EU wants to make it easier for police to obtain user data

In light of recent terror-related attacks, the EU is looking to make it much easier for law enforcement to obtain data from tech companies like WhatsApp, Facebook and Google. The European Commission will propose three options, which will help guide future legislation put forth by the EU.

The first option is the least intrusive and would allow law enforcement agencies in one EU member state to ask a company in another state for data without having to go through that state’s authorities first. The second would require those companies to hand over data if asked by another state’s law enforcement. And the third — the most extreme — would give law enforcement agencies direct access to cloud-stored data.

EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova told Reuters, “This third option is kind of an emergency possibility which will require some additional safeguards protecting the privacy of people.”

This is the latest skirmish between law enforcement and companies that may have useful data on a suspect. Last year, Microsoft scored a legal win that supported its refusal to turn over data stored in Ireland to officials in New York.

Discussions taking place today will include what types of data will be covered by the new law. “My preference is to go for this as an extraordinary measure for extraordinary threats, for high gravity criminal offences such as terrorism and there I am in favor of enabling the use of personal data,” said Jourova. The EU plans to put forward legislation by early 2018.

Source: Reuters

The best SD card readers

By Justin Krajeski

This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer’s guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter’s independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here.

After spending eight hours researching and testing 12 card readers, we found that the IOGear USB-C 3-Slot Card Reader is the best option for anyone who needs an SD card reader for a new laptop with USB-C ports. The IOGear delivered fast, consistent speeds, and supports SD, microSD, and CF cards.

Who should get this?

If your camera uses SD cards but your laptop lacks a card reader (or it has one, and you’re unimpressed by its speed), you’ll need a separate card reader that hooks up to your laptop via USB-C or USB-A to transfer your photos and videos.

All of the latest MacBooks (including the 2016 MacBook Pro models) have only USB-C ports, and no SD card readers. Some new Windows laptops exclusively use USB-C ports, too, and others have a mix of USB types and no built-in SD card slot.

If you already own a card reader with a USB-A connection, you can get a USB-C–to–A adapter to use it with a new computer.

How we picked and tested

We tested 12 card readers to find the best SD card reader for most people. Photo: Kimber Streams

The most important features for an SD card reader are speed, physical size, and ease of use. Because most new laptops have at least one USB-C port—and some now have only USB-C ports—we focused on USB-C card readers for this guide. We also looked for readers that support both SD and CF cards to ensure compatibility with as many cameras as possible.

After researching all the USB-C SD readers available, we called in 12 models that met our requirements by accessories makers we trust. Then we plugged them into a 2016 MacBook Pro and a 2016 Dell XPS 13 and used AJA System Test and CrystalDiskMark to test their speeds with three SanDisk cards–one SD card, one microSD card, and one CF card.

Our pick: IOGear USB-C 3-Slot Card Reader

The IOGear USB-C 3-Slot Card Reader is the best SD card reader for most people. Photo: Kimber Streams

The IOGear USB-C 3-Slot Card Reader is the best SD card reader for most people because it’s affordable (usually less than $20) and produced fast speeds during our SD, microSD, and CF tests, every single time.

In our SD card test, the IOGear had read and write speeds of 84 MB/s and 72 MB/s, respectively. When reading and writing to the microSD card, it had speeds of 85 MB/s and 64 MB/s, and in our CF card test, it had read and write speeds of 144 MB/s and 114 MB/s.

Unlike our other picks, the IOGear lacks an indicator light, so you can’t see when your card is connected or a transfer is underway at a glance. We also found that the SD card slot was a bit too shallow. The IOGear reader is slightly bigger than our other USB-C picks, but it has the best warranty of its competitors, covering three years.

Runner-up: Transcend USB 3.1 Type-C Multi-Card Reader

The Transcend USB 3.1 Multi-Card Reader is a good second choice if the IOGear is unavailable. Photo: Kimber Streams

If our pick is out of stock or unavailable, we recommend the Transcend USB 3.1 Multi-Card Reader. It was as fast as the IOGear in nearly every test, except for its awful microSD write speeds on Mac. For more information on the Transcend’s speed tests, please see our full guide.

The Transcend supports SD, microSD, and CF cards, plus it has a Memory Stick slot on its back. It also has an indicator light, and a two-year warranty.

A budget option: Cable Matters USB 3.1 Type-C Dual Slot Card Reader

The Cable Matters USB 3.1 Type-C Dual Slot Card Reader is less expensive than our other picks, but it doesn’t have a CF card slot. Photo: Kimber Streams

If you use only SD and microSD cards, you should get the Cable Matters USB 3.1 Type-C Dual Slot Card Reader. The Cable Matters reader has similar speeds to the IOGear and Transcend readers, but it doesn’t support CF cards. It’s smaller, lighter, and cheaper than our other top picks, plus it has good speeds and an indicator light. It also comes with only a one-year warranty.

For faster SD cards: SanDisk Extreme Pro SD UHS-II Card USB-C Reader

The SanDisk is nearly three times as fast as our top pick, but it costs about twice as much. Photo: Kimber Streams

If you use a camera or cards that support UHS-II speeds, we recommend the SanDisk Extreme Pro SD UHS-II Card USB-C Reader. Although it costs more than twice as much as the IOGear, and doesn’t have CF or microSD slots, the SanDisk had read and write speeds of 256 MB/s and 193.6 MB/s in our SD card tests, respectively—nearly three times the speed of our top pick. It also has a useful indicator light.

At $50, it might be more economical to buy our USB-A pick and a USB-C–to–A adapter if you want UHS-II–speed transfer rates, but that option is bulkier, heavier, and slower.

For traditional USB ports: Kingston USB 3.0 High-Speed Media Reader

The Kingston USB 3.0 High-Speed Media Reader is the best option for traditional USB ports. Photo: Kimber Streams

If you need a USB-A card reader, or a reader that can take both CF cards and high-speed UHS-II SD cards, the Kingston USB 3.0 High-Speed Media Reader is your best bet. The Kingston supports SD, microSD, CF, and Memory Stick cards, and it reliably transferred data at UHS-II speeds in our SD card tests. It also has a big red indicator light, and comes with a two-year warranty.

The Kingston had read and write speeds of 159 MB/s and 127 MB/s, respectively, during our SD card test. In our microSD card test, it had expected read and write speeds of 83 MB/s and 69 MB/s. It was a bit slower when reading and writing to a CF card, with speeds of 127 MB/s and 107 MB/s.

This guide may have been updated by The Wirecutter. To see the current recommendation, please go here.

Note from The Wirecutter: When readers choose to buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn affiliate commissions that support our work.

Humans may be able to regrow skin after severe burns

While reconstructive surgery techniques have improved greatly over the last decade or two, there’s one goal that remains elusive: actual regrowth of human skin. But now, scientists may be one step closer: Yesterday, Salt Lake City-based biotech company Polarity TE, Inc. announced that they had “regenerated full-thickness, organized skin and hair follicles in third degree burn wounds” in pigs.

As far as we know, this is the first time anyone’s been able to fully regrow skin after third-degree burns. According to PolarityTE, the SkinTE technique works by taking a biopsy of the patient’s non-damaged skin, though it’s not exactly clear how the healthy skin is reintroduced into the wound. The (somewhat graphic) photos on their website show the progression of regeneration, eventually covering the entire wound with no scarring and regrowth of all layers of skin, including hair follicles.

Now, this technique has only worked on pigs thus far, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work on humans. In fact, pig and human skin is quite similar, and historically the characteristics and behavior of pig skin burns have been predictive of how human skin will react. In fact, PolarityTE notes that it might actually be harder to regrow skin on pigs — though they don’t go into detail on why that’s the case.

If this procedure is successful on humans, it’s a huge step forward. It’s not an exaggeration to say that this will change the lives of burn victims. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait too long to find out: PolarityTE is planning on moving to human trials later this year.

Via: Reuters

Source: PolarityTE, SkinTE

HTC’s squeezable U11 is now available

Back in May, we called HTC’s U11 its true flagship phone (albeit with an awful name). We were impressed by both the hardware and its striking profile. Now, you can pick one up for yourself: The HTC U11 is shipping today via Sprint, Amazon and HTC.com. Consumers can also purchase devices today at Sprint retail stores.

The HTC U11 is certainly a worthy competitor to other smartphones out there. It comes with a 2560 x 1440, 5.5-inch touch screen, with 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, a 3,000mAH battery and an octa-core Snapdragon 835 chipset. Two cameras — a 12 megapixel on the back and a front-facing 16 megapixel — round out the package. There’s no headphone jack, but the included earbuds pack in both active noise cancellation and tune your music based on the contours of your ear.

HTC is billing Edge Sense as the real hallmark feature of the U11 (though we weren’t quite sure of its utility). Pressure sensors at the sides of the phone can determine how you’re holding you are it (even while you’re wearing gloves) and be used for shortcuts — which are, of course, customizable. The HTC U11 comes in three colors, blue, black and silver, and an unlocked, no-contract version will cost you $650.

GoPro’s Fusion could make 360 video cool, if it nails the software

Yesterday GoPro CEO Nick Woodman presented the Fusion 360/VR camera to the world for the first time at Mountain Games in Vaile, Colorado. The company teased an image about a month ago, but it turns out that was a bit of a trick. The deliberate use of lighting hid the true shape and form of the camera. Fusion is actually bigger than it looked. GoPro has long considered itself as having outgrown the “action cam” label, instead positioning itself as an enabler for stories beyond the reach of your phone’s camera. Put in those terms, Fusion, and 360 video in general, could make more sense.

Over the years the importance of software over hardware has become increasingly apparent to GoPro. The Hero camera line has evolved over time, but it’s the user experience after you shoot the video that has been the company’s biggest challenge. The next frontier isn’t more megapixels, it’s making it effortless to convert photos and videos into something you want to share. And Fusion, GoPro’s all-in-one VR camera, might actually be the company’s best chance at cracking that nut.

Before we get to why, we’ll take a look at a more immediate how. Fusion might have been the main reason for the Vail gathering this week, but a new feature for all GoPro users — called QuikStories — is actually a good hint at where the company is focusing its efforts. QuikStories aims to instantly create a shareable video from your most recent clips with little to no effort on the user’s part (think: Google’s Photo Assistant). If GoPro can transplant this mechanism to Fusion, and there’s every indication it will, maybe the company can — gasp! — make 360/VR video more mainstream.

Before we get to Fusion, though, QuikStories is also an attempt to revitalize its existing camera line. Basically, this is GoPro throwing its hat into the “stories” game — you know, the game that Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and seemingly everyone is playing these days. In GoPro’s case, it’s really just about using technology the company already has (i.e.g, the Quik mobile editing app), and removing all the steps that involve a human.

The idea is simple: shoot several clips in a day, connect your camera to your phone, open the GoPro app and, voila, you’ll have an instant, shareable, edited video. We tried it quickly here in Vail, and it looks promising. In fact, the app was already sifting through my videos and compiling a video the moment I connected a phone to the camera.

Why does a “stories” feature matter to 360/VR video? Because who even knows what to do with a 360 video? I don’t. Unless you’re shooting a bi-plane wing-walk, or other such obviously interesting feat, 360 video doesn’t always make sense. Here is the connection with Quik, or at least GoPro’s future of smart editing apps. If GoPro can translate the simplicity of Quik, and QuikStories to Fusion’s 360 video output, it would achieve mass appeal in a way other players (everyone from Nikon to Samsung) hasn’t been able to.

To illustrate this, GoPro showed reporters this week a “regular” video edit taken from its Fusion (spherical) promo video, and it cleverly turned the usual quirks of 360 video — warping, curved lines — into an editing transition feature.””Punching” a regular video out of a 360 clip isn’t exclusive to GoPro. Plenty of others offer something similar, but there’s not one app or camera that combines to do both well. If — and it’s a big if — GoPro can nail this pairing of hardware and software, 360 video has a chance of making sense for everyday users.

Tor Browser 7.0 works harder to protect your anonymity on its own

The latest update for privacy-minded folks’ favorite way to surf the web should make others’ attempts at tracking what they do even more difficult. The Tor browser’s 7. 0 version introduces a sandbox feature that, according to an interview on the Tor blog, should “make life a lot harder” for people using a Firefox exploit to discern the identities of a user. “It’s like Plato’s Allegory of the Cave,” Tor developer Yawning Angel said. “The only reality Tor Browser knows is inside of the sandbox (cave). We prevent it from interacting with the rest of your computer (the outside world), except via the Tor Network (shadows on the wall).”

The college philosophy class you barely remember aside, what the sandbox does is hides your files, your real IP address and your MAC address from the browser. Therefore, “the amount of information Tor Browser will learn about your computer, and thereby you, will be limited,” Angel said.

At the time of that interview last October, the sandbox was still unstable and very much in testing, but the recent update has brought the digital safe-zone online for Linux and macOS, and by default. Next up? Sandbox protection for Windows users.

The update also imposes a few new requirements for users on Windows and macOS: Tor apparently won’t work on non-SSE2-capable Windows hardware and you need to be running OSX 10.9 or higher on Apple machines.

Considering that last year a federal judge said that the FBI no longer needs warrants to hack a computer connected to the internet, this is an important update. “Even an internet user who employs the Tor network in an attempt to mask his or her IP address lacks a reasonable expectation of privacy in his or her IP address,” judge Henry Coke Morgan, Jr commented at the time. For the full rundown of what’s changed with the browser, hit the source links below.

Source: Tor (1), (2)

Apple CEO Tim Cook Pokes Fun at Windows PCs in Commencement Address at MIT

Apple CEO Tim Cook today delivered the 2017 commencement address at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Cook first reflected on his inability to figure out what he wanted to do with his life, while poking fun at Windows PCs in the process.

I tried meditation. I sought guidance and religion. I read great philosophers and authors. In a moment of youthful indiscretion, I might even have experimented with a Windows PC. And obviously that didn’t work.

Cook’s search eventually led him to Apple in 1998, when the company was flirting with bankruptcy and struggling to survive.

Tim Cook appears around 7:00 mark
Working with Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, Cook said he eventually learned “life’s biggest and most important question” being “how can I serve humanity?”

It was in that moment, after 15 years of searching, that something clicked. I finally felt aligned with a company that brought together challenging, cutting edge work with a higher purpose. Aligned with a leader who believed that technology which didn’t exist yet could reinvent tomorrow’s world. Aligned with myself and my own deep need to serve something greater. Of course, at that moment I don’t know all of that. I was just grateful to have a psychological burden lifted. But with the help of hindsight, my breakthrough makes more sense. I was never going to find my purpose working some place without a clear sense of purpose of its own. Steve and Apple freed me to throw myself into the work and embrace their mission and make it my own. How can I serve humanity? This is life’s biggest and most important question.

Cook concluded his speech by saying he’s “optimistic” in the next generation’s own journey to serve humanity.

As you go forward today, use your minds and your hands and your hearts to build something bigger than yourselves. Always remember there is no idea bigger than this: as Dr. Martin Luther King said, we are all bound together in a single garment of destiny. If you keep that idea at the forefront of all that you do, if you choose to live your lives at that intersection between technology and the people it serves, if you strive to create the best, give the best, and do the best for everyone—not just for some—then today all of humanity has good cause for hope. Thank you very much.

Cook toured the MIT campus on Thursday. “So impressed by MIT students and faculty who are finding new ways to tackle the world’s biggest challenges,” he tweeted. “Thanks for sharing your work!”

Tag: Tim Cook
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iOS 11 Requires Developers to Use Apple’s New In-App Ratings API, Lets Users Turn Them Off Completely

Earlier this year, Apple announced a few App Store review policy changes, which included the reveal of an official API for in-app review and rating requests that developers had the option to put in their apps beginning with iOS 10.3 and macOS Sierra 10.12.4. Additionally, Apple limited how often app developers can push out such prompts to just three times each year.

Today, 9to5Mac spotted a new section in the App Store Review Guidelines, pointing towards the launch of the new policy changes coming to iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra this fall. Specifically, in section 1.1.7 of the App Store Review guidelines, Apple states that it will “disallow custom review prompts” in all apps on the App Store.

Image via 9to5Mac
The update also allows developers to respond to customer reviews for the first time.

1.1.7 App Store Reviews:
– App Store customer reviews can be an integral part of the app experience, so you should treat customers with respect when responding to their comments. Keep your responses targeted to the user’s comments and do not include personal information, spam, or marketing in your response.
– Use the provided API to prompt users to review your app; this functionality allows customers to provide an App Store rating and review without the inconvenience of leaving your app, and we will disallow custom review prompts.

The new user interface includes the App Store’s traditional 5-star rating system in a pop-up box, allowing users to enter their opinion of the app without needing to leave it and visit the App Store to submit a review, as was previously the case. In addition to Apple limiting these pop-up boxes to only appear three times per year, if a user actually submits a review for the app, the developer can never request an in-app pop-up review from that user again.

The new App Store in iOS 11
Adding to the strain on in-app review prompts, users can now also turn off these requests completely with a new “In-App Ratings & Reviews” toggle found in the iTunes and App Store section of Settings on iOS 11.

When the updates take full effect, it means that developers won’t be able to ask a user for another review of an app after the same user submits a rating using Apple’s in-app prompt, even if the app has recently received a huge update. On the plus side, star ratings can now carry over across updates — if the developer chooses — so that the App Store rating system is a true overall aggregate of an app and not just user opinions on the app’s current iteration.

Related Roundup: iOS 11
Tag: App Store
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MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Adventure Satchel for the New MacBook Pro From Intrepid Bag Co

For this week’s giveaway, we’ve teamed up with Intrepid Bag Co to give MacRumors readers a chance to win an Intrepid Adventure Satchel that’s been designed specifically for the new 2016 and 2017 13 and 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro models.

Like all of Intrepid Bag Co’s products, the Adventure Satchel is made from high-quality full grain tobacco-colored leather that will age into a unique patina, making each bag one-of-a-kind. Intrepid says the satchel is its most rugged bag yet, made with old-world craftsmanship techniques, including hand pounded copper rivets and UV-resistant nylon stitching.

The Adventure Satchel comes in two sizes to accommodate either the 13-inch MacBook Pro or the 15-inch MacBook Pro. It was designed for the new MacBook Pros, but can also fit older models and other types of notebooks.

Under the flap, there’s a dedicated laptop holder, a zippered compartment, two medium-sized interior pockets, a main interior pocket, a hidden passport pocket, 2 pen/stylus holders, and a key chain strap. At the sides, there are also two rain-proof flaps, and at the back, there’s a quick access flat pocket that’s sized to hold papers and other small accessories.

The satchel can be worn cross-body with a side mounted 1.5-inch strap made from leather and canvas, which is padded for comfort even under heavy loads, and there’s also a hand-held strap at the top.

Intrepid Bag Co’s new Adventure Satchels are on sale for a limited time, with the 13-inch model priced at $235 and the 15-inch model priced at $255. We’ve got one satchel to give away to a MacRumors reader for free.

To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner and send the prize. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years of age or older are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

a Rafflecopter giveawayThe contest will run from today (June 9) at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on June 16. The winner will be chosen randomly on June 16 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.

Tags: giveaway, Intrepid Bag Co
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Here’s how to DIY faux granite, marble, or quartz countertops for under $100

In an updated kitchen, you’ll often see stone countertops, and granite, marble, or quartz are among the most common. According to HomeAdvisor, it’ll cost you around $5,000 to install quartz countertops in an average-sized kitchen with 35 square-feet of counter space ($2,500 for installation, and $75 per square foot for the actual quartz).

But did you know you can have countertops that look exactly like granite, marble, or quartz for under $100? Sure, it may require a bit of time and effort, but after about a weekend of work, you can have beautiful faux granite, marble, or quartz countertops without breaking the bank.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A Giani countertop refinishing kit. The kits come in a variety of colors, including white diamond (which produces a marble-like finish), black (which produces a black quartz or a black granite-like finish), and sand (which produces a brown, granite-like finish). You can also purchase the materials separately in a different brand — you’ll need a roller designed for smooth surfaces, a craft sponge, a sponge painting brush, dark-colored primer (ideally grey or black primer), metallic-colored acrylic paints in a pearl white and other colors, and a water-based Polyurethane (like Minwax Polycrylic).
• Plastic drop covers to protect your cabinets and floors
• Metallic flakes
• Painter’s tape
• A plastic bag
• A magic eraser
• 600-grit sandpaper
• Brillo pads
• A few rags
• An exacto knife

How to create faux granite, quartz, or marble countertops

Step 1: Remove everything from your counters, including all small appliances, food, and silicone caulk.

Step 2: Scrub your countertop thoroughly with a Brillo pad to remove all grease, wax, dirt, and oils. Avoid using any harsh cleaners, as this can prevent your new surface from adhering properly. Rinse the Brillo soap with clean water at least three times to ensure all of the soap is gone from your counters.

Step 3: Prep your area. Apply a liner of painter’s tape above your counter’s back splash, on any walls next to your counters, and on any cabinets that touch your counters. Also, carefully apply painter’s tape around your sink, so you don’t accidentally paint it. Cover any areas with plastic sheets that you could drop paint on, and pull out your stove and cover it with plastic.

Step 4: Apply black primer to your clean counters. Use a roller that’s designed for smooth surfaces. Apply in even, thin layers, and paint small sections at a time. Use a sponge brush to apply the primer to your corners and back splash. Apply two coats if necessary, but wait at least two to three hours between coats. Once your counters are completely coated with primer, allow them to dry completely for at least 6 hours.

Step 5: Apply your mineral paints.

For Granite: Thoroughly and randomly sponge on your pearl-white or beige color.

It should look like this:

Then, apply your other colors (metallic browns, golds, and other colors) in a similar manner. You can also use a thin artist brush to add veining to your color scheme. On top of your veining, sponge on more whites and dark colors for a more realistic look. This video by Giani provides a good visual.

For Quartz: Sponge on your white thoroughly, as you would for a granite finish. After you complete your white, go back with an acrylic color that is a similar shade to your primer. For instance, if you used a black primer, use an acrylic black, and sponge that color all over your counter, only allowing a small amount of pearl white to show through. Avoid adding too many colors, as quartz counters typically do not have a busy finish. After that, go back in and sponge on some more of your primer to add more depth.

Add random silver or gold dots of acrylic paint throughout your design for a more realistic look.

For Marble: Sponge on your white limestone thoroughly. You should have very few black undertones showing through. Sponge on your Inca gold and pearl mica. Then, sand your finish with 600-grit sandpaper. After you sand, wipe your surface with a damp cloth, and allow it to dry completely. Go back and add long, dark colored veins with an artist’s brush. Sponge back over your veining with more whites. If necessary, sand again to ensure a smooth and even surface. See the Giani video below for detailed instructions.

Step 5b: Apply metal flakes to Granite and Quartz finishes. You can find metal flakes at any craft store or on Amazon for around $10. This provides additional depth and shine, and makes your counters look more like real stone.

Step 6: Apply your top coat. This is the most difficult part of the entire process, as it is hard to get the top coat on evenly without leaving streaks. Use a roller or sponge applicator designed for smooth surfaces, work quickly, and do not roll back over the same area repeatedly. If you over-brush or over-roll, this will leave streaks or bubbles. You can sand between coats with 600-grit sandpaper if necessary. Add three coats of topcoat, and wait at least two to four hours between coats. Also, if you mess up your top coat, you can always sand it off and start over. Watch this Heirloom video tutorial for more tips on how to apply your top coat properly.

Step 7: Remove your painter’s tape and clean up. Clean up any paint on your walls with a magic eraser. Wait until your counters are fully dry (about 24 hours) to remove the painter’s tape, though. Use an exacto knife and cut along the edges of your tape, so you don’t take take the finish off with the tape. Replace any caulk or grout, and your countertops will be complete. You can use your counters lightly, but they won’t be completely cured for a few weeks. This means you’ll need to wipe up any liquid spills immediately and treat the counters gently for the first few weeks.

A Few Tips

• You can try to use a crinkled-up plastic bag to apply your acrylic mineral colored paints. This can make your mineral paints look more like veins, and less like spots.
• Make yourself a temporary kitchen area on a table, where you can make coffee or prep food. You will need this temporary kitchen for the next two days as your countertops are out of commission.
• Use a mild cleaner after you finish your counters, and avoid harsh cleaners, like bleach or ammonia.
• Compare the cost of a pre-made kit like “Giani Granite Countertop Paint” to buying the materials individually. Some DIYers have reported being able to do their counters for as little as $50, while a Giani kit will cost you around $70 to $80 (plus an extra $20 for extra materials and supplies).