Marvel Realm of Champions will shut down later this year but existing players can still enjoy the game before then and also receive compensation in Marvel Contest of Champions as well.
For those of you who don’t know, Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of a computer or a computer-controlled robot to perform tasks that are usually done by humans as they require human intelligence. Metaverse’s AI research and usage include content analysis, supervised speech processing, computer vision, and much more.
Every modern business professional understands the importance of data. Data can separate the forest from the trees, providing business leaders with a new perspective. From valuable insights regarding customer satisfaction to understanding vital improvements that you can make operationally, data analytics can provide a huge return on investment. However, many businesses shy away from Data Science and analytics because they feel […]
In what Icelandair's director of marketing Gísli S. Brynjólfsson describes as "More of a refresh, not a total change," the airline has begun rolling out an updated livery and associated marketing collateral. Icelandair's current branding was last updated in 2006. "We needed to strengthen our story and the emotional part of the brand," Brynjólfsson said. "Icelandair culture has changed a lot, it's much more relaxed than it was before."
For perspective, he explained that the idea was to democratize the brand, as the current white, blue, and gold livery had been seen as a bit stuffy. "We took the gold out - it came up a few times in the talks with experts and focus groups that the gold-and-blue feels a bit royal - Icelandair is not a royal airline - Iceland is very democratic with small power differences," he said.
"We are so much like a normal Icelandic company - the power distance between people is very little - we're a company of equals, so that’s something that needs to be represented in the brand," he explained. For those who are fans of the airline's iconic special liveries like Hekla Aurora and Vatnajökull (the glacier livery), he was reassuring. "We’re definitely going to continue to have special liveries." But don't expect to see the new livery on the airline's substantial 757 fleet.
"I doubt that we will do the refresh on the 757s - we're doing just the MAX to begin with. The fate of time for those planes (the older 757s), combined with the cost of changing those planes, would not be reasonable." He did say the airline's two 767s would likely receive the makeover at some point.
The winners of the New York Game Awards 2022 have been announced, with Psychonauts 2 scoring the top honor after triumphing in the Best Game of the Year category.
Anyone who uses a smartphone knows the importance of carrying a backup battery pack. But try searching for one on Amazon, say, and you're likely to feel overwhelmed by the vast number of options. Besides the various charging specs, ports, and even cables you have to consider, there are a ton of competing brands. How are you supposed to know which ones actually live up to their promise?
We've done the legwork for you, evaluating a wide range of power banks from different manufacturers, costing different prices, and some offering unique features. Our testing is extensive, too, subjecting the packs to real-world usage (read about our testing process in detail below). Our picks below reflect a range of needs. (You might also be interested in our our roundup of USB car chargers if you spend a lot of time in transit.)
Updated 2/1/22 to include our review of the EcoFlow Delta Mini Portable Power Station. More than your typical pocket charger, the Delta Mini is a hefty power source for extended time off the grid, like camping or in an emergency. It's pricey, but it buys you the assurance that all your gear can be charged.
Building on the success of the Powerstation Plus XL (our previous pick for best overall power bank), Mophie's Powerstation XXL matches its predecessor in efficiency, achieving 92.51 percent of its stated maximum current, plus it's stylish, portable, and affordably priced. It's a no-brainer recommendation if you're in the market for a dependable power source on-the-go.
Small enough to fit into a coat pocket or the side pocket on a backpack, the Tronsmart Presto is an obvious companion when you're on-the-go. It's a 10,000mAh (37Wh) pack, with two USB-A ports, one with QC3.0 for fast charging.
The combination wall charger and portable power bank format makes the Powercore Fusion 5000 exceedingly convenient. The bank itself can be recharged via either method—power outlet or MicroUSB port. It's limited to two USB-A ports for device charging, but that doesn't dimish its great handiness-to-cost ratio.
If you spend a lot of time on the road and value device preparedness, the Sherpa 100AC makes a trusty, if pricey, companion. Yes, at $299.95, you're looking at a big investment. But that buys you two USB-C ports capable of fast-charging speeds, two standard USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, a standard U.S. 110V outlet, a full complement of cables, and a nifty status display and buttons for controlling various functions of the pack. The pack itself can be charged in just a couple hours.
There are times when a mere power bank isn't enough—the circumstances call for a power station. Say you're spending the weekend off the grid. Or you want to be prepared for a future emergency. The RAVPower Portable Power Station 252.7Wh Power House will get the job done. With a capacity near 252.7Wh, a nice complement of ports, a built-in flashlight, and an included carrying case, this highly portable power station makes a great travel companion for road trips.
Determining whether a power bank lives up to a company's promise entails more than simply connecting it to a phone and charging. Testing battery packs is done over weeks, not days, and requires extra equipment in order to ensure the batteries work as expected.
1. Upon receiving each battery pack, it's fully charged, using indicator lights as a means to track charge level.
As we use the DROK load tester to drain the pack of power, we are able to test against a battery's stated maximum current, and verify that proper shutdown mechanisms are in place should something go wrong during a charging session (such as a device drawing over the maximum amps).
By using the AVHzY USB Power Meter, we are able to monitor volts and amps, total power throughput, and total amount of time to deplete a battery from full to empty. The meter can create an Excel spreadsheet of the entire process for future reference.
3. Next, we recharged the battery, this time using the AVHzY to track it and chart the amount of time it takes to reach full charge.
The AVHzY meter solves a shortcoming we had with our previous method w
ith the PortaPow. Previously we had to use a GoPro camera to track each battery through its charge cycle, as the PortaPow monitor would continue to collect data after the battery was fully charged (trickle charging is normal, and unfortunately interferes with our testing).
If a battery was capable of charging through USB-C, we use that instead of Micro-USB.
4. The AVHzY also has a feature built in that checks a charging port for all of its supported charging standards. We are able to run that test and get an instant readout to confirm support for QC 3.0, for example, without needing to have compatible phones or devices on hand.
Power source and cables All of our tests were conducted using the same wall adapter and, when possible, USB-C or Micro-USB cable. This was done to eliminate any discrepancies with wall adapters and cable throughput.
What to look for in a portable power bank
Without fancy testing equipment, you never truly know if you're getting what you paid for with a battery pack. Vendors, especially in Amazon listings, like to throw around a lot of terms and certifications.
Here are a few tips to help you make a decision:
For those with a compatible device, make sure the battery pack is Quick Charge 2.0, 3.0, or PD certified. Depending on your smartphone, this can make a big difference in performance. If you own a QC 2.0 device, however, ask yourself if paying extra for a QC 3.0 capable pack is worth it.
Don't put 100 percent confidence in a company's claims of a pack being able to charge, say, a Galaxy S8 or iPhone X six times over. Battery capacity and efficiency varies based on a number of factors. Read this Macworld report on USB-C packs to learn more about batteries and capacity.
Look at the specs of the battery, and ensure that its input isn't limited to slow charging such as 5V/1A. The faster the input, the faster your battery pack rechargers, the faster you're ready to hit the road.
A flypast celebrated the 80th anniversary of the forming of the “Mighty” Eighth Air Force. On Feb. 1, 2022, a B-1B Lancer (#86-0129) with the 28th Bomb Wing from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota; [...]