Myths about GPS systems dismissed

GPS and navigation systems have been around for over three decades now. While we do rely on these systems to guide us on a daily basis, not many of us are aware of how these navigation systems are designed and function.

It also doesn’t help when there is too much information being bombarded on the internet, with a number of myths that question the very functioning of these devices. Myths about GPS and navigation signals, the involvement of the government, the impact of weather on the signal strength and location accuracy among many others are creating a lot of confusion about this beneficial technology.

There are facts which state otherwise and dismiss these myths. Here are common myths about GPS technology dismissed for your reference:

GPS signals: A lot of people believe that GPS signals originate from independent signal stations set up along multiple routes and coverage areas to help you locate and map out your travel. However, GPS and navigation signals are transmitted through the vast network of satellites orbiting planet earth. The signal bounces off through multiple satellites to provide all the relevant data. Bottom line, these signals originate from above through satellites and not ground signal systems.

The military does not control GPS signals: While many may argue that the military can monitor and control GPS and navigation signals, it is only partially true. The military has space squadrons which can monitor GPS signals, but not control them. The government still maintains all regulations of proprietary GPS systems, which is a taxpayer-funded program.

The government can track your movements: This is another myth! The basic systems are just designed to receive signals and not transmit your location back accurately. Most vehicles that have proprietary GPS and navigation systems are designed to receive satellite signals to pinpoint your location and navigate.

Weather can affect signals: Satellite TV can get affected due to bad weather owing to the inherent design of these signals. GPS, however, it does not get affected by bad weather. As long as the GPS systems are free of any obstruction which will block the signal strength, there is no reason to be worried about catching a signal on the go. Location accuracy also will not get affected when you are outside, regardless of the weather.

GPS is accurate: This is not so much as a myth, but a technical error. While most GPS and navigation systems are accurate to the letter, this will entirely depend on your software. Updated software and apps for that matter will provide an accurate location, but this does not necessarily mean the system is flawed. Proprietary systems work well when the software is updated from time to time.

Additional apps mess up the system: Traditional GPS had only one job, provide location accurately and help navigate through places. Modern-day GPS systems installed in premium automobiles have a bulk of apps installed and integrated with the system, which many people cite as the reason for GPS not working sometimes. Building identifiers, real-time traffic updates, alternative route suggestions are all just useful add-ons in your proprietary system and do not necessarily mess with the signal.

Military GPS versus Civilian GPS: Unlike the myth which is being propagated to mislead people, there is no such thing as military GPS and civilian GPS. Both happen to receive the same signals from orbiting satellites, with the quality and type of equipment used being the only distinguishing factor. The bandwidth is another factor which differentiates these two signals.

One of the most popular manufacturers of GPS and navigation devices is Garmin, both for civilian and military purposes.

A go-to guide for buying home audio systems

When you buy a flat screen TV, you will be sold to the amazing picture quality and the extravagantly wide screen. There are only a few cases where you will get amazing sound quality from the TV speakers, this is one of the reasons home audio systems are sold along with the television. Upgrading the sound of your TV is not a difficult task at all; all you need to do is connect it to a pair of external speakers. But first, you need to know which speakers to buy and this article will help you in deciding which home audio system you should adopt according to your needs. There are many different types of home audio systems and here is what you should do to get your hands on the right speakers for you:

• Start with a sound bar
  If you do not know much about speakers and are looking to get ones, but do not have a massive budget, then a sound bar is the perfect place for you to start. You can get different types of sound bars starting from a low budget and going all the way up. But, you can be satisfied with the low budget sound bars as well, as they will only enhance your music quality. The sound bar is the most convenient way to enhance the sound quality of your TV. It is also easy to set up, as it requires connecting only a single cable. There are three broad types to a sound bar: single sound bar, sound bar with wireless sub woofer, and a pedestal sound bar or sound base.
• A surround-sound system
  The best way for you to upgrade your sound from the TV is to set up your very own surround-system system. This is the best option for you if you do not want to stick to a sound bar, the surround-sound system gives you more of a theatre-like feel. Place the speakers all over the room, make sure you place the speakers that are plugged into the left speaker jack, on the left side for a better feel of the music. To set up your own surround-sound system you will need an AV receiver and a set of speakers that you can set up around the room. Even if AV receivers are complex devices, choosing one should not be much of an issue for you. The best option right now is the $500 Sony STR-DN1070. It has six HDMI outputs enabling you to connect more than one device. You might be tempted to purchase the $2000 receiver with fancy internal components, but they are not usually worth the money.
• Spend your budget on speakers
  When you are setting up a home audio system, it has many more facets than just the speakers, but the speakers are the most important ones. They are the ones that are responsible for your sound quality and the volume of the output. The woofer is equally important as the speakers, but the speakers take the edge. You might go for small speakers to maintain the aesthetics of your room, but they might not have the best sound quality. You should opt for tower speakers, they might be huge and not very beautiful but the sound quality is what makes up for their looks. If you get bluetooth connectivity for a good price, go for it, but your basic spend should be on speakers above anything else.
• Choose stereo without a second thought
  You might not be encouraged to adopt a home audio system as it has only a single pair of speakers, but the quality more than makes up for the quantity of the speakers. The stand system has fallen out of fashion, but it can be very pleasing and sufficing for movies and music. They do not take up a lot of space, stick with your aesthetics and always give you good quality sound.

4 things to consider while setting up a home audio system

If you want to enhance your viewing and listening experience, all you need is to have a powerful home audio system. It is an exciting entertainment as it not just restricted to movies, you can play music and you can also connect some systems to your phone or computer. You can have a simple 32-inch TV and an in-box home audio system or a huge projector with and in-wall speakers. There are a lot of factors that come in between and need to be considered before you settle on either of the two options or an in-between.

Things to consider while setting up a home audio system:

• Room space: It is important for you to study the room that you will be setting up the home audio system in. The size of the room should ideally determine the size and type of your entire system, if it is a small room you do not need to set up too many speakers as it could be too loud. And, if you lower the volume, it would be an incomplete use of the speaker’s potential. The lighting of the room is important, as ambient lighting can result in screen glare on the TV or a washed-out image of the projector. If the room has a carpet then the output of the sound will be different from the one without a carpet, so you have to consider that as well.
• Audio reproduction: This is a very important factor of your home audio system, you do not want a system that does not satisfy you with the music output. You must choose between a home theatre receiver or a preamp/amp combination. A home theatre receiver usually has three components: A radio turner or in some cases a HD radio, internet radio, or XM. A preamplifier that switches and controls which audio device your TV is connected to, it also selects which speaker the output is supposed to go to. A built-in amplifier that sends the signals and the power to the speakers.
• Loudspeakers: The next most important thing in line for your home audio system are the loudspeakers. Just as the size and type determine the type of video device you need; the loudspeakers are also set up on the same phenomenon. Before you buy the new speakers, get through a thorough research, listen to various speakers and setups. If you are buying a set of speakers, consider buying the same brand for the other parts of the home, this will improve the connectivity and the output. You need a sub woofer, there is no other way around it. A sub woofer is a specialized speaker that only reproduces the extremely low frequencies, this works well for movies.
• Source components: You can stick to old school DVD and cd players, but the main source component you need for your home audio system is internet. An internet connection can get you all the action you are looking for. Once you get a Wi-Fi connection, you can connect your smartphone, computer or any other device with in-built Wi-Fi to your home audio system. A smart TV will also expose you to directly playing things from the internet on your TV, you can access Netflix and watch all your favorite shows on the TV as well. The antenna, cable or satellite is also as important as the internet, because what is a TV without TV channels?

Things you might not know about a home theatre system

Whether you like watching TV or not, you would not mind having a good home audio system for your watching experience. A home audio system is becoming exceedingly popular between families and furnishing options. For those who like watching TV, it has become a must and for those who aren’t very fond of watching TV are owning it to enhance the experience for the little time that they will be watching it. With the popularity growing, there is a lot of confusion and hype about which home audio system is good and things that must be bought along with the home audio system. Read along to get rid of some of the misconception that come with owning home audio systems:

• Doesn’t have to be expensive
  There is a misconception that home audio systems must be expensive if you want good quality movie and audio experience. It is luxury that is being adopted by most of the households, but there is a misconception that it is not for people who have a little financial difficult. A home audio system does not have to be expensive. The best way to set it up at affordable rates, is by getting separate things and then combining them. The basics you need, is a good flat screen TV and a surround sound speaker set. The fancy couch and other sound enhancers can take a backseat if you are running on a low budget.
• An LED TV is not a different type of TV
  Since the introduction of LED TVs there has been a lot of hype about them, as they are being considered as a new technology as the image chip generates the picture. Some salesmen are using this technology in their sales pitch to lure more customers in buying the LED TV. Buying an LED TV is the right decision, but it works on the same technology as the LCD TV. The light that brings the image to you from the TV is in an LED form which goes easy on the eye.
• An OLED TV is different
  LED and LCD TVs are the most common TVs around the market and are being bought by most people looking to setup a home thatre system. There is another elite player in the TV market, it is the OLED TV. The OLED TV is different from these two TVs as it does not require a backlit display, this is because each pixel in this screen is self-emissive. This is also the reason OLED TVs can be made thinner than the LCD and LED TVs. The OLED screen works on a technology that allows the display to be absolutely black, thereby making colors look richer. The price for OLED TVs is a lot higher than the LCD and LED TVs, but it has been going down by the year.
• High definition stares from 720p
  The picture quality in your home theatre system is one of the most important things for you. If you are setting up a home audio system, the picture quality of the TV is the last thing you would want to compromise on. Most consumers are misled to believe that only 1080p is high definition. It is the best quality available in the market, but 720p is where the high definition picture quality starts. Other than 1080p, 1080i is also a high-resolution format of picture quality. While, you might want to opt for the 1080p TV, it might not be harmful to settle for a 720p screen resolution if you are on a tight budget.

Best electronic toys for kids in 2017

When you are buying toys for your kids you usually want them to have fun as well as learn something while doing the activity. It is usually difficult to find this balance. Apart from that, you also want a toy that does not cost you a fortune. Kids electronics are one of the most difficult tasks when it comes to gifting. If you are in the same boat, and deciding is an issue for you as well, then maybe you can find what you are looking for among the best from the categories mentioned below. Read along:

• Best overall: Razor Hovertax 2.0
  There are only a few kids that do not like riding around on a hoverboard. This kids electronic toy is ideal for kids that are eight and above. It is by far one of the hottest toys in the market right now and has an amazing sale rate. This might not be a gift that can enhance the educational skills of your kid, but it works best to hone their motor skills as they are going to drive sooner than later. The Razor Hovertrax 2.0 can run for around 60 minutes in a single charge and goes up to a speed of 8mph. The weight of the rider should not exceed 220pounds.
• Best educational: VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk
  Kids electronics are not always the best choice when it comes to toys. But an electrically powered educational gift can be a great toy for your kid. It not only helps them in having fun, it also gives them something to learn and that’s what most parents desire. The VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk is ideal for your kid to learn as well as have fun, it comes in different forms that allow your kid to do various activities on the same desk. The touchscreen pad enables them to work on geometry, designs, numbers as well as paint and draw.
• Best video game: Nintendo switch
  As much as you want your child to learn from every toy you will have to give them some toys that they can have fun with and forget about the learning part for a while. The Nintendo switch is one of the best video games you can get your child, it topped the charts in the early stages of its release and has been there since. The switch is a proper follow up to the DS line as the Wii line. The console is a thing one-pound tablet with a 6.2-inch screen. It will not burn a hole in your pocket as it has a long life, unless your kids indulge in outdoor sports with it. Kids electronics are one of the best fields to buy toys for kids.
• Best Smartwatch: Orbo Bluetooth kids smartwatch
  This watch works on a bluetooth connectivity and connects easily with all different types of smartphones and tablets; it is one of the best kids electronics toy. It is designed in a way to suit the requirements of a kid and has been set up to provide them timely updates and reminders. The watch also comes with different types of games and activities for kids, like exciting ways to read time and so on. The watch also has an on-board camera that allows you kids to take selfies as well as pictures, it has an internal memory of 1GB and is expandable up to 32 GB.

Even though gifting kids electronics can be a trouble, the above mentioned toys can help you out and if not you can also gift them a camera or a laptop.

6 top brands for home audio systems

Music is an important factor of our lives. Good sound quality is what enhances the musical experience for you. Good quality speakers are a must have for all of us; the music is not the same when it is played on average quality speakers. But it is essential to not get carried away and make an impulsive purchase when it comes to speakers. It is usually a one-time investment and needs to be bought with care. Make sure you do a complete research before you go ahead and make a purchase for your speakers. Read along to find out the top brands for your home audio system:

• Polk home audio speakers
  Polk is not a brand that is heard of among most consumers and buyers, but that does not rule out the amazing quality that is provided by its speakers. Even if they are lacking a little on the popularity quotient, the quality of their home audio systems is impeccable and cannot be challenged by many brands in the market. If you are looking for a good quality home audio system set and are running on a low budget, then this is a good option for you.
• Paradigm cinema
  This is not a very well known brand in this industry, but what is in the name anyway. The company is working towards making a name for themselves with the quality of speaker they are offering in the market. As a brand, they are looking to widen the customer base as they already have great quality speakers all they need is recognition. If you are looking to buy a new home audio system, you must consider this brand.
• Onkyo HT
  This is a Japanese company that has one of the best home audio systems in the country right now. They make speakers that are ideal for closer rooms, with a receiver, subwoofer as well as a set of speakers that you can also place around the room for a surround sound feel. The brand has speakers with more than one input, so you can connect different types of devices to the home audio system.
• Energy
  The name of this brand of speakers is based on the personality and performance of the product that is made by this brand. The energy in these speakers enables them to produce sound that is both powerful as well as clear. The speakers in this set are tuned to produce music that is loud as well as distortion free to a great extent.
• Sonos
  Everyone loves music that is full of clarity and covers every single lyric to guitar strum from the piece of music. Sonos as a brand, targets this requirement and makes speakers that will expose you to clear, distortion free music. The speakers are designed with perfect synchronization that enables them to produce more music than noise.
• Orb Audio
  Orb audio is the number one home audio system brand in the world right now and it has reached that point with regards to its outstanding music quality in closed rooms as well as its modular design that helps in enhancing the looks of your room. The quality of the speakers is enhanced as they filter out the distortion from the music, the compact design prevents them from taking up a lot of space in your room.

The above list has almost all the brands that are known for their exceptional quality of home audio systems all over the world. If you are indecisive, then you can go ahead and choose from any of these brands.

5 affordable and portable media players to listen to music on-the-go

You can listen to your favorite tunes or watch your favorite movies wherever and whenever you want with a portable audio and video device. Yes, it’s true that you can use your phone as well for these; however, you use your phone for a lot of things apart from listening to music or watching videos. All these additional features will consume substantial storage and battery power from your phone. But with a dedicated portable audio and video player, you do not have to worry about all these. You can store thousands of songs, a few videos, as well as photos on your portable audio and video device. And you do not have to spend much on these devices, especially if you are on a budget. Here are a few portable audio and video players that pack in a lot of features at quite affordable costs.

• AGPtEK M20S: With a price of around $30, this is a portable audio and video player by AGPtEK. The M20S is one of the cheapest models that is quite perfect for people who do not want jazzy features on their portable device. It is quite compact, and its size is about 3×0.3×1.2 inches. Its internal storage is 8 GB, and the storage is expandable to about 64 GB. It supports nearly all audio formats. It has 14 hours of battery life; you can listen to 14 hours of music with a single charge.
• Sony NW-A35 16GB Walkman: The original Walkman was a game-changer; however, it was bulky and could barely fit into your pockets. The Sony NW-A35 is the lighter and sleeker version of the classic Walkman. This portable audio and video device has a high-resolution audio quality that is sans any distortion and noise. It has a 3.1-inch touchscreen interface that is quite intuitive. It has an internal storage of 16 GB. 64 GB models are also available. The memory can be expanded to 192 GB. This affordable portable audio and video player includes a Bluetooth feature as well. The battery life is a solid 45 hours. The price, however, is a bit on the steep side with the approximate cost being $218.
• MYMAHDI MP3/MP4 Music Player: This sturdy portable device from MYMAHDI costs approximately $26. Its internal storage is about 8 GB, which is expandable to 128 GB. The supported audio formats include MP3, WMA, FLAC, APE, AAC, and so on. The device’s weight is relatively more as compared to other portable audio and video devices. This adds to the durability of the device. There is a speaker on the backside of the device; so, this can be used as a voice recorder as well.
• Sony NWE395: This portable player from Sony costs around $68. It can play 35 hours of songs or four hours of video on a one-time recharge of the battery. The internal memory is about 16 GB. The display screen is about 1.77 inches and is suitable for watching short and quick video clips. Typical to Sony, this device is known to have quite good audio quality. The control functions can be operated through buttons.
• AGPTEK A01T 8GB Bluetooth MP3 Player: This is one of the best looking portable devices in the affordable range. It costs around $37 and has slim and compact design with buttons for control functions. The audio quality is good since it is supported by a noise reduction feature. It has a 1.8 TFT display and storage capacity of 8 GB. The memory is expandable to 128 GB. The battery life is 45 hours of audio playing or 16 hours of videos. It takes about 1.5 hours to recharge the battery.