Apple TV+ is home to an abundance of critically acclaimed shows, such as “Severance,” “Shrinking,” “Ted Lasso,” and Seth Rogan’s “The Studio.” Unfortunately, not all of Apple TV’s original series have been so successful, including a drama thriller starring Charlie Hunnam from “Sons of Anarchy.” Released on in 2022, “Shantaram” follows an Australian fugitive who is hoping to get lost in the chaos of 1980s Bombay (now Mumbai) and try to build himself a new life.

On paper, it has all the makings of a riveting thriller, but the series didn’t reach the same level of mainstream popularity as some of the Apple TV’s other shows. In December 2022, ahead of “Shantaram’s” season finale, Apple TV announced it wouldn’t return for a second season, but there was never any official reason why. Below, we break down more on the bold series, its reception, and the potential reasons the show was canceled.

What is Shantaram about?

Based on Gregory David Robert’s novel of the same name, “Shantaram” is set in the 1980s and follows Lin Ford (Hunnam), a former paramedic, heroin addict, and bank robber who escapes from an Australian prison. In hopes of disappearing and seeking redemption for his past activities, Ford travels to Bombay to start a new life.

Ford soon falls for the beautiful and enigmatic Karla (played by “Witchboard’s” Antonia Desplat). However, his new life begins to follow a familiar pattern as he becomes entangled in the city’s criminal underworld, forcing him to choose between it and the local community he’s integrated himself into as a medic. To make things more complicated, his illicit activities see him becoming mixed up in the Soviet-Afghan War, as he uses his criminal experience to help fight the invading Russians in Afghanistan.

As such, across the show’s 12 episodes, we watch as Ford constantly struggles to be a better man amidst a growing temptation to return to his old, criminal ways. To tell you any more would spoil the ride.

Why was Shantaram cancelled?

While the reason behind the show’s cancellation was never confirmed, there are a few factors that may have influenced the cancellation. For starters, “Shantaram” was an ambitious project with an estimated $100 million budget, and it didn’t have a smooth production journey. Filming began in October 2019 and was to take place across Australia and India, but after two just episodes, filming was suspended in February 2020 — first due to the Indian monsoon season and then by a writing backlog caused by showrunner Eric Warren Singer’s departure. The show began filming in India again briefly in late 2020, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, filming was moved to Thailand. The shoot finally wrapped in late 2021.

“Shantaram” also received mixed critical reception. Collider described Hunnam as having “never been better” and RogerEbert.com praised the show’s “vibrant international cast of characters.” However, the latter also described the show’s 12, hour-long episodes as “more than a little bloated.” Others echoed this, with Decider calling it a “slow-moving thriller” and Slant Magazine saying “the series should have been a movie.”

“Shantaram” has a 57% Tomatometer rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a certified “Rotten” rating, and considerably lower than popular Apple TV+ shows like “Severance” (95%), “Ted Lasso” (90%), and “Slow Horses” (97%). That being said, the show’s audience-voted Popcornmeter rating is higher at 86% — the same as Ted Lasso’s. It’s possible then that this critical response, combined with high-production costs, resulted in the show’s cancellation.

Source

Kittyfly/Shutterstock

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

With the recent news that Amazon is essentially bricking a variety of old Kindle devices, we compiled our list of 5 e-reader alternatives. Among those were two totally separate Kobo e-readers. So, while we clearly think that Kobo is a worthy contender for your hard-earned eBook budget, what exactly is a Kobo device, what does it do well, and most importantly is it more right for you than a Kindle?

Kobo’s history dates back to early 2009 when they launched in Toronto, and with the unveiling of their first e-reader in 2010, they became an official competitor to the Kindle, which launched a couple years earlier at Amazon. Kobo started with a focus on eBook innovation and app functionality, as much of the Kobo development team focused on apps prior to this point. So, while both Amazon and Kobo saw a key change picking up steam in the book buying space, Kobo had a much more e-ink-focused approach than the much larger Amazon business.

Today, Kobo readers are loved by many real-world users for their philosophical differences from Kindle. Like it or not, Amazon owns a massive chunk of the world’s digital and physical storefront. Under the hood, a Kindle is loaded up with Amazon’s proprietary flavor of Android, meaning you have to play by Amazon’s rules to get books onto the device. This can be great for ease of use, but Kobo is known for offering more compatibility of file types and less strict guidelines. There are also unlimited plans to consider, as both companies have their version. Finally, look closely at the hardware, where Amazon features more devices to choose from, Kobo may have the right feature-to-price ratio.

The open vs. closed philosophy

Adem Karanfil/Shutterstock

Read into a few “what do I do when my Kindle is discontinued” Reddit threads, and you’ll see a pretty large spread of community members whole-heartedly recommending Kobo. It’s fair to be frustrated with Amazon for removing functionality for old devices, and the Kobo pitch is a strong one if you don’t like some of Amazon’s approaches. Kobo has historically supported more eBook formats than Kindle, including MOBI, PDF, and even CBR comic book options. While Kindle did open up ePub support a few years back, it’s not quite as simple as downloading a book directly onto your Kindle.

The Kobo also allows for directly plugging into a computer and transferring eBooks, while Kindle gates it, requiring you to “send to Kindle” using a software web portal. This can be frustrating for those who have lots of eBook formats, but for people who want to download simply from the dedicated storefront on either device, it probably won’t be a big issue for you. Then, of course, there’s the fact that Amazon decided to literally cut off functionality from old devices, whereas Kobo has a better track record in this regard. The “closed” philosophy with that move really couldn’t be more clear.

Kindle vs. Kobo storefronts and unlimited services

Fanta Media/Shutterstock

We recently wrote a roundup of Kindle Unlimited alternatives, so it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise to see the Kobo Plus unlimited plan mentioned here in this piece. Comparing the unlimited options between these two providers can be tough. While the raw numbers of 5 million+ eBooks from Kindle and only 1.5 million from Kobo may seem clear, it really does matter what titles are on there. So it’s best to browse the library for your own taste. But at $11.99/month for Kindle and only $7.99/month for Kobo, the savings put Kobo ahead for the budget-minded.

Then there are the storefronts themselves. This comparison gets a bit more interesting when you look at the deals and offerings from both. For starters, Amazon’s Kindle probably has the most selection just by virtue of the fact that it’s the household name for eBook publishing. However, if you’re looking for bargains, this could mean that Kobo’s store offers totally different configurations for sales and discounts. Some happy users point out that being able to shop around via different storefronts on Kobo will naturally allow for better deal-hunting, with some reports even confirming that Kobo will match prices in some regions. So, while you can’t pin down the price advantage at any one time considering how sporadic promotions can be, Kobo could give you more flexibility, while Kindle is still often the “first place” for e-publishing.

Other software considerations

Nature/Getty Images

It’s not just the “first-party” stuff that’s worth considering if you want to get a Kobo over a Kindle, either. While the dedicated storefronts are important, third-party app support is a little freer in the Kobo ecosystem. Take the popular Libby, for example. This service basically allows you to claim a “copy” of an eBook if you’ve got a valid public library card, similarly to how you’d borrow a physical book from your library. The hitch is that you can’t actually install Libby on e-ink Kindles, whereas you can on Kobo. This native support means you’ll have a clear, simple interface for your borrowed eBooks. Kindle does allow Libby borrows, but you have to “send them” to the Kindle in the same way you do other eBooks, so it’s just not quite as seamless.

Then there’s the Calibre use-case that is genuinely interesting to unpack. Calibre is third-party software that allows you to convert eBooks, organize your library, and more so that the transfer to/from your e-reader fits with the level of detail and organization you want. As many users note, with Kindle you can basically just convert and send your files. With Kobo, there are more open plugins that allow for more customization, giving another rich experience to compare to.

Comparing the hardware

The e-reader itself is also an important consideration if you’re comparing Kindles to Kobos. Kindle has long been considered a leader in the e-ink space with the Paperwhite and newer Colorsoft models garnering many positive reviews for build quality and features. However, Kobo offers its own share of strong features, albeit with a simpler device lineup. As of writing, here are the current active models for each: Kindle offers the base e-ink Kindle, the higher-end Kindle Paperwhite, the colorful Kindle Colorsoft, and the premium, note-taking-focused Kindle Scribe. Kobo offers the Libra Colour, the Clara Colour, and the Clara BW.

Right out of the gate, if you want pen support you’re comparing the Libra Colour and the Kindle Scribe, which are both premium devices with premium builds. The Scribe has a lot more coverage, and its form factor and screen size feels more familiar. As you get down to the Clara line, the Kobo value prop starts to feel compelling. The Kindle Colorsoft starts at $189, while the Clara Colour is $159 — a meaningful savings for a color device. While the Clara BW is closer in price to the Papersoft ($139 vs. Kindle’s $159), there’s no real budget option with Kobo as there is with the base-level Kindle. But that lowest model doesn’t offer some key features like backlighting and waterproofing, so you’ll have to make sacrifices there.

Source

Sorapop Udomsri/Shutterstock

Android devices make one-click shopping really easy, especially if you use the Amazon Shopping app regularly and have a payment method saved. Plus, if you manage subscriptions in an app, the Google Play Store usually keeps your previously used method on file. However, this can be a double-edged sword, as accidental microtransactions can occur if you share your device with a family member, such as a tablet.

It’s not fun, especially if your kids spend money without meaning to. Sometimes those transactions become irreversible, and the issue ends up costing you more than you’d like to admit.

Thankfully, there are a few protection methods that can prevent accidental payments, and even customizable hard caps that prevent you from spending beyond your means, like a monthly budget for games and apps, or setting a limit on your data plan so that you don’t incur overage charges.

Turn on verifications for payments in the Google Play Store

Stockinq/Shutterstock

A sure way to prevent accidental purchases by users other than yourself is to enable verification on Google Play. There are actually two types of verification you can enable: one for purchasing and the other for confirming payment. The main difference is that one’s done directly through Google, while the other depends on the payment method set up on the account.

The purchase verification can have a specified frequency, but if you share this device with another person, you should keep this to “Always” to avoid issues. Google notes that verification may not be required for every payment method, even if the frequency is set to always. You’ll find the purchase verification and the frequency option under “Payments & subscriptions.” You just have to toggle on “Biometric verification” and select the “Verification frequency” below it.

To further prevent payments from going through on the wrong card, for example, if there’s a spending allowance on someone else’s card or a more controlled way for spending, you can always use a payment method verification instead. The second verification occurs when someone tries to buy an app or game and selects a particular payment method. This one is tied to a specific payment method when selected, forcing the user to verify before it’s sent. Keep in mind this is not a method controlled by Google; it would need to be done with a card, such as a bank transfer through an app supported on the Google Play Store.

Set monthly budgets for apps and games

eRHa Lens/Shutterstock

If you want to ensure controlled spending, even if just for yourself, there’s a really easy way to do so: make purchases through the Google Play Store. Though it does require some discipline to keep your spending centralized, this method isn’t very useful if you don’t, since it only accounts for purchases made on that particular platform. But if you’re managing your monthly subscriptions, such as for your favorite streaming service, this can be a bit of an eye-opener for how much you’re spending, since you can view your expenditures in the “Budget & history” section (but it only gets saved for a year).

Setting up a budget is also fairly easy. Open the Google Play Store, select “Payments & subscriptions” > “Budget & history”, then choose “Set budget.” Specify the amount and tap “Save.” You can technically edit this budget later, so it isn’t set in stone.

The point is that when you’re getting close to going over budget, every time you make another purchase, a message will prompt you about it — it doesn’t prevent you from making the purchase. Hence, this is more about helping you be conscious of your future purchases without being overly aggressive.

Set calendar reminders to cancel subscriptions

gioele piccinini/Shutterstock

Google Calendar is a great free productivity tool to integrate into your routine, tasks, and other Google-bound applications. You can use it to set reminders to cancel subscriptions if you haven’t already. As soon as you start a subscription, enter the date it ends, or the day before it renews, so you can set a monthly (or yearly) reminder when the recurring fee takes effect.

Plus, it doesn’t necessarily have to be subscriptions; you can do this for free trials as well, since many options require a payment method upfront and charge you for the first month after weeks of usage, which can sneak up on you if you lose track of time.

If you use your calendar for other events, color-code them so they stand out from the others in your app. You can do this for an existing event by tapping the edit button to change the assigned label, or when you create a new event, add a new one. Choosing a red label is a helpful warning to let you know you are approaching the end of your trial or subscription.

Add a limit on your data plan

Thx4stock/Getty Images

If you don’t pay for unlimited data, be careful not to go over, as that can rack up unwanted charges on your phone bill. Thankfully, Android has a nice way of warning you if you accidentally get close to the limit you set. If you want to be on the cautious side — which you should if you share a phone or tablet with another person — you can set a hard limit on your mobile data.

You can technically turn on data saver to reduce your personal mobile data usage, so not all apps can access background data as frequently, or even bloatware from taking up precious resources when it shouldn’t. To enable “Data Saver,” open your Android settings, tap “Network & internet” or a similar option menu, then select “Data Saver” and toggle it on. On Samsung devices, the data saver option is in the data usage settings under “Connections.”

To set a limit or warning, open your Android settings, tap “Network & internet” or a similar option, then, next to your carrier, tap the gear icon to open the settings and choose “Data warning & limit.” Select “Data warning & limit” > “Set data warning”, tap “Data warning” and choose “Set” to finish the process. In the same section, you can toggle on “Set data limit” to begin setting one up. The process for Samsung is slightly different but very similar. In your settings, open “Connections” > “Data usage” > “Billing cycle and data warning,” toggle on “Set data warning” or “Set data limit” to specify values for each setting below it.

Source

Tada Images/Shutterstock

Some of the premium apps and services that require a monthly subscription may offer yearly discounts if the consumer is willing to pay for a longer period. Those are typically 12-month plans, though some subscriptions may also offer 24-month deals. The downside is that the consumer will have to pay an upfront lump sum when subscribing to that yearly plan. To make such discounts easier to pay, while still allowing developers to offer the deals, Apple rolled out a new payment plan in the App Store in late April that allows developers to offer cheaper 12-month subscriptions to consumers, but bill them monthly for the annual commitment. That way, consumers get the cheaper yearly price without having to pay the entire sum at once. For developers, they get a more predictable revenue stream that’s better than month-to-month options. The consumer still has to pay for the 12-month period, even if they pay an installment each month. Also, U.S. consumers can’t take advantage of the payment plan, as of this writing.

The new App Store payment plan comes after years of protests from developers and some consumers about Apple’s high fees for iPhone app purchases, but it’s not necessarily a direct response to those complaints. Apple has had to make changes to the App Store experience following regulatory pressure and lawsuits, including introducing support for third-party iPhone app marketplaces in the European Union and Japan and allowing developers to link to cheaper offers outside the App Store in the United States. The new subscription payment plan doesn’t impact Apple’s fee, as the company will still take its cut out of the annual amount the customer agrees to pay. It’s the developer offering the deal, not Apple.

What if you cancel early?

Dragonimages/Getty Images

The new subscription payment feature doesn’t force developers to offer any discounts. Not all subscriptions available in the App Store come with cheaper yearly prices. Also, developers have to choose to offer this payment plan with discounted yearly subscriptions promoted through their apps. Developers can still decide to charge subscribers one-time upfront payments in exchange for the discount for a 12-month subscription purchase.

Subscribers can cancel at any time during the 12 months to prevent the App Store from charging them for another cycle at the end of the period. However, agreeing to purchase the 12-month subscription via the “monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment” option, which is what Apple calls the payment plan, means paying the 12 installments. For example, canceling a subscription after four months would not mean the customer stops paying the remaining eight installments. These will be due each month and will still appear in the Apple Account details.

Apple explains in a support document that consumers who can’t be charged for the remaining installments may lose service access until the installments are paid. That may mean access to paid features can be suspended. A user whose payment method fails will not be able to purchase other content in the App Store until the payment method is updated. Separately, users will be able to upgrade to a different plan during the 12-month period. In this scenario, users will receive a prorated refund for the unused time in the current billing period.

What about U.S. iPhone users?

Apple’s announcement notes that consumers in the U.S. and Singapore will not be able to take advantage of the new payment plan for 12-month subscriptions. Developers can’t offer this payment option to consumers in these two markets, but they can use it everywhere else. Apple hasn’t explained why these two particular markets are excluded, or how long the exclusion will last. TechCrunch believes that Apple’s decision concerning the United States may be tied to the Epic Games lawsuit, parts of which relate to subscriptions. Apple doesn’t have a similar legal battle in Singapore, but the outlet speculates stronger consumer rules in the country may be why Apple has excluded Singapore.

While Apple offered the iPhone screenshots above as an example of how the new payment plan will appear in the Apple Account, the payment option is also available to developers and companies who sell subscriptions for iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Vision Pro App Stores. The new payment option can appear on devices running iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, macOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4, and visionOS 26.4, or later versions of these operating systems.

Source

Skrypnykov Dmytro/Shutterstock

It’s been almost six years since the PlayStation 5 released, ushering in a new generation of gaming. The PS5 is powerful and provides access to great first-party games like “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” and “Ghost of Yōtei.” Even some former Xbox exclusives like “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” and “Starfield” have made their way to Sony’s console, which is a major reason why those looking to purchase a console should get a PlayStation 5 over an Xbox Series X despite the two having comparable specs.

That’s not to say Microsoft’s console is by any means bad. There are things you probably didn’t know the Xbox Series X could do and several features the PS5 doesn’t have, like Quick Resume, Dolby Vision, and backward compatibility going all the way back to the original Xbox. Likewise, the PlayStation 5 has some exclusive features, including a truly next-generation controller and colorful customization options for the PS5 hardware itself.

Better gameplay immersion with the DualSense controller

Girts Ragelis/Getty Images

The PlayStation 5 controller can do some cool things that make it really feel like a step forward for gaming hardware. In contrast, the Xbox Wireless Controller that comes with the Series X or S doesn’t change all that much from what its predecessor brought to the table, prioritizing backward compatibility over innovation.

The DualSense has haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and a built-in speaker to make gameplay feel more immersive. Hearing audio messages through your controller and feeling rainfall or the difference between different guns are novelties that drop you into the action. These features do drain the controller’s battery and can impact gameplay, but you can easily turn them off if you’d prefer a more classic experience.

Additionally, the DualSense’s integrated speaker and microphone are great for communication, allowing players to chat even if they don’t have headphones that fit in the controller’s audio jack. Some players may prefer the simplicity of the Xbox controller, but it’s undeniable that the DualSense is designed to be a true next-gen upgrade.

Spoiler-free help when you’re stuck

There are plenty of resources out there for gamers stuck on that challenging level or looking for a sneaky collectible, from written guides to let’s plays, but those often put you at risk of seeing spoilers. That’s why the PlayStation 5’s Game Help feature is so useful. The PlayStation Plus perk provides easy and guaranteed spoiler-free hints for many first- and third-party titles like “Astro Bot” and “Hogwarts Legacy.”

To access it in an applicable game, all you need to do is open the control center and find the Game Help card. That will open up a list of objectives based on where you are in the game. Selecting one brings up hints, sometimes in the form of a video, which you can pin to the screen to make it easy to follow along with. Game Help has also expanded with the introduction of community features that allow users to upload their own hints and vote on those posted by others.

Easy customization with swappable console covers

The PlayStation 5’s hardware design has been a hot topic since it was first revealed. In addition to being significantly taller than the Xbox Series X, the console’s odd shape had many wondering where they were going to put it and how it would fit in (or not) with their setup. Those large panels actually do serve a purpose, supporting the main part of the console. They’re also removable for easy cleaning and customization.

PlayStation makes console covers in a variety of colors for the PS5, PS5 Digital Edition, and their revised Slim versions. So far, the only official option for the PS5 Pro is a sold-out cover based on “Ghost of Yōtei,” but there are also third-party faceplates available for all PS5 models that are cheaper than the first-party ones, which range from $54 to $74. There are, of course, console skins and other customization options for Xbox Series X and S, but the PS5’s console covers are far easier to snap on and swap than stickers you need to precisely apply.

More flexible storage expansion

agencies/Shutterstock

If you have a lot of different games you swap between, you’ll want to add extra storage to your console. The PlayStation 5 does make adding internal storage expansion a little harder than the Xbox. Since it uses M.2 SSDs, you’ll need to open up the console and screw the drive in yourself. Far simpler are the Xbox Series X’s Storage Expansion Cards, which only have to be plugged into a slot on the back of the console.

However, the PS5 has one major advantage where storage is concerned. Xbox’s Storage Expansion Cards are proprietary technology, limiting your options to official cards made for Series X by Seagate and Sandisk. In contrast, any M.2 SSD that fits the PS5’s requirements will work with the console, allowing you to shop around for a good deal. Xbox’s approach to internal storage makes installation easier, but PlayStation 5’s way is far more consumer friendly.

Source

My earliest memories of technology are of big, beige behemoths. The old-school essential computers and accessories of my youth were chunky and utilitarian, like brutalist monuments to technical progression, meant to be used, not perceived. At some point in the ’90s, however, as computers and other tech moved into the mainstream, fashion and aesthetics began to intersect with what had previously been pure function. As tech became fashionable, in other words, fashion penetrated tech, and nowhere was this trend more evident than in the rise of translucent gadgets.

Part of it was Hollywood’s fault. Movies played a huge role in making tech cool, and manufacturers picked up on the trend, making tech more colorful and, ultimately, less opaque. See-through tech gives builders a broader canvas to paint on, with more surfaces, textures, and even moving pieces. Now, in an era when everyone is saturated by information but everything feels arguably more opaque than ever, and as retro gadgets are making a comeback, the return of transparent devices feels almost inevitable.

There are a number of reasons driving the transparent Renaissance, but at the heart of it is likely a feeling of alienation. As the media and entertainment become increasingly more digital and ephemeral, and as people feel further divorced from it, the desire to not only hold something tangible but to see within it, to see physical structures and how they function, has become increasingly palpable. This is especially true in gaming, where physical media continue to disappear, and so many social interactions are mediated by screens.

The beauty of internals

Dikushin Dmitry/Shutterstock

“We see transparent tech as both nostalgic and futuristic,” Chris Thorne, chief marketing officer at Beats, told Gear Patrol. “It’s iconic to the Y2K era, yet shows off the technological chips and components that continue to develop and be more powerful than ever.”

That dichotomy is key to the resurgence in transparent tech. While modern devices aren’t full of the whirling cogs and gears of antique gadgets, they are vast landscapes of fine detail that often combine into compelling mosaics resembling modern art. Today’s systems on a chip (SoCs) are wildernesses of fine copper wires connecting sleek, black processors and ridges of mountainous RAM. Properly arrayed and lit, they become less functional tech and more museum pieces.

It’s a trend that’s infected the gaming PC space for many years, with glass panels replacing opaque metal. The pulsing neon of RGB lighting combines with brilliantly painted components and flashing peripherals to transform desktop computers into psychedelic immersive art. Now that trend is expanding to include retro gaming accessories, handhelds, and even laptops.

Some of the best transparent tech in the pipeline

If you want some slick transparent gaming gear but don’t want to commit to an entire desktop PC setup (or mod an iPhone X to make it transparent), maybe one of Xbox’s new Ghost Cipher line of Elite controllers is more up your alley. It combines a gorgeous, clear chassis with sleek silver internals, with golden highlights on the triggers and D-pads. If you’re looking for a more colorful transparent look, consider the rest of the Cipher series, which offers a similar transparent case but tinged in shades of red, blue, purple, or pink.

If you prefer a full gaming handheld with a similar aesthetic, Anbernic has you covered with its RG 35XXPro. It’s a retro handheld with a 3.5-inch screen, and comes in a transparent teal version that lets you see all the electronics toiling away under the hood. Perhaps most impressive of all is Lenovo’s ThinkBook Transparent Display Laptop. Though it’s sadly only in the proof-of-concept stage, it features a stunning, fully transparent Micro-LED panel that displays content in a pane of glass, recalling the hologram future tech that previously only existed in science fiction.

Source

Hananeko_Studio/Shutterstock

You already know how many health benefits you get from a good night’s sleep. But sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to drift off to dreamland. If tossing and turning and counting sheep don’t do the trick, there’s one other way you can sleep better, according to experts: playing relaxing music or nature sounds.

One study from the University of New South Wales reports that music with slow musical notes successfully encourages sleep faster and improves the sleep quality at the same time. Meanwhile, a study published in the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening observed that participants who listened to a mix of valley water and forest birds were more relaxed, with their heart rate lower than when hearing road traffic sounds.

So if you’ve ever needed help falling asleep, try pulling up some soft music or nature sounds. You won’t have to go digging on Spotify or YouTube, though. If you own an iPhone, these natural sleep aids are actually built into the device. Ambient Music plays soft music for you, while Background Sounds lets you play different kinds of nature sounds, from rain on a roof to fire crackles. Here’s how to turn these features on.

How to toggle on Background Sounds on your iPhone

Marinel Sigue/BGR

The Background Sounds on your iPhone is accessible from either the Settings app or your Control Center. In the Settings app, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to Accessibility.
2. Under Hearing, choose Audio & Visual.
3. Tap on Background Sounds.
4. Enable Background Sounds.
5. Select Sound.
6. Choose your preferred sound from the list. You’ll hear a preview of the sound when you tap on it.
7. Press the back button.
8. Adjust the volume to your liking.
9. (Optional) To automatically turn off Background Sounds at a certain time, go to Stop Sounds with a Timer. Toggle on Timer and select either a specific time or a set period for when the sound will stop.
10. (Optional) To personalize the Background Sounds profile, go to Equalizer. Switch on the Equalizer and play around with the Tone and Balance until you find the most comfortable output.

If you’d rather not go into the Settings to enable Background Sounds, you can simply customize your iPhone Control Center and add it as a control. Just search for Background Sounds (three notes icon) under the Hearing Accessibility section. When you tap on this icon in the Control Center, it will automatically play the last sound you selected. To change it, touch and hold the control, tap on Sound, and pick a new one. When you long-press on the control, you can also see a volume slider to tweak the volume whenever you need to.

How to enable Ambient Music on your iPhone

Marinel Sigue/BGR

If you prefer listening to Ambient Music instead of a specific Background Sound, you can launch the Sleep Ambient Music playlist by going to your Home Screen. You first need to customize your iPhone Home Screen, though, as Ambient Music isn’t available there by default. Here’s how to do so:

1. Touch and hold on any empty space on the Home Screen.
2. Press Edit in the top-left corner.
3. Go to Add Widget.
4. Tap on Ambient Music.
5. Select which widget size you want to add to the Home Screen. If you’ll mainly use Ambient Music for sleeping, the smallest widget should do.
6. Hit Add Widget.
7. Tap Done.
8. To start playing, simply tap the play button on the widget. If you’re not a fan of the current playlist, you can switch to one of the three other options. Long-press on the Ambient Music widget, go to Edit Widget, and change the Playlist.

Aside from the Home Screen, you can also access Ambient Music from your Lock Screen or anywhere else on your device if you add it to the Control Center. Go to your Control Center and edit it. Then, under the Ambient Music section, choose Sleep. A single press on the Ambient Music control will automatically play the previously set playlist. If you need to switch it out, touch and hold an empty space in the Control Center, select the Ambient Music control, and choose a different playlist.

Source

Nara_money/Shutterstock

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

It’s great when a specific manufacturer becomes nearly synonymous with its most popular products. Examples like the Roomba robot vacuum (made by iRobot) immediately come to mind for automated cleaning tech, and one of the first brands that you might think of when someone says a “Bluetooth speaker” is JBL. Over the last several years, JBL has released a ton of speakers that customers love.

Still, the underdogs deserve their shot at glory. While there’s an unfathomable number of Bluetooth speakers to choose from in stores and online, there are a handful of underrated Bluetooth speaker makers that we’d like to stack up against JBL. We’re not aiming for a spec-by-spec comparison; we just want to spotlight the lesser-heard names in Bluetooth audio, such as Tribit and Brane, and did our best to find products that could be directly matched to one (or a few) competitive JBL speaker(s). We’ve also listed some otherwise popular brands like Marshall and Bang & Olufsen that aren’t as well known for their Bluetooth speakers.

Marshall

Marshall is no stranger to the world of high-gain audio — but that’s speaking in electric guitar terms. Over the last few years, the company has been putting out a lineup of Bluetooth speakers that borrow from the brand’s amp cosmetics. Models like the $130 Marshall Emberton III offer good sound quality and a bass-forward signature.

The Emberton III has an IP67 rating, which makes the Bluetooth speaker safe for outdoor and indoor use, and can withstand being submerged in three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. Marshall claims 32 hours of battery life with the speaker on a full charge. The Emberton III comes in multiple colors, all featuring the classic Marshall amp grille. Additionally, the speaker comes with a built-in mic for taking calls and Bluetooth LE support.

While JBL may have the upper hand when it comes to overall variety, the Emberton III isn’t the only Bluetooth speaker in Marshall’s arsenal. There’s also the smaller Marshall Willen II ($90), the larger Marshall Middleton II ($330), and the Marshall Bromley 750 party speaker ($1,300).

Bang & Olufsen

While portable Bluetooth speakers (in multiple colors) are one of JBL’s main calling cards, if you’re looking for cosmetic sophistication and good sound quality, you’ll probably like Bang & Olufsen’s speakers. B&O has been around since 1925, and it positions itself as a high-end audio brand. The brand offers a variety of portable Bluetooth speakers like the Beosound A1 3rd Gen, Beosound Explore, and Beolit 20.

According to B&O, the $399 Beosound A1 can deliver up to 24 hours of playback on a full charge, and push up to 60 watts via Class D amplification. While the speaker may look small, users say it offers great sound quality. You can expect a balance of highs, mids, and lows, along with the ability to customize audio using the B&O app.

Compared to a speaker like the JBL Flip 7, the Beosound A1 definitely costs more ($400 versus $100), but if you prioritize audio quality over price, the A1 is a better option. The $268 Beosound Explore is another portable speaker from the brand that is more suited for outdoor use due to its anodized aluminum shell and IP67 rating.

Tribit

Not all small Bluetooth speakers should be cursed to sound tinny. From one year to the next, audio engineers are getting better and better at delivering wider, more immersive soundstages, even when dealing with a reduced chassis. While JBL has numerous tiny speakers to choose from, we’d like to direct your attention to Tribit — an audio manufacturer that offers budget-friendly tech.

At first glance, a device like the Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 may not look all that impressive. But according to users, it actually delivers powerful, clear sound, and should last up to 24 hours on a full charge. Its IP68 rating also makes it suitable to strap to a backpack or bike handle. Compared to a product like the similarly priced JBL Go 4, the Stormbox Micro 3 has more features, and offers more in the way of EQ customization than the Go 4.

Tribit makes a few other Bluetooth speakers, too, including smaller devices like the Stormbox Mini+, and larger systems like the Stormbox Lava and Stormbox Blast. Apart from that, the brand also deals in earbuds.

Brane

Who doesn’t want to own a powerful Bluetooth speaker with amazing battery life? Products like the JBL Boombox 4 fit this description, but if you’re not put off by its $550 price, we think you should consider a Brane speaker. Fortunately, it won’t be hard to pick a model, because the company only makes one device: the $500 Brane X. It also looks as though designers took inspiration from the Sonos Era lineup.

The Brane X comes with audio features like Brane’s patented Repel-Attract Driver (RAD) – a low-frequency feature that uses custom magnets to reduce the speaker’s internal air pressure. This, according to Brane, results in deeper bass. The X also includes two midrange drivers, two 0.75-inch tweeters, and pushes up to 200 watts via its four Class D amps.

As far as battery life, the Brane X doesn’t get close to the Boombox 4’s 34-hour runtime, and falls behind in water and dust protection (IP57 versus IP68), but the latter loses out on Wi-Fi connectivity. Once networked, the X lets you stream tunes from services like Spotify, Pandora, and Deezer, and it can also be controlled by Alexa.

Klipsch

Our final JBL alternative is Klipsch. For our list, we decided to highlight the company’s City Series Bluetooth speakers: the Detroit, Nashville, and Austin. These three devices make up the brand’s City lineup, which competes with JBL speakers like the Clip 5, Flip 5, and Charge 6.

All three speakers come in enclosures that vaguely resemble Marshall’s aesthetic. All City speakers are bass-heavy, and users praise the leading Detroit model for its “punchy bass.” Detroit also has an IP67 rating, a removable carrying strap, and should last up to 20 hours on a full charge.

The Nashville and Austin speakers are good speakers for their price, too, and all three models can be controlled and customized using the Klipsch Connect app. Klipsch and JBL may be fairly neck and neck when it comes to power, performance, and variety, but sometimes it’s just nice to try a brand that’s less off the beaten path.

How we chose these underrated Bluetooth speaker brands

Nara_money/Shutterstock

JBL is one of the most popular Bluetooth speaker brands on the market, so we knew it’d be challenging to land on four or five alternatives. To that end, we decided to focus on reliable and (somewhat) recognizable audio companies with proven track records. When possible, we tried to directly compare alternative brand speakers with similar JBL products in terms of features, sound quality, and pricing.

Source

Searagen/Getty Images

Submarines are fascinating pieces of military technology that play a major role in national defense, with nuclear submarines able to stay underwater for months and navigate without GPS as they carry out stealth missions. If you’ve watched any TV shows or movies featuring submarines, you’ve probably noticed that intense scenes are often bathed in red light. These aren’t just for dramatic effect; submarines actually do use red light, as it’s easier on the eyes.

To understand why submarines use red lights at night, it’s important to know how the eyes work and how light and color impact night vision. Eyes are made up of cones and rods. Cones are located in the center and are used for daytime and color vision, while rods are meant to detect peripheral movement and threats, seeing in black and white. Human eyes can see light with wavelengths between 400 and 700 nanometers, interpreting that as colors ranging from violet to red. Since red light has the longest wavelength, the eye is less sensitive to and has an easier time adjusting to it than traditional white light.

As such, red light is also useful for maximizing your night vision. After around 20 minutes in low light, the eyes begin to produce a chemical called rhodopsin that activates the rods. It takes another 20 to 40 minutes for night vision to really set in, but even a small amount of bright light causes the rhodopsin to break down, which restarts the entire process. Dim red light doesn’t have the same impact, allowing your night vision to kick in (and persist) as intended.

Red light is more useful than you may think

Andreonegin/Getty Images

Since red light is less harsh on the eyes and doesn’t disturb night vision activation, its a great fit for submarines. It still illuminates the space enough for the crew to see what they’re doing while also helping those on board distinguish between day and night while underwater without daylight. That’s important for maintaining healthy sleep patterns and avoiding interruptions in the body’s natural circadian rhythm; different colors of light impact the circadian rhythm, and red has little to no impact. Studies have shown positive signs that red light could help improve sleep quality, though far more research needs to be done. At the very least, it doesn’t have the same negative impact blue and white light have, making it healthier to use before bed.

Red light has plenty of other applications beyond submarines, too. You may have also heard about red light therapy from the many influencers and celebrities on social media who swear by it for everything from anti-aging to hair growth. There’s science and history to back up these claims, though the results are generally less dramatic than users expect.

Additionally, red light has environmental benefits. Places like Denmark have installed red street lights that are less harsh on local bat species, as traditional street lights have been shown to impact their behavior, sometimes leading them into danger. Other places have installed red lights to lessen the impact of traditional white street lights on turtles. These creative, science-backed solutions are a great use of red light that helps the local ecosystem while still providing visibility for drivers.

Source

Flashmovie/Getty Images

Internet cables are becoming seismic sensors on land, under the sea, and possibly on the moon. Millions of miles of fiber-optic cable already cover the Earth, including about 920,000 miles of undersea cables on the ocean floor. As some of the oldest cables are being pulled from the ocean and new cables are laid, scientists are increasingly tracking natural hazards like earthquakes, volcanoes, and floods along this global network.

Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) uses laser pulses to read minute changes in vibration, strain, ground movement, and water movement. Traditional seismometers measure ground motion at an isolated point. A fiber-optic cable can act as a continuous sensor over a larger area, collecting real-time, high-resolution data, and Iceland’s volcanic Grindavík eruption showed how the technology can help track hazards beyond earthquakes. The U.S. National Science Foundation reported that the system supported a warning 26 minutes before the eruption, giving nearby residents time to evacuate.

Caltech researchers also proved how powerful the monitoring system can be. They tapped into a roughly 62-mile fiber-optic cable section, collecting data equivalent to 10,000 traditional seismometers. Their findings could have a sizable impact on seismic monitoring at a much lower cost than traditional systems. There are more than 700 seismometers in California, each costing up to $50,000. A DAS system needs one $200,000 interrogator to send laser light pulses down miles of cable. The same approach could help with underwater seismic monitoring, which gets even more expensive and difficult. In the Canary Islands, researchers turned a submarine telecommunications cable into 11,968 strain sensors across about 75 miles. The DAS system detected local and regional earthquakes along with seismic waves from oceanic earthquakes thousands of miles away.

How the same technology could detect moonquakes

Naim uddin Id 6667907/Shutterstock

The same technology could be headed to space, as Los Alamos National Laboratory researchers propose using fiber-optic cables to detect moonquakes. Cables could be unspooled across miles of the moon’s surface. Researchers suggest cables may not need to be buried after testing signal clarity in a lab using crushed basalt to simulate the moon’s surface. The same cables deployed as seismic sensors could one day support communications for lunar missions.

The moon doesn’t have the kind of tectonic plates that shake the Earth’s fault lines, causing most earthquakes. Moonquakes are instead triggered by forces such as Earth’s gravitational pull and meteorite impacts. Also, scientists say the surface of the moon is even colder than we originally thought, dropping lower than -410 degrees Fahrenheit at night and heating up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. These temperature fluctuations make the surface expand and contract, adding to the moon’s seismic activity.

Scientists believe understanding seismic waves caused by this activity will help them learn more about what’s inside the moon, such as its density, composition, and whether it contains liquid. 
If scientists discover faults, it could indicate the moon is more geologically active than previously believed. In 2019, researchers used moonquake data to infer that the natural satellite’s size was shrinking. However, additional moonquake data could reveal new insights into how the moon formed. 

Source