• The best HDMI cables for streaming, gaming, and audio
    www.popsci.com
    ShareWe may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is one of the most common A/V connectors for TVs and monitors, and HDMI cables arent going away anytime soon. Whether youre a gamer, a cinephile, or a sports fan, you want bright, clean images at high frame rates. A sub-par HDMI cable can needlessly hold your media devices back. You may have seen HDMI 2.1 and tensed up at the prospect of yet another changing technical standard with which to keep up. Dont worryits not as complicated as it seems. Were here to help make sure you can find the best HDMI cable to suit your particular audio-visual needs. Weve chosen the AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable as the best all-around pick, which migh surprise you because of how cheap it is. The truth: its going to work just fine in a vast majority of cases. Best all-around: AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI CableBest HDMI 2.1: Zeskit Maya Ultra High SpeedBest flat cable: Ultra Clarity Flat 4K High SpeedBest 90-degree cable: UGREEN HDMI elbow cableBest micro HDMI cable: BlueRigger Micro HDMIBest long cable: Monoprice High Speed ActiveBest 8K: Monoprice 8K Certified Braided Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 CableBest 10K: EZQuest Ultra HD HIGH Speed HDMI 10K 60HZ CableHow we chose the best HDMI cablesAs you make expensive upgrades to your home entertainment system with the latest and greatest 4K television, a PlayStation 5, and an incredible surround sound system, youll want to make sure youre unlocking their full potential with cables that can keep pace. The key is HDMI cables, which are straightforward and inexpensive. Theres really one stat you need to worry about: the speed. Your HDMI cable transmits data from your Blu-ray player, cable box, game console, AV receiver, or another device, and thats it. You can only make a cable better (or worse) by improving how quickly it can send that information. Every audio- and video-related feature that might be dependent on a better cable, including HDR and that new Dolby Atmos soundbar, simply needs a pipeline with sufficient bandwidth to run properly. If they fail, there will be white static, or it wont work at all; otherwise, they are working at full capacity without any real marginal gains and little specialization to be found.Accordingly, the best HDMI cable is typically the cheapest certified cable that suits your needs. We combed over professional and consumer reviews and pulled from years of personal A/V experience to distill the best HDMI cables to suit various situations. All the options weve selected are from trusted brands and are overwhelmingly validated by users to be good for the long haul.The best HDMI cables: Reviews & RecommendationsAs stated above, HDMI cables are very straightforward, and the best one for you is probably also the cheapest, which is why Amazon Basics takes our top spot for most people. Our other top pick is the future-proofed best possible HDMI you can get for an affordable price, so its perfectly suited for all those 4K movies and next-gen gaming for the foreseeable future. Weve also selected a range of specialized cables for edge cases where installation might otherwise be tricky.Best HDMI cable all-around: AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI CableAmazon Basics is the best HDMI cable.ProsInexpensiveDurableGreat performanceConsStiffWhy it made the cut: AmazonBasics keeps it simple and cheap, which makes their product the best HDMI cable overall.SpecsSpeed: 48 GB/sMax Resolution: 8K/60HzLength: 3/6/10 ft.Audio: ARCHDMI: 2.1AmazonBasics products can be very hit or miss for more complex products like electronics, but HDMI cables are in their sweet spot. Any cable certified to a particular standard, if it works at all, is as good as any other outside of aesthetics or ergonomics, so theres no need to spend more than the minimal prices offered by Amazon or Monoprice. This premium HDMI cable is a little stiff, but that also makes it more durable. According to user reviews, its generally considered to be better constructed than other cables at slower standards and is both our top pick and our best budget buy.Best HDMI 2.1 cable: Zeskit Maya Ultra High SpeedZeskit Maya is the best HDMI cable.ProsUltra High Speed performanceDurable nylon braidingConsExpensiveWhy it made the cut: Among certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cables, Zeskit delivers top quality at an accessible price.SpecsSpeed: 48 GB/sMax Resolution: 10K/120HzLength: 1.5/3/6.5/10 ft.Audio: eARCHDMI: 2.1The best HDMI 2.1 cable offers more capacity than you will be able to use for the foreseeable future. No graphics card in existence could come anywhere close to playing a AAA game at 10K and 120 frames per second. Playing games in 4K at 120 fps is still more theory than practice for even the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Zeskits Ultra High Speed is certified to offer the full power of 48 GB/s, which is almost exclusively relevant to gamers for the time being. Its durable and well-constructed. With a 5-star rating based on 17,000 Amazon reviews, players are satisfied.Best flat HDMI cable: Ultra Clarity Flat 4K High SpeedUltra Clarity Best Flat 4K HDMI cableProsCorrosion-resistant gold-plated connectors, full metal jacket, 26 AWG, triple shielding, and solid copper conductorsFlat, CL3 for in-wall installationGreat performanceConsMore expensiveWhy it made the cut: Ultra Claritys sturdy, flat, and flexible cables are perfect for staying out of your way.SpecsSpeed: 18 GB/sMax Resolution: 4K/60HzLength: 25/30/35/40/50 ft.Audio: ARCHDMI: 2.0bPurchasing the best flat HDMI cable can be a great resource if you have a tight space behind your television, or for when you need to run your HDMI cable under a carpet or behind some furniture, or even in your walls. Ultra Clarity offers an excellent High Speed HDMI cable with solid connectors and great performance. What sets it apart is the flat and flexible form factor, along with a PVC jacket that gives it extra durability and allows for 180-degree turns. They are a little more expensive than other cables of the same speed, but thats the price of quality and flexibility.Best 90-degree HDMI cable: UGREEN HDMI elbow cableUGREEN Elbow is the best right-angle HDMI cable.ProsSolid 90-degree connectorGreat performanceConsNiche applicationWhy it made the cut: UGREENs specialized right-angle HDMI is a perfect niche fix for when regular cables wont quite fit.SpecsSpeed: 18 GbpsMax Resolution: 4K/60HzLength: 3/6/10/15 ft.Audio: ARCHDMI: 2.0Shenzhen-based UGREEN is a relatively new brand that has proven reliable for high-quality electronics and accessories at reasonable prices. The companys elbow HDMI cable has one connector with an abrupt 90-degree turn, which helps you plug into a TV or monitor mounted flush against a wall. Otherwise, this best 90-degree HDMI cable features everything youd expect from all the cables on our list: gold-plated connectors, solid shielding, and consistent performance.Best micro HDMI cable: BlueRigger Micro HDMIBlueRigger is the best micro HDMI cable.ProsGreat performanceDurable constructionMicro USB adapterConsNiche applicationWhy it made the cut: BlueRiggers durable micro HDMI-to-HDMI cable is a content creators best friend and our pick for the best micro HDMI cable.SpecsSpeed: 18 GbpsMax Resolution: 4K/60HzLength: 3/6/10/15 ft.Audio: ARCHDMI: 2.0Some devices are too small for conventional HDMI jacks, which is why micro HDMI exists. This micro HDMI-to-HDMI cable lets you connect GoPros, DSLRs, camcorders, tablets, and other devices with a mini port to larger screens so that you can display your 4K/60 fps content in all its glory. It also lives up to manufacturer BlueRiggers reputation for making durable products. And this is all the more important for an HDMI cable youre likely to plug and unplug more frequently than a standard cable.Best long HDMI cable: Monoprice High Speed ActiveMonoprice Active is the best long HDMI cable.ProsGreat performanceDurable constructionCL2-certifiedActive connection for longer distancesConsExpensiveWhy it made the cut: Monoprices dependable and inexpensive cables are the way to go when running HDMI over long distances.SpecsSpeed: 18 GB/sMax Resolution: 4K/60HzLength: 25/30/35/40/45/50/60/100 ft.Audio: ARCHDMI: 2.0Monoprice has been widely known as one of the best brands for inexpensive certified HDMI cables for a long time. If you absolutely have to run an HDMI cable more than 25 feetsuch as when you need an extension for a conference room, auditorium, or fancy home theaterthen an active, directional cable is absolutely essential. It draws a bit of power from the connected hardware to boost the signal over the long distance. Monoprices active cable covers from 25 up to 100 feet. Its also CL2 certified, so you can safely run it through the walls or ceiling, which is likely more appealing if you have to cover a serious distance. The cables are also backed by a lifetime return policy in case of failure, so as the best long HDMI cable, you can expect to get what youve paid for.Best 8K: Monoprice 8K Certified Braided Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 CableProseARCSupports Dynamic HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:XCompatible with Sony PlayStation 5, PlayStation S Digital Edition, Microsoft Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series SConsCable is stiffWhy it made the cut: Stream up to 10K at 120Hz refresh rate with this well-priced cableSpecsSpeed: 48 GB/sMax Resolution: 8K/60HzLength: 3 ft. 15 ft.Audio: eARCHDMI: 2.1If youre considering investing in that amazing new Samsung 8K OLED, you should consider a high-quality cable that will do the vivid screen justice (and that might not cost as much as some 4K TVs itself). This durable braided Ethernet-enabled Monoprice cable can handle 8K/60Hz resolution and Dynamic HDR/Dolby Vision easily, and may be capable of transmitting 4K@120Hz and 10K@120Hz resolutionsmeaning next-gen performance for next-gen gaming consoles. And, have no fear, object-based high-resolution audio is conveyed with equal aplomb across the Ultra High Speed Certified Cable. Best 10K: EZQuest Ultra HD HIGH Speed HDMI 10K 60HZ CableThe EZQuest Ultra HD HIGH Speed HDMI 10K 60HZ Cable is the best budget HDMI cableProseARCSupports 3D videoBuilt-in strain reliefConsOnly one length of cableWhy it made the cut: Stream up to 10K at 120Hz refresh rate with this well-priced cable.SpecsSpeed: 48 GB/sMax Resolution: 10K/120HzLength: 7.2 ft.Audio: eARCHDMI: 2.1Not all 10K HDMI cables are built the same. This high-performance one from EZQuest includes features we love, like eARC and a braided nylon cable, along with a fantastic 10K max resolution at a 120Hz refresh rate. It supports 3D video and is backward compatible to support existing HDMI devices. The wires are guarded in aluminum, copper mesh, PVC, and nylon braided shielding, which prevents strain relief and helps its longevity.Things to consider before buying an HDMI cableHDMI cables are one of the simplest components of your home A/V system but are also very important. Depending on what youre doing, your cable can become a crucial bottleneck to your viewing and playing, so you want to ensure you have the right technical standard. All HDMI cables are backward compatible, and the connector has remained unchanged, so you dont need to worry about newer cables working with your old devices. Heres a little primer on separating the good HDMI cables from the bad, no matter what you need them for.The need for speedCables, HDMI or otherwise, do one thing: transmit data. HDMI data is measured in gigabytes per second (GB/s). Youve also likely seen version numbers floating around as well (HDMI 1.4, 2.0, and, more recently, 2.1). These technically describe the communication standard being used by the hardware youre connecting with the cables, rather than the cables themselves. All you need to know for our purposes is that you should get a Premium High Speed cable (18 GB/s) to connect HDMI 2.0 devices and an Ultra High Speed cable (48 GB/s) for HDMI 2.1 gear. If your hardware supports 2.0 or 2.1, you need the matching cable to take advantage. Older cables will still work, but the data will be throttled to whatever the cable can support, limiting framerate and resolution.If youre buying a new cable now, we only recommend considering the last two. Right now, Premium High Speed HDMI can handle content in 4K at 60 frames per second, which covers almost anything you can throw at your TV. Ultra High Speed may be necessary for some PS5, Xbox Series X, and high-end PC graphics cards to output at their absolute best in some cases, but right now it is fairly rare. Meanwhile, 8K video only exists for research and tech demos. In other words, Ultra High exists mostly in anticipation of future hardware and content. Theres nothing wrong with future-proofing, but know that Ultra High Speed is overkill for most people.ARC and eARCEstablished in 2009 as part of HDMI 1.4, ARC (Audio Return Channel) is a feature that allows the HDMI cable to run audio data back and forth between your TV and a separate audio receiver or soundbar. This can simplify your set-up by reducing the need for a discrete audio cable and allowing for simplified control of your systems with the TVs remote. Its been part of the HDMI standard long enough that most cables support it, and certainly any new ones. A drawback is that it does not support HD audio standards like Dolby Atmos or 5.1 surround sound.Meanwhile, eARC (the e standing for enhanced) is a more recent upgrade to ARC along with the HDMI 2.1 standards. Taking advantage of the torrential 48 Gbps that Ultra High Speed cables support, it can fully support uncompressed audio. Since eARC is baked into HDMI 2.1, you will need an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable to get the full effect.Length and wall installationAs with pretty much any type of cable, shorter is better. With a longer HDMI cable, youre more likely to experience some level of signal degradation. If you run an HDMI cable over 25 feet or more, you may notice issues like visual artifacts, dimming, and input lag.If you absolutely cant bring your source and monitor closer together, you should consider using an active HDMI cable, which draws a little bit of power from the connected device to boost its signal and send it substantially further while maintaining quality. Active cables are a little more complicated to set up because they only draw power from one side. Youll need to ensure its plugged in the right way before committing to a setup. They are also more expensive than other cables, given their length and the additional tech involved.If you plan to run your cable through a wall or ceiling as part of that long run, then you need to make sure your cable is certified as CL2 or CL3 (class 2 or 3), meaning its rated for wall installation. Standard cables pose greater fire risks when running through walls and potentially contacting with screws, nails, and other metal hardware. CL2 cables (including HDMI, among other types such as speaker wires) are rated for home use, up to 150 volts, while CL3 goes up to 300 volts for commercial installation. Both are made safer with special coating that reduces their risk of catching fire and gives off less toxic gas if they do.FAQsQ: How much do the best HDMI cables cost? Depending on the length and included features, the best HDMI cables run from $8-$20. Prices increase with length. Q: Do expensive HDMI cables make a difference? Nope! HDMI cables are a simple piece of hardware that does one thing, and aside from the very specialized examples we gave above, there arent any special features for which you can pay extra. Just get the least expensive cable from a reliable brand that meets your needs. Q: Is HDMI 2.1 necessary? For the vast majority of people, not at all. HDMI 2.0 can already support 4K 60 Hz, which can handle any video content and all but the most powerful gaming hardware. HDMI 2.1 is only worth considering if you have one of the few sources that can use it, such as a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or a very new and powerful PC graphics card. Q: What HDMI cable is needed for Dolby Atmos? That depends on your hardware and the Dolby audio codec it supports. For Dolby Digital Plus devices, any Premium High Speed (HDMI 2.0) cable or later should support Atmos over ARC (including all the cables on this list). However, if its the lossless Dolby TrueHD format, you may need the additional bandwidth of an HDMI 2.1 cable. Q: Do all HDMI cables support 4K 120Hz? No, not all HDMI cables have the bandwidth for 4K 120Hz signals. Standard and High Speed HDMI are still widely circulated and can support 4.95 and 10.2 GB/s, respectively. High Speed HDMI can support up to 4K resolution at 30 Hz, which is good enough for most film and television, though not all the most advanced, dynamic forms of HDR. Premium High Speed is the next step up, jumping to 18 GB/s, or enough to handle 4K HDR content at 60 Hz, which can support almost any contemporary application. The fastest level, Ultra High Speed, can transmit a whopping 48 GB/s, opening the door for 10K resolution at 120 Hz. Final thoughts on the best HDMI cablesBest all-around: AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI CableBest HDMI 2.1: Zeskit Maya Ultra High SpeedBest flat cable: Ultra Clarity Flat 4K High SpeedBest 90-degree cable: UGREEN HDMI elbow cableBest micro HDMI cable: BlueRigger Micro HDMIBest long cable: Monoprice High Speed ActiveBest 8K: Monoprice 8K Certified Braided Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 CableBest 10K: EZQuest Ultra HD HIGH Speed HDMI 10K 60HZ CableHopefully, this clears up any confusion about what you need to consider when buying the best HDMI cable to complete your home theater. HDMI 2.1 is tempting and probably worthwhile if youve got (or plan to get) cutting-edge gaming hardware. Most importantly, keep it simple with known brands and low prices. There arent any additional features that make more expensive cables worth buying, so dont let a salesman convince you otherwise.
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  • AlphaFold 3 is great but it still needs human help to get chemistry right
    www.nature.com
    Nature, Published online: 14 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00111-5AlphaFold 3 is great but it still needs human help to get chemistry right
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  • Woman's sudden hearing loss turned out to be a tick lodged in her ear canal
    www.livescience.com
    The tick was found lodged in the skin of her left ear canal after a thorough examination by her doctors.
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  • I made Red Hulk!
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    submitted by /u/Odd-Minimum-2313 [link] [comments]
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  • Lunar Remastered Collection Physical Edition Is Exclusive To Amazon
    www.gamespot.com
    Lunar Remastered Collection Physical Edition (PS4, Switch) $55 | Releases April 18 See at Amazon Lunar Remastered Collection launches on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC on April 18, and the console versions are getting Amazon-exclusive physical editions. At the time of writing, Amazon hasn't unlocked preorders yet, but store pages are live for physical editions for PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One. We'd recommend double-checking by clicking the links below, as preorders should unlock very soon. We'll update this preorder guide once Amazon starts taking preorders.Lunar Remastered Collection Amazon Listings:Continue Reading at GameSpot
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  • World of Warcraft Delays Plunderstorm Launch
    gamerant.com
    World of Warcraft has delayed the launch of the second Plunderstorm event in order to handle some unexpected problems. Though World of Warcraft still plans to launch Plunderstorm before the end of January 14, fans will have to wait a little longer than expected to enjoy the battle royale game mode once again.
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  • NVIDIA GTC 2025: Quantum Day to Illuminate the Future of Quantum Computing
    blogs.nvidia.com
    Quantum computing is one of the most exciting areas in computer science, promising progress in accelerated computing beyond whats considered possible today.Its expected that the technology will tackle myriad problems that were once deemed impractical, or even impossible to solve. Quantum computing promises huge leaps forward for fields spanning drug discovery and materials development to financial forecasting.But just as exciting as quantum computings future are the breakthroughs already being made today in quantum hardware, error correction and algorithms.NVIDIA is celebrating and exploring this remarkable progress in quantum computing by announcing its first Quantum Day at GTC 2025 on March 20. This new focus area brings together leading experts for a comprehensive and balanced perspective on what businesses should expect from quantum computing in the coming decades mapping the path toward useful quantum applications.Discussing the state of the art in quantum computing, NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang will share the stage with executives from industry leaders, including:Alice & BobAtom ComputingD-WaveInfleqtionIonQPasqalPsiQuantumQuantinuumQuantum CircuitsQuEra ComputingRigettiSEEQCLearn About Quantum Computing at NVIDIA GTCQuantum Day will feature:Sessions exploring whats possible and available now in quantum computing, and where quantum technologies are headed, hosted by Huang and representatives from across the quantum community.A developer day session outlining how partners are working with NVIDIA to advance quantum computing.Educational sessions providing attendees with hands-on training on how to use the most advanced tools to explore and develop quantum hardware and applications.A Quantum Day special address, unveiling the latest news and advances from NVIDIA in quantum computing shortening the timeline to useful applications.Quantum Day at GTC 2025 is the destination for leaders and experts seeking to chart a course into the future of quantum computing.Registerfor GTC.
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  • The Corrupted is the intimate TTRPG version of The Last Of Us
    www.polygon.com
    We tend to imagine the hardest part of surviving a zombie apocalypse would be, well, the zombies. But as properties like The Last Of Us, The Walking Dead, and Navaar Jacksons tabletop role-playing game The Corrupted show us, its actually other people.While there are other games that tackle the zombie trope, like Free Leagues licensed RPG for The Walking Dead and D&Ds Domains of Dread, the scale of the problems in The Corrupted are brought down to an interpersonal level making them arguably more devastating. An intimate game about a small group of survivors, The Corrupted uses a familiar base d20 system and adds in mechanics that highlight the difficulties of adjusting to the new normal of a post-fall world with people you dont even know.While there are combat mechanics for high intensity moments, the main thrust of the game is the emotional toll the apocalypse takes on this small group. Resource management heightens the survival element of The Corrupted, as food, water, and other tools like bullets are tracked over time.The base abilities for the game include Empathy, Intellect, Judgement, Brawn, Agility, and Vitality with nearly all of those featured during out-of-combat play. Failed rolls dont simply prevent players from achieving their goals, they also actively cause Stress and a unique compromised condition which elevates the stakes of any conflict. Unresolved Stress then compiles into conflicts.The conflict system mechanically represents tensions that arise from the literal stress and trauma of not only survival, but of existing alongside other people. Those mechanics impact how player characters relate to each other as well as themselves, providing opportunities for conflict to arise between players as the outside world throws an unending series of obstacles at them.For those interested in seeing just how emotionally devastating this game can be, Jackson produced Ties That Bind. A slice-of-life zombie apocalypse actual play of The Corrupted, Ties That Bind features Jackson alongside award-winning actual play performers Hamnah Shahid and Josephine Kim. The stunningly edited audio AP weaves between the day to day life of three survivors as they deal with the interpersonal and ethical complications of figuring out what comes after the apocalypse, with the lives they led before the pathogen tore through the United States.The Corrupted is currently available for $20 at Plus One Exp, where it was published as part of the companys monthly Zine Club. Digital copies are available on Jacksons itch.io page for $16.
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  • Why Some TikTok Users Are Fleeing to RedNote, Another Chinese Social Media App
    lifehacker.com
    TikTok's future in the United States is looking more uncertain than ever. With a potential ban just days away, angry TikTok users are looking for alternativesand they're not all turning to American-based platforms like Instagram.Instead, these users, who dub themselves "TikTok refugees," are looking to stick it to the U.S. government, who is trying to ban their favorite app over issues of national security. TikTok's parent company is ByteDance, which is based in China. As such, the TikTok refugees are largely targeting social media platforms that are also run by companies based in China. An app called RedNote is one of the most prominent options getting attention. Perhaps that's an understatement: As of this writing, RedNote is the number one app on both the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.What is RedNote?RedNote's Chinese name is Xiaohongshu, which translates to "Little Red Book." (Also the name of the collection of writings of Chinese political revolutionary Mao Zedong.) It's a popular social media app in its native country, created in 2013 by developer Xingyin Information Technology. It is similar to, but not an exact replica of TikTok. Like TikTok, RedNote hosts short-form videos you can scroll through endlessly. But in addition to videos, the app also lets you create collaborative "boards," and even shop in its in-app marketplacethough I'm not sure what the shipping costs would be to buy used furniture from across the world. At the end of the day, it's a social media experience, one that the U.S. government probably didn't anticipate would play host to disgruntled Americans. Of course, what's drawing the crowds are RedNote's TikTok-like short videos. I downloaded the app to see what the hullabaloo is all about. What data RedNote asks for when you install itAs far as privacy and security goes, the app will scrape your device ID, and developer Xingin can potentially use that to track you across other apps and websites. That's not great, but it's also not unusual: For context, TikTok also tracks your device ID, as well as your email address and phone numbertwo data points RedNote does not track. RedNote also collects other data points that are linked directly to you, including your purchases, search history, user ID, and contacts. Finally, the app takes a number of data points that are not directly linked to you, including your advertising data, product interaction, coarse location, product interaction, precise location, physical address, name, phone number, photos or videos, audio data, customer support info, user content, crash data, and performance data. It's worth noting again that plenty of apps ask for data points like this, both linked and not linked to your identity. It's your choice what you're comfortable with offering up, and there are always steps to take to prevent certain data from leaking from your device to the app. For example, you can use a VPN to mask your location and device ID, or disable your location settings for the app altogether; create an account through Apple and use Hide My Email to shield your email address from the app; disable photos and videos access for the app, except for specific pictures and clips you choose to share; and block the app from accessing your contacts, if you'd rather find your friends there one-by-one. What it's like using RedNote as an English speakerAs I scroll through the app, it largely looks like TikTok meets the Instagram Explore page. Indeed, RedNote's main feed is called "Explore," a grid layout of different videos you can check out. Tap one, and it plays. Scroll down, and you can watch another video. If you've used a short-form video platform before, you'll get the gist pretty quick. In fact, there's a dedicated "Trending" tab, that is your basic short-form video experience. Of course, there are some feature unique to RedNote: Pinch in, and you clear the UI, to focus on the video at hand. Long-press, and you'll find a series of extra options, including "Auto scroll," if scrolling by hand gets to be too much.In most respects, this is a short-form video app that anyone who has watched TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts can understand quicklyperhaps minus actually reading a lot of the writing in it. Not only is the developer of this app based in China, the primary language of the app itself is reportedly Mandarin, which means most of the discourse on it is not in English. If you, like me, do not know a word of Chinese, you may miss out on things as you scroll through comments and captions in a language you don't understand. Of course, there are ways to translate elements of your display, but you might not have to: Part of the quirk of so many English-speaking American users flooding the app is that the Chinese-speaking users are now posting in English as well. Users from both countries have even been chatting and joking with one another: Chinese-based users are posting in English, saying that they're happy to see Americans, as their jobs as their "Chinese spies" will be saved. (Others are asking Americans for help with their English homework.) In general, users from both countries seem to be having a good time getting to know one another. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. As much buzz as RedNote is getting this week, it's obviously nowhere near as popular as TikTok, even in China: The former has 300 million active users, compared to TikTok's one billion. But should TikTok be banned in the U.S. next week, the app may lose its 170 million American usersat least the ones that don't use workarounds to keep the app alive. It will be interesting to see how RedNote continues to grow, and whether that growth will in turn inspire the U.S. government to try to ban it as well. If the TikTok ban is successful, it's not hard to see a RedNote ban become a reality, too.
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  • Sonos' chief product officer is also leaving the company
    www.engadget.com
    Sonos is continuing to clean house as the company recovers from the hits it took following a disastrous mobile app redesign last year. Just a day after CEO Patrick Spence departed the company, chief product officer Maxime Bouvat-Merlin is also leaving. He will act as an advisor to interim CEO Tom Conrad during the leadership transition before fully exiting Sonos.Conrad informed Sonos employees about the latest leadership change in a company-wide email today. The CPO role is being made redundant, with Sonos' product team reporting directly to Conrad for the time being.Sonos has been in a tailspin since releasing a mobile app update in May that contained many bugs and was missing key features. The company's financial results took a dive, and it laid off about 100 employees in August. Sonos has made several efforts to keep customers aware of its plans to recover from the app launch, and the decision to replace top leadership seems like the latest move to win back public trust in the business.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/sonos-chief-product-officer-is-also-leaving-the-company-223256031.html?src=rss
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