AI Is Here: Top Cool AI-Powered Apps & Websites You Can Use Now

Artificial intelligence is now a part of our world. Self-driving cars and smart homes are being manufactured nationwide, making automated devices a reality for consumers. Alongside physical devices, AI technology has been utilized for websites, software, and applications. Here are some of the coolest, innovative apps and websites that use automated tech. 

Craiyon 

Craiyon, formally known as Dall-e Mini, is one of the most well-known AI-powered websites on the internet. When it was first released, it took social media platforms by storm, issuing the start of this year’s artificial technology takeover. 

Craiyon is a basic AI image generator. A user can type in whatever comes to mind into the search function, and new images will appear in seconds. These images are AI depictions of the user text responses, utilizing high-grade Google TRC tech. Though the pictures created aren’t always perfect, Craiyon showcases what AI technology can produce and the potential for these services to grow. 

ELSA Speak

Language-learning software has been advancing since its creation. From Rosetta Stone to Duolingo, there have been tremendous upgrades in learning languages more efficiently. Now, ELSA Speak provides an AI-supported experience to further users’ multilingualism. 

The app uses an artificial speaking coach to guide the user through various lessons. With the help of voice recognition technology, the application will be able to analyze your accent and see how well your pronunciation is. Elsa SPEAKS uses an innovative color-coded system of red, yellow, and green to show the speaker how close their pronounced words are to the correct version. ELSA Speak only offers English lessons currently but will hopefully expand its roster in the future.   

Hopper 

AI is being implemented in various industries to provide better customer support. Hopper focuses on the travel industry to estimate accurate hotel and flight costs ahead of time. 

Using artificial technology, Hopper can predict hotel and airline prices up to a year before a person’s trip. The app takes a user’s flight information and releases relevant content about travel flares, the time when costs could fluctuate during the year, and more economical flight dates. The predictive analysis that Hopper uses is unlike any travel sight, having the ability to anticipate travel cost inflation years in advance. 

Socratic   

It’s about time that AI started being used in the educational sector. Socratic is a new education app that uses artificial services to help kids with homework. 

Socratic is like having a personal, robot tutor for any kid struggling with their classes. With the app, kids can take photos of their homework and upload them to the app. Then, Socratic will generate concepts, tools, and examples of the assignment to aid the child in finding the answers. The app uses text and speech recognition to provide comprehensive help in science, math, history, geography, and more. 

Thing Translator

AI’s most useful nature in modern society is its ability to recognize and interpret images. With Thing Translator, this website can take a photo of an object, process the image, and provide the user with the object’s name in various languages. 

With Thing Translator, understanding different languages is easier than ever. Especially if you’re in a foreign country and need a quick translation, this website can take any object in your vicinity, identify the object present, and provide you with the correct linguistic interpretation. 

Thing Translator is a Google-powered experiment and works on computers and smartphones. The website can’t translate every language yet, but the most popular worldwide languages are available. 

AI is being employed in more websites and apps than people genuinely realize. With text and speech recognition in such an advanced position, companies are increasingly investing in this technology for better fast-paced, predictive services.   

When to Update Your Aging Technology: Computer & Smart Phone

Nowadays, everyone has a smartphone or a high-tech computer. Buying new technology can feel relieving, especially if your prior device didn’t have the imperative updates. But, it’s hard to figure out when purchasing a new device is advantageous or if a tech company is simply trying to get its consumer base to buy more unnecessary products. 

Since companies like Apple and Microsoft are consistently churning out innovative tech, it’s easy to get carried away by purchasing the newest, exciting product. Here are some ways to determine if updating your smartphone or computer is the right financial move.   

Security Reasons 

Experts suggest that users upgrade their phones after two or three years. But what if your smartphone has been working consistently for over five, six, or seven years? Though it might work efficiently enough, new virtual vulnerabilities arise every year, which leaves old phones susceptible. 

Engineers at companies like Apple will update the computer and phone software monthly to ensure technical bugs are eradicated, and the best possible privacy settings are available. Though updating your device can eliminate the threat of the most recent security issues, this is not always the case. If you can afford it, consider replacing your device after three years. Since newer devices have updated software and built-in privacy settings, they’ll provide a safer experience for the user.  

Slow Operation 

You’ve noticed years after purchasing your phone or laptop that it’s running less efficiently. After years of usage, your device accumulates images, data, songs, photos, and other files that pile up and slow down the software. Excessive data storage can be a significant reason for a phone’s frustrating delay. 

Another reason your tech might not be properly working may be an upgrade’s opposition to older hardware. If you’ve been consistently updating your software on your phone or laptop, the newer versions might not be compatible with old hardware. The latest upgrades are intended to be used with new phones and computers, which may be too difficult for the older tech to process. 

If the software updates aren’t helping your device operate more smoothly, then this might be time for you to get a physical upgrade. 

Reduced Battery Life 

Battery life is one of the trickiest issues with phone and computer upgrades. When your phone battery is depleting quicker than usual, there aren’t many solutions to reverse the effect. 

Most smartphones have lithium-ion batteries included in the hardware. Over time, the battery’s chemical components eventually degrade, affecting the phone’s efficiency. After 200 or 300 charges, a smartphone can lose up to a fifth of its ability to maintain a regular charge.

If this occurs in your phone, it’s the right time to ditch the old device and purchase an upgrade. 

Apps Continue to Crash 

Sometimes, opening apps will be difficult and glitchy on your phone or computer. Some troubleshooting will usually fix this problem, like a quick restart. If the downloaded apps in question are still glitchy, there may be a more significant problem. 

Apps may shut down before opening because they’re too complex for your device’s current RAM or CPU. If updating your software doesn’t help the problem, then that’s probably an indication that you’ll need to upgrade your device entirely. 

Purchasing New Devices

Buying brand-new phones and computers is a wish that’s easier said than done. With inflation at record-high rates, it’s not easy for the average individual to drop $1,000 or more on updated tech. Luckily, Black Friday is on the horizon, making this fall the perfect time to plan for what devices you’ll need to purchase. 

Every year after CES, the annual tech trade show, companies that displayed new inventions at the convention move their older models out of warehouses and into retailers. Giant retailers like Amazon and Best Buy will have these models for discounted prices. Check out these stores in the upcoming months to see if they have the device you’ll need to upgrade to. 

If you have an Apple product and don’t want to pay for a completely new device, there’s one more troubleshooting technique you can apply before giving up. iOS 16, Apple’s upcoming innovative software, will be released in mid-September. The iOS will help remove bugs and improve your old device’s privacy settings. If this helps enhance your phone or laptop’s efficiency, then you might be able to survive having an outdated device for another year or two.   

5 Ways to Protect Your Privacy & Security Online

Privacy and security while using the internet are a high priority for most. With companies like Facebook who’ve been caught selling private user data, ensuring that your information is adequately encrypted is critical. If you want to work and shop online while protecting your identity, here are some of the best tactics to ensure your safety. 

Share Fewer Details Online 

Sharing fewer details online might seem like an easier-said-than-done tactic, but committing to share fewer personal details could lessen your chances of enduring a frightening data breach. Especially on social media platforms, being aware of how much personal information you include could keep your livelihood and data safer. 

With many online platforms, they’ll ask for optional information from you to complete data profiles. Adding your middle name or phone number might not be necessary for specific social media sites, so it’s essential to opt out when you can. Another great way to limit data breaches is to implement privacy settings on your accounts and profiles. If you share intimate, personal details or photos on sites like Instagram and Facebook, it’s best to limit who has access to that information. 

Create A Secondary Email

It’s standard for streaming services or online shopping websites to require an email to continue your transactions. But as time goes on, these sign-ups can add up, creating an influx of unwanted emails from retailers and e-commerce sites you don’t need. Creating a throw-away email can not only help separate work or important messages from junk, but it can also protect your personal information. 

A nefarious activity common on the web is third-party retailers buying email and phone number lists for targeted advertising. These lists can also end up in the wrong hands, leading to a hack or a data breach. An external email address not connected to personal online accounts could help keep your personal information private and unphased. 

Strong Passwords and Two-Step Authentication

We’ve come a long way from simply using our mother’s maiden name as a secure password. With experienced hackers accumulating daily on the internet, it’s imperative to have solid, convoluted passwords to ward off bad actors. 

A strange combination of letters, numbers, and symbols for strong passwords nowadays will help create an impressive barrier to identity theft or information breaches. Make sure you write down passwords off the internet to have a safe place to reference in case you forget. 

An additional protection measure many websites are taking is two-step verification. After putting in your password, a website might prompt you to enter a randomized code sent to your phone or email. This way, websites can ensure that you are the valid owner of the account being entered. It also helps deter hackers since they won’t have access to your phone or email quickly enough to receive the verification code.    

Delete Apps

Are there apps on your phone that you’re not using anymore? Unfortunately, many dormant phone apps could leave your personal information vulnerable. 

The best way to limit the chance of an information breach is to delete all unused apps on your iPhone or Android. Since many phone applications rely on user data, hackers often target that technology to obtain private information. It’s also important to purge your computer of unnecessary applications as well. Recently, eight different Firefox and Chrome extensions were found guilty of tracking activity outside their respective sites. This makes the need to remove all unwanted extensions and applications all the more imperative. 

Install a VPN     

Installing a secure VPN is the final step in keeping your personal information as safe as possible. A VPN obscures your IP address and encrypts your data, allowing you to move through the internet in a relatively untraceable manner. If you have to use public WiFi at a coffee shop or restaurant, installing a VPN can stop hackers from infiltrating your computer when connected to an open network. 

When using your computer, your ISP (internet service provider) records your online actions like browsing history and private information. Obscuring this information can lower the possibility of a bad actor collecting personal data through an unprotected device.  

Outlining the prevalence of data breaches shouldn’t deter you from using the internet. Instead, implement these privacy and security techniques to use caution when browsing the internet. These five strategies for online privacy can help you prevent hackers and protect your personal information. 

5 Best Coffee Shops in Milwaukee With Free WiFi

Coffee shops are the perfect place to sit, relax, and get some work done. Artisan cafés have become quite popular over the last decade, with each individual shop attempting to one-up their competitors. 

Milwaukee is a midwestern city full of quaint cafés with tastefully roasted coffee. Here are some of the best coffee shops in the area that include free WiFi. 

Colectivo Coffee 

You’re probably familiar with this coffee franchise if you live in the midwest. Colectivo got its start in Milwaukee and has spread its cafés to many neighborhoods in Chicago. 

Colectivo’s Prospect location is one of the Milwaukee destinations that locals go to get their work completed. Its intimate hanging light fixtures, long, library-style tables, and cozy aesthetic is perfect for focusing on essential tasks. Formerly an auto parts store, it’s got an excellent warehouse vibe that feels open and comfortable simultaneously. 

If you’re feeling energized by the end of the day, the shop opens up to the Colectivo Back Room, transforming its former roastery into a sizeable venue. Find out more about the Colectivo Prospect location here: https://colectivocoffee.com/cafes/prospect-the-back-room 

Anodyne Coffee Company

Located in Milwaukee’s hip Bay View neighborhood, Anodyne has been operating and roasting since 1999. 

The coffee shop prides itself on making small-batch, locally roasted coffee for a delicious cup every pour. The store sells more than coffee, though. It switches to a luxurious eatery at night, selling artisan pizzas and craft beer. There’s ample room to sit and do your work at the bar or at the elongated, wooden tables in the shop’s center. 

Anodyne has an extremely midwestern aesthetic with its cabin-style design and ambiance. Stop by the store to answer your emails and enjoy excellent coffee or beer. https://anodynecoffee.com/pages/bay-view 

Valentine Coffee Roasters    

This coffee company has stores in three different locations in Milwaukee: the Historic Third Ward, Washington Heights, and Oak Creek. The newest shop in the Third Ward elevates its aesthetic by adding a modern twist, with sleek grey-and-blue tables and industrial light fixtures. 

Valentine has been a local favorite for quite some time, mainly due to the owners’ extensive restaurant experience. Robb Kashevarof and Joe Gilsdorf have more than a decade of restaurant knowledge, which is reflected in their menu’s breakfast items, soups, and salads. 

If you need a place in Milwaukee to set up shop for a while, Valentine is the perfect spot to do so. Check out more about Valentine’s background, stores, and coffee roasting here: https://www.valentinecoffeeco.com/ 

Stone Creek Coffee

Founded in 1993 by Wisconsin-born Erich Resch, Stone Creek has a familiar and cozy coffee environment and crafts exceptional drinks. 

Stone Creek’s newest addition to its cafés, the Stone Creek Factory, operates as a roastery, coffee training facility, and store all in one. There are two humungous seating areas in the shop, one near the barista station and another surrounding a lovely fireplace. The Stone Creek Factory prides itself on utilizing recycled materials for its interior, like its wide wooden tables and industrial beams. 

Stop by one of Stone Creek’s nine locations for a productive work day and a lovely cup of joe. https://www.stonecreekcoffee.com/cafes/ 

Rochambo Coffee & Tea House

Rochambo is an unconventional Milwaukee spot open for more than 25 years. Located on the city’s east side, the store focuses on sustainability and ethically sourced products. 

 If you pull up to this coffee house, you might be fooled by its residential aesthetic. But this colorful green-and-purple Victorian home is the Rochambo location, ensuring the customers get a snug, midwestern feel when entering the mid-century duplex. There’s plenty of seating to spread out and get your work started, with bartop tables near the barista counter and more available on the second floor. 

If quirky is more your style, then Rochambo is the epitome of eccentric coffee houses. Stop by this longstanding location for uninterrupted work accompanied by your favorite tea. https://www.rochambo.com/ 

Milwaukee may not be the premier midwestern city for tourists, but it’s got plenty to offer. Each neighborhood is crammed with comforting, state-of-the-art cafés for all to enjoy. If you’re looking for a delicious cup of coffee or need a spot to respond to your emails, these five cafés are a great place to start.

5 Things to Consider When Setting Up Event WiFi

Inside your home, it’s crucial to have WiFi. But when traversing the world outside, it’s not always expected that every building you enter will have accessible high-speed internet. As more coffee shops, restaurants, and stores integrate free WiFi, it becomes more expected for business owners to provide this luxury.

Many of the general public’s feelings about restaurants and businesses providing free WiFi are the same expectation for conventions and public events. With 84 million smartphone users in the US, having available internet is a necessity for attendees. Here are some things to consider when setting up WiFi for your function.

Budget your WiFi

Hosting an event can be for ten people or it can be for ten thousand. The first thing to consider when hosting a public function is how many attendees will likely come to the function. More WiFi power will require a more expensive package, depending on how many people RSVP and how large the space is.

An abundance of attendees means ensuring high-speed internet reaches every cellular device without interruption. This will be more costly for planning since more funds will go to WiFi extenders and upgraded internet packages. Make sure your budget can handle a massive investment in WiFi, or you might have to charge your guests who use the event’s internet.

WiFi Usage

Though having available cellular service for event attendees is excellent, many use their smartphones for other reasons. People could log on to social media, snap a quick picture at a function, or access a data-heavy presentation. Figuring out how your attendees will use their phones during the event will help you pick out the perfect WiFi package.

If your event is for a training seminar or is interactive, attendees would be using their laptops or phones simultaneously. Everyone connected to the WiFi at the same time could dampen the connection. If your event is likely to have this kind of internet traffic, ensuring you’re purchasing a quality high-speed package is imperative.

WiFi Can Help Engagement and Advertisement

Providing free WiFi to a room of a thousand people is a high expense. Though your team might have to budget a hefty amount for the best WiFi package, the ROI, or return on investment, can be highly profitable.

If your event has anything to do with your business or your product, then having free, uninterrupted WiFi is an absolute must. With smartphone users sporting many social media apps, attendees posting about your event is instantaneous free advertising. Mainly if your function revolves around a product, it’s necessary to provide efficient WiFi. If attendees consistently post about your product on social media, your return on investment might be substantial due to the free public outreach.

Research Internet Providers

Though it may seem counterintuitive, some of the biggest names of internet providers might be the wrong fit for a significant function. Do your research online about which WiFi service could give your event the best results based on your event space and number of attendees.

Most large companies focus on working with home and apartment-style modems. These modems only need to work for one or two floors and in relatively small square footage. Another issue with large internet providers is their support policies, where technicians are penalized for fixing an issue too slowly, potentially making the technicians rush the job.

Working with smaller, local internet providers could be better if you have trouble with setting up your WiFi connection. Research the internet company to see their support policies before making a final purchase.

Pick the Perfect Bandwidth

Bandwith is something all internet users have heard but might not be able to define. Bandwidth means the maximum of data transferred with a particular internet connection. Having a lower bandwidth usually means cheaper since the internet connection cannot withstand massive data.

For most events with many guests, looking into dedicated bandwidth might be a good option. Dedicated bandwidth operates through one user instead of stretching out the internet connection to many participants through broadband. This option can help with latency issues but needs fiber optic cables in the event’s building to work correctly. If your event space does not have fiber optic cables, purchasing point-to-point antennas is your next best option.

Providing free internet is something everyone wants nowadays. Various factors play into what type of WiFi you’ll need for optimal success for an event. These tips will help anyone attempting to set up free, efficient WiFi for an event or function.

5 Ways High Speed Internet Can Improve Your Business

Internet is a valuable, imperative part of our lives and our workspaces. Without functioning internet, most tasks would be excruciating to fulfill. With technology only advancing in our favor, rapid-speed, efficient internet is highly accessible and relatively inexpensive. Here are five ways high-speed internet can improve your life and your business. 

High-Speed Is More Affordable  

Because high-speed internet is marketed as better, the preconceived notion might be that it’s much more expensive. But that’s not the case; though the initial price might be steeper than a standard package, paying for quicker internet services won’t be too much of a cost jump. 

Most high-speed internet providers will have a service called VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). What this service allows you to do is to connect telephone line services to your internet provider. If you work in a business with many different phones and extensions in the workplace, combining these two services could save you exorbitant amounts of money.  

VOIP is compatible with your company’s handsets, headsets, laptops, and other communication devices. Having a two-in-one service will yield better financial results for a business that operates with many employees. 

Privacy  

In this day and age, cybersecurity is an absolute necessity. With major companies like Facebook revealing that they’ve sold users’ information for profit, protecting personal data has become urgent. Purchasing high-speed internet for your company will usually come with better, more secure data protection.    

Paying a little extra for better internet efficiency often comes with superior privacy technology. Preventing security threats is a top priority for any business, so making sure you purchase a high-speed internet package will be in everyone’s best interests. 

Slow internet could also lead to a preventable breach. Inefficient internet allows for more pauses between data transfers, which is the perfect time for a hacker to attack. Faster data transfers between employees will help prevent potential data interferences and keep your business running smoothly. 

Communication 

If you have many employees under you or just a few coworkers you interact with, uninterrupted communication is critical. High-speed internet aids in better collaboration and more productivity overall. 

Amid this pandemic, many offices transitioned to a work-from-home policy. Working remotely is now more common than ever, making fast, reliable internet essential for timely communication. Implementing high-speed internet will help keep everyone up-to-date with tasks, no matter where each collaborator is stationed. 

Stronger Signal 

For those who have returned to the office, reliable internet needs to be accessible from anywhere in the workplace. High-speed internet is more capable of spanning longer distances, ensuring that every office can access the signal they need. 

As a workspace grows, more employees will need their own spaces. Adding more cubicles or expanding the physical business can weaken a router’s signal. The farther someone is from the router, the more potential for interference. Having high-speed internet for your office will help feed stronger WiFI signals to the entire workspace. 

Reducing Stress 

Work is already stressful. Supplying efficient, reliable internet is the least an employer can do to keep everyone happy and productive. 

Everyone has experienced the moment of pure agony when the WiFi signal goes out during an important project or task. These types of situations are inevitable, but there are definite ways to diminish the possibility of office-wide internet problems. Getting high-speed internet won’t only be cost-efficient in the long run, but it will lead to a less-stressed workplace. If receiving a solid signal is no longer a worry, everyone will be able to do their work productively without added stress from the internet lagging. 

Any modern business has internet provided. But, picking out the right bundle is where many workplaces falter. Cutting costs on a standard package will often lead a company to more stressed employees, possible data breaches, and frustrating WiFi outages. High-speed internet will improve your business entirely, from more jubilant workers to clearer office communication.

6 Best Video Conferencing Software Providers for 2022

Since the beginning of the pandemic, video conferencing has been an integral part of our lives. Whether it’s catching up with friends or discussing projects with coworkers, video-chat software has aided all of us. In 2022, here are the best video software to stay connected. 

Zoom

What video-chatting list would be complete without Zoom? The program that’s become synonymous with video conferencing altogether, Zoom rose to prominence in 2020. 

The free option is helpful for its reliability and its capacity to host many people at a time. Up to 100 people can join one Zoom session, making it the perfect software for offices and schools. Sending files, gifs, and photos is easy and at no additional price, helping everyone stay as connected as possible. 

Download Zoom on your computers here: https://zoom.us/ 

WebEx Meetings 

WebEx Meetings is a popular video conferencing software for businesses. WebEx Meetings is reliable, adaptable, and has many additional office bonuses. 

WebEx Meetings is excellent for the workplace for background noise removal, smaller virtual breakout rooms, and customizable layouts. Realtime language translations are included in the program, ensuring cross-nation communication is productive and straightforward. Automatic transcriptions, highlights, and notetaking are available for hosts and guests, allowing for more dynamic collaboration. 

More about WebEx Meetings can be found on their website: https://www.webex.com/

BlueJeans Meetings  

Another video conferencing software specific for the office is BlueJeans Meetings. Like WebEx Meetings, BlueJeans incorporates laptops, phones, and room systems into one meeting. 

Users have highly favored its extreme reliability, with almost zero delay time between callers. With many tools to collaborate, BlueJeans is one of the most successful office web conferencing software on the market. 

The standard price is $9.99 a month, with the most expensive package only $16.66 per month: https://www.bluejeans.com/products/meetings 

Google Workspace 

Google Workspace is the best software for sharing and viewing Google-related documents. Seamlessly integrating Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, and Slides, collaborating with your friends or coworkers is easier than ever.     

The user-friendly design makes it a great video conferencing program for beginners. Especially when most people have experience with Google interfaces, this software makes it a go-to for many companies. It also can incorporate Google Drive into the conferences, allowing everyone to interact and discuss documents together. 

Find out More about Google Workspace here: https://workspace.google.com/pricing.html 

GoTo Meeting

With a 99.9% uptime, GoTo Meeting also regards itself as one of the most reliable video conferencing programs. 

While most of these programs are downloadable, GoTo operates on the website. It’s easy to use since anyone can join and invite a guest as well. Video conferences can include up to 250 members, perfect for large companies. The clarity with both audio and video makes GoTo an impeccable software for socializing or corporate meetings. 

There’s a 14-day trial, with the standard plan starting at $12 a month. 

DialPad 

Used as a socializing application, this program has HD video software for vibrant,  face-to-face chatting. 

With DialPad, you can start video chats from a web browser without downloading pesky. There’s also an application for phones if you need to take video conferencing on the go. It includes in-meeting chatting, screen sharing, and unlimited calls for entirely free software. 

Get DialPad for free to experience state-of-the-art video calling software: https://www.dialpad.com/ 

In 2022, there will be many different video-chatting programs to choose from. Whether you’re in an office meeting or trying to reconnect with old colleagues, these programs are helping us connect and collaborate during an unprecedented time. With these six programs, you’ll be able to utilize top-tier video conferencing in your day-to-day life.

5 Smart Home Trends for 2022

2022 is another year of incredible innovation and unique technology. With Elon Musk’s consistent launching of satellites to fuel-efficient cars, nothing is too complex for modern manufacturers. 

While space travel is excellent, what technologies in 2022 will improve our day-to-day life? Here are some of the best smart home trends you need to know this year.

Sensors  

Motion sensors are a definite trend in homes nationwide. Sensors like the ones from Ecobee are small and maneuverable, perfect for any surface in your home. 

Ecobee’s SmartSensors operate in a plethora of ways for optimal comfortability and safety. The product can detect when you’re in the room, triggering your thermostat to turn on the heat. In the case of a break-in, the SmartSensors is compatible with Ecobee’s Smart System to notify you of an unwanted presence. 

These tiny objects are the way of the future, and sensors are becoming more ubiquitous in the average household.

Smart Toilets 

These days, everyone wants the most out of their gadgets. But, many don’t assume that toilets would be the appliance needing an upgrade. Toto’s Wellness Toilet is undoubtedly a trend of the future, designed to provide health management advice based on your bowel movements. 

Though this specific type of toilet is not on the market, Toto has hinted at its release in the coming year. The toilet would be able to scan your body and poop to assess what changes you need in your diet. These notifications would pop up on a phone app, giving you details about your food intake while documenting your bowel improvements. 

You can check out more about Toto’s futuristic toilets here: https://www.totousa.com/ces_2021 

Ring Always Home Cam

Set to release sometime this year, Ring Always Home Cam is equipped with a drone designed to roam and protect your household. 

The Ring Always Home Cam has object-avoidant sensors, a 1080p camera, and a sleek, black finish. The drone will be able to fly around your house while avoiding valuable objects and walls. The footage it picks up with its camera will be available on the Ring app, providing homeowners with a 360-degree live stream at any time. You can also set the drone’s runtime, forcing it to return to its charging port upon completion.   

More information is available about Ring products on the website: https://ring.com/

Artificial Intelligence 

If you watch any sci-fi movie, you’ll know that robots are the most prominent indication of an advanced society. Vocal refrigerators and appliances that track your whereabouts are now standard amenities, and we can only expect home AI to become more and more complex. 

Many expect a rise in smart kitchen and bathroom products to hit the market this year. Even appliances like bathroom mirrors have changed to interact with its homeowners. 

The Eschelon Smart Mirror is an excellent example of this; this smart mirror has the power to project live workouts on its HD screen, and it’ll give you direct feedback on your performance. Who knew mirrors could act as complete, interactive TVs in 2022? 

Home Integration 

As technology excels, homeowners and renters expect elevated products and appliances. Many developers and realtors are changing what they install inside homes based on modern expectations. 

A huge trend for 2022 is having a home equipped with a smart system, like Amazon’s Alexa. With a central system, homeowners can control their space and ensure every room is taken care of. 

By installing smart systems that interact with each other, like smart sensors and water monitors, devices can take care of potential issues without a physical human present. 

In 2022, homes will be more advanced than we ever could’ve imagined. Drone surveillance, AI, and interactive mirrors are trends that will continue to elevate throughout the next few years. Smart homes are becoming less of a futuristic phenomenon and more of an expectation for families nationwide.

Best Alternatives for Google Owned Products

In 2022, we know massively more about social media and search engines than years prior. Many are turning their backs on Google-owned products and applications. Google’s engines run on personal data collection, so deciding to part ways with the technology giant is understandable. 

Whether you have an issue with Google as a brand or not, other tech companies exist for consumers to try. Here are some of the best alternatives for technology enthusiasts wanting to branch out. 

Brave Browser

Brave Browser is a browser with a privacy focus. If you are wary of having your personal information stolen online, transferring to this browser is a great option. 

Brae Browser comes with ad-block and pop-up blockers, so no need for additional downloads. Without ads, you’re able to peruse the world wide web privately. No more will you search for cooking recipes and find targeted ads for winter coats. The engine isn’t collecting your data, so advertisers can’t interrupt your internet time.  

Find out more about Brave Browser and all its features here: https://brave.com/ 

ProtonMail 

Email is synonymous with Gmail these days. For those wanting a change in this department, ProtonMail is a fantastic alternative. 

ProtonMail is, first and foremost, a Swiss company. Switzerland is at the forefront of internet privacy law, ensuring ProtonMail’s ethos of protecting your data. The company uses end-to-end encryption, which means its engineers cannot decrypt users’ emails. 

ProtonMail comes without installing software so that you can access the site with any device. Transferring to this emailing platform is a breeze, too, with no hassle receiving emails from Gmail or other messengers. 

Starting your account is completely free, so what’s stopping you from giving ProtonMail a try? https://protonmail.com/ 

Odysee 

Like Gmail, YouTube is known for its distinctive, user-driven videos. Growing up in the rise of YouTube, many of us are clueless that other video-content platforms exist. Odysee is one non-Google platform taking the video world by storm. 

Just like Youtube, Odysee is a website that its users entirely propel. The site began as an independent force with reinvented community guidelines. Platforms owned by the same company meant more rules dictated by massive entities like Google. CEO Jeremy Koffman wanted to split from this technological dictatorship, establishing Odysee as a more free-thinking platform. 

While the website has safety guidelines, Odysee advertises user autonomy with less oversight. This independence attracted users by the millions to Odysee and changed the game for independent creators. 

Check out more about Odysee in all of its glory here:  https://odysee.com/

Waze 

There is a multitude of applications for finding directions. Google Maps is a popular one, but many might be familiar with Waze as well. 

Waze is a direction app that focuses on the fastest way to reach your destination. Visual representations of traffic appear on your screen, and updates about collisions and roadwork pop up in real-time. You can also use Waze to plan ahead, with app recommendations on leaving time and ETA. 

Waze incorporates live traffic, accidents, and pit stops into your daily routine. It’s great for every day or planning an extensive road trip, so maybe it’s time to ditch Google Maps for good. https://www.waze.com/waze 

DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo is another search engine that prioritizes user privacy. Either as its website or extension to chrome, DuckDuckGo is extraordinarily versatile and intuitive. Like Brave Browser, this company is putting a significant focus on private web browsing. Google’s engine holds onto people’s search history by default, making its users the perfect target for advertisers. DuckDuckGo does not track search history and can repel Google’s trackers while you use its Chrome extension. 

DuckDuckGo promises faster internet usage when switching to its search engine.  After the suspension of tracking codes, you’ll be able to browse the internet without interruption. Its easy search feature called “Bangs” allows you to use the search engine as a shortcut for other sites like Wikipedia or Youtube.

DuckDuckGo brings something innovative to the table while ensuring maximum privacy. Check out the website here: https://duckduckgo.com/?va=b&t=hc 

With information leaks and companies selling personal data, using the internet ethically and safely is more important than ever. These are the best alternatives for making a switch from Google products. YouTube and Gmail might feel indispensable, but these products sure give Google a run for its money. 

6 Best Apps For Self Improvement & Goal Tracking For 2022

Writing down your goals for the new year is an essential step for change.  But, does putting your goals in writing actually help your improvement process?  

A list is all it takes to start self-improvement for some people.  A helpful push is necessary for goals to become a reality for others.  This uncertainty is where the App Store comes into play.  

Goal tracking and personal improvement apps are all over the internet.  Choosing the right ones, well, that’s another dilemma.  Here are some of the absolute best apps for setting resolutions this holiday season.

Click Up

Click Up might be old news for you since it’s one of the App Store’s most popular.  It’s a free goal management and productivity app that’s visually appealing and intuitive.  

You can create, edit, and organize your personal goals.  The app offers additional pieces to help you achieve these goals, like due dates and reminders.  Separating goals based on categories, like business and personal, acts as a beneficial organizing tool.

“Weekly scorecards,” another facet of the app, lets you break down your goals step-by-step.  This feature can be great for coworkers and groups, with options to allow everyone to see each other’s goals.  Having shared and public goals make us more accountable for the responsibilities we set.  

This app will have you fulfilling your New Year’s resolutions in no time.  Check out more about Click Up here: https://clickup.com/

Weekdone 

Weekdone is another app insistent on week-by-week goal achievements. 

 It tracks long-term and short-term goals, accessible metrics, and reminders.  You can manage your goals by importance, making sure you prioritize the things you need to finish quicker.  Weekdone also includes dashboards, which are helpful for collective or team goals.  Allowing the user to see if everyone’s on top of their tasks makes everyone more accountable.  

Weekdone has a free plan, but more tools are available for upgrading to a monthly schedule.  You can read all about Weekdone here:  https://weekdone.com/ 

Way of Life App 

The Way of Life app is perfect for setting goals in 2022.  This app is your best bet for anyone who needs a push to create healthy habits.  

You start Way of Life by making a list of habits you’re trying to break or start.  After that, the app will remind you daily to ensure you’re following your intentions.  These tasks are color-coded intuitively: green indicates a completed goal, and red indicates an incomplete one.  There are many parts to customize with your goals, including deadlines and reminders.  

The Way of Life app has everything that’ll get your habits aligned next year.  See more about the app here: https://wayoflifeapp.com/ 

LifeRPG 

Sometimes the brain needs a little tricking to get all of our tasks done.  But what if the gimmick is to make your life into a video game?  

LifeRPG takes gamer language and a high-tech layout to make task-completing more exciting.  First off, the goals that you set are known as “missions.”  The missions include three parameters (difficult, fear, and urgency) that you can customize. The difficulty parameter is for explaining how tough the task is to complete. The fear parameter indicates the level of anxiousness you feel about a specific goal. Completing a mission means winning a number of points, just like in a video game. 

Inject some fun into your New Year’s resolution with LifeRPG: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jayvant.liferpgmissions&hl=en_US&gl=US 

Headspace 

One of the most downloaded meditation apps, Headspace has plenty to offer for improving the mind and spirit.  

First off, meditation is proven to lower anxiety and help manage stress.  There are guided meditations on the app that are perfect for people on the go.  The ten-minute sessions are great for beginners and workaholics; thirty-minute and hour-long sessions are also available for more experienced yogis.  

If improving sleep is on your 2022 wishlist, Headspace is here to help.  This app is ready to get your sleep cycle in check with bedtime stories, relaxing music, and before-bed exercises.  

Headspace is available for monthly or yearly subscriptions.  Check out the website for their subscription deals and more:  https://www.headspace.com/

Happier 

A more emotional take on self-improvement, the Happier app is designed to make a habit of self-reflection.  

For some, working is so time-consuming that checking in emotionally never occurs.  Simply understanding our mood, and appreciating the little things, can drastically improve our livelihood.      

In Happier, joy and satisfaction are skills you can achieve.  With holistic self-evaluations, the app assesses your happiness and offers advice on accomplishing your goals.  Happier is also known to send you inspiring quotes throughout the day, reminding you of your mindfulness goals.  

It’s a fantastic app if you’re looking to track your goals and boost your mood.  Find out more about Happier and The Happier Project here: https://the-happiness-project.com/pages/happier-app 

Accomplishing the goals we set for ourselves is beyond challenging.  In the 21st century, there are luckily plenty of options to guide us on our self-improvement journey.  2022 will be a year of resolutions, and this list of apps will get you there with swiftness and ease.