Month: July 2023

  • More People Need to Watch One of 2022’s Best TV Shows

    More People Need to Watch One of 2022’s Best TV Shows

    Remember TV’s “golden age”?

    It arguably all kicked off with The Sopranos in 1999 and got rolling with shows like The Wire, Lost and Deadwood in the mid-2000s. Big-time productions that could match Hollywood in terms of budget and scale. 

    But that was just the beginning. TV kept on trucking. Toward the end of the decade it was Breaking Bad and Mad Men, later it was Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead. Eventually, the idea that television played second fiddle to the cinematic experience began to erode and collapse.

    The golden age of TV never really ended. It just kept going to the point when the phrase stopped making sense. “Prestige TV,” or whatever you want to call it, was just the new normal: content that pushed the boundaries of what was possible. New ideas, great writing, world-class performances. This quality is baseline now. There are fully grown adults who have literally zero understanding of what it was like to scramble for scraps via shows like Twin Peaks or The X-Files.

    2021 was one of the best for TV that I can remember. Ever. Yellowjackets, Station Eleven, The White Lotus, Succession, Dopesick, Arcane, Midnight Mass. That’s before we even start talking about the superhero shows they keep dropping on Disney Plus

    That’s just one year! ONE SINGLE YEAR!

    Incredibly, 2022 hasn’t let up. Which brings us — finally — to the show I want to talk about now: Severance.

    Severance is a sci-fi show on Apple TV Plus, set in a barely explained universe where a process called “severance” allows employees to split themselves into two discrete entities: A work self, who exists during office hours only, and a home self, who’s completely divorced from work. The work self has no understanding or memories of what goes on outside the office, and vice versa. 

    atv-severance-photo-010803

    The cast of Severance is stellar across the board.


    Apple TV Plus

    At its core Severance is a high concept show acutely focused on exploring that original idea — of split lives and artificially enforced, physically induced work-life balance. But despite its unique high concept, Severance also plays on the tropes established over the past 20 years of prestige television.

    It operates on a number of levels. Severance is undoubtedly a “mystery box” show, like Lost. There’s a central mystery to be solved, and the show drip feeds the audience information, playing to the Reddit sleuths who love to figure out the twists before they unfold. 

    But Severance subverts that by also being… extremely funny. It never takes itself as seriously as a show like Westworld. It never wallows in its own self-importance. In many ways Severance takes its cues from (but also parodies) shows like The Office, which celebrate the day-to-day grind of office life.

    The casting of Adam Scott, who spent years on Office-like Parks and Recreation, plays a crucial role here and helps play up the disparity. Severance features a stripped back, minimalist office much like the one you might see on Parks and Recreation, but not all is what it seems.

    That’s what makes Severance special. It gets to be compelling like Lost and funny like The Office. It gets to wax lyrical about the human condition, but also manages to parody the era it’s part of. In many ways Severance is the first post-prestige TV classic. It does everything.

    Severance isn’t flashy, it doesn’t have to establish its greatness with self serious monologues or soaring orchestral soundtracks. It’s a show that gets to have its cake and eat it. Severance is informed by the classics that preceded it but feels distinct from them. A show that swallows and digests everything we’ve been consuming for the past 20 years and vomits it up as a fully formed, barf masterpiece that subverts the type of television we’ve become accustomed to over the past two decades.

    Yet Severance is only one season deep. Promising shows have fallen apart before. Even a show as fully formed as Severance could crumble beneath audience expectations. They could screw it up. 

    But I have a lot of faith in Severance. It has the example of shows like Lost and Westworld to learn from. We know what could go wrong. If Severance keeps its narrative tight, and stays true to what made the show so compelling to begin with, we could be witnessing greatness. At the very least, Severance is my favorite show of 2022 so far and — for my money — the best show on Apple TV.

  • The best headphone deals of the holidays

    The best headphone deals of the holidays

    A hand holding up the open charging case for the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro.

    If you’ve been searching for a new pair of headphones, let us help. Plenty of retailers are offering big discounts on a variety of styles, meaning you can take advantage of some of the best headphone deals across the board right now.

    See also: Headphone buying guide

    It can be difficult to know what you’re looking for, so we’ve done our best to organize some options for you. We’ve put together some of the best headphones and earbuds deals available right now, including both wired and wireless options. You can also head on over to our sister site, SoundGuys, for more in-depth news and reviews.

    Featured headphone deals

    The holidays are upon us, and there are a host of impressive discounts on headphones and earbuds across the board. Here are our picks from the holiday sales, including the best price yet on the latest Samsung buds.

    These are just our favorite offers, but it’s fair to say that there are great offers around right now to suit all users and budgets. Keep scrolling to find out.

    The best headphone deals

    All of the deals featured here were active at the time of writing, but retailers change deals frequently. We’ll keep the list updated to reflect the latest offerings.


    Wireless headphone deals

    Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sony WH-1000XM4 in headphone deals

    Chris Thomas / Android Authority

    Some wireless headphones hold an advantage over earbuds because they can pack larger drivers with more premium materials. They make a great option in pretty much any situation, but they may get a little heavy while working out.

    Related: The best noise-cancelling headphones

    Wireless earbud deals

    Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs Sony WH 1000XM4 in headphone deals

    Kris Carlon / Android Authority

    Wireless earbuds are often the go-to choice for working out and running errands thanks to their small size, but you can really use them anywhere. Personally, I never go anywhere without them.

    Wired headphone deals

    headphone deals - Sony headphones MDR 7506 11 1200x675

    Some people, including our SoundGuys team, swear by wired headphones. After all, wired headphones can typically handle a higher output and often offer better audio quality. You also don’t need to charge wired headphones, but you are limited by the length of the cord.

    If you want the best possible sound quality and you don’t mind the cord, wired headphones are the only way to go. Here are some of the top wired headphone deals we could find:


    Gaming headphone deals

    The SteelSeries Arctis Prime gaming headset in headphone deals

    Ensuring your audio is on point for gaming is pretty key if you want to compete. Of course, audio quality is important. But when looking at gaming headsets, comfort is equally relevant if you’re settling in for a marathon session.

    We’ve found some of the best gaming headphone deals available right now:


    Bone-conduction headphone deals

    A picture of the Aftershokz titanium bone conduction headphones being worn by a woman in profile.

    Some people might think bone-conduction headphones are an odd concept, but they work, and they make a lot of sense. There are plenty of scenarios in which you’d want to both listen to your audio while also keeping your ears open to your surroundings. For cyclists and joggers, this can actually be a lifesaver.

    Here are some of the best bone-conduction headphone deals around:

  • Get the Tab S8 from .99 with trade-in, and more Samsung Galaxy Tab deals

    Get the Tab S8 from $99.99 with trade-in, and more Samsung Galaxy Tab deals

    Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 with S Pen

    Eric Zeman / Android Authority

    The iPad may be the most popular tablet, but it’s far from the only option. Samsung has been fine-tuning the Galaxy Tab line for a few years now, and it’s led to some great Android Tablets, such as the flagship Galaxy Tab S8 Plus. However, the top tablets can get pretty pricey. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best Samsung Galaxy Tab deals to help you out.

    See also: Your guide to the best tablets

    Samsung’s Galaxy Tabs make a lot of sense over iPads if you’re already in the Samsung ecosystem or if you’re set on an Android tablet. They offer a great combination of affordability, variety, and expandable storage. Whether you’re looking for a tablet for work, school, or leisure, Samsung has a tablet that’s right for you. We’ve included most of the devices from the past few years in our roundup, so you should be able to match your budget.

    Featured holiday deals

    With the holidays upon us, there are some nice deals to be had on Samsung Galaxy Tabs. You’ll find the full roundup further down, but these are our top picks right now:

    These deals are just the tip of the iceberg. Keep scrolling to get into more depth about how much you can save on Galaxy tablets.

    Best cheap Samsung Galaxy Tab deals

    All of these deals were live at the time of writing, but we’ll do our best to update the list as we find new options. So be sure to check back frequently!


    Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, S8 Plus, and S8 Ultra

    Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra in Galaxy Tab deals.

    Eric Zeman / Android Authority

    The long-awaited Galaxy Tab S8 models arrive this year, and all three include Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipsets. There are no Exynos 2200 models, so wherever you live, you’ll get the Snapdragon. That chip should give this edition a healthy processing power boost over the outgoing duo. You’ll also notice the absence of a headphone jack, even on the base Galaxy Tab S8, but all three feature 45W charging via a USB-C 3.2 port and a bundled S Pen.

    As for capture and playback, a 13MP primary camera at the rear with a supporting 6MP ultrawide is standard across the board. Four AKG-tuned speakers with Dolby Atmos support are also present on each.

    Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and  S7 Plus, and S7 FE deals

    Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus display

    Eric Zeman / Android Authority

    The previous-generation tablet from Samsung, the Galaxy Tab S7 FE, isn’t just great to look at. It offers powerful productivity software, excellent battery life, and even impressive speakers — far from given on a tablet, and very handy for those box-set binges.  The overall power and the cameras aren’t everything they could be, but overall it’s an excellent device.

    Related: The best Android tablets

    Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 and S6 Lite

    Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 screen at angle with S Pen 1

    If you need a powerful Samsung tablet, but don’t need the latest from the tech giant, then you can’t go wrong with the Galaxy Tab S6. It could act as a laptop replacement, with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage running on a Snapdragon 855 processor. The Galaxy Tab S6 also has an upgraded S Pen that magnetically attaches and offers Bluetooth control of numerous functions.

    See also: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 review

    The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is a powerful platform, but not every user needs the complete specifications. That’s just where the Tab S6 Lite steps in — an S Pen is still included, and the screen is still a vibrant 10.4-inch display, but the price is much easier to handle. Up to 13 hours of battery life and Dolby Atmos speakers tuned by AKG help to flesh out the specs, and the stylish color options are sure to match your current gear.

    Samsung Galaxy Tab A range

    samsung galaxy tab a8 ports close

    Ryan Haines / Android Authority

    The Galaxy Tab A8 is the new kid on the block for the Galaxy A range. Head to the featured deal section above for more on that. But if you’re interested in the alternative Tab A models then you have some excellent budget options.

    If you want a tablet that nears the Tab S line in terms of size but you don’t need the RAM or storage, the 8-inch Tab A is perfect. It comes with 2GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage to help you stay productive. Your favorite Netflix shows and YouTube videos will even sound great with four Dolby Atmos speakers.

    See also: Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 review

    The 10.4-inch Galaxy Tab A is the larger sibling to the 8-inch model in pretty much every way. Not only is the screen larger, but it comes with a bigger battery. As a result, it’s a great choice for a first tablet if you don’t want to worry when something happens to it.

    Finally, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 is another affordable option that boasts excellent design and performance for the money.

    See also: The best business tablets


    Other Samsung Galaxy Tabs

    Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3 Straight On

    Chase Bernath / Android Authority

    If you’ve come this far without finding a Galaxy tab to meet your needs, then Samsung tablets might not be for you, but there are still a few other Galaxy tab options to consider.

    The Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e is a year newer than the Tab S4, and it’s actually the more affordable device of the two. It ships with Android 9 Pie on board and offers up to 14 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e is also one of the thinnest and lightest tablets in the range, weighing less than one pound.

    See also: Best Samsung Galaxy deals

    As the name suggests, the Galaxy Tab Active 3 is a smart choice if you take your tablet on adventures. The Tab Active 3 is a bit old as far as specs go, but it does the job, and the rubber case and durable design make it a good option if you need a rugged tablet for working outdoors.


    Those are the best cheap Samsung Galaxy Tab deals we could find right now. We’ll update the list as we find more. In the meantime, here are some other helpful tablet resources:

  • New year’s resolutions for CIOs

    New year’s resolutions for CIOs

    2. I will define my zero-trust control plane. We will continue to see an increase in industries requiring zero-trust frameworks, such as those set forth by the U.S. government. These requirements will have a global ripple effect across critical infrastructure industries. So where do you begin? You need to have an authoritative identity management, policy management, and threat management framework to do zero trust properly. And if you don’t have a well-defined and authoritative control plane over your multi-cloud environment, how can you possibly achieve consistent identity, policy, or threat management for your total enterprise? Security in the multi-cloud, more than any other aspect, needs to be consistent and common. Silos are the enemy of real zero-trust security.

    3A. I will establish early skill sets to take advantage of quantum. Quantum computing is getting real, and if you don’t have someone in your business who understands how this technology works and how it influences your business, you will miss this technology wave. Identify the team, tools, and tasks you’ll devote to quantum and start experimenting. Just last month we announced the on-premises Dell Quantum Computing Solution, which enables organizations across industries to begin taking advantage of accelerated compute through quantum technology otherwise not available to them today. Investing in quantum simulation and enabling your data science and AI teams to learn the new languages and capability of quantum is critical in 2023.

    3B. I will determine where my quantum-safe cryptography risks lie. Quantum computing is so disruptive because it changes many elements of modern IT. With the rise of quantum computing comes the need to better understand post-quantum cryptography, the development of cryptographic systems for classical computers that are able to prevent attacks launched by quantum computers. Bad actors globally are actively trying to capture and archive encrypted traffic on the assumption that sufficiently powerful quantum computers will eventually be able to decrypt that data.

    Want to mitigate your risk? I suggest starting with understanding where your biggest risk exists—as well as the time horizon you are worried about. You can do this by first cataloging your crypto assets and then identifying which encrypted data is most exposed to public networks and possible capture. That is the first place you need post-quantum cryptography. In 2022, NIST selected the first few viable post-quantum algorithms, and in 2023 these tools will start to emerge. Over time they will be needed everywhere, but in 2023, knowing where to use them first is a critical step.

    4. I will decide whether my multi-cloud edge architecture needs to be cloud extension or cloud-first. In 2023 more of your data and processing will be needed in the real world. From processing real-time data in factories to powering robot control systems, edge is expanding rapidly in the multi-cloud world. This year you will need to make a choice about which edge architecture you want long term.

    Option one is to treat edges as extension of your clouds. In that common model, for each cloud you have an equivalent edge (for example, GPCP-Anthos, Azure-ARC, AWS-EKS). This works well if you only have one or a few clouds. Option two is to treat your edge as a platform for all your clouds to share. This edge-first architecture is new but with efforts like Project Frontier, we are seeing a path to build out a stable shared edge platform that can be used by any software-defined edge (for example, ARC, Anthos, EKS, IoT apps, or data management tools). Though multi-cloud edge platforms are just emerging, it’s critical to make a decision now about what you want your edge to look like in the future. Do you want a proliferation of edges for each cloud service you use or do you want those cloud services to be delivered as software on a common platform? 

    Hopefully these four resolutions will make all of us better prepared for the multi-cloud future. Innovation has never been as pervasive and fast moving as we expect in 2023, which increases the urgency to make forward-looking decisions that will help us navigate the technology stream coming at us.

    For more information, visit dell.com/2023predictions.

    This content was produced by Dell. It was not written by MIT Technology Review’s editorial staff.

  • Microsoft Word has a hidden transcription tool – here’s where to find it

    Microsoft Word has a hidden transcription tool – here’s where to find it

    Transcribing audio is an incredibly annoying and time-consuming task. Whether it’s interviews or work chats, audio that you need to translate, or classes that you’ve attended, turning spoken words into text is so tedious. That’s where we can benefit from modern software that can understand spoken language and turn it into text. Microsoft is one of the companies that is working on such technology, and it so happens that Microsoft Word has a built-in transcription tool that most people are completely unaware of.

    That should easily be one of the top features Microsoft advertises for Word and its Microsoft 365 suite. However, the transcription tool isn’t built into the desktop apps you’re already running on your Mac, PC, and mobile devices. Instead, it’s hidden inside the online version of Microsoft Word.

    To find Microsoft Word’s translation tool, you need to head to Office.com, as PopSci explains. You’ll have to make sure you use Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome to get there, as the transcription tool won’t work in other browsers.

    Once there, log into your Microsoft 365 account and open a new Word document. To get to the translation tool, you’ll want to click or tap the three-dot menu at the end of the Home row. Hover over Dictate, and then choose Transcribe.

    Alternatively, the Home menu might already contain a Dictate tab for some users. Tap the down arrow to choose Transcribe from the menu.

    Microsoft Word transcription tool - how to find it.
    Microsoft Word transcription tool – how to find it. Image source: Chris Smith, BGR

    After that, Microsoft Word will invite you to either record an interview in real time or upload an existing recording. You probably shouldn’t use Microsoft Word to record the interview, video call, or class you’re attending. It’s easier to upload the recordings once you’ve created them with a voice recorder.

    PopSci says that a one-hour conversation will take about 10 minutes to upload. You’ll also obviously want a reliable internet connection to upload your file.

    A media player will appear in the sidebar once Microsoft Word completes the transfer. And you’ll be able to start the transcription.

    Once you hit the play button, you’ll be able to follow along with the transcription. Microsoft Word will highlight the words as they’re spoken. Moreover, the transcription tool will recognize multiple speakers and label them accordingly. You’ll be able to edit the names, so it’s easier to find them and edit the final document.

    You can save the resulting transcription and then go about editing it. The results will vary depending on the quality of the recording. But it’ll be a lot easier to pick and choose the quotes you want from the interview and edit the parts that Microsoft Word got wrong, as opposed to starting from scratch and transcribing on your own.

    Microsoft Word transcription tool panel appears on the right of the document.
    Microsoft Word transcription tool panel appears on the right of the document. Image source: Chris Smith, BGR

    You can add the transcription to a Word document that can contain the text, speaker names, and timestamps. You’ll find it in your OneDrive file inside a “Transcribed Files” folder with a link to the audio file.

    Also, you can open the document you just saved on your Mac or PC using the Microsoft 365 version of Word. But you will lose the transcription tools with the local version of Word. You’ll always have to return to Office.com to use them.

    iPhone and iPad users can also use a Group Transcribe app from Microsoft to transcribe interviews, chats, meetings, and classes in real time. However, the Microsoft Word transcription tool is a lot more useful.

    Hopefully, the transcription tool will be available locally in a future release of the Microsoft 365 suite.

  • The Impact of Slow Internet Speeds on Remote Workers

    The Impact of Slow Internet Speeds on Remote Workers

    As the advancement of technology continues, having the option of working from home has changed the lives of working individuals! But one issue for many remote workers is the challenge of slow internet speeds. Learn more about the impact of slow internet speeds on remote workers and how to turn those challenges into positive opportunities. 

    Losing Motivation and Morale

    When things don’t go your way, it’s easy to give up. Slow internet speeds can make you feel defeated and like you have no control over your job and situation. It can make you feel unproductive and lose motivation to get the work done. 

    Increased Stress Levels

    When you can’t get your work done on your own terms, this can create high stress levels when you can’t meet deadlines. Stress can cause you to have jumbled thoughts and an unclear vision of which tasks you need to complete. A slow internet speed limits the work you can complete from home, therefore putting unnecessary stress on you.

    Challenge of Coworker Communication

    When you work from home, the internet and email are your sole forms of communication with your team members. If your internet runs slowly or isn’t working altogether, it can cause lacking communication from your end. 

    How To Improve the Situation

    Try to have fewer tabs open on your computer so several applications aren’t simultaneously running. This may help increase the internet speed for the applications you need at that moment. Once you finish using one application, close it and open the next one.

    If you regularly have internet troubles when working from home, consider adding G.fast to your broadband network to strengthen the distance your internet reaches within your home. It’s an affordable solution that can improve your remote working conditions.

    Working from home uses a lot of internet service. If possible, try to limit the number of devices using the internet during the day. This can include turning off the Wi-Fi on your cell phone, smart TV, and any other unnecessary devices. 

    When it seems like nothing is working, take some deep breaths. Learn to be patient. Do what you can by hand, and when the internet is ready to cooperate, make sure you click any buttons with intent. This will help you get work done as quickly as possible with your internet predicament. 

    The impact of slow internet speeds on remote workers causes frustration and less productive days. Through patience and working to improve your internet speed, you can effectively work from home long term. 

  • A Few New Search Tools from Google

    A Few New Search Tools from Google

    Those of you who use Chrome as your primary web browser on your computer or phone, that’s 75% of all readers of FreeTech4Teachers.com according to my Google Analytics account, may notice a few new search tools the next time you update your browser. 

    Yesterday afternoon Google announced new search shortcuts for the Chrome address bar. These new shortcuts let you quickly search your tabs, bookmarks, and history. To do this you simply type “@tabs” or “@bookmarks” or “@history” followed by your search term to search within your tabs, bookmarks, or Chrome browser history. 

    The other new search feature that Google unveiled yesterday was an update to mobile search. Now when you conduct a search you’ll see some suggested search filters and topics based on your original search. This update is rolling out now to the Google Search Android and iOS apps as well as the mobile browser.

    Applications for Education

    The new shortcuts to search within your browser bookmarks and history could be helpful to students who have been conducting some long-term research and need to review or revisit some of their findings that they forgot to note earlier on. The new suggestions in mobile search could be helpful to students who need some assistance narrowing the scope of a priliminary search.

  • Nigerian startup Taeillo raises funding to scale its online furniture e-commerce platform • TechCrunch

    Nigerian startup Taeillo raises funding to scale its online furniture e-commerce platform • TechCrunch

    Individuals or businesses buying furniture in Africa can purchase from local furniture stores or global furniture retailers like IKEA. But both options have pros and cons; for the latter, local furniture stores may lack the quality that clients need, while global retailers, in addition to taking several months to ship their products to Africa, can be too pricey. 

    Taeillo, a Lagos-based startup innovating around these issues relating to time, quality and cost via its online furniture e-commerce store, has raised $2.5 million in pre-Series A funding from Aruwa Capital, a Nigeria-based early-stage growth equity and gender-lens fund. 

    In a statement, Taeillo said it is an alternative for customers who incur high costs when they import furniture (combined with an unstable exchange rate) and have to endure long wait periods of 3-6 months before the furniture is delivered. “… we provide customers with aesthetically pleasing furniture pieces at a fraction of the importation price and with a 50% reduction in delivery time to about 4-8 weeks,” it continued.  

    Founded in 2018 by Jumoke Dada, the online furniture seller sources raw materials from local suppliers and manufactures furniture pieces from sofas and beds to chairs and tables, which it sells to individual customers and businesses. The company, which doubles as a manufacturer and retailer, can be likened to Wayfair and now-defunct Made.com. However, because it serves an entirely different market, Taeillo has had to be authentic with its product offerings by infusing cultural elements (it refers to them as Afrocentric furniture). 

    When Dada launched the platform, its target audience was solely businesses. The initial product brought in $165,000 in seed funding from investors such as CcHUB Growth Capital, Montane Capital and B-Knight. However, in mid-2020, during the pandemic, Taiello, leaning on investors’ guidance and citing a chance in the market after several walk-in stores halted operations, pivoted to a direct-to-consumer approach. 

    “It was more or less like opportunity met preparation because, at that time, many people were at home, and the leading furniture brands were not online to serve them,” CEO Dada told TechCrunch. “Traditional showrooms were locked up too, so that was an opportunity for brands like us to position ourselves and prove that they could buy furniture online without necessarily going into showrooms.”

    The decision proved a masterstroke; up until its pivot, Taeillo had sold under 200 pieces of furniture in Nigeria. Its pivot came with the launch of the “Amakisi” table (₦29,999/~$85) — a work table and one of its best-selling products — which quickly gained popularity and sold over 1,000 pieces in six months. Since then, the online furniture manufacturer and retailer has expanded into 10 additional product categories, moved into Kenya and shipped more than 10,000 pieces of furniture to over 5,000 customers in both countries. 

    In 2021, Taeillo raised a $150,000 bridge round from CcHUB Syndicate as it tripled its revenue from the previous year. But that growth and progress didn’t come without headaches. Due to the popularity of some of its furniture within the Nigerian millennial and working-class demographic, Taeillo has struggled to meet demand; on various occasions, taking months to deliver products. Though it manages its supply chain to an extent and manufactures about 70% of its products, the startup also relies on third-party manufacturers who make components before they are sent to Taeillo’s warehouse, assembled and shipped to customers. According to Dada, the reasons behind extended wait times – with the company producing as many as 800 pieces of furniture monthly – are due to working with these third-party providers, including suppliers and logistics services.

    “Sometimes, as a modern business, you must deal with crude suppliers. But recently, we’ve had to change our suppliers to shorten the time we get the materials. Right now, we’re also working around strategic partnerships with third-party logistics companies and might set up a logistics arm to help us improve our deliveries.” said the CEO on how Taeillo plans to deal with the long delivery times while also admitting that the online furniture manufacturer and retailer could also improve how it handles production.

    With the funding, Taeillo intends to reduce delivery times to about 3-5 days by pre-manufacturing some of its best-selling furniture (for instance, the “Amakisi” table) instead of waiting till customers make orders before starting production. The investment will also help scale its “Pay with Flexi” product, where shoppers can buy furniture and pay in installments; over 200 people have used it. Then there’s its augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) tech (powering virtual showrooms), which the startup intends to double down on marketing-wise.  

    “We’ve done a lot of work with less. So now, we want to get outstanding talent that will take us to the next growth stage. Also, we want to increase our market share, optimize operations, hack our supply chain and ensure that customers have a great experience,” expressed the chief executive of the online furniture retailer, who made over $1 million in annual revenue in 2021.

    Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes, founder and managing partner at sole investor Aruwa Capital, said investing in Taeillo aligns with one of her firm’s investment objectives: backing women founded- and led startups. Last week, the three-year-old growth equity firm, which is one of the few founded and run by an African woman, closed a $20 million+ fund from Visa Foundation and other LPs to invest in 10 startups across fintech, healthcare, renewable energy and essential consumer goods serving the female population. 

    “In line with Aruwa’s gender lens investing strategy, Taeillo is founded and led by a woman and has a 50%  female representation in its management team,” she said in a statement. “… The company [Taeillo] has maintained its innovative model in a traditional brick-and-mortar industry, creating a unique value proposition for its customers in a fast-growing, underserved market. By leveraging technology in its value chain, Taeillo has been able to achieve exponential growth in less than 2 years, achieving results that take traditional furniture companies decades to achieve.” 

  • Google Chrome is about to get less power and memory hungry

    Google Chrome is about to get less power and memory hungry

    Google Chrome logo stock photo 2

    Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

    TL;DR

    • Google is implementing two new features that will help save battery and memory.
    • The two features are rolling out for Chrome on desktop.
    • The update will hit globally for Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS over the next several weeks.

    It’s no secret, despite how much you may like using Chrome over other browsers, that it is a power- and memory-hungry machine. But Google is fixing that problem with an update that will bring two new optimization features.

    Google has announced that it has built a battery-saving feature and a memory-saving feature for Chrome on desktop. The company states that it will be rolling out the new performance settings starting now and should be available globally to everybody on Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS over the next several weeks.

    According to the tech giant, memory saver mode will make it so the browser uses 30% less memory than before. The feature is aimed at keeping your tabs running smoothly. As described by Google, if you have a bunch of tabs open, memory saver frees up memory from the tabs you’re not using. The inactive tabs are reloaded when you come back to them.

    Unlike the memory saver feature, the battery saver only kicks on when your computer’s battery level dips to 20%. When you reach 20%, the setting will start limiting things like background activity and visual effects for websites with animations and videos.

    If you’re fine with Chrome just the way it is, the company states that users can turn off either setting. Additionally, memory saver will allow you to mark the websites you want to keep exempt from the feature.

    If the settings have already landed on your browser, you’ll be able to find them by clicking on the three dots in the Chrome menu.

  • Can You Really Use a Flamethrower to Clear Snow Off Your Driveway?

    Can You Really Use a Flamethrower to Clear Snow Off Your Driveway?

    Santa, dual wielding flame throwers, melting snow in the shadow of a large warehouse.
    slava3351/Shutterstock.com

    You may have seen a viral video recently of a man dressed like Cousin Eddie from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation melting the snow off his driveway with a flamethrower. Where’d he get it, and does it actually work?

    Can You Flamethrower Driveway Snow Away?

    Heat is the enemy of snow, and applying a whole lot of it at once will get the job done. In fact, in a roundabout—and absolutely ridiculous—way, you’re using the sun to melt the snow when you use a flamethrower.

    Flamethrowers use fossil fuels, a dense energy source created by ancient organic matter that is compressed and concentrated over millions of years in the earth’s crust. Some of us wait for the present-day sun to melt the snow, and some of us—like Timothy Browning, seen in the video below—prefer to call on the sunshine of yesteryear.

    We’re presenting that argument tongue-in-cheek, of course, because it’s a technically-true but a bit-of-a-stretch argument to claim shooting a flaming gasoline and diesel mixture on your driveway is really using sunshine. So let’s ask the important question instead: does it work?

    In December 2020, Browning’s video went viral after he shared it on Facebook. In the video, he’s dressed up like Cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation, with a white robe, black shoes and socks, and the whole outfit right down to the fur-lined trooper hat and cigar.

    But instead of holding the waste hose of an RV as Cousin Eddie does in the film, he’s holding a flamethrower—and clearing snow off his driveway in the process. The sheer novelty of it has ensured his video has made the rounds every winter since.

    Would it be practical for the two feet of snow that I had to dig myself out of just the other day? Not at all. The handheld models only have a run time of about 30-60 seconds—you’ll note the video above lasts about 60 seconds—and the back-pack models only have a run time of a few minutes.

    That might be enough for a small driveway with a dusting of snow (which is what we see in Browning’s video), but you’re not going clear inches and inches of snow away. In such cases, you just end up with a bunch of partially melted and sooty snow.

    No doubt about it, there’s a dramatic and fun wow factor, but when you’re done, you may end up with some unburnt fuel coating your driveway or sidewalk. If there’s any question about whether that happens, just look closely in the background; there are little pools of burning fuel on the ground.

    The video below, from The King of Random, shows just how ineffective using different kinds of flame throwers is on snow. Most of the heat goes up into the air, and the snow melts slowly in a very localized fashion.

    But the better question is would it have been safe to do on my driveway with flammable landscaping and a wood fence tightly bordering it? Probably not. And that’s likely the case for anyone who doesn’t have a driveway with a whole lot of open space around it.

    You could easily argue the number of situations in which “would it be safe?” applies to a flamethrower capable of throwing a 25-30 foot flame is very small.

    Can You Legally Buy a Flamethrower?

    Maybe the video of Browning clearing his driveway made you think, “That is the most insane and wasteful thing I have ever seen!” Or maybe it made you think, “I need a flamethrower!” And if you’re in the latter group, you’re in luck.

    It would be easy to assume that Browning’s flame thrower was either some piece of military surplus he got his hands on or a homemade contraption he banged out in a mad scientist maker space, but surely not a legal thing he just slapped a credit card on the table to buy.

    A man using a flame thrower out in the desert.
    XM42.com

    Turns out, in the United States, there are no federal regulations against flame throwers. Only two states have regulations against them, California and Maryland—local ordinances may vary, so check your state and local laws before shopping.

    But if you’re in any of the remaining 48 states and there are no local ordinances against it, you can live out your Cousin Eddie snow-melting fantasy by visiting XM42.com, finding a distributor, and buying the XM42 flamethrower seen both in the photo above.

    But again, it’s not that effective (or safe) as a snow-clearing tool. Further, depending on the bells and whistles, it’ll run you $600-1200 or more. If you’re dying for a novelty item and you have the right rowdy crowd to show it off to, maybe that’s a worthwhile purchase. But for most folks, it’s probably best left as an entertaining viral video.

    What Should You Buy Instead?

    If you’re willing to spend hundreds of dollars to clear snow off your driveway and you’re also willing to forgo doing it with a 25-foot flame, there are much better ways to spend your money, like buying an actual snow blower.

    Further, if you want a fast way to deal with the kind of light powder seen in the viral video above, you really can’t beat using a good battery-powered electric leaf blower.

    I absolutely love mine for the task. Any time we get light snow, I just slap a battery on my leaf blower and blow the powder snow off my car and driveway.

    EGO Power+ 765 CFM 56V Leaf Blower

    If you’re looking to leaf blow snow it’s tough to beat a powerful battery-powered model like this EGO Power+ option. You’ll easily blast snow off your patio, your car, and even low-hanging eaves without stinking of exhaust fumes.

    Finally, you’re in luck if you have a solid use case for deploying fire in your ice and snow-clearing endeavors.

    While using a legit flamethrower that belches a mixture of flaming gasoline and diesel fuel all over your driveway and sidewalk isn’t the cleanest or safest way to go about it, there is a practical way to use fire in a cleaner and more controlled fashion.

    They’re called “flame weeders,” and they’re simply a long wand you hook up to a propane tank. They come in two sizes, a light-duty wand that attaches to a small propane tank (like the kind you use for a camp stove) and a heavy-duty wand that attaches to a 20-pound tank (like the kind you use for a grill).

    Flame King Propane Torch Kit

    This heavy-duty propane torch kit will help you safely melt away ice buildup without having to salt the earth to do it.

    You can use the modest flame at the end to kill weeds without pesticides in the summer, and in the winter, you can use it to deice surfaces without using salt—though if you’re buying it mostly for weeds and sometimes for ice, I highly recommend getting the light-duty option as the flame is much narrower and better suited for precision.

    When I get really stubborn ice buildup in areas where I don’t want to dump tons of salt (accelerating the wear and tear on the underlying concrete in the process), I’ll use a flame weeder to gently melt the ice away. In fact, when talking to Snopes, Browning noted that he and his son had shoveled the bulk of the snow but busted out the flame thrower to melt the ice before relatives came to visit.

    While it’s not as environmentally friendly as just waiting for mother nature to melt it, the propane burns clean and doesn’t coat the ground with soot and bits of diesel fuel.

    It’s not as dramatic by any measure. But so far, I haven’t burned my house down or had the neighbors call the cops, concerned I’d finally snapped under the strain of holiday shopping and party planning. That seems like a fair trade-off to me, all the ice melting with none of the snowy chats with concerned officers.