The chips that power your personal computer – Intel’s overview

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Feb 192020
 

Holy electron beams, Batman! Chips on a reel, eh.

Ever wonder about how computer chips (microprocessors) that power your personal computer are made? Well, if you’re curious for a high level overview, this PC World article includes a YouTube video by Intel (below) and some additional manufacturing videos for other products.

PC World > “This insightful Intel video explains how CPUs are made, in words you can actually understand” – From the concept stages all the way to store shelves – by Brad Chacos, Senior Editor (February 19, 2020).

Intel Newsroom > Want to better understand transistors, wafers, photolithography? Not quite sure what to make of mask operations, die sort and prep, and assembly and test? This video will help you better understand these key concepts and their roles in chip manufacturing. (Credit: Intel Corporation)
All the hard work that goes into the badass CPU at the heart of your gaming rig.

Best TV streaming service?

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Jan 312018
 

PC World, January 31, 2018: “Best TV streaming service: SlingTV vs Hulu vs PlayStation Vue, and all the rest.”

Which streaming TV bundle is the best deal for cord cutters? Our head-to-head reviews hash it out.

When you “cut the [cable TV) cord]” and keep your high-speed Internet service, whether you also switch to over-the-air (OTA) channels, what over-the-top (OTT) service do you subscribe to? There are quite a few choices. Not all choices are available everywhere.

Personally, after reactivating my old TV antenna for OTA reception, I chose YouTube TV. Is YouTube TV perfect? Nope. Does the service have all the OTA channels? Nope. Do I like it? Most definitely.

The PC World article cited above is an excellent guide for choices: Sling TV, PlayStation Vue, DirecTV Now, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Philo, and more. Channels, prices, features, device compatibility.

To see which local stations are available in your area, visit the websites for Sling TV, PlayStation Vue, DirecTV Now, Hulu with Live TV, FuboTV, and YouTube TV.

 

Best smartphone case — CES 2018 drop test

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Jan 292018
 

Get a new smartphone and you’re probably going to get a case. I got one because my bare phone was slippery. I had no particular brand loyalty. So, if you’re not loyal to a previous brand, there are lots of choices. If drop protection is vital, then this Cnet video article “We broke $9,000 worth of phones to find the toughest iPhone X case” may be of interest.

We challenged 12 case makers to a live drop test at CES and dropped their cases from 20 feet. These were the last ones standing.

We invited the top case makers in the market to participate in a live drop test at CES to find out which one could survive the highest drop.

And 12 of them took us up on the offer: Caseology, Rokform, Thanotech, BodyGuardz, Tech21, Pelican, PureGear, Zizo, Spigen, RhinoShield, Supcase and OWC showed up at the CNET live stage at the Las Vegas Convention Center at CES 2018. Each brought their own brand-new iPhone Xs (still in the box) and their toughest case so we could drop them onto concrete slabs. Things escalated pretty quickly after that.

 

Best video streamer — Roku?

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Jan 292018
 

Some of my clients are using streaming devices (or sticks) for viewing movies and TV shows on their TVs over the Internet. Quite popular — these over-the-top (OTT) services versus over-the-air (OTA) or cable TV channels. Personally I’ve used a Fire TV Stick since 2015. And if all you’re interested in is getting to Netflix, that’s available on all these devices; so, compare other features, as this Cnet article “Which streamer should you buy?” on January 18, 2018, discussed.

Plenty of options exist for streaming Netflix, YouTube, Amazon and the rest. We’ve reviewed almost all of them. Here are our picks.

Here’s a sample:

Why it’s great: Roku [the Roku Streaming Stick Plus] is my favorite streaming system, with the most apps, the simplest interface, the best search and a content-agnostic platform that doesn’t push any one provider, like Amazon video or iTunes over another. The Plus is the company’s cheapest streamer with 4K HDR, and even if your current TV doesn’t support those formats, your next one probably will. Its accent on practical features, like a remote that can control your TV’s volume and power, seals the deal.

The list of choices includes:

  • Roku Streaming Stick Plus
  • Roku Streaming Stick
  • Roku Express
  • Apple TV 4K
  • Nvidia Shield TV
  • Amazon Fire TV
  • Chromecast

iPhone 8 or 8 Plus — first things to do

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Sep 222017
 

As for previous models of Apple’s iPhone, MacWorld today published an article on things to do first after getting a new one: Got an iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus? Do these 10 things first.

Well, you did it. You pulled the trigger on a shiny new iPhone 8 or 8 Plus. Nice! Before you head out to take a squillion photos or plop it down on your new wireless charging pad, there are a few housekeeping details you should tend to first.

  1. Backup and restore
  2. Finish the setup
  3. Set up Touch ID and Apple Pay
  4. Choose the Home button’s feel
  5. Update your apps
  6. (Pair your Apple Watch)
  7. Try the new camera
  8. Edit a Live Photo
  9. Customize your Control Center
  10. Charge it up
  11. (Call your mom)

And this CNET video “Favorite features in iOS 11 in 60 seconds (Tech Minute)” (below) highlights new features in iOS, if you got a new iPhone 8 or upgraded your older iPhone or iPad.

 

YouTube Example 2010

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May 182011
 

Video shot in full HD (1080i) and encoded to 640 x 360 (360p) for YouTube SD widescreen (16:9).