Author: Shaun M Jooste

I live in South Africa, Cape town, as a father of two children. I've been gaming almost all my life, with plenty of experience writing reviews and articles on the latest titles. With 15 years of experience in local government performing Facilities Management functions, I moved towards becoming CEO of my own company, Celenic Earth Publications, which serves to publish author's books, including my own. I'm a published author of horror and fantasy novels, while I also dabble in game and movie scriptwriting.

You Won’t Believe What THIS Hogwarts Legacy Preview Has In Store!

We’re almost at the point of entering the magical castle introduced to us in the Harry Potter franchise. With a release date of February 10, Hogwarts Legacy promises to be one of the most exhilarating experiences of the fantasy world so far. Fortunately, it looks like a handful of lucky gamers had the chance to test the game before release for a preview.

Hogwarts Legacy DOWNLOAD

I’ve been reading up on some of them over the past two days, and what I’ve seen so far seems exciting. Here are the details of the Hogwarts Legacy previews in my own personal understanding and expectation.

My expectations of Hogwarts Legacy

I want to begin this fantasy tale with what I expect from the upcoming fantasy game. Firstly, let me just express that I’ve read all the HP books, seen all the movies, and played all the PC and PlayStation games that exist. For those of you who don’t care about Harry Potter, you’d probably call me insane. Yet, it’s a fantasy world I wish I had the chance to experience in real life.

The game I enjoyed the most was Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. While it was the open-world exploration I loved the most, the wand gameplay and dueling were also superb. However, the map didn’t really help you move around the castle, which was disappointing.

Comprar Hogwarts Legacy CD Key Comparar Precios

My expectation for Hogwarts Legacy so far is more of this type of open-world adventure with more side quests and character growth. It will be good to play in the 1800s setting, long before Harry was even thought of. It will be interesting to see how the story ties in with the overall lore of the books.

A Hogwarts Legacy preview

While I wasn’t able to play any portion of Hogwarts Legacy, there was one preview that truly gave me a sense of what’s to come. Written by Kyle Wilson for The Loadout, it presents some of the gameplay elements without much of the narrative or story.

Here are the points from the Hogwarts Legacy preview that stood out to me the most:

The wizarding world experience

From the screenshots provided and preview details, it looks like Hogwarts will be presented in wonderful, beautiful glory. The graphics will be like nothing we’ve seen before. Apparently, every area, nook, and cranny has meticulous detail with no decorations skipped. It’s bound to be a fantasy festival like we haven’t beheld in a very long time.

If you translate how we felt about Skyrim the first time we saw it to today’s visual capabilities, it gives you an idea of what I’m expecting.

User interface and spells

There’s mention of about eight spells that were available in the Hogwarts Legacy preview, with more to come in the full game. That’s not what I want to point your attention to, though. I spent some time studying the screenshot below to see what the user interface looks like. I already like the mini-map in the bottom left, which I hope you can expand for more detail.

On the bottom right, it looks like you have a few bars and your spell assignments. I love this type of gameplay, as it’s easy to quickly cast the spells you need the most at any given time. It will be interesting to see if there’s a secondary wheel for if you need more than four assigned at a time.

Exploring and looting

One of the most exciting elements of the Hogwarts Legacy preview is that you can explore and loot items at your leisure. It doesn’t seem like there’s a specific time you need to attend classes, and you can head to them when you’re ready. I might be wrong about this, but for now, it looks like you can go hunting for secrets and loot between classes and quests.

Speaking to characters

There’s some mention in the preview of Hogwarts Legacy of interacting with other characters. It will either help you move on with quests or the narrative or simply pass the time. Fortunately, it looks like Avalanche has maintained the tone of the Harry Potter books, albeit with events happening in the 1800s. So I expect more fancy, old English words like ‘albeit’ to appear.

Also, one of the screenshots indicates we’ll be able to choose how we respond to characters.

Hogwarts Legacy preview you need to see 6

Combat and defense

What would Hogwarts be like if there wasn’t dueling and defense? According to the Legacy preview, we’ll be able to chain the defensive spells with the offensive ones, weaving a caster’s attack back at them in a different way. In Order of the Phoenix, we had to take turns between defending and attacking.

Mini-games and side-quests

It wouldn’t be an RPG if there weren’t side-quests and mini-games. Thankfully, the previewers have their measure of these, as the main story wasn’t available to them as yet. Skyrim fans can rejoice, as there’s mention of finding 150 pages throughout the castle! Of course, it depends if we have access to the whole castle at the start or have to unlock them progressively. A side-quest like this could last the entire game. Yaaaayyyyyy!!!

Overall thoughts about Hogwarts Legacy so far

As you can tell, I’m rather excited about how much the Hogwarts Legacy preview shows us already. I’ll be an incredibly sad Harry Potter fan if I don’t get my hands on a copy of this game when it releases. I might even start up my PlayStation 2 and get back into Order of the Phoenix in anticipation of this fantasy game!

Until then, I’ll just see what everyone has to say about it.

Choose Your Wand and House for Hogwarts Legacy!

Calling all Harry Potter fans, wizards and witches alike! To prepare for your epic journey in witchcraft and wizardry that starts today, you can already choose your wand and house for when the game appears.

Hogwarts Legacy DOWNLOAD

Wizarding World issued a new blog post detailing the Wand and Sorting Ceremonies that are available. In effect, you’ll first need to have both Warner Bros. and Harry Potter Fan Club accounts to participate. Once you link the two accounts, you’ll receive an invite to select your wand and house.

The reason why this is important for gamers eagerly awaiting Hogwarts Legacy is that these ceremonies carry over to the game once launched. Warner Bros. hasn’t given exact details on how this will happen yet. All we know is that you’ll see the wand you selected, and you’ll already be in your house. Go Gryffindor!

There are also other rewards in Hogwarts Legacy for linking your accounts. The Warner Bros. account will get you the Beaked Skull Mask while the House Fan-atic School Robe awaits Harry Potter Fan club members. Isn’t it magical to already receive awards in a game we have yet to see?

Choose your wand and house for Hogwarts Legacy now 2

As you can tell, I’m excited. My favorite HP game was Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on the PlayStation 2. The reason I enjoyed it so much is mostly due to being able to explore so much of Hogwarts castle. It gave players so much freedom, which is what I miss.

I’m glad to see that the timeline is before Harry Potter. I suspect WB doesn’t really know what to do after the events of The Deathly Hallows. Still, the new Hogwarts Legacy trailer looks dark and gritty. I’m eager to set my wand alight and take on the dark forces that await.

You Won’t Believe How Fun Squad Busters is! Here’s How to Download and Play Now!

Supercell is back once more with a new action title called Squad Busters. It features characters from familiar games you may recognize, such as Clash of Clans, Hay Day, and Brawl Stars. At the moment, the closed beta is only available in Canada from February 6 to 16 so that gamers can provide feedback on gameplay.

For those of you in Canada during this time, you can register to try the game on the Supercell page. Alternatively, you can use a VPN from elsewhere in the world while connecting to Canada to see if you can get in on the beta action. For now, here are some details of the Squad Busters battle arena game for Android.

What is Squad Busters all about?

Squad Busters is a fun mobile game where you collect different characters with orbs and other resources you obtain to send into battle. During each match, you start with one character, unlocking more and joining them to your squad to become stronger. Other players will do the same while avoiding the bots in the area.

If you’re eliminated, or Busted, you’ll leave to fight in a different match. The player left standing or with the most orbs at the end of the round wins. You’ll also get all your opponent’s orbs if you manage to eliminate them. The whole point is adding as many characters to your squad while collecting as many orbs as possible.

Can you download Squad Busters?

At the moment, Squad Busters is in closed beta in Canada for Android gamers. There are limited game test seats available, so it may already be too late to try and get in. However, that shouldn’t stop you from trying to see if there’s still an available spot left. We’re hoping Supercell will have more beta tests in other countries soon.

How do you play Squad Busters?

From what we’ve seen so far, there’s already quite a bit happening in Squad Busters. You’ll have plenty of orbs and other resources to collect and use for what looks like a tier-based system. Here are some of the other features.

Familiar Supercell characters

As mentioned, Squad Busters has a full roster from other Supercell games. To unlock them, you’ll need to obtain orbs of a specific amount, making them available for your brawl arena matches. For the beta, only a few of the characters are available for testing, and all your stats will reset when the game goes live.

Two available maps

At the moment, the two available maps are Green and Desert. They are relatively big to explore, but you’ll quickly become used to the layout for each one. You’ll see unique monsters for each of them, while each has a boss you’ll need to kill if you come across them. You’ll also notice many of the monsters from Supercell games.

Different powers and classes

The best part of Squad Busters is that each character has a specific power and class. For the latter, you have your tanks with damage per second (DPS) and your healers, as examples. There are also ranged fighters. You’ll need to learn the abilities of each fighter to know when to use them at the right time to clear the field.

The beta won’t be open for long

You won’t have long to test the beta for Squad Busters, so see and if you’re able to register and download the game. There’s no news as to when we can expect the full game, but we’re excited for when it launches.

Safer Internet Day: The 5 Best VPN services for your messages

Gathering data from your online activities is a highly profitable venture for many businesses. Some corporations and tech companies will exploit your information as much as possible should you leave your devices unprotected from probing attempts. Luckily, you can use a virtual private network (VPN) to keep your online footprint to a minimum.

BEST VPNs of 2022 DOWNLOAD NOW!

In addition to hiding your online activities, a VPN will also allow you to securely message your contacts without fear of prying eyes. The best VPNs provide multiple layers of protection. You can hide your IP address, search anonymously, and encrypt sensitive messages before sending them. Once you encrypt a chat message, it’s nearly impossible for third parties to intercept it. The following virtual private networks will give you everything you need to shield yourself from data thieves.

Nord VPN

Nord VPN may be the most effective application for securing your online presence. You’ll enjoy multiple levels of protection without sacrificing your internet speed. Nord can maintain fast speeds thanks to the vast array of servers it owns around the globe. Being a massive brand gives Nord VPN a serious advantage in the online security sector.

NordVPN DOWNLOAD

While browsing, you can anonymize all your activity by activating the VPN. If Nord’s connection ever falters, you can quickly close your internet session with a kill switch. This prevents your open tabs from taking your data during a temporary lapse in service. Fortunately, Nord’s connection status remains steadfast a vast majority of the time. The kill switch is just a nice insurance policy on top of the excellent performance. You can also specify the location of the fake IP address you generate to access Geo locked content on video streaming services such as Netflix. And of course, Nord’s message encryption ensures your confidential chats stay that way.

Nord VPN makes it easy to assign a new location to your IP address.

Express VPN

Express VPN has taken the world by storm with its extensive marketing campaigns and simple-to-use service. If you’re a beginner in this space, Express VPN is a suitable place to start. The app itself walks you through setup, and there are extensive tutorials on sites like YouTube to help you set up the advanced options that interest you.

Express VPN DOWNLOAD

Messaging with Express VPN is made especially secure with the help of Trusted Server technology. It’s effective because all of the company’s servers operate on RAM memory. Unlike traditional hard drives, RAM memory is deleted each time a device is rebooted. This means that any trace of your sensitive chats is automatically deleted every few hours. Combine that with the standard IP spoofing and anonymity features found in most VPNs, and Express offers a complete package.

Set your Express VPN options on this screen.

Surfshark

If you’re looking for a value option, Surfshark is the VPN for you. The low monthly rate is among the best on the market, and you can even get your money back within 30 days. But don’t be fooled by the low price — Surfshark still brings a lot to the table. You can take advantage of multi-hop, which bounces your IP across multiple locations instead of just one. Anyone spying on you would have a lot of trouble tracking a multi-hop connection.

Surfshark VPN DOWNLOAD

Surfshark facilitates unlimited connections from a single account. This allows you to secure your privacy on each of your devices. Your chat messages will be fully encrypted yet easy to open on any device with Surfshark installed.

Save your favorite IP locations for quick access in Surfshark.

Proton VPN

The Proton suite of online applications is widely regarded as an optimal way to secure your data online. Proton VPN continues this trend by offering one of the most intuitive interfaces out there. It’s worth addressing the quality of Proton considering it is completely free. Although that may sound suspicious at first, Proton VPN does an excellent job of keeping your data and messages secure.

Proton VPN DOWNLOAD

Proton VPN is great for encrypting messages and reducing the number of trackers you collect while browsing. However, there are few advanced features to speak of. If you wish to have all the bells and whistles, you may prefer a premium VPN instead.

Create custom profiles in Proton VPN for frequently used online services.

VyprVPN

When your internet connection speed is just as important as your data security, try out VyprVPN. It works just like any of the other apps on this list, yet the primary focus of development is improving browser speeds and maintaining reliable connections. Your activity will be filtered through multiple servers around the world, though each one is equipped to hastily process your traffic.

VyprVPN DOWNLOAD

Encrypting your chats is just as easy and you have access to 24/7 customer support throughout your subscription period. The end result is a reliable service that runs in the background without much fuss.

Vypr is simple and lightweight to improve browsing speeds.

Going the extra mile to hide your tracks

While a VPN is an excellent way to start taking back your online privacy, there is so much more you can do to secure your data. For instance, you can download the Tor Browser to achieve 100% anonymous internet activity. This specialized browser was designed from the bottom up with data security in mind. In addition to hiding your basic internet activity and chat logs, you can also use Tor to access the dark web. Dark web sites are so hidden that you can only access them with this specialized browsing software.

15 Best VPNs for Chrome for 2023

A virtual private network is excellent for when you want to browse the internet anonymously without anyone tracking your behavior. Browsers like Chrome have extensions that integrate VPN services directly so that you can use them without too much hassle. While most of these are free, you’ll have limited functionality until you activate a paid premium edition.

In this guide, we’ll look at the 15 best VPNs for Chrome for 2023 that offer the best tools and features.

Free VPN for Chrome – VPN Proxy VeePN

VeePN is the provider of this VPN extension for Chrome. You can unblock access to restricted sites in your location with more than 2,500 servers in over 60 countries. It also stops adverts from appearing on the viewing content, but it doesn’t log any of your activity.

Free VPN for Chrome - VPN Proxy VeePN DOWNLOAD

One of the top benefits is that the free VPN doesn’t limit how much you can browse the internet in terms of bandwidth and traffic. It’s also easy to set up with only a few clicks. The smart VPN protocols ensure that no one can hack Chrome while you’re using it.

SetupVPN – Lifetime Free VPN

The key focus of the SetupVPN Chrome extension is bypassing controls put in place by public authorities, such as the government, schools, or the corporate environment. With the VPN enabled, you can quickly browse apps and social media platforms that these entities block. Of course, it may disturb your productivity and focus, which is why they’re put in place in the first place.

SetupVPN DOWNLOAD

Fortunately, you don’t need much technical knowledge to install and use SetupVPN as one of the best VPNs for Chrome. However, it does need some permissions to run properly on your device. You’ll receive notifications if the VPN loses a connection.

ZenMate Free VPN–Best VPN for Chrome

If you want more than access to several countries, ZenMate Free VPN also protects your data from hackers and malware. There are more than 2,000 servers in about 74 locations, so you’ll be spoilt for choice when you want to see content blocked in your region. It also connects to popular streaming services. Some examples are Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus.

ZenMate Free VPN DOWNLOAD

Of course, some of these services are clever enough to verify your residential address first. In these situations, VPN services don’t really help at all. Still, you can enjoy anonymous internet browsing with encrypted connections.

Browsec VPN – Free VPN for Chrome

When it comes to cross-platform performance, few have the speed and abilities of Browsec VPN. When used as a Chrome extension for Windows, it changes your I.P. address and adds encryption so that no one can track your online activities. You can even use it when traveling abroad when you want to access content in your home country.

Browsec VPN DOWNLOAD

Unfortunately, the free version does have some limitations. For example, there are limited download and streaming speeds. You’ll need to purchase the premium edition and connect it to your Chrome browser for its full potential.

Urban Free VPN proxy Unblocker – Best VPN

Do you prefer toggling choices when it comes to VPNs for Chrome? Urban Free VPN has small switches on the control panel that lets you enable or disable adblocking and secure browsing. While it may seem odd, these choices are necessary if you’re visiting a site stopped by the VPN service.

Urban Free VPN proxy Unblocker DOWNLOAD

Connecting to public Wi-Fi connections can be risky. Hackers use these online terminals to quickly hack into your device and steal your info. Urban Free VPN has protocols in place to secure these connections, which means you can safely stream content anywhere.

Browser VPN – Free Chrome VPN

One of the most minimalistic designs for a Chrome VPN extension is Browser VPN. Developed by IPUnblock, it lists several countries around the world. It might not have as many as popular VPN providers, but you’ll still be able to download, stream, and game online.

Browser VPN DOWNLOAD

Once you have a connection, you can browse for three hours before Browser VPN disconnects. The protocols ensure that you don’t leave it idling when not in use, switching servers for further protection. You can reconnect as many times as you want.

VPN Proxy Master – free unblock VPN & security

Here’s another VPN for Chrome that integrates with several online streaming services. You can watch country-specific content on BBC, Disney+, Netflix, and more. If you’re using VPN services on your mobile phone, you may recognize this service that’s popular on Android operating systems.

VPN Proxy Master DOWNLOAD

VPN Proxy Master delivers impressive performance on Windows when using the Chrome extension. It uses military-grade security, and it doesn’t log any of your activities. You can even override site firewalls if you desperately need to access the content.

Free VPN for Chrome – Free VPN

You won’t find many Chrome VPNs that let you use their services without first registering an account. Free VPN for Chrome is one of these, with a small window that lets you quickly connect to a secure server. While the product website doesn’t offer much info, you’ll still be able to stream overseas movies and shows.

Free VPN for Chrome DOWNLOAD

While you can mask your online activities, hackers will also not be able to steal your identity or passwords. It’s a better option than going incognito on Chrome, which simply clears your cookies after each use.

Hoxx VPN Proxy

While some VPN configurations are challenging, you won’t find any issues with Hoxx VPN Proxy. It chiefly focuses on bypassing government restrictions in countries so that you can access any content you’d like. It’s also an ideal solution for protecting your data on public Wi-Fi connections.

Hoxx VPN Proxy DOWNLOAD

You’ll need to create a Hoxx account if you want to connect on Chrome, though. It’s still free, as is the service it provides on the browser. However, you’ll need to pay for the premium package if you want more advanced security features.

Hotspot Shield Free VPN Proxy – Unlimited VPN

Pango is the developer that brings Hotspot Shield to Chrome. As part of the premium services, it stops adverts from appearing on the browser and prevents hackers from accessing your details. While accessing overseas content, it hides your I.P. address to keep your browsing anonymous.

Hotspot Shield VPN Free Proxy DOWNLOAD

You’ll only have access to these premium VPN features during the 7-day trial. If you want to continue using them, you’ll have to pay for a monthly subscription. The other option is sticking to limited services in the free version.

ExpressVPN: VPN proxy for a better internet

We’d be surprised if you haven’t heard of ExpressVPN or seen one of its adverts while searching for the best VPNs for Chrome, desktop, or mobile. It’s one of the top names in the industry. Of course, with such quality services comes the demand for a paid subscription. You won’t be able to use the extension for free.

ExpressVPN for Chrome DOWNLOAD

ExpressVPN has more than 3,000 servers in more than 94 countries. Paying members have access to online movies and shows, downloads, torrents, gaming, and so much more. It also provides support in 17 languages.

Surf VPN – Free & Secure proxy

Another popular name in the Chrome VPN industry, Surf VPN is free to use on the browser with no strings attached. You won’t need to worry about switching locations now and again. It also doesn’t limit streaming and download speeds, as some of the providers do with free accounts.

Surf VPN DOWNLOAD

The interface is easy to use, and you simply select a location and connect. It selects a smart location for the country that provides faster server speeds so you won’t have to worry about performance issues.

IP Unblock – Free VPN to unblock websites

You’ll recognize this name from the other VPN service it provides, Browser VPN. However, the main difference with IP Unblock is that it unlocks specific social media platforms and websites usually restricted by companies at work. Some examples are Facebook, Roblox, and Reddit.

IP Unblock DOWNLOAD

Of course, you run the risk of getting into trouble if your company or other authority catches you accessing restricted sites by overriding the I.P. protocols. If this doesn’t bother you, you can use IP Unblock on Chrome for free without ever providing card or bank details.

VPN Plus – Best VPN for Chrome

The final VPN for Chrome on our list is VPN Plus. The extension has an elegant, simple design that lets you quickly select a country and connect. You won’t need to register an account, and it will ensure that your browsing activity remains hidden from prying eyes.

VPN Plus DOWNLOAD

When you search for a connection, VPN plus will first check which of its servers provides the fastest speeds. You’ll be able to stream online content and also play games with others in that country. It’s the best way to enhance the multiplayer action when you want to enter competitions in specific locations.

VPN Master

There are two top functions included with VPN Master. On the one hand, you can bypass regional restrictions for online content. The second part of the Chrome VPN focuses on blocking ads that might appear while streaming or visiting sites.

VPN Master DOWNLOAD

With over 100 servers in several countries, VPN Master has top security encryption that will protect your device and data while using public Wi-Fi hotspots. It effectively changes your I.P. address so no one can access your private information.

Securely access content worldwide

It’s imperative that you remain secure online in any way possible to prevent hackers from stealing your information and browsing activity. VPNs are only one way that you can do so, but you need to ensure that it gives you complete protection from the dangers you’ll find on the internet.

Of course, you’ll also have access to entertainment from other countries where they’ll usually restrict you. Always make sure that you research the VPN provider and feedback from users so that you feel assured about using the extensions.

6 easy and free ways to be safe online READ MORE

Don’t Miss Out on the Best Car Technology – Find Out if Your Car is Compatible with Android Auto!

Google’s Android Auto app has received it’s first massive overhaul in a long time. It’s now compatible with many new car models, and it’s hosting more features now. If you’re keen to know if you’re vehicle is compatible and what the new update consists of, you’re in for an exciting ride.

Android Auto DOWNLOAD HERE

The first significant change is the UI layout, which many people have been waiting for. The map is still on of the largest panels, giving you directions as you drive. You now have two extra sections; one for your messages and another for the music volume.

Of course, Android Auto only works in vehicles with a central display that works with software. You’ll need a USB flash drive plugged into the display so that it can connect to your phone. In this way, your messages and music will appear on the car’s screen.

Another update is that you’ll have access to more Google Play apps right in your car. Google is till workiing on integrating WhatsApp, Waze maps, and YouTube. To ensure your safety, it’s making the videos only play when your vehicle is at a stand still. That’s how innovative the technology is.

But how do you know if your vehicle is compatible with Android Auto? There’s a compatilibility page you can visit to see if your car will work with it. Simply search for the brand name and then check if your model is there. If it is and it’s not working, there’s a good chance it’s not available in your location as yet.

New @Android #AndroidAuto experience in my @Ford Bronco! pic.twitter.com/QxXlrolidL
— Des (@askdes) January 6, 2023

Android Auto DOWNLOAD HERE

I’m sitting with a Renault Clio 2015 model that doesn’t have a central display, so that counts me out. WHen looking at the Renault list, it looks like my Clio missed out on two years. Android Auto works with the 2017 model. So close, yet, so far.

MacBook M2: Is it a Beast or not for bigger Macs?

In June 2022, Apple unveiled the new M2 chip. This is the next-generation chip that follows the M1 chip. Is it as powerful as everyone makes it out to be?

This article will help you understand everything about the M2 chip and if it is worth the hype.

What Is the M2 Chip?

The new M2 chip has been developed, especially for use in iPads and Macs. This is as per Apple’s continued effort to move away from Intel chips used in MacBooks until 2020.

The M2 is referred to as a “system on a chip.” It includes several components, such as the GPU, CPU, RAM, secure enclave, neural engine, image signal processor, thunderbolt controller, SSD controller, encode/decode engines, and more. All these components will power various functions of the Mac.

Before the introduction of the M2, Apple used different chips for different functionalities. This is why the M2 is much faster. It has a unified memory architecture, and the system can now access different functionalities without swapping memory pools.

The unified memory architecture in the M2 means that the GPU, CPU, and other components don’t have to copy data from each other. They can now access the same data pool.

New M2 Chip | More Powerful | More Features & Efficiency

What Is Included With the M2?

Just like the M1, the new M2 chip will come with an 8-core CPU. It, however, supports more than that (9 or 10 cores), unlike 7 or 8 cores with the M1. The M2 has four cores that are high-performance and four that are high-efficiency. High-performance cores offer top performance for single-threaded tasks that are power-intensive. All eight cores work together when it comes to multi-threaded tasks.

For all tasks that don’t need as much power, such as browsing the web, the system uses high-efficiency cores. These cores use just 1/10th of the power and preserve the battery life. As per Apple, the M2 chip is built with 5-nanometer next-gen technology. It delivers better performance per watt. It also delivers 25% more than the M1, with over 20 billion transistors.

The M2 is almost 1.4 times faster than the M1, with a 40% faster neural engine. As far as multi-core performance goes, Geekbench has confirmed that M2 is almost 20% faster. It runs at 3.49GHz as compared to the M1, which runs at 3.2GHz.

The M2 chip family so far pic.twitter.com/0LjAQ1vUQd
— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) January 17, 2023

Battery life

With the M2 chip, the battery in the MacBook Air lasts up to 18 hours. In the MacBook Pro, it lasts for up to 20 hours. Despite the high power that the M2 brings, it is more battery-efficient than any other Mac chip.

Security

All Intel Macs came with a T2 chip built-in that was responsible for handling security on Macs. However, with the M1 and M2 chips, no secondary chip is needed for security. The M2 chip comes with a built-in secure enclave. This manages touch ID and other features.

M2 Pro & M2 Max

After Apple released the M1, they also released M1 Pro, M1 Ultra, and M1 Max, and the same can be expected with M2. Apple is working on M2 Pro and M2 Max, which are expected soon.

What happens if we use ChatGPT as Whatsapp Contact?

ChatGPT is a large language model developed by OpenAI. The tool can understand and respond to natural language inputs, which makes it perfect for engaging in conversations. However, did you know that you can communicate with ChatGPT through WhatsApp?

ChatGPT DOWNLOAD

Below, we’ll delve into how to use God in a Box, an innovative project that enables smooth communication with ChatGPT through one of the most used messaging platforms worldwide; WhatsApp. We will walk you through the entire process so you can effectively use this cutting-edge technology.

Caveat: Before we start, it’s pertinent to note that with the free God in a Box plan, you can only send 40 messages a month. If you’d like to communicate more with ChatGPT through WhatsApp, you may need to upgrade your account or select an alternative utility.

How to use ChatGPT as a WhatsApp contact

How to chat with ChatGPT

To begin, navigate to the God in a Box website, which utilizes ChatGPT technology, at the URL godinabox.co. Upon arrival, you will be presented with an introduction page, where you should proceed by clicking on the ‘Get Started’ button, which is prominently displayed in green.

Clicking the blue ‘login’ button will take you to another introduction page, where you will be prompted to sign in. To continue, press the ‘Sign in with Google’ button in red, which indicates that you will be logging in with your Google account. Should you have multiple Google accounts, simply select the one you prefer.

After you’ve signed in, you’ll be taken to a new screen where you’ll have to enter the phone number you use for WhatsApp and hit the ‘Submit’ button. This tells the system which number it should reach you at. Just remember, when you enter your phone number, you’ll have to include your country code or manually enter the international code.

Then, on the next page, you’ll be given some steps to follow. First things first, you’ll need to send a WhatsApp message to the number provided. Keep in mind that you can message people who aren’t on your contact list. But, if you click on the number provided, WhatsApp will open up and you’ll be able to start a conversation right away.

The first message you need to send to ChatGPT on WhatsApp is the one that’s specified on the website. This is a verification message for your account, so the system knows it’s really you. This is important to prevent any pranks, like making the bot message someone without your consent, or allowing someone to start a chat without using their Google account.

After sending the verification message to ChatGPT on WhatsApp, you’ll receive a web link. This is the last step. You’ll have to visit the website provided to finish creating your free user profile by providing some information like your age, gender or city.

Once you’ve entered all the details on the website and hit submit, you’re all set. You can now start using ChatGPT on WhatsApp. Just don’t forget that with the free account, you have a limit of 40 messages per month.

Bye, Bye, Amazon! No More Amazon Go in North London

The concept is very interesting. You walk in, get your groceries, pay, and walk out. No lines, no cashiers; nothing to waste your time needlessly. That’s what Amazon proposed to Londoners with its Amazon Go store at the Dalston in North London.

Amazon Mobile DOWNLOAD

Even though this experience is as close as it gets to a real-world Amazon, the store is closing its doors after just two years of its grand inauguration. Was it a bad business idea, a conjuncture issue, or simply an experiment?

Amazon Go or Amazon Gone? No More Amazon Shop in London

Many Factors Converge

According to an Amazon spokesperson, the closure of the Dalston store is simply a revision of their business model. In other words, Amazon won’t give a specific reason for the decision, but it’s a given that the business didn’t work as intended.

One of the reasons might have been the context. Opening a high-street store during the pandemic isn’t the best timing, even though Amazon’s concept was perfectly suited for such a scenario because it’s as contactless as it can get.

However, high-street pedestrian traffic has been low throughout the last few years, and it’s only now that’s picking up. That might’ve been one of the reasons behind Amazon Fresh’s failure in London.

Another issue is whether Amazon’s JWO (Just Walk Out) technology is partly to blame. For you to shop hassle-free, some heavy monitoring is taking place. JWO is based on AI, sensors, and image recognition.

There are sensors and cameras everywhere in the store, and you need to identify yourself with your mobile phone before entering. Every activity is tracked, giving Amazon a massive data trove to collect. Online and personal data privacy is a sore topic nowadays, which is very likely one of the reasons why this store didn’t succeed.

Another issue is a growing concern about mega corporations like Amazon monopolizing everything, while smaller businesses get destroyed in the process.

Finally, some people like other people. Having humans at the stores greeting you and making small talk is one of the perks of shopping in the real world rather than simply buying online. It also gives people jobs. It remains to be seen whether convenience can offset basic human interaction.

Amazon Go not Dead

Even though there are several potential reasons why Amazon might have shut down its London store, they’re still committed to this business model. Amazon Fresh has a strong presence in the USA and two Amazon Fresh stores are coming up in the Greater London area.

Perhaps different locations will make the difference this time, as a different economic situation most likely will. However, some important issues still remain. In a world in constant change, some things are doomed to fail, but valuable lessons are learned in the process.

Amazon experimenting with its model in real-life retail is just one of the innovations coming. After the pandemic, many are willing to try new models and make their businesses more able to withstand events such as those. Only time will tell which ones are a good idea.

Google Has To Allow Third-Party Stores by Law in India

Startups and other small businesses are cheering the new ruling by the Supreme Court. On Thursday, the court upheld an antitrust order. As per this order, Google has to change how it runs its Android system. The ruling opens the markets for rivals to come in and boost competition.

In October, the CCI (Competition Commission of India) ruled that Google has to make many changes. One of them is refraining from entering agreements that ensure its search services are exclusive. Another change is to remove the mandatory pre-installation of various apps. The ruling also stated that Google has to allow third-party app stores within their Play Store.

Google Play Store DOWNLOAD

While Google moved to block the antitrust directives from October, the Supreme Court declined this request on Thursday. Alphabet Inc said that the new directive would hurt their customers and would also stall the growth of their Android ecosystem. Google now has seven days to comply with these demands.

How Does this Google decision Benefit Customers?

The new ruling benefits customers in various ways. Since Google has to now allow third-party apps, customers can do something that wasn’t allowed by the Play Store in the past – pause an ongoing download. Customers only had the option to cancel an ongoing download. This would waste time, as large downloads would have to begin all over again. This also allows users to control the data that will be used when downloading outside Wi-Fi.

Who Does This Benefit?

This ruling benefits many small businesses. For example, Google Maps is pre-installed by default on all Android devices. This leaves very little scope for apps such as MapmyIndia to gain any market share. With the new ruling, Google cannot mandate the pre-installation of apps now. With over 97% of phones in India running on Android, this is a major relief for most startups to build their market share in the Android space.

Other companies that would benefit from this as those that run an app store similar to that of Google. Google does not allow any other play store to run on their OS. This will change now, and app stores from companies such as Indus OS can now hope that their store may find new customers.