keyword: Software

how-to-program-webcam-powered-scratch-games

How To Program Webcam-Powered Scratch Games

Keeping fit can be fun. What if, instead of running around a park we made a game where you have to hit as many balls as you can to score points? The catch is that you only have 30 seconds to get the highest score! Sounds easy, hand me the joypad! No! To control the game we have to use our body and a webcam that will look for our hands, feet, head and react when we hit a ball. In a twist, we can only start the game shouting “GO” and then the countdown starts! 

For This Project You Will Need

  • Raspberry Pi 4 or 400 (or a Windows / Apple computer)
  • The latest Raspberry Pi OS
  • A USB webcam

Starting the Game 

1. Power up your Raspberry Pi 4 / 400 and connect your USB webcam. We are using a USB webcam instead of the official Raspberry Pi camera as we need the built in microphone. 

2. Go to Preferences >> Recommended Software to install Scratch 3. Scratch 3 is found in the Programming category, place a tick in the box and click Apply to install. 

3. Open Scratch 3, found in the main menu under Programming. On first start Scratch may take a little while to open. We’re going to assume that you have an understanding of how to code with Scratch. 

4. Click on the blue folder icon in the bottom left of the screen to load the Extensions menu. Select Video Sensing to add a palette of new blocks that will be used to create our interface.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

5. Delete the cat sprite. In the bottom right of the screen click on the Cat sprite and then click on the trash can icon to delete the cat. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

6. Click on the cat logo and select “Choose a sprite”. From the selection choose a basketball.  

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

7. From the Events blocks, drag the “When Green Flag Clicked.” From Looks drag both “show” and “say hello for 2 seconds.” This will create the trigger to start the game and force our sprite to appear. Change the text inside “say” to “Say GO to start”. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

8. on Variables, then “Make a Variable.” Call the variable “score” and make it available for all sprites. 

9. From Variables drag the “Set score to 0” and place it under the previous blocks. You may need to use the drop down menu to select the correct variable name. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

10. From Control drag a “forever” loop and connect it to the previous blocks of code. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

11. From Control, drag “if..then” and place it inside the loop. This is a conditional test, a question. To form the question we need  to go to Operators and drag “ __ > __” and place it inside the hexagon shaped blank of “if..then”.

In the second blank type 50, and in the first drag “loudness” from the Sensing blocks. Loudness uses the microphone to detect noise, and the noise level is given a value of 0 to 100. If we shout “GO” then it should be over 50 and trigger the game to start. But this number may need tweaking for your home. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

12. Drag “broadcast,” found in Events inside the “if..then” section and use the dropdown to create a new message called “balls.” 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

13. Drag “say hello for 2 seconds” and “hide” from Looks and place them inside the “if..then” section. Change the say block to read “GO!”. So when the player shouts “GO” the basketball will disappear and the game will start. The code for this sprite should look like this. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Adding More Sprites 

Right now we have created a means to start the game, but we do not yet have a game. For that we need to add sprites with which we can interact with.

1. Create a new sprite using the “Choose a sprite” button in the bottom right of the screen. Select a baseball. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

2. From Events, drag two “When I receive balls” blocks. This broadcast is triggered when the player shouts “GO!”. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

3. From Motion drag “if on edge bounce” and “set rotation style” and connect them under one of the blocks. Set the rotation to “all around”. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

4. From Control drag “forever” and place it under the previous blocks. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

5. Inside forever drag “glide 1 secs to random position,” found in the Motion blocks. Your code should now look like this. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

When this sprite receives the message “balls” it will set the sprite to bounce off walls and to reflect at realistic angles off the borders of the screen. Lastly the ball will glide around the screen, similar to a ball travelling in air. 

Our attention now turns to the remaining “When I receive balls” block which will use our webcam to detect if there is movement on a sprite, indicating we are trying to hit the ball.

1. From Control place a forever loop under the second “When I receive balls” block and then add “if..then” so that it is nested inside the forever loop. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

2. From Operators drag “ __ > __” and place it inside the hexagon shaped blank of “if..then”. In the second blank type 80 and in the first blank drag “video motion on sprite” from the Video Sensing blocks. This will use the camera to see if we are waving / punching on a sprite and it will check to see how fast we are waving. In reality this block checks for movement and assigns a value, so you may need to tweak 80 to match your goals. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

3. Inside the if block we need to drop a “change score by” block from Variables. The score should change by 10 points if the baseball is hit. Your code should now look like this. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Duplicating Sprites

Rather than repeat the process of creating a new sprite we can duplicate a sprite and edit. 

1. Right click on the baseball sprite and select Duplicate. We now have two identical balls in the game.

2. Change the “glide 1 secs” to 0.5 seconds to make the ball move faster.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

3. Select costumes and click on the “Choose a costume” button in the bottom left of the screen. Select the tennis ball. Back in the Costume editor, click on the tennis ball on the left side of the screen to make it the default. Click on Code when done. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Adding a Countdown Timer

Right now our game will run forever, or until we get tired. We need to add a timer in order for players to have a goal. How many points can they score in 30 seconds? The countdown timer is set for 30 seconds and the code for it is contained inside the Stage, the place where our game plays.

1. Click on the Stage icon, found in the bottom right of the screen. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

2. Drag “When I receive balls” from Events, this will trigger our code to run at the same time as the sprites move. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

3. Create a new variable, called timer, and then drag “set timer to 0” and place it under the block. Set the value to 30. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

4. From control drag “repeat 10” and place it under the previous. Change 10 to 30. This will force the loop to repeat 30 times, effectively our countdown timer. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

5. Inside the loop, drag a “change timer by 0” from Variables. Set the value to -1. From Control, drag a “wait 1 seconds” block. So now this loop will timer from 30 seconds to 0, the time for our game. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

6. From Control drag “Stop All” and place it outside of the Repeat 30 loop. When the timer reaches zero, the loop ends and the final block, “stop all” is triggered and stops all sprites and running code.

The game is now complete, but you can also add a new backdrop to the stage using the “Choose a Backdrop” button found in the bottom right of the screen. This changes the look of the stage, but we can still see the live video preview, of us playing the game overlaid on top.

To start the game click on the Green Flag, place yourself in the view of the camera and then shout “GO!” to start the game. Good luck!

The article originally appeared in Linux Format magazine. 

lg-tone-free-hbs-fn7-true-wireless-review:-comfortable-and-clean

LG Tone Free HBS-FN7 true wireless review: Comfortable and clean

(Pocket-lint) – Make a list of things the world is crying out for. How far up your list does ‘another pair of true wireless in-ear headphones’ come? The answer may well be ‘not very’.

However, at least LG’s Tone Free HBS-FN7 aren’t just another ‘me-too!’ by-the-numbers attempt to steal market share from the likes of Apple’s AirPods Pro.

The HBS-FN7 have a feature or two that sets them apart from the majority, including ultraviolet (UV) cleaning. So while the world is all too familiar with products like this, might it find room in its heart for these LGs?

Design

  • Black or white finish
  • Weigh: 5.6g per earbud
  • Included charging/self-cleaning case

The wireless earbud arrangement pioneered by Apple, whereby a stem drops from the wearer’s ear like some hi-tec jewellery, is a bit of a ‘Marmite’ proposition, isn’t it? So whether you dig it or despise it, that’s the route LG has gone down with the HBS-FN7. The stem is pretty short here, mind you, though that’s counterbalanced (literally) by the fairly bulbous in-ear area of the FN7 design.

  • Best true wireless earbuds: Wire-free Bluetooth audio bests

At less than 6g per earbud, though, the LG are undeniably easy to get comfortable and to wear – even for hours on end. They’re provided with a selection of hypoallergenic eartips, too, so even the uncommonly sized ear should have no trouble finding a decent fit.

Pocket-lint

The options for earbud finish – it’s shiny white or shiny black – look good until they’re dulled by fingerprints. And that happens pretty much immediately.

The brilliantly compact charging case – which is less than 3cm deep, less than 6cm in diameter, and a mere 39g – is in a much more successful (and slightly grippy) matte finish. Fingerprints, therefore, are less of a bother here.



Best USB-C headphones for Android phones 2021


By Dan Grabham
·

You won’t be staggered to learn, given that it’s LG we’re discussing here, that build quality is beyond criticism. Keep them safely in their case when you’re not using them and the HBS-FN7 will last a long time. 

Features

  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • IPX4 splash resistance
  • Ultraviolet (UV) cleaning
  • Sound tuned by Meridian
  • Active noise-cancellation (ANC)
  • Battery capacity: 390mAh (case), 55mAh (per ‘bud)

Having promised an unusual feature or two, that may as well be where we start – with LG’s UVnano technology. Pop the earbuds into their charging case, close the lid and wait for the little blue LED to illuminate – this indicates the case is scrubbing the earbuds free of bacteria using UV light. And in these ‘hand-sanitiser everywhere you turn’ times, that can only be a good thing, right?

Pocket-lint

Elsewhere, it’s business slightly more as usual. The FN7 use Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity, and are compatible with SBC and AAC codecs. That’s more than good enough to access some hi-res audio from a top-tier streaming service subscription, but it would have been nice to see aptX Low Latency too – after all, we all like to consume a bit of video content on the move, don’t we? 

The sound, once it’s on board, is delivered by a couple of 6mm neodymium full-range drivers. And as another differentiator, LG has opted to give the FN7 a bit of hardcore hi-fi credibility by continuing its partnership with UK specialist Meridian. So there are some Meridian-derived equalisation (EQ) settings to be investigated. 

There’s active noise-cancellation (ANC) included here too, and while that’s hardly a revolutionary feature it’s not especially common down in lower price brackets. There are a couple of intensities to choose from – ‘high’ and ‘low’, naturally – as well as an ‘ambient sound’ setting that boosts external noise to keep you orientated. Noise-cancelling can be switched off, too.

Pocket-lint

Battery life is an OK-we-suppose 5 hours from the earbuds (with noise-cancelling switched on), with another three full charges available from the charging case. So 20 hours, all in, is plenty long enough to go between charges, but there are plenty of alternative earbuds that will go for longer. For recharging there’s USB-C or wireless Qi charging is available.

Interface

  • Raised touch-surface
  • Control app

There’s the tiniest little bump at the top of each FN7 stem – it’s a capacitive surface, and it proves extremely responsive. So you can instruct the earbuds to ‘play/pause’, ‘volume up/down’, ‘skip forwards/backwards’, ‘cycle through noise-cancelling options’ and ‘answer/end/reject call’ really easily and with confidence.

Pocket-lint

Alternatively, you can always avail yourself of LG’s impressive Tone Free control app. It’s very nicely rendered, is unswervingly stable and reliable, and has quite a breadth of functionality. Rearrange the way the touch-controls respond, explore Meridian’s EQ presets (‘natural’, ‘treble boost’, ‘bass boost’ and ‘immersive’ are pretty self-explanatory), control noise-cancelling intensity, or save a couple of EQ presets you’ve defined yourself.

It’s here where you can update software too, and where you can provoke the earbuds into emitting a piercing chirrup. ‘Find my earbuds’, that last feature is called – and they’d have to be quite a long way away for you to fail to hear them calling to you.  

Sound quality

As far as sound quality is concerned, what the HBS-FN7 do well they do very well indeed. Where they’re found wanting, though, they fall down quite heavily.

Pocket-lint

On the plus side, set the EQ to ‘natural’ and the balance of the sound is very nicely judged. The low frequencies have weight but plenty of momentum too – so a chunky tune like The Bug’s Poison Dart hits more than hard enough, but doesn’t get bogged down by its own heft.

The feverish vocal in the midrange of the same tune is detailed, packed with character and enjoys a lot of breathing space too, and as a consequence there are real powers of communication on display here.

And the top of the frequency range has ample crunch but doesn’t get particularly hard, even if you like to listen at oppressive volumes. 

The integration of the whole frequency range is smoothly achieved, too, so there’s convincing unity to the sound – nothing is overstated or underplayed. (Of course, mess with the EQs and you can undermine all of this good work. The choice, as always, is yours.)

The soundstage upon which all this happens is properly laid out and coherent. There’s more than enough space available for each individual strand of the recording to be identified, but that’s not at the expense of unity or integration – there’s proper confidence to the way the FN7 stage a song.

Pocket-lint

What there isn’t much of, though, is dynamism or attack. The LG just can’t summon the reserve to put much distance between the quietest and the loudest parts of a recording, and neither can these ‘buds shine much of a spotlight on the little harmonic variations that are so important to giving the listener the complete picture. Attack, of which in normal circumstances The Bug is far from short of, is of the mildest, politest type. And anyone who knows this recording knows ‘polite’ isn’t really what it’s aiming for.

The active noise-cancelling is only a qualified success, too. Set to ‘high’ it undoubtedly takes quite a lot of external noise out of the equation – but it introduces a slight-but-definite hiss at the bottom of the noise-floor as it does so. Set it to ‘low’ and it may as well be set to ‘off’.  

Verdict

We go out as we came in: by pointing out that you’re spoiled for choice where products of this type are concerned.

The LG HBS-FN7 have some real strengths, no doubt about it – the balance of their audio reproduction, the quality of their construction and the excellence of their control app, for instance, as well as the reassurance of their self-cleaning technology.

But if the reason you’re buying earbuds is to get as complete an account of the music you like as your budget will allow, they come up fractionally short. Still, the UV cleaning technology is undoubtedly a special attraction.

Also consider

Pocket-lint

Sony WF-1000XM3

For a little less than the cost of the LG, Sony will sell you equally adept (and more attacking) sound, much better noise-cancelling and a different, but equally odd, physical form. You’ll have to clean the bacteria off them manually, mind you…

  • Read our review

squirrel_widget_158264

Writing by Simon Lucas. Editing by Mike Lowe.

bethesda-and-xbox-will-have-a-joint-presentation-at-e3

Bethesda and Xbox will have a joint presentation at E3

While initially it was expected that Microsoft and Bethesda would continue to have their own separate conferences at E3, the two companies have since decided to join forces. There will be a joint conference at E3 this year, with Xbox Game Studios taking up one portion and Bethesda taking up the other.

The news was revealed by Xbox Game Studios head, Matt Booty, during an interview with Le Figaro: “Microsoft and Bethesda will host a joint conference this summer to introduce players to their upcoming projects”.

Bethesda usually has enough to fill up its own E3 conference slot thanks to a slew of publishing partnerships with the likes of id Software and Arkane Studios. With Bethesda’s conference merging with Microsoft, there will likely be some major announcements reserved for other events.

E3 is just the beginning of new gaming announcements for the year. Later this summer, Geoff Keighley will host Gamescom and then of course we also have The Game Awards at the end of the year.

KitGuru Says: Is there a particular game you are hoping to see from Xbox or Bethesda at E3? I’m currently keeping my fingers crossed for more news on Fable. 

Become a Patron!

tecware-peripheral-roundup-–-q5,-exo-elite-&-phantom

TecWare Peripheral Roundup – Q5, EXO Elite & Phantom

Today we are looking at three peripherals from TecWare – the EXO Elite gaming mouse, Q5 gaming headset and the Phantom mechanical keyboard. Let’s see if three is the magic number, or if three is a crowd, by diving into the specs and features for each of these products. Are they worth your hard earned cash? Let’s find out!

Watch via our Vimeo channel (below) or over on YouTube at 2160p HERE

Q5 Gaming Headset

Specifications:

  • Type : Stereo Headset
  • Connector :  USB 2.0 (Virtual 7.1)
  • Weight Without Cable : 320 g
  • Controller : Inline
  • Software : EQ, Effect, 7.1, Mic, LED
  • Speaker Diameter : 40 mm
  • Impedance : 32 Ω
  • Frequency Response : 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
  • Sensitivity : 98 dB ± 4 dB @ 1khz
  • Max. Power 100 mW
  • Volume Control : Via Inline Controller
  • ​MICROPHONE SPECIFICATIONS
  • Direction : Omnidirectional
  • Impedance : 2.2 kΩ
  • Frequency Response : 100 Hz – 10,000 Hz
  • Sensitivity : -40±4 dBV
  • Microphone Mute : Via Inline Controller
  • Detachable Microphone : Yes
  • Flexible Microphone: Yes
  • Windscreen: Yes

You can purchase the Q5 Gaming Headset for £54.99 from Amazon HERE!

Pros

  • Great design.
  • Crystal-clear Microphone.
  • Ear cups are comfortable.
  • Good sound isolation.

Cons

  • Chunky in-line controller.
  • Headset is not very flexible.
  • Headband cracks when moved.

EXO Elite Gaming Mouse

Specifications:

  • Optical Sensor: PixArt 3389
  • DPI: Up to 16000
  • Switches: Huano Switches (20M Click Lifespan)
  • Lighting: 16.8M RGB 2 Zones
  • Polling Rate: 1000hz
  • Buttons: 6 Programmable
  • Cable: 1.8m Braided Lightweight Flexible Cable (Aero Cord)
  • Interface: USB
  • Dimensions: 128.5 x 67 x 38mm
  • Weight: 69g

You can purchase the EXO Elite Gaming Mouse for £54.99 from Amazon HERE!

Pros

  • Solid build quality.
  • Lightweight.
  • Spare glide pads provided.
  • Low LOD.
  • Good value for money.

Cons

  • Not overly unique.
  • Braided cable is quite stiff.

Phantom Mechanical Keyboard

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 361.5 x 133.5 x 40.1 mm
  • Weight: 0.95kg
  • Rated Voltage: 5.0V / 300mA
  • Switch Lifespan: 50 million keystrokes
  • Cable Length: 1.8m Braided USB cable
  • Frame: Black Plastic Body / Gunmetal Alloy Backplate
  • Switch Type: Mechanical Outemu Brown Switches
  • Circuit Board: FR-4 Fibreglass PCB
  • SMD LEDs
  • USB
  • Double-shot ABS Keycaps

You can purchase the Phantom Mechanical Keyboard for £59.99 from Amazon HERE!

Pros

  • Good build quality.
  • Nice detailing.
  • Strong RGB.
  • Great value for money.

Cons

  • ABS Keycaps attract grease and get shiny quickly.
  • Individual software apps is slightly inconvenient.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Considering the price of each individual item, I think you are getting your money’s worth here. We’re not absolutely blown away by any of the products, but TecWare has three solid peripherals on its hands.

Become a Patron!

what’s-the-best-student-laptop?-we-asked-students

What’s the best student laptop? We asked students

Shopping for a laptop can be stressful — doubly stressful if you or your children will be learning online for the first time. Kids of different ages have a range of different laptop use cases and different needs. And as the choices for best laptop and best Chromebook evolve, so do students’ needs. So I spoke to some experts on the subject: students themselves.

My recommendations here are meant to accommodate a variety of preferences and price ranges. But they’re a jumping-off point rather than an exhaustive list: every student is different. Before making a decision, you’ll want to make sure you read reviews and try out devices yourself if you can. I’ll do my best to keep this article up to date with items that are in stock.

Best laptop for students

Google’s Pixelbook Go has solid battery life and a rippled base that’s easy to grip, making it a good choice for kids.
Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge

Best laptop for elementary school

For younger students, a touchscreen device is easier to use than a keyboard and touchpad, says Michelle Glogovac. Glogovac’s five-year-old son uses an iPad for Webex meetings with his kindergarten class. He’s gotten the hang of it; Glogovac says he’s already learned how to mute and unmute himself, “a skill that many adults aren’t familiar with.”

That said, it may be worth investing in a keyboard case if you go the tablet route. Glogovac has to type her son’s meeting codes and passwords for him, which can be cumbersome on the iPad’s flat screen.

As kids get older, their best laptop choice will vary depending on their needs. As a parent, it’s important that you and your child are in sync about how they intend to use it and the size of the programs they want.

Kristin Wallace purchased a budget HP laptop for her daughter, Bella, but didn’t realize how quickly the nine-year-old would fill up 32GB of storage. “It is really slow and has no space for games. I need a computer with more storage space,” said Bella, who uses the laptop to Zoom with friends and take virtual guitar lessons and math enrichment classes. Wallace plans to buy Bella a better device in the next few weeks.

Audio quality is an important consideration for kids’ laptops. Lisa Mitchell, an elementary library media specialist, says her students use their devices to watch YouTube videos in addition to their online classes. Battery life is also a plus, even for distance learners who may not be far from a wall outlet. Bella likes to use her laptop all around the house and doesn’t want to bring the cord with her.

Durability is also worth paying for, according to Mitchell. If you’re using a tablet, get a protective case. “If a reasonably-priced insurance or replacement policy is available, it’s usually worth the extra expense.”

Check out:

  • Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition ($199): a colorful, fast tablet with kid-friendly content
  • Lenovo Chromebook Duet ($279): a tiny 10-inch Chromebook with a detachable keyboard
  • Apple 10.2-inch iPad ($329): a great budget tablet that supports the Apple Pencil
  • Microsoft Surface Go 2 ($399): a solid Windows tablet with a built-in kickstand
  • Google Pixelbook Go ($649): a sturdy touchscreen Chromebook

Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet is just $289, but it can run plenty of tabs and apps with no problem.
Photo by Monica Chin / The Verge

Best laptop for middle school

The middle school students I spoke to don’t use their laptops for much more than web-based schoolwork and browsing. Don’t be too concerned about power — prioritize a machine that’s comfortable and easy for your child to use.

“We just got the most basic Chromebook and it is totally perfect,” says Gabrielle Hartley, an attorney and mother of three children who take a mix of in-person and online classes. “The most basic Chromebook serves all the needs of the basic middle schooler.”

Chromebooks, like this one from Acer, are a good choice for students who use Google Classroom.
Photo by Monica Chin / The Verge

Hartley’s son Max, who is in eighth grade, agrees. “I would really like a gaming PC or gaming laptop that can plug into a monitor and run video games with 120fps, but I really don’t need that,” Max says. “Most eighth graders aren’t going to be running any video games on their laptops or any software that requires a lot of power.”

Max mostly uses his laptop for Google Classroom applications, including Gmail, Slides, Google Docs, and Google Sheets. They’re very easy to use on his device, which he describes as “a run-of-the-mill Samsung Chromebook.” That said, if your child is starting middle school this year, it could be worth checking with their teachers to see what operating system is most compatible with their workflow. Caspian Fischer Odén, a ninth grader from Sweden, told me he has trouble with his Chromebook because his school has blocked downloading apps from the Google Play Store.

Even kids with more demanding hobbies think a budget device can get the job done. Sam Hickman, an eighth grader from the UK who uses his laptop for photo and video editing, says, “For most middle schoolers, any processor developed within the last two years will be able to handle any tasks they can throw at it.”

So, what is worth paying for? A comfortable keyboard, several students told me. Many middle school kids aren’t used to typing for long periods of time. You should also look for a device that’s compact and easy for them to carry around, particularly if they’re preparing for in-person school. Shoot for an 11- to 13-inch model — certainly nothing larger than 15 inches.

Check out:

  • HP Chromebook x360 ($279): an affordable Chromebook with great battery life
  • Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook ($350): a small but sturdy laptop made for students
  • Lenovo 300e ($378): a durable 2-in-1 with a stylus
  • Acer Aspire 5 ($466): a portable option for kids who need a 15-inch screen
  • Microsoft Surface Laptop Go ($549): an attractive, light Windows laptop

The Surface Laptop 4 is a capable, no-nonsense laptop — just what many high schoolers want.
Photo by Monica Chin / The Verge

Best laptop for high school

High schoolers’ laptop needs can vary based on their interests, but most don’t need powerful machines with lots of bells and whistles — especially if they come with glitches or serious downsides that could interfere with schoolwork. Miles Riehle, a student at Laguna Beach High School, has a high-end Surface Pro 7 but finds it overwhelming. “There is so much other stuff that I don’t use very often,” he said. “Something simpler might be a little more straightforward.”

The best operating system may depend on what your child is used to. Aryan Nambiar, a student at Barrington High School in Illinois, has an iMac at home and enjoys using an iPad for his schoolwork. Riehle says he would prefer a Chromebook because he has an Android phone and often uses Google services.

But almost every student I spoke to agreed that the most important feature of a high school laptop is portability. Kids attending in-person classes may be carrying their device around for much of the day with a stack of other books. Look for a 13- or 14-inch screen, or a lighter 15- to 17-inch model.

Students also recommend something sturdy. “Most high schoolers I’ve seen will throw their laptop in their bag without too much care,” says Moses Buckwalter, a student at Penn Manor High School. Backpacks can be jostled in the hallway as well. Distance learners can still run into trouble at home. “Anything can happen,” says Aadit Agrawal, a high school student from India. “My own brother scratched my laptop with his nails.”

Battery life is another key feature. “It can be a real struggle to find a place to charge while in class,” says Cas Heemskerk, a sophomore from the Netherlands. Unlike college students, many high schoolers don’t have frequent breaks to juice up their devices, so try to find something that can last a full day.

Many students recommend a touchscreen with stylus support. Nambiar uses the feature for his biology class, where he does a lot of visual modeling. “The touchscreen is always a bonus for drawing diagrams, whereas if you’re using a laptop it’d be a whole process to submit a diagram you drew,” Nambiar says. Riehle uses a Surface Pen to fill out school forms and annotate PDFs. Agrawal finds it useful to take notes on the same screen as his online lessons.

Depending on the broadband situation in your area, you may also want a laptop with multiple connectivity options. Agrawal’s online classes are sometimes interrupted by powercuts, so he recommends an LTE model. Matej Plavevski, a junior at Yahya Kemal College in North Macedonia, recommends looking for an Ethernet port in case slower connections disrupt meetings. That’s hard to find on smaller laptops, but there’s a slew of affordable dongles and docks to consider.

Check out:

  • Acer Chromebook Spin 513 ($349): a convertible Chromebook with all-day battery
  • Apple iPad Air ($599): a powerful tablet with a great screen
  • Acer Chromebook Spin 713 ($629): a fantastic Chromebook that’s not too pricey
  • Dell XPS 13 ($931): a solid clamshell Windows laptop
  • Surface Laptop 4 ($999): an excellent, light laptop that’s comfortable to use

For college students seeking an affordable laptop, HP’s Envy x360 performs just as well as some expensive competitors.
Photography by Monica Chin / The Verge

Best laptop for college

College kids are justified in spending a bit more money than other age groups. Some (especially in STEM courses) can expect to do some fairly demanding work. Assad Abid, an electrical engineering undergrad from Pakistan, needs to run simulation software for his assignments. Aakash Chandra, a student at New Horizon College of Engineering in India, does a lot of coding, in addition to creative work in Premiere Pro and Photoshop, and gaming. Students also noted that it’s worthwhile to pay for a laptop that will last for a few years after graduation. That means you won’t have to worry about finding and financing your next device until you’re (hopefully) settled into a job.

But among high-end, capable devices there’s still a wide range of options. Students stressed that a college laptop should be light. Expect to bring it between classes, meals, meetings, the library, and other locations on campus. “It’s a boon that I can carry my laptop as well as some notebooks without feeling like I’m carrying too much for six hours a day,” says Haseeb Waseem, a senior at Villanova University.

The Dell XPS 13 has a variety of configurations. Students with light workloads may prefer the base model, while gamers and creatives can add a GPU.
Photo by Monica Chin / The Verge

Another universally-lauded feature: battery life. Waseem, who uses an HP Spectre, says the all-day juice gives him “the flexibility to study in a bunch of different locations, and even outside.”

Speakers and webcams are often overlooked, even in top-end devices. But students say it’s worth looking for good ones if you’re starting college this year. Zoom will be a large part of university life this semester: many kids will be attending virtual classes, while others will still be meeting with clubs, study groups, and professors as well as hanging out with friends online. Waseem isn’t satisfied with his laptop’s audio and picture quality, which he says has made it difficult to pay attention in class and to engage with other students.

Many students will need to invest more in areas tailored to their interests and schoolwork needs. Chandra’s dream laptop would include a stylus and touchscreen for his creative work as well as a high-end GPU. Waseem, who uses his laptop for a hodgepodge of activities, including streaming, coding, social media, video chatting, and Microsoft Office work, would prefer to prioritize a large screen to keep track of his multitasking.

Check out:

  • Acer Swift 3 ($613): a super light laptop that performs well
  • HP Envy x360 13 ($689): a fast and stylish 2-in-1
  • Dell XPS 13 ($930): a solid clamshell Windows laptop
  • Surface Laptop 4 ($999): an excellent, light laptop that’s comfortable to use
  • HP Spectre x360 14 ($1,269): a premium convertible with standout battery life
acer-predator-talos-ddr4-3600-mhz-cl18-4×8-gb-review

Acer Predator Talos DDR4-3600 MHz CL18 4×8 GB Review

Introduction

High performance memory kits have evolved over the last few years, both in styling and technology. Styling has shifted to heavier heat sinks, LED light bars, and fancy RGB control software. The technology has done what it inevitably will by producing greater speeds and densities at generally lower cost as DDR4 has matured. The latest processors and graphics cards have been almost impossible to get over the last six months, but memory pricing and availability has remained steady, which makes now the perfect time for Acer to launch a brand-new line of DDR4 memory under their Predator brand. You may recognize the Predator brand from their highly successful gaming monitors or range of gaming laptops and desktops. You may even know the brand because of the Thronos all-In-one gaming chair.

Acer has branched out into a wide variety of gaming products and peripherals. Now, Acer is taking the plunge into core hardware with the aid of business partner BIWIN Storage, a large Chinese OEM with 25 years of experience in the storage and microelectronics business. Acer has granted them permission to produce memory kits under the Predator brand.

The pair of Predator Talos kits I have for testing today each feature 16 GB (2x 8 GB) at 3600 MHz, 18-20-20-42 timings, and 1.35 V. 3600 MHz has become the new gold standard for Ryzen builds, driving new focus into memory kits targeting a previously obscure specification. Let’s see how the Predator Talos holds up in this ultra-competitive segment!

Specifications

Specifications
Manufacturer: Predator
Model: BL.9BWWR.215
Speed Rating: DDR4-3600
Rated Timings: 18-20-20-42
Tested Capacity: 16 GB (8 GB x2)
Tested Voltage: 1.35 V
PCB Type: 10 layers
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Form Factor: 288-pin DIMM
Warranty: Lifetime Limited
google-pixel-6-pro-pictured-with-curved-oled-screen-and-three-rear-cameras

Google Pixel 6 Pro pictured with curved OLED screen and three rear cameras

(Image credit: OnLeaks)

Google’s Pixel range of smartphones looks set for a major refresh. Not only will Google bring back a high-end model missing from last year’s line-up (instead of ‘XL’ it should be called the Pixel 6 Pro), it’s also giving it a curved OLED screen.

That’s according to new renders that come courtesy of reliable leaker OnLeaks (via digit.in). They show the Pixel 6 Pro sporting a curved, 6.67in OLED screen, along with the first triple camera array in Pixel history. There’s no word on what refresh rate the OLED panel will have, but this being a high-end model, we would expect 90Hz or 120Hz.

The cameras include a wide-angle snapper, a periscope telephoto camera and one unknown camera, all arranged next to an LED flash. They are lined up horizontally across the upper rear of the Pixel 6, which is another change for the range. The colour strip across the top is also a new design element.

Top and bottom speakers should provide stereo sound when watching in landscape, while wireless charging should come as standard, as it did on the Pixel 5. And the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro could be the first phones powered by Google’s own chips – the search giant is rumoured to be working on an SoC (system on a chip) codenamed Whitechapel. Controlling both the hardware and Android software on the phone would ape Apple’s approach to its iPhones, and give Google greater control, which could lead to gains in performance and battery life.

Other renders from OnLeaks and @91Mobiles show the Pixel 6 looking like a smaller version of the 6 Pro, but with a flat screen instead of curved.

(Image credit: OnLeaks/@91Mobiles)

The Pixel 6 will have a dual camera set-up instead of a triple, and its screen is smaller – 6.4in to the Pro’s 6.67in. But it has the same wireless charging and in-display fingerprint scanner. This squares with previous Pixel 6 renders, which suggests this latest leak is on the money.

We’re expecting an official announcement sometime in the autumn/fall, but we’ll keep you up to date with all the latest Pixel 6 news, leaks and rumours as they emerge over the coming weeks.

MORE:

Read all about it! Google Pixel 6: release date, leaks and all of the news

Check out the competition: Best Android phones for all budgets

OS agnostic? These are the best smartphones for music and movies