Home Blog Page 530

Studying abroad: Five best countries to get higher education

AndroidGuys
-
0

Every year scads of prospective students decide to go abroad for higher studies. Some of them are adventurers who are willing to explore the world. Others focus solely on prospective professional opportunities and how international experience can help them achieve their career goals. Here are our top picks of the best places around the globe to pursue higher education, so you can find a perfect fit for your aims, budget, and expectations.

Australia

Australia is one of the major global trendsetters when it comes to the standards for excellence in higher education. Considering its relatively small population, the country has a surprisingly high number of institutions regularly featured in the top 100 in global academic rankings. According to the latest QS World University Rankings, 5 out of Aussie 50 universities — the Australian National University, the University of Melbourne, the University of New South Wales, the University of Queensland, and the University of Sydney — are among the 50 best educational institutions worldwide.

With so many renowned schools, Australia is currently one of the most attractive, study abroad destinations for international students. In 2019, almost 180,000 foreigners decided to pursue their higher education in The Land Down Under (PDF). Australian colleges offer a wide variety of courses and degree programs, the most popular being medicine, engineering, environmental sciences, and business studies. The curriculum is designed to help students enter the workplace and thrive in the competitive job market.

Students can start exploring their professional opportunities while they are still studying. They might gain some hand-on training through work experience programs and various internships or seek employment on their own. International students in Australia are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and even take a full-time job during semester breaks.

Canada

Canada is widely recognized as one of the safest and most comfortable places to live in. It is currently ranked the second best country in the world, beaten only by Switzerland. Just like its European “rival,” Canada can offer international students the opportunity to enjoy a high standard of living as well as the benefits of being surrounded by a multicultural environment. The country is very welcoming to foreigners, and its flexible immigration policies promote friendliness, inclusive values, and diversity.

Canada is officially bilingual, with the fifth of its population using French as their mother tongue. While most Canadians know English, one can also expect to hear locals talking in Chinese, Spanish, Punjabi, German, Italian, and dozens of other languages. Thus, students can seize the chance and use their time in the Great White North to learn the additional language or brush up the existing linguistic skills.

One of the biggest reasons why Canadian higher education institutions become such a magnet for hordes of students from all over the world is their strong focus on research and development. Local universities are known for their technological innovations in the fields of telecommunication, agriculture, computer, and information technologies. On top of that, the tuition fee rate in Canada is the lowest among English-speaking countries.

Germany

Germany is the # 1 European study abroad destination. It has the largest international student population outside English-speaking countries. Such immense popularity among foreigners is due mainly to the fact that Germany is one of the few nations in the world that offers free higher education. In 2014, 16 of its states abolished tuition fees at all their public universities. That includes some of the world’s top schools, such as the Technical University of Munich, Humboldt University of Berlin, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, and RWTH Aachen University. The only thing students are required to pay is a small fee for enrollment and administration, which is usually no more than €300 per semester.

Being the largest economy in Europe, Germany is a perfect place for doing internships. Students can participate in dual learning programs that integrate university studies with professional practice in a real-life work environment. The variety of options for vocational training is truly outstanding as the nation is home to some of the most recognizable companies in the world, such as Volkswagen, Allianz, Siemens, Bosch, Lufthansa, and Adidas.

Netherlands

The Netherlands is known as the biggest provider of English-taught degree programs in mainland Europe. Nearly every university in the country has an English version of any course instructed in Dutch. That adds up to more than 2,100 international study programs across a diverse range of disciplines. The best institutions to look for your perfect curriculum are the Delft University of Technology, the University of Amsterdam, Wageningen University & Research, and the Eindhoven University of Technology.

When it comes to international coursework, Dutch schools have pretty strict requirements. First, unless you come from a native English-speaking country, you will have to pass an IELTS or TOEFL exam to prove that you have sufficient language mastery to enter the desired program. Make sure you arrange all the documents needed for the application well in advance. Those normally include a high school diploma, resume, letter(s) of recommendation, and personal statement. Sometimes It is hard to get everything ready before the application deadline, so you might use some help. There are dozens of professional writers at essayservice, who can create an impeccable CV or compelling motivation letter for you.

France

The French are so passionate about higher education that there are more than 3,500 universities and colleges across the country. Not only is the nation’s education system very advanced, but it is also extremely flexible. French universities encourage students to be creative with their choice of classes, let them explore the cross-curriculum opportunities, and offer tons of diverse academic routes through the combined degree programs.

The country has gained international recognition for its prestigious engineering and science schools, including École Polytechnique, Université PSL, and Centrale Supélec, to name a few. It’s also worth coming to France if you are looking to compete in the global economy. HEC Paris and INSEAD are consistently ranked among the best business schools in the world.

Image by Quinn Kampschroer from Pixabay

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

TicPods ANC review

Jason England
-
0

The TicPods ANC are the latest to join Mobvoi’s headphone portfolio, and as you may have guessed, it includes active noise cancellation. And while this feature is a welcome addition, the buds lost some of the smart features other TicPod headphones are known for. Keep reading to find out more about the new buds.

Thanks to Mobvoi for sending these out for review.

Design

The TicPods ANC now mimic the AirPods design more than ever, utilizing a compact top-loading case design for the headphones. The buds are easy to insert and are held securely in place with strong magnets.

In my TicPods 2 review, I remarked how impressed I was by how lightweight the case and buds are. In fact, they were so light, I easily forgot I had them in my pockets on some days.

The TicPods ANC aren’t quite as light, but still not heavy, coming in at an extra 12 grams. Fortunately, part of the reason for that slight weight increase is a larger battery, and that’s a good thing because ANC is battery hungry tech.

The TicPods themselves have a familiar design, featuring the earbud with a long stem, which has been popularized by Apple. Each bud is held in your ear with a silicone tip that is used to help isolate sound.

Unlike previous generations of Mobvoi headphones, the TicPods ANC lack the convenient “tickle” gesture to adjust the volume. However, they still feature a touch-sensitive button on each side to control playback and cycle through the different noise cancellation modes.

Comfort

As someone with smaller than average ear canals, it’s not always easy for me to find the best fit when it comes to headphones. In the case of the TicPods ANC, I would have loved if Mobvoi had included a set of smaller ear tips.

Regardless, the smallest size wasn’t uncomfortable, and I was able to wear them without issue for a couple of hours. It just would have been more comfortable for me if they were smaller.

User Experience

When connecting true wireless earbuds there are usually two different methods employed. One has the buds connect after they are removed from the case, while the other connects them as soon as the case is opened. Mobvoi chose the latter with the TicPods ANC, which means as soon as the buds get in your ear, you’re ready to start listening.

Speaking of pairing, the TicPods ANC earbuds work independently, which allows you to use one bud at a time or both. This way, you can choose to wear both when enjoying music and blocking out distractions, or you can wear one as a Bluetooth earpiece for when you need more awareness of your surroundings.

Along with noise cancellation, the TicPods ANC includes a passive mode to allow sound in from the outside world. This is fantastic for when you need to speak to someone or be aware of your surroundings while allowing you to leave the buds in your ears.

Unlike some other buds I’ve tried with this feature, the TicPods ANC don’t lower the volume of the music which makes having a conversation more difficult. However, it should be good enough for helping you stay aware while commuting.

I must admit, previous TicPods have spoiled me with their app support. Unfortunately, Mobvoi didn’t see fit to add support for the TicPods ANC. That means, there is no app where you can change the equalizer, view the battery level of the case, and certainly no way to adjust the level of noise cancellation. That’s a real pity, because one of the main strengths of Mobvoi’s products comes from the additional features the app provides.

Sound Quality

The TicPods ANC lacks aptX support and an equalizer like some of its predecessors, yet they still manage to impress with sound quality. They skew slightly to the highs providing plenty of clarity and instrument separation, while still preserving the low-end with the help from the silicone ear tips which aids them in producing deep thumping bass.

While I would have preferred more customization with an equalizer and a higher bit rate Bluetooth audio codec, AAC is fine and maintains compatibility between Apple and Android devices.

ANC

I tested the noise cancellation on the TicPods ANC in a couple of different scenarios and found it does a good job at significantly reducing repetitive sounds. These are the sort of sounds you might hear while on an airplane or when your air conditioner is running. However, while it does reduce the noise, it does not completely silence it, but if you listen to your music at around 30% or higher, you’ll essentially block it out.

Battery Life

Mobvoi rates the TicPods ANC for five hours of battery life with ANC off and 4.5 hours with ANC enabled, and along with the case, that gives you 21 hours of battery life overall. In my experience, they live up to this claim, but without being able to monitor it in the app, it’s a bit more difficult to keep track of the number of recharges left.

Final Thoughts

More and more headphone makers are adding ANC to true wireless headphones these days. These earbuds are the latest from Mobvoi to do so–and while it skimps in features compared to its previous models–the TicPods ANC provide active noise cancellation, good battery life, and decent sound at an affordable price.

If you do decide to pick up a pair for yourself, our friends over at Mobvoi have sweetened the deal with a 15% discount. Just enter the code Droid15 at checkout, but make sure to hurry, the code expires on September 30, 2020.

Buy from Amazon Buy from Mobvoi

Top-rated LingvaNex translates text, voice, images, websites, and documents

AndroidGuys
-
0

Managing business in 2020 is much different than it was just a decade or so back. Now, thanks to the internet, it’s as easy to work with someone in Spain as it is in Cleveland. We can be anywhere at any time.

One of the biggest barriers to working with others is language. If you don’t know what they’re asking for, you don’t know if you can deliver. Likewise, how do you ask for the sale if you can’t speak the right language?

Pitching a document, idea, or presenting a contract is nearly impossible if you’re not on the same page. How does one ensure things are not lost in translation?

LingvaNex Translator, offered in the AG Deals Store, is the tool that one might use to eliminate language barriers. It’s a top-rated tool that translates not just text, but images, websites, voice, documents, and more.

  • Text translation into 112+ languages
  • Translate text on images
  • Speak and translate your voice
  • Listen to translated text
  • Translate documents (.docx, .rtf, .txt, .pdf* and etc)
  • Website translation
  • History for all apps with your account
  • Save your favorite translations as bookmarks
  • Dictionary with many alternative translations and meanings of a word
  • Share your translated text with friends or other applications

Like having a personal translator in your pocket at all times, you can use LingvaNex Translator on a variety of platforms, including iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. Save your translations as bookmarks, check out alternative translations and meanings, and share your translations with colleagues.

Regularly priced at $400, you can save 80% and get a lifetime subscription to LingvaNex Translator for desktop and mobile for just $79.99.

Best Sellers

Earn Credits!

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.

LG teases new “Explorer Project” ahead of September 14 debut

AndroidGuys
-
0

LG on Tuesday released a video teasing its first phone in a new “Explorer Project” lineup of devices.

The video includes very basic visuals that dovetail with recent rumors of a “Wing” phone. Reportedly, the device will have two halves that rotate to create a cross shape comprised of two displays.

LG created the Explorer Project in response to the diverse usage needs of today’s smartphone customers and to deliver much-needed curiosity and excitement to the mobile sector. The initiative aims to “explore” and inject new life into untapped areas and reshape and expand the current user experience, with assistance from its trusted platform partners.

LG, in a press release, says that mainstream phones like this 2020’s Velvet are now considered part of what it terms its “Universal Line”. The new “Explorer Project” devices will be aimed at new usability and innovative designs.

Does that mean we’re in for some weird designs and one-off models? Likely. Does it mean potential failures or limited-run phones? Yes, that too.

LG will reveal more details for its first Explorer Project device on September 14.

TaoTronics SoundLiberty 88 Truly Wireless Earbuds review

Andrew Allen
-
0

Wireless earbuds are easy to find these days, but good ones are not so readily available. Reviewing them has been one of our more popular posts of late and TaoTronics asked if the new SoundLiberty 88 earbuds could be next on our list. I’ve been using these little audio buds for the last two weeks and want to share my findings.

Design

The TaoTronics SoundLiberty 88 earbuds have a lightweight teardrop design. This is not dissimilar to many others we’ve tested but makes for a snug, comfortable fit in the ear. Otherwise, the SoundLiberty 88 has a sleek, black outer plastic shell.

On the bottom of each earbud, you’ll see a seven mic system for AI noise reduction while making phone calls. The inside of each earpiece holds two copper pins for inductive charging from the carrying case.

Audio Controls

One key component of the TaoTronics SoundLiberty 88 earbuds are the touch controls on the outside edge of each device twice. You can tap either the left or right earpiece to play/pause in progress audio. The same input will also hang up ongoing phone calls.

Tapping and holding the right earbud for three seconds will increase the audio volume. Conversely, doing the same on the left side lowers the output levels. Fairly simple, right?

Now it gets kinda touchy. To move forward a track you can triple-tap the right SoundLiberty 88. To play the previous song, you tap the left three times. However, the timing is tricky and I could only successfully activate this about every other time or so.

Rounding out the touch controls is tapping and holding the earbuds for two seconds. This will decline and incoming phone calls when you are in a meeting. While not getting an unwanted dial, the two-second delayed touch will activate your favorite voice control software like Google Assistant, Siri, or even Bixby.

Sound Quality

I was pleasantly surprised by the audio of the TaoTronics SoundLiberty 88. The sound is crisp, clear, and loud enough to enjoy your favorite playlist. I found the bass to be a little lacking, but I prefer it that way. The balance of the mids and highs is nice resulting in a smooth listening experience.

The same is true for phone calls. With the noise cancellation, both lines of conversations had a pleasant talk time. I also found that the mics picked up my voice better than most in this segment. Multiple callers on my Pixel 4 XL and Microsoft Teams said they had no idea I was on Bluetooth.

Battery Life

TaoTronics rates thee SoundLibery 88 earbuds at five hours of playback per charge and I found this estimate to be fairly accurate. If you really crank up the volume you may kill the tank faster, but overall I hit this mark consistently.

Add that endurance with the power case, and you can recharge up to four full times for a total of 25 hours of tunes. Need to top off the case power cells? USB-C is onboard, but sadly, no wireless charging.

Final Impressions

The TaoTronics SoundLiberty 88 Truly Wireless Earbuds have left me with positive vibes. The headphones offer solid sound, lightweight comfort, and good battery life. And you can snag them for less than $70 making them pretty affordable.

The SoundLiberty 88 is available in one color, black, on both the company’s website or if you want to cash in on your Prime membership Amazon has them for sale as well.

ZTE Axon 20 5G arrives with camera tucked under display

AndroidGuys
-
0

As expected, ZTE on September 1 announced its Axon 20 5G smartphone, billing as the world’s first mass-market device with a camera under the display.

Using a combination of five different technologies ZTE is able to avoid a notch, hole-punch, or bezel for the front-facing camera. That’s right, it’s under the 6.9-inch FHD+ OLED screen.

The Axon 20 5G runs Android Q and draws power from a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor with 6GB/8GB RAM options. Storage capacity is 128GB/256GB with a microSD expansion card slot to allow for up to 2TB external media.

The rear includes a 64-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel wide angle (120 degrees), 2-megapixel macro, and 2-megapixel depth camera. Around front is a 32-megapixel selfie camera.

ZTE Axon 20 5G

Other specifications in the ZTE Axon 20 5G include a 4,200mAh battery with 30W fast charge and 5G connectivity. Included in the phone are some nine sensors to precisely detect temperature as well as a heat dissipation system to keep the phone cool.

Availability

Now for the bad news, at least for US consumers. Don’t look for the ZTE Axon 20 5G in the short term. For now it’s relegated to China where it will carry a price of RMB 2198, or about $320 USD.

How to check the battery health of your OnePlus Phone

Rizwan Anwer
-
0

If you want to check the battery health of your OnePlus Phone, there’s a free app built by OnePlus which shares that data with you. Not only does it let you check your battery health, it also provides a series of diagnostics for your device to make sure all the bells and whistles are working fine.

How to check the battery health of your OnePlus Phone – An easy process

Pre-requisite

If you haven’t already, look at our guide on how to sideload apps on your Android phone. Outside of that, there’s nothing really technical about this.

Head on over to APK Mirror and download the latest version of OnePlus Diagnostic. The latest version of the APK is dated May 4th, 2020, which you can download directly by clicking here.

It’s worth mentioning that this is an official OnePlus app. The publisher is OnePlus Ltd on APK Mirror which means using the app won’t pose any danger or risk to your phone or its data.

Once you have installed the app, launch it from your app drawer or your home screen.

From here, you’ll see view battery status at the main screen. Tap on it.

At the very bottom, you can see your phone’s battery health.

You can see my phone is at a healthy 90%, with a month after launch. In addition, you can also find out your device temperature here if you need to.

Lastly, the app also lets you run some hardware diagnostics and tests on your device to make sure its in working condition. This saves you the trouble of running the dialer commands which can be more technical.

The oddest aspect about the app is that it’s unavailable on the Google Play Store. However, this is one of those apps that will likely get an update once every year or so.

With OnePlus devices, maintaining good battery health is simple. Always use the provided Warp/Dash charger. Buy a spare one to take to work or travel if you need to, but avoid using third-party or other chargers, powerbanks, etc.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 now available for pre-order

AndroidGuys
-
0

Samsung on Tuesday announced the full details, pricing, and availability of its latest foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 2. Expected to launch on September 18, it will be available from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 steps things up across the board, building on what worked and re-approaching those that didn’t work in the first model.

The outer display is much larger now at 6.2-inches, having grown from 4.6-inches in the predecessor. Moreover, it has Gorilla Glass Victus protective coating to keep it safe.

The inner display is also a bit bigger as Samsung has found a way to shrink the bezel. It, like the Galaxy Z Flip, has Samsung’s proprietary Ultra Thin Glass coating. This screen supports up to 120Hz refresh rate.

Both displays house punch hole cameras; a 10-megapixel camera is found on each side. The rear has three additional cameras (a standard, wide, and telephoto), all of which are 12-megapixels.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 includes a 4500mAh battery with 25W fast charging and 11W wireless charging capabilities. Moreover, it can also do reverse wireless charging as well.

The phone runs Android 10 and draws power from a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 includes support for sub-6 and mmWave 5G connectivity.

When it comes to the Galaxy Z Fold 2 it’s not entirely about the hardware. Indeed, Samsung has also refreshed its Galaxy Z Premier Service. This includes on-demand concierge support so it’s easier for connecting with product experts, setting appointments, and learning more about their device.

On the software front, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 includes Flex Mode which shows a different interface in select apps based on whether it’s full or half-folded. This mode is helpful for the camera, for example, as you can use the phone as its own support.

The Dual Preview feature in the camera app shows a viewfinder on both screens, so the photographer and subject can preview the photo in real time.

Auto Framing lets you place the Galaxy Z Fold 2 down to start recording video; the camera will automatically track and zoom as you move about.

The revised App Pair lets users launch up to three apps at one time in a custom side-by-side multitasking layout.

Availability

Consumers can pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 starting on September 2 where it will be priced $1,999. The phone will be offered in Mystic Bronze and Mystic Black. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 arrives at major carriers starting on September 18; an unlocked version will be sold at Samsung’s website.

Lenovo announces the Smart Clock Essential

Andrew Allen
-
0

Lenovo has been one of Google’s main partners when it comes to Smart Displays outside of the Nest branding. Last year the company released the Smart Clock as a cute, bedside Smart Display built around audio and alarms. Lenovo is following that this year with a cheaper, slimmer model called the Smart Clock Essential.

Smart Clock with “dumber” display

The Essential’s overall design is almost identical to the Smart Clock until you turn on the display. The Smart Clock Essential trades a full, touch display for an LED you’d find on a traditional digital alarm clock.

The screen is a little more robust than that though. The connected Smart Clock Essential will always keep the correct time for your timezone and show weather/temperature updates below the time.

Still powered by Google Assistant

Despite this step back you still have the internals of an internet-connected speaker with full Google Assistant onboard. This gives you full command of the voice butler. You can set alarms, ask questions, or check the weather via Google Assistant. “Hey, Google” is built in just like any smart speaker.

Also just like those speakers, you have Chromecast enabled as well. However, due to the previously mentioned pair-down of the screen, you will only be able to interact with music with Google Assistant or your phone controls.

Don’t forget the buttons… and a night light

Atop the Lenovo Smart Clock Essential, you have volume controls, play/pause, and an alarm button. This allows for analog ways to both handle audio and set your alarms for your morning wake time.

Around the back, you have a dedicated mic switch for killing that input if you want. There’s also a USB port for charging devices, but an addition to the previous Smart Clock is a night light. This can help users maneuver the late-night snack raid without blaring the overhead lighting in the room.

Nice Niche

Lenovo seems content with the Smart Clock Essential hitting a very targeted market of the nightstand. For just $50, it’s a compelling argument to add simple functionality to a standard Google Home Mini or Echo Dot.

The Smart Clock Essential will be available later in September according to the launch press release.

EZVIZ C3X Outdoor Security Camera review

AndroidGuys
-
0

Do you know what’s happening right outside your door? Like, literally? What about when you’re not at home? Do you have a smart doorbell or security camera?

Cameras, both indoor and outdoor models alike, are getting increasingly less expensive. At the same time, the features continue to improve.

If you want full, always accessible coverage on your home’s safety and security, consider EZVIZ’s C3X Outdoor Smart Wi-Fi Camera.

What is the C3X Outdoor Security Camera?

Billed as the world’s first commercial-grade security camera with a dual-lens configuration, it provides an accurate representation of what’s happening in the dark of night. One lens grabs color information while the other handles ambient brightness. So, instead of grayscale pictures and video you’ll get colorful images.

Similar to what’s found in other modern security cameras, the C3X offers motion capture and can distinguish between a person and a vehicle.

Water and dust resistant, the camera includes a siren and strobe light to help ward off would-be intruders or to alert neighbors. Additionally, you can pre-record messages which can be played when someone wanders onto your property or into an area that is considered off-limits.

Users have the options to store recordings locally on microSD cards or pay for encrypted cloud-base storage.

What’s Included?

  • C3X Camera
  • Drill Template
  • Screw Kit
  • Waterproof Kit
  • Power Adapter 1.5 m (4.9 ft.)
  • Quick Start Guide

Setup

The setup can feel a tad overwhelming at first, but if you follow the verbal and written instructions, it will detail everything you need to do.

First up comes powering on your camera. All you need to do is plug it into an available outlet, but for the Ethernet cable, you will need to find an Ethernet port. This could be more of a challenge depending on proximity to a router.

Next, you’ll download the EZVIZ app, and register your camera with the QR code located near the base plate. I found it easier to take a picture beforehand and then use that. There is the option to use the camera within the app. Once you’re registered, the camera will need to connect to a 2.4GHz Wi-fi network. Then the rest is all downhill.

Performance

We found the camera to be intuitive with a simple user interface in the app. It’s easy to digitally zoom (up to 8X) the feed in and out, record footage and more.

There are plenty of options to play with in the app which provides peace of mind not only when we’re away, but when we wake in the morning.

If there were one feature we’d like to see added to the camera, it would be more seamless integration with virtual assistants. It would be great if we could pull up a live, or slightly delayed, feed to monitor an area.

Conclusion

Overall, this camera is very effective with many of the features we look for today. we feel confident suggesting that your house will safely monitored with the C3X.

We appreciate that the camera is able to withstand the elements and has an articulating connection point that allows for the exact angle we need.

Whereas more expensive cameras from other brands include 2K or higher resolution, the 1080p capture here is more than sufficient for our needs.

For more information about the EZVIZ C3X Outdoor Security Camera, check out the manufacturer’s website. The camera is available at retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, The Home Depot, and Walmart for about $130-$150.

1...529530531...1,315Page 530 of 1,315