05 Apr
Blog

8-Week Workout Plan for Push Up Strength and Power

How many pushups can you do? 20 or 30? 50? More? Perhaps you are one of the unfortunate souls who can only do five repetitions of questionable shape. Say the word "exercise" and push-up is inevitably considered the move of choice. For decades, and possibly centuries, men have called push-up a real strength test, not to mention machismo. How much easier can it be than just falling to the floor and starting to pump off?

Despite all this, the push-up has moved in and out of the field of fitness over the years. The military and other services have used it as an integral part of fitness tests. but it's almost gone from the muscle building radar.

No matter if you are a functional fitness freak, a die-hard guru of the old school or just want to include this classic step in your current program, The push-up is a powerful addition to any training plan. With benefits ranging from optimizing local muscle endurance to increasing overall endurance, core strength, and stability, it's crazy not to include this exercise.

Since the fitness pendulum is swinging in favor of body weight training, you may want to improve your push-up skills. Together with pull-ups, dips, sit-ups, muscle ups and squats, Pushups test real, authentic strength and stabilityand are a testament to total body control. Increasing repetitions, strength and muscle endurance should be a top priority for an independent body weight program and should make up a large part of every strength routine.

8 weeks of push-up power

Below is an eight-week program that is guaranteed to increase your push-up performance. If you use a reputable, regulated program, you can continue this classic yet effective muscle building exercise.

Reduce heavy presses and flies for the duration of this program. If you want to do the bench press and other heavy movements to the maximum, you may need to sit in the back seat for a while. In addition, flies tend to put considerable strain on the shoulder joints.

Since strength and stability of the abdomen are important factors in push-up, Make sure you have a lot of work for your midsection. If you are weak in this area, you tend to bend and bend at the waist.

For the entirety of this program, Make sure that you do each repetition with the correct shape and technique. Hands a little wider than your shoulders, lower them until your chest touches the floor, and then push them back up while maintaining a straight spine and a tight core.

Weeks 1 and 2

The first step is to do a short pre-test. Do as many pushups with good shape without resting up or down in motion. Write down your results. This will be your base. If you've recently trained your chest shoulders or triceps, make sure your pre-test is far enough away to be fresh enough to do your best.

  • To start your program, choose a large number of push-ups as your goal. Start with four times your maximum number from your pre-test. For example, if you did 20 reps, your new goal would be 80. Now do as many sets as necessary to make a total of 80 reps. You can get 20 on your first set, 15 on your second, 12 on your third, and so on as long as you achieve the overall goal.
  • Take a minute break between sets in the first week. Reduce the rest period to 30 seconds in the second week. Also work on reducing the number of total sets required to reach your total.
  • Do this routine at least twice a week.
  • If you want to add assistant training, make sure to include bench presses, tight grip bench presses, shoulder presses, front elevation, and plunge. But remember, do not go super difficult.

Weeks 3 and 4

In the meantime, do some repetitions with a reduced break. Over the next two weeks, increase the frequency, the total number of repetitions, and Keep your calm to a minimum. They effectively improve your overall muscle endurance and endurance.

  • Increase your frequency to three times a week. By now you should get used to exercising several times a week. So don't worry that your strength training will stand in the way of your push-up program.
  • Increase your total reps even further to around 150% of your original goal. For the example above, your new total number of repetitions should be 120. It may seem like a high number, but just do as many sentences as necessary to achieve this new goal.
  • The sleep time should be 30 seconds or less. Your goal should be to fill the gap between sets so that you can do more repetitions per set.
  • Stay strict with form and technique.

Weeks 5 and 6

In the next two weeks, you will increase the frequency, the repetitions and shorten the rest period. Since you will most likely get into the high rep range, You can also use some alternative hand positions and angles.

  • Increase the frequency to four times a week.
  • Reduce the rest time between sets by 15 seconds.
  • Increase the total number of repetitions by another 50% of your original number. For the example above, this would be 160.
  • Experiment with different hand positions and elbow angles. narrow, wide, elbows outwards, elbows on your sides, etc.
  • This cannot be stressed enough: keep your form at bay. This is not a time to rush through repetitions and sets to get more repetitions.

Weeks 7 and 8

The past two weeks will be challenging, to say the least: especially if you supplement your regular strength training. Increase the frequency and the total number of repetitions while reducing the pause. Add some new and challenging ways to do the push-up and increase the intensity.

  • Increase the frequency to five times a week.
  • Keep the sleep times at 15 seconds or less. You can start by resting only a few seconds in the first few sentences and then moving closer to 15 seconds as you move through later sentences.
  • The total number of repetitions increases another 50% based on your original number. Yes, for the example above, your new number would now be 200.
  • Continue to use the different hand positions and elbow angles.
  • Include multiple sets of push-ups with raised feet and push-ups with raised hands.
  • Keep your form in check again.

Trial time

Now it's time for your post test. Do it exactly as you did your pre-test. This time, you should see a significant increase in reps and an increase in overall strength, strength, and shoulder stability.

After the eight weeks Lean back and benefit from your increased strength and increase performance. You can either keep your current level or restart the program for a new challenge.

Typewriter push-up: A challenging push-up variant.

Do you have moody shoulders?

Simplifying shoulder health for strength athletes

05 Apr
Blog

2020: The Year Push-Ups Were First Invented

Great coaches and coaches don't steal. You just take something that was there and name it after you. Yoga too pagan for you, how about mobility? Circuit training also YMCA-y for you, how about CrossFit? Dance for you, how about Zumba? CrossFit to CrossFit-y for you, how about F45? We could go on forever because it goes on forever.

However, during the Great Pandemic of 2020, trainers and trainers were left in the dust by a simple invention that seemed to come from nowhere. No dumbbells, no problem. No dumbbells, no problem. No kettlebells, no problem. You have a floor? Yes? Good, because you can push it away with your arms and get GAINZ!

The push-up is the push-up that we have all been waiting for

Everywhere, trainers and trainers have discovered pushups, also called pushups. Without a gym where the jealousy of the equipment is expressed, our fitness gurus rely on people to do what people have always done.

Pushups were invented in the later prehistoric period when the first people started to sleep on their stomachs and were forced to quickly push themselves off and run from the cave floor so as not to be eaten by a saber-toothed tiger or velociraptor.

It could have been both, but it happened very often. After a while, the prehistoric man – the faster you pushed yourself off the ground, the faster you could start running – doing pushups to improve the speed of escape inside the trunk.

After extraterrestrials came to Earth and ate all saber-toothed tigers and velociraptors, the need for pushups just disappeared and no one did this on Instagram until sometime in February 2020 when the first trainers who were at home before pushups and were invented took three minutes to explain the complications to get them right.

Pushups are king

Joking aside, pushups are your strength and conditioning rescue right now. And we are not overwhelmed to patronize you with push-up knowledge bombs. Below are a number of videos from Breaking Muscle's YouTube channel that could be helpful.

In addition, you can try this 8-week push-up strength and strength training plan.

We are all a little upset that we are not lifting as much weight as we would like. So let's look at a push-up variant with some dumbbells. Like most addicts, we need this update.

Then there is the sliding thing. You can probably find a number of videos on social media where people slide push-ups with rags on a polished wooden floor. They work and keep their place clean. It's hilarious. We wish we had thought of it first. Not.

If you don't like our snarky tone, you definitely have to try Coach Shane Trotter's videos and training programs. He is a good man and a great instructor.

A surefire way to do everything about strength is, of course, to slow it down. Temp training not only kills time, but also ensures effective strength building. The simplest movement with little or no weight can be a challenge.

And finally, cardio is great. Running may not be an option and you may not have a treadmill or rowing machine, but Spiderman pushups are the next best. Do it at a brisk pace and it will open those lungs. Do it slowly and in a controlled manner and it will open these joints.

Hope all these pushups keep you healthy. Stay healthy. Stay safe.

05 Apr
Blog

2020 Kia Soul GT-Line Review: Budget Box With An Attitude

Kia Soul 2020

2020 Kia Soul GT-Line: This budget box has one setting

"The 2020 Kia Soul remains a practical, attractive and affordable CUV that everyone can love."

  • Outstanding styling

  • Design forward cabin

  • Lots of space

  • High-tech functions available

  • Turbo drivetrain is a failure

  • Advanced security features are optional

Last generation Kia Soul hamsters ran out of town. Why? The new soul frightened her. These cute rodents aimed to get younger drivers into the box-shaped vehicle.

Things are different now. Everyone knows the soul, but it knows the cute version. The all-new 2020 Kia Soul is here to show a new side of the machine – a sharper, more aggressive edge to prove that it's good to go against the grain.

Hatchback? SUV? CUV? You could technically argue that the soul is all of this. The classification is not important because you get the best of all worlds. Due to the size of the small car, the price of the basic LX fairing starts at an affordable $ 17,490. Switch to the GT-Line Turbo, the vehicle we tested for a week, and you'll see a starting price of $ 27,490. That is still affordable by today's standards.

It is obvious that American consumers are sticking to their crossovers. But unlike CUVs, which stick to a recipe, the Soul, especially in the GT Line equipment, breaks the mold to give buyers an idea of ​​how fun, cheap and versatile it looks. From this point of view, it's great, but not perfect.

Interior and exterior design

The old soul was a box on wheels, and the new one too. A look at the soul can take you back to elementary school when you had to deal with these horrible square milk cartons. Just add four wheels.

While the overall silhouette has not changed, almost everything else has changed. The headlights have moved down on the front fairing, while slim daytime running lights are now connected to each other via a wafer-thin grille. On the back, the taillights have a hockey stick shape that is connected at the top.

Kia Soul 2020Joel Patel / Digital Trends

The 2020 Soul has a more muscular aesthetic that contrasts sharply with the enchanting look of the last generation model. You can also specify the soul with a two-tone color scheme for additional character.

Choose either the X-Line or one of the GT-Line panels, and your Subcompact CUV comes with a unique body kit. The X-Line gives the impression of an off-road CUV with special 18-inch wheels, roof rails and body panels. The two GT Line claddings are characterized by a sporty design. The GT-Line Turbo has different wheels, red emblems, black trim parts and an exhaust with a central exit.

Kia Soul 2020Joel Patel / Digital Trends

People may be split over the outer design of the soul, but this box brings the warmth inside. Legroom and headroom are plentiful in both rows, with even the largest passengers forgetting that they have descended to the rear. The benefits are equally impressive as the Soul can carry 24.2 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats and can hold a total of 62.1 cubic feet of cargo. These numbers make the Soul one of the more spacious options in this segment, beating the Hyundai Kona, Nissan Kicks and Honda HR-V.

Besides all of this utility, there is still a fun element. From the triangular ventilation slots to the room-like paneling that surrounds the door handle and loudspeakers, the Soul's cabin is chic and yet functional. Our Soul GT-Line Turbo was supplied with mood lighting that corresponds to the rhythm of the music in different colors or themes such as "Midnight City", "Café" and "Romance".

Kia Soul 2020Joel Patel / Digital Trends

Though spacious, the Soul is an affordable way to get around, so it has a fair proportion of hard plastics and rough materials. Still, nothing feels cheap. The Soul GT-Line Turbo feels and looks good for a car that costs less than $ 29,000. The leather and fabric seats are robust, yet comfortable. The heated seats heat your back faster than a whirlpool.

Tire and wind noise can disturb calm at highway speeds, and the seats feel quite high in their lowest position. Of course, this may not be a disadvantage for consumers who yearn for this CUV feeling.

Technical functions

With Kia you can reach far into your pocket to use the best technical functions, but this economy box offers a lot of technical standard. Most panels have a 7-inch touchscreen that includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, this is nothing unusual since almost every competitor can keep up with it.

Where the soul really flexes its muscles is when you start to get higher in the food chain. The EX and GT-Line Turbo models feature a massive 10.25-inch touchscreen and Kia's sophisticated UVO infotainment system. This is one of the largest screens in this segment, clearly outperforming the available 8-inch screen of the Hyundai Kona and the 7-inch touch screens of the Nissan Kicks and Honda HR-V. As an added benefit, you get wireless charging with the larger screen.

Kia Soul 2020Joel Patel / Digital Trends

After spending time with both systems, this is an easy decision. Get the bigger 10.25-inch screen. The standard 7-inch device is Basic – iPhone 6 Basic Level. The 10.25-inch screen with the UVO system is a gem and offers clear, crisp images in an intuitive layout. The extra wide length brings three really helpful things – navigation, audio and weather – to the foreground and to the center. If one of them doesn't sound important, there are numerous customization options that you can use to set priorities as you wish.

The soul's security features follow the same trajectory as their infotainment systems. All you get with the base panel is a rear view camera. The higher the ladder you climb, the more you get. The GT-Line Turbo is filled with almost everything under the sun, including blind spot monitoring, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning. A retractable head-up display is also included in the security cocktail.

Most of the driver assistance functions work as desired – with the exception of Lane Keeping Assist. This fool will pull the wheel out of your hands to keep you from drifting on another trail. Some nitpickers may think that the head-up screen looks cheap too. That may be true, but it works and it's a feature you won't find on Honda HR-V and Nissan Kicks.

Experience behind the wheel

Two drive trains are available for the soul. Five of the six fairings are equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 147 hp and 132 pound-feet of torque. The engine is coupled to a continuously variable transmission, which Kia calls "intelligent variable transmission" or IVT.

Only the GT-Line Turbo has a different grinder. This equipment is equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 201 hp and 195 lb.-ft. accomplishes. of the torque. The engine also has a unique transmission in the form of a seven-speed double clutch.

Kia Soul 2020Joel Patel / Digital Trends

With 54 additional horses and a dual clutch transmission, you can expect the GT-Line Turbo to bring performance to the fore. And you would be right. However, the drivetrain has some serious shortcomings that make it clear how unathletic the small car CUV really is.

The peppy engine doesn't lack grunts, but the way it breaks down power in one massive pull instead of a gentle swallow is staggering. The problem is exacerbated by the dual clutch transmission, which shifts slowly and is chunky. Low speeds and fast, unexpected performance gains. Pushing the throttle from a standstill does not result in immediate power supply, which makes parking a difficult situation.

The expensive GT-Line turbo fairing is a simple pass.

In addition to the engine, the GT-Line Turbo has a firmer suspension. The ride is stiff, but the soul doesn't feel smooth in corners because the box-shaped design limits its true performance potential. Around the corner, the Soul shows a body roll that fits a small car CUV, and the Goodyear Eagle Touring tires of the GT-Line Turbo do not inspire confidence.

Ironically, the front-wheel drive layout of the Soul is not a deal breaker. Other small cars like the Nissan Kicks and the Toyota C-HR are also only equipped with front-wheel drive. They still have 6.7 inches of ground clearance, which is a decent amount to deal with snow. However, if you want real off-road skills, you have to look at the Jeep Renegade.

With the problems of the powertrain and the particularly bumpy ride, which does not offer any real sporting potential, the expensive GT-Line turbo fairing is an easy pass.

Fuel consumption and security

The Environmental Protection Agency rates the 2020 Kia Soul up to 31 mpg (29 mpg city, 35 mpg highway) when it is equipped with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the CVT. If you choose the sportier GT-Line turbo fairing with the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and seven-speed dual clutch transmission, you will see 29 MPG combined (27 MPG City, 32 MPG Highway).

These are not bad numbers for the small car segment, but they bring the soul behind the Nissan Kicks, which are rated at 33 mpg, and the new Hyundai Venue, which is rated at 32 mpg. But the Soul is a bit more efficient than the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona, both of which have a fuel consumption of 30 mpg.

Since the Soul is completely new for the 2020 model year, it is difficult to say how reliable the vehicle will be on the road. The CUV compact car has one of the longest warranties on the market: a 10-year powertrain warranty of 100,000 miles and a five-year warranty of 60,000 miles. This is better than Nissan or Honda cars.

As a new vehicle, the Soul has not yet undergone a crash test by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In the tests carried out by the Insurance Institute for Road Safety (IIHS), the soul did well enough to be recognized as a top safety trick.

How DT would configure this car

Due to the problems with the drivetrain and driving behavior, we recommend skipping the GT-Line turbo fairing. Nevertheless, we like the EX trim best. It has the same 10.25-inch touchscreen, the same UVO infotainment system, and the same wireless charger as the top model, but has a more efficient powertrain.

The 2020 Soul has a more muscular aesthetic that stands out from the enchanting look of the last generation model.

If you want a two-tone color scheme, it's part of the $ 1,500 EX Designer Collection package.

Our opinion

Despite testing the probably worst option in the lineup, the 2020 Kia Soul is a great CUV. Its appearance isn't for everyone, but it stands out in a segment that's filled with boring options. It's also practical with one of the largest holds, lots of technical features, and an efficient powertrain. All of this is packaged in one of the fanciest designs and comes with one of the longest guarantees.

If you are looking for a suitable off-road suitability, you have to choose the Jeep Renegade. For those looking for a vehicle with a design that doesn't stand out, check out the Nissan Kicks, Hyundai Kona, or Honda HR-V.

The kicks don't have all-wheel drive as an option, but the other two. Neither the Kicks nor the HR-V are equipped with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto as standard, but both have safety suites in the middle of their respective lineups instead of random functions that are sporadically distributed. As usual, Kia has offered the Soul at a competitive price, and between these rivals, it's the cheapest option.

With so many options in the subcompact segment, there is bound to be an option that does something better than the soul. As a complete package, however, it is a rounded CUV that does a lot of good at a low price and makes it one of the better options on the market.

Should you get one?

Yes. The soul is a great value with a funky, functional design. Just stay away from the GT Line.

Editor's recommendations




05 Apr
Blog

2020: The Year Push-Ups Were First Invented

Great coaches and coaches don't steal. You just take something that was there and name it after you. Yoga too pagan for you, how about mobility? Circuit training also YMCA-y for you, how about CrossFit? Dance for you, how about Zumba? CrossFit to CrossFit-y for you, how about F45? We could go on forever because it goes on forever.

However, during the Great Pandemic of 2020, trainers and trainers were left in the dust by a simple invention that seemed to come from nowhere. No dumbbells, no problem. No dumbbells, no problem. No kettlebells, no problem. You have a floor? Yes? Good, because you can push it away with your arms and get GAINZ!

The push-up is the push-up that we have all been waiting for

Everywhere, trainers and trainers have discovered pushups, also called pushups. Without a gym where the jealousy of the equipment is expressed, our fitness gurus rely on people to do what people have always done.

Pushups were invented in the later prehistoric period when the first people started to sleep on their stomachs and were forced to quickly push themselves off and run from the cave floor so as not to be eaten by a saber-toothed tiger or velociraptor.

It could have been both, but it happened very often. After a while, the prehistoric man – the faster you pushed yourself off the ground, the faster you could start running – doing pushups to improve the speed of escape inside the trunk.

After extraterrestrials came to Earth and ate all saber-toothed tigers and velociraptors, the need for pushups just disappeared and no one did this on Instagram until sometime in February 2020 when the first trainers who were at home before pushups and were invented took three minutes to explain the complications to get them right.

Pushups are king

Joking aside, pushups are your strength and conditioning rescue right now. And we are not overwhelmed to patronize you with push-up knowledge bombs. Below are a number of videos from Breaking Muscle's YouTube channel that could be helpful.

In addition, you can try this 8-week push-up strength and strength training plan.

We are all a little upset that we are not lifting as much weight as we would like. So let's look at a push-up variant with some dumbbells. Like most addicts, we need this update.

Then there is the sliding thing. You can probably find a number of videos on social media where people slide push-ups with rags on a polished wooden floor. They work and keep their place clean. It's hilarious. We wish we had thought of it first. Not.

If you don't like our snarky tone, you definitely have to try Coach Shane Trotter's videos and training programs. He is a good man and a great instructor.

A surefire way to do everything about strength is, of course, to slow it down. Temp training not only kills time, but also ensures effective strength building. The simplest movement with little or no weight can be a challenge.

And finally, cardio is great. Running may not be an option and you may not have a treadmill or rowing machine, but Spiderman pushups are the next best. Do it at a brisk pace and it will open those lungs. Do it slowly and in a controlled manner and it will open these joints.

Hope all these pushups keep you healthy. Stay healthy. Stay safe.

04 Apr
Blog

Oppo Find X2 Pro Review: Oppo Finds the Sweet Spot

oppo find x2 pro review camera lenses 3

"The Oppo Find X2 Pro is a beautiful phone with the latest hardware."

  • Stunning OLED screen

  • Quick charge

  • Versatile camera that takes great photos

  • High-performance SoC with 5G

  • Expensive

  • Phone software seems unreliable

How do you follow the Oppo Find X? It was ahead of its time in design, gave us an innovative and unusual motorized camera, and even had a completely crazy version of Lamborghini. It seems that Oppo himself wasn't entirely sure what to do since it took 20 months for the company to develop a sequel.

Get to know the Oppo Find X2 Pro, a phone that isn't as visually striking as the Find X, but is even more powerful.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

I've spent a few weeks on the phone since it was unveiled, and it has impressed me more than any other Oppo phone before. This is due to advances in software and design. It's not perfect, but it's the first Oppo phone that I can confidently recommend. Here's why.

design

Oppo's decision to make the Find X2 Pro more conventional is the right one. I miss the madness of the Find X and other Find series phones as much as the next tech fan, but they weren't always practical. The Find X2 looks normal, maybe to the point where it feels derived from the front. However, the orange vegan leather back wall and gold accents prove that Oppo's design department still knows how to party.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The beautifully curved 6.7-inch OLED screen falls off to the side, but not to the extent that you see on the Huawei Mate 30 Pro. It's a more subtle, shallow drop that still offers an impressive viewing experience. Oppo's light effect notifications use the curved glass to warn you and display colored light when you receive a call or new message. It stands out, keeps you up to date and looks cool.

A golden aluminum case is located between the front window and the vegan leather back. It's smooth and gently curved so it won't get into your palm while the leather back feels warm. The Oppo Find X2 Pro is a pleasure to hold.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The leather has no heavy grain and only the slightest texture, but it is easy to grip. The phone never feels like it's slipping out of your hand. Whether the gold and orange color scheme is appealing depends on your personal choice. If it is too gaudy, a black ceramic model is available. Personally, I love the orange leather, but I don't like the chintzy gold, and the Oppo badge looks like an afterthought.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The leather model is slightly thicker and heavier than the black ceramic Find X2 Pro. With a thickness of 9.5 mm and 200 grams, it is a fairly large phone, especially compared to the feather-light Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus with a thickness of 186 grams and a thickness of 7.8 mm. It's still pluggable and never feels unwieldy, but is slightly top-heavy. The design, the high-quality materials and the processing as well as the excellent comfort in the hand make the Find X2 a mature and desirable phone.

screen

Oppo has put a lot of technology into the Find X2 Pro's screen, and it really pays off. The 6.7-inch OLED offers a refresh rate of 120 Hz, a resolution of 3168 x 1440, 240 Hz touch sampling, 10-bit color and HDR10 + support as well as the so-called O1 Ultra Vision Engine to optimize the Video performance. The Oppo Find X2 competes strongly with the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus and the Apple iPhone 11 Pro, two powerful mobile phones with breathtaking screens.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The Find X2 offers numerous options for changing the screen, including adjusting the color temperature and color mode, as well as the ability to turn off the O1 Ultra Vision Engine if you don't like motion smoothing or HDR upscaling. If the color temperature is set to the standard setting, the O1 Ultra Vision Engine and the color mode to Vivid, it hardly differs from the S20 Plus in direct comparison. Black is deep, shadows look perfect, colors are vivid and strong and details are sharp. It is a stunning screen with numerous adjustments if you wish.

The Find X2 Pro, which is also equipped with Dolby Atmos support, features two full-range stereo speakers. The speakers have a lot of volume, and Atmos also adds an extra dimension, but the phone lacks bass and can sound harsh when you turn up the volume.

The Oppo Find X2 Pro (top), Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus (bottom left). and iPhone 11 Pro (bottom right). Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

During the first few days of use, I was concerned that the screen was not responding slightly, which was contrary to the 240 Hz touch sampling function. On my early test model, a screen protector was attached that was lifted up at one corner, eliminating the feeling of lag. I should also mention the phone's haptic feedback, which is wonderfully soft and tactile and comes very close to the excellent vibrations of the OnePlus 7T Pro.

Camera quality

The oversized camera on the back of the Find X2 Pro, which is held in gold, has a 48-megapixel Sony IMX689 1 / 1.4-inch main sensor with an aperture of 1: 1.7 and a second 48-megapixel -Sony IMX586 ultra-wide sensor and a 13 megapixel telephoto lens for a 2x optical zoom as well as a 5x and 10x hybrid setting and up to 60x digital recording. There is double optical image stabilization, live HDR for video and a macro mode as well as an auto focus with laser and phase detection.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The camera app looks familiar if you've recently used a Huawei phone. From the zoom controls to the menu selection, the layout of the app is strikingly similar. I took pictures before and after an important software update and liked a lot of pictures of both. The camera takes colorful and detailed photos that approach a cooler palette than a Samsung camera. The atmosphere of mobile phones like the Huawei P40 Pro can also be missing.

There's a noticeable difference in dynamics between the standard 48-megapixel lens (Sony's new IMX689 sensor) and the wide-angle IMX586, which weakens the colors. However, if you enable Oppo's "Dazzle" color mode, which uses artificial intelligence to enhance your images, the level of saturation will be increased to compensate for this. Edge detection in portrait mode is average and sometimes difficult to recognize even the simplest shapes. However, the large sensor creates a decent natural bokeh when there is an object nearby.

On the front is a 32 megapixel selfie camera in a small hole that offers both a beauty mode and a night mode. This unusual addition to the selfie camera is surprisingly effective and does a good job of reducing noise in low light, but processing time is long. However, I can see that it is useful for many people. Otherwise, the selfie camera has numerous filters and a decent portrait mode.

The Oppo Find X2 Pro's camera is excellent. It's versatile, has great zoom and lots of useful features, and delivers strong photo results whether you're using the front or rear camera. It is reliable and capable.

Software and performance

Software is a traditional weakness of Oppo phones, and previous versions of ColorOS (the company's Android user interface) were filled with frustrating changes to normal Android features.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

Fortunately, Oppo changed course. The Oppo Find X2 Pro ships with ColorOS v7.1 via Android 10. It is more modern and uses clean storage much better to improve usability. The user interface is similar to Android on a Google Pixel 4 phone in that menus and icons look consistent and are where you expect them to be. Thanks to the screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, it is also quick and smooth.

The importance of this cannot be overstated. Daily use of the Find X2 Pro is more of a pleasure than a duty, since almost no matter which phone you come from, no steep learning curve is required after switching. The constantly active screen is helpful and clearly shows notification symbols. I also like the system-wide dark mode.

It's not all good news, and the problems I've had with the Oppo Reno 3 Pro are present, e.g. B. the useless Smart Assistant that you wipe from the home screen. However, since Oppo fixed other issues, these are disappointments in an otherwise solid user interface.

The phone has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor and an X55 5G modem as well as 12 GB RAM and 512 GB storage space. Going through two benchmark tests gave these results.

3DMark: 6.523 (volcano)

Geekbench 5: 901 single-core / 3266 multi-core

This is the fastest Qualcomm processor available and has a large amount of RAM, so the Find X2 Pro never lacks the performance. The results have driven it forward in tests with the Exynos-based Galaxy S20 Plus and with phones with the Snapdragon 855 Plus such as the Asus ROG Phone 2.

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I had some problems with calls. Although the reception was strong according to the symbol and was not technical, I often had problems hearing the caller and vice versa. It seemed like I was in an area with poor coverage and disruption before I reconnect. The problem only occurred with Find X2 Pro. It was intermittent, so not every call was affected, suggesting that it was a software problem.

Battery life

The Find X2 Pro has a built-in fingerprint sensor and a face release, both of which work very well. Face recognition usually beats faster than the fingerprint sensor. A 4,260 mAh battery, which is actually two 2,130 mAh cells that work together, provides the juice. This setup helps the Oppo SuperVOOC Flash Charge 2.0 fast charging system to work and keep temperatures low.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The battery is quickly charged with the supplied 65 W charger. In just 30 minutes in my repeated tests, it shot from 0 to 100%, which essentially makes overnight charging unnecessary. Charge the phone when you get ready in the morning, and it's done before you're done. Unfortunately there is no wireless charging.

I watched approximately 3.5 hours of 1080p video, which drained about 35% of the battery, and the phone took a day of moderate use.

Price, availability and guarantee

The Oppo Find X2 Pro costs £ 1,100 and can currently be ordered from Amazon in the US for $ 1,300. It will be released in May. You can register interest on the phone through the Carphone Warehouse retailer website. However, there is no information yet about which network operators will sell the phone. Oppo does not sell its devices in the United States, but it may be possible to import one. Oppo grants a two year warranty on the device and the battery.

Our opinion

The Find X2 Pro is Oppo at its best. It offers the performance we expect from a flagship phone, without the inconvenience of previous Find models and yet enough individuality to respond. The screen is stunning, the camera is excellent and the software has improved a lot compared to old models.

All of this at a high price that puts Oppo in the same space as Samsung, Apple and Huawei. That is rightly so, but it remains to be seen whether Oppo has the brand name to attract at this level.

Is there a better alternative?

There are a lot of phones out now, and some will be coming very soon to take on the Oppo Find X2 Pro. The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus for $ 1,000 is strong with very good software, a great camera, and one of the best screens available. However, the design is boring compared to the Find X2 Pro. The $ 1,400 Galaxy S20 Ultra and its 108-megapixel camera also come into play at this price.

The Huawei P40 Pro costs £ 900, which is about $ 1,115. Therefore, it will be offered at a competitive price when it is released in April. The design is more mature than that of the Find X2 Pro, and the camera has great potential, but the lack of Google Mobile Services puts it at a disadvantage in the UK. If you're not fixated on buying an Android phone, the Apple iPhone 11 for $ 1,000 Pro is our top choice for the year to date.

I also like the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus for $ 1,100, which is a little older, but is still an excellent smartphone. One to watch out for in the near future is the OnePlus 8 series. OnePlus is part of the same business conglomerate as Oppo and will launch its new phones on April 15th. There is every chance that OnePlus 8 Pro will take over the Find X2 Pro at a cheaper price.

How long it will take?

With IP68 water resistance, the phone stays relatively safe in the wet, and the version with leather back should stay attractive longer because it has no fingerprints or can break like a glass back. Ceramic is tougher and more scratch-resistant than glass if you choose the black version.

Oppo's track record with Android updates isn't great. The original Find X, the RX17 Pro and the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom are expected to receive ColorOS 7 and Android 10 in summer 2020. Android 10 was released in September 2019. If you buy the Find X2 Pro, you can wait a while for an update to Android 11.

Should you buy one?

Yes. The stunning screen, excellent photo functions, fast charging and 5G for future security ensure that the Find X2 Pro will serve you well every day for several years.

Editor's recommendations




04 Apr
Blog

8-Week Workout Plan for Push Up Strength and Power

How many pushups can you do? 20 or 30? 50? More? Perhaps you are one of the unfortunate souls who can only do five repetitions of questionable shape. Say the word "exercise" and push-up is inevitably considered the move of choice. For decades, and possibly centuries, men have called push-up a real strength test, not to mention machismo. How much easier can it be than just falling to the floor and starting to pump off?

Despite all this, the push-up has moved in and out of the field of fitness over the years. The military and other services have used it as an integral part of fitness tests. but it's almost gone from the muscle building radar.

No matter if you are a functional fitness freak, a die-hard guru of the old school or just want to include this classic step in your current program, The push-up is a powerful addition to any training plan. With benefits ranging from optimizing local muscle endurance to increasing overall endurance, core strength, and stability, it's crazy not to include this exercise.

Since the fitness pendulum is swinging in favor of body weight training, you may want to improve your push-up skills. Together with pull-ups, dips, sit-ups, muscle ups and squats, Pushups test real, authentic strength and stabilityand are a testament to total body control. Increasing repetitions, strength and muscle endurance should be a top priority for an independent body weight program and should make up a large part of every strength routine.

8 weeks of push-up power

Below is an eight-week program that is guaranteed to increase your push-up performance. If you use a reputable, regulated program, you can continue this classic yet effective muscle building exercise.

Reduce heavy presses and flies for the duration of this program. If you want to do the bench press and other heavy movements to the maximum, you may need to sit in the back seat for a while. In addition, flies tend to put considerable strain on the shoulder joints.

Since strength and stability of the abdomen are important factors in push-up, Make sure you have a lot of work for your midsection. If you are weak in this area, you tend to bend and bend at the waist.

For the entirety of this program, Make sure that you do each repetition with the correct shape and technique. Hands a little wider than your shoulders, lower them until your chest touches the floor, and then push them back up while maintaining a straight spine and a tight core.

Weeks 1 and 2

The first step is to do a short pre-test. Do as many pushups with good shape without resting up or down in motion. Write down your results. This will be your base. If you've recently trained your chest shoulders or triceps, make sure your pre-test is far enough away to be fresh enough to do your best.

  • To start your program, choose a large number of push-ups as your goal. Start with four times your maximum number from your pre-test. For example, if you did 20 reps, your new goal would be 80. Now do as many sets as necessary to make a total of 80 reps. You can get 20 on your first set, 15 on your second, 12 on your third, and so on as long as you achieve the overall goal.
  • Take a minute break between sets in the first week. Reduce the rest period to 30 seconds in the second week. Also work on reducing the number of total sets required to reach your total.
  • Do this routine at least twice a week.
  • If you want to add assistant training, make sure to include bench presses, tight grip bench presses, shoulder presses, front elevation, and plunge. But remember, do not go super difficult.

Weeks 3 and 4

In the meantime, do some repetitions with a reduced break. Over the next two weeks, increase the frequency, the total number of repetitions, and Keep your calm to a minimum. They effectively improve your overall muscle endurance and endurance.

  • Increase your frequency to three times a week. By now you should get used to exercising several times a week. So don't worry that your strength training will stand in the way of your push-up program.
  • Increase your total reps even further to around 150% of your original goal. For the example above, your new total number of repetitions should be 120. It may seem like a high number, but just do as many sentences as necessary to achieve this new goal.
  • The sleep time should be 30 seconds or less. Your goal should be to fill the gap between sets so that you can do more repetitions per set.
  • Stay strict with form and technique.

Weeks 5 and 6

In the next two weeks, you will increase the frequency, the repetitions and shorten the rest period. Since you will most likely get into the high rep range, You can also use some alternative hand positions and angles.

  • Increase the frequency to four times a week.
  • Reduce the rest time between sets by 15 seconds.
  • Increase the total number of repetitions by another 50% of your original number. For the example above, this would be 160.
  • Experiment with different hand positions and elbow angles. narrow, wide, elbows outwards, elbows on your sides, etc.
  • This cannot be stressed enough: keep your form at bay. This is not a time to rush through repetitions and sets to get more repetitions.

Weeks 7 and 8

The past two weeks will be challenging, to say the least: especially if you supplement your regular strength training. Increase the frequency and the total number of repetitions while reducing the pause. Add some new and challenging ways to do the push-up and increase the intensity.

  • Increase the frequency to five times a week.
  • Keep the sleep times at 15 seconds or less. You can start by resting only a few seconds in the first few sentences and then moving closer to 15 seconds as you move through later sentences.
  • The total number of repetitions increases another 50% based on your original number. Yes, for the example above, your new number would now be 200.
  • Continue to use the different hand positions and elbow angles.
  • Include multiple sets of push-ups with raised feet and push-ups with raised hands.
  • Keep your form in check again.

Trial time

Now it's time for your post test. Do it exactly as you did your pre-test. This time, you should see a significant increase in reps and an increase in overall strength, strength, and shoulder stability.

After the eight weeks Lean back and benefit from your increased strength and increase performance. You can either keep your current level or restart the program for a new challenge.

Typewriter push-up: A challenging push-up variant.

Do you have moody shoulders?

Simplifying shoulder health for strength athletes

03 Apr
Blog

Dyson Corrale Review: This $500 Hair Straightener Falls Flat

Dyson Corrale Pink and Black at the booth

"It can do less damage to your hair, but this straightener is more of an annoyance than an aid."

  • Very difficult

  • Cable loosens easily

  • Expensive

  • Cordless

  • Straightens with fewer passes

You may know it as the kings of the vacuum cleaner, but Dyson is nothing new to hair products. The company has developed one of our favorite hair dryers and produces an innovative hair curler.

His latest product, the Corrale straightenerwas developed to reduce the damage your hair suffers from straightening by half and to reduce the number of outliers by using special, flexible heating plates.

That sounds great, but I was wondering if this wireless hair straightener for $ 500 is worth the hype. I found the following:

Innovation and protection

One of the first things you'll notice about the Dyson Corrale are the unusual hot plates. They're not as firm as normal plates and are designed to wrap around every section of hair, so you get straight hair with fewer passes.

I can totally see how the Corrale would do less damage than a normal flat iron.

When I tried it, I found this to be true. A beat or two and my wavy hair was straight. If you are used to doing multiple passes to straighten your hair, I can totally see how the Corrale would do less damage than a normal flat iron.

Dyson Corrale battery lifeAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

Another feature that can save your hair is heating control. There are three heat settings – 330 degrees Fahrenheit, 365 F and 410 F, so you can choose which setting best suits your hair type. The coarser your hair, the higher the temperature you will normally need. The Corrale then controls the plate temperature 100 times per second so that the heat never goes beyond the selected setting.

Battery benefits and problems

Dyson Corrale Pink and BlackAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

Corrale's 4-cell lithium-ion battery can be used for 30 minutes without a plug. This is ideal for people who like to go up and down or have to check the kids while getting ready. The battery also has some problems.

First, the Corrale's battery makes it powerful. At 76.2 ounces, it's very difficult to compare it to a wired flat iron like the CHI G2 ceramic and titanium flat iron or a flat iron like the Conair Unbound Cordless Flat Iron. Both weigh approximately 16 ounces.

The corrale is almost five times heavier than a typical flat iron.

Most people would probably make fun of the difference in weight. It can't be that hard, can it? However, the corrale is almost five times heavier than a typical flat iron. It's the difference between a box of pasta and a bag of flour. Imagine how tired your arms will be when only half your hair is done. Ouch!

Another problem with the battery is charging. The battery lasts for 30 minutes and some of us are not able to do it properly. It will charge 90% in 40 minutes and fully charge in 70 minutes. It is a long time in which you have to get to work. I would say the answer would be to use the cable as soon as the battery is empty (it works when plugged in), but the cable makes the Corrale even heavier. It's 12.5 feet long!

Dyson Corrale in travel mode

One problem that the battery doesn't contribute to is travel. The Corrale has a special tab that you can use to turn off the battery and stow it in your hand luggage.

Our opinion

The Dyson Corrale is definitely not for those who only occasionally straighten their hair. It straightens the hair very well, but it is heavy and more uncomfortable than I expected. Plus, it costs around $ 5oo. That seems way too much for a hair tool if you can get similar results with a hair straightener that is a fifth of the price (and weight). The only reason I can pay $ 500 is if you straighten yourself every day, need to reduce the damage to your hair, and are ready to draw from gravity.

Is there a better alternative?

That is hard to say. There are many cheaper, high-quality cordless flat irons that weigh less, such as the Conair Unbound Cordless Flat Iron. However, there are no flat irons for these plate types. So if Dyson is right and the plates do less damage, there's probably no better alternative in this regard.

How long it will take?

The Dyson Corral appears to be very well constructed in most aspects, but the tab you pull to put it into travel mode appears to be easily damaged. This affects me because the straightener does not work if the tab cannot be used correctly.

Should you buy it

It pains me to say that because I had high expectations for the Dyson Corral, but no, you probably shouldn't buy it. It's too expensive and too heavy to make it a good option.

Editor's recommendations




03 Apr
Blog

Clean & Clear Lemon Gel Facial Cleanser with Vitamin C Review

Price $ 5.99

My experience

Lemon is one of the most important ingredients for the production of detergents in the old days. It looks like Clean and Clear used the same age-old concept and brought back the goodness of the lemon in their latest facial detergent.

This new facial detergent with lemon extract and vitamin C is the reason why I wanted to try it. When someone like me, who has spent all his childhood admiring my grandmother's beautiful DIY facial cleansers with lemon, sees a product that contains lemon as the main ingredient that you know the purchase is emotional.

I've been using it for over a week now and I can tell you that this lemon gel wash really cuts through the oil and your skin feels clean and soft. Also, removing oil and makeup made my skin look refreshed and clean (I always use a makeup removal wipe to remove the makeup first). It didn't dry out my skin like some oil-removing facial cleansers. I can still see some of my little angry spots around my jaw even after using this for two weeks, but I don't expect this facial wash to do anything about my acne. I am very happy that Clean & Clear did not advertise it as an acne facial detergent. I use this face wash most of the time in the morning and at night with my Clarins face wash. I'm still not sure if there is such a thing as a perfect face wash. Cleansers and moisturizers should be bought depending on your skin texture, location, lifestyle, and weather.

This facial detergent has a nice lemon scent and won't let you smell of lemons, I assure you

Who will like it

  1. Beauties of oily skin
  2. Those looking for an affordable face wash.

Who can avoid it?

  1. Those who don't like products with parabens.
  2. The one with very dry skin
  3. Those who think this is an acne clearing facial cleanser.

Final judgment:

The scent is nice. The foam is gentle. After cleaning, my skin doesn't stay dry and I think it will be a nice summer skin care product!

BnB rating: 4/5

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02 Apr
Blog

New Year, New You: 6 Tips to Better Skin in 2019 with Non-Toxic Products

As soon as 2018 started, it seems to have ended …

And with the end of one year, another begins. No better time to start over and make changes in your life!

For most people (actually 80%!), The decisions made in the new year already fail in the second week of February.

Regardless of your resolutions for the coming year, we have one that you can easily stick to …

How about if you start the new year with a new, non-toxic you?

One of the simplest changes you can make in the coming weeks that will benefit not only your skin but also your overall health is what you keep in your skin care arsenal.

In this article, you will find 6 simple switches that will help you reach the skin of your dreams in 2019.

Getting clean with mud: Osmia Black Clay Facial Soap

Don't worry, we don't think you should run outside and literally take a handful of mud! This black clay facial soap contains black Australian clay and Dead Sea mud to balance and firm the skin and make it cleaner than ever. Trust us!

If you cleanse your skin with a detergent that goes deeper than your old one, you can expect clearer and happier skin in 2019!

Finally, try a vitamin C serum: 100% pure vitamin C serum

If you haven't tried vitamin C serum yet, make 2019 your year for it!

Nothing brightens the skin like it does, but the benefits of vitamin C don't stop there. This beauty vitamin helps to reduce inflammation (bye problem skin!) And to increase collagen production for firmer, firmer and more youthful skin.

Go deeper with the peeling: Eminence Yam and Pumpkin Peel

Are you afraid to try microdermabrasion or a chemical peel?

We don't blame you, but why not go deep home with a scrub formulated with all natural enzymes from creamy yam and pumpkin?

This brightening peeling helps to fade hyperpigmentation, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and make the skin glowing and radiant. It's also a great natural way to treat blackheads.

Treat your skin once a week: May Lindstrom be the problem solver

If you haven't shown your skin the love it deserved in 2018, apply it in 2019 by treating it with a weekly face mask like this antioxidant-rich beauty that treats all of your skin care problems!

Add a toner to your routine: Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Toning Mist

Toners don't get enough credit, but if you really want to take your current skin regime to the next level, we recommend adding one to your routine!

This beautiful rose toner offers a tremendous breakthrough in terms of hydration and is so much more than just a beautiful pink shade! (although we love the color of this!)

Try a multi-purpose product: Ursa Major 4-in-One Face Tonic

Skeptical? Do not be so!

As long as you buy the right products like this great Ursa Major toner, you can't go wrong! This cleans, exfoliates and hydrates everything in one!

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02 Apr
Blog

Call of Duty: Warzone Review: The Definitive Battle Royale

Call of Duty Warzone Duos squads leaked trio

Call of Duty: Warzone Review: Looting the Competition

"Call of Duty: Warzone is the final Battle Royale experience right now."

  • Enough unique aspects to stand out from the crowd

  • Decades of foundation ensure a solid experience

  • The looting mode is a welcome surprise

  • Position audio is somewhat overblown

  • Existing players may have a small charging advantage

After an embarrassing number of rumors and leaks, Call of Duty reentered the Battle Royale scene with Warzone for the second time. a free portion of the larger 2019 release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

The first attempt to get on the train with the heavily marketed blackout was largely forgotten in the weeks after it started. Activision, probably worried about trying again, then sold its next annual shooter release without mentioning the mode that would eventually fill the empty space in its main menu.

However, Warzone doesn't just refer to the game's belated Battle Royale experience. A separate mode called Plunder is also available and could turn out to be the next big thing.

Since the advent of PUBG and Fortnite, the industry has been practically floating in Battle Royale variants. I wouldn't blame you for having all Battle Royale titles created equally, but the industry knows that blatant imitators don't float. Not if you need large numbers of players to get a single game going. Those who survive stick to the defining characteristics of the genre: around a hundred players struggle to be the last to be on a battlefield that is gradually shrinking to the size of your average community allocation.

Warzone sticks to that, but brings decades of industrial polish and a few new ideas to the table.

Good morning Verdansk!

In the Warzone version of Battle Royale, the usual limit of 100 people is increased to 150 to allow the three-man team to line up. Just like EA's response with Apex Legends, Activision seems to be pushing for longevity through social interaction. The more the better and all of that. Camping is not a good spectator sport, and the bigger the squad, the more likely a hot-headed soldier will go against the grain. Pressing a forced group scenario won't help the scared lone wolf, but a "Mute All" button is clearly visible to rule out all of this potential negative energy.

CoD Warzone fall

Solo mode was introduced in a post-release patch, but since it can be removed at any time, get ready to roll the dice in a squad queue at some point in your career. After all, you can't expect every player to want their time to be at the command of a predetermined team. Form a ready-made strategy if you are looking for a maritime strategy and fraternal pats on the back and are concerned only with the fact that games are for some entertainment. no job.

What will help the conscious player, however, are the numerous respawn options that are available after taking a few too many on the chest. Squads can take seriously injured teammates, but even if you succumb to your injuries, it doesn't mean you're not in the game. Step into the bucket and you'll be taken to the Gulag – a card that current Modern Warfare players are undoubtedly aware of – to win their freedom in a one-on-one game. The loadouts are chosen randomly each time. So you have to change your usual duel tactics to have a chance of winning. Live and you get a second chance on the field. Waste your chances or fall again, and surviving allies can throw some cash into a local donor box to bring you back again.

Competition creates innovation

The battle royale genre secured a place in the video game's hall of fame through its survival aspect at a time when sandbox survival simulations were making decent numbers. The idea that death means death resonated with those tired of the running and weapon tactics of most online shooters. It is interesting to see that competitors are gradually deciding to upset the delicate balance of the genre, but this second chance mechanic should make a huge contribution to promoting player loyalty.

CoD Warzone Bullet Trails

Without a ranking season, top players will always mix with the less experienced and relative newcomers, so the 99% have little hope of ending a game. Where is it fun to step into the bucket faster than is required to load a lobby? What Call of Duty has done here doesn't seem to be in the best interests of the professionals, but in reality it's a way to give the less competitive people a reason to stay with them. Big esports players don't rely on respawns to get to the top. The only thing that should do this is to give more people the chance to enjoy the action while filling up the champions' points.

Constantly supplying the grinder with meat is not the only thing Warzone does to mix up the well-known formula. Do you feel selfish or don't you have a buddy who brings you back to life? With this money, you can collect your favorite killstreaks, extra ammo, or even extra armor if you expect a big brawl. The unpredictable nature of long-range killstreaks, drawn from nowhere, will prove to be just as annoying as any regular match, but it's hard to deny that gameplay spices that buy killstreaks can add to the otherwise predictable experience. Battle Royale fanatics have worked out a carefully orchestrated script for success over the years, and anything that shakes the status quo will give Warzone a definite reason to coexist with the established titles over time. And there is more to it than that.

CoD Warzone weapons

Loadouts that come into play regularly reward a high-risk play style. They are similar to airdrops in the well-known Battle Royale titles, but they do not offer random, high-quality loot that everyone can argue about, but a selection of predefined loadouts, complete kits with combat-ready tools and equipment to get you back in the fight. Warzone, like the others, also offers tiered loot. It is not immediately clear what rarity one weapon has over another, but expect those found in caches scattered around the site to have more accessories than the average assault rifle.

Finally, there are contracts and missions that you can find on site and that can be completed for a bit more money on the road. These mark targets (such as loot caches or even enemy squads) on the map and give the teams even more reasons to risk life and limb outdoors and actively look for ways to start a fight. Exploration is a big part of the Battle Royale experience, and Warzone is doing everything in its power to facilitate and promote the outbreak of violence. It sounds stressful, but it's another reason why I see it as an advantage over the competition when it comes to engaging players and viewers. It is rarely boring.

Looting is not a mistake

Aside from the Battle Royale aspect, there is another 50% of the Warzone experience – and that's the best part. At a time when we can't take two steps without falling from a plane into a life or death battle over a desert island, Plunder is here to offer something completely unique. The best parts of modes like Kill Confirmed and Search & Destroy are required to offer a huge cat and mouse game in the same expansive environment as its older siblings.

CoD Warzone locations

You won't find that many players in this mode, but it's the best. Groups of three players fall on the island (with their full loads) and sprint to get cash and deposit it for safe keeping. This is done by expensive balloons or by risking everything with a helicopter pickup. If you die in cash on yourself, a substantial amount will be deducted with the aim of securing the best before the long timer expires. Respawns are activated here. While you don't want to die and drop your money for the most part, it isn't the end of the world if you have some gross spawns.

It's like The Weakest Link, only Anne Robinson has a gun.

Just like in Battle Royale mode, there is a lot going on to advance the match. Contracts are everywhere, helicopters can be shot for big splashes of money, you can raid your enemies' wallets, and there is huge amounts of money stowed in caches scattered around the map. To improve competitiveness, top earners pinged their locations on the map throughout the game, resulting in a messy pursuit that will undoubtedly result in the types of montages you'll only see in a hype trailer before release . Rather than fear for your own life at every step, fear for the money you couldn't throw into a helicopter or fancy balloon. It's like The Weakest Link, only Anne Robinson has a gun.

Like it or not, the Battle Royale "madness" is unlikely to go anywhere. Each. The good news here, at least, is that Activision's second try is currently one of the best – not only because of what it adds to the genre, but also because of the foundation on which it is based. PUBG, the one who triggered this whole gold mine rush, is still struggling with groundbreaking errors and inconsistent spatial audio cues three years after its release. Warzone has largely avoided these audio problems with the exception of a few thundering steps in a skyscraper.

With nearly two decades of releases, Call of Duty had the foundation for the perfect Battle Royale experience long before the idea became mainstream – Activision just had to show it some love. There is a reason why the series attracts the trigger-minded player type. It just nailed the feeling of firing a round. It's not quite as authentic as Battlefield, but it's clear that Activision's rotating developer teams have developed an addictive sense of shooting over the years that ensures that most players know what to expect before they do take the plunge. It's tense, but fair and oh so rewarding.

Conclusion

Our opinion

I'm inclined to say Call of Duty: Warzone is currently the final Battle Royale experience. I'm not afraid to say that Activision used the best of Call of Duty's extensive history to create a more complete Battle Royale experience, but Plunder is currently the standout piece of the package, and I'm a firm believer in it is convinced that in the near future it will not only become a popular pastime for fans, but also an integral part of the Twitch and Mixer websites.

Is there a better alternative out there?

It won't appeal to the Fortnite builders out there. Neither will it reach those who enjoy the slower pace and survival-oriented practicality of something like PUBG. But if you are looking for a serious shooter with a real shine, this is the one for you.

How long it will take?

Hopefully as long as the other big names in the game right now. Both modes appear to be specifically designed for spectator sports where the money should flow into development. Given the experience that existing Call of Duty weapons and maps are used to flesh this out, we can't be sure how much new content will come, but since Activision is always working hard on the next iteration of the series we hope that Warzone will borrow from his brothers in the coming years.

Should you buy it

It's free. Its value as a product cannot be compared. Given that trying the closest competitor (PUBG) still costs a penny or two, this is a no-brainer for those who want to take part in the latest and greatest role. The only thing that stands in your way is a long download.

Editor's recommendations




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