The Meta Quest 2 is one of Meta’s premier virtual reality headsets (not counting the Meta Quest Pro).

The versatile headset is capable of much more than gaming, and Mark Zuckerberg likely has bold plans for the headset involving the metaverse.

With Meta Quest 2, you can do all kinds of activities.

You can watch movies, browse the web, try some of the latest VR games, or even get in an intense workout with games like Beat Saber.

But can Meta’s VR headset do all that by itself, or do you need a PC to hook the headset up for these activities?

Does the Oculus or Meta Quest 2 need a PC?

Short answer: No

The Meta Quest 2 or Quest Pro does not need to be hooked up to a PC or anything else to experience what the headset offers.

It is a completely standalone device, making it a great consumer product that just about anyone can enjoy.

The Quest 2 comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 System built right into it, which has 6 GB of RAM and an Adreno 650 GPU.

This combination is powerful enough to run most games.

In addition to downloading games and apps designed specifically for the Quest 2 through the Oculus Quest Store, players can sideload titles onto the device by transferring them into its storage.

Again, all these games are playable on the headset without using a PC.

READ MORE: Can I use the Oculus Quest 2 with Steam games?

But that doesn’t mean you can’t use the headset with your PC to unlock even more entertainment.

The Meta Quest 2 can wirelessly connect to your PC via Air Link or hardwire using the Quest 2 Link cable.

READ MORE: Meta’s new parental controls make Quest VR headsets safer for kids

Connecting your Meta Quest 2 headset to your PC will let you use the headset to experience some VR games that aren’t available as a standalone Meta product.

But again, this is just an extra benefit you get with the Meta Quest 2.

You can still get dozens of games and apps on the headset without extra hardware. Alternatively, you can cast Oculus Quest 2 on a TV.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Can you buy a replacement controller for the Oculus Quest 2?
• Does the Oculus Quest 2 have expandable storage?
• Which Oculus Quest 2 should you buy?
• Sony’s upcoming PSVR 2 controller is highlighted in a new patent

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Does the Meta Quest 2 require a PC? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Looking for a hair dryer that is fast, safe, and efficient? Then look no further than the Tensky High-Speed Hair Dryer.

This blow dryer is seriously powerful. But it’s not just about the drying – it’s also got some seriously cool features that’ll blow your mind (and your hair).

This sounds too good to be true, sure, but get ready to be impressed.

Tensky High-Speed Hairdryer

Who is this good for?

• People in a rush who need something that can dry their hair super fast (like, in 1-5 minutes fast)
• Anyone who wants a hair dryer with seriously impressive features, like smart induction and a high-speed brushless motor
• Somebody who wants a high-performance hair dryer that’s also gentle on their hair and easy to use.

See at Amazon

See at Tensky

The Tensky High-Speed Hair Dryer is like a Swiss Army Knife for your hair and beauty needs.

Need to dry your hair? It’s got you covered. Need to dry your acrylic nails on the cold shot setting? No problem. Need to defrost some food? Yeah, it can do that too.

And if you’ve got painted nails that need drying, it has your back there, too. Basically, whatever you throw at this dryer, it can handle.

But, its standout features set this blow dryer apart from the competition. This dryer has a lot to offer, from advanced technologies to its sleek design.

Sponsored

Tensky High-Speed Hair Dryer

KnowTechie readers can save an insane 48% by clipping the $40 on-site coupon and using promo code TENSKYH3301 at checkout.

Rating

48% off Amazon

On-Going Offer

Save time and protect your hair with the innovative Tensky Hair Dryer

One of the first things you’ll notice about the Tensky High-Speed Hair Dryer is its unique, sleek, and compact design.

This palm-fitting blow dryer easily fits into any hand. 60 percent slimmer and 75 percent lighter, it can also easily fit into your handbag, unlike other bulky blow dryers. 

Aside from its aesthetics, it also has a touch-sensitive grip sensor that makes it super easy to use.

But better, that means no more fumbling for buttons or switches – just grab and go (or don’t go if you’re trying to turn it off). Simply hold it to start and drop it to stop it within seconds. 

Tensky’s High-Speed Hair Dryer offers intelligent heat control

Regarding technical specs, it comes with an industry-standard 110,000 RPM high-speed brushless motor that produces wind speeds of up to 23m/s.

This is enough to dry short hair in one minute, medium hair in three minutes, and long and thick hair in five minutes max.

Experience the Benefits of Negative Ions

The Tensky High-Speed Hair Dryer also features 200 million negative ions.

This helps break down the water molecules, speed up the drying process, and leave your hair silky smooth with zero frizz.

With its intelligent heat control function, filter, and 0.2mm air inlet, the Tensky High-Speed Blow Dryer helps prevents overheating or accidental burns.

On top of that, the touch-sensitive handle requires a firm grip on the dryer before it can be activated.

Tensky’s hair dryer has another neat feature. How so? It compensates for excessive heat using alternating hot and cold airstreams.

The hair dryer features four temperature modes. The modes include:

• Alternate airflows (hot and cold from 50°F to 180°F)
• Cold (at 50°F)
• Warm (at 140°F)
• Hot (at 180°F)

It also features dual power/speed settings and a circulating mode function.

The Tensky blow dryer is designed to dry your hair in half the time of most other dryers. But that’s not all – it also runs super quiet.

It operates smoothly and quietly at just 59 dB. In other words, it won’t disrupt your routine or make you go deaf as you use it.

Plus, it’s safe for everyone – kids, pregnant soon-to-be-mothers, and even the elderly can use it without any issue.

What’s more, with a 360^o  rotating magnetic nozzle, you can rest assured that it can reach every hair strand on your head.

Using it for other purposes can also allow you to blow dry objects at multiple angles, unlike a fixed nozzle.

Dry your hair in record time with the powerful Tensky hair dryer

 For only $189, you can get the amazing feature-rich Tensky High-Speed Hair Dryer with free shipping anywhere in the world.

Now, it costs $189 if you don’t apply the discounts we secured from Tensky for KnowTechie readers.

Again, head to Amazon, clip the $40 on-site coupon and apply promo code TENSKYH3301 at checkout. That gets you this killer hair dryer for half off the usual asking price.

Sponsored

Tensky High-Speed Hair Dryer

KnowTechie readers can save an insane 48% by clipping the $40 on-site coupon and using promo code TENSKYH3301 at checkout.

Rating

48% off Amazon

On-Going Offer

And as a gift item, you can never go wrong getting someone the Tensky High-Speed Hair Dryer.

Sure, the holidays may be over, but gifting one of these is one of the easiest ways to put a smile on a loved one’s face. 

Tensky High-Speed Hairdryer

Who is this good for?

• People in a rush who need something that can dry their hair super fast (like, in 1-5 minutes fast)
• Anyone who wants a hair dryer with seriously impressive features, like smart induction and a high-speed brushless motor
• Somebody who wants a high-performance hair dryer that’s also gentle on their hair and easy to use.

See at Amazon

See at Tensky

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review: Morus Zero Portable Dryer
• Review: RevAir hair dryer – it surprisingly sucks (in a good way)
• Samsung’s new washer and dryer uses AI to clean your dirty clothes
• The new Laifen Swift can dry your hair in half the time with less heat

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Dry your hair in a flash with the lightning-fast Tensky Hair Dryer appeared first on KnowTechie.

Meta revealed the GPU boost in a blog post on its website earlier this week. The update increases the Quest 2’s GPU frequency to 525 MHz, up from 490 MHz.

“We’re excited to announce that you now have more GPU compute power to work with on Meta Quest 2 devices—7% more, to be exact,” the company wrote in its blog post.

That increase represents a 7 percent boost in speed from the device’s GPU.

But what does this mean for your Quest 2 experience?

“This means your apps’ visuals will look even better—without sacrificing resolution quality,” Meta notes in its blog post.

Essentially, the 7 percent boost should lead to an overall improvement in picture quality and performance in apps.

The Quest 2 can now “leverage higher pixel density without substantially reducing resolution in order to hit the target frame rate.”

This is the update the Quest 2 desperately needed

The update gives you better picture quality from your Quest 2 without sacrificing the frame rate. So it offers a clearer picture while maintaining smooth transitions.

Meta says that all developers can now utilize this app performance boost. There’s no coding or integration necessary to take advantage of it.

Users need to doff/don (take off and put back on) or sleep cycle their Quest 2 headset by tapping the power button twice to unlock the updated performance boost.

However, a later update won’t require extra steps to increase GPU speeds. Meta says that an update is coming soon.

This is a nice boost for Quest 2 owners to get a little extra out of their headset near the end of its lifespan.

The next generation of Quest headsets is likely coming next year, and we expect to see a significant performance boost in that model. Until then, there’s always the Quest Pro.

Staff Pick

Meta Quest 2
The Meta Quest 2 is one of the best VR headsets yet, with impressive power and a comfortable design. Not to mention, it’s portable too.

Rating

Check Pricing

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Where do I find the serial number of my Oculus Quest 2?
• Can I use my Oculus Quest 2 with my Xbox?
• Does the Oculus Quest 2 have expandable storage?
• What’s the Oculus Quest 2’s battery life?

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Meta boosts Quest 2 performance with GPU update appeared first on KnowTechie.

Eufy, an affordable security camera brand from Anker, is under fire for security concerns regarding uploaded footage.

The brand markets itself as a local security system where footage is stored locally, and not uploaded to the cloud. But a recent discovery challenges that entire premise.

Paul Moore is a security consultant. Last week, Moore discovered a significant flaw in how the Eufy Doorbell Dual Camera had been storing data.

Moore shared a video showing how the camera had been uploading and storing images of faces on the cloud. The camera did this despite Moore not signing up for a Eufy Cloud Storage account.

The flaw was later confirmed by other users and recreated by Android Central. The publication reached out to Eufy, and the company explained what exactly was happening that required these uploads.

Eufy says this particular flaw comes from push notifications. If a user opts to have push notifications from the app for motion detection, Eufy temporarily uploads the thumbnail to its servers before sending it out.

Moore had turned on the push notification setting for the Doorbell Dual Camera. Eufy’s default notification settings are text-only, and they don’t require the uploaded thumbnail.

Eufy plans on addressing the wording of its push notification setting to make it clear that it has to temporarily upload thumbnails. It also says it will change its marketing materials to better reflect its use of the cloud.

Eufy has found itself the center of controversy in the past. Users discovered a strange glitch in the cameras in early 2021 that allowed people to see into other users’ homes.

The company quickly addressed that problem, and nothing terrible seemingly came out of it. I would imagine it does the same this time, delivering on the changes it promised.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• GoPro’s new action cameras are perfect for social media videos
• Police in one city are using Ring Doorbells to monitor video livestreams
• Kangaroo’s new weatherproof security camera can go anywhere you need it
• Review: Akaso Brave 8 action camera

The post Eufy cameras secretly uploaded footage to cloud (updated) appeared first on KnowTechie.

The Oculus Quest 2 is a revolutionary virtual reality headset that can be used wired or wirelessly with a compatible PC or console.

It offers an immersive gaming experience with state-of-the-art sensors, graphics, and audio. The headset features a single Fast Switch LCD screen for maximum visual quality.

It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 SoC processor and has 6GB of RAM. The device also comes in two variations, either with 128GB or 256GB of storage space. 

However, all that power means that the Oculus Quest 2 must be charged regularly. Thankfully, it’s equipped with a USB-C charging port and an included charger for easy recharging.

The Oculus Quest 2 is also designed with a powerful battery lasting up to 2-3 hours of continuous use.

Naturally, it’s only fair to ask how long the Oculus Quest 2 takes to charge, right? Let’s get to it, then.

Short on time? Feel free to skip ahead using the jump links below.

How long does the Oculus Quest 2 take to charge?

Short Answer: 2.5 hours, give or take

The good news is that getting the Quest 2 charged and ready doesn’t take too long.

According to Oculus and confirmed by our tests, the Quest 2 takes about 2.5 hours to fully charge from an empty battery.

That’s not an excessively long time, but it’s always good to make sure you have a little bit of extra charge before you start using the headset.

How long does it take to charge the Oculus Quest 2 to 50%?

It takes approximately 1.25 hours to charge the Oculus Quest 2 from 0% to 50%. This charging time may vary slightly depending on the charger and battery temperature.

What affects Oculus Quest 2 charging speeds?

A few factors can affect how long it takes for the Quest 2 to charge, including the type of charger you’re using and the battery’s temperature.

Depending on use and battery life, the wireless option requires recharging every few hours. If you’re using a lower-amperage charger, it could take longer. 

The battery’s temperature also affects charging times, so if it’s hot outside or your battery temperature is high, charging may take longer.

How can I make sure the Oculus Quest 2 charges quickly?

To make sure your Quest 2 charges quickly, use the original charger with your headset. It’s designed to maximize the charging speed and will charge your device faster than other chargers.

In addition, try to keep the battery temperature as low as possible when charging. If it’s hot outside, put the headset in a cool spot or open a window to help keep the temperature down.

Finally, make sure that you unplug your headset as soon as it’s done charging so you don’t overcharge the battery and potentially reduce its lifespan.

Can I use Oculus Quest 2 while charging?

Oculus doesn’t recommend it, though the consensus within the community says you can. But it’s not ideal for the battery and headset long-term.

Ideally, make sure you have a fully charged battery before starting your gaming session.

How do I extend battery life?

To extend the battery life of your Quest 2, probably the best option is Meta’s official Elite Strap with Battery.

This strap features an integrated 2000 mAh battery that adds up to three hours of use time to your headset. Effectively, this means that it doubles your playtime. 

Moreover, it is comfortable and easy to adjust on the head. The strap adds minimal weight and bulkiness to your unit without compromising performance. 

How do I know when it’s fully charged?

When the Oculus Quest 2 is fully charged, the battery icon on your headset will turn green. You can also check the app to see how much charge you have left.

Should I let it reach 0 charge?

No, you should not allow your Quest 2 battery, or the battery of the Elite Strap, completely drain. It’s best to charge the headset when it has about 20-30% of its battery life remaining.

This will help keep your battery healthy and prevent any long-term damage caused by letting it deplete entirely.

Keep your headset charged for the best experience

Charging your Oculus Quest 2 is an important part of using the device.

Make sure to use the correct charger, keep the battery temperature low, and unplug it as soon as it’s done charging.

Keep in mind it takes about 2.5 hours for your Oculus Quest 2 to charge, so plan accordingly.

Finally, remember not to let your battery drain completely and to charge when it still has 20-30% of its battery life.

This will help keep your battery healthy and ensure you get the most out of your Oculus Quest 2 experience.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Can you display your Oculus Quest 2 on your TV?
• Can Oculus Quest 2 controllers be used on the original Quest?
• Does the Oculus Quest 2 have expandable storage?
• Can I use my Oculus Quest 2 with my PlayStation?

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post How long does the Oculus Quest 2 take to charge? appeared first on KnowTechie.

The planned removal of the service is in mid-February of 2023, according to a support article Nvidia posted on December 16. GameStream has been available for nearly a decade at this point.

GameStream allowed users to stream games to their Shield devices in up to 4K 60fps.

Think of it as an in-home self-hosted version of the company’s cloud game streaming services, GeForce NOW.

The game streaming service didn’t require a monthly subscription to use. Instead, users needed a powerful gaming PC with an Nvidia graphics card on the same network.

The PC would run the game and stream it to the Nvidia Shield device.

The company has also opted to remove GameStream completely from Shield devices and the GeForce Experience app on PC that handled the streaming side.

Nvidia says users can replace it with Steam Link, Valve’s built-in game streaming service inside Steam. While that is true, some users say that Steam Link is inferior in quality to GameStream.

We wonder what this means for the Nvidia Shield family of devices. Is this the start of Nvidia phasing those out?

The tablet hasn’t been sold for some time now, and the latest Shield TV device came out in 2019.

We commend Nvidia for supporting its older devices for so long. That can’t be cheap, especially when bringing new device features.

Users can possibly avoid the mid-February update to keep GameStream for a little longer. But there’s no guarantee it won’t stop working entirely at some point after that.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Amazon Luna game streaming comes to Samsung smart TVs
• Will game streaming finally kill single-game purchases?
• Xbox is working on a Roku-like device for game streaming
• Streamer tackles seemingly impossible Elden Ring challenge

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Nvidia ends GameStream support after nearly a decade appeared first on KnowTechie.

• Ugreen Nexode 100W USB C Charging Station: $99.99
• Ugreen Nexode 65W USB C Charging Station: $59.99

The 100W and 65W chargers both come with four ports and feature ultra-fast charging thanks to support for Power Delivery 3.0 and Quick Charge 4+ protocols. 

In addition, their advanced GaN II technology helps to protect devices from overheating during charging. 

The 100W charger includes three USB-C ports and one USB-A port, while the 65W version has two. 

Both chargers feature dynamic temperature sensors and an intelligent PMW chip that adjusts power output to protect devices from overheating. 

Their UL94-V0-rated shells and heat dissipation designs also ensure safe overnight charging.

These chargers work with a ton of stuff, like MacBooks, iPhones, Samsungs, iPads, and even the Steam Deck. Basically, if you’ve got a device that needs charging, these chargers can handle it.

The 100W charger is priced at $99.99 on Amazon, while the 65W charger is available for $55.99. Buyers can also find them on Ugreen’s website.

Both chargers have broad compatibility and eliminate the need for multiple chargers while saving desktop space.

With prices starting at just $55.99, these chargers are an affordable and practical choice for anyone looking to streamline their charging setup. 

So, if you’re tired of juggling multiple chargers and cords, Ugreen’s new desktop chargers might be the perfect solution.

I’ve tested these over a few weeks, and they’re awesome. Definitely worth checking out.

Learn More

Ugreen Nexode USB C Desktop Chargers

Who are these chargers for? Oh, just about anyone with more than one device and a desire to charge them all at once without turning their desk into a tangled mess of cords. Plus, they’re super affordable. Check them out.

See at Amazon

See at Ugreen

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review: Ugreen Nexode 140W USB-C GaN Charger
• This UGREEN charger is like Apple MagSafe, but a whole lot cheaper
• Review: UGREEN HiTune X6 Noise Cancelling Earbuds – almost everything you want under $40
• These speedy GaN chargers are an excellent alternative to your laptop’s charging brick

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Ugreen’s new desktop chargers keep your devices charged fast appeared first on KnowTechie.

As always, Samsung is looking to improve on the Galaxy S22 with the launch of the S23. That will likely mean nicer cameras, improved performance, and better battery life.

Rumors and leaks tend to fly out regularly ahead of a new smartphone release. As a good rule, it’s smart to take these rumors with a grain of salt until Samsung reveals official information on its new phone.

But there has been a lot of discussion on the Galaxy S23. So let’s check out some rumors and leaked specs surrounding Samsung’s next phone.

Galaxy S23 release date

Samsung usually releases its Galaxy smartphones around February of every year. So far, nothing suggests that Samsung will stray drastically from its usual February release window.

Occasionally, Samsung will go a little early with its release, with the Galaxy coming out in January. That was the case with the Galaxy S21, which came out in January 2021.

A recent leak suggests that Samsung could possibly be considering a similar window with the Galaxy S23. A recent report from ETNews suggests that the Galaxy S23 could come out three weeks earlier than its predecessor in 2022.

Samsung announced the S22 on February 9. That means that Samsung could reveal the Galaxy S23 as early as January 19.

Sources claim that Samsung could move its release window up to help compete with other smartphones. The iPhone 14 is out now, along with the Google Pixel 7.

By releasing the Galaxy S23 earlier, Samsung could steal some potential iPhone or Pixel customers at the turn of the new year.

Samsung Galaxy S23 pricing

Regarding pricing, we haven’t heard anything about the Samsung Galaxy S23 yet. For now, we can only speculate on the potential price compared to the S22.

The Samsung Galaxy S22 started at $799. That was for the basic model with the least amount of storage possible. The Galaxy S22 Ultra started at $1,199 for the 128GB version and ranged to $1,399 for 512GB of storage.

Ideally, the Galaxy S23 would be in the same price range. $799 is an affordable entry point for a flagship phone, and the $1,199 start price for the Ultra version is pretty standard for those looking for the best of the best.

But prices of technology have been a little chaotic in recent years. Supply chain issues and huge inflation have caused prices of just about everything to go up.

We wouldn’t be surprised if the price of the Galaxy S23 is higher than that of its predecessor. We’ll update this when we hear anything else about the price of the S23.

Galaxy S23 design

From everything we’ve seen so far, the design of the Samsung Galaxy S23 will be very familiar to those who have tried out the Galaxy S22.

A leak from known leaker Ice Universe says that the size of the Galaxy S23 will be increased very slightly. All versions of the phone are said to feature minimal increases in size across the board.

The regular Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus will also feature a similar increase in size. The thought behind this increase in size is that Samsung has increased the size of the outer bezel, though the reason for that change is unknown.

Another thing that has changed on the Galaxy S23 is the camera array. This time around, Samsung is designing its camera array on all three versions of the S23 similarly to the S22 Ultra.

Leaked renders from OnLeaks and Digit show what the Galaxy S23 could look like. The renders show how all three versions have rear cameras that are individually embedded and separated from each other.

That represents a shift over the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus. Both of those versions had cameras embedded into a single unit together. The S23 separates them all, creating three individual units.

Performance and specs

The chipset of the Galaxy S23 has been a hot topic in the leak world.

Word has it that the company is currently debating whether its Galaxy S line of phones should stick to Qualcomm processors or use Samsung’s own Exynos chips.

Samsung’s Exynos chips have a history of not working as well as Qualcomm Snapdragon chips in Galaxy devices. Snapdragon chipsets have regularly outperformed Exynos in both performance and efficiency.

This summer, Qualcomm revealed that it would be powering Galaxy flagship phones globally, starting with the Galaxy S23. So that would suggest that Samsung is going to Snapdragon with all S23 versions.

However, SamMobile claims that Samsung is still working on a new chipset, the Exynos 2300. There’s still a possibility that this could go in some Galaxy S23 devices.

The battery in the Samsung Galaxy S23 line is slightly increasing, at least for the basic version. Both the S23 and S23 Plus are getting slightly improved batteries over their predecessors.

The Galaxy S23 will ship with a 3,900mAh and the S23 Plus comes with 4,700mAh. The FCC filing mentioned above confirms the sizes of all S23 batteries.

The S23 Ultra, however, won’t get the same treatment. The Ultra will maintain the same battery as the S22 Ultra and S21 Ultra. Still, the 5,000mAh battery will keep your phone going all day.

Cameras

A few camera improvements are likely coming to the Galaxy S23 line. To kick things off, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is reportedly getting a massive improvement in the form of a 200MP main camera.

That represents a huge change over the 108MP camera included on the Galaxy S22 Ultra.

A supposed comparison from Ice Universe shows the difference between images with a 108MP camera versus a 200MP camera. And the difference is pretty impressive.

Beyond that, rumors say that the front cameras on the S23 and S23 Plus are better than the S22 models.

The two base models will now include a 12MP front camera, the first improvement on those cameras since 2019.

Those are all of the rumored improvements coming to Galaxy S23 cameras. The telephoto and ultrawide cameras are supposedly unchanged in the Samsung Galaxy S23 line.

Expect improvements but no major changes with the Samsung Galaxy S23

Samsung’s next line of Galaxy S phones will likely feature significant improvements over their predecessors. The S23 and S23 Ultra are getting better batteries, and all versions have improved cameras.

But the design is mostly staying the same. Samsung is likely increasing the bezel size very slightly, leading to an overall increase in size, although very minimal.

And it looks like Samsung will continue to utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon silicon to power its device, although Exynos could make a surprise return.

We haven’t heard much about the price or release date, though we expect neither will change much.

Expect the Galaxy S23 to come out sometime in February with a starting price of around $799 for the base model and $1,199 for the S23 Ultra.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• iPhone 15: News, rumors, leaks, pricing, and release date
• Is the Samsung Galaxy S22 waterproof?
• How to turn off WiFi calling on Samsung phones
• How to add emergency contacts on a Samsung Galaxy phone

The post Samsung Galaxy S23: news, rumors, features, and release date appeared first on KnowTechie.

Apple is working on an AR/VR headset. The company hasn’t officially confirmed one, but it clearly sees the technology as a critical part of its future.

We’ve been seeing leaks about the potential headset for a while now. The company reportedly showed its headset to its board of directors in May 2022.

Additionally, many have speculated on what to expect when the headset launches.

Since Apple hasn’t officially revealed its headset to the public, there’s no way of knowing exactly when it will come out. But several industry insiders have weighed in, giving us a better idea about timeframes.

When is the Apple AR/VR headset coming out?

Short answer: Likely in the second half of 2023.

Early suggestions claimed we could see Apple’s AR/VR headset in January 2023. However, recent reports from industry insiders point to a release date later in the year.

Popular Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared an update in December 2022 stating that Apple’s shipment schedule for the headset is now slated for the second half of 2023.

Ming Chi-Kuo has also reported that the reveal event for Apple’s AR/VR headset is likely coming in January 2023. If that’s the case, we should learn exactly when the headset is coming at the event.

Another report from DigiTimes says that Apple will begin mass production of the headset in March 2023. That would give the company reasonable time to ship the device in the second half of the year.

Of course, these are all rumors as of now. We won’t know exactly when the VR headset will be available until Apple officially reveals it.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• iPhone 15: News, rumors, leaks, pricing, and release date
• Samsung Galaxy S23: news, rumors, features, and release date
• Google Pixel 8: Release, price, and features
• How and where to preorder Sony’s PS VR2 headset

The post When is the Apple AR/VR headset going on sale? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Most modern-day smartphones have at least some sort of water protection. The same goes for the Samsung Galaxy S22.

The Galaxy S22 is Samsung’s 2022 flagship entry into the smartphone market. The range includes the Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, and S22 Ultra, each with upgrades over previous models.

Samsung’s 2022 smartphone line has many features, like an impressive camera array and plenty of storage options.

But what kind of water protection can you expect with the Galaxy S22? Is it waterproof?

Is the Samsung Galaxy S22 waterproof?

Short answer: It isn’t quite waterproof, but the Galaxy S22 is water resistant.

Most electronics aren’t completely waterproof. Complete waterproofing in tech is typically reserved for diving apparatuses and similar gadgets that are made to be used underwater.

But the Samsung Galaxy S22 does have water resistance (the jury is still out on the Galaxy S23, however).

In fact, all three versions of the phone come with IP68 water resistance ratings.

IP is a scale that judges a product’s water and dust resistance. The first number, six, represents dust resistance.

Six is the best dust resistance rating on the IP scale, offering a fully dust-tight seal for protection.

The “8” in the IP68 rating for the S22 line is its water resistance rating.

That rating states that a device can be submerged in water deeper than one meter for up to 30 minutes.

READ MORE: Is the iPhone 13 waterproof?

Samsung specifies that the Galaxy S22’s maximum water depth is 1.5 meters. After that, water pressure can cause damage more quickly.

The Galaxy S22 isn’t waterproof, but it can survive minor accidents

As a safe bet, it’s best to keep your phone away from water whenever possible. The Galaxy S22 isn’t waterproof. But, it isn’t fragile either.

In the case of accidents, it’s nice to know that there is some protection against permanent damage built into these smartphones.

You could also add a protective case for additional safety measures.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• iPhone 14 vs. Galaxy S22 – which smartphone is the better buy?
• How to take a screenshot on the Samsung Galaxy S21
• Can the Samsung Galaxy S21 be charged wirelessly?
• Review Roundup – Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s but one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Is the Samsung Galaxy S22 waterproof? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Unfortunately, that means some cybercriminals capitalize on their popularity and weaponize them as attack methods.

Here are some ways to tell if a malicious party has targeted your USB.

The device behaves differently when you plug it in

One of the surest signs that all is not well with your USB is if it does something strange after you start using it.

Perhaps the USB device icon on your desktop is now a folder rather than the USB icon you expect. Maybe it has no icon, and you only see the drive’s name.

You might see a few extra options on the right-click menu or notice that certain menu choices you recently used without fail don’t work when you click them.

The strangeness may continue when you try to access specific files. Maybe you want to access a Microsoft Word file on a PC with the latest word-processing program.

Even so, you’ll see the “Open With” window on your screen, prompting you to choose a program that can handle the file.

That’s a warning sign that the Word file may be in a different format than you expect, suggesting that a hacker tampered with it manually or with malware.

One type of USB-distributed malware causes Windows Security boxes to briefly appear on the screen before going away.

That’s because the associated malware can only work with certain security settings disabled.

Try to remain familiar with the normal behaviors of your device. If it starts performing differently due to possible weaponization, you’ll catch on quickly and have the best chance of mitigating the problem.

You see a ransomware message

Cybercriminals sometimes rely on USB drives to spread ransomware. Malware locks down files until you pay a requested amount of money.

The trouble is that payment is no guarantee of regaining access to the files. Sometimes, hackers receive money from their victims but keep the files inaccessible.

In early 2022, the FBI sent a security warning informing organizations of a known scheme whereby cybercriminals distributed ransomware on USB drives sent through the mail.

The parties investigating the issue said the perpetrators impersonated federal organizations and even Amazon, all attempting to get victims to use the USB drives on their computers.

Ransomware messages are typically straightforward, leaving no doubt that you have an infected system and must pay to resolve the issue.

The perpetrators often insist on people paying the ransom with cryptocurrency because such transactions are harder to trace.

The USB started working differently after you used a shared machine

Online learning programs and resources have forever changed education for the better. They share a characteristic with USBs in that they make materials more accessible.

People taking an online program can usually pull up the course content from anywhere. Similarly, a USB drive allows a person to plug the device into any computer and see the files on that machine.

However, using a USB across multiple machines is a risk factor, particularly if those other machines don’t have updated antivirus software. Experts mention that provenance helps keep USB devices safe.

In other words, one of the safest ways to use them is only on your personal computers or those you know have tight virus defenses.

Your computer starts acting strangely

One of the reasons why hackers like orchestrating USB drive attacks is that they can often do damage before people know something’s wrong.

All a targeted person needs to do is plug an infected device into their computer. Then, malware installations begin automatically.

That’s why you might not immediately notice something wrong when using the USB drive.

The issues may start hours or even days later once the malware has altered settings on your machine and thoroughly infected it.

Learn about some of the most common symptoms of a malware infection. Then, realize they may happen after you use a compromised USB device on the machine.

You may see random windows appearing on the screen or notice intrusive ads you can’t close.

The computer might start running slowly, or you could notice that your browser automatically redirects when you try to visit familiar sites, such as Google.

Handle USB drives with care

USB drives are frequent targets of hackers. However, you can make yourself less vulnerable to cybersecurity issues by thinking carefully about how you use them.

For example, only plug the devices into computers you know and trust. Never plug a USB drive into your computer if you unexpectedly receive one in the mail.

The same goes if you find one randomly lying on the ground in a highly trafficked area, such as a parking lot.

These are some straightforward preventive measures that can stop the worst from happening.

Curiosity might nearly get the best of you when you find a USB drive unexpectedly, but using it with your machine could prove a massive mistake.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Why backups should be a part of your ransomware protection strategy
• Why we fear ransomware attacks
• Did you know Windows 10 comes with ransomware protection? Here’s how to use it
• How to prevent viruses and malware from entering your computer

The post How to tell if your USB is weaponized appeared first on KnowTechie.

Pricing starts at $949 and should release in March 2023. That’s nearly a thousand dollars for the futuristic, active noise-canceling headphones that just happen to filter air and spray it at your nose and mouth.

The electrostatic filters in each ear cup pull out particulates like pollen and dust; and environmental pollution like nitrogen dioxide and ozone. After that, clean air is pushed into the facemask.

The headphones also have active noise cancellation, which will have to be impressive considering the two tiny motors and compressors on each ear. A 2,600 mAh battery provides 50 hours of listening with ANC on.

Air filtration drops the battery life to four hours on the lowest setting. The medium setting gives 2.5 hours, and the high setting gives just 90 minutes. They’re heavy too, coming in at 595 grams without the visor.

We have doubts about the safety of the Dyson Zone

It’s worth mentioning that when we first covered the Zone, questions were raised over its safety during the pandemic. Dyson hasn’t answered those questions convincingly.

As Dyson puts it, the gentle airflow might mean that the Zone is no longer a “snot rocket.” The genuine concern is that it doesn’t have to have high airflow to put airborne diseases into a wide area.

Dyson has said that “the visor blocks a lot of [those] droplets.” That’s outdated thinking, as the WHO has stated the novel coronavirus is airborne.

The company also claims that the purified airflow mixes with your breath, “scientifically reduc[ing] the concentration of the germs or the particles in your exhaled air.” That just doesn’t make sense, especially in a closed space.

This all means any air gaps will increase transmission. We can’t dispute Dyson’s claims of pollution filtering, but the potential risks for public safety are still there.

Maybe that’s not going to matter, as the $949 price tag is going to reduce the number of devices that hit the streets.

Dyson is bringing the Zone to the U.S. in March of 2023 on an “appointment-based” pre-order arrangement to start with. The company says that Zone will be available on Dyson.com and at Dyson Demo stores shortly after.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review: Haylou PurFree Bone Conduction headphones
• New Sennheiser headphones boast impressive 60-hour battery life
• Study shows AirPods can be used as affordable hearing aids
• Elon Musk puts an end to Twitter’s COVID misinformation policy

The post Dyson’s air-purifying headphones are a wallet killer appeared first on KnowTechie.

Amazon promised to bring the Fire TV experience to the Echo Show 15 in September. The company found that over 70 percent of Echo Show 15 users use the device to watch videos.

Now, you’ll be able to stream video from a wide range of apps on your Echo Show 15.

You’ll have access to the entire Fire TV catalog, including popular apps like YouTube, Prime Video, Netflix, and more.

Of customers that used their Echo Show 15 device last month, over 70% used it to watch videos. So, at no extra cost, we’re adding the @amazonfiretv experience to new & existing Echo Show 15s. We think customers will love having access to the Fire TV content they know and love.

— Amazon News (@amazonnews) September 28, 2022

You can navigate through the various streaming apps on the Echo Show 15 using Alexa or with controls in the Fire TV app on your phone.

Additionally, you can pair an Alexa Voice Remote or use the virtual remote on the Show 15 itself for apps without touch recognition.

The Echo Show 15 falls into a niche category with smart home displays.

The main difference between it and other devices is that it mounts directly to the wall.

That might not be the ideal option for everyone. But it can be really useful to help control a smart home with tons of smart devices connected to one another.

And now you can enjoy the entire Fire TV experience on the Echo Show 15 whenever you want.

To help celebrate its new free update, Amazon is offering a limited-time deal on an Echo Show 15 and Alexa Voice Remote bundle.

You can get the full bundle for $194.99, saving you $85.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Why is Alexa flashing blue and green?
• How to factory reset the Echo Dot? (Gen 1 to Gen 4)
• How to connect Echo and Echo Dot to WiFi (with or without Alexa app)?
• Meta just killed the Portal and its unreleased smartwatch

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s but one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post You can now use Amazon’s Echo Show 15 as a Fire TV appeared first on KnowTechie.

Released in 2018, the Bose Soundbar 700 is a one-stop solution for all your audio needs.

The soundbar offers a well-balanced sound profile and a range of smart features, such as support for voice assistants, Spotify music streaming, and multi-room capabilities.

However, the Bose Music app is required to access most of these features, and many users have reported connectivity issues with the app.

So if your new Bose Soundbar 700 won’t connect to the Bose app or has just stopped working, this post will offer a few easy fixes that should help you out.

Disconnections from the Bose App can be frustrating, but there are a few steps you can try to resolve the issue.

If your Bose Soundbar 700 is not connecting to the app, one or two of these steps will hopefully help you fix the issue.

Check the distance

You first need to check the distance between your Bose Soundbar 700 and the smartphone on which the Bose Music app is installed.

Per the company’s recommendations, the distance should not exceed 30 feet or 10 meters.

READ MORE: How to reset a Bose soundbar

Ensure you enabled Bluetooth on your smartphone, as the Bose app uses BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) to detect the soundbar.

For iPhone users running iOS 13 and above, as soon as you install the Bose Music app and open it, a notification asks for permission to allow Bose Music app to use Bluetooth.

If you have denied it, then the app won’t be able to detect the soundbar.

Check the Bose Music app

Sometimes, the issue could be with the Bose Music app, not the soundbar. If the Soundbar 700 isn’t showing up in the app, you might have to restart the app.

READ MORE: How to connect two Bose speakers together

Check if any updates are available for the Bose Music app. If yes, then make sure to install them, as updates usually bring bug fixes and improvements.

Apart from the Bluetooth connectivity, you would also have to allow the app permission to access your location.

In addition to this, you can also try removing and re-adding the Bose Soundbar 700  from the Bose Music app.

Once it is removed, restart the app and soundbar, and then try adding the soundbar from scratch.

READ MORE: How to connect a Bose soundbar to your TV

Another option is to uninstall the Bose Music app on your iPhone.

If you don’t have an iPhone, clear the app’s cache if you’re on an Android device. If that doesn’t fix the issue, you might have to delete and reinstall the Bose Music app.

To do so, first, delete the app and then restart your smartphone.

Now go to the App Store/Google Play Store and download the Bose Music app. Then open the app and try setting up the soundbar again.

Check the router

If other devices on your network are taking up most of the router bandwidth, the Bose Music app might not be able to connect to the soundbar.

So, temporarily unplug such devices from the network and check if that fixes the issue.

Bose also recommends disabling these settings for your Wi-Fi network:

• Access Point / AP mode
• Wireless Isolation mode
• Wireless AP mode

If your router is broadcasting more than one network at a time, it can be the case that your smartphone and soundbar are not connected to the same Wi-Fi.

Try disabling all networks except the one you want to connect to and see if that solves the issue.

Also, if your router uses a Wi-Fi extender, try connecting your phone to the network without using the extender.

Also, you should reboot the router as well. To do it, simply unplug the router from the power outlet and wait for a minute or two.

From here, plug it back in and once the router is back online, try connecting the Bose Soundbar 700 to the app again.

Check the Wi-Fi Connection

If you are still facing issues, the Bose Soundbar 700 might be unable to connect to your home Wi-Fi network.

If you are setting up your soundbar for the first time, it needs to appear in the app first so you can fill in your Wi-Fi credentials.

But in our case, the device is either not appearing or is refusing to connect via the app.

There is an alternate way to connect the Soundbar 700 to your home network without using the app, but it is quite tedious.

You can use the soundbar’s built-in WiFi settings to connect the Bose Soundbar 700 to your home network without using the Bose Music app. Here’s how to do it

If the above steps don’t help, the next and final step is to reset your Bose Soundbar 700.

You can either power cycle, soft reset the device, or erase all data by factory resetting it to its default settings.

To soft reset, simply unplug the device from the power socket and wait for a minute. Now plug it back in and turn it ON.

If that doesn’t work, you can try factory resetting the device, which will erase all data and settings.

To do that, press and hold the ‘Power‘ and ‘Skip Forwards‘ buttons for 4-5 seconds.

With all the different settings and options on your Bose Soundbar 700, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out why it won’t connect to the app.

Whether it is an issue with your network or a problem with your device settings, these tips should help you fix it.

In closing, these are some solutions to fix a Bose Soundbar 700 that’s not connecting with the Bose Music App.

In most cases, one of the above methods should work.

Here’s one final tip: Ensure your soundbar is connected to the same WiFi network as your phone or other devices.

You can check this by going to the settings on your phone and looking for the network name listed under WiFi.

If your soundbar is not connected to the same network, try connecting it to the same network and see if that fixes the issue.

If you’ve tried all of these steps and you’re still having trouble, it may be worth contacting Bose support for further assistance.

They may be able to provide additional troubleshooting steps or help you determine if there is a problem with your soundbar.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Bose remote not working? Here are 5 simple fixes you can try
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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

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With Valve’s Steam Deck gaining some traction in the handheld gaming world, the fine folks at Rockstar have the opportunity to bring GTA 5 to yet another gaming device.

Grand Theft Auto V has had quite the journey regarding releases.

It originally came out for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2013. Later, an enhanced version of the game came out on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.

And finally, the game has been released on the latest console generation, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.

So what about the Steam Deck? GTA 5 is available on Steam, so it would make sense to have it available on Valve’s handheld gaming PC, right?

Is GTA V playable on Steam Deck?

Short answer: Yes, its is, though there might be some minor issues.

At the end of the day, GTA 5 is playable on the Steam Deck. And the word “playable” is key here.

READ MORE: Can Steam Deck play Minecraft?

Valve has a system that verifies how well certain Steam games will work on the device. A Steam Deck Verified game will work perfectly, with no exceptions.

Steam Deck Playable means the game will work, but there could be minor issues. Steam Deck Unsupported games won’t work on the device at all.

GTA 5 falls into the Steam Deck Playable category. The game was tested by Valve back in March of 2022 and ran fine with a couple of minor issues.

READ MORE: Can Steam Deck play Minecraft?

First, Valve warns that the game could have minor graphical issues.

The other potential issue is that the game’s launcher might require you to use the touchscreen of the Steam Deck to operate, and it may be difficult to navigate.

But beyond those minor issues, GTA 5 runs perfectly well on the Steam Deck.

And let’s be honest, some minor graphical issues are probably not too bad to deal with when you can play a game as good as GTA 5 on a handheld gaming computer.

READ MORE: What games can the Steam Deck not play?

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• The best Steam Deck accessories
• Which games in your Steam library work on Steam Deck?
• Does Xbox Cloud Gaming work on the Steam Deck?
• How to use Steam Deck’s hidden shortcuts

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Can the Steam Deck play GTA 5? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Meta’s Oculus Quest 2 was recently fitted with a nice upgrade to the base model.

The original Oculus Quest 2 storage featured a 64GB hard drive for game and app storage, but now the base model has been upgraded to 128GB.

There’s also a 256 GB model that you can snag for $100 more, in case you plan on loading the console up with all the games and apps you can find.

But what about expandable storage? Is there any way to upgrade the amount of hard drive space you have on your Oculus Quest 2 headset?

Can you upgrade the Oculus Quest 2 storage?

Short answer: Nope.

Unfortunately, you can’t add additional storage to your Oculus Quest 2 headset. What you see is what you get. And any mention of Oculus Quest 2 expandable storage is nothing short of a pipe dream.

That’s why it’s important to figure out which version of the headset is best for you before you make your purchase.

The one silver lining in the lack of expandable storage on the Oculus Quest 2 is that most of the games available now are relatively small.

Some recent releases have been a little larger, like Resident Evil 4, sitting at 11.5 GB. But most games are a lot smaller in size.

READ MORE: Which Oculus Quest 2 should you buy?

However, that will change as developers utilize the headset’s capabilities to deliver more impressive games.

Eventually, users will start running into an issue where they must constantly delete and reinstall games.

It’ll be interesting to see how Meta handles that issue when it eventually does happen.

Maybe the next headset that the company releases will finally have an expandable storage option. But for the time being, no dice on an Oculus Quest 2 storage upgrade.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Does the Oculus Quest 2 have expandable storage? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Valve launched its Steam Deck handheld gaming PC back in February of 2022.

At the time, it was available by preorder only, sparking the question of whether or not it would ever be sold in retail stores.

Since the device’s launch, the preorders have cooled down a ton.

In fact, in October of 2022, Valve began selling the Steam Deck from its website without the need for preorders.

But as of now, the device is still not quite available in retail stores. It’s not surprising, given today’s tendency to shop online.

But does that mean Steam Deck will never make its way to retail stores?

Is Steam Deck going to be sold in stores?

Short answer: We still don’t know

The answer is still up in the air when it comes to the Steam Deck making its way to retail stores.

As of December 2022, Valve hasn’t said anything about selling Steam Deck in retail stores. But that could certainly change.

The Steam Deck FAQ page used to have a section about the possibility. It claimed Valve might eventually partner with retailers to bring Steam Deck to brick-and-mortar stores.

However, since then, Valve has updated the FAQ page, and that entry no longer exists.

It’s unclear if Valve scrapped any plans to go retail or if the company is just keeping things close to the chest.

Where to buy a Steam Deck

Your only option to purchase the Steam Deck is to buy one online. Fortunately, however, you don’t have to worry about waiting for a preorder.

Valve says it has enough stock of the Steam Deck for now that orders can go out as soon as you place one.

The company says that could change in the future, but there’s no preorder wait time for now.

Where can you buy the Steam Deck?

To buy your Steam Deck, head to Valve’s website and pick which option you want.

You can choose between 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options for your Steam Deck, and Valve says they’ll be delivered in one to two weeks.

There’s still a chance that Steam Deck could come to stores

It took Valve a little less than a year to get its inventory in enough order that it no longer had to rely on preorders.

Launching in retail stores when the Steam Deck first launched would have likely been disastrous.

But now that things have calmed down and inventory is in order, it seems like Steam Deck might come to a store near you.

However, the company has yet to say anything that would suggest that. So to answer your question, sadly, there’s no option to buy a Steam Deck in stores.

So if you’re looking to get your hands on a Steam Deck as quickly as possible, you’ll have to head to the Valve website and order one directly.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• The best Steam Deck accessories
• Is Steam Deck better than PC?
• Can Steam Deck play Minecraft?
• What games can the Steam Deck not play?

The post Will Steam Deck be sold in stores? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Samsung’s Galaxy S21 is a powerful and affordable option in the smartphone market.

At the starting price of just $799, it offers great value. But did Samsung skimp out on waterproof protection to cut the Galaxy S21 price?

With smartphones becoming more and more a part of everyone’s everyday life, you’ll likely have concerns about the reliability of these expensive devices.

$800 is a lot of money, so you’ll also want to keep your Galaxy S21 safe.

One of the biggest questions concerning any smartphone is whether or not the device is waterproof. In the case of the Samsung Galaxy S21, the answer may surprise you.

So, is the Galaxy S21 waterproof?

Short Answer: Yes, the Galaxy S21 has an IP68 rating.

Samsung users will be pleased to hear that the Galaxy S21 is, in fact, waterproof. Technically, the Galaxy S21 is IP68-rated.

READ MORE: Are the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 water and dust-resistant?

It is generally a good idea to keep your smartphones as far away from water as possible. However, exposing your phone to wet areas can sometimes be unavoidable.

So, how waterproof does that make the Galaxy S21?

IP68 is an international standards rating that ensures that this device is capable of withstanding submersion in water up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes.

And the 6 in IP68 also means that the Galaxy S21 is dustproof, as well. However, it is important to note that water and electronics still do not play well together.

Though the phone can go through that kind of stress, it is a good idea to avoid water as much as possible.

Where this water resistance thrives is for people like me, who tend to drop their phones in the toilet or the bathtub, as opposed to a pool or the ocean.

Wrapping up: No, the Samsung Galaxy S21 is not waterproof. But slapping on a waterproof case can help protect your Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, or S21 Ultra from water – essentially making it waterproof.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Is the Samsung Galaxy S21 waterproof? appeared first on KnowTechie.

When it comes to connecting two pairs of AirPods to an iPhone, Apple doesn’t limit your ability.

If you have a second set of ears or want to share a song with someone else, pairing multiple AirPods to one device may be useful.

Can you connect two AirPods to one phone? Luckily, Apple’s iOS software has all the right features to make the magic happen.

The procedure isn’t complicated but does involve quite a few steps. Let’s run through the process of connecting two pairs of AirPods to one phone.

Connect two pairs of AirPods to one device

The short explanation of the process goes like this: connect your AirPods and then use AirPlay to send audio to both sets. In reality, it’s that simple, but sometimes we get lost along the way.

READ MORE: How to make AirPods and AirPods Pro louder

If you’d prefer to know the step-by-step procedure of connecting two AirPods to one device, you’ve come to the right place.

READ MORE: How to check your AirPods battery level

From the Control Center, you can deselect a pair of earbuds when you want to disconnect them.

Also, you should keep each set within Bluetooth range of your device to avoid losing the connection.

Do you need to connect two pairs of AirPods?

Situations where you would need to pair two sets of AirPods aren’t common, but they do occasionally arise.

READ MORE: Can you use AirPods on in-flight TVs?

If you connect to someone else’s earphones, you should remember to disconnect them when you’re done.

You wouldn’t want someone to discover your questionable taste in music accidentally.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How do Apple’s AirTags work?
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• AirPods microphone not working? Here’s how to fix it

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post How to connect two pairs of AirPods to one phone appeared first on KnowTechie.

All Amazon Echo devices have lights that indicate their status. These lights can be solid, spinning, or blinking, and they all have different stories to tell.

If your Echo device starts flashing blue, green, orange, or any other color, it could be due to several reasons.

Thankfully, this does not usually indicate a problem. In this post, we will explain what the different colors of your Echo device’s lights mean.

Alexa flashing blue/cyan

So, why is Alex flashing blue? If you see your Alexa device with a flashing blue light, it means that she is processing your request.

This is perfectly normal, and this often happens when using your Echo. It indicates that Alexa is listening to you and waiting for a command.

Usually, a spinning light-blue/cyan light will accompany the solid Blue color.

When you speak to your Alexa-enabled device, the blue light ring remains still and points in your direction. The blue light will start flashing blue when Alexa responds to your request.

The same blue light also appears when your Echo device is going through a firmware update. However, the blue ring glimmers instead of solid blue light.

Alexa flashing green

Why is Alexa flashing green?

A green light appears in two configurations: pulsating and spinning. A pulsating green light means that your Echo device is receiving a call.

As soon as you accept the call, the light starts to spin.

A green spinning light will also appear when a family member or friend has just used the ‘Drop In‘ feature on your Echo device.

Alexa flashing yellow

A pulsing Yellow light on your Echo device indicates that it has an important message or notification for you.

This could be a message from Amazon, or it might be a reminder that you set yourself.

To hear these messages, just say, “Alexa, play my notifications/messages.”

Alexa flashing white

If your Echo devices have a white light that’s constantly spinning, it means that Alexa Guard is ON and the device is in listening mode.

This feature is designed to detect suspicious noises so that you can be alerted if something is happening at home while you’re away.

White light also appears briefly when you turn up/down the volume of your Echo device to indicate the level you’ve set.

Alexa flashing purple

A purple light ring indicates a Wi-Fi connectivity error with your Alexa device.

These signs usually appear when setting up your device for the first time and it is not connecting to your home Wi-Fi network.

However, the same purple light also appears as you speak to Alexa in the ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode.

A violet ring briefly indicates that the smart assistant is hearing your command.

Alexa flashing red

The solid Red light ring appears as soon as you mute your Echo device.

To remove the red light, you need to unmute your device by pressing the small ‘Mic’ button on the top.

But, if your Echo device is constantly flashing red light, it indicates a critical error that can be anything from internet connectivity to issues with the Alexa device itself.

Alexa flashing orange

An orange Light on your Alexa device usually appears when setting up a Wi-Fi connection on your Echo Device.

As soon as you press the action button, a solid Orange ring indicates the device is in pairing mode.

The orange light will start spinning as Echo is in the process of connecting to a Wi-Fi network.

Wrapping up

These are some of the most common lights and colors you’ll see on your Echo, and hopefully, this guide has answered any questions you had.

Overall, the colors flashing on your Echo device can provide important info about its status and any potential issues it may be experiencing.

If you’re unsure what a particular color or pattern of flashing lights means, you can try consulting the device’s user manual or contacting Amazon customer support for assistance.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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