Gadgets
Mlais M7 review – Bang for the buck incarnate
You don’t have to look very far to see that there is still a bit of a stigma towards a lot of Chinese products, but especially electronics. The country that produces most of the items we all use every day has a pretty bad reputation for making certain things that are considered “subpar” by most of the western world. While this may be the case in some situations, it’s actually far from being the truth when it comes to modern electronics and the Mlais M7 smartphone is a prime example of a Chinese product that’s just as good as some of its other counterparts from around the world.
But first of all, who is Mlais? To make a long story short, this is a relatively young Chinese company that’s trying to make a name for itself in the industry, which isn’t necessarily an easy thing to do when your country is home to loads of other business that are trying to do the same thing. Still, this particular company is on the right track here and the Mlais M7 is pretty good proof of that. Now, this smartphone isn’t necessarily perfect, but at only $190 you’ll be hard pressed to find a phablet that offers a better bang for the buck.
On the outside the Mlais M7 doesn’t look particularly flashy, however, it’s likely to catch the attention of other people regardless thanks to its huge 5.5-inch display. If you’re like me, you’ll struggle a bit with phablets like this at first, but you’ll actually only need a couple of days of playing around to get accustomed to its size. On the bright side, everything looks better on a big screen like this and you won’t have to worry too much about accidentally damaging it because the screen is protected by highly resistant glass that can withstand scratches, fingerprints and impact damage. The device is capable of taking a decent amount of punishment if necessary, but as always, it’s wise to be careful with your smartphone just to be on the safe side.
But coming back to the design, the Mlais M7 sports an overall simple look, with the back panel being the only part that stands out a bit. Upon first checking out the back of the phone you’ll immediately notice one of the phone’s main features, the fingerprint scanner. Generally speaking, fingerprint scanners are not all that reliable just yet and this is no exception. That’s not to say that it doesn’t work as intended because it does. However, there are moments when the sensor doesn’t recognize your fingerprint, which is definitely a problem when you’re trying to unlock your smartphone in a hurry.
Luckily the Mlais M7 features a few other ways of locking and unlocking your phone, so you can use your fingerprint only if you really want to. Having said that, the scanner is definitely a nice feature to have and it’s actually pretty surprising to see it considering that sensors like these are usually reserved for the more expensive handsets. In any case, here’s hoping that a future software update will improve the fingerprint scanner because in its current state it’s unlikely to become the preferred method of unlocking the Mlais M7 for most people.
With that out of the way, let’s talk about hardware and performance. Here I just want to start off by saying that the Mlais M7 can handle pretty much anything you can throw out at it. If you want to use this phone for work-related purposes you can rest assured knowing that it’s very fast at opening virtually any web page or app, including those that require a constant internet connection. Additionally, you can run any mobile game out there without any stuttering, frame rate drops, or any other such issues. Now, I’m not much into mobile gaming myself, but I did try a handful of demanding games (including Mortal Kombat X) and I didn’t encounter any problems whatsoever when playing them. I will definitely recommend the Mlais M7 to anyone with a passion for mobile games because apart from the fact that you can play anything without any problems, the 5.5-inch HD display with 1280 x 720 pixel resolution makes everything look that much better. That said, a few hours of intensive gaming will drain a lot of your battery so make sure to keep that in mind.
The battery pack comes in at 2,600 mAh so it’s what most would consider average for a smartphone of this type. If you’re not doing anything too intensive, the battery on the Mlais M7 will easily last for more than a day before you need to reach for the charger. There’s also an intelligent battery saving mode that’s pretty self-explanatory and seems to work pretty well from my experience. As mentioned, pushing the phone to its limits will indeed drain the battery quickly and that’s a bit of a problem since the recharge time is not exactly fast. However, the recharge time also depends on what kind of USB cable you’re using. While testing with an old cable I found that it can take as much as four hours to get a full charge, but upon using the one included in the box the time was reduced to just about two hours. Going from 0 to full in two hours is not bad at all in my book, but make sure you’re not using a very old USB cable like I first did because that little detail matters more than some may think.
It’s also worth pointing out that the Mlais M7 comes equipped with a very powerful processor that definitely gives the battery a run for its money, namely, a 64-bit MTK6752 octa-core CPU clocked at 1.7 GHz, complete with 3 GB of RAM. Moving on to storage, you get the standard 16GB straight out of the box with the possibility of further expanding the internal memory by up to 64GB via microSD card. As a side note, Mlais isn’t including a microSD card in the box, but then again, few companies ever do. If you don’t already have such a card don’t worry because you can get them from all over the place for just 20 bucks or even less.
Gadgets
Amazon DJI Store in Germany hacked? DJI NEO Fly More Combo reveals it
We wanted to check all DJI Stores across the world on Amazon and found out an interesting probable hack on there store in Germany.
See below Screenshot
Some might even buy the Fly More package without regards to the Title –
KuyuqudGVg 6 x 12 Inch Summer Sushi Printed License Plate Frame for Car, Car Tag, Car Tag –What?????
So when you buy it and than realize you receive a pack of Car Tags instead of DJI NEO Fly More Combo and want to ask a refund will Amazon Germany give it back to you or will the buyers remain with a minus 293 Euro in there account.
What are you thougts about this?
Gadgets
Spotify is providing refunds for Car Thing as it confronts a lawsuit regarding the malfunctioning of the streaming device
Spotify is receiving ongoing criticism for its choice to terminate support for Car Thing, its in-car streaming device, which was announced in May. According to the company, the device will become inoperable after December 9, 2024. Gen Z users on TikTok are sharing videos to express their dissatisfaction with Spotify’s decision and its suggested measures, such as transitioning to Android Auto or CarPlay. The users point out that they often lacked access to integrated infotainment systems in their cars, which makes them a prime target market for a specialized player like Car Thing.
The streaming service’s in-car device hadn’t been on the market long enough to become outdated. The product was introduced in February 2022 but was subsequently discontinued within the same year. However, the company assured customers who had already purchased units that it would continue to provide support and maintenance. Prior to its release, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek indicated that there was a significant consumer interest in this product. During an earnings call with investors, Ek reported that over 2 million users had registered on the Car Thing waitlist in anticipation of its launch.
While Spotify did not disclose official figures, it is probable that Car Thing did not meet expectations or did not justify further investment in the current challenging economic climate. Spotify, on the other hand, terminated approximately 1,500 employees towards the end of last year. This followed previous rounds of layoffs earlier in the year that impacted hundreds of employees.
Car Thing users, on the other hand, are not concerned with the company’s financial issues; their primary concern is the functionality of the device or, at the very least, receiving a refund for the $90 cost.
As a result, some individuals have attempted to lodge their complaints directly with Spotify by sending direct messages on the X platform using the handle @SpotifyCares or by utilizing different email addresses associated with Spotify that have been shared on Reddit. As a result, certain users have reported that Spotify provided them with multiple months of a premium subscription as compensation for their inconvenience, whereas others have stated that they inquired with customer service and were informed that no reimbursements were being offered.
According to Spotify, they have recently implemented a refund procedure for Car Thing. However, the user must present evidence of purchase in order to be eligible for the refund.
Car Thing users were officially informed about the availability of customer support through a second email sent on Friday of last week, in response to the increasing criticism and dissatisfaction caused by the discontinuation of Car Thing. Within the message, Spotify provides users with the appropriate customer support link to contact the company. The email does not guarantee any reimbursements but states that users can contact us for inquiries.
Although a refund might appease a certain segment of the user population who are dissatisfied with Car Thing, numerous individuals are earnestly imploring the company through TikTok videos and comments on Spotify’s TikTok posts to refrain from rendering their device inoperable. (Indeed, grievances regarding the Car Thing have become so prevalent on Spotify’s videos that the algorithmically generated search recommendation on certain videos is “what is the spotify car thing.”)
“Spotify, I kindly request that you refrain from subjecting me to any further distress.” “I have a strong affection for my automobile,” expressed Carla, a TikTok user known as @carlititica on the platform.
“Depressed,” expressed another user, @nikkilovestech. “They seem to encourage people to use their phone, which is a source of distraction,” she stated in the video description while demonstrating a Car Thing mounted on her dashboard. In her video, she also addressed the issue of electronic waste resulting from the discontinuation of a fully functional product.
Spotify is still facing challenges regarding the discontinuation of Car Thing, despite the introduction of a refund process that has not been widely publicized. According to Billboard, Spotify is currently dealing with a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit alleges that Spotify deceived customers by selling them a product that would soon become outdated, and then failing to provide refunds. The lawsuit was initiated on May 28th.
While Spotify is unable to provide a comment regarding the lawsuit, a representative did share the following statement regarding Car Thing:
The objective of our Car Thing investigation in the United States was to gain further insights into individuals’ auditory habits while driving. In July 2022, we made a public statement declaring our decision to cease any future manufacturing activities, and now we must bid farewell to the devices altogether. The deactivation of all Car Thing devices will occur on December 9, 2024, giving users until that date to continue using them. To gain further knowledge about the various methods available for listening to Spotify in your car, please refer to the For The Record section. Car Thing users can contact Customer Support for any inquiries by visiting: https://support.spotify.com/us/contact-spotify-support/
While the issues surrounding Car Thing may not impact all of Spotify’s user base, this development coincides with a period when users are already dissatisfied with being required to pay additional fees for features they consider essential to a music service, such as access to lyrics, a feature that Spotify recently made available only to paying subscribers. Furthermore, users are expressing dissatisfaction with Car Thing and are issuing ultimatums to discontinue their subscription to Spotify due to the introduction of paid access to lyrics.
Furthermore, Spotify raised its subscription fees last year, and Bloomberg has reported that another price hike is imminent in 2024.
Mobile Devices
3 Video Games About Women’s Health
Video games have transcended entertainment to become powerful tools for promoting health and wellness. One notable genre in this realm is fitness gaming, exemplified by titles like Hatsune Miku Fit Boxing, which motivates players to engage in physical activity to enhance their fitness levels. Building on this foundation, developers have ventured into women’s health with games designed to raise awareness and empower players to take control of their well-being. Here are 3 video games on women’s health that provide valuable health information and foster a sense of agency to uplift women around the world.
Tampon Run – Menstrual health
Created by Girls Who Code alumnae Andrea Gonzales and Sophie Houser in 2014, Tampon Run is an old-school 8-bit online game where the main character, Luna, lobs tampons to destroy enemies, who will confiscate the tampons if she lets them pass by. Interestingly, the concept of weaponized tampons is based on a real incident that occurred in 2013, where Texas state troopers confiscated tampons as potential projectiles, but not guns, from visitors observing a vote on abortion restrictions at the Texas State Capitol. The goal of Tampon Run is to destigmatize periods and menstrual products, which, up until recently, have not been properly studied to measure their absorbency, which underscores the need to address menstrual health so that women can get better care.
In between tossing tampons, Luna shares empowering messages about how periods are a natural part of women’s lives and should not be a source of shame or embarrassment. The game is available to play on the Tampon Run website and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store for iOS users.
PCOS Vitality – PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex hormonal condition and the leading cause of female infertility that affects approximately 5 to 6 million women in the US, according to the Endocrine Society. Common features of the condition include having irregular menstrual periods, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Additionally, some studies estimate that up to 88% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. While there are weight loss programs helping women tackle PCOS, focusing on aspects like lifestyle, symptom management, diet, and other tips for how to lose weight with PCOS, the condition itself remains grossly under-researched. For some women, it may take years to confirm that they have PCOS, as there are other disorders that mimic PCOS signs and symptoms that must be excluded.
The lack of research has extended to a lack of awareness among the general population and is what clinicians from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland are trying to address with the 2023 game PCOS Vitality. Essentially a learning tool, the game takes users through a simple obstacle course. As you click toward the finish line, you are asked simple trivia questions about PCOS. The game is free to play on Focus Games’ website.
Bound by Blood – Period poverty
Period poverty refers to the lack of regular access to period products, painkillers, or underwear during a menstrual cycle. In the US, where 16.9 million menstruating women live in poverty, two-thirds cannot afford basic menstrual products. Period poverty has also been associated with mental health issues and urinary tract infections.
Available to play on the itch.io website, Bound by Blood was created by Jessica Gates in 2017 and aims to educate players about the reality of period poverty. Users take the character of Beth, a homeless woman who wakes up in her car and realizes that she’s started her period. Players then make a series of choices to try to stay as hygienic as possible in spite of lacking resources such as menstrual products and clean restrooms. There isn’t really a way to “win” the game, and it is instead a peek into the reality of life where period products are inaccessible and how this affects women’s quality of life.
Through these games, players not only gain valuable insights into various aspects of women’s health but also find themselves actively engaged in their own well-being. As developers continue to explore this emerging field, the potential for video games to serve as educational tools and catalysts for change in healthcare remains promising
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