#my references were so low quality i could count pixels

[vvitchynerd]

since i didnt get arlecchino

have my rushly drawn c2 lvl 90 son

[uwua3]

your name (pt.1)

❄️📚 tsukioka tsumugi

part 1 — part 2 — part 3

summary: being an adult is tiring, tsumugi knows that all too well.

warnings: class divide (struggling financially), food

author’s note: this is the first ever series i’m doing! please anticipate the next installment of the “your name” series tomorrow :D i’m so excited to share this since part 01 is my first ever wip for a3 ever 🤍 please enjoy!

word count: 2,932

music: kimi no na wa soundtrack – radwimps

Running with reckless abandon, a boy trips amidst the bustling public traffic in the station, books flying out of his arms from the sheer force of his turn. Passer-bys barely spared a glance at the panicked tutor as he bent down to gather his academic papers, all imprinted by strangers’ shoes. In a moment of lifelong embarrassment, the world continued to spin as nothing rippled the fabric of time.

Murmurs spread across the crowd, daily small talk between people who would never see each other again on the complex train system. Students shared personal gossip too loud for their own good as their prestigious private academy skirts flew past him. Businessmen burdened themselves with client phone calls as they were all weighed down by the same leather briefcase. Employees wore their customer service mask, smiling politely before dropping their act immediately afterwards when they thought no one was looking. As expected, there was no time in the schedule to stop and help a recent university graduate out of his clumsy peril. Everyone was too distracted by their own problems to consider breaking their routine.

Perceptive by nature, Tsukioka Tsumugi didn’t need to glance at his watch to know he was late to his study session. The automated female voice sounded dull over the speakers, announcing his designated train was to depart in five minutes in a monotone attitude. Tokyo was a busy city with no mercy for those who didn’t plan every second of their future. That much was understandable by the aspiring teacher who quickly pulled out his outdated flip phone as he carefully eyed the assignments back in his possession.

A single tone rang before a drawl was heard in poor quality, with a shit–eating grin Tsumugi knew all too well.

“Tsumu, did you finally realize I don’t need your tutoring?” Settsu Banri mocked, the distinct background noises of his new video game obsession making Tsumugi speed walk even faster. With his books held tight against his chest, he sighed and almost pinched the bridge of his nose before realizing none of his hands were free. Placing the phone in between his shoulder and ear, Tsumugi rolled his eyes as he attempted to organize his mess.

“Banri-kun, please refer to me as Tsukioka-san. I am your senior by years, if I may remind you.” Tsumugi reprimanded, noting Banri’s agitated groan and muttered under his breath about the age difference between them. Unlike the other students Tsumugi tutored, Banri was defiant. Over–the–top, lazy, and arrogant—but deadly smart. Ever since Tsumugi carefully took off his shoes in the Settsus’ overpriced apartment, Banri took it upon himself to make his life a living hell by refusing to do the work but getting every question right. The only thing Banri cooperated with was talking about video games, which distracted him from his innate ability to be the best at everything. So on Friday afternoons, Tsumugi would visit to recap the weekly curriculum and try his best to stay patient with Banri’s snappy attitude.

“Why’d you call anyways? You’re late, by the way.” Banri pointed out right before Tsumugi fell through the two closing doors on the train, tumbling into a displeased but silent group as he gripped the overhead. Spectators only stared for a second before turning away as Tsumugi blushed under the attention, stammering back a half–assed apology of how he was going to be twenty minutes late for their session.

“Hold on, am I talking to the right person? Tsukioka Tsumugi, late? Real funny, just tell me you quit or something.” Banri feigned a bothered persona, but it was nice to pretend he was actually worried over the possibility of not seeing Tsumugi. Apologizing quickly to a corporate worker he bumped into, Tsumugi fixed the bag slung too low on his right shoulder as he took the phone back in his hand. At the same time, the zipper on his decade old bag gave out as it took his foot’s entire strength to keep the folders in place. Great, another thing to replace.

Staring outside the window, the school year was coming to a close as the heat of incoming summer air made him grip the phone in case of vicious sweat. “Banri–kun, you know I value our study sessions together.” He didn’t respond, just a resigned hmph before hanging up as Banri started swearing into his gaming headset. Tsumugi closed his eyes, getting his minutes of shut-eye for the first time in days as the sun glowed. Time didn’t stop for anyone, especially not Tsukioka Tsumugi.

After being greeted way too properly by the Settsu chain of servants, Tsumugi could hear the exaggerated game sound effects throughout the rather empty mansion. Walking carefully into Banri’s wide open door, Tsumugi grimaced at the sight of the energy drink cans crushed and thrown haphazardly near the trash can. Junk food wrappers were kicked underneath the expensive furniture as Banri was focused on his two–screen gaming setup. The rainbow LED keyboard was smashed expertly by Banri’s quick fingers all without looking down, getting him a #1 win as he boredly stared at the victory. As expected of NEO-san, a top league player. Or so Tsumugi’s heard by his other student, Taichi, who dramatically cries every time he loses against Banri.

“Banri-kun, please excuse my interruption.” Tsumugi announced, holding up the textbooks he had carried with a strained smile. Banri didn’t even look over as he logged off, saying something about GG to his teammate by the name of “Taruchi” before pushing the cat headset down around his neck. Spinning around in his black gamer chair, Banri raised one eyebrow at Tsumugi’s disheveled appearance panting slightly in the doorway. It was unlike his composed, proper tutor to be... like every young adult out there? Tsumugi didn’t seem like he had all the wisdom and knowledge in the world, he looked more... confused than anything.

“Geez, Tsumu. Didn’t think you’d sleep in, watched the meteor strike last night?” Banri smirked, rolling his chair across the room to his school desk as he put his legs up, stretching his arms beneath his head lazily. How he hadn't changed out of his white t-shirt and sweatpants was beyond Tsumugi as he sat in his normal chair silently, unlike the loud high schooler who glanced at the folder of work with a yawn. Grabbing some trendy bucket hat, Banri shoved the brim over his eyes as he took a break from the flashing neon blue light from his monitor.

“Meteor strike?” Tsumugi questioned innocently, attempting to hold conversation as Banri hummed a game soundtrack absentmindedly. Nodding, Banri pulled up his modern phone that made Tsumugi wince thinking of the price of that thing. Shoving the screen in front of Tsumugi’s wary red eyes, he blinked rapidly to adjust to the bright overpowering pixels. Tsumugi noticed an event marked that raved about the phenomenal light show the day before. Thinking back on the train incident this morning, Tsumugi remembered the excitement buzzing through the students a week prior as they whispered about a new chance to wear their best yukatas to celebrate. It had been so long since he was in school, that he completely forgot about all the childish euphoria that came with change.

“I must’ve slept through it. I didn’t notice at all.” Tsumugi admitted, tilting his head as he tried to remember the news every morning the past week. He couldn’t remember a single story of the astronomical event, although every day felt the same as usual. It was peculiar; Tsumugi was awake all night, too. He couldn’t sleep without his medication... maybe he should have looked up for once.

Taking his phone back to check the game notification popping up on screen, Banri chuckled as he shoved a stick of chocolate pocky in his mouth. “Mhmm, said it was a historical event n’ all. Supposed to be life-changing.” Banri offered bare minimum detail on anything and everything, but it was enough for Tsumugi to have a slight understanding as he set up the workspace. Banri noticed the distant look in Tsumugi’s eyes, the tiredness stifled underneath the graceful mannerisms as it looked like he was going through the motions. Attempting to lighten the mood, Banri’s voice came off meaner than he intended. “Aren’t you like? 25? How come you don’t know this stuff, you’re no boomer.”

Tsumugi frowned, glancing at Banri who looked away immediately with a flustered expression. Leave it to Banri to overthink whether or not he overstepped a boundary but refuse to acknowledge it. Tsumugi kept the meme going, sarcastically deadpanning, “Haha” before tossing a new eraser at Banri’s mushroom hair. Banri caught the gift in one hand easily as he slowly turned it over, turning his body to fully face his tutor. His feet dropped to the floor with a bang, startling Tsumugi to straighten his posture and stare directly into Banri’s curious face that had a glint of... concern?

“What’s all this? A gift to make me like you or something?” Banri jokes, nudging Tsumugi’s foot with his own. Tsumugi couldn’t help but notice the tight death grip Banri had on the small, game controller shaped eraser he had found at his full time work as a florist. Across the street was a one dollar convenience store, where teenage workers stood at the register on their phones as Tsumugi checked out the stationary. Wearing his dirt–stained apron, he remembered coming across miniature, adorable erasers that made him think of his students. Especially the red and blue Nintendo Switch joy con erasers that made Tsumugi think of Banri’s whole rant about the superiority of Fire Emblem: Three Houses’ Black Eagles for the potential wife girls. Sure, it was a hit on his already fragile bank account, but it was worth it to see Banri genuinely happy about something for once.

“You already do, I’m the longest tutor you’ve had.” Tsumugi didn’t need the thanks, because it was clear in the way Banri for once put something down without throwing it. Banri scoffed, mumbling a weak comeback as he flipped open his notebook. He even tossed his hat off his head, revealing the messy long hair tucked behind his ears. Oh, he did his homework for once, Tsumugi mused with satisfaction before trying to flip to the appropriate page in the school’s textbook. It was open to a section on meteors, and glossy colored pictures of the sky made Tsumugi’s eyes focus. The image seemed familiar. Perhaps he stared a moment too long, because Banri took the book himself and thumbed his way to the marked section, warily sparing a careful glance.

“Hey... you good? You don’t look... normal.” Banri roughly phrased, trying his best to emote like a normal human would. Tsumugi nodded, not convincing anyone he was off. Brushing his sweaty palms upon his jeans, Tsumugi pushed his hair back as he started reciting what he knew of the topic and reviewed the homework, failing to catch Banri’s attentive stare at Tsumugi’s cheap, hole-ridden pants and bag bursting at the seams.

Tsumugi went back on the same train. The people were the same, his schedule was the same. Banri was different today though, paid more attention today despite knowing it already. Maybe he just wanted to get it over with, probably some tournament tonight.

In the face of the orange sunset above the skyscrapers, Tsumugi walked home with a slow, natural pace that fit his time slot he allocated for transportation. The mental reminder allowed him to look up for once, seeing the birds fly together around the quieter part of the city as a golden haze reflected off the glass. Community members said their usual predictable greetings as he waved back, respectfully wishing good health to his elders and telling funny jokes to the youth playing sports. Yet, it didn’t bring him the fulfillment he got before when he was young. Being an adult, was tiring.

It was the same everyday, as Tsumugi left the residential area and climbed through the back alley to a slum part of town. Lights flickered as abandoned businesses creaked amidst the silence. He escaped the prying eyes of neighbors and unlocked the door to his dingy, unsafe apartment. Closing the door quietly, Tsumugi stared at the studio as silence overtook his surroundings. Dust floated in the golden hour as everything was where he exactly left it.

“Welcome home.” Tsumugi whispered, his own voice echoing in between his four walls. Alone, again. It was the same everyday.

Heating up the instant ramen expired in his cupboard, the microwave sparked every once in a while as Tsumugi leaned against the counter. Each surface he touched creaked with uncertainty, as if it didn’t know how long it could last. His one–room housing felt cramped despite the lack of furniture around Tsumugi. His run–down appliances, aged decor, and rising rent made the location even better as Tsumugi did the usual routine of eating half the calories he needed and staying up browsing job listings. This time, the ramen wasn’t as satisfying as the pastry Banri stuffed in his hand before he left.

“What’s this?” Tsumugi remembered asking, immediately feeling sick to his stomach once he saw Banri’s serious expression stare back at him. At the moment, it felt like Banri was his teacher. The sweet, strawberry mochi wrapped in plastic felt warm in his palm as Banri stood at the door of his own home, leading Tsumugi out with a gift.

“Mochi. You’re Japanese, dipshit. Just a thanks, I guess.” Banri bullshitted, rolling his eyes as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. Tsumugi noticed they began to fidget a little bit as Banri tapped his foot against the welcome mat. “School punk named Juza bakes or whatever, has a family business so thought you might like it. Or whatever.” Banri elaborated, using one hand to tug at the already loose v–neck collar of his week old t–shirt. Was that a blush Tsumugi saw on his rather indifferent student? No matter, it wasn’t his business to ask about a troublemaker turned pastry chef.

He’d make sure to thank his student next time he tutored him, which would be (Tsumugi checked the wall calendar disappointedly) next week. Banri was a good kid, even if he had his teenage angsty rebellion phase for a while now. Privileged kids liked doing that, pretending the whole world was against them despite having everything, Tsumugi thought bitterly. Even he was slightly surprised and caught off guard by his own pessimism, before the microwave beeped, signaling its task was done.

When Tsumugi tried to pull open the door, the handle snapped off and a quiet sigh escaped Tsumugi’s lips. Guess no dinner for tonight, then. Tsumugi didn’t have enough fight in him to care, so he dropped the handle onto the counter with a clatter. Inside this studio room, there was nothing for Tsumugi here. Not even his own food.

So, Tsumugi sat down on the couch that groaned beneath his weight. Except, it wasn’t his own body that made his sofa creak—it was the stack of papers needing to be graded in his arms. With a red pen tucked behind his ear, Tsumugi began marking his students’ work. A minute passed before Tsumugi quickly turned the television on, letting the sound of the news distract him from the unbearable loneliness.

Sure, it was going to increase his bills but... the money would be worth it to make his thoughts quiet for a moment. Tsumugi had a job to do, and he wouldn’t let his mindset get in the way. Being an adult was something else, indeed.

When had he fallen asleep?

Tsumugi blinked slowly, finding that his cheek was resting against a substantially smaller stack. Another pile that was distinctly red ink was on the other cushion, the pen without its cap rolled across the carpet. Tsumugi subconsciously winced when he realized the T.V. was on, the same channel on in the background.

Lifting his head, Tsumugi tried to comprehend the visual of the screen through his blurry vision. Tsumugi’s glasses must’ve dropped somewhere; he hoped he didn’t step on them. From what he could hear, the duo of news anchors were animatedly discussing some supernatural phenomenon tonight. Tsumugi rubbed his eyes, leaning closer to the small box screen ahead.

There was no way he possibly heard that correctly. Yet, there it was on the T.V.: “Historical Meteor Shower Tonight!” in big bold letters at the bottom. Tsumugi could remember Banri talking about something like this, but it had occurred last night. Was there another one? How common was it for two meteor showers within a span of mere hours? Sitting up, Tsumugi watched the pair talk about the light show.

“This is said to be the first event of its kind in Japan!” The host exclaimed, the screen switching to a picture of the meteors. A sense of familiarity struck Tsumugi once more, the same feeling when he had seen Banri’s textbook earlier that day. “It’s said to be life–changing—” The other one replied, Tsumugi’s wide eyes focused on every single passing word and image. Could deja vu possibly last this long?

As Tsumugi fumbled for his phone, he made his way out onto his balcony. Something inside him was telling him to get some air as Tsumugi dialed Banri’s number. Before Tsumugi could confirm the call, a bright light appeared out of the corner of his eye.

Tsumugi looked up to see two bright meteors splitting from one another. At the sight, Tsumugi’s phone landed upon the balcony floor.

[paytan-low-blog]

Russian homophobe about Athens from Borderlands

Hi, people.   In advance I want to say that I have a very low level of English (sorry for that). I live in Belarus. It is close to Russia. I don't think we should say that there are homosexuality... a little negative. I do not want to say that all people in the post-Soviet space are like this. This mainly concerns people of the "old school", but there are different individuals.

FOR EXAMPLE: The guy who wrote in the Borderlands game community is:

"Well, guys, I hope in the third part of borderlands we will not see Athena as a lesbian. I'd rather it not be kanon. You know, the first character I went through pre-sequel - Athena for. I was satisfied with it all: she is a Gladiator woman, she walks with a steep shield, she... she's beautiful! But what was my disappointment when I realized that she is a LESBIAN! The gearbox, well, no need to make a game that tolerant! Can f with him, there is such are minor characters with a different sexual orientation, but the damn MAIN CHARACTER! Do not be surprised if Zer0 would be homorobots, and moxie is generally the man who changed his gender from zed. I think many will agree with me."

(Yeah, man. We all agree with you.)

And the comments under this post were very obvious, in a good way:

(2nd picture) "How do you see her in the third part, if two games in a row developers were her storyline from Dating with springs to the wedding?

"I was satisfied with it all..."and now you're upset that it wasn't you who married her, but the other NTC?) sounds pretty logical.

Athena - the self-sufficient character with an internal conflict, one of the few people who gradually reveal all games in the series (read from blind revenge in b1, denial and attempts to find himself in the bps and because after the flashback, the game returns in time after the events of the DLS tiny Tina can be considered in the b2 and, to tftb, where it is revealed the true essence of Athens after dealing with the loss of sisters, especially if you do not kill the doctor from Atlas." "No, don't agree" "That's a joke, Yes..?" "Homophobes have gone" "It would be cool to see a Zer0 homorobots , all students ass would have exploded"

(3 picture) "Athens will not be-will be for Hammerlok then play) Remember more))" "shouted" ""Do not be surprised if Зер0 will be homorobots" - not will be, he's asexual Yeah, well, being a homophobe in 2018 is such a thing." "And still Exton-bi, On the count of 3 - bomb))0"

But of course there was one and he just beat me!

"I agree , stand firmly by your opinion, ****suckers and lesbians in the ass, they ass like races should not in their opinion to be empty , and not just consider heed to your favorite Persians such as you want that they were, the imagination of the developers not the law."

"the imagination of the developers not the law."??? That's wonderful! So we can set up our own kanon? That's great! Tony stark latent cub of dinosaur, which brings Spider-Man is a bulldozer in the body of the boy who aches for Stony, but Steve Rogers, who was an agent of Voldemort - aches for stucky. But Proffesor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore are helping Thanos to collect all the stones of unconsciousness to prove that the only kanon is Frostiron!"! Thanks, man. You've made my life a lot worse! (actually not, I've read fan fiction before)

Well, the last picture: it is a dialogue between the person who wrote the post (Roman) and do not agree with him: "I'm homophobic. is it better to respect those who went against nature?" (Could you at least write a question in the search? We live in a time when we don't have to go to great big Bible libraries or scientific centers and so forth. You can find information by pressing a couple of buttons! But no. Who do you need to verify the information?) "What if I told you that homosexuality is a natural thing at the embryo stage? And why should their right to respect, just neutral to them, they are people just like everyone else" "I would not say that they are the same people as we are. Is it not clear that gay people are essentially mental patients?" "Too are thick dude, try a thinner" (it's about the fact that people thinks he's a Troll)(next 2 people who are against the author of the post, talking) "he's not a Troll, he doesn't really understand what you're explaining to him" "Well, where do I know, maybe he is not stupid, homophobic, and just inept fat Troll" (one of them, replies author) "so what about the mental patients if you liked Athena? You same so much qualities its described - she the beautiful! She also has a shield. Well, the dream of a woman! It is a pity that it is pixel, and will not give you" (in the end, I wrote him a response that he said "gay people are essentially mentally ill." I said that Gomoseksualisty long been excluded from psychological diseases)

What do I want to say with this?

I think that homophobia is a consequence of education and environment, because if you will be from an early age to live surrounded by those who say that "gay - sick people", then you are likely to consider it that way. This is a consequence of propaganda (at least in the CIS countries) because the government needs more bio-material (Super, now it looks like a conspiracy theory).

I am categorically against beating/destroying / humiliating such people. You can try to explain all adequate and without insults, try to understand someone else's point of view (and it is not that they just want to destroy people's lives. Often, they really believe that gays are "ruining their spiritual ties).

Although I will say honestly, when a person refuses to accept any information and ignores all references to research and articles, sometimes reinforcing his words " GOD will PUNISH you!"I think he's just very, very stupid. But do not fall to the insults and so on. Vryatli man after he threw a rotten egg, I think "Oh, I threw the egg... Apparently homosexuality is normal. I saw the light through this egg, thanks. I'm going to protect the gays."

Actually, that's all I wanted to say. Play cool games, for cool characters. Be less aggressive and check the information. Thank you, if at all someone is here to read.

[makingmoneyonlinemethod]

8 Effective Email Marketing Strategies, Backed by Science

 The cutthroat inbox of your standard consumer roils with marketing messages, competitive subject lines, and scores of attention-seeking emails. With over 144 billion emails sent each and every day, email marketing remains one of the elite channels for business communication. So how does the signal separate itself from the noise?

To be sure, finding the key to a stand-out message is critical to your bottom line—whether that bottom line is cold, hard cash or community engagement or anything in between. What follows are eight inbox-tested email marketing strategies that successful senders have used to get their emails clicked.

1. Personalize your email without using the recipient’s name

No more “Dear [INSERT NAME HERE]”.

The practice of personalized email greetings is not nearly as effective as it may seem. In fact, research by Temple’s Fox School of Business suggests that this particular kind of personalization could be harmful.

Given the high level of cyber security concerns about phishing, identity theft, and credit card fraud, many consumers would be wary of emails, particularly those with personal greetings.

A significant element of email marketing is relationship. Does a recipient trust you? Does a recipient even know who you are? When an email jumps the gun by forcing familiarity too soon, the personalization comes across as skeevy. Intimacy is earned in real life, and it would appear to be the same way with email. Take this example from my inbox; no one has called me lowercase kevan l lee in years.

 Faking familiarity with the subscriber turns many wary email readers off. But this isn’t to say that all forms of personalization are off-limits. In fact, a particular brand of personalization can pay off big time: Sending email that acknowledges a subscriber’s individuality (e.g., purchase history or demographic).

(The study) also found that product personalization, in which customers are directed to products that their past purchasing patterns suggest they will like, triggered positive responses in 98 percent of customers.

The takeaway here is that if you are to use personalization as an email strategy, do so in a meaningful way. It takes little knowledge or relationship to place someone’s name in your greeting. It shows far greater care to send personalized email that is specific to a recipient’s needs and history. Again, an example from my inbox, this email from Rdio dispenses with the formalities and simply provides an update on music I actually listen to.

 2. The long and short of subject lines

When it comes to deciding how to craft that perfect subject line, there appears to be really only one area to avoid: the subject line of 60 to 70 characters. Marketers refer to this as the “dead zone” of subject length. According to research by Adestra, which tracked over 900 million emails for its report, there is no increase in either open rate or clickthroughs at this 60-to-70 character length of subject line.

Conversely, subject lines 70 characters and up tested to be most beneficial to engage readers in clicking through to the content, and subject lines 49 characters and below tested well with open rate.

In fact, Adestra found that subject lines fewer than 10 characters long had an open rate of 58%.

Short subjects came in vogue with the success of President Barack Obama’s email fundraising. He saw incredible engagement with subjects like “Hey” and “Wow.”

 So the question becomes: Do you want to boost clicks (response) or opens (awareness)? Go long for clickthroughs; keep it short for opens.

Either way, a helpful email strategy is to squeeze out more words or cut back just a bit to avoid that 60 to 70 character dead zone.

3. 8:00 p.m. to midnight is the prime time to send your email

While many a quality email may be built during business hours, the ones with the best open rates aren’t being sent from 9 to 5. The top email strategy is to send at night.

In their quarterly email report for 2012’s fourth quarter, Experian Marketing Services found that the time of day that received the best open rate was 8:00 p.m. to midnight. This block not only performed better for open rate (a respectable 22 percent) but also for clickthrough and sales.

 The chart above shows that the 8:00 to midnight window is also the least used—a key factor in helping those late night emails outperform the rest. From Experian:

Optimal mailing time often depends upon your customers’ behaviors, inbox crowding, and the deployment times of other marketers.

Inbox crowding and the deployment times of other marketers go hand-in-hand; if your email goes out when few others do, it stands a greater chance of getting noticed (so quick, start sending between 8:00 and midnight before everyone else catches on).

Optimal mailing for your customers’ needs will be up to you. Test, test, and test some more to find out how your customer ticks and when he/she opens email.

4. The best content is free content: Give something away

Consumers love a free lunch—or a free template.

In a study on their email list of 6,300 subscribers, Bluewire Media tested various types of content to see what led to the highest rates for opens and clicks. The winner was templates and tools, just the kind of freebies that email readers want.

Here is a freebie example from Help Scout:

Many a consumer will ask, “What’s in it for me?” When it comes to resources, Bluewire Media’s test results say that templates and tools outweigh ebooks, expert interviews, brain teasers, and even photo albums. You will want to test with your own list, but certainly use Bluewire’s research as a head start.

5. Mobile opens accounts for 47 percent of all email opens

Mobile opens accounted for 47 percent of all email opens in June, according to numbers provided by email marketing firm Litmus. If your email list accounts for $100,000 in sales each month, could you afford to wave bye-bye to $44,000 just because your email looks funky on a mobile phone?

Design responsively to ensure that your email looks great no matter where it’s read. Here are some quick mobile design tips:

Convert your email to a one column template for an     easy mobile fix.

Bump up     the font size for improved readability on smart phones.

Follow     the iOS guideline of buttons at least 44 pixels wide by 44 pixels tall.

Make the     call-to-action obvious and easy to tap. Above the fold is preferable.

Consider     ergonomics. Many users tap and scroll with their thumb, so keep important     tappable elements in the middle of the screen.

 6. Email still reigns over Facebook and Twitter

Social media may be the young whippersnapper nipping at email’s heels, but the content king of the inbox still holds sway in social influence, according to a study by SocialTwist. Over an 18-month period, SocialTwist monitored 119 referral campaigns from leading brands and companies. The results showed a significant advantage to email’s ability to convert new customers compared to Facebook and Twitter.

Of the 300,000 referrals who became new customers, 50.8 percent were reached by email, compared to 26.8 percent for Twitter and 22 percent for Facebook.

Email ruled supreme, by almost double.

7. Send email on the weekends

While not as overwhelming a winner as the 8:00 p.m. to midnight time of day, Saturday and Sunday did outperform their weekday counterparts in Experian’s study of day-of-week performance.

 Again, the volume of email sent on the weekends is low, just like the volume for evening emails, which could help those messages stand out more. The margins for clickthrough, open, and sales rates were not substantial, but in email marketing, every little bit counts.

8. Re-engage an inactive group of subscribers

Your list is huge. Great! The only problem is that two-thirds of it may be inactive.

Research has found that the average inactivity for a list is 63 percent, meaning that once someone joins they are less likely to ever follow-up with your follow-up emails. Email marketing firm Listrak goes so far as to identify the first 90 days as the window for turning a sign-up into a devotee (and they lay out a plan for doing so).

What’s to become of that inactive 63 percent? Re-engagement campaigns are an excellent place to start.

Recently, a re-engagement campaign from Digg wound up in my inbox. The subject was catchy (“This Is Not An Email From 2006”), and the content helpfully explained what the email was all about.

 As with everything that we call science, it’s all about doing experiments. Very likely, if you are doing your own experiments, you might actually have found different results. What are your best email strategies and email marketing tips? Tell us in the comments below!

[stewy497]

Stew Reviews - Celeste

So, after a full year of umming and erring over it, I finally gave in to peer pressure and got myself a Nintendo Switch. I’ve got the usual no-brainer titles to go with it; Mario Kart and Odyssey, Skyrim, Breath of the Wild, Rayman Legends, and The Binding of Isaac, curiously enough. But out of all the games I’ve played on this new system, the one that most cried out for analysis was a little indie project from Matt Thorson by the name of Celeste that Nintendo seem to be particularly eager to push.

I didn’t pick up Celeste immediately because from the gameplay trailer I had assumed it to be a slightly generic platformer. When I did pick it up a few days later, I found that mechanically, Celeste can be considered a contemporary of Super Meat Boy which I really like, being a tough-but-fair 2D pixel art precision platformer in the try-die-try-again mould. The gameplay isn’t particularly revolutionary, so I guess in a way I was right about it looking generic, but it is very solid and rarely unduly frustrating. The main innovation here is that you collect strawberries rather than bandages, and your basic move set is enhanced with the ability to climb walls and a short directional dash which you can use to quickly reposition yourself in mid-air. The physics are reliable and the platforming puzzles are all competently designed, being built around the dashing and climbing mechanics, so they always feel central and never like some gimmicky tag-on. Thusly, navigating a screen on the first attempt with a smoothly rattled off sequence of calculated jumps gives a feeling of indescribable satisfaction. Each level is visually distinct and has its own slight variations on platforming mechanics, such as dash extenders or trajectory-altering winds, so the game retains a stable core that doesn’t end up becoming stale. The game suggests that gathering the strawberries is completely optional and in the end grants little more than bragging rights, but it’s entertaining enough that I generally want to go after them while still being challenging without making me break the Switch into three pieces – not in the sense that it’s meant to, I mean – which few games can claim to achieve. There are also secrets to find, B-sides and crystal hearts, and admittedly their function isn’t readily apparent until you reach post game, but they do have one so they count towards something other than meaningless 100% completion. As satisfactory as this all is however, where Celeste really grabbed me was in the story.

Some minor spoilers ahead for the sake of analysis, so you may want to skip the next two paragraphs if you want to go into Celeste fresh.

You play as Madeline – assuming you decided not to abuse the enter-name-here feature – a young red-headed woman who has arrived at the foot of Mount Celeste with the intent to climb to the mountain’s summit. Right off the bat it’s quite obvious that Madeline is dealing with some deep-seated emotional issues, from the way she stubbornly proclaims how much she needs to reach the summit and the occasional cryptic dialogue exchange or dream sequence. One conversation in particular flat out states that she suffers from panic attacks, so presumably it’s some form of anxiety disorder. The thrust of all this is that climbing Mount Celeste serves as a metaphor for Madeline overcoming her problems, which as a writer and as someone who has experienced mental health issues myself, I can appreciate. It might not be the most complex piece of symbolism in the world, but it works and it works well. This theming is complemented by the gameplay itself too in a nice example of ludo-narrative synchronicity, as in the face of your literally hundreds upon hundreds of failed attempts, only your own determination not to give up can propel you onwards.

As you draw closer to the peak, you’ll meet and interact with various supporting characters. They’re all quite reliably grounded and likeable, and each of them strike a chord in different ways. First off is Theo, let’s call him our frame of reference as the most “normal” person in the story; a wanderlusting and aimless amateur photographer who’s also climbing the mountain, occasionally slightly brusque in his manner but also pragmatic and sensible with it. Then there’s a portly and spectacularly neurotic hotel owner who may or may not be dead and tends to overthink and worry to the point of paralysis; a half-mad old woman who lives at the foot of the mountain; and an evil red-eyed palate swap of Madeline representing all of her uncertainty and self-doubt who constantly tries to sabotage her ascent... You know, the usual stuff. Their interactions are well written and touching, with two particular moments close to the summit sticking in my mind.

Speaking of characters and their interactions, one object of note is that while the majority of the game is, as I mentioned earlier, presented in low-detail pixel art, for dialogue and key story beats the visuals employ cute, hand drawn illustrations. On their own they’re quite enjoyable to look at, but being spread out by large expanses of pixel art makes each one feel far more special and worth savouring. I found myself taking screenshots of the ones I particularly liked just so I could go back and look at them again later.

Overall, I can find very little to complain about with Celeste. About the only recurring issue I could name would be that the input for the left joystick might be a bit unforgiving; it seems like half of all my deaths could be attributed to Madeline dashing a different direction to the one I wanted. You can mitigate this to some degree by switching to the directional buttons, but good luck if you need to change direction more than once; while all other controllers use a single cross-shaped button because it makes it easier to find the direction you want, the Joy-Con’s four individual buttons mean that my thumb keeps getting confused and prodding the space between them. Yes, the Pro controller has a more traditional D-Pad, but it’s positioned below the analogue stick rather than above it like every other controller, so reaching for it feels unnatural and off-putting. And besides, I played most of the game in portable mode anyways, so it’s a moot point. I suppose the easiest fix for this issue is to simply play a different version of Celeste, since it’s available across all platforms, but I can still recommend the Switch version because, like The Binding of Isaac, this game’s model is well suited to being portable, and I enjoy being able to have my pick with how I play it.

Secondly, for a game with such strong writing, I get the feeling that the writers neglected to proof read their final draft. The end of the second level hints at something or someone in Madeline’s past, but after she wakes up from the dream sequence where this happens, that particular story beat is never brought up again. If you’d hoped I would forget about it, Matt, perhaps it would have been worth coming up with another level or two to pad the runtime and improve the odds of that.

The last incredibly petty thing I have to say is that it’s often unclear whether or not Celeste’s mechanics are diegetic – that is to say, whether they exist within the context of the game’s story or purely for the sake of gameplay. Yes, I know that I’m probably the only person who cares about this, but it got on my nerves and it pads out the word count so I’m going to talk about it anyways. Part of the reason for this is that Mount Celeste is established as a supernatural setting that brings certain qualities out in those who scale it, but it’s hard to see where the dividing line is. Is Madeline actually capable of dashing in mid-air? A feat like that should be physically impossible without generating the force of a nuclear blast, but it’s demonstrated in cutscenes multiple times so I suppose she must be? What about the dash-extending space voids in the second level? The whole game it seemed those were simply part of Madeline’s dream, but then during the final climax when the game’s throwing everything it has at you, they return alongside everything else. But like I said, I’m the only person who cares about this so it’s hardly a deal breaker. I digress.

So, bottom line: a narrative triumph with solid and entertaining core gameplay. To be enjoyed by anyone who can face a challenge, and a must-play for those in the indie market.

[entergamingxp]

Could the next-gen Switch use Nvidia DLSS AI upscaling? • Eurogamer.net

That rumour didn’t last long. Stories last week suggested that the long awaited Switch Pro would arrive in 2020, with Nintendo bringing the fight to the next-gen Microsoft and Sony console launches. It all sounded rather unlikely and Nintendo was quick to dismiss the story. The current Switch range continues to sell relentlessly and there’s no substantial commercial reason for Nintendo to release a more powerful model quite yet – nor to go head-to-head with PS5 and Series X with what would almost certainly be less capable hardware. However, the firm’s partnership with Nvidia is likely to continue and three years on from the Switch’s release, plans must surely be afoot for a next-gen system. On top of that, looking at how Nvidia’s tech is evolving presents some mouthwatering opportunities for a new, more powerful Nintendo console hybrid.

Expectations should be tempered if the plan is to produce a more powerful console and nothing more. Fundamentally, compute power in a mobile device is limited by the need to accommodate a relatively small processor running at relatively minimal clock speeds. If we get anything close to the kind of performance we’ve enjoyed from PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, we should consider that a minor miracle for a system derived from a processor designed primarily for mobile gaming. However, with that said, a new Switch based on more recent Nvidia technology opens the door to the firm’s impressive AI upscaling techniques – and I decided to put them to the test in scenarios designed to more accurately represent Switch-level gaming.

I attacked this challenge on two fronts. First of all, AI upscaling technology is already available in a Tegra X1-based product – the newly revised Switch Android TV, a tubular revamp of the powerful streamer that Nvidia continues to support and upgrade. AI upscaling is exclusive to the new versions of the Shield, and works on any video content running on the machine – the only limitation being that anything above 30fps content is not supported. And this led me to wonder: what if I fed the Shield with Switch capture? How would that look?

I also thought about approaching this from the opposite direction. We’ve been quietly but cautiously excited by the DLSS AI upscaling tech found in recent games – it’s a vastly improved proposition over some already impressive implementations in key PC games. As we’ve already showcased, Wolfenstein Youngblood performs brilliantly under DLSS and in some scenarios, the upscaled version looks cleaner than the native presentation. So what if we dropped resolution to the Switch version’s max 720p and used DLSS performance mode on the lowest settings? How would this compare with the Switch version?

Our video breakdown in testing out AI upscaling of various flavours. Can machine learning work effectively in improving next-gen Switch visuals?

The reason I’m excited about DLSS is remarkably straightforward. We want to push visual features to the next level with technologies like real-time ray tracing, but we don’t want to lose too much performance for the privilege. Fundamentally, why use GPU resources to paint every single pixel when AI upscaling can ‘infer’ a lot of those pixels instead? Wolfenstein Youngblood and other freshly baked DLSS titles are showing some remarkably impressive results and the tech has a lot of potential. If the performance uptick is substantial and the quality is there, it could also be deployed in a mobile device where compute resources are extremely limited.

Instead of using DLSS to mitigate a performance loss from high-end features like ray tracing, instead we’d be using it purely to improve image quality – and it’s no secret that Switch’s most ambitious games do tend to be rather blurry, a factor of the low resolutions required in many cases. Even first-party Nintendo titles are affected here – Splatoon 2 and Super Mario Odyssey use dynamic resolution scaling and often reside in 720p territory. Meanwhile, the UE4-powered Yoshi’s Crafted World can even hit a minimum of 576p in docked mode. In the age of the 4K TV, docked play can look a little lacklustre in some cases.

The first order of business was to check out the new Shield’s AI upscaling technology. As far as we know, the latest Tegra X1 doesn’t feature the tensor cores designed for accelerated deep learning functions, so the process would likely be running on the X1’s standard CUDA cores instead – which lie dormant otherwise during video playback. Full-fat DLSS reconstructs images based on a training algorithm derived from super-sampled images taken from each supported game. I’d imagine that Shield’s AI upscaling is something very different – and this is borne out by the results I received.

If I had to guess, I’d suggest that the Shield AI upscaling blows up and attempts to intelligently sharpen the image, letting that extra ‘detail’ bleed out onto a 4K canvas. You may see from the Doom 3 and Dragon Quest Builders 2 images below (upscaled from native 1080p) that there is more detail resolved – but at the same time, I achieved very similar results from a Photoshop upscale and sharpen filter. I also tested the scaler by comparing the original Switch capture to the Shield’s output, downscaled back to 1080p. Here, the differences were very difficult to notice. If there were any improvements they disappeared in the double-scaling process (1080p to 4K back down to 1080p again).

There is value to the Shield’s AI upscaler (a quick google reveals that some people are genuinely amazed by the results) but it’s clearly not designed to process game footage. Jaggies become jaggier when upscaled and sharpened to 4K, while there simply isn’t enough core detail at low resolution games to deliver any kind of meaningful improvement. I don’t think there is much relation to Nvidia’s PC-based DLSS here as while quality varies on its older implementations, it always adds extra detail – something that isn’t happening with the Shield’s algorithm. There can be some big differences in TV and movie content, but I do feel that the sharpening halo artefacts are just too strong, even on the lowest setting.

However, I am excited about the potential for Nvidia’s DLSS technology in a future mobile platform because the results from my testing with Wolfenstein Youngblood are quite remarkable. Previously, we’ve run the game maxed at high resolutions and found that without ray tracing features enabled, a 260/$299 RTX 2060 can run the game at DLSS 4K at 70 to 90 frames per second. The visual quality is just superb too to the point where I think that if DLSS is an option to you on this title, you’d be nuts not to use it.

But what happens when you run Youngblood at 720p on the lowest settings in DLSS performance mode? In effect, what if we try to make the PC version run as close to Switch settings as possible? This is a fascinating test because in this scenario, the PC version is rendering a framebuffer that’s just 640×360 in size – a 50 per cent resolution scale and well into the kind of pixel-count ballpark employed by the Switch version. I’ll let the screenshots directly below tell the story, but it’s fascinating to see how well the DLSS version retains detail and easily outstrips the image quality delivered by the Switch version. DLSS upscaling isn’t just about getting more from higher-end hardware – it could play an important role on a mobile chipset too.

By switching things up to 1080p DLSS and engaging medium settings, the GPU load obviously increases, but I thought it would be fascinating to see how a native 540p image with AI upscaling compares to the PlayStation 4 version. While 60fps might not be achievable on a prospective Switch Pro at these settings, the increase in resolution and a bump to console equivalent medium settings should be. The results are even more impressive, in my opinion, and further cements my opinion that incorporating hardware-accelerated deep learning features into a next-gen Switch could yield real benefits.

Nintendo itself has categorically ruled out a Switch Pro for a 2020 release and our understanding is that there are no references to any kind of hardware upgrade within current revisions of the Switch firmware – which is how we discovered the existence of the latest models based on the ‘Mariko’ Tegra X1. The Korean report on the new model talked about a processor using Nvidia’s Volta technology – which would likely feature deep learning accelerated support. The firm already produces the ‘Xavier‘ Tegra processor, but with a 350mm2 die size at 12nm, it’s almost as large as the chip in Xbox One X and entirely unsuitable for a handheld.

With that in mind, it looks like it’s the end of the line for ‘off the shelf’ Tegra parts making their way across to Switch, with future processors likely to be custom in nature and probably using a 7nm process technology – factors that make a Switch Pro more viable for 2021 (or perhaps even later). And even then, there may be other approaches Nintendo may prefer to take instead of creating new silicon. The new Mariko-based Tegra X1 in the new Switch models could potentially deliver around 60 to 70 per cent more performance on both CPU and GPU – Nintendo chose enhanced battery life and new form factors over performance upgrades with the new Switch and Switch Lite. Boosting clocks to max (or near to it) may not be ideal for a handheld, but it’s certainly an interesting prospect for a Switch micro-console, perhaps.

In the here and now though, DLSS results on Wolfenstein Youngblood have proven rather impressive. For PC users who may have overlooked DLSS after some not-so-favourable press, I’d strongly recommend checking it out if you have the means. I was concerned that the results in Wolfenstein Youngblood may be a one-off, but having also sampled the same new revision of DLSS in Deliver Us The Moon, image quality is still extremely impressive – even at the lowest quality/highest performance setting (there are some sample captures in the embedded video above). We’ll be following the progress of AI upscaling with much interest – it’s clearly paying dividends in the PC space and could prove to be a key technology for the next generation of console gaming.

from EnterGamingXP https://entergamingxp.com/2020/02/could-the-next-gen-switch-use-nvidia-dlss-ai-upscaling-%e2%80%a2-eurogamer-net/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=could-the-next-gen-switch-use-nvidia-dlss-ai-upscaling-%25e2%2580%25a2-eurogamer-net

[andylocksmithtipsntricks]

Best Nanny Cams of 2020

Best Overall

Wyze Cam Pan

Read Review

360-degree field of vision

Under $40

360-degree field of vision

Under $40

View on Amazon

Read Review

Best for Hiding

Blink

Read Review

Wire-free

Under 3 in. tall

Wire-free

Under 3 in. tall

View on Amazon

Read Review

Best Livestreaming

Google Nest Cam

Read Review

24/7 livestreaming directly to your phone

Clear, detailed picture

24/7 livestreaming directly to your phone

Clear, detailed picture

View on Kohl's

Read Review

Last Updated: A day ago

We updated pricing information for our favorite nanny cams.

Bottom Line: The Wyze Cam Pan Sees It All 

Whether you’re keeping an eye on the kids or their caretakers, nanny cams are a great home security tool. These cameras can sit in the open or hide on bookshelves, in clocks, and even in teddy bears. We tested a few of our favorites to get a better idea of video quality, two-way intercom features, app navigation, and more. 

Overall, Wyze takes the prize with its quality picture, low price, and easy app. It has impressive pan, tilt, and zoom features thanks to its swiveling base and moving camera eye.

The other top spots go to Blink and Google’s Nest Cam: small, lightweight cameras with motion detection, video playback, and more.

Here's Our Roundup of the Best Nanny Cams

Wyze Cam Pan: Best Overall

Blink: Best for Hiding

Google Nest Cam: Best for Livestreaming

Arlo Baby: Best Extras

Swann Pan and Tilt: Best Night Vision

Compare the Top 5 Nanny Cams

Price Resolution Field of Vision Night Vision Distance Pan/Tilt/Zoom Power Source Size Learn More

Wyze Cam Pan

Blink

Google Nest Cam

Arlo Baby

Swann Pan and Tilt

$37.989 $79.99 $199.99 $142.00 $79.99 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 360 degrees 110 degrees 130 degrees 130 degrees 80 degrees Up to 30 ft. Up to 30 ft. Up to 20 ft. Up to 15 ft. Up to 50 ft. ✓ X X X ✓ Wired Batteries Wired Wired Wired 2.36 x 2.36 x 5.02 in. 2.8 x 1.2 x 2.8 in. 2.9 x 4.5 x 2.9 in. 4.3 x 2.6 x 2.5 in. 4.6 x 3.8 x 3.8 in. View on Amazon View on Amazon View on Kohl's View on Amazon View on Amazon

Amazon.com and other List Prices as of 12/18/19 3:40 p.m. MST. See full disclaimer.

Reviews: Best Nanny Cams

Wyze Cam Pan: Best Overall

View on Amazon

The subtle Wyze Cam Pan fits in almost anywhere in your home. It has smooth pan, tilt, and zoom action, so you can easily look around the room to see your kids and their nanny. The picture is 1080p full HD, and the six infrared LED lights let you see up to 30 feet in the dark.

Setup is easy with Wyze too. Simply plug in the camera and download the Wyze app onto your smart device. Connecting is a snap, but there are step-by-step videos if you need help along the way. From the app, you can watch past videos, adjust settings, and use the two-way audio to talk to anyone on the other side.

Once you’ve set the camera to your preferences, you’re good to go. Overall, we’d recommend the Wyze Cam Pan to anyone curious about nanny cams. And, at under $40, the Wyze Cam Pan is the cheapest on our list.

Read our full Wyze Cam Pan review for all the details.

Pros

Affordable price tag

Night vision up to 30 feet

360-degree field of view

Cons

Not compatible with Google Home

Not wire-free

Blink: Best for Hiding

View on Amazon

Without wires to hold it back, the Blink camera can hide in spaces like planters and on shelves. If you’re looking for a hidden nanny cam, this battery-powered beauty can slide into a range of covert spots.

Blink comes with a small hub that links your Wi-Fi, smartphone, and camera together. Once that’s set up, you can place it anywhere in your home. As Blink picks up motion and passersby, you’ll be able to look over notable events, replay, save, and send any footage you capture.

Blink has a wide field of vision for such a small camera. We were able to see the entire room where we set up, plus part of the next one over. And while there was a slight lag in the audio and video, we got consistent motion alerts whenever it sensed activity.

Pros

Ultra-portable design

Cloud storage

Motion alerts

Silent mode

Cons

Slight video and audio lag

No two-way audio

Pro Tip: If you hide your nanny cam, we recommend muting the audio. Only some states allow hidden cameras with video and audio, but it’s legal in all 50 states to record without sound. If you catch an incident on camera, video-only evidence is valid in court no matter where you live in the US. If you want audio, check your state’s laws to make sure.

Google Nest Cam: Best Livestreaming

View on Kohl's

The Nest Cam delivers 130 degrees of live picture. Set it up to watch live feeds of the playroom from your desk at work or from the next room over. The livestream feature saves up to 30 days of continuous video footage, allowing you to review everything at your convenience.

Nest Cam can be trained to recognize familiar faces too. This makes searching and tagging videos featuring your nanny, kids, or other members of the household easy to access. All these features come at a steep price (nearly $200 per camera), but Nest can be a nanny cam, security cam, or video baby monitor for little ones.

Learn more about Google Nest Cams in our Nest Cam IQ review.

Pros

Easy setup

24/7 livestream

Facial recognition

Cons

Not wire-free

Expensive

More Nanny Cams You Might Like 

Every family has their own unique needs, so we want to make sure we review plenty of options for nanny cams. Here are some more options to consider if you’re shopping for a nanny cam or spy cam to protect your family.

Arlo Baby

The Arlo Baby is the only nanny cam that made us say “aww.” Dressed as a bunny, puppy, or kitty, the Arlo Baby is more than just cute.

Its unique talents include a smart music player for lullabies, an air sensor to monitor room temperature and humidity, a baby crying alert, and a smart night light. Using the Arlo app, you and your nanny can work together to keep your kiddos safe and happy all day.

Perfect for nights in the nursery, the Arlo Baby can see up to 15 feet in the dark and sense motion up to 50 feet away. And while the Arlo model is expensive, you can use it for years—first as a video baby monitor, then as a nanny cam for your little one’s room.

Swann Pan and Tilt

The Swann Pan and Tilt camera has the most impressive night vision capabilities in our lineup. Its powerful infrared LED lights can catch footage up to 50 feet in the dark.

This camera can also pan, tilt, and zoom just like the Wyze Cam. Instead of uploading data to the cloud, your footage can be stored on an SD card up to 64 GB—about the same amount of storage as a smartphone.

Like our other nanny cams, this Swann model links to your phone through an app, allowing you to control it, change settings, and monitor footage.

It’s charged by a cable, so it isn’t as portable as other cameras like Blink, but you get high quality and a wide field of view to watch your children and their caretaker.

Things to Consider Before You Buy a Nanny Cam

While there are plenty of hidden nanny cams on the market, we looked into the more conspicuous options. Hidden nanny cams and spy cams can fall under hazy legal territory, so we feel it’s best to be open with your nanny or any in-home caretaker about your monitoring system. This helps build a trusting relationship and makes better use of the camera itself. For example, your babysitter can reach you through the nanny cam’s two-way audio when needed or help you find important clips in case of an emergency.

Hidden Nanny Cam Laws in Your State

Different rules apply to hidden and exposed nanny cams. Hidden nanny cams can be cleverly disguised in devices like alarm clocks and picture frames to monitor your nanny without their consent.

It’s legal in all 50 states to record video-only footage in your home from a hidden camera as long as it isn’t set up in a private space.1 That said, there are 11 states that require “two-party consent” for video and audio footage in public or private spaces.2

California

Connecticut

Florida

Illinois

Maryland

Massachusetts

Montana

New Hampshire

Pennsylvania

Washington

Hawaii

Even if you don’t live in one of these states, we recommend getting consent from your nanny before recording audio, video, or both. Their consent can also help you avoid prosecution and loss of evidence.3 In other words, without their permission, you could be sued, and your footage won’t be admissible in court.

FAQs

What is good picture quality for a nanny cam?

Picture resolution is simply a pixel count on your camera. Numbers like 1080p refer to the vertical lines of pixels lined up across your camera’s view. Generally, the more pixels create a sharper picture, but this can change based on how closely you zoom or the size of the screen you watch a video on. Most smartphones screens are 1080p and up, so it’s best to find a nanny cam with a similar resolution for a clear picture.

How do nanny cams store memory?

It varies from camera to camera, but most nanny cams use a separate SD memory card or send videos to a cloud that you can access online. Both can be uploaded and shared to different devices.

Where can I hide my nanny cam?

Battery-powered nanny cams can hide almost anywhere. Spots like potted plants, bookshelves, stuffed animals, kitchen cabinets, and out in the open can all give you a good view of your home and anyone inside. Nanny cameras powered by cables are more restricted because they need to stay plugged in to work. Cables can also give away your hiding spot if they aren’t concealed properly.

How can I use a hidden nanny cam legally?

All 50 states allow silent video recording within your own home. But we still think it’s best to tell your nanny that you’re recording. If they consent to be filmed and recorded, you can use audio in addition to your video. You don’t have to tell them where you’ve hidden the camera, but if you want audio, most states require their permission.

How We Picked the Best Nanny Cameras

For this review, we tested the Nest Cam, Blink, and Wyze Pan Cam in-house. For the most authentic experience, we set up each camera and proceeded with our day as usual. When we got alerts from each camera, we used the apps to check the footage, speak through the cameras, and share footage. We selected the other two cameras, the Arlo Baby and Swann Pan and Tilt, based on top user reviews and product specs that fit our standards for quality nanny cams. Learn more about how we test and research by reading our full methodology.

Related Pages on SafeWise

The Best Home Security Systems

The Concerned Parent’s Guide to Spying on Your Babysitter

Creative Places to Hide Your Home Security Cameras

The Best Baby Monitors

How to Build a Smart Nursery for Your Baby

Sources: 1. Upcounsel, “Video Surveillance Laws by State: Everything You Need to Know” 2. Digital Media Law Project,“Recording Phone Calls and Conversations” 3. United States Department of Justice, “1050. Scope of 18 U.S.C. § 2511 Prohibitions”

Disclaimer

Amazon.com list price as of 12/18/19 3:40 p.m. MST. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

The post Best Nanny Cams of 2020 appeared first on SafeWise.

Article source here: Best Nanny Cams of 2020

[andylocksmithtipsntricks]

Best Nanny Cams of 2019

Best Overall

Wyze Cam Pan

Read Review

360-degree field of vision

Under $40

360-degree field of vision

Under $40

View on Amazon

Read Review

Best for Hiding

Blink

Read Review

Wire-free

Under 3 in. tall

Wire-free

Under 3 in. tall

View on Amazon

Read Review

Best Lifestreaming

Google Nest Cam

Read Review

24/7 livestreaming directly to your phone

Clear, detailed picture

24/7 livestreaming directly to your phone

Clear, detailed picture

View on Kohl's

Read Review

Last Updated: A day ago

Check out our Black Friday Deals Page to see the latest holiday sales on nanny cams and other smart home gadgets.

Bottom Line: The Wyze Cam Pan Sees It All 

Whether you’re keeping an eye on the kids or their caretakers, nanny cams are a great home security tool. These cameras can sit in the open or hide on bookshelves, in clocks, and even in teddy bears. We tested a few of our favorites to get a better idea of video quality, two-way intercom features, app navigation, and more. 

Overall, Wyze takes the prize with its quality picture, low price, and easy app. It has impressive pan, tilt, and zoom features thanks to its swiveling base and moving camera eye.

The other top spots go to Blink and Google’s Nest Cam: small, lightweight cameras with motion detection, video playback, and more.

Here's Our Roundup of the Best Nanny Cams

Wyze Cam Pan: Best Overall

Blink: Best for Hiding

Google Nest Cam: Best for Livestreaming

Arlo Baby: Best Extras

Best Night Vision

Compare the Top 5 Nanny Cams

Price Resolution Field of Vision Night Vision Distance Pan/Tilt/Zoom Power Source Size Learn More

Wyze Cam Pan

Blink

Googl3e Nest Cam

Arlo Baby

Swann Pan and Tilt

$36.99 $79.99 $199.99 $199.99 $79.99 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 360 degrees 110 degrees 130 degrees 130 degrees 80 degrees Up to 30 ft. Up to 30 ft. Up to 20 ft. Up to 15 ft. Up to 50 ft. ✓ X X X ✓ Wired Batteries Wired Wired Wired 2.36 x 2.36 x 5.02 in. 2.8 x 1.2 x 2.8 in. 2.9 x 4.5 x 2.9 in. 4.3 x 2.6 x 2.5 in. 4.6 x 3.8 x 3.8 in. View on Amazon View on Amazon View on Kohl's View on Amazon View on Amazon

Amazon.com and other List Prices as of 11/26/19 2:34 p.m. MST. (Full disclaimer) 

Reviews: Best Nanny Cams

Wyze Cam Pan: Best Overall

View on Amazon

The subtle Wyze Cam Pan fits in almost anywhere in your home. It has smooth pan, tilt, and zoom action, so you can easily look around the room to see your kids and their nanny. The picture is 1080p full HD, and the six infrared LED lights let you see up to 30 feet in the dark.

Setup is easy with Wyze too. Simply plug in the camera and download the Wyze app onto your smart device. Connecting is a snap, but there are step-by-step videos if you need help along the way. From the app, you can watch past videos, adjust settings, and use the two-way audio to talk to anyone on the other side.

Once you’ve set the camera to your preferences, you’re good to go. Overall, we’d recommend the Wyze Cam Pan to anyone curious about nanny cams. And, at under $40, the Wyze Cam Pan is the cheapest on our list.

Read our full Wyze Cam Pan review for all the details.

Pros

Affordable price tag

Night vision up to 30 feet

360-degree field of view

Cons

Not compatible with Google Home

Not wire-free

Blink: Best for Hiding

View on Amazon

Without wires to hold it back, the Blink camera can hide in spaces like planters and on shelves. If you’re looking for a hidden nanny cam, this battery-powered beauty can slide into a range of covert spots.

Blink comes with a small hub that links your Wi-Fi, smartphone, and camera together. Once that’s set up, you can place it anywhere in your home. As Blink picks up motion and passersby, you’ll be able to look over notable events, replay, save, and send any footage you capture.

Blink has a wide field of vision for such a small camera. We were able to see the entire room where we set up, plus part of the next one over. And while there was a slight lag in the audio and video, we got consistent motion alerts whenever it sensed activity.

Pros

Ultra-portable design

Cloud storage

Motion alerts

Silent mode

Cons

Slight video and audio lag

No two-way audio

Pro Tip: If you hide your nanny cam, we recommend muting the audio. Only some states allow hidden cameras with video and audio, but it’s legal in all 50 states to record without sound. If you catch an incident on camera, video-only evidence is valid in court no matter where you live in the US. If you want audio, check your state’s laws to make sure.

Google Nest Cam: Best Livestreaming

View on Kohl's

The Nest Cam delivers 130 degrees of live picture. Set it up to watch live feeds of the playroom from your desk at work or from the next room over. The livestream feature saves up to 30 days of continuous video footage, allowing you to review everything at your convenience.

Nest Cam can be trained to recognize familiar faces too. This makes searching and tagging videos featuring your nanny, kids, or other members of the household easy to access. All these features come at a steep price (nearly $200 per camera), but Nest can be a nanny cam, security cam, or video baby monitor for little ones.

Learn more about Google Nest Cams in our Nest Cam IQ review.

Pros

Easy setup

24/7 livestream

Facial recognition

Cons

Not wire-free

Expensive

More Nanny Cams You Might Like 

Every family has their own unique needs, so we want to make sure we review plenty of options for nanny cams. Here are some more options to consider if you’re shopping for a nanny cam or spy cam to protect your family.

Arlo Baby

The Arlo Baby is the only nanny cam that made us say “aww.” Dressed as a bunny, puppy, or kitty, the Arlo Baby is more than just cute.

Its unique talents include a smart music player for lullabies, an air sensor to monitor room temperature and humidity, a baby crying alert, and a smart night light. Using the Arlo app, you and your nanny can work together to keep your kiddos safe and happy all day.

Perfect for nights in the nursery, the Arlo Baby can see up to 15 feet in the dark and sense motion up to 50 feet away. And while the Arlo model is expensive, you can use it for years—first as a video baby monitor, then as a nanny cam for your little one’s room.

Swann Pan and Tilt

The Swann Pan and Tilt camera has the most impressive night vision capabilities in our lineup. Its powerful infrared LED lights can catch footage up to 50 feet in the dark.

This camera can also pan, tilt, and zoom just like the Wyze Cam. Instead of uploading data to the cloud, your footage can be stored on an SD card up to 64 GB—about the same amount of storage as a smartphone.

Like our other nanny cams, this Swann model links to your phone through an app, allowing you to control it, change settings, and monitor footage.

It’s charged by a cable, so it isn’t as portable as other cameras like Blink, but you get high quality and a wide field of view to watch your children and their caretaker.

Things to Consider Before You Buy a Nanny Cam

While there are plenty of hidden nanny cams on the market, we looked into the more conspicuous options. Hidden nanny cams and spy cams can fall under hazy legal territory, so we feel it’s best to be open with your nanny or any in-home caretaker about your monitoring system. This helps build a trusting relationship and makes better use of the camera itself. For example, your babysitter can reach you through the nanny cam’s two-way audio when needed or help you find important clips in case of an emergency.

Hidden Nanny Cam Laws in Your State

Different rules apply to hidden and exposed nanny cams. Hidden nanny cams can be cleverly disguised in devices like alarm clocks and picture frames to monitor your nanny without their consent.

It’s legal in all 50 states to record video-only footage in your home from a hidden camera as long as it isn’t set up in a private space.1 That said, there are 11 states that require “two-party consent” for video and audio footage in public or private spaces.2

California

Connecticut

Florida

Illinois

Maryland

Massachusetts

Montana

New Hampshire

Pennsylvania

Washington

Hawaii

Even if you don’t live in one of these states, we recommend getting consent from your nanny before recording audio, video, or both. Their consent can also help you avoid prosecution and loss of evidence.3 In other words, without their permission, you could be sued, and your footage won’t be admissible in court.

FAQs

What is good picture quality for a nanny cam?

Picture resolution is simply a pixel count on your camera. Numbers like 1080p refer to the vertical lines of pixels lined up across your camera’s view. Generally, the more pixels create a sharper picture, but this can change based on how closely you zoom or the size of the screen you watch a video on. Most smartphones screens are 1080p and up, so it’s best to find a nanny cam with a similar resolution for a clear picture.

How do nanny cams store memory?

It varies from camera to camera, but most nanny cams use a separate SD memory card or send videos to a cloud that you can access online. Both can be uploaded and shared to different devices.

Where can I hide my nanny cam?

Battery-powered nanny cams can hide almost anywhere. Spots like potted plants, bookshelves, stuffed animals, kitchen cabinets, and out in the open can all give you a good view of your home and anyone inside. Nanny cameras powered by cables are more restricted because they need to stay plugged in to work. Cables can also give away your hiding spot if they aren’t concealed properly.

How can I use a hidden nanny cam legally?

All 50 states allow silent video recording within your own home. But we still think it’s best to tell your nanny that you’re recording. If they consent to be filmed and recorded, you can use audio in addition to your video. You don’t have to tell them where you’ve hidden the camera, but if you want audio, most states require their permission.

How We Picked the Best Nanny Cameras

For this review, we tested the Nest Cam, Blink, and Wyze Pan Cam in-house. For the most authentic experience, we set up each camera and proceeded with our day as usual. When we got alerts from each camera, we used the apps to check the footage, speak through the cameras, and share footage. We selected the other two cameras, the Arlo Baby and Swann Pan and Tilt, based on top user reviews and product specs that fit our standards for quality nanny cams. Learn more about how we test and research by reading our full methodology.

Related Pages on SafeWise

The Best Home Security Systems

The Concerned Parent’s Guide to Spying on Your Babysitter

Creative Places to Hide Your Home Security Cameras

The Best Baby Monitors

How to Build a Smart Nursery for Your Baby

Sources: 1. Upcounsel, “Video Surveillance Laws by State: Everything You Need to Know” 2. Digital Media Law Project,“Recording Phone Calls and Conversations” 3. United States Department of Justice, “1050. Scope of 18 U.S.C. § 2511 Prohibitions”

Disclaimer

Amazon.com list price as of 11/26/19 2:34 p.m. MST. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

The post Best Nanny Cams of 2019 appeared first on SafeWise.

Article source here: Best Nanny Cams of 2019