Category: I-phone

Two years after the EU began investigating whether Valve uses regional pricing and geo-blocking practices in its Steam store, the European Commission has formally charged the distributor and five game publishers. The Commission released its "prelimin…

The secretary general of the UN's internet and telecoms agency has suggested US concerns about 5G networks built using Huawei equipment have more to do with politics and trade, rather than legitimate worries over security. "There is no proof so far,"…

By Christine Cyr Clisset, Michael Sullivan and Sharon Franke

This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read…

When we think about buying a
condo, we often wrongly believe that they will be a lot easier to manage
and maintain in the future compared to a traditional house. I suppose there are
no driveways to repave, and you don’t have to be solely responsible for the
roof. But, it is important to note that things to do go wrong with condos, so
we would always advise that you carry out a home inspection on the condo before
you buy.

So, what do you need and your home inspector need to look out for
when carrying out a home inspection?

We would recommend that you check for…

• Any noticeable spotting on the floor and walls of the
condo. Also, if you notice that the floors are sloped, there is a chance that
this could be down to water damage.

• If you notice that some of
the walls are cracked, this may be because of a structural problem, which can
be expensive to rectify.

• If you find that there is spotting
around the window, this would indicate that there is mold in the property.

• We would also recommend that
you complete a check to see if the doors are level. If not, this could indicate
some serious issues.

• When it comes to the tiling
of the condo, it is important to check to see if there are any gaps or missing
caulking in any of the tile work.

• Also, examine the common
areas of the building to see if any regular maintenance has been completed. If
not, the residents of the block will be unlikely to do anything about any major
repairs in the future.

• Run the taps and shower to
check if there is suitable water pressure, and check both the hot and cold taps
when doing so.

• If you smell any unusual
smells in the condo, make sure that you try and get to the root of the problem.
It could be highlighting a serious problem.

• Check to see if the
electrical systems and HVAC systems both work. If in your condo there is an
HVAC, as well as a central building system unit, make sure you inspect both.

These are just some of the things that you should look out
for when buying a condo. But, you should complete these checks if you are buying
a townhouse aswell. What else should potential buyers look out for? Tell us
what you think!

The post The Importance of a Home Inspection Before Buying a Condo appeared first on FeedsPortal.com.

Escape rooms are fast becoming one of the most entertaining ways to spend an evening, as people want to try new experiences and move away from more traditional ways of entertainment. We thought we’d put together a few reasons as to why you should visit an escape room. So, let’s get started!

What is an Escape Room?

If you don’t know what an escape room is, it can be best described as an interactive game in which those taking part have to solve a series of puzzles and riddles, with the help of clues and hints. They may need to form strategies to complete the objectives as laid out in the escape room. Every escape room experience is likely to be different. Some take place in one room, while others use multiple rooms. Players are often given a time limit to try and solve the problems. There are actually many competitions that take place to find who can complete the escape room in the fastest time.

Date Night

Couples trying out an Escape Room is becoming a new trend.
It’s certainly something different compared to having a meal at a restaurant,
or going out for drinks. You can even invite another couple of friends to make
the experience a bit more fun.

Get Away from Screens

Everyone knows we spend a little too much time on our smart phones and tablets these days. Even when we finish work, we will most likely come home and watch something on our TVs, or maybe play games on our consoles. Escape rooms are a fantastic way to keep you entertained whilst dragging you away from technology.

It’s Like “Real” Virtual Reality

When you take part in an escape room experience, you will be
completely immersed in the room until you can get yourself out of it. In the
process, you will be trying to solve fiendishly difficult puzzles, attempting
to crack codes, and giving your mind a real workout whilst having a lot of fun
in the process!

Help Your Brain

Your brain needs to be regularly exercised, as well as your body. Escape rooms are thought to make you more alert, improve your concentration, as well as increase creativity, according to Drew Roberts, an escape room consultant. Escape rooms are also known to improve other cognitive functions.

So, give an escape room a try!

Thank you to St
Louis Escape Room for their contribution to this article.

The post 4 Reasons Why You Should Try an Escape Room appeared first on FeedsPortal.com.

Ever since the UK voted to exit the
EU, there has been great volatility in the value of the pound and the euro. The
markets don’t like uncertainty and there has been nothing but this since the referendum
vote.

Once the UK finally leaves the EU, there
will then follow an “implementation period”, which is expected to last for a
period of 21 months following the exit. This period is essential to prevent an economic
fallout on both the UK and EU sides.

Some critics see this extension
period as a way to prolong the UK’s EU membership whilst going out negotiating
their own treaties and trade deals, which could be disadvantageous to the EU.
This was shown in a rally against the Euro of around 0.50% and the USD of 0.60%
when this agreement became public knowledge in March last year.

The Brexit process has and will continue to present challenges to the British pound sterling. There are almost certainly going to be more volatilities before the process is complete, with most big changes going to be centred around key diplomatic and political events.

From the massive losses in the first few hours after the referendum vote for Brexit, there has been a slow and steady growth of the pound, with some spikes and losses. The GBP is still a long way from returning to its former glory after these fundamental transformations. For investors, this represents an opportunity, especially when it comes to trading GBP and Euro, as well as trading euros to dollars.

Of course, even after Brexit is
finally concluded, the overall economic growth of the United Kingdom will in
part be impacted by the Bank of England’s (BOE) monetary policy decisions and
the trade deals the UK manage to make. Nobody really knows what the future
direction of the UK will be.

There is also the chance that the UK will not even leave the EU, which is a possibility given the parliamentary stalemate. One idea being tabled is that there might be a 2^nd referendum, which could lead to more uncertainty. Even the result of a 2^nd referendum would provoke more uncertainty. Would a second leave vote lead to a “no deal” Brexit, increasing risk, or will the UK vote to stay, likely leading to a constitutional crisis? Only time will tell!

To keep up to date with the latest exchange
rates, check out Mconvert.

The post Brexit and the Effects on the Value of the Pound and the Euro appeared first on FeedsPortal.com.

Bali
is truly one of the most beautiful places on Earth. I’m not even exaggerating!
I went to Bali two months ago. It was the best decision I’ve ever made in my
life. I’m sure you already know Bali boasts some of the best tropical beaches.
I skipped both Kuta Beach and Seminyak Beach. Simply because there are too many
crowds! It is especially crowded a few hours before the sunset. Instead, I
explored other attractions in the island. It’s another decision I urge you to
do as well. Because I end up stumbled into some of Bali’s hidden jewels!

Dolphin Sightings
Tour in Lovina Beach

I went to Lovina Beach first day in the morning. Why?
Because I wanted to catch the dolphins sighting. Lovina Beach is located in
Buleleng Regency of North Bali. It is smaller than major beaches in Bali. But
it boasts unrivaled sunset beauty. The sea waves in Lovina Beach are also
relatively calm.

I’ve been dying to swim in Bali’s sea, I got the opportunity
here. Also, again, the dolphins! I joined a dolphin-watching tour and departed
as soon as the sun rose. I remembered the thrills of spotting some dark-skinned
spinner dolphins. It’s easily one of the fondest memories I had in Bali.

Exploring The Deep
Ubud Monkey Forest

I also visited Ubud Monkey Forest. The sacred forest is
located in the village of Padangtegal Ubud. It’s home to over 700 long-tailed
macaque monkeys. Boy, aren’t these sacred primates so mischievous! They love
food, just like you and me. Or maybe even more! They have swift hands to prove
that. I was lucky I left all my snacks in my hotel room. I’m quite protective
with my food, you know?

Apart from the adorable monkeys, numerous ancient temples
also lies deep inside the forest. I only found one temple called Prajapati
Temple. Though I heard there are two other temples hidden among the trees.
Well, I guess I might get to see them next time. To enter Ubud Monkey Forest,
you’ll have to pay IDR 80.000,- for adults and IDR 60.000,- for children. I
strongly recommend you to visit the forest, to be honest. It feels great to escape
from the sun’s heat by taking relaxing stroll among the trees. I somehow feel
spiritually charged as well.

Enjoying Sunset In
Tegallalang Rice Terraces

The weather was getting cooler when I was done exploring the
sacred forest. The weather got cooler and more bearable. So I decided it might
be a perfect time to visit Tegalallang Rice Terrace. I wasn’t really an
Instagram person. But I could see why people of Instagram are loving the place.
The scenic view of rice paddy fields spiraling along the valley is truly
captivating. The sunset view here is also breathtaking. If you’re looking for
the most Instagrammable spots in Bali, Tegallalang is definitely one of them.

By the way, if you’re wondering how I planned the trip in my
budget, I did research on Metatrip.com and book my tickets there. The
comparison is helpful and the price are the best! Find your cheap tours and
attraction tickets there!

The post Revealing the Hidden Jewels of Bali appeared first on FeedsPortal.com.

With the longest recorded bear market in history, cryptocurrency prices are in for a terse competition. Bitcoin price tested murky waters in 2018, it has been predicted by several analysts and traders alike that in 2019,  ETF approval and the launch of Bitcoin futures will bring some much-needed relief. The crypto debt market and credit networks will see bright light with projects like Nexo and Maker DAO marking staggering growths. Let us have a look at trends which will rule cryptocurrency prices in 2019.

Rise of Decentralized Exchanges

It is not a false fact that cryptocurrencies market place needs a wider user base. While there is no limit to decentralized exchanges they have not been able to reach their true potential owing to poor usability and exorbitant costs incurred in developing them.

However, in the year 2019, it is expected that users will be able to make deals without any presence of third parties using their private wallets. This will directly impact cryptocurrency prices as more users will be willing to invest in crypto assets.

Also, this will lead to a massive increase in trade volume, which is predicted to be 50% and will positively impact Bitcoin price and other altcoins uptrends. As per data by CoinCheckUp, more than 3/4 of the worldwide crypto trade volume will be controlled Binance, Bitfinex, Huobi, Bittrex, and OKex.

STOs and IEOs to supersede ICOs

It is not an unknown fact that ICO market suffered heavy losses in 2018 and investors backed off funding the utility token model. Moreover, the ever-increasing legal and compliance costs are a deal breaker in all manners. However, with Security Token Offerings backed by real-world assets like bonds, they are the next target for investors and traders alike.

Also, much to the developer’s delight, IEOs or Initial Exchange Offerings are count in for easier participation. The developers can take total advantage of the existing user base of the exchange. With the exchange affirming the reliability of the project, investors can be assured of this being an investment worthy project.

Lastly, investors need not worry about them being listed on exchanges, as they will carry out thorough research before initiating an IEO.

All in all, this will be advantageous for cryptocurrency prices as it will lead to more demand among investors. Also, with high Bitcoin dominance and prevailing market trends, Bitcoin price might display some spectacular trends in 2019. However, as the popular saying goes, “ Once bitten twice shy”, the crypto market will still need to evolve on a higher level to gain the trust of traders and investors again.

Improved Scalability to Positively Impact Bitcoin Price

With scalability a major issue with blockchain, it is not wrong to concur that it negatively impacts cryptocurrency prices. However, Bitcoin’s off chain technology Lightning Network will be a game changer. With cheaper and faster transactions and the launch of atomic swaps, not only will the Bitcoin price be impacted, it will shift cryptocurrency prices on a whole new level.

dApp Development to Bolster rise in Cryptocurrency Prices

With mainnet launch of blockchain platforms like TRON and EOS accompanied by a steady in dApp platform is a clear indicator that cryptocurrency prices will rise with these developments. TRON recorded a weekly surge of 5% recently when it launched few of its many dApps in January. Interestingly, analysts believe that such developments can be helpful for Bitcoin price as well, as overall it will lead to greater faith in the crypto market. However, the possibility of a decline in altcoins cannot be disregarded altogether.

Lower Price Volatility

While Bitcoin price experienced high price volatility in 2017, the price volatility in 2018 was more subtle. Moments of sudden price fluctuations were quite a few. The year 2019 is likely to see more price stability than in previous years. This is noted to be a good sign it will pave way for more institutional investors. In addition, to bolstering crypto adoption and ultimately positively impacting cryptocurrency prices.

Conclusion

Also, crypto margin trading will see a significant drop in 2019 as traders will trade only when necessary having become a lot wiser from previous market fluctuations. Well, 2019 will be a mixed bag for cryptocurrency prices. Time will be the best judge for deciding whether the crypto market adds more investors or sets off to establish another set of trends.

The post Watch Out For These Crypto Market Trends in 2019 appeared first on FeedsPortal.com.

Security researchers in Israel have developed malware that can add realistic-looking but entirely fake growths to CT and MRI scans or hide real cancerous nodules that would be detected by the medical imagining equipment. The software, designed by exp…

As SpaceX proceeds with development of its Starship vehicle, it's first testing out the spacecraft's Raptor engines. Today a stubby Starhopper test vehicle mounted with a single engine — as opposed to the more advanced Phase 2 version shown above –…

You might not have to spring for a premium-priced flagship to get a smartphone with an abundance of cameras. Well-known tipster OnLeaks and CashKaro have shared renders and details of a mystery device they say is a future Motorola device with four r…

Tesla has long asked you to flick the turn stalk to confirm Autopilot's lane changes, but you won't have to do that for much longer. The EV designer is rolling out an update to Navigate on Autopilot that gives you the option of disabling the turn st…

With more than 80 percent of the hybrid vehicle market, Toyota is undoubtedly a leader in hybrid technology. Rather than lock that expertise away, Toyota announced it will share nearly 24,000 patents with fellow automakers. According to the company,…

So much for hopes that Epic would stop signing developers to exclusives for its Games Store. While the company suggested at the Game Developers Conference that it would ramp down its push for exclusives, CEO Tim Sweeney has since said Epic would be…

Facebook is bidding farewell to its family of apps for Windows Phone, including Messenger, Instagram, and the original Facebook app. A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed to Engadget on Tuesday that Facebook will end its support for its apps on Windows…