From ac460cb5f346766aeed549a1888a3fed613808d6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: luxagraf Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2019 08:42:42 -0500 Subject: Archived published articles --- hasselblad-review.txt | 0 instant-mini-printers.txt | 5 ++ instax-ode.txt | 7 ++ memorial-day-deals.txt | 23 ------ notes.txt | 37 ++++----- osmo-action.txt | 53 ------------- password-managers.txt | 89 ---------------------- plastic-alternatives.txt | 21 ++++++ published/acer swift 7 review.txt | 42 +++++++++++ published/amazon-device-deals-pd.txt | 107 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ published/breakout-1.txt | 37 +++++++++ published/deals-nl.txt | 6 ++ published/deals.txt | 3 + published/dji-robomaster-review.txt | 38 ++++++++++ published/espresso.txt | 114 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ published/instax-liplay.txt | 56 ++++++++++++++ published/ivycliq.txt | 43 +++++++++++ published/jun29-deals.txt | 48 ++++++++++++ published/mac-alternatives.txt | 89 ++++++++++++++++++++++ published/mac-pro.txt | 18 +++++ published/may31-deals.txt | 40 ++++++++++ published/memorial-day-deals.txt | 58 ++++++++++++++ published/osmo-action.txt | 53 +++++++++++++ published/password-managers.txt | 126 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ published/pd-big-deals-little-stuff.txt | 65 ++++++++++++++++ published/pd-big-deals-little-stuff.txt_ | 65 ++++++++++++++++ published/pd-newsletter.txt | 9 +++ published/pd-newsletter.txt_ | 9 +++ published/podcasts.txt | 71 +++++++++++++++++ published/portable-grills.txt | 108 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ published/prime-day-early-deals.txt | 85 +++++++++++++++++++++ published/prime-day-nl.txt | 3 + published/sony-xperia.txt | 45 +++++++++++ published/tg-6-review.txt | 45 +++++++++++ published/which-macbook.txt | 100 ++++++++++++++++++++++++ timeline.xls | Bin 8192 -> 0 bytes 36 files changed, 1535 insertions(+), 183 deletions(-) create mode 100644 hasselblad-review.txt create mode 100644 instant-mini-printers.txt create mode 100644 instax-ode.txt delete mode 100644 memorial-day-deals.txt delete mode 100644 osmo-action.txt delete mode 100644 password-managers.txt create mode 100644 plastic-alternatives.txt create mode 100644 published/acer swift 7 review.txt create mode 100644 published/amazon-device-deals-pd.txt create mode 100644 published/breakout-1.txt create mode 100644 published/deals-nl.txt create mode 100644 published/deals.txt create mode 100644 published/dji-robomaster-review.txt create mode 100644 published/espresso.txt create mode 100644 published/instax-liplay.txt create mode 100644 published/ivycliq.txt create mode 100644 published/jun29-deals.txt create mode 100644 published/mac-alternatives.txt create mode 100644 published/mac-pro.txt create mode 100644 published/may31-deals.txt create mode 100644 published/memorial-day-deals.txt create mode 100644 published/osmo-action.txt create mode 100644 published/password-managers.txt create mode 100644 published/pd-big-deals-little-stuff.txt create mode 100644 published/pd-big-deals-little-stuff.txt_ create mode 100644 published/pd-newsletter.txt create mode 100644 published/pd-newsletter.txt_ create mode 100644 published/podcasts.txt create mode 100644 published/portable-grills.txt create mode 100644 published/prime-day-early-deals.txt create mode 100644 published/prime-day-nl.txt create mode 100644 published/sony-xperia.txt create mode 100644 published/tg-6-review.txt create mode 100644 published/which-macbook.txt delete mode 100644 timeline.xls diff --git a/hasselblad-review.txt b/hasselblad-review.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e69de29 diff --git a/instant-mini-printers.txt b/instant-mini-printers.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dc0e04d --- /dev/null +++ b/instant-mini-printers.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5 @@ +Fuji Instax SP2 prints are nice, but phone app is terrible, unresponsive, difficult to change settings, once you hit print there's no taking it back. It feel like Fujifilm spent millions on the instax hardware and had about $100 left over to build an app. + +Small green line at the bottom edge of the image, resolves itself in a day or so. + +https://domvarney.com/2016/11/07/instax-sp2-part-1/ diff --git a/instax-ode.txt b/instax-ode.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9406050 --- /dev/null +++ b/instax-ode.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7 @@ + +In Instax prints, like Polaroids before them, the ink is in the frame of the print and is released as the print is forces out of the camera. This is why the image fades into view. Word to the wise though, there will never be a song "shake it like an Instax picture" because shaking an Instax image does nothing. + + + +Canon, Kodak and HP have all released Zink based cameras and printers with a form factor roughly similar to the new Fujifilm LiPlay. The big difference is of course the end result. The LiPlay uses Instax prints, a technology similar to Polaroids with puffy white edges and an image that develops while you watch. Zink on the other hand can produce borderless prints, but takes a bit longer to spit them out. + diff --git a/memorial-day-deals.txt b/memorial-day-deals.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 0f9d0d1..0000000 --- a/memorial-day-deals.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,23 +0,0 @@ -This weekend is Memorial Day. Whether you're taking advantage of the long weekend to get out of town or just spending some time around the house we've rounded up some of our favorite deals from online retailers around the web and included the links to their sale pages. - -### Grills - -- **[Biolite FirePit Complete Kit (includes SolarCarry Cover, FireMat, FirePoker) for $242 ($87 off)](){: rel=nofollow}** The Firepit's rechargeable battery powers up 51 air jets for plenty of cooking and camp fire time without getting much smoke in your eyes. It's [our favorite](https://www.wired.com/review/review-biolite-firepit/) way to exercise our pyromanic tendencies while obeying campsite rules. This bundle includes the FirePit and all the extras. -https://www.bioliteenergy.com/products/firepit-complete-kit - -- **[Weber Spirit II E-310 for $450 ($50 off)](){: rel=nofollow}** Webers grills aren't the cheapest, but those extra dollars get you a high-quality grill that feels like it's built to last. The original Spirit was one of [our favorite entry-level grills](https://www.wired.com/2016/05/best-gas-grills/) and Weber grills rarely go on sale. -https://www.lowes.com/pd/Weber-Spirit-II-E-310-Black-3-Burner-Liquid-Propane-Gas-Grill/1000366153 - -- **[Original Kettle 22" Charcoal Grill for $165 (12 percent off)](){: rel=nofollow}** The legendary kettle grill is still our favorite way to cook on charcoal. As noted above, Weber does not often have sales, this one isn't huge, but we'll take it. -https://www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdp/weber-original-kettle-premium-22-charcoal-grill-green-wbe1317.html - - -### Appliances - -- **[Cuisinart 0.6 Cu. Ft. Air Fryer Toaster Oven for $160 ($205 off)](){: rel=nofollow}** Fried food without the greasy napkins. This model doubles as a 6-slice toaster. -https://www.wayfair.com/kitchen-tabletop/pdp/cuisinart-06-cu-ft-air-fryer-toaster-oven-cui3490.html - -- **[DeLonghi Magnifica Espresso Machine for $645 (35 percent off)](){: rel=nofollow}** At full price we deemed it too expensive for our espresso maker review, but at this price you can have your espresso and drink it too. -https://www.wayfair.com/kitchen-tabletop/pdp/delonghi-magnifica-espresso-and-cappuccino-automatic-espresso-machine-dlg10007.html - - diff --git a/notes.txt b/notes.txt index 901f96d..acf90bf 100644 --- a/notes.txt +++ b/notes.txt @@ -1,21 +1,22 @@ -## potential updates -### best laptops -https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-laptops/ -Dell XPS nose cam is gone +Low end laptop round up notes -## Guides -### budget laptops -Lenovo ThinkPad E590 -Lenovo Ideapad 330S -ASUS VivoBook F510UA -ASUS Zenbook UX305FA-ASM1 -Dell Inspiron 15 7570 - -15-inch, 18-inch, travel sized (13-inch), etc. We can explore the spectrum. So that’s how I’d recommend approaching. - -mixture of use case/features and price -cool -Durability is sometimes an issue at budget prices -and battery +Acer Aspire 5 +Model Name: A515-54-51DJ Part Number: NX.HG5AA.001 $529.99: + specs: + Intel Core i5 i5-8265U 1.60 GHz quad core + Intel UHD Graphics 620 + Screen Size 15.6" LCD IPS 1920 x 1080 + 8 GB RAM + Ports: ethernet, USB, USB-C, HDMI, headphones + notes: + - screen is lackluster, not super sharp + - hard to open from front edge + - edge is sharp on wrists in some situations + - tends to be quiet, speakers are weak + - plenty fast + - no problems with windows +Acer Swift 3 +Acer Chromebook +Lenovo Chromebook C330 diff --git a/osmo-action.txt b/osmo-action.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 392e92d..0000000 --- a/osmo-action.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,53 +0,0 @@ -GoPro's Hero series action cameras finally have some worthy competition. Others have tried in the past but none of the GoPro alternatives have been as compelling as DJI's new Osmo Action. - -The Action offers nearly everything that makes the GoPro popular and adds a few tricks of its own, including a front screen for effortless action selfies. - -Before I dive into what makes the DJI great and where it's lacking, what everyone wants to know is how it stacks up against last year's [GoPro Hero7](https://www.wired.com/review/gopro-hero7-black-2018/). DJI clearly took a page from GoPro's playbook. The basic features are nearly identical. Both can capture 12-megapixel stills in both RAW and JPG, record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second, offer video effects like 8X slow motion and excellent electronic stabilization, and both are waterproof right out of the box (the Action claims 36 feet, GoPro 33 feet). - -*(Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.)* - -###Seeing Double - -The Osmo Action's headlining difference, and what sets it apart from other action cams we've tested, is its 1.4-inch front screen. It's tiny, but it offers a full-color display and it's incredibly handy for selfie videos. The front screen is just large enough that you can easily tell where you are in the Action's sweeping 145 degree field of view. The selfie-friendliness alone will make it a compelling buy for anyone primarily shooting from a stick. - -There are two ways to switch between the Action's dualing screens, either use a touch gesture -- a two-finger double tap on the rear LCD -- or a long press of the QS (Quick Switch) button. Either way you're in and out of selfie mode nearly instantaneously. - -In the hand, the Action isn't an exact clone of a GoPro, but the form factor is very similar. DJI tweaked the basic action camera design enough to squeak in a nice, bright 2.25 inch LCD with true 16:9 aspect ratio -- no letterboxed video playback like you'll find in the Hero series. It makes the Action slightly wider than a GoPro, but it still felt comfortable enough in my hand, as comfortable as any tiny camera can feel anyway. - -You probably aren't going to be holding this thing anyway, you're going to mount it. DJI has wisely included a case and mounting system that mirrors the GoPro, which means most of the mounts that fit the GoPro would work here as well. - -The Osmo Action is water proof out of the box to 36 feet, just be sure you seal the flap that covers the USB-C port and Micro-SD card slot before you dive in. Notice that I did not say USB-C and HDMI port, because there is no HDMI port on the Action -- no real-time monitoring from the comfort of your director's chair. This is an action camera after all, it's meant to be on your helmet or handlebars recording the, ahem, action. - -Technically there is a way to monitor footage if you really need to; you can use DJI's mobile app on your phone. Not a huge screen, but bigger than what the Osmo Action offers anyway. - -The Action is fronted by an F2.8 lens that's covered with a screw-in clear filter. My test unit also included four ND filters to help out with shutter speeds in bright situations. I found the 16 filter perfect for bright days at the pool. The ND filters are sold separately and there will no doubt be plenty of third party filters available soon. - -The Action uses the same sensor as the [DJI Mavic Air](https://www.wired.com/review/dji-mavic-air-2018/), and supports the same frame rates and video options, which is handy if you're mixing footage from the air and ground. - -###Rock Steady - -DJI may be new to action cameras, but it has quite a bit of experience stabilizing tiny cameras. The company calls the Action's image stabilization system "RockSteady", which might be mocking the GoPro's equally silly, "HyperSmooth" system. Whatever the case, what took GoPro seven iterations to get right DJI has nailed in its first go. - -There are some situations in which I like the results of GoPro's stabilization a little better, for example sudden jouncing smooths out better, but for the most part it's difficult to tell the difference between the two. - -###Custom Menus - -Given their size, and general lack of buttons -- the Action has just three buttons, Power, QS and Record -- menu systems on Action cameras often have to get creative. DJI has copied GoPro's approach here, menus are accessible by swiping in from the sides. Swipe from the left to see your images, from the top to get to the main settings panel, and from the right to get to exposure settings, de-warp toggle and image format settings. Swipe up from the bottom to get to the aspect ratio (either 4:3 or 16:9 and the countdown timer. - -The menus work well enough though they were sometimes unresponsive when I had wet fingers. The good news is that there's an easy way to custom program settings and quickly switch between them using the QS button. Out of the box press QS brings up a menu of shooting modes -- Video, Photo, HDR video, Timelapse, and so on. This menu can be customized though, most importantly with customized modes. - -I created several custom modes, setting, for example, a 4K video with stabilization mode and one without stabilization. Then I went into the QS menu and uncheck everything else from the QS menu except your custom modes. That way I had a quick way to toggle stabilization without having to even look at the screen. - -The De-warp option mentioned above removes the fisheye aspect from the lens. There is a tiny bit of cropping involved and the finished look will be familiar to anyone whose used a DJI drone. This is one place DJI manages to surpass the GoPro, the Action can remove fisheye from all resolutions and frame rates, even 4K at 60fps. The Hero 7's fisheye removal is limited to 2.7K at 60fps. - -Another nice touch is the HDR video mode, which applies a very slight HDR effect to open up shadows and give scenes a slightly more vivid look. It's no match for what you can do in post production, but if you're going straight to the web it can save some otherwise high contrast scenes. The only gotcha is that you can't use both HDR and image stabilization at the same time. - -While most of the emphasis on action cams if video related, the Action packs a decent still camera as well capable of capturing 12MP Raw (DNG), JPEG or both in either 16:9 or 4:3 image ratios. The ISO sensitivity range covers 100-3200, though the high end of the spectrum gets pretty noisy. I ended up setting the max ISO at 800 when shooting indoors. There's also a burst mode capable of three, five or seven fps, and a self-timer of either three or ten seconds. - -Battery life on action cams is nothing to rave about, the small form factor severely limits battery size. Battery life varies considerably according to the video quality you're recording, but I was able to get almost an hour of 4K footage at 60fps on a fully charged battery. Dropping the frame rate to 30fps bumped the run time up to 90 minutes. The lower quality video you shoot, the longer your battery will last. - -The Osmo boots very quickly, hit the Power button and it'll be on and ready to shoot in about three seconds. Even better, you can start it up by tapping the record button and it will start up and immediately and begin recording using the mode and settings you had the last time you started it. - -There's much to love about the Action, but it's not perfect. There's no support for GPS, which seems like a huge oversight given the market DJI is going for here. There's also not much support for instantly uploading footage and no support for livestreaming. You can upload relatively easily using DJI's mobile apps, but it's not nearly as simple as what the GoPro Hero 7 offers. The missing livestreaming is odd given that other DJI products are capable of it. My other major gripe is the use of blue text in menus, which is very hard to see in bright sunlight. - -Slight nitpicks aside, this is a very solid action camera. DJI may be new to the action camera market, but it's been making tiny cameras for years and it shows. The lack of GPS support is something of an Achilles heel on an otherwise very solid camera, but for many the front facing monitor will more than make up for it. diff --git a/password-managers.txt b/password-managers.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 334feda..0000000 --- a/password-managers.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,89 +0,0 @@ -Password managers are the vegetables of the internet. We know they're good for us, but most of us are happier snacking on the password equivalent of junk food. For seven years running that's been "123456" and "password", the two most commonly used passwords on the web. - -The problem is most of us don't know what makes a good password and aren't about to remember hundreds of them every day. - -If you can memorize strong passwords for hundreds of sites, by all means do it. Assuming you're using [secure passwords](https://www.wired.com/2016/05/password-tips-experts/) -- which is shorthand for, first and foremost, *long* passwords -- this is the most secure, if slightly insane way to store passwords. It might work for [Memory Grandmaster Ed Cooke](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Cooke_(author)), but most of us are not willing to put in the effort. We need to offload that work to a password manager, which offer secure vaults that can stand-in for our faulty, overworked memories. - -A password manager offers convenience and, more importantly, will help you create better passwords, which in turn makes your online existence less vulnerable to password-based attacks. - -*(Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.)* - -### Why Not Use Your Browser? - -Most web browsers offer at least a rudimentary password manager -- this where your passwords are stored when Chrome or Firefox ask if you'd like to save a password. While this is better than reusing the same password everywhere, browser-based password managers are limited. - -The reason security experts recommend you use a dedicated password manager comes down to focus. Web browsers have other priorities. Dedicated password managers have a singular goal, which, ideally leads to a more secure result. - -### Password Manager Basics - -A good password manager stores, generates, and updates passwords for you with the press of a button. If you're willing to spend a few dollars a month, a password manager can sync your passwords across all your devices. If you don't want to pay, your best bet is Lastpass. - -Most password manager are systems rather than a single thing. They consist of apps for each of your devices, which have tools to help you create secure passwords, store them securely, as well as evaluate the security your existing passwords. All that information is then sent to a central server where your passwords are encrypted, stored, and shared between devices. - -To access all your passwords you only have to remember one password, which the password manager uses to unlock the vault containing your all your actual passwords. Only needing to remember one password is great, but it means there's a lot riding on that one password. Make sure it's a good one. - -If you're having trouble coming up with that one password to rule them all, check out our guide to [better password security](https://www.wired.com/2016/05/password-tips-experts/). You might also consider using the [Diceware](http://world.std.com/~reinhold/diceware.html) method to generate a strong master password. - -Some password managers will automatically fill in and even submit web forms for you. This is super convenient, but for additional security we suggest you disable this feature. Automatically filling forms in the browser has made password managers [vulnerable to attack](https://www.wired.com/story/password-manager-autofill-ad-tech-privacy/) in the past. For this reason our favorite password manager, 1Password, requires you to opt-in to this feature. We suggest you do not. - -While password managers can help you create more secure passwords and keep them safe from prying eyes, they can protect your password if the website itself is breached. That doesn't mean they don't help in this scenario though. All three of the cloud-based password managers below offer tools to alert you to potentially compromised passwords. Password managers also make it easier to quickly change a compromised password and search through your passwords to ensure you didn't reuse that compromised password. - -###Best All Around - -**1Password** - -1Password began life as a Apple-centric password solution, but it has since broadened its offerings to include iOS, Android, Windows, and ChromeOS. There's even a command line tool that will work anywhere. There are plugins for your favorite web browser too, which makes it easy to generate and edit new passwords on the fly. - -What sets 1Password apart from the rest is the number of extras it offers. In addition to managing passwords, it can act as an authentication app (like Google Authenticator), and, for added security, it adds a secret key to the encryption key it using, meaning no one can decrypt your passwords without that key (the downside is that if you lose this key, no one, even 1Password, can decrypt your passwords). - -Another reason 1Password offers the best experience is its tight integration with other mobile apps. Rather than needing to copy/paste passwords between your password manager and other apps, 1Password is integrated with many apps and can autofill. This is more noticeable on iOS, where inter-app communication is more restricted. - -The other reason I like 1Password is the "Travel Mode", which allows you to delete any sensitive data from your devices before you travel and then restore it with a click after you've crossed the border. This prevents anyone, even law enforcement at international borders, from accessing your complete password vault. - -1Password is $36 per year for one person, $60 per year for a family of up to five people. There's a 30-day free trial for either plan so you can test it out before committing. - -**[Sign up for 1Password for $36 per year](https://1password.com/sign-up/){: rel=nofollow}, then [grab the app](https://1password.com/downloads/){: rel=nofollow} for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, ChromeOS or Linux. There are also browser extensions for [Firefox, Chrome and Edge](https://1password.com/downloads/#browsers){: rel=nofollow}.** - -### Runner Up - -**Dashlane** - -I first encountered Dashlane several years ago when it lacked anything to set it apart from its competitors. But recent updates, especially Dashlane 6, have added some very nice features not found elsewhere. Dashlane is simple to set up and uses a key, much like 1Password's set up process. - -The desktop client is easy to navigate and the mobile apps make getting your data everywhere a cinch, though as with the others there is no syncing without buying the Premium version ($5/month). - -One of the best features of Dashlane is what it calls Site Breach Alerts. Dashlane actively monitors the darker corners of the web, looking for leaked or stolen personal data and then alerts you if your information is found. - -Also interesting is an option to not store any password data on Dashlane's servers. This means you're responsible for managing and syncing your password vault between devices. If you want the convenience and polish of Dashlane's application, but don't want put your vault in the company's servers, there is a way to do it, which isn't possible with 1Password or Lastpass. - -**[Sign up for Dashlane for $60 per year](https://1password.com/sign-up/){: rel=nofollow}, then [grab the app](https://www.dashlane.com/download){: rel=nofollow} for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, or Linux. There are also browser extensions for [Firefox, Chrome and Edge](https://www.dashlane.com/download){: rel=nofollow}.** - -###Best Free Option - -**Lastpass** - -LastPass is one of the most popular and well-known password managers out there. It works on nearly every platform and device available and it is the only service here to allow device syncing on its free plan. - -Upgrading to Premium will add support for two-factor authentication (like a fingerprint reader or Yubikey), 1 GB of encrypted file storage, priority support, and emergency access. Premium is $36/year. - -Like 1Password and Dashlane, LastPass stores your credentials and other sensitive data encrypted on its server and you access your data through apps or browser extensions. You can control whether or not Lastpass autofills forms, alert you about potentially compromised accounts, and even search your password vault for weak passwords. - -The main drawback to LastPass is its mixed security track record. Lastpass has had a number of [high-profile, critical bugs](https://www.wired.com/2015/06/hack-brief-password-manager-lastpass-got-breached-hard/) and some data breaches. Overall though, LastPass remains a good choice for those on a tight budget. - -**[Sign up for Lastpass](https://lastpass.com/create-account.php){: rel=nofollow}, then [grab the app](https://lastpass.com/misc_download2.php){: rel=nofollow} for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, or Linux. There are also browser extensions for [Firefox, Chrome and Edge](https://lastpass.com/misc_download2.php){: rel=nofollow}.** - -###Best Self-Hosted Option - -**KeepassXC** - -Want to retain control over your data in the cloud? Instead of using a service like those above, you can sync your encrypted passwords using secure file-syncing services like SpiderOak. If you go this route you'll need to do more work -- connecting apps on various platforms yourself -- but you won't have to trust any third-party with your passwords. - -If you want to roll your own, [KeePassXC](https://keepassxc.org/){: rel=nofollow} is your best bet. - -KeePassXC stores encrypted versions of all your passwords in a vault -- just like the hosted services above -- which you secure with a master password, a key file or both. The difference is that instead of syncing it for you, you sync that database file yourself, using a service like SpiderOak or Dropbox. Once your file is in the cloud you can access it on any device that has a KeePassXC client. - -There are clients available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as most web browsers. What it does not have are official apps for mobile. Instead the project recommends [Keepass2Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=keepass2android.keepass2android){: rel=nofollow} or, for iOS, [Strongbox](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/strongbox-password-safe/id897283731){: rel=nofollow}. - -Why do it yourself? In a word: transparency. Of all the solutions on this list, only KeepassXC is open source, which means its code can, and has, been inspected for critical flaws. - -**[There's nothign to sign up for with KeePassXC. Grab the [desktop app](https://keepassxc.org/download/) create your vault, then install [Keepass2Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=keepass2android.keepass2android){: rel=nofollow} or, for iOS, [Strongbox](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/strongbox-password-safe/id897283731){: rel=nofollow}. There are also extensions for [Firefox](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/keepassxc-browser/){: rel=nofollow}, and [Chrome](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/keepassxc-browser/oboonakemofpalcgghocfoadofidjkkk){: rel=nofollow}, but not Edge.** diff --git a/plastic-alternatives.txt b/plastic-alternatives.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1ff37b6 --- /dev/null +++ b/plastic-alternatives.txt @@ -0,0 +1,21 @@ +Plastic is bad on ten different levels + +There are hundreds of ways to reduce plastic. Since everyone's household runs differently, the best place to start reducing single use plastics in your life is to start noticing where you use them. There are some common cases that are easy to solve. Bring your own reusable bags to the grocery store, avoid beverages in plastic containers, and other things you already know. + +There's + +Other alternatives are less well known + + +2124152765 + +You might already bring your own grocery bag to the supermarket, but chances are slim that you bring your own produce bags along for the ride, too. This kit gives you three different reusable produce bags, each one specifically made for a different kind of food, from carrots and onions to bulk bin nuts. When you’re not using them, roll them up and put them in a pouch shaped like an apple. + + +produce bags -> mesh reusable +freezer bags -> silicon reusable +water bottles -> metal/BPA-free +straws -> metal/paper +plastic wrap -> beeswax +low tech storage: mason jars, wax paper +contain microfibers: http://guppyfriend.com/en/ diff --git a/published/acer swift 7 review.txt b/published/acer swift 7 review.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..101588f --- /dev/null +++ b/published/acer swift 7 review.txt @@ -0,0 +1,42 @@ +Acer's latest high end ultrabook, the Swift 7, is incredibly thin. As Derek Zoolander might [say](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHHEcmZtJvY), it's really, really, really, ridiculously thin. + +At a mere .39 inches thick, 14 inches wide, and weighing under two pounds, the Swift 7 is a commuter's dream. It fits easily in your bag and even after lugging it around all day you'll hardly notice it's there. + +*(Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.)* + +## Really, Really, Really Thin + +Unboxing the Swift 7 I honestly thought that the little black package inside was the instruction manual. But no, it turned out to be the actual laptop. It really is that thin. + +And Acer didn't cheat on the thinness -- there's no conspicuous hinge bulge like you find in some thin laptops. In fact the hinge is so flush it's difficult to even see, which is step up over the previous version. The overall design is understated. The Swift 7 features a matte black case with a single LED to indicate battery status. The case is a blend of magnesium-lithium and magnesium-aluminum alloys that make the Swift 7 feel more solid than plastic, but less solid than a (albeit heavier) aluminium case on something like the Macbook Air. + +Somehow Acer has managed to cram this tiny package with a 14-inch 1080p screen, a 1.5-Ghz Core i7 (i7-8500Y), 16 gigabytes of RAM, and a 512 gigabyte hard drive. Perhaps even more impressive there's two USB-C ports in addition to a headphone jack. Take that Apple. Not only is the Swift thinner than the Macbook Air, it manages to include two USB-C ports. Acer also helpfully includes a three-port dongle adapter with USB-A, another USB-C, and an HDMI port. + +While it's plenty powerful enough for business use, none of the Acer's specs are earth shattering. The i7 Y-series chips are down stepped to 1.5-GHz to improve battery life and keep temperatures down, which is important in a machine this thin. What makes the Swift special isn't its power, but its relative power squeezed into an impossibly thin, light package. The Swift 7 weighs in at 1.96 pounds and is small enough to fit in most shoulder bags or even a large purse. Did I mention it's small and light? + +Once you get past the thin factor the other standout in the Swift 7 is the very nearly edge-to-edge display. The display is a touchscreen 1080p IPS panel protected by Gorilla Glass. Acer is very proud of the very thin bezel, and spends quite a bit of time on it in press releases. It is maybe marginally smaller than bezels on the Dell XPS 13 I normally use, but I fail to see how a thin bezel really improves the experience in any significant way. + +The Swift 7's touchscreen panel isn't the highest resolution. In fact when Acer announced the Swift 7 the universal reaction at WIRED was too bad about the low resolution screen. It turns out that 1080p at this size isn't as bad as you'd think. The IPS display isn't 4K nice, but it's plenty bright and sharp. The default Windows 10 zoom level was set too high for my tastes, but a quick trip into the settings will fix that and get you level of sharpness that's better than the 1080p screen on my Lenovo x250, but not quite as good as the 4K screen of the Dell XPS 13. Still, I'd trade a few millimeters of extended bezel for a 4K screen. + +As for the touch experience, the Gorilla Glass definitely has a different tactile experience, but is no less responsive. It's nice to know too that the sort of minor bumps and jostling of everyday carrying shouldn't crack your screen. + +As expected, the down-stepped CPU did not perform quite as well in benchmarks, though I did not notice sluggish performance in real world use. Browsing the web, working with large image documents, even playing back 4K video clips didn't faze the Swift. The only time I noticed the Swift struggling was rendering a 4K video, which took a bit longer than it did on my Dell. + +The upside to the Swift 7's chip is that you get all day battery life. In normal use--web browsing, document editing, Slack messaging--I routinely got ten hours out of the battery. Looping a video with Wifi off brought that down to nine hours and benchmark battery tests got me eight and one half hours. + +While the chip isn't the speediest the Swift 7 has impressive specs in the rest of its hardware. With 16 gigabytes of RAM and 512 gigabyte NVMe SSD you're unlikely to be wanting in storage space or memory. + +## Achilles' Nose Cam + +To get that ultra thin screen bezel Acer has moved the built-in webcam down into the body of the laptop in a clever little pop-up housing. On the bright side, the camera is blocked when not in use, meaning you don't have to resort to covering it with black tape. But, while the hinged camera is clever, it introduces the dreaded nose-cam effect. + +Video chatting with a camera pointed more or less directly up your nose is disconcerting for all parties involved. As with the Dell XPS 13, which recently, finally, eliminated a similarly positioned webcam, if you do a lot of video chatting you'll want to invest in a separate webcam. + +The other main problem with the latest Swift 7 is the keyboard. It's comfortable to type on. The keys are well spaced and provide good tactile feedback despite how flush they are, but the key arrangement is, most charitably called, curious. The Caps Lock key is half size to make room for the backtick key. I know, I know, who uses Caps Lock? Me. I remap it to be a Control key. In two weeks of using the Swift 7 my muscle memory still has not adjusted to losing half the Caps Lock key. The delete key is to the left of the Backspace key, which I also find odd, though less annoying on a practical level. + +The other worry I had for this laptop was that something so thin would be difficult to open, but thankfully that's not the case. The Swift 7 has a tiny, but helpful protrusion on the top edge that helps pry the laptop open without requiring Howard Hughes fingernails. It is definitely a two-handed operation, but that's par for the course with laptops this thin. + +These complaints are minor, but worth considering. In the end the Swift 7 is a very capable, very portable machine well suited to everyday tasks. It's not a video editor, it's not gaming powerful. It's a tiny little work machine you'll hardly notice in your bag. Did I mention how thin and light it is? + + +*(The [Acer Swift 7 costs $1699 from Acer](https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/model/NX.H98AA.001){: rel=nofollow} (also available in [White](https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/model/NX.HB4AA.001){: rel=nofollow}, [B&H Photo Video](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=8612&fct=fct_brand_name|fujifilm%2bfct_camera-model_6331|fujifilm-instax-mini-liplay&N=4288586279&){: rel=nofollow}, [Best Buy](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?st=Fujiflim+LiPlay&_dyncharset=UTF-8&id=pcat17071&type=page&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=&sp=&qp=&list=n&af=true&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960&keys=keys){: rel=nofollow}, and [Adorama](https://www.adorama.com/l/?searchinfo=fujifilm+instax+mini+liplay){: rel=nofollow}.)* diff --git a/published/amazon-device-deals-pd.txt b/published/amazon-device-deals-pd.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dc00585 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/amazon-device-deals-pd.txt @@ -0,0 +1,107 @@ +Fire Tablets and Echo speakers aren't terribly expensive. They're built to be affordable, and some of them are especially cheap for Prime Day. Kindles are another story, they're more expensive and go on sale less often. We've compiled every decent deal on Amazon-branded devices happening on Prime Day. Amazon has a [Device Deals page](https://www.amazon.com/b/?ie=UTF8&node=11851273011&ref_=sv_devicesubnav_6){: rel=nofollow} with many of its best deals, but we have them all organized below. + +*Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.* + +*** +###WIRED's Prime Day Coverage + +- [Absolute Best Amazon Prime Day Deals](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-deals-2019/) + +- *Amazon Device Deals* + +- *Live at 7am ET:* [Home, Kitchen, and Outdoors Deals](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-home-deals-2019/) + +- *Live at 12pm ET:* [Rival Deals from Walmart, Best Buy, and Other Stores](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-alternative-deals/) + +- [Google's Best Prime Day Deals](https://www.wired.com/story/google-and-nest-devices-on-sale-july-2019/) + +- [Prime Day Tips](https://www.wired.com/story/early-amazon-prime-day-deals-2019/) and [How Amazon Works](https://www.wired.com/gallery/amazon-prime-day-prep-stories/) + +- **[1-Year WIRED Digital + Print Subscription for $5 ($5 off)](https://subscribe.wired.com/subscribe/splits/wired/WIR_Edit_Hardcoded?source=deal_guides_sub)** +(Amazon Pay accepted. Please support our work!) +*** + +###Echo Speaker Deals + +[#image: /photos/5d0d3acb8cdbaf33a4772256]|||||| + +Read our WIRED [Best Echo & Alexa Speakers guide](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-echo/) for recommendations on which Amazon Echos we think are worth your money. The short version is the Plus for music, the Dot for Voice, and the Show for a screen. Our [Best Smart Speakers guide](https://www.wired.com/story/best-smart-speakers/) has even more options if you're still deciding which to buy. + +- **[Echo Plus for $110 ($40 off)](https://amzn.to/2lgRpgO){: rel=nofollow}:** The Echo Plus is the best-sounding Echo. It has a tweeter and subwoofer with impressive enough sound to justify its price compared to other Echos. Consider pairing it with an [Echo Sub](https://amzn.to/2li0jus){: rel=nofollow}. + +- **[Echo Dot for $25 ($25 off)](https://amzn.to/2XzyfQE){: rel=nofollow}:** This hockey puck-shaped Echo handles spoken audio well and the new version sounds better with music, but it still lacks the quality you'll find in larger speakers. Still, if you want to add Alexa to more rooms in your house, the Dot is a cheap and easy way to do it. + +- **[Echo Show for $160 ($70 off)](https://amzn.to/2xOqGLC){: rel=nofollow}:** At first, it seems odd to have an Alexa speaker with a display. But after using it you'll understand the appeal. When you ask it for the weather, it tells you *and* shows you thanks to the 10-inch display and rear speakers. + +- **[Echo Dot Kids Edition for $45 ($25 off)](https://amzn.to/2l97Ift){: rel=nofollow}:** The extra cost of the Kids Edition covers the padded foam case and a year's subscription to Amazon's [FreeTime Unlimited](https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-FreeTime-Unlimited-Monthly-Subscription/dp/B01I499BNA?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}. We found the [Echo Dot Kid's Edition wanting](https://www.wired.com/review/review-amazon-echo-dot-kids-edition/), but it's more appealing at this price point. + +- **[Echo Show 5 for $50 ($40 off)](https://amzn.to/2li4Tc9){: rel=nofollow}:** It’s the Echo Show! Just smaller and more adorable. And it has a physical shutter that covers the front-facing camera. Be sure to read WIRED's [Echo Show 5 review](https://www.wired.com/review/amazon-echo-show-5/) for more details. + +- **[Echo Auto for $25 ($25 off)](https://amzn.to/2XNdYr5){: rel=nofollow}:**: About the size and shape of a cassette, the Echo Auto sits on your dashboard and brings Alexa into your car. At the moment, you must request an invitation to buy it. + +###Fire Tablet Deals + +[#image: /photos/5d12d3bbb669a00009409c63]|||||| + +Amazon's tablets are so cheap it's almost suspicious. We do have some reservations, but overall they're a good deal. Be sure to check out our updated guide to deciphering [which Amazon Fire tablet is best for you](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-fire-tablet/). + +- **[Fire HD 10 for $100 ($50 off)](https://amzn.to/2JxY5Rs){: rel=nofollow}:** The Fire HD 10 is a much more capable tablet than the 8. It’s faster, has more storage, and the 10-inch HD screen looks much nicer. + +- **[Fire HD 8 for $50 ($30 off)](https://amzn.to/32qCJfW){: rel=nofollow}:** While the 10 is nicer, the Fire HD 8 is a very capable tablet for the price. The even better deal really, is to grab two of these for $80 ($80 off). Just add a second one to your cart and the price should update before you check out. + +- **[Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet for $80 ($50 off)](https://amzn.to/2XHWYT2){: rel=nofollow}:** The Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is our top pick for kids under 7. + +- **[2-Pack of Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablets for $100 ($100 off)](https://amzn.to/2jPRyaC){: rel=nofollow}:** The 7-inch Kids Edition is a step down from the 8-inch version, but for perfect for littler kids with smaller hands, it may do just fine. + +###Fire TV Deals + +[#image: /photos/5b1850bb6968231764fb009c]|||||| + +Amazon's Fire TV platform is great if you subscribe to Amazon Prime or buy Amazon Instant Videos. It emphasizes Amazon content above Netflix and other providers, but it does have most of the major streaming apps. With [Google and Amazon done feuding](https://blog.google/products/chromecast/prime-video-chromecast-android-tv-youtube-fire-tv/){: rel=nofollow}, you can once again get YouTube on FireTV. At these Prime Day deal prices, even the Fire TV Cube is mighty appealing. + +- **[Fire TV Stick 4K for $25 ($25 off)](https://amzn.to/30q9R5M){: rel=nofollow}:** The Fire Stick 4K is the best of Amazon's Fire TV devices. All things considered, we [prefer Roku devices for streaming](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-4k-streaming-devices/), but if you're a heavy Prime Video user or have a 4K screen this works great. Much like the Fire tablets, you'll get used to the interface. + +- **[Fire TV Stick for $15 ($25 off)](https://amzn.to/30q9R5M){: rel=nofollow}:** We encourage you to just buy the Fire Stick with 4K, but if you do not own a 4K TV and want to save that extra $10, knock yourself out. + +- **[Fire TV Cube for $70 ($50 off)](https://amzn.to/32leEHw){: rel=nofollow}:** The Fire TV Cube [isn't our favorite](https://www.wired.com/review/review-amazon-fire-tv-cube/) mainly because it wants you to talk to Alexa to use it and that gets old fast. Still, if you love Prime Video and don't mind yelling at your TV, the Cube is considerably more appealing at this price. You can also just use its remote if you get tired of talking. + + +###Kindle Deals + +[#image: /photos/5cad2feea02acc53947a8d30]|||||| + +Amazon's Kindle pretty much owns the ebook market and for good reason. The companies book readers offer more than a month of battery life per charge, the ability to hold thousands of titles, and unlimited book subscriptions. You can even get free books from your local library. Check out our [guide to the Best Amazon Kindle](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-kindle/). + +- **[Kindle for $60 ($30 off)](https://amzn.to/2xItPfJ){: rel=nofollow}:** The basic Kindle remains a solid offering and the latest model includes a backlight for the 6-inch E Ink touchscreen, meaning you can read in the dark. it comes with three free months of Kindle Unlimited, which gives you access to a massive library of ebooks. After the three months is up, Kindle Unlimited is $10 per month. + +- **[Kindle Paperwhite for $85 ($45 off)](https://amzn.to/2XKmqay){: rel=nofollow}:** The Paperwhite is a Kindle upgrade worth considering. For a couple extra Jacksons over the plain Kindle, it opens up the joys of reading in the pool, beach, and bathtub without fear. The display is flush and the device is rated IPX8, meaning it can sit in 2 meters of water for two hours. + +- **[Kindle Oasis for $200 ($80 off)](https://amzn.to/2XKmqay){: rel=nofollow}:** The Oasis is the luxury car of Kindles. It's not necessary, but it sure is nice. The processor is faster for smoother page turns, it's easier to hold with one hand and the screen automatically adjusts the brightness. This version also comes with 32 gigabytes of storage, which is enough to hold tens of thousands of books. + +###Ring Smart Doorbell Deals + +[#image: /photos/5c0ad0dac54cad3ea224d6a1]|||||| + +Ring is owned by Amazon. Read our [review of the original Ring](https://www.wired.com/2015/02/review-ring-video-doorbell/) and our [roundup of smart doorbells](https://www.wired.com/story/top-3-video-doorbells-for-capturing-whos-there/) to learn more about what they do. + +- **[Ring Video Doorbell for $70 ($30 off)](https://amzn.to/2l7vb0H){: rel=nofollow}** + +- **[Ring Video Doorbell + Echo Dot 3rd Gen. for $75 ($75 off)](https://amzn.to/2l7Jnqo){: rel=nofollow}** + +###Eero Home Wi-Fi Router Deal + +[#image: /photos/5c6211658f783a3110bd4736]|||||| + +- **[Eero Pro and 1 Beacon for $150 ($150 off)](https://amzn.to/2xItPfJ){: rel=nofollow}:** A recent [Amazon acquisition](https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-eero-smart-home/), the Eero is the mesh router Apple would have made if it had bothered. It comes as both a base station and a smaller, plug-into-the-wall Beacon model, though the latter does not work as a stand-alone, only in conjunction with the base station. Eero's app has some nice features like the ability to pause the internet on particular devices. At this price, our major complaint about the Eero—that it's expensive for a router—is solved. + +*Check our [Amazon Prime Day Page](https://www.wired.com/tag/amazon-prime-day/) for more coverage and deals.* + +*** +### More Great WIRED Stories +* The hard-luck Texas town that [bet on bitcoin—and lost](https://www.wired.com/story/hard-luck-texas-town-bet-bitcoin-lost/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1) +* Tim Wu explains why [Facebook should be broken up](https://www.wired.com/story/tim-wu-explains-why-facebook-broken-up/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1) +* Apollo 11: [Mission (out of) control](https://www.wired.com/story/apollo-11-mission-out-of-control/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1) +* The simple way Apple and Google [let abusers stalk victims](https://www.wired.com/story/common-apps-domestic-abusers-stalk-victims/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1) +* Notifications are stressing us out. [How did we get here](https://www.wired.com/story/history-of-notifications/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1)? +* 🏃🏽‍♀️ Want the best tools to get healthy? Check out our Gear team’s picks for the [best fitness trackers](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-fitness-tracker/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories), [running gear](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-running-gear/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories) (including [shoes](https://wired.com/gallery/best-trail-running-shoes-round-up/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories) and [socks](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-running-socks/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories)), and [best headphones](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-headphones-under-100/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories). +* 📩 Get even more of our inside scoops with our weekly [Backchannel newsletter](https://www.wired.com/newsletter/?name=backchannel&sourceCode=BottomStories) diff --git a/published/breakout-1.txt b/published/breakout-1.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d387990 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/breakout-1.txt @@ -0,0 +1,37 @@ +Amazon Prime Day is off and running. We've highlighted some of [the best deals in this year's Amazon Prime Day](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-deals-2019/) and pointed out a few deals from [other retailers as well](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-alternative-deals/). Frankly, sometimes it’s a bit much. If you have reservations about all this consumer culture, believe me, we feel you, still a good deal is a good deal and right now the Amazon's price on Kindles is a good deal + +Say what you will about the rest of the company, Amazon makes a damn fine ebook reader. Kindles are the most eye-friendly way to read digital books, and the battery life is outstanding. Amazon's related services, like Kindle Unlimited and Audible audiobooks, pair well with the Kindle. Right now all three Kindle modes come with three months of Kindle Unlimited for free. After that a subscription to Kindle Unlimited is $10 a month. + +We like the Kindle so much we've made a [Kindle Buying Guide](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-kindle/) to help you figure out which model is best for you. If you're looking to buy one, do it now: Amazon doesn't discount its Kindles as often as other devices, and it may be a few months before it's discounted again (and the Paperwhite is usually only $30 off). + +*(Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.)* + +### [Standard Kindle for $60 ($30 off)](https://www.amazon.com/All-new-Kindle-now-with-a-built-in-front-light/dp/B07DLPWYB7/){: rel=nofollow} + +The new 2019 standard 6-inch Kindle ([8/10, WIRED Recommends](https://www.wired.com/review/amazon-kindle-2019/) gives you the most bang for your buck. It's not waterproof and it has fewer pixels than other models, but you still get plenty. It comes with a light-up display, so you can finally save money without having to keep the light on when you read before bed. This deal also includes three months of Kindle Unlimited so you can curl up with your favorite books the minute you get your new Kindle. After the three months a Kindle Unlimited subscription is $10 a month. + +### [Kindle Paperwhite for $85 ($45 off)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CXG6C9W/?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow} + +If you don’t mind spending a bit extra, the Paperwhite make a great step up from the standard Kindle ([9/10, WIRED Recommends](https://www.wired.com/review/review-kindle-paperwhite-2018/)). It has a more uniform light-up display than the standard Kindle, and right now it's discounted below the sticker price of the cheaper version. Other great features include more pixels for clearer text and a waterproof body for bathtub or poolside reading. If you intend to download a lot of Audible audiobooks and listen to them on headphones (there are no speakers on this reader), get the [32-gigabyte Paperwhite for $110 ($50 off)](https://www.amazon.com/All-new-Kindle-Paperwhite-Waterproof-Storage/dp/B07745PV5G/){: rel=nofollow}. + +### [Kindle Oasis for $175 ($75 off)](https://www.amazon.com/All-new-Kindle-Oasis-now-with-adjustable-warm-light/dp/B07F7TLZF4/){: rel=nofollow} + +There's no practical reason to buy a [Kindle Oasis](https://www.wired.com/2017/11/review-kindle-oasis-2/), even at this price it's still more expensive than two on sale Kindle Paperwhites. That said, the Oasis is certainly a joy to use. Page turning is snappier thanks to a faster processor, and it has a larger 7-inch touchscreen with an aluminum design that has a bump on one edge, and physical buttons to turn the pages. These make it ideal for one-handed reading. The light-up display also looks a little more natural, and automatically adjusts its brightness. If you need extra space the [32-gigabyte model is $200 ($80)](https://www.amazon.com/All-new-Kindle-Oasis-now-with-adjustable-warm-light/dp/B07GRSK3HC/){: rel=nofollow}. + +###How to Load Up on Ebooks + +We're not always fans of the growing subscription economy, but Kindle Unlimited gives unlimited access to 1 million books that you can read at your leisure, and some free Audible books, too (not a bad deal). If you grab a new Kindle today, you'll get three months free, after that [Kindle Unlimited costs $10 a month](https://amzn.to/2DXamvv){: rel=nofollow}. + +##Other Amazon Devices on Sale + +There are a few other Amazon devices we like on sale right now. We highlighted our favorites below, but you can see the full list in [our guide to the best Prime Day device deals](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-device-deals-prime-day-2019/). + +**[Fire HD 10 for $100 ($65 off)](https://amzn.to/2JxY5Rs){: rel=nofollow}**: The Fire HD 10 is a much more capable tablet than the 8. It’s faster, has more storage, and the 10-inch HD screen looks much nicer. + +**[Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet for $80 ($50 off)](https://amzn.to/2XHWYT2){: rel=nofollow}**: The Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is our top pick for kids under 7. If your kid's hands are especially tiny, they'll appreciate the Fire 7's smaller size. It's [also on sale](https://amzn.to/30tdtnC){: rel=nofollow}. + +**[Fire TV Stick 4K for $25 ($25 off)](https://amzn.to/30q9R5M){: rel=nofollow}**: The Fire Stick 4K is the best of Amazon's Fire TV devices. We [prefer the Roku](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-4k-streaming-devices/) all things considered, but if you're a heavy Prime Video user with a 4K screen this makes a good streaming device. + +**[Echo Dot for $25 ($25 off)](https://amzn.to/2XzyfQE){: rel=nofollow}**: This hockey puck-shaped Echo handles spoken audio well and the new version sounds better with music, but it still lacks the quality you'll find in larger speakers. Still, if you want to add Alexa to more rooms in your house, the Dot makes a cheap and easy way to do it. + +**[Echo Show for $160 ($70 off)](){: rel=nofollow}**: At first, it seems odd to have an Alexa speaker with a display. But after using it you'll understand the appeal. When you ask it for the weather, it tells you *and* shows you thanks to the 10-inch display and rear speakers. diff --git a/published/deals-nl.txt b/published/deals-nl.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..98ff97e --- /dev/null +++ b/published/deals-nl.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6 @@ +It's a bittersweet deal, but [WIRED favorite ThinkGeek](https://fave.co/2IubbhK), the best place to pick up a last-minute birthday gift for the Super Mario fan in your life, is shutting its site down. It will continue to sell some items through parent company GameStop's online shore. Until July 2, you can pick up anything at ThinkGeek for 50 percent off with the code __MOVINGDAY__. Just enter it at checkout. + +This week senior writer Adrienne So hit the trails to discover the best gear for [heading into the wilderness](https://www.wired.com/story/remote-wilderness-best-gear/) so you can get outside, but still stay safe, eat like a human, and even recharge while you're out there. Reviewer Christopher Null told us about a cheap, simple gadget to keep a bottle of wine [tasting fresh](https://www.wired.com/review/repour-wine-saver/) for days on end. Reviewer Scott Gilbertson took a look at the [Acer Swift 7](https://www.wired.com/review/acer-swift-7-2019/), a very thin, lightweight laptop with only one problem -- a nose-cam. Adrienne also took a look at the [Kindle Fire 7 Kids Edition](https://www.wired.com/review/amazon-fire-7-kids-edition-2019/), a Kindle tablet aimed at surviving life in small, sticky hands. + +*Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Much like [subscribing to WIRED](https://subscribe.wired.com/subscribe/splits/wired/WIR_Edit_Hardcoded?source=deal_guides_sub), these contributions help fund the journalism we put out every day. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.* + diff --git a/published/deals.txt b/published/deals.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9debf0c --- /dev/null +++ b/published/deals.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +yeti: https://www.amazon.com/apb/page/?handlerName=OctopusDealLandingStream&deals=9c59b6e9&marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER + +sd card: https://www.amazon.com/apb/page/?handlerName=OctopusDealLandingStream&deals=40a164aa&marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER diff --git a/published/dji-robomaster-review.txt b/published/dji-robomaster-review.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ab5ea0a --- /dev/null +++ b/published/dji-robomaster-review.txt @@ -0,0 +1,38 @@ +DJI cut its teeth building drones. In the early days of consumer drones, if you said "drone" you probably meant the company's Phantom line. Since those early days the drone market has filled out and over time DJI has branched out. We recently looked at DJI's Osmo Action camera ([WIRED recommends 8/10](https://www.wired.com/review/dji-osmo-action-camera/)) and shortly after that DJI unveiled what it calls an "educational robot." Think of it as a drone that doesn't fly. + +DJI's Robomaster S1 robot grew out of the Robomaster robot competitions in China. It's a consumer version of the robots kids are building at your local STEM-friendly school. As such, it's not just a robot, it's a learning experience. You build it, you program it, you battle other robots with it. + +### Some Assembly Required + +The Robomaster arrives in 23 pieces with 101 screws and a reversible screwdriver to assemble it. It took my kids and I about three hours to put it together. + +The instructions contain line drawings and all the parts are labeled so you can figure out what goes where. That said, there's almost no text, just pictures. In some steps, particularly fitting together the wheels, a sentence or two would have saved some effort spent trying to decipher the line drawings. + +When you're done assembling you'll have a four-wheeled robot with a swiveling turret mounted on top of a shoebox-size chassis. The turret can either fire infrared light or small gel pellets. The S1 comes with a bottle of pellets, but you need to soak them for a couple hours until they grow to about the size of a small grape. They don't hurt when they hit you, but DJI has limited the turret's angle of fire to keep the focus on other robots and certain modes, like tracking a person, aren't available when pellets are in the S1. + +Everything about the S1 is extremely sturdy and well-built. It's mostly plastic, but it's heavy duty plastic and when you're done the S1 feels like a solid piece of equipment, even more so than one of DJI's drones (since weight is not much of a concern, the S1 can afford to be sturdier than a flying drone). The S1 is well balanced and very easy to control. Despite my best efforts I never managed to flip it over. + +One of the more striking things about operating the S1 is that it really doesn't turn, it moves sideways. This design is made possible by the [Mecanum wheels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecanum_wheel), a conventional wheel with a series of rollers attached at a 45 degree angle. The rollers rotate at 45 degrees to the rotation of the wheel, drawing the vehicle sideways. + +You control the S1 through the Robomaster mobile app for iOS and Android. As with DJI's drones there is a controller sold separately. The [RoboMaster S1 Gamepad ($79)](https://store.dji.com/product/robomaster-s1-gamepad){: rel=nofollow} offers a mounting area big enough to hold an iPad, and offers a physical joystick for much more precise control than you get with the virtual joystick in the app. If you plan to battle other S1 robots or just want better control I highly recommend upgrading to the Gamepad. + +After pairing your device with your Robomaster you get a view through the turret, with a joystick controller for moving around. There are three basic modes in the app, Solo, Battle and Lab. The first is where you can control S1 on its own, while Battle mode is for fighting with other S1s. Lab is where you can experiment and write programs to control the S1. + +The body of the S1 has 31 sensors arrayed around it to pick up on everything from infrared light to impact, as well as a camera that can record 1080p video. These inputs are how the S1 navigates and also how you can control it via the programming interface. Programs can be written in Scratch, a kid-friendly drag-and-drop programming interface, or Python. The Lab portion of the app has a series of training courses design to get kids started writing basic programs to control the S1. + +### Kids of All Ages + +Ostensibly the Robomaster is aimed at kids 14 and up though my four-year-old and seven-year-olds had a lot of fun helping me put it together. The reason for the 14 and up, is that for younger kids what you've really got a $500 remote controlled car. My kids had a lot of fun building the Robomaster and then driving around "my laser-shooting, remote controlled car" as my son calls it. It also shoots those water beads, which is pretty awesome for kids of any age, including me (note that is is much harder to hit things with the water beads). + +But none of that fun gets at the point here, nor is it enough to justify the S1's price tag. What makes the Robomaster more STEM project than laser-shooting remote controlled car is the programmability. The learning does not stop when you're done assembling the S1, in fact that's just when the learning starts. + +The courses available through the app and on DJI's site offer everything you need to get started writing programs in Scratch. The Python interface is less well documented, and, unfortunately, probably not a good way to learn Python thanks to the complexity of controlling the robot. Unless you're already familiar with Python, I would suggest Scratch for programming the S1, especially for kids. + +There's also a RoboAcademy section in the app which offers some behind-the-scenes looks at the technology in use on S1. For example, there's a deep dive into how [Mecanum wheels work](https://www.dji.com/robomaster-s1/video-courses) in the S1. + +The S1 was a ton of fun to test. It's very well made, and offers a well-thought-out introduction to robotics and programming. It's not cheap, but for kids who are old enough, and have an interest in STEM-oriented topics or programming, the S1 should make a good investment and serve as an introduction to the world of robotics. + + + + + diff --git a/published/espresso.txt b/published/espresso.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e4b915b --- /dev/null +++ b/published/espresso.txt @@ -0,0 +1,114 @@ +I take my espresso seriously. I put myself through college making espresso for others and I even married my favorite barista. It's been a while now since either my wife or I had access to the kind of expensive Italian-made espresso machines you find in nice coffee shops, but thanks to the world of portable espresso makers I've figure out how to make the perfect espresso no matter where I go. + +WIRED has looked at some very nice [counter top espresso machines](https://www.wired.com/story/best-latte-and-cappuccino-machines/), but with the summer travel season well under way we wanted to share some ways to make great espresso on the road. + +Making a barista-worthy espresso is challenging. Doing it without electricity or a giant machine is even more daunting. Coffee fanatics will object that these devices use pressurized portafilters to achieve their crema which is cheating, but real espresso machines don't fit in your carry-on so some compromise is necessary here. + +I will confess that I usually am one of those fanatics. To my surprise though, I found that, with a little work, these portable espresso makers can turn out an espresso worthy of the name. + +*(Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.)* + + +### 1. Best Overall + + +[#image: /photos/5d12de63841dfc0008f1db84]|||||| + + +**[Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker ($78.90)](https://www.amazon.com/Nanopresso-Portable-Espresso-Protective-Minipresso/dp/B0752XV66X/){: rel=nofollow}** + +The Nanopresso strikes the best balance between ease of use, portability and taste. It will extract a nice espresso from almost any beans. There's very little bitterness and it reliably produces a nice looking crema. The compact all-in-one design means you can shove it in the smallest of bags and have excellent espresso anywhere you go. + +A couple notes to getting the best extraction: don’t grind your coffee too fine—think table salt rather than powder—and preheat the machine. To preheat just pump hot water through with nothing in the basket and then make your actual shot. Espresso fanatics argue that you should pump no more than once per second, but I could not tell any difference. I should note that it takes a fair amount of pressure to pump the water through. If you have Arthritis, RSI or other source of joint pain in your hands, the Nanopresso is probably not the best choice. + +I should also note that if you want "true" espresso you can remove a ball bearing from Nanopresso to disable the pressurized portafilter and make it act more like a true espresso machine. I did not test this method, but if you're a purist it might be worth investigating. + +The Nanopresso has an expansion pack called the [Barista Kit](https://www.amazon.com/Nanopresso-Accessory-Portable-Espresso-Machine，Double/dp/B078GM6FFH/){: rel=nofollow} with a larger water tank and grounds basket for making a double espresso. I found the results with the Barista Kit mirrored the single, though it's more forgiving of poor grinds. If you don't fill the larger reservoir all the way, you can extract a bit stronger espresso with the double. The downside to the Barista Kit is that the device becomes considerably larger. + +There's also an [adapter available](https://www.amazon.com/Nanopresso-NS-Accessories-Compatible-Traveling/dp/B076DGY1NS/){: rel=nofollow} to use Nespresso capsules, if you must go there. + +**[Buy the Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker for $78.90 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Nanopresso-Portable-Espresso-Protective-Minipresso/dp/B0752XV66X/){: rel=nofollow}** + +## 2. Very Close Runner Up + + +[#image: /photos/5d12de9281b06b0008d0cb2f]|||||| + + +**[Handpresso Wild Hybrid ($90)](https://www.amazon.com/Handpresso-HPWILDHYBRID-Coffee-Machine/dp/B007KG5IYK/){: rel=nofollow}** + +While I give the edge to the Nanopresso because it's slightly lighter and easier to clean up, the Handpresso Wild Hybrid makes an equally good shot of espresso, possibly even better depending on your tastes. + +The Handpresso Wild Hybrid was my introduction to hand pump espresso. Several years ago, when my family and I [moved into an RV](https://live.luxagraf.net/jrnl/2017/04/april-fools) and away from conveniences like a neighborhood coffee shop or even a large kitchen counter, I invested in a Handpresso, hoping for good espresso on the road. I was not disappointed. The Handpresso served me well, being used daily for two years before it eventually stopped pressurizing. + +It's a bit more work than the Nanopresso, but to my tastes produces a marginally better espresso, deeper and richer, though also less volume (the water reservoir is 1.5 fluid ounces versus the 2.7 fluid ounce reservoir of the Nanopresso). Where the Nanopresso builds pressure through continual pumping, with the Handpresso you build up pressure and then release a valve to force the water through the grounds. The Handpresso pumps up like a bike pump, which is easier than the finger method of the Nanopresso. + +To get the best extraction the Handpresso you're going to need to experiment with the grind. My favorite results came from a very fine grind, but without tamping it down too much. If you prefer, the Handpresso also works with paper filtered Easy Serving Espresso (ESE) pods. + +**[Buy the Handpresso Wild Hybrid for $90 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Handpresso-HPWILDHYBRID-Coffee-Machine/dp/B007KG5IYK/){: rel=nofollow}** + +## 3. Best for Large Luggage + + +[#image: /photos/5d12debfe847350008eb230f]|||||| + + +**[Uniterra Nomad ($300)](https://www.amazon.com/UniTerra-Nomad-Espresso-Machine/dp/B01G40YGSG/){: rel=nofollow}** + +The least portable and most expensive of the bunch, the Uniterra Nomad puts that size and money to good use looking like a little piece of metal art sitting on your desk. It also manages to crank out an excellent espresso. I would call its extraction the creamiest of the bunch. + +The Nomad grew out of a Kickstarter campaign and is made mostly of solid metal, which gives it a sturdy feeling some of our other options lack. It's also the only one to include a proper, heavy, high-quality tamper to evenly press down your coffee. + +The company touts a bit of engineering in the Nomad called the True Crema Valve, which can help compensate for poor quality coffee or a bad grind. I tested this by using some pre-ground coffee from a large chain that shall remain nameless. The results tasted like they always do, burnt and bitter, but there was a touch of crema on top which eased the harshness. It's no substitute for good quality beans and a proper grind, but sometimes those things aren't available when you're traveling and the True Crema Valve can make otherwise subpar coffee seem a little smoother. + +**[Buy the Uniterra Nomad for $300 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/UniTerra-Nomad-Espresso-Machine/dp/B01G40YGSG/){: rel=nofollow}** + +## 5. Best hiking/backpacking + + +[#image: /photos/5d12deff744d670009494568]|||||| + + +**[Cafflano Kompresso ($105)](https://www.amazon.com/Cafflano-Kompresso-Carry-Coffee-Maker/dp/B076CXFJP9/){: rel=nofollow}** + +The Cafflano Kompresso is the lightest and simplest to clean of all the portable espresso machines tested here, making it an ideal choice for your next backpacking trip. + +The Kompresso relies on a hydraulic compressor to force the water through and make your extraction. The results can be both the best and the worst cup of espresso in this bunch. To make sure you get the best results every time you're going to have to experiment. The Kompresso is the least forgiving of the devices I tested. You need fresh, high quality beans and you need to spend some time getting the grind right. Grind too coarse and you'll end up with a watery mess not worthy of the name espresso. Grind too fine and you'll have to use your whole body weight to force the extraction. When you find the sweet spot you can get a good 3/8 inch of crema and a deliciously smooth shot. + +I'm struggling through the heat of Texas summer right now and frankly after 8 AM I don't want anything hot. I tried all these devices with cold water, but only the Kompresso made a good cold shot. The secret, which I found on the company's [Instagram account](https://www.instagram.com/cafflano.official/p/BbAZYX2lCac/){: rel=nofollow}, is to tamp extra hard and pre-soak for one minute. The results are amazing (again, assuming you have high quality beans and a good grind). + +**[Buy the Cafflano Kompresso for $105 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Cafflano-Kompresso-Carry-Coffee-Maker/dp/B076CXFJP9/){: rel=nofollow}** + +## 4. Best for Car Camping + + +[#image: /photos/5d12df25acabd90008f0f413]|||||| + + +**[Handpresso 12V Auto Hybrid ($160)](https://www.amazon.com/Handpresso-127015-12V-Auto-Hybrid/dp/B00WZAAR92){: rel=nofollow}** + +Technically I'm cheating with the Handpresso Auto Hybrid since it requires 12V power. For that reason it's not the best all-around travel option. But if your travels are generally by vehicle and you have access to a 12V socket (AKA, a cigarette lighter socket) the Handpresso Auto makes a quick espresso. The Auto Hybrid's extraction is very close to that of the Wild Hybrid. + +Like its hand-pumped sibling, the Auto Hybrid can use either ESE pods or ground coffee. You put in your grind, tamp it down and add an ounce of water. It takes about two minutes for the water to heat. You can watch the progress on then tiny display screen. When it's ready it will beep three times. Turn it upside down and press the brew button to start the extraction (as a safety feature the brew button won't do anything until you turn it over). + +There's one quirk to the auto-detection systems in the Auto Hybird: most bottled water won't work. The mineral content is too low. This may also apply to water from some filtration systems, though I did not have any problem using it with water that had been through a simple charcoal filter system. + +**[Buy the Handpresso 12V Auto Hybrid for $160 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Handpresso-127015-12V-Auto-Hybrid/dp/B00WZAAR92){: rel=nofollow}** + +### Notes on espresso, or why we didn't review the Aeropress + +The term espresso can be confusing, just what is it that makes something an espresso? + +To qualify as espresso the coffee must meet three requirements. First it must be brewed under pressure instead of infused. Second, it should have a very high brew ratio, usually two parts water to one part coffee, whereas brewed coffee is more like fifteen to one. And finally, the beans used in espresso are typically a darker roast, though I've noticed lighter roasts being used more and more. In general espresso tends to be darker, heavier and richer than infusion brewed coffee. + +For the purposes of this review I limited the options to pressurized brewers, which is why there's no Aeropress or moka pot, neither of which make espresso (a moka pot is pressurized, but not enough to qualify as espresso). + +If you haven’t made espresso before, I recommend you start with some high quality beans. You can make great coffee with cheap equipment provided you start with high-quality beans. To get high quality beans I'd try your local coffee roaster since they will likely have the freshest beans you can get. + +If you don't have a coffee roaster nearby you can order beans online or try one of the pre-ground espresso blends at your local grocery store. I've tried most popular espresso blends like Lavazza and Café Bustelo. I find Cafe Bustelo has a smoother flavor than the others, but it's still more bitter than what you'll get from freshly roasted whole beans freshly ground. + +For testing purposes I used beans from Jittery Joe's roasting company in Athens GA, specifically the [Wake-n-Bake](https://jitteryjoes.com/collections/blends/products/terrapin-wake-n-bake?variant=41287296589) blend (disclosure, I worked for Jittery Joe's for many years). I also used an espresso blend from [Fahrenheit Coffee Roaster](https://www.yelp.com/biz/fahrenheit-coffee-roaster-mancos) in Mancos Colorado. The latter are the best beans I've purchased in the United States in two years of traveling. + +Once you have good, freshly roasted beans you need to grind them. You'll want a burr grinder, which actually grinds your beans evenly rather than chopping them like a blade grinder. I use a well-loved [Hario Mini](https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Coffee-Mill-Mini-Slim/dp/B001804CLY/){: rel=nofollow} I've had for years, but if I were buying a new one I'd get a stainless steel grinder like this [Mueller Manual Coffee Grinder](https://www.amazon.com/Mueller-Ultra-Grind-Strongest-Heaviest-Stainless/dp/B076BZYSGF/r){: rel=nofollow}. + +The final step is to pick one of these devices and start experimenting. When you're first learning make sure you weigh out your beans and water using a good scale like this [Eravsow Digital Scale](https://www.amazon.com/ERAVSOW-Digital-Stainless-precision-Batteries/dp/B075YBD4YQ){: rel=nofollow}, and take notes. It may sound like extreme nerdery, and it is, but after experimenting for a few days you'll likely find something you love and you'll know how to pull your perfect shot every time for espresso bliss no matter where you are. diff --git a/published/instax-liplay.txt b/published/instax-liplay.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..487c570 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/instax-liplay.txt @@ -0,0 +1,56 @@ +Despite the naysayers print film refuses to die. Kodak resurrected one of it's most popular films, [Ektachrome](https://www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/press_center/kodak_brings_back_a_classic_with_ektachrome_film/default.htm), and Fujifilm has announced it will bring back Acros 100, a popular black and white film. It's not just pros and artists that crave real world prints though, instant print cameras and printers have been piling up on our desk all year. + +The latest is Fujifilm's new Instax Mini LiPlay. Using the same credit card size Instax film as previous releases, like our [favorite Instax](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-instant-cameras/), the Mini 90, the LiPlay offers a smaller, more pocketable form factor. It can also be used as a stand alone mini printer. + +The Mini LiPlay feels like the Instax answer to the increasing popularity of smaller [Zink cameras](https://www.wired.com/review/canon-ivy-cliq/) and printers. Instax might have revived the instant print camera, but Zink is nipping at its heels. + +The LiPlay is Fujifilm's attempt to up its instant photo game. The LiPlay definitely does that with some welcome features like a glass lens and the ability to print from your smartphone. The much-touted ability to embed audio in your images using a QR code is less impressive. + +###It's a Camera + +The LiPlay is a hybrid digital camera instant printer. Unlike most other Instax cameras, you can review your images on an LCD screen and decide whether or not to print them. This puts an end to wasting film on images where someone's eyes are closed. This alone could mean a considerable longterm savings over direct-to-print models like the Mini 90. + +That said, my favorite feature of the LCD isn't the ability to review so much as the animation that happens when you print: it scrolls your image up off the screen at almost exactly the same speed the actual print emerges from the camera. It's a nice touch that makes that digital-to-real-world transition more immediate and fun. + +The images the LiPlay printed out were impressively sharp, better than the results I got from the Mini 90. The LiPlay lacks some of the extra features found on Fujifilm's other Instax models. For example there's no double exposure or close-up mode. Thankfully, there's still a way to set exposure compensation. Instax prints have a tendency to crush blacks and wash out highlights, so I often use exposure compensation to lighten shadows or darken highlights, depending on the scene I'm shooting. + +The rounded body of the LiPlay is easy to hold and reasonably pocketable. It comes in black, white, and rose gold. + +The design is clean and simple. There's a power button on the side of the camera and next to it are three buttons that control which visual effects (if any) are applied to the image. The options range from hearts to antlers to a dozen or so other overlays. + +[[[[[image of back Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay Back SOURCE Fujifilm]]]] + +There's also a back button, review button, and print button beside the LCD screen on the back. A Set button inside a typical camera 4-way direction wheel rounds out the controls on the back. The wheel lets you navigate the menus to turn on and off Bluetooth, control various print settings, and toggle other settings. + +In front is a shutter release along with a selfie mirror, AF lamp, and the button to record audio. + +###It's an Audio Recorder (Sort of) + +Yes, the Instax Mini LiPlay records audio, which at first brush sounds really cool, conjuring up visions of photos out of Harry Potter. Unfortunately, in practice it involves scanning QR codes and installing smartphone apps. + +You take an image, record up to 10 seconds of audio and then print the image with a QR code. You then give that image to someone else and they can scan the code, and listen to your message. The process works, but it's definitely a cumbersome way add audio to prints. + +The new app doesn't just play QR code audio; It also controls the LiPlay. You can set the effects for the three shortcut buttons and trigger the shutter for group photos, complete with a live view. + +The app is leaps and bounds better than Fujifilm's existing app for Instax printers, which has always felt clunky. The new app has a much cleaner design, is more responsive, and never crashed on me. Unfortunately this app only works with LiPlay. + +###And It's a Printer + +The LiPlay can be used as a mini printer as well, grabbing images from your phone and sending them directly to the printer. If you're a long time Instax user you'll be happy to know that Fujifilm has developed a new app for the LiPlay that shows the company can actually make a good app if it puts its mind to it. + +The printer feature is called Direct Print and it is just that. Unlike the app for Instax printers, which allows you to lighten images, crop, add contrast and so on, this one offers nothing but a way to print the image as it is on your phone. If you want to edit, you'll need to do that in another app. Not having a built in editor isn't much of a drawback given how many good photo editing apps are available these days. Check out our [guide to getting better images from your phone](https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-take-better-photos-with-your-phone/) for some ideas. + +I did miss the ability to rotate an image before printing. You can technically do this with your fingers in the app, but it rotates freehand which makes it tough to precisely align it. + +Still, the hybrid camera and printer makes one buying decision—Should I get an Instax camera or an Instax Printer?—considerably easier. You should get the LiPlay. The only scenario you'd still want the printer is for the larger, square format film of the SQ 10, [SQ 6](https://www.wired.com/review/review-fujifilm-instax-square-sq6/), or Instax SP3. Other than that, the LiPlay makes more sense since you get both a camera and a printer in a more compact package than any of Fujifilm's previous Instax offerings. + +###It's a Little Magical + +As a digital camera the LiPlay is nothing special. It takes pictures good enough for Instax prints, fits in your pocket, and is cheaper than a dedicated camera and printer. As with all instant cameras, the real story is not the features of the camera or even the quality of the resulting images, but the magic of the results: having actual, tangible, photographs in your hand almost immediately. + +This is not a camera for pixel-counting, digital-loving absolutists. It's a camera for people who want photographs that can be artifacts in their lives. + +This is doubly true if you have kids. There's something about watching a freshly-snapped instant photo develop in front of your eyes that captures the attention of children in way that ordinary prints to do not. I remember the fun of waiting for it to print and then develop when I was younger. The colors look faded and slightly off in that moment, and I love watching my own kids stare in amazement +today. The cameras are different, the film is a little different, but the experience remains timeless and still feels magical. + +*(The [Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay costs $159 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Instax-Liplay-Hybrid-Instant-Camera/dp/B07SH2S36Q/){: rel=nofollow} (also in [Black](https://www.amazon.com/Instax-Liplay-Hybrid-Instant-Camera/dp/B07SK3WXHC){: rel=nofollow} and [Rose Gold](https://www.amazon.com/Instax-Liplay-Hybrid-Instant-Camera/dp/B07SK2SX53){: rel=nofollow}), [B&H Photo Video](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=8612&fct=fct_brand_name|fujifilm%2bfct_camera-model_6331|fujifilm-instax-mini-liplay&N=4288586279&){: rel=nofollow}, [Best Buy](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?st=Fujiflim+LiPlay&_dyncharset=UTF-8&id=pcat17071&type=page&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=&sp=&qp=&list=n&af=true&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960&keys=keys){: rel=nofollow}, and [Adorama](https://www.adorama.com/l/?searchinfo=fujifilm+instax+mini+liplay){: rel=nofollow}.)* diff --git a/published/ivycliq.txt b/published/ivycliq.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..934cfb4 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/ivycliq.txt @@ -0,0 +1,43 @@ +Instant cameras are nothing new, Fujifilm's Instax cameras have been mining our nostalgia for years.Now there's a new crop of contenders hoping to snatch the Instax crown with a different kind of instant print. The latest effort to land on my desk is Canon's new Cliq instant camera. + +I'm a huge fan of physical pictures, especially when you can get them seconds after pressing the shutter. They enthrall children and have even found an audience with pros: "can I take your portrait," becomes considerably less creepy when you can hand over a copy of that portrait on the spot. + +Polaroids also have that nostalgic appeal for those of us of a certain age, but the newer crop of instant camera's and printers use a different technology. These are not the shake-'em-up, fade-in images of your youth. Using a technology called [Zink](https://zink.com){: rel=nofollow}, cameras like the Cliq produce more traditional prints, like what you'd get from a professional printer (but without the professional quality). + +In keeping with the legacy of Polaroids, Canon's Cliq is not going to churn out museum-quality, crystal-clear prints. Still it's undeniably fun to use and the results will likely be good enough for many people. If you're looking for an easy way to share those selfies or group portraits in the real world, the Cliq delivers. As a bonus, Zink images are also stickers. + +*(Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.)* + +## Ready, Aim, Print + +While the images may not always be the best, the Cliq does nail the other element that made instant camera's so fun: it's super simple. Point and shoot, literally. There's no focusing, no worrying about exposure. You aim, you fire, you print. + +The Cliq comes in red, blue, or yellow. It's slightly thicker than a deck of cards and small enough to slide easily into most pockets. It'll be a little tight in the pocket of your jeans, but considering that it's a printer inside a camera, it's remarkably compact. + +The Cliq has no screen, no preview, not much in the way of options at all. There is a mirror next to lens to help you frame selfies. On the back there are just two buttons, one to choose your image dimensions, either 2 x 3 or 2 x 2, and one to reprint the last image, which is handy when you're sharing images with friends. + +Beyond the two back buttons though, there's not much to the Cliq. It's a very simple device, you press the shutter button and about thirty seconds later your image prints, end of story. + +## Simple, but Lackluster + +The Cliq holds ten Zink papers and the refill packs are small enough that you can throw a few in your pocket and you won't even notice them. + +The Cliq does optionally store your images to a microSD card (64 GB max) and you can later download them and edit using the desktop software of your choice. Keep in mind though that the Cliq has a 5-megapixel camera so don't expect to ever print much bigger than 2 x 3 inches. If you bought your phone in the last five years, chances are your phone captures better images than the Cliq. + +There's one big gotcha to be aware of with the Cliq: you can't take pictures without printing. The Cliq *requires* printing. I would not call this a deal breaker, but it's worth bearing in mind, especially if purchasing for your kids. + +Still, I would argue that the whole point of the Cliq is to print and share in the moment. For this reason I favor the Cliq over something like [HP's Sprocket](https://www.wired.com/review/hp-sprocket-photo-printer/) printer, which produces similar images, but lacks the instant satisfaction of the Cliq. + +Unfortunately I'm not bowled over by the image quality from Zink-based cameras and printers. While print quality in instant cameras is highly subjective--and none of them produce truly color accurate prints--to my eye Fujifilm's Instax prints produce more pleasing results than the Cliq. + +The Cliq has slightly better dynamic range, but colors, especially gradients of color, for example a sunset, tend to have harsh, jagged transitions between colors. Zink images do tend to show more detail in shadows, but it lacks the rich blacks Instax film is capable of rendering. Zink's printing method doesn't have an equivalent to black ink and it shows. Images have a very heavy midtone bias that makes them feel like something from another age, but not in a good way. + +At about 50 cents a print, Zink-based printing does have the price edge on Instax (70 cents). That makes it a little less painful when my daughter, accustomed to digital photography, fires off an entire roll of images in 5 minutes. + +There's also a [Cliq+ model](https://www.amazon.com/Canon-Instant-Camera-Printer-Bluetooth/dp/B07PMTDQNK/){: rel=nofollow}, which adds eight LED lights around the lens for better selfie lighting, shoots 8-megapixel images, and has built-in Bluetooth support so you can print images you've taken with your phone, making it something of a hybrid camera/printer. + +I didn't have a Cliq+ to test, but I did play around with companion Android app enough to say that this is another place Canon beats Fujifilm: the Mini Print app is light years ahead of Fujifilm's slow, buggy mobile application. + +While I personally prefer the aesthetics of prints from Fuji's Instax series, I think that the Canon's IVY Cliq is good choice if you prefer more traditional prints. The sticker prints look good enough for most people, and it succeeds in putting your photos back in the moment to share with the people around you. + +*(The [Canon Ivy Cliq costs $99 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Canon+Sticky-Back&i=electronics&rh=p_6%3AATVPDKIKX0DER&dc&qid=1559938392&rnid=303116011&ref=sr_nr_p_6_1){: rel=nofollow}, [B&H Photo Video](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?sts=ma&fct=fct_cameras-kits_7135%7ccameras-only&N=0&Ntt=Canon%20Ivy%20Cliq){: rel=nofollow}, and [Adorama](https://www.adorama.com/l/?sel=Model_Canon-Ivy-Cliq&searchinfo=canon%20ivy%20cliq){: rel=nofollow}. diff --git a/published/jun29-deals.txt b/published/jun29-deals.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e2e2adf --- /dev/null +++ b/published/jun29-deals.txt @@ -0,0 +1,48 @@ +Our favorite source of nerdy gifts, ThinkGeek.com, is shutting down its website. You'll still be able to get some ThinkGeek stuff from parent company GameStop, but we suspect that things won't be quite the same. The good news is that until July 2, you have the opportunity to pick up anything at [ThinkGeek for 50 percent off](https://www.thinkgeek.com/){: rel=nofollow} with the code MOVINGDAY applied at checkout. To help you out we've hand picked a few of our nerdy favorites, along with some other deals from around the web. + +*(Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.)* + +### Our Favorite ThinkGeek Deals + +ThinkGeek stuff is going fast -- our favorite [Mario mug](https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/kski/){: rel=nofollow} is already out of stock -- so if you see something you like, don't delay. + +- **[Jumping Super Mario Question Block Lamp for $17 ($17 off)](https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/kjrl/){: rel=nofollow}**: Add a little old school gaming light to your life with this Super Mario lamp. As far as we know no mushrooms come out the top, but it's still cool. + +- **[Twin Peaks Ceramic Pie Plate for $16 ($16 off)](https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/klvj/){: rel=nofollow}**: Channel your inner Dale Cooper's love of pie using this Twin Peaks Pie plate. It's got the Double R Diner logo and Cooper's memorable line, "This must be where pies go when they die" + +- **[Binary Geek Knit Scarf for $10 ($10 off)](https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/kpkm/){: rel=nofollow}:**: Yes it's the middle of summer, but the programmer in your life will still appreciate this binary scarf (which spells "Geek" in binary) the next time it gets cold. + +- **[Chewbacca Tie Bar for $18 ($18 off)](https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/khls/){: rel=nofollow}:**: We love the subtle nerdery this adds to your suit. Patterned after Chewbacca's bandolier, your fellow nerds will know you while everyone else will never notice. + +- **[Bob Ross's Happy Little Blanket for $17 ($17 off)](https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/juoq/){: rel=nofollow}**: Grab a warm cozy piece of art from possible the happiest artist to ever live. And remember, there are no mistakes, only happy accidents. + +### Our Favorite Outdoor Deals + +- **[Ozark Trail 8' x 8' Instant Sun Shade for $23 ($36 off)](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-8-x-8-Instant-Sun-Shade/55208734){: rel=nofollow}**: The best way to avoid a sunburn is to, ahem, stay out of the sun. This sun shade will help keep the sun off during the heat of the day, your skin will thank you. + +- **[Coleman 100-Quart Heavy-Duty Cooler with Wheels for $50 ($30 off)](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-100-Quart-Xtreme-5-Day-Heavy-Duty-Cooler-with-Wheels-Blue/5192860){: rel=nofollow}**: This Coleman cooler will keep those tasty beverages cool for your 4th of July celebrations. + +- **[REI Co-op Base Camp 4 Tent for $183 ($183 off)](https://www.rei.com/product/862432/rei-co-op-base-camp-4-tent){: rel=nofollow}**: If you need a new tent for your summer camping this 4-person REI tent offers some nice features like dual doors, color-coded poles for easy setup, and plenty of mesh for ventilation. + +- **[Biolite PowerLight Bundle for $60 ($30 off)](https://www.bioliteenergy.com/products/powerlight-bundle){: rel=nofollow}**: BioLite's compact rechargeable lighting system is perfect for lighting up your campsite while you set up that new tent. + +- **[Helinox Beach Chair for $90 ($60 off):](https://www.rei.com/product/896337/helinox-beach-chair-2018-colors?cm_mmc=aff_AL-_-184309-_-234225-_-NA&avad=234225_b163bbe49){: rel=nofollow}:**: We highlighted the Helinox last week, but the price is still good and it'll make a great way to watch the fireworks this year. + +- **[Chaco Outcross Kids Shoes for $26 ($28 off)](https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/898154/chaco-outcross-kids){: rel=nofollow}**: If you want to get the kids out on the trail this summer they're going to need some good hiking shoes. These Chacos fit the bill and have a semi-collapsible heel, which means they're easy to get on and off. + +- **[BioLite BaseCamp Stove for $139 ($60 off)](https://www.rei.com/product/877671/biolite-basecamp-stove){: rel=nofollow}**: This is our [favorite electricity-generating wood stove](https://www.wired.com/2016/12/review-biolite-basecamp-pizzadome-bundle/) for car camping. Add the [Pizza Dome top](https://www.bioliteenergy.com/products/pizzadome) ($59, regularly $69) and take your camp cooking to new heights. + + +### Our Favorite Electronics Deals + +- **[Kindle Oasis E-reader (9th Generation)](https://www.amazon.com/All-New-Amazon-Kindle-Oasis-8GB-Grey/dp/B06XD5YCKX/){: rel=nofollow}**: The just announced Kindle Oasis adds a warmer light, but the previous model is still a solid buy, especially now that it's a bit cheaper. + +- **[ASUS VivoBook S for $700 ($100 off)](https://www.amazon.com/VivoBook-i7-8550U-GeForce-NanoEdge-Display/dp/B07B7VFTN9){: rel=nofollow}:** This is a good mid-range laptop with an Nvidia GeForce MX150 graphics card, 8 GB of RAM, and a 256-GB solid state drive. + +- **[Google Home Mini for $25 ($25 off)](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Google-Home-Mini-Chalk/159013183){: rel=nofollow}:** Google's smart speaker is great for those with a Home-enabled home. + +- **[Toshiba 43-inch HD TV, Fire TV Edition for $180 ($120 off)](https://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-43LF421U19-43-inch-1080p-Smart/dp/B07FPSBZQB/){: rel=nofollow}:** This Toshiba offers a solid 1080p screen and built-in Fire TV. + +- **[Acer Swift 7 for $850 ($450 off)](https://www.adorama.com/acnxgn2aa001.html){: rel=nofollow}:** I just reviewed the brand new version of the [Acer Swift 7](https://www.wired.com/review/acer-swift-7-2019/) and it's a great,highly portable machine. But this previous version is still a solid laptop and it doesn't have the nose-cam issues of the new version. + +*As always, a [1-year unlimited WIRED digital and print subscription is only $10](https://subscribe.wired.com/subscribe/splits/wired/WIR_Edit_Hardcoded?source=deal_guides_sub). Subscribing directly supports the reviews and original reporting we do every day. We're biased, but we think it's a bargain!* diff --git a/published/mac-alternatives.txt b/published/mac-alternatives.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..adfab10 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/mac-alternatives.txt @@ -0,0 +1,89 @@ +Another WWDC has come and gone, leaving in its wake an impressively powerful piece of hardware: the [new Mac Pro](https://www.wired.com/story/apple-mac-pro-2019/). While the Mac Pro will make some creative professionals happy, it's $5,999 sticker price may send others looking for alternatives. + +Unfortunately, the while the Mac Pro leads the pack, many other Macs have been left behind by cheaper, better options on the Windows PC side of the fence. Consider for a moment that Apple sells the early 2017 Macbook for $1400 -- highway robbery from a pure performance perspective and you only get one USB-C port. Would you buy a car at its original MSRP even though it's been sitting on the lot for a couple years? I don't think so. + +With that in mind, I've put together a list of excellent Windows (and one Linux-based) alternatives to the most popular Mac models. From the [low-end](https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-build-a-pc/) to beastly 32-core prosumer rigs, the PC world is [getting really exciting again](https://www.wired.com/story/computex-2018-new-chips-qualcomm-amd-intel/). + +Sure, macOS has its advantages, but Windows 10 is a mature, stable platform that's updated and improved on the regular. + +Switching to PCs means you'll be able to grab the latest and greatest computers at a wide array of prices from any number of PC manufacturers, without having to light prayer candles at a shrine dedicated to Steve Wozniak. + +*(Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.)* + +##MacBook/MacBook Air + +[#image: /photos/5b206061714d3b70d9ed7ede]|||||| + +Apple's most portable notebooks are in an awkward spot. It's been a while since the [MacBook](https://www.wired.com/2016/04/review-apple-macbook-2/) saw an update and keyboard problems have filled the news for months. Apple recently extended its warranty program on those faulty keyboards, but the single USB-C port still feels limiting. The MacBook Air is in a little bit better spot, it was [updated in 2018](https://copilot.condenast.io/wrd/preview/article/5a78e59756f21920c2bf083b). Despite the update, the Air soldiers on with the same screen and chassis it's had for three years. + +The [**Microsoft Surface 2 Laptop**](https://www.wired.com/2017/06/review-microsoft-surface-laptop/) is a solid substitute for these slimmer Macs. You get newer chips, a brilliant 13-inch display, a wonderful keyboard, and an eye-catching design. Starting at $999, it's a premium notebook without the performance drawbacks of what Apple's offering right now. + +[**Shop for the Surface 2 Laptop ($999 and up)**](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/config/surface-laptop-2/8xqjkk3dd91b/jx8c){: rel=nofollow} + +Another worthy alternative is the [**Dell XPS 13 ($900 and up)**](https://www.wired.com/review/dell-xps-13-2018/). If you opt for the touch model you'll get a screen Apple's 13 inch models can't match, along with newer chips, and a solid keyboard, all in an ultra-slim package that still amanged to offer 3 USB-C ports. The XPS 13 recently saw a minor redesign that moved the much-maligned "nose cam" from the bottom of the screen, up to the top where it should have been all along. That eliminates our main gripe and makes the XPS 13 an excellent Macbook alternative. The XPS 13 starts at $899 and manages to outclass Apple's 13inch offerings. + +[**Shop for the Dell XPS 13 ($900 and up)**](https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/new-xps-13-laptop/spd/xps-13-9380-laptop){: rel=nofollow} + +##MacBook Pro + +[#image: /photos/5b205db2a928d042da61bd52]|||||| + +The 15-inch [MacBook Pro](https://www.wired.com/2016/11/review-apple-macbook-pro-touch-bar/) is arguably the only MacBook worthy of the professional branding, since it has the biggest screen, fastest graphics, and hottest processor of Apple's laptop lineup. Plus, you get Apple's Touch Bar, which, is of dubious value, but is a nice bonus. + +The best match for Apple's powerhouse Macbook Pro is the [Asus Zenbook Pro 15](https://store.asus.com/us/item/201901AM190000001). Since much of the use-case for this class of machine is video related, the Asus's color-accurate AdobeRGB 4K display is even better than what you get in a Macbook Pro. The rest of the specs match up well, including the touchscreen touchpad which is about as gimmicky as the Touch Bar -- though reportedly more useful. Where the Asus struggles is battery life. Great power requires great batteries and in this showdown, Apple wins. + +[**Shop for the Zenbook Pro ($2,300)**](https://store.asus.com/us/item/201901AM190000001){: rel=nofollow} + +Razer's flagship **Razer Blade** laptop is another contender for MacBook Pro replacement. With a six-core Intel processor and Nvidia 10-series graphics as the standard configuration, it's positioned to make the mightiest Mac notebook look downright antique. Peep that slim display bezel … gaze lovingly upon its traditional style RGB-backlit keyboard and humongous glass trackpad. It even has USB-A ports, Thunderbolt 3, and RAM that you can—*gasp*—upgrade! + +[**Shop for the Razer Blade ($1,899 and up)**](https://www.razer.com/gaming-laptops/razer-blade){: rel=nofollow} + +##Mac Mini + +[#image: /photos/5b205edae330f44f585225ff]|||||| + +The Mac Mini is one of my all-time favorite computers. It was updated late in 2018 with Intel Coffee Lake processors and a slew of USC-C ports. + +If you love tiny-yet-powerful mini computers, might I recommend the **Intel NUC**? These computers are mini-er than Apple's Mini and feature newer seventh and eighth-generation chips that run rings around the li'lest Mac. You can buy them either as [complete models running Windows 10](https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Enthusiast-Windows-Gunmetal-BOXNUC7i7BNHXG/dp/B075VSBNQY), or as [barebones kits](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSZLO9P/){: rel=nofollow} where you add your own RAM, storage, and OS of choice. + +If you're a gamer or want to get into VR, there's even [the Hades Canyon model](https://www.wired.com/review/review-intel-hades-canyon-nuc/), with powerful AMD Radeon Vega graphics under the hood. And, whereas Apple charges you beaucoup bucks for a three-year AppleCare warranty, you'll get that standard with each NUC. + +[**Shop for the Intel NUC ($500 and up)**](https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Enthusiast-Windows-Gunmetal-BOXNUC7i7BNHXG/dp/B077BK34DN?th=1){: rel=nofollow} + +If you'd like something a touch more powerful than a NUC, there's the Asus VivoMini PC. AT just 5 inches square it's tiny enough to mount out of sight and still powerful enough to support up to 3 4K monitors. The Asus features the seventh generation Intel i7 chip, room for a M2 drive and a tradition 2.5 laptop drive as well as up to 16GB of memory (it ships with 8GB which you can upgrade to 16GB). + +To get this price point Asus has to sell this bare bones. You need to supply the hard drives and operating system, but even then you'll be coming in well under the Mac Mini's $799 price and have more processing power. + +[**Shop for the Asus VivoMini($590)**](https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Enthusiast-Windows-Gunmetal-BOXNUC7i7BNHXG/dp/B077BK34DN?th=1){: rel=nofollow} + +##iMac + +[#image: /photos/5b205e592b3a2d7b09334464]|||||| + +I'll be the first to admit that the [iMac](https://www.apple.com/imac/){: rel=nofollow} is a super-nice desktop computer. While many other PC makers try to ape this stylish, slim all-in-one, few truly match its appeal. It's also one of the models Apple's been the most consistent about keeping fresh; the current lineup runs on Intel's ninth generation chips and Radeon Vega graphic to boot. + +The machine I'd recommend checking out is HP's epic desktop, the **HP Envy Curved All-in-One**. With a wide 34-inch curved display, you get the real estate of two separate monitors in one contiguous LCD panel. But whether you're popping full apps next to one another with room to spare, or just blowing up a widescreen movie to take up this entire screen, HP's Envy stands apart. + +*[*Shop for the HP Envy 34-inch Curved All-in-One ($1,649 and up)*](https://store.hp.com/us/en/mdp/desktops/envy-34-curved-all-in-one-344535--1#!&tab=vao){: rel=nofollow}* + +##Mac Pro + +[#image: /photos/5b2060bcba2c1651eb892856]|||||| + +The new Mac Pro starts at $5,999 for the 8-core model with 32 GB of RAM and a 256-GB solid-state drive. That can be configured up to a 28-core model with 1.5 terabytes of RAM. A new Pro Display XDR monitor—a new Apple product as well—to go along with your workstation will set you back another $4,999 for the base model, bringing the cost of a full setup to $11,000. And that's just the entry-level configuration. + +The bad news is that there are no other displays of this calibre at this price. You could get a reference display from Sony, but that'll set you back somewhere in the neighborhood of $18,000. Right now, the PC world cannot match the Pro Display XDR. Check back in a year. + +What about the Mac Pro itself? To get that kind of power in a PC you're probably best off buying the components and building it yourself. This is what, for example, film studios do to create powerful editing workstations, but it's complicated, expensive and time-consuming. + +The closest Windows option is the **Dell Precision 7820** which starts at $1,700 for a six-core Xeon-powered workstation and works its way up from there to a dual Xeon Platinum 8268 machine, but it's still not as powerful as the Mac Pro. + +[**Shop for the Dell Precision 7820 ($1,659 and up)**](http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/desktop-and-all-in-one-pcs/precision-7820-workstation/spd/precision-7820-workstation){: rel=nofollow} + +Another option would be to move to a Linux-based machine like System76's Thelio desktop. The Thelio is made in the USA and features a beautifully rounded wooden, sci-fi-inspired tower, that wrapped around AMD's Threadripper chip. The base model, Thelio Major, matches up well against the Mac Pro. As an added bonus, it will only set you back $2,814. + +At the high end the Thelio Massive can take on the maxed out Mac Pro as well, besting it in CPU cores and several other areas, but we've again entered the rarefied world of professionally-price machines. A Thelio Massive specced to match the top of the line Mac Pro will set you back $18,801 (a completely maxxed Thelio Massive goes for $63,168). At the time of writing the price of Apple's most powerful Mac Pro is unknown. + +While the Thelio is a powerful machine that can hold its own against the Mac Pro, it does lack the ProRes RAW accelerator card, which means it likely won't perform quite as well with high in video. The other gotcha for creative professionals is that Adobe's photo and video editing software does not support Linux, the operating system that ships with Thelio. + +[**Shop for the Thelio Major ($2,699 and up)**](https://system76.com/cart/configure/thelio-major-r1){: rel=nofollow} **[or the Thelio Massive ($2,999 and up)**](https://system76.com/cart/configure/thelio-massive-b1){: rel=nofollow} diff --git a/published/mac-pro.txt b/published/mac-pro.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3a4c5d0 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/mac-pro.txt @@ -0,0 +1,18 @@ +Apple's WWDC developer's conference keynote finally delivered what the designers, photographers, video editors, and other pro-grade creatives who grew up on Apple have been waiting for -- multiple references to the band Rush. Unfortunately this was overshadowed slightly by the insanely powerful new Mac Pro, which will likely be better remembered. + +Pity the unfaithful who gave up on the neglected Mac Pro and bought the [recently upgraded iMac](https://www.wired.com/story/apple-imac-desktop-refresh/) because Apple has brought back the cheese grater and finally created Mac Pro worthy of the name. + +Apple's keynote usually shun specs, but the company pulled out all the stops for the new Mac Pro, touting the details of graphics cards and brightness nits in the monitor. These are exactly the kind of details high end users care about and Apple has clearly been listening to them. It was refreshing to see Apple getting excited about a high end machine few of us will ever be able to afford. + +Keynote theatrics aside, the new Mac Pro is a truly professional grade machine and it does have a truly professional grade price tag to match. They may be worth every penny -- we'll know for sure when they arrive this Fall -- but it's a lot of pennies. The new Mac Pro starts at $5,999 for the 8-core model with 32GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. That can be configured up to a 28 core model with 1.5TB of RAM. A new Pro Display XDR monitor to go along with your workstation will set you back another $4,999 for the base model, bring the cost of a full setup to $11,000. And that's just the base model. + +The new Mac Pro is all about processing power and graphics. There's an up to 28 core Xeon processor, up to 1.5 terabytes of RAM and an option for as many as 4 Radeon Pro Vega II graphics cards which will net you enough power to playback three simultaneous streams of 8K video, a feat Apple showed off during the WWDC keynote. + +What's perhaps most welcome is that Apple has bucked the trend it help start and provided a case that's easy to open up. Yes, it's a user upgradable Mac with up to eight PCI Express expansion slots. That's twice as many slots as the last Mac Pro. + +Apple is also touting a new hardware acceleration card it calls Afterburner. It's the magic behind the Mac Pro's ability to handle three simultaneous streams of 8K ProRes RAW footage, which is what you get from [RED](https://www.wired.com/2017/05/red-modular-camera-system/) and similar high end cameras. With the graphics card handling the video playback you can use all those primary processing cores to handle creative effects and other processing tasks. + +Even the most powerful video editing workstation is nothing without a display to match and for that Apple has delivered something that might be more impressive than the Mac Pro. + +The Pro Display XDR is 32-inch Retina 6K display. It boasts up to 1600 nits of brightness, sustaining 100 nits and features a contrast ration of one million to one, which puts it, in case you aren't an expert in monitors, in class of what's call reference displays. Reference displays are insanely expensive tools (think mid 5-digits), used primarily in high end production shops to whom the Pro Display XDR's $4,999 price tag probably sounds like a fire sale. + diff --git a/published/may31-deals.txt b/published/may31-deals.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e63b7de --- /dev/null +++ b/published/may31-deals.txt @@ -0,0 +1,40 @@ +Summer has arrived. The days are getting longer and warmer. We've got one eye on traffic reports, plotting our weekend escape, but before we go we've got some deals for you. Some of our favorite deals this week include pre-orders for Motorola's coming Moto Z4, Gramin's Fenix 5S GPS Watch, Amazon's Fire TV Cube, and some new headphones for your summer travels. + +*(Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.)* + +### Our Favorite Home and Outdoor Deals + +- **[Pre-Order Moto Z4 ($500)](https://www.motorola.com/us/products/moto-z-gen-4-unlocked){: rel=nofollow}**: If you pre-order the coming Z4, Motorola will throw in a free [Moto Mod 360 camera](https://www.motorola.com/us/products/moto-mods/moto-360-camera){: rel=nofollow} (normally $200). + +- **[Garmin Fenix 5S GPS Watch for $350 ($150 off)](https://www.rei.com/product/121189/garmin-fenix-5s-gps-watch){: rel=nofollow}:**: Our favorite, [highly recommended](https://www.wired.com/review/review-garmin-fenix-5s/), multisport GPS watch. + +- **[Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Headphones for $230 ($50 off)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E3XLNA0){: rel=nofollow}**: These over-the-ear, wireless, noise canceling headphones get high marks from travelers for their 30-hour battery life. + +### Our Favorite Laptop and Tablet Deals + +- **[Apple 12.9" iPad Pro (Mid 2017, 512GB, Wi-Fi Only, Silver) for $700 ($450 off)](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1342519-REG/apple_mpl02ll_a_12_9_ipad_pro_mid.html){: rel=nofollow}**: It's not the latest and greatest, but Apple's 2017 iPad Pro is still a very capable tablet. + +- **[Apple Smart Keyboard for iPad Pro for $80 ($80 off)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072MHN91T/){: rel=nofollow}:**: The perfect accessory for your new iPad Pro. + +- **[Razer Blade Stealth 13.3" Gaming Laptop for $300 ($150 off)](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sharp-55-class-led-2160p-smart-4k-uhd-tv-with-hdr-roku-tv/5712157.p?skuId=5712157){: rel=nofollow}**: We loved this gaming powerhouse when [we reviewed it](https://www.wired.com/review/razer-blade-stealth-2019/). + +- **[ASUS ZenBook 13 UX 331 Laptop for $700 ($250 off)](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sharp-55-class-led-2160p-smart-4k-uhd-tv-with-hdr-roku-tv/5712157.p?skuId=5712157){: rel=nofollow}**: The UX 331 wraps a 1080p screen, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB drive in a thin and stylish package. + +- **[Lenovo IdeaPad S340 Laptop for $500 ($450 off)](https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/3913847/Lenovo-IdeaPad-S340-Laptop-156-Screen/){: rel=nofollow}**: The S340 offers 15 inch Screen, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB Solid State Drive. + + +### Our Favorite Television and Gaming Deals + +- **[Fire TV Cube](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0791T9CV7){: rel=nofollow}**: The Fire Cube's voice control [didn't wow us](https://www.wired.com/review/review-amazon-fire-tv-cube/), but it's still got you covered when it comes to streaming video, including YouTube, which will soon return to Fire TV devices. + +- **[TCL 6 Series 65" LED Smart TV 4K UHD for $680 ($299 off)](https://express.google.com/u/0/product/404037217098328908_0_0){: rel=nofollow}:**: We haven't reviewed this model, but one of TCL's other offerings took top honors in our round-up of [boldest, most budget-friendly TVs](https://www.wired.com/gallery/the-6-best-boldest-and-most-budget-friendly-tvs/). + +- **[Sony 65" Bravia X900F 4K Android TV for $1600 ($400 off)](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sony-65-Class-BRAVIA-X900F-Series-4K-2160P-Ultra-HD-HDR-Dolby-Vision-Android-LED-TV-XBR65X900F/805161244){: rel=nofollow}**: If you're going to go big, go really big with Sony's 65 inch 4k monster. + +- **[Kingdom Hearts III - PS4 - for $29 ($31 off)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DBF81JS){: rel=nofollow}:**: This is a great deal on one of our [favorite games of the year](https://www.wired.com/story/difficult-gaming-modes/). + +- **[Fifa 19 for Switch for $15 ($45 off)](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/fifa-19-switch/){: rel=nofollow}:**: Some call it the best football game for a Nintendo system -- here's your chance to find out if you agree. + +- **[Capcom Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection for $20 ($20 off)](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Capcom-Street-Fighter-30th-Anniversary-Collection-NSW/390155651){: rel=nofollow}:**: Here's your chance to grab a classic for half price. + + diff --git a/published/memorial-day-deals.txt b/published/memorial-day-deals.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d3addf9 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/memorial-day-deals.txt @@ -0,0 +1,58 @@ +Monday is Memorial Day, and while its a solemn day celebrating our fallen veterans, it also marks the unofficial beginning of summer and brings with it some of the season best sales. To get your summer started right we've rounded up some of our favorite deals from online retailers around the web and included the links to their sale pages. + + +which makes this weekend the unofficial kickoff of the summer season! To celebrate the occasion, some of the biggest brands in tech and home goods will participate in an annual slashing-of-prices ceremony, otherwise known as a *sale.* And they're not alone, below you'll find some of our favorite deals available this weekend, but among them is one of WIRED's own: you can pick up a [full year of WIRED Magazine and Web access for just $5](https://subscribe.wired.com/subscribe/splits/wired/WIR_Edit_Hardcoded?source=deal_guides_sub). + +###Apple Sales + + +This weekend is Memorial Day. Whether you're taking advantage of the long weekend to get out of town or just spending some time around the house we've rounded up some of our favorite deals from online retailers around the web and included the links to their sale pages. + +### Grills + +- **[Biolite FirePit Complete Kit (includes SolarCarry Cover, FireMat, FirePoker) for $242 ($87 off)](https://www.bioliteenergy.com/products/firepit-complete-kit){: rel=nofollow}** The Firepit's rechargeable battery powers up 51 air jets for plenty of cooking and camp fire time without getting much smoke in your eyes. It's [our favorite](https://www.wired.com/review/review-biolite-firepit/) way to exercise our pyromanic tendencies while obeying campsite rules. This bundle includes the FirePit and all the extras. + +- **[Weber Spirit II E-310 for $450 ($50 off)](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Weber-Spirit-II-E-310-Black-3-Burner-Liquid-Propane-Gas-Grill/1000366153){: rel=nofollow}** Webers grills aren't the cheapest, but those extra dollars get you a high-quality grill that feels like it's built to last. The original Spirit was one of [our favorite entry-level grills](https://www.wired.com/2016/05/best-gas-grills/) and Weber grills rarely go on sale. + +- **[Kamado Charcoal Grill with Smoker for $768 ($432 off)](https://www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdp/lifesmart-kamado-charcoal-grill-with-smoker-lism1013.html){: rel=nofollow}** Both a grill and a smoker this ceramic cooker offers five cooking styles according to which accessories you use. It's huge to, capable of packing in 20 burgers. + +- **[Original Kettle 22" Charcoal Grill for $165 (12 percent off)](https://www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdp/weber-original-kettle-premium-22-charcoal-grill-green-wbe1317.html){: rel=nofollow}** The legendary kettle grill is still our favorite way to cook on charcoal. As noted above, Weber does not often have sales, this one isn't huge, but we'll take it. + +### Appliances + +- **[Cuisinart 0.6 Cu. Ft. Air Fryer Toaster Oven for $160 ($205 off)](https://www.wayfair.com/kitchen-tabletop/pdp/cuisinart-06-cu-ft-air-fryer-toaster-oven-cui3490.html){: rel=nofollow}** Fried food without the greasy napkins. This model doubles as a 6-slice toaster. + +- **[DeLonghi Magnifica Espresso Machine for $645 (35 percent off)](https://www.wayfair.com/kitchen-tabletop/pdp/delonghi-magnifica-espresso-and-cappuccino-automatic-espresso-machine-dlg10007.html){: rel=nofollow}** At full price we deemed it too expensive for our espresso maker review, but at this price you can have your espresso and drink it too. + +- **[Cuisinart ICE-100 Compressor Ice Cream for $258 ($63 off)](https://www.sears.com/cuisinart-ice-100-compressor-ice-cream-and/p-SPM14687828124?plpSellerId=Edealszone%20LLC&prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4){: rel=nofollow}** Forget the lines and ice cream melting on the car seats, make your favorite flavors -- even gelato -- without leaving the house. + +- **[Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute for $540 ($160 off)](https://www.amazon.com/Dyson-Cyclone-Absolute-Lightweight-Cordless/dp/B0798FVV6V){: rel=nofollow}** Our main gripe when we [reviewed the Cyclone V10](https://www.wired.com/review/dyson-cyclone-v10-absolute-cordless-vacuum/) was the price, here's a chance to grab all its sucking power at a good discount. Technically not a Memorial Day deal, but at this price we had to mention it. + +- **[Dyson V7 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner for $280 ($120 off)](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Dyson-V7-Animal-Cordless-Stick-Vacuum-Cleaner-Iron/828638140){: rel=nofollow}** If the Cyclone is too expensive even on sale, the V7 Animal makes a good, much cheaper, alternative. + +- **[Ecovacs Deebot 601 Robo Vac for $190 ($190 off)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079P1WN65/){: rel=nofollow}** We loved the cheaper [Deebot M81 Pro](https://www.wired.com/review/review-ecovacs-deebot-m81-pro/). + +- **[KitchenAid 4.5-Quart Mixer for $160 ($110 off)](https://express.google.com/product/6838237981317305555_9338905055680032745_105031661?oc=OgkxMDUwMzE2NjE&ved=0CC8QjsUCKAFqGAoTCN2BsZHsieICFY84YgodkQEGsxCeAQ){: rel=nofollow}** It's classic enough that we've [written odes to it](https://www.wired.com/2011/10/simple-gadget-love-the-kitchenaid-stand-mixer/), every house needs a basic, solid, dare I say classic, hand mixer. Leave the Avocado Green model where it belongs, in grandma's kitchen, and grab something more stylish like black, silver or red. Be sure to use the coupon code **RZTXUF** to get the additional $50 off. + +- **[Honeywell Portable Air Conditioner for $504 ($504 off)](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Honeywell-Portable-Air-Conditioner-14000-BTU-Portable-Air-Conditioner/324613703){: rel=nofollow}** With this unit you can beat the summer heat and avoid some of the high costs of central air -- cool just the space you're actually in, not the whole house. It's easier on your wallet and the environment. + +- **[Weller WLC100 40-Watt Soldering Station for $34 ($22 off)](https://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-40-Watt-Soldering-Station/dp/B000AS28UC){: rel=nofollow}** This unit is perfect for your DIY needs, simple, powerful enough for small electronics, and with a nice stand. + +### Memorial Day Sale Pages + +If you want to your own digging for deals, here's the best Memorial Day sales pages we've found. Happy hunting! + +- **[Amazon's Spring Event](https://www.amazon.com/b?node=18773784011){: rel=nofollow}** + +- **[Sears Memorial Day Appliance Sale (Up to 40% Off)](https://www.sears.com/appliances/b-1020003?adcell=hp_S1a_appliances){: rel=nofollow}** + +- **[Walmart Memorial Day Sale](https://www.walmart.com/cp/Memorial-Day/1104275){: rel=nofollow}** + +- **[Lowes Memorial Day Sale](https://www.lowes.com/pl/Save-Now/4294594589?int_cmp=Home:A:GlobalMessage:Corp:FW16_Memorial_Day_Sale){: rel=nofollow}** + +- **[Home Depot Memorial Day Sale](https://www.homedepot.com/b/Featured-Products-Memorial-Day/N-5yc1vZ1z18hyf){: rel=nofollow}** + +- **[Wayfair Home and Appliance Sale (Up to 70% Off)](https://www.wayfair.com/daily-sales/memorial-day){: rel=nofollow}** + + + diff --git a/published/osmo-action.txt b/published/osmo-action.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..724d131 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/osmo-action.txt @@ -0,0 +1,53 @@ +GoPro's Hero series action cameras finally have some worthy competition. Others have tried in the past but none of the GoPro alternatives have been as compelling as DJI's new Osmo Action. + +The Action offers nearly everything that makes the GoPro popular and adds a few tricks of its own, including a front screen for effortless action selfies. + +Before I dive into what makes the DJI great and where it's lacking, what everyone wants to know is how it stacks up against last year's [GoPro Hero7](https://www.wired.com/review/gopro-hero7-black-2018/). DJI clearly took a page from GoPro's playbook. The basic features are nearly identical. Both can capture 12-megapixel stills in both RAW and JPG, record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second, offer video effects like 8X slow motion and excellent electronic stabilization, and both are waterproof right out of the box (the Action claims 36 feet, GoPro 33 feet). + +*(Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.)* + +###Seeing Double + +The Osmo Action's headlining difference, and what sets it apart from other action cams we've tested, is its 1.4-inch front screen. It's tiny, but it offers a full-color display and it's incredibly handy for selfie videos. The front screen is just large enough that you can easily tell where you are in the Action's sweeping 145 degree field of view. The selfie-friendliness alone will make it a compelling buy for anyone primarily shooting from a stick. + +There are two ways to switch between the Action's dualing screens, either use a touch gesture -- a two-finger double tap on the rear LCD -- or a long press of the QS (Quick Switch) button. Either way you're in and out of selfie mode nearly instantaneously. + +In the hand, the Action isn't an exact clone of a GoPro, but the form factor is very similar. DJI tweaked the basic action camera design enough to squeak in a nice, bright 2.25 inch LCD with true 16:9 aspect ratio -- no letterboxed video playback like you'll find in the Hero series. It makes the Action slightly wider than a GoPro, but it still felt comfortable enough in my hand, as comfortable as any tiny camera can feel anyway. + +You probably aren't going to be holding this thing anyway, you're going to mount it. DJI has wisely included a case and mounting system that mirrors the GoPro, which means most of the mounts that fit the GoPro would work here as well. + +The Osmo Action is water proof out of the box to 36 feet, just be sure you seal the flap that covers the USB-C port and Micro-SD card slot before you dive in. Notice that I did not say USB-C and HDMI port, because there is no HDMI port on the Action -- no real-time monitoring from the comfort of your director's chair. This is an action camera after all, it's meant to be on your helmet or handlebars recording the, ahem, action. + +Technically there is a way to monitor footage if you really need to; you can use DJI's mobile app on your phone. Not a huge screen, but bigger than what the Osmo Action offers anyway. + +The Action is fronted by an F2.8 lens that's covered with a screw-in clear filter. My test unit also included four Neutral Density (ND) filters to reduce incoming light in the bright situations action cameras often find themselves, for example, skiing on a sunny day. Letting less light through the lens means you can select aperture and exposure settings that would otherwise produce overexposed images. I found the included ND 16 filter perfect for bright days at the pool. The ND filters are sold separately and there will no doubt be plenty of third party filters available soon -- think Polarizering filters or Color Correction filters for underwater photography. + +The Action uses the same sensor as the [DJI Mavic Air](https://www.wired.com/review/dji-mavic-air-2018/), and supports the same frame rates and video options, which is handy if you're mixing footage from the air and ground. + +###Rock Steady + +DJI may be new to action cameras, but it has quite a bit of experience stabilizing tiny cameras. The company calls the Action's image stabilization system "RockSteady", which might be mocking the GoPro's equally silly, "HyperSmooth" system. Whatever the case, what took GoPro seven iterations to get right DJI has nailed in its first go. + +There are some situations in which I like the results of GoPro's stabilization a little better, for example sudden jouncing smooths out better, but for the most part it's difficult to tell the difference between the two. + +###Custom Menus + +Given their size, and general lack of buttons -- the Action has just three buttons, Power, QS and Record -- menu systems on Action cameras often have to get creative. DJI has copied GoPro's approach here, menus are accessible by swiping in from the sides. Swipe from the left to see your images, from the top to get to the main settings panel, and from the right to get to exposure settings, de-warp toggle and image format settings. Swipe up from the bottom to get to the aspect ratio (either 4:3 or 16:9 and the countdown timer. + +The menus work well enough though they were sometimes unresponsive when I had wet fingers. The good news is that there's an easy way to custom program settings and quickly switch between them using the QS button. Out of the box press QS brings up a menu of shooting modes -- Video, Photo, HDR video, Timelapse, and so on. This menu can be customized though, most importantly with customized modes. + +I created several custom modes, setting, for example, a 4K video with stabilization mode and one without stabilization. Then I went into the QS menu and uncheck everything else from the QS menu except your custom modes. That way I had a quick way to toggle stabilization without having to even look at the screen. + +The De-warp option mentioned above removes the fisheye aspect from the lens. There is a tiny bit of cropping involved and the finished look will be familiar to anyone whose used a DJI drone. This is one place DJI manages to surpass the GoPro, the Action can remove fisheye from all resolutions and frame rates, even 4K at 60fps. The Hero 7's fisheye removal is limited to 2.7K at 60fps. + +Another nice touch is the HDR video mode, which applies a very slight HDR effect to open up shadows and give scenes a slightly more vivid look. It's no match for what you can do in post production, but if you're going straight to the web it can save some otherwise high contrast scenes. The only gotcha is that you can't use both HDR and image stabilization at the same time. + +While most of the emphasis on action cams if video related, the Action packs a decent still camera as well capable of capturing 12MP Raw (DNG), JPEG or both in either 16:9 or 4:3 image ratios. The ISO sensitivity range covers 100-3200, though the high end of the spectrum gets pretty noisy. I ended up setting the max ISO at 800 when shooting indoors. There's also a burst mode capable of three, five or seven fps, and a self-timer of either three or ten seconds. + +Battery life on action cams is nothing to rave about, the small form factor severely limits battery size. Battery life varies considerably according to the video quality you're recording, but I was able to get almost an hour of 4K footage at 60fps on a fully charged battery. Dropping the frame rate to 30fps bumped the run time up to 90 minutes. The lower quality video you shoot, the longer your battery will last. + +The Osmo boots very quickly, hit the Power button and it'll be on and ready to shoot in about three seconds. Even better, you can start it up by tapping the record button and it will start up and immediately and begin recording using the mode and settings you had the last time you started it. + +There's much to love about the Action, but it's not perfect. There's no support for GPS, which seems like a huge oversight given the market DJI is going for here. There's also not much support for instantly uploading footage and no support for livestreaming. You can upload relatively easily using DJI's mobile apps, but it's not nearly as simple as what the GoPro Hero 7 offers. The missing livestreaming is odd given that other DJI products are capable of it. My other major gripe is the use of blue text in menus, which is very hard to see in bright sunlight. + +Slight nitpicks aside, this is a very solid action camera. DJI may be new to the action camera market, but it's been making tiny cameras for years and it shows. The lack of GPS support is something of an Achilles heel on an otherwise very solid camera, but for many the front facing monitor will more than make up for it. diff --git a/published/password-managers.txt b/published/password-managers.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cc19853 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/password-managers.txt @@ -0,0 +1,126 @@ +New to add: +Bitwarden +RememBear +https://myki.com/download + +Password managers are the vegetables of the internet. We know they're good for us, but most of us are happier snacking on the [password equivalent of junk food](https://www.wired.com/story/7-steps-to-password-perfection/). For seven years running that's been "123456" and "password"—the two [most commonly used passwords](https://www.wired.com/2016/01/worst-passwords-list/) on the web. + +The problem is, most of us don't know what makes a good password and aren't about to remember hundreds of them every day. + +If you can memorize strong passwords for hundreds of sites, by all means do it. Assuming you're using [secure passwords](https://www.wired.com/2016/05/password-tips-experts/)—which is, first and foremost, shorthand for *long* passwords—this is the most secure, if slightly insane, way to store passwords. It might work for [Memory Grandmaster Ed Cooke](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Cooke_(author)), but most of us are not willing to put in the effort. We need to offload that work to password managers, which offer secure vaults that can stand in for our faulty, overworked memories. + +A password manager offers convenience and, more importantly, will help you create better passwords, which in turn makes your online existence less vulnerable to password-based attacks. + +*(Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.)* + +###Why Not Use Your Browser? + +Most web browsers offer at least a rudimentary password manager. (This where your passwords are stored when Chrome or Firefox ask if you'd like to save a password.) While this is better than reusing the same password everywhere, [browser-based password managers are limited](https://www.wired.com/2016/08/browser-password-manager-probably-isnt-enough/). + +The reason security experts recommend you use a dedicated password manager comes down to focus. Web browsers have other priorities that haven't left much time for improving their password manager. For instance, most of them won't generate strong passwords for you, leaving you right back at "123456." Dedicated password managers have a singular goal and have been adding helpful features for years now. Ideally, this leads to better security. + +###Password Manager Basics + +A good password manager stores, generates, and updates passwords for you with the press of a button. If you're willing to spend a few dollars a month, a password manager can sync your passwords across all your devices. Here's how they work. + +__Only One Password to Remember:__ To access all your passwords you only have to remember one password, which the password manager uses to unlock the vault containing your all your actual passwords. Only needing to remember one password is great, but it means there's a lot riding on that one password. Make sure it's a good one. + +If you're having trouble coming up with that one password to rule them all, check out our guide to [better password security](https://www.wired.com/2016/05/password-tips-experts/). You might also consider using the [Diceware](http://world.std.com/~reinhold/diceware.html) method to generate a strong master password. + +__Apps and Extensions:__ Most password managers are systems rather than a single thing. They consist of apps or browser extensions for each of your devices (Windows, Mac, Android phones, iPhone, and tablets), which have tools to help you create secure passwords, safely store them, and evaluate the security your existing passwords. All that information is then sent to a central server where your passwords are encrypted, stored, and shared between devices. + +__Fixing Compromised Passwords:__ While password managers can help you create more secure passwords and keep them safe from prying eyes, they can't protect your password if [the website itself is breached](https://www.wired.com/story/collection-one-breach-email-accounts-passwords/). That doesn't mean they don't help in this scenario though. All three of the cloud-based password managers below offer tools to alert you to potentially compromised passwords. Password managers also make it easier to quickly change a compromised password and search through your passwords to ensure you didn't reuse any compromised codes. + +__You Should Disable Auto Form Filling:__ Some password managers will automatically fill in and even submit web forms for you. This is super convenient, but for additional security we suggest you disable this feature. Automatically filling forms in the browser has made password managers [vulnerable to attack](https://www.wired.com/story/password-manager-autofill-ad-tech-privacy/) in the past. For this reason our favorite password manager, [1Password](https://1password.com/sign-up/){: rel=nofollow}, requires you to opt-in to this feature. We suggest you do not. + +###Best Overall + +**[1Password](https://1password.com/sign-up/){: rel=nofollow}** + + +[#image: /photos/5ce876e11dc26e34f63b885c]|||||| + + +1Password began life as a Apple-centric password solution, but it has since broadened its offerings to include iOS, Android, Windows, and ChromeOS. There's even a command line tool that will work anywhere. There are plugins for your favorite web browser too, which makes it easy to generate and edit new passwords on the fly. + +What sets 1Password apart from the rest is the number of extras it offers. In addition to managing passwords, it can [act as an authentication app](https://www.wired.com/story/two-factor-authentication-apps-authy-google-authenticator/) (like Google Authenticator), and, for added security, it adds a secret key to the encryption key it uses, meaning no one can decrypt your passwords without that key. (The downside is that if you lose this key, no one, even 1Password, can decrypt your passwords.) + +Another reason 1Password offers the best experience is its tight integration with other mobile apps. Rather than needing to copy/paste passwords between your password manager and other apps, 1Password is integrated with many apps and can autofill. This is more noticeable on iOS, where inter-app communication is more restricted. + +The other reason I like [1Password is "Travel Mode,"](https://www.wired.com/2017/05/clever-new-way-protect-data-border-also-add-risk/) which allows you to delete any sensitive data from your devices before you travel and then restore it with a click after you've crossed the border. This prevents anyone, even law enforcement at international borders, from accessing your complete password vault. + +1Password is $3 per month ($36 per year) for one person and $5 per month ($60 per year) for a family of up to five people. There's a 30-day free trial for either plan so you can test it out before committing. + +**[1Password costs $3 per month ($36 per year)](https://1password.com/sign-up/){: rel=nofollow}** + +*After signing up, [download the app](https://1password.com/downloads/){: rel=nofollow} for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, ChromeOS, or Linux. There are also browser extensions for [Firefox, Chrome, and Edge](https://1password.com/downloads/#browsers){: rel=nofollow}.* + +###Runner Up + +**[Dashlane](https://www.dashlane.com/plans){: rel=nofollow}** + + +[#image: /photos/5ce876fe3c2fcc042d070e80]|||||| + + +I first encountered Dashlane several years ago. Back then it was the same as its competitors, but recent updates, especially Dashlane 6, have added several features not found elsewhere. One of the best features of Dashlane is what it calls Site Breach Alerts. Dashlane actively monitors the darker corners of the web, looking for leaked or stolen personal data, and then alerts you if your information is found. + +The desktop client is easy to navigate and the mobile apps make getting your data everywhere a cinch, though there is no syncing between devices without buying the Premium version ([$5 per month](https://www.dashlane.com/getpremium?plan=premium){: rel=nofollow}). Still, it's simple to set up and uses a secret key to encrypt your passwords, much like 1Password's set up process. + +We also like the option not to store any password data on Dashlane's servers. If you use this feature, you are responsible for managing and syncing your password vault between devices. It's less convenient, but your passwords stay with you. This isn't possible with 1Password or LastPass. The Premium plan has other nice extras you won't find with other services, like a free VPN. + +Dashlane Premium costs $5 per month ($60 per year). There's also Premium Plus, which costs $10 per month ($120 per year) and includes some identity theft and recovery tools. There's a 30-day free trial for either plan, so you can test it out before committing. + +**[Dashlane Premium (recommended) costs $5 per month ($60 per year)](https://www.dashlane.com/plans){: rel=nofollow}** + +*After signing up, [grab the app](https://www.dashlane.com/download){: rel=nofollow} for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, or Linux. There are also browser extensions for [Firefox, Chrome, and Edge](https://www.dashlane.com/download){: rel=nofollow}.* + +###Best Free Option + +**[LastPass](https://www.lastpass.com/pricing){: rel=nofollow}** + + +[#image: /photos/5ce87750b2569847a06b2c11]|||||| + + +LastPass is one of the most popular and well-known password managers out there. It works on nearly every platform and device available, and it is the only service we recommend that offers password syncing between devices on its free plan. + +Like 1Password and Dashlane, LastPass stores your credentials and other sensitive data encrypted on its server, and you access your data through apps or browser extensions. You can choose whether LastPass can autofill forms for you, alert you about potentially compromised accounts, or search your password vault for weak passwords. Lastpass also supports two-factor authentication. + +The main drawback to LastPass is its mixed security track record. LastPass has had a number of [high-profile, critical bugs](https://www.wired.com/2015/06/hack-brief-password-manager-lastpass-got-breached-hard/) and some data breaches. Overall though, LastPass remains a good choice for those on a tight budget. + +Upgrading to Premium for $3 per month ($36 per year) adds support for two-factor options like YubiKey, 1 gigabyte of encrypted file storage, priority customer service, and emergency access. Emergency access lets you grant one-time access to your vault (including all of your passwords and other data) to another LastPass user. It's intended to give a loved one access to your data in the event you cannot. You set an access delay, which means that LastPass will let you know when the person attempts to access your information and you can decline the request. If you don't decline, LastPass will grant that person access to your account after the delay. + +There is also a $4 per month ($48 per year) family plan for up to six users. + +**[LastPass is free to use (with optional paid plans)](https://www.lastpass.com/pricing){: rel=nofollow}** + +*After signing up, [grab the app](https://lastpass.com/misc_download2.php){: rel=nofollow} for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, or Linux. There are also browser extensions for [Firefox, Chrome, and Edge](https://lastpass.com/misc_download2.php){: rel=nofollow}.* + +###Best DIY Option (Self Hosted) + +**[KeepassXC](https://keepassxc.org/download/){: rel=nofollow}** + + +[#image: /photos/5ce8771de2751d04edfcf520]|||||| + + +Want to retain more control over your data in the cloud? Try using a desktop application like KeePassXC. It stores encrypted versions of all your passwords into an encrypted digital vault that you secure with a master password, a key file, or both. The difference is that instead of a hosted service like 1Password syncing it for you, you sync that database file yourself using a file-syncing service like [Dropbox](https://www.dropbox.com/){: rel=nofollow} or Edward Snowden's [recommended service](https://techcrunch.com/2014/10/11/edward-snowden-new-yorker-festival/): [SpiderOak](https://spideroak.com/){: rel=nofollow}. Once your file is in the cloud you can access it on any device that has a KeePassXC client. + +Why do it yourself? In a word: transparency. Of all the solutions on this list, only KeepassXC is open source, which means its code can, and has, been inspected for critical flaws. + +**[KeePassXC is free to use](https://keepassxc.org/download/){: rel=nofollow}** + +*Download the [desktop app](https://keepassxc.org/download/) for Windows, MacOS, or Linux and create your vault. There are also extensions for [Firefox](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/keepassxc-browser/){: rel=nofollow} and [Chrome](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/keepassxc-browser/oboonakemofpalcgghocfoadofidjkkk){: rel=nofollow}, but not Edge. It does not have official apps for your phone. Instead, the project recommends [Keepass2Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=keepass2android.keepass2android){: rel=nofollow} or [Strongbox for iPhone](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/strongbox-password-safe/id897283731){: rel=nofollow}.* + +Correction on May 28: Edited to clarify that two-factor authentication is part of all Lastpass options. + +*** +### More Great WIRED Stories +* A dystopian vision of the future: [toxic but candy sweet](https://www.wired.com/story/dystopian-future-photo-gallery/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_5) +* Can a test tell you which pills to pop [with just a prick](https://www.wired.com/story/baze-vitamins-review/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_5)? +* What the [college scandal shallowfakes](https://www.wired.com/story/college-scandal-shallowfakes-reveal-about-the-rich/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_5) say about the rich +* Melinda Gates to tech: [Wake up to women's empowerment](https://www.wired.com/story/melinda-gates-tech-women-empowerment/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_5) +* My wild ride in [a robot race car](https://www.wired.com/story/my-wild-ride-in-robot-race-car/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_5) +* 🎧 Things not sounding right? Check out our favorite [wireless headphones](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-wireless-headphones/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories), [soundbars](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-soundbars/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories), and [bluetooth speakers](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-bluetooth-speakers/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories) +* 📩 Want more? [Sign up for our daily newsletter](https://www.wired.com/newsletter/?name=daily&sourceCode=BottomStories) and never miss our latest and greatest stories diff --git a/published/pd-big-deals-little-stuff.txt b/published/pd-big-deals-little-stuff.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f82fb19 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/pd-big-deals-little-stuff.txt @@ -0,0 +1,65 @@ +Everyone loves a flashy deal: [a Kindle for $60](https://amzn.to/2xItPfJ){: rel=nofollow}, a [Lenovo Chromebook](https://amzn.to/2l4m0xX){: rel=nofollow} nearly half off, or an epic [27-Inch 4K IPS Monitor for $300](https://amzn.to/2l6bpTc){: rel=nofollow}. Prime Day has those and more—be sure to see out [our top picks](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-deals-2019/)—but it also has plenty of less glamorous, but still-great deals. + +We all need more memory for our devices, you can never have too many charging cables, and most of us have wrestled with slow hotel Wi-Fi enough to appreciate the value of an Ethernet dongle. Here's our picks for the best of the rest of Prime Day. + +*Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.* + +*** +###WIRED's Prime Day Coverage + +- [Absolute Best Amazon Prime Day Deals](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-deals-2019/) + +- *Amazon Device Deals* + +- *Live at 7am ET:* [Home, Kitchen, and Outdoors Deals](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-home-deals-2019/) + +- *Live at 12pm ET:* [Rival Deals from Walmart, Best Buy, and Other Stores](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-alternative-deals/) + +- [Google's Best Prime Day Deals](https://www.wired.com/story/google-and-nest-devices-on-sale-july-2019/) + +- [Prime Day Tips](https://www.wired.com/story/early-amazon-prime-day-deals-2019/) and [How Amazon Works](https://www.wired.com/gallery/amazon-prime-day-prep-stories/) + +- **[1-Year WIRED Digital + Print Subscription for $5 ($5 off)](https://subscribe.wired.com/subscribe/splits/wired/WIR_Edit_Hardcoded?source=deal_guides_sub)** +(Amazon Pay accepted. Please support our work!) +*** + +###Moar Memory* + +Memory isn't all that exciting, but admit it, you can never have enough. This year's Prime Day has some smokin' deals on SD cards of all shapes and sizes, hard drives, and dual USB sticks. Expand the storage capacity of your phone, Twitch, or other device with these deals. + +- __[SanDisk Ultra 400GB microSD Card for $9.50 ($43 off)](https://amzn.to/2lkexuQ){: rel=nofollow}:__ Offering up to 100-megabytes per second read speeds and 60 megabytes per second write speeds, this SanDisk is speedy enough for most things. With 400-gigabytes your device should have all the room you need for storing games, photos and apps. + +- __[SanDisk Extreme 256GB microSD Card for $14 ($47 off)](https://amzn.to/2ljCpyH){: rel=nofollow}:__ If you prefer speed to space, this smaller microSD card will get you up to 160MB/s read speeds and 90 MB/s write. The extra speed is nice for cameras and phones where faster write times mean fewer missed photos. + +- __[SanDisk 128GB Dual USB-C/USB 3.1 for $18 ($10 off)](https://amzn.to/2jSpdjN){: rel=nofollow}:__ If you're like us you've probably got some devices with USB-3.1 and some older ones with USB-C. This SanDisk drive bridges that gap with connectors for both. + +- __[SanDisk 256GB iXpand iPhone/iPad Flash Drive for $22 ($52 off)](https://amzn.to/2ljDvKP){: rel=nofollow}:__ This double ended memory stick has both USB 3.0 and Apple Lightning connectors, making it easy to transfer and back up data from your iPhone or iPad. + +- __[LaCie Rugged Portable 2TB External Hard Drive for $66 ($44 off)](https://amzn.to/2ljs71x){: rel=nofollow}:__ This double ended memory stick has both USB 3.0 and Apple Lightning connectors, making it easy to transfer and back up data from your iPhone or iPad. + +### Chargers, Cables and Smart Plugs + +You know what's even more boring than memory? Cables. You know what you're always needing more of? Cables. You always need them, you never have them. Might as well stock up while they're cheap. + +- __[Anker External Battery Pack for $38 ($12 off)](https://amzn.to/2ljzhmu){: rel=nofollow}:__ This high capacity power bank can put out 4.8 Amps, which is more than enough portable power to recharge most phones at least four times and it can top off your tablet as well. It weighs about 12 ounces so you can throw it in your bag and forget about it until you need it. + +- __[Anker PowerCore II Battery Pack for $31 ($28 off)](https://amzn.to/2jTGnxF){: rel=nofollow}:__ If you don't need the tablet charging power of the other, this one can easily handle your phone and is a bit lighter at 6.8 ounces. + +- __[AmazonBasics Double Braided 1-foot Nylon USB-C for $1.35 ($4 off)](https://amzn.to/2ljw2eO){: rel=nofollow}:__ The 1-foot version is good to keep around for connecting devices to your PC. If you need something longer for charging there's a [3-foot version for $3.50 ($5.50 off)](https://amzn.to/2lj2Bth){: rel=nofollow}. + +- __[TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug for $5 ($12 off)](https://amzn.to/2ljXEAu){: rel=nofollow}:__ If you’re just dipping your toes in the smart home waters this plug makes a low-cost, low-stakes entry point. Just plug it in and you can control whatever’s plugged into it with a yelp. + + +### Road Warrior Must-Haves + +If summer travels send you out on the road, make sure you grab these essentials before you leave. + +- __[AmazonBasics Softside Spinner Luggage Suitcase for $28 ($38 off)](https://amzn.to/2jTGnxF){: rel=nofollow}:__ It's a little too large for a carry-on, but this 25-inch soft-sided spinning wheel suitcase is perfect when you need to check a bag anyway. + +- __[Trtl Neck Support Travel Pillow for $20 ($10 off)](https://amzn.to/2jTGnxF){: rel=nofollow}:__ Catch some sleep on the plane with this lightweight, foldable travel pillow. WIRED Senior Associate Editor Arielle Pardes won't travel without one of these. + +- __[TP-Link USB-3 to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter for $9 ($14 off)](https://amzn.to/2jTGnxF){: rel=nofollow}:__ The next time you try to use hotel Wi-Fi you'll be glad you bought this adapter. Yes, wireless is everywhere, but *fast* wireless is not. + +- __[LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for $9 ($14 off)](https://amzn.to/2l77rd0){: rel=nofollow}:__ Whether you're camping, hiking, or traveling internationally, a light, small, portable, and packable water filter can save your life (or at least save you from a night or two of terrible tummy trouble). This is a great price for a water filter that doesn't require any batteries and won't make your water taste weird.. + +*Check our [Amazon Prime Day Page](https://www.wired.com/tag/amazon-prime-day/) for more coverage and deals.* diff --git a/published/pd-big-deals-little-stuff.txt_ b/published/pd-big-deals-little-stuff.txt_ new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f82fb19 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/pd-big-deals-little-stuff.txt_ @@ -0,0 +1,65 @@ +Everyone loves a flashy deal: [a Kindle for $60](https://amzn.to/2xItPfJ){: rel=nofollow}, a [Lenovo Chromebook](https://amzn.to/2l4m0xX){: rel=nofollow} nearly half off, or an epic [27-Inch 4K IPS Monitor for $300](https://amzn.to/2l6bpTc){: rel=nofollow}. Prime Day has those and more—be sure to see out [our top picks](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-deals-2019/)—but it also has plenty of less glamorous, but still-great deals. + +We all need more memory for our devices, you can never have too many charging cables, and most of us have wrestled with slow hotel Wi-Fi enough to appreciate the value of an Ethernet dongle. Here's our picks for the best of the rest of Prime Day. + +*Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.* + +*** +###WIRED's Prime Day Coverage + +- [Absolute Best Amazon Prime Day Deals](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-deals-2019/) + +- *Amazon Device Deals* + +- *Live at 7am ET:* [Home, Kitchen, and Outdoors Deals](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-home-deals-2019/) + +- *Live at 12pm ET:* [Rival Deals from Walmart, Best Buy, and Other Stores](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-alternative-deals/) + +- [Google's Best Prime Day Deals](https://www.wired.com/story/google-and-nest-devices-on-sale-july-2019/) + +- [Prime Day Tips](https://www.wired.com/story/early-amazon-prime-day-deals-2019/) and [How Amazon Works](https://www.wired.com/gallery/amazon-prime-day-prep-stories/) + +- **[1-Year WIRED Digital + Print Subscription for $5 ($5 off)](https://subscribe.wired.com/subscribe/splits/wired/WIR_Edit_Hardcoded?source=deal_guides_sub)** +(Amazon Pay accepted. Please support our work!) +*** + +###Moar Memory* + +Memory isn't all that exciting, but admit it, you can never have enough. This year's Prime Day has some smokin' deals on SD cards of all shapes and sizes, hard drives, and dual USB sticks. Expand the storage capacity of your phone, Twitch, or other device with these deals. + +- __[SanDisk Ultra 400GB microSD Card for $9.50 ($43 off)](https://amzn.to/2lkexuQ){: rel=nofollow}:__ Offering up to 100-megabytes per second read speeds and 60 megabytes per second write speeds, this SanDisk is speedy enough for most things. With 400-gigabytes your device should have all the room you need for storing games, photos and apps. + +- __[SanDisk Extreme 256GB microSD Card for $14 ($47 off)](https://amzn.to/2ljCpyH){: rel=nofollow}:__ If you prefer speed to space, this smaller microSD card will get you up to 160MB/s read speeds and 90 MB/s write. The extra speed is nice for cameras and phones where faster write times mean fewer missed photos. + +- __[SanDisk 128GB Dual USB-C/USB 3.1 for $18 ($10 off)](https://amzn.to/2jSpdjN){: rel=nofollow}:__ If you're like us you've probably got some devices with USB-3.1 and some older ones with USB-C. This SanDisk drive bridges that gap with connectors for both. + +- __[SanDisk 256GB iXpand iPhone/iPad Flash Drive for $22 ($52 off)](https://amzn.to/2ljDvKP){: rel=nofollow}:__ This double ended memory stick has both USB 3.0 and Apple Lightning connectors, making it easy to transfer and back up data from your iPhone or iPad. + +- __[LaCie Rugged Portable 2TB External Hard Drive for $66 ($44 off)](https://amzn.to/2ljs71x){: rel=nofollow}:__ This double ended memory stick has both USB 3.0 and Apple Lightning connectors, making it easy to transfer and back up data from your iPhone or iPad. + +### Chargers, Cables and Smart Plugs + +You know what's even more boring than memory? Cables. You know what you're always needing more of? Cables. You always need them, you never have them. Might as well stock up while they're cheap. + +- __[Anker External Battery Pack for $38 ($12 off)](https://amzn.to/2ljzhmu){: rel=nofollow}:__ This high capacity power bank can put out 4.8 Amps, which is more than enough portable power to recharge most phones at least four times and it can top off your tablet as well. It weighs about 12 ounces so you can throw it in your bag and forget about it until you need it. + +- __[Anker PowerCore II Battery Pack for $31 ($28 off)](https://amzn.to/2jTGnxF){: rel=nofollow}:__ If you don't need the tablet charging power of the other, this one can easily handle your phone and is a bit lighter at 6.8 ounces. + +- __[AmazonBasics Double Braided 1-foot Nylon USB-C for $1.35 ($4 off)](https://amzn.to/2ljw2eO){: rel=nofollow}:__ The 1-foot version is good to keep around for connecting devices to your PC. If you need something longer for charging there's a [3-foot version for $3.50 ($5.50 off)](https://amzn.to/2lj2Bth){: rel=nofollow}. + +- __[TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug for $5 ($12 off)](https://amzn.to/2ljXEAu){: rel=nofollow}:__ If you’re just dipping your toes in the smart home waters this plug makes a low-cost, low-stakes entry point. Just plug it in and you can control whatever’s plugged into it with a yelp. + + +### Road Warrior Must-Haves + +If summer travels send you out on the road, make sure you grab these essentials before you leave. + +- __[AmazonBasics Softside Spinner Luggage Suitcase for $28 ($38 off)](https://amzn.to/2jTGnxF){: rel=nofollow}:__ It's a little too large for a carry-on, but this 25-inch soft-sided spinning wheel suitcase is perfect when you need to check a bag anyway. + +- __[Trtl Neck Support Travel Pillow for $20 ($10 off)](https://amzn.to/2jTGnxF){: rel=nofollow}:__ Catch some sleep on the plane with this lightweight, foldable travel pillow. WIRED Senior Associate Editor Arielle Pardes won't travel without one of these. + +- __[TP-Link USB-3 to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter for $9 ($14 off)](https://amzn.to/2jTGnxF){: rel=nofollow}:__ The next time you try to use hotel Wi-Fi you'll be glad you bought this adapter. Yes, wireless is everywhere, but *fast* wireless is not. + +- __[LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for $9 ($14 off)](https://amzn.to/2l77rd0){: rel=nofollow}:__ Whether you're camping, hiking, or traveling internationally, a light, small, portable, and packable water filter can save your life (or at least save you from a night or two of terrible tummy trouble). This is a great price for a water filter that doesn't require any batteries and won't make your water taste weird.. + +*Check our [Amazon Prime Day Page](https://www.wired.com/tag/amazon-prime-day/) for more coverage and deals.* diff --git a/published/pd-newsletter.txt b/published/pd-newsletter.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4fb8bc6 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/pd-newsletter.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9 @@ +__Amazon Prime Day continues__. The deals madness run though midnight Pacific Time tonight, the accompanying [strikes and protests](https://www.wired.com/story/robots-alone-cant-solve-amazons-labor-woes/) may last longer. + +We've spent the past weeks combing through the deals until our eyes bleed and pulled together our master list of the [47 best tech deals](https://www.wired.com/story/best-prime-day-deals-2019/). Some of our favorites include Amazon's various devices—the [Kindles are a particularly good deal this year](https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-kindle-deals-2019/)—and all the [home and outdoor gear on sale](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-home-deals-2019/). + +We've also gather up [our favorite Google and Nest devices](https://www.wired.com/story/google-and-nest-devices-on-sale-july-2019/) that are on sale right now. This year, some of the best deals aren't even on Amazon so we put together a whole list of [great deals happening at other retailers](). + +*Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Much like [subscribing to WIRED for $5](https://subscribe.wired.com/subscribe/splits/wired/WIR_Edit_Hardcoded?source=deal_guides_sub), these contributions help fund the journalism we put out every day. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.* + + diff --git a/published/pd-newsletter.txt_ b/published/pd-newsletter.txt_ new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4fb8bc6 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/pd-newsletter.txt_ @@ -0,0 +1,9 @@ +__Amazon Prime Day continues__. The deals madness run though midnight Pacific Time tonight, the accompanying [strikes and protests](https://www.wired.com/story/robots-alone-cant-solve-amazons-labor-woes/) may last longer. + +We've spent the past weeks combing through the deals until our eyes bleed and pulled together our master list of the [47 best tech deals](https://www.wired.com/story/best-prime-day-deals-2019/). Some of our favorites include Amazon's various devices—the [Kindles are a particularly good deal this year](https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-kindle-deals-2019/)—and all the [home and outdoor gear on sale](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-home-deals-2019/). + +We've also gather up [our favorite Google and Nest devices](https://www.wired.com/story/google-and-nest-devices-on-sale-july-2019/) that are on sale right now. This year, some of the best deals aren't even on Amazon so we put together a whole list of [great deals happening at other retailers](). + +*Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Much like [subscribing to WIRED for $5](https://subscribe.wired.com/subscribe/splits/wired/WIR_Edit_Hardcoded?source=deal_guides_sub), these contributions help fund the journalism we put out every day. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.* + + diff --git a/published/podcasts.txt b/published/podcasts.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..981448d --- /dev/null +++ b/published/podcasts.txt @@ -0,0 +1,71 @@ +Nothing says summer vacation quite like that small voice coming from the backseat, "Are we there yet?" As every parent knows, it starts out as a question, but quickly turns to more of a demand. + +While there are limits to how long any child can stand riding in car seat, with some good entertainment those limits can be extended. + +Living in an RV and traveling the country for two years, my children have put in some serious miles, most of it with surprisingly few complaints. And no, we didn't just turn on the movies and drive. My wife and I wanted the kids to see the land we were driving through, so we skipped the screen and instead turned to modern radio, AKA the podcast. + +Here are our top podcasts for kids. If you're a podcast listen yourself you might be thinking that radio will never entertain your kids. The best kids podcasts are more than just people talking, they're more like radio plays, incorporating music, sound effects and multiple voices to tell absorbing stories your kids will love. + +I won't go so far as to guarantee you a smoother drive this summer -- every child is different after all -- but when you've tired of songs, endless games of I Spy, the license plate game, and before you resort to 99 bottles of anything on the wall, give these podcasts a try. + +### Stories Podcast + +This is the first podcast our kids ever listened too and still their favorite. It's also my favorite, and it is important to like these since you'll sitting through them on a long car ride too. + +[Stories Podcast](http://storiespodcast.com/) performs a new story every week, drawing from a variety of sources is a variety of styles. There are re-tellings of classics like Snow White, some folk tales and myths from around the world, as well as original stories. Episodes range from 10 to 20 minutes, with most tending toward the longer side. + +Stories Podcast has a good mix of one-off episodes and long running series, which makes it easy to find something appropriate for your child's attention span. Our kids are big fans of the folk tales and the story series Mick Munter Monster Hunter + +Everything here is G rated and safe for all ages. + +### Circle Round + +[Circle Round](https://www.npr.org/podcasts/532788972/circle-round) is another creative story podcast that focuses on folktales from around the world. Episodes range from 10 to 20 minutes. Lately Circle Round has been pulling some other podcast episodes as well, so you might find an episode in Brains On (listed below) or other kids podcasts along side its own creations. + +Circle Round is a bit more overt in its value teaching than some of the others in this list. It routinely delivers some kind of message, something about kindness, generosity or other shared American cultural values. While that is one of the main purposes of folk tales, to teach, I find it a little heavy handed at times. + +### Fierce Girls + +[Fierce Girls](https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/fierce-girls/) is an Australian podcast devoted to showcasing true stories of Australian women. There's stories about everything here from athletes to to spies, with the unifying theme of adventurous girls, "guts and spirit." + +While these are all appropriate for kids and not graphic, they don't shy away from telling stories as they happen. In some cases you might want to listen first to make sure a story is appropriate for you children's maturity level. That said, our seven-year-olds love them. + +### Rebel Girls + +It started as book, but now Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls has taken over the world. Well, there's [a podcast](https://www.rebelgirls.co/pages/podcast) anyway. Like Fierce Girls, the Rebel Girls podcast tells the stories of notable women through history and beyond. + +Episodes ranger from 15 to 20 minutes and feature some of the stories from the book, as well as some that are not in the book. + + + +### Earth Rangers + +The [Earth Rangers](https://www.earthrangers.com/wildwire/podcast/) podcast has a biology slant, but makes a good listen for any kids interested in digging in the dirt, learning about animals, or listening to tales of the ecosystems in far off lands. There are episode on the jungle, the Arctic and nearly everything between. + +Episode are generally about 15 minutes and usually tackle a single animal or environment. As with the next one, Earth Ranger is probably best suited to kids who are a little more mature. + + + +### Brains On + +[Brains On](https://www.brainson.org/) is science podcast, aimed at kids, though I'll be honest, I've learned plenty from it as well. It is educational, just don't tell your kids that. They'll love driving around America learning how insects walk on walls, how to find your way without a compass, even where poo and pee goes when you flush the toilet. + +There's a series called Smash Boom Best in which two things are pitted against each other and your kid can pick their favorite. For example, [Loki was recently pitted against Athena](https://www.brainson.org/shows/2019/06/26/loki-vs-athena). + +This one is probably best suited to slightly older kids. + + +### Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl + +Long before our kids got into storytelling podcasts, they loved this one. [Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl](https://saturdaycerealbowl.podbean.com/) is a weekly two-hour music show released every, ahem, Saturday. And I know what you're thinking, kids music. But it's really not kid's music, it's just music kids will enjoy. + +Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl is also a great way to discover music your kids love that won't drive you crazy. Did you know Walkman frontman Walter Martin has [a fantastic album for children](https://www.amazon.com/Were-Young-Together-Walter-Martin/dp/B00IQASDQE){: rel=nofollow}? How about [The Verve Pipe](https://www.amazon.com/Family-Album-Verve-Pipe/dp/B004JP10HY){: rel=nofollow}? [Johnny Cash](https://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Cash-Childrens-Album/dp/B00IP3JWBM){: rel=nofollow}? All these and more I have discovered through Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl. + +Between Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl and the various [Putumayo collections](https://www.putumayo.com/putumayo-kids) our family has a good collection of music that we all enjoy. No fighting over the stereo, no disappearing into the isolationist bubble of headphones. + +### Molly of Denali + +A very recent, and somewhat limited, podcast, [Molly of Denali](https://www.npr.org/podcasts/727663819/molly-of-denali) sets the backstory for a coming PBS cartoon of the same name. It's an eight episode show, but, at the time of writing, only six have been released. + +Each episode is about 10 minutes long and they're sequential, telling the backstory of Molly Mabray, an Alaska Native girl growing up with her parents, family and friends in Alaska. + diff --git a/published/portable-grills.txt b/published/portable-grills.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..30c4f54 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/portable-grills.txt @@ -0,0 +1,108 @@ +Nothing says summer quite like cooking over an open flame. Whether it's the salty sweetness on that lightly charred freshly grilled corn or the rich smoothness of smoked meat summer begs us to get outside and light a fire. + +Sure, the true grilling enthusiast is outdoors checking the temp on their smoker even when the wind chill is in the single digits. For most of us though, the grilling season starts on Memorial Day, we really hit our stride around the Fourth of July, and after those final Labor Day hot dogs are gone, the grill goes rolling back into the garage. + +We've looked at full size [gas](https://www.wired.com/2016/05/best-gas-grills/) and [charcoal grills](https://www.wired.com/2016/05/best-charcoal-grills/) in the past, but with the summer travel season in full swing we wanted to find the best ways to get your grill on wherever you go. + +*(Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.)* + +### Best Overall Charcoal + +Of the charcoal grills I tested, the [Weber Jumbo Joe](https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/portable-grills/jumbo-joe-series/1211001.html){: rel=nofollow} strikes the best balance of affordability, features, and ease of use. It's big enough (18.5 inches in diameter) to handle meals for six people, but small enough that you'll still have room in the trunk for a cooler and camping supplies. + +It's one of the most versatile grills I tested, grilling, barbecuing and smoking with ease. Thanks to its dual vent system (one at the bottom, one at the top), you get the same fine-grained level of temperature control you'll find in Weber's full size kettles. + +The Jumbo Joe offers 240 inches of cooking space. That's enough room to smoke two racks of ribs, or fit burgers and corn for six people (admittedly, this was crowded). It weighs 22 pounds and features a handle with a bar that fits over the top and keeps the kettle and lid together for easy carrying. I tossed mine in the back of our car from trips to the lake and the park and it never tipped over. The ash catcher at the bottom makes cleaning less of a hassle by allowing you to dump the excess without removing the grill grates. + +As much as I like the Jumbo Joe, it's not perfect. If you want to do any indirect heat cooking, you'll want to buy the [hinged grill grate for $25](https://www.amazon.com/Weber-7436-Replacement-Hinged-Cooking/dp/B000WEPHKW/){: rel=nofollow} so you can feed in fresh fuel without removing the top grill. To my mind the hinged grate should be included by default, as should a thermometer, but neither are. The other drawback is that, inexplicably, Weber does not make a cover for the Jumbo Joe. + +While there's no cover, there are quite a few accessories available for the Jumbo Joe, both from Weber and third-parties. Some of these cost many times more than the grill itself—like the [Kettle Pizza Kit for $115](https://www.amazon.com/Kettle-Pizza-KPB-18-2-Inch-Grills/dp/B005V95DMA){: rel=nofollow}—but the one I highly recommend for slow cooks, aside from the hinged grill grate, is a [charcoal basket for $17](https://www.amazon.com/Weber-7403-Char-Basket-Charcoal-Briquet/dp/B000WEMGM4/){: rel=nofollow}. + +The Jumbo Joe has a considerable following on the internet. Fans have hacked their grills to [add thermometers](http://olddavespo-farm.blogspot.com/search/label/Weber%20Jumbo%20Joe%20Review), knobs to make it easier to open and close vents, add [hanging ash cans](http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/jumbo-joe-mods/), as well as creative ways to cook taller fare, like [beer can chicken](https://www.bbqdryrubs.com/weber-jumbo-joe-beer-can-chicken/). + +**[Buy the Weber Jumbo Joe for $70 from Weber](https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/portable-grills/jumbo-joe-series/1211001.html){: rel=nofollow} or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Weber-1211001-Jumbo-18-Inch-Portable/dp/B0098HR0RC/){: rel=nofollow}.** + +***Smaller Alternative**: The [Smokey Joe Premium for $45](https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/portable-grills/smokey-joe-series/40020.html){: rel=nofollow} (on [Walmart](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Weber-40020-Smokey-Joe-Premium-14-Inch-Portable-Grill/178598853){: rel=nofollow}, [Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Weber-Smokey-Joe-Premium-Portable-Charcoal-Grill-in-Black-40020/100401878){: rel=nofollow}) is Weber's 14-inch grill and would be our top pick for anyone who doesn't need the larger Jumbo Joe (and spring for the Premium, which features the same lid closure as the Jumbo, trust us, it's worth the $10). The big downside to the Smokey Joe is you lose the lower vent of the Jumbo Joe, which means less control over temperature. If you're not slow cooking that's not a huge deal, but worth knowing. The Smokey Joe was also somewhat more difficult to clean out. Still, if you want a smaller kettle this is a good way to go.* + +### Best Overall Propane + +I would argue that charcoal is superior to propane if flavor is your only criteria. In an ideal world flavor would be the only criteria, but we live in a world where grilling sometimes happens after hours in Friday traffic and while you're also trying to set up a tent, inflate a mattress, and wrangle hungry children. Sometimes the convenience of propane trumps charcoal. + +For those times your best bet is the Weber 1200 Q grill. The Weber strikes the best balance between ease of use, cooking performance and minimizing flare ups. To test the latter I marinated some chicken in lemon juice and olive oil and laid it on the grills. Every grill here flared somewhat, but the 1200 Q (and the Coleman below) have heavy enameled cast iron grates that are closed over the actual burners, which helps keep the flaring under control. + +With 186 inches of cook space the 1200 Q is big enough for a family for four. It has a thermometer and some side tables to put your plates and tongs. It's also a champ at keeping a constant, even heat in pretty much any condition. One afternoon a storm blew in, but kept I grilling despite the high wind and rain. The 1200 Q just kept on cooking. + +The main downside is the weight. For the cooking space it offers, the 1200 Q is big and heavy. It may be totally unfazed by weather, but it isn't the easiest to carry. If you're planning to bring it with you everywhere you go it's worth investing in the [wheeled stand for $80](https://www.weber.com/US/en/accessories/merchandise-and-outdoor-lifestyle/carts/6557.html){: rel=nofollow} (which also serves to save some space on the picnic table). + +As with its charcoal cousin, there are plenty of accessories for the 1200 Q, including a [griddle for $45](https://www.weber.com/US/en/accessories/cooking/griddles-and-planchas/6558.html){: rel=nofollow} and a nice [cover for $16](https://www.weber.com/US/en/accessories/care/covers-and-carry-bags/7110.html){: nofollow} to protect it from the elements.. + +**[Buy the Weber 1200 Q for $209 from Weber](https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/gas-grills/q-series/51010001.html){: rel=nofollow} or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RFXS1Z6/){: rel=nofollow}.** + +***Even Smaller Alternative**: The [Weber 1000 Q for $179](https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/gas-grills/q-series/50060001.html){: rel=nofollow} ([Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Weber-50060001-Q1000-Liquid-Propane/dp/B00FDOONEC/){: rel=nofollow} or [Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Weber-Q-1000-1-Burner-Portable-Propane-Gas-Grill-in-Titanium-50060001/204612517){: rel=nofollow}) is nearly identical to Weber's 1200 Q, but loses the thermometer and side tables. The result is a more compact, though still pretty heavy, grill. If you don't need the tables and want to save a few dollars this is a good way to go.* + +### Best for a Couple (Propane) + +As noted above, the best smaller charcoal option is the Weber Smokey Joe Premium. For couple and small families looking for the convenience of propane, I suggest the Coleman Roadtrip 225 Portable. It most of what the Weber 1200 Q has, but is slightly smaller and lighter. + +The Coleman also gives you the option to use only one burner to grill just a couple burgers without draining your propane tank. Variable controls also mean you can sear veggies on one side while cooking meat a bit slower on the other side. + +There's a grease pan to catch drips while cooking, and it's removable for easy cleaning. You also get push button ignition and 11,000 BTUs of propane grilling power. What the Coleman lacks is a thermometer. The other problem is the lack of latch on the lid. It's not enough to stop me from recommending it, but it's worth considering that carrying the Coleman requires two hands. + +Coleman, probably best known for its stoves, has made some accessories that allow you to use half the stove as a griddle or even a regular stove burner so you can simmer beans while the hot dogs are grilling. We didn't test the accessories, but the [Griddle](https://www.coleman.com/roadtrip-swaptop-cast-iron-griddle/2000019874.html){: rel=nofollow} and [Stove Grate](https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-RoadTrip-Swaptop-Steel-Stove/dp/B00S57U6KY/){: rel=nofollow} both get high marks in other reviews around the web. + +**[Buy the Coleman Roadtrip 225 Portable for $160 from Coleman](https://www.coleman.com/grills/coleman-roadtrip-225-portable-tabletop-propane-grill/Roadtrip225TableTop.html){: rel=nofollow} or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BLHCHX6/ref=twister_B07CV6WCJ2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1){: rel=nofollow}.** + +### Best When Smoking for a Crowd + +While our top charcoal pick, the Weber Jumbo Joe, is a capable smoker, it's not large enough to squeeze in more than two racks of ribs, and even those will need to be cut in half. While Oklahoma Joe's Rambler is technically smaller at 218 inches of grilling space, its rectangular design lends itself to longer cuts of meat like ribs. + +Oklahoma Joe's is well known for its full size smokers, but the Rambler is a relatively new effort to bring the power of the full size smoker to the table top. The result is mostly successful. It has a built-in thermometer, large dampers to control temperature, and is by far the most solidly constructed of all the grills here. + +Getting the Rambler ready for your first cook takes a bit more work, it has the most complex assembly of this bunch, and you'll need to season the case iron grill grates, but the results are worth it. I barbecued and smoked up some wonderful results with this grill, including some really nice smoked cauliflower I wasn't able to duplicate on the others. + +The downside to the Rambler is that it's heavy. If you're just going from car to picnic table that's not a big deal, but if you've got a decent walk, say down the bluffs to the beach, the Rambler gets heavy and is awkward to carry alone. If you want your smoke and your secluded spot that's a good walk from the car, grab a friend and carry the Rambler one on each side. + +**[Buy the Rambler for $149 from Oklahoma Joe's](https://www.oklahomajoes.com/rambler-tabletop-charcoal-grill){: rel=nofollow} or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Oklahoma-Joes-19402088-Portable-Charcoal/dp/B07JZ7YRVR){: rel=nofollow}.** + +### Best for Last Minute Grilling Emergencies + +If you've never cooked over infrared heat it's worth studying up a little before you dive in. Cooking over extremely high heat of infrared is very different than typical grilling. It took me a few failures—neither or which I can attribute to the grills—before I got the hang of it. The theory is simple: heat a ceramic element with flame and then let the radiant heat from the element do the actual cooking. + +When you're in a hurry to get dinner on the table, infrared cooking, even more so than regular propane, is your friend. Fire it up, let the heating element get to temp (about five minutes) and you have a grill capable of 500-600 degree searing. Veggies need 30 seconds a side and have beautiful grill marks. Thin steaks like flank or skirt take a mere minute or two per side and turn out incredibly juicy and flavorful. + +The best infrared option I tested with the Char-Broil X200. Char-Broil calls its infrared "TRU Infrared" and claims that it eliminates flare-ups, which is almost true. It flares less than I would have expected, and the flares don't last long, but get something good and juicy on there, marinated chicken or brats for instance, and it'll flare. + +Like the Weber 1200 Q, the X200 is very well built. It's sturdy, yet only weighs 20 pounds, and the lid locks tightly. + +The downside to the X200 is that it can get too hot. It's difficult to do anything but sear. Turning it down means the flame, which is tiny to begin with, tends to get blown out by the slightest breeze. This is appears to be a problem with infrared in general though, not just the X200 as I had the same problem with the Solaire option mentioned below. + +Still, despite that flaw infrared will spoil you. Decide you want to grill some veggies five minutes for dinner is supposed to be done? With the X200 that's no problem. + +**[Char-Broil X200 for $88.79 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFPMLI8){: rel=nofollow} or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Oklahoma-Joes-19402088-Portable-Charcoal/dp/B07JZ7YRVR){: rel=nofollow}.** + + +**Alternative: The [Solaire Anywhere for $389](https://besthot.store/anywhere/){: rel=nofollow} (or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Solaire-Anywhere-Portable-Infrared-Stainless/dp/B002VLYAVQ){: rel=nofollow}) is another possibility. While I enjoyed this grill and its ceramic heating surface works much better than the X200's metal surface, it is even more of a fair weather grill. I had nothing but problems with it in even the slightest breeze. The design means that wind coming from the front can easily blow out the burners. Worse, because infrared flame is so small to begin with, you might not notice that your flame is gone right away. I liked everything else about the Solaire, and the company is well-known for its full size backyard infrared options, but at this price, with this flaw, the Anywhere is a tough sell. + +### Testing Methods + +Terms "grilling" and "barbecue" are often used interchangeably, which is fine, but if you get serious about cooking over flame you'll want to learn the distinction often used by enthusiasts: "grilling" usually means cooking directly over high heat, while "barbecue" typically refers to cooking over indirect heat for longer periods of time. You grill steak. You barbecue ribs. + +To test the grills I used both methods, grilling everything from steak to salmon to corn, even kale. In fact [this recipe for grilled kale](https://www.marksdailyapple.com/sweet-and-spicy-grilled-kale-with-ginger-steak/){: rel=nofollow} is my go-to for testing how hard it is to clean a grill. It makes delicious kale, but it's very messy. + +For the charcoal options I also barbecued ribs and pulled pork. I have not tried brisket yet but I do believe it would be possible to do a smaller piece on the Jumbo Joe or the Oklahoma Joe. + +In the end all of these grills preformed well and you really can't go wrong with any of them (there definitely are some grills where you can go wrong, but I have not included any of those here). In the end, to get the best grill you need to first figure out how you cook when you're camping or out and about. + +### Stop using Propane Bottles + +The ubiquitous disposable green propane bottle is convenient, but a [huge source of pollution](https://www.refuelyourfun.org/). It's illegal in many jurisdictions to throw them in the trash, though that doesn't stop many people it seems, given how many of these turn up in landfills every year. Don't be that person though. There are re-fillable [bottles available](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F9LCYRT){: rel=nofollow}, which we suggest using if you must have the smaller size canister. + +If you have room the far better, and even cheaper, way to go is a small re-fillable [propane cylinder for $55](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KOLF1IQ/){: rel=nofollow}. I find, cooking outdoors over both stove and grill three meals a day, that this tank will last about two weeks. It's small and light enough to not be any more difficult to cart around than the four to six one pound bottles it replaces. +### Other Grills to consider + +PARTY PAIL CHARCOAL GRILL +https://www.coleman.com/party-pail-charcoal-grill/2000023831.html?cgid=coleman-stovesandgrills-grills#start=14 + +Old Smokey: https://www.oldsmokey.com/products/14-old-smokey-charcoal-grill?variant=378333031 + +Suggestions, kill this and redirect to new one: https://www.wired.com/2016/05/best-portable-grills/ diff --git a/published/prime-day-early-deals.txt b/published/prime-day-early-deals.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..123c793 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/prime-day-early-deals.txt @@ -0,0 +1,85 @@ +Like winter in *Game of Thrones*, Amazon's fifth annual Prime Day Sale is coming. + +Prime Day began back in 2015. It was a day-long sale celebrating Amazon's 20th anniversary, a chance for Amazon's millions of Prime subscribers to score some sweet deals. That first Prime Day was so successful that Amazon made it an annual event. It's been growing, Hydra-headed, ever since. + +Last year, Prime "Day" stretched to 36 straight hours, this year it's become Prime Days, running for a full 48 hours. This year's sale will likely feature more deals then ever: Amazon Fresh is in on the action, as is Twitch Prime, along with some new offerings like the just-launched [Happy School Year store](https://www.amazon.com/gcx/Happy-School-Year/gfhz/events/?categoryId=happy-school-year&scrollState=eyJpdGVtSW5kZXgiOjAsInNjcm9sbE9mZnNldCI6MTg0My43MTg3NX0%3D§ionManagerState=bnVsbA%3D%3D){: rel=nofollow}, aimed at students, parents and educators looking to stock up on back to school supplies. + +There's been some effort to rebrand Prime Day "Black Friday in July" since dozens of other retailers have their own competing sales going. As distasteful as that phrase is, it's worth bearing in mind that Amazon isn't the only place to score deals on Prime Day. + +### When Prime Day Starts + +- __Starts:__ Prime Day kicks off on Monday, July 15 at 12 a.m. PT. + +- __Ends:__ 36 hours later on Tuesday, July 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT. + +That's not all, though. You can expect bursts of pre-Prime Day deals all the way to kickoff. Amazon already has a bunch of deals on its own devices, which we've highlighted below, and more are on the way. + +### Shop Smart + +As the name indicates, the deals of Prime Day are only available to Prime members. You can **[sign up for Amazon Prime here](http://amazon.com/primeday?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}**. There is a 1-month free trial, and students can get 6 months free (and a discount), but odds are you're already onboard. + +If not, you should know that Prime is about $10 a month (if you subscribe annually) and offers free 2-day shipping on many items and access to the Prime Video service. There are other perks, like free Kindle books, and you can [read them all here](https://www.amazon.com/primereading){: rel=nofollow}. If it's not for you, after the sale is over, you can cancel your membership before the 30-day period is up and you won't be billed. Just don't forget to cancel. + +There are deals on almost everything on Prime Day, but not all of them are great. To figure what's a good deal and what's not it pays to do some research. + +**Set Up Deal Alerts for Particular Products**: If you're hoping a particular item will go on sale, there are ways to keep an eye on it. First, install the [Amazon Shopping app for iPhone](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amazon-shopping-made-easy/id297606951?mt=8){: rel=nofollow} or [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.mShop.android.shopping&hl=en_US){: rel=nofollow} so you can get instant notifications. Then add the items to your Amazon Cart (You can "Save for Later"). Amazon should notify you if the price changes. + +That works great if you know what you're looking for ahead of time, but what if you find something on Prime Day and you want to know if it's a good deal or not? For that we love [CamelCamelCamel.com](https://camelcamelcamel.com/). It lets you search up the price history of any product on Amazon and track them at a click. Better yet, if you sign up (free), it can import and track prices on your entire Amazon Wish List. (You can easily make wish lists on Amazon by clicking on the "Add to List" button on every product page.) + +**Track Upcoming Lightning Deals**: [Lightning Deals](https://www.amazon.com/gp/goldbox/?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow} can be super stressful. It's so easy to miss them, but if you have the time to browse through deals in the morning, you can track upcoming Lightning Deals using the Amazon Shopping app. Click on the hamburger icon in the upper left, then *Today's Deals > Upcoming*. You can click the "Watch this Deal" button on any deal that's more than 10 minutes away to add it to your "Watching" list. The app should then notify you the moment Lightning strikes. + +**Set up an Echo for Alexa Exclusive Deals**: If you own an Echo device, you can set up voice purchasing. In the Alexa app on your phone, head to *Settings > Accounts* and select "Purchase by Voice." Once you're set up, just ask, "Alexa, what are my Prime Day deals?" + +For more smart shopping tips be sure to check out our other Amazon stories, including [tips for shopping safe on Amazon](https://www.wired.com/story/how-shop-safe-amazon/), [what Amazon's star ratings mean](https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-stars-ratings-calculated/){: rel=nofollow}, and what it means when something is ["Amazon's Choice"](https://www.wired.com/story/what-does-amazons-choice-mean/){: rel=nofollow}. Also be aware that scammers are trying to get in on the act as well, with [a new phishing scam](https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-prime-day-phishing-campaign/). Luckily there's nothing unique about this scam, the usual rules for [protecting yourself from email scams](https://www.wired.com/story/resist-phishing-attacks/) apply and, hopefully, are old hat at this point. + +### Early Deals + +**[Kindle with 3-months Kindle Unlimited for $60 ($30 off)](https://amzn.to/2xItPfJ){: rel=nofollow}**: The basic Kindle remains a solid offering and this latest model includes a backlight for the 6-inch E Ink touchscreen, meaning you can read in the dark. The Kindle Unlimited subscription gives you access to a massive library of e-books. + +**[Kindle Paperwhite with 3-months Kindle Unlimited for $85 ($30 off)](https://amzn.to/2XKmqay){: rel=nofollow}**: The Paperwhite is a Kindle upgrade worth considering. For a couple extra Jacksons over the plain Kindle, it opens up the joys of reading in the pool, beach, and bathtub without fear. The display is flush and the device is rated IPX8, meaning it can sit in 2 meters of water for two hours. + +**[Fire HD 8 for $50 ($30 off)](https://amzn.to/32qCJfW){: rel=nofollow}**: The Fire HD 8 is a very capable tablet for the price. Be sure to check out our updated guide to deciphering [which Amazon Fire tablet is best for you](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-fire-tablet/). + +**[Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet for $80 ($50 off)](https://amzn.to/2XHWYT2){: rel=nofollow}**: The Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is our top pick for kids under 7. If your kid's hands are especially tiny, they'll appreciate the Fire 7's smaller size. It's [also on sale](https://amzn.to/30tdtnC){: rel=nofollow}. + +**[Fire HD 10 for $100 ($65 off)](https://amzn.to/2JxY5Rs){: rel=nofollow}**: The Fire HD 10 is a much more capable tablet than the 8. It’s faster, has more storage, and the 10-inch HD screen looks much nicer. + +**[Fire TV Stick 4K for $25 ($25 off)](https://amzn.to/30q9R5M){: rel=nofollow}**: The Fire Stick 4K is the best of Amazon's Fire TV devices. We [prefer the Roku](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-4k-streaming-devices/) all things considered, but if you're a heavy Prime Video user with a 4K screen this makes a good streaming device. + +**[Fire TV Recast for $129 ($100 off)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J6A6H74/?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}**: It's not much to look at, but this plain black box can handle all your DVR needs, recording and streaming your over-the-air broadcasts to a FireTV-friendly device. If you need more, you can also get the [4-tuner model with 1TB of storage for $179](https://amzn.to/2xIfKPo){: rel=nofollow} (also $100 off). + +**[Ring Video Doorbell with Echo Dot](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J6A6H74/?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}**: We liked the [Ring Video Doorbell](https://www.wired.com/2015/02/review-ring-video-doorbell/) and pairing it with an Echo means you don't have to search for your phone every time someone's at the door. + +**[Echo Dot 3rd Gen for $25 ($25 off)](https://amzn.to/2JAAOwT){: rel=nofollow}**: If you want an Alexa speaker, but don't plan on rocking out with it, the Echo Dot is for you. It’s a hockey puck-shaped speaker that puts out decent spoken audio and can add voice control to your smart home gadgets + +**[Echo Show for $160 ($70 off)](https://amzn.to/2XFq7OA){: rel=nofollow}**: At first, it seems odd to have an Alexa speaker with a display. But after using it you'll understand the appeal. When you ask it for the weather, it tells you *and* shows you thanks to the 10-inch display and rear speakers. + +**[Echo Dot Kids Edition for $45 ($25 off)](https://amzn.to/30tW66b){: rel=nofollow}**: The extra cost of the Kids Edition covers the padded foam case and a year's subscription to Amazon's [FreeTime Unlimited](https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-FreeTime-Unlimited-Monthly-Subscription/dp/B01I499BNA?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}. We found the [Echo Dot Kid's Edition wanting](https://www.wired.com/review/review-amazon-echo-dot-kids-edition/), but it's more appealing at this price point. + +**[Echo Show 5 for $50 ($30 off)](https://amzn.to/2xJOYpM){: rel=nofollow}**: It's the Echo Show! Just smaller and more adorable. And it has a physical shutter that covers the front-facing camera. Be sure to read WIRED's [Echo Show 5 review](https://www.wired.com/review/amazon-echo-show-5/) for more details. + +**[Echo Auto for $35 ($15 off)](https://amzn.to/2xIuNsn){: rel=nofollow}**: About the size and shape of a cassette, the Echo Auto sits on your dashboard and brings Alexa into your car. + +### Subscription Deals + +**[Kindle Unlimited Three Months Free](https://amzn.to/2XYnk7n){: rel=nofollow}** If you haven't already signed up for Kindle Unlimited, you can score your first three months of unlimited reading for free. After that it's $10 per month and it will auto-renew so set a calendar reminder if you plan to cancel. + +**[Audible Subscription for $119.50 and get a free Echo Dot](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QPPWMQC?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}**: Amazon has been running this deal for a few weeks, but it's still good. Prime members can sign up for a full year of Audible for $119.50 and get a voucher to by an Echo Dot for a buck. If you don't want to commit to a full year there's also an option to [get three months of Audible at $4.95 a month](https://www.audible.com/subscription/confirmation?membershipAsin=B07C662DLS&pf_rd_p=67eb733d-5ba9-468a-9cc9-04157a3d1397&pf_rd_r=T0HFHAPDHEZV5AHESRRN&ref=a_hp_c2_member_cta&tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}, but no Echo Dot. + +**[Twitch Prime](https://twitch.amazon.com/tp/prime-day){: rel=nofollow}** Amazon is offering the ability to unlock exclusive Legend and weapon skins for Apex Legends and some in-game content for multiple EA SPORTS titles, including FIFA Ultimate Team. + +**[AmazonFresh](https://amzn.to/2xNbKNL){: rel=nofollow}**: Amazon is offering $15 off your first AmazonFresh order (minimum $35 order). Provided AmazonFresh is offered in your area you can use the code FRESH15 to get the deal. + + +### Great Deals Elsewhere + +Amazon isn't the only one with Prime Day sale, it's just the only one calling them Prime Day. Historically, retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have gotten pretty worked up about Amazon Prime Day and offered their own defensive sales to try and steal some of Amazon's thunder. This year we've heard that around 250 retailers will be joining the fray. Below are a few stores likely to start having sales right around Prime Day and before. + + +- __[Walmart's Current Deals](http://linksynergy.walmart.com/deeplink?id=*v1CWzR20JI&mid=2149&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fcp%2F6322244%3Fu1%3D58287X1561406Xcdeec003b2a93ae4a2998a34b56e5dfb%26oid%3D574325.1){: rel=nofollow}__ + +- __[Best Buy's Current Deals](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/clp/sale-page/pcmcat185700050011.c?id=pcmcat185700050011){: rel=nofollow}__ + +- __[Microsoft Store's Current Deals](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/b/sale){: rel=nofollow}__ + +- __[eBay's Current Deals](https://www.ebay.com/deals/tech){: rel=nofollow}__ diff --git a/published/prime-day-nl.txt b/published/prime-day-nl.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d1b2337 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/prime-day-nl.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +__Amazon's Prime Day is nearly here__ The mega store's annual mega sale starts tonight at midnight Pacific Time and ends at midnight on Tuesday. The deals have already started coming in, especially on Amazon's own devices. We've put together [a list of early deals]() and will be bringing you a guide to the best things we've found once the sale goes live. Keep an eye on WIRED's Gear page throughout the day for more guides and round ups of the best Prime Day deals. + +Featured Deals diff --git a/published/sony-xperia.txt b/published/sony-xperia.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..80c478a --- /dev/null +++ b/published/sony-xperia.txt @@ -0,0 +1,45 @@ +Sony's new flagship Xperia 1 is a skyscraper of a phone. Thanks to the 21:9 screen aspect ratio, the Xperia 1 seems like it towers over other phones. In truth it's not much taller than many of its rivals, but because it's so narrow it ends up looking even taller. + +The Xperia 1 is Sony's attempt to reboot the Xperia line, something the company seems to do every few years. This time the focus in on not just movie watchers, but movie makers. Unfortunately for Sony, I'm not sure phone-wielding movie makers is quite the demographic Sony thinks it is. Even if by some chance it is, I'm pretty sure the Xperia 1 isn't the movie making device they're going to want. + +## The Long and Thin of it + +The Xperia 1 is a smooth, waterproof, nearly fingerprint-proof slab of glass just over 8mm thick. At the base you'll find a USB-C port, and running down the right side from top to bottom are the volume rocker, fingerprint sensor, power button and camera button. + +The first thing that hits you when you pick it up is how long and thin it is. The tall thin body reflects Sony's notion that this phone is a great way to watch movies. David Lynch of course, [would disagree](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKiIroiCvZ0), but at times a movie on your phone can be nice. Perhaps you're stuck on a long plane flight, or unlucky enough to have a commute that's summer blockbuster length. In these scenarios a movie sounds good, but do you want the phone you use every day to be optimized for situations you're in only occasionally? + +Sony's definition of "movie" is also preposterously narrow. In the Xperia 1's world a movie is anything in 21:9 format. While roughly two-thirds of Netflix content is formatted 21:9, and it looks great on this phone, all of YouTube, nearly every television show ever made, and most Android games, all end up with black bars on the Xperia 1. In fact, you've got a statistically better chance of seeing black bars alongside your video content on the Xperia 1 than on a traditional phone. + +What you end up with is a very long screen that's both useful at times—you can do a split view to multitask a little easier—and less useful at other times. Gmail with fifteen messages showing somehow just seemed more overwhelming, ditto notifications. + +The Xperia 1 is not as awkward to use one handed as I assumed it would be. It can be hard at times, but there's a one-handed mode you can activate to make it easier. There's also a side-activated menu that makes it easy to get to your most popular apps without contorting your fingers like a metal guitarist. + +In the end, while it's not as cumbersome to use as it looks, the longer thin screen offers no real advantage for all the things you do on your phone that aren't watching or making movies. + +## Your Movie Awaits + +If you do end up making movies with this you can at least rest easy knowing that the speedy Snapdragon 855 chipset with its 8-core processor is up to the task. There's no lag, and Sony's lightly customized Android 9.0 Pie is very snappy. The phone does heat up considerably shooting 4K video, especially if you're out in the heat, but it never froze up or stopped recording on me. + +As with other Sony phones we've looked at recently, there’s no notch for the front camera. Instead the Xperia 1 has the usual bezel with a notification light, front facing camera and speaker. + +The 3,330mAh battery is, frankly, a little disappointing for a phone that seems geared toward some movie binge watching. In my testing, streaming video from Netflix over Wifi, one film dropped the battery about 23 percent. It's enough to get you through a coast-to-coast flight, but your battery will be in poor shape by the time you get to Paris to start that shot-on-a-phone remake of *L’Atalante* that you've been plotting. The good news is that with 30 minutes of charging you can get the Xperia battery back up to about 50 percent. + +The cameras at your remake's disposal are also pretty good, though not necessarily Truffaut-inspiring great. Like most flagship phones in this range, the Xperia 1 has three rear cameras. There's the main lens, a fisheye-style wide angle, and a telephoto. All three shoot 12MP images. + +While not quite wide enough to call a true fisheye, the wide angle has some of the effects of a fisheye, with significant distortion that is not corrected by the phone. You can still make good images with it, but you do have to watch your angles and horizons or else learn to love the bug-eyed view of the world that it offers. + +The telephoto offers up to 2X zoom, which is good, though not great. By far my favorite of the bunch is the primary lens. The results are sharp, colors look true and details hold up well. It's also excellent at depth of field in portraits and macro-style shots. One thing you won't find here is night mode, though there is a scene mode that will lighten nighttime shots. Unfortunately the results are not the best. + +## Fingerprints and sound + +The Xperia 1's power button and volume toggles are both on the right side, as is the fingerprint reader. I found the fingerprint reader to be hit or miss. When it works it's great and does exactly what you want and it's in the comfortable spot while you're holding the phone. Unfortunately, at least a third of the time it didn't respond at all. But hey, at least that Gorilla Glass coating doesn't pick up fingerprints as you wildly stab at the side of your phone. + +Much more reliable is the dedicated camera button, which not only works as advertised, will even work when the phone is asleep, immediately springing to life and snapping an image with a single press. I found this to be the single best part of the Xperia 1. + +One surprise was the speakers, which are actually pretty good. Of course they really better be in a phone chasing a cinematic experience. And no, they aren't *that good*. If you're serious about your movies, you'll want to pair this phone with a decent set of headphones, in which case movie watching becomes fairly immersive, David Lynch not withstanding. At least until your vibrating phone interrupts things. + +As with some other phones, Sony has released recently you get the "Dynamic Vibration" feature, which vibrates the phone with the song (or movie). Who wants this is unclear to me and like WIRED editor Jeffery Van Camp said in his review of the [Xperia XZ2](https://www.wired.com/review/review-sony-xperia-xz2/), it's a ridiculous gimmick. It has the oppposite of the intended experience, pulling you out of the experience and reminding you that there's a phone in your hand. Hopefully this feature will soon go the way of the Memory Stick. + +What you won't get for your $950 is a headphone jack. Ironically Sony includes a pair of headphones—albeit some of the worst sounding headphones I've ever used—but no jack. Instead you get a USB-C headphone adapter, because life did not have enough dongles already. If you end up getting the Xperia 1, grab yourself a pair of [Bluetooth headphones](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-wireless-headphones/) to go with it. + +In general though it's tough to recommend this phone. On one hand, there's really nothing wrong with the Xperia 1, but it also isn't the best at anything. What you're left with is a phone that's fun to test, great if you get one as a gift, but just too expensive to justify buying. If you really want to create a cinematic masterpiece, skip the Sony phone, grab a [Pixel 3A](https://www.wired.com/review/google-pixel-3a-and-pixel-3a-xl/){: rel=nofollow} and put the money you save toward the [Sony Alpha 7S](https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Alpha-Mirrorless-Digital-Camera/dp/B00JIWXTXG?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}. diff --git a/published/tg-6-review.txt b/published/tg-6-review.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d714645 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/tg-6-review.txt @@ -0,0 +1,45 @@ +For most of us smartphones have replaced the need for point and shoot cameras. There is, however, one category of point and shoot that's still going strong: the rugged, waterproof, shock-proof take-it-anywhere camera. + +Want a selfie next to a waterfall? How about *in* a waterfall? Or maybe you just want some shots of the kids playing the pool this summer? Your smartphone camera, nice as it is, isn't going to live to tell the tale. + +These situations are exactly where Olympus's new TG-6 tough camera thrives. + +## Familiar Favorites + +Olympus is no stranger to rugged cameras and we've been using and abusing [various](https://www.wired.com/2014/03/olympus-tough-tg-3/) [models](https://www.wired.com/2013/06/spring-camp-rafting-gallery/) from the TG line for years now. The latest is the TG-6, which makes some welcome, but incremental, updates to an already very successful camera, the TG-5. + +The TG-6 looks nearly identical to TG-5. It fits well in both pocket and hand, though the buttons are on the small side. More important for this type of camera the TG-6 offers the same indestructible body. While there are limits, the TG-6 is generally freeze proof, crush proof, dust proof and shockproof (from 7 ft). + +To achieve this leveled of everything-proof, sealed-off serenity Olympus uses an all metal body and dual locks on the two hatches. The double latches makes changing the battery or connecting a cable a little fiddly, but inspires more confidence that the hatch won't pop open when you accidentally bang the TG-6 on the hull of that wreck you're diving. + +The same body design also means the TG-6 will work with all the existing TG-5 housings and accessories (on the flip side, this means the TG-5 should work with the new accessories as well, more on those in a moment). + +The TG-6 uses the same fast f/2.0 lens with 4X-optical-zoom (25mm to 100mm) as the TG-5. It also sports the same 12 MP sensor, which produces very high quality images for the point and shoot. What the TG-6 adds to this already winning combo is an anti-reflective coating on the glass surrounding the sensor, which will help reduce flare and ghosting. + +The biggest and most welcome change in the TG-6 is the vastly improved resolution of the rear LCD panel. The screen jumps from the 460K dots on the TG-5 to over a million on the TG-6. The extra sharpness makes it much easier to see when reviewing images underwater. Unfortunately Olympus has not improved the protective glass that covers the LCD, it still scratches quite easily, a problem that has plagued this otherwise tough camera for several revisions now. + +If you're using the TG-6 underwater there are some new white balance modes that will help capture better colors. The new modes help for snapshots, but if you're serious about underwater photography you'll want to get the full [waterproof enclosure](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1477203-REG/olympus_v6300680w000_pt_059_underwater_housing.html){: rel=nofollow} (which ups the TG-6's depth rating from 30 meters to 75 meters) and the [external flash](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1079589-REG/olympus_v6320120u000_ufl_3_underwater_flash.html){: rel=nofollow}. + +The TG line has always boasted impressive macro capabilities for a compact camera. The TG-6 builds on that foundation by bringing macro controls to the program and aperture priority modes. This is one thing that may tempt TG-5 owners to upgrade. + +The TG-6 employs the same focus stacking you'll find in other Olympus models, which is handy for macro photography. Focus stacking refers to taking multiple exposures at slightly different focus points and then combining them to increase the depth of field, which tends to be very thin in macro shots. If you've ever seen a close up of an insect and the entire body was in focus, there's a good chance focus stacking made that possible. + +The TG-6 has some features you won't find elsewhere, like a built-in compass, thermometer, manometer (pressure), and accelerometer. The camera tracks location and associates all the data from the other sensors with your images via an app. That way not only can you know where that reef shot is from, but what the water temperature was like, how deep you were, and more. + +## Quality and Confusion + +The quality of images coming out of the TG-6 are quite good for the small sensor inside it (the TG-6's sensor is about the same as what you'll find in top smartphones). Colors are nicely balanced and images are sharp. I think Olympus uses too much noise reduction in its JPGs by default, but you tone that down in the settings (or shooting RAW and reduce noise in a photo editor). + +The TG-6 can do 4K/30p video, and 1080 at up to 60 frames per second. Still with no mic or headphone sockets video capture is always going to be limited. + +The trickiest thing about the Olympus is figuring out how to use it. The menu system is fine, but it's not immediately obvious how you access some menus. The only way I found to change the shooting format to RAW was by simultaneously pushing Menu and OK, which brings up a menu to choose format and capture mode. And no, I didn't figure that out on my own. First I spent nearly an hour reading the manual and fiddling with the menus and modes. When that didn't turn up what I was look for I turned to the internet and finally found the answer in forum post from equally frustrated users. + +That's not to say that the TG-6 is difficult to use, it's not. The problem is that Olympus doesn't do a good job of documenting what the camera is capable of doing and how to go about doing it. If you want to get the most out of the TG-6, it pays to do a little research on your own. + +## Accessorize + +The Underwater Case, which extends the depth to 45 meters, is new and there's a new fisheye converter that fits with that case. There's also a new silicon jacket if you don't want the full case. + +The TG line has long had extra lens options like a fisheye lens, which fits over the front of the lens and extends the field of view to 105 degrees. Not as wide as a GoPro, but useful underwater where the natural magnification of shooting through water effectively narrows your field of view. If you want to go the other way, there's also a telephoto lens attachment that extends the zoom to 170mm (35mm equivalent). + +All the accessories make the TG-6 considerably more than just a rugged point-and-shoot. Costs can add up if you want a full kit, but it's still much cheaper than leaping into the DSLR world. If you want beautiful underwater images without the stick shock of a DSLR, the TG-6 will not disappoint. diff --git a/published/which-macbook.txt b/published/which-macbook.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8bfcf68 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/which-macbook.txt @@ -0,0 +1,100 @@ +Apple's laptops have long been held up as a gold standard for portable computers. MacBooks were the first to bring technologies like aluminum unibody construction, super-sharp IPS screens, backlit keyboards, and multitouch trackpads to the mainstream. The problem with Apple's current lineup is that the company has a variety of models with different capabilities, making it difficult to find the one that's best for you. + +Which Mac portable should you spend your hard-earned money on? Given that you'll likely pay more for a MacBook than a competing model from [HP](https://www.wired.com/review/hp-spectre-x360-convertible-laptop-2018/), [Dell](https://www.wired.com/review/dell-xps-13-2018/), or even [Microsoft](https://www.wired.com/review/microsoft-surface-laptop-2-2018/), it's important to weigh your options. + +*Updated July 2019: Apple made some pricing and model changes, and we've updated our picks, pricing, and recommendations to accomodate. Be sure to also check out our [latest buying guides](https://www.wired.com/tag/buying-guides/), especially our picks for [Best iPhone](https://www.wired.com/gallery/iphone-buying-guide/), [Best iPad](https://www.wired.com/gallery/the-best-ipad/), and [Best Laptops](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-laptops/).* + +*(Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.)* + + +##The Best All-Arounder + +**[Apple MacBook Air (13-inch)](https://apple.sjv.io/c/1305164/473657/7613?prodsku=MREA2LL%2FA&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fus%2Fshop%2Fproduct%2FMREA2){: rel=nofollow}** + +[#image: /photos/5a7ba5c1bc5bd27505947dc0]|||||| + +The MacBook Air remains the Mac to get. Just after WWDC 2019, Apple [upgraded the MacBook Air]() adding the company's True Tone tech to the Retina display and dropping the price to $1,099. + +The new Air is a lot like the new MacBook Pro models, with a sharp, 13-inch Retina display, a responsive trackpad, an improved butterfly keyboard (with a dust shield), surprisingly potent speakers, and two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports for charging and hooking up peripherals. It comes in gold, if that's your jam. + +On the inside is a 1.6 GHz dual-core eighth-generation Intel Core i5 processor, a 128-gigabyte solid state drive, along with up to 16 GB of RAM. Having only two USB-C ports can feel limiting. You'll need to buy multi-port [adapters like this one](https://www.amazon.com/AUKEY-Delivery-Charging-Chromebook-Pixelbook/dp/B072Q1SKZR/){: rel=nofollow} to plug stuff in and stay charged at the same time. + +There are a few things you might miss from higher-end MacBook Pros. Those pricier machines get extra USB-C ports, and faster insides. + +**[MacBook Air costs $1,149 from Apple](https://apple.sjv.io/c/1305164/473657/7613?prodsku=MREA2LL%2FA&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fus%2Fshop%2Fproduct%2FMREA2){: rel=nofollow} or [$1,100 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-13-inch-display-dual-core/dp/B07K1WWS63){: rel=nofollow}** + +*Small Upgrades: If you have a lot of local photos or files, get the [256 GB MacBook Air for $200 more](http://apple.sjv.io/c/1305164/473657/7613?prodsku=MREC2LL%2FA&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fus%2Fshop%2Fproduct%2FMREC2){: rel=nofollow} ([$1,250-$1,350 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K234RCV/){: rel=nofollow}).* + +##The Best For Power Users + +**[Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch with Touch Bar)](https://apple.sjv.io/7Q9yO){: rel=nofollow}** + +[#image: /photos/5a7ba57a4430bd3783b464de]|||||| + +The only high-end laptop Apple makes is the [15-inch MacBook Pro](https://www.wired.com/review/apple-macbook-pro-2018/). There are two options here, the six-core, eighth-generation Intel Core i7 processor, with 16 GB RAM, and the even more powerful version with an eight-core, ninth-generation Intel Core i9 processor, up to 32 GB RAM, and AMD Radeon graphics. The latter option has the fastest internals and biggest, highest-resolution display of all the MacBooks, making it well suited to everything from 4K video editing to massive Lightroom batch exports. Its big screen is also a major boon to productivity, making side-by-side document editing and web browsing a cinch. + +Four Thunderbolt 3 ports mean you'll have plenty of ports for all your devices, too. If you handle big files on the regular, you might need a larger SSD than the stock 256 GB configuration offers, but Apple will gladly upgrade this MacBook Pro all the way to 4 terabytes, if you can pony up the $2,700 upgrade fee. + +You also get Apple's Touch Bar with this model. This small display above the keyboard is touch-sensitive and plays host to a row of customizable, interactive controls. It can be handy, at least in theory, but many apps have yet to truly take advantage of this skinny touch interface. + +**[MacBook Pro (15-inch) costs $2,249+ from Apple](https://apple.sjv.io/7Q9yO){: rel=nofollow} or [$2,400+ from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-Retina-2-2GHz-6-Core/dp/B07FK9H65N){: rel=nofollow}** + +*Smaller Screen: If 15 inches is too big, you can get a [13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar for $1,699](https://apple.sjv.io/7Q9yO){: rel=nofollow} ([$1,550 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-Retina-2-3GHz-Quad-Core/dp/B07FKCCZSD){: rel=nofollow}). You can also deck it out with 16 GB RAM and an Intel Core i7 for $2,149 (at Apple's Store).* + +##The GoldilocksBook + +**[Apple MacBook Pro (13-Inch)](https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro){: rel=nofollow}** + +If the new MacBook Air isn't quite powerful enough for your needs, but the 15 inch MacBook Pro is too much, consider the 13-inch MacBook Pro, it might be just right. + +In July 2019 Apple dropped the 12-inch MacBook (one of our previous favorite) and effectively replaced it with the new MacBook Air. That leaves the 13-inch MacBook Pro straddling the power and weight divide between the new Air and 15-inch MacBook Pro. + +Offering powerful quad-core processors and all-day battery life in a reasonably portable three-pound package, the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro will be the best of both worlds for many people. You get the Touch bar and a faster chip than the Air, but avoid the extra weight and bulk of the 15-inch model. + +The entry level model sports a 1.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, with up to 16-gigabytes of RAM, and a 128GB solid state drive (configurable to 2-terabytes). + +**[MacBook Pro (13-inch, 128 GB) costs $1,299 from Apple](https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro){: rel=nofollow}** + +##Quirks and Issues to Be Aware of + +[#image: /photos/5b50da71c4622c0b58ac8bdc]|||||| + +Unlike previous generations of MacBook, there are eccentricities and problems with Apple's laptops that you should know about before you buy. + +__Bland Touch Bar:__ When Apple debuted the Touch Bar in late 2016, it touted the thin touchscreen strip above the keyboard as the [next-generation of user input](https://www.wired.com/2016/11/apple-goes-part-time-on-touch/). Unfortunately, this hasn't quite panned out. The Touch Bar is on a limited number of Apple systems, and there seems to be little interest from third-party software designers in doing anything innovative with the tiny display. Those Touch Bar-packing laptops have Touch ID, which lets you log in and access sensitive data with your fingerprint, but what's been swapped out for that is something you'll miss: a physical Esc key. + +__Palmy Trackpad:__ Apple's trackpads are among the best in the computer business, but with the newest MacBooks, these input devices have been blown up to unbelievable proportions and crammed right up against the bottom of the keyboard, right where you rest your palms while typing. Although there's supposed to be intelligent palm rejection software at work, the trackpads are susceptible to accidental input. Your mileage may vary. + +__Keyboard Killer:__ The flat style of Apple's 3rd-generation "butterfly switch" keyboards might not be to everyone's liking, but widespread stories of non-responsive keys are worrying. Perhaps the most famous screed on the subject is Casey Johnston's post [detailing her keyboard woes for The Outline](https://theoutline.com/post/2402/the-new-macbook-keyboard-is-ruining-my-life). WIRED editor Jeffrey Van Camp also has had multiple issues with his 2017 Pro keyboard. Apple now [replaces the keyboards for free](https://www.wired.com/story/apple-will-fix-broken-macbook-keyboards/) and has added [extra dust guards](https://www.wired.com/story/ifixit-teardown-new-macbook-pro-keyboard/) in the newer models. Apple has [detailed instructions on how to clean the keyboard](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205662){: rel=nofollow} if yours gets flaky, which is a decent first line of defense against busted keys. Apple also recently [extended its keyboard repair program](https://www.wired.com/story/apple-macbook-pro-2019-speed-bump/) to cover repairs on all Macs that have been purchased within the past four years, regardless of warranty status. + +__Parched for Ports:__ Then there's the port situation. All of Apple's current MacBooks feature one port type: USB-C. It's a newer port that might not work with the devices you own. You'll want to invest in a few adapters ([like this Aukey adapter](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072Q1SKZR/){: rel=nofollow}) if you plan on hooking your computer up to a projector, or want to use things like USB keys or SD cards. Plan to buy some dongles. + +##MacBooks to Avoid + +[#image: /photos/5c5e2243efd7aa546734e945]|||||| + +**The Old MacBook Air:** This slim laptop was groundbreaking when it debuted in 2010. Unfortunately, the MacBook Air didn't [change much](https://www.wired.com/2013/06/apple-macbook-air-2013/) until 2018. It sports a dowdy-looking non-Retina screen and weak Intel chips that are years old. It might not require the dongles that a newer MacBook might necessitate, but the newer laptops will undoubtedly feel faster for longer. Don't let the $999 price tag tempt you—there are [way better laptops](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-laptops/) you can nab for that kind of cash. *How to spot it:* The older Air has a thick silver border (bezel) around its screen, instead of black glass like the new models. + +**The Old MacBook Pro:** This time-tested design seems like it'd be a great buy ... until you see the $2,000 price tag. It's still rocking an impossibly old, 2014-era Intel chip inside, and despite its appealing array of USB and Thunderbolt 2 ports, this 15-inch model is a poor value for money. *How to spot it:* It has standard USB ports and it's much thicker. The new models only have a few USB-C ports. + +##Is It a Good Time to Buy? + +Yes. Apple updated the processor option for its top of the line MacBook Pro in May and refreshed the Air and entry model MacBook Pro's in July. Apple is unlikely to bump any of these again until later this year, if at all. + +##Get AppleCare+ + +None of Apple's MacBooks are cheap, and replacement parts are nightmarishly expensive. Since the entire computer is fully integrated into Apple's tightly-designed aluminum chassis, you're one coffee spill away from a shockingly large repair bill. This is why [Apple's AppleCare+](https://www.apple.com/us/search/AppleCare-for-MacBook?src=serp){: rel=nofollow} is worth it—starting at $249, AppleCare extends your factory warranty to three years, gives you matching telephone support, and throws in two accidental damage repairs as well. A minimum $99 service fee later and whatever you did to kill your shiny new Mac is undone and you're back to hammering away on your keyboard. + +**[Shop for AppleCare+](https://apple.sjv.io/G24nB){: rel=nofollow}** + +*Want more news and reviews you can use? [Sign up for our free Gadget Lab newsletter](https://www.wired.com/newsletter/?name=gadget-lab&source=ArticleLink). You can also get 12-months of our print magazine and [ad-free WIRED browsing for $10](https://subscribe.wired.com/subscribe/splits/wired/WIR_Edit_Hardcoded?source=deal_guides_sub). The money helps support WIRED and the journalism we do.* + +*** +### More Great WIRED Stories +* Capturing Central Asia's [wild Soviet architecture](https://www.wired.com/story/soviet-architecture-photo-gallery/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_5) +* What Inspector Gadget can [teach us about transhumanism](https://www.wired.com/story/what-inspector-gadget-can-teach-us-about-transhumanism/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_5) +* Big Tech: breaking us up [will only help China](https://www.wired.com/story/big-tech-breaking-will-only-help-china/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_5) +* Can a test tell you which pills to pop [with just a prick](https://www.wired.com/story/baze-vitamins-review/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_5)? +* Inside China's [massive surveillance operation](https://www.wired.com/story/inside-chinas-massive-surveillance-operation/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_5) +* 🎧 Things not sounding right? Check out our favorite [wireless headphones](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-wireless-headphones/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories), [soundbars](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-soundbars/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories), and [bluetooth speakers](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-bluetooth-speakers/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories) +* 📩 Want more? [Sign up for our daily newsletter](https://www.wired.com/newsletter/?name=daily&sourceCode=BottomStories) and never miss our latest and greatest stories diff --git a/timeline.xls b/timeline.xls deleted file mode 100644 index fbbcdaa..0000000 Binary files a/timeline.xls and /dev/null differ -- cgit v1.2.3-70-g09d2