It seems like a lot of people nowadays are "pivoting" into programming — you know, quitting their jobs to enter coding bootcamps and emerging as newly christened (possibly enlightened) developers ready to do their civic duty. It certainly pays to become a programmer, but considering the plethora of different languages out there, where's an aspiring coder to start?
Here's a little secret: The lists of the most important languages for developers rarely change all that much — and JavaScript is usually near the top. Read more...
Anyone who's even remotely into gaming knows that RDR2 is unrivaled graphics-wise, which begs an important question: How?
Like many other leading gaming companies — Electronic Arts and Ubisoft, to name a couple — Rockstar has made its game engine a proprietary software. But that doesn't mean you have to dash your dreams of creating the next RDR2 just yet: There are plenty of game engines out there that are free for anyone to download and use.
Were bots behind the GameStop stock surge from less than $20 per share to nearly $350 per share? One cybersecurity firm is saying that may very well be the case.
A new report from PiiQ Media, provided to Reuters, found that social media bots on some of the biggest online platforms were “hyping” GameStop and other “meme stocks” such as AMC. The same report also found similar activity behind the sudden increase of popularity in Dogecoin, a meme-based cryptocurrency.
PiiQ Media’s report says that it looked closely at keywords related to these stock surges, such as “GME,” the stock symbol Gamestop; and “Hold the Line,” a phrase popular among Reddit users encouraging others to not sell their shares. When comparing posts about these keywords to social media conversation surrounding non-meme stocks from Jan. 28 to Feb. 18, researchers found patterns correlating with bots among the GameStop and meme stock discourse. Read more...
MyHeritage, a family ancestry company that offers DNA testing much like 23andMe, has unveiled a new AI-powered tool called “Deep Nostalgia.” The technology takes your old photos and animates the people in them, producing a full fledged moving picture kind of like the iPhone’s Live Photos. Read more...
This probably wouldn't merit any discussion if Verizon hadn't been so unnecessarily shady. It's tough when your phone battery drains fast, but most people recognize that new features and tech can have that effect.
In a Sunday morning tweet, the wireless provider offered up a suggestion for customers struggling with a fast-draining battery. And while the substance of the advice boils down to "turn off 5G if your phone supports it," that's not actually what Verizon's tweet said.
Are you noticing that your battery life 🔋 is draining faster than normal? One way to help conserve battery life is to turn on LTE. 📲 Just go to Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data and tap LTE. 😀 😀
If you are overwhelmed with too much to do, Things is for you.
It’s a subtly powerful organizational tool that, in the right hands, combines the best of an analog paper-list-and-planner system, with the convenience and technical magic of a digital one. But that’s only if you put in the work to tune it – otherwise you’re going to waste money and time.
Productivity or work management systems (and here I’m using the term “system” loosely) have two functions: When you are working, they help you not to forget anything that needs to be done. When you’re not working, they give you the peace of mind to relax. Read more...
Many folks might use Bluetooth daily without ever wondering how it works. It's a good example of how wireless technology can feel like magic. Thanks to an upcoming evolution of that tech called Bluetooth LE Audio, the experience of beaming signals from one device to another is about to seem a whole lot more magical.
First outlined by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (or SIG) in 2020, LE Audio is a new kind of Bluetooth standard with the potential to unlock all kinds of new audio streaming tricks once adoption is widespread enough. Things like sharing a song you're listening to with another person's earbuds nearby will be possible once companies like Qualcomm make compatible chips. Read more...
Vizio and TCL sell budget-friendly TVs that don't compromise on quality — perfect for gaming, virtual workouts, and binge-watching Cobra Kai.
Reviewers love them because they’re not as expensive as TVs from other top brands, but have many of the same features.
But what brand should you choose? Both TCL and Vizio offer models with 4K resolution and advanced gaming features to use with the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. To help you decide, take a look at our TV breakdown.
For a quality TV with basic features, Vizio’s D-Series and TCL’s 3-Series offer good value. Sure, they don’t have 4K or 8K displays. But most video games, and TV shows and movies on streaming services, aren’t available in 4K yet. (Although that’s changing fast.) Read more...
TL;DR: Learn how to make titles, intros, and cool effects in Adobe After Effects with the Ultimate Adobe After Effects Pro Bundle. As of Feb. 28, get the full bundle for $29.99 — a 96% savings.
Adobe After Effects is a video tool used to add elements to moving pictures and animations. It's not incredibly beginner-friendly, but this After Effects training can get you ready to rock and roll in no time.
This highly-rated training includes five different courses, which tackle everything from 3D layers, transform tools, and mask animations to transitions, color correction, and green screen editing. Read more...
To personalize the comfort levels in your home, snag one of these gadgets while they’re on sale. From heaters and purifiers to AC units and humidifiers, there’s a deal for everyone.
This smart, energy-efficient infrared heater uses NanoWave technology to rapidly heat rooms in your home with less energy than a typical space heater. Using the integrated app, you can even set smart zones and set a schedule when you’re away from home. Slash the $410 price tag down to $328.95 for a limited time.
Math isn’t a subject that comes easy to many of us, and certainly not for me, personally. The most effective way for me to learn as a kid was by playing math games online. As the years went on, my classmates and I started caring less about the math and more about the games — but that's fine, because we picked up the math along the way.
Now my math skills are at the very least competent (most of the time), and I have fond memories of goofing off in the computer lab at school playing math games online — games that were entertaining-enough time-killers that I’d actually recommend them to adults looking for a fun, educational nostalgia trip. Read more...
TL;DR: A KeepSolid VPN subscription will keep you safe online, and as of Feb. 28, you can get a lifetime subscription for only $59.99 — an 85% savings.
You shouldn’t take chances with your online security — and neither should your loved ones. That’s why you should invest in a VPN.
The hunt for the right VPN can definitely be overwhelming, but we’ve got a deal that will surely put you at easeKeepSolid VPN Unlimited is offering two-lifetime subscriptions for just $59.99 for a limited time.
VPN Unlimited lets users take their pick from over 400 secure servers in over 80 different locations across the globe. You’ll be hiding behind 256-bit encryption, so you’ll basically be browsing, streaming, and scrolling under an invisibility cloak. Read more...
SAVE 49%: A 15-month subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £4.90 per month as of Feb. 28, saving you 49% on list price.
It's that time again. The point when you have absolutely nothing left to watch. You could accept defeat and do something outlandish like go outside and get some fresh air. Or you could subscribe to ExpressVPN to unlock more content from around the world.
ExpressVPN can bypass the geo-restrictions of all the leading subscription sites from around the world, meaning you can watch all the extra content tucked away on the American or Japanese versions of Netflix. There are plenty of VPNs that can do this job, but ExpressVPN is probably the best. Read more...
Last year might’ve sucked big time, but it was actually a great year for gaming. A couple shiny new consoles came out, as well as a treasure trove of new games. Major studios had some big releases — like Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Square Enix’s FFVII Remake — but the biggest standouts of the year were the indie gems.
In fact, Among Us, a charming indie party game of teamwork and betrayal, ranked high on many lists as one of the best games of 2020. It held its own among major studio hits and was even labeled one of the best comfort-food games of the year. And, guess what: It was made in a tiny development studio in Washington on none other than the Unity engine — a platform even non-coders can build games on. Read more...
Dutch computer scientist Guido van Rossum decided to take on a fun little side project over the Christmas break in 1989: building a new programming language. The one he used in projects at work was overcomplicated and clunky, but he thought he could use some of its better features to create something more forgiving, flexible, and easier to read.
Van Rossen developed his language mostly in his free time over the course of the next year, eventually deciding to name it "Python" after the British comedy series Monty Python's Flying Circus, whose published scripts he was reading at the time of its implementation. In the years since, it's basically become the Holy Grail of general-purpose programming languages. Read more...
2021 Complete Python Bootcamp From Zero to Hero in Python
This fast-paced course is a clear favourite for Python rookies who want to learn how to code in their free time.
Platform: Udemy
List price: £59.99
Instructor(s): Jose Portilla, head of data science at Pierian Data Inc.
Prerequisites: None
Class duration: 22 hours, 3 minutes (self-paced)
Certificate of completion: Yes
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FREE COURSE
Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python)
A free-to-audit option makes this acclaimed Python course one of the best deals in online learning.
Platform: Coursera
List price: Free to audit
Instructor(s): Dr. Charles Russell Severance, clinical professor at the University of Michigan School of Information
Prerequisites: Basic math knowledge, moderate computer experience
Class duration: Approx. 19 hours divided up over 7 weeks (set start date with flexible deadlines)
Certificate of completion: No
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST PROJECT-BASED COURSE
The Python Bible: Everything You Need to Program in Python
It doesn't go beyond the basics, but this video-based class is excellent at showing students the clear potential for Python's use in the real world.
Platform: Udemy
List price: £99.99
Instructor(s): Ziyad Yehia, CEO and core instructor at Internet of Things Academy
Prerequisites: None
Class duration: 9 hours, 8 minutes (self-paced)
Certificate of completion: Yes
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR PRACTICAL SKILLS
Automate the Boring Stuff with Python Programming
This quick-hit course will show you how Python can take the tedium out of business tasks.
Platform: Udemy
List price: £49.99
Instructor(s): Al Sweigart, software developer, UI designer, and tech book author
Prerequisites: Basic computer skillls
Class duration: 9 hours, 30 minutes (self-paced)
Certificate of completion: Yes
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR YOUR CV
Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python
This in-depth MIT offering presents a good challenge if you already have a grasp on Python basics.
Platform: edX
List price: Free
Instructor(s): John Guttag, professor of computer science and electrical engineering at MIT; Eric Grimson, professor of medical engineering and computer science at MIT; and Ana Bell, lecturer on computer science and electrical engineering at MIT
Prerequisites: Secondary school algebra and a "reasonable aptitude" for math; students with no programming background will experience a higher learning curve
Class duration: 9 weeks (recommended: 14 to 16 hours/week) with set learning schedule
Certificate of completion: Yes, for £50
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR FEEDBACK
Python Development TechDegree
This online bootcamp places a high value on peer-to-peer feedback and staff support, so you're building a network along with a portfolio.
Platform: Treehouse
List price: £140/month
Instructor(s): Kenneth Love, Python engineer; Treasure Porth, web developer; Craig Dennis, backend developer; Jay McGavren, developer and author; Ashley Boucher, software developer; and Megan Amendola, UX designer and software developer
Prerequisites: None
Class duration: 2 to 5 months (self-paced)
Certificate of completion: Yes
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There's a very good chance the most productive people you know aren't just naturally organized and efficient. Instead, they may be using an entire suite of tools to help them stay on track. Google Chrome extensions are an example of tools that can help with productivity issues. These miniature software programs work within your browser to add new and useful functionality.
We're taking a look at the best Google Chrome extensions for productivity. Extra bonus: All of these are completely free to use. You probably don't need every one of them, but activate a carefully selected few, and people might start to wonder how you manage to be quite so productive… Read more...
While driving around in Volkswagen's newest electric vehicle, the ID.4 compact SUV, for the past few days, I was bombarded with an information overload from two different screens behind the steering wheel and one on the center dashboard. But there was one unexpected alert system that proved to be less overwhelming and even calming: a silent, pulsating light strip.
The EV, which arrives next month, will subject drivers to a host of sensory distractions, some of which include notices on battery range, speed, vibration alerts when the car veers into the road shoulder, a wireless charging notification for smartphones, currently playing music or podcast tracks, and your current driving route, among others. Read more...
After years of minimal major improvements to breast pumps, we have come to live in an age of relative abundance. There are now two breast pumps that are big leaps forward for breastfeeding or chestfeeding parents: the Elvie and the Willow.
Both the Elvie and Willow are self-contained breast pumps that are held in place with a full coverage nursing bra. They run on rechargeable batteries – the Willow uses an A/V charger and the Elvie uses USB cables. We've reviewed them both in depth, but here we're putting them head-to-head.
The Elvie is available for purchase either as a single pump or a set of two, while the Willow is only available as a set of two. Since we think most users will opt for the double pump, that's what we'll be comparing in this post. Read more...
The iPhone 12 isn’t a huge departure from the iPhone 11, but it does have a new MagSafe feature. It’s basically a small magnetic coil in the back of the phone that works with its "quick-attach" charging accessories.
Here are a few magnetic chargers and charging accessories on sale as of Feb. 27. Add one to your collection and get charging.
Sleek and minimal, this 15-watt magnetic wireless charger packs a high-grade Qi wireless charging smart chip that recognizes your phone. It's regularly $39, but you can slash over 20% off and snag it for just $29.99 for a limited time. Read more...
Mechanical engineers are both designers and problem solvers. If you’re interested in becoming one of them, this Mechanical Engineer and Design Certification Bundle presents a great opportunity to get started — or at least try your hand at it before making a commitment.
The training packs five courses and nearly 400 lessons led by Mufaddai Rasheed, a mechanical engineer, inventor, and instructor with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars. Each course helps you build a foundation in the basic concepts and practices of mechanical design and engineering. Read more...
SAVE 82%: A three-year subscription to CyberGhost VPN is on sale for £1.99 per month as of Feb. 27, and includes an extra three months for free.
There are plenty of VPN features that really help with streaming, but server network might be the most important. The best VPNs provide access to thousands of servers located all around the world, meaning you can always find a speedy connection to another country.
This is especially useful if you're looking to unblock streaming sites from countries. For example, if you want to unblock and watch American Netflix from the UK, you'll need access to plenty of reliable servers in the U.S. Read more...
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we work forever. With many companies and organisations realising the merits of working remotely, the use of collaboration apps has definitely spiked — and Microsoft Teams is at the forefront.
The platform has everything you need for collaboration. It can function as a workplace chat, a teleconferencing app, file storage, app integration, and so much more. But with its myriad of features, it can be difficult to navigate, especially for a newbie. Read more...
In the world of streaming services, it's Hulu versus Netflix. For delivery pizza, it's Domino's versus Pizza Hut. And when it comes to cloud computing, two major services dominate the space: AWS and Microsoft Azure.
And while AWS feels like the biggest buzzword in the IT space, Microsoft Azure has been quietly gaining market share in the background, with an estimated 95% of all Fortune 500 companies, including the likes of Walmart, HP, and Samsung relying on the computing solution. Read more...
SAVE OVER £40: A three-month subscription to Amazon Music HD is available for free, saving you over £40 on list price.
We don't know about you, but when we hear about genuine freebies, it's normally too late. These sort of deals obviously don't tend to stick around for too long, and we always seem to just miss the deadline. We don't want this to happen to you.
Until March 1, you can get a three-month subscription to Amazon Music HD for free. Yep, that's right. You can try this popular music streaming service for absolutely nothing. Where's the catch?
The thing about dash cams is that most people don't realise how useful these little cameras are until it's too late. A lot of drivers have either had an accident or been involved in an incident on the roads, and have really regretted not being equipped with a dash cam.
Alternatively, you might simply be risk-averse and sensible, and you're planning on investing in a dash cam before you're filled with regrets. Whether you are planning ahead or making sure you're never caught out again, we can help you find the perfect dash cam for you and your car.
There's a lot to look forward to this month: Spring, daylight saving time, and Godzilla vs. Kong on HBO Max.
The other streaming platforms have released their lineups for the new month as well. We're psyched for Moxie starring Amy Poehler on Netflix and the second season of Solar Opposites on Hulu. Read more...
Let's be real, your phone has seen some grimy places. It's probably been on public transit, placed on a restaurant counter or table, and taken to the bathroom with you more times than you can count. With our smartphones tethered to our hands wherever we go, they're probably picking up just as many germs as we are, and when was the last time you actually sanitized your iPhone?
Keeping your hands (and the devices you touch constantly) clean has been key to staying healthy over the last year, and a UV sanitizer like this one from Samsung can help you cut back on germs and bacteria that live on the surface of everyday carry items like your phone, AirPods, keys, and sunglasses. Just pop your device in for 10 minutes, and the UV-C light can kill up to 99% of germs and bacteria. Read more...
Exercise bikes have been all the craze lately, but they're not for everyoneRowing machines provide a low-impact aerobic and cardiovascular workout that works all major muscle groups and will have you burning tons of calories.
As of Feb. 26, Sunny Health & Fitness's magnetic rowing machine is on sale for $220.74, down from $399.
This rower has an extra long 48-inch adjustable slide rail to accommodate virtually any sized person. It also features a digital monitor that displays time, count, calories, and more. The adjustable magnetic resistance has eight levels, allowing you to change up how intense your workout is. Read more...
What's better than a great laptop? A great laptop that's cheap. Nowadays, even budget machines can pack the punch to carry you through whatever's on your to-do list, whether it's work, watching Netflix, or endlessly browsing your go-to social media sites. If you're looking to pick up a new laptop yourself but don't necessarily want to drop your life savings in one go, we'll be compiling a list of the best deals on cheap laptops right here, each and every week. So, take a look at what we found this time around, and happy shopping.Read more...
Apple's products haven't typically been the easiest to repair, though the company is making progress on this front.
But being able to repair a product (or at least have a third party professional do it) is an important part of the experience of owning that product, and now Apple is at least forced to acknowledge it.
MacRumors (via MacGeneration) reports that Apple has started adding repairability scores to its products on its Apple Store website and app in France. The scores, ranging from 1 to 10, are based on criteria such as the availability of documentation, availability of parts, and ease of disassembly. Read more...
If you've called your internet provider over and over again and still can't figure out why your WiFi connection is so slow, the problem might not be with your provider. Having an old or outdated internet router is one of the main reasons internet connections slow down — and it can be tricky to identify and troubleshoot.
Luckily, these Asus routers are all on sale as of Feb. 26, so you can get the upgrade your home office setup deserves without spending an arm and a leg. Some are new and some are refurbished, so you can find one that suits your budget and connection needs. Read more...
TL;DR: Get on top of your social media game with the HelloWoofy Social Media Management tool, on sale for 91% off. As of Feb. 26, get a one year subscription for only $49.
A lot goes into running a successful social media account. You have to post at the right time of day, write engaging captions, keep track of analytics, and monitor what's working — and what's not. Pre-scheduling a couple posts and logging off for the weekend just doesn’t cut it.
More than just a scheduling tool, HelloWoofy uses AI technology to help you improve your business's social media presence. Good for entrepreneurs and small businesses alike, the platform can create social media posts or blog content, recommend hashtags, suggest engaging emojis, and schedule single posts or entire campaigns. Read more...
TL;DR: Record high-quality audio on your phone with the AudioWow Wireless Audio Studio. As of Feb. 26, use code AUDIO20 for an additional 20% off and get it for $139.
If you want to use your phone to record professional audio, you’ll need an external device. And if you want to use it to record sound on the go, the AudioWow is a good bet.
Funded on Kickstarter with over $300,000 in pledges, the AudioWow makes up for some of what smartphones lack in the audio department. It's super small (about the size of a matchbox), so you can pack it in your purse, pocket, or backpack for recording anywhere. Read more...
Is it time for smartphone companies that aren't Samsung, Motorola ,or Huawei to get into foldable phones? Judging by the increasing number reports about foldables from other manufacturers, it could be.
On Twitter, leaker Jon Prosser said that the rumored Google foldable phone, called the Pixel Fold, is real, and is coming either in late 2021 or late 2022.
This confirms earlier reports that mention a potential Google-branded, foldable smartphone. We've heard it from Cnet in 2019, and then in August last year, 9to5Google said it had reviewed an "internal Android document" which claimed that a foldable Google phone, codenamed "passport," is coming in the fourth quarter of 2021. Read more...
TikTok's parent company ByteDance has agreed to pay a $92 million settlement in a lawsuit alleging it violated Illinois' biometric privacy laws. The company still disputes the truth of the accusations against them, of course, but right now it just wants to move on from the whole thing.
The federal lawsuit combined 21 separate class action suits from across multiple districts into one big Katamari lawsuit, claiming that both TikTok and its predecessor Musical.ly invaded numerous users' privacy — including minors.
"Specifically, Plaintiffs allege that the TikTok app infiltrates its users’ devices and extracts a broad array of private data including biometric data and content that Defendants use to track and profile TikTok users for the purpose of, among other things, ad targeting and profit," reads the settlement agreement filed to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on Thursday. Read more...
SAVE 58%: A two-year subscription to TunnelBear is on sale for £2.94 per month as of Feb. 26, saving you 58% on list price.
Will we ever stop going on about VPNs? Or are you doomed to hear about these online security services until the end of time? We've got some bad news for you: We will continue to talk about VPNs until the universe collapses in on itself, or until the message gets through to everyone. Whichever comes first.
You need a VPN if you want to protect your online privacy. These tools encrypt all of your online traffic and hide your identity, meaning that all of your data is protected against hackers, viruses, and other nasty threats that could do you harm. Read more...
TL;DR: The Nintendo Switch Pro controller is available for £47.75 on Amazon, its lowest ever price according to the price tracker camelcamelcamel.
The trick with deals is that big promotions or sales don't always offer the best value. The best tactic to make sure you always secure the very best deals is to track the price history of an item. We know this sounds like a lot of work, so we'll help you out.
The Nintendo Switch Pro controller is a good example to demonstrate this point. It's not on sale, but with a little help from the price tracker camelcamelcamel, you can see that it has never been cheaper on Amazon. Read more...
