#use guide

[alltrade]

How to Choose the Perfect Smartphone: A Complete Buyer’s Guide

In today’s tech-savvy world, a smartphone isn’t just a gadget; it’s your go-to companion for work, play, and everything in between. But with hundreds of options flooding the market, picking the perfect one can be overwhelming. Worry not! This guide will help you make an informed decision, ensuring your new smartphone fits your needs and lifestyle like a glove.

1. Set Your Budget

Before diving into specifications, decide how much you’re willing to spend. Smartphones come in three categories:

Budget (< AED 1,100): Basic features, suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, calls, and light apps.

Mid-range (AED 1,100 - AED 2,600): Offers excellent performance, good cameras, and additional features.

Flagship (> AED 2,600): Premium build, top-tier performance, and cutting-edge features.

Pro Tip: Don’t overspend on features you won’t use. Prioritize value for money!

2. Choose the Right Operating System (OS)

The operating system is the soul of your smartphone. The two major players are:

iOS: Found only in Apple devices, iOS is known for its simplicity, regular updates, and robust security.

Android: Available across brands, Android offers customizability, diverse device options, and access to a vast app ecosystem.

Quick Tip: If you’re already invested in an ecosystem (like Apple or Google services), stick with that for seamless integration.

3. Decide on Screen Size and Quality

Smartphone screens vary in size and resolution. Here’s what to consider:

Screen Size:

Small (< 6 inches): Compact and pocket-friendly.

Medium (6-6.5 inches): Balanced for both usability and viewing.

Large (> 6.5 inches): Great for gaming and media consumption.

Resolution: Look for Full HD (1080p) or higher for crisp visuals.

Technology: AMOLED screens offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, while LCDs are brighter and more affordable.

4. Evaluate Performance (Processor and RAM)

Performance determines how smooth your smartphone runs. Here’s what to check:

Processor: Opt for Qualcomm Snapdragon, Apple’s A-series, or MediaTek Dimensity for reliable performance.

RAM:

4GB: Basic tasks.

6GB-8GB: Multitasking and gaming.

12GB+: Heavy-duty users and professionals.

5. Check the Camera Features

Cameras are one of the top priorities for most buyers. Here’s what to look for:

Megapixels (MP): More isn’t always better. Focus on sensor quality.

Lens Setup:

Single: Good for basic photography.

Dual/Triple: Adds versatility (e.g., ultrawide, macro).

Quad: Professional-grade photography.

Features: Night mode, optical image stabilization (OIS), and 4K video recording are must-haves for enthusiasts.

Pro Tip: Don’t just rely on megapixels; check user reviews and photo samples.

6. Assess Battery Life

Battery capacity is crucial for all-day performance. Here’s what you need:

Capacity: 4,000mAh or higher ensures longevity.

Charging: Look for fast charging, wireless charging, or reverse charging features.

Tip: Check real-world usage reviews for accurate battery performance.

7. Consider Storage Options

Storage determines how much you can keep on your device. Choose wisely:

64GB: Basic users.

128GB-256GB: Moderate to heavy users.

512GB+: Professionals or those storing high-res media.

Expandable Storage: Some Android devices allow microSD cards.

8. Other Features to Look For

Build Quality: Opt for metal or glass for a premium feel.

Water Resistance: IP67/IP68-rated devices can survive splashes and submersion.

5G Connectivity: Future-proof your device for faster internet.

Biometric Security: Face ID or fingerprint sensors for added security.

9. Brand Reliability and After-Sales Service

Reputation matters. Choose brands with good customer support and regular software updates.

Top Brands to Consider: Apple, Samsung, Google, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and more.

10. Read Reviews and Compare

Before finalizing, compare your shortlisted models:

Use trusted review websites or YouTube channels.

Visit stores to get a hands-on experience.

Check user feedback for real-world insights.

11. Where to Buy Smartphones in Dubai

You can explore the latest smartphones and compare prices on trusted platforms such as:

Alltrade.ae

Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for seasonal discounts and bundle deals.

Conclusion

Choosing the perfect smartphone doesn’t have to be daunting. By prioritizing your needs and considering key factors like budget, performance, and features, you’ll find a device that fits your lifestyle. Remember, the best smartphone isn’t the most expensive one—it’s the one that works best for you.

Ready to make the switch? Share your favorite picks in the comments below!

[ghosthazard]

Take Aim

[islandlobster]

in light of switch 2 direct and as an advocate for playing windwaker: if you have a low-end laptop/pc and a wired controller you can play ww HD for free, let alone gamecube ww. download dolphin. go to r/roms. save yourself 600 dollars

[datcravat]

It seems there's a new lawyer in town!!!

[msmimundo]

8 jan/ 11 jan/ 24-25 feb

Platypuses are so cool man. Lil study on them with my man Perry

The last two are from a talk with pnfc on realistic coloration for senior Perry [their version]

[stealingyourbones]

Danny is a damn good mechanic. Working on his parents automobiles have made how he works on vehicles a bit unorthodox. Why disassemble half of the entire car to get to the battery when you could just go in intangibly? OSHA is a scam and a fraud. So what if Nightwing sees him put tension on some coil springs he needs to add back to a cars suspension BY HAND BY SQUISHING IT DOWN and using safety squints while he secures everything in place. He also can MacGyver up absolutely anything you’ll ever need and anything you never should ever attach to your vehicle. All he asks is that no one ever repairs that part besides himself till the end of time or risk a chance of the item exploding in your face. Is it made out of half a toaster and a raspberry pi? Yes. It can however allow you to see the real time positions of any cop within 25 miles and that’s worth rapid disassembly.

[yuliciagaming]

circles are good. triangles are bad. squares are a contextual unknown. this destiny shit is easy

[obd2gate-com]

Autel MS906 Pro First-Time use Guide

Welcome to the world of vehicle diagnostics and repairs with the Autel MaxiSYS MS906 Pro! This cutting-edge diagnostic device is here to revolutionize your automotive maintenance experience. Before you dive into using this remarkable tool on your first vehicle, follow these essential steps to ensure a seamless and effective ownership experience.

Step 1: Battery Management The MS906 Pro tablet comes with a pre-charged battery, allowing you to start using it right away. However, for optimal battery performance, it’s advisable to fully deplete the battery before charging it. Also, avoid keeping the tablet constantly connected to power, as this may reduce the battery life. Instead, charge the unit overnight by plugging it in before you leave for the evening.

Step 2: Unboxing and Contents Inside the hard case, you will find your MS906 Pro, VCI 200, and power adapters. Ensure all components are present and in good condition before proceeding.

Step 3: Wi-Fi Connection To get started, connect the MS906 Pro to a Wi-Fi network. Simply go to “Settings” and then “System settings,” toggle on the “Wi-Fi” option, and select your network from the provided list. Enter your credentials to join the network successfully.

Step 4: Device Registration After establishing a Wi-Fi connection, the next step is to register your MS906 Pro. This process can be completed on the tablet itself or at pro.autel.com. If you already have an Autel account, sign in using your account ID and password. If you’re a first-time Autel buyer, click on the “Create Autel ID” button and follow the steps to create your account. Once you’ve signed up, click “Register” to complete the registration process. Your serial number and password will be automatically filled, making it a hassle-free process.

Step 5: Software Updates Ensuring your MS906 Pro’s software is up to date is crucial for optimum performance. Click on “Update” and begin by installing any available system updates. Next, update the brands that you commonly service in your shop. After completing these updates, power up the device and connect the VCI to check for any additional updates. If there are any, install them and wait for the process to finish.

Step 6: Start Diagnosing and Repairing Congratulations! With your MS906 Pro registered and its software up to date, you’re now ready to utilize its powerful and versatile capabilities in your shop. This diagnostic tool will significantly enhance your efficiency in diagnosing and repairing vehicles.

By following these steps, you’re embarking on a world-class ownership experience with your new Autel MaxiSYS MS906 Pro. Enjoy exploring its extensive features and enhancing your automotive diagnostic endeavors.

[reasonsforhope]

Given the misinformation that's been going around and will be going around, thought this might be helpful to some people

For a lot of reasons, I'm very good at this/at searching, to the point where I have worked as a professional fact-checker for two different publishers. So, here goes:

My Article Fact-Checking Protocol

Thorough Version

Read the full article. Keep an eye out for emotionally loaded words, and all-or-nothing language

Keep an eye out or anything that sounds too good to be true, and in contrast, anything that sounds so awful it must be true

Run the website/source through the amazing Media Bias/Fact Check. They'll tell you about a publication's bias and history of accuracy

Go to the website's home page and read through the headlines. Look at what topics they cover/prioritize, sensationalist headlines, and whether they're framing anything in a way that feels odd/off to you

Do a search related to the topic. This can be keywords, a question, or even just copy-paste the article title (Recommended: use DuckDuckGo so the results don't change based on what Google thinks they can sell you)

If multiple highly credible sources that say the same thing pop up, and there's no major societal biases that might affect the coverage of the topic in those sources (e.g. anything related to the Israel-Palestine conflict/Palestinian genocide, no matter which side), then I'm done!

If there are major societal biases, or I can't get a consensus of sufficiently credible sources, then I do some combination of:

(1) search the topic again + the words "controversy" and/or "fake"

(2) search the opposite of the topic, or do some sort of other filtered search

(3) look up a sufficiently credible news outlet with the opposite point of view of my source, and see what they have to say

(4) if it's a big enough topic, start by looking up 2 of the top national papers and 1 major paper for your region (I usually do the ones in the US, because that's where I am In the US: the LA Times, the Washington Post, and the NY Times)

Adjust "news" to "relevant type of source, e.g. tech, environmental" as relevant for all of the above options

If no red flags come up, and it's a topic I understand enough to smell huge bullshit,

Then I'm usually done!

If there are red flags, or I actually need a certain amount of detail/understanding, then it gets more complicated, but that would be a whole other thing to break down and such

or

tl;dr

Quick Version

Read the full article. Keep an eye out for emotionally loaded words, and all-or-nothing language

Keep an eye out or anything that sounds too good to be true, and in contrast, anything that sounds so awful it must be true.

If I don't know the website:

Run the website/source through the amazing Media Bias/Fact Check. They'll tell you about a publication's bias and history of accuracy

If I trust the source, but something else pinged my radar:

Do a quick web search to verify anything that sounds suspicious or too good/bad to be true (Recommended: use DuckDuckGo)

[idolomantises]

is there another "know your demons" or similar sort of species ref planned for this year? and is the first still accurate or have you changed your mind about some things?

Yes, sorry that it’s taking so long I seriously thought I’d have it out mid spring, it may come out in the fall instead.

The first one is still accurate, the only change is that demon blood isn’t blue anymore, it’s purple.

[natalienomad]

Honestly I think one of the biggest appeals to the HDG fandom is seated in a near primal level of feelings. We as humans have spent our entire existence as being the big friend shaped creature that loves to pack bond and love other creatures with such a fervor that it seems endless to these less long lived animals.

Just to imagine that same feeling that your cat gets when they get scratched by you, or the adoring feeling that your dog gets when they see you come home from work, I think there's a deep rooted longing that we as a species also cry out for those same feelings.

[qcomicsy]

I think a thing that people get wrong about Jason's anger is that it's not explosive.

It's cold. Jason isn't the type of person who storms off at every little thing or goes throwing tantrums and setting things on fire blindfully.

He's the type of person who's very practical. He keeps to himself, always. You rarely see issues where Jason's anger is reactive at the moment where the trigger happens to him. If you see his character up close, most of the time when he's triggered his reaction is calm. Even cold.

He gets triggered -> He keeps to himself → He makes a plan → And then he reacts.

Jason's anger being something explosive and out of character and out of place is actually how other people (characters) see it, because they have no idea on how it's playing out on Jason's head.

And that's a thing you can see operating since he was a child.

Where the only exceptions about this effect is either when someone he believes needs his help is involved.

See Nightwing Annual (2021)

But In Batman #411 when Jason learns the fact that Two-Face was responsible for his father's death and Bruce was keeping that from him as a secret his first reaction isn't to blow up on him.

Was to seethe.

Bruce goes up home after dealing with a Two-Face case (in my field we call that poetic irony) and asks Alfred where Jason is, Alfred's answer is that he's been sleeping all day (which is a conclusion that Alfred drew probably after going to check on Jason and seeing him in fact on his bed all day).

But when you see the next panel, even though he is on the bed, He's fully awake and both his expression and his body language shows that he's in fact angry.

This is the first time he appears again in the comics after learning that Two Face killed his dad.

Jason doesn't go towards Bruce immediately to demand an explanation or ask why he did this, or even to throw the truth on his face.

(Which could be debatable that that's something the Dick would usually do, but I'm not that literate on Dick's comics)

His reaction wasn't immediate.

His reaction was to go to his bed and stay quiet. Jason stayed calm and collected the whole trip until meeting Two Face again.

But the moment Jason as Robin has the opportunity to get his hands on Two-Face he does this

From Bruce, and maybe Alfred's perspective it could be interpreted as out of place or him storming off.

But it isn't. Jason was able to keep his cool (even though he shut off), until he was face a face to Two Face.

Does that mean he planned that to happen?

That's debatable, in any moment of this issue it is shown that Jason was actually planning to get to Two Face and do this. I my personal opinion, other and much more plausible explanation is: That he was in fact trying to keep to himself but couldn't hold back the moment that he saw his dad's murder.

You can see the same thing happening as Jason learns that Batman got another Robin in Red Hood: Lost Days.

Talia asks "You all right?" and Jason's first answer is "Sure Why Wouldn't I Be Alright?"

When he's alone he finally has the moment to break down.

(Actually both Red Hood: The lost days and Batman: Under the Red Hood are great case studies on how that usually play out on Jason's head.)

Jason is way more in control of his emotions than people ever give him credit for. The thing is that Jason holds it back until he either blows off or is capable to throw it back in someone's face.

[k0mmari]

i've been curious about this since you mentioned one of the watchers being destroyed when trying to grab xin mo, but

when a watcher is destroyed, is it just the physical form that's destroyed, or is it both the physical form and the bit of conscious used to create the watcher? does the bit of conscious return to the main body, or is just Gone forever?

That’s a great question! Let’s think of a hypothetical:

Let’s say a Watcher is attacked

Watchers are very, very weak, and their resistance isn’t the greatest, so three things usually happen (Though there may be some other variations in more strenuous scenarios)

First: If the Watcher does not take enough damage and manages to survive the attack, they will be taken by specialized healers who’ll see the best way to treat the wound (usually by using the Black River’s blessing).

At first, Shen Yuan didn’t there would be any need to specialize any Watchers for the sole purpose of healing, but after he noticed how much he— I mean, they seem to get into trouble, #55 and #56 were designated for the job. They are one of the Watchers with the greatest teleporting distance, but boy does that make them tired though.

Second: The Watcher dies. It’s a natural part of life and certainly a part of a Watcher’s life, but fear not! If they have succumbed to their wounds inside the Titan’s territory, the Black River will come to retrieve its deceased part and imbue new life onto the Watcher. It’s not a pleasant experience, death is death no matter what caused it, and the Watcher may experience some memory loss from a few hours leading up to the incident, but beyond that he will be mostly fine, and Shen Yuan #34 is always ready with a fresh change of clothes for when the Watcher reemerge from inside Xintiao Lake.

Third: The most unfortunate ending. Dying beyond the Titan’s protection is the closest thing to a True Death Shen Yuan has experienced. In the beginning of the Watchers run, a lot of them went out to the vast Endless Abyss, but it didn’t take long for him to realize the Abyss still stands true to it’s reputation, and a few Watchers were lost out in the infernal place. The Watcher cannot be healed or reunited with the Main Body so they are usually dug a special grave; a Titan’s fragment is still a Titan’s fragment, and they need to be sealed away properly.

Nowadays only Di-er goes out into the Abyss, but he always makes sure to pay a visit to those tiny bits of lost memories that can never be retrieved.

*If a Watcher’s wounds are serious enough to not be salvageable even by the Black River, he will be reabsorbed into the Main Body once again, and his memories collected. A few months later, it is likely a whole new Watcher will be born to take their place.

** A Watcher who’s died beyond the Titan’s protection cannot be helped, and any memories it hasn’t sent to the Main Body will die alongside him. Who knows what they have witnessed moments before death? Not that it is a major concern when it happens, for the Main Body, it’s like suddenly forgetting a whole week, but when you’ve lived for centuries, it doesn’t really matter in the end. Still, their horror and fear was felt, and they shall be grieved properly.

[why-animals-do-the-thing]

A case study in cub cuteness.

[hawthornesbiggestfan]

i am very proudly claiming my "fan before the show came out" badge for agggtm