#NOMAD Super Slim Case

[geekanoids]

NOMAD Super Slim Case and NOMAD Magnetic Leather Back Review

[smartphonegears]

Protecting Your Used iPhone 13 Pro: Tips to Prevent Damage and Scratches

The iPhone 13 Pro is a premium and powerful device known for its stunning design, advanced camera capabilities, and impressive performance. If you've acquired a used iPhone 13 Pro, it's essential to keep it in top condition to make the most of its features and maintain its resale value. One of the primary concerns for any smartphone user is protecting the device from damage and unsightly scratches.

This comprehensive guide'll explore the best ways to safeguard your used iPhone 13 Pro from potential harm, ensuring it remains a reliable and aesthetically pleasing companion for years to come.

**1. Invest in a High-Quality Protective Case Selecting a suitable protective case is one of the first and most crucial steps in protecting your iPhone 13 Pro. A good case shields your device from drops and impacts and helps prevent scratches. Here are some considerations when choosing a case:

Material: Opt for a case made from durable materials like silicone, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), or polycarbonate. These materials offer excellent shock absorption.

Full Coverage: Choose a case that provides full coverage, including raised edges around the screen and camera module. This design keeps these vulnerable areas safe from scratches and impacts.

Slim or Rugged: Depending on your lifestyle and preferences, you can select a slim case for a sleek look or a rugged case for maximum protection.

Compatibility: Ensure the case is specifically designed for the iPhone 13 Pro to ensure a precise fit, easy access to ports, and proper button responsiveness.

Brands: Consider reputable case brands like OtterBox, Spigen, Apple, or Nomad, which offer a range of protective case options.

Style: Cases come in various styles, from clear and minimalistic to bold and colorful. Choose one that suits your aesthetic preferences.

**2. Apply a High-Quality Screen Protector The iPhone 13 Pro features a beautiful Super Retina XDR display, and protecting it from scratches is essential for maintaining visual clarity. Here's why a screen protector is crucial:

Scratch Resistance: Screen protectors add an additional layer of protection to your phone's display, acting as a sacrificial surface that takes scratches instead of your actual screen.

Reduced Impact Damage: In some cases, screen protectors with tempered glass can also help absorb the impact from a drop or fall, reducing the likelihood of a cracked screen.

Anti-Glare and Anti-Fingerprint: Some screen protectors offer features like anti-glare and anti-fingerprint coatings, enhancing the viewing experience.

Ease of Replacement: If your screen protector becomes scratched or damaged, it's relatively easy and inexpensive to replace, whereas replacing a phone screen can be costly.

When choosing a screen protector, ensure it's compatible with the iPhone 13 Pro's design, including the front-facing camera and Face ID sensors. Many reputable brands, such as ZAGG, Belkin, and amFilm, offer high-quality screen protectors.

**3. Keep Your iPhone 13 Pro Clean A simple yet effective way to prevent scratches is to keep your iPhone 13 Pro clean and free from abrasive particles that can scratch the surface. Here are some tips:

Microfiber Cloth: Use a clean microfiber cloth to regularly wipe the screen and back of your iPhone. Microfiber is gentle and won't scratch the surface.

Avoid Sand and Dust: Be cautious when using your iPhone in sandy or dusty environments. Sand particles, in particular, are abrasive and can scratch the glass.

Pocket or Pouch: Consider using a dedicated pocket or pouch in your bag or pocket to store your iPhone. This adds an extra layer of protection and keeps it away from potential abrasives.

**4. Practice Safe Handling and Storage How you handle and store your iPhone 13 Pro can significantly impact its condition. Here's what to keep in mind:

Avoid Dropping: This might seem obvious, but accidents happen. Be mindful of your grip and avoid dropping your phone.

Use a PopSocket or Grip: A PopSocket or grip attached to the back of your phone can provide a secure grip, reducing the risk of accidental drops.

Store Separately: When storing your iPhone in a bag or purse, consider keeping it in a separate compartment to prevent it from rubbing against other objects.

Avoid Pockets with Keys or Coins: Pocketing your iPhone alongside keys, coins, or other hard objects can lead to scratches. Opt for dedicated phone pockets or use a protective case.

Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Extreme heat or cold can affect your iPhone's battery and performance. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight or in extremely cold environments.

**5. Be Mindful of Your Surroundings Where you use your iPhone 13 Pro can also impact its condition. Here are some environmental factors to consider:

Beach and Sand: Sand particles can scratch your iPhone's screen and body. Avoid using your device directly on sandy surfaces.

Outdoor Adventures: If you're into outdoor activities, consider using a rugged case to protect against drops and impacts.

Kitchen and Water: Be cautious when using your iPhone near water or in the kitchen, where it can come into contact with liquids or sharp utensils.

Desk and Tabletops: When placing your iPhone on a table or desk, use a protective mat or soft surface to prevent scratches.

Dirt and Dust: Avoid exposing your iPhone to excessive dust and dirt, as these particles can enter the device's ports and crevices.

**6. Regularly Inspect and Maintain Your iPhone Periodically inspect your iPhone 13 Pro for any signs of wear, scratches, or damage. Here's how to maintain your device:

Check for Scratches: Examine your iPhone's screen and body under good lighting to detect any scratches or imperfections.

Clean Ports and Speaker Grilles: Use a can of compressed air to remove dust and debris from ports, speaker grilles, and other openings.

Remove Dirt and Dust: Gently clean the edges of the screen and around buttons to remove any dirt or grime buildup.

Inspect Cables and Accessories: Ensure that your charging cables and accessories are in good condition and free from fraying or damage that could harm your device.

**7. Consider Insurance or Extended Warranty If you want added peace of mind for your iPhone 13 Pro, consider investing in insurance or an extended warranty. Many insurance providers offer policies that cover accidental damage, including drops and spills. Additionally, Apple provides AppleCare+ for iPhone, which extends warranty coverage and includes protection against accidental damage for an additional fee. Be sure to review the terms and conditions of any insurance or warranty plan to understand what is covered and what is not.

Your iPhone 13 Pro is a valuable, sophisticated device that deserves proper care and protection. Investing in a high-quality protective case, applying a reliable screen protector, and practicing safe handling and storage can significantly reduce the risk of damage and scratches. Additionally, being mindful of your surroundings and regularly inspecting and maintaining your device will ensure that it remains in excellent condition for years. With the right precautions and care, your used iPhone 13 Pro can continue to deliver a premium user experience.

[sandandjello]

Nomad Super Slim Case for iPhone 14 Series Review: Perfect for People Who Don’t Like Cases (but Know They Need One)

Nomad Super Slim Case for iPhone 14 Series Review: Perfect for People Who Don’t Like Cases (but Know They Need One)

[nanominyo]

Yay my original humanoids which is a mix of orcs, fauns and reptelians has been designed - sorta - and I call them Rexens!

Rexens

The rexens is one of the 4 major humanoid species. The other species is Humans, Elven and beastmen. Rexens can most easily be described as a mixture of orc meets faun meets reptilian people. In general are they 1-3 heads taller than the humans and are often muscle strong. Most of their variants from country to country has no major visible difference between males and females, and they are often known to have a lot of intersex people between them. Most of them mark if they are male, female or intersex through earrings.

Rexens walk on the front of their feet like an animal and most of them has big and strong tails. Only the northern version got shorter, weaker and more stumpy tails. Females, despite maybe having some visible difference will always be flat chested unlike the humans and beastmen. Rexens eyes are usually red, pink or purple but their Nordic counterparts may sport yellow and blues too.

Most cases they dress like their fellow humanoids in the different areas they live. They are able to breed with Humans and Elven, often resulting in the creation of a beastman. The Beastmen as a humanoid specie in itself is basically the evolutions of some of the first Rexen and human breeding and usually live as an independent humanoid specie today, though the mixing still happens and is more pure than the actual beastmen.

Variants:

Frayciën:

The Frayciën variant has exchanged the scales for fur and are thinner and less muscle strong than their fellow Rexens from around the world. They are also between those with major visible difference between male and female. The males have bigger horns, ears, and teeth. In winter, their fur becomes extra thick. Height wise they are usually 1-2 heads taller than humans, but in some cases, they may be on height with the humans.

In early days of the Frayciën culture where they were seen upon as gods and are still to this day highly regarded as the protectors of the land.

They mainly live of plants and vegetables from underground which they split apart with their big teeth by dragging it down over.

Qutetish:

There used to live a Qutetish variant of the Rexens until a few hundred years ago where the humans and Elven of Qutetish began killing Rexens, beastmen and nomads. It is said there still live some and their genetics may occasionally show up around the world, but since they are officially written as extinct does very little know and hold on to the knowledge about how they look.

Donchatish:

Donchase lays right below Fracië and therefore do they share common traits, though the Donchatish version has scales on their backs and generally smaller ears and horns. They do have fur on rest of their body, but usually in a thinner layer there in the winter usually becomes thick around the head, neck and their main body to keep in heat.

Both males and females are often seen with shorter haircuts though, but their difference comes in the female having smaller ears, horns and teeth. The female even has more pointy ears than their male counterpart and are usually of a more stable and thicker built. Just like those from Frayciën are they only around a head taller than humans, and often seen to be human height too.

They live mainly of plants, berries and underground vegetables like their fellows from Fraycië, but also include meat in their diet in form of rodents and birds.

Kanakarian:

The Kanakarian version seem to have gone fully extinct all by itself. No one is really sure if there has been one for the area in itself, but the usual Rexens to live around here seems to be of either Paskarian or Ardelian origin.

Shuirinian:

The Shuirinian Rexens doesn’t only have teeth pointing upwards but so called also some pointing downwards. They usually have medium sized horns pointing inwards and slimmer eyes. It is said the slim eyes happened due to the rainforests – this means in terms of avoiding getting insects and plants in the eyes as they would run and move around on their hunts. Despite this they are often seen living of smaller animals like fish, rodents, birds and small deer like creatures.

Builtwise are they sportier in their muscle-built and stand around 2-3 heads taller than the humans. Blue earrings indicate female, green for intersex and red for males.

Raeyerian:

The Raeyerians are big, dark and scaly. Despite the maybe scary looks are they known to be a kind people – towards everyone else but themselves. Some will be chosen out as kids to be the sexual toys for the pack and get marked with two earrings in either black, gold or silver in one of their ears. At times they may choose out a human, beastman or elven even if their lust is too great to control.

It is best said to not stay overnight in a Rexen town in Raeyeria due to them becoming beasts at night while being super friendly at day.

The stand with a heavy muscle built and a giant strong tail and are good 3 heads taller than the humans there is around. Their food source is usually rodents, smaller fox-like creatures, insects, snakes and local amphibians.

Gold earrings means male, silver earrings means female and lack of earrings means intersex.

Ardelian:

The ardelian variant is around 2 heads taller than humans, has small horns pointing upward and big floppy ears. They are built just as strong as the Raeyerian variant but is less sexual and has smaller teeth. They appear to be slightly more dump than many of the other variants and are still despite the evolutions in the world – quite primitive. A few though has made it into the human society.

The humans mostly just let them live in their own small villages and take care of themselves.

They have medium sized tails, though strong. Their scales are rather small though. They live of farming – this includes cows, pigs and sheep are included in their diet.

Here the size of the earrings plays a part in telling the gender. Big earrings means male, medium for intersex and small means female.

Dotish:

Being much lighter in color and their scales being blue has something to do with their food. Their food is primarily the local fish which contains lots of minerals, some which has changed the pigment of these scaly Rexens. It has turned their scales blue while their non-scaled parts are in light skin color. Their teeth are primarily small though and they have small upwards horns on their forehead.

They are strongly built and has long, strong though slim tails. They are only the size of humans though.

Their earrings have symbols. Cross for female, line for male and lower circle + cross for intersex. They are skeptical of humans and elven and prefer to live away from them but has adopted the human technologies.

Vitian:

The vitian variant is another furrier variant of Rexen, being placed along Fraycië and Donchase. Their horns are curlier and more uncontrollable, not growing in same rates nor same way, resulting in them having two different horns nearly. Their ears are floppy and hanging and they usually have longer hair. They have small scales on their back and has a shorter tail, though not so much fur on it.

They mainly live off fish from the rivers and sea, but also includes fruits and vegetables in their diet when fish can’t be caught. Unlike most other Rexen they care the least about gender and doesn’t even matter showing it off for everyone to know.

The Vitian variant is incredible smart but prefer to be alone and far away from other humanoids. They are often found to be the singular farmers outside of villages and their numbers are falling due to them wanting to be alone.

Noshurilien:

The Noshurilien variant of Rexens is unlike its north-western neighbors not of a slim and sporty built but now leaning over in the bigger muscular built. They are mostly scaly on most of their bodies but are bare on the front where they have extreme volume of chest and stomach fur hair.

They have medium sized horns going in a bit of a half moon shape. Their tales are medium length and slim as it’s made more to keep balance than to be of some help to lift things.

The earrings placement plays in on gender here. On the tip we got males, in the middle is intersex and close to the head is females.

The Noshurilien variant lives equally to any other humanoids but are often found in industries requiring bigger muscles like building, timberwork and guarding.

Paskarian:

The Paskarian variant is an outlier for the Nordic Rexens, as it’s lighter of skin and has purple scales and darker purple hair. Their horns are made more as a defense circle around their heads. Unlike their fellow Rexens do they have an overbite instead of an underbite as well. They have a long and strong tail suitable for their big and strong bodies as they stand 3 heads taller than the humans. They use fur hats to warm their head most of the year as their bodies are made for warmer areas (from the days Paskaria used to be warmed up by the sea). Human structure took a lot of the warmth away over the years.

The number of rings in the earrings plays a part in gender telling. One ring means male, two means intersex and three means females.

The Paskarian variant lives in the mountains, hunted away from human villages. They are small in numbers and only seem to become smaller and smaller in their numbers.

Dacharen:

The Dacharen variant is very dark both in skin and scales. They even have scales on their head. Standing 2 head taller than humans, can they look intimidating, but overall are a kind people. They even cut off their horns to appear more friendly. Females and males have same face structure, but only males get facial hair. Their eyes are incredible dark, and they tend to live of the local wildlife like horses, oxes and goats.

They have long and strong tails to match their big and strong bodies, but they are more athletic built than their neighbors.

The Dacharen variant lives equally to other humanoids.

Meizen:

The Meizen variant is sporty built and has long and pointy ears. Their horns leans back, and they have weird pupils which is said to come from the fact that Meiss is very svampy. They also have dark purple They have small teeth and live off smaller creatures like rodents and birds but also live of local plants, berries, and vegetables.

Their earrings goes the same as the Ardelian variant. Small ones are females, medium is intersex and big ones are males.

The Meizen variant lives a more luxury life and are seen as the better “man” in the community. The humans often offer gifts and helpful services for the Rexens of the Meizen variant.

Beizenian:

The Beizenian variant is very much like their neighbors. Lighter skin with blue scales and purple hair. Their teeth are bigger, though round and used to split fruits and vegetables apart.

They are only slightly taller than humans but are very muscular built and has long and strong tails.

The earrings are made to say filled out = male. Hole = female. Hole and earring in it = intersex.

They aren’t looked greatly upon and are actually hunted by humans as a form for trophy – this means winning over someone bigger and stronger than you. Many tries to flee to the mainland but some of these smugglers sell them out.

[macnews-org]

Nomad launches Super Slim iPhone 14 case; Sena debuts Varano MagSafe leather case and wallets

Nomad launches Super Slim iPhone 14 case; Sena debuts Varano MagSafe leather case and wallets

More quality case options have landed today for the iPhone 14 lineup. Nomad has launched its most minimal case yet, the “Super Slim” and Sena has debuted its Varano collection of MagSafe leather cases and wallets. more… The post Nomad launches Super Slim iPhone 14 case; Sena debuts Varano MagSafe leather case and wallets appeared first on 9to5Mac.

[welovenissan]

Nissan Qashqai 2019 review

Just in case you haven’t been keeping track, the Qashqai is the latest incarnation of the SUV that Aussies used to call the Dualis. 

To be fair, neither name makes much sense. Qashqai is the name of a relatively obscure Iranian mountain tribe, and Dualis was a purely made-up word by Nissan, meant to refer to the SUV’s dual-purpose abilities. 

Nissan says the Qashqai was named as such to reflect that its owners would be "nomadic in nature", and, in a way, it is fitting, given the Qashqai’s dimensions put it in an SUV tribe of its own. See, it’s not quite small enough to be a small SUV, and not quite large enough to be a mid-size one.

Is it a good middle-ground, though? Can the Nissan Qashqai for sale make an obscure tribesperson out of me? I spent a week in a top-spec Ti to find out.

Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with?  

Our Ti is the, erm, chief of the Qashqai line-up. Pricey for a small(ish) SUV, but not outrageous at the top-end. 

For the cash, you get a leather interior trim, a panoramic glass sunroof, six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a 7.0-inch multimedia screen with built-in sat-nav, keyless entry and push-button start, dual-zone climate control, Nissan’s 360-degree reversing camera (which the brand calls an ‘around view monitor’), which is normally reserved for vastly more expensive European marques. You also get a standard reversing camera as well as front and rear parking sensors and an automatic anti-glare rearview mirror.

The leather seats and soft-touch points are genuinely plush and comfortable, and the panoramic glass roof adds a nice premium air to the cabin on sunny days. It is a fixed roof, however, and does not open.

There is also the welcome addition of LED headlights, fog lights and DRLs, which are automatic and come with high-beam assist as part of an ‘adaptive front lighting system’. The wing mirrors have LED indicators, and are both heated and auto-folding.

Is there anything interesting about its design?   7/10

I think it’s fair to call the exterior visage of the Qashqai derivative. Unlike other Japanese segment rivals, the Toyota C-HR, Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3, the Qashqai for sale maintain a much more traditional SUV shape, so much so that it is easy to confuse it with its bigger brother, the X-Trail.

Our top-spec Ti looked quite stunning in its Vivid Blue colour (optional, by the way), which helps because aside from some much sharper and cleaner lines around the front and side - not to mention a much more modern V-shaped grille – the Qashqai’s design really hasn’t advanced too far from its Dualis origins in the mid-2000s.

Around the back is a better angle, with the chunky taillights meeting the car’s rear-wheel haunches, and a hot hatch-like rear spoiler jutting out from the roof.

Helping set the Ti apart from the rest of the range is the gigantic 19-inch alloy wheels with a two-tone milled finish, which really fill those raised SUV arches.

Inside, things look luxurious thanks to a solid helping of leather on the doors, seats, centre console and steering wheel. It also feels a bit more spacious than some competitors, but the modern illusion is quickly broken by the old-fashioned centre stack.

It’s blatantly obvious that the multimedia screen is vulnerable to glare, using an old-style touch surface, and the design of the interface is old, slow and clumsy. And aside from some useful shortcut buttons down the sides, the gloss-plastic insert in which it lives looks a little ill-fitting considering the rest of the matte surfaces in the cabin.

The instrument binnacle consists of a colour screen and two traditional dial clusters. While hardly moving design forward in this area, it has huge and legible fonts and presents all the important information well.

The 2018 Qashqai is separated from the previous iteration by a much more modern-looking steering wheel (in the Ti’s case, it's D-shaped with leather trim), seat design and a slightly re-worked centre console area.

How practical is the space inside?

While the interior feels all plush, light and airy, it’s not quite what it appears to be. The very first thing I noticed when stepping into the Qashqai’s helm was the super-high seating position.

Normally, this is a boon for SUV buyers, as it helps with visibility. However, the huge sunroof in the Ti lowers the roof level, making it problematically close to my head. I’m 182cm tall, and anyone even a few centimetres taller than me would be able to rest their forehead on the sun-visor.

That being said, I found the leg and arm room in the cabin to be fantastic, and there was always a nice and soft surface to rest your elbows on - which can hardly be said for something like the Hyundai Kona.

There is also a heap of handy, rugged storage spaces around the cabin, including deep, useful cupholders in the doors and transmission tunnel. There is also a rather large two-tiered storage area with USB ports, aux input and cable-management in the centre console, and a deep trench under the air conditioning controls which hosts a 12-volt power source, and so is very suitable for phones and wallets.

I found the backseat to have great leg and headroom despite the sunroof, and the seats back there are as plush as they are up the front.

Rear passengers benefit from two cupholders (but no trenches) in the doors, there's a weird little storage nook on the back of the console box and leather-bound pockets on the back of both front seats. Like many other small-SUVs, there are no vents back here. Sorry.

The lack of a coupe-style roofline like many competitors means the boot, at 430L, is one of the biggest in the class, and it comes with a couple of tricks.

The boot floor is variable, for example, courtesy of some removable floor panels, and can provide an impressive and almost completely level 1598L with them in and the rear seats down.

What are the key stats for the engine and transmission? 

Our Qashqai Ti from Group 1 Nissan has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which is now your only powertrain option. 

There was once a diesel, but it’s dead now, and surprisingly there’s still a manual, but only for the base-model ST. All Qashqais are front-wheel-drive only. If it’s AWD you’re after, you’ll have to step down to the much smaller Juke or up to the larger X-Trail.

The 2.0-litre produces an average-sounding 106kW and 200Nm of torque, and considering most competitors produce similar, or worse, figures, the Qashqai is on-par.

More interesting competitors come in the form of the Hyundai Kona’s 1.6-litre 130kW/256Nm engine option, and the fun-to-drive Suzuki Vitara S-Turbo which has 103kW/220Nm.

How much fuel does it consume?   7/10

Over my week of reasonably mixed urban and freeway driving, I returned a figure of 8.2L/100km against Nissan’s combined figure of 6.9L/100km. A miss, but not by much, and I have found that roughly 8.0L/100km is what you can expect from most of its turbocharged competition.

The Qashqai happily drinks base-grade 91RON unleaded petrol and has a 65-litre tank. There's no stop-start technology to help you out with the economy, though.

What's it like to drive?   7/10

The Qashqai is hardly the last word in driving dynamics, but it is easy to helm and has decent handling for the segment. 

The 2.0-litre is a tad thrashy, although doesn’t really leave you desperate for more power, and the CVT gives the accelerator pedal a lethargic, rubbery response. That being said, the steering provides a nice blend of lightness for low-speed manoeuvrability, while being solid and responsive at higher speeds.

The suspension is tuned more for comfort than sportiness, which suits the character of the car’s plush interior well, and despite a 1429kg kerb weight, it felt surprisingly light and agile in the corners for an SUV. This is helped by the Qashqai’s multilink rear suspension rather than the torsion beam which appears in many small-SUV competitors.

You do have to be overly conscious of the gigantic alloy wheels on the Ti when parking on the street, as gutter rash would look tragic, and the amount of road noise that was produced by the slim tyres was less than impressive.

Overall, the Qashqai provides a confident and comfortable drive.

What safety equipment is fitted? What safety rating?   9/10

The Ti, being the top-spec Qashqai, comes with the most comprehensive active safety suite available on this model. 

Included is intelligent emergency braking – Nissan’s AEB system - forward collision warning, lane departure warning (LDW), lane keep assist (LKAS - branded as intelligent lane intervention) blind-spot monitoring (BSM), rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA), active cruise control, and a wholly unnecessary auto-parking function.

That’s an impressive suite, and it as at the forefront of what is being offered elsewhere in the small SUV segment.

On the passive safety side, it has six airbags and the standard suite of braking and stability controls. A space-saver spare lives under the boot floor and the rear seats host two ISOFIX child seat mounting points.

All Qashqai variants carry a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating as of December 2017. 

What does it cost to own? What warranty is offered?   

Nissan lets this car down with a genuinely old-fashioned three-year, 100,000km warranty. Most of its main competitors, apart from Toyota and Suzuki, have moved on with at least a five-year, unlimited-kilometre offering. 

You are, however, permitted to purchase an extended warranty for up to three extra years, but the maximum number of kilometres you can add is 50,000. A total of 150,000km from new is not really sufficient cover for six years.

Nissan could improve its warranty offering... (image credit: Tom White)

The Qashqai requires servicing once a year or every 10,000km and is covered by a fixed-price servicing program for the first 12 years.

Verdict

The top-spec Qashqai Ti is not cheap but helps to justify its price through its impressive safety equipment, luxurious features and - most importantly - its segment-bending dimensions.

It will suit a buyer looking for something not as big or capable as an X-Trail, but still with the ample boot space and interior dimensions to match its traditional SUV visage.

Article source: https://wheelsgalore.postach.io/post/nissan-qashqai-2019-review

[bluegoateecollectionposts-blog]

Best Smartphone Cases For IPhone And Android

The Tremendous Skinny case from Peel is a natural fit to your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6S and comes in a variety of expressive colors, one among which is certain to suit your persona. You can find silicone and leather cases for a wide range of phones: Iphone, HTC, Huawei, Sony, Nokia, Samsung Galaxy. It has leather-based, silicone and aluminum covers for all of the best phone brands: iPhone 5 and 6, Samsung Galaxy, Sony Xperia, Lg, Motorola, Xiaomi four, and so forth. If in case you have a repute of being tough along with your phones, the Defender collection of cases provide super safety. At WorldWideCases, our mission is to be the world's leading provider of protecting cases for iPhone and Android units. This case combines artificial leather or fabric with a tender and clear TPU shell on the inside to provide prime-notch protection for your phone. Incipio has you coated with this one-piece clear case that gives a clear view of your Essential Phone whereas keeping it protected. The interior case and the entrance flip cover keep your smartphone shielded from scratches, dust, and damages. The phone is not notably designed for the only real purpose of protection either, but geared more towards a cool and distinctive design operate. The case is dual layered, and the polycarbonate finish options indents that provide for both design and anti-slip protection. Lastly, it's also designed to be display-protector pleasant and works with any screen protector, which you must most likely purchase because of the somewhat fragile S8 display. On top of replacing or supplementing your wallet, this case additionally presents dual-layer protection with a mushy internal layer and exhausting outer layer. The case is product of PU leather that is each great wanting and top quality, and it gives ample safety on the entrance, again and corners of your phone. The one draw back to this case is it would not provide any display screen safety, so it will be sitting on the screen if you happen to lay your phone face down. It is supreme if you want to waterproof your phone with out taking off its existing case, and is on the market in a bunch of fun colours, including glow-in-the-darkish options. The best iPhone 6 cases for type and safety. Nomad iPhone X Leather Wallet Case; $forty. With the discharge of the three new iPhones, Samsung's Galaxy Notice eight, the LG V30, and the Google Pixel 2, the most dependable firms are unloading all sorts of recent smartphone cases. Peruse the iPhone 6 Plus cases which are flooding onto the market and get the model and protection you want. More Information yet slim, the all-black case encompasses a textured pattern along the perimeters that offers it a superb grip, whereas the silicone-wrapped again is smooth and opulent to the contact. However the Speck Folio Leather-based case gives a bit extra safety with a weighted entrance flap that covers your entire display. Available in an array to match the S9's colors, the Ultra Hybrid case will shield and showcase your Galaxy's attractiveness, whether you choose to match your chosen color or add a bit of distinction. Why we love it: We're large fans of the Galaxy S9's design, so we don't need to do too much to cover it. Tech21's Evo Clear case strikes a perfect stability between safety and presentation. 15. This anti-slip, shock-absorbent case with two layers of safety for iPhone 6 and 6s. Home Industry Information Which is the Best Radiation Blocking Cell Phone (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and extra) Case? Samsung's S View Cover sequence for the Galaxy S7 is nearly as cool because it will get for phone cases. For many who prefer to protect their Galaxy S7 with a case while still exhibiting off the phone's sleek look, Ringke's Fusion crystal case is certainly one the best choices on the market. This case affords protection with out sacrificing the flexibility to see the color alternative that you simply made on your initial purchase.

It is particularly designed for iPhone 6 roughly 6 inches screen. The case ought to highly resistant to corrosion for maximum safety of the smartphone gadget. Cell phones cases are available in several sizes, colors and kinds. Cell phone cases are very important phones equipment that provide nice safety to our treasured gadgets.

[vgjustice]

VG Talks Games: My thoughts on The Switch (Jan. 14th, ‘17)

Really just a basic rundown on what I’m seeing from the various bits that have been officially released and what should be known if you want one of these systems. Buckle in, this might be a long one.

So, just for simplicity’s sake, I’m going to be using North American pricing when I’m talking about the system, games, and accessories. I know these prices are different in different regions, but the basic idea will still be the same when divorced from hard numbers. Okay? Okay.

And on that note, let’s talk cost. At $300 this thing is going to be more expensive than either an Xbox One S or a PlayStation 4 slim. And if you’re only looking at the Switch as a home console, that’s bad. You’d better really want those Nintendo exclusives to justify spending that much more on a less powerful system, and it is a less powerful system. But, that’s kind of the thing, right? It’s not just a “home console”. It’s not really much of a portable either, what with the 2.5 to 6 hour battery life (my New 3DS XL gets considerably better than that), but it can be taken on the go and that’s really the point. Much like the controllers have some motion control to them, even though people were really very much done with “waggling” before the Wii bit the dust.

From what I saw in the Switch Event it looks to me like Nintendo is trying to capture two very distinct audiences with this console. The first group are the casual market they captured with the Wii. That’s why games like 1, 2, Switch! and Just Dance 2017 are launch titles, it’s why they talked so extensively about using the console and games more like a party game that doesn’t need the TV. And I have no idea if that’s going to work. The Wii casual market clearly didn’t want the more powerful Wii U, even when it was explained to them on a personal level. Maybe Nintendo can hit pay dirt again, and it’s pretty obvious that they’re trying. The second group is the long time Nintendo loyalists. Which is why Breath of the Wild is a launch title and why the Switch Event wrapped up with that game’s release date. It’s why they focused so much on Super Mario Odyssey, and also announced Splatoon 2. They’ve got a pretty good idea what that demographic wants and have been good about pleasing them (us) for the past few console generations. And to be perfectly honest, that’s not really enough. Every loyalist lost is a major blow since I don’t think Nintendo is replacing those customers very easily. Really, the Switch needs a unique lineup to attract new customers, but they need something that either younger customers can grow with much like the current loyalists did with the NES/SNES/N64, or they need to please the major console fanatics and convince them to pick up this new device. But with underpowered hardware that doesn’t feature a lot of the things their less expensive counterparts have (Blu-Ray players anyone?) it’s going to be a tough sell to say the least.

On the more techy side of things, I’m pleased to say that Nintendo might finally be on to something here. The replacement controllers might be expensive at $80 for a set (L and R Joycons), but it’s also pretty obvious that having more than one set synced at a time is not the way the system is meant to be played. The much less expensive Pro Controller is clearly the “couch co-op” controller of choice here. For the admittedly poor battery performance, the solution is actually a lot more simple than you might think. The system uses a standard USB cable to charge. Let me say that again because I’m just as incredulous as you are: The Nintendo Switch uses the standard USB type-C cable to charge. If you already have a phone that uses USB-C, you’ve already got a Switch charger. Worried about playing on the go? Bring a pocket charger and a USB-C cable. Take it to your favorite restaurant and plug in a USB wall adapter to the cell charger that nearly every place has now. That poor battery really isn’t that big of a deal and those chargers are going to be readily available from dozens of reputable manufacturers. That was great news to hear!

The system uses microSDXC memory cards, which is a standard memory card. Basically the same card that the New 3DS hardware uses. The only concern I have, and this is a small and nit-picky concern, is the question of memory limitation. A lot of devices have strange limits on the maximum size card it can recognize. SDXC tells us that it will work with cards AT LEAST up to 64 GB in capacity. But, might it also work with the 128 GB cards? What about the 200 GB cards? Larger? Who knows? This is one of the many tech missteps Nintendo took with that press release, and have still not corrected on their web page detailing what the system can work with. (Note: That web page is why I know it’s compatible with microSDXC specifically.) This will be needful information going forward and I hope we learn more before the system comes out in a little over a month and a half.

The launch lineup seems a little... sparse. My recommendation for any new game console is to have three to five games either readily available or shortly available to justify the cost of the system. Buying a game system for one or two games isn’t cost effective for anyone, really. (You’re free to reject that suggestion, of course. It’s your money.) But, the launch lineup I’m seeing doesn’t really offer a lot to work with. It feels like “The new Zelda game plus a bunch of tech demos”. That’s not a great feeling when looking at picking up a brand new, untested game system. Never the less, the upcoming titles do look promising. I’m excited to see a new Puyo Puyo game, even if it’s riding on the coat tails of Tetris to get there. (Some of my favorite puzzle games use Tetris to some extent, so this is not a bad thing to me at all. Tetris is awesome.) A new Bomberman game is exciting, but Konami has been so bad as of late that I’m worried about the game on principal. Arms is likely to be a huge internet joke for quite some time, but could also prove to be a good game. I expect it to be a flash in the pan party game that’s quickly forgotten. The controls just don’t look like they’re there, you know? Thankfully the system seems to be teeming with a variety of RPGs from several venerable studios. If you like those slow-burner games this could be a very good system. Plus, there are still rumors of a Mario and Rabbids crossover game in addition to a new Pokemon game, both of which are exciting for different reasons. People who remember the Sega Nomad and playing home console Sonic on the go might be more interested in the new offering, and it does look like it could be worth a chance. Which is more than I can say about far too many Sonic the Hedgehog games. (Come on, Sonic Team. You guys used to be better than this.) There are more than a few notable omissions from Nintendo’s list as well, and that has mixed feelings from me. Things like Mother 3/EarthBound 2 and anything related to Metroid not being there hurt a little, as well as Smash Bros., and makes me worry that either the titles are not going to be on the system or will take a long time to get there. Neither option is great for early adopters.

And finally, the big bugaboo from the event, Nintendo stepping into the realms of Payed Online Use. This is very much one of those things where it could either be the thing that saves Nintendo’s online presence or the thing that crushes the company. And I’m really more on the side of the former. When Microsoft introduced the concept it proved to be very viable, ensuring a much more stable network for it’s games and customers. When Sony finally bit the bullet and did the same, it didn’t feel great but they added the value of their PlayStation Plus to the mix, giving games every month to subscribers. That was effective enough to force Microsoft to follow suit. Nintendo has some big problems to overcome if they want to make this service charge successful. Offering free games every month is going to be a must, and as long as Nintendo gets their amazing catalogue of classic games onto the system fast enough they’ll have a great pool to pick from. I don’t expect them to do this, since they haven’t had a large number of games available at any time since they began offering the eShop with the Wii. This same issue could be even more troubling if they decide to offer rentals of whatever customers want. It would be great to offer that, but they need to have the library to support it first or it just will not be valuable. Next, Nintendo needs to offer reliable and effective online connectivity. Which is thankfully something I have not seen them have trouble with at any point in the Wii U’s life span, so this shouldn’t be an issue. I honestly don’t see a reason for Nintendo to change their policy in such a way since their online connectivity has always been exceptional, but perhaps they’re adding a service that would need some kind of payment option to make it viable. I’m just hoping it’s not a simple cash grab, since this would directly hurt the sales of the system if it’s not valuable enough. Or if it costs too much. More expensive system with the same cost for online play? Yeah, Nintendo won’t make any money on that if that’s the case.

Overall, I’m honestly still pretty positive about the system. I’ve just got a lot of concerns and the Switch Event didn’t do much to inform me, and in some cases actually gave me more concerns than I had before. But hey, who knows? Maybe it’ll capture the casual market again and bring in core console players and we’ll all enjoy Splatoon 2 together. To make early buying as effective as possible, pick up a USB-C cable plus appropriate USB adapters, a 64 GB microSDXC card (at least), and a USB rechargeable battery pack to go with the system. A carrying case for on the go use would also be recommended. Extra diligence in watching for thieves in the first few months is going to be a must I fear. And also the very real possibility of a highly limited launch window aiding scalpers will likely drive the price up, so be vigilant in not supporting these individuals.

Be safe, be smart, caveat emptor.

[asfeedin]

The Best iPhone 11 Pro Max Cases and Covers

It’s safe to say the iPhone 11 Pro Max is an incredible phone. It’s powerful, beautiful, and comes with one of the best cameras you’ll find in a smartphone. But it’s made from glass, and that glass is fragile, so an unfortunate bump or spill can leave your device with scuffs, or worse, cracks — and neither of those is particularly welcome on a $1,000 smartphone. Thankfully, there’s an easy solution to this, and that’s to fit your phone with a protective case.

But there’s no one-case-fits-all situation, and you’ll need to do a little shopping around before you find your perfect case. Don’t worry though, we’ve made your choice a little simpler by finding you some of the best cases to keep your iPhone 11 Pro Max safe.

Ringke Fusion Matte Case

Unlike a standard clear case, the Ringke Fusion has a smooth and silky matte finish on the back, mimicking the texture of the iPhone 11 Pro Max. The unique coating also prevents fingerprints and oily smudges from being left on the case. Blended into the clean design, the Fusion Matte features Ringke’s Quikcatch lanyard hole so you can attach a wrist or neck strap for added security. As the cherry on top, the case runs just shy of $10 — making it one of the most affordable accessories for your iPhone.

Tech21 Evo Check Case

The nicest thing about this case from Tech21 is the solid drop protection it affords. Your iPhone 11 Pro Max can take a tumble from up to 12 feet and emerge unscathed when it’s wearing this case. Considering how tough it is, the lack of bulk is impressive. Most of the protection comes from the ribbed frame. The outside of this case also sports a soft, self-healing finish that enhances grip and offers antimicrobial protection to keep things hygienic.

Spigen Ultra Hybrid Case

With a crystal clear back panel of virtually unbreakable polycarbonate and a bumper in flexible TPU, this slim case from Spigen should safeguard your iPhone from minor bumps and falls. Their button covers are well defined and the cutouts are generous so you won’t have issues plugging in to charge. It does extend to protect the camera and the screen, but if drop protection is important to you it’s best to go with a more rugged iPhone case. You can get a clear version of this case, or you can get it with a green, black, or rose bumper.

Totallee Clear Case

This is one of our favorite minimal, clear cases, devoid of any logo or superfluous detail. You can get frosted versions in different colors if you prefer, but the clear one is best for showing off the iPhone design inside. It’s a very slim case, but it will guard against scratches and damage from minor falls, and it also enhances your grip. You’ll find the fit is good and it’s flexible so it’s easy to put on or remove.

Nodus Access Case III

Makers of some of our favorite leather wallet cases, Nodus is a brand worth looking at. The stylish Access Case III is crafted from neatly stitched Italian leather in brown, black, teal, or gray. Inside you’ll find a very soft microfiber lining and a handy pocket that can accommodate cards and cash. There’s no shell with this leather folio case because your iPhone 11 Pro Max is held securely by a micro suction pad. This design still covers your iPhone from every angle but allows the leather wallet case to be as slim as possible. The Nodus octopus logo on the inside provides a stylish detail.

Speck Presidio Grip Case

Drop protection from falls of up to 13 feet is a good reason to buy one of these cases. There is a hard shell with a shock-absorbing inner layer and ridges on the outside that enhance your grip on your iPhone. There’s also a raised lip around the screen to ensure it doesn’t touch when laid face down. You can also stop worrying about germs thanks to a special anti-microbial layer. This case comes in a wide range of different colors.

Woolnut Leather Case

This gorgeous, luxury, leather case from Woolnut looks and feels fantastic. There’s a protective shell for your iPhone with accurate cutouts and button covers. It’s covered seamlessly in full-grain leather and there’s a special, super-soft, microfiber lining on the inside to cushion your iPhone. You can pick this case up in black, green, or brown and the leather will change slightly as it ages.

Razer Arctech Pro Case

Overheating can be a problem, especially when you’re putting the iPhone 11 Pro Max to the test with a marathon gaming session. Razer wants to help with the Arctech Pro case, which has a special thermaphene layer designed to collect heat and dissipate it out through the perforations in the back. Thankfully, you don’t have to sacrifice protection to keep cool, because you’ll also find a microfiber layer inside to prevent any scratches and the Pro case boasts drop protection up to 10 feet.

Noreve Tradition B Wallet Case

This beautifully stylish, leather wallet case brings some French flair to your iPhone. A sturdy shell grips your iPhone and a luxurious leather cover wraps around it, with a stud closure to ensure it stays shut when you want it to. The inside cover hosts two pockets for cards with the option of adding two more rear slots. Noreve offers a range of customizations to enable you to select the precise leather finish and color you want and choose various extras, though this will impact the price.

Nomad Rugged Brown Case

By wrapping polycarbonate in Horween leather which slots neatly into a TPE bumper Nomad has managed to create a rugged case that delivers 6-foot drop protection, but also looks and feels great. The leather will age and develop its own patina over time while the case ensures your iPhone stays in great condition. There’s a pronounced lip to protect the screen, accurate cutouts for easy access, button covers, and it won’t interfere with wireless charging. It’s also available in black.

Incipio Aerolite Case

As Incipio’s most protective case, the Aerolite offers protection from falls of up to 11 feet and it manages to do so without adding a lot of bulk thanks to a special material called FortiCore. There are contours inside the case and reinforced, shock-absorbing corners to take the sting out of drops. You can also get a glimpse of the iPhone within this case, and it comes in three different color combinations.

Case-Mate Twinkle Case

Packed with reflective iridescent glitter foil, this case twinkles in the light like stardust. Beyond the sparkly exterior, there’s a tough case here that offers up to 10-foot drop protection for your iPhone. The flexible sides enhance grip and there are metallic button covers and accurate cutouts. The back also boasts a special anti-scratch coating.

Griffin Survivor Strong Case

If you want to be able to see the design of your iPhone 11 Pro Max, but need some drop protection, then the Griffin Survivor Strong could be for you. There’s a clear polycarbonate back with scratch resistance and a special FortiCore-reinforced bumper that provides grip and protection from falls of up to 10 feet. Griffin does offer a bunch of much tougher and more expensive cases if that’s what you’re after, but this is a good compromise. It also comes in translucent black or green.

Smartish Kung-Fu Grip Case

The iPhone 11 Pro Max is a very big phone, so you may be keen to avoid adding any extra bulk with a case. The Kung-Fu Grip case from Smartish is slim and very light with air pockets to provide some protection against drop damage. The sides are textured to enhance your grip and you’ll find generous cutouts and well-defined button covers. The case also extends at the front to safeguard that enormous screen. This case comes in five different colors.

Skech Stark Case

This clever design manages to offer rugged drop protection for falls of up to 10 feet, but in a minimal form that leaves the iPhone on display and the sides fully accessible. The screen and camera are still protected thanks to raised edges and that hard, clear back is scratch-resistant. The top and bottom edges are where the shockproof protection is. The clear version seems to make the most sense if you’re a minimalist, but this case also comes in four different colors.

VRS Damda High Pro Shield Case

While this case is a standard mix of polycarbonate and TPU it sports an unusual sandstone texture that enhances grip and prevents fingerprints or smudges from accumulating. There are button covers and openings for access to all features, it doesn’t interfere with wireless charging, and raised edges protect the camera and screen. As for drop damage, VRS suggests it’s fine for falls of up to 4 feet, which covers you for a typical drop from pocket height.

Mous Contour Case

The new Contour range from Mous hits the sweet spot between style and substance, offering solid drop protection in an attractive package. The curved plastic case has microfiber inside to keep that glass scratch-free and the back is covered in different colors of leather or a textured speckle finish. There are chunky button covers and all the openings you need are present and correct.

Editors’ Recommendations

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Tags: 11, cases, Covers, iPhone, Max, Pro

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[tamboradventure]

My 6 Favorite Hostels in Los Angeles

Posted: 12/28/2019 | December 28th, 2019

In the last few years, more and more hostels have started opening up in Los Angeles and a city that was filled with only a couple now has dozens. While most used be located in Santa Monica or West Hollywood, you’ll find hostels spread out all over the city now.

That’s great, because LA itself is super spread out and it’s a pain in the butt to get anywhere. Now, if you want to stay in a hostel, you’re no longer confined to just a few parts of town.

The city is your oyster!

With so many options to now choose from, below is a list of my favorite hostels in the city to help guide your planning. I wouldn’t stay in any other place.

1. Freehand

This hostel/hotel features designer rooms with comfortable, a rooftop pool and bar with amazing views of the city, a lobby bar, a restaurant, and even a fitness center. Over the last few years, the once barren Downtown has become cool again. DTLA is one of my favorite parts of town and, though far from the main sites, you can at least get on the metro to go wherever you want! One thing to note: while this place is super cool, it’s also big and trendy and popular with locals so you don’t get a traditional hostel vibe here. That said, it’s the cheapest place to stay downtown!

Beds from $39 USD a night

—> Book your stay at Freehand Los Angeles!

2. USA Hostels Hollywood

This is one of my favorite hostels in the city. It’s in a prime location between Hollywood Boulevard and the Sunset Strip. I love the privacy pods in the dorms, which come equipped with a shelf, outlet, and light in each. The beds and pillows are also super comfortable and all the rooms have en suite bathrooms.

The hostel offers a complimentary breakfast, plus a garden patio, lounge, weekly BBQs, and other activities like karaoke and walking tours to Runyon Canyon, the Hollywood sign, and Beverly Hills, as well as a limousine tour.

Beds from $37 USD, rooms from $123 USD a night

—> Book your stay at USA Hostels Hollywood!

3. HI Los Angeles Santa Monica

HI Los Angeles Santa Monica is located a block from the beach and near the famous Santa Monica pier. The hostel includes free Wi-Fi, a stocked kitchen, and complimentary breakfast. It also single-sex dorm rooms. While the beds aren’t super comfy, the hostel offers numerous indoor and outdoor common areas, plus daily free activities and experiences, like pub crawls, walking tours, hikes, and more.

If you’re looking for access to the California beaches and nearby Venice, this is where to stay.

Beds from $31 USD a night

—> Book your stay at HI Los Angeles — Santa Monica!

4. Samesun Venice Beach

If you want to be a part of the action on Venice Beach, Samesun Venice Beach is the place. The hostel has both dorms and private rooms, most of which include an ocean view. Dorms have four, six or eight beds (mixed or female) that have lights and shelves for each. The bunks can be a bit shaky, and the bathrooms are small, and there’s no elevator but, overall, it’s an awesome place to stay in Venice.

Your stay includes free breakfast too. They also do a lot of activities to help ya get to know the city and others in the hostel!

Beds from $36 USD a night

—> Book your stay at Samesun Venice Beach!

5. Banana Bungalow Hollywood

Housed in a former motel, the retro Banana Bungalow Hollywood has a friendly, lively vibe and views of the Hollywood sign. What sets this hostel apart from others isn’t just the free parking (which is basically unheard of in LA) but that every dorm room has a kitchen and bathroom inside the room.

The hostel also has a tiki garden with lounge chairs to soak up the sun, a sidewalk café, and tons of activities in the common room, like live music, comedy, and karaoke, plus a movie theater for when you’re not exploring everything that’s within walking distance, like the Walk of Fame and Chinese Theater.

They also coordinate group activities, such as party buses, tours, hikes, and more. There’s free Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast and coffee daily, free BBQs and other free food nights, and movie nights. Because of all of the ways to spend time with others at the hostel, it can get loud at night and partying can go until late, so bring earplugs.

Beds from $29 USD, rooms from $99 USD a night

—> Book your stay at Banana Bungalow Hollywood!

6. Walk of Fame Hollywood Hostel

The Walk of Fame Hollywood Hostel is located in prime Hollywood location (you can actually watch the red carpet for the Academy Awards from the upper floors of this recently renovated hostel). Rooms here are clean, the beds are some of the most comfortable in town, and private rooms come a mini-fridge. There is only one bathroom per floor (even privates have shared bathrooms), so it can get a bit crowded. Not all of the dorms have AC, so in the warmer months it can get hot. The hostel has an updated kitchen and serves a complimentary continental breakfast daily.

The hostel also hosts nighttime activities and has a common room with foosball and pool tables.

Beds from $28 USD, rooms from $119 USD a night

—> Book your stay at Walk of Fame Hollywood Hostel!

***

There are not a lot of hostels in Los Angeles, but even from among those slim pickings, these are the best. They are spread out around town so you can find one in whatever part of town you’re staying in, and the prices are pretty affordable too! Check them out the next time you’re in town.

Book Your Trip to Los Angeles: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation To find the best budget accommodation, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most comprehensive inventory.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Want More Information on Los Angeles? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide onLos Angeles for even more planning tips!

The post My 6 Favorite Hostels in Los Angeles appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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[touristguidebuzz]

11 Reasons Why Asus Zenfone 4 Max is the Best Budget Smartphone for Every Traveler

Out of Town Blog 11 Reasons Why Asus Zenfone 4 Max is the Best Budget Smartphone for Every Traveler

11 Reasons Why Asus Zenfone 4 Max is one of the Best Smartphone There Is

I believe that compact and multipurpose smartphones are the best invention that mankind has ever chanced upon. As a traveler, I cannot imagine my adventures without smartphones. How else can I instantly check Google for information or directions, share photos and videos, and store all of these memories for a long time?

Zenfone 4 Max Black

I have tried many different models and brands of smartphones, and so far, my current Asus Zenfone 4 Max is the best of them all—compact, sleek, and highly efficient are simply not enough to describe this amazing phone. Below are the reasons why I think Asus Zenfone 4 Max is the smartphone for me, and why it should be for you, too:

Zenfone 4 Max Color Options

1. Elegant design

Imagine: sandblasted superfine matt surface, along with the contoured glass edges, 5.5-inch HD display with a smooth interface, and super slim design. Sounds like the dream smartphone, doesn’t it? What is more is that this phone is constructed with aluminum alloy so it is super light too, weighing less than 200 grams. We get so much for so less.

2. Three cameras

Zenfone 4 Max has a total of three cameras: one 8MP camera for selfies, one 13 MP main camera, and a second rear camera. Each rear camera is specialized, and my favorite new feature is the…

Asus Zenfone 4 Max normal angle

Asus Zenfone 4 Max wide angle

3. Wide angle camera

The standard rear camera of most phone models today only cover 80 degrees. With Zenfone 4 Max’s wide angle camera, however, I get a complete 120 degree scope. It makes shooting landscapes so much easier, because I don’t have to stand back (or keep walking backwards!) to get all that beautiful, panoramic view of the horizon or of super tall buildings.

Zenfone 4 Max Asus

4. Camera effects

The built-in camera effects of this phone are stellar. Aside from the usual beautification mode for shooting people or selfies, my phone also has a selfie panorama feature, GIF shooting, time lapse shooting, lowlight HDR shooting, and the all new Super Resolution Mode, which lets me capture images in an ultra-high 52 MP photo!

Two Cameras at the back of Zenfone 4 Max

5. Pro camera controls

If you are the shutterbug who prefers using manually operated cameras, then, prepare to be amazed, because Zenfone 4 Max allows manual controls, like an actual professional camera. White balance, focus, ISO sensitivity, and shutter speed are just some of the settings you can tweak to make shooting more personalized and, well, professional!

6. Reverse charging

My Zenfone 4 Max also serves as an emergency powerbank because it has a reverse charging function. The phone comes with a handy USB on-the-go cable which is perfect for this feature. This is perfect, especially when you forgot to bring your powerbank with you.

7. Long battery life

5000mAh translates to 26 hours of web surfing, 40 hours of talk time, 22 hours of video playback, and 91 hours of standby. Long battery life means more photos, more sharing, more convenience, and longer travels. This phone has a super high capacity non-removable battery as well, with the ultrafast charging feature.

Asus Zenfone 4 Max Review

8. Triple card slot

My Asus phone comes with an easy-access triple card slot at the upper left side. This perk makes removing SIM cards or storage cards so easy, because I don’t have to open the case and remove the battery, compared to my other older model phones.

9. Enhanced security

If you are a digital nomad like me, you probably know the importance of security as much as you know the value of the Internet. Zenfone 4 Max has a fingerprint sensor that rapidly processes prints in just 0.3 seconds, adding an extra layer of security without compensating our time.

10. Awesome specs

Zenfone 4 Max has a strong and premium metal unibody, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 Octacore processor. It has 3 GB RAM and can support 32 GB of external storage. You can expect a flawless and fast phone like mine.

11. Affordable

I got my Zenfone 4 Max for just Php 9,995, and this is a really handsome price, considering how most of its features can be found on phone brands that can be up to three times more expensive!

Unboxing Asus Zenfone 4 Max

To sum things up, Asus Zenfone 4 Max is the smartphone that every 21st century traveler should have. It’s one of the best smartphone there is. It is super convenient, compact, and affordable. The name has it all… “Max”. Maximum capacity, maximum convenience, and definitely maximal travel experiences.

Check the price of ASUS ZenFone 4 Max 5.5-inch HD 3GB RAM, 32GB storage Unlocked Dual SIM Cell Phone, US Warranty, Black on Amazon.

Also Read:

JBL Clip 2 Review: Small Speakers, Big Sounds Fit for Travelers

How to Take Good Travel Photographs

Top 10 Essential Non-Tech Gadgets for Travelers

11 Reasons Why Asus Zenfone 4 Max is the Best Budget Smartphone for Every Traveler Melo Villareal

[fritalci]

How to Find a Niche Online Business Opportunity

Hey digital nomad or aspiring digital nomad.

 So, you want to come up with a muse business or product a la 4 Hour Work Week and you’re looking for a product idea?

 Below is the process that I’ve either personally used or seen used by numerous startups and corporations. In the past 6 years, I’ve worked with startups that have raised over $24 million and I’ve personally managed $30 million in PPC spend (Google Adwords, Facebook ads, etc…). So I’ve seen a few things have worked and a few more that haven’t.

 This will work for both FBA businesses as well as stand-alone e-commerce or education products.

 If I were to look for a business that Tim Ferris would approve of, here’s what I’d do.

First, a warning. 

The process I’ll describe below is simple and easy to do, but the emotional experience is HARD. You’re going to work really hard and wander around for an unknown amount of time. If you follow the process and are good at finding solutions to people’s problems, you WILL be successful. I’ve seen the pattern play out too many times to think otherwise. BUT and this BUT is HUGE, the emotional experience can be awful.You’re going into the unknown. You’re going to make mistakes and have plenty of learning experiences. The material below is a general guide. It is not a recipe. There are lots of small details that I cannot possibly write down because I’ve either forgotten that I know them or they only apply to edge cases. You’re going to have to figure out a fair amount on your own. If you keep at it, you WILL be successful. But it will take time and faith and hard work even when things seem to be going slowly. If you don’t have the emotional space to try and fail and try and fail and try and fail and try and fail, revisit this when you do. 

OK intrepid explorer. If you’re ready to brave the unknown, let’s get started. 

We want to start by finding people who spend a lot of money on things related to their business/job or their hobby. Emphasis on the “a lot”.  The reason for this is that you want to find people who are accustomed to spending money related to either problems they regularly solve or pleasures they regularly create. People who already spend money are the easiest to sell to. In this document, I’ll use photographers and triathletes as my examples. Other examples might be boats, just about every sport you can imagine, and manual laborers like carpenters and plumbers. The criteria for finding the core thing is that at least one of the following describes the expense related to it:

 1)    The main thing itself is expensive. Cameras, bikes, boats, plumbing trucks, lawn mowers, etc… can all cost thousands or tens of thousands of dollars.

2)    Maintaining or repairing that main thing costs money. Boats need everything. Bikes need tires and tune-ups. So do plumbing trucks and professional-grade lawnmowers.

3)    Using the thing coincides with spending money. Traveling to far off locations to take photos costs money. Racing a bicycle in triathlons costs money. Putting gas in a boat costs money.

4)    There’s a world of accessories or upgrades. Camera lenses and editing software, bicycling jerseys and helmets, boat flags and dock fees, etc…

 To find the people, you can take a few approaches.

 First, you can email everyone you know and ask them if there’s an expensive thing either in their work or their hobbies that they spend a good chunk of change on. Or maybe there’s an activity that they regularly spend a lot of money on. Look for at least $1000 purchases. These can be one-time purchases (cameras and bikes) or throughout the year (high-quality paper and ink, entrance fees for races).

 If you want to take a targeted approach, think of things that you know that your friends have purchased that were expensive. Recreation equipment like RVs, boats, dirtbikes, snowboards, etc… are good places. Business purchases can also be good. Lawn mowers, backhoes, copy machines, commercial refrigerators, etc… Send out targeted emails and ask if you can talk about those things with them.

 When you talk with them, you’re going to look for one of a few things.

 1)    Can you tell me a story about expenses you regularly have related to those things?

a.    Photographer: “I’ve broken a few lenses because I keep my camera in my backpack.”

b.    Triathlete: “The best races sell out quickly and I often lose track of when registration starts. If I don’t sign up right away, I’m usually too late.”

2)    Can you tell me a story about something you had to learn that was either time consuming or was plain old hard to learn?

a.    Photographer: “There were so many variables to taking a good photo and I didn’t really understand how to put them all together.”

b.    Triathlete: “Swimming was super hard to do. I could move forward and not sink, but learning how to swim correctly and well took me a while”

 Alone, these stories are not enough to come up with a solution. We need more information. To get that additional information, we use two tools: “can you say more”, “can you tell me about a specific time when that happened”, variations on “why”, and “is there anything else about that that you dislike?”. Finally, when you’ve asked quite a few questions, ask them what they would have searched for a solution to the problem.

 Broken Camera

You: “Can you tell me more about a specific time when your camera broke in your backpack?”

Them: “Yeah. I was hiking with friends in NH and I fell off of a log I was walking across.”

You: “Why did it break?”

Them: “It was in my bag and not in a case”

You: “Why was it not in a case?”

Them: Cases are usually super bulky and take up too much room in my backpack”

You: “Why do you prefer to put your camera in your backpack instead of a backpack made for cameras?”

Them: “I don’t want to buy a backpack just for hiking with my camera. Plus my backpack is made for hiking and camera backpacks suck for hiking”.

You: “What would you have searched for on Google to find a solution to this problem?”

Them: “Slim camera case that will fit in a hiking backpack”

 Missed Race Registration

 You: “Can you tell me more about a specific race that you missed out on registering for?”

Them: “Yeah, I was traveling for work and completely forgot about it”

You: “Why did you forget?”

Them: “I usually put it in my calendar, but I hadn’t put all of my races in my calendar yet.”

You: “Can you say more about putting races in your calendar?”

Them: “Well each race has a different starting time for registration. It’s like buying tickets for movies or concerts. So I have to put them in my calendar.”

You: “What else do you dislike about that experience?”

Them: “Even if I have it in my calendar, I might not be able to do it right when the registration opens. Sometimes they start at midnight. But I have kids and a job and I need my sleep. Other times I’m traveling and due to time zones I’ll be unavailable when the registration opens”

You: “What would you have searched for on Google to find a solution to this problem?”

Them: “Early marathon registration service”

  Learning Photography

 You: “Can you tell me a specific story of when you were taking photos and the variables were so confusing that you didn’t get the photos that you want?”

Them: “Yeah, I was traveling in Southeast Asia to all of these locations and I tried using the presets in the camera and they didn’t take good photos”

You: “Why did they not work for you?”

Them: “The settings were really general and so the exposures were not very good. I got a few good exposures, but then the composition was pretty bad”

You: “Why were you unhappy with the compositions?”

Them: “I didn’t really know how to put together the shot.”

You: “Did you try taking any travel photography classes?”

Them: “I’ve seen some, but I don’t want to spend hours and hours learning theory. I just want to take good photos. I took a short one and did what it told me, but the photos were still not very good. I just want to know the right composition and settings for each location”.  

You: “What would you have searched for on Google to find a solution to this problem?”

Them: “travel photography recipes”

  Triathlete Learning to Swim

 You: “Can you tell me about when you were first learning to swim?”

Them: “Yeah. I took a swim class I kept crossing my arms across my line of sight”

You: “Can you say more about that? I don’t know what that means.”

Them: “So I’m supposed to reach my arms straight forward like referees do when someone kicks a field goal. Except my arms keep crossing inward so that my hand ends up in front of my face. My hand should be more to the outside”

You: “Why didn’t that happen?”

Them: “A couple of reasons. First, I didn’t have proper arm strength. The second was that my range of motion was limited. Finally, I just didn’t have proper awareness of where my hands were.”

You: “What would you have searched for on Google to find a solution to this problem?”

Them: “Swim posture back brace”

 So now we have four search queries:

 “Slim camera case that will fit in a hiking backpack”

“Early marathon registration service”

“Travel photography recipes”

“Swim posture back brace”

 Now we go out and search on google for these solutions. We can also come up with other ways of expressing these ideas with different words. Google’s Adwords’ Keyword Planner can be useful there. Also look at the descriptions used by the solutions that you find.

 As we search, we look for a few things.

 1)    Is anyone selling anything related to this?

a.    We want to find solutions that are being sold. This is because we want to get into a world where someone else has validated that people want to pay for a solution. If nobody is selling anything, stay away. Let someone else waste the money to find out there’s no market. As the saying goes, “You know who the pioneers are because they’re the ones with the arrows in their backs”.

2)    Are there only a handful of competitors?

a.    We don’t want to get into a world where there is a ton of competition. We want to be in a business where we can just show up and we don’t have to be marketing rock stars. Evidence of this is either few sellers on Amazon, few brands on Amazon, or very few Google Ads. To be clear, some ads and competitors is a good sign. But too many will be a bad sign.

3)    Have competitors made sales?

a.    Past sales are great indicators that people are paying for solutions. Take a look at seller ratings or product ratings and see what the relationship is between # of reviews and amount of time. If a product only has two reviews in the past year, that might not be good. But if it’s getting a few per month, that’s better. More per month is always better.

4)    Existing solutions are pretty simple.

a.    We want to sell something that is easy to design and manufacture. If the solution requires solving hard or expensive design or construction challenges, then we’re going to get bogged down in either figuring out how to solve the problem or spending a ton of money for specialty manufacturing. We want something that just about any factory in the world can manufacture for cheap money.

5)    Niche-able

a.    Often you can do quite well by customizing a physical product or education product for a specific niche. Camera cases are good, but camera cases that will fit perfectly into Deuter-brand 55 L hiking backpacks are even better. Photography classes are good, but a collection of photography recipes for each of the tourist destinations in Laos is even better. Consider this if you see too much competition or if margins are too tight in the broader category.

 Taking the results we find, we go back to the people we talked to and we ask them if they would buy the solutions we found. I don’t mean this in the theoretical. I mean ask them if they’ll buy it right now.

 If they say yes, ask them what it is about it or their problem made them say yes. This will help you to understand the attributes that they found attractive that others may find attractive. These will be the details that you highlight in your advertising and on your website.

 If they say no, ask them what attributes it’s missing that would make them buy. When they answer you, tell them you’ll sell them exactly what they need at a price that is anywhere between 25% to X00% more than the competing product. You want the product to be more expensive than competing products to avoid getting into a business where price is the determining factor. You ONLY want to be in the value-adding business. Stay the heck away from businesses where you compete on price. If you don’t believe me, read this: http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2016/02/26/pharmapacks_makes_over_70_million_selling_miscellaneous_items_on_amazon.html

 IF YOU CAN’T SELL IT FOR A PREMIUM, DON’T SELL IT

 If it’s a physical product, tell them that you have a custom manufacturer who will build and ship it and all you need is the order. All you need is the order, specs, and payment RIGHT NOW. If they hem or haw, then there’s something causing them to say no. Find out what it is. Either there’s a legit reason (usually design related) or they don’t really want a solution. If it’s design related, get the exact specs and say “I’m going to take your order and design specs and your money. If the product doesn’t solve your problem, you can get a refund. But I need payment today”. The immediate payment part is important. Don’t let people say “well, I’ll pay you once I see it” or something like that. Even if it’s true (it’s usually not) what it means is that the problem is not painful enough. You want problems where they don’t care to know the exact details and that literally anything is better than whatever they’re experiencing now. If your house is on fire, are you going to hem and haw about how the fire department puts out the fire? No! You just want the fire to be put out. If people hem and haw and don’t call the fire department (ie pay you), then the problem stinks and may not be a good business. There’s an exception to this, which I describe below.

 If the problem is education-based, you can do two things. If you have experience in that field and are credible, tell them that you’re currently building material (class, e-book, etc…) that solves that exact problem and that you’ll even customize it to their exact needs. If you don’t have that knowledge, tell them that you’ve started working with experts in that field to teach the material and that you’re handling production and sales. Tell them that if they’ll give you feedback to improve the class, you’re willing to discount the price from $197 to $19. Tell them that you’re taking pre-orders to validate that people want to buy it and that if you don’t sell enough to move forward on the class in the next 30 days, you’ll give them back the $19. If they hem and haw, find out why. It could be that they either learned the thing and don’t need it anymore (valid) or it’s not painful enough. If they’ve already learned it, ask if they know someone who hasn’t learned it and get an introduction. 

 If they say no, you may also have simply found a non-buyer, in which case advertising online will help you answer that question at scale. Tim Ferris does a good job of covering this in The Four Hour Work Week. Eric Ries also covers it in The Lean Startup. If you want to get really good at advertising on Facebook or Google Adwords, email me at teaching@ and then Frustaci and then a dot and then a com. I have some free educational material that I can send you. Education from me will always be free. Advice, feedback, and recommendations on strategy is where I charge.  

 About the Author:  Giuseppe Frustaci is a marketing professional who focuses on digital performance marketing. Specializing in Pay Per Click Advertising and Search Engine Optimization, Giuseppe has managed $30M+ in marketing budgets for clients such as Staples.com, Procter and Gamble, and Novartis. Particularly interested in early-stage market testing methods for startups, Giuseppe has worked with CoachUp.com ($9.4M in funding), Boundless.com ($9.7M in funding), Launch Academy, Co Everywhere ($8.4M in funding), Tablelist.com ($7.45M in funding) and Statement1 (founder took last company public).