Tuesday, 30 June 2020

5 of the best indoor garden systems for growing herbs and veggies

Gardening at home is not limited to people with large gardens — or even to people with sunny windowsills. With the right tools, anyone who wants to grow their own vegetables or fresh herbs indoors can find a way to do it. Indoor gardening kits range from high tech to very simple. Your needs will vary based on your budget, the plants you want to grow, and the space you have available, but you'll likely be able to pull something off, even if you have to hang your garden on the wall. We believe in you. What should I grow? If you just want to start your plants indoors, then move them to an outdoor...

Stimulus check: Would you get a second $1,200 payment from the IRS? The news today - CNET

If the Senate and House reach agreement on another economic stimulus payment -- and that's not a promise -- this is what we're hearing about how much money you might actually receive. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J from CNET https://ift.tt/31v0VQs via IFT...

How to download YouTube videos

In this time of ubiquitous internet and abundance of content, downloading videos to your hard drive is rarely necessary. But sometimes, an important video can be hard to find, or can even be permanently removed from a platform, in which case it's not a bad idea to have a personal copy.  Say you've encountered a cool YouTube video and want to download it for your archive to make sure you still have it in case it disappears. YouTube has no easy "download" button, so how do you  download a video off the platform? Fortunately, there are a few ways to grab a YouTube video fairly easily,...

Make sense of SEO with this heavily discounted training bundle

TL;DR: The Complete SEO Certification Training bundle is on sale for £24.41 as of July 1, saving you 96% on list price. It's been said that attention to detail is the determining factor in whether something is great or just good. That's certainly true when you're dealing with search engine optimisation or SEO.  Things like HTML tag structure and lead images might seem minor and irrelevant to an untrained user, but with a little training, one will come to realise that they're often the determining factors in whether your site ranks on the first page of Google search results or in No Man's...

When will the UK 'track and trace' app be ready - and how will it work?

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This Mophie external power bank is $30 off on Amazon

TL;DR: The Mophie Powerstation XL is a 15,000mAh portable charger, and you can get one for just $29.95 on Amazon as of June 30 (saving you $30 off the usual price).  Running out of battery on your smartphone when you're out and about has got to be one of the most frustrating things that can happen to you. Whether it interrupted your favorite Spotify playlist or left you without a navigation system, realizing you're out of juice is something none of us wants to go through.  That's why it's always a good idea to have a power bank on you — Mophie makes some of the best ones you can get,...

Early Apple ARM Benchmarks Leak, Show Intriguing Picture vs. x86

Ever since Apple announced the A12Z and its shift away from x86, there’ve been questions about exactly how these ARM chips will perform and what we can expect from them. The first benchmark results are starting to appear from Apple dev kits, and as long as you take them with a mountain of salt, they’re pretty interesting. What we have to work with here is Geekbench. Geekbench tends to be a very strong test for Apple CPUs, but in this case, we’re talking about Apple CPUs running the x86 version via emulation. Even if Geekbench does favor Apple CPUs more than x86, running the application through...

Menten.AI's combination of buzzword bingo brings AI and quantum computing to drug discovery

Menten AI has an impressive founding team and a pitch that combines some of the hottest trends in tech to pursue one of the biggest problems in healthcare -- new drug discovery. The company is also $4 million richer with a seed investment from firms including Uncork Capital and Khosla Ventures to build out its business. Menten AI's pitch to investors was the combination of quantum computing and machine learning to discover new drugs that sit between small molecules and large biologics, according to the company's co-founder Hans Melo. https://ift.tt/2Vwu0XL from Yahoo Tech https://ift.tt/3dO8RyJ via...

Scribd adds hundreds of magazines to its subscription service

Scribd is expanding its magazine offering in a big way.  On Tuesday, the company announced that it's adding hundreds of new magazine titles to its reading subscription service, including Harper’s Magazine, AFAR, OUT, The Knot Weddings Magazine, Food & Travel, and Wine Enthusiast.  Previously available titles include TIME, The Atlantic, Bloomberg, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Newsweek, People, Men’s Health, and Women’s Health. In total, Scribd's subscription service now offers more than 1,000 magazine titles with content from over 25 countries.  The $9.99 subscription grants...

The best emergency kits to have in your car at all times

You probably have an emergency or first aid kit in your home, and your job (we hope) provides emergency essentials at your workplace, so why wouldn't you carry some form of aid in your car? It only makes sense considering it's probably the third place you spend most of your time (especially if you have to endure traffic).   SEE ALSO: The best thing you can buy for your car this year is one of these devices No matter how often you use your car, you need an emergency kit now. This is not the product you want to keep on your shopping list for weeks. Checking it off as soon as possible can...

This Montessori inspired, screen-free toy can help kids learn the basics of computer programming

Cody Block is a toy designed to get children acquainted with the basics of coding. The objective is to create a path using directional building blocks that guide Cody back to his home. Cody Block is one of the nominees for the 2021 Index Award – a prize for innovative design solutions that address genuine needs and hold the potential to improve life. Read more... More about Gaming, Design, Children, Toy, and Coding https://ift.tt/3gdOwoc from Tech https://ift.tt/2AlN7N6 via IFT...

Which smartwatch better suits your lifestyle?

When it comes to wearables, people are often divided between two categories: smartwatches and fitness trackers.  And while it's true that fitness trackers are certainly becoming more like smartwatches with their ability to receive smartphone notifications, they're still fairly basic in design. Smartwatches, on the other hand, have a host of advantages: They're equipped with bigger touchscreen displays, support a wider ecosystem of apps, and, crucially, have a larger body to fit a few more sensors than a tracker can.  Smartwatches aren't centered strictly around health and fitness...

Google is hosting a virtual smart home event on July 8

Google will soon have some smart home-related news, both for developers and users.  The company is hosting the "Hey Google" Smart Home Virtual Summit on July 8, according to a post on Google's Developer blog.  During the event's introductory keynote on July 8, Google's Smart Home Product Management director Michele Turner will talk about smart home product initiatives as well as introduce new tools that should make it easier for devs to work with Google Assistant. The agenda also includes a partner panel, with Vizio, Ikea, LG and Tuya joining in.  The summit runs on a triple schedule,...

Save £100 on this stylish and smart coffee machine

TL;DR: The Nespresso Vertuo Plus coffee machine is on sale for £79.99 on Amazon, saving you 56% on list price. There are many coffee machines out there that can make all your favourite drinks, but not every option uses barcode technology to automatically adjust the brewing parameters to make each blend exactly how the coffee is meant to be enjoyed.  For this sort of technology you'll need to purchase the Nespresso Vertuo Plus coffee machine. SEE ALSO: 8 of the best digital gifts and subscriptions The Nespresso Vertuo Plus is really simple to use, and all you need to do is insert a capsule...

Improve your memory, focus, and brainpower with this $35 bootcamp

TL;DR: Work towards becoming more self aware and in control with a bundle of online coursed that's aptly titled Master the Science of Memory, Leadership, and Focus. Altogether it's $34.99, a 98% savings as of June 30. There are lots of things your brain needs to work at its fullest potential: high-quality sleep, fuel, and a little exercise. But did you know you can exercise your brain just like any other part of your body? It just requires some different equipment. Instead of weights and resistance bands, you need some brain training courses, like this Master the Science of Memory, Leadership,...

Apple Magic Keyboards on sale for 23% off when you shop refurbished

TL;DR: Get a new Apple magic keyboard with numeric keypad for $99.99, a 23% savings as of June 30. By now, you've probably figured out some sort of work-from-home routine that works for you. Or you've at least figured out what doesn't. But considering we're likely in it for the long haul, no matter where you live, you may want to invest some time and money into your slapdash workspace. At the very least, you could get yourself a keyboard to pair with your laptop, so you can work in a more ergonomic fashion. This certified-refurbished Apple Magic Keyboard is a solid option and pairs perfectly...

Save over 60% on this 3-pack of braided USB-C chargers

TL;DR: Get a three-pack of 10-foot Nylon Braided USB-C cables for $21.99, a 63% savings as of June 30.  Third-party chargers (the ones that don't come with your phone) often get a bad rap. People are extra wary of them because they break easily, sometimes even after only a few days of use. (Like the ones at the local gas station checkout.)  While it's tempting to pick up a random charger at the store to save money, keep in mind that you're going to want a cable that is strong, sturdy, and lasts a long time. So instead, snag something like this pack of 10-Foot Nylon Braided USB-C Cables,...

This cool gadget makes wired headphones Bluetooth ready

TL;DR: Make any pair of headphones Bluetooth-compatible with the TUNAI square Bluetooth amp for $45.99, a 16% savings as of June 30. Just because everyone's got AirPods or Galaxy Buds practically glued to their ears doesn't mean you should feel pressured to go wireless. Your wired headphones work perfectly fine. Maybe even better. And if it's the Bluetooth experience you're after, you don't have to buy an entirely new pair to get that.  All you need is something like the TUNAI Square, a device designed to bridge the gap and let your wired headphones connect with phones, stereos, PMPs,...

Fitness trackers will get your kid excited about being active

Kids have the kind of energy adults could only dream of having, and they spend their days being active just for the fun of it. You might not think that a kid needs to track and monitor their health and activity, but fitness trackers for kids are made specifically with children in mind. That means they're not focused on weight loss, but rather forming good habits and leading an active lifestyle. What makes a fitness tracker kid-friendly? Fitness trackers for kids are simplified versions of those for adults — they trade out smartwatch features for motivational games and rewards systems. Your kid...

Netflix in 4K HDR seems to finally be coming to the Mac

Mac users will likely be able to stream Netflix in 4K, with HDR, once the new version of macOS Big Sur becomes widely available.  The evidence for this was discovered by tech enthusiast Ishan Agarwal and picked up by 9to5Mac. Agarwal noticed that Safari in macOS Big Sur displayed a 4K Netflix stream with Dolby Vision on his MacBook Pro.  And 9to5Mac recently noted that the new version of Safari supports HDR videos. This means Mac users will finally be able to watch Netflix in their browsers with the best possible image quality. There's one caveat, though — only Macs introduced in 2018...

Facebook reveals the future of VR headsets, and it's more 'CSI Miami' than 'Tron'

Immersing yourself in virtual reality can feel like a sci-fi fantasy come true, but bulky, cumbersome VR headsets almost make it more trouble than it's worth. There have been various attempts to slim down VR headsets, such as Dlodlo's lightweight V One headset and Panasonic's prototype goggles shown at CES 2020. Now Facebook has revealed its own glasses-like prototype headset with a display measuring 8.9 mm thick — about the same thickness as a smartphone. In a new research paper entitled "Holographic Optics for Thin and Lightweight Virtual Reality," Facebook Reality Labs researchers Andrew...

Monday, 29 June 2020

Start coding with this comprehensive master class

TL;DR: The Complete C# Master Class Course is on sale for £10.55 as of June 30, saving you 93% on list price. Remember back in the day when you had to spend years in school and/or your life savings to learn to code? Those days are long gone. Getting into coding is easier — and more affordable — than ever before. Since there are approximately a billion coding languages out there, choosing one to start with is no easy feat. But since C# is among the most popular and one of the easiest to learn, and since there's a huge price drop on this Complete C# Master Class Course as of June 30, might we...

This set of online courses gives your brain a serious boost

TL;DR: The Brain Booster bundle is on sale for £16.23 as of June 30, saving you 97% on list price. Your brain, like any other part of your body, needs exercise in order to operate at peak capacity.  Yes, it also needs fuel and plenty of sleep, but exercise is essential. If you're not quite sure how to mentally exercise, no worries. We've got you covered with this Brain Booster bundle. SEE ALSO: Master outdoor photography with this discounted bundle As the name suggests, this four-course collection is designed to boost your brainpower. Each course introduces you to different aspects of...

When will the UK 'track and trace' app be ready - and how will it work?

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J from Technology Intelligence https://ift.tt/3dOTzcR via IFT...

U.S. suspends export of sensitive tech to Hong Kong as China passes new national security law

The United States government began measures today to end its special status with Hong Kong, one month after Secretary of State Michael Pompeo told Congress that Hong Kong should no longer be considered autonomous from China. Both the Commerce and State Departments also said further restrictions are being evaluated. The U.S. government’s announcements were made a few hours before news broke that China had passed a new national security law that will give it greater control over Hong Kong. https://ift.tt/2CU0N2I from Yahoo Tech https://ift.tt/2BfI8hs via IFTT...

Facebook partners with Full Fact to help people spot fake news - CNET

It's turning to an ad campaign that will run across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J from CNET News https://ift.tt/3icbyxr via IFT...

Facebook partners with Full Fact to help people spot fake news - CNET

It's turning to an ad campaign that will run across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J from CNET https://ift.tt/2ND7zfp via IFT...

Lululemon buys interactive home gym startup Mirror for $500 million

Lululemon is dipping into home workout tech by acquiring Mirror for $500 million. https://ift.tt/2NF7zvt from Yahoo Tech https://ift.tt/38bnf2V via IFTT...

YouTube bans David Duke, Richard Spencer, and other white nationalist personalities

A slew of major far-right video personalities just lost their online home. On Monday, YouTube banned a half dozen white nationalist channels from its platform for continually violating its policies. The accounts belonged to a range of far-right groups and personalities. "We have strict policies prohibiting hate speech on YouTube, and terminate any channel that repeatedly or egregiously violates those policies,” said a YouTube spokesperson. “After updating our guidelines to better address supremacist content, we saw a 5x spike in video removals and have terminated over 25,000 channels for violating...

Apple News loses New York Times content - CNET

The newspaper only supplied "a few stories" each day, but its loss from Apple News is still a big one. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J from CNET https://ift.tt/3dKbOjJ via IFT...

Apple News loses New York Times content - CNET

The newspaper only supplied "a few stories" each day, but its loss from Apple News is still a big one. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J from CNET News https://ift.tt/2Zjw6eR via IFT...

India bans TikTok after deadly military conflict, accuses app of 'stealing' data

The Indian government banned TikTok, which is extremely popular in the country, for alleged privacy violations and threatening its "sovereignty." On Monday, the government of India announced the banning of 59 apps — including TikTok — for "[engaging] in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order." TikTok, notably, is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, and over the past year has faced accusations of violating its users' privacy.  While there are privacy-related reasons to be concerned about TikTok,...

Twitch (temporarily) bans Donald Trump’s channel

Over the past few days, Twitch has banned Dr. Disrespect and other popular streamers amid a social media campaign that outed users for sexual harassment and abuse. On Monday, Twitch continued its crackdown, banning President Donald Trump from the popular livestreaming platform. But, the suspension wasn’t due to accusations of sexual assault, and the ban isn’t permanent — it’s a temporary suspension. When reached for comment, a Twitch spokesperson said the company suspended Trump for breaking its rules on “hateful conduct.” "Hateful conduct is not allowed on Twitch,” a company spokesperson said...

MIT Designs Robot That Eliminates Coronavirus With UV Light

The United States is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases as states begin dropping restrictions and allowing businesses to open once again. With people venturing outside and returning to offices, it’s more important than ever to neutralize coronavirus particles on surfaces before they can add to the infection rate. MIT has developed a robot that navigates around spaces to blast the virus with UV light. The team has even tested the system at a Boston-area food bank with encouraging results.  The most significant source of coronavirus particles is an infected person, but such...

A 4K TV is a must to stream 'Hamilton' in all its glory

You've finally made it: This week is the week that Hamilton comes to Disney+. (Here's a brand new trailer just because.) Disney+ nixed its free trial right before Hamilton's highly-awaited streaming debut. But at $6.99, there's a lot of content you can get through in a month — plus, many Verizon customers can still take advantage of the "free Disney+ for a year" deal that's been around since November. Aside from a Disney+ subscription, there's one thing you'll need to ensure the most magical Hamilton experience possible: a 4K TV. Everyone knows that the best way to see Lin-Manuel Miranda's masterpiece...

Amazon's brand-new Fire tablets just went on sale for the first time ever

TL;DR: As of June 29 (until midnight), the all-new Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 8 Plus tablets are both on sale for $30 off — grab one for $59.99 or $79.99, respectively. Milestone alert: The new tablets in town just got their very first discounts. Released in early June, the Fire 8 HD and Fire HD 8 Plus tablets are now on sale for $59.99 and $79.99, respectively — that's $30 off apiece — as part of one of Amazon's Deals of the Day. (Mind you, that last part means you definitely shouldn't dawdle if you're thinking of getting one — these savings won't be available after midnight tonight.) The standard...

Don't go through summer without an instant camera — these are on sale

"How's your summer?" is a loaded question this year. The answer is always some rendition of "Good, given the circumstances," obviously alluding to the fact that most fun summer plans have been postponed indefinitely.  But 2020 is still a year that will go down in history, and its weirdness still deserves to be documented. Don't you want to show your grandkids a photo of yourself posted up in your apartment for the fourth week in a row after bidding $50 for toilet paper on ebay? SEE ALSO: Finding a gift that kids actually like is tricky. This guide makes it easier. Snap instant memories...

Indulge in your favorite fried food the healthier way

TL;DR: Leave oil behind and take $85 off this Cuisinart air fry toaster oven — dropping the price to just $99.95 as of June 29.  If you're looking for any kitchen tool or accessory, odds are you can find it at Sur La Table. If you're looking for any small kitchen appliance — and would prefer to catch it at a sale price  — odds are you can find it in Sur La Table's Cuisinart section which happens to be having some major deals going on right now as an early Fourth of July celebration.  Have some fun with their ice cream maker ($144 off), get your caffeine fix with their 12-cup...

Google Pixel Slate is over $300 off, plus more cheap laptop deals

As promised, we are back with yet another list of the best budget laptop deals you can get this week. A lot are still discounted from over the weekend, but a couple of new ones are featured below as well. SEE ALSO: 9 of the best laptops that cost less than $300 From Acer, to Asus, to 2-in-1s, to Chromebooks, here are the best cheap laptop deals we could find — happy shopping: Lenovo Flex 15 2-in-1 laptops are always a good bet because, well, it's a laptop and a tablet at the same time. Talk about versatility. The Lenovo Flex 15 is a great option, and at only $484.95 (was $618.95), it's a steal....