Apple kicked off its 2018 iPhone launch event at its futuristic Apple Campus in California. The release date of the latest iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR was 12^th September 2018. With rumors galore about the event, we had countless speculations about the smartphone launch, newly added custom features, and prices. Finally, we have the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR making a significant mark on the smartphone industry. The iPhone XS is the first new phone to launch. Being the sequel to the 2017's iPhone X, the iPhone XS is also designed with a bezel-less screen, offering maximum screen canvas for you. Apple iPhone XS 64GB Here is an insight into the Apple iPhone XS 64GB. Display The iPhone XS 64GB features the Super Retina, Custom OLED display that measures 5.8 inches, offers 2436x1125 resolution, and 458 pixels per inch density. With the Super Retina boasting a bigger all-screen design, one can enjoy a larger screen experience. The custom-built OLED in the iPhone XS extends an HDR display with the best-in-the-industry color accuracy, true blacks, noteworthy brightness, and contrast. Chip With the ultra-powerful, custom-designed A12 Bionic chip and next-gen Neural Engine, the iPhone XS 64GB becomes an incredibly capable smartphone delivering astounding performance with top-notch efficiency. The two performance cores competently tackle heavy and multi computational tasks and the four efficiency cores manage everyday tasks, making the phone up to 15% faster and 40% more power-efficient than the A11 Bionic. The real-time, advanced machine learning takes augmented reality to an all-new level the pattern recognition, incredibly fast performance, and immersive user experience, make it one of the best phones in the market. With the highly advanced Neural Engine, the phone performs five trillion operations per second, making every task extremely swift and smooth. Face ID Apple iPhone XS 64GB delves deeper into making security simpler. The Face ID has reinvented the entire unlocking, logging in, and paying features. With the most intelligent and custom-advanced technologies of the Neural Engine, the TrueDepth camera system and the Secure Enclave, the iPhone XS boasts a secure, fast, and easy facial authentication. Camera With the breakthrough dual-camera system, Apple's popular phone camera is set to redefine the reign of powerful phone photography. Herein, an innovative sensor with Neural Engine and ISP helps you create photos and videos like never before. The iPhone XS 64GB comes with a dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto cameras with aperture f/1.8 and f/2.4 respectively. Be assured of less-blurry pictures and smoother 4K videos with the Dual OIS (optical image stabilization). Battery The battery of the phone has improved as compared to its predecessor, the iPhone X. With iPhone XS, you'll get 30 minutes more time than iPhone X. Although Apple has spoken about its wireless charging, the company hasn't gone into the detail or disclosed the battery capacity. Color, capacity, and price The Apple iPhone XS comes in three finish variants Gold, Space Gray, and Silver. Choose from three capacity variants the iPhone XS 64GB, iPhone XS 256GB, and iPhone XS 512GB. The iPhone XS 64GB is priced at $999, the iPhone XS 256GB comes at $1,149, whereas the iPhone XS 512GB is priced at $1,349.

While plastic lighters are commonly found in most stores and used generally by people, the effects it has on our planet has become prominent in the past decade. To combat such issues while also fulfilling the need for a tool to light fire, reusable match lighters were introduced. Let us see why opting for a reusable lighter is better. Effects of plastic gas lighters The disposable plastic lighters can only be used until the fuel in them lasts after, which they are thrown away. The wastage created can last in the ecosystem for decades. You will usually find these disposable lighters thrown away on the streets, the ocean, or in some garbage landfill. The ones that end up in the ocean get accidentally eaten by seabirds, as the birds mistake the plastic for food. Since birds cannot digest this plastic, it stays in their stomach and prevents them from eating, leading to death from starvation. The pieces can also cause internal bleeding, damaging the bird’s internal organs. Almost 90% of seabirds have consumed plastic. Effects of disposable wooden matches Wooden matches are the traditional form of match lighters that have been used for a long time. These are biodegradable and do not generate any more waste once used. However, producing these wooden matches causes other environmental problems. The Aspen tree is one of the most common trees used to produce matches. Around a million matches can be made by cutting down a single aspen tree. Although this number sounds high, it is less compared to the average number of matches used. In the country, approximately 500 billion matches are lighted every year. This means around 500,000 aspen trees get cut every year to make matches. Naturally, the number of trees cut down is going to be much higher if we consider matches used in the entire world. Significance of reusable match lighters Reusable match lighters feature a rechargeable battery, so they just need electricity to work. Due to this design, these lighters can be used 200-300 times before needing to be recharged. You just need a USB cable to recharge a reusable match lighter. Hence, they are much more beneficial and long-lasting compared to wooden or plastic lighters. You can also opt for refillable gas lighters, as they can be durable and not cause much harm to the environment. Refillable lighters are usually made of brass. Thus, they can last for decades.

Hard water is a common problem all around the country. It can cause skin dryness and damage appliances that use water, but you can use water softeners to overcome this problem. If you’re heading out to buy one, here are some handy tips to help you pick the right water softener in 2021. Check the hardness levels It’s important to check the water hardness levels before deciding whether you want a water softener. There are several ways to check the water hardness levels:

• Check the USGS hardness map of the country and identify your area’s water hardness levels
• Buy a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) testing kit and check the water hardness levels yourself
• Get in touch with a professional who provides a lab report of water hardness levels

Once you test the levels, you can know how efficient and powerful your water softener must be. Consider your daily water usage A softener’s grain capacity tells you how much water it can handle. The relationship between softener size and water requirement is simple. A softener with a grain capacity of 20,000+ will work if you have a small family and two bathrooms, while a softener with a grain capacity of 30,000+ is ideal for larger families. Consider this factor before you pick one of the top water softeners of 2021. Decide whether you want a filtration system Some may not be happy with just a water softener, especially if the water is used for cooking or drinking. In such cases, you can pick water softeners with a filtration system added. Decide on your budget The higher the grain capacity, the more expensive your water softener will be. Water softeners are a one-time investment, so experts suggest that you spend a little more money, if needed, and pick a high-capacity model. The cost of water softeners and installation comes up to an average of $1,500. Take into account maintenance costs and efforts You must care for your water softener for it to last long. You have to maintain the salt levels as they get used up and also clean the resin bed once or twice a year. You can hire a professional if you’re unsure of how to do it, but it will add to your expenses. Remember these simple tips to help you pick the right water softener in 2021.

Potassium plays a huge role in the health of our heart muscles and nerve cells. And high levels of this element in the blood cause hyperkalemia. If you consume meals high in potassium, your doctor may advise you to decrease portion sizes and concentrate on fruits and vegetables with a lower potassium content. Here is a list of foods rich in potassium that must be avoided if you have hyperkalemia. Yogurt and dairy products A serving of nonfat yogurt weighing eight ounces has roughly 625 mg of potassium, making it one of the dairy aisle's highest sources of potassium. Even reduced fat milk contains 366 mg of potassium in a glass of cow's whole milk. Ricotta and cottage cheese are also high in potassium. Goat cheese is a low potassium food, proving that not all cheeses are made equal. Likewise, About 131 milligrams of potassium may be found in a half cup of vanilla ice cream. Bananas When people consider foods high in potassium, bananas frequently come to mind. A banana normally contains 422 mg of potassium. Among all the fruit, bananas are athletes' favorite as they provide energy. However, it could be highly dangerous for someone suffering from hyperkalemia. Consult your doctor if you have hyperkalemia and stick to fruits such as apples and berries. Leafy vegetables About 420 milligrams of potassium can be found in only a half cup of cooked spinach. Raw spinach, young or mature, has roughly 167 mg per cup. Fennel, bok choy, beet greens, and Swiss chard are also high in potassium. You can opt for kale instead. Kale has more nutrients than these other dark leafy greens, but it has less potassium. 73 mg is present in one cup of raw kale. Fish Clams, which provide 534 mg of potassium in just 3 ounces, are the finest source of protein from seafood. Around three ounces of skipjack tuna offers 444 mg, another major source of potassium. One of the most popular fish, salmon, frequently has a lower potassium content. Keeping a check on what type of fish you are eating if you have hyperkalemia is a must. Kidney beans Beans are a balanced addition to any meal plan as they're rich sources of protein and fiber. However, according to data from the USDA, one cup of the kidney-shaped type has 713 mg of potassium. A half-cup of black beans has 489 mg of potassium. Avocado This creamy, green-fleshed fruit is packed with 690 mg of potassium and is high in fiber and heart-healthy lipids. Although it might seem good for your heart, you should avoid it if you have hyperkalemia. Potatoes Potassium is heavily concentrated in potatoes; 925 milligrams of potassium may be found in a baked potato. A three-ounce portion of french-fried potatoes has 470 mg of potassium and a lot of fat and calories. The potassium content in an ounce of potato chips is 465 mg. Indulging in fast foods like fries is adverse for those with hyperkalemia. Oranges A single orange has 240 mg of potassium, making it a food with a high potassium content. With 450 mg per 8 oz glass, orange juice is a more potent source of potassium. Fruits vary in their potassium content. Berries are a poor source of potassium and can be a decent substitute for oranges and orange juice. Another good option is apples. Dried fruits The nutrients in fruit, including potassium, that have been dried are concentrated. You get roughly 750 milligrams from half a cup of dried apricots. Also, even though raisins and dried plums make a fantastic snack, they should be avoided by someone with hyperkalemia. Legumes and beans Legumes are a significant source of potassium as well. White beans have the most, with 600 mg of potassium in a half cup. In half a cup serving, other legumes such as lima beans and pinto beans have between 300 and 350 mg.

Microsoft has been rolling out some latest Windows phones to defy the common notion among customers relating to its failed comeback. These latest Windows phones are great if not the best due to constant efforts of the Microsoft team in developing features that the customers want. While buyers have already listed numerous reasons to dislike this operating system and eventually the phones that accommodate it, there are some good reasons that restore your faith in the latest Windows phones.

• Presence of the Windows supporting phones: Most customers have out rightly accepted the extinction of the phones that support Windows, but that is definitely not the case. There are many latest Windows phones from Microsoft and other brands it has collaborated with such as the Microsoft Lumia 950 that has managed to sneak into the list of some of the best smart phones. Those who use the older phones are well aware of the fact that the software is upgradable to the latest Windows 10, at least in some handsets.
• Shifting to smart phones: Tech enthusiasts have predicted that the need for laptops will slowly fade away and all important tasks will be performed on the smart phone. In that case, nothing can be better than getting the ease of working on the same operating system present in computers and laptops. Therefore, demand for the latest Windows phones such as the Elite X3 will definitely magnify especially among corporate.
• User interface: Many buyers actually enjoy the slightly complicated interface of the latest Windows phones since there are enhanced opportunities for easy customization and modification as opposed to Android which requires too much of an effort to make changes. Similarly, iOS is way too plain and simple for tech savvy individuals who find it a bit old fashioned.
• Exclusive attributes: Microsoft is working hard towards the establishment of the Universal Windows Platform tool kit which, once full developed will increase connectivity between all devices using the Windows 10 software.

The top 10 Windows phones include the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL, Alcatel Idol 4S, Microsoft Lumia 630, Microsoft Lumia 550, Acer Liquid Jade Promo, Lumia 650, Lumia 930, HP Elite X3, Microsoft Lumia 435 and Lumia 1020. These top 10 Windows phones do have their own drawbacks, but the price at which they come, will leave you satisfied. Some of the top 10 Windows phones offer exciting specifications but at a high cost while others cut down on the features so as to fit in every budget. The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL boasts of some of the best offerings from the brand such as a great camera, efficient personal assistant, massive display screen, etc. However, there is a dearth of apps in the play store and a few of the features are direct copy paste from Android based smart phones.

Battery backup systems are devices set up where the primary power source becomes unavailable. This can happen due to a power cut, a circuit failure, or any other related reason. The solution is available in various forms, from single-cell backup batteries used in computers to more advanced versions installed in large facilities with separate battery rooms, generally provided for data centers. The UPS (uninterrupted power supply/source) is an alternative to the usual battery backups. Uninterrupted power supply/source - What it means The UPS system activates automatically when the main power source becomes defunct. This source is distinguished from the other backup systems in that it provides almost instant protection from any interruptions due to power failure. This is made possible with the help of the pre-stored power in its battery packs.
Apart from this convenience, UPSs also help shield appliances from any spikes of voltage that might occur. Usually employed to protect electrical and telecom equipment, these devices come in various sizes. Allowing electronic gadgets to function smoothly without any work loss, UPSs recover their energy stock as long as the utility power is functional. This helps maintain its energy stores, providing optimal support for a long time. Its main role The UPS has the main role of bridging the power gap between the failure and the backup. This warrants that the system be extra sensitive to any power variation, be it voltage fluctuations or full-out power cuts. This especially makes UPSs instrumental in areas with rampant power cuts or a generally unstable power supply.

This is why these devices are installed between the main power source and the appliances and equipment. This presence would make it the first point of contact when the electricity goes out and would also enable it to restore the power backup while the main line is on. Where are UPSs used?

Now that you know what UPSs are, it will be helpful to know the areas where they are most commonly used. These include hospitals, burglar alarms, and power stations.

• Hospitals: While normally a power cut is nothing to worry about, in places like hospitals and intensive care units, the time it takes for a device to reboot following even a slight current fluctuation can become a matter of life and death.
• Burglar alarms: In areas where the UPSs are powering surveillance systems, including cameras, microphones, etc., the event of a power failure can be better dealt with. Even if the electricity is cut deliberately, these devices will keep the alarms active, thereby maintaining the safety walls.
• Power stations: Power failure in power stations would cause a general blackout and lead to significant and, at times, irreversible damage to the generators.

Top UPS choice for 2023 In 2023, there are mainly two brands ruling the UPS market. Some of their best-selling models are discussed here:

• APC: With models like the APC BGM1500 Gaming UPS, the APC UPS, the 1500 VA Sine Wave UPS, and the APC 2200 VA Smart-UPS with SmartConnect, UPSs from this brand will meet any criteria for powering your home safely through their holistic bundles. They also accommodate what you spend most of your time on, including gaming and other long-term activities on electronics.
• APC BGM1500 Gaming UPS: With a loading time of 4 minutes and 7 seconds for 900 watts, the main input voltage utilized by this UPS is 120 volts with the same output. The device uses six NEMA 5-15R and four NEMA 5-15R surge connection types.
• APC UPS, 1500VA Sine Wave UPS: Providing ultimate battery backup and shielding against power surges, this sine wave UPS is suited for small office devices, home appliances, and equipment used for networking and gaming. The added advantages of this model are the USB power slots, heightened runtime, and sinewave outputs for essential electronics.
• APC UPS 2200VA smart-UPS with SmartConnect: As the name suggests, the SmartConnect feature of this UPS provides innovation through monitored functioning with auto notifications, advanced support services, and firmware updates. This model comes with a three-year warranty for repairs and replacements for the body and two years for the battery alone. Also, this UPS device complies with the Energy Star Program requirements.
• CYBERPOWER: CyberPower provides a smart and safe solution to all your power needs through its intelligent UPS models that take special care to protect your home from the adverse effects of power fluctuations. Top choices among the CyberPower models include the CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD PFC Sinewave UPS and the CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD Intelligent LCD UPS System.
• CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD PFC Sinewave UPS: This Sinewave UPS comes with a total capacity of 1000 W or 1500 VA. Working through a Line Interactive Sine Wave, the device produces an output of 120 Vac  5% through a NEMA 5-15P, five-foot cord. This UPS uses SNMP, USB, and relay modes to communicate with connected devices. This device is ENERGY STAR certified and comes with a 3-year warranty.
• CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD Intelligent LCD UPS System: This model provides coaxial and Ethernet data line protection and a 3-year warranty. This intelligent LCD UPS system has a capacity of 1500 VA or 900 W through simulated sine waves. This mini-tower device protects computers, networking devices, home entertainment systems, and workstations against power surges. This is further complemented by the battery backup, which becomes significant, especially in areas with frequent power fluctuations.