Asus ZenBook Pro 15 vs. Dell XPS 15

Asus is going out on a limb with its new ZenBook Pro 15 UX580, introducing an innovative twist on the old-school touchpad. Called the ScreenPad, this new input device layers a touchscreen IPS LCD over the usual swiping surface, adding in some special functionality to make for a potentially more efficient and productive workflow.

But that’s not all the ZenBook Pro 15 has in its bag of tricks. It also sports the fastest notebook processor around, the very fast Core i9-8950HK that promises unparalleled performance. Is all of this enough to give it the edge over our favorite 15-inch notebook, the Dell XPS 15? Read on to find out.

Design

The ZenBook Pro 15 UX580 looks just like every other modern ZenBook, and that’s not a bad thing. It has the same attractive and iconic concentric circle swirl, the same rose gold diamond-cut chamfered edges, and the same quality build as so many recent ZenBooks. Only an unusually flexible keyboard deck mars what would otherwise be a rock-solid build. The bezels are small enough to give a modern look and feel, and the 0.75 inch thickness and 4.1 pound weight is competitive with the rest of the field. In terms of input, we found the keyboard to offer slightly less travel than some competitors, but with a snappy mechanism that’s comfortable for long typing sessions. And the ScreenPad is buggy out of the gate, but it still promises an innovative new way to control your notebook with a handful of special modes and dedicated apps and utilities.

Dell’s 2018 XPS 15 hasn’t changed much aesthetically over the last couple of years, and that’s not a bad thing — it’s just as conservatively attractive as always. It’s formed from machined aluminum and carbon fiber that create a robust and particularly comfortable laptop to use and carry around from site to site. Dell hasn’t engineered the thinnest notebook around, at 0.70 inches at its thickest point, and it’s not the lightest either at 4.5 pounds with a huge 97 watt-hour battery. Even so, it’s among the most diminutive 15.6-inch notebooks given its InfinityEdge bezels — which unfortunately mean the webcam is wedged below the display for an unflattering up-the-nose view. The keyboard is excellent, with sufficient travel an a precise and responsive mechanism enabling fast and accurate typing, and the Microsoft Precision touchpad is large and comfortable.

We like the ZenBook’s elegant look and feel, but the XPS 15 wins out for being completely solid and sporting a better keyboard. That innovative ScreenPad could sway things in the ZenBook’s favor, though, if Asus can work out the bugs and add some polish.

Performance

Dan Baker/Digital Trends

The ZenBook Pro 15 is built around Intel’s fastest mobile processor, the 8th-generation six-core, 12-thread Core i9-8950HK that runs at 45 watts and can ramp up to some insane speeds. It’s a fast CPU, but it also creates some heat that’s hard to manage. Ultimately, it’s faster than the more common Core i7-8750H, but not by much. Asus chose a competent PCIe solid-state drive (SSD) for the ZenBook Pro, which is neither the fastest nore the slowest we’ve tested, and that’s fed by some fast DDR4 memory. Finally, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti is a solid entry-level gaming CPU, and it allows the ZenBook to support some decent — albeit somewhat inconsistent — gaming performance.

The Dell XPS 15 uses the aforementioned Core i7-8750H processor, an 8th-generation 45 watt part that’s also powered by six cores and 12 threads. The Dell also enjoys a speedy PCIe SSD and high-speed RAM, which is paired with an Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti Max Q that punches slightly above its weight class when running some of today’s popular titles at 1080p and medium graphical details. The XPS 15 is plenty fast — almost as fast as the ZenBook Pro 15, in fact — but it also runs cooler and more quietly.

And then there are the displays. On paper, the ZenBook Pro 15 and XPS 15 should be equal. Both enjoy 4K UHD panels with wide color gamuts, and they both promise good accuracy and strong contrast. But Dell delivers whereas Asus kind of dropped the ball, with the former offering a more accurate display with significantly higher contrast and brightness. Dell also offers two options, Full HD and 4K panels aimed at being bright and colorful. Both the ZenBook and the XPS 15 offer great displays for productivity work, but the Dell is much better for professionals that care about color accuracy.

The XPS 15 wins out by being almost as fast as the ZenBok Pro 15 but doing so more quietly and without burning up. And its display is better, too.

Portability

Given all that performance that’s packed inside a chassis that’s not the thinnest around, we expected Asus to squeeze in some serious battery capacity. Unfortunately, the company only managed to equip the ZenBook Pro 15 with 71 watt-hours, which isn’t a ton of juice for such a demanding CPU and high-resolution display.

For its part, Dell equipped the XPS 15 with a massive 97 watt-hours worth of battery capacity, helping to justify its higher weight. And Dell’s investment in batteries paid off. In our suite of tests, the XPS 15 outlasted the ZenBook Pro 15 by a wide margin. We tested the the Full HD version of the XPS 15, and it lasted for twice as long on our most intensive Basemark web benchmark test and almost three times as long when browsing the web and watching video. We suspect that the 4K version of the XPS 15 would last for “only” twice as long.

Both of these notebooks are large and solid 15.6-inch notebooks and so take up some space in a backpack. But the XPS 15 will last for a full working day and maybe even longer, whereas the ZenBook Pro 15 will leave you wanting. The Dell wins this round.

Conclusion

Dan Baker/Digital Trends

The ZenBook Pro 15 costs $2,300 for the Core i9-8950HQ, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, 4K display, and the ScreenPad. You can also spend $1,800 for a Core i7-8750H and a normal touchpad. That makes it a premium notebook but still less expensive than the XPS 15, which comes in at $2,900 for the Core i9, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. But you can also opt for a much less powerful configuration with Core i5 and 56 watt0hour battery for $1,000, giving the Dell a lower price of entry.

The ZenBook Pro 15 brings some innovation with its ScreenPad and some power with its Core i9. But the XPS 15 is almost as fast and its considerably more refined — and thus it’s the notebook we’d rather carry around with us.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Asus ZenBook Pro 15 UX580 with ScreenPad review
• Dell XPS 15 vs. Razer Blade 15
• Dell XPS 15 vs. MacBook Pro 15
• Acer Aspire E 15 review
• Dell XPS 15 9570 review

7 drone crashes that will make you fly your bird more carefully

For drone pilots, there can be few things worse than watching helplessly as your bird smacks into a wall, tangles in a tree, or simply falls out of the sky. But sometimes it happens.

Quadcopters like the recently released Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom offer a whopping 10 sensors on all six sides of the machine, giving even the clumsiest of pilots the best chance of avoiding a calamitous mid-air crash. But sensors can sometimes get it wrong, resulting in the kind of wallet-wincing flight error that no one ever wants to experience.

While obstacle-avoidance sensors are now a must-have feature of any drone, the best way to keep your machine safe is to fly with your brain switched to the “common sense” position. As a reminder of just how wrong things can go, we’ve pulled together some crazy clips of spectacular drone crashes — ones that’ll make you think twice about pulling your favorite daredevil move …

An aerial fender-bender

Top tip:

Try to land your drone vertically onto the ground rather than horizontally into a car.

Here’s a gentle one to ease us into the potentially costly world of accidental drone crashes. The pilot describes himself as a beginner, and you’ll see why. Like most drone flights, it starts off well and there appears to be nothing to worry about as the quadcopter flies gently over land. But then, as it glides past the pilot and heads toward his car, you know there’s only going to be one outcome. And it’s not pretty.

Always wear a helmet

Top tip:

Always fly your drone above head height.

You’ll soon get tired of filming aerial shots of your home, so where to go next? This pilot had the idea to head to his local skate park to shoot some boarding buddies doing some tricks. The dramatic drone footage demonstrates some deft handling by the pilot and comfortably matches the boarder in terms of skill. Until the drone smashes into his head, that is.

The flight of parking lot Icarus

Top tip:

Lampposts are solid objects and will obstruct the path of anything that flies toward them. So check your surroundings thoroughly before you begin your drone flight.

Racing drones usually come with very little obstacle avoidance tech, so pilots really needs to know what they’re doing when they turn the speed dial all the way up to 11. This guy headed to a deserted parking lot to push his ‘copter to the limit, and he certainly seems to have the measure of his mean machine as it ducks and dives about the place … if only that darn lamppost hadn’t gotten in the way.

How to anger your landlord

Top tip:

Fly your drone through open windows, not closed ones.

This one’s a real beauty. Seen from the viewpoint of the pilot rather than the drone, the video shows the pilot carefully maneuvering the Mavic Pro out of an apartment window. After flying it around outside, the plan, presumably, was to carefully guide the quadcopter back into the apartment for a safe landing. But, demonstrating that we can’t always rely on a drone’s sensors to save it from a smash, the DJI drone has other ideas. We just hope there wasn’t anyone on the sidewalk down below.

Close encounters of the avian kind

Top tip:

Before taking off, look around to see if there are any angry-looking birds around.

There’s really nothing you can do when your drone is way up in the sky and you spot an eagle or hawk heading toward it. There’s no time to get your machine back on terra firma if the bird of prey is intent on taking it down. When this happens, it’s a case of crossing your fingers and hoping the inevitable drone crash doesn’t result in your machine breaking into bits when it slams into the ground. Although it probably will.

Watch out for that tree!

Top tip:

Do a dry run with the camera pointing ahead to flag up potential obstacles. Like tall trees.

Drone’s are bringing so many new possibilities to a huge number of industries, with movie-making one such beneficiary. Indeed, indie filmmakers, especially, were quick to realize the amazing benefits of a camera-equipped drone, with dramatic aerial shots adding an extra layer of professionalism to their work at very little cost. A popular drone shot used by filmmakers comes from tilting the camera directly down to the ground while flying forward. That’s precisely the kind of shot this drone operator was hoping for, and the clip looks extremely professional until the moment where it looks extremely amateurish.

Sleeping with the fishes

Top tip:

Unless your drone is made for going under water, then take great care to keep it dry at all times.

Here’s some more fun with a high-speed racing drone, except that this time, instead of a parking lot, we’re hurtling over rocks and water. The stunts are dramatic, and the pilot has to respond quickly to the changing terrain. You’d think that whizzing over the flat surface of the sea would be the easy part, but the pilot comes in just a little too steep and low before the video suddenly turns into a serene exploration of the sea bed.

‘Til drone do you part

Top tip:

Check with the bride and groom first to see if they mind having a drone fly straight toward them at great speed.

Wedding photographers traditionally keep their camera firmly in their hands, and as far as this particular photographer is concerned, it really should’ve stayed that way. Just a few seconds into the video and the drone comes down to Earth with a bump, an early indication of the awful drone smash that’s about to occur. No, we don’t know if the groom still has all his own teeth.

Editors’ Recommendations

• DJI Mavic 2 Zoom review
• The best drones of 2018
• DJI Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom review
• DJI’s new Mavic drones are here, and they’re even better than we expected
• The Best DJI Spark Accessories

Kuo: Apple Watch Series 4 Pre-Orders Above Expectations, iPhone XS Seeing Lackluster Demand

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has issued a research note today, obtained by MacRumors, outlining his opinions about first-weekend pre-orders for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4.

Kuo says Apple Watch Series 4 pre-orders have been “better than expected,” as a result of new innovative functions, such as electrocardiogram support. He predicts Apple Watch shipments will reach 18 million units in 2018, with the Series 4 lineup accounting for 50 to 55 percent of those orders.

If the ECG support expands to more countries, Kuo believes the Series 4 lineup could see even stronger shipment momentum.

In contrast, Kuo says iPhone XS pre-orders are “lower-than-expected,” as customers opt for the iPhone XS Max or wait for the iPhone XR. Kuo has lowered his forecast for iPhone XS orders, believing the model will account for only 10 to 15 percent of shipments of the new 2018 iPhones, down from 15 to 20 percent.

Kuo says iPhone XS Max pre-orders have been in line with expectations, signifying the success of Apple’s high-pricing strategy:

There is strong Chinese demand thanks to the gold casing, dual-SIM, and large display. The XS Max average shipping time is shorter than the 2H17 iPhone X (1–2 weeks vs. 2–3 weeks), which we think is due to supply improvements. We maintain our forecasts that the XS Max will account for 25–30% of 2H18 new iPhone model shipments.

Kuo sees a positive outlook for the iPhone XR, available to pre-order October 19, given its lower pricing and dual-SIM support in China.

The well-known analyst increased his forecast for iPhone XR orders, estimating that the model will account for 55 to 60 percent of shipments of the new 2018 iPhones, up from 50 to 55 percent previously.

“We estimate the shipment peak of XS Max and XS will be in October and XR will start shipping and benefiting supply chain momentum in October,” said Kuo.

iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 pre-orders began Friday.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4, watchOS 5, iPhone XS, iPhone XRTags: Ming-Chi Kuo, TF International SecuritiesBuyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now), iPhone XR (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

Here’s why Trump will text you on Thursday

An illustration of how FEMA’s new text messages will appear.

On September 20, a majority of Americans will receive a text message with the header “Presidential Alert.” Thats right: the President of the U.S. wants to text you.

This message isn’t political pandering, or merely a chance to say hello, but rather a test of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) messaging system designed to warn people about disasters — and allow the president to quickly communicate with the American people in the event of emergencies.

The message itself will read, “THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System.” It is basically a mobile version of the same types of tests that are commonplace on TV and radio. It is not the first time that mobile networks have been used for similar messages. For example, Amber Alerts, which warn the public about a missing child, have been sent to cell phones for some time.

However, this is the first time that FEMA has tested its mobile system on the presidential level, and the organization’s website admits that it has some issues that it hopes this test will resolve before it is needed in a real emergency. Unlike other emergency alerts, there is no way to opt out of the presidential alerts. But the system is designed to be used sparingly, so it is unlikely we’ll see them too often.

One thing worth noting is the effort that FEMA has made to prepare the public for this test. In addition to the organization’s press release, the message itself will contain the words “THIS IS A TEST.” FEMA is likely hoping to avoid a repeat of the debacle surrounding Hawaii’s system test, which sent out a false alarm regarding an inbound missile.

While this particular test won’t make mention of any specific emergency, many people probably are not familiar with the presidential alert system, so the precautions are warranted.

Assuming your phone is on and your wireless provider is part of the wireless emergency alert system — more than 100 carriers are — you should see the message appear on your phone at around 2:18 p.m. ET on September 20, 2018. In the event of an actual emergency, FEMA said that it will postpone the test until October 3. As of publication, it has no plans to postpone the test.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Ring Spotlight Cam Solar review
• Tech Armor says its new screen protector improves iPhone performance. We tested it
• Need more juice? Here are the phones with the best battery life
• Alcatel 1X review
• Polk Command Bar Review

The best iPhone XS Max cases and covers

iPhone Xs Max Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

If you’re looking for the biggest iPhone on the block, then the iPhone XS Max is for you. With a 6.5-inch OLED screen, it has the largest display we’ve ever seen on an iPhone, with plenty of space for watching videos or looking at images taken with the amazing camera. With Apple’s new A12 Bionic processor, the XS Max has tons of power on the inside — but what about the outside?

The iPhone XS Max is an exceptionally beautiful device, in large part thanks to its design. Glass laid over a stainless steel frame makes for a jaw-dropping look — but glass can easily crack and shatter, putting an end to your phone’s beauty. The best way to keep your phone looking as gorgeous as the day you bought it is to add some protection with a case. But which case should you buy? There are a wide variety of protective cases available, from simple TPU gel cases to bulky rugged cases with full waterproofing.

We’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to. Here are the best iPhone XS Max cases to keep your phone protected.

Peel Super Thin Case ($25)

The new iPhone XS Max is a beautiful blend of glass over stainless steel, and we don’t blame you if you’re hesitant to cover it up. But even a little bit of protection can go a long way — and that’s where Peel’s super-thin cases come in. They’re exceptionally thin at just 0.35mm, and come in a variety of branding-free, minimalist colors. The clear option is completely transparent and thin enough that you’ll forget your phone is even wearing a case. Being so thin, Peel’s case is obviously not going to be as resistant to damage as larger cases, and you’ll likely find it’s only proof against more minor bumps and scratches, rather than large drops. But if it’s between this or going naked, Peel is a great choice.

Buy it now from:

Peel

Spigen Ultra Hybrid ($30)

Spigen’s name is well known for providing great smartphone protection and the Ultra Hybrid case is no different. It’s a hybrid of materials — hence the name — combining an absorbent TPU bumper with a hard and clear polycarbonate back panel to provide great protection against a variety of threats. The soft TPU gives an extra grippy surface for your fingers, while the transparent back panel gives a clear view of your phone — allowing you to show it off, while also keeping it protected. Each corner is equipped with an air cushion for extra protection against drops, and it has been treated to prevent yellowing over time. It’s a simple but effective option.

Buy it now from:

Spigen Amazon

Tech21 Evo Luxe ($55)

Looking for something a little bit different? Tech21’s Evo Luxe comes in a variety of styles, but we really like this Active Black option. It’s made from tough and flexible TPU, and uses a material known as FlexShock, which Tech21 claims is the “world’s most advanced impact protection material”, and can protect your phone from drops of up to 12 feet. The back panel also has a layer of fabric which should add to the case’s grip, and there’s a slightly raised edge to protect your iPhone XS Max’s large screen from damage. The Evo Luxe’s style is aimed at a sporty person, hence the bold colors — but we really like it regardless of athleticism. Though your personal taste may vary, this is still a great protective case for a variety of people.

Buy it now from:

Tech21

Hitcase Splash ($70)

The iPhone XS Max has a water-resistance rating of IP68, which should mean it’s capable of being immersed in water for up to an hour — but if you’re heading into a watery environment and you want to be sure your expensive phone will be fine, consider grabbing a waterproof case. The Hitcase Splash is on the expensive side for a protective case, but this fully enclosed case comes with its own IP68-rating to keep mud and water away from your device, while a combination of TPU and polycarbonate protects against drops and bumps. It’s fairly bulky, as this sort of protection often is — but there’s a clear window to your iPhone, and it’s not a bad looker for what it is. But boy, is it expensive. It’s also compatible with Hitcase’s range of camera lenses, making this a great overall utility case.

Buy it now from:

Hitcase

UAG Trooper Series ($45)

Sometimes protection just isn’t enough, and you want your phone case to do more than just shelter your super-powerful pocket computer. Enter UAG’s Trooper Series. As befits UAG’s great pedigree, the Trooper case is super protective, with an impact-resistant core and tough rugged outside that protects your phone from damage. But unclip the back and you’ll also find room to store some spare cash or credit cards for use on the go. This makes UAG’s Trooper series perfect for anyone who needs to travel light with their phone or just likes to carry extra cash in case of emergencies. It has a rugged look that’s not for everyone, but it’s otherwise a good utility option.

Buy it now from:

UAG

Nomad Rugged Case ($45)

Nothing screams “style” quite like leather, and if you’re wanting to wrap your iPhone XS Max in some serious style, then check out Nomad’s rugged case. It’s made from a variety of materials, but it starts with a tough polycarbonate shell that clips onto your iPhone and holds it tight. A TPU bumper is then bonded onto the edges of the polycarbonate, adding extra impact resistance. Finally, the case is wrapped in high-quality Horween leather that develops and ages over time to deliver a truly unique case. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re looking to make a statement with your choice of protection, then Nomad’s rugged case provides that, as well as giving good protection.

Buy it now from:

Nomad

Grovemade Walnut Case ($99)

On the other end of the case spectrum, you’ll find Grovemade’s hand-finished wooden cases. Crafted from walnut wood in Grovemade’s workshop in Portland, OR, each case has its own unique wood grain and hand-finishing. It’s slimmer than other wood cases, and rather than sliding into place, it’s attached to your phone with adhesive — which makes it a bad choice for anyone who likes to swap cases. Wood is also not the best protective material, and it won’t absorb impacts as well as other cases and can shatter. But if you’re in love with the simple wooden aesthetic of these cases and don’t mind paying top dollar for it, then this is a beautiful addition to your iPhone XS Max.

Buy it now from:

Grovemade

Speck Candyshell Grip ($30)

Look at a Speck case and you always know what you’re looking at — and the Candyshell Grip is the most distinctive of Speck’s already distinctive range. The Candyshell Grip’s eye-catching look comes from the use of a dual-layer construction that combines TPU and polycarbonate to create a case that Speck claims disperses shock extremely well. The stylish, raised ridges on the back of the case also add grip, while a raised bezel means the phone’s display stays elevated from surfaces. It’s been tested to meet military standards for drop testing, and it should keep your iPhone XS Max well protected.

Buy it now from:

Speck Amazon

Ted Baker Shannon Mirror Folio Case ($55)

Moving on to one of the more stylish options, and it’s from famed British luxury clothing retailer Ted Baker. It’s a beautiful luxury wallet case made from vegan leather with a gold-colored hard polycarbonate inner shell to hold your phone in place. The leather cover folds around the screen when not in use, protecting your display, and it magnetically holds the cover behind the case when in use. The real selling point here, though, is the deluxe mirror laid into the cover’s inner fold that ensures you’re always looking your best when you’re out and about with your phone. It’s certainly on the expensive side, but it’s a beautiful case with a style you’ll remember.

Buy it now from:

Proporta

Catalyst Impact Protection ($50)

Here’s another tough case with a ton of added utility. Catalyst’s Impact Protection case brings all the features you’d expect from a tough case, including drop resistance of up to three meters, a flexible TPU bumper, and a clear polycarbonate back panel. It also has a raised bezel to protect the screen, as well as a full seal for the back camera that helps to keep out dust and debris. There’s an attachment for a lanyard, so you can ensure you won’t be carelessly dropping your case, and there’s even a revolving switch for the iPhone’s mute switch. It’s also fairly slim, with a subtle rugged style. The downsides? It’s expensive for what it is.

Buy it now from:

Catalyst Amazon

Noreve Tradition D Wallet Case (from $50)

Leather wallet cases can be beautiful things, and they don’t get much more beautiful than Noreve’s highly customizable collection of wallet cases. No matter which case you pick, you’ll get Noreve’s usual high quality of materials and workmanship. But it’s the level of choice that’s the truly special element here. Buyers get to choose between ten different types of leather, from the vegan-friendly PU leather, to the luxuriously aged Patine leather. You’ll get the choice of a range of colors and the ability to add a belt clip. Recently, Noreve also added the ability to choose from a selection of paintings to add to your case too. If you want a very particular style of case, then Noreve is perfect. But be aware that those choices can add up, making your chosen case exceedingly expensive.

Buy it now from:

Noreve

Editors’ Recommendations

• The best iPhone XS cases
• iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR: How to buy Apple’s new phones
• Keep that flagship phone safe with the best iPhone X cases and covers
• The best iPhone 7 cases and covers
• The best iPhone 8 cases and covers

iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max Pre-Orders Now Preparing to Ship

The first iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max orders placed on the online Apple Store have shifted to “Preparing to Ship” ahead of an expected Friday, September 21 delivery date.

Many orders in both the United States and other countries have changed status and should be shipping out soon. Apple Watch Series 4 orders are not yet preparing to ship in the U.S., but that could change over the course of the next day or two.

Apple began accepting pre-orders for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max on Friday, September 14 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time. By the time a half hour had passed, many iPhone XS Max models had sold out and were no longer available for launch day delivery.

As of today, new iPhone XS Max orders will not ship out until October, but some models are still available for in-store pickup on September 21 in select stores. Retail stores are also expected to have supplies available for walk-in purchases on launch day.

Supplies of the smaller 5.8-inch iPhone XS are plentiful and that device remains available for Friday delivery.

After orders began shipping, Apple’s shipment status information may not be updated right away. Over the course of the next few days, some customers in the United States may be able to track their shipments using track by reference features on the UPS and FedEx websites.

Orders that have shifted to “Preparing for Shipment” can no longer be modified or canceled.

Related Roundup: iPhone XS
Discuss this article in our forums

Have We Become Over-Reliant on Internet Technology?

Internet technology has made a dramatic difference to our lives and to the world in general over the years. This technology has altered the way in which we do everything from our shopping habits and methods through to the way in which we work, enjoy entertainment, socialize with friends and family, and more. By and large, there is little doubt that internet technology has made a huge positive difference to our lives but there are also concerns that we have become over-reliant on internet technology.

These days, we use the internet on a daily basis for all sorts of purposes. Most people go online when they are at work as part of their duties while others spend time online during the day via their smartphones and tablets. When we get home, many of us log onto social media sites online or go online for other purposes. Many also go online to enjoy entertainment such as gaming or streaming movies and shows. We also go online to access specialist sites ranging from government websites, travel sites, and shopping sites through to niche sites such as Peoplefinders.

Moderating the time you spend online 

Naturally, in today’s digital age it is essential for most people to go online for one reason or another. This could be as part of their work or to do research for studies. Some people are self-employed and work solely online so there is no doubt that the internet is something that benefits most of us hugely. However, it is important to ensure you do not spend all of your time online as this is what many people these days do. This not only has an effect on health but also means that you lose touch with interpersonal interaction, which can essentially affect your social life.

While there is little that can be done about having to spend long periods of time online for work, you can control the time you spend online for leisure. There is, of course, nothing wrong with going online to enjoy entertainment, message or find friends, browse, and shop. However, it is also important to ensure you live life normally as well rather than spending all of your time online. With this in mind, it is a good idea to set time limits on the amount of time you go online each day other than the time you have to spend online for work or studies. If you have children, this is even more beneficial, as it will help to teach them good habits when it comes to internet usage.

By making sure you moderate the amount of time you spend online, you can strike a balance between your online and offline life far more easily. Many people these days feel uncomfortable when it comes to personal interaction and this is because they have been brought up living their lives online. Making a change and moderating your internet use means you can enjoy the benefits of the internet while also enjoying living your normal life.

Can a bracelet really let you control your dreams?

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We cover crowdfunding projects all the time at Digital Trends. Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo have given us outstanding products like the Formlabs 3D printer, Biolite campstove, and Onewheel electric skateboard thing.

But there’s no shortage of failed campaigns and outright scams that stem from these platforms as well. Triton Gills, a device that would supposedly allow users to breathe underwater, raised (and later returned) nearly $900,000 when backers realized it wouldn’t work as advertised. And then there was the bizarre campaign for Kobe beef jerky that raised a jaw-dropping $120,000 despite providing about as much product information as you’d find on the back of a Slim Jim. Luckily, Kickstarter itself stepped in to shut the campaign down.

With that in mind, a campaign for a wearable called the Instadreamer recently caught our attention. Like many tech products that emerge on crowdfunding platforms, Instadreamer is at once imaginative, intriguing, and somewhat suspect. The bracelet’s creators say their device will let you “take control of your dreams” by inducing vivid, lucid dreaming episodes. That’s a bold promise. But is the device less Inception and more deception? Let’s take a closer look.

Making (lucid) dreams a reality

Lucid dreaming is, in short, conscious dreaming. It’s knowing you’re dreaming when you’re dreaming, which may come with the added bonus of becoming the architect of the events and environments around you. The possibilities are endless, say lucid dreaming practitioners, limited only by your alarm clock.

Though lucid dreaming comes naturally to some, it’s known to be triggered and manipulated through habitual “reality checks” meant to help differentiate the real world from the dream world. That’s where the Instadreamer comes in.

“The most effective ways to create lucid dreams are to perform regular reality checks,” Jean Rausis, the Instadreamer’s inventor, tells Digital Trends. “Basically you have to make sure that you are in reality all day long, as much as possible. Hopefully that starts to become a habit, and as soon as it becomes a habit you start doing it in your dreams.”

There are a variety of reality checks to choose from, including checking the time on a clock (which should sporadically change in dreams) to checking your reflection in a mirror (which may appear distorted in the dream world).

“The most effective ways to create lucid dreams are to perform regular reality checks.”

Based on Pavlovian conditioning — the same kind that makes dogs slobber when they hear their food bowl rattle — Instadreamer serves as a sort of reminder designed to habituate these reality checks. The device vibrates at various times throughout the day, encouraging the wearer to perform a check. At night, the bracelet picks up on biometric signals, including a person’s pulse and temperature, to detect when they’re experiencing rapid eye movement (REM), the phase of sleep when dreams are most vivid. If the bracelet has sufficiently integrated itself into the wearer’s reality, its nighttime vibrations will put them into a state of conscious dreaming.

“Everyone knows how annoying and difficult it is to build a new habit,” Rausis says. “The difference with the Instadreamer is that it reminds you to reality check but also binds it with these vibrations, so you basically condition your brain to have an automatic response. Every time your wrist vibrates, you perform a reality check.”

Alarm bells ringing

Lucid dreams have been studied scientifically since the 60s. In the 80s, a psychophysiologist named Stephen LaBerge introduced a technique for induced lucid dreams that tracked eye movement to determine when someone was in REM and used a low tone or a red blinking light to signal to the sleeping participant that they were dreaming. Both the light and sound stimuli had a tendency to wake subjects up, according to Deirdre Barrett, a psychologist at Harvard Medical School who specializes in dream research, but also triggered lucidity at rates higher than chance.

For Barrett, the Instadreamer offers a compelling path towards lucid dreaming, but she’s not without her suspicions.

For one thing, Rausis and his team haven’t published study results indicating that the Instadreamer actually works: “I would assume if they already had data on the wrist REM detector working well and the vibration device getting a dreamer’s attention without awakening them, they’d say that.”

And while the bracelet breaks from previous stimuli like sound and red light, which had issues with awakening, it “also could prove to be worse yet than the sound stimulus worked in similar devices.

“It seems like an idea worth testing that might potentially increase lucid dreams,” she adds. “But the content of the pitch…is talking as if they’re sure it works and works better than other approaches, and I don’t see any evidence of that.”

Leap of faith

Rausis says he and his team ran trials on 19 people, 14 of whom reported lucid dreams within the first three nights of using Instadreamer. He acknowledges that these participants were prepped for the experience, and thus may have been more prone to lucid dreaming, but says the tips and tricks they were given to maximize their chances of lucidity will also be available to Instadreamer customers.

And while he can’t produce any data showing that the bracelet accurately detects REM sleep, Rausis is unfazed by the burden of proof.

“The pitch talks as if they’re sure it works and I don’t see any evidence of that.”

“What’s important for us is that it’s successfully inducing lucid dreams,” he says. “If it’s more or less accurate [at recognizing REM] than a given smartwatch…I don’t really care.”

Despite the lack of published evidence, Instadreamer has had a successful Kickstarter campaign, raising nearly $112,500 from more than 550 backers. Individual Instadreamers were available for around $200 and will retail for about $240. After the campaign, Rausis and his team will now take the device to Indeigogo Indemand with the goal to deliver a finished product early in 2019.

Backers take a leap of faith every time they pledge to a crowdfunding campaign. Sure, there are ways to limit your exposure — for example, by following our five-step checklist to avoid getting burned — but there’s also something to be said about putting your money behind a compelling idea, whether there’s a wealth of evidence to support the product of not.

What you do with your money is, of course, up to you, your family, and maybe the IRS — but we’d personally wait before shelling out a couple hundred dollars on the Instadreamer. If the product works as promised, a bunch of raving reviews should support its claims after its launch.

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Using Google services on a Chromebox vs. Samsung DeX

The best thing about Google’s services is they truly work anywhere. I don’t have to use a specific operating system — or even a specific web browser. If I have an Internet connection, I can get to my documents and be productive. This extend to my phone’s screen — typing on a six-inch phone takes longer than it does on a proper laptop, but it’s better than nothing.

Samsung’s DeX mode is a great way to have a desktop with you wherever you go, with nothing more than an HDMI cable. Desktop modes have been done on other smartphones, but Samsung’s is seeing more traction simply because Samsung outsells almost every other smartphone manufacturer. And if you use Google Drive, Docs, and other productivity services, they work perfectly on your big screen with DeX.

Chromebooks and Chromeboxes are also a compelling option if you’re all in on Google services: after all, it’s just like running the Chrome browser on other operating systems. They experience is the exact same as it would be on a Windows or macOS computer, so it makes being productive that much easier than a smartphone app on DeX.

What Chromeboxes do better

Once you factor in the cost of the DeX hub, a monitor, keyboard and mouse, getting a desktop computer isn’t that much more expensive if you just a basic system for browsing the web and writing documents. Sure, if you’re already buying a Galaxy smartphone DeX comes included, but Asus’s latest Chromebox starts at only $230. Refurbished and older models may be even cheaper, but that’s a great price for a full computer.

Asus Chromebox 3 at Amazon

And being a full computer is the main difference here. Most apps used in DeX still look like they’re sized for your smartphone display, though some do let you expand the application window to fill the whole monitor. But at the end of the day, this is still a smartphone app, and whatever limitations the app has on the small screen come over the large one.

In practical terms, this means you can only have one Google Doc open at a time, even if there’s plenty of room on your monitor for multiple documents. Same goes for presentations in Google Slides or spreadsheets in Google Sheets. The app thinks it’s running on a smartphone — because it is — and you get the smartphone experience.

The same happens when you try to use a web browser in DeX. The Chrome browser doesn’t offer any add-ons or plugins, since this isn’t the desktop version of Chrome. You also have much more limited control over how you place different tabs and windows, since the phone app wasn’t designed for that.

A Chromebox is a desktop, so the OS and websites behave just like they would on any other desktop. You can grab a tab and move it to its own window. You can pin a window to one side of the screen. You can run an ad-blocker or other extensions from the Chrome Web Store. And if you buy a newer Chromebox, you can also use nearly every Android app from the Google Play Store.

Juggling multiple documents is the key difference here. I regularly have more than two Docs open when I’m working: one working document and one template or style guide. Doing that on DeX means going back and forth between the documents, which eats up a lot of time and attention. Simply put, if your living depends on getting document, slides or spreadsheets written, a Chromebox or Chromebook is well worth the investment over DeX.

What DeX does better

Despite the downsides, DeX does have some merits. A monitor and HDMI cable are less investment than a monitor, HDMI cable, keyboard, mouse and desktop. And if you’re a company that already purchases Galaxies to issues to employees, having a couple DeX stations is less expensive than having a Chromebox in those same cubicles.

Connectivity is another key point. I went without Internet for a couple days because I was moving, and while it wouldn’t have been hard to tether my desktop or Chromebook to my phone’s connection, using DeX meant I didn’t have to worry about background processes on those other devices eating up more of my monthly data allotment. This is definitely niche — it didn’t even occur to me until the move happened. But it’s nice to have that option in case of emergencies.

If you already work from your phone — or your workflow isn’t hampered with the limitations of mobile apps — using DeX is a great way to be more productive.

Which is better for you?

Can you be productive with DeX, or do you need a full desktop interface? Let us know down below!

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How to run a free background check

Everyone has skeletons in the closet. Whether it’s Facebook photos of underage drinking in college or the complete criminal record of your sister’s new boyfriend, the internet is a treasure trove of background information. And while there are many fee-based services, it’s possible to learn quite a bit about someone from public records or through content found on online social networks.

While your initial impulse might be to run a check on somebody else, perhaps you should scan your own background first. The information you find could be preventing you from landing a good job or even buying a car or home. You’ll be able to check your credit report and insurance information for inaccuracies. You’ll also see what potential landlords, employers, or anyone else can find out about you if they decide to do a little detective work of their own.

Either way, here’s how to run a comprehensive background check with dropping a dime.

Using search engines

The first place you should start is a web search. Google can easily pull up a ton of information, assuming you know your target’s name or any relevant information pertaining to him or her. The results can function as a starting point from which to branch out.

Isolate search terms by putting the name in quotation marks in the search bar. Searching “John Smith” will yield the first and last name in that order and filter out any results that don’t match your exact specifications. Keep in mind that searching for a person’s name will bring up results for anyone with that name, so use additional terms to limit your results, such as a city of residence, a job, or any education info you know. The more specific the search terms, the more relevant your search will be.

Using social networks

Social networks offer an entirely different breed of data. While search engines may find information someone else published online about your target, social networks provide content that is controlled and voluntarily shared by the user. They may not always offer the most concrete information, but they can provide insight on your target nonetheless. Here are the basic places to start.

Facebook

Facebook is your best bet when it comes to digging up dirt. If a given profile is public, you can search for it by name and affiliated email address, and further home in using your target’s location, education, and workplace. If a Facebook profile is set to private, however, it will not appear in search results. Varying levels of privacy for different Facebook features means that some information may be public while some will be hidden.

If you’re frustrated by Facebook’s search interface, you can also use Google to search within Facebook’s web domain. Typing “site:Facebook.com ‘John Smith’“ will pull up content from John Smith across Facebook, even from private profiles if they’ve posted to a public Facebook group.

LinkedIn

Boasting around 450 million users and counting, LinkedIn is a fantastic source for professional networking and background checks, assuming users provide accurate information about themselves. In terms of a background check, this will only help you learn about your target’s work history — it won’t provide much in the way of personal information since that’s rarely how people use LinkedIn.

Twitter

Twitter is not quite as refined as some of the other social networking sites when it comes to revealing background information, but it’s potentially useful all the same. You can search by username or tweets, but the site lacks the more in-depth filtering mechanisms that make Facebook a standout. Twitter is also generally more useful for discovering your target’s personal tastes and interests as opposed to the basics, such as his or her contact information. Again, using the domain search option in Google as we previously suggested for Facebook could help you to uncover some useful information.

Instagram

Instagram is the place to look at someone’s life through photos. If you type in their name to the search engine you will be able to find their profile. If the profile is public you’re in, but if it’s private there isn’t much more you can learn from the person. In a public profile, you can look at their photos and photos that they are tagged in. You can also see who they follow and who follows them. It doesn’t give too much actual information, but you can definitely infer things from what you are seeing in their pictures.

Discovering contact information

Profile pictures — especially those in which someone holds their camera up to a mirror and snaps a picture — may abound, but they likely aren’t what you’re looking for. Sometimes a simple phone number or street address is a more helpful data point. These websites are definitely worth a look, even if they do sometimes have a price tag associated with them.

Pipl

We’re not going to lie, this service can get a little creepy. It can dig up what streets you’ve lived on for most of your life, the high school you attended, your job, your social media accounts, and quite a bit more, all for free. The site also presents a Google-like list of links to articles or pages that might relate to you, along with pictures of you from other sites that you didn’t even realize were on the internet.

WhitePages

When it comes to contact information, the official White Pages website is hit-or-miss. The site gives you the option to search listed people by name, address, or phone number, but the information is often out-of-date or requires a minimal fee to view through an associated website like Spokeo. You also can’t view financial background, work history, and the like without paying a fee. You can view their address, around what age they are, and close relatives.

ZabaSearch

Similar to WhitePages, ZabaSearch offers a fairly good index of people. View address history, relatives, past and present places of work, and schools attended. ZabaSearch might be a good alternative if WhitePages doesn’t have the person you’re looking for.

Family Tree Now

Though this website is made for creating family trees, the free information that they offer can give you an insight into the person you are researching. The site offers billions of historical records including census records, birth records, death records, marriage and divorce records, living people records, and military records. They also show current and past addresses, phone numbers, and possible relatives. If you are looking for a person’s contact information, this is the place to go.

Using criminal databases

Criminal background searches are often some of the most revealing and most warranted. You may not care about the financial background of a middle-school janitor, but you probably do care about his criminal background. The same goes for that babysitter you just hired for the weekends and that electrician working in your home. Thankfully, CriminalSearches allows you to perform criminal background checks online.

The service may cost you a bit of money to view the results, but it’s easy to navigate and allows you to look up criminal offenders by name, location, age, birthdate, and an assortment of other metrics. It’s also fairly extensive, outlining everything from violent crimes and sex-related offensives to behavioral issues and minor traffic violations.

Family Watch Dog

Family Watch Dog is a free website that helps located registered sex offenders in your area. You can type in your address, city/state, or zip code and the site will pull up a map of the nearby offenders. The website gives information about the offender including their basic information, addresses, charges, markings, and aliases.

Using public records

Needless to say, the internet has made access to public records a lot easier. While some information is still kept confidential for one reason or another, there are many organizations and government websites that compile and make public records readily available.

SearchSystems

Searchsystems.net serves as an impressive and reliable starting point if you’re looking for background information in the realm of national or international public records. With access to more than 55,000 public records databases, the site allows you to search for different types of public information, such as birth and campaign finance records, before directing you to the appropriate website that contains the records. The site is free and easy to use but merely serves as a gateway to other public records sites.

NETROnline

NETROnline.com is more difficult to navigate than SearchSystems, but provides a bit more control when it comes to obtaining public records. The site serves as a direct portal to official county and state record databases and even carries out criminal background checks for a small fee.

Viewing financial history

We all know your credit can make or break your financial desires. Most credit report websites offer reports for a small fee, or even free depending on your situation.

Innovis

Innovis is one of the more trustworthy credit report sites. And it offers one free credit report per year if you meet certain requirements. Otherwise, the cost to view the report varies between $3 and $11.50 depending on where you live.

Annual Credit Report

You are legally entitled to receive one free credit report every 12 months from each of the large, nationwide consumer reporting companies, including TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax — though maybe you should avoid this. Some people are even entitled to more if they qualify under state law.

Looking up web domains or IP addresses

It’s easier than you might think to figure out who owns a domain because the bulk domain registration data is publicly available — you guessed it — online. Whether you’re trying to purchase a domain name from someone else or simply trying to satisfy your own curiosity, there is a website to make your job easier.

Domaintools Whois (as well as every major registrar) allows you to type in a domain name or IP address in the search bar and find out who owns that domain. What’s nice about this service is that in the search results for any particular domain, Domaintools will also help you figure out what other domains a particular person or organization might be associated with. Keep in mind that some domain information is private — after all, some hosting companies offer this service to their customers — so you may not be able to see all domain facets, and might be presented with contact info for a third-party intermediary.

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