![\"A](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/03/206d5fba.png?width=1200\")
In a first for SpaceX, Home Depot and Best Buy are offering Starlink satellite terminals at a $100 discount. The list price for the internet satellite dishes is normally $599. The two big box retailers are currently selling the terminals for $499.
\nWhile the discount arrives just in time for Memorial Day, it’s unclear how long the savings will last. Nevertheless, the price drop is welcome news for individuals thinking about subscribing to SpaceX’s internet service. Despite the initial investment being higher than conventional ISPs, Starlink offers a promising solution for people living in rural areas or locations with limited broadband options by delivering high-speed internet connectivity.
\nRELATED: SpaceX Promises to Avoid Ruining Our Night Sky
\nThe apparent Memorial Day sale indicates that SpaceX wants to bolster Starlink sales within the United States. Until recently, the company primarily sold its satellite internet service through Starlink.com. However, earlier this month the company started offering the dish through Best Buy and Home Depot, exposing the relatively new satellite internet offering to casual shoppers.
\nInitially priced at $499 upon its launch, the standard Starlink dish’s hardware price rose to $599 last year. Starlink subscribers also pay a monthly rate of $90 or $120, depending on their location.
\n\tSource: PC Mag
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-05-26T15:32:35+00:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-26T15:32:35+00:00", "author": { "name": "Danny Chadwick" }, "post_author_link": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/author/dannychadwick/", "post_author_image": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2021/10/87d1f50c.jpg?width=60&height=60&fit=crop&trim=2,2,2,2" }, { "id": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/154648/youtube-nfl-sunday-ticket-will-allow-unlimited-streams-from-home/", "url": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/154648/youtube-nfl-sunday-ticket-will-allow-unlimited-streams-from-home/", "title": "YouTube NFL Sunday Ticket Will Allow Unlimited Streams From Home", "content_html": "
![\"NFL](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/04/b20cf7be.jpg?width=1200\")
There’s been a lot of uncertainty around the popular NFL Sunday Ticket now that YouTube took over for DirecTV. It’s available now ahead of the 2023-24 NFL season, starting at $249, and now we’re learning the company will offer unlimited streams inside the household.
\nInitially, we were told you’d only be able to watch two streams at once, less than what millions enjoyed at DirecTV. Then, we didn’t know how that works for NFL RedZone or for those trying to stream from a mobile device on the go.
\n\n\n\nThis just in! We\u2019ve heard your feedback about @NFL Sunday Ticket streaming limits and we\u2019re excited to share that we\u2019re including unlimited simultaneous streams at home for @NFL Sunday Ticket content, on both YouTube TV and @YouTube. \ud83e\udd20
\n— YouTube TV (@YouTubeTV) May 25, 2023
On Thursday, YouTube made a huge announcement on Twitter that fans everywhere will love. After all the negative feedback, YouTube and YouTube TV will allow subscribers to stream the NFL Sunday Ticket simultaneously on unlimited screens, as long as you’re at home.
\nMore importantly, accounts can watch two additional streams while “on the go,” but the company didn’t confirm if that’s only for mobile devices. Either way, once you sign up, a family member can watch NFL games at home on several screens, while another household member can tune in on the go.
\nRELATED: YouTube Dropped the Ball With NFL Sunday Ticket Options
\nCombine this with YouTube’s new Multiview feature, and fans will get to watch a lot of football come September and October. However, it’s worth mentioning that some fans still aren’t happy. We expected more sign-up options, the possibility of single-team streams, or cheaper plans, but that never happened.
\nAs a reminder, at least one playoff game will be available exclusively on Peacock, a paid streaming service, but hopefully, Ticket holders can still see that through YouTube. More importantly, the early-bird promotional pricing ends on June 6th, so subscribe now before it’s too late.
\nSource: YouTube TV
\n", "date_published": "2023-05-26T15:09:22+00:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-26T15:09:22+00:00", "author": { "name": "Cory Gunther" }, "post_author_link": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/author/corygunther/", "post_author_image": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2021/02/f7f36d4c.jpg?width=60&height=60&fit=crop&trim=2,2,2,2" }, { "id": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/149367/why-you-should-take-tiktok-off-your-phone/", "url": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/149367/why-you-should-take-tiktok-off-your-phone/", "title": "Why You Should Take TikTok Off Your Phone", "content_html": "![\"TickTok](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/a421547c.jpg?width=1200\")
TikTok is one of the fastest-growing social media platforms out there. It can be great fun. But, the platform has dark sides that may warrant caution regarding how you interact with the service. Let’s review some reasons you may want to hit the uninstall button.
\n\n![\"Person](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/bd8ddc69.jpg\")
All social media apps collect a lot of data about you to enhance their recommendation algorithms. However, TikTok stands out among the crowd for the sheer amount of data it collects and sells.
\nRELATED: Why You Should Turn Your Phone Off During Vacation
\nAccording to a 2023 industry analysis conducted by internet security firm Internet 2.0, TikTok has double the industry average number of trackers in its source code. Internet 2.0 used its\u00a0Malcore software to measure how much personal data popular social media app collects. TikTok earned a score of 63.1, whereas the industry average score was 28.8. In contrast, Instagram and Twitter earned scores in the mid-30s, and Facebook came in under 20. Of the score, Internet 2.0 stated “Malcore scored TikTok 63.1. This was the highest (worst) score relative to all other applications we tested. The only score close was VK, the Russian app on 62.7. The industry standard was all other major social media applications scored 34 and below with the average score being 28.8 over 21 applications.”
\nSo, what information are you sending TikTok? Just to sign up for the service, you have to voluntarily give the app your name, age, username, email, password, phone number, and location. Furthermore, in order for the app to function correctly, it must track things like your messages, who you communicate with, and if they’ve read your messages. If you want to use cut/copy/paste, you have to grant permission for TikTok to access your clipboard. And in order to open the app with a fingerprint or FaceID, the company needs to store your biometric data. This is all standard fare for social media apps.
\nHowever, a lot is going on in the background that you may technically agree to by granting permission but don’t understand the full implications of giving up this information. For example, according to a 2022 study conducted by Internet 2.0, the TikTok app performs “device mapping,” meaning it retrieves information about all the other apps installed on your phone. It will also collect detailed technical data about your phone, including Wi-Fi SSID, device build serial number, SIM serial number, integrated circuit card identification number, device IMEI, MAC address, line number, voicemail number, GPS status information, active subscription information, and device account information. Internet 2.0 warns that the sum of the information TikTok gathers gives it “the ability to reimage the phone in the likeness of the original device,” meaning the company could duplicate your phone if it ever decided it wanted to.
\nRELATED: Why You Should Regularly Archive Your Social Posts (And How to Do It)
\nUsing TikTok’s in-app browser also raises some serious concerns. In 2022 software engineer and security researcher Felix Krause examined TikTok’s browser and found Java Script code that enables the company to monitor all keystrokes. This ability transforms TikTok into keylogging software capable of tracking everything you type, including sensitive information like passwords and credit card information. And although it’s purely theoretical that TikTok would ever employ that ability, Krause stated, “The fact that they have this system already is a huge risk for every user.”
\nIt’s one thing for a social media app to collect and sell this data, as most do. However, TikTok stands out again regarding the amount of your data it shares and with whom. A 2022 study conducted by URL Genius showed that TikTok sent significantly more information to more third parties than other popular social media apps over the course of one visit. And where that information goes is a mystery. The report states, “Consumers are currently unable to see what data is shared with 3rd party networks, or how their data will be used.”
\nKeep in mind that TikTok isn’t alone in its data harvesting. All the other apps on your phone collect mountains of information about you to refine the algorithm and sell on to third parties. However, it’s the amount of data TikTok gathers, how aggressive it is, and how much data it sends on to other places combined that makes TikTok particularly concerning on the data collection question.
\n![\"Young](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/88b5c944.jpg\")
Beyond privacy concerns, another reason to consider uninstalling TikTok from your phone is that you’re probably spending too much time looking at it. And while you can blame your own lack of self-control to an extent, the app’s algorithm is meticulously designed to keep you in the app as long as possible by rewarding your brain with dopamine hits the longer you keep scrolling.
\nRELATED: Why You Should Downgrade to a \"Dumb\" Phone
\nTikTok’s advanced curation algorithm and endless scrolling features create a perfect storm for digital addiction. All that information the company gathers about you not only provides a source of revenue through sales but also allows it to deliver the exact kind of content that will keep you glued to your screen for hours at a time. Additionally, the bite-sized video format is specifically engineered for quick consumption and instant gratification.
\nWhile dopamine-induced social media use isn’t good for anybody, it’s especially harmful to children and teenagers, as their brains aren’t done developing yet. Clinical director of the Center for Attention and Learning at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, Dr. Michael Manos, told the Wall Street Journal, “If kids’ brains become accustomed to constant changes, the brain finds it difficult to adapt to a nondigital activity where things don’t move quite as fast.” And while the full long-term effects of consuming rapidly rewarding content are on the developing brain, waiting until they are known risks unforeseen and potentially permanent consequences for a young person’s mind.
\n![\"The](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/28cd87bb.jpg\")
One of the most significant issues surrounding TikTok’s popularity is its potential ties to the government of China. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is a Chinese firm subject to that country’s laws. The concern is that the company may be compelled to hand over data on its user base to the Chinese government when demanded. However, it’s important to note that ByteDance has repeatedly stated that because data on American users are stored in U.S. and Singapore, it is not subject to Chinese disclosure laws. The company has also emphasized that it would refuse to hand over any user data if the Chinese government demanded it.
\nRELATED: Why You Shouldn't Use Your Phone in Bed
\nBut those claims don’t go far enough for some American legislators, bureaucrats, and law enforcement officials. The U.S. recently\u00a0banned the social media app on government devices citing national security concerns. The state of Montana also passed a law forbidding TikTok from being downloaded in the state. And both past and present presidential administrations have pursued the idea of banning the app entirely in America.
\nAnd it’s not just the obvious concerns about espionage. Some U.S. government officials believe the Chinese government could use the app to deliver propaganda and conduct vast influence operations on the public. In a recent appearance before Congress, FBI Director Christopher Wray told the Homeland Security Committee that TikTok poses several concerns, “They include the possibility that the Chinese government could use it to control data collection on millions of users or control the recommendation algorithm, which could be used for influence operations if they so chose, or to control software on millions of devices, which gives it an opportunity to potentially technically compromise personal device,” he said.
\nRemember that there’s been no evidence to date that the Chinese government has ever engaged in these activities. So, most of these concerns are only theoretical. But that doesn’t mean the risk doesn’t exist. And while it may be hard to tell where political posturing ends and genuine concerns begin is difficult, the idea that the Chinese government could do these things if it wanted to is valid.
\n![\"TikTok](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/43eb571d-1.jpg\")
Most of what I’ve cited in this article can apply in one way or another to every other social media app. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., are all huge time drains and deliver similarly addictive dopamine hits to keep us in the apps as long as possible. And the Chinese government is far from the first super state to engage in mass surveillance. Also, American social media companies are compelled by law to hand over certain types of user information when subpoenaed. If you feel like any of the above-cited reasons for taking TikTok off your phone apply to any other app you have installed, go ahead and take that one off too. You’ll probably be better off for it.
\nRELATED: 8 Ways to Cut Back on Your Smartphone Usage
\n“So why single out TikTok?” you might ask—because it’s currently dominating the social media landscape in a way few other social networks have before. The service launched just six years ago, and it already has over a billion users. Only internet Titans like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram reach such a large swath of internet users. And the growth isn’t slowing down. By the end of 2023, TikTok’s expected to reach 1.8 billion users. For a company to grow so fast and so wide should be reason enough to at least pause to consider how this new entertainment platform affects us, individually and as a society.
\nBut it’s not just its popularity that makes TikTok worthy of extra scrutiny. It seems to have uncovered a secret formula for user engagement and traffic. And the established names in the social media market are hurrying to replicate that success. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and even Reddit have introduced TikTok-style video feeds into their applications—which may be a further reason to remove those apps from your phone too.
\n![\"Young](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/a5638b28.jpg\")
None of this is to tell you to quit TikTok entirely. You can mitigate most of the mentioned concerns by restricting your TikTok usage to a web browser on a desktop computer or laptop. You can still watch and share all TikToks you like on a larger screen that you don’t carry around everywhere with you. The experience will be different than on your phone, but that’s kind of the point. Breaking the endless scrolling cycle is easier when you can just walk away. Although you should consider setting a timer to remind yourself to walk away if you get sucked into the algorithm.
\nRELATED: Signs It's Time to Take a Social Media Break
\nKeeping TikTok time to a computer also means you won’t send nearly as much location data to ByteDance as you would with the app installed on your smartphone. Additionally, while using TikTok in a browser will inevitably send some of your personal data to ByteDance, it’s not near the amount you grant access to when you install the app on your phone. A desktop version of the TikTok app is available, but keeping it to a browser is probably the best for your privacy.
\nAnd why stop at TikTok? As mentioned above, various social media apps share some of TikTok’s problematic aspects to varying degrees. If you’ve found anything persuasive in this article, you may want to rethink your relationship with social media—and maybe even smartphones in general. After all, all TikTok is doing is taking advantage of the technology we carry around all day, every day. And even if TikTok went away tomorrow, another service will eventually pop up to take its place to distract us from our lives and harvest our personal information.
\n", "date_published": "2023-05-26T14:24:27+00:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-26T15:33:51+00:00", "author": { "name": "Danny Chadwick" }, "post_author_link": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/author/dannychadwick/", "post_author_image": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2021/10/87d1f50c.jpg?width=60&height=60&fit=crop&trim=2,2,2,2" }, { "id": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/154589/what-to-do-when-a-streaming-service-blocks-your-vpn/", "url": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/154589/what-to-do-when-a-streaming-service-blocks-your-vpn/", "title": "What to Do When a Streaming Service Blocks Your VPN", "content_html": "![\"ExpressVPN](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/70b0527d.jpg?width=1200\")
We use VPN services to stream geo-restricted content and protect our privacy. But some streaming services, particularly Netflix, make a concerted effort to block VPNs. Thankfully, there are several easy steps you can take to get around VPN blocking.
\n\nBefore a streaming service can block your VPN, it needs to detect that you’re using a VPN. And this is rarely a difficult task. Most VPN providers own just a handful of servers, which are shared by hundreds or thousands of users. Detection is often a simple case of looking at IP addresses.
\nOf course, changing your VPN server (and, by extension, your IP address) may not be enough to get past a block. Streaming companies can take some dramatic steps to identify a VPN connection, and advanced prevention methods are often achieved through anti-fraud services like\u00a0IPQualityScore.
\nHere are some ways that streaming services can detect a VPN connection:
\nMost of these detection methods are fairly straightforward (and relatively easy to get around). But Deep Packet Inspection can be a bit tricky. Premium VPN providers are the best at getting around these detection methods.
\nI should clarify that blocking VPNs is usually a matter of security. Websites may block VPNs to prevent bad actors from\u00a0performing DOS attacks\u00a0or anonymously hijacking other peoples’ accounts. But streaming services are also concerned about their relationships with studios, distributors, and internet service providers. These industries want to observe your web activity, and they do not want you spoofing your location to get around geo-restricted content.
\nBelieve it or not, but premium VPN services cost money because they’re good. Cheap and free VPN providers give you a nice layer of privacy, but they are rarely equipped to handle advanced tasks. They usually don’t let customers select a VPN location, for example, and don’t always take the necessary steps to avoid being blocked.
\nMost of the suggestions that I make in this article require a premium VPN service, which may cost anywhere between $3 and $20 a month. Before going forward, I strongly suggest that you check our list of the best VPN services. If you don’t feel like reading our list, just know that ExpressVPN is the most hardcore when it comes to streaming access.
\nI should also note that VPN providers need to make money. Otherwise, they can’t own or operate their servers. If you aren’t paying your VPN provider in cash, there’s a decent chance that they’re selling your data.\u00a0For this reason, I don’t suggest using a free VPN unless it’s bundled with something that you’ve paid for (such as a Google One subscription).
\n\t![\"ExpressVPN\"](\"https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/best-vpns-expressvpn-logo2.jpg\"){kind=logo}
\n\t\t\t![\"Private](\"https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PIA-logo.png\"){kind=logo}
\n\t\t\t![\"NordVPN\"](\"https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/nordvpn-logo-small.png\"){kind=logo}
\n\t\t\t![\"Windscribe\"](\"https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/best-vpns-windscribe-logo.jpg\"){kind=logo}
\n\t\t\t![\"Proton](\"https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/proton-vpn.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t![\"Hide.me\"](\"https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/hide-me-logo-small.png\"){kind=logo}
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t![\"TorGuard\"](\"https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/torguard-icon.jpg\"){kind=icon}
\n\t\t\t![\"IVPN\"](\"https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IVPN-icon.jpg\"){kind=icon}
\n\t\t\t![\"VyprVPN\"](\"https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/best-vpns-vypr-logo.jpg\"){kind=logo}
\n\t\t\t![\"Mullvad](\"https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/best-vpns-mullvadvpn-logo.jpg\"){kind=logo}
\n\t\t\t![\"Person](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/4e5d5199.jpg\")
In most cases, identifying a VPN is a simple matter of blocking suspicious IP addresses. If a hundred users visit a website from the same IP address, it’s safe to assume that the IP address is associated with a VPN.
\nA good VPN provider will regularly refresh its servers’ IP addresses. And it may use multiple IP addresses for a single server location, thereby reducing the number of people on each address.\u00a0But cheap and free VPN providers don’t always take these measures. Not to mention, popular server locations will always have a large number of users, so they will always be somewhat easy to identify.
\nRELATED: Does Your Internet Provider Know That You're Using a VPN?
\nSo, if a website is blocking your VPN, your first step is quite simple—change your VPN server location. Cheap and free VPN providers don’t always offer this functionality, but most paid VPN services do. If you’re trying to access geo-restricted content, this is an essential feature.
\nJust bear in mind that popular VPN servers are often the easiest to identify, as they have the largest number of users. Because your distance from a VPN server affects your speed, most people will connect to a server that’s near their home. So, you may need to avoid servers that are located in highly-populated areas or coastal cities, such as Atlanta or New York.
\n![\"ExpressVPN](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/4369ef84.jpg\")
Along with IP blocking, streaming services may block the\u00a0UPD and TCP ports that are commonly used by VPN providers. Most VPN providers will automatically select your VPN protocol (and, by extension, your port) to get around this kind of problem and ensure the best possible speeds. Still, manually selecting a VPN protocol may help you get around a VPN block.
\nPremium VPN providers will usually let you select your protocol, though this feature isn’t guaranteed with free or cheap options. Manually selecting a protocol should take no more than a few seconds—just open your VPN app, go to settings, and choose the protocol you want to use.
\nI suggest that you try WireGuard first. From there, choose OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP. If you’re using ExpressVPN, you should also try its Lightway protocol, and NordVPN has its NordLynx protocol. (Avoid the\u00a0PPTP protocol entirely, or at the very least, don’t use it when performing private or sensitive tasks.)
\nRELATED: ExpressVPN's Aircove Router Adds a VPN to Your Home Network
\nIf you continue to have problems after changing your server location and VPN protocol, Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) may be to blame. Websites and ISPs use DPI to inspect your web activity, and although a standard VPN server will encrypt your data (to prevent actual spying), only an obfuscated server can hide the tell-tale signs of a VPN in your data stream (although it won’t always be successful at doing so).
\nObfuscated servers exist to help people get around hardcore firewalls (such as those employed by governments, schools, and sometimes, streaming services). Using an obfuscated server will make the web slower, and it will increase your CPU usage. But if your VPN provider offers obfuscated servers, and you can’t get past a streaming service’s VPN block, it’s worth a shot.
\n![\"Cyberghost](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/45319982.jpg\")
When all else fails, you can try using a dedicated VPN server. Instead of sharing a VPN server and IP address with a ton of people, you get something more private, which reduces detectability.
\nThe problem with a dedicated server is that it can decrease your web privacy. Because there are fewer people using the IP address, websites have a better chance at associating it with your online habits and accounts. (Of course, if you’re just using a VPN to spoof your location and watch Netflix, privacy isn’t the biggest concern.)
\nRELATED: What to Look For in a VPN Service Provider
\nAnyway, a dedicated VPN server (also called a static IP address) is exclusive to a single user. Some VPN providers, such as Surfshark, offer static IPs for free. But NordVPN and others charge a monthly fee for dedicated access.\u00a0(ExpressVPN, which we recommended earlier, doesn’t offer dedicated servers).
\nYou can also build yourself a personal VPN server, though this option usually isn’t worth the trouble. Not only do you need to pay for server space and a static IP, but you need to set everything up yourself.\u00a0It’s cheaper and easier to pay a VPN provider for their service.
\n", "date_published": "2023-05-25T20:19:13+00:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-25T20:19:13+00:00", "author": { "name": "Andrew Heinzman" }, "post_author_link": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/author/andrewheinzman/", "post_author_image": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2022/02/b5eccaf8.png?width=60&height=60&fit=crop&trim=2,2,2,2" }, { "id": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/154606/youll-finally-be-able-to-banish-the-msn-news-widget-from-your-taskbar/", "url": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/154606/youll-finally-be-able-to-banish-the-msn-news-widget-from-your-taskbar/", "title": "You’ll Finally Be Able to Banish the MSN News Widget From Your Taskbar", "content_html": "![\"Computer](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/def6edd5.jpg?width=1200\")
Microsoft made a lot of announcements during its\u00a0Build 2023 developer conference, mostly about AI. And while more AI tools are great, Windows 11 users will be delighted to hear that soon Microsoft will let us disable the MSN News feed from the widgets panel in the taskbar.
\nOver the past year, Microsoft has made a lot of changes to the widget system, from adding third-party support to breaking things with updates, but this new change is one everyone can appreciate.
\nCurrently, many Windows 11 users disable the widgets panel for several reasons, including the fact that Microsoft forces its MSN News feed on screens. There’s no option to hide MSN News and its odd topics and still enjoy widgets, at least not yet.
\n![\"Windows](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/e36c49ba.jpg\")
According to Microsoft, a big update coming this year will finally introduce a few more customization options, including the separation of MSN News from other widgets. If you want widgets without the news, that’ll be an option.
\nRELATED: This Windows 11 Customization Takes You Back to Windows 2000
\nUsers can choose from multiple widget board layouts, some with the news, others without, and hopefully customize them as each user sees fit. For now, you can\u00a0remove a widget by clicking the three-dots icon next to it and selecting unpin.
\nWe’re unsure if that’s how it’ll work to clear the MSN News feed or if you’ll have to choose a non-news layout.\u00a0Unfortunately, the company didn’t get into all the details or options that’ll be available, but we’ll learn more later this year.
\nvia WindowsCentral
\n", "date_published": "2023-05-25T19:47:50+00:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-25T19:47:50+00:00", "author": { "name": "Cory Gunther" }, "post_author_link": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/author/corygunther/", "post_author_image": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2021/02/f7f36d4c.jpg?width=60&height=60&fit=crop&trim=2,2,2,2" }, { "id": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/154595/the-cybertruck-looks-as-strange-on-the-inside-as-the-outside/", "url": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/154595/the-cybertruck-looks-as-strange-on-the-inside-as-the-outside/", "title": "The Cybertruck Looks as Strange on the Inside as the Outside", "content_html": "![\"A](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2022/01/82e77dad.png?width=1200\")
It’s no secret that the Tesla Cybertruck is unique, to say the least, with a design that’s not for everyone. Now, we’re getting a new look at the interior, and it looks as strange and minimalistic on the inside as it does on the outside with all that bare steel.
\nWhile this isn’t the first time we’ve seen the Cybertruck’s interior, the latest photos surfacing online are notable because the vehicle is in the production phase and is expected to arrive by the end of the year and in early 2024. As a result, there’s a good chance the prototype shown here is close to the final version.
\nDuring Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting earlier this month, a prototype Cybertruck was displayed outside. However, one user on Twitter was lucky enough to jump inside and snap a photo from the driver’s seat.
\n![\"Interior](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/aa85151c.jpg\")
A peek at the\u00a0full-size image on Twitter\u00a0shows\u00a0you can clearly see a very barebones design. The dashboard is massive and empty, covered in carpet, which feels like a wasted opportunity. Good luck cleaning the elongated windshield by hand from the inside.
\nThis shot shows off the all-new Tesla Cybertruck steering wheel, which looks like a mix between Tesla’s regular round wheel and the controversial yoke. We also see the large infotainment display and a center console that doesn’t extend to the dash, again revealing more wasted space. If you look closely, it even looks like bare steel inside in the middle of the cabin.
\nRELATED: Everything We Know About The Tesla Cybertruck
\nUsers all over Reddit pointed out the lack of a bench seat, the odd steering wheel, and the minimalistic design. That shouldn’t surprise anyone, given how things look on the outside.
\nAs a reminder, in April, Elon Musk suggested the Cybertruck would finally arrive in August or September in Q3 of 2023, with a short supply of deliveries before the end of the year. However, don’t expect volume production until 2024. We’ll keep an eye out for more details.
\nvia Electrek
\n", "date_published": "2023-05-25T17:50:39+00:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-25T17:50:39+00:00", "author": { "name": "Cory Gunther" }, "post_author_link": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/author/corygunther/", "post_author_image": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2021/02/f7f36d4c.jpg?width=60&height=60&fit=crop&trim=2,2,2,2" }, { "id": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/154337/samsungs-new-soundbar-unleashes-the-power-of-dolby-atmos/", "url": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/154337/samsungs-new-soundbar-unleashes-the-power-of-dolby-atmos/", "title": "Samsung’s New Soundbar Unleashes the Power of Dolby Atmos", "content_html": "![\"The](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/b8a114a6.jpg?width=1200\")
This week, Samsung Electronics America introduced the latest addition to its 2023 soundbar lineup: the HW-Q900C. It joins the company’s Q-series line, designed to deliver premium-engineered audio by harnessing the power of Dolby Atmos sound.
\nDespite being the smaller sibling of the Q-series lineup, the HW-Q900C comes equipped with state-of-the-art features and multiple channels of superior audio clarity. The 7.1.2 channels of true, wireless Dolby Atmos sound and SpaceFit Sound Pro technology deliver an optimized audio experience for the space it inhabits. Space Fit Pro also features voice amplifiers to help you hear dialogue more clearly.
\nRELATED: Sonos Era 300 Review: A Speaker Made for Dolby Atmos
\nThe HW-Q900C is compatible with Samsung’s Q-Symphony 3.0 technology, allowing you to simultaneously play audio from the soundbar and your TV’s speakers. Additionally, this soundbar supports Game Mode Pro, enabling you to listen to your console games and music at the same time. It also works with AirPlay 2 for Apple users to connect their devices easily.
\nThe new speaker will be available today for $1,400. However, if you want something with a little more power, you can also check out the HW-Q900C’s bigger sibling, the HW-Q990C, for $1,598.
\n\t\n", "date_published": "2023-05-25T16:54:33+00:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-25T16:54:33+00:00", "author": { "name": "Danny Chadwick" }, "post_author_link": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/author/dannychadwick/", "post_author_image": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2021/10/87d1f50c.jpg?width=60&height=60&fit=crop&trim=2,2,2,2" }, { "id": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/154579/brave-invents-a-convenient-alternative-to-incognito-browsing/", "url": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/154579/brave-invents-a-convenient-alternative-to-incognito-browsing/", "title": "Brave Invents a Convenient Alternative to Incognito Browsing", "content_html": "
![\"The](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/a96b41a6.png?width=1200\")
All browsers offer some kind of “incognito” mode. And, of course, you can manually delete your browsing history. But these privacy methods require some technical knowledge, and they can leave some evidence behind. Now, Brave has announced an interesting solution.
\nThe Brave Browser 1.53 update, which should arrive in the coming weeks, introduces a feature called “Off the Record” or “OTR.” The idea is pretty simple; websites can mark themselves as “sensitive,” and when visited, users will have the option to view this site without leaving a paper trail.
\nSites visited in OTR are not saved to your browsing history. And, more importantly, your computer doesn’t save cookies, permissions, or other evidence of websites visited in OTR mode. This privacy mode doesn’t affect your other tabs, so if someone were to dig through your computer, they would not see any gaps in your browsing history or other unusual behaviors.
\n![\"OTR](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/dd9e8aa2.jpg\")
It’s an ingenious idea with a great purpose—as explained by Brave, OTR browsing is mainly intended for domestic abuse victims, who are often surveilled by their abusers. The goal is to make it safe and easy for abuse victims to find important medical, legal, and support services.
\nRELATED: Does Your Internet Provider Know That You're Using a VPN?
\nOther browsers offer safety features that can fulfill this task. But they require a certain level of technical knowledge that most people do not have. Brave has already created a small list of Off the Record partner websites—all of these early adopters support\u00a0victims of intimate partner violence.
\nI should note that OTR browsing may not protect users from certain, snitching software. Browser extensions, malware, spyware, and spying at the network level (by observing traffic through the internet router) are out of Brave’s control. Additionally, crash logs and OS-level logging may reveal some browsing history.
\nOff the Record browsing will be generally available to any website that wants to implement it. The feature will arrive in Brave Browser 1.53 (or 1.54 on Android). Those who want to test the feature today can enter\u00a0brave://flags and enable\u00a0#brave-request-otr-tab.
\nSource: Brave
\n", "date_published": "2023-05-25T16:36:43+00:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-25T16:36:43+00:00", "author": { "name": "Andrew Heinzman" }, "post_author_link": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/author/andrewheinzman/", "post_author_image": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2022/02/b5eccaf8.png?width=60&height=60&fit=crop&trim=2,2,2,2" }, { "id": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/154575/hummer-ev-teardown-reveals-ridiculously-large-battery/", "url": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/154575/hummer-ev-teardown-reveals-ridiculously-large-battery/", "title": "Hummer EV Teardown Reveals Ridiculously Large Battery", "content_html": "![\"GMC](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/82985c9d.jpg?width=1200\")
The GMC Hummer is a big and tough yet inefficient machine. Naturally, GM took a similar route with the massive new Hummer EV. And while I’ve talked plenty about its sheer size and weight, a recent teardown video on YouTube gives us a good look at its huge battery.
\nFor those unaware, the GMC Hummer EV is one of the biggest and fastest trucks on the road, especially for electric vehicles. It weighs over 9,000 lbs, and the battery pack alone weighs as much as a small car like a Honda Civic. Even the original gas-guzzling model only clocked in around 4,900 lb. That’s a big difference.
\nThanks to Munro Live on YouTube, who tore the $115,000 truck down into pieces, we’re getting an up close and personal look at what’s adding some of the extra weight. Obviously, it’s a big, new, modern vehicle with all the bells and whistles. However, the poor and inefficient design of the Ultium battery pack is a big part of the problem.
\n\nThe entire 29-minute video is a great watch. It confirms many details we already know, like the Hummer EV’s 246 kWh battery pack, which gives the electric truck about 212 kWh of usable power. That class-leading battery easily tops the F-150 Lightning, which uses a\u00a0131\u00a0kWh cell, or the Rivian R1T coming in at 135 kWh.
\nRELATED: The Electric Truck Problem No One Is Talking About
\nThe battery is already massive in its own right, but the teardown by Munro Live dug a bit deeper, and the results aren’t that great. For one, removing the heavy battery was a serious challenge, making repairs a complex and expensive task.
\nGMC is using tons of stamped steel for the battery enclosure, and steel is heavy. This is significant because almost every other automaker opts for aluminum to reduce weight and size. To make matters worse, inside that Hummer EV Ultium battery, the engineers found over 130 pieces of steel lumped together by over 3,600 weld spots, along with an inefficient and convoluted\u00a0cell mounting and separator design.
\nMunro voiced concerns about the design, materials, manufacturing, weight, installation process, repairability, and more. Despite all that steel and thousands of welds, GM still recalled the Hummer EV battery over inadequate seals, which allowed water to leak into packs.
\nRemember that this is the first vehicle of its kind, and GM has likely improved a lot of the process for its upcoming Chevy Equinox EV, Blazer, or GMC Sierra electric truck. Either way, now we have a better idea of why the GMC Hummer EV is such a big, bad, and heavy beast.
\nvia RoadandTrack
\n", "date_published": "2023-05-25T16:21:02+00:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-25T16:21:02+00:00", "author": { "name": "Cory Gunther" }, "post_author_link": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/author/corygunther/", "post_author_image": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2021/02/f7f36d4c.jpg?width=60&height=60&fit=crop&trim=2,2,2,2" }, { "id": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/154386/sihoo-doro-c300-ergonomic-office-chair-review-flexible-mesh-for-the-win/", "url": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/154386/sihoo-doro-c300-ergonomic-office-chair-review-flexible-mesh-for-the-win/", "title": "SIHOO Doro-C300 Ergonomic Office Chair Review: Flexible Mesh for the Win", "content_html": "![\"Back](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p-badge/154403/c5e642be6ba21ed2793d78344c32d350.png?width=1200\"){kind=icon}
After my first positive experience testing out the M18 office chair from SIHOO, I was excited to try out the company’s newest Doro-C300 chair. I love this chair even more than the M18 because of its flexible mesh seating, unique white and silver design, and of course, its attention to ergonomics.
\nThere are some things I dislike about the Doro-C300, like the plastic curved pieces on the sides of the seat. But most of my experience with this chair over the past month has been positive. My back and sciatic nerve pain isn’t screaming at me after sitting in this chair for a long day of work, and that’s the best praise an ergonomic office chair can receive!
\nSIHOO’s Doro-C300 chair is estimated to be available on June 20th, but you can pre-order it right now for a discount. The chair will retail for $399.99, but if you pre-order it now, you can snag it for only $270.
\n\nBuilding SIHOO’s Doro-C300 chair was a straightforward 30- to 45-minute process. A few months ago, I reviewed the SIHOO M18 chair, and the building process with this chair was very similar. However, there was a noticeable difference with how the armrests were attached. With the Doro-C300 chair, the armrests attached into the back piece rather than under the seat like on the M18 chair, which made for sturdier construction.
\n\nAs with most chairs, you build from the bottom up, starting with the aluminum base. To build the base, you insert five aluminum legs into the main base piece, and then insert a wheel at the end of each leg. Then, you flip it over so the wheels are on the ground and insert the hydraulic piece in the center hole.
\n![\"Assembled](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/ae6f9362.jpg\")
After attaching the mechanism piece to the seat, it’s lowered onto the hydraulic piece. Then, it’s time to assemble and attach the armrests and the back piece. The armrests consist of two pieces connected by screws and washers. Once the two armrests are constructed, you slide the back piece into place on the back of the seat, slide each armrest into its proper spot on the back piece, and tighten everything down with screws.
\n![\"SIHOO](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/a498c649.jpg\")
Lastly, you slide the neck piece down into place on top of the back piece and affix it with two screws. Those screws are covered with a decorative SIHOO cap piece.
\nFully built, the Doro-C300 chair has a max load of 300 pounds. Since the chair itself weighs just over 66 pounds, the max weight for a person would be about 234 pounds.
\nEven if you’re only sitting in a chair for a few hours at a time, it needs to be comfortable. A chair’s comfort is primarily determined by the materials used, smart design choices, and its adjustable and ergonomic features.
\nRELATED: Why It's Worth Investing in a Good Office Chair
\nSIHOO’s Doro-C300 chair uses see-through mesh all over the chair, which makes it breathable and easy to clean. One of my biggest gripes with mesh-covered cushions is that they’re difficult to clean because debris gets trapped beneath the mesh and it’s impossible to get it out.
\nLuckily, with the Doro-C300, any debris or crumbs that fall on top of the seat are either small enough to fall straight through to the floor or large enough that you can swipe them away with your hand. Nothing gets trapped!
\n![\"SIHOO](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/dd5c9a19.jpg\")
The mesh is also incredibly flexible, which is a great feature on the seat. Unfortunately, the seat isn’t as comfortable as it could be because of the hard plastic pieces that curve up on the sides of the seat. If I’m sitting with both feet on the floor, my hips sit more on top of those plastic pieces than they do inside of.
\nRELATED: The 5 Best Ergonomic Office Chairs
\nSIHOO states that the Doro-C300 has a max hip width of 20 inches, so if you measure more than that from one hip to the other, it might be a bit uncomfortable for you. I don’t typically sit with both feet on the floor, so I don’t find this to be a major issue. I alternate between tucking one leg under me and sitting criss-cross, and usually this variation eliminates any discomfort from the hard plastic pieces.
\n![\"Armrest](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/923b7538.jpg\")
The armrests are covered in a polyurethane-coated material, which has kind of a squishy, synthetic leather feel to it. There’s a slight concave at the back of the arm rest for your elbow to nestle into, and then your arm just hangs comfortably off the edge on a slight incline. I prefer the armrests on the M18 chair I reviewed, but there’s nothing wrong with these.
\nThen, I love the white and silver design of the Doro-C300 chair I received. But if you want a more traditional look for your office chair, it also comes in black, with both the plastic pieces and the mesh in black.
\nThere are plenty of available adjustments on SIHOO’s Doro-C300 chair, which make it easy to adapt the chair to multiple different heights. You can adjust the chair’s overall height and move the backrest up and down within 2.3 inches. When you move the back piece, you also move the ergonomic piece and the neck piece with it.
\nThe neckpiece can be further personalized in three different ways. It moves 2.6 inches back and forth, rotates 40 degrees, and moves 1.8 inches up and down. The ergonomic piece, however, is attached to the back piece. When you sit down, the ergonomic piece naturally settles into the best position for you, but it’ll move back to its starting position as soon as you stand up.
\n![\"Front](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/0749331a.jpg\")
There’s no way to lock the ergonomic piece in place. For the most part, this ergonomic support piece did a great job of giving the support I needed. It was nice to not have to mess with a bunch of manual adjustments and find the perfect balance. Plus, when you recline the chair, the ergonomic piece moves along with you, providing perfect support at every moment. You can lock the chair in a seated position, a fully reclined position, or halfway between the two.
\n![\"Lumbar](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/dccad503.jpg\")
Then, the armrests are 3D adjustable, meaning they can move forwards and backwards, inwards and outwards, and up and down. When you want to adjust the armrests down, you have to pull them all the way up, lower them all the way, and then set them where you want them. This is a bit frustrating because if you get it wrong, you have to start the lengthy process all over again, but it wasn’t that big of a deal.
\nRELATED: OdinLake Ergo Plus 743 Review: My Neck and Back Love This Chair
\nI wish that the armrests could flip up and out of the way because sometimes, I just don’t want armrests at all. Surely, I’m not alone in that feeling. I also wish the armrests could lock into place once you’ve determined where you want them. I’ve accidentally slid the armrests forward when sitting down more times than I want to admit.
\nIt’s important to note that the term ‘ergonomic’ doesn’t mean a product has gone through any specific tests or followed specific guidelines. An ergonomic product is simply one that’s been designed with efficiency and comfort in mind for long-term use. When a product is marketed as being ergonomic, you should be able to use it for a long time without experiencing any major discomfort.
\nThe biggest ergonomic feature of SIHOO’s Doro-C300 chair is the sliding piece on the back. When you sit down, this piece moves on a sliding track on the back piece and automatically settles into a position that’s supposed to be optimal for your body. There aren’t any support rods or solid structural pieces here. Instead, all of the support in this piece comes from sturdy, flexible mesh.
\n![\"SIHOO](\"https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2023/05/bb20ff22.jpg\")
The biggest perk to this design is that you don’t have to manually adjust the lower back support. That said, there are perks to manually choosing how much support you want, especially if you need a lot of support. Overall, it’s not bad, but I like the back support adjustment on the M18 chair from SIHOO better than on the Doro-C300.
\nThere’s also quite a bit of ergonomic support on your hips and thighs. The seat supposedly resembles the curve of a waterfall, and the seat suspension is built to effectively distribute your weight to minimize the pressure on your thighs and hips. I definitely noticed the pressure relief on my thighs when I would sit normally with my feet on the ground.
\nI’ve tested out two chairs now from SIHOO and they’ve both been great and budget-friendly. The Doro-C300 is slightly pricier than the M18, but I think it’s worth the jump in price, if not just for the armrests. Being able to adjust your armrests more than just up and down is an underrated feature in office chairs.
\nThe Doro-C300 feels like it’s thoughtfully constructed, and it’s a great option for people who don’t want to worry about perfecting ergonomic back support. All you have to do is adjust the back piece to your height, and the chair does the rest!
\n", "date_published": "2023-05-25T15:50:01+00:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-25T15:44:25+00:00", "author": { "name": "Sarah Chaney" }, "post_author_link": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/author/sarahchaney/", "post_author_image": "https://www.reviewgeek.com/p/uploads/2021/03/1f322563.jpg?width=60&height=60&fit=crop&trim=2,2,2,2" } ] }