Samsung Electronics Launches Enhanced 1TB microSD Cards With Improved Performance and Higher Capacity

  Samsung Electronics, the world leader in advanced memory technology, today announced the release of its 1-terabyte (TB) high-capacity microSD cards PRO


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The Knox Journals: Ensure the Data You Share Stays Private

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News Roundup: What to Know in Privacy & Security

Kaspersky Banned from Operating in the USA





The security firm Kaspersky, a familiar name in the market for consumer antivirus software, will be banned from operating in the United States, announced the US Commerce Department. Kaspersky is based in Russia, and has long had to navigate the perilous socio-political landscape between Russia, the United States, and European Union. Since Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, the US and EU have levied sweeping sanctions against Russia, and those efforts extend into the digital domain where Russia has repeatedly violated international norms by attempting to influence elections and providing safe haven (and sometimes funding) for ransomware gangs and scammers. Kaspersky says that they are a privately managed company with no ties to the Russian government, but the Biden administration claims that Russia under Vladamir Putin has shown a willingness to weaponize Russian companies against their geopolitical adversaries. Antivirus software must run with extra privileges that make it especially dangerous if abused. Kaspersky has announced they will be winding down business in the USA, as reported by Kim Zetter and confirmed to Tech Crunch.



The Bottom Line: If you use Kaspersky, it’s time to switch to a new antivirus provider. We recommend Malwarebytes.



How Secure is Public Wi-Fi?





Kaspersky may have been banned from operating in the United States but their researchers still write useful security blogs. In a piece posted to the Kaspersky blog, they detail how they sent a team of researchers to test the public Wi-Fi networks in Paris ahead of the Olympic games and even there, where you’d expect a little extra effort, the picture is bleak. Kasperksy’s team detected 24,766 unique public Wi-Fi access points. Of those, only 1373, or 6%, were secured with the modern WPA3 standard that would make them safe to use. Many used older security standards, but fully 25% used out of date hardware, misconfigurations, and other problems that would make them easily exploitable by scammers and hackers. While Paris has undergone a significant makeover for the Olympics, these statistics suggest that their public Wi-Fi situation is still typical of large cities: a hodgepodge of hotels, coffee shops, and cafes operated by network administrators with widely varying technical skill and commitment to privacy.



The Bottom Line: Avoid public Wi-Fi. If you have to use public Wi-Fi, you could use a VPN to protect your traffic, but while this may provide some protection, VPNs are not engineered to protect you from malicious actors who share your local network, nor from untrusted networks in general (for more on that, see Leviathan Security’s writeup of TunnelVision). Instead, avoid using public Wi-Fi wherever possible. Instead, rely on your iPhone’s hot-spot to provide an internet connection to your other devices.



Verizon Failed to Protect TracFone Customer Data





Not as bad as the AT&T breach, but telecom provider Verizon is also on the hook this month for failing to protect user data, reports Bleeping Computer. The Federal Communications Commission reached a settlement with Verizon which, along with the fine, requires them to update their security practices. The settlement is over allegations that TracFone, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Verizon, failed to prevent hackers from breaching the company multiple times between 2021 and 2023, stealing data and gaining access that enabled the hackers to perform SIM swapping attacks on an unknown number of customers. SIM swapping is where a scammer tries to take control of your phone number by convincing your phone company to switch the number to a new phone and it can be a lot easier if the scammer has hacked the phone company in question. SIM swapping is especially dangerous because your phone number is used by many companies as proof of your identity: they send a text to that phone number and if you can prove you received the text then they believe that you are who you say you are. This is still the most common form of multi-factor authentication.



The Bottom Line: Banks and other critical service providers should not use phone numbers as a proof of identity, but they often do, and so we’re often stuck with it. If your accounts support other multi-factor authentication options besides text messages, ones such as authenticator apps, then we recommend switching. Your iPhone has a built-in authenticator app. To prevent SIM swapping attacks, use unique strong passwords that you don’t have to memorize by employing a password manager. This will ensure that your account with your phone carrier is protected with a unique strong password as well. Also, every phone company in the United States allows you to add an extra layer of security that will prevent your number being moved to a new device unless you enter a PIN. Here are instructions for AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.



Chrome Backslides on Privacy Promises





Cookies are small files sent to your computer when you visit a web page, usually to record that you’ve logged in to that website, what items are in your shopping cart, or tons of other useful things to help fulfill the website’s function. Cookies are useful, and not automatically bad. Third-party cookies are sent to your computer from someone other than the maker of the webpage you’re visiting, such as through advertisements embedded on the page. These can be used by advertisers and data brokers to track your activity across different websites. Most people view this technique as intrusive and unnecessary, and Safari, Brave, and Firefox web browsers block all third-party cookies by default, Microsoft Edge is in the process of phasing them out, and Google had promised that Chrome would end their use as well. The move to end their use is supported by the World Wide Web Consortium, the main standards body for the Internet. But now, Google has reneged on their promise, and announced that third-party cookies will remain in Chrome.



The Bottom Line: Don’t use Chrome. This is merely the latest in a long series of episodes demonstrating time and time again that Chrome is in the business of learning about you so it can sell the data. Safari, Firefox, Brave, and Duck Duck Go are all private and secure alternatives. Of the lot, Firefox offers the most similar experience and is probably the easiest to adopt. It’s free too, and if you set it up on a Mac or Windows machine, then it will import your Chrome bookmarks as part of the setup process. Safari is already installed on your device.
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Samsung Electronics Announces Results for Second Quarter of 2024

Samsung Electronics today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.   The Company posted KRW 74.07 trillion in consolidated


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Samsung Technology Is Helping Police Authorities Protect the Public’s Safety

    Equipping US Police With the Technology To Help Protect the Public Police officers and law enforcement workers deal with turbulent, fast-paced


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Samsung and Hershey’s Join Hands for Playful Samsung Friends Accessories Collection

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[Recap] The Learning Curve: How Samsung’s R&D Institutes Around the World Worked on Galaxy AI

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Paris 2024: Medalists Share Their Winning Smiles With the Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition in First-Ever Victory Selfie

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Samsung Brings Fans Closer to Athletes Than Ever for Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony

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Samsung Electronics Receives ISO 27001 Certification for Its SmartThings Platform

  Samsung Electronics, today announced that SmartThings, its global connected living platform, has received the international standard ISO/IEC 27001:2022


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Samsung Marks Final Countdown to Paris 2024 With New Olympic™ Rendezvous @ Samsung | Square Marigny

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July Apple Watch News: Watch 10 Rumors, watchOS 11 Beta, More!

What to Know





* The Apple Watch 10 will be released this fall - rumors predict a bigger screen, thinner body, and a new magnetic band attachment system.

* The new watchOS 11 public beta software is available, allowing users to test new features.

* Doctors are prescribing Apple Watches to patients. Will insurance help?












This is an exciting time for Apple Watch enthusiasts! Apple Watch’s 10 year anniversary is coming up and the public watchOS 11 beta software is out and available for testing. The Apple Watch has also made headlines for saving lives, inspiring doctors to recommend them for patients. Plus, Samsung’s newest Watch Ultra looks (and sounds) suspiciously familiar.



A Brand New Apple Watch Is Coming This Fall





Apple has been releasing new watches every year since the first ever Apple Watch was announced in 2014. Since the original Apple Watch wasn’t released until 2015, we’re not sure if the 10th anniversary will be celebrated this year or next, but we do know that we will get a brand new model this fall. The newest model will either be called Apple Watch 10 or Apple Watch X if Apple decides to celebrate its 10th anniversary the same way they did with the iPhone X. 



This new watch is rumored to have a display as big as the Apple Watch Ultra & Ultra 2 but with a much thinner body. We might also be getting a brand new magnetic band attachment system that would devastate Apple Watch band collectors but make it possible to have a smaller watch body without compromising battery life. Read more about what we can expect from the newest Apple Watch lineup: Apple Watch 10/X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE (3rd generation).



Try the Newest Features with watchOS 11 Public Beta





Apple unveiled new software updates across its ecosystem back in June during the annual WWDC keynote. AI was a popular theme during WWDC, and while watchOS 11 isn’t getting a complete AI overhaul, one notable new feature is the Smart Stack that will act as Live Activities and offer the Check-In feature. Then there’s the new Vital and Sprout apps, one offering a unique way to see your most important health metrics and the other helping you track your pregnancy and the baby’s growth.



There are also new fitness features, such as Training Load, which is a new way to track your workouts and rate your effort. The update also includes the option to pause your Exercise Rings for up to 90 days without losing your streak, allowing for much-needed rest days and recovery from sickness and surgery. I’ve been testing these features since the public beta was released and they have been worth the hype!



The official update will be released this fall, likely around the same time as the new Apple Watch lineup is announced, but you can try it out already with the beta version. First, make sure to back up your Apple Watch to protect your data, then follow the steps in our article about downloading the watchOS 11 public beta. Keep in mind that unlike with iOS betas, Apple Watches cannot be downgraded from the beta. You will still be able to update to the shipping version from the beta once i's released. Read more about all the updates coming with watchOS 11. For more articles about Apple and Apple Watch, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter.



The New Vitals App Comes with a Catch





Whether you decide to test the Vitals Apple Watch app using the beta software or wait for the official release, there is something you need to know. While the app is advertised to be able to help you monitor your most important vitals, the readings it requires are mostly sleep-related. So if you are one of those people who doesn’t enjoy sleeping with your Apple Watch on, the Vitals app will not be as practical as you might expect. 



According to Apple's Vice President of Health, Dr. Sumbul Desai, the app will show users their overall daily health and wellness stats and alert you if any abnormal vitals are detected. So it might be worth training yourself to sleep in your watch. Another benefit of keeping your watch on overnight is the ability to use a silent alarm that wakes you with gentle vibrations rather than loud noises. Plus, if you habitually charge your watch overnight, you may be damaging the battery life.



Apple Watch Saves the Day Once Again





Apple has always featured Apple Watch’s life-saving features, and recent news has proven that it isn’t just talk. On July 17, Rick Shearman was swept out to sea on an Australian beach while body surfing. Like most surfers, Shearman did not bring his iPhone with him, so he used his trusty Apple Watch to call emergency services and after an hour-long call, he was rescued via helicopter.



If you are one of those people who is scared to get your Apple Watch wet, as long as you have a water-resistant model with an intact display, you won’t have any problems. Just ask Jared Brick who lost his watch while scuba diving in the ocean. 18 months later it washed ashore and once charged, the watch displayed a lost message that helped the finder, Jonathan, get in touch with Brick to return it.



Not all stories about an Apple Watch saving a life are quite as action-packed, but they are just as fascinating. At 73, Frank Haggerty discovered he had a heart problem when his watch notified him that his heart rate was extremely low. The notification woke Haggerty and his wife up and they were able to rush to a hospital and ultimately get a pacemaker to keep his heart beating as it should.



Can Doctors Prescribe Apple Watches to Patients?





With so many stories about lives saved, it isn’t a huge surprise that doctors are recommending Apple Watch to their patients. Dr. Rod Passman, cardiologist and professor of medicine at Northwestern Medicine, is one of those doctors. He suggests using Apple Watches to monitor heart diseases, post-surgery recovery, and track overall health metrics. Dr. Passman believes that an Apple Watch can empower patients to be directly involved in caring for their health and encourage them to make positive lifestyle choices. Apple makes it easy for you to share all the health data that your Apple Watch collects directly with your doctor.



Since doctors are “prescribing” Apple Watches, you might be wondering if your insurance will cover the costs, and the answer is: maybe. Health insurance providers such as Aetna, UnitedHealthCare, John Hancock, and Medicare via Devoted Health offer Apple Watch programs at a huge discount. It is best to talk directly to your doctor and your insurance company to see if they can help. Before you do this, you should figure out which model of Apple Watch is best for you.



Top image credit: ms_pics_and_more / Shutterstock.com
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[Galaxy Unpacked 2024] Innovation on Display: Public Reacts to New AI Features on Galaxy Devices in Paris

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Samsung Announces Global Availability of Latest Devices Unveiled at Galaxy Unpacked in Paris

  Samsung Electronics today announced the global availability of Galaxy Z Fold6, Galaxy Z Flip6, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Watch7, Galaxy Buds3 series


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Paris 2024: Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition Delivered to Hand of Every Paris 2024 Athlete for a Medal-Worthy Games-Time Experience

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[Galaxy Unpacked 2024] A Look Inside the Galaxy Z Fold6

The Galaxy Z Fold series incorporates cutting-edge technology into a flexible form factor that folds and unfolds the device’s large screen.   Unveiled at


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[Galaxy Unpacked 2024] A Look Inside the Galaxy Z Flip6

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[Galaxy Unpacked 2024] A Look Inside the Galaxy Watch Ultra

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NeuroLogica Corp Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance for Enhanced OmniTom® Elite With Ultra-High Resolution PCD Technology

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Samsung Electronics Announces Acquisition of Oxford Semantic Technologies, UK-Based Knowledge Graph Startup

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Samsung Releases Galaxy Brand Anthem ‘Open Always Wins’ With TOMORROW X TOGETHER

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Samsung Completes Validation of Industry’s Fastest LPDDR5X for Use With MediaTek’s Flagship Mobile Platform

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Samsung Tizen OS To Power Loewe’s Latest Luxury TV, Stellar

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Samsung Researcher Named Chair of ITU-R Coordination Group for 6G Standardization

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Samsung Members Connect: Galaxy Fans Around the World Unite in Paris With Galaxy AI

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The Learning Curve, Part 8: Creating Conversations From Japan to the World

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[Galaxy Unpacked 2024] The Future of Mobile AI: Expert Panel Highlights Collaborative, Responsible AI Innovation

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[Design Story] Ultra Modern, Ultra Sleek: Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6

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[Galaxy Unpacked 2024] A New Era of Galaxy AI Unfolds at the Louvre in Paris

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Samsung Electronics To Provide Turnkey Semiconductor Solutions With 2nm GAA Process and 2.5D Package to Preferred Networks

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Samsung Electronics Vietnam Accelerates Its Climate Action by Expanding Renewable Energy Procurement

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[Galaxy History ③] Evolution of the Galaxy Watch Series: Reimagining the Watch

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Unlocking New Possibilities for Preventative Wellness With New Galaxy Watch and BioActive Sensor

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Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 Receives Critical Acclaim and Recognition From Reviewers

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[Video] Galaxy Unpacked July 2024: Unfold Your Story

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Samsung Electronics Announces Earnings Guidance for Second Quarter 2024

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[Interview] Visualizing Tranquility: Serge Hamad x Samsung Art Store

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The Learning Curve 7 – Poland: Collaboration and Communication Across European Borders and Cultures

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From Zero to Gym Bro: Home Fitness Tech

After receiving a pre-diabetes diagnosis at my yearly physical, it was clear I needed to exercise more than just an occasional walk or monthly outdoor activity. I hadn't been to a gym in a very long time and never went with much of a plan, so I had some hurdles to overcome. As a massive techie, I ended up on the track of researching smart gym equipment and decided to go with the Speediance Gym Monster.



What Is It?





A smart gym is typically a compact cable exercise machine with a digital screen or app that lets you choose and track exercises. The Speediance Gym Monster ($3,049) comes with a vertical rack, a big touchscreen, and several adjustable vertical mounting points. The Speediance app (free) is great for scheduling your workouts and reviewing your statistics. Using the Gym Monster is a seamless experience as it mirrors the app, with the addition of the actual workout screens.



The Gym Monster lets you create profiles for anyone who uses it. My household is mixed Android and iPhone, and the app works equally well on both. For more fitness tips, you can also check out our free Tip of the Day newsletter.



Programs have specific goals such as full-body exercises, beginner, and advanced plans. They contain individual workouts pre-scheduled over several weeks, depending on how long the program is, and your rest days are flexible. My go-to program has been the “For Beginners Series,” which focuses each day on a body part. It lasts for five weeks, five days per week. I've been sticking to this because the exercises feel good, and I can see the results. Consistency is key!



I'm excited about the option to create custom workouts, but the app is missing custom programs. If you have a custom workout, you have to select it manually every day.



There's a free lift mode available that, while barebones, is flexible enough to let you set it up and use however you see fit. Unfortunately, if you have no internet or membership, lift mode is all that is available.



Keep in mind, if you walk away from the device for longer than ten minutes during a workout, it will cancel the workout, something I and a lot of other users haven't been happy about.



Setup





Since it's a large device coming from China by freight, I had to wait more than a month to receive it. A week before the machine arrived, I received a call from the freight company to schedule a delivery, which seems to be typical for other customers as well.



Luckily, even though it's a large device, once you get it in your house you can wheel it around! One of the big reasons I picked it was that competitor devices require a permanent location and professional installation. Once wheeled into location, the platform can be lowered and locked.



Each workout guides you with audio instructions and a video of a coach performing the exercise. Data is plentiful, showing muscles targeted during the move, calories burned, and time spent. It's easy to get text instructions on the movement at a press of a button. On every screen, there is a floating settings button that runs double duty as a clock. This gives you quick access to your main settings including Wi-Fi connection, Bluetooth devices, and audio settings.



Speaking of audio settings: the Gym Monster provides a large set of background music you can select or disable. I started out with the music off but now I've been playing it softly in the background enjoying it. One may still get bored hearing the same songs over and over again though.



The Gym Monster in Action





Right before you start a movement, the device will tell you what attachments you will need and how to set them up.



The Gym Monster comes with an array of attachments and accessories depending on the package. Personally I opted for an adjustable bench, as it allows for a lot of incline exercises. The attachments all clip into a swiveling mounting point that you can attach to two points on the platform, or on the two points on the vertical rack, which you can move up or down as desired.



The barbell isn't the best. It's adjustable with two rings that you can move to different holes, but I've had the ring pop out of the hole on one or two occasions and that's the last thing you want. It also comes with a wearable Bluetooth ring that lets you adjust the weight as you go through the movement.



There is also an option to do assessments for different muscle groups. These are relatively short exercises to measure your strength, and once assessed, will let you do the exercises based on your strength instead of default weight settings. Note that during exercises, you do have an option to switch between default and recommended weights. I think the assessments are fun and give you a ballpark idea of where you are, but overall I prefer to go by feeling.



The Community





I found the Facebook group to be very helpful. Fellow users share their issues, solutions, experiences, and tricks, such as getting magnetic hooks to attach to the device instead of buying the Speediance attachment holder accessory. Speediance is very responsive in the group too and occasionally holds fitness challenges. These are very achievable goals such as exercising for 30 minutes for a certain amount of days, then share your achievements online and you get a gift.



Pros





* Large library of workouts and programs, with new workouts added regularly

* Free lifetime membership, at the time of writing

* Affordable compared to competitors

* Helpful Facebook community with active support agents

* Relatively easy to move and a small footprint

* Easy-to-use third-party accessories

* Seamless app experience

* A weight range from 8 to 220 pounds, excellent for beginner and intermediate lifters





Cons





* You need to be connected to Wi-Fi to use the device

* For delivery, you may not be kept up to date of shipping until the local freight service is ready to drop off

* Barbell hooks not included and must be a separate purchase

* With the 220 pound limit, advanced lifters are left out





The Final Verdict





The Gym Monster lets me roll out of bed in the morning and hop on the machine with the pre-planned exercises ready to go, making it as easy as possible to keep going. I've gone from working out zero days a week to five and I can't stop telling people to work out and become a gym bro like me. It's full of features and a great compromise compared to its alternatives. The user experience has been a bit rocky, but I'm seeing a receptive company that puts in the work to improve their product.



Smart gyms can be pricey, but if it's in your budget, you get a home gym that will guide you as a beginner and provide you with the freedom to grow and do what works best for you.






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iView: Is the iPad Pro the Right Laptop for Retirees?

I was one of few voices in the 1990s writing columns urging manufacturers to create a super-sized handheld. So, naturally I bought an iPad as soon as Apple introduced it in 2010 and have owned one ever since. Then in fall of 2022, my old laptop died. I wondered, should I stick with Windows, make the switch to a MacBook, or go for a budget-friendly Chromebook?



Retired in theory, I assessed my needs. I don't travel as much as before but continue to teach, coach, write, and consult. Ten years back, I tried using an iPad as my laptop. The experiment failed because I missed having a mouse, larger screen, no multitasking, and desktop software.



With better iPads and lighter usage, maybe it was time to try again. I already had a 9.7-inch 2020 iPad Pro with Smart Folio Keyboard for email, internet access, and entertainment, but the screen seemed too small for laptop-like usage.



I normally buy the latest and greatest, but for my needs, the 2021 iPad Pro would serve me just as well as the newer ones. I used to buy cellular versions of the iPad but found it to be not worth the expense. Connecting to Wi-Fi or my iPhone's personal hotspot in a pinch works just fine. To get the most of your iPad, just like I have, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter.



I saved hundreds of dollars by shopping eBay for the not-quite-current iPad and a like-new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil. If I needed a laptop today, I'd happily use the same setup and save more. I prefer the iPad to a Windows laptop because of the easy-to-use iPhone-like interface, long battery life, specialized apps, detachable Magic Keyboard, and true portability for occasional sojourns.



I'm quite satisfied with built-in iPad apps including Mail, Photos, Notes, Contacts, Calender, Camera, and Timer. Microsoft 365 (aka Office) and Google Docs take care of word processing and spreadsheet needs. I use Scrivener for a book I'm writing, web-based Maestro Conference and Zoom for classes I teach, and HT Recorder to record sessions for coaching clients. I can even phone with FaceTime, WhatsApp Web, or Messenger. I also use various streaming services, GoodReader, Microsoft Todo, YouTube, Evernote, an assortment of games, and more.



The Apple Magic Keyboard, with its full keyboard, trackpad, and magnetic connection, gives the iPad a laptop feel. I like the Magic Keyboard appearance, quality, protection of the iPad, and easy-to-use typeable keyboard.



As a PC user, I get confused by Apple keyboard's Ctrl, Option, and Command keys. I don't like that the keyboard weighs more than the iPad and that it costs as much as a Chromebook. The Apple Smart Folio Keyboard I use for my 9.7-inch iPad could work, but the Magic Keyboard gives me a full-screen angle range and has a better aesthetic. I use the iPad touchscreen more than I use the Magic Keyboard trackpad.



I don't use the iPad multitasking features much, even though they are more intuitive than before. I never use my Apple Pencil.



I haven't missed my laptop yet! That said, don't be surprised if I write about my experience with the new iPad Pro and keyboard in some future column.



Illustration by Mikaila Maidment, mikailamaidment.com
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Samsung Invites Fans Around the World to Galaxy Experience Spaces, Showcasing the Next Chapter of Galaxy AI

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Ahead of Galaxy Unpacked 2024, Samsung Teases Next Frontier of Galaxy AI Across Cities Globally

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