Category Archives: Blog

Smart homes are taking over, and it seems like smart light bulbs are the gateway drug to all the things we used to call the Internet of Things. As with any new fangled device, the smart light bulb market grows every day — and is possibly the most saturated smart device market out there.

If you thought there were a lot of smart speakers to choose from, the smart light market is that times a bazillion.

It’s totally normal if you have a lot of questions. You might be asking which smart bulbs require extra equipment, or which ones are easy to set up, or which ones change color? There are a lot of details that we need to know before making a purchase, and it can be pretty stressful to feel so clueless.

There is no need to panic because everything is totally fine. No, seriously — we probed Amazon and its massive selection of smart light bulbs to find ones with the highest ratings, best customer reviews, and best prices. So you can stop asking so many questions, and relax. We’ll guide you through everything you need to know along with some insight on what to look for. It might be a good idea to consider investing in the smart plugs too while you’re at it, and if you’re keen to use Alexa support, learn all about the differences between the Echo and Echo Dot.

Whatever your intentions, we’ll help you figure out the best smart home light bulbs in 2021.

What is a smart bulb?

A smart bulb is a clever light bulb, basically. Rather than just being something you plug into a light socket and turn on via a regular light switch, you can set up a smart lighting system allowing you to control your lighting via your voice or an app. With voice commands and voice control systems, you can do things like dim the lighting, set schedules, or even have your lighting system start at the same time as other smart gadgets in your home. In conjunction with a smart plug, smart lock, or smart light switch, you’ll be impressed by what can be accomplished here.

Why do I want smart bulbs?

Convenience is the main reason why a lighting system like this is so useful. Whether your home already has Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit as part of its arrangement, you can easily use smart bulbs to make your home more automated. Add on a light strip or motion sensor, and you can get a ton more functionality but simply with a basic smart bulb or Bluetooth bulb, you can still reap the benefits of bright white lights, setting mood lighting with your voice, or ensuring your lights switch on even when you’re not home. Being able to set color temperature for different times of day is a particular joy as you can get your aesthetic just right for when you’re working or relaxing.

Do I need a hub for smart lighting?

Not always. Many smart light bulbs simply require you to connect it to your home network although this can involve some limitations such as network compatibility issues (like needing a 2.4Ghz wireless network) or restrict what you can do with them. Ultimately though, there’s a fair amount of flexibility here. While a smart hub can be useful, it introduces more bulk to your home and often, something like the Google Home app or your smart speakers can pick up the slack instead. We’ll highlight which smart light bulbs require hubs.

Are smart bulbs easy to set up and install?

For the most part, yes. Set up is usually via an app so it doesn’t take long to set up your smart bulbs. Where things get a little trickier is arranging schedules and automation features, but that still only takes about 30 minutes at the most. Actually pairing a light bulb with your home network often only takes seconds, with the vast majority of smart light bulbs being intuitive to use. Adding on features such as a smart switch can take a little longer, but it’s worth getting things set up just how you want them to reap the full benefits.

When it comes to replacing the beef patty in your bun with a more sustainable alternative, there’s nothing as freakishly meat-like as the burger made by Impossible Foods (as I confirmed in an epic, months-long taste test). Now the Silicon Valley food science company is taking aim at another American staple: the chicken nugget. You’ll be able to order Impossible nuggets at a small number of restaurants and buy them at major supermarkets later this month. Can fake fast-food lightning strike twice?

We have good reasons to hope so. Chicken farming isn’t nearly as bad for the environment as rearing cattle, but it isn’t great. Impossible says its nuggs use 49 percent less land, 44 percent less water and generate 36 percent fewer greenhouse gases than the bird-based version. They’re also healthier from a nutritional perspective, with 40 percent less saturated fat (the main caloric component of regular nuggets) and 25 percent less sodium. Switching nuggs could save the planet, and quite possibly your life.

Trouble is, the company is running straight into the most heated debate in fast food: What is a chicken nugget, anyway? There is no nugg council to enforce standards. Traditionalists point to the classic McDonald’s Chicken McNugget, or the Wendy’s nuggs that were the subject of the most-retweeted tweet in English ever. These consist of forcemeat (ground-up chicken paste, basically), breaded and fried. Recently, however, restaurants like Popeyes and Chick-fil-A started selling nuggets with regular chicken meat and a crunchier coating — category confusion that led one traditionalist LA Times food critic to insist that they were tenders, not nuggs.

Having devoured a couple of orders of the Impossible nuggets ahead of its official launch Tuesday, I can confirm that the company is taking aim at the traditional version. That’s probably for the best, even though I’m personally more of a Popeyes nugget fan. Chicken has a very specific texture that is hard to replicate; Impossible rival Beyond Meat quietly discontinued its disappointing chicken strips in 2019 (and is also rolling out nuggets this fall, though they’re currently only available in Canada).

The fake forcemeat in Impossible nuggets does a pretty good job of replicating the, uh, “real” thing. I did find it a little softer than regular nugg paste, but I can also see why Impossible’s blind taste test ended with 140 out of 200 testers preferring its product to what the company only describes as “the leading animal-based alternatives.” There’s a mild umami aftertaste that reminded me of the Impossible burger, but you’d certainly never guess that you were actually consuming sunflower oil, soybean oil, wheat flour and texturized soy. (That’s right, they’re vegan friendly but not gluten free.)

Vital statistics: Impossible’s chicken nugget packaging.
Credit: impossible foods

The problem with Impossible nuggets lies not in the fake meat, ironically, but the batter. Though it certainly looks the part, flecked with crystals of salt, the Impossible nugg coating has a relatively flat and uninspired texture. The day after testing, I did something I hadn’t done in years — went to a McDonalds just to see what was different about the classic McNugget, one of the fast food giant’s most popular items ever since it was introduced in 1981. It was clearly crunchier, and probably fried in more oil, than the Impossible version. Something about the air gap between its forcemeat and its batter made each McNugget a more satisfying experience.

But Impossible is nothing if not iterative. The company upgraded its flagship burger with all new ingredients in 2019, and CEO Pat Brown vowed to keep upgrading every year until we all quit beef. To my mind, he’s got a small but not insurmountable way to go before Impossible nuggets beat the traditionalist alternative; I fully expect that they will very soon.

In the meantime, you can try Impossible chicken nuggets at a variety of boutique restaurants offering it alongside their own dipping sauces; the best-known of the chains is probably Fatburger. But you’re more likely to run into these nuggs in the frozen sections of Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, ShopRite, Giant Stores, and Gelsons.

The company expects Impossible nuggs to be available in a total of 10,000 stores by the end of the year, at the appealing price of $7.99 for a pack of 20. If you’ve gotta have your planet-saving nuggs, you could do a lot worse than to try these bad boys out.

SAVE UP TO $70: As of Sept. 7, select colors of the Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm, GPS) are on sale at Amazon and Walmart for $329 and $349, respectively (normally $399), with fastest delivery from the latter.

The all-new Apple Watch Series 7 is slated to arrive next week (alongside the iPhone 13), except there’s one tiny problem: It’ll probably be really difficult to find at launch. A new report says Apple’s hit a snag in the production process because of the wearable’s complex new design, which features a bigger, flatter display, so odds are it’s not going to be available in large quantities right away. (Some styles may also ship later than others, per Mashable tech reporter Stan Schroeder.)

With that in mind, anyone who wants to play less of a waiting game should heavily consider Apple’s current latest and greatest — i.e., the Apple Watch Series 6, a premium smartwatch from fall 2020 that features a whole day’s worth of battery life, an always-on altimeter, sleep tracking, and an SpO2 sensor for blood oxygen level readings. (Click here to read our in-depth review.) The last time we checked, Amazon and Walmart both had the 40mm model with GPS on sale for far less than its retail price of $399.

How fast you want your Series 6 and which color you like best will largely determine where you order it from. Walmart is promising free NextDay delivery on all five styles, which are listed at $349 apiece there — that’s a $50 savings. Your options include a space gray aluminum case with a black sport band, a blue aluminum case with a deep navy sport band, a gold aluminum case with a pink sport band, a (PRODUCT)RED aluminum case with a (PRODUCT)RED sport band, or a silver aluminum case with a white sport band.

Meanwhile, Amazon only has the blue and gold variants up for grabs right now — the rest are sold out — but they’re listed at $329 each (or $70 off) with estimated shipping dates in late September. Basically, you’ll save $20 if you’re willing to wait just a few weeks.

The choice is yours. Either way, hit one of the links below to grab a Series 6 on sale while you still can.

Explore related content:

• 5 best Apple Watch apps to download now

• How to pick the right wearable for running

• If your kid isn’t ready for a phone, a smartwatch might be a better fit

Autonomous Vehicles Colorado (AvCo) launched the country’s largest fleet of autonomous EVs in cities across Colorado.

Michael K. Williams, best known for his Emmy-nominated performance on The Wire, has died, according to reports from multiple outlets. He was 54.

“It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Emmy nominated actor Michael Kenneth Williams,” Williams’ publicist Marianna Shafran said in a statement, via The Hollywood Reporter. “They ask for your privacy while grieving this unsurmountable loss.”

Williams was found in dead in his Brooklyn residence at 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon, according to the New York City Police Department. His acting credits include series such as The Wire, Boardwalk Empire, The Night Of, and When They See Us; as well as films Inherent Vice, 12 Years A Slave, Gone Baby Gone, and The Road. He is currently in Emmy consideration for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Lovecraft Country.

“The depth of my love for this brother, can only be matched by the depth of my pain learning of his loss,” said Williams The Wire co-star Wendell Pierce in a tweet. “A immensely talented man with the ability to give voice to the human condition portraying the lives of those whose humanity is seldom elevated until he sings their truth.”

Tweet may have been deleted

Once upon a time in a faraway land, there was a special fairytale we just couldn’t stop telling.

In 2021, the story of Cinderella — a kind maiden whisked away by her fairy godmother from a terrible life with an evil step-family to a picture-perfect romance with a charming prince — has been told more times than you can count. From Broadway to TV and film, good ol’ Cinderelly has been played by icons of all ilks, including pop star Camila Cabello in Amazon’s latest adaptation.

But which of these tellings is the most magical of them all? We’ve scoured the many, many options available across streaming platforms and picked the 12 (yes, just like the strokes of midnight!) best for you to consider cuing up next time you need a little magic. Enjoy!

Note: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1957), featuring living legend Julie Andrews, is not available to stream. But if it was, you can bet it would be very high up on this list.

12. Cinderella (2021)

Naturally, Billie Porter crushes it as Ella’s fairy godperson.
Credit: amazon studios

Who plays Cinderella: Camila Cabello

What this adaptation does best: Writer-director Kay Cannon, perhaps best known for her work on New Girl and the Pitch Perfect trilogy, delivers high production value and some solid comedy with Amazon’s 2021 adaptation, featuring Billie Porter, Nicholas Galitzine, Idina Menzel, Pierce Brosnan, Minnie Driver, and more. You’ll find Cannon’s reimagining lacks the heart or elegance of titles higher up on this list, but it does have some great covers of contemporary songs and an ear-worm of a title track in Cabello’s pop ballad “Million to One.”

How to watch: Cinderella (2021) is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

11. Another Cinderella Story (2008)

Who plays Cinderella: Selena Gomez

What this adaptation does best: In the first of three sequels to A Cinderella Story (2004), Selena Gomez stars as an aspiring dancer plagued by a terrible home life and an equally bleak existence at school. But when fate lands her slick moves in front of a hunky pop star, played by Drew Seeley, a modern miracle begins to unfold. It’s a fun blend of DCOM vibes (though the movie was release by Warner Bros., Gomez is at peak Wizards of Waverly Place fame) and aughts dance films like Step Up that makes for a descent, if not particularly substantive throwback.

How to watch: Another Cinderella Story is available for rent/purchase through Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube, and the Microsoft Store.

10. Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Season 1, episode 10 (1995)

Who plays Cinderella: Voiced by Daphne Zuniga

What this adaptation does best: Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child is a multicultural anthology series reimagining classic stories for children of all backgrounds. Its take on Cinderella, released as part of Season 1 in 1995, offers vital onscreen Mexican representation for the genre as well as adorable illustrations you’ll enjoy at any age.

How to watch: Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child is streaming on HBO Max.

9. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1965)

Who plays Cinderella: Lesley Ann Warren

What this adaptation does best: If you were a child of the ‘80s or ‘90s, then chances are you crossed paths with a VHS copy of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella circa 1965. While the movie hasn’t aged in all the ways one might like (the spotty camerawork and video quality make it feel a bit like community theater), the breakout performance of Lesley Ann Warren as Cinderella stands the test of time. Not only does the actress deliver melodious vocals, her girl-next-door-charm makes this fairly straight-forward retelling feel special. Plus, she’s wearing that iconic fur-trimmed gown. You know the one.

How to watch: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1965) is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

8. Cinderfella (1960)

Jerry Lewis delivers a charming 1960s romp with amazing dancing.
Credit: FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images

Who plays Cinderella: Jerry Lewis

What this adaptation does best: Comedy legend Jerry Lewis leads as the titular Cinderfella in this 1960 gender-swapped telling, featuring Anna Maria Alberghetti as Princess Charming and jazz icon Count Basie as The Bandleader. With fantastic music and some seriously skillful dancing, this telling is very much of its time. It won’t be for all audiences but if “Fred Astaire-meets-fairytale” intrigues you at all, cue it up.

How to watch: Cinderfella is available for rent/purchase through Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube, and the Microsoft Store.

7. Sesame Street: CinderElmo (1999)

Who plays Cinderella: Voiced by Kevin Clash

What this adaptation does best: Yes, CinderElmo is as adorable as you’re imagining, but there’s even more to be excited about with this magical children’s special. Come for the promise of seeing the Muppets take on this classic fairytale with all their zany Muppet-ness. Stay because Keri Russell is Princess Charming, Oliver Platt is the Fairy Godperson, and Kathy Najimy is the Evil Stepmother. It’s a stacked and stuffed cast that will sell you on every second of this 65-minute delight.

How to watch: Sesame Street: CinderElmo is available for rent/purchase through Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, and the Microsoft Store.

6. A Cinderella Story (2004)

Who plays Cinderella: Hilary Duff

What this adaptation does best: We have so much to thank A Cinderella Story for that it’s hard to even know where to begin. Is it the rain-soaked kiss between Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray? Is it Regina King’s speech about never letting the fear of striking out keep you from the game? Is it Jennifer Coolidge holding a cookie and saying, “so moist”? Regardless, this is an aughts film for the ages — one that takes the classic Cinderella story and adds so many great scenes you almost forget it’s based on anything.

How to watch: A Cinderella Story is streaming on Netflix.

5. Disney’s Cinderella (2015)

Who plays Cinderella: Lily James

What this adaptation does best: It’s the #1 title on our ranking of Disney live-action remakes: Cinderella (2015). Directed by Kenneth Branagh, this film has the shot-by-shot visual loyalty of The Lion King (2019) but the updated narrative smarts of Mulan (2021) — a winning combo that helps its star-studded cast shine. Lily James is a magnificent Cinderella, opposite an especially dashing Prince Charming from Richard Madden. But it’s Cate Blanchett who steals the show as one truly wicked Stepmother. Going forward, hers will be the performance to beat.

How to watch: Cinderella (2015) is streaming on STARZ.

4. Ella Enchanted (2004)

‘Ella Enchanted’ is an all-time great fairytale with or without its Cinderella similarities.
Credit: miramax films

Who plays Cinderella: Anne Hathaway

What this adaptation does best: Based on Gail Carson Levine’s YA novel of the same name, Ella Enchanted expands on the original Cinderella story in myriad ways. There’s a curse akin to Sleeping Beauty but with obedience instead of narcolepsy; a band of mythical creatures who come together to rebel against the king; and even a jazzy cover of “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” complete with show-stopping choreography. Anne Hathaway stars in one of her first and most iconic roles.

How to watch: Ella Enchanted is streaming on HBO Max.

3. Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

Who plays Cinderella: Drew Barrymore

What this adaptation does best: Ever After is a ‘90s title so beloved and so particular to its time that it can be hard to remember it has anything to do with Cinderella — but it most certainly does. Directed by Andy Tennant, this historical romance stars Drew Barrymore as Danielle de Barbarac, an orphaned maiden of Renaissance-era France. Living with her cruel stepmother, the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent played by the incomparable Anjelica Huston, Danielle faces an uncertain future until the promise of art and love sets her free. This telling may be a bit dark for children, though adults will appreciate its melancholy, yet hopeful tone and complex themes.

How to watch: Ever After: A Cinderella Story is streaming on Disney+.

2. Disney’s Cinderella (1950)

Who plays Cinderella: Voiced by Ilene Woods

What this adaptation does best: Only the eleventh movie made by Disney, Cinderella (1950) is without question the most universally recognized film adaptation of this fairytale — and with good reason. Beautiful songs, characteristic of Disney’s unique approach to musicals at the time, and artful animation make it stand out as a particularly exquisite approach to the story. From Ilene Woods’ enchanting vocals on “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” to that unforgettable fairy godmother transformation scene, it’s a fairytale, plain and simple.

How to watch: Disney’s Cinderella (1950) is streaming on Disney+.

1. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997)

Of course, Brandy reigns supreme as the best Cinderella ever.
Credit: disney+

Who plays Cinderella: Brandy

What this adaptation does best: Although it was divisive among critics at the time of its release, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997) reigns supreme as the best Cinderella story available in 2021. Spectacular performances from music icons Brandy and Whitney Houston as Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother are an obvious sell. More important, however, is the diverse representation director Robert L. Freedman’s musical film provides with a cast that also includes Paolo Montalbán, Victor Garber, Whoopie Goldberg, Bernadette Peters, Jason Alexander, and more.

How to watch: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997) is streaming on Disney+.

This Labor Day, put down your burger and White Claw, and spend some time thinking about the American worker.

Sure, it can be easy to take a cynical view of the holiday, signed into law by President Grover Cleveland in 1894 after he sent thousands of U.S. troops to break a railroad strike in 27 states, leading to more than 50 deaths.

While workers got a day off, the holiday didn’t do much to materially improve their lives. It wasn’t until 1938, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Fair Labor Standards Act, that workers got a minimum wage and 44-hour work week. (It was lowered to 40 hours two years later.)

In 2021, there is still a lot of work to do. The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 per hour since 2009. Homelessness has risen for a fourth straight year. All while CEO pay continues to skyrocket.

Here is a look at workers fighting for higher wages and better working conditions throughout U.S. history.

Striking miners in Ward, West Virginia, in 1931. 600 miners and their families faced eviction from their company-owned homes.
Credit: Bettmann Archive

A retail strike against Sears by clerks in Chicago, Illinois, in 1946.
Credit: Kirn Vintage Stock / Corbis via Getty Images

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. leads the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” in 1963.
Credit: Arnie Sachs/Mediapunch/Shutterstock

Cesar Chavez (third from right) and Coretta Scott King (fourth from right) lead a lettuce boycott march down a street in New York City circa 1973.
Credit: Bob Parent/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Occupy Wall Street activists protest in New York City.
Credit: Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

Marjory Sidman, Dorothy Allen, Mary Carter, Eleanor Lloyd, and Nila Mack picket in front of the  Actors’ Equity Association headquarters in New York City in 1919.
Credit: Bettmann Archive

Girls protest child labor in 1909 in New York City.
Credit: Buyenlarge/Getty Images

Protesters return to the Capitol Building rotunda in Madison, Wisconsin, after Gov. Scott Walker gives a speech in 2011.
Credit: Allen Fredrickson/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

A demonstrator wears a “Power to the Workers” mask during a United Mine Workers of America rally in Brookwood, Alabama on Aug. 3, 2021.
Credit: Elijah Nouvelage / Bloomberg via Getty Images

The reality of life postpartum and the images we see of it could not be further apart.

But a new photo campaign by Australian leakproof apparel brand Modibodi and Getty Images hopes to bridge that gulf by showing what life in the 12-month post-birth period is really like.

Getty photographers from around the world took portraits of mothers in the first year after giving birth to create the ‘Embodied: Postpartum Unfiltered’ gallery.

Credit: MODIBODI / GETTY IMAGES

Credit: MODIBODI / GETTY IMAGES

The campaign aims to redefine portrayals of postpartum life beyond the ‘baby bliss’ or ‘baby blues’ stereotypes. Instead, the photos show new mums and their babies amid the emotional and physical reality of this period of time.

Modibodi founder and CEO Kristy Chong says that the brand found the range of available images limited when launching a new range of postpartum range of leak-proof bras, camisoles, and briefs, and reusable nappies.

“Most postpartum images were disheartening photos of mums scared or frustrated. At the other end of the spectrum were glossy celeb mum and bub snaps,” she says. “We knew this had to change.”

Credit: MODIBODI / GETTY IMAGES

Credit: MODIBODI / GETTY IMAGES

The image gallery contains more than 1,500 photos taken by 27 photographers from around the world. Svetlana Zhukova, director of custom solutions at Getty Images, says the photographers “tapped into their own families and friends to capture the very real perspectives from this vulnerable part of many women’s lives.”

The images can be accessed on gettyimages.com using the keywords ‘postpartum,’ ’embodied,’ and ‘unfiltered’ from Oct. 1 2021.

Businesses, brands, and media organisations are encouraged to licence the images when portraying the postpartum experience.

Credit: modibodi / getty images

Chong says that postpartum life isn’t portrayed authentically in media and advertising — particularly the highpoints and lowpoints, the tiredness, loneliness, and anxiety.

“I’ve had four different postpartum experiences,” says Chong. “Among the intense feelings of happiness and limitless love was a sense that I had to keep the challenging parts like loneliness, cracked nipples, postpartum bleeding, exhaustion, and bladder leaks a secret.”

Credit: modibodi / getty images

“While it’s not the experience for all new mums, breastfeeding in public was hard for me. Sentiment was changing towards it being OK to feed in public, however, all my life I had been told to cover up my breasts, that they are private,” adds Chong.

“It was hard for me to switch my brain to feel relaxed and comfortable about getting my boobs out to breastfeed in public. Instead I’d struggle with these wraps to cover myself and my bub would feel the tension and not feed very well.”

As part of the campaign, Modibodi wants parents from around the world to share their own postpartum images on social media using the #PostpartumUnfiltered hashtag.

In order to succeed in college, you’re gonna need a little help from the internet.

College can be scary and overwhelming, and it’s hard to know where to get a little help with your academic tasks. Knowing which websites can help you with various aspects of college life, especially when it comes to assignments, can make all the difference.

We’ve collected 10 websites that will help you along the way in your studies — in fact, you might already be using a few. They’re all great resources that can assist you with essay writing, organization, and troubleshooting math and science problems.

1. Canvas or Blackboard

Canvas and Blackboard are the leading learning management systems. Depending on your campus and your individual classes, one of these websites (or a website like it) will be where your professors post announcements, the syllabus, and your grades. It’s also where you will submit assignments.

2. Your school’s library website

We can’t emphasize this enough — your school’s library website will list all the resources that your school subscribes to and how to access them. Before hitting GoogleScholar when starting on a research paper, check out your library website because there is probably a guide on how to start research on different topics. There will also be the contact info for research librarians, don’t hesitate to set up a meeting with one of them because they will know about resources that may be hard for you to find on your own.

3. Facebook

Lots of student organizations use Facebook to communicate and it’s a great place to find out about events on campus that you might not otherwise know about. Many student organizations use Facebook Groups to communicate with members and following event organization pPages can keep you in the loop about events happening on campus.

4. Desmos

Desmos is an online graphing calculator that’s way easier to use than a physical graphing calculator.

Demos is a free online graphing calculator.
Credit: screenshot: desmos

5. Wolfram Alpha

Wolfram Alpha is an answer engine that’s way better than Yahoo Answers. Search your question and chances are Wolfram Alpha will have a step-by-step solution. Wolfram Alpha is a lifesaver for math and science classes, but can also answer your humanities and life questions. Pop this guy into the search bar “∫ln(4x^3) + 6x δx” and you’ll get an answer!

6. Chegg

Chegg is a website with all kinds of student services, from textbook and e-book rentals to flashcards. The most helpful part of Chegg is CheggStudy, which has textbook solutions and expert Q&A. Textbook solutions are the step-by-step answers to questions found in textbooks. If you post a question on Chegg, an expert will post a step-by-step solution to it. You can also search and see all the questions previously asked and answered through the expert Q&A function. CheggStudy costs $14.95 per month, but chances are someone you know pays for it or has a login, so ask around.

If you’re studying math, CheggStudy is helpful because it has both solutions to textbook problems and expert Q&A to draw answers from. It’s likely that — whatever you’re studying — your question is from a textbook or someone else has already asked it or something similar, so Chegg is a great problem solving tool.

CheggStudy is a lifesaver.
Credit: screenshot: chegg

7. Google Calendar

Google Calendar is a great way to organize your busy schedule. Through Google Calendar you can keep track of your classes, deadlines, and extracurriculars.

8. Jstor

Jstor is an online research database that your school may subscribe to. Jstor has access to 12 million academic journal articles, primary sources, and books. Check your school’s library website to see which research databases it subscribes to.

Jstor is a great resource for writing research papers.
Credit: screenshot: jstor

9. Ebsco

Ebsco is another online research database that your school may subscribe to. It’s a good first stop on your research journey for any paper. Your school’s library website will tell you if you have access to Ebsco.

10. Word Hippo

No list of websites for college students is complete without a thesaurus. Word Hippo is an elite thesaurus that will help you make sure your essays aren’t too repetitive.

Use WordHippo to avoid repeating yourself in your papers.
Credit: screenshot: word hippo

This might be surprising, but the best VPNs aren’t necessarily the most expensive. Some of the best VPNs are actually really affordable, which is great news for anyone looking to secure cheap online security and data protection.

You have come to the right place if you’re looking for a premium VPN with advanced features, without the big price tag. We’ve lined up some great value options for absolutely everyone, and there is no need to compromise on security, connection speed, customer support, or anything else.

But first, there are a few things we need to cover.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide valuable protection for your data and identity when you’re navigating the online world. How do they do this? VPNs offer online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address and makes all of your information unreadable.

All of your activity is untraceable and secure, because your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware. VPNs are primarily designed to provide online security, but there is another reason that millions of people use these services.

VPNs can also be used to stream movies and shows from around the world, and the process is actually really simple. We’ve already mentioned how VPNs provide anonymity by hiding your real IP address. Well, this technique can also be used to manipulate the streaming market. By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another location, you can trick your favourite streaming sites into thinking that you are based in a different country. This provides access to all the extra content that would normally be restricted in your location.

Should you consider free VPNs?

The question that everyone wants an answer to is whether you really need to pay for a VPN. There are plenty of free VPNs out there, but do these offer the features you need to browse, shop, and stream securely? Unfortunately, there is usually some sort of catch with free versions (usually in the form of a limitation on your data usage or connection speed).

Occasional users will probably be satisfied with a free VPN, but if you’re going to be streaming or downloading on a regular basis, you should look elsewhere. The only exception to this rule is a free trial. These come without limitations, but obviously don’t tend to last for a long time. PureVPN offers one of the best free trials, but this isn’t a long-term solution. 

The conclusion is that the best option for securing your data and streaming more content from around the world is with a paid subscription. The sad fact is that you’ll have to pay to gain access to advanced security features without limitations on your usage. It’s not all bad news though, because there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if you’re willing to commit to a lengthy contract.

What are the most important things to consider before subscribing?

The process of actually selecting a VPN can be seriously tricky, especially if you don’t know what to consider. Most of the best VPNs offer many of the same features with similar packages, so it’s important to know what matters.

To make your life a little bit easier, we have shortlisted a few things to consider before making any sort of decision:

Network size and location — The best VPNs offer a large network of geographically diverse servers. The more servers (and server locations) offered by a VPN, the more likely you are to find a reliable and fast connection. This is also particularly important for streaming, as you should always be able to connect to a server in the country with the content you want to watch.

Trustworthiness — We recommend finding an experienced provider with a strong track record and a clear privacy policy. It’s important that your VPN of choice guarantees your data won’t be logged or collected. If it isn’t obvious what happens to your data, you should steer clear.

Jurisdiction — It’s a good idea to look for VPNs based in the British Virgin Islands, Panama, Switzerland, and other privacy-friendly countries. VPNs based in countries that fall under the jurisdiction of the intelligence-sharing alliances should be avoided: the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, France, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Spain. VPNs in these countries can be forced by authorities to collect and hand over user data.

Customer support — VPNs can be difficult to understand if you’re not an experienced user, and even if you are, problems can occur. Whether you’re a total beginner or not, customer support is key for dealing with any potential issues that might arise. You should also consider whether customer support is offered by phone, email, or web chat.

Make sure you consider these features before deciding on the VPN that suits you and your lifestyle. Once you have narrowed down your options, you can begin the process of finding the best deal.

What is the best VPN?

We’re sorry to burst your bubble, but there isn’t one VPN that beats all the rest. The best VPN for you really comes down to your own set of personal preferences. Once you find a few options that tick your boxes, you need to consider the best deals.

We have reached out to partners in order to provide you with market-leading prices on VPN subscriptions, with performance and security in mind. All of these VPN services have been handpicked not only because of the prices and deals on offer, but because they all offer the most important features to protect your online data and identity.

There are also plenty of services to consider on this list if your priority is unlocking streaming sites like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. Online security should always be the priority, but we know that many subscribers use these services to unlock more content from around the world. We get it, and we’re here to help.

These are the best and cheapest VPN deals in September 2021.