15 Oct
Blog

Lenovo Smart Clock Essential Review: Tech meets nostalgia

Lenovo Smart Clock Essential Rating 2 out of 9

Lenovo Smart Clock Essential

"The Lenovo Smart Clock Essential will wake you up, but it's a snoozer that knows what else is out there."

  • Compact design

  • Shows the time clearly

  • Affordable price

  • USB port for charging devices

  • No way to set an alarm through the Google Home app

  • A firm tip is required to snooze

  • Not good for music playback

More than any other company besides Google itself, Lenovo has designed Smart Assistant devices with the Google Assistant. From smart displays to hybrid tablets, Lenovo has one of the more robust portfolios. While this isn't the first time the company has delved into the world of alarm clocks, the latest addition is the Lenovo Smart Clock Essential, giving consumers even more choices about what to impress these prime properties about their beds. The sticker price of $ 50 seems like a home run, but it needs to stand out from others to make a better buy than the competition.

Bring back alarm clock

Today's smart home devices can be overwhelming at times, especially as Google's smart home ecosystem continues to evolve. What is evident here is Lenovo's intention to simplify the design of its smart alarm clock. Unlike its earlier efforts, this one doesn't have a touchscreen, but rather the LED design of traditional alarm clocks. With that in mind, the Smart Clock Essential has a bit of nostalgia.

The Lenovo Smart Clock Essential takes up roughly the same space as the Google Nest Mini and is a suitable addition to any bedside table. Thanks to the large LEDs on the front, I can quickly see the time – and without straining my eyes if I suddenly wake up in the middle of the night. It's also great that the temperature and weather conditions are shown through icons. Around the top lip of the device are physical controls for volume and pause / play, as well as a button for manually setting alarms. If you're like me and have a charger nearby for your smartphone, you'll appreciate the fact that there is a full-size USB stick just for that purpose.

One could argue that its design is nothing more than a shrunken version of its sibling, the Smart Alarm Clock, but the Essential's use of LEDs instead of a touchscreen display makes it less distracting. It's simple, looks clean, and saves space.

All Google Assistant smarts

Interaction with Lenovo Smart Clock Essential is done through voice actions and commands through the Google Assistant. In this regard, it works like any other smart speaker or display. Compared to the Google Nest Mini, the Essential is definitely a better option when you consider the visual element it provides for showing the time, day of the week, temperature, and weather conditions. It's just more convenient than asking the Google Assistant for all of these details, for example.

The Lenovo Smart Clock Essential is a suitable addition to any bedside table.

There are two ways to set an alarm: you can tell the Google Assistant to set an alarm, or you can set an alarm manually in Essential. At a time when voice actions are faster, this method may seem archaic, but those who grew up with a real alarm clock will appreciate that bit of nostalgia. On a more modern note, I find it convenient that I can just respond with "stop" to turn off the alarm when it goes off.

But what if you need a little extra time to wake up? Then you can just say, "Hey Google, sleep for six minutes." You can also turn off an alarm by pressing any of the physical buttons other than the alarm button. You can also tap the top of the Essential to turn it off.

I really would have liked more controls in the Google Home app, such as the ability to set alarms. On the one hand, I understand that voice commands have become the preferred method for setting alarms, but it wouldn't hurt to give users the option to set one through the Google Home app.

Some minor quirks

Don't expect the sound quality to blow your mind, which is to be expected given the size. It is what you hear about the Google Nest Mini. For responses from the Google Assistant, the 3-watt speaker is enough to recognize it, but it lacks the robust tones and punch of other audio-centric smart speakers – like Google Nest Audio or Google Home.

I found some minor quirks with the Lenovo Smart Clock Essential that hopefully will be fixed with future software updates. For some reason, it can't compete with other Google Assistant speakers or displays in the same room. Whenever I ask him to turn the night light on or off, my Google Nest Hub responds with an error. However, if I mute the Nest Hub and say the command again, it works like a charm. Also, the snooze function doesn't work when I tap the top of the device.

Our opinion

The Lenovo Smart Clock Essential is a tough call. It's a touch of nostalgia, but it doesn't bring anything new to the (night) table.

How long it will take?

Since it will remain stationary, it is unlikely to break. It's sturdy and well built so I'm confident it will withstand a fall. There is a 1 year limited warranty that covers defects.

Is there a better alternative?

There are some products in Lenovo's own portfolio that are better alternatives. The logical suggestion is the $ 80 Lenovo Smart Alarm Clock, which has a touchscreen display that offers some “light” smart display features, such as: E.g. access to smart home controls (e.g. turning on lights) and live feeds from surveillance cameras. The Lenovo Smart Display 7 offers the best solution as it is a full featured smart display with a camera that costs $ 100.

Should you buy it?

Yes, mainly for cost reasons, when you don't need the added functionality of the other alternatives above.

Editor's recommendations




15 Oct
Blog

An ultimate guide on cable crossover for the best-ever workout

The Cable transition is an efficient exercise to train the pectoralis major. This is a potential build-up exercise that will help shape your upper body well. Since this is an isolation exercise, it is easy for everyone to do.

There are many people who have never practiced Cable transition In front. You also don't know of any helpful variations for this exercise. If you are one of them, here is everything you need to know about this incredible exercise today!

The holy grail of all upper body exercises

Whether you are a beginner or a novice, cable crossing is a potential exercise for you anyway. This isolation exercise is performed on a cable machine and is very helpful. A lot of people assume that one is difficult to work on Cable crossing machine. However, if you follow the steps correctly, you are only an inch away from doing well.

Here's how to do the low cable crossover

1. Attach two individual handles to two low pulleys.

2. Grasp both handles and stand in the center of the machine.

3. Put one foot forward and bend your knees slightly.

4. Now lift both cables with outstretched arms to the center line of the body. At the same time, contract your chest. Once you are in this position of the exercise, exhale.

5. Gradually lower your arms back to the starting position and inhale. 6. Repeat the lowCable transition a couple of times for the best benefits.

How do I do a reverse cable crossing?

The Reverse Cable Crossover is another isolation exercise that you can do for maximum benefit. This prevents poor posture, prevents the risk of injury and also promotes strong shoulders. You can practice this exercise to work your shoulder muscles, back deltoids, and upper back. All you have to do is follow the instructions carefully and exercise accordingly. Once you do this for a couple of days the results will be apparent. How To Do It – Stand in front of a cable machine. Hold each grip with opposite hands and keep hands crossed. The right cord with your left hand and the left cord with your right hand. Keep your arms straight in front of you at shoulder level. Put one leg behind the other for stability. Hold the core tight and your back straight. Using your back delts, pull your arms to the side and back as far as possible. Your arms should be in line with your back. Take a short break, then return to the starting position. Do that Reverse Cable Crossover Exercise a few times for desired effects.

Best Cable Crossover Alternative to Try Now

While performing the cable crossing exercise isn't a big deal these days, it can be a little tricky for people to understand the workout. This is why a lot of people look at the gym Cable crossing alternatives to overcome the anger. That way, they don't have to worry about performing the exercise, but still get the benefits. Yes, there are some incredible alternatives to try in case workout isn't what you're looking for. Here is a list of exercise alternatives that you should try right away!

Tend the dumbbell fly

If you want to focus on your upper pecs, this exercise is all you need. Lie on the incline bench with the dumbbells in your hands and prop yourself up on your knees. Position your body in neutral alignment with your chest. Extend your arms to the side. Slightly bend your elbows and raise your arms. Your hands must be directly above your chest. Put your arms back down and repeat the exercise. That’s fine Cable crossing alternative for a reason.

Flat bench dumbbell fly

When you have a flat bench and a pair of dumbbells, this exercise is all you need. Take a pair of dumbbells and lie down on a flat bench. Make sure it bears the weight on your knees. Start with the dumbbells in your hands, arms extended across your chest. Bend your elbows slightly, bring your arms slowly, and your elbows are at a level with your back. Once this is done, bring your arms back to the starting position. So, you can do this exercise without a Cable crossing machine.

Conclusion

The Cable transition is one possible exercise that you can try right away for a well-trained body. Don't miss the training mentioned above.

FAQ

1. Is it a risk to do the exercise? a cable crossing machine?

No. If you follow the directions, it won't be daunting to complete the exercise a cable crossing machine.

2. Can you say anything else? Cable crossing alternatives to attempt?

Resistance and arches, guillotine press, and dumbbell sweaters are some of the best alternatives for this exercise.

3. I'm a beginner in the gym. Can I do the cable crossing exercise? Yes. The cable crossing exercise is perfect for all beginners.

15 Oct
Blog

The Dell Latitude 7410 Chromebook Enterprise Review

Dell Latitude 7410 Chromebook Enterprise Review p1012395

Dell Latitude 7410 Chromebook Enterprise

"The Dell Latitude 7410 Chromebook Enterprise is for businesses who need precise, careful management of their laptops and are willing to pay for them."

  • Robust design

  • Excellent performance from Chrome OS

  • Good keyboard and touchpad

  • Superior 4K display

  • Extremely expensive

  • Many functions are only of interest to large companies

  • 4K shortens the battery life

The Dell Latitude 7410 Chromebook Enterprise is not your typical Chromebook. For my test device, it costs $ 1,900. It contains an Intel Core i5-10310U processor, 16 GB of RAM, a 256 GB PCIe solid-state drive and a 14-inch 4K display (3840 x 2160).

This is a hugely expensive Chromebook, and I have to wonder what justifies the high price. The answer? With this laptop, Dell is targeting large businesses that need to manage their laptops – including their Chromebooks – with a level of control that the average consumer would never even consider.

Is the Latitude 7410 Chromebook Enterprise offering right value for its enterprise customers?

design

Dell advertises the longevity of the Latitude 7410 Chromebook. It touts a wide variety of military certifications as one of its selling points. The laptop mostly lives up to its bill. The lid is robust, without bending, the underside of the aluminum housing withstands pressure and there is only the slightest keyboard flex.

My test device with a 4K display and additional battery (more on that later) was 0.66 inches thick and, at 0.67 inches, a bit thinner than the Acer Chromebook 13 (another powerful Chromebook). The Dell weighs 3.36 pounds for the aluminum version, which is a bit much for a 14-inch laptop, but then the Acer Chromebook 13 is almost exactly 3.5 pounds. You have to look at something like the 13.3-inch (0.5-inch and 2.3-pound) Google Pixelbook Go if you want a thin, light Chromebook.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

It's a nondescript laptop with a dark silver or gray case – and a complete lack of gloss. The display bezels are not huge on the sides, but rather bulky at the top and bottom. It won't attract any attention in a boardroom or coffee shop.

The connectivity of a Chromebook is strong. On the left, you'll find two USB-C ports that support power and display, plus a full-size HDMI port and microSD card reader. On the right side you will find two USB-A 3.2 ports, a Kensington lock slot and a 3.5 mm audio jack. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 provide wireless connectivity as well as an optional Intel XMM 7360 Global LTE advance chip (which was not included in my test device). You won't find many Chromebooks with this level of connectivity. This is a check box for Dell.

performance

My test device was equipped with the Intel Core i5-10310U Comet Lake CPU with quad-core of the 10th generation, a very fast processor for Chrome OS. The only common benchmark we can run from our suite (due to operating system compatibility issues) is Geekbench 5. There, the Latitude 7410 Chromebook scored 1,025 in the single-core test and 2,712 points in the multi-core test with the Android app . We recently tested the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 for $ 410 with a Core i3-10110U that scored 975 and 1,659, respectively. So the Core i5 definitely speeds things up.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

In practice, there was little I could do to slow down the Latitude 7410 Chromebook. With 16GB of RAM and a fast PCIe SSD for the overkill processor, I could easily open as many tabs as I wanted. The same was true for opening a handful of Android apps in the background. If you need a Chromebook that won't slow you down, the Latitude 7410 Chromebook will do the job.

I've played a few games like Asphalt 9, and the Chromebook has kept up with those too. There's no touch screen, so a lot of games aren't much fun. But for those who can get by with keyboard controls, you'll enjoy the experience.

display

Perhaps the most consumer-friendly feature of the Latitude 7410 Chromebook is the optional 4K IPS display, which Dell says will be the first with blue light protection to ship on a Chromebook. The display makes everything razor-sharp, aided by how easy Chrome OS makes it to scale the display to the apparent resolution you want. They can create screen elements just the right size for you while still maintaining incredible clarity which I really like.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

I couldn't put the display to my colorimeter – again, since our usual testing software doesn't run on ChromeOS – but my eyes told me it was bright, with natural colors and lots of contrast. It was a pleasure to work on and the videos and pictures looked great.

The 4K display is also equipped with a large 68 watt hour battery (versus 52 watt hour) to take into account the additional power consumption. However, it is also possible to configure the Full HD model with this larger battery. I would withhold this display from any Chromebook out there, including the excellent displays on the Acer Chromebook 13 and the Google Pixelbook Go.

The audio was average, with enough volume to watch YouTube for itself and, if necessary, surprise Netflix. The mids and highs weren't the clearest I've ever heard and there wasn't any bass, but the sound system is good enough for typical use. Include headphones or external speakers if you want to enjoy your music or really immerse yourself in an action movie.

Keyboard and touchpad

The keyboard of the Latitude 7410 Chromebook is the typical island style with a lot of travel and a relatively stiff key feel. There is a very pronounced ground action that will let you know that you pressed a button. If you don't prefer a lighter touch, this keyboard will suit you.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

I found the keycaps a little small and the gap felt tight. I like the HP Specter line of keyboards better, and of course the new Magic keyboard on the MacBook is the best there is. However, most touch typists can run at full speed with the Latitude 7401 Chromebooks. The keyboard has the usual five levels of brightness from Chrome OS, which is always a nice bonus.

The touchpad is average in size, but it's covered with plastic, not glass. Still, it's convenient to swipe and use multitouch gestures with Chrome OS. I didn't have any problems with it during my tests. The display is non-contact so you only have to use the touchpad to stay in control.

Battery life

My Latitude 7410 Chromebook tester contains 68 watt hours of battery. That should be enough for a Chromebook, but think of the power-hungry 4K display.

In our demanding Basemark web benchmark test, the Latitude 7410 Chromebook lasted about 3.75 hours, which is an average score given the respectable Intel processor in this laptop. The Acer Chromebook 13, for example, lasted about 20 minutes less.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Our web browsing test, which scrolls through a series of busy web pages and best reflects typical productivity, lasted nearly nine hours on the Latitude 7410 Chromebook. Compared to Chromebooks with low-power CPUs and Full HD displays, this would be a poor score, but reasonable for a computer with a fast processor and a 4K screen. The Acer Chromebook 13 uses a QHD + (2256 x 1504) 3: 2 display and it took about 10 minutes less.

In our video rundown test, which ran through a Full HD Avengers trailer, the Latitude 7410 Chromebook got a little off the rails. It only lasted a little under five and a half hours, which isn't particularly impressive even with the 4K screen. The Acer Chromebook 13 lasted almost four hours longer.

When Dell says that the Latitude 7410 Chromebook is the 10th generation's longest-lasting Chromebook, then of course it's not about my test configuration. If you want to guarantee all day battery life, you should opt for the Full HD display but keep the larger optional battery.

Corporate functions

The Latitude 7410 Chromebook justifies its high price point with features that are aimed directly at large companies that need to fully manage their laptops.

The first of these features is Chrome Enterprise, a confusingly named reference to a Chrome OS version that adds a variety of business-oriented controls and plug-ins that improve security and remote administration. These include a managed Google Play Store that allows companies to specify which apps are installed, manage the Chrome browser and installed extensions, Microsoft Active Directory integration, single sign-on and much more. There is also around the clock business support that goes beyond what the typical consumer will experience.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

There is an annual fee of $ 50 for these features, which is not included in the price of the laptop. Every company that chooses the Latitude 7410 Chromebook needs to factor that cost into their equations.

Another feature that is unusual for a Chromebook and offers added value is the optional LTE card already mentioned, which enables an always connected Internet. This was not included in our verification unit so you pay even more for the privilege.

Finally, the laptop has a sliding privacy screen that covers the webcam for added security. This is usually not the case in Chromebooks, although I imagine it won't be long before it becomes a standard feature in the Windows 10 world.

Of course, none of these features (except perhaps the privacy lock) are of interest to consumers. In this review, I asked myself if a very expensive Chromebook has its place, and it does – in large companies.

Our opinion

You really need the business features of the Dell Latitude 7410 Chromebook Enterprise to justify the purchase price. It's a well-built, if somewhat bland-looking Chromebook with more than enough performance to meet the needs of Chrome OS. It offers things like a privacy lock and optional LTE that make it a more private and easy-to-use laptop. An additional $ 50 per year must be considered to unlock Chrome Enterprise features. However, if you are in your budget for $ 1,900, you shouldn't have a problem getting approval for the extra charge.

However, this is nothing close to a consumer Chromebook. If you are not a corporate employee making a calculated investment decision, you should steer clearly.

Are there alternatives?

If you want a fast Chromebook, the Acer Chromebook 13 is a great choice, though it still uses 8th generation CPUs. It's also less than half the price and doesn't include any corporate features. Hence, it is more of a consumer option.

The Google Pixelbook Go is another great Chromebook option that is far cheaper but is also just for consumer use. Corporate buyers will want to look elsewhere.

If you need an enterprise laptop, then you can consider the HP Pro c645 Chromebook Enterprise. It's not out yet, but it looks like it will bring businesses the same Chrome Enterprise benefits and a similarly robust design. If you can't wait, the Acer Chromebook Enterprise Flip 13 offers the same business management in a 2-in-1 format for $ 1,300, though you'll get stuck with an 8th Gen Core i7 CPU. The 2,256 x 1,504 3: 2 display would be a nice feature, however.

How long it will take?

The Dell Latitude 7410 Chromebook will keep Chrome OS running for years and is durable enough. A three-year on-site / in-home warranty is included in the Chromebook price, which goes far beyond the previous one-year mail-in warranty.

Should you buy it?

If you are a consumer, no. The price is insane and you can get a Chromebook that just as quickly has the features you need for a fraction of the price. If you're a large company that needs a rugged laptop with great connectivity and Chrome Enterprise on board, this might fit into your budget.

Editor's recommendations




15 Oct
Blog

OnePlus 8T Review: One of the Best Phones You Shouldn’t Buy

oneplus 8t review back

“The OnePlus 8T is a great smartphone – great software, fast, and a decent camera. With the exception of $ 749, the competition is too tough to recommend. "

  • Super fast loading

  • One day after 15 minutes of charging

  • Clean, fast and up-to-date software

  • Attractive photos from the camera

  • No wireless charging

  • No IP water resistance

The inconspicuous OnePlus 8 has been replaced by the OnePlus 8T. Wait, you don't remember OnePlus 8? This is not surprising as the phone was a safe and sensible choice that had absolutely no standout features and made it completely memorable. The OnePlus 8T will make you forget about it too, but this time you will forget about charging as the great new feature removes the worry of having a fully charged phone every morning.

Do you think that's the whole story? This is not the case as the smartphone world surrounding the OnePlus 8 has changed a lot since April, making the life of the 8T considerably more difficult than ever.

design

The OnePlus 8T is all about change. Instead of the unusual central camera module on the back of the OnePlus 8, this time it's an offset module that makes the phone look more like the Galaxy S20. I really like the look of the OnePlus 8T and am impressed with the total lack of fingerprints on the body, which makes it look clean and new.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Like the OnePlus 8, the 8T also has a flat screen on the front with a slight curvature at the edges. The aluminum housing is very well designed and has a pronounced curvature that leads from the flat screen into the cool, matt Gorilla Glass rear. This cleanly prevents the phone from getting tired for long periods of time, as does the relatively low weight of 188 grams and the 8.4 mm thick case. It doesn't dig into the palm of your hand or have any sharp edges.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

OnePlus doesn't make too much effort with the design of the 8T. It's clean and simple, sophisticated and attractive. While I appreciate visually unusual designs like the Oppo Reno4 Pro and Vivo X50 Pro, they are a little too eager. The cool, unpretentious look of the OnePlus 8T will appeal to more people and stay fresh longer. The phone is available in two colors: the Lunar Silver shown here and a pretty Aquamarine Green.

Screen and audio

On the OnePlus 8T, you get a 6.55-inch fluid AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, and an aspect ratio of 20: 9. It's hard to want anything else. Watch videos at 60 frames per second on YouTube and it's gorgeous, so smooth and easy on your eyes and with some stunning colors. The psychedelic colors in Iz * One & # 39; s Beware music video are hyper-realistic, and on the other hand, blacks, grays, and midtones look great too, as shown in the Audi RS7 video from Woyshnis Media.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

There are two stereo speakers with one big volume but not a lot of bass or finesse. It's better to keep the volume at a reasonable level to avoid too much harshness. Listen to WJSN Chocome's bouncing, high-pitched hmph! and it sounds much better at half volume than at three quarters of the volume. The phone also supports Dolby Atmos.

Oddly enough, even though the screen apparently has a maximum brightness of 1,100 nits, I never felt the phone's screen was that bright. It's not dark at this level, but it was rare for the auto brightness to be less than about 80% and during the day I still had the max to watch videos.

battery

The OnePlus 8T introduces Warp Charge 65T, a proprietary super-fast charging technology that means you no longer have to worry about charging your phone overnight. How? If you charge the battery to around 60% in just 15 minutes. OnePlus says this is enough juice for everyday use, right? Yes, although it depends on your definition of the time of day.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

First, the fast charge time is accurate. It only took 15 minutes for the battery on my OnePlus 8T to go from 3% to 60%. This means that if you frequently forget to charge your phone, or if you prefer to minimize the remaining time connecting and charging the phone, you can easily integrate the OnePlus 8T into your lifestyle. It takes about 40 minutes to fully charge the battery from an empty state.

While charging is quick, it is also quick to discharge. With a 60% charge, it ran from noon to 11:30 p.m. This was done with about 20 minutes of video, 15 minutes of Asphalt 9 Legends, about 45 minutes of WhatsApp video call, and then general usage. If you classify the power of a day as around 12 hours, you should get this from the OnePlus 8T, provided you handle it carefully. Energy-intensive tasks consume a lot of energy, video and games. An hour of video generally reduces battery life by 12% to 15%, which quickly affects the life of the phone if you start the day on just 60%.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Warp Charge 65T uses a special charging block and a USB Type-C cable to charge the dual-cell battery with 4,500 mAh in the phone. So you need to have it on hand. Cleverly, it charges each of the cells with 30 W, which minimizes wear and tear and keeps the heat at a reasonable level. The OnePlus 8T only gets a little warm during fast charging. The phone does not support wireless charging.

OnePlus' fast charging technology isn't the first of its kind. We've seen it on several Oppo phones and even on the budget Realme 7 Pro, but the OnePlus 8T is the first widely available phone in the US to have this kind of fast charging technology . That makes it special, and absolutely no one said that about the OnePlus 8.

camera

At first glance, the OnePlus 8T's camera is rather mundane. A well-known 48-megapixel IMX586 camera tops the list, followed by a 16-megapixel ultrawide and a 5-megapixel macro camera. It's the fourth lens that's different enough to make me sit up and take notice – it's a special monochrome lens that can be used on its own.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The OnePlus 8T's standalone monochrome camera is mainly used to enhance color photos and also takes true black and white photos without filters to achieve the desired effect. This was something I loved about Huawei's cameras until it was removed, which pissed me off enough to write an obituary on it. Unfortunately, it's not a replacement for Huawei's monochrome camera mode as it is only 2 MP, but I like the atmospheric shots it takes.

Otherwise, the OnePlus 8T continues the improvements we saw with the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro cameras. The main and wide angle cameras take pretty, colorful, and bright photos with good dynamic range, both outside and inside. The variety of cameras makes it versatile and I had fun taking photos especially since I was confident the results would look good.

There's no optical zoom option, although the app has a 2x mode. However, the results are noisy and show no details on closer inspection. Nightscape mode now works in videos as well and continues to be a subtle but effective night mode. It integrates with a video bokeh mode to blur the background when recording videos. This is not so good and doesn't fool anyone into thinking it's a real bokeh effect. The portrait effect in still images from the selfie camera and the rear camera is much better.

Software and more

The OnePlus 8T uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor and has 8 GB or 12 GB of RAM. This is the same as the OnePlus 8. It also has 5G connectivity. However, since 5G is not available in my region, this feature could not be tested. Calls made with the OnePlus 8T sound clear, and the speaker works well for hands-free calls too.

OnePlus is one of the first manufacturers to bring out a smartphone with software based on Android 11. There are some great features too. Pressing the power button activates a shortcut screen of controls for your smart home. There's also Google Pay and a screenshot button, as well as Google's new screen recorder feature. OnePlus has improved its dark mode and developed OxygenOS 11 for one-handed use.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

This creates more space at the top of the screen and options that move further down the screen so they're easier to find. The most obvious thing to do is to browse the top level of the Settings menu and OnePlus' own weather app. But it's not everywhere, including the OnePlus file manager app, some of the deeper settings screens, or all of the basic Android apps like the Apps Drawer.

OnePlus 8T's Insight is always displayed. Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

OxygenOS is finally seeing the introduction of an always-on screen. It seems strange that one of the best manufacturer versions of Android didn't have this simple feature, but here we are and, amazingly, it's not quite finished yet. The function that will do it differently, called canvas, will still be included in a software update. This will put an outline of your wallpaper on the lock screen for a comfortably seamless look when you lock and unlock it. You will also see a Snapchat Bitmoji that will always appear on the screen. The update will be available in November.

It is currently very similar to most of the other screens. It displays the time, battery percentage, and notification icons. Besides digital wellbeing, there is another option called Insight that can help you determine how many times you've unlocked the phone and how long you've spent on it. It's an option that is confusingly hidden under the clock style rather than the environment display setting, and it's also confusing to look at. That being said, I'm really excited to see an option in OxygenOS that always appears.

I played Asphalt 9 Legends and Hill Climb Racer with no problems. There's an improved game mode that's visually less intrusive (it pops in from a top corner of the screen and takes up almost no space), with a handy split-screen option for quickly replying to messages. Using the OnePlus 8T with OxygenOS on a daily basis has been glitch free, with bulletproof reliability and a decent speed change. It is also worth pointing out the pleasant haptic feedback.

Price and availability

The OnePlus 8T will be available from October 23rd. Pre-orders will start on October 14th in OnePlus' own online shop. Amazon will also sell the OnePlus 8T from October 23rd. The phone is priced at $ 749 for the 12GB / 256GB model, and the 8GB / 128GB model doesn't appear to be on sale in the US. For reference, the 12GB / 256GB OnePlus 8 model costs $ 800.

In the UK, the Lunar Silver OnePlus 8T will be the 8GB / 128GB phone and will cost £ 549. The 12GB / 256GB model will be available in Aquamarine Green for £ 649.

If you are looking for a OnePlus 8T Pro then don't. The OnePlus 8 Pro remains the company's best smartphone for now, and the OnePlus 8T will only replace the OnePlus 8 released in April.

Our opinion

The super-fast loading of Warp Charge 65T gives the OnePlus 8T the standout feature that the OnePlus 8 lacked, making it a better buying decision than its predecessor. In the time since this phone was sold, however, the mid-range smartphone market has shifted significantly. At $ 749, the OnePlus 8T is too expensive, and now it's a lot harder to justify paying the higher price for a top processor when cheaper phones with a high-mid processor are just as suitable for everyday use.

Is there a better alternative?

If you live in the US, yes. The smartphone world has changed significantly since April, when the OnePlus 8 was not unchallenged, but at the top of the pile. Now we have the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and the Google Pixel 5, both of which are $ 50 cheaper than the OnePlus 8T and arguably more compelling purchases.

There are also a few outliers to consider, including the LG Velvet, Motorola Edge, and Nokia 8.3. All of them are good smartphones that may not charge very quickly but still have other enticing features that range from design to stunning screens. If you're looking to save some cash, the Google Pixel 4a 5G is $ 499 and comes with great software and software. We also expect a good camera.

Then we come to OnePlus. In the UK, the OnePlus Nord is cheaper and really just as good, and the more expensive OnePlus 8 Pro has additional desirable features – water resistance and wireless charging – that make it a better deal in the long run. However, at £ 549, the OnePlus 8T 8GB / 128GB is cheaper than the 12GB / 256GB version and a worthy alternative to the phones mentioned above. It doesn't look like the cheaper phone will be sold in the US, which is unfortunate.

How long it will take?

The OnePlus 8T does not have an IP rating for water resistance, but should be splash-proof for use in the rain. It's not a sturdy phone as it is made of glass, but you get a transparent silicone case in the box. The latest version of Android is now installed, and OnePlus will be delivering critical updates over the next two years and security updates over the next three years. This, along with some care, should mean that the phone will keep you happy for two years.

Should you buy one?

No, not because it's a bad phone – it's not, it's very good. However, you can pay less for equally powerful smartphones from other well-known manufacturers.

Editor's recommendations




14 Oct
Blog

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Review: Fun For Some Ages

Mario Kart Live Home Circuit Review

Mario Kart Live: home track

"A full grid of annoyances is forcing Home Circuit from a sweet drift to a disappointing spin."

  • The kart is well done

  • It's a pleasure to set up (the first time)

  • The effects are visually fun

  • No shortage of content

  • AR tracking is mediocre

  • Limited course options

  • The gameplay lacks depth

The place for Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is wonderful. Perhaps the most popular racing franchise in the entire gaming space, Mario Kart brings it to your living room with a real, physical kart that can move under tables and around chairs. This kart has a camera that provides an AR racing experience through a wireless connection to your Nintendo Switch. Suddenly every room in your house is a race track.

Unfortunately, Home Circuit doesn't work as well as the promotional videos suggest, but it does provide a fun and engaging experience at times that is content for even the die-hard fans of the show. However, like many Nintendo peripherals, it will likely start collecting dust in memory soon after a handful of playthroughs.

Home Circuit is great for a while

Opening the Home Circuit Box was pure, nostalgic joy. The toy kart impressed me with its workmanship and compactness. It's a toy, yes, but one that justifies its $ 100 price tag, especially when you start driving with it.

Mario Kart toy car

After you've downloaded the software from the eShop and used an on-screen QR code to pair the kart with your Switch, you're good to go. Driving feels incredibly responsive and the tight turns required to navigate small distances are surprisingly possible even at higher speeds.

The game finally offers a use for leftover Labo cardboard as you have to set up four colored gates around your room to form control points on a track. According to Nintendo, the track size can extend to 15 by 15 feet. After trying to push the size and design to the limit for the week I had the game, I can confirm that you don't want to build any bigger circuits than that. They may look impressive, but they definitely affect the gameplay.

Once the gates have been placed, you can design the track between them as you wish and use the kart to lay out the layout. I have a pretty narrow but long apartment, so I split myself into two rooms and let the kart go under the couch and table for many stretches. The kart ran fine when you drove from the hardwood floor to the carpet under my table, although you need to make sure there are no creases or wrinkles on a similar surface. My carpet became an unintended obstruction if it was curled up too tightly.

Depending on the size of your room, you may need to adjust some directions and spacing of the gates, although you should be able to create a trail even in a very small space. Jumping and piloting the toy kart in the first few races was like any other modern Mario Kart game. Using items and using items against you is snappy and gratifying.

The longer you play, the worse it gets

It is undoubtedly awesome to have a miniature Mario flying around your house, but you may not notice it because your attention needs to be on the game. The spectators can watch the kart at work. I'm sure families will happily get together to see the kart (at least once or twice). However, I quickly discovered that the kart was becoming invisible to the player.

Elemental Effects and Gate Modifiers add enhancements to the gameplay that attempt to reproduce the thrill of other Mario Kart titles, but the races are short and the consequences are not varied. Mario could be frozen by blocks of ice, stuck in puddles of lava, or snapped up by a piranha plant, but in all cases the result is the same: the kart stops. I kept stalling, and it didn't matter how it actually happened.

There are more sophisticated effects such as: B. blowing around in a sandstorm or pulling in different directions through a chain chomp. However, since there is no penalty for leaving the track limits, they don't really hinder your progress. I've learned to ignore them.

It's good that the game doesn't penalize the racer for cornering or leaving the track limits, as the augmented reality circuit keeps shifting and adjusting while driving. The course you set up at the start of the race looks different than the one you take. The game's AR tracking isn't terrible, but it could certainly be better, and it's weird to see the tracks shift slightly as you play.

I drove the kart into bigger rooms, hoping that more light for the camera and more space for the vehicle would alleviate my problems, but it didn't help much. Neither my friend's spacious roof nor a colleague's large performance room provided the experience I was looking for. The races still ended too quickly even on the biggest tracks. The only benefit of shorter runs is that you are never too far ahead of the pack to take it easy, so the races will stay tense until the end.

I wondered if I could use some pieces of cardboard to ramps up to my coffee table and create circuits with height differences, but I ran into two problems. The first was that when changing elevation, AR tracking didn't work well because it could only be played on a flat plane, so the track shifted even more than usual during the game. Also, the kart itself doesn't have the power to do anything other than a very slight incline. I tried gradually building ramps to counter this issue but this quickly became a requirement.

Despite all of its problems, I still played a lot with the kart and hit the entire course of the cups at speeds of 50 and 100 cc. I am now making my way through 150cc, although sometimes depending on the course this can be too fast to navigate my space.

Our opinion

There's a solid Mario Kart game at its core here, and I hope the environment and gate effects for the correct ninth episode carry over to the main series, as I think these additions could add something to the franchise.

Even so, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit has too many small annoyances that can only be mitigated by a perfectly sized, perfectly lit room – like in Nintendo's promotional materials. This may still be a hit with kids, or anyone less interested in Home Circuit as a game than a toy, but anyone hoping for depth or repeating the game will be disappointed.

Is there a better alternative?

For those who don't have space and don't have a strong craving for the novelty of the toy kart, it's best to stick with Mario Kart 8: Deluxe until the next installment.

How long it will take?

Once you've run through the Grand Prix a few times, there's little incentive to keep playing.

Should you buy it?

If you have kids and a switch this will be a hit with them on this vacation. If you're hoping for a real AR game that will keep you entertained for hours, you've got your wallet in your pocket.

Editor's recommendations




14 Oct
Blog

Maximize Muscularity and Strength; Minimize Risk of Injury

Jordan Shallow is a chiropractor, strength and conditioning trainer, powerlifter and educator. He is the co-founder of Pre-Script, which is based on the three pillars of mobility, stability and strength.

In this episode:

  • Jordan identifies the missing piece of the puzzle when it comes to improving performance, gaining strength, gaining muscle mass, managing injury risk and developing more resilient athletes
  • He explains how developing a foundation for skills and stability can enable an increase in strength

This is an interview that I've wanted to do for a few months and I'm excited to finally get it done. When you listen to Jordan it becomes clear what your limiting factor is when it comes to getting results. It shows why you get these excruciating injuries or why you keep hitting plateaus in the gym.

I am willing to bet that you will learn that you have had a blind spot when it comes to your programming. What's crazier is that the blind spot has been hiding in sight the entire time.

If you enjoyed this podcast and cared about it, rate and rate it so we can get the word out and motivate and inspire others to take their performance to the next level.

You can find more podcasts like this on the Breaking Muscle Six Pack of Knowledge page. Here you can find all podcasts for most of the available streaming services including iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, YouTube, Stitcher, PlayerFM and PodBean.

I am the host, Tom MacCormick, and I am a personal trainer and online coach whose goal is to be the curator of the greatest hypertrophy experts in the world. If you're interested in working with me or learning more about me, follow him on Instagram @tommaccormick.

14 Oct
Blog

The best Midwives brew for a safe and stress-free labor tomorrow

During your pregnancy days, you may have spent hours canceling the days remaining before your due date. You might be worried about your work date for your child's sake. Is it safe? Will it hurt my baby Will the process be okay? These are some of the questions that keep popping up in your mind.

Today we present a special recipe from Midwives brew Not only will this help you induce your work safely, but it will also give you a stress free life!

Is it safe?

We know the most important question we should answer now is whether the Midwives Brew recipe is safe. Yes, this recipe is safe to eat. However, it is recommended to consult a doctor before consuming this recipe. Such measures are necessary so that no complications stand in the way of your delicate health. Every ingredient used to make this recipe is not only beneficial to health, but also extremely affordable to find. Let's discuss this recipe in detail.

Ingredients for the recipe for midwives

There are many varieties of midwives. However, in this article we are sharing the most common ingredients used to prepare this recipe. Make sure to use it only after consulting a medical expert for maximum safety during pregnancy.

1. Almond butter

Almond butter is the main ingredient in midwifery brew. However, if you are allergic to nut butter, you can replace it with another ingredient your doctor prescribes. Make sure you don't include this ingredient in the recipe if you are allergic to it. For others, it's mostly safe and ready to use.

2. Castor oil

Castor oil has been used as a laxative for many years. In pregnant mothers, it helps induce pregnancy by increasing contractions and causing cramps in the muscles of the uterus. Thus, this component can be beneficial. Often, however, castor oil is also avoided because it can cause severe diarrhea, nausea and vomiting due to discomfort. So, only consume it if your doctor deems it appropriate for your health.

3. Apricot juice

Since apricot juice is loaded with vitamins and minerals, this fruit is another important ingredient in the Midwives brew recipe. Make sure to consume it once your doctor approves it. Overall, apricot juice is beneficial during pregnancy.

4th Lemon verbena oil

While not much is known about the use of lemon verbena oil during pregnancy, many do Midwives brew recipesThis is a common ingredient. Therefore, it is best to consult your expert on this as well.

When is it needed?

The best time to drink Midwives brew recipe would be when you know it is safe to give birth to the baby. Since the baby needs to stay in the womb as long as possible until the ninth month, you must not rush to drink this concoction. If you want a safe, fit, and healthy baby, this step is a must. If you are still not sure, you can seek advice from your doctor if necessary. Even as doctors, continue to schedule and have medical admissions checked to avoid further complications.

In summary, the drink must be consumed between 39 weeks or 40 weeks and six days.

It works?

This can be a tough one given the effectiveness of the Midwives brew recipe depends on the health of pregnant women. In many cases, these ingredients have worked wonders, but otherwise they can fail. So it's best to do more research on this before making up your mind.

However, when it does work, the results are purely safe and quick. Over the years, several people who have successfully used it have good news regarding the Midwives brew recipe. Results arrive within 24 hours of consumption, which can work wonders for most mothers who want to see their little one's faces.

frequently asked Questions

1. Are there alternatives to the midwives' brewery recipe?

Yes. Many alternatives include:

  • Consumption of spicy food that automatically leads to labor.
  • Exercise the body to increase the heart rate. This could include; Climbing stairs or doing chores that require extra movement.
  • Use acupressure to increase oxytocin levels for inducing labor.

2. Should I wait for the induction to occur automatically instead of drinking the midwifery brew recipe?

Yes. Waiting for the organic induction of labor is the hardest, but best way to achieve it. A natural way to induce labor involves minimal complications. Overall, it's the safest of them all.

3. Is Sex Safe During Work Hours?

It's mostly safe. Once the water breaks, however, things can get complicated. So it makes sense to do without it. However, you can check with your doctor for more details.

Midwife brewing is a handy recipe to choose if you're looking to induce labor at the earliest. Be sure to consult your doctor regarding this prescription so that complications can be avoided. We hope you have a safe work experience!

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14 Oct
Blog

Maximize Muscularity and Strength; Minimize Risk of Injury

Jordan Shallow is a chiropractor, strength and conditioning trainer, powerlifter and educator. He is the co-founder of Pre-Script, which is based on the three pillars of mobility, stability and strength.

In this episode:

  • Jordan identifies the missing piece of the puzzle when it comes to improving performance, gaining strength, gaining muscle mass, managing injury risk and developing more resilient athletes
  • He explains how developing a foundation for skills and stability can enable an increase in strength

This is an interview that I've wanted to do for a few months and I'm excited to finally get it done. When you listen to Jordan it becomes clear what your limiting factor is when it comes to getting results. It shows why you get these excruciating injuries or why you keep hitting plateaus in the gym. I am willing to bet that you will learnYou have had a blind spot when it comes to your programming. What's crazier is that the blind spot has been hiding in sight the entire time.

If you enjoyed this podcast and cared about it, rate and rate it so we can get the word out and motivate and inspire others to take their performance to the next level.

You can find more podcasts like this on the Breaking Muscle Six Pack of Knowledge page. Here you can find all podcasts for most of the available streaming services including iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, YouTube, Stitcher, PlayerFM and PodBean.

I am the host, Tom MacCormick, and I am a personal trainer and online coach whose goal is to be the curator of the greatest hypertrophy experts in the world. If you're interested in working with me or learning more about me, follow him on Instagram @tommaccormick.

14 Oct
Blog

Panasonic Lumix S1H Review: Still the Video Champ

panasonic lumix s1h review dm 1

"It looks like a still camera, but the S1H is a camouflaged cinema camera – and a very good one."

  • 4K and 6K full screen video

  • 5.9K RAW output

  • Exceptional workmanship

  • Unlimited intake

  • Image stabilization in the body

  • Continuous AF often slow, imprecise

  • 4K / 60 is cropped

  • Big, heavy

One year in its life, the Panasonic Lumix S1H is no longer alone when it comes to professional mirrorless video cameras. Recently, the 8K shots Canon EOS R5 and 4K / 120p Sony A7S III stole headlines, but the world of pro video isn't all about high resolutions and frame rates. The Lumix S1H remains unique in its role as a true workhorse video camera.

In some ways, the S1H is even more noticeable today thanks to the presence of younger competitors from Sony and Canon. The comparatively modest performance – 6K / 24p or 4K / 30p in full screen format, 4K / 60p in full screen mode – is a signal of Panasonic’s focus on reliability. Sure, there are things the S1H can't, but for the filmmaker who just needs detailed, clean 24p footage, this camera is the obvious choice. Both in physical design and in software functionality, it is designed to meet the requirements of real production.

In fact, I'd argue that the S1H is less of a mirrorless hybrid camera than it is a small movie camera, despite having the form factor of the former. As such, it's definitely not for everyone – but the $ 4,000 price tag probably made that clear.

Designed for real life, not a datasheet

The S1H is based on the same platform as Panasonic's other S1 cameras such as the Lumix S1 and S1R and has a bulky, albeit ergonomic, design. Physically, it differs from the S1 in a key area with an additional fan between the back and the LCD screen. This fan is what makes the S1H so special. Where other mirrorless cameras can quickly overheat when recording high-resolution videos or videos with a high frame rate, the S1H can continue to tick indefinitely.

Also unique is the LCD screen, which rests in a double hinge mechanism with which it can be tilted directly up and down or folded to the side. The added flexibility makes it easy to maneuver around microphone and HDMI cables or anything else connected to the camera. The top LCD is also larger and shows more information than its counterpart on the S1 and S1R.

All of this makes the S1H even bigger and heavier than its cousin, the Lumix S1. At 2.56 pounds, it's not exactly in the same league as the 1.35 pound Sony A7S III. The S1H is a camera that you can best operate on a sturdy tripod. Again, it is better to think of a miniature cinema camera than a mirrorless hybrid camera. Yes, you can take great photos with it – but you probably won't want to.

Otherwise, the S1H carries over pretty much all of the design features of the S1, including weather protection, abundant physical controls, and the beautiful 5.7 million dot electronic viewfinder. There is an additional difference: if the S1 and S1R have an SD card slot and an XQD / CFexpress slot, the S1H uses two SD cards. High-speed V90 SD cards are perfectly fine for 6K videos too. However, this means that if you transfer footage to a computer, you are missing out on the insanely fast transfer speeds of CFexpress.

A mixture of resolutions and frame rates

Panasonic has provided the Lumix S1H with a plethora of resolution and frame rate options, many of which are sub-standard and all come with unique limitations. It's a bit of a mess, but I'll do my best to explain how it's used.

Let's start with 6K. The highest resolution that the S1H can offer with its 24 megapixel sensor, 6K, is recorded at 5952 x 3968 pixels, an aspect ratio of 3: 2 that uses the entire sensor area, a recording mode known as "open gate" becomes. That means you'll have to crop the footage in the post to achieve the standard 16: 9 aspect ratio. However, you have some space to customize the frame. If you're outputting to 4K, you can also crop flexibly.

Despite these freedoms, 6K is not the automatic choice. It is limited to 24 frames per second (24p) and uses the h.265 codec with 10-bit 4: 2: 2 colors and a data rate of 200 megabits per second (Mbit / s).

Next up is 5.9 KB (5888 x 3312). This corresponds to 6 KB with an aspect ratio of 16: 9. This uses the same codec as 6K, but the slightly lower resolution allows frame rates of up to 30 fps. If you're shooting a 24p project, you may want the added flexibility of the 3: 2 6K footage. However, on 30p projects, 5.9K is your limit.

Then there is 5.4K (5376 x 3584), another 3: 2 option. In contrast to 6K, this records a cropped area of ​​the sensor and enables frame rates of up to 30p.

Two flavors of full-width 4K are available: Standard Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) and DCI (4096 x 2160). Both can be recorded at 24 or 30 fps with 10-bit 4: 2: 2 colors at 400 Mbit / s. You can also capture cropped 4K images at up to 60 frames per second from an APS-C or Super 35 area of ​​the sensor. This reaches a maximum speed of 200 Mbit / s. There are also 4: 3-4K anamorphic modes (3328 x 2496) that can be reduced to cinematic aspect ratios when using anamorphic lenses. All of this makes 4K the sweet spot resolution for the S1H.

But Panasonic didn't stop there. Almost a year after its announcement, the S1H received a firmware update that added 5.9KB RAW video output over HDMI (and yes, the S1H has a full-size HDMI port). Using an Atomos Ninja V or other compatible recorder, the footage is saved in Apple ProRes RAW format. RAW video is not for the faint of heart, but this feature has made the S1H even more valuable to professional customers.

Interestingly, the same 5.9K RAW output is also used for the newer and much cheaper Lumix S5.

Recording experience and video quality

I recorded a mix of 4K / 24 full screen and 4K / 60 full screen and was really impressed with the results of both. The S1H offers the “real” Panasonic V-Log profile, not the GH5 series V-Log-l, which means that it should match a Panasonic VariCam cinema camera. The company claims to have 14 levels of dynamic range, which is just fantastic for internal non-RAW shooting. From skin tones to vivid details, I like the colors that come out of the S1H. Note: I couldn't get an Atomos recorder in time for this test, so I haven't tested the RAW output yet – although I'm not sure my 8 year old computer is even suitable for this task.

In fact, I don't think many people will need 6K mode. For most of us, it's an exaggeration. But I'm glad Panasonic picked it up. For one, some customers will love the 6K open-gate capture's crop and refresh capability. Also, by outputting 5.9 KB instead of 4 KB for RAW, Panasonic can avoid the line-skipping problems with the Nikon Z 6, another 24-megapixel camera with RAW output that has a Resolution is limited to 4 KB. When only 8 megapixels are needed and 4K is output from a 24MP sensor, many pixels are simply ignored, resulting in a softer image than 4K actually can.

Internally, the S1H uses the same codec as the GH5, but its larger sensor and use of the full V-Log profile allow you to get more out of it. Assuming you started with a reasonably decent exposure and white balance, you have no problem evaluating the footage to get the look you want.

I said the S1H is best used on a sturdy tripod, but I shot most of it with the handheld. Thanks to the stabilization in the body, the handheld material is fluid and natural, but the weight of the camera – especially with the large Lumix S 24-70mm f / 2.8 lens provided by Lensrentals for this test – certainly will excite Limit the use of handhelds as much as possible.

The large top LCD and the placement of the controls make for a great user experience. Buttons can be easily reprogrammed by holding them down and selecting a new option from the menu that appears. The user interface is one of the smarter designs of any camera and makes navigating the S1H's many settings and submenus a breeze.

If there's a possible red flag, it's auto focus. Panasonic's unique focusing system, Depth from Defocus, simply cannot compete with the phase detection systems from Sony and Canon. An upcoming firmware update will bring the improvements to the Lumix S5, which is certainly to be welcomed, but I've still found this camera to lag behind the competition.

To be clear, I don't think the kind of fast, accurate, eye-tracking autofocus needed by one-person YouTube crews in the world of professional video and cinema that Panasonic is targeting with the S1H aims really is a must. There is something to be aware of, however, as it will limit the situations in which the S1H can be effective.

Our opinion

The Lumix S1H is a camera that only Panasonic would make. Like the Micro Four Thirds Lumix GH5S, the S1H has a narrowly defined target customer in the video professional and yet takes over the entire photo functionality of a high-end hybrid camera. That makes it a little strange, and some filmmakers will no doubt be wondering why they shouldn't just invest in a movie camera – but where can you find a full frame 5.9K RAW camera with image stabilization for $ 4,000? You will not. Even after factoring in the cost of an external recorder, starting at around $ 600, the S1H is a steal for what you get.

There's a reason Panasonic hasn't cut the price of the S1H after a year in the market, even if the Sony A7S III is below that at $ 3,500. No other hybrid camera has placed such emphasis on reliability and practicality or mixed them with such a variety of standard and anamorphic frame sizes. I wish 4K / 60 could be shot without cropping, and Panasonic's autofocus leaves room for improvement, but that's not a problem in most of the production environments this camera is intended for.

If I were to start a YouTube channel, I'd reach for the A7S III – but if I were to produce a film, there wouldn't be a camera I'd rather have on set than the Lumix S1H.

Is there a better alternative?

Some developers may prefer the Sony A7S III if they need a higher frame rate 4K image or more reliable auto focus. The most fascinating alternative, however, comes from Panasonic's own warehouse. The Lumix S5 will get a RAW 5.9K output later this year, which should offer the same video quality as the S1H for those who don't mind using an external recorder. You'll have to settle for the pathetic micro-HDMI port, but at only $ 2,000, that's not bad business.

How long it will take?

The S1H is a professional machine that meets the needs of these customers. While 8K cameras are on the go – and no, you don't need one yet – 4K and 6K will continue to offer more than enough resolution for the foreseeable future. There's no reason the S1H won't be viable for many years to come.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Buy the Panasonic Lumix S1H when you need a video camera that offers not only excellent image quality, but also professional reliability and flexibility.

Editor's recommendations




14 Oct
Blog

Most Popular Add-On Spa Services That Clients Ask For

Are you looking for ways to create more abundance in your spa practice? Complementary treatments are a perfect way to offer clients new exciting wellness options. From scalp massages to eye treatments, an add-on spa service provides staff with vital recovery time so that their bodies can relax between physically strenuous facials and massages.

If you need spa service ideas to increase your sales and improve the customer experience, try these product recommendations, sales techniques, and spa service ideas to keep your busy schedule and increase your sales.

Woman gets a massage in a spa


Why Propose Spa Add-On Services?

An add-on spa service is extremely effective for several reasons. First, add-on services take advantage of your current base of loyal customers and make this a powerful way to sell higher volume of services. It is much easier to sell to your current customer than to a new customer.

Second, offering additional spa services gives you critical downtime from physically demanding work and protects the body from repetitive stress.

Most importantly, adding wellness offers and treatments greatly improves the customer experience. Unfortunately, many spa managers fear that suggesting additional services will deter clients. This fear is unnecessary, especially if you can refine your methods with simple steps.

How To Improve Your Client's Spa Experience (And Your Bottom Line)

Finding ways to improve the customer experience means happier customers who get the word out (free marketing!). One way is to suggest helpful add-on treatments as you show how you paid attention to the client and constantly think about ways to improve their experience. Here are three steps you can take to effectively suggest add-ons.

Step 1: responding to a customer's needs

Those seeking spa treatments may do so because they have a problem that they need to address. The key to not sounding intrusive is to make a welcoming, relevant recommendation based on a customer's real needs. Listen carefully to their problems, lifestyle and preferences to offer them new products and additional treatments.

If a customer is already excited about the service, they'll likely appreciate a tailored recommendation. While this is only for the sake of simplicity, a customer who is already at the spa will be more open to other services offered.

When helping clients find the perfect add-on treatment for their individual needs, you may not be able to describe what they are looking for, what their concerns are or, conversely, understand the treatments you are suggesting. To support communication, Read this handy guide we've put together to help define the most frequently questioned terms and treatments for professional skin care.

If you can recommend a service that fixes the customer's problem while remaining helpful (remembering a customer is being pampered and relaxed), you may see a spike in extra purchases.

Step 2: Suggest additional treatments at the right time

Suggesting other treatments while on service may not be the best time as it will lessen the atmosphere. One possibility is for a customer to book the service. You can recommend complementary products or services based on the booking. Another option is to ask if there are any other treatments that they looked at. Alternatively, there is an option to chat with your customer while you go to the front desk and suggest services they might like the next time.

Step 3: advertising and promoting

Use email marketing and social media to promote your add-on treatments and publicize your offers. For example, using a platform like Facebook Ads allows you to place advertisements in front of specific populations likely to be interested in spa treatments. The ads can be very specific and you can segment based on age, location, interests and buying behavior.

If you have a large email database, you can email them once or twice a week to promote your treatments and add-ons. This is an easy way to raise awareness of the various services you offer that people may not even be aware of!

The best add-on treatments to enhance a client's spa experience

Now that you know about promoting your ancillary treatments, we have a few ideas about services that you can recommend to a client based on their needs.

Back facial

If your client is dealing with back acne or blemishes, you can offer them a back facial that will remind them of the skin and relaxation benefits they would enjoy. You'll also want to explain how a back facial is similar to a regular facial by cleansing, exfoliating, extracting, masking, and moisturizing it.

A gentle cleanser that we recommend for a back facial is that Charcoal Peeling Gel Cleanser. Perfect for normal to oily skin types. You can wash away impurities and remove excess oil. You simply mix a small amount of the product with water in your hands, apply it, and massage it gently with your fingertips in circular motions before rinsing it thoroughly and pat dry.

You can use that too Clear Skin Probiotic Masque, which contains cooling cucumber and refined yogurt. This mask exfoliates and eliminates the appearance of defects.

Finish with the Stone Crop Body Oil, mixed with arnica and ideal for massage or humidification. This quickly absorbed oil has a nice stone harvest scent and leaves a matte satin finish that is suitable for both male and female clients.

Product selection

Charcoal Peeling Gel Cleanser

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Hand or foot massage With paraffin wax treatment

Do you notice that your client is dealing with dry, cracked hands and feet? A beautician or massage therapist can easily improve a service by adding a foot scrub and then a foot massage. This is also an opportunity to explain to a client the therapeutic benefits of a paraffin wax treatment applied to the hands or feet to treat those often neglected, hard-to-reach areas.

Start with that Mangosteen Lactic Pro Peel 10%, which smoothes the skin by removing dead skin cells. Next, use the Stone Crop Revitalizing Body Scrub, which gently exfoliates the skin with the invigorating benefits of rock salt. Finish with an application of the Mangosteen Body Lotion, a wonderful massage cream for all skin types. It contains lactic acid, which promotes cell turnover and brings new skin to the surface. You can also finish with our Mangosteen Regenerating Hand Cream, which contains a lactic acid complex to further exfoliate your hands. Finally, give the cuticle some attention with the Wildflower Ultralight Oil, which is easily absorbed into the skin and leaves a smooth satin finish.

For extra dry areas is the Rose hip and lemongrass repair balm contains a natural repair complex for dry skin. You can apply a small amount to the affected areas as often as needed.

Product selection

Stone Crop Revitalizing Body Scrub

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Eye treatment

Is your customer frustrated with under-eye pouches or puffiness? We recommend the award-winning one Neroli Age Corrective Eye Serum simultaneously moisturizes and fights the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and crow's feet.

The Marine Flower Peptide Eye Cream relieves puffiness and brightens those pesky dark circles under the eyes while reducing the signs of aging.

Product selection

Neroli Age Corrective Eye Serum

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Lip treatment

If you want to treat the lips, this three-stage lip treatment is designed as an additional treatment for a facial treatment. Apply this during a facial scrub Citrus Enzyme Lip Exfoliator. Next, to soothe the skin, apply our Lip Comfort Plumping Masque. As the last step of a facial, dab on the Citrus Lip Balm to replenish and moisturize. It is petroleum-free and treats the lips with shea butter and sunflower oil.

Product selection

C.itrus Enzyme Lip Exfoliator

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Scalp massage

The Wildflower Ultralight Oil not only heals dry cuticles, but also works with a scalp massage. You can suggest this additional service and remind clients that scalp massages can be an effective stress and tension reliever. The formula of this product contains evening primrose oil, primrose oil, echinacea oil and linden blossom, which leaves the scalp feeling nourished.

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W.ildflower Ultralight Oil

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Let us know in the comments below which add-on treatment or product will give you the most success in your spa. You can also reach us on social media – we'd love your positive results!

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