-taking Kindle Scribe Kindle Scribe
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Amazon’s largest Kindle ever was designed for both reading, note-taking, and annotating.

Best budget Kindle Kindle
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The entry-level Kindle has never been better, and it’s the best eReader in its class.

Using a Kindle may seem weird in a world where reading books, articles, and any other text on a phone or tablet is easy. Carrying around a dedicated mono-tasking device will add weight to your load, and it’s another gadget to keep track of and charge. Yet Kindles remain popular because they only have one job and do it very well: let you carry and consume the stories that captivate you. A Kindle’s e-ink screen won’t reflect the sun when reading outdoors, unlike the reflective LCD displays used on phones and tablets. They get much better battery life and have gained the ability to play audiobooks, too. If you’ve never owned a dedicated eReader, the best Kindles are the best place to start.

How we chose the best Kindles for any budget

Our Kindle recommendations are based on a mix of research and hands-on testing, factoring in battery life, screen size, durability, storage capacity, and extra features. Amazon has recently expanded the number of Kindles it offers and updated the line, so there’s no bad choice. Instead, it’s made the entry-level good enough to be a solid starting point for people new to eReaders and used its upper-tier models to add nice-to-have features—like wireless charging and physical page-turn buttons—which aren’t necessary but improve the reading experience. Our tests with these Kindles prove the current slate of Amazon hardware is in fine form, but we also suggest checking out our story on the best eReaders to see what the competition is cooking up.

The best Kindles: Reviews & Recommendations

If you’re looking for the best way to take advantage of the seemingly endless Kindle Books store, you should recognize what is most important to you—size, interactive features, price, etc.—and go from there. Our recommendations run the gamut from a large-screen model designed for annotation to a small model that can fit in the pocket of cargo shorts or a purse. All of our recommendations are a solid choice for reading digital text, regardless of your needs and budget.

Best overall: Kindle Paperwhite

Stan Horaczek

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Specs

  • Screen size: 6 inches
  • Storage: 8GB, 16GB
  • Battery life: 21 hours
  • IP rating: IP8

Pros

  • Excellent size
  • 300ppi screen makes for very clear text
  • Built-in light offers adjustable power and color
  • Flush-front screen doesn’t get junk stuck in it
  • Snappier overall response
  • Cons
  • No hardware buttons for page turns
  • Expect to pay $20 more if you don’t want ads

The $139 Kindle Paperwhite (which goes on sale semi-regularly for $99, so keep an eye out) represents an excellent middle ground in Amazon’s eReader lineup. This 6.8-inch device offers a totally flat front, so there’s no edge between the screen and the bezel in which crud can get stuck. The 300ppi display shows absurdly sharp and easy-to-read text, as you’d expect from a current-gen Kindle.

You won’t find dedicated page-turn buttons as you will on the much more expensive Kindle Oasis, but you do get several other high-end features. The current-gen Paperwhite sports an IPX8 ruggedness rating, which means you can run it under the faucet and even knock it off your desk without worrying too much about breakage.

The e-ink display turns pages quickly and smoothly. You’ll have to handle all the other navigation via touchscreen as well. It takes a little getting used to—I flubbed touching the correct area to bring down the menu a few times. But, after a few reading sessions, it feels very natural. The 14 built-in LEDs provide nice, even light across the entirety of the screen. You can adjust the light’s intensity (which goes 10% brighter than the previous model) and the color temperature to match your surroundings.

At just under half a pound (or roughly 11 ounces with the fabric cover attached), it won’t tax your wrists during long reads (as I found out while procrastinating, I mean prepping before my recent full review). And the size generally feels excellent in hand. We wish it weren’t so locked into Amazon’s Kindle ecosystem so it could have better library and other doc compatibility. But, if you’re already buying your books from Amazon or subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, this is the pick that makes sense for most people.

Best for note-taking: Kindle Scribe

Brandt Ranj

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Specs

  • Screen size: 10.2 hours
  • Storage: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB
  • Battery life: 21 hours
  • IP rating: None

Pros

  • Large screen
  • Comes with stylus
  • Available in a higher storage tier

Cons

  • Not waterproof
  • Some features require a premium pen

The Kindle Scribe is Amazon’s first big-screen eReader in nearly a decade, and it’s designed to take on tablets like the iPad when it comes to annotation. First things first, this is still a big-screen Kindle, which in and of itself may make it worthwhile for voracious readers. I personally found the larger screen a lot easier to read on because I could get engrossed in a book without the distraction of turning pages. Amazon’s recent updates to the Kindle interface, which introduced additional swiping gestures to access settings more easily, work wonderfully here.

As a note-taking device, the Scribe is definitely a first-generation device, but Amazon can improve the experience over time with software updates. You can easily annotate books and your own PDFs by tapping the screen once, which brings up a separate notepad on top of the section you’re in. Once you’ve made a note, it collapses into a little rectangle, which you can re-open with a tap.

The note page opens a little too slowly, and while the pen’s performance is good, the overall interface feels a little clunky in my experience. Additionally, some features, like a dedicated shortcut button, or the ability to use the backside of a pen as an eraser, are only available on Amazon’s Premium Pen, which adds $30 to the Scribe’s price. You can make the Kindle Scribe even more luxe by bumping up the storage to 64GB (the most of any model) for an extra $50.

The Scribe is nearly 50% bigger than the second-largest Kindle, but it never felt unwieldy. Yes, you’ll need to dedicate more space in your bag to accommodate the device, but that was never an issue based on how much value it provided as an eReader. I hope the second generation of this device includes physical page-turn buttons because it’d make flipping through pages that much easier and that Amazon finds a way to make it waterproof.

However, this is your only choice if you want a big-screen Kindle that can double as a digital notebook for your books and documents.

Best for kids: Kindle Paperwhite Kids

Amazon

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Specs

  • Screen size: 6.8 inches
  • Storage: 8GB, 16GB
  • Battery life: 21 hours
  • IP rating: IPX8

Pros

  • Identical specs to the standard Kindle Paperwhite
  • Two-year warranty
  • One year of Amazon Kids+
  • No ads

Cons

  • Pricey for a kid’s gadget
  • No color display

The Kindle Paperwhite Kids is one of the few digital learning tools children might actually pick up and use. Its hardware is the same as our best overall pick, the Kindle Paperwhite, but it has kid-friendly features that help it stand out. The first is a two-year no-questions-asked warranty, which covers you in case the Kindle accidentally hits the floor or is similarly damaged. The fact that this eReader is waterproof is a bigger deal for a children’s device than one aimed at adults.

This is the only Kindle—save for the entry-level Kindle Kids—without ads. This is a big deal because the last thing children need to see when they pick up an eReader is unnecessary promotions. Our one concern about this device is its $159.99 price tag, but Amazon mitigates that by including one year of Amazon Kids+ for free. The service typically costs $4.99 per month and gives kids access to a library of thousands of books and audiobooks. Kids+ access is a nice perk, especially because it gives children the autonomy to build their own digital book library, but that doesn’t lessen the up-front investment required for this device.

If you’re trying to get your kids to read, the Kindle Paperwhite Kids is the right device for the job. There’re no ads, no apps, and no notifications to distract them. The lack of a color screen hurts because it makes picture-heavy books lose their flare, but e-ink technology isn’t quite there yet. The Kindle Paperwhite Kids’ pros far outweigh the cons, and if you know a child who’s shown an interest in reading or wants to build the habit of chipping away at a book every day, this is the right choice.

Best with physical buttons: Kindle Oasis

Amazon

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Specs

  • Screen size: 7 inches
  • Storage: 8GB, 32GB
  • Battery life: 21 hours
  • IP rating: IPX8

Pros

  • Physical page-turn buttons
  • Tapered design
  • Larger screen

Cons

  • Price

If you want a Kindle that’s easy to hold and use with one hand, the Kindle Oasis is the best option. It’s the only model with a tapered design, which makes the Oasis easier to grip. Your pointer, middle, ring, and pinky fingers will fall naturally onto the area on the back of the device where it goes from thick to thin, while your thumb is free to hit the eReader page turn buttons. Having used previous generations of the Kindle Oasis, I found it more comfortable than any of Amazon’s other eReader.

The Oasis’ screen is seven inches, slightly larger than the Paperwhite’s display, but every tenth of an inch counts. It is wider than Amazon’s other Kindles—except for the Scribe, which is something to consider when carrying it around. Whether the ergonomic attributes of the Oasis justify its price tag, which is close to double that of the Paperwhite, are worthwhile will come down to personal preference. It was much easier to recommend the Kindle Oasis when its screen was a full inch bigger than the Paperwhite.

It all comes down to where you tend to read and whether swiping or tapping a screen to turn the page annoys you. The Oasis is the clear winner on public transpiration, where one of your hands will typically grip a pole or handle. If you’re reading in bed, it ends up being a toss-up. If you’ve bounced off of using previous generations of the Kindle because they’ve been uncomfortable to use, the Oasis may be the eReader you’ve been looking for.

Best budget: Kindle

Kindle

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Specs

  • Screen size: 6 inches
  • Storage: 16GB
  • Battery life: 21 hours
  • IP rating: N/A

Pros

  • Base model has twice the storage of a Paperwhite
  • Same battery life as premium models
  • Backlit display
  • Price

Cons

  • Smaller display

Amazon has improved all its eReader over the years, but we’re surprised at how much it’s boosted the entry-level Kindle. The device has been updated to have more storage, a backlit display, and battery parity with its older siblings while staying just under $100. In terms of value, you won’t find a better option in the eReader world. That said, the device isn’t perfect.

Its display is nearly one inch smaller than the one on the Paperwhite, which makes a big difference once you bump your text size up a couple of notches. Amazon also neglected to make the entry-level Kindle waterproof, a glaring technical deficit. If you read on the beach or near a pool when the weather gets nice, you’ll miss this feature quite a bit.

Amazon has taken the sting out of the Kindle’s durability hit by equipping it with 16GB of storage, twice as much space as you’d get on the entry-level Paperwhite. A Kindle Paperwhite with 16GB of storage will set you back $150, which is a big difference. If you already have a large digital library and tend to read indoors, that’s a big difference.

If you’ve never tried an eReader before or want a cost-conscious way to upgrade from an older model, the entry-level Kindle will suit your needs perfectly.

What to consider when shopping for the best Kindles

Screen size

A Kindle’s screen size is essential for a couple of reasons. First, this spec will determine the device’s overall size and weight, which matters if you plan on carrying it around often. Second, Kindles with larger screens will allow you to increase the size of a book’s text without requiring you to turn digital pages constantly. If you struggle to read small text on your other devices, getting a Kindle with a larger display may make the most sense. Luckily, Amazon increased the size of most Kindle models over the last couple of years.

Battery life

Amazon is unnecessarily coy when it comes to the battery life of its Kindles. The company says each model lasts a “weeks” between charges, but digging deeper reveals that figure assumes you have its brightness level set to 13, have its wireless functionality turned off, and read half an hour per day. Listening to audiobooks, downloading books to your Kindle, or cranking up its screen brightness will run the device’s battery down far more quickly. For the sake of simplicity, we’ve listed the number of hours each Kindle should last using Amazon’s recommended settings.

Storage capacity

Most Kindles are available in two storage sizes: 8GB and 32GB. Amazon says both models can hold “thousands” of books; in this case, they’re not using a rosy figure to hide the truth. The Lord of The Rings: One Volume is a 1,874-page book with an 11-megabyte file size. This means you could hold over 7,000 copies of the tome on the lower-capacity Kindle with room to spare.

This calculus changes if you’re reading books with a lot of images. For instance, Samin Nosrat’s Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking is 686 pages but has a file size of 132 megabytes, which means you could only fit 64 copies on a lower-capacity Kindle. Audible audiobooks will take up even more room, with Bob Dylan’s The Philosophy of Modern Song taking up 382.9 megabytes of storage with a running time of six hours and 38 minutes.

We recommend writing down a list of five books you plan on reading, checking out their file size—Amazon lists it prominently on each title’s product page—and going from there.

Page-turn buttons

This feature is only available on select Kindles, but it may make using them more accessible and comfortable, depending on your preferences. All Kindles have a touch screen, which allows you to “turn” pages with a tap or swipe. Kindles equipped with page-turn buttons allow you to access the same actions by pushing dedicated physical buttons. Page-turn buttons aren’t necessary, but they make the Kindle easier to operate with just one hand.

Durability

Technology and water are natural enemies, but Amazon has improved the durability of its Kindles significantly in the past couple of years. Many of its eReaders have an IP (Ingress Protection) rating of 8X. Kindles with this rating can be fully submerged underwater for up to 30 minutes without damage. If you’re afraid of accidentally dropping your Kindle in a pool, get a Kindle with this feature.

FAQs

Q: What generation Kindle should I buy?

Amazon only offers current-generation Kindles, so there’s no confusion about which model to buy.

Q: Is Kindle better than a phone for my eyes?

Yes. A color LCD display—the type of screen found on phones and tablets—will emit more light, which can lead to eye soreness if you look at them for longer periods. A Kindle’s monochromic e-ink display is easier on the eyes. Additionally, Kindles allow you to tint their display to appear more amber, which makes them even easier to use for long reading sessions—especially at night.

Q: Is it OK to read Kindle in the dark?

Yes. All Kindle models are equipped with backlights, which makes them easy to read in the dark. In our experience, reading in the dark is possible without cranking the screen brightness up.

Q: Does Kindle have blue light?

Yes. All displays emit some blue light, but not so much that we think you’ll need blue light glasses (though you can always pick up some if concerned).

Q: How long do Kindles last?

If handled properly, a Kindle should last five or more years of regular use.

Q: How much do Kindles cost?

Kindles range in price between $99 and $529.

Q: How do I buy books for the Kindle?

Every Kindle is WiFi-enabled and can access the Kindle eBook store, allowing you to buy books directly from the device. You can also buy a Kindle book on Amazon, which will automatically download and sync to your eReader upon purchase.

Final thoughts on choosing the best Kindle for you

The Kindle’s dominance in the eReader space isn’t surprising, given Amazon’s continued investment over the past 15 years. The company has focused on incremental hardware and software improvements that actually make a difference when using the device rather than being superfluous. Amazon’s vast Kindle library has made building a digital book library trivial, and the ability to carry around thousands of titles on a small device is a big advantage. In a world of convergence devices packed with settings panels and intrusive alerts, it’s nice to see one purpose-built to do one thing very well. Distraction-free reading is difficult on most digital devices, but the Kindle is a big exception to that rule.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

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The best eReaders for 2023 https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-ereaders/ Tue, 07 Sep 2021 20:30:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=393570
A lineup of the best eReaders
Amanda Reed

The latest and greatest ebook readers cram an entire library of content into one device that’s as easy to look at as it is to carry.

The post The best eReaders for 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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A lineup of the best eReaders
Amanda Reed

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

Best overall Kindle Oasis our pick for the best eReaders. Kindle Oasis
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If you’re looking for a feature-rich eReader, read no further.

Best for PDF The Kindle Paperwhite is our pick for the best eReaders. Kindle Paperwhite
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This eReader offers one of the easiest-to-read screens you’ll find.

Best for library books Kobo Clara HD is our pick for the best eReaders. Kobo Clara 2E
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Borrowing books could not be simpler than with this device.

An eReader is more than a convenient way to carry an entire collection of James Paterson novels onto an airplane. Today’s eReaders are sophisticated tablets capable of displaying text and images in a wide variety of eye-friendly ways. The screens are stunning, with sharp text that looks just like real ink and paper. These displays separate the best eReaders from tablets, making them the best way to read digital books.

Today’s eReaders are friendly and inviting. They encourage reading and provide services and apps you won’t find on traditional smartphones and tablets. With the best eReader, you’ll access books, audiobooks, magazines, and more in a format dedicated to useability and your eyes.

How we chose the best eReaders

The writers and editors working on this article have spent thousands of hours reading on paper books and electronic devices. We’ve felt the sting of tired eyes and are glad to leave the world of papercuts behind. 

Taking a critical look at eReaders starts with display clarity. These devices are designed for easy reading, and the best of the bunch must have an impressive, crisp look as close to analog ink and paper text as possible. 

Most eReaders on the market offer similar stats for battery life and storage space, so we focused on the factors that separate the readers—namely screen lights, screen size, and file options. An eReader must be as easy to see as it is to navigate, and generic budget-priced eReaders are notoriously clunky with interfaces that look more like a calculator screen than a soothing, inviting digital library. We ran through the eReader menus, checking for speed and intuitiveness. If we hit a roadblock and had to click the “help” function to figure out what to do, it was a big red flag for casual readers. 

Lastly, we considered price. Devices over $250 must have something special to offer (like a color display), or why spend the money? And devices less than $70 seem sketchy from the start and will likely crash regularly. 

The best eReaders: Reviews & Recommendations

But with so many eReaders on the market, it can be difficult to find the device that suits your needs and your reading habits. Do you want an eReader with a clean, simple interface? Do you want an eReader with a lot of file options? Do you want an eReader for teens or younger children? One of the below eReaders should check all your boxes so you can spend more time reading and less time searching the internet for the best eReaders.

Best overall: Kindle Oasis

Amazon

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Why it made the cut: Amazon’s newest Kindle Oasis eReader is the best eReader overall because it adds even more lighting options for a variety of color temperatures and displays crisp text on a big screen ideal for tired and weary eyes. 

Specs

  • Screen size: 7-inch screen 
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Resolution: 300 ppi
  • Front light: 25 LED lights
  • Storage: 8 or 32 GB

Pros

  • Big, beautiful screen
  • More LED lights than any other eReader
  • Controls feel great

Cons

  • No speaker or headphone jack (Bluetooth headphones only)
  • Price is steep
  • Not a huge upgrade from the previous Oasis eReader

The latest Kindle Oasis might be the best eReader overall. The screen is bigger than the standard 6-inch display of most Readers, with a resolution of 300 ppi (pixels per inch)—the sweet spot for crisp text. And the new LED lights can be automatically adjusted to suit your eyes and environment. The result is a stunning display that looks just as good in a dark room as on a sunny beach. 

The Oasis is not cheap, costing twice as much as a Kindle Paperwhite. The bigger, brighter screen is worth the money if you spend a lot of looking at screens, and the physical controls make it the best Kindle if you prefer a more tactile experience. Page-turning is instant; even switching from book to menu screen is done with surprising speed and smoothness. Highlighting passages is also fast and simple. 

Audiobook fans will need to provide their own Bluetooth speakers or headphones, as there is no speaker or headphone jack on the device. But if you want a device to listen to audiobooks, your smartphone is probably better equipped for the job. At just under $250 for the 8 GB version, this luxury Kindle is for serious readers who want a professional, high-quality text-based experience. 

Best for kids: Fire 7 Kids Tablet, 7″ Display, 16 GB, Blue Kid-Proof Case

Amazon

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Why it made the cut: The Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet has a colorful rubber case and reinforced body that makes this an easy pick as the best eReader for kids. 

Specs

  • Screen size: 7-inch screen 
  • Waterproof: No
  • Resolution: 171 ppi
  • Front light: Yes; LEDs unknown
  • Storage: 16 or 32 GB

Pros

  • User-friendly parental controls
  • Sturdy case
  • Lots of apps and options
  • Long-lasting battery

Cons

  • Expensive for a kid-themed gadget
  • Included apps can be too childish
  • Used less as an eReader and more as a regular tablet

Finding an eReader that’s kid-proof can be tough. Amazon Fire 7, the eReader for kids is more of a multi-function tablet than a simple eReader, but you’re getting a lot of computing power in a child-friendly case. Amazon does offer a child-themed Kindle Reader called the Kindle Kids, but for $10 less, you can get a full-blown Fire tablet. It can be used to read books if you only want to use the bare minimum of the Fire’s potential. 

For parents, setting up the tablet is easy and keeps things safe and secure. You can limit social media and web access or ban it altogether. It comes with a year of Amazon Kids+, a subscription service that gives you (and your kids) access to thousands of books, games, and more. The 7-inch screen is bright and colorful—perfect for engaging young readers getting the hang of words. And the battery lasts about 7 hours on a full charge, so it’ll be a useful tool for all-day use. 

The case is thick and can withstand typical bumps and spills. The built-in stand is great for setting up on a table or desk. 

Best for seniors: Amazon Kindle

Amazon

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Why it made the cut: The iconic Amazon Kindle is still one of the best eReaders for any age, but seniors will especially love the reading light, the user-friendly text options, and the low price. 

Specs

  • Screen size: 6-inch screen
  • Waterproof: No
  • Resolution: 300 ppi
  • Front light: 4 LEDs
  • Storage: 16 GB

Pros

  • 4-week battery life when used for 30 minutes a day
  • Affordable
  • Simple design with no screen clutter
  • Robust text size, spacing, and style options

Cons

  • Front lights not as bright or bigger than others on this list
  • No video features

The Amazon Kindle has come a long way since the first generation of eReaders. The most recent model added front lights for easy reading in the dark. The e-ink screen looks great even in sunlight, and the fonts can be adjusted to suit the reader’s needs, making it the best eReader for seniors. 

Seniors will love the simplicity of the basic Kindle. The menu screens are barebones, and browsing the library is straightforward. Buying books is also a breeze, but make sure the readers understand how it works before they unknowingly rack up thousands of dollars in John Grisham debt.  

The Amazon Kindle can also be used as an audiobook player, and a subscription to Audible makes listening to books cost-effective. But there is no internal speaker, so you need some noise-cancelling Bluetooth earbuds (or a wireless speaker if you’re in a quiet place). We wish the screen were a bit bigger, as some seniors will still have trouble seeing the 6-inch display even when the size of the text is blown up. The next biggest Kindle size would be the Oasis, an upscale device that costs more than double the price of the standard Kindle. Save your money and stick with the affordable option. 

Best for PDFs: Kindle Paperwhite

Stan Horaczek

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Why it made the cut: The Amazon Paperwhite is not only thin, it has enough storage to load up thousands of PDFs, and the little eReader has no problem displaying PDFs on its gorgeous e-ink screen. 

Specs

  • Screen size: 6.8-inch screen
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Resolution: 300 ppi
  • Front light: 17 LEDs
  • Storage: 8 or 16 GB

Pros

  • Easy to add and read PDFs without lag
  • Lightweight and thin enough for pockets
  • Screen looks good even in sunlight

Cons

  • Can’t read every file format, such as EPUB
  • Easy to lose
  • Must connect to a computer for file transfer

The Kindle Paperwhite represents a sweet spot for readers with a bit more cash to spend on an Amazon eReader for a few noticeable creature comforts. The 6.8-inch, 300 ppi screen may not seem like a huge improvement over the base model’s 6-inch display, but that extra fraction of an inch actually translates into more words on screen and fewer page turns during each reading session. That translates into thousands or even millions fewer turns over the device’s lifespan. The screen is still exceptionally sharp and clear—there’s just more of it (as I go into in detail in my full review).

The Paperwhite relies on 17 LEDs for its illumination, compared to just four in the standard Kindle. You can also adjust the color temperature of the Paperwhites LEDs to give either warm or cool tones.

For readers who want to consume their literature (or pulp) in the bath or at the beach, the Paperwhite’s IPX8 rating allows it to survive full submersion in freshwater (up to an hour) or seawater (up to three minutes). The standard Kindle doesn’t offer any real weatherproofing.

The Paperwhite generally offers a fairly great reading experience. The pages turn quickly, the navigation has been streamlined from previous versions, and it finally offers USB-C charging. Hence, you’re one step closer to finally recycling all those old MicroUSB cables.

I personally opted for the ad-supported version, which shows advertisements on the lock screen in exchange for a $20 discount on the device itself. That may not be worth it for you if your brain hasn’t become as hopelessly desensitized to ads as mine has.

Best for manga: Kobo Sage

Kobo

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Why it made the cut: The Kobo Sage can handle just about every file format you want, a huge plus for Manga readers whose taste goes beyond Amazon’s limited offerings. And the big display makes art and text look great.

Specs

  • Screen size: 8-inch screen
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Resolution: 300 ppi
  • Front light: Yes; LEDs unknown
  • Storage: 32 GB

Pros

  • Big 8-inch screen
  • Looks good in wide landscape mode
  • Supports multiple file formats
  • Nice, tactile buttons for easy page turning

Cons

  • Buttons can feel a little slow
  • Black and white only
  • Expensive

Japanese graphic novels (manga) come in every genre imaginable from a wide variety of sources, so you’ll want an eReader that can handle every type of file format to read it all. The Kobo Sage’s large e-ink screen makes black-and-white manga look great, almost as good as physical paper. And holding the Kobo Sage sideways in landscape mode adds to the feeling of reading a real graphic novel. 

The Kobo Sage is the best eReader for manga because it can read comic book files CBZ and CBR, plus ebook files EPUB, EPUB3, MOBI, FilePub, and PDFs. Navigating through a comic is easy, thanks to the side buttons. And the front lights allow for nighttime reading. It’s also waterproof for those who love to read at the beach or pool.

The biggest drawbacks are the price and the lack of color. For reading colorful American comics, you’ll be better off with a standard tablet like an iPad. However, this eReader does look better in sunlight than the glossy screen of an iPad. And manga fans will love the Koba Sage, even with the limitations. 

Best for library books: Kobo Clara 2E

Kobo

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Why it made the cut: For accessing and reading library books, the Kobo Clara 2E has a seamless interface with the library app Overdrive. If you love the library, this ebook reader gives you access to near-limitless free books. 

Specs

  • Screen size: 6-inch screen
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Resolution: 300 ppi
  • Front light: Yes; LEDs unknown
  • Storage: 16 GB

Pros

  • Comes ready for Overdrive library app
  • Great screen looks like a real book
  • A lot of text and display options

Cons

  • Title offerings may be limited based on what your local library has available
  • No cloud storage or syncing to other devices

OverDrive and its Libby app make it easier than ever to borrow books from your local library, and the Kobo Clara 2E eReader is the best eReader for library books. Sure, the Kindle can also link up to OverDrive and Libby, but if the library has a book incompatible with the Kindle, you’re out of luck. Kobo eReaders are better suited for displaying a variety of file formats. 

Simply search for your library in the app or the OverDrive website, plug in your library card info, and you’ll be set. The Kobo Clara 2E is ready to borrow books from your library of choice … assuming your library participates in the OverDrive program. (Most libraries do, and more are added every month.) 

Besides the library functionality, the Kobo Clara 2E is a big improvement over older Kobo products. The display is crisper, and the touchscreen is responsive. Kobo may lack the streamlined UX design of the sleek and simple Kindle, but you’re getting more options and greater freedom to buy, borrow and read the books of your choice. 

Best for students: Kindle Scribe

Brandt Ranj

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Why it made the cut: An easy-to-use interface and note-taking abilities mean you can use this eReader in and out of class.

Specs

  • Screen size: 10.2-inch screen
  • Waterproof: No
  • Resolution: 300 ppi
  • Front light: 35 LEDs
  • Storage: 16, 32, or 64 GB
  • 10.2-inch screen
  • 35 LEDs
  • 300 ppi resolution

Pros

  • Big, beautiful display
  • High refresh rate
  • Easy-to-use interface

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Only available with a stylus

The Scribe is Amazon’s first big-screen Kindle in over a decade, and this return to form should be welcomed by digital readers everywhere. The Scribe’s 10.2-inch display has the same 300 ppi screen density as its smaller siblings, making text look as crisp as ever. The screen also refreshes at the same rate, which means you can turn pages quickly without seeing long-lasting artifacts from the previous one on your screen. 

Similarly, the Scribe has the same intuitive, gesture-based user interface as other Kindles, so you’ll be right at home if you’re familiar with any of Amazon’s eReaders. If you already have a collection of Kindle books, they’ll be available on the Scribe from the moment you first activate it, which is very helpful. 

If all you want is a big-screen Kindle, you’re in luck: the Scribe gets full marks in this regard. Unfortunately, Amazon designed this eReader with a secondary purpose: note-taking. The Kindle Scribe is bundled with a basic or premium stylus, depending on how much you pay. Tapping the screen with your stylus allows you to create digital, handwritten notes, which you can refer back to later. You can annotate e-books and PDFs synced to your Kindle Scribe or create original notes on a blank canvas that can be accessed through the cloud. 

Annotation on the Kindle Scribe works well enough, but it feels like this feature should be optional rather than mandatory. A Kindle Scribe with 16GB of storage and the Basic Pen runs costs $340. That’s tough to swallow if you don’t see yourself using the Scribe to write very often, if at all. A $300 basic Scribe with no pen would be easier to recommend. Still, if you have a library of Kindle books and want a large-screen eReader, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Best color eReader: BOOX Nova Air C Color Version 7.8 E Ink Tablet

BOOX

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Why it made the cut: While color e-ink technology is still in its infancy, the Boox Nova Air C eReader is leading the pack with a good color display and responsive touchscreen, making it the best of this limited marketplace. 

Specs

  • Screen size: 7.8-inch screen
  • Waterproof: No
  • Resolution: 118 ppi
  • Front light: Yes; LEDs unknown
  • Storage: 32 GB

Pros

  • Blue and green colors pop
  • Handles all standard file types
  • Stylus is good for taking notes

Cons

  • Costs as much as an iPad but does less
  • Yellows and reds look dim
  • Needs constant adjustments to fine-tune colors

Color e-ink displays are almost ready for the average consumer … almost. The Boox Nova Air C is a step in the right direction, and while it doesn’t do everything perfectly, it’s the best color eReader for those who want more than gray-on-gray text.

The Kaleido Plus color screen of the Boox Air C uses light filtering to create colors, not actual color microcapsules. You’re looking at monochrome microcapsules through a layer of filters to create color. The result is a muted color, but it looks more like paper than a glossy iPad screen. If you like that newsprint aesthetic, this is a perfect eReader. But if you’re expecting the vividness of an Android or Apple tablet, you will be disappointed. 

As a regular, black-and-white eReader, the Boox does a good enough job, but you’re paying extra for the color functionality. And if you’re not interested in the color, there’s not much else this eReader offers that you can’t find in cheaper devices like the Kindle or the Kobo products. The only other benefit of this device is the stylus; it’s responsive and a good eReader for annotations and jotting notes. The color ink Kaledio Plus technology was brand new for 2021, and it’s still cream of the crop in terms of color variety and speed. We don’t know when or if color e-ink will ever be perfected, so this is the best color eReader of the bunch as of now. 

Best Kobo eReader: Kobo Libra 2

Kobo

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Why it made the cut: The Kobo Libra 2 is the best Kobo eReader and the biggest Kindle competitor on the market, with a stunning display and responsive controls worthy of any digital bookworm.

Specs

  • Screen size: 7-inch screen
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Resolution: 300 ppi
  • Front light: Yes; LEDs unknown
  • Storage: 32 GB

Pros

  • Physical page-turning buttons
  • Bright screen in the dark
  • Text looks fantastic

Cons

  • Not as user-friendly as Kindle
  • Feels a bit slow

The Kobo Libra 2 is the company’s flagship device, the best Kobo eReader for casual reading or intense studying. It feels good in your hand, not like a cheap, knock-off product you buy at a drugstore. Page-turning feels great, and while the touch screen is nice, the buttons are nicer. We wish more eReaders offered the tactile feel of real, physical controls.

The 32 GB internal storage is massive and has enough room for about 24,000 books. The adjustable screen light is a great addition to the Kobo eReaders, and can be used to pick the perfect amount of illumination for night readers. 

Browsing the Kobo library is simple, though not as intuitive as the Kindle store. But the Kobo does support more file types than the Kindle, which is a plus for those who love EPUB books. And the Kobo Libra 2 easily connects to your local library through OverDrive. 

Best budget: Kobo Nia

Amanda Reed

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Why it made the cut: Access to ad-free reading and flexible file access is only a little over $100.

Specs

  • Screen size: 6-inch screen
  • Waterproof: No
  • Resolution: 212 ppi
  • Front light: Yes; LEDs unknown
  • Storage: 8 GB

Pros

  • Thin and lightweight
  • Glare-free screen
  • Connects to OverDrive

Cons

  • Syncing issues
  • Not waterproof

Technically, this eReader costs around $10 more than the base model of the Amazon Kindle. However, on-screen ads are a different price to pay if you want that sweet $99.99 Kindle. You’ll have to fork over $119.99 to enjoy your books sans lock screen advertising. Enter the Kobo Nia, a little less expensive than the adless Kindle with more flexibility. You can download EPUB and PDF files or connect this eReader to OverDrive to easily access books from your local library. And, with the Kobo Desktop App, syncing your library has never been easier. You may not be able to read it in the bathtub or at the beach (it’s not waterproof), but you can enjoy it in your own backyard thanks to the glare-free screen.

Another downer? Unlike the Sage, Libra 2, and Clara 2E—which come with ComfortLight PRO to adjust brightness and color temperature—the Nia has plain ol’ ComfortLight, which allows you only to change the brightness.

My Kobo Nia can be stubborn: it occasionally forgets my WiFi network, and I’ve had problems syncing my device with the Kobo Desktop App. Both problems have easy fixes: I re-enter my WiFi password or turn the device on and off; I use Adobe Digital Editions to get the EPUB files and put them on the eReader locally. As someone who refuses to see ads on a device I already paid money for, it’s a minor problem I’m willing to deal with.

What to consider when buying the best eReaders

With advances in e-ink tech and touch screens, the problems of first-generation eReaders are all but gone. There are no more weird visual artifacts and lag when turning a page. You won’t need to struggle with dark screens that are impossible to see at night. And unlike the early 2000s, you have more than one or two eReaders to choose from.  Here’s what to know when starting a new chapter with your eReader adventure:

Why and when is an eReader better than a tablet?

Tablets have become affordable options for casual computing. So why would you need a separate eReader when your tablet (or phone) can access all the popular ebook apps? In a word: Readability. As colorful and bright as LCD tablet screens have become, grayscale e-ink displays are gentler on the eyes. The gray contrast lets the eye relax and focus on the text. And because eReaders are made for books, the page-turning controls are more responsive and text options are more varied than tablets and smartphone apps. Plus, eReaders are generally smaller and more travel-friendly than tablets.  

The beauty of gray: Why color eReaders haven’t taken off … yet?

Most eReaders only display text and images in simple monochromatic grays. While there are a few color eReaders available, the technology of color e-ink has yet to be perfected. In the past few years, Kaledio has led the way for color eReaders like the Boox Nova3, and the results are pretty good—but not great. The color of these eReaders is dull, like a photo viewed through sunglasses. And when you look at the screen from certain angles, the color all but vanishes. This is fine for reading some books and PDFs, but those looking for slap-you-in-the-eye colors are better off with a full-color iPad or Microsoft Surface tablet.

What types of files can an eReader display?

Amazon’s line of Kindles loves the proprietary AZW file type, but they can also handle PDFs, MOBI, standard doc files, and more. However, Kobo eReaders are versatile and can digest more types of saved files. If you want to access a wide variety of books and comics, Kobo has more options. The downside: Not all file types will work as smoothly as the standard PDF and EPUB files. When moving files over to the eReader, some formatting may shift. This isn’t a deal-breaker but can impact the reading experience. 

Do you need cellular data to use eReader?

Nearly all eReaders today offer simple WiFi connectivity.  And most books will download to your device in seconds. WiFi-only models should give you enough internet juice for the average reader to load up on books at home before a long vacation or trip into a world without internet (perish the thought). If you want a 4G cellular connection to download books anywhere, you’ll need to spend more for a 4G-ready eReader. And you’ll need a data plan. Those extra expenses are only worth it if you absolutely, positively need internet access wherever you travel. Because no matter where you are, sometimes you need a quick dose of Jack Reacher’s unique brand of justice.   

FAQs

Q: How much do eReaders cost?

An eReader costs between $99-$450 depending on size, features, ppi, waterproofing, on-screen ads, and more.

Q: What is the best size for an eReader?

The best size for an eReader is a 6-inch screen. That has become the industry standard for Kindles, Kobos, and more. It’s roughly the size of a typical mass-market paperback book. You can always adjust the text size if needed. For storage sizes, anything bigger than 2 GB will house at least a thousand books or more, enough for the typical reader. Currently, 8 GB seems to be the norm for all popular eReaders, and most offer a 32 GB model at a higher price point.

Q: Can Kobo read Kindle books?

Kobo can read Kindle books, but you need to convert the file to do so, which can be a hassle. Kobo and Kindle don’t like to play together for obvious reasons. But a program like Calibre can transform the Amazon file into a Kobo-friendly file. It requires file juggling, exporting, and importing, but it can be done. 

Q: Which eReader is easiest to use?

The Kindle Paperwhite is the easiest eReader to use. The menus are simple and user-friendly. There is no background clutter or extra apps to worry about. And the interface is quick and responsive. The Kindle Oasis is also a good choice, but the light options and sensors can confuse those new to eReader features. Amazon also provides high-quality customer service if you need help. For simply reading books, the Kindle Paperwhite is the easiest Reader. 

Final thoughts on the best eReaders

Digital books are more than a fad. And an eReader with a gorgeous e-ink display helps you get the most out of your reading experience. They have come a long way since the days of built-in keyboards and glitchy page-turning lag. These are sleek, simple readers that are gentle on the eyes and fast on the fingers. With the best eReaders, staying up to date on reading is as easy as tapping a screen. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

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Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021) review: Can’t put it down https://www.popsci.com/gear/amazon-kindle-paperwhite-2021-review/ Thu, 06 Apr 2023 21:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=532405
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite main
There are lots of nerd books hiding in there.

This e-reader hits a sweet spot when it comes to performance, size, and price.

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Amazon Kindle Paperwhite main
There are lots of nerd books hiding in there.

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I had been trying to finish The Way of Kings, Brandon Sanderson’s 1,250+ page fantasy epic, for roughly two years before I started my review for Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite. However, just a week and a half into my review period, I polished off that first book in the “Stormlight Archive” series, at least partly because of how much I like the Paperwhite as a device. It’s surely better than the chunky paperback I had been toting around but also better than the vast majority of other e-readers I’ve used. It’s not perfect—I do miss the dedicated page-turning buttons of older and more expensive models—but the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite provides a near-perfect blend of performance, size, and price. Plus, it finally ditches MicroUSB for USB-C. Praise be. 

Stan Horaczek

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The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite at a glance

The $139 Paperwhite represents the middle ground in Amazon’s Kindle lineup, between the $99 base model and the $279 Oasis. The Paperwhite offers the following:

  • 6.8-inch e-ink display
  • 300 dpi screen
  • IPX8 ruggedness rating
  • USB-C charging
  • Built-in light with adjustable power and color temperature
  • WiFi connectivity (no cellular option)
  • 8GB and 16GB storage options
  • Green, Black, and Denim color options
  • $20 price reduction for allowing ads on the lock screen
  • 7.23-ounce weight

The Kindle Paperwhite design

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite compared to a library book and a paperback
The Kindle is more compact than even a small paperback. It’s a lot smaller than that old library copy of The Fifty Year Sword. (PS: If anyone actually understands that book, please explain it to me.)

If you’re used to previous, entry-level Kindle models, you might expect the screen to sit recessed from the front of the device—a small edge trapping everything from Cheez-It crumbs to dog hair. The 11th-generation Paperwhite avoids that with a screen that’s flush across the front of the device. I didn’t expect that to make a huge difference in usability, but the flat front does feel like a drastic design improvement once you’re in the real world. 

The Paperwhite lacks physical page-turning buttons—you’ll have to do all your navigation using the touchscreen. If you’re dead set on a Kindle with physical page-turning buttons, you’ll have to upgrade all the way to the $279 Oasis

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite bottom angle stacked with a paperback book.
We’re so glad to see that USB-C.

In terms of size, the Paperwhite is nearly perfect. Despite only having grown a fraction of an inch larger than its predecessor, the new Paperwhite screen can accommodate several more lines of text on each page (depending on how large you keep the font). Anything that results in fewer page turns is a plus in my (electronic) book. 

The Paperwhite weighs less than half a pound, so it doesn’t tax your hand or wrist but doesn’t feel flimsy or cheap. I opted for the fabric cover, and the whole package weighs in at 11.15 ounces, more than eight full ounces lighter than my chubby little trade paperback copy of The Way of Kings.

The Kindle Paperwhite reading experience

Once the Kindle is charged up, connected to WiFi to download your books, and ready to read, the new Paperwhite feels snappier than previous versions. Amazon claims page turns happen roughly 20% faster than before. It’s a noticeable improvement, though it’s important to remember that e-ink is inherently slower than the super-quick speeds we’re used to on smartphone or tablet touchscreens. To go forward, simply tap the page on the right side of the screen. To go back a page, touch the left side. It’s simple and intuitive and surprisingly resistant to accidental page turns. 

Navigating your library and other settings takes a little getting used to, but it’s simple once you’ve done it. Touch near the top of the screen to bring up the menu and navigation. Tap the bottom left corner to cycle between page numbers, time left in the chapter, and other metrics. 

Tapping on the text allows you to share passages or leave notes on them, just as you could with previous models. Again, it took me a few tries to get a feel for the timing and placement required to highlight specific passages, but it quickly becomes second nature. 

The built-in light

The Paperwhite offers a total of 13 LEDs to provide its illumination. That’s considerably more than the four found in the base model Kindle, which results in a more even light across the entire page. The new Paperwhite light shines 10% brighter than the previous model, though I typically didn’t need to go past 75% in most situations. 

I do really appreciate the Paperwhite’s ability to change color temperatures. It allows for hues between cool blue and warm orange, depending on your setting or preference. I typically leave it somewhere in the middle but skew more toward the warm end of the spectrum. 

If you step up to the more expensive Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition or higher, the backlight automatically adjusts to match your surroundings. 

Kindle Paperwhite buying options

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite with fabric cover
The fabric cover provides lots of protection and a nice balance.

Right out of the box, I’m thrilled that the latest Paperwhite charges via USB-C instead of the woefully outdated MicroUSB. The device comes with a cable but doesn’t include a charging brick. You can, however, upgrade to the $189 Essentials Bundle, which comes with the fabric cover and charging brick. 

I bought this Kindle Paperwhite rather than requesting a review unit, so I opted for the model with ads on the lock screen. I find them extremely unintrusive because I never even notice the lock screen, so I was happy to save the $20 and have it to spend on books. If you really hate ads, however, you can pay not to see them. I personally don’t think it affects the experience at all, but you may feel differently. 

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kindle

If you plan to take your e-reader out into the world on a frequent basis, then I absolutely recommend upgrading to the Paperwhite. The base Kindle lacks the Paperwhite’s IPX8 ruggedness rating, which makes a standard Kindle more susceptible to damage, especially if you read in the tub or at the beach. The base Kindle also lacks the flush-front design, so you can expect all kinds of crud to get jammed between the bezel and the screen. 

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

The Signature Edition upgrade adds an automatically adjusting backlight and wireless charging. And that’s about it. At $189, the Signature edition is already considerably more expensive, and you’ll have to shell out even more for a Qi wireless charger if you don’t already have one. The Signature Edition does, however, offer 32GB storage, so if you’re planning on carrying an absolute ton of books around at all times, the extra space may be worth the splurge.

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kindle Oasis

The Oasis represents the top-of-the-line model when it comes to standard Kindle e-readers. (You can step up to the Scribe, but we consider that its own device category.) The Oasis boasts a 7-inch screen, physical page-turning buttons, and cellular connectivity so you can download books even when there’s no WiFi available. If you’re a true book nerd who reads for hours every day in various locations, then this might be worth the cost. The same goes for those who want the best of the best without regard for the cost. But the Oasis is overkill for me, and the same is likely true for most average readers out there. 

The Kindle Paperwhite verdict

The latest Kindle Paperwhite represents the sweet spot in Amazon’s e-reader lineup. It’s a fantastic size, doesn’t tax your wrist during long reading sessions, offers thoughtfully upgraded illumination, and doesn’t allow gunk to get jammed between the bezel and the screen. While some other e-reader brands offer their own distinct advantages, the latest Paperwhite is the easy recommendation for those bought into the Amazon e-book ecosystem. I might not get through the fourth Stormlight book this month—maybe not even the second—but with the Paperwhite, I’ll enjoy working my way there.

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Our favorite Kindle e-reader is down to its cheapest price today at Amazon https://www.popsci.com/gear/amazon-kindle-paperwhite-deal/ Mon, 03 Apr 2023 14:57:12 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=524893
Kindle Paperwhite on a shelf with plants
Stan Horaczek

At $99, the Kindle Paperwhite is as cheap as it was on Black Friday.

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Kindle Paperwhite on a shelf with plants
Stan Horaczek

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When it comes to e-readers, the Kindle Paperwhite strikes an ideal balance of features and price. Today, Amazon has dropped the price from $139 all the way down to $99, which is almost 30% off and what it sold for last year on Black Friday. I actually bought one last Black Friday, and I’ve been extremely happy with it. If you’re looking for something else in the Kindle lineup, Amazon offers very solid discounts on several other models, so keep scrolling to see the rest of the deals.

Kindle Paperwhite 8GB $99 (Was $139)

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With its 6.8-inch screen, 10 weeks of battery life, and relatively speedy page turns, this is the Kindle I recommend to most people. It feels like a skinny paperback in both dimensions and weight. The latest version is waterproof, so it’s great for bringing to the beach. And the built-in light offers adjustable intensities and color temperatures to match the situation you’re reading.

Most importantly, the 300ppi screen fights glare and presents super-crisp text that’s very easy on the eyes. The front of the device is also now flat with no edge along the screen’s bezel for hair and other gunk to get stuck.

More Amazon tablet deals

While the Paperwhite is my favorite Kindle model and a steal at this price (plus you can save even more with trade-in), others are on sale today, including some of Amazon’s full-color Fire tablets. Here are some other deals to consider:

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The best DACs for 2023, as chosen by experts https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-dacs/ Fri, 18 Mar 2022 17:00:08 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=431182
Best DACs header
Stan Horaczek

Level-up your listening with the best digital audio converters.

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Stan Horaczek

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Best Overall Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M is the best overall. Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M
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Richly detailed sound and a plethora of inputs/outputs combine in the perfect preamp for a high-resolution listening station.

Best DAC/amp Combo iFi xDSD Gryphon is the best DAC/amp combo. iFi xDSD Gryphon
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Naturally outstanding sound, well-implemented analog enhancement modes, and plentiful wired and wireless connectivity make this a compact powerhouse.

Most Portable THX Onyx is the most portable. THX Onyx
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Excellent durability and portability let you get the most out of mobile streaming.

Few things in life can sweep you away and transport you to another time as music can, and few things can bring digital music to you with the transportive power of a good DAC, aka a digital-to-analog converter. The joy and nostalgia that music can bring are hard to overstate, but the feeling will be dulled if you’re relying on stock circuitry built into a basic laptop, tablet, or smartphone, etc. Taking full advantage of music’s expressive power means investing in the components that make it happen. If you’ve already got a good pair of headphones, you need an equally good signal chain, and a DAC is an integral part of that. A DAC’s sole responsibility is to convert the 1s and 0s output by your transport (typically a smartphone streaming music these days) into a signal that your headphones can play. Even though that sounds like a cut-and-dry task, how DACs accomplish this varies, as do the prices, form factors, and features they offer. The best DACs can enhance your listening experience, and we’ve collected the top choices right here to upgrade your listening fast.

How we chose the best DACs

Over my years of reviewing tech, I’ve extensively tested a wide array of audio equipment. I cut my teeth reviewing gaming headsets at MMORPG.com and quickly discovered a love for audio that progressed into a full-fledged love of hi-fi. In the seven years since that first review, I’ve graduated from gaming headsets with built-in components to desktop DACs and amps, portable hybrids that combine them both into one, and smartphone dongles that range from $10 to $200. I love diving deep into the world of headphones, and that begins with the gear driving that listening experience. 

To create this list, I drew upon multiple sources: user impressions, deep lists of specifications, and, of course, my own experience with several of the products collected. I also researched the pedigree of the different brands producing DACs today and the real-world experiences being shared in forums and Reddit threads. Together, these sources painted a clear picture of the best choices for different types of listeners chosen for this list.

The best DACs of 2023: Reviews & Recommendations

Now that you know what to look for when shopping for a new DAC, it’s time to choose the best fit for you. Sorting through the masses of different options, some from big brands and some from those that won’t be here in a year, can be confusing. We’ve collected the best choices in five key areas to help cut through the noise.

Best overall: Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M

Tony Ware

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Why it made the cut: The Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M is an outstanding, fully featured desktop DAC that’s feature-rich and premium without being exorbitant.

Specs

  • DAC: Dual ESS ES9028Q2M DACs
  • Included amplifier: Up to 300mW for headphones, 4.2 VRMS for speakers
  • Bit-depth/sample rate: 32-bit/768kHz
  • Format support: PCM, DSD, DoP, MQA
  • Bluetooth: Yes, 4.2

Pros

  • Dual DACs for balanced sound
  • Wired and wireless high-resolution listening
  • Wide format support
  • Plentiful connectivity options

Cons

  • Costs a premium 
  • No LDAC

Since its release in 2021, the DacMagic 200M from Cambridge Audio has been a frequent flier on “Best Of” lists due to its outstanding balance of sound, features, and connection options. It’s easy to see why it’s so beloved: With its combination of dual ESS ES9028Q2M DACs, built-in 300mW headphone amp, wired and wireless connectivity, and premium build quality, it’s the kind of device even a veteran audiophile could stay delighted with for years.

While the other DACs on this list content themselves with a single chip, the DacMagic 200M implements a pair of high-quality ESS chips to reduce crosstalk and improve separation between the two channels. The audio sent from the device is impeccably high-resolution with a maximum bitrate of 32-bit/768kHz and support for the PCM, DSD, and MQA formats. It even supports DoP, which stands for “DSD over PCM,” so it can accept DSD files over USB even if your USB port doesn’t know how to handle the data natively. Pair that with dual digital inputs (your choice of optical or coaxial for each), and USB audio-in, and you have a device that can accept audio from just about anywhere for under $500. 

When it comes to sending audio out, the DacMagic 200M has a whole different set of tricks up its sleeves, acting as a preamp perfect if you’re building a components system with a dedicated headphone amp or AV receiver. Turn it to the back and you’ll find RCA jacks and a pair of XLR ports to drive balanced and unbalanced speakers, making this stylish Lunar Grey aluminum enclosure a best desktop DAC aesthetically and functionally. A ground lift switch sits on the other side to eliminate any hum that might be coming from your home electrical system. You can even apply digital filters that fine-tune the already expansive 10Hz to 50kHz frequency response. But that’s not all: under the hood is a built-in headphone amplifier that can enhance the resolution of easily driven bass cannons (like the HiFiMAN HE-R9 pictured) or even fill in at the fringes for demanding, high-impedance headphones (like the richly textured Sennheiser HD 660S2) so you can get listening right away or integrate it into a larger setup. 

Wireless audio does feel like a bit of an afterthought, though. The DacMagic’s Bluetooth receiver only supports version 4.2, and we’re now seeing products sporting a whole version higher (up to Bluetooth 5.3) that offer better reliability and power efficiency. And though it’s great to see the DacMagic have a more-resolving signal than vanilla Bluetooth thanks to its aptX codec, it still falls short of the quality delivered by LDAC or aptX HD/Adaptive found on competing Bluetooth DACs. 

Best DAC/amp combo: iFi xDSD Gryphon

Tony Ware

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Why it made the cut: The iFi xDSD Gryphon is a hybrid that does it all, offering excellent wired and wireless connectivity, a built-in battery, and tons of rich, powerful sound.

Specs

  • DAC: Burr-Brown
  • Included amplifier: Up to 1000mW 
  • Bit-depth/sample rate: 32-bit/768kHz
  • Format support: PCM, DSD, DXD, MQA, DoP over S/PDIF
  • Bluetooth: Yes, 5.1

Pros

  • Outstanding sound quality, whether wired or wireless
  • Powerful built-in DAC with 3 selectable digital filters
  • Customizable sound with built-in XBass II and XSpace switches
  • Informative OLED screen

Cons

  • No track controls
  • Expensive
  • Larger for a portable

At first blush, the iFi xDSD Gryphon might seem expensive at around $600, but it’s hard to find another portable combo DAC/amp that’s quite as full-featured as this one without paying more. With a corrugated metal casing with an OLED display strip on top, outputs, and a control panel at one end and plastic-capped inputs at the other, the flask-sized Gryphon is distinctive aesthetically but truly extraordinary internally.

It features a high-quality 32-bit Burr-Brown chipset (the same one used in a multi-thousand-dollar flagship DAC/amp) with support for all manner of high-end audio, whether standard MP3s presented in HD or proprietary file types like DSD, DXD, or MQA for streaming hi-fi over TIDAL. The Gryphon outputs support balanced (4.4mm) and single-ended (3.5mm) headphones and earphones—no matter how you want to listen, this hybrid DAC is ready to offer a great experience. A Gryphon even holds the distinction of being one of our associate managing editor’s go-to components (pictured above with the equally compact, amply immersive Sennheiser IE 600 and an ASUS ROG Phone—a sweet streaming suite for a personal audio enthusiast).

The magic of the Gryphon lies in its versatility. When fully charged, you can cut the cord and use it for up to 8 hours on the go with Bluetooth streaming over SBC, AAC for iOS, and up to 96kHz using LDAC, LHDC/HWA, or aptX HD/Adaptive on Android devices. Or you plug it in via USB, Coax, or Optical and ensure that no audio bit gets adulterated by wireless compression. Once you’re listening, you can enhance bass and/or upper midrange presence, as well as soundstage, with iFi’s innovative XBass II and XSpace analog enhancements. Connected to your PC over USB-C, it will act as an external soundcard, eliminating the need for a dedicated desk setup—perfect with headphones and, when the Gryphon is accepting a digital source, ports on the back can even be used to feed an external amp or powered monitors. 

The tremendous 1000mW @ 32 ohms of power on offer over its balanced DAC connection also means the Gryphon can drive even very demanding headphones. The single-ended connection is much more limited at 320mW but is still enough to drive the vast majority of cans available today. If you’re a fan of sensitive in-ear monitors (IEMs), don’t worry, because the Gryphon also offers an iEMatch mode (assignable to either output) to prevent hiss from invading your favorite tracks, while maintaining dynamics. As for the tonality, the Gryphon emphasizes not emphasizing any one thing. It respects the symmetry between impact and imaging, staying as articulate as it is energetic. Its sound-shaping features can fatten up the speedy, textured bass, but not to the detriment of organic midrange expression and shimmering treble details. 

Despite checking nearly every box an audiophile could request, there are still a few missing features here. Track controls are completely absent, so you’ll still reach for your smartphone to play or pause. I would have also liked to have seen some belt clip or travel case included because the device is about the same size as a modern smartphone and roughly twice as thick. If you’re carrying anything else in your pocket, the Gryphon isn’t likely to fit. All that said, this DAC-amp combo has set a high standard for transportable hi-fi.

Regarding DACs, iFi offers something for every scenario and budget. Got a smartdevice or laptop with USB-C ports and want a plug-in-play improvement of your audio output? The iFi GO link is a $59 dongle housing an ES9219 USB DAC and S-BAL 3.5mm headphone jack that supports 32-bit/384kHz/DSD256/MQA (and it comes with a Lightning adapter for iPhones). It’s not high-powered, but it is hi-res.

Best USB: Questyle M15

Chris Coke

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Why it made the cut: The Questyle M15 looks as good as it sounds and has power to spare.

Specs

  • DAC: ES9281AC
  • Included amplifier: 1.895 Vrms (single-ended), 2.624 Vrms (balanced)
  • Bit-depth/sample rate: 32-bit/384kHz
  • Format support: PCM, DSD, MQA
  • Bluetooth: No

Pros

  • Rich, warm sound
  • Very quiet, low background noise and distortion
  • Unique, eye-catching look
  • Very pocketable and easy to carry

Cons

  • Costly
  • Glass panel seems prone to scratching
  • No volume rocker or track controls
  • Wired only

The Questyle M15 is far from the only USB DAC on our list—everything offers USB connectivity on our list—but it is the most unique pocket DAC on our list thanks to its see-through glass side panel. However, this is not a case of putting form over function—though it is a captivating machined aluminum case. Two colorful LEDs on the circuit board indicate gain level and active bitrate. And what the M15 offers up in aesthetics, it matches in sound quality. The M15 doesn’t come cheap at $249, and usually doesn’t go on sale for much less, but it offers power, portability, and outstanding quality that make it an audiophile favorite and an all-around compelling buy. Whether you’re looking to power sensitive IEMs or even moderately demanding headphones, the M15 is versatile enough to see you through.

The Questyle M15 is small but mighty. It uses the boutique amp designer’s signature CMA (Current Mode Amplifier) SiP modules to offer up 1.895 volts through its single-ended output and 2.624 volts through its 4.4mm balanced connection. While you’ll probably want to use it with IEMs on the go for their easy portability, a physical gain switch on the side offers up the extra juice you’ll need for more demanding over-ear headphones (though we recommend sticking with the high-powered balanced output for less sensitive gear). It supports high-res audio with its ESS ES9281AC DAC, a Sabre chip that supports 32-Bit/384kHz PCM, DSD256 decoding and TIDAL’s highest-quality MQA tracks. And, with short cords terminated in both USB-C and Lightning connectors, it plays nicely with Android or iOS—and it doesn’t draw power until it’s fed signal. This small touch makes a big difference when preserving precious smartphone battery life.

What really sets the M15 apart is how silent it is. There’s no hiss, no white noise hiding behind tracks, so when your music gets quiet, it’s truly noiseless. This black background allows the M15 to step out of the way and remove the barrier between you and your music. Exceptional dynamic range and a pleasant full-bodied warmth highlight the experience, carrying you from quiet refrains to bold crescendos with impressive ease.

Like most things in life, the M15 isn’t perfect. There’s no way around how expensive it is, and at this price, it would be nice to see value-adding features like Bluetooth support, app-based sound customization, or on-board track and volume controls. The glass side-panel, while gorgeous, also seems like a prime target for scratches if you keep anything else in your pocket. Still, if you’re looking for rich sound in a striking package, it’s a great fit.

Most portable: THX Onyx

Razer

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Why it made the cut: Tiny but powerful, the THX Onyx is an extra portable DAC with a great built-in amplifier.

Specs

  • DAC: ESS9281 PRO
  • Included amplifier: 180mW (THX AAA-78)
  • Bit-depth/sample rate: 32-bit/384kHz
  • Format support: PCM, DSD, MQA
  • Bluetooth: No

Pros

  • Excellent audio quality
  • Silent background noise
  • MQA Support
  • Extra durable for extended life

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Cable is less flexible than many competing dongles
  • No track controls

If the name sounds familiar, it should: This is the same THX that’s been blowing away movie theaters with bombastic cinema sound since George Lucas co-founded it in the ’80s. The THX Onyx is a portable DAC with a built-in 180mW amplifier and is the best choice for listening on the go. Not only does it provide crystal clear and highly detailed sound thanks to its ESS9281 PRO DAC module, but it also has a THX AAA amplifier that all but eradicates background noise and distortion. It’s exceptionally good, but at $199, it’s not cheap and offers no track controls, which is a bummer.

But what makes it the best choice for portability compared to the equally packable, recommendable Questyle M15 above? Outstanding durability and the ability to fold over on itself with an invisible magnet clasp. While many other dongle DACs use plastic and weak shielding on their wires, the Onyx’s DAC and USB jack are protected by sturdy aluminum housings. The cable is guarded by silky soft yet durable rubber to ward off fraying and broken wires (though this does make it a touch less flexible). This DAC is made to last the rigors of everyday life.

While it’s not the smallest portable DAC on the market, its ability to fold over on itself adds to its portability. A small magnet near the USB port connects to the DAC, allowing it to lay flat behind your phone. In a second, the Onyx’s 8-inch length turns into a 1.5-inch curl wire, making it exceptionally pocketable.

Best for gaming: Creative Sound Blaster X4

Creative

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Why it made the cut: Made for gaming, the Creative Sound Blaster X4 is packed with features that make for a stellar entertainment experience.

Specs

  • DAC: Undisclosed
  • Included amplifier: 1.3 – 2.9 VRMs
  • Bit-depth/sample rate: 24-bit/192kHz
  • Format support: PCM, Surround 7.1, Dolby Digital Live 
  • Bluetooth: No

Pros

  • Multi-platform support: PS5, PS4, Mobile, Windows, Mac
  • Virtual surround sound and other gaming-specific features
  • Mic support with built-in communication features
  • Plentiful software controls and onboard memory

Cons

  • Plastic construction
  • Lower resolution
  • Limited file format support 

The Creative Sound Blaster X4 is tailor-made for gaming. While other DACs might work, the X4’s plentiful connectivity, built-in presets, rich software suite, and onboard memory make it the go-to choice for gamers who want to level-up their listening experience for under $150. Best of all, it offers native support for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows, and even macOS. 

Once taken out of its box, you’ll first notice its bold and easy-to-grab volume knob. The next thing you’ll notice is its sheer amount of inputs and outputs. As a gaming device, there are ports for both a headset and a microphone on the front edge. Around the back is a full set of surround sound speaker ports and line-in, optical line-out, and USB jacks. The X4 comes with several clickable presets to quickly tailor the sound for gaming, music, or movies without ever opening a piece of software.

But it would be best if you planned on using the software suite because that’s where you’ll be able to tap into the full suite of options. A 10-band EQ allows you to tailor the sound and save those to the device. You can also enable gaming-specific features like virtual surround sound, SXFI Battle Mode, and Scout Mode to enhance situational awareness, and even enhance the quality of your microphone with noise removal and a vocal equalizer.

The biggest downside to the Creative Sound Blaster X4 is that, since it leans so heavily into its gaming features, it falls short when it comes to resolution and file support. There is no MQA decoding for high-quality streaming over TIDAL, and quality is limited to 24-bit/192kHz. That’s enough for a great listening experience but definitely falls short of other options on this list. 

Best on a budget: JDS Labs Atom DAC+

JDS Labs

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Why it made the cut: This affordable DAC is a no-muss, no-fuss gateway to great audio on a budget.

Specs

  • DAC: ES9018K2M
  • Included amplifier: No 
  • Bit-depth/sample rate: 32-bit/384kHz
  • Format support: PCM, DSD
  • Bluetooth: No

Pros

  • Simple setup
  • Improves upon the popular Atom DAC
  • Very affordable

Cons

  • Lacks added features
  • Plastic construction
  • Requires a separate amp

The JDS Labs Atom DAC+ is the successor to one of the company’s most popular products: the original Atom DAC. This time around, the company has changed DAC chips from AKM to ESS, but what really matters is that they’ve managed to fine-tune it to deliver less distortion, more clarity, and improved dynamic range. While the DAC+ doesn’t push any limits with its sample rate, it can deliver a clear, detailed sound on the cheap. 

Coming in at only $119, you have to expect some concessions. There’s no built-in amp, so this device is for conversion only. Buying a matched set with the Atom Amp+ adds another $99 but allows you to stack the devices into a veritable tower of power. Outputs are also limited to only a single pair of RCA jacks. The DAC+ does support TOSLINK-in for optical sound, standard USB Type-B for connecting to a computer, however, and includes an external power brick for clean, consistent power to keep it running smoothly.

Looking for something you can snag with Prime Shipping? Schiit Audio’s Modi 3+ is another great option that supports up to 24/192 resolutions through an ​​AK4490 delta-sigma DAC housed in a sturdy aluminum case with a toggle switch to select between Micro USB, Coax, and Optical inputs. Like the Atom DAC+, there’s no built-in amplifier. Still, Schiit also sells the Magni 3+ to accept the Modi’s output via RCA, and it’s identically sized for easy stacking and powerful enough to drive most headphones.

Things to consider before buying one of the best DACs

Choosing the best DAC can be confusing. Even as someone who has been in the hobby for several years, I still find myself researching the differences between different DACs and their features, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry. There are a few key things to remember that can help any DAC shopper. Here are the most important points to consider before pulling the trigger.

Portable or desktop

Do you aim to listen at home or on the go? That should be the first question you ask before seriously shopping for a new DAC. Desktop DACs are often larger and require external power, either over USB or from a standard wall outlet. Portable DACs are much smaller and are made for travel. They sometimes include batteries to preserve the life of your smartphone and may even include a Bluetooth receiver for wireless listening. 

Though you’ll often pay more for the freedom they offer, portable DACs can usually connect to your PC as well, thanks to their USB connectivity. That doesn’t mean they’re exactly the same or the best fit for home listening, however. Since they’re made to be self-enclosed units, DACs like the Chord Mojo 2 and FiiO Q1 won’t integrate with larger audio systems as easily (or at all) and lack connections for dedicated speakers. If all you’re using are headphones and in-ear monitors, a good portable DAC can be a perfect choice, but if you have other audio equipment already, standalone options like the iFi Audio Zen DAC or AudioEngine D1 are a better fit.

What DAC chip does it use?

The job of any DAC is the same: to convert the digital output of a computer or smartdevice into an analog impulse that headphones and speakers can play. This processing is done through a small computer chip, and if you’ve ever plugged in a pair of monitors into a headphone jack, you’ve heard the results. But even though the end goal is the same, not all DACs are created equal or go about their conversion similarly. The first thing to know before hitting that “Buy Now” button is exactly what DAC chipset your device is actually using.

There are several major brands in the DAC world, but very few actually produce their own conversion chips. Instead, they utilize chipsets from other brands, like ESS, AKM, Cirrus-Logic, and Burr-Brown. Like any good tech brand, these companies scale their products to offer different features and match the calibers of DAC they may be implemented in. 

Some of them have better features, like support for boutique file formats or higher-resolution playback. Others offer less measurable noise and distortion (though whether you’ll actually hear the improvement isn’t a given). Many users report certain sound characteristics aligning with different DAC chipsets. ESS DACs, for example, are frequently described as being more resolving, which can mean sharper, more “exciting” treble. Conversely, AKM DACs are “warmer,” which typically means weightier bass with slightly less treble. Some people may love the operating system of their DAP (digital audio player) but aren’t as sold on the output of its headphone jack(s), so they might tether it to a DAC/AMP to enjoy a specific sound signature. It’s important to note that a DAC isn’t intended to color the sound to the noticeable degree of a tube amp, for example, but rather to remove anything taking away from the signal. So don’t expect huge flavor fluctuations between brands on identical settings.

While most DACs clearly label which chip they’re built around, deciphering the differences between chips isn’t always straightforward. It usually means taking a close look at feature and specification lists to determine whether they will make a real-world impact on your listening experience. On the technical side, you’ll need to look at specifications like bit-depth and sample rate. Others, like frequency response and signal-to-noise ratio, are also important to determine the sound’s scope and clarity. Before buying any DAC, it’s a good idea to type that particular chipset into Google and read some expert impressions about its performance and what real listeners like yourself are saying.

But specs aren’t all …

Connectivity and playback options

Two other important considerations when choosing a DAC are its connectivity and playback options. Connectivity refers to its inputs, outputs, and wireless connection options. Can it receive audio the way you’d like to send it: USB, optical, or coaxial? Once it receives that audio, how can it send it back out again? 

The output options are especially key. Depending on the model you’re interested in, you may find that its outputs are either too limited or too plentiful, which means you’re probably paying for features you don’t need. Suppose your amplifier or headphones use a balanced connection (circuitry common for high-end headphones, earphones, and amps pairing conductors that can deliver higher power and lower interference). In that case, it’s also important to double-check that your DAC supports that configuration so everything connects properly and takes full advantage of your equipment. (It is possible to damage incompatible equipment, so match accordingly.) 

Along with that, and directly related to the first consideration we discussed, you need to ensure that the DAC can support the file types and streaming services you would most like to use. Premium streaming service TIDAL’s Master Quality tracks may sound the best to your ears. Still, you’ll need a DAC that can properly decode those files because they use a format known as MQA, or Master Quality Authenticated—a form of compression that “folds” and “unfolds” audio at varying resolution levels to stream higher bitrates efficiently, and not all DACs can take full advantage of it. It can also be wise to think ahead about what you might like to listen to in the future. You might not listen to high-resolution DSD (Direct Stream Digital) files right now, but if you fall deeper into the hobby, you may want the option down the line. Planning ahead may cost a little more upfront but can save you a bundle from buying a whole new DAC in the future.  

Does it include a headphone amplifier?

Even the best DAC is useless without a dedicated amplifier or integrated AV receiver or other means to power the headphones or speakers connected to it. Some DACs, often called hybrids or combos, solve this problem by having an amp built-in. The Chord Hugo 2 is an ultra-high-end version of exactly such a device, but you don’t have to break the bank to find a quality all-in-one solution. Fiio’s E10K Olympus 2 is only $100 and can fulfill your DAC and amp needs in one tiny, affordable box. 

If you do choose a hybrid DAC, be sure to check its output power. Most modern headphones don’t require a lot of juice to drive, but some audiophile favorites and mixing headphones still do, like the Sennheiser HD650, HIFIMAN Sundara, or beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro. Because every headphone is different, it’s difficult to say exactly how much power you’ll need. We recommend putting your headphones through a power calculator to determine how many milliwatts and volts you’ll need for your preferred headphones. 

Price

Finally, we come to the price. The cost of audio gear can range widely, whereas one DAC might be $200, another might be $2,000, even when running similar chipsets. Does that second DAC really sound 10 times better than the first? Probably not (though it’s almost certainly an improvement). So much of the hi-fi hobby is about incremental gains and those margins only become thinner as the price scales up. Diminishing returns are a very real consideration for anyone in the audio hobby.

If you’re new to the world of DACs and amps, it’s wise to set yourself a reasonable budget and stick to it. Just because something is more expensive doesn’t mean it will sound better. This is especially true when you’re early in the hobby and may be unable to hear the difference between two DACs—even when others claim to. Research the options that meet your needs and budget and choose the best option among the bunch. 

FAQs

Q: Are DACs really worth it?

Absolutely, but don’t expect your listening experience to be completely different. The most noticeable upgrade many listeners experience is when switching from the built-in audio on their PC, for example, to an external DAC for the first time. This is because an external DAC physically separates its audio components from the rest of the computer, reducing or eliminating electrical interference that comes through and white noise, digital artifacts, and distortion through your headphones. The experience is often enhanced by the fact that dedicated DACs are almost always better and more feature-rich than the integrated chips built into motherboards. 

Beyond this point, DACs tend to offer incremental improvements. While there are differences in sound quality, usually these can be difficult to hear for less experienced listeners. Investing in the best DAC is first about investing in a dedicated audio solution. After that, it’s about allowing your headphones to play at their full potential across multiple file types and sources.

Q: Is an expensive DAC worth it?

Expensive DACs rely on premium components and boutique engineering to push the listening experience to its theoretical maximum. Premium DACs often tout distortion levels far below audible levels and include features like femtosecond clocks that keep the timing of its audio bits to the quadrillionth of a second. In short: much of the “quality” difference isn’t going to be something you can actually hear. 

That doesn’t mean pricier DACs have nothing to offer, however. More expensive DACs tend to include advanced features like full MQA decoding for TIDAL’s highest-quality Master tracks (cheaper DACs can be limited or not support MQA at all) or high-resolution DSD playback. They’ll typically offer more, and better, connectivity, which includes features like high-resolution wireless streaming. It’s not uncommon for expensive DACs to look the part of a prestige product either, allowing them to fit right into showpiece audio setups. 

Like any expensive hobby, however, these high-end items are best suited for people heavily invested in the hobby. Since audio quality improvements will be marginal or even imperceptible beyond the $100 to $200 level, it’s best to decide on the features you want first and choose a reasonable budget to attain them.

Q: Does a DAC make a difference with Spotify?

It can, but not as much as competing streaming services like Apple Music, TIDAL, Deezer, or Amazon Music HD. This is because Spotify, even at its highest quality setting of 320kbps (MP3 quality), is still lossy. Compared to lossless streaming platforms, which deliver bitrates at or well-exceeding 1411kbps (16-bit, or CD quality), music streamed through Spotify has more compression and “loses” data, dropping quality below the level of a physical CD. Since the DAC is receiving compressed data, the result isn’t as impressive as from other lossless sources.

Just because you listen to Spotify doesn’t mean getting a DAC is a bad idea. If you’re listening through your computer’s built-in audio jack, you’re likely hearing subtle background noise that can degrade sound quality even further. In my own experience, I found that listening to Spotify through a dedicated amp/DAC hybrid made music sound clearer and more detailed. If you’re not noticing background noise, however, you’ll likely find upgrading your headphones provides a bigger improvement to sound quality overall.

Q: Do I need an amp if I have a DAC?

Yes, no, and maybe. A DAC is fundamentally intended solely to convert a digital signal to analog. Once rendered, that analog signal will need to be amplified in some manner to be heard through a speaker, whether that’s freestanding tranducers or the drivers in your headphones/earbuds. All but our budget pick includes an integrated amp, so if you buy one of those and have headphones that aren’t overly demanding, you’re golden. One and done. However, there are power-hungry headphones, and, in that case, you might need an external amp capable of feeding them enough current (or stepping up to a DAC/amp combo with kick, like the HiFiMAN EF400, among others). Or, perhaps, you just want a different flavor of sound, such as the sonic character of tubes. In that case, you also need to purchase a specific type of amplifier; just made sure your DAC and amp have compatible connections.

Final thoughts on the best DACs

Choosing a DAC can be a daunting task. There’s a lot to consider and many specs to sort through. At the end of the day, it’s one of the most fundamental upgrades you can make, right alongside buying new headphones and a new amplifier. Since DACs don’t always make as profound an impact on sound quality as other components, you don’t have to feel pressured to spend exorbitant amounts of cash—though they can reveal more layers as you move up the price tiers. Hi-fi is a hobby that can grow with you, and, like the very best of them, there’s always more to experience.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best DACs for 2023, as chosen by experts appeared first on Popular Science.

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The latest iPad is at its lowest price ever on Amazon https://www.popsci.com/gear/ipad-10th-generation-amazon-deal/ Thu, 23 Mar 2023 14:45:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=522223
iPad (10th Generation)
Apple

Whether you need it for work or play, score $50 off Apple's entry-level iPad on Amazon.

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iPad (10th Generation)
Apple

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The iPad is far and away the best tablet for note-taking, sketching, gaming, videoconferencing, and much more—but it’s also one of the most expensive. Apple doesn’t discount hardware on its site—unless you take advantage of its education discount—but Amazon plays by its own rules. You can currently get the 10th-generation iPad for $50 off. This may not seem like a big discount, but $399 is the lowest price this tablet has ever been.

iPad (10th Generation) $399 (Was $449)

Apple

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The 10th-gen. iPad ushered in an entire design overhaul for Apple’s entry-level tablet. It has a 10.9-inch edge-to-edge display, A14 bionic processor, a 12-megapixel back-facing camera, a 12-megapixel front-facing camera, a USB-C port, and a Touch ID fingerprint reader built into its power button. The bigger screen and much faster processor. The increase in screen size over the previous generation is enough to warrant an upgrade and puts this tablet more in line with its more powerful siblings, the iPad Air and 11-inch iPad Pro. Admittedly, the screen technology and processing power in Apple’s higher-end models is undoubtedly more sophisticated … but also substantially more expensive.

You’ll also appreciate the 10th-gen. iPad’s speed gains courtesy of Apple’s faster processor, which makes a $400 tablet capable of 4K video editing, multichannel audio editing, and gaming without stuttering. Finally, this is the first iPad with its front-facing camera on its longer horizontal side, so you can hold the tablet more naturally during video calls. The 10th-generation iPad is a very good value at its normal price—no Android alternative comes close to its performance and usability—but this deal makes it even better.

Looking to build a sweet suite of tech tools? These deals offer a less expensive taste of the future:

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The best tablets for college students in 2023 https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-tablets-for-college-students/ Tue, 14 Mar 2023 21:01:14 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=519509
The best tablets for college including the iPad mini, Microsoft Surface Pro 9, Samsung Galaxy S8, and Amazon Fire
Stan Horaczek

These tablets offer all the power a college student needs in a portable package.

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The best tablets for college including the iPad mini, Microsoft Surface Pro 9, Samsung Galaxy S8, and Amazon Fire
Stan Horaczek

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Best overall Apple iPad Air 5 Review iPad Air M1
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This tablet strikes the right balance of power and price.

Best laptop replacement Microsoft Surface 9 Pro on a stand on a plain background Microsoft Surface 9 Pro
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This Windows tablet can do everything a typical PC can and more.

Best Android Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ on a plain background. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+
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This powerful tablet offer everything you’d expect in a high-end Android device.

Tablets made for college students offer the power and usability of a laptop with the versatility and portability of a much smaller device. Whether you’re researching topics, typing up essays, making presentations, or using design tools, choosing the right tablet for college can make all the difference. These devices excel when taking notes, reading textbooks, and staying organized. However, with so many options available on the market, it can be a daunting task. We’ve scoured the internet to make our list, considering factors such as battery life, screen size, processing power, and price. Whether you’re a freshman, a senior, or a parent shopping for your college-aged child, our comprehensive guide will help you make an informed decision when selecting the best tablets for college students. 

How we picked the best tablets for college students

Tablets truly lend themselves to college work. They’re easy to carry around, offer tons of battery life, typically cost less the high-powered laptops, and they pull double duty as content consumption devices. In our quest for the perfect tablet for college students, we surveyed the entire tablet market from major manufacturers. There are tons of cheap and less-reliable options out there, but for a device that’s going to be so crucial to work and recreation, we want to recommend something durable and reliable.

We relied on a mixture of research, personal experience, spec comparisons, user reviews, and editorial opinions to come up with a list of devices that offer a solid mix of price and performance. We also gave extra credit to devices that work with a wide variety of accessories, so they’re easier to customize to a student’s own personal requirements.

The best tablets for college students: Reviews & Recommendations

The iPad may seem like the obvious choice here (and it is for a number of users), but needs vary and so do devices. Here are some options to consider before you plunk down that college cash.

Best overall: Apple iPad Air M1

Mike Epstein

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Why it made the cut: With their iPad, Apple has cornered the tablet market for good reason. The iPad Air M1 is simply a great piece of tech. Slimline, powerful, and equipped with a powerful camera, this is our top-rated choice.

Specs

  • Display Size: 10.9-inch
  • Storage: 64GB/256GB
  • CPU: Apple M1

Pros 

  • Powerful
  • Lightweight
  • Great design

Cons 

  • Expensive

With the additional choice of a Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil (sold separately), the iPad Air M1 is capable of handling almost any academic task. Apple Pencil allows you to mark up documents, draw, or take notes, which are then translated from your handwriting into typed notes ready to share or save to the cloud. The Magic Keyboard has a trackpad and responsive keyboard to take your tablet to the next level and make typing comfortable even during those seemingly endless classes.

Thanks to its M1 chip, it’s a performance powerhouse with speeds up to 60 percent faster than previous generation models. The liquid retina display and 8-core GPU provide crisp images and fast graphics across video calls, gaming, content creation, and design apps. An impressive 12-megapixel camera includes an automatic pan feature to keep you in shot no matter how fast you move around. The back camera is perfect for scanning documents and shooting videos. It comes in five colors and boasts long-lasting battery life.

Particularly power-hungry students could step up to the iPad Pro to get even more processing oomph and an upgraded screen. While the upgrades are nice, they’re likely only necessary for students who want to do a ton of media creation or other resource-intensive activities.

Best lightweight: iPad Mini (2021)

Apple

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Why it made the cut: Small but perfectly formed, this handheld tablet features an edge-to-edge screen and vivid colors. Ideally suited for note-taking with the optional Apple Pencil that magnetically attaches to the side of the screen.

Specs

  • Display Size: 8.3″
  • Storage: 64GB/256GB
  • CPU: Apple A15 Bionic

Pros 

  • Touch ID-enabled
  • Very compact and portable size
  • Sharp display

Cons

  • Expensive
  • No headphone jack

This very small and portable tablet slips easily into your bag or even a pocket. It fits comfortably in the hand but offers a better screen size and performance than simply using your cell phone. Gameplay, photo editing, and content creation are more than possible because of the impressive A15 bionic chip. You’ll be able to stream content without slowdowns and download quickly with 5G connectivity. You won’t be able to use the magic keyboard with this size iPad but can use it with a separate Bluetooth keyboard to expand its use beyond simple note-taking or entertainment. 

Available in four elegant muted colors including space gray, pink, light purple, or starlight, a champagne tone. Choose from a range of complementary different color smart folios (sold separately) to suit your unique style. The 12MP webcam helps you stay in touch with family back home or log in for virtual classes or group seminars. 

Best Android: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+

Samsung

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Fast speeds, impressive battery life, and a large screen make the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 a great choice for students who prefer Android products. 

Specs

  • Display Size: 12.4”
  • Storage: 8 GB/128 GB
  • Weight: 17.6 ounces

Pros 

  • Included S pen  
  • Large storage included in the base model
  • Bright screen

Cons 

  • Expensive

Unlike Apple tablets, this option’s base model comes with an included S pen and 128GB storage, making it a great value choice without having to purchase additional products and extra memory. It has a large and bright display featuring a 12.4-inch AMOLED screen. The battery life helps you work, and watch for hours, and when you do find it running low, it recharges at a lightning speed. 

Expect beautiful graphics with high resolution, and super quick processing speeds to make all your school tasks, including content creation, photo editing, surfing the web, and lab work easy to complete. If the included 128GB isn’t enough space for your documents, photos, and schoolwork, the micro-SD card slot allows for further upgrades. The ultra-wide camera produces great shots and clear video calls for remote learning or catching up with friends. Choose from three colors, including graphite, silver, and pink gold.

Best laptop replacement: Microsoft Surface 9 Pro

Microsoft

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: A true replacement for even the top laptops for college, this powerful and versatile tablet offers excellent gameplay and graphics with a high-resolution display for a premium experience. 

Specs

  • Display Size: 13”
  • Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
  • Weight: 31.3 ounces

Pros 

  • Preloaded with Windows 11 
  • 1080p webcam
  • Excellent performance

Cons 

  • Very expensive

This incredibly capable and powerful tablet can easily replace a laptop and make an excellent investment for academic use. The responsive and comfortable keyboard allows for extended typing and note-taking during lectures. A stylus is available for a separate purchase and it comes equipped with Windows 11. Although it is one of the more expensive tablets reviewed, it really offers the most bang for your buck and is regularly on sale for discounts of at least a couple of hundred dollars of the list price. 

The battery can last an incredible 15.5 hours, more than enough for class use and homework after hours. The versatile edge-to-edge touchscreen and adjustable built-in kickstand ensure you get the perfect angle for media viewing or video calls. The two USB-C ports allow you to transfer documents, dock to monitors, or connect and charge various devices and accessories, so you’re ready for any task.

Best budget: Amazon Fire 10 HD

Amazon

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This budget-friendly option makes a great educational addition if you already have a more powerful laptop for most of your school work.

Specs

  • Display Size: 10.1″
  • Storage: 32GB/64GB
  • Weight: 16.4 ounces

Pros 

  • Affordable 
  • Compatible with Alexa
  • Good battery life

Cons 

  • Not compatible with Google apps

Perfect for loading up books, and after-class entertainment, this affordable tablet is more than worth the modest investment of less than $150. The battery life of up to 12 hours works well for a day of learning, followed by surfing the web or watching your favorite shows. 

This tablet doesn’t support Google products so you’ll need to switch over from G drive and docs to the Microsoft Office suite of products if applicable. Compatible with Alexa straight out of the box, it can also be used as an organizer and personal assistant. Optional extras include Bluetooth keyboards and standing cases to improve functionality and ease of use. 

This tablet is definitely not the most powerful or responsive around, but at this very low price point, it makes an excellent option for cash-strapped students. It can also work as a solid secondary device for consuming content and reading (textbooks or anything else) to save wear and tear as well as battery life on a main device.

Things to consider before buying the best tablets for college students

Assess your needs

When you’re selecting any of our top tablet picks, you’ll want to make sure your tablet works well with all the apps and platforms you regularly use. For example, if you prefer a particular data management, file storage, or design program, you’ll want to make sure your new tablet is compatible. The way you intend to use your tablet will also dictate which model you opt for. For example, you’ll want to consider whether you need a keyboard if you intend to play games or stream movies, and your preferred screen size for optimum viewing comfort.

Price 

Students are often on a budget, so the cost of your new tablet is an important consideration. Luckily, there are lots of choices for top tablets under $500. However, that doesn’t always mean the cheapest option is the best. Consider how you’ll use your new piece of hardware and how long you want it to keep working to make sure you plan ahead and buy the best model to meet your needs and price point.

FAQs

Q: How much does a tablet for a college student cost?

Depending on features and storage size, a tablet for a college student will cost between $135-$1,350.

Q: Do students need keyboards for their tablets?

It really depends on how you’ll be using your tablet. If you intend it as an addition to a laptop, a keyboard may not be essential. However, if it’s your only way of taking notes and completing coursework, a keyboard may be a must-have feature. 

Q: Do tablets come with pre-installed operating systems?

Whether you choose Windows, Android, or Apple iOS products, most tablets come preloaded with their associated operating system. 

Q: Do I get a pencil for a tablet?

The touchscreen on tablets allows you to swipe, enlarge and control what you see on the screen with your hands. However, a stylus or pencil can give you more control and opens a world of design and artistic possibilities. They can also be very useful for photo editing, especially very fine and small details.

Final thoughts on the best tablets for college students

Balance your needs as a student with price concerns, and make sure your tablet pick is lightweight and easy to transport from your dorm to the classroom and back again. Tablets can be an excellent choice for college students, especially as many of our top picks are powerful devices capable of research, data management, and content creation to help you meet all your academic targets. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

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Anker’s latest portable charger is on sale even before its release https://www.popsci.com/gear/anker-portable-charger-sale/ Mon, 06 Feb 2023 20:15:29 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=510256
Anker power bank deals
Anker

Between Anker and Amazon, it’s easy to find a portable charger for cheap right now.

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Anker power bank deals
Anker

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Portable chargers are never out of season. Whether your phone is always running low on charge or it’s a particularly busy day and you need more juice for your last meeting, a portable charger makes a great safety blanket. They’re especially useful in the winter months, when batteries seem to drain even faster than usual. Anker’s portable batteries charge consistently, hold up to the worst of daily life, and fit easily into a purse, backpack, or even a pocket. 

Anker is currently offering sales on a large portion of their inventory. It has a wide range of chargers, from older models at cheaper prices with fewer functions, but also have many fancy new models with interesting innovations, like the MagGo battery that allows for wireless charging. 

Our top pick, however, has to be their upcoming release: the Anker 733 Power Bank, which features not just Anker’s signature sleek look and fast charging capabilities, but doubles as a regular wall outlet. If you’re at home, use it exactly like a normal wall charger, but grab it when you’re heading out to take advantage of the 10,000 mAh battery wherever and whenever you want. The 733 will retail for $100 at release, but a preorder will set you back just $70. 

More charging deals

There are, of course, more options available. Amazon has a good collection of portable chargers, and many of them are also on sale at the moment.

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Gear to help us (and you) keep those New Year’s resolutions https://www.popsci.com/gear/new-years-resolutions-ideas/ Sun, 01 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=502404
New Year's Resolution Gear
Brandt Ranj / Popular Science

These are the gadgets we're picking up to help keep us accountable in 2023.

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New Year's Resolution Gear
Brandt Ranj / Popular Science

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We’ve made it to 2023, which means the PopSci commerce and gear team has decided what our resolutions will be and what we’ll need to achieve them. It’s okay to be a New Year’s resolution skeptic—there are plenty of potential pitfalls in trying to make literal life-changing decisions overnight—but we’re taking a different approach. Our goals can be accomplished little by little over the course of the year, the gear we’re using won’t take up too much space, and we’re not afraid of facing some setbacks every little while. After all, it’s only self-care if it doesn’t cost you mental health. If you’re scrambling to figure out how to make your New Year’s resolutions happen, we hope our gear suggestions can provide a little clarity (and encouragement).

Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50

Jen McCaffery

SEE IT

An estimated 30 to 40 percent of the food supply in the United States is wasted, according to the USDA. If you’re looking to cut down on the amount of food waste you send to the landfill in 2023, Vitamix’s FoodCycler FC-50 can help. Just toss your vegetable peelings, egg shells, coffee grounds, and even chicken bones into the 2-liter container and press the on button. About four hours later, your scraps are turned into nutrient-rich soil you can use for your houseplants or in your garden. — Jen McCaffery, Director of Commerce

Kindle Paperwhite

Amazon

SEE IT

Too many times in 2022, I found myself laying in bed at 2 a.m., basking in the hypnotizing glow of TikTok. The lure of people arguing with belligerent neighbors or endless strings of air fryer chicken thigh recipes is just too strong. This year, I’m determined to replace those hours spent mindlessly swiping with reading, and I’m counting on Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite to help me pull it off. The 6.8-inch touchscreen offers soft, warm light that won’t mess with my sleep after a marathon session spent reading Brandon Sanderson. Plus, the latest version charges via USB-C, so it’ll help my other resolution of getting rid of all the MicroUSB cables hanging around my house. — Stanley Horaczek, Executive Editor

Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee machine

Mr. Coffee

SEE IT

The iced coffee I like at a well-known chain has recently risen to nearly $6. Not even a raging caffeine addiction can justify that cost. This super-simple machine doesn’t rely on wasteful coffee pods and comes with an insulated cup, even though it works with pretty much any other cold up. It simply brews hot coffee over iced cubes, which is sure to make your coffee snob pals bristle, but it’s still better (and even cheaper) than the gas station swill I’ve been known to drink in the past. Plus, all that saved money leaves room in the coffee budget for fancy syrups to spruce up the wallet-friendly brew. — Stanley Horaczek, Executive Editor

Kindle Scribe

Amazon

SEE IT

I’m trying to (finally) complete The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron’s crash course in kickstarting your creativity after about two years of stopping halfway. Part of the journey includes journaling three pages every morning—simply called “morning pages.” If you do the math, that’s a lot of pages and trees. I’m hoping the Kindle Scribe—with its paperwhite display and pen that won’t leave ink marks on my hands first thing in the morning—will help protect the environment and be the fancy, shiny, neat thing that gives me enough dopamine to organize my morning pages and complete the separate chapter prompts in one convenient, digital place. Spiritual and creative clarity, here I come. — Amanda Reed, Commerce Updates Writer

Garmin Forerunner 955

Garmin

SEE IT

Setting a fitness goal is one thing, but having a way to track your progress and keep you motivated is another beast entirely. Garmin’s Forerunner 955 is sleek and attractive, so you won’t mind wearing it all day, but it has a nearly endless list of features and tricks. Though it’s geared toward runners, it can track a long list of activities. It also connects to your phone for full smartwatch capabilities and provides workout suggestions when you are stumped on how to move on a given day. Plus, it makes it easy to see how your training is going and how you are progressing toward your goals, giving you specific insight on how you can improve when needed. — Abigail Ferguson, Associate Editor PopPhoto

Nest Hub Max Smart Display

Nest

SEE IT

Eating out (and ordering in) has always been pricier than cooking at home, but that is more true than ever right now. It’s hard fighting the temptation just to tap a few buttons and have food magically show up ready to eat at your door but, for me, having an easy way to follow recipes helps. I’m a recent Nest Hub enthusiast but have loved the larger screen that always stays on as I work through the steps of a recipe. And it makes it easy to store recipes I like in one place. But the biggest bonus is the ability to play music on something other than my phone, so I can jam out while I cook. It does wonders for making me not mind being in the kitchen even after a long day of work. — Abigail Ferguson, Associate Editor PopPhoto

Ring Fit Adventure

Nintendo

SEE IT

I will be making a concerted effort to be more active after years of COVID-inflicted lethargy, but my tool of choice may seem a little strange: a video game. Ring Fit Adventure is a game for the Nintendo Switch that comes with a Pilates ring and leg strap with slots for the system’s Joy-Con controllers. Accelerometers and gyroscopes in the Joy-Con can track your movement, which correlates to actions happening in the game. Instead of passively choosing an attack, you defeat enemies by doing squats, curls, and other exercises. As an avid gamer, I hope Ring Fit Adventure can slot into my lifestyle more easily than a set of barbells. — Brandt Ranj, Commerce Reporter

iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit

iFixit

SEE IT

Repairing technology can feel daunting, especially when many companies make documentation and spare parts difficult (if not impossible) to get, but that will not deter me next year. I have a great deal of respect for iFixit, a site that offers step-by-step instructions on how to disassemble and reassemble gadgets along with links to parts when possible. The site offers a tool kit with bits, spudgers, tweezers, and everything else you’ll need to get into your gear safely and easily. This kit is notable for featuring pentalobe screws, which are proprietary and designed by Apple. If you plan on joining the DIY movement next year, this kit deserves a spot in your workspace. — Brandt Ranj, Commerce Reporter

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2

Bowers & Wilkins

SEE IT

I’m ashamed to say I have a huge music backlog, but I plan to listen to one new (to me) album from front to back every day in 2023. I reserve the right to listen to one disc of a two-CD (or LP) record because I make the rules. While I love speakers, my tool of choice this time will be Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2s, which are infinitely more portable. These Bluetooth headphones are the closest I’ve come to taking my at-home audio system—which consists of wired headphones, a tube amp, and a DAC—with me everywhere I go. Music sounds superb, the headphones are very comfortable, and their active noise cancellation is always top-notch. This is the resolution I’m most excited about, if for no other reason than spending dozens of hours with the Px7 S2s on my head. Maybe, if I’m feeling extra committed, I’ll even upgrade to the B&W Px8, the brand’s flagship wireless headphones that further refine the physical build and sonic profile. — Brandt Ranj, Commerce Reporter

Brava Oven Starter Set

Brava

SEE IT

Cooking at home more often is my final resolution of 2023, and the Brava Oven is the key to making it happen. The 10-in-1 oven supports multi-zone heating and makes a whole dinner faster than a conventional oven or stovetop. The oven can be operated using an app or its built-in touch screen, and Brava is continually updating its recipe library with new dishes to fit any dietary restrictions. Yes, it’s luxe, but cutting out one takeout order per week using the Brava will allow the machine to pay for itself. — Brandt Ranj, Commerce Reporter

OTOTO Gracula Garlic Crusher

OTOTO

SEE IT

I love garlic and plan on cooking more. This Gracula garlic crusher takes knife work out of the equation when presentation isn’t important and helps you get close to a minced consistency in a fraction of the time. On top of saving prep time, a way to work more fresh garlic into meals has the benefits of being a natural antibacterial/detoxifier, aiding blood circulation/lowered blood pressure, while also repelling vampires. Plus, it just tastes good. — Billy Cadden, Director of Commerce

AQUAFIT One Gallon Water Bottle

AQUAFIT

SEE IT

I wish this fit into my Aarke seltzer maker, but I guess good old-fashioned flat water will do. While attempting to cook more garlic-rich meals and use my Tempo daily, I decided to snag a gallon water bottle to keep me hydrated. Or at least try to convince me to stay hydrated. I bet you $10 it sits on my bedside table with the same water for weeks. — Billy Cadden, Director of Commerce

Arc’teryx Kyanite AR Hoodie and Pearl iZUMi Prospect Barrier Jacket

Arc’Teryx/Pearl iZUMi

SEE IT

In 2023, I want to get outdoors more. Hiking. Biking. Though I love reporting on tech, I need to get away from it more, even if for only a few hours. Just because I’m coming out of my virtual (and real) shell doesn’t mean I won’t need a protective layer or two, however. The Arc’teryx Kyanite AR Hoodie is a multisport midlayer that’s far from middle of the road. A worthwhile investment, it’s light, soft, stretchy, and, most importantly, surprisingly warm when traveling on the trail. Did I say I’m coming out of my shell? That doesn’t mean I won’t need some wind and water resistance if I’m in the saddle in the city, so I’m also hanging the Pearl iZUMi Prospect Barrier Jacket in my closet when I need something to cut a brisk breeze and absorb a bit of light rain and road spray. — Tony Ware, Associate Managing Editor, Commerce

Vasque Men’s Breeze Waterproof Hiking Boots

Tony Ware

SEE IT

If I’m going to maintain my getting-outdoors-more resolution throughout 2023, I need accessories that can also go the distance. And one of the most important is trusty mid-range footwear. Lightweight, breathable, and comfortable to … boot … the Vasque Breeze immediately impressed me by requiring zero break-in, then continued to impress me with its stability and traction. While I haven’t submerged my feet to test the proprietary VasqueDry waterproofing fully, I’ve had no complaints following some light but sustained drizzles. And, with each component of the boot’s construction being made from 25%, 60%, and sometimes 100% recycled materials, I can feel better for the Earth as I explore it. — Tony Ware, Associate Managing Editor, Commerce

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14 refurbished gifts that will last, if they last https://www.popsci.com/gear/refurbished-gifts/ Sat, 10 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=497069
You can find plenty of savings with the best refurbished gifts that will last.

Score some savings while keeping items out of the landfill. But act fast! These refurbished gift deals won't last as long as the actual products.

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You can find plenty of savings with the best refurbished gifts that will last.

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

Best TV The Samsung 65-Inch NEO QLED *K TV is one of the best refurbished gifts that will last. Samsung QN65QN800A 65 Inch Neo QLED 8K Smart TV (2021)
SEE IT

Save while getting ahead of the crowd with the latest in audio and video TV technology.

Best drone The DJI Mini 2 is one of the refurbished gifts that will last. DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo Quadcopter
SEE IT

This popular drone is suited for beginners and established photographers alike.

Best earbuds The Apple AirPods Pro are a refurbished gift that will last. AirPods Pro
SEE IT

Get the AirPods Pro at a reduced price before they sell out … again!

The holidays can inevitably raise a conflict: We may want to find gifts that delight our family and friends but are aware of the environmental impact new products can have. A good compromise? Refurbished goods that have already been purchased, returned, and restored. They can help you cut down on the number of new products you’re buying and save you money. Since these are pre-owned items, you should look closely at the item’s condition and what’s part of the package and check the return policy before making any purchases. That said, you can save hundreds on tech that may not be the latest model but is still one of the best refurbished gifts that will last.

Best TV: Samsung QN65QN800A 65 Inch Neo QLED 8K Smart TV (2021)

Samsung

SEE IT

There’s no getting around it: TVs, especially those equipped with the latest technology, are expensive. That’s why it’s a great time to take advantage of this refurbished smart TV from Samsung. Its 8K video and QLED display with its mini-LED backlights provide a stunning picture, and your recipient won’t need to upgrade for years to come.

Best Windows laptop: 2022 Acer HD IPS Chromebook

Acer

SEE IT

For the student in your life, this versatile 15-inch model from Acer comes equipped with an LED display, and an Intel dual-core Celeron processor that can work at impressive speeds of up to 2.55GHz. This Chromebook also features MicroSD card reader, 4GB of RAM, plus an HDMI port plus two USB-A ports and two USB-C ports for maximum connectivity. And they can return it for a replacement or refund within 90 days if they are unhappy with the purchase.

Best MacBook: 2020 Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1 Chip

Apple

SEE IT

If you’re not looking to shell out the money for the latest MacBook, the 2020 version will still serve most users well. This 13-inch model is designed with Apple’s M1 chip for faster performance and processing power. It’s designed with Apple’s signature Retina display, and it comes with 8GB of RAM and up to 20 hours of battery life.

Best VR headset: Meta Oculus Quest 2 Headset

Meta

SEE IT

Give the gift of an alternate reality—without paying as much very real money. Meta’s latest iteration of the Oculus Quest comes with hi-res display and fast processing that allows users to g deep into the metaverse. Users can also game with new titles and older ones, plus get access to screenings, concerts, and more.

Best smartwatch: Apple Watch Series 6

Apple

SEE IT

This smartwatch may not have the crash detection of the new Apple Watch Series 8, but it still provides plenty of great features for a reduced price. Its always-on Retina display allows users to answer texts and keep tabs on their heart health with the ECG feature. Plus, it’s dialed into various workouts, and lets users listen to their favorite tunes from Apple Music. 

Best iPad: Apple iPad (10.2-inch, 8th Gen)

Apple

SEE IT

Looking for a gift for an artist? This 10.2-inch Apple iPad comes with a Retina display and is equipped with an 8-megapixel front and back camera. It also comes with stereo speakers and works with smart keyboards and the Apple Pencil (1st Gen). Plus, the battery lasts for up to 10 hours.

Best earbuds: Apple AirPods Pro

Apple

SEE IT

AirPods are ubiquitous, but if you haven’t yet bitten the bullet because of the price, here’s your opportunity to save on the original standard-bearer. They are both water- and sweat-resistant, with silicone eartips that come in three sizes to make sure they give all type of ears the best experience. Plus, they provide active noise cancellation so users can tune out the outside world in favor of your music of choice.

Bose

SEE IT

This mini speaker will let the music lover in your life bring the party wherever they go. Designed with Bose’s signature sound quality, this battery-powered speaker works with a Bluetooth range of up to 30 feet. And weighing in at a pound, the Mini II is easy to tuck into a backpack.

Best drone: DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo Quadcopter

DJI

SEE IT

Photographers, new and established, can appreciate this drone, made by one of the top names in the category. This quadcopter can capture 4K video in addition to 12-megapixel stills. This battery-powered drone is easy to transport at less than one pound, and this set comes with remote control, carrying case, and accessories. It can also be returned within one year if you’re not satisfied.

Best mini projector: Nebula Capsule by Anker

Anker

SEE IT

The cinephile in your life will thrill to this handy mini projector by Anker. Easily connected by USB, Micro USB, and HDMI, this projector provides vivid images of up to 100 inches and a 360-degree speaker for a cinematic experience. And it should last for up to 4 hours of viewing time.

Best robot vacuum: iRobot Roomba i4

iRobot

SEE IT

Make life a little easier for pet owners with the gift of a robot vacuum that won’t complain about chores. iRobot’s Roomba i4 is designed with sensors to best map homes and can be customized with the accompanying app. This powerful cleaner is designed for carpets and works especially well on cat and dog hair.

Best handheld vacuum: Shark ION W1 Handheld Vacuum

Shark

SEE IT

Help a small space dweller out with this handheld vacuum by Shark. The battery-powered device provides 22.2 volts of energy for a deep clean. It’s recommended for use on upholstery and comes with a nozzle and crevice tool to get down into the sofa. It can also be used in the car.

Best blender: Vitamix Explorian Blender

Vitamix

SEE IT

For a family member with many mouths to feed, this Vitamix Explorian Blender should be a welcome gift. A professional-grade blender is an all-purpose tool that can make quick work of soups, salsa, margaritas, and more. This 64-ounce device has 10 settings that allow it to double as a food processor. And it’s dishwasher-safe, so cleanup is also a cinch. 

Best air fryer: NINJA Foodi LG450 5-in-Air Fryer and Electric Grill

The home chef that hasn’t yet invested in an air fryer should appreciate this versatile model. Made by trusted brand Ninja, this 5-in-1 programmable device justifies the counter space by serving as an air fryer, baker, and indoor grill and in one, making getting meals on the table a lot easier. And if there’s one thing a great refurbished gift should do, it is save time, trouble, and money.

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Cyber Monday tablet deals: iPads, Kindles, and more https://www.popsci.com/gear/cyber-monday-tablet-deals-2022/ Mon, 28 Nov 2022 23:29:08 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=492346
A lineup of tablets on sale at Walmart and Amazon this Cyber Monday
Amanda Reed

Swipe, touch, and tap your way into more savings with Cyber Monday tablet doorbusters at Walmart and Amazon.

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A lineup of tablets on sale at Walmart and Amazon this Cyber Monday
Amanda Reed

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The Walmart Renaissance is very real. A once openly-mocked big box store is now a TikTok darling and has a fanbase as dedicated as Target’s. Walmart continues to give the goods this Cyber Monday with enlightening tablet deals that give you up to $200 in savings.

SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S7 Plus, 12.4″, 128GB Mystic Black (Wi-Fi), S Pen Included $499 (Was $699)

The biggest deal we saw in Walmart’s tablet section was this Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus, which is $200 off its $699 retail price. This tablet is like a mullet: both business and party combined. Use it for sending emails on-the-go, or demolish a few games of Contexto to get the leftover tryptophan fog out of your brain. Its 12.4-inch AMOLED screen allows you to see every detail in The Rings of Power, and an edge-to-edge screen lets you see more of the Shire and less bezel. Fast WiFi, a day-long battery, and a lightweight lag-phobic S pen lets you get work done with as little roadblocks as possible.

These Cyber Monday deals end at midnight tonight, so click “add to cart” before Smeagol tries to take the deal to rule them all from you in a fit of lustful insanity.

Here are more precious tablet deals from Walmart and Amazon:

More of the best Cyber Monday Black Friday deals:

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Apple Black Friday deals: 30+ iPads, AirPods, MacBooks and more https://www.popsci.com/gear/apple-black-friday-deals-2022/ Fri, 25 Nov 2022 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=489946
The Best Apple Deals
Apple hasn't discounted its hardware for Black Friday, but you can get great deals by looking elsewhere. Apple

Deep discounts on AirPods, MacBooks, and iPads (oh my).

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The Best Apple Deals
Apple hasn't discounted its hardware for Black Friday, but you can get great deals by looking elsewhere. Apple

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If you’re looking for a Black Friday deal on AirPods, MacBooks, an Apple Watch, or an iPad, you’re going not going to find them directly from Apple. The company is offering free Apple Store gift cards when you purchase hardware at its stores, but no discounts. Don’t worry, retailers like Amazon and Best Buy have you covered and have heavily discounted Apple’s latest hardware to their lowest prices of the year. We’ve pulled out some highlights alongside a curated list of the best Apple Black Friday deals.

You can save hundreds of dollars by shopping right now, which is great whether you’re looking for a gift or want to treat yourself. All of the current deals ship well before the holidays, too. It’s important to remember that these deals will only be available while the items are in stock. A lot of Apple gear sells out—especially when it’s available at a great price—so act fast!

The best MacBook & accessories deals

The best Black Friday AirPods & accessories deals

AirPods Pro 2, $199.99 (was $249.99)

The AirPods Pro 2 are Apple’s top-of-the-line earbuds, and they’re down to their lowest price ever during Black Friday. The earbuds have longer battery life, clearer sound, better active noise cancellation, and more sophisticated Spatial Audio (surround sound) performance. These earbuds were only released a couple of months ago, so this Black Friday deal is especially surprising.

The best Black Friday iPad & accessories deals

M1 iPad Pro (12.9-Inch), $799.99 (was $1,099.99)

The 12.9-Inch M1 has a faster chip than most Windows laptops and weighs just over one-and-a-half pounds. This is the ultimate tablet for creative professionals who want to use a tablet to edit high-resolution photos, videos, or multitrack audio recordings in addition to kicking back to stream video and read eBooks. Apple just released a new generation iPad Pro, but the differences are so minor that most people aren’t going to notice, so we recommend snagging this deal while you can.

The best Black Friday Apple Watch & accessories deals

The best Black Friday AirTag & accessories deals

The best HomePod & Apple TV 4K deals

More of the best Black Friday deals

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The best tablets of 2023 https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-tablet/ Tue, 12 Oct 2021 19:59:00 +0000 https://stg.popsci.com/story/uncategorized/best-tablet/
iPad Pro 12.9, the best tablet for artists
Daniel Romero via Unsplash

Choose the right tablet for your creating, consuming, and communicating needs.

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iPad Pro 12.9, the best tablet for artists
Daniel Romero via Unsplash

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Best for drawing Tablets photo Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inch (5th Generation)
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Go big with this large liquid retina display that allows you to draw and create in stunning detail.

Best Android Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
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Get all the performance power of a PC in the compact size of a tablet.

Best budget Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Plus (2nd Gen) Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Plus (2nd Gen)
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Use all the power with this Octa-Core processor, at a fraction of the cost of comparable tablets.

Tablets have come a long way in the last decade. While portable touchscreen devices have been prototyped and produced since the 1970s, and they even enjoyed the spotlight when Type-A personalities made the PalmPilot the handheld PC du jour in the late ’90s, the tablet computer really caught on in 2010 with the introduction of the iPad. Sure, Android was there first, but Apple defined the category, and in the years since these devices have transitioned from screens just powerful enough to play movies to laptop alternatives with the potential to edit 4K video. That doesn’t make an iPad the best tablet for everyone, however. With varying sizes, operating systems, storage, and connectivity options, the right tablet can offer you as much access or ease as you like once you identify your priorities.

Best tablets: Reviews & Recommendations

Let’s be honest, “iPad” hasn’t quite reached the level of Kleenex or Band-Aids when it comes to a brand name becoming the generic term for a product…but of all the tablets it’s the closest. There are folks, especially those who already have an iPhone and/or a MacBook, who believe tablet and iPad are already, exclusively synonymous. And iOS is undoubtedly accessible and app rich, able to cater to casual or corporate needs. So, if you’re looking for specific use cases (the best tablet for professional artists, Android users or young children, etc.), skip to the next section. Otherwise, here’s our pick for the best tablet for most users.

Best overall: Apple iPad Air (5th Generation)

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Why it made the cut: It strikes the ideal balance of power, price, and excellent design to appeal to most people.

Specs:

  • Screen size: 10,9 inches
  • Screen resolution: 1536 x 2048
  • Stylus: Optional Apple Pencil not included

Pros:

  • Beautiful, high-res screen
  • Great stylus support
  • Powerful
  • Lots of accessory options

Cons:

  • Expensive

The 2022 iPad Air packs flagship features into a more affordable package and is the best tablet for the money. A model honed to overperform, the iPad Air’s 10.9-inch Liquid Retina P3 HDR screen has the thin bezels and anti-reflective display of its bigger, more expensive sibling, as well as support for the Magic Keyboard and second-generation Apple Pencil (each sold separately, but the best combo for note-taking). Combine that with the M1, WiFi 6 chipset, and a 12-megapixel front camera—as well as the most active app development community for tablets—and you’ve got the best work-from-anywhere or game-on-the-go platform. A fingerprint scanner in the power button adds the convenience of unlocking the tablet without having to expose your face.

Best for drawing: Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inch

Amazon

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Why it made the cut: It has a huge screen, tons of features, and heaps of processing power to claim the crown as the champ.

Specs:

  • Screen size: 12.9 inches
  • Screen resolution: 2048×2732
  • Stylus: Apple Pencil not included

Pros:

  • More power than you’ll need
  • Absurdly beautiful screen
  • 120 Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling
  • Great design

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Overkill for many users

What’s the most important component of the best tablet? For artists, it is a highly sensitive, touch-responsive screen that delivers the widest array of colors. For that reason, Apple wins another category, getting the top pick when it comes to the best tablet for drawing and creatives. The iPad Air and iPad Pro’s laminated displays are bright (at 500 and 600 nits, respectively), as well as vivid, registering 102 or 123 percent of the sRGB color gamut, depending on the model. With support for Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Rush, etc., as well as powerful, intuitive apps such as Procreate, the iPad can handle any medium. So, which one is the best iPad for drawing?

The iPad Air is conveniently sized without making major compromises, but if you’re a serious graphic designer with money looking for the best drawing tablet, you’ll want to spring for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Paying the premium gets you additional processor cores, an ultrawide camera, as well as more screen real estate with ProMotion technology for increased 120Hz refresh rates, fluid motion, and the smoothest stylus response, making it the very best iPad for drawing or as a laptop replacement.

It is important, however, to acknowledge the lack of true multitasking in iPadOS, so if you’re as much a business user as an illustrator and you’re looking to run a video chat while simultaneously sketching or editing documents, you’ll need to consider the best Windows 2-in-1 tablet, which is a laptop-class Intel i5 or i7 Microsoft Surface Pro 7. The iPad may be best for painting, but for vector art, layout tasks, and the like, full access to Windows 10 can help with a creative studio’s workflow. The Surface Pen, featuring 4096 pressure sensitivity, allows for plenty of control, though the screen’s brightness, refresh rate, and color gamut are more akin to the iPad Air than the iPad Pro.

Best Android: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+

Amazon

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Why it made the cut: A beautiful screen and powerful guts make this appealing to high-end users.

Specs:

  • Screen size: 12.4 inches
  • Screen resolution: 2,800 x 1,752
  • Stylus: S Pen

Pros:

  • Super-colorful screen
  • Fast performance
  • 120 Hz display

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Big

Sure, Apple devices can feel ubiquitous at times. But there are also plentiful alternatives if you prefer the Android OS, which stands out for its configurability and seamless integration with Google apps. Because multiple hardware developers support Android—and not all devices ship with or are capable of running the most current version of Android—there’s a little more legwork involved in selecting the best Android tablet. But that’s where this guide comes in, so here’s our suggestion for the best Samsung tablet, made for Android and intended to give the iPad Pro a run for its money in terms of cameras, connectivity, and battery life.

A classic rounded aluminum slab, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ doesn’t look like much—until you boot up its gorgeous 12.4-inch, 2,800 by 1,752-pixel Super AMOLED display. With a 120Hz refresh rate and a color gamut that even beats the iPad Pro (though it can’t match the iPad’s brightness), the Galaxy Tab S7+ makes you want to consume content (or game with no lag). But if you’re looking to work, as well as play, Samsung’s One UI skin and a customized DeX desktop interface (paired with an S Pen, included, for annotations and/or the optional Book Cover keyboard) helps to optimize the latest Android OS’s phone-like appearance and empower multitasking. (For games you can even pair an Xbox controller.) The device doesn’t have the processing power or streamlined system of an iPad, but it’ll stream or beam HD all day long.

Like almost every Samsung tablet, the Galaxy Tab S7+ is sold in various sizes of internal storage. However, unlike an iPad, which does not officially support expandable storage (and therefore may require more investment upfront), the Galaxy Tab S7+ has a slot for removable storage up to 1TB (via microSD card, sold separately). Cloud backups (whether it’s Google Drive or iCloud) are handy, but sometimes you want the assurance of local storage.

Best for toddlers: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition

Amazon

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Why it made the cut: It’s built to withstand the rigors of little hands and adds useful controls for parents to have a say in the content they consume.

Specs:

  • Screen size; 10.1-inches
  • Screen resolution: 1080p
  • Stylus: None

Pros:

  • Cheap
  • Long battery life
  • Rugged
  • Built-in parental controls

Cons:

  • Locked into the Amazon ecosystem
  • Only good for kids

Typically, shopping for electronics is about getting the most functionality for the money. But when it comes to the best tablet for kids the equation shifts, because what you’re paying for is limitations. The best kids tablet comes with parental controls engaged and uncluttered access to a wealth of content. Ninety-nine percent of the time the goal is to keep the kid(s) preoccupied, not productive (for more coordinated tweens, etc., you might as well get an entry-level iPad to help with homework, or an Amazon Kindle Kids Edition to promote reading). So here’s our suggestion for the best kids’ tablet that can grow with your child.

The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition is a full-featured model with affordability bettered only by its durability. For under $200 you get a 10.1-inch 1080p Full HD IPS screen with 12-hour battery life encased in a colorful, drop-resistant bumper. It’s a crisp, responsive display for the age-adjustable library presented by the Kids+ carousel of apps, books, and videos (a one-year subscription to Amazon’s FreeTime Unlimited is included with purchase). While kids will love the ability to get Netflix, Minecraft, Zoom, etc. as they get older, parents will really enjoy the time limit and educational goal filters, as well as the two-year, worry-free “no questions asked” replacement guarantee.

Best budget: Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Plus (2nd Gen)

Amazon

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Why it made the cut: This model offers solid specs for a reasonable price, which is what you want if you’re using it as a secondary device.

Specs:

  • Screen size: 10.3 inches
  • Screen resolution: 1920 x 1200
  • Stylus: Optional

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • No software bloat
  • Charging dock

Cons:

  • Not super powerful
  • Low-res cameras

Packing a 10.3-inch Full HD (1920 by 1200) IPS display, powered by an eight-core processor with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, the latest generation of the Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Plus has a premium feel and it runs a version of Android 9 that isn’t overly bloated by third-party preinstalls. It can smoothly run a web browser or word processor and has a productivity mode that adds a task bar (though it’s not a true desktop experience). Streaming and gaming performance is standard, though not spectacular, as are the cameras (at 8MP/5MP). But if you’re looking for the best budget tablet for Google apps and Assistant with solid battery life and a convenient charging dock for hands-free use, this is a great pick.

Things to consider when shopping for the best tablets

The best tablet computer is more than a screen: it’s an entryway. You’re buying into an ecosystem of apps and accessories. So before you invest it’s important to ask yourself a few questions about your own habits and existing hardware. Are you looking more for a portable bookstore or a part-time babysitter? Do you need a tool to up productivity or just for downtime? Are you always on the go or just want a more portable screen around the house? Do you already have Amazon, Android, and/or Apple devices, and is this tablet replacing or complementing them?

Related: Find out if you need to replace your laptop with a tablet

Maybe you want the best tablet for gaming and using Google Workspace. Maybe you just want the best screen to surf the internet, read a bestseller, or watch 4K HDR10 blockbusters. Establishing whether you’re trying to bridge the gap or just fill a specific hole is the first step. Then, based on how heavy you want your bag and how light you want your wallet, you can decide on the size and feature set that suits you, like whether a WiFi-only model or a more expensive cellular-equipped one fits where you’ll do most of your work. So come up to the lab and see what’s on the tab. Here are our suggestions for the best tablet whether you’re a voracious reader or a power user, a creative or wrangling kids.

FAQs

Q: How do I choose a tablet?

Ask yourself whether you want the top media player or a productivity tool. Evaluate if you already have a deep investment in a specific brand’s ecosystem (think Apple, Google or Amazon). Determine if you’re going to want to extensively accessorize. Consider whether this is a replacement or extension of a computer. These answers will determine where you sit on the casual-to-fully committed spectrum and help you choose a tablet.

Q: How many GB do I need for a tablet?

How many GB you need depends on whether your intent is to consume or create content. If it’s solely the former, you’re probably fine with the base model storage. If it’s the latter, get the most storage you can afford—especially if you’re buying an iPad, which can’t be upgraded after purchase. If you’re selecting an Android tablet, pick one with a microSD slot and you can expand storage later.

Q: How long should a tablet last?

It used to be that each year’s new models were revolutionary, but now they’re more often evolutionary. Manufacturers are likely to support their devices for four to five years before considering them obsolete, though healthy battery life for a modern tablet is closer to three years (a number that will fluctuate depending on frequency of use and recharge). So a modern tablet should last between three to five years (the more advanced the model, the longer its software updates and support lifecycle).

Final thoughts on the best tablets

Whether you’re a reader or an author, a filmmaker, or just getting the most out of your Netflix subscription, you’re probably going to spend a lot of time looking at your tablet. So choose wisely. As long as you clearly identify your needs, the best tablet for you will feed your hunger for media and/or expression without sinking its teeth too deeply into your wallet.

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Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2022) review: Pretty and powerful https://www.popsci.com/gear/ipad-pro-m2-2022-review/ Tue, 25 Oct 2022 21:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=480928
Apple 10th gen ipad pro on tiles
The new iPad Pro keeps the same design, but adds considerably more power. Stan Horaczek

The new iPad Pro adds a super-powerful M2 chip to an already-excellent body.

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Apple 10th gen ipad pro on tiles
The new iPad Pro keeps the same design, but adds considerably more power. Stan Horaczek

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The new 12.9-inch M2 iPad Pro might be the best display in my house. I have a nice TV and a solid computer monitor that I use for my professional photography work, but the Liquid Retina XDR display on Apple’s flagship tablet really is incredible, just like it was on last year’s M1-powered model. 

The new M2 chip inside the iPad Pro might also make it the fastest computing device I have in my home. It’s difficult to compare apples to apples when it comes to tablets vs. laptops, but my 16-inch M1 MacBook Pro gets some stiff competition from its skinnier, touch-enabled sibling. 

In short, the iPad Pro is the best iPad. In fact, I’d consider it the best overall tablet you can buy at the moment. But all the features that make it great also make it expensive (prices start at $1,099). And unless you have specific workflows in mind that require an immaculate screen and ample computing power, the iPad Pro (2022) is probably overkill. It is, however, that slick kind of overkill that Apple has refined into an art form. 

Stan Horaczek

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What’s new in the iPad Pro (2022)?

With this year’s iPad Pro refresh, don’t expect much in the way of a redesign. It relies on the same 12.9-inch, 2732 x 2048 display as last year’s M1-powered iPad Pro (an adaptive 120Hz panel that was already my favorite). The screen was one of the biggest selling points for the M1 model and it hasn’t changed here. Behind it, 10,000 mini-LEDs provide the backlight in 2,500 local dimming zones to allow for up to 1,600 nits of maximum brightness while maintaining deep black levels. It also supports a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, the entire P3 color gamut, plus HDR, which makes for a truly gorgeous screen. 

The rest of the hardware hasn’t changed much, either. The front-facing camera has remained at the top of the screen rather than moving to the long edge as it has on the standard 10.9-inch iPad. The form factor has remained the same and so have all the accessories designed to go along with it. 

Enter the M2 chip

With the exterior components staying mostly the same, you have to look inside for the updates. Apple promises improvements across the board, including 15% faster CPU performance and 35% faster GPU numbers. Apple also claims a 40% improvement when it comes to the neural engine, which powers machine learning tasks. 

I personally find benchmarking somewhat unsatisfying when it fails to reflect tangible changes in the real world, but other reviewers have found that the spec bump has made a real difference in operating speeds across a litany of different tasks. 

For my testing, I loaded up a huge collection of 45MP raw files from my Canon R5 mirrorless camera into Adobe Lightroom and did a few hours of fairly intensive photo editing. The iPad Pro had no problem rendering previews, showing me edits in real-time, and quickly moving between images with very little lag. 

I also loaded up some 4K video from the same camera into iMovie (because Final Cut Pro still annoyingly doesn’t exist in iPad form yet) and found the M2 chip handled it with ease. Resource-intensive work like that obviously drains the battery more quickly than typical everyday tasks but the iPad never really struggled with tasks that tend to tax my 16-inch MacBook Pro. 

New Pencil Tricks

As with the previous iPad Pro, the new M2 version makes the most of the $129 Apple Pencil 2. A new iPadOS 16 feature allows the iPad to recognize the Pencil when it’s hovering up to 12mm above the display. Hovering allows for a few clever tricks like the ability to preview brush strokes in apps like Procreate or simply preview sections of a YouTube video by simply hovering over part of the timeline. I found this feature surprisingly handy during my review period. It’s exclusive to the 2022 iPads for now but, hopefully, it will trickle down the line later on. 

But how does the iPad Pro (2022) compare to …

The iPad Pro 12.9 vs. the standard iPad
The standard 10.9-inch iPad (left) feels small compared to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (right). Stan Horaczek

12.9-inch vs. 11-inch iPad Pro

While I spent my entire review period working on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the 11-inch model has also gotten 2022’s M2 upgrade. The big difference between the two models lies in the screen. The 11-inch model is smaller, of course, but it also lacks some of the bells and whistles that make the 12.9-inch model so desirable. The 11-inch model still offers the high-refresh-rate ProMotion tech, as well as the P3 color gamut, but it lacks the mini-LED backlight tech, which limits its overall brightness to 600 nits and can’t provide the same kind of contrast ratios found in its big sibling. 

iPad Pro vs. iPad Air

With the introduction of the new M2 chip, there’s now a real performance gap between the 2022 iPad Air and the newest iPad Pro. If you’re doing resource-intensive work on the iPad, upgrading to the Pro absolutely makes sense. The 12.9-inch Pro also offers a decidedly better screen than the Air, which is no slouch. 

There are a few other differences, too. The new iPad Pros have Wi-Fi 6E, for instance, but it’s unlikely you’re even using 6E at the moment, though it may become more accessible in the future. 

So, who should buy the iPad Pro (2022)?

As with just about any product with the word “Pro” in the name, there are likely two kinds of people who will buy the new M2-equipped iPad Pro. Some actual professionals with specific use cases for this kind of device will take the plunge. As a professional photographer and imposter professional video shooter, a super-fast iPad with an immaculate screen has undeniable appeal to me. Other creative pros likely feel the same. 

The other target audience for this kind of product contains the same kind of people who will buy the Apple Watch Ultra because it’s the best Apple Watch and then never take it out into the wilderness or into harsh terrain. Some people just want the “best” thing with no real regard for whether it makes any financial or practical sense. 

I can say without a doubt that both of these groups will be satisfied with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2022). It’s fast, slick, expensive, and capable—a work machine and a status symbol all wrapped up in one.

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Apple iPad (10th gen.) early review: It’s going through changes https://www.popsci.com/gear/apple-ipad-10th-gen-review/ Mon, 24 Oct 2022 17:10:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=480312
The 10th-generation iPad with a Pencil plugged in
You'll have to plug in the pencil to charge it—one of the 10th-gen. iPad's little idiosyncrasies. Stan Horaczek

Apple's new iPad offers an updated design, more power, and a few quirks.

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The 10th-generation iPad with a Pencil plugged in
You'll have to plug in the pencil to charge it—one of the 10th-gen. iPad's little idiosyncrasies. Stan Horaczek

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Change can be hard, especially when it comes to devices many of us use every single day. Apple’s new standard iPad has just undergone one of its biggest evolutions so far. And while the transformation introduces some notable design and performance upgrades, it also opens the door to a few growing pains, particularly when it comes to price and Pencil support. I’ve spent roughly a week with Apple’s new 10th-generation iPad and it’s undeniably great, but it suffers from a real case of middle-child syndrome.

Stan Horaczek

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What’s new in the 10th-generation iPad?

Until now, the standard iPad has embraced the original design with tapered edges and a Touch ID-equipped home button below the screen on the front of the device. The 10th-generation iPad moves to a more modern setup with no home button and squared edges to closer emulate the upmarket iPad Air and iPad Pro. Losing that front-facing button leaves room for more screen, giving the 10th-gen. model 10.9 inches of usable screen compared to 10.2 in the previous version. 

The 10th-gen. iPad’s front-facing camera also now resides along the long edge of the display, where it should be. That’s particularly huge when using the iPad in a keyboard case for video calls. It finally fixes the awkward issue of looking off to the side during Zoom meetings because of the awkward camera placement. Not even the Air or Pro can do that in their current iterations. 

Big for its britches

In a vacuum, all of these iPad design upgrades are great. They make the device feel much more modern during use and it improves the overall feel. The new form factor also introduces some growing pains. Despite the fact that it’s extremely similar in size to the iPad Air or the 11-inch iPad Pro, none of the cases for those devices will work with the newest model. 

Apple offers a Smart Folio, as well as a Magic Keyboard Folio specifically designed for the new 10th-gen. iPad. The Smart Folio offers a very standard iPad experience with a simple folding cover that lacks a keyboard. It works like so many versions of the same product before it, which is to say seamlessly and elegantly. 

It’s also slightly odd that the new iPad lacks a headphone jack. That’s a very odd omission if Apple is trying to make this model as accessible as possible. Many schools that use iPads, for instance, also rely on cheap earbuds and headsets that won’t work with this model unless they’re paired with an optional dongle. It’s an odd choice.

Case options

The Magic Keyboard Folio is a more interesting and considerably more expensive option. At $249, it’s more than half the price of the iPad itself. It includes a back plate, as well as a keyboard (with a touchpad) that doubles as a cover. Because the keyboard isn’t permanently attached, it’s simple to remove when holding the iPad like a book or setting it on a desk to simply watch some content or play games. 

While I enjoy the overall Smart Keyboard Folio experience, it does have a few downfalls. It doesn’t provide any protection for the edges of the device and the flexible hinge allows the keyboard to move around too much when the cover is closed. But, typing on the Magic Keyboard feels excellent and the whole package works seamlessly and easily. 

Pencil support

Because it looks so much like an iPad Air, you might expect to see an Apple Pencil 2 attached magnetically to the side of the 10th-gen. iPad. That’s not the case. The new standard iPad still works exclusively with the original Apple Pencil, which doesn’t allow for magnetic charging. 

Despite its reliance on an older Pencil, the 10th-gen. iPad offers a solid drawing and writing experience. It’s responsive and accurate enough for high-level work. I did some tedious photo retouching with it and had no problem with misalignment or lag. 

Things get a bit awkward when it’s time to charge. The new iPad offers a USB-C charging port, which makes the original Pencil’s integrated Lightning jack useless without an optional dongle. With help from a charging cable, you can use the Pencil while it’s connected to the iPad, but it’s an inelegant solution. It’s great to keep support for the original Pencil intact because it’s a pricy peripheral and there are literally millions of them still out there. Still, the charging process feels very clumsy compared to iPad’s slick design and generally intuitive experience.

The Magic Keyboard Folio
The integrated touchpad makes the keyboard extra useful. Stan Horaczek

Some select comparisons

At $449, the new iPad occupies the space between the $329 9th-gen. iPad (which Apple will continue to sell) and the $599 iPad Air. Here are pros and cons for each:

The 10th-gen. vs. 9th-gen. iPad

Upgrading from the 9th-gen. model offers the extra screen real estate, the updated design, the Touch ID via the power button, and access to the slick new Magic Keyboard Folio. The 10th-gen. model also upgrades the chip inside to the A14 Bionic, which is one generation newer than the A13 Bionic found in the previous model. Whether or not those upgrades warrant a $150 premium will vary from user to user. 

The 10th-gen. iPad vs. iPad Air

The discussion gets more interesting when comparing the 10th-gen. iPad to the iPad Air. The Air has a noticeably superior display thanks to the lamination and anti-reflective coating. Those two variables make a huge difference when you’re using the iPad out in the world. Reduced glare makes the screen visible in more settings without having to crank the overall brightness. That helps preserve battery life. 

The Air’s M1 processor also offers a considerable performance boost compared to the standard iPad, but many users may not even notice it. The extra horsepower makes itself known during resource-intensive activities like video editing or playing games. Users who don’t partake in those activities all that frequently may not really notice a difference. 

For those who rely heavily on the Pencil, upgrading to the Air likely makes sense. Magnetic charging is vastly easier and it drastically cuts down on opportunities for the Pencil to simply roll away when not in use. I know this because I spent five minutes of my 10.9-inch iPad review process fishing around under the couch for the Pencil. 

The iPad 10th-gen screen.
Notice the lack of front-facing camera. Stan Horaczek

The verdict so far

After just a week with the new 10.9-inch iPad, I’ve been both impressed and slightly confused. The design changes are excellent and I hope every iPad from here on out keeps the front-facing camera on the long edge of the screen like it is here. This iPad is also fast enough to handle almost any task you want to throw at it unless you’re doing extended sessions with resource-intensive games or serious production work. 

The price still seems a bit high considering this device’s place in the lineup. That issue grows exponentially once you start adding accessories. A 256GB iPad with a Smart Keyboard Folio and a Pencil will cost you just under $1,000 (can’t forget the $9 for the Pencil charging dongle). That’s serious cash for a device that will eventually occupy the entry-level slot in the iPad lineup. 

Overall, the 10.9-inch 10th-gen. iPad is extremely solid and fills a real hole in the iPad lineup. Just make sure you understand the quirks before forking over that credit card.

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The new iPads and Apple TV are up for preorder https://www.popsci.com/gear/apple-ipad-pro-m2-announcement/ Tue, 18 Oct 2022 20:10:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=478794
Apple iPad Pro
Apple

You can get Apple’s biggest entry-level iPad refresh in years with day-one shipping, if you order today.

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Apple iPad Pro
Apple

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Apple revealed updates to its entry-level iPad, both iPad Pro models, and the 4K Apple TV via an Oct. 18 update to its online store. All three tablets are available for preorder now with launch-day delivery Oct. 26. The Apple TV will also arrive day one if you order now, but won’t be released until Nov. 4.

The 2022 iPad

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The 2022 iPad is a substantive update over the previous version of Apple’s entry-level tablet, bringing it more in line with the mid-tier iPad Air. This new 10th-generation model—available in blue, pink, silver, or yellow—has a 10.9-inch “Liquid Retina” display, which is .7-inches larger than the 9th-generation iPad due to its much smaller bezels. Apple has also integrated the tablet’s Touch ID fingerprint reader into the power button and replaced its aging Lightning charging port with the now-standard USB-C port. Also, iPad photographers everywhere can rejoice. This new model has a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera—up from 8 megapixels. And a 12-megapixel front-facing camera sits to the side of the tablet’s screen, moved from the top, which will make video calls feel more like they do on a laptop.

But the changes to this iPad aren’t just skin deep. It’s rocking Apple’s A14 Bionic processor, which should be a moderate step up in performance when compared with the A13 Bionic processor inside the previous-generation iPad. This is also the first regular iPad to support 5G networking, plus Wi-Fi 6. These are more moderate changes when compared to the iPad’s updated design, but they’ll help ensure the tablet will run new versions of iPadOS for many years to come. One unwelcome update to this iPad is its price: The 10th-generation iPad starts at $449, which is $120 more than the 9th generation. The difference is so stark that Apple is keeping the last-gen iPad around at its regular $329. Apple has typically replaced the iPad with a new one at the same price, but that’s not so this time. It remains to be seen whether Apple’s price bump will blunt the impact of this meaningful iPad update or not.

Apple’s 10th-generation iPad is available for preorder right now at Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, B&H, and Adorama.

The iPad Pro M2

Apple

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Apple’s updates to the 11- and 12.9-inch iPad Pros are modest, especially compared to how much work the company did to differentiate the 10th-generation iPad from the previous model. Both iPad Pros have the same adaptive 120Hz Liquid Retina XDR displays, ports, storage options, battery life, and prices as the ones they replace. In terms of connectivity, there’s still 5G support but the iPad Pros add Wi-Fi 6E (a more futureproofed variant one step above the regular iPad). The biggest difference is that the new iPad Pros run on Apple’s M2 processor—custom silicon that is 15% faster than the M1 and has 35% better graphics performance. This spec bump will primarily be noticeable to those who use the iPad Pro for resource-intensive tasks, like high-resolution photo or video editing, and gamers playing the latest titles.

The year-over-year improvements to the iPad’s processing power are solid, but the M2 enables some more interesting features. First, it lets the iPad Pros encode and decode ProRes video, so Apple upgraded the camera on both models to record in that format. Second, it enables a feature called Apple Pencil Hover, which allows the iPad’s display to detect the electromagnetic pulses transmitted by Apple’s stylus from up to 12mm (.47 inches) away. Digital artists can use this feature (enabled in iPadOS 16, which will ship with the new iPads) to preview the location of a brush stroke on an image before they set the Apple Pencil down, so they know exactly where it’ll go. It’s up to third-party developers to take full advantage of this feature, but it does enhance the iPad Pro’s chops as a drawing tablet.

The M2 iPad Pro is available for preorder at Best Buy, Amazon, B&H, and Adorama.

Tablets photo
Apple

Apple’s late-2022 iPad updates have given budget-conscious customers another option when picking a tablet, while continuing to position the iPad Pro as a worthy laptop alternative. Time will tell if either of these strategies is successful. But this tablet refresh helps to clarify Apple’s intentions in this part of its product portfolio. Both tablets are designed for aspirational users who want to do more on their iPad than browse the Internet and stream content. We hope that in the future the iPad Pro will be available in fun colors and that the successor to the entry-level iPad sees a price drop to become even more accessible.

The Apple TV 4K

Apple

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Need a way to cast the art you’ve been hovering over onto the big screen? The most surprising announcement from the hardware refresh was an update to the Apple TV 4K. Apple announced two new models with updated custom silicon—both featuring an A15 Bionic processor (up to 50% faster than the A12 Bionic found in the previous Apple TV)—as well as support for HDR10+, a new Siri remote that charges via USB-C instead of Lightning, and a fan-less design that cuts the streaming puck’s weight in half. The move from Lightning to USB-C is a welcome one, but Apple doesn’t include a charging cable for it in the box. While the two Apple TVs share a lot in common, there are a few key differences between them that are worth mentioning.

The entry-level Apple TV has 64GB of storage, lacks an Ethernet port for wired networking, and doesn’t have a thread radio, which means it can’t connect directly to smart-home accessories and act as a hub. The higher-end Apple TV has 128GB of storage, features a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a thread radio. These two new Apple TVs retail for $129.99 and $149.99 respectively, which is a price cut of $50 compared to the models they replace, and will be available Nov. 4.

Apple TV is available for preorder at Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, B&H, and Adorama.

The post The new iPads and Apple TV are up for preorder appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best VPNs for multiple devices in 2023 https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-vpn-for-multiple-devices/ Tue, 20 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=470664
Best VPNs for multiple devices
Dan Nelson / Unsplash

Protect yourself and all your high-tech toys with these top virtual private networks.

The post Best VPNs for multiple devices in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best VPNs for multiple devices
Dan Nelson / Unsplash

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Best overall NordVPN is the best overall VPN NordVPN
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NordVPN ranks among the best VPN providers across all desirable capabilities.

Best for unlimited devices Surfshark is the best for unlimited connections Surfshark
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While it’s not the most well-known VPN provider, Surfshark is among the best in every meaningful category.

Best dedicated IP Cyberghost VPN is the best for dedicated IP Cyberghost
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CyberGhost is one of the best VPN providers out there, and its advanced features are very handy.

From smartphones to tablets to laptops and everything internet-connected in between, most of us rely on multiple devices every single day—all the more reason we should rely on a VPN. To stay online all the time, you may wind up relying on public Wi-Fi or a connection through work or school, which often isn’t as secure as you might think. If you’re tired of worrying about trackers and hackers potentially sifting through your data, you should consider using a virtual private network, or VPN, to hide your online presence and make it harder for companies and bad actors to find your data. Some VPNs specialize in phones or PCs, but the best VPNs for multiple devices can protect your entire tech arsenal.

What is a VPN?

When you surf the internet, you transmit certain information about yourself to the sites you visit, including your location. A virtual private network (VPN) is an online service that hides your digital identity from online utilities like Google or Facebook that wish to collect and sell your data, as well as from hackers and scammers. A VPN acts like a mask that your computer puts on before it walks into a party. Websites can tell that you’re there and that you’re wearing a mask, but they can’t see any of the personal information that they normally would.

Each of the following VPNs encrypts the data that you send, and most of them have a “no-log” policy, which means that they do not keep any record of your activity. Some even allow you to mask your identity from the VPN server itself. While you might not care if a random person knows about your online shopping habits, you certainly don’t want them to know the password to your bank account. 

VPNs also let you set a virtual location, allowing you to appear as if you are browsing from another country. This allows you to look at the many international versions of sites like Netflix, which may offer different content to other parts of the world.

When it comes to finding a VPN that supports many devices, the good news is that most VPNs have apps that allow you to easily modify your phone or tablet’s internet connection. However, the quality of those apps does vary somewhat, as we’ll go over in the next few sections.

For more information on how VPNs work and how to set one up, please check out our full-length guide on how to use a VPN.

How we picked the best VPNs for multiple devices

As a professional tech writer for almost a decade, I’ve personally tested many of the most popular VPNs for friends and my own personal use, and I know how they perform. To make these recommendations, we consulted online guides, reviews, specs, and spoke to several information security experts. Thanks to this research, we know which VPNs are worth your hard-earned cash, and which ones are better left in the bowels of Google.

Things to consider when buying a VPN for multiple devices

Choosing a VPN to protect every device you own can seem intimidating at first, especially if you aren’t the kind of person who spends hours and hours online. However, the competing services really boil down to a few factors that will determine which provider is best for you. Since the best VPN deals are often a multiyear commitment, it’s important to consider the following questions before clicking the buy button.

Why do I need a VPN?

When you access the internet from your phone, tablet, or computer, you’re transmitting information about yourself, whether you like it or not. Most companies collect this information and track your activity across the internet to help them sell you products. Some bad actors will try and use it to target you for identity theft scams, such as phishing schemes. 

If you use public Wi-Fi often for work, you should keep in mind that most public Wi-Fi networks are not secure. Whether you’re relaxing in your dorm or enjoying a cup of coffee at your favorite cafe, public Wi-Fi often leaves you unprotected against scammers who want the password to your Amazon account. Using a VPN in these situations makes it much harder for people to grab your data, even when it may be vulnerable.

How many connections do you really need?

In a perfect world, a VPN would provide perfect protection to every single internet-enabled device you own. Realistically, most services won’t allow that. Even if they did, you probably don’t really need that level of protection.

When picking your VPN, take a moment and think about which devices need extra security. Laptops, desktops, tablets, and phones are the most vulnerable because they connect to an internet browser, as well as email phishing scams. Game consoles like a PlayStation 5 or a Nintendo Switch are far less likely to fall victim to malware. Most VPNs that work across many kinds of computers do put a cap on the number of devices you can protect. Most popular services will have plans that can go up to 5-10 devices, though some services offer plans to protect an unlimited number of devices.

If you want a subscription package that supports you and your entire family’s massive constellation of tech toys at the same time, you will only have a couple of options. Alternatively, if you just need to protect your three primary devices—a PC, a phone, and tablet, for example—you can safely go with any of our picks.

Killer apps

VPNs designed for multidevice use should offer a free app that you use to mask your tablet or phone activity. Not all of them are easy to navigate, but they allow you to protect your mobile devices before you log on, not after.

Speed and cost

Using a VPN will always make your internet at least a little bit slower. When you use a VPN, you’re forcing your information to make a couple of stops on the way between you and whatever website you’re looking at. Since you’re routing your browsing through another server, the sheer fact of that distance means that it’ll take a little longer to load your sites. 

The best VPNs will only slow you down the slightest bit. Others may slow it down quite a bit. This is one of a few reasons why it’s always worth it to pay for a well-known VPN rather than use a sketchy “free” alternative.

Reputation is everything

While many VPNs like to vaunt their latest and greatest technology as a must-have innovation, the truth is that most of the big VPNs offer extremely similar services for very similar prices. 

When you connect to a VPN, you’re giving that provider an inside look at your browsing habits. As such, we only picked VPNs that are well-known, reliable brand names that have proven their worth over the years. The usual VPNs might be a little more expensive than the new kids on the block, but using a no-name provider could theoretically be worse than using none at all.

Price

Most trustworthy VPN services charge between $10 and $15 per month to use their platforms. If you’re looking to get the best bang for your buck, we highly recommend paying up-front for a year or two of service, as that will significantly reduce the cost of admission. In picking the best VPNs, we weighed the cost of the service heavily, as well as whether or not those premium prices resulted in more simultaneous connections.

The best VPNs for multiple devices: Reviews & Recommendations

Hopefully, you now feel comfortable poking around and picking a VPN to keep your daily browsing data safe. If you’re looking for a VPN that can cover all your fun electronic toys without much of a hassle, our recommendations are a great place to start.

Best overall: NordVPN

NordVPN

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Why it made the cut: NordVPN delivers everything you would want from a VPN provider, including thousands of servers, six simultaneous connections, and ultra-reliable service.

Specs

  • Server count: Over 5,500 servers in 59 countries
  • Connection limit: Supports 6 device connections at once
  • Home country: Panama
  • Free/trial version: None
  • Standard plan price: $11.99 per month, $59.98 per year, or $126.96 every two years

Pros

  • Trusted brand name
  • Extremely reliable
  • Many, many servers
  • Fancy bells and whistles you actually want

Cons

  • Only six simultaneous connections
  • Fairly expensive

If you’re thinking about using a VPN, you’ve almost certainly heard of NordVPN, and that’s for good reason. Pound-for-pound, it’s arguably the best VPN provider on the market. Nord boasts thousands of servers in dozens of countries, as well as competitive speeds worldwide. NordVPN also offers dedicated IPs for an additional monthly fee, which is useful for users who want to hide the fact that they’re using a VPN at all.

Though the brand’s reputation took a hit after a 2018 server breach, it still remains one of the most trusted providers in the space. NordVPN’s mobile app is clean and intuitive, and it supports every device you have lying around the house. If you’re looking for more than just a basic VPN service, Nord also offers a data breach scanner, a password manager, and encrypted cloud storage for additional rates.

NordVPN plans support up to six simultaneous connections. That’s definitely enough for a well-connected person or an average household, but large families full of tech-heads may want to look at alternatives that can handle more bandwidth.

Best for unlimited connections: Surfshark

Surfshark

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Specs

  • Server count: 3,200 servers in 95 countries
  • Connection limit: Unlimited
  • Home country: The Netherlands
  • Free/trial version: None
  • Standard plan price: $12.95 per month, $47.88 per year, or $59.76 for two years 

Pros

  • Unlimited connections on one account
  • Competitive speeds
  • Extremely good value

Cons

  • Less well-known than alternatives
  • No extra bells and whistles

Surfshark is the new kid on the VPN block, but don’t let that fool you. Though it makes our list for offering unlimited simultaneous connections—making it an extremely good option for large households full of technophiles—it’s a very strong service across the board. Its $60, two-year subscription is one of the best deals you’ll find in the space, and Surfshark is consistently ranked high among the fastest VPN services out there. Its mobile app is also quite snazzy.

Surfshark’s major downside is its server network, which is significantly smaller than its well-known competition. That said, 3,000+ servers is nothing to sneeze at. Meanwhile, the ability to access servers in 95 countries gives you far more masking options than most providers. Surfshark is arguably the best deal in VPN-land and is definitely the best choice for users with more than six devices.

Best for dedicated IP: CyberGhost

Cyberghost

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Specs

  • Server count: 7,900 servers in 91 countries
  • Connection limit: Supports 7 device connections at once
  • Home country: Romania
  • Free/trial version: None
  • Price: $12.99 per month, $51.48 per year, or $78 every two years

Pros

  • More servers than almost any VPN
  • Seven simultaneous connections
  • Easy setup for advanced features

Cons

  • Visually underwhelming
  • No independent security audits since 2012

Some VPN users prefer to pay their provider a little extra for a dedicated IP address in order to fool websites into thinking that they aren’t using a VPN at all. If you don’t pay for a dedicated IP, your traffic will show up as a different IP every time you connect and many websites have filters for popular VPN server IPs. If you want to hide the fact that you’re hiding your info, we recommend CyberGhost, a fully featured VPN provider with all the bells and whistles you need to take control of your cybersecurity.

CyberGhost’s dedicated IP service costs about $4 a month, which is not insignificant. This service ensures that you will always show the same unique IP address when you’re using CyberGhost, which will likely be enough to fool streaming services like Netflix into unblocking you. No more Captchas when casually Googling, either. However, there is a small catch: CyberGhost will issue a unique access token that you use to log into your unique IP. The company keeps no record of this token, but that means you have to keep track of it yourself. If you lose it, you’ll have to purchase another subscription to get another dedicated IP.

Even if you don’t want a dedicated IP—or you’re afraid you’ll lose the token—CyberGhost is an extremely competitive VPN provider. It’s one of the fastest VPNs out there according to speed tests, and its plans are significantly less expensive than some of its competitors.

Best app: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

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Specs

  • Server count: Over 3,000 servers in 94 countries
  • Connection limit: Supports 5 device connections at once
  • Home country: British Virgin Islands
  • Free/trial version: None
  • Standard plan price: $12.95 per month, or $99.95 per year

Pros

  • Best app UI and usability
  • Very reliable
  • Trusted name

Cons

  • Only five connections at once
  • Expensive

NordVPN and ExpressVPN are effectively the Coke and Pepsi of the VPN world. Like its counterpart, ExpressVPN is a well-established brand that gives you everything you expect from a premium VPN, including fast speeds, a widespread network, and a variety of extra services that you tack on.

ExpressVPN’s key advantage for those of us with a lot of gear is its excellent mobile app. It’s visually appealing, works on every platform, and makes tweaking your settings easy. ExpressVPN’s speeds have also tested well over the years. However, it does not offer some of the popular extras that Nord users might like, such as dedicated IP services. 

Express offers only five simultaneous connections, which is significantly less than some of our other picks. However, if you tend to stick with only two or three devices, ExpressVPN is a premium provider that covers the basics quite well for everyday people who don’t want to be burdened with overly technical details.

Best for families: Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access

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Specs

  • Server count: Over 28,000 servers in 84 countries
  • Connection limit: Supports 10 device connections at once
  • Home country: United States
  • Free/trial version: None
  • Standard plan price: $12.00 per month, $90 per year, or $56 for two years

Pros

  • 10 simultaneous connections
  • Ridiculous server count
  • Good UI
  • Very reasonable price

Cons

  • Not the fastest
  • Doesn’t stand out in any category

Private Internet Access is one of the most popular VPNs out there thanks to its compelling price point and feature set. For one thing, PIA boasts a truly absurd server count—over 28,000 worldwide—as well as a simultaneous connection cap that’s more than double some of its competitors. PIA is also regularly discounted for price points that you rarely see in the VPN space, making it a good option for families who want to make every dollar count.

While PIA is certainly a good VPN, it doesn’t necessarily excel in any particular way. Its dedicated IP services aren’t as well-regarded as CyberGhost and NordVPN. Its speed doesn’t compete with many of the major platforms, either. It has standard VPN features like split tunneling, a killswitch, and optional antivirus software, but nothing that sets it apart. 

All in all, Private Internet Access is an extremely respectable VPN that doesn’t quite have the brand recognition of its bigger competitors. However, it’s a reliable alternative that costs less than most of our other picks and will protect a lot of devices simultaneously.

Best budget: ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN

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Specs

  • Server count: Over 1,700 servers in 63 countries (premium)
  • Connection limit: Supports 10 device connections at once (premium)
  • Home country: Switzerland
  • Free/trial version: Yes, speed-capped
  • Standard plan price: $10.52 per month, $75.69 per year, or $126.10 every two years (billed in Euro)

Pros

  • A decent free tier that actually works
  • Supports 10 simultaneous connections
  • Easy to upgrade to premium

Cons

  • Limited feature-set
  • Premium is expensive for what it is

You can’t go very far online without being bombarded with ads for free VPN services these days. While most of these services are unreliable, data-capped, or possibly even scams, ProtonVPN is the real deal. It offers a free tier that can actually serve as a decent VPN in a pinch. It doesn’t have a data cap, so you don’t have to tediously count every megabyte you transmit to use it.

As you might expect, ProtonVPN’s free plan is quite limited compared to its premium competitors. You can only choose from three servers, it’s limited to one device at a time, and Proton blocks popular VPN use cases like torrenting and streaming. As such, if you really want a VPN that supports multiple devices, you’ll need to shell out for its premium services.

The good news is that ProtonVPN makes it very easy to upgrade from its free plan to a paid option. It offers 10 simultaneous connections, which is more than enough for even large households. However, it does falter when compared to other premium competitors like NordVPN and ExpressVPN. It also lacks premium features that power users might expect, such as support for dedicated IP addresses.

The truth is that there is no good free option if you want to use a VPN across many devices. ProtonVPN gives the closest thing: A free taste of its services before you invest.

FAQs

Q: How many devices can use one VPN?

Generally speaking, the number of devices you can use on one VPN account is determined by the VPN provider itself. Most VPN providers have a cap of between 5-10 devices allowed on a single account simultaneously, though some allow an unlimited number.

Q: Do I need a separate VPN for each device?

No. All of the VPN services on our list allow you to protect at least five devices with a single account.

Q: Can the police track a VPN?

In most circumstances, neither law enforcement nor private companies can track live VPN traffic—this is why people use them. However, if you commit a crime and a law enforcement agency requests data from the VPN provider, some providers may give the data that they request. Some VPN providers have a strict “no logs” policy, which means they don’t store any information on their users. In that situation, the VPN service wouldn’t have any information to give law enforcement, even if they were legally compelled to do so.

Final thoughts on the best VPNs for multiple devices

Whether you command a fleet of devices or simply want to protect your laptop and your phone, it makes sense to sign up for a VPN service to protect gear on unsecured networks. While our VPN picks vary in price, number of connections, and advanced features, the bottom line is that they all keep your private information safe.

The post Best VPNs for multiple devices in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 review: A step closer https://www.popsci.com/gear/samsung-galaxy-z-fold4-review/ Thu, 25 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=464821
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Review
With a foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 opens up to reveal a bold and beautiful 7.6-inch screen. Mike Epstein

An upgrade, not a revelation.

The post Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 review: A step closer appeared first on Popular Science.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Review
With a foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 opens up to reveal a bold and beautiful 7.6-inch screen. Mike Epstein

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

For most of us, myself included, the folding display technology at the heart of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold4 is the stuff of wonders. Despite the fact that this is the fourth Galaxy Fold, and there are several other devices with foldable screens that you can touch and use, it is truly wild to crack open your phone and see the tablet-esque 7.6-inch inner screen open. It’s important to keep in mind that folding screens are, conceptually, still new and a bit magical. The Fold4, launched Aug. 26, is largely defined by design tweaks and improved components that improve its flagship-tier performance, though not always in ways that the average person will care about. And yet, unless you are one of the few upgrading from an older Fold, using one will likely feel entirely new and exciting.

But, like the previous models, that experience comes with a few tradeoffs versus a conventional phone. Having a very large screen that’s genuinely pocketable feels great when you’re scrolling at home or sitting on a train, but it’s thicker, more delicate, and a little bit awkward compared to the standard smartphone design. Samsung has taken measures to mitigate those issues in the Fold4, especially around durability. The result is powerful and appealing, but not necessarily a big enough change to make the folding handset a viable choice for the average phone fan.

Mike Epstein

SEE IT

What is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4?

The Galaxy Z Fold4 retains the book-style folding form factor that its predecessors popularized. When you pull it out of your pocket, it’s a thick, tall, and skinny riff on the conventional smartphone, measuring 2.64 x 6.11 x 0.62 inches (WHD) with a 6.2-inch 2316 x 904p Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen. You can open the phone from the right side, like a book, revealing the larger 7.6-inch 2176 x 1812p Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. At 5.12 x 6.11 x 0.25 inches unfolded, the Fold4 demands two hands to handle the larger “tablet” mode comfortably, so it’s really reserved for when you can give it your full attention.

Using the Fold when closed feels more or less like your standard smartphone, though the form factor is definitely less than ideal. The external screen makes most apps look scrunched together. Text in apps like Twitter and Facebook is small, so it can be harder to casually look at apps at a glance. It’s fine when you need to bang out a quick text or take a call, but you wouldn’t want to spend time using it this way.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Review
Spotify is one of the better-looking apps when the Fold4 is closed. Mike Epstein

Of course, when you have time, you’ll open up the phone and use the larger screen, which greatly enhances watching, playing, and doing anything where you give the phone your full attention. I’ve never been one to watch a movie or TV on my phone, but the screen fills your field of vision to the point where you can watch videos comfortably without bringing the screen in close. Games, especially those with small text like League of Legends: Wild Rift or Teamfight Tactics, look better and are easier to navigate. (If nothing else, the Fold4 feels more like a “gaming phone” than anything else I’ve tried.)

It also offers the best version of app multitasking on a phone. You can open and simultaneously run up to three apps across the 21.6:18 inner screen. I find it works best keeping it to two so nothing gets too small, but it feels much better to move information between two apps you can see than to copy something, close an app, then open another and paste, as you would on most phones. Sometimes you’re transferring info from a Google doc to a spreadsheet. Other times you’re adding something to your calendar based on a note or a text that Android doesn’t recognize as a potential calendar event. As streamlined as our phones are, we all still do these little manual data transfers from time to time and it feels better on the Fold, once you get the hang of split-screening apps using the “Multi-Window” tab on the right side of the screen.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Review
Looking at two apps on the Fold4, side-by-side. Mike Epstein

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4’s design and features

To optimize its strengths, and overcome a few of its weaknesses, the Fold4 features a few structural design tweaks. The phone is just under 3mm shorter than the Galaxy Z Fold3, and 2mm wider when unfolded, which goes a surprisingly long way to make holding the phone more comfortable, especially in “tablet” form. Its smaller bezels get out of the screen’s way, allowing it to loom large in the shorter, wider phone.

The unconventional form factors of both screens still present their own issues, though. Since neither display fits the conventional dimensions of a smartphone or a tablet, you’ll find many apps feature crunched display text, plus large black bars around widescreen videos and other apps not optimized specifically for the Fold. That doesn’t take away from the fact that Netflix and games look sharp and beautiful on the large unfolded screen (or the cover screen, if you choose), but it sometimes minimizes the benefits of having a maximal screen.

In fairness, though, Samsung is steadily getting more and more developers to create Fold-native versions of their apps, including the Google suite, the Microsoft Office suite, Spotify, Facebook, and more. Most recently, they’ve added Twitch, YouTube, and Microsoft Teams.

So durable, but not durable enough

To combat the general perception that the Fold is fragile, Samsung has taken steps to make it more durable. It features a reinforced frame and a cover display made from Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+. It also features a redesigned hinge, which allows for a smoother opening. Samsung also claims that the new hinge makes the “crease” in the middle of the display disruptive, but it’s still very noticeable in most apps.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Review
Even with a new hinge design, the mid-display crease returns on the Fold4. Mike Epstein

While those changes may have reinforced the phone against drops, the phone still feels more delicate than a Galaxy S22 or an iPhone 13. The hinge opens smoothly, but slowly—you cannot whip it open the way you can with a laptop or an old-school flip phone. As a result, I was still afraid of opening it forcefully and snapping the phone in half, even if that wasn’t a real possibility. Also, the phone remains susceptible to dust—it features an IPX8 water resistance rating, but no dry particle resistance—so there you do need to be somewhat mindful of where and how you handle it. (Also, at 9.6 ounces, it drops like a rock. So … don’t drop it.)

Processor gains

One of the Galaxy Z Fold4’s largest improvements is its new and improved Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor. While it’s only half-step over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Galaxy S22 line, it has seemingly delivered a larger-than-average performance boost, at least on paper. In benchmarks like Geekbench 5 for CPU and general processor performance, the Fold4 outperformed the Galaxy S22 and S21 Ultra by a small but notable margin. It beat out Samsung’s other foldable, the Galaxy Z Flip4, which has the same chipset. It also outdid the standard Galaxy phones in 3DMark’s Wild Life tests for GPU performance and was neck and neck with the Flip4. 

All things being equal, the Fold4 offers best-in-class speed for an Android phone. You may notice it in games, which should feel snappy and look sharp, or when taking and editing either high-resolution photos and video. It also ensures smooth scrolling in 120Hz without flickering, and seamless transitions when using two apps in split screen mode apps, or bending the inner screen into the half-folded “flex” mode.

Camera bump

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Review
The rear camera stack may be the biggest single upgrade on the Fold4. Mike Epstein

The camera is the centerpiece of most smartphones, and the Fold4 is the first folding model where the hardware feels like it’s in lock-step with the standard Galaxy phones. Its primary back cameras match the S22 and S22 Plus—a 50MP wide-angle camera, a 12MP Ultra-wide camera, and 10MP tele-photo camera. That’s a notable step up over the 12/12/12MP lenses on the Fold3 5G. It also offers up to 30x digital zoom and 3x optical zoom, the latter of which is an upgrade over the S22.

For video, the Fold4 can record in 8K at up to 24 frames per second (fps), or in 4K at up to 60fps. The Fold3 couldn’t record in 8K, so you are getting a fidelity bump, albeit a largely unnecessary one. (I don’t own any 8K devices, do you?)

Of course, the actual performance of these cameras increasingly comes down to the AI that magically blends multiple pictures together behind the scenes. Again, the Fold4 receives an upgrade that enables parity with the S22, including Samsung’s new “nightography” for low-light photos. As someone who’s very critical of photos, but only an okay photographer, I found the Fold4 makes it very easy to take the best possible photo in any given situation, though I would say that some colors appear a bit oversaturated in very bright settings. That shouldn’t come as a surprise for anyone familiar with Samsung’s camera systems.

It’s also worth pointing out that the folding screen is especially useful when shooting photos and video. In “flex” mode, with the screen half-folded, the viewfinder appears on the upper, vertical half of the screen and the buttons appear on the lower half. This makes it much easier to take a clear photo while raising your phone high or lowering it without bending down, since you can still see what you’re shooting.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Review
Flex mode and the camera app are a perfect pair when you want to capture the groovy hue(s) of a lava lamp. Mike Epstein

In addition to the primary rear cameras, the Fold4 has two selfie cameras, a 10MP camera on the cover screen and a 4MP under the unfolded display. These cameras are largely unchanged from the Fold3: Both are fine, but a far cry from the excellent rear cameras. That said, Samsung has made it so the under-display camera successfully fades into the display when games and apps don’t use it. It’s a nice quality-of-life improvement, though a small camera dot doesn’t feel like a huge impediment in a tech world full of camera notches.

Battery life and other features

For all of its many improvements, some aspects of the Fold4 are identical to the Fold3. It features a 4400mAh battery that will get you through a day of intermittent use, though you will burn through it much faster playing a game on the big screen for an extended time, maybe 4-5 hours. It still can handle up to 25W fast-charging, which can juice up your phone from dead to 50 percent in 30 minutes. It also supports the latest networking standards—5G from your carrier and Wi-Fi 6E on a home network.

Aside from battery life, which can always improve, these are top-of-the-line specs. We would expect nothing less from the only phone that costs more than a Galaxy S22 Ultra.

So, who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4?

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Review
If you watch a lot of Netflix on your phone, the Fold4 is a good choice. Mike Epstein

Though it’s the best version of the Galaxy Fold yet, the Galaxy Z Fold4 still feels like a device reserved for tinkerers, early adopters, and those who are willing to pay more for an exciting, if sometimes flawed experience. Its streamlined design looks more svelte and feels better in your hand. In many ways, it is more durable. It offers smoother performance and much-improved cameras. These are all great things, and they allow the Fold4 to retain its place as the premiere folding phone (even if the Z Flip series is more popular).

Despite the positives, two things hold the Fold4 back: First, even with its enhancements, many aspects of the Fold4 feel more delicate than another phone. In some cases, those fears may be imagined, like snapping the hinge. Others, like concerns about getting dust in the phone or breaking the inner screen, are not, though. Real or not, anxiety over breaking the phone adds some real baggage to the experience.

That perceived fragility is only enhanced by the Fold4’s sky-high price. With a starting launch price of $1,799.99 for an unlocked phone, it’s considerably more expensive than a Galaxy S22 Ultra, a Pixel 6 pro, or an iPhone 13 Pro Max. At that price, I expect a special phone that excels in ways others do not and delivers superior performance without any compromises. The Fold4 nails the first part, but falters on the second. One of these days, the Fold will either fix those issues or drop to a low enough price that it can become a practical recommendation. It isn’t ready today, but Samsung is one step closer.

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Apple finally extends home repairs to (some) MacBook owners https://www.popsci.com/technology/apple-right-to-repair-mac/ Tue, 23 Aug 2022 13:20:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=464252
Overhead shot of person repairing iPad on desk
It's been a long time coming, Apple. Deposit Photos

Of course, the 'right to repair' comes with a cost.

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It's been a long time coming, Apple. Deposit Photos

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Apple only recently started offering support for at-home product repairs, albeit with many a caveat, but yesterday marked a notable expansion in available services for consumers—in theory. Apple’s Self Service Repair Store now encompasses all MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops utilizing the M1 chip, although the website portal is down at the time of writing this. It’s frustrating, but not exactly surprising—this is a major industry shift that both consumers and regulators have urged for years, so demand will be understandably high upon launch.

Once the site is back up and running, however, Apple promised in a statement yesterday that Self Service Repair for M1 Air and Pro models will offer over a dozen different fixes for parts like the display, trackpad, top case with battery, and “more to come.”

[Related: The Apple self-service repair shop just opened for business]

Of course, the “right to repair” comes with a cost. Customers hoping to mend their Apple laptops themselves are required to purchase proprietary company parts at a hefty premium, as well as rent an official “repair kit” at $49 for one week’s usage if they don’t want to buy the necessary tools themselves. As Gizmodo notes, the price tag is the same as Apple’s two-part, 79-pound behemoth iPhone kit, although the company promises MacBook kits are “significantly different.”

With individual tools such as a torque driver costing $80 on top whatever the replacement parts run you, it’s clear Apple still much prefers its customers to take their devices to a certified repair location. “For the vast majority of customers who do not have experience repairing electronic devices, visiting a professional repair provider with certified technicians who use genuine Apple parts is the safest and most reliable way to get a repair,” the company goes out of its way to say in the official press release, before extolling all the new and existing licensed repair sites and technicians.

Changes in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act alongside an executive order signed by President Biden last year have pushed companies like Apple, alongside Google and Samsung, to finally offer home repair options for their millions of customers, but it’s already obvious that moving towards making the choice far more affordable and accessible for everyone is going to be quite the challenge. Still, the expansion is a notable step forward for the industry, once that site is back up and running, of course.

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Samsung announces new Galaxy Z folding phones, Galaxy Watch5 Pro, and more https://www.popsci.com/gear/samsung-unpacked-2022-galaxy-z-fold/ Wed, 10 Aug 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=461312
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 News
Samsung

Samsung “unpacked” the Galaxy Z Fold4, Z Flip4, Watch5, Watch5 Pro, and Buds2 Pro on its latest livestream.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 News
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Samsung’s summer Unpacked event brings exciting announcements every August and this year’s presentation didn’t disappoint. The company unveiled new versions of its two high-end foldable phones—the Galaxy Z Fold4 and Galaxy Z Flip4—which have been fine-tuned with slimmer bezels, smaller hinges, and more seamless display creases. It also revealed two versions of its next smartwatch—the Galaxy Watch5 and the first-ever Galaxy Watch5 Pro, which features a tough titanium case and sapphire crystal display. Last, but not least, an upgraded version of Samsung’s earbuds, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, features some subtle design tweaks and support for high-fidelity audio.

Galaxy Z Fold4

Samsung Galaxy Fold4
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 has a wider screen and a much-improved set of cameras. Samsung

With each passing year, Samsung’s Z Fold series further establishes itself as the company’s premier foldable. Samsung refines the Z Fold4’s signature tablet-esque 7.6-inch AMOLED 2X folding screen with a slightly wider inner display, a more subtle hinge with less of a crease, and a less-intrusive under-display camera. Samsung has also taken great pains to make the Z Fold4 more durable than its predecessors, as the line’s integrity has always been a concern. This year’s model features IPX8 water resistance for the first time and a newly optimized layer structure on the main display for enhanced shock absorption. 

Under the hood, the Z Fold4 is powered by a Snapdragon+ Gen 1 processor, has 12GB of RAM, and offers 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage. The device continues to provide a triple-camera setup, but there are some welcome updates this year.

Its rear cameras receive a major boost, sporting the same trio as the Samsung Galaxy S22—a 12MP ultra-wide, a 50MP wide, and a 10MP telephoto camera, the latter of which offers 3x optical zoom and 30x digital zoom. It will also feature a 10MP wide camera on the front, just like Z Fold3.

Samsung Galaxy Fold4 2
According to Samsung, the central display crease and the under-display camera won’t be as noticeable on the Fold4. Samsung

Samsung has also made some software changes that make the Z Fold4 a more effective multitasker. The taskbar has been redesigned in OneUI 4.1.1, providing users easy access to their favorite and recently used apps. Speaking of software, the Z Fold4 is the first device to ship with Android 12L, a version of Android for large screen and foldable devices.

Last, but not least, the Fold4 now has touchpad controls in “flex mode,” when the Fold4 is partially folded. It should, if nothing else, make it easier to use the half-screen as a viewfinder when taking selfies.

The Galaxy Z Fold4 will be available Aug. 26 for $1,799 in graygreen, phantom black, and beige. Samsung is also offering the device in burgundy exclusively on its website.

Galaxy Z Flip4

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
According to Samsung, the Z Flip series is the world’s most popular folding phone line. Samsung

Samsung also introduced an updated Galaxy Z Flip, which the company said is the most popular foldable in the world. (Practically speaking, that simply means it’s more popular than the Z Fold.) This year’s model, the Galaxy Z Flip4 improves the clamshell design with a tougher frame, refined hinge, and slimmer display bezels compared to previous generations. Samsung also said the display is stronger, so users will encounter fewer unexpected cracks from everyday use.

Improved durability is welcome but that isn’t the only change. Samsung has enhanced the cover screen so users can more efficiently reply to messages and make calls. New widgets are also being made available, further establishing the cover screen as a core part of the Z Flip experience. The concept of the cover screen has always been exciting and it looks like Samsung is getting closer to making it a reliable quick-glance solution in more situations.

Like last year’s model, the Galaxy Z Flip4 launches with a 6.7-inch OLED display that features a 22:9 aspect ratio and supports 120Hz ProMotion technology. The display also features a 10MP selfie camera with a familiar hole punch design.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 News
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 cover screen will let you make calls and reply quickly to text messages. Samsung

The Z Flip4 is powered by a Snapdragon+ Gen 1 processor and comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage options. The device also comes with a 3700mAh battery that can charge to 50% in just half an hour, and it’s water-resistant, so it can survive getting wet if caught in a downpour. Like last year, the Z Flip 4 features a dual-camera setup, with a brighter 12MP wide lens and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. 

Samsung said the cameras now offer larger pixels, better image stabilization, and enhanced processing for better low-light performance. Tracking for video has also been improved, so moving subjects stay in focus without much intervention from the user.

The Galaxy Z Flip4 will cost $999 when it launches Aug. 26 and is available in bora purple, graphite, pink gold, and blue. Samsung is also offering bespoke editions that will allow users to pick from a set of colors for the front, back, and frame.

Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro

Samsung Z Fold4 News
The many faces of the Samsung Galaxy Watch5. Samsung

Samsung historically releases a standard Galaxy Watch and a more robust, expensive “classic” version with a larger frame. This year, the company is shaking things up by introducing the Galaxy Watch5 and a more rugged, outdoor-minded Galaxy Watch5 Pro.

The Galaxy Watch5 comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes and will be available in both Bluetooth and LTE. Both feature sapphire crystal glass and curved rear glass, which Samsung said offers better contact with a user’s wrist, enabling more accurate biometrics, including advanced sleep coaching, body composition analysis, heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen levels, and a new skin temperature detection feature, which could tell users when they have a fever. The Watch5 also features IP68 water and dust resistance and runs Wear OS powered by Samsung’s customizations.

The 40mm Watch5 features a 1.19-inch display and 284mAh battery, and the 44mm Watch5 includes a 1.36-inch display and 410mAh battery. Otherwise, the two devices offer the same features and support 20mm band sizes. The Galaxy Watch5 starts at $279 for the 40mm and 44mm versions with Bluetooth and the price goes up for both models to $329 if you want LTE. Curiously, the small version is available in silver, graphite, and pink gold, while the larger model comes in sapphire, silver, and graphite.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 News
The Galaxy Watch5 Pro is a larger, more durable smartwatch for sports and the outdoors. Samsung

The only totally new product in the announcement, Galaxy Watch5 Pro is a larger smartwatch made for people who spend a lot of time in the great outdoors. It features a harder titanium case and a sapphire crystal display, making it better prepared to handle whatever outdoor adventure you have planned. 

The Galaxy Watch5 Pro comes in a single, extra-large 45mm case size. Like the Watch5, it offers advanced health and sleep tracking features. It includes a larger 1.36-inch display and a 590mAh battery, giving it enough juice to last a day away from outlets. The Galaxy Watch5 Pro will start at $499 and comes in black and gray titanium.

On the software side, both the Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro will have eight new watch faces and support Samsung’s Smart Switch feature, which allows you to quickly transfer contacts and other data from an old Galaxy Watch.

Galaxy Buds2 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 News
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro offer high-fidelity sounds and a more comfortable design than its predecessors. Samsung

Last year, Samsung released the Galaxy Buds2, and this year Samsung follows the “Pro” earbuds trend with the Galaxy Buds2 Pro. These true wireless earbuds feature improved active noise cancellation, allowing users to tone down even the loudest ambient noise, and an auto voice detect feature, which can turn down your music and let outside noise in after you start speaking.

Since the Buds2 already offered active noise cancellation, the distinction between the Buds2 and Buds2 Pro is a little more subtle, focusing on a smaller design and improved fidelity. Samsung said this year’s Pro model is 15% smaller than the Buds2, providing users with a more comfortable fit. The updated design also helps reduce pressure inside your ear because, as Samsung explained, air flows more effectively through the device. The more ergonomic design also prevents rotation, so you can comfortably lay down without them moving around.

The Galaxy Buds2 Pro offers higher-quality audio in the right conditions, thanks to new 10mm drivers with support for 24-bit audio. The higher bit depth provides audio with a higher dynamic range and reduced noise, resulting in a cleaner sound. It also offers multi-channel Dolby Atmos support for virtual surround sound in certain streaming apps. The Buds2 Pro also features IPX7 water resistance.

The Galaxy Buds2 Pro will be available Aug. 26 for $229 (up from $200 for the original Buds Pro).

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This near-mint iPad Pro is on sale for $438 off https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/apple-pro-refurbished-sale/ Mon, 08 Aug 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=460773
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This deal is too good not to snap up.

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Apple is expected to release the latest iteration of the iPad Pro in the next few months, and many have high hopes for the tablet to have some swanky features, including the M2 chip, MagSafe wireless charging, and possibly an accompanying new Apple Pencil.

With yet another iPad Pro in our midst, you might as well be ready to drop thousands on the latest version. Apple is notorious for not offering discounts, but luckily, there’s another way to score their products without spending an arm and a leg — buying refurbished. Refurbished products are basically near-mint items that have been tested to ensure they’re in working order before being returned to the market. If you want to score an iPad Pro at a heavily marked-down price, this deal on the space gray 9.7-inch Apple iPad Pro is too good not to snap up.

This particular iPad Pro packs 128GB of storage for storing all your essential apps, documents, and media, a 9.7-inch Retina display for showing your favorite content in stunning detail, and a 12-megapixel camera that captures high-quality photos. It’s also equipped with a 5-megapixel FaceTime HD camera, which is more than enough for video calls between friends and family or even video conferencing for work. 

This iPad Pro is powered by the Apple A9X chip, which may not be as powerful as the M1 or M2, but it still makes multitasking a breeze. It also comes with a bevy of valuable features, including WiFi capability, Bluetooth 4.2, dual microphones, two sets of stereo speakers, and a 27.5Whr Li-Poly battery that lasts up to 10 hours of surfing and streaming on a single charge. 

This refurbished Apple iPad Pro normally retails for $749, but for a limited time, you can grab it on sale for only $310.99.

Prices subject to change.

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The best tablets for kids in 2023 https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-tablet-for-kids/ Mon, 26 Jul 2021 15:59:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=383321
best tablets for kids
Unsplash, Patricia Prudente

Part educational tool and part entertainment center, the best tablet for kids can do much more than keep kids busy on road trips.

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Best for kids age 7 to 10 The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet is the best tablet for kids between seven and 10 years old. Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet
SEE IT

Great for kids who want more than a toy.

Best for kids older than 10 The Apple iPad 10.2 is the best tablet for kids older than 10. Apple iPad, 10.2-inch
SEE IT

Powerful tablet for older kids.

Best for kids age 3 to 7 The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet is the best tablet for kids between three and seven years old. Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet
SEE IT

Perfect tablet for kids of all ages.

Give your youngster a magical mirror that teleports them into the world of shapes, colors, math, science, and never-ending reruns of “Paw Patrol.” Don’t be afraid of screens. Today’s best tablets for kids are designed to be user-friendly, parent-friendly, durable, and safe. An affordable children’s tablet is not a distraction from the real world but a friendly learning center that helps kids adapt to, and navigate through, the modern world. The best kids’ tablets are much more than busy boxes to entertain kids on road trips. And the best tablets for seven to 10-year-olds are more than rubber bricks that play Disney songs. These handheld touch screens are sophisticated, yet simple, tools for learning, playing, and…yes…keeping kids occupied at TGIFridays.

The best tablet for kids: Reviews & Recommendations

The market is flooded with bright, colorful tablets aimed at kids. But some of these tablets are nothing more than an overpriced calculator. Look for trusted brands with a proven track record of creating useful technology. Your children’s tablet should be fun, strong, and functional.  

Best for toddlers: Animal Island AILA Sit & Play Preschool Learning System

Animal Island

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The AILA Sit and Play is not a traditional tablet. All the apps and content is curated by the company to create a learning experience. (No web surfing, no app store, no subscriptions.) Parents can set up and monitor the tablet on their smartphone. Daily lessons are aimed at children between 12 and 36 months old. It’s a lot of fun for toddlers, but it’s not good for older kids who will get bored by the kiddie content. With its sturdy pedestal, this the best tablet for toddlers who aren’t yet ready to hold a screen in their hands. This is more of an early learning tool than a full-blown tablet, so don’t expect robust functionality. 

 Best for kids age 3 to 7: Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet

Amazon

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Amazon has become the king of tablets for kids, and with good reason. The colorful and sturdy Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is the latest kid-friendly touch screen and checks all the boxes of a quality tablet. Its 32GB of storage and 2GB of RAM is more than enough power to comfortably run apps and stream videos. The battery lasts 12 hours and the eight-inch tablet has decent front and rear cameras (both 2MP). It comes with one year of Amazon Kids+, the subscription service that provides age-appropriate movies, shows, music, and games. (It’s $3 a month after the free trial.) And the parental dashboard is simple and secure for adults to manage. As an added bonus, the device comes with a two-year worry-free guarantee—Amazon will replace the tablet if it breaks or cracks. The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is the best tablet for kids too old for baby games and too young for more delicate electronics. 

Best for kids age 7 to 10:: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet

Amazon

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The kids’ edition of the Amazon Fire HD 10 Pro has a big, bright HD screen perfect for watching movies and playing games. That’s one of the reasons why this device is a fantastic upgrade from the Amazon HD 8. The bigger model is designed for older kids, with more RAM, better web-surfing capability, and less lag. The protective bumper case is slimmer than the HD 8 and gives the tablet a more mature look and feel. It comes with the same 12 months of Amazon Kids+ and the two-year worry-free guarantee of the Amazon HD 8 tablet for kids. For parents looking to buy a bigger, better tablet for the whole family, the HD 10 Pro is a powerful tool that can take a beating. 

Best for kids over 10: Apple iPad, 10.2-inch

Apple

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The Apple iPad is the iconic leader of the tablet market. The latest iPad 10.2 is a beautiful and elegant device that makes work easier and more fun. For kids mature enough to handle a delicate tablet, the iPad is the perfect portable computer. The long list of apps and functions makes it the most versatile tablet on the list. No matter if your kid needs help accomplishing complex school work, or wants their own screen to watch shows and play games, the iPad 10.2 handles all digital tasks with ease. Add the intuitive (though slightly overpriced) Apple Pencil to get even more out of the tablet. The biggest downside: This device isn’t so good for clumsy kids covered in candy. The iPad is for young adults who know how to use expensive gadgets. And even if the kid is responsible, a sturdy rubber case is recommended to keep the device protected.  

Best budget: Pritom 7-Inch Kids Tablet

Pritom

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What can you expect from a tablet that costs less than $70? More than you may think. While the Pritom 7-inch tablet is a far cry from the dignified and industrious iPad, this budget-priced Android tablet for kids can accomplish the basics such as watching YouTube and playing games. It comes with pre-installed apps for children between the ages of two and 12 and has parental controls to manage screen time. But never forget: This is a discount item, and that means it’s not as dependable as an Amazon or Apple tablet. You may be better off spending an extra $100 to buy a tablet that will last longer. However, if your young one has the tendency to drop, lose, or toss things into a volcano, an Android tablet like this one is a gadget you won’t worry too much about replacing. 

What to consider when shopping for the best tablets for kids

There’s a big difference between standard tablets and tablets made for kids under the age of 10. Simply put: Don’t hand your clumsy kid an iPad Pro and expect to get it back unscatched. The best tablet for kids should be durable, affordable, and highly controllable. It should also be fun and functional. 

The tablet must be as kid-proof as possible

Imagine throwing a pane of glass into a tornado, and you’ll have a good idea about what a tablet for kids will be up against. The best tablet for eight-year-olds and younger must have tough, rubberized protection around the edge. And the best tablet for a two-year-old should be more rubber than screen if you plan to use it longer than a day. 

Thankfully, some of the biggest brands make strong tablets designed for the wobbly and dirty hands of kids. The rubber shell of these tablets will be thick and round—something a tiny hand can comfortably grasp. But you could cage the screen in Wolverine’s adamantium bones and kids will still find a way to break, scrap, and scratch the tablet. No tablet is 100 percent kid-proof, so don’t be too angry if a toddler drops the gadget in the toilet. All kids’ tablets are temporary. And a good protection program and warranty is a must. 

For children older than eight, you won’t need as much protection. Plus, some older kids will balk at the idea of using a baby tablet that looks more like a toy than a computer. Older kids should be able to handle a regular tablet, as long as you use a robust case. And always explain to your kids the importance of gadget care. 

Don’t spend too much

If you’re spending more than $300 on a tablet for a kid between the ages of two and eight, you’re probably spending too much. Tablets designed for children are typically more affordable, costing less than $200. 

These tablets will lack the hefty processing power of an iPad Pro or Microsoft Surface Pro. But kids don’t need all that functionality. Unless your five-year-old is a graphic designer using the tablet to create a multimedia campaign for an international sneaker company, they won’t miss the ability to use the full Adobe suite. 

Yes, these lower-priced tablets can be sluggish. But if you streamline the apps, using only what’s important, today’s kid-friendly tablets get the job done at a fraction of the price of the professional touch screens. The best tablet for kids is like dinner at a restaurant—don’t order the filet mignon if all they’ll eat is the bread. Stick with the kiddie menu.

Size of the tablet screen and internal storage 

There are smaller and much larger screens, but generally speaking an eight-inch screen with 1,280 x 800-pixel resolution is perfect for kids of all ages. This size is big enough to play games and watch videos without being too big and cumbersome for tiny hands. 

Check the specs and look for at least 8GB of storage. The more storage the better, since you and your family will quickly fill up a tablet with apps, music, photos, and videos. Storage management is a pain for adults and tantrum-inducing for young kids. A microSD card slot can give you extra space, but always be careful with tiny parts around small children. Those cards do look delicious. 

While no one is expecting a kids’ tablet to run at breakneck speeds, find a tablet with at least 2GB of RAM to get apps up and running quickly and smoothly. The more RAM means the easier it will be to run multiple apps at once. 

You have the power: The joys of parental control

The ability to limit screen time and restrict online access is a must. Make sure the tablet is equipped with parental controls. Tablets like the Amazon Fire come equipped with controls that allow parents to set up educational goals, reinforcing the idea that this isn’t a toy—it’s a learning device.

The best tablet for kids should also block social media apps. Most social media platforms have age restrictions already in place, but ingenious kids can find loopholes to gain access. (Lying about your age? What kind of hacker madness is this?) A secure children’s tablet will effectively block the insanity and cruelty of Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and any other social media timesuck. 

Parents must, of course, know how parental controls operate. Before handing over a tablet to your child, play around with it and get a feel for the interface and management system. You don’t want to ask your kid for help on this one. 

Is the tablet for school?

Distance learning and virtual classrooms have become a norm during the pandemic. But even in-person education relies on technology to teach. If your child’s school asks students to use a tablet, make sure the tablet you choose can run the necessary apps. For instance, Amazon tablets are great for kids, but they only run proprietary apps. If your school or daycare wants to use third-party programs, the tablet may not be up to the challenge. 

Check with your school. The IT department will do doubt have the specs and recommendations for a tablet that can run the right apps. And don’t assume every tablet is the same. 

FAQs

Q: What is the best tablet for a six-year-old?

The best tablet for a six-year-old is the Amazon HD 8 for kids. This tablet can take a beating and still offers a great interactive experience. Amazon continues to provide great content on its Amazon Kids+ subscription service, and the parental controls are the best of any tablet. If your six-year-old is an old soul and can be trusted with higher-quality tech, opt for the bigger Amazon Fire HD 10 Pro for kids. It has a bigger, better screen and faster processing power. But it lacks a thick rubber shell, so kids need to be a bit more careful. 

Q: What is the best tablet for a three-year-old?

The best tablet for a three-year-old is one you won’t mind replacing. Kids that young are not known for their careful handling of electronics. You may not want to invest $200 in a tablet the kid will destroy or lose by the end of the day. For that reason, a budget-priced Android tablet, like the Pritom seven-inch tablet, is a solid choice. It’s not as powerful or fast as the expensive tablets, but it does provide enough functionality to make it slightly more than a toy. And after your child gets used to handling a tablet, it will be easier and safer to upgrade to a more mature device like the Amazon HD 8 kids edition.

Q: What tablet is best for a nine-year-old?

The best tablet for a nine-year-old is the iPad 10.2, but only if they’re ready to safely handle the device. The iPad 10.2 is a powerful machine that can be used for school work, watching videos, making art, playing games, clicking around the internet, and much, much more. But the iPad is not specifically designed for kids. If you get an iPad for a nine-year-old, make sure it has a substantial rubber case and protection plan. And if you’re worried the kid isn’t ready for the responsibility, choose the more kid-friendly Amazon HD 10 Pro for kids. 

The final word on the best tablet for kids

Screens aren’t going anywhere, and if you want to introduce your kids to a tablet, make sure it’s safe, secure, and parent-friendly. Amazon offers several high-quality tablets for kids of all ages. Younger kids will need a tablet with a big case that’s easy to hold. Older kids will get the most out of an Apple iPad and will appreciate all that it can accomplish. Look for a good warranty, because any tablet for kids is susceptible to falls and scratches. And when in doubt, look for a brand you know and trust, like Amazon or Apple. Or, pick up a budget-priced tablet if you just need something your kids can play with in the car.

The post The best tablets for kids in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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How to help your iPad cosplay as a laptop https://www.popsci.com/use-ipad-as-laptop/ Thu, 31 Oct 2019 15:43:25 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/use-ipad-as-laptop/
An iPad with a detachable keyboard add-on, on a white table next to a Starbucks cup and an iPhone.
Put a keyboard on it and—just like a Pokemon—your iPad will evolve. Daniel Korpai / Unsplash

What's better than a cool gadget? Two cool gadgets in one.

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An iPad with a detachable keyboard add-on, on a white table next to a Starbucks cup and an iPhone.
Put a keyboard on it and—just like a Pokemon—your iPad will evolve. Daniel Korpai / Unsplash

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This story has been updated. It was originally published on October 31, 2019.

Apple has pushed the idea of iPads as laptop replacements for years now, but the 2019 release of iPadOS made the device more laptop-like than ever. And now the company is beta-testing its fourth version of the operating system, iPadOS 16, which should be released later this year.

Overall, this tablet-specific software features a wealth of useful multitasking options and utilities that make iPads a very capable alternative to laptops—whether it’s just for one plane trip or on a more permanent basis.

Add some hardware

A person using an iPad with a keyboard on a wooden table near a Macbook laptop and an Apple Pencil.
There you have it: two laptops for the price of one laptop, an iPad, and a keyboard. Lara Far / Unsplash

Before you dig into the functionalities of this new operating system, you’ll need to add some hardware—you can’t use your iPad as a serious laptop replacement without a keyboard attachment. Apple makes official keyboard covers for all current iPad models, starting at $160, but more affordable third-party keyboards are also available, like the Logitech Slim Folio (for around $100 on Amazon), or the Brydge Pro (for around $140 on Amazon, depending on the model).

Not only do these keyboard accessories make it much easier to type on an iPad for extended periods of time, but they also tap into the tablet’s support for keyboard shortcuts. As with any Mac computer, you can use Cmd+C to copy text and Cmd+V to paste text, and the arrow keys will give you greater control over text editing selections as well.

For the ultimate laptop experience, you can also add a mouse or trackpad to your iPad, either via Bluetooth or a USB-C connection. Just go to Settings, select Accessibility, Touch, AssistiveTouch and then Devices.

Customize your iPad’s Dock

The iPadOS home screen.
Your iPad is now more MacBook than iPhone. David Nield

Until iPadOS went live, Apple’s tablets looked and felt more like an iPhone because they used the same same operating system. But moving away from iOS has made iPads look a lot more like MacBooks. The main feature responsible for this is the array of icons displayed on the bottom of all Apple screens: the Dock. On iPadOS, you can find it when you’re inside an app by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. To add an app, press and hold its icon, then drag it down to the Dock, and hit Done in the upper right; to remove a shortcut, press, hold, drag the app icon out, and hit Done.

From Settings in iPadOS, tap Home Screen & Dock to access a handful of options. For example, you can choose whether to keep recently opened apps on the right-hand side of the Dock or not (we suggest you keep them in place).

[Related: How to tap into iPadOS’s new widget and multitasking features]

Another option you’ll want to keep enabled is Picture in Picture (under General in your iPad’s Settings app). This will allow video playing in apps such as FaceTime or Netflix to continue playing in a smaller window when you launch another app or go back to the home screen. It’s a handy feature if you’re trying to do some serious multitasking on your iPad.

Use Split View

Split View on iPadOS
Because all you’ve ever wanted is to read PopSci while you sort your files in the cloud. David Nield

Like on a laptop, Split View mode on an iPad lets you get two apps on screen side by side. With one app open, slide up from the bottom of the screen to see the Dock, then press and drag another app icon to the left or right edge of the screen. Release the app icon when the screen splits, then drag the black partition line to set how the screen is divided.

Split View will come in handy when you need to compare two websites, or compose an email while referencing another one. To see all of the open apps and split windows currently running on your iPad, drag up from the bottom of the screen, then keep dragging into the middle of the display—this opens the main multitasking view that lets you quickly jump between apps.

If you like to tap instead of drag, you can also access Split View by touching the three dots at the top of an applicable app window. A bubble with three icons will appear—tap the middle one (it looks like an equally divided rectangle) to choose Split View, and use the next set of icons to decide which side of the screen you want the app to stick to.

Get comfortable with Slide Over

Slide Over mode on iPadOS
You can have one or more apps floating on the right side of your screen. David Nield

In a similar vein, Slide Over lets you run apps in little floating windows on top of each other—it’s a bit like having a mini iPhone interface open on the right side of your iPad screen. To put an app in Slide Over mode, tap the three dots at the top of the app window and select the icon all the way to the right (it looks like a white rectangle with a thin black bar on its right side). Then choose any other app, and it will open full-screen, keeping the smaller window on top.

Press and hold one of the top corners of a Slide Over window to drag it to the left or right side of the iPad display, or just swipe it off screen hide it entirely. When you want to bring a Slide Over window back back, swipe in from the edge of the screen where it’s hiding. To use multiple apps in Slide Over, just press, hold, and drag another icon on top of the window that’s already floating on screen.

[Related: Learn to use picture-in-picture on all your devices]

If you have multiple apps in play in Slide Over, swipe left or right on the narrow bar at the very bottom of the floating window to quickly jump between them. Swipe up on that same bar to fan out all the apps currently in Slide Over mode (just as you’d see when swiping up on your iPhone). Tap a window to jump to it, or touch and swipe up to close it.

Learn to use drag and drop

Drag and drop on iPadOS.
That’s a hell of a tomato pic. Seamlessly send it to all your friends with Drag and Drop. David Nield

When you’ve got apps up in Split View or Slide Over mode, try dragging any item you want to transfer from one app to another, like an image from Photos into Mail, or a link from Safari into Messages.

Support for this feature, Slide Over, and Split View can be a little hit or miss in apps that aren’t made by Apple, because developers won’t necessarily have added the necessary flexibility into their apps. However, plenty of third-party apps can work with these modes, and more should fall into line in the future.

The post How to help your iPad cosplay as a laptop appeared first on Popular Science.

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Syncing Google and Apple calendars is less annoying now https://www.popsci.com/diy/sync-apple-calendar-with-google/ Wed, 13 Jul 2022 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=455999
Two people sitting at a wooden table in an office space, with one of them writing in a paper calendar, and the other looking at a phone while working on a laptop.
Getting calendars to match up can be tricky no matter the medium. Sarah Elizabeth / Unsplash

Some weirdness remains between Google's and Apple's scheduling apps, but like, not as much.

The post Syncing Google and Apple calendars is less annoying now appeared first on Popular Science.

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Two people sitting at a wooden table in an office space, with one of them writing in a paper calendar, and the other looking at a phone while working on a laptop.
Getting calendars to match up can be tricky no matter the medium. Sarah Elizabeth / Unsplash

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Trying to figure out how to sync your Google and Apple calendars used to be an excruciating process. You’d have to make your iCloud calendar public, grab its URL, paste it into Google’s app, change “webcal” to “http,” and a whole bunch of other nonsense. It was like trying to manage a playdate between two cranky preschoolers who have just been introduced to the concept of sharing.

These days, it’s much easier to get Google Calendar and the iOS, iPadOS, and macOS calendar apps to play nicely. The link between the two companies’ scheduling services has matured, though it’s not flawless. There’s still a bit of arbitrary chaos lingering in their relationship.

How to sync Google Calendar and Apple’s Calendar app

On an iPhone or iPad, open your Settings app, tap Calendar, and hit Accounts. If you’ve already linked your Google account to your phone, you can skip to the next paragraph. If you haven’t, tap Add Account and select Google from the list. Then hit Continue when your phone says it wants access to Google. Choose an account from the list that appears or tap Use another account to sign into one that isn’t there. You’ll see another alert that iOS wants to access that Google account—read it and choose Allow to proceed.

Now, on Settings > Calendar > Accounts, you’ll see a Gmail entry, as well as what data it’s syncing. If you see Calendars there, you’re all set. If you don’t, tap Gmail and activate the toggle switch next to Calendars (it’ll turn green).

[Related: 5 Google Calendar tricks to ensure you never miss a date]

The steps are similar from a macOS computer: open the Calendar app, click Calendar in the menu bar, and choose Add Account. Pick Google from the list and you’re off to the races.

Check your sync settings

Once you’ve paired your Google and Apple calendars, you’ll need to make sure you know how the data is flowing between them.

From the accounts page in the Calendar settings on an iPhone or iPad, tap Fetch New Data. You can’t push updates from your Google account to your Calendar app, but you can tell iOS to fetch them. Your options are automatically, manually, hourly, and every 30 or 15 minutes. Whatever you choose, Apple will grab new data from your Google calendar in the background whenever your phone has enough power and internet connection.

The process is a little easier on a computer: click Calendar in the menu bar, choose Preferences, then Accounts, and select your Google account. Finally, choose an option from the dropdown menu next to Refresh Calendars. If you choose manual refresh, that option is under the View tab in the menu bar. This, however, only syncs one way—from Google to Apple. If you want to go the other way, make sure that when you create an event on your macOS calendar, you use the calendar selection menu (a dropdown menu next to a colored square in the top right corner of the new event dialog box) to select your Google calendar. That’s a taste of the lingering arbitrary chaos we mentioned earlier.

What you need to know about linking Google and Apple Calendars

Now that you’ve got chaos on your mind’s metaphorical tongue, let’s dig in so you know what to expect when you start using the apps in tandem. If you add or edit an event on your iPhone’s Calendar app, it will almost immediately appear on your Google calendar (if you have good power and connection). Make a change on Google Calendar, and it might take five to 15 minutes to show up on iOS.

To edit your calendar on an iPhone or iPad, open the Calendar app, tap Calendars at the bottom of the screen, and hit the info button (an “i” in a circle) next to the one you want to tweak. This, to be fair, is standard and not chaotic at all.

But because the apps are made by two different companies, you may discover strange bugs. For one, we found that if we made an all-day event in the Calendar app, then changed the time in Google Calendar, it inexplicably appeared as four hours earlier than the time we’d chosen. We confirmed our time zones were correct, but asked the apps to always choose New York time—just to be sure. The edited events subsequently appeared nine hours too early. Re-editing the time always fixed the problem, but we haven’t yet figured out a better way. We’ll just have to wait until the Google-Apple relationship completely matures.

The post Syncing Google and Apple calendars is less annoying now appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best Kindle deals for Amazon Prime Day 2022 https://www.popsci.com/gear/amazon-kindle-prime-day-deals-2022/ Tue, 12 Jul 2022 11:05:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=455093
an Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, an Amazon Kindle, and a Amazon Kindle Oasis on a pink, orange, and blue gradient background.
Amanda Reed

Avid reader and a frequent traveler? Take more fun on the run with a Kindle, thanks to these Prime Day deals.

The post Best Kindle deals for Amazon Prime Day 2022 appeared first on Popular Science.

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an Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, an Amazon Kindle, and a Amazon Kindle Oasis on a pink, orange, and blue gradient background.
Amanda Reed

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Love reading but hate lugging a stack of books around? If you flip for flipping pages, eReaders are a convenient way to work through a righteous reading list on the go, combining portability with almost instant access to your favorite titles or new pageturners. Additionally, some eReaders are waterproof for reading in the tub or while waiting for the bus on a rainy day. The Amazon Kindle line is one of the largest and most popular selections of eReaders on the market, all on sale for Prime Day

Here are some of our favorite Kindle deals:

Kindle $59.99 (Was $109.99)

Amazon

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This black Kindle includes a built-in front light and three months of free Kindle Unlimited with auto-renewal. And you don’t have to deal with pesky lockscreen ads (models with lockscreen ads are cheaper, though, so keep scrolling if you want to snag one and save). A 167 PPI glare-free display reads like paper, even in direct sunlight. In fact, it’s easy—and comfortable—to read indoors, outdoors, during the day, and even at night thanks to the Kindle’s adjustable brightness. The 8 GB storage holds an entire library in the palm of your hand, while Kindle Unlimited gives you unlimited access to over 2 million titles. If audiobooks are more up your alley, the Kindle pairs with Audible and Bluetooth headphones or speakers for some spoken word(s). 

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32 GB) $134.99 (Was $189.99)

Amazon

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With the Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition, you get all the basics of the Kindle Paperwhite with handy upgrades like Qi wireless charging, auto-adjusting front light, and 32 GB storage. This specific model comes without lockscreen ads and three free months of Kindle Unlimited with auto-renewal. The 6.8-inch, 300 PPI, glare-free display is even brighter than the base Kindle model and can hold a single charge to blast through the entire Percy Jackson & the Olympians series (Greek mythology hive, rise up) without running out of battery. Thinner bezels mean more space for words, and adjustable warm light and auto-adjusting front light gives you a personalized reading experience any time of day.

Kindle Oasis $209.99 (Was $299.99)

Amazon

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If you’ve always fantasized about reading in the bath or in the pool without the liability of ruining your eReader with a stray stream of water, the Kindle Oasis is for you. It’s waterproof up to 3 feet and has been tested to withstand water immersion. Plus, adjustable warm light means you can maintain the ambient vibe while taking a candle-lit bubble bath. This model includes 32 GB storage, no lockscreen ads, and three free months of Kindle Unlimited with auto-renewal. Like the Kindle Paperwhite, it features a 300 PPI glare-free display but is slightly larger at 7 inches and includes page-turn buttons that mimic flipping an actual page. The peace of mind the Oasis provides and its customizability make it worth every penny.

If those models don’t inspire your inner bookworm, check out these other Kindle deals: 

Kindle

Kindle Paperwhite

Kindle Oasis

More Amazon Prime Day deals

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Best hotspot plans of 2023 https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-hotspot-plans/ Wed, 29 Jun 2022 15:15:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=453045
Wi-Fi logo on a phone Best hotspot plans feature image
Franck/Unsplash

If you need mobile internet, you have tons of options. We can help you sort out the best hotspot plans for you.

The post Best hotspot plans of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Wi-Fi logo on a phone Best hotspot plans feature image
Franck/Unsplash

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Best overall T-Mobile Magenta MAX T-Mobile Magenta MAX
SEE IT

This is a no-brainer for current T-mobile subscribers.

Best no-contract Straight Talk Wireless Straight Talk Wireless
SEE IT

It has some drawbacks, but you can surf contract-free.

Best 5G speed Verizon Pro Verizon Pro
SEE IT

It’s costly, but this plan offers excellent speeds.

The Internet is a basic requirement for existence at this point, but choosing the right hotspot plan can be difficult. But, using public Wi-Fi has its own set of risks, especially if it’s free. Considering you are likely carrying a 5G-capable internet device in your pocket, why not make your own hotspot? And for that, you need the best hotspot plan.

There are more than 500 million public hotspots in the world but more than 7 billion smartphones, and many phones offer tethering options that turn them into makeshift hotpots. Sometimes the best, however, is not necessarily the phone in your pocket. Rather, the best might require a hotspot device to connect, offered by numerous carriers and third-party vendors. We tend to take the internet for granted at this point in its evolution but not all of us are connected all the time. Sometimes we need some 5G or 4G LTE help to get on the web. Especially if we are holed up with too many family members at a remote cabin in Michigan where the Wi-Fi is akin to two soup cans with string. 

A mobile hotspot plan offers you the ability to connect to the internet securely. It’s your own personal ISP. While that’s not necessarily true, as all hotspot plans are through a major (or minor) carrier, it’s your connection that works just for you from wherever. If you travel for work, you probably could use a reliable connectivity source. If you like having the internet out in the woods where there is no Wi-Fi but somehow a 5G signal, a hotspot is your choice. The best hotspot plans ensure you’ll never have to go camping without access to online Mario Kart sessions ever again.

How we picked the best hotspot plans

Choosing a hot spot plan is different than buying a gadget. There are more variables involved that you have to consider. For instance, your current cellular carrier may offer a substantial discount for hot spot usage, which can seriously skew the numbers. In order to choose the best hot spot plans, we considered the specific needs of various people from casual browsers to serious power users. We relied on a combination of personal experience, editorial reviews, user feedback, company reputation, and spec comparisons. 

We included most of the major carriers, as well as some of the smaller names in the space who offer more niche plans. If you already have an account with a major cellular carrier, we suggest starting there. 

Things to consider before buying a hotspot plan

While you can just go out and buy a hotspot and get your internet, there are some factors to consider before buying. When it comes to a hotspot, the differences between services offered come down to the things you’d expect: price, network, plan details, and so on. Before buying a hotspot plan, you’ll at least want to consider how much data you might be using. Keep your expectations realistic. Even the best hotspot plans can’t typically handle long Netflix marathons.

Carrier

All the major carriers offer hotspot plans. Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T each sell devices and plans. Aside from that, minor carriers like U.S. Cellular, Cricket, and Straight Talk Wireless offer hotspot plans. Then there are virtual carriers that usually piggyback off of the major carriers. Visible is a solid example of one of those carriers. Considering all this, you’ll generally want to dance with the one that brought you. That is, if you already use one of these carriers for your main smartphone, that’s likely your best bet.

Price

Prices can be all over the place for hotspot plans. Either there is a flat monthly fee or a per GB usage fee. This shouldn’t be the factor that totally influences your decision, as each pricing stage offers something different. Some of the pay-per-GB plans, for instance, are great for international travel. Verizon offers a discount on hotspot plans if you already have a Verizon phone. You can expect to pay on average around $40-$60 a month for most hotspot plans. This is cheaper than most ISP monthly costs.

Data plan

Most hotspot plans do not offer unlimited data. If you are expecting your phone carrier, with whom you may have unlimited data, to have a hotspot plan without a data cap you may be disappointed. Regardless, most hotspot data plans offer enough GB of data to cover whatever you are working on. Pay attention to what is offered by your current phone carrier, you may get a good deal on hotspot data plans. Additionally, check what happens when you exceed your data cap. Does it cut off? Are there additional charges or slower speeds? Each carrier handles overages a bit differently and it can get very costly if you’re not careful.

Network size

Unlike the standard internet delivered through Wi-Fi, the signal coming through hotspots uses cellular signals. The best you can hope for is a good 5G signal if you are in a 5G area. More often than not you’ll get 4G LTE or, at worst, 3G. So you’ll want to check if the carrier supporting the hotspot is loaded with 5G towers. All the major carriers are expanding their 5G networks and it’s debatable who has the widest coverage. You’ll want to check coverage maps in relation to where you are going to need a hotspot in order to determine the largest, best network. 

Cell or mobile

Do you want to use your cellular device as a hotspot or do you want to purchase a dedicated hotspot device? That’s the question you’ll have to answer before choosing a hotspot plan. If you have very little to do besides uploading a few files from your work laptop here and there, or answering some email, your smartphone should do the trick. If you are planning on sitting down and pumping out Powerpoint presentations for eight hours from a lawn chair on the beach, then you might want a dedicated device.

The best hotspot plans: Reviews & Recommendations

Best overall: T-Mobile Magenta MAX

t-mobile

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Why it made the cut: The top hotspot plan on most lists, the T-Mobile Magenta MAX plan is a phone plan with a hotspot plan built in. 

Specs

  • 40 GB Premium data cap
  • Smartphone hotspot
  • 5G Unlimited data

Pros

  • Plenty of data
  • One plan for phone and hotspot
  • Large 5G network

Cons

  • 5G speeds can be slow
  • Price is on the high end

If you already have T-Mobile or are thinking of switching, the $85 T-Mobile Magenta MAX plan is for you. The bonus with this plan is not just that it offers you a hotspot without another device but that it’s an unlimited data plan. The catch is that after you use 40 GB of hotspot data, it reverts to 3G speeds for whatever you use after (per month). 

As long as you have a limited amount of devices connected to your hotspot (say, like one or two) then even 3G speeds can give you up to 3 Mbps. That’s not terrible for doing basic tasks. While the plan is meant to be used through your phone, you can still use a hotspot device instead. Depending on the model phone you have, this might be a good tack to take. Some models get mighty hot when pulling double duty. Regardless, the T-Mobile Magenta MAX plan offers you a hotspot option without necessarily having to buy another device. 

Best no-contract: Straight Talk Wireless

Straight Talk

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Why it made the cut: Of all the ancillary carriers out there, Straight Talk offers one of the more compatible hotspot plans.

Specs:

  • No contract
  • Starts at $15/month
  • 4G LTE data

Pros: 

  • Good download/upload speeds
  • No contract, no cancel fee
  • GB pricing better the more you purchase

Cons

  • No 5G service
  • Limited network size

Straight Talk Wireless is known for its pay-as-you-go plans. If you don’t want a contract then this is the hotspot plan you are looking for. Plans range from $15/month for 2 GB of data to $75/month for 20 GB of data. Either plan delivers a moderate 31.1 Mbps download and 15.6 Mbps upload speeds. That’s not too shabby and comparable to some basic Wi-Fi services. The catch is that it’s all delivered across a 4G LTE network, likely piggybacking off a larger carrier’s tower. 

With a Straight Talk Wireless hotspot device, you can connect up to 10 devices at a time. This is probably the way to go here, as with 4G LTE you probably don’t want to burden your phone with being the community hotspot. The no-contract deal is a handy thing to have (or not have), especially when you only need to use a hotspot for a limited time. Straight Talk Wireless isn’t the only carrier out there to offer a no-contract hotspot plan, but it has some of the best plan options. 

Best 5G speed: Verizon Pro

Verizon

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Why it made the cut: The Verizon Pro is another hotspot plan from another major carrier. It makes sense if you already use Verizon.

Specs

  • 100 GB of Premium data
  • 5G/4G LTE speeds
  • Smartphone hotspot

Pros: 

  • Discount with a phone plan
  • 5G millimeter-wave compatibility

Cons:

  • 100GB is all you get

With the Verizon Pro hotspot plan, once you go over 100 GB of data, you get whacked down to a meager 600 Kbps. That’s weak sauce but at least there are no extra charges for going over. The Verizon Pro plan offers a $30 discount down to $60 if you already have a Verizon phone plan. That’s not too shabby for 100 GB of data. Verizon has one of the fastest 5G networks out there, utilizing the millimeter-wave 5G in limited areas, mid-band 5G in others. Like the other major carriers, Verizon is working on expanding that network. 

If you use a hotspot a lot, then you’ll want a plan that takes advantage of those 5G speeds where available. While with this plan you can use your smartphone as a hotspot, Verizon’s Jetpack device has long been a reliable hotspot. Many businesses use the Jetpack for connectivity, which means its been field-tested plenty. You know what you are getting with Verizon, and the Verizon Pro hotspot plan takes full advantage of the growing 5G service network.

Best international: Solis Global Pay-Per-GB

support.skyroam

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Why it made the cut: The Solis Global Pay-Per-GB hotspot plan can be used almost anywhere around the world.

Specs

  • 1 GB data cap
  • $12/GB
  • International use

Pros

  • Easy pricing
  • Network in 135+ countries
  • No contracts

Cons 

  • Speeds dependent on geography
  • Have to purchase 1 GB at a time

With the Solis Global Pay-Per-GB Subscription, getting internet access from anywhere in the world is a relatively simple process. It should be noted that there are two ways to get the internet when you are traveling out of the country. The first is to buy a phone in your host country, with a new SIM. The second is to bring an international hotspot. There is a third option, but if you use your phone for the internet outside of the country, your phone bill would make Elon Musk do a spit take. 

If you aren’t sure how much data you are going to use, and need a fairly cheap option then this is it. At $12 a GB of data using the Solis Lite hotspot, you know what you are getting. Need another gigabyte? That’ll be another $12. There is no bulk pricing plan; it’s just the single plan. Of course, if you do use the Solis Global Pay-Per-GB Subscription hotspot plan, then you are at the speed whims of your host country’s cell towers. This is solid as a backup plan if you get into a real jam overseas.

Best for streaming: AT&T 100 GB Plan

att

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Why it made the cut: The AT&T 100 GB plan is one of several hotspot plans offered by AT&T, one of the major carriers.

Specs 

  • 100 GB Data
  • 5G/4G LTE Speeds
  • Unlimited data options

Pros 

  • Unlimited plan comes with Hulu & HBO Max
  • Works with Netgear hotspot devices
  • 100 GB for $55

Cons 

  • Plan has to be ordered in store
  • Works best for existing customers

If you are an existing customer with AT&T then you really don’t need to shop around. The AT&T 100 GB hotspot plan is one of several prepaid and postpaid hotspot plans offered by AT&T. If that’s too much data, there is a 25 GB plan for $50 per month or a 40 GB plan for $75. If it’s not enough data, there is a postpaid $75 per month unlimited plan that allocates 15 GB for hotspots, while the $85 unlimited elite plan allocates 40 GB. The unlimited plans are phone plans, while the prepaid plans are best for mobile hotspots or tablets.

The best hotspot plan is the 100 GB plan for $55 a month. Comparable to the Verizon Pro hotspot plan, that’s a good deal for 100 GB. This is a good amount of data if you are planning on spending your hotspot time streaming movies. While only the unlimited plans come with Hulu and HBO Max, you probably already subscribe to those. Speeds vary as AT&T is still working on expanding its 5G network, but you’ll at least get 4G LTE in most areas.

FAQs

Q: Does a hotspot work without Wi-Fi?

Yes. That’s the entire point of a hotspot. A hotspot, unlike a Wi-Fi device, uses cellular connectivity, not a home network, to deliver the internet. Instead of connecting to an ISP running cable into your home, it connects to a cellular carrier. This makes hotspots ideal for connecting your devices to the internet on the go. Hotspots are then reliant on the speed of the connected cellular carrier. While some speeds can get up to 5G, most of the time you’ll at least see 4G LTE speeds.

Q: Can I use a hotspot for home internet?

Technically, you can. However, using a hotspot for home internet can be kind of limiting in its ability to handle large bandwidth events such as multiple device streaming. If you live alone and have very little to do on the internet and don’t mind mediocre download and upload speeds, then a hotspot for your home internet can be a money saver. Generally, hotspots are used as temporary or necessary internet connectivity solutions, not as long-term static solutions. 

Q: What happens if I use all my hotspot data?

This varies by your hotspot plan. Some plans offer more data at an additional cost, while other plans throttle your speed after the initial data has been used up. Other plans offer pay-as-you-go options, using incremental chunks of data. Check this carefully when you purchase a hotspot plan, as there is nothing stopping carriers from implementing outlandish fees if you exceed your data caps. 

Q: Can I use a hotspot for Zoom?

Yes. While the connection might not be perfect, Zoom also isn’t perfect so it’s a wash. If you have a good 5G connection with your hotspot, then video conferencing isn’t off the table. If you drop down to a 3G connection in a bad signal area, then you might want to stick to voice calls. There is little difference between using a laptop through a hotspot or just using your phone for Zoom calls.

Q: How good is hotspot Wi-Fi?

Hotspot Wi-Fi is generally limited to a shorter range than traditional Wi-Fi. Most hotspot devices run Wi-Fi 6 to allow for greater device connectivity. These two factors make hotspot Wi-Fi the best option for portability. It’s all about being able to connect on the go, so hotspot devices aren’t built to act as standard Wi-Fi routers.

Q: Which is better, a hotspot or home Wi-Fi?

Neither is better, neither is worse. Each serves a different purpose. When you can’t take your home Wi-Fi network with you, you take a hotspot. Both provide connectivity to the internet. A hotspot device creates its own Wi-Fi network through a cellular signal, while your home Wi-Fi distributes its signal off of a hard line to the ISP.

Final thoughts on the best hotspot plans

One of the hardest things about shopping for the best hotspot plan is deciding whether or not you want to switch carriers. Chances are, you are going to stick with whatever carrier you already use and piggyback a hotspot plan onto your existing phone plan. This is the easiest solution. If you do find yourself in the market for a new phone carrier, or plan to use a hotspot enough that it could stand to have its own dedicated line, then shopping around can’t hurt. The best hotspot plan is the one that works best for your needs—whether those be price, data, speed, or some combination—and there is a plan somewhere that will work perfectly. 

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Everything you need to know about the new Apple M2 laptops and WWDC 2022 https://www.popsci.com/gear/apple-wwdc-2022-news/ Tue, 07 Jun 2022 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=448446
Apple WWDC 2022 News
Apple

Here are all the new features coming to your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac this fall.

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Apple WWDC 2022 News
Apple

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At its WWDC 2022 keynote presentation on Monday, June 6, Apple unveiled its next-generation M2 chipset, which will power a new wave of Mac laptops and desktops. The new chip promises performance improvements over the M1, Apple’s original first-party processor, which we’ll get to see in a redesigned MacBook Air and an updated version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro coming in July. 

As expected, hardware was a secondary concern at WWDC, as Apple also announced the new versions of its various operating systems for its many devices. Coming this fall, the various software updates included iOS 16 for iPhones, macOS Ventura, iPad OS 16, and watchOS 9. Though there’s plenty of overlap, each system will have distinctive new features, including customization features for the iPhone lock screen, revamped multitasking on iPads, and more robust health tracking in Apple Watch. It was an action-packed event. Here’s a quick rundown of the highlights.

M2 Apple Silicon

Laptops photo
The Apple M2 chip will power the next wave of Mac computers.

Apple unveils next-generation M series chip

In the realm of “new stuff,” Apple’s M2 chip made its debut, promising some big performance gains over the current M1 Macs and even bigger ones over older Intel-based Macs. The new M2 chip is constructed using a second-generation 5-nanometer process, and consists of over 20 billion transistors—25-percent more than the original M1. The additional transistors result in an 18-percent faster CPU, 35 percent faster GPU, and a 40-percent faster Neural Engine.

Like the M1, the M2 is an 8-core processor with four high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores. It features 50 percent more memory bandwidth than the M1 and up to 24GB of fast unified memory.

The M2 gets an even bigger bump in the graphics department. The new 10-core GPU is bigger than the 8-core design of the M1. That allows it to hit 25-percent higher graphics performance benchmarks than an M1 at the same power level, and up to 35-percent higher performance at max power. The M2 also introduces an updated media engine that supports 8K H.264 and HEVC video, allowing you to play multiple streams of 4K and 8K video.

Presumably, we’ll see M2 make its way into all of Apple’s computers (and some iPads) over the next few years. The new wave begins in July, when Apple launches the first two M2 laptops, including the newly designed MacBook Air, which ditches the line’s signature tapered “wedge” design for the first time since the original Air launched in 2008.

Laptops photo

MacBook Air gets a big redesign

The 2022 MacBook Air is the signature machine showcasing the M2 chip at launch. As with every Air, the new is set to deliver outstanding performance in a svelte package, albeit a more evenly shaped one. The new MacBook Air is 11.3mm thick, weighs 2.7 pounds, and features an all-aluminum unibody enclosure. According to Apple, that’s a 20-percent reduction in “overall volume” from the current M1 MacBook Air. With a smaller body, it should be no surprise that the port situation remains essentialist, with the same two Thunderbolt ports and a 3.5mm audio jack with support for high-impedance headphones. That means no HDMI port or SD card reader, so you’ll have to rely on a USB hub for additional connectivity.

That said, the new Air will feature a slightly larger 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display—up from 13.3 inches on the M1 Air—with a notably enhanced top brightness of 500 nits. Like the newer MacBook Pro, the new MacBook Air features a display notch, which makes room for a long-awaited 1080p FaceTime HD camera. The MacBook Air will be available in four colors, including Midnight and Starlight, and will feature the same MagSafe that was reintroduced on the MacBook Pro.

Laptops photo

There’s also a “new” 13-inch MacBook Pro 

Speaking of the MacBook Pro, Apple will also bring the M2 to the entry-level 13-inch form factor, which offers a big performance bump, but not the extra ports and improvements found in last year’s outstanding M1 Pro and M1 Max redesigns. (Touch Bar fans, this one’s for you.)

While the design remains the same, users will see an improvement in performance when using graphic-intensive apps thanks to its active cooling system. For example, editing RAW images in Affinity Photo can be up to 40-percent faster thanks to the M2’s 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU. The 13-inch MacBook Pro also promises up to 20 hours of battery life for video playback.

Those looking for a redesign can find it in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, which feature more powerful specs (and heftier prices) in addition to M1 Pro and M1 Max chips. By keeping the 13-inch MacBook Pro around, Apple is offering a much more affordable entry into the pro category, while continuing to ditch Intel for its in-house silicon.

The MacBook Air with M2 chip will start at $1,199, while the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 will start at $1,299. Apple didn’t reveal an exact launch for the MacBook Air but did say it’ll be available in July.

iOS 16

WWDC 2022 News
The iPhone lock screen is getting a huge glow up in iOS 16.

Apple brings widgets and customization to the lock screen

In iOS 16, Apple has redesigned the lock screen to bring you more information at a glance. You will be able to customize what you can see before unlocking your phone beyond setting a photo, adding widgets like your calendar, the current forecast, and Apple-Watch-style activity rings. You’ll also be able to change the font and color of the time, and add filters to the entire lock screen for some added style. Apple said you can create multiple lock screens, which you swipe through, similar to changing watch faces on Apple Watch. A new Photo Shuffle feature will let you choose a set of photos that will automatically change throughout the day.

You’ll also see a “Live Activities” feature on the lock screen, which effectively combines a widget and a notification for frequently updating events. For example, if you’re a sports fan, a notification for a game you’re following will update your lock screen and bring you the latest score and other relevant updates. Developers can create custom Live Activities, so you can check the status of a delivery or shipment without leaving your lock screen.

WWDC 2022 News
You will now be able to edit text in Messages, even after sending it.

Messages will get an edit function

Messages are also getting a few new user-requested features. You’ll be able to edit messages, cancel texts with an “undo send” feature, and mark them as unread. The edit function will allow you to edit typos, while undo will let you unsend a message after sending for up to 15 minutes after sending a given message. These additions give you a lot more editing power and should make texting feel a little more like using chat apps, such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.

WWDC 2022 News
Apple’s new vision for CarPlay includes deep integration into the vehicles’ systems.

Apple Wallet, CarPlay, and more

There are a ton of miscellaneous new features coming to iOS 16, including changes to Focus, a shared photo library for shared iCloud accounts, SharePlay for Messages, and Live Text support in videos. 

Apple Wallet will add a “pay later” function that will allow users to break up Apple Pay purchases into four installments over a set period without interest charges. Once you place an order, Apple Wallet will help you track your orders so that you can receive detailed information throughout your package’s journey to your doorstep.

Finally, CarPlay will get its most significant update yet, setting the stage for deep integrations with dashboard systems in new cars. You’ll be able to perform actions like changing the temperature, controlling the radio, and seeing deeper vehicle data, including your current speed, fuel level, and fuel economy. Though iOS 16 will include some of this CarPlay functionality, Apple said automakers like Ford, Volvo, and Jaguar won’t announce new vehicles that support the system until late 2023.

watchOS 9

WWDC 2022 News
WatchOS adds new watch faces as well as deeper tracking for exercise and sleep.

Apple Watch adds new health features

Apple also unveiled watchOS 9, which adds four new watch faces, workout updates, and deeper integration with Apple Fitness+. If you’re a runner, watchOS 9 will introduce more insights into how efficiently you run. For example, you’ll be able to track your stride length, ground contact time, and vertical oscillation, giving you valuable data whether you’re a casual runner or training for a marathon. 

Apple will also add an FDA-cleared atrial fibrillation (AFib) history feature, which will provide those who have been diagnosed with AFib with deeper insights into their condition. The hope is that this information will allow people to make lifestyle changes that can potentially improve their condition.

WatchOS 9 will also add deeper sleep insights. By tapping into Apple Watch’s accelerometer and heart rate sensor, the wearable will detect when you’re in REM, Core, or Deep sleep—metrics that better help you understand your sleep quality.

Perhaps the most significant addition in watchOS 9 is the ability to manage and track your medications, vitamins, and supplements. The feature will allow you to create a medications list, set up schedules and reminders, and view information about your medication in the Health app. You can also receive an alert if there are potential critical interactions with medications you’re already taking.

iPadOS 16

WWDC 2022 News
With Stage Manager, iPadOS 16 will enable a more laptop-like workflow on tablets.

The iPad introduces multitasking upgrades (and a weather app)

The most significant feature coming to iPadOS is called Stage Manager (also available in macOS Ventura), which organizes apps and windows into a pane on the left side of the display. By default, the apps and windows are arranged in order of recency, but you can also group apps together to quickly access them, like if you need Safari and Notes to plan for a meal. You can now open apps as overlapping windows and resize them, bringing them more in line with the conventional macOS experience.

Stage Manager also brings full external display support in up to 6K resolution and will allow users to run four apps on their iPad Pro, as well as four apps on the external display. These features are only available on iPad Pro and 2022 iPad Air with an M1 chip.

WWDC 2022 News
Freeform, a new app, is a scalable collaborative whiteboard for project planning.

Collaborate with the new FreeForm app

Additionally, iPadOS 16 will introduce Freeform, a collaboration app that offers a scalable whiteboard, so there are no limits on the page size or layout. You’ll be able to see the updates people have made and even hop on FaceTime to discuss ideas. The new Freeform app brings to mind Figma’s FigJam app, which offers a similar collaboration tool.

Other additions coming to iPadOS 16 include Apple’s Weather app and “Reference Mode,” a color calibration tool for creatives that allows the iPad Pro and Liquid Retina XDR display to match the color requirements in workflows like review and approve, color grading, and compositing. This will ensure that photo and video editors get consistent, color-accurate edits across their projects, making the iPad Pro an even more powerful tool for creatives.

macOS Ventura

WWDC 2022 News
Continuity Camera, a new feature in macOS Ventura, lets you use your iPhone as a webcam. Apple

Expanded continuity comes to Mac

Ventura, the next big update for macOS, offers one of the most exciting features of the day. Continuity Camera will allow users to turn their iPhone into a webcam. Macs will automatically recognize your iPhone when it’s nearby and use it for video conferencing. You’ll be able to take advantage of modern iPhone camera features like Center Stage, which automatically adjusts the camera’s framing to center on you, and the background-blurring Portrait mode.

Ventura also brings updates to some of Apple’s core apps, including Safari. In Ventura, you’ll be able to share tab groups with friends and family and start a FaceTime call right from the page you’re browsing. Meanwhile, Mail is introducing more robust search features and the ability to schedule emails and undo send for up to 10 seconds after hitting send.

WWDC 2022 News
Spotlight will present you with more information than ever without ever opening your web browser.

Spotlight gets more powerful

Finally, Apple has updated Spotlight to bring more information to searches. In addition to launching apps, you can type in a musical artist and get information about who they are, when they were born, where they’re from, etc. You can also set timers, create a new document, and run a shortcut from Spotlight.

Final thoughts on WWDC 2022

We rarely expect major hardware announcements at WWDC, so color us pleasantly surprised that we got to hear about some new Macs at WWDC 2022. Of course, these are all just promises until we take the time to test the M2 Macs later this summer. And, of course, we’re looking forward to checking out all the new features coming to Apple’s various devices as roll out in beta ahead of their wide launch in the fall.

The post Everything you need to know about the new Apple M2 laptops and WWDC 2022 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best mobile hotspots of 2023 https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-mobile-hotspots/ Mon, 23 May 2022 19:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=444819
best mobile hotspots sliced header
Stan Horaczek

No strings to hold you down.

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best mobile hotspots sliced header
Stan Horaczek

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Best T-Mobile hotspot Inseego MiFi M2000 is the best mobile hotspot. Inseego 5G MiFi M2000
SEE IT

Inseego and T-Mobile have struck a great balance between cutting edge features and price.

Best AT&T hotspot Netgear Nighthawk M5 (MR5200) is the best mobile hotspot. Netgear Nighthawk M5 (MR5200)
SEE IT

Netgear’s Nighthawk M5 offers top performance at a premium price.

Best Verizon hotspot Inseego Jetpack is the best mobile hotspot. Jetpack MiFi 8800L
SEE IT

Inseego’s Jetpack for Verizon is a dependable workhorse on the most extensive existing network.

Smartphones allow us to keep the internet in our pockets wherever we go, but sometimes that isn’t enough. Lots of phones can serve as a mobile hotspot in a pinch, delivering Wi-Fi to other nearby devices; however, your phone’s antenna and battery are finite. A dedicated mobile hotspot can serve mobile internet to a whole collection of connected devices via Wi-Fi, keeping you truly connected wherever you get service.

With more people working from home, untethered to a desk, a mobile hotspot really extends what “remote” can mean. Smartphone service providers are expanding their 5G networks all the time, meaning you’ll barely even be compromising the home wireless internet speeds you’re used to. We’re here to help you find the best mobile hotspot, no matter your network or needs.

How we picked the best mobile hotspots

More than most hardware categories, mobile hotspots neatly sort themselves into categories because they are tied to particular service providers and their networks. For most of us, that contractual link to Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others narrows down our choices.

Among those options, we simply selected the current top-tier hotspots available, with all the cutting-edge features to make sure you’re getting the best possible experience. We made sure our selections were well-reviewed by customers and professionals alike from manufacturers with proven track records.

Things to consider before buying the best mobile hotspots

Mobile hotspots are pretty straightforward devices. They’re small bricks of plastic with an antenna that connects to a mobile broadband network, and a router that passes that signal along to other devices in its network. If you’ve purchased a Wi-Fi router and a smartphone, you should be familiar with the details. Consider your intended usage: When do you see yourself using a hotspot? How many devices do you intend to connect? How long do you hope to use it without being able to plug it into an outlet and charge it? Where do you intend to go?

Another thing to keep in mind: It is not enough to purchase a mobile hotspot—you also need to activate and connect it to a compatible mobile network. Assuming you already have a cell service contract at a major carrier, we recommend sticking with whatever network you are already on. You can buy an affiliated device and add it to your account through your provider. This will almost certainly be less expensive than opening up a new account with a different service.

5G or LTE—that is the question

5G is the latest and fastest cellular network standard but still isn’t as widespread as older 4G LTE networks. Since the newest devices all support previous standards, we recommend getting a 5G-capable hotspot, regardless of its current availability near you. Ultimately, these are just the newest and best-performing hotspots, even on the older 4G LTE networks.

If you won’t be anywhere near cities, however, and speed doesn’t matter to you as much as saving money, going back for an LTE-only capable hotspot can be a good way to save upfront on the hotspot and still get the most range possible. To get a precise understanding of local coverage options, check out the FCC’s LTE coverage map. You can also see the current state of each provider’s 5G network directly from the AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon websites.

One notable difference we found among 5G hotspots was whether or not they support millimeter-wave signals, a portion of the 5G frequency spectrum that supports higher data throughput, which should translate to faster loading. There’s a catch, though—mmWave only works over short distances and is very easily blocked by physical objects, like walls. That means it will make the most noticeable difference outdoors and within close range (on the order of hundreds of feet) of a tower. Only Verizon and Inseego’s 5G router currently supports it right now, which makes sense since Verizon has also invested the most in building out its mmWave network by quite a wide margin.

C-Band, another potential component of 5G, adds substantial data bandwidth to the signal. The US has lagged behind the rest of the world in integrating C-Band into its 5G networks, but carriers have promised to expand C-Band support in cities in the near future. Only one hotspot currently available from Netgear supports C-Band as of spring, 2022.

Hi-fi Wi-Fi

Mobile hotspots have two key components: the cellular antenna, which receives the wireless signal from a carrier network, and the wireless antenna that broadcasts that signal to nearby devices. Fortunately, Wi-Fi has now caught up with mobile and simplified their formerly too-technical standard names (e.g., 802.11ac) into much more consumer-friendly generation numbers. Wi-Fi 6, the latest standard, offers a jump in overall upload and download bandwidth. It specifically improves a router’s ability to serve multiple devices at once, which is very helpful when you tether a computer, phone, and tablet to one network all at once. New Wi-Fi 6-enabled hotspots have more than double the connection limits of previous iterations.

The best mobile hotspots: Reviews & Recommendations

If you’re looking to put the internet in your pocket with the best mobile hotspot, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve simplified your choice, picking the best hotspots for each of the major carriers, plus a few extra options that may serve you better internationally.

Best T-Mobile hotspot: Inseego MiFi M2000

SIMBROS

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Inseego’s MiFi M2000 hotspot offers the best value of any 5G hotspot from T-Mobile right now.

Specs

  • Mobile: 5G, 4G LTE
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 – 2.4GHz and 5GHz
  • Connections: 30 devices
  • Ports: USB-C
  • Battery: 5050mAh, up to 24 hours claimed

Pros

  • 5G, Wi-Fi 6
  • Most extensive 5G network
  • Least expensive 5G hotspot

Cons

  • No mmWave antenna

As of May 2022, T-Mobile has the most extensive 5G rollout of any major US carrier. As it is the first and only officially supported 5G hotspot, the Inseego MiFi M2000 is automatically the most widely effective 5G mobile hotspot right now. It has support for the newest networking standards—namely 5G and Wi-Fi 6—and solid performance across the board. Functionally, it’s very similar to Inseego’s Verizon hotspot, though it lacks support for millimeter-wave signals. That said, T-Mobile has a more limited mmWave rollout than other networks anyway, so it isn’t a huge loss, and dropping the feature keeps its cost down.

Best AT&T hotspot: Netgear Nighthawk M5 (MR5200)

NETGEAR

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Netgear Nighthawk M5 is the most flexible 5G hotspot on the market.

Specs

  • Mobile: 5G, 4G LTE
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 – 2.4GHz and 5GHz
  • Connections: 32 devices
  • Ports: USB-C, ethernet
  • Battery: 5040mAh, up to 13 hours claimed

Pros

  • 5G, Wi-Fi 6
  • Works unlocked
  • First C-band hotspot

Cons

  • Expensive
  • No mmWave antenna

The Netgear Nighthawk M5 is the most expensive option on our list but also packs the most features and flexibility. It supports the current standard, 5G and Wi-Fi 6, of course, but also has other bells and whistles. It is, for example, the only 5G option on our list with an Ethernet port for more flexible tethering and network extension options. Although it lacks mmWave support, it is the first mobile hotspot to support C-Band. 

As an added bonus, the Nighthawk works unlocked with any of the three major US networks, though pairs best with T-Mobile and AT&T, which could be great if you’re planning to change networks in the near future.

Best Verizon hotspot: Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L

Generic

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: If you don’t need 5G where you’re going, then the Jetpack is the last generation’s standout.

Specs

  • Mobile: 4G LTE
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 5 – 2.4GHz and 5GHz
  • Connections: 15 devices
  • Ports: USB-C
  • Battery: 4400mAh, up to 24 hours claimed

Pros

  • Most extensive LTE network
  • Compact
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • No 5G

5G may get all the marketing hype, but it still provides limited coverage. Even when you can find it, not all 5G works equally well. The standout hotspot of the previous generation is the Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L, paired with Verizon, which is still consistently rated to have the most extensive and consistent network coverage in the US, particularly outside of metro areas. As an added bonus, the Jetpack is more compact and gets battery life than many newer models because it doesn’t have the additional antennas needed for 5G and Wi-Fi 6 support.

Best Verizon 5G hotspot: Inseego MiFi M2100

Inseego

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Just like our T-Mobile Pick, the Inseego MiFi M2100 is a solid 5G, Wi-Fi 6 hotspot.

Specs

  • Mobile: 5G, 4G LTE
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 – 2.4GHz and 5GHz
  • Connections: 30 devices
  • Ports: USB-C
  • Battery: 3500mAh, up to 24 hours claimed

Pros

  • 5G, Wi-Fi 6
  • mmWave support

Cons

  • Underwhelming battery life

Inseego’s Verizon-exclusive M2100 is very similar to its T-Mobile counterpart, the M2000. Most of what we said about our top pick for T-Mobile users applies here as well. It’s a solid performer that supports the latest standards. There’s one key difference, though: Verizon’s version supports mmWave signals, whereas T-Mobile’s doesn’t. In exchange, though, it features a smaller battery (though it can be easily swapped out). Otherwise, it’s the current best option for accessing Verizon’s 5G network.

Best budget unlocked hotspot: KuWFi 4G LTE Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot Unlocked

KuWFi

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: KuWFi offers excellent unlocked 4G speeds for a rock bottom price.

Specs

  • Mobile: 4G LTE
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 5 – 2.4GHz and 5GHz
  • Connections: 10 devices
  • Ports: Ethernet, USB 3.0
  • Battery: 2400mAh, up to 8 hours claimed

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Small
  • Unlocked

Cons

  • Inconsistent performance outside North America

At just $50, you’d be hard pressed to find a cheaper mobile hotspot than this KuWFi model that delivers fast 4G LTE performance. At a slim 6 ounces, it will easily fit in your pocket, and delivers solid Wi-Fi 5 performance on most networks. Some customer reviews complain about it not working with some sim cards outside the US, Canada, and Mexico, where it is specified to mostly work, but customer service seems reasonably responsive. Even with limited international utility and older network standards, it’s a rock-bottom price for a mobile hotspot.

Best hotspot for international travel: Skyroam Solis Lite

Skyroam

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Skyroam Solis Lite is a simple, powerful, and flexible mobile router built specifically for international travel.

Specs

  • Mobile: 4G LTE
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 4 – 2.4GHz
  • Connections: 10 devices
  • Ports: USB-C
  • Battery: 4700mAh, up to 16 hours

Pros

  • Long battery life
  • Compact
  • Flexible plans

Cons

  • App required for operation
  • Only Wi-Fi 4

Most of our picks are tied directly to US cellular carriers, but Skyroam’s Solis Lite is designed to provide internet to the whole world–or at least over 130 countries. It uses a virtual sim card, rather than a physical one, so it can slip chameleon-like between available networks wherever you go. It only supports Wi-Fi 4 with 2.4GHz, which means slower speeds, but also very long battery life. In fact, the Solis Lite doubles as an effective portable charger, which is perfect for travel. Skyroam offers a flexible range of data plans from daily up to monthly subscriptions so you only need to pay for the time that you’re actually using it.

FAQs

Q: Is a hotspot better than Wi-Fi?

Technically hotspots are Wi-Fi since they broadcast a wireless internet connection. To answer the implied question—whether a hotspot is better than a conventional router connected to a home broadband network—it depends, but not for most people in the US. Under ideal conditions, a wired router should offer greater bandwidth and higher speeds than a wireless hotspot. In practice, it varies widely depending on your local internet service provider and smartphone carrier networks. In places where cell coverage is better than cable internet, wireless hotspots can be a great replacement for a conventional router.

Q: How much does a mobile hotspot cost?

Budget hotspots can cost as little as $50, though most new devices purchased through the carriers cost several hundred dollars.

Once you buy the device, you will have to pay for data every month. Prices vary between networks, but the least expensive we could find was T-Mobile offering $10 per month for 2 GB of data before throttling.

Q: Do I have to use one of the big three carriers for mobile hotspot service?

While using one of the big three carriers can often be the path of least resistance, unlocked hotspots will typically work with a wide range of sim cards, including those from MVNO (mobile virtual network operators) carriers like Visible. Alternatively, companies like Skyroam in our list will offer their own direct plans, doing the work of connecting to carriers for you.

Final thoughts on the best mobile hotspots

Mobile internet providers all over the world are in the process of spreading 5G services all over the world, which makes this the best time ever to consider the benefits of a mobile hotspot. In the US, your options are likely limited by the carrier, which isn’t ideal, but it may make choosing your device a bit easier. Free yourself from wired internet and embrace the nomadic life with a wireless mobile hotspot.

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Best Android tablets of 2023 https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-android-tablet/ Thu, 17 Dec 2020 14:53:44 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/best-android-tablet/
Samsung tablet on green grass with an xbox controller next to it
Depending on what you need it for, there are things to consider when you're looking at your next Android tablet. Muhannad Ajjan via Unsplash

Yes, that ideal partner is out there whether you want to stream, surf, or fill out spreadsheets

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Samsung tablet on green grass with an xbox controller next to it
Depending on what you need it for, there are things to consider when you're looking at your next Android tablet. Muhannad Ajjan via Unsplash

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While far from the essential devices many predicted they would become, tablets have evolved into more than just slightly larger smartphones. With varying sizes, capabilities, and content focuses, shopping for a tablet involves careful consideration of your own habits and intended usage.

When the iPad launched in 2010, it thrust the tablet computer into the spotlight, but Apple doesn’t corner the market in this category. In fact, the idea for a portable touchscreen device actually dates back all the way to the 1960s. Researchers at Xerox’s Palo Alto Research Center kicked around an idea called the Dynabook in 1968. From this seed grew the GRiD Systems Corps’ GRiDPad at the tail end of the 1980s, which in turn branched out into the PDA (Personal Digital Assistant—not a public display of affection) with such memorable entrants into the category as the Tandy Zoomer and, the most famous, the PalmPilot.

The tablet as we know it is now more advanced, powerful, versatile, and, well, mercifully designed to look less like giant graphing calculators. Finding an Android tablet that can deliver what you want—from simply reading digital books to functioning as a laptop replacement—is easy given the range of devices available. It’s all about your priorities.

Things to consider when looking for the best Android tablet

Finding a tablet that runs on the Android OS opens you up to more variety and more options, so you can really hone in on a device that will suit your specific needs. Rather than trying to find one all-powerful device that will replace your desktop, smartphone, and entertainment system, you can find the one that does the one or two things that matter the most to you really, really well.

So, take into consideration what you hope to get out of the device. Do you want something extremely portable, or can you deal with a larger size? Do you want to load up on apps, or do you just need it to be a digital book? Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll want to keep these features and options top of mind when choosing the best Android tablet for you.

Is the screen size and resolution right for your bag and your eyes?

When considering the screen size and display resolution of an Android tablet, the first thing you should do is liberate yourself from any “bigger is better” thinking. It’s not necessarily the case, and you can and should be willing to, say, accept a smaller, slightly less dynamic screen if you don’t intend to use your tablet for watching movies or working on creative design projects.

However, consider that lower-cost tablets often feature 1024×600 or 1280×800 screens that can look grainy to the eye, so if you’re a stickler for detail or are worried about potential eye strain, you may want to upgrade to a better device. Higher-quality tablets are often in the 2048×1536 range, which is a notably sharper resolution.

There is also the question of portability. Even a seemingly slight change from a 7-inch tablet to a 10-inch model may mean increased weight, and will definitely mean an increased likelihood that your favorite shoulder bag or tote may not accommodate it as easily. Portability is a selling point of any tablet, but even here there are degrees. Will the tablet be something you have by your side all the time? Or is it simply a miniature television you carry from room to room and plop down? It’s a difference of only 3 inches, but it can influence how you use the device on a daily basis.

Best tablet for viewing: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7

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Available with an impressive 11-inch display but still weighing only a hair over a pound, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is designed for high impact movie viewing, and even gaming. Players can connect to their Xbox consoles via WiFi for a seamless gaming experience, which brings to life the 2560×1600 display. Want more screen room? Upgrade to the S7+ and you’ll have 12.4 inches of screen.

How much memory do you need?

Android tablets usually come with 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of internal storage. Removable storage in the form of a MicroSD card is available on some Android tablets—the capacity of which can vary between 8GB and 64GB. Consider that a typical two-hour movie occupies about 4GB of storage, but even if you’re only storing music or photos, or just using the tablet itself a lot, that memory space will fill up faster than you realize.

However, if you’re just using your tablet for emailing, web browsing, and the odd app download, a tablet with a smaller memory capacity may be enough. It’s worth noting that depending on the manufacturer, tablet storage quoted and the amount of storage space actually available can be very different. Some storage is taken up by the operating system and pre-installed apps that you can’t delete, so you may find, for example, that a model advertised with 8GB of storage only has 5GB actually usable. Be sure to check for available memory.

Best tablet for multitasking: Google Pixel Slate 2-in-1 Tablet

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The Google Pixel Slate comes in as one of the most powerful Android tablets on the market. It has excellent screen clarity, and comes with plenty of hardware options for all of your productivity needs—you can select a Core M3, Core i5, or Core i7 processor. The Core i7 might seem like overkill for most users, but it has the processing power needed to handle multi-window applications. The Google Pixel has two USB-C ports for connecting external storage devices such as SD card adaptors, USB sticks, and external hard drives to further expand the storage capabilities.

Will you want to use accessories?

There are essentially two things to consider when looking for add-ons and accessories for your new tablet: safety and functionality (or just the “fun” part). To get the most out of your device while also ensuring you will use the device for a good long time is the name of the game here, and it makes things infinitely easier if you have a lot of styles and options to choose from. Given the relatively standard size of tablets, it’s not necessarily difficult to find accessories such as cases or covers, but you have to consider software compatibility for other connected accessories.

As anyone who has suffered the pain and indignity of wielding a smartphone with a newly spider-webbed front screen knows, protection will extend the life of your tablet by ensuring everything runs smoothly on the inside while still looking presentable on the outside. Covers run from the sleek and minimalist to the heavy-duty. The latter may make your tablet larger and more cumbersome but are often necessary — especially if you have young children. Meanwhile, stylus pens and detachable keyboards can go a long way toward making a tablet useful for passive entertainment and allow it to serve as a functional tool. C

Best tablet for accessories: Microsoft Surface Pro 7

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The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is for the person who has everything—and then some. This featherweight Android tablet comes with a stand that can prop the screen up into laptop mode, lower it into a 15-degree angle for studio mode, and kick the stand out for a freestanding tablet. It comes in chic platinum and matte black, with a detachable terra cotta keyboard and the option to use a stylus.

How much battery life do you need?

Humans used to measure the length of a workday by the rising and setting of the sun. Now, it’s seeing the tiny battery symbol in the upper corner of your device inch steadily towards a thin, red line that often determines quitting time. Battery life may be one of the most important factors when selecting a tablet, simply because it’ll determine whether or not your device of choice is a use-once-in-a-while novelty or a foundational piece of your everyday work and play.

Knowing that a certain device is able to withstand heavy usage without getting immediately zapped can be a convincing reason to buy it. However, it’s important to be aware that how you use the tablet will impact battery life. Certain apps are severe energy vampires if they’re left running in the background (Hello, Instagram), and quitting them after use will preserve battery life. Tablets can take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours to fully charge via the AC adapter and plug (which is preferable to and faster than charging via USB) so adopting that habit will save you time and headaches.

Best tablet for battery life: Lenovo Tab M8

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Powered by a Quad-Core, 2.0 GHz processor, and Android 9 Pie OS, the Lenovo Tab M8 is sleek and stylish. It has a gorgeous 8-inch display (at 1280 x 800 resolution) and built-in Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi connectivity. Featuring a 5000-mah battery capacity (which is significantly higher than a smartphone, which typically hovers between 3000 and 4000), the Lenovo tablet has a long battery life and should last most of your day with moderate usage.

Will you use the tablet where WiFi isn’t available?

There are essentially two ways to connect your Android tablet: WiFi or cellular. To sum up the difference between the two at their most basic: Wi-Fi has a limited range, cellular data does not.

As with every option available, there are pros and cons, and mitigating factors that need to be considered. For instance, a WiFi network uses short-range radio to connect to the Internet. Its range is limited, so if you leave your home or the library or the train station or wherever it is you’ve connected and are working, you will be cut off. The 3G-, 4G-, and 5G-LTE cellular technologies allow a tablet to connect to the Internet via a widespread cellular-phone network. You use it pretty much the same way you’d make calls with your cell phone. Of course, as with a smartphone, using the cellular network can incur additional charges or limit memory storage depending on your specific data plan.

Best tablet for remote connectivity: Microsoft Surface Go 2

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When you’re stuck without WiFi wishing for something to do (or scrambling to meet a deadline), you need a tablet that can stand up to the task. The Microsoft Surface Go 2 features built-in WiFi and advanced LTE, so you can connect to the Internet without WiFi like you would on your smartphone. At only 1.2 pounds, you can take this tablet anywhere, regardless of “anywhere’s” WiFi Status.

Brands to know

Apple is dominant in the tablet category, and some companies that were in the Android tablet game have pivoted away to focus on other devices and products. Those who remain, however, are names you certainly know and absolutely rival Apple’s for simple name recognition. These are some of the most trusted names in technology, so you can rest assured they are quality products.

Samsung

A South Korean tech conglomerate powerhouse, Samsung has been manufacturing consumer electronics for decades. Samsung can trace its origins all the way back to 1938, when it was a trading company. It produces everything from Blu-ray players to smart speakers to televisions to smartphones and beyond.

Microsoft

A multinational technology company that is synonymous with computers, Microsoft started out in the early 1970s as the brainchild of Bill Gates and Paul Allen. The launch of Microsoft Windows in 1985 changed the landscape of personal computers forever, and allowed Microsoft to grow into an enormous entity that touches on hardware, software, gaming, and so much more.

What you get for under $60: best Android tablet on a budget

The highly affordable RCA Voyager is also very lightweight and portable. The 7-inch touchscreen is highly responsive, and it runs on Android 8.0 Oreo. One of the major pluses is that it comes out of the box with 1GB of memory and 16GB of storage. Those aren’t knock-your-socks-off numbers, but they are more than sufficient and somewhat surprising given the price point. This budget Android tablet is great for simple tasks such as streaming video, reading ebooks, and browsing the web, and can connect via WiFI and Bluetooth. There’s even a decent camera for Zoom meetings.

A final note about shopping for the best Android tablets

Despite being ubiquitous, Apple is not the only option when it comes to tablets. Those who prefer the Android OS still have a lot of sleek, functional, and powerful tablets to choose from, each one delivering deep wells of productivity apps, storage capabilities, and dynamic, impressive visuals. Knowing your own usage habits is key. Someone who is looking to work on the go—hopping from the train station to train to the office—will require a bit more flexibility than someone who is content to prop it up on an arm rest and relax. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, however, the best Android tablet for you is out there.

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3 iPod models now etched in gadget history https://www.popsci.com/technology/3-revolutionary-ipod-models/ Thu, 12 May 2022 19:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=442734
The first iPod came out in 2001.
The first iPod came out in 2001. Apple

With the product line now discontinued, here are three iPods iterations that stood out. Remember the mini?

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The first iPod came out in 2001.
The first iPod came out in 2001. Apple

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Apple announced earlier this week that the iPod Touch—the last scion of the iPod line—has been discontinued. The move marks the end of an era of dedicated gadgets for transporting your tunes. Steve Jobs introduced the original iPod more than 20 years ago, on October 23, 2001, and in many ways, it helped start Apple’s rise to the multi-trillion dollar company it is today. Without the iPod, there could be no iPhone. 

That first iPod was groundbreaking—who can forget the “1,000 songs in your pocket” marketing—but it wasn’t necessarily the most important or revolutionary model. It was a good MP3 player, nicer and easier to use than what Apple’s competitors were making at the time, but it would take a few years to become a true pop-culture icon. 

Now though, since the age of the iPod has truly come to a close, let’s reflect on a few of those revolutionary models—the ones that we feel truly carved the iPod’s place in history. 

The iPod mini in 2004.
The iPod mini in 2004. Apple

iPod mini (1st generation)

The touch-sensitive Click Wheel with the built-in Menu, Play/Pause, Next Track, and Previous Track buttons is one of the defining features of the iPod, but didn’t debut with the main iPod line. Instead, it was part of the first generation of the iPod mini. (The first-generation iPod had an actual rotating scroll wheel and four hardware buttons; the third-generation iPod available at the time had a touch-sensitive scroll wheel but dedicated buttons along the top.) 

Announced on January 6, 2004, the iPod mini was a playful shot across the bow of the industry. Available in silver, blue, green, pink, and gold, and truly pocket sized, it didn’t matter that it could hold fewer songs than the third-generation iPod. 

The Click Wheel would continue to be used in second-generation iPod mini, the fourth, fifth, and sixth-generation iPods, and the first through fifth generations of the iPod nano. The only iPods not to use it were the Shuffle line, the iPod Touch, and the touch-screen generations of the Nano.

iPod Classic (6th generation)

Until 2007, the iPod was just called the iPod (or iPod by Apple, without the definite article before it, which has always sounded weird). It wasn’t until the sixth generation that it would get the moniker “Classic,” and that would be retroactively added to all the preceding iPod models. 

Released two months after the first iPhone, the iPod Classic was radically out of date even as it debuted. Sure, it had a color screen and could play videos, but it was basically just the device Apple had announced in 2001 with a larger hard drive. It’s no wonder that it was—aside from some battery and capacity tweaks in 2008 and 2009—the last Classic iPod made. 

For all that, it stuck around. The iPod Classic was sold essentially unchanged for seven years, before Apple discontinued it in 2014. It took a surprisingly long time before smartphones got to the point that people really didn’t want a dedicated MP3 player. 

This is the second generation of the iPod nano, which came out in 2006.
This is the second generation of the iPod nano, which came out in 2006. Apple

iPod nano (6th generation)

For all its cultural impact, the iPod mini line lasted less than two years—it was officially discontinued on September 7, 2005, and replaced with the iPod nano.

While the first through fifth generations of the iPod nano repackaged the traditional iPod experience in a variety of small and colorful designs, it was the sixth-generation, released on September 1, 2010, that made a true statement—and was miles ahead of its time. 

The sixth-generation iPod nano was wild. It basically took an iPod Shuffle and added a 1.5-inch multi-touch screen, like a smaller version of that found in the iPhone or iPod Touch. What possible use was there for such an advanced touchscreen on an iPod Shuffle? Next to none, it seems: The only real multi-touch feature was that you could rotate the screen using a two-finger twist. 

But it wasn’t what the sixth-generation iPod nano could do (or failed to do) that made it important, but what it hinted at. It had a pedometer, a fitness app, and integrated with Nike+. It had clock faces, including an exclusive Mickey Mouse one. You could even get a third-party strap and wear it on your wrist. Sound familiar? Yes, the sixth generation iPod nano was an absolutely awful precursor to the Apple Watch. But it also showed just how hungry some people were for a great smartwatch. They were just five years too early. 

Ultimately, short of the iPhone, almost no other gadget has so dominated pop culture in the last two decades. Goodbye, old friend: The times we shared sure had a nice, pocket-sized soundtrack. 

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Best Samsung tablets of 2023 https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-samsung-tablets/ Fri, 06 May 2022 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=441389
Samsung Galaxy S8 tablet on a colorful background header image
Stan Horaczek

If you’re in the market for an Android tablet, Samsung makes some of the best.

The post Best Samsung tablets of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Samsung Galaxy S8 tablet on a colorful background header image
Stan Horaczek

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Best overall Galaxy Tab S8+ Galaxy Tab S8+
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Samsung’s latest Android tablet is what all others aspire to be.

Best for gaming Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
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The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra pushes the boundaries of what an Android tablet can be.

Best budget Galaxy Tab A7 Lite Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
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The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite features a compact design and an affordable price.

Samsung makes some of the best Android phones, so it’s no surprise that it also makes some incredible tablets. Catering to a broad range of users, Samsung’s “Tab” series provides excellent experiences for browsing the web, playing games, and consuming media. There are Samsung tablets to fit any budget, from the affordable Galaxy Tab A7 Lite to the gorgeous, extravagant 14.6-inch Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. No matter what you plan to use your tablet for, or what specs you crave, the best Samsung tablets have something for everyone.

How we chose the best Samsung tablets

I’ve tested and reviewed many tablets over the last 10 years writing for publications like TechnoBuffalo, XDA Developers, and Android Central. I use a laptop for work but rely on my tablet for everything else, including editing photos, playing games, and watching movies. I love the tablet form factor because it’s more portable while still offering the performance and battery life necessary for getting work done.

When selecting the best Samsung tablets, I drew on my years of experience and spoke with other writers across the industry about what they value in a tablet. I also researched recommendations from other critics and users to give me more insight into the essential features of a tablet, including display resolution, battery life, and performance.

Things to consider when picking the best Samsung tablet for you

Finding a good tablet to pair with your Android phone has become increasingly challenging in recent years. The iPad dominates the tablet market, and only a select few companies continue to release decent alternatives. If you use a Samsung Galaxy phone, and pick up an Android tablet to match, you’ll get convenient cross-compatibility features that allow you to make calls, send messages, and send files between your Samsung Galaxy mobile devices. Regardless of whether you pick a Samsung tablet or go with another brand, here are some things to keep in mind when picking out your next tablet.

Display

Tablets are made for casual computing, so watching video, playing games, and browsing the web makes screen size and display resolution a vital part of the overall experience. Nobody wants to watch The Batman on a small, low-resolution display that looks pixelated and blurry. Even if your main focus doesn’t require vibrant colors or sharp lines, a larger, higher-resolution display makes everything easier to see and provides more space for creating content and getting work done. At this point, a 1080p resolution is a good baseline for most tablets.

Samsung’s high-end mobile devices typically feature AMOLED technology. AMOLED, short for Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode, features the same screen technology as OLED TVs and other devices, where each pixel is independently backlit by an LED light, allowing for precision control over color and contrast. AMOLED displays also have a capacitive touch layer integrated into the screen, so they can operate as touchscreens. Samsung tablets feature a proprietary version of this technology called “Super AMOLED,” which Samsung claims can integrate the touchscreen sensors into the display without adding an extra layer.

Performance

People use tablets for basically anything you can do on a computer, including video production, creating presentations, and streaming movies. That means your tablet needs to be powerful enough to handle these tasks—not just today, but a few years down the road. Like all computers, tablets start to feel slower over time. So it’s important to choose one with a more powerful processor and higher RAM if you expect it to last, especially if you’re using it for heavy-duty work. 

Samsung tablets are almost always powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, identical to the ones used in its smartphones. Its latest high-end tablets, the Galaxy Tab S8, S8+, and S8 Ultra, feature Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processors. Meanwhile, you’ll want to find a device with at least 8GB of RAM so that it’s better equipped to handle multiple tasks.

Battery life

Ideally, your tablet should have a large enough battery to last an entire day or longer on a single charge, even if you use it as your primary computer for work. Of course, how you use your tablet has a significant impact on battery life. If a tablet’s battery drains in under 8 hours, especially if said hours are spent browsing the web, we would only recommend it for secondary use behind a laptop or other device. The last thing you want is for your device to run out of battery when you’re away from an outlet.

Software support

Android is infamous for its fragmented nature, with different variations available from many manufacturers and new updates rolling out to different devices over months after their initial release on Google devices.

It’s become less of a problem over the last few years, but buying a tablet that runs a recent version of Android out of the box should be a priority for most people. You will get the latest features, including improved security against malware and other threats. Samsung typically pushes out new updates quickly, often not long after Google updates its Pixel smartphones.

We recommend picking a tablet that supports the current version of the operating system, Android 12. At the very least, it should run Android 11 and still be eligible for new security updates. Companies generally promise to support their devices with new Android updates for a couple of years, and security updates for even longer. So check what kind of support your device will get in the future.

Storage

Tablets are generally used in place of, or as a companion to, laptops. This means you need a decent amount of storage for things like apps, photos, and files. Tablets often generally have less storage than laptops and desktops, though. It’s wise to rely on cloud storage when you can, though you will inevitably need some key files in local storage since they load faster and don’t require an internet connection. 

Some low-end tablets may have as little as 64GB of storage, but we recommend trading up for something larger, 128GB hard drive or more. You’d be surprised by how quickly a device runs out of storage as you start saving media and files. Some tablets also support expandable storage with microSD cards. This is a great solution for storing text files and photos. Keep in mind, however, that some apps and files must be stored on the primary hard drive, and files stored on microSD tend to load slower than built-in storage. Expanding your storage is usually a good idea, but it isn’t a substitute for upgrading to a larger internal hard drive, especially for video editing projects and other processor-intensive work.

The best Samsung tablets: Reviews & Recommendations

If you don’t need a ton of processing power, tablets are now perfectly capable of being your primary computer. They’re now powerful enough to watch movies and TV in HD, edit videos, and play some great games. If you want an Android tablet and specifically like Samsung, we’ve assembled a list of the Samsung tablets we’d buy today.

Best overall: Galaxy Tab S8+

SAMSUNG

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Galaxy Tab S8+ is packed with a beautiful 12.4-inch OLED display, a massive battery, and powerful specs.

Specs

  • Display: 12.4-inch Super AMOLED (1752 x 2800 resolution; 120Hz)
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
  • RAM options: 8GB, 12GB
  • Storage options: 128GB, 256GB
  • Battery: 10,090 mAh
  • Charging: 45W fast charging
  • Android OS version: Android 12 (One UI 4.1)

Pros

  • High resolution, 120Hz display
  • Terrific design
  • Excellent performance

Cons

  • Some might find the screen too large

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8+ is the most well-rounded tablet in the company’s 2022 tablet lineup. It features a gorgeous 12.4-inch 120Hz OLED display, quad speakers with Dolby Atmos support, and Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. Samsung somehow crams 8GB of RAM into its thin and light design. A 10,090mAh battery that supports 45W fast charging so that you can charge the battery from 0% to 100% in 82 minutes.

Beyond its core specs, the S8+ also features a suite of high-end quality-of-life features, including an in-display fingerprint sensor, Wi-Fi 6 and 5G support, and a 12MP ultra-wide front camera. If you take a lot of selfies with your tablet or make frequent video calls, the device has auto framing, which can zoom and pan to keep your picture centered around any people in the frame. The device also comes with an S Pen, which has been updated to be more responsive and can magnetically attach to the tablet. Meanwhile, Samsung’s One UI 4.1, a proprietary variation of Android 12, offers a helpful multi-window feature for effortless multitasking. 

With a beautiful design, great features, and one of the best tablet displays we’ve ever seen, the Galaxy Tab S8+ has everything we look for in an Android tablet. It will fit into your workflow whether you’re writing papers, watching a video, or editing photos.

Best for gaming: Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra

SAMSUNG

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: With a 14.6-inch display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, and up to 12GB of RAM, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the perfect gaming tablet.

Specs

  • Display: 14.6-inch Super AMOLED (1848 x 2960 resolution; 120Hz)
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
  • RAM options: 8GB, 12GB, 16GB
  • Storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
  • Battery: 11,200 mAh
  • Charging: 45W fast charging
  • Android OS version: Android 12 (One UI 4.1)

Pros

  • High resolution, 120Hz display
  • Up to 16GB of RAM
  • Enormous battery

Cons

  • A 14.6-inch tablet can feel unwieldy

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, the company’s new flagship tablet, wins a lot of superlative competitions, including “best large Samsung tablet.” We decided to highlight it for its capabilities as a gaming device because of its expansive 14.6-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED display. There are many great games on Android, and a larger screen gives you more space to enjoy them.

Beyond its incredible display, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has the power that you need to play great games. It comes equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and can be upgraded to 16GB of RAM. This makes it powerful enough to play intensive games and edit video. You can game for hours thanks to the 11,200mAh battery, which should last a full day of heavy use.

Like our best overall pick, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra comes with an S Pen. The S Pen is perfect for the Ultra’s larger display, particularly if you enjoy drawing. The Ultra also supports an auto framing feature for taking selfies and video calls. However, the Ultra takes it a step further with a dual front camera (12MP ultra-wide and 12MP wide). And, similar to our overall pick, it runs Samsung’s One UI 4 built on Android 12 and supports a multi-window feature for using multiple apps at once. The multi-window feature looks particularly great on the Ultra’s 14.6-inch display.

Whether you use the Ultra for gaming or just want a really big, powerful tablet, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is unlike any other Android tablet.

Best with Windows: Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 offers the performance of a laptop and the form factor of a tablet.

Specs

  • Display: 13.3-inch FHD Super AMOLED (16:9 ratio); 15.6-inch FHD Super AMOLED (16:9 ratio)
  • Processor: 12th Generation Intel Core i7
  • RAM options: 8GB, 16GB
  • Storage options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
  • Battery: 63Wh (Typical); 68Wh (Typical)
  • Charging: 65W USB Type-C Adaptor
  • Software: Windows 11 Home

Pros

  • Excellent 2-in-1 design
  • OLED touchscreen
  • Lightweight
  • Great performance

Cons

  • Limited port selection

Technically, the Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 isn’t a tablet. It’s a 2-in-1 laptop with a hinge that lets you convert the standard clamshell into a tablet form factor when you want to use its touchscreen rather than the keyboard. The lightweight Windows 11 machine features a 13- or 15-inch 1080p OLED touchscreen and comes with Samsung’s S Pen, making it a great laptop for artists and note-takers.

The Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 comes equipped with a 12th Generation Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM. Depending on the size you choose, you can also upgrade the device’s internal storage to 1TB. This should be plenty of space to store your photos, videos, and files. The convertible laptop also includes a 1080p camera for video calls and a fingerprint sensor on the power key. 

The biggest downside of the Book 2 Pro 360 is it features a fairly limited port selection. There are only three USB-C ports (one of which is Thunderbolt 4) and no HDMI or CF card slot for photographers. However, the display does support DCI-P3 color gamut, which offers a more saturated and vibrant image. DCI-P3 is nice if you’re a photographer because it allows you to see more accurate colors in your pictures.

Best for kids: Galaxy Tab S7 FE

SAMSUNG

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Buy it used or refurbished: Amazon

Why it made the cut: The Galaxy Tab S7 FE’s large display and mid-range specs are great for kids’ work and play.

Specs

  • Display: 12.4-inch TFT LCD (1600 x 2560 resolution)
  • Processor: Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G
  • RAM options: 4GB, 6GB, 8GB
  • Storage options: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
  • Battery: 10,090 mAh
  • Charging: 45W fast charging
  • Android OS version: Android 11 (One UI 3.1.1)

Pros

  • Large display
  • Massive battery
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Low-quality TFT LCD display

If you don’t want to get your kid a laptop, the Galaxy Tab S7 FE is a sensible mid-range tablet featuring a 12.4-inch TFT LCD display, a Snapdragon 778G processor, and up to 8GB of RAM. It also packs a massive 10,090mAh battery, which should be enough to last a day of heavy use. With a 5MP front camera, expandable storage, and stylus support, it has all essentials for a kid who needs to do homework and wants to explore their passion for the arts. The Galaxy Tab S7 FE is not nearly as flashy as the now-dated Galaxy Tab S7 series. And it doesn’t come close to the newer Galaxy Tab S8. Despite that, Galaxy Tab S7 FE is solid for an older mid-range tablet and has aged into a price that reflects its value. 

Best budget: Galaxy Tab A7 Lite

SAMSUNG

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: If you’re looking to save money and don’t need a powerful tablet, the Galaxy Tab a7 Lite is a solid choice.

Specs:

  • Display: 8.7-inch TFT LCD (800 x 1340 resolution)
  • Processor: Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T
  • RAM options: 3GB, 4GB
  • Storage options: 32GB, 64GB
  • Battery: 5,100 mAh
  • Charging: 15W fast charging
  • Android OS version: Android 11 (One UI 3.1)

Pros

  • Compact design
  • Great for reading
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Low-end performance

With a compact design, 5,100 mAh battery, and support for expandable storage, the Galaxy A7 Lite is an excellent option if you’re trying to buy a tablet for less than $200. The 8.7-inch display makes it the ideal size for reading, playing games, and browsing the web. And its dual stereo speaker setup will provide excellent sound when watching a video. It features up to 4GB of RAM, which should be enough to handle most Android apps. The Octa-core Mediatek processor, however, leaves something to be desired. 

Even with slightly outdated specs, though, the Galaxy A7 Lite offers great value. A sturdy metal frame, LTE connectivity, and compact size make it a perfect travel companion. Plus, you get two free months of YouTube Premium, which is a nice little perk.

FAQs

Q: What is Samsung DeX?

Samsung’s latest Galaxy tablets support Samsung DeX, a feature that allows you to connect Samsung mobile devices to computers and TVs and use a more Windows-like environment for browsing the web, using apps, etc. With DeX enabled, you can run up to five apps at once, drag-and-drop files, and use your tablet as a touchpad.

To use Dex with a Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet, you need a monitor and an HDMI adapter. (We also recommend pairing a mouse and keyboard to get the full PC experience.) If you plan to use your tablet as a laptop replacement, DeX can make it much easier to use a traditional PC desk setup with your tablet. According to Samsung, most recent Samsung Tablets support DeX, including the Galaxy Tab S7 series, Galaxy Tab S8 series, the Galaxy Tab Active Pro, and Galaxy Tab Active 3.

Q: Do Samsung tablets come with Microsoft Office?

Samsung and Microsoft formed a partnership years ago by bundling some Microsoft apps, including OneDrive and Office, on Galaxy mobile devices. The ongoing partnership has seen Microsoft apps come preloaded on the latest Galaxy mobile devices, such as the Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy Tab series.

Q: Do Samsung tablets support accessories?

Samsung makes accessories for many of its phones and tablets, including cases, keyboards, and Samsung’s S Pen stylus. These accessories often cost extra, though Samsung occasionally includes them in the box. For example, the Galaxy Tab S8 series tablets come with an S Pen.

We recommend workers looking to carry around a tablet in lieu of a laptop purchase a keyboard case, especially if you plan to travel. Gamers will likely want to buy a controller. Pairing your tablet with the accessory can elevate it beyond a simple screen for watching movies and web browsing.

Final thoughts on the best Samsung tablets

Samsung makes an incredibly robust lineup of Android tablets, which fit all kinds of needs and fit every price point. If you enjoy using a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, you can expect a similar level of polish from its tablets.

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Gift an iPad this Mother’s Day with this hard to pass up deal https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-post/refurbished-ipad-mini-sale/ Thu, 28 Apr 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=439686
Stack Commerce refurbished Apple iPad Mini sale header
Stack Commerce

You can even have it shipped for free.

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Stack Commerce refurbished Apple iPad Mini sale header
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According to the movie “Pirates of Silicon Valley,” Bill Gates wanted his mom to use Apple. “An Apple is the only computer I would buy for my mother,” he apparently told Steve Jobs. Whether or not he actually said it in real life is yet to be confirmed, but it would not be surprising if the tech mogul really wanted to get his mom an Apple device, even if it meant purchasing it from a rival.

A big part of Apple’s popularity is its devices are designed to be incredibly easy to use, especially for people who may not be exactly tech-savvy. The older generation seems to gravitate towards the iPad, as the device lets them do their favorite things with no trouble, including watching shows and movies, looking up recipes, playing another round of Candy Crush, and more. With Mother’s Day coming up, you may want to treat your mom with an iPad. This Apple iPad mini 4 (Refurbished: Wi-Fi Only) + Accessories Bundle happens to be on sale, and you can grab a unit along with a bunch of accessories and free shipping for over 60 percent off.

This iPad comes pre-installed with iOS 9 (and upgradable to iOS 16) and a 1.5GHz Apple A8 processor, which means it’s powerful to handle just about any job. It features a 7.9-inch 2048 x 1536 resolution screen that displays media in stunning clarity, as well as a multitouch function that makes navigation a whole lot easier. Its 8MP iSight camera can take HD pictures and videos, while its 128 GB of storage space is roomy enough to save pictures, videos, games, and more.

With Wi-Fi connectivity, your mom can easily hop online via a wireless network or hotspot, and the Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity lets her transfer data to and from compatible devices quickly and wirelessly. And with an impressive 10-hour battery life, she can use it almost all day without needing to charge.

This bundle comes with the iPad itself, tempered glass for extra screen protection, a snap-on case, a Lightning cable, and an AC wall adapter. The 128GB version normally retails for $599, but you can get it on sale for $224.99. A 64 GB option is also available on sale for $239.99 (MSRP $499).

Shop more Mother’s Day deals and use code SHIP4FREE to get free shipping.

Prices subject to change.

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Apple iPad Air (2022) review: M1, Understated https://www.popsci.com/reviews/ipad-air-2022-review/ Wed, 16 Mar 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=431254
iPad Air 5 Review
Mike Epstein

The new iPad Air features a powerful M1 chip, making things run smoothly so you don’t have to think about “performance.”

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iPad Air 5 Review
Mike Epstein

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I’m not sure if this is a controversial statement but, to me, the Apple iPad Air is the “default” modern iPad. Part of that comes down to price: The original iPad base model cost $499 back in 2010. The current vanilla iPad costs $329, and the base model of the new iPad Air costs $599. It is also, however, a reflection of the feature-set and what the iPad Air can do. If the iPad is a handheld screen meant primarily for Netflix and email, then the iPad Air can facilitate a wider range of hobbies, like making home videos in iMovie, drawing, and playing games.

With that in mind, the new iPad Air, the fifth of its name, is something of a technical spectacle. It features one of Apple’s bespoke M1 chipsets like the ones used in modern Macs and the iPad Pro. Combined with a small set of nominal, but clutch upgrades—including 5G support and a new front camera—the M1 gives the iPad Air a concentrated performance boost that should impress anyone looking to create video or audio content, or do everyday computing. It certainly goes far enough to retain its title as one of the best tablets around.

Mike Epstein

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What’s new about the iPad Air (2022)?

Like its predecessors, the latest iPad Air features a remarkably sharp 10.9-inch LED Liquid Retina display. Tablets are all screen, so the display, which features P3 wide color and HDR support, is still a feast for the eyes. Other core specs, like its Touch ID-enabled power button, estimated 10-hour battery life, and 12MP rear-facing camera, have returned in familiar form.

M1 everything

The biggest change in the new iPad Air, the one that will make or break your interest in it, is the processor. Apple has replaced the mobile-facing A14 Bionic with the proprietary M1 chip–similar to the ones used in the current Mac Mini, MacBook Air, and iPad Pro. The iPad Air (2022)’s M1 chip features an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 8GB of shared system memory, and an Apple neural engine, which powers machine-learning features. According to Apple, the M1 chip improves the iPad Air’s CPU performance by a whopping 60 percent and doubles its GPU power. That math doesn’t translate so well to change you can see and feel, but you can see that most apps run incredibly smoothly, particularly those more demanding creative apps for drawing like Penbook, or image editing like Adobe Photoshop, and games like Genshin Impact.

iPad Air 5 Review
Apple Arcade games like Grindstone look fantastic on the iPad Air’s liquid retina display. Mike Epstein

The impact of the M1, in some cases, gets hamstrung by the lack of other features and support that it needs to take advantage of the processor upgrade. There are still plenty of iPhone-only apps that run with bars on the side and look pixelated because they aren’t meant for the larger iPad screen. Unlike the iPad Pro, the iPad Air (2022) does not feature Apple’s “ProMotion” variable refresh rate in its display and you can feel its absence. Some apps with a lot of motion—games like Teamfight Tactics, and Twitter on a boring Saturday afternoon—still stutter from time to time. It’s a small blemish, but one that’s far more noticeable than a lot of the gains you’ll get from other apps, which may simply load a bit faster or scroll more smoothly.

Gotta go fast(er)

Apple iPad Air 5 Review
Get a look at the iPad Air in Blue, one of five color options for the fifth-gen design. Mike Epstein

Beyond the M1, the hardware changes to the new iPad Air are mostly situational and focused on speed. The USB-C port can now transmit data at up to 10Gbps, twice as fast as the previous iPad Air. This opens the door for faster transfers to external hard drives and the ability to pair with a higher-resolution external monitor. The iPad Air (2022) also now supports 5G sub-6GHz, allowing for faster broadband speeds if you purchase a mobile broadband-compatible model.

Video call from the couch

Since video calls are still at top of mind for most of us, the new iPad Air’s front camera upgrade may be its most noticeable new feature. It now has a 12MP ultrawide camera in front with a 122-degree field-of-view, which allows for a much sharper picture in video calls and unlocks “Center Stage,” Apple’s version of AI-powered auto-framing for video. Using the wider field-of-view, the iPad will automatically “shift” the camera to follow any faces in shot, keeping the focus in the right place. 

This may feel like something of a coup for older iPad owners: Since the front-facing camera is on the “top” of the iPad, near the power button, the webcam actually sits to the side of the screen when taking a video call in landscape mode, which leaves you looking off-kilter. With Center Stage, your face is always in the center of the frame, so there’s no aesthetic downside to taking a call on the iPad … so long as you set it at eye level.

Color coordination

Last, but not least, Apple has switched up the range of color options for the new iPad Air. In keeping with the color convention released with the iPhone 13 and the 2021 iPad Mini, it comes in Starlight (off-white), Space Gray, Pink, Purple, and Blue (pictured).

So, who should buy the iPad Air (2022)?

Apple iPad Air 5 Review
The Apple Magic Keyboard iPad cover and Apple Pencil (Gen 2) are optional accessories, but they bring out the best in the iPad Air. Mike Epstein

Unless you’re very serious about computational performance, there isn’t a signature feature in the iPad Air (2022) that’s going to make you crave it. That said, if you’re in the market for a new tablet, basically for any reason, the new iPad Air should be your go-to. The iPad Pro is probably the superior machine, especially if you plan to use it primarily for games or as a laptop replacement at work, but the Air does everything from playing games to content creation to web browsing and word processing, seamlessly. Frankly, it can even handle the basics of a work-from-home job, especially when paired with Apple Magic Keyboard iPad cover.

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Amazon has the 2020 iPad Air for $100 off https://www.popsci.com/reviews/ipad-air-2020-deal/ Tue, 15 Mar 2022 14:15:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=431183
iPad Air 2020 review
The new iPad Air fits nicely onto the Magic Keyboard meant for the 11-inch iPad Pro. Stan Horaczek

The 2020 iPad Air still has lots of life left in it and it's $100 off at Amazon right now.

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iPad Air 2020 review
The new iPad Air fits nicely onto the Magic Keyboard meant for the 11-inch iPad Pro. Stan Horaczek

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In case you missed it, Amazon recently announced an updated version of the iPad Air. While that device hasn’t started shipping yet, the 2020 version (with Wi-Fi and 64GB storage) is currently down to $499 on Amazon, which is the cheapest price we’ve seen so far. You can upgrade to the 256GB version for $649, which is still $100 off the regular price. If you want cellular connectivity in addition to the Wi-Fi, you can get the 256GB version for $779.

Apple

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I originally reviewed the iPad Air when it came out and found it to be the best iPad for most people who could afford the extra cost over the standard $329 iPad. On paper, the refreshed 2022 version of the iPad Air doesn’t take any massive leaps that make it a must-buy compared to its predecessor. The 2020 iPad Air offers the A14 Bionic chip, a 10.9-inch liquid retina display, and full compatibility with the current Apple Pencil. It won’t have quite as much outright power as the new M1 model, but if you’re not doing a ton of heavy-duty content creation, that likely won’t come into play very much.

Looking for gear to pair with the Air? If you’re going to be streaming movies, YouTube, music, etc., you might want to grab the Apple AirPods Max headphones, which are also $100 off for a limited time.

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The best e-reader award is actually a tie https://www.popsci.com/story/diy/best-ereader-guide/ Mon, 03 May 2021 21:25:05 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/best-ereader-guide/
A person reading with an e-reader in a hammock outside.
Trust us—if that were "War and Peace," that hammock wouldn't be half as comfortable. Perfecto Capucine/Unsplash

Mary Poppins wishes she could carry so many books in her pockets.

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A person reading with an e-reader in a hammock outside.
Trust us—if that were "War and Peace," that hammock wouldn't be half as comfortable. Perfecto Capucine/Unsplash

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This story has been updated. It was originally published on April 25, 2020.

E-book readers are one of the clearest signs the future is now—having an entire library in your pocket powered by a battery that almost never runs out is exactly what my seven-year-old self was dreaming of (sorry, iPhone).

If you love reading but are still new to e-readers, you’re in for a serious treat. It’s never been easier to carry around what would be a large hardcover to read on your commute or your vacation. And if you’re stuck with an old e-book reader and want to upgrade, now is a good time to do it. Unlike smartphones, the e-book landscape shifts glacially, but there are a few great options that weren’t available a few years ago.

The library conundrum

E-book readers aren’t really standalone devices—they’re the hardware expression of a whole software ecosystem. This means that depending on where you buy your e-books (Amazon, Google Play, Barnes & Noble, the Kobo store, etc.), you will only be able to read your book on devices with a specific operating system.

Buy Little Women on iTunes and you’ll only be able to open it on the iBooks app on your Apple devices. Porting the same file to your Kindle (Amazon), or even reading it on the Kindle app for iPadOS or iOS, isn’t a simple process and requires breaking the digital rights management (DRM) seal that protects the file.

If you’ve already amassed a sizable e-book library and want to update your e-reader, the most important feature to look for is compatibility. If you have a Kindle, stick with Kindles, and if you have a Kobo, stick with Kobos. Switching operating systems involves changing your entire ecosystem; if you do so, be prepared to buy your entire library all over again.

[Related: Keep your brain in shape by reading more books]

If you’re buying an e-reader for the first time, you’ll definitely have more freedom. But still, choosing which store you want to go with is a major decision because you’ll have to stick with it at least for the foreseeable future.

Since the word “Kindle” is now synonymous with “e-reader,” it might seem Amazon has already won the e-book war, but the online retailer is not the only option. There are two other major choices with dedicated hardware available: the Kobo Store, and Barnes & Noble’s Nook Store.

There’s not a lot of difference between these alternatives. If there’s an independent author you love and they only publish on one store, that might be a reason to choose one over the other, but beyond that, all stores largely stock the same array of titles and let indie authors self-publish.

Barnes & Noble’s Nook Store raises a few red flags, though. After pulling out of the UK in 2016 (and leaving existing customers in a bit of a bind), they’re now only available in the US. Plus, they update their hardware less frequently and users have flagged their plastic build as inferior to that of Kindles and Kobos.

If you’ve already invested in Nook and have no problems accessing their store, sticking with it is not a bad idea, but given these circumstances, it’s definitely hard to recommend buying one as your first e-reader.

The Kindle is by far the most popular line of e-readers. If you’re getting an e-reader for the first time, going for a Kindle is a safe bet. Amazon is clearly committed to its roots as a bookseller and is highly likely to stick around and keep providing support for your device.

If you dislike Amazon’s business model, question their ethics, or simply don’t want to give even more money to a billionaire like Jeff Bezos, then a Kobo is an easy choice. Their hardware is every bit as good as Amazon’s, and their wide range of available titles will definitely satisfy all your reading needs.

The easy choice: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

For most people, the Kindle Paperwhite is the e-reader to buy. Sure, there are cheaper devices out there, but this one hits the middle ground between price and performance perfectly. And with Amazon’s huge e-book store, you’ll never be short of something to read.

It’s hard not to love it. It features a flush 6.8-inch, 300ppi E Ink touchscreen display that looks great, and at 7.2 ounces—about the weight of three Snickers bars—it’s easy to carry around. The device is IPX8 waterproof rated, so a few splashes by the pool, or even a quick dunk, won’t harm it. The LED front light makes it easy to read anywhere, whether in direct sunlight or curled up next to a flickering fire. If you have an Audible account, you can connect a pair of Bluetooth headphones and listen to audiobooks.

[Related: Simple Amazon Kindle tricks that’ll optimize your e-reading]

The contender: Kobo Clara HD

If you’re already tied into Kobo’s ecosystem, the Clara HD is a great upgrade to older models like the Glo or Touch 2.0, and if you’re looking for a new e-reader, it’s definitely the best non-Amazon option—though it’s hard to recommend it over the Paperwhite for any other reason.

It’s got a similar 6-inch, 300ppi front-lit E Ink touchscreen display, which is super easy to read on. What sets the Clara HD apart (other than the fact that it’s not tied to Amazon) is that it’s slightly smaller and lighter, but these differences are minimal and don’t have a huge effect on user experience. One nice touch is that the screen tints more toward yellow as the day goes on, but unlike its Kindle counterpart, it’s not waterproof and doesn’t have Bluetooth capabilities.

What else is out there?

The Paperwhite and Clara HD are the best products in their respective lineups, but they aren’t the only ones. If neither of our suggestions work for you, you’re not out of luck.

More Kindle options

Amazon also sells the Kindle—an entry-level model—and the Kindle Oasis, but both miss the mark for totally different reasons.

The Kindle is too close in price to the Paperwhite to be worth the tradeoffs. It’s not waterproof and only has a 167ppi screen, so text will look noticeably fuzzier. The screen feels less premium, as it’s noticeably recessed—the bezel casts a slight shadow and it feels like one of those old-school ATM touch screens you had to thump to get it to simply register a touch. If you’re not sure whether you’ll use a Kindle or not, it can be a good taster, but it’s an inferior device.

The Kindle Oasis, on the other hand, starts at $250 and features a cool asymmetric design, aluminum body, an automatically adjusting 7-inch screen, and physical page buttons. It’s an absolute delight to use, but it’s hard to justify the $120 price increase over the Paperwhite, especially since I’ve found its battery life to be significantly worse.

[Related: Your e-reader can display more than just books]

Keep in mind that Amazon also carries its line of Fire devices, and even though they can be used to read books, they’re strictly tablets, not e-readers. You can always try one of these, but they’re an entirely different product.

More Kobo options

The Kobo Libra H2O, meanwhile, is worth a look. Like the Kindle Oasis, it has a 7-inch screen and an asymmetric design with physical buttons to turn your pages. It’s also IPX8 waterproof and, at just a small cost above the Clara HD, the premium features don’t come with the Oasis’ ludicrous price tag.

With 7.8-inch and 8-inch screens, respectively, the Kobo Aura One and Kobo Forma just won’t slip into a jacket pocket or small bag, so they’re almost too big to carry easily. Other than the bigger screen (which ends up being more of a fuss than a plus) there’s no way to justify their prices over the Libra H2O.

Nook options

The problem with Barnes & Noble’s Nooks isn’t the devices, it’s the ecosystem itself. Considering its fluctuation in size, if one of the three big e-book reader makers fall, odds are it’ll be Barnes & Noble. With that said, if you’re looking for a Nook, you have an option.

The Nook GlowLight 3 is big, plasticky and, despite having a similar screen and the added page-turn buttons, feels like a cheaper knock-off of the Paperwhite. It’s a decent e-reader, but the GlowLight3 is similarly priced to the Clara HD and impossible to recommend over it.

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Best iPad Pro cases for 2022 https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-ipad-pro-cases/ Fri, 08 Jan 2021 20:30:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=406992
The best cases for the iPad Pro

Apple tablets are delicate, so pick up one of the best iPad Pro cases immediately because you never want to scroll or stroll naked.

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The best cases for the iPad Pro

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Best for artists The Otterbox Defender is the best Ipad pro case for artists. OtterBox Defender Series
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This rugged choice is perfect for content creators whose bodies venture almost as far as their imaginations.

Best for note-taking The Logitech Pro is the best Ipad Pro case for note-taking. Logitech Slim Folio Pro
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Get a laptop-quality keyboard with an executive look for less than half the price of the Apple Magic Keyboard.

Best with keyboard The Apple Magic Keyboard is the best Ipad Pro case with keyboard. Apple Magic Keyboard
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Apple’s own case with keys offers a near-laptop experience without springing for an actual MacBook.

Whether you are planning to buy a new Apple iPad Pro or are already a happy owner, the biggest risk you can take is using your tablet sans protection. Buying a case is a small expense of major importance with such a big investment. A full-sized Apple tablet can be more expensive than some laptop computers currently on the market and you’re going to want to make sure you have it working in top shape for a long time to come. That doesn’t mean to have to hide that alluring industrial design in a drab slab of plastic. All of our picks for the best iPad Pro cases will help you to protect your property in style. You’ll also find specific recommendations that we are making based on how you plan to use your 12.9-inch iPad Pro in all its vivid glory.

How we selected the best iPad Pro cases 

When deciding which iPad Pro 12.9 case would best suit different users, we considered popular functions of these Apple tablets. While some people employ the iPad Pro for leisure activities such as watching a movie or playing a game, many consumers who opt for an iPad Pro use it for drawing and other artistic pursuits. In order to address these differences, our subcategories of best iPad Pro cases include specific recommendations for illustrators and writers and DJs, for example. Once we thought about how people use their iPad Pro, we looked at how people like their iPad Pro cases, combining critical and public opinion with our own staff experiences to select the top options.

What to consider when shopping for cases

When trying to determine which of the many options on the market will serve as the best iPad Pro case for your needs, you’ll want to consider whether your Apple tablet is going to be a constant road dog, something that stays at your bedside, or perhaps somewhere in between. No matter what you’re going to do with your iPad Pro, you’ll want to make sure that it’s protected from accidental drops, which are easy to make even if you’ve got a case on the tablet. You’ll want to consider whether you’ll need a keyboard or if you are interested in features such as in-case Apple Pencil charging or antibacterial protection. 

What can happen if I don’t put a case on my iPad Pro?

Even if you’re incredibly careful, a caseless iPad Pro is an expressway to scratches, nicks, and, at the extreme end, a severely cracked screen. Apple’s tablets can feel downright slippery at times and having a case can offer additional friction to keep the iPad in your hands. 

Are there any downsides to using a case?

There can be downsides to using a case. If you buy an iPad Pro case that isn’t made well and is ill-fitting, there can be lots of crevices and gaps that can trap crumbs, dirt, and other debris in between the case and the tablet and damage your expensive device. Fortunately, there are many well-made cases on the market, and some even have antimicrobial properties. In addition, a case will add some weight and width (though this isn’t always a detriment).

Is the Apple Smart Folio effective as an Apple iPad case?

Both the Apple Smart Folio and iPad cases are designed to protect aspects of the tablet, but the Apple Folio is a thin sheath made of polyurethane that primarily serves to signal your iPad to wake up or go to sleep when opened or closed (some cases also perform this function, but it’s not a given). While this iPad smart cover can lessen the likelihood of scratching on the screen or back panel, the iPad Pro cover doesn’t provide the impact protection of a true case.

The best iPad Pro cases: Reviews & Recommendations

Best iPad Pro case with keyboard: Apple Magic Keyboard

Why it made the cut: Apple’s own keyboard and case combination bypasses the strain of other tablet typing solutions.

Specs:

  • Item dimensions: 11.5 x 9.41 x 0.87 inches
  • Color: Black
  • Weight: 2 pounds

Pros: 

  • Ergonomic
  • Can charge iPad through keyboard
  • Sturdy

Cons: 

  • More costly 
  • White model shows dirt more quickly

Having Apple Magic, the best iPad Pro case with a keyboard attached to your iPad Pro is about as close as it gets to being able to have a laptop experience without springing for an actual laptop. The layout is ergonomic for your hands and has a satisfying heft. While there are a number of third-party keyboards you can buy that will work, the most optimized iPad Pro case with a keyboard is going to be Apple’s own creation. Except in rare instances of less than optimal performance, you probably won’t have to worry about the Magic Keyboard draining your iPad battery too quickly or feel like there’s a lag happening that can interrupt your creative flow. At 2 pounds, it’s a noticeable addition to your iPad Pro when you are trying to travel light and it doesn’t feature any edge protection. On the other hand, the Apple Magic Keyboard offers some heavy functionality that truly justifies the extra weight.

Best iPad Pro case for note-taking: Logitech Slim Folio Pro

Why it made the cut: Users can alternate their note-taking with the included keyboard or via an Apple Pencil.

Specs

  • Product dimensions: 11.3 x 9.06 x 0.88 inches
  • Color: Graphite
  • Weight: 1.56 pounds

Pros: 

  • Backlit
  • Foldable
  • Premium keyboard

Cons: 

  • Requires additional battery

Whether you are taking notes in a virtual classroom or board room, the Logitech Slim Folio Pro stands out amongst third-party iPad Pro cases as a practical choice for the best iPad Pro case for note-taking. And if you’re looking for a case with a keyboard that isn’t quite as expensive as an official Apple product, this sells for less than half the price of an Apple Magic Keyboard. Logitech aims to provide a laptop-like experience with the keyboard, ergonomically speaking, so you won’t be creating knots in your fingers that shouldn’t be there when you type. It’s compatible with the Apple Pencil 2, should you prefer to take notes by actually writing them down, but doesn’t have the sturdiest stand if you want to use it for propped-up drawing. Though it requires a lithium-polymer battery, you shouldn’t have to recharge it more than once every three months if you use it for around two hours a day.

Best iPad Pro case with pencil holder: Zugu iPad Pro Case

Why it made the cut: A lightweight case that is still a breeze with an Apple Pencil tucked into it.

Specs:

  • Product dimensions: 11.02 x 7.48 x 0.79 inches
  • Color: Stealth Black
  • Weight: 7.8 ounces

Pros: 

  • Magnetic stand
  • Sleep and wake function
  • 10 stand angles

Cons: 

  • Stand is short

If your trusty Apple Pencil is your primary means of input, you may want to consider buying an iPad Pro case that has the perfect place for your key accessory so you don’t risk misplacing it when you need it. This Zugu Case is the best iPad Pro case with a holder because of its snug Apple Pencil caddy that will hug the writing accessory tight and keep it clean of dust and debris that can easily sneak into bigger pockets. And, with a stand featuring 10 magnetically secure viewing angles, you can use that pencil in a way that feels comfortable to you. You also get the sleek look of leather in a more affordable blend of material that also includes microfiber and polycarbonate. At under half a pound, the Zugu case is light as a feather, easy to clean, and should protect your iPad Pro even if it manages to drop up to 5 feet to the ground. (Still, we wouldn’t suggest that you try that at home.)

Best iPad Pro case for artists: OtterBox Defender Series

Why it made the cut: Tough construction that you can take on tour—even if that’s just a tour of the house.

Specs:

  • Product dimensions: 13.5 x 10 x 1.5 inches
  • Color: Black
  • Weight: 1.68 pounds

Pros: 

  • Includes stand
  • Made of strong polycarbonate
  • Has inner shell and outer slipcover

Cons: 

  • Stand only has two angles
  • Doesn’t function with original Apple Pencil

Creatives who are constantly on the go (or who don’t want to work in one dedicated space) can report for duty and trust the drop protection of this OtterBox iPad case, which, with its integrated screen protector, passes military standards. There’s plenty of protection for corners because OtterBox didn’t cut any. At 1.68 pounds, this best iPad pro case for artists is still fairly light and won’t be a pain to pack for a road gig if you’re a visual or performing artist already lugging gear, yet it is rugged enough to keep at bay all the potential nicks and scratches of use sketching in the field or for a DJ or a musician on a stage, etc. One small drawback is that the case only works with the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil, so if you’re a visual artist with the OG version, the Apple Pencil it will have to stay at home. There aren’t as many possible stand angles as some of the other cases listed here, but those that are available in this model are sturdy for drawing or viewing. An inner shell and outer slipcover keep all the muck away from your iPad Pro. 

Best iPad Pro case for drawing: tomtoc Portfolio Case

Why it made the cut: This sporty case not only holds all your artistic accessories, it also stashes away your cables and memory sticks.

Specs:

  • Product dimensions: 12.99 x 10.63 x 1.97 inches
  • Color: Gray
  • Weight: 1.38 pounds

 Pros: 

  • Conceals your cables
  • Water repellent
  • Easy to grip

Cons: 

  • Elastic bands can get stretched out

It’s easy to make a total mess out of your iPad and all its accessories if you don’t have a case with as much space as the tomtoc Portfolio does. As the best iPad Pro case for drawing its zippered, hard-shelled, and water-repellent case has a large pocket for an Apple Pencil (naturally), your new AirPods 3 (for some auditory inspiration), external drives (always back-up those projects), cables, and more. It’s easy to grip thanks to a grooved design, which will come in handy if you’re stuffing it in a larger bag on the go. There’s space for a screen-cleaning cloth (we like the Calyptus Screen Cleaner) to keep your canvas looking crystal clear. You can also throw in some real-world drawing supplies—like mechanical pencils, pens, and brushes—to channel your inner Bob Ross, if you like to have a hybrid of digital and old-fashioned analog tools in your artistic arsenal. Bonus: It’ll fit an iPad with an Apple Magic Keyboard for those who want fortress-level protection and even more increased productivity.

Best iPad Pro case accessory for drawing: Elevation Lab DraftTable V2 Kit

Why it made the cut: Four different stand positions promise not to buckle under the weight of your imagination.

Specs:

  • Product dimensions: 10.83 x 8.27 x 0.79 inches
  • Color: Black
  • Weight: 4.44 pounds

 Pros: 

  • Sturdy
  • Four stand positions
  • Includes arm rests

CONS: 

  • Heavier design
  • Not protective of screen

If you are a visual artist or a novice drawer who wants to use your iPad Pro as a stationary sketch pad for ideas big and small, you’ll want the Ipad Pro case accessory for drawing that doesn’t buckle under the sustained pressure of your hands. And while many cases have a built-in plastic pedestal, there’s a benefit to picking a dedicated iPad stand (though you’ll probably also want a true case for protection beyond surface scratches). Sturdy steel makes the Elevation Lab DraftTable V2 kit, which comes with an Apple Pencil holder, and separate armrest for that crucial ergonomic support making this pick a preferred professional standard amongst artists. However, there is at least one potential downside to choosing an iPad holder over a traditional case—it helps keep things stationary but the surface is less stable than laying it on a flat side, and it doesn’t have any benefit if you’re in transit. While you may not be as likely to knock this stand over, there’s no screen or edge protection so, if you drop it, you’re playing damage roulette. This means that it may be best used in one space where your iPad Pro doesn’t travel much, or it accompanies a traditional case of some sort.

FAQs

Q: Can I use iPad Pro without case? 

Yes, you can use an iPad Pro without a case since you aren’t technically required to buy one. But if you don’t put a case on, you run a higher risk of nicking, cracking, or otherwise damaging it in the case of accidental drops or slips. Apple’s iPads are tough, but it’s best to play it safe. .

Q: Which case should I get for iPad Pro?

If you’re wondering which case you should get for iPad Pro, you should know that there isn’t one correct answer; the best iPad Pro case depends on your individual needs. That said, if you’re using the Apple tablet primarily for drawing, consider the Elevation Lab DraftTable Kit. If you want to use it with a keyboard, check out the Apple Magic Keyboard, which is a case and keyboard in one.

Q: Will iPad Pro 12.9 2020 cases fit 2021?

If you are looking at cases that were made last year, it may be good to know that Apple’s iPad Pro 12.9 2020 cases fit the 2021 models. Likewise, if you have an iPad Pro 12.9 from 2020, it will fit with cases that were made later on.

The final word on selecting the best iPad Pro cases

When shopping for the best iPad Pro case to fit your lifestyle, it’s good to know that you don’t have to shell out a lot of money to get decent protection for your Apple tablet. However, if you do want some bells and whistles, like leather or a stand that actually works, there’s a wide market to serve you. After you’ve made sure to look at models that are actually protective and that have the features you want, it then comes down to your personal taste and whether you want a case to be an extension of your personal style. 

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Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch review: The screen will spoil you https://www.popsci.com/reviews/ipad-pro-review/ Sun, 19 Dec 2021 23:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=365667
iPad Pro with Apple Pencil near some plants
The iPad Pro 12.9-inch is built for creative work. Stan Horaczek

The new iPad Pro 12.9 has the M1 chip inside, but the beautiful mini LED display steals the show.

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iPad Pro with Apple Pencil near some plants
The iPad Pro 12.9-inch is built for creative work. Stan Horaczek

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Even before its most recent update, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro felt like a flex. Take the biggest iPad out in public and there was a good chance it would be the prettiest display in the room, even compared to high-end laptops. The new iPad Pro, which Apple announced earlier this month, raises the bar even higher when it comes to beautiful screens. 

At the same time, this is also the first generation of iPad to include Apple’s new M1 chip. While the M1 seems like a fairly natural evolution from the A12Z Bionic that came before it, the iPad Pro (2021) is now working with the same hardware found in the new MacBooks, Mac Mini, and iMacs

Combined with a few other smart upgrades, the new iPad Pro’s feature set makes it decidedly more useful for creating content and a lot more enjoyable when consuming it. 

The Liquid Retina XDR Screen

While we would typically start an iPad Pro review talking about performance, the new screen is the biggest story here. For the 12.9-inch version, Apple has introduced a new 2,732 x 2,048 mini LED backlighting system, which crams roughly 10,000 tiny lights behind the display. It’s an increasingly common feature found in high-end TVs, and it helps make the new iPad decidedly brighter than the previous model. 

To quantify that claim a little bit, the new iPad tops out at 1,000 nits (a measure of brightness) across the entire screen, which matches the $4,000 Pro Display XDR that debuted with the most recent Mac Pro. Some areas of the iPad’s screen can reach 1,600 nits, which is likely too bright for your sensitive eyeballs in some lighting situations. As a comparison, consider that the previous iPad Pro display topped out 600 nits. So, yeah, the new iPad Pro is bright.

That extra illumination comes in very handy when you’re working (or watching content) in bright areas. The extra brightness is particularly noticeable when watching HDR content. 

My color calibration gear doesn’t work natively with the iPad, so I couldn’t do a formal color measurement. Sitting next to my calibrated IPS monitor, however, the colors looked close enough that I’d feel comfortable editing images for work on it without worrying about a color shift. 

Beyond all of the technical stuff, the screen is simply beautiful. The anti-glare coating works excellently, even in direct light. The colors are poppy, but accurate. It’s truly impressive to look at.

The M1 chip comes to the iPad Pro

If you’ve been following Apple news in the past year, you’re probably sick of hearing about the M1 chip. This piece of hardware has shown up in every new Mac computer and tablet since the company broke off its relationship with Intel last year. While the M1 was a big departure for laptops and desktops, it’s a more natural evolution for the iPad Pro, which was already using Apple Silicon. 

Apple claims the M1 offers a 50-percent increase in CPU performance and a 40-percent bump in graphics processing when compared to the A12Z, which powered the previous model. Numbers like that can be hard to parse because they don’t have a direct relationship with real-world applications. Your videos aren’t going to render 40 percent faster based purely on GPU upgrades. There are many other factors at play. 

iPad Pro camera
Stan Horaczek

Now that both the iPad Pro and the MacBooks are running the M1, however, it is slightly easier to compare them. Programs like Affinity Photo are M1-optimized and offer a much more similar experience across platforms. 

iPad Pro performance

I ran the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro through some basic Geekbench 5 tests and, unsurprisingly, it spit out similar results to the most recent iMac and MacBooks. It scored roughly 1700 in the single-core test and around 7300 in the multi-core test. While those numbers give a handy baseline, they can’t account for real-world usage. 

For testing in the wild, I imported a few hundred 45-megapixel Canon EOS R5 photos into Lightroom, it was predictably snappy. It quickly rendered full-resolution previews and allowed me to hurry through hundreds of images to find the keepers. I’d feel more than comfortable using the iPad Pro like this, even with a picky creative director looking over my shoulder. 

That speed carries over to other creative apps as well. I edited some 4K video in LumaFusion (which is an excellent pro video editing app if you haven’t tried it). Once the footage was imported and in place, the software allowed me to move clips around and preview my composition without much hesitation. 

Ultimately, the iPad Pro isn’t going to replace a burly Mac Pro sitting in a studio. It is, however, more than capable of handling serious workflow in the field.

A front-facing camera with Center Stage

Video chatting on the iPad has always been slightly awkward due to the camera’s position. It’s at the top when you’re holding it in portrait mode, but it sits to one side when the device is in a keyboard case. As a result, the other people in your call see you looking off at an angle. That hasn’t changed. However, Apple has added a new feature called Center Stage to the front-facing camera. 

The cam can now track your face, even if you shift around. It doesn’t have to physically move in order to keep you in the frame, but rather it does the tracking digitally. It’s similar to a feature found in Facebook’s Portal device. 

It’s clever and seems to work pretty well when I tried it, but I’m not the kind of person who moves around a lot during calls. 

A better USB port

The USB-C connector on the bottom of the new iPad Pro is now Thunderbolt/USB 4 compatible, so you can plug in devices like external storage or cameras and transfer files much more quickly and reliably. 

I easily transferred a whole grip of large digital image files into the iPad with the same speed I would dump them to a computer. This is another one of those upgrades that will be extremely useful to some people while others won’t even necessarily notice it. 

The rest of the iPad Pro 2021 specs

In typical Apple style, the company has made a ton of small tweaks and upgrades around the device. But, not all of them will apply to everyone. You can now get up to 2 TB of built-in storage, but it will add an additional $1,110 compared to the base model or $400 more than the 1 TB option. The iPad Pro 128GB starts at $1,099, while the iPad Pro 256GB starts at $1,199. I wouldn’t go lower than 256 on a device like this, but more is even better. When you move up to a 1 TB or 2 TB iPad Pro, RAM doubles to 16 GB up from 8 GB in the lower models.

The iPad Pro can now accept a 5G SIM card for faster connectivity. 5G’s utility, however, depends on your access to a fast network. I tried it. It worked. It was unexciting, but that’s what you want when it comes to a mobile connection. 

If you’re stepping up from an older model iPad Pro, battery life won’t be much of a factor in your decision-making. Because the device itself is so large, it still manages to squeeze plenty of work time out of its built-in battery. 

Lastly, the Magic Keyboard iPad Pro 12.9 case now comes in white. While it looks impressive, I can’t imagine ever buying one. Even trying to baby it during my week of usage, I still managed to get crud on it. If you can buy this thing and keep it clean, then you deserve to be in the next iPad commercial. And while the iPad Pro dimensions haven’t changed, you’ll want to buy the latest model Magic Keyboard case to get full functionality when compared to the older model. 

iPad Air vs. iPad Pro 

For some dedicated creative types, the new iPad Pro will be the best iPad overall. The screen is a huge upgrade, it has noticeably more computing power, and the USB port makes dumping files to the Apple tablet much simpler. If you’re planning on using it heavily for work in the field, then the several hundred dollars it costs beyond the price of an iPad Air is justifiable. Deciding the battle between iPad Air vs. iPad Pro really comes down to your intended usage and budget.

If you’re looking for a gadget flex, then the iPad Pro is the best tablet around. It’s an undeniably beautiful piece of gear that I enjoyed using. 

If you’re considering the iPad Pro 12.9- vs. 11-inch model, you’ll get a cheaper, perhaps more practical device, but you won’t enjoy the benefits of all the fancy new screen tech that makes the 12.9-inch model so appealing in the first place. The 11-inch version is great, but it doesn’t hit quite like the biggest iPad. 

Before you take the leap, though, remember that the iPad price is only the beginning. A 12.9-inch iPad Pro with 512 GB storage retails for $1,399, which is already steep. Adding a Magic Keyboard case and an Apple Pencil (which you will definitely want) pushes the price tag all the way up to nearly $1,900. That’s the kind of price that’s much easier to handle when you have an expense account. It sure is beautiful, though. 

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Samsung announces its flagship XL Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra https://www.popsci.com/reviews/samsung-galaxy-tab-s8-news/ Wed, 09 Feb 2022 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=424111
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra News
Samsung added 14.6-inch Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra to its tablet lineup in 2022. Samsung

Samsung's newest tablets are coming, including the expanded, laptop-alternative 14.6-inch Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra News
Samsung added 14.6-inch Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra to its tablet lineup in 2022. Samsung

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Samsung announced a trio of Galaxy Tab S8 tablets during its Galaxy Unpacked livestream held Wednesday, Feb. 9, including a new, extraordinarily large 14.6-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. In the past, Samsung has made a Samsung Tab S and a slightly larger, more powerful S+. Now—as with Samsung Galaxy S22, Plus, and Ultra smartphones—the Galaxy Tab S8 offers a “flagship” XL tablet option for anyone who wants a laptop-alternative tablet that doesn’t sacrifice screen size. All three of the tablets offer a suite of incremental upgrades, including a bump up to Android 12 out of the box, an upgraded processor, improved cameras, and more.

The Galaxy Tab S8 will feature an 11-inch 2560 x 1600p display with a 120Hz refresh rate. As with the Tab S7 series, the jump to an S8+ gets you a slightly larger, and ultimately better, display: the 12.4-inch 2800 x 1752p Super AMOLED display. Then, of course, there’s the Ultra, which has a 14.6-inch 2960 x 1848 Super AMOLED display. The pixel density does scale down slightly as the screens get bigger, likely because all three models feature the same 8-core 4nm processor, a presumed upgrade over the Tab S7 series.

All the models feature slightly improved cameras, though the Ultra offers a bigger jump for video callers: All three models feature 13MP autofocus and 6MP ultra-wide cameras on the back. On the front, the S8 and S8+ have a 12MP selfie camera, which is a notable jump over the 8MP camera on the Tab S7 series. The S8 Ultra will have a dual-camera setup in front with two 12MP cameras, one wide and one ultra-wide, incurring a small bezel notch that delineates the “top” of the screen, at least in landscape mode. The dual-cameras, along with a three microphone array for audio, should improve the Tab S8 Ultra’s viability as a video call device for power users. It also enables automatic framing, which allows the cameras to frame up a video call around any detected faces in the frame.

Tablets photo
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, Tab S8 Plus, and Tab S8 Ultra.

The Tab S8 line also includes myriad other small upgrades, including Wi-Fi 6E and Dolby Atmos support for its quad-speaker setup. Battery life for the S8 and S8 Plus remain unchanged, 8,000 mAh and 10,090 mAh, respectively, while the Tab S8 Ultra gets a slightly higher 11,200 mAh. That said, all three now feature 45W supercharging, which Samsung claims can fully charge the S8 and S8 Plus in as little as 80 minutes, or the Ultra in 90 minutes. Crucially, all three models feature a USB-C port and Micro SD card slot for expanded storage, which means no 3.5mm headphone jack again this year.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 line, including the Tab S8 Ultra, will be available starting Feb. 25, 2022. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 and S8 Plus are available in two configurations: 8GB RAM and either 128 or 256GB of storage. They come in three colors: Graphite, Silver, and Pink Gold. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra comes in three configurations: 8GB RAM/128GB Storage, 12GB RAM/256GB storage, and 16GB RAM/512GB storage. The Tab S8 Ultra comes in a single color: Graphite. Preorders for all models start today, Feb. 9.

Whew, after all that, it seems safe to say that the Galaxy Tab S8 will remain a candidate for one of the best Android tablets, especially given the Tab S8 Ultra’s new, expanded size. It doesn’t seem like a banner year for the device, but we’ll be interested to see more of them, especially the Ultra, in the coming weeks.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra

Samsung

SEE IT

Key Specs

  • Display: 14.6-inch 2960 x 1848 Super AMOLED (Up to 120Hz)
  • OS: Android 12
  • Rear Cameras: 13MP autofocus, 6MP ultra-wide
  • Front cameras: 12MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide
  • Memory: 8-16GB (varies by model)
  • Storage: 128-512GB (varies by model), expandable via Micro SD
  • Battery: 11,200mAh

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Cyber Monday deal: Get $75 off the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus https://www.popsci.com/reviews/cyber-monday-deal-amazon-fire-hd-10-plus/ Mon, 29 Nov 2021 21:18:32 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=413008
These are our picks for the best Cyber Monday tablet deals.
Get $75 off the Fire HD 10 Plus tablet. Amazon

Take work and entertainment anywhere.

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These are our picks for the best Cyber Monday tablet deals.
Get $75 off the Fire HD 10 Plus tablet. Amazon

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Tablets might not seem worth the hype—until you get one. They’re incredibly convenient to carry around, and you can pop them out to send off a quick email or watch your favorite Netflix show at your own convenience. Plus, if you’re an apartment dweller, you can download books to your tablet instead of letting physical books quickly pile up. Enter the 2021 Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus, which lets you access countless entertainment and workspace apps. 

The only downside is that tablets can be pricey. Luckily, there are some great Cyber Monday deals on the Fire HD 10 Plus and more tablets. Here are the best sales we found.

Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus $105 (Was $180)

Amazon

SEE IT

With a 12-hour battery life, 4 GB RAM, and 32 GB of storage (with the option to get up to 64 GB), the Fire HD 10 Plus has staying power. The 10.1-inch screen has a 1080p HD display for great clarity, and a split-screen feature allows you to multitask. Plus, it offers wireless charging and Alexa voice control.

Its construction is both sturdy and environmentally-friendly. The aluminosilicate glass is durable, and Amazon reports that the tablet is composed of 28 percent post-consumer recycled tablets. It also earned an ENERGY STAR certification, meaning it meets the U.S. Department of Energy or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s energy efficiency standards.

Other great Cyber Monday tablet deals

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 $499 (Was $700)

Samsung Tab A7 Lite $120 (Was $160)

HAOVM P10 10.1 Inch Android Tablet $108.80 (Was $136)

Acer Enduro T1 ET108-11A-80PZ Rugged Tablet $255 (Was $350)

Amazon Fire 7 Kids Pro Tablet $60 (Was $100)

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Ebook Readers Make Reading Easier For People With Dyslexia https://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2013-09/ebook-readers-make-reading-easier-dyslexics/ Thu, 19 Sep 2013 21:00:12 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/technology-article-2013-09-ebook-readers-make-reading-easier-dyslexics/
Tablets photo
Dan Bracaglia

The ability to customize how words appear on the page is a boon to dyslexic readers.

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Tablets photo
Dan Bracaglia

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A new study performed by the Smithsonian Institute found that ebook readers like the Amazon Kindle can actually help those with dyslexia with reading comprehension. Technology!

When you think of dyslexia, what first comes to mind might be some form of inversion–reading backwards, that kind of thing. But dyslexia is actually a broad term to cover lots of different ways in which people with otherwise normal intelligence levels have trouble reading. That could include difficulty converting letters into sounds, difficulty spelling, and difficulty separating the phonological tones of one letter from another.

The benefit of ebook readers is largely in their customization. A book, due to being, you know, printed with ink on paper, is not very customizable. But an ebook reader offers the ability to change the look of the book–and this particular study wanted to see if it would be possible to change the text so much that people with dyslexia would be able to read it without getting the letters confused.

Testing the reading comprehension and speed of 103 dyslexic students in Boston, the study found that by spacing the books to a mere two or three words per line, the dyslexic readers were able to significantly increase both speed and comprehension. The idea is to reduce visual distraction; people with the disorder have a hard time with a dense page of letters, so by spacing them out, it’s easier for them to concentrate on the task at hand.

You can read the study over at PLoS One.

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Apple iPad 9 and iPad Mini 6: Everything you need to know https://www.popsci.com/reviews/apple-ipad-2021/ Wed, 15 Sep 2021 13:30:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/?p=396356
Apple iPad 2021
Apple updated two of the four iPad designs, the iPad and the iPad Mini. Apple

Apple unveiled two new iPads with some fun new features for us to play with.

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Apple iPad 2021
Apple updated two of the four iPad designs, the iPad and the iPad Mini. Apple

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Apple announced a pair of new iPads, the ninth-generation iPad and the sixth-generation iPad Mini, during its “California Streaming” event on September 14, 2021. Both iPads feature new versions of Apple’s Bionic chip, new camera-related features, and support for accessories like the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard, among other improvements. Apple also announced that iPadOS 15, the new version of its tablet operating system, will launch Monday, Sept. 20. Let’s scour through the details to pick out what’s exciting about these new iPads.

What’s new about iPad 9?

Tablets photo
The ninth-generation iPad features a better front camera, among other improvements. Apple

The new version of Apple’s baseline iPad features a few meaningful spotlight upgrades but is generally bringing the least expensive version of the tablet up to date with improvements tested in previous versions of other iPads, such as the iPad Pro. The iPad 9 features an upgraded A13 Bionic chipset (debuted in 2019), which Apple claims should deliver a 20-percent performance bump from the previous model. That should allow the standard iPad to better handle games and other apps that require heavy processing power. It features a 10.2-inch Retina display, which now features True Tone, an ambient light sensor that can adjust the screen color temperature based on the lighting in the room.

Perhaps the most interesting and exciting improvements to the new iPad reside in its cameras. It features an upgraded 12MP ultra-wide front camera and supports Center Stage, a technology introduced on last year’s iPad Pro that can dynamically adjust the front camera’s framing for video calls. Effectively, if you move or another person enters the camera’s view, the camera will self-adjust to the best composition for the new situation.

Many features remain largely unchanged over the last model. It’s still the same size—6.8 inches by 9.8 inches by 0.29 inches (WHD)—with a 10.2-inch LED IPS retina display and has the same external features, including a home button with Touch ID, lightning port, and headphone jack. The 32.4 Watt Hour battery still provides up to 10 hours of battery life.

Tablets photo
The iPad 9 supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and Apple Smart Keyboard. Apple

The new iPad also gets support for Apple’s tablet accessories, though it’s something of a half-step. The iPad 9 works with the Apple Smart Keyboard and the first-generation Apple Pencil.

Apple doubled the size of both storage options for the new iPad. The $329.99 base model now features 64GB of storage, or $479.99 with cellular support. There’s also a more expensive 256GB model starting at $479, or $609.99 with cell support. The iPad 9 will be available for pre-order now and will hit stores September 24.

What’s new about iPad Mini 6?

Tablets photo
The Apple iPad Mini 6 comes in four colors. Apple

The new iPad Mini received a larger, more robust, update. The smallest member of the iPad family got a visual refresh that brings it more in line with the iPhone and iMac than the rest of the tablet line, as well as substantial hardware improvements that make it more of a processing powerhouse.

At a glance, Apple has redesigned the exterior of the iPad Mini in the image of recent iPhones. The flat, matte, metallic chassis comes in four colors: space grey, pink, purple, and a gold and off-white color called “starlight.” Measuring 5.3 inches by 7.69 inches by 0.25 inches, Apple’s tightened up “all-screen” design features an 8.3-inch LED liquid retina display with smaller bezels. The display also supports True Tone. With the reduced bezels, Apple has removed the button at the bottom of the screen and added Touch ID fingerprint security to the button in the device’s top-right corner. On the bottom, Apple’s replaced the iPad Mini’s Lightning port with a USB-C port.

Tablets photo
The iPad Mini 6 has a Touch ID fingerprint scanner on the top button. Apple

Under the hood, the iPad Mini 6 features Apple’s A15 Bionic chipset with a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and a 16-core neural engine to process machine-learning functions. According to Apple, the new hardware produces substantial performance improvements. It also features 5G support, allowing those models with cellular support to get higher speeds off mobile WiFi, up to 3.5Gbps.

The iPad Mini features upgraded 12MP cameras on the front and back. Like the iPad 9, the front camera features an ultra-wide lens that enables Center Stage support. The rear camera has a larger aperture to let in more light and True Tone flash, a feature that helps the camera capture better images in low-light situations.

Lastly, like the standard iPad, the iPad Mini 6 adds more Apple accessory support but it can pair with the far superior second-generation Apple Pencil.

The new iPad Mini 6 comes in two storage sizes: 64GB and 256GB. The 64GB costs $499, or $649 with cellular support. The 256GB models costs $649, or $799 for cellular model. The iPad Mini 6 is available for pre-order now and will hit stores September 24.

What about iPadOS 15?

With two new iPads, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that Apple also had information about the next version of its tablet operating system, iPadOS, up its sleeve. iPadOS 15 has been in beta since shortly after it was first announced in June but it’s worth looking at some of what’s coming to iPads new and old in the very near future.

iPadOS adds a new multitasking menu, which allows you to change how you divide the screen between a pair of apps, like shifting one app to the left or right or have two equal-size windows split down the middle. It’s also possible to select an email or note and have it open up “over” the apps you have open in what’s called the “center window.”

Also in the vein of multitasking, iPads now have the ability to pull up a quick note by swiping up from the corner of the screen or using a keyboard shortcut. Quick notes support touch and text, so you can literally jot a note or type it in. Perhaps the coolest feature: If you highlight text on a web page in Safari, you can create a quick note that will include a link to the page and return you to the highlighted text.

Coming over from iOS, the iPad now has an “app library” that lets you quickly scan through all of your apps, rather than scrolling page by page. You can also mix widgets and app icons on the iPad home screen and adjust their individual sizes. From the macOS side of things, there’s also an “app switcher” on the home screen that looks just like the app bar from a Macbook or iMac.

FaceTime and screen sharing also get some big upgrades. You can now start video calls with Android and Windows devices using FaceTime! The iPads can share screens through FaceTime and use a feature called “SharePlay,” which lets you watch TV or listen to music with picture-in-picture video chat. Lastly, FaceTime calls now support spatial audio and Apple’s “portrait mode,” which creates a digital bokeh effect to sharpen your picture and blur your background.

These are just a few of the many, many, many tweaks and upgrades coming to iOS and Apple’s core apps. Apple announced that iPadOS 15 will launch on September 20. It’s worth noting that some iPadOS 15 features, such as SharePlay, won’t be available until later this year.

FAQ

Q: What else did Apple reveal at the “California Streaming” event?

“California Streaming” was Apple’s annual fall event where it traditionally reveals the next iPhone. In addition to announcing the iPad 9 and iPad Mini 6, Apple showed off a slate of original TV and films for Apple TV+, the Apple Watch Series 7, and the iPhone 13 line.

Q: When will the new iPads be available?

Both the iPad 9 and iPad Mini 6 are already available to preorder. Both models will be available in stores on September 24; iPadOS 15 will launch for all compatible iPads on September 20.

Q: What iPads are compatible with iPadOS 15?

The following iPads are available with iPadOS 15:

iPad: 5th-9th generation
iPad Air: 2nd-4th generation
iPad Mini: 4th-6th generation
iPad Pro: 1st-5th generation

We’re planning to take a thorough look at all the new devices Apple announced at “California Streaming,” including the iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7, so keep an eye out for PopSci’s full reviews in the next few weeks.

Related: The best tablet for gaming, drawing, editing and more

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Although It’s Been Said Many Times, Many Ways: The iPad is the Future https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2010-04/although-its-been-said-many-times-many-ways-ipad-future/ Mon, 05 Apr 2010 22:51:56 +0000 https://stg.popsci.com/uncategorized/although-its-been-said-many-times-many-ways-ipad-future/
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I've been using the iPad since Saturday. Here are my thoughts and impressions so far

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After a weekend using the iPad, I’ve realized I’m not interested in hedging my reaction to it with careful considerations of its lack of a USB port or webcam. It’s not every day, or every year or maybe even every decade that we’re able to see a piece of technology that takes a familiar human experience–here, using a computer–and fundamentally changes it. But that is what I think the iPad has done.

Maybe this is a honeymoon phase. Time will tell. But I don’t think it is. To support that, and because I know no one wants to read another monolithic 3,000-word iPad review running through every feature, what follows are some assorted notes and impressions from my first weekend of using this machine and how it pertains to the future of using computers. Some may be on the fragmentary side–please jump in the comments if you feel inspired to add to the conversation or would like to hear more.

The Screen

It starts from the moment you pick it up and that obsidian black pool comes to life. On paper it’s not by any means the highest-resolution screen at 1024×768 spread over 9.7 inches of diagonal glass. Many netbooks pack a higher resolution into the same size. But somehow, it manages to be the most breathtaking screen I’ve ever seen. Maybe because there’s basically nothing else–an inch of black glass bezel surrounds it, rimmed by a thin lip of aluminum, but from the front that’s it. All screen. And its saturation and clarity is astounding.

And oh yeah, you can touch it. You can touch everything, and it reacts instantly. It’s fast. The glass feels cool and smooth on your finger, but after a while you’re not touching glass. You’re touching words, pictures, buttons, everything. The Internet. And everything responds.

Plenty of words have been written about the iPad’s touchscreen interface, and I can pretty much guarantee that none of them will mean anything to you until you use it. It just can’t be expressed. On paper it’s just a giant iPod touch. Yes, I’ve heard that a few times, even said it myself. But then it’s in your hand and you’re gliding your finger over your favorite websites, panning around the globe with your pinkie tip in Google Maps, feeling like a CIA analyst manning some future spy satellite terminal. It’s one brainstem-level pleasure after another; it reacts to some base human instinct to touch and manipulate something shiny put in front of us, and well, we can’t really argue with the brain stem, can we?

And that’s why it changes everything. The layers of abstraction are gone, and we’re interacting with graphical information in the most natural way possible. Apple’s unrelenting focus on simplicity means everything but the touch drops away.

Nothing But Interface

Think about it–on your computer, interfaces are stacked inside each other like a Russian doll. The web site you’re looking at sits inside the browser, which sits inside a folder, which sits inside your operating system. Each interface has its own set of conceits and constraints, meaning the resulting experienced is subject to a great many rules dictating what it can and can’t be. But that’s not how it is on the iPad. There, a weather app adopts the perfect interface for browsing weather information–pinch and zoom on the giant world radar map; tap the forecast and current conditions blocks for more detailed pop-ups. You touch and it responds. And that’s just weather.

The Future of Software is Becoming the Future of Hardware

Like the iPhone, the iPad is a blank slate ready to morph into any device with any interface imaginable. It’s a million gadgets in one, with each able to express itself with the perfect interface. The hardware is designed to fade into the background, so in a way, developers are conjuring their software into tangible, concrete things that act, essentially, as hardware. The list of physical real word objects the iPhone has made irrelevant: cheap pocket digital camera, GPS navigator, e-reader, voice recorder, bicycle computer, iPod–the list goes on. The iPad, with a screen four times the size, will only make this list longer.

iPad Back

iPad Back

Using the iPad on the Toilet

Is so, so great. Apple’s case with its wedge-shaped lap stand is an essential tool here.

With a Keyboard

For more proof of how this is the future, connect any Bluetooth keyboard. Immediately, Apple’s Pages (the significance of which I’ve already written about) becomes the coolest word processor I’ve ever used. A word processor? Cool? But with Words and a wireless keyboard, you can enter text just like we’ve been doing for generations, and see it appear on a blank white screen. Then pick up this screen, turn it vertically, and add pictures and other formatting with your fingers. Touch a misspelled word and pick the proper correction. Even after a few days, I already know this is how I want to create anything made of pictures and text in the future.

I’m Typing on the iPad RIGHT NOW

I wasn’t going to honor the cliche of typing a review of a device on the device itself, but now that I paired up a Bluetooth keyboard i had in the cupboard, I can’t help myself.

Going From an iPad Back to an iPhone

Is hilarious. The same interface motifs put back on a tiny screen makes the proportions seem completely out of whack. Making the world’s most advanced smartphone look like a baby’s toy is something Apple can’t be excited about. This, more than anything, lends credence to the rumors of a new iPhone this summer with a higher resolution display.

It’s not Perfect

Believe it or not, a gadget can change computing forever but still have flaws. Shocking, I know! Almost all of the gripes over what the iPad lacks miss the point, but the one that’s spot on? The iPad needs multitasking.

Not the multitasking we’re used to on the desktop computer. No task bar, no ctrl-alt-delete. Just a small, elegant way to tell us when we have a new IM or email while we’re reading Twitter or playing a game. The ability to let apps that play music continue to play it while we do other things.

Without this, one of the internet’s fundamental forms of communication–the instant message–is basically impossible on the iPad. This thing is supposed to replace the laptop you keep open while you watch TV at home, right? Well, what you do on that laptop is keep 12 browser tabs open and four Google Chat windows, responding to them at your leisure. Not possible on the iPad.

Something like Android’s pull-down notifications drawer would work. In fact, the iPad’s interface already hints at this–when a song is playing in the iPod app, you get a little play icon in the ever-present black strip at the top. It’s less than a centimeter thick, but that’s all it needs to be. Apple, open up that area to the SDK and let apps notify you of things there–with the iPad’s increased screen real estate, it’s time to turn the iPhone’s fairly puny background notification system into something truly usable.

Without it, I find myself flying around from app to app at an exhausting pace. Ironically, Apple’s rigid focus on apps performing one task at a time that actually, I think, reduces the focus you’re able to give any one app on the screen. I’d love to read Moby Dick on the iPad for free, but, NEW EMAIL! Someone has to have replied to my wittily provocative tweet on Queequeg’s mark by now, RIGHT? Tap tap tap. Book interrupted.

Do You Need an iPad?

No. As many others have pointed out, it’s just another device. But you/I didn’t need an iPod when they first came out either. When the iPod debuted, I was content to connect a tape deck to my computer to record the dozen or so MP3s I could suck down from Napster through my 56k modem during any given month. I just didn’t see the need because I didn’t have thousands of MP3s. The content environment was not yet ready.

Do we “need” an iPod today? We still don’t. But MP3s are now a much larger part of our lives than they were in 2001 (which, of course, the iPod is partly responsible for). The buying question has changed from “do you want to listen to your music portably in this new digital format” to “do you want to listen to your music portably.” What will the iPad’s similar commodity be? Until that’s defined, no one needs one. But my guess is that it won’t be long until touch-based apps move from novelty to necessity.

In Closing

The iPad is not without problems, some of which have the potential to make the Internet a less happy place than it is now. Yes, Apple’s well-documented closed system via iTunes. Apple is turning into a monopolistic recreation of the Hollywood studio system in the 1940s: if you need something done right, you work with us and no one else. But even then, there was more than one major studio. Not now.

This is bad. But fortunately for Apple, it’s bad in a way that creates an unbelievably pure and easy user experience on the iPad. (For more on this, see Joel Johnson responding beautifully to the closed system crowd).

The iPad presents a computing philosophy that not everyone agrees with: unrelenting simplicity at the cost of openness. But it’s hard to argue it’s not a perfect execution of that philosophy.

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Announcing Four New Magazines on Our Mag+ Platform For iPad https://www.popsci.com/announcements/article/2010-10/snowboarding-and-photography-fans-rejoice-new-mags-ipad/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:10:15 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/announcements-article-2010-10-snowboarding-and-photography-fans-rejoice-new-mags-ipad/
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Attention photography fans, snowboarders, Swedish mothers and Danes: Four of PopSci's sibling pubs launch in the iTunes store

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When we built and released Popular Science+ back in April, we always knew we weren’t just building a one-off app, but a whole system, called Mag+, that we could use to publish more magazines. With the recent launch of Transworld Snowboarding+, we now have five titles on the iPad from across our company, Bonnier, including Popular Photography+, Mama (a Swedish parenting magazine) and Illusteret Videnskab, the original Danish version of our magazine Science Illustrated.

Popular Photography+

Popular Photography+

The two American mags, Snowboarding and PopPhoto, are particularly beautiful examples of what this device can do for magazines. Snowboarding’s got a cool video about how they shot the crazy trick on the cover, in which a dude jumps across hotel roofs, not to mention many more gorgeous full-screen photos and videos. PopPhoto too, takes full advantage of Mag+’s unique ability to let the user turn off the text and just look at the big bright photographs beneath. In addition, all the November issues now include active Web links and the ability to just tap a story in the table of contents to go directly to it.

Stay tuned for many more launches and more new features—including some really cool sharing abilities later this winter—and check out the Snowboarding+ trailer below.

[iTunes: Popular Photography+, TransWorld Snowboarding+ , Mama+, Illustreret Videnskab+]

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Hybrid Computers Are Starting To Get Good https://www.popsci.com/hybrid-computers-are-starting-get-good/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 18:03:28 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/hybrid-computers-are-starting-get-good/
Samsung ATIV Book 9
Weight: 2.09 lbs
Price: $1,200. Amazon

Tabtops? Laplets? We love them

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Samsung ATIV Book 9
Weight: 2.09 lbs
Price: $1,200. Amazon

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Hybrid computers–the laptop-tablet chimeras that include convertibles, detachables, and tablets with keyboards–always sounded better than they actually were. That’s because they always came at a cost. Most hybrid devices were either powerful (and big as a breadbox) or slim (and grossly underpowered). For the average business traveler, hybrids could never really serve as a primary computer.

That was how things stood–at least, until late last year. In October 2014, Intel launched the Core M processor, which is built on a new energy-efficient architecture that allows it to draw less than half the power of its predecessor without sacrificing performance. Less power consumption means less heat, and less heat means no need for active cooling. As a result, a number of manufacturers are launching lightweight, fanless, ultra-thin hybrid devices to go toe-to-toe with standard premium laptops.

Whether the hybrid movement will catch on remains to be seen. PC sales have slowed since 2011 as smartphone sales have soared. But, if you’re one of the many people who still travel with multiple gadgets, having one less thing in your bag could come as sweet relief.

This article was originally published in the March 2015 issue of Popular Science, under the title “Tabtops? Laplets? We Love Them.”

Samsung ATIV Book 9

Samsung ATIV Book 9

Weight: 2.09 lbs
Price: $1,200
Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro

Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro

Weight: 2.62 lbs
Price: $1,300
Toshiba Portégé Z20T Ultrabook

Toshiba Portégé Z20T Ultrabook

Weight: 3.3 lbs
Price: $1,400
Dell Latitude 13 7000 Series 2-in-1

Dell Latitude 13 7000 Series 2-in-1

Weight: 3.67 lbs
Price: starts at $700

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See How Amazon’s Kindle Evolved Over Time https://www.popsci.com/evolution-kindle/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:27:50 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/evolution-kindle/
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2007 never seemed so long ago

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In 2007, Amazon released the first Kindle upon the world. For many, the Kindle was a welcomed gadget that allowed them to condense their unwieldy book collection into a single device with an ‘E-ink’ display that didn’t murder your eyes during a long bout with fiction. This first generation model wasn’t the prettiest gadget ever created, but it did what it set out to do: make reading easier.

A decade later, the Kindle Fire has become a pretty big competitor to the iPad, especially for people that are just interested in reading on their tablets while the regular Kindles own the e-reader market. However, it didn’t happen overnight. So, with the new Kindle Oasis on the way, let’s take a look back at how America’s favorite e-reader evolved to become the literary juggernaut it is today.

The original Amazon Kindle interface & device

The Original Kindle (2007)

Released on November 19, 2007, the very first Kindle had a squat, bulky white body with a full keyboard, and an E-ink display. Though it now looks rather dated compared to the sleeker, black models of today, the original Kindle is responsible for introducing the masses to ebooks.
Amazon Kindle 2 Interface from 2009

Kindle 2 (2009)

Two years after the original release, on February 23, 2009, Amazon came out with the Kindle 2, which added more storage and a better, more user-friendly design. However, the company was still all about the white body, something they would soon abandon for black. The good news was that they ditched the pointy shell for a rounded one.
Amazon Kindle DX Interface from 2010

Kindle DX (2010)

The original Kindle DX was released in 2009. It was basically a bigger version of the Kindle 2 with the ability to support PDFs and turn sideways. In 2010, the second generation DX was released (pictured above) that had a graphite body, which, besides boasting an aesthetically pleasing change, allowed people tob better see the words on their digital pages.
Amazon Kindle 3 Keyboard Interface & device

Kindle Keyboard (2010)

Also referred to as the Kindle 3, the Kindle keyboard was launched in August 2010. The new model had a better keyboard layout than previous iterations of the device. This is the last time Amazon released a gadget with so many buttons on it, which would soon allow for more screen space.
Amazon Kindle 4 Interface & Device from 2011

Kindle 4 (2011)

The Kindle 4 was released on September 28, 2011. The most notable thing about the 4 was it lack of physical buttons, which signified a shift to more touch screen capability. It weighed a bit less than previous models and could last about a month on one charge.
Amazon Kindle Fire device from 2011

Kindle Fire (2011)

To compete with all other tablets back in 2011, Amazon released the Fire on November 15. Instead of their traditional E-ink readers, the Fire was a step towards a full-blown tablet with all of the bells and whistles that were common back then. Though continues to attract those who don’t want an iPad, the Fire isn’t a true reader like the rest of the Kindle series despite the fact that the two share a name. Currently, the Fire series is on its 5th generation.
Gray Amazon Kindle Touch Interface & Device from 2011

Kindle Touch (2011)

Also released on November 15, 2011, the Touch offered the buttonless functionality of the Fire without the bright screen. It also had a bunch of wifi functions that Amazon was steadily getting better at creating. Basically, the releases in November 2011 offered two different, yet similar, directions for Amazon customers to take: the e-reader route or the tablet route.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 3 Interface & Device from 2015

Kindle Paperwhite 3rd Generation

Between 2012 and 2015, Amazon released three different generations of the Kindle Paperwhite (3rd generation pictured above), which added a backlight to the normal Kindle. This addition made reading in dim lighting a lot easier. Before the Paperwhite series, reading a Kindle in the dark or direct sunlight was a lot like playing an original Gameboy in the same conditions – everything sort of blurred together.
Amazon Kindle Voyager Interface & Device from 2014

Kindle Voyager

The Kindle Voyager was released on October 21, 2014. With a better contract ratio, the biggest addition added in the release was a backlight that automatically adjusted based on the person’s surroundings.
The new Amazon Kindle Oasis Interface & Device

Kindle Oasis

The new Kindle Oasis, which starts at $289, is the latest and greatest Kindle. It’s lopsided, ultra-thin design makes it ideal for users who like to read one-handed, which is also helped with buttons on the right hand side of the device. Time will tell how well the new design is received, especially given the relatively expensive starting price.

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Amazon’s new tablets are built for kids, productivity, and tight budgets https://www.popsci.com/story/gear/amazon-fire-kids-pro-tablet/ Tue, 27 Apr 2021 15:52:53 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/story/?p=361795
Kids using the Amazon Fire Kids Pro tablet
The Fire Kids Pro tablet can video call. Amazon

The Fire Kids Pro is rugged without looking like a toy.

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Kids using the Amazon Fire Kids Pro tablet
The Fire Kids Pro tablet can video call. Amazon

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It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new high-end tablet like Apple’s recently-refreshed iPad Pro lineup. But, those devices are overkill for the majority of people. Today, Amazon refreshed its lineup of budget-friendly tablets, which includes a new top-end model in the $150 Fire HD 10. Plus, the Fire Kids Pro line starts at just $99. 

Fire Kids Pro and Fire HD 10 Kids

Amazon Fire Kids Pro tablet
The Fire Kids Pro tablet doesn’t look as much like a toy. Amazon

Handing a pricy iPad to a small child is stressful. Even if they don’t break it, there’s a good chance they’ll hand it back to you covered in an impenetrable layer of sticky, unidentifiable crust. 

The new Fire Kids Pro tablet starts at just $99.99 for the 7-inch model, or $139.99 for the 8-inch version, or $199 for the 10-inch screen. The Fire Kids tablets typically have a very toy-like appearance with thick, colorful bezels. But, they’re for kids between the ages of 6 and 12. Once you get to the higher-end of that range, style becomes more important. 

The Fire Kids Pro tablets have a slimmed down protective case with a kickstand built into the back. It still comes with a two-year warranty against breakage. 

The Fire Kids Pro has access to an app store, which makes new software more accessible than previous models, which were locked down tight. Still, it adheres to Amazon’s robust parental controls, which many parents like and many kids hate. 

For kids who just want basic web browsing and media-consuming features, the low prices and lenient warranty policies make these very appealing. That’s especially true when Amazon drops prices even more during holiday sales like Black Friday and Prime Day. Just be sure to buy some wet wipes to clean the gunk off of them once in a while.

Fire HD 10 and Fire HD 10 Plus

A person using Amazon's Fire HD 10 tablet
Amazon is touting the improved productivity features with its new top-end tablet. Amazon

If you’re already familiar with Amazon’s Fire tablets, you shouldn’t expect a huge paradigm shift from previous models. According to Amazon, the new Fire HD 10 adds 50 percent more RAM (for a total of 3 GB). The entire device has slimmed down, and the bezels around the screen have shrunk. The 10.1-inch 1080p is now 10 percent brighter than the previous model as well. It still sports a 2.0 GHz eight-core processor, but Amazon hasn’t said what, if any, kind of performance boost it has gotten. 

For an extra $30, ($180 total), the Fire HD Plus cranks the RAM up to 4 GB and offers more premium finishes with a “soft touch.” More importantly, the upgrade includes wireless charging, which is compatible with any Qi certified charger. If you’re planning on giving one of these to a child or a student, that could save considerable wear and tear on the charging port, which often receives ample abuse. 

Both the Fire HD and Fire HD 10 Plus now support split screen apps, which allows people to use two programs at the same time. 

Overall, Amazon’s strategy hasn’t changed too much when it comes to the high-end portion of the Fire HD line. The company has slightly upped its efforts to make them more useful when it comes to productivity. Amazon now offers Productivity Bundles for both Fire HD 10 models, which includes a $50 detachable Bluetooth keyboard case and a year’s subscription to Microsoft Office 365. That still won’t give it the drawing capabilities you’d get with an iPad, or the Google compatibility that comes with a Chromebook. But, the Fire HD 10 does seem like a more reasonable secondary work machine than previous models. 

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The new Photoshop for iPad isn’t the best tablet photo-editing app https://www.popsci.com/adobe-photoshop-ipad-lightroom/ Wed, 06 Nov 2019 14:16:09 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/adobe-photoshop-ipad-lightroom/
Tablets photo

There's a lot to like about Lightroom, even with Photoshop's big move.

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Lightroom on iPad
The Lightroom app for iPad is impressively complete. This photo was shot on film and synced over to the iPad as a smart preview. Stan Horaczek

This week, Adobe introduced the first full version of Photoshop for the iPad. The initial release is missing some familiar features like the Pen Tool for drawing vector-based shapes, but the company has made it very clear that this is only the beginning. It’s an exciting prospect for those who want to do extensive retouching, serious illustration, or layer-intensive compositing without the need for a Wacom or similar tablet. But, if you’re just looking to do some photo editing, Adobe’s Lightroom app has been around for years and it’s still one of the best options around.

Lightroom is designed for photographers. The desktop version provides an end-to-end workflow that starts by helping you organize and tag your photos upon import. It has an extensive range of editing tools and preset options, and then you can export photos with settings that match your specific purpose. Just this week, Adobe announced that users can finally export images to TIFF files directly from Lightroom, which is another step toward making it an all-in-one solution.

While the desktop version is tried-and-true for many photographers, the app version still doesn’t get as much credit as it deserves. When you import photos from your camera or phone into the desktop version of Lightroom, it can create smart previews and sync the library up to the app, which allows you to edit across both platforms.

Lightroom uses non-destructive editing, which means it stores information about your edits separately from the image files themselves. In Photoshop, you can accidentally save over the original picture, whereas Lightroom forces you to export a new version of your photo with the edits applied.

This type of processing also makes it easy to sync edits across devices. You can make color, light, and other image adjustments using smaller, preview files on the iPad and then sync them back to the desktop to export full versions. Or, you can simply save images to your camera roll from the app itself.

Even if you don’t want to make your iPad a primary editing device, it comes in very handy for things like sorting through a huge collection of photos on the road, then syncing those selections back to the desktop version for final edits and exporting.

The shared Creative Cloud catalog between Lightroom versions isn’t perfect. You have to make sure to remember to sync your iPad over a fast connection before taking it on the road and it’s easy to get lazy about importing photos from the smartphone version of the App and making your catalog a bit messy. But, once you’re in the habit of keeping things organized, it’s one of the better examples of a platform working across three different devices.

Sadly, Adobe’s Creative Cloud storage plans aren’t exactly roomy, so space can be a limiting factor when it comes to syncing and keeping tons of images in your Creative Cloud library. But, Adobe’s new Photoshop app relies even more heavily on the cloud. It’s now using a new file format called PSDC to sync edits and app data about your files via the web. Hopefully, that will entice the company to improve some of its storage options down the road.

I’m looking forward to seeing what future versions of the Photoshop iPad app will be able to do, but for now, Lightroom handles most of what I need to do from a photography perspective. Like, with Photoshop, it still requires a Creative Cloud subscription, but its included in the $10 per month photography subscription, which is still a solid deal years after its debut.

On the desktop, there’s a lot of interplay between Lightroom and Photoshop, so it will be interesting to see how Adobe integrates the two as part of its total cross-platform solution. Right now, it’s simple to switch back and forth between the two sitting behind a computer—Lightroom handles the brightness and tonality adjustments, while Photoshop drills down into the retouching and cloning function. It’s not as simple on an iPhone or iPad, however, and switching involves repeated exporting and importing. But, as Adobe said, this version of Photoshop is just the beginning, so the dream of seamless end-to-end editing on the iPad may come to be down the line.

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The next iPad may get a Smart Keyboard with a built-in trackpad https://www.popsci.com/story/technology/ipad-keyboard-trackpad/ Fri, 28 Feb 2020 22:35:39 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/ipad-keyboard-trackpad/
Byrd smart keyboard
Byrd has this smart keyboard with a trackpad up for pre-order now, but an official Apple model may be coming down the road. Byrd

Catch up on the week’s biggest tech stories.

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Byrd smart keyboard
Byrd has this smart keyboard with a trackpad up for pre-order now, but an official Apple model may be coming down the road. Byrd

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The iPad has come a long way since its initial launch roughly a decade ago. It quickly outgrew early comparisons to being just “a big iPhone” and since then has been gaining popularity as a full-blown laptop replacement. Despite its popularity, it’s still oddly lacking in a few key spots. For instance, it just got mouse compatibility last year, and even then, that’s only as part of an accessibility mode and not a primary input method for everyday use.

This week, however, rumors popped up about a future keyboard accessory that would bring a laptop-like trackback to the updated iPad Pro when it debuts later this year. That would be a huge step for Apple that could change the way people interact with the device on the whole. Accessory-maker Byrd is already working on a keyboard with a trackpad, but first-party support would likely come with important software updates to make the whole thing work nicely together.

We won’t know for sure if it’s real until later this year, but the reaction to the rumor suggests there’s a lot of demand out there for this kind of accessory. Using my iPad with Apple’s Smart Keyboard, I often find myself reaching for a touchpad that isn’t there purely out of habit, so I’d be very interested on a personal level.

While all that is still (possibly) off into the future, there was plenty going on in the tech world this week. Here’s a quick look back at the biggest technology stories you may have missed while you were memorizing important coronavirus information and building up your totally reasonable supply kit just in case.

The Galaxy S20 Ultra camera got beat up in reviews

Samsung went all out on the cameras for its new flagship phone, but the reviews have not been kind. Most users complained about buggy autofocus that hunts for its subjects in a frustrating way, but others claim the image processing is too heavy-handed. It looks like Samsung is already working on some software updates to try and address the complaints.

The creator of the Konami Code died

Kazuhisa Hashimoto created one of the most iconic video games of all time. It unlocked great power in old school video games and holds an iconic place in the heart of gamers past a certain age. I personally know at least three people with it tattooed on their bodies and I never beat Contra without it.

We went to Toy Fair 2020

Baby Yoda
Baby Yoda is here. Stan Horaczek

While there was a lot of depressing news out in the world, we got to check out some of the coolest new toys coming out this year. We saw robots, board games, and of course, Baby Yoda.

Bell built a weird-looking helicopter

Tail rotors are essential to keep a helicopter flying correctly, but Bell’s latest bird replaces the typical rotor with a series of electric fans. Because they’re contained within the structure of the tail, they’re quieter and a lot less likely to cause a gruesome injury to someone who gets too close.

The Smithsonian added a pile of awesome images to its public database

More than 2.8 million high-res 2D and 3D images just made their way into the Smithsonian’s Open Access Online Platform. It includes a wide swath of scientific topics and they’re all covered by the Creative Commons license, so you can view and use them in a variety of ways. Picking through them is a great way to kill some time.

Fujifilm announced a sweet-looking new mirrorless camera

The X-T4 comes as the follow-up to the wildly popular X-T3 and it adds in-body images stabilization and longer battery life. Our sister publication, PopPhoto.com got an early chance to shoot with a pre-production model.

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A closer look at Samsung’s new gadgets, including the Note 10 smartphone and Galaxy Book S https://www.popsci.com/samsung-galaxy-note-10-tab-s6-watch/ Thu, 08 Aug 2019 21:31:16 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/samsung-galaxy-note-10-tab-s6-watch/
Phones photo

A new smartwatch, a high-end tablet, and a surprising laptop with a mobile chip.

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Phones photo

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10
The smaller Galaxy Note 10 is the same size as the largest iPhone. Stan Horaczek

Samsung makes a ton of gadgets and the company updated a wide swath of them this week. Those updates included its massive Galaxy Note 10 smartphone and a unique Windows 10 laptop with a mobile processor inside. Here’s a rundown of everything Samsung announced as well as a look at how it compares to competing products from other big manufacturers.

Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+

The key announcement from this week’s electronics onslaught comes in the form of the Note 10. You can take a more in-depth look at them here, but it’s worth noting that there are two different versions of the Note 10, which is a first for the line. Both employ the Snapdragon 855 processor, but the $949 Note 10 totes a 6.3-inch screen, while the $1,099 Note 10+ pushes all the way up to 6.8 inches, which makes it bigger than the largest iPhone, the XS Max with its 6.5-inch screen.

The Note 10+ also comes in a 5G variant, which will start at $1,299 and will work on Verizon’s ever-expanding 5G network if you happen to live in a place where it’s available. If you want access to 5G, Samsung now has two options, including the Note 10+ 5G and the S10 5G. There’s no current iPhone that supports the new faster network, and Sprint recently announced that it’s getting a 5G phone from OnePlus. Judging by the support in its handsets and the amount of time Samsung spent talking about 5G during the presentation, however, it’s clear that moving to the next-gen network is a priority for the company.

Samsung also used its new closer affiliation with Microsoft as a key talking point during the announcement. For instance, you can now use the Dex tech, which allows users to connect their phone to a computer (or just a monitor and keyboard) to get a more desktop-like experience. Windows users can now connect the Note 10 to a Windows 10 PC and perform integrated actions like making voice calls, sending texts, or browsing media. Many of these features sound familiar for users with both a Mac and an iPhone.

Both Google and Apple have upcoming announcements for the Pixel 4 and whatever the next iPhone is called, so we’ll have a complete picture of this high-end smartphone battle by the end of the fall.

Samsung Galaxy Book S

Galaxy Book S
The Galaxy Book S has a processor designed for mobile devices. Stan Horaczek

This 13-inch, LTE-connected laptop was one of the biggest surprises at Samsung’s announcement event on Wednesday. Skinny laptops are nothing new for the company, but this one uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx processor, which is essentially a chip for mobile devices. The device weighs a little more than two pounds and it has a 13.3-inch touchscreen display as well as a full keyboard. So, it’s built like a full-on laptop with tablet or smartphone guts.

While the Snapdragon chip may mean reduced processing power (it also has 8 GB RAM), Samsung says users will get 23 hours of battery life as a tradeoff for the $999 price tag. For $100 more, you could get a new MacBook Air, which adds a half-pound of weight, loses the touchscreen, and sacrifices in battery life. Of course, you’d also get double the RAM and a Core i5 processor that’s meant for a full-fledged computer.

Other PC options like the excellent Dell XPS 13 provide even more raw power, but that also comes at the cost of battery life and the ultraportable nature of a two-pound machine like the Galaxy Book S.

Galaxy Watch Active2

via GIPHY

Saying its name—the Watch Active2— is a workout in itself, but Samsung’s new fitness-oriented smartwatch makes some important updates to the previous model. Now there’s a touch-sensitive bezel around the round screen. Drag your finger around the edge to navigate menus, change settings, or switch faces quickly and simply. I tried it last night at the event and it works as you’d hope. It’s not quite the same as the physically rotating bezel from previous Samsung smartwatches, but it serves basically the same purpose and takes up less screen space.

Not all the features are totally ready yet. ECG functionality for close tracking of your heart rate won’t be live when the device launches, but the company expects to turn it on with a future software update, which was the same path Apple took with its Watch 4.

The Galaxy Watch Active2 comes in 40mm and 44mm case widths, which straddle the 42mm singular option of the previous model. And while Apple teamed up with Nike for its special-edition Watch, Samsung tapped Under Armour for its upgraded workout option. There’s not a ton of concrete info about the Under Armour edition the moment, but it will have a tight integration with the apparel company’s connected footwear.

Galaxy Tab S6

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
The Galaxy Tab S6 is Samsung’s updated iPad competitor. Stan Horaczek

Lastly, Samsung introduced its high-end tablet, the Galaxy Tab S6. it has a 10.5-inch AMOLED screen and it integrates tightly with the S Pen stylus Samsung bundles into the Galaxy Note smartphones. Like the Note 10, the Tab S6 works with the Dex platform for use with a keyboard and monitor (or as a companion to a Windows computer), but the company also offers a new keyboard case with a built-in trackpad to make using it more like a regular laptop.

As for its competition, Google has announced that it’s not making any more tablets, at least for the foreseeable future, so the closest comparison is likely the smaller iPad Pro. The 11-inch iPad Pro, however, starts at $799 compared to the slightly smaller Tab S6 at $649 to start. Samsung also includes the S Pen stylus, while you’ll have to shell out the extra $100 for an Apple Pencil with the iPad. As a tradeoff, the iPad offers more overall computing power and, of course, access to the new iPad OS coming down the line.

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Apple’s latest iPad Pro might be the laptop replacement you’ve been waiting for https://www.popsci.com/story/technology/apple-ipad-pro-laptop-replacement-touchpad/ Thu, 19 Mar 2020 13:01:50 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/apple-ipad-pro-laptop-replacement-touchpad/
Apple iPad Pro Magic Keyboard
Apple's new Magic Keyboard brings a trackpad to the iPad Pro. Apple

iPadOS 13.4 brings trackpad support with gestures to its new hardware.

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Apple iPad Pro Magic Keyboard
Apple's new Magic Keyboard brings a trackpad to the iPad Pro. Apple

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Apple has made it abundantly clear throughout the iPad’s decade of existence that it’s a touch-first device. It can replace a traditional computer in many ways—especially when attached to a keyboard—but you’re meant to poke and swipe at the screen without a mouse. With the release of the new iPad Pro and iPadOS 13.4, the iPad will fully support a mouse and the upcoming keyboard case even includes a touchpad much like the one you’d find on a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.

If you’re using the iPad almost exclusively as a tablet, this may not seem like the biggest deal. After all, wasn’t the point that you’re not supposed to have to use a mouse? But, for truly replacing a laptop, this is a leap.

Last year, the company introduced some basic mouse compatibility as part of its accessibility features, but it was only designed for specific use cases. With iPadOS 13.4, the company designed an entire mouse experience.

The cursor appears as a circle on the screen instead of they typical arrow you’re used to from a computer. Apple says this is to more closely mimic your actual finger moving across the display. The cursor recognizes objects on the screen and morphs to their shape as it approaches them. So, if it sees a button or clickable graphic, the cursor will change shape to make it clear what you’re about to click on.

When you’re not actively using the cursor, it will simply go away.

Apple iPad Pro cursor
Selecting and manipulating text and other objects should be much simpler with the new cursor design. Apple

Most of these features will work with an external mouse, but opting for the new Magic Keyboard adds the touchpad into the mix, which grants access to a variety of new gesture controls that will come in handy if you take the time to remember them.

You can pinch to zoom on the trackpad, obviously, and three-finger swipe up takes you back to your home screen. Three finger swiping side-to-side switches between open apps. Navigating to the bottom of the screen brings up the dock, just like it does on a Mac. It’s all very familiar, even if it’s new for this specific device.

In addition to its touchpad, the new Magic Keyboard also adds a hinge system that has its own USB-C for charging, which leaves the iPad Pro’s port open to connect accessories. The floating cantilever design gives will hold the iPad at whatever angle you find comfortable without having to rely on extra support from the back, which makes it feel more like a regular laptop instead of a tablet in a keyboard case. And, perhaps most importantly, the Magic Keyboard uses the new scissor key mechanism that’s more satisfying than typical iPad keys and more durable than the notoriously finicky butterfly keys, which the company had been using until recently.

There’s more to the new iPad than its keyboard case, of course. The LiDAR sensor uses the same basic tech that self-driving cars and some NASA crafts employ to build 3D models of their surroundings to help navigate their environment. That should be a boon for the device’s AR performance. The new faster processor should increase its overall performance.

Look for a full review soon.

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iPad Pro Review: Closer than ever to replacing your laptop https://www.popsci.com/story/technology/ipad-pro-magic-trackpad-review-laptop-replacement/ Wed, 25 Mar 2020 13:28:34 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/ipad-pro-magic-trackpad-review-laptop-replacement/
Apple iPad Pro review Lightroom.
Apps like Adobe's Lightroom still run smoothly on the iPad Pro. Stan Horaczek

A week spent reviewing the new iPad Pro with mouse support.

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Apple iPad Pro review Lightroom.
Apps like Adobe's Lightroom still run smoothly on the iPad Pro. Stan Horaczek

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I clicked into this window on the new iPad Pro using Apple’s Magic Trackpad. It seems like a small thing–I do it just about every day on a MacBook Pro. But, this isn’t a computer. Or it is a computer. Regardless of how Apple does or doesn’t market their tablet, I’ve been using the new iPad Pro as my main work machine for about a week now. And it’s closer to replacing a laptop than it ever has been.

From a hardware standpoint, the new iPad Pro isn’t wildly different from the previous version that debuted back in 2018. The processor has moved up from the A12X Bionic to the A12Z Bionic. As those cryptic but incremental names suggest, this isn’t a revolution in terms of silicon. In reality, though, it didn’t need much of a speed bump anyway. On the new iPad Pro, apps load quickly, intensive programs like Lightroom feel snappy, and it generally seems like it can handle whatever task you ask of it.

Mouse support

When it comes to usability, however, it’s the software that really changes the way you interact with the iPad Pro. The operating system—called iPadOS 13.4—now integrates full mouse support in the form of a shape-shifting cursor. The Magic Keyboard with an integrated touchpad is coming down the road, but for this review, I synced Apple’s Magic Touchpad meant for typical computers. Tap on the touchpad and a small circle appears to show you where you’re pointing. Get close enough to an icon or a button, and the cursor snaps over the object and takes on its shape.

It’s simple and natural when it works, which it does most of the time. There are still several places–including Safari–in which the new system is not totally integrated, but as it gets wider adoption, I can see myself getting extremely used to it.

Apple iPad Pro Apple Pencil
The iPad Pro and Pencil 2 are still a very excellent pair. Stan Horaczek

If you’re dealing with a lot of text, this really does make things a lot better. Some people have developed surgical accuracy when it comes to tapping in exactly the right spot to place a cursor in a document. I’m not one of them and, thankfully, the touchpad support has made selecting and manipulating text simpler.

The touchpad also helps with functions such as sliders and cropping in Lightroom. I’ll often release a slider or the corner of a cropping tool only to have it move slightly during separation. I didn’t get that with the touchpad, which translated into fewer instances of wanting to throw it across the room.

For now, the cursor is relegated to external input devices. You can hook up a mouse or a trackpad to take advantage of it. But, we won’t get the full effect until next month when Apple rolls out the swanky, $350 (for the 12.9-inch model) Magic Keyboard. It has an integrated touchpad in exactly the spot where I’ve accidentally tapped my desk expecting a touchpad when using the regular Smart Keyboard Folio.

In addition to its shape hanging tricks, the new mouse functionality also adds gesture control closer to what you’d find on a Mac laptop. Swipe up with three fingers to go home and swipe right with three fingers to switch between apps. Of course, you also get the two-finger natural scrolling, which Apple does far better than anyone at the moment.

LIDAR

There is, however, one major hardware update worth talking about: the new LIDAR sensor that lives inside the iPad Pro’s upgraded camera module. LIDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging, and it typically helps self-driving cars or rovers meant for other planets make 3D maps of their surroundings by sending out light and measuring how it bounces back. The iPad is doing something similar by creating intricate maps of the objects around it within a five-meter distance. It can then use that data to inform augmented-reality apps through ARKit 3.

Right now, there aren’t a ton of ways to really experience how much better AR is with the LIDAR sensor onboard the device. The native Measure app, however, takes full advantage of it. For the unfamiliar, Measure uses augmented reality to give you real world dimensions of physical objects, like a virtual ruler. It works…OK. It’s not something I’d trust for extremely accurate tasks, and that’s still true with the LIDAR-equipped version. It has, however, gotten a lot better and faster. The measurements seem more reliable, and pop up more quickly.

Apple says that AR app developers should notice an improvement in the performance of their apps without having to totally recode their software. But, there will be opportunities to specifically take advantage of some LIDAR functions.

Apple iPad Pro review
The Magic Trackpad will eventually give way to the upcoming Magic Keyboard, which has a built-in trackpad and arrives in May. Stan Horaczek

The rest of the features

Again, not a ton has changed here from a hardware standpoint, so if you’re familiar with the 2018 iPad Pro, picking this up will feel very similar.

Apple has revamped the microphones, which is a great addition for a Pro device. We also saw the company put a lot of emphasis on built-in mics for the latest MacBook Pro as well.

The battery truly does last all day, at least in the larger 12.9-inch model I’ve been trying out. I’ve put roughly 9 hours in on this device today and it still has 10 percent battery life despite some work in Lightroom.

Apple also says it has made some hardware changes to the thermal performance to keep the components cooler inside, It wasn’t specific about what exactly those changes are, but it stays cool to the touch even hinder heavy load.

Lastly, the screen is still gorgeous. It has a smooth-scrolilng 120 Hz refresh rate. The 240 Hz touch-sensing is extremely responsive. The maximum brightness is literally too bright for indoors and totally usable even outside.

Who should buy it?

This is where we run into the overly complex meaning of the phrase “pro” when it comes to gadgets. To be clear, the 11-inch iPad starts at $799 and the 12.9-inch model begins at $999. If you want the Magic Keyboard down the road, it will cost you an extra $300 or $350 depending on which size you get. And you’re going to want a Pencil 2, which tacks another $100 onto the bill. And while the base storage options have moved up from a paltry 64 GB to 128 GB, going beyond that is going to cost you. Storage of 256 GB costs an extra $100 and 512 GB will set you back an extra $300 over the base model. Going all the way up to 1 TB pushes the 12.9-inch model up to $1,499. That’s a lot of numbers to digest, but it’s simple to distill: It’s as expensive as a good laptop.

For pro creatives, it’s very useful as a secondary tool. As a photographer, I love it for editing individual photos, doing Lightroom sorts without having to worry about my laptop burning through its battery and, most importantly, showing people photos on the awesome screen. But, as a main workflow device, it’s not quite there yet because exporting and uploading images to various fulfillment sites is still tedious and unreliable.

For videography, it’s great for even some complex projects, but there’s still no Final Cut to help fully make the jump.

If you have a 2018 or later iPad pro, it’s not necessary to run out and upgrade right now unless you plan to get heavy into augmented reality. If you’re just answering emails, typing into docs, and watching Netflix, the Pro is a more-than-capable replacement for a laptop, but then again, so are the other, cheaper iPad models.

Ultimately, I was glad to get back to my laptop for my regular workdays, but the iPad feels more viable than ever as a complete replacement. I expect that will be even more applicable once the Smart Keyboard case lands in May.

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Amazon’s new $89 Kindle has everything most readers need https://www.popsci.com/amazon-kindle-review/ Wed, 10 Apr 2019 15:50:45 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/amazon-kindle-review/
Tablets photo

Just be careful if you read in the tub.

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Tablets photo

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Stan Horaczek

SEE IT

Setting up a new Amazon device feels like crawling deep into the corporate cocoon of the company’s media and retail platform. When you turn on the new $89 base-model Kindle, for instance, you indicate your time zone and wireless network as you’d expect, but then you get the sales pitches. Want a free trial of Audible to get some Audio books with your new book reading device? How about linking up your account with GoodReads, Amazon’s “social cataloging” site that lets you brag about your time spent consuming books? Then when you finally hit the homepage—ooh, fancy new books to buy for my new device.

For veteran Kindle owners who have owned—or at least used—multiple generations and variations of Amazon’s ubiquitous e-reader, all of that likely sounds like old news. But then, that’s not the target crowd for this gadget. The new $89 Kindle is a very capable entry-level device that saves you nearly 50 percent of the retail cost compared to the upgraded—and in many ways superior—Paperwhite. And if Amazon’s history of deep discounts on first-party gadgets continues, the new Kindle could dip even harder into impulse purchase territory. But, is it worth it?

Kindle
The front-lighting on the Kindle looks different than the backlight of an iPhone or an iPad. Stan Horaczek

Details

Purely from a hardware perspective, the new Kindle makes sense. It has a 167 pixels per inch resolution screen, which seems paltry compared to the 300ppi Paperwhite, but totally fine if you’re not directly comparing the two. The base model also now has Bluetooth for connecting wireless headphones and, for the first time, it’s self-illuminating with four LED front lights that shine on the screen. Storage is limited to 4 GB—there’s no option to upgrade—and it isn’t waterproof, so reading in the bath means taking extra care (or throwing it into a big sandwich baggie). It also doesn’t offer a version with cellular connectivity for downloading content when there’s no wi-fi available. It’s the stock Honda Civic of e-readers—straight forward, reliable, and simple.

If you read constantly, there are better options up the line. But, it makes total sense for users like me who aren’t constantly chewing through books because I’m off reading things on the web or basking in the golden age of television. I primarily read books through the Kindle app on my phone or my iPad, both of which are totally fine, but even an entry-level Kindle feels like an upgrade to that experience.

Amazon Kindle Review
The case costs $30 on its own, but it protects the screen and automatically wakes up the device when you open it. Stan Horaczek

Design

Set it on a table and it looks, well, like a Kindle. The crusade to kill all bezels—the fame around the screen that devices like smartphones and TVs work hard to eliminate—hasn’t reached the Kindle yet. The six-inch screen is recessed into the front of the device, so it’s not totally flat on its surface like the waterproof Paperwhite or top-end Kindle Oasis. I’d prefer a flush screen because it doesn’t leave an edge on which grime can collect, but I also kind of like the look because it emphasizes the fact that this isn’t a tablet or a smartphone.

I tested the new Kindle with its specifically-designed flip-open case, which closes with a sturdy magnet and makes the whole package easier to hold, even if the edges of the case are a little sharper than I’d like them to be for long reading sessions. The case’s $30 price seems a little steep for the case considering the actual electronic device is only $89, but it’s a more enjoyable user experience with it equipped.

Observations

If you’re used to the 300ppi screen on the Kindle Paperwhite, the base model is going to feel like a downgrade in terms of sharpness, but even with that lower resolution, it’s still preferable than reading on a backlit screen like a smartphone or a tablet.

The capacitive touchscreen controls aren’t blazing fast by smartphone standards, but I also don’t find myself digging into them all that often. I’m mostly turning pages and occasionally adjusting the backlight strength (more on that in a moment), which only takes a few pokes.

The Bluetooth functionality works well—it paired quickly and easily with two pairs of my wireless headphones. But, on an $89 device, it seems curious to leave a headphone jack out of the equation. Amazon boasts “weeks” of battery life for the Kindle, so requiring a pair of wireless headphones that can maybe last a full day to listen to Audible audiobooks is odd.

Kindle vs. iPhone
For general size comparison, here’s the Kindle and an iPhone 8 Plus on top of a 15-inch MacBook pro from 2014 that I refuse to replace. Stan Horaczek

About that screen illumination

This is the first base model Kindle that you can read in the dark without an exterior light. Unlike an iPad or a phone, the lights come from in front of the Kindle’s e-ink display rather than shining through it directly into your eyes. The bluish tint to the LED lights still isn’t optimal—blue light is more effective than other wavelengths at inhibiting melatonin production that you need for sleep—but you do get 24 selectable levels of illumination. Generally speaking, this kind of reflected light is still easier on your sleep schedule than a backlit screen directly frying your eyes, but you should still make an effort to keep the lighting as dim as you can without straining your eyes.

Should you buy it?

For $89, you’re getting an entry-level device, and for many people, that’s probably just fine. If I was going to buy a Kindle right now, I would likely upgrade to the Paperwhite mostly for the high-resolution screen and the fact that I love gadgets and couldn’t stand knowing that only $40 stood between me and a whole bunch of extra specs. But, it would be overkill. My book library is nowhere near 4 GB so I don’t need the extra storage. I don’t hang out by the pool, beach, or tub, so I don’t need it to be waterproof. It’s a lot better than the Kindle app. And next Prime Day, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it drop well below its already-cheap retail price so Amazon can sell boatloads of them.

If you’re thinking about splurging on a high-end e-reader in the Kindle Oasis, check out our review of that one here.

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Microsoft just revamped its cheapest and fanciest Surface devices https://www.popsci.com/story/technology/microsoft-surface-go-book-laptop-tablets/ Wed, 06 May 2020 19:58:13 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/microsoft-surface-go-book-laptop-tablets/
Surface Book 3.
The Surface Book Pro 3 is Microsoft's answer to high-end laptops like the MacBook Pro. Microsoft

The Surface Book 3 and the Surface Go 2 bring more power to the extremes of the lineup.

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Surface Book 3.
The Surface Book Pro 3 is Microsoft's answer to high-end laptops like the MacBook Pro. Microsoft

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Surface Go 2
New processor options give the Surface Go 2 more potential for power. Microsoft

The original Microsoft Surface Go was a big deal despite its relatively small $400 price tag. The entry-level tablet was somewhat underpowered for anything beyond basic computing tasks, but adding the $99 keyboard case turned it into a surprisingly capable little productivity machine complete with the touch-enabled features you’d expect out of a Surface product.

Today, Microsoft announced the Surface Go 2, which raises the ceiling on its tiniest Surface device. The screen area itself is now bigger, checking in at 10.5 inches, up from 10 inches before. The extra display real estate comes from a shrunken bezel.

The base model remains at $400 and comes with 64GB storage and 4GB RAM, as well as a somewhat paltry Pentium Gold 4425Y processor, which probably won’t create that much of a performance rift between the update and the previous model. If you’re willing to spend some extra cash, however, Microsoft will throw in an 8th-gen Core m3 processor. Combined with 8 GB RAM and 128GB of storage, that brings the price up to $630, but should increase performance considerably so you can be sloppy about the tabs you have open.

Surface Go 2
The Surface Go 2 doesn’t come with the keyboard case, which costs an extra $99. Microsoft

Climb further up the chain to the $780 and $880 models and you can add LTE connectivity. Once you get to that point, however, the device loses some of its entry-level charm since you’re paying as much as you would for a full-fledged laptop.

With schools suddenly forced to place even more emphasis on distance learning via digital devices, cheaper models will likely get more attention in the coming production cycles. Chromebooks still have a dominant position in the education market, but competition could increase if schools need to ramp up their arsenals of digital devices.

Surface Book 3

Surface Book 3.
The Surface Book Pro 3 is Microsoft’s answer to high-end laptops like the MacBook Pro. Microsoft

On the other end of the Surface spectrum, the new Surface Book 3 is Microsoft’s answer to higher-end laptops like the MacBook Pro. Microsoft’s machine still comes in two sizes, 13.5 inches and 15 inches. Now, however, both models tote vastly updated processors and GPUs to bring them up to current user expectations.

The 13.5-inch Surface Book 3 offers a Core i5 with integrated graphics, or an updated spec with an i7 processor and GeForce GTX 1650 graphics.

The 15-inch machine offers the same Core i7 processor, with the choice of a slightly upgraded GTX 1660 Ti or a considerably more powerful NVIDIA Quadra RTX 3000. That’s a serious upgrade over the previous generation Surface Book, but falls quite shy of the specs you’ll find in the current 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Surface Book 3 detatched
The Surface Book 3 uses the familiar design from the previous model. Microsoft

From a design side, however, Microsoft hasn’t changed much of anything. That has always been one of the Surface Book’s strong suits, including the sturdy hinge that’s extremely reliable and burly, but leaves a slightly annoying gap between the keyboard and the screen near the joint. The company also hasn’t changed the keyboard, which provides a generally excellent typing experience.

Headphones

Surface Buds
The Surface Buds integrate with Office365. Microsoft

It’s easy to forgive someone who forgot Microsoft even makes headphones in the first place. We first heard about the Surface Earbuds back in October, but they’re just now ready to hit the market. As a pleasant surprise, the original $250 promised price tag has now dropped down to $199 despite no changes in functionality. That makes them more expensive than Google’s new $179 Pixel Buds and Apple’s standard AirPods, but $50 cheaper than the AirPods Pro.

Microsoft hopes features like Office 365 integration—for dictating emails and documents—will entice users into the platform.

Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
The Surface Headphones 2 still employ the very nice rotating ear cup design to control volume and noise-cancellation. Microsoft

The Surface Headphones 2 haven’t changed much at all from what came before, but the price has dropped from $349 to $249 and now you get extra battery life, promising up to 20 hours of playback on a charge with the active noise cancellation engaged.

Developers conference

This kind of hardware typically arrives this time of year to coincide with Microsoft’s annual Build developers conference. Now, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the event will take place May 19th and 20th as a virtual event. We’ll likely hear more about the company’s software plans during that timeframe, so if you’re excited for Windows news, keep an eye out around that time.

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Tablet Newspaper ‘The Daily’ Is Folding https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2012-12/tablet-newspaper-daily-folding/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 16:00:49 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2012-12-tablet-newspaper-daily-folding/
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People had hopes “The Daily,” the once-a-day, tablet-exclusive newspaper from media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, would help bring publishing into the digital age. It had enough money behind it, but it wasn’t enough: the venture is folding. It’s hard to say exactly how this will affect media companies investing in tablet publishing, but it’ll definitely be something for them to consider. New York Times

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Google Has A Weird And Hilarious Voice-Synthesis Bug https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2013-01/google-has-weird-and-hilarious-voice-recognition-bug/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:15:57 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2013-01-google-has-weird-and-hilarious-voice-recognition-bug/
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Dan Nosowitz

"He now praises the iPad."

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Dan Nosowitz

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Android Issue Page

We love Google Now, but we couldn’t help but get a laugh out of this glitch reported for Android: ask your phone, “What is a giraffe?” and it’ll inexplicably say “he now praises the iPad.”

But you don’t have to be using Google Now to see the problem. Head over to Google Translate and type in “end with,” and you’ll get the same “he now praises the iPad” when you click the audio button on the left. Apparently, putting a dee sound before the word “with” triggers it.

One Foot Tsunami explains how text from this random article was somehow used as the voice source text. Type “filled with” into Google Translate, and you’ll get the full snippet: “filled with ‘so much drama,’ he now praises the iPad.”

This will probably be fixed soon, so enjoy it while it lasts, everyone.

One Foot Tsunami

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Flexible, Paper-Like Tablet Computers Work Together To Make Computing More Like Shuffling Papers https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2013-01/flexible-paper-tablet-computers-work-together-make-computing-more-shuffling-papers/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 17:37:39 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2013-01-flexible-paper-tablet-computers-work-together-make-computing-more-shuffling-papers/
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Human Media Lab

But in a good way.

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Human Media Lab

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There’s a lot of consumer electronics news flooding out of CES in Las Vegas this week, but one of the more interesting technology stories we’re seeing is trickling out of Ontario, Canada, where Queen’s University researchers working with partners in the UK as well as at Intel Labs and Plastic Logic have developed a tablet computer that is both paper-thin and flexible. And while we’ve seen concept prototypes for flexible e-ink screens and the like previously, what’s most intriguing about the so-called PaperTab is the user interface.

The idea behind PaperTab isn’t to make your iPad flexible, but to rethink the way we use tablet computers–and to make them more like the actual pieces of paper we shuffle around our desks. Designed to work in clusters of up to ten tablets, the user can control various screens at once, with one or more PaperTabs for each app in use. So you can have several documents or apps running at once and work across several PaperTabs to execute tasks while moving things around between them. You can use several together to make a larger PaperTab display, or shuffle them around like you would actual paper documents. Touch two PaperTabs together and you can swap data between them (this is all far better explained in the video below).

Rather than relying on buttons or swipe gestures, PaperTabs respond to the flexing of the actual screen in certain ways–bend the right side of the display to page forward and the left side to page backward, for instance. And while it feels like this might be easier to master in theory than in practice, the folks in the video demo make it look pretty simple. But the point is, PaperTabs create a really interesting workflow–something like taking the various windows on your PC desktop and breaking them out on your physical desktop while retaining the ability to quickly move data and programs around from page to page. Figure out how to untether these things from those unsightly cords (they’ll need a paper-thin, flexible battery) and this Queen’s U. team might be onto something here–if not a consumer product just yet, at least a very cool interface idea.

Human Media Lab

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Apple Goes Small At Today’s Announcement With iPad Mini https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2012-10/apple-goes-small-todays-announcement-updating-live/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 16:39:38 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2012-10-apple-goes-small-todays-announcement-updating-live/
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Today in California, Apple goes smaller. The new, 7.9-inch iPad Mini, super thin iMacs, more powerful Mac Mini, and a shinier MacBook Pro. Check back for updates!

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Alright folks, event over. Here’s what we learned:

iPad Mini

Just as expected, pretty much! Super thin–just 7.2mm (about the thickness of a pencil)–and light, at 0.68 pounds, which Phil Schiller of Apple compares to a pad of paper. Aluminum, black and white colors, just like the iPhone 5. 7.9-inch screen, pretty close to the 7.85-inch we had assumed. Or maybe Apple’s just rounding up! Apple’s talking about total screen area, and how the wider screen will make the iPad Mini easier to use for stuff like web browsing than a 7-inch Android tablet. It’s a valid point; I noted in my Nexus 7 review that web browsing is very cramped on such a narrow screen. It’ll also have two webcams, LTE 4G support, that new tiny Lightning plug, and a 10-hour battery life.

And the price: Starting at $329 for the 16GB, Wi-Fi-only iPad Mini. They increase in price from there in the normal way: add $100 for 32GB of storage, another $100 for 64GB, and a flat $130 for 4G LTE. It’ll start shipping on Friday, which probably not coincidentally is also the launch date for Microsoft’s Windows 8.

Other Stuff

They’ve also updated the full-sized iPad, only six months after it debuted. It’s updated with a faster processor, called the A6X, and has that new thin Lightning connector. That seems to be about the only difference.

Live event aside: Apple has now played a weird fake cover version of “Age of Consent” by New Order twice. Unclear why they didn’t get the real (great) song. Okay back to the news.

Apple also announced a refresh of most of the Mac line. Most exciting: a new, much thinner iMac. It is absurdly thin! Only 5mm at the edges (its thinnest point). Looks more like a giant iPad on a stand than anything else. It takes a lot of cues from the MacBook Air, too: comes by default with no optical drive and with a solid-state drive rather than a hard drive, though you can still get a hard drive or a new “fusion drive,” which has both SSD and HDD. 21.5-inch and 27-inch sizes, $1300 and $1800 starting prices respectively.

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Super Thin iMac

Apple also announced a new, smaller MacBook Pro with Retina Display. It almost feels late; the 15-inch MacBook Pro got updated to the retina display a few months ago, but the 13-inch was left out. Not anymore! It’ll start at $1700, though as it has integrated graphics, it may not be of interest to people who really mess around with video.

Then there’s a spec bump for the new Mac Mini. Dual- or quad-core i5 or i7 Ivy Bridge processors, up to 16GB of RAM, and the base model (2.5 GHz quad-core i5, 4GB of RAM, 500GB hard drive) runs only $500.

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Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Review: Read Books, At Night https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2012-10/amazon-kindle-paperwhite-review-read-books-night/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 17:50:28 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2012-10-amazon-kindle-paperwhite-review-read-books-night/
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Dan Bracaglia

Ha ha ha! No need for that stupid sun anymore: the new Kindle is illuminated with a front-lit screen.

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Dan Bracaglia

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The Kindle has, since its second generation or so, been pretty much the easiest recommendation in tech. The new one, called the Kindle Paperwhite, is predictably great–though not perfect.

WHAT’S NEW

The Paperwhite is pretty similar to the Kindle Touch, with a few major and several minor changes. First, it’s got a new skin: a matte black body to replace the Touch’s grey. (It looks much better.) The semi-confusing home button on the Touch (a bunch of horizontal lines) has been eliminated, and in its place is just the word “Kindle”–it’s no longer a button at all. The Kindle’s OS has also been revamped–though it’s still greyscale by necessity (electrophoretic screens do not do well with color), navigation is much more tablet-like, with swiping gestures and large thumbnail icons of your books. The audio function is gone; no more speakers, no more headphone jack. And it has, oddly, half the storage of the Touch, at only 2GB. (To be fair, that’ll still hold over a thousand books.)

But the big change? Light. Like Barnes & Noble’s earlier and somehow even more awkwardly-named Nook Simple Touch With Glowlight, the new Kindle has a front-lit panel that illuminates with a soft, pleasantly greyish glow.

WHAT’S GOOD

Almost everything! The Kindle is still just about the best reading experience you can have; it’s easy (almost too easy) to buy books, the E Ink screen is better on the eyes than any tablet, the hardware is small and easily operational with one hand (great for subway riders). The battery life is still absurd; I don’t think I’ve ever managed to drain a Kindle fast enough to actually remark on it in a review, since the battery life can last a month or longer. I especially like the touchscreen for navigation–it’s easier to select books, change settings, and shop with the touchscreen, compared with the directional pad in the non-touch versions.

The glowing front-light is awesome. It automatically detects when it should come on, and has 24 levels for adjustable brightness. The glow is much easier on the eyes than even the dimmest setting on a tablet like the Kindle Fire, and the fact that it’s built-in means you never have to worry about having enough light (or carrying a bulky/expensive case with a light in it).

I really like the new OS, too–it’s great to have your books arranged by cover, rather than just a list. Plus there’s a new “X-Ray” feature that’s really cool–tap it while reading and it gives you a breakdown of characters and terms on the page, in the chapter, and in the whole book. Tap any of the terms (in the John Jeremiah Sullivan story I’m reading, terms include “Indiana,” “MTV,” and “Bon Jovi”) and it’ll give you a definition from Wikipedia and where in the book the term appears.

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Kindle Paperwhite’s X-Ray

WHAT’S BAD

I miss the old page-turn buttons. For a lot more on why that matters, read this, but suffice to say, I think page-turn buttons offer a much better reading experience than turning pages with a touchscreen.

The Kindle Paperwhite’s electrophoretic screen is mostly very good, but I’m still not thrilled with the sporadic refresh of the screen. See, the electrophoretic screen isn’t like a normal LCD, where you can have individual pixels display any color you want–it’s more like an Othello board, where each pixel is a physical thing (dye suspended in oil, basically) that flips when electrically triggered. To do a full refresh, which takes maybe a full second, you have to make the entire screen go black before displaying whatever you want it to do–it looks like the screen blinks at you, and then the background is perfectly off-white and the text perfectly off-black, like a just-shaken Etch-a-Sketch. The old Kindles used to do that every time you turned a page, but to save a split-second of time, the newer ones just flip the little Othello-like pixels as needed, and only fully refresh about every five page-turns. That leaves a little bit of an echo of the previous page’s text in the background of the screen–sort of like holding a sheet of paper printed on both sides up to the light. It’s not that bad, really–the Kindle is always totally readable, and indeed the text is crisper than on any other ebook reader, including past Kindles–but it can sometimes be a little distracting.

The new Kindle also doesn’t ship with a USB-AC adapter. You can charge the Kindle through your computer, or buy one from Amazon for $10, or use any of the other USB-AC adapters you probably have lying around your house.

THE PRICE

There’s a Wi-Fi-only model and a 3G model, and both are available either with or without ads. The Wi-Fi-only is either $119 or $139, while the 3G model is $179 or $199. I really like having 3G, but it has limited use and is a lot pricier, so I’d recommend the cheapest model. It’s very cheap.

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Kindle Paperwhite

THE VERDICT

Love Kindle. Love Amazon’s Kindle store, love the reading experience, love the Paperlight front-lit display. Love the hardware. Don’t love being forced to use a touchscreen. If you don’t have a Kindle, buy this one. I’m not sure it’s worth upgrading from an older Kindle, but hey, it’s your money, I’m not going to tell you how to spend it. It’s a real nice gadget, you’ll like it.

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5 Reasons Why The Kindle’s Touchscreen Is Worse Than Buttons https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2012-10/keep-your-touchscreen-away-my-kindle/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 17:16:12 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2012-10-keep-your-touchscreen-away-my-kindle/
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Dan Bracaglia

The newest Kindle is great! But touchscreens on ebook readers have serious problems. Not everything has to be a touchscreen, okay?

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Dan Bracaglia

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To get it out of the way: Kindle rules. But, Amazon’s flagship Kindle, now the Kindle Paperwhite, continues a trend that very much does not rule: forcing us all to use a touchscreen to navigate an ebook. That is wrong! It doesn’t mean Kindle is a bad product–it still rules–but it could rule more, and we want it to rule more.

98% of your time with a Kindle is spent reading a book, rather than shopping or browsing or adjusting settings or whatever, which means the vast majority of your navigation is two commands: page-forward and page-back. The touchscreen is great for everything except for those two commands–it’s much faster to select items in a list, for example, by tapping what you want rather than pressing the “down” arrow past all the things you don’t want. It’s also much easier to type in the on-screen keyboard. But having a touchscreen as the only option doesn’t make sense: why would you opt for a control scheme that’s great for the stuff you do rarely, and not great for the stuff you do all the time?

Here’s why touchscreens are not great for ebook readers:

It’s slower: This is a nitpick, but this entire article is a nitpick about a product I really think is great, so, you know, onwards! It is slower to operate a touchscreen than to press a button. That’s one thing that’s not thought about in the transition from paper to E Ink: turning a page takes much longer than pressing the “next page” button. Cool! Faster reading. But the touchscreen is also slower than a button. The old page-turn buttons are on the bezel around the screen, so your thumb falls naturally on them. You don’t have to move your thumb laterally at all to turn a page; you just apply a tiny amount of force. But with a touchscreen, you have to move your thumb from the bezel to the screen, then either tap or execute and even longer page-turn gesture by swiping. Slower = worse.

Off-balance: Going along with the speed problem: moving your thumb means lessening the strength of your grip on the Kindle. On a bumpy subway ride, you don’t want to be delicately balancing a $180 object on your fingers while your thumb gropes for the “next page” touch zone. You especially don’t want to have to do that every minute, every single time you read a book.

Accidental press: After I transfer trains on my commute to work, touchscreen Kindle in hand, I sometimes look at the Kindle and realize I’m no longer on the same page I was when I stopped reading. Your hand brushes it, some drunk guy elbows it, whatever–that’s a page turn. It’s much easier to accidentally touch any part of the screen than to press a slim button on the bezel of a device. And there’s no way to lock the screen to avoid that, because there’s no other navigation at all: if you locked the screen, you couldn’t do anything.

Here's how you turn pages on a tablet (this is the Google Nexus 7): See how the next page sticks to your finger as you drag it onto the screen? That's why the right-to-left swipe makes sense as a page-turning command on a tablet.

Turning Pages

Here’s how you turn pages on a tablet (this is the Google Nexus 7): See how the next page sticks to your finger as you drag it onto the screen? That’s why the right-to-left swipe makes sense as a page-turning command on a tablet.

Blind gestures Swiping to turn pages works fine if you’re used to reading on a tablet, but I (and many other people) am not, so it feels weird. The left-to-right and right-to-left swipe works on tablets because you can see the next or previous page as you drag it onto the screen. There’s a sense of progress: you can see the new page appearing, stuck to your thumb, taking over the screen. On the Kindle, you can’t see this happening, which makes that a blind gesture, a gesture which you perform and sit back and hope it works. It co-opts a familiar gesture, but its hardware can’t replicate the sensation that makes that gesture make sense. Blind gestures: bad!

Tapping is hard: One of the great things about the Kindle is one-handed navigation, but it’s much harder to do when you have to tap wholly different parts of the screen to navigate. If you hold the Kindle Paperwhite with your left hand, to go forward by swiping (nope! Blind gesture!) or by stretching your thumb into the middle of the screen, because tapping the left-hand side makes you go back a page. It’s easier when holding the device in your right hand, unless you want to go back a page, in which case you have to stretch allllll the way over to the left-hand side. Awkward!

What grates is that the choice between touchscreen and buttons isn’t a choice Amazon has to make. Usually I’m not in favor of having too many ways to do the same thing–it’s my major beef with Android–but in this case I think it’s essential. Barnes & Noble’s flagship Nook, the Nook Simple Touch With Glowlight, keeps the page-turn buttons alongside the touchscreen. Buttons for turning pages, touchscreen for everything else. Perfect!

I don’t want to suggest that the Kindle Paperwhite is a non-great product (we’ll have a review up later this afternoon, and, um, spoiler, but it’s great). The touchscreen problem should not stop you from buying a Kindle. This is a plea to Amazon: your cool thing could be a cooler thing. Make it cooler, please!

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Apple Updates iPad Pro With Smaller 9.7-Inch Option https://www.popsci.com/ipad-pro-updated-with-smaller-option/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:06:16 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/ipad-pro-updated-with-smaller-option/
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Apple lifts veil off smaller pro tablet

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Apple has shrunk the size of its iPad Pro from 12.9 inches down to 9.7 inches to pull in customers who prefer the original iPad dimensions, but everything else on board is bigger, better, and more powerful.

The new 9.7-inch Retina display is the classic size most recently seen in iPad Air 2. It’s a large enough display to get your work done, but small enough to carry around wherever you go.

Apple knows 9.7 inches is the optimum size for a lot of customers. After all, they’ve sold over 200 million 9.7 inch iPads in total, and they expect this to be part of that community.

“They’ll all see that it is their ultimate upgrade,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of marketing.

Apple pointed to a statistic that says there are currently 600 million PCs over 5 years old, suggesting it’s time for a replacement.

It has the same display technology–40 percent less reflective and 25 percent brighter than an iPad Air 2. Its color saturation is also 25 percent better, and works with night shift (though that may be counterintuitive for all the professional graphic designers out there).

The new features of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro.
The new features of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro. Screenshot

Keeping designers in mind though, a new feature matches screen tone to environmental lighting. Two new four-channel ambient light sensors measure the light temperature of the environment, and matches the display images to the environment–wherever you go. That means warmer colors indoors and more blue light in the sun.

It puts out twice the audio volume as the Air 2, and the new A9X chip delivers about 500 gigaflops of power (a little more than an Xbox 360), and great rendering.

Apple says the new iPad Pro is ideal for photo and video work. It has a 5 megapixel front camera, 12mp in the back, 4K video, and Retina Flash.

Oh, and it supports Pencil, of course.

The iPad Pro 9.7 weighs less than 1 lb., and comes in three storage sizes: 32GB $599 and 128 for $749, and a massive 256GB version for $899.

It all ships March 31.

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Amazon’s New Kindles Include Tablets, Insanely Cheap Prices https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2012-09/amazons-new-kindles-include-tablets-insanely-cheap-prices/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 19:48:59 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2012-09-amazons-new-kindles-include-tablets-insanely-cheap-prices/
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Amazon presented its new Kindle lineup in Los Angeles today, and there are a whole bunch of new rectangles for you to read and watch and work and play on, which I’ll get into after the jump. But the big news, the thing that we didn’t expect and which seems crazy, is that the new Kindle Fire HD With 4G LTE (I swear, that’s its real name) offers a full year of 4G LTE service for $50. Fifty bucks. That’s about $4.17 per month.

So, first, the new hardware. There’s now a backlit Kindle, just like the Nook Simple Touch With Glowlight. Like the Nook Etc With Etc, the backlit Kindle has an appended name–Paperwhite. This kind of backlighting is great–it glows softly for nighttime or low-light use but it’s still a good old electrophoretic (E-Ink) screen, so when it’s daylight, it’s easy on the eyes. That’ll cost $119 for the Wi-Fi-only model and $179 for the 3G. The screen itself has been upgraded; it’s sharper and turns pages faster. The cheapie Kindle, which we love (and we were namechecked loving it! Thanks, Bezos), is even cheaper at $69, and has the new screen (though no backlight).

Then there’s the Kindle Fire. Last year’s Kindle Fire was updated with some better hardware and a lower price, at $159. There’s a new 7-inch model called the Kindle Fire HD, with a better screen, better processor, double the storage (it’s now 16GB), all that stuff, at $199. And there’s a big boy, an 8.9-inch tablet also known as the Kindle Fire HD, I think. It’s squarely aimed at the iPad–Amazon is touting the quality of the screen, the responsiveness of the apps, all that stuff. There are even some cool ideas, like X-Ray, which lets you tap on the screen while in the middle of all kinds of apps to get more information. Click on an actor’s face while watching a movie and it’ll take you to their IMDb page, for example. Pretty sweet! The Wi-Fi-only, 16GB model will cost $299.

The 8.9-incher also has a 4G model, which’ll cost $50 a year for 250MB per month. That’s not a lot of data, but it’s also really not a lot of money. It’ll also have a bunch of cloud storage and a $10 app store credit. That one’ll run $499, and given that it has 32GB of storage and 4G, it’s waaaay cheaper than the equivalent iPad.

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How Much Porn Can You Buy For Your Kindle? https://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2013-03/how-much-porn-can-you-buy-your-kindle/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 17:47:06 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/technology-article-2013-03-how-much-porn-can-you-buy-your-kindle/
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Dreamstime

Quite a lot, apparently. But do you really want to look at nudie pics on a 6-inch, electrophoretic, black-and-white screen?

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The porn industry has always been on the forefront of technological progress, pushing us into the world of video chat, streaming media, broadband access and online payment systems. It appears they’re also getting into the e-book business.

Both Amazon and Barnes & Noble have clear content policies against porn in self-published titles, and Amazon employs both automated and human filters to keep sexxy content out of their marketplace. Yet porn is flourishing on both sites.

A quick search for “erotica” in the Kindle Store brings up 400 pages worth of titles, despite the fact that Amazon refuses to oblige me by autofilling the search bar. Those books range from poorly-written short erotica to pages of low-resolution still images, both often snagged from easily available sources around the internet. It gets us wondering–it might be tricky to navigate the porn world on an E-Ink Kindle, but it’s very easy to do on a smartphone or a tablet. So who’s actually buying six pages of misspelled erotica for the train ride to work? Especially when they’re often as algorithmically-composed as a @Horse_ebooks tweet?

CNET has the down-low on Amazon’s dirty self-published secret:

A disruptor of the traditional publishing platform, Amazon makes it easy for authors, illustrators, and photographers to sell their content without the discouragement, or the discerning eye, of an editor or publisher. The company has propelled the rise of e-books, a medium that’s growing as interest in paper books decline.

This has created an opportunity for peddlers of e-book smut. These self-publishers aren’t established pornographers, for sure; they can’t be found via online searches or in business directories. And it’s hard to imagine their titles — like the 99-cent “Wife Pictures: XXX So Hot And Sweet To Turn You On,” which an Amazon reviewer described as a “scrapbook of random Internet women” — ever reaching anything near Jenna Jameson scale.

Sounds like the perfect content to download over something called the “Whispernet.”

CNET

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Apple’s 9.7-Inch iPad Pro Is A Sight For Sore Eyes https://www.popsci.com/ipad-pro-2016-specs-review/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 19:54:37 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/ipad-pro-2016-specs-review/
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Smaller, but in prime form

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iPad Pro

iPad Pro 9.7-Inch Model

The new 9.7-inch iPad Pro is the one all Apple tablet buyers should consider

Apple took the stage in late March to introduce two new major products: the iPhone SE and a smaller version of its iPad Pro. The iPhone SE is everything fans of small phones have asked for—the guts of Apple’s latest iPhone 6S in the shape and size of 2013’s iPhone 5S—and will likely sell accordingly. But users are usually less compelled to replace their tablets, meaning the newly released 9.7-inch iPad Pro may still not sell well. That could be the case even though the new smaller iPad Pro is the spiritual successor to the iPad Air 2, and it is now undoubtedly Apple’s flagship tablet product. Still, it packs lots of excellent features from its 12.9-inch sibling — the original iPad Pro, released last fall— into a smaller, lighter, and more compact frame.

More Of The Same, With A Few Differences

The newest iPad Pro (which doesn’t have a differentiating surname) offers the experience you’d expect from an iPad in 2016. Users of iCloud will see their iPhone contacts, calendar data, reminders, texts, and more sync up with devices in which they’re logged in. Users can still expect Apple’s 2048×1536 (264 pixels per inch) “Retina” screen that makes it hard to discern pixels, a camera for taking photos and a fingerprint sensor home button for privacy. But there are some additions that separate the new iPad Pro from the identically sized iPad Air 2.

The easiest way to tell if the iPad you’re holding is one of Apple’s “Pro” models is if the company’s smart connector can be found on the side. Exactly where Apple’s Smart Cover magnetically attaches on the side of the iPad, Cupertino offers a more costly cover that acts as a smart cover and keyboard. Apple now offers one of these for each size of the iPad Pro; the connector port can be used by third-party manufacturers for extensions in the future.

iPad Pro

iPad Pro & smart keyboard

The smart keyboard folded back isn’t much thicker than a regular smart cover. It’s a noticeable difference, but overall still portable

The Microsoft Office apps that ship with new iPad Pro units make good use of the Apple Smart Keyboard and the supported Pencil stylus, but you probably use Google Docs for everything anyway. The keyboard works within browsers and other apps too.

The Pro includes the addition of two more speakers on top of the unit. This allows for a stereo speaker experience even when the device is rotated. The iPad changes which speakers play what based on how you’re holding the device. And support for the Apple Pencil means stylus lovers can snap up the company’s $99 first-party option, if they so please. But for a device that’s all screen, one of the more interesting additions to the 9.7-inch iPad is in the display: a clever coloring trick called True Tone.

True Tone Makes The iPad A Chameleon…Kind Of

The release of iOS 9.3 brought iDevice users Night Shift. Like f.lux before it, Apple’s version, Night Shift, gives the screen a more orange hue at night time, instead of the bluish color it usually gives off. This change is easier on the eyes in the late hours of the day and may even offer sleep benefits. Apple is taking onscreen color adjustments a step further with True Tone.

Mimicking how physical pages appear, the new iPad Pro has added sensors to take in ambient light information. Depending on if you’re reading outside under a cloudless sky or indoors under fluorescent bulbs, for example, the screen tints accordingly to match your surroundings—whites appear more blue when outdoors and more yellow under indoor lighting. The effect is generally a subtle one–unless you’re in a car next to a window, constantly seeing switches in lighting when you pass under shade or by a building.

The effect of reading on the iPad’s screen with True Tone is enjoyable, and after you get used to it, it makes using an iOS without it slightly jarring. Is it “better”? At least some scientific research holds that Night Shift could be good for one’s sleep patterns, but True Tone is much more a matter of preference. Subjectively, Apple calls it a more natural experience, and I tend to agree. The effect will almost certainly make its way to future iOS devices and perhaps make older devices feel like you’re reading on a blue light.

iPad Pro speakers

iPad Pro Speakers

The iPad Pro contains four speakers: not just two on the bottom but two at the top as well.

Speakers

The iPad Pro won’t be winning any awards for its speaker prowess, when compared to soundbars with subwoofers and surround sound systems. But the smaller iPad Pro takes after its older sibling and gains two more speakers on the top and bottom of the unit. And they get loud.

The iPad Pro reaches higher volumes than the other iPads with half as many speaker grilles. And lower lows are achieved, giving deeper bass in many songs. But you’ll still want to connect the iPad to external speakers if you plan on throwing a party or want music booming throughout the whole house. And you still can connect to those other speakers using Bluetooth, wi-fi, or the traditional 3.5mm analog jack or the Lightning port—depending on the stereo unit. Amid rumors of Apple slicing the headphone port from the iPhone 7, the iPad Pro still has a jack.

iPad Pro stylus

iPad Pro Styluses

The Apple Pencil brings software integration not seen in other styluses like FiftyThree’s Pencil I or my homemade stylus. But other styluses have some tricks up their sleeve as well

Pencil Support

Apple introduced the Pencil alongside the original iPad Pro—even after Steve Jobs had declared that if your touch OS needed a stylus, you blew it. But even Cupertino realized the importance of a pen input when it comes to certain tasks. Drawing on the iPad can happen with one’s finger, but it’s not ideal. And thus the Pencil was born.

Many iOS styluses came to the iPad before Apple’s first-party solution, even ones named Pencil. But, as one would expect with Apple, only the first-party solution ties in with software to provide a better experience.

Pairing the Pencil requires plugging it into the iPad’s Lightning port. Once paired, the stylus offers features like palm rejection–which allows you to rest the side of your palm on the screen while you write, as you would physical paper–as well as tilting the stylus to shade inside drawing apps. But don’t attempt to press firmly for a darker sketch—without 3D Touch, you’ll only be pushing on your screen in inhumane, ineffective ways.

In Adobe’s Draw and Sketch apps, Pencil worked as expected. Even in apps like FiftyThree’s Paper illustration app, Pencil worked as promised, even when the third-party Pencil product was connected too. Unlike FiftyThree’s Pencil stylus, turning the stylus over to erase—which I found myself trying to do often– was not an option.

Charging Apple’s Pencil only sucked up 2 percent battery life from the tablet when plugged into the iPad’s Lightning port, and took around half an hour to charge fully. You just have to deal with your iPad looking like a narwhal for 30 minutes.

At $99, the Apple Pencil is expensive. But as the official stylus for the iPad, it gains access to features other styluses can’t. You may want to buy this only if you see yourself drawing on the iPad often. Note-takers and annotators can skip paying the premium.

iPad Pro plus new smart keyboard

iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard

Apple’s made a smaller Smart Keyboard that attaches to the iPad Pro 9.7-inch’s smart connector on the side

Smart Keyboard

Apple’s revamped its Smart Keyboard tablet attachment for the smaller iPad Pro. Many cried “Microsoft” when the original smart cover/keyboard hybrid was announced alongside the original iPad Pro in fall 2015.

And there are some parallels. Similar to the Microsoft Surface line of devices, Apple’s Smart Keyboard cover doubles as a QWERTY keyboard that allows for laptop-replacement-like functionality. Those interested in word processing and handling emails could find use in the tablet attachment. iPad users wanting to do anything more nuanced with their keyboard may have a harder time.

Really intensive tasks that one would associate with a computer like Photoshop or video editing can be done on the touchscreen using software like Pixelmator, Adobe Premiere for iOS or one of Apple’s media editors. But it’s hard to consider the iPad as a desktop replacement when the iPad lacks the ability to do a few key desktop-PC things. Doing hard work usually consists of having dozens of tabs open which, on Safari on the iPad, is too distractingly hectic to be useful. And then switching between those dozens of tabs and using another app in tandem with your web browser, or three apps or four. Using two apps side by side is doable, thanks to a split-screen view. But any more than two and you’ll find yourself double tapping the home button a lot.

The keyboard offers more travel than Apple’s latest 12-inch Macbook, but still leaves a bit to be desired. And the sizing of each individual key is smaller than on Cupertino’s latest notebook. I’d hoped the surface area of each letter would stay consistent across all Apple-designed keyboards. The company notes that the design of the keyboard cover means foods or liquids can’t spill in between the keys, since the design is all one piece of material. And Command-Tab functionality allows you to switch between apps quickly, similar to the same key chord on the Mac, or Alt-Tab on Windows. Unfortunately Command-Tilde doesn’t allow you to cycle in reverse. But the toughest pill to swallow is the keyboard cover’s price: $149.

iPad Pro camera

iPad Pro Cameras

The new iPad Pro’s camera protrudes from the body of the tablet, unlike the former iPad Pro. But offers the best picture quality of any iPad

Other Differences:

The smaller iPad Pro ships with the best camera on any iPad. The 12-megapixel rear camera, also found in the iPhone 6S and SE, allows for rich photos and 4K video. Selfie mode now offers a 5-megapixel front-facing camera that can record in 720p HD. iPad photography may still look uncool, but at least your pictures will look nice.

Like the larger iPad Pro, the smaller version ships with 32GB, 128GB, or 256GB of storage space. The dreaded, low storage 16GB model is nowhere to be found. Which, in 2016, is the way it should be.

Apple claims those on the go can expect 10 hours of using the internet, listening to music, and watching video, and our tests backed that up. You’ll want to charge with the included adapter. Doing so with an iPhone adapter takes far too long. Using the device while charging on a smaller iOS device adapter sometimes won’t even move the battery meter at all.

Notable Omissions

The iPad Pro “small” is a fully capable Apple tablet. But unlike the full-sized, 12.9-inch screen Pro, which has 4GB of RAM, the 9.7-incher only has 2GB of RAM. Even though the other specs are respectable, such as the A9X processor and the best cameras on any iPad, the lower RAM is a questionable omission.

And unlike the iPhone 6S, the “mini” iPad Pro very noticeably has the older TouchID, not the quicker version found on Apple’s flagship phone. Using the 6S fingerprint sensor simply requires you press a button. The slower one found on the iPad Pro 9.7-inch feels like pressing a button and waiting to have your prints taken.

Price & Final Word

The release of the iPad Pro Tiny, or whatever we’ll call it, confuses the naming in Apple’s line of tablet products. This smaller iPad Pro is really the iPad Air 3. At a base price of $599, it will cost you more than the $399 iPad Air 2. Meaning if you want a really future-proof 9.7-inch Apple tablet, you’ll have to pony up the extra $200.

The new Pro is an opportunity for Apple to keep its original-sized iPad up to date while phasing out the numbering system that won’t scale gracefully into the larger numbers. Fans of the medium-sized iOS tablet gain access to the Pencil stylus and smart connector (which could allow for other accessories besides the keyboard in the future). And the company’s True Tone tech drops hints as to what to expect from the iPhone 7.

At the expense of a cluttered lineup, iPad buyers have more price ranges than ever to choose from. The omissions of 3D Touch and only offering half as much RAM as the largest iPad are disappointing. But the newest iPad Pro still manages to be the company’s premiere iPad product. It brings over many of the advances Apple has achieved in making the Pro back down to the screen size that started it all. Portability and new features like True Tone make this, overall, the best iPad available at present. The heavier, laptop-screen-sized iPad Pro is better for professional artists, but the new iPad Pro is best suited for everybody else.

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Amazon’s Kindle Oasis Puts Function Over Form https://www.popsci.com/amazons-kindle-oasis-review-features-price-battery/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:14:28 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/amazons-kindle-oasis-review-features-price-battery/
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Batteries included

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Where many companies are obsessed with making the latest, greatest smartphone, Amazon has found success with other modern devices. Along with the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot line of personal assistants, the former bookseller shines when it comes to giving you a modern way to read those books. The Kindle line started in 2007, but here in 2016, the line of e-readers serves the same function: offering a convenient way to consume your ever-growing book collection. The latest iteration of the e-reader, Amazon’s Kindle Oasis, continues to pursue that mission—with longer battery life, a squatter form-factor and a very high price tag.

Amazon Kindle Oasis
Amazon Kindle Oasis Xavier Harding

The Kindle Gains Love Handles

The first thing you’ll notice about the Kindle Oasis is its asymmetrical shape. While every other Kindle’s left and right side were similar, the Oasis puts the device’s page-changing buttons in a single row. Meaning you can hold the device with one hand, and go back and forth between pages while barely lifting your thumb or adjusting how you’re holding the device. The larger bezel on the side doubles as an easy way to hold the device. Lefties can rotate the Kindle Oasis 180 degrees and the page onscreen rotates with it, much like any modern smartphone.

Unfortunately, the improved ergonomics make this Kindle a little uglier than previous versions. Visual preferences being a matter of opinion, you may not mind the lopsided look of the Oasis since the side sans-bezel handle is very thin. Those who prefer the slimmer rectangle look of last year’s Kindle Voyage may find the design change jarring.

Amazon Kindle Oasis vs iPad
Amazon Kindle Oasis vs Kindle vs iPad Xavier Harding

Kindle’s Outstanding Strength Is The Reading Experience

Above all else, the Kindle line’s greatest advantage over full-fledged tablets is the reading experience. A full-color screen is purposefully absent from a device like this. Not only does the e-ink screen that the Kindle Oasis look almost identical to an actual page, being easier on the eyes, it uses far less battery than an LCD display. Amazon rates the battery at “months” when used with the included battery/cover hybrid (more on that later).

The Kindle Oasis screen may look smaller than screens belonging to previous versions like the Voyage, Paperwhite and others, but Amazon promises this is simply an optical illusion. Each one has a 6-inch screen. The Oasis version, however, offers 300 pixels per inch for clearer text. A backlight allows for nighttime reading, but in general the screen looks much better with it off.

Graphic novels are supported, but you may be better off reading a comic book on something like an iPad. The black and white nature of the screen, and the slowness of the zoom function, makes traversing your way through comic panels a hassle.

This Kindle has 4GB of storage space, which holds at least one thousand books. Books can be downloaded over wi-fi when you’re at home or nearby a remembered wireless network. If you opt for the more expensive 3G version, you’ll be able to download books when on the move: a feature less important for those with easy access to wi-fi, and more important to those who are more susceptible to impulse buys.

Amazon Kindle Oasis comic
Kindle Oasis is great at showing books, less so at showing graphic novels. Xavier Harding

Kindle Oasis’s Second Great Strength: The Leather Case

Many Kindle owners opt for a third-party case that adds heft to the device. Amazon decided to preempt the third parties this time, and provide a case within the Kindle Oasis package. Not only is the case made by Amazon itself, the cover also has a built-in extra battery—extending the life of your Kindle.

Charging the case happens whenever you charge your Kindle and the e-reader is wearing its black, red or brown leather cover. The Kindle’s settings menu shows a percentage of how much battery life is left in both the Kindle and the battery case. While the case isn’t always charging the Kindle, it hasn’t let my book-reader dip below 90 percent battery.

The Kindle Oasis, sheds heft at every opportunity. One side is thinner than the other. When the case is attached, the thinner side fills out, and a nearly uniform shape is formed. While the depth of the Kindle is evened out, the device’s footprint remains the same—in width and height, that extra big bezel is still visible on the right (or left).

Everything Else Is Fine At Best, Sluggish At Worst

Amazon has mastered the reading experience here. But don’t buy a Kindle for the great web browsing experience, or thinking you’ll run apps. Amazon touts this as a device that limits distractions when you want to escape reality and enter the world of a book. Only certain apps, like read-it-later clients Pocket and Instapaper, make sense on the device.

Even the experience of finding and buying books isn’t exactly enjoyable. Finding and downloading a book feels oddly like being taken back to the internet of the past, although features like trying samples or borrowing a book for free from the Kindle library are thoughtful inclusions. The next welcome addition would be adding an optional passcode requirement before purchasing anything, to keep pranksters out.

Kindle Oasis case
Kindle Oasis Case Xavier Harding

Price & Final Word

Those who have used a Kindle in the past know exactly what to expect. Except the price. The Kindle Oasis will run you a whopping $289.99, almost triple the price of a Paperwhite. The 3G cellular version will cost users an extra $70 at $359.99. One can’t help but wonder how many books one could get by simply buying a Paperwhite or Voyage instead and saving some cash for novels.

But for those looking for the flagship Kindle experience, here it is. The battery case is perfect for traveling as it extends the battery life, offers slightly more protection, and doesn’t cost extra. And the reading experience remains topnotch. But if all you care about is reading words on a digital page, the premium Kindle Oasis experience may be more than you need.

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The Holy Braille: A Tablet For The Visually Impaired https://www.popsci.com/quest-for-holy-braille/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 19:54:39 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/quest-for-holy-braille/
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One of 10 innovations to win a 2016 Invention Award

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Quest for the Holy Braille

Quest For The Holy Braille

A group of students at University of Michigan are looking to extend braille on tablets to more than just one line

Digital tablets provide access to a world of information—but there’s no elegant, affordable way for the visually impaired to read from them. That’s because current braille readers, which attach to the bottom of a tablet, provide room for only one line of text at a time. Researchers at the University of Michigan, led by Brent Gillespie, Alex Russomanno, Mark Burns, and Sile O’Modhrain, hope to develop a refreshable display to translate an entire page at once.

The project was partially motivated by O’Modhrain, who is visually impaired. “Existing displays don’t allow you to access lots of braille code and graphical information,” she says. “Math and music codes, for example, are displayed spatially, so that they’re spread over multiple lines.”

Existing technology could conceivably allow for a full-page braille screen that refreshes like a tablet. But the price would be astronomical. For instance, single-line displays that rely on electronics cost more than $3,000; expanding them to a full page could potentially raise the price to as high as $55,000. To reduce that cost, the team chose to make their device with microfluidics.

Here’s how: A refreshable display must raise and lower braille dots—a full page might include up to 10,000—to create a pattern. In the team’s device, a microfluidic chip controls this process by moving small doses of fluid through tiny channels. Their prototype is only a couple of inches wide, but the team hopes to expand it to a full-page display that would cost $1,000 to $2,000.

As for the device’s name, collaborator Noel Runyan coined a popular moniker: Holy Braille.

Hover over the image to learn more about how the Holy Braille project works.

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The Holy Braille’s Specs

  • Inventors: Brent Gillespie; Alex Russomanno; Mark Burns; Sile O’Modhrain
  • Affiliation: University of Michigan
  • Maturity: 1/5

This article was originally published in the May/June issue of Popular Science. Check out the other 2016 Invention Award winners here.

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The Kindle: We Can Rebuild It. We Have the Technology https://www.popsci.com/gear-amp-gadgets/article/2009-06/kindle-we-can-rebuild-it-we-have-technology/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:20:38 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gear-amp-gadgets-article-2009-06-kindle-we-can-rebuild-it-we-have-technology/
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HIDE

The Grouse plays with the new Kindle DX. It could be better in oh, so many ways

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HIDE

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This week I put some face time in with Amazon’s latest print assassin, the Kindle DX. I was a big fan of the original recipe, despite what I’d call some minor design flaws. But I always felt like it was missing some important features.

The DX is a slick update, to be sure. The stretched-out screen is beautiful, the buttons are now in logical places, and the body is more svelte than ever. The software (for Kindle DX and for Kindle 2) has also been updated under the hood to include some smart features — the iPhone app being a personal favorite. Still, there’s a lot I’d fix. Some of it’s a little far-flung, but the rest of it should have been figured out already.

So, here’s Amazon’s to-do list for the next Kindle.

Sync with iTunes
The Kindle’s MP3 player works rather well, even though it’s still listed as an “experimental” feature. I don’t see what’s holding Amazon back from allowing the user to browse songs or to use playlists — I’d think it would pretty simple to add these most basic of features. And once that’s in place, let’s have it sync with my iTunes collection. Hey, the Palm Pre figured out how to do it!

Figure out the proportions
I want the big screen of the DX, but I want a keyboard I don’t need Shaq hands to type comfortably on. As it stands, inputting text on the DX is laughably difficult for average-sized folks. Figure that out and you’ve got the perfect-sized Kindle.

Resurrect the scroll wheel
I actually prefer the scroll wheel on Kindle 1 to the little joystick nub of the new Kindles. The old scroll wheel flew the cursor up and down the page quickly. The new scroller lags and leaves remnant underlines everywhere as it traverses the page — very reminiscent of Microsoft Word right before it crashes. And that’s not a good thing.

Fix landscape
Turning the DX on its side flips the screen into landscape mode, like the iPhone. I suppose this might be helpful for viewing a wide PDF or image, but otherwise there’s no reason to go into landscape.Plus it’s got issues, the first being that all of the navigation buttons are in impossibly screwy places when the Kindle is turned on its side. A touchscreen would never have such a problem (hint hint).

The second strike against landscape is that the inclinometer inside of the Kindle is way too sensitive, and has a tendency to flip into widescreen mode even if I shift in my seat a little bit. Thankfully, it can be turned off.

Add Bluetooth
Bluetooth would be nice for a couple of reasons. I’d love to hook up stereo Bluetooth headphones to the rather sizable Kindle DX instead of having my head tethered to it. I listened to some MP3s and tested out the text-to-speech feature while running on a treadmill — scared the entire time that the Kindle was going to get accidentally yanked under the crush of my pounding sneakers. I’d also like to be able to drag music, photos, and PDFs over to it wirelessly instead of having to dig up a USB cord to do so. Sharing docs with other people suddenly seems a lot easier.

Add a backlight
Yes, a backlight would go vampire on the battery, but let that be the user’s problem. Without one, the Kindle is stuck in the middle of two planes of technological existence. On one hand, it’s a futuristic piece of machinery loaded with features no one could have dreamed of a few decades ago. On the other hand, it’s as useless in the dark as the average paperback. C’mon, Amazon.

Pair audio books with print editions
Text-to-speech is also experimental, so I’ll forgive it for being terrible. I like the idea in theory: You read a few chapters, then decide to listen to the next two chapters while you’re at the gym. You return home and pick up reading right where the narration left off. Unfortunately, the robotic narrator has no sense where one sentence or paragraph ends and the next begins. And let’s not forget that several publishers have barred Amazon from even offering this feature on their books. What Amazon should do is work with publishers to offer the Kindle book and audio book together as a package deal. That way, you’d be able to flip between reading and listening, but you’d have a human narrating to you instead of C-3PO’s Neanderthal ancestor.

Don’t cripple the iPhone app
Overall, the Kindle app for iPhone and iPod Touch is pretty amazing. Whether I’m reading on the iPhone or Kindle, my books always pick up where I last left off. I can even buy a book on the iPhone and it will automatically show up on my Kindle. But there’s a lot of room for improvement here. First off, where are the newspapers and blogs I subscribe to? Nowhere to be found. Secondly, if there’s anywhere text-to-speech makes sense, it’s definitely on the iPod. But that’s also nowhere to be found.

Sync with my other subscriptions
If I pay for the print edition of the New York Times or Popular Science, I think I’m entitled to those feeds for free. Amazon doesn’t seem to think so.

Make the PDF viewer useful
What’s the point of reading PDFs on the Kindle if I can’t do anything to them? Allow me to make notes on them that I can email to others or transfer to my computer later. Do the same for Word docs. And while you’re at it, give me access to Google Docs, which is not currently supported.

Free the screensaver
Whenever the Kindle is off or asleep (which is actually the same thing, I think) the screen displays pictures of classic book covers and portraits of esteemed literary figures. It’s a nice touch, but I’m already tired of them. Let me personalize my Kindle with my own photos! This was possible via a hack on Kindle 1, but has since been squashed. Why? Do only specific types of images properly function as screensavers for E-ink displays?

Show me my Wish List
The Kindle Store has a “Recommended to You” section, which seems to be based on parts of my Wish List, as well as recent searches I’ve made on the site (spooky). Instead of this, just show me what’s available in Kindle form from my Wish List. Why take stabs in the dark when I’ve already told you what I want?!!

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Pick An App Just By Thinking About It With Samsung’s Mind-Controlled Tablet https://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-04/pick-app-just-thinking-about-it-mind-controlled-tablet/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:07:57 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/science-article-2013-04-pick-app-just-thinking-about-it-mind-controlled-tablet/
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For when touchscreens will be *so 2010s*

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One of my friends already thinks that people look silly holding up tablets to take photos, so I’m not sure what he’d think of using a tablet with a wire-covered EEG cap on. The experience might be worth the side-eyes, though: Samsung is researching a system that lets people control a Galaxy Note 10.1 with their thoughts, MIT Technology Review reported.

This is definitely something for the future. Samsung has no plans yet to sell what they’re researching, and it works pretty slowly, allowing just one selection every five seconds. Once it is ready for sale, though, it could be especially helpful for those who have trouble with fine motor control (people with cerebral palsy, for instance). Of course, it could also just be cool for anybody.

Researchers still need to work on improving their detection of genuine, directed brainwaves versus noisy artifacts. They also need to make a brainwave-detecting cap people will actually want to wear. Roozbeh Jafar, an electrical engineer at the University of Texas, Dallas, has developed an EEG cap that works without the scalp gel many such caps require, but it’s still large and unwieldy.

Be sure to check out Technology Review for a video of someone using a prototype system to pick an app, pick a song to play, start and stop a song, and choose some pre-recorded phrases from a list. That last feature suggests people who can’t speak could use this to express their wishes.

MIT Technology Review

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How Apple Crafted the iPad Pro’s True Tone Display https://www.popsci.com/how-apple-crafted-ipad-pros-true-tone-display/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 20:59:11 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/how-apple-crafted-ipad-pros-true-tone-display/
True Tone puts the new iPad Pro's screen ahead of Apple's other touchscreen devices
True Tone puts the new iPad Pro's screen ahead of Apple's other touchscreen devices. Apple

Apple is getting serious about color

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True Tone puts the new iPad Pro's screen ahead of Apple's other touchscreen devices
True Tone puts the new iPad Pro's screen ahead of Apple's other touchscreen devices. Apple

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Apple’s 9.7-inch iPad Pro is the company’s one-two punch — a tablet that can, in boxing terms, float like a mid-sized machine and sting like a pro computer. Our review of the smaller iPad Pro revealed that it’s hard to outright replace your desktop with it. But it remains the best iPad you can get your fingers on, acting as the culmination of everything the tablet edition of iOS has to offer. As well as one, so-far unique feature: True Tone.

The iPad Pro 9.7 is the first—and probably not last—iOS product to offer this technology, which uses the ambient light of whatever surroundings the iPad is in to determine the balance of colors onscreen. The brighter display and wider color gamut lead to a better experience, according to Apple. But the key to the new feature is how the company retooled of the device’s ambient light sensor.

An ambient light sensor has been part of every iOS device since the first iPhone was released in 2007. It’s what allows the screen of your device to automatically lighten or darken depending on the level of surroundings. But what the company hoped to achieve with True Tone was something greater than detecting how bright surrounding light was: a way to accurately take in the colors of your surroundings as well. “We found out no such sensor exists, so the team had to create one,” said an engineer involved with the project who preferred to remain anonymous.

True Tone is similar to another color-shifting feature in newer iOS devices called Night Shift. Similar to the app f.lux before it, whites become more warm in hue as it gets later in the day. While some evidence supports that Night Shift is better for one’s REM cycle, nothing objectively says True Tone is easier on your eyes. But the effect is along the lines of what our eyes are used to. Similar to how our brains consider the page of a book white regardless of if we’re under a clear blue sky or yellow desk lamp. The effect of True Tone is seamless when turned on and very noticeable when switched off.

In addition to crafting the upgraded ambient light sensor, the company made sure it was being tested properly. Apple confirms they created their own database of lighting combinations—light bulbs, shades, tinted windows, etc.—in writing the True Tone algorithm. The number of light combinations ranged in the thousands.

The challenge then was making sure the proper results were repeatable and mass-producible for all the sensors going into the numerous iPads that needed to be shipped. To address this, engineers created a t machine which emulates different light sources to ensure every iPad measured light and accurately adjusts colors. The result is the upgraded ambient light sensor included in the iPad Pro 9.7-inch model. Similarly-sized to the one we’ve known from the other iPads, but much more capable in detecting light color and intensity.

Apple won’t say whether or not we’ll see the new ambient light sensor make its way to the next iPhone, other iPads and potentially even Mac laptops. But a device’s screen remains integral to the computing experience and Apple’s already extended their pixel-packing, Retina-display fervor to nearly every product type in their lineup. iPhone users will have to wait until later this year to find out if True Tone will migrate to their new phones.

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One Kindle Per Child? https://www.popsci.com/gear-amp-gadgets/article/2009-07/one-kindle-child/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:00:53 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gear-amp-gadgets-article-2009-07-one-kindle-child/
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HIDE

A Democratic think tank proposes replacing every K-12 student in America's traditional textbooks with Amazon's e-book reader

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A new report by the Democratic Leadership Council probably made Jeff Bezos choke on his bagel this morning–the group of leading Democrats is proposing a Kindle for every public school student in America, with hopes of eventually saving an estimated $700 million per year on traditional textbook distribution.

Amazon’s rolled out their jumbo-sized, $489 Kindle DX with plans just like this in mind. Aside from their promises to revitalize a stagnant print media industry through electronically disseminated newspapers and magazines made pleasantly viewable on the DX’s 9.7″ screen, a big part of Amazon’s DX pitch involves its handiness as a textbook reader.

Although the group estimates an initial $9 billion investment to buy a Kindle for every kid, the plan would presumably save $700 million per annum after five years of students’ downloading their new textbooks rather than having them printed and shipped. Textbooks on the Kindle could also be kept fresher, since updates can be downloaded instantly as needed.

The savings model makes sense, but the logistics of every kid in the nation reading everything on an e-book reader will certainly come with a few catches. While “the dog ate it” will presumably remain a favorite excuse (or, perhaps, “the dog stepped on it, cracking my e-ink screen”), students can now add “the battery ran out” to the list. And then there’s the pesky issue of the black-and-white screen, which goes a long way to dampen the coolness factor of reading your homework on a gadget. Maybe a toughbook color Kindle is in the works?

Either way, reports are coming in of a number of richly adorned champagne-caviar gift baskets were seen leaving Amazon’s main distribution center, speeding with squealing tires toward DLC headquarters on Pennsylvania Ave., DC.

You can download the paper on the DLC’s website. [via NY Times]

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New iPad App 123D Catch Turns Pictures Into Printable 3-D Renders https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2012-05/new-ipad-app-123d-catch-turns-pictures-printable-3-d-renders/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 17:13:51 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2012-05-new-ipad-app-123d-catch-turns-pictures-printable-3-d-renders/
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Autodesk, one of the premier 3-D printing companies out there right now–they make AutoCAD, the pioneering software–has a new app out for iPad that aims to make 3-D printing easier. Just snap a bunch of pictures of the object you want to reproduce from different angles, and the app, cleverly named 123D Catch, creates a 3-D rendering automatically.

We’re pretty excited about this concept–3-D printing is one of those nascent technologies that’s getting better and cheaper all the time, and everybody assumes that some form of the tech will be a major part of our lives in the future, but nobody’s quite figured out that killer app that’ll make everyone want to go out and buy one. This isn’t that, but it is a big step towards making 3-D printing easier and more approachable, even if it requires that you take pictures with your iPad, a silly-looking task we have specifically cautioned against in the past. But it looks super easy, and takes away the struggle of having to figure out rendering software, which can be pretty tricky. Check out the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aU2s85Zw3A

123D Catch is available now at the App Store. It’s free, too.

[123D Catch via Mashable]

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Amazon Kindle Rewrites the Book Business https://www.popsci.com/article/2007-11/amazon-kindle-rewrites-book-business/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:03:41 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/article-2007-11-amazon-kindle-rewrites-book-business/ We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more › The...

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The ability to download books, newspapers and magazines via a cellular data connection (at no additional charge) is the headline news about Amazon’s handsome new electronic book. But there are other important features not found in previous ebook incarnations. The Kindle has a keyboard and the ability to annotate text as you read: great for students or grown-up researchers.

A built-in dictionary is just a few clicks away while reading, and Kindle supports downloadable audio books from audible.com. In addition to shopping, you can use the online connection to search Wikipedia and Google and, to a limited extent, surf the Web. (But the lack of JavaScript or Flash support torpedos many sites.)

What may prove most significant, though, is the pricing scheme for downloads. Nearly all the current New York Times bestsellers go for $9.99, even when the traditional versions sell only as hardcover editions at $30 or more. Contrast that with music and movie downloads. When you buy a digital album from iTunes you pay just a few dollars less than the retail price of a physical CD for significantly lower-quality audio. Same goes for the DVD-equivalent movie download pricing at iTunes and CinemaNow, even though there’s no manufacturing cost of physical goods, essentially no shipping cost, and no store rent to cover.

Amazon is the first retailer to make buying the bits financially beneficial for shoppers, even if it does take a painfully pricey $399 device to get in on the deal. —Steve Morgenstern

For more on the Kindle, see How 2.0 blogger Dave Prochnow’s take here.

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Turn Your Old Netbook Into A Touchscreen Tablet https://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2012-04/turn-your-old-notebook-touchscreen-tablet/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:13:52 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/diy-article-2012-04-turn-your-old-notebook-touchscreen-tablet/
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Tablets are taking over the portable-computing market, but that doesn’t mean the netbooks that they’ve replaced are useless. It’s possible to jam the processing power and battery life of most netbook models into a smaller, touchscreen-equipped package. The project is very straightforward: Remove a few parts, add a touchscreen overlay (about $80; MyDigitalDiscount), reseal the device in its new tablet form, install a driver, and calibrate the screen. And if you use an old netbook you have lying around (or buy a used one), it costs a fraction of the price of a new tablet.

STEP 1

Disassemble The Netbook
Remove the bezel and backing from the display so the LCD panel and its cables are exposed. Then remove the keyboard and trackpad from the netbook. (This may involve removing screws from the base of the netbook and prying off the top case with a flat tool like a putty knife.)

STEP 2

Flip the LCD Panel and Apply the Touchscreen
Flip the netbook’s exposed LCD panel around to place it over the area where the keyboard and mouse used to be, taking care to avoid damaging the panel’s cables. (For some models, you may need to unplug these cables and plug them back in.) Next, remove the paper on the back of the touchscreen overlay to reveal the adhesive, and place it on top of the LCD panel.

STEP 3

Connect the Touchscreen
If the netbook has an internal USB port on its motherboard, connect the touchscreen overlay’s USB cable to it. External USB ports can be used as well, but this will cause a cable to stick out of the device. Note: This step may differ with certain models, so be sure to consult the instructions that came with the touchscreen overlay that you purchased.

STEP 4

Reattach the Bezel
With everything in place, reattach the bezel to the front of the converted netbook. Some models will fit, but most will require an adhesive. If there is too much space between the bezel and the base of the netbook tablet, fill it in and seal the two parts together with Sugru ($18; sugru.com). Let the device dry for 24 hours.
Note: If parts of the bezel cover the touchscreen, remove them before reattaching the bezel.

STEP 5

Install The Touchscreen Drivers and Calibrate the Display
Connect a keyboard and mouse to the newly modified netbook tablet, and install the drivers that were included on the disc with the touchscreen. Because these drivers come on a CD, you may need to copy them to a flash drive using another computer or hook up an external optical drive to your netbook tablet. Once the drivers are installed, run the calibration tool and use a resistive stylus to calibrate the touchscreen overlay. (I recommend using a retractable stylus like the kind made for the Nintendo DS, which are inexpensive and easy to find online.) This process, which involves pressing and holding different spots on the screen, takes only about a minute.

WARNING: Do not cover any areas the netbook uses for ventilation. Unvented heat can damage the device and injure the user.

Time 1 day
Cost About $100
Difficulty 3 out of 5

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Sony Daily Edition Reader Adds 3G, Aims at Kindle https://www.popsci.com/gear-amp-gadgets/article/2009-08/sony-daily-edition-adds-3g-aims-kindle/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:10:06 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gear-amp-gadgets-article-2009-08-sony-daily-edition-adds-3g-aims-kindle/
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Dear Kindle: Watch your back. This morning at the New York Public Library, Sony President of Digital Reading Steve Haber announced a new member of the company’s e-book reader family, the Reader Daily Edition. The 7-inch device connects to AT&T’s 3G network to allow Kindle-like access to Sony’s online library.

Like the PRS-600 Touch Edition, the Daily’s screen is touch sensitive, allowing for finger-flick page turns, easy menu navigation, and notes and highlights. The Daily displays books, newspapers, and magazines in either portrait or lansdscape mode and can store more than 1,000 books onboard (though its memory is expandable via a memory card slot).

The Daily Edition will be available in December for $400.

But what good is 3G with Sony’s drab, old library? That’s on the mend, too. The new Library Finder application allows you to browse and borrow from your local library’s e-book catalog through a partnership with the OverDrive network. And earlier this summer, Sony added 1 million public domain titles via Google and Times bestsellers. They’ve also recently (finally) found love for the EPUB e-book format, the standard e-book format used by trade book publishers.

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Sony Reader Daily Edition

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The new iPad Air is the best tablet for most people https://www.popsci.com/story/technology/ipad-air-review-2020/ Fri, 30 Oct 2020 15:18:18 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/ipad-air-review-2020/
iPad Air 2020 review
The new iPad Air fits nicely onto the Magic Keyboard meant for the 11-inch iPad Pro. Stan Horaczek

You get Pro features for less cash.

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iPad Air 2020 review
The new iPad Air fits nicely onto the Magic Keyboard meant for the 11-inch iPad Pro. Stan Horaczek

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It can be hard to recommend a gadget that lives in the middle of its product line. You don’t get the whiz-bang features from the flagship, but you’re still spending more cash than you would if you bought in at the entry level. In the iPad lineup, the $599 (and up) Air is the middle child. It costs almost twice the price of the $329 vanilla iPad and its feature list doesn’t bring the same kind of bragging rights that come with the $799 Pro. Despite all of that, the iPad Air is, undoubtedly, the best iPad for the vast majority of people if the price difference isn’t a deal-breaker for them.

Display

With the Air, Apple has been smart about what’s included, as well as what’s missing. It picks up the squared-edge design from the Pro, which is great—the curved edges on the standard iPad are still nice, but feel dated in 2020. The Air’s new shape also allows it to fit comfortably into accessories like the $299 Magic Keyboard built for the 11-inch iPad Pro.

The Air’s 2,360 x 1,640,10.9-inch screen has much smaller bezels than its 10.2-inch predecessor, which means more usable display space in a device that’s very similar in size. It looks beautiful. Colors appear punchy and saturated thanks to the wide color gamut, and it’s plenty bright even in situations with a lot of ambient illumination. The anti-reflective coating cuts down on glare to make view ability even better.

The 60 Hz screen does, however, lack the 120 Hz refresh rate found in the Pro. That smooth motion display is one of the Pro’s marquis features. However, switching from the iPad Pro I typically use, I thought I’d miss it a lot more than I actually did. I thought drawing with the Apple Pencil may feel slightly less realistic with a slower screen, but even in direct comparison, I didn’t find that to be the case.

TouchID

iPad Air 2020 review
The TouchID sensor is built into the power button on the top of the device. Stan Horaczek

You’ll notice that there’s no home button or FaceID sensor built into the Air. When you log into the device, a sensor in the power button on the top right actually scans your fingerprint using TouchID to grant you access. Getting the fingerprint reader set up took me a few tries—the narrow button doesn’t have much surface area so I had to restart the registration process more than ones. During everyday use, I had to get accustomed to leaving my finger on the button for longer than I typically would. Remove your finger too quickly and it’ll hit you with a “rest to open” message and you’ll have to try again.

Even after getting used to the fingerprint reader, I still prefer the zero-friction FaceID method, but it’s not a deciding factor.

Pencil support

iPad Air 2020 review
Drawing with the Pencil is fun, but I’m not very good at it. I am, however, tempted to try and get good at it. Stan Horaczek

When it comes to the Pencil, the new Air only works with the later generations of the $129 stylus. The Air has a USB-C port instead of Lightning, so the original Pencil isn’t compatible. Apple has made some considerable jumps in Pencil functionality with the latest version of iPadOS. You can now simply start writing into any text box and it will automatically turn your handwriting into typed text. It recognizes shapes, as well, so you can draw a rough circle and then quickly convert it into a perfect circle with a simple gesture. I have impressively terrible penmanship—my 12th grade English teacher compared it to something you’d find on a “criminal manifesto”—and it has only gotten worse since then. But, iPadOS did a surprisingly good job recognizing my scrawls and it will presumably only get better as it learns.

Computing hardware

From a processing perspective, the new Air has the new A14 chip inside, which makes it considerably faster than the typical iPad and slightly below the performance mark set by the Pro. Over the course of my testing, I put the Air through video editing, heavy photo editing, graphics-intensive games, and even some augmented reality, and it didn’t stutter. Even if you’re throwing all of your daily tasks at the Air, speed should never become an issue.

Like the Pro, the Air also supports Wi-Fi 6, which the base model lacks. You’ll need a Wi-Fi 6 router to take full advantage of the connectivity boosts, but even if you’re still living in a Wi-Fi 5 world, the upgraded hardware should provide at least some improvement over the standard iPad model.

The only storage options offer 64 GB in the stock model, or 256 GB for the upgraded version. That bump, however, will cost you an extra $150, which makes it just $50 cheaper than the smaller iPad Pro. A cheaper 128 GB option would have been awesome.

Camera

iPad Air 2020 review
There are new iPad Air colors, including this very subtle blue that looks gray in most light. Stan Horaczek

The camera module on the back of the device isn’t as robust as it is on the Pro. You only get one wide-angle camera as opposed to the Pro’s array, but that has never been an issue for me. If you’re using the iPad camera all the time, it’s worth spending the money to upgrade beyond the Air, but it also may be time for you to reconsider your photographic decision making process. The front-facing camera, however, is excellent, which is important in the era of never-ending video calls. The Air’s FaceTime camera handily beats the MacBook Pro’s built-in option.

Who should buy it?

Taking all that into consideration, the iPad Air is almost certainly the tablet you should buy. That begs the question, however, do you actually need a tablet in the first place?

Here’s a short list of things I’ve done with the iPad Air since the review unit arrived a few weeks ago:

  • Googled symptoms for a disease I thought I might have in the middle of the night
  • Wrote the text of this review
  • Edited photos from an obligatory upstate New York trip to an apple orchard
  • Video chatted with my mom
  • Started editing a video I’ll probably never finish
  • Made a drawing that’s so embarrassingly terrible that my kids made fun of me
  • Used the new iPadOS handwriting recognition tech to scribble my own to-do list
  • Watched Terminator 2: Judgement Day
  • Read part of a nerdy book with a dragon on the cover

In other words, the iPad largely served as my “fun screen” for doing tasks outside of my work computer, and I think that’s where it really shines. You can use it to totally replace your laptop, but there are still some instances where you’ll find yourself frustrated. Most of those hiccups happen when you’re trying to multitask. If you’re constantly doing more than one thing at a time, I still think a dedicated computer is going to make your life a lot better.

But, when the iPad Air is more of a creative or entertainment device, it’s amazing. I suck at drawing, but the Pencil makes me want to try. Video editing can still get pretty in-depth, but the iPad’s form factor makes the process seem less intense. Especially now that iPadOS supports more mouse and keyboard features, it’s easier than ever to eschew a dedicated laptop or desktop and go full iPad. It’s just a lot more fun when you don’t put all that pressure on it.

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The New iPad’s Screen, Under a Microscope https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2012-03/new-ipads-screen-under-microscope/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:11:29 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2012-03-new-ipads-screen-under-microscope/
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The new iPad‘s screen is apparently so amazing it can’t be described in words (though we’re certainly going to try; look for our review early next week). But images can sometimes tell the story more effectively, anyway. Lukas Mathis over at Ignore the Code stuck the new iPad, as well as about a dozen other gadgets, under a microscope to check out what the pixels look like way up close, at 80x magnification.

The new iPad’s pixels are predictably minuscule, though not quite as small as the current-gen iPhone’s. But there are some other interesting tidbits in there too–the BlackBerry PlayBook and Kindle Fire, as you may or may not know (hopefully not, because it’s an awfully arcane bit of gadget knowledge), are built on the same platform, which is why they look exactly alike. But apparently the screen is very different–the pixel arrangement, shape, and color are all different between the two 7-inch tablets. And the E Ink-ed Kindle looks completely different, with its electrophoretic screen that’s closer to a Woolly Willy than a regular LCD. Check out the images over at Ignore the Code.

[via Buzzfeed FWD]

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New App Lets You Photograph Space From Your iPad https://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-06/new-app-lets-you-control-robot-space-cameras-your-ipad/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:15:17 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/science-article-2013-06-new-app-lets-you-control-robot-space-cameras-your-ipad/
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What a power trip!

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Slooh, a company known for its helpful live feeds of awesome astronomical events, has just released a fun, free iPad app that gives regular folk command of robotic space cameras around the world.

For $1.99 per “mission,” you can snap real-color photos of celestial objects, using the app’s heads-up display to aim one of the cameras in Slooh’s network. Within 20 minutes, you’ll have your own high-quality image of space, stamped with the date, time, and name of the observatory.

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Your very own space command center!

You can eventually fill out the app’s interactive sky chart with your own photographs of planets, galaxies, and nebulae. Missions are updated weekly, and the company’s celestial live feeds are integrated into the app. According to Slooh, Android and iPhone versions are in the works as well.

See a video demo of the app below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDAO0MaDp3o

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Apple to Announce iPad 3 on March 7th (With Bonus Rumors) https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2012-02/apple-announce-ipad-3-march-7th-bonus-rumors/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 22:03:23 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2012-02-apple-announce-ipad-3-march-7th-bonus-rumors/
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Apple just sent out invites to what, with our Holmesian deduction skills, we can safely say will be an event announcing the next iPad. It’ll be held on March 7th in Apple’s favorite announcement spot, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, and of course we will be breathlessly reporting the details of the gadget that will inspire us to throw our current iPads out of the 9th-floor windows of our office in disgust.

The rumor mill is already pretty well churning with the possibilities of the new tablet. Given the phrase on the invite, “We have something you really have to see,” most outlets are assuming the iPad will see a bump in screen resolution, which would be welcome. Our friends at Gizmodo performed an exhaustively detailed reenactment of the photo in the invite, analyzing the position of the raindrops and icon spacings (!), and deduced that it is likely that the screen resolution is higher. Even odder, they make a fairly convincing argument that Apple is eliminating the home button in place of some kind of touch button.

Other rumors: a faster A6 chip (the current iPad has an A5), possible 4G LTE antenna (the iPad has a big enough battery that it could cope with the strain of that network), improved cameras, and the addition of Siri. We’ll let you know how many of these come true on March 7th.

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Wacom Intros Bamboo Pen & Touch Multitouch Graphics Tablets https://www.popsci.com/gear-amp-gadgets/article/2009-09/wacom-intros-multi-touch-graphics-tablets/ Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:01:08 +0000 https://stg.popsci.com/uncategorized/wacom-intros-multi-touch-graphics-tablets/
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We’re all more or less used to navigating with touch — the iPhone a recent landslide of multitouch-enabled laptops have pretty much seen to that. (Not to mention the forthcoming Windows 7, which is the first major computer OS to natively support multitouch screens.) Falling into line, Wacom today intro’ed new graphics tablets that will let you add touch to any PC or Mac.

The granddaddy of the group, the Bamboo Pen & Touch ($99), overlays two separate input planes. First up, a 6-inch multitouch layer, which will recognize common touch gestures, including two-finger scrolling, pinching zoom and two-finger rotation (a handy tutorial will help you customize gestures to cater to apps or functions you use a ton). On top of that is Bamboo’s pen-input area, which measures about 7 inches on the diagonal and supports all pen inputs for document annotation, doodling or photo editing (it comes bundled with Adobe Photoshop Elements). The Pen & Touch also has four programmable express keys for any shortcuts you want to have handy.

You can also opt for either the Bamboo Pen or or Bamboo Touch if you only want one type of input and to knock the price down to $69.

All in all, the move isn’t surprising: Wacom has provided pen-input tech for tablet PCs for a while now, and with Win7 looming, the company had to develop a new system to merge both stylus- and finger-based entry.

Wacom has also upgraded their craft-centric tablets to include touch. The $199 Bamboo Fun has a larger tracking area and a whopping software bundle worth a couple hundred bucks that includes Corel Essentials and Adobe Photoshop Elements. The $129 Bamboo Craft has a smaller tracking area, but comes with the same software bundle.

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Wacom Bamboo Pen & Touch

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Barnes & Noble Reader Gets Official, Dubbed “The Nook” https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2009-10/barnes-amp-noble-reader-gets-official-dubbed-nook/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 22:03:55 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2009-10-barnes-amp-noble-reader-gets-official-dubbed-nook/
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Well, everything we thought we knew about the Barnes & Noble e-reader is true, but there’s more, too: Dubbed The Nook, B&N just announced full details about its long-awaited Kindle contender.

Available November 30 for $260, the Nook runs on Google Android and will have Wi-Fi and AT&T-backed 3G wireless connectivity and some really handy peer-to-peer sharing capabilities. You can loan a book to anyone with an e-book reader or B&N’s e-book app (on a computer or cell phone) for 2 weeks right from the device.

And now the specs: the e-ink surface is 6 inches (diagonally) and the lower LCD touch screen is 3. Its internal memory tops out at 2GB, but you can expand it via microUSB. B&N claims the battery will hold a charge for about 10 days.

Nook.com has all the deets.

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Hands-On: OnLive’s Mobile App Gives Your iPad the Power of a Gaming PC https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2011-12/hands-onlives-mobile-app-gives-your-ipad-power-gaming-pc/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 16:35:10 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2011-12-hands-onlives-mobile-app-gives-your-ipad-power-gaming-pc/
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OnLive now beams some of the best games out there, from Batman: Arkham City to L.A. Noire, right to your tablet or smartphone

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OnLive has been around for a little while now, but it’s no less improbable than it was when it was announced (at which time some gaming blogs called it a technically impossible scam): a service that streams full games, from major publishers, right to your TV or computer, no console necessary. This week, the company will release mobile apps for smartphones and tablets. Let me say that again, in case you don’t realize how bonkers this is: You can now play Batman: Arkham Asylum, a demanding and graphically intense game, on your iPad. And it works.

WHAT’S NEW

OnLive’s new mobile app is available for iPad, Honeycomb tablets (like the Motorola Xoom), the Kindle Fire, and Android smartphones. You get access to the full OnLive catalogue (more on what that means below), and some games are specially redesigned to take advantage of the new capabilities afforded by tablets and smartphones, namely touch. It’ll all be released sometime on December 8th.

WHAT’S GOOD

This is insane, you guys. When it works, it works just the way it’s supposed to. You really can play full console and PC games on an iPad (my test device). When you have a fast enough internet connection, video quality ranges from adequate to excellent. The fact that you’re streaming means there’s never any downloading at all–you press “play,” and boom, you’re playing the game. Games also start up super quickly, with hardly any loading or waiting times at all. Saving works nicely–games are saved properly, without you having to really worry about whether it’ll be saved. And you can pick up and continue your game from whatever device you want.

The controller is also great–nicely weighted, not slippery or cheap-feeling at all, and it automatically connects to whatever gadget you’re using, usually by Bluetooth. It costs $50, which is pretty reasonable and, I would say, an essential purchase if you plan on using mobile OnLive.

The “What’s Bad” section is going to be longer than this section, because it does have problems, but also because what’s good about it is so simple that there’s not really a ton to say about it. You can play PS3 games on your iPad. It’s crazy.

WHAT’S BAD

There are times when it doesn’t work. My home internet connection, which ranges from around 10 to 12 Mbps, was mostly up to the task, but if your connection dips below 5 Mbps, games almost become unplayable. There’s some kind of dynamic resolution shift, like Netflix uses, to lower the quality of the video as your bandwidth drops to maintain smoothness. But the thing is, it doesn’t selectively change the resolution, so stuff like text and menus, even OnLive’s own menus, can quickly become unreadable. I also noticed a lag when I was using a slower connection, which is basically unacceptable for gamers. And even on my decent-to-pretty-good home connection, sometimes OnLive would have trouble maintaining a high resolution, for no reason I could tell.

Video quality relies on both your internet speed and your latency, or the distance you are from one of OnLive’s three major server centers. From my apartment in Brooklyn, the closest server is in the D.C. area–not too far away. There’s also one in Dallas and one in the Bay Area, so folks in not-so-weird places like South Florida, Wisconsin, and Minnesota may have a much harder time than I did.

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OnLive for Mobile

This is a basically inscrutable and ludicrously complex thing OnLive has done, so every once in awhile, something weird will happen, like when my screen in L.A. Noire suddenly went black and forced me to restart the app. Or when Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 developed an unusable lag (also fixed with a restart). Or when Batman: Arkham City tried to explain how to get Bruce Wayne to fight, but gave me the keyboard controls rather than the controller’s, leaving me to stare at the controller trying to figure out where the “D” button was (it doesn’t exist). The controller problem popped up in L.A. Noire, too, where I had to experimentally push every button to figure out how to do something because the on-screen instructions were not tailored to the way I was playing. I’m using the app in prerelease, so I won’t make any judgment about how it’ll function in the long run, but I do hope it’ll be more reliable.

Oh, and there’s no vibrate function on the controller when used with the iPad. That’s troublesome for certain games, like L.A. Noire, which doesn’t exactly require vibration but which makes a lot more sense with it. And you can’t buy games from within the iPad version, due to Apple’s weird rules about in-app purchasing. (This does not hold true for Android devices like smartphones, Honeycomb tablets, or the Kindle Fire.)

I didn’t get a chance to try OnLive on a mobile (3G or 4G) connection. OnLive says that a smartphone connection can get by with a slower connection, around 2 Mbps, which is about average, or a little higher than average, for 3G in well-serviced areas. I am dubious about this. But 4G–4G LTE, not that HSPA+ nonsense AT&T is pushing–should be perfect, and actually a pretty great showcase for what LTE can do.

The Catalogue: The list of available games is limited. This isn’t like Netflix, where the idea is to provide you with access to everything, from every channel; OnLive said more than once that they think of their system as a platform just like the PS3 or Xbox 360. So they won’t have every game, and they certainly won’t get any first-party games from, say, Nintendo. That’s a nice explanation, though it also means they may never get any blockbuster first-party games–who’s going to make exclusives for them?

And the catalogue is weak for now. There are some top-tier games, for sure, and OnLive is fully aware that this is their main weakness, but in a given week, OnLive will have maybe half of the top ten third-party games. At the moment the catalogue has less than 200 games, and only a handful of those are big name games. OnLive has been pushing in the past few months to get more and bigger games, so I think/hope we’ll see the catalogue growing fairly quickly from here on out.

THE PRICE

The app is free. Games cost the same no matter what platform you play them on, be it Xbox 360 or OnLive, which means new games cost around $50. You can also rent games for a three- or five-day period for much cheaper–the former costs $6, and the latter $9. Or you can spring for a subscription, which costs $10 per month, gives you access to lots of older games for free, and cuts the price of new games (basically, the games you want) by 30%.

I should also say that I consider the controller to be a must-purchase, at $50, and some sort of stand is definitely necessary for the iPad (that magnetic cover thing for the iPad 2 works just fine in its “upright” mode).

THE VERDICT

OnLive isn’t perfect, and if it was a less ambitious service, I wouldn’t be so inclined to forgive it. But the thing is, it’s just about the most ambitious idea in gaming I’ve ever heard, and the fact that most of the time it delivers on the promise of hardware-agnostic high-end gaming is enough that I’m really excited about it. It’s hard to explain how amazing it is to start up a game like L.A. Noire on an iPad: you get one of those cognitive dissonances, like “this is a thing which should not exist.” And yet it does!

Yeah, you need a reliable, fast internet connection. But if you, say, travel a lot, and stay in hotels with decent internet? Congratulations, you and your iPad can now play some great games all by yourselves. Awesome.

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Intel’s E-Book Reader For the Blind Is Awesome, But Will Publishers Accuse It of Stealing? https://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2009-11/intel-reader-awesome-and-will-probably-be-hampered-all-kinds-ip-issues/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:12:09 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/technology-article-2009-11-intel-reader-awesome-and-will-probably-be-hampered-all-kinds-ip-issues/
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Intel Reader

Intel threw its hat into the e-reader ring today with the release of the Intel Reader–which, unlike any other reader, is built specifically for the blind. With an onboard camera, Intel’s device can convert text from any page photographed by a user into audio, which is read aloud through headphones. Which will surely upset someone, somewhere.

The Intel reader is designed for the 55 million people in the U.S. alone that suffer from some kind of vision-related ailment that impairs their reading. And on top of the photo text recognition feature, a separate content capture station can convert large amounts of text, even an entire book, into audio for easier consumption.

And therein lies the snag: publishing companies have expressed distaste in the past for any device that takes copyrighted printed word and converts it into audio–see the recent dispute over Kindle 2’s ability to read its books aloud, which was intended for use by the blind.

The blind have been reading e-books since before they were cool, using computer software that reads the books aloud or enlarges the text to a readable size. In response to piracy, many e-book sellers build DRM code into their e-books, making the digital versions hard to duplicate. That DRM software often keeps third-party software, such as text-to-speech programs, from accessing the digital text and translating it to audio.

While the rising popularity of audiobooks has mitigated this problem somewhat (and created a fresh revenue stream for publishers), publishers aren’t thrilled with any device that cuts into said revenue stream. The losers in all this will likely be, of course, visually impaired people, who just can’t seem to stay away from digital-rights-related controversies in the e-reader space.

It’s too bad really, because the Intel Reader–though a touch on the pricey side at $1,500 if we may say so–is a really good idea. Fifty-five million people in the U.S. are living life with varying degrees of disadvantage that could be alleviated by this kind of technology. However, in the ongoing struggle between bleeding edge technology and archaic intellectual property law, the latter has a pretty good track record so far.

Intel

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First Impressions: Barnes & Noble’s New Nook Tablet and SimpleTouch Ebook Reader https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2011-11/barnes-amp-noble-shows-improved-nook-tablet-and-ebook-reader/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:17:33 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2011-11-barnes-amp-noble-shows-improved-nook-tablet-and-ebook-reader/
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Today at an event in New York, Barnes & Noble’s CEO showed off the company’s new tablet: the Nook Tablet. The name signals a change–this isn’t an ebook reader with a color screen, but a full-on tablet. Yes, it’s very much like the Kindle Fire, but then, the Kindle Fire is very much like the Nook Tablet’s predecessor, the Nook Color. Updated with impressions.

The Nook Tablet looks mostly like the previous Nook tablet: a 7-inch Android-based tablet, focused on media (especially books), with essentially the same design, including that distinctive little loophole in the lower left corner. It’s gotten a bump in some of the internals; it now has a dual-core 1GHz processor and a full 1GB of memory, as well as improved battery life and a new display.

The Kindle Fire is pretty clearly the direct competition: both are 7-inch, very inexpensive (compared to larger tablets like the iPad and Android Honeycomb tablets) based on Android but heavily modified. These tablets are technically Android tablets, but they don’t look like Android, and neither offers access to the Android Market for apps. (The Kindle Fire has access to the Amazon App Store, a sort of alternate Android Market–no word on how you get apps on the Nook Tablet.) Both are focused on reading and media consumption, rather than the do-it-all near-computer-replacement of the iPad.

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Nook Tablet (official)

Barnes & Noble was pretty eager to talk about how their tablet is better than the Kindle Fire, which is understandable, since they’re so alike. The company points to those internals: a better screen, more storage, more memory. It still loses out on price; the Nook Tablet will cost $250 when it goes on sale later this month, compared to the Kindle Fire’s $200. But Barnes & Noble also reduced the price of the Nook Color to $200 to compete with the Fire.

The company also improved their Nook SimpleTouch e-ink reader, adding a sharper screen and longer battery life (B&N claims up to two months, which is pretty impressive–longer than the new e-ink Kindles). And, as is the trend, they cut the price of the SimpleTouch from $140 down to $100.

The Nook Tablet can be pre-ordered today, and should be available sometime “late next week.”

Update: I got a look at the Nook Tablet shortly after the event. My immediate thought upon seeing the Tablet is that the screen is worth all of the silly accolades (“VividView”?) heaped on it during the presentation–this screen is ridiculously crisp and bright. The resolution isn’t high enough to actually display 1080p content, which makes the claims that it can play 1080p content sort of snake oily, but that’s not to take away from the quality of this thing. Videos looked just fantastic, as did text.

Navigation seemed, to be honest, a bit stuttery. It’s not unusable, and does seem faster than the original Nook Color, as befitting its new processor, but it’s not nearly as buttery smooth as the iPad. Panning through a complex, Flash-laden site like CNN, for example, was pretty jittery. The UI is pretty easy to use, and true to form does not look much like Android at all.

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Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet Comics

It doesn’t have nearly as many exclusive content deals as the Kindle Fire, but what was there looked good: deep Netflix navigation (so you get recommendations on the homescreen, very cool), Netflix/Hulu/Pandora built in, and a deal with Marvel comics (seen above).

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Video: How to Turn Two iPads Into a Gory, Gaping Hole in Your Torso https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2011-10/video-how-turn-two-ipads-gory-gaping-hole-your-torso/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 20:48:22 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2011-10-video-how-turn-two-ipads-gory-gaping-hole-your-torso/
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Happy Halloween!

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Trawling the Web looking for that last minute costume idea today? Look no further. NASA engineer Mark Rober has a “relatively simple” (we’re calling it relatively expensive) yet technologically elegant solution to your Halloween wardrobe woes. All you need is two iPad 2s, some fake blood, and a shirt that you no longer care for.

The motif is “guy/gal who has a gaping hole clear through his/her torso.” You can customize this theme however you like, but the basic idea is this: affix one iPad to your front and one iPad to your back, screens facing out. Initiate a FaceTime chat between the two. Cut corresponding holes in your shirt. Decorate with as much blood/gore as you feel comfortable with.

And like that, you’ve created the illusion that someone has perforated your abdomen. Brilliant, right? It should be. Rober has spend the last half decade designing and building parts of the Mars Science Laboratory, a.k.a. the next Mars Rover. Ingenuity manifests itself in many ways it seems. Rober explains his creation in the video below.

Gizmodo

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Hacker’s delight https://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2006-11/hackers-delight/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 17:50:31 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/diy-article-2006-11-hackers-delight/
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Make the open-source Nokia 770 internet tablet do anything.

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Imagine a gadget that fits in your back pocket and lets you surf the web anywhere, write documents, make VoIP calls, watch movies, and listen to your entire music library. That’s not exactly what Nokia had in mind when it released the 770 ($360; nokia.com), a PDA-size internet tablet with WiFi and Bluetooth. But because the device has an open-source operating system, anyone can build new programs for it, endowing it with nearly endless functions (we’ve nicknamed it the HackBerry). To get started, check out our favorite apps in the gallery below, then find them and over 100 more at maemo.org.

And if you missed opening night at PopSci‘s Second Life Future Lounge, you’ve still got a chance to pick up a free virtual Nokia 770—it’ll change your avatar’s life for the better (seriously). Come on over!

Find the way

A Nokia 770 using Maemo Mapper for navigation.
Connect a 770 to a Bluetooth GPS receiver, and use it as a portable navigation device with Maemo Mapper. Download maps ahead of time, or set it to grab them automatically. Luis Bruno

Control your home PC

A Nokia 770 using VNC Viewer to remotely link to a computer
VNC Viewer lets you remotely link to any computer over the internet and creates a virtual desktop on your 770. Open and copy files just as if you were at home. Luis Bruno

Make free calls

A Nokia 770 using VoIP software from Gizmo Project.
Why rack up cell minutes? Download VoIP software from Gizmo Project and call any number in the US for a penny a minute, or make international calls for a few cents more. Luis Bruno

Keep it online all the time

A black Nokia 770 cellphone.
Free yourself from WiFi by pairing the 770 with any Bluetooth cellphone, and use the phone’s data connection to surf. The fastest available is the LG CU500 ($150; cingular.com), the first phone in the US to use HSDPA, which gives you 10 megabits per second—better than home broadband. Luis Bruno

This story has been updated. It was originally featured in the December 2006 issue of Popular Science magazine.

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Our Vision of the Future of Magazines https://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2009-12/our-vision-future-magazines/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:20:14 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/technology-article-2009-12-our-vision-future-magazines/ We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more › Although...

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Although we believe in a strong future for print media, we’re even more excited about the digital potential for magazines. That’s why we’re thrilled with this initial vision for a future PopSci developed by Bonnier’s R&D group with design firm BERG.

What we think it demonstrates really well is that converting a magazine to a screen doesn’t have to rob it of the core principles we all love about magazines: that reading them is a relaxing, immersive experience. And that the advantages of digital include subtle, unintrusive features like easy sharing and search. This is really the beginning of this effort for us—there are still a lot of challenges to solve around representing various article and magazine types, making reading as easy and intuitive as possible and sorting out the right mix of interactivity and multimedia. So we’d love to hear what you think of this and what else you’d really like to see in a digital form of PopSci. Let us know in the comments.

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Rumor Mill: Apple Tablet Will Be Unveiled This Month, Sold in March For $1,000 https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2010-01/rumor-mill-apple-tablet-will-ship-march-cool-grand-apiece/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 20:58:58 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2010-01-rumor-mill-apple-tablet-will-ship-march-cool-grand-apiece/
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The rumor mill has been heating all day, and right now it’s simply too hot to ignore: the Wall Street Journal says that people “briefed by the company” report that Apple’s long-awaited tablet will ship in March for around $1,000, with a formal announcement coming from the company at a January 27th event.

Right now details are scant, but the Journal seems confident that we can expect a 10- or 11-inch screen that will do all the things we’ve been expecting: display TV shows, films, and books, as well as play games, run apps and surf the Web. The price tag could also include (or be subsidized by) a subscription to a “nationwide Wi-Fi wireless service” (not a mobile data plan?).

Of course, the most exciting thing about the growing e-reader space at large and the Apple Tablet in particular is the potential to change the way users interact with print media.

As one of many, many media entities living in both digital and print, we’re thrilled by the many visions for the future of personal media consumption floating around out there. If you recall, our mothership company, Bonnier, even dreamed up a pretty sick version. And while the steep $1,000 price tag is a bit off-putting, the fact that we might be holding some semblance of digital media’s future in our hot little hands within three months is exciting, to say the very least.

[WSJ via Gizmodo]

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Windows 8 Slate Hands On: It’s Fantastic (But Don’t Sell Your iPad) https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2011-09/windows-8-slate-hands-its-fantastic-dont-sell-your-ipad/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 20:57:36 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2011-09-windows-8-slate-hands-its-fantastic-dont-sell-your-ipad/
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A Microsoft tablet with Windows 8 has been a long time coming, but it’s finally here. Sort of. We got our hands on a developer’s preview yesterday and while flawed, it’s extremely impressive.

Keep this in mind as you read: both the operating system and hardware are developer preview builds. In fact, the REDACTED* hardware (we’re prohibited from even revealing its manufacturer or specs) isn’t even going to run Windows 8. And the hardware has an x86 processor, not ARM. When this Slate ships, says Microsoft, it’s going to have Windows 7 on it. Microsoft doesn’t even have a name for this thing, which it was sure to note (repeatedly) is not the first Windows 8 device.

Confused? It’s like this: The tablet we got to play with was running a developer’s build of Window’s 8 on sub-optimal hardware, and, when this fistful of screen ships, it’ll be running Windows 7.

Whatever the hell this thing is, it’s a great preview of what’s to come, even if only for a limited time. And we do mean limited time. Microsoft’s press loaners are all due back in about 72 hours. I’ve been playing with this thing for the last twelve, trying to pack as much W8 into the time I’ve got. Here’s what we know:

INTERFACE

Let’s start with what it’s like to touch the thing: fantastic. It is, in fact, the most usable gesture-based interface on the market. It goes beyond what Apple has done by quite a bit. The entire operating system is navigable in a way that is both completely new, and yet familiar within a few minutes of use. Navigation includes some by now familiar touchscreen elements, but is largely novel.

Swiping from the left edge of the screen swaps from app to app. It’s blazing fast (even on this crazy setup), and as you swipe other running applications pop in as small windows that size up and take over your screen. You can also use this gesture to give over part of your screen real estate to a second running app, so you have two apps running side-by side in what Microsoft calls a snap state. Bawse.

Swiping the right edge brings up a persistant menu of “Charms:” five icons that act like a home row, letting you quickly jump to the Start screen, sharing, settings, devices, or search. Swiping from the top or bottom brings up application-specific menus and options. You can also use gestures to manipulate objects in heretofore unknown ways. Holding an element with one finger while swiping with another can move it around on the screen, for example. Quite simply, it’s the best gesture interface out there right now.

Yet you can also connect a keyboard, or use a stylus to input text (and it will recognize your handwriting, right out of the box). All of this worked very well. And generally speaking, text input is just great. The software keyboard is superfast and responsive. It is probably the best software keyboard I’ve used yet. I can’t type at the speed I do on a hardware keyboard, but it’s impressively zippy, and laid out well with ample space between keys, and easy to swap back and forth to numbers and special characters. There is even a split key mode for thumb typers.

OPERATING SYSTEM

Then there is the OS itself. The design is just stunning. It really makes you want to dive in and explore, and it’s exceptionally easy to poke around in and navigate.

Windows 8 is a complete re-think of Windows (and holy Moses did it need one because Windows 7 was a bad idea). In this version, you’re interacting mainly through so-called Metro applications. When you do fire up a Metro app (and in the shipping version of this OS, which Microsoft plans to build on lots of tablets with ARM chipsets, the Metro-style applications will be the dominant tablet interface) it completely takes over the screen. There is no Windows chrome to be seen anywhere, or even a home row of buttons or icons. It’s all app. It makes for a really immersive experience, and is especially nice on very visually-driven programs and games.

Metro apps show up on a unified Start screen. When you hit the Start screen, you see apps as tiles laid out in a grid. Goodbye, icons. As Jensen Harris, who runs Microsoft’s user experience team said, “icons are yesterday’s way of representing apps. Tiles are the more modern way of representing apps.” That’s kind of bullshit (even Windows 8 makes use of icons) but when you first encounter those eye-popping Metro tiles it feels true.

The tile concept is gorgeous and works wonderfully on a Slate. You scroll sideways across tiles, which you can also organize into groups by themes—and because they are so large it’s really easy to navigate around to what you want to do. Within individual apps, you can “pin” actions, creating new tiles. So, for example, you can pin Gizmodo.com from within IE (recommend!) and it will show up as a new tile on the Start screen. In addition to launching apps, Tiles convey live information at a glance. So the weather tile, for example, can constantly give you the current temp.

But it’s better in theory in practice. All of the apps tend to surface a lot of older data and repeat themselves. You see the same tweets and photos over and over again. New information doesn’t come bubbling up onto the Start screen the way it ought to. Again, this is a developer preview. We expect that will be remedied with the shipping product.

The new Search function works really well too. Bring up the charms by swiping the right edge of the screen, and an (old-fashioned!) search icon appears. When you enter a search term, not only will the interface show results with locally-named files and Internet results, but it can also search within various apps. The results show up in-app so, for example, you can find music results from within your music player without leaving the social media app.

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Windows 8 Preview: Snap Mode

YET TO COME

Some of its most promising features we weren’t able to experience. It will automatically sync your settings between devices, and save to your Microsoft SkyDrive, for example. Businesses will be able to set up custom apps and deploy them remotely, so users can log in to a remote desktop on the road and more or less have their work machines. And it isn’t just enterprise. You’ll be able to browse your home computers remotely too. The goal seems to be to get all your data on every device, everywhere. There’s also a built in app store, called Windows Store. Microsoft showed us a demo of building an app and deploying it to the store in a matter of minutes. There’s nothing there now, but we expect it will be pretty rich.

Don’t like new things? You old Andy Rooney, you. Good news, you can always swap over to Desktop mode and run a version of Windows that’s as familiar as 1995. Microsoft showed off a version of Photoshop running in this state, and reassures that all your existing Windows 7 programs will still run in that mode. But you won’t want to. The Metro apps are so inviting that going back to the old way of doing things feels, well, old.

THE BAD NEWS

There are hiccoughs. (Again, at risk of repeating myself repeating myself, this is a developer preview build, so we’re hoping a lot of issues will be remedied by the time Windows 8 ships. Which may be a while.) When I tried to watch a video on YouTube, I was notified that I needed to update my Flash player to version 10, which I was further notified was not available for my 64-bit Web browser. It prompted me to install a beta of 11. This kicked me over into Desktop mode. I reinstalled. I restarted. No luck. I still couldn’t watch James Brown dance. It was, precisely, every Windows and Flash usability cliche in you’ve ever heard in the space of a few minutes.

I asked people to send me videos on Twitter just to see how a random pool of Internet video would look. None of them worked. Not one. I was able to play a video on Vimeo that I navigated to myself, and subsequently found a few others, but Internet video as of now is a dark place for this Slate.

And then there’s the fan. Yes, this tablet has a fan, and it’s almost always running. Granted, this is an x86 device. But so is the MacBook Air, which doesn’t even have a fan has a miniscule fan that basically never runs. Microsoft talks a big game about how Windows 8 is going to be optimized for any device, but in its present state it seems to have some serious performance issues. Both the demos yesterday, and my personal experiences over the last twelve hours, were riddled with system freezes. Again, I know this is a developer preview, but it wasn’t encouraging.

IN CLOSING

YUSSSSSSSS. Largely this thing is great. You hate comparisons, but I’m going to make them: It’s not on par with the iPad (even the original version, to say nothing of the iPad 2.) There are simply too many things that don’t work as they should. But it’s already far more usable than any Android tablet I’ve encountered. By the time Microsoft gets ARM straightened out and can ship this OS on optimized hardware, it’s going to really sing. This is, in fact, the first tablet other than an iPad I can see myself buying and using. It’s early, but Microsoft seems to have a hit.

*Microsoft said we can’t say who made the tablet until after today’s keynote. (Damn, son.) But okay. That’s cool. We won’t mention which Korean manufacturer (that also makes lots of phones, some Android tablets, displays, televisions, and blu-ray players and is not LG or HTC) made this device until we get the official go-ahead.

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iOS 10’s Best New Features: Here’s How To Use Them https://www.popsci.com/ios-10-guide/ Sat, 17 Sep 2016 23:32:04 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/ios-10-guide/
Apple
WWDC 2016 brought changes to iMessage, Siri and more with the iOS 10 update. Apple

Make the most of Apple's biggest free update ever for your iPhone and iPad

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Apple
WWDC 2016 brought changes to iMessage, Siri and more with the iOS 10 update. Apple

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If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can now update it for free to iOS 10, the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system. You’ll need 1.1 GB of free space available to complete the download. First, make sure you’re on WiFi and have a good amount of battery juice left. Then, tap on your “Settings” app, tap “General,” tap “Software Update” and scroll down and tap “Download and Install.”

Don’t be afraid! Although some people had problems with iOS 10 when it first came out earlier last week, Apple has smoothed everything out now. And there are some pretty useful and fun new features available now for your iPhone and iPad in iOS 10. Here are some of our favorites, and how to use them.

The new lock screen and lock screen widgets

The new iMessage app with stickers, animations, games, Digital Touch and more…

The new emoji

The new Apple Music

The new Siri and Apple Maps

The new Apple Home app

The new Apple Photos app

The new Apple News app

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Microsoft Announces The Next Generation Of Surface Tablet https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2013-09/microsoft-announces-next-generation-surface-tablet/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:05:24 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2013-09-microsoft-announces-next-generation-surface-tablet/
Laptops photo
Dan Nosowitz

Will the sequel to the beautiful but not very popular Microsoft Surface succeed where the first couldn't?

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Laptops photo
Dan Nosowitz

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The Surface, released last winter, was the very first Microsoft-branded laptop, and an odd duck it was, too. A hard, seemingly Blade Runner-inspired chunk of metal, the Surface is a tablet that runs Windows, with a magnetic keyboard that clips onto the bottom of the screen with a satisfying “chnk.” We found the first model promising, but flawed, which is why we were so interested in the followup. And that followup, the Surface 2, was just announced today, here in New York.

The Surface line now includes three models: the Surface RT (which isn’t actually a new device; the price has been cut, but it’s the same Surface RT that was released last year), the Surface 2, and the Surface 2 Pro. All three have that same tablet-with-clipped-keyboard form factor, but vary in both hardware and software. The Surface RT is unchanged from last year, except in price. The “RT” in the name refers to the fact that this model doesn’t run a full version of Windows. Instead, it works more like an iPad or Android tablet, relying on apps from an app store and using an operating system called Windows RT that looks sort of like, but is not, Windows 8. You can’t run Photoshop on the RT, unless Adobe releases an RT-optimized Photoshop app. It’s also fairly low-powered, but it costs $349, so it’s hard to get too grumpy about that.

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Microsoft Surface 2 With Keyboard Cover

The Surface 2 is actually the sequel to the Surface RT, to be sold alongside. It too uses Windows RT, so you’re stuck with the Windows RT app store. Microsoft, for its part, says it’s rapidly expanding the app selection for the RT tablets. The main difference between the Surface 2 and the Surface RT? The screen. The new Surface 2 has a 1920×1080 screen, which on its small 10.6-inch display means you’ll be looking at a super sharp picture. It also includes a faster Tegra 4 processor, faster USB 3.0 for quicker external devices like hard drives and cameras, and will be available in both 32GB and 64GB storage capacities, starting at $449. (The Surface RT will only be available in 32GB.) Oh, also, the Surface 2 will be available in silver. It looks pretty cool.

The Surface Pro 2 is where things really start to get interesting. Of the three Surfaces, it’s the only one to run a full operating system–Windows 8, just like the Lenovo Yoga 13, our favorite early Windows 8 laptop. And, as Microsoft repeatedly stated, it’s a very powerful laptop, too: it’s using the newest Intel chips, which are called “Haswell,” and Microsoft says it’s got 50 percent more graphical ability than its predecessor, the Surface Pro. It’s got 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage, and either 4GB or 8GB of memory. It’ll start at $899, a touch cheaper than its chief rival, the Apple Macbook Air.

There are some interesting accessories to go along with the Surface 2 and 2 Pro; it’s inherently a more flexible platform, considering that it’s essentially just a screen. Microsoft has improved the two versions of keyboard cover from the first generation. A keyboard cover is a sort of separate keyboard that clips into the bottom of a tablet, and then folds up to cover the screen when not in use. Microsoft’s are very advanced; there are two main models and both are unusual. There’s the Touch cover, which is just touch- and pressure-sensitive fabric, so it feels like you’re typing on a carpet; and there’s the Type cover, an excellent and very slim keyboard. The Touch cover is now much more sensitive, with an upgrade from 80 sensors to over a thousand. The Type cover is now even slimmer, and Microsoft claims it’s silent.

But Microsoft has also opened things up to odder and more specific modular accessories. We saw the Surface Remix cover, which is a pressure-sensitive array for budding DJs, as well as a version of the Type cover with a built-in battery that extends the original Surface Pro’s battery life by two and a half times.

Oh, and there are some nice cloud-based updates as well; when you buy either a Surface 2 or Surface 2 Pro, you’ll get 200GB of cloud storage through Microsoft’s SkyDrive service. Plus, you’ll get a year’s worth of premium Skype service, meaning free international calls and access to the many Skype Wi-Fi hotspots littered around the world. Finally, something comes of that Microsoft purchase of Skype!

Pre-orders start tomorrow, and the new Surfaces officially go on sale on October 22nd.

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Kindle Oasis 7-inch review: tougher, smarter, and not for everyone https://www.popsci.com/kindle-oasis-7-inch-review-waterproof/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 22:03:54 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/kindle-oasis-7-inch-review-waterproof/
Tablets photo

Amazon's first waterproof e-reader is ready for the beach and bathtub, but not your bed.

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Kindle oasis Review
Don’t try this with previous edition Kindles. Joe Brown

The first book I read on an e-reader was Cryptonomicon, the Neal Stephenson epic. I kept falling asleep while reading the 931-page paper version, and it would hit me in the face. I read myself to sleep and that is what happens, but this massive tome would sometimes crack me in the face so hard that it would leave a mark.

So I picked up an e-reader, one of the early Sony models. From that moment, I was in love with the tech. Your opinion is your own, and I respect it. Now that I’ve said that, I will abuse this website and broadcast mine: e-readers are better than books. They make it easy to bring multiple volumes with you anywhere, and a backlit e-ink screen is like a printed page that glows—as opposed to your phone or tablet screen, which is like reading on a TV. Many are even waterproof. Huzzah, I’ll be in the tub. Don’t bother me for at least two hours.

Amazon’s 7-inch Kindle Oasis is the everything-giant’s first waterproof reader, which is a big deal for people go to the beach/pool/rainy place and don’t want their $249 portable library to get trashed by the most common substance on Earth. It’s not, however, the first waterproof reader. Kobo has had a fear-no-h20 unit for a while now, and you can even get a specially treated Kindle Paperwhite (three models old now) from a company called Waterfi.

So, OK, Amazon’s got a waterproof reader tied to the most expansive ebook library in the world. Game over, everyone pack up their e-reader businesses and go home, right? Maybe? Probably not? For all its great features, the newest Kindle Oasis is not a perfect machine.

Kindle Oasis review
The Premium Leather Standing Cover comes in three colors and costs $59.99. Joe Brown

The Good

The new Oasis now sports Bluetooth, which is awesome for those of us who switch between audiobooks and ebooks. Software-wise, Amazon started making that super easy by syncing between Kindle and Audible earlier this year; pick up an audiobook, and Amazon will throw in the ebook version, automatically jumping you to the spot where you stopped listening. So throw on your wireless headphones, toss your Kindle in your bag, and pretend you’re actually working at your desk. This will drain your battery faster, but at least you’re not killing your phone just because you can’t wait to find out if John Adams gets elected president. (He does, but only once.)

In terms of other radios, the Oasis, like its forebears, ships with two connectivity options: Wi-Fi only (from $249, with ads, which you will never notice), and Wi-Fi and cellular ($349), which uses LTE where available. You get the LTE one if you don’t care about money or can’t ever find Wi-Fi. Honestly, this is a luxury add-on, but damn is it nice.

Kindle Oasis review pot
No, it’s seriously waterproof. Joe Brown

On the processor side, e-readers are not powerful machines and the new Oasis doesn’t do much to change that. Like its predecessor, it uses a 1Ghz processor, although the 7-inch Oasis’s is an updated chip: an NXP i.MX7D vs a the original’s FSL 6 SL Cortex-A9. The new chip lets the 7-inch Oasis run faster; side-by-side with the 2016 model, the new kid flips pages quicker. (Menus, keypresses, etc, seem to fire with the same speed.) Its light sensor, which adjusts the screen’s brightness based on the ambient illumination, though, is so fast it’s almost annoying. If you, for example, roll over in bed to grab a glass of water and subject the Oasis to a brighter cone of lamplight, the 7-inch Oasis will lighten its screen almost instantaneously. If dials it down when you roll back over, though.

The screen in general is outstanding. Who misses paper? While older generations of e-ink screens could look pixelated, letters and words on the new Oasis are as clear as any wood-pulp sheaf. It’s not visibly better than the previous-gen Oasis or the two-generations-ago Voyage, and sports the same 300 pixel-per-inch density. It is, however, larger than both of its predecessors, which is great for a couple reasons: first, it’s excellent for readers with poor vision. The Oasis (as well as older models) support eight fonts at 15 sizes apiece, which should make it easy to read even if you’ve graduated beyond the drugstore carousel of corrective spectacles. The larger screen should also translate into fewer page-turns, helping extend battery life—a claimed six weeks at 30 minutes of reading a day. (We did not have six weeks to review the 7-inch Oasis, but in four days of heavy use the battery meter barely budged.)

Kindle Oasis Review
This left-to-right size comparison shows the new Kindle Oasis, the old Kindle Oasis, and the Kindle Voyage. Joe Brown

The not-as-good

That large screen, though, means a large form-factor overall, and this is an area where the Oasis disappoints a bit. Up until this generation, Amazon had a great track record of releasing smaller, lighter Kindles every time. The new Oasis is neither smaller nor lighter than the 2016 model.

The weight is not much to complain about—at 6.8 ounces, it’s just a couple ounces above last year’s (4.6 ounces)—but the size is annoying. At 6.3 x 5.6 inches, it’s nearly square, and one that’s hard to wrap your fingers around. Amazon says its device was designed to rest in your palm, and it does. But not everyone wants to read sitting or standing up all the time.

Unfortunately, the Oasis is not particularly comfortable to hold while lying down. The best method I’ve found is to pinch it between your thumb and forefinger below the page-turn buttons, and either slide your thumb up or use another hand’s digits to advance. Here you actually start to feel that metal body’s extra ounces; the previous-gen Oasis is a better choice if you like to read while lying down. It’s smaller, so you can easily get your hands around it.

Kindle Oasis Review
Navigating the page turning buttons can be tricky to navigate if you read in bed. Joe Brown

Actually, if you read in bed a lot, just go for the Voyage. It’s easier to grip than either Oasis and only 6.6 ounces, or 0.2 ounces lighter than the 7-inch Oasis. It’s better for people like us. It’s not naturally waterproof, but if you want to read lying down at the beach, a Ziplock bag works great. I just saved you a hundred bucks. I’m on Venmo.

It feels like everyone who reviews the new Kindles says the same thing every year: If you need a Kindle, get this new one, but there’s no reason to upgrade if you’ve got last year’s. The addition of Bluetooth and that IPX-8 water-resistance (up to 6 feet for 60 minutes—more than an iPhone, whose Kindle app is garbage) are clearly efforts on Amazon’s part to change that trend with the 7-inch Oasis. For some people, this is the Kindle they’ve been waiting for; it’s certainly an excellent reader and boasts a set of specific features that will appeal to specific people. For others, it might not be enough of an upgrade to justify the expenditure. Sounds confusing, I know. Don’t worry: We made a cheat sheet for you:

YOU SHOULD GET THE NEW OASIS IF

  • You need a waterproof reader.
  • You have poor vision, and would benefit from the extra screen resolution.
  • The money is not a concern and you like to have the Newest Thing.
  • Your giant hands have been waiting since the Kindle XL for something worthy of their size.

YOU SHOULDN’T GET THE NEW OASIS IF

  • You like your current Kindle/Kobo/Nook (RIP).
  • You read paper books, would rather spend your money on beat poetry and pins for your jean jacket.
  • You don’t have a ton of money and are fine using a Ziplock bag and an old model like the Voyage.
  • You don’t listen to Audiobooks. (BTW, you are missing out.)
  • You like putting your e-reader in your jeans’ back pocket. (The 7-inch Voyage doesn’t fit.)
  • You read in bed, lying on your back.

* Upate 1:11 PM Post updated to clarify processor type*

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Apple’s Tablet Gamble: Do You Want One? https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2010-01/apples-tablet-gamble-do-you-want-one/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 19:51:23 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2010-01-apples-tablet-gamble-do-you-want-one/
Tablets photo

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Tablets photo

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Tomorrow, we’ll be in San Francisco to cover Apple’s introduction–should the fevered speculation be accurate–of a new tablet device with a ten-inch touchscreen running some version of the iPhone OS. With it, so the story goes, they are hoping to deliver printed media products digitally in a new way, along with music and videos and apps galore.

For Apple, it is a gamble; tablet-sized devices of the sort, other than perhaps Amazon’s Kindle (a decidedly different beast), have yet to go mainstream. So the all important question: Do you want one?

Make no mistake, one of Apple’s most impressive gifts is its ability to tidily package together needs sitting latently unsatisfied somewhere in our consumer brains, then fulfilling those needs of which we were previously unaware with a gadget, most likely wrought in sexy sharp-edged aluminum and obsidian glass.

But for each of Apple’s primary mainstream successes–the iPod and the iPhone–the company was not breaking any moulds. For each, Apple significantly refined gadgets consumers already knew and, in the case of the iPhone, already used every day–a digital music player and a cellphone.

But not even my most gadget-obsessed friends and colleagues are using, or even wanting, any tablet-like gadget currently on the market. Which is perhaps what’s most captivating about Apple’s plans for what Steve Jobs has said (behind the veil, quoted second- and third-hand, of course) is “the most important thing I’ve ever done.”

Tomorrow, the speculation stops, and we’ll be there. But prior to our coverage tomorrow, I’d love to know what you think. In the comments, please: Based on what we know to this point, would you buy an Apple tablet?

Check back tomorrow for our live coverage and analysis.

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Apple Tablet Event Live https://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2010-01/apple-tablet-unveiling-live/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:28:13 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/gadgets-article-2010-01-apple-tablet-unveiling-live/ We're here in San Francisco for Apple's anticipated announcement

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Steve Jobs Unveils the iPad

Steve Jobs Unveils the iPad

Update: Here are our hands on impressions of the iPad. Our liveblog with all the details of the announcement is archived here.

Starting at 10 AM PST (1 PM EST), we’ll be covering Apple’s tablet unveiling event from San Francisco, with reality distortion field shielding equipped. Check back here shortly before then for words and pictures from the event, updating live.

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12:56: Testing 1-2-3. We’re inside, listening to live Bob Dylan, waiting.

12:59: I’m one of hundreds on AT&T’s data network in here, so if I fade in and out, blame them!

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1:03: The man is on stage, ready to unveil a “magical” product. But first, some updates about the business. $15.6B in revenue Q1 2010, claiming #1 mobile device company in the world. By the way, connection issues here at the moment, so if I unexpectedly disappear, check out our friends at Gizmodo for more live coverage.

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1:09: Steve: First to market with laptops in 1991, then “reinvented the phone” with the iPhone. Everyone uses a laptop or a smartphone now. Is there room for a third category of device in the middle? Third category will have to be far better at doing “some key things.”

Some people have thought that’s a netbook. Problem is, netbooks aren’t better at anything. Applause.

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1:12: It’s the iPad. Going through basic functionalities now– browsing, email, photos, iTunes music–everything the iPhone does. Text entry is with an “almost life size” soft keyboard.

Tablets photo

1:15: Steve’s relaxing in his chair demoing the iPad. Currently going through the browser, which seems to function exactly like the mobile Safari on the iPhone. Nothing new yet.

Tablets photo

1:18: Now, email. Again, basically the same as iPhone, but with a paneled interface that’s more like Mail on the Mac. Typing, Steve holds the tablet on his knees and uses both hands to type on the soft keyboard.

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1:19: Photos app looks like a hybrid of iPhone photos and iPhoto on the Mac. Seeing a trend here?

Tablets photo

1:21: Get the feeling Steve is sandbagging here going through the basics. iTunes is here, described as a “built in iPod.” More of a hybrid mobile/desktop feel, taking advantage of the increased screen real estate.

More Dylan:

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Tablets photo

1:25: People are applauding Google Street View on the iPad’s maps app, but it’s exactly the same as the iPhone implementation–just bigger.

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1:27: Steve watching Up.

1:29: Specs time: .5 inches thin, 1.5 pounds, 9.7-inch IPS display. Interestingly, it runs on a custom chip Apple built itself, the Apple A4 running at 1 GHZ. 16, 32, 64 GB solid state storage. 802.11n wi-fi, Bluetooth. “We’ve been able to achieve 10 hours of battery life. I can take a flight from SF to Tokyo and watch video the whole way.” Plus, 1 month of standby.

1:33: Scott Forstall is up talking about the App Store on the iPad. It runs “virtually every” App Store app out of the box–either in a black box at native iPhone resolution, which doesn’t look too appealing, or resolution upscaled to full screen (with a slight loss of image quality, one would assume). Hard to tell on the big screen.

1:34: Here’s a snowboard racing app in the black box mode and upscaled:

Tablets photo

Tablets photo

To take full advantage of the larger iPad screen, developers will have to re-write their applications with larger UI elements. Developers can begin modifying their apps with an SDK available today.

Tablets photo

1:38: Now we’re seeing demos from iPhone developers who have gotten a headstart on developing apps for the iPad. Gameloft is showing a first-person shooter that looks pretty impressive. Lots of touch controls for fighting. Clearly, an emphasis will be on games.

1:40: Now the New York Times: Been developing a demo app for the past three weeks. Why use an iPad app over the NYT webpage Steve demoed just a few minutes ago?

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1:42: NYT app is looking to capture the essence of the printed product with similar layout and design, with video and digital content piped in.

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1:44: Now Brushes, the popular iPhone painting app. This could be good.

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1:46: Brushes looks pretty excellent–as you can imagine, more screen real estate will make finger painting easier and more natural. A nifty playback feature watches your composition go from a blank canvas to finished, each stroke at a time. Neat.

1:47: EA is demo’ing Need For Speed. Using the accelerometer to steer and working your hands around to do things like shift gears and change the camera view might be kind of tricky:

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1:51: The MLB app looks pretty great with the expanded screen as well. Full-screen game simulations with picture-in-picture for videos.

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1:54: Now here’s what many were waiting for: iBooks, an e-reader app with–yes–a built-in book store. iTunes for books. Publishers Penguin, Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, and Hachette have signed on.

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1:57: Steve’s hyping hard the benefits of reading books on a color screen (but, still backlit–get ready for some eyestrain?). Photos look great, pageturns are instant and animated, and multimedia can be integrated inline. It uses the e-pub format, and textbooks are in the works.

1:58: iWork is also coming to the iPad. Phil Schiller is onstage to demo what he and Steve are both pretty excited about, surprisingly. Keynote, Pages and Numbers have all been ported for presentations, word processing and…spreadsheets! Office work on an iPad? I guess!

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2:02: Some nifty looking multitouch gestures have been added–tap presentation slides into a bundle and move them to replace–photo masking and resizing is also touchable and fairly intuitive-looking. Is this the future of the desktop Mac we’re seeing?

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2:05: Phil just said Pages’ formatting ruler is the “most beautiful ruler you’ve ever seen in an application. OK!

They must be pretty confident with the iPad’s keyboard to include a full-fledged word processor.

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2:09: Phil is holding the iPad with one hand and pecking at the keyboard with the other. Looks kind of awkward, but we’ll have to see for ourselves. What must surely be the iWork team sitting in the front is loving this demo. Wild applause.

2:11: Each productivity app will be $10 in the App Store.

2:12: Steve’s back filling in some more details. Full sync with iTunes via USB, just like the iPhone.

2:13: Interesting: iPads will be available either with wi-fi alone or with wi-fi plus 3G. And here’s the pricing: 250MB per month for $14.99, unlimited for $30. All through AT&T, which elicited some groans in the crowd. But this is nice: no contract necessary, and cancellation can be done anytime.

2:17: Pricing. Much lower than expected at $499 for 16GB and no 3G, but with lots of different pricing options. Lots of applause. They’re available in two months.

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2:22: Now we’re talking accessories. As many expected, there will be a keyboard. And, another industry killed by Apple: digital photo frames. When in its dock, the iPad can show your photos.

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Tablets photo

2:28: We’re wrapping up with a video now, which will be online shortly. Thanks for joining–stay tuned for more iPad news after the event.

See our iPad hands on here

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CES 2015: Dell Venue 8 7000 Series Tablet Is Half The Width Of A CD Case [Video] https://www.popsci.com/ces-2015-dell-venue-8-7000-series-thinnest-tablet/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 20:59:24 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/ces-2015-dell-venue-8-7000-series-thinnest-tablet/
Tablets photo

It may be thin, but it's certainly not dainty

The post CES 2015: Dell Venue 8 7000 Series Tablet Is Half The Width Of A CD Case [Video] appeared first on Popular Science.

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Tablets photo

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Tablets are known for their thin and convenient portability, and Dell’s taking that a step further with the Venue 8 7000 Series. It’s a tiny 6 mm thin — Dell says it’s the world’s thinnest — and has an 8.4-inch OLED screen. If you think that means it’s bound to be easy to break, just watch correspondent Katie Linendoll try in the video.

Popular Science is covering the coolest, most futuristic, and strangest gadgets and technologies at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Catch our complete CES 2015 coverage all week long.

Follow Katie Linendoll on Twitter!

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Apple Unveils New iPads https://www.popsci.com/article/gadgets/apple-unveils-new-ipads/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 22:15:19 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/article-gadgets-apple-unveils-new-ipads/
Tablets photo
Apple

Plus other stuff—but mostly iPads.

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Tablets photo
Apple

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Today in Cupertino, Calif., Apple CEO Tim Cook and a few other bigwigs took the stage to announce some new stuff. What kind of stuff? New, slightly better iPads; a new, slightly better operating system; and a grab bag of other bite-size announcements. Here’s what you missed.

Tablets photo

iPads

NEW IPADS

Yes, this is what we came for. Apple announced two new iPads today: the iPad Air and a new iPad Mini.

First, the Air. It’s a 7.5mm-thick tablet that weighs 1 pound (compared to the iPad’s 1.44 pounds) and, natch, has a faster CPU. It’s a very nice-looking little gadget, and comes with Retina display, the lovely, no-pixels-visible screen on the current generation of regular ol’ not-mini iPads. It’ll run from $500 to $930, depending on what storage you get and whether you want LTE for connecting to the web on the go.

Which brings us to the new iPad Mini, which is also stocked with Retina display. Except this one comes in a bite-size packaging: it has a 7.9-inch screen, compared to the 10-ish standard iPad size. And this version will come with a series of colorful cases, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Tablets photo

OS X Mavericks

OS X MAVERICKS

If you’ve got a Mac laptop or desktop made since 2007, congratulations! You’re getting a new operating system, called OS X Mavericks. You won’t actually see too much of what’s changed—it’s mostly fixes happening under the hood. (Go see for yourself, if you’ve got time. It’s available now.) For example: it’ll give you more battery life—about one hour more web browsing or 90 minutes more video-watching.

But one thing you might notice is an overhaul of the notifications system, which makes alerts to your computer from apps more prominent. A new desktop version of Apple Maps looks like like what you have on your phone, but, you know, bigger. There were also an assortment of incremental changes to desktop apps you probably don’t use all that much, like Garageband and iMovie. But in case you do: there’s a new robot-drummer option for Garageband, and you can slow down video in iMovie. That about covers it.

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Mac Pro

NEW COMPUTERS

Kinda. They’re new computers, but mostly they’re a lot like the generation just before them. Right now, Apple offers a 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro. As of today, they’re offering new versions of those two—both are a little thinner, quieter, faster, and have better graphics processors. The MacBook Pros are already widely liked, so these are probably about the same—and that’s just fine. The 13- and 15-inch computers are shipping today at $1,299 and $1,999, respectively.

Also, you may remember a garbage-can-like desktop computer, the new Mac Pro, that Apple was teasing not too long ago. It’s still coming, sometime before the end of the year. Apple is hyping its speed and noted that it eats up 70 percent less energy than the previous Mac Pro. It’ll sell for $2,999.

That’s about it! We’ll let you know when we get a chance to tinker with some of the above.

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A list of moist places we’d take Amazon’s new waterproof Kindle https://www.popsci.com/waterproof-kindle-moist-places/ Thu, 12 Oct 2017 01:43:50 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/waterproof-kindle-moist-places/
Tablets photo

The Kindle Oasis is IPX8-rated, so you can read in the tub or while you're wakeboarding.

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Tablets photo

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Kindle Oasis waterproof
Oh no! Our Kindle is totally ruined now! Haha, just kidding, the new one is waterproof. Amazon

Amazon’s new Kindle is finally—finally—waterproof. The new Oasis (same name, better bod) has a 7-inch e-paper screen, up from 6-inches, as well as a larger battery, and the ability to play audiobooks from Audible blah blah blah blah blah. Here’s what we care about: Its IPX8-rated water-resistant aluminum body. The only tradeoff for this defense is the missing headphone jack. Don’t worry, though: The device’s Bluetooth will pair with wireless headphones now, and Amazon is on-trend.

The Oasis (starting at $250) isn’t the first waterproof e-reader, but it’s the only one tied into Amazon’s decade-old Kindle ecosystem, which likely controls your entire personal library from Adams to Zinn. You might be wondering how this affects you. Time to take a ride on the ol’ S.S. Imagination to get an idea of what you’ve been missing. [WAVY DREAM EFFECT]

Kindle Oasis
There’s an old man sitting just outside the frame of this photo of the sea. Trust us. Amazon

We could read The Beach at the beach.

We could read Less than Zero while lounging in an extravagant, ’80s-style pool.

We could read Heart of Darkness in the jungle

Amazon Kindle Oasis
Three hours after this picture was taken, the bubbles were gone and the reader, entranced by the prose of F. Scott Fitzgerald, was rendered pruney beyond all recognition. Amazon

We could read Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding in the steam room at the gym

We could read David Lee Roth’s autobiography, Crazy From the Heat, in the hot tub at a sleazy motel

We could read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? in the future Blade Runner world where it’s always raining.

Kindle Oasis
This guy chose to use his new Kindle Oasis on the Lord of the Flies island, so unfortunately he was eaten soon after this was taken. Amazon

We could read any Dr. Seuss book next to your kids who spill LITERALLY EVERYTHING. ALWAYS.

We could read The Fault in Our Stars alone in your bathtub, because that book is super sad and you’ll definitely get teary all over it.

We couldn’t read The Lord of the Rings near a volcano, because IPX8 certification protects a device in water over three feet deep, but not the lava from a massive, ancient volcano.

Kindle Oasis
This woman kept yelling, “Hey, is that Moby Dick?!” while pointing out into the ocean and laughing hysterically and using her Kindle Oasis on this boat. She was actually reading a Harry Potter book. Amazon

We could read Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea while you’re eating a Filet-O-Fish in a McDonald’s on a really humid day.

We could read The Old Man and the Sea while sitting next to an old man and also the sea.

We could read The Road next to a lake full of post-apocalyptic sludge.

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You Can Now Use Amazon’s Alexa On The Fire HD 8 Tablet https://www.popsci.com/you-can-now-use-amazons-alexa-virtual-assistant-on-companys-tablets/ Wed, 26 Oct 2016 17:00:00 +0000 https://www.popsci.com/uncategorized/you-can-now-use-amazons-alexa-virtual-assistant-on-companys-tablets/
Alexa on Amazon Fire tablet
Unlike on the screenless Echo, the Fire tablet will offer visual info and controls to accompany your request. Xavier Harding

Amazon Echo voice features arrive via free software update

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Alexa on Amazon Fire tablet
Unlike on the screenless Echo, the Fire tablet will offer visual info and controls to accompany your request. Xavier Harding

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Amazon Fire tablet and Alexa
Amazon’s Alexa virtual assistant is coming to the company’s tablets via software update Xavier Harding

The Amazon Echo has played Trojan horse for the giant online retailer, situating Amazon in a prime area of the home: the always-on virtual assistant. With the help of Alexa, Amazon’s version of Siri, the company is able to serve users the latest news, offer weather updates, play a song on Spotify, hail an Uber or more, all via voice. Amazon announced last month that Alexa would come to the Fire tablet. Today it finally arrives.

In an update, Amazon is releasing its Alexa virtual assistant to the Fire HD 8, meaning every owner of the tablet with an internet connection can grab the free update and make use of Alexa’s expansive list of skills. Unlike the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot, the tablet’s microphone will not always be listening for the trigger word “Alexa” or “Amazon”–a similar trade-off we’ve seen in Amazon’s bluetooth speaker, the Tap. If you’re privacy-conscious and worried an always-listening microphone could prove problematic, this could be the flavor of Alexa for you.

Alexa on Amazon Fire tablet

Amazon Fire Tablet

Unlike on the screenless Echo, the Fire tablet will offer visual info and controls to accompany your request

The Amazon Echo doesn’t have a screen, but because the Fire HD 8 tablet does it can show relevant information upon receiving a query. Ask Alexa to play a song on Spotify, for example, and options to pause, skip forward or skip back present themselves. Ask it for the scores from yesterday’s game and it will give you a detailed scorecard. Using an actual Echo device under the same Amazon account will still invoke the appearances of info cards on your tablet devices using the new update.

Amazon’s update comes at a time when Google is anxious to take over the virtual assistant space. Along with the Google Pixel phone, which offers the aptly named Assistant built right in, the upcoming Google Home is set to release in early November. Considering all Android devices, tablets and phones come with Google’s voice services by default, getting Alexa onto the Fire tablets keeps Amazon competitive. For now, Amazon’s Echo still remains the always-listening virtual assistant to beat, but Google may have something to say about that when Home comes on November 4.

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