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eero Pro 6 Mesh WiFi review

Eero is widely considered as one of, if not the first, to bring mesh WiFi systems to the general consumer. It sparked a range of competitors from Google to Linksys, TP-Link, and pretty much any other router manufacturer. Now, mesh router networks are considered the modern standard for home internet.

Eero’s new parent company Amazon was kind enough to allow us over a month to test the latest eero Pro 6 setup and I’ve come away more than impressed.

Design

The eero is basically a plastic and metal puck with internal WiFi antennas. The Pro 6 system includes a tri-band setup capable of WiFi 6 at both 2.4 and 5GHz. This allows for your network to have up to a full Gigabit of speed potential.

The eero Pro 6 is also smart home ready with a built-in Zigbee smart home hub radio and Amazon’s Frustration-Free setup. This makes the eero systems more compatible in fewer steps for any smart home devices that are approved for Amazon’s Certified for Humans program.

Amazon Frustration-Free makes other Amazon devices and other certified smart home units easier to set up and ofter only involves one step with eero. Echos, Echo Dots, and many Fire TV devices will be able to communicate directly with your new eero Pro 6 and link up with little fuss using the stored router credentials.

Wrapping up the hardware are the ports. One of the key features of the Pro 6 versus the standard eero 6 models is that every unit of the Pro series comes with two ethernet jacks. The only other port is the USB-C power input.

Setup and app

Eero’s most prized feature might just be how easy the setup and app are to use. Once you download the app from the Google Play store, you simply plug in the first Pro 6 puck into your internet modem and a wall outlet for power. The app will take a few moments to locate the device and then prompt you through the setup of this Gateway unit.

From here, you take a few steps to get your home network up and running. You will set things like the WiFi SSID name and then your password to keep everything secure. Next, build out the network name and credentials and complete the most important step.

Afterward, the app will then ask if you have more satellite eero Pro 6 units to add to the new network. You can purchase the eero Pro 6 in a single, two, or three-pack so your experience may vary. However, adding additional devices is the same. Just like you plugged in the first puck at the modem, you simply add power to the surrounding units and the app will automatically find them and duplicate your settings on the new eero Pro 6.

That’s it on the setup. From here, you can play with the features of the eero app. You can choose to enroll in things like 1Password login manager, complete network ad-block, and content filtering via the eero Secure and Secure+ subscription. Depending on the additional options you’d like to turn on, you can do $2.99 or $9.99 monthly. You can discount with yearly rates of $29.99 or $99 annually.

Rounding out some of the eero Pro 6 app features are free inclusion of speed and network tests. This will troubleshoot your mesh system to make sure all the eero devices are communicating properly. The speed test allows you to get visual confirmation of your actual internet speed on each hub.

Speed and performance

Speaking of speeds. The eero Pro 6 outperforms the last two mesh systems I’ve had in my home. I have Comcast at the 300mbps package and I am seeing this true maximum speed when plugged in with ethernet on all my eero Pro 6 units.

Similarly, I see well over 200mbps on my closet eero Pro 6 satellite away from my modem in my bedroom. This is almost 100mbps better on average than the previous competitors from Google and TP-Link I’ve used.

The only eero Pro 6 unit that falls below this is the furthest auxiliary unit I have in my bonus room. This is by far the furthest from my internet source and is also upstairs and above my garage on the exterior side of the home. Even here, I still see around 80-100mbps consistently.

Latency also seems to be stellar. I rarely see a ping in testing come back over 50ms. Overall, I have no complaints about the performance of the eero Pro 6 system. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to see much difference in my usage over the previous mesh networks I’ve owned. eero has blown those expectations away by being much more reliable even under heavy loads of video streaming or gaming via Google Stadia.

I also saw a performance bump in the few WiFi 6 devices I currently have laying around. This is a huge future-proof reason to upgrade to the eero Pro 6 system. WiFi 6 offers faster speeds and better latency in new smart devices that have the hardware to take advantage of the new protocol.

Conclusion

Eero is the main pioneer of the mesh WiFi network craze and I now see why. The now Amazon-owned company has truly found the easy button for home internet with the eero Pro 6 routers. The setup, app, and performance are a “set it and forget it” system many of us have dreamed of owning.

The only real knock I can give the eero Pro 6 is price. This latest generation is expensive at $229 for a single router, $399 for the dual units, and $599 for a three-pack. However, this does offer potential buyers flexibility for their homes. A single eero Pro 6 can cover 2,000 square feet while the test three-pack has 6,000 square feet of range.

Obviously, you can purchase the eero Pro 6 directly from the eero website or from Amazon. Amazon will often run bundling deals with Echo devices so if never hurts to shop around. Personally, I can’t see anyone being disappointed adding the eero Pro 6 to the home office.

Purchase eero Pro 6 from eero

Purchase eero Pro 6 from Amazon

EZVIZ C6 2K+ Smart Home Camera review

I had the chance to check out the EZVIZ C6 smart home camera. While EZVIZ has a full family of cameras for different needs, today we’ll look at the indoor camera designed for keeping tabs on pets and kids around the house.

After a few weeks with the camera I can confidently say that it does just about everything I expected it to and with very little trouble.

Design

EZVIZ has created a beautiful looking indoor camera that can fit right into your home. The only downside being that it is a wired camera and may also require an ethernet (depending on your wireless capabilities) to be able to operate. This can also be seen as an upside seeing that batteries will never be a problem for this camera and there are things that can be done to manage cords.

The C6 itself is a little bulky but not to the point where it is taking up too much room.

The camera has a very impressive video quality (2k resolution) and which lets you capture and see everything, be it daytime, nighttime, a fully lit living room, or stormy weather.

The camera also has an AI powered human and pet detection system. Other features present in the C6 are sleep mode, which shutters away the camera so you can have some alone time, two way talk, so you can talk back and forth with whoever is home with ease, and a MicroSD slot to store up to 256 GB of data.

The camera has an app that acts as a hub for all of the EZVIZ cameras installed in your house. We will touch more on that later but it can be used to access recordings and receive alerts when motion is detected by the built in AI system. Being paired with 360-degree view and 4x zoom, you will never miss out on anything happening without your supervision.

Installation

If you can set aside a couple minutes to plug in at most two cords, download an app, and scan a QR code, then you are fully capable of setting up this camera.

Once you get the app up and running you will have full control over what your camera does and when. There is nothing more to it other than finding a place in your living room to put it.

Depending on where you place it, you might want to elevate it. Included in the box is a mount should you want it to stand a little taller or add more stability to the camera.

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. One can easily click on the one you desire and access a whole list of tabs that can be used with the camera.

Functions 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.

Conclusion

Given the number of competitors in this field, this camera definitely delivered on my expectations.

I thoroughly enjoyed using the EZVIZ C6 and could definitely see myself using it as my own camera system. With its price tag of around $130 it falls on the less expensive end of security products that deliver quality and peace of mind.

Depending on what kind of security solution you are looking for EZVIZ is sure to have something in that space.

GameSir X2 Mobile Gaming Controller review

The X2 is a “mobile gaming controller” from GameSir designed to give you an edge as a mobile gamer. If you’ve ever given games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds, and Minecraft a chance on your mobile device, you’ll understand the need for a controller like the X2. Long periods of gaming on a touchscreen are rough on your joints and fingertips.

Having a controller like the X2 gives you a more comfortable position for your hands and allows you to game without covering up the screen with your fingers. All you need is your mobile phone (under 173mm long), the X2 controller, and the GameSir app before you can start gaming like the pros. 

First Impression

Removing the X2 from the packaging, you will find that the controller comes with a protective case and a box with the setup guide as well as a couple of joystick accessories, which I believe are designed to improve the grip and surface area of the joysticks.

Surprisingly, the case and controller are quite small when completely collapsed, so it won’t be too big of a problem storing the controller in a book bag or purse. The buttons are very easy to press, yet pretty tactile and clicky. The bumper/trigger buttons are also very lightweight and make a satisfying clicking noise when pressed.

If you’re familiar with the button layout of the Nintendo Switch, the GameSir X2 will feel right at home in your hands. 

How to Connect your Device

To actually get the phone into the controller, it’s fairly simple. If you choose the wired connection option over the bluetooth, GameSir has a very nice feature that affords the adapter plenty of wiggle room; up to 51 degrees, according to their website. Then you can simply pull the right side away from the left, align the device, and release the spring-compressed controller to form a snug fit.

Once the phone is in the proper position in the controller, it feels very solid and I never once questioned whether the phone would stay put. I even shook the controller around with complete confidence to be sure that it would keep my phone safe while gaming. If you’ve known yourself to get a little heated when playing competitively, fear not for the safety of your iPhone or Android.

The X2 comes in three different input options, USB-C, lightning, and wireless Bluetooth, so no matter the brand there is an X2 for you. Once the connection between devices is successful, a blue indicator light will appear on the right side of the controller. Next, you will have to install the GameSir app.

The GameSir Application and Button Mapping Feature

While I’m not entirely sure that you absolutely need the GameSir app to use the device, I found it very convenient to have it. The app gives you some tips and useful information for programming buttons or picking games to play that the setup guide does not.

I have a couple of issues with the app, though. Once the app is started and running in the background, you cannot easily shut it down. A GameSir notification was constantly showing in my notification bar about some “world remap” feature even after I had fully closed the app and disconnected the controller. My only choice to get rid of GameSir’s overlay was to force stop the application in my device’s settings.

I also wish that GameSir would provide more official technical support and Tutorials for the X2 through their app. For people even less tech savvy than myself, I think a couple of YouTube videos about mapping buttons and actually using them in games would be of great importance.

While there are a couple videos on YouTube already, there isn’t anything that I found to be of much use with troubleshooting, so an official GameSir video series about it might alleviate struggles that owners of the X2 might be having. 

The app itself actually does a great job of providing lists of games that are available for native support as well as games that will work with some configuration. And thus, the hardest part of using the X2: the button mapping for non-natively supported games.

If you’ve already got some experience with other mobile gaming controllers, you’ll be much better off than me. For the games like Minecraft and Fortnite that have native support for the X2, it works flawlessly! I could not expect any better functionality from it, and it even allows you to seamlessly switch between controller input and touchscreen input, but if you want to try your hand at configuring the controller to work with games like PUBG and Call of Duty, you’re likely going to have to do a but if fiddling. The functionality is definitely there, but it isn’t easy.

The mobile gaming community has a lot of younger and older individuals who aren’t going to be able to play their favorite games like they should because of the confusing interface.

The app itself is simple and very easy to understand, but GameSir’s overlay interface that they use to control and customize the button mapping technology is just plain difficult. They have two different modes called EggNS and GameSir World that you can switch between by pressing buttons on the controller, but they don’t explain the difference between them in the app or in the setup guide.

I messed around with it for over two hours and just couldn’t figure out how to get the ball rolling. I could see where each button was mapped to, using Egg NS mode, but when I tried to move the button placements around to do something as simple as closing out of an ad, it just didn’t work.

To use the button mapping, you have to add the app of your choice into the game folder within the app, and then open it from there. Once you do so it will bring up the overlay and the game, but it doesn’t allow you to touch the screen if you need to close an ad, or ready up for a match. 

Unless I am doing something wrong, it seems the interface functionality is just not all there for games that aren’t natively supported, and GameSir doesn’t provide much troubleshooting in the app or setup guide to help, so if you aren’t technology oriented but want to play games like Call of Duty or PUBG, be prepared for a struggle. Fortunately, GameSir provides a list of all of the apps that support the X2, so you can check there for your favorite games before making the decision to buy.

Build Quality and Extra Features

The build quality of the X2 is pretty great. It has micro switch plastic buttons, triggers, and bumpers that are tactile, satisfying, and easy to press. The silicon joystick covers they provide in the box are grippy and you won’t have to worry about them slipping off while in use.

The overall design of the controller is high quality as well, it just looks good. There are soft, rubber grips on the back of the controller to add more friction and make it more comfortable resting in your hands. They have a couple of extra buttons on the corners of the controller that serve different purposes, including one which can instantly and conveniently take a screenshot at any time.

The spring mechanism that makes the controller collapsible is springy and absolutely locks your phone into place. Once it is in the controller, it is not going anywhere.

On GameSir’s website, they claim that the buttons are good for 3 million clicks, which I think is a fantastic baseline for durability. For reference, this is on par with newer Microsoft Xbox controllers, and equates to roughly 10 years of regular use according to Microsoft.

Summary If you’re a big fan of mobile gaming and willing to take on the challenge of configuring GameSir’s “G-Touch” properly, then the X2 is a respectable option. If you are looking to use it for one specific game, be sure to check GameSir’s list of compatible games (both native and non-native supported) before making the decision to buy.

For roughly $70 USD, the durability and comfort that the controller adds to mobile gaming is worthy of an investment, I just hope to see some improvements to the ease of the user interface that comes with the button mapping. If you want to play the native support games, the controller is fantastic, and the software works exactly as I would hope. It accepts rapid button mashing and the wired connection means there is extremely little input lag.

Connect your pepper spray with your smartphone

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Unfortunately, personal safety is something we all have to prioritize today, no matter where we are. When you don’t know any self-defense techniques, don’t have a bodyguard and are more vulnerable to danger when out in public, there are a few things you can keep on you for safety purposes. One of them is pepper spray. While pepper spray is an effective tool for personal safety, it doesn’t do much beyond harming someone who threatens you. Plegium has an innovative and effective solution to this.

The Plegium App

With Plegium, you’re able to connect your pepper spray device to your mobile device. We encourage you to check out their Genie pepper sprays. These will automatically send out text messages with your location and call your emergency contacts when you use them The intention behind this is not only to keep you safe but to also ensure you get fast help should you need it.

The Plegium app is entirely free, and they take on all costs for texts and phone calls. You can choose between the Smart or Smart Mini pepper spray devices and pair them to your Android via Bluetooth. You can also link five emergency contacts to your Plegium app, and they will be notified whenever you use your pepper spray. This is a groundbreaking invention that allows technology and safety to intersect.

Smart Pepper Spray

Both the Smart and the Smart Mini pepper spray have:

  • Maximum strength
  • Location text messages
  • Phone calls
  • Battery life up to 4 years
  • Magnetic quick-release chain

The Smart pepper spray also includes a siren to attract attention and LED lighting to help you see in the dark. When it comes to pepper sprays, we should all be investing in the Smart type.

Choose Safety Today

If you have an Android device or know someone with one who is vulnerable to danger in public spaces, we highly recommend you consider getting a Plegium Smart Spray and connecting it to your phone through the app. It’s always better to be prepared for anything rather than wait for the day when you need help and don’t have it. Plegium sprays are ideal for self-protection. Plus, they bring in extra attention through the app. In a world where we’re unsafe both on and offline, this innovation is an important step towards a better future.

Photo by Noah Erickson from Pexels

An in-depth review of Zen wireframe: Wireframes done in minutes

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Let’s be candid with ourselves; with a simple pen and paper, anyone can DIY their site or app wireframe.

With the picture of the site/app functionalities in your head. All that remains is the sketching of the ideas. “This will be the first page, if a user clicks this, they will see this…blah blah blah.”

But let me tell you why you won’t follow that route.

Because you know the output would be full of mistakes. Most likely, your drawings will be off the mark, and you’ll end up confusing the designer.

Not to mention the number of hours you’ll waste trying to get the right sketches. 

These, and many other reasons, are why people embrace the idea of using wireframe tools – ready-made tech applications that can sketch awesome wireframes from scratch.

This post wants to review one of such tools. We call it the Zen wireframe tool. Sit tight and relax as we introduce Zen wireframe to you. 

What is the Zen Wireframe tool?

In simple terms, Zen wireframe is a simple wireframe tool that lets you create low-fidelity website wireframes and app mockups in just minutes.

If you’re looking to draw out clean, explanatory sketches for your websites and apps, this is the tool for you. 

Instead of carving out websites pre-design layouts on pen and paper, this awesome tool lets you do it digitally and in a matter of minutes (not hours). 

The result? You get a detailed breakdown of your site’s main features and user flow. Looking at the wireframes you cook up with Zen, you get a straight-to-the-point idea of the site’s functionality before handing it over to a designer.

What does low-fidelity mean?

While defining Zen flowchart, we mentioned the phrase low-fidelity. For people who aren’t used to wireframe tools or who are just trying their hands at wireframes in general, this may cause a stare. So, let’s spell it out for everyone.

Low-fidelity wireframes, or low-fi wireframes as they’re known for short, are quick sketches of web layouts featuring design elements in boxes and lines. In a paper-and-pen world, low-fi is what you would have called a black and white representation of ideas.

The reason they’re called low-fidelity is not because they’re low in quality. Far from it. In fact, they’re the simplest wireframe style you’ll ever come across. If anything, they make your life easier. 

They’re called low-fidelity because they pale in comparison to Medium to High fidelity wireframes, which are more complete representations of the end product. 

Zen Wireframe Review: Reasons to consider this tool

So far, we’ve talked about what the Zen wireframe is. Now, let’s take a look at some good points scored by this tool.

Availability of drag-and-drop templates

While other wireframe makers give you a workspace to create your wireframes, Zen actually makes the work easier by providing you with a bundle of templates you can choose from.

What this means is that you don’t have to build your sketches from scratch. Instead, you just select from ready-made templates. According to the Zen website, there are 56+ of these templates available. That means you have so many to choose from.

Focus on low-fidelity wireframes

The next good thing about Zen is the fact that they give special attention to low-fidelity wireframes. As we mentioned earlier, there are medium and high-fidelity wireframes, too.

However, at the very basic level, low-fi wireframes offer numerous advantages over these other ones. At their core, low-fi wireframes bring the graphical pieces and content structure together in a way that’s easy to view and interpret. Zen has prioritized these forms of wireframes because they believe it helps viewers understand the early stage of design. 

Furthermore, they show the placement of graphical elements and copy on the screen. What we find particularly impressive about low-fi wireframes is that they can even be developed into more high-fidelity wireframes. 

So, in a way, creating low-fi wireframes with Zen is like creating a bedrock for any sort of end product you may have in mind.

Customizability

A key feature you expect to find in any wireframe tool is the ability to customize the end product into anything you want. And on this front, Zen wireframe has no match. 

Zen wireframe makes customization so easy that it’s even possible to upgrade a simple low-fidelity wireframe into more polished developments.

So, let’s say you decide to have a simple sketch of a few black-and-white pages today. You can come back and upgrade that to something colored with extra pages. 

Swift creation

One of the traditional challenges of wireframe creation is the issue of time wastage. Whether you’re doing hand-drawn wireframes or simply sketching your site layout on a piece of paper, one thing is certain; you will need a lot of time. 

To make matters worse, you may not even reach a reasonable final product in the end.

Challenges like these are what tools like Zen wireframe tool helps you combat. With the Zen tool, you can create almost any type of wireframe in a matter of minutes rather than hours.

Wireframing made for everyone

Unless you’re a fine artist, a graphic designer, a web designer, or just naturally skilled at wireframe creation, it’s more than certain you will struggle to DIY your site wireframe.

This is because the process can be quite technical. For starters, you’ll need to draw out the graphical elements, align the user flow lines, showcase pages distinctly, point out functionalities, and pull other plugs.

How do you do this? Don’t sweat it, Zen wireframe tool is all you need. This tool makes it easy for anyone to create wireframes within the twinkle of an eye. 

And that’s not all. When we say ‘anyone’ can create, we mean every Tom, Dick, and Harry. Irrespective of whether you’re a designer or not, have a background in wireframing or not, you can use the Zen tool to make your site sketches.

This is good news for those who don’t want to do wireframes because they feel it’s not worth the cost. Now that you can DIY wireframes using simple tools like Zen, it means you no longer need to hire expensive designers.

Multiplicity of wireframe design options

What kinds of wireframes can Zen flowchart do? That’s a question we hear every time. And the truth is Zen flowchart has a wide variety of options when it comes to wireframe designs.

For starters, you can make the following wireframes with Zen flowchart.

  • Landing page wireframe: this kind of wireframe will feature the overall structure of the copy, position of headline, space allocation for visuals, and user flow directions.
  • Mobile App wireframe: here, you’re talking about sketching the overall appearance of a mobile application before designing it. Logically speaking, you expect to find stuff like page directions, menu buttons, CTAs, and other navigation commands. And that’s exactly what you get with Zen flowchart.
  • Web App wireframe: the difference between this and the mobile app variant is that this features interaction with the internet. Since web apps can conform to multiple devices, choosing a wireframing tool that can make dynamic web app wireframes is important. Luckily, Zen flowchart is one such.
  • Website wireframe: This is simply a wireframe showcasing the appearance of a regular website. Talk about homepage, service pages, and other pages – this is the sort of wireframe you need to show the connections between all, including how a user will interact with all.
  • Desktop app wireframe: Say you want to run an e-commerce business that receives a lot of desktop-based traffic, designing a desktop app that can run on a standalone computer makes sense. However, to do that, you first need a desktop app wireframe. And that’s where Zen flowchart comes in.
  • Watch App mockup: Smartwatches operate on their own application software. To create this sort of platform, you need a wireframe first before any design. And Zen flowchart has the templates for that, too.

Collaborative features

Zen flowchart encourages teamwork with its wireframing system. Create your sketches and invite team members and clients to view, comment, or edit your work.  

Awesome track record and reputation 

Whether you’re buying a product online or off it, it is highly important to consider the reputation of the company you’re buying from.

And on this note, Zen flowchart has a reputation that speaks for itself. With over 1.6 million+ users serviced worldwide, Zen flowchart comfortably ranks atop most providers offering similar services.

Plus, their diversity in diagramming also goes to prove their versatility and expertise. As of now, joining the Zen flowchart community means signing up for some awesome diagramming & productivity tools, including flowcharts, mind maps, wireframes, whiteboards, and many more.

Finally, Zen flowchart is backed by some of the biggest names in the digital service community. Talk about Google, Facebook, Apple, LinkedIn, Spotify, etc.

What make BLUETTI’s solar generators last longer – LiFePO4 Battery Cells

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It all started with the EB150 and EB240 solar generators, Bluetti’s first products launched back in 2019.

Approximately one year later, they released their flagship model the AC200 on Indiegogo (which was powered by NCA cells), as a crowdfunding campaign. 

This project pulled in nearly 7 million dollars in two months.

Since then, Bluetti has been at the forefront of technological innovation and has equipped all their new products with LFP technology over both NCM, NCA & lithium-ion battery chemistry. 

You may be asking yourself why they did this. Well, in this article, we aim to explain their reasoning as best we can. 

What Are LiFePO4 Batteries?

LFP or LiFePO4 stands for Lithium Iron Phosphate and was invented back in 1996. 

For all the science geeks out there, its anode material is LiaC6, and the cathode material is LibFePO4, with the carrier being Li+. 

LFP batteries provide some of the best electrochemical performance with added lower resistance on the market. 

This is made possible by the nano-scale phosphate cathode material found in the battery. 

This allows for the following benefits: 

  • Long life cycle
  • Thermal stability
  • Higher current rating
  • An extra layer of safety

How Do LiFePO4 Batteries Work? 

An LFP battery is essentially made up of the following components: 

  • Positive electrode (cathode)
  • Negative electrode (anode)
  • Electrolyte
  • Separator
  • Lithium metal oxide (LiFePO4)
  • Graphite
  • Lithium salt
  • Polymer membrane Charging 

Charging

When a LiFePO4 battery is being charged, lithium ions are released from the cathode and move to the anode. They do this via the electrolyte. 

Discharging

When a power load is applied to the battery, the opposite reaction takes place. Lithium ions move from the anode to the cathode.

This movement of the lithium ions creates an electron flow between these two electrodes, which generates an electric charge. 

LiFePO4 Batteries vs. NCM & Lithium-Ion Batteries

For this section, we thought it best to create a comparison table of Bluetti, Jackery, and Ecoflow. 

Bluetti uses LiFePO4, Jackery lithium-ion, and Ecoflow NCM. 

ManufacturerBattery ChemistryCapacityLife Cycles Cost
BluettiLiFePO4 2,000 Wh3,500$1,799
JackeryLithium-Ion1,534 Wh500$1,599
EcoflowNCM2,016 Wh800$1,899

(For the reader’s information, we could not find a comparable capacity size for the Jackery, so we included their largest capacity generator, which is 1,534 Wh.)

Next, what we want to do is figure out the LCOS or Levelized Cost Of Storage in USD/Wh.

When it comes to energy storage, one cannot simply rely on the actual buying price of the solar generator (up-front cost). 

We also need to take into account the total energy in watt-hours that the solar generator can store and release (the charge/discharge cycle) during its lifetime.

The formula to work out the LCOS is the following: 

LCOS = Upfront Cost / (total kWh capacity x (DoD %) x cycle life) 

Let’s work out the LCOS for each solar generator manufacturer and their respective product models. 

Bluetti

2 kWh x 0.9 x 3500 = 6300

$1,799 / 6300 = $0,285 per kWh

Jackery 

1.5 kWh x 0.8 x 500 = 600

$1,599 / 600 = $2.67 per kWh

Ecoflow

2 kWh x 0.8 x 800 = 1280

$1,899 / 1280 = $1.48 per kWh

As we can see when working out the LCOS, Bluetti is by far the much cheaper option over the long run, and this is because the LiFePO4 technology lasts much longer than both lithium-ion and NCM. 

Do keep in mind that the above LCOS includes other components such as the charge controller and inverter, as these two components are included in the upfront purchasing price. 

Why LiFePO4 Batteries Are The Perfect Fit For Solar Generators

To highlight this section, we thought it best to highlight all the advantages LFP batteries have and why they are best suited for solar generators. 

Lightweight

LiFePO4 batteries are known to be lightweight in comparison to other battery technologies. This is particularly important when their application is found inside a solar generator. The less heavy a generator, the more mobile it is. For example, Bluetti’s new AC200 MAX weighs only 61.9lbs (28.1kg).

While this may sound like a lot at first glance, you have to remember just how much energy storage capacity this machine has got. For all that energy density, 61 pounds is next to nothing. 

Long Life-Span

Perhaps one of the greatest perks of the LFP battery is its ability to charge and discharge thousands of times. 

In Bluetti’s case, their latest solar generators can discharge over 3500 times. 

This is a significant decision-making factor for consumers looking to invest in high-quality products that will last them many years to come. LiFePO4 technology allows this.

High Efficiency

Unlike lead-acid batteries, LFP batteries are incredibly efficient. You can use up to 90% of their capacity, meaning you can get the most out of your solar generator for as little space used as possible. 

Generally, LiFePO4 batteries can be discharged beyond 90% of their capacity. 

No active maintenance

LFP batteries require pretty much no maintenance. This means you do not need to do anything to extend its lifespan. You can simply charge and discharge as you see fit. 

Safety

LiFePO4 batteries are indeed safer than NCM batteries. In fact, they are the safest lithium-ion battery on the market. 

These batteries are encased in an airtight aluminium case, specifically designed to withstand temperature, pressure variations, punctures, and impacts.

Extreme temperatures

Bluetti’s solar generators are able to operate in a wide range of temperatures, which means they can be used for a variety of applications.

Temperature is not something to overlook when it comes to battery performance, and it can have a profound effect on any battery. However, LiFePO4 stand the best chance in extreme temperature variants.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for the safest solar generator with the greatest chance at providing you with long-term energy storage, then all Bluetti solar generators equipped with the latest LFP technology is your best bet. 

Models such as the new AC200 MAX and the AC300 modular power system are capable of providing you with incredible amounts of energy storage. 

For example, the AC300 has the ability to max out at 240V, 6,000W, and a total of 24,576Wh when combined with our Fusion Box Pro. This allows you to connect two units of the AC300 in series and connect up to 8×B300’s (four for each AC300).

Step-by-step guide to get your sports app approved

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The popularity of apps is increasing every day, and the dominance of the Play Store has also appealed masses recently. You must be here because you also have a designed layout or a beneficiary idea for developing a sports app. Now, sports apps are one of the leading forms of applications in prominence today due to the expansion of the sports industry. 

If you are ready with your app idea or are thinking about a sportsbook development or any sports app, you are on the right path according to the statistical evidence. Assuming you understand the modern era of sports betting apps, analyze it, and are on the verge of developing one and linking it to the play store, the article has wrapped you with steps to get your app featured on the Play Store as well get it approved. 

Steps to Upload Your App

Chronology is important when you are uploading an app to the store, you need to focus on every bit with utmost concentration to avoid errors and establish secure uploading of the application. 

Google Play Console

You need to get access to a developer dashboard if you are planning to upload your app on the Play Store. Google Play console is a kind of posterior controller that enables the developers to get their apps submitted on the Android play store version. A one-time fee of $25 is being charged to a developer, that includes all the control features and functions. After you get this, you will have to fill in some individual credentials like location, name, etc., and then your app is submitted. You will have to wait for 48 hours probably to get it approved automatically.  

Linking the Developer’s Account with Merchant’s Account

When you are planning to start with a sports app, you will require payments to be made and monetary transactions will be fostered. This will require access to the merchant’s account within the app itself. In case you need to make one, you can simply sign in to your Google console account, click the Reports section, go to the Financial Reports option, set up your account by filling in your personal details. Consequently, the merchant account will be linked to your account for you to check on your transactions. 

Make an Application

After the preceding steps, you need to make an application in the following manner:

  • Go to the menu, select the All Applications tab
  • Select the Create Application option
  • Go to the drop-down menu, go for the default language
  • Write the application’s title
  • Click Create 

App Store Listing

When you complete your application, keep your prepared list handy as you will require to 

refer to them to fill out all the information about the app you need to upload in the app store along with a steady and appropriate app description. You have to use suitable keywords in your description to increase the chances of your app’s popularity.  

Uploading APK or Bundles

Files like APK or app bundles have to be uploaded to your app by using navigation tools, you need to move ahead to the Release Management option followed by the App Release tab given in the menu. You need to select any one option from the four: 

  • Internal test
  • Close test
  • Open test
  • Production release

When you have selected the one, click on Create Release. On the production page, you get the new release 

Content Rating

This segment is crucial because if you don’t rate your app, it goes Unrates, and that might eliminate it from the store. For this, you have to navigate to the menu, click on continue, move ahead and type out your email address, and confirm it. You will get a questionnaire to fill for your app rating, followed by an option called Save Questionnaire, and then calculate the rating to get the final ratings, and the last step is Apply.   

Publish the App

When you have filled every single detail, rechecked it twice or thrice, and is confirmed about its accuracy, perform the following steps:

  • Move to the ‘App Releases’ tab
  • Go to ‘Manage production’
  • Select ‘Edit Release’
  • Select ‘Review’
  • Click ‘Start Rollout to Production option’

Approval Requirements

  • Completing the approval application process is mandatory for the developer.
  • The app must comply with the country’s industry standards and regulations.
  • The developer needs to have a gambling or sports license in the territory.
  • Restrict your product or service to the limit of your gambling license.
  • Checking on the age policy beforehand
  • Not be listed as a paid app purchasable on the Play Store.
  • The app should be free while installation from the store.
  •  The app listing should be clearly responsible for accurate offerings. 

Conclusion

Stats reflect the presence of around 2.8 million apps on the Google Play Store along with a new 3739 apps being introduced almost every day. Why not give your app idea a definite shape and get it uploaded on the app store referring to the approval requirements. 

Tronsmart Bang speaker Review

The new year always brings new devices to the market, and Tronsmart is doing its part to keep with the trend. As a brand that’s been in the space for years, it has been hard at work on its new lineup. Our friends there have allowed us to test the latest Tronsmart Bang speaker being released today.

Design

The Bang speaker is built like a small tank. It has a very sturdy industrial design that should allow it to go pretty much anywhere. The device has a good ergonomic feeling handle and the weight seems balanced while holding it.

Each side of the Bang speaker is flanked by woofers that add to the boom of the audio. These also have an LED ring for ambient light that can be influenced by music playback. There’s another coinciding light bar on the bottom front of the Bang just below the Tronsmart logo.

The internal speaker on the Bang is powered by 60W of power. This boosts both the main speakers on the inside as well as the two woofers on each end of the device.

Tronsmart has made sure this is an adventure speaker for those that love to party on the go. It includes a 10800mAh battery bank that allows accessorial charging via the USB-A port on the back. You’ll also find a USB-C port but this is for charging the Bang speaker only.

Rounding out the back panel of ports is a microSD card slot and auxiliary 3.5mm audio jack. This allows you to truly enjoy music in a variety of ways and recharge your phone while on the go with the Tronsmart Bang speaker.

Some of the final mentionable specs are that the Tronsmart Bang is IPX6 waterproof and dust resistant. This should make it great for any indoor party or outdoor adventures.

Sound and controls

The audio experience on the Bang speaker was a little mixed for me. I expected this giant speaker to have a little more rich and bass-heavy sound. It’s not bad but I was disappointed that it didn’t provide more thump.

You can, however, tweak this more to your liking via the Tronsmart apps’ dedicated EQ. You can manually adjust the audio elements or pick from eight preset options. This is a good option for those more audiophile buyers to fine-tune their experience.

Speaking of controls, you also have several dedicated hardware buttons to interact with the Bang speaker and playback. On the top portion, below the carrying handle, you have an NFC, “TC”, “M”, volume down, play/pause, volume up, “SP”, and power.

Some of these you will recognize and others will need a little explanation. Starting with some of the more traditional, the volume buttons function the up and down levels with a single tap. Long pressing them for two seconds will move you back a track with the minus button and forward with the plus.

Pressing the play/pause button will start or stop audio such as music or podcasts. The same will answer or end an incoming call while you are connected to the speaker. Long pressing on the button for two seconds while a call is ringing will reject the call completely.

The “M” button will change between the different presets for music profiles. A two-second delayed press will launch your favorite assistant app. Both Google and Bixby worked in my testing, but you have to be a maniac to use Bixby.

The other two buttons are a little less intuitive with the SoundPulse (“SP”) and the TuneConn (“TC”) monikers. Let’s start with the SoundPulse. This ties into the other sound profiles a bit but offers a quick way to really turn up the bass and treble for what Tronsmart calls a more “rich” sound. The difference is somewhat dull to my ears but it does pump things up a notch.

The TuneConn is something that we’ve seen in other reviews, but it allows you to chain multiple Tronsmart speakers with this feature together for a robust stereo or surround environment. This would be great if you had a party in multiple rooms or a large outside space. You can then link the devices together and your party jams would be playing seamlessly on both units.

Battery life

Tronsmart estimates the battery life at 15 hours total with the LED rings turned off and the volume at around 50%. I’ve found this to be relatively accurate. I was able to kill the capacity on the Bang speaker on my first run in more like 12 hours but I was pushing it pretty hard with external charging my phone as well as playing audio.

Charging the Bang back to full can be done over USB-C. However, this is a slow 10W port so it takes some time to completely refill the banks. In my testing with the Bang, it took three hours or more to charge.

Conclusion

Tronsmart has a decent portable speaker in the Bang. The rugged design and built-in power bank make it a great solution for party-goers while away from the house. Its sound also makes it a good companion device while at home.

The Bang speaker is available today in the US. Pricing is $110 which sets it square in range with other speakers in the market. You can purchase it directly from Tronsmart’s website with the link below.

Purchase the Bang speaker on Tronsmart

realme introduced Buds Air 3 earbuds and Book Prime at MWC 2022

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At MWC 2022, realme unveiled the Buds Air 3 which comes with 42dB active noise cancellation and an IPX5 rating that will cost €59.99. The Buds Air series is realme’s flagship line of earbuds. The Air Buds 3 looks to deliver premium sound quality in a great-looking package. These earbuds feature anti-wind technology, dual mics, 10mm dynamic bass drivers, and 30 hours of total playback.

realme also took the wraps off the realme Book Prime. With an 11th-Gen Intel Core i5, a 2K display, up to 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, this laptop will be no slouch. It launches with Windows 11 and has up to 12 hours of battery life in an aluminum chassis. The Book Prime will come in a unique Real Green color.

realme unveils the fastest charging tech with the GT Neo 3

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At MWC 2022, realme introduced the realme GT Neo 3. What makes this device stand out from the rest is the inclusion of the UltraDart Charging Architecture (UDCA). According to realme, the 150W UltraDart Charge is the world’s fastest smartphone charging tech.

Utilizing this new technology, realme says you can reach a 50% charge in just 5 minutes. UDCA utilizes Multi Boost Charge Pumps to increase the charging current, which allows faster charging.

realme also states that UDCA has safety and battery life improvements as well. UDCA will always keep the temperature in an ideal range. realme claims that using industry-leading lithium batteries and UDCA, they are able to retain 80% battery capacity at 1000+ charge cycles.

The tech will first launch with the GT Neo 3 later this year.