#this is a tech lives argument but it’s also a teensy bit mean

[heyclickadee]

If there’s any argument for Tech dying or needing to be dead that I’m tired of—and I’m tired of all of them—it’s the idea that he must have died because he fell a long way. (Obligatory disclaimer that I’m still arguing that Tech is alive and was never actually killed off in the first place, and that that wasn’t dropped but just hasn’t played out yet before moving on):

Now, if Star Wars were a documentary? Sure. I’d buy it to some degree. I’d think that whoever was responsible for the documentary was remiss in not sending out a search party, since real life people have survived falls from upwards of 30,000 feet before, but on balance I’d think that he was likely, though not certainly, dead.

But Star Wars isn’t a documentary. It’s fiction, and genre fiction at that—a caricature of reality which abides by its own internal rules, shifting from story to story, and where both injury and likelihood of death alike are determined by narrative need rather than real world fatality. Short falls kill main characters in fiction all the time. Not always, there’s a degree of plot armor in many cases, but when they do, we see (or “see,” if it’s a written work) the immediate result. Perhaps not as graphically as it would appear in real life, perhaps with some artistic license and discretion depending on who’s watching, but we see it all the same.

Long falls, however, almost never kill any named characters in genre fiction. Not unless we immediately see the body afterwards. Even George Lucas—who, bless his heart, has some good ideas and some understanding of storytelling but has never thought a single implication all the way through and isn’t actually a very good writer—knew that. That’s why he cut Maul in half before throwing him into a pit. And that still wasn’t enough to keep him dead when Lucas changed his mind a decade or so later.

The utility of a long fall where you cut away before impact is that anything can happen in the gap the audience doesn’t get to see. In fact, the higher the fall, the more time the character falling has to do something about it. And what could they do? Well, the story of the bad batch, if we start from where it began in season seven of TCW, actually presents us with a number of different options for a character who found themselves in that position, including:

1. Use their collection of animal calls to summon some giant flying reptiles and ride them to safety (On the Wings of Keeradaks, Tech’s idea)

2. Just use the force to jump to safety and hope someone lies about them falling to their deaths dying (Aftermath, Caleb, can we talk about how “Where’s X?” and “X didn’t make it,” combo happens in exactly two places in the script for the whole show and one is Hunter lying to Cross about Caleb and the other is Hunter talking to Omega about Tech?)

3. Fall a long way in something that’s going to roll around and take most of the impact for them (Reunion, Tech’s idea again)

4. Just don’t die. Or I guess hit a bunch of things on the way down and hope their special armor protects them (War Mantle, Hunter, who doesn’t even break a rib, listen it would actually be flat out stupid for Tech to die in a fall in a situation that’s directly parallel (the terrain, Omega screaming at everyone to go back) to the one we watched Hunter walk away from. We watched it happen once; why should we believe it this time? The only difference is that we didn’t follow Tech all the way down.)

5. Hope the box they’re falling in has emergency thrusters to slow them down (Spoils of War, Omega’s idea, Tech was impressed and I’m sure remembers it, I mean seriously are we actually thinking Tarkin’s secret gondola doesn’t have some kind of safety back up in case it malfunctions with him inside? *Maybe* it doesn’t, but it very well might.)

6. Hope there’s water at the bottom after they fall through the mists (The Crossing, Omega and Tech. Funny how at least some of these involve Tech. Funny how there’s mists like in Plan 99.)

7. Have someone catch them on the way down before they hit the ground, which may be lava (Hunter catching Omega, Retrieval. You can almost count Phee catching Hunter and Hunter catching Phee in Entombed, I just don’t because they don’t fall first)

8. Grab onto something on the way down into the void (CX-2, Extraction)

9. Fall into water again (Also CX-2, Extraction)

This isn’t about actual survivability, by the way. The characters involved in most of these would have likely died if it happened in the real world, especially the ones with a water landing, but Star Wars doesn’t care about that. It will blow people up and light them on fire and decide they’re fine. Physical reality and how any of these would actually go (badly, they would go badly) is irrelevant.

The point here is about establishing audience expectations. We’ve got a situation in which a character whose body neither we nor his family ever see supposedly dying via a method the story itself—not even the conventional rules of the genre, the specific story being told—sets up as survivable. Never mind that “no body, no death” is a genre convention, never mind that “Faster” goes out of its way to set up that Tech works in milliseconds and that if anyone can find a way out of it, he can.

People watching are handed a set of survived long falls which set up the expectation that this fall could have been survivable, too, even if they’re not picking up on it. It’s just enough for people to go, hmmm, that’s weird, and not fully accept it. Which makes it more likely for people to accept that he survived instead if he should come back.

tl;dr: This is the implausible survival franchise. It’s a feature, not a bug, and any arguments about gravity or what would kill someone for real don’t matter.

[firaknight]

So this is basically PMD x Kirby

(Here’s a key: pink is the name of the character, green is the Pokemon they chose, blue means male, pink means female, purple is the description of design changes)

So, before I explain who gets who, Adeleine sets up a few rules/guidelines for everyone.

1: The couch. Adeleine and Ribbon live in a cottage on the outskirts of town and therefore have a small house. When everyone’s there, she has a set seating system: tall people (DDD, herself, Daroach, etc) have to sit on the couch or in the general back. Short people (basically everyone else) sit in front of the couch and around the floor (she gives them pillows and floor seats of course)

2: No repeats! It’s to help her remember and also to not cause confusion or arguments. Nobody gets to have the same Pokemon as someone else (the only exception being if they plan to evolve them into a branching evolution, like Gardevoir and Gallade in the Ralts line)

3: Personalize! Everyone gets to add design changes to theirs (cut ear, different patterns, accessories, etc) to make them their own! They also assign genders to theirs and if they can’t decide, dice are rolled. Odds for male, evens for female (they can choose not to, but the vast majority were like “yeah whatever let’s just give them a gender”).

Ok onto the actual Pokemon

Adeleine: Chikorita, female, wears a scarf (part of the in-game story) and has a multicolored head leaf! Also had a small crystal hanging from her neck!

She saw the design and called them a “tiny dinosaur with a big leaf” and immediately decided on them. She loves them to death and thinks they’re the cutest Pokemon on the planet.

Ribbon: Fennekin, female, wears a scarf (part of the in-game story), has fur that is more pink than red, and wears a huge red bow! Also has a small crystal hanging from her neck!

Couldn’t choose the same Pokemon as Adeleine and thought Fennekin looked beautiful (she was even more excited when she saw the final evolution). She also has a type matchup with Adeleine and absolutely takes bullets for her to keep her from dying.

Kirby: Eevee, female, white fur is tinted pink, has blue eyes instead of brown, and wears bunch of colorful accessories like bows, bracelets/anklets, and collars!

Couldn’t decide on the gender and the dice rolled female! He doesn’t care and loves his Eevee!!! He likes how soft they look and how they have different evolution!! It’s like his copy abilities!!! He’s stuck trying to figure out what to evolve them into tho.

Dedede: Piplup, male, wears a big robe and hat, body is a slightly darker and more vibrant blue, and is a little chubbier!

He convinced Adeleine to take on a more difficult dungeon request for this (she got a big dinner at the royal table and got to stay the night in one of the royal rooms out of it though so it was worth it) and after a near 2 hour run and almost 3 game overs, she got it. Dedede only wanted it because it’s the only penguin Pokemon in the series and he wanted a big penguin like himself!!!

Meta Knight: Ralts (Gallade), male, wears a mask like his own, has more jagged blades, and wears a cape!

Only picked them because they saw Gallade and said “yeah that’s gonna be me” and didn’t wait for an answer. He likes their arm blades and the fact that they have a mega evolution (even BIGGER blades!!!!!!! A big tattered cape!!!!!! Badass looks!!!!! What’s not to like!!!!)

Bandee: Karrablast, male, wears a blue bandana, body is orange instead of blue, stomach is cream instead of orange, and has a tiny spear (this is later removed when they evolve)!!!

They saw Escavalier and got super excited!! Double spear arms!!! Armored and tough looking!!! They like how tough they look and 100% chose them for that reason only (although the Pokemon kinda grew on them over time). Not ultra tough right now but they’re getting there!

Marx: Sableye, male, gems are basically mirrors, wears a jester cap like his own, and has only 2 claws instead of 3!!

He likes how fucking creepy they look and how their mega evolution has teeth. It’s a very specific detail they will absolutely drill into why they like them so much. They also like how powerful they can be if used correctly!

Gooey: Goomy, female, body is shades of blue instead of purple, has a tongue that noticeably sticks out!!

He originally wanted Ditto but then they saw Goomy and felt a certain kind of love for them. He also couldn’t decide and the dice rolled female! He likes how the name is similar to his own and how they’re goopy like him!!! They’re also super squishy and he is too!!!!!!

Rick: Dedenne, male, tail is shorter, body is similar in color to him, has beans!!!!!!

He likes how they’re kinda hamster-esc!! They have electricity too which is hella cool. They look kinda soft to him and he was mildly upset over them not having paw beans and demanded that Dedenne be given justice by having them drawn in (Adeleine totally agrees to this). He likes to think they’re mega soft like himself!!!

Kine: Magikarp, male, slightly flatter, blue instead of orange, larger fins!!

He couldn’t choose a Pokemon and eventually just settled on Magikarp because he thought they’d be ok. Didn’t realize they evolve into such a big Pokemon until they saw what it looked like in one of the dungeons. The keep bragging about how powerful they’re gonna be when they finally evolve, but nobody is taking him seriously because he can only use 1 move as of now and hasn’t reached a point where he can evolve yet.

Coo: Hoothoot, male, body is purple instead of brown, has spiked feathers on his head, has a softer and fluffier appearance!!!!!

It’s an owl. He wanted to be an owl. He reeeeaaallly wants to evolve because Noctowl looks way cooler but he’s fine with what he’s got for now!!! He has a speed based build because he can fly very fast :)

Dark Meta Knight: Noibat, female, monochromatic colors with some red mixed in, mask with a scar, tattered wing membrane!!!

Purposefully decided on having a femal because he thinks it kicks ass a little more (also he loves his adopted daughter and decided that would be badass too). Built like a fucking assault tank but with speed. He absolutely leads the charge when he’s playing and takes every fucking hit possible if it’s aimed at his daughter. Gloats about his badass evolution and how fucking sick it looks despite having not evolved yet.

Daroach: Sneasel, male, wears a cloak and hat like his own, has yellow and longer claws!!!!

He didn’t like any of the existing rats and said “lemme get a thief pokemon” and settled on Sneasel. They have a team called the Squeak Squad and it’s comprised of his Sneasel and the squeaks own copies of the game! They play together in their free time and Daroach had Adeleine grab him a Sneasel so he could play on her copy too.

Magolor: Inkay, male, wears a blue cloak like his own, has yellow eyes!!! (The cloak doesn’t really fit until Inkay evolves)

Physically couldn’t choose and then someone showed him Inkay and he said “oh! I fucking hate them.” It was only until they showed him Malamar that he said “oh they look like they’d backstab someone. Perfect.” He likes how fucking ominous they look and how they would 100% be a supervillain given the chance. His Inkay is a good guy tho don’t worry.

Taranza: Joltik, male, has tiny fangs and little horns that grow out when they evolve, wears a cape, has little gloves on their hands!!!

He wanted Flabebe because of the flowers but was told someone already took that one and decided he’d take a spider Pokemon! Almost settled on Ariados but then saw Galvantula and got super excited. He likes their fuzzy look and thinks they are a lovely Pokemon!!

Susie: Gothita, female, eyes are gradient blue with no pupils, has pink accents on the head, more modern appearance!!

She couldn’t find any pretty ones with tech on them but liked Gothita! She thinks they look ok and Adeleine was nice enough to invite her over for PMD game day so she joined in. Her Gothita is surprisingly beastly and is a heavy hitter! However she also gets her ass kicked really fast because Gothita isn’t built for up close heavy hitting.

Zan Partizanne: Shinx, female, wears the same clothes as her, has more yellow on her!!

She really liked how Shinx looks. Tiny electric kitty puppy thing! She wanted to name it after some kind of thunder deity but wasn’t able to (she probably had a name for it tho). Speedy little powerhouse who looks adorable. Continues to tell Adeleine that she’s only doing this to repay her debt (and also for insulting her hairline) but is really just enjoying herself.

Flamberge: Fletchling, female, wears the hat and ribbon-like shawl, has spiked feathers that stick up a lot like her hair, more vibrant red!!!

She fucking loves this little bird. Like. A lot. Something about them is just so awesome to her. Maybe it’s because it evolves into a giant fire falcon but who knows! She just loves them and cherishes them with all her heart. BEGGED Adeleine to recruit them and managed to convince her (she had to offer up making her a cool sword to get it. Adeleine accepted the deal almost immediately because cool ass sword).

Francisca: Vanillite, female, wears the hat and shawl, has more vibrant blue, ice cream part is the same color as her hair!!!

You know exactly why she chose this one. Ice cream baby!!!!!!!! She thinks they’re lovely and wants a plush of them super bad (they don’t make them yet but merch happens eventually!). She jokes that they have an ice cream stash they live in.

Pitch: Pidgey, male, green in color!

He got to join in after the other animal friends told him! He’s good friends with Adeleine (all the animal friends are) and she let him pick a Pokemon! He doesn’t play as much because he has to use his little feet’s but he does his best!

Nago: Glameow, female, body is orange and the ears are brown! Eyes remain closed instead of open to reflect his design!

He wanted it to be a girl just because. He says it’s because it resembles his girlfriend a teensy bit (just in coat color really) and he loves her a lot. Little bastard cat causes trouble on adventures and purposefully runs off to look for the stairs by himself without any incentive from Adeleine.

Chuchu: Frillish, female, wears a small red ribbon and has a more vibrant pink body!!

Couldn’t choose originally but settled on Frillish because it’s the closest thing to her. Nicknamed it frilly and likes to cause problems. She’s got a pretty decent move set and knows how to kick ass with it tho so she makes up for her trouble with that.

Queen Ripple: Flabébé, female, wears glasses and has black ear frill things, wears her crown, and wears her dress!!! Flower is white!

She gets to play too!!!!! Adeleine offered to let her have a Pokemon and she plays though wireless connection! On a very rare occasion, she makes a trip out to Popstar for a week or so and gets to play during then! She has a lot of fun and adores the design for Flabébé so damn much (plus it’s fairy type and that makes her very happy)!!!

[atakportal]

Amazon's Echo Dot 2 is the cheap, voice-controlled smart home hub all your rooms need

New Post has been published on https://idealz.cloud/2018/07/12/amazons-echo-dot-2-is-the-cheap-voice-controlled-smart-home-hub-all-your-rooms-need/

Amazon's Echo Dot 2 is the cheap, voice-controlled smart home hub all your rooms need

Only $50 • Alexa does everything the Echo does • Small and compact design • Save $20 if you buy two together

Weak • tinny-sounding speaker

The Amazon Echo Dot still does everything the Echo does, now at an even lower price and it’s not exclusive for Echo or Fire TV owners.

second-generation is everything the of the miniature smart speaker should have been: smaller and cheaper.

Even though the Dot is the cheapest Echo device in the lineup, it’s still a surprisingly powerful and convenient voice-controlled smart home hub.

Compared to the and , the Dot is squatter and glossier. Plus, if you buy two at once, you’ll get a $20 discount. It’s not as sweet as the six-pack of Dots Amazon offered briefly in 2016, but buying two still means you can create dual-room setup for less than the second-gen Echo.

The Echo Dot (second-gen) next to the Echo Dot (first-gen).

Image: RAYMOND WONG/MASHABLE

The Echo Dot comes in glossy black or glossy white. Amazon also sells customizable cases in a variety of fabrics and colors to decorate your device with. You know, to better blend in with your home decor.

Functionally, the Echo Dot works exactly the same as the old one. You can summon with your voice to play music, check the weather, read the news, control your smart home devices like Philips’ Hue smart lights, call an Uber, , read you a Kindle e-book, send and receive , etc.

The number of “skills” that Alexa knows continues to grow at an extraordinary rate, connecting her with new services and devices. As of the spring of 2018, Alexa .

The new Echo Dot is $50 and you’ll actually be able to buy one.

It has the same seven built-in microphones to hear your voice from across a room. During my testing, I didn’t notice any difference in responsiveness between the old Echo Dot and new one. 

The Echo Dot has a feature called Echo Spatial Perception (ESP). If you have multiple Echos or Dots set up in your home, ESP prevents all of them from going off at once when you say the Alexa command; only the one closest to you should activate. 

For the most part, ESP works well… if your Echo devices aren’t too close together. In my small one bedroom apartment in New York City, ESP didn’t work as well as I would have liked. Calling for Alexa on the Echo Dot in my bedroom still often woke up Alexa on the Echo in my living room about 30 feet away. Speaking in a softer voice helped resolve this issue. Another workaround is to change to give each Echo a . For example, you could have the Echo Dot respond to “Alexa” and other Echo devices to “Amazon,” “Echo.” or “Computer.”

The rotatable volume ring is gone. On the new Echo Dot (left), there are volume buttons on top.

Image: raymond wong/mashable

In streamlining the Echo Dot, Amazon removed the rotatable volume ring and added two volume buttons to go with the mute microphone and push-to-talk Alexa buttons up top. Honestly, I like this new change since I never use the rotatable volume ring on my Echo; I just tell Alexa to increase and decrease the volume. There’s still a light ring around the top and it still glows blue when Alexa is activated.

The glossy black finish is a fingerprint magnet, but it’s not an issue after you’ve set it up since most people aren’t going to move it around much. The Echo Dot also comes in a glossy white finish, which looks equally slick.

Shorter glossy second-gen Echo Dot (top) vs. matte first-gen Echo Dot (bottom).

Micro-USB for power and a 3.5mm audio jack for connecting to your own speaker system.

How about the speaker? Well, it’s still kind of average. The first Echo Dot’s speaker emitted hollow and tiny sound. The new Echo Dot is slightly louder with fuller mids and a teensy bit more bass, but it still makes your ears cringe at the highest volume setting.

Just like the first model, you’ll want to plug the new Echo Dot into your own speaker with the included 3.5mm audio cable or pair it with a Bluetooth speaker. Both of these options will give you much better sound. 

The Echo Dot’s built-in speaker is really meant for Alexa to respond to you and not for music playback.

Image: raymond wong/mashable

Past the mediocre sound, there’s really nothing not to like about the new Echo Dot. It’s the same as the old Echo Dot and extremely affordable.

The low price makes the Dot the easiest way to set up a smart home based around Alexa. Amazon also sells an for $80, which comes with a color case, a year of FreeTime Unlimited, and a two-year warranty. As Mashable Tech Editor Pete Pachal put it:

“Other than the Dot itself, you don’t need any of that stuff. The only bit that’s arguably worth the extra expense is the year of FreeTime Unlimited ($36 value), but, if you don’t have a Kindle Fire tablet to enjoy the children’s books, mostly means just some extra songs and playlists.”

So yeah, skip the Dot Kids Edition if you, well, have kids. It’s just not worth the extra moola.

The Dot’s main competition is the , which is also $50. Personally, I think Home Mini is more attractive with its soft fabric surface and more intelligent Google Assistant, but which one is right for you ultimately comes down to which platform you want to embrace. 

For newcomers who just want to dip their toes into building a smart home, the Echo Dot is the perfect device to start with. It’s only $50. You can use the extra money saved from not buying the full-sized Echo to buy some smart light bulbs or a Bluetooth speaker.

This review has been updated to include the Google Home Mini as a competitor, a more significant number of Alexa Skills, new Alexa features, and current discounts on the Echo Dot.

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[easyhairstylesbest]

Libra Monthly Horoscope

MONTH OF January

Monthly Snapshot 

Homebody no more! Your 2020 was seriously shelter-focused, and not just because of the pandemic. With three planets in Capricorn and your domestic fourth house, Chateau Libra was where all the action happened. In some ways, it was a silver lining that this coincided with a time when many of us were forced to spend unusually long amounts of time indoors and with family members—although if you were separated from loved ones, the isolation may have really gotten to you.

Starting this January, you’ll thrive outside your hive as Jupiter and Saturn embark on their first full month in Aquarius and your playful, passionate fifth house. While we all obviously need to observe rigorous safety precautions, your demeanor will become more open and creative again as you emerge from an unusually internal, reflective cycle. With the Sun still lingering in Capricorn and your homey fourth house until January 19, it might take a wee bit longer for this fun-loving cycle to kick in—but once it does, watch out, world!

Relationships are always a priority for your companionship-oriented sign, and this month you’ll learn who’s on Team Libra through thick and thin. Some of your alliances, which you’ve been cultivating over the past year, could become uber-official. Stock your squad with power players, Libra, and set up a path for mutual gain.

Back up all your data and devices before January 30, when communication and technology planet Mercury turns retrograde, a tricky time for interactions. With Mercury going rogue in Aquarius and your flamboyant fifth house, things could get dramatic—and that’s the last thing you need. Guard against turning your life into a reality show (unless, of course, you want that) by setting up clear expectations in your relationships all month long.

Week 1: January 1-10

Get ready to go deep

Relationships have been a source of excitement AND stress over the past six months, and this week, the plot could thicken. On Wednesday, January 6, intensifier Mars wraps an extended six-month visit to your opposite sign of Aries (four times longer than usual), where it’s been heating up your partnership zone since June 27, 2020. Whew!

Libras are naturally twosome-oriented, but there wasn’t much of a break from the steady stream of people clamoring for your attention. It could have been a lot of together-time, even for you. On the other hand, a new relationship might have been extra steamy thanks to the presence of lusty Mars!

Some of your bonds may have been riddled with arguments or competitiveness. Business negotiations could have gotten heated. Uncomfortable? Yes, but that’s how straight-talking and assertive Mars works. There’s no dodging directness. Your peaceful sign will go out of your way to avoid conflict, sometimes at your own expense. The downside is that you might also miss an opportunity because you don’t speak up or make that big ask. Mars in Aries taught you that the squeaky wheel does indeed get the premium oil. So…you’ve been squeaking!

While you should certainly continue, you may soon be doing so in a more hushed and husky tone. From January 6 to March 3, the climate shifts to a more insiders-only vibe as Mars plunges into Taurus and your eighth house of intimacy and intrigue. Emotions run deep and become extra palpable, from smoldering lust to seething jealousy.

With Mars heating up this joint-venture sector, a financial endeavor could take flight. You might attract angel funding, a loan or a grant—or you might make a savvy investment yourself. There may be tax issues looming or a legacy or inheritance on the horizon. Tight on funds? Pool your resources, work the barter system or team up with a fellow power player for a win-win.

Week 2: January 11-17

A good cry never hurt anyone

Drama alert! This week could be high on the histrionics and intense on the intrigue. Mars and Uranus are gathering speed in Taurus and your eighth house of intimacy, shared finances and control. From hidden emotions to jealousy and power trips, strong energies are heating up.

At the same time, expansive Jupiter and structured Saturn are both in Aquarius and your passionate, expressive fifth house. Where the eighth house is internal and secretive, the fifth is total “heart on sleeve” externalized Yet they can share a common level of intensity, and with so much amped-up cosmic energy afoot, it will be hard to stay centered.

It all begins on Wednesday, January 13, when Mars and Saturn get embroiled in a tense square, pulling you between public and private matters. Mars can ramp up possessiveness or suspicion, but he also turns up the sensual heat! The rash red planet may even tempt you to rush into a binding arrangement, whether emotional, financial or sexual.

As Mars squares cautious, self-protective Saturn in your romantic fifth house, the rose-colored glasses come off. Anyone you’ve hoisted onto a pedestal could fail to live up to the lofty attributes you’ve assigned them. If you’re trying to put yourself out there as an artist, performer or influencer, your talents may go unnoticed by the people you hope to impress, which can leave you discouraged. A budding attraction might slow down or hit a snag. Time for a reality check about who someone is…and isn’t?

But maybe something even better is on its way. This Thursday, January 14, game-changer Uranus ends a five-month retrograde in Taurus and your proprietary eighth house. Out of the blue, you could hear of an opportunity to join forces (and possibly finances) for mutual gain. With tech-savvy Uranus here, you might meet someone virtually or cement your bond via pixels before you get to experience your off-the-charts chemistry in the flesh.

Uranus has been retrograde since August 15, and as the side-spinning planet corrects course, there will actually be zero retrograde planets for two weeks! Take advantage of this decisive energy to make your moves.

Also on Thursday, the Sun and Pluto form their annual meetup in Capricorn and your fourth house of home and family. This could be a powerful day to move, change your living space or to clear the air with a family member. Have you been sensing a power struggle, particularly with a female relative? Today, you can assert yourself and make sure that the relationship moves forward on a mutually respectful foundation. It’s okay if a domineering type is a teensy bit taken aback by your strength, as long as it’s an acknowledgment of your power. Just make sure you’re leading with love, not sowing seeds of fear and intimidation.

On Sunday, January 17, a once-every-seven-years event occurs as expansive Jupiter and liberated Uranus move into a tense square, both fighting for freedom. While outspoken Jupiter wants you to toss all self-consciousness aside and “do you,” Uranus in your private and strategic eighth house is looking to get ahead by showing LESS, not more, of your hand.

This Jupiter-Uranus square could find you micromanaging your image and being overly concerned with the way people see you (which you have no control over, really). Any relationship or situation that feels confining could send you running to make a jailbreak. Intense emotions boil over, leading to a heated outburst—or possibly the consummation of simmering sexual tension!

It will be nearly impossible to keep your feelings inside, but make sure that you’re not burning a bridge with a demand to be heard. By no means should you suppress your needs, but issuing ultimatums won’t go over well today either. Remember, other people’s desire for autonomy might be as potent as yours.

Week 3: January 18-24

The return of fun and romance

Hibernation season is officially over, no matter what your weather app says. This Tuesday, January 19, the Sun enters Aquarius and your playful, passionate fifth house until February 18, joining Mercury, Jupiter AND Saturn, who are all occupying these colorful quarters of your chart.

Ready to get an early start on Valentine’s Day? Cupid could pay an unexpected visit. For Libras of the childbearing set, the stork may also appear since the fifth house rules fertility. Consider yourself notified! Over the next few weeks, get yourself camera-ready because the spotlight is sure to find you.

The last year may have left you feeling a bit invisible or overlooked. In truth, the planets sent you on a 2020 retreat, where you got in tune with deeper emotions and solidified a strong inner foundation. Now you’re ready to emerge and be seen, heard and noticed again!

But DO make sure you can still retreat to your metaphorical dressing room because your private life is also heating up this week. On Wednesday, January 20, intense Mars will team up with changemaker Uranus in Taurus and your eighth house of intimacy and investments. This could bring a speeding curveball around your finances or personal affairs. An attraction might heat up into a full-on boudoir consummation. You could also get a hot lead on somewhere to put your money or to team up for a joint venture that could pay off handsomely.

Just be careful about getting in too deep too soon. This Saturday, January 23, impulsive Mars will square off against overconfident Jupiter, and your risk-taking could turn reckless. Any rash moves, especially into an offer that could be “too good to be true,” may leave you with a messy cleanup job. Conduct due diligence, both through research AND soul-searching. Does something not add up? Do you feel a disconnect between what your mind and gut are saying? Don’t dismiss that.

Avoid gambling and signing on to anything that’s too speculative. That caution is doubly emphasized because Saturday also brings the year’s only conjunction (meetup) of the Sun and sobering Saturn. This is a day when we must confront limitations and look at the downside of any venture through a harsh and unflinching lens. The truth may hurt, but better to let it sting than sustain the greater injuries of making a hard-to-reverse, costly mistake.

As the Sun and Saturn unite in Aquarius and your romantic, creative fifth house, a budding relationship could turn serious—provided you believe it can go the distance. If someone’s here-today-gone-tomorrow, you may decide to stop investing your energy in this bond. That also goes for friendships, artistic collaborations and hobbies. If it’s not “sparking joy,” as your fellow Libra Marie Kondo would say, move on!

Week 4: January 25-31

Unburden your heart and be free

Pump up the passion! This week, a cosmic coterie queues up in Aquarius and your romantic, creative fifth house. The Sun, Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn all keep chugging through this sign, turning up the heat (and possibly adding a side of drama). Add in a full moon this Thursday, and emotions will be running high.

On Tuesday, January 26, the Sun in Aquarius will square off against disruptor Uranus in Taurus, echoing the tension of the January 17 Jupiter-Uranus square. Once again, you could be torn between wearing your heart on your sleeve and keeping your cards close to your vest. Surprising information could surface, and drama could ensue if a secret is abruptly revealed.

Are you hanging onto hurt, resentment or some painful breach of trust? The Sun-Uranus square could be the kick you need to just let it go—and liberate yourself in the process. We know a Libra with access to her ex’s text messages (long story). While she feels empowered in the short-term because she’s privy to his secrets, it keeps her stuck in a chain of pain. Meantime, he’s moved on to his next relationship…while she’s still fixated on him.

If you resemble this remark in any way, from prowling a frenemy’s Instagram feed to holding yourself back because of a bad experience, the Sun-Uranus square invites you to get radical—and set yourself free!

You’ll want to lighten your load because the future looks oh-so bright on Thursday, January 28, when the Leo full moon—the first full moon of 2021—ignites your eleventh house of teamwork and technology. Has that brilliant collaboration opportunity finally arrived? This is your invitation to link up with like-minded people who share your vision and values. Leave those energy vampires in the past, Libra, and focus on your divine mission!

How can you share your message with the wider world, especially through digital platforms? Teaming up with tech-savvy types can help you connect with even more kindred spirits. A website relaunch or a social media “brand refresh” could be ideal for this full moon.

Even better? Today, the Sun will conjunct expansive Jupiter in its once-a-year meetup, known as the Day of Miracles and considered by astrologers to be one of the luckiest days of the year. Since your fun-loving, attractive fifth house will be supercharged by this merger, look for lucky breakthroughs in the romantic and creative parts of your life. Today’s a major day to generate buzz—so send out those big announcements!

Be quick about it, though, because on Saturday, January 3class=”body-el-link standard-body-el-link” 0, communication planet Mercury will go retrograde through unpredictable Aquarius and your flamboyant fifth house until February 20. Does your love life look like a bad rerun all of a sudden? If old issues (or an ex) suddenly breaks the surface, take a deep breath before you go there. During this tricky transit, remember that there IS such a thing as bad publicity. With Mercury doing a backspin, make sure you don’t court attention for attention’s sake. Hold off on any big, flashy moves until after February 20.

LOVE & ROMANCE:

January is a hugely significant month because Mars leaves Aries and your relationship realm after an unusually long half-year transit. Since last June 27, there’s likely been an intense focus on your partnerships—sometimes stressful and conflict-filled while other times passionate and mind-blowingly hot!

Mars will move on from Aries on January 6, plunging into even deeper waters as it visits Taurus and your intimate, erotic eighth house until March 3. You might feel a sense of urgency around permanent plans, like moving in together or making a joint investment, neither of which is lessened by the pandemic surge. This cycle can bring even more sensuality and intrigue—but it also drives up trust issues, jealousy and possessiveness. For single Libras, this could be an internally focused time of doing some healing around trust and deeper feelings—or to find someone you connect with on the levels of mind, body AND soul.

You’ll still be in the mood for flirting and lighter chitchat until about January 8, when Venus exits Sagittarius and your breezy third house and moves into Capricorn and your emotional fourth. Paired with Mars in Taurus, this could make you feel sensitive and vulnerable. While you’ll enjoy the nostalgia, you may also be mercurial, thin-skinned and quick to react.

Make sure you have adequate support and self-care to see you through. Talk about your feelings instead of holding them inside, even if you first process them with a caring confidante instead of your love interest.

Key Dates:

January 9: Venus-Mars trine

Bring on the lasting love! As affectionate Venus and passionate Mars harmonize in stable earth signs, you could have true romance with all the trimmings—sensuality and stability. Skip the “come here now go away” players and their mixed messages. A partner who makes you feel secure is suddenly the most attractive catch in town. Coupled? Mark a long-term relationship with a thoughtful gift to let your mate know how much you cherish them.

MONEY & CAREER:

  Dear Reader: To bring you cutting-edge financial and career astrology, we’ve replaced our monthly Money & Career horoscope with an expanded new offering. And we’re burstinclass=”body-el-link standard-body-el-link” g with excitement to announce it!

We invite you to join the waitlist for our Astropreneurs community, where we’ll be sharing tools, trainings and cosmic career coaching in 2021 and beyond! Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a dreamer with a side hustle or just looking for deeper satisfaction from your work, we’ll guide you to your path and purpose by the stars.

2021 Vision Board Experience: January 28 with The AstroTwins Ready to design a path that truly fulfills you in 2021? Joclass=”body-el-link standard-body-el-link” in us for a star-powered live online event to create success, leadership and impact on January 28, 2021. Tickets available at https://astrostyle.com/visionboard21

Love Days: 13, 19

Money Days:26, 8

Luck Days: 24, 6

Off Days: 3, 21

See All Signs

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Libra Monthly Horoscope

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Amazon's Echo Dot 2 is the cheap, voice-controlled smart home hub all your rooms need

New Post has been published on https://idealz.cloud/2018/07/12/amazons-echo-dot-2-is-the-cheap-voice-controlled-smart-home-hub-all-your-rooms-need/

Amazon's Echo Dot 2 is the cheap, voice-controlled smart home hub all your rooms need

Only $50 • Alexa does everything the Echo does • Small and compact design • Save $20 if you buy two together

Weak • tinny-sounding speaker

The Amazon Echo Dot still does everything the Echo does, now at an even lower price and it’s not exclusive for Echo or Fire TV owners.

second-generation is everything the of the miniature smart speaker should have been: smaller and cheaper.

Even though the Dot is the cheapest Echo device in the lineup, it’s still a surprisingly powerful and convenient voice-controlled smart home hub.

Compared to the and , the Dot is squatter and glossier. Plus, if you buy two at once, you’ll get a $20 discount. It’s not as sweet as the six-pack of Dots Amazon offered briefly in 2016, but buying two still means you can create dual-room setup for less than the second-gen Echo.

The Echo Dot (second-gen) next to the Echo Dot (first-gen).

Image: RAYMOND WONG/MASHABLE

The Echo Dot comes in glossy black or glossy white. Amazon also sells customizable cases in a variety of fabrics and colors to decorate your device with. You know, to better blend in with your home decor.

Functionally, the Echo Dot works exactly the same as the old one. You can summon with your voice to play music, check the weather, read the news, control your smart home devices like Philips’ Hue smart lights, call an Uber, , read you a Kindle e-book, send and receive , etc.

The number of “skills” that Alexa knows continues to grow at an extraordinary rate, connecting her with new services and devices. As of the spring of 2018, Alexa .

The new Echo Dot is $50 and you’ll actually be able to buy one.

It has the same seven built-in microphones to hear your voice from across a room. During my testing, I didn’t notice any difference in responsiveness between the old Echo Dot and new one. 

The Echo Dot has a feature called Echo Spatial Perception (ESP). If you have multiple Echos or Dots set up in your home, ESP prevents all of them from going off at once when you say the Alexa command; only the one closest to you should activate. 

For the most part, ESP works well… if your Echo devices aren’t too close together. In my small one bedroom apartment in New York City, ESP didn’t work as well as I would have liked. Calling for Alexa on the Echo Dot in my bedroom still often woke up Alexa on the Echo in my living room about 30 feet away. Speaking in a softer voice helped resolve this issue. Another workaround is to change to give each Echo a . For example, you could have the Echo Dot respond to “Alexa” and other Echo devices to “Amazon,” “Echo.” or “Computer.”

The rotatable volume ring is gone. On the new Echo Dot (left), there are volume buttons on top.

Image: raymond wong/mashable

In streamlining the Echo Dot, Amazon removed the rotatable volume ring and added two volume buttons to go with the mute microphone and push-to-talk Alexa buttons up top. Honestly, I like this new change since I never use the rotatable volume ring on my Echo; I just tell Alexa to increase and decrease the volume. There’s still a light ring around the top and it still glows blue when Alexa is activated.

The glossy black finish is a fingerprint magnet, but it’s not an issue after you’ve set it up since most people aren’t going to move it around much. The Echo Dot also comes in a glossy white finish, which looks equally slick.

Shorter glossy second-gen Echo Dot (top) vs. matte first-gen Echo Dot (bottom).

Micro-USB for power and a 3.5mm audio jack for connecting to your own speaker system.

How about the speaker? Well, it’s still kind of average. The first Echo Dot’s speaker emitted hollow and tiny sound. The new Echo Dot is slightly louder with fuller mids and a teensy bit more bass, but it still makes your ears cringe at the highest volume setting.

Just like the first model, you’ll want to plug the new Echo Dot into your own speaker with the included 3.5mm audio cable or pair it with a Bluetooth speaker. Both of these options will give you much better sound. 

The Echo Dot’s built-in speaker is really meant for Alexa to respond to you and not for music playback.

Image: raymond wong/mashable

Past the mediocre sound, there’s really nothing not to like about the new Echo Dot. It’s the same as the old Echo Dot and extremely affordable.

The low price makes the Dot the easiest way to set up a smart home based around Alexa. Amazon also sells an for $80, which comes with a color case, a year of FreeTime Unlimited, and a two-year warranty. As Mashable Tech Editor Pete Pachal put it:

“Other than the Dot itself, you don’t need any of that stuff. The only bit that’s arguably worth the extra expense is the year of FreeTime Unlimited ($36 value), but, if you don’t have a Kindle Fire tablet to enjoy the children’s books, mostly means just some extra songs and playlists.”

So yeah, skip the Dot Kids Edition if you, well, have kids. It’s just not worth the extra moola.

The Dot’s main competition is the , which is also $50. Personally, I think Home Mini is more attractive with its soft fabric surface and more intelligent Google Assistant, but which one is right for you ultimately comes down to which platform you want to embrace. 

For newcomers who just want to dip their toes into building a smart home, the Echo Dot is the perfect device to start with. It’s only $50. You can use the extra money saved from not buying the full-sized Echo to buy some smart light bulbs or a Bluetooth speaker.

This review has been updated to include the Google Home Mini as a competitor, a more significant number of Alexa Skills, new Alexa features, and current discounts on the Echo Dot.

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