Google Play Store vs App Store

Here is the extension of the apple vs android. The iOS and Android software have different download "hubs". For the iOS, it's the App Store. With Android, it's the Google Play Store. I promised in the last blog that I would do a review on this so here it is. We will be comparing 2 aspects: user interface/design, and apps available for download on each platform.

USER INTERFACE/DESIGN

Both the App Store and the Google Play Store have simplistic home screens that allow for efficient navigation between tabs. Whether you are looking for music, e books, or games, you can get there with a swipe of a finger. Though both download platforms are good in quality, Google Play Store has an edge in this comparison due to a better organization of apps and their information. It also has easy access to view your installed apps, updates pending and account settings. In addition, Google Play highlights sections recommended for you and new and updated apps as well. This way you will have a different browsing experience and not get the same old apps being showcased over and over again. As a bonus, the Google Play Store looks much more colorful and aesthetically pleasing than the App Store's basic contrast design. 

APPS

Downloading apps on Google Play and the App Store are a breeze. With just a tap of the screen, you have all apps at your disposal. But the question is, which apps are available for download first? Some apps are available exclusively on the App Store while others are just for the Google Play Store. For example, the game "Brawl Stars" is only available for download on the App Store. 

While it is a difficult process for developers of an app to make it available for download on the App Store, almost all are very stable. With the Google Play Store, it is less of a hassle but much more apps will have minor instability and bugs with the software. An app such as "Snapchat" will run more smoothly on an iOS than on an Android simply because of its download origin. Tough the change is not noticeable at first, it is definitely there. 

I SORT OF MESSED UP

Now we come to the end of this comparison. In hindsight, I realized that this comparison should have come before the Smartphone comparison because now, you probably gotten the smartphone and you are stuck with whatever download platform you have. I only hope that which download hub is on your smartphone, you are happy with its features. If not, you can have my strawberries.

GAME OF PHONES -Android or Apple

The first thought when it comes to buying a smartphone is which one to buy; Apple or Android. Both specialize in constructing excellent smartphones with great features. A customer's first instinct would probably be to choose a decent smartphone and buy it. But if you are the person who wants to buy the best one for you, then you have come to the right place. Today, we are going to delve deep into choosing the ideal smartphone for you.

1. HARDWARE/SOFTWARE

Typically, smartphones made by apple like the iphones are high in quality and performance. Since only Apple makes iphones, it has good control of the hardware and software including how they work together. Their smartphones are also unlikely to overheat.

Android phones are a different story. It's hardware and software are used by multiple manufacturers like LG, Motorola, Samsung, etc. Because of this, Android smartphones vary in shape, size and weight. This means choosing your smartphone will be all the more difficult, first choosing the brand then the model. For example, the LG (brand) G4 (model). Unfortunately, in some brands, Android smartphones are more likely to overheat due to a poorer quality . We wouldn't want another Samsung note 7 incident anytime soon (insert sinister laugh here).

Some people like Apple's simplicity of choosing high quality devices while other may prefer Android's greater, inexpensive selection choice.

2. APPS

 Apple and Android smartphones have their own little hubs to download apps being the App Store and Google Play respectively.  You can usually find the same apps on both of these download hubs though some apps are made specifically for Apple and vice versa for Android. In addition, there will be some apps that will be available on both Google Play and the App Store but on different times. For example, an app may be available on Google Play now but weeks later on the App Store. Overall, the two download hubs are excellent at their job. The deciding factor will most likely be which apps will be available for download on which platform earlier.

Personally, I prefer using Google Play more than the App Store simply because of the ease of access and colourful design. There will most likely be a separate review covering the more specific details of the two download hubs.

3. SECURITY

Apple and Android smartphones all have excellent security features to protect the precious smartphone you are going to buy. For example, lock screens, download confirmation buttons and advanced password options are available at your disposal. Want to unlock phone with face? Sure! Want to create a PIN number that's almost as long as the digits of pi that you'll probably never remember? Sure! 

However, it is usually not those security features that fail when there is something wrong with your smartphone. Just like computer viruses, there are ones made to invade smartphones as well. Some download random apps without your permission while others restart your phone repeatedly or at the most random of times and some even do both! But how does any of the available features prevent you from downloading these viruses? To put it simply, they don't. The only feature that somewhat prevents this is a ineffective confirm download button. Not only that, almost all smartphone viruses are designed to be downloaded on Android smartphones due to the plentiful brands and models that use Android. 

Because most smartphone viruses are meant to be downloaded on Android, it is far more safer to download random things on the internet using a smartphone made by Apple than on Android; not that you should... right? Not all is lost though. There are various antivirus apps available for download in the App Store or Google Play.

Judgement Time

Now we have come to the end of this comparison. These were the pros and cons of Apple and Android smartphones. As said before, there will be a separate review of Google Play and the App Store which will help finalize your decision. In the end it all comes down to your decision and what type of smartphone you want to purchase that is best for you.

Discord v/s TeamSpeak

During a online multiplayer game, voice communications or voice chat, is essential for you to coordinate and strategize with your team. The gaming life would be so frustrating without it. Imagine this scene: you are playing a round of "Battlefield 4" with your friend Bill. You have just gotten an 8 kill-streak when suddenly, you get taken out by another player because he had voice chat and you didn't; also Bill couldn't warn you about the danger. Now that you know the importance of voice chat, it's time to decide which voice chat app is best for you.Two of the  most popular ones are Discord and TeamSpeak.

Discord

Discord is a free cross-platform voice and text chat app primarily used by gamers as a form of communication when playing with one another. To use the app, you can join a channel or create one yourself which you can customize however you like as long as its within the parameters of the app. Discord also features an friendly user interface and helpful hints when it takes you on the "Grand Tour" when you first load up the application. As you can see in the picture under the logo, the layout is very organized. You have your channels bar on the leftmost part of the screen

A look inside Discord

while the bar on the right side indicates who is currently part of the channel. On the right side of the channels bar, you can create and name text and voice chat groups for your channel. In the middle of the screen is where you can text with other people in the channel. If you want speak or text someone in another group of the same channel, just click on another group. Everything will be explained more thoroughly in the tutorial when you load the app as a for the first time. All in all, Discord is for those people that want a simple yet effective way to communicate with one another.

A look inside TeamSpeak

TeamSpeak

Though there are three versions of TeamSpeak (;TeamSpeak, TeamSpeak2, and TeamSpeak3), today, we will be focusing on the most modern version;  TeanSpeak3 which will be referred to as TeamSpeak for the duration of the comparison. TeamSpeak is a free voice over internet protocol software which allows for audio communication between users on a channel. TeamSpeak functions similarly with Discord and is also primarily used by gamers. The app has much more customization options so you can make your channel to your liking. However, with buttons here and there, you don't know where to get started. It will take a while before you get used to the app; some more than others.

Judgement Time

Both Discord and TeamSpeak are very effective for voice and text communication. The difference is in the style in which the two apps use. TeamSpeak is more for those who wish to completely deck out their channel with a truckload of customizable options and Discord is for the people who prefer a more simple way of communication so you can get right into it without looking for tutorials or anything of the sort. As mentioned before, Discord and TeamSpeak are both very effective means for communication. Whichever app you choose, I'm sure you'll find a way to enjoy gaming with friends and remember, "Be Like Bill".

Keyboard Comparison: "Ctrl" Your Typing Life

The keyboard is essential for your typing needs. In fact, I'm using my keyboard to type right now! Since we use our keyboards pretty much every day, it would be a rational decision to invest in at least in a worthy one. Though there are many types of keyboards on the market, we are going to focus on two today: mechanical keyboards and membrane keyboards.

How Keyboards Work

Keyboards work by you pressing a key. Pressing down on that key completes an open circuit under said key. When the open circuit is completed, it sends an electrical signal to the computer registering whatever key you pressed on the screen. If the key is held down, the key repeats itself until you let go. All keyboards, whether mechanical or membrane, work this way. If you don't believe me; open up Google and hold down any key you like.

Membrane Keyboards

These adequate keyboards are popular on the market. Membrane keyboards feature quiet, average high-speed typing, being more affordable than mechanical keyboards while still having the same functions. On the other hand, they don't live as long a life as other types of keyboards and wear out more easily. In addition, on some membrane keyboards you feel as if you are pressing into JELL-O when the typing starts. However, experienced keyboard users know that membrane keyboards just don't cut it when it comes to professional typing/gaming.

Mechanical Keyboards

Ah, the classic mechanical keyboard, a typist's or gamer's ultimate dream: The satisfying clickety-clack sounds overwhelm you as you pass the 40 WPM mark or when you're about to receive a "Pentakill" in your "League of Legends" match. Your fingers are flying across the keyboard with speed and precision.

Above is a quite accurate description of owning a mechanical keyboard. These can also be referred to as the "Elite Group of Keyboards". Mechanical keyboards 1 up membrane keyboards in terms of high-speed typing, precision and lifetime. Professional typists and gamers know that it's like switching from driving a horse-drawn carriage to a 2017 Ferrari. However, they can be loud. The clickety-clack sound mechanical keyboards make can get quite annoying over time; especially if you're the quiet type of person. For instance, imagine you are working late at night on a project. You are tired. Loud clickety-clack sounds are not comfortable sounds to hear when you are close to collapsing in your chair.

Judgement Time

   So which type of keyboard is superior? The truth is that both keyboards have their own strengths and weaknesses. Both keyboards outclass each other depending on the situation where you use the keyboard for. If you're one of those hardcore typist/gamers and choose the mechanical keyboard with its rapid high-speed typing and long life, your choice will serve you well. On the other hand, if you're not much of a computer person or enjoy your quiet time, it's best that you stick to a more economically friendly membrane keyboard.

Console Comparison

When it comes to console gaming, consumers prefer a top of the line, inexpensive platform. So when Microsoft's X-Box and Sony's PlayStation clashed in the market, deciding which one to get was all the hype. Today, the two companies are still at it. Microsoft is introducing the X-Box One X with Sony's answer being the PS4 Pro. Both of these console feature high definition and resolution 4K gaming. Now before your brain self-destructs trying to decide which console to buy, I'm going to tell you right now and save you a trip to the hospital in case your brain really does self-destruct. We are going to compare three aspects that will likely be the deciding factor of which console you will buy: design, performance and pricing.

1. Design

One of the key aspects in deciding which console to buy is the design. Customers want an appealing design that stands out from other competitors.

The X-Box One X features a sleek minimalistic box like design (which is why they call it the X-Box) and a smooth texture on its surface. Default, the whole console is black though there are some more colorful variants. Its small size, 11.8 x 9.4 x 2.4 inches, allows for more places you can put it in your home. Some even call it the "smallest X-Box ever". Because of its small size, the X-Box One X is relatively light too weighing in at 8.4 pounds. Moving on to the controller, it handles well. The curvature of the controller is comfortable and light on your hands. The bright and colorful buttons create a wonderful contrast against the black controller and the positioning of the joysticks give your hands some freedom when you are holding it in your hands.

The PS4 Pro’s design is similar to the X-Box One X. It too sports a box like design however the console is layered into three panels and somewhat resembles a sandwich or a Big Mac from McDonalds. The console’s size 12.8 x 11.6 x 2.1 inches, is slightly larger than its competitor but makes up for it in its weight at 7.2 pounds; making it 1.2 pounds lighter than the X-Box One X. The PS4 Pro controller features a more restricted handholding position and a less colorful layout. Despite that, the controller has a built in speaker that can flash various colors and feedback form the game. For example, in” Battlefield” or “Call of Duty”, radio commands and calls are played via your controller speaker. However, new controller variants such as the PS4 "Revolution" are nearly identical to the X-Box One X controller and one can even argue that it is even better.


2. Performance

Performance wise, both consoles have 4K gaming and high speed, high resolution processors. Both consoles use unquestionably different styles of CPU cores. While the PS4 Pro uses a 2.1GHz 8-core AMD custom "Jaguar" CPU. The X-Box One X uses eight custom x86 cores clocked at 2.3GHz, a very fast processor indeed. The two consoles use an AMD Graphics Processing Unit or GPU. An Integrated AMD graphics card with 6 teraflops of performance and 12 GB of RAM in the X-Box One X easily pulls ahead of the PS4 Pro’s Integrated AMD Polaris graphics with 4.2 teraflops of performance and only 8GB of RAM. In this case, the X-Box One X is significantly better in performance with improved CPU, GPU and amount of RAM.

3. Pricing

Now, we come to the last slightly depressing stage of this console comparison: the price tag. The better something is, the more it costs. That’s exactly the case between the X-Box One X and the PS4 Pro. The consoles have a $100 difference in price; the X-Box One X rests at $499 along with the PS4 Pro at $399. Indeed the X-Box is superior in performance but at a cost of $100 more.

 Here we are finally competing the console comparison. Remember, ultimately it will be YOUR choice to decide which console you will purchase. This is merely but a guide to lead your way through the path or balancing gaming and finance.

First week back at SWC guide ( Grade 10 )

The first week back at Churchill is a somewhat different experience than the other times’ school has started back up. For one, this is grade 10 and everything from your marks to credits from now on counts now as well with changes to the curriculum. Second of all, your courses can often get messed up adding to the fact that you have new teachers, sometimes finding that you have to deal with sprinting down the hallway 30 seconds before the bell rings trying to find room 201. Lastly, the start of the school year could actually be better compared to past first weeks. Let’s see how you can survive the first week of school; specifically, grade 10.

In grade 10, the graduation program starts. This means that every single mark, grade or credit counts towards your graduation and eventually, your post-secondary education. For example, what I'm writing right now counts towards that as well. Of course, this puts a little stress on all of us in grade 10 classes because getting a 30% on a test will destroy you (.Not really, but you get the point). In fact, on the first day back, a relief that it’s only 1 hour long, I’ve heard people groaning about this for the DURATION of the hour. Now don’t get me wrong since I was pretty bummed out about it myself but hey; what can you do? However, the great thing is, you don't have to do provincial exams. The government got rid of that last year. This will relieve you of much pressure of you thinking: "I'm gonna die on the provincial exam". Not only that, the old curriculum was scrapped as well. I don’t completely what this new curriculum has in store for the school so I can't tell much about it at the moment. Another thing that's changed is that we have new teachers now.

Unlike grade 8 or 9 where you have the chance of getting the same teacher in a row for a consecutive year, grade 10’s have minimal chance of getting the same teachers as last year. For the rest of the week, you rotate through all eight of your classes where you get course outlines, papers and on the rare occasion that a teacher decides to give you homework on the very first day in his class, some of that was well. Though most of the time, your timetable for the day is correct, there are some instances of having the wrong course that you have chosen because the schedules are fairly tight. In this case, I recommend that you head straight towards your grade’s designated counsellor right away. Otherwise, you may have to face the long lines and congestion that infects the stairwells outside room 206 where the counselors’ offices are. In other words, go quickly or forever hold your peace.

A major thing you will notice is that after you make the transition to grade 10 is that it will not be like your first 2 years. In fact, I may even say it could be better than your last two years. For example, you feel used to the school environment. You don't really feel uncomfortable like in grade 8 when you are new. Or not too pressured as in grade 11 when your marks are crucial. Grade 10 or even grade 9 gives you an introduction of what’s next to come and prepares you for the years ahead. It can compare somewhat to a niche in your high school career, making you feeling somewhat more comfortable with the new school year starting.

However, as you have experienced the “first week process” and if you are used to it, then the process may seem slightly tedious and overwhelming but once you get past the first week, everything just falls into place.