The Kwikset 99390-004 Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock Keyless Entry is a cutting-edge smart lock that allows users to control their locks from anywhere using their smartphones. With this device, users can unlock their doors remotely, receive alerts when someone enters or leaves their home, and give access to family and friends without needing traditional keys. In this article, we will explore the features and benefits of this smart lock and why it might be an excellent investment for anyone looking to improve their home security and convenience.

Easy Installation

One of the most significant advantages of the Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock is its easy installation process. Unlike traditional locks requiring professional installation or extensive DIY skills, this smart lock can be installed in minutes with a screwdriver. The device has a detailed installation guide and a video tutorial, making it easy for beginners to set up. The lock is designed to fit most standard doors, so there’s no need to worry about compatibility issues.

Remote Access and Control

Another significant benefit of the Kwikset Keyless Smart Lock is its remote access and control features. Once the device is installed, users can control their locks from anywhere using the Kwikset app on their smartphones. This means that users can lock or unlock their doors, grant access to visitors, and monitor their home security from anywhere in the world.

The Kwikset app is available for both iOS and Android devices and is free to download. Users can connect their locks to their home Wi-Fi network, allowing them to control their locks remotely without needing additional hardware. The app also allows users to set up customized access codes, monitor their lock’s battery life, and receive notifications when someone enters or leaves their home.

Keyless Convenience

The Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock eliminates the need for traditional keys, providing users with keyless convenience. Instead of carrying around a physical key, users can access their homes using their smartphones or a customized access code. This saves time and hassle and eliminates the risk of lost or stolen keys.

The device can store up to 250 access codes, making it easy to give access to family members, friends, or service providers without the need for traditional keys. Users can also set up temporary access codes that automatically expire after a specified period, providing an extra layer of security.

Secure Encryption

Security is always a top concern when it comes to smart home devices, and the Wi-Fi Smart Lock takes security seriously. The device uses AES 128-bit encryption to protect user data, ensuring that all communication between the lock and the app is secure. This means that users can rest assured that hackers or unauthorized users do not compromise their home security.

The lock also features an auto-locking feature that automatically locks the door after 30 seconds of being unlocked, providing an extra layer of security. Users can also set up customized alerts to notify them when their lock is tampered with, ensuring they are aware of potential security breaches.

Design and Compatibility

The Kwikset Smart Lock is designed to fit most standard doors, with a sleek and modern design that blends seamlessly with any home decor. The lock is available in two finishes, Satin Nickel, and Venetian Bronze, allowing users to choose the best fit for their home.

The lock is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing users to control their locks using voice commands. This makes it easy to lock or unlock their doors when their hands are full, providing an added level of convenience.

Battery Life and Power

The Wi-Fi Smart Lock is powered by four AA batteries included in the package. The lock is designed to provide long-lasting battery life, with up to six months of use on a single set of batteries. Users can also check their lock’s battery life through the Kwikset app, ensuring they are always aware of when to replace their batteries.

Customer Support

Kwikset is known for its excellent customer support, and the Kwikset 99390-004 Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock Keyless Entry is no exception. The company provides comprehensive customer support, including installation guides, video tutorials, and a dedicated support team available by phone or email.

Users can also access the Kwikset Knowledge Center, an online resource that provides answers to frequently asked questions, troubleshooting tips, and other helpful information. This makes it easy for users to get the support they need, ensuring their smart lock is always working correctly.

Price and Value

The Kwikset 99390-004 Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock Keyless Entry is priced at around $200, making it an affordable investment for anyone looking to improve their home security and convenience. The lock provides excellent value for money with its easy installation, remote access and control features, keyless convenience, and secure encryption. Users can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their homes are secure while enjoying the added convenience of keyless entry and remote control.

Also, Read: Never Be Caught Off Guard with Tempest Weather Station (techspices.com)

Conclusion

The Kwikset Smart Lock is an excellent investment for anyone looking to improve their home security and convenience. The lock provides excellent value for money with its easy installation, remote access and control features, keyless convenience, and secure encryption. Users can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their homes are secure while enjoying the added convenience of keyless entry and remote control. The lock’s sleek and modern design also ensures that it blends seamlessly with any home decor, making it an excellent addition to any home. With Kwikset’s excellent customer support, users can rest assured that they will always have the support they need to keep their smart lock working correctly. Overall, the Kwikset 99390-004 Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock Keyless Entry is an excellent investment for anyone looking to enhance their home security and convenience.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro X delivers a compact notebook experience without compromising on the specs. Lenovo’s Yoga series laptops have been one of the best offerings in the laptop market for quite some time now. Following this tradition, the Yoga Slim 7i Pro X has a lot to offer, with a high-end processor and RTX 3000 series GPU. In this review, we will examine the various aspects of the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro X to determine if it is worth the price.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro X crams a powerful 12th gen Intel Core i7-12700H processor and Nvidia’s RTX 3050 GPU in a compact 14-inch laptop. Compared to previous models, this generation’s Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro X offers a more refined design, an updated 3K display, and better battery performance. On paper, there’s a lot to like about this machine. However, does it live up to its price range, which is comparable to Apple’s M2 Macbooks?

The laptop comes in different variants depending on the specs of the laptop. The higher-spec variant we will review comes with an Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, priced at Rs. 1,61,990. Our version doesn’t have a touchscreen, but users have the option to opt for that on Lenovo’s official website.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Pro X Specs

• Processor: 12th Generation Intel Core i7-12700H Processor (E-cores up to 3.50 GHz P-cores up to 4.70 GHz)
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU 4GB GDDR6, Intel Iris XE 96 EUs
• RAM: 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5 6000MHz (Soldered)
• Display: 14.5 inches, 16:10, 3072×1920 resolution, 400 nits, 250 ppi, 120 Hz
• Storage: 512GB or 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 SSD
• Camera: FHD 1080p
• Battery: 70W 4-cell battery and 100W USB-C adapter
• Ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 2x USB-C 3.2 with Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-A 3.2 gen1, audio jack, and camera e-shutter.
• Speakers: 2x 2W Stereo Speakers by Harman
• Operating System: Windows 11 Home 64
• Weight: 1.45 kg
• Price: ₹1,61,990

Design

The build quality of the Lenovo Slim 7i Pro X is comparable to most premium laptops in this price range. I think the ultimate grey finish looks especially nice, and the smooth matte texture doesn’t attract fingerprints easily. The laptop weighs 1.45kg due to its aluminum body and powerful specs. Despite its weight, it is pretty slim, with 15.9mm of thickness, which is great for a notebook.

The color is also pretty nice when compared to the previous generation. Lenovo seems to have gone with a subtle dual-tone grey look which gives a very premium feel to the laptop. The screen is surrounded by slim bezels and a curved aluminum chassis for better durability.

There’s also a decent collection of ports on both sides of the laptop, starting with two Thunderbolt 4 ports (Type-C) for charging and video output. The right side also has a Type-A USB 3.2 (Gen 1) port, a headphone and microphone combo socket, a power button, and a toggle switch to disable the webcam. There’s also a touchscreen variant for those who can afford to spend more on the higher variant.

The laptop certainly has more ports when compared to a Macbook Air, which only features two Thunderbolt 4 ports (Type-C). However, creators will definitely miss the lack of a card reader or wired internet. The laptop also doesn’t have a fingerprint reader, but the 1080p webcam does support Windows Hello.

I also found the keyboard convenient to use due to the well-spaced keys that are fast, crisp, and have a soft base. They also have a white backlight but no number pad, which is normal for small laptops. The trackpad is also huge, with full gesture support, but users also have the option to plug in a mouse with a USB port.

Display & Sound

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro X has a 14.5-inch IPS display with a 3072 x 1920 resolution. It follows the latest laptop trend and adopts a 16:10 aspect ratio for a better browser and work experience. The 120Hz refresh rate is quite useful if you plan to play some games using the onboard RTX 3050 GPU.

With 400 nits of brightness, the display can even be used in outdoor settings. Users can even turn on the ambient light sensor to adjust the display brightness based on the environmental lighting. However, the display panel is limited in Adobe RGB (65%) and DCI-P3 spaces (66.5%).

The laptop is good enough for light photo editing, gaming, and media, but it isn’t good enough if you plan to do high-end design work. On the other hand, the Macbook Pro and Air offer better brightness levels and P3 gamut support. As for the upward-firing speakers, they produce crisp high-end and mid-range sounds, but the bass is weak. The speakers also struggle with volume, which is expected with only 4W of audio power.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro X: Performance

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro X comes with one of the most popular processors around right now, the 12th gen Intel Core i7-12700H. It features six Hyper-Threaded P-cores with a peak speed of 4.7GHz. The other eight efficient E-cores tackle easier tasks at 3.5GHz. On the graphics side, you have Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3050 with 4GB of dedicated memory.

There’s absolutely no shortage of computing power here, which is on par with the M2 chip in the latest MacBook models. In Cinebench R23’s single and multi-core tests, the Intel Core i7-12700H scored 1,714 and 11,769, respectively. These results put the multi-core test scores nearly two thousand points ahead of the Apple M2 chip.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro X: Gaming

The RTX 3050 GPU can also allow the laptop to run most mainstream games and esports titles, but it is more beneficial for content creation tools. Considering the GPU’s peak TDP of 50W is 30 W short of its factory setting, don’t expect the best performance from the RTX 30 series graphic card.

Esports games like Rainbow Six Siege performed exceptionally well, averaging 127 fps in medium settings. With ultra graphics settings, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro X could still maintain 103 fps. Following this trend, users can enjoy games like Fortnite and Overwatch at 60 fps or more.

On the other hand, the laptop struggled a bit to run modern single-player games at 60 fps. Games like Horizon Zero Dawn managed an average of 30-40 fps, which could be raised to a stable 60 fps with the Extreme Performance mode. This mode also increased the GPU’s TPD to 50 W for maximum performance.

Note: All games were tested in 1080p resolution with DLSS disabled.

Users can expect smooth 60 fps or beyond if they use Extreme Performance mode and low graphics settings in modern games. However, this also means lowering the resolution to 1080p rather than the Yoga Slim 7i Pro X’s 3072 x 1920 native resolution.

Battery & Thermals

Lenovo has done a decent job with thermal management on the Yoga Slim 7i Pro X. Despite the high-end specs and compact casing, the fan noise is not that much noticeable. Users can expect a bit of excess heat in the metal above the keyboard, but it isn’t an issue if you are not using the laptop on your lap.

On the other hand, there’s not to say about the 70Wh battery. The laptop’s battery life is average at best but serves its purpose quite well. Users can expect the laptop to last 6-8 hours during everyday work. The 100W AC adapter can also help charge the laptop up to 45% in under 30 minutes.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro X Review

Bonelab was the most hyped VR game of 2022, but does it live up to its expectations? Let’s look at how good the physics-based VR game is and justify the attention it is getting. The main reason we decided to delay our review of Bonelab was so that we could observe a significant part of the game, modding.

For the last few years, VR gaming has been quite stale, with the last major game with relative success being Half-Life: Alyx. Beat Saber was also quite successful, but it isn’t exactly a game. Fortunately, after years of waiting, Bonelab is finally offering an excellent AAA VR experience like no other.

The game is an experimental physics-based VR action game with various weapons, enemies, puzzles, and game modes. According to Alex Knoll (co-owner/creative director), the game’s content comprises 33% user-generated content, 33% sandbox, and 33% plot. That’s why we have considered user-generated content and mods when reviewing the game.

Bonelab will undoubtedly become a popular entry point for many new VR users. The game is available on PC, Meta Quest 2, and Meta Quest Pro. It is simply mind-boggling how the developers managed to run the game on the limited hardware of Quest 2 without any significant downgrades.

Bonelab Story Is Short Yet Fun

Boneworks wasn’t exactly known for its story, and the same is true for its sequel. New players will find it hard to follow what is going on without having any backstory of the game. If you are new to the series, I highly recommend watching a recap video for Boneworks before playing the game.

However, those who have played the prequel can fully appreciate the lore behind the cryptic campaign. The story follows a villager NPC (The player) from Fantasy Land in an alternative universe called the Void. The game’s story is a bit meta, considering how the player is technically inside a game world in the Void.

Players can also find clipboards all over the game with some backstory about how the developers abandoned the game and left the sentient NPCs to their own devices. However, it is very easy to go through the entire game not having any idea what the story is about.

At the start of the game, the player character is sacrificed by the villagers to appease the developers (a bit meta). However, they are saved at the last minute by an anomaly known as Jimmy. After that, the players discover a hidden route to the game’s central hub, The Lab.

The Lab houses various game modes and can now be accessed directly from the main menu. It is also the part where every player gets stuck wondering how to progress the game’s story. After players check out all the different minigames in The Lab and solve a simple puzzle, they can continue the main campaign.

Boneworks Deja Vu

The main campaign more or less serves as a tutorial for the game’s mechanics. It is a relatively short campaign, beatable in 5-8 hours, depending on your playstyle. Each level features the same combination of puzzles, combat, and platforming. But it still feels like the game’s main campaign was made as an afterthought hoping that the sandbox will pick up its slack.

There are a few WOW moments spread throughout the campaign, like The Lab puzzle, meeting Jimmy, and the entire Level 14. These moments are usually accompanied by an amazing soundtrack that seems to have been underappreciated.

Bonelab Combat Sandbox Review

Bonelab is made in the Marrow1 game engine that powers all the physics-based interactions in the game. The game improves on the physics-based sandbox of Boneworks but doesn’t add anything new to the formula. However, it is still the best VR sandbox game, similar to Blade and Sorcery.

The game features many different weapons for many combat scenarios. The gunplay felt really good and overpowered, whereas the melee combat could use a little work. Of course, I immediately compared the melee in Bonelab to other melee VR games, but it felt awful due to weird enemy hitboxes and colliding assets.

The enemy combatants had a rigid body structure that didn’t react well to melee hits. The physics engine was also frustrating when climbing ledges, ladders, or any platforming. It was also annoying to repeatedly have body parts stuck inside a wall or some weird geometry.

However, the same physics engine also allows for unique interactions within the game. Unfortunately, only after completing the campaign would players be able to appreciate its value. The developers at Stress Level Zero have made it into the most interactive VR game out there, but at the cost of its user’s comfort.

However, the newest feature of the sequel is the Avatar system. Each avatar has its strengths or weaknesses based on specific stats like strength, speed, height, weight, etc. Players would need to switch these avatars often to solve puzzles and fight enemies to progress in the campaign.

Bonelab still more or less feels like an extension of Boneworks rather than a sequel. The levels also resemble Bonework’s soulless corporate environments and abandoned research facilities. So it feels a bit similar to its predecessor for returning players.

Bonelab: Mods Review

Modding is a huge part of the game and the main reason we decided to publish our review of Bonelab later. Since Bonelab’s release, modders have added more than 4000 mods to the game. The VR game was made with modding in mind and shipped with a Bonelab SDK to make it easy for modders to import custom avatars, maps, and other items. Modders can even add new avatars without limitations on their size or build.

A few standout mods have even added avatars like Iron Gaint, Hulk Buster, and many other famous characters from other franchises. It is exciting to see what the modding community of the game has to offer. For more information, users can check out our guide on downloading and installing Bonelab mods.

In the future, modders might even be able to add features like teleportation, automatic vaulting/climbing, and sitting interactions. These kinds of mods will improve the general player experience and make the game more accessible.

Modders have even added multiplayer to Bonelab, which is an amazing feat in and of itself. Another modder is trying to bring the entirety of Boneworks to Bonelab through a custom map. However, modders are limited by the tools at their disposal. Fortunately, the developer has promised to expand support for mods over time.

Bonelab Review: Is It One Of The Best VR Game Of Recent Times

The game’s main star and primary focus are the sandbox, game modes, mechanics, avatars, and mods. The mods, in particular, will drive the game’s shelf life for a few years. These user-generated mods offer a high level of replayability by offering tons of new and replayable content.

The developers at Stress Level Zero have also outdone themselves by releasing the game on both PC and Quest 2. Despite a few performance issues on Quest 2, Bonelab runs smoothly unless there are a lot of assets on the screen.

However, the game might not be for someone new to VR as it severely lacks comfort settings. But if you are not prone to motion sickness and want to experience the apex of VR gaming, then Bonelab should be the first game on your bucket list.

Let us know your thoughts about the game in the comment section below.

If you’ve been in your current role for a while, you probably think you’ve got everything sussed out. You know the general meeting etiquette, you understand the dress code, and you may even know how some of your coworkers take their coffee.

No matter how much you know, there is always something else to learn, so before you get complacent, here are just a few things that you need to bear in mind this quarter––and beyond. 

1. Slack DMs aren’t private 

Ever sent a snarky comment about a colleague or a borderline inappropriate GIF? Then this is for you. You might think that no one will ever take the time to read through your private Slack messages, but, in reality, they could be very important. 

Your company might have a duty to preserve and produce information (such as chat histories) if they find themselves part of a lawsuit. Alternatively, if the company wants to do some kind of internal investigation, they have a right to look at your information. Play it safe and take those conversations where you just need to rant offline. 

2. Don’t use your social media on your work phone

We know a quick mid-morning scroll through Instagram can be tempting, but if you are doing so on your work device, take a step back. After all, you’re being paid to be productive, not to stalk your high school ex on Facebook. It can also be a huge security risk for your company. 

For example, in February it was announced that the White House is giving federal agencies 30 days to delete the TikTok app from all government-issued mobile devices amid growing fears over security. This came after concerns that China could use its legal and regulatory powers to obtain private user data from ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company.

3. Office gossip could get you fired

“Shauna and Nick looked very cozy at the company Christmas party, didn’t they?”. “Did you hear about Kevin’s divorce?”. “Magda definitely got a raise, did you see the new car she is driving?”. Office gossip is so ingrained in our working culture that we can become completely blind to it. 

However, participating in idle gossip could be a sackable offense. Gossipers may be terminated because at its core, this is a form of workplace bullying. Anyone else who joins the conversation may face consequences as well. 

4. Your boss can check your productivity data

In the past, it was enough to simply move your mouse every few minutes if you wanted to appear online. Now, however, your boss can see exactly how productive you are each day thanks to advanced analytics. 

In several of their plans, Google and Microsoft each offer ways for administrators to track usage and metadata from users. Such data includes what time you sign on, how many messages you send, how many calls you join, or what devices you use.

Are you feeling a little uneasy about your current role after reading through this list? Take a look at some great jobs on the market right now, with plenty more to discover on the Fossbytes Job Board.

Epic Cognito Admin Consultant, Accenture, Philadelphia

Professional services company Accenture specializes in information technology services and consulting. The team is searching for an Epic Cognito Admin Consultant. You will install Clarity and Caboodle datasets on the cloud platform, maintain Epic Cogito console servers, design and configure Radar dashboards, and make technical recommendations related to application upgrades. You’ll need a Bachelor’s degree or at least 12 years’ of work experience, plus, experience in healthcare IT. You can read the full job spec here.

Software Engineer II, Fivetran, Oakland

Fivetran is a technology company that automates replicating data into cloud data platforms. It is hiring a Software Engineer II to work on its resilience engineering team, under the platform group. Your main focus will be on design, development, and maintenance of libraries and tools to enable teams at Fivetran to innovate with a quality first approach. Two-plus years’ of experience in the software industry is required. You’ll have a passion for solving complex software engineering problems, strong knowledge of and experience with OOP, preferably Java, and hands-on experience working with any cloud technologies. Get all the info here. 

Senior IT Support Specialist, Ripple, San Francisco

Through blockchain technology, Ripple enables global financial institutions, businesses, governments, and developers to move, manage, and tokenize value, helping to unlock greater economic opportunity for everyone. The Senior IT Support Specialist will be responsible for IT operations in New York and will support Ripple employees worldwide. You’ll provide front-line IT support to employees via walk-ups, tickets, and chats, monitor, troubleshoot, and repair IT hardware and software and handle inventory of IT-owned and managed assets. Interested? Get all the information here.

Your next role could be just around the corner––browse job opportunities on the Fossbytes Job Board.

By Pippa Hardy

WWDC 2023, which is Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference, is approaching quickly – and the rumors suggest it could be one of the biggest ones we’ve seen for years.

The main reason is the growing rumors that Apple will finally reveal the long-awaited Apple VR headset at WWDC 2023, which kicks off on June 5, 2023. But even if that mixed-reality experience does arrive, alongside a new Apple xrOS platform, there’s likely to be a lot more news for Apple fans to get excited about.

It’s been two years since the launch of the Meta Quest 2 (formerly known as Oculus Quest 2). Since then, many new standalone VR headsets have emerged on the market. However, we have been using the headset for over a year, and it still holds up as the best VR standalone headset for its price range. During our Meta Quest 2 review, we found many features that were quite impressive, but some still needed a lot of work to function correctly.

Meta’s biggest competition currently is Bytedance’s Pico 4, arguably a better standalone VR headset in terms of specs and price. Then there’s also Valve Deckard (an upcoming standalone VR headset) and Apple’s mixed-reality headset. However, Valve and Apple headsets will likely target a higher price range, whereas Quest 2 and Pico 4 are focused on regular consumers.

Note: A standalone VR headset does not require a gaming PC to run VR games. It has an inbuilt chipset, RAM, and storage to run VR games on the headset itself. Check out our list of the best standalone VR headsets to buy.

Meta has also recently launched Quest Pro for pro-consumers willing to spend $1,000. However, Quest Pro was poorly received by critics due to its lack of improvements despite the price point. According to rumors, the company is also working on a Meta Quest 3 that will likely come out in 2023, somewhere around the $500 price point. So keep that in mind when deciding to buy the Meta Quest 2.

Meta Quest 2: Specs

Meta Quest 2: Price & Availability 

The 128GB version of the Meta Quest 2 goes for $399 / £399 / €449  in the UK. There’s also the 258GB version that costs $499 / £499 / €550. The Quest 2 was recently priced around $299 until Meta increased it by $100 across all storage variants. The only consolation is that the headset now comes with a free copy of Beat Saber (one of the best VR games on the platform).

This price range makes Quest 2 cheaper than the HP Reverb G2 ($599) and the Valve Index ($999). The recent price bump also makes it costlier than the Pico 4, which is priced at €429 (128GB) and €499 (256GB). Unfortunately, Pico 4 is only available in 13 European countries, Japan and Korea. However, Pico 4 is the only standalone VR headset at this price range that offers colored passthrough.

The Meta Quest 2 has a smooth plastic surface with a sleek white look. It has a minimalistic and clean design with a USB-C port and headphone jack on the left for charging and audio. The headset only features three buttons: one on the right for power and two on the bottom for volume control.

Meta also offers a glass spacer so that your glasses have enough space to fit between the headsets. However, the facial interface is not broad enough to fit bigger glasses seamlessly. Users would have to place their glasses into the headset first and then put it on.

The Meta Quest 2 also has a three-point elastic strap made of fabric. The strap isn’t exactly comfortable, but it makes the headset more portable as it takes less space. Users should look towards third-party Quest 2 accessories for a more comfortable fit.

Comfort (Pros and Cons)

The headset’s lens is surrounded by a black foam facial cover which can get uncomfortable due to sweat absorption. Luckily, the headset has a rubber cover that can be placed on top of the foam cover. However, the base facial interface does not have air vents that can help with issues like lens fogging and heat buildup.

The headset has a very simple design, but it is pretty bulky by today’s standards. Most new VR headsets use pancake lenses that are smaller in size. However, Quest 2 uses Fresnel lenses that make the front of the headset heavier.

Users can also adjust their IPDs by moving the lenses closer and farther based on their eye position. Overall the headset is quite comfortable but can cause slight discomfort if used for long periods of time. To resolve this issue, users can buy a third-party strap and facial interface to improve the experience.

Sophisticated Hardware

The Meta Quest 2 comes equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 chipset. This chipset makes it possible for many VR games to be played on the headset without being connected to a PC. However, the chipset is now over three years old, but rumors suggest that the Meta Quest 3 will come with the new XR2 Gen 2 chip.

Despite its age, the XR2 Gen 1 chipset can still run heavy standalone VR games like Bonelab directly on the headset. Equipped with 6GB DDR4 ram and a powerful XR2 Gen 1 chipset, the headset can run most games flawlessly. However, the performance of these games mostly comes down to the optimization on the developer side.

As for the display, the Meta Quest 2 uses a single-panel LCD screen with 1832 x 1920 per eye resolution. This resolution is more than enough in VR games but seems a bit lacking when watching videos on YouTube VR. However, the image quality is sharp enough to make out distant targets and land headshots in VR shooting games. Users can also check out the full hardware rundown of the device in our Meta Quest 2 buying guide.

The headset has four passthrough tracking cameras that can also show the outside world. However, the cameras are limited to black-and-white passthrough vision. Fortunately, they are handy as you can instantly switch them on by double tapping on the side of the headset.

The built-in audio speakers are also an excellent addition to the headset. However, the audio loses clarity and volume with the sound leaking throughout the room. Fortunately, users can connect alternative audio devices through the 3.5mm jack or Bluetooth.

Which Meta Quest 2 Version To Buy? [Storage]

In terms of storage, the 128GB version will be more than enough. Most standalone VR games and apps on the Meta Store don’t exceed 2-4GBs. However, a few games require 7 GB of storage space, like Bonelab, RE4, and The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners. Unfortunately, there’s no option for expandable storage, so choose your storage option carefully.

Great controllers

The Quest 2 touch controllers come with a tracking ring and are powered by AA batteries. Due to the AA batteries, the controllers have a long battery life making them really convenient to use. The two triggers are placed naturally in front of the index finger (to select things in VR) and the middle finger (to grab things in VR).

However, they can only be tracked when in front of the headset. Another downside is that the tracking ring can sometimes bump into the headset while aiming a gun in VR. Other than that, the controller also vibrates to simulate resistance or an action in a VR game. Overall the controllers feel comfortable to hold and easy to use.

Battery concerns

During our testing, we found that the Meta Quest 2 uses more battery life, depending on what you are doing. Playing standalone VR games drains the battery in 2 hours. However, watching videos or consuming media extends the battery life to 3 hours.

On the other hand, PC VR games consume even less power as the headset is constantly being powered through the USB-C cable. The headset comes with a 10W charger, but it takes one hour or more to recharge it from zero to 100 percent.

Over 1,900 VR Games and Apps

Meta’s vast library of VR games and apps is one of the biggest reasons the Meta Quest 2 is the most popular VR headset. According to VRDB, there are more than 430 games on the official Meta Quest store and over 1,530 games on the App Lab. When added up, that’s a total of 1,960 VR games and apps.

The app lab is an alternative method for Quest developers to distribute their games without going through Meta’s curation process. This process makes it easier for developers to get their games on Quest 2. There’s also sideloading that has now become a popular method to get free VR games on Meta Quest 2.

Sideloading = Free VR games

As the Meta Quest 2 runs on Android, it is also possible for the VR headset to sideload apps through APKs. Users just need a Quest developer account and a sideloading application like SideQuest. SideQuest has become the de facto alternative store for Quest 2. However, not many people know about it, even though it houses some of the best free VR games.

Standalone VR Games & Free trials

The Meta Quest 2 has several premium VR games like Beat Saber, Superhot VR, Resident Evil 4 VR, Bonelab, The Walking Dead: Saint & Sinners, and more. Some of these premium VR games are more or less exclusive to the standalone headset. Most of these games run flawlessly on Meta Quest 2, with Bonelab being the only exception.

One of the most recent additions to the Meta Quest store is the inclusion of free trails. Quest 2 owners can now try out several standalone VR games for free. The free demo will last 15, 30, or 60 minutes depending on the app/game. This feature is great for users prone to motion sickness, as they can test the VR app before buying it.

Meta Quest 2: PC VR Review

The Meta Quest 2 is a powerful piece of hardware, but it still can’t match the PC VR experience. Fortunately, the VR headset can connect to a PC using a USB-C cable or Air Link (WiFi) for a wireless experience. However, to play a PC VR game wirelessly, one would need a good 5G internet connection.

Many Quest 2 owners also prefer to use the Virtual Desktop app as it has a better UI and video quality when connected to a PC. However, it mainly comes down to personnel preference, as the official Oculus Link application is serviceable and free, while the app costs about $20.

Meta Quest 2 Software Review

Meta has done a great job providing constant software updates to the headset. The company has used these updates to implement many new experimental features. Additions like the 120Hz display, Air Link, fitness tracking, mixed reality casting, Bluetooth mouse, and keyboard support were all added through these experimental features.

The Quest 2 also allows users to cast what they see onto PCs, TVs, or smartphones. The company has also significantly improved hand tracking to make it less awkward to use. However, the most impressive tracking implementation has to be the guardian system.

With the guardian system, users can select their play area, mark walls, desks, and chairs. An additional feature even warns the users if a person has intruded the play area by showing them their silhouette. However, users can also use the Stationary mode if they don’t want to set up a room-scale environment and use the headset while sitting.

Meta Quest 2 Review: The Best Standalone VR Headset

The Meta Quest 2 is more than two years old, but it remains the best standalone VR headset. It is an all-in-one VR headset that can cater to most customers due to its simplicity and affordable price. The headset stands out from its competition due to its standalone functionality, a vast library of VR games, constant updates, and affordable price.

The Pico 4 gives the Quest 2 a run for its money in terms of design, display quality, and price. However, Quest 2 is still a good option for exclusive standalone VR games. Add in the fact that there are more than 1,500 VR games in their App Lab; no other headset can match the Quest 2. That’s why we consider the Meta Quest 2 the best VR headset we have reviewed, even three years after its launch.

The Last of Us Part 1 is finally available on PC after years of waiting. However, the PC port of the game is reportedly plagued with crashes, shader building, and performance issues. Fortunately, the issue can be solved by using a few fixes to improve the performance of The Last of Us Part 1 on PC.

The PC port of The Last of Us Part 1 remake is made by Iron Galaxy, the same studio behind the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection. It seems even the Uncharted port had a few performance issues at launch, some of which are still not fixed. The main issue with the Remake is that the game takes hours to compile its shaders and has horrendous loading times.

How To Fix ‘The Last Of Us Part 1’ Memory Leak Issues?

Fortunately, one Redditor has pointed to a possible fix that can fix the performance and shader issues of the game. According to them, the developers/porters used a bugged release of the Oodle decompression library (2.9.6) which has confirmed memory-leaking issues.

The bugged Oodle decompression file can be replaced in the root directory of the game. Users can copy the non-bugged version (2.9.5) of the file from other games, such as FIFA 23 or Warframe. We recommend using the Warframe version, as the game can be downloaded for free on Steam.

Location: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Warframe\Tools\Oodle\x64\oo2core_9_win64.dll

Players can also download the Oodle decompression file directly by searching for oo2core_9_win64.dll and clicking on the first link. The downloaded file will be the non-bugged version (2.9.5).

The Last of Us Part 1 System Requirements

Considering the PC port of the game suffers from such horrible performance, we recommend that you only buy the game if your PC meets the recommended specs.

Minimum System Requirements

• OS: Windows 10 (Version 1909 or Newer)
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or Intel Core i7-4770K
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 470 (4 GB), AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT (4 GB), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 (4 GB), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (4 GB)
• Storage: 100 GB available space (SSD Recommended)

Recommended System Requirements

• OS: Windows 10 (Version 1909 or Newer)
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X or Intel Core i7-8700
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT (8 GB), AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT (8 GB), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER (8 GB), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (8 GB)
• Storage: 100 GB available space (SSD Recommended)

Let us know your thoughts on the PC remake of The Last of Us Part I in the comment section below.

In the era of cord-cutting, we are all moving towards live TV services due to their incredible features and low prices. Moreover, many new platforms like Sling TV have risen to success in this trend. However, as the world moves online, we all face a significant threat of data breaches. Shocking! Right? Your data is not even safe while watching television.

The streaming service shares this information with other media conglomerates to enhance your streaming experience. Now, you might wonder how to prevent these data leaks and stop your streaming services from sharing your personal information. Luckily, Sling TV users have access to control the platform and protect their data. However, many users struggle to find it on the forum.

Today, we’ll discuss how to discontinue this practice on Sling TV and learn why the platform is doing so in the first place. Before getting started, let’s shed some light on Sling TV’s recording feature. With colossal storage, this feature is a blessing for sports fans and drama lovers. Moreover, users can also delete and protect the recordings on the platforms.

Keeping all that in mind, let’s shift our focus back to data privacy. Now without any further ado, let’s continue with our guide down below.

Why does Sling TV sell our data?

In modern times, customer data is worth billions, and streaming services are sitting on these goldmines, making tons of money. Sling TV sells your personal information to marketers so that they can direct relevant ads to your account. Also, this information includes your watch history, watchlist, and personal information saved on the platform, excluding your credit card details.

While many platforms hide this solid information behind hefty terms and conditions, Sling TV allows its users to opt out of this scheme. So let’s discuss the steps in the next section of this article.

Steps to restrict Sling TV from selling your data

You can opt out of this scheme and preserve your data by following four simple steps. So let’s have a look at them below:

1. Go to “Do Not Sell My Personal Information.”

2. Now, scroll down to navigate the two options.

3. Select the second option and fill out the form to restrict.

4. Finally, press “Confirm/Submit,” and you’re done.

(Note: The two options will protect your cookies and other information from being compromised.)

It is our responsibility to protect our data in this world. Moreover, this valuable information can protect your privacy and life from marketers and other organizations. Even the government is making strict laws for data sharing. So beware of your rights and think twice before sharing your data.

That’s all we have for this article. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.