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Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Google Photos will no longer back up WhatsApp and Instagram images by default
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Xiaomi's new Redmi 9A and 9C are sub-$100 phones with 5000mAh batteries
Both phones come with a single 13MP camera on the back.
What you need to know
- Xiaomi's entry-level Redmi 9A and 9C smartphones are now official.
- The Redmi 9A comes with a MediaTek Helio G25 chipset, a single 13MP rear camera, and a 5000mAh battery.
- Redmi 9C features a slightly more powerful Helio G35 chipset and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Xiaomi Malaysia today quietly announced the Redmi 9A and Redmi 9C entry-level phones. Both phones are powered by MediaTek chipsets and promise excellent battery life.
The new Redmi 9C comes with a 6.53-inch HD+ display featuring a waterdrop notch cutout with a 5MP selfie camera. It is powered by a MediaTek Helio G35 octa-core chipset, paired with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage. The phone has a single 13MP camera on the back and packs a massive 5,000mAh battery. It also comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Redmi 9A, on the other hand, runs on a slightly less powerful MediaTek Helio G25 chipset, clubbed with 2GB of RAM and 32GB storage. Like the Redmi 9C, the Redmi 9A has a 6.53-inch HD+ display with a 5MP selfie camera housed within the waterdrop notch at the top. The rest of the phone's key specs are also identical to the Redmi 9C. The only notable difference is the omission of the fingerprint sensor.
The Redmi 9A has been priced at RM359 ($85) in Malaysia and will be available through Lazada starting July 7. Redmi 9C will be going on sale in the country by the end of July for RM429 ($100). While Redmi hasn't confirmed any details yet, the Redmi 9A and Redmi 9C are expected to soon make their way to a few other markets such as Europe and India.
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Google is holding its first ‘Smart Home Virtual Summit’ on July 8
You can look forward to some "exciting new and upcoming features" for smart home devices.
What you need to know
- Google will be hosting a "Hey Google" Smart Home Virtual Summit next week.
- The search giant will be diving into some new and upcoming features for both smart home developers and users at the event.
- The "Hey Google" Smart Home Keynote will begin at 13:00 ET on July 8.
Google has announced that it will be holding a "Hey Google" Smart Home Virtual Summit next week to share new and upcoming features for smart home developers and users. Since the Google I/O had to be canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the summit will provide an opportunity to the company to be able to engage with developers and users "in person."
Michele Turner, Product Management Director of the Smart Home Ecosystem, will be sharing Google's recent smart home product initiatives in the keynote, which is set to begin at 13:00 ET on July 8. Turner will also share new tools that have been designed to make it easier to develop with Google Assistant.
Google will host a "Hey Google" partner panel as well, where several industry leaders will talk about the impact of COVID-19 on their business and the overall state of the Smart Home industry.
As announced by Google earlier this month, Smart Displays will soon be able to access AMP web content. More web content categories are expected to be enabled for Google Assistant Smart Displays later this year. The Assistant has also gained the ability to save session information for multiple users on a single device, which means users can resume playback of podcasts and videos across compatible devices.
Here's how Google is succeeding at making Assistant think like a human
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Monday, June 29, 2020
Amazon will let you co-watch Prime videos with friends in the US
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What's on TV: 'Hamilton,' 'Baby-Sitter's Club' and 'Unsolved Mysteries'
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From the DS220+ to DS920+, these are Synology's 2020 NAS enclosures
Looking to buy a NAS in 2020? Start here.
What you need to know
- Synology is rolling out four new models in its Plus series: DiskStation DS220+, DS420+, DS720+, and DS920+.
- All four models feature upgraded hardware and two Gigabit Ethernet ports.
- The DS420+, DS720+, and DS920+ also offer two M.2 slots for SSD caching.
- All four models are now available.
If you're in the market for a new network-attached storage (NAS) enclosure, Synology is the ideal place to start. The brand offers everything from budget options aimed at home users to enthusiast models designed for small businesses, and now Synology has unveiled its 2020 portfolio.
The brand is launching new variants of four models in the Plus series, with the DS220+ a particularly great option for first-time buyers, and the DS720+, DS420+, and DS920+ targeted at the enthusiast segment. All models include upgraded connectivity options and huge performance upgrades, so if you already have a NAS enclosure and are looking to upgrade or are interested in getting started with your own media server, let's take a look at Synology's latest products.
Synology DiskStation DS220+: The ideal two-bay NAS for beginners
The DiskStation DS218+ turned out to be a best-seller in Synology's portfolio for its affordability, and the DS220+ retains that particular trait. The two-bay NAS is available for $299, and you're getting upgraded hardware in the form of an Intel Celeron J4025 chipset with 2GB of DDR4 RAM (the DS218+ had a Celeron J3355 chip and DDR3 memory).
You can add a further 4GB of memory to the NAS, and each drive bay can facilitate up to a 16TB drive — with total storage up to 32TB. Another key change with the DS220+ is the addition of a secondary Gigabit Ethernet port that offers link aggregation and failover. You also get two USB 3.0 ports at the back.
The hardware is just one part of the story here; Synology's excellent DiskStation Manager (DSM) web-based OS has an exhaustive list of features, and you can set up your own media server and access it from anywhere in the world. Synology Drive also makes it incredibly easy to sync files across various platforms and machines, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
The DS220+ is now available for $300.
Synology DiskStation DS220+
The DS220+ is the ideal option if you're new to the world of NAS enclosures. With two Gigabit Ethernet ports and upgraded internals, the DS220+ will handle anything you throw at it, and it is the easiest way to build a reliable media server in your home.
Synology DiskStation DS720+: The upgrade option
The DiskStation 720+ is also a two-bay NAS — like the DS220+ — but you get a beefier Intel Celeron J4125 chipset. There's 2GB of DDR4 RAM that can be upgraded to a maximum of 6GB, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, and the NAS can slot in up to 16TB drives in each bay. There's also two USB 3.0 ports at the back along with an eSATA port.
Interestingly, the DS720+ has two M.2 slots for SSD caching, so if you use a lot of I/O intensive tasks, the feature is going to be handy. There's also the option of attaching Synology's DX517 expansion bay and adding five additional drive bays to the NAS.
The DS720+ is now available for $400. The $100 differential between the DS220+ is down to the extensibility and SSD caching. If you're interested in either of those features, the DS720+ is a great option to consider.
Synology DiskStation DS720+
The DS720+ shares the same foundation as the DS220+, but you get the ability to expand the drive bays to seven via the DX517. There's also SSD caching via two M.2 slots, making the NAS a decent option for small businesses that rely on real-time collaboration.
Synology DiskStation DS420+: A great option for a four-bay NAS
The DiskStation DS420+ has the same set of features as the DS220+, but with double the number of drive bays and M.2 slots for SSD caching. The NAS is powered by an Intel Celeron J4025 chip and comes with 2GB of DDR4 RAM (with a DIMM slot to add 4GB more), two Gigabit Ethernet ports, two M.2 slots, and two USB 3.0 ports.
With four drive bays that can each accommodate a 16TB drive, the DS420+ is a great way to future-proof your investment, particularly if you want to build your own media server. I started out with a four-bay DS414 five years ago, and it has served me very well for over four years, after which I switched to a DS918+.
The DS420+ is available for $500.
Synology DiskStation DS420+
The DS420+ has the same internals as the DS220+, but you get four drive bays that let you add up to 64TB of storage. You also get two M.2 slots for SSD caching and two Gigabit Ethernet ports with link aggregation.
Synology DiskStation DS920+: A fantastic enthusiast option
As the name suggests, the DiskStation DS920+ is the beefiest option of the lot. It is the only model to offer 4GB of RAM out of the box, and you get two Gigabit Ethernet ports, two USB 3.0 ports, two M.2 slots, and an eSATA port.
Like the DS720+, the DS920+ features an Intel Celeron J4125 chip. By itself, it can accommodate up to 64TB of storage across the four drive bays, and you can expand storage by attaching a DX517 storage unit to the NAS.
The DS920+ has a single DIMM slot for memory upgrades, and you can slot in an additional 4GB of RAM in the NAS enclosure. That's down from the two memory slots in the DS918+, which let you add up to 16GB of RAM. That said, 8GB of RAM should be more than enough for most users.
You can now buy the DiskStation DS920+ for $550. For what's on offer, you're getting an incredible value with the DS920+.
Synology DiskStation DS920+
The DiskStation DS920+ has 4GB of RAM and features a Celeron J4125 chipset, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, and two M.2 slots for SSD caching. If you want the extra RAM out of the box, it is a better option over the DS920+ for just a little bit more money.
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Best Beginner Electric Guitars in 2020
Guitars have come a long way in even just the decade or so that I've been playing. There are seemingly endless choices for virtually any player at any skill level, price range, and style of playing — and in particular, there are way more great options for someone's first or second guitar than there were when I started out. Whether you're looking to pick up a guitar for the first time or give the same gift to someone else, these options should be on your radar.
Best Overall: Sterling Cutlass SSS
I might be a bit biased, given my love for the high-end guitars from Sterling's parent brand Music Man, but I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a better guitar for under $300 than the Cutlass SSS. The SSS suffix denotes that this particular model comes loaded with three single-coil pickups, making it easy to achieve that famous Strat-like sound while still retaining the versatility needed to create a sonically unique profile of its own.
With the Cutlass, you'll get 22 frets on a beautiful laurel fretboard, with a neck profile that's both thick enough to comfortably play chords, but thin enough to branch out into leads and practice scales on. You also get a Music Man-designed tremolo system (you might know it as the "whammy bar"), allowing you to add vibrato to your playing with ease — though keep in mind that low-cost tremolo systems like this one often have less-than-perfect tuning stability, so you might need to tune this guitar more often than others if you start to use the trem too often.
Being a standalone guitar, you won't get any extra goodies like a hardshell case or a practice amp; you'll want to look at our starter kit recommendation for that. But assuming you already have those accessories, or don't mind buying them separately, the Cutlass SSS is an extremely versatile, comfortable, and hey — even great-looking guitar for a reasonable price.
Pros:
- Comfortable, easy to play neck
- Versatile pickups
- Tremolo arm included
- Available with humbuckers as well
Cons:
- Additional hardware sold separately
- Cheap trem means less tuning stability
Best Overall
Sterling by Music Man Cutlass SSS
The guitar I would've wanted starting off
The Cutlass doesn't just look great, it's comfortable to play and has incredibly versatile pickups that make it useful for a wide range of different genres. The tremolo comes in handy for adding vibrato to your playing, and the Cutlass is available in multiple color options.
Best Starter Kit: Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster
Starter kits are the perfect all-in-one solution when you're learning the guitar for the first time. You get everything you need in one box, including the guitar itself, a practice amp, a strap so you can play standing up, a cable to run into the amp, a softshell gig bag, and a few picks. My first guitar came as part of a metal-oriented Ibanez starter kit, but Squier's Affinity Series Stratocaster kit is a bit more versatile.
The Strat is one of the most iconic guitars ever made, and with Squier being a Fender sub-brand, you're getting that timeless design straight from the source. This particular Strat comes with a humbucker in the bridge position, which should translate to less noise and feedback from your amp, while the middle and neck pickups are single coils for that classic Strat sound.
Pros:
- Great all-in-one kit
- Available in full- or short-scale
- 15W amp features headphone jack for silent practice
Cons:
- Cheap trem means less tuning stability
- Not the highest quality parts
Best Starter Kit
Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster HSS Guitar Pack
Everything you need to get started
The Squier Affinity kit includes a guitar, practice amp, strap, cable, gig bag, and picks. It's a terrific all-in-one package that makes it quick and easy to get started learning the guitar.
Best Short-Scale: Squier Bullet Mustang
Scale lengths aren't necessarily something you need to worry about too much when you're just getting started, but they play a big role in the feel and tonality of your guitar. The longer your scale length, the more tension you'll need on each string to reach proper pitch. Lots of tension helps keep your strings from feeling loose and flubby, but shorter scale lengths lend to warmer, thicker sounds, and they're a bit easier to play.
If you've ever listened to Nirvana, you've heard the short-scale sounds of a Fender Mustang before. The Squier Bullet Mustang brings those looks and sonic characteristics down to an affordable price, with a pair of humbuckers further thickening its tones. Along with the shorter scale length, the Mustang has a particularly compact design, making this a great guitar for small-framed players (or anyone just looking for a smaller instrument).
Pros:
- Warmer, thicker sound
- Easier to play for many players
- Small, compact body shape
Cons:
- Short-scales are prone to fret buzz
- Only 21 frets
Best Short-Scale
Squier Bullet Mustang
Less tension, less frustration
Short-scale guitars are easier to play and have a warmer, thicker sound that works great with various genres of music. The Mustang is a classic shape with a slim profile, and the Bullet HH model comes with two humbucking pickups.
Best for Blues/Jazz: Gretsch G2210 Streamliner
There are few brands whose designs are as instantly recognizable as Gretsch. The Brooklyn-based company is over a century old, and its guitars have become famous over the years in the hands of Chet Atkins, Brian Setzer, Eddie Cochran, and many other notable artists. The Streamliner line brings Gretsch Guitars to an easily affordable price, and the G2210 is a solid guitar for fans of blues, jazz, and classic rock.
The Junior Jet Club has outstanding sustain, meaning that held out notes will last longer than on many other guitars, and it's available in four equally great-looking colors. The humbucking pickups have a nice focus on the midrange, and the guitar has a nice twangy tone that almost sounds Strat- or Tele-like at times. It isn't the smallest guitar out there, but it's versatile, stylish, and comfortable.
Pros:
- Great sustain
- Versatile pickups
- Easily adjustable bridge
Cons:
- Not the lightest guitar around
- Not particularly small, either
Best for Blues/Jazz
Gretsch G2210 Streamliner Junior Jet Club
From one of the longest-running guitar makers around
The G2210 is part of Gretsch's affordable Streamliner lineup, and offers classic design with great sustain and well-rounded pickups that sound great for a wide variety of musical genres.
Best for Metal: Jackson JS32 Dinky DKA
One look at the Jackson JS32 tells you exactly what it's made for. This guitar makes no attempts to hide its inclination towards metal, with Jackson's signature jagged headstock and a Superstrat body style that features deep cutouts near the bottom of the neck, offering easy access to the highest frets.
Being geared towards metal, you get two high-output humbucking pickups that definitely favor a bit of distortion, along with 24 frets and a licensed Floyd Rose tremolo that lets you play Dimebag Darrell-inspired divebombs to your heart's content. Best of all, you won't run into the same type of tuning stability issues that other trem-equipped guitars in this list face, since the Floyd Rose locks at both the bridge and the nut.
Pros:
- High output pickups
- Double-locking tremolo system
- Great upper fret access
Cons:
- Not the most versatile pickups
- Floyd Rose requires additional setup
Best for Metal
Jackson JS32 Dinky DKA
A double-locking trem without breaking the bank
If you've ever wanted to play Pantera- or Ozzy-inspired riffs with divebombs and heavy chugs, it's hard to go wrong with the shred-oriented Jackson Dinky. It isn't the most versatile guitar in the world, but it's great for metal.
Best Under $200: Ibanez AX120
Ibanez has long been known for its metal guitar lineage as well, but the AX120 takes a more neutral approach with a more rounded shape and contoured edges that let it sit comfortably against your body while you play. There's a small pickguard by the humbucking pickups, which keeps the paint job from getting scratched up over time, and you get four knobs that give you individual volume and tone control for each pickup.
The AX120 is well-built for the price, and its ceramic pickups work well for various types of music. It's stable, thanks to the fixed bridge, and the 24.75-inch "Gibson scale length" offers a nice balance of proper tension and a naturally warm, thick tonality. For a penny shy of $200, this guitar is hard to beat.
Pros:
- Easily affordable for virtually any player
- Scale length offers nice tension and tone
- Well-rounded pickups
Cons:
- Shorter scale not great for low tunings
- Prone to fret buzz
Best Under $200
Ibanez AX120
As good as it gets on a tight budget
The Ibanez AX120 is a versatile, affordable guitar that's available in over half a dozen finishes at a low price. It's comfortable to play, and its pickups work for a variety of genres.
Upgrade Pick: ESP LTD EC-256FM
I wanted to keep this list limited to a $300 threshold, since most people probably won't want to spend a ton of money on an instrument before they really know that they'll stick with it. But it's okay to treat yourself sometimes, and even though it's the most expensive option in this list, the LTD EC-256FM offers a lot of bang for your buck.
ESP's EC, or Eclipse, series is based around the ever-famous Les Paul — the single guitar shape that embodies rock and roll above all else. With the EX-256FM, you'll get a set-neck design (great for sustain and high fret access), two ESP-designed pickups, and a push-pull knob for coil splitting, allowing you to instantly switch between the sound of humbuckers and single-coil pickups.
Pros:
- Four gorgeous finish options
- Dual humbuckers with coil splitting
- Set-neck design means great sustain
Cons:
- Set-neck also makes the neck hard to repair
- Expensive for a first guitar
Upgrade Pick
ESP LTD EC-256FM
Worth splurging on
The EC-256FM is a great-looking instrument based on one of the most iconic rock guitars of all time. With it, you'll get splittable humbuckers, a set neck, and four eye-catching finishes.
Bottom line
No matter your skill level of preferred genres of music, there's a neverending list of great guitars for you to choose from. Of course, if my picks don't speak to you, don't be afraid to consider models or brands not featured in this list. This is just a small selection I'd recommend to a student or first-time buyer, but there are plenty of options from other incredible companies!
Credits — The staff that worked on this guide
Hayato Huseman has been playing guitar at a middle school level since high school. These days, he plays Aristides Guitars and tweets videos on rare occasion at @hayatohuseman. Got a tip or inquiry? Drop him a line at hayato.huseman@futurenet.com.
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