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HMD Global brings unlocked Nokia 5.4 to US

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HMD Global on Monday announced that its Nokia 5.4 is now available for pre-order in the United States. The unlocked handset, priced $250, will launch on February 15.

Powered by Android 10, the Nokia 5.4 is an affordable mid-range experience that’s offered in two sharp colors, Polar Night (blue) and Dusk (purple).

The Nokia 5.4 has a 6.39-inch HD+ display and four rear cameras, including a 48-megapixel main shooter. The other three cameras are a 2-megapixel macro, 5-megapixel ultra-wide, and 2-megapixel depth sensor. Around front is a 16-megapixel camera.

Under the hood are a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor with 4GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. Should one need additional space, the microSD expansion card slot allows for up to 512GB worth of files.

Other noteworthy features in the handset include a 4,000mAh battery, which Nokia says should get two days of usage, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and USB-C charging.

As we typically see from Nokia phones, this one is expected to receive two years of major Android updates and three years of security updates.

Learn more about the Nokia 5.4 at the official Nokia website, where you can also purchase one.

What is Database as a Service (DBaaS)?

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Database as a service or DBaaS is the next big thing to help your business grow and stand out. The cloud databases market is growing rapidly and will reach $320 billion by 2025. DBaaS has clear potential and will allow businesses to market faster.

Before we move on, let’s share a few words on DBaaS.

What is Database as a Service

Database as a service for business advantages

Database as a service or DBaaS is a service-based approach for databases. Just like software as a service (SaaS), you can now get database services over the cloud for monthly plans.

Businesses can use cloud database software to manage and access databases without administrative headaches. DBaaS providers take the responsibility of installing, scaling, managing, and maintaining your database. As a result, you are free to focus on improving your offerings and boosting productivity.

How does Database as a Service Work

DBaaS architecture

Database as a service works just like SaaS, says cloud consultant Alpacked.io. You move your entire database to the cloud and add a service to streamline your daily tasks. Your staff doesn’t need to perform any installation, configuration, or database management. Your provider takes care of all the duties while you remain free to use and control your database as you want.

In exchange, your provider will take a fixed monthly charge.

Benefits of DBaaS

Database as service brings many business advantages to the table. You can enjoy several perks like-

Easy Management

Your job becomes much easier when all administrative tasks are the responsibility of a third-party. There is no need to raise tickets for database requests and perform similar repetitive tasks. Cloud database solutions give you self-service capabilities to ease work and efforts. You can easily perform whatever management tasks left in a simple manner with a click!

Better Collaboration

You can break the departmental silos and consolidate data from varied sources using a cloud computing database. Everything is within easy access without any delay or interruptions. Every member of your team can stay on the same page and enjoy an unrestricted flow of information.

Seamless Scaling

Cloud database services allow businesses to scale up and down without any hassles. You can get additional resources to meet fluctuating demands without buying any extra hardware. The process is also simple, and database as a service providers give you everything you need.

Think of DBaaS next time you need to scale up for the extra orders during the Holidays. You can just pay a bit extra and scale down instantly after the season is over.

Save Costs

A cloud database infrastructure can save you costs in many ways. The biggest savings come in the form of investments you don’t have to make in hardware. You can just pay-as-you-go with affordable monthly subscription plans from leading providers.

Additionally, you don’t need to hire and pay an entire IT team. You save on salaries, bonuses, overheads, and a number of grounds.

Moreover, DBaaS needs no hardware upgrades or maintenance from your end.

Helps You Market Faster

You need to market faster to enjoy a competitive advantage. Traditional database systems meant wasting days just to request access via your IT team. Such delays ultimately affect your bottom line and result in loss of revenues.

Operations through a database in the cloud take seconds and not days. You can develop rapidly and look forward to a faster time to market without exceptions.

Fewer Risks, More Security

Database cloud providers offer enterprise-grade security for your data and even the entire platform. You can take advantage of encryption, access control, and more features to protect your database. Additionally, you can expect timely backups and disaster management services.

Plus, some providers ensure compliance with data protection and privacy regulations. They also provide a guaranteed uptime for assurance and reliability.

Boost Efficiency and Productivity

A database cloud service can increase operational efficiency and boost productivity by-

  • Helping you scale as-you-go
  • Optimum use of resources
  • One-click upgrade and patches
  • Eliminating administrative, management, and maintenance tasks

Who Needs Database as a Service

A range of small, medium, and large-scale businesses can benefit from adopting DBaaS. If you have to depend on any back-end database, DBaaS holds a strong potential for your business. It can help you deploy database instances without hassles by using API calls or UI clicks. You don’t even need to worry if the database is Oracle or MySQL.

Businesses that want to eliminate provisioning of hardware or network will also benefit from DBaaS. You can enjoy your database as a private cloud service for foolproof resiliency and security. DBaaS will also be helpful if you want to expedite your operations.

You already know about the advantages that we discussed above. So, you can now make an informed decision.

Final Thoughts

Database as a service is a sure way to reduce the hassles of database management. You can also stop investing in costly hardware and get your database as a service for more convenience. Alpacked is your ideal partner for database migration and all DBaaS needs. Contact us today to know more.

EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

Open Box Deal: Save nearly 40% on Asus AC1900 Dual Band Gigabit WiFi Router

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Having a high-speed internet connection has often been seen as a luxury, but now that so many of are working from home, or being forced to work in new places, a quality connection is more a necessity.

Have multiple people working or attending school remotely under the same roof? Surely you understand how much impact each user has on that Wi-Fi connection.

It’s not as simple as paying for faster download, either. Indeed, you’re bottlenecked by the router in your home. And if you’re using the one that came from your internet provider, you’re not doing yourself any favors. You need a router that can support high-speed internet, and in a smart and intuitive way.

The top-rated Asus AC1900 Dual Band Gigabit WiFi Router is that unit, and it’s on sale right now for just $79.99. This router features dual-band connectivity supporting AC1900 speeds, which means it has a 5GHz band (1300Mbps) and a 2.4GHz band (600Mbps) , for a total of 1900Mbps of bandwidth that can be accessed at once.

Dual-band functionality lets you designate devices to specific bands based on bandwidth consumption. Low-powered IoT devices like smart lights and speakers can operate on the 2.4GHz band, freeing the 5GHz band for more data-intensive workloads like online VR gaming.  The router also lets you switch your devices on the fly such as moving your laptop to the 2.4GHz connection for basic web browsing and emails.

This Asus router delivers 3,000 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage, which is approximately twice that needed for most homes.

Asus AC1900 Dual Band Gigabit WiFi Router

  • 1GHZ Dual Core Processor. Enables smart multitasking
  • Dual-Band Connectivity. For compatibility & performance
  • 3,000sqf Wi-Fi Coverage. Delivers exceptional WiFi coverage throughout your home
  • Stable Wifi Performance. Can handle the demands of multiple devices running simultaneously
  • Ai Protection. Provides advanced parental controls by blocking malicious addresses & intrusions
  • 5 Gigabit Ethernet Ports. For fast, stable wired network connections
  • Unlocked. Can be connected to any service provider
  • Dual-Band with 802.11ac 3×3 Technology. For combined speeds of up to 1900 Mbps
  • Intuitive ASUS Router App. Control your network anywhere, all without needing to boot up a PC

Order Yours!

Normally you’d have to spend about $130 for this router, and even then it’s worth it as it’s currently rated at 4.5 stars on Amazon. AndroidGuys readers can save big on one right now through an open-box offer which sees it going for just $79.99, or nearly 40% off.

NOTE: This router is not compatible with Aimesh or Mesh WIFI Systems

NOTE: This is a NEW product but not in the original packaging. We are using a New White Box.

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If this is your first time buying, you are also eligible for 10% discount! Just be sure to subscribe for email updates.

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Soundcore Q30 wireless headphones review

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Soundcore may be a newer, if not relatively unfamiliar, name in the audio space, but Anker’s sub-brand is building quite a reputation. The quality and price of its lineup make it compelling to consumers as an alternative to more established names.

Another serious entry for Soundcore is the Q30 wireless headphones. We’ve been testing these for the last month and came away impressed.

Design

Soundcore has left little on the cutting room floor with the Q30 over-ear wireless earphones. You will immediately be taken back by the solid manufacturing of this headset. The fit and finish in the Q30 hardware are really good.

You’d have no problem matching this up with more expensive headphones from companies like Sony, Jabra, or JBL. The Soundcore Q30 isn’t breaking the mold at the same time. You have large, foam covered cups on each side with a sliding headband bridging the two.

All the controls and ports are on the bottom outside of each earpiece. The left can has dedicated volume buttons, play/pause key, and a traditional 3.5mm headphones jack. Yes, a headphone jack.

On the right side you have the USB-C power, On/Off button, and a dedicated button to cycle through the active noise cancellation profiles. The right earcup also houses an NFC tag to utilize Android quick pairing.

Hybrid modes

Let’s talk about the ANC profiles. There are three options to choose from: Transport, Outdoor, and Indoor. Each offers a unique tweak to mask out certain noise while enjoying your audio.

Transport mode tries to identify and isolate noise from things like cars, buses, and airplanes. While honestly, I haven’t done a ton of traveling in the pandemic, this did seem to make a difference just sitting on my front steps while cars went by.

The same is true for Outdoor mode. While walking our two dogs, I could tell a difference in the amount of wind I could hear while listening to music and especially with something more muted like podcasts.

Indoor isolation focuses on voices. This works great while living the cubicle life. The Q30 headphones dampen out the noisy office environment very well by taking away others talking.

40mm drivers and sound

I am very impressed with the audio quality of the Q30 earphones. With 40mm drivers, you can have a treble of up to 40kHz. This gives your music a rich sound full of punch.

The default balance is good as well. The mid, hi, and bass are all able to come through with no distortion or one drowning out the other.

Comfort

I can’t say enough about how comfortable these canned headphones are. I usually don’t care for this style of audio device. Eventually, they all get too heavy for me. I didn’t have this issue with the Soundcore Q30s.

The Q30s stayed positioned on my head well and the cups are very soft. This led to a well seated, comfortable listening experience. I’ve used these headphones for up to 6 hours in one sitting with no issues.

The battery life of 40/60 hours with ANC on/off

Battery life is always a key positive of larger, over-ear headphones. You will usually find that they can last up to 24 hours per charge, but Soundcore blows this out of the water with the Q30 headphones.

I consistently see over 30 hours with them turned up past medium volume and at lesser volume can squeeze the rated 40 hours of active noise cancellation audio. Turning off the ANC feature pushes this up to 60 hours.

Both of these estimates are very accurate. I used the Q30 wireless headphones for a full 40-hour work-week without having to reach for a charger.

USB-C quick charge

When you do have to recharge the Q30 earphones you have some modern options that are worth the upgrade from the previous generation. USB-C charging is on board and supports Anker’s great PowerIQ quick charge technology.

It’s worth noting there isn’t a charging brick in the included case. You will only get a USB-C to USB standard and a 3.5mm auxiliary cable.

Just buy them

Even with all the other things mentioned, the price might be the best feature for the Q30 headphones. At $80 you’d be hard-pressed to find better value for what Soundcore has built. The quality punches well above the competition at this price point.

You can snag these headphones from Soundcore’s website or from Amazon.

Things to know before buying a new router

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A wireless router is the bedrock of your entire home network. It is a compact device, which circulates data packets between the connected devices in an area and directs traffic on the web. It allows you to use the internet from any corner of the house and with any Wi-Fi enabled device. It also stands between a stellar online experience and a constantly lagging one. Therefore, picking the right Wi-Fi router is an extremely important task. If you are a novice, then the complex terminology and the marketing verbiage might confuse you, and understandably so. Worry not, as this article will list down all the things you need to consider before buying a new router for your home. Go on and give them a read below.

Should You Buy a New Router?

When you subscribe to an internet service, chances are that the provider will give you a dedicated router or a modem-router gateway for a monthly rental fee. You can choose to pay around $9 to $15 for your ISP-given router every month, or you can purchase your own router, given that your ISP allows that. For instance, with RCN internet packages, you can bring your own internet equipment or go with the eero-powered Whole Home WiFi system for $9.95 per month. If you plan to stick it out with the provider for a longer run, then we recommend you buy a new router upfront to avoid the pesky monthly rental fee. You can find a decent router online for $50 and above. These are the best wireless routers of 2021 so far:

  • TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router
  • Linksys EA6350 AC1200+ Dual-Band Smart Wi-Fi Wireless Router
  • Asus RT-AC66U B1 Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi Router
  • Netgear Nighthawk X10 AD7200 Smart WiFi Router (R9000)
  • Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300

See if they match your ISP’s list of compatible routers before placing your order outright. It is vital for your internet connection to be uniform with your router’s capabilities.

Things to Consider Before Buying a New Router

Now that you have set out to purchase a new router, it is time to acquaint yourself with certain factors, so you can compare and contrast the products before selecting one. Here are some of the things you need to keep in mind when you go router shopping:

Wireless Standard & Security

Due to the advancement in internet technology, it is possible for providers to deliver broadband speeds of 100 Mbps today, which can get a lot of things done in the smallest duration of time. To translate these higher speeds into data signals that your devices can process, your wireless router needs to follow the latest 802.11ac standard. If your router doesn’t have the mark of this standard on it, then it might not be capable to carry the fast internet speeds you’ve signed up for with a provider. While you check the products for this standard, make sure that they also have WPA2 encryption, which is the latest wireless security standard for a router.

Router Frequency Band

Most of the wireless routers you see these days transmit data signals on two main frequency bands, i.e. 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz frequency is often the go-to band for almost all devices that run on a wireless network – from routers to baby monitors. This is the reason why it is so crowded and prone to interference from surrounding devices. The 5 GHz frequency band, on the other hand, is located on the farther side of the spectrum and is less crowded. You can expect to experience faster connectivity when using this band. When buying a new router, you may have to choose between single-band or double-band. Here’s what we suggest: If you happen to live in a bustling urban area with a huge number of data-hungry devices in the vicinity and clashing Wi-Fi networks, then go for a double-band router. Otherwise, a single-band router will work quite well for you.

Presence of Ports

The kind of ports you get on your router also matter. Some of the most advanced Wi-Fi routers have at least one Gigabit Ethernet port, which brings the fastest fiber speeds to your home. For instance, the Gig port you find on TP-LINK Archer C7 supports more than 1000 Mbps speeds when transmitting on a 5 GHz wireless channel. Think of what you can achieve with this tier! No more gaming lags or buffering videos. Another kind of port you’ll see on the best routers is a USB port. Though it’s not essential per se, a USB port does give you the freedom to plug in a flash storage device or any other kind of media hub into it for seamless networking.

Wrapping Up

A router occupies a central spot in your home network, which is why you need to be careful when purchasing it for your home. Keep the aforementioned things in mind and you’ll have swell wireless connectivity for sure.

EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station review

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There’s no such thing as being over-prepared for life. Life gets ugly and it can happen quickly. Whether it’s a raging fire, hurricane, tornado, or some other natural disaster, Mother Nature has been known to deal us a bad hand from time to time.

One of the worst parts about natural disasters is that they often take out power or force us to flee from our homes. When that happens we run the risk of falling off of the proverbial grid.

In today’s age that can simply mean running out of cell phone battery. That’s why we love portable power banks so much. They’re a great way to ensure our phones can last at least a few more hours (or days) while things calm down.

What happens, though, when a storm takes power out in the middle of the summer? What happens to all of that food in your fridge and/or standalone freezer? What about your laptop or CPAP machine?

Switching things up, how do you handle things when you want to spend some time in the great outdoors? Are you the “rough it” type or do you prefer a little glamping? You know, such as taking a mini fridge, coffee maker, and blender with you?

Jackery, a brand who specializes in portable power solutions for outdoor, has a range of products available for all of the aforementioned situations, plus more. If you’re a tailgate party type of person or someone who likes to spend the weekend hunting and fishing, you’ll appreciate items like the Explorer 1000.

Available for about $999, this cooler-sized unit is all the power you’d need to spend a few days off the grid. It’s a massive battery that lets you charge it in a variety of manners. Moreover, it provides output in a number of ways, too.

You’ll find three main ports sitting from and center with 110V output which pretty much covers all the small appliances you’d plug in. Additionally, there are a pair of USB-A ports and two USB-C ports for your portable gadgets. And then there’s also a 12V car outlet which means an air pump or something else, too.

Considering the number of plugs available we posit that you’d have a tough time using them all at the same time. By day it may be used for a pellet smoker and pressure cooker and by night it’s your power supply for a projector and computer.

When it comes to charging up the Jackery Explorer 1000 there are four methods of input, most of which takes about seven or eight hours. Included are an electric generator, wall outlet, and solar panel. There’s also a car outlet which takes about twice as long, or 14 hours.

We’re fond of the SolarSaga panels from Jackery as they provide a nearly endless supply of energy. If you’re a regular camper, we’d definitely recommend picking them up. Simply place them on the ground and angle them toward the sun and you’ve got power coming in as efficiently as it’s going out. Oh, and they have their own USB-C and USB-A outputs, too.

For what it’s worth, it takes around 17 hours to fully charge the Explorer 1000 when using one SolarSaga panel. Should that be something you’re considering, we suggest picking up two of them because the power block allows for twin inputs and it takes half as long to charge.

Standout Features

  • Large capacity 1002Wh (46.4Ah) lithium battery
  • Multiple input and output ports
  • MPPT built-in for solar power charging
  • Portable at only 22lbs
  • Easy to read LCD screen with battery life status

Bottom Line

Although it seems like an expensive product, the Jackery Explorer 1000 is a great investment for outdoorsy types. The unit itself isn’t built to withstand the elements, but it’s small enough to keep tucked away in the bed of a truck or tent, or under a canopy.

via Jackery

Your needs may vary based on what sort of outdoors experience you plan on having. If you’re the kind of person to pack laptops, TV’s and other gadgets, you’ll want all the juice you can buy. But, if you’re more of a minimalist or someone who wants an emergency unit on hand for outages, there are other, less expensive options.

We’ve now had the privilege of testing out two Jackery units and simply love what they do and how they do it.

Where to Buy the Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station

As of the time of publishing this review, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station can be purchased for about $1,000.

Boost your career and become certified in AWS with this online training bundle

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Cloud computing is growing at an incredible rate and many businesses are embracing the technology. The ever-changing structure of how work is done creates huge opportunities, particularly for aspiring IT professionals and developers. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the key player in the space, offering its leading cloud computing platform with reliable and scalable services.

So big is AWS, in fact, that it owns around one-third of the cloud market share and shows no signs of slowing. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry; Amazon reported $11.6 billion for Q3 2020, up 29% in the quarter.

The AG Deals Store has a set of training and practice exams centered around AWS architecture and development. Valued at around $2,500, we’re offering it for just $60. Yeah, seriously.

SEE ALSO

There are approximately 40 hours of education awaiting you across some four different categories. Make your way through each course at your own pace, and rest assured knowing you’ll be prepared to ace various AWS exam. Use your newfound knowledge to impress potential employers when you’re on the hunt for a new career.

Your full bundle includes:

AWS Technical Essentials Certification Training

  • Know the fundamentals of Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud platform
  • Identify AWS terminologies, concepts, benefits & deployment options proficiently

AWS Solution Architect Certification Training

  • Become a certified AWS solutions architect
  • Master AWS architectural principles
  • Elevate your career to the cloud & beyond

AWS Sysops Associate Certification Training

  • Get exposed to highly scalable AWS cloud platform
  • Attain valuable technical expertise in deploying, managing & operating fault-tolerant systems

Puppet Training Certification course

  • Handle Puppet, a tool that automates IT infrastructure across the entire network, proficiently
  • Learn to install Puppet, manage Puppet infrastructure & more
  • Know how to architect Puppet for scalability, redundancy, performance & more

Where to buy

You can purchase the 2021 Amazon Web Services Certification Training Bundle for just $60 in the AG Deals Store. Hurry, as this incredible deal will not last forever.

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Save even more!

For every $25 you spend in the AG Deals Store you get $1 credit added to your account. And, if you refer the deal via social media or an email that results in a purchase, you’ll earn $10 credit in your account.

First Time Buying?

If this is your first time buying, you are also eligible for 10% discount! Just be sure to subscribe for email updates.

Free Stuff

Not looking to spend any money today? No worries. You can still visit the AndroidGuys section for freebies and pick something anyhow.

Amazon Echo Show 10 pre-orders go live for February 25 arrival

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Amazon’s new motorized Echo Show 10, first announced back in the fall, officially has a launch date. Indeed, the smart display with a motorized base, will arrive on February 25. Pre-orders are available immediately with pricing set at $250.

Whereas most smart displays simply sit still, the new Echo Show 10 has a base that lets the 10.1-inch screen rotate to face users. Coupled with digital zooming and panning, it helps ensure that the person using it stays front and center for video calls or moving about.

Similarly, the Echo Show 10 can rotate around the base to keep the display where you can see it. Think of watching videos like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, or interacting with Alexa while working on dinner and you’ll understand how cool it is to have one in the center island of the kitchen.

  • All New Look and Feel: Echo Show 10 has a 10.1-inch HD display with adaptive brightness and color, and is designed to move with you.
  • Improved Audio: Built-in dual, front-firing tweeters for crisp, clear vocals, coupled with a powerful woofer that provides premium, directional sound that automatically adapts to your space.
  • Stay Entertained and Connected: Echo Show 10 moves with you as you watch your favorite shows on Prime Video or Netflix, or cook along with Food Network Kitchen. In addition, the 13MP camera has a 110° field-of-view which pans, zooms, and auto-frames to keep you centered during video calls, or while taking photos.
  • Smarter and Secure Home: Securely access, and remotely move, Echo Show 10’s built-in camera to monitor your home anytime with the Alexa app or other Echo Show devices. In addition, with its built-in Zigbee hub, Echo Show 10 lets you set up compatible devices or smart products without the need for additional hubs.

The third generation Amazon Echo Show 10 is available in Charcoal and Glacier White color options for $250. A limited time promotion sees customers saving $100 on a purchase of two.

Visible adds ZTE Blade X1 5G to lineup

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ZTE and Visible on Tuesday announced that the ZTE Blade X1 5G, is available for purchase from the carrier for $384. As the first ZTE phone to offer 5G in the US, it’s an mid-range handset that’s priced a little closer to the entry level.

Powered by Android 10, the ZTE Blade X1 5G provides users with a 6.5-inch FHD+ (2,340 x 1,080 pixels), with a quad-camera setup. Details there include 48-megapixel, 8-megapixel (wide angle), 2-megapixel, and 2-megapixel cameras. Around front is a 16-megapixel shooter.

Internally, the ZTE Blade X1 5G houses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. A microSD expansion card slot allows for up to 2TB external media.

Rounding out the details are a 4,000mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0, NFC, fingerprint reader, and 3.5mm headphone jack.

Starting January 28 Visible will offer the ZTE Blade X1 5G for $384, or as low as $16 per month for 24 months. The device will also be sold through Yahoo Mobile. Both carriers operate using Verizon’s network for coverage.

New subscribers who port their phone number over from an eligible carrier and activate on Visible can earn a $150 Prepaid Mastercard Virtual Account and an Amazon Fire TV Stick for a limited time.

The top 7 new creative tools added to Instagram Reels and Stories

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Instagram lets you do more than upload photos and videos on the internet. There are also special features on the social media platform that showcase your media content in more creative and exciting ways.

One such feature is called Instagram Stories. It lets users post temporary photos and videos to their channels for 24 hours. Afterwards, the content disappears and forces you to create more new content. People are supposed to use Instagram Stories to tell their stories through daily video and photo posts.

Since the content only stays up for one day, it is supposed to motivate users to create more content. Their audience will have an incentive to keep visiting these stories if they know there will always be new content. As for Instagram Reels, it is a video editing tool that lets you create short and entertaining videos for your followers. These can be 15-second videos with added effects and filters.

New creative tools are being added to Instagram Reels and Stories quite regularly. Below are the top 7 latest creative tools that you should try out.

1) Audio Mix & Voiceover

Instagram Reels lets users get very creative with their short video clips. One of the coolest new features for Reels is the Audio Mix feature. If you have any songs, music clips or instrumental tracks that you want to add to your videos, you can do so with this feature.

Do you want to add voiceover narration to your videos? The voiceover feature lets you record your voice and add it to any part of your video clip. Some people use voiceovers and narrations to tell fast stories in their short Reels videos. You can even mix the music and voiceovers.

2) Multi-Capture

Multi-Capture is a new featured tool available for Instagram Stories. It lets you create several photos and share them all with your followers at the same time. When you log into the Instagram Stories camera feature, you’ll find the Multi-Capture icon located on the left-hand side of your screen. Tap the icon to activate the Multi-Capture tool.

You’ll see a capture button displayed on the bottom of the screen. Tap the button to snap a photograph. The tool lets you snap up to eight photos at a time for your Instagram Stories posts. The neat thing is you don’t need to keep tapping the capture button to take multiple pictures.

After you’re done with the photos, choose “Next” to proceed to the edit screen. It is here you can edit your photos and choose which ones you want to share. Tap the “Share” button after you’ve finished with the edits. It is that simple!

3) AR Filters

Spark AR Studio allows you to add augmented reality effects to your smartphone camera. If you want to make Instagram photos with cool AR effects, you can use the Spark AR Studio tool. It will make your photos look more intriguing and fun to your audience.

In case you’re not familiar with augmented reality, it is a combination of virtual effects with real images. You can add several different kinds of virtual effects to your Instagram images and videos, such as visual shaders, virtual boomboxes with audio, animated face masks, light leaks, floating particles, and skeleton animation. The tool allows you to express your creativity to your audience.

4) Superzoom

Instagram Stories has another fun tool called Superzoom. It causes the camera to automatically zoom in closer to the subject in front of you while various music effects are applied to the picture. You must tap the word “Superzoom” on the camera screen of Instagram Stories to activate the tool.

Some of the music effects that you can choose are “TV Show,” “Bounce,” and “Beats.” When you mix these music effects with the zoom effects on a picture, it creates an entertaining combination. The zoom feature can utilize the rear-facing camera or the front-facing camera of your smartphone. The choice is up to you.

5) Color Filter

Sometimes the photos and videos you create for Instagram Stories might have color inconsistencies or inadequacies. That is why Instagram added a unique color filter tool that let users modify the color tone of their photos and videos. Just swipe the slider left or right to change the color scheme of your media content.

The color filter could be useful for setting the mood of a particular Instagram story. For instance, you can make your imagery look like it’s from the 1980s with the Retro Cam story filter. You can also add vintage visual effects with the Caramel Latte filter option. Other color filters include the 90s Camcorder, Moody Tones, Cream, GrainA4, Vintage Vibes, and Boho Filters.

6) Hootsuite

Here is a tool to help you create more engaging images and videos for Instagram Stories. It also lets you schedule your stories for publication at some point in the future. Each post can have up to 10 videos and photos as a carousel for your stories.

Hootsuite lets new users start with a free trial period. After that, you would have to pay at least $29 per month to continue using the software tool. If you care about scheduling unlimited posts on Instagram Stories, then you might find it worth the money to pay.

7) Over

Over is another content creation tool for Instagram Stories. It lets you use professional backgrounds and templates to create better posts. If you don’t feel like editing your photographs in Photoshop for several hours, you can save time with the Over tool. Besides, why spend so much time editing photos that will disappear after 24 hours?

If you’ve always wanted to create your brand, then you will love the Over app. You can personalize the design of your posts with a library of stylish layouts and templates at your disposal. It won’t take you long to arrange the imagery onto a palette and make your post look unique for your particular story.

Conclusion

Spend some time to learn how to use these tools. Once you start creating better content, you will feel confident enough to buy Instagram likes for it from Stormlikes. The advantage of purchasing Instagram likes is to attract attention to your stories and short video clips. It could translate into more followers and viewers to your Instagram channel.

You can buy Instagram followers too from Stormlikes. However, it is wise to focus on creating high-quality content on Instagram Stories and Reels. That way, you will know that your new followers are genuinely interested in your content. As you experiment with different tools, you will know which one is the best for your content creation needs.

EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

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