From Prompts to Prose: Mastering the Art of Storytelling with Google Bard

Posted on 24/11/2023 by Roland Hutchinson

n the dynamic and ever-evolving field of artificial intelligence, Google Bard has emerged as a groundbreaking innovation, distinguishing itself through its ability to produce text of a quality akin to that created by humans. This exceptional language model is underpinned by advanced machine-learning technologies, marking a significant leap in our capabilities to both create and […]

The post From Prompts to Prose: Mastering the Art of Storytelling with Google Bard appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max Battery Test (Video)

Posted on 24/11/2023 by Roland Hutchinson

Apple has four models in this year’s iPhone range, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus and the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. We have already seen various battery tests against other manufacturers and now we have another battery test. The video below from Phone Buff tests all four models of the iPhone 15 […]

The post iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max Battery Test (Video) appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

The best Black Friday TV deals still available: Get up to $750 off OLED sets from LG and Samsung

Posted on 24/11/2023 by Jeff Dunn

Black Friday remains one of the best times of the year for TV deals, typically rivaled only by the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl and the springtime. If you've been thinking about upgrading from an aging set, or if you have a new space that you want to fill with a massive 75-inch screen, you're in luck. Many of the best Black Friday TV deals are still in full swing — so we’ve rounded up the top discounts on all sizes of TVs from Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy and other retailers. Though we don’t formally review TVs at Engadget, we’ve thoroughly researched user reviews and testing from other sites we trust to ensure our list only includes TVs you’ll be happy to own years down the road. We've also included the best deals we could find for soundbars, streaming devices and other TV accessories.

Samsung The Frame LED TV (LS03B) (55-inch)

The 55-inch version of Samsung’s The Frame TV is down to $978 at Amazon and B&H, which is nearly $400 off its average street price in recent months. It’s available for a couple bucks more at Samsung and Best Buy. If you want something smaller, the 50-inch model is a good buy at $898, too. This LED TV lacks contrast-boosting features like local dimming and mini-LED backlights, so its picture quality, while good, can’t match the best sets in its price range. Instead, you’d buy a Frame TV for its style. The whole thing is designed to look like a mountable piece of wall art, and when you aren’t watching something, you can use it to display artwork and photos. The TV comes with a few pieces by default, while others are available with an optional subscription.

Samsung S90C OLED TV (55-inch)

A 55-inch model of Samsung’s S90C OLED TV is available for $1,298 at Amazon, Walmart and B&H. Samsung itself has it for $2 more. This has been the S90C’s price for the last several weeks but, outside of a brief drop to $1,098 at B&H earlier this month, it matches the lowest rate we’ve tracked. The S90C has received near-universal praise for its QD-OLED panel, which uses a layer of quantum dots to boost its peak brightness and color saturation while retaining the high contrast and deep black tones of a typical OLED display. Put another way, it looks great, and it should hold up better than most OLED TVs in a bright room. It’s also an ideal gaming TV, as it has four HDMI 2.1 ports that support up to a 144Hz refresh rate in 4K (on PCs). The main downside is that, like all Samsung TVs, it doesn’t support the popular Dolby Vision HDR format.

LG C3 OLED TV (42-inch)

The LG C3 OLED TV is down to $897 for a 42-inch model at Amazon and B&H, which matches its all-time low. The C3 lacks the quantum-dot tech of the Samsung S90C, so it can’t get quite as bright or colorful. But it still offers most of the expected perks of a good OLED panel, including high contrast, wide viewing angles and smooth motion. It supports Dolby Vision HDR as well, plus it’s available in smaller sizes than the S90C — hence why we’re highlighting the 42-inch model here. Larger versions are also discounted, but they’re priced close enough to the S90C that most people should opt for the Samsung TV instead. If you want a premium TV for a smaller space — and can keep the set away from glare — this model should fit the bill.

LG A2 OLED TV (48-inch)

The 48-inch LG A2 OLED TV, meanwhile, is on sale for $550 at Best Buy. We’ve seen numerous deals for this set over the course of the year, but this one matches the lowest price we’ve tracked. The A2 is an entry-level model from 2022, so it's limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, lacks HDMI 2.1 ports and doesn't support other gaming-friendly features like VRR. It has noticeably lower peak brightness than higher-end OLEDs like the C3, too, so it won’t pop as much with HDR content. That said, it's still an OLED TV, so it still delivers deep contrast, bold colors, wide viewing angles and low input lag for the money. At this price, it should be a nice step-up option for smaller or secondary rooms.

Hisense U8K LED TV (55-inch)

The 55-inch Hisense U8K is available for $698, which is an all-time low and $50 less than its typical street price in recent months. Best Buy has it for $2 more. The 65-inch model is also at an all-time low of $897. Several reviews have praised the U8K as one of the year’s best values among midrange TVs, one that gets impressively bright and delivers strong contrast for an LED display. It comes with two HDMI 2.1 ports that play 4K video up to 144Hz, it supports all the major HDR formats and its Google TV platform is easier to use than most smart TV UIs. Its motion and color performance will still trail a good OLED TV, though, and reviews say it’ll wash out much more heavily when viewed from an angle. But if you want to stay under $1,000, it should be a good value.

TCL QM8 LED TV (65-inch)

The TCL QM8 is generally regarded as a close rival to the Hisense U8K in the same price bracket. Its 65-inch model is now down to $898 at Amazon and Walmart, which is the lowest price we’ve tracked. Like Hisense’s set, the QM8 uses quantum dots, mini-LED backlights and an expansive local dimming feature to deliver strong contrast for a non-OLED TV and enough brightness to overcome glare in any room. It, too, runs Google TV, and it has two HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K/144Hz video.

The QM8 isn’t available in a size lower than 65 inches, so those who don’t have the space for a larger TV should get the U8K. But TCL’s TV does have one advantage for gamers: Its eARC port is separate from its HDMI 2.1 ports. That means those with a PS5, Xbox Series X and eARC-enabled soundbar can have all three hooked up at once and enjoy 4K/120Hz gaming on the two consoles without having to change inputs. One of the U8K’s HDMI 2.1 ports, on the other hand, doubles as the eARC port, so it might cause a little extra hassle. Otherwise, the two sets appear to offer similar performance.

Hisense U6K LED TV (55-inch)

The Hisense U6K is down to $350 for a 55-inch model and $498 for a 65-inch model, both of which represent all-time lows. The U6K is a well-reviewed option for those on a tighter budget, as it’s one of the few affordable sets to use quantum dots, mini-LED backlights and full-array local dimming. All of that helps it deliver better contrast and color volume than most TVs in this price range. It can’t get as bright as the U8K or TCL QM8, so it won’t exactly sparkle with HDR content, and its picture will degrade when viewed at an angle. Its 60Hz refresh rate and lack of HDMI 2.1 ports mean it’s not ideal for gaming, either. But trade-offs are to be expected for less than $500; if you don’t want to pay up for a higher-end model, this looks to be a solid compromise.

We’ll also note the Hisense U7K, which is down to lows of $480 for a 55-inch set and $700 for a 65-inch one. As its name suggests, this TV sits between the U8K and U6K in Hisense’s lineup: It doesn’t look as rich or bright as the former, but it’s a step up over the latter if you can afford to stretch your budget a little more.

TCL Q6 LED TV (65-inch)

The 65-inch TCL Q6 is available for $500 at Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy, which is $20 more than its all-time low but still $50 below its usual street price. The 75-inch set is down to a new low of $650, however. The Q6 is another budget-level TV released in 2023. Most reviews we trust say it lags well behind the Hisense U6K when it comes to contrast and HDR performance, but it’s worth highlighting because it supports a faster 120Hz refresh rate — so long as you play at a 1080p or 1440p resolution instead of 4K. If you’re a competitive-minded gamer who doesn’t want to spend a ton on a new TV, that extra smoothness might be worthwhile. Note that this set runs Amazon’s Fire TV platform, which’ll work best if you often use Amazon services like Prime Video.

Sony A95L OLED TV (55-inch)

If money is absolutely no object, the 55-inch Sony A95L is $300 off and down to a new “low” of $2,498 at Amazon and B&H. That’s far from cheap, but this ultra-premium QD-OLED TV has received wide praise for delivering perfect black levels, superb image processing, particularly punchy colors, and high brightness levels relative to other OLED sets. It’s another Google TV and, unlike the Samsung S90C, it supports Dolby Vision HDR. It can even play games at 4K/120Hz with Dolby Vision, and several reviews praise the quality of its built-in speakers. The main negative, apart from its eye-watering price, is that it only has two HDMI 2.1 ports. The S90C should be a better value for most, particularly gamers, but this deal makes the A95L at least a little cheaper than usual.

TCL S4 LED TV (50-inch)

The 50-inch TCL S4 is down to $230 at Amazon when you clip an $18 on-page coupon. That’s the lowest price we’ve seen and about $30 off this model’s usual street price. The 55-inch variant is also on sale for $260 at Best Buy. The S4 is a low-end 4K TV, so it doesn’t get super bright and isn’t ideal for gaming or watching HDR content. If you can step up to the Hisense U6K, you should. But we understand that, sometimes, you just need a cheap TV that does the job outside of the living room. The S4 should be serviceable for that, especially if you keep it in a room that isn’t heavily affected by glare. This model runs on the same Google TV interface as a few of our picks above, but versions that use Amazon's Fire TV OS are also discounted.

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is down to $30 at Target, Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Roku’s online store and others. That’s $5 more than its all-time low but still $14 off the average street price we’ve seen in recent months. The Streaming Stick 4K is the top pick in our guide to the best streaming devices: It runs quickly, it works with all the major streaming services and HDR formats, and it has useful features like AirPlay support and a private listening mode. The Roku UI isn’t the sexiest piece of software design, but it’s a breeze to navigate and its search tool does well to find shows across disparate apps.

Roku Express 4K+

A couple other Roku streamers of note are also on sale. The Roku Express 4K+, for one, is within a dollar of its all-time low at $25. That dongle can’t plug directly into an HDMI port, lacks Dolby Vision support and has slightly slower Wi-Fi than the Streaming Stick 4K, but it offers the same general experience otherwise.

Roku Ultra

The Roku Ultra, meanwhile, is about $30 off at $69. This is the “best set-top box” pick in our media streamer guide. It’s pricier than the Streaming Stick 4K, but it adds an Ethernet jack and a microSD slot for expanded storage. It also comes with Roku’s Voice Remote Pro, which has a rechargeable battery, two programmable shortcut buttons, a remote finder function and a built-in headphone jack for private listening. You can buy the Voice Remote Pro separately and use it with most other Roku streamers, though.

Google Chromecast with Google TV

The Google Chromecast is on sale for $38 at Amazon, Walmart and Target. This is a deal we've seen several times before and doesn’t represent an all-time low, but it's still $12 off Google's list price. The Chromecast is the runner up in our guide to the best streaming devices: It was released way back in 2020 and doesn't support Wi-Fi 6, but it still performs competently and supports the major streaming apps. Its biggest selling point is its Google TV interface, which does well to proactively suggest shows you might like based on your viewing history and has a genuinely convenient voice search function. If the idea of a streamer that adjusts to your viewing habits sounds appealing to you, it might be worth grabbing over one of the Roku players above. If you're shopping for an older TV, the 1080p version of the Chromecast offers just about all of the same benefits and is on sale for $20.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Max

Amazon's latest Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Max have received their largest discounts since arriving in September. The former is 50 percent off at $25, while the latter is 33 percent off at $40. Between the two, the Max has a slightly faster processor clocked at 2.0GHz (instead of 1.7GHz), 16GB of internal storage (instead of 8GB) and support for Wi-Fi 6E (instead of just Wi-Fi 6). It also includes Amazon's "Ambient Experience" mode, which displays artwork and widgets when the streamer is idle. That said, both dongles should be quick to load content. Both support the requisite streaming apps, Dolby Atmos and all the major HDR formats as well.

On the higher end of the Fire TV lineup, the Fire TV Cube is also on sale for $110. That ties the all-time low for the streaming box/Alexa speaker hybrid. The main downside with Fire TV devices is the same as it’s been for years: The UI is saddled with ads and not at all shy about nudging you toward Amazon services like Prime Video and Freevee. For most, a Roku or Chromecast should be a bit less obnoxious. But if you often use Amazon apps (or Alexa) and just want a competent 4K streamer for cheap, this may be less of an issue.

Apple TV 4K

Deals for the Apple TV 4K have been extremely uncommon over the past year and, sadly, we aren’t seeing any new cash discounts on Black Friday. However, if you’re willing to pay the full $129 list price at Apple’s online store (or $149 for a 128GB model), you can get a $25 Apple Gift Card for no extra cost. That’s not much of a deal, but if you’ve had your eye on the set-top box and already planned on paying for Apple Music, iCloud or any other Apple service, it’s better than nothing.

We call the Apple TV 4K the “best premium” pick in our media streamer guide. It’s much pricier than a Roku or Chromecast, but it’s consistently fast, its Siri-based remote works well and it supports Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision. It also integrates tightly with other Apple devices and services; you can quick-pair a set of AirPods, for instance, and beam content directly to the box via AirPlay. Apple’s tvOS interface is slick and easy to read too, though it tends to advertise Apple TV+ shows over those from other services.

NVIDIA Shield TV Pro

The NVIDIA Shield TV Pro is back down to $170 for Black Friday at Amazon and Best Buy, a $30 discount that ties the lowest price we’ve tracked. This is the “best for gamers” pick in our streaming devices guide. It’s a fairly niche option these days: It was released way back in 2019, it’s still not cheap and it uses the older Android TV platform instead of the generally more polished Google TV. But its still-speedy Tegra X1+ chip works well for game streaming and playing Android titles, and it may make sense you’re looking to run a Plex media server or emulate older games. The set-top box is loaded with ports, and its upscaling tech can make 1080p content look crisper on 4K TVs. For enthusiast types, this is a decent chance to save.

Sonos soundbar sale

Sonos is running a Black Friday sale that includes a range of discounts on soundbars and home theater gear. The deals include the flagship Sonos Arc soundbar for $719, which is a $180 discount. The mid-range Sonos Beam (Gen 2) and the more basic Sonos Ray are also on sale for $399 and $223, respectively; that's a $100 drop for the former and a $56 drop for the latter. All three devices are recommendations in our guide to the best soundbars. Elsewhere, the Sonos Sub (Gen 3) subwoofer is $160 off at $639, while the more compact Sonos Sub Mini is $86 off at $343.

We gave the Arc, Beam and Ray review scores of 85, 88 and 82, respectively. The Arc and Beam both technically support Dolby Atmos, but the former’s larger frame and upward-firing drivers help it sound more spacious. The Ray is a smaller and more basic model that doesn’t sound as dynamic, but it still performs well for its size and price. Each device gets you the core perks of a Sonos speaker: easy pairing with other Sonos devices, a simple setup process, a straightforward app with access to a variety of streaming services, AirPlay support, a stylish design and so on. Discounts on Sonos devices are fairly rare, though it’s worth noting that a recent Bloomberg report said the company is working on an updated Arc and other home theater equipment for sometime next year.

Roku Streambar

The Roku Streambar is back down to $100 at B&H, Target, Best Buy and other retailers. That isn't an all-time low, but the deal takes about $15 off the device’s average street price as of late. This is a 14-inch soundbar that also works as a 4K Roku streamer. It doesn’t sound particularly rich or expansive, but it’s an upgrade over most built-in TV speakers. It also supports Apple AirPlay, though it doesn’t work with Dolby Vision or HDR10+. Still, if you’re looking to add streaming support and improved audio quality to an older TV, the Streambar is worth considering. We gave it a score of 86 in our review back in 2020.

Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo’s Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-black-friday-tv-deals-still-available-get-up-to-750-off-oled-sets-from-lg-and-samsung-181020692.html?src=rss

Amazon Black Friday deals include 43 percent off the 2023 Fire HD 10 tablet

Posted on 24/11/2023 by Lawrence Bonk

Amazon and Black Friday go together like peanut butter and heavily discounted jelly. The web retail giant unveiled a spate of deals for the day, including an extremely attractive offer on its Fire HD 10 tablet. You can snag one for 43 percent off, dropping the price down to $80. This is a record-low for Amazon’s mid-level device.

You aren’t even getting an older tablet here, as the deal’s for the company’s latest and greatest 2023 model. To that end, you get a 10.1-inch full HD screen, an octa-core 2 GHz processor, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage. Not bad for $80, right? This isn’t the fanciest tablet on the block, but it gets the job done for browsing the web, checking social media and, of course, watching streaming apps. It even comes with a dashboard for controlling smart home devices with taps instead of voice commands.

This deal is for the Fire HD 10 with “lockscreen ads”, so you’ll be shown personalized ads on the screensaver in sleep mode. I’ve found this ad delivery method to be relatively unobtrusive, all things considered. There is one serious caveat, however, that impacts most Amazon tablets. You won’t have access to the Google Play Store, so the app selection is limited. However, all the big ones are still available.

There are other Amazon-branded tablets available with steep discounts as part of this larger Black Friday event. You can get the company’s top-of-the-line Fire 11 Max tablet for $150 instead of $230. This tablet boasts 64GB of storage with an SD slot for more, 4GB of RAM, an octa-core processor and a durable aluminum design. The diminutive Fire HD 8 is also on sale for $60 instead of $100.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-black-friday-deals-include-43-percent-off-the-2023-fire-hd-10-tablet-120052541.html?src=rss

Anker Black Friday deals 2023: Portable charges, cables and surge protectors are still on sale for up to 60 percent off

Posted on 24/11/2023 by Sarah Fielding

The holiday shopping period is a great time to stock up on things you might need for yourself in addition to gifts for other people. Charging cables, adapters and other handy accessories are good items grab while they're on sale, and Anker's got a lot of deals for you to choose from for this Black Friday shopping season. A ton of charging gear has been heavily discounted, including this USB-C to HDMI Adapter, which is a whopping 60 percent off. Anker Black Friday deals cover portable chargers, cords, wall plugs, surge protectors and basically every item needed to keep your devices functioning. Here are the best Black Friday deals on Anker devices that you can still get today.

Anker Magnetic Power Bank

Anker's 20W Magnetic Power Bank provides up to 22 hours of extra battery life for the iPhone 12, 13, 14 and 15. It's compatible with MagSafe and has a 10N magnetic force, stronger than the initial MagSafe charger. Its grip makes it super easy to use your iPhone as usual while still giving it a boost. Get the magnetic power bank in Black, White, Purple or Pink — all for the same price.

Anker Prime 100W USB-C Charger

This 100W Anker Prime USB-C Charger is great to have near your desk or bedside table when you want to juice up multiple devices. It comes with one USB-A port and two USB-C ports, with 100W of power evenly distributed when you use two of them (though using all three will still produce a fast charge). It's compatible with every iPhone since the iPhone 12, along with recent MacBooks, Galaxy Tabs, the HP Chromebook 14 and more.

Anker 563 10-in-1 USB-C Hub

MacBooks are great, but their lack of an HDMI port can sometimes be frustrating. Anker's 563 10-in-1 USB-C Hub solves that problem (and with a 4K display) while giving you plenty of extra ports along with it. The device has two HDMI ports, a USB-C port to connect your laptop, a USB-C data port, two USB-A data ports, an Ethernet port, a 100W max PD-IN port, an SD card slot and a microSD card slot.

Anker iPhone Fast Charging Cable 2-pack

One charging cable is enough in theory, but it always leads to instant regret the moment you realize it's still at work or even all the way downstairs. Anker's iPhone Fast Charging Cable 2-pack is nearly half off, making it an easy decision to spring for the extra. The 10-foot-long braided cables can charge an iPhone 14 Pro to 50 percent in 30 minutes (if you have a compatible plug, of course). Either way, their length and overall high-speed charges make them a good option to pick up.

Anker Prime Power Bank 200W

Anker's 200W Prime Power Bank is the one to buy if you want super fast charging in a compact device. It comes with one USB-A 200W port and two USB-C 100W ports. The included 100W charging base brings the power bank back up to full charge in just an hour and 15 minutes.

Surge Protector Power Strip

The last thing you want for your nice gaming desktop or console (besides getting very wet) is for it to face a power surge. For $22, Anker's 12-outlet Surge Protector Power Strip gives you peace of mind that all your devices and game progress are protected.

Anker SOLIX F1200 Portable Power Station

Are you already dreaming about warmer weather and beautiful camping excursions? If you need a new portable power station for that adventure, now is the time to get it. Anker's SOLIX F1200 Portable Power Station is half off, bringing it from $1,400 to $700. It's still quite a chunk of change, but it's a steal in comparison. It can recharge to 80 percent in just one hour, checks its temperature up to 100 times every second and has a five-year warranty. Plus, it comes with car, AC and solar charging cables.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/anker-black-friday-deals-2023-portable-charges-cables-and-surge-protectors-are-still-on-sale-for-up-to-60-percent-off-151931824.html?src=rss

How To Make Compost At Home

Posted on 24/11/2023 by Pooja Khanna Tyagi

Composting is an aerobic procedure that requires oxygen and transforms organic substances into a nutrient-rich soil enhancer or mulch via the process of natural decomposition. Microorganisms consume materials in the compost pile, utilizing carbon and nitrogen for growth, water for digestion, and oxygen for respiration, resulting in compost—a dark, crumbly material with an earthy smell. Composting is nature’s method of recycling naturally, helping in reducing waste, combating climate change, and enhancing the quality of the soil. The biggest advantage is that one can compost kitchen food scraps along with dry leaves and woody debris from your yard at home.

Designer: Otis Oat

What are the benefits of composting?

• Composting allows one to recycle food scrap and manage waste more sustainably.
• It helps in reducing the volume of materials that may get disposed of in landfills or trash incinerators, thereby reducing the emission of powerful greenhouse gases.

Designer: Homesteading Where You Are

• Composting requires minimal effort and is a cost-effective way to produce high-quality soil amendments while reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
• Another advantage is that composting is that it creates nutrient-rich soil, prevents soil erosion, conserves water, and improves plant growth.

What are the different types of composting?

Composting can be broadly classified into backyard composting and vermicomposting.

Backyard Composting

Backyard composting includes carbon-rich materials or browns like dry leaves, twigs, plant stalks, nitrogen-rich materials, or greens like grass clippings and food scraps. Composting involves the presence of water and oxygen, where carbon-rich materials serve as food for microorganisms, and nitrogen-rich materials generate heat in the pile.

Image Source: Plantophiles

• For backyard composting, the first step is to decide on a method for gathering and storing browns outdoors and collect fruit and vegetable scraps in a sealed container either on your kitchen counter, under your sink, or in your fridge or freezer.
• Identify an accessible, well-draining space in your yard for a compost pile, and select a bin type, that can be constructed from materials like wire, wood, cinder blocks, or enclosed options such as barrels and tumblers.
• Chop and break down the browns and greens into smaller pieces before adding them to the pile to expedite the decomposition process.
• Construct the compost pile with a four- to six-inch layer of substantial browns, like twigs and wood chips, to absorb excess liquids, elevate the pile, and facilitate air circulation at the base. Follow by layering greens and, add a bit of water to moisten the pile. Note that the browns should be at least three times the greens.
• As the compost pile decomposes, the center temperature initially rises. One can speed up decomposition and aerate by turning and mixing the pile with a garden fork. Monitor moisture, odor, and temperature, adjusting as needed. Adjust the compost by moistening and turning if it’s too dry, adding browns and turning if there’s an odor, mixing in greens, and turning if it’s not heating up.
• Once your compost pile stops heating up and shows no visible food scraps after mixing, let it cure for at least four weeks, relocating the oldest compost if desired. Note that after curing, the pile will be reduced to about one-third.
• Well-maintained compost is ready in three to five months, looking dark, loose, and crumbly with a soil-like smell. Screen or sift the finished compost to remove undecomposed materials, such as twigs or fruit pits, and add them back to the active or new pile if desired.
• Well-constructed and properly maintained compost piles, whether in bins or open, should not attract pests or rodents. If using a bin, reinforce it with a lid and potentially a floor, ensuring no holes or gaps larger than ¼ inch. Cover and bury food scraps in the pile, and avoid adding meat, dairy, or greasy foods.

Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting employs specific earthworm species to enhance the organic waste conversion process, utilizing microorganisms and earthworms in a mesophilic environment. Earthworms consume organic materials, producing granular excrement known as vermicompost, which, in simple terms, improves soil’s biological, chemical, and physical properties. The earthworm’s digestive tract secretions aid in breaking down soil and organic matter, enriching the castings with readily available nutrients for plants. Various organic residues, including straw, husk, leaves, stalks, and livestock or poultry wastes, can be transformed into vermicompost, with earthworms reducing waste volume by 40–60 percent.

Types of Compost Bins

Here is a curated assortment of innovative compost bins.

1. Handheld Composting Machine

Designer: Shihcheng Chen

The ReGreen is a compact handheld device simulates the look of a miniature waste-disposal machine and incorporates an aluminum grinder that efficiently crushes and pulverizes waste while promoting quick biodegradation. The device features a top opening for waste input, a rotating arm that facilitates gentle pulverization and its base allows water drainage for compost drying. After waste is processed, one can introduce enzymes to speed up composting and convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.

2. Plant Cultivator and Compost Bin

Designer: Robin Akira

Paradise is an automated plant cultivator and compost bin designed to decrease domestic waste via the use of integrated technology that notifies users about compost and plant care needs. Inspired by the pandemic-driven shift to home-centric living, designer Robin Akira created Paradise to integrate greenery into interior spaces while addressing the global rise in domestic waste with its composting features and odor-sealing lid.

3. Compost Bin cum Indoor Garden

Designer: Chaozhi Lin

In a changing world where sustainability is a personal commitment, KAGURA, a self-sustaining indoor gardening system created by Chaozhi Lin, facilitates composting and vegetable cultivation. Consisting of a food waste container, elevated light structure, and three soil pots, KAGURA transforms scraps into compost, nourishing plants with an attractive, compact light fixture. Designed to fit any kitchen or living space, this system caters to environmentally conscious individuals in urban settings, addressing the challenge of limited yard space and making sustainable living feasible for city homes.

4. Compost Sleek Bin

Designer: Alp Çakın

Homepost, an innovative composting station, addresses waste challenges in office environments by accelerating the composting process, containing odors, and providing additional storage space. Its efficient design allows for the transformation of diverse organic waste, including plastics, paper, nutshells, teabags, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable scraps, and eggshells. The system’s environmentally friendly construction, made from sustainable green polyethylene, absorbs carbon dioxide during production. Featuring a rotating arm for easy transportation, Homepost’s modules nest efficiently for minimal space occupancy during transit.

5. Composting Machine

Designer: Jinhwi Bang

Reencle tackles the escalating food waste issue in the USA by efficiently breaking down household food-prep waste, bones, peels, leftovers, and expired products into compost within 24 hours. Roughly the size of a trash bin, Reencle features an automatic opening lid and a control panel, with microorganisms inside its chamber facilitating the composting process. The mechanical churning system reduces waste volume through vigorous mixing, and any emissions are filtered to release trace amounts of water vapor and clean air. This at-home solution transforms food waste into nutrient-rich compost for gardens or disposal, mitigating environmental harm caused by landfill decomposition.

6. Stainless Steel Compost Bin

Designer: Adrian Moro

Kamoro’s Compost Bin is crafted with a streamlined airflow design that both dries out waste and provides essential oxygen for microbial survival, ensuring the effortless cultivation of a healthy compost batch. Its double-walled construction consists of an outer stainless-steel container and an inner plastic bucket. The stainless-steel container incorporates a perforated base to establish an airflow pattern, and an activated carbon filter on top effectively filters outgoing air, reducing any odors generated during the organic breakdown process.

The post How To Make Compost At Home first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 Custom GPTs for ChatGPT Revealed

Posted on 24/11/2023 by Roland Hutchinson

This guide covers the top 10 custom GPTs that are available for ChatGPT. In the rapidly evolving world of Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs), the realm of chat GPTs has seen remarkable innovations. This article unveils the top 10 custom GPTs that are redefining chatbot interactions, ranked based on their online presence and user engagement. The […]

The post Top 10 Custom GPTs for ChatGPT Revealed appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

Google Nest devices are up to half off for Black Friday 2023

Posted on 24/11/2023 by Lawrence Bonk

Black Friday is a time of mystery, and a time to empty your bank account. To that end, the internet’s chock full of deals on Google Nest products today, available via Amazon and Target. If you’ve been on the fence regarding some of these devices, like the well-regarded Google Nest Hub smart home controller/display, now could be your time to shine.

These Black Friday deals on smart home gadgets extend beyond the smart display. You can also snag the Google Nest Learning Thermostat or the company’s mesh router system, among several other items. Here are all of the various Google Nest gadgets on sale today, so you can avoid the big box retail stores and any chance of being trampled by excited shoppers.

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)

Target’s selling the Google Nest Hub smart display for just $50, which is half off the MSRP and one heck of a deal. We admired this device in our review, calling out the louder audio when compared to its predecessor and the simple, pleasant visual aesthetic. We also enjoyed the snappy Google Assistant integration and the embedded motion sensor that not only helps with sleep tracking, but allows you to move your hands in the air to dismiss an alarm.

We even thought this was a good deal at its original price, so it’s an extra-good deal now. There’s a reason, after all, this made our list of the best smart displays. About the only downside for this product is one that accompanies just about every rival device. The sleep tracking is accurate, to a degree, but the data isn’t very insightful. Still, it’s a fantastic option as a smart home controller.

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen)

The biggest draw with this thermostat is right in the name. It features algorithms that learn based on user inputs. Once you make your own schedules a couple of times, the system will begin to automate the task. This drastically cuts down on the amount of time spent standing in front of a small circle attached to the wall or fiddling with an app. It’s now available for $180 instead of $250 via Amazon, a savings of nearly 30 percent.

As for the features, this is a full-fledged Nest thermostat. It’ll turn the system off when you leave the home, boasts both Google Assistant and Alexa integration for voice controls and promises significant energy savings over time. To that end, it’s Energy Star certified. This has to be wired into your system, however, which is worth considering.

Google Nest Thermostat (2020 release)

If learning algorithms aren’t your thing, you can save even more money by choosing the standard Google Nest Thermostat. This is the latest release from 2020 and Amazon has it on sale for $90 instead of $130, which is a savings of over 30 percent. This device won’t automatically change the temperature, but is Energy Star certified.

It’s also feature-rich, with Wi-Fi connectivity so it doesn’t have to get wired into the system. However, some homes will require a C wire connection to control every aspect of the HVAC unit. Once connected, you can control it via a smartphone app, Google Assistant or even Alexa. There’s also a handy HVAC monitoring system that alerts you to any issues.

Google Nest WiFi Pro Mesh Router (3-pack)

If you want to fill up your home with sweet, sweet internet, a mesh router system is the way to do it. For Black Friday, you can get a Google Nest WiFi Pro 3-pack for $280 instead of $400, a savings of 30 percent. All told, you get nearly 7,000 square feet of coverage with this setup, so even that dank corner of the basement should allow for a robust connection.

We enjoyed this system in our official review, calling out the simple user interface, which is perfect for newbies, and the low price when compared to rival mesh systems. That last point just got a lot better with this deal. It lacks some power, however, when compared to some of the pricier mesh routers out there, but does offer smart home integration.

Google Indoor Nest Security Cam (2nd Gen)

Looking for a simple, yet effective, indoor security camera? This is a good option that has been made even more attractive due to a nice Black Friday discount. It costs $70 instead of $100, which is a savings of 30 percent. This is the latest model of Nest’s entry-level security camera. It’s wired, which could be a dealbreaker to some, and records video at 1080p.

However, it has built-in algorithms that recognize people when compared to animals and vehicles, sending the appropriate alerts through the Google Home app when necessary. The camera boasts night vision technology and the ability to store up to one hour of recorded events should the WiFi go out. You can also watch a live feed via the web, which is always nice.

Google Nest Doorbell Camera (2nd Gen)

This is likely the most popular product in the company’s lineup. Amazon’s selling the latest Google Nest Doorbell Camera for $130 instead of $180, which is a savings of, surprise, nearly 30 percent. This is the wired version, which makes for a more intensive installation process but a more reliable end result. Just like the indoor security camera, this model boasts the same algorithms that differentiate people from animals, packages and vehicles, and there’s no subscription required to use the device.

As for features, the wired Nest Doorbell boasts a 140-degree field of view with a 3:4 aspect ratio, Google Assistant and Alexa integration and the ability to use household speakers as a doorbell chime for quicker alert times.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-nest-devices-are-up-to-half-off-for-black-friday-110100981.html?src=rss

Wearable Sleeping Bags Come In Star Wars Fashions

Posted on 24/11/2023 by David Ponce

Selk’Bags, the sleeping bags that you wear like a bodysuit, have been around for a long time. We wrote about them in 2006 and even reviewed one in 2011. Fast forward to today, and we find the company trying to expand its appeal by releasing some Star Wars themed suits, and we’re loving it. You can now get a Selk’bag in Chewbacca, Buzz Lightyear, Radiation Suit and Darth Vader flavours. Notice the two non-Star Wars items there? Neither did we, because who the heck cares, amirite?

Everything else is the same as a regular Selk’bag and has the following features:

– Removable booties allow you to wear your own shoes, or keep them on for warm sleeping; booties are reinforced with durable nylon
– Elastic no-hassle hand openings allow you to bring your hands in and out of the bag quickly and effortlessly
– Single Ezip for a quick entry and dual zipper pulls for easy pocket access
– A soft polyester shell with DWR (durable water resistant) finish is both comfortable and water-resistant
– An insulated hood for added warmth
– Draft tubes prevent heat loss around the zippers
– Wide zipper tape prevents snags when opening or closing
– A convenient carry sack for compact portability

They’ll set you back $109 and also come in children’s sizes for $89.

[ Product Page ] VIA [ Geekologie ]

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The best robot vacuum deals for Black Friday 2023: We found deals on Shark, Roomba and Anker machines to fit every budget

Posted on 24/11/2023 by Valentina Palladino

It's no secret that robot vacuums are some of the most expensive gadgets you can get for your home. But Black Friday robot vacuum deals make it a bit easier to grab one, and this year is no different. A handful of machines from Shark and iRobot have dropped to record low prices for Black Friday, including a few of our favorite models. You can snag a Roomba for as low as $159, which is one of the best prices we've seen all year.

But before making a purchase, we recommend thinking about the type of home you have and how you'll use the machine: do you have carpet or mostly hard flooring? Do you have pets who shed constantly? Do you want a combo vacuum-and-mop machine? Once you have those details settled, check out the best deals on robot vacuums for Black Friday 2023 below.

iRobot Roomba 694

The Roomba 694 is on sale for $159 in this Black Friday vacuum deal. It's our current favorite budget robot vacuum thanks to its strong suction power, easy to use mobile app and handy spot-clean function. It doesn't come with a clean base, but it has Wi-Fi connectivity and voice control with Alexa.

Anker Eufy RoboVac 11S Max

As part of Anker's Black Friday deals, the Eufy RoboVac 11S Max is down to $140, but a clippable $10 coupon will bring it down to $130. That's close to a record low and a steal on one of the best affordable robot vacuums we've tested. This model has a super slim design, helping it clean underneath tables, couches and other furniture better than competing machines, and it has a solid battery life as well. It's not Wi-Fi connected, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It comes with a handy remote with which you can control the machine, making it a decent option for anyone who's never owned a robot vacuum before.

iRobot Roomba s9+

The Roomba s9+ is the most powerful model that iRobot makes, and it's down to $600 in this Black Friday vacuum deal. It's usual high price tag may be prohibitive for most, but it's a much better buy when you can get it on sale like this. We like it's elegant design, extra-strong suction power, home mapping and object detection features, and the clean base that comes with it.

iRobot Roomba j7+

The Roomba j7+ robot vacuum has dropped to $469 for Black Friday. This model comes with a self-emptying base and it has advanced obstacle detection so it can avoid things like pet poop, should your furry friend have an accident. It also supports cleaning schedules via the iRobot mobile app and voice commands from Alexa, Siri and the Google Assistant.

Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum

This Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum is on sale for $300 for Black Friday, or half off its regular price. Shark makes some of our favorite robovacs, and this one has strong suction power, a self-cleaning brush roll and support for home mapping and voice control with Alexa and the Google Assistant. Shark's machines also stand out because their self-emptying bases, like the one included here, are bagless, so you don't have to constantly buy proprietary garbage bags to use with them.

Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 vacuum and mop

Shark's AI Ultra robot vacuum and mop has been discounted to $400 for Black Friday at Amazon and Best Buy. It has all of the same features in the vacuum-only model, but it also includes a water reservoir and a mop pad with which it can automatically mop floors for you. You have to switch out the dustbin for the reservoir whenever you want to mop, but otherwise the machine is pretty automated and convenient. The self-emptying base that comes with this model is also bagless.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-robot-vacuum-deals-for-black-friday-2023-we-found-deals-on-shark-roomba-and-anker-machines-to-fit-every-budget-200206179.html?src=rss