Category: Tech

  • Ro Khanna, Gavin Newsom, J.B. Pritzker Say They’re Backing Biden in 2024: CNN

    Ro Khanna, Gavin Newsom, J.B. Pritzker Say They’re Backing Biden in 2024: CNN

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    Three Democratic leaders are saying they don’t want to run against President Joe Biden in a primary, even as they’re being eyed as potential presidential contenders.

    Rep. Ro Khanna and Gov. Gavin Newsom, both of California, and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker told CNN that they’re backing Biden, who has said he intends to run in 2024 if he’s in good health.

    Khanna told CNN he would “absolutely not” seek his party’s nomination and that Biden, if he chooses to run, is still the best person to defeat former President Donald Trump.

    “I plan to support (Biden) because of the danger that Donald Trump poses,” said Khanna, who represents Silicon Valley and served as co-chair of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign. “I would certainly not do anything to weaken him, and I hope no one else will do anything to weaken him. He’s still the safe brand in the midwestern states to make sure Trump is kept far away from the Oval Office.”

    Khanna’s support for Biden in 2024 is “nuts,” progressive commentator Cenk Uygur said on his talk show “The Young Turks,” citing Biden’s low poll numbers.

    A recent New York Times and Siena College poll found nearly two-thirds of Democrats don’t want Biden to be their party’s presidential nominee in 2024.

    “Why did you just say Biden is our best bet to beat Trump?” Uygur said on his show of Khanna. “No he’s not. Not even close. Not within a million miles of that being true.”

    Khanna is beloved among Sanders progressives, while Pritzker and Newsom have been offering different approaches to taking on Republicans, signs that they could be laying the groundwork for a future presidential campaign. 

    Pritzker, who also said he supports Biden, drew attention for his strongly-worded response to the Highland Park mass shooting on July 4. “If you are angry today, I’m here to tell you to be angry,” he said then, in contrast to Biden’s milder posture.

    Newsom, meanwhile, told CNN that Democrats need to “unify” and “not destroy ourselves from within.” Newsom has been picking fights with Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis with a $105,000 ad buy over the July 4 weekend, fueling national speculation about whether he’s considering his own 2024 bid.

    “We need to have our President’s back,” he told CNN. “But we also have to get on the field. He needs troops.” 

    Trump has repeatedly teased another presidential run but he’s held off on making an official announcement.

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  • Why Cybersecurity Matters for Musicians
– PHIATON

    Why Cybersecurity Matters for Musicians – PHIATON

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    “Get a good lawyer!” — This was the legit advice that Taylor Swift said when asked about her advice to those who wanted to be a successful singer. This was during her 2016 interview with Vogue. Indeed, getting a good lawyer for the security of your music files and your career is similar to crafting your cybersecurity measures. 

    Using residential proxies allows you to secure your music in cyberspace. Proxies are capable of providing you with additional security in all your internet activities, especially the confidential information that you are storing. Proxies come in different types with a variety of features. Choose the appropriate proxy based on your needs. 

    Leaking has also become a major threat in the music industry. This became a serious concern with the rise of internet users. With the rise of internet users, there has been an equal rise of websites and applications that users can access to download songs and music for free.

    In 1999, the case involving Napster, a software program that allowed internet users to download free copies of music, was the beginning of the end for free music exchange in the cyberspace. 

    The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) sued the Napster operator for copyright infringement in 1999. On July 28, 2000, the court decided that Napster had violated copyright laws for music piracy and exchange. The court then ordered them to stop trading. 

    Music Industry Revenue Statistics

    The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) recorded a 9.2% growth in the 2020 music industry revenue statistics. Accordingly, this is the fifth straight year that they have noted growth in said industry. Paid subscriptions and on-demand streaming services have also contributed to this increase. 

    Further, full-service paid subscriptions reached 14.6% growth in 2020. Meanwhile, the limited tier paid subscriptions increased to 13.4% compared to previous years. RIAA has also noted an increase in the number of subscriptions. They now have 75.5 million subscribers in 2020 compared to 60.4 million subscribers in 2019. 

    The Internet has become an effective platform for the music industry to increase its revenue in the United States. Dubbed as the home to the world’s biggest music market, the United States has become proof of the growing market for music enthusiasts.

    From becoming a functional platform for music growth, the internet has also become its own worst enemy. The threats of illegal distribution, leaking of music files before official release, and other threats have caused a decline in monetization for many groups. 

    Cybersecurity Measures are you friends

    Cybersecurity measures are your best friend in this game. Its function is important in protecting and straying your crafts away from possible attacks — in this case, digital attacks. These attacks could access and distort your music file, hold them hostage for ransomware, and even be stolen and leaked to the world wide web. In some worst cases, these attackers could destroy your name in the industry. 

    • Competition in the Market Industry

    Overeager fans and bad actors trying to leak content are not the only concern in the music industry. Music taste and options have also greatly expanded in recent years. Personal formulas mixed with creative and structural elements have created many new styles of music, introducing more people to varying styles of music and further diluting what’s out there in the music world. 

    This enhanced competition has created additional incentives for people to steal ideas from another one and often use dirty tactics to stay on top. That’s why it’s ever more important for one to secure his/her music files. As you hit the spotlight in this industry, more hackers will be interested in you and you could become the next target. 

    These attacks may take shape in many different forms. This could be a simple email or text message from what you might think is a known associate with a malicious link that could hijack your phone or computer with a Trojan horse to something much more sophisticated when it comes to more well established artists. 

    Source: unsplash.com

    Aside from protecting your name in this industry, how could you further protect your music? First, password-protect your music files. If your music is already being streamed, consult with a legal professional as soon as possible. They could help plan out measures to prevent stealing, copying, and taking away monetization from you. 

    Conclusion

    Music industry revenues and markets are growing and expected to keep rising in the coming years. Consequently, the volume of incidents involving cybersecurity will likely follow suit. That is why it is important now – more than ever – that any professional artist or rising star should ensure that their artistic contents are protected and safe from any potential attack. 

    Your music is your life. It is a representation of you, the people around you, and all the intangibles that makes you uniquely yourself. So do all that you can to protect your music and the story that it carries. With cyber security measures in place, you can safely take your career to the next level, as you also step on the journey of exploring yourself and inspiring others with your music.

     

    Recommended Reads:

    Things to Look for When Choosing Your Next Pair of Headphones

    New Headphone & Earphone Tech: Features to Look for in Your Next Pair

    What is Noise-Cancellation Technology?

     

    Name: Daniel Martin

    October 18, 2021

    Bio: Daniel Martin loves building winning content teams. Over the past few years, he has built high-performance teams that have produced engaging content enjoyed by millions of users. Dani also enjoys photography and playing the carrom board.

     

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  • Biden Aides Discreetly Look Out for Him As He Navigates Presidency Near 80: NYT

    Biden Aides Discreetly Look Out for Him As He Navigates Presidency Near 80: NYT

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    The rigors of the US presidency — anchored by a sprawling economy, consequential world affairs, and the necessity to remain in touch with millions of people — are a challenge for any individual who seeks to sit in the Oval Office.

    President Joe Biden, who represented Delaware in the Senate for 36 years before serving as vice president for eight, knows the complexities of the office like few other people — owed to his years of lawmaking and current residency in the White House.

    But as The New York Times recently reported, several White House aides keep an eye on the 79-year-old commander-in-chief, cognizant that he is attuned to official affairs, while still remaining mindful of his vigor.

    “His energy level, while impressive for a man of his age, is not what it was, and some aides quietly watch out for him,” The Times reported.

    The report stated that Biden sometimes “shuffles when he walks,” with some aides concerned that he could potentially fall at times. It also noted that some aides “hold their breath” when the president speaks during public events, hoping that he will get through his remarks without any major gaffes.

    If Biden were to be reelected in 2024, he would be 82 years old at the time of his inauguration in January 2025, and he would be 86 at the end of his second term.

    In recent months, some Democratic voters have expressed concerns with Biden’s age, with more than a few pointing to his more moderate and congenial brand of politics, which has fallen out of favor among the most fervent partisans who have been elected to Congress in recent years.

    However, Biden has said that he intends to run in 2024, which could potentially set up a rematch with his 2020 opponent, former President Donald Trump.

     

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  • Shokz OpenComm Open Ear Bone Conduction headset Detail Review

    Shokz OpenComm Open Ear Bone Conduction headset Detail Review

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    Shokz (formerly AfterShokz) unveils OpenRun bone conduction headphones with  quick-charge function | road.cc

    Today we will analyze and tell a little of the background of the new Shokz OpenComm Open Ear headset. This particular headset is manufactured by the trailblazer company formerly known as Aftershokz which was founded on 2004 and started their addition on headsets back on October 2011, and by 2012 they were the pioneers in bringing a new technology known from them as bone conduction headset. This means that their headsets don’t go into the ear directly, but they stay at place and the sound goes thru the bone thru conduction and allowing you to hear without having anything in or on top of your ears, allowing the user to be aware of all the environment and keep the headset on place in a comfortable and discrete position.

    Shokz OpenComm UC Bone Conduction Bluetooth Headset w/USB Dongle

    By end of 2021 Aftershokz finally got a new logo and new name and the former one s now known as Shokz. Thanks to its technology Shokz is one of the only manufacturers that can offer swimming headphones as they don’t require to be inside the ear, but using their bone conduction technology. And now we are going to check the different headsets that they offer for remote workers as road warriors.

    Shokz OpenComm Bone Conduction Bluetooth Headset

    shokz opencomm bone conduction bluetooth headset view

    The Shokz OpenComm headset is the best wireless headset for road warriors as they can pair it to their smart phone or tablet via Bluetooth. It offers a 16 hour talk time and noise canceling microphone in a discrete boom arm. The headset offers open ear bone conduction technology and really easy to use, it comes with titanium band and frame that allows the headset to get durability. It offers IP55 Water Resistance, that translate into dust , moist and sweat repellant, allowing the user to take out for jogging or on a bicycle ride or even workout. Fully compatible with Android and iPhone cell phones as you can use either Google Voice, Sir or Alexa for voice commands.

    Shokz OpenComm Bone Conduction Bluetooth Headset

    A nice feature is that one size fit them all, so no need to worry about if its to big or to small as it rest on top of the ear and nothing goes into the ear. Special mention is to it’s magnetic induction charger, so no worries of having to plug anything on the headset, simply rest it in the charger and it will attach right away.  The Shokz OpenComm headset comes with a 2 year manufacturer warranty, order yours HERE.

    Shokz OpenComm UC Bone Conduction Bluetooth Headset w/USB Dongle

    shokz opencomm uc bone conduction bluetooth headset w/usb dongle view

    Shokz offers its OpenComm headset in form of UC, including its already pre paired  Bluetooth Dongle, that allows you to use your OpenComm UC headset with any computer and with your smart phone at the same time. Coming with titanium band and frame for durability. Charge time of only 60 minutes and with its talk time of up to 16 hours and standby time of up to 14 days. The OpenComm UC headset comes with Bone Conduction Stereo Headset, Loop 100 USB-A Wireless Adapter, Magnetic Induction Charger and Hard Shell Carrying Case.

    Shokz OpenComm UC Bone Conduction Bluetooth Headset w/USB Dongle

    Noise canceling microphone in a very discrete design that allows the user to have the headset on all day and either stream music or podcasts with open ear technology that let know what is going around in the environment. And if wondering if any other people can hear what you are listening, the answer is no, this is thanks to Shokz Bone Conduction technology. It offers IP55 Water Resistance, this means that is not water proof but water resistant. Can tolerate dust, moisture and sweat which is a perfect fit for remote workers that need to get a slight workout or a quick jogging on a work break. The microphone boom arm can be swivel up and down and the OpenComm is fully compatible with PC and Mac. Get yours HERE.

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  • How To Measure Laptop Size (Fast and Easily)

    How To Measure Laptop Size (Fast and Easily)

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    As one of the most popular and widely-used devices in our daily lives, laptops are a must-have item. They enable us to work on the go with access to an array of information and entertainment. However, before we carry out any major purchase, it’s important to know that your laptop will fit in your backpack or suitcase without being too bulky.

    Laptops come in a lot of different sizes and form factors, but if you’re unsure of what size you need, measuring your screen is a good way to figure it out.

    There are no standard measurements that can be used to classify the size of a laptop. This is why it’s important for you to use the right metrics when you want to compare your laptop against others.

    There are many different ways you can measure the size of your laptop, but we would like to show you how easy it is to use one metric – height vs width ratio. In this post, we’ll show you how to measure your laptop size with or without a measuring tape.

    How to Measure Laptop Size?

    If you want to measure the size of a laptop, you must know the height, width, and depth. Here’re the few things that need when assessing the size of your laptop.

    • A ruler or measuring tape
    • A calculator to calculate the dimensions
    • Your laptop

    If you have all these necessary things, you can get started by following these steps.

    Step 1: Measuring the diagonal

    Measuring the diagonal of your laptop is a simple task. All you need to do is place a ruler or yardstick on the corner of your screen and mark where it meets the other side. From there, you should measure up to see how many inches or centimeters it is.

    Measuring Laptop Size

    The size of a laptop displays the diagonal length from left to right, usually starting at 12 inches and going up to 17 inches. Laptops with screens smaller than 12 inches are typically those that have been designed for people who want portability. These screens are usually 11 or 10 inches in size.

    Step 2: Measuring the width

    To measure the width of your laptop you will need to find the widest point on the laptop which is typically in the middle of it.

    Next, put a ruler across it and use that as a starting point for measurement. You then want to measure at least 3 inches down on either side of that center line then place another mark on either side of that line. The distance between these two marks is equal to the width.

    Step 3: Measuring the height

    To measure the height, you need a ruler and a notebook.

    Place your laptop flat on a table and use the ruler to measure from the bottom of your laptop to the top of it. If you are using a notebook, open it so that you can get an accurate measurement of its height. Once you have this measurement, you will know how tall your laptop is!

    Step 3: Measuring the depth

    To measure the depth of a laptop, you can find a ruler and measure from the front of the laptop to the back. This is typically measured in inches or centimeters as well as millimeters.

    You should also pay attention to how thick your laptop is. Determining thickness by using a ruler or measuring tape, or by looking at your device specifications on its website.

    How to Find the Size of a Laptop Screen Without Measuring It?

    There are two ways to figure out the size of your laptop screen without measuring it.

    The first way is to look at the model number of your laptop. This should be written somewhere on the screen or on the bottom of your laptop. You can type this into Google to find the actual dimensions of your screen.

    The second way is to measure your laptop’s diagonal length by folding a piece of paper diagonally and then measuring it with a ruler.

    How To Know Which Laptop Case Or Sleeve to Buy?

    When you are looking to buy a laptop sleeve or case, it is very important to know the size of your laptop. This can be a little tricky because laptops come in different sizes and shapes. There are also different brands of laptops which means they come with different dimensions on the body of the machine.

    The first step is to measure the length, width and height of your laptop, including any bumpers or grips on the edges. You should then compare these measurements to those on the manufacturer’s website for compatibility with the skin that you want to purchase. If they match up, you can buy it without any worries as it will fit your laptop perfectly!

    Final Words

    Measuring your laptop size is a crucial step in finding a bag/sleeve that will suit your needs. Even if the measurements seem fine, make sure to account for any extra space by adding a quarter of an inch or two to each side.

    It is also important to know that laptop size is not the only factor for selecting a laptop bag. Other factors like weight, budget, and features should be considered as well.

    Since there are many brands available in the market, it will be hard to find the perfect one for your laptop. However, if you follow our guide of how to measure laptop size and our selection process, you will be able to choose the right one for your needs.

    We hope our guide of how to measure laptop size will help you select suitable bag for your laptop. If you have any questions about this guide, please let us know in the comment section below.

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  • Why do so many still choose wired earbuds or headphones?
– PHIATON

    Why do so many still choose wired earbuds or headphones? – PHIATON

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    While teens on social media are adopting wired headphones as a “vintage” trend, there are many reasons why many people are still opting for wired earbuds and headphones as opposed to wireless and bluetooth listening devices.

    Airpods first hit the market in 2016, and since then, millions have ditched the long-standing wired earbuds and made the switch to the new modern craze, which generated Apple Inc. $38.3 billion in net sales from September 2020 to September 2021. Celebrities like Bella Hadid, Lily-Rose Depp, Zoë Kravitz have been photographed in their sleek streetwear styles, rocking a pair of good old fashioned wired headphones, prompting fans and followers worldwide to recreate this new “vintage” trend themselves.

    However, there are several reasons why many believe wired is the way to go, as you will discover upon reading further in this article.

     

    Because it’s trendy

    Bluetooth earbuds and wireless headphones were the hot trend for a while due to how new and modern and unique they were but eventually they became something that everybody had, which led to people, particularly teens, not wanting to appear “basic.” There is nothing more common than the wish to be remarkable.

    “In short, AirPods have become too widespread to be cool,” wrote the Wall Street Journal. “So, perhaps inevitably, contrarian trendsetters are reviving some ancient technology: corded headphones.”

    Thousands of videos on TikTok have shown various “trend forecasters” explaining why this “vintage” trend is coming back, as well as fashion professionals adding to the analysis. Lisa Z. Morgan, head of the apparel design department at the Rhode Island School of Design, said that a sense of nostalgia is part of what’s fueling the revival.

    “There’s a very wistful look back to times that appear to be simpler, there’s no doubt about it,” Morgan said. “There’s a sense of nostalgia [from teens] for a time that I don’t think they’ve even experienced, which is quite curious … I think they see these photographs and images from magazines and music and culture.”

     

    Because of the sound quality

    Despite all the discourse around wired earbuds making a comeback due to the latest fashion trend, there are other reasons why people opt for wired earphones. Many highly regard the quality of the craftsmanship of something that plugs in directly to your device versus having to stream the sound via bluetooth. It is true that wireless earbuds are very convenient in not having to deal with a cable, but their evolution towards good sound quality is yet to be on par with wired headphones.

    Using wired headphones, which are directly attached to your device, mitigates any potential connectivity or Bluetooth issue that you may experience with wireless headphones. Analog signals are used in wired headphones to deliver excellent sound quality, which can handle more data than digital signals like Bluetooth. The audio won’t have to go through so much processing to reach you, making for a much cleaner, crisper audio in its full resolution.

    Because wired earbud and headphone manufacturers won’t have to spend as much money on creating wireless technologies, they’ll be able to concentrate their efforts (and resources) on what counts most: sound quality. The analog signals used in wired headphones can handle more data than Bluetooth signals, avoiding any risk of audio compression and making for a much clearer sound.

     

    Because of the price

    Wired earbuds are generally cheaper because it is much more costly to make wireless earbuds than its corded counterpart. Manufacturers inflate their bill of materials for wireless buds, which in turn makes the product more expensive.

     

    They don’t require charging

    Having another device to charge periodically is a big inconvenience in this day and age, where almost every product comes with a battery. With wired earbuds, you won’t have to worry about losing your music or your podcast halfway through your flight. You can just plug and play without any care in the way.

     

    They are less likely to be lost

    Many Bluetooth earbud devices come with a little charger/carrying case. Not only is it tiny and easy to misplace, but the earbuds themselves are miniscule little pieces that could easily fall out of your ear while sleeping on a plane, or sweating during an intense exercise. The risk of getting your Airpods stolen is much higher than wired headphones because not only of its small, portable size, but also because they have been a hot commodity since their release in 2016, despite current trends changing the norm.

     

    In general they are a better investment

    People are sporting AirPods everywhere you go. Some are listening to music, others to the hottest new podcasts, while others are simply wearing them to avoid having to chat to strangers. They’ve become as much a part of our daily lives as the original iPod earphones did 20 years ago.

    Despite the inconvenience of cables getting in the way, in the end, wired earbuds and headphones are a greater investment because not only are they cheaper, but they have better sound quality, are less likely to be lost or stolen, don’t require charging, and, of course, you can keep up with the latest trend of bringing “vintage” back.

    By Claire Barnett

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  • Best Dogecoin Crypto Apps of July 2022

    Best Dogecoin Crypto Apps of July 2022

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    Heard of dogecoin but not sure where to buy it? Cryptocurrency exchanges are just one of the many outlets available. You can also purchase dogecoin through mobile-only crypto brokers, online brokerages, and other finance apps.

    Following price surges earlier in 2021, the cryptocurrency dogecoin captured the attention of traders around the world. Created in 2013 by Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer, the coin’s mascot (known as “Doge”) comes from the Shiba Inu Japanese dog breed that was popularized in a series of online memes. Keep reading to find your best option for trading dogecoin.

    Best for futures and margin traders: Kraken


    Account Minimum


    Depends on cryptocurrency


    Fees


    0% – 0.26% (1.5% for instant buy, sell, or convert orders)


    Investment Types


    Cryptocurrencies


    Account Minimum


    Depends on cryptocurrency


    Fees


    0% – 0.26% (1.5% for instant buy, sell, or convert orders)


    Investment Types


    Cryptocurrencies

    Pros

    • Can exchange more than 100 crypto assets
    • Low account minimums and fees
    • Variety of educational resources and tutorials on cryptocurrencies
    • Over-the-counter (OTC) trading and account management support available
    Cons

    • No 24/7 phone customer support
    • Kraken’s futures mobile platform isn’t currently available in the US
    • Not a personal wallet service


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    • Features: More than 100 cryptocurrencies, margin and futures trading, OTC trading, account management for HNW individuals and institutional clients, multiple trading platforms, educational resources, and staking rewards.
    • App store rating: 4.7 iOS/ 4.2 Android

    Why it stands out: Kraken offers exceptionally low trading fees with more than 90 cryptocurrencies for traders in the US and across the globe. Besides dogecoin access, its account perks feature futures trading (futures are contracts that give you the right to buy or sell an asset at a certain price on an upcoming date), margin trading, staking rewards (staking gives you interest rewards for holding crypto assets for a set period of time), over-the-counter (OTC) trading, and crypto services for institutional clients.

    If you’re new to the crypto game, don’t worry. Kraken offers several educational resources for those looking to expand their investing knowledge. These include How to Buy Dogecoin, How to Buy Bitcoin, How to Buy Ethereum, and How to Buy Litecoin.

    Kraken also offers multiple mobile apps for iOS and Android users. These include Kraken, Kraken Pro, and Kraken Futures. US traders should note, however, that the futures platform isn’t currently available in the US.

    What to look out for: Kraken doesn’t currently serve traders in New York or Washington State (see a complete list of its geographic restrictions here). If you live in either of those areas, you’ll need to consider other exchanges.

    Also, as mentioned above, Kraken Futures is not available in the US.

    Visit the Kraken website »

    Best for traders of all experience levels: Coinbase


    Fees


    0.50% spread for buy/sell transactions; transaction fee from $0.99 to $2.99; up to 0.50% for Coinbase Pro


    Investment Types


    Cryptocurrencies


    Fees


    0.50% spread for buy/sell transactions; transaction fee from $0.99 to $2.99; up to 0.50% for Coinbase Pro


    Investment Types


    Cryptocurrencies

    Pros

    • Buy, sell, or store more than 170 cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and dogecoin
    • Educational investment resources, mobile access, digital storage, and customer support
    • Low account minimums
    • Can earn rewards for certain cryptocurrencies
    • Coinbase card lets you spend crypto or USD anywhere and earn crypto rewards; can deposit your paycheck into your account and convert from USD to crypto with no fees
    Cons

    • No crypto futures or margin accounts
    • Pay more for lower balances
    • Not for users who want external storage wallets crafted by personal wallet companies
    • High trading and transaction fees


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    • Promotion: Get $5 of bitcoin when you join Coinbase
    • Features: Coinbase Earn rewards, Coinbase Pro advanced account, user-controlled storage, stablecoins, staking, and institutional trading tools.
    • App store rating: 4.7 iOS/ 4.3 Android

    Why it stands out: Coinbase offers well over 100 cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin, ethereum, and others. The exchange added dogecoin to its platform in June 2021, allowing both Coinbase Pro and regular account holders to access it through its web platform and iOS and Android mobile apps.

    Coinbase also offers staking rewards, Coinbase Prime for institutional traders and high-


    net-worth

    individuals (people with at least $1 million), wallet storage, and a Coinbase Earn feature that gives you monetary rewards for watching educational videos about different assets.

    In addition, Coinbase has also launching a transaction fee-free beta version of its NFT platform. This means that creators and collectors can exchange tokens without worrying about extra costs. However, this only available for a limited time

    What to look out for: Coinbase doesn’t offer margin accounts for traders who need to take on additional buying power to purchase crypto assets. 

    Visit the Coinbase website »

    Best for peer-to-peer trading: Binance


    Fees


    0.1% spot trading fee; 0.5% instant buy/sell fee (4.5% fee for deposits with US debit card)


    Investment Types


    Cryptocurrencies


    Fees


    0.1% spot trading fee; 0.5% instant buy/sell fee (4.5% fee for deposits with US debit card)


    Investment Types


    Cryptocurrencies

    Pros

    • Low trading fees and minimums
    • Ability to earn staking rewards
    • Dozens of crypto trading pairs
    Cons

    • You can’t trade futures or invest with a margin account
    • Limited selection of tutorials and educational resources on crypto trading
    • Not available to residents of select US states


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    • Promotion: None at this time.
    • Features: Automated recurring buys, over-the-counter trading, staking rewards, crypto pairs, and institutional trading services
    • App store rating: 4.2 iOS/ 2.4 Android

    Why it stands out: Formed as a US extension of Binance in 2019, Binance.US offers dogecoin, bitcoin, and more than 50 other cryptocurrencies. Unlike Kraken, it doesn’t provide margin and futures accounts. But like Kraken, Binance.US offers staking rewards, OTC trading, and trading options for institutional clients.

    In addition, if you’re big on crypto-to-crypto exchanges, there’s no shortage of crypto trading pairs at Binance.US (trading pairs consist of two assets that can be exchanged for one another). For instance, the exchange’s two Dogecoin trading pairs are DOGE/USD and DOGE/USDT.

    And Binance.US has low fees compared to other exchanges. You’ll only need $10 to get started, and you’ll either pay 0.1% or 0.5%, depending on how fast you want your trades executed.

    What to look out for: Binance.US has several geographic restrictions. You won’t be able to use the app if you’re a resident of Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, New York, Texas, or Vermont.

    Visit the Binance.US website »

    Best for beginners: eToro


    Fees


    1% when you buy or sell a crypto asset; 0% stocks and ETFs


    Investment Types


    Cryptocurrencies, stocks, and ETFs


    Fees


    1% when you buy or sell a crypto asset; 0% stocks and ETFs


    Investment Types


    Cryptocurrencies, stocks, and ETFs

    Pros

    • Can trade bitcoin, dogecoin, ethereum, Litecoin, and a dozen other popular virtual assets; stock and ETF trading available
    • eToro’s Copy Portfolios let you follow and copy the portfolios of experienced traders to enhance your investment returns
    • Several educational resources
    • Web and mobile app access
    Cons

    • Not available to residents of New York, Minnesota, Nevada, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Marianas, and the US Virgin Islands (see a full list of its geographic restrictions here)
    • Limited selection of cryptocurrencies (eToro USA currently offers over 25)
    • No margin accounts


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    More Information

    • Promotion: None at this time.
    • Features: Dogecoin and 15+ cryptocurrencies, CopyTrader system, Copy Portfolios, and eToro Trading Academy
    • App store rating: 4.6 iOS/ 4.3 Android

    Disclaimer: eToro USA LLC; Investments are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal.

    Why it stands out: Though eToro USA has a more limited selection of investments — it currently offers dogecoin and more than 25 other cryptocurrencies — the exchange makes up for it with its easy-to-use interface, community-like crypto features, and educational resources.

    One of eToro USA’s most popular features is its CopyTrader system. This feature is best for beginner traders, as it allows you to tie your portfolio strategies to that of more advanced crypto traders. In other words, you can use the feature to have your portfolio mimic the portfolios of top-performing traders. See more here.

    But eToro USA makes up for its more limited crypto selection by additionally offering stock and ETF trading. Plus, the platform charges $0 commissions for trading, and you can purchase fractional shares (get started here).

    When it comes to educational offerings, eToro provides both written investing guides and an eToro Trading Academy that includes video tutorials on crypto trading.

    What to look out for:  eToro USA doesn’t offer margin accounts, so it isn’t the best option for traders who seek additional buying power. In addition, you won’t be able to use the exchange if you live in New York, Minnesota, Nevada, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, US Armed Forces (Americas), and US Armed Forces (Europe and US Virgin Islands).

    Visit the eToro USA website »

    Best for bitcoin, ethereum, and dogecoin traders: Gemini


    Fees


    $0.99-$2.99 fee for web and mobile transactions between $10 and $200 (1.49% fee for transactions over $200); 0.50% convenience fee; 3.49% debit card transfers


    Investment Types


    Cryptocurrencies


    Fees


    $0.99-$2.99 fee for web and mobile transactions between $10 and $200 (1.49% fee for transactions over $200); 0.50% convenience fee; 3.49% debit card transfers


    Investment Types


    Cryptocurrencies

    Pros

    • Want to trade more than 100 other virtual assets
    • Value account security and want your assets securely stored and insured against theft
    • Are an advanced trader looking for features like faster order execution, crypto trading pairs and auctions, and charting tools
    • Want to earn daily interest from different cryptocurrencies
    Cons

    • Want to use margin accounts to take on additional buying power
    • Prefer to pay less for larger transaction amounts
    • Are looking for a straightforward fee schedule


    Read Our Review
    Read Our ReviewA looong arrow, pointing right

    More Information

    • Promotion: Receive $10 of bitcoin (BTC) when a referral exchanges $100 or more within the first 30 days of creating an account.
    • Features: Trading options for beginners, experts, and institutions; Gemini Earn, Gemini Wallet, and $200 million insurance in Gemini Custody.
    • App store rating: 4.8 iOS/ 4.5 Android

    Why it stands out: Gemini offers more than 75 crypto assets, including dogecoin. You won’t need a minimum amount to get started, but you’ll run into different fees for web transactions and mobile transactions. And you’ll also incur a 0.50% convenience fee for each transaction.

    But besides its fee schedule, Gemini offers an array of other features that beginner or experienced crypto traders might enjoy. These include its crypto rewards program (this allows you to earn up to 8.05% on certain assets), its Active Trader platform for advanced traders, its wallet storage options, and its educational webinars. See our full review of Gemini here.

    Plus, on the spending and payments end, US customers can get up to 3% in crypto rewards for every purchase they make with the Gemini Credit Card. And Gemini Pay allows you to spend your crypto balances at more than 30,000 retail stores in the US.

    What to look out for: This exchange only offers nine cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, ethereum, litecoin, bitcoin cash, zcash, filecoin, tezos, solana, and dogecoin. The remainder of its investment collection is made up of ERC-20 tokens, stablecoins, and SPL tokens.

    Visit the Gemini website »

    Other apps we considered

    • Abra: Abra is a global crypto exchange offering 100+ cryptocurrencies, wallet services, staking (with interest rewards up to 13.5%) crypto-backed loans, and much more. The company also serves investors in more than 150 countries, and it has an expansive suite of institutional services. It doesn’t charge investors fees for currency exchanges (although it earns income from the spread between different assets), but has high fees for Visa and Mastercard transactions.
    • Bittrex: Bittrex excels when it comes to ease of use and account security. Its Instant Buy and Sell feature gives you the option to quickly trade dogecoin and other popular assets with the click of a button. In addition, Bittrex uses two-factor authentication, plus a multi-stage wallet strategy that ensures your crypto assets are securely stored through offline hardware. One downside is that it has limited customer support and educational resources.
    • Webull: Webull is an online brokerage offering cryptocurrencies, stocks, ETFs, options, and more. You’ll only need a minimum of $1 to start trading, and the brokerage offers the following crypto assets: Bitcoin, dogecoin, bitcoin cash, ethereum, litecoin, ZEC, and XLM. It also offers 24/7 trading, but you won’t have as many crypto choices as other popular exchanges.
    • Robinhood: Commonly known as a pioneer of commission-free trading, Robinhood offers stocks, ETFs, options, American depositary receipts (ADRs), and cryptocurrencies. But like Webull, the brokerage has a more limited offering of crypto assets. Its cryptocurrency list includes dogecoin, bitcoin, bitcoin cash, bitcoin sv, ethereum, ethereum classic, and more.
    • Crypto.com: Crypto.com offers several impressive features, including more than 100 cryptocurrencies, crypto storage options, and interest rewards (you can currently get up to 14% on your crypto assets). But many of its coins aren’t available to US traders.
    • Changelly: Founded in 2015, Changelly is a Malta-based cryptocurrency exchange offering more than 170 crypto assets. Though the platform’s trading algorithm integrates with crypto apps like Poloniex and Bittrex, it isn’t currently available to US customers.

    How we determined the winners

    We compared a dozen crypto trading apps to find the best options for dogecoin access, user navigability, low fees, account custody, and mobile access.

    We also researched whether the crypto exchanges offer features like staking or interest rewards, margin accounts, and educational resources.

    Frequently asked questions

    Why trust us?

    At Personal Finance Insider, we strive to help smart people make the best decisions with their money. However, we know that the word best is usually subjective, so we highlight both the pros and cons of dogecoin crypto apps.

    We spent hours comparing and contrasting the features and fine print of various dogecoin trading apps so you don’t have to.

    What is dogecoin?

    Dogecoin is an open source, peer-to-peer cryptocurrency (peer-to-peer cryptocurrencies are virtual assets that can be exchanged between different users without the help of a central financial institution). The asset — though originally used as a meme — was created in 2013 by software engineers Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer.

    The cryptocurrency has a


    market cap

    of close to $20 billion.

    How do you buy dogecoin?

    You can purchase dogecoin in a few simple steps. First, you’ll need to find a cryptocurrency exchange or investment platform that offers the coin. After that, you’ll need to enter in the dogecoin ticker (DOGE), decide how much you’d like to invest, choose your payment method, and place your order.

    Once purchased, your dogecoin balance transfers to your platform’s built-in crypto wallet. But most exchanges also give you the option to transfer your crypto balance to an external hot wallet or cold wallet. Hot wallets rely on digital storage, while cold wallets utilize offline, hardware devices.

    What is a cryptocurrency exchange?

    Cryptocurrency exchanges function as online marketplaces that allow you to buy, sell, and transfer a range of virtual assets like dogecoin, bitcoin, and others. Many exchanges (though not all) also provide wallet storage for your crypto assets. For instance, Coinbase offers its own online storage app for cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

    But since all crypto trading apps aren’t personal wallet services, you may need to consider other options for secure storage. Whether you’re trading bitcoin or dogecoin, most exchanges let you transfer assets between your exchange account and wallet whenever you need to.

    Are cryptocurrency exchanges worth it?

    Like most things in investing and personal finance, this depends largely on your preferences. You don’t necessarily have to use crypto exchanges to buy dogecoin or other popular virtual assets. As mentioned earlier, you can use online platforms like Paypal or SoFi.

    TradeStation, Robinhood, and Webull are also three online brokerages that offer fee-free crypto options, but there’s a catch. These investment apps give you greater access to different investment choices (eg. stocks, ETFs, and options), but they usually don’t offer as many crypto-specific features as other popular crypto exchanges.

    If you’re struggling to make a decision, it’s best to choose the platform that offers the fees, features, and investment choices that align with your goals. 

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  • Best Rated Equipment, Headsets for Zoom Meetings, Webex. Test, Reviews

    Best Rated Equipment, Headsets for Zoom Meetings, Webex. Test, Reviews

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    zoom headset

    Headsets for Zoom, Cisco Webex Meetings

    Zoom meeting headset, Cisco Webex Headsets

    When Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, all the business (and personal) meetings went on-line via either Zoom or Cisco Webex.  To get the best and clearest audio transmission of your conversation, we recommend using a quality headset like the ones below.  Your voice is no further than a few inches from your mouth and typically the microphone on a headset is far superior in quality than the microphone built in on a laptop, tablet or a PC.  You can either use a corded headset or wireless.  We typically recommend wireless if you have the budget for the sake of freedom to move around the office and not have a corded tether to your desk.

    Jabra Evolve2 30 UC Mono USB-A Corded Headset

    Jabra recently launched the totally new Jabra Evolve2 30 UC corded headset, this amazing new addition to the Evolve2 Family comes with theJabra Evolve2 30 UC Mono USB-A Corded Headset Jabra amazing well built quality, without compromising the budget. Jabra is really proud of having an option for people wanting the best in a contained budget. The Evolve2 30 comes in Mono and Stereo, built in volume controls into the headset and built in busy light in one side of the headset which is very convenient when you are working from home. Hands down, one of the best corded headsets for a daily use headset with your computer/Mac. Order yours HERE.

    Jabra Evolve2 40 UC Stereo USB-A Corded Headset (staff favorite)

    Jabra keeps Jabra Evolve2 40 UC Stereo USB-A Corded Headsetin with the Evolve2 40 UC, a well built headset with memory leatherette foam ear cushions, comfortable for all day use.  Large ear cups blocks out unwanted noise in the background.  Noise canceling microphone filters out unwanted noise for your customer.  It also has an automatic busy-light in both sides that is visible from any direction and turns on when the headset is active. Jabra offers noise canceling microphone with its innovate muting function by simply bringing the boom up, making it an amazing function as convenient for user. The Jabra Evolve2 40 UC comes in two models: USB-A and USB-C, making it a nice option for any computer or laptop.  Order yours HERE

    Poly Blackwire 8225 USB-A Stereo Wired Headset

    Poly , formerly known as Plantronics brings Poly Blackwire 8225 USB-A Stereo Wired Headsetto the table the new Blackwire 8225 USB-A with a flexible noise canceling microphone boom. Active Noise Canceling with 3 settings to optimize what you can hear when using the headset. Built-in LED busy light that helps to let people know when you are in a call. Volume control with mute function that allows you to answer/end calls and depending on the application, allows you to put a call on “hold”.

    Jabra Speak 410 USB PC Speaker Phone UC version

    Jabra offers Jabra Speak 410 USB PC Speaker Phone UC versionthe Speak 410, that is the entry level for speaker phones compatible with any computer by simply plugging it thru the USB port. With an amazing 5′ in diameter size, makes it a portable option and with its travel case. Jabra Speak 410 offers full integration with corded Jabra headsets by the 3.5 mm port that offers quick privacy, even in an open office environment. Speak 410 offers true wide band sound for crystal-clear conversation.

    Jabra Speak 710 UC USB/Bluetooth Wireless Speakerphone

    The Speak 710 UC is an amazing Jabra Speak 710 UC USB/Bluetooth Wireless Speakerphoneoption for wireless speaker phone, can be used as a speaker phone on your computer using the Jabra Link 370 dongle or pair directly to your cell phone via Bluetooth. This unit is the perfect for conference of up to 6 people, with a talk time of up to 15 hours. Once touch feature that allows to pair 2 Speak 710 together for full stereo and true fidelity sound for calls and for music. Making a portable option to be used in any place, comes with folding stand, that allows to place the speaker phone in different positions as needed for your Zoom meeting.

    Poly Sync 20+ USB-A Bluetooth Wireless Speakerphone, MS Teams

    Poly comes into the speaker phones game with the Poly Sync 20+, which is a nice wireless Bluetooth speakerphone, designed for small groups of 6 Poly Sync 20+ USB-A Bluetooth Wireless Speakerphone, MS Teamspeople or less. Comes with its respectively USB adapter (BT600), that allows you to use it with any computer or can be paired with any smart phone or tablet as well. the Sync 20+ , offers a battery time of up to 20 hours when fully charged, plus the convenience of being portable and for the same reason, comes with IP64 certification, against dust and spills resistance, touch sensitive controls that light up in a nice and elegant design. 3 directional microphones that allows to pick up the speaker’s voice anywhere in the room, so you can move around without having to talk to the device directly. Microsoft Teams Certified and with dedicated key that allows you to launch it with a simply touch. Get yours HERE.

    Plantronics Savi 8240 UC USB Wireless Headset

    Recently launched, the Savi 8240 UC Plantronics Savi 8240 UC USB Wireless HeadsetUSB headset offers up to 7 hours of talk time and 30 hours of standby. Being a convertible style, the 8240 offers all the wearing styles, over the head, behind the neck and over the ear, making it a nice option for people that need to switch wearing styles. With a range of up to 300 feet on DECT 6.0 thru the D200 USB-A adapter included. Noise canceling microphone, volume controls with mute and answer/end call with a simply tap. Order yours HERE.

    Jabra EVOLVE 65 UC Stereo USB Bluetooth Headset

    Jabra offers the Evolve 65 Jabra EVOLVE 65 UC Stereo USB Bluetooth HeadsetBluetooth wireless headset with Digital Signal Processing, dual connectivity allowing you to use the headset with your computer with the Link 370 dongle (included) or your cell phone.  The same headset can be used both either device. The Jabra Link 370 offers a wireless range of up to 100 ft.  When the headset is fully charged, it has 10 hours of talk time and noise canceling microphone. Busy-light built into the headset allowing you to let people know when in a call, and so easy to use thanks to Jabra’s “Plug & Play” Zoom headset installation.  Place your order HERE

    Jabra Evolve2 65 UC Stereo Bluetooth USB-A Headset w/Stand

    We have the newest addition from Jabra, the Jabra Evolve2 65 UC Stereo Bluetooth USB-A Headset w/StandEvolve2 65 UC Stereo Bluetooth USB-A Headset w/Stand, and so far it is my preferred option for a Bluetooth headset. Offering the amazing talk time of up to 37 hours, beating by far the competition. Fast charging can be found in the Evolve2 65 that allows you to get 8 hours of talk by 15 minutes, memory foam ear cushions welcome the ears into a best sound quality available. Jabra’s mute microphone by simply bringing the microphone boom arm up. The Evolve2 65 allows you to use it with 2 devices at the same time, so you can use it with your computer with the Link 380 and your cell phone at the same time. Order yours HERE.

    Poly Voyager 4310 UC Bluetooth Mono USB-A Headset

    poly voyager 4310 uc bluetooth mono usb-a headset viewPoly offers the new Voyager 4310 as a new alternative for a wireless headset without breaking the bank. This is going to be the new entry level for a wireless headset, the Voyager 4310 works seamless with any soft phone application, thanks to its BT700 Bluetooth Dongle. Nice fresh design with a better paddling on the headband plus the well know Acoustic Fence Technology by Poly and offering an impressive talk time of up to 24 hours non stop, or can get up to 47 hours if is just listening in a single charge. Built in busy light that is really useful when working in an open office environment and can be used with your smart phone as well. Offering Voice over USB, which allows you to use the headset with any computer without the dongle by using the USB cable that comes with it and plug it in any USB port in your computer. Get yours HERE.

    Poly Voyager 4320 UC Bluetooth Stereo USB-A Headset w/Standpoly voyager 4320 uc bluetooth stereo usb-a headset w/stand view

    Poly offers the Voyager 4320, in a nice Stereo headset, with a comfortable headband and with a bendable microphone boom arm with Acoustic Fence Technology and built in busy light. Amazing battery standby time of up to 50days with one single charge. The Voyager 4320 comes with a nice stand that allows you to charge your headset by just resting the headset in the cradle, comes with a nice range of up to 160 feet, thank you to its BT700 Dongle that is Version 5.2, comes with a carrying travel pouch and comes with a USB cable as well, as it offers Voice over USB allowing to use the 4320 as a corded headset without compromising the performance of the microphone. Get yours HERE.

     Poly Voyager Focus 2 UC USB-A Bluetooth, No Stand (my favorite)

    poly voyager focus 2 uc usb-a bluetooth, no stand viewPoly offers its new Voyager Focus 2 with a really comfortable headband that allows the user find a comfortable position wearing it. The Voyager Focus 2 has the new Digital Hybrid Active Noise Canceling (ANC), with different levels of graduation that allows the user to choose how much ANC to use depending on the environment. Built in busy light that let the user know when in a call, a discrete boom arm with Acoustic Fence Technology and with muting function by swinging boom arm up or down, and allowing to be worn on either side, with a talk time of up to 19 hours in a single charge and with a range of up to 160 feet thanks to its BT700 Bluetooth Dongle. Call controls are found in the side, easy to use with the computer and with the cell phone. Get yours HERE.

    Jabra Evolve2 75 UC Bluetooth Headset USB-A w/Stand

    jabra evolve2 75 uc stereo bluetooth headset usb-a w/stand viewJabra offers the Evolve2 75, in its second generation the new and freshly designed headset offers 2 different kind of memory foam in the earcups. This helps the headset to block most of the noises and helps it to keep it cooler when using for long periods of time. The Evovle2 75 offers the new Jabra Advanced Active Noise canceling with graduation levels. Built in Alexa that allows you to even control smart devices such as smart thermostats or smart bulbs from the headset. The Evolve2 75 has 2 modes now, The new Discreet Mode, that allows to use the headset as a bloomless mic headset with your cell phone and the Performance Mode with the arm down which meets Microsoft’s Open Office requirements. Order yours HERE.

    Poly Studio P5 USB-A Webcam

    Now we jump in the video device, starting with the new Poly Studio P5 USB-A Webcam, this is the newest webcam from Poly, this is a high quality HD Poly Studio P5 USB-A Webcam (no return)1080p web cam, excellent for small rooms and for single person use, with a 4X Digital Zoom. Small and compact design that allows you to take it with you anywhere. Easy to use thanks to its USB-A connectivity, integrated privacy shutter that allows you to block the lens for privacy concerns. A nice feature of this webcam, is that the back of the webcam has a built in USB-A port, so meaning that you don’t loose a USB port when using this camera, allowing you to plug a USB headset if want to. Get yours HERE.

    Poly Studio P15 Personal Video Bar

    On our next step in video solutions, we have the brand new Poly Studio P15 Video Bar, this is a nice option for bigger rooms, the Studio P15 is an UltraPoly Studio P15 Personal Video Bar (no return) HD 4K quality camera, with smart automatic camera framing , allowing you to walk around the room, as the camera framing will adjust by itself on you, so no more need to stay glued into the chair. Poly Lens compatible and Microsoft Teams Certified as well. Can be used with either PC or Mac as it supports both platforms. Compatible with any applications that supports standard USB/UVC standards. Adjustments can be done thru the Poly Lens Desktop app, integrated privacy shutter, adjustable monitor clamp, Kensington security lock ready and Tripod ready. Order yours HERE.

    Jabra PanaCast 180 Panoramic 4K Video Camera

    Jabra steps into the game with its unique Jabra PanaCast 180 Panoramic 4K Video Camera, personally my favorite of the ones mentioned before, this camera is as tiny that you can take it with you in your shirt pocket, the Jabra PanaCast 180 Panoramic 4K Video Camera (no return)design is as slim as thin wallet. The PanaCast has 3, yes, you read right. 13 megapixel cameras, with a 4K quality, allowing you have a full view of the room without compromising performance. Easy setup , by simply Plug and Play in any computer. the PanaCast can be used with the table stand or its wall mount, one of the favorite options for colleges for distance learning. Compatible with any of the Jabra Speak , and advised as the sound quality of the microphones would be superb. Get your Zoom compatible camera HERE.

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  • Top 7 Best Laptops for Sims 4 in 2021 [Latest Models]

    Top 7 Best Laptops for Sims 4 in 2021 [Latest Models]

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    Sims 4 is one of the most played online games around the world. If you’re also a fan of Sims games and looking for a good laptop, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we have compiled a list of some of the best laptops for Sims 4 that offer high-end performance.

    The Sims 4 is a single-player game where you create your own virtual world without any rules. The game allows you to create your dream home, add new experiences, throw parties, and develop relationships. The latest version of Sims 4 has more added features that make it more exciting and challenging. But, to make all this happen, you need to have a good laptop that can run the game smoothly.

    To play Sims 4, you don’t need to have an expensive high-end laptop, you can play it smoothly on a laptop with decent hardware configurations. However, before buying one, you will need to understand your budget and requirements.

    As so many options are available in the market, make sure your laptop meets the minimum and recommended system requirements. These requirements are:

    Minimum Requirements for Buying a Laptop for Sims 4

    • Processor – Intel Core i5 or faster, AMD Athlon X4
    • RAM – minimum 4GB RAM (a greater RAM size is recommended to provide better speed)
    • Operating System – 64 Bit Windows 7, 8, 8.1, or 10
    • Storage – A minimum of 9GB of disk space (additional storage required for custom content and saved game)
    • Graphics card: NVIDIA GTX 1650 or better
    • Display – The laptop must have a display of a minimum of 1280 × 1024 resolution.
    • Connectivity – Should have all the essential connectivity ports including Wi-Fi / Ethernet to use the internet.

    These system requirements have been published on the official website of Sims 4.

    These are the minimum system requirements you should consider when buying a laptop for playing Sims 4. And, based on these requirements, we have listed some of the best laptops to play the Sims 4. Not only that, but you will be also able to play games like Minecraft, League of Legends, etc.

    For now, let’s start with the cheapest laptop for Sims 4 followed by the most ideal laptops for gaming.

    7 Best Laptops for Sims 4

    1. Acer Aspire 5

    Acer Aspire 5 A515The Acer Aspire 5 is a mid-range laptop that offers many high-end specifications at an affordable price range. With Intel 11th gen Core i5 processor, it is one of the best-selling laptops tagged by many professional reviewers. The 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage are good enough to take care of multitasking. The laptop feels well built-in hands and weighs 3.6 pounds which are standard for a gaming laptop.

    The budget notebook comes with a 15.6-inch full HD display which not only provides crisp and accurate images but also featured with eye-friendly coating for prolonged working sessions. For fast, flexible connectivity, the Aspire 5 comes with Intel Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) support, so you’ll experience a fast and reliable connection when browsing, streaming, or gaming.

    Moreover, it has an Intel Iris Xe GPU to handle demanding tasks and give an overall performance boost. The battery on this gadget lasts up to 8.5 hours, based on the usage. Overall, the Acer Aspire 5 is the best all-purpose laptop for people who are seeking a reliable option at a budget price.

    Main Specifications of Acer Aspire 5 11th Generation Laptop
    Processor 11th Generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor (Up to 4.2GHz)
    RAM 8GB DDR4
    Storage 256GB NVMe SSD
    Display 15.6” FHD WLED-backlit (1920 x 1080) IPS display
    Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Operating System Windows 10 Home
    Battery Life Up to 8.5-hours
    Weight 3.64 lbs

    Pros

    • Fingerprint reader
    • Impressive battery life
    • Full-size backlit keyboard
    • Reliable Intel Wi-Fi 6
    • USB-C port

    Cons

    • No SD card slot
    • Storage could be higher

    2. MSI GL65 Leopard 10SFK-062

    MSI GL65 Leopard 10SFK

    MSI gaming laptops are not just aimed at targeting the mid-range segment but also offer impressive specifications. This MSI GL65 is a perfect laptop for those who demand the highest levels of performance not only for gaming but also for other intensive tasks. It is styled in solid plastic chassis with a matte black finish having a red MSI gaming logo on the lid.

    Powered by the latest 10th gen Intel Core i7 processor, the MSI GL65 is backed by 16GB of DDR4 RAM and 512GB of SSD. In terms of portability, this machine is not really what we’d call a portable laptop. It weighs 8.36 lbs which can be a great desktop replacement. MSI packs a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a 100% sRGB spectrum as well as an impressive 144 Hz refresh rate, which is great to play AAA games at with high settings.

    Coming to the graphics segment of this gaming laptop, it is powered by 8GB of Nvidia Geforce RTX 2070 dedicated graphics card which is one of the best in GPUs. Apart from this, the laptop comes with an RGB-backlit keyboard that facilitates the easier handling of games. The MSI GL65 is one of those rare budget gaming laptops that provide a lag-free detailed gaming experience. In short, it is an excellent laptop for Sims 4 you can buy in 2021.

    Hardware Specifications of MSI GL65 Leopard 10SFK-062 Gaming Laptop
    Processor 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H  Processor (Up to 5.0GHz)
    RAM 16GB DDR4
    Storage 512GB SSD
    Display 15.6″ Full HD LED-backlit (1920 x 1080) IPS Display
    Graphics NVIDIA’s Geforce RTX 2070 8G GDDR6
    Operating System Windows 10 Home
    Battery Life Up to 7+ hours
    Weight 8.36 lbs

    Pros

    • Exceptional gaming performance
    • Per-key backlighting
    • Great I/O connectivity with an SD card reader
    • GeForce RTX 2070 GPU

    Cons

    • Very loud during gaming
    • Quite bulky
    • Some ports located too near the user

    3. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i

    Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i

    Lenovo’s IdeaPad series of laptops are the most versatile, powerful, and affordable laptops, which are not only stripped in terms of weight but also in price. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is a striking affordable gaming laptop with the durable build quality and consistent performance.

    It has a 15.6-inch full HD display with a refresh rate of 60Hz, which produces a proper gamut of colors to enhance your gaming experience. With Lenovo Vantage’s Eye Care Mode, you can adjust your display’s color tone which reduces the risk of eye strain during long gaming sessions.

    The laptop is powered by the newest 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor paired with 8GB of RAM to handle multitasking. For storage, the IdeaPad 3i comes with 512GB of SSD storage, which can house almost all the essential data without the need for any third-party storage.

    The laptop also provides a decent battery backup of up to 9-hours and weighs 4.84 pounds which lets you easily carry it anywhere hassle-free. Based on the overall specifications we can say that the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is an accessible high-performance laptop for casual gaming (such as Sims 4) and video editing.

    Hardware Specifications of Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Gaming Laptop
    Processor 10th Generation Intel Core i5-10300H Processor (Up to 4.0GHz)
    RAM 8GB DDR4
    Storage 512GB SSD
    Display 15.6″ Full HD IPS (1920 x 1080) anti-glare Display
    Graphics NVIDIA’s Geforce GTX 1650Ti with 4GB GDDR6
    Operating System Windows 10 Home
    Battery Life Up to 9 hours
    Weight 4.84 lbs

    Pros

    • Strong gaming performance
    • Comfortable keyboard
    • Decent battery life
    • Classy design with solid build quality

    Cons

    • Sub-par speakers
    • Only 8GB of RAM

    4. Acer Predator Helios 300

    Acer Predator Helios 300 9th gen processor

    The Acer Predator Helios 300 is a very straightforward, powerful, and no-nonsense gaming laptop to buy in 2021. Though the laptop is a bit expensive which is priced under $1100, it offers impressive specs in-house. This premium gaming laptop is designed with black metal chassis paired with chrome accents and a predator logo on the lid, which gives it a futuristic look.

    It comes with a best-in-segment 15.6-inch widescreen LED-backlit display with a 144Hz refresh rate which gives you high color accuracy. For performance, the Helios 300 is powered by the Intel Core i7- i7-10750H hexacore processor paired with 16GB RAM and 512GB of a solid-state drive.

    This laptop can handle all the gaming with ease and let you enjoy the games and movies at full resolution. The laptop also offers USB Type C and USB 3.0 ports for transferring the data between your external drive and laptop quickly. The graphics on this laptop handled by 6GB of Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 which can boost your games like never before.

    The Helios 300 also offers a full chiclet-style keyboard with 4-zone RGB lighting to enhance your gaming. All these aforementioned specs make the Acer Predator Helios 300 a perfect buy for all the gaming lovers looking to play more than the Sims 4.

    Hardware Specifications of Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop
    Processor 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H 6-Core Processor (Up to 5.0GHz)
    RAM 16GB DDR4
    Storage 512GB SSD
    Display 15.6″ FHD IPS (1920 x 1080) Display
    Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 6GB GDDR6 VRAM
    Operating System Windows 10 Home
    Battery Life Up to 6-hours
    Weight 5.0 lbs

    Pros

    • Powerful gaming performance
    • Smooth 240Hz display with 3ms response time
    • Room for three storage drives
    • Super cooling
    • Excellent price

    Cons

    • Sharp edges are uncomfortable
    • Average CPU performance
    • Battery life could be better

    5. HP Pavilion 16-a0030nr Gaming Laptop

    HP Pavilion 15-cx0020nr

    HP’s Pavilion series of laptops are fast, powerful, versatile with strong configuration. The HP Pavilion 16 is a powerful laptop that provides excellent value for your money without burning a hole in your pocket. This new laptop series comes with certain upgrades over the older models.

    The Pavilion Gaming 16 is an all-plastic construction having a matte finish on the lid, which gives it a premium feel. It features a well-spaced full-size keyboard with white backlighting along with a large touchpad that makes controlling your PC effortless.

    One of the highlights of Pavilion 16 is its 16.1-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.  The laptop is powered by a fast 10th gen Intel Core i7-10750H processor which is accompanied by 16GB of RAM.

    The dedicated 6GB of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti graphics card has a magical spell over any game. The 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD provides reliable storage solutions. Furthermore, Pavilion 16 features an anti-ghosting backlit keyboard with 2.5mm travel to provide you comfortable typing experience. The perfect display with high-performance hardware makes this laptop one of the best budget laptops for the Sims 4 to buy right now.

    Hardware Specifications of HP Pavilion 16 Power Gaming Laptop
    Processor 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H Processor, 6-core (up to 5.0 GHz)
    RAM 16GB DDR4
    Storage 512GB SSD
    Display 16.1-inch FHD LED-backlit (1920 x 1080) IPS anti-glare Display
    Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti with Max-Q design (6GB GDDR6)
    Operating System Windows 10 Home
    Battery Life Up to 10 hours
    Weight 4.78 lbs

    Pros

    • Decent gaming performance
    • Comfortable keyboard
    • Premium build quality
    • Solid connectivity ports
    • Lightweight and portable

    Cons

    • Mediocre battery life
    • Only 60Hz refresh rate
    • Poor thermal performance

    6. Dell G3 Gaming Laptop

    Dell G3 Gaming Laptop

    The Dell G3 might not look like a gaming laptop, but when it comes to performance, it is capable enough to handle most of the demanding tasks with ease. Speaking of its design, the Dell G3 comes with a black/grey chassis with some blue accents. At 2.34kg, the G3 is still quite heavy just like most gaming laptops. It comes with a full-size keyboard with a blue backlight so you can use play games while in the dark.

    This gaming laptop boasts a 15.6-inch Full HD 144Hz display with an anti-glare coating that delivers crisp and vivid colors. It comes with a powerful 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor which can clock up to 4.1GHz. The chipset is coupled with 16GB of RAM and integrates Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics that provide image quality for Internet use, photo editing, and casual gaming.

    The laptop runs on Windows 10 which delivers effortless operation while gaming. As far as connectivity is concerned, the laptop comes with multiple USB ports and an HDMI connection which lets you add external devices to customize your setup. The laptop possesses astonishingly good looks with powerful performance added with long-lasting battery life. Overall, this laptop exceeds our expectations and highly recommended for college studies and multimedia tasks.

    Hardware Specifications of Dell G3 Gaming Laptop
    Processor 10th Gen Intel Quad-Core i7-10750H Processor (up to 4.10GHz)
    RAM 16GB DDR4
    Storage 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD
    Display 15.6″ Full HD LED-backlit (1920 x 1080) Anti-glare Display
    Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650Ti with 4GB GDDR6
    Operating System Windows 10 Home
    Battery Life Up to 6 hours
    Weight 5.18 lbs

    Pros

    • Sturdy And Clean Design
    • High performance
    • Smooth and responsive precision touchpad
    • Pretty higher screen contrast ratio
    • RAM upgrade option available

    Cons

    • No thunderbolt port
    • Average trackpad
    • No RGB lighting

    7. Acer Predator Triton 500 – High-End Laptop For Sims 4

    Acer Predator Triton 500

    Last but not least, if you have a good budget to spend on a gaming laptop, then the Acer Predator Triton 500 would be an ideal choice for you. It is a thin and lightweight laptop with a black metal chassis and all the newest hardware inside. The black and striking blue-hued body gives it a head-turning look. The laptop sports a segment-first 15.6-inch full HD display with a 144Hz refresh rate which is bright and rich in color.

    Furthermore, the Triton 500 features a full-size comfortable keyboard with per-key-programmable RGB backlighting to customize your gaming experience. Not only that, but Acer put extra effort into cooling technology which lets Triton 500 runs a bit quieter than most gaming laptops while playing.

    The graphics on this laptop are backed by 8GB of Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 which is very powerful to run all the latest games at medium to high settings. The Triton 500 packs with an Intel Core i7-10750H Hexa core processor to provide solid mainstream gaming performance. For multitasking, the laptop offers 16GB of RAM and for storage, it comes with a whopping 512GB of solid-state drive for fast file transfer. Overall, the Acer Predator Triton 500 provides powerful performance making it a perfect gaming laptop for Sims 4 and other latest games.

    Hardware Specifications of Acer Predator Triton 500 Gaming Laptop
    Processor 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H 6-Core Processor (Up to 5.0GHz)
    RAM 16GB DDR4
    Storage 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
    Display 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen IPS display
    Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
    Operating System Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
    Battery Life Up to 8-hours
    Weight 4.63 lbs

    Pros

    • Slim and sleek design
    • 300Hz G-Sync display
    • Per-key RGB Backlit Keyboard
    • Good selection of ports
    • Solid performance and graphics

    Cons

    • Weak speakers
    • Short battery life
    • Expensive

    Conclusion

    These are the top recommended best laptops for Sims 4. All the laptops mentioned in this list work smoothly and efficiently by delivering the best performance for the price. You can choose any of the gaming laptops based on your budget and other requirements.

    I hope you like this buying guide of the best laptops for playing Sims 4. If you have any queries or suggestions about this guide, feel free to ask in the comment section below.

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  • An Interview with SoulCycle instructor Zoe Williams
– PHIATON

    An Interview with SoulCycle instructor Zoe Williams – PHIATON

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    Full-time Barry’s and SoulCycle instructor Zoe Williams teaches two to three classes a day, six days a week. She uses Oddict Twig Pro in her everyday life from curating playlists for her classes, to winding down after a day of instructing. 

     

    Here’s her story:

     

    I’m a native Coloradan, born and raised in Golden. After graduating from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in communications I moved to New York City, where I worked in ad sales and hospitality public relations for four years.

     

    I took my first SoulCycle class in New York in 2013 and I was obsessed! I grew up a competitive gymnast, dancer and musical theater kid, so I loved that SoulCycle was more like dance class than typical spin — in fact, it was more like a dance party, with the low lighting and an incredible vibe.

     

    Riding at SoulCycle every day, I couldn’t help but dream of being an instructor, taking everyone through intricate choreography and inspiring them to keep going through every climb and challenge. So in 2018 I took a leap of faith: I auditioned to become a SoulCycle instructor. And guess what? I got it! I trained and then taught in Los Angeles and San Francisco before becoming one of SoulCycle Denver’s opening instructors.

     

    Most SoulCycle instructors work full-time, which means we teach two to three classes a day, six days a week. On an average day, I wake up at 4:45 a.m. to teach a 5:45 class. After class I grab coffee at Aviano Coffee, where I sit outside and create my playlist for the rest of the day.  After my second class, I go home, catch a nap and cross a few items off my to-do list, including studying for my National Academy of Sports Medicine nutrition degree and personal training certification, working on my restaurant and lifestyle blog, I’m Zo Hungry, walking Walter, our goldendoodle, and running errands. Then I’m off to teach my 4:15 p.m. class.

     

    When curating my playlist, I only use my Oddict’s Twig Pro earbuds – they have allowed me to listen to the true sound of the songs and block out the rest of the world. I used to own Apple Airpod Pro’s and as soon as I heard the quality and sound of the Twig Pro earbuds, I never went back to Airpods. Also, a huge plus for me is The Find Me feature which helps me track them when I misplaced or lose them, and also has a high-pitched sonic ringing sound to audibly find them. The Oddict Twig Pro’s are with me at all times and keep me fired up to discover new music.  

     

    – How do you use music to fuel your workouts?

    Music can boost your mood and stamina during a workout, which could make your sweat session last longer. Faster-paced music can increase your performance, whether that’s your pace, the number of repetitions you complete or the distance you travel. Music can distract you from the physical activity, making you focus less on fatigue

     

    – What is your favorite thing about Oddict Twig Pro? 

    When you listen to as much music as I do every day you want the experience of using Bluetooth earbuds to be as easy and distraction free as possible….these could easily be my everyday carry earbuds. With that in mind, I’ll always make sure to keep the ODDICT TWIG PRO true wireless earbuds charged up and in my jacket or backpack, ready to go when I want to enjoy music or a movie

     

    – What are you favorite Barry’s playlists? 

    That’s a secret 😉 

     

    – Who is your go-to artist? 

    I love mixes and all genres

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