Technology

You don’t need an iPhone to get some FaceTime. These Android alternatives do everything that Apple’s video chat app can—and more.

If you’re not an iPhone owner, but still want to get in on the smartphone action, that’s totally okay! There are plenty of great Android phones. That said, Apple’s experience in mobile software gives the company the edge in a number of areas, and video chatting is one of them. FaceTime, iOS’s native video app, is a solid program that has been polished to a shine, and it’s quickly becoming a generic verb like Xerox. You don’t video chat someone, you FaceTime them. With an Android phone, though, you can’t. So what, in this ongoing social-distancing era, can Android users do? 

That’s what’s great about the open marketplace of ideas that is the Google Play store. If you need an Android alternative to FaceTime, you have not one, but several, to choose from. We took the leading candidates for a test drive to compare them with each other, taking into account price, reliability, restrictions, and features. 

Developers are constantly improving the experience, too, so you can expect the apps in this feature to see new services and better stability the longer they’re offered. While it’s easy to just stick with Hangouts, there’s certainly a lot to be gained from experimenting with other Android FaceTime alternatives, depending on what friends, family, and co-workers are using. We unreservedly recommend the six apps on this list. For more full-featured tools for businesses, you should check out our roundup of the best video conferencing software.

Google Hangouts (for Android)

Excellent (4.0)

The out-of-the-box alternative to FaceTime isn’t all that bad. Hangouts is Google’s service for both real-time text chat and video. One of the best things about it is that it’s massively cross-platform and linked to your Google ID. Not only does Hangouts work great on every Android phone, you can take it to your desktop—even your Mac desktop. Hangouts replaced Google Talk as the native chat app within Gmail (and Google+, but let’s not talk about that) a few years back, and the team has refined it a lot since then.

A cool about Hangouts is that it works beyond simple person-to-person connections. The platform supports multiple-person conversations for up to 10 people. Google also offers a mobile version for iOS. One advantage that Hangouts has over FaceTime is its data latency management. Apple recommends using FaceTime while connected to a wireless internet connection; Hangouts handles standard cellular data rates much better. In addition, voice calls to other Hangouts users are completely free.

If you own an Android phone, you should also have a Google account—it’s the key to all of the company’s many services, including Hangouts. Keeping your address book in order lets you merge all of your message streams into one easy-to-follow feed.

Houseparty (Android)

From video game powerhouse Epic Games, Houseparty lets you and a handful of friends set up online video chat rooms that are nearly just as fun as visiting folks in their real homes. Although each room is relatively small, you can swap between an endless number of rooms to keep the party going. Useful notifications let you know whenever someone is ready to chill. 

Several smart design decisions make Houseparty more entertaining than your standard video conferencing app. Minigames, such as card games and trivia, give virtual guests something to do. Silly backgrounds deliver laughs (and tasteful advertisements). Fortnite players can even use the app as a convenient way to chat with squad mates. If Houseparty is good enough for celebrity virtual concerts, it’s good enough for you.

Skype (for Android)

Good (3.5)

When you think about video chat services, Skype is the gray-haired grandfather that still manages to hang on. First released in 2003, the system shared a back end with music-sharing system Kazaa (remember music-sharing systems?). It grew steadily until 2011, when it was acquired by Microsoft to replace Windows Live Messenger. Obviously, that makes it the default messaging client for Windows phones, but the Android versions are quite solid.

Early versions of Skype for Android weren’t well-integrated with your mobile device’s address book, making adding contacts a chore. In 2014, the 5.0 update finally brought it into harmony with the Android ecosystem, letting it access your existing contents. This simple change rocketed Skype into the upper echelon of Android video chat services.

Skype’s video chat services work in a variety of bandwidth situations, and keeps a constant monitor of a call’s quality. You are able to score the call afterwards, and depending on what hardware you are using to make the video call, the video can be transmitted in HD.

Basic Skype accounts are free and give you unlimited, one-on-one video chat across any supported platform. Skype used to charge a subscription fee for multi-user video chats, but now group chats are included in the basic service. It still charges for calls to phone users outside the Skype service, either by the minute or a monthly subscription.

Transform your iPad into a filmmaking studio, workstation, comic book reader, or painter’s canvas with our expertly curated list of apps for work or play.

The right app can transform the iPad, the tablet of tablets, into nearly anything you desire. Whether you opt for the traditional iPad, iPad mini, or iPad Air, there’s an app that lets you work or play with little or no compromise.

Looking to get things done while working from home? The iPad becomes a mobile office suite when you must step away from the desktop or laptop. Trying to figure out what to stream this weekend? The iPad morphs into portable television for checking out the newest shows and movies when the kids hog the flat screen. Looking to paint, draw, or illustrate? With the right apps and the Apple Pencil, there’s never been a more powerful, more affordable graphic design tool than the iPad. And the list goes on. With so many options at your fingertips, how do you find the apps worth downloading?

Look no further than this roundup. PCMag’s staff has tested dozens upon dozens of iPad apps and highlighted the best of the best. If you’re a glutton for punishment, you could dig through the depths of the App Store for user reviews, but that demands a lot of time. Instead, you should sit back and relax with this guide.

What You’ll Find in This Guide

Our guide features native iPad apps that deliver unique and compelling tablet-based experiences; these are not iPhone apps running on a larger screen. We’ve also included links to in-depth reviews where available. Rest assured that even those apps that haven’t been fully reviewed are included because they’ve impressed us after some serious hands-on time.

What You Won’t Find in This Guide

The Best iPad Apps doesn’t include preinstalled apps or games. The former aren’t included because default apps are easy to find—they already live on your iPad’s home screen. The latter aren’t included because we’ve given the best iPad games their own dedicated article.

Looking for apps for your other devices? We’ve got you covered there, too, with our roundups of the best Android apps and best Android games.

Adobe Illustrator

Excellent (4.0)

Illustrator on the iPad is Adobe’s only dedicated vector graphics app available for Apple’s tablet. When Adobe first launched Photoshop for the iPad, some felt it lacked too many features to be truly useful. With the new Illustrator on the iPad, Adobe didn’t want a repeat of the critiques that greeted Photoshop’s iPad release. After addressing more than 1,200 requests from beta testers, Adobe released Illustrator for iPad chock full of features that let you masterfully design on the go.

Adobe Lightroom

Good (3.5)

Adobe Lightroom is the go-to digital photo workflow and editing application for many of today’s professional photographers. That said, there are times when you might prefer to edit photos sitting on a sofa or a train seat rather than at a desk. The Lightroom iPad app lets you do just this, and work directly with raw camera files, perform local adjustments, and use lens-profile corrections. Lightroom has evolved into a powerhouse among mobile photo-editing apps.

Adobe Photoshop Mix

Excellent (4.0)

Adobe has numerous photo-related apps in the iTunes app store, but Photoshop Mix is especially interesting. It brings some of Photoshop’s most powerful tools into an easy-to-use iPad app. Photoshop Mix appeals to a broad cross-section of users, from those who simply want to create collages to hardcore Photoshoppers who want to add iPads into their workflows.

The Google Play store has millions of apps. Some are terrific, some are duds. Our guide, which covers 13 key categories and 103 top apps, features the ones that deserve a place on your Android phone or tablet.

Android tablets and phones are technological marvels that entertain, let you work from any location, and keep you connected with friends, family, and coworkers. With the right app, you can transform your humble cell or slate into a mobile movie theater, work station, art canvas, recipe manager, and so much more. Unfortunately, finding the best Android apps is a bit of a challenge.

There’s a titanic quantity of apps to download from the Google Play Store, but which ones are worth their salt? We’ve assembled this list to help you discover worthwhile apps, so read on: You may find something you didn’t even know you needed.

These 103 recommended apps are organized into 13 categories, including music, productivity, security, and utilities, so it’s easy to find ones that suit your mood. Need an entertaining streaming video service? There’s an app for that. In search of a dependable word processor that’ll keep you productive while on the go? There’s an app for that, too. Note that we don’t include any games in this roundup. For those, check out our separate list of the best Android games.

If this is your first time with an Android device, 103 apps might be overwhelming. If so, take a look at our list of 10 must-have Android apps to cover the basics. If your wallet is feeling a little light, know that many of the entries in both lists are free.

Each recommended app is excellent in its own way. Taken together, our collection is a snapshot of the Google Play Store’s best apps at the time of writing. So explore and enjoy.

We didn’t forget about iPhone and iPad users. For the iOS faithful, check out our roundups of the best iPhone apps and the best iPad apps.

An aisle is an emergency exit route for cords. Cold aisles help prevent obstructions and blockages while maintaining the temperature of the containment units. Cold aisle containment manufacturers work with network rack suppliers to enhance the performance of the racks. Network racks are structures used for various housing types of equipment in data centers. They help promote the organization in the data centers and enhance the data center equipment’s safety, security, and performance. This write-up looks into network rack equipment. These are tools stored in the network racks.

Types of equipment stored in a network rack

A network rack is used to store a wide range of equipment used in data and network centers. Below is a list of appliances and equipment that can be housed in the network rack or cabinet:

1. IT production equipment

One of the top applications of network racks is storing IT production equipment. Examples of such production tools are servers, network switches, routers, and telecommunications hardware, to name a few. Each of these appliances plays a significant role in fulfilling the purpose of IT installation. The racks are usually designed specially to accommodate this equipment.

For instance, their size is determined by the size of the equipment. In this case, manufacturers use the same size standards as IT production equipment. This is done to guarantee that the equipment fits and moves freely within the network racks.

2. IT infrastructure

Network racks are also used for storing IT infrastructure. These are tools that support the operation of the IT production tools. Examples of IT infrastructure are Uninterruptible Power Supply systems, Power Distribution Units, cable managers, and patch panels. Most network racks are designed to accommodate this equipment effortlessly. This is done by ensuring that the size of the network racks is compatible with the size of the equipment.

Note that there are specific types of network servers designed for IT infrastructure. These network racks are manufactured following the standard sizes of the IT infrastructure.

3. Rack accessories

The best network rack manufacturers also manufacture rack accessories. These are tools used to ensure the proper functioning of the racks. They are also used to ensure that the storage function of the rack is more effortless and the organization is enhanced. Examples of network rack accessories are fans and fan compartment units. The role of the fan is to prevent overheating of the components within the network racks. There are also cable connectors and shelves used as rack accessories. They are used for promoting added neatness within the frames. Note that the types of accessories may differ from one network rack brand to the next. Some network rack manufacturers only provide the essential accessories, while others offer several kinds of accessories for the user to select.

Conclusion

More often than not, network racks come with removable mounting brackets. They are used to fasten vertical rack rails with screws. They are also used to ensure that the products stay within the racks, to ensure neatness and prevent damages. Note that heavier equipment may require horizontal rails and shelves that mount in the racks. They offer superior support compared to the latter.

Laptops have become such essential gadgets, mainly due to their portability. It easy to carry them anywhere and work away from the power source. Either inbuilt or removable batteries power them and can be recharged when they run out of energy. A high-quality battery works efficiently and can last a couple of hours. There is a vast selection of laptop batteries based on the type and brand, and you can get one at a very affordable price. In this extract, we discuss the characteristics of an ideal laptop battery.

Characteristics of an Ideal Laptop Battery

When you buy a good laptop battery(batterie pour ordinateur portable), you are assured of the proper functioning of the laptop. Few factors describe an ideal battery, such as;

1. Good Battery Condition

When looking for a battery, choose one whose condition is excellent, preferably new. Most laptop shops stock both new and refurbished batteries. New batteries are the best and come with a warranty; however, they are more expensive than refurbished. Refurbished batteries are cheaper, but most have no warranty and can stop functioning well at any time. It’s best to save up and meet the set price of the new battery than compromise on the quality.

2. High Capacity

Battery capacity is the energy inside the battery, and it’s a factor that many people fail to consider when buying. The battery capacity can either be low or high, but high capacity is best for an ideal battery. This kind of battery is perfect for heavy workloads since they consume more power, but it’s good to have it even with simple tasks. This way, you can comfortably work on anything without worrying about power usage.

3. Maximum Number of Charge Cycles

A battery charge cycle can be defined as charging a laptop battery till full then discharging it to zero. Each battery type has its number of cycles that differ from the other and indicate how long the battery will last while being used regularly. The cycles range between 350 and 1500. After choosing your preferred battery type or model, confirm that it has its maximum number of cycles. This also explains why a new battery is the best option. Refurbished batteries have reduced cycles; hence they don’t last long.

4. Compatible With Your Laptop

A compatible battery reduces the risk of explosion or any laptop-related damages. Most of them are model-specific and only function properly when put in a laptop of the same make. Before shopping starts, identify the laptop model by checking the battery compartment or the original documents handed to you after buying the laptop. If any of this is not helpful, ask the seller for assistance to ensure you get the correct battery.

5. Perfect Size

Batteries are of different sizes depending on the type of laptop. The perfect battery has a size that matches your laptop battery compartment and fits nicely inside it.

Conclusion

An ideal laptop battery saves you money since it has no damages and lasts long. It works efficiently and promotes movement from place to place, away from the power outlet. Visit well-known or authorized dealers for the best and high-quality batteries.