The cylindrical projector hasn’t changed a great deal from the last model. It’s still around the same size and weight (under two pounds) and can project a screen of between 30 and 100 inches.

That makes it perfect to travel with as a portable big-screen console to rival handheld versions. Thanks to Samsung Gaming Hub, the Freestyle 2 has access to the largest cloud gaming services.

Gaming Hub makes the Freestyle 2 even better

Samsung released Gaming Hub last year on TVs, bundling Xbox Game Pass, Amazon Luna, Nvidia GeForce Now, and multiple other game streamers into one central place. Now it’s on a portable projector, which makes cloud gaming possible anywhere.

The Freestyle 2 has an optional battery base, so it can be used to project a 1920×1080 picture on any surface, anywhere. It can also be powered from USB-C power banks, so you’re not tied to the first-party battery.

The Freestyle 2 from Samsung

The Freestyle 2 projector leans heavily into gaming, with on-device cloud gaming thanks to the Samsung Gaming Hub. You can save $40 with our link, and get a free carrying case during the pre-order period.

What We Like:

• Cloud gaming through Gaming Hub
• 1080p picture
• Up to 100 inch screen
• Battery powered

Check Availability

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

Imagine playing games at night on the inside of your tent while camping. Or playing on the back of your house while the BBQ sizzles.

All you need to get gaming is the Freestyle 2 projector and any Bluetooth controller. Sync the two together, and sign into your cloud gaming subscriptions through the Gaming Hub.

It’s also running Tizen OS, the operating system used on Samsung’s TVs. That means access to your favorite streaming services, from Disney+ to Netflix.

The Samsung Freestyle 2 costs $800 and comes with a SolarCell remote, which charges from ambient light.

Pre-orders are live now through August 30. You’ll also get a free IP55-rated carrying case (a $60 value) during that time.

The Freestyle 2 from Samsung

The Freestyle 2 projector leans heavily into gaming, with on-device cloud gaming thanks to the Samsung Gaming Hub. You can save $40 with our link, and get a free carrying case during the pre-order period.

What We Like:

• Cloud gaming through Gaming Hub
• 1080p picture
• Up to 100 inch screen
• Battery powered

Check Availability

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Snag the Samsung Freestyle portable projector for $200 less
• Lenovo is reportedly cooking up a handheld gaming beast
• Samsung Galaxy S23 owners can now enjoy One UI 6
• The best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 cases

The post Freestyle 2 portable projector launched with cloud gaming appeared first on KnowTechie.

The primal joy of burning wood in a pellet grill adds to the excitement and is the recipe for a perfect family gathering. 

The thing is, many grills, smokers, or pits aren’t built to last. For the most part, they’re constructed from thin metals or worse. That’s where Yoder Smokers’ competition-grade pellet grills enter the picture.

Yoder Smokers YS640s Pellet Grill

4.5

$2,399

Quick Verdict: The Yoder YS640s pellet grill makes it simple for anyone to be a pitmaster. The thick steel construction and well-controlled firebox mean you can worry about the recipe instead of the grill, resulting in perfectly smoked or grilled food every time. At $2,399, it isn’t cheap, but it will give you years of quality, repeatable cooking.

Pros:

• American Made
• 1,070 square inches of cook space can fit tons of food
• Versatile in its ability to smoke and direct-flame grill

Cons:

• Expensive
• Extremely heavy (comes on a pallet and needs multiple people to move)
• The pellet hopper could be larger, and no sensor to say when empty

Check Availability See at Yoder

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

These bad boys use so much steel that even the smallest weighs 255 pounds. That’s a lot of quality to keep in heat and keep in the essential blue smoke for the perfect smoked meats.

We’re reviewing the $2,399 Yoder YS640s today. It’s a midrange pellet grill with automated temperature controls, keeping temps within 5-25 degrees of your setpoint.

Yes, that means your grill is controllable by Wi-Fi, and we’ll show you why that’s a good thing.

Who is the Yoder YS640s for?

This is an overbuilt BBQ machine made for serious grill masters or anyone with dreams of becoming one; it’s that easy to use. From low-and-slow smoking sessions to direct-fire grilling over 700f, this grill can do it all.

A key factor is the pellet fuel system. A small firebox ignited by a ceramic electronic starter provides all the heat.

The pellets themselves are made from compressed sawdust, repurposing what would otherwise be waste from sawmills. An auger feeds the tightly packed pellets into the firebox in a precise amount to finely control temperatures.

Price, design, and features of the Yoder YS640s

The Yoder YS640s is available for $2,399 (plus shipping) directly from Yoder or from a wide range of vendors specializing in barbeque equipment.

When shipped, it comes on a pallet, and the basic cart we are reviewing comes disassembled. You’ll want several people to put it together as the thick steel cooking chamber is unwieldy to move around.

Yoder does make a smaller version of this grill, the YS480s. It’s around 270 fewer square inches of cook surface, which could present issues depending on how many people you regularly cook for.

To my recollection, I’ve never heard someone say, “Dang, I wish I’d bought a smaller grill,” but I’ve heard the opposite on numerous occasions. The YS640s is large enough for two packer-sized briskets or multiple racks of ribs (with any multi-rack accessory).

Yoder offers a wide selection of accessories for its grills, some of which are essential in our eyes.

For instance, the stainless steel grease catcher is a must-have, as fat runs off the hinged lid and otherwise makes a mess of the front panels.

So is the all-weather cover, which keeps moisture off your grill when you’re not using it. Yoder sells an official tailored cover, but you can likely find comparable third-party options as well.

For direct grilling fans, the Grillgrate accessory is a must-buy. These aluminum inserts slot together to either create peaks for searing grill marks on steaks or a flat surface for cooking burgers when flipped over.

And what grill would be complete without a cast-iron griddle for cooking breakfasts, fajitas, or anything else that needs consistent heat?

Alternatively, griddles from other brands like Lodge can work as well, though they may shift around slightly on top of the grill grates.

Yoder Smokers YS640s Pellet Grill

4.5

$2,399

The Yoder YS640s pellet grill is a versatile, high-end cooking tool. Known for its solid build and large grilling space, it offers excellent smoke quality and easy cleaning. Its chrome-plated grates are durable and it outperforms many competitors, making it a worthy investment for serious grillers.

Check Availability See at Yoder

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

Setting up the Yoder YS640s

Delivery day was eventful, mainly because I was unsure how I would bring the 335-pound grill up to the deck. Eventually, four guys had to carry it up the stairs. Yes, it took four people.

You can possibly put the YS640s together on your own, but it’s not recommended. You will want at least one other person to stabilize the cart while putting it together.

The pallet it arrived on weighed nearly 450 pounds- this is not a lightweight, stamped steel pellet grill. Putting it together took some time: first, pushing the carton upright, then bolting on the cart before setting it down.

Yoder uses 1/8th inch thick steel and welds it together for the cook box. The cooking area is set up like a traditional offset stick burner, with the firebox on the left and the chimney on the top right.

That gives it the ability to have dual zone cooking, with focused heat over the burning fuel or a more even temperature across the entire area.

The YS640s has a variable damper to control heat distribution. Pulling the damper out to about 9 inches provides a relatively even temperature across the entire cooking surface.

Pushing it fully in restricts airflow and quickly increases temperatures on the left side above 700°F, suitable for searing steaks or charring vegetables.

Cooking up a storm on the Yoder YS640s pellet grill

The YS640s that we received for this review has a cooking space of 1,040 square inches. It is equipped with four chromed stainless steel grates on the bottom level and an upper-level rack made from expanded sheet metal. That’s a ton of space to heat up.

Because of this, the Yoder uses up slightly more pellets than most of the competition. Even with a well-managed firepot, it can consume anywhere between one and four pounds of pellets per hour.

We found that most of the cooking required using just over half a 20-pound bag for a slow ribs smoke. We used competition blends of multiple hardwoods, which might have been a mistake for consumption.

Yoder suggests selecting pellets that are predominantly oak or hardwood with a similar level of hardness. This will produce the best blue smoke while reducing consumption and the risk of flameouts caused by the fuel burning too quickly.

Smoking time on the pellet grill

The YS640s’ offset smoker design means it performs great when smoking foods. The cooking chamber is well insulated by thick steel, and because everything is welded, the only place smoke escapes is the chimney stack.

That gives any griller of any skill level the best chance of success.

We smoked St Louis-style ribs, beef ribs, belly pork, Lechon belly roll, and more on the YS640s, and everything came out perfectly. The meats had deep smoke rings with a bright red coloration and were full of flavor.

It won’t quite achieve the same level of smoky flavor as offset stick burners, but it’s not far off and requires much less effort.

We smoked everything at either 225°F or 300°F, depending on the type of meat. One thing to keep in mind is that the area near the chimney on the right tends to be slightly hotter than the temperature probe on the left.

It’s not a huge issue, but you’ll want to be aware of any temperature changes for the best cooking conditions.

Grilling time on the Yoder YS640s pellet grill

While using the full diffuser plate is perfect for low-temperature smoking or baking, it will not result in a good sear on steaks.

The older Yoder pellet grills used to have a one-piece diffuser, but the new ones now come with a two-part diffuser. This allows you to pull the cover over the firebox in order to get direct flame action.

When the damper is fully opened and the variable damper is pushed all the way to the left, I achieved temperatures in excess of the 600°F. I reached temperatures in the mid-700s when flame-kissing some vegetables, which is more than enough to achieve the perfect sear on meats.

This allows the Yoder YS640s to be more than just one grill type, increasing the situations it can be used and making that price tag seem smaller when you consider how many devices it can replace.

How is the app and on-grill controller?

Yoder partnered with FireBoard, a popular temperature probe manufacturer for the YS640s’ temperature controls. Along with the main pit temperature probe, there are two probes that can be inserted into whatever you are cooking. 

These three probes can be used as controls for cooking programs, allowing for a completely hands-off cooking process.

That’s important for the first few hours of any smoke before you get to the stall portion, where you’re not really adding any more smoke ring.

This also means you can cook at one temperature until you reach a desired internal temperature, and then lower the heat to keep the food warm while you wait for guests. Marvelous.

The on-grill controller has one feature that I use almost every cook. That’s a prime button that continuously feeds pellets into the firebox when held. This helps correct for temperature loss when the lid is open for a long duration, and I love it.

Depending on your desired level of accuracy, the controller can also be set to +/- 5°F or 25°F.

You can’t start the grill from the app, which is a good safety feature. You can turn it off by starting the burnout program to stop the fire. You can also save any cooking programs for future use and see graphs of previous cooks.

What it doesn’t have are in-app preprogrammed recipe options. Sure, that can be programmed in, but having some already-installed options would be nice.

The app (or the grill, for that matter) also lacks a low pellet warning. We would appreciate it if Yoder were to include a low pellet alert in a future model or offer it as an update for existing units.

Trust me, nothing is worse than waking up to a ruined smoke just because you misjudged the fuel needed.

Alternative options to consider

When it comes to finding alternatives to the Yoder YS640s, only one pellet grill on the market today comes close to matching the premium build quality of this unit.

That’s the Maverick 1250 wood pellet grill from Pitts & Spitts. This has a similar amount of grilling area, sturdy carbon steel, and good temperature regulation. It’s slightly more expensive, but not by much. 

Z Grills offers high-quality pellet grills that are more affordable, but they are made of stamped steel, which means they may not last as long before requiring replacement.

And Kamado Joe has a wide range of grills that don’t require tech to operate if you prefer to cook without WiFi connections.

The trailblazer's option	Low tech option	Budget champ
Traeger Grills Pro Series 575	Kamado Joe KJ13RH Joe Jr	Z GRILLS 700D4E
4.2	4.5	3.5
$799.95	$499.00$298.00	$689.00
Check Availability	Check Availability	Check Availability

The trailblazer's option

Traeger Grills Pro Series 575

4.2

$799.95

Check Availability

Low tech option

Kamado Joe KJ13RH Joe Jr

4.5

$499.00$298.00

Check Availability

Budget champ

Z GRILLS 700D4E

3.5

$689.00

Check Availability

07/20/2023 11:03 pm GMT

Is the Yoder YS640s pellet grill right for you?

The Yoder YS640s is an astonishingly good grill. Having only used charcoal, wood, or gas grills before, I didn’t know what to expect. Most of those require some level of luck to get a passable result, but not the Yoder.

It took everything I threw at it and kept on ticking over, from long, slow, and low rib cooks to fast and hot sizzling over an open fire.

Yes, at $2,399, it is an expensive investment. The price tag instantly puts it out of consideration for many people, which is a shame because it has tons going for it.

The full temperature control system driven by the main temperature probe and the two movable ones makes any type of grilling or smoking nearly effortless.

That level of confidence in your grill means less watching over it during the cook and more time to enjoy family, friends and perfect your recipes. And that’s what grilling season is all about.

Yoder Smokers YS640s Pellet Grill

4.5

$2,399

The Yoder YS640s pellet grill is a versatile, high-end cooking tool. Known for its solid build and large grilling space, it offers excellent smoke quality and easy cleaning. Its chrome-plated grates are durable and it outperforms many competitors, making it a worthy investment for serious grillers.

Quick Verdict: The Yoder YS640s pellet grill makes it simple for anyone to be a pitmaster. The thick steel construction and well-controlled firebox mean you can worry about the recipe instead of the grill, resulting in perfectly smoked or grilled food every time. At $2,399, it isn’t cheap, but it will give you years of quality, repeatable cooking.

Pros:

• American Made
• 1,070 square inches of cook space can fit tons of food
• Versatile in its ability to smoke and direct-flame grill

Cons:

• Expensive
• Extremely heavy (comes on a pallet and needs multiple people to move)
• The pellet hopper could be larger, and no sensor to say when empty

Check Availability See at Yoder

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review: Audeze LCD-XC – are these $1,300 headphones worth it?
• Review: Flexispot E7 Premium Standing Desk
• Review: TicWatch Pro 5 – an almost perfect smartwatch
• The best soundbars for Xbox Series X under $500 (2023)

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. A review was provided for this review. Click here for more.

The post Review: Yoder YS640s pellet grill appeared first on KnowTechie.

Quick Answer: Yes, mechanical keyboards can help increase typing speed and accuracy compared to membrane keyboards. The tactile feedback and actuation force of mechanical switches allow your fingers to move faster and more precisely between keys.

Nowadays, it’s common to see mechanical keyboards on gamers’ desks, with their tactile switches and vibrant RGB lighting.

This type of keyboard is often marketed as enhancing gaming performance, as the mechanical switch design allows for quick, precise keypresses. The responsive, durable keys are built for high-speed action and gameplay requiring split-second reactions.

That’s not all they’re good for, though. I mean, it’s a keyboard, right? Primarily used for typing, not just fragging noobs?

Whether you’re a coder, a writer, or just doing your school homework, the typing experience with a mechanical keyboard is second to none.

So, is it going to improve your typing ability? Will you be able to type faster for typing on a mechanical keyboard?

So, do mechanical keyboards make you type faster?

Short answer: Yes, but not without practice

The thing about mechanical keyboards, for most people, is their tactility.

The additional feedback on your fingertips not only lets you know that you hit the right key but also that you pressed it far enough down to register a keystroke. This feedback loop will, over time, make you a faster typer as your fingers acclimate.

No matter what type of key switch you have on your keyboard, whether it’s linear, tactile, or clicky switches, they all provide physical feedback.

In addition, clicky switches also make a louder noise when pressed down. If you type on these switches for a while, you’ll see an improvement in your typing speed.

You can speed the process along by using online tools, such as typrX, which has gamified typing with online leaderboards and the ability to race other people across the world or challenge specific friends to a type-out.

Trying out blank keycaps can also help by making it impossible for you to see the legends on each key by looking down at your fingers. Oh, and don’t slouch. Bad posture also makes your typing slower and could lead to injury.

So, do mechanical keyboards make you type faster?

When it comes to typing speed, having that solid key travel and actuation force can definitely help increase your words per minute. Your fingers instantly know when a key is registered, so you can move on to the next one faster.

That said, no magic keyboard is going to instantly double your typing speed. You still need practice and good technique to max out those gains.

But if you’re serious about getting faster and more accurate at typing, a high-end mechanical board gives you an advantage. The durability keeps that smooth, speedy feel going for years too.

So if you’ve got the cash, mechanical is the way to go. Your fingers will thank you, even if your wallet won’t.

What do you think? Do you feel like you type faster on a mechanical keyboard? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• The best gaming keyboards available
• Should I get a mechanical keyboard for my laptop?
• What is the best mechanical keyboard for Mac?
• Why is my mechanical keyboard so loud?

The post Can a mechanical keyboard help you type faster? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Quick Answer: No, the Apple Watch does not currently measure blood pressure. While it can track heart rate and ECG, it lacks the sensors needed to directly monitor blood pressure. Apple has filed patents suggesting future models may add this capability, but existing watches cannot measure blood pressure. 

The Apple Watch is a marvel of miniaturized technology. Seriously, it’s a wrist-mounted computer with a ton of features and health-monitoring options. But does that include measuring blood pressure alongside everything else?

Apple has stuffed the Apple Watch full of advanced technology, including a ton of sensors. It can track your biometrics, sleep, movement, and more. It can even dial 911 when it detects a fall, which is pretty darn great.

With all of those sensors, can it measure your blood pressure?

Can the Apple Watch measure your blood pressure?

Short answer: Not yet

The last time we heard anything about Apple working on blood pressure monitoring, the feature was still a ways off from completion.

Apple was trying to figure out a way to measure it without directly measuring it. Also, it was planned to show blood pressure trends, not baseline measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

That’s not to say that a future Apple Watch couldn’t show baseline measurements. A British start-up called Rockley Photonics has Apple as one of its main customers.

If you guessed that Rockley makes sensors that could measure blood pressure, give yourself a gold star. They make sensors that can measure everything from blood alcohol levels to glucose and even blood pressure.

Those are potentially ready for market next year, so the Apple Watch 9 or later could feature accurate blood pressure monitoring.

So, in summary – the Apple Watch does not currently measure blood pressure directly on its own, but Apple may add this capability via new sensors and algorithms in future models.

For now, those needing to monitor their blood pressure should use a dedicated FDA-approved blood pressure monitor device rather than rely on estimations from an Apple Watch app.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Where is the ‘i’ icon on the Apple Watch and how do you use it?
• How to change your iPhone passcode
• Here’s how to factory reset your iPhone
• How to take a screenshot on any iPhone

The post Can Apple Watch measure blood pressure? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Quick Answer: Fast charging is generally safe for your battery when used with compatible devices and chargers. However, it may have a slight impact on battery health over time.

Fast charging tech for smartphones is insanely useful. I mean, who doesn’t want to be able to charge 50 percent of their battery in minutes? With speeds ever-increasing, you might have some questions about how a fast charger affects your battery health.

I mean, OnePlus has phones that come with a 150W charger. That’s full battery life in less than 15 minutes, and the company is working on an even faster 240W charger.

The Lithium-ion batteries in your smartphones are getting better all the time. Unlike NiCad, it’s not electrons that move between the positive and negative electrodes but ions.

In theory, this could work forever, but real-world usage means they start to degrade. The biggest killer? Heat.

So what do manufacturers do to mitigate fast charging issues?

Popular YouTuber MKBHD noticed that every video about advances in charging tech has the comments section littered with “I don’t want that on my phone, that’s definitely going to overheat,” to “good luck plugging that in for more than five minutes before it explodes.”

He decided to find out if that’s actually true, and it’s pretty cool what he discovered.

The first thing he found is that the rated speed of any charger typically only hits that speed for the first few minutes after plugging in.

A 65W charger goes at full for maybe 20 minutes before it drastically drops the power and trickle charges. That keeps the heat down, helping with battery longevity.

The other thing is that lithium-ion batteries don’t like being at 100 percent or 0 percent charge. They’re happier in the middle, which is why battery health algorithms stop the charge once they get to 80 percent.

He also found that there’s an industry standard for what actually counts as “ruining your battery.” That’s a target of 80 percent battery health after 800 charges. If you charge once a day, that’s over two years before your battery degrades below this point.

The biggest thing to take away from MKBHD’s video is that speedy charging doesn’t have to destroy your battery. They’re a convenient way to keep your battery topped up. The best thing to do is to keep using your phones as normal and try not to let them get hot.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Is iOS 15.4 draining your iPhone’s battery? You’re not alone
• Are Apple’s AirTags draining the battery life of nearby devices?
• The Galaxy S22 Ultra’s battery life drags behind the S21 Ultra and iPhone 13 Pro Max
• 10 tips to improve your iPhone’s battery life

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Is fast charging actually bad for your battery? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Maybe you want to reduce your streaming bill or don’t want to pay for Disney Plus anymore now that The Mandalorian is over.

Whether you signed up for Mando or you’ve binge-watched every single Marvel Cinematic Universe and Disney Princess movie, you might be wanting to cancel Disney Plus to save some cash. And if you’re wondering where to start, we’ll show you how.

How to cancel Disney+

Slimming down your streaming bill is always a good thing. After all, isn’t that why you cut the cord in the first place? So, let’s get you on your way. Here’s how to cancel Disney Plus.

With streaming costs on the up and up, we all need to keep an eye on our digital dollars. Remember when you kicked cable to the curb to save some cash? Well, it’s time to take a similar step. Don’t worry; I’ve got your back. Here’s the friendly guide to saying “see ya” to Disney Plus.

Two minutes 2 minutes

1. 

   Go to the Disney+ website and sign in

2. 

   Click on your Profile

3. 

   Click on Account

4. 

   Select your Subscription details in the middle

5. 

   Click on Cancel Subscription

6. 

   Choose a reason for canceling Disney Plus (or select Other to give no reason)

7. 

   Confirm by clicking on No thanks, Cancel Disney+

8. If you subscribed through another provider, you’ll have to go to their site instead. Instructions  Roku, Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play can be found at the links provided.

READ MORE: How to change your email and password on Disney+

There, all done. Now you can cancel Disney Plus and save a little money each month. At least, until the next season of The Mandalorian comes out or any of the multiple Star Wars spin-offs making their way to the platform soon.

Frequent price hikes are causing a lot of subscribers to cancel Disney Plus

It seems like the magic of Disney Plus is wearing off for some subscribers, as frequent price hikes have led many to reevaluate their subscriptions.

Recent news reports indicate that Disney is raising the price of both its ad-free Disney Plus Premium plan and Hulu, with the former seeing a 38% increase to $10.99 per month. Read our deep dive here to learn more.

Disney’s constant prices hikes can’t be helping them

Disney Plus is about to get a little more expensive for those who prefer their shows sans commercials. Starting October 12, the ad-free tier of Disney Plus will see a price jump from $10.99 to $13.99 per month. That’s a 27% increase, folks.

And it’s not just Disney Plus feeling the pinch. Hulu, another jewel in Disney’s streaming crown, is also set to hike its ad-free subscription from $14.99 to a whopping $17.99 per month.

To soften the blow, Disney is also rolling out a new ad-free bundle that includes both Disney Plus and Hulu for $19.99 per month. It’s a 37% discount from the standalone plans.

But is this enough to keep the subscribers hooked, or will they start exploring other streaming avenues?

As you can see, this is a stark difference from what you may have initially subscribed to the service. So yea, it’s understandable as to why someone would want to cancel their Disney Plus plan.

If you are looking for more subscription services to cancel, make sure to check out our comprehensive guide here.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to cancel your ESPN+ subscription
• How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership
• Here’s how to cancel your Apple Music subscription on iPhone, iPad, or Mac
• How to cancel your Netflix subscription now that Friends is no longer on the platform

The post How to cancel Disney Plus appeared first on KnowTechie.

Quick Answer: Yes, replacement controllers for the Oculus Quest 2 cost $74.99 each, and you can buy them directly from Meta or Amazon. Going the Amazon route is going to cost you extra than it would buying with Meta.

Meta Quest 2 Controllers

Looking for a replacement Meta/Oculus Quest controller? The Meta Store has them in stock right now. These typically sell out fast, so stock up while you can.

Check Availability See at Amazon

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

One of the most important parts of your Oculus Quest 2 is the controllers. Without them, you’re just flailin’ around in the virtual abyss.

They control your interactions with games, apps, and other experiences, and gesture control helps with your immersion.

But beware- the intensity of the experience can be overwhelming, and before you know it, you might accidentally unleash some real-world damage on those precious controllers.

If this happens and you find yourself with a broken or damaged controller, you’ll need to figure out a solution, as the controllers are a major component of the VR headset.

Here’s what to know about getting a replacement controller for your Oculus Quest 2.

So, does Oculus sell replacement controllers for the Quest 2?

Short answer: Yes

Replacement controllers for the Oculus Quest 2 cost $74.95 each; ideally, you can get them directly from Meta.

Previously, Meta’s Quest store had displayed them as out of stock for months, leaving customers frustrated and disappointed.

But good news: the stock drought is finally over, and Meta has them stocked up for the foreseeable future.

READ MORE: How to switch from a Facebook to Meta account on Quest

Oculus Quest 2 controller replacements are back

Thankfully, The Meta Store now has both the left and right controllers in stock, with delivery dates roughly a week from ordering time.

Meta Quest 2 Controllers

Looking for a replacement Meta/Oculus Quest controller? The Meta Store has them in stock right now. These typically sell out fast, so stock up while you can.

Check Availability See at Amazon

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

They are also available from overcharging third-party sellers on Amazon, but we don’t recommend you do that unless it’s cheaper.

How much are Oculus controllers? Meta Quest 2 controllers normally run $74.99 a pop.

Previously, resellers were charging $200 when Meta had them out of stock, so you might as well buy a full Quest 2 headset pack for $299.

Meta Quest 2 Controllers

Looking for a replacement Meta/Oculus Quest controller? The Meta Store has them in stock right now. These typically sell out fast, so stock up while you can.

Check Availability See at Amazon

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

READ MORE: Does the Oculus Quest 2 have expandable storage?

If you get one from the Meta Quest store, you’ll want to ensure you’re on the correct ordering page for the replacement controller.

That’s because the controller that the Oculus Quest 2 uses isn’t quite the same as the one that came with the original Oculus Quest.

Don’t forget to unpair the old, broken controller (if possible) and manually pair the new replacement when it arrives.

One last note, while the controller for the Oculus Quest 2 is better for battery life than the one that shipped with the Rift CV1; they’re not as robust. 

The tracking ring at the top sticks out and isn’t the thickest plastic.

Maybe before you need a replacement controller, consider buying some silicone covers to cushion any inevitable knocks.

Editor’s recommendations:

• Which Oculus Quest 2 should you buy?
• Are Oculus Quest 2 controllers rechargeable?
• 8 of the best VR games that you can try on your new Oculus Quest 2
• Where do I find the serial number of my Oculus Quest 2?

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

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Quick Answer: Yes, you can download and install games on your Xbox one while it’s off, but you need to adjust some settings. Head to ‘General’ settings and in ‘Power options’ select ‘Sleep mode.’ Ensure the ‘When Xbox is off, turn off storage’ option is unticked.

If you need to download a game like Fortnite on your Xbox One but don’t want to leave the console running, you have options.

You may have heard that your Xbox can supposedly download and install games while you’re not using it, but the first time you tried – you woke up to the same install percentage as the night before. What gives?

With this in mind, you might wonder, “do games still download when the Xbox One is off?”

The answer is yes, they do. But your console probably isn’t set up to allow downloads when it isn’t in use. So, let’s fix that.

Do games download when the Xbox One is off

Short Answer: Yes (but you’ll need to dive into the Settings menu to enable it)

Your Xbox One needs to be set to Sleep mode to download games while it’s off. That keeps it in a low-power state, ready to switch on at a moment’s notice.

In addition, It also keeps the network connection and hard drives running.

What is Sleep mode on Xbox One?

Xbox One’s Sleep mode is a feature that allows your console to keep chugging along in the background, even while it looks like it’s taking a nap.

By enabling it, you can take advantage of its power-saving capabilities while it downloads and installs updates, games, and apps. You won’t even have to wait for it to wake up

Think of it as a power nap for your Xbox One. It’s not fully asleep, but it’s not wide awake, either. It’s just dozing off while it gets its work done.

And when you come back to it, everything is updated and ready to go. Pretty cool, right? Here’s how to enable it.

How to download games while your Xbox One is off 

You’ll first need to set your console to Sleep mode to get your Xbox One to download games while it’s off.

READ MORE: The best Xbox controllers

Doing this, the console is in a low-power state and keeps the network connection and hard drives running, so it can quickly switch on when needed.

Here’s how to turn it on.

That’s all you need to do. Now when you turn your Xbox One off via the controller, or it goes to sleep after inactivity, it’ll keep downloading games to install or update.

Download games while your Xbox One is off with the right settings

Once you have the correct settings, your Xbox One console will download games while it’s off. This is a great way to download your games without keeping your console on the entire time.

Just start a game download, and you can let the console go to sleep or turn it off yourself.

When you return, the game will either still be downloading or finished, so you can hop in and start gaming.

And yes, you can still play games while they’re downloading on the Xbox One, just in case you were wondering.

Are there any downsides to using Sleep mode on Xbox One?

One of the downsides is that it does use a bit more power than just turning off your console completely.

So, if you’re worried about your energy bill, it might be a good idea to turn off Sleep mode and manually download and install updates and games when you’re not using your Xbox.

Another thing to consider is that sometimes things can go wrong with your network connection or with the console itself while it’s in Sleep mode.

This could result in some updates or downloads failing, which can be a real bummer. But hey, don’t let that scare you off from using Sleep mode altogether.

Can you turn off Xbox while downloading a game?

It’s happened to all of us – you start downloading a hot new game on your Xbox and then realize you need to head out or power down.

But what actually happens if you flip that power switch while a download’s still in progress? Will it wipe out all your hard-earned progress?

Fortunately, the tech wizards at Xbox have thought of this scenario. If you need to turn off your console mid-download, you can safely pause the process first without losing anything.

• Just head to My games & apps
• Select the Queue tab
• And pause the download you’ve got going.

The progress will then pick up right where you left off next time you power up. With this trick, you can duck out to join the real world without derailing your game download – crisis averted!

Just make sure you pause first rather than just powering down directly. Once you resume, it may take a few minutes to spin those download servers back up, so stay patient. But your precious progress will still be waiting.

As long as you keep those few things in mind, it’s a handy feature that can make your gaming experience even more enjoyable.

What do you think? Plan on using this feature on your console? Let us know down below in the comments, or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Can the Xbox One play Blu-ray movies?
• How to connect PS4 or Xbox controllers to the iPhone
• Can you speed up an Xbox One’s loading time with a new hard drive?
• How to expand your Xbox One’s game storage

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. Click here for more.

The post Do games download when the Xbox One is off? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Samsung is likely to show us two new foldable phones – the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. These are updated versions of Samsung’s first foldables.

So when can we find out if all the earlier leaks were correct?

When is the next Samsung Unpacked?

The event is scheduled for July 26th, and the company is all set to unfold the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 in Seoul, Korea.

What time is the Samsung Unpacked Event 2023?

Here’s what time the show starts around the world

• Eastern Time (ET): 7 a.m.
• Pacific Time (PT): 4 a.m.
• British Summer Time (BST): noon

Expect to spend around an hour watching the Unpacked event. Last year’s Galaxy S22 reveal was just over an hour in length.

How can I watch Samsung Unpacked?

You won’t have to go to South Korea to watch along. The event will be streaming on Samsung’s YouTube channel, Samsung.com, Samsung’s Newsroom, and likely on Samsung’s metaverse.

The official live stream can be found below.

What to expect at Galaxy Unpacked

Samsung is likely to show us two new foldable phones – the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. These are updated versions of their first foldable phones. But now, there are more options if you want a foldable phone.

However, Samsung’s foldable smartphones aren’t the only devices appearing at this event. The Galaxy Tab S9 series and Galaxy Watch 6 series are also expected to appear, adding further excitement to the event.

Reserve now to get $50 in Samsung Credit when you pre-order

Samsung has also opened up reservations for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5. Those interested can save $50 when pre-orders begin.

The reservation process is straightforward. All it requires is your name and email address, with the option to provide your phone number; however, it’s not necessary.

Email notifications will be sent when pre-orders open, and potential additional incentives remain undisclosed.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• When is Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked Event?
• Galaxy Buds 3 may not appear at the next Unpacked event
• Samsung leak pretty much reveals its entire Unpacked lineup
• Galaxy S23 color options leaked before Galaxy Unpacked

The post Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2023: Date, time, and how to watch appeared first on KnowTechie.

Quick Answer: The Samsung Odyssey Ark is usually priced at $2,999 directly from Samsung, but can often be found on sale for $1,999 at outlets like Samsung, Best Buy, B&H, and more.

So you’re curious about the price tag dangling from the behemoth that is the Samsung Odyssey Ark. Well, brace yourself because this isn’t your average run-of-the-mill monitor.

This 55-inch beast boasts a 4K UHD resolution and Quantum Mini-LED technology that will make your games pop like popcorn in a microwave.

Hold onto your wallets, folks, because this monitor originally came with a hefty price tag of around $3,500 when it launched in 2022.

Thankfully, a lot has changed since then. So let’s cut to the chase – just how much does it cost to buy an Odyssey Ark?

So, just how much will the Samsung Odyssey Ark cost?

Short answer: It originally luanched in 2022 with a $3,499.99 retail price. You can typically find them now for $between $1,999 to 2,999.

That’s a lot of money, but then again, it’s a lot of monitor. The 55-inch VA 4K mini-LED panel has a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, giving you HDR2000 performance.

It can also swivel and create three virtual screens when in the vertical orientation. On top of that, it’s got a surround sound speaker setup inside, with one speaker on every corner and two subwoofers.

That’s not even everything, with the Samsung Odyssey Ark running the Tizen OS. That means it’s essentially a smart TV as well, with cloud gaming, media streaming, and more.

Head to Samsung’s Odyssey Ark product page to secure yours.

SAMSUNG Odyssey Ark

4.0

$3,499.99 $1,999.99

The Samsung Odyssey Ark is a 55-inch gaming titan, boasting a 4K Mini-LED display with a speedy 165Hz refresh rate. It's pricey but delivers an immersive and visually stunning gaming experience that's hard to beat.

What We Like:

• Impressive 4K resolution for crisp visuals.
• High refresh rate (165Hz) for smooth gameplay.
• Curved design enhances immersion.
• HDR10+ support brings out the details in your games.
• Multiple HDMI ports offer plenty of connectivity options.
• Unique features like Cockpit Mode and Sound Dome technology add extra value.

Check Availability Samsung

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

07/06/2023 07:54 am GMT

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• ASUS has a new 4K HDMI 2.1 monitor, but will gamers buy it?
• How to preorder everything Samsung announced at Unpacked
• Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 features a better camera and battery
• Xiaomi reveals bulky, $400 smart glasses with an OLED display

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

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