All posts tagged: affordable

Samsung’s Affordable Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A26 Will Get 6 Years of Software Updates

Samsung’s Affordable Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A26 Will Get 6 Years of Software Updates

Published by skeptic

The trio share many more specs, like how they all have a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with a 120-Hz refresh rate, a 5,000-mAh battery capacity, and they even have the same camera types that consist of a main 50-megapixel sensor, an ultrawide, and a macro lens, though the megapixel counts change for some of these. Three cameras on the back might sound impressive at these prices, but the ultrawide and macro cameras on budget phones are typically not very good, so it’ll be interesting to see if that’s the case yet again here or if these cameras will prove useful. It’s not just about megapixels though. Samsung specifically calls out the A36 selfie camera (and likely the A56’s)—they may have fewer megapixels than the A26, but this 12-megapixel shooter is capable of 10-bit HDR footage up to 4K at 30 frames per second. That just means it’ll do a better job representing colors in selfie videos. Samsung says the A36 and A56 have a larger vapor chamber cooling system for better heat dissipation during intense processing …

Here’s How I Find Affordable Alternatives

Here’s How I Find Affordable Alternatives

Published by skeptic

Quick Links Discounts and Student Deals Older Versions of Software Software can be expensive, but pirating it is risky and unnecessary. The good news? You don’t have to choose between breaking the bank or the law. These are the tips and tricks I use to find affordable, legal alternatives. When it comes to affordable software, open-source tools are a goldmine. These are programs developed by communities of passionate developers who make their work freely available to everyone. The best part? Many open-source tools are just as powerful as their paid counterparts. Take GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program), for example. It’s a free alternative to Adobe Photoshop with robust photo editing features. While it might have a steeper learning curve, it’s more than capable of handling everything from basic retouching to advanced graphic design. For office productivity, LibreOffice is a fantastic alternative to Microsoft Office. It includes a word processor, spreadsheet tool, presentation software, and more—all compatible with Microsoft’s file formats. And if you’re into video editing, DaVinci Resolve (although not entirely open-source) offers a free …

Mayor of West Midlands tackling region’s affordable homes shortage

Mayor of West Midlands tackling region’s affordable homes shortage

Published by skeptic

Mayor Richard Parker’s mission to kickstart the biggest social housing programme the West Midlands has seen in decades has gained further momentum with the announcement of another major investment. The Mayor joined construction workers at the Port Loop ‘island community’ in Edgbaston, Birmingham to confirm a £1.7 million funding deal for 124 social and affordable homes on five acres of derelict industrial land. The investment comes after 6,520 West Midland households, including more than 13,000 children, started the New Year living in temporary accommodation as the region continues to suffer from a lack of affordable homes. More than 60,000 people across the West Midlands are currently on housing waiting lists. The Mayor said: “Far too many families in our region are stuck waiting for a safe and decent home. This funding for Port Loop will deliver over 100 new social homes on top of the 141 I confirmed for Digbeth only last month.  “Since I took office more social homes are being delivered by the WMCA than ever before. But this is just the start …

How big pharma keeps affordable drugs out of reach – video | Pharmaceuticals industry

How big pharma keeps affordable drugs out of reach – video | Pharmaceuticals industry

Published by Sam

Pharmaceutical corporations claim high prices are the cost of innovation, but the reality is far more complicated — and troubling. In 2030, the patents of some of the world’s best-selling drugs will expire, an event called the ‘patent cliff’, and companies are doubling down on tactics such as ‘evergreening’ patents and pay-for-delay deals to keep prices high and competition out. In this video, Neelam Tailor uncovers the shocking strategies big pharma use to game the system, explaining how these moves protect profits but hurt patients Source link

Luxury and Affordable Rings, Necklaces, More

Luxury and Affordable Rings, Necklaces, More

Published by skeptic

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission. Not only is jewelry beautiful in form — it’s also beautiful in meaning. Forever tied to a memory, jewelry serves as the best daily reminder of those who love you the most. Whether you’re in the market for the perfect pair of diamond studs, an edgy ear cuff, a statement ring or a unique pendant necklace, this gift guide has you covered. Organized by price, the list is divided into seven sections: jewelry under $50, under $100, under $250, under $500, under $1,000, under $5,000 and over $5,000, so keep scrolling for the price range you’re shopping for. The roundup ranges from big houses like Hermès, David Yurman and Gucci to independent jewelry designers to celebrity-owned brands and collaborations with Hollywood figures. To note: Many of the below items are available in silver, gold and rose gold, so don’t let the metal color in the image completely sway you. From wallet-friendly favorites …

Affordable Third-Party Mac Studio Storage Upgrades Coming in 2025

Affordable Third-Party Mac Studio Storage Upgrades Coming in 2025

Published by skeptic

French company Polysoft has successfully reverse-engineered Apple’s proprietary storage modules for the Mac Studio and plans to offer more affordable upgrade options starting in January 2025, following a successful Kickstarter campaign. The company’s “Studio Drive” modules will be available in 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB capacities, with pricing starting at €399 ($420) for 2TB, €799 ($843) for 4TB, and €1,099 ($1,158) for 8TB – roughly half of what Apple charges for comparable storage upgrades at the time of purchase. Unlike traditional SSDs used in PCs, Apple’s storage modules require specialized engineering because the actual storage controller is built into the M1 and M2 chips rather than being part of the removable module. To develop compatible modules, Polysoft conducted extensive reverse engineering, sacrificing an original Apple module for detailed analysis. The company removed all its small components one by one using a laser station, inventoried them and measured their characteristics, then scanned every layer with a flatbed scanner. From this work, the company then made its own schematics and designed different boards, using the same Kioxia and …

New MacBook Pro Speakers Are Most Affordable to Repair Since 2015

New MacBook Pro Speakers Are Most Affordable to Repair Since 2015

Published by skeptic

For the first time in nearly a decade, Apple is able to repair individual MacBook Pro speakers without replacing other components too. In a memo shared with Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers this week, Apple said it is offering speakers as standalone repair parts for the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with the M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips. This is the first time Apple has made individual MacBook Pro speaker parts available since 2015. For all MacBook Pro models released between 2016 and 2023, Apple replaces the entire “top case” with the battery and other components for speaker repairs. This results in out-of-warranty speaker repairs costing hundreds of dollars more than they should, so standalone speaker parts will make these repairs far more affordable. Even better, the speaker parts will not be limited to technicians at the Genius Bar and Apple Authorized Service Providers. Apple has already shared speaker repair manuals for the new MacBook Pro models on its website, so it should make the standalone speaker parts available …

26 Best Affordable Bracelets for Men 2024: Shine Bright Tonight

26 Best Affordable Bracelets for Men 2024: Shine Bright Tonight

Published by skeptic

The best affordable bracelets for men buck expectations. Even in a world of iced out wristwear, you really don’t have to break the bank to up—or simply kickstart—your jewelry collection. In fact, unlike with other categories (like, say, socks,) where spending more really does get you a better experience, with jewelry, spending less is often the wiser decision, until you know you’re truly comfortable with a style. Which brings us to bracelets. On the plus side, wearing a bracelet makes even the most thrown together jeans and T-shirt fit look considered (and, in the opposite direction, takes the edge off whenever you’re wearing a stiffer suit or office fit). But understandably, many guys didn’t grow up wearing them, so you might be wary about where, or even how to start. That’s where we come in. The important thing, after finding a piece you like the look of, is really just to know what materials to look for. Even at this price point, you can find long-lasting quality—calfskin leather, freshwater pearls, or 18k gold—but it’s also …

This young engineer built an affordable electronic braille reader

This young engineer built an affordable electronic braille reader

Published by skeptic

Yash Mehta, 14, got the idea for his first science fair project on a trip to Old Delhi, India. There, he visited a school for blind students. Yash noticed that none of these students used electronic braille readers. They were just too costly. So once he got home, he built a more affordable one. Yash’s device uses tiny spinning motors to create vibrations. They feel like the bumps of braille letters. Then, he tested it with students at the Blind Relief Association in New Delhi, India. Students were able to read braille on his device with 86 percent accuracy, compared with print braille. An aspiring engineer, Yash did this project as an eighth grader at the Durham Academy in Durham, N.C. His research earned him a finalist spot in the 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. He also won the first-place Technology Award at the competition. This program is run by Society for Science, which also publishes Science News Explores. Here, Yash shares his science fair experiences and advice. Educators and Parents, Sign Up …

The Affordable Connectivity Program Has a Lifeline in the Senate

The Affordable Connectivity Program Has a Lifeline in the Senate

Published by skeptic

There’s a new plan to revive the Affordable Connectivity Program, a pandemic-era initiative that provides low-income households in the US with discounts on high-speed internet access. At the end of April, funding for the program was set to run out, affecting millions. But a bipartisan group of senators, led by Ben Ray Luján of California, have proposed using a Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization measure as a vehicle for funding the ACP and other telecom programs for a combined $6 billion. Luján’s coalition includes senators J.D. Vance, Peter Welch, Jacky Rosen, Steve Daines, and Roger Wicker. “Right now, there are over 23 million households participating in this program, that’s more than 55 million people. But it’s not only benefiting these individual families—it’s benefiting their local communities as well,” Luján tells WIRED. “It gives families access to better-paying jobs, to training and education to create economic mobility, to better deals on groceries and household goods. The time is now to save this program.” The measure also includes a provision for the Federal Communication Commission’s “rip and replace …