The contemporary methods of detection, such as frame inspection or pixel analysis, are deemed unsuitable. The problem is that the AI used for deepfake detection needs to improve along with the AI used for deepfake development. Keeping up with the aforementioned differences between authentic and fake content requires constant innovation and new techniques to avoid falling farther behind the pace of these developments.

How does deepfake detection technology work

There are several ways to detect AI-generated deepfake videos. These can be detected by observing the visuals of the content. Some unnatural movements in the video can help identify the spoof. Besides, the edges of the face in a deepfake video are blurry and unclear. It can also be identified by closely looking into the muscle movements while smiling and blinking. Also, speech patterns can contribute to the detection of deepfake videos. A real human has some natural variations that are difficult to imitate by the AI-generated video.

Moreover, there are techniques like machine learning and deep learning that can lend a hand to the detection of a deepfake. In machine learning, the modal is trained by using fake and real videos so that the system can learn the difference between both. Later, during the process, the system indicates even the trivial spoofs of AI-generated content. Furthermore, deep learning can also be used for the detection. It works by using a large database and samples. It is trained to analyze videos and images based on existing datasets. This system can detect alterations that are unable to be identified by the naked eye.

Applications of deepfake detection software

Deepfakes are being produced and used for a variety of reasons in many different domains. Deepfake spotting can be applied to a variety of fields, including forensics, fraud detection, security, and disinformation identification.

• Deepfake prevention is crucial in mitigating crimes. A criminal can create a deepfake video to harass or bully someone by using their personal information or creating fake videos. By investigating culprits, this fraud can be averted timely.
• AI deepfakes can be easily used to spread misinformation. For instance, a deepfake of a politician can be used to manipulate the audience. It can create panic and mistrust among the people. By addressing this issue, organizations can prevent the spread of misinformation.
• Online deepfake detection can help prevent many frauds and scams. Criminals are using fake videos to harass women and girls, impersonating them, and committing several other crimes that need to be addressed as soon as possible.
• Many legal cases require evidence in the form of audio, video, and image. The opponents can use deepfake images, audio, and videos to win their cases. The detection tools can help verify whether the content is real or fake.

Also read:

• • How financial institutions can safeguard against deepfakes
  • How do AI face swap and image-to-video tools compare for video creation
  • The role of 3D liveness detection in financial security

Detection tools empowered by AI

Fighting deepfake assaults requires the use of detecting technologies powered by artificial intelligence. The most recent machine learning algorithms can utilize these techniques to scan digital content for precise modification indicators that are invisible to the human eye. Additionally, by examining the patterns and differences in the videos and photographs, certain artificial algorithms may effectively identify deepfake content. The precision and dependability of the detecting techniques will rise as artificial intelligence technology continues to advance. Additionally, these enhancements will be essential in contrast to deepfake attacks. These technologies are also essential for law enforcement, online media outlets, and anybody else who needs to authenticate and verify digital content.

Advancements in deepfake detection technology over time

AI prevention solutions must be continuously updated to reflect the most recent methods of deepfake production. Therefore, despite its seeming great promise, several obstacles still stand in the way of its widespread adoption.

Therefore, collaborative AI models with quickly developing deepfake technology are the way of the future for deepfake detection. For example, these stand-alone systems would use speech recognition, image recognition, and behavior analysis to develop a comprehensive approach to detection; the challenge has been developing such a system.

Addressing issues like deep fake variety across media kinds and achieving widespread success with cross-platform integration without cultural and language sensitivity are difficulties that need collaboration between platforms, governments, and AI professionals.

Evolution in technology, including advancements like liveness detection, can bring creativity, but it should not lead to the invasion of privacy. Advancements and developments are crucial for growth, ensuring they do not result in the misuse of anyone’s data. It is also important to establish ethical guidelines and regulations alongside this evolution to prevent negative outcomes.

The post A Comprehensive Review of How Deepfake Detection Technology Works appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

Buying something without knowing what it is may sound counterintuitive —but you’d be surprised by how long it has been practiced. The concept is centuries old. Lucky Dip games have been a staple at fairs and public gatherings in the 19th century, later becoming part of fundraisers and charity events. In the early 20th century, retailers began selling “surprise packages” at a deep discount. This turned the concept into a business, a marketing strategy to keep things fresh for customers, and keep them coming back for more. The idea is still very much alive today, covering everything from loot boxes in video games to Gachapon machines in Japan.

What is a mystery box?

A mystery box is pretty much what the name suggests. You buy a package of goods without knowing what’s inside. The surprise comes when it’s time for a mystery box opening: it could contain anything from a worthless trinket to a high-profile, premium item.

In the last century, many retailers used mystery boxes to offload unsold inventory to willing buyers. The idea was that they would pack a bunch of unsold products into a box, and apply a heavy discount to the package. The idea stuck and became a marketing scheme that would keep shoppers returning. After all, the chance of getting an expensive item at a heavy discount is alluring.

The concept of mystery boxes is simple: you buy a box of items at a set price, without knowing exactly what it contains. The supplier tells you what it might contain —usually, something valuable, like a luxury watch or a gadget. Curiosity and a love for surprises are fundamental aspects of human nature. So, the potential for a valuable gift wrapped in a mystery is the perfect combination.

Mystery boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes —quite literally, in some cases. They have different price points (some of them are even free), and different types of products inside, from electronics to luxury items. Some may contain a gaming mouse, others, a USD$10 (approx. UGX36,000) gift card. And some go as high as luxury cars, cruises, and similar items. The idea is that every box contains something.

In short, mystery boxes are an online shopping experience with an added twist of uncertainty. They are the perfect combination of retail therapy and the thrill of surprise. They allow customers to discover new products while tapping into their love for unpredictability.

Mystery boxes in the digital age

You may not stumble upon boxes of stuff when you walk into a Macy’s or JCPenney today —but the idea is very much alive. Some websites offer you the same experience: buying a virtual “box” and getting a real-life surprise. Some of them will even give you daily free boxes to keep you coming back for more.

But the thing to keep the idea alive the most efficiently today is the loot boxes, made famous by video games like Counter-Strike or FIFA. These, like mystery boxes, are bundles of (virtual) items that players can get in-game. Most of the time, they are purely cosmetic items, like the skins and badges in Counter-Strike. In some games, they can be game-changers, though – literally. EA Sports FIFA, for example, was accused of being a “pay-to-win” title due to their presence in the game.

You can get loot boxes during your normal in-game activity as part of promotions or on special occasions. The controversial part is opening them: you need a key to do that, and the key usually costs —whether it’s in-game currency or real money depending on the game.

See also: Mobile game subscriptions: Are they the future of gaming apps?

Are mystery boxes worth it?

From a business perspective, the answer is most likely a “Yes”. Aside from a chance to move stuck inventory, it’s a thing that will make customers come back for more. Things get a bit more nuanced from a buyer’s perspective, though.

Are mystery boxes worth buying? This depends on you entirely. Buying something —possibly at a deep discount —may just be the retail therapy you need. Add the thrill of surprise to the mix, and you have a formula that’s always a winner. This is especially true if the box in question may contain something truly valuable.

On the other hand, there’s always a chance that you’ll be disappointed by the contents of the box —which is a real possibility. You don’t know what you’re getting —there might be a luxury watch in the box, but also what remains after a warehouse sale. You might end up paying a lot for cheap items that are outdated, maybe even useless. And keep in mind that, in most cases, the sale is final – there’s no room for returns or refunds.

You may find mystery boxes worthwhile if you are:

• A thrill-seeker: mystery boxes are as much about the experience as they are about the items inside.
• A surprise-lover: especially if the box has a theme that you’re passionate about.
• A collector: sometimes, mystery boxes can have limited-edition merch or collectible items.
• A social media content creator: unboxing videos are an excellent opportunity to engage with followers. And, of course, to add suspense and surprise to the mix.

If you are a conscious or risk-averse shopper, mystery boxes are not for you.

Mystery boxes give online shopping an unexpected spin. The mystery, the surprise, the chance to lay your hands on rare and valuable items —these all make them attractive. Before diving into them, though, be aware of the risks: you may set yourself up for disappointment when buying them.

The post Mystery Boxes: Why We Love Buying What We Can’t See appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

So, how have gaming chairs advanced from clean, utilitarian seating options into excessive-tech ergonomic wonders that beautify gameplay and sell higher fitness?

The early days: basic seating for gamers

At the beginning of gaming, no one thought that it would be necessary to have a chair that is adapted for gaming sessions. Players would probably utilize something fixtures changed into available so they could rest —eating chairs, office chairs, or perchance couches. Gaming turned out to be seen as an informal interest, and the concept of a chair mainly designed for gaming changed into non-existent.

These simple chairs furnished little in phrases of ergonomic useful resource, and gamers often complained of decreased lower returned pain or soreness after extended durations. Early gaming setups have been more comfortable with seating being an afterthought.

As video games grew in reputation in the Eighties and 1990s, mainly with the upward thrust of domestic consoles just as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and PlayStation, gamers started out spending more time in front of presentations. The need for a more comfortable and supportive chair has become increasingly obvious.

The birth of the racing-style gaming chair

The idea of the gaming chair as we apprehend it these days started to take shape in the early 2000s, to the upward thrust of PC gaming and competitive esports. At this problem, many gamers have been spending hours playing first-person shooters, technique video games, and surprisingly multiplayer online (MMO) video video games, wherein lengthy sessions in front of a PC have been the norm.

The solution came in the form of the racing-style gaming chair. These chairs have been stimulated through using the bucket seats placed in race cars, seemed for his or her supportive, wraparound design that cradles the frame inside the path of immoderate-tempo maneuvers. Manufacturers noticed a possibility to deliver this format into gaming internationally, imparting ergonomic help and comfort for prolonged periods of sitting.

The first organizations to popularize the racing-style gaming chair were DXRacer and AKRacing, which began with synthetic seats for race cars. They found out that game enthusiasts wanted a comparable form of help, particularly at some unspecified time in the future of excessive gaming lessons that required attention and interest.

Key features of early racing-style chairs:

• Bucket Seat Design: Mimicking car seats, the chairs furnished lateral assist to prevent slouching.
• Adjustability: Armrests, seat top, and reclining capabilities allowed for personalization primarily based definitely on the person’s body type and options.
• Lumbar and Neck Support: Early gaming chairs came with detachable cushions for lumbar and neck assist, addressing commonplace areas of discomfort for gamers.

This length marked a splendid shift inside the gaming world, as chairs have turned out to be more than definitely a place to sit down. They had been now a tool designed to enhance gaming enjoyment, and the ergonomic format has come to be a key promoting point.

Enhanced comfort and ergonomics

As gaming persisted to conform and turned out to be greater aggressive, so did the desires of gamers for better seating alternatives. Around the mid-2010s, the gaming chair organization began to place greater emphasis on ergonomics, mainly on chairs that had been designed no longer only for comfort but also for prolonged-time period health advantages.

Ergonomics is the technological understanding of designing merchandise that shapes the human frame and its movements, and it has emerged as more and more important as gamers have come to be greater aware of the dangers related to prolonged sitting, collectively with once more pain, terrible posture, and repetitive stress accidents.

Key innovations in ergonomic design:

• Adjustable Armrests (4D): Chairs now furnished with 4D adjustable armrests, which is probably moved in four special hints—up/down, in advance/backward, left/proper, and turned around—permitting game enthusiasts to find out the best feature for his or her palms.
• Improved Lumbar Support: Built-in lumbar assist mechanisms have emerged as extra commonplace, presenting gamers with better lower back help without the need for additional cushions.
• Memory Foam Padding: High-surrender chairs began with characteristic memory foam cushions that conformed to the consumer’s frame, imparting superior consolation and help compared to conventional padding.
• Recline and Tilt Functions: Enhanced reclining features allow game enthusiasts to lean lower lower lower back at numerous angles for rest or the most reliable recognition eventually of gameplay.

These ergonomic advancements helped gaming chairs emerge as essential tools for no longer genuinely informal gamers however moreover professionals in the esports employer, wherein prolonged hours of workout and opposition required superior seating answers.

See also: Autonomous ergo chair pro review: best gaming chair, it is simple and healthy

High-tech features: the future of gaming chairs

In current years, gaming chairs have embraced the modern generation to provide game enthusiasts with an excellent greater immersive, and snug revel. High-tech gaming chairs have delivered capabilities that cater to each gaming and entertainment, providing first-rate tiers of customization and interactivity.

1. Built-in speakers and vibration motors:

Some present-day gaming chairs come equipped with integrated speakers, subwoofers, and vibration cars, developing a completely immersive audio-visible enjoyment. These capabilities sync with the game’s audio, imparting surround sound and haptic comments that complement the experience of immersion.

2. Wireless connectivity:

Many excessive-tech gaming chairs are designed to connect wirelessly to gaming consoles, PCs, and notable gadgets. This allows for seamless integration of audio and gameplay feedback without the problem of tangled cables, making the gaming setup cleaner and in addition organized.

3. RGB lighting:

RGB lighting has come to be a commonplace feature in gaming peripherals, and gaming chairs have followed in shape. Some chairs consist of customizable LED lights, which may be synchronized with superb additives in a gaming setup, inclusive of the cultured appeal and growing surroundings that fit the depth of the game.

4. Temperature control:

For game enthusiasts who live in warm climates or have a propensity to overheat all through prolonged durations, chairs with integrated cooling generation have become available. These chairs function as air waft systems or cooling gel-infused cushions to help modify body temperature and hold gamers cushy.

5. Health monitoring:

The current high-tech gaming chairs are pushing the bounds of ergonomics. Some chairs come prepared with sensors that screen posture and body motion, providing feedback to assist clients hold maximum suitable seating positions. These improvements now not handiest improve comfort but also help prevent the prolonged-term fitness risks related to prolonged gaming.

The future of gaming chairs

From essential seating to ergonomic and immoderate-tech enhancements, the evolution of gaming chairs has been pushed by way of manner of the desires of game enthusiasts and upgrades in technology. What started as an easy bucket seat design has transformed right into a complex device that complements every gaming experience and conventional fitness.

As the gaming agency keeps developing and evolving, so will gaming chairs. We can anticipate destiny enhancements to reputation even greater on customization, health advantages, and immersive era, further blurring the traces among fixtures and advanced gaming devices. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a professional esports participant, nowadays gaming chairs offer a degree of consolation, useful resource, and interactivity that might have been a fantastic simplest decade in the past.

See also: Innovations changing the gaming industry

The post The Evolution of Gaming Chairs: From Basic to High-Tech appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

These are the new and enhanced features of locker codes in NBA 2K25 and how to use them to your advantage.

1. Limited-Time Event Locker Codes

In NBA 2K25, locker codes are now more tied to real-time events, offering players the chance to unlock special content tied to live games, special seasons, or player milestones. These limited-time codes are often available for only a few hours, rewarding players who stay updated and participate actively. By keeping an eye on news about upcoming NBA events, you can be ready to snag these codes when they drop. For instance, popular sports news websites like Sports Illustrated frequently cover updates about NBA-related events, which can help you stay ahead of the curve in collecting valuable locker codes.

2. Integration With MyTeam Challenges

One of the standout new features in NBA 2K25 is the integration of locker codes with MyTeam challenges. These codes are now not just for unlocking player packs or in-game currency but are directly tied to completing challenges that can give you even more valuable rewards. Players are encouraged to participate in challenges that allow them to progress through different modes in the game, further enhancing the experience of locker codes in NBA 2K25. Staying consistent with these challenges will ensure a steady stream of rewards.

3. Enhanced Rewards Based On Team Builds

Locker codes in NBA 2K25 have become more personalized to a player’s team composition. Whether you’re focusing on building a defensively strong team or an offense-heavy roster, locker codes will provide rewards that align with your strategies. This is a huge upgrade from previous editions, where locker codes were more generic. You now have the opportunity to bolster specific areas of your team based on your gameplay style. This creates a more strategic approach to using locker codes and makes them a must-have tool for serious MyTeam competitors.

Additionally, the NBA 2k25 cover athlete is another exciting part of the game, and knowing who the featured athlete is can give players access to themed content through locker codes, offering player cards, special jerseys, and unique perks. Keeping up with these updates allows you to stay informed and unlock exclusive rewards tied to this year’s cover star.

4. Expanded Accessibility And Notifications

In response to player feedback, NBA 2K25 has made locker codes more accessible than ever before. Players can now receive real-time notifications in the game when new codes are released, ensuring they don’t miss out on any time-sensitive rewards. Moreover, the user interface has been updated to make entering locker codes more seamless, reducing frustration for players trying to quickly input codes during high-traffic events. Staying connected to reliable sources like Bleacher Report can also help you stay updated on new locker codes and ensure that you maximize your opportunities for rewards.

5. Season-Based Locker Codes For MyCareer And The W

Another exciting addition to locker codes in NBA 2K25 is the introduction of season-based codes for both MyCareer and The W modes. These codes will help players unlock exclusive items such as gear, animations, and even special boosts for their characters. As seasons progress, new codes will become available, encouraging players to stay engaged throughout the year.

In conclusion, NBA 2K25 has taken locker codes to a new level, offering more personalized, event-driven, and challenge-based rewards than ever before. Whether you’re focusing on MyTeam or MyCareer, locker codes are essential for optimizing your gameplay experience.

The post Exploring the New Features of Locker Codes in NBA 2K25 appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

We got the NOTE Pro+ for review which is quite similar to its predecessor the NOTE 30 VIP but with a few tweaks. What you get in the box;

The design packaging is the same throughout the Infinix smartphones. The bundle comes with the Infinix NOTE 40 series smartphone — in this case; the NOTE 40 Pro+, and its accessories including a 20W MagPad for wireless charging, a phone case that is compatible with the MagPad, a screen protector, Type-C earphones, USB Type-C charging & data cable, and a 100-watt fast-charging brick. The version of the NOTE 40 Pro+ we got comes with a leather-style texture finish at the back in Vintage Green — but it also comes in titan gold color.

Price and specifications

The phone is priced at UGX1,497,000 and is available at all Infinix outlets, Airtel Uganda service centers, and authorized mobile phone outlets across Uganda, ensuring easy accessibility for interested buyers.

• Body: 164.3 x 74.5 x 8.1 mm, weights: 190g, and is IP53, dust and splash resistant.
• Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2436px resolution, with Corning Gorilla Glass protection.
• SoC and Processor:  Mediatek Dimensity 7020 (6 nm) and Octa-core processor.
• Memory: 256GB + 12GB RAM; with dedicated slot: microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC.
• OS/Software:  Android 14, coupled with XOS 14.
• Rear camera: 108 MP (primary) + 2 MP + 2 MP.
• Front camera: 32 MP.
• Video capture: Rear camera: 1440p@30fps and 1080p@30/60fps; Front camera: 1080p@30fps.
• Battery: 4,600mAh with charging at 100W wired, 20W wireless MagCharge, and supports reverse wired and wireless charging.
• Connectivity: 5G; Dual Nano-SIM, Wi-Fi 5; Bluetooth 5, and NO 3.5mm earphone jack.
• Misc: Fingerprint reader (under the display), and stereo speaker tuned by JBL.

Build, Design, and Display

It is interesting to see Infinix changing its design and aesthetic to look a bit fresh. The NOTE 40 Pro+ has a respectable skinny finish compared to its predecessor which had a flat design which many I believe will find more practical when it comes to gripping the phone.

The phone is built with a plastic frame, and at the back, you get a leather-style texture making the phone more interesting because it adds a nice bit of grip and because of the leather finish the phone doesn’t get all smudgy. At the back, you have the camera housing which is rather large and stretches almost to the other end of the phone which is not particularly ugly. On top of the phone, you have the IR blaster and a signage of the JBL logo to indicate that the speakers are by JBL. At the bottom you have the SIM card tray with no MicroSD card support, and a USB Type-C charging port — and the port will also be used for your earphones, the company discontinued the earphone jack and there’s a chance we shall see this on more of its devices in the coming times.

The Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ is IP53, dust and splash-resistant. You get it a bit wet but don’t go and dip it in a pool of water.

Infinix slimmed the design so it has reasonable skinny bezels and not so much wasted space. This gives you a 6.78-inch display and if you have huge hands it fits perfectly — in other words, you get the grip tight. Unfortunately, it does not support a one-handed mode you will struggle most of the time especially when you try to reach up to the top of the display, thus you have to use two hands so as you don’t fumble with it one-handed.

The phone comes with a nice 1080p AMOLED display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass and has a refresh rate of up to 120Hz and a high brightness mode which Infinix is rating up to 1300 nits. It is a nice punch bright display and you get better outdoor readability. That’s to say, on the maximum brightness level, you will have no trouble with outdoor visibility.

The NOTE 40 Pro+ comes with a nice color profile where you can switch up the look and feel of your display. You can change the color tones which Infinix has been trying its best to add some of these lifestyle and quality features to their phones considering that they are coming at lower price points.

The phone does come with a phone casing that you can clip on your phone and it won’t affect or cover the sides of the phone so they remain exposed and generally keep the profile of the phone similar to when it doesn’t have the cover on the only downside with the case is that it does not protect the edges of the phones

Next to the cameras, the phone has a halo-colorful light system that can be used for notification alerts. (Notification lights are a bit rare on today’s smartphones but it is good to see Infinix making a bit of effort with this old-school feature). By default, the feature comes turned off and many might not know it but it can be adjusted in the setting. To do so, open the Settings app >> Active halo lighting >> Select the features you like for your notification.

Memory, Software, and Performance

The NOTE 40 pro+ is stuffed with the Mediatek Dimensity 7020 chipset backed by 12 GB of RAM making the phone a little bit snappier and more performant than its predecessor and gets a slightly higher tier of work done even when you’re using lots of apps (multitasking) at the same time. The phone runs on Android 14 and the XOS launcher is slathered on top which tweaks Android quite a considerable amount

Infinix has completely cleaned up their UI which is now a heavy and aggressive skin. The layout is smooth— everything is flowing (swiftly) the way we should expect it to with no lagging.

On gaming, the phone did a decent job. There were no dropped frames nor were the games slowing down and for such an inexpensive phone there’s a lot of potential considering that it is using sort of a lower power MediaTek chipset, however, for best performance, it is best to stick to medium-level frame rates when gaming. In addition, Infinix’s XOS gives you a gaming mode feature to boost your gaming — you can adjust everything from speed to framerates, and display, among others.

There’s no MicroSD card support, but the phone comes with an onboard storage of 256GB enough for you to install apps, and store all your media including songs, photos, and videos, to mention a few.

Cameras

Nothing has changed much from the predecessor, you get a trio setup; 108MP + 2MP + 2MP shooters at the back with OIS. At the front, you get a 32MP shooter. The camera app is packed with features and modes that you can play around with to enhance your photos. Even though there’s OIS, photos and video appear pretty shakey — it is not fully stabilized as we thought hopefully Infinix would fix it in its upcoming devices.

The cameras have improved with the night mode photography which can be switched up to super night mode photography the photos appear much better and are usable. The dedication night mode brightens the photos. In ambient light, the photos fall a bit but in well-set light environments, the photos are decent with reasonably accurate color reproduction and sharpness.

When it comes to videos, you get to shoot and get quad-HD videos and surprisingly they are good. You shoot videos in Full HD resolution by default but you can also push that to 2K and unfortunately, that is how it goes, so no 4K.

Battery life and power management

This is the phone’s headliner and one of the major upgrades is the charging speeds. The phone comes with a slightly smaller battery, 4,600mAh compared to its predecessor which came with 5,000mAh. So far during our use, the battery life was frankly excellent which can even see the most demandant of power users through a full day of intensive use on a single charge.

The charging part is the most interesting bit of all for this phone. The phone charges fast thanks to its 100-watt fast charging, this is fundamentally one of the most exciting upgrades to see. Getting your phone charged that fast in about 10 minutes and getting almost a whole day of runtime —takes a lot of that battery anxiety off your plate.

The NOTE 40 Pro+ also has 20-watt wireless charging and supports reverse wireless charging which you can use to top up the battery of your friends’ phones. For this, the NOTE 40 Pro+ comes with what the company calls a “MagPad” which lines up with the circles on the phone casing magnetly to wireless charge your phone.

The 20-watt wireless charging support is quite rare to find around mid-range devices but it is good to see that Infinix did it and hopefully, this is embedded in their future phones as well.

For power management, Infinix has stuffed in the phone its new Cheetah X1 charge management to help prevent overcharging-type situations. You can set this as well as other charging management solutions in Setting >> Battery >> Charging >> Here you can adjust the charging speeds, and bypass charging to prevent the battery from overcharging and to keep the phone from heating up.

Honorable Mention: JBL’s Speakers
While I was excited to see JBL back on the NOTE series, I thought they would be an improvement but I was wrong. The sound is a bit hollow —there’s some little distortion of the sound at max volume. However, the sound remains pretty decent, hopefully, this will be improved in the next NOTE series.

The phone doesn’t come with the standard 3.5mm earphone jack and now supports USB Type-C earphones that are plug-in to where you charge from. So you will no longer be able to charge your phone and simultaneously use your earphones and the only way to opt for this is if you use wireless earbuds.

The company discontinuing the earphone jack, I would say this is a nice admission that Infinix removed something from the phone itself so even on less expensive phones like the NOTE 40 Pro+.

Verdict
The Infinix NOTE series has become one of those phones you would look forward to every year. This time, the company showed a different style, aesthetic, and combination of features. For UGX1,497,000 it is not difficult to find a phone that might outperform the NOTE 40 Pro+ but often then you can make other compromises for those companion and lifestyle features and you see that the NOTE 40 Pro+ is a smartphone that you can opt for in that price range.

Therefore, with a few tweaks/upgrades and the general software setup aside, the NOTE 40 Pro+ is pretty much a decent phone. The battery life and charging is excellent, the performance is good enough, the photos are decent and usable, among others.

The post Unboxing and Review of the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+: A Decent Stylish Phone appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

A representative with itel Mobile Uganda confirmed to PC Tech Magazine that the P55+ will be available in the Ugandan market in Feb. 2024 and emphasized that only the P55T and P55+ will be sold in Uganda.

There was no comment on why the two other variants; P55 5G and P55 won’t be sold in Uganda.

The itel P55 series is an entry-level smart series and more capable of being in a mid-range series.

The subject of this review is the itel P55T, and we have the variant thanks to itel Mobile Limited. The itel P55T on is no different from its predecessors in terms of design or features, but it comes with some improvements, which we cover in the next section of the review.

Price and specs at a glance

The phone is priced at UGX399,000 and is available at all itel outlets, MTN Uganda service centers, and authorized phone shops across the country, ensuring easy accessibility for interested buyers.

• Body: 75 x 164 x 8.4mm, 190g; plastic back, plastic frame.
• Display: 6.6-inch IPS LCD, 90Hz, 720 x 1612px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 24 bit.
• SoC and Processor: Unisoc Tiger T606 (12nm): 4x 1.2 GHz ARM Cortex-A55, 4x 1.8 GHz ARM Cortex-A55, 8 Cores
• Memory: 128GB + 8GB RAM; with dedicated slot: microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC.
• OS/Software: Android 14 GO Edition, itel v13.6.0.
• Rear camera: 50 MP (primary camera) + AI Camera (depth).
• Front camera: 8 MP.
• Video capture: Rear camera: 1080p@30fps; Front camera: 1080p@30fps.
• Battery: 6000mAh; 18W wired.
• Connectivity: 4G; Dual SIM; Wi-Fi 5; Bluetooth 5; 3.5mm earphone jack.
• Misc: Fingerprint reader (side-mounted); stereo speakers.

Unboxing the itel P55T

Inside the box, the device; the P55T seats on top greet you upon opening the box, and underneath the phone, is a 3.5mm standard earphone, USB Type-C for charging & data-transfer cable, an 18W fast-charing brick, and a silicon rubber phone case.

Design, build, and display

The itel P55T features an all-plastic design except for the front panel — it’s not Gorilla Glass, but it’s still glass. Overall, the handset’s design isn’t anything out of the ordinary, but it does have a strong iPhone-esque design on the back where the camera island is. It’s like a bigger version of the iPhone camera bump with two protruding camera rings and a ring quad-LED flash.

In contrast to the glossy surface of the camera island, the rest of the back panel features a brushed matte finish. The surface is pretty good in the sense that it provides a decent grip, and fingerprints and smudges are not visible at all.

On the side frames — it is the same design we are used to — nothing out of the ordinary still. You have volume and power buttons (the power button that doubles as a fingerprint reader), and a tray that houses the dual-sim, & a microSD card (to expand your phone’s storage). The bottom houses the USB Type-C port, a microphone, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a mono speaker grille.

Going around the front, a 6.6-inch display with rather thick bezels and an even thicker chin. The selfie camera sits in a centered punch-hole. The display is a 720p 90Hz IPS LCD screen, and the quality is okay — we appreciate the smoothness it provides thanks to its refresh rate. Users will enjoy playing games and watching/streaming content on this display at 1080p resolutions.

The display has warm color tones, and the brightness is “kinda” average. Speaking of brightness, the display can go up to 500 nits which should be enough for well-lit or somewhat sunny environments, but you may struggle to see some of the content under bright sunlight.

Contrast, on the other hand, is pretty high which is enough to produce pretty deep blacks.

We have the black version of the P55T but it also comes in blue, and green.

Overall, the design, build, and display are something we have seen on multiple itel smartphones but all in all the build and design quality remain impressive especially if you consider it in its price bracket.

Software, performance, and battery

The phone comes with Android 14 GO Edition coupled with itel’s v13.6.0 software which works smoothly with the OS with no/minimal hiccups or stutters, despite the influx of apps. So I guess itel has done its job pretty well on that front.

The Android GO Edition software is optimized and it is specifically designed for budget-friendly devices such as the itel P55T. This ensures a smooth performance minimizing lags and shutters offering the user an incredible smartphone experience. Users should opt to download and install only lighter apps of their original versions which are available for download on Google Playstore. Such apps include; Facebook Lite, Instagram Lite, TikTok Lite, and Spotify Lite, to mention a few.

The Software doesn’t have much going around even though you tweak it much — which there isn’t much to tweak since the functions are limited compared to other variants such as the P55 and P55+. All in all the GO Edition is good enough for the P55T and you expect to get a smooth performance.

As for performance, the itel P55T is powered by a Unisoc Tiger T606 (12nm) chipset, an octa-core processor, and 4GB RAM (which is expandable to 8GB via memory fusion) which is decent for the phone considering its price.

As a gamer, you will be able to play basic games at high framerates and good quality, and as for heavy-duty games such as Call of Duty mobile, it is the vice-versa, you get low graphics with a medium framerate.

Overall, with the Android 14 GO Edition, up to 8GB of RAM, and 128GB onboard storage, you will get a decent performance from the itel P55T.

One of the standout features and selling points of the itel P55T is its massive 6,000mAh battery. This powerhouse ensures endurance throughout the day, catering to the needs of users with demanding schedules. With the phone running on a not-so-demanding Unisoc Tiger T606 chipset, you get more power to push you throughout the day.

As for charging, the itel P55T supports 18W fast charging. The device seems to be mostly on par with the competition or even outpaces some of its direct rivals. In the first 45 minutes, the handset gets about half of its battery charge back, while a full charging cycle takes nearly 2 hours. For the asking price, that’s a respectable charging speed.

Cameras

The P55T comes with a 50MP main camera which is more than you could ask for in this price bracket. This is a fairly capable shooter, but unfortunately, it’s paired with an AI camera said to be for depth, but I don’t find it of importance. The main shooter is just enough.

As for the front, it’s equipped with an 8MP selfie camera.

The cameras produce pretty decent photos with sufficient sharpness and a respectable amount of detail for the most part. The color temperature tends to be a bit warmer than it should be, but color reproduction is mostly accurate or a bit punchy at times.

The low-light photos appear average with some noise of course being visible and some highlights are clipped, but the shadows reveal plenty of detail, and the sharpness is somewhat decent. There are even some hints of fine detail with the dedicated super night mode. The contrast is good and the colors are life-like.

As for the recording videos, both cameras support recording up to 1080p at 30 frames per second and the audio is clear if there’s no noise in your surroundings.

Verdict

As a user that prioritizes battery life, the itel P55T is a device that you could opt for. In addition to its display, memory & storage, cameras, and general performance — for a device in its price range — put side to side with other devices, it can be taken up. With such a device it is recommended mostly to first-time users considering that itel Mobile Limited is trying to increase the smartphone penetration in Uganda with its budget-friendly devices.

The post itel P55T Review: A Powerhouse in its Price Bracket appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

I created my account with ADSS almost a year ago and I have been placing trades (spot forex and CFDs on indices and commodities) regularly with a Classic account as a retail trader. I did not start on a demo account. Rather, I started trading live immediately due to its low minimum deposit requirement (USD$100), and I became acquainted with the ADSS trading platform by placing live trades from the start.

In this review, I will examine the broker’s full product offering, account types and features, and available trading platforms. I will also review the educational resources of ADSS. For a look into guest reviews of the broker, you can check out this ADSS Revieweek which also contains comments from other past and active traders.

Trading in the financial markets contains risk and most people lose money. This review is not an endorsement of any trading strategy nor should it be construed as financial advice. All information is up to date as of January 2024 and opinions reflected here are my own and presented in no affiliation with ADSS.

ADSS is a broker that is based in the United Arab Emirates. It serves both local and global traders (with some perks for UAE-based traders, such as the integration of UAE Pass for registration). The broker is regulated and authorized by the UAE’s SCA (Securities and Commodities Authority) for Over-the-counter derivatives contracts (CFDs in this case) and the forex spot markets. It has its headquarters in Abu Dhabi. As an execution-only broker, they do not provide financial advice.

Products to trade at ADSS and accounts available

ADSS offers forex spot trading on major, minor, and exotic currency pairs. CFD trading on forex, stocks, indices, commodities (agriculture, metals, and energy), cryptocurrencies, and forex are also available. Leverage varies, as do spreads — depending on the instrument, the account type, and time of day in trading.

ADSS offers four types of accounts: Classic, Elite, Elite+, and Demo. The type of account that you will need depends on how much you are going to fund your account, your skill level, and what you want from trading.

The Classic account was my choice, and it is an obvious one for most traders who are just starting out trading. It is also a good option for intermediate traders, with a low minimum deposit requirement of just USD$100. The Classic account is a single-currency account, which can be funded in USD or AED once the account has been verified. The Classic account comes with a maximum leverage of 500:1, tight spreads, and access to the full product range of ADSS.

The Elite and Elite+ accounts start at much higher thresholds, with minimum deposit requirements of USD$100,000 and USD$250,000 respectively. This is a big jump from the Classic account — and the Elite account options are mostly targeted towards professional traders who wish to trade in large volumes and with ultra-tight spreads. Spreads are 25% lower (or more) compared to those available to Classic account traders. Leverage remains at a maximum of 500:1.

The other benefit of having an Elite or Elite+ account comes in three main ways. Firstly, you receive the support of a dedicated senior trader and relationship manager. You also get access to +Elite events affiliated with the broker. Finally, Elite and Elite+ accounts support multi-base currency funding and storage — which can help traders place trades more conveniently and save on currency conversion fees.

A demo account with ADSS is available for free upon registration. Demo traders can use the ADSS trading platform or MT4 to place trades in a simulated environment, risk-free. However, the demo is limited to 60 days, as it says on the broker’s website. Afterward, traders have the option to terminate their trading demo or switch to a live account. I did not start out with a demo account, but it is worth doing this if you are new to trading or want to test out the broker’s proprietary platform – speaking of which, is great for beginners.

Trading platforms

ADSS offers two platforms for trading for demo and live traders: their proprietary (ADSS) trading platform and MT4. Traders have the option to use both if they request it. Experienced traders who are already using MT4 but perhaps with another broker — they can also easily make the transition to continue using the platform with ADSS.

One thing to note is that crypto CFD trading is not available on MT4 — just on the ADSS platform.

The ADSS platform is much sleeker and cleaner compared to MT4. It has a large chart of any selected instrument in the middle of the interface, and sidebars on the left, right, and bottom.

The left sidebar pane contains the main modules — Products, Watchlist, Positions, Order, and History. The right sidebar pane contains an order ticket window for fast entry into the market. At the bottom is an overview of all open positions, including information on instrument and live prices — grouped by product. In my opinion, this clear, non-cluttered interface makes it extremely easy for traders to get their start in trading.

There are five charting options on the ADSS trading platform; line, mountain, candle, Heikin-Ashi, and OHLC five drawing tools; trend line, parallel channel, Andrew’s Pitchfork, Gann Fan, and Fibonacci. There are an additional three indicators; MACD, RSI, and Volume. Finally, traders can view charts in 15 timeframes, from 1 minute to 6 months. Further customization in terms of color, line width, and line style (dotted, dashed, or concrete lines) are available.

The MT4 platform on the other hand provides a slightly more complex view — and for advanced traders, there is the possibility of using integrated plugins. Expert Advisors (EAs) may be used for automated trading, and participation within MetaTrader forums and communities can aid in social trading ventures.

Educational resources

ADSS does not offer financial advice, but it provides a selection of educational resources that range from platform guides and trading webinars to a trader’s glossary. Educational articles are also available, and most of the content on the website is in English and Arabic. The guides are clear and where I found the most use out of, while the educational content (the glossary and articles) are newer additions to the site.

Verdict

Overall, having traded with ADSS for almost a year on their proprietary platform, I am happy to say I will continue working with this broker as I hone my trading skills.

The Classic account holds up well with access to the full range of trading products and a good suite of trading tools and indicators on the platform. There is a small charge of currency conversion for profits and losses, but it is negligible. The main appeal is the low entry barrier at USD$100, it is a good starting point for beginners and intermediate traders — and if you are an experienced or professional trader, you also have the option of the Elite and Elite+ accounts to choose from.

The post Broker Review: I’m Happy To Continue Trading With ADSS appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

The main highlight of the phones as we have seen is the Fast-Charging capability making it the first smartphone from itel Mobiles to come with fast charge. The fast-charging feature does show that the company is gradually adapting to smartphone trends that not only are we seeing on mid-range and high-end devices. Fast charging is a good upgrade on itel smartphones since consumers need to have their phones charged as fast as possible.

The other key selling points other than the fast-charging the company highlighted are the large battery (5,000mAh), upgradeable fashionable design, and the performance.

The itel P38 and P38 Pro are available for purchase starting for UGX330,000 and come in Nebula Black, Galaxy Blue, and Spruce Green color options. The phone is available in all itel shops and authorized smartphone dealers across the country.

itel Mobile Uganda sent to PC Tech Magazine the itel P38 version for a hands-on review, and we got the Spruce Green version.

Unboxing the itel P38

The packing is no different from all the handsets we have received from the company for review. The box weighs about 200g and comes sealed and the company has cautioned consumers not to buy the product that has a broken seal. On breaking the seal, the itel P38 handset seats on top with its accessories including the standard 3.5mm earphones in a red color, a fast-charging 18W brick, and a micro-USB Type-B cable that can be used for charging and data transfer. The user manual, a 12-month warranty, and other documents are soft copies that come within the phone documents when the phone is powered on they can be accessed in the phone’s documents.

Having had the phone for quite a while, this is our review;

Design, Display and Build
The design and build of the itel P38 have been changed to our expectation — there’s so much difference and we do applaud the company on taking this step to indeed produce a better version of the predecessor. Fashionable as advertised, the phone is all plastic built including the frames, and has a glass front.

The rear cover of the phone is not detachable — prior you had to remove the cover for you to be able to insert your SimCard and microSD card. Now the phone comes with a SimCard and microSD card tray that appears on the left side of the phone and can be accessed with an injector pin.

itel also removed the speaker from the back of the phone placing it at the bottom next to the earphone port, microphone, and micro-USB port. On the predecessor, the itel P37, the earphone port was placed on top which was inconvenient because the earphone wire comes on top of the display and you literally have to hold it from the back not to get on the display — and therefore placing it at the bottom was the right call.

On the right side of the phone is the volume and power buttons. Another change we noticed, the fingerprint scanner now appears in the same housing as the rear cameras. The dual AI cameras (8MP main camera + QVGA) are separated by a LED-flash light.

The itel P38 feels comfortable when held. It fits well in your palm unless you have small hands.

Looking at the display, it is a water-drop design, with a 6.6-inch IPS LCD screen size and a screen resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels. The company kept the same display design we saw on the itel A58. The resolution gives a clearer and more immersive visual experience. The screen is bright enough and can be adjusted according to the ambient light. It is very good indoors and is quite legible outdoors in direct sunlight. The phone’s display also supports a wide color gamut. You will surely enjoy your entertainment on this device, the colors are well presented for an entry-level budget phone.

Software, Performance, and Battery
The itel P38 comes with Android 11 (Go edition) mobile OS and comes with pre-installed GO apps that are lite to run smoothly on the 2GB RAM. A phone of this kind should run smoothly with lite version apps installed to avoid lags, phone freeze, or slow performance. The phone is powered by a 1.3GHz Quad-core processor and you can use the included i-boost 1.0 software to further enhance the performance of your phone, for a smoother experience. The onboard storage is 32GB of storage gives you fairly enough space for your apps and media (videos and photos). The storage can be expanded with a microSD card to get more space.

While testing the itel P38, we did receive good results for a phone in its category. The performance was average — we didn’t overwork the processor so to avoid freezes/lags or slow performances. Therefore we recommend using the phone with lite versioned apps or apps that are less than 1GB in size for a better user experience.

There were minimal results on multitasking [if apps didn’t consume half of the phone’s memory] with slightly heavy apps in the background and bad results giving numerous lags while using heavy apps

For battery life and charging;

The phone is powered by a non-removable 5,000mAh battery [same as its predecssor] and it did a commendable job across all test scenarios including; video playback, calls, web browsing, and demonstrated long-lasting standby performance. The phone is equipped with an AI Power Master to intelligently optimize the phone’s battery life. The battery can get 2 extra hours on power-saving mode and up to 10 days in the ultra power-saving mode on a single charge.

The best part of the phone is that it does support fast charging [first of its kind in the line of itel smartphones]. It takes nearly an hour and 45 mins to get a full charge thanks to its 15W charging brick.

Camera, Photo, and Video Quality
The itel P38 comes with a 5MP front-facing camera which is housed in the water-drop notch. And dual-rear AI camera with 8MP+QVGA sensors. The photos and videos you get from the cameras aren’t of the best but average for an entry-level phone. With good lighting, mostly in daylight settings, the photos, and videos were good.

Photo Quality;

Generally, the photos are averagely fine —the contrast and saturation are good for an entry-level phone, the noise doesn’t show if not zoomed in, and the excellent colors stay true to reality. The images aren’t sharp but remain good enough for a phone of its category. We noticed that the camera is set to automatically focus to take the photo, thus you have to be steady to take good shots to avoid blur.

So for photogenic, your photos with minimal or no edits will still look good and can be sharable on social networks as they are usually downscaled during the upload.

The selfie camera does produce good photos, with a ton of resolved detail, accurate colors, and high contrast.

Overall, the photo quality is okay.

Video Recording;

The video resolution for both the front and rear camera max out at 720p, nothing like 1080p — though the footage from both cameras is quite good. You have to be stable enough to have well-taken videos because there’s no stabilization feature. With good lighting the video will have the colors remain accurate, they might be a blow in the highlights but the videos you get should be good enough for a phone of this type.

Our verdict
The new itel P38 is powered by Android 11 Go Edition and has a strong focus on the fast charging feature. For a phone under USD$100, it is very impressive to see 15W fast charging paired with its 5,000mAh battery capacity. Overall, the itel P38 with its large display that shows crisp images, impressive colors, and an immersive experience for any type of media consumption is a good pick for an entry-level handset. We do believe itel consumers will be happy to try out this phone.

The post Unboxing and Review of the itel P38: A Budget Phone With Average Performance appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

Maybe you’re surprising a family member with a smartwatch, or a nice iPhone case; A tablet; A smart speaker.

These are all good thoughts. But before pressing that buy button, go through the list we’ve curated below. Because it’s actually easy to accidentally buy a terrible tech gift, and Amazon’s search results and countless affiliate link-laden “gift guides” don’t make avoiding doing so any easier.

Here are some of the most obvious, yet worst tech gifts that you should avoid, whether your budget is $50 (about Ugx 175,000) or $500 (about 1,750,000). And don’t worry, last-minute shoppers—we’ll also tell you what to buy instead.

A budget tablet.

You really shouldn’t be buying cheap Android tablets for anyone. No matter how young or old they are.

This is especially true for Amazon Fire tablets—they just aren’t worth it, even at $50 around Ugx 175,000 or $100 about Ugx 350,000.

If you only have a $100 or Ugx 350,000 budget for a gift, don’t buy them a tablet at all. Cheap tablets often perform sluggishly right out of the box, and are likely to only last about a year before they become more frustrating to use than fun.

If you want to gift someone a tablet, make it an iPad, or skip the whole thing.

The $329 or Ugx 1,151,500 10.2 inch iPad is a good all around choice. It can be used to watch movies, for studying in class, and even for some light work.

This model isn’t quite as powerful or feature-packed as more expensive options, but it will still last you a long time.

A clear or too-cute phone case.

Did a friend or family member just buy the latest iPhone?

You might be tempted to give them a nice, stylish case. And if you search on Amazon, you’ll find lots of options. You can spend as little as $10 (Ugx 35,000) for a clear case, or choose a cute case adorned with a funky print.

But this is not a gift worth giving. Class it up a bit—buy something they wouldn’t buy for themselves. Like a leather case.

Leather cases are classy. They look cool and they age with a unique patina. Apple makes nice leather cases for $60 about Ugx 210,000. They work with MagSafe, they allow for wireless charging, and they are lined in a soft material that won’t scratch up the painted edges of their cute blue phone.

Or, check out Nomad’s leather cases. They are made with 100% American Horween leather, and they look and feel better than any other option out there. If you have a $50 (Ugx 175,000) budget, you can’t get a classier gift.

This only applies to the iPhone users in your life. If you’re considering getting them a smartwatch, or a fitness tracker, just don’t cheap out on it.

You’ll find $50 (Ugx 175,000) smartwatches on Amazon, sure, but even if they’re ugly, they undoubtedly have terrible software.

Get an Apple Watch SE (or Series 6/7).

It’s great for tracking workouts, viewing notifications, and using apps on your wrist.

A MagSafe Battery Pack.

Friends don’t buy friends Apple MagSafe Battery Packs. That’s common knowledge.

Just don’t fall into the trap of buying either a really cheap one—but you don’t have to spring for Apple’s $99 (Ugx 346,500) MagSafe Battery Pack either.

Instead, buy the $60 (210,000) Anker 622 MagGo. It actually has a 5000 mAh battery, and will juice up the iPhone 13 to a full charge (which Apple’s battery pack won’t).

A fitness tracker.

Maybe the person you’re shopping for doesn’t have an iPhone. Or they’d be happy with a simple fitness tracker.

Something that can be relied on to count their steps, track their workouts, and, oh yeah, show them the time. You might be tempted to buy the first option that shows up on Amazon.

But we would advise against buying anything that isn’t a Fitbit. It’s not a brand thing, it’s a reliability thing.

We suggest you go for the Fitbit Charge 5 or the Fitbit Versa 2 if you’re looking to gift something resembling a smartwatch.

A low-end $300 Chromebook

A Chromebook is a great gift for a family member who’s in school, or someone who just needs a laptop for browsing the web.

But it’s easy to fall into the trap of cheap Chromebooks.

Yes, a $250 (Ugx875,000) Chromebook from a legitimate company like Lenovo or Acer is really tempting. But do you really want to gift an 11-inch laptop with a 720p screen, that runs on a mobile processor?

You don’t.

We’re not telling you to buy a high-end $999 (Ugx 3,496,500) Chromebook either.

Instead, settle for a nice mid-ranger, like the $550 (Ugx 1,925,000) Acer Chromebook Spin 713, which has a really good 2K display, and comes with a nice Intel i5 CPU, 8GB RAM, and 128GB SSD.

It’s good general advice: Don’t buy them a smart kitchen gadget. No smart ovens or smart cookers.

They cost a lot, their associated apps will inevitably suck, and no one will end up using them. Go low-tech here.

Get them an Instant Pot (or, if they already have one, an air fryer).

This pressure cooker is great for both slow and fast cooking.

An Amazon Echo 

The HomePod is dead, long live the HomePod. The HomePod mini isn’t nearly as good.

Google’s Nest Audio devices aren’t faring much better. If you want to gift someone a smart speaker, better make it an Echo product.

The Echo Dot is fine, but the sound quality isn’t the best.

The 4th Gen Echo will be enough for most users. You can opt for the higher quality Echo Studio if you think giving the gift of the best possible audio quality is really important.

And when it comes to smart home gadgets, maybe stop at a smart speaker.

Don’t get tempted to give them a different class of smart home peripheral unless you are intimately familiar with their house, their office, and their needs.

The 4th Gen Echo will cost you not more than $50 about Ugx 175,000.

Trying to guess what a gamer wants (Get them a subscription to Xbox Ultimate or PS Plus)

Gamers are a tricky bunch to buy for. So asking works best. Ask them if they want a particular game, or a console for the holidays.

If someone’s into casual gaming, get them a Nintendo Switch.

But if you know someone who already has an Xbox, PlayStation, or a gaming PC, the best surprise gift you can get them is a gaming subscription.

Xbox Ultimate Game Pass includes access to more than 100 games, including Microsoft’s own flagship titles like Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5.

On the PlayStation side, the PS Plus membership includes access to new games every month, and online multiplayer at only $59 about  Ugx 205,500.

Even if they are already subscribers, they will appreciate it if you pick up the tab for six months or a year.

An Oculus Quest 2

Usually, we refrain from suggesting any gift that’s too out there unless you know it’s what they want.

It’s best not to gift someone a complicated drone, or smart glasses, or a high-end VR headset, unless they’ve asked for it.

But if you must, we’ll make an exception for the Oculus Quest 2. Only because it’s an all-in-one VR headset that’s genuinely fun to play.

You can spend the holiday setting it up and ring in the new year with a super fun adventure or shooter game.

An Amazon Gift Card.

Can’t decide what to buy for someone who already has everything, or doesn’t want anything?

A gift card is a great out. But buying a gift card from a particular store, or even a gift card for Apple or Google Play, is a big mistake.

These gift cards can be really limiting. And they might even end up going to waste.

This is why the only gift card you should gift someone is an Amazon gift card. Because Amazon has literally everything.

Sure, it feels inauthentic to give a gift card, but if these people don’t want to get gift cards, they shouldn’t be so hard to buy for.

The gift card can go for as low as $10 (Ugx 35,000) or as high as $100 (Ugx 350,000). The amount to gift is all up to you.

An Amazon Echo Show 

The digital frame used to be a really thoughtful gift.

You’d put it at the end table, load up a couple of photos, and they’ll cycle through. But it hasn’t aged well.

Our recommendation is the Amazon Echo Show. It comes in lots of sizes (from 5 inches to 15.6 inches), from from as low as $44 (Ugx 154,000) upwards.

Alexa comes built-in. You can use it for video-conferencing, watching videos, and a lot more.

A no-name micro-USB battery pack.

One of the worst well-meaning things you can do for someone around the holidays is gifting them an obsolete tech product.

And any accessory that doesn’t come with a USB-C port and fast charging is just that.

If you’re on the lookout for battery packs, make sure you don’t buy the first thing off the shelf.

It will probably come with a USB-A and Micro-USB port.

Now, this last one would be a great gift for such festive seasons where tours and visits to loved is eminent. Battery dying out stories would long forgotten. Gift your loved one in a special way and make it memorable. Merry Christmas from PC Tech Magazine.

The post Top Tech Gifts for this Season appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

Best Online Calculators Review:

The best online calculator is one that analyzes the expression quite keenly and provides instant outcomes. Many of the calculators online offer the step by step solutions. Hence, students can relish using these with super ease. Caculator-online.net offers accurate outcomes for the students. Hence, they can learn mathematical and statistical concepts with super ease.

1. Fraction calculator:
The determination of the fraction is much time-consuming for students. Indeed, when their fractions are wrong then their interest declines in the subject. The fraction calculator proved to be a massive aid for the students to figure out outcomes quite instantly. this fraction calculator is one of the best online calculators through which you can perform fraction-related calculations.

2. GPA Calculator:
The GPA calculator helped the students to find out their status and progress level in their studies. Indeed, it proves to be amazingly helpful in the determination of whether one would get admission to another institute or not. The GPA calculator reveals how much more effort is required to achieve the target.

3. Sig Fig Calculator:
Rules of sig fig are very challenging and confusing for students! However, in actuality, it is not as tough as it seems. The Sig Fig calculator ensures to satisfy all the queries of the students. It reveals how to round off the numbers perfectly. It perfectly explains the significant figures that any complex number is having.

4. Percent Error Calculator:
Finding the percent error does not confuse the students anymore! They can find out about the percent error within seconds by using the percent error calculator.

5. Midpoint Calculator:
Mid-point is a massive practical approach in the field of engineering and architecture. Hence, students must have a better grip on the determination of mid-point quite accurately. The midpoint calculator is an excellent source to determine the midpoint within the least possible time.

6. Scientific Notation Calculator:
Dealing with huge or small numbers is quite facilitating the use of scientific notation. Students who are afraid of solving the scientific notation can relish using the scientific notation calculator. It immediately processes the data and provides the outcomes without any hassles.

7. Proportion Calculator:
Say goodbye to the hassle and trouble of finding the proportion! Solve the questions of proportion within seconds by using the highly accessible and best online calculator! It utilizes the promotion method and cross multiplication method to find out the missing value. Hence, the user gets the guidance and relishes best practices to use it.

8. Interval Notation Calculator:
The Interval notation calculator comes up with the flexibility to write the subsets quite instantly. It takes the endpoints into serious account. Students can learn about open intervals and closed intervals by using this online calculator.

The post 8 Best Online Calculators Reviews For Solving Basic and Advanced Problems appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.