Why use a VPN? | Mashable

April 30, 2024April 29, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Why use a VPN? Well, why not? It’s never been easier to become anonymous online, as you only need a reliable virtual private network (VPN).

Switching on a VPN is essential if you’re concerned about your privacy; it keeps hackers, trackers, and even your internet service provider (ISP) at bay by hiding your IP address. However, its true value lies in its ability to access all the internet has to offer.

You’re no longer bound by region-restricted content nor geo-blocked streaming services that keep you from watching your favorite movies; a VPN lets you be virtually anywhere in the world. There are plenty of VPN services out there, and some may be more suited to your needs than others. Our pick of the best VPNs covers all bases, but if you’re wondering why you need a VPN in the first place, read on.

The iPad Air is $200 off at Best Buy for one day only | Mashable

April 29, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

A new generation of iPad is hotly anticipated, and expected to finally drop on May 7th after its release was pushed back several months. In the meantime, the iPad Air 5th generation is still available, offering powerful performance at a lower price than the iPad Pro.

The already affordable model is now available at its lowest price thanks to this Best Buy deal of the day. Today only, you can save $200 on the 64 GB tablet. ‘

The iPad Air, which debuted in 2022, comes outfitted with an M1 chip that also powers the Apple Macbooks. In other words, this small tablet has all the power of a laptop in a compact size.

iOS 18 tipped to redesign 4 apps | Mashable

April 29, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The iOS 18 hype train is building up speed.

Apple’s next iteration of iPhone software is set to be announced at WWDC 2024 in June, but as always, we’re learning a lot about it ahead of time. The latest scoop comes from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, who claimed in his latest Power On newsletter that four key iOS apps are getting revamped or redesigned for iOS 18.

Which iOS 18 apps are getting big changes?

According to Gurman, the following built-in apps are getting significant updates:

Fitness
Mail
Photos
Notes

Unfortunately, Gurman didn’t go into specific details about what to expect from the aforementioned changes. However, that doesn’t mean we’re completely out of luck. Thanks to leaks and industry whispers, we can make some educated guesses. Recent rumors suggest that the Notes app could get mathematical notation and built-in voice memos, putting it more on par with Microsoft’s OneNote app.

Net neutrality is back as FCC votes to regulate internet providers | CNN Business

April 26, 2024April 25, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The US government on Thursday banned internet service providers (ISPs) from meddling in the speeds their customers receive when browsing the web and downloading files, restoring tough rules rescinded during the Trump administration and setting the stage for a major legal battle with the broadband industry.

The net neutrality regulations adopted Thursday by the Federal Communications Commission prohibit providers such as AT&T, Comcast and Verizon from selectively speeding up, slowing down or blocking users’ internet traffic. They largely reflect rules passed by a prior FCC in 2015 and unwound in 2017.

The latest rules show how, with a 3-2 Democratic majority, the FCC is moving to reassert its authority over an industry that powers the modern digital economy, touching everything from education to health care and enabling advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Tech earnings: Google, Microsoft and Snap shares climb | CNN Business

April 26, 2024April 25, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, bounced back from an absolutely dreadful day for tech shares, as its stock surged Thursday after the closing bell. All it had to do was to hand out billions of dollars to investors.

The tech giant announced its first quarterly cash dividend, saying it will pay $0.20 per share on June 17 to shareholders of record as of June 10, as well as a $70 billion share buyback. Buybacks and dividends help to boost stock prices by rewarding investors with cash just for holding the stock — but they’re widely criticized for artificially inflating the stock price without spending on employees or improvements to the underlying business.

Google’s stock jumped as much as 13% in after-hours trading following the report.

The announcement came as part of Google’s earnings report for the first three months of the year, in which it also reported that it exceeded Wall Street analysts’ expectations for both sales and profits.

Can faking a smile make you feel happier? | Live Science

April 25, 2024April 24, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

When you’re feeling down and don’t have time for your typical pick-me-ups, you may follow the classic advice to fake a smile to trick yourself into happiness.

But can forcing a smile actually cheer you up?

The question has been controversial among scientists, Marie Cross, an assistant teaching professor of biobehavioral health at Penn State, told Live Science. But in the past few years, research has revealed what she said feels like a clear answer: At least in a laboratory setting, making yourself smile can improve your mood.

A 2019 meta-analysis published in the journal Psychological Bulletin found that grinning could not only amplify happiness but create it.

‘We were in disbelief’: Antarctica is behaving in a way we’ve never seen before. Can it recover? | Live Science

April 25, 2024April 24, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Look out over Antarctica in the summer, and time seems frozen. The South Pole’s midnight sun appears to hover in place, never dropping below the horizon for weeks between November and January.

But the Antarctic’s timelessness is an illusion. Only a decade ago, on summer nights across the coast, the sun would glide ever so slightly over the ocean, dusting its ice floes in golden light.

Yet today, much of this sea ice is nowhere in sight. And scientists are increasingly alarmed that it may never come back.

“Antarctica feels very distant, but the sea ice there matters so much to all of us,” Ella Gilbert, a polar climate scientist at the British Antarctic Survey, told Live Science. “It’s a really vital part of our climate system.”

Career Risks Worth Taking | businessnewsdaily.com

April 24, 2024April 23, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Taking a leap of faith is risky, especially with something as important as your career. But some risks are worth taking. If you play your cards right, you could achieve more than you ever thought possible. Although a career risk may not be easy, here are four that are often worth taking.

4 career risks worth taking

If you’re thinking about making any one of these big career moves, it could be well worth the risk.

1. Choosing a job based on culture rather than salary

When choosing between two jobs, you might be tempted to take the one accompanied by the higher salary.

5 Tips for Negotiating a Raise Successfully | Business News Daily

April 24, 2024April 23, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Most people cringe at the thought of asking their boss for a pay raise. If your company doesn’t do regular annual salary increases and you’re not up for a promotion, asking may be the only way to get the raise you know you deserve. You should understand that it is perfectly acceptable to ask for a raise, and most company managers and business owners want to take good care of their employees.

While the process seems intimidating and uncomfortable, it doesn’t have to be, especially if you know your boss and how to ask for a raise. If you do your research and are ready with facts, you will feel more confident initiating the conversation.

Tips for asking for a raise

1. List your accomplishments from the past six months, the past year and your time with the company.