All posts tagged: ways

3 ways to monitor your appliances with an ESP32 (no smart plugs needed)

3 ways to monitor your appliances with an ESP32 (no smart plugs needed)

Published by skeptic

Smart plugs are convenient, but they’re not always the right tool for the job. They generally max out at 15 to 20 amps, and they won’t work with hardwired appliances like a water heater or dryer. Besides, at roughly $20 a piece, buying one for each appliance in your house becomes expensive fast. But just like a $5 ESP32 can do a lot for your home network, it can also do a lot for your smart home. Pair up with the appropriate sensor, and there are tons of ways you can monitor your appliance without ever having to deal with a smart sensor. Related I wasted money on the wrong ESP board because nobody explained this upfront Buying ESP boards shouldn’t feel like gambling. See exactly how much power your appliances use CT clamps turn any appliance into a real-time energy monitor If you want real watt-hour data—the kind that tells you exactly how much electricity your refrigerator or washing machine is pulling—a current transformer (CT) clamp is the way to go. A split-core sensor …

5 ways Android Auto beats your car’s own infotainment system – hands down

5 ways Android Auto beats your car’s own infotainment system – hands down

Published by skeptic

Artie Beaty/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google ZDNET’s key takeaways Android Auto has several advantages over your car’s own system. Not only does it update often, but it has access to far more apps. It also makes setup far easier if you’re switching between cars. In-car infotainment screens are getting bigger than ever, and most modern vehicles have the equivalent of a tablet built into the dashboard. While some manufacturers’ systems run on Android Automotive, or what’s called “Google built-in,” most have their own software specific to that automaker. The majority of that built-in software is walled off and limited. Also: I’ve used Android Auto with Gemini for 2 months now – it’s transformed my drives in 4 ways Android Automotive is a robust software platform that takes advantage of the Android ecosystem and functions much like (or even better than) Android Auto. If your car runs on Android Automotive, there’s not a lot to gain by switching to Android Auto. But if you’re using one of the other built-in systems, …

3 ways a smarter Siri could make me rethink the HomePod over Sonos and Bose

3 ways a smarter Siri could make me rethink the HomePod over Sonos and Bose

Published by skeptic

Maria Diaz/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Gen AI Siri upgrades are expected at WWDC. A smarter Siri could make HomePod more useful. Siri remains HomePod’s biggest advantage. It’s been three years since Apple released a smart speaker, and competitors from Sonos, Bose, Denon, and Amazon are taking advantage of Apple’s absence. Apple’s contemporaries have made meaningful strides in fidelity, whole-home audio support, and expanded smart home integration. Also: Forget the soundbar: How I upgraded my TV audio with spare Bluetooth speakers Still, HomePod’s integration with Apple’s device ecosystem, consisting of smartphones, laptops, tablets, and more, gives the company’s smart speaker a significant edge over its contemporaries. Additionally, one other major advantage sets Apple apart from others: Siri. Siri has its limitations, but Apple is expected to announce meaningful gen AI upgrades to its voice assistant during this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). If a reborn Siri seems promising, here’s how I’d like it to behave in HomePod. 1. Smarter music discovery HomePod’s primary functions are serving …

6 easy ways I make Zorin OS even faster and more secure

6 easy ways I make Zorin OS even faster and more secure

Published by skeptic

Jack Wallen\ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Here are six ways to improve security and performance in Zorin OS. Each of these tricks is easy enough for anyone to handle. These tweaks are free and take little time. Zorin OS is one of my favorite Linux distributions. It’s beautiful, simple, and, best of all, it’s Linux. Although Zorin OS is great out of the box, there are ways you can make it even better, even in areas like performance and security. What’s more, these configurations aren’t nearly as challenging as you might think. Also: 10 Linux apps I always install first – and you should too With that said, let’s make Zorin OS the best it can be. 1. Enable the firewall Although Linux is the most secure operating system on the market, you can still improve it further. One such tweak is to enable the firewall. Surprisingly, most distributions ship with the firewall disabled, and Zorin OS is no exception. This is something you should do right out of …

Wind from Milky Way’s supermassive black hole is finally discovered

Wind from Milky Way’s supermassive black hole is finally discovered

Published by Sam Flores

WASHINGTON, June 5 : After five decades of trying, astronomers have finally discovered the wind emanating from the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy, though it turns out it is more of a gentle breeze than a hurricane. Using data from the Chile-based ALMA telescope and NASA’s orbiting Chandra X-ray Observatory, the researchers viewed the cosmic neighborhood around the black hole – called Sagittarius A*, or Sgr A* for short. They spotted a vast conical cavity filled with hot, electrically charged gas adjacent to Sgr A* that they concluded was sculpted by wind blowing from the black hole that swept away or heated up the cold gas that had populated the region. They said the energy needed to create such a cavity could be generated only by a supermassive black hole. Black holes are extraordinarily dense objects with gravity so strong that not even light can escape. Galaxies typically have a supermassive black hole at their core that pulls in gas and other material in its surroundings. Scientists decades ago …

The surprising ways pets can affect your mental health, according to experts

The surprising ways pets can affect your mental health, according to experts

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Owning a pet can be a roller coaster. There are the highs, like when your dog greets you with a full-body wiggle when you return home, or when your cat purrs loudly as you cuddle next to one another. Then there are the lows, like stressful trips to urgent care, waking up to that unpleasant vomiting noise, or making the difficult choice to say goodbye because of medical problems or even intractable behavioral issues. For those pet-owners who are struggling, it’s beneficial to their mental health to acknowledge that pets can create stress and that some animals are more work than others. Research has shown that both cats and dogs can have equally positive impacts on mental health. Pets can provide constant companionship for individuals and families (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Pets may be helpful at reducing stress, anxiety and feelings of being …

Always have a starter – and be wary of specials: restaurant critics on 14 ways to order the perfect meal | Life and style

Always have a starter – and be wary of specials: restaurant critics on 14 ways to order the perfect meal | Life and style

Published by Sam Flores

For many of us, going to a restaurant is a real treat, so you want to make the most of every mouthful. From starters to small plates, how can you ensure that you have the best possible dining experience? Restaurant critics share the insider secrets to ordering well when eating out. Don’t overplan “I would normally have a glance at the menu,” says London-based Jimi Famurewa, who is a broadcaster, and a columnist and restaurant writer for Broadsheet London. But, says Famurewa, a bit of mystery can enhance the whole experience: “There is something to be said for having an element of surprise, like a bistro or gastro pub where they write the menu every day. If you have a vague idea that it is cuisine you like, or you’ve seen some dishes online that look appealing, then you’ll be all right.” Look for the anomaly ‘Even if the rest of the menu has no surprises, one unusual thing on it may be a sign that the chef cares.’ Photograph: Posed by model; andresr/Getty Images …

6 ways to boost your heart health this summer

6 ways to boost your heart health this summer

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore As we enter the summer season, it’s the perfect time to give your heart a little extra care and attention. Prioritising your heart health doesn’t require a huge lifestyle overhaul, as small consistent changes often make the biggest difference. The longer days, blue skies and abundance of fresh seasonal produce that this warmer time of year provides makes it easier than ever to embrace healthy habits that support your cardiovascular health and overall wellbeing. Emily McGrath (BHF /PA) We spoke to Emily McGrath, senior cardiac nurse at British Heart Foundation (BHF), who shared six easy ways to boost your heart health this summer. 1. Find an activity that you enjoy Summer is a great time to get active. “Exercise is really important because it helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels which are risk factors of cardiovascular disease,” explains McGrath. “Additionally, …

9 Ways Unhappy People Get In Their Own Way | Nancy Carbone

9 Ways Unhappy People Get In Their Own Way | Nancy Carbone

Published by Jenni Sidey

Have you ever noticed that you self-sabotage your chances of happiness and success whenever you put yourself out there and go for what you really want: that guy, that opportunity, or the career you always wanted? No matter how much you want it, you might say self-sabotaging things to yourself like, “I am not good enough,” “I don’t deserve this,” or “He’ll just leave me.”  Sadly, these signs of low self-esteem only perpetuate the problem because you’re getting in your own way. When you don’t believe in yourself deep down and don’t feel good about yourself, you don’t go for the things you want. Or if you do go for the things you want, you end up sabotaging them because you don’t feel entitled to them.  As a result, you end up acting in ways that reinforce these negative beliefs: You may quit that dream job when the going gets tough, you may procrastinate instead of studying for the exam, or cheat on a partner who you think will cheat on you.  When you have …

9 Ways Women With Complex Minds Test Men Without Them Realizing It

9 Ways Women With Complex Minds Test Men Without Them Realizing It

Published by Jenni Sidey

New relationships can be stressful because you don’t know who your partner is yet. As you get to know them better, you begin to see who they really are and if this is a relationship worth investing in. It’s not unusual for a man’s behavior to change over time as he gets more comfortable with someone. He might act seem devoted and respectful at the beginning, and grow inconsistent and rude as more time passes. This can lead to heartbreak when you realize they aren’t the kind of person you want to be, even though you felt so certain they were. Women with complex minds are often able to avoid that kind of pain by testing a man in subtle ways as they get to know each other. In doing so, they avoid becoming overly invested in relationships with a toxic man. Of course, they don’t let him know they’re doing this, because they want to see how he reacts when he thinks no one is thinking critically about his actions. Here are 9 ways …