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Best Guitar Effects Apps

Do you know you can record your best tune even without an amp? This is absolutely true. You can enjoy the best guitar effects on your mobile device without stress. There are mobile applications developed to mimic and imitate real guitar gears. The guitar world has taken a turn to enjoy the awesome effects of mobile apps.

Guitar effects apps generate virtual effects, pedals, and guitar amp simulations. Now you can hear the multi-effect stimulation of these apps as you play. Guitar effects apps are great for both professional guitarists and new guitar enthusiasts. You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on an amp and accessories before you can create a good tune; you only have to set yourself up with the best guitar effects apps.

These apps have greatly improved from what they used to be into all-in-one sufficient mobile applications for every guitarist. The following are the best guitar effects apps you should try.

Try These Guitar Effects Apps

1. Amplitube

Amplitube is one of the best recording studio apps that give you pretty good sounds. It has realistic amp effects and many amazing features like a programmable drummer to make drums for your songs, several stompbox effects, recording studio, tape recorder, microphone, amps, speakers, and a tuner.

It’s an all-in-one recording app. You can create music without having to use multiple apps. Amplitude has everything you need to make good music. However, it doesn’t have social preset dynamics and is only available on iOS.

2. Bias FX Mobile

Bias FX Mobile belongs to a class of its own. This app allows you to customize amp so you won’t be plugging in and jamming. You can play through the amps in Bias. It has amazing features that help you to get extra latency. You get to choose a speaker and microphone that pops in front of the speaker to capture its sound. Amazingly, you can have the mic in 3D space to capture room reverb on your sound.

Everything on Bias is customizable, so you can make it work your way. Working with Bias is nerdy fun, and the sound is just so amazing.

3. AmpKit

The Interface of this app is a bit different. You tap on the amp, effect, or speaker you want and set the parameters in the control panel. It is easy to fall in love with the AmpKit interface as you only have to adjust your parameters, unlike other apps where you are required to tweak a virtual knob on the screen. AmpKit allows you to mix and match amps, effects, and speakers.

It sounds great and has a lot of amazing in-app store features, which provides you with information about the pedal and amp copied.

4. JamUp Pro

JamUp Pro is one of the easiest apps to use. It has a great effect and lots of extra features that make it worthwhile. One of the applaudable features of JamUp is that it allows you to share and download amps from other users. This is amazing, right?

JamUp Pro’s drag and drop feature makes it great for experimenting. It has great flexibility considering that it works with the web developer’s other app, Bias.

5. GarageBand

GarageBand lets you play your guitar through a bunch of pedals and amps. It has a unique feature called Jam Session, which allows you to connect wirelessly to other iOS devices. You can have someone play the guitar, and have another person play the keyboard while you record everybody’s part on another iOS device. Each device is synced and all recordings match up.

GarageBand produces excellent sound and is absolutely fun to use.

Which of these guitar effects apps will you choose?

New Technological Studies Examine the Use of Calcium in Batteries

One of the applaudable things about science and technology is continuous evolvement. Scientists across the globe are more interested in honing or building on pre-existing conditions to develop new technologies. One of the attention-grabbing aspects for scientists is building batteries that are as efficient as lithium batteries, cheaper, and that can appeal to the global market.

Why Calcium Batteries?

Calcium ranks as the fifth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. It has safety advantages and has an equal geographical distribution. Scientists are after it because it is non-toxic (making it environment friendly  and has a low cost since its widely abundant. Considering the properties of calcium, it qualifies as the most suitable candidate to replace lithium-ion batteries.

The quest for efficient, low-cost batteries brought about the inventory of calcium batteries. Calcium has the potential to be used in batteries, as a replacement for lithium. This development gives hope of a cheaper and friendlier alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Calcium-based batteries come with a low manufacturing cost and high energy that may replace lithium-ion technology.

An Electrolyte Makes All the Difference

Much effort has been put into developing an electrolyte that is suitable to charge calcium batteries at room temperature. This has been the cause of the standstill on calcium-based batteries for a long time. The electrolyte is the medium that transmits the flow of electrical charge in a battery. Without this, calcium-based batteries may not function.

Just recently, an electrolyte that can enable calcium plating and stripping was discovered. The electrolyte offers a promise of complete function calcium-based batteries. The development of a suitable electrolyte will enable the calcium batteries to charge at room temperature and function as expected.

For the first time, an electrolyte with impressive electrolytic properties has been used to demonstrate calcium batteries at room temperature. The previous electrolytes suffered several hindrances, including poor stability, high operating temperatures, and poor anodic stability.

German scientists (Fichtner’s Group) inspired by their recent work on magnesium batteries used a one-step synthesis to produce calcium tetrakis borate. This electrolyte has a very large anion that interacts weakly with the cation, creating a high ionic activity, similar to those in lithium-ion batteries. The anion of calcium tetrakis borate is surrounded by fluoride group, which means there is high stability in the electrolyte.

This fluorine-containing compound has a wide electrochemical window and good stability that will open doors for high-energy calcium batteries. The discovery widens the path to focus on testing new electrode materials for calcium in batteries and to pursue a fundamental understanding of electrolytes and the chemical properties that make them suitable for use.

There is still a need to make further improvements to modify the electrolyte composition (an additive, concentration, and solvent). Now that a suitable electrolyte has been discovered, it can be improved to produce cheaper, safer, and more environment-friendly calcium-based batteries.

What are your thoughts about calcium in batteries?

Social Media Trivia Questions and Answers

For those who are really into social media, it would be so fun to enjoy trivia questions. They help you test how much you know about social media things. If you have not taken this social media trivia questions, enjoy.

Trivia Questions

1.     Which of the following can’t you give as a Facebook reaction?

2.     Which demographic users was Facebook originally targeted to?

3.     Which social network platform has the highest number of active users?

4.     Which social media platform does not give users selfie filters?

5.     Was Snapchat called Picaboo when it was first created?

6.     Which social media platform does not let people post photos with a desktop computer?

7.     Is it true or false that Twitter that created the #Hashtag, and now it can easily be found through different social media platforms?

8.     Is it true or false that after a day’s posting period, you can no longer view the status from your Instagram stories?

9.     Which of the social media platforms does not offer analytics?

Answers

1.     When Facebook was published, the reaction “embarrassed” was not a reaction that could be used on Facebook. It was around 2016 that Facebook rolled out the ability to use reactions to all users of the social media platform. You could share your emotional reactions (also called emoticons) while commenting with other emotions from the Like function.

2.     When Facebook was created, it was meant for students in college. Check this out but studying the history of Facebook.

3.     When Facebook was published, it was the largest social media platform worldwide with about 2 billion active users monthly.

4.     Twitter does not give users selfie filters for the meantime. Through these years, we have noticed Instagram and Facebook release their versions of the selfie filters from Snapchat.

5.     Snapchat was called Picaboo when it was created in the year 2011 when it was launched. After some months, it changed its name to Snapchat.

6.     Though it was acquired by Facebook, it has not left its roots and does not let its users upload or post photos using a computer desktop. You can only view your news feed and the profiles of other people, but you cannot post new content with a desktop computer.  

7.     The # symbol is used to show topics relating to a lot of issues and this started since the late 1980s. Was used through the IRC groups to get labels and topics.

8.     You would be able to view your status from your Instagram stories after you posted it for a day.  

9.     This is a tricky last question! The answer is Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and all other social media platforms do not offer analytics features.

We hope you enjoyed these social media trivia questions and answers. How many did you get right?

How to Stop Social Media Stalking

Social media is a virtual world of interaction where almost everything is fake except for the interactions you have with other people. It is a very addicting platform, because it gives you an opportunity to be anything you want to appear to be. All you really need is a great profile and some amazing pictures, and you’re up.

The downside to all these social media sites is that people get addicted – even to the point of stalking others. Or getting involved in catfishing schemes. Stalking can be dangerous, scary, and toxic once the stalker becomes obsessed and unwilling to stop.

How then, do we enjoy the freedom of association and expression on these social platforms without being caught in a web of strangers hovering around you? Keep reading to learn ways to prevent cyber stalking.

How to Stop Social Media Stalking in 7 Steps

Change Your Privacy Settings

Breaking loose from the fangs of stalking is never really easy. You may have to change your privacy settings on your phone. Most social media applications come with a privacy option for profiles that do not want to go public. You can rely on this feature to avoid stalkers. Simply activate the privacy mode on your social media platforms and deny new contacts access to your profile.

Remove Yourself from Search Engines

Also, removing yourself from search engines like Bing, Google, etc., can conceal your identity from internet stalkers. Although you cannot entirely control what search engines display, you can reduce the content they have on you. Simply check for yourself and see what info you can reset or edit.

Change Your Social Media Account Names

In addition, you might want to take things a step further by using different names or changing the arrangement of your names on different social media platforms. That way, it would be more difficult for stalkers to get a hold of you. You can even have a different email address for multiple accounts. That way, even if your email is hacked by a stalker, it wouldn’t be your personal e-mail on the line.

Delete Direct Messaging

Social media platforms often come with messengers. To avoid stalkers, it is highly recommended you stay away from these messengers if you can. Better still, deactivate them. That way, you can totally avoid any close communication with anyone and stalkers will have no access to your inbox.

Disable Geotagging

Stalkers always try to track the movements and locations of their victims. You might want to disable geotagging to avoid this. Whenever you use social media platforms, ensure that your location is turned off. This will keep you safe and prevent those stalkers from getting any knowledge of your whereabouts.

Install Security Software

Sometimes stalkers and hackers are no different. This is why you must ensure that you protect your device with maximum software security. Install anti-virus software and firewalls to keep your devices clean and safe.

Practice Silence

Lastly, silence may come in as a very handy tool to ward off stalkers. Do your possible best not to engage them. Stalkers may go as far as trying to get on your nerves just to bait you into an interaction. Do not respond! Leave it at a monologue. The moment you indulge them, things tend to get a lot worse.

The future of social media is largely changing. If you’re worried about identity theft or cybercrime, contact your local police station.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 vs Note 10+

In August 2019, the Samsung Galaxy series let a new cat out of the bag. The new Galaxy Note 10 and 10+ were befitting consumers, but these two smart phones are here to stay and have indeed taken over the home of mobile phones.

Both models – the Samsung Note 10 and 10+ – have a lot of similar features, but no two Galaxy series are ever completely the same. Here is a list of differences to help you decide which of them suits your preference.

7 Differences Between the Galaxy Note 10 vs Note 10+

Price

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is cheaper than the Note 10+. The former is sold for $950, whereas the latter is sold at $1100.  Let’s take a look at the reasons for the $150 difference.

Size and Outlook

Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ has a bigger screen measuring up to 6.8 inches, whereas the Note 10 screen is just about 6.3 inches long. Both phones have the same width, but the Note 10+ weighs an ounce more. Also, there is no difference in the size of the S pen. Both phones do not have headphone jacks.

Cameras

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 has three cameras; excluding, of course, the front camera. Two of the three cameras are telephoto shooters with a resolution of 12-megapixels. The third camera is an ultra-wide lens camera with a resolution of 16-megapixels. The phone has a 10-megapixel front camera for capturing amazing selfies.

The Note 10+ has the same arrangement. However, there is a fourth lens placed under the flash to measure distance and depth in 3D space.

Display

In terms of display, both phones are slightly different. Although, they both use the Samsung Amoled tech, the Note 10+ has a higher screen resolution of about 1440 pixels, while the Note 10 has a screen resolution of 1080 pixels. This subtle difference accounts for a higher graphic display and better user experience, giving you money’s worth at a premium level.

Software

This is one aspect where you can boldly say the Note 10 and the Note 10+ are Siamese twins. Both phones use Samsung’s OneUI model and Android version 9 (pie) which can be upgraded to Android 10.

Battery

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ has about the highest battery capacity ever built in the Samsung Note Series. It has an energy pack of 4300mAh which lasts for up to ten hours with the LTE fully active and working. On the other hand, Samsung Note 10, has a battery capacity of 3500mAh.

Both phones share a 25-watt charger capacity and a 15-watt wireless charging capacity. However, the Note 10+ has a 45-watt charger option, which unfortunately has to be bought separately.

Memory

Both phones have outstanding memory capacity but the Note 10+ has a little edge over it’s junior. It has 12 gigabyte RAM capacity as against Note 10 which stops at 8 gigabyte. Also, the storage capacity of the Note 10+ has a 512 gigabyte variant. But the Note 10 stops at 256 gigabytes.

If you’re looking to buy a smart phone for regular use at a good price, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 would be a great option. However, if you’re looking for a real mobile asset for all your online and offline transactions, the Samsung Note 10+ is honestly your best buy.

How to Protect Your Eyes from Digital Damage

Some people say that if you peep through the eye, you can see the soul. While this may not exactly be true, the aphorism goes to show that the eye illuminates the entire body and is very sensitive, especially to light. In order to maintain a high optical performance of these light receptors, one has to take many precautionary steps. This, however, is not so easy considering the variety of on-screen digital devices we use daily. Against this backdrop, we have drawn up a list of preventive measures to help you protect your eyes from digital damage. 

8 Ways to Protect Your Eyes from Digital Damage

1. Keep the screen far from your eyes: Some call it the 20-20-20 rule. It is strongly advised that you keep the screen of the digital device you are working with at least twenty meters away from your eyes. It is true that this may not always be possible. We, however, advise you to keep your digital devices at a reasonably far distance from your eyes. Also, you should look away every twenty minutes for at least twenty seconds. This will help reduce the constancy of the glare and ultimately reduce eye strain.

2. Use protective screen covers: Protective screen covers reduce the strength of the rays on the eyes. An anti-glare screen or coating if used on the screen of your digital device, will reduce the directness of the light on the eye. Also, some screen covers are reader-friendly. It is strongly recommended that you use these screen covers if your job involves reading and typing on-screen.

3. Adjust the brightness of your digital device: Adjusting the brightness of your digital device to suit your environment can also reduce the strain on your eyes. That way, it will be easy for your eyes to adjust.

4. Blink regularly: Regularly blinking of the eyes cleans the eyes and helps to reduce dryness. Also, the concentration of light rays on your eyes would be reduced if you blink regularly.

5. Take period eye examinations: The importance of periodic eye examinations cannot be overemphasized. While we may think our eyes are perfect because we can see far and clearly, the reverse may be the case when we go for proper eye examinations. An examination taken in time will help mitigate the outcome of any possible damage. Don’t be too sure. Take frequent eye tests!

6. The light source should be behind you: Whenever you’re using a digital device, ensure that the source of light is behind you rather than in front of you. This will reduce the workload on your eyes.

7. Wear protective glasses: It is strongly recommended that you wear glasses with anti-reflective coating to avoid direct entrance of the rays. If you use these glasses, you will be able to use your devices for a longer period.

8. Take eye health support supplements: We recommend Life Extension’s Gummy Science Digital Eye Support, as well as beta carotene, lutein and astaxanthin supplements.

Social Media Benefits for Students

Over the years, there has been a debate among a lot of people as to whether social media has any positive impact on students. There are indeed many pros and cons to social media. 

To some people, the cons are that students spend a lot of their time surfing the net, chatting on social media, making new friends, and hooking up with them. At the end of the day, they may tend to neglect their studies and this affects their grades adversely.

However, it may interest you to know that there are several social media benefits for students. Yes, although they may be a bit distracted, it still helps them a lot.

Social Media Benefits

Social media is a collective term for platforms where different people from all over the world connect, chat, interact, and share ideas. Almost everyone has a smartphone, and you will find at least three social media platforms on it. 

Of course, students these days have phones because they’re supposed to do a lot of assignments and research work from the internet. Therefore, it is inevitable for them not to have social media apps. 

Some popular social media apps include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Whatsapp, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Google+, Pinterest, Snapchat, and so on. They are shared according to their uses, such as video sharing, networking, photo sharing, and blogging. Together, social media has created an avenue for people to connect from anywhere in the world where there’s internet access.

Although, there is a general perception that social media does not help students, here are some social media benefits for students.

1. It Aids Learning

Nowadays, learning is more than just sitting in the classroom and listening to the teachers. There’s something called e-learning, whereby students can learn from a distance at the comfort of their homes. Moreso, social media platforms like YouTube create an opportunity where students can learn and engage themselves. Also, they can get study materials from their peers through WhatsApp, Facebook, or Instagram. Learning includes meeting your peers for help, and social media connects students who might have difficulties in an area of study.

2. Exposure

You don’t want a child who is not exposed to things that are happening all over the world. By engaging on social media platforms, students will be up-to-date on things that are happening in the world. Apart from this, they can be exposed to different cultures, languages, and lifestyles. This adds up to their knowledge and makes them more sound.

3. Expression

Social media helps students to be expressive as well as creative. They can post photos, videos, articles, voice clips, and so on. They can discover their talent, look for people in the same niche interests as them, and work toward growing themselves.

4. Job Opportunities

There are many employment opportunities all over social media. It is a little difficult for a student to get jobs during the holiday or after graduation. However, social media presents a lot of opportunities for them. Companies give updates about their company on their social media accounts. Students who follow them up can get good jobs. Those who seek to do their internship can get job openings too.

Finally, it is apparent that social media benefits for students outweigh the negative aspects.

Digital Attention Games for Kids and Other Ways to Improve Their Focus for Learning

It is no news that we love our kids, and that is why we try our best to ensure that they have the best lifestyle that we can afford for them. We try to ensure that we offer them attention games for kids that can heighten their attention span. Do you know that there are a lot of attention games for kids in existence that can nurture your kids on how to stay focused on an activity for a long time?

It is no news that helping a kid that has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder isn’t easy. Telling your kid to stop doing that or start doing that may annoy you. It is understandable. This doesn’t make you a bad parent.

Instead of giving orders, you could incorporate some attention games for kids that will usher some fun instead. You could get the kid to improve their attention span in a fun manner.

Research has gone on to show that kids getting involved in play activities daily will build their attention span. We have put together some games that you should try out. 

To help the games work faster and effortlessly, it also won’t be a bad idea to try out Herbs for Kids’ Homeopathy for Kids A+ Attention Focus and Learning or Nordic Naturals’ Omega Focus Junior. 

Concentration Game: “Freeze” Time

Have you ever felt that it is difficult to tutor your kids on how to stay calm and do nothing? You can add more fun to it by asking them to play like a statue. A statue stays one plan and is calm. To get the kid to be calm, you can scream, “Freeze!”

Your child should be allowed to stay still for some time. You could start with 10 seconds, then increase the time later on. If he or she wins and doesn’t move at all during that period, reward him or her by telling him or her to freeze into a statue. You could consider getting him or her to play freeze tag if he or she is hyperactive.

You could also tell him or her to act like he or she has been struck by a spell, like in “Sleeping Beauty.” They are not allowed to move while they pretend to be sleeping. It is only when the “Fairy Godparent” (that’s you) comes to unfreeze him or her that they are allowed to move. 

Tabletop Games for Focus

You could also try out painting, working on a puzzle, or having fun with water balloons outside with your kids. It is a great exercise. If he or she is able stay concentrated on your activities with them, you can give them a reward. It will act as motivation. 

Dangers of Automated Social Media Robots

It is no news that we have social media robots in existence, and many of them seem like human beings. We’re talking about automated messages like customer service replies from companies you’ve shopped with, or automated posts that don’t really resemble ads in your social media feed. We’re also talking about targeted fake news posts, or politically charged messages from public interest groups trying to sway your vote. 

It’s a dangerous world online these days, and it’s hard to discern what is real news vs. fake news. That’s why the dangers of automated social media robots are a real concern. Social media robots are seen as bots with opinions that are capable of changing the way we see things on social media. Keep reading to learn more!

Concerns with Social Media Robots

Social media robots are known to act like humans while using social media channels. Most times, they do not say that they are machines, and they target private accounts to a large extent.

Usually, human users may be deceived by these social media robots because they feel that they are discussing topics of importance with human beings. These bots, sometimes, do not tell human users that they are bots.

Most brands use these bots to propagate opinions concerning some matters on different social media platforms. They may speak ill of competitors, whether they’re other brands or political candidates.

A lot of brands make use of social media robots to boost their marketing strategy. They have been used, in the past, to make humans feel that some products are popular, thereby convincing prospects to purchase them. Some even post fake reviews on products or pose as brand influencers.

Social Media Robots in Politics

It is no news that people use social media robots for political reasons too. Some political groups use bots to change the way people feel about a topic. They claim to represent the thoughts of some politicians or parties, which may not be true.

To make the world feel that a political opponent is bad, these bots are used to send out spurious details about candidates. This is one reason people tend to connote these bots with things like hate speech, fake news, and so on.

Social media robots have even affected media firms, journalists, and social events. Do you know that there is currently an industry that caters to the creation of social bots? With the growth of social media, this is a booming business, with a lot of clients.

There are numerous politicians that want to start a hate campaign against their opponents. They know that doing it themselves may lead to them being seen in a negative light, hence they use these social media robots.

If a brand wants to make its competitors seem bad, they tend to make use of social bots in spreading poor opinions about them. Do you know that social bots are legal? They are also part of a lucrative industry that is growing daily.

A lot of people are of the opinion that the fact that a lot of social media users exist, and the influence of bots will continue to increase. If care is not taken, these social media robots could potentially be used to start riots, wars, and so on.

What this means is that the increasing usage of bots could negatively affect the society that we live in. This can be seen in the thoughts and articles published by a number of respected news magazines. 

Today, social media robots may merely be used to make political opponents look bad or make a brand seem sloppy, but in the future, it could wreck even more damage. It could even be the cause of the third world war if care is not taken to change the regulations on such bots. The future of social media – and the world is in our hands.

Try These Fitbit Mindfulness Tools

No matter the type of job you do, you need to devote time to do a little exercise. Yes, exercise helps you to bounce back after stressing yourself out. Also, it helps to prevent physical breakdowns of any sort. Some people choose to work with a fitness trainer. Now, that may not be necessary as you can do it all by yourself. There are a lot of apps that have been created which could help you with such exercises. One of these is the Fitbit.

Fitbit is a leading app when it comes to tracking your daily activities, sleep, workouts and so on. With it, you can focus on living an active life as well as a healthy one. There are so many things you could do with the app as regards your health. They include:

  • Tracking your daily activities; steps, distance taken and sleep
  • Running and exercising smarter
  • Recording your exercises and workouts
  • Keeping a close check of your heart rate
  • Helping you check your meal history
  • Setting goals and managing goals
  • Managing your weight

Mindfulness Exercises, Tools, and Apps

We get busy all the time, either from work or school activities. Either way, our thoughts are often distorted most times, leaving us stressed and anxious. Mindfulness exercises help you put your thoughts together and to get a hold of yourself. You should devote some time to develop your mental health. Putting it together with exercise helps to balance your body and mind. With simple mindfulness tools and apps, you can engage in activities that will have a positive outcome in your life.

Some mindfulness exercises you can engage in include:

  • Mindfulness observation
  • Mindfulness thinking
  • Mindfulness meditation
  • Mindfulness breathing

There are also some Fitbit mindfulness tools that you can use as a guide. They are apps that work in complementary ways with the Fitbit app, including:

1. Headspace: It helps you to focus on mind-clearing.

2. 10% Happier: It helps you jot down positive things that have happened to you.

3. SuperBetter: It helps you work on personal growth.

The Fitbit community council keeps putting ideas together to make people aware of Fitbit mindfulness tools which can they can use to make themselves better. Of course, there are several products and services which one can use as regards physical fitness and mindfulness meditation.

In all, living a better life involves doing everything that would help you become better. This includes watching what you eat, exercising regularly, putting out time to rest and sleep. At the end of the whole exercise, you’d discover that you’ve cleared your mind and head.

Therefore, use Fitbit mindfulness tools (i.e. the Fitbit fitness app, in conjunction with other mindfulness apps) to make your life better and you’d live to be happy you did. You can spare about 20 to 30 minutes every day to focus on your inner life. Meditate and think of everything that’s been happening in your life, if you want improvements and habits you want to drop. Seek peace in knowing that there’s always room for improvement and that you can achieve anything you want to.