22 Jan
Blog

3 Essential Factors You Must Consider Before Buying A Disposable Mask

Face masks are an absolute necessity in today's world. Especially after the Covid-19 branched out, it has become necessary to wear a face mask in public spaces to stop the spread of the disease. There are several types of face masks, including the cloth mask and the disposable mask. Some people prefer to use the reusable mask to save on their expenses. However, this poses a major health risk if these masks are not properly cleaned after each use. After all, the main purpose of wearing a mask is to stop contamination. Repeatedly using the same mask without disinfecting a person will only increase the likelihood of contamination.

Hence, it is important to understand the importance of using a face mask before purchasing. The careful choice is to purchase disposable masks to stop disease contamination. To ensure the ultimate protection, manufacturers have developed a two-layer or multi-layer protection that prevents the respiratory droplets from moving. This makes the buying process more confusing as people often wonder which of these masks is right for them. So let's take some essential factors that you need to check before purchasing a mask for its use.

  1. Have a clear choice

The most common problem with purchasing a face mask is making a clear choice between disposable masks and reusable masks. Reusable masks usually consist of clothing with several layers of protection. It has removal filters that make the mask a safer choice. Some of these masks are simple strips that cover the face. However, reusable masks are not an ideal choice for everyone. Opting for a reusable mask is not an ideal choice, especially for food service employees. This is because the masks are the source of contamination if not properly cleaned. These topics are convincing enough to make people switch to disposable masks. Disposable masks are the best for every type of worker and pose no risk of contamination. However, there are numerous types of these masks, so users need to check other factors before finding face masks made in North America.

2. Choose the ideal ventilator

Basically, masks prevent the droplets in the air from coming into contact with others. This means that the masks are designed to protect others rather than protecting the wearer. It is recommended to prevent contamination of the disease. It covers the wearer to some extent, but protects them completely, and one must also choose the ideal respirator. Respirators can prevent airborne droplets from being inhaled. Thus, it protects the wearer from all harmful particles in the air. There are mainly two different types of respirators. This includes the N95 respirator and the K95 respirator. Let's look at these:

  • N95 breathing mask: The N95 respirators are widely used by health professionals who need top-notch protection as they work closely with patients. According to experts, these masks should only be used for patient care. These masks are tight fitting and have high filtration, which makes them safer than regular masks. It can filter out almost 95% of the particulate matter in the air, which can be harmful to a person's health. However, the ventilator must be discarded after each use to prevent the disease from spreading.
  • K95: K95 is similar to the N95 respirator used as a PPE kit. However, sometimes people have problems with mask fitting. So this needs to be checked before buying. Several protective layers are available within this mask, which also protect 95% of the particles in the air.

3. Choose the right type

Choosing the ideal type of face mask is important in preventing the spread of disease. Most people are unaware of the use of a mask and tend to make the wrong decisions when purchasing one. The best and most prudent choice would be to purchase surgical masks made from single-use materials. In general, these masks were used by health care workers who were in close contact with the affected patients. Now these masks are available to ordinary people to help stop the spread of the disease. These masks have the ability to protect people as they have a thick protective layer. However, the fittings must be properly checked before purchasing the mask. This is because sometimes the masks do not adjust as desired. However, it is important to follow best practices when wearing masks to ensure safety. These practices include washing your hands with a disinfectant, inspecting the mask for holes or tears, and placing the mask over your nose and mouth.

22 Jan
Blog

Samsung Galaxy S21 Review: Cameras, Battery, and Performance

"The Galaxy S21 makes a wise bet on value with a lower starting price, but feels stuck in 2020. A good phone, but not a particularly exciting one."

  • Smooth and colorful hardware

  • Excellent advertisement

  • Improved fingerprint sensor

  • Lower price translates into great value

  • Plastic back on base S21

  • No 2021 flagship camera experience

  • Galaxy S21 + disappointing value at $ 1,000

When Samsung introduced the Galaxy S21, it took an incredibly rare step in the high-end smartphone space: it cut its prices. The Galaxy S21 series is cheaper across the board for $ 200 than the introductory prices of the Galaxy S20 phones. Given that sales of the Galaxy S20 were significantly lower than the S9 and S10, and that 2021 may not be as economically stable as originally hoped, this seems like the right move.

Samsung isn't taking this move for charity, however – it is cutting the price down hopefully to increase sales and making big bucks on every phone sold regardless of that. The reality of these prices is that the Galaxy S21 and S21 + are not full upgrades from the S20-series phones they've replaced – and that smartphone enthusiasts are scratching their heads.

At first glance, there is no reason for anyone with a Galaxy S20 to consider buying an S21. Samsung knew this for sure, considering the vast majority of people update their phone every two years at the earliest. For this reason. I'm not going to come to terms with how the Galaxy S21 is better than its predecessor – what matters is the assessment of whether the Galaxy S21 can stand on its own as a good phone for the money in 2021.

I have to note that this review focuses on the base Galaxy S21 that I've been using for a week. Much of my experience can also be applied to the Galaxy S21 +, which I've spent less time with but which has the exact same platform and which is simply bigger. Since the Galaxy S21 Ultra has so much going for it that is quite different from the S21 and S21 +, we have a full separate review of this phone.

Hardware, design and display

The design of a modern smartphone is so strongly influenced by the limitations that an incredible number of complex components – processors, a large battery, antennas, speakers and several cameras – fit into one another. This leaves us with phones that look roughly 90% identical on the market. The final 10% includes material choices, camera pod design, color choices, and tiny differences in the details of the surface. The Galaxy S21 looks absolutely different from the Galaxy S20, but honestly if you covered the new rear view camera pod it would look … like an S20 again.

Samsung Galaxy S21 colorsAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

However, there are still nuances to appreciate here. The shiny metal frame looks and feels great. I like the way the camera pod is integrated into this frame – it's sleek and distinctive. My review unit is particularly impressive in the gold and purple colors, but it's not what I would choose. Thankfully the entire color palette is superb. Interestingly, it's the base S21 that has the widest range of color options, although the S21 + has a nice set of three to choose from.

I wouldn't call the S21 a "compact" phone, but it's refreshingly small compared to the S21 + and S21 Ultra. It's almost identical to the S20 and just a bit bigger than the iPhone 12 and Google Pixel 5. My larger-than-average hands wrap around the S21 with ease, and it's not a burden in my pocket. The story is different with the S21 +: it's a typical modern large phone that's 10mm taller, 4mm wider, and 18% heavier than the S21.

I appreciate the switch from Samsung to a matte back that is finally bringing the shiny (aka greasy and stained) back to rest of the old days. It is controversial that the Galaxy S21 uses a plastic back – yes, on an $ 800 phone. This is the same material we saw on the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy S20 FE, and it's an effective cost-cutting measure. From a distance, it looks identical to matte glass, but with a single touch of a button you know it's plastic.

From a practical point of view, I get it. It's cheaper, more damage-resistant than glass, and makes the phone lighter and easier to use. It's an $ 800 phone from a futile point of view, and it's absurd not to get quality materials. Using a case is likely to have the biggest impact on whether this bothers you – I just don't like how this phone feels without a case.

From a distance, it looks identical to matte glass, but with a single touch of a button you know it's plastic.

If the bigger Galaxy S21 + is faster, then this plastic conversation can be ignored – Samsung put Gorilla Glass Victus glass on the back of the larger model. It feels a lot better, which is around the price – and it should be, as the S21 + is $ 1000.

Although the Galaxy S21 has a smaller display than the Galaxy S21 Ultra (and the Note 20 Ultra) on paper, anyone would be incredibly excited to see it every day. Yes, it's "only" 1080p, but it doesn't matter. What is more important is that it is incredibly bright, clear, colorful, and has great angles. Samsung has also added a variable refresh rate that dynamically switches from 48 Hz to 120 Hz to keep everything as smooth as possible – while conserving battery life. Samsung is once again the king of mobile displays.

The new fingerprint sensor in the display is also remarkable. This is the Qualcomm second generation ultrasound machine. It's significantly bigger and faster than before – though that doesn't say much since the Galaxy S and Note phones have had a bad sensor for the past two years. Even so, we're cutting-edge in terms of the responsiveness of the sensors and unlike previous phones, I didn't get mad at tricky false negatives. How refreshing!

Performance, software and battery life

As is usually the case, a month ago Samsung rolled out the software update for Android 11 + One UI 3 on the Galaxy S and Note phones last year. Nothing has changed here, although I have to say this software is great – as long as you like Samsung's approach to Android. I still prefer the Google version on the Pixels, but I feel at home on a UI too.

This is a neutral, good looking interface with lots of nifty animations and subtle color uses. A UI still requires a significant amount of tweaking and tweaking to get set up the way you want – in terms of the multitude of settings, the default settings that need to be changed, and the duplicate apps that need to be managed. The fact that you can tweak so much is great, but it can be overwhelming at first.

Samsung Galaxy S21Andrew Martonik / Digital Trends

The Galaxy S21 uses the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset (or Samsung's internationally comparable Exynos 2100 chipset) and surprisingly offers exceptional performance. While I "only" had 8GB of RAM, I never had a single hiccup while multitasking or gaming, which shouldn't come as a surprise given the processing and graphics power of the 888.

The Galaxy S21 only has average battery life, but the S21 + should be significantly better.

With an unchanged 4000 mAh battery, it's not surprising that the S21 is just average in the battery life division. I did it every day without a charge but didn't leave a ton behind when I went to bed – between 15% and 25%. My usual day with 3 to 4 hours of on-screen viewing and no heavy use like 8K video recording or gaming got me familiar with the battery – but anything heavier, like a day of travel, probably takes an afternoon. above. This new variable refresh rate display and more efficient chipset save some battery, but don't make a big difference.

The Galaxy S21 + should shine here with its 4800 mAh battery. Given that everything else about the phone's functions is identical to the S21 and only a slightly larger display is available for power supply (with exactly the same resolution and refresh rate), I would expect a direct 20% increase in lifespan here. Based on my experience with the S21 Ultra, which has a 5000 mAh battery and a more power-hungry screen, but has a comparatively long battery life, I expect the S21 + to perform well.

Samsung is clearly happy with the charging speed as things haven't improved from the last generation. Although some models briefly flirt with 45W fast charging, the S21 series opted for 25W cable charging. This is paired with 15W wireless charging (assuming you can find a compatible charger) as well as reverse wireless charging for earbuds and smartwatches. So yeah, it's the same as before – that's enough for what we actually need, but it doesn't get things moving either.

Cameras

What Samsung did, or didn't do in this case, with the Galaxy S21 cameras is drawing the ire of smartphone enthusiasts. The camera system is, in simple terms, the same as the Galaxy S20 phones. Samsung claimed the S20's sensors and lenses had been changed so subtly, but there's no doubt that this setup is almost identical to the previous one. This means that a 12-megapixel main, a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 64-megapixel zoom camera are grouped on the back.

Samsung claims that improvements in the ISP (image signal processor) of the new chipset combined with new processing software make better use of the raw data collected by these sensors. In practice I experienced an intense déjà vu – the Galaxy S21 takes photos more or less exactly like the S20, for better and for worse.

In general, the Galaxy S21 takes impressive photos. You get great colors and clarity from shot to shot, and Samsung's processing changes seem to have subtly reduced the overly warm and blown out HDR footage of the S20 series. These are still very punchy and bright shots as you would expect from a Samsung camera, but people generally seem to appreciate that. In good lighting, the S21 produced the shot I was expecting most of the time – and that goes for all three cameras as long as you don't try to zoom in past 3x. All of Samsung's claims about zoom quality in the S21 series lie in the S21 Ultra.

The S21 only shows its age in difficult lighting conditions. When the lights go out, the zoom camera becomes unusable – the phone quickly switches to a digital zoom on the main camera instead. The ultrawide sticks a little longer, but the quality also degrades in low light. With night mode turned on, you get solid, but not spectacular, main camera footage. S21 shots in low light are characterized by mottled, overprocessed grain and soft lines, with the sky being regularly over-brightened in landscape shots. Often times, the subject of your shot will look good, but the darker parts of the picture will be completely washed out. This is a complete step up from what the Google Pixel 5, iPhone 12, and Galaxy S21 Ultra can do in low light.

Where the S21 shows its age most is in the 10MP front camera. This is just … not a great camera right now. It's fine in daylight. Especially if you turn off the face smoothing beauty mode. And Samsung actually offers you the option of choosing between "normal" and "bright" selfies! The detail is seriously lacking, however – and in low light the camera is only useful for creating watercolor images of a scene.

As much as I get into photography, I don't put more than a toe into videography. Even so, I was happy with the video capabilities of the S21, which were mostly shot at 4K 60 and 4K 30, with the video being fluid, stable, and colorful. I also didn't see focus chase or frames dropped which is always a relief. The S21 can shoot 8K at 24 frames per second (fps), but the viewfinder is severely cropped, which is a bit irritating, and 24 fps just doesn't offer the silky smooth look most people want right now.

Most of the camera experience is solid, but at night you will be reminded that this is not a 2021 level camera.

The biggest criticisms of the S20's camera were poor indoor performance and sometimes uncomfortable processing of people's faces. The S21 still struggles with the former – indoor shots quickly become soft and overworked when the lighting isn't optimal, which isn't surprising given the size of the sensors. Samsung specifically pointed out the face processing in its announcement, but I didn't see any dramatic improvement either – even with beauty modes turned off, the excessive smoothing lacks detail in the faces compared to the Pixel 5 and iPhone 12. Once again, the problem is compounded by bad ones Exacerbated lighting conditions in which the overall camera tends to over-smooth textures.

It feels like I'm tough given the price, but it's reasonable to hold one Galaxy S. to a higher standard.

It feels like I'm overly tough with this camera given the S21's lower starting price, but it's reasonable to keep a phone named "Galaxy S" of a high standard. These cameras are good, but not significantly better than those on last year's S20 phones, and that's tough to work with. If not on the $ 800 Galaxy S21, then absolutely on the $ 1000 Galaxy S21 +.

The top-end S21 Ultra model has significant camera changes, but we'll cover those in the full review of this phone. Stay tuned.

Our opinion

The Galaxy S21 is a good phone, it's just not particularly desirable or exciting. You can argue about the decision to use a plastic back or remove the SD card slot, but even with those two choices, there is nothing wrong with the Galaxy S21. The biggest problem with the S21 is that it doesn't move the needle. It doesn't push things. And that's a first for the Galaxy S line.

The redemption is associated with the price. The Galaxy S21, with its name and predisposed idea of ​​what it should offer, is a really good value at $ 799. Aside from plastic, this is a strong bang for the buck. Samsung doesn't skimp on specs, the display is excellent, and the useful functions related to the experience are all here. The performance, software, and even battery life are all good. At this price point, you can even be forgiving of some of the shortcomings that haven't been addressed with the cameras from last year.

The equation changes a bit with the Galaxy S21 +. Obviously, the bigger screen, longer battery life, and glass back are pluses that justify the price hike to $ 999. At this price point, you just can't forgive the camera quality, and it's reasonable to expect more for your money.

How you view the Galaxy S21 and S21 + depends a lot on your current phone and how price conscious you are. Anyone upgrading from a phone two year old or older will see a lot of value here and will be especially happy with the display and speed of the experience. But smartphone fans, special nerds and avid photographers will be absolutely better off with another phone – maybe Samsung's own Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Are there any better alternatives?

If you look at the base Galaxy S21, Samsung's own Galaxy S20 FE is worth considering. For $ 600, it offers the same core experience. The processor isn't as fast and the camera isn't quite as good, but the everyday experience is basically the same – including the plastic back.

The biggest competitor for the larger S21 + is its direct predecessor, the Galaxy S20 +. Samsung sourced the S20 + from Amazon, Best Buy, and its own store, but assuming you can find new / old inventory, there are likely to be deep discounts. Ultimately, it's very similar to the S21 +, although the newer phone has fresh hardware and a nice, variable refresh rate display. Given that, you might not care if the nearly identical S20 + is available at a discount.

The elephant in the room is natural the iPhone 12This corresponds to the price of the S21 and is directly comparable in size, camera and functions. Very few people compare Androids and iPhones in any given upgrade cycle. So this isn't as big a factor as the nerds would lead you to believe. Choose an operating system (and ecosystem) first, then choose the phone – one of them is a good choice.

How long it will take?

You shouldn't have a problem with the Galaxy S21 for three years. This metal frame is sturdy, the plastic back is unlikely to crack like a glass jar, and water resistance means it is unlikely to get fried in an accident. Samsung is also committing to three years of software updates for its high-end phones.

Should you buy it?

Yes, for most people. If you've come from an older phone and are looking for a flagship phone without spending a lot of money, the S21 is a great choice. If you've got a newer phone or are looking for the best that Samsung has to offer, you'll need to upgrade to the S21 Ultra.

Editor's recommendations




21 Jan
Blog

Normal Skin: The Ultimate Guide & Skin Care Routine

Normal skin is best defined as what it is not: neither oily nor dry, rarely sensitive and not particularly problematic. With a complexion like this, you may tend to just let it be. Why play with perfection, right? Not correct. Normal skin also needs a little love and attention. Read on to find out all about your normal skin type and how to care for it properly.

What is "normal" skin?

Skin is generally classified as "normal" if it is not excessive oily or dry and has no persistent skin problems or conditions. This balanced, healthy skin type has even levels of moisture and moisture, even texture, and no obvious problem areas (in other words, you hit the skin care jackpot). Even so, normal skin can experience slight fluctuations in oiliness and dryness – and even the occasional breakout – when exposed to environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution.

Skin types infographic

Balanced oil production

A healthy balance of oil and water makes normal skin feel even and balanced. It can simply do its job: be a barrier, eliminator, regenerator and absorber. When you have that healthy skin type, all you need to do is maintain a great one Skin care routine that we're going to unwrap below.

Hardly visible pores

Your pores are obviously not large (which would be a sign of oily skin) – in fact, they are barely noticeable. Lucky you!

Cleaning feels good

Whether you use a foaming cleanser, balm, or even an oil cleanser, your skin will always feel clean and calm. Overall, your healthy skin doesn't feel tight, dry, or tender.

Minor breakouts

You rarely experience Outbreaks. If you do, it can usually be attributed to neglecting your skin care routine and forgetting to remove makeup and sunscreen or hormonal fluctuations (such as your period).

Minimal sensitivity

They don't respond to new skin care products or ingredients. Your skin tone is even and smooth.

After you determine that your The skin type is a normal skin type. How to take care of your complexion so that it continues to perform at its best.

Important steps in maintaining healthy skin

Normal skin may not have any obvious problems, but it does require proper care to stay healthy and youthful. Caring for normal skin is a three-step process: treat immediate problems, maintain your skin's health, and protect your skin from future damage.

To treat

Treat your skin according to the needs of the moment. You can make minor adjustments to your skin care regimen to combat intermittent dryness or greasiness and to combat that weird dark spot or blemish. Do you feel dry? Swap your lightweight moisturizer for a richer formula. Show up flaws? Add a spot treatment to your nightly routine. Pick products that you can easily incorporate into your skin care routine so you can make those quick decisions at game time.

Care for

No immediate skin problems or conditions? Normal skin types likely don't need to focus on skin problems like acne or hyperpigmentation. But you're not off the hook yet. Even Normal skin requires the right care to maintain its healthy glow. You can focus your energies on maintaining the happy, healthy-looking complexion you already have. For example, a spa facial is still a great way to avoid potential skin problems and improve your glowing complexion. You can talk to your beautician about the Blueberry Detox Firming Peel, a professional treatment that combines blueberry, raspberry and blackberry juices, as well as pineapple extract, to refresh the skin. Your esthetician will also recommend a range of home products to help maintain skin health and appearance. If you can't make it to a spa, we've put together a skin care routine that you can do at home below.

Protect

The key to maintaining the health of your skin is protecting it from drying out from environmental stressors. UV rays, blue light and pollution expose the skin to free radicals – unstable and highly reactive molecules that damage otherwise healthy cells. Over time, cumulative exposure leads to premature aging and the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. You can protect your skin by minimizing sun exposure, adjusting your lifestyle, and adding sun protection and antioxidant-rich products to your skin care routine.

Normal skin care

Part of having normal and healthy skin is choosing the right products. Here is what Eminence Organics Product supervisor and certified beautician Alicia Hawthorne recommends for normal skin care:

1. Cleaner

For normal skin, Alicia says that "the choice of cleanser has more to do with preference, as normal skin type can handle a gel, cream or oil cleanser well." Her tips are:

Gel cleaner: Stone Crop Gel Wash
These A gentle gel cleanser washes away impurities without removing moisture from the skin. Stone harvest, chamomile and shea butter work together to hydrate, brighten and balance the complexion.

Cream cleaner: lemon cleaner
If your normal skin is occasionally dry, try a cream cleanser. Our Lemon Cleanser contains lemon and herbal oils that moisturize, tighten and soften the skin.

Oil cleaner: Stone Crop Cleansing Oil
For normal to oily complexions, try an oil-based cleanser like Eminence Organics Stone fruit cleaning oil. This non-greasy cleansing oil removes impurities and excess oil for a fresh complexion. Here's a video on how to add a cleansing oil to your skin care regimen:

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIWjfMjWcgo (/ embed)

2. Toner

Cleansing and toning work together like shampoo and conditioner: Toning completes the cleansing process by providing moisture, moisture and essential nutrients to keep your skin as healthy as possible. For normal skin, try a moisturizing face mist like the Stone Crop Hydrating Mist, which uses stone fruit juice to keep the skin clean, fresh and moist all day long. The other main ingredient, lavender, promotes skin restoration and contributes to the appearance of easily irritated skin.

3. Peeling

Try the rice powder based one Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant to absorb oil and remove dead skin cells for a radiant look. The strawberry ingredient helps with cleansing, while salicylic acid gently exfoliates scrubs and removes impurities to lighten the appearance of your skin and reduce the appearance of pores. Rhubarb is a good source of ascorbic acid and vitamins to help fight the appearance of wrinkles, while lactic acid sheds dead skin cells to improve skin texture.

4. Mask

Our Stone Crop Masque contains moisturizing stones that have been used by herbalists for centuries to smooth and tighten the appearance of the skin. This gel mask contains our BioComplex formulation, a booster of antioxidants, coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve the overall appearance of your skin. All you have to do is apply a small amount and leave it on for 5-10 minutes.

5. Serum

Protect your complexion from the onset of drying environmental stress by adding an antioxidant-rich serum to your daily skin care routine. Alicia's Tips: Eminence Organics Citrus & Kale Potent C + E Serum and the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum. Even with normal skin, you may want to minimize the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles. This is exactly why the Citrus & Kale Potent C + E Serum was developed, which helps the skin to appear firm and plump. To ensure that your skin stays hydrated, the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum supports skin that has been dried out from cold weather. Have the serum ready and apply a thin layer a few times a day (no more than three). You should be sure that it contains healthy and natural ingredients like strawberry, rhubarb and honey.

6. Moisturizer

All skin types need moisture to stay soft, supple and protected. Moisturizing supports the skin's natural lipid barrier and helps it retain water better and ward off external irritants and stress factors. Again, the consistency you choose depends on preferences:

Light: Mangosteen Gel Moisturizer
The Mangosteen Gel Moisturizer contains mangosteen, an antioxidant-rich superfruit that improves the appearance of the skin and minimizes the appearance of environmental stress. This moisturizing formula also minimizes the appearance of large pores. The formula starts as a wet gel and then melts beautifully into the skin for a smooth, matte finish.

Medium: Arctic Berry Peptide Radiance Cream
If you prefer a medium consistency, reach for that Arctic Berry Peptide Radiance Cream. This daily moisturizer contains an exclusive peptide lighting complex that makes the skin appear smooth and firm.

Rich: Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer
For a richer cream, Alicia recommends ours Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer. This moisturizing cream is enriched with coconut oil, a natural retinol alternative and PhytoCellTec ™ Swiss Green Apple stem cells and firms, fills and tightens the appearance of the skin.

SPF moisturizer
To reduce your risk of skin cancer and keep your skin healthy, it's important to put on a sunscreen or SPF moisturizer every day, preferably one with an SPF factor of at least 30. The Lilikoi Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 40 is a lightweight, all-in-one daily moisturizer that improves the appearance of skin exposed to blue light stress and pollution.

7. Eye cream

Alicia tells us, “Everyone should wear eye cream! The Wild Plum Eye Cream would be a fabulous choice for normal skin. It's high in vitamin K (from iron-rich wild plums) to help reduce the appearance of dark circles. "

8. Face oils

Face oils can be used before or after moisturizers, depending on the skin care products you use. If you prefer, facial oils can be applied to pre-moisturize your skin, or you might want to leave this step until the last time to allow the facial oil to penetrate your skin through the moisturizer. The third option is to mix your oil with your moisturizer. Choose the method that works best for your skin and give it a try Camellia Glow Solid Face Oil. This luxurious face oil contains the highly moisturizing camellia oil, which revitalizes and rejuvenates the appearance of the skin. This oil makes the complexion soft and supple.

Trust us: Even normal skin types can benefit from a skin care regimen, and your favorite facial doctor can help you choose the best products. Visit our Spa locator to find your nearest Eminence Organics Spa partner.

Do you think you have a "normal" complexion? We'd love to hear how you take care of your skin's needs! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on social media.

21 Jan
Blog

Six Ways to Treat Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a non-contagious and inflammatory disease that affects the skin and causes skin cells to grow excessively and rapidly. It can lead to the development of thick and scaly plaques. Ayurvedic medicine includes ingredients that other medical disciplines have also used to treat psoriasis, such as turmeric and aloe vera. If you have a serious illness, you must go to a psoriasis clinic in Melbourne. While Ayurveda can treat psoriasis, researchers have not conducted large-scale clinical trials and systematic reviews to evaluate its effectiveness.

Psoriasis occurs in all age groups, but at variable rates. It often occurs between the ages of 15 and 35 but can develop at any age. Itching is a common complaint among people with psoriasis. Most of the time, people itch when psoriasis affects their palms, scalp of hands, or soles of feet. In general, psoriatic scales are whitish-silver in color and develop in thick, red spots. Sometimes these spots crack and bleed.

A person with psoriasis could use Ayurvedic preparations on the affected area. Turmeric is the most common topical preparation in Ayurvedic medicine. It usually occurs in cooking. However, you can mix it into a paste and apply it to the skin. In this post, we examine the benefits of Ayurveda for people with psoriasis.

Panchakarma Therapy:

It is one of the primary Ayurvedic treatments used to treat psoriasis. Panchakarma treatments include diet changes and herbal remedies. These are supposed to cleanse the body. Experts often recommend a vegetarian diet. Panchakarma treatments include consuming medicinal ghee, a form of clarified butter, and dripping medicinal buttermilk onto a person's head and covering the entire body with a paste made from medicinal sludge.

The success of your treatment will depend on the severity of your psoriasis and your commitment to treatment. For a better result, you can visit a psoriasis clinic in Melbourne.

Diet change:

Ayurvedic practices revolve around a vegetarian diet. Also, avoid foods that contain high-carbohydrate ingredients and products that contain large amounts of sugar. You should also avoid foods that are "extreme" such as: B. too salty, too sour or too sour tastes. Ayurveda practitioners recommend that you “listen” to your body. For example, by responding to the need to urinate, you are clearing your body of toxins.

People who took specific diets like vegans, paleo or high protein, and low carbohydrate diets saw an improvement in symptoms. This supports Ayurvedic eating habits as potentially healthy for people with psoriasis.

Turmeric and Andira Araroba:

Turmeric is a bright yellow-orange spice that is used in Ayurvedic treatment to treat psoriasis. Many studies show that turmeric has antioxidant properties, which means it protects cells and reduces inflammation. You can eat turmeric in foods or take it as a supplement.

Andira Araroba is a botanical powder made from the Andira Araroba tree. Ayurvedic experts mix the powder with vinegar or lemon juice to form a paste that they apply to psoriasis patches.

Olive oil and milk thistle:

You can apply this directly to psoriasis patches or put this in a bath to relieve dryness and irritation. Ayurvedic experts believe that milk thistle herb relieves psoriasis symptoms as it helps the liver and immune system function well.

Cayenne pepper:

It contains a compound called capsaicin, which is used in Ayurvedic medicine. When applied to your skin in a cream, capsaicin block nerve endings make the pain worse. It also relieves the inflammation, redness, and flaking caused by psoriasis.

Regular baths:

Regular baths help keep areas of psoriasis soft and clean. Additionally, baths can be calming, which can provide additional benefits in reducing the occurrence of psoriasis flares. Applying natural soothing oils like olive oils can help soften the skin and relieve the itching and discomfort associated with psoriasis.

Types of psoriasis:

  • Plaque psoriasis: This occurs on red and inflamed areas that cover the area of ​​skin. These spots are covered in whitish-silver plaque scales that are found on the elbows, knees, and scalp.
  • Guttate psoriasis: This is common in children and causes small pink spots on the torso, arms, and legs.
  • Pustular psoriasis: This is very common in adults and causes white, wide areas in red, pus-filled blisters and inflamed skin. It is restricted to smaller areas of skin such as the hands or feet.
  • Inverse psoriasis: This occurs in the light areas of shiny, red, inflamed skin. These spots grow under the breasts or armpits around folds of skin on the genitals.
  • Erythrodermic psoriasis: This type of psoriasis can be life threatening, which is why people should see a doctor right away.

The symptoms of psoriasis differ from each other, depending on the type of psoriasis. Treatment for psoriasis will vary based on the severity of the condition, the type of psoriasis, the size and intensity of the psoriasis patches, and how they respond to the drugs and treatments.

21 Jan
Blog

Logitech Circle View Wired Doorbell Review: It’s Very Apple

Circle view doorbell mounted on brick.

Logitech Circle View doorbell

"This is a great video doorbell if you're a die-hard Apple."

  • Neat integration with other smart home devices

  • Good color night vision

  • Light sensor with readable interface

  • face recognition

  • Not at all compatible with Android

  • Additional hardware and subscription requirements

When Apple announced HomeKit Secure Video, manufacturers took the opportunity to deliver hardware for the Apple home ecosystem. We have one of the first video doorbells, the Logitech Circle View Wired Doorbell. This video doorbell was specially developed for Apple. You will immediately notice that it will not connect to Android at all. That has to be the first thing you know about that doorbell.

The second thing you need to know is that you will need additional Apple hardware and a monthly iCloud subscription for the doorbell to work at its fullest. In addition to having an Apple Hub or AppleTV or iPad as a hub, you'll also need to subscribe to Apple's iCloud plan with 200GB or 2TB (for $ 3 / month and $ 10 / month, respectively) so the doorbell does not collect records Counted towards your iCloud storage space.

In short, you need to be all-in with Apple for this doorbell to be of any use to you. If you've read this far, you are probably all there so we can move on. If you are an Android person, this video doorbell won't work for you at all. You can go ahead and stop reading. I'm assuming anyone reading past this point is either a die-hard Apple fan or my editor (hi, boss!).

Appleness extends into the hardware

Once you're beyond that, we can begin examining the doorbell ourselves. The hardware is a study in overengineering. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing to be completely honest. Maybe I'm not pecking here, but even the way Logitech handles the wiring is a bit strange. On the back of the doorbell housing, slide the doorbell wires into slots that "grab" the wires rather than just using screws as you may be used to. When connecting the power converter, Logitech includes clips that you use to connect the power converter to the transformer. Neither of these are bad, in fact it makes for a very clean experience, but it just felt a little over the top. There is nothing wrong with wire nuts and screws. These other methods aren't better or worse, they're just very Apple.

Logitech Circle View Wired doorbell merrily on brickDigital trends / Adam Doud

The video doorbell hardware looks a bit simple. It's a black rectangle on which (from top to bottom) the camera is located, a light for night vision, motion and light sensors, an LED notification light, the doorbell button with a ring of light so people know where to press and finally a little branding. The doorbell is 4.68 cm high and 1.65 cm wide on the larger side. It also comes with an angled bracket if you want to turn the doorbell 15 degrees to the side.

I am particularly impressed with the color night vision capability.

The camera itself has a field of view with a diagonal of 160 degrees and has excellent night vision functions even without the 4,000K LED light strip. The camera does not use IR night vision, but rather a pithy night vision that is grainy but otherwise clear even on a particularly dark night. I set the doorbell on my back door so it didn't even have the luxury of my front yard light to help, and the image was still pretty good, although it wasn't good enough for facial recognition, which we'll investigate further in a little bit .

The camera also has a motion sensor and a light sensor that measures the ambient light in lux. This is really neat as I can tell at a glance at the doorbell if there is enough light outside to take photos or videos. The software doesn't take full advantage of these sensors, however, which we'll explore below.

The wiring is a clean doorbell experience.Adam Doud / Digital Trends

With negatives, the camera suffers from a fish-eye effect on the periphery of the camera. The LED strip on the doorbell has an on and off setting, but no automatic setting. Given the doorbell has a motion sensor and a light sensor, it seems ridiculous that you can't configure the light to turn on when the sensor detects motion and the light is below a certain threshold. However, this is a software glitch, and not the only one.

The software is very Apple

Once you've set up a Home Hub and have an iCloud subscription, open the doorbell features. In particular, you can have the activities for recording the doorbell carried out, e.g. B. Motion detection, doorbell ringing, etc. If you don't have a hub, you're only limited to one live stream. I honestly don't see the need for a home hub to easily capture and store video. If I only had an iPhone, I could still watch motion event videos. This is a blatant platform lock-in and a little gross. Other doorbells require subscriptions to record video, so I'll barely forgive Apple's iCloud request.

It's also noteworthy that if you want to stream video from the camera, every device that acts as a hub must be turned on. Most of the time this isn't a problem, but if you ever need to turn off your iPad, your doorbell will ring. This again supports the argument that using an iPhone I can stream data to it without the need for a device in between. Not cool.

The Logitech Circle View doorbell CAmera uses color night vision.

Other aspects of Apple software are standard on other doorbell interfaces. Scrubbing through events is a little shaky as you can only view events that detect motion or people. However, you have to drag your finger from event to event, and getting to the beginning of an event is a little difficult. However, sharing and saving videos is easy with Apple's share menu.

With Apple, you can also use the sensors in the doorbell to trigger other events in your house. For example, if you want a specific light in your house to turn on when your doorbell senses movement, you can do that. This is a very smart integration that really makes a smart home.

This doorbell is one of the first ones I tested that offers facial recognition that really works. The implementation is not the best. Apple uses your photo library to identify people who ring the doorbell. So, if you've had an iPhone for a long time, you have a lot of people in your photo library. If you're like me and only use Apple products occasionally, this won't work as well. But just the fact that it works at all is very cool. Given the number of doorbells I've tested that I'd love to access Google Photos if they only asked for it, this was a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, my photo library can only accurately identify me and my children. Fortunately, you can add the names of new faces as they appear. This comes in handy the longer you use the doorbell.

Our opinion

Overall, this is a really nice video doorbell – if you're a die-hard Apple fan. If you are not, this is not a good doorbell at all. We already established that by the time you've read this far, it is you. Yes, this is a very nice doorbell that is specially made for you and your existing ecosystem. The field of view is pretty good, although it's not the 180 degrees you get from the Vivint Video Doorbell Pro. Plus, the video quality is good even at night, similar to the HomeHawk window I checked a few months ago. I really like the access Apple gives to the motion and light sensors. Other doorbells have these sensors, but Apple lets you use them, which is pretty neat.

Is there a better alternative?

From a holistic standpoint, this video doorbell is just as good in everything out there. I am particularly impressed with the color night vision capability. While infrared-based night vision can produce brighter and clearer results even on a cheap doorbell like the Wyze video doorbell, I prefer colored night vision because it allows you to better visualize what is actually outside your door. There are also three more doorbells that HomeKit support, including offerings from Netatmo, Robin, and Yobi.

Will it take?

This doorbell is very well built, albeit made of plastic. It's not made from the most durable building materials any doorbell I've tested. That honor likely goes to the Nest Hello doorbell. That being said, I have no concerns about long-term profitability. The doorbell is designed for operation at -20 to 40 degrees Celsius. There is a one year limited warranty.

Should I buy it?

If you've read this far, you're a die-hard Apple. Yes, you should buy it. The integration with the Apple ecosystem is pretty powerful, and using those sensors on the doorbell to trigger other smart home events has really good potential. The $ 199 MSRP is right in the wheelhouse of other doorbells like the Eufy Security Doorbell. After all, the software, Apple's Home Kit, is far more secure than Ring Video Doorbell 3.

Editor's recommendations




21 Jan
Blog

Top tips on how to find the best dentist

Many of us are scared when we think about going to the dentist. A dentist is a professional who is your partner in oral health. Routine dental exams and treatments by your dentist will keep your teeth, gums and mouth healthy for a long time. Poor oral health can lead to many health problems such as cardiovascular disease.

So the main question is how to find the right dentist. The answer is simple, but it takes a lot of effort on your part if you want to find the best dentists in Kitchener. We have compiled a list of tips to help you find the best dentist for all of your oral health problems:

1. Obtain recommendation

First, ask your friends and family for a recommendation. Referrals can help you find a reliable and experienced professional that you can trust as their services have already been tested by someone you know. So ask for recommendations before you begin your search.

2. Use the Internet

The internet is your best friend when it comes to finding something. Today you can find almost everything on the internet. Use it to find an experienced dentist in your area. You can also search for previous patient reviews. This will give you a better idea of ​​whether or not to trust the services of a dentist.

3. Research the dentist's credentials

Unfortunately, many dentists sit in the market with false degrees and experience. This makes it very difficult to find a real dentist. Because of this, you need to find a dentist who is board certified. A board certificate shows that the dentist has the proper knowledge, training, and skills required to provide the necessary treatment to the patient. This also proves that the dentist is not involved in any of the misconduct or disciplinary action.

4. Take into account the experience of the dentist

Experience is most important when choosing a dentist. The more experience the dentist has, the higher the chances of a successful treatment. Ask your dentist how much experience they have in dealing with patients with similar conditions.

Before starting treatment, ask him if there are any complications and the success rate.

5. Ask about telemedicine capabilities

We live in a world ravaged by a pandemic and visiting a doctor or dentist has become risky for both the patient and the professional. Because of this, it has become important for you to find a professional who can communicate or provide assistance by phone, message, or video. This protects both the patient and the professional from infection. If your dentist is unable to provide help over the phone, you should seek out one who can.

6. Evaluate the communication style

It is important that you speak freely with your dentist so that they can easily explain your problem to them. If there is miscommunication, you may not get the best treatment. This is why you need to consider your dentist's communication style. Ask them a few questions and see how they react. Is he listening to your problems correctly? Is he trying to rush through the session? Does the dentist provide you with the necessary information or not? If you think your dentist is not paying enough attention, you should look to another dentist.

7. Read the patient reviews

Patient reviews give you an idea of ​​the dentist and how they treat their patients. When reading patient reviews, keep the following points in mind:

  • Does the dentist listen to the patient or not?
  • The environment of the clinic and the attitude of the staff towards the patient.
  • Waiting time during working hours.
  • Is booking an appointment easy or not?
  • How much time does a dentist give a patient?

8. Know what your insurance covers

Opting for oral health treatment can cost a lot of money. Because of this, you need to check whether the dentist is covered by your insurance or not. If you choose a dentist who is not covered by your insurance plan, you are paying all the money out of your pocket. So, if you want to save money and get the full benefit from insurance, only contact a dentist who is covered by your insurance.

9. Distance

Sometimes your treatment involves multiple visits to the dentist and you don't want to feel discouraged about the removal. So look for a dentist who is nearby and easy to visit when needed.

Finding an experienced dentist is easy, but it takes a lot of research and work. If you follow the points above, your job will be a lot easier.

20 Jan
Blog

Understanding Maximum Heart Rate | Breaking Muscle

The modern age of fitness has spawned a host of wearable technologies capable of capturing extraordinary amounts of biological and physiological data. Perhaps the most commonly measured variable we see today is heart rate.

Understanding Maximum Heart Rate - Fitness, Fitness, VO2 Max, Aerobics, Obesity, Weight Loss, Heart Rate, Aerobic Fitness, Heart Health, Wearables, Fitness Technology, Obesity Crisis, Heart Rate Variability

This is certainly nothing new as brands like Polar and Garmin have offered wearable chest straps and watches to their users for decades. We always used two fingers to effortlessly locate our carotid (our neck) or radial (our wrist) impulses.

Today, almost everyone wears an Apple Watch or Fitbit on their wrist to track changes in their heart rate, whether they're exercising, sitting at their desk, or just sleeping.

Heart rate affects health and performance

Understanding your heart rate can be very useful from both a health and a performance perspective.

  • The resting heart rate can give doctors an insight into the state of health by age and gender.
  • In contrast, increases or decreases in exercise behavior give fitness professionals feedback on general fitness levels.
  • In addition, we can use the heart rate to establish training zones and prescribe programs for improved aerobic fitness.
  • Perhaps the hardest part of the whole equation is understanding Maximum Heart Rate (MHR).

Even when wearing technology, MHR often has to be entered manually to determine the correct training zones for the future. It will track your heart rate and let you know if you've set up a new MHR through exercise.

However, training on or near MHR is extremely stressful and you can never be sure that the numbers given are not an anomaly.

Source: The Redline: Feeling good when you are uncomfortable

Can you find your maximum heart rate?

The most common method of determining MHR is to take 220 and subtract your age.

If you are 40 years old, your estimated MHR is theoretically 180 beats per minute.

Although some technologies implement more advanced methods of determining these variables, many still rely on this simple equation to predict them.

While it is useful in the sense that it provides a quick and free way to predict MHR, it has some problems.

It doesn't take your own into account::

People often get frustrated with this estimate because it doesn't match their exercise or expectations of how their body should react when exercising.

In reality, however, they should use it as a guide compass. It is not the end, everything is everything. In fact, there are other ways to appreciate the MHR.

Measuring tools for MHR

The most accurate method for determining MHR is a VO2 peak treadmill test. Unfortunately, it is quite time consuming and not everyone has access to this technology.

Fortunately, some other methods and equations for MHR estimation seem more accurate than 220 minus age.

A 2012 research study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research1 compared the relative accuracy of three equations to a VO2 peak treadmill test in overweight or obese adults, including three equations:

  1. 220 – age
  2. 208 – 0.7 x age
  3. 200 – 0.48 x age

The researchers found that the 220 age equation overestimated the MHR by an average of 5 beats per minute, while the 200-0.48 time age equation estimated the MHR to be within 2 beats per minute. and the 208 – 0.7 x age equation was found to be the most accurate.

We need to understand that while the research I discussed used a relatively large sample size (n = 132), it is only a study and does not deal with sports populations. Hence, it is still difficult to say which equation is the best of all.

There are methods for determining exercise heart rate (THR) such as the Karvonen method and We know a VO2 treadmill test gives the best results of allbut again we have to accept the fact that these are all estimates.

MHR and exercise response

My suggestion to anyone struggling to really nail their MHR is to use multiple methods and monitor your training results.

One formula may prove to be more accurate than another in your case, but how you respond to exercise will give you the best insight into your aerobic capacity and unique heart rate.

If you're still genuinely interested in being as specific as possible, look for movement physiology laboratories nearby and see if you can make an appointment for a treadmill test.

The investment could be worth it.

References

1. Franckowiak, Shawn C., Dobrosielski, Devon A., Reilley, Suzanne M, Walston, Jeremy D, Andersen, Ross E., "Maximum Heart Rate Prediction in Adults who are overweight or obese," Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: May 2011, Volume 25, Issue 5, pp. 1407-1412.

20 Jan
Blog

HP Spectre x360 14 Review: The 2-in-1 Convertible, Perfected

HP ghost

"The HP Specter x360 14 is the perfect balance between performance and portability."

  • Spectacular 3: 2 OLED display

  • Pretty fast in performance mode

  • Surprisingly good battery life considering the display

  • Great keyboard and touchpad

  • Elegant and modern look

  • Requires some management to balance performance and fan noise

The HP Specter x360 13 has been my favorite laptop for a while. With its OLED screen and beautiful design, it was everything I wanted from a convertible 2-in-1 laptop.

However, given the tough competition, HP couldn't rest on its laurels. Expectations for performance, portability, and size are constantly changing, and the latest Specter 2-in-1 from HP seeks to drive its design into the future.

The Specter x360 14 uses a larger 13.5-inch display with an aspect ratio of 3: 2, two trends that promise improved productivity. The company sent me a test device with an 11th generation Intel Tiger Lake Core i7-1165G7, 16 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB solid state drive (SSD). It also has a 3,000 x 2,000 resolution OLED display and is priced at $ 1,700 at Best Buy. I've spent some time with the Specter x360 14 now, you know what? HP may have perfected the 2-in-1 convertible.

design

HP ghostMark Coppock / Digital Trends

HP hasn't dealt with the general design theme of the Specter – and why should it? The gem-cut aesthetic remains the boldest design you'll find outside of gaming laptops, though the Specter is more sleek than ostentatious. The Specter x360 14 is a beautiful laptop without looking over the top, whether in the color Nightfall Black with copper accents, which I received, or in the alternatives Poseidon Blue or Natural Silver.

The Dell XPS 13 is a good looking laptop too, but it's a simpler aesthetic that goes unnoticed. Which is better depends on taste, of course, but I prefer the polite Specter x360 14.

It's also very well built with no need to bend, bend, or twist it anywhere in the lid, case, or keyboard deck. In this respect, the Specter x360 14 fits the XPS 13 and the Apple MacBook Pro 13, which is highly praised. There are few other laptops in the class that can match these three. The XPS 13 scores some points for its two-zone hinge, which can be easily opened with one hand and then held firmly in place, but the Specter x360 14 is not far behind.

The Specter's hinge is almost light enough to open with one hand, and it holds the display in place in any of four modes – clamshell, tent, medium, or tablet. The 3: 2 aspect ratio makes tablet mode much more comfortable, as the panel fits better to an 8.5 x 11 inch piece of paper – thanks to Microsoft here, as its Surface line has had the same aspect ratio for several generations.

HP ghostMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The display changes the dimensions of the Specter x360 14 and is thus slightly deeper (8.67 inches) than the 13-inch model (7.66 inches), but not quite as wide (11.75 inches compared to 12.08 inches) . Compared to the tiny XPS 13 with a width of 11.64 inches and a depth of 7.82 inches, the Specter x360 14 is again deeper, although it has its own small bezels.

It's the larger chin compared to the XPS 13 that makes the Specter x360 14 appear so much larger when opened (beyond the sheer height of the 3: 2 aspect ratio). The 14-inch is the same as the 13-inch, 0.67-inch thick, both of which exceed the XPS 13's 0.58-inch, and the Specter x360 14 is also the heaviest at 2.95 pounds over the 13-inch and the XPS 13, both of which weigh 2.8 pounds.

Since I used the Specter x360 14, I appreciate its extra size. Both the Specter x360 13 and XPS 13 felt small at times, especially in terms of the palm rest and touchpad – both are slightly larger on the Specter x360 14. I find this model to be a solid compromise between the tiny 13-inch laptop and the hefty Specter x360 15.

HP ghostMark Coppock / Digital Trends

As with the Tiger Lake version of the Specter x360 13, the 14-inch version has two USB Thunderbolt 4 ports on the right, one on the edge and one in the notch under the display. On this side of the case there is also a 3.5 mm audio jack and a miniSD card reader. On the other side is the single USB-A 3.1 port. One difference to the 13-inch model is that the power switch is no longer in the other notch – this time on the keyboard, which is a bummer for anyone using their laptop with an external display closed.

Now you need to open the lid to turn on the laptop. Although some people may prefer to have all of the keys on the keyboard available, this is a regression in my book. Wireless connectivity is modern with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.

software

Before I dive into the performance of the Specter x360 14, let's talk a little about software. Most manufacturers have developed utilities that allow users to adjust the CPU clock and fan speed to adjust the performance versus heat and fan noise. In some cases, these utilities don't do much – run a benchmark in quiet / cool mode and then in performance mode and you will see at most a negligible improvement in speed. And quite often, you can't tell the difference between fan noise and heat.

The HP Command Center differs at least on the 13- and 14-inch models (the utility doesn't help much with the 15-inch Specter). Toggle the "Balanced" mode and the Specter x360 14 is noticeably quieter and cooler, and it's pretty slow too. In this mode, it falls behind other Tiger Lake Core i7 laptops (and some 10th generation laptops), but it runs noiselessly and can be used comfortably on a lap. However, if you toggle the "Performance" mode, the Specter x360 will sprout 14 wings and become quite competitive – and significantly louder and hotter at the same time.

I only mention these utilities in my reviews if they make a significant difference in performance. I mention the HP Command Center specifically because I don't want to make anyone think it's a slow laptop. This is not the case. You just need to use the utility wisely. It can be either a hassle or a blessing, depending on how much attention you want to give to such things. I like Command Center because I don't need super-fast performance most of the time, and I appreciate the cool and quiet performance more – but when I need sheer speed, it's just a click away.

HP ghostMark Coppock / Digital Trends

I will also notice that HP added some new folds to the Utility Suite. For example, the Command Center itself has a new "Smart Sense" mode that does things automatically based on the application, the location of the laptop, and the battery status. I didn't think it was particularly smart – the "Balanced" mode kept things quieter and the "Performance" mode was faster. HP also added a focus mode that highlights the active application and dwarfs the rest of the display. This is an interesting effect, but so far I've only found it annoying. Next, the system can tell if it's in a bag and prevent you from waking up. I carried it around in my backpack for a while and it was sleeping, but that's not a big test.

Then there are a couple of utilities to control the display. One of them is a standalone display control utility that allows you to set the color profile for your use. In addition, there is a system setting in the display area that allows you to enable Adaptive Color, which adjusts the color profile based on ambient lighting. It's like automatic brightness, only for colors. Whether any of these utilities are of value or add fluff depends on individual taste.

performance

Now let's get down to performance and begin our handbrake test, which encodes a 420MB video as H.265. It took the Specter x360 14 just under four minutes to complete the test in balanced mode and a little over three minutes in performance mode. That's almost a full minute of difference just by flipping the switch. Compared to other Tiger Lake laptops, the balanced mode is slower – for example, the Dell XPS 13 9310 took 30 seconds less in its own quiet mode, while it was three seconds faster than the Specter in both performance modes. The Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 with a Core i5-1135G7 was also about 30 seconds faster in balanced mode, and the Acer Swift 5 matched the results of the Performance mode on the Specter x360 14.

Cinebench R23 was similar. The Specter x360 14 achieved a strong multi-core value of 4,847 in performance mode compared to an anemic 3,941 in balanced mode. In performance mode, only the Porsche Design Acer Book RS (a strangely fast Core i5-1135G7 with 4,973 points) and the MSI Prestige 14 Evo with a Core i7-1185G7 (5,789) achieved higher scores among the Tiger Lake laptops. The Apple MacBooks with the Apple M1 chip were much faster (6,680 or higher), as were machines with 45-watt Intel H-series CPUs.

HP ghostMark Coppock / Digital Trends

I also ran the PCMark 10 Complete test where, interestingly, Command Center was much less important. The Specter x360 14 scores 4,728 in balanced mode and 4,795 in performance mode, as well as the basics (web browsing, video conferencing, app launch), productivity (spreadsheet and word processing), and creation (photo editing, video playback and playback, and video editing) scores similarly close.

Even so, the Specter was competitive with other Tiger Lake laptops, beating the Porsche Design Acer Book RS and losing just short of the MSI Prestige 14 Evo. The Specter x360 14 performed particularly well in the creation area of ​​this benchmark. Note that the Dell XPS 13 9310 would not complete the test.

In short, the Specter x360 14 is a fast Tiger Lake laptop in performance mode. It will run loud and hot, but it will keep up with most of the field – which, by the way, also tends to run loud and hot when fully tilted. I want to point out here that the fans of the Specter x360 14 have a wonderfully comfortable pitch at full force – the Specter avoids the annoying whining that some laptops do when the fans boot up.

HP ghostMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Can the Specter x360 14 play? Yes, about as good as other Tiger Lake laptops with Intel Iris Xe graphics. The 3DMark Time Spy score of 1,709 in performance mode is higher than any other Tiger Lake laptop we tested, and even the 1,457 score in balanced mode is competitive. Under Fortnite, the Specter x360 14 achieved 36 frames per second (fps) at 1080p and high graphics, which exceeded all but the MSI Prestige 14 Evo with 42 fps. This is of course in performance mode, but here too, even the 26 fps in balanced mode were competitive with the rest of the field.

The same goes for Epic graphics turned on, which makes the Specter x360 14 a decent entry-level slot machine that is on par with computers with discrete low-end graphics like the Nvidia GeForce MX350.

display

HP ghostMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The Specter x360 14 features the first OLED display with an aspect ratio of 3: 2 (3,000 x 2,000 resolution) and is a beauty. Like all OLED displays, it offers a spectacular contrast of 374,200: 1 – in comparison, the contrast of the 4K IPS display of the Dell XPS 13 9310 is 1,360: 1, which is well above our threshold of 1,000: 1 and particularly good for is an IPS display. However, the Specter x360 14's display gives you the deepest blacks in contrast to brilliant whites, which really makes black text pop on white backgrounds (which I love as a writer).

The brightness was good at 374 nits, but not great compared to the 420 nits of the XPS 13 and the 405 nits of the OLED display of the Specter x360 13.

This is an excellent display that is a pleasure to use.

The color gamut was also excellent at 100% of sRGB and 96% of AdobeRGB – ideal for creatives who need a lot of color – and the color accuracy was excellent at a DeltaE of 0.69 (anything below 1.0 cannot be differentiated with the human eye and is considered excellent). The XPS 13 managed 100% of sRGB but only 79% of AdobeRGB, placing it in a lower display class.

The XPS 13's color accuracy was 1.21, good, but nowhere near as good as the Specter's. The OLED display on the Specter x360 13 achieved a wider color gamut of 100% sRGB and 98% AdobeRGB, but the color accuracy wasn't as good at 1.29.

I get to the point here and say that this is an excellent display that is a sheer delight in real life. The only display that I like better is the OLED display of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3, which performs similarly to the Specter display, but has a Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range (HDR), which the Lenovo does when playing Netflix makes HDR content so much better.

With the HP, you'll want to turn off HDR because Netflix isn't particularly good at handling it. However, this isn't such a terrible thing as the non-HDR OLED display is still better than most IPS displays with HDR (except for those that benefit from Dolby Vision). Also, the Specter x360 cannot manage 14 4K while streaming video. You have to be satisfied with a letterbox of 2,560 x 1,440.

HP ghostMark Coppock / Digital Trends

In terms of audio, the Specter x360 14 has quad speakers, two under the display on top and two under the case on the bottom. The volume is ample without distortion, and the mids and highs are excellent.

There's not much bass, however, which puts the Specter well below the MacBook Pro models that set the standard for laptop audio. You can certainly enjoy Netflix with a few friends without external speakers, but as always, I recommend good headphones for music.

Keyboard and touchpad

HP's Specter keyboards have long been my favorite on Windows 10 laptops. They offer keys that are the perfect size, wide spacing, and a lightweight but precise mechanism that allows me to type at maximum speed with minimal fatigue.

Dell's latest XPS 13 keyboards come very close, and the Magic keyboard on the latest MacBooks is the only one that can beat it. However, if you're a touch typist who needs accurate feedback when typing, you'll love the Specter x360 14's keyboard. The two-level backlight is also perfectly executed and outlines the letters without causing much, if any, bleeding under the keys.

HP ghostMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Thanks to the 3: 2 aspect ratio display, HP fits into a much larger touchpad on the Specter x360 14 than the 13-inch model and XPS 13. The extra space is appreciated – it's not a MacBook-like giant – but it's big enough that I don't feel cramped anymore. Of course, it supports Microsoft's Precision Touchpad protocol, making it incredibly responsive to all of Windows 10's multi-touch gestures. It feels nice too, with solid but quiet keys.

The touch display responds equally and supports the various active pens from HP. The pen in the box supports tilt and 4,095 pressure sensitivity levels, is charged via USB-C and, in the case of a Specter, is initially attached magnetically to the left side of the case.

HP ghostMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Windows 10 Hello support is provided by both a tiny infrared camera above the display and a fingerprint reader conveniently located next to the arrow keys. Both worked perfectly and signed me up without any fuss. Additional security is provided by a key on the keyboard that slides a cover electronically over the webcam, and a key to turn off the microphone.

Battery life

HP ghostMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The Specter x360 14 has a high-resolution OLED display, which usually means reduced battery life. I'm sure my test unit had a worse battery life than the Full HD + version (1,920 x 1,280), but thanks to a 67-watt-hour battery, the life was better than expected.

In our web browser test, the Specter x360 14 lasted almost seven hours, which is not a bad score considering the display. It was about an hour less than some other Tiger Lake laptops with Full HD displays like the Acer Swift 5 and Dell XPS 13 9310, and only 20 minutes less than the MSI Prestige 14 Evo.

In our video test of a Full HD Avengers trailer, the Specter x360 14 lasted a little over 10 hours. Again, this isn't a bad score for an OLED display – it's only 16 minutes less than the Dell XPS 13 9310 with its IPS 4K display and about 90 minutes less than the Acer Swift 5. The XPS 13 9310 with Full HD has two additional minutes lasted hours

The Specter x360 14 is one of the few OLED laptops that can work a full day on a single charge.

I also ran the PCMark 10 application test to see how long the Specter x360 14 could handle a typical productivity load, and it lasted a little over nine hours. It is no coincidence that this is exactly what is required for Intel to become Evo. The XPS 13 9310 4K lasted about 30 minutes less, while the XPS 13 9310 Full HD version lasted about 90 minutes longer.

I then ran the PCMark 10 gaming test, which is a significant workload on both the CPU and GPU, and the Specter x360 14 couldn't quite make it to three hours, which is about 40 minutes less than the XPS 13 9310 4K and more than an hour less than the Full HD version of this laptop. The MSI Prestige Evo 14 was more than an hour behind the Specter.

The large battery capacity pays off here, as the Specter x360 14 is one of the few OLED laptops that can work a full day on a single charge. It's nowhere near our longest-lasting laptops, but it's a strong performance for a machine with such a beautiful and performance-hungry display.

Our opinion

The HP Specter x360 14 may not be the best laptop you can buy. The Dell XPS 13 likely retains this top spot for various reasons. But I'll say this: The Specter is pretty damn close, and if I were forced to choose between the two, I would go for the ultra-flexible and oh-so-beautiful 2-in-1 from HP.

Seriously, this latest Specter is Goldilocks' choice – not too small like the Specter x360 13 and not too big like the 15-inch variant. The 3: 2 aspect ratio makes a real difference when viewing long web pages and documents, the OLED display is fantastic, and the build quality is superb. Yes, you have to be a little fussy to get the highest performance. However, this is offset by the ability to run with almost zero noise and heat. The choice is yours, and the choice is a good thing.

Are there alternatives?

The HP Specter x360 13 is a desirable choice for someone who likes 16: 9 (these folks exist) and a smaller chassis. It can also be purchased with Tiger Lake and an OLED display. It's a little cheaper, and while we haven't tested the Tiger Lake versions, we suspect they perform well.

The Dell XPS 13 9310 is a great alternative if you don't want a 2-in-1 device. It's also incredibly well built and attractive, has a great keyboard, and performs well. You don't get such a high quality display or performance with the XPS 13, but when it comes to overall cohesive design, Dell's offering is unbeatable. You'll spend a little more money climbing the configuration ladder.

Finally, you might consider the MacBook Air M1, which features Apple Silicon’s M1 CPU that is completely changing the ARM and Intel landscape. It's fast, lasts forever, and is built Apple-style. And it's a cheaper laptop to boot into.

How long it will take?

The Specter x360 14 is well built and should provide years of reliable service. It's also fully cutting-edge in its components, including pioneering the move away from 16: 9 aspect ratios. There is only a one year warranty which is industry standard and, as usual, disappointing.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Specter x360 14 is the best Specter you can buy and by far the best convertible notebook out there.

Editor's recommendations




20 Jan
Blog

Understanding Maximum Heart Rate | Breaking Muscle

The modern age of fitness has spawned a host of wearable technologies capable of capturing extraordinary amounts of biological and physiological data. Perhaps the most commonly measured variable we see today is heart rate.

Understanding Maximum Heart Rate - Fitness, Fitness, VO2 Max, Aerobics, Obesity, Weight Loss, Heart Rate, Aerobic Fitness, Heart Health, Wearables, Fitness Technology, Obesity Crisis, Heart Rate Variability

This is certainly nothing new as brands like Polar and Garmin have offered wearable chest straps and watches to their users for decades. We always used two fingers to effortlessly locate our carotid (our neck) or radial (our wrist) impulses.

Today, almost everyone wears an Apple Watch or Fitbit on their wrist to track changes in their heart rate, whether they're exercising, sitting at their desk, or just sleeping.

Heart rate affects health and performance

Understanding your heart rate can be very useful from both a health and a performance perspective.

  • The resting heart rate can give doctors an insight into the state of health by age and gender.
  • In contrast, increases or decreases in exercise behavior give fitness professionals feedback on general fitness levels.
  • In addition, we can use the heart rate to establish training zones and prescribe programs for improved aerobic fitness.
  • Perhaps the hardest part of the whole equation is understanding Maximum Heart Rate (MHR).

Even when wearing technology, MHR often has to be entered manually to determine the correct training zones for the future. It will track your heart rate and let you know if you've set up a new MHR through exercise.

However, training on or near MHR is extremely stressful and you can never be sure that the numbers given are not an anomaly.

Source: The Redline: Feeling good when you are uncomfortable

Can you find your maximum heart rate?

The most common method of determining MHR is to take 220 and subtract your age.

If you are 40 years old, your estimated MHR is theoretically 180 beats per minute.

Although some technologies implement more advanced methods of determining these variables, many still rely on this simple equation to predict them.

While it is useful in the sense that it provides a quick and free way to predict MHR, it has some problems.

It doesn't take your own into account::

People often get frustrated with this estimate because it doesn't match their exercise or expectations of how their body should react when exercising.

In reality, however, they should use it as a guide compass. It is not the end, everything is everything. In fact, there are other ways to appreciate the MHR.

Measuring tools for MHR

The most accurate method for determining MHR is a VO2 peak treadmill test. Unfortunately, it is quite time consuming and not everyone has access to this technology.

Fortunately, some other methods and equations for MHR estimation seem more accurate than 220 minus age.

A 2012 research study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research1 compared the relative accuracy of three equations to a VO2 peak treadmill test in overweight or obese adults, including three equations:

  1. 220 – age
  2. 208 – 0.7 x age
  3. 200 – 0.48 x age

The researchers found that the 220 age equation overestimated the MHR by an average of 5 beats per minute, while the 200-0.48 time age equation estimated the MHR to be within 2 beats per minute. and the 208 – 0.7 x age equation was found to be the most accurate.

We need to understand that while the research I discussed used a relatively large sample size (n = 132), it is only a study and does not deal with sports populations. Hence, it is still difficult to say which equation is the best of all.

There are methods for determining exercise heart rate (THR) such as the Karvonen method and We know a VO2 treadmill test gives the best results of allbut again we have to accept the fact that these are all estimates.

MHR and exercise response

My suggestion to anyone struggling to really nail their MHR is to use multiple methods and monitor your training results.

One formula may prove to be more accurate than another in your case, but how you respond to exercise will give you the best insight into your aerobic capacity and unique heart rate.

If you're still genuinely interested in being as specific as possible, look for movement physiology laboratories nearby and see if you can make an appointment for a treadmill test.

The investment could be worth it.

References

1. Franckowiak, Shawn C., Dobrosielski, Devon A., Reilley, Suzanne M, Walston, Jeremy D, Andersen, Ross E., "Maximum Heart Rate Prediction in Adults who are overweight or obese," Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: May 2011, Volume 25, Issue 5, pp. 1407-1412.

19 Jan
Blog

Hitman 3 Review: A Satisfying Conclusion to the Trilogy

hitman 3 dubai

Hitman 3 Review: A satisfactory end to the trilogy

"A satisfactory conclusion to the trilogy with the best locations in the series"

  • Complicated, structured places

  • Strong gameplay loop

  • New mechanics as an incentive for playback

  • Missing difficulty adjustments

The label "World of Assassination" was the slogan of the current Hitman games, starting with Hitman by IO Interactive in 2016. Hitman 3 is the final piece of this assassination puzzle and offers a satisfactory conclusion to the trilogy with its greatest locations to date and the Ability to experience one of the three games.

While Hitman 3 offers some of the most complicated scenarios in the series, it still lacks a few features that prevent it from being the ultimate stealth experience it should be.

Before diving in, I want to make it clear that I first requested a PlayStation code to review the game specifically for its VR component. PlayStation verification codes ultimately weren't made available to the press prior to the verification embargo, and as a result, we couldn't get our hands on the VR edition of Hitman 3. The recent precedent of console codes not being exposed before verification embargoes were lifted due to the disastrous consequences, Digital Trends wants to provide complete transparency to our readers as it is not known how well the PSVR component is performing at startup.

Hitman 3's locations are the star of the show

In the very brief campaign for Hitman 3, the Wolves approach Agent 47 when he and a handful of other employees turn on their former employer, the International Control Agency, which has been attacked by the show's antagonists, Providence. The plot is a standard spy plan that drips into the tropics that define the genre. It's a gripping act, but a familiar one, to be sure.

Hitman 3 skyscraper

None of the story elements are particularly important, however, as they are mainly used to transport Agent 47 from one incredibly structured locale to the next. While playing the game, and as I will mention in other contexts in my review, I discovered that it is the closest analog, the Mission Impossible film franchise, the most direct comparison of which occurs in the opening moments.

Hitman 3 features the most complicated scenarios yet.

Agent 47 HALO jumps out of a plane like Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible: Fallout and lands on the tallest building in the world in Dubai, the key piece in the fourth Mission Impossible film, Ghost Protocol. The opening task sets the stage for what players should expect for the rest of the game – – Immaculately designed playgrounds that offer countless variety in a relatively small space.

The six incredibly varied locations are hands down the best of the series, which it ultimately took Hitman 3 to make this the best entry in the trilogy. They are all of such high quality that it is difficult to pick a favorite despite being part of an underground nightclub in Berlin, which forces the player to be extra vigilant as they are not sure who are in the crowd their goals.

Agent 47

One of the locations in the back half starts out on neon-soaked city streets and transforms into something entirely different as Agent 47 switches from one brand to the next. The levels have to be repeated – Find all the secret passages and hidden objects that are hidden in their darkest corners. Adding unlockable shortcuts further increases the repetition value of the missions, and provides meaningful alternate routes for those who spend the time looking for them.

The game is incredibly fun

The second thing Hitman has in common with Mission Impossible is his sense of humor. While both are incredible action spectacles, they would be nothing without their meta-observations about how absurd their worlds are. The designers and writers at IO Interactive are smart enough to understand how funny some of the moments in its games are, and Hitman 3 plays with that absurdity at every opportunity.

The levels have to be repeated.

Whether his agent 47 throws a sword across a room to impale a security guard who is about to recognize him or the titular killer who dumps an unconscious body into a vat of crushed grapes (an "elimination" indicator indicates that the dazed target will drown in the crushed fruit), every moment of the game has a humorous catch.

Hitman 3 Dartmoor

The more the player accepts that this is an absurd, melodramatic action game that borders on parody, the more fun he will have with it. Often times I would track a target during its movement cycles, making detailed mental notes of where they stop, who they are with, and what they are doing to plan the perfect assassination attempt. Those plans often fell apart the moment I saw an opening with a target's back turned in a remote corner, and I happened to find myself dragging her lifeless body through a room knowing there was armed security in one Matter would patrol the area in seconds, with no containers to stow the corpse in sight. These are the moments that make Hitman 3 shine.

There should be more customizable difficulties

After I realized that the opening mission is too easy in the "normal" setting, I brought it to the difficulty level "Master". This increases security awareness, makes Agent 47 more vulnerable, deactivates mission indicators that lead the player to the next clue, and deactivates automatic saving so that the player can manually save once per mission in order to activate them strategically when the right moment is right holds.

The comedic moments make Hitman 3 shine.

I believe this is the best way to experience Hitman 3, although I don't think it has been pushed far enough. At the start of the second mission in the game, Agent 47 is notified that the target knows it is coming. When I was discovered that a security guard had been incapacitated, I raced through hidden corridors to evade reported security. However, once enough time had passed, like any other game, it became normal business for the non-playable characters and returned to their routine as if nothing had happened.

Hitman 3 target

On a later mission, after remotely executing my target's personal bodyguard, I was glad to see they were taken to a safe, windowless room with armed details to shoot anything that moved. I thought this was the difficulty level I was looking for, but after a few minutes they returned to their cycles with the target resuming its previous movements and now no bodyguard in the way.

One final stage even states in their briefing that Agent 47 needs to take out an additional target because they are too alert not to notice the main target's assassination. After incapacitating the primary brand and stuffing it in a closet, the supposedly incredibly attentive second target was no wiser. I felt a little guilty about having to kill her, even though she clearly wasn't the threat I was told.

A game with the slogan "World of Assassination" that offers detailed customization options for the planning of its missions by selecting different items of equipment, alternate starting locations and contraband within the level. I believe that this level of personalization could increase its difficulty.

hitman 3 berlin

Did you pick someone out that other characters would notice if they were missing? Turn on the guards looking for them and even open closets and hiding spots to hide corpses they wouldn't otherwise open in the current situation. Perhaps the player could activate a timer that starts the moment you are discovered. This counts down an evacuation process for the target and its safety and gives you a limited window to reach your destination. Little customizable A.I. Improvements of this kind would go a long way in expanding the replay value of this game, which is the main focus of the game.

Our opinion

Hitman 3 is a great swan song for a fun trilogy of games that features intricate locations and humorous gameplay. Hopefully future updates will bring some important additions that will add replay value and make it the ultimate stealth game that is close at hand.

Is there a better alternative?

Hitman and Hitman 2 are still great games, but their standards don't touch what Hitman 3 has to offer. I highly recommend owning all three games as Hitman 3 gives you access to all of them and plays any of their locations from one title.

How long it will take?

The campaign can last a few hours to over a dozen hours, depending on how intense the players are. With the replayability of the levels and the variety of scenarios on offer, tens of hours of content are available.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Hitman 3 is a fun sandbox where most players will find something that is fun.

Editor's recommendations




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