Category Archives: Futurist

It's the first exoplanet shaped like this. Rugby Planet

Turns out not all planets are nice and spherical like Earth.

The European Space Agency (ESA) says its found a planet shaped like a rugby ball in the constellation Hercules, according to a blog post from the agency. Dubbed WASP-103b, the planet appears to be deformed due to enormous tidal forces caused by its host star.

Much like how the Moons gravity pulls on Earth, WASP-103bs host star is so close to the planet that it exerts a staggering tidal force. This has resulted in the planet taking on a rugby ball shape and, tantalizingly, its the first time such a deformity has been detected in an exoplanet.

The discovery was made by the ESAs CHEOPS space telescope, and built off data gathered by the Hubble Telescope and NASAs Spitzer Space Telescope.

Specifically, CHEOPS was able to detect very specific light signatures made by the planet as it transited its host star. Using this data, astronomers were able to suss out its exact tidal deformation.

Its incredible that CHEOPS was actually able to reveal this tiny deformation, Jacques Laskar, researcher director at the French National Center for Scientific Research and co-author of a paper about the discovery in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, said in the blog post.

This is the first time such analysis has been made, and we can hope that observing over a longer time interval will strengthen this observation and lead to better knowledge of the planets internal structure, he added.

The researchers now hope that future observations by the newly-launched James Webb Space Telescope will uncover more insights about the exact nature of the strange planets deformation along with the rest of the universe.

READ MORE: Cheops reveals a rugby ball-shaped exoplanet [ESA]

More on exoplanets: Scientists Discover Gigantic New World that Defies Previous Planetary Understanding

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Scientists Just Discovered a Planet That's Not a Sphere - Futurism

Every January, marketers inboxes and social media feeds are flooded with reports and predictions excitedly promising all the ways that new, futuristic technologies will revolutionise marketing. From virtual reality to the metaverse, Bitcoin payments to NFTs, were repeatedly told that the role of marketing is about to change forever.

So, just how accurate are these predictions, and how many of them really come true?

In an analysis of over 2,000 trends and predictions made about marketing in January 2021, nearly 600 (more than one in four) were proven false by the end of the year. Of course, many others proved too vague to even test.

Now, as we move into 2022, the world of marketing is once again awash with prediction pieces focused on the biggest technology changes in the year ahead. While this sort of future-gazing content is great for grabbing headlines (something PR teams know all too well), it does little to help marketers prepare for the realities of their daily roles.

Lets look at the facts. In 2021, marketing budgets were slashed. According to Gartner, the average marketing budget dropped from 11% of revenue in 2020 to just 6.4% in 2021 a record low. At the same time, workloads have increased, more work has moved in-house, and greater pressure has been placed on marketing teams to deliver measurable business results.

In addition, the role of marketing professionals has expanded dramatically. According to an Emarsys survey of over 500 marketers, nearly a third must now look after customer experience, brand management, digital marketing, CRM, customer retention and more. And thats before they even start on the mountain of data analysis that has headed their way since their customers moved online.

Today, marketers spend more time preparing and segmenting data than any other tasks; more time, even, than they spend on content generation. Think about that for a minute: the average marketer spends more time dealing with numbers and spreadsheets than they do creative content. Thats a fundamental shift in the role.

So, what do we do about it?

To overcome these challenges and give power back to the marketer, marketers do need to embrace technology, but not the half-baked futuristic tech thats being evangelised on social media. And they cant drown in a sea of data, but data must empower decision making. What marketers need are practical tools and advice to help them navigate the complex business landscape that they now find themselves in.

With that in mind, I want to provide some real-world tips that I believe will help save marketers time, consolidate their workloads and zero in on the things that actually matter in 2022. Consider this my alternative to a flashy tech predictions piece. These are unpredictions the things that marketers will have to grapple with in the here and now.

There was a time when marketing and customer experience (CX) professionals were two entirely separate breeds. Now, 35% of marketers consider CX not just a fundamental part of their roles, but the most fundamental part.

Customer experience falls under marketings umbrella because marketers own the bulk of relationships with the brand not to mention most of the touchpoints customers use to interact. If you want to meet the expectations of your customers, keep them happy and drive business results, you need to prioritise CX as a fundamental marketing objective.

To make the customer journey an experience worth repeating (whether digital, in-store, or both), great marketing teams must think beyond merely pushing messages in the hope of squeezing some extra cash out of people. Instead, they need drive customer loyalty by creating great experiences from end to end.

The first step to achieving that in 2022 will be to get your insights in order. That means unifying all your customer data so that its available from one place, and ensuring you have the right technology to use it in real time. Which brings me on to

Weve all seen the martech landscape supergraphic mapping the 8,000-plus marketing technologies currently available. This excess of tech is a symptom of the deeply flawed idea that, for any problem or goal, all anyone needs to do is apply new software.

This software gluttony has resulted in data silos that damage the customer experience and disjointed campaign management processes, as well as a general burning of cash. In fact, according to one study, CMOs spend more than a quarter of their budgets on marketing tech, yet nearly 40% of this is wasteddue tomartechsolutions that arent fully deployed.

If you want to make a real difference to your marketing in 2022, stop wasting money on single-use martech and focus on consolidating into a single cross-channel platform. Having everything in one place makes it far easier to see what moves the needle and why.

Face it, your bandwidth is limited. Not just because youre a human being who needs to balance work with eating, sleeping and occasionally leaving the house, but alsobecause youre a marketer,which means your plate of responsibilities is overflowing.

This is where technology can actually help you. In 2022, marketers need to make the automation of data management and marketing processes a priority in order to give their teams time to focus on strategy, creative content and understanding customers.

Your ability to be creative is your most important attribute as a marketer.But if youre looking for a way to waste your creative gifts and energy, look no further than the grind of repetitive basic tasks needed to bring campaigns to life. Its the least glamorous part of the job.

Today, the technology exists to free you from those mundane aspects of marketing. That way, you can focus on what most of us really love to do being creative.

None of these things are predictions. None of them are guesswork. These are all things that marketers can start doing today to face up to the challenges of 2022. Forget robots, Bitcoin and NFTs, and focus on answering the questions that really matter: What will save your teams time? What will your customers appreciate most? And what will add real value to your businesss bottom line?

To read all of Emarsys unpredictions, download the full report at Emarsys.com.

Sara Richter is CMO at Emarsys.

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'Unpredictions' for 2022: Forget futuristic tech, marketers need to focus on the now - Marketing Week

Though Ive never been on ayacht, one thing is pretty clear theyre cool as hell! These luxurious vessels are taking over water bodies, and are slowly becoming a preferred means to travel from one destination to another. How exciting would it be to explore beautiful locations in these exotic vehicles? I mean you now have yachts that function as solar-powered floating villas, while some are even inspired by sportscars! The yacht experience has been elevated to a whole nother ball game. And, weve curated a collection of the best yachts weve come across! From a conceptual swan-shaped yacht to a superyacht with a gaping void in the middle this collection of automotivedesigns will leave you completely impressed, and itching to get aboard one!

Christened The Shape this superyacht breaks all the fundamental rules of sailing and yacht design that weve seen so far. It has a gaping hole right in the middle (just like the ones in modern skyscrapers) that serves as the sun deck and a never-before-seen unique visual attraction. How it will address the turbulent seas when the weather is hostile, is a question for another day! The beastly concept is 69 meters long and having a draft of 3.90 meters yacht offers a living area of 35 meters past the void. It has three decks hidden in the colossal structure the first floor having the suites, the second one being the shared living space, and the command center on the third.

The silhouette of the Xenomorph head from the Alien franchise is an apparent relatable element, and the traces of Avanguardia yacht are also evident. So, has the Italy-based design house finally hit saturation with its thinking cap on? Most definitely not, as the 279-foot Icaria vessel hones massive deck space for two helicopters to park and a full-fledged tender garage to house a couple of watercraft, accessible via two foldable doors. The superyacht has an imposing bow followed by a large glass bridge. Icaria is more tailored for explorers who like to tread out into the rough waters. For times when adventure seekers need to relax in the warmth of the sun, there is the gorgeous deck right by the hollowed-out area the designers refer to as hole deck.

Pierpaolo Lazzarini of Lazzarini Design Studio is known for his unique and extraordinary watercraft creations and this swan-shaped concept yacht calledAvanguardiatops the list. The name means vanguard and it comes from the position of its control tower which is perched like a swans head. Can you guess which 1970s Japanese manga unintentionally inspired this? Avanguardia is subdivided into 5 decks and can fit up to 60 passengers. The swan head is the control tower that is used to maneuver this 137-meter long, almost outrageous, yacht. Another interesting feature about the control tower is that it can detach from the neck and transform itself into an auxiliary 16-meter boat. When in motion, the mobile control tower can adjust Avanguardias position by lowering itself right into the center of the yacht.

Delivering to the desirous a notion of how a Ferrari would look like on the water, the Lazzarini GTM doesnt give out the car it may be based on but does replete the Prancing Horse DNA without a doubt. The two companies have not collaborated on the design, so you cannot earmark this one as official, but the concept has a design worth seeing the light of the day someday. Beyond the inspired look, the Gran Turismo Mediterranea is an 88-foot, sporty yacht, made using the Ferrari-favored carbon fiber. Undeniably Ferrari for the seas, this design renders appear with a Ferrari badge on the front, gullwing doors and a cabin that welcomes the owner and crew into a sportscar-esque cockpit that ensure you dont feel any difference from the Italian stallions driver seat to the pilot seat of this hyper yacht.

The concept christened SeaJet is a hyper-fast transportation yacht thats encapsulated in a sense of style and luxury affluent travelers will take a keen interest in it. This watercraft would be stored in a superyacht and is designed to haul around 50 passengers from one location to the other for short travels. Much like the Xenos hyper yacht and the Jet Capsule, this one being 23 meters in length is bigger than the Jet Capsule and smaller than Xenos- suggesting a fleet of hyper watercraft in the making for a profound travel experience on the seas.

The Tecnomar pulls inspiration directly from the Lamborghini Sin FKP 37s design details (the two even feature together in the video). Outwardly, its pretty easy to draw parallels between a car and yacht, simply because they both need to be incredibly aerodynamic and streamlined, but the Tecnomar manages to do so much more to look the part (apart from the angular bodywork, of course). Take for instance the Y-shaped headlights, a detail thats directly taken from Lamborghinis playbook (remember the Terzo Millennio), or the zig-zag stepping on the rear of the yacht thats inspired by the rear profile of the Aventador.

Arkup 75 lets you live in comfort and luxury in total autonomy enjoy life between the sea, the sky, and the city. The 75 feet long yacht has a total living space of 4,350 sqft! It is trulyfloating architecture and modern interior goals at its finest. Arkup is a game-changer for the hospitality market when it comes to self-sustainable, blue developments. floating and overwater eco-resorts a reality with the versatility to scale, configure, even relocate. We are revolutionizing life on the water. We leverage Arkup products and expertise for fast deployment, modular, floating communities that you scale according to market demands, says the team.

The designer has created the blueprint of the 85-foot superyacht dubbed Drakkar S inspired by the ye olde Viking longships, whichs perfect for newbie sailors who would rather prefer the autonomous luxury of a vessel. To make self-propelling possible, Drakkar S is infused with advanced autopilot and artificial intelligence systems for smart navigation detecting any underwater obstacles or even estimating the ideal distance for mooring. Even more so, it can be controlled with a smartphone app that just sets the tone for a future Apple yacht in Silver or even the Space Grey colors.

There are over 5,000 superyachts currently on this planet, however, none of them look as impactful as theEstrella. Designed by South Kore-based Yeojin Jung, Estrella hopes to break the mold of boring practical superyacht design with something thats a cross between feasible and outlandishly luxurious. Envisioned to look like the jewel of the seas, Estrella comes made for UHNWIs (or Ultra High Net Worth Individuals, as my sorry self just learned), and sports a split-hull design that divides the yacht into the main component, and two floater components on either side, reminiscent of a seaplane.

Designed to be 300 meters in length and capped with a 13-story-high science sphere on top,the Earth 300was conceptualized by naval architect Ivan Salas Jefferson (founder of Iddes Yachts) as the torchbearer of global science, allowing us as a species to expand our knowledge and understanding of the universe, both above and below the oceans surface. It comes equipped with 22 state-of-the-art laboratories for research, a cantilevered observation deck, and has space for 160 scientists (along with dozens of other experts and student researchers), 164 crew members operating the vessel, and finally 40 additional slots for VIP guests. However, heres the most impressive part of the Earth 300 vessel it runs entirely on clean nuclear energy.

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Sleek and futuristic yachts designed to revolutionize the luxury automotive world - Yanko Design

The best portable printers give you the ability to print documents or photos at a moments notice, on the road or at home. The compact devices fit in a bag or backpack to provide easy access to a printer, wherever you go.

Most portable printers weigh around five pounds and can slide into a computer bag with ease. Although small, the best portable printers can boast full-size printer features like full-page printing, scanning and copying, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Some have optional battery power, which means that they dont even need to be near an outlet to get the job done.

A good portable printer will have the features to fulfill your printing needs, all in a small and lightweight package. The best portable printer options ahead fit big printing capabilities into a compact device so you can print anytime you need from anywhere you are.

Best Overall: HP OfficeJet 200 Portable Printer Best Budget: Workforce WF-110 Wireless Mobile Printer Best Scanner: HP OfficeJet 250 Best for Photos: Canon SELPHY CP1300 Photo Printer Best for Smartphones: HP Sprocket Studio Photo Printer

We narrowed down the best portable printers from over 20 products, considering each printers user-friendliness, print quality, portability, and price to find suitable options for most shoppers.

User-friendliness: We researched product specifications, reviews from trusted sources, and consumer feedback to determine ease of use, taking into account advertised features as well as how the printer performed in real-world settings. Good print quality and decent printing speeds were must-have qualities of a good portable printer. We chose printers with at least a couple of the following features to ensure easy control: Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi direct connectivity, on-printer controls, and smartphone apps. The more connectivity options the printer had, the better.

Portability: We looked for compact and lightweight portable printers, but selected some larger and heavier options when the features justified the bump in size, like for scanning and copying printers. We included battery powered options on this list, since they offer ultimate portability; these printers can be used even in the absence of an outlet.

Price: A good portable printer doesnt have to cost an arm and a leg. We selected models at several price points, ranging from around $150 to $400 so you can find an excellent option within your budget.

Related: Get It All Done With the Best Laptops of 2022

Why It Made The Cut: As our pick for the best portable printer overall this printer is designed for business printing on the road, with great output quality, several connectivity options and print sizes, and a 50-page document feeder.

Specs: Printer type: Inkjet Output: 10 ppm black, 7 ppm color Size: 14.3 inches L x by 7.3 inches W x 2.7 inches H Pages per minute (PPM): 10 BW, 7 color

Pros: Several print size options 50-sheet paper feeder Includes battery

Cons: Does not include a USB cable

The HP OfficeJet 200 Portable Printer is an affordable but feature-filled portable printer that is suitable for working on the go. Although portable, this printers output quality is excellent, rivaling that of some desktop printers. It boasts the ability to print a variety of documents in common sizes, including letter, legal and A4 sizes, all of which fit in the 50-sheet paper feeder. For more creative endeavors, this inkjet printer can also print 46 photos and other borderless prints up to 57 inches.

This printers included rechargeable battery reaches full charge in only 90 minutes, making this printer quick to charge before you need to take it on the road. Measuring 14.3 inches long by 7.3 inches wide by 2.7 inches high and weighing just under 5 pounds, its an average size and weight that can easily slip into a work bag or carry on. It will perform relatively well if youre in a rush, printing up to 10 pages per minute (in black and white).

Connecting to the printer is simple. Using a USB cable or drive, a Wi-Fi network, or Wi-Fi Direct, this printer can connect to your computer, smartphone, or tablet. Wi-Fi Direct connectivity means you dont need to be on a Wi-Fi network to connect; the printer can connect directly to your Wi-Fi enabled device. You can also adjust settings and control the printer using the on-board mono display, giving you even more control options on this versatile printer.

Why It Made The Cut: This portable printer features an ultra compact and lightweight design for a reasonable price, making it an excellent option for travelers.

Specs: Printer type: Inkjet Features: Prints documents and photos Size: 12.2 inches L x 6.1 inches H x 2.4 inches W PPM: 6.7

Pros: Very compact design Weighs only 3.5 pounds Built-in battery

Cons: Ink costs are relatively high Slow print speeds

This Workforce WF-110 Wireless Mobile Printer is designed for traveling professionals, squeezing excellent performance into a compact and relatively affordable printer. This printer is a utilitarian option with solid performance, and best of all, this all comes in a very portable body making it our pick for the best budget printer.

This printer measures 12.2 inches long by 6.1 inches wide by 2.4 inches high, which is nice and compact for a portable printer. It outshines other printers on this list with its weight: at just 3.5 pounds, this printer is very light and wont weigh down your briefcase, computer bag, or carry-on suitcase.

To add to its portability, this printer has a built-in, rechargeable battery that prints up to 50 pages on a charge. If that isnt enough, you can add an external accessory battery (sold separately) for even longer battery life. Connection options include USB, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi Direct so you can print standard letter-size or A4 documents and 4-by-6-inch photos, right from your devices.

Although this printer comes at a very reasonable upfront cost for its features, its ongoing ink costs are a bit higher per page than most portable printers, making it a better choice for light-duty use. It also prints at 6.7 pages per minute, which is slower than other portable printers on this list. However, with its super compact and lightweight size, some shoppers will find this piack well worth these minor drawbacks.

Why It Made The Cut: This inkjet printer is a portable all-in-one device, with the ability to print, scan, and copy.

Specs: Printer type: Inkjet Features: Print documents and photos, scan, and copy Size: 15 inches L x 7.8 inches W x 3.6 inches H PPM: 10

Pros: Prints, scans, and copies 2.65-inch touchscreen control 10-sheet automatic document feeder

Cons: Rather large and heavy for a portable printer Pricey

With the best printer scanner like the HP OfficeJet 250, you can fulfill all your major printing needs wherever you go. Beyond printing documents and photos, this compact inkjet printer is also a scanner and copier. Its print, scan, and copy modes are easy to control via the built-in 2.6-inch touch screen interface, and you can connect your devices using USB, Wi-Fi, or Wi-Fi Direct.

Instead of a flatbed scanner, this printer uses a 10-sheet automatic document feeder for hassle-free scanning and copying. This feature means youll need to give the printer space so as to not damage documents and photos while its feeding into the printer. But thats a worthwhile tradeoff for the ability to scan and copy documents from anywhere.

If this printer doesnt already sound convenient enough, it boasts fast print speeds at 10 pages per minute and has a long-lasting battery that reaches full charge within 90 minutes of plugging in.

This printer measures 15 inches long by 7.8 inches wide by 3.6 inches high and weighs 6.7 pounds (with its included battery), so its larger and heavier than most portable printers. But considering its one of few options with scanning and copying capabilities, the extra heft is a worthwhile tradeoff if you need these functions.

Why It Made The Cut: This portable photo printer rivals desktop models, creating high-quality photo prints up to 4 by 6 inches in size almost instantly.

Specs: Printer type: Dye-sublimation Features: Photo printing Size: 7.1 inches L x 5.4 inches W x 2.5 inches H PPM: 1

Pros: Good print quality Various print sizes Excellent connectivity options, including USB, SD card, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi Direct

Cons: Large compared to most portable photo printers Does not come with a battery or USB cable

The best photo printers easily fit in a bag or purse and can spit out instant prints anywhere, whether thats on vacation or at a party, wedding, or other social event. The Canon SELPHY CP1300 Photo Printer prints up to standard 46 photos, making it an excellent pick for memorializing all your favorite moments, on the spot.

This portable photo printer works with dye-sublimation technology, which uses heat and a dye-transfer process to create each photo. This usually results in better-quality prints compared to other portable printing methods like Zink or instant film printing, which tend to have lower print quality.

This printer prints postcard-size photos in around 47 seconds, a worthwhile wait for the superior photo quality. The printer can also create l size (3.5 inches by 4.7 inches), card size (2.1 inches by 3.4 inches), and square label (2.1 inches by 2.1 inches) prints.

Measuring 7.1 inches long by 5.4 inches wide by 2.5 inches high, this printer is larger than most instant photo printers, but is still very compact as far as portable printers go. It can connect easily to a smartphone or device using Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, or Apple AirPrint. Or you can connect a USB drive or SD memory card and control the printer using the 3.2-inch flip-up touchscreen (a sizable upgrade from the 2.7-inch screen on the Canon Selphy CP1200) to print directly from your camera or other devices.

Why It Made The Cut: This photo printer offers full control from your smartphone using the HP Sprocket app, which also includes a range of photo-editing features.

Specs: Printer type: Dye-sublimation Features: Photo printing Size: 6.7 inches L x 10.8 inches W x 2.7 inches H PPM: 1

Pros: Full control from a compatible smartphone or tablet Edit and print all from the HP Sprocket app Prints high-quality 46-inch photos

Cons: No USB or SD card ports Lacks on-board controls Does not include a battery

Smartphones make capturing a memory easier than ever, and a portable photo printer like the HP Sprocket Studio Photo Printer makes them even simpler to print. This portable photo printer is designed specifically for smartphones, connecting via Bluetooth for full control from your phone.

The printer is easily controlled through the HP Sprocket app. Beyond printer control this app has a host of photo editing features, which includes simple photo adjustments and the ability to add text, borders, and emojis, as well as create collages, custom stickers, and more. This makes it simple to edit and print your favorite photos all from one interface no extra apps, exporting, or saving photos needed. You can also use the app to view and print photos from your social media accounts.

Using dye-sublimation technology, this printer creates high-quality 46-inch glossy photos.This is a step up from other HP Sprocket printers, which only offer smaller prints. Each print dries nearly instantly so you can share it with friends and family right away. Theyre also water- and tear-resistant so you can cherish the memories for years to come.

When choosing a new portable printer, start by considering your printing needs. Portable printers can print documents and photos and even scan or copy papers and pictures, so start your search by taking note of the functions that youll use most. Other important features to consider include the printers portability, battery options, and connectivity and controls.

What do you need out of your portable printer? Portable printers can offer black-and-white printing, color printing, and photo-printing capabilities. Some options can also scan and copy documents (although this feature usually comes at the cost of a larger printer size and a higher price).

Regardless of the printer functions, look for a printer that provides decent print quality and print speed. Its best to shop from reputable brands and gauge consumer reviews to find a printer with reliable print quality. If print speed is important to you, look at the printers advertised pages per minute (ppm). Portable printers are slower than their full-size counterparts, so units that print over 9 black and white pages per minute are considered a decently fast option.

A portable printer should be just that: portable. The smaller the printer, the easier it will be to carry around, but keep in mind that very small printers usually sacrifice some features for their small size. A good portable printer should be easy to slide into a laptop bag or backpack so you can carry it anywhere with you.

Portable printers can range from around 10 inches to upwards of 15 inches across, and depth can vary widely from 2 inches up to around 10 inches. Very slim portable printers can be close to a mere inch in height.

Size isnt the only feature to consider; weight can also make or break your decision, depending on your needs. Weight is less important if youre looking for an ultra-compact printer to store in your car or office. For traveling or commuting by transit, a lightweight printer is the best choice. Most portable printers are under 10 pounds, but an extra lightweight one will be under 5 pounds, which is ideal if you need to bring the printer in a work bag or a carry-on luggage.

Many portable printers have the option to use battery power so you can print when theres no outlet nearby. The battery can be a rechargeable built-in battery or a separate battery pack, sometimes included and other times sold separately. If the battery is sold separately from your chosen printer, take that into account when budgeting.

Portable printers can be just as smart as their desktop counterparts, offering a variety of connectivity options. USB ports, SD card slots, Wi-Fi connectivity, Wi-Fi direct, and smartphone apps provide different levels of convenience. Some portable printers can only be controlled via another device (such as a computer or phone), while others have on-board controls (which can look like a button pad or a touchscreen interface). Consider if you prefer a simpler or a more advanced option, taking into account the types of devices you tend to bring along while working or traveling.

Q: What should I look for in a portable printer?When shopping for a portable printer, first look for an option that suits your printing needs. Are you printing documents, photos, or a mix of both? Do you need color printing or just black and white? After narrowing down your must-haves, consider user-friendliness. Take into account the printer size and weight for portability, and pay mind to connectivity options to find the best portable printer to suit your work or travel requirements.

Q: Do portable printers need ink?Most portable printers are inkjet printers, which means they require ink and ink refills. Keep the cost and accessibility of ink refills in mind when shopping for an inkjet portable printer. Even though there are ongoing costs, inkjet portable printers are a popular choice since they are generally accessible and can provide vibrant and high-quality color prints. Thermal portable printers and many designated portable photo printers do not need ink.

Q: How can I recycle my old printer?Keep your trusty old printer out of the landfill by donating or recycling it there are plenty of recycling options so theres no excuse for your printer to end up in the trash. If its still in working condition, donate the printer to a suitable organization (reusing is always better than recycling!). If the printer is out of commission, several big box stores like Best Buy, Target, and Staples have recycling programs nationwide. Some jurisdictions also have electronic recycling or disposal programs and accept printers at their local recycling center.

Q: Should I get a portable printer with a battery?A battery can make your on-the-go printing setup more flexible since it gives you the ability to print in the absence of an outlet. Some portable printers have built-in, rechargeable batteries while others require a separate battery pack (which can be included or sold separately). Keep your budget in mind; if you usually find yourself near an outlet, buying an additional printer battery or a pricey unit with a built-in battery may not be worth the cost.

Q: How much does a portable printer cost?Expect to spend between $200 and $500 for a good portable printer. Consider ongoing printer costs as well; since most portable printers are inkjet printers, they will need new ink cartridges from time to time.

Q: Are thermal printers any good?Instead of using ink, portable thermal printers use heat to print, either by activating thermal paper or transferring pigment via heat. They can be a good choice for some users. Thermal printers often have less moving parts (since theres no nozzle moving about) which can improve printer reliability and durability. They also tend to have lower running costs since theres no ink or toner to refill. Even though portable thermal printers are low-maintenance, their main drawback is that they dont offer as much printing flexibility; they are usually limited to black and white prints and cannot print high-quality photographs.

Related: The Best Laptop Backpacks to Protect Your Tech

The HP OfficeJet 200 Portable Printer offers excellent print quality, common print sizes, and great connectivity options, making it the best portable printer for most users. The addition of an included battery and a built-in 50-page document feeder makes it all the more portable and convenient to use.

This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, Futurisms owner. Futurism may receive a portion of sales on products linked within this post.

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Equip Your Mobile Office With One of the Best Portable Printers - Futurism

Remember that tangled web of cords that used to connect device audio and video to displays? Fortunately, the HDMI cables got rid of the the clutter and are now an essential piece of equipment, whether your setup is basic or rivals a professional theater. Most HDMI cables can work with computers, televisions, game systems, Blu-ray players, and other devices.

However, youll need a cable with the right specs for your devices and media. The best HDMI cables have the technology for the bandwidth and volume of information transferred by your devices, whether thats 720p or 8K. The right cable will reduce latency and take advantage of device technology and the internet speeds for which youve paid.

Best Overall: PowerBear 4K HDMI Cable Best for Gaming: Anker 8K@60Hz HDMI Cable Best 8K: Zeskit Maya Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable Best Long Cable: Postta HDMI Cable Best Budget: AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable

In researching HDMI cables on the market, we considered a range of factors:

HDMI Technology: HDMI 2.0 and 2.1 are the numbers most people need to keep an eye on, especially if you recently updated your TV or monitor. Most people dont need HDMI 2.1 unless you stay at the front of the latest tech.

Backward Compatibility: Many people have a mix of devices, ranging from the old to the very, very new. Backwards-compatible cables work with devices of all (most) ages.

Bandwidth/Speed: This is the most important consideration. We looked for cables that could handle 18Gbps or higher.

Length Options: Setups vary, and models that come in many lengths get bonus points from us.

Related: The Best Budget Gaming Monitors of 2022

Why It Made The Cut: The PowerBear is the best HDMI cable overall because it offers 18Gbps of bandwith, excellent performance for 4K devices, and a highly-durable braided exterior.

Specs: Length: 10ft Gbps: 18 Protective Material Design: Braided

Pros: Backward compatible with HDMI 1.3, 1.4, 2.0, and 2.0a Flexible, durable braided exterior CL3 rated

Cons: Connector weak point Increased latency in lengths over 10 feet

The PowerBear 4K HDMI Cable comes with a braided protective covering and impressive performance in the ten-foot length and under cables. In addition, its CL3 rated for in-ceiling or wall installations, too.

Compatible with 4K video at 60Hz and earlier technologies, the PowerBear provides excellent viewing for some of the most common devices, such as 4K televisions, game systems, and Blu-ray players. The triple-layer braided cover is flexible for setups that require going around furniture or other items.

However, in the lengths over ten feet, there can be some latency issues, especially with 4K devices and media. A small number of these cables also have connector problems in setups where the cable is frequently unplugged.

Why It Made The Cut: This Anker cable is the best HDMI cable for gaming because it can take top speeds for 8K technology while making easy work of 4K graphics-heavy gaming.

Specs: Length: 6.6 feet Gbps: 48 Protective Material Design: Braided

Pros: Supports 8K at 60Hz and HDMI 2.1 Certified by third party as an ultra-high speed HDMI cable Includes variable refresh rate and quick media switching to reduce latency

Cons: Pricey for an HDMI cable

Gamers, this is your HDMI cable. The Anker HDMI cable has the latest 8K technology so that anything inferior, including UHD 4K, works beautifully. It also features variable refresh rate and quick media switching technology to reduce (or eliminate) latency, frame tearing, and jittery images. This cable is also specifically designed to work with the latest Xbox-, PS-, and HDMI 2.1-capable devices. A braided protective covering increases the durability and adds some flexibility for easier setup.

This cable is also third-party certified. HDMI cables dont have to be certified, but a third independent party certification means that its been put to the test and lives up to the manufacturers claims.

Theres not a lot of bad things to say about this cable other than its expensive for an HDMI cable.

Why It Made The Cut: Solid copper conductors, a braided exterior, and a uni-body connector make the Zeskit incredibly powerful and durable for heavy 8K use.

Specs: Length: 6.5 feet Gbps: 48 Protective Material Design: Braided

Pros: Single-piece connector increases durability and conduction OFHC copper interior Third-party testing

Cons: Limited lengths available

The Zeskit HDMI cable, the best 8k HDMI cable is made with premium materials, like the highly conductive OFHC copper used to transfer signals. Rather than combining several copper strands, this model has a solid conductor wire that improves conductivity and reduces latency. The Zeskit works with 8K devices and provides 48Gbps and is compatible with Apple TV 4K, Fire TV, Roku, PlayStation, Blu-ray, and more.

Its also a third-party-certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, meaning its been tested and found to meet the advertised specs. A braided protective covering also provides added durability and setup flexibility. With support for variable refresh rate and quick media switching, it works well for TVs and intense games on the latest game systems.

However, as an 8K cable, it comes in limited lengths to prevent signal degradation.

Why It Made The Cut: The Postta HDMI cable contains a built-in signal booster and gold-plated connectors to reduce latency in long lengths.

Specs: Length: 75 feet Gbps: 18 Protective Material Design: PVC

Pros: CL3 rated Built-in (directional) signal booster Durable PVC protective covering

Cons: Fragile connectors Directional (one way)

The Possta HDMI cable provides 75 feet of reach and works with PlayStation 3 and 4, XBox 360, and Blu-Ray players. A built-in signal booster, located in the center of the cable, prevents signal degradation. Its also CL3 rated for in-wall installations. A PVC covering offers durable protection, even when installed in a wall.

However, before installation, be sure to test the setup. As a directional cable, the correct connector must be in the source with the other end in the display. On the downside, the Possta has somewhat fragile connectors. Their gold plating improves conductivity, but if theyre unplugged often, they can come loose.

Why It Made The Cut: Save a few dollars with the Amazon HDMI cable and still get 8K and 48Gbps, as long as the length from the source to the display is within ten feet.

Specs: Length: 6 feet Gbps: 48 Protective Material Design: PVC

Pros: Provides 8K at 60Hz Low price and free Prime shipping Compatible with previous technology

Cons: Stiff Limited lengths available

This Amazon HDMI cable supports 8K at 60Hz and 4K at 120Hz, making it a great choice for the latest televisions or gaming systems. Its still compatible with previous technologies, so even if youre not on the cusp of the latest technology, it will work.

There arent any flashy design features like gold-plated connectors or a braided covering. However, it meets the claimed specs and speeds. If youre a Amazon Prime member, you can also get free shipping. The not-so-great part is that the cable is stiff, making it tough to use in setups with furniture or other obstacles. It also comes in limited lengths, with ten feet being the longest.

Your speed or bandwidth makes all the difference in media viewing. The HDMI cable has to be as fast as the equipment and media sources used. For example, a 4K HDMI cable cannot transfer enough data for an 8K television or monitor. In this case, youd need an 8K HDMI cable capable of 48Gbps to prevent latency and provide the 8K experience.

HDMI cable speeds are measured as gigabits per second (Gbps). However, HDMI cables are put into four broad categories by speed, making it easier to determine which type you need:

In an ideal setup, youd have the shortest possible cable to prevent signal degradation. However, thats not usually how it works in the real world because of furniture design and outlet availability. Signals start to degrade after about 25 feet, depending on the cable quality. Extras like a built-in signal booster can help with setups where you need a longer cable.

As a general rule of thumb, get an HDMI cable thats long enough for your setup with a little extra length in case you move the equipment later on. Its especially important to get a long enough cable if it is installed in the ceiling or wall, where its difficult to access later on.

HDMI cables that are run through the ceiling or wall must have a rating of CL2 or CL3. These cables can come into contact with construction materials like nails and screws without sustaining damage to the protective covering. Accidental contact with these materials can wear through an unapproved HDMI cables protective layer and pose a fire hazard.

Q: Does it matter which HDMI cable I use?It does matter which HDMI cable you use. You need a cable that can handle the speeds of your equipment and media. For example, a standard cable connected to a 4K TV will produce a degraded signal, losing the quality that your equipment and media offer. The cable needs to match the speed and technology of the setup.

Q: Are braided HDMI cables better?Braided HDMI cables are better in certain situations. A braided covering offers more flexibility, allowing the cable to bend around furniture or get rolled for storage. But for a setup where the cable will stay in place, a standard cable will work.

Q: What is the difference between 2.0 and 2.1 HDMI cables?HDMI 2.0 cables have an 18Gbps maximum capacity, while HDMI 2.1 cables can handle 48Gbps. The latter transfers more information, meaning better resolutions and frame rates for devices with the technology to match.

Q: How do I choose an HDMI cable?Choose an HDMI cable thats rated for the kind of equipment and media you use. If you have a 4K UHD TV, youll need a premium-speed HDMI cable, for example. You also have to consider the length. Shorter lengths prevent signal degradation. Try to stay under 25 feet. If you have to go farther than 25 feet, look for a cable with a signal booster to keep resolution and frame rates up.

Q: What is the fastest HDMI cable?Ultra-high speed HDMI cables designed for 8K devices are the fastest cables currently on the market. There arent many TVs, monitors, or game consoles that take advantage of this technology yet. However, if youre prepping for the future, an 8K HDMI cable will take you there.

Q: How much does an HDMI cable cost?Cost depends on the cable speed and length. A six-foot, standard HDMI cable may cost less than $10, while a 12-foot ultra-high speed HDMI cable may cost $30 or more.

Related: Get it All Done with the Best Laptops of 2022

The PowerBear 4K HDMI Cable provides excellent quality and speeds for 4K technology, which is what most of us have. Unless youre sporting a new 8K monitor or TV, it has more than enough capacity for smooth viewing and most gaming. However, if youre on a tighter budget, the AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable works for 8K technology, as long as your setup is a short distance without many curves.

This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, Futurisms owner. Futurism may receive a portion of sales on products linked within this post.

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Streamline Your Systems with the Best HDMI Cables - Futurism

Space the size of a shed that can fly in the air like a big quadcopter, tread through water like a speed boat, and commute on road like other lounge car concepts weve seen. This is done via the docking mobility modules which give the user freedom to use the Volvo Space as the need arises!

Practical mobility that does more than just take one from destination A to B is the way for the future. There are plenty of vehicle concepts that are centered around the comfortable lounging experience supported by the airiness and tech-laden utilities. The Volvo Space however takes things a few levels higher with a vision of commuting people not just on the roads but on water and in the air too. According to the designer Joon-yeop Bae, the vision is to create a compact and comfortable space that is highly modular in nature- much like the mobile homes of the current era. It is about lounging, working, and entertainment without missing the cozy confines of the home.

Joon has crafted the mobility vehicle pod from the architectural perspective, hence, the use of lifting tatami structure for the interior design layout. So, we are talking about a space which will be a reading or working nook in the day, and a comfortable place to sleep by night time. The rotating ability of the structure brings to the equation multiple postures for different utilities via the pop-up table. To keep the users at peace in this comfort-driven world there are wireless charging docks, interactive surround speakers, lamps, cup holders, and an extra basket. There are multiple lighting options as well to create the right ambient space as desired.

Exterior and the interior of the Volvo Space becomes blurred with the fully opening hinge which is ideal for a warm sunny day. The ceiling also opens up like blinds of a window to let more light inside for an airy feel. The overall design of this thought-provoking concept is interesting, and no doubt the project has won the 2021 Volvo Design competition.

Designer: Joon-yeop Bae

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Volvo Space proposes a futuristic user-centric travel solution that goes from land to water and even air - Yanko Design

Oh, he's mad.Big Ask

A new report by the Wall Street Journalfound that billionaire SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk Musk asked the law firm Cooley LLP, which was representing Tesla in multiple lawsuits, to fire one of its attorneys or else lose the automakers business.

Musk took issue with a former US Securities and Exchange Commission lawyer,who later moved to Cooleyafter from the Securities and Exchange Commission, where hed reportedly interviewed Muskduring the investigation into his 2018 claim that he had enough funding to take Tesla private. According to the WSJ, the firm hasnt yet fired the lawyer, so its not a surprise that documents show Tesla has been exploring other counsel options. SpaceX has also stopped using Cooley for regulatory work.

Musk is well known for feuds, sometimes with regulators ranging fromthe SEC to the Federal Aviation Administration, but also with esoteric targets including Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Bezos, a random cave diver, and his own dad.

A common thread is that its not clear how most of these these outbursts serve Musks business interests. Musk will take aim at literally anyone he wants to.

Whos next on Musks blacklist? Its hard to say, but its clear the eccentric CEO isnt backing down on obscure grudges any time soon.

More on Musks style: Elon Musk Skewered For Wretched Tesla Cowboy Belt Buckle

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Elon Musk Demands Lawyer Be Fired for Being Mean to Tesla That One Time - Futurism

The students of theNihon Automotive College (NATS) got their fair share of attention at the ongoing 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon thanks to the five-door Suzuki JimnyKimun Kamui conversion but their lineup included some other pretty wild vehicles as well.

One of them is the NGR concept, a heavily modified Nissan Leaf with a custom bodywork that was designed under the theme of next-generation retrofuturism.

The concept was envisioned as a vehicle for the young people of the 2040sdescribed as the EV generation. The students chose the second-generation Nissan Leaf as a base, which is still one of the most popular electric vehicles in Japan.

Read Also:Next-Gen Nissan Leaf Will Reportedly Be A Crossover

The extent of visual modifications makes the vehicle unrecognizable since no body panel was left intact. In fact, the only exterior parts carried over from the Leaf are the greenhouse and the roof. The highlight of the NGR are the cute headlights sourced from a first-generation MINI Countryman, and the retro-flavored taillights borrowed from a facelifted Fiat 500.

Other than that, the front end has received a custom bumper with a protruding nose and a total absence of intakes. The fenders are widened alongside the doors which have no handles since they open with the touch of a button. At the back, we find the Fiat-sourced taillights with a chrome surround, a weird-looking spoiler, and a rear bumper sculpted like a diffuser. Overall, the NGR looks bloated, much like the prop cars appearing in mostsci-fi films.

See Also:Nissan Leaf Crossover Is Already A Thing Thanks To Japanese Tuners

The low-rider look has been achieved thanks to the air suspension by Air Force, while a set of white-painted 19-inch Rotiform LAS-R aero wheels shod in Toyo Proxes Sport tires complete the bizarre looks. The interior is less weird with Recaro seats upholstered in custom K-Spec covers.

Despite the (supposedly) futuristic looks, the team didnt touch the underpinnings of the Nissan Leaf. This means that the NGR Concept is fitted with the stock electric motor producing 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS) and 320 Nm (223 lb-ft) of torque transmitted to the front axle. As for the battery, it likely comes with the base40kWh lithium-ion unit offering a270 km (170 mile) WLTP range.

The NATS NGR Concept is strictly a one-off design study that was created for show purposes, so you shouldnt expect any similar-looking aftermarket bodykits for your Nissan Leaf appearing anytime soon.

Check out our full coverage of the Tokyo Auto Salon here.

more photos...

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NATS Thinks This Nissan Leaf NGR Concept Is What You Youngsters Will Want In 2040 - CarScoops

When you roll up to a stop sign in a car, what do you do? Do you come to a complete stop, or do you slow down to a crawl before picking up speed again?

Spoiler alert: the latter, known as arolling stop or aCalifornia roll, is illegal in most places.

Tesla is seemingly leaving the decision up to its drivers when it comes to its infamous self-driving software suite misleadingly called Full Self-Driving (FSD), The Verge reports yet another instance of the Elon Musk-led company playing fast and loose when it comes to the rules of the road.

In the softwares beta, first released back in Octoberin a bid to let customers iron out the kinks on public roads, users can now choose between three profiles: Chill, Average, and Assertive.

In both the Average and Assertive profiles, the vehicle may perform rolling stops, according to an in-car description.

Its important to note, however, that its unclear whether Teslas are actually trained to not come to a full stop at stop signs specifically, as The Verge points out. Rolling stops at yield signs, for instance, are generally above board.

While in the Assertive profile, the vehicle will also shorten its follow distance and perform more frequent speed lane changes the kind of irritating driving that more responsible motorists look down on.

Unsurprisingly, the ambiguous setting is kicking up controversy.

I guess Road Rage Mode didnt fit on the screen, tech journalist David Zipper wrote in a scathing tweet.

Tesla has been in deep water with safety regulators for quite some time. Most recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that its investigating the company for allowing drivers to play video games while driving.

In other words, the carmaker already isnt exactly a favorite among regulators. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chair Jennifer Homendy,for instance, laid down a gauntlet during an October interview with CNBC.

Its not full self-driving, she told the broadcaster, unless youre saying the driver is actually driving the car. Which in this case, it isnt full self-driving technology. Its misleading.

Last year, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also opened a formal investigation into Teslas Autopilot feature following a series of accidents in which Teslas smashed into stationary emergency response vehicles.

By this point, its clear that Tesla is attempting to push self-driving technologies and legal limits to the breaking point and there are bound to be major stumbling blocks along the way, as Musk has admitted himself.

Does that mean we have to allow cars to behave recklessly on public roads? To many, the answer is a straightforward no.

READ MORE: Teslas Full Self-Driving beta has an assertive driving mode that may perform rolling stops [The Verge]

More on Tesla: Tesla Forced to Recall Almost Half a Million Cars

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Tesla FSD Appears to Ask Drivers Whether It Should Break the Law - Futurism

Atlanta, GA Today Governor Brian Kemp joined members of the Georgia General Assembly, the National Rifle Association (NRA), GA2A, and the Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation to announce his support of Constitutional Carry legislation ahead of the 2022 Legislative Session.

Throughout the last three legislative sessions, we have worked together to toughen penalties for violent crime, crack down on gangs and street racing, and ban the radical Defund the Police agenda, said Governor Kemp. Weve made great progress under the Gold Dome, but we know ensuring public safety cannot just come from state government. Building a safer, stronger Georgia starts with Georgians being able to protect themselves and their families.

In the face of rising crime across the country, law-abiding citizens should have their constitutional rights protected not undermined. As I said on the campaign trail in 2018, I believe the U.S. Constitution grants our citizens the right to carry a firearm without the approval of government. For law-abiding Georgians, the 2nd Amendment is their carry permit, and I look forward to working with members of the General Assembly to get Constitutional Carry across the finish line this legislative session.

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Governor Kemp Announces Support for Constitutional Carry - All On Georgia