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Music Technology

How Long Do SSDs Last?

 

The world of technology has come a long way over recent years, and we can now look forward to using tools, services, and equipment that provide us with the ultimate efficiency, ease, and convenience. One solution that many people turn to these days is SSDs instead of HDDs, and this is because of the wide range of benefits they offer. Of course, there are pros and cons with both, but for many, the increased speed and efficiency of SSDs make them a natural option.

Of course, you need to keep in mind that even SSDs are not designed to last forever despite the many benefits that they offer. The lifespan can vary based on a range of factors, which we will look at more closely in this article. Also, to find out more about how long SSDs last, you can also refer to information from the manufacturer as this can give you a better idea about specific SSDs rather than a generalized one. So, in this article, we will look at some of the factors that can play a part in how long they last.

Some of the Factors that Can Play a Part

There are various factors that can play a part in the overall lifespan of an SSD, so it is worth bearing these in mind. One of the things that can play a part is the applications for which how it is used. There are some applications that are more suited to SSDs but others that are better suited to HDDs. So, the lifespan can be affected by the applications you use and whether these are suited to the technology that you are using.

The design of the SSD can also play a part in how long it lasts, and manufacturers will often provide details of the expected lifespan. This then gives you a better idea of what to expect in terms of how long it is likely to last. Of course, the manufacturer’s information is not a definitive promise that this is how long it will last – it is just an idea of how long you can expect it to last. Other factors will also affect the actual lifespan of your SSD such as the applications you use it for as mentioned above.

In normal circumstances and with standard use, you can get years of use from your SSD, so this is reassuring. However, at the same time, it is impossible to know when it will develop problems and fail, which is why it is advisable to ensure you have a backup of files and data by using solutions such as backing up to the cloud. Many SSD users tend to replace their drives, not because of failure but because they want to upgrade for greater speed or capacity.

If you do notice signs of problems with your SSD, it is important to look at replacement as soon as possible rather than waiting it out. This will help to ensure you do not lose access to the data stored on the drive. 

 

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NYC Technology Travel

Keeping up Tech Gadgets

All New Yorkers know how fast life is now. That is especially true in an area like Lower Manhattan with its buzzy atmosphere and vibrant community. 

 

One part of your personal life that might seem just as exciting as technology with the latest gadgets that are consistently hitting the market. From the latest tablets which allow you to use a Resorts Casino bonus when playing slots online to smart TVs and next-gen consoles, there is a lot of tech info to keep up with. The situation is not only limited to adults in modern society though – your kids will be just as au fait with the latest gadgets.

 

It is a good idea to keep up with the newest tech the kids use. Not only will doing this give you the knowledge to keep your kids safe when they use it, but it will also mean you are familiar with it and know what it is your kids are using. But just how can any savvy Lower Manhattan resident do this?

 

Engage with your children about them 

 

Perhaps the best way to keep up with whatever gadget your children have is to talk to them about it. Instead of letting them sit alone using it, take time to ask them about it, and find out what it does and how it works. Doing so will keep you in the loop, and it shows your children you are interested in what they are doing. Another great tip along the same lines is to have a go on the gadget with them yourself. It can be great fun, especially if it is something like the OnePlus 5 smartphone, a piece of wearable tech, or a video game console. 

 

Talk to other parents

 

One excellent tip for any New Yorker trying to keep up with technology is talking to other parents. Whether a quick chat at the school gates when you drop them off, talking to other parents you know at work or those you know socially, can be worthwhile. That is very important when it comes to mobile apps or social media sites which your child might have asked to access. If you do not know much about the app or website they are asking about, it makes sense to check with other parents for more info first – before saying yes. You will then be in a much better place to make an informed decision and know what it is they are using.

 

Keep up with tech news

 

Of course, another way to know all about the most popular gadgets for kids is to keep an eye on tech news. Whether it is via online news websites, tech news apps, or print media, this is both easy and worthwhile. All the most popular gadgets will get a big publicity push during the launch, which means there will be lots of information about them. You do not have to get too technical here and start memorizing specs or processing speeds! Just knowing what the gadget does, what potential dangers it could pose, and whether you think it’s suitable is enough. 

 

Make sure you are the one buying it 

 

This might sound a bit of a no-brainer, but it is more common than ever now for kids to be buying their tech themselves, often without parents knowing! You might think that this is only an issue for older ones; however, purchasing through online stores can be something that even younger ones are now able to do. That is an unsatisfactory situation as you could fall behind in terms of what tech your kids have or what gadgets they are using. 

 

It is essential for you to know what tech is being bought – whether older children use their own money to go shopping or younger ones buy stuff through your online account. Never let children have your account details so they can buy gadgets or upgrades themselves!

 

Tech moves fast – which means you have to as well 

 

If you live downtown in New York, or indeed anywhere else around the city, it is vital to keep up with the technology your kids may be using. The problem for many parents in the Big Apple is that this is a sector that moves so fast! You barely get your head around the latest gadget before something else comes out, or a new version is released. If you need a way to stay abreast of technology and keep your kids safe, the above tips are great ways to go about it. 

 

Categories
Design Dining Living News NYC

Hudson Square a Gateway to the Future

A decade ago, during the Great Recession,

Hudson Square was a neighborhood known as the gateway to the Holland Tunnel.

Hudson Square a Gateway to the Future
Courtesy: Hudson Square BID

Its streets packed with cars bound for Jersey, the heyday of being New York City’s former printing district was long gone. Beautifully built loft buildings stood half empty and there was almost no commercial business or pedestrian traffic to speak of.

But today that has changed.

In the past 10 years, fueled by a thriving economy, careful strategic planning, and the support of the city and the business community, the Hudson Square Business Improvement District has emerged and Hudson Square is thriving. Vacancies decreased 300 percent and development increased from zero to 4.75MM square feet. Grab-and-go establishments have doubled, and daytime pedestrian foot traffic grew from 30,000 a day to 70,000.

But what Hudson Square is known for is its creative sector. Sixty percent of the workforce is employed by a technology, media, or communications company. Google and Disney are moving their headquarters in, too.

All of that was before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Since the shutdown, pedestrian traffic dropped over 80 percent, 87 percent of retail businesses have closed, and many other businesses have reinvented themselves in response to the crisis.

Hudson Square a Gateway to the Future
Courtesy: Hudson Square BID

By mid-March Adafruit, a maker of tools, equipment, and electronics, pivoted. Now it creates face shields for healthcare workers and electronic components for much-needed ventilators. Now, the company is making personal protective equipment and essential items available to all New Yorkers on its website.

Then there’s Vivvi. The employer-sponsored childcare center provides its 12-hour services exclusively to medical professionals and other essential employees on a drop-in emergency basis.

The neighborhood also is home to Deborah Miller Catering and Great Performances, which would normally be catering spring galas and other big events. But today, the companies feed frontline workers and the homebound elderly.

“While our creative businesses work on technologies, messaging and communications to get us through to tomorrow, the local businesses that support them are helping us get through today,” says Ellen Baer, president of the Hudson Square Business Improvement District. “We’re proud to serve this resilient and forward-looking community.”

The Hudson Square BID and its businesses are harnessing their resources and strengths to aid in the neighborhood’s recovery.

And although the answers aren’t all figured out, business districts can’t afford to just think about today. There will be a tomorrow and the Hudson Square BID is preparing for it.

Categories
Industry News Technology Uncategorized

Instagram Trends Changing Through The Past Decade

As the widely accepted definition suggests, the trend is “a general direction in which something is developing or changing”. If we analyze the meaning of the word “trend”, just a little bit further, we’ll come to the conclusion that this kind of development is not necessarily a matter of growth, evolution or maturity. It’s more about spreading.

When something is called trendy, we already know that something is hyped, meaning popular in the sense of style, at a certain period in time. The trend is, then, more publicity, fashion, and marketing affair than an overall tendency toward change itself.

In the realm of social media, when something becomes a trend, it means that many posts, photos, or videos on the platforms, will be dedicated to this topic. Instagram is probably the trendiest of them all. Starting something new, which will be accepted by many and end up on the top of the Explore or Hashtag page, is not easier than buying Instagram followers https://howsociable.com/buy-instagram-followers/. Some work has to be done, but at the end of the day, trendsetters are probably very proud of themselves. 

Trending on Instagram can be a product of share luck, but according to experts, there are tips or rules that an ambitious creator should follow in order to start a new fashion. Generally, high-quality content, carefully composed to catch the attention of the audience with its esthetic, should be a good start. If the topic is interesting and authentic enough to provoke the reaction, the next step would be to choose a good hashtag. These little helpers can do wonders, in the sense of visibility and audience targeting. Additional effort to create relevantly popular or unique hashtags will be rewarded with an increased engagement rate. For those not skilled enough, few very good hashtag generator tools are already available on the market. Finally, timing, tagging locations, and working with other influencers are equally important, and should not be neglected during the trend pursuit.

Now that we know what is crucial for trending, it would be interesting to examine how were Instagram trends changing in the last decade.

The period from 2010 to 2020 transformed the way we see the world and ourselves almost fundamentally. Technology and digitalization can be “blamed” for this as well. Smartphones and platforms connected us tightly, into one large mass called the global audience. As we are so grouped and our attention is focused on the content services, it was an ideal situation for innovations, changes, and even new social movements. Although some of them came as positive, we witnessed more than one situation in which these perfect conditions to create something good mutated with the not so right outcome, socially, culturally, or even morally speaking.

Social media were probably the biggest trend in the last decade, especially Instagram. Launched in 2010, it evolved from a selfie sharing platform to a serious brand. Ten years ago, companies and influencers were almost nonexistent. It was a place reserved for amateur photos of faces and tables with meals and drinks. Nowadays, you can hardly come across a respectable brand, especially in the fashion and beauty industry, without a profile. Rule number one, if you want to be visible on Instagram, is a high-quality photo. Filters, apps, and other Instagram-only options can make posting more exciting and funny. At the same time, they can give the follower a sense of belonging to a big, happy family. Companies are able to directly communicate with their customers and nourish their relationship with giveaways, discounts, and similar tactics.

Instagramers went through some changes, as well. In the beginning, it was all about perfection, unrealistic lives, and photos of expensive items, houses, cars, and luxury holidays. At some point, followers obviously got fed up with too much flawlessness, which created the right moment for the rise of the relatable influencers. Tired moms and people with health issues and disorders attracted followers with similar problems, who needed to know that they are not alone.

 

Instagram Trends Changing Through The Past Decade
Photo by Omkar Patyane from Pexels

 

Social activism, such as climate change movements or campaigns dedicated to sexual harassment awareness, is no longer reserved only for the text-oriented platforms. Memes and stickers made it possible for people on Instagram to gather around the same idea or purpose, and to make it trending within hours.

Making trends on Instagram comes with a certain amount of responsibility. The University of Pennsylvania researched the connection between social media and our well-being and published the findings in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. The study was conducted on 143 participants and showed that we need to “reduce opportunities for social comparison”, and generally “put our phones down” and live our lives.

Analyzing how Instagram’s body standards changed during the last ten years, should make us puzzled enough to wonder what is wrong with some trends. In 2013, it was the thigh gap trend, which demanded legs to be so thin to not touch above knees. Next year, the bikini bridge emerged, and women were trying to be skinny enough to make the space between hip bones in the abdomen area visible. After that, endless, exhausting workouts in order to get a thin yet muscular body took over the trending. The year 2015 was all about hashtag “strong not skinny”, healthy eating habits obsession, fitness gurus, and photos of perfectly shaped bodies. In the following years, we’ve had a thick fit, ribcage bragging, and thick slim trends. 

Looking at the perfectly edited photos can be harmless if you can keep in mind, at all times, that they are not real. It might sound strange but, otherwise, it can cause serious damage to our self-esteem and eventually become a source of depression and loneliness. So, be smart with trends, if you want to participate in the game, do it wisely.

 

Categories
Featured Living Technology

The Best Tech and Gear Gift Guide for the Holidays

Downtown’s best tech and gear gift guide for the tech-obsessed on your holiday shopping list, or to satisfy your own inner techie, includes a round-up of super cool items from translation earbuds to camping gear. Cheers to finding the perfect gift for anyone who wants to keep up with the current state of technology today!

 

 

The Best Tech and Gear Gift Guide for the Holidays
Insulated Touchscreen Gloves
The Best Tech and Gear Gift Guide for the Holidays
Insulated Touchscreen Gloves

Touch tech that never fails. Our Publisher’s favorite tech gloves for 2019.

Mujjo, has perfectly blended in the tech so that it complements the sleek style of the glove. The stretch knit fleece fabric stretches in all directions for a comfortable pre-curved fit. The fabric is given a highly conductive treatment that mimics the conductive properties of the skin to make them touchscreen compatible before being sewn into a slim, stretchy profile that conforms to the shape of your hands.

It works all the time, every time. After all, no one wants to take their glove off to scroll through Instagram, we’re better than that.

 

 

 

Geeks, Gear and Tech Holiday Gift Guide

 

Introducing Ambassador, the highest quality interpreter for professionals and travelers of all backgrounds. From training to travel, groups to solo, the Ambassador allows you to have smooth conversations free from the constraints of language barriers. Sleek and specially designed over-the-ear interpreter engineered to translate speech with higher accuracy than any other tool on the market.

 

Geeks, Gear and Tech Holiday Gift Guide

 

The Tree Of Light is a stunningly beautiful sculptural art piece, that replaces just about everything you’d normally keep on your nightstand. It’s a sleek LED lamp with a thin, cherry wood shade, and brightness that can be smoothly adjusted via the touch controls on the base. The “Sleep Mode” setting will even turn it off automatically after 30 minutes, so you don’t have to worry about falling asleep with the lights on. But it doesn’t stop there. The lamp base has an integrated wireless charging pad, as well as a sticker receiver, so you can wirelessly charge any phone. If your phone doesn’t already have wireless charging, just choose between the Lightning (iPhone) or Micro USB (Android) options, and your lamp will arrive with a super-thin wireless receiver that you can stick directly on your device, and start using the charging platform instantly.

This gorgeous charging lamp even comes with a built-in neodymium speaker. Just pair your device to the lamp, and play your favorite music wirelessly. You can even use the touch controls on the lamp to adjust the volume and skip songs.

Goodbye boring desk lamps, switches, messy tangled cords, and clutter!

 

Geeks, Gear and Tech Holiday Gift Guide

 

Devialet Gold Phantom. The best wireless speaker in the world. This speaker from Devialet emits an ultra-dense sound with physical impact. No distortion, no saturation, no background noise and features our exclusive Analog Digital Hybrid Technology. With power, clarity, and precision unlike anything, you’ve heard before. With power, clarity, and precision unlike anything, you’ve heard before.

 

 

This summer, OMEGA partnered with The Metropolitan Museum of Art to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Moon landing, and created the Speedmaster “First OMEGA in Space The Met Edition. This watch comes with a red and white striped NATO strap, a nod to the Museum’s signature color, with The Met’s logo engraved on the loop. Each model will be delivered inside a unique presentation box, crafted with The Met logo, and retail for $5,200.

 

 

 

Geeks, Gear and Tech Holiday Gift Guide

Our music-obsessed editor in chief swears by the superior sound, chic design, and cutting-edge technology of these Sennheiser Momentum headphones. They feature intuitive controls, active noise cancellation, and transparent hearing so that you can enjoy your tunes while still being fully present in real life. The leather head strap and cushy earcups deliver superior comfort while looking great on the go.
Geeks, Gear and Tech Holiday Gift Guide
From industry leader and trusted CBD brand, Charlotte’s Web’s holiday box is offering 30 Days of Calm. The box includes a beautiful set of relaxation and holiday tip cards with positive affirmations, activities, and useful information, and includes CBD oil in mint chocolate and Calm gummies, both made from responsibly farmed USA grown hemp. All Charlotte’s Web products are third party tested and a certificate of analysis is available upon request.
Geeks, Gear and Tech Holiday Gift Guide

Can’t stay away from your tech? Don’t want to rely on campsites with outlets? MPOWERD’s inflatable solar night is perfect. Charge it during the day, then strap it to your tent at night for a lantern that will charge your phone, your GPS, or anything else you need.

Geeks, Gear and Tech Holiday Gift Guide

Bugaboo Camper, Four Person Nesting Camp Cookset: When our associate editor goes camping, he needs every inch of space. The four-person Bugaboo Camper comes with two pots (2L and 3L) with strainer lids, frying pan, four large mugs with insulated sleeves and Sip-Through Lids, bowls, and plates for everyone, a pot gripper, and a carry bag that doubles as a sink. And all of that fits inside of the 3L pot for easy transport. Perfect for feasting in the great outdoors.

 

Geeks, Gear and Tech Holiday Gift Guide

 

This beautifully designed reading lamp at Roche Bobois, designed by Carlo Zerbaro, with a base and structure in varnished steel with a matte finish, col. black, oxidized steel screen giving a reflection of multi-colored material (oxidized copper). With adjustable direct or indirect light source. Perfect for any room.

 

 

Geeks, Gear and Tech Holiday Gift Guide

 

Nimble is making tech products from plant-based bioplastics, recycled aluminum, and fabric made from recycled water bottles. The carbon-neutral portable chargers, wireless stand chargers, phone cases, and cables are all shipped in plastic-free packaging made from scrap paper and non-toxic inks and adhesives, and to encourage tech recycling, each item ships with an envelope to pack up your various cables, plugs, phones, mp3 players, and chargers, and you can go online to print out a free shipping label. The company has recently acquired B-Corporation status, verifying that they meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

 

 

Categories
Featured Lifestyle Living Technology

Downtown’s Holiday Gift Guide 2019 For Him

How many times have you heard, “I have everything that I need” only to find out that they really don’t? Rather than ask again, this year our editors have collected cool, on-trend unique, gifts for him, just in time for you to say thank you for all that you do!

Daniel Patrick’s collections draw a number of inspirations that are true to who Daniel is and this identity become more and more poignant from collection to collection. We have chosen this brilliant DP backpack.

STOW has disrupted the world of travel accessories. Their contemporary, colorful and practical designs are meticulously hand-crafted for a lifetime of use. We have chosen this stunning leather tech case for that special someone.

 

 ARRAW Spider-Man Watch
RJ Spider-Man Watch Collection, time will tell with this technically innovative collection, created in partnership with Disney and MARVEL, the ARRAW Spider-Man Tourbillon and the new skeletonized ARRAW Spider-Man mechanical timepiece.

 

Eastern Standard Provisions Gift Box

We are all in love with this Boston-based brand, their deep roots throughout New England, is fiercely passionate in their pursuit of making the best soft pretzels on the planet, and our entire team agrees!

Oceano Chardonnay Wine

Oceano Wines is a joint venture between Rachel Martin and Kurt Deutsch. Together they decided to make wine from a very specific place, Spanish Springs Vineyard, on the coast of San Luis Obispo, California. We stumbled across this refreshing and truly delicious chardonnay, a must for this holiday season.

 

Lasvit Fine Collection of Mouth-Blown Glasses

The fine collection of mouth-blown table glasses is composed of individual pieces, all handcrafted by traditional artisan glassmakers. Lasvit offers this flexible copper mold that allows the fluid glass to form its distinct shape of free-flowing circles. Every piece is one of a kind, for him.

Speedster Capsule Heritage Leather Jacket

Speedster Capsule Collection Heritage Motocross Leather Jacket, drawing inspiration from the legendary Porsche Speedster automobile, practical with sporty details. Keep him warm this holiday season.

 

ROAM Luggage

ROAM Luggage, the first brand that allows you to fully customize your suitcase to match your personality. When two founders were building the TUMI brand, they were propelled by a desire to create the best luggage in the world. That quest for the extraordinary has always been what drives this unique brand.

 

 

Downtown's Holiday Gift Guide 2019 For Him
Men’s Wool Felt Slippers

Step into a pair of handcrafted men’s wool felt slippers and step into something good. Made by Nepalese women with natural wool from New Zealand sheep and Himayalan buffalo leather soles, the simple slip-on slippers keep feet warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

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