Misc - The Tech Lounge https://www.thetechlounge.com Thu, 26 Oct 2023 11:41:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 GaN Charger. Everything You Need to Know https://www.thetechlounge.com/gan-charger/ https://www.thetechlounge.com/gan-charger/#respond Tue, 04 Apr 2023 12:33:02 +0000 https://www.thetechlounge.com/?p=16730 Do you get annoyed with the phone going out of power all the time? Or perhaps you’re tired of slower charging speeds? If you responded “yes” to any of the above questions, you should think about purchasing a GaN charger. GaN tech chargers, such as the RAVPower GaN charger, are the most recent models of chargers on the market and have various advantages over regular chargers. For one thing, they fill up your gadgets quicker, allowing you to charge them in a fraction of the time. But what is it actually, and how it works? This article will show you everything you need to know about GaN chargers. Let’s get started. What is Gallium Nitride? Gallium nitride, or GaN, is...

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gan charger
Do you get annoyed with the phone going out of power all the time? Or perhaps you’re tired of slower charging speeds? If you responded “yes” to any of the above questions, you should think about purchasing a GaN charger.

GaN tech chargers, such as the RAVPower GaN charger, are the most recent models of chargers on the market and have various advantages over regular chargers. For one thing, they fill up your gadgets quicker, allowing you to charge them in a fraction of the time. But what is it actually, and how it works?

This article will show you everything you need to know about GaN chargers. Let’s get started.

What is Gallium Nitride?

Gallium nitride, or GaN, is a semiconductor that is required to develop electrical devices. It is a crystalline substance that is transparent. High efficiency and voltages are promised by GaN technology. It features a low on-state resistance and rapid switching. As a result, its quick charging capabilities are readily unlocked, and you get what you desire, meaning enhanced convenience.

Silicon is the most common material used in chip manufacturing. Nevertheless, Silicon only allows for limited heat and electrical transport. As a result, chip makers are finding it challenging to incorporate it into current products. In this instance, gallium nitride can replace Silicon, which leads us to the following point.

Advantages and Disadvantages of GaN Charger

GaN-based chargers provide several advantages, but there are some drawbacks as well. Let’s have a look.

More Compact Chargers

Gallium nitride chargers require fewer components than silicon chargers. They can also conduct larger voltages for longer periods. Because of these reasons, manufacturers have been able to create smaller, more compact chargers.

As a result, users may expect increased convenience and experiences. Chargers will continue to shrink in size as this technology becomes more prevalent.

Better Energy Transfer

GaN chargers are more efficient in transferring current. As a result, less energy is wasted to heat, with more focus on the object being charged. The battery also does not overheat. Power is best utilized when components effectively transfer energy to devices.

Also, high-efficiency chargers lose less energy. As a result, consumers save money on their utility expenses.

Fast Charger

If you’re constantly on the go, you’ll need a charger that can keep up with your hectic schedule. GaN chargers can charge gadgets up to three times quicker than standard chargers.

In less than an hour, you can recharge your dead phone (if your phone supports high-speed charging). There will be no more waiting for your smartphone to charge!

Cost is a Short-term Problem

GaN semiconductors are currently more expensive than Silicon semiconductors, especially if you have a short-term view. But they are quite efficient. As a result, there is reduced reliance on supplementary materials such as filters and circuit components.

This will result in cost savings in the long run. Long-term savings can be increased when large-scale production begins.

Should You Upgrade to GaN Charger Today

GaN USB chargers offer a lot of advantages. But should you get rid of your old chargers and replace them? If you are satisfied with your current chargers, keep them until you feel the need to change, and then select a new GaN USB charger that meets your demands. It’s a waste to turn your chargers into e-waste if they’re in perfect working order.

Yet, suppose you need a smaller, cooler USB charger today. In that case, the GaN charger is the best option for you because you get all the benefits of contemporary technology for minimal money.

Chargers Of the Futures

The advantages of Gallium Nitride far override those of Silicon. The only thing that’s preventing it right now is the expense of production.

Yet, several of the larger companies in the electronics industry have already begun to transition to GaN chargers. Apple, for example, uses GaN for the charger that comes with the MacBook Pro 16. While Apple has only released one charger, it is a start and a step in the right direction. There aren’t many USB-C chargers on the market right now, but that is rapidly changing.

Best Gallium Nitride Chargers

Anker was among the first firms to use Gallium Nitride in their chargers. And it now includes a plethora of GaN chargers. They are not, however, alone. These are some excellent GaN chargers available right now. Many of them have both USB-C (Type-C) connectors and USB-A ones in a single charger, allowing you to ditch multiple chargers for multiple devices.

Why Is Gallium Nitride Superior to Silicon?

The advantages of GaN over Silicon come down to power efficiency. According to a GaN specialist, a gallium nitride producer, all semiconductor materials contain what is known as a bandgap. In a solid, this is an energy range where no electrons can exist. Simply described, a bandgap is the ability of a solid substance to conduct electricity. Gallium nitride has a bandgap of 3.4 eV, while Silicon has a bandgap of 1.12 eV.

Since gallium nitride has a larger bandgap, it can withstand greater voltages and temperatures than Silicon. Another GaN company, Efficient Power Conversion Corporation, claims that GaN can carry electrons 1,000 times more effectively than Silicon while also having lower production costs.

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Apple T2 Chip. Everything You Need to Know https://www.thetechlounge.com/apple-t2-chip/ https://www.thetechlounge.com/apple-t2-chip/#respond Mon, 19 Dec 2022 18:17:33 +0000 https://www.thetechlounge.com/?p=16495 Apple’s T2 Chip is a newly built chip that unifies many controllers on Macs into a single chip. These Macs contain the iMac Pro and 2018 (and later, in some cases) variants of the Mac mini, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro. The Apple T2 security chip is a system on a chip (SoC) that is responsible for delivering security and controller functions to Apple’s Intel-based Mac systems. The T2 chip contains its RAM and is its computer, operating in parallel to and answering queries from the main system with which the user interacts. The T2 chip, in conjunction with a new tool known as the Startup Security Utility on Mac, offers capabilities that make these Macs extra protected or secured....

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apple t2 chip
Apple’s T2 Chip is a newly built chip that unifies many controllers on Macs into a single chip. These Macs contain the iMac Pro and 2018 (and later, in some cases) variants of the Mac mini, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro.

The Apple T2 security chip is a system on a chip (SoC) that is responsible for delivering security and controller functions to Apple’s Intel-based Mac systems.

The T2 chip contains its RAM and is its computer, operating in parallel to and answering queries from the main system with which the user interacts. The T2 chip, in conjunction with a new tool known as the Startup Security Utility on Mac, offers capabilities that make these Macs extra protected or secured.

In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about the apple T2 chip. Let’s get started.

What Is the Apple T2 Chip

Apple’s 2nd generation bespoke security silicon chip, the T2, is utilized in Mac products. All it does is make your Mac’s data much safer.

The Apple T2 chip, as a coprocessor, provides the basis for storage encryption, secure boot, and Touch ID. T2’s primary application processor is an Apple A10 version, which is a 64-bit ARMv8.1-A CPU. It, like the A10, is made by TSMC on its 16 nm technology.

Furthermore, it assumes and combines part of the CPU’s duties to improve Mac performance, such as:

  • Audio Controller
  • System Management Controller
  • Audio Controller
  • SSD Controller and picture signal processor

Secure Boot Environment

The Apple T2 chip’s principal function is to guarantee that the whole boot mechanism is cryptographically confirmed as authorized and accepted by Apple.

When booted, it will first verify the legality of an operating system (OS). Furthermore, it will make sure that all items engaged in Mac’s starting process, such as the macOS kernel, kernel extensions, and firmware, are verified by Apple.

The T2 chip will also block all 3rd-party software recognized throughout the boot process, preventing an attacker from injecting malicious script at boot to control your Mac. You can boot into macOS after the whole booting procedure has passed Apple’s security check.

Touch ID

The Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the Mac Touch Bar could be used to log in to your Mac system. There is no need to input a password since the T2 chip will recognize your fingerprint.

Whenever you reboot or switch on the device, you must input the password. If you’ve not opened your Mac for more than 48 hours, the T2 chip will not accept the fingerprint, and a password will be required.

If you haven’t used the passcode in 156 hours, or even if you fail to enter the correct biometric five times or haven’t used the fingerprint to log on in the last four hours, the T2 chip didn’t take the fingerprint, and you’ll have to input the password.

Encrypted SSD Storage

The T2 chip has both a crypto engine and an SSD controller, allowing for fast encryption and decryption of data on the SSD. It is difficult to decode data encrypted with the T2 chip without the right password.

If your MacBook is lost or damaged, you can rest certain that your data is safe and secure since no one can access the data unless you enter the correct password.

The primary downside is that you cannot restore lost data and files if you forget the password. The T2 chip can also handle a failed password for numerous tries. After one hour between each try, the last three tries can be performed.

After a certain number of tries, you will be unable to make any more passcode attempts, and any further request to decrypt data will be ignored by the chip. As a result, your data may be lost permanently; thus, you should always backup your data.

Image Signal Processor and Audio Controller

The T2 chip is mostly concerned with security, although it also provides additional functions and features over Macs without this. This is due to the T2’s inclusion of an image signal processor as well as an audio control system.

In the case of video, this includes better tone mapping, face-tracking auto-exposure, exposure control, and automated white balance. To put it another way, your FaceTime videos will appear a lot better.

The audio controller also improves microphone performance for voice recording and video chats, as well as the sound output for Macs with built-in speakers. All versions equipped with T2 chips have this function, which deactivates the mic whenever the lid is shut.

T2 Security Chip Mac Models

Here is how you can verify if your Mac has a T2 security chip:

macbook pro t2 chip2

  • First, from the menu bar, choose About This Mac.
  • Select System Report, then Controller. It’ll be displayed if your Mac has an AppleT2 chip.

Additional Capabilities

The T2 chip runs the System Management Controller, which controls thermal and power control, recharging, video mode switching, sleep, and so on, as well as the external LED indications on a Mac.

The chip enables always-on Hey Siri capability on select T2-equipped handsets. This allows you to simply summon the assistant without having to push any buttons.

Apple has shown how the T2 may have a big beneficial impact on performance. Users who utilize video apps might see their productivity speed up by 30 times with new HEVC video transcoding.

Security Vulnerabilities

In October 2019, experts speculated that the T2 was impacted by the checkm8 flaw because it was based on the A10 design used in the first iMac Pro in 2016. Rick Mark then modified libimobiledevice to operate with the Apple T2, resulting in an open-source method for recovering the T2 outside of the Apple Configurator and allowing additional development on the T2.

On March 6, 2020, a team of engineers known as the T2 Development Team exploited the T2’s existing checkm8 issue and released the hash of a secure ROM dump as proof of access. The checkra1n team incorporated the changes needed to facilitate jailbreaking the T2 fast.

In October 2020, a physical defect in the chip’s security features was discovered that could be exploited in an unpatched manner, employing a method comparable to jailbreaking the iPhone with an A10 chip because the T2 chip is modeled on the A10 chip.

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USB Type A. Everything You Need to Know https://www.thetechlounge.com/usb-type-a/ https://www.thetechlounge.com/usb-type-a/#respond Tue, 16 Aug 2022 12:45:34 +0000 https://www.thetechlounge.com/?p=16422 USB, which stands for Universal Serial Bus, is a device connector that allows you to easily charge a gadget or transmit or transfer data among multiple systems. Ever since its inception in the 1990s, USB has evolved in lockstep with innovation, growing quicker, cheaper, and more efficient. However, numerous USB products are available on the market, and you can be easily perplexed by the many types of ports with different color. These variants of USB drives have emerged almost every year, all having their structure or use specific case. The most prevalent versions are USB-A, USB-C, and USB-C Micro-USB. In this post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about USB Type A. What is USB Type A? USB-A is...

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usb type a
USB, which stands for Universal Serial Bus, is a device connector that allows you to easily charge a gadget or transmit or transfer data among multiple systems. Ever since its inception in the 1990s, USB has evolved in lockstep with innovation, growing quicker, cheaper, and more efficient.

However, numerous USB products are available on the market, and you can be easily perplexed by the many types of ports with different color. These variants of USB drives have emerged almost every year, all having their structure or use specific case. The most prevalent versions are USB-A, USB-C, and USB-C Micro-USB.

In this post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about USB Type A.

What is USB Type A?

USB-A is the classic plain and rectangular connection that no one has ever gotten to work right on the first attempt. These wires are always USB-A on one side and a specific port style on the other, and they may be used to charge devices and send and store data.

USB-A has still been commonly used and may be seen on PCs, game consoles, televisions, and many accessories. USB Type-A connections, also known as Standard-A connectors, have a flat and rectangular design.

What is the Use Case of Type-A Connectors?

Most current PCs, laptops, gaming consoles (such as the PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Nintendo), Smart Televisions, Media Streaming Players, as well as other gadgets include USB Type-A connectors. Such USB Type-A ports are indeed referred to as receptacles.

You can use a USB thumb drive, mouse, keyboard, disk drives, video cameras, camcorders, gaming systems, portable devices, and a variety of other external gadgets and accessories that frequently feature USB Type-A connections (also known as plugs) to insert into Type-A ports.

USB Type-A Backward Compatibility

This long-standing physical link helps USB maintain backward compatibility. If you have a current computer that allows USB 3 and a recent USB device that accepts USB 3, you also can attach it to an older system that only supports USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 using the same USB connection.

In simple words, any USB Type-A plug may be plugged into any USB Type-A port, and it will work. If the gadgets are of different generations — for instance, if you insert a 20-year-old Flash drive into a new PC—they may operate slower, but they will function.

USB Type-A ports are compatible with all USB versions, including USB 1.1 and 1.0, 2.0, as well as USB 3.0.

In the next section, we will take a look at USB 2.0 and 3.0.

What is USB 2.0 Type A?

These are the precisely rectangular USB connections seen on most non-mobile electronics and are known as USB 2.0 Standard-A.

USB 2.0 Type A interfaces are technically equivalent to USB 3.0 and USB 1.1 connectors.

What is USB 3.0 Type A?

USB 3.0 Type-A connections feature 9 pins, which is significantly more than the four pins of USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 Type-A connectors.

These extra pins are employed to allow the greater data transmission rate seen in USB 3.0, but they’re put in the connections in a strategy that allows them to physically operate with prior USB standards’ Type-A connectors.

Micro USB Type A

These connections, particularly the plugs, resemble small USB 2.0 Type-A connectors. USB 2.0 Micro-A plugs are interchangeable with USB 2.0 Micro-AB and USB 3.0 Micro-AB receptacles. However, USB 3.0 Micro-A plugs can only be used in USB 3.0 Micro-AB receptacles, but earlier USB 2.0 Micro-A plugs can be used in USB 3.0 Micro-AB receptacles.

Newer USB 3.0 Micro-A connectors, on the other hand, will not operate in USB 2.0 Micro-AB sockets. USB 3.0 Micro-A connections are rectangular, “two-part” plugs that are often seen on smartphones and other portable devices.

Now, let’s look at some main features that differentiate these USB types.

Speed

If you look at the speed of the USB Type A, there is USB 3.0, which is faster than others. This USB’s blue interior The Type-A connection denotes that it supports USB 3.0 speeds (probably.) USB Type-A connections and ports that enable higher USB 3.0 speeds have blue on the inside more frequently than not.

Type-A ports that only support slower USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 speeds have black on the inside most of the time (but not always).

Power Delivery

Certain USB cables can just give power or share files, although the majority are capable of both. Power delivery (PD) standards are classified into three types: slow charge, voltage only, and quick charge.

It is feasible to utilize a USB-A connection to give more than the conventional 5V from the perspective of the physical connector rating. When connected to the phone via a USB-A to USB-C connection, it can deliver 5V at 3A, 9V at 1.7A, or 12V at 1.25A.

USB 2.0 allows 2.5W, and USB 3.0 allows for 4.5W charging. To keep things in context, 10W is plenty of energy to charge your phone slowly, while 18W is enough to recharge your smartphones quickly or power a laptop or equivalent bare-bones laptop.

Price

Price is still a major consideration here. Many USB 2.0 flash drives are quite inexpensive; for example, an 8 GB USB 2.0 flash drive costs less than $10 on Amazon. 4 GB flash drives are frequently on sale for $5.

USB 3.0 drives, on the other hand, are more costly. The costliest USB 3.0 drives will also be the quickest. You may need to spend $40 or more to notice a big speed boost.

Do you only need a tiny, inexpensive drive to move papers around on occasion? USB 2.0 is sufficient for this purpose. However, if you need a drive for frequent usage and speed is crucial, such as when transferring huge files, you’ll probably want a USB 3.0 drive.

Note: USB 3.0 enables substantially quicker transfer speeds. However, not all drives will support it. Other aspects, such as the speed of the drive’s flash memory, are crucial.

Conclusion

Now that you know everything there is to know about USB Type A, you know that it is still the most often used connection, and it is very easy to use, but there is another version of USB called USB Type C, which is already ubiquitous on new gadgets.

Some current products even feature both USB Type-A and USB Type-C connections, making them universally interoperable. You may always use a “dongle” that serves as an adaptor. A USB-A device, for example, might be linked to a Type-A-to-Type-C adapter, allowing it to be plugged into a USB-C port.

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Can You Get a Virus on Your Smart TV? How to Protect Your TV https://www.thetechlounge.com/protect-smart-tv-from-virus/ https://www.thetechlounge.com/protect-smart-tv-from-virus/#respond Sat, 30 Apr 2022 15:31:37 +0000 https://www.thetechlounge.com/?p=16282 TVs used to be little more than monitors with installed speakers. They took a signal from some other gadget, such as a DVD player or even a VCR, and then output a picture on the screen as well as sounds through the speakers. TVs are no longer as basic as they once were. TVs now have the potential to open applications, search the web, function as digital assistants, and much more thanks to the advancement of smart technology. Smart televisions can interpret data in the same way that PCs and smartphones do, but with that power comes all of the same problems that smartphones and PCs do, such as viruses. In this article, we will answer the following question: Can...

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can you get a virus on your smart tv
TVs used to be little more than monitors with installed speakers. They took a signal from some other gadget, such as a DVD player or even a VCR, and then output a picture on the screen as well as sounds through the speakers.

TVs are no longer as basic as they once were. TVs now have the potential to open applications, search the web, function as digital assistants, and much more thanks to the advancement of smart technology.

Smart televisions can interpret data in the same way that PCs and smartphones do, but with that power comes all of the same problems that smartphones and PCs do, such as viruses.

In this article, we will answer the following question: Can you get a virus on your smart TV? And if you do, then how to protect your TV.

Can a Smart TV Get a Virus?

Yes, a smart TV can become infected with a virus or malware. Most of us are unaware that our smart home gadgets are just as susceptible to spyware and viruses as our smartphones and laptops.

In reality, two separate television models were claimed to be affected by smart TV spyware and viruses in 2019.

In a tweet that’s since been removed, Samsung encouraged Smart TV owners to check their devices for security flaws and malware. This was not taken lightly, as many flew into a frenzy on Twitter, asking whether the TVs had been hacked or if anything awful had occurred.

samsung about viruses on tv

A further case in point was the Amazon Fire TV bug, which exposed viewers to a cryptocurrency-mining Android infection.

Sideloading an external program, putting a contaminated USB stick into the TV, or an application file being changed with ransomware via a man-in-the-middle type of assault are all methods your TV may receive a virus, resulting in your TV locking up.

Furthermore, built-in capabilities on your smart TV, such as the microphone, might be hacked and utilized to spy on your chats.

Fishing for Trojans

According to Tom’s Guide, in 2015, a user stated that he unwittingly turned his Samsung TV into a breeding ground for trojans. According to the tale, the user inserted a USB stick into the TV without realizing it was infected with win32.waldek.ACL. This is a trojan known for its ability to modify the victim machine’s DNS and limit access to certain websites.

Nothing appeared to have occurred to the TV, but when the user examined the thumb drive on a computer, he discovered that it was infected with that same malware. His anti virus had no trouble breaking the win32 variation.

However, every time he plugged the USB into his TV and afterward returned to the PC, his antivirus software detected an infection.

Netflix is Obnoxious

Darren Cauthon, a software developer, stated that his Google Android-powered smart TV caught up with a bug in 2015 while attempting to download a movie-streaming application.

Cauthon remembered watching a movie when the screen suddenly froze. Naturally, he attempted to restart the television. The software developer was notified that the device had been frozen owing to certain “suspect files.”

How to Prevent your Smart TV from Viruses?

While your smart TV might appear to be resistant to infection, this does not imply it is not vulnerable. Indeed, several smart TV models are vulnerable to remote hacking, which enables attackers to manipulate the TV and potentially upload malware or viruses depending on security weaknesses.

If you’re concerned about just a potential infection by malware, viruses, or hackers, you may still secure your smart TV by adopting the following precautions:

Scan your Smart TV

Most modern smart TVs have in-built antivirus software. Sure, it’s signature-based and wouldn’t make much of a difference in the case of Advanced Persistent Threats, but still better than nothing.

If your device’s manufacturer has a native virus scan option, you can run it from the TV’s settings menu and scan your TV regularly.

Firmware Update

Update the firmware, applications, and any linked devices on your TV. Attackers and malware authors hunt older firmware and programs with vulnerabilities, but upgrades provide security fixes that really can avoid such attacks.

Keep your network Secure

As your smart TVs access the internet, make your house connection safe. A firewall and antivirus on your network are fantastic ways to keep your smart TV safe from hacker attacks or malware outbreaks. You may also use a complex router password, maintain the router firmware up to date, disable remote administration, connect the TV to a guest network, or create a new network for it.

Don’t use a Web browser on your Smart TV

Don’t use the smart TV’s built-in browser to access the web. Most do not provide the required security features to keep you safe. If you still want to surf, avoid dodgy websites that are often infected with malware, and also don’t get software from websites that the TV maker has not allowed.

Do not Connect an Infected USB drive

Do not connect infected USB drives to your smart TV. Scan them first using your PC to make sure they are not infected before plugging them into your TV.

Conclusion

As usual, keep your apps and Smart TV up to date, run frequent scans, avoid shady USB sticks, and stick to software you know.

Even though it is uncommon for a smart TV to be attacked with malware, it is not fully risk-free. If you are concerned that it may be infected or has already been infected, you can do a factory reset to restore it all to default settings as a last resort.

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What iPad is Right For You? https://www.thetechlounge.com/what-ipad-is-right-for-you/ https://www.thetechlounge.com/what-ipad-is-right-for-you/#respond Sat, 30 Apr 2022 15:23:58 +0000 https://www.thetechlounge.com/?p=16273 The Apple iPad is without question the most famous iPad yet built, and it’s perhaps the ultimate choice for many users. But, with Apple growing its iPad line-up practically every year, it might not be easy to choose which iPad is best for you. In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the top iPads. Rather than settling on a particular iPad and declaring it the finest, we’ve selected the best iPads in a variety of areas. So, whether you’re searching for an iPad with the most excellent user experience out there, a budget iPad, or the best iPad with a tiny screen, don’t worry; we have got you covered. What iPad Do You Need? Choosing the best...

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what ipad to choose
The Apple iPad is without question the most famous iPad yet built, and it’s perhaps the ultimate choice for many users. But, with Apple growing its iPad line-up practically every year, it might not be easy to choose which iPad is best for you.

In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the top iPads. Rather than settling on a particular iPad and declaring it the finest, we’ve selected the best iPads in a variety of areas.

So, whether you’re searching for an iPad with the most excellent user experience out there, a budget iPad, or the best iPad with a tiny screen, don’t worry; we have got you covered.

What iPad Do You Need?

Choosing the best iPad might be difficult, particularly if you don’t invest your days in studying tech news.

Apple presently sells in four main categories:

  • the iPad Pro
  • the iPad Air
  • the iPad Mini
  • the standard iPad

When you include in possible improvements like a bigger screen on certain versions and cellular network compatibility, there are over a dozen distinct iPads to pick from, and even more when you consider older versions that are still on the market.

Anyway, let’s discuss the four main types with a focus on specs, features, and price.

iPad Pro

With the release of the fifth-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro in 2021, Apple’s most costly tablet received a major upgrade. Let’s see its primary specs and features.

ipad pro

Specifications and Features

  • M1 processor
  • Pro camera system: Wide and Ultra Wide cameras. Wide: 12MP, ƒ/1.8 aperture. Ultra Wide: 10MP, ƒ/2.4 aperture, and 125° field of view
  • 12.9-inch display with a resolution of 2732 x 2048 pixels
  • Storage options are 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB.
  • USB-C port
  • 1.5 pounds in weight
  • 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 with optional 5G

A large number of users have it as their leading choice. The iPad Pro 12.9-inch is the iPad to have if you like huge screens, and it’s the one we suggest if you need one for whatever reason.

The 12.9-inch screen has a resolution of 2732 x 2048, but the true advancement in the display is now in the underlying technology.

The huge iPad 2021 features mini-LED technology in its display, which means it can emit richer tones and darker blacks by providing more backlights.

It is powered by Apple’s M1 chip, a laptop-grade CPU first seen in last year’s MacBook Pro.

iPad Pro 12.9-inch is expected to be capable of doing whatever a current laptop can, like gaming, video editing, streaming, and so on.
However, the larger size means this won’t become as portable as the 11-inch model.

Price

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is available in silver or space grey, with memory options of 128Gigabytes, 256Gigabytes, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB.

These versions are priced at $1,099, $1,199, $1,399, $1,799, and $2,199, in that order.

11-inch vs. 12.9-inch iPad Pro

The iPad Pro is also available with an 11-inch display, and it is at least $300 cheaper than 12.9-inch iPad.

When it comes to the display, there are two differences: size and brightness. While the 11-inch iPad Pro features Apple’s Liquid Retina LCD, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro features Apple’s “Liquid Retina XDR” display. It employs an array of thousands of micro-LED backlights grouped in 2596 lighting zones to give it outstanding brightness and contrast.

iPad Air

The 5th-generation iPad Air was revealed on March 8, 2022, with a March 18 release date.

ipad air

Specifications and Features

  • M1 processor
  • Pro camera system: Wide and Ultra Wide cameras. Wide: 12MP, ƒ/1.8 aperture. Ultra Wide: 10MP, ƒ/2.4 aperture, and 125° field of view
  • 10.9-inch (2360 x 1640 pixels) Liquid Retina
  • 64GB/256GB
  • USB-C port
  • 1 pound in weight
  • Wi-Fi 6, optional 5G

The iPad Air does not support a 120Hz refresh rate, which is a minor but visible distinction between both the iPad Pro as well as the iPad Air.

Despite this, at 10.9 inches and a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels, it has the same number of pixels per inch — 264 — as the Pro. You’ll like watching movies and TV shows and browsing the site’s data.

Nonetheless, with a terrific CPU, slimline attractive aesthetics, and excellent usability, the iPad Air achieves the sweet spot between top performance and cost.

Price

The iPad Air isn’t as cheap as the entry-level iPad, which receives our vote in the “Greatest Budget” category, but if your budget can stretch beyond $600, it’s the best iPad you can purchase right now.

iPad Mini

The 6th-generation iPad Mini, which was announced and released in September 2021, is the most recent model.

ipad mini

Specifications and Features

  • A15 Bionic processor
  • Camera 12MP resolution (front and rear)
  • 8.3-inch display (2266 x 1488 pixels) Retina Liquid
  • Storage capacities: 64GB and 256GB
  • USB-C port
  • 0.7 pounds in weight
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6, with the option of 5G. (Sub-6)

The iPads described above are really likable, and many users buy them, but none of them is as transportable or light as the newest iPad mini (which, to be truthful, should be named the iPad Air mini). It boasts the small bezels & thin sides of an iPad Air, as well as compatibility with the second-generation Apple Pencil and USB-C.

Furthermore, its A15 Bionic CPU is lightning quick, and its battery capacity is astonishingly long for a tablet this compact. It is also used with just one hand. Some other iPads are more difficult to use with one hand.

Best Portability

The iPad Mini 2021 is Apple’s most recent tablet. If you’re looking for the ideal traveling companion, this is our top selection.

Gaming iPad

If you want something a bit smaller, the iPad Mini is one of the ultimate gaming tablets available. It’s small but strong, and it can run the most recent releases as well as movies or TV shows.

Price

The iPad mini 6 is priced at $499 for the Wi-Fi alone device and $649 again for Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The Wi-Fi-only & Cellular iPad mini 6 models both include 64GB or 256GB of non-expandable memory.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Cellular iPad mini 2021 versions include 5G connectivity.

Standard iPad

The standard Apple iPad is in its 9th generation, with the most recent model being released in September 2021.

Specifications and Features

  • A13 Bionic processor
  • 8MP (rear), 12MP (front) camera resolution (front)
  • 10.2-inch display with a resolution of 2160 x 1620 pixels
  • Storage capacities: 64GB and 256GB
  • USB-C port
  • 1.07 pounds in weight
  • 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi with optional LTE

We enjoy the new 9th Generation iPad since it accomplishes everything you would expect from a standard iPad. Excellent screen, excellent audio and battery power, and sometimes even quicker speed than ever before. Yes, even if it looks identical to previous generations, the iPad 2021 still seems to be worth considering.

If you make a lot of video calls, you’ll notice how much clear this iPad looks compared to previous generations, thanks to Apple’s increase of the 1.2MP front-facing camera to a 12MP sensor.

The A13 Bionic chip is a nice performance boost, as iPad OS 15 becomes smarter and services like Live Text (which allows you to copy/paste texts from photos) benefit from a quicker CPU.

Price

It’s Apple’s cheapest tablet, starting at $329, yet it comfortably outperforms Android versions that cost significantly quite so much.

Conclusion

Now you understand what iPad is right for you. If you want an iPad which is easily portable, then you should buy an iPad Mini (which is also best for gaming).

However, if you want an iPad which is better in the display department, then the best choice for you is the iPad Pro-12.9-inch which has the best-LED technology on show.

Lastly, if you are on a budget, buy the standard Apple iPad. It does most of what the other iPads do at a fraction of the cost.

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How To Properly Dry Your Electronics (Without Rice) https://www.thetechlounge.com/how-to-dry-electronics/ https://www.thetechlounge.com/how-to-dry-electronics/#respond Mon, 17 Jan 2022 16:34:14 +0000 https://www.thetechlounge.com/?p=15982 Even though we all know it is not great to drop electronic gadgets in liquid, we are human beings, and we make mistakes. So, the wetting of electronic devices sometimes happens. Dropping a smartphone or tablet into the water, or dumping a bottle of water or cup of coffee on a laptop, can make it worthless (if it is not waterproof). It also makes you feel uneasy about the files stored on such systems. However, few individuals are prepared for what will undoubtedly occur. Water damage is amongst the most prevalent risks to portable electronics. Still, you can often recover devices if you dry them off correctly. This article discusses several strategies for preserving water-damaged electronic gadgets. What to Do...

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how to dry electronics
Even though we all know it is not great to drop electronic gadgets in liquid, we are human beings, and we make mistakes. So, the wetting of electronic devices sometimes happens.

Dropping a smartphone or tablet into the water, or dumping a bottle of water or cup of coffee on a laptop, can make it worthless (if it is not waterproof). It also makes you feel uneasy about the files stored on such systems. However, few individuals are prepared for what will undoubtedly occur.

Water damage is amongst the most prevalent risks to portable electronics. Still, you can often recover devices if you dry them off correctly. This article discusses several strategies for preserving water-damaged electronic gadgets.

What to Do When Your Electronic Device Gets Wet

Moisture is one of the most dangerous enemies of electronic gadgets. Unfortunately, considering the increasing mobility and popularity of cellphones, cameras, and tablet PCs, it is all but guaranteed that each of your essential electronic gadgets will have a fateful meeting with H2O at some point in the future.

If your gadget falls into water, there’s a good chance (roughly 70%) that you’ll be capable of drying it out and getting it back to function in a matter of hours. It won’t be quick in most circumstances, so you’ll have to be prepared to make a mess. However, you may avoid a trip to the electronics store by replacing it yourself.

Here’s how to get damp cellphones, cameras, and other electrical gadgets to dry:

Basic Rescue Steps

Although the drying methods for cellphones, laptops, cameras, and tablet PCs differ in certain aspects, the general approach for any of them after substantial touch with water or other fluid is the same.

Here’s what to do:

  • As soon as possible, get it out of the water. Water begins leaking into the hardware of an unsecured device in less than thirty seconds.
  • Remove the battery from the device. It is more prone to be destroyed by water than the actual gadget because it is the source of power.
  • If at all feasible, unplug the memory & SIM cards. Since your data is often saved on them rather than on your computer or phone, you’ll want to safeguard them.
  • Remove any chargers, headsets, and other devices which may be connected to the device.
  • Keep an eye out for symptoms of water damage. In the case of phones, a liquid damage indicator has been installed on the interior near the battery. You may have water damage if it’s a solid color (typically red or pink).

Drying the Device

The procedure varies slightly depending on the device. Still, the majority of the steps are the same whether you’re using an MP3 player or a tablet:

  • Remove the water. Shake it out gently, avoid throwing it, and use a cloth and paper towels to absorb as much of the leftover water as you can.
  • Try using a can of pressurized gas. Spray the can straight ahead to expel just air, not the freezing liquid. Aim it towards the keys, crevices, speaker, microphone, or any holes to drive extra liquid out.
  • Dry the item in a warm location, turning it on every several hours. A bright windowsill will suffice. Do not use an oven, hairdryer, or heat gun to heat the device because these electronic heating elements can damage it.
  • You can encourage or quicken up the water evaporation process by directing a fan at the damaged gadget.

Use Q-tips with Alcohol

If water gets stuck in tiny components of the device, soak a Q-tip in alcohol and apply this to the affected areas.

Alcohol will increase evaporation, which occurs when the gadget is left out in the open air. It will operate well for the internal components of several electronic devices which have circuit boards.

Use Desiccants

Regrettably, many individuals employ techniques for curing wet devices that are either inefficient or may cause the gadget to be damaged. For example, because dried grains like rice may absorb liquids, many individuals use them to dry out a gadget as a desiccant.

On the other hand, rice is generally efficient at collecting moisture from the atmosphere but might not be of much use.

Furthermore, because heat causes water to evaporate, individuals have occasionally cooked their gadgets in ovens or even with hairdryers, resulting in burned parts and fried circuits.

Check Your Device

Re-insert the device’s original, now-dry battery after 24 hours and check whether it turns on. You’re back in business if it succeeds!

Change the battery, insert the charger into the gadget, and switch it on if it doesn’t work. If it works now, you’ll need to replace the battery.

Waterproof Your Gadget

There are several methods for waterproofing your technology.

  • Purchase a waterproof case or bag. Cases are classified into three types: standard, tough, and heavy-duty. Keep an eye on the submersion factor, which indicates how many feet underwater the case can be submerged for at least 10 minutes.
  • Zippered plastic storage bags are ideal. This genuinely low-tech alternative protects your gadget from water as well as other environmental risks like sand, grime, or dust.
  • Choose custom-fit bags. Try a device that is meant to tightly fit your phone and enable you to keep it in your bag while chatting for a little enhanced experience. The same holds for the use of headphones and other external devices.

Conclusion

When combining summertime fun with electronics, water damage is a risk. Even though there are some really good headphones for swimming available, be aware of your surroundings. Most gadgets are not waterproof. So, avoid carrying your devices near the pool or even other bodies of water.

If you find yourself in this accident, responding quickly and trying to follow the steps outlined above will give you the best chance of saving your device.

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How to Improve Cables Longevity https://www.thetechlounge.com/how-to-improve-cables-longevity/ https://www.thetechlounge.com/how-to-improve-cables-longevity/#respond Wed, 05 Jan 2022 14:55:59 +0000 https://www.thetechlounge.com/?p=15653 Electrical cables and wires serve as the foundation of every industrial setting or factory. Suppose cables fail or are disrupted, even for a few moments. In that case, the entire system comes to a standstill, resulting in significant downtime and loss. Furthermore, sensitive wires and shielding are within your USB, FireWire, or Cat cable intended for high transmission speed and noise reduction. Although reasonably robust, communication faults may occur if the cables are folded, bent, or squeezed. To resolve these issues, cables and wires must be adequately maintained. Some of the fundamental dos and don’ts of suitable cable and wire installation, maintenance, and preventative actions must be understood. In this article, there are some general suggestions and preventative steps that...

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how to improve cables longevity
Electrical cables and wires serve as the foundation of every industrial setting or factory. Suppose cables fail or are disrupted, even for a few moments. In that case, the entire system comes to a standstill, resulting in significant downtime and loss.

Furthermore, sensitive wires and shielding are within your USB, FireWire, or Cat cable intended for high transmission speed and noise reduction. Although reasonably robust, communication faults may occur if the cables are folded, bent, or squeezed.

To resolve these issues, cables and wires must be adequately maintained. Some of the fundamental dos and don’ts of suitable cable and wire installation, maintenance, and preventative actions must be understood.

In this article, there are some general suggestions and preventative steps that can help you extend the life of your cables. But first, let’s discuss the types of cables in our everyday use.

Types of Cables

There are many types of cables, i.e., charging cables, earphones, fiber optics, electric wires, etc. Some of them are the following.

  • Ribbon Electric Cables: Ribbon cables are made up of several conducting wires that are strung up side by side to form flat, broad cabling. It gets its name from the fact that its structure resembles a ribbon. It’s sometimes referred to as flat cable or multi-planar cable. This cable is typically found in electronics that require several data buses to connect internal devices such as disk drives to their drive controllers.
  • Twisted Pair Cables: A twisted pair cable is a type of cable formed by twisting two independent shielded cables and running them parallel to one another. This cable is frequently utilized in several types of data and communication infrastructures.
  • Coaxial Cables: Coaxial cable is a type of copper wire specially designed with a metal shield and other elements to prevent signal interference. Cable TV companies primarily use it to communicate their satellite antenna facilities to client businesses and homes. Telephone companies may also utilize it to link central offices to telephone poles near users.
  • Shielded Cables: A shielded cable is an electrical wire with one or more conductive shields encasing the conductor and its surrounding insulating layer. Typically, these are made of metallic foil or braided cables. A protective jacket typically forms an outermost part. This reduces the electromagnetic interference (EMI) that the cable emits and receives.
  • Fibre Optics Cable: A fiber optic cable is a type of network cable that consists of strands of glass fibers enclosed in an insulated casing. They are intended for long-distance, high internet connections, and communications. Fiber-optic lines have a higher bandwidth than conventional cables and can carry data across long distances.

To improve the longevity of all these cables, certain measures must be taken. Read on to find out!

Tips To Improve Cable Longevity

It happens – cables fail. But this does not have to happen regularly. The life of cables is usually about 40 years.

Here are some tips for ensuring that your cables endure as long as possible.

1. Wrap Carefully

Every cable is constructed from twisted wires. Sometimes there are more wires, but even the most basic cable has a copper wire within the plastic coating. Taking care of the cable entails caring for the copper contained within the wire.

While the copper wire is flexible, it is not indestructible. Most cables’ tiny copper strands will break over time, producing signal deterioration and, finally, failure. Mishandling cables increase the wear process; thus, the less cautious you are with them, the shorter their lifetimes will be.

Wrap a cable around your arm, hand, or wrist only if necessary. That is the most straightforward technique to snap a cable. Wrap the cable loosely in a circle, following the outlines of the natural curvature of the wire.

2. Store Carefully

After you’ve wrapped your wires correctly, attach them with a Velcro tie or a twist-knot leftover from electronics packing. Cables of comparable sizes, once securely wrapped, can be stored next to one another like records or pizzas, depending on the form of your container.

Smaller cables can be organized in a variety of ways, including paper tubes, grid boxes, plastic containers, hooks, and other storage options.

3. Avoid Sharp Bends and Stretches

Sharp bends should be avoided to protect your cables. For example, if the socket is too far away and you are charging your gadget but still want to use it, you may, but the cable could be bent or stretched to the maximum.

It is advised to refrain from doing so. It will deteriorate the insides of your cable, and doing so regularly will result in the connection sliding off – the cable will break open and reveal the wires internally, rendering your cord worthless.

4. Installation Temperature

To improve cables longevity, you need to install cables while the cable and ambient temperatures are between 0oC and +40oC.

Suppose the cables were stored at temperatures below 0⁰C or above +40⁰C. In that case, they should be allowed to achieve the installation temperature as specified above. Otherwise, extremely high or low temperatures can damage the cable and decrease its life.

5. Cable Management in Use

Cables typically fail around their connecting points, i.e., mobile charger, USB-C cable, external hard disk cable, etc. This is because these junctions are subjected to the highest stress.

The connectors are the most often modified parts of the cable. Making a practice of yanking or bending a plugged-in wire will ultimately destroy the connection, so avoid doing so. And it would help if you also prevent your PC cables from damaging, for doing this, you need to manage the cables properly.

6. Improve the Life of Fiber Optic Cable
To increase the longevity of fiber optic cable, follow these steps.

  • Don’t bend the cables any further than the recommended bend radius.
  • Make sure there is no stress on the wire or cable.
  • During the installation, avoid twisting and kinking.
  • Make sure that cables and wires do not come into touch with anything that might damage them.
  • Keep wires and cables away from the heat of a naked flame.
  • Maintain a frequent analysis of the performance of wires and cables.

Conclusion

If you are an electrician or cables usage is a frequent thing for you, the above tips and suggestions will ensure that your chargers, earbuds, and cords last longer and save you from spending more money on cables.

When it comes to data cables, remember that it is preferable to prevent damage than to repair afterwards.

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What is a Surge Protector. How it Works and Do You Need One? https://www.thetechlounge.com/what-is-a-surge-protector/ https://www.thetechlounge.com/what-is-a-surge-protector/#respond Mon, 01 Nov 2021 18:01:34 +0000 https://www.thetechlounge.com/?p=15125 For our convenience, a contemporary house is furnished with the most up-to-date electrical equipment. However, as new electronic products enter the market, many electrical safety problems are growing. One of them is the power surge! It occurs when your home’s electric connection experiences a sudden and severe power surge. It is harmful to your household appliances. In this post, we’ll look at what a surge protector is, what it does, and how it works. Read on to find out! What is a Surge Protector? Surge protectors are tiny appliances or devices that serve two purposes. The first is to allow several components to be plugged into a single power socket. The second and more crucial role is to safeguard your...

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what is a surge protector
For our convenience, a contemporary house is furnished with the most up-to-date electrical equipment. However, as new electronic products enter the market, many electrical safety problems are growing.

One of them is the power surge! It occurs when your home’s electric connection experiences a sudden and severe power surge. It is harmful to your household appliances.

In this post, we’ll look at what a surge protector is, what it does, and how it works. Read on to find out!

What is a Surge Protector?

Surge protectors are tiny appliances or devices that serve two purposes.

  • The first is to allow several components to be plugged into a single power socket.
  • The second and more crucial role is to safeguard your electronic gadgets from high-voltage power surges, such as your television or computer.

A rise in voltage over the specified level in the flow of electricity is known as a power surge or spike.

Reasons for a Power Surge

When you turn on high-powered electronic items like your air conditioner or refrigerator, you may experience a power surge. To switch on, they need extra power. They can cause an electric current surge to obtain that power supply.

A power surge might also be caused by a problem with your home’s electrical system. During maintenance and repair operations, your electric company may inadvertently cause a surge. Lightning strikes are also an uncommon cause of power surges. It is the most lethal, despite its rarity.

Power Surge is Dangerous

Your electronic household gadgets are usually built to work with 120 volts of AC electricity (if you are in the US, this may vary for other regions). The reason for this is because standard electrical outlets can offer that much power with ease.

The voltage ranges from 120-169 volts during a power surge, though. When electrical gadgets are exposed to such a large quantity of electricity, they are bound to be harmed. For other regions where normal voltage ranges may be higher, the voltage during a power surge will be higher than the standard operating range.

This spike has the potential to develop a deadly arch if it is not contained. Other appliances and wiring may be heated, melted, or eroded as a result of this high voltage arch. In the worst-case situation, they may catch fire.

In Comes the Surge Protector

Surge protectors can be found in control systems, industries, communication structures, and power distribution panels, among other places.

Surge protectors are designed to protect your computer and other complex and costly high-powered equipment from current spikes and power surges.

How Does a Surge Protector Work?

Note: Once again, the remainder of the article is based on US voltages. The actual values of the voltages may vary depending on where you live, but the underlying principles of surge protectors and their functions will be the same no matter where you live.

When the voltage surpasses 120, it switches the connection to ground voltage or stops the extra current. Your household appliances will not be affected by a power spike in this way.

A metal oxide varistor, or MOV, is the most common surge protection utilized in surge protectors. A MOV is formed of a semiconductor. Only particular conditions allow semiconductors to conduct electricity.

No electricity can travel through the semiconductor unless these requirements are met.

The particular criterion for a MOV is a high amount of voltage. Basically, the MOV accomplishes nothing if the voltage, or flow of electricity, is standard.

When there is a surge of power in the line, the MOV is able to conduct electricity and so siphons off the excess power, securely transporting it away from the device and into the earth.

The MOV only sucks up out power above the typical level, allowing the TV or computer to continue operating during the surge. The surge protector-connected equipment is completely unaware that there was a surge in the line. It keeps running as if nothing occurred.

The fundamental difficulty with MOVs is that they can wear out due to all of the little surges that occur all of the time. Most surge protectors feature several MOVs. However, if the MOVs fail, all surges will flow straight to the devices connected to the protector.

That’s why it’s crucial to find a protector with an indication that tells you when the MOV protection has failed, so you know when to cease using it. An LED light or an audio buzzer can be used as indications.

As a backup, some surge protectors have fuses in them. Only a particular amount of voltage may be handled by these fuses. When the voltage climbs over that point, the fuse melts, cutting off all current to the linked devices.

What is a Surge Protector Used For?

Surges of electricity can happen at any time. It may have occurred in your house, but since nothing was damaged, you didn’t notice.

As a result, it’s critical to maintain your electronic gadgets always linked to a surge protector socket, primarily to safeguard your expensive electronics from harm caused by power fluctuations.

Do You Need One?

Surge protectors will not assist older homes with ungrounded outlets or incorrect wiring and grounding unless the appropriate changes are made.

Even the most potent surge protector will fail if there is no way for excess power to escape via grounding.

If your house has grounding difficulties, have them fixed as soon as possible, as the cost of wiring repair or upgrade will be minor compared to the expense of replacing fried items.

Conclusion

A surge protector may not be effective against a lightning strike since the impact is measured in thousands of volts, if not more.

All other types of fluctuations may be handled using a surge protector plug.

Get a decent quality surge protector immediately to safeguard your electronics and avoid an explosion and fire in your household.

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What is an IP Camera? Everything You Need to Know https://www.thetechlounge.com/what-is-an-ip-camera/ https://www.thetechlounge.com/what-is-an-ip-camera/#respond Sun, 17 Oct 2021 14:43:11 +0000 https://www.thetechlounge.com/?p=15028 Networks or internet cams, sometimes referred to as IP cameras, are common for keeping tabs on your home, children, and pets. These cams give live video and audio feeds that can be accessed via an internet connection from anywhere in the world. However, many IP cameras on the marketplace are susceptible to digital spying. Thus security aspects are essential to consider while purchasing and using these devices. For many people, deciding whether to install a single camera standalone or a comprehensive home security system can be a complicated process. There are simply too many alternatives to consider. They come in a variety of forms, sizes, and rates, ranging from simple to elaborate. Even the terminology is confusing to a first-time...

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what is ip camera
Networks or internet cams, sometimes referred to as IP cameras, are common for keeping tabs on your home, children, and pets. These cams give live video and audio feeds that can be accessed via an internet connection from anywhere in the world.

However, many IP cameras on the marketplace are susceptible to digital spying. Thus security aspects are essential to consider while purchasing and using these devices.

For many people, deciding whether to install a single camera standalone or a comprehensive home security system can be a complicated process. There are simply too many alternatives to consider. They come in a variety of forms, sizes, and rates, ranging from simple to elaborate. Even the terminology is confusing to a first-time buyer.

In this post, we will answer a frequently asked question on the internet by the users, and that is: What is an IP camera? Or what is an IP camera system? We will discuss everything there is know about IP cameras. Let us start!

What is an IP Camera?

An Internet Protocol Camera (IP camera) is a digital video camera that works similarly to webcams and broadcasts and receives information via a network and the internet.

It’s not like a regular webcam in that it’s a standalone device with its own IP address that just needs a network connection to send images. The IP camera links to a network in the same way that any other network device, such as laptops, tablets, or smartphones, does.

Surveillance is a typical application for them. Unlike conventional closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV), IP cameras do not require a local recording device; instead, they just need a local network.

It’s gotten straightforward to check in on your kid from your office desk or to watch your organization from your home laptop in real-time. You can connect to the internet over a broadband network and see live video from any browser, anywhere in the globe, using an IP camera.

The only thing you will need after your device is fully operational is Internet connectivity. You may even use your tablet or smartphone to watch numerous video cameras or DVRs.

Some IP cameras need a wired connection, while others are wireless and send data through radio frequency (RF) waves or local Wi-Fi channels.

How does an IP Camera Work?

Suppose you want to send footage to a digital video recorder (DVR). In that case, analog-over-digital security cameras need a coaxial video connection. An IP security camera, on the other hand, may provide video through a wireless network.

Mainly, IP cameras link to a network video recorder (NVR) via an Ethernet cable, USB, or Wi-Fi. An IP camera that captures clips in full HD can be as high as 16 megapixels.

What exactly does that imply? The more data each video capture includes, the greater the camera resolution.

High-resolution pictures demand extra storage space and data transmission bandwidth than lower-resolution ones. IP cameras must compress or shrink the data to prevent wasting too much bandwidth while transmitting HD photos across a network.

When the film eventually reaches your smartphone or computer, modern compression standards like h.264 and MPEG-4 ensure that the frame rate and resolution are either unchanged or very slightly reduced.

Here are a few more advantages of IP cameras over CCTV cameras:

  • Two-way audio is available. A camera owner can use the camera’s speaker to listen to and speak to a subject. This feature is available on some doorbell cameras.
  • Remote access is supported. From any smartphone, laptop, or computer, authorized individuals may see live security camera footage.
  • Improved resolution. The resolution of IP cameras may be up to four times that of analog cameras.
  • There are fewer cables and wires. Power over Ethernet allows the camera to function without a separate power supply by supplying power over the Ethernet connection.

Consider IP cameras to be little computers with advanced optics embedded in them. These devices come with their own software and must be connected to a network before they can be used.

While certain models do need a basic understanding of Internet technology in order to get them up and to operate, this is increasingly the exception rather than the rule. Many IP cameras now come with their own applications, making it even easier to capture and view the video on the internet/web.

These adaptable gadgets are available in a variety of models. Consumers have requested disguised cameras, also known as nanny cams with webcam capabilities, and the marketplace delivered.

Internet cameras are now available in various resolutions (megapixels), shapes, sizes, and can be hidden inside an air freshener to a portable speaker to a smoke alarm.

How to Keep an IP Camera Safe?

Set up your IP camera with security measures in place once you’ve purchased it. Here’s how to do it:

  • Make sure the software is up to date. The software that came with your IP camera will need to be updated on a regular basis. To keep the software up to date, register your IP camera or log in for updates. Visit the product’s website to see whether a new version of the software is available for download before installing your new camera. After you’ve installed the camera, make sure to download the updates as soon as they become available.
  • Check the password settings on your camera. Get your IP camera password-protected. You can disable the camera’s password requirement on some IP cameras. But don’t do it unless you want to share your camera’s feeds with the world. Directions may be found in the camera’s user manual.
  • Create a secure password. Instead of utilizing the camera’s default username and password, choose a strong password that would be tough for a stranger to guess. Those preset settings may be known to the general public.
  • Enable the security features on your camera. Turn on the encryption option on your camera if it supports data transmission over the internet. Your camera’s login page should have a URL that starts with HTTPS. Otherwise, the login and password you provide will not be encrypted, and others may be able to see them. The URL of your camera’s website page should still say HTTPS after you’ve signed in. When it doesn’t, your feed is still not encrypted, and others might view it.

Conclusion

You’ll be all set once the security camera and Wi-Fi are safe. Wi-Fi Protected Access is a data encryption technology used by modern wireless modems (WPA). WPA requirements have strengthened over time.

WPA3 is the most secure, and it comes standard on certain modern modems. WPA will strengthen your security cameras’ defenses against hacking and other forms of unwanted access.

IP security cameras provide more functions than analog cameras and are ideal for any house or company. You can’t go wrong with IP cameras, whether you only need one or thousands.

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What is a Data Breach, and Can you Do Anything to Protect Yourself? https://www.thetechlounge.com/data-breaches-consequences-and-prevention/ https://www.thetechlounge.com/data-breaches-consequences-and-prevention/#respond Sun, 03 Oct 2021 17:32:17 +0000 https://www.thetechlounge.com/?p=14921 There are few things more terrifying than learning that you’ve been the subject of a data breach. An expert hacker may only require a few bits of your personal data to empty your bank account or monitor your online communications. While the risk of cyberattacks is always inherent when you keep information online, you can take steps to improve your security. When sensitive information is revealed, it may cause major problems for corporations, the government, and people. Hackers can access you via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, texts and emails, or the online services you use, whether you are offline or online. A tiny flaw can lead to a large data breach if it is not addressed properly. Many people do not pay...

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what is data breach
There are few things more terrifying than learning that you’ve been the subject of a data breach. An expert hacker may only require a few bits of your personal data to empty your bank account or monitor your online communications.
While the risk of cyberattacks is always inherent when you keep information online, you can take steps to improve your security.

When sensitive information is revealed, it may cause major problems for corporations, the government, and people. Hackers can access you via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, texts and emails, or the online services you use, whether you are offline or online.

A tiny flaw can lead to a large data breach if it is not addressed properly.

Many people do not pay enough attention to contemporary security risks because they are uninformed of how they function. We’ll go through data breaches, how to prevent data breaches, and what to do after a data breach.

What is a Data Breach?

A data breach occurs when classified, sensitive, or secured information is exposed to an unauthorized individual. Without authorization, files from a data breach are accessed and/or transferred.

A data breach may affect everyone, from individuals to large corporations and governments. More significantly, if someone is not protected, they can endanger others.

In general, data breaches occur as a result of flaws in:

  • User behavior
  • Technology

There are more ways for data to leak through as our computers and mobile gadgets become increasingly connected. New technologies are being developed at a quicker rate than we can manage them.

Internet of Things devices demonstrates that we are constantly prioritizing convenience over security. Many smart home gadgets have major weaknesses, such as a lack of encryption, which hackers are exploiting.

How Do Hacks Take Place?

What may lead to hacks when technology appears to promise to keep us safe? It’s a complex topic that includes:

  • There are several access points. People and businesses may access data via various devices, such as desktop computers, smartphones, and tablets. They share stuff on Bluetooth. All of them are possible to access points for hackers, making data breach prevention more difficult.
  • There is a lot of harmful behavior. In 2020, almost 268,362 pieces of malicious software were found, totaling over five and half-billion assaults, making it impossible to keep up with every new threat.

We will continue to see this problem develop since new digital goods, services, and technologies are being employed with less security testing.

Even if the backend technology is flawless, some consumers will most likely continue to have terrible digital habits. One person is all it takes to breach a website or network.

You’re virtually always at risk if you don’t have complete security both at the user and corporate levels. Learning how a data breach happens is the first step to protect yourself and others.

How to Prevent Data Breaches?

There are a variety of actions you may take to protect yourself from data breaches:

  • Make sure your passwords are secure. Numbers, letters, and special symbols must all be used in your passwords. You should also avoid using the same password across different sites or logins. Finally, never reveal your credentials to anyone.
  • When surfing the web, use HTTPS. HTTPS guarantees that you connect to websites in a safe manner. This makes it more difficult for hackers to get your information.
  • Keep an eye out for spam, spoofing, and other potentially harmful messages. Ping spoofing is very common in online gaming. Be cautious about what you click on, especially if you got an anonymous email or are visiting a shady website.
  • Keep the most recent versions of your devices and software. It’s a headache to keep operating systems and other software up to date. However, it is a critical technique to defend yourself from assaults. When a security issue is discovered, firms will update their software to defend themselves from the problem. If you don’t upgrade, you’re leaving a huge security vulnerability on your system.
  • Check the credit reports on a frequent basis. If you suspect your data has been stolen, you should be aware that it might be used to obtain a credit card in your name. As a result, you might wish to consider using a credit monitoring service. If the business identifies unusual behavior on your accounts, you will receive notifications.

What To Do After a Data Breach?

Breach of data is a very regular event. Mass data breaches may happen at any time, and even extremely huge organizations like Yahoo and Facebook can be victims.

You may or may not be affected as a user of such platforms. It is, however, critical to understand exactly what actions you should take to guarantee that your data is kept as secure as possible.

With so many organizations experiencing data breaches, there’s a good chance you’ll be one of them. As a result, the website HaveIBeenPwned is a wonderful place to go to see whether your information has been compromised. You may use this site to discover if a data breach has impacted you by entering your email address.

Don’t be alarmed if your personal information has been compromised in a data breach. To begin, determine which sites are to blame for the breach. Go to each of those sites right now and update your password. In most instances, this should suffice to keep you safe.

You may need to take more extreme measures at times. It would be the case if the breach had an impact on your bank or if highly sensitive information such as your Personal Information had been exposed.

In these situations, you may want to consider freezing your credit, signing up for a credit monitoring service, and/or checking your credit reports to ensure that no one is acting suspiciously in your name. If you suspect someone else has created an account in your name, report it to the bank’s fraud department.

Conclusion

All of us at all levels, from end-users to IT workers, and everything in between, must be involved in data breach protection.

When it comes to preventing data breach assaults or leaks, security is only as good as the weakest link. Every individual who interacts with a system has the potential to be a security flaw. Even toddlers using a tablet connected to your home network pose a security concern.

You may be prepared for the potential of a data breach if you have this knowledge. Furthermore, by following the measures described above, you may reduce your chances of becoming a victim of a data breach in the future.

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Is Dark Mode Better for Your Eyes and Battery? https://www.thetechlounge.com/dark-mode-better-for-eyes-and-battery/ https://www.thetechlounge.com/dark-mode-better-for-eyes-and-battery/#respond Sat, 17 Jul 2021 17:10:34 +0000 https://www.thetechlounge.com/?p=14385 If you own a cell phone, laptop, tablet, or another electronic gadget, you have most likely had to choose between dark and light mode screen settings. Most social networking applications now feature dark mode settings, even if you have not changed your phone’s theme. In an age where smart devices appear to be everywhere, it is critical to take measures to help protect your vision, even if it is as simple as turning on the dark mode on your cell phone. Is dark mode better for your eyes? On most apps and devices, the default setting is for black text on a white backdrop. When you set your device to dark mode, it will show white text on a dark...

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is dark mode better for your eyes and battery
If you own a cell phone, laptop, tablet, or another electronic gadget, you have most likely had to choose between dark and light mode screen settings. Most social networking applications now feature dark mode settings, even if you have not changed your phone’s theme.

In an age where smart devices appear to be everywhere, it is critical to take measures to help protect your vision, even if it is as simple as turning on the dark mode on your cell phone. Is dark mode better for your eyes?

On most apps and devices, the default setting is for black text on a white backdrop. When you set your device to dark mode, it will show white text on a dark background.

Many people enable dark mode on their Windows or YouTube, among other apps and operating systems.

The dark mode is designed to limit blue light exposure and relieve eye strain caused by lengthy periods of screen time.

So, it effectively lowers glare and blue light, both of which are beneficial to your eyes. Dark mode, on the other hand, is not for everyone. In some circumstances, it can actually cause more issues than it resolves.

Let’s delve into the specifics below: what is dark mode, what are its benefits, and is dark mode better for your eyes?

What is Dark Mode?

Many smartphone models, Windows, and upcoming applications have a setting called dark mode.

In Dark Mode, the color scheme is inverted, with light-colored text and icons on a dark background. The default setting on most mobile devices is the light mode, which displays dark text on a white or light background.

To put your device into a dark mode, go to the display and brightness options in your device’s settings. You will be able to switch to dark mode from here. Most apps also have a dark mode that can be enabled in the app’s settings.
You can enable it on your web browsers like Google Chrome as well.

Is Dark Mode Better for Your Eyes?

Although dark mode provides many benefits, it may not be the best option for your eyes. The dark mode is beneficial since it is less taxing on the eyes than a sharp, gleaming white screen.

On the other hand, using a dark screen causes your pupils to dilate, making it more challenging to focus on the screen/display.

Your eyesight becomes blurry when your pupils dilate. Your vision sharpens as your pupils constrict in solid light. A smaller aperture, just like a camera, allows for more depth of focus. As a result, some people may find it more challenging to discern screen details in dark mode.

Dark mode reduces the amount of blue light emitted by the screen of a smart device, but not to the point where it has any effect on the macula.

The macula, which is located in the middle of your retina, is critical for good vision. One of the most common causes of visual loss is age-related macular degeneration.

In terms of the danger of retinal damage or macular degeneration, the average amounts of blue light emitted by consumer devices are negligible.

Furthermore, there is still no scientific evidence that dark mode helps to minimize eye strain. With the usage of smart devices, severe eye damage or problems are not a concern.

Why Dark Mode Is Better?

Dark mode has a number of benefits, including increased battery life and lower glare and blue light exposure. Let us discuss the prevalent ones.

Increases the Battery Life

Using dark mode can prolong your battery life by up to 30%, allowing you to charge your phone less frequently. It is useful when you do not have time to charge your phone over and over again. This is especially true for OLED displays, where the screen turns itself off on the part where black is supposed to be shown.

If you find it difficult to read in dark mode, you can extend your battery life by decreasing the brightness in regular mode.

Blue light has been linked to symptoms of digital eye strain, such as dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision, despite the fact that most research contradicts this theory.

It has been shown to disrupt sleep cycles, making it harder to get enough rest if you are exposed to too much blue light close at night time.

Helps to Avoid Screen Glare

When you are watching your display in a dark room, the bright light from standard display settings might induce glare, which is an uncomfortable amount of contrast between the display and the rest of your environment. Dark mode reduces glare on your display and allows for better viewing.

Reduces the Blue Light Exposure

Using dark mode on your smartphone will help you cut down on blue light exposure.

A blue light filter feature is now found on many smartphones. You can see the difference it brings in the picture with Filter On and Filter Off.

dark mode filter on off

You may modify the quantity of blue light emitted from your screen using the filter, which should also be found in display settings. It is an excellent choice for folks who can’t see well in dark mode but still want to be protected from blue light.

In light mode, you may also dim your screen manually and adjust your brightness to adapt automatically according to the ambient lighting. If you don’t want to use dark mode, either choice will successfully reduce glare.

However, these anecdotes about blue light and eyes aren’t always backed up by study or professional opinion.

Conclusion

For those who spend a lot of time looking at a computer display in their offices or playing video games for hours, the dark mode may help reduce eye strain and dry eye.

However, there is no solid evidence that dark mode does anything other than lengthen your device’s battery life.

Although the dark mode is a personal choice for some, it isn’t always better for your eyes. It’s also not a replacement for more effective methods of reducing eye strain.

Giving dark mode a try will not cost you anything and will not harm your eyes.

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How Does Phone FM Radio Work? https://www.thetechlounge.com/how-does-phone-fm-radio-work/ https://www.thetechlounge.com/how-does-phone-fm-radio-work/#respond Sat, 29 May 2021 16:47:52 +0000 https://www.thetechlounge.com/?p=13887 FM radio was very famous before the mass insurgence in technology with new devices like phones and tablets that rendered it obsolete. The question is: Can you get FM radio on your phone as you do in your car? YES, you can! Many phones have built-in chipsets that support a wide range of wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and FM radio. Technology companies disabled the feature until a few years ago, typically at the request of wireless carriers who wanted users to stream music and podcasts and consume more bandwidth. A consumer-activated system like FM radio could provide a free alternative. Let’s look at the technology that powers this functionality and see how FM radio works on a cell phone....

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how does phone fm radio work
FM radio was very famous before the mass insurgence in technology with new devices like phones and tablets that rendered it obsolete. The question is: Can you get FM radio on your phone as you do in your car? YES, you can!

Many phones have built-in chipsets that support a wide range of wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and FM radio.

Technology companies disabled the feature until a few years ago, typically at the request of wireless carriers who wanted users to stream music and podcasts and consume more bandwidth. A consumer-activated system like FM radio could provide a free alternative.

Let’s look at the technology that powers this functionality and see how FM radio works on a cell phone.

How Does FM Radio Work on a Cell Phone?

Your device must have an FM chip installed to play an FM signal. This chip can process incoming FM radio waves. Some Android phones currently available on the market have these chips, allowing them to receive FM radio.

Suppose your phone has an inbuilt chipset and the circuitry to link that chip to an FM antenna. In that case, you can quickly turn it into an FM radio.

All you will need is an application like TuneIn Radio or Next Radio to tune in to the signal and an antenna. Headphones or a non-wireless speaker system can also act as an antenna for the FM radio.

Is There an FM Radio Application on My Phone?

Checking the apps that came with your phone is the easiest way to see if it includes FM radio. As part of the process of getting the FM chip functional, the phone’s manufacturer may have built an application for the radio. This application is usually named FM Radio on your phone by the manufacturers.

You can load it and tune the app like a traditional radio if you have it.

Besides that, this radio application plays music without using any cellular data. As a result, the FM radio app is an excellent way to listen to music without spending money. Extremely convincing, isn’t it?!

What is the best way to listen to music without using data on a phone? Consider all the radios that have been installed in automobiles for years, long before cellular data was a thing, and you have your answer!

Some Phones Don’t Have an FM Radio

If you can’t get FM radio on your phone, it is probably because of one of these issues.

I. There is no FM chip in the phone.

You may recall that we stated before that many Android phones include an FM chip. It is due to the fact that not every tech giant includes it. Apple, for instance, has never had the option of FM radio on its phones.

II. The Phone isn’t set up to receive FM radio signals.

Even if a phone has an FM radio chip, it may still be unable to function. It might be because the phone companies failed to set up the necessary link or because the carriers refused to allow the feature to function on our phone.

Companies have been criticized for this due to the fact that radio signals for phones are a useful function. It’s thought that companies do this because it forces individuals to use cellular data, forcing them to pay for music, podcasts, and even internet radio.

Why Do I Need Headphones To Listen to FM Radio on My Phone?

It is possible that when you listen to FM radio on your phone, it will prompt you to plug in headphones. However, this isn’t a choice; if no headphones are detected, the phone will not play the radio.

Why can’t the phone simply play the FM radio through its speakers?

The lack of an antenna on the phone’s FM chip compels the use of wired headphones. As a result, it requires an additional antenna to pick up radio signals.

Your wired headphones, it turns out, can actually take up radio signals mainly because your phone must take up the signal through the cables in your headphones. It must be connected via a cable. Your Bluetooth or TWS earphones will not work with it.

What Devices Are Capable of Receiving FM Radio?

FM radios have been enabled in the chipsets of many tech giant manufacturers, including Samsung, LG, and Motorola.
Next Radio, an FM radio app, has provided a list of devices and carriers that are compatible with its software, which you can download from here.

The software is capable of detecting the FM chip once you have downloaded it to your phone.

Conclusion

Numerous new technologies have emerged in recent years. Radios with built-in antenna are now available, as well as radio channels that may be streamed over the Internet (internet radio is a very old technology, but only recently has the idea of internet radio achieved mass-market penetration).

Surprisingly, the technology required to create and transmit radio waves is relatively inexpensive. Radio transmission technology is an excellent example of cost-effectiveness. As such, while fewer and fewer phones utilize FM radio in modern times, that doesn’t mean that it’s going anywhere.

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