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4 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About VPNs

Angel Webster
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VPNs are one of the most misunderstood technologies on the planet today. This is due in large part to VPN companies and their army of shills who tout them as a one-button solution to online privacy and security. This is a gross oversimplification.

There are several advantages to utilizing a virtual private network, but knowing “the why” may require some finesse. So let’s discuss what a virtual private network exactly does, whether or not it can protect you online, and five facts that we bet you didn’t know about VPN.

1) The Internet Is Now Encrypted And In 70% – 85% Of Cases VPN Encryption Is Obsolete

The internet used to be a different, more trusting place 20 years ago. All communication was conducted in the form of HTTP. Your passwords, as well as all of the other information you supplied, were sent over the public internet in clear text.

Anyone who intercepted your communications could see everything you sent and received. This wasn’t good enough. As the world’s technical knowledge increased, and software that might record all of a public WiFi network’s traffic became available for download, something had to change. So the internet switched to an encrypted version of HTTP, known as HTTPS.

The saying “military grade encryption” is used a lot by VPN providers. It’s mostly marketing because HTTPS encryption, in general, is likely superior than whatever the provider uses.

Here’s the catch: while recent research suggests that about 80 percent of websites use HTTPS, that isn’t every website. Nothing close to it. I was on the Turkish Embassy’s website the other day in an attempt to acquire a visa and found that it didn’t employ HTTP. The site asked for passport photographs, bank statements, and other information sufficient to construct a fake identity, but it didn’t utilize HTTPS.

Another excellent example is streaming platforms. They seldom utilize HTTPS. If you’re sharing your WiFi with housemates or if there’s a common network for your building, a VPN is useful on these websites.

2) Your ISP Can Recognize That You’re Using A VPN

With a VPN, an ISP can’t tell what sites you’re visiting or anything else you’re doing online.

The only thing they know is that they’re routing traffic to a remote server, and they can probably figure out that the server is a VPN. There are lists of known IP addresses belonging to VPN businesses, the handshake process differs depending on whether you’re using HTTPS or a VPN, the packet is most likely different in size, a lot of data goes to a single IP address, and there are other ways to tell you’re utilizing a VPN that we won’t go into.

In a nutshell, yes, your ISP may determine that you’re utilizing a VPN, but it’s unlikely they’ll care enough to investigate. And if they did, there’s nothing they could discover. In Belarus, China, Iraq, North Korea, Oman, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), VPNs are either prohibited or selectively banned; however if you live in one of these countries it’s unlikely you’d be reading this article in the first place.

3) The Main Reason People Use VPNs Is To Watch Geo Blocked Content 

Many VPN users already knew this, but the major reason people use VPNs is to access geo-blocked material. Geo-blocked material is not available in all areas. There are hundreds of titles that aren’t accessible in other countries on US Netflix. Then there are entire services like Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO, SkySports, and others that aren’t available to everyone around the world.

Why? Obsolete broadcasting rules from the days of the living room television sets are still regulating our fiber optic-powered entertainment on demand reality. You may continue to wait for outdated regulations to catch up with you, or you may simply get a VPN and upgrade your internet connection with the press of a button. These days, you can even get a VPN on your smartphone. For Android devices read about VPN apks.

4) VPNS Can Help You Prevent Your ISP From Slowing Down Your Connection

In the developed world, this isn’t much of an issue since there are legal safeguards in place; nevertheless, ISPs limit heavy users in developing regions without such protections.

This is a common practice in Asia and Africa. ISPs are known to track torrent traffic and slow it down. Their intentions for doing so are self-evident. The more people they can connect to the internet at the lowest possible price, the more money they make. Your ISP is first and foremost a business.

Your internet connection is shared. There may be a splitter connecting the cable that runs to your home to all of the other cables that serve your street outside of your home.

There’s also a second box down the road where all internet traffic for the area/suburb/city is aggregated. The majority of the internet is kept on servers abroad, so your nation’s internet traffic goes under the sea to data centers to retrieve international sites and join in steam lobbies. Every byte of data that travels over this submarine cable is paid for by IP transit agreements between ISPs. As a result, you can see how it is in the best interests of ISPs to slow down heavy users.

In Summary

VPNs aren’t the one-click panacea to online privacy and security that many people think they are. What they are is the most convenient method to access geo-blocked material while avoiding ISP throttling. It’s true that they hide your IP address from sites you visit, as well as sites you visit from your ISP, but don’t believe everything VPN companies say about themselves.

The Haymaker Headphones review

Luke Gaul
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The Haymaker is a pair of headphone designed with gamers in mind, but packed with a number of other features for audiophiles. Priced about $330, they are compatible with an array of profiles and codecs and also boast Dirac tuning.

We’ve had a pair of these headphones in the office for a few weeks now and I’ve had a chance to use them in a couple of settings. Here’s what I think of The Haymaker.

Built using a glossy finish and a unique carbon design, the headphones have the appearance of “gaming” headphones. And with the brand name spelled out in LEDs over the headband, they have a certain visual appeal.

The Haymaker comes with two sets of ear cups, one being a pair of faux leather and the other with a a diamond-pattern fabric. Aside from the exterior skin they are the same material and have pretty much the same comfort. If anything, they “leather” gets a touch warm and long term listening gets moist on the ears. The cups connect via magnets and are incredibly easy to switch out.

The headphones come with a fairly large case which carries all of the cables and components. It’s somewhat bulky and eats up a decent amount of space in a backpack so that’s something to keep in mind if you like to take your gaming on the road.

The Haymaker headphones connect via Bluetooth 5.0 and are compatible with A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP profiles; they support aptX, aptX HD, aptX LL, AAC, and SBC codecs as well. Suffice it to say, you should get the best of your audio experience.

As far as the Dirac HD goes, it’s recommended that you install software on your PC to tune the sound from your computer and activate the PC controller that comes with the headphones. You’ll need a Windows PC to do so but once installed you can choose between stereo and 7.1 sound.

The included PC controller cable has a button which lets one mute the microphone, adjust volume levels and toggle stereo and Dirac 7.1.

The headphones have a physical button on the back of the left ear cup enable and disable noise cancellation. The switch is easy to locate and provides a solid click when sliding back and forth.

Speaking of noise cancellation, while The Haymaker headphones do offer the feature, the manufacturer suggests the best audio comes with it turned off. I can confirm this as I found that when enabled, the sound is pretty heavily compressed.

As far as other controls go, it does come with a bit of learning. Using more of a gesture and swipe mechanic, I found it takes a fair amount of time to master. Swiping up and down for volume, for instance, I would appreciate if there was something tactile I could feel as a reference point. Along the same lines, swiping forward and back is how you’d skip forward and back on tracks.

Taping the center right cup three times enables and disables the ambient sound so that one can hear environmental noises. Again, were there even the tiniest little nub on the surface, I’d have been more confident in using the controls.

Similarly, there is a way to control the RGB lights of the headphone ear cups and top band, with options to turn on and off, or change the colors. With eight colors to choose from and four light cycling modes, you’ll want to do these before putting them on. For one, you’ll want to physically see that they change to the colors you like. More importantly, it helps to know that your swipes are being registered.

Music sounds great on The Haymaker headphones as does gaming on PC and when paired via Bluetooth. Whether it be pop, electronic, or classical, I found them to have a wide, even soundscape.

I’m not one to fuss much about codecs or place particular emphasis on Bluetooth profiles so I can’t speak to testing those out. What I can say, though, is that these provided a sound experience on par with my expectations.

Depending on how you listen to your music, you might expect upwards of 40+ hours of playback. According to the manufacturer, you may look for around 26 hours of Bluetooth playback on a single charge with active noise cancellation enabled, and up to 43 with it turned off.

Switching on and off the lights will also impact battery; it’s also possible to plug in using the auxiliary cable and go unlimited just so long as you don’t use noise cancellation.

As a whole, The Haymaker provide a solid value proposition with plenty of flexibility. I might like a little quicker on-ramp for navigation but once I was comfortable with it, things were more efficient. As a pair of gaming headphones with ANC disabled, they work quite well. And thanks to a strong battery experience, I appreciate not having to worry about charging.

The lights might be a bit of a gimmick and not something that everyone wants; you’ll have to decide as to whether that’s worth it.

KOVOL 65W USB C 4 Port Charger review

AndroidGuys
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The KOVOL 65W charger fulfills every charging need you will have at your house or office. It offers up four ports that are able to fast charge your phone (18W) and most computers (45W) at the same time. If all four ports are used up it has smart power allocation that will balance the amount of output to each port which has fast charge capability to each device. At just $40 this charging option provides a solid value proposition.

via KOVOL

Packaging

One of the most important parts of receiving a tech item is how it is packaged and presented to the consumer. This specific KOVOL product came in a very minimal but effective box. It comes with an AC input cable which powers the charger, a thank you card, and the user guide. All you need to do is connect the parts and charge away!

Quality and Performance

I used this charger to charge my surface laptop and my Samsung Galaxy S21 phone and it delivered exactly what it promised: fast charging on both devices — and the advanced GaN technology kept it cool and efficient.

I tested it out across multiple phones and my laptop and found it still delivered the fast charging needs that we expect with modern devices. And thanks to the smart power allocation, it balances things quite nicely. 

In terms of its build quality, I knew as soon as I picked up the packaging that this charger was legit. It doesn’t feel poorly made in the slightest and with the power to size ratio, I was impressed.

The KOVOL unit houses an LED indicator that shows you if it is getting the proper power output from the outlet it is plugged into.

If you need specifics, there is a breakdown below of all the output distribution details and how it allocates for each scenario.

  • Use 1 USB-C port: PD 65W
  • Use 1 USB-A port: QC 3.0 18W
  • Use 2 USB-C ports: USB-C – PD 45W/ USB-C – PD 20W
  • Use 2 USB-A ports: USB-A+USB-A=15W
  • Use 1 USB-C + 2 USB-A ports: USB-C – PD 45W/ USB-A+USB-A=15W
  • Use 2 USB-C + 1 USB-A ports: USB-C – PD 30W/ USB-C – PD 20W/ USB-A – QC 3.0 15W
  • When connected to all ports: USB-C – PD 30W/ USB-C – PD 20W/ USB-A+USB-A=15W

Conclusion

This charger provided all the charging needs that I required. Four ports is more than enough to supply all the needs for most appliances that a single person would have.

If you are looking for something that has more power output, the KOVOL company has another charger that produces 120W of power for a bigger price tag. In fact, the KOVOL brand has quite a portfolio and seems to be highly recommended on Amazon, too.

At $40 this is definitely a bargain for the quality. Plus, if you’re unsure with the brand, the year long warranty can be extended to two years if registered on their website.

Samsung freshens up the mid-range with Galaxy A53 5G

Scott Webster
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Samsung recently began taking preorders for the Galaxy A53 5G smartphone, an upgrade on the popular mid-range experience from 2021. As somewhat of a moderate update to the A52 5G, it actually arrives with a lower price tag than its predecessor.

For the new model Samsung has tapped its Exynos 1280 processor in place of the Qualcomm chip used in last year’s US version. It’s paired with 6GB RAM, a respectable amount for a phone that runs just $450, and it also packs a 5,000mAh battery. According to Samsung this should provide up to two full days on a single charge; this aligns with claims from other phone makers with that much battery.

As far as storage goes, the IP67-rated phone houses 128GB of space, also fairly generous given the price point.

Other key specifications in the Galaxy A53 5G include a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and a quad-camera configuration that includes a 64-megapixel main, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 5-megapixel depth, and 5-megapixel macro camera. The front boasts a 32-megapixel camera.

Also interesting, and perhaps the most important feature to some consumers, Samsung has promised four years of OS and five years of security updates to the Galaxy A53 5G. The phone launches with Samsung One UI 4.1 which is based off of Android 12.

Galaxy A33 5G

Nearly identical in design, Samsung does have a Galaxy A33 5G for 2022 however it’s likely not going to hit the US market anytime soon.

It’s slightly smaller at 6.4-inches and features a 90Hz refresh rate with specifications dialed down a bit. Here we find a 48-megapixel main camera, 8-megapixel ultrawide, 2-megapixel depth, and 5-megapixel macro camera. Around front is a 13-megapixel sensor.

Like its counterpart, the Galaxy A33 5G has 6GB memory and 128GB storage. Also available, however, are 8GB/256GB options, and this model features a microSD expansion card slot.

Also powered by Android 12 with Samsung One UI 4.1, the phone is backed by four years of OS updates and five years of security patches.

Availability

The Galaxy A53 5G will be available in select markets beginning April 1 with the Galaxy A33 5G arriving three weeks later on April 22.

T-Mobile shakes up prepaid with plans as low as $10 per month

Scott Webster
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T-Mobile this week announced new Connect by T-Mobile plans for its prepaid customers with options as low as $10 per month.

In short, these are the no-frill (read as: bare bones) plans that help people stay connected. That is to say they come with talk, text, and data, and little else.

The new Connect by T-Mobile rate plans go into effect March 25 and shake out as follows:

  • $10 per month plus tax for 1000 minutes of talk, 1000 texts and 1GB of high-speed smartphone data
  • $15 per month plus tax for unlimited talk and text, plus 3GB of high-speed smartphone data
  • $25 per month plus tax for unlimited talk and text, plus 6GB of high-speed smartphone data
  • $35 per month plus tax, for unlimited talk, text and 12 GB of high-speed smartphone data

Indeed, the $10 plan is the lowest ever offered by T-Mobile and comes at a perfect time. With rising inflation and the economy in flux, it’s the perfect way to tighten up the budget for people will little expendable income.

The Connect by T-Mobile plans do not require any credit checks and include benefits like Scam Shield protection and free Caller ID. Moreover, they included access to T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network.

Worth noting, though, is that these new options do not come with T-Mobile Tuesdays or some of the other benefits found with more standard plans. Also, should one hit the data allowance in the month, they’ll have to wait until the next cycle or purchase a data pass.

Interested consumers can check out a T-Mobile store, swing by a retailer, or go online to T-Mobile’s website to learn more or sign up for service.

Eero debuts WiFi 6E router and upgraded WiFi 6 model

Scott Webster
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Amazon company eero on Wednesday introduced a pair of new models in its 6 series of mesh wifi systems. Available in single, double, and triple packs, the new routers offer gigabit speeds and support for at least 75 connected devices.

Eero Pro 6E

The Eero Pro 6E is billed as the company’s “most advanced Wi-Fi system ever,” and is its first Wi-Fi 6E-enabled system. This means it can leverage more parts of the wireless spectrum previously unavailable to Wi-Fi 6 systems. Thanks to this additional bandwidth, eero Pro 6E supports fast connections for activities like AR, VR, and even 8K streaming.

The tri-band connection (6GHz, 2.4GHz, and 5GHz bands) can handle more than 100 devices at once with speeds up to 2.3 gigabits per second (Gbps). More specifically, it’s 1Gbps for wired devices and 1.3Gbps for wireless devices.

As on might expect from an Amazon brand, the Pro 6E also works with Alexa as a smart home hub for Thread and Zigbee devices.

According to Amazon, A single eero Pro 6E covers up to 2,000 square feet; the 2-pack supports up to 4,000 square feet; the 3-pack blankets up to 6,000 square feet.

  • Eero Pro 6E one-pack is available for pre-order for $299
  • Eero Pro 6E two-pack is available for $499
  • Eero Pro 6E three-pack is available for $699

Eero 6+

Priced more affordably, this gigabit-capable eero system is no slouch. With dual-band connection at 2.4GHz and 5GHz, it can support 75+ devices at once. Moreover, it also works as the smart home hub and taps into the 160MHz range for faster connectivity than previous eero dual-band models.

A single unit covers 1,500 square feet; the two-pack supports up to 3,000 square feet; the three-pack comes in with 4,500 square feet of coverage.

  • Eero Pro 6+ one-pack is available for pre-order for $139
  • Eero Pro 6+ two-pack is available for $239
  • Eero Pro 6+ three-pack is available for $299

Shop Amazon for eero products.

ShiftCam ProGrip Starter Kit review

Luke Gaul
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One of the key areas in which smartphones continually evolve is in the area of cameras. Whereas not all that long ago we had one rear camera with a 12-megapixel experience, today’s handsets routinely have three and four shooters. And it’s not just about the number of cameras.

More and more we find software advances and AI to take the hardware capabilities and push it even further. There’s way more at play than just bullet points and megapixels.

Despite these advancements, we still operate our phones the same way. That is to say that we hold it in our hand portrait mode for TikTok and Snapchat and turn it on its side for YouTube and long-form videos. And even with optical image and video stabilization, we ultimately end up with less than smooth video.

Surely you know that using two hands is better than one when it comes to stabilizing our phones for recording. But did you know that there are accessories that make it so that you can hold your phone in a more comfortable and natural manner?

The ShiftCam ProGrip is the sort of mobile accessory that would-be filmmakers and vloggers should have in their arsenal. It’s a jack of multiple trades that makes it easier to record better video.

In short, the ShiftCam ProGrip is a Bluetooth accessory that pairs to your phone and then locks it into place. It features a grip for the right hand that feels very much like holding a DSLR camera. It’s got just the right angle to feel comfortable and secure, never straining the wrist.

Similarly, there is a thumb rest to make it feel natural to hold onto the unit. Located near that is a shutter button which, when paired to your phone, makes shooting feel more intuitive.

To stop here would still make it a pretty cool device worth keeping around; however, there are a few other features we like. One, it has an internal 6400mAh battery which can be used to power your phone. That’s awesome, especially if you’re capturing quite a bit of footage. In essence, it’s like having a pair of extra batteries for most mid-range phones.

Users can tap into the battery by directly plugging into the USB port or, if their phone allows for it, use Qi wireless charging. That’s zero cables to mess with and a power source that slowly pours back into your handset.

ShiftCam ProGrip Features

  • Offered in charcoal and ash colors
  • Ergonomically designed with hand strap
  • Built-in 6400mAh battery with wireless charging support for phones
  • Tripod mount and cold shoe mount
  • Compatible with devices 58-90mm wide
  • Optional lenses

Other cool features we appreciate are the shoe mount for adding a light or external microphone and the universal tripod mount. So, if you’ve already got a few accessories in your bag, chances are you can use them with the ShiftCam ProGrip.

Switching from portrait to landscape shooting is as easy as rotating the phone in the clamp. Speaking of which, the unit can handle pretty much any phone size you throw in there, even with protective cases.

The ProGrip is also compatible with ShiftCam’s family of lenses. Available separately, and as a bundle, you can pick up a telephoto, fish eye, macro, or other lens for your phone. Although we did not get a chance to test those out, we can imagine these making for very interesting video content.

Availability

You can learn more about the ProGrip at ShiftCam’s website where you can also purchase one for yourself. Sold by itself it runs about $120 but for the extra ($30) money you gain a hand strap, carrying pouch, cold shoe mount, and adapter.

EZVIZ C8PF Outdoor Smart Camera review

AndroidGuys
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I have had the opportunity recently to get my hands on the EZVIZ C8PF smart home camera. EZVIZ has a series of many different cameras for different purposes such as outdoor, inside, and pet specific. Today we will be focusing on this specific outdoor camera.

This camera is great for keeping tabs on what is happening outside of your home whether that be your front porch or driveway. I can comfortably say that this camera does just about everything you will need it to do with almost no trouble.

Design

The EZVIZ C8PF outdoor camera has a very solid feel to it and seems to get the job done just right. A downside of course is the fact that it is a wired connection. Batteries will never be a problem but managing your cords could potentially prove to be a problem as it can easily be disconnected if the wires are exposed. The camera is bulky compared to other competitors but with it being outdoors it shouldn’t be a problem.

The EZVIZ C8PF provides a nice 1080p resolution which is perfect for being able to see what you need no matter the time of day. Even at night, it has an IR(98ft.) that helps it see everything you need to.

This camera has an AI powered person detector that tries to efficiently rule out any objects or animals that may not be what you are looking for. With the app that accompanies the camera, you can easily receive alerts with person detection and help give you peace of mind when dealing with certain situations.

It comes with dual lenses so you can have a picture in picture display in the app when monitoring your home. This camera comes with 340-degree swivel and 80-degree vertical rotation with an 8x zoom. Seeing exactly what you need will never be a problem.

The camera provides two way talk if you ever need to exchange communication with a mailman, for example, and is also weatherproof since it will be outside for all the assortment of weather it will have to endure. Storage is also never a problem as it comes with 512 GB of SD storage AND comes with a one week free trial of the EZVIZ cloud storage so you can get a feel for what their award winning cloud storage is like (Personal Data Privacy Protection Management System Certification).

Installation

If you have a small window of time with a drill and an idea of where you want to put your camera and cords, then you have enough time to set this up. It isn’t a difficult process once you know where you want to put it. Then you get the app up and running and scan the QR code on the camera and you are ready to go.

Once inside, you’ll see full control on how your notifications are set up, when you want it to record, when you can have it sleep if you are home, and so on.

Apps and Notifications

In terms of the app that is paired with the camera, it has just about everything you would expect it to have. It has a hub with all of your connected cameras and you can easily click on the one you desire and access a whole list of tabs that can be used with the EZVIZ C8PF. That can range from activating sleep mode, recording, two way talk, or you can simply just watch the camera live and see what’s going on at home.

You can also customize when you receive notifications in the app. Usually people set it to send a notification when motion is detected which I personally think is the best way to go. I never had any problems with the notifications and felt it was a top-notch notification system. With all the competitors in the area, this camera definitely delivered.

Conclusion

I enjoyed using this camera and could definitely see myself using it as my own camera system. With its price tag sitting around $170, it feels right in line with other cameras in this price point. Depending on what kind of security you are looking for, EZVIZ is sure to have it and give you what you need.

Online dating: 5 tips to outsmart a catfish and protect yourself from romance scams

AndroidGuys
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Everybody is looking for love. And many are looking for it online these days. But there’s a big risk with finding romance online: you could become the victim of catfish, also known as a romance scam. 

Do you ever wonder if the partner you’re chatting with online and seem to fall for is legit? Most online daters do. 

Online dating is pretty popular today. Even before the pandemic, a lot of people used various dating apps to meet their soulmates or just a date for a fun party. But, the activity on dating apps has surged during the pandemic as people were locked in their homes and with everything being closed, including event venues, online was the only environment where they could meet people. 

Take Tinder, for example. The popular dating app reported recording its highest number of swipes in march 2020: 3 billion. OkCupid, another popular dating app, said that from March to May 2020, it had seen a 700% in dates. Bumble also reported experiencing a 70% increase in video calls. All these stats make it clear that not even a pandemic can stop us from looking for love. 

Keep reading below to learn more about catfishing and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of it! 

Photo by Bermix Studio on Unsplash

Catfishing explained 

First things first, let’s make sure we’re on the same page with what catfishing is so that you can better know what to protect yourself from. 

Catfishing is the use of a fake online profile or persona to lune someone else into a false relationship, usually for financial purposes. Simply put, catfishing is when someone creates a fake online profile to trick people who are looking for romance or dates, usually to get money out of them. But, note that catfishing isn’t always a matter of romantic partners. Sometimes it can come in the form of family, friends, or even business relationships. 

Now, with online being pretty much everywhere in the world, catfishing is a very widespread issue. In fact, there’s an interesting analysis of where the catfish hotspots are if you want to find where the biggest fraudsters live.

5 tips for outsmarting a catfish 

You know what catfishes are and why they are doing it. But you’re likely wondering how to protect yourself from them. Here are five tips for outsmarting a catfish: 

Research them 

Everybody who has been in the world of dating, be it online or offline, has, at least once, met someone who we thought was too good to be true. Truth be told, oftentimes, that’s exactly what we end up discovering: the person is not at all that perfect. 

In the online world, wearing the mask of perfection is even easier than it is in the offline dating environment. The virtual nature of the interactions allows people to shape their identity, personality and even look precisely how they want, and it is challenging for the other person to know the truth, especially at the beginning. 

So, if you meet someone who simply seems perfect (good-looking, with financial success, a pet lover, empathic, etc.), don’t immediately fall for that because the chances are that person is actually not that good. There can be a scam behind that “perfection.”  

What can you do to find out whether they are as good as they seem or not? Research them! And, we’re not talking about researching them in a creepy way of scrolling on their social media to their first post ever. However, do make sure that the person really exists. Here are some strategies: 

  • Search their name on social media to see if they have actual profiles that tell everything they are telling you in your conversations;
  • Search their name on google and see if there’s an article mentioning a scam that includes the same fake name;
  • See if other real profiles have liked or commented on their posts.

Ask them to meet face-to-face 

Another thing that can really be a warning sign regarding the identity of a person you meet online is their refusal to meet in person. 

A catfish will do anything possible to prevent face-to-face meetings as that would expose their fake identity. So, they might tell you that they live in a very far country, that they can’t travel for some reason, or even if they agree to meet, they might find a last-minute excuse to avoid that. 

Ask the person you’re dating online to meet you in person and see how they respond to that. A direct refusal or attempt to avoid that is a red sign that you should consider.  

Don’t fall for very early romance signs 

Let’s be honest, even in the offline world, love at first sight is a very rare phenomenon. While not impossible, it is pretty difficult for two people to fall for each other irremediably and decide they love or want to spend their future together in a matter of days or even weeks. When this happens, the chances for it to be real love are pretty small, so naturally, there seems to be something fishy there. 

The story is the same in the online dating world. Sharing a few messages with someone, even if you do discuss some intense topics, doesn’t mean that you’re now in a relationship. But a catfish would definitely want you to believe that. 

So, if the relationship is moving too quickly and you get huge promises like “I love you” or “I can’t live without you” within a few days, that’s a significant sign that you may be a victim of a catfish. Make sure that you don’t fall for this, no matter how eager you are to find your soulmate. Try to remain anchored in reality and determine objectively if the person really means what they are saying or not. 

Don’t offer the person money 

We simply can’t stress this one enough: do not send money to people you meet online. 

No matter how legit the person seems, you shouldn’t send them money. Think about it: a person that is in the online world for finding their soulmate, just as you are, would never ask for money. However, a scammer would definitely do so. 

No matter the reason they are giving you, or how small the amount is, do not let yourself be fooled by the romantic scammer trying to get money from you. 

Don’t share your personal data 

Last but not least, know that ill-intentioned Internet users often use catfishing to obtain something other than money. More precisely, they are aiming to get their victim’s personal data which they can later use for illegal activities. 

If you have doubts related to the legitimacy of the person you’re chatting with online, avoid providing them with any of your personal data, like email, phone number, financial details, address, passwords, and others. In fact, it would be best if you wouldn’t share such data with anyone, no matter how close your relationship seems to be. 

Nothing Ear 1 review

Scott Webster
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Writing about headphones, earbuds, and earphones can be pretty boring at times. While it might sound exciting to get to try to so many options out, it can become mundane and tedious.

Mentally, I start out my reviews for earbuds by putting them into a price basket. Are these budget-minded and low-end options that hit the $50 and under mark? Do they swing a little harder, coming in around $100-$150? Or, might they be a pair of “premium” earbuds that command a price tag of $250 or more?

From there I start to look at what the specs are and whether they seem to fall in line with others. Indeed, I’ve already started to subconsciously grade them before even listening to a single note of music.

In doing this I’ve found that some models surprise me, and stick out from the bunch. Every so often I find a pair that are comfortable, long-lasting, and feature-rich, and at a price that seems almost too good to be true. That’s what I’ve found in the Nothing Ear 1’s.

As the first accessory from OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, I didn’t quite know what to expect. Were these going to be a decent effort with plenty of promise for the brand? Or, might they have fallen into the territory of forgettable and uninspiring? As it turns out, the Ear 1 have become my preferred option for listening around the house.

The Nothing Ear 1, in my opinion, sit at the intersection of fashionable and practical, with an eye on the horizon that is wide adoption. Priced just $99, I was surprised by the set of features and capabilities. And best of all, they sound pretty damn nice, too.

Key Features

  • 34 hours playback including case
  • 11.6mm driver
  • Available in black and white color options
  • Active Noise Cancellation
  • Case charges wirelessly
  • IPX4 rating

Design

The Ear 1 employ the stem design with a semi-transparent plastic which more or less lets you see into the inner workings. The “black” pair I’ve received are more along the lines of a smoky grey but you can see through them.

The square carrying case has its share of curves and soft edges but it’s largely a square that opens up like a makeup compact. Between the color choice, the use of metal, and a seemingly random circle indentation, it’s interesting to look at and different. And it’s very pocketable.

Included in the box are three silicone ear tips; the medium are in place upon arrival. All in all, they look similar to others yet somehow manage to look unlike anything else in the space.

The Ear 1 offer wireless charging and the carrying case has a couple of visible metal pieces on the bottom. The whole affair is fun and interesting to look at and the semi-transparent case seems to do a fair job in handling. Thus far I’ve yet to scuff the case and I’m not always the most precious about my tech. I suspect that scratches and wear might only add to the aesthetic if and when they arrive.

Performance

Cool headphones are nice and all, but I don’t care much for how they look — my focus is on performance. Do they sound good? Does the battery last? Are there any nifty or practical features?

The Nothing Ear 1 are a well-balanced pair of earbuds, with solid sound and long-lasting battery. You may find yourself toggling the various in-app EQ settings based on what you’re listening to, or on a general preference, but I’ve settled in and left things alone.

The soundscape is a bright and tight one, especially on the default settings. Once I toggled on the extra bass EQ setting I noticed quite a difference as it brought the lower end more into play. Initially I would go back to the more flat option for podcasts and books but have since stuck with the extra bass.

Don’t read this as to say these have a thump or heavy feel to music; they do not. I just find them to have a bit more overall presence.

There are two modes for active noise cancellation (ANC), one being stronger than the other. Additionally, there’s a transparency mode that lets you hear ambient or environmental sounds through music. I tend to favor either strong noise cancellation or transparency as the lighter cancellation sits closer to transparent.

One thing that tends to happen with less expensive models is that transparent listening leads to an “airy” or hissing sensation. That’s not the case here as it just feels more like Nothing has simply turned down the music.

Battery life is rated at around four hours with ANC enabled and upward of six hours with it turned off. As far as the carrying case goes, it looks to provide 24-34 hours total, based on how you listen to your music.

I found this to be accurate in my few weeks with the Ear 1 earbuds; I appreciate that my phone occasionally displays the percentage of each earbud and the case. Most weeks I only find myself charging the case one time, usually overnight or while showering. I never really have to think about battery.

I dig that the Nothing Ear 1 case charges up via USB C and wireless charging. The latter is one of those features where I was not quite sure if I’d get that in a $99 pair of earbuds. Plugging the case in for only 10 minutes is good enough to provide a few hours of music playback. Similarly, ten minutes of putting the earbuds in the case can get upwards of an hour of ANC listening.

Another feature I really liked is the IPX4 splashproof rating. Not that I get too sweaty or dance in the rain all that often, I do recognize that I’ll be outside and more active in the coming months. With that said, it’s nice to not have to worry about getting the Ear 1 earbuds wet.

I also really enjoyed the customization and freedom that comes with the app and playback. It’s easy to setup or change how you want the tap gestures to operate; you can listen with one earbud in and it doesn’t matter which one. Shortly after receiving my review unit I saw an update that brought about access to Google Assistant, something that I could enable in the app.

Parting Thoughts

Often I will qualify a review with how the product sits in its price point, comparing it to others, and in the process suggest that maybe shaving $20 or $50 off might be the “sweet spot”. For the Nothing Ear 1 earbuds I am on the other side of that concept. Were they to charge $130 for these I wouldn’t bat an eye.

The Ear 1 punch above their weight, delivering on a whole bunch of fronts. They’re comfortable and light, last as long as I need them to, and charge quickly. Toss in a fully customizable app experience and water resistance and you’ve got a solid product. And that’s to say nothing of how interesting they are to look at, too.

I’m truly excited by the Nothing brand and look forward to anything and everything it has on the horizon.

Learn more about the Ear 1, or purchase a pair in either black or white, at Nothing’s website where they’re currently available for just $99.

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